Times - 11 January 2022

Council prepares for Omicron

Like many other organisations, Auckland Council is preparing for how widespread community transmission of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 might affect its services, service delivery, workforce and customers. Auckland Council chief executive Jim Stabback says the council is doing what it can to plan for the impacts of an Omicron outbreak and, while some of those impacts can’t be mitigated, there are some important considerations to be made.

expresses support for Tonga Botany MP and National Party leader Christopher Luxon is expressing concern for the people of Tonga following the recent volcanic eruption and tsunami.

The closing of a popular water park at Maraetai Beach after an alleged assault and vandalism has caused an outcry of community anger and calls for more police presence.

outcry

At once the boy comes back for more (5).

Thieves ram-raid superette

Police are working to identify the people who used a vehicle to break into an east Auckland superette before helping themselves to various items and then fleeing. A police spokesperson says an investigation is under way into a ramraid incident at the shop in Wharf Road, Bucklands Beach. “The incident occurred just before 4am on January 19 where a vehicle was used to force entry into the premises.”

Scant choice for KiwiBuild hopefuls out east

People hoping to get onto the property ladder by buying one of the Government’s KiwiBuild homes in east Auckland will find slim pickings in the local community. There are currently no homes available for sale in east Auckland on the KiwiBuild website.

Maraetai Waterworld Water Park made a splash in the community over the summer as thousands of kids and adults enjoyed the various obstacles and activities on the inflatable course.

Botany MP Christopher Luxon says his thoughts are with the people of Tonga after the recent volcanic eruption and tsunami.

Photo Twitter screenshot Dr Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau/RNZ

Waterpark closure causes

Ash

mechan-

engineer has opened a new clockmaking shop on Picton Street. Ash Bajaj, 38, told the Times that he has been repairing and restoring timekeeping devices for more than three decades.

New Covid support payment welcomed

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a new Covid19 Support Payment for sectors like hospitality and events, which are experiencing significant financial strain due to the accelerating Omicron outbreak. The new payment will provide eligible businesses with fortnightly payments of $4000 and $400 per full-time equivalent (FTE) employee, up to 50 employees or a cap of $24,000.

Campaigners fume over change to hearings

People fighting the proposed sale of east Auckland public reserves are angry they now won’t be able to express their view over an important step in the legal process in person.

Auckland Council voted in late 2020 to dispose of 83 properties it owns across the city in an effort to raise money from “asset recycling”.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this”

Stressors on local hospitality businesses continues to mount as they suffer from staff and skill shortages, reduced menus and hours, supply issues and cancelled functions. Barry O’Shaughnessy, owner of The Good Home Restaurant and Bar – The Prospect of Howick, has had an advertisement for an experienced cook on employment website Seek for two weeks. He’s had four responses. None were suitable.

car

Court trials loom for accused

Three criminal trials with links to east Auckland were set to be held during 2022. The first was scheduled to begin on March 7 at the

High Court and was expected to take four weeks. It was to see two men accused of

Wiremu Arapo, 27, who died following a

at his Cockle Bay home in late 2020, defend the charge.

Beachlands’

Roundabout ‘gauntlet’ irks drivers

A roundabout installed as part of a $300,000 upgrade to an east Auckland intersection is drawing criticism from motorists who say it’s hard to navigate and is damaging their vehicles. The Times reported in April last year Auckland Transport (AT) planned to install the roundabout at the intersection of Advene Road, Avoca Road, and Alexander Street in Cockle Bay.

The Good Home owner Barry O’Shaughnessy has

over two

Times photo Wayne Martin

The men accused of killing Wiremu Arapo, who died following a fire at his east Auckland home, were to go on trial in March.

Auckland

murdering

fire

Rashna Tata, far left, and Michelle Varga, far right, are among the residents fighting to stop the sale of their local public reserve in Aberfeldy Avenue, Pakuranga.

Times file photo Chris Harrowell

Police

damaged as bottles hurled at cops

Police were besieged by flying bottles after responding to reports of fighting outside an east Auckland home.

A police spokesperson says officers arrived at the address in Half Moon Bay at about 10pm on February 12 after receiving calls about a “large group” of people fighting outside the property.

Fox wins Abu Dhabi classic

Ryan Fox secured the biggest title of his career by winning the Ras Al Khaimah Classic by five shots on Sunday.

Putin’s war ‘barbaric’

Ukranians living in Howick have denounced Russia’s invasion of their home country with one describing it as unlawful and barbaric. They have been worried about their friends’ and families’ safety since Russian President Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24. News agency Reuters estimates there have been at least 9100 deaths with 1.7 million Ukranians displaced, having fled to neighbouring countries.

Pak United Rugby shuts down

Pakuranga United Rugby Club [PURC] has shut down its facilities until March 14 due to the effects of Covid-19. The club said in an email, “In conjunction with the Pakuranga United board of management and with the wellbeing of the membership across all our sporting codes at front of mind, the decision has been made close the club rooms and changing room facilities until the 14th of March.

LOOKING BACK 2022 – MARCH

Convicted killer dies in prison

An east Auckland man convicted more than a decade ago of murdering his flatmate has died in prison. Glenn McDonald was sentenced to serve 11 years in prison after fatally shooting his flatmate Keith Kahi multiple times with a high-powered air rifle at their home in Tullis Place, Burswood, on July 4, 2010.

Thieves target businesses

Valuable watches are among the items targeted by thieves who broke into and ransacked three east Auckland businesses. The breakins are believed to have been carried out in Howick Village between Monday night and Tuesday morning and police are working to identify those responsible.

Niamh named in ANZ Next XI

Local cricketer Niamh Falanitule, 12, has scored the opportunity of a lifetime being named one of the ANZ Next XI. ANZ searched the country to find 11 passionate young cricketers who were ready to take their skills to the next level.

Police testing hybrid vehicles

Police will soon start operational testing of hybrid frontline cars as part of an ongoing effort to reduce their carbon footprint. New Skoda Superb primary response police vehicles were unveiled in March last year. Skoda cars are being used on the roads of east Auckland by Counties Manukau Police and a Skoda Kodiaq vehicle was being used by police in Beachlands.

LOOKING BACK 2022 – APRIL

Pharmacy suffers 2nd break-in

An east Auckland pharmacy has suffered a second break-in in less than three weeks. At 5.48am on Saturday April 2, a man threw a large rock through the glass door of Unichem Pakuranga in Cortina Place. This occurred 16 days after the first burglary (Times, March 22) where an unidentified figure used the base of a vaccination flag to shatter the same entrance.

The mother of a teenage boy hospitalised after a vicious group attack in east Auckland says the people who injured her son are “absolutely disgusting” and she wants them to know: “I am not going to stop until they are caught”. Aaron Gray, 18, was walking with a small group of male friends and his girlfriend through Casuarina Road Reserve in Pakuranga in the early hours of March 27 when the incident happened. He sustained multiple injuries, including fractures, a black eye and a haematoma.

Explore Group and Ngai Tai commence Tiritiri Matangi ferry service

Tourism operator Explore Group will take over operations of the Tiritiri Matangi Island ferry from Fullers. Explore, in partnership with local iwi Nga?i Tai ki Ta?maki, began operations of the ferry service on April 1 sailing from Auckland via Gulf Harbour to Tiritiri Matangi weekly, Wednesday through to Sunday.

Doctor to help in Ukraine conflict

After witnessing the bombing and destruction of his homeland from his home in Australia, Dr Andriy Boyko is travelling to Europe to provide critical medical support to those affected by the conflict. Boyko, who attended Macleans and Howick colleges, told the Times that while the public often saw raw video footage, it is never quite as real as when glimpsing familiar places being bombed and attacked. “Half of my family and friends in Ukraine are displaced and are in relative safety on the western border,” Boyko says.

Young leader tackling big issues

Aryan Bhatnagar intends to use the next five months investigating one of the biggest issues facing young New Zealanders. The 18-year-old former Botany Downs Secondary College pupil is leading a project to audit the provision of mental health services available to his peers as part of his role as the 2022 Botany Youth MP.

Person charged over ram raids

Police have arrested and charged a person in relation to several ram raid incidents in east and south Auckland. Detective inspector Karen Bright, of Counties Manukau Police’s criminal investigation branch, says the incidents happened in Flat Bush, Drury, and Paerata between 11.50pm on March 31 and 1am the following day. “A significant amount of property was recovered, including three stolen vehicles,” she says. Police are making enquiries into a fourth incident that occurred at a petrol station in Pakuranga.

Olga Middlemiss and her family and friends were at the Auckland protest in Aotea Square on February 27 in support of Ukraine.

Police say they will make enquiries into tagging left behind in Howick at the same time three local businesses were broken into. Times photos Wayne Martin

Niamh Falanitule, who plays for Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club, has won the opportunity to meet and train with the White Ferns. Photo supplied

‘I’m not going to stop until they’re caught’

Botany MP and National Party leader Christopher Luxon, left, with his Youth MP Aryan Bhatnagar.

Times photo Wayne Martin

writer Leonie Agnew, of Pakuranga, has won the Storylines Tessa Duder Award. It is a national competition for a young adult manuscript and the winner gets a publishing deal with Australasian book publisher Walker Books Australia.

Cannabis company reaches new heights

East Tamaki-based Helius Therapeutics has been given the green light to produce New Zealand grown and made medicinal cannabis products. Cameron Doran, the chief executive, says NZ’s self grown and created cannabis is something Kiwis have been waiting for since the inception of the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme. “It’s an exciting milestone.”

Ropati leaving Howick College

Howick College principal Iva Ropati is leaving the school after more than a dozen years’ service for a role in the Bay of Plenty. Ropati has been offered and has accepted the role of principal at Papamoa College.

Pair charged over teen’s death

Two people charged over the death of east Auckland teenager Connor Boyd will go on trial next year. Boyd, 18, was injured in Auckland’s CBD at about 2.35am on April 24. Police said in a statement at the time the incident happened near the intersection of Customs Street East and Commerce Street and involved a vehicle and a pedestrian. The vehicle involved left the scene but was later located by police.

Diego’s star on the rise

Rising tennis star Diego QuispeKim was just three-years-old when he picked up a racket. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. His dad and coach Juan QuispeChavez – a tennis coach at top private school Saint Kentigern College where Diego is a student – believes his son is a natural.

Left: Diego Quispe-Kim is winning titles all over the place and the Aussies have even tried to snap him up.

A Beachlands development

include about 3000 dwellings as well as commercial,

education and open space amenities once fully developed. Beachlands South Limited Partnership has applied to Auckland Council for a plan change necessary to facilitate the development of a coastal urban neighbourhood at the waterfront site.

Old nag ain’t what he used to be This old grey nag ain’t what he used to be. Hence I’m consigning myself to pasture but, at nigh on 80, definitely not stud. If I were to write my own story it would have to be titled The Square Peg since falling into journalism 62 years ago after NZ Railways let me break my 20 quid apprentice carpenter’s bond because I was costing them more in wasted timber.

Agnew’s Angle

with Ivan Agnew

The Times has had the honour of counting journalist and author Ivan Agnew as one of its long-time sta writers and columnists. His incredible memory and brilliant writing will be a remarkable legacy. This is his final column

Another award for talented writer

Celebrated New Zealand author Tessa Duder, left, and Pakuranga children’s writer Leonie Agnew. Photo supplied An

St Kents mourns death of school head

Saint Kentigern College is mourning the death of David Hodge, former head of the school. Hodge died on April 29 surrounded by his family.

LA ROCHE BOOK

BE INSPIRED

Nine

TAIL OF A WHALE

AN EXCITING REFRESH IS COMING FOR THE RIDGE ROAD MURAL

NEW BOSS AT BOUTIQUE

Cara

COASTAL ECHO TAKES PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Artist

HOWICK 175 POP-UP CLASSIC CAR DISPLAY

LOCALS DEFY WEATHER FOR SANTA PARADE

The

hold a monthly event and use the 175 theme for 2022,” said Brit & Euro Classic Car Committee Rev Dr Richard Waugh.

SALVATION ARMY WELCOMES NEW OFFICERS

Pastors Neil, right, and Tiana Henderson in front of the Salvation Army East City’s food pantry.

The Billboard Project 2022 is set to upgrade the mural on Ridge Road.

Marris has been working as a manager at the Charity Boutique since August.

artists showcased their colourful and creative pieces in a group exhibition called ‘Adorn’ at The Art Lounge NZ.

Howick Santa Parade was a great success despite the rain.

Daisy Nicholas was chosen by the community for her artwork Coastal Echo, a cyanotype made in collaboration with the estuary water.

Illegal rubbish dumping still an eyesore

People living in a rapidly developing part of east Auckland are still being plagued by the ugly sight of piles of illegally dumped rubbish. Elevation Street in Flat Bush and several surrounding streets are being used as a dumping ground by those wanting to get rid of household waste and other items. Over two months in late 2021 numerous piles of rubbish were dumped by the roadside in Elevation Street.

Tamaki Estuary seagrass returns

Tamaki Estuary is slowly showing signs of ecological recovery after several decades of poor health. One of most encouraging signs appears to be the gradual return of a native seagrass and the very real potential of a healthy ecosystem re-emerging. The changes have got Bruce Kendall – co-chair of the Tamaki Estuary Environmental Forum – very excited. Kendall, a double Olympic boardsailing medallist, should know. He’s sailed the estuary and surrounding waters since he was a teenager.

BACK 2022 – JUNE

MP blames gang shootings on “softon-crime” approach

Gang warfare is spreading into east Auckland with two local houses being shot at by armed offenders in recent days. Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown says the Labour Government’s “softon-crime” approach is to blame, but the Government says its investment in law and order “has made a difference”.

Armed police at the scene of the recent shooting in Bleakhouse Road, Mellons Bay. Times photo Wayne Martin

Local mum on MasterChef 2022

A 40-year-old stay-at-homemum from Botany is one of the 27 record-breaking number of cooking hopefuls chosen to compete for a place in the MasterChef HQ in picturesque Queenstown. Just 16 of them will make it into the MasterChef NZ kitchen at the Vingard winery.

Jury finds Fang Sun guilty of Elizabeth Zhong’s murder

Huge response to blanket appeal

The Blankets 4 Kids 4 Winter appeal organised by Howick Rotary and supported by the Howick Village Association drew to a close last Tuesday with a record number of dona-

tions. With blankets still flowing in, the end result will be in excess of 1500 blankets donated to help keep needy families and kids warm this winter, Rotary Convenor, Bill Charkow said.

LOOKING BACK 2022 – JULY

In the early hours of November 28, 2020, when most east Auckland residents would have been sleeping soundly in their beds, a killer was creeping silently toward the Sunnyhills home of Elizabeth (Ying) Zhong. After hearing evidence for more than a month from dozens of witnesses, a jury at the Auckland High Court on June 2 delivered its verdict that Zhong’s former business partner Fang Sun was her killer.

Macleans

campaign

Eric Douglas Wilson, believed to be one of two known surviving Kiwi veterans from the Battle of Crete campaign during WWII, died peacefully on June 24 aged 103. Wilson, of the 24th Battalion DivAm, was made a life member of Howick RSA in January 2018 with Colin Smith, Royal Australia Navy, who died just two days earlier (Times , June 29). Wilson first joined Howick RSA in 1991. He was a member of various associations since leaving the army in 1945. He served in Greece, Crete, the Middle East and Italy.

Bin filled with rubbish removed from creek

Volunteers were left shocked by what they discovered during a major clean-up at an east Auckland waterway. About 40 people turned out recently for a working bee at the Botany Creek, which runs between Highland Park and Lloyd Elsmore Park. The two-hour event was funded by the Howick Local Board, organised by Pest Free Howick and staged from Highland Park Community House.

Fight to protect aquatic life

Work is under way to prevent the ecological damage that’s contributed to the deaths of aquatic life in east Auckland’s waterways. About 30 eels were found dead in the upper estuary in Huntington Park near Ti Rakau Drive, Burswood, in December 2020.

Police focussed on youth crime, ramraids

A local cop has said that 80 per cent of ram raids are committed by offenders younger than 18 with 70 per cent aged between 13 and 15. The Rotary Club of Somerville hosted an informational discussion at Te Tuhi on June 15 to hear from the Counties Manukau Central Area Commander Inspector Rodney Honan and senior sergeant Anson Lin.

Medical services facing ‘perfect storm’

More than a year after east Auckland’s only local overnight medical service closed, it’s yet to be replaced and it appears unlikely to be reopened any time soon.There was an outcry from local residents when it was announced in late 2020 the highly-valued after-hours service at East Care Accident and Medical in Botany was to end. Then-East Care chief executive Gordon Armstrong said at the time it was a decision “taken with enormous regret”. The 11pm-7am service at the medical centre in Botany Road had operated for more than 20 years.

Botany’s Sieumuoi Hancock is hoping to make the final 16 for MasterChef NZ 2022.

WWII veteran Eric Wilson with family and friends on his 102nd birthday in April last year. Photo Wayne Martin Wilson one of last survivors from Greek

named top state secondary school

Macleans College has been named the top state secondary school in New Zealand for all round student achievement for the fourth year in a row. The recent rankings survey published by Crimson Education NZ is based on a review of academic performance, extra-curricular and leadership opportunities, equal access and students’ university pathways.

Homeless woman moved on from church parking lot

A homeless woman has been asked to vacate the premises of a church parking lot in Howick after living there for nine months. Lisa Warnock’s car was towed from the All Saints Anglican Church in Ponsonby before she moved to the All Saints Anglican Church in Howick in October of last year. She has been using a single parking space besides the entrance/exit of the church ever since. She sleeps in her car, which she cannot drive due to an expired driver’s licence and no warrant of fitness, and uses the close proximity to visit her aging mother.

Frustration, confusion over indecision on community building

Questions are being asked about why the Howick Local Board has so far been unable to appoint an organisation to manage an underused community building. Howick Village Association (HVA) chairman Ken Scott says he’s disappointed and confused as to why a majority of the board’s members have repeatedly rejected recommendations to approve the HVA as manager of the Howick War Memorial Hall in Picton Street.

Musick Point spruce up

Musick Point – Te Naupata Reserve has had a major spruce up thanks to a group of community volunteers and a cash injection from the Howick Local Board. The land, part of Ngai Tai Ki Tamaki treaty settlement, has been neglected for many years and had many phoenix palms, wattle, tobacco plant trees and many other registered pest plants growing there.

Disabled youth forum is born

An east Aucklander is creating a disabled youth forum to raise awareness about various disabilities, have a safe and inclusive environment to share viewpoints and inspire change. Bucklands Beach resident Natasha Astill has fetal valproate syndrome (FVS), a rare condition that is caused by exposure of the unborn baby to valproic acid or sodium valproate during the first three months of pregnancy.

‘The killer showed no mercy’

The man who brutally murdered a businesswoman in her Sunnyhills home in late 2020 will serve more than 18 years in prison for the crime. Fang Sun appeared before Justice Neil Campbell at the Auckland High Court on Tuesday for sentencing after previously being found guilty of the murder of Elizabeth (Ying) Zhong following a six-week jury trial.

Natasha Astill is starting a disabled youth forum for those with disabilities.

Jess takes title at X Air Local skater Jessica Ready, 12, has won the women’s section at the New Zealand X Air competition. Ready, a gymnast from the age of two, started skating in 2019. Her parents noticed her interest in skating and purchased her a skateboard for her ninth birthday.

Photo Brad Makatoa (Subculture)

This

HOWICK 175 REVIEW

It’s a wrap! Photo snapshot

2022 is a very special year for East Auckland with the 175th anniversary of the Fencible family migration scheme in 1847 and beginnings of Howick and districts as we know it today.

The purpose of the 175th community events is for the community to recognise and honour its history and to celebrate together the quality and diversity of life and cultures we enjoy in east Auckland.

By 1854, a total of 2463 Fencible family members had arrived to create settlements at Howick, Panmure, Otahuhu and Onehunga. Howick was always the largest Fencible settlement and the total Fencible migration almost doubled the settler population of Auckland at that time.

The steering committee was create in 2021 for Howick & Districts’ 175th commemorations, from left, Katie Treneman, John Russell, Adele White, Marin Burgess, Morrin Cooper, Jim Donald, Rev Dr Richard Waugh, Alan La Roche, Philippa McGimpsey and Reay Neben. Times photo Wayne Martin

The Howick & Districts Historical Society was handed a copy of ‘The Book of Howick’ published to mark Howick’s centennial in 1947 signed by WP Payne. Marin Burgess, president of the Howick & Districts Historical Society at the time, sought to find Payne.

wonderful book documents the history of Howick and districts over the past 175 years. These stories are written by Howick Historian Alan La Roche, celebrating the region’s 175th Anniversary in 2022. Compiled by the Times, the book features a selection of his columns which featured in the Howick and Pakuranga Times begining in this region’s 170th year.

Howick 175 Ambassadors, appointed as volunteers to promote the Howick and districts’ anniversary year, at Bell House from left Marin Burgess, Judy Parr, Philippa McGimpsey, Harjit Singh, Rob Mouncey (partly obscured), Joan Gill, Ian Rodger, Richard Waugh, Lingling Liang, Ethan McCormack, Pam Taylor, Marion Skelton, Brian Stocking, Steve Udy. Absent: Sir Barry Curtis, Adele White, Mike Rowse.

Chair of the Howick 175 committee Rev Dr Richard Waugh says the new website www. howick175.co.nz will be the main information source for Howick’s 175th anniversary storytelling, events and activities.

OWAIROA

< HOWICK

Getting into the spirit of Howick 175 celebrations are, from left, Tadhg Nevin, 9 and his sister Keeva, 7, and brother Oisin, 5 of Farm Cove. Photo Wayne Martin

Former Howick Borough mayor Morrin Cooper, left, and Howick’s Town Crier Jim Donald joined forces to create a special new beer for the region’s milestone anniversary.

Images of two of the ships that brought Fencible families to Auckland 175 years ago. Left; a model of the ‘Minerva’ which brought most of the Howick Fencibles to Auckland. Right; The ‘Sir George Seymour’ painted by well-known local artist Keith Snow.

The 175th Trust was impressed with the number of entries from local primary schools for a competition which required pupils to either draw or write a story, poem, diary or letter telling how life may have been in Howick 175 years ago.

Howick Village Association manager Jane Newbury and HVA’s Sarah Laing wearing the stylish aprons made to mark this year’s 175th anniversary celebrations of Howick and districts.

HOWICK 175 REVIEW

of Howick 175 celebrations

Howick 175 ambassadors Ling Ling Liang and Vinson Chao Yu recently formed a committee to promote Howick’s 175th celebrations and to provide an understanding of local history and culture to the Chinese community. They held a celebratory event at Bell House on October 9.

Flags to commemorate Howick 175 celebrations were donated by the Polish Museum.

175 canisters of a special blend tea to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Howick. The tea was blended by local tea connoisseur Matt Greenwood, together with tea importer Paolo Aryan.

Local students donned their best early Howick era costumes at an event celebrating their learning in the past term, dedicated to the region’s upcoming 175th anniversary. Bucklands Beach Primary School (pictured) opened their classrooms to the community on Thursday in celebration of the school’s Howick 175 learning, followed by a picnic lunch.

Howick’s Heritage Quilts were on display in the Art Lounge in Picton St, Howick, from October to November. These quilt panels depict the unique geographic, historic and ethnic mix of Howick.

Town crier Jim Donald (left) and his Pamerston North counterpart, Lyal Brenton, treat marketgoers as part of the Town Crier Festival, organised by Howick Village Association. The town criers shouted it out at the Market Square on November 5.

The Howick Beach Picnic, the culmination of the year’s festivities commemorating the Fencibles’ and their families landing at the beach in November 1847, was extremely popular with youngsters trying out numerous activities on the water and on land. Formalities were conducted outside the Howick Coastguard facilities. Later up[ in the village was the unveiling of the Howick 175 plaque at Fencible Walk Park on Picton Street by Opposition Leader and Botany MP Christopher Luxon and Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown.

Bishop Selwyn’s welcome picnic for the Fencible families was recalled in a 175th Trust event with a picnic at St John’s Theological College in Meadowbank. 1. St John’s – inside the chapel, photo Deb Owen. 2. Rev Dr Allan Davidson with the Mother of Pearl Cross, photo Paul Glenton LPSNZ. 3. Rev Dr Richard Waugh with wife Jane Waugh, Photo Paul Glenton LPSNZ. 4. Walking in the grounds with Marin Burgess. Photo Deb Owen.

There was a big turnout for 175th anniversary dinner. Two hundred and fifty guests took their seats at the Howick 175th Anniversary luncheon sponsored by Bayleys at the Howick Pakuranga Community Sports Centre at Lloyd Elsmore Park.

LOOKING BACK 2022 –SEPTEMBER

Mayoral candidates compete for votes at Grey Power debate

The Auckland mayoral candidate debate road show rolled into east Auckland again with six of the contenders vying to take over the role from Phil Goff making their pitch to hundreds of voters. Goff is not standing for re-election at the Auckland Council elections being held next month.

Police

seize firearm from vehicle in Flat Bush

Police say they’ve seized firearms and impounded vehicles as part of a crackdown on gang activity across Auckland.

Detective inspector Aaron Proctor says frontline officers with Counties Manukau

East Police recently stopped a vehicle of interest in Flat Bush.

Pedestrian injured at weekend dies

A woman critically injured in Botany following a serious crash at the weekend has died. The crash occurred near the intersection of Cascades and Botany Roads at around 12.25pm on Saturday, September 10 and involved a pedestrian and a vehicle.

Heimgartner: Dream end to Pukekohe

Macleans wins secondary schools golf champs

Macleans College continues to prove it is the golfing school to beat in New Zealand, taking out the New Zealand Boys’ Secondary Schools Championship for the third time in the last four events. Kings College took out the girls’ event comfortably. The Macleans College side of Stephen Liu, Daniel Ko and Samuel Ding combined for four-under-par to win by 11 shots over St Peters. Kings College took out the bronze.

Off-duty cop stood down following fatal crash

An investigation is under way after an off-duty police officer was involved in a fatal traffic crash that claimed a cyclist’s life in east Auckland last weekend. Emergency services were called to the crash in Stancombe Road, Flat Bush, just before 8.15am on Saturday. Police said the crash involved a

a moving vehicle and multiple parked vehicles.

Waterfront owners fined

Waterfront property owners are being warned not to take matters into their own hands after a Beachlands resident carried out unapproved erosion prevention works, copping a fine of more than $41,000. Auckland Council says the property owner carried out substantial preventative erosion works without building and resource consents. K4 Group Management Ltd constructed large, unconsented retaining walls on the waterfront property in Hawke Crescent, before deciding to apply for consent retrospectively.

Beachlands oldest resident dies

Beachlands’ oldest resident, 102-year-old Esme Peters, has died. Peters’ daughter and son-in-law, Fran and Duncan Pardon, said she died peacefully at home on August 21 after a short illness. She lived in Beachlands’ for 40 years after she and her late husband Charles retired in 1982.

Dannemora’s Andre Heimgartner says he was hoping for a fairytale ending for countryman Shane van Gisbergen at the Repco Supercars Championship races at Pukekohe last weekend. Van Gisbergen overhauled Cam Waters in a remarkable battle to win Sunday’s Pukekohe finale.

cyclist,

Times photo Wayne Martin

Times photo Wayne Martin

LOOKING BACK 2022 – OCTOBER

Local board’s fresh face keen to

serve

Based on preliminary voting results in this year’s local elections, there’s just one change to the makeup of the new Howick Local Board. Newcomer Damian Light has been elected to the board in the Botany subdivision. He replaces outgoing member Bob Wichman, who did not seek re-election at the Auckland Council elections on October 8.

Thorpe digs deep at World Cup

Jones notches up golfing victories

Fox wins at St Andrew’s

Professional golfer Ryan Fox, of Beachlands, clinched the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the Old Course at St Andrew’s at the weekend, the biggest victory of his career. Fox paid tribute to the late Australian cricket star Shane Warne who he has played alongsideat this event. He finished on a four-under 68 to finish on 15-under for a one-shot win to pocket around $1.4 million.

Joggers, walkers mark 40 years

It’s been four decades since a jogging group was formed at the Pakuranga Athletic Club. Recently the Joggers and Walkers section of the Pakuranga Athletic Club held a 40th Reunion which was attended by 120 members, past and present.

LOOKING

Jordan Jones, a year 12 student at Botany Downs Secondary College, is making his mark on the golf circuit. He was the captain of the Auckland team competing at the 2022 Junior Golf Inter-Provincial Teams Championship held in Cambridge from October 3 to October 7. The team finished top of its pool beating all opponents after a close match against Canterbury and played Hawkes Bay in the final winning 5-1. Jones was undefeated in all six of his matches (five wins and a draw). It comes off the back of Jones winning the Auckland Golf Men’s Provincial Match Play Championship for 2022 held from September 30 to October 2.

Alliance to deliver busway’s next stage

The Eastern Busway public transport project has moved another step toward completion with the agreement for delivery of its next stage being awarded. The next section between Pakuranga Town Centre and Pakuranga Creek includes the longdelayed Reeves Road Flyover.

BACK 2022 – NOVEMBER

wins

Sharon Stewart and Maurice Williamson say they’re looking forward to working with new Auckland mayor Wayne Brown to tackle the city’s major challenges. The two Independent candidates were the highest vote winners for the Howick ward’s seats on Auckland Council’s governing body in the local elections on October 8.

Covid takes out 14 chess players

Fourteen people had to withdraw from the Asian Seniors Chess Championships due to Covid at the Auckland Rose Park Hotel in Parnell. The tournament, organised by Howick’s Paul Spiller, finished on Friday, October 21.

Get in behind Gumboot Friday

I Am Hope founder Mike King, left, and Howickbased former league star Richie Barnett are raising awareness for youth mental health.

Off-duty cop pleads guilty over fatal crash

The off-duty police officer charged over the death of cyclist David Lane in Flat Bush has pleaded guilty. Lane, 69, was riding along Stancombe Road adjacent to Barry Curtis Park when he was struck and killed by a vehicle just before 8.15am on September 17.

Light and Burns to lead local board

Members

Grocery shop ram-raided

An east Auckland wholefoods store has been targeted by offenders for the second time in two months. Bin Inn was one of five businesses at a block of shops in Moore Street broken into in late August. It along with Pizza Club, Fruit World, Awesome Shop and Yume Sushi were all damaged in the incident. Bin Inn has now been targeted again, this time in a ram-raid, at about 4.30am on October 30.

Councillors look forward to ‘fixing Auckland’

Tenor Filipe Manu

Dame Heather Begg Memorial Award

The success continues for New Zealand-Tongan tenor Filipe Manu, who has been announced as this year’s recipient of the prestigious Dame Heather Begg Memorial Award. Earlier this year Manu – who went to Howick Primary School – won the Lexus Song Quest in New Zealand.

Beachlands’ Ryan Fox and family after his great win in Scotland on Sunday.

A little hindsight has proved a beautiful, confidenceboosting thing for Ainsley Thorpe after the Kiwi Olympian finished a season-best sixth at World Cup Tongyeong on Saturday. Reflecting on her first Olympic-distance race at World Cup level, the 24-year-old Cambridge-based Aucklander feels she left just a little in the tank on the run in the southern South Korean port city.

of the new Howick Local Board have been sworn in and they’ve chosen two fresh faces to lead them for the next three years. The board met officially in person for the first time at its inauguration held at Uxbridge Arts and Culture Centre in Howick on Monday night.

Crowds flock to Christmas Fair

Hundreds braved the rain on Friday for the Howick Village Christmas Fair.

Howick Ward Councillor Maurice Williamson.

CLASSIFIEDS

SOLUTIONS

1.

ADVERTISING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In accepting an advertisement for publication and in publishing it we are doing so in consideration of and relying on the advertisers express warranty, the truth of which is essential.

SITUATIONS VACANT

LIVE LOCAL, WORK LOCAL

Pakuranga Park, is an evolving and growing village. With the village undergoing an extensive regeneration and our new Ruru apartments selling fast, we are looking to expand our team.

We are currently looking for the following positions, Gardener, Caregivers, Registered Nurse and Maintenance Hand.

If you are interested in joining our team please email ursula.glynos@realliving.co.nz with your CV

QUICK PUZZLE NO. 8092

Across - 1, Perpendicular. 8, Tenor. 9, Scented. 10, Oxygen. 11, Annual. 12, Cloth. 14, Rover. 18, Remiss. 20, Stable. 23, Tribute. 24, Irate.

25, Right on the dot.

Down - 1, Python. 2, Runny. 3, Earnest. 4, Dash. 5, Clean. 6, Lettuce. 7, Riddle.

13, Lemming. 15, Ostrich. 16, Writer. 17, Recent. 19, Squat. 21, Bland. 22, Hewn.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 8092

Across - 1, Halting speech. 8, Watch. 9, Va-tica-n. 10, Report. 11, Argu-E-s. 12, A-cut-E. 14, ‘Usher. 18, Teller.

20, Hamlet. 23, Lighten. 24, Dog-MA.

25, Deep antipathy.

Down - 1, Ho-ward. 2, Lit up. 3, Inherit. 4, Give. 5, Pat-er (rev.). 6, Ex-clu-(dea)

d-e. 7, H-one’s-t. 13, Co-log-ne. 15, Stand-up . 16, S-tol-id. 17, Ste-ady.

19, Ex-trA. 21, Light. 22, Un-it.

c. That the advertisement is misleading or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive or breaches the Fair Trading Act 1986 that is defamatory or indecent or which otherwise offends against generally accepted community standards that infringes a copyright or trademark or otherwise infringes any intellectual or industrial property rights that breaches any provision of any statute, regulation, by law or other rule or law

2. Where the advertiser utilises any aspect of our creative/design services in the production of an advertisement (including photographic work) the advertiser acknowledges that we own the copyright in such work and that such work is not work for which a commissioning payment has been made or agreed.

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9. To cancel an advertisement a cancellation number must be obtained from us.

DE285656-v2

SERVICE ENGINEER

We are a leading NZ importer, manufacturer and distributor of commercial and industrial duty high pressure water blasting equipment, located in East Tamaki.

We require an Engineer/Technician to service our electric, petrol and diesel powered water blasters, pumps and hot cleaners both in house and on-site in the Auckland region, to do P.D. checks of new equipment and liaise with customers on service matters from time to time.

Experience is required servicing pumps or hydraulics and be familiar with petrol and diesel engines. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a requirement.

Full training will be given.

Please e-mail your application to:

The Director – AES Waterblasters alan@aesblasters.co.nz www.aesblasters.co.nz

MP285850

Somerville

committed

FULL TIME POSITION

(Monday to Friday, 7.30am-4.30pm)

Maintaining an attractive, safe and functional environment for students and staff is an important role within our school. We are seeking a person who:

• is well organised is energetic and fit

Phone 09 271 8000

www.times.co.nz

• has a strong work ethic is self-motivated and able to work unsupervised

• has good time management and is responsible has practical skills and knowledge of grounds maintenance enjoys working outdoors and as part of a team Start dates, terms and conditions discussed at interview.

Please email your CV, with two referees and a cover letter outlining your previous experience/suitability for the position to:

Yolande Franke, Principal email: yfranke@somint.school.nz

Production Techniques

This is an opportunity to join a successful, reputable organisation which prides itself on working and collaborating together to deliver the best machinery solutions for our customers. If you have a friendly and professional approach, enjoy being part of a busy team making a difference we would like to hear from you.

Please apply now by forwarding your CV and cover letter to sarah@peopledevel.co.nz.

Note: In order to apply for this role you must have the legal right to work in NZ. MP285865

5 DAYS PER WEEK

Assistant (full-time)

(TERM TIME ONLY)

We are looking for an enthusiastic new member of our team to provide support for students with special educational needs. This can involve working in a classroom situation with individuals/small groups or giving additional support with school work to students in our learning support centre.

Suitable candidates will enjoy working with students in the 13-18 age range and be committed to supporting students with high needs and those who have alternative ways of learning.

Start date: Approximately Tuesday 31 January 2023. Fixed term contract for 2023.

Hours of work: 9.00am to 3.15pm

Salary range: $26.72 to $28.09 per hour A qualification allowance may be applicable.

Email CV to applications@macleans.school.nz

SITUATIONS VACANT HOUSES FOR SALE Ph 271 8055 Looking for local staff? Phone our classified department to advertise your job vacancy

STOREPERSON

FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME

We require an enthusiastic person for inwards and outwards goods duties and some light assembly work at our East Tamaki warehouse.

The applicant should be fit, a non-smoker, have good communication skills and able to pay attention to detail.

Full training will be given.

Please e-mail your application to: alan@aesblasters.co.nz www.aesblasters.co.nz

MP285846

PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS OFFICER

We are on the lookout for an experienced, organised and enthusiastic staff member for the position of Payroll & Accounts Officer to join our team.

This position requires experience in: Payroll – EdPay

Xero Accounting Student Management System Microsoft Office

• Familiarity with financial management for NZ Secondary Schools an advantage

The successful applicant will have:

Understanding of relevant tax legislation (GST)

The ability to work both independently and as a team Attention to detail

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills –verbal and written

Ability to prioritise and meet critical deadlines

Flexibility to assist in other areas of the Administration Team

Remuneration will be in accordance with the Support Staff in Schools Collective Agreement.

This is a 30 hrs/wk term time only position and will commence on 7 February 2023. Additional hours may be required during school holidays.

Please submit CV and Cover Letter to: lzimer@ormiston.school.nz

Applications close January 30 at 4pm MP285869

Daniels named Auckland Hockey coach of the year Pakuranga College director of Sport, Clive Daniels has been named coach of the year at the 2022 Auckland hockey prize giving.

Daniels had a successful stint coaching the Auckland men’s hockey team at the National Hockey Championship in Dunedin this past September, just missing out on a 3rd place finish.

Guilty verdicts in SFO’s $8.7m mortgage fraud case

Two Flat Bush couples looking to get into property investing in Auckland used fake employment agreements to defraud banks out of $8.7 million. Bryan Martin and Joshua Grant were found guilty Wednesday on charges of obtaining by deception following a six-week Auckland District Court trial in August and September of this year. Grant’s wife, Sian Grant, and Martin’s former partner, Viki Cotter, have both previously pleaded guilty to their part in the scheme. Both couples sought to invest in the Auckland property market however did not have the income needed to secure loans.

Booze ban imposed at disorder hot spot

An alcohol ban is now in place at a troubled east Auckland location where a man was fatally stabbed last month. The Howick Local Board was asked at its monthly business meeting this month to implement the ban at the Highbrook boat ramp and car park in Lady Fisher Place, and on publicly accessible adjacent grass and coastal areas.

Cleaner “verbally abused” at council building

Evolocity team shines at regional finals

Howick College Year 11 students have achieved outstanding results at the recent 2022 Evolocity regional finals. The Evolocity team has been awarded another first place in the nationals for the “Make Your Marquee” CAD design competition. The team came away with multiple awards including first place in earth care, second place in collection and display of performance data and third place in engineering excellence and innovation.

Youth pleads not guilty to murder

Controversial crossing plan canned

Auckland Transport has scrapped a controversial plan to install a $450,000 raised pedestrian crossing on Pakuranga Rd. The agency announced earlier this year it was considering installing the crossing with traffic signals on Pakuranga Road immediately west of Grammar School Rd and Johns Lane.

The ongoing friction over use of the Howick War Memorial Hall may be worsening with a cleaner allegedly having been “verbally abused” while recently working at the building. The unresolved management of the Auckland Council-owned facility in Picton Street has been a point of contention in the community since the council first advised the Howick Local Board to appoint a group to manage it in December last year.

A teenager charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a man in east Auckland has pleaded not guilty. The 17-year-old was arrested and charged by police after a 26-year-old man was killed during a physical altercation in the area of the wharf car park on Lady Fisher Drive in Highbrook in the early hours of November 13. The youth faces additional charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to two other victims from the same incident.

Recently, we asked our independent apartment residents what matters to them, and over 8o% considered HBH’s not-for-profit status to be important. “Any profit is used by HBH to benefit the Howick community and keep the quality of care and facilities in A1 condition,” says resident Margaret Street.

Another benefit of being not-for-profit is the ability to be more flexible. “You’re given an extended time to sell your own home in order to move in,” says another resident. “That really makes a difference.”

To live in a retirement village that stands for quality of care, not quantity of profit, come and view our independent apartments at HBH Howick Views. You have our residents’ word on it.

“HBH is based on integrity, not driven by profits.”

Celebrating, from left, are Liam Beintken, James Slough, Max Dowdall, Jake Kirby, Jack Want and Joe Thistlethwaite (aka The Loyal Engineers).

Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown strongly opposed a plan to construct a raised pedestrian crossing on Pakuranga Rd.