PAKURANGA ROAD
“Commonsense” prevails
By PJ TAYLOR
The mood of many east Auckland motorists over the past week is best summed up by Maurice Williamson when he says: “Commonsense returns to the Pakuranga Highway.”
Williamson, the Howick ward Auckland councillor, Auckland Transport director and former Pakuranga MP, was happily observing the busy Pakuranga arterial road as speed limit signs were being altered.
Alongside him was equally happy Pakuranga MP, Simeon Brown, the former Transport Minister and now Health Minister.
“This past Saturday was a special moment, standing on the side of Pakuranga Road as workmen changed all the 50km/h speed-limit signs back to 60km/h, a limit they’d been at for many years,” Williamson says.
“In the mid-1990s, when serving as MP for Pakuranga and Minister of Transport, it was clear to me that 50km/h on the six-lane arterial Pakuranga Road was a ridiculous speed limit. Nobody abided by the crazy limit.
“We set about a very
Maurice Williamson and Simeon Brown are delighted with the new speed limit signs on Pakuranga Road and others in the Howick ward. Photo supplied
long-winded process to have the speed limit raised to 60km/h, the speed the vast majority of drivers were already driving at.
“Transport officials used measuring equipment and found the average speed, when there was no congestion, was 68.5km/h.
“I put pressure on the road controlling authority at the time and eventually got them to increase the speed limit to 60km/h.
“What was interesting is the average speed driven dropped by nearly 3km/h to 65.7km/h. The traffic didn’t go faster, it actually went a bit slower,” says Williamson.
“It appears drivers will abide by a law that’s sensible but ignore it if it’s totally ridiculous.”
Brown says he welcomes Auckland Transport (AT) confirmation for speed limit changes on key arterial roads in Auckland, enabling motorists “to get to where they want to go, quickly and safely”.
“AT has confirmed that Labour’s blanket speed limit reduction on Pakuranga Road will reverse, while the reduction on Te Irirangi Drive has already been reversed, with new signs in place.
“These changes strike a balance by ensuring slower speed limits outside schools during pick-up and drop-off times, rather than slowing everyone down during other times of the day,” Brown says.
Williamson says upon returning from his posting as New Zealand’s Consul General to the United States, he was “shocked to find the Labour Government of the day had
decided to set the speed limit on Pakuranga Road back to the old 50km/h, as part of blanket reductions across the city”.
“Drivers who use this road every day know it can be safely driven at higher speeds.
“I was delighted the National Party campaigned heavily in the 2023 election to reverse the blanket speed limit reductions, including on major roads in our area.
“I particularly want to commend our local MP Simeon Brown, who was the Minister of Transport that delivered the speed setting rule change allowing our roads to go back to commonsense speed limits.
“For many of you that regularly drive the highway, not much will change, but at least now what you do will be legal again,” Williamson says.
Over the past week the speed-limit reversal programme has involved sign changes to Howick ward streets: Aviemore Drive, Cascades Road, Te Irirangi Drive, Botany Road, Harris Road, Smales Road, Springs Road, Ti Rakau Drive, Stancombe Road, Accent Drive, Murphys Road, Chapel Road and Ormiston Road.
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TESLA CYBERTRUCK
GOING ON DISPLAY IN EAST AUCKLAND (Times, March 23):
Torben Nielsen
Better have good security after all the damage being done to Teslas overseas.
David Bousfield
It can out-accelerate a Porsche whilst towing a Porsche. Sign me up!
Judy Thomas
I hope they have a lot of sick bags ready or there will be a hell of a mess!
PRINCIPAL IN PERSON, WITH LISA BETHUNE OF BEACHLANDS SCHOOL (Times, March 16):
Stacey Cole
Awesome. Such a privilege
to work with Lisa Bethune. A great leader.
Lisa Banfield
Great write up, Lisa Bethune. Beachlands are lucky to have you x.
Nancy Marston
You will be an amazing principal.
DRIVER DIES AFTER VEHICLE CRASHES INTO BUILDING (Times, March 15):
Sue Petherick
Such a tragedy, condolences to his family and friends, may he rest in peace.
Sue McGehan
So sad, condolences to his family.
Billy David Davis
To the grieving family,
PUTTING THE CARE IN AGED CARE
very sorry about your loss. If you would like emotional and mental support during this challenging time, please reach out to Victim Support. Phone 0800 842 846.
DRIVER INJURED AFTER VEHICLE COLLIDES WITH BUILDING (Times, March 14):
Sue Petherick
We witnessed this accident. Our thoughts and prayers are for the gentleman and his family. Please be respectful when commenting.
Megan Cattle
Lots of love and prayers to the driver and their family. Glad no one else was hurt.
Pupil struck by car spurs pedestrian safety upgrade
By CHRIS HARROWELL
An east Auckland school is set to receive a muchneeded pedestrian crossing to help keep its pupils safe after one of them was struck by a vehicle and injured.
Te Uho o te Nikau School principal Chris Herlihy wrote to Takanini MP Rima Nakhle, Auckland Transport (AT) and the police in August last year about his “major concerns” with the lack of footpaths and crossing opportunities for pupils at the school in Flat Bush School Road.
His correspondence was provided to Howick Local Board for a recent business meeting as its members voted to allocate funds towards pedestrian safety improvements at the school.
“Currently for a lot of the walk there’s only access to a footpath on one side of the road,” Herlihy said. “They must at some stage cross the road … to continue walking on the footpath.
“Unfortunately, there’s no way to safely cross the road as there are no cross-
ing opportunities.”
Herlihy described the situation as an “accident waiting to happen” and strongly suggested something be done immediately.
“My suggestion is to ensure the footpath stretches along both sides of the road and a set of traffic lights with pedestrian crossing are installed in an area that’s safe so kids and their whānau can walk safely to and from school.”
AT replied to Herlihy to say a member of its Travelwise team had visited the school to speak to staff and take photos, which were passed to its road safety
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engineers to be reviewed.
Herlihy wrote to Nakhle, AT and the police again in September, this time to inform them one of his pupils had been struck by a vehicle while crossing the road. “We knew this would happen eventually and surely now this must be escalated to an urgent upgrade on the roads,” he said.
Herlihy had also contacted Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light about the issue. At the board’s final business meeting in 2024, its members voted to allocate $375,000 toward pedestrian safety
improvements at the school.
Herlihy told the Times that when he began in the role in mid-2024 it was apparent it was a challenge for some pupils to get to school safely.
That’s particularly the case for those who live on the other side of the bridge in Flat Bush School Road, which has a steep dip and doesn’t give motorists much warning of nearby pedestrians, and vice-versa.
Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light says: “When the school was built, that area was undeveloped, and now it’s massively developing, which is challenging for two reasons.
“It gets a lot of people, so the traffic has increased, but you also get lots of trucks, and we’re talking about primary schools and little children. That dip is really dangerous for anyone, but particularly people who are much smaller and shorter and are less likely to be seen. If they get hit the consequences are massive.”
Light says consultation on the pedestrian safety improvements should be completed by July.
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Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light, left, and Te Uho o te Nikau School principal Chris Herlihy are pleased the board is funding new pedestrian safety improvements at the school.
Community spirit on show at the Fun Walk and Run
Hundreds of locals turned out on a beautiful recent east Auckland day to take part in the Rotary Club of Howick’s popular annual Fun Walk and Run.
Club secretary Ian Fox says the Howick community spirit was alive and well at the event, which got under way on Stockade Hill at 9am on March 16.
Competitors had three courses to choose from, offering them the chance to cover a distance of 5.9km, 6.9km or 8.1km.
The entry fee was $15
for adults and $6 for children with all proceeds going to the Howick Volunteer Coastguard.
“Runners and walkers aged from babies in strollers to a 79-year-old all joined in one of the events,” Fox says.
“The primary school team event was won once again by Shelly Park School for the eight consecutive year. Somerville Intermediate School won the intermediate event.
“Thank you to all who participated and especially
our generous sponsors, enabling us to give away over $4000 in spot prizes.”
Fox says it was a fun day in the sun for all involved and it was great to see so many families filling the bank on Stockade Hill.
“In terms of numbers it’s hard to estimate but it was enough to fill the hill.
“We had great support from members of the Howick Volunteer Coastguard on the day.
“It had a wonderful community and family atmosphere.”
The Rotary Club of Howick’s Fun Walk and Run drew people of all ages who were up for a challenge on March 16. Photos supplied Margaret Jones of Howick Photographic Society
Thrilling rides, delicious treats – it’s Carnival time!
Irecently met with Carla Bickel, who’s leading the Cockle Bay School Carnival, and she took me through all the ‘behind the scenes’ preparations.
What’s happening this year?
The Cockle Bay School Carnival is a community-wide event and everyone is welcome. It’s being held at Cockle Bay School on March 29 from 11am to 3pm. There will be a variety of fun events happening on the day.
There will be books and toys for sale, a Willy Wonka room with a cupcake-decorating station, and you can enjoy some delicious, sweet treats.
There will be some exciting activities like a Haunted House, bouncy castle, rides, hairspray salon, temporary tattoos and heaps of games.
You can win some amazing prizes too! This year there will be a science room with cool experiments.
There will be heaps of food options to choose from including a sausage
sizzle, hot chips, ice cream, candy floss and cold drinks.
Will there be any special guests this year?
Pakuranga MP and Health Minister Simeon Brown is joining us and is even taking a turn in the dunk tank at 12.20pm.
There will be community members from Fire and Emergency NZ and the police, and there might also be a few surprise guests!
How do we buy tickets?
If you’re a Cockle Bay School family, you can purchase a Carniband through the Kindo app. A Carniband is a way to spend money without carrying money around with you.
If you aren’t a Cockle Bay School family you can purchase a Carniband on the day. They accept Eftpos and cash. Alternatively, you can spend as you go.
What to bring with us?
Hopefully, it’s a beautiful day and the sun will be out smiling at us as we enjoy the Carnival. Remember to bring water, sunscreen sunglasses, sun hats, and be SunSmart.
Do you bring donations on the day or before? Donations can be made any time prior to the event. You can drop them at the school and donate new and gently used items like toys and books.
Are there sponsorship options for local firms?
If you sponsor an event, you’ll have your business sign at the activity that you sponsor on the day.
Cockle Bay School will talk about their sponsors in their newsletter which is sent to 500 families. Plus, it will be mentioned on the school website for two years. For second-tier sponsors, there will also be a ‘Thank You’ message published in the Times. If you’re interested feel free to get in touch with the Carnival team at cbscarnival@ cocklebay.school.nz.
Any message for Times’ readers?
Come join us on March 29 from 11am-3pm at Cockle Bay School, Sandspit Road, for lots of fun and entertainment.
And don’t forget about the online auction. We conduct the auction on Trade Me at www.trademe.co.nz/a/search?member_listing=8774490 which goes live on March 18 at 8pm. See you there with your whanau!
Junior Journalist Pia Grover in the Cockle Bay School Carnival donation room.
TRAFFIC CHAOS IN UNION ROAD
We had two multi-car accidents in less than 24 hours outside our property.
Fortunately, there were no major injuries, but all emergency services were involved. Speed, roadside parking and sunstrike are the constant factors.
In the past 15 years, we have witnessed the speed and roadside parking increase.
This makes an exit from any driveway dangerous.
Unless some authority does something soon there will be a fatality especially as the very busy footpaths are often involved.
Jane Reynolds, Howick
THE TIMES IS HOWICK’S BEATING HEART
Our lives have been so very full of adventures and places and wonderful people. We have been truly blessed.
If I could draw a parallel between two of those places, it would be between our time in Dulwich, South Australia, and our current time in Howick, Auckland.
In Dulwich, we found an old disused picture theatre, The Melba, and created a bespoke furniture shop within its cavernous walls.
We installed a slow combustion stove to keep it warm in winter and we specialised in creating
large hand-built dining tables crafted from Australian hardwoods, in particular Jarrah and River redgum.
We shared some amazing times with friends who enjoyed food, wine and music in this place, and we became loving hosts of many a communal Friday evening.
The Melba became a destination for a tight eclectic community of locals.
A wonderful inner-city village of connected people.
Now, some 20 years on, we have secured a site in Howick, for our family-owned bedding shop, Sleep Space.
It may or may not become a hub, but we will certainly be a contributing part of and to this wonderful village.
What has drawn us to this vibrant community is the way in which a gentle, strong, loving and caring group of citizens has drawn together.
This is a village in the true sense of the word and at the centre is its local community newspaper.
Thank you, Bo and the Times. You are an inspiration.
The Times – the beating heart of this place.
Col
Dougherty and family, Howick
Teacher named Local Hero of the Year
By CHRIS HARROWELL
East Auckland schoolteacher Subash Chandar K has been named Local Hero of the Year at the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.
He was up against domestic violence survivor advocate Kahira-Rata Olley MNZM and Tāme Iti, a high-profile champion for Māori rights, in the awards category, with winners announced at a gala in Auckland on March 20.
Chandar K, a mathematics teacher at Ormiston Junior College in Flat Bush, is known online as ‘infinityplusone’.
He’s described as a “game-changing educator who’s made a significant impact on students across Aotearoa, creating a popu-
lar YouTube channel that provides free, detailed tutorials covering NCEA mathematics”.
Chandar K has made about 1500 educational videos on mathematics for his YouTube channel, which has almost 60,000 subscribers. He says he expected Iti or Olley to win the award over himself.
“I went in thinking, ‘surely Tame Iti, he’s probably going to take it out’, and even Kahira-Rata, I looked at some of the work she’s doing and I was like, ‘these folk have been doing things for such a long time’.
“And yes, I’ve been doing it for the last 10 years but honestly I thought I was a bit of an outsider.”
When his name was announced as the category winner, he felt a lot of emo-
tions and decided to dedicate the award to his fellow teachers.
“Not just here in New Zealand, but around the world, because despite numerous challenges we show up every day to make a difference in every child’s life.
“I used this as an opportunity to showcase some of the work the teachers have been doing. Overall, it was an amazing experience.”
Chandar K says it was “surreal” to have the chance at the awards night to speak to such luminaries as Sir Ashley Bloomfield, New Zealand’s Director-General of Health during the Covid19 pandemic.
Professor Bev Lawton was named the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.
She’s the founder and director of Te Tātai Hauora o Hine (National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa) and has driven critical advancements in cervical cancer screening, maternal health, and
Subash Chandar K
Photo supplied
Kiwibank
New Zealander of the Year Awards Team
No monkeying around for New Zealand aerospace industry
By CHARLES MILLER
Sixty-four years ago, a chimpanzee named Ham became the first hominid in space.
He experienced seven minutes of weightlessness in orbit in his Mercury capsule before splashing down safely in the Atlantic.
His mission was a prelude to human spaceflight and came at the start of the exploration and commercialisation of space.
Today the space industry is a $630 billion global business, projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035. Commercial ventures account for 78 per cent of the industry.
Satellite technology, space services, and private sector investment are driving growth.
No longer the exclusive domain of superpowers, space is an intensely competitive arena with nations and companies jostling for advantage.
New Zealand has emerged as a key player. Though lacking the financial firepower, we have unique advantages.
Geographically remote,
our clear launch corridors and angles provide an ideal location for commercial rocket operations.
Decades of success in high-tech yacht racing have built a strong engineering capability in carbon fibre composites and aerodynamics, a useful edge in aerospace manufacturing.
The country’s regulatory framework is another asset. New Zealand has positioned itself as a trusted, well-regulated gateway to space, with agreements in place with NASA and the US Department of Defence.
Founded in 2006 by Sir Peter Beck, local company Rocket Lab has become the world’s leading small satel-
lite launch provider.
The Electron rocket, built from advanced carbon composites, enables cost-effective access to orbit, directly competing with larger players.
The company has built a high-frequency, relatively low-cost launch model, attracting commercial clients, NASA, and the US military.
The next step is Neutron, a reusable medium-lift rocket designed to challenge some of the largest rockets around.
Based in the South Island, Dawn Aerospace is taking a different approach.
Instead of rockets, it’s developing spaceplanes and non-toxic propulsion systems for satellites.
The Mk-II Aurora spaceplane is designed for frequent, lowcost space access using conventional runways, eliminating the need for costly launch infrastructure.
Dawn is a leader in green propulsion, having supplied over 80 non-toxic thrusters for use in commercial and government satellites around the world.
Its iterative design pro-
cess – refining technology based on real time feedback – has accelerated its innovation.
There are lessons here. First, play to your strengths. New Zealand’s geography, engineering expertise, and regulatory credibility have made it a natural space hub.
Second, carve out unique niches. Instead of going head-to-head with established giants, Rocket Lab and Dawn Aerospace have focused on specialised areas like small satellite launches, spaceplanes and green propulsion.
Third, invest in technology. Sustained research and development and strong links between industry and government have been key to success.
And finally, build alliances. Partnerships with NASA and the US military highlight the value of trust and collaboration in a strategic, high-stakes industry.
New Zealand’s space sector is proof that relatively underfunded small operators can make a big impact, if they focus on what they do best with vision and passion.
Charles Miller
Get ready to vote in 2025
By CHRIS HARROWELL
The Howick Local Board will expand from its current nine elected members to 11 in time for this year’s local elections, despite strong public opposition to the change from Howick ward councillor Maurice Williamson and Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown.
All territorial authorities are required under the Local Electoral Act to review their representation arrangements at least every six years. With that process having concluded, Auckland Council’s governing body will retain its make-up of 20 elected councillors and a mayor.
The Howick ward will maintain two councillors, but the Howick Local Board is expanding from nine elected members to 11 due to Flat Bush’s population growth. The board currently has three members for each of the three subdivisions of Howick, Pakuranga, and Botany.
For the local elections to be held later this year, the Howick and Pakuranga subdivisions won’t change, but Botany will shrink from three members to two and
a new Flat Bush subdivision will have three members.
More than 80 per cent of local residents who were consulted on the proposed changes support them, while seven per cent did not. The board itself also supported the changes, but they’re strongly opposed by Williamson and Brown.
“We’re pleased to see the proposal for fairer and more effective representation for locals has been formally approved,” board chairperson Damian Light says.
“Flat Bush is a growing community with unique needs and deserves its own recognition and representation.”
STEWART SURVEYING
Last year Williamson twice proposed amendments during council governing body meetings to reduce the board’s size from nine members to seven. He said councillors would get “slaughtered” by the public if they brought in more elected representatives.
“We’ve got more elected members in the council than the whole country has, and to be saying we are going to have some more, it will be dynamite at the next election.”
Brown previously publicly criticised the board for proposing to increase its size.
He said it “should be focused on improving out-
comes for people in east Auckland, rather than adding more members to its board”.
“Ratepayers expect local government to get back to basics, not to create themselves more jobs.”
Light’s response to that criticism was the board doesn’t have a choice in complying with the legislation around the population per member in a ward.
“The legislation says every six years we have to consider population growth, and where it has grown and has changed, we need to consider whether or not the current arrangements and number of elected members is legal still.
“And it doesn’t currently, because of the massive growth in Flat Bush.”
Candidate nominations for this year’s local elections open on July 4 and close at 12pm on August 1.
Voting will be open from September 9 to October 11 with results announced from October 14-17.
The current Howick Local Board, from left, Bruce Kendall, Peter Young, Mike Turinsky, Adele White, deputy chairperson Bo Burns, chairperson Damian Light, John Spiller, Katrina Bungard and David Collings. File photo supplied
Working for better outcomes
They say a week is a long time in politics, but it can feel like a lifetime when you’re facing a massive budget shortfall.
In last year’s Long Term Plan, Auckland Council’s governing body approved an acceleration of Fairer Funding for the city’s local boards.
This meant moving away from the old funding model based on assets, towards an allocation based on population, geography and deprivation.
While the Howick Local Board supports the intention, we were concerned council wasn’t ready. In late February our fears were confirmed when staff released an updated forecast.
For our area they were forecasting a budget short-
Howick Local Board Chair
Damian Light
fall of nearly $1 million, mostly created by a sharp drop in revenue from our pool and leisure centres, and rising electricity prices.
None of the issues were created by us, but they were our problem.
Budget pressure isn’t a new challenge for us. In recent years we’ve absorbed considerable budget cuts (nearly $500,000 last year alone) while fac-
ing increasing costs and a growing population.
We’ve been making solid commerical decisions to bring in more revenue and reduce reliance on rates. But cuts like this would be devestating for the communities and organisations we support.
In response the local board chairs across Auckland worked together to advocate for a sensible outcome. I’m pleased to report that within a week, the mayor instructed staff to do just that.
This is a positive outcome for all and shows the strength of local boards
working together.
But we still have work to do. After 15 years of Auckland Council, robust financial oversight is long overdue.
To make good decisions for our community, we need better information and advice.
Some of this may be commercially sensitive and need to be kept confidential, but for transparency and accountability, everything else should be made public.
Our communities deserve more and we will continue to fight for a better outcome.
FIND OUT MORE & STAY IN TOUCH
Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/howick Facebook: facebook.com/HowickLB eNewsletter: https://bit.ly/42kdAlK or scan QR
India visit reveals trade potential
I recently returned from an official visit to India with the Prime Minister.
As an Indian-born MP, the journey was a chance to connect with my roots, and with communities that hold strong ties to the Indian diaspora in New Zealand.
The trip was also a significant and successful opportunity to strengthen the political and economic ties between our two nations.
Our group of delegates visited the Rakab Ganj Sikh Temple with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We were hosted by community groups and met with businesses.
These discussions were centred around enhancing trade relations, educational exchanges, and technological collaborations.
India’s Minister of Com-
merce spoke to a forum, including the delegation, exploring opportunities for New Zealand businesses in India and vice-versa.
Another highlight was the joint announcement from Air New Zealand and Air India that they’re aiming for direct flights between New Zealand and India by late 2028.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by a large delegation of senior New
Zealand business leaders and community representatives.
This visit underscored the Government’s commitment to strengthening our relationship with India.
The Prime Minister’s meetings with Prime Minister Modi focused on deepening political and security ties, as well as exploring new avenues for economic co-operation.
Another significant development during my trip was the resumption of bilateral negotiations on the New Zealand-India Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
This marks a major milestone. When two countries trade, both are better off.
Meanwhile, New Zealanders are buying Indian linens, medicines, machinery, and rice.
But trade barriers like tariffs and quotas currently restrict the potential for our exporters to tap into the massive Indian market.
With India poised to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030, a free trade agreement holds immense potential for New Zealand and could double our exports to India by value over the next decade.
Public consultation on these negotiations is open, so if you’re interested in trade with India you can share your views online at www.mfat.govt.nz/haveyour-say.
Currently, our major exports to India include wool, metals, wood pulp, and fruits like apples and pears.
ACT List MP Parmjeet Parmar
Increased penalties for 23 illicit drugs
The Government will progress stronger controls on 23 harmful substances, including the classification of three substances related to the potent opioid fentanyl.
The proposed changes would increase the ability of police and Customs to take preventative action and allow for harsher penalties for those caught making or possessing these drugs.
Synthetic opioids are often much more potent and harmful than the drugs they mimic and are more dangerous due to the increased risk of overdose.
Fentanyl is many times stronger than morphine and analogues can often be even stronger still.
The Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs has recommended classifying these three fentanyl analogues as class A controlled drugs, for which the maxi-
mum penalty for manufacture is life imprisonment.
While New Zealand is fortunate to currently have lower illicit opioid use than other similar countries, these actions will limit the potential harm these substances could cause if they became increasingly available.
The Government has also agreed to increase controls on substances including synthetic cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, amphetamine precursors and novel benzodiazepines, under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
We know how important it is to reduce the impact of drug harm. Ensuring there are stronger controls in place for these harmful substances is a step towards that goal.
The Government also announced a $1.3 million funding boost for anti-
MP for Pakuranga Simeon Brown
crime measures across central Auckland, through the Proceeds of Crime Fund.
In recent years there’s been increased anti-social and criminal behaviour in our CBD, and we’re committed to cracking down on such lawlessness in the area.
This funding will deliver initiatives which will improve safety in the CBD and surrounding retail areas, including improved lighting, more CCTV cameras, and an increase in
security patrols to deter criminal and anti-social behaviour.
These latest anti-crime measures will complement the new Federal Street 24/7 police station opening soon, and the Government’s investment to provide additional police officers in Auckland CBD.
Auckland’s central city is an economic engine for New Zealand, contributing eight per cent of our national GDP in 2023.
It’s our gateway for international visitors and investors, as well as a cultural and entertainment centre for communities.
Ensuring the safety of all people in our CBD is a top priority for me as Minister for Auckland.
This funding is another positive step forward to ensure our central city is a safe, vibrant and enjoyable place for all.
Successful mission to India
Our Government has just wrapped up a week-long mission in India, where we’ve strengthened economic, defence, sporting, agricultural and people-to-people ties.
The main aim of our visit was to make sufficient progress in trade talks, and I’m happy to report negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with India are about to begin.
As a small Pacific nation, trade is essential for our economic growth and prosperity.
India has 1.4 billion people and is the world’s fifth-largest economy.
Signing a comprehensive FTA with India would
From the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon
open new markets for our exporters and turbocharge economic growth, creating more opportunities, jobs, and higher wages.
One in four Kiwi jobs rely on trade, and last year our export revenue added $100 billion to our economy. Upgrading our exist-
ing trade deals and securing new ones gives us the opportunity to boost exports and grow our economy.
The success of the Government’s trip to India was compounded by positive news back home in New Zealand, where Stats NZ announced New Zealand’s GDP grew by 0.7 per cent in the December, 2024, quarter.
Our main focus as a Government is to deliver economic growth, providing more opportunities, jobs, and higher wages to help Kiwis with the cost of living.
In the Budget we delivered tax relief for the first time in over a decade, and
FamilyBoost is helping thousands of families put their kids through ECE.
Falling inflation – now at 2.2 per cent, down from 5.6 per cent when we became Government – has allowed for successive cuts to the OCR, which sits at 3.75 per cent.
These OCR cuts, in turn, enable banks to slash interest rates on mortgages, meaning you can expect to see more money in your bank account if you renegotiate your mortgage.
We know there’s still more work to do, but the economic forecasts are predicting further growth in the quarters ahead, which is encouraging.
More caring ‘companions’ needed
By CHRIS HARROWELL
If you’re a patient, empathetic adult who enjoys working with children, Seasons for Growth in east Auckland wants to hear from you.
The Howick-based organisation offers programmes that help adults and primary and intermediate school aged children cope with issues that contribute to mental health challenges such as the loss of a loved one or a major life change.
Its new co-ordinator, Fiona De Ridder, is keen to hear from any local adults who’d consider becoming a trained volunteer, or companion, to help deliver the children’s programme.
“We’re always after more volunteers,” she says.
“We’re having a training soon to become a companion. First they have an interview to see what their interest is and what attracts them to Seasons for Growth.
“We do a police check and then a two-day training, which happens here in Auckland, with activities, and afterwards they’re free to run a programme.
“We always work two companions in one group
and if they’ve just been on the training they’d first facilitate the programme with an experienced companion.”
The next training is on April 12-13. Companions give about an hour per week to the programme and deliver it in local schools during the daytime.
They work with between four and seven to eight children in a group setting at each session for eight weeks, De Ridder says.
“Companions need to have a passion for children,
be able to listen to them, look at what their needs are, and be playful a little bit.”
Two of the organsation’s current companions are Sue Miller and Ken Stevenson.
Miller says parents, teachers and doctors may notice the sort of changes in a child that are signs he or she would benefit from what Seasons for Growth provides.
“There may be things such as poor behaviour or exclusion, and I’ve got some children at the moment
who don’t speak at all.
“We encourage them to speak and remind them we can deal with these feelings if we take them out and look at them.
“We use an analogy of a cave. The feelings are deep in the cave, but you can’t see them.
“If we bring them out and very quietly look at them, and then put them back, you’re able to deal with them.
“Some of them won’t talk much but that doesn’t mean they aren’t taking in what’s being said.”
Stevenson says the organisation asks its companions to do at least two out of the four school terms during the year, so they’re committed.
“We’ve got more schools knocking on the door for programmes than we can provide companions for right now.
“We’re really short so it would be really good to get more people onto this training programme if we can.”
People interested in becoming a Seasons for Growth volunteer companion for can contact Fiona De Ridder on 09 533 0222, extension 704, or email griefandloss@allsaintshowick.org.nz.
Fiona De Ridder, left, the new co-ordinator at Seasons for Growth in Howick, with some of its volunteer companions, Judy Holt, Ken Stevenson and Sue Miller. Times photo
EcoFest aims to encourage environmental awareness
More than 200 events are taking place across the city as part of EcoFest 2025, including a vibrant program in east Auckland that’s proudly facilitated by the Beautification Trust.
Staying true to the festival’s roots established 13 years ago, EcoFest continues to inspire sustainable practices, foster a love for nature, and raise environmental awareness through a diverse and engaging lineup of activities, the trust says.
From March 22 to April 22, EcoFest offers a month of free and ticketed events from hands-on workshops and open-gardens to repair cafes and environmental action days.
It’s all designed to empower and connect communities.
“As global environmental challenges grow more urgent, EcoFest provides a hopeful and proactive response, reminding people local action can make a world of difference.
“The Beautification Trust is proud to once again champion EcoFest in east and south Auckland, encouraging local pride and community-led change.”
HERE’S SOME OF THE EVENTS:
Pollinator Discovery Trail – March 22 to April 22, from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm, Howick Histor-
ical Village, Lloyd Elsmore Park. Find hidden emblems of birds, bees and other insects and learn about their vital role as pollinators in our ecosystems in a pocket guide that’s yours to keep.
Team Up 2 Clean Up –Sunday, April 13, 1pm-3pm, Highland Park Library. Join in a fun and rewarding street clean-up. This event is a great way to break out of your routine, meet new people, exchange ideas, get some light exercise, and make a real difference in our community and environment. Hosted by Earth Action Trust.
EcoFest Whānau Fun Day – Saturday, April 12, 10am-2pm, Auckland
Botanic Gardens. Bring the whole whānau for a day of fun, learning, and connection with nature. Enjoy interactive activities and celebrate sustainability together, hosted by the Beautification Trust.
> EcoFest is made possible through the generous support of Auckland Council, Foundation North, Ecostore, Little Big Shed, Pathfinder, and Smales Farm.
> For the full schedule and to get involved, visit www. ecofest.org.nz.
Community fund offers $15k grants for projects
The national electricity grid operator is asking: “Do you have a community project that could benefit from a bit of a boost or a kick start?”
Transpower is encouraging local east Auckland community groups from Whitford to Pakūranga in the vicinity of its cable repair project to apply for the next round of its Community Care Fund, with applications to it opening on April 1.
The fund offers grants up to $15,000 for community-based projects in areas where the state-owned enterprise operates.
Roy Noble, the project director of Transpower’s Brownhill to Pakūranga cable repair project, is putting a call out to local community groups, schools, sports clubs, and non-profit organisations to apply for the fund.
“We’re aware that our Brownhill to Pakūranga cable repair project will cause some disruption as we begin work at more sites in Whitford, Dannemora and East Tamaki,” he says.
“We believe in being good neighbours and giving back to the communities that are affected to our infrastructure and projects.
“The Community Care Fund is our way of creating lasting positive impacts for people who live, work and play in these areas.”
Noble says the fund specifically targets initiatives that deliver long-term benefits to communities affected by Transpower’s
assets or projects.
Previous recipients have used grants for environmental restoration projects, community facility upgrades, and educational initiatives.
Community members aware of projects that could benefit from the funding are urged to spread the word and consider applying.
Noble says the Brownhill to Pakūranga cable repair project will ensure a reliable power supply for Auckland and Northland and will be completed next year.
“Unfortunately, traffic will be impacted for several months at the sites as most of the work takes place in the road, with an excavation area about the size of two buses.
“We also appreciate the disruption the work will cause to businesses and residents nearby.”
The next phase of work will get underway in Point View Drive, Dunvegan Rise, Armoy Drive, Brown-
hill Road, and Whitford Park Road.
Transpower says that
it anticipates Point View Road will be closed to non-residential traffic from November to May 2026, and Armoy Drive closed to non-residential traffic from August to February next year.
> For more information about the Community Care Fund, go online to www. transpower.co.nz/about-us/ our-work-community/communitycare-fund
> For more information about the cable repair project and to subscribe to Transpower’s email updates, go to www.transpower. co.nz/projects/cable-joint-repair-project-auckland.
Transpower CommunityCare Fund
Get funding for your community project in the Whitford to Pakūranga area
The Transpower CommunityCare Fund is boosting community initiatives near Transpower’s Brownhill to Pakūranga cable repair project. One-off grants are available to projects that add real value and benefit to the local community.
Any registered charity, incorporated society, school or educational institution, regional or district council, iwi, non-profit organisation, or community group can apply for funding.
Applications open 1 April 2025.
For information on how to apply, visit www.transpower.co.nz, or email communitycare@transpower.co.nz
We look forward to hearing from you.
Transpower’s Community Care Fund provides grants for communitybased projects in areas where the state-owned enterprise operates.
The value of CCTV
Whilst there are differing views on the use of CCTV cameras, they’ve become an essential tool in supporting the policing of our community.
They act as both a deterrent to criminal activity and are also a vital resource during investigations.
The presence of CCTV cameras can prevent crime before it happens.
Criminals are less likely to target an area if they’re aware they’re being watched.
Whether the cameras are in a shop, public place, or around residential properties, they’re an extra set of eyes working towards discouraging criminal behaviour.
Likewise, when crimes occur, CCTV footage is
Howick Police Sergeant Brett Meale
an essential resource for investigators as it enables suspects to be identified, provides a clear picture of the events that have occurred and is crucial evidence to be presented in court if needed.
A recent local example of how CCTV evidence contributes towards the solving of offences includes a
spate of thefts from local retail businesses, where CCTV footage of the offending was supplied to police.
The offender was subsequently identified and linked to numerous offences through the footage and is now before the courts facing 30 charges of theft.
Another was a recent break in of a vehicle in a public car park in Howick, where the Howick Village Association’s CCTV cameras captured the offending where items of a significant value were stolen.
Further analysis of other local CCTV cameras identified the registration of the offender’s vehicle, with the offender subsequently being identified from that footage.
They’re now before the courts charged with theft.
There are many other examples as well, so if you’re looking to protect your property, I encourage any businesses or local homeowners to consider installing CCTV as part of their security measures.
Music academy brings focus on performance
By CHRIS HARROWELL
The innovative Eliette’s Music Academy (EMA) is set to open its first east Auckland location, at the Botany Town Centre, next month.
Led by founder and manging director Eliette Roslin and director Nick Douch, it’s received numerous accolades over the years including most recently being named Young Businessperson of the Year at the Business North Harbour Awards in 2024, a finalist for Medium Sized Business and Young Businessperson of the Year in 2023, and a Westpac Auckland Business Awards Finalist – Community Contribution, in 2020-2023.
Roslin says the academy’s new site opens at the Botany Town Centre, above ASB and beside Daikoku restaurant, on April 14, with an open day planned for April 12.
It covers a 350 square metre space and has eight purpose-built studio rooms.
“Why we’re different to
other music academies is we have a playing-based approach to our music lessons,” she says.
“We use world-class programmes to support that from the United States and Singapore, and we’re focused on learning our skillset on all of our instruments, and a performance environment as well.”
The academy’s students can perform up to 30 times a year, which is unique, Roslin says.
“The biggest thing for us is we promote mental health and well-being.
“That’s why we’re so practical and hands-on with our learning. It’s about bringing people together and giving them the confidence to be able to just sit down and play.
“We promote the importance of music in our daily lives helping to support our mental health and well-being, and a holistic approach to music education that nurtures and inspires confidence and creativity that affects all areas of life.”
Roslin founded the academy in 2016 and began teaching piano, vocals and preschool music, and in just nine months she had 100 students.
She now has more than 40 teachers and 1000 students and is “incredibly passionate about spreading the joy and power of music with our communities”.
“In 2017, EMA started the Green Room Charitable Trust, which helps support youth and mental health,” she says.
“We run workshops during the week at Ronald McDonald House, Northern Health School, Wilson
Home, and would love to be able to provide these opportunities and workshops to young people of east Auckland.”
Douch says there’s no limit to how many instruments the academy’s students can learn.
“For students aged two to five or six years old we do a preschool programme called ‘Music Rhapsody’, where they learn a wide range of instruments.
“From seven years and older they can do singing and guitar. A big thing for us is our group-based activities.
“It’s a great way for them to connect with other kids they might not know.
“It’s building confidence across the board. We’ve had parents say their child doing performances with us helped them with their speech at school, or our students are going on to be prefects and it’s helped them with their public speaking. We have students who now MC some of our events.”
Go online to www. eliettesmusicacademy.com.
Eliette Roslin. Photo supplied
Paerata Rise: Where Community Comes First
A THRIVING COMMUNITY WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE
Franklin Times director, Bo Burns, had the opportunity to explore the incredible Paerata Rise subdivision with a detailed tour, she was genuinely impressed!
From the thoughtful design and award-winning homes to the welcoming atmosphere, she found Paerata Rise a truly exceptional place to live.
What really stood out for her, was the sense of community—safe streets, peaceful surroundings, lush green spaces, spacious developments, parks for all ages, and friendly neighbours. It’s a fantastic place for young families and retirees alike!
SAFE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY LIVING
Safety is at the heart of Paerata Rise. Designed with families in mind, the neighbourhood features well-lit streets, pedestrian-friendly pathways, and a strong sense of security. The careful planning ensures a low-traffic environment, making it an ideal place for children to ride bikes, visit friends and play outdoors. With close-knit streets and friendly neighbours, Paerata Rise fosters a true sense of belonging.
MODERN AMENITIES FOR A GROWING COMMUNITY
Paerata Rise is not just about beautiful homes—it’s about creating a lifestyle. As the community grows, so do its amenities. Carefully designed parks, playgrounds,
dog park and green spaces provide ample room for relaxation and recreation. Future plans include retail spaces, a supermarket, train station and community hubs, ensuring residents have everything they need within easy reach.
The development is also well-connected to essential services, with schools, medical centres, and shopping areas just a short drive away.
Wesley College, a cornerstone of the area’s heritage, continues to play a significant role in the township’s development and future.
A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Paerata Rise is a long-term vision brought to life through future-focused planning.
With 4500 new homes being developed in partnership with selected building partners, the community is designed to be both sustainable and inclusive. Stages are released progressively, allowing the township to grow organically while maintaining its charm and functionality.
The variety of house and land packages available ensures there is something to suit every lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance home or a spacious family property, sections range from 350m² to over 600m², offering flexibility and choice.
A PLACE TO CALL HOME
Paerata Rise is a lifestyle community in Franklin where the Kiwi dream of building
a high-quality home can become a reality. By combining the best of what makes the Franklin area so special with forward-thinking urban design, this township offers an exciting opportunity for families, professionals, and retirees alike. More than just a place to live, Paerata Rise is a place to grow, connect, and thrive.
The mix of modern living and traditional community values makes it a unique and desirable location for anyone looking to establish roots in a well-planned, vibrant neighbourhood.
BUILT WITH PURPOSE, DEVELOPED WITH CARE
Developed by Grafton Downs Ltd, Paerata Rise is more than just a housing project— it’s a community built with integrity. With a deep respect for the land, its people, and its history, the development is shaped by philanthropic values. All profits from Paerata Rise are used for charitable purposes within the Methodist Church, including funding Wesley College, ensuring ongoing support for education and community initiatives. By prioritising sustainable urban planning, environmental conservation, and community engagement, Paerata Rise is setting a new benchmark for residential developments in New Zealand.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY
Paerata Rise is a rare opportunity to secure residential property in a dynamic new township. Whether you’re a growing family, or someone looking to downsize, there’s a place for you here.
We look forward to supporting you through your home-buying journey and welcoming you to a community where lifestyle, safety, and modern convenience come together seamlessly.
Find out more about how you can become part of this exceptional neighbourhood today.
Phone +64 9 636 0803 info@paeratarise.co.nz 34 Jonah Lomu Drive, Paerata Rise 2676 www.facebook.com/PaerataRise www.instagram.com/paeratarise
How to take a business to market confidentially
Daren
Leng,
Senior Business Broker, ABC Business Sales
Business owners often worry about others discovering their intention to sell. Concerns may involve customers, suppliers, staff, and competitors. A good business broker will assess the business, identify any sensitive areas, and recommend the best approach to market it.
There are several methods for doing this, which can be a staged process, and tailored to suit the owner’s preferences.
> Marketing plan: Utilising the broker’s company website, TradeMe, and social media platforms to reach potential buyers. A good marketing plan will have buyers enquiring, without them being able to identify the business.
> Naming the business: Unless the brand has significant value, avoid naming the business initially to manage interest and questions.
> Database: Reach the right audience by using the brokerage company database and the broker’s list, gaining approval before approaching industry contacts specifically.
> Background checks: Before sharing information, ensure buyers have signed confidentiality agreements and evaluate their suitability and financial capability. I will often use Linkedin, Companies records, Google and Facebook before contacting a buyer.
> Sharing information: Manage the timing and amount of information shared to protect the business, particularly important when dealing with buyers from the industry.
Constant communication with the vendor is paramount.
For expert advice, contact Daren Leng, Senior Business Broker at ABC Business Sales Ph 021 0278 6045 or email darenl@abcbusiness.co.nz
Risk Insurance Advisor Steve O’Connor helps people ensure they have the right insurance cover when they need it most.
If you read my column last month about Nigel Latta and his cancer journey, there’s now a fantastic update to share. In a recent NZ Herald article, Nigel said: “I took a whole bunch of wonder drugs, and the wonder drugs are working. I’m now going to live for years and years.”
Nigel credits personal risk insurances – life, health and disability, as a key reason he’s still here today.
Without that cover, he simply couldn’t have afforded the breakthrough medications and treatments that, while approved and available in New Zealand, aren’t publicly funded by Pharmac.
These so-called ‘wonder drugs’, along with many Medsafe-approved cancer treatments and other advanced medications, often come with significant costs.
Unfortunately, most are not funded by Pharmac, meaning they’re out of reach for many Kiwis without insurance.
Having health insurance can:
> Let you skip public waiting lists and access treatment sooner.
> Get you back to work faster and support your financial stability.
> Provide access to all Medsafe-approved medications without needing to sell your house or launch a Givealittle page.
If your health cover is through work, please check what it includes. Most workplace health policies offer limited or no access to non-Pharmac-funded treatments unless you specifically opt in for additional cover.
Health insurance provides priority access, supports productivity, and can give you the chance at longevity. In the face of a devastating diagnosis, how would you afford the treatments or medications that could give you more time? Let’s talk.
A heartfelt transformation with Kitchencraft
Clara Iqbal of Howick had a goal to create a kitchen and living space that would become the heart of her family’s home – a hub for family gatherings and a place they genuinely loved.
After considering several companies, the family chose Kitchencraft for one key reason; the time and care its team spent listening to their unique needs, including those of their beloved pooch.
Unlike other companies that treated the project as just another job, Kitchencraft took the time to understand how the family lived, what mattered most to them, and suggested thoughtful features tailored to their four-legged family member. This attention to detail built trust and confidence, reinforcing the idea that under-
standing and connection are far more valuable than simply chasing the lowest price. Also, supporting a local business was an added bonus.
The new kitchen design is a striking departure from the original, featuring clean lines and modern interiors that perfectly blend style and function.
Grace, Kitchencraft’s talented designer, played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life. Her professionalism, reliability, and commitment to excellence left a lasting impression on the
family. Kitchencraft not only delivered what they promised but did so on time and with impeccable execution.
Today, the family enjoys a timeless, highly functional kitchen that’s become the centrepiece of their home. They love gathering around the island, sharing meals, and creating memories. It’s a space that reflects their personality, lifestyle, and the care that went into every step of the design and build process.
For more images check out
the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos on Kitchencraft’s Facebook page.
At Kitchencraft, they believe in creating more than just beautiful spaces. They craft projects that bring people together, reflect individuality, and stand the test of time.
If you’re ready to transform your space, let Kitchencraft help bring your vision to life with a personal touch that makes all the difference.
To book a consultation phone 09 274 4221 or visit www.kitchencraft.co.nz
Grace Nicholson, Kitchencraft designer (left), with Clara Iqbal.
DEFINE BEFORE DESIGN
“I need a new logo to fix my brand” is something I hear often in my business. However, creating a logo that truly conveys everything about a brand through just one mark is impossible.
Logo recognition is built over time through various media channels: digital, print, websites, packaging, and customer service. These subconscious associations shape how we perceive a brand. I often ask clients, “If your logo was removed, would people still recognise your business?”
Instead of designing a logo in isolation, I first define what makes your business unique. A solid brand strategy helps create effective messaging and identity. A well-designed logo is part of this, but other elements—
such as typography, colour palettes, and digital expression—are crucial to building a cohesive brand personality.
Sometimes, a new logo isn’t needed at all. If your messaging, graphics, or service are sub-standard, addressing those elements may be enough to make a difference.
If you’re looking to chat about your business branding, reach out to Jane on 0274904232 or jane@ bathurstbrown.com.
WHAT EXACTLY IS ECOMMERCE OPTIMISATION?
When was the last time you’ve taken a good look at your website and thought about how well it’s set up to make the purchasing process as fast and easy as possible for your customers?
How about the mobile version – it’s likely most of your customers interact with your website via their phone.
Is there a clear path for visitors to follow and encourage click-throughs? What about performance and load time?
These are examples of what we look at when optimising an eCommerce website.
Often just a few small changes can make a big difference!
Since 2016, I’ve been
working solely on the Shopify platform, building and supporting effective eCommerce websites through these key services:
> Shopify setups
> Website refresh
> Shopify support
> Digital marketing
We love working with local businesses! Get in touch to request an audit of your website. jeanine@ creativewebdesigns.co.nz phone 021 211 2384.
Jeanine Pickford
Jane Bathurst Brown
ARE YOU DRIVING YOUR BUSINESS, OR DOES IT DRIVE YOU?
Many business owners start out with a vision of freedom –more time, financial security, and less stress.
But without clear strategies, it’s easy to end up overworked, overwhelmed, and constantly firefighting.
Business coaching helps you take back control by focusing on three key areas:
> Time freedom: Are you stuck in day-to-day operations?
Coaching can help you identify inefficiencies, delegate effectively, and implement systems that free up your time.
> Mind freedom: Constant decision-making leads to stress and burnout.
Providing clarity, helping you set goals, developing
leadership skills, and reducing mental load are some ways a coach can support you.
> Financial freedom: Revenue alone doesn’t guarantee success. A coach can help you understand cashflow, profitability, and how to make data-driven decisions for sustainable growth.
If your business feels like it’s running you, a reset might be needed.
Let’s chat about how we can support you in building a business that works for you, not the other way around.
Trust your finances to our local team of Chartered Accountants and Advisors.
Email office@dnaca.co.nz
Phone 09 534 4382 www.dnaca.co.nz
IS YOUR BUSINESS READY FOR 2025?
With 2025 well under way, it’s time to reassess your marketing strategy.
If last year’s efforts didn’t deliver, now’s the moment to refine your approach.
Start by ensuring your brand messaging is clear and consistent across all platforms.
Are you engaging your audience with valuable content that builds trust?
Businesses that prioritise storytelling and genuine connections will stand out.
Next, embrace multi-channel marketing. Your audience is active across social media, email, and in-person experiences.
An integrated approach ensures your brand stays top-of-mind.
Finally, focus on measurable goals. Whether it’s
increasing sales, growing brand awareness, or boosting engagement, a wellplanned strategy makes all the difference.
The Marketing Baker helps businesses create effective, results-driven marketing strategies. Whether you need content, strategy, or full management, we’re here to support your success in 2025. Phone09 884 8650 candice@marketingbaker.com www.marketingbaker.com
Financial year-end looms
This period is traditionally busy for accountants as the days count down to the end of the March financial year.
Carol A. Rigby, the very experienced Howick-based chartered accountant, says the first thing businesses should be contemplating before Monday, March 31, is bad debts.
“People are thinking particularly about bad debts. In this situation, it’s when people don’t have the money to pay their bills.
“They [businesses owed money for goods and services] need to make sure they’re written off before the end of the year. There are things you need to talk to your accountant about before the end of the year, so it’s a smooth transition into the next, and the bad debt subject is prevalent at the moment,” she says.
“Preferably, if you deal with it before March 31, your profit is not as high, so you’re paying less tax.”
Many of Carol Rigby’s clients are using accountancy software Xero, and through her practice they can be taught in its use.
“One of the main emphasises I have is clients get their accounts done efficiently. If they’re a mess when they come here, we tidy them up and try and get the [accountancy] fees as low as possible,” she says.
“It’s an efficiency thing, then you understand what’s happening with your business, because a lot of people, even with Xero, they’re not actually looking at their profit and loss, working out how much tax they have to pay.
“That’s the whole point of having Xero. You should be in
touch because of the economic uncertainty out there.
“It’s really making sure that you’re doing things efficiently, so you can use the results you’ve got. They understand things better, and the cost of accounting drops.
“When we identify someone who needs to go on Xero, then we set it up and train them and then they’re away.
“We’re seeing quite a few people with large provisional tax payments due in May, so they’ll be coming in April to potentially reduce those down.”
May 7 is the last date to pay provisional tax for the 2024/2025 tax year.
“I have a high understanding. What I want to do is quality. Service – you’re talking with me when the phone is answered. And the efficiency – the tidying up of accounts, that’s my philosophy.
“When I look at the business, I’m interested in more than getting the books done. I’m interested in their businesses, how they’re going and growing.”
Chartered accountants such as Carol Rigby are more than experts with numbers and understanding tax and business laws and regulations. They’re business advisors and often to people they’ve had long professional relationships with.
Phone Carol on 09 533 0520 Email carol@carolrigby.co.nz www.carolrigby.co.nz
Tailored, expert investment advice with a personal, local touch
It may be to maintain a certain level of income, or to grow funds to help future generations reach their financial goals. Whatever your requirements, the Auckland East team can provide expert help.
Carol Rigby
Cambridge International Education Top in New Zealand 2024 (AS History)
Macleans College
Proudly congratulates Senior achievers of 2024
ALSTON YAM
Dux of Macleans College 2024
Six NZQA Scholarships
CATHERINE LUO
Cambridge International Education Top in New Zealand 2024 (AS Physics)
JASON DONG
Cambridge International Education Top in New Zealand 2024 (A Level Accounting)
CYNTHIA CHEN
Cambridge International Education Top in New Zealand 2024 (A Level Chinese Language and Literature)
JAY ZHAO
Proxime
Accessit (Runner Up to the Dux) 2024
Four NZQA Scholarships
ESCOTO
Cambridge International Education Top in New Zealand 2024 (A Level Computer Science)
Cambridge International Education Top in the World 2024 (AS Mathematics)
Cambridge International Education Top in New Zealand 2024 (A Level English Language)
A TOTAL OF 180 NZQA SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
One Scholarship:
Madison Buckley
Armaan Buttar
Matteo Carter
Rachel Chang
Joshua Chen
Coco Chen
Jane Chen
Charlie Chen
Naomi Cheng
Charis Cheung
Justin Cui
Parmis Daruwalla
Tegh Dhanjal
Noah Halligan
Emma High
Daniel Hsia
Mischa Inglis
Serena Jiang
Adelina Jones
Arshpreet Kaur
Aditya Kavthekar
Matthew Kim
Wesley Lau
Kelly Li
Kate Lindsay
Brianna Luca
Jennifer Lum
Jennifer Luo
Cecilia Ma
Taylor Ma
Bowen McBride
Lachlan Mclean
Ela Meiring
Cherylin Pak
Claire Phillips
Olivia Pokorny
Sophia Pu
Jerry Qiu
Mika Ramsing
Issa Sanchez
Howard Shang
Josephine Sim
Aiden Tang
Richard Tao
Hayden Tong-Ho
Amy Van Der Merwe
William Wang
Raymond Wang
Yixue Wang
Calvin Wang
Marco Wei
Kelly Yan
Felice Yang
Michelle Yin
Josiah Yoong
Areeba Zabrina
Alisa Zhai
Allan Zhao
Quinn Zhong
Two Scholarships:
Adrian Chan
Minh Chu
Tommy Duan
Julia Escoto
George Guo
Damien Hollins
Aaron Huang
Sheldon Kou
Nicole Lai
William Lee
Arshia Lotfi
Nichole Luo
Emily Wu
Emily Yin
Connie Zhang
Jesse Zhang
One Outstanding Scholarship:
Amelia Hu
Samantha Ou-Yang
Maria Sur
Mabel Zhang
One Outstanding Scholarship and one or more Scholarships:
George Chen
Chloe Lam
Nicole Reardon
Three or more Scholarships:
Cyril Chen
Jay Hwang
Jervis Lai
Annabelle Lee
Jeromia Lin
Tianzexi Liu
Shreyas Nagpal
Raajit Paruchuri
Belinda Shi
Chenyou Song
Joseph Tan
Haowen Xie
Tony Yu
Bruce Zhang
Three or more Scholarships including an Outstanding Scholarship:
Ivy Feng
Vikum Fernando
Annabelle Harrison
Kelly Ma
Alston Yam
Raymond Zhang
Jay Zhao
Sin Kiu Rufina Chan
Yixin Pan
KELLY MA
EMILY YIN
WESLEY LAU
JULIA
Experienced educators already making marks
Two experienced and passionate educators, Lucy Tomlinson and Shannon Nelson, have joined Howick College’s senior leadership team.
As the term-one halfway mark passes for 2025, the college says they’ve both settled in and making a positive impact on the school community.
Tomlinson has joined
tion degree and spent nine years as head of English, ESOL, and languages at Selwyn College, in Kohimarama.
Her work with NZQA as a national moderator and marker in English and literacy has further strengthened her expertise in assessment and curriculum development.
With a strong focus on academic excellence, the college says she’s a meticulous educator with high expectations and a commitment to fostering student success. “I’m thrilled to be part of the Howick
College senior management team,” says Tomlinson.
“It’s an honour to be part of such a warm and welcoming community, surrounded by talented students and teachers.
“I look forward to working closely with the staff to develop opportunities for students to excel through a dynamic and innovative curriculum, one that adapts to the changing landscape of education while also empowering and inspiring our students.”
Nelson has arrived from One Tree Hill College where she was an assistant principal and head of the technology faculty.
She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and has worked with NZQA as a national assessment advisor.
With a strong student-centred focus and leadership experience across both state and private schools, Howick College says she’s eager to contribute to its innovative learning environment.
“My passion for education comes from the joy of
helping others fulfil their potential,” says Nelson.
“I’ve been fortunate to work in learning communities where directed curiosity and making connections has maximised opportunities for ākonga [student/ learner].
“Howick College is known for its innovative and student-focused learning environment, and I’m excited to work with Dale Burden, the senior leadership team, and the dedicated staff to build on the dynamic programmes and support systems already in place.”
Principal Burden says both deputy principals stood out from an exceptionally strong field of applicants and have already made their mark.
“Lucy and Shannon bring a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives to our leadership team,” he says.
“They have hit the ground running, already making a difference through their leadership, vision, and connection with staff and students.”
New deputy principals at Howick College, Lucy Tomlinson and Shannon Nelson.
PRINCIPAL IN PERSON
With Matthew Cooke, Macleans Primary School
How long have you been an educator, and where did you train?
Twenty-six years. Began my teaching at Somerville Intermediate School, and high school and university in Canada. Teacher training in Sydney with a Graduate Diploma in Education. Masters of Education Management completed through University of Auckland.
When did you become principal of Macleans Primary School?
In July 2020. I was previously principal of Brookby School and deputy principal at Somerville Intermediate.
What’s the best thing about being an educator and principal?
There are many “best things”. It’s the everyday simple things: seeing a child succeed, a teacher “buzzing” with enthusiasm, including when I get a smile and “hello Mr Cooke, how are you” from the children; when I see the students excited about their learning and a teacher engaging the children’s interests.
Making a difference to Macleans Primary and the community and having a wide impact with the decisions we make that affect the children in a positive way. I also love being a principal because I know how important the job is, and I approach this role like nothing is more important.
I love working hard for Macleans Primary, building a positive and healthy school culture, where staff feel empowered to teach to the best of their ability whilst allowing them to grow as teachers and leaders.
A final “best thing” is knowing that as principal of Macleans Primary I can
make a difference as we aim to lead and manage the school with the child at the centre of all we do; leading and managing all aspects of the school to ensure Macleans Primary exists for the children and community, ensuring we put the child in the heart of all the decisions we make.
What’s special about Macleans Primary?
It’s our emphasis on mahi tahi – together. We endeavour to create a meaningful home-school partnership. The vision we have for our Macleans Learner that emphasises Learning and Hauroa and collaborating and working together. The
incredible students, parents, community and teachers who bring Macleans Primary to life each day and their energy, love, and passion that Macleans Primary is so grateful for all they do to make it special.
Is there anything you’d like improved in the education/school management sector?
At Macleans Primary we work hard together with the resources we have, to support every learner. We want resources to make a difference to the child and support to ensure we can meet the needs of the Macleans Primary children – the Macleans Learner –whether extending a child who is working above level or supporting a child who needs support with their learning.
At Macleans Primary the most valuable resources we have are the great teachers and support staff. We spend a considerable amount of our operations grant on teacher aides and teachers to support each child, teachers and the classroom.
• Read full interview at www.times.co.nz
LLOYD RATNARAJA Q&A
He’s put his hand up to be a leader and advocate in his new and developing community because he’s got experience and the willingness to do so and help others, he tells PJ TAYLOR.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I was born in Sri Lanka and moved to Auckland when I was 17 years old. I finished my last years of schooling at Pakuranga College. I’ve lived in east Auckland for more than 25 years.
YOU’RE
A RESIDENT IN THE QUICKLY DEVELOPING AREA OF FLAT BUSH/ORMISTON. HOW HAS THE MOVE THERE BEEN FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?
We’ve lived in Ormiston for five years and it has grown rapidly with significant population and infrastructure changes. Flat Bush is a vibrant and diverse community.
YOU’VE TAKEN ON COMMUNITY REPRESENTATION RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE FLAT BUSH RATEPAYERS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES IT’S DEALING WITH?
The purpose of the Flat Bush Ratepayers and Residents Association (FBRRA) is to advocate on behalf of the community to ensure that Flat Bush remains a thriving and safe community. We’re all about the community working together to be part of the solution rather than just talking about the problem. Similar to other suburbs in Auckland, we face a number of challenges and opportunities in our local community. Our challenges include illegal rubbish dumping due to vacant land and infrastructure needs to meet the demands of the Flat Bush community.
DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH
MEMBERS, AND HOW ARE YOU ENGAGING WITH RESIDENTS IN THIS RELATIVELY NEW AND FORMING COMMUNITY?
As you mentioned, we’re a relatively new and forming community, and FBRRA is only four years old. We’re continuing to raise awareness and have engaged in various initiatives over the past four years to connect with our local community. We have supported several residents with their local issues and partnered with Otara Waterways and Lake Trust, and Botany Community Patrol on local community initiatives. Our goal is to encourage our residents to be involved in the local community and to make a difference.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN FUTURE PUBLIC INVESTMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE?
Flat Bush has more than 40,000 residents and is one of the largest suburbs in Auckland. However, it does not have a library, community centre, or leisure centre. Flat Bush residents have to use adjacent suburbs’ libraries or leisure centres, which I’m sure puts significant pressure on those suburbs when they don’t have the capacity to accommodate residents from other areas.
At Ormiston Town Centre, where he’s impressed with the selection of retail and food outlets.
YOU HAVE A STRONG COMMUNITY MINDSET, INVOLVED IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITY AND NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS. HOW DID IT ALL START FOR YOU?
My Christian faith has laid a strong foundation for serving, and my local church, Elim Christian Centre, has been a key pillar in shaping my passion to serve. Elim has been serving its local communities for more than 40 years with impactful community initiatives such as the Christmas Box, which distributed over 1000 food boxes to those in need. There are several other community projects that Elim supports daily
to make a difference in people’s lives. It was here at Elim where I discovered my purpose and learned what it means to serve and to make a difference in the community.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES AND THINGS TO DO IN EAST AUCKLAND?
It’s hard to pick just one in east Auckland. I have a few favourite spots like Farm Cove, which is a great place to go for a bike ride. I also enjoy going to the Howick Village Market on a Saturday and love the variety of food at Ormiston Town Centre.
IF THERE’S ONE THING YOU’D LIKE CHANGED IN NEW ZEALAND
SOCIETY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I consider it a privilege to live in this beautiful country. If there’s one thing I’d like to see change in New Zealand society, it would be a stronger focus on serving our communities and working together to find solutions, rather than letting our differences divide us. Too often, we see issues being debated in ways that create division rather than unity. Serving our community means putting people first, looking out for our neighbours, supporting those in need, and making decisions that benefit everyone, not just a select few. If we focused more on collective solutions rather than on what separates us, we could tackle some of the biggest challenges facing New Zealand, whether it’s housing, mental health, or social inequality.
Lloyd Ratnaraja, pictured at Barry Curtis Park, in the heart of Flat Bush Ormiston, an area he advocates for in his role as president of the Flat Bush Ratepayers and Residents Association. Times photos PJ Taylor
Actors
FULL CALENDAR AT UXBRIDGE ARTS AND CULTURE
By PAUL BROBBEL, director, Uxbridge Arts and Culture
Leaving our summer months behind, it feels like the year has truly kicked in at Uxbridge Arts and Culture. Our theatre programme is filling up with events and we’re not far away from our next school holiday workshops.
This week we welcome local filmmaker Yalin Zou to Uxbridge to premiere his latest film, Teddy Show. Set during the difficult period of Covid-19 lockdowns, Teddy Show celebrates togetherness, kindness and love through a heartwarming intergenerational story starring Mark Hadlow and Meiling Brougham.
The premiere will be followed by two public screenings on April 10 and 17.
Sure to be hit, you’ll want to secure your tickets in advance.
Staying with film and theatre, we host a performance of John G Davies’ one man play The Goblin on March 29.
This acclaimed production has been described as a “bracing dive into our collective history and imagination” and shouldn’t be missed.
For younger audiences, April welcomes back our school holiday films, Aladdin (April 16) and Happy Feet (April 23). As always, tickets are a cheap $6 and everyone gets free popcorn.
Now’s the time to be booking into school holiday programmes. Running from April 17-24, our programme offers a variety of half-day workshops and full-day combos.
Kids can get creative with mixed media, no-bake cooking, whip up some designs on a sewing machine, get crazy with clay or hooked on crochet. Check out the Uxbridge website for details and enrolment or drop in for a brochure.
As always, look us up online or drop in to see what’s on and join in.
A special art event happening through April is a new collaborative art project at Uxbridge celebrating our collective care for the environment. Drop in, grab some pens and make your own artistic contribution to our growing mural.
This is a shared arts column space put together by Howick Historical Village, Te Tuhi, and Uxbridge Arts and Culture.
Meiling Brougham, right, and Mark Hadlow are among the cast of the film ‘Teddy Show’’, which had its premiere screening in Howick.
Photo supplied
NEW BREATHTAKING EGYPTIAN MUSEUM
The new Egyptian Museum – officially known as The Grand Egyptian Museum – is definitely very grand, reports east Auckland writer ROBYN YOUSEF.
It’s been built in alignment with the world-renowned Pyramids of Giza and has been dubbed the “fourth Pyramid of Egypt”. My husband Adel and I were among the lucky ones, visiting the stunning new museum before its official opening when we were there during its “trial period”.
The design of the new museum by an Irish firm includes an amazing exterior of limestone and glass decorated with triangular features and hieroglyphics. At a cost of more than US$1 billion, it’s now the world’s largest archaeological museum.
During my OE in London, I met an Egyptian student and we were married more than 50 years ago in Cairo before returning to settle in New Zealand. We lived very near the old Cairo Museum between 1974 until 1978.
While making the obligatory visits with our overseas visitors, I was not seized by an interest in Egyptology until the 1980s when my own children were studying Egypt at school.
Visiting Egypt back in the 1980s and ’90s, I managed to spend hours in the old museum – which still stands proudly in the city centre – viewing the incredible treasures. You’re soon jolted back into reality when stepping outside into the mad chaos and noise of Cairo, a city of more than 20 million inhabitants.
But, with the new building you walk out into a beautiful courtyard where
The spacious atrium with the 3200-year-old globally significant artefact, the 12m tall statue of Ramses II.
Photos supplied
that sense of history continues with the world’s only hanging obelisk from Ramses II on a base with four pillars that are carved with the name of Egypt in many languages.
The light streams through the new building with its lofty vaulted ceilings and huge windows. And because most of the exhibits are freestanding, you can take in the objects from every angle. Labelling and lighting are top-notch.
You’re greeted in the large and airy atrium by a very impressive 12-metre-tall, 3200-year-old statue of Ramses II. He used to guard the Cairo Railway Station, but the grandeur of the piece is perfectly suited to his new setting.
The new museum includes 12 galleries covering three themes: society, kingship, and belief. It covers four time periods from prehistory to the Greco-Roman era.
And while it highlights the times of the pharaohs, it also shows how the ordinary people lived in ancient Egypt.
From Ramses II, the Grand Staircase, with a moving staircase alongside, welcomes visitors to 12 galleries with ancient statues and sculptures arranged chronologically on the broad stairs.
And when reaching the top there’s a breathtaking moment when through a huge window the magnificent Pyramids of Giza come into view – linking Egypt’s glorious past to the present perfectly.
After 20 years of planning, The Grand Egyptian Museum officially opens on July 3, following its partial opening last October. Celebrations will include a spectacular display of Egypt’s history and tourist attractions spanning several days.
This week’s Community Hero is Linda Clifton
The latest recipient is Linda Clifton. She’s nominated by Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga-Eastern Manukau manager Louise Boswell, who writes: “Linda has been a committed volunteer for two years at Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga-Eastern Manukau, reliably covering one to two shifts a week, helming our social media accounts and being on our board. Linda is a thorough interviewer who researches all options, provides excellent information to clients and takes thoughtful, decisive action when needed.
“Recently Linda spent well over four hours helping a migrant client who was being exploited. This involved multiple
calls to Immigration NZ, translators, the client’s employer, advice from an employment advocate and our own immigration advisors (with consent from the client) to get a resolution. We would like to give huge thanks to Linda for her remarkable work with our CAB.”
The Times is recognising the many wonderful people in our local east Auckland community who go out of their way to help others with our regular Community Hero award.
If you know someone who’s doing amazing things in our community please email 50 to 100 words describing why they deserves this recognition, highlighting specific actions they’ve taken to benefit our community, with your and their contact details and a highresolution photo of them if possible to chrish@times.co.nz.
Be sure to include details about what they’ve been doing, the impact they’ve made, and how long they’ve been involved in these efforts. The award is sponsored by New World Howick. Recipients will receive a $50 New World gift card.
Events and fundraisers coming to Howick Village
By KATIE TRENEMAN, Village Manager, Howick Village Association
Book the date – The Good Home Howick is holding its 10th annual Pink Ribbon lunch fundraiser on Sunday, May 25 at 11am. Funds raised go to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Tickets are $75 and available from The Good Home reception. Book now as this successful event sells out each year.
The Prospect of Howick is holding a Karaoke Night on Friday, March 28. The mics are on from 7.30pm. You can also book in to enjoy Mike Cole as Elvis for a two-course dinner and show on April 10. Tickets cost $65 and are available from The Good Home reception.
Bellyful East Auckland’s fundraising High Tea is on Saturday, May 3, from 2pm-4 pm in the Picton Centre, bookings essential, visit www.humanitix.com.
Resonate have started monthly hearing well-being evenings from 4pm-6pm. You can join Sam and Kanav for food, drink and sound advice at 89 Picton St, Howick. We’ll update you when their next one will be.
Stihl Shop is celebrating autumn deals with a free sausage sizzle and coffee 7.30am-9.30am on Friday, March 28. New products will be on show, and you can get tips and advice from the experts.
Lauren has now owned 101 for five years! It’s great to read her lovely anecdotes about her time with the business, bringing “smiles to our customers”, “trust your instincts more”, “rewarding to see familiar faces”, “surrounded by the most incredible team”.
It’s sad to see this milestone has been marred by damage to her beautiful store, when an elderly man’s vehicle collided with the building. But it was lovely to hear of the stories of support coming from our wonderful community, with several community heroes trying to save the man’s life and not hesitating to spring into action. Our thoughts and condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
A reminder – Life Pharmacy Howick has now merged with Unichem Main Street Pharmacy. Leane and her team are looking forward to seeing you at 45-47 Picton
Street, just 90 metres up the road, towards Stockade Hill. The entire prescription database has been transferred.
Did you know we have hire spaces available at Uxbridge Arts and Culture? Affordable spaces to teach a class, team build, host a party, facilitate a meeting, train staff, the list goes on. Check out https://uxbridge.org.nz/book-a-space/.
It was great to see the annual Howick Rotary Club Fun Walk and Run was such a success. It was a fantastic day and their efforts support Howick Coastguard, a charity dear to many in Howick.
Both Howick Village Vets Moore Street and the new vegan store in Rices Mall are open. Lovely to see two new businesses in town. Sad to see APT Collections has gone, these premises are available for lease.
We’ll be celebrating Easter with an Easter Hunt in the Village. There will be six Easter rabbits hidden in shop windows waiting to be found, and an exciting prize pack to be won. The competition will be open to five12-year-olds from April 14-21.
WHAT’S ON
ZONTA CLUB
Zonta Club of East Auckland invites you to their April 1 meeting. Our guest speaker is Nicki Van den Bos, a young leader in sports administration and a firm advocate for equity for women and girls in sport as the current chief executive of Women in Sport Aotearoa, the nation’s leading agency dedicated to advancing equity in sport. During her tenure in the organisation, Nicky has led projects including planning and delivery of the 8th IWG World Conference in Sport, held in New Zealand in 2022. Join us at the Howick Club, Botany Road, on April 1 at 6pm. For more information email eastauckland@xonta.co.nz.
FLYOVER PRESENTATION
Steven Power, Alliance Structures Manager at the Eastern Busway project, will give a presentation on Rā hihi (Reeves Road Flyover), and how the traffic will flow from Pakuranga Highway to the Eastern Arterial once construction is completed. It’s on Wednesday, April 2, at 10.30am at Pakuranga Library. All welcome, tea and coffee served. For more information contact Pakuranga Library by email at Pakuranga.library@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or phone 09 377 0209.
POLISH EASTER WITH CRAFTS
On April 6 from 2pm-4pm and April 16 from 10am-12pn. Groups welcome to book their own date. Part of Auckland World of Culture Festival. A family activity with two hours of fun-filled craft and a short educational presentation. $10 per
What’s On is a free community noticeboard for non-profit groups. Send notices of less than 50 words to chrish@times.co.nz. Due to space restrictions there is no guarantee your notice will run.
person including adults. Held at Polish Museum, 125 Elliot Street, Howick. Phone 533 3530 or email phtmuseum@ outlook.com.
MUSIC CONCERT
Crabbed Age & Youth is a non-profit occasional concert series run by local
pianist Kay Shacklock. Next concert is Bon Voyage!, on April 27 at 5pm at All Saints Church in Howick, featuring cellist Josh Helm in a farewell recital before he moves overseas. Music features classical and light repertoire, with guest artist international soprano Gina Sanders. Entry is by donation.
Cartoonist Roger Smith provides his witty take on important local, national and global issues.
EVENTS UPCOMING
OUT EAST
FRISKY BUSINESS
Saturday 19 March, 2-6pm, Turanga Creek Winery
Frisky Business are coming back to Turanga Creek to party 80s style!! Join the party as we flashback to the 80s with its neon lights, big hair styles, crazy outfits and the most iconic hits of the 80s played live and loud!!
TEX MEX BBQ
Sunday 30 March, 12pm, Despensa Howick
Join Despensa on the last Sunday of each month, where they’ll have their big smoker BBQ out smashing out the best BBQ mex you’ll find! Think Jalepeno sausages, baby back ribs, chicken, corn and mac cheese! All for $35 pp!
SCULPTURE TRAIL FUNDRAISER
Sunday 30 March, 9am-3pm, Riverhaven Artland
Visit Riverhaven Artland with 24 wonderful sculptures, picnic under the trees, listen to live music and from 10am-12noon meet horses from the riding programme. Pony rides and face painting on offer, food trucks and coffee on site. All funds raised go to Tōtara Park Riding for the Disabled.
FILIPINO MARKET
Saturday 5 April, 11am-3pm, Bucklands and Eastern Beaches Memorial Hall, 48 The Parade, Bucklands Beach
Get your fix of Filipino cuisine from food trucks, hot food merchants, bakers, ice cream, coffee and bubble tea merchants. They’ll have a dry goods section, too for proudly Philippine-made products.
NEW SEASON, NEW
Enjoy waterfront dining at Grangers, where fresh flavours, relaxed atmosphere and spectacular view come together perfectly. Check out their new menu today!
FUNCTIONS AT GRANGERS
Our spaces cater for small to large events, from team lunches, breakfast meetings and networking events; to birthday parties, reunions and weddings.
QUICK PRAWN ‘KEDGEREE’
INGREDIENTS:
• 250g prawns (with out shells) or smoked fish/hot smoked salmon, flaked.
• 500g cooked white or brown long grain rice, even cooked orzo (i used 2 packs of Uncle Ben’s cooked basmati rice)
• 2 tablespoons roughly of any Indian curry paste (eg Pataks or Asian Home Gourmet). Add more if you like it spicier.
• 1 medium onion finely diced or sliced
• 1-2 tbspn cooking oil
• 200ml coconut milk
• 200ml chicken or fish stock (powdered stock mixed with water ok)
• 1 cup frozen peas (or your fave frozen vegetable)
• chopped coriander or parsley to stir in at the end
• salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS:
Heat oil in a wide non-stick pan, then sauté onions until soft and translucent, stirring occasionally. Add curry paste and cook briefly until aromatic, before pouring in coconut milk and stock. Bring to a simmer, add prawns and cook on low until they change color. Stir in rice and peas, cooking for three minutes until the liquid is mainly absorbed. Season well, garnish with coriander or parsley, and serve with halved boiled eggs if desired.
NOTE: Use this recipe as a base, using up leftover fish/ meats/veg etc from your fridge/freezer!
QUIZ NIGHTS
Liven up Tuesdays with our free Club Quiz! Open to Howick Club members, affiliated members, and their invited guests. Enjoy brain-teasers to tickle your funny bone and challenge wits. Great prizes!
TRIBUTE BAND
Get ready for a rock ‘n’ roll revival with Brown Sugar playing Rolling Stones hits from the past five decades. Tickets $20, open to Howick Club members, affiliated members and invited guests of both. (R16)
KARAOKE NIGHT
The annual Karaoke comp is being held between April-May. It’s open to club members, their guests, and affiliated club members. It spans six evenings with four heats, a semi-final, and a grand final.
CAR SHOW
The club is hosting its 2nd classic car show. Cars will be on show in the club’s lower carpark and the public will be able to view and vote for their favouriate. To display a car, contact the Club office, phone 09 537 7101.
EAGLES TRIBUTE
Experience the ultimate Eagles tribute! Hear legendary hits from Joe Walsh, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey. Classic rock night — don’t miss out! Tickets $25. Open to members, affiliates & invited guests. (R16)
Become A Member
Join the Howick Club for a vibrant community experience with exclusive access to dining, events, and recreational events for all ages!
www.howickclub.co.nz/membership
ORMISTON CAFE AND BISTRO
GOOD VIBES, GREAT FOOD
Ormiston Café and Bistro offers a serene oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby Ormiston Town Centre.
The pet-friendly café in Bellingham Road delivers fast service and is the perfect spot for a tasty coffee as well as the place to go for a more fulfilling meal with family or friends.
If you’re craving something sweet, try its freshly baked Nutty Choco Brownie.
It’s drizzled with a touch of decadence and has crunch, gooeyness, and flavour that’ll hit the spot. But if you’re heading out at night and in search of a meal, Ormiston Café and Bistro also has you covered as it’s open for dinner Thursday to Saturday until 9pm.
Its dinner menu features traditional Kiwi favourites such as fish and chips, salt and pepper squid, open-faced steak sandwich, soups, salads, burgers, pizzas, pork chops, and beef or chicken fried rice, among other options.
People can choose a perfectly cooked steak with mashed potatoes, sauteed vegetables, and a rich gravy. Seafood lovers can order the seared salmon, sitting on a bed of sauteed veggies with fresh greens and topped with crunchy almonds and sprouts.
People who don’t eat meat can choose from numerous options including the Vegetarian and Vegan Plate. It’s packed with flavour and comes with grilled halloumi, garden-fresh veggies, roasted
almonds, and dips.
The Eggs Benedict are the perfect way to start the day and come with bacon, hashbrowns, and hollandaise sauce.
If you’re desiring a proper Kiwi big breakfast, order the scrambled eggs with crispy hashbrowns, sizzling bacon, sausages, garlic butter mushrooms, grilled tomato, and toasted sourdough.
There’s also the lamb shank with its rich sauce and fresh, perfectly grilled vegetables.
For something a bit more exotic, choose the steam dumplings. They’re packed with flavour and paired with mouthwatering dipping sauces.
Ormiston Town Centre has been master-planned as the vibrant heart of Ormiston
So much more than just a shopping centre, Ormiston Town Centre has been designed for community and convenience, relaxing and getting stuff done, entertainment and easy living.
Ormiston Town Centre has everything you need right on your doorstep – daily essentials or special treats, a coffee on the run or a relaxed meal out, a gym workout or some well-earned time out
At Ormiston Town Centre we’ve created a place that’s yours.
It’s your place to be
240 Ormiston Road, Flat Bush, Auckland
East Auckland turned on a perfect day on March 23 for the Pakuranga Rotary Club’s Community Carnival and River Festival. Supported by the Howick Local Board, the event was staged at Bramley Drive Reserve in Farm Cove. It featured face-painting, bouncy castles, a Ferris wheel, slides, pony rides, comedy magic shows, Sea-Doo and jetski experience, as well as plenty of food and drinks.
Photos supplied Howick
Photographic Society
WHAT WE ARE WATCHING
NOTEWORTHY PODCASTS DOCPLAY
• Maurice and I
This documentary shines a light on the professional partnership of two of New Zealand’s most influential architects, Sir Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney. Many of the buildings they designed were damaged or destroyed in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. The documentary is a “powerful and enthralling exploration of partnership, loss and the enduring importance of architecture in shaping our lives”.
NETFLIX
• Adolescence
This new four-part British crime drama series stars Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, and Erin Doherty and centres on a teenage boy accused of murdering a female classmate. The crime leaves his family, therapist and the police officer in charge of the subsequent investigation all asking what really happened.
IN CINEMAS
• Tinā
Anapela Polataivao stars as Samoan music teacher Mareta, who becomes a substitute teacher at an elite school while grieving her daughter’s death in the Christchurch earthquakes in this highly praised New Zealand debut feature film from award-winning writer and director Miki Magasiva. Tinā was chosen to open the 2024 Hawai’i International Film Festival.
WATCH READ LISTEN
AVAILABLE FROM HOWICK PAPER PLUS
MR LYTTLE MEETS MR BIG
This 11-episode Radio New Zealand podcast series investigates the 2011 disappearance of New Zealander Brett Hall and the subsequent 2014 prosecution of his friend David Lyttle. Lyttle went on trial for Hall’s murder in 2019. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison, but in 2021 the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction and he was freed after serving four years in prison.
THE WELSH RUGBY PODCAST
Welsh rugby has suffered a massive fall from grace in recent years, with the once-proud rugby nation earning the wooden spoon by finishing bottom of the table in the Six Nations competition in Europe for the past two seasons in a row. This podcast series contains insightful commentary from experts Ben James and Steffan Thomas with special guests such as Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney as they debate the big issues.
INSIDE THE VATICAN
This podcast series by America magazine takes listeners behind the scenes of the Catholic Church’s headquarters at the Vatican in Rome, Italy, and is hosted by Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell. With Pope Francis’s recent high-profile health challenges, this series provides discussions on subjects such as the Pope’s planned meeting with King Charles in April and a cardinal’s recent comments on the issue of gender dysphoria.
THE WOMEN’S ORCHESTRA OF AUSCHWITZ
Paper Plus Howick Our Price $39.99
In 1943, German SS officers in charge of Auschwitz-Birkenau ordered an orchestra should be formed among the female prisoners. Almost 50 women and girls were drafted into a band that would play marching music to other inmates and forced labourers. Award-winning historian Anne Sebba tells the full and astonishing story of the orchestra for the first time.
SEE HOW THEY FALL
Paper Plus Howick Our Price $37.99
Turner Corp, a luxury goods empire, is rocked by the death of its founder. As his three sons gather at the family’s opulent estate for a long weekend, tensions rise when an illegitimate heir is introduced. Skye, who married into the dynasty, is uneasy in her husband’s world and hiding her own secrets. The weekend morphs into a parent’s worst nightmare, leaving Skye desperate to uncover the truth about the Turner family. The detective assigned to the case begins to unpick the complex web of lies and betrayal, which might bring down an empire.
JAPAN IN AUTUMN
A SEASON OF COLOUR, CULTURE AND CUISINE
From September to November, Japan transforms into a breathtaking canvas of fiery reds, golden yellows, and deep oranges. As summer fades, the vibrant hues of autumn sweep across the country, beginning in Hokkaido and flowing southward through Kyoto and Tokyo.
More predictable and longer lasting than the famous cherry blossom season, autumn in Japan is about more than just the striking foliage. At this time of year, festivals, traditions and seasonal dishes sweep the country, making it the perfect opportunity to really embrace this nation’s fascinating culture.
SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS
The tradition of momijigari, or ‘maple leaf hunting,’ invites locals and travellers alike to slow down and soak in the beauty of the season. Whether strolling through Kyoto’s serene temple gardens or exploring Nara with its famous deer, the experience of witnessing Japan’s autumn foliage is nothing short of magical.
Over 70 per cent of Japan’s forests are made up of deciduous trees, including the delicate Japanese maple, whose striking crimson leaves contrast beautifully against moss-covered stones and historic shrines.
Beyond its natural beauty, autumn in Japan is also a time of cultural celebration. The centuries-old tradition of tsukimi, or ‘moon viewing’, sees families and
where each dish is carefully crafted to highlight the finest autumn ingredients.
Meanwhile, dazzling winter illuminations begin to light up the streets of Tokyo and Kyoto, adding an extra touch of sparkle to the season.
AUTUMNAL FLAVOURS
The arrival of cooler weather also signals the start of shokuyoku, the ‘season of hearty appetites’. Japan’s autumn cuisine is rich and flavourful, featuring freshly harvested daikon, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes.
Sanma, a seasonal fish grilled over charcoal, is a must-try delicacy, while kuri (chestnuts) are enjoyed roasted or blended into indulgent desserts.
For an authentic taste of the season, nothing compares to a kaiseki meal,
With its stunning landscapes, cultural traditions, and seasonal delicacies, Japan in autumn is an experience like no other.
SAVINGS FOR TRAVEL COMPANIONS AND SOLOS
Right now, you can take advantage of Wendy Wu Tours’ incredible offers on fully inclusive Japan tours. Enjoy partner-flies-free or half-price single supplements on selected departures, making it even easier to experience the magic of Japan in autumn.
With flights, accommodation, meals, and expert guides included, all you need to do is immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of the season. Are you ready to explore Japan during its most enchanting season?
friends gathering to admire the harvest moon, accompanied by delicate rice-flour dumplings known as tsukimi dango.
IN WHICH HOLLY SAYS NO
As a teenager, I thought I was fat. It was the 1990s – the era of the waif. Body shaming and unrealistic beauty ideals were the order of the day. My boyfriend treated me badly, but I put up with it because I didn’t want to be alone.
Looking back, I realise I was simply developing curves. Looked fine. I can also see, in hindsight, that I could’ve had a nicer boy in a heartbeat (sorry for not noticing you, Isaac), or simply chosen the peace of flying solo.
Now, as an adult who is properly plussize – in both confidence and curves – dating has far more ups than downs. I do aim to reduce my body mass in order to protect my general health, but if there was one reason I might not want to lose weight, it’s the quality of pipe that I attract as a full-bodied woman.
Society would deem most of the guys I’ve dated to be well out of my league. They’ve had hard bodies, fancy jobs, handsome faces and all the other superficial social trappings.
I’ve found them attractive for a different reason – they think for themselves. They’ve challenged whether the beauty norms are what they actually find attractive.
While they see me for more than my physique, they’re true to their own desires and delight in my Rubenesque body.
The other week, I arranged a meeting at a busy local cafe with an unreasonably gorgeous young man. He’d rambled, via messaging, about how he adored the softness and cuddliness of an ample body. While I would’ve preferred that he focus on my personality, I’d decided to give him a chance and see if there was more to him. After all, it was just a coffee… no biggie.
So, Reader, I’m sitting there with my latte and my phone dings. He’s changed his mind. He’s there, and still really wants to meet, but can I walk across to the car park? After some pressing, he admits he’s reluctant to be seen with a larger lady. This may sound familiar to other voluptuous women. In plus-size dating forums, complaints abound about only receiving sexual attention when nobody’s looking or feeling trapped in secret relationships with “hotter” partners.
One woman writes: “He wants to **** a
fatty, but he won’t take me to dinner or introduce me to his friends.”
The answer, of course, was no. I wouldn’t go to the car park. Firstly, that’s creepy. Secondly, while I value discretion, I value my dignity more.
In the words of Tony Gaskin: “You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce.” And in the words of Beyonce: “You must not know ’bout me / I could have another you by tomorrow.”
Reader, email holly@times.co.nz and tell me: How have you learned to protect your dignity while looking for love?
Read Holly’s full column here
Email holly@times.co.nz
Yours in love,
Whitford Village Shop
‘Frangipani Kisses’ by Kristin Hyde
$200 ‘Dinkie – Mini’
– Black by Ema Frost
$45 Quay Gallery quaygallery.co.nz
Becca Project, Stellar Rose, 100mls with beautiful gift box $71 No. 5 Design Store No5design.co.nz
ART GALLERY HOSTING
BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER
Quay Gallery in Whitford Village is hosting a fun and colourful Pink Ribbon Afternoon Tea in May as part of a nationwide effort to raise money for the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. The event is intended to support Kiwi women who have breast cancer.
“Not many of us can say that we do not know someone who has been affected in some way by breast cancer,” the Gallery’s Nicki Richards says. “Pink Ribbon month is Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s annual campaign to raise vital funds for breast cancer research, patient support, education and awareness. Each year more than 3500 people [in New Zealand] are diagnosed with breast cancer and it’s the leading cause of death for New Zealand women under 65.”
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner adds: “We’re so grateful to everyone who takes part in Pink Ribbon month. Thanks to the generosity of Kiwis up and down the country, we’re able to continue our life-saving work.”
Bubbly Bliss $165 Whitford Merchants whitfordmerchants.co.nz
Join Turanga Creek for High Tea on Sunday April 6, $49pp or $59pp including a glass of Turanga Creek wine or Hallertau Beer Turanga Creek turangacreek.co.nz
The Quay Gallery’s afternoon tea will be at its premises in Whitford Wharf Road from 1pm-3pm on Sunday, May 25.
“It’s a ticketed event with pink champagne, gin tasting and canapés provided,” Richards says. “There will be spot prizes, silent auctions and raffles, so get your friends together, your pink fascinators and bowties on, and join us for a lovely afternoon in our beautiful Gallery to raise money and awareness for a great cause.”
Rayner adds that proceeds raised from Pink Ribbon month in May will bring Breast Cancer Foundation NZ one step closer to its vision of zero deaths from breast cancer.
“Please get involved in whatever way you can. Your support will make a real difference.”
For more information or to get in early to buy tickets to the event, email Nicki Richards at info@quaygallery.co.nz.
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is a not-for-profit, nonGovernment funded organisation that depends on donations and fundraising for its work in breast cancer education and awareness, medical research and training grants, advocacy, and supporting Kiwis with breast cancer.
MAKE-UP LONGEVITY MUST-HAVES
SKINCARE:
For flawless make-up longevity, the foundation of your routine should always begin with a multi-tasking cleanser, hydrating and exfoliating treatment, and a protective moisturiser.
The REN Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser is a gentle yet powerful make-up remover and cleanser, designed to dissolve waterproof make-up, SPF, and impurities without stripping the skin. Its tri-phase formula transforms from jelly to oil to milk, ensuring a deep cleanse while maintaining hydration.
oil and grape seed oil help nourish and soothe the skin, making it a great choice for all skin types, especially those looking for a non-drying, effective first cleanse. Perfect for a fresh, makeup-ready canvas!
MECCA $71
Sunday Riley’s Good Genes Lactic Acid
Treatment is a powerful exfoliating treatment that combines lactic acid with nourishing ingredients like licorice, aloe, and prickly pear extract to refine skin texture, brighten dark spots, and minimise pores.
and radiant. Users rave about its ability to improve skin clarity and reduce the appearance of fine lines, with immediate and long-term skin benefits.
Suitable for all skin types, it’s the perfect addition to any skincare routine for a glowing, hydrated complexion. MECCA $160 for 30ml
Tower 28 SOS Daily Barrier Recovery
Cream is a must-have for all skin types and concerns. Whether you have dry, oily, sensitive, or combination skin, this hydrating cream provides essential moisture and strengthens the skin’s natural barrier with a blend of four types of hyaluronic acid and ceramides. It also BEAUTY
Key ingredients like meadowfoam seed
This treatment acts as a moisture magnet, hydrating the skin while exfoliating, leaving it plump, smooth,
Saturday, 12 April 9am–3pm
contains allantoin, a soothing ingredient that helps calm irritation and promotes healing, making it perfect for sensitive or reactive skin.
Lightweight and non-greasy, it absorbs quickly to nourish, prep for make-up and protect without clogging pores. MECCA $68 for 100ml
PRIMER:
The secret weapon for make-up longevity, acting as a protective base that creates a smooth canvas for make-up application. It helps to fill in fine lines and blur imperfections, ensuring foundation glides on evenly and stays put throughout the day.
The MAC Studio Radiance Moisturizing + Illuminating Silky Primer is a lightweight, water-gel formula designed to hydrate and illuminate the skin.
Infused with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, it provides up to eight hours of soothing hydration, creating a smooth canvas for make-up application.
This primer is suitable for all skin types and aims to deliver a dewy, glossy, radiant glow. MECCA $77
The MECCA MAX Bring On Bright Illuminating Primer is a glow-enhancing primer designed to boost your skin’s natural radiance.
Infused with antioxidant-rich grape seed oil, it not only imparts an illuminating finish but also helps protect against environmental stressors. This versatile primer can be applied before make-up to lock in your base or mixed with foundation for an extra luminous effect.
Notably, it is Vegan Society-certified and cruelty-free, aligning with ethical beauty standards. MECCA $28
SETTING POWDER:
Essential for extending the wear of your make-up and locking in liquid products (foundation and concealer) before moving onto powder products. The end result is an airbrushed finish that stays put for hours.
For more pro beauty tips and tricks, head to our website www.bonitartistry.co.nz/blog.
Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Loose Setting Powder is a lightweight, superfine powder that absorbs oil, minimises shine, and leaves you with a flawless matte finish.
This silky formula gives the complexion a seamless soft-focus effect, blurs the look of imperfections, and extends the wear of your make-up. Users have praised its ability to set make-up flawlessly, brighten under-eyes, and blur imperfections without feeling heavy. MECCA $68
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder is a collection of finishing powders designed to recreate the most flattering face filter using Photoluminescent Technology. These powders capture, diffuse, and soften surrounding light to refine the appearance of your complexion. Praised for its ability to set make-up while imparting a silky smooth finish.
Available in multiple shades, powders can brighten or add warmth to the skin, a perfect way to match your complexion in between seasons. MECCA $109
COASTLINE WALK FROM EASTERN BEACH
By DAVID MALLOWES
This walk offers great views of the Waitemata, mostly sheltered from south-west winds, and very few people around. It’s 5km one way including 1.8km along Eastern Beach. The coastline from Eastern Beach to Mellons Bay to Howick Beach features a couple of headlands with some low tide rock-hopping, otherwise reasonably easy at low tide. Check the MetService for low-tide times and tide heights.
Ten minutes of rock-hopping around the southern point of Eastern Beach leads to an easy walk along the cliffs below Macleans Park and Bleakhouse Road. Mellons Bay is a great little beach, mostly well away from the road, popular for exercising dogs early and late in the day. Detour to the back of the car park and there’s a beautiful well maintained and
wide 1.6km walkway following a stream through a kauri grove and native bush to Cheriton Rd and on to Haseler Cres.
From there the path narrows a little through the McLeay Reserve and continues up to Montressor Pl and beyond. Volunteers have been working hard in these reserves for five years to eradicate invasive trees and weeds and planting over 5000 natives.
The coastline from Mellons Bay to Howick includes a few minutes of fairly easy rock-hopping, 10 minutes crossing a hard surface flat reef. Approaching Howick Beach, there’s another five minutes of quite easy rock-hopping. Roads from Howick to Eastern Beach are set back from and follow the coast, beautiful views from Marine Parade, return to Mellons Bay, up Page Point then down through Macleans Park back to the start.
Like to walk with others? The Howick Tramping Club is very welcoming. It meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the Pakuranga Croquet Club. Go online to www.sporty.co.nz/ howicktramping/Home.
Footwear – recommend runners with good tread or hiking boots. Low tides – best about 0.3m to 0.4m. Playground –Eastern Beach. Toilets – Eastern Beach, Mellons Bay, Howick Beach.
For maps and further information, visit www.facebook.com/ walksouteastauckland or scan the QR code to the Relive website
The Active+ Howick team, back row from left, Ella, Dominique (practice owner), Amanda (practice manager), Elmarie; and front row from left, Tanisha, Shayal, Chitra, Cath.
Meet your A+ physio team
Active+ Howick has been a trusted part of the east Auckland community for 19 years, providing expert physiotherapy care with a personal touch. Under the ownership of Dominique van Biljon for the past two years, our clinic continues to foster a welcoming environment where clients are greeted by name and made to feel like family.
With a team of seven experienced physiotherapists boasting a combined 117 years of expertise, we offer one of the most comprehensive physiotherapy services in east Auckland.
OUR SERVICES
We provide expert care across a wide range of specialties, including:
> Musculoskeletal and orthopaedic physiotherapy
> Sports rehabilitation
> Neurological rehabilitation
> Cancer rehabilitation
> Vestibular rehabilitation
> Breathing pattern disorders
> Women’s health physiotherapy
> ACC contracts
> Workplace wellness
> Falls prevention
At Active+ Howick, we’re dedicated to providing exceptional care in a safe and supportive environment. Our team takes pride in building lasting relationships and helping each client reach their individual health and wellness goals.
Feel A+ again! Get in touch today to book a time with one of our team to find out how we can help you move, live and feel A+ again. Sign up to our newsletter and we will keep you posted on upcoming classes, clinics and special events.
www.activeplus.co.nz
Get in touch today
Active+ Howick
THE WORK-LIFE BALANCING ACT
MICHELLE KEENAN empowers people and organisations to achieve optimal wellbeing by providing customised wellness coaching programmes tailored to their unique goals.
We hear a lot about work-life balance, but I prefer the term “worklife integration”. It’s impossible to have perfect balance all the time. Sometimes we may have more on our plate professionally, and need to work longer hours or give more mental space to thinking about work issues. Other times we may have things going on in our personal lives that are taking up more bandwidth.
What’s important is we’re able to switch off from work during our downtime, and be fully present for ourselves, our families, and our friends, and that we have the capacity – both the time and the energy – to feel we can give our best to both our work and our lives outside of work. Here are a few strategies that can help.
SET CLEAR BOUNDARIES
If work spills into your personal life, it’s time to set some boundaries. If you work from home, create a dedicated workspace and stick to set working hours. If you’re in the office, resist the urge to check emails after hours. Your downtime is just as important as your work time! Learn to say no to things, whether work-related or personal, and choose where to put your time and energy.
LEARN TO PRIORITISE
Not everything on your to-do list is urgent. Instead of doing it all, what can you outsource, delegate, or let go of? This applies at work and at home!
SCHEDULE TIME FOR YOURSELF
09 535 9160 | howick@activeplus.co.nz
Unit 3, 15 Cook St Howick www.activeplus.co.nz
You wouldn’t skip a work meeting, so why cancel on yourself? Put workouts, lunch with friends, and time with your family in your calendar, and make them non-negotiable.
UNPLUG AND RECHARGE
Less screentime means more time for everything else, including rest. Switching off your phone an hour or so before bed will give you more time for yourself and your family, and as a bonus you’ll also get a better night’s sleep.
www.michellekeenan.com
Netball centre’s upgrade creating safer environment
One of east Auckland’s busiest sporting facilities is getting a muchneeded upgrade.
Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre president Amanda Dyason says the venue has “long been a cornerstone of our local community, fostering a love for netball and providing a space for players of all ages and skill levels to connect, compete, and grow”.
Over the years its courts have hosted countless thrilling matches, determined athletes, and cheering supporters. But as time has passed, the wear and tear on its facilities has become increasingly apparent, she says.
“The current economic climate has added to our difficulties in getting this upgrade started.
“We’re thrilled to announce long-overdue repairs to two blocks of our courts are now under way, alongside the complete renewal of six courts.
“These upgrades aren’t just about maintenance. They’re about investing in the future of netball in our region.”
Dyason says the ultimate goal is to transition to a premium Rebound Ace surface for the remaining 18 courts.
Its rubberised surface is renowned for its superior quality, providing enhanced shock absorption and grip, which improves player safety and performance.
The short-term goal is to have another six courts
upgraded to Rebound Ace by the end of this year. That will elevate the overall experience for players, umpires, and supporters.
Such upgrades wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of the community, sponsors, and local authorities, Dyason says.
“Your ongoing commitment to the Centre will continue to be instrumental in enabling us to take these
steps toward improving our facilities.
“We understand the temporary disruption during the renovation process might cause some inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience and understanding.
“The benefits of these upgrades will far outweigh any short-term challenges, creating a safer, more enjoyable environment for everyone involved.
“As we look ahead to the completion of these projects, our vision remains clear: to provide a quality netball experience for our community.
“We hope these enhancements will inspire even greater participation and passion for the sport we all love.
“Thank you for your continued support of the Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre.
“Together, we’re ensuring a bright future for netball in our region.”
People keen to play netball at the Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre can go online to www.hpnc.org.nz for more information.
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Fencing | Concrete (NZ)
09 272 4502 | mmfencing@xtra.co.nz | www.mmfencing.co.nz
Repairs to two blocks of courts at the Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre are under way.
Photo supplied
Drawn to burgers and bowls
By PJ TAYLOR
The Burger and Bowls lawn bowls tournament is a terrific example of what can be achieved by a group of people coming together to have fun in a social sporting setting.
It’s a great show of community togetherness and very well-organised event that generates friendly competitiveness and camaraderie, the opportunity to catch up with people not seen in a while and meeting new folk.
Eighteen teams of social groups and businesses took to the greens of Howick Bowling Club over six weeks recently, and the first thing everyone acknowledged was that we had a great run with the dry weather, with no Thursday evenings rained off.
Each team had three players – triples in bowls lingo – and the quality of play steadily improved across all the trios, and much of that can be credited to the helpful advice and guidance of the Howick Bowling Club volunteers.
A big thank-you to the host club and its friendly and knowledgeable members who volunteered on the bowling green and in
the clubhouse, including the team of women in the kitchen who served up delicious burgers after the 54 players completed their two matches each Thursday.
Many of the social bowlers took up the opportunity to partake in the free bowls sessions the Howick Bowling Club holds on Saturday mornings, a way of being properly introduced to the sport and to get coaching pointers on technique and strategies.
The club says it always welcomes new members and encourages anyone who’d like to give bowls a try to get in contact.
Businesses entered in Burger and Bowls also supported the event further by contributing prizes and niceties throughout and a big thank-you goes to them: Times Media, Liquorland Howick, Resthaven Funerals, Elite Property Management, Sleep Space Howick, French Electrical, Promo Factory, and McDonalds Botany.
For the record, The Smooth Rollers were crowned champions of Burger and Bowls for 2025, with Dark Horses rolling into second place, and Lawn Stars coming third.
It was a fantastic Burger
and Bowls season, played in wonderful spirit with a decent touch of competitiveness that any sports competition encourages, and by all indications most of the teams will be rolling up to play again in early 2026.
And as a sweet touch to finish, we all got ice cream from Mr Whippy, thanks to Elite Property Management.
• To contact Howick Bowling Club, about joining as members, corporate bowls, or venue hire, phone 09 534 5331, email howickbowls@ gmail.com or see www. howickbowls.co.nz.
On the last Thursday evening of the six-week Burger and Bowls social lawn bowls tournament, all the players dressed up in colourful costumes creating an even greater fun atmosphere at Howick Bowling Club. Times photo PJ Taylor
Botany Swarm ready and focused for 2025
By CHRIS HARROWELL
East Auckland’s Bot any Swarm are focused on constant improvement as the 2025 New Zealand Ice Hockey League (NZIHL) season gets under way.
The Swarm play their home games at the Paradice Ice Skating facility on Ti Rakau Drive.
As the season unfolds they’ll take on the West Auckland Admirals; the Canterbury Red Devils; the Phoenix Thunder, based in Dunedin; and Queentown’s SkyCity Stampede.
A development team named Auckland Mako, which features players aged 23 and under, only plays for part of the season.
The Stampede are the reigning champions, having beaten the Admirals 2-0 in the best-of-three series to claim their record ninth Birgel Cup.
Heading into 2025 season the four-time champions Swarm have a new head coach in Kevin Simon, who was an assis-
hockey team, the Ice Blacks. The 33-year-old forward says his role as captain is to get the players “switched on and ready for the first puck to drop”.
“I think the main thing with us is we’ve had a really good core group for two or three years.
“As Kevin said, we’ve done pretty well the last couple of years, but I think we can take it one step more this year.”
tant coach with the team last season.
“Over the past two years the team has been improving,” he says.
“Last year we lost in the semi-finals and the year before that we were in the finals, so we’re pretty close.
“I think a lot of it is attention to detail, better consistency, and making sure we have a calm, cool, approach in the games, and getting everybody to play consistently and with relentless hard work, high skill, and using our speed.”
Simon says the Swarm’s goals and focus are around their style of play and playing smart.
“We want to be relentless in how we approach our play, focus on team defence, set expectations and goals, and then we let things like championships take care of themselves.
“Our focus is on what do we need to do to be the best team we can be and if we’re doing that, I’m confident we’ll do very well.”
Swarm captain Michael Attwell is also a member of New Zealand’s national ice
He says the team needs to improve on their mental strength and cut down on penalties.
“We suffered a bit last year with letting the games get to our heads and losing our cool.
“We’ve got a really good young team and we’ve been a super hard-working, fast and gritty team.”
The Swarm won a pre-season game against the Mako on March 23 by a score of 10-2.
Their next game is against the SkyCity Stampede in Queenstown on March 28 followed by the Phoenix Thunder in Botany on April 5.
Botany Swarm head coach Kevin Simon, left, and captain Michael Attwell say the team is aiming high in 2025. Times photo
High numbers of water rescues this summer
By PJ TAYLOR
East Auckland’s Coastguard units, manned by committed community-minded volunteers, have had very busy summer seasons and they’re pleased there were no fatalities on the ocean waters they patrol.
The Times has talked with the respective presidents of Coastguard Howick and Coastguard Maraetai, and they’re encouraged that people out on the water this just-past summer season listened to the public messages about
wearing life jackets.
Coastguard New Zealand says the most common callouts across the two units were for mechanical or equipment failures on boats in the Hauraki Gulf and Firth of Thames.
“Summer was again another busy time for Howick Coastguard, but thankfully with no fatal events to have to respond to,” says its president, Blair Telfer. “This is predominately due to all water users heeding the number one rule to always wear a life jacket – they save lives.”
Telfer says for the summer season, December 1 to
THE SUN AND THE TIDES
FRIDAY 28 MARCH
Sun: Rise 7.29am Set 7.19pm
Tide: 6.52am 7.18pm SATURDAY 29 MARCH
Sun: Rise 7.30am Set 7.18pm High Tide: 7.43am 8.11pm
SUNDAY 30 MARCH
Sun: Rise 7.31am Set 7.16pm High Tide: 8.33am 9.01pm
MONDAY 31 MARCH
Sun: Rise 7.32am Set 7.15pm High Tide: 9.23am 9.50pm
TUESDAY 1 APRIL
Sun: Rise 7.33am Set 7.13pm High Tide: 10.14am 10.40pm WEDNESDAY 2 APRIL Sun: Rise 7.33am Set 7.12pm High Tide: 11.05am 11.30pm THURSDAY 3 APRIL Sun: Rise 7.34am Set 7.11pm High Tide: 11.57am FRIDAY 4 APRIL Sun: Rise 7.35am Set 7.09pm High Tide: 12.22am 12.51pm SATURDAY 5 APRIL Sun: Rise 7.36am Set 7.08pm High Tide: 1.18am 1.47pm SUNDAY 6 APRIL
Sun: Rise 6.37am Set 6.06pm High Tide: 2.19am 1.46pm MONDAY 7 APRIL
Sun: Rise 6.38am Set 6.05pm High Tide: 2.22am 2.49pm TUESDAY 8 APRIL Sun: Rise 6.39am Set 6.03pm High Tide: 3.24am 3.52pm WEDNESDAY 9 APRIL Sun: Rise 6.40am Set 6.02pm High Tide: 4.22am 4.52pm
THURSDAY 10 APRIL Sun: Rise 6.40am Set 6.01pm High Tide: 5.14am 5.46pm
February 28, Howick Coastguard had 52 callouts to assist or rescue boaties and water users.
“It resulted in 137 people safely returning to their whanau and the great weather on Waitangi Day made it the busiest day for our volunteers.”
Howick Coastguard’s callouts on February 6 were five. “I’m exceptionally proud of the efforts of our volunteers in keeping everyone safe out there on the water,” says Telfer.
“We’re always happy to assist and give advice when you need and respond to any and all emergencies.
“We very much appreciate the local support from Howick and surrounds that help us to provide this lifesaving service. Take care, keep safe and enjoy your boating experience,” says Telfer.
Coastguard Maraetai had 57 callouts during the summer season, bringing home 160 people.
The Pohutukawa Coast unit’s busiest day was five callouts on January 11.
When the Times talked with Coastguard Maraetai president Gary Copestake this week, he said the unit had just been out on Sunday night responding to a
vessel requiring help.
“We got the call at 9pm regarding the welfare of a boat and our crew got back at 1.30am Monday morning.”
That’s a great example of the nature of on-call roles Coastguard volunteers provide New Zealanders in water safety. They’re available round-the-clock.
Copestake says he’s also pleased there were no
fatalities on the water that his unit had to respond to during summer.
Though, he says there were a couple of serious incidents that could have had a worse outcome if it wasn’t for the skills and knowledge, especially medical, of some of his unit’s members. He says Maraetai, being the furthest east of Auckland-based Coastguard crews, gets asked to
EXOTIC CAULERPA –AVOID SPREADING IT
Exotic caulerpa is a fast-growing seaweed that is threatening Auckland’s coastal areas. It has been found in parts of Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Islands and Coromandel.
Howick Coastguard assists a jet-ski fisher who had mechanical issues with their craft on the Hauraki Gulf.
do callouts in the Firth of Thames area, as well as the Hauraki Gulf.
“We often find ourselves in that area because Coastguard Thames is sometimes restricted by [the flow of] tides and they can’t get out. That’s fine with us.”
Coastguard NZ says summer may be over, but many Kiwis will still be cruising out on the water over long weekends and
public holidays.
“With MetService forecasting a chilly and stormy start to autumn, it continues to be important to stay prepared.
“Coastguard urges all boaties to remember the essentials – always wear your life jacket, take two forms of waterproof communication, check the forecast, and log your trip with Coastguard.”
Keep your boat and gear free of any seaweed before moving locations:
• Avoid anchoring or disturbing the sea-floor in infested areas: caulerpa can get caught up in anchors, chains or fishing and diving gear and be accidentally taken to a new area.
• Each time before you move: check the anchor, chain and fishing or dive equipment for any attached seaweed.
• If you find any seaweed, remove it, bag it and bin it onshore. If you can’t do this, return it to where it came from; do not move it to a new location.
If you plan to visit the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana, you need to be aware of restrictions in place to help stop the spread of the invasive seaweed exotic caulerpa.
For more information, check out ourauckland.nz/stopthespread
Photo supplied
PUZZLE TIME
CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 8176
ACROSS
1. A professional stirrer-up? (5,8). 8. Loading a gun again is wonderful (5). 9. A wind-bag! (7). 10. Can roam free outside though bad (6). 11. Change one verse about, making a mess of it (6). 12. Don’t nail the guard (5). 14. Withdrew from the bank? (5). 18. A sight screen! (6). 20. The haulier’s craft? (6). 23. Tell you, or say, there’s a lever (7). 24. Figure it’s one way to make a hole (5). 25. Also see the later announcement (7,6).
DOWN
1. Work out from the shape (6). 2. Envious when the information about comes in (5). 3. What flew off with the cheese? (7). 4. Woman a man might spend a lot of money on (4). 5. Myself joining the general fracas (5). 6. Deceive on more than one occasion (3-4). 7. Got into a row when one called the chief (6). 13. Virginia is a slow mover (7). 15. Jump towards? Of course it will! (5,2). 16. Part, or fifty percent, would (6). 17. Seem pained when you do a piece about the hotel (6). 19. Name, height and nationality (5). 21. The singer and I left, taking the carriage back (5). 22. Not one said fruit (4).
QUICK PUZZLE NO. 8176
ACROSS
1. Majority (13)
8. Rejoice (5)
9. Wine (7)
10. Grave (6)
11. Conflict (6)
12. Sheep-like (5)
14. Country (5)
18. Madness (6)
20. Grow (6)
23. Laxity (7)
DOWN
1. Delight (6)
2. Same (5)
3. Couch (7)
4. Bird (4)
5. Cook (5)
6. Cancel (7)
7. Christian festival (6)
13. Condiment (7)
15. Voice (7)
16. Settle (6)
Easter Services
OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA CATHOLIC CHURCH
9am - Good Friday Service
HOLY WEEK TIMETABLE 2025
Holy Thursday –Thursday, April 17
7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday – Friday, April 18
9am Outdoor Stations of the Cross followed by Confessions
3pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
Holy Saturday –Saturday, April 19 10-11am Confessions
7pm Easter Vigil – Blessing of Fire and First Mass of Easter Easter Sunday –Sunday, April 20
9am Mass - NO 5.30pm Mass
EASTER SERVICES
17 April – Maundy Thursday
7.00pm Foot Washing Service
18 April – Good Friday 9.30am Service
12.00pm–3.00pm
All Saints Anglican will be open to all for a time of reflective contemplation
20 April – Easter Sunday
7.30am Service
9.30am Intergenerational Service
Come As You Are! Cnr Picton St & Parkhill Rd
All Saints Anglican, Howick
Good Friday, 18 April
Morning vigil in the church beginning at 8.00am ending with communion and stripping of the altar at 11.30am – 12.00pm. All people are welcome to drop in for a moment of silence and reflection on the cross at any time throughout the morning.
Easter Sunday, 31 March
We will have Holy Communion at the 9.30am with hot cross buns in the lounge afterwards for morning tea.
Maundy Thursday April 17
7pm Washing of the Feet
Good Friday April 18
10am Journey to the Cross
Easter Sunday April 20 9.30am Holy Communion
Reverend Warner Wilder 021 548 407 warnerwilder30@gmail.com www.stpaulsinthepark.nz
Admin Rescue can assist with all your bookkeeping needs:
• Accounts payable/receivable
• GST filing
• Invoicing
• Payroll management 021 616 909 michelle@adminrescue.co.nz
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT Hassle Free Accounting Business Insights Business Planning Accounting Bookeeping
I will help you plan for a successful business exit Ph: Murray 09 309 3222 thecashoutcatalyst.com Murray 09 309 3222 support@insightca.nz www.insightca.nz
BLINDS
Aquarium Supplies From Beginners to
Unit 2, 6 Ben Lomond Cres, Pakuranga Heights 022 399 6738 www.aquarays.co.nz
Fencing Retaining
1647 428
: 021 2122 896
RENOVATIONS
RETIRED CASUAL DRIVERS
Mostly afternoon work Pakuranga, Howick, Bucklands Beach areas.
PART TIME LANDSCAPE GARDENER
We are looking for someone who is experienced in the above, to assist with maintaining our 2 acre property in Whitford. It would entail mowing lawns, gardening, trimming and general property maintenance. All necessary tools supplied. You would need to be fit, healthy, have a good understanding of plants and an appreciation of maintaining gardening equipment. You would be required to work 2 x 5 hour days per week. No weekend work.
Office Administrator POLYMER GROUP LTD
Office Administrator 25-30 hours per week If you are tech savvy with Microsoft Word and Excel proficiency, have previous office experience, enjoy the challenge of multi-tasking and can start immediately then apply for this role now!
Located in the front office of our NZ Polymer manufacturing and distribution company in East Tamaki, you need to be ready for incoming calls and other reception duties from 8.30 am daily. The hours are flexible and can be set to suit the right candidate. Helping with day-to-day office duties, including Customer Service and handling requests and queries and redirecting as appropriate to the operations and management team members, is integral to this position.
General office duties include ordering office and kitchen supplies, filing and brochure printing. More specialised areas of involvement include website maintenance and technical publications, safety data sheets and bulletins printed onsite. Some knowledge or experience in Accounts Payable procedures would be an advantage.
Please send your application including cover letter and CV with relevant work experience, to; careers@polymer.co.nz
SITUATIONS VACANT
School Office/ Receptionist
Commencing 28 April 2025
We have a rare opportunity to join our highly successful school.
We are seeking a caring, dynamic person who can multi task in our busy school office.
Please refer our full advertisement on Seek for details.
Please reply to Redoubt North School, 47 Diorella Drive, Clover Park, Auckland, 2019 or by email to office@redoubt.school.nz
NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
at 11.00 a.m.
Saturday 5 April at The Dufty Lounge Pakuranga United Rugby Club, Lloyd Elsmore Park
The Notice of Motion is to approve the new Constitution of the Howick RSA Association as required by the Incorporated Societies Act 2022
Carol Taylor, Secretary 027 224 3539 admin@howickrsa.co.nz
PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
QUICK NO. 8176
Across - 1, Preponderance. 8, Exult. 9, Chablis. 10, Solemn. 11, Strife. 12, Ovine. 14, Kenya. 18, Lunacy. 20, Sprout. 23, Neglect. 24, Exile. 25, Horse chestnut. Down - 1, Please. 2, Equal. 3, Ottoman. 4, Duck. 5, Roast. 6, Nullify. 7, Easter. 13, Vinegar. 15, Express. 16, Clinch 17, Street. 19, Crepe. 21, Onion. 22, Itch.
CRYPTIC NO. 8176
Across - 1, Fight promoter. 8, G-reat. 9, Balloon 10, R-anc-id. 11, Rev-Ise. 12, Screw. 14, Ebbed. 18, Eyelid. 20, Lugger. 23, Apprise (a prise). 24, Dig-it. 25, Further notice . Down - 1, Figure. 2, G-re-en. 3, Tit-mice. 4, Ruby. 5, Me-Lee. 6, Two-time. 7, Rang-Ed. 13, Creeper. 15, Bound to. 16, Be-half. 17, Writ-H-e. 19, Iris-h. 21, Gig-l-I (rev.). 22, Pear (pair).
POLITICIANS
HOWICK LOCAL BOARD:
• Peter Young JP
– Board Member 027 587 4888
• Mike Turinsky
– Board Member 021 804 742
• Adele White
– Board Member 021 284 3843
• John Spiller
– Board Member 021 286 7666
• Bruce Kendall, MBE
– Board Member 021 198 1380
• David Collings
– Board Member 027 576 2350
• Katrina Bungard
– Board Member 0800 528 286
• Bo Burns – Deputy Chairperson 021 197 5849
• Damian Light
– Chairperson 027 276 3822
MPs:
• Parmjeet Parmar MP Parmjeet.Parmar@parliament.govt.nz
• Simeon Brown Pakuranga MP Simeon.Brown@parliament.govt.nz
• Christopher Luxon Botany MP Christopher.Luxon@parliament.govt.nz
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
• James Lee 021 682 262
• Garry Nicholls 021 371 370
• Gary Stone 027 478 6639
• Peter Sheerin 021 908 633
• Jenny Rowsell 021 721 123
• Sue Rossiter 027 451 8880
• Kevin Richards 027 341 9599
• Fazilat Rashid 021 708 7176
• Toni Osborne 027 533 9383
• Sue Mooy 021 488 749
• Brij Mathur 027 493 1211
• Alan Martin 021 944 681
• Desai Link 021 717 739
• Chris Kentsley 021 786 923
• Benifer Irani 021 037 7222
• Ausaga Imoa 022 426 5561
• Gloria Gardner 022 352 5144
• Jannette Brown 021 075 7687
• Kevin Berry 021 666 473
• Brian Stocking 0274 859 054
• Ian Gibson 0272 084 664
• Keith Ingram 0274 584 747
CHARITY SHOPS
• The Charity Boutique
• Garage Op Shop - 96 Udys Rd, Pakuranga
• St Columba Op Shop
- 480 Ti Rakau Dr, Botany
• The Hope Shop - 219 Burswood Dr, Burswood
• Salvation Army Family Store
- 287 Botany Rd, Golflands
• SPCA Op Shop Botany - Unit 43/277 Te Irirangi Dr, Flat Bush
• SPCA East Tāmaki ClearanceCnr Springs Rd & Kerwyn Ave, East Tāmaki
• Salvation Army Ti Rakau298 Ti Rakau Dr, East Tāmaki
• Luckys Book Shop - 27 Lady Ruby Dr, East Tāmaki
• Habitat for Humanity - 8 Ormiston Rd, Ōtara
• Twice Loved Op Shop - 102 Maraetai Drive Maraetai
• Coastal Treasures
- 41 Third View Ave, Beachlands
• SPCA Op Shop Beachlands
- 42 Kouka Rd, Beachlands
EMERGENCY SERVICES
• Ambulance 111
• Fire 111
•
• Howick
- 65 Picton St, Howick
• Hospice Shop Howick
- 61 Picton St, Howick
• SPCA Op Shop Howick
- 6/15 Cook St, Howick
• Hato St John
- 7/219 Moore St, Howick
• Howick Presbyterian Church Op Shop - 11 Vincent St, Howick
• The Barn, 474 Pakuranga Rd, Half Moon Bay
• Hospice Op Shop - 42A Ben Lomond Cres, Pakuranga
• Eastgate Centre - 9 Ben Lomond Cres, Pakuranga
