$1,000,000
Applications open on 18th March 2024. Apply for your share of from one of the below funds.
To learn more about the funds and which one fits your requirements, visit thetrusts.co.nz
$750,000 total $250,000 total
Applications close on 15 April 2024
thetrusts.co.nz The Trusts
ON OUR COVER: Work is underway on the many slips and road closures in West Auckland that resulted from last year’s weather events. AT have now completed work on the Karekare Road slip, pictured, but work in other areas continues. Main photo by AT, inset by Kerry Lee. For more see pages 6 and 7.
Every issue of The Fringe (and the Tītīrangi Tatler before it) since April 2011 is on-line at www.fringemedia.co.nz. Like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FringeWest) to hear when each issue is available and get other updates.
Last year’s weather events took a toll on both private homes and public facilities (such as the French Bay coastguard building, above). And the ongoing work to fix our broken roads and infrastructure continues to create problems ... Photo supplied.
The Fringe has five double passes to the opening night of The Anniversary at Glen Eden Playhouse (see page 15) to give away.
To go in the draw to win a pass, email your name, phone number and address to info@fringemedia.co.nz with Anniversary in the subject line. Entries must be received by April 8.
Delivered free to letter boxes, post boxes, libraries and selected outlets throughout Tītīrangi, Glen Eden, Green Bay, New Lynn, Konini, Wood Bay, French Bay, Waima, Woodlands Park, Laingholm, Parau, Cornwallis, Huia, Oratia, and beyond.
Published by: Fringe Media Ltd, PO Box 60-469, Tītīrangi, Auckland 0642
Editor: Bevis England 817 8024, 027 494 0700 bevis@fringemedia.co.nz
Advertising: info@fringemedia.co.nz
Writers and contributors: Moira Kennedy, David Thiele, Naomi McCleary, Fiona Drummond, Jade Reidy, John Goudge, Karen McCarthy May 2024 deadline: April 12
For nearly 50 years, Tītīrangi Coastguard’s French Bay base has been a first responder for boaties in trouble on the Manukau Harbour, writes KAREN McCARTHY.
The Tītīrangi unit is one of three based on the Manukau, along with Papakura and Waiuku, and its long and proud history has seen its vessels and crews setting out from the small bush-clad bay and being instrumental in hundreds of rescues.
But that all came to an abrupt halt in January 2023, when the West Auckland headquarters became a casualty of the Anniversary Weekend floods.
A landslip took out the Coastguard building, sending it crashing onto the road below in a heap of rubble. The attached boatshed, and rescue vessel, were damaged but not destroyed.
Tītīrangi Volunteer Coastguard president Maarten Van Der Zeyden remembers the night he was paged, by Coastguard. “I thought they were calling us out. But they said ‘Mate, your building is blocking the car park. You need to go and move it’.”
“About 10 of us turned up that night, others the next day. We tried to clean up, salvage what we could, but we couldn’t really get near the building. We lost memorabilia, records, photos of old boats, of the old salts, awards, trophies. The 40-year history of the place was consumed that night.”
Over a year on, diggers have been on-site, clearing the wreckage cordoned off behind wire fences and tarpaulins.
Tītīrangi Coastguard itself hardly missed a beat, its volunteers resuming training and operations with other crews soon after the landslide, finding a new temporary home across the harbour on Onehunga Wharf. It’s been there since June last year, having signed a lease for shed-space with Auckland Council.
Maarten says it was a difficult time for their small team of committed volunteers “but the outpouring of support from the community and our sponsors has been heart-warming.”
Their boat, Lenses Online Rescue, was only two years old and would have cost nearly half a million dollars to replace, so to salvage it from the landslide was a big win.
The boat has been back in the water since June after repairs and an extensive refit. A team from Fishing Boats NZ rebuilt its crushed roof and mast.
Onehunga isn’t an ideal base. It has no low wharf, meaning
the rescue boat has to be towed to Mangere to be launched when there’s a call out. That takes time, critical when you’re in the business of saving lives.
As Maarten says, “the quicker we get in the water, the more effective we are.”
Also, there is a cost.
“We were on a peppercorn rental at French Bay, meaning all our money went into fuel and safety equipment, navigational gear, operational investment. Whereas we are paying market rent on Onehunga wharf.”
As to what the future holds, he says all options are open including developing at Onehunga Wharf or redeveloping at French Bay – which also has its issues because of its tidal nature.
On low tide, a tractor had to drive the boat out about 500 metres to the channel, to launch it. Maarten says getting out, and getting back in was a challenge, especially late at night.
“We’re looking for something to optimise our passage into the water,” he says.
Out of crisis comes opportunity.
One exciting innovation being explored is putting a Coastguard rapid response unit at Cornwallis, using quick-tolaunch jetskis. It may be something that attracts new blood, young talent to Coastguard. Another consideration.
“Whatever happens, we are going to still be there,” says Maarten. “There is even talk of developments down by Glenbrook, creating a class of larger boats so we’ve got more offshore capability.”
What happens next is up to Tītīrangi Coastguard’s Board, Coastguard New Zealand, fund-raisers and sponsors.
Maarten hopes to have a better sense of the future direction by July.
He says after decades at French Bay, their links with the West are strong, and they want to maintain that, wherever they end up.
As if the Anniversary Weekend floods and ex-cyclone Gabrielle didn’t cause enough damage when they closed roads, destroyed homes, and disrupted the lives of so many West Aucklanders, the repair work is continuing to create significant challenges.
With the closure of Scenic Drive between Tītīrangi Village and Woodlands Park Road a number of local businesses are once again facing problems.
Despite the challenges, Gordons Nurseries is still open, with autumn stock now ready. Arataki Visitor Centre is also still open, as are Olive restaurant and the Weekend Gallery. These businesses can be reached via the Huia and Woodlands Park Roads, or from Shaw Road.
These businesses need our support!
Do you have issues with slips on road reserves?
The STAR group (Stickered Tītīrangi Area Residents) is interested in hearing from residents across Auckland who have been affected by road reserve landslips on Auckland Council’s land.
There are an estimated 150 road reserve slips in the wider Auckland area and there is currently no funding allocated for the repair of this damage. Auckland Transport has acknowledged there is a gap in funding and a need to resolve the issues caused. This process is separate to the private property categorisation.
The group believes it's important to form a united voice on this issue and wants to make Auckland Council officers, government departments and local government and government representatives (councillors and MPs) aware of the impacts on homeowners.
If this issue affects you, please get in touch with the STAR group by email: stickeredtitirangiresidentsgrp@ gmail.com
Converted: West Auckland hosted the New Zealand preview of director Lee Tamahori’s powerful movie, The Convert , at the Hollywood Cinema last month. The cast and crew came together to watch this 1830s drama with its authentic portrayal of Māori on the brink of colonisation. The movie stars Guy Pearce and Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, and showcases Whatipū to the world for the first time (see The Fringe, November 2022: https://issuu.com/fringemedia8/docs/2211).
The Convert is now showing at cinemas.
Lee Tamahori is pictured above with producer Te Kohe Tuhaka and his son. The cast and crew is pictured below.
Auckland Transport (AT) has started work on the slips that closed one lane of Scenic Drive between the Village and Woodlands Park Road over a year ago, writes FIONA DRUMMOND.
Traffic lights have been operating on the affected section of the road since last year’s flooding and cyclone of 2023.
The work (which will take four months) requires the construction of large retaining walls at each of the two slip sites to fix and secure the road. To do this heavy equipment needs to sit on the remaining section of the road. This is a major repair, and is required to prevent further slips in this location.
The works will include:
• Clearing the slip material
Meanwhile AT is continuing to work on other slips in our area. Work on the Scenic Drive slips that have closed the road between Arataki and Waiatarua is continuing. The site has been challenging with poor ground conditions, and additional rain since AT began work has meant a revised design was required. AT is now building the working platform from which it will be able to work to install the piles (or long beams.) AT is also undertaking important storm water culvert upgrades. This work was expected take up to four months to complete. A completion date is yet to be confirmed.
• Cutting into the existing road to create a working platform for heavy equipment
• Drilling large holes into the ground in which steel columns will be placed
• Placing of concrete panels which will retain the road and footpath
• Backfill behind the wall and reinstating the drainage, footpath and road pavement
Motorists affected by the closure now have the option of taking Huia Road and Woodlands Park Road or using the still damaged Shaw Road to reach Scenic Drive.
(Kohu Road, normally a one way road, was used for twoway last year but is now only open to residents as it has been assessed to be an unsafe route for high volumes of traffic. Konini Road is also open only to residents as it still has unrepaired flood damage and a one-way section where one side of the road is coned off.)
Kohu Road and the affected part of Scenic Drive are still open to pedestrians and cyclists.
For people in the Waima area using public transport, the 171 bus is only servicing Laingholm and will miss Woodlands Park Road, using Huia Road to and from Tītīrangi. A shuttle bus service meets the 171 bus in Tītīrangi to transfer passengers to and from Woodlands Park Road bus stops during the closure of Scenic Drive, but this service has so far proved unreliable. The shuttle timetable can be accessed at https://at.govt.nz/media/sjqno1wa/171-shuttle-bustimetable.pdf.
School bus services to Glen Eden Intermediate and Green Bay High School now start 10 minutes earlier in the mornings to accommodate the detour, also returning a little later.
Work on the slip at 153 Woodlands Park Road is scheduled for later this year. Although the project is at design phase following geotechnical analysis last December, the road is part of the Scenic Drive detour route and work will not start until Scenic Drive is open.
Scenic Drive at Waiatarua (between West Coast and Piha Roads) is open again to two-way traffic following the completion of repairs.
AT says that there were 2003 slips across the region following last year’s weather events. 1200 small slips have already been cleared along with 338 more major repairs. The overall programme of repairs is expected to take two to three years to complete. Updates on the repairs for selected West Auckland locations are available at https://at.govt.nz/ westroadrepairs. If the slip or closure you are interested in is not listed, email ATEngagement@at.govt.nz.
Not all of the West’s roadworks are the result of last year’s weather events. Some are the result of Huia One writes KERRY LEE.
Huia One is a large diameter water main, first installed just after World War Two and responsible for delivering fresh drinking water from the western dams to New Lynn, Green Bay, Tītīrangi, Blockhouse Bay, New Windsor, Mt Roskill and Epsom. After 60 years Huia One is now breaking down and must be replaced.
March Cato, a civil engineering contractor hired by Watercare, is laying 15.5km of pipe in West and Central Auckland. The work has been broken down into stages over the next several years.
Work on Donovan Street in Blockhouse Bay began last December with an open trench to lay down the new water pipes at the main roundabout in Blockhouse Bay. Stage two began in January with the trench extending past Rathlin Street. Future phases will see work moving past the intersections of Rathlin Street, Boundary Road and White Swan Road.
Auckland Council has accelerated its Natural Hazards mapping roll-out following the January 2023 storms, placing additional building controls over parts of Auckland that, based on climate change modelling, are facing increased vulnerability to flooding.
If your property is in one of these areas, you must model the potential flooding risk (out to 2090) and demonstrate how you will mitigate the predicted risks, before getting a Resource and Building Consent.
This sounds reasonable, even virtuous, given the desperately sad situations some homeowners have found themselves in after the last floods; until you encounter some arbitrary assumptions the council dictates you must use to prime the computer model for its calculations.
Council stipulates that your computer model must assume that a public storm water pipe up to 600mm in diameter is 100% blocked, a pipe above 600 mm but smaller than 1m must be assumed as 50% blocked, and large pipes can be assumed as 10% blocked.
My question is: Why?
I’m trying to help a lady who, after months of negotiations and $60K of cost (with more to pay), can’t pass this test. (Neither her urban property nor her neighbour’s flooded in 2023.)
Another cause of the disruptions in the West is Auckland Transport’s annual Summer Road Reno Programme which aims to strengthen and repair Auckland’s roading infrastructure. The roadworks along Golf Road are part of this programme. Kerb, channel, footpath, and road repairs have recently been completed and road resurfacing should take place later this month.
While these roadworks are inconvenient, both the Summer Road Reno Programme and replacing Huia One are important for the city to be able to function now and in the future.
Auckland Council and Statistics New Zealand predict that Auckland could have a population of 3,384,500 people by 2073. Investment in infrastructure and road maintenance is critical to support this population.
Auckland Transport advises all road users to plan and use alternative routes wherever possible and also asks that we are understanding and kind to its workers.
Council has forced her to input all manner of assumptions into her computer modelling and every time she has demonstrated that the design of her proposed home complies, Council has shifted the goalposts.
She was told to model a 2.1° increase in ambient climate temperature, which was then changed to 3.8°. She was told to model flood water movement at an outrageous 34.2 m³ per second when experts agree it should be 0.4 m³ per second. The list of negotiations between her experts and the Council is vast, with the email stream currently over 12,000 words.
If she were allowed to assume Council drains were working correctly, the model predicts her property would not flood despite all the other factors demanded.
I challenged the Council that this proves we are not doing our maintenance and are trying to hide from the consequences that it brings. This was vigorously denied: in a flood, things like trampolines and spa pool lids can wash downstream and instantly plug a drain.
Yes, this has happened. However, the probability is many times less than the flooding probability being calculated. To be forced to deny the effectiveness of our drains is ridiculous.
It is not changing climate threatening our continued existence; it’s academic stupidity.
– Ken Turner, WestWards
Tough times. Tired of hearing that? I am; but it’s the grinding reality of our days.
We repeatedly claim the mantra – ‘It is critical that we keep arts and culture alive’. And yes, it has never been more so; the solace, the distraction, the sense of connection, maybe a glimmer of a way forward. But the sources of support are drying up. The arts are so often in the ‘nice to have’ basket.
Thankfully, in our communities good people are still doing great things.
I sat down with one such man; Carlos Toalii, co-director of the Upstairs Gallery in Lopdell House, Tītīrangi. Along with Tatiana Harper he is nurturing a community arts programme; keeping the best of a long tale/tail of arts and cultural heritage that stretches back to the 1950s – or earlier; the Tītīrangi Community Arts Council (TCAC); and gently taking it into the 21st century.
The Upstairs Gallery provides a vital link between our community and the wider professional arts world. Their gallery programme is inclusive. Carlos and I sat talking surrounded by a members’ exhibition; paintings and craft objects that reflect a wide range of backgrounds, talent and aspirations. It was rich and colourful and often intensely personal.
The care with which it had been curated and mounted reflected the importance of giving visibility to community artists.
The next few exhibitions serve another cohort of artists; those who are well on the way to full-time arts careers. Ercan Cairns has been put forward by Fatu Feu’u and Sean Hill by Andy Leleisi’uao, very senior Pacifica artists of renown. Both Fatu and Andy are ongoing supporters of the Upstairs
Gallery. Painter, Margarita Gow views Aotearoa through the lens of an Eastern European expatriate.
The thing that I find remarkable is that the directors have observed that audience numbers peak in the first and second week of the usual four-week exhibition period – so have reduced their programme to two-weekly shows with pop-ups in between.
The amount of planning and work involved in this is unrelenting, but the vitality of this fast-moving cycle gives us, the viewing public, a kaleidoscope of the new and exciting in our community.
Carlos brushes off my ‘wow’ response. He is an experienced technician and has been mounting exhibitions for years, but I’m impressed.
So, the next two months looks like this:
March 22 to April 7: Ercan Cairns
March 22 to 25: Val Enger & Robin Scott (Seminar Room pop-up)
April 12 to 28: Margarita Gow
May 3 to 19: Sean Hill
May 3 to 6: Matt Carr (Seminar Room pop-up)
The Upstairs Gallery web-site, easily navigated, gives details of all these shows.
Over the last year Carlos and Tatiana have been developing a new programme of art movie nights. This is a ‘co-pro’ between the gallery, Tītīrangi Flicks and Lopdell House.
I recently spent a splendid Wednesday evening sitting through Daliland, a dramatised film on Salvador Dali’s fading years. Dali, along with his famed wife Gala, was, to use the colloquial, stir-crazy. The story with Sir Ben Kingsley in the lead, needed no exaggeration. It was fascinating and often downright hilarious.
Continued on page 9 >>
Saturday April 6, 10 am to 3 pm at Corban Estate, Henderson
Returning to West Auckland, the Kids Arts Festival is recognised as one of the largest events of its kind in Aotearoa.
Bring the family for a day of immersive experiences that celebrate the wonders of the ocean, migration stories, and the profound connections people share with the sea.
At its heart is a bustling hub of FREE whānau-friendly Artmaking Stations, designed and delivered by Corban Estate Arts Centre’s Education Team, along with resident artists and friends. A range of other well-known organisations and attractions from across Tāmaki Makaurau will bring a wide range of fun experiences for visitors of all ages, as will a Performance Stage providing students and community groups with their time to shine through dance, theatre and musical performance.
Bring a picnic or taste the delights of the Studio Café and food trucks.
www.ceac.link/kids-arts-festival-24
<< Continued from page 8
We met in the gallery for a quick look and ticket purchase ($25), then down to the theatre for complimentary drinks and nibbles and total movie immersion. Another, not yet named, movie is planned for May. What’s not to like? Local, intriguing and supportive of this stunning community asset.
I asked Carlos what other future plans they are incubating. A workshop programme is a no-brainer, but access to a space that could accommodate ‘messiness’ has so far come up short. Any ideas? Meanwhile, this little gem tucked away in Tītīrangi Village just keeps on giving.
This space is being seen by up to 50,000 local residents. It could be yours ...
Email info@fringemedia.co.nz or phone 817 8024 to find out more.
(For all our rates, download our media kit from http://www.fringemedia.co.nz/Rates.html.)
The Trusts are distributing $1 million into the West through a new charitable funding model set up to help address inequity.
The entity comprising the Portage and Waitākere Licensing Trusts opened the Your West Support Fund and the Your West Innovation Fund on March 18 this year. The funding will back projects and organisations that can contribute towards long-term positive change in the West.
Allan Pollard, CEO of The Trusts.
The grants focus on initiatives that support or are led by communities experiencing inequity in The Trusts’ region. The goal is to enable everyone to reach the starting line to lead a good life. This means having the ability to participate, to access opportunities, resources, networks, and support.
The development of the funding model was based on research that surveyed more than 200 charities and community groups throughout the West, as well as supporting data from other sources.
Respondents were asked to identify the biggest issues or trends that will affect communities living in the region over the next 20 years. More than a quarter of those surveyed (27%) saw social issues or trends having the biggest impact on the community in the future, followed by economic factors (21%) and the environment (17%).
The research shows clearly there is significant social, economic and environmental need in West Auckland.
The elected members on the boards of the Portage and Waitākere Trusts listened to the feedback and developed the new strategy in response.
“Based on this research, The Trusts have developed key focus areas that will support community where the most impact can be made,” says Allan Pollard, CEO of The Trusts.
Respondents were eager to see investment in rangatahi through youth-led support programmes and the rejuvenation
of areas with a high presence of youth. Evidence shows that socio-economic deprivation and other inequities are experienced more by young people and by Māori, Pacific, and diverse ethnic groups, he says.
Allan says respondents at the ‘coal face’ unsurprisingly said economic factors would continue to be a significant issue for the area over the next two decades.
“Families are struggling and finding it hard to make ends meet and with living costs continuing to rise, even middleclass families were reaching out for support.
“In addition to economic factors, climate change and kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the sky, land, and sea) were key concerns for the majority of respondents,” he says.
“Respondents were eager for our organisation to support local initiatives to help support ecosystems and restore biodiversity, reduce emissions and waste, mitigate climate change and educate those in the community on how to live more sustainably.”
Members of the community can apply for their share of $750,000 through Your West Support Fund. The Trusts has set aside one-off grants to support community initiatives associated with a number of key focus areas. This can include support for project, operating or capital costs.
The new Your West Innovation Fund will see community groups applying for their share of $250,000. This fund is designed to support initiatives aligned with the key focus areas and having a high potential for impact. This could include investment in seed funding, testing of small-scale innovations, co-design, social enterprises, and evaluation.
Applications for both funds will close on April 15, 2024.
The forthcoming funding round will centre on:
• Improving the lives of young people
• Connected, resilient and thriving communities
• Sustainable environments
• Partnering with Māori and/or supporting Pacific communities. (Applicants aligning with this focus area must be a kaupapa Māori or a Pacific-led organisation.)
Priority will be given to initiatives that support or are led by communities experiencing inequity in the region, including but not limited to:
• Māori
• Pacific
• MELAA (Middle Eastern, Latin American and African)
• Refugee-background
• Avondale, Ōwairaka, Henderson, Massey and Rānui
Precedence will also be given to initiatives that:
• Contribute to positive, long-term impact
• Involve collaboration
• Contribute to increased connection and inclusion
Visit https://thetrusts.co.nz/apply-for-funding to find out more about the new funding strategy and priorities.
If you’ve been considering a move to Murray Halberg Village, our new apartment block is now open to view.
Whether you want a ground floor apartment where you can tend to your pot plants or an apartment with views out to the village gardens, native bush or Manukau Harbour, we have an apartment you can call home.
Join a thriving community with a village centre that includes a heated indoor pool and spa, gym, hair salon, movie theatre and cafe. Best of all, the on site care centre offers resthome, hospital and specialist dementia care.
Apartments priced from $710,000.
Don’t miss out, call Lucy or Sae on 627 2727 for more details or visit rymanhealthcare.co.nz
11 Commodore Drive, Lynfield
Event organisers: Do you have an upcoming event you’d like listed in The Fringe? Send the details, including a contact person and number, to info@fringemedia.co.nz.
Readers: While we take care to ensure listings are correct, errors may occur. Check with the contact person if possible, especially over the festive and holiday season Covid precautions: All events and gatherings in these listings will require full compliance with relevant Covid regulations.
w – 17, Windows to the World, Rozana Lee extends her research on global histories of encounter and exchange, establishing connections between her Indonesian cultural heritage, Pasifika culture, and Central Asia; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson. Phone 838 4455.
w – 17, Yahaan (a Hindi/Urdu word meaning to be here, present, close): eight multidisciplinary artists explore the transient nature of being; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson. Phone 838 4455.
w – May 12, Squiggla Making Space: Drop in during the gallery’s opening hours to get creative with a range of materials; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road; Free. Phone 817 8087.
w – May 12, Underfoot: a group exhibition featuring works by David Cox, D Harding, Ana Iti, Nicholas Mangan, Kate Newby, Bridget Reweti, Koji Ryui, Yasmin Smith, John Spiteri and Raukura Turei using organic earth matter in poetic ways; te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.
w – May 26, Domestic Wild: surveying Tāmaki-Makaurau artist Ava Seymour’s series of cat-centric photo montages, assemblages and videos; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.
w – May 26, New cuts, old music: Grant Tackle’s repurposing of oncepopular records, Terry Urbahn’s remixing of songs and Richard Reddaway’s audio sculptures from recycled materials; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.
w 3, Flicks presents a Classic Movie Night introduced by Sir Bob Harvey: North by North-West (M, 126 minutes) directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint and James Mason; Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Tītīrangi Road; Bar open from 7pm, film starts 7.30pm; $15 and $12 concessions. Text bookings to 0210 222 5558.
w 5, Flicks presents Io Capitino (M, 119 minutes). A new release from Rialto, this film won top directing and acting prizes at the Venice Film Festival and was nominated for an Oscar for best foreign film; Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Tītīrangi Road; 10.30am, 5.30pm, 8.15pm; $15 and $12; Text bookings to 0210 222 5558
w 6, Kids Arts Festival, a day of creative experiences that celebrate the wonders of the ocean; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson; 10am-3pm. Phone 838 4455.
w 7, Pony Rides, Huia Road Horse Club; 436B Huia Road, Laingholm; 3-4pm; $5 per child per ride. Phone 027 499 1732.
w 9, West Auckland Historical Society Family History Group meeting;
Henderson Central Library West Auckland Research Centre; 10-11.30am. Phone Gary Snow 832 5098, 021 618 434 or email gary@snofam.co.nz.
w 12, Flicks presents Let the Dance Begin (M, 99 minutes, Argentina). Carlos and Margarita were once a renowned tango couple, but have lost their passion and now live in different cities. They travel to the foot of the Andes, where they must face their memories, fears and true desires. Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Tītīrangi Road; 10.30am, 6pm, 8.15pm; $15 and $12. Text bookings to 0210 222 5558.
w 12, West Auckland Men’s Rebus Club, guest speaker and morning tea; Friendship Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn; 10am-12noon. Phone Vince 021 189 6822.
w 12, Ladies’ Probus Club, fellowship, fun, speakers, and a monthly day trip; St John’s Hall, 247 Edmonton Road, Te Atatū South; 9.45am-Noon. Phone Betty 09 832 0484.
w 13, Tītīrangi Poets with a guest poet and readings by members; Tītīrangi War Memorial Hall, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 2-4pm. Phone Ron Riddell 021 181 6698.
w 13, Tītīrangi Folk Music Club presents Rachel Dawick, floor-singers in first half; Tītīrangi Beach Hall, bottom of Tītīrangi Beach Road; 8pm; $15, members $10, under 18 free. www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.
w 13 – 27, Playhouse Theatre Inc presents The Anniversary by Bill Macilwraith, see page 15; Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre, Glendale Road, Glen Eden; Book at Eventfinda or http://www.playhousetheatreinc.com
w 15, Henderson Falls Combined Friendship Club – fun, friendship and fellowship with monthly speakers and frequent outings; Henderson Bowling Clubrooms, 2/20 Alderman Drive, Henderson; 10am-noon. Contact Joy 837 4646 or 021 267 3544.
w 17, Combined Waitākere Rebus Club; St John’s Hall, 247 Edmonton Road, Te Atatū South; 10am-Noon. Contact Philis on 838 5361.
w 20, New Lynn Lions Club $1 Book Sale: Books, Magazines, CDs, DVDs, LPs and jigsaw puzzles; New Lynn Friendship Club Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn (down the driveway by the traffic lights); 8am-4pm. Contact Mary Hibberd on 027 487 0639.
w 20, Kids Market out West, a market organised by children for children with the theme of reusing, recycling and demonstrating youthful innovation; Green Bay Community House, 1 Barron Drive, Green Bay; 9.30am-12.30pm. Contact Nadia for stalls 021 034 5366 or email nmatt@hotmail.co.nz
w 20, Flicks presents The Holdovers (PG13, 129 minutes). Oscar-nominated for Best Picture. A cranky history teacher at a prep school is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a grieving cook and a troubled student who has no place to go. Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Tītīrangi Road;. 7.30pm; $15 and $12. Text bookings to 0210 222 5558.
w 23, Tītīrangi U3A – informal learning for people 50-years plus, guest speakers, study groups; West Lynn Garden, 73 Parker Avenue, New Lynn; 1pm. Contact Jan George, 027 478 4119 or jan@jangeorge.co.nz. www.u3a. nz.
w 24, West Auckland Historical Society presents the hands that made Crown Lynn, a talk by Louise Stevenson of To Toi Uku; Waitākere Gardens, 15 Sel Peacock Drive, Henderson; 7pm. Phone 836 5917.
w 25, Flicks presents Before Dawn (95 minutes, Australia), a special release for ANZAC Day. Based on real life war diaries, Before Dawn is an epic retelling of one of Australia's biggest victories during WW1. Jim Collins, a young man from the outback, leaves his family-run sheep station to join the ANZAC and fight on the western front with hopes of making a difference; Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Tītīrangi Road; 3pm and 6pm. FREE. Details: https://www.flicks.co.nz/movie/before-dawn/.
w 26, Glen Eden Combined Probus Club: company and fellowship, speakers, morning tea and monthly outings; Ceramco Park Function Centre, 120 Glendale Road, Kaurilands; 9.45am. Phone Brian Holt 838 5857.
w 26, Tītīrangi Folk Music Club presents Friday Folk, an informal gathering of musicians, singers and listeners; Tītīrangi Beach Hall, bottom of Tītīrangi Beach Road; 7.30pm; $5. www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.
w 27, Iona Church Fair: Books, toys, jig-saw puzzles, plants, tools, home baking, sausage sizzle, coffee cart, white elephant stall, and more. 38 Donovan Street Blockhouse Bay; 8am-11.30am. Phone Robert 027 625 9342.
w 27, New Lynn Repair Cafe organised and run by DEANZ (Doughnut Economics Advocates NZ) with funding from Whau Local Board, New Lynn Community Centre, Tōtara Avenue, New Lynn; 11am - 2pm; Koha. Enquiries to shi@doughnuteconomicsnz.com.
w 28, Tītīrangi Village Market: art, craft, produce and music; Tītīrangi War Memorial Hall; 10am-2pm. Contact tvm.manager@gmail.com or phone 022 631 9436.
w May 3 – 5, Printopia, a festival of original print; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson. Visit https://printopia.nz/
w May 4 – August 4, Making do rhymes with poo: a new multimedia installation with video and live performance by Justene Williams (Australia); Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.
w May 5, Pony Rides, Huia Road Horse Club; 436B Huia Road, Laingholm; 3-4pm; $5 per child per ride. Phone 027 499 1732.
I love that Ecofest goes from strength to strength each year, writes FIONA DRUMMOND. It showcases awesome activities and places right across Auckland. The festival runs until mid April so there is still time to book some treats.
The breadth of activities can seem overwhelming, but the organisers have made it easy for you to filter areas and activities that suit your interests. Events are grouped within five categories: Clean Transport, Foodies’ Fix, Makers’ Mayhem, Explore Nature and Conscious Living. You can visit the festival’s website https://ecofest.org.nz/ to check out the categories that interest you and make your bookings.
My picks for April are based in the West or online and include:
Clean Transport: Kelston neighbourhood garden walking tour – Saturday April 6, 10am-1pm. Local guides will lead you on a leisurely three-hour walk through the Whau area, with plenty of stops, snacks, and stories along the way. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover Kelston’s hidden green treasures.
Foodies Fix: Growing edible mushrooms on logs – Saturday April 6 10.30am-12pm at Ecomatters, New Lynn. Join mycologist Christopher Smith and explore the wonders of mycology (the study of fungi, including mushrooms, yeasts,
and more). In this session you can learn about the process of mushroom growing on logs using inoculated dowels, find out about Phoenix Oyster or Pekepekekiore edible fungi and help drill and make inoculated dowel logs. Christopher will also discuss how to get the best possible harvest.
Makers’ Mayhem : DIY beeswax wraps with Earthbound Honey – Tuesday April 2, 3.30-4.30pm. Join the team from Earthbound Honey at the Arataki Visitor Centre as they show you how to create your own Beeswax wrap to take home. Earthbound Honey is a sustainable artisan bee-keeping business located in Bethells Valley. They will have their honey on hand for you to sample and purchase if you would like. All materials will be provided free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Explore Nature: Discover permaculture plants – Friday April 5, 11am-12pm at New Lynn Community Centre. Come along for an interactive session on plant identification and learn about permaculture plants for the food, forest and garden. Plant cuttings and seeds will be available to take home. The event was created in collaboration with the Waygood Foundation.
Conscious Living: Your business and the circular economy
– Wednesday April 3 9-11am, online. An introduction to the role of business in the emerging circular economy. This workshop covers basic circular economy principles and ideas for how to start going circular.
The annual Printopia Festival is to take place at Corban Estate Arts Centre, May 3 – 5.
The festival features a wide range of free events with no registration necessary, including a print fair, live printing events and activities, print talks and demonstrations, and an opening night with drinks and nibbles.
There will also be a range of ticketed workshops:
• Traditional seaming and backing techniques –Jenny Robinson (Sydney, Australia)
• Book Building – Beth Serjeant
• Mark-Making with Carborundum – Celia Walker
• Wax Collagraphs – Stacey Hildreth
• Pronto Plate Prints – Mark Alister Raymer
• Introduction to screenprinting – Jessie Kanji
• Screenprinting with DIY pigments – Emma Kitson
• Introduction to Linocut – Levon Parker
For more details visit https://printopia.nz/
Wednesday April 17, 9.30–10.00am. Under the Sea Rhymetime Dive into adventure with singing, dancing, stories and bubbles galore! Suitable for ages 18+ months.
Thursday April 18, 10.30–11.30am. Shipwreck Craft Get creative with recycled items to build a unique maritime scene. Suitable for ages 7+.
Friday April 19, 2.00-3.30pm. Movie at Tītīrangi Theatre Come along to the theatre for a free family movie. The perfect way to spend a chill afternoon. Suitable for ages 5+. Brought to you by Tītīrangi Library and Lopdell House.
Tuesday April 23, 3–4pm Underwater Creatures Drawing Workshop Come along to draw some underwater creatures, big and small. Maybe create your own terrifying sea monster! Get creative and up your skills. Suitable for ages 7+.
Wednesday April 24, 3–4pm Aquarium in a Jar Create your own aquarium in a jar! Fill a jar with stones, gems and other little treasures and decorate it however you like. Suitable for ages 6+
Saturday April 27, 10.30am–1.30pm Drop-in Green Clinic Knowledgeable advisors from the WasteWise team will be on hand to answer your queries about waste management, reduction, recycling, and waste disposal options.
Tītīrangi Library, 500 South Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 0011.
Volunteers can now use light monitoring equipment and help apply to Dark Sky International for the Waitākere Ranges to become an International Dark Sky Place, thanks to support from Waitākere Ranges Local Board.
The board recently allocated $7,700 to the Dark Sky Project, a key priority in its 2023 Local Board Plan.
Waitākere Ranges Local Board chair Greg Presland is pleased to see the project take its first steps.
“Our board would love the Heritage Area to be a Dark Sky Place where people can enjoy the night sky, and value the natural darkness that helps protect our native wildlife. Artificial light disrupts natural cycles and we want to do our best to make sure that nature can recover and replenish itself. This will also make our local area a greater attraction to tourists from far and wide.
“I’d like to thank the passionate volunteers who are working to turn this great idea into reality,” says Presland.
The Waitākere Ranges Dark Sky Project aims to maintain the health of the Waitākere Ranges’ night sky by becoming accredited with the International Dark Sky Association whose goal is advocacy and education to protect night skies globally.
The project is now in the initiation phase: determining the night sky quality, completing a preliminary lighting inventory, deciding the site’s boundaries, land ownership and threats, and engaging with Dark Sky International.
Playhouse Theatre Inc. is presenting The Anniversary, a black comedy that will make you appreciate your own mother a little bit more, at Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre from April 13 to 27.
The central character in The Anniversary (written by Bill Macilwraith and directed by Terry Rutledge) is Mum, played by Dorren Kemeys (right), who gives new meaning to the phrase “possessive mother”. Her three grown-up sons are still dominated by her and every year she manages to get them to come home for the anniversary of her wedding to the late husband she despised.
Two of the three sons have something important to tell Mum. Terry wants to leave the family business while Tom wants to marry the latest in a long line of girlfriends. Their problem is to muster the bravery needed to tell her. Add the eldest son Henry into the mix with his own secrets and the family is set to explode.
What follows is a night where Mum does what she does best, makes everyone's life a misery.
Book at Eventfinda or http://www.playhousetheatreinc. com.
Many of us drive past it every day, or go to the weekly markets every Sunday, but Avondale Racecourse will soon be changing. ROSS CLOW, a member of the Whau Local Board, reflects on the past, present and future of this invaluable community resource.
In 1890 the Avondale Jockey Club (AJC) was launched after several years of planning by local citizens Moss Davis, Harry Hayr and Michael Foley. Initially, land was leased from Charles Burke with a grandstand built on Wingate St in order to be adjacent to the Avondale Hotel – owned by Davis and subsequently Foley. In 1902 the grandstand and all facilities were moved to Ash St and further land was subsequently purchased from long serving local MP, John Bollard.
The club has struggled on ever since. What was once the second biggest club in New Zealand – holding 19 meetings per year at its peak – has diminished to hold only six midweek meetings annually.
In 2018, Winston Peters and the Messara Report he commissioned recommended closure of the club. The RA subsequently gave notice to the club that race days would not be granted beyond 2024.
In 2023 the club applied to Auckland Council for a Plan Change to reclassify its land from “Special Purpose – Major Recreation” to “Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings”.
With the clouds of war on the horizon, 1912 saw AJC host its first army encampment – the Third Auckland Mounted Rifles – 400 men and 300 horses. In 1914 the forerunner of the Maori Battalion – the First Maori Contingent – set up camp with 500 volunteers. 1915 saw the famous New Zealand Tunnelling Company encamped with 350 men and in 1918 a field hospital was set up to help deal with the nationwide influenza epidemic.
The Defence Department took total control of AJC in 1940 (with AJC racing being held at Ellerslie) only relinquishing authority in 1947. Interestingly the course also hosted a Prisoner of War camp for Japanese soldiers following the Featherston camp uprising.
Throughout its history the AJC has had to face challenges from the Racing Authority (RA) and the wealthier Ellerslie Jockey Club (EJC). In 1925 the RA made its first attempt to close down AJC and transfer its assets to EJC. This was thwarted by appeals to Internal Affairs and parliamentarians in Wellington such as Michael Joseph Savage.
After AJC made the disastrous decision to install $8 million of track lights for night racing in 1987 – virtually bankrupting the club – the RA assumed Interim Governance and Management of the club.
Racing was suspended for a year and the first land parcels were sold off. Luckily the Sunday market, started by the Labour Party in 1982, and the Auckland Council’s leasing of the land inside the track ensured there was a steady flow of income to regain control of the club. However the residual debt burden ($2.5 million) forced the club to close again for two years in 2010.
The AJC intends to sell the entire racecourse and possibly continue to operate as a club but racing out of Ellerslie. Alternatively, as 2010 President Ron Murphy stated “….the proceeds would be invested into a community trust”.
Kāinga Ora has identified the racecourse as a key site for development. Eke Panuku and Auckland Council are also more than aware of the upcoming land sale but unfortunately are not intending to do anything at this stage. Piecemeal land sales of the 35 hectares would be the worst possible scenario going forward. The Commissioner for the Environment stated this year that Auckland has lost 30% of its green space since the 1980s.
My view is that a minimum of 50% of the land (18 hectares) must be retained as green space for playing fields, a city park (think Cornwall Park) and of course retention of our iconic Sunday Market. Eventually the long promised Whau swimming pool and recreation centre could find a home in Avondale.
Now is the time for the Whau Local Board to step up activity along with all Avondale community groups and other concerned residents to highlight the implications of AJC’s application to reclassify its land and take advantage of ‘Plan Change 78’, enabling high density housing across the whole site. This application is going to be heard in November 2024.
On a final note though, would it not be a magnificent gesture for the 136-year-old AJC to remember its local Avondale founders and members and gift the land to Auckland Council? It would of course be covenanted as green space in perpetuity.
Tītīrangi’s heritage church in Park Road celebrates 100 years of service this year. It has special significance as being one of just two churches in New Zealand that was planned from 1919 to be a memorial to soldiers lost in World War One.
Mrs Emily Bishop is credited with suggesting that the church be an “undenominational” soldiers’ memorial church, recognising that the fallen soldiers were from more than one denomination, and accordingly the church trust formed in 1922 was comprised of equal numbers of Anglicans and Presbyterians. The land was gifted in 1922 as two subdivision sections by Nelson Hawkins as part of his new Ferndell Estate fronting Park and South Tītīrangi Roads.
restored and painted and the gardens have been revived with two seats being added to the grounds to make the garden a more contemplative space for users of the facility.
The Trusts Community Foundation has provided funds to upgrade the toilets.
Following the upgrades, the trustees are hoping that the community will make greater use of the building, which is only currently used on Sundays. The church has been used for weddings, funerals and baptisms in the past but bookings are not restricted to such conventional uses. Tītīrangi Potters has held two exhibitions there recently.
Further generosity came from architect Herbert Clinton Savage who wrote to the committee in 1922 offering his services to design the church, an offer which was accepted. Harry Jenkin was the local builder who did the timber framing and interior finishing of the church.
The church was shared by both the Anglican and Presbyterian ministries until they both outgrew the space and moved to their present sites (St Francis Anglican Church at 96 Park Road and Tītīrangi Presbyterian Church at 234 Atkinson Road) in the 1980s.
The memorial church is still used for traditional Anglican communion on Sundays at 9am and a Samoan Congregation also worships on Sunday, following the Anglican service.
The Community of St Columba holds seasonal Celtic Christian and Contemplative services at the church.
For a fuller history of the church, go to The Fringe archives online: https://issuu.com/fringemedia8/docs/2110/18.
Over the last year the church trustees have been busy updating the church. The gates at the entrance have been
The church has been an open space for people to sit and reflect on ANZAC day and also on Armistice Day – and will be open again on April 25 this year for those looking for a quiet place to remember.
It is an attractive, quiet and ambient space for other activities. It would be a perfect space for small concerts, recitals, a book launch, or a regular meeting place for a group. Contact Don Anton on 022 450 3192 or email anton43d@ gmail.com to discuss usage of the church.
A commemorative Centenary Service is planned for May18 with Sir Bob Harvey as the Master of Ceremonies. The address will be given by Peter Olds, the Principal Chaplain of the NZ Defence Force. A light lunch for invited guests will follow at the Tītīrangi RSA. In the afternoon the church will be open to all from 1pm to 4pm with live music from 2pm.
Should you or your family have an historic connection to the church, please contact Don Anton (details above).
The centenary is a time to remember the early members of our community who contributed to this unique Tītīrangi legacy, and to honour the Tītīrangi men and women who gave their lives in the First World War and beyond.
Te Kawerau ā Maki are celebrating a milestone in the journey to righting a historical wrong with the granting of design and resource consent for their marae and papa kāinga (home base). JADE REIDY reports.
The design for the iwi’s eco-marae, Te Henga Kāinga Whakahirahira, on its ancestral whenua (land), was consented late last year. It features rammed earth, local sandstone, light timber framing and off-grid energy. The 2.5ha site will incorporate a wharenui (meeting house), marae, carving shed, gardens for kai and overland flow paths, and eight whare for iwi whānau who have become scattered as far as Australia.
The iwi is the only one in Auckland without a marae after a century of confiscations and flooding from dam construction ended with the last of their land being confiscated under the Public Works Act in the 1953.
Over 90 percent of the iwi’s tribal land was taken within 15 years of signing the Treaty.
Trustee Ed Ashby says this longfought-for marae will finally turn the tide.
“A marae needs people living there, so in essence this project is about people coming home to kaitiaki (care for it), to do all the everyday things,” he explains. “Four of the whare will be for our kaumātua and the other half for families. It’s a start.”
The marae’s first milestone
came when Waitākere City Council purchased the land, following a 1992 district plan that identified the need. However, this asset was incorporated into the ‘super city’ and ownership was not transferred to the iwi until 2020.
“Sadly, so many of our old people, the kuia who strongly fought for this, are gone,” says Ed. “We have to do this for their memories and for the young ones coming through.”
The iwi envisions the marae also being a community hub, as there is no community hall at Te Henga.
To date, the council has granted around $300,000 for planning. The next step for 2024 is the detailed design for the building consent.
As much as $15 million will be needed to fully realise the marae and papa kāinga (ancestral land), beginning with removal of unmanaged pine trees and around $5 million in site works.
This money is yet to be raised, and people are encouraged to support the marae either financially or through advocacy, until the hard mahi begins.
“Get on your social media and be, like, we really want to see this happen,” encourages Ed. “Be positive, keep the kōrero going politically and socially.”
Givealittle.co.nz/cause/ te-kawerau-a-maki-Te-Henga-marae
The waste minimisation regulations for tyres came into effect last month.
Run by the non-profit group Auto Stewardship NZ (ASNZ), Tyrewise is Aotearoa’s first regulated product stewardship programme. It aims to minimise the environmental impact of used tyres by recycling and repurposing them into other useful products. It also tracks tyres throughout their life cycle, via a network of registered participants, to ensure tyres are kept from illegal dumping, stockpiles and landfill.
Hasting-based Tyrewise is working with businesses and communities to make tyres a resource in a circular economy and will fund this work with a tyre stewardship fee. The fee ($6.65 + GST for a standard passenger tyre) will be charged on all new tyres sold. Different fees will be payable for different types and sizes of tyre.
Disposal fees may still apply on used tyres until September 1 but from then on there will not be any disposal fees on tyres that are left with a registered seller/fitter when you replace them.
Tyrewise will be responsible for managing the collection of used tyres from retailers and collection sites and delivering them to registered processors and manufacturers to make sure they get a second life.
Consumer describes greenwashing as “sneaky marketing that makes you think something is ‘greener’ or more environmentally-friendly than it really is.” And it is rife in New Zealand.
Almost half of New Zealanders (47%) find it difficult to tell the truthfulness of a product’s green claims, and three-quarters of us have never checked the accuracy of green claims, according to Consumer’s latest research.
About half of us (44%) will change brands if we think another brand’s products are more sustainable.
Consumer wants your help gathering greenwashing examples to determine the scope of the problem.
“Greenwashing tactics can be obvious, like earthytoned packaging or a green tick, but often, it is subtle, understated, and difficult to spot,” says Gemma Rasmussen, head of advocacy and research at Consumer.
“Greenwashing is problematic because the people being misled are those that are trying to make conscious purchasing decisions,” said Gemma.
Send in your examples of potential greenwashing and Consumer will investigate. “It might be in a store, online, or a questionable ad on radio or TV. If you hear or see some something that seems like greenwashing, send it to us via the form on our website (https://www. consumer.org.nz/) with a brief explanation.”
There are already a number of examples of tyre recycling:
• Golden Bay is Aotearoa New Zealand’s only local cement manufacturer, producing close to one million tonnes of cement a year. They co-process used tyres alongside wood waste as an alternative fuel in their cement kiln.
• Treadlite is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest transporters and processors of used tyres, using the processed rubber in a variety of applications in New Zealand and Australia ranging from artificial sports fields and equestrian arenas to playground matting. Treadlite is also working with a group of companies to introduce the use of rubber in roading in New Zealand.
• Matta manufactures safety surfacing products containing a high proportion of recycled truck tyre rubber. Their recycled products are made from up to 95% recycled materials which include tyres but also road cones, deflated pool toys and gumboots.
Currently 40% of old tyres are being reused with the rest ending up stockpiled, dumped or in landfill.
Tyrewise has a goal that by its fourth year of operation, 80% of used tyres will be collected and processed, increasing to 90% by the sixth year of operation.
Nestled in the heart of Tītīrangi lies a hidden gem, the Tītīrangi Wine and Food Society, a haven for wine enthusiasts and food aficionados alike.
The society was established in 1984 by a group of like minded Tītīrangi locals and in early 1986 was known as the Tītīrangi Wine Club. The group had 58 members and its first newsletter went out under the name Tītīrangi Grapevine. The first committee had three members (there are eight now) and the founding president was Roger Fea.
By the end of April 1986 the group decided to change its name to The Tītīrangi Wine and Food Society. According to the May 1986 newsletter the reason for the name change was because friends thought it was a club for amateur wine makers. The newsletter stopped being called Grapevine sometime in 1988.
A recent gathering saw the society tasting a range of boutique beers, in line with current trends, which was well received even by non-beerdrinking members.
The society kicked off its 40th year with a gala dinner at Harbourside Restaurant last month, attended by several ex-Presidents and a number of Life Members, The year will continue with several other celebratory events including, possibly, a small wine festival: watch this space.
Whether you're a seasoned wine connoisseur or simply enjoy good food and company, the Tītīrangi Wine and Food Society is always on the look out for new members and invites you to join them at its next gathering. Taste, learn, and connect with fellow enthusiasts in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Email your interest to: titirangiwineandfood@gmail.com.
The society operated out of Lopdell House until its renovation in the 2000s. During that period, the society relocated to Tītīrangi Golf Club for some years before moving to West Lynn Gardens in Parker Road, Tītīrangi South. The group meets monthly, on a Wednesday evening.
Over the years the society has had wine tastings from a large number of New Zealand wineries. Sometimes the winery comes to the group but other times the group will visit the winery. There have also been a large number of restaurant meals together, and various other entertainments, all enjoyed with some wine (normally provided by the club).
The SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has launched a new Snip‘n’Chip cat campaign.
Desexing and microchipping are two key things we can do to make a real difference for animal welfare and to reduce the large number of unwanted litters and lost animals. Controlling the population of cats also reduces the threats to native birds, lizards and insects.
SPCA recommends desexing before the animal reaches puberty and is able to reproduce. (Cats can enter puberty as early as three months of age.) It is normal to desex healthy kittens as soon as they reach eight weeks old and are at least 1kg in body weight. This results in faster surgical times, fewer complications, and reduced recovery time.
Vouchers are available through the Snip ‘n’ Chip website
https://book.spcadesexing.nz/ and can be redeemed at participating vet clinics – all clinics are listed when an owner registers for a voucher.
Auckland Council and five Local Boards have provided funding towards the campaign, and are sponsoring targeted postcodes within their area. In our area, vouchers are free for cat owners living in the 0604, 0772 and 0781 postcodes. This includes Tītīrangi, Oratia, Green Bay, Piha, Karekare and Bethells Beach.
For other areas vouchers cost $30 per cat, paid to the vet clinic. The campaign will run until June 30, but vouchers are only available until they sell out.
A Snip ‘n’ Chip voucher includes desex, microchip and NZ CAR (Companion Animal Register) registration.
Visit www.spcadesexing.nz for more information.
South Tītīrangi Neighbourhood Network (STNN) is looking for volunteers to help on the animal pest trap lines around Atkinson Park and beyond.
By reducing pest numbers (stoats, rats, mice and possums), native species such as kererū, pīwakawaka (fantail) and tūī can thrive and species long ago lost from the area, such as korimako (bell bird) and kākā, can begin to return.
Predators like ship rats not only eat eggs and nestlings, they also climb kauri to feast on the seeds which puts rats in direct competition with kākā.
“We are keen to have more people rostered on the trap lines to help share the workload,” Bruce Inwood, co-chair of STNN. “Although the work can be a little unpleasant at
times (volunteers need to be prepared to handle dead pest animals), it’s a great reason to get out into nature and is very satisfying work.”
Volunteers typically check their assigned line once every 4-6 weeks on a rostered basis. Full training will be given and most of the supplies needed to do the job are provided.
To get involved email southtitiranginn@gmail.com
Got something on your mind or know of a good story? Let The Fringe know.
Email us: info@fringemedia.co.nz
Osteopathy is a form of alternative medicine or physical therapy that focuses on the manipulation of the body's muscles and bones, via deep tissue techniques, movements of joints and spinal manipulations, to promote health and well being. Osteopaths have a holistic approach to health and also provide advice on physical therapy, balanced nutrition and exercise. It is based on the belief that given the right conditions, the body has the ability to heal itself.
Suzee Premji, Mihailo Darracott-Cankovic and Zita Lusack form the team at Tītīrangi Osteopaths. All three graduated from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2007 before moving to New Zealand at different times. Their long standing friendship creates a happy environment for their patients as well as themselves. Suzee has been the director of the clinic since 2009.
The three practitioners treat similarly but have individual specialities. Suzee is an international competitve powerlifter, who has a background in strength and conditioning as well as pre and post natal coaching. Mihailo’s treatment style incorporates what he has learnt from Thai massage, shiatsu and yoga. Zita is an ex-British gymnast, medalling at the 1994 Commonwealth Games. She has also been a Cuban salsa dancer for over 20 years.
It’s good to have a plan ...
Yeah gidday. Lizard here.
Man, getting older is a trip.
Get this: the other morning’s first plan of attack was to simply put on my socks and undies which, by the way, I have managed every day since I was 10. Next second, I’m half toppling over, holding onto the waist band of me jocks, hopping flat-out across the room wishing I’d pulled the blinds across. Sorry about the low hanging fruit, Marjorie.
I should have followed Jim Morrison’s example when he 'woke up this morning and got himself a beer’.
I did, in fact, second plan, have getting a beer on my agenda this fine and dandy morning so, flagging breakfast, I jumped into Whitevan hoping to head off in the direction of the train station.
My third plan, after getting dressed and driving, was to catch a train across town to my mates’ new BBBBnBnB. This stands for batch-brewed boutique beer and bed and breakfast. But Whitevan was in one of his moods.
I’d played a Janes Addiction CD very loud yesterday and had forgotten that Whitevan hates indy alt music so he’d been fuming all night. He did, however, ever so reluctantly, fire up and graciously make his way out of Huia.
Unfortunately by the time I’d followed all the detour signs, which seemed determined to take us in a completely wrong direction, the council car park was full. We pottered around the suburbs until I found a spot on the street to leave Whitevan.
Boy, did he ever make a fuss. I parked him between a Nissan Nivara and a Toyota Rav4. Little did I know Whitevan hates Japanese imports. Who thought a van could be racist? Insult to injury, I was now further from the train station than when we left home!
Bloody road works. I thank the government. So I hitched into town. Man, when you’ve got drinking on your mind, they don’t make behaving responsibly easy.
The BBBBnBnB I was heading for was Gay Gary and Maori Phil’s latest venture.
Since they got married a couple of years back, they’ve tried a few ways to make a quid. Their gym unfortunately failed but they eventually found a buyer, so little harm done. I blame the name. ‘Man Up’. Too staunch.
Then they opened a hair salon in the retirement village. On paper it seemed like a great idea. Heaps of old ladies that could get their hair done on the premises. Once again though, I blame the name. ‘Curl up and Dye’.
However it’s not all doom and gloom.
They did generously give our daughter Chardonella some start-up money so she could fulfil her dream to open a nail-bar for dogs. She has a diploma in nailology but finds people’s nails disgusting, especially women’s, so only works on pooches. She's called it ‘Paws for Effect’ and it's going really well. Thanks boys.
So, by late afternoon I’ve finally made it to Gay Gary and Maori Phil’s joint. And a swanky joint it is. They bought a row of motel units with, in their words, 70s retro vintage, James Bond Diamonds are forever style. I know nothing about style but I agree, it looks cool as. They charge a flat nightly rate of $500.00 all inclusive.
Their words again: “Raphael creates a 'to die for’ menu. He’s French. Of course. Naturellement. We have ‘the' most adorable house bar in Parnell. Discrete staff. Our lips are sealed. Linen sheets from Egypt and in-house cameras. And of course, our brewed-on-site boutique craft beers. Wines magazine’s IPA to have with shrimp.
“The one you’re drinking, Lizard, has been infused with fermented jabuticaba seeds while being gleefully introduced to Australian ironbark. We then suspended wild goat cheese over an ice bath of potato skins loosely bound in harakeke [that’s flax, darling] pockets, so as not to bruise the fragrance.
“For three months I personally blew cigar smoke straws we imported from the Dominican Republic through the oak vats. The world’s richest aromatic smelling smoke we all agree. Relax Lizard. Indulge. Treat yourself. How’s Shaz?”
Later that evening I spent quite some time stabbing unsuccessfully at the right armhole of my jacket until the waiter kindly assisted and showed me to my room.
Please dear Westie friends, celebrate our good fortune.
We live in the most wonderful of cities. Go to our markets. Enjoy our parks. We live in the Waitākeres!
Fi sahtak (Arabic for cheers)
Later, Lizard.
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