FOCUS ON
March 2026
Central Hawke’s Bay
Connecting our local communities
Welcome toFocus onCentral Hawke’sBay
WelcometotheMarch editionofFocuson CentralHawke’sBay presentedtoyoubyHawke’s BayToday,partofNewZealand MediaandEntertainment (NZME).Thisisamonthly publicationdistributingin Waipawa,Waipukurauand ŌtāneonthelastThursdayof themonth.
Weaimtobringresidents ofCHBinformationabout communityactivitiesanda potpourriofarticlessuchas localsport,education,events, clubs,councilnewsandsoon.
We’dbepleasedtoreceive suggestionsontopicsyou’d bekeentoreadornewsyou’d liketoshare.Pleasenotethat ifyoudohavenewstoshare, wewillneeditwellinadvance –atleasttwofullweeksbefore publication.Don’thesitateto contactusifyouhaveaquery orwishtoadvertise.
Pleasedirectadvertising andeditorialqueriesto shirley.randell@nzme.co.nz Coverphotocourtesyof Hawke’sBayTourism,credit KirstenSimcox.
SunshinesonInternational Children’sDaycelebrations
CentralHawke’sBay’s celebrationofChildren’sDay on1Marchwasenjoyedunder clearblueskiesandbroughtfamilies, giantbubblesandlotsoflaughterto Waipukurau’sRussellPark.
Thefreeevententhralledthe youngerset,withlivemusic,face painting,activities,colouring competitionsandgames.There werefreeiceblocksforthechildren, courtesyofTakapauLions,andlotsof jigsawpuzzlesandgiantgameslike ChessandConnectFour,courtesyof CentralHawke’sBayDistrictLibraries.
ThedaywasorganisedbyHannah TullyfromCentralHawke’sBay
PregnancyandParentingRuahine WhakawhanauTamarikiwithsupport fromtheCentralHawke’sBayDistrict Council.
“Wehadanincredibleday celebratingourlocaltamariki,”said Tully.
“Itwasamazingtoseesomany familiescometogethertoenjoythe eventandtakepartintheactivities.
“Thedaywasahugesuccessand awonderfulcelebration.Our250 goodybagsflewoutthedoorinno time,whichshowsjusthowstrong theturnoutwas.We’lldefinitelybe increasingourgoodybagnumbers nextyear.”
“Wehadafabulous,warm,buzzy, fun-filled,interactivedaywithour community-itwaslovelytoseeso manyenjoyingthebeautifulday,” saidAngelaDoody,LibraryExperience Representative,CentralHawke’sBay DistrictLibraries
SponsorsforthedayincludedBig Chill,NewWorldWaipukurau,Beard Brothers,BakerBoy,andSportHawke’s Bay.
InternationalChildren’sDaywas initiatedin1925tohonourchildren, protecttheirrights,andpromotewellbeing.
WaipukurauDrop-in CHBBudgetServices,43RuataniwhaSt,Waipukurau Every firstandthirdMonday,10am-2pm Nextdates:6and20October
Monday-Friday10-4pm Regulardrop-inclinicsat: Pahiatua,Eketahuna,Greytown,Featherston Carterton,Martinborough,Dannevirke
Mike.ButterickMP@parliament.govt 0800MPMIKE national.org.nz/team/mikebutteric t
Second-HandSundayasuccess asCentralHawke’sBaystreets filledwithsmilesandtreasures
DrivewaysacrossCentral Hawke’sBaywerefilledwith treasuresasthedistrict’s annualSecond-HandSundayturned localstreetsintolivelytreasure huntingspots.
Onehundredandtwentyeight propertieswereregisteredtotake part,butasthedayunfoldedmany morehouseholdsjoinedin,inspired bytheirneighbourswhohadalready filledtheirdrivewayswithitems.
CentralHawke’sBayDistrictCouncil SolidWasteOfficerThembaNcomanzi saidtheeventshowedhowsimple ideascanmakeabigdifference
forboththecommunityandthe environment.
“Second-HandSundayisabout morethanjustclearingoutgarages, it’saboutkeepinggooditemsinuse, reducingwhatgoestolandfill,and creatingthosesmallmomentswhere neighboursconnectoversomething assimpleasasharedfind.”
Carsandtrailerslinedthestreets aspeopleexploredtheofferings, frombooksandtoystofurnitureand householdgoodsandstoppingto chatwhilebrowsingthefreefinds.
AnthonyBeachen,whomovedto thedistrictfromNapierayearago,
VASCULAR SURGERY SPECIALIST
saidtheeventhighlightedthestrong senseofcommunityinthedistrict. “Youneverreallyseethingslikethis intown.Thecommunityhereisway better–alotfriendlierandcloser together.It’sareallycoolenvironment tobepartof.”
MarieandRonGarnham,who registeredtheirNelsonStreetproperty inWaipukurau,saidtheywerehappy totakepartagain.“It’sbrilliant.People cangetridofstufftheydon’tneed anymoreandotherscanstillgetgood useoutofit.Whenyougettoourage youwanttodeclutteranddownsize–thisisperfect.”
MartinEaglewasamongthosewho madesomeuniquediscoveries.“It’s marvellous.Peoplegetridofstuffand othersgetthingsyoudon’tseeinshops thesedays,”hesaid,afterpickingupa CDholderonNelsonStreet.“Whosells CDholdersnowadays?”
Familiesalsomadethemost ofthedayouttogether.Marni Perenikowallacepeetiwasproud withherfinds,includingbeanbags andclothes,whilehermumCharris said“We’vejustmovedherefrom Manawatu.Isawtheeventadvertised andIdroveintotownthismorningand sawallthedrivewaysandthought that’scoolstuff.It’sbeengreatto getoutandaboutandseethe community.”
OnBibbyStreetinWaipawa,Liam Pattersonandapprenticebuilder RaDavenportloadedatrailerwith itemsforRa’snewhouse.“It’sbeen awesome,”saidLiam.“Ra’sjustmoved herefromPalmerstonNorthandit’s beengreat.Someoneelse’sstuffisnow treasuresinthenewhome.”
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MESHFREE groinhernia repairperformedunderlocal anaestheticinourpurpose designedDaySurgeryUnit. Overallcostsareminimal makingtheproceduremuch moreaffordablethanyoumay think.
Ifyouhaveaherniathatis botheringyougiveusacallandask ourfriendlyteamfordetails,costings andavailability.
ProcedureperformedbyMrBertrand Jauffret,GeneralSurgeonatUnitySpecialists, 102QueenStreetEast,Hastings4122. Wecan treatyour Varicose Veins
Events
BayCities’SymphonicBand
Intotheclouds
Friday27March,7pm-8.30pm
MagdalinosRoom,HavelockNorthFunction Centre
Cloudshaveinspiredcomposersfor centuries.Thisprogrammeshowcasesthe versatilityofthewindband.Enjoyavarietyof musicalpieces,soloistsandaphotography exhibition.
TicketsfromHumanitixorcashsales
availableonthedoor.Adults$20,seniorsand students$15andchildrenunder12$10.00 Makaroro-placetoconnect CHBMuseum
Opennowcloses17May
LocalartistMargaret-MaryFarrcollected mineralsandplantsfromtheMakaroroarea tomakepaintwhichsheusedinherart capturingthenaturalbeautyofMakaroro. TheSmallHallSessions
ShanePCarter
ThursdayApril2ndPukehouChurch
Doorsat6.30pm,musicFrom7.30 Foodanddrinkavailableforpurchase
TicketsatEventfinda
FREEMobilityscooterworkshop
AgeConcernCHB
7April2026-WarMemorialHall,Waipukurau Thinkingaboutgettingamobilityscooter? Learnmoreandbeconfident.
Therewillbeamobilityscooteronhandfor peopletotryout.
Topicsinclude:
•Accesstoscooters
•Roadrules&saferidingbehaviours
•Demonstrationsandobstaclecourse
Thecourseisfrom10.00am-1.00pmwitha lightlunchprovided.
Bookingessentialasnumberslimited.Call 068589158
CentralHawke’sBayLions Bookaramaisback!
Friday10,Saturday11,9amto4pmand Sunday12April9amto2pmattheCHB MunicipalTheatre,KenilworthStreet, Waipawa.
Therewillbebooksforallagesand categoriestosuitalongwithPuzzles, DVD’s,CD’s,Vinyl’sandChildren’sgames. Findincredibledealsonpre-loved booksandpuzzleswhilesupportingyour community.
Gotbooksorpuzzlestospare? Dropthemoffat:100%Winloves–Waipukurau,TimChoteAppliances–Waipawa.
Needcollection?CallMikeTod on021464962toarrangepick
Personalsafetyand
empowermentcourse
OrganisedbyAgeConcernHawke’sBay 14April,17CoughlanRoad,Waipukurau 10am-2pm.
Lunchprovidedandbookingsessential. Calltheofficetobook068709060 or068589158
DannevirkeMarket
19April(thirdSundayeverymonth)
DannevirkeShowgrounds
ŌtāneVillageArtisan Market
ŌtāneVillageHall,HigginsonStreet 31May
Specialisingintimelessclocks, qualitywatches,andbeautiful jewellery.Frombatteries, straps,porcelainandjewellery restoration,‘becauseeverytick tellsastory’
RestringPearls&beads Straps&Batteriessupplied&fitted StockistsofGShock,Casio, Olympic,&QualityClocks
Jewelleryrepairs
85HighSt | PH:068578590 www.waipawaclockshop.com waipawaclockshop@xtra.co.nz
Achatwith LindseyBishop
ByLeanneGoodger
SurprisinglyImanagedtostealalittle timewithBish,betweenhisteaching commitmentsandhisrehearsalsat WaipukurauLittleTheatre.Afteracontributionof almostaquarterofacenturytoourlocaltheatre, Iwantedtoknowmoreaboutthisattractionto livetheatre.Hisenthusiasmisimmediate.“Ilove theatre,”hesays.
Whenaskedhisfirstmemoryofthetheatre, Lindseysays“Iwastheatricalatschool.Hisfirst role,attheageofnine,wasRumpelstiltskin.Of course,wesayinunison!Hewentontodoabitof actingthroughhighschoolanddirectingschool showsasateacher.
Hisreturntocommunitytheatrecamein2002. AfterattendingashowaftermovingtoCentral Hawke’sBayhesaid,“Ithought,that’salovely littletheatre–whydon’tIgoandfindoutabout it?”AsmanyWaipukurauLittleTheatremembers canattest,beforeyouknowityouareonthe committee!Twenty-fouryearslaterLindsey hasleftthecommitteebuthiszestforthecraft remains,andheisconcentratinghistimetohis passions–directingandsetbuilding.
“Ilovedirectingmorethanacting”saysLindsey. HerecallsseeingaproductionofPeninsularand commentingtofellowthespian,TerryCoyle,that WaipukurauLittleTheatreshouldstageit.With Terry’sencouragementhetooktheleap,directing Peninsular.
Onhisdirectingstyle,headmitsto beingverycontrolling.“I’llspendayear thinkingabouttheplay,theset,the actors-howtheyreacttoeachother”. Hewillhavealreadydesignedtheset inhishead,onpaperoranactual model!Hisattentiontodetailnaturally extendstohisothergreatlove-set design.“Ilovebuilding,”hesaysand admitstobeingalatentarchitectat heart,withanintuitivesenseforthreedimensionalspace.
Asforhighlights,Peninsularremains afavourite,butheisreallyenjoying BlindEye,theplaythathasrecently finished.“Theactorsareagreatcrew andverydirectable,”hesays.“It’sgot lotsoflayers.Ilikeplaysthathave abitofmeat,abitofmeaningto them.”
“Weboxaboveourweighthere,” Lindseysays.Butheaddsruefully thereisastruggletoretainthe exceptionalyoungpeoplewhopresentwhileat collegebringingmuchtalentandenthusiasmbut inevitablyleaveforstudyorwork.
Waipukurauisveryfortunatetohavesucha vibrantamateurtheatrecommunity,sustainedby countlesshoursofvolunteerenergyfromactors, crew,committeemembers,andsupporters.The successofallthiscollectiveeffortultimately dependsonitsaudience,andourcommunity continuestoshowupwithgenerosityand enthusiasm.
AsforLindsey,hiscontributioniswoveninto theveryfabricofWaipukurauLittleTheatre.His craftmanshipandunwaveringcommitmenthave shapeddecadesofstorytelling.Wethankhimfor everythinghehasgivenandlookforwardtothe productionsstilltocome.
TTakapautocelebrate150years
akapau,asmallbutresilientrural townshipinCentralHawke’sBay, hasahistoryasrichasthefertile plainsthatsurroundit.Itsstorybegins longbeforeEuropeansettlement, withMāoriinhabitingthedistrictsince around1525,givingtheregionadeep culturalfoundationthatremainspartof itscharactertoday.
ThemoderntownshipofTakapau wasformallyestablishedin1876, followingthesurveyingoflandtaken fromthelargeOruawharopastoral station.SydneyJohnston,sonof prominentsettlerJohnJohnston, wasinstrumentalinshapingthe earlytownshipaftertakingover managementofOruawharointhe 1860s.
Withastrongvisionforcommunitybuilding,Sydneydonatedlandfor churches,aschool,alibrary,the townhall,andlaterPlunketroomsinstitutionsthathelpedanchorthe fledglingsettlement.ManyofTakapau’s streetsbearnameslinkedtothe Johnstonfamily,alastingreminderof
theirinfluence,whilethecemetery’s memorialgatestandsasatribute toSydney’sroleindevelopingthe township.
ThenameTakapaucomesfromthe nearbyTeTakapaupā,andintereo Māorithewordtranslatesto“mat”or “carpet”-apoeticreferencealsolinked totheregion’sonce-extensiveflax
fields.Infact,Takapau’searlyeconomy flourishedonamajorflaxmilling industry,whichpositionedthetownship asanimportantprocessingcentrein thelate19thandearly20thcenturies. Oruawharoitself,thegreat homesteadbuiltin1879,remains alandmarkofimmensehistorical significance.Constructedfromnative
timbersinanelegantItalianate style,itreflectsboththewealthand aspirationsoftheJohnstonfamilyand thebroadercolonialstoryofHawke’s Baypastoralists.Itscraftsmanshipand preservationcontinuetomakeitone oftheregion’smostnotableheritage sites.
Throughthedecades,Takapauhas adaptedtochangingtimes.Astheflax industrydeclined,agricultureremained attheheartoflocallife.Today,the townshipisknownforitsstronglinkto theprimarysector,notablytheSilver FernFarmsprocessingplantandKintail Honey-oneofNewZealand’smajor honeyoperations.
Despiteitsmodestsize,Takapau hasretainedacloseknitidentityand anenduringspiritofcommunity, shapedbybothitsMāoriheritageand pioneeringEuropeanroots.Thatspirit isespeciallyevidentthisyearaslocals beginpreparationstocelebrate150 yearssincethetownship’sfounding. Withthemilestoneapproachinglater in2026,planningisalreadyunderway foreventsthatwillhonourTakapau’s past,itspeople,andthelegacyof thosewhobuiltandsustaineditacross generations.
Provisionalagenda
• Eventdates:30Octoberto1November
•Friday-RegistrationsatOruawharo
•Saturday-Floatparade,marketwith musicandstalls
•Saturdayevening-dinneranddance intheTownhall
•Sunday-tripuptotheThreeSisters (siteofHorehorePa),treeplanting withblessing
Interestedstallholdersplease contacttakapau150@gmail.com orseeFacebook:Takapau150years in2026
•Upto140hp-Strong6-cylinder
•Smoothpowershiftoperation
•4WDtractionforwetpaddocksandtoughconditions
•Hydraulicsbuiltforloader+implementwork
•Comfortablecabforlongdays
GlennDear0272263623
KenScholfield0212720606
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RescuedogRoxybringsjoyto WoburnCareFacilityresidents
ResidentsatWoburnCareFacilityrecently receivedaveryspecialvisitor-Roxy,agentle rescuedogwhosecalmnatureandwagging tailquicklywontheheartsofbothelderlyresidents andthoselivingwithdementia.
Roxy,aBorderCollierescuedandcaredforby RuahineAnimalRescue,visitedthecarefacility alongsidevolunteersfromtheorganisation.What beganasasimplevisitsoonbecameaheartwarmingafternoonfilledwithsmiles,conversation, andtheunmistakablecomfortthatanimalscan bring.
Thefriendlyblack-and-whitedogcalmlymoved fromresidenttoresident,patientlyacceptingpats andcuddleswhilestaffandvolunteershelped introducehertothoseeagertomeether.For manyresidents,theinteractionwithRoxysparked memoriesoftheirownbelovedpets.
Severalresidentsspokeaboutfarmdogsthey onceownedorfamilypetstheyhadraisedyears ago.Otherssimplyenjoyedthequietcomfortof sittingbesideRoxy,strokinghersoftcoatwhileshe restedherheadontheirknees.
StaffatWoburnCareFacilitysayvisitslikethese canhavearemarkableimpact,particularlyfor residentslivingwithdementia.Animalsoftenhelp createmomentsofconnectionandcalmthatcan otherwisebedifficulttoachieve.
“Someresidentswhoareusuallyveryquiet becomemoreengagedwhenadogvisits,”one staffmembersaid.“Theystarttalking,smiling,and interactingwithothersaroundthem.”
ForthevolunteersatRuahineAnimalRescue, seeingthepositiveresponsefromresidentsis incrediblyrewarding.Theorganisationisbestknown forrescuing,rehabilitating,andrehominganimals, butitsworkincreasinglyincludescommunity outreach.
Bringingwell-socialisedrescuedogstocare facilitiesisonewaythegroupisabletogiveback whilealsohelpingthedogsbuildconfidenceand positivesocialexperiences.
Roxyprovedtobetheperfectambassador.Calm, attentive,andclearlyenjoyingtheattention,she settledeasilyintotheenvironment,gentlygreeting residentsandhappilysoakinguptheaffection.
BorderColliesareoftenknownfortheirintelligence andhighenergy,butRoxy’sgentletemperament madeherespeciallysuitedforthevisit.
Throughouttheafternoon,laughterechoed throughthecommonroomasresidentsgathered aroundtomeether.Formany,thevisitoffereda
welcomebreakfromroutine,andareminderofthe companionshipanimalsprovide.
Volunteerssaytheexperiencebenefitsboth peopleandanimalsalike.
“Dogshaveawayofconnectingwithpeoplethat wordssometimescan’t,”onevolunteersaid.“When youseesomeonelightupjustbystrokingadog,you realisehowpowerfulthatconnectionreallyis.”
FollowingthesuccessofRoxy’svisit,Ruahine AnimalRescuehopestocontinuebringingrescue dogstothefacilityinthefuture-ensuringthatmore residentscanenjoythecomfort,companionship, andhappinessthatafriendlydogcanbring.
are open 7days. Monday to Friday 7am to 3pm Saturday and Sunday 8am to 3pm
•Preparationtime:20mins
•Cooktime:25mins
•Serves20
ThisrecipeforEasterSpiced ChocolateBrownieisasweettreat withsomeaddedspiceinthewayof cinnamonandnutmeg–theperfect additiontoanyEastermenu!
Ingredients
•Butter,cutintocubes-220g
•Chocolate,roughlybroken-200g
•Castersugar-1cup
•Eggs,lightlywhisked-4
•Vanillaessence-1Tbsp
•Freshdates,chopped-4
•Flour-11/2cups
•Cinnamon-11/2Tbsp
•Nutmeg-1/4Tbsp
•MiniEastereggs-1cup
Method
1.Preheatanovento180°C.Linea20x 30cmbakingtinwithbakingpaper.
chocolatestirringuntilthemixture issmooth.Stirthroughthesugar. Removefromtheheatandleavefor 10minutestocoolslightly.
3.Stirthroughtheeggs,addthe vanillaessence,dates,flour, cinnamonandnutmeg,stirring brisklyuntilsmooth.Pourintoyour tin.
4.DottheEastereggsoverthetop. Bakefor25minutes.Itshouldstillbe alittlesoftinthemiddle.
5.Leavethebrownietositinthetinto cool.Cutintopieces.
Tip: Forabasicbrownieleaveoutthe spices.Thedatesaddalovelymoist addition,butcouldalsobeomitted.
PERBROWNIEEnergy1185.2kJ•Protein 3.5g•TotalFat16.5g•SaturatedFat 10.0g•Carbohydrates30.9g•Sugar 21.8g•Sodium64.9mg
•Preparationtime:10mins
•Cooktime:2mins
•Serves6
Takeyourhotcrossbungametothe nextlevelwithaHotCrossBunIce CreamSandwich–becausewhat’s betterthanicecreamsandwiched betweentoastedhotcrossbunsand coveredintoppings?Besttoppedwith chocolatesauce–ofcourse!
Ingredients
•Vanillaicecream-2cups
•Roastedpeanuts-1/4cup
•Sprinkles-1/4cup
•Chocolatesauce-1/3cup
•Hotcrossbuns-6
Method
1.Preheattheovento180°Cgrill(160°C fan-forcedgrill).Halvethehotcross
buns,andplacethemopensideup onanoventray.Placeintheoven for2minutesoruntilbrowned,being carefulnottoburn.
2.Scoopalargespoonoficecream ontothebottomhalvesonthebuns.
3.Topwithtoastedpeanutsandplace thetopsofthebunsontop.
4.Placesprinklesintoasmallplateor bowl.Carefullyholdingthebuns,dip thesidesintothesprinklessothat theyattachtotheicecream.
5.Topwithchocolatesauce.Enjoy! PERSERVE•Energy1695Kj•Protein 9g•TotalFat13g•SaturatedFat6g •Carbohydrates62g•Sugars34g• Sodium238mg
Dietaryandnutritionalinfosupplied byNZNutritionFoundation
2.Intoalargepotplacethebutterand
Dietaryandnutritionalinfosupplied byNZNutritionFoundation EasterspicedchocolatebrownieHotCrossBunicecreamsandwich
Makaroro–Placetoconnect
There’sastrikingnewexhibitionattheCentral Hawke’sBayMuseumshowcasingthework oflocalartistMargaret-MaryFarr.Inspired bytheruggedbeautyoftheMakaroroareainthe RuahineRanges,Farrhascreatedabodyofwork deeplyrootedinthelanditself.
Shegatheredmineralsandplantsfromthe regiontohandcraftherownpigments,allowing eachartworktoliterallycontaintheessenceof thelandscapeitdepicts.Thisintimateconnection betweenplace,material,andartistgivesthe exhibitionauniquelyauthenticcharacter, celebratingboththenaturalenvironmentandthe creativeprocessthatemergesfromit.
Theexhibitioninvitesvisitorsofallagesto experiencethetextures,colours,andstoriesof Makaroroinawaythattranscendstraditional artmaking.ThroughFarr’sinnovativeuseofnatural materialsandherdeeprespectfortheland, Makaroro–PlacetoConnectoffersacompelling reminderoftherelationshipsthatbindcommunity, environment,andcreativityinCentralHawke’sBay.
TheMakaroroRiverisariverofthesouthern Hawke’sBayregionofNewZealand’sNorthIsland. ItflowssoutheastfromtheslopesoftheRuahine Range,meetingthewatersoftheWaipawaRiver12 kilometreswestofTikokino.
AmeetingacoupleofyearsagoattheCHB museumwithartistMaraeaTimutimuintroduced Margaret-Marytotheconceptofmakingpigments andusingtheminartworks.
“Fromthatexperience,Ifeltinspiredtocreatea bodyofworkconnectedtotheMakaroroRiver-a placecurrentlybeingpromotedasapotential damsite.”
“TheMakarorovalleyisauniqueplaceor remarkablebeautyandecologicalrichness.Itis hometonativebats,karearea,bullies,insectsand anabundanceofplantlife.Itremainsoneofthe fewunspoiled,remoteriverareasinHawke’sBay thatcanstillbeaccessedbycar.”
“AlthoughIhavevisitedtheMakaroroatdifferent timesinmylife,astrongneedtoreconnectarose asIimmersedmyselfinitsrawbeautyagain.I decidedtodedicate2025toworkingwiththis landscape-gatheringpigments,observingclosely, andallowingtheworktounfold.”
Themineralsandstonesshecollectedoffered manybeautifulbrowns,greys,tansandyellows butherpalettewaslimited,andsherealisedshe neededtoexpandherpalettebyusingplantbasedpigments.Shecreatedawiderangeof yellowsandresortedtousingplantssuchas cabbagefromherowngarden.
Escapewinterona10-daytropicalgetawaytothebeautiful CookIslands,basedon Rarotonga.Afteranovernightstay atthe NovotelAucklandAirport flytoparadiseandsettle intobeachfrontsuitesat TheEdgewaterResort&Spa EnjoyanIslandDiscoveryTour,beachsidelunchat Charlie’s Rarotonga,anddinnerat TamarindHouseRestaurant& UkeleleBar.Highlightsincludeacookingmasterclassat On theBeachRestaurantRarotonga,browsing PunangaNui Market,andaculturalfeastattheresort. Amemorabledaytriptakesyoutostunning Aitutaki,cruising itsturquoiselagoonandvisiting OneFootIsland.Other experiencesinclude BlackRock,MaireNuiGardens,and relaxedislanddining.Withfreetime,warmhospitality,and spectacularscenery,thiswinterescapeblendsrelaxation, culture,andunforgettableSouthPacificbeauty.
Experienceaspeciallongweekendin Melbourne forthe acclaimedmusical ABeautifulNoise:TheNeilDiamond Musical.Premieringon Broadway in2022andcreated with NeilDiamond,thiscelebratedproductionarrivesin Melbourneforalimitedseasonatthehistoric Princess Theatre
Stayattheelegant HotelWindsor,perfectlylocatedbeside thetheatredistrict,withawelcomedinnerat Antara Restaurant.Enjoyfreetimetoexplorehighlightssuchas QueenVictoriaMarket,Melbourne’sfamouslaneways, galleriesandgardens.Venturebeyondthecitytothescenic YarraValley,visiting Healesville andhistoric YeringStation Winery.ThetourconcludeswiththeiconicHighTeaatThe Windsor—anunforgettableblendofworld-classtheatre, fine foodandMelbournecharm.
FRIDAY6THNOV–TUESDAY1STDECEMBER VARIOUSPACKAGESAVAILABLEFORTWIN SHARE&SINGLE-PLEASEENQUIRE ONLY4SPACESLEFT
DiscoverthebeautyofJapaninautumnonthis26-day journeycombiningvibrantcities,ancientcultureanda spectacularcruise.Beginin Tokyo,visiting Senso-jiTemple TokyoSkytree andthefamous ShibuyaCrossing,withan excursionto Hakone andviewsof MountFuji
From YokohamaPort,board DiamondPrincess fora14-night cruisevisitingportsincluding Aomori,Kanazawa,Nagasaki, Kagoshima,Kochi and Osaka
Afterthecruise,explorehistoric Kyoto andnearby Nara visiting Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera and FushimiInariTaisha
Amovingdaytripto Hiroshima includes HiroshimaPeace MemorialPark and ItsukushimaShrine.Thisunforgettable journeyshowcasesJapan’stemples,cuisine,landscapes andbrilliantautumncolours.
Makingpigmentsfromrocksinvolvescleaning, crushing,andgrindingmineralsintoafinepowder, followedbylevigation(washing/settlinginwater) toremoveimpuritiesandseparateparticlesizes. Theresultingpowderisthenmixedwithabinderlikegumarabicorlinseedoiltocreatepaint.
HavingpreparedthepigmentsMargaret-Mary setaboutcreatingtheartworks.Shehadtoadjust herexpectationsasshewasworkingwithalimited
palette.“Theprojectbecamelessaboutcontrol andmoreaboutresponding-tocolour,light,mood andtowhatthelandscapewaswillingtoreveal.”
Notonlydidshelearnabouttheartofmaking pigments,ButMargaret-Marymetmanypeople whohelpedherexploretheenvironment.Local ecologistAmeliaMcQueenjoinedtheartist andtogethertheyexploredthewetlands.They observedrareswampplants,bulliesbreeding,
Theresultingpowderisthenmixedwithabinder-likegum arabicorlinseedoiltocreatepaint.
fungiandlichenandcountlesssmallecosystems easilyoverlooked.“Eachhelditsownnarrative.”
EntryisfreetotheCHBMuseuminWaipawa andMakaroro–PlacetoConnectcloseson17 May2026.Notonlywillvisitorsbeabletoviewthe paintings,butMargaret-Maryhasplentyofitems ondisplayillustratingtheprocessinvolvedin makingpigments.
Apestleandmortarareanessentialpartofthepigment makingprocess.
RawmaterialsgatheredfromtheMakaroroRiver.
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