Feb 2020

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER |FEBRUARY 2020 | No.212

THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE Email coatesvillechronicle@gmail.com | ph 021 724 001 | online coatesvillechronicle.com

Community chills out at Coatesville pool

The Otway family makes a splash at Coatesville pool

T

he only place to be this summer on a sweltering, sunny day is in the water.

It was still 27 degrees at 5.30pm on Thursday, 30 January, so like many local families, the Otways put on their togs and headed to Coatesville pool to take a dip before dinner.

Parents David and Liz brought along their five daughters, aged 3 to 11 years

(as well as one of the girls' friends), to enjoy a late afternoon swim, and plenty of other people had the same idea.

Not everyone got in the water straight away. Some cooled off in the shade under the trees while others tucked in to ice creams before taking the plunge. Swimmers say the pool water temperature is just right and thanks to the caretaker's efforts, it's clear and blue too!

Progress at Roundabout

W

ork on the roundabout at the top of the hill has been hampered over summer by ground instability caused by a land slip back in the 1960s.

According to AT spokeswoman Natalie Polley, "There have been delays and further investigation. One retaining wall has been redesigned to ensure the new retaining structure doesn't fail, following construction of the new road. The new design is currently being finalised, with construction on this wall expected to continue in February.

This is the primary cause of delay

0272 984 000

to the expected project completion date, which is now expected to be in September 2020.�

Ms Polley also told the Chronicle: "There will be some upcoming requirements for longer term stop/go traffic control through the site, primarily due to the need to narrow CoatesvilleRiverhead Highway down to a single lane. This will usually occur between 7.30am and 4.30pm.

"We urge drivers to be patient while we make the road safer for all road users."  See the drone image of the site on page 2

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FEBRUARY CONTENTS February news 3 Crafters sew pouches for critters 5 Scouts at Jamboree 6 Wild Wooders 7 enhance reserve Local Board news 8 Chris Penk update 9 Learn to compost 10 11 Classifieds New opportunities 12

Diary Dates

Editorial

W

Photo of the roundabout site taken from a drone

elcome back readers! By now everyone will be back at work and school, getting used to early starts and wearing shoes again after a hot, dry Kiwi summer.

Weren't we lucky with the weather?!

Although it's been way too long between rain showers for those trying to keep gardens alive.

While most of us were kicking back, Auckland Transport's contractors Dempsey Wood have been working hard over the summer. It appears they uncovered a few unexpected challenges along the way, and we will all need to be patient over the coming months as their work continues.

For parents taking high school kids to the bus stop opposite the Albany Gas Station, it might make sense to use the 126 bus in Coatesville to get them to the top of the hill or even Albany Bus Station instead. A lot of school students already take this bus which leaves at around 7.20am from Coatesville's only bus stop.

On that note, you have to wonder when the new bus stops are going to be added to the 126 route. There's enough demand to warrant it and even a community petition. So, it must be time to address this issue and give more local people the chance to use the 126 service.

According to Louise Johnston's update on page 8, the Rodney Local

Board will be at the Coatesville Market on 1 March seeking feedback from the community about priorities for their three-year plan. They invite residents to come along and let them know which issues you think they should focus on this term. A great opportunity to feed into their planning on what matters to you.

In this issue you'll find reports from community groups and newsy stories as well as another reader recipe to try.

On page 10 you can read about the Compost Collective's free workshop in Riverhead later this month. If you're keen to attend, book online asap because spaces are limited. compostcollective.org.nz/workshops.

Next month we'll hear about a project being led by Gary Langridge to make Coatesville pest free. There'll also be photos from the Coatesville Half Marathon and coverage of the Coatesville Golf Classic – already in its fourth year!

Good luck to all the runners, walkers and golfers.

Your editor,

Vanessa Johnson Email: coatesvillechronicle@gmail.com, Phone: 021 724 001

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MTA

∞ 9 FEBRUARY, Sunday, Coatesville Half Marathon. ∞ 13-16 FEBRUARY, Auckland's Lantern Festival at Albert Park.

Cancelled after The Coatesville Chronicle went to print. ∞ 14 FEBRUARY, Friday, It's Valentines Day on a Friday so book a table for lunch or dinner at one of the local cafés. ∞ 15 FEBRUARY, Saturday, North West Wine, Beer and Food Festival, The Hunting Lodge, 12pm till 7pm. ∞ 19 FEBRUARY, Wednesday, Learn how to get started with your own compost system at this free community workshop, Riverhead Hall from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Book your place at: compostcollective.org.nz/ workshops ∞ 19 FEBRUARY, Wednesday, First Aid course all day at Kaipara Coast Plant centre, email: info@kaiparacoast.co.nz ∞ 19 FEBRUARY, Wednesday, CRRA committee meets at the Settlers Hall. All welcome. ∞ 1 MARCH Sunday, Coatesville Market from 10am till 2pm. ∞ 6 MARCH, Friday, The Coatesville Chronicle is out today, check your letterbox. ∞ 14-15 MARCH, Kumeu Show From 8.30am both days this weekend at the Kumeu Showgrounds, Access Road, Kumeu. Check out the animal exhibits, fairground rides and shearing display. Don't miss the Wood Chopping competition on both days with coverage on Sky TV. ∞ 15 MARCH, Sunday, Coatesville Twilight Market 2pm till 7pm.

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The Coatesville Chronicle is distributed free to homes in the RD3 postal area. Deadline for content is 20th of the month prior to publication. The opinions published herein are not necessarily those of the publisher, Cradle Publications Limited. © 2020 All rights reserved.

FEBRUARY NEWS

Lois Coates at the Rodders Beach Festival with her 2016 Mustang GT.

Lois takes the cake We’re all good cooks in Coatesville, aren’t we? Yeah right!

But one Coatesvillian pulled off a top prize in The Vintage Bake Off at the Rodders Beach Festival at Orewa on Anniversary Weekend.

Contestants could enter in four categories — cake, sponge, biscuit/ slice and novelty. Coatesville resident Lois Coates won top prize in the cake category with a very yummy cinnamon and pear cake.

Entries were judged by experts Kerry Richards, technical manager at Mauri Foods, which sponsored the bake-off, and Kevin Martin, head cake baker at the local Orewa New World, another sponsor of the show.

Lois, a keen baker, says she bakes all the time — “and I never use a recipe.”

She loves her cinnamon and pear cake, which has salted caramel in the middle and loads of butterscotch liqueur.

Lois is a good cook, but she’s also a keen car and motorsport enthusiast.

She has a beautiful 2016 Mustang GT, with stage two tuning. “It’s extra fast and extra noisy, and it sounds gorgeous,” she says.

There were plenty of classy vehicles at this year’s festival, which attracted hundreds of cars from throughout the North Island. And great weather meant a great crowd of spectators over the three-day festival, which is

one of Orewa’s biggest annual events.

There was loads of entertainment, with live bands, rock ’n’ roll dancers, lots of contests and an auction, plus a drive-in movie at Dairy Flat Country Club on Friday night, and a thunder cruise out to the Puhoi pub on the Saturday evening. And it’s all for a good cause — funds raised by the festival go to the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust, and show organiser Sharon Morris hopes this year’s results will equal or exceed the record $60,000 raised for the rescue helicopter by last year’s festival.

Other Coatesville residents showing off their prized possessions at the show included Chris and Margo Wilson with their Mustang-powered Ford Bonus pickup. And Grant and I took along our 59 Chevy Apache pickup and our 78 Chevy Caprice car.

By Julie McKechnie

Fire Season

The lack of rain has made conditions in and around Coatesville extremely dry. The fire season status, which was classed as Restricted for some weeks, recently went up a level to Prohibited. This means there is a total fire ban in place so no fire permits will be issued. You can find out more information and keep an eye on any changes to the fire season status by visiting the Fire and Emergency New Zealand website at, checkitsalright.nz.

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Purpose Swimwear success

Rebecca on the podium with Minister Phil Twyford

P

urpose Swimwear, the business brain-child of Albany Senior High School student, Rebecca Renwick was awarded The Todd Foundation Award for third place at the Young Enterprise Scheme's national event in December.

Purpose Swimwear creates sustainable bikinis using material made from plastics collected from the ocean and encourages body positivity by allowing customers to mix and match styles to create their perfect reversible bikini.

Rebecca attended the awards night in Wellington and received the Todd Foundation Award from the Minister of Economic Development, Phil Twyford. Mr Twyford said: "The Young Enterprise Awards Scheme is a fantastic avenue for rangatahi to gain and sharpen their business leadership skills.

"I'm proud the Government supports this initiative and I got to present Rebecca and her company Purpose Swimwear the Innovation Award at the Young Enterprise Trust awards night. At just 18, she's started a business to sell sustanable women's swimwear made from plastic waste, such as bottles, bags and fishing nets collected from the ocean. It's amazing work and I'm sure Rebecca will do even more amazing stuff in the future. I know at least one alumnus from the scheme who has done pretty well, Jacinda Ardern."

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Rain Chen at Fernielea Café

Café gets a fresh look

F

or the past eight years the annual Christmas holiday is the only time Fernielea Café closes its doors to the public and business owner Rain Chen gets to put her feet up. However, this year, the mother of two used that time off to freshen-up the café's look and her family helped too, including Rain's four-year-old daughter Elvira.

"We spent the holiday at the café, and worked hard but it was worth it," says Rain.

Contractors replaced the roof and painted both the outside and inside of the building where there is still a small amount of painting to be completed. The customer bathroom has also been renovated and is now fully modernised.

At the front, trees have been removed to make way for the new carpark. This will be created before construction starts on the new kindergarten that will be built next door to the café.

"We still have more changes to come," says Rain. "We're going to update the counter and we're looking forward to meeting all the new kindy mums once the building has finished."

Fernielea's longstanding head chef Byron remains at the helm behind the kitchen door but will soon be joined by a new assistant chef. In the café, Rain says the focus is very much on making customers feel at home.

"We're known for our home baking and this year our range has really grown and it's also healthier than ever. We have gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and low-sugar options because people really care about what they eat."

More changes will be seen during the year and Rain hopes to confirm a relationship with a craft beer company in the near future.

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Volunteers in the cutting room (above) and sewing room (below)

Crafters make pouches for orphaned animals

SUBDIVIDING?

By Kathy Giannoulis

The scale of the devastation caused by the recent bushfires in Australia is difficult to comprehend. Nearly eighteen million acres of bushland has been burned with over three thousand homes damaged or destroyed. Along with the ecological and human tragedies, there are also the animal victims. It’s been estimated that more than half-a-billion have died as a result of the fires with countless more injured and orphaned.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless when you read these statistics. Our natural instinct is to want to help, so when a call went out over social media for crafters to put their skills to work making pouches to protect injured and orphaned wildlife, a group of locals from Coatesville and the surrounding areas sprung into action. On the Tuesday, 14 January, around twenty came together with their scissors and sewing machines and used fabric off-cuts to make multi-layered pouches for injured ringtails, koalas and joeys.

While there has been a tremendous, worldwide response to this disaster, there are many small wildlife charities that haven’t yet benefitted from the flow of aid to the larger, well-known organisations.

The pouches made by the Coatesville group have been forwarded to a New Zealand company who are co-ordinating their distribution to small organisations working directly with animals in need.

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The 36-member CoMeTz troop with their Sout Leaders

CoMeTz blaze a trail at at Jamboree 2020 By Phil Smith

A

fter more than a year of planning and fundraising, 10 Coatesville scouts boarded the bus on 28 December and set off for the 22nd NZ Scout Jamboree at Mystery Creek, Hamilton.

They joined forces with 12 scouts from Taiaotea (Browns Bay) and eight from Mairangi to make up the CoMeTz Jamboree Troop.

CoMeTz was chosen as our name as it includes the first letters of each participating scout group.

Three hours later, we arrived at our destination to find our shipping container of gear waiting for us and only minutes later, the Coatesville kitchen trailer pulled in.

Six Australian scouts joined the CoMeTz taking troop numbers to 36 and enabling us to divide into six patrols with each patrol doing a different set of activities each day.

A Patrol Leader, with help from an Assistant Patrol Leader, was entrusted to organise each patrol and ensure they had everything that was needed and were on time for each day’s activities.

The theme for this Jamboree was “Solve the Mystery” and the Opening Ceremony saw over 4000 scouts

and leaders converging in the Event Centre building. After formalities concluded, the scouts had free time to meet up with friends and explore the Jamboree site. It didn't take them long to locate the tuck shop!

Day three saw the start of organised activities which were done in patrols.

Some activities were off site in the greater Waikato area, including an overnight camp at Lake Karapiro before a day of water activities on the lake. These included kayaking, standup paddle boarding, sailing, rowing cutters, rafting and a “mystery” activity officially called “bird-watching”. This was actually a 10-minute jet boat trip up the Waikato River and a real highlight. To their credit, most scouts managed to keep the secret, so the next patrols got to enjoy the surprise.

Some of the places visited were Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, and Putaruru and each had a variety of attractions and skillbased challenges for the scouts to complete. Some of the highlights included the Kiwi house, laser tag, mini golf, the Blue Pool, and the Space Centre plus the chance to buy an ice cream or have lunch at McDonalds.

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Another popular off site saw scouts walk a few kilometres to the “Fast and furious” base which included activities such as shooting, archery, archery tag, quad bikes, drift carts and an assortment of other challenges, one of which involved pushing vehicles and changing tyres on a trailer.

Among the on-site activities were Challenge Valley, a wet and muddy obstacle course and Champion Scout of the World, involving inflatable activities like a water slide, mini zorbs and the human fly. Of course, there was also abseiling, disability-based team challenges, wood and metal woggle making, T-shirt printing, and other art activities.

Duty Patrol spent the day based on our troop campsite, having to prepare three meals and do all the dishes and camp chores for the entire day. As part of this they were responsible for getting all the food for the day from the catering distribution shed and had to attend a Master Chef-style session where they were given a demonstration about how to prepare the evening meal.

There were also planned chill days to make sure scouts had a chance to recharge their batteries.

Our Jamboree experience ended when the bus arrived back in Albany at 2.30pm on 7 January and everyone went their own ways.

The last year spent planning and fundraising, (each scout raising just over $1850) had proven well worth all the effort. All our scouts had a wonderful time, made some new friends and extended themselves through new challenges, chores and experiences and hopefully all will have memories for a lifetime. We would like to thank all those people and businesses in the community that have supported us and helped get our scouts to Jamboree.

Coatesville scouts who attended Jamboree were: Alexander Kidd, Toby Oades, Grayson Lewis, Sascha von Wallmoden, Jordan Stanley, Denver Mccoy, Joseph Brown, Max McCarthy, Ben McCarthy and Sam Giannoulis. 

Wild Wood volunteers from left: Christine Peek, Owen Sprosen, Phil Smith, Liz Rosie, Warren Howard, Tony Peek, John Ryan and Eric Haslam

Taming the Wild Wood

S

pring time at the Wild Wood proved a little challenging with an excessive amount of weeds reaching loftier heights than previously seen. Our local volunteers have made inroads with their monthly working bees, focussing on the newly planted riparian margins with the installation of protective sleeves around individual plants, and the application of herbicide spray to the

The route through the Wild Wood is proving to be a popular walking track for our locals offering cooling shade on a hot summer’s day. To enhance this space, the Coatesville Corridor Team engaged the skills of local craftsman Dee Ankersmit to build a seat (shown below) which has been installed beneath one of the existing Oak trees. This has been kindly paid for by the CHARAC from donated funds specifically for the reserve. The Wild Wood is an evolving natural space central to our Coatesville community, for the community’s use and is tucked away in the reserve between the Pony Club and the Playcentre.

If you would like to volunteer, our group meets on the third Sunday of every month for a couple from 9am to 11am. The next working bee is Sunday, 16 February. 

By Tanya Ankersmit, President, Coatesville Country Garden Club.

rich assortment of weeds on site: convolvulus, wandering buttercup, blackberry and the ever hardy kikuya.

On the pest management side of things, the rat bait has continued to be taken, with some 20kg used since their installation six months ago and four possums have been caught. There has been no sign of any mustelids, though they are notoriously hard to catch.

KUMEU SHOWGROUNDS

THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | FEBRUARY 2020 | 7

Helpful hints from the CRRA Clean & Green

Keep it green while you get clean.

Grey water is easy to collect and your plants will appreciate the effort.

Civil Defence

Keep an eye on grassy areas.

They could potentially be a fire hazard

Rodney Local Board Update

By Louise Johnston

H

appy New Year! I am really looking forward to working together in 2020. Below are a couple of updates over the last month.

Transport: I have always been quite critical about Auckland Transport’s (AT) communication and how they are very reactionary and ignore feedback from locals. However, I did think this was really improving with the delivery of the Dairy Flat Highway (DFH) safety project. Therefore, I am extremely disappointed to find out that the new right-hand turning bay at the intersection of DFH and Green Road is no longer part of this project. At all the community feedback sessions held last year, locals expressed their safety concerns about this intersection and felt it was a high priority. As a local I completely agree. The narrow bridge on DFH by Green Road is due to be replaced because it has reached the end of its useful life and therefore the plan was to widen the bridge and allow for safe turning into Green Road. I have a number of outstanding questions about this decision, which AT are yet to answer.

On another note, the roundabout at the intersection of DFH and Coatesville-Riverhead Highway is now scheduled for completion in September 2020. This slight delay is the result of the ground conditions for one of the retaining walls being unstable due to a historic landslide.

An alternative design for the retaining wall has now been developed. I must admit the construction team has worked hard on this project over the holiday period. And, in case you are wondering, the structure visible at the intersection is on private property and not part of the project.

8 | THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | FEBRUARY 2020

Louise at Green's bridge by the Green Road intersection

Safety improvements are about to start at the intersection of DFH and Potter’s Road. Included in this work is a new median strip barrier and shortening of the passing lanes.

Stay up to date on this project with the below link. https://at.govt.nz/projectsroadworks/dairy-flat-highway-safetyimprovements/ Local Board Plan: One of the guiding documents for the Local Board is the three-year Local Board Plan. This plan is a strategic three-year plan for the Local Board and outlines the community’s priorities and preferences. It guides all Local Board activity, funding and investment decisions.

We will soon be asking the community for feedback on what their priorities are for the next three years. If you want to see projects get funding, it is very important to provide feedback on this plan. On 1 March, the Local Board will be at the Coatesville Market and it would be great to see you there and hear your priorities for the community. You will also be able to provide feedback online and I will provide a link when available.

If you have any questions/issues, please contact me at louise.johnston@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Pony Club Success

Giving prisoners the vote

H

T

By Chris Penk, MP

appy New Year to all readers of The Coatesville Chronicle. I hope that you’ve had a great start to your 2020!

January marked the beginning of a new decade but also heralded an election year. That being so, the subject of prisoner voting is bound to be discussed at some length this year. This is particularly the case with the Labour-led government looking to change the law so that prisoners with a sentence of up to three years will be allowed to vote.

I hope that the debate will generate more light than heat(!) and in that spirit I’ll set out some of the key arguments on both sides.

The first argument in favour of allowing prisoners to vote is that voting is a civil and political right, a counter to which, of course, is that certain other rights (for example, freedom of movement) have already been surrendered by the fact of incarceration following criminal activity.

The next argument that will be made by those advocating change is that having a three-year sentence threshold for prisoner voting will mean that those prisoners are able to vote on the government that will be in power when they are released.

On the other hand, prisoners serving

any time at all have inevitably broken laws made by previous duly elected governments and in that sense they’ve already opted out of the democratic process to the detriment of their fellow citizens.

Another argument acknowledges the fact that allowing prisoners to vote will enable them to remain on the electoral roll. This is a good point but one that can also be addressed by introducing a mechanism for automatic enrolment on release.

I’ll conclude by encouraging everyone who is eligible to vote this year to ensure that you’re on the electoral roll. Whichever party or candidate you decide to support, voting (and attending public meetings and so on) is a great way to be involved in the democratic process that yesterday’s Kiwis worked so hard to ensure we enjoy today.

he New Year has got off to a great start at Coatesville Pony Club and there have already been some fantastic results achieved by riders from Waitamata district and Waitemata Rodney area.

In the National Dressage champs, Waitemata Rodney sent a team to compete against all the other areas in New Zealand and the team came fourth in the North Island and sixth overall. In this team the following riders were from Coatesville PC: Isabella Scopas, Mackenzie Sattler, Ella Simpson and Brea Walker.

At the North Island Show Jumping Champs held in Cambridge, Waitemata district sent a team made up entirely of Coatesville PC riders to compete against all the districts in the North Island. The team came sixth over all and included the following riders: Amelia Munro, Ella Simpson, Abby Rutherford, Grace Benshaw, Holly Richardson, Spike Jackson, and Phoebe Webster. Congratulations all!

Coatesville Open Ribbon day is on Waitangi Day, Thursday, 6 Feburary, with six rings lead rein to master, plus lunchtime entertainment of fancy dress and the exciting PONY 6 Bar and Hack 4 Bar. You can find the schedule for the day on our Facebook page.

Riders without horses started on Wednesdays at 5.30pm on 5 February and these sessions run for eight weeks and the rally, which started in late January, is underway.

Janet Badley, Chair, Coatesville PC

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THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | FEBRUARY 2020 | 9

Reader recipe

How to

I

Compost

f your summer holiday left you thinking, it's time we started to compost our food waste, then you're in luck! Auckland Council is supporting The Compost Collective to hold workshops in local communities that teach people how to get started with composting.

The workshops cover the three basic systems that can be used in the home and garden: traditional composting bins, worm farms and Bokashi buckets.

So it's a chance to learn the benefits of each system and find out what suits your needs the best.

Even better, the workshops are free and every confirmed participant receives a $40 discount for the composting system of their choice, which can be redeemed online.

Spaces are limited but you can book online and find more workshop dates at: compostcollective.org.nz/ workshops.

According to The Compost Collective, there's compelling evidence to motivate you to get started. They say approximately half of what Auckland households send to landfill could be composted – about 10 percent is from the garden, with the remaining 40 percent coming from the kitchen. These food scraps alone weigh in about 90,000 tonnes each year! But The Compost

Collective estimates at least 493 tonnes of food scraps were diverted from landfill last year. They says that's about the same weight as four and a half blue whales.

For those further along in their composting journey, The Compost Collective also offers sharewaste. co.nz which is an online portal connecting people who have food scraps to give with those seeking additional material for their compost or as food for their backyard chickens.

So those who don't have the space or need to compost can still find alternatives to putting food scraps in the landfill.

Visit the website to find a workshop near you and book online while you're there. New courses are added regularly during the year as well so it's worth checking back.

Don't miss out because it's firstcome, first-served for the Riverhead course on: Wednesday, 19 February, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Riverhead Citizens Hall, 1011 Coatesville/Riverhead Highway

We're already into the preserving end of summer with crops like tomatoes ready for the preserving pan.

This month's recipe is for Pure Tomato Sauce and comes from Stephanie Carr. It first appeared in Aunt Daisy's Cookbook many years ago and was updated by those in the know. If you're looking for a homemade alternative to ketchup, this is it.

Pure tomato sauce Ingredients: ● 2.7Kg ripe tomatoes ● 1 Tbspn whole allspice ● 450gm brown sugar ● 450ml cider vinegar ● 1 Tbspn salt

Before you start: 1. Wash the tomatoes and cut into quarters. Tie the whole allspice in a piece of muslin.

2. Wash the sauce bottles and lids in hot water, rinse them and put them in the oven to dry at 120°C for 30 mins.

Making the sauce: 1. Put all ingredients into a preserving pan and bring slowly to the boil, stirring. Simmer uncovered for 2-3 hours until the ingredients are reduced to a pulp. Stir often.

2. Strain through a coarse sieve then pour into sterilised bottles using a funnel and a seal. Makes about one litre of sauce. ●

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Ph Angela 021 0832 9352 Clothes from Shellz Design, made to order, and my range of designer clothing plus alterations.

Michelle 027 472 9080.

Coatesville Mulch Mowing 1 to 50 acres, local contractor, affordable rates. Phone Warren and Brenda Mills on 415 6503 or 021 191 4195 Connect Electrics For all your electrical solutions, Phone Kris 022 332 6663 or 412 6066 Drapes, Blinds, Shutters: For the perfect fitting window treatments call Linda 09 416 0408, 021 914 121 Alterations & Repair service available. www.interiortailor.co.nz English Tuition Individual or group lessons for NCEA, Cambridge, IB, IELTS, English conversation and

Need to advertise?

For all advertising enquiries, call 021 724 001 or email coatesvillechronicle @gmail.com

grammar. Any level.

Phone Diane 021 993680 Gardener: The Intrepid Gardener I will nurture & take care of your garden on a monthly basis. I'm conscientious, diligent & creative.

For a no-obligation chat, please contact: Phill 021 928 469 Holistic Healing via Reiki Deep relaxation helps relieve stress, pain and anxiety. Improves energy levels, gives an increased sense of wellbeing and confidence.

Phone Debbie 021 110 9169 GET IN SHAPE Local private gym for one-on-one training or small group sessions, specialising in weight loss, general fitness and rehabilitation.

Call Debbie 027 441 8769.

LAWN MOWING, You Grow & Joe will mow. Lifestyle, commercial and residential. Ph Joe 021 624 494 / joseph@propertyfit.co.nz Local Shearer, Kevin Abel, 021 223 5033 Pilates in Coatesville Hall, Thursday @ 6pm. Special – 2 free lessons for new clients. $12 school term, $15 concession card and $20 casual class. Contact Abraham on 021 122 1530 or abrahampardo@gmail.com Scout Marquee for hire, 6m x 8m, $250 per day. Call Garth 447 1863 Who’s your caterer? Beautifully presented, great tasting food, at competitive prices. Phone Helen Cato 415 7771 or 021 211 8223.

Zumba in the Settlers Hall, Get your groove on at Hana's Zumba classes on Mondays at 10am, at the Settlers Hall. $15 per session or $12 each if you buy five. For more information, call Hana on 021 0221 2714.

Coatesville Furniture Co.

High quality hand-crafted outdoor lounge suites, tables, and coffee tables manufactured in Coatesville.

Call today or visit us at Coatesville Market.

Phone: 022 046 9957

Are You Looking for an Eco-Sustainable, Odourless Wastewater and Sewage System?

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THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | FEBRUARY 2020 | 11

New Year, New Opportunities

W

elcome to 2020. I hope you're still feeling relaxed and recharged even though we're already into the second month!

Here we are entering a new decade so let’s make this decade the best we can! Reflecting back to December 2019, there was a definite change in real estate, for example Bayleys North Shore achieved the most sales in December in the past eight years. For me this momentum reflected through to one of the busiest real estate Decembers I have seen for a number of years in Coatesville.

The buyers I worked with in December were both conditional buyers (those with a house to sell) as well as cash buyers (ready to purchase). This change was very different compared to the rest of 2019 where the majority of buyers were only selling once they secured a contract on another property, therefore contracts were conditional on their house sale.

This change is a result of the number of properties that sold in both the city and North Shore quicker than they had done earlier in the year, so buyers were able to transact on an unconditional basis in our lifestyle market.

We also saw a substantial shift following the overseas investment law change in 2018. This saw a huge reduction in the number of overseas buyers looking for property locally. However, don't underestimate Kiwi buyers who right now are paying great prices for the right property.

Since Christmas and New Year, there have been genuine buyers in Coatesville; not only looking at property, but actively going to paper. This is something we have not experienced before at this time of year and I would say we haven't seen this level of positivity in the market since 2016.

With all of this said, we do need to take a breath and understand that, yes, the transactions are happening where there is a willing buyer and willing seller. Now, what about value? Value is very much hinged on a strong negotiation with both parties – sellers wanting to get as much as they can and buyers still wanting to pay as little as possible – this never changes.

The key difference is there is far more emotional commitment to the transaction with both parties taking the opportunity to make a deal happen so that everybody can move on with their lives.

Totally a win-win.

Make 2020 your year for opportunity in achieving your goals and fulfilling your New Year resolutions.

Call me today and let’s make this happen!

THE ORIGINAL PET DOOR SPECIALISTS Quality cat and dog doors supplied NZ wide for installation into glass, timber or aluminium (installation available – Auckland only).

Collapsible pet recuperation/containment cages available for sale or hire.

0800 88 0800 www.petdoorsrus.co.nz 021 802 074 a/h for emergency cage hire (available Auckland only)

• Water Filters • UV Sterilisers • Reverse Osmosis • Water Coolers • Whole House • Water Pumps • Tanks • Rain Harvesting • Pre-Tank Filters Call Steve 021278 7427

steve@aquafilter.co.nz

Rodney Sales & Service 09 425 6080

We Service All Leading Brands! www.aquafilter.co.nz

Chris Penk 0272 984 000

MP for Helensville Stop in, the office is open!

365 Main Road, Huapai 09 412 2496 chris.penkmp@parliament.govt.nz chrispenk.national.org.nz

Authorised by Chris Penk, 365 Main Road, Huapai, Auckland.

12 | THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | FEBRUARY 2020