T Volunteers Halt Rabbit Attack at Green Rd Park
hanks to the efforts of local volunteers – including students from Coatesville School – over 4000 native seedlings have been planted at Green Rd Park in recent weeks.
So, when word got out that rabbits had been helping themselves to lush foliage of some varieties of the seedlings, action had to be taken. Enter the next platoon of volunteers. The group above arrived with hammers and mallets. Although that sounds alarming, the tools were only needed to knock in bamboo stakes that support plant protectors made from hessian sacking provided by Auckland Council.
In less than an hour, the 12 or so volunteeres had secured 100 protectors and moved on to mulching any seedlings that had been missed.
After staking plant protectors around native seedlings and mulching, volunteers were still smiling.
Plant Protectors
Mountains of mulch
Winter is here and it's election year. Although Saturday, 7 November is still a few months away, historically, things slow down prior to a general election. The Coatesville Chronicle is a slimline version this time – 8 pages instead of 12 pages – because things are a bit tight out there. So, if you can, support a Coatesville Chronicle advertiser, please give them a call. They want a chance to do business with you and I'd like to help them earn back their advertising spend. Because, quite simply, without advertisers, there would be no Chronicle, so let's show our support to these good sorts.
Matariki celebrations will be in full swing soon and Friday, 10 July, is a public holiday. If you're interested in Matariki-themed events, go to Aucklandlive.co.nz to find out what's on in Auckland and how you can get more involved with Maori New Year.
Your editor, Vanessa Johnson
Email: coatesvillechronicle@gmail.com, Phone: 021 724 001
Dear Coatesville Residents, My wife and I have been in Coatesville for 35 years and in earlier days we enjoyed attending a variety of social functions in our hall. For instance: an Annual Ball (pretty casual), Traditional Irish Ceili band and calling the steps.
Hypnotist (hilarious), Quiz night in teams with auction afterwards from generous donors.
Most times we sat around tables of 10 with food catering.
There are tribute bands like ABBA, The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac as examples. Cover bands, Karaoke evenings, line dancing etc
You may have some ideas say, for a fundraiser for instance. Before we do anything it is important to know if there is any demand for fun evenings like we used to have.
For those Coateswellians who may be interested in events as mentioned, please email me with a response 1,2,3,4 or 5 showing your interest, with 1 (not really) to 5 (Real keen)
Anyway, keen to hear your ideas and thoughts.
Best Regards, John de Vere.
devere@outlook.co.nz
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. © 2026 All rights reserved.
Diary Dates
∞ 23 June to 23 July Aucklanders are being asked to give feedback to the 21 Local Board draft plans which determine the priorities the community wants Local Boards to focus on through to 2029. Go to www.akhaveyoursay. nz/localboardplans
∞ 29 June to 2 July, Mill Flat Bridge will close for 24-hours-aday over four days so asphalting can take place. Weather dependent.
∞ 3 July, Friday, Term 2 ends today at Coatesville School so students are half-way through the school year!
∞ 5 July, Sunday, Friends of Green Road Park July working bee
∞ 7 July, Tuesday, 1pm-3pm Coatesville Country Garden Club Annual Garden Fair Coatesville Settlers Hall.
∞ 8-11 July Matariki Celebrations with Friday 10 July being the public holiday.
∞ 20 July, Monday, Term 3 Starts today at Coatesville School
∞ 12 August, Wednesday 6.30pm The Coatesville Residents and Ratepayers AGM All locals are invited to come along to the Settlers Hall for the AGM and to meet the candidates in this year's general election.
Congrats to end of season award winners
Pony Club Season Ends
And just like that, the Pony Club season is over! From rally night learnings, to hosting events, building great friendships, developing horse management skills, building better partnerships with your equine friend – this sums up the Pony Club season. It’s been an absolute blast. We hosted our end of season prize giving at the Coatesville Hall – celebrating all the accomplishments of our riders across both the junior and senior groups. The types of awards included best pony club mount, horsemanship appreciation, most improved, sportsmanship and attitude and highlighting excellence across each discipline. We also celebrated those riders who represented our club and district as well as those who completed their certifications. Well done riders – you should be very proud!
Riders also found their creative sides by building a hobby horse from raw materials – think cardboard, socks, strings and ribbons. It’s always great seeing the different age groups working together and having fun.
Finally, a massive thank you to all our entire Pony Club community for supporting us this season. From our key sponsors, our committee, coaches, volunteers, parents and riders – we could not do this without you.
If you are interested in joining us next season – we would love to hear from you! You can get involved by joining our committee, becoming a sponsor, helping at events or joining our weekly rallies. Please email us at coatesvillepc@gmail.com
DESIGNED & BUILT FOR WORK & LIFE
4 Days of Ashphalting A
uckland Transport's contractor of choice, JFC, have annoued the following regarding the Mill Flat Road bridge project:
"We are in the final stages of the Mill Flat Road Bridge and the associated road improvements along Coatesville Riverhead Highway and Mill Flat Road. We are on track to complete the project as planned in mid2026.
"From Monday 29th of June at 7:00am, asphalt resurfacing of the intersection will require the full closure of the bridge. We anticipate this bridge closure to be the last one required before completing the project.
"Factors such as wet weather could affect the start date and duration of the activities, as these are weather sensitive. Due to the weather sensitivity of this work, we encourage residents and businesses to sign up for email updates, so any potential delays on the closure date can be communicated promptly to everyone."
For more infomration, email:
MillFlatBridge@jfcltd.co.nz
Local Board Update
The O Mahurangi – Penlink highway and bridge is well underway, and while it is outside of the Rodney boundary, we have managed to benefit directly from its construction.
Due to the scale of the project the residual environmental effects required a comprehensive ecological offsetting and compensation programme. One of the key offset sites is Green Road Park in Dairy Flat, where around 20% or 100,000 native plants of the total offset programme required, will be planted as part of significant terrestrial, wetland, and riparian restoration works.
This is a huge bonus for our area – advancing the Green Road Park master plan much more quickly than council budgets would allow.
Feedback is open on our local board plan until 23 July. Please tell us what you like, don’t like or what we have missed. This plan will inform the next 3-year work programme.
https://akhaveyoursay. aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/localboard-plans-2026/rodney-localboard-plan-2026
During the election I heard very clearly from residents that they did NOT support the continuation of the transport targeted rate when it expires in 2028 and that has been my position in Local Board discussions. This is the $150 + GST per year per property
By Lisa Whyte
you’ve been paying on your rates since 2018. It has delivered the 126 bus route, footpath, car parks and crossing in Coatesville and the crossing going in on Mahoenui Valley Road at the school, and some of the paths in Green Road Park so far.
In addition, we are allocating the remaining transport targeted rate being collected in the Dairy flat subdivision to develop more of the Green Road Park pathway network, and Sunnyside to Green Road connections. This will provide better facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders in the safety of the park than that which our roads can provide as development occurs. It’s great to
Shop 7, Keith Morris Lane, Ōrewa 09 426 6215
mark.mitchellmp@parliament.govt.nz
Authorised by M Mitchell, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.
see the park getting busier all the time with hundreds of people enjoying it every week. The pony club is moving to its long term location and the fantastic efforts of the Friends of Green Road group are making the vision come to life. They’re always keen for more volunteers if you’d like to get involved.
I will share the consultation link for the proposal to signalise the intersection of The Avenue and Dairy Flat highway when it’s available. This will disproportionately impact 20,000 Dairy Flat Highway drivers per day, but will make the intersection safer for the 5,000 Avenue vehicles per day apparently. The advice given to the Upper Harbour Local Board is that the impacts on us will be less than minor – a few extra minutes! On top of very slow peak time journeys. This is apparently about safety not corridor efficiency and because it excludes the bridge, won’t improve traffic. It’s likely being done to improve the case for the Paremoremo prison expansion going through the fast track process currently.
As always please feel free to get in touch.
You can email Lisa at: Lisa.Whyte1@AucklandCouncil.govt. nz
Lisa Whyte, Rodney Local Board
Getting To Know Our Women In Business Network
Samantha Webster is the Coatesville woman behind the CWIB group which started this year. Samantha spoke to the Coatesville Chronicle this month and shared her vision about connecting women and the power of networks like the CWIB.
CC: What inspired you to establish the Coatesville Women In Business network?
SW: While living in London, I actively supported and sponsored a New Zealandfocused women’s business network and experienced first-hand the value of those connections. It showed me how powerful it can be when women come together to share ideas, support one another and build meaningful relationships.
Samantha Webster
Having lived in Coatesville for the past 11 years, after selling my businesses, I finally had the time to focus on two things I’m passionate about: building genuine connections and supporting local people and business.
Coatesville Women in Business (CWIB) was created as a free, local networking community for women who want to connect, collaborate, learn and support one another. It’s not a business or commercial endeavour and there’s no membership fee.
CC: What happens at one of your events?
SW: Our events typically attract 30-40 attendees. Each gathering begins with informal networking over drinks and nibbles, giving people the opportunity to meet new faces and reconnect with familiar ones. We then hear from a local or guest speaker who shares their personal business, career or life journey, along with the lessons and insights they’ve gained along the way.
PROOF 2
CC: In a world where community is becoming increasingly digital, why did you choose face-to-face events?
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SW: Technology has made communication easier than ever, but I believe there’s still enormous value in connecting in person. Face-to-face conversations build stronger relationships, foster trust and create a sense of belonging that’s difficult to replicate online.
Date: 18/07/2024
Designer: Dayna
APPROVAL DEADLINE Thursday 25/07/2024
Women value opportunities to share experiences, exchange ideas and support one another and networking events provide a space for those conversations to happen.
CC: How do people join in?
SW: There’s no formal membership. People can stay up to date with upcoming events through the Coatesville Women in Business Facebook page, where event details and Eventbrite registration links are shared.
CWIB is designed to be welcoming and inclusive, allowing people to participate in whatever way feels comfortable. At each event, we invite local business owners, community members and subject matter experts to share their stories, experiences and insights. Our events are currently hosted and sponsored by The Arbory Café in Coatesville on the third Wednesday of each month, from 5pm to 8pm. There is no charge to attend, but there is a cash bar available.
CC: Has anything surprised you about the group so far, and how is it evolving?
SW: I continue to be inspired by the incredible women in our community and the depth of experience, knowledge and talent they bring. Our attendees come from a diverse range of industries and sectors. What stands out most is not only their expertise, but also their willingness to share it. The group has developed into a genuinely supportive community where people learn from one another, build meaningful connections and celebrate each other’s successes.
CC: What do you aspire to achieve long term?
SW: My goal is for Coatesville Women in Business to continue growing as a supportive and inspiring community where women at all stages of their career and business journeys feel welcome.
Site(s): RWNZ5108 Ray White Swanson
Business: Totally Amped Electrical
Ship To: 14 Bethells Road, Auckland 0816 New Zealand
While we already have a diverse range of attendees, I’d love to see more aspiring entrepreneurs, job-seekers and younger women join us and be inspired by the stories and experiences shared by our speakers. There’s real value in connecting across generations, and I’m exploring ideas such as future mother-daughter or family-focused events. I’d also like to continue partnering with local businesses and hosting events in different spaces, supporting local enterprises while creating fresh opportunities for connection. ∞
Contact: Coel Jackson
Phone: 021 770 696
Email: totallyampedelectrical@gmail.com
8109 graphics@movingtogether.com
Why Clarity And Advice Matter In Estate Planning
hen Mark’s Aunty Beth moved into a retirement village, she updated her will and enduring powers of attorney, appointing Mark to be her attorney because she had no children. She wanted all six nieces and nephews to benefit from her estate when she passed, with Mark receiving more in recognition of the care he’d given. Beth decided to leave her share portfolio to her nephews and nieces. Mark would receive the residue, including any money in her bank accounts and the money from the sale of her apartment in the village.
Years later, Beth fell and broke her hip and couldn’t return to her apartment. While staying in the hospital part of the village her health started to decline. The village arranged for Beth to be assessed, and the results showed both cognitive and physical decline. Mark was called in to discuss.
The village had care suites for purchase, giving Beth her own room with the care she needed. The cost of the suites was significant. The village said that it could be paid for from the sale proceeds of her apartment, but because Beth had purchased the apartment when it was cheap, she would need to pay a top up amount
to the village to cover the care suite cost. Mark contacted the investment advisors and withdrew enough from the portfolio to purchase the care suite and cover Beth’s ongoing care, as she didn’t qualify for the residential care subsidy and the weekly costs were high. When the care suite sold Mark decided to just put them in a term deposit in Beth’s name as the share market was a bit shaky and he thought it was better to go “safe” in the meantime.
Sadly, months later, Beth passed away. Mark saw her lawyer and found that he was appointed executor of her estate together with the lawyer. He saw that he had been left the share portfolio as well as a sixth of the residue of her estate. Mark explained to the lawyer that there was hardly anything left in the share portfolio as the money had been withdrawn to pay for the care suite and that he had invested the apartment proceeds in the bank. The lawyer told Mark that because Beth had specifically said that her nephews and nieces were to get the share portfolio and he receive the residue, he would now get the lion’s share of her estate.
Mark was distraught, he didn’t know what was in Beth’s will. He never
intended to reduce the amounts his cousins would receive and thought he’d been doing the right thing. One of his cousins would be furious about receiving less than she would have if the share portfolio had remained intact. He braced himself for a will dispute and an investigation into his actions as Beth’s attorney.
This highlights the importance of being transparent when updating your will and involving those affected in the discussion, helping to reduce the risk of misunderstandings and unintended consequences.
The protection of assets that we have worked so hard to acquire is an
Thoughtfully navigating modern family dynamics when planning your generational wealth transfer helps prevent future conflicts and ensures everyone’s intentions are respected.
A specialist can guide you in finding the right structure tailored to your needs. Protecting your family’s wealth for generations to come.
Contact our Trusts and Wealth Protection Team for specialist asset structuring and planning advice.
Tammy McLeod, Trust Law specialist, Managing Director, Davenports Law
Classifieds
Agricultural contractor mulching/ gorse clearing, mowing (& lawns), rotary hoeing/seeding, stump grinding, Graeme 027 533 3114
Born To Build Ltd - Outdoor building specialists - We are here to help you create your outdoor vision, call Leon with all your deck, fence, retaining, pergola and horse & yard works! We are a small local quality business, been in the area for 10 years, helping our customers create their outdoor living dreams! Leon 022 0431443 borntobuild@hotmail.co.nz
Clean Queen I'll have your house looking like a castle. References supplied. Ph Angela 021 0832 9352 Coatesville Mulch Mowing 1 to 50 acres, local contractor, affordable rates. Phone Warren and Brenda Mills on 415 6503 or 022 315 1953
Connect Electrics For all your electrical solutions, Phone Kris 022 332 6663 or 412 6066
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.
Haven Hair Design Need a new look or just a trim? Senior hair stylist and salon owner Lisa Cross will help you look and feel your best. Phone 09 415 4424 or book
online, www. havenhairdesign.co.nz
Lifestyle block mowing Tractor paddock mowing, ride on. Modern equipment, reliable service, reasonable rates phone Peter on 0272217924 at Greenfields Mowing.
Local Shearer, Kevin Abel, 021 223 5033
Mister Sharp Mobile Knife, Scissor & Garden Tool Sharpening Service. Onsite at your home or business, priced per item with no call-out charges - just a minimum spend please of $50. Ph 027 444 3348
Odd Job Company For building & landscaping projects, call Peter 027 453 0570
Painters & Decorators Marshall Painters can help with all your painting needs; interiors, exteriors, even waterblasting to make sure you get the top quality finish we're famous for. Call Marcus on 021 024 86516 or email marshallpainters@gmail.com.
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
Call Garth
Economic Expert
We were privileged to have Cameron Bagrie, renown New Zealand economist, speak at our recent Bayleys @ 5 event.
Cameron focused on the importance of improving how we understand and manage risk. He said the best the Government can do is take us to the zero line, which is ‘Don't make it too hard, but don't muck it up either’. He stated that government can only take things so far; so individuals and businesses still need to take responsibility, make sound decisions and have “skin in the game”.
He also explained how risk management is something that's part of everyday life; from parenting and education through to economics, capital productivity and government spending. A key theme being the need to build resilience, particularly in young people, by teaching them that the world is not always easy or fair. Economically, the focus is on managing capital well and ensuring government spending is efficient and productive.
A market force he referenced as having a significant future impact on the country's economy, is the ongoing boom in migration to New Zealand in the coming years. Look what an amazing country we live in - we are the lucky ones! he said.
He gave the recent budget a thumbs up. But described it as a “broccoli budget”, not everyone likes it but it’s necessary and ultimately good for us. This is what needs to be in our diets. He said this budget should have been delivered in 2024. However, he commented that in his opinion, the Government has begun showing stronger leadership, including by opening discussions around the retirement age.
Local Mortgage Adviser
“Need lending? Call me, I’m here to help. I work with banks and specialist non-bank lenders to access finance not available direct to the public.”
Call Karen Renwick 021 126 7963 karen.renwick@mortgagelink.co.nz
Politically, he emphasised the importance of stable leadership. He said leadership matters; having a clear view and direction is better than having no view at all. Stability is crucial for economic confidence, particularly in a global environment marked by uncertainties like global instability, Trump-related uncertainty, fuel costs and shifting trade dynamics.
In the property market, the recovery was described as unusual, beginning in Southland and Otago rather than the main centres. He said the market remains under pressure partly because past assumptions about house prices continually doubling, no longer align with income growth.
He identified migration as a likely major driver of future property demand and finished by saying New Zealand will be looking pretty good compared to other countries.
Cameron’s talk left us with a positive vibe to end a great evening. Let me know how I can move your real estate journey forward to be part of this!
Cameron Bagrie at the recent Bayleys @ 5 event in Coatesville
Publicly Available Disclosure information is available at www.mortgagelinkalbany.co.nz