hat's not to like about October?! Spring, the start of term 4 at school and Ag Day this coming weekend, plus the month ends with a long weekend!
In no time it will be Guy Fawkes' night. In spite of everyone being aware of the issues, each year there are animal casualties. Communication can help prevent this, so let neighbours know if you're planning to let off lots of fireworks so they can move sheep and cattle and stable horses. Domestic pets are easier to protect indoors but Auckland Council has some advice on page 6 that will help pet owners to think ahead and keep animals safe.
OCTOBER CONTENTS
October Events – Lots to choose from!
Local Business Support & Fernieilea Café Re-opens Pony Club News & Enrolments
Guy Fawkes Advice for Pet Owners & Scouts Term 3 Update
Gardeners Waikato trip
Local Board Update & Helpful Hints
Life Changes in Your Will Ailsa's October Listings
Classifieds
∞ 19 October, Saturday Coatesville School's AG Day. Come along and support the largest fundraising event of the year for our local school.
∞ 19-20 October BNZ Diwali Festival at Aotea Square. This event celebrates the Hindu Festival of Light. Loads of events across two days with fireworks at 8.50pm on Sunday night.
∞ 23 October CRRA Meets at the Settlers Hall
Welcome: Jethro Riggans
Gala Dinner Fundraiser
Pest Free Coatesville - Bring Back the Kiwi - 29 March 2025
∞ 24 October Thursday 7.30pm Coatesville Settlers Hall AGM.
∞ 26-28 October NZME Miniatures Exhibition at Massey Uni. Check out the details on page 3.
∞ 28 October Monday It's Labour Day. Enjoy sleeping late today.
∞ 31 October Halloween Party at the hall from 3.30pm
∞ 5 November, Tuesday Guy Fawkes Night Animal owners, secure your horses, livestock and pets. Remember to notify neighbours with animals if you're planning to let off fireworks at home.
MC: Ric Salizzo Huapai Golf Club
Theme: Flora and Fauna
OCTOBER EVENTS
31 OCTOBER 2024 3:30PM - 6:30PM
HALLOWEEN AT THE HALL
Spooktacular Halloween Party
Coatesville Settlers Hall will be the scene of a Halloween party to remember on Thursday, 31 October.
For a gold coin donation, you can visit the Scare House - if you dare - and take part in fun activities. And of course there will be candy bags, spot prizes and a photo booth to capture your costume magic.
When you're ready to sink your teeth into something satisfying
and delicious, Made to Please Food Truck will be selling smash burgers, buttermilk fried chicken burgers, loaded fries and hot coffees.
The event is being hosted by Barfoot and Thompson Coatesville and is sponsored by GJ Gardner Homes and Mastercraft Kitchens by The Kitchen People. All donations will go to the Starship Children's Hospital.
Settlers Hall AGM
The Coatesville Settlers Hall AGM takes place on Thursday, 24 October from 7.30pm, at, - you guessed it - the Settlers Hall. All locals are welcome to attend, but only members can vote. You can join on the night for $2 payable at the door. There will be reports from the chair and treasurer and the committee for the coming year will be elected. Chairman, The meeting will also consider, and if approved, adopt a new constitution for the incorporated society that conforms with the new Incorporated Societies Act 2022.
Miniatures Exhibition at Massey University
Every two years miniaturists and members of NZAME (New Zealand Association of Miniature Enthusiasts) from Miniature Clubs around New Zealand and Australia (and sometimes from other areas of the World!) join each other for a weekend of learning, meeting others, displaying their miniature items, scenes, rooms and houses for everyone to see and also for the public to view and enjoy.
This year, North Shore Miniatures are hosting the Convention and Show at the wonderful Massey University and we would Love to see everyone there
to enjoy the displays. This really is a fantastic outing for the whole family to come and enjoy!
Open to the public from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, Sunday and also on Monday. Massey University's café will also be open for snacks and lunch. So, come along, there's plenty of free parking and enjoy the exhibition of miniature displays of all sorts, shapes and sizes that have been created by NZAME members and Clubs - Many exhibits will be unveiled here for the first time.
Hope to see you all there!
Support for Local Businesses
orth West Country Incorporated is the business association of the North West. Covering Riverhead, Kumeu, Huapai, Waimauku, Helensville, Parakai and Kaukapakapa we are one of the biggest Business Improvement Districts in Auckland. Our unique business membership means that we understand rural business issues, challenges, audience, and more importantly – solutions.
Our main driver is to be your support for a thriving business community. We have established a business hub in Helensville that provides hot desk office space as well as a fullyequipped board room for members to use and our Business Manager, Danielle Hancock, can be found working from the hub from time to time.
Danielle Hancock, Business Manager
∞ A free business directory listing,
∞ Free marketing on our social media channels and business magazine,
Fernielea Cafe Re-Opens
Site(s): RWNZ5108
Ray White Swanson
Business: Totally Amped Electrical
Established in 2014 when the Helensville and Kumeu business associations merged, North West Country serves our business members in our seven rural towns. Any business is eligible to become a member. Any business in the nominated zones can become full members, and we also welcome businesses that are based at home, or in neighbouring villages such as Coatesville. Joining is simple, just head to our website for more details. We offer a range of membership options based on your needs.
∞ Access to business assistance grants,
∞ Free training opportunities,
∞ Networking events,
∞ Competitions,
∞ Discounted member offers,
∞ Free business coaching and much more.
The local café scene just doubled with the re-opening of Fernielea Café under new proprietor, Simon Shen. Simon says week one went well and gave the team a chance to fine tune the menu which includes some asian inspired dishes alongside café classics like eggs benedict.
To meet our goals of supporting a thriving community, members are entitled to:
Ship To: 14 Bethells Road, Auckland 0816 New Zealand
Contact: Coel Jackson
Phone: 021 770 696
By having a Business Manager dedicated to your best outcomes, you can seek advice and support from Danielle including advocacy and logging issues with the Auckland Council and Auckland Transport. We have over 700 businesses on board and we would love to support Coatesville businesses and help you achieve your goals.
Email: totallyampedelectrical@gmail.com
For now, Fernielea will open from 7am till 4pm 7 days and dogs are welcome on the verandah as well as at outside tables. Simon says once the café has its liquor license, he will consider also opening for dinners on some nights. Right now, head chef Betty is looking for more kitchen staff to help with the upcoming summer season. Plus, there's still time to book an Xmas party or catering for your end of year event. So get in touch! Phone: 09 414 2100 Email: Fernieleacafecoatesville @gmail.com
Simon Shen using with the state-ofthe-art Altura coffee machine.
Pony Club Rallies Starting Now!
We still have a few places left in our rally groups this season from lead rein up to adult ride. With unmounted rallies starting on the 15th, there is still time to grab your spot for this season. In fact, our adult rallies have increased to four groups which is fantastic. We can’t wait to share updates as the season progresses.
Did you manage to get along to the John Deere demonstration day? BRANDT from Silverdale, one of our club sponsors, hosted their demonstration day at our grounds to showcase their great range of compact tractors and construction equipment. If you are needing a new toy to add to your lifestyle block – make sure you get in touch with them.
Pony Club News Round Up!
∞ Congratulations to Kate Ashton, Mikayla Gow, Ruby Ling, Tessa Horne, Molly Gleeson and Marielle Van Houts who have all been selected to be part of the Waitemata Rodney Area Development and Performance Squad.
∞ Tyson Miller Horsemanship Clinic is being held in November at our club. You don’t want to miss it! This is an excellent opportunity to build your horsemanship from the ground to the saddle
∞ Interclub ODE is being held on the 27 October at Woodhill. We have a large group of riders representing our club from 50cm’s to 95cm’s. Wishing all our riders the best of luck!
∞ Our events calendar is already underway so make you check out the upcoming events on our website and Facebook page. We look forward to sharing our Pony Club news over the coming months. If you have any questions about memberships, sponsorship opportunities or how you can support our horsey community – please contact: coatesvillepc@gmail.com
By Tarryn Bellingham
Keeping Pets Safe on Guy Fawkes' Night
Auckland Council says the days surrounding fireworks night are the busiest of the year for the council’s animal management officers out in the field, picking up roaming pets. It’s the time of the year when owners need to take extra care.
In previous years, the council’s shelters have been full around Guy Fawkes season, with pets often sporting injuries from being so scared and determined to escape the noises. Some pets have been involved in traffic accidents as they tried to find safety.
If you have lost your pet, call Animal Management on 09 301 0101 and try asking on local community Facebook pages and community sites such as Neighbourly or Pets on the Net.
Here are some tips for dog owners:
∞ Ensure your dog is registered and microchipped as this will assist in your dog being reunited with you as quickly as possible if it strays.
∞ Keep windows and doors closed to minimise the noise and light flashes.
∞ Close the curtains.
Turn on soothing music or the TV to distract your dog.
∞ Walk your dog well before fireworks are likely to start or have a play session to tire your dog out.
∞ Pop your dog out to the toilet before fireworks are likely to start.
∞ If your dog wants to hide inside, let them, this is where they feel safe. Issues around noise
Some noise from fireworks is to be expected during the Guy Fawkes period. If you notice fireworks being let off on a private property at unreasonable times (after 11pm or very early in the morning), and you know the address of the property, you can call our contact centre on 09 301 0101 and noise control can investigate. Remember, your pets need reassurance, so stay home if you can or make sure they're safely confined until you get back.
F Term 3: Cubs & Scouts Stay Busy through the Winter
or the first time in quite a few years, this term ended without a scout camp, due mostly to bad weather in July and also a lack of any other convenient weekends. However, we still had a very successful term.
Scout sessions covered everything from native plant, bird and animal identification to maps and compass skills, flags and even some knots. During the Olympic games we held a fun night of indoor “Olympic Challenges”. This was a combined session with the Cubs and proved a great success with mixed teams of cubs and scouts competing against each other for medals.
A group of 14 attended the North Shore Gang Show at the Pumphouse Theatre in Takapuna. Gang Show is a bi-annual stage show performed by scouts and some cubs from groups all over the two zones from Devonport to Warkworth. A fun night of skits and songs with a few “dad” jokes thrown in for good measure.
The last few weeks of term saw both Cubs and Scouts challenged with small building projects, using tools and working from basic plans. The Cubs all built starling nest boxes, working in pairs to help each other when things needed to be held while being nailed. The Cubs did all the nailing and then had to measure and saw off their own perch and nail that on too. The boxes were painted the following week, and the Cubs then made toy wooden tomahawks and decorated them with wool and feathers.
The Scouts meanwhile made cement mushrooms over a three-week period. First, they had to pack an empty flower pot with sand and create a hollow mold for their mushroom. Next, they had to mix just enough water with cement mortar to get a smooth flowing consistency and pour this into their mold. Lastly, they had to saw a stick to length for the
mushroom stalk and drill and hammer in nails and gently stand them up in the setting cement.
Week two involved removing the mushrooms from the molds, cleaning them up, painting them and standing them upright to dry. The final task was to paint on the white spots and take them. Everyone had lots of fun making them and most scouts learned some new skills while doing so.
Our Keas have also had a full term, also making things and lots of other fun activities including a trip to Gills Reserve in Albany and an outing to the Zone Kea Fun Day in Riverhead on a Saturday morning. This term also saw several Keas move up to Cubs which has helped grow our Cub numbers.
There are still spaces at Coatesville for Cubs and Scouts for children aged 8 to 15 and we are always looking for more adults, parents or grandparents to help as leaders. If anyone is interested in helping our youth for a few hours a week, please get in touch and we will guide you through the process.
Membership or leader enquires to coatesville@group.scouts.nz or phone Phil 021 129 2371
By Phil Smith, Coatesville Scout Leader
Cherry Blossom Charms
An early start for the Garden Club's October trip away enabled an easy journey to the wonders of the Waikato. A lingering coffee break at Hampton Downs was enjoyed alongside a lot of racing machinery.
After a cruisy drive to Matangi, we arrived at our first garden. English Cherry Tree Manor. In past years, owners Anne and Paul have held an annual Blossom Festival at this time of year with music, themed days, multicultural and performance days. They established their garden in 1996 from just grass paddocks and over the years it has expanded to the lush haven including ponds, streams, waterfalls, drystone walls, over 15,000 bluebells in the woods and a wide variety of plantings that it is today. We walked down the stunning blossom tree-lined drive, the 'centre piece' in spring. A bonus was a curious group of alpacas.
After an hour there we had a short drive to the Waitakaruru Arboretum
and Sculpture Park. The park had thousands of trees including 90 Awanui Cherry trees for us to enjoy. John and Dorothy Waking started work in what was a disused quarry, with a vision to transform it into what it is today; an arboretum, a garden of national significance and a setting for art works
John gave us about a 20-minute talk on the history and plantings when we arrived in the Rockery Garden. We had an hour and a quarter or so to wander after our lunch in the Roosting Ruru Café which overlooks the duck pond.
Then on to Matamata, we slowly drove through Centennial Drive with its extensive tree collection and on to our final destination the lovely Kaimai Garden Centre for a touch of retail therapy before heading home.
A wonderful relaxed day out left us thinking whether the climate and soil enhanced the amazing blossoms we had seen.
By Pat Hosking and Owen Sprosen
Central Landscapes' Gardening Tips for October
This October focus on planting, maintaining and enjoying your garden as you prepare for the warmer months ahead. All the summer vegtables can go in at Labour Weekend – the day and soil temperatures are warmer, making it ideal for planting.
Weed and mulch – these two activities go hand-in-hand, and set the garden up for a successful summer season.
Top tip: The change of seasons has brought some windy weather, so stake up those fruit trees and bushes – to anchor their roots and keep the plants happy.
Fruit and Veg – What to Plant
Summer vegetables: All summer vegetables can be planted now. Remember to stake tomatoes as they can grow quite tall.
Herbs: Plant summer herbs such as dill. French tarragon, coriander and basil. Start basil indoors for a few weeks because it doesn't like cool temperatures.
Pumpkins: Plant pumpkin seeds ina spacious area with plenty of compost.
Beans: Sow scarlet runner beans, or exotic varieties against a sunny wall or climbing frame.
Mulching: Apply Somerset Pea Straw in vegetable beds to help retain moisture, especially in raised gardens that tend to dry out quickly over summer.
Pest management
Codling Moth Prevention: Use sticky traps in apple and pear trees or spray with Yates Success Ultra (four times only) over the spring season.
Reprinted with permission from Central Landscapes' October Garden Guide.
Members wander under the thousands of blossoms.
Inquisitive alpacas at English Tree Manor.
Lake at Sculpture Park.
Cherry blossom at English Tree Manor.
Local Board News
By Louise Johnston
L
ast week, the Government announced the list of projects to be included in the Government’s Fast Track Approvals bill. I was surprised that the bill included five large-scale, out-of-sequence housing developments in rural Rodney. If approved, the ones that will cause a congestion nightmare for the Dairy Flat subdivision include 1100 housing sites next to Milldale, 1250 sites in Upper Orewa, 210 residential lots and a 350-unit retirement village in Riverhead. These three areas are not scheduled to be developed until 2050 under Auckland Council’s Future Development Strategy (FDS). So, we have Government effectively overriding Council’s strategic planning. Council funds growth infrastructure using a mix of rates, Development Contributions (DCs), and central government grants. DCs are charges that recover an appropriate share of the cost of this investment in infrastructure from new developments. The amount to be paid by new development is determined by the Council's Contributions Policy. This policy ensures the cost of new infrastructure is fairly shared between developers and ratepayers based on who causes the need for and who benefits from the investments. Usually, DCs only covered 10 years of future infrastructure investment but this has resulted in early developers not helping to fund all the investments that they have caused the need for and benefited from. Council is now looking to change this, so that for key Investment Priority Areas (IPAs) they are looking at extending the DCs to cover the cost of 30 years of infrastructure.
are not IPAs. Therefore, ratepayers will be burdened with the cost of infrastructure for these fast-track developments unless the DC policy is changed. So, it is perfect timing that the DC policy is out for public review.
You can provide feedback on the Council's DC policy until 15 November.
Also, I often hear locals complaining that DCs are not spent in the area they are collected in. For Coatesville, the cumulative effect of all the countryside living subdivisions is significant, so this could be a point that could also be raised in your feedback.
There are a couple of transport updates, firstly as part of the community response programme AT are proposing a new raised pedestrian crossing on Mahoenui Valley Road by the school. For the project to deliver the car parking at the bottom of Glenmore Road and the pedestrian improvements by the Coatesville Village, this is still in the design phase. Also, while the proposed speed limit reductions consulted on in 2023 are now unlikely to be implemented due to changes in Central Government legislation, AT are seeking to reduce the speed limit through the Coatesville Village to 50km/hr including the bottom of Glenmore Road past the pony club, using an alternative method for reducing speed limits. If this is successful, this will be implemented in November.
Unfortunately, the above Government’s fast track proposed outof-sequence housing developments
Finally, due to growth in the Dairy Flat subdivision we have additional transport targeted rate funding, can you please let me know what you think about allocating this towards the continuing the pathways at Green Road Reserve. Please get in touch by email: Louise. Johnston@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Check out the recycling station for beauty products at Mecca, Albany Mall
Civil Defence Clean & Green
When Life Changes, So Should Your Will
Joy and Eric didn’t have children but were very close to their god children. Sadly, ten years ago, Eric died after a heart attack. They had completed their wills two years before Eric died, leaving everything to each other and if they both died to family members and charities.
After Eric’s death, Joy updated her will. Joy’s main asset was her home, and she had money in the bank which supplemented her pension. She decided to leave the house to her god children with the balance being divided between charities. This meant if she spent all her cash, the god children would receive the proceeds of the family home after it was sold. Joy appointed her lawyer to act as the executor of her estate.
After three years on her own, Joy moved to a retirement village. She settled on a village with great facilities, and the people were friendly.
When Joy went to sign the papers for the sale of her home and the purchase of the occupation right to the apartment in the village, the lawyer suggested she review her will. Joy remembered the rough proportions between her god children and the charities and said that she
might look at it to make sure it was still ok. Now that the cost of buying in the village was less than her home, she would have more cash, but needed time to think it over.
Joy forgot about going back to the lawyer to update her will and her lawyer never followed up with her. Two years after moving into the village, Joy had a stroke and passed away.
Her god children were sad but pleased Joy had enjoyed her last years. They were surprised when they read Joy’s will. The will specifically left them Joy and Eric’s family home. That had been sold when Joy had moved into the retirement village, but the wording remained the same – it didn’t relate to the sale proceeds of the home. The lawyer told them that as that asset no longer was in Joy’s estate they would receive nothing under her will and her entire estate would go to charity.
Joy’s god children thought this didn’t seem fair or think it would have been what Joy wanted. They decided to take their own legal advice. The lawyer they saw said that the best thing to do would be to try and negotiate with the charities, but that
Do You Have A Valid Will?
It is recommended to review your will every five years, or whenever your circumstances change.
When you make a will you are creating a lasting legacy for your loved ones, with the opportunity to have your say.
Significant milestones such as marriage, separation, death, a change in your assets, or expanding your family can affect your assets being distributed in the way you want them to be.
Ensure your final wishes are respected and get advice that reflects your personal situation. Contact our Trust and Wealth Protection team to review your will.
there was no guaranteed chance of success.
This story illustrates the importance of reviewing your will as well as getting good advice around the way that it’s drafted. People often think wills are simple, and they can be, but often they are being drafted to consider complex situations. Ensure that your will is up to date and says what you want to happen so that you don’t leave an expensive headache for your family.
Tammy McLeod, Trust Law specialist, Managing Director, Davenports Law
Water tabling, side drains, culverts, french drains in gabion rock and driveway dust suppression treatments.
House hard stands, car parks and horse arenas. Call for an on-site chat and a quote.
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
Gardener Are you looking for a gardener who will nurture and take care of your garden on a regular basis; someone who is conscientious, diligent & creative? If this sounds interesting, please don’t hesitate to email, call or text me for a noobligation chat. Phill M: 021 928 469 E: phillpriestley1@gmail.com
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.
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
Scout Marquee for hire, 6m x 8m, $250 per day. Call Garth 447 1863
The Blooming Beekeeper fully maintained beehive service. The ideal eco-friendly gift. Bee packages; beekeeping lessons; artisan bee products; swarm catching. Coatesville based. Call Val 021 755 833. Who’s your caterer? Beautifully presented, great tasting food, at competitive prices. Phone Helen Cato 415 7771 or 021 211 8223.
Introducing: Jethro Riggans
would like to take this opportunity to introduce Jethro who has joined Team Ailsa McArthur. Jethro, his wife Nicole and two daughters Elle and Eadie, moved to Coatesville in October 2023. He has a foundation stemming from banking and finance, including building, running and selling his own financial advisory practice, before transitioning into the real estate industry. Jethro has worked for both a large firm and also a boutique luxury real estate agency, prior to partnering with Bayley's following a purchase through Team Ailsa McArthur!
Outside the office he loves F45 fitness training, skiing and landscaping his family's lifestyle property. We knew our values aligned within a few days of working alongside each other and Jethro has slotted into our team and the community perfectly! He brings knowledge, experience and a huge passion for working in the luxury lifestyle market. Jethro also brings a fresh dynamic to our team, is incredibly focused and high energy which compliments his openness and genuine self.
With each of my team focusing on their specialty areas – Ailsa’s proven negotiation and client liaison skills – Chelsea‘s marketing and buyer relationship skills – Paula our Admin Manager (the glue that holds us together!) – Jethro working with luxury property and high net worth buyers, allows us to continue to provide a strong and balanced offering to the local Coatesville Real Estate market.
Team Ailsa McArthur ensures you have all bases covered and a process that runs like clockwork to get the best result for you when selling. Feel free to phone or introduce yourselves to Jethro
