September 2022

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER |SEPTEMBER 2022 | No.241

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

Fernielea Café to Close

A

fter almost 11 years of serving great coffee and delicious food to the Coatesville community, the Fernielea Café will close for the last time on Sunday, 11 September.

Owner Rain Chen has sold the business and the new owner is expected to carry out some renovations before reopening the restaurant under a new name.

Rain says she's very sad to leave Coatesville and that some of her regular customers have become extremely special to her. "They're more like family than friends," says Rain. "The way they've been there to help me. Whether it was giving me business advice or helping me to negotiate with the landlord, they've been amazing and supportive," she says.

For the past two years, the bighearted businesswoman has been run off her feet after opening

From left: Rain, Lovely, Jason, Chris, Yuvi and Jason

the Hippo Café, a large-scale indoor playground and café in Botany, with a group of investors. The new business is growing fast and has kept Rain on the other side of the bridge helping to get it established.

"My Fernielea team have been amazing. Yuvi, who's been with me for six years, has been incredible and so have Lovely, Anita and Chris. My whole

team have worked so hard and done a fantastic job," says Rain.

And much-loved café cat, Fernie, aged 14 years, has been adopted by a cat lover who's keen to spoil her.

So, make sure you pop in before Sunday to wish the friendly Fernielea team farewell and enjoy a coffee art masterpiece while you can.

Meet Pest Free Coatesville's Star Trapper

T

his month Boyd Steel became Pest Free Coatesville's first employee, working 20 hours a week for our local conservation group.

Although Boyd is now working for the group, he spent the last year volunteering his time because of his love of conservation. Checking trap lines, baiting traps and disposing of kills for more than a year because he's passionate about New Zealand's native species. Now, thanks to successful grant applications, the group has the budget to reward him for his work.

PFC leader Gary Langridge says the efforts made during winter have been particularly important. "Winter is the prime time for trapping because food supplies are low and birds can easily

SEPTEMBER CONTENTS

Continued on page 2

Gary Langridge with Boyd Steel

0272 984 000

PROUDLY SPONSORS THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE

Editorial September News Scouts camp on the Reserve Garden Club gets dirty Rodney Ward Council Candidates 2022 Local Board Update Ag Day is on the way Learning from Mistakes Classifieds Spring is here!

2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12

Continued from page 1 fly away from predators. But when spring arrives and birds are nesting, predation is rife.

"By working hard to get predator numbers down during winter, native bird species have a greater chance of surviving the spring," says Gary.

Boyd's involvement together with the PFC's entire 200-plus volunteer network is delivering results and there are signs local possum population is being significantly reduced.

“Possums are slow breeders, producing one joey a year, so we can expect to see a reduction in their population quite quickly,” says Boyd.

In 2021 from May to August, the PFC recorded 124 possums were eradicated on the Riverhead Forest boundary trapline. A year later, during the same period, the total number eradicated was down to 27.

However, stoats pose a more difficult conservation challenge, explains Boyd.

“Baby stoats are impregnated at birth so they don’t need to breed. They will give birth when the conditions are suitable.

So, every female stoat killed is valuable because if a single female stoat gets on a pest-free island, it can lead to an infestation," he says.

When he isn't working for Pest Free Coatesville Boyd runs the Muriwai Café and the Double Park Food Truck business which he owns with his brother. Boyd's partner is Paula Griffith, ex-Silver Fern netballer and wildlife photographer, is also a keen conservationist even though she's vegan. "To be part of pest animal eradication you can do bird counts or monitoring, you don’t have to bait and empty traps. Watch Fight for the Wild, even just the first episode, and you’ll be hooked. You can start with a trap in the backyard," says the star trapper.

Editorial

I

t's always sad to say good bye and Rain Chen will be sorely missed when she locks the door at Fernielea Café for the last time this week.

Although Rain hasn't lived in our community, she has been a wonderful contributor to it. The Fernielea Café owner, known for her warmth and generosity, has been a loyal longtime advertiser and supporter of The Coatesville Chronicle. She has also regularly supported the Coatesville Pony Club with prizes and vouchers for competition days and sponsored Coatesville School's Ag Day. Rain and her friendly staff have been awesome ambassadors for Coatesville. They've also given back a lot, even in tough Covid times, so thanks guys, we'll miss you all.

Thanks also to the amazing Coatesville Scout group this month.

Their annual clean-up camp on the reserve might earn them community service hours, but the results of their hard work leaves Coatesville indebted to them. Find out more about what they've been up to on page 4.

This month the Local election takes centre stage. Louise Johnston stood unopposed so happily remains our Rodney Local Board member for another three years. You can learn more about the five candidates standing for the role of Rodney ward councillor on pages 6 and 7. And remember to post your ballot before midday on Saturday, 8 October for it to be included in the vote.

Your editor,

Vanessa Johnson Email: coatesvillechronicle@gmail.com,

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. © 2022 All rights reserved.

Phone: 021 724 001

Diary Dates

∞ 1-30 SEPTEMBER, Blue September is the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s annual awareness and fundraising campaign. ∞ 24 SEPTEMBER, Saturday, 9.30am-11.30am Potted and Indoor Plants Worskshop at Kaipara Coast Plant Centre. To book, email info@kaiparacoast. co.nz Tickets are $20 each. ∞ 25 SEPTEMBER, Sunday, 2.00am Daylight saving starts.

Remember to put your clocks forward one hour. It's also time to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms. ∞ 30 SEPTEMBER, Friday, Term 3 ends today at Coatesville School. ∞ 2 OCTOBER, Sunday, The Coatesville Market is back! ∞ 6 OCTOBER, Thursday 7.15pm Coatsville Women's Institute meets today at the Settlers' Hall. New members are welcome. ∞ 8 OCTOBER, Saturday, midday Local election deadline closes so post your ballot asap. ∞ 17 OCTOBER, Monday, Term 4 starts today at Coatesville School. ∞ 24 OCTOBER, Labour Day. ∞ 29 OCTOBER, Coatesville School's Ag Day Make sure you put the date in your diary because this is a community event you don't want to miss.

Coatesville Motors

MTA

Full mechanical Repairs for Petrol and Diesel Vehicles Coatesville Riverhead Highway 415 7494

WOF

SUBDIVIDING?

Subdivision engineering specialists team@edc.co.nz edc.co.nz 09 451 9044 2 | THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | SEPTEMBER 2022

SEPTEMBER NEWS

Anastasia with Stephen on their wedding day in February, and above, a pageant photo

Mrs Universe New Zealand 2022

L

ocal lovely Anastasia Hudson recently moved to Coatesville after marrying partner Stephen Hudson.

Anastasia first moved to Auckland 12 years ago, migrating from Indonesia to New Zealand with her daughter Karenina, because of NZ's appeal as a safe place to live and raise a family.

Today, Karenina, aged 24, is studying her Masters at Auckland University and Anastasia is now stepmother to Stephen's two sons Johnathan, 19, and Michael, 16.

Even though Anasatisia works full time as a chef at AUT, this year the newly-married Mrs Hudson decided

CRRA Helpful Hints

Clean and Green

Recycle your light bulbs upstairs at Mitre 10 Albany.

to take part in her first ever beauty pageant; Mrs Universe New Zealand 2022.

"It was mostly to have fun but also to inspire other married women to help build confidence," says Anastasia. "Also to show that even as we age, we can still look beautiful."

The Mrs Universe NZ beauty pageant is devoted to raising awareness and helping young children and women and also men who are abused, suffering home violence or abandoned.

As a contestant, Anastasia supports a local charity called the Kowhai Tree, an

Civil Defence

Have you signed up for emergency messages?

opp shop based in Silverdale. The shop is run by the Hestia Women's Refuge on the North Shore and donated items are either sold to generate income for the charity or given to women who are registered with the charity to help them rebuild their lives. Locals can donate canned food clothing and furniture to help them.

"The support from the community is really appreciated," says Anastasia.

"Especially canned, or longer-life food, bathroom and make-up items all the things ladies need to support themselves and their children."

The Mrs Universe NZ 2022 pageant Grande Finale evening is on 8 October at Avondale College theatre. Tickets can be bought online via the pageant's Facebook page If you'd like to support Anastasia you can vote once a day online at pageantvoteasia.com.

Coatesville Playcentre turns 50 this year and we're excited to be holding our golden jubilee this spring. We’ll be opening our time capsule and burying a new one, and we’re planning a big celebration with the Coatesville community. Pencil Saturday 12 November in your diary to come join us.

Coatesville Messy Play Playgroup is back again this term. Friday mornings 10:30-12:30 at Coatesville Playcentre, $5 per family.

Come get messy at our place and keep yours clean.

Tennis Anyone?

Registrations are now open at Dairy Flat Tennis Club for the 2022-2023 season. We are a family friendly club, and have members at absolute beginner level through to competitive level across both our junior and senior teams. We also run a weekly social club night and regular coaching. To get more information or to register, visit us at http://www.dairyflattennis.co.nz or email us at info@dairyflattennis.co.nz

MARK MITCHELL MP for Whangaparāoa For appointments and assistance please get in touch.

7 Tamariki Avenue, Orewa ∙ 09 426 6215 mark.mitchellmp@parliament.govt.nz Funded by the Parliamentary Service. Authorised by Mark Mitchell MP, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | SEPTEMBER 2022 | 3

Scouts Clean Up Our Reserve

L

ate last term Coatesville Scout Group attended a camp on Kawau Island organised by Puhoi and Warkworth Scout Groups. This was our first trip to Camp Bentzon on Kawau Island with 25 of our Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and leaders attending as part of the total 43 people at camp.

We all left Coatesville early on the Friday to ensure being at Sandspit Ferry wharf for 5.30pm, with many stopping in Warkworth to pick up some dinner before the trip to Kawau.

Adults, venturers and older Scouts formed a chain, and it took almost ½ Squad after delivering logs to fire an hour to load all our gear aboard, but we departed on time at 6.30pm, arriving at the camp wharf in the dark well after 7pm.

Camp Bentzon on Kawau is in bunk rooms so getting settled in was quick and easy which left time for a late-night game outside in the dark before supper.

Saturday morning, we dodged showers with everyone kayaking and jumping off the wharf while the tide was high. In the afternoon we separated into four activity groups doing orienteering, archery making sock puppets and cooking damper before dinner, a campfire and skits with some using their new sock puppets.

Sunday saw activities indoors because of the wet weather with a series of short “Win-it-in-a-Minute” Camp Challenges Phil keeping an eye on the roast veges before lunch and then a flag ceremony to break camp and loading the ferry for the return home.

It was great to join the other groups in such a fantastic camp with everyone wanting to return to Camp Bentzon in dryer weather and attempt more of the outdoor activities.

This term, we have just held our “Working Bee & Clean-up Camp” on the Coatesville Reserve. We were again joined by Taiaotea (Browns Bay) Scouts with a total of 19 attending this year.

We split into several working groups for Saturday with a lunch break when everyone cooked their own sausages Compacting the gravel on track in WildWood

4 | THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | SEPTEMBER 2022

over hot embers and still completed all our tasks by 4pm The scouts manned wheelbarrows, shovels and rakes and spread 10 metres of gravel on the track in the Wild Wood and the track through the paddock near the school. They then had fun guiding the compactor over the gravel to flatten out the tracks.

We also managed to cut up and remove several fallen trees and branches as well as collecting all the loose pruning piles from under trees.

A roaring bonfire, loaded up by the scouts, disposed of all the vegetation and also provided hot embers for cooking our dinner. This year we again had a delicious beef stew and roast vegetables and were eating before sunset. After dinner and dishes a night game of “Capture the Flag” was played. This covered the whole reserve and lasted for an hour before a stalemate was agreed after lots of fun in the dark and was followed by supper around the bonfire.

Sunday breakfast was a relaxed start, with bacon and eggs cooked over the embers and then lots of firewood and kindling chopping. For many this was their first time being taught how to use an axe or hatchet and some older scouts even had instruction in how to use a chainsaw.

Camp was broken and gear packed away before a late lunch, flag break and departure at 3pm. All scouts earn five hours community service at this camp which counts towards their scout award schemes and school projects. This was another fantastic camp where the scout group gives a bit back to the local community for being allowed to use such fantastic facilities like the hall and reserve.

We are scheduled for another camp at Makarau later this term and hopefully two more in the fourth term. We also have spaces in all sections Cubs (8-11yrs) Scouts (1114yrs) Venturers (14-18yrs) and are re-starting our Kea section (6-8yrs), so if anyone is keen to join in the fun at Coatesville Scout Group, please contact Phil at coatesville@group. scouts.nz By Phil Smith

Healthy Soil and Island Toil The Coatesville Garden Club has had a varied Winter programme in the local hall ‒ 25-year celebrations, a photographic show and competition, and last month a talk by an ex-Carrington Lecturer John Riding about garden soils. Creating healthy soil is as easy as feeding your soil with organic matter such as composted food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, sheep or horse poo and seaweed.

Then add blood and bone to fertilise, improve soil structure and provide natural organic nutrients, and lime encourages decomposition of organic matter and earthworm activity.

A visit to Kawau Island ook place and the experienced crew were able to finish the pruning of most of the shrubbery, and a stocktake of the propagation area.

We had taken some geranium cuttings across and 70 were potted up ready for later planting out, thanks to Avril and John Ryan, Jenny Cheer, Jane Steele and Susan Haslam. We left the gardens looking trim and expect by the end of September that spring growth will have started. The figgery is healthy, the citrus orchard is smart and the herb garden is nearly planted out. Hedge work has everything trimmed but this is where the first signs of the warmer weather shows and the trimmer is overworked from now on. Two of the men are being trained to drive the DOC vehicle, sometimes with a trailer, which will be a great help shifting mulch and plants in the future. From now on, the trees will gain leaves and the reserve will come to life. A fabulous destination to view if you have not been to Kawau Island.

By Jenny Hunter

We are your local dedicated specialists for water tank cleaning, filtration installation and servicing, water tank repairs, water deliveries and advice.

Talk to us, we love to help!

Call Garry on 09 428 0448 or 027 84 77 000 e: help@healthywatertanks.co.nz w: healthywatertanks.co.nz

CLOCKWORK visa services

Cherie Baird Skilled Migrant Specialist

All Licensed aspects Immigration of tree work, Adviser stump land IAA #grinding, 200900880 clearance. Qualified +64 21 533 687 arborists.

Chipper. Free cherie@clockworkvisa.co.nz Quotes. Full insurance.

Call Stu 09 446 1258 or 021 175 8660.

All aspects of tree work, stump grinding, land clearance.

Qualified arborists.

Chipper.

Free Quotes.

Full Insurance.

Call Stu 09 446 1258 or 021 175 8660.

Cherie Baird

Skilled Migrant Specialist Licensed Immigration Adviser IAA # 200900880 +64 21 533 687 cherie@clockworkvisa.co.nz

www.clockworkvisa.co.nz

Water supply Call Gary today

THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | SEPTEMBER 2022 | 5

Our Auckland Council Candidates 2022

T

his year Rodney residents have five candidates to choose from for the role of Rodney ward councillor in the upcoming Local election. Two are experienced local government representatives; encumbent Rodney ward councillor Greg Sayers and Rodney Local Board Deputy Chair, Beth Houlbrooke. Below they answer four questions so you can get to know them better. To the right are the candidate statements for the three first-time candidates also standing.

Greg Sayers What roles have you held?

GS: After selling my accounting business and before entering politics, I was also invited to be a director and chairman of two New Zealand companies, both of which sold to overseas markets. At the 2016 Auckland elections I was elected as a councillor. In my maiden speech I said "Auckland Council had to restore trust with the Rodney ward" and the "Council had to live within its financial means".

In 2019 I wrote a book titled “How to Fix Auckland’s Housing Crisis – 4 Bold Proven Solutions”. At the 2019 Auckland elections I was re-elected to the Auckland Council, becoming the first Rodney ward councillor since Auckland Council's formation in 2010 to be elected unopposed.

Which two outcomes are you proudest of achieving?

GS: Despite the effects of Covid there is over $1.3 Billion of approved funding signed off and secured for investment into Rodney. This is an unprecedented amount to ensure the infrastructure to cope with Auckland's housing expansion into our area is in place in advance of that expansion.

Nationally, transport maintenance budgets have been diverted away from renewing roading and into public transport services such as buses, ferries and cycleways. Unfortunately,

Who will you vote for?

these policies have adversely affected Rodney's roads. Auckland Transport received a 30% increase in their operational budgets, however, keeping in line with national directives this is being siphoned away from roading maintenance and into public transport.

With the support of community groups, our local MP's and the local board I will continue to hold the flame to the feet of Auckland Transport to divert a greater share of funding into the road maintenance programmes.

If elected, which of Rodney’s issues will you focus on first?

GS: Local rates, development contributions and fuel taxes collected locally need to be spent back locally and Rodney's roads must be prioritised as part of that spending. Council must stop its over-indulgent spending and get back to delivering core business, particularly in these difficult economic times.

What methods do you use to get results for ratepayers?

GS: My business and civic leadership experience means I know how to strategically manage finances prudently, and the Council is not doing this. I have worked collaboratively with other councillors and local board members to expose troublesome trends about Council's spiraling wages bill and increasing levels of debt. I do not endorse Rodney ratepayers having to be the only ratepayers in the supercity paying a local board-initiated targeted rate for bus services that should be being funded from the general rates.

Teamwork and genuinely caring about ratepayers is what I stand for.

Beth Houlbrooke What roles have you held?

BH: I'd taken what now seems a fairly typical path for a successful politician I'd been self-employed with my then husband

Albany Toyota your local family owned and operated business for over 30 years! New, Used & Signature Class Vehicles Service, Parts & Finance Come and see the NEW GEN RAV4 HYBRID! Albany Toyota - Sales, Service, Finance & Parts Corner Dairy Flat Highway & Gills Road, Albany. Phone 09 415-7890 | www.albany-toyota.co.nz | 0800-657-755 | cars@albany-toyota.co.nz

6 | THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | SEPTEMBER 2022

for 25 years and run my own awardwinning business for 11 years. I led a business women's network for five years, as well as sat on committees of various interest groups I belonged to. Once elected I chaired the Rodney Local Board's Parks Culture & Community Development Committee in my first term, became Chair in my second term, and am currently Deputy Chair. During my second term I was also appointed to Auckland Council's Procurement and Hauraki Gulf Political reference groups, and the Chairs' Forum. I am currently the Local Government NZ representative on the local board, sit on Springboard Community Works Advisory Board, and am the board liaison for the One Mahurangi Business Association.

Which two outcomes are you proudest of achieving?

BH: Firstly, transforming a disused and contaminated site in Warkworth into a 137-space carpark called the Warkworth Community Transport Hub, to support public transport, and be the first stage of a future community facility on the same site, which will be needed with the rapid residential growth that is imminently upon us.

Secondly, establishing Restore Rodney East − supporting dozens of local volunteer pest trapping groups to become more coordinated, better resourced, educated, and contiguous in their efforts towards Pest Free 2050.

If elected, which of Rodney’s issues will you focus on first?

BH: Our shocking roads.

Rodney suffers from decades of underinvestment and not enough priority has been put on funding the most basic maintenance levels, let alone the capital investment required to seal some of our unsealed network.

That will be my first focus, but almost equally will be ensuring our high growth areas get the infrastructure they need to cope − public transport, wastewater, good walking and cycling connections, parks and sports facilities.

What methods do you use to get results for ratepayers?

BH: I've spent the last nine years building key connections with councillors and council staff which will allow me to hit the ground running once elected. I bring a more collaborative, constructive approach and can broker solutions by working across the council table with the mayor and other councillors regardless of their political leanings − after all they have all been democratically elected too and deserve respect. I will position myself to be selected for committees and policy working groups, and aim for close to 100% attendance at these and all council meetings so that opportunities to influence outcomes for Rodney are no longer missed.

Presbytery as a youth coordinator, I resource, train and advocate for youth workers throughout Auckland and Northland. I am also on the Executive Committee for the World Communion of Reformed Churches as the representative for Australasia, this is an international humanitarian organisation which is in 108 countries with an estimated membership of 80 million people, where I have been involved in creating policy for them and annually attending meetings around the world.

I am standing for council because I am the person who can get what Rodney wants done. I am working for our future and have the interpersonal skill to work with any group and have the experience and enthusiasm to actually get things sorted.

INDEPENDENT Rob Ryan

Candidate Statements Hannah North

Kia Ora, I am Hannah North, I have lived in Rodney for almost my whole life. Currently I work for an organisation called Northern

Firstly, I am a family man. I have a great wife, 4 kids and 2 grandchildren.

My family and I have lived in the Rodney and Coast area for 20+ years and I also have a small trucking company that I have run locally for the past 12 years.

I put my name forward for council because I know people want change

VOTE: ROB RYAN RODNEY WARD

and I'm the person that can provide that.

I believe the money from local rates that gets paid to Auckland Council needs to be put back into the Rodney district. We need a representative to stand and say No! to wasteful spending.

I am that person. A vote for Rob Ryan is a vote for change.

Anne Perratt I believe Rodney has been neglected by Council and if elected I promise to be a watchdog for our interests.

As a mecca for hard-working people wanting to advance themselves, Rodney has challenges transitioning from predominantly rural to now include residential and semi-industrial areas.

These developments are not being properly met by Auckland Council.

I will focus on infrastructure around transport and roading, schooling, policing and emergency services, and council consent processes.

My corporate and board experience, will allow me to fight for Rodney to get a proper allocation of funding for our growing community, supporting existing businesses and new enterprises as Rodney’s watchdog.

“Time for change” AUTHORIZED BY ROB RYAN RODNEY WARD CANDIDATE E: rob.ryan_rodney@outlook.com P: 027 505 1122

THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | SEPTEMBER 2022 | 7

Investing in our future

By Marja Lubeck

I

n the past few years, we’ve all faced the crisis of a century. But we know it’s not just how you lead a country through a crisis that matters, it’s how you lead a country out of one as well. Which was very evident when, with borders opening up again, the Parliamentary Friendship Group could visit Europe to assess how other governments were coping with the effects of the pandemic.

It was a real privilege last month, after more than two years of zooms and online events, to lead a delegation of cross-party MPs to visit four national parliaments (Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, and Czech Republic), one Federal (Bavaria) and the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Our exchanges covered a wide range of topics from trade agreements, to protection of the environment, climate change and the importance of collaboration and sharing of best practices. Especially in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and global pressures that are leading to rising inflation rates and other tensions. NZ’s contribution in supporting Ukraine was acknowledged and appreciated in all the Parliaments we visited.

The visit coincided with the Prime Minister signing-off on the free trade agreement with the European Union, which will boost our economy, enable NZ businesses to grow, and unlock one of the world’s biggest markets of 450 million people.

Locally, I have been busy with Ministerial visits to the Rodney region with a very informative and productive series of meetings with Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister for Community and Voluntary sectors and the Hon Jan Tinetti, Associate Minister of Education who will be visiting primary schools in Kumeu and district on the 6th and 7th of September. Minister Tinetti will be visiting Parakai School to see the way the school has worked with its community to establish as successful Lunches in Schools programme which is ensuring that the children have a positive learning environment.

Local Board News

O

By Louise Johnston

ver the next 5 weeks, campaigning for the local elections will start to ramp up. For the Rodney Local Board: Dairy Flat subdivision I was unopposed and will be your voice for the next three years. Working with the Coatesville community is such a pleasure. Please let me know what I can do better and how I can help.

This month, the potholes on our roads have got worse and they are not being fixed in a timely manner. The combination of the bad weather and Auckland Transport’s new maintenance contract are not helping the situation. Please report these potholes directly to AT using the link below. https://at.govt.nz/about-us/contact-us/ AT’s complaints database provides very important data for both elected members and AT management. I have summarised the complaints for Rodney roads over the May to July period for the last three years and as the table shows, there is a very alarming trend that needs to be sorted.

2022 2021 2020 JULY 1262 576 690 JUNE 680 513 490 MAY 496 550 310 The graph below shows roading complaints made in July 2022 by each Auckland ward, this clearly shows that Rodney is unfortunately winning in the supercity race when it comes to customer complaints about our roads.

With limited funding, AT have always been reactive. However, with new artificial intelligence (AI), AT could adopt a similar approach as some states in Australia that have installed AI trackers on their rubbish trucks and other council vehicles to accurately report on the road pavement conditions, and potential potholes before they become a roading hazard. This data is not only useful for road maintenance but highlights roads that have underlying structural problems. I am not a roading expert but what I do know is that we collectively must keep logging complaints and Council need to realise that you cannot just declare a climate change emergency, you need to allocate the funding to minimise the impacts of climate change especially on roads.

Thank you for again giving me the opportunity to represent you on the Local Board. I promise to always do my best and please get in touch if you have questions or comments. Louise.Johnston@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Marja Lubeck Labour List MP based in Kaipara ki Mahurangi

For appointments and assistance please phone: 0800 582 325 (0800 LUBECK) marja.lubeck@parliament.govt.nz 5/62-64 Queen Street, Warkworth

Authorised by Marja Lubeck, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

8 | THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | SEPTEMBER 2022

Get Involved in Ag Day

By Mary Searle Bell

C

oatesville School has started its preparation for Ag Day on Saturday October 29. The day brings local children together with the wider community to share the joys of rural life.

Students have begun work on their Ag Day projects, which range from raising lambs and calves and growing plants, to kitchen, art and craft, and handyperson projects.

These projects will be judged first thing on Ag Day before the fun begins at 10.30am. The school’s gates open to the public with a fantastic range of stalls – from yummy foods to games, activities, and rides, to the renowned silent auction, as well as home-baked goods and fresh produce, there will be loads for kids and adults to enjoy.

“Ag Day is not only the most exciting school day in the year, but also an important fundraiser for us, and with it being severely impacted in the past two years by Covid restrictions, we’re hoping to make this year’s event even better than ever,” says principal Richard Johnson.

“While the kids are busy working on their projects, we would like to invite the community to consider becoming official Ag Day sponsors.”

The school has a range of sponsorship options, sized to fit any business, family, or individual keen on contributing financially to the school. Find out more at www.coatesville.school.nz/ sponsorship.

The school would also love to have local businesses contribute to the silent auction – perhaps a voucher or a product.

“The silent auction is a fun way for the school to fundraise, and it gives us a great way to display items on the day and promote businesses who support us this way.”

If you would like to contribute to the silent auction, contact Alanah Dando on 021 348 327 or alanadando@ hotmail.com.

As Ag Day draws closer, the school will also be seeking donations for the co-op of fresh produce, preserves, and baked goods and treats, so keep your eyes out for appeals. Nonperishable items, such as jams and chutneys, can be dropped at the school office any time from now.

And for those who are familiar with

Above, Year 6 student Rebekah Bell working on her Ag Day project – a crocheted blanket, with the stripes reflecting the weather each day from the start of July onwards.

Ag Day, you will know how popular the Ag Day t-shirts are. The children will soon be competing to have their design grace the front of the t-shirt.

Orders for t-shirts close on September 23 – we don’t know what the art will look like just yet, but we know it will be fantastic – they always are.

To order, email office@coatesvilleschool.nz

Asset protection.

Do you need a trust?

CRAFT E D L EGA L A DV ICE FOR PE ACE OF MI N D.

The protection of assets that we have all worked so hard to acquire is an important consideration for most people. Trusts are invaluable asset protection mechanisms, which allow a person to hold property and assets on behalf of another for the good of the beneficiaries.

However, not everyone needs a trust, so ensuring other forms of asset structuring including your will and enduring powers of attorney are up to date is important.

Contact Tammy McLeod or one of her team for more information about asset structuring.

09 883 3285

DAV EN P O RTS L AW.C O.N Z

THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | SEPTEMBER 2022 | 9

F

Lesson Learned The Hard Way

or parents with the ability, a financial contribution to property is a wonderful way to secure their children’s future.

However, there are a number of potential pitfalls − a tough lesson that John, Pam and their daughter Stacey learned the hard way.

John and Pam were by no means wealthy, but they were in a comfortable financial position entering retirement. Concerned about the price of real estate, they were considering ways to help their daughter Stacey and her new husband Matt onto the property ladder. The family home had become too big, and they were happy to downsize to a townhouse, using some of the difference in value to help the couple into their first property.

Stacey and Matt found a twobedroom unit listed for $1m, perfect for their first home. Between their savings and Kiwisaver, they had enough for a 15% deposit. John and Pam agreed to lend them $150,000 which would boost them to a 30% deposit, leaving them with a $700,000 mortgage.

Eager to make an offer, they took the advice of a mortgage broker who said the bank wouldn’t accept the money as a loan from John and Pam − it had to be a gift, otherwise

it wouldn’t be included as part of their deposit. Not wanting to hold up the process, John and Pam made the mistake of skipping legal advice. They simply signed a gifting document supplied by the broker and handed over the money. The offer was accepted and soon Stacey and Matt took ownership of the unit.

Unfortunately, a couple of years into the marriage, cracks started to appear. Arguments over lifestyle and finances eventually led Matt and Stacey to separate. They agreed to sell the property and move on.

They sold the unit at a $200,000 profit. Stacey’s expectation (and her parents’) was that the initial $150,000 gift would be repaid to John and Pam or at the very least, Stacey would take the $150,000 in priority to Matt. However, Matt’s lawyer advised him that when the money was gifted toward his and Stacey’s family home — a relationship property — it had become “intermingled” and he was legally entitled to half of it.

Shocked, John, Pam and Stacey consulted a lawyer to find out what, if anything could be done and what they should have done differently. She explained that banks will accept limited loan agreements rather than gift documents with the correct legal contracts in place.

10 | THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | SEPTEMBER 2022

Tammy McLeod

Alternatively, a gift could have been protected by a “contracting out agreement” ensuring that the money gifted by John and Pam would remain Stacey’s separate property.

In the end, Stacey tried appealing to Matt’s conscience, but he refused to walk away with anything less than his legal entitlement.

There are many ways of structuring loans and gifts from The Bank of Mum and Dad. Seeking sound legal advice is the essential first step in understanding your options and protecting your family investment.

Tammy McLeod, Trust Law specialist, Managing Director, Davenports Law.

Classified Advertising A1 Sure Services Tree Care All aspects of tree work, stump grinding and land clearance. Qualified arborists. Full Insurance. Free quotes. 446 1258 or 021 175 8660 Agricultural contractor mulching/ gorse clearing, mowing (& lawns), rotary hoeing/seeding, stump grinding, Graeme 027 533 3114 Bruce Gillespie Fencing For all lifestyle block and farm fencing.

Phone 027 273 1793 Clean Queen I'll have your house looking like a castle. References supplied. Ph Angela 021 0832 9352 Coatesville Handyman All building work and odd jobs around the home, fast and efficient. Call Mark 022 195 5746 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 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 completely new look or just a trim? Senior hair stylist and salon owner Lisa Cross will help you look and feel your best. Call today to book your next appointment at Haven Hair Design in Albany village.

Phone 09 415 4424 or book online www.havenhairdesign.co.nz.

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 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.

With over 50 years experience in the company, we have the skills you need.

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 Professional Oven Cleaning All size ovens, local references and great service from an experienced professional. Text Kiri 021 233 6028 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.

Zumba at the Coatesville Settlers Hall on Mondays at 10am. $15 per session or $12 each if you buy five. For more information, or to book your space at the next class, call Hana 021 02212714.

Metal Driveway Disaster?

Comprehensive reconstruction for metal driveways. Driveway floors graded and machined, then underlaid and heavy-duty compacted with stabilisation solutions and then final runcoats.

We build lasting metal driveways and house hardstands.

Always happy to come and have a chat and a quote.

Call or text

Nic 021 538 539

Gravel Drive Solutions Ltd

0800 PC Build or 020 4006 4827 PhillipComery@gmail.com Licensed BUILDER www.PCResidentialConstruction.co.nz

/., i'•/i Connect � •, I /• •

Residential and Commercial Electrical Services.

● Repairs & maintenance ● Kitchen & bathroom renovations ● Pool wiring ● Garden LED lighting ● Security LED lighting ● 24-hour call out service

Phone Kris: 022 332 6663 | email: kjackson@connectelectrics.co.nz

aquarium and pond specialists • • • •

pond advice pond design pond installation pond maintenance

CALL US TODAY 021 220 3745

OR EMAIL YOUR ENQUIRY TO info@redfishbluefish.co.nz

THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | SEPTEMBER 2022 | 11

Spring …. yes already!

L

ambs have arrived earlier than normal. Daffodils and Jonquils have been blooming for a few weeks now. If you are looking to sell in the next six months, then now is the time to get on top of your property.

Start at the entrance as you drive in. Weed eat long grass.

Ask yourself, do I need to do any planting to give a great first impression? Potted colour is a great way to enhance the entrance of your home and you can take them with you once you’ve sold!

If you have pillars or gates, do they need to be cleaned or mould removed? Fix up any potholes or do you need to be re-metalling? Trim back hedges, spray weeds. Something simple but makes a big visual difference is to straighten your fence battens in the paddocks. Consider repainting fences, exterior walls, garden shed and the letterbox. Maintenance of the outside of the house is important. Wash down and remove any mould or lichen from the roof and house and wash the windows inside and out and clear away any cobwebs.

Having your gutters cleaned out of leaves is critical. When you are selling, if a building inspector picks up that the gutters are blocked it sends warning bells as to how much maintenance is required or has been done. Be proactive not reactive.

Water blast or wet and forget your decks and patios, outdoor paths and steps. If you don’t like chemicals, use boiling water to kill weeds. Inside the home here are a few tips to think about early on; sort the contents of your wardrobe into ‘keep’, ‘donate’ and ‘bin’ piles. Keep only what fits well, looks good and makes you feel great. In the kids' room, keep the floor clear with colourful baskets/tubs for toys, shoes, sporting equipment etc. A magic eraser is great to get rid of stubborn scuff marks (however in my experience be gentle with it and use sparingly). Use baskets, decorative lidded boxes or storage ottomans to contain small items (magazines, throws and so on). In the kitchen, clean the oven and microwave and tidy out your cupboards. This is a great time to give away your small appliances that you don’t use.

Another fantastic tip to make a home more inviting is to add an indoor plant to freshen a room. Plants and flowers make a home feel more homely and emotional.

Right now is a great time to invite me to do a walk-through so that you are making the right decisions on what will make your home more saleable. So call me today and let's work out how to achieve the best result for you.

0272 984 000

12 | THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | SEPTEMBER 2022

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)

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

Publicly Available Disclosure information is available at www.mortgagelinkalbany.co.nz