The Fringe, Issue 236, May 2024

community news, issues, arts, people, events ISSUE 236, MAY 2024

Making waves: 18 months of delivering for Henderson-Massey

From a $6.5 million community centre upgrade, through to making history with Te Atatū Marae, there’s been a lot of work done, and more to come, after just 18 months of this Henderson-Massey Local Board term.

Chair Chris Carter says the board has been focussed on delivering for the community despite the challenges that have come their way.

Te Pae o Kura / Kelston Community Centre upgrade

“Te Pae o Kura / Kelston Community Centre revamp is currently underway and we’re hoping to see it reopen very soon. Once the upgrade is finished, the centre will be a place for all our community to come together and use a space that can cater for a wide range of activities,” says Carter.

This project will significantly improve the facility, with work including an expansion of the kitchen and decking, and extending replacement of all roofing, including four asbestos roofs which were deteriorating, guttering and exterior cladding.

Working with Māori

The board approved a historic land lease to Te Atatū Marae Coalition for an urban marae on HarbourviewOrangihina park recently, paving the way for the coalition to secure funding to complete future development.

Carter says he was particularly moved by the decision of the board to grant the lease.

“For our Māori community, this is a 50-year dream come true and the board is proud to help them reach this landmark.

“What also made us proud is we, along with the other two West Auckland local boards, welcomed 80 people on the cusp of becoming New Zealanders and their guests onto Hoani Waititi Marae last year, for the very first marae-based citizenship ceremony in Auckland,” adds Carter.

Te Whau Pathway

Te Whau Pathway is a dual walking and cycling link that will connect the Manukau Harbour at Green Bay to the Waitematā Harbour at Te Atatū Peninsula and it’s a much loved and anticipated project in the community and beyond.

“We’ve joined with Whau Local Board to support the successful funding application of $49.3 million for

Te Whau Pathway. The pathway will offer amazing recreational choices and lead to safer and more sustainable alternatives for travel. We believe it will make our great communities even better,” he says.

West Wave Pool and Leisure Centre reopening

The reopening of West Wave Pool and Leisure Centre in October 2023 was great news for locals, after the significant damage caused to the centre during Auckland’s Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle.

The board used $750,000 in funding to help with the significant repairs needed for West Wave to reopen in time for summer last year and plan ahead for the future.

“Despite tight budgets, our board prioritised the need to help make this possible and we are really pleased with what we’ve achieved.

“We’re proud of how much we’ve done during the half-term with our limited resources and look forward to continuing to provide the things that matter to the people of Henderson-Massey,” says Carter.

Goals for the second half-term

• Work with Upper Harbour Local board on funding for an aquatic centre in the Hobsonville/ Massey area

• Work with communities affected by intensified housing to ensure public services and infrastructure meet people’s needs

• Progress on completing the public walkway around the coastal edge of Te Atatu Peninsula

• Improve road safety around local schools

Henderson-Massey Local Board

Getting rid of the soil

Watercare held a public meeting last month to get feedback about soil transportation from the site of the planned Huia Water Treatment Plant to its existing Parau disposal site.

The meeting, at Woodlands Park School, was facilitated by local Paul Walbran and an outline of the process was given by Priyan Perera, head of strategy and planning at Watercare. Resource consent has been granted for the construction of the new water treatment plant in Waima, but Watercare needs further consent to deposit 50,000m3 – 80,000m3 of soil on the disposal site located off the bottom end of Exhibition Drive.

The current resource consent, which expires in December 2030, allows Watercare to deposit 120m3 of inert water treatment sludge per week (about 12 truck movements) from the existing plant, as well as an additional 300m3 per year of earth from slips within the Waitākeres.

For the clearing of the new site, there would be an intensive period of around 18 months with an estimated 80 heavy truck movements per day (which would represent one every six minutes if working from 9am to 5pm).

These trucks would be transporting soil removed from the construction site past Woodlands Park School, turning right at the Woodlands Park roundabout and continuing along Huia Road to dispose of the soil at the sludge dump site.

Watercare and Auckland Council have decided the consent process for the change in purpose of the sludge dump will not be ‘notified’ which means the public will have no opportunity to raise concerns with the resource consent commissioners and the process will not be open to public scrutiny.

Questions raised at the meeting covered two main areas, traffic and the environment.

Traffic issues

Watercare was asked if it would have speed controls on their trucks going down Woodlands Park Road to prevent them exceeding the speed limit. It was also suggested that movements be outside of peak local traffic time including school start and finish.

It was pointed out that the Woodlands Park roundabout is not safe for pedestrians crossing and Watercare was asked if it would make improvements to the roundabout to make it safer in view of the constant truck movements.

Watercare said it was keen to make sure its operations were safe but admitted it didn’t yet have a plan.

Residents near the disposal site expressed concerns about the safety of truck movements in and out of the sludge dump suggesting it was already dangerous as the entrance is on a

corner and trucks would need to cross the road.

Watercare has indicated that the public will not be able to access the Parau site during the dumping period. However this area, leading to the Pipeline Track, has become more popular with locals since the Ranges rāhui. It was suggested that it was important to ensure a safe route was available to recreational users. It was mooted that an alternative truck access to the sludge dump be used further up Huia Road.

Concerns were also expressed over whether local roads were strong enough to support 18 months of onslaught from heavy trucks. The use of electric trucks was suggested for the operation, as they would generate less noise and be more environmentally friendly.

Environmental concerns

It is Watercare’s intention to chip trees felled during the construction period on site. In response to questioning about moving soil contaminated with kauri dieback from the construction site to another part of the Waitākere Ranges, Watercare said it would work within their biosecurity protocols at both the construction site and the disposal site. It said it wasn’t that concerned by this movement, as all of the Ranges were contaminated and the kauri dieback pathogen has been found in all the watercourses along the route.

Trucks would be fitted with lined trays which are sealed and fully covered and wheel washes will be installed at the construction and sludge sites. The intention is that once the soil transportation from the construction site is completed, no further dumping will take place at this site, with the dump being capped and replanted. Locals felt that monitoring compliance in these areas was important.

Sludge generated from the new Water Treatment Plant is to go to an alternative facility or landfill. Experiments are also underway to find alternative uses for the sludge, e.g. for brick making or similar.

Watercare was asked to take on a programme of removing pest weeds from its land and that money for this shouldn’t come from the planned Biodiversity Trust. Watercare said it was more concerned with controlling animal pests.

Waitākere ward councillor Ken Turner and members of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board expressed their intention to advocate for the community as the development of the water treatment plant progresses. Construction of the plant is expecting to take around six years, commencing in 2026/27. The existing plant will continue to run during the construction period.

– Fiona Drummond

The future of Avondale racecourse

The article about Avondale racecourse by Ross Clow (Whau Local Board) in last month’s Fringe excited many responses. A representative sample follows:

“I agree totally with Ross Clow’s views of keeping the racecourse as a green space and support the idea of gifting the land to Auckland Council for the benefit of future generations.

“It would be awful to turn that huge area of prime land into housing when it could be a taonga for locals and other Aucklanders, just like Cornwall Park is for everyone.”

“I heard from locals that a swimming pool would be a good idea and maybe an indoor sports court. This might generate jobs for locals. The nearest pool is based in Henderson and that is not always easy for some families to get to.”

“The last thing we want is a major, multi-storey housing project. This would only turn out to be slums.”

“We need to rethink the design of Auckland and its surrounding districts. The best use for the racecourse would be to build office blocks for businesses. This would be part of a larger re-design process. As office buildings outgrow their purpose or age in the Auckland CBD, demolish them, turn the footprint into a green area and force developers to rebuild in the suburbs, like Avondale. The entire CBD could decentralise with offices scattered throughout the suburbs

of greater Auckland. Rush-hour congestion would be a thing of the past within 15 years as workers commute in several directions across the suburbs.”

“The Avondale racecourse is a sad ruin. But how magical it could be as a garden park and outdoor pool for the community. Something that the West desperately needs. I fear it will just be turned into flimsy town houses and profit for property developers. I really hope AJC can give this to the council to improve the environment for Avondale!”

“What should Avondale racecourse become? Not a ghetto, for sure! There could/should be Kāinga Ora housing, but there should be a limit to how many! We know there is an abundance of families that urgently need housing but the racecourse is an ideal space for recreational purposes as well.

“It is the perfect space for a sporting arena that would cater for all sporting codes with inside and outside venues. It could include conference/meeting venues for hire with full kitchen service, community day care services, library, swimming pools, picnic areas, bike tracks, walking/running tracks, retain the Sunday market, skate rink, cafés, restaurants, a dog park, etc. Future employment for local residents should be provided. The list is endless ...”

The heart of the ngahere

The Heritage Area Act requires that our Waitākere Ranges taonga must be enhanced, not just maintained. A sanctuary proposal by Te Kawerau ā Maki speaks to the very heart of this objective.

Heart of the Ngahere (forest) is a discussion paper that centres on creating a 6.1ha area in the uninhabited centre of the Ranges as a permanent, pest-free sanctuary with no public access.

“The forest ecosystem has been on life support, with no intergenerational vision and strategic management,” says trustee Ed Ashby. “‘Healthy’ isn’t what’s out there. If the heart thrives, it will enable biodiversity to ‘spill over’ into the more compromised edges of the forest.”

The proposed sanctuary area is primarily in the catchment zones. It overlaps a nub of the Ark in the Park and would cover only 35 percent of the regional park, an area in line with UN biodiversity goals. The sanctuary would see permanent removal of 19 of the 136 tracks, allowing for 151km of public tracks That balance leaves a higher density of tracks than in other New Zealand and international parks.

Already, over 200,000 Aucklanders and visitors walk the most popular tracks in the Ranges each year, more than 20 times the number that use the Milford Track. As Auckland grows, this number will continue to put pressure on the Ranges.

“We’re being transparent in our thinking, to generate a robust conversation, rather than claiming we have all the answers,” says Ed. “What we do know is that the environment has wisdom in it. It knows what to do and how to bounce back if you take out the human impacts,”

“I tell people, if you really want to access the interior, get the training in pest management, join a group,” he says.

Day-to-day management of the upgraded tracks is also being compromised by replacement of placebased, knowledgeable contractors with what Ed calls ‘spreadsheet maintenance’. In February, contractors weed-whacked the sides of the Con Bryan track on the Hillary Trail in a way that he describes as “savage”.

“Adjacent to the tracks is the light well, where native orchids for example can grow, along with ferns and grasses,” he says. “It was all mown down. We do track monitoring and these contractors need educating that maintaining the track doesn’t come at the expense of what’s living.”

The Heart of the Ngahere proposal document is on the iwi’s website tekawerau.iwi.nz, and on their Facebook page.

– Jade Reidy

Over recent months, many ideas and proposals for the future of the Ranges have crossed The Fringe’s desk, including new life for the Rainforest Express, creating

Moving into a serviced apartment at Ryman means there’s less time spent cooking and cleaning and more time for yourself.

Feel safe and secure at Murray Halberg Village, where beautiful outlooks provide the backdrop for a host of onsite amenities.

Cleverly designed with a kitchenette, open plan living, separate bedroom and an ensuite bathroom.

Serviced apartments come with support that makes life easier, like housekeeping and a chef-prepared meal every day.

Enjoy being apart of a friendly and supportive community.

Priced from $450,000.

Call Lucy or Sae on 627 2727 for more details or visit rymanhealthcare.co.nz

MURRAY

On a whim ...

On a whim I pulled out an old folio and rediscovered two illustrations by Anna Crichton that I had effectively forgotten about. I still liked them. On a whim I dropped them into Homestead Framers in Railside Avenue.

That same day, again on a whim, I stopped at the bottle store in Glen Eden to purchase a gift. Not my favourite place; sometimes quite intimidating in fact.

As I stepped out of my car a voice called my name; and there stood Anna Crichton. I hadn’t seen her for years. There’s always a sense of urgency about Anna, a sort of brewing excitement. Dragged around the corner into the usually grim alleyway, I was greeted by light and colour and a bunch of folks from ‘A Supported Life’ painting with fierce concentration, and occasional chatter, a wall of West Auckland wine, port and sherry labels that they had each reimagined.

(Image below)

The resulting mural, Isn’t Life Grape , envisioned and nurtured by Anna, is the latest in a series of her outsider arts projects. A recently held cartoon workshop with the homeless at the Auckland City Mission produced some colourful results – and language! All this recounted to me, with some delight and amusement, as I sit in her bushsurrounded studio in Tītīrangi. But beneath the laughter is a woman of very serious intent and commitment to the underprivileged in our society.

Another Anna, the one that I first knew, is the satirist/illustrator. She is happy with cartoonist/ illustrator as a descriptor, but her work is so exquisitely detailed and beautiful (despite the often savage messaging) that ‘cartoonist’ just doesn’t cut it for me. Her track record is prodigious: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Australian, The Bulletin, Time Magazine, the New Zealand Listener and the New Zealand Herald – where, in 2022, she was employed as the first ever female editorial cartoonist in the paper’s 159-year history, taking over Rod Emmerson’s Tuesday spot. Her unrelenting workload, coupled with the fact that every illustration starts and ends with working on paper with a good, old-fashioned dip pen, brought that stint (and honour) to an end.

It’s impossible to describe the breadth of Anna’s illustrative work; the skewering and exposing of political humbug; the sometimes-surrealist images of society’s pain and pretension; the best ever buffoon portraits of narcissist leaders. And all of it with an ironic and mischievous wit and delicacy.

In 1998 the then Lopdell House Gallery (in what is now Deco Restaurant) mounted an exhibition called Table Setting. There was a definite nod to the famous 1970s Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party ; where 39 mythical and historical women were celebrated with artistdesigned table settings. At Lopdell, six New Zealand artists were invited to work at Studio Ceramics in Glen Eden, under the technical tutelage of the late Chris Harvey, using factory dinner setting blanks, to produce a painterly commentary on the times. Anna Crichton was one of the six.

I can still remember her work; graphic figures somehow freed from the constraints of paper. I think this was her first foray into ceramics, and what a path it has led her down. She still paints and glazes onto plates and bowls; erotic and magical figures in complex configurations. But her love seems to be in hand-moulded sculptural forms with subtle anatomical references; again, richly decorated with surface texture, rich glazes and painterly images. In late 2020 she was an artist in residence at Auckland Studio Potters and was a finalist in the 2010, 2014 and 2023 Portage Ceramic Awards.

In Anna’s words: My life is spent with an old-fashioned ink pen in hand, clay under my fingernails and a mind whirling with possibilities of future collaborations in faraway lands.

So this leads me to the ‘last Anna’ (that I know of) – Anna the traveller and explorer. In 2017/2018 she was in Varanasi, India, collaborating with embroiderers, returning in 2019 to collaborate with wood block carvers and natural dye fabric printers in Ahmedabad. She explains that she wished to tell stories through these crafts about Indian practices and traditions that she found confronting. The results hang on her studio walls; on remnants of used rickshaw fabric, woven and dyed material, work that carries stories in its very weft and warp. The embroidered works, all stitched by men, are delicate beyond belief; the designs hers, bringing that

Art & About with Naomi McCleary

piercing, ironic gaze to the incongruities she discovered in those exotic locations.

Anna wears her complex creative life lightly; says she doesn’t feel burdened in any way; and I believe her. Nevertheless, I am in awe of her prodigious output. Her website is lush with text and images and by far the best way to see and understand what drives her.

www.annacrichton.com

Shadbolt House in Arapito Road has been nominated for Category 1 listing with Heritage New Zealand. Public Notification of the nomination is open for submissions until 4pm, May 10.

To read the report and take the option to submit, go to https://www.heritage.org.nz/places/nominate-andsubmit where the report can be directly downloaded and submissions made. This is reached after scrolling through the nominations section. There’s a link to the full report after the photo of Maurice Shadbolt House and Studio, and then further links to both the email address and survey option for submissions.

Submissions in support are welcome.

Te Uru has launched a volunteer programme, a great way to meet new people and learn more about contemporary art.

Volunteer guides help the gallery by talking to visitors about the current exhibitions, guiding community group and school group visits and offering additional support to the gallery’s education centre.

Volunteers will receive training for every season of exhibitions at the gallery, learning directly from experienced educators and the curatorial team. Rostered shifts of three hours each are available throughout the week.

Find out more at info@teuru.org.nz.

Te Uru is to present the 2024 Portage Ceramic Awards and entries are now open. This annual award provides a vital platform to showcase the diversity of contemporary clay practices in Aotearoa.

Entries will close on June 10 and shortlisted entries will be notified on August 2. The awards will be announced on November 21 with the exhibition running until February 2, 2025.

To find out more or to get the latest updates and ongoing Portage news, visit teuru.org.nz/portage.

Live Local? Work Local!

Local artist paints special work

When young, local artist Muriwai Nicholls was approached by Visionwest Community Trust for a special project recently, she leapt at the opportunity.

Visionwest were opening Whare Hiwa, their latest project aimed at addressing youth homelessness in West Auckland and Muriwai was asked to create a distinctive artwork that would convey something of the project’s special nature.

Whare Hiwa provides kaupapa Māori-designed housing support for 18- to 22-year-old wāhine who are experiencing homelessness or facing housing insecurity. Live-in supervision is provided, and youth mentors work alongside the women to help them achieve goals relating to selfconfidence, stability and employment.

Muriwai’s artwork features three young women, one Māori, one Pasifika and one Pākehā. “Before creating the painting, I did a lot of research so that I could be sure of presenting each wāhine in their own specific way,” says Muriwai.

“The Māori wāhine is wearing a green korowai with a tāniko pattern which represents the weaving together of community; in the same way, Whare Hiwa seeks to develop community. The Pasifika wāhine is wearing a puletasi or puletaha in vibrant orange and yellow, colours that symbolise the bravery and the inner strength of the wāhine who move into Whare Hiwa. The flower in her hair symbolises new beginnings and protection because Whare Hiwa is a place of shelter for these wāhine. It is in her right ear to show that she is not married. Lastly, the Pākeha wahine is wearing a brown shirt to symbolise comfort and being grounded because Whare Hiwa will be a place of stability and safety for all wāhine who live there.

“In the picture, the three women are looking in different directions while remaining close. This is to symbolise the closeness of the young women as they are different people, but all look out for one another.”

All accommodation spaces at Whare Hiwa are now taken. The project works alongside My Whare, another Visionwest youth housing project which involves placing state of the art onebedroom studios on residential properties to house young people who have had a challenging start to life.

NU 2 U keeps on giving

A fashion recycling initiative operated by residents at a local retirement village has donated $31,200 to West Auckland St John Ambulance since it started in July 2019.

Run by Green Bay’s Pinesong Retirement Village resident Jean Piper and a team of 10 or so volunteers, the weekly NU 2 U event is popular with residents and ‘outsiders’ keen on snapping up bargains in women’s fashion. "We are not a second-hand shop but a space where residents – and outsiders – can find quality clothing and accessories, have a coffee or bite to eat and enjoy friendship. Every cent raised goes to St John Ambulance,” says Jean.

Jean is pictured (above) handing over another $1,200 to St John’s Lindsay Roberts from Tītīrangi. NU 2 U takes place every Wednesday, 9am-Noon at Pinesong’s Seabreeze Lounge.

– Moira Kennedy

Muriwai with her father Jeremy and Debbie Griffiths, Visionwest’s Community Connector Team Leader.

Bupa Glenburn Retirement Village

Free village fees for 12 months*

There’s never been a better time to make your move to Bupa Glenburn.

Affordable one or two bedroom apartments from $476,000^

For a limited time

Bupa Glenburn Retirement Village is a boutique village conveniently situated right next to a bus stop and just up the road from LynnMall and the New Lynn train station.

Our affordable apartments are modern and light and there are a variety of community facilities for you to enjoy.

• Fixed weekly fees

• 24-hour emergency call system

Contact Matt on 09 377 8032

• Power/water included in weekly fees

79 Margan Avenue, New Lynn, Auckland | bupa.co.nz/glenburn

* Bupa’s standard application terms and conditions apply. Offer available to new prospective residents entering an application for an occupation right agreement (ORA) at Bupa’s Glenburn or Sunset retirement village between 1 Mar 2024 and 31 Jul 2024. To qualify settlement of the ORA must occur on or prior to 20 Dec 2024. For full terms and conditions, visit bupa.co.nz/retirement-villages/promotions.

^ Price is for a licence to occupy under an occupation right agreement.

Please support our advertisers – they’ve supported all of us for over 22 years

Places to go – Things to do

Out and About in the West

Event organisers: Do you have an upcoming event you’d like listed in The Fringe? Send the details, including a contact person and number, to info@fringemedia.co.nz.

Readers: While we take care to ensure listings are correct, errors may occur. Check with the contact person if possible, especially over the festive and holiday season Covid precautions: All events and gatherings in these listings will require full compliance with relevant Covid regulations.

Exhibitions

w – 12, Squiggla Making Space: Drop in during the gallery’s opening hours to get creative with a range of materials; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road; Free. Phone 817 8087.

w – 12, Underfoot: a group exhibition featuring works by David Cox, D Harding, Ana Iti, Nicholas Mangan, Kate Newby, Bridget Reweti, Koji Ryui, Yasmin Smith, John Spiteri and Raukura Turei using organic earth matter in poetic ways; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w – 26, Domestic Wild: surveying Tāmaki Makaurau artist Ava Seymour’s series of cat-centric photo montages, assemblages and videos; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w – 26, New cuts, old music: Grant Tackle’s re-purposing of once-popular records, Terry Urbahn’s remixing of songs and Richard Reddaway’s audio sculptures from recycled materials; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w 4 – June 22, Talking Earth, a collection of pottery by Rebecca Steedman encouraging contemplation on the potential relationship between the landscape and contemporary dinnerware; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson. Phone 838 4455.

w 4 – June 22, In our spring garden, photographer Samson Dell reflects on the challenges of capturing gender fluidity in static images; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson. Phone 838 4455.

w 4 – June 22, The essentials of being a native, Matt Tini explores colonial influences on the representation of indigenous peoples through a series of photography and moving image works; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson. Phone 838 4455.

May

w 3, Flicks presents The Quiet Girl, a BAFTA and OSCAR Nominee: "A truly remarkable new Irish film" Full details on www.flickscinema.weebly.com; Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Tītīrangi Road; 10.30, 5pm, 8.15pm; $15/$12. For bookings text 0210 222 5558.

w 3 – 5, Printopia, a festival of original print; Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson. Visit https://printopia.nz/

w 4 – August 4, Making do rhymes with poo: a new multimedia installation with video and live performance by Justene Williams (Australia); Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w 5, Pony Rides, Huia Road Horse Club; 436B Huia Road, Laingholm; 3-4pm; $5 per child per ride. Phone 027 499 1732.

w 8, Flicks presents African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and

Katharine Hepburn, a classic movie night presented by Sir Bob Harvey; Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Tītīrangi Road; 7.30pm; $15/$12. For bookings text 0210 222 5558.

w 10, West Auckland Men’s Rebus Club, guest speaker and morning tea; Friendship Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn; 10am-12noon. Phone Vince 021 189 6822.

w 10, Ladies’ Probus Club, fellowship and fun; St John’s Hall, 247 Edmonton Road, Te Atatū South; 9.45am-Noon. Phone Betty 09 832 0484.

w 11, Tītīrangi Poets with a guest poet and readings by members; Tītīrangi War Memorial Hall, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 2-4pm. Phone Ron Riddell 021 181 6698.

w 11, Tītīrangi Folk Music Club presents Paul Brown, floorsingers in first half; Tītīrangi Beach Hall, bottom of Tītīrangi Beach Road; 8pm; $15, members $10, under 18 free. www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.

w 12, Special Mothers’ Day screening of Pacific Mother: Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Tītīrangi Road; 7pm. Text 0210 222 5558 for bookings.

w 14, West Auckland Historical Society Family History Group meeting; Henderson Central Library West Auckland Research Centre; 10-11.30am. Phone Gary Snow 832 5098, 021 618 434 or email gary@snofam.co.nz.

w 15, Combined Waitākere Rebus Club; St John’s Hall, 247 Edmonton Road, Te Atatū South; 10am-Noon. Contact Philis on 838 5361.

w 15, Special fund-raising screening of Peter Jackson’s They shall grow not old (R16) as part of the centennial calibrations for the Soldiers Memorial Church; Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Tītīrangi Road; 7.30pm; Tickets $15/$12, book through flicks.co.nz or text 021 02225558.

w 17, Flicks presents a film to be announced; Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Titirangi Road. For details nearer the time go to www.flickscinema.weebly. com

w 18, New Lynn Lions Club $1 Book Sale: Books, Magazines, CDs, DVDs, LPs and jigsaw puzzles; New Lynn Friendship Club Hall, 3063 Great North Road, New Lynn (down the driveway by the traffic lights); 8am-4pm. Contact Mary Hibberd on 027 487 0639.

w 20, Henderson Falls Combined Friendship Club – fun, friendship and fellowship with monthly speakers and frequent outings; Henderson Bowling Clubrooms, 2/20 Alderman Drive, Henderson; 10am-noon. Contact Joy 837 4646 or 021 267 3544.

w 24, Glen Eden Combined Probus Club: company and fellowship, interesting speakers, morning tea and monthly outings; Ceramco Park Function Centre, 120 Glendale Road, Kaurilands; 9.45am. Phone Brian Holt 838 5857.

w 24, Tītīrangi Folk Music Club presents Friday Folk, an informal gathering of musicians, singers and listeners; Tītīrangi Beach Hall, bottom of Tītīrangi Beach Road; 7.30pm; $5. www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.

w 25, New Lynn Repair Cafe organised and run by DEANZ (Doughnut Economics Advocates NZ) with funding from Whau Local Board, New Lynn Community Centre, Tōtara Avenue, New Lynn; 11am - 2pm; Koha. Enquiries to shi@doughnuteconomicsnz.com.

w 25 – August 4, Eternally Temporary: Landscape paintings from the

Places to go – Things to do

Kelliher Art Trust Collection; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w 26, Tītīrangi Village Market: art, craft, produce and music; Tītīrangi War Memorial Hall; 10am-2pm. Contact tvm.manager@gmail.com or phone 022 631 9436.

w 28, Tītīrangi U3A – informal learning for people 50-years plus, guest speakers, study groups; West Lynn Garden, 73 Parker Avenue, New Lynn; 1pm. Contact Jan, 027 478 4119 or jan@jangeorge.co.nz. www.u3a.nz.

w June 2, Pony Rides, Huia Road Horse Club; 436B Huia Road, Laingholm; 3-4pm; $5 per child per ride. Phone 027 499 1732.

w June 4 – 15, Tītīrangi Theatre presents It’s Never Too Late by Ron Aldridge, directed by Paul Norell; Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Tītīrangi Road. Bookings at https://www.titirangitheatre.co.nz/.

w June 8, Tītīrangi Poets with a guest poet and readings by members; Tītīrangi War Memorial Hall, 500 South Tītīrangi Road; 2-4pm. Phone Ron Riddell 021 181 6698.

w June 8, Tītīrangi Folk Music Club presents Sammy Leary, floorsingers in first half; Tītīrangi Beach Hall, bottom of Tītīrangi Beach Road; 8pm; $15, members $10, under 18 free. www.titirangilivemusic.co.nz or text Cathy on 021 207 7289.

w June 8 – August 18, Toi Whakaata/Reflections: surveying the work of sculptor Fred Graham (Ngati Koroki Kahukura, Tainui); Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

w June 8 – August 25, Rehutai: works by Shannon Te Ao, Arapeta Hakura and Ngahuia Harrison in response to chosen Taonga from Auckland War Memorial Museum; Te Uru, 420 Tītīrangi Road. Phone 817 8087.

There is so much happening in and around our community, including many regular events, that we can’t fit everything into these listings. If you can’t see the event you’re interested in, visit: www.fringemedia.co.nz/ourplace

SEW HAPPY TOGETHER

The Sew Happy Sewing Bee is a friendly community stitching group and its members would love to meet you. Learn to embroider and quilt, or share your skills. The group meets on Tuesdays at the Glen Eden Library, 2pm. All materials are provided and there is no charge. For more information contact Ann Poulson: aki.poulsen@ gmail.com. The picture above shows group members (from left to right) Marianne, Ann, Bev, Mila and Lorna learning stitches in readiness to stitch their stories for a special community quilt celebrating the people, places and history of West Auckland.

Winter Arrivals

Stylish jackets for lightweight warmth

Places to go – Things to do

It’s

never too late for self-love!

Hot on the heels of their popular season of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, Tītīrangi Theatre is to present their second production of the year, telling a story of a different kind of love altogether: self-love.

Written by English actor-turned-playwright Ron Aldridge, It’s Never Too Late is a tale of new beginnings, the power of letting go, and never giving up on yourself.

Susan Shaw’s life takes an unexpected turn after her husband leaves her for a much younger woman, leaving her filled with despair and doubt, believing her best days are behind her.

As Susan navigates this tumultuous new chapter of her life, she discovers solace and strength in her tight-knit village committee and her vivacious best friend, Linda. Susan discovers that it’s never too late to break free and become who she was always meant to be.

Heart-warming and hilarious, It’s Never Too Late is a feelgood story of strength, resilience, and empowerment for all who've lost themselves, only to emerge happier and stronger.

It’s Never Too Late opens on June 4 with tickets available at https://www.titirangitheatre.co.nz/

Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is coming to Glen Eden’s Playhouse in the July school holidays.

It is to be performed by a cast of 40 local youth performers aged 18 years and under, including Amelia Stace as Cinderella (right), Ella Fletcher as Godmother, Lexie Fisher as Stepmother, Brooke Lane as Portia, Megan Evans as Joy and

Music month at the libraries

Tītīrangi and Glen Eden Libraries are presenting a wide variety of musical performances across the month of May, New Zealand Music Month.

May 4, 10.30am to 4pm: Tītīrangi Folk Music Club members perform traditional and contemporary folk music. Participants will include Lew Black, Roz and Mike Maguire, Warren and Fi, Good Times featuring Alice McLeod and Bea Parker, John McKeown and friends from the club’s Friday Club, The Shambles Band, The McClennan Family – Alex McClennan and his daughters Shannon (16) and Charlotte (13), Celtic Ferret aka Ian Bartlett and Jean Reid, and Pomahaka Tyne aka Helen Douglas (Northumbrian Smallpipes and whistle) and Janet Thomson (guitar and vocals). (Tītīrangi Library)

May 11, 12.30–1.30pm: The high energy duo Gin & Kronic play covers with a ‘genre bending’ twist. (Tītīrangi Library)

May 11, 1.30-2pm: The award winning Auckland Youth Symphonic Band performs. (Glen Eden Library)

May 18, 10.30–11.30am: Talented students and teachers from The Music Education Centre. (Tītīrangi Library)

May 23, 7.30pm–8.30pm: Bootscootin’ Line Dancing. Karen Dawson, a teacher with 30 years’ experience hosts a free line dancing session. Yee haw! (Tītīrangi Library)

May 25, 11am–1pm: Acoustic duo Kairos perform acoustic blues, rock and indie folk. (Tītīrangi Library)

May 25, 1.30-3.30: Bevis England, an experienced singer, songwriter and guitarist presents a programme of originals and personal favourites. (Tītīrangi Library)

Sushant Kaushal as the Prince.

The creative team behind the show are all experienced in delivering the Playhouse’s youth shows with Matt Billington as director, Mackenzie Willis as musical director and Heidi Schuler as choreographer and vocal coach.

The show runs July 13–20 and tickets are on sale at Eventfinda or playhousetheatreinc.com.

The cast in rehearsals, left to right: John Palmer, Shane Hartley, Stephen Moratti, Vikki Cottingham, Paul Norell, Michelle Smith, Alie Smith.

Places to go – Things to do

Pacific Mother: a cinematic celebration of birth

A major cinematic event is to take place in Tītīrangi on May 12 with a special Mother's Day screening of the documentary Pacific Mother.

The film interweaves maternal and environmental health messages as it follows water women from around the Pacific in a cinematic celebration of birth.

For the birth of their first child, freediving couple Sachiko Fukumoto and William Trubridge had to navigate two maternity systems. This awakened in them a realisation of the lack of choice many parents face. Director Katherine McRae follows Sachiko as she connects with ocean women from around the Pacific, including Hawai’i, Tahiti, the Cook Islands, and Aotearoa New Zealand. Through their interwoven stories, the film explores the importance of community, reclaiming traditional birthing knowledge and the connection between caring for the planet and nurturing both parents and their children.

Best Cinematography – and qualified for consideration at this year’s Oscars.

Entertainment reviewer Graeme Tuckett gave the film five stars and wrote: “Pacific Mother is a stunning – stunning – looking film, with many minutes of undersea photography in crystal clear Pacific waters. See this film on a big screen, if you get the chance. It really is a bit special.”

Pacific Mother is produced by Migiwa Ozawa, a long-time resident of Tītīrangi. “I have always felt very lucky to live in this beautiful part of the world. I have spent more time here than in Japan and I feel that Tītīrangi is my home, so it is very special for me to be able to show this film in my community,” she says.

She will attend the screening for a Q&A with other Tītīrangi residents Cathy McCormick (Holistic Baby) and Brendon Smith (Great Fathers NZ). Director Katherine McRae will travel from Wellington to join the event. This free community film screening is kindly supported by Lopdell House

The film won four New Zealand awards at the 2023 Doc Edge Film Festival – Best Feature, Best Director, Best Editing and

We have the keys!

Last month, I and two others completed a Watercare safety induction, which is a requirement for access to the Rainforest Express station building and engine house.

On 4th April 2023, Watercare’s Board Resolved that Watercare was happy to engage with interested parties to dispose of their tram line assets.

I have been championing the efforts of a small group of rail enthusiasts to get the Rainforest Express operational again.

After months of drawn-out discussions and tediously long waiting periods, we now have our first foot in the door, so to speak.

With common sense and help from Section 85 of the Railways Act, Watercare has accepted in principle our proposal for owning and operating this little historic railway that people so loved.

Thank you to Watercare’s CEO, Board of Directors, and staff for sharing the group’s vision.

Pacific Mother: Lopdell House Theatre, 418 Titirangi Road; May12, 7pm. Text 0210 222 5558 for bookings.

Watercare’s lawyers are researching to prepare a written agreement that needs to include a lease for the land on which the rail line is installed. A trust is being established to ensure these heritage assets stay in public ownership while allowing commercial investment, management, and operations in complete separation from Watercare.

In a generous act of good faith, Watercare is allowing access to the station building and rolling stock so that further deterioration of the engines and carriages can be prevented.

This is an interim stage with no set guarantees. A renewed operation of this little railway will require a Rail Licence and Safety Case, a lot of theoretical and practical work, not to mention maintenance and money.

But we’re underway on a practical level. It’s a big credit to the people who have been working on this for the last six years, and a special thanks must go to Mr Harvey Stewart, a retired Watercare civil engineer who, along with Councillor Mike Lee, got the Rainforest Express going in 1998. Harvey was one of our small group inducted and the most excited about the possible rebirth of this little train after more than a decade of silence.

– Ken Turner, WestWards

Fair Food volunteering

Getting food into hungry children is just one part of what Fair Food achieves every day in West Auckland.

The food rescue charity has been operating since 2011 and has diverted over two million kilograms of food from landfill and into the community over the past two years alone.

Manager Michelle Blau says Fair Food has seen a huge rise in requests from schools that don’t qualify for Ka Ora, Ka Ako (the Healthy School Lunches Programme) and expects this demand to skyrocket as the government looks to cut deeper into the programme.

“Any time you take money out of pockets it’s going to come from the grocery budget. Many kids have no food at home all weekend so we’re adding school breakfasts,” she says. “Lack of funding will show up in negative consequences for learning and wellbeing.”

Over 40 different community groups also receive banana boxes filled with fresh produce rescued from supermarkets,

Safer Roads on the way

Road safety improvements are in the pipeline thanks to the Whau Local Board Transport Capital Fund.

The fund, managed by Auckland Transport (AT) on behalf of Whau Local Board, will see new raised pedestrian crossings on Hepburn Road, South Lynn Road and St Georges Road, pedestrian improvements near the Orchard St/ Rosebank Rd intersection, and line-marking and signage improvements on Godley Road.

Whau Local Board chair Kay Thomas says it’s great to give the go-ahead for local road safety improvements, especially those near Jireh Christian School, Rosebank School and Green Bay School.

“It will ensure our local children and parents can move around our busy intersections safely. This is so important— especially around peak travel hours near the schools,” she says.

Kay says the pedestrian improvements are much needed as the number of deaths and serious injuries on Auckland’s roads continues to increase.

“Raised crossings reduce the likelihood of deaths or serious injuries. Our board would love to do our best to help improve road safety and make Whau a better place for all of us to live and work,” she adds.

“There are many projects that need work, and we’ve done everything we can to prioritise the most needed ones.”

AT will seek feedback on the improvements soon.

growers and manufacturers. Demand is such that some groups now only receive one box per month.

Organisations include Pātaka Kai street pantries, the Hope Centre Foodbank in Kelston, Vision West and Waitākere Community Outreach. Local supermarkets who support the charity with donated food include Fresh Choice in Tītīrangi and Glen Eden, New World in New Lynn and Countdown.

Food that isn’t of a standard to send out into the community is cooked into meals in the commercial kitchen on Fair Food’s premises in Rosebank Road. Over five million meals have gone out from the kitchen since 2021.

Fair Food aims to change the world ‘one bite at a time’, not only tackling food poverty but preventing significant amounts of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere.

The charity employs the equivalent of 10 full-time employees, including drivers.

Waiata Tucker manages the operation and matches volunteers with the quantities of food that needs sorting daily, ensuring nothing edible gets wasted. What can’t be eaten goes to compost and a pig farm. Waiata also oversees what goes into the boxes, which can look pretty enticing.

“We want our community to receive food that we ourselves would feel happy to buy and eat,” she says. “The kitchen volunteers are also amazing at inventing meals on the spot from whatever they have that day.”

Waiata came to Fair Food after years of working in hospitality and feeling frustrated at the lack of progress towards sustainable business practices.

“I saw the Fair Food job advertised on Do Good Jobs and felt so welcome when I walked in the door,” she says. “That was August 2023, just before the most challenging period leading up to Christmas.”

Volunteer shifts are casual. You might work alongside international visitors dropping in or corporate groups, or individual Westies with big hearts. Supported living members from Kōtuku Trust also cut bananas every Tuesday. Fair Food welcomes enquiries related to accessibility and is hoping to expand into offering more places to the Workforce organisation, which supports people back into work.

To volunteer, go to fairfood.org.nz and sign up.

– Jade Reidy

Waiata Tucker and volunteer cook Susie in the Fair Food kitchen.

Our Place

It’s about community

Communities give their members a sense of belonging, and support during hard times. KERRY LEE asks whether there is room for improvement.

Shane Manuela, owner of the Green Bay Barbershop, has been a part of the local community for 16 years and sometimes referees at the New Lynn Rugby League Club. He says one improvement could be communication.

“To me, communities are about the connections that can be made through people and the energy that can be generated from that to a point where I can share something with you, and it's OK.

“Crossing ethnic boundaries as well, it’s nice to meet the person and to understand that their culture is a little bit different to yours. Not just paint over it and act like everyone’s the same,” says Shane.

Green Bay Community House and the New World supermarket act as social hubs where Green Bay residents can meet and stay in touch. The Green Bay Ratepayers and Residents Association are collaborating with the community house to find new ways to improve their lines of communication in the case of major disasters. Other ideas include a free booklet on what to do in emergencies, written in several languages to accommodate the different cultures in the area.

Over at Tītīrangi, Bev Mossop manager of the Tītīrangi Community House feels that the house provides a warm and welcoming space.

“It’s an affordable place that community groups can hire. We also run our own activities. We had an eco-feast event last month where we made recycled teacups. We also have a school holiday programme which is popular because it provides a space that’s safe for parents to drop their kids off if they have to work during the holidays”, says Bev.

The house is now trying to attract groups back following the Covid pandemic. For Bev, the key is to deliver what people want.

“We’re opening up the house and providing more opportunities for a wider group of people. We’ve got a lot of children and elderly residents who use the house, but there are a lot of others who may not know that we’re even here. Getting the word out is important.

“It’s really important that communities have a say, and we have facilities for their health and wellbeing. It’s about bringing our neighbourhood together, learning about other people and their experiences. When you get to know your community there’s a sense of safety about that,” Bev says.

The Glen Eden Community and Recreation Centre opened

in 1994 to create a space for groups to meet and hold events. At the moment 16 groups use the centre regularly.

One of the centre's strengths is that it is run by the groups themselves. Lynn Brown the treasurer and bookings officer says that this helps keep fees down, ensuring everyone has access.

“Groups that don’t have big memberships can’t afford to pay the higher costs of hiring the hall, and because we keep the hire costs low, smaller groups can use our centre,” says Lynn.

The lack of car parking space is an issue for the centre. When the centre's parks are full, the overflow can go onto the car park owned by the Glenora Rugby League Football Club, but when there is a game on, they have sole use of those parks.

Some ideas might be to add in extra parks behind the centre, or to remove one of two nearby netball courts, to make more space.

Hotmix (Black wattle/Pine) $180/m3

Black Wattle ... ... $220/m3

Gum/Oak ... ... ... $220/m3

Bagged wood and kindling available.

Yard 22, Waikaukau Road, Glen Eden.

Open Saturday, 8am-3pm

Minimum delivery 2m3 local area. Delivery charges apply. All 6m3 deliveries free.

Phone: 027 492

1949 (Sue)

027 921 9499 (Brian) or 09 818 6998

Email: sue@bhpools.co.nz

Shane Manuela: “communities are about the connections that can be made.”

History

Tītīrangi Presbyterian church farewelled

The Tītīrangi Presbyterian church in Atkinson Road held its last service on March 3, after 71 years of serving the community.

FIONA DRUMMOND looks at its history.

Jean Levy has been a member of Tītīrangi Presbyterian church for 52 years and her family involvement has spanned four generations, including one wedding and three family funerals at the church. Jean’s father, Reverend John Graham, was the minister at St Martins Presbyterian church in Glen Eden and he took some services and guided the congregation between ministers in the early 1960s.

McFarlane house which became the church’s manse. Church services continued to be held in The Soldiers Memorial Church which was shared with the Anglicans. Reverend Gunn also took services at Laingholm and Woodlands Park, and occasionally Huia.

As the church began to grow, the facilities at the stone church were limited so an old Army hut was put on a section by the fire station so they could have Sunday school and other events there. This was later replaced with a hall built by voluntary labour.

Jean’s husband Stewart was one of the organists for many years. Her son Andrew was a youth leader at one stage and daughter Catherine met her husband Nigel White through the Drama Group connected to the church.

With Jean’s long involvement with the church, she was asked to research the history for the final church service as there was very little recorded history.

I am grateful to her for compiling and sharing the following history, to which I have added some information.

John and Margaret McFarlane who lived on Memorial Hill above the church site were very influential in early fundraising for the Presbyterian cause in Tītīrangi, hosting garden fêtes, musical concerts, bring and buy sales and more from 1928 through to the late 1930s at their home, Dundonald

Mrs MacFarlane was part of the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union, formed in 1905 during a period of missionary zeal in the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. In 1964 the Union merged with the Women's Fellowship of the Church to form the Association of Presbyterian Women.

In August 1952, it was reported that Mrs Margaret McFarlane, formerly of Tītīrangi, had left Dundonald to the Presbyterian Church, with a provision that part of it was to be used as a rest home for ministers and church workers. The evolution of a site for a future church emerged with this generous bequest.

In 1953, Tītīrangi Presbyterian church became an official church community, having previously been part of New Lynn parish. New Lynn’s ministers, Reverend Boyd, followed by Reverend Martin, would come to Tītīrangi Soldiers Memorial Church in Park Road and take services for the Presbyterians in the area. Other meetings were held in what had been Dundonald . Andrew Geddes, another church member, remembers playing on the lawn of the church site, while his mother attended a meeting.

Reverend Jim Gunn was inducted as the first minister in Tītīrangi in 1953. The Gunn family shifted into the renovated

After 12 years Jim Gunn moved on and Reverend David Sage and his family came from Mangere East as the church continued to grow. He had an interest in the wider work of the church and also in the Bible Training Institute, which later became the Bible College of New Zealand and is now Laidlaw College in Henderson.

There was a good relationship with the Anglicans. Both churches were looking for more space and facilities and there was much discussion about how they could get more space for other activities, or if they could combine.

Mr Sage was followed by Reverend David Strickland in 1974. During his ministry the Anglicans and Presbyterians continued to work well together and had a combined Sunday School. Together they ran The Festival of Crafts at the Tītīrangi War Memorial hall for several years, a successful community event.

Many home faith groups were formed during David’s ministry and the Soldiers Memorial Church was no longer used when services moved to the War Memorial Hall. A building programme began for a new church to be built on the McFarlane Family Trust land below the manse. The rest home was dispensed with and the church took full ownership of the land and manse.

Locals and church members Nathan Blackburn and Ross Lee, both architects, designed the church and the builders used were A.J. Gundy Limited for the outside, and Don Aitken for the inside. A later extension was designed by architect Geoff Armstrong, with the building work carried out by Alan Rainey.

The new church was opened in December 1980 with the design concept demonstrating that God’s presence is not found in a building but in the life of the community of believers

Reverend Jack Foster was the next minister to come, in 1990. During his ministry, as the need for extra space for various activities arose, an extension to the church was planned and completed using the skills and gifts of many of the dedicated church people involved.

After Jack moved on to Papakura, Reverend Russell Denne,

a former church member, was a relieving minister until Reverend Brian Cavit came in 1999.

After a transition time, Reverend Johannes Suwantika and his young family arrived, with the church celebrating its Golden Jubilee, in 2003. A Tūī Children's Group and Mainly Music held at the church were popular with the young families of the community.

In 2013 after nine years in the ministry, Johannes and his family moved to Massey and Dr Judith Brown became the part-time minister, staying until February this year.

Jean Levy holds dear the memories of her 52 years of involvement with the church, where she and others have experienced acceptance, love, kindness, and grace from so many dedicated faith-filled people.

A Samoan congregation continues to use the building on Sunday afternoons. The future of the church and its site lies with the Northern Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ).

The closest Presbyterian church to Tītīrangi is the Iona Presbyterian church in Blockhouse Bay. Other local churches include St Francis Anglican Church in Park Road, Laingholm Baptist Church, Tītīrangi Baptist church in Kaurilands, the Glen Eden Baptist Church and the Green Bay Life Church.

Keeping it Local

Iti recognised in prestigious awards

The West Auckland Licensing Trusts (The Trusts) has top accolades for its gastro pub, ITi, in Tītīrangi.

ITi has been recognised as one of the top gastro bars in the country by the Hospitality Association of New Zealand and is now a finalist in the equally prestigious New Zealand’s Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastro Pubs.

CEO of The Trusts, Allan Pollard, says this accolade is a testament to the team’s commitment to delivering exceptional experiences. “The awards are recognition of the great work being done by The Trusts’ retail and hospitality teams,” he says.

Despite the Scenic Drive closures, Gordons Nurseries at 159a Scenic Drive is still open and has a great variety of plants available now.

The Fringe makes space on these pages available for current advertisers and non-commercial organisations, at no charge.

To be included in the June issue, email info@fringemedia. co.nz before May 17.

Vaccinations available

One in four New Zealanders catch the flu each year.

The flu is much worse than a cold and can wipe you out for a week or more, leaving you with a fever, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue and more. Some people, such as babies, young children and those with conditions like asthma or diabetes are at greater risk of getting very sick if they catch the flu.

The best way to protect yourself, your family, and your friends is to get a flu vaccine every year. This helps your body protect itself and reduces how quickly it can spread.

The flu vaccine is free of charge for people aged 65 years and over, people who have a long-term medical condition like diabetes, asthma, or a heart condition, people who are pregnant, children aged 4 years and under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness, people with certain mental health conditions, and people who are currently accessing secondary or tertiary mental health and addiction services.

The 2024 flu vaccination season is now underway and vaccine appointments are available at Health New Lynn Medical Centre. To book in, call its friendly reception team on 09 827 8888. And if you are looking for a new GP, Health New Lynn Medical Centre is currently taking enrolments. Call the centre today or visit www.healthnewlynn.co.nz for more information.

Hospice Awareness Week 2024

Weaving a network of care around people facing end-of-life

At any given time, there are more than 250 families in our community who are under the care of Hospice West Auckland, each with their own unique needs.

As well as specialist clinical expertise, Hospice provides practical, emotional and spiritual support – but each year the organisation needs to raise over $4 million in essential community fundraising in order to continue providing its services for free.

Hospice Awareness Week (May 13–19), is your opportunity to to make a real difference. Donations are welcome at www. hwa.org.nz/donate.

Smell and feel the gorgeousness!

Tonic Spa is delighted to introduce a new line of products, Anoint Her from Anoint Skincare NZ.

It is a new addition to Anoint’s existing line with a complementary array of skincare and gift items and comes with a crisp new look and new scents like ‘Peach Smoothie’. Vicky Gleeson recently purchased the much-loved New Zealand range originally created by Erica Wells in 2012. Vicky is equally talented in product and hand-crafted design. Her creation of the Anoint Her line shows the Anoint range is in good hands.

Anoint’s collections are delicious-smelling, hand-crafted products from natural ingredients. Sustainability is key. Anoint uses glass, tin, cork, ceramics, paper and cardboard rather than plastic wherever possible. Products are handmade in small batches from Vicky’s premises in Tauranga.

Tonic Spa has the complete Anoint range in store now for Mothers’ Day gifting.

Prepare for the next downpour

Our weather has become increasingly unpredictable. It might be fine and dry today but when it rains, it really pours!

If you have already experienced flooding you will know the importance of planning ahead for future weather events, and if you haven’t been flooded already, it might only be a matter of time ... Don’t leave it until winter sets in before getting a storm water solution designed to mitigate rainwater flooding. Drain Ranger is your local specialist for all your drainage requirements and wants to help as many people as possible. They recommend that you don’t leave it for further damage to occur, before contacting them.

“We can’t get to everyone at the same time,” says Drain Ranger’s Kelly Horan. “If you know you have storm water issues, let us design and put a solution in place as soon as possible and before the onslaught of winter rain.”

Contact Drain Ranger on 021 709 783 or email hello@ drainranger.co.nz.

Flooding can damage your gardens, and your home’s foundations ...

Body & Mind

Soak up nature for good health … and it’s on our doorstep

Lester Brice would love to see his workplace become the top local spot for forest bathing.

The head gardener at West Lynn Garden in New Lynn, Lester has been involved with gardens and plants for most of his adult life and now wants to share the concept for forest bathing with others so they can achieve the peace, harmony and good health vibrations that come with it.

Forest bathing was established as a medicinal practice in Japan in the 1980s and is known there as Shinrin-yoku a physiological and psychological exercise involving taking in the forest atmosphere. It’s a process of relaxation simply involving being in nature and connecting with it through our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch.

in Canterbury and the central North Island. I spent a lot of time wandering through the forests, watching tūī gather, catching up with each other, chattering. That gave me huge peace,” Jillian says.

Back in Japan, forest bathing is prescribed to patients to help lower their blood pressure and stress levels, alleviate depression and anxiety, increase immune and autonomic function, improve sleep, and boost mood, creativity, energy, and concentration.

“It’s really just people getting in touch with nature, using the trees and the environment to relax and West Lynn Garden is an ideal place to do it,” says Lester. “It’s a unique forest garden and not too big. It is secure and safe, and a great place to chill out, relax and enjoy the energy. It’s a place to escape the rat race and it’s good for mental health. People can see trees here that are decades old,” he says.

No running, jumping, exercising or any other form of activity is required. “Close your eyes, hear the sounds, and absorb the energy and power that mature forest provides.”

West Lynn Garden’s president, Jillian Gamble, fully supports the garden as a “most appropriate environment to slow down and be a part of nature.

“When people think of gardens they think of bedding plants and flowers. Our main attraction is mature trees and that’s why forest bathing is so relevant here.

“When I was a young teacher I lived in production forest villages

Research indicates that it can help adults and children de-stress and boosts health and wellbeing, offering a natural antidote to burnout and inspiring participants to reconnect with and protect the country’s forests. One study found that for one group of urban office workers, the physiological and psychological relaxation benefits lasted three-five days after forest therapy.

While many cultures have long recognised the importance of the natural world to human health, Lester and Jillian would like to make contact with people locally who would be keen to coordinate the concept at West Lynn.

“You don’t know if something will work until you try it. There are a lot of mental health issues with all age groups and it would be great to have something special and relaxing like forest bathing in our garden here at West Lynn,” Lester says. “Think peace and tranquility and feeling good by being immersed in nature’s energy and absorbing it.”

Janet Patchett Cert. Massage Therapist

If you are the person to help guide this concept, call West Lynn Garden on (09) 827 7045 or visit any day between 10am-4pm at 73 Parker Ave, New Lynn. West Lynn Garden was established in 1981 and covers 2.5 hectares.

– Moira Kennedy

Lester Brice and Jillian Gamble are keen to promote health and wellbeing through forest bathing at West Lynn Garden

Mature trees and a unique forest garden. Photo: Rick Mayne.

Lizard Family Corporation’s WestAbout Market Place

maggie@wattsyn: New member Hello to our lovely community. I’m looking to buy or swap what have you for a letterbox. Preferably number 23.

1 comment

Haniyjonson.com Hi maggie@wattsyn. I just this morning sold a number 37. Still have a 94A if that helps anyone.

BOB@Huia: Top contributor Free to good home. Very large concrete ornamental outdoor wheelbarrow. Been a great garden feature but downsizing. Must pick up. Very heavy so will need a flat bed truck or hiab.

Sponsored. Beehive Venture’s ‘classique' cigarette vending machines. Great locations still available. Less than two hours per day to stock. Cash business. Suit semi-retired person or school student. Opportunity to expand into vapes for the right go-getter. Must have a positive attitude and be of good health as some walking involved.

over50@home: Group expert Hello West community. I’m wanting to re-home my 22 year-old bay stallion. He is 17.2 hands. Quiet-natured horse. Comes when called. House trained but never ridden. Walks on a lead without pulling. Loves a scratch and an apple. Never wanders. Swap for geese or child’s go-cart.

jeff@landing: Two tyres. Good tread. Fit most vehicles. $50 each or swap for bouncy castle pump. Also, a George Foreman grill. Good for parts or perhaps repurpose?

Sponsored. Kikuyu seedlings. 20 trays available now. Proven spreader. Will grow over almost anything. We have totally sold out of this years kahili ginger but still have a few fragrant lilies. Remember, wild ginger needs plenty of water, even through the winter months.

julie@InteriorsForSale: Three large double bedrooms and lounge room of beautiful ornate patterned wallpaper. Nonsmoking house. Buyer must remove within five working days of sale. Thank you.

over50@home: Group expert Posting for a friend who doesn’t use a computer. Sure-to-fit dentures. Uppers only. Used mainly on soft foods. Free.

Sharonhills@blockhouse: Approximately 3m of chopped and stacked firewood. Includes kindling and axe. Hubby forgot we don’t have a fire.

Sponsored. ONLY the second time on the market. Life style blocks in the Abel Tasman National Park. Now you can build your own home on a 100ha block, using your own native timber! Sit back and watch your future investment grow or clear fell and enjoy a truly peaceful environment. Promising geotechnical results available should mining be your plan. The properties have been looked after by DOC so are almost pest free. These pockets of land rarely come on the market. Remember how fast Coromandel Forest Park sold? This is your opportunity to keep our forests in New Zealand hands. Let this be your family’s gold mine. All tenders to forestandmining@planetearth.au Together we sustain

suzieg@snug: Admin Double sided blankets. Wool. $56.00. Reversible sheets. Pure cotton. $58.00 per set.

Public Notices:

Look good in hats. Classes starting in the second term. Sizing, styles, fun. Mirrors and hat stands supplied. All you need is a broad smile and a willingness to laugh. No crumbly foods please. The carpets are twizel.

Mud walks around the Manukau. Manukau Mud Walkers is the oldest mud walking club in Aotearoa. Depending on the tides, these fascinating walks can last for six hours. Just imagine six hours in the mud! Very informative guides. Waders and wide-foot poles can be hired. Book now for special Night Mud Walks. You may even spot a flounder. Yum.

Church of the Eternal Burning Light. Several vacancies. Initial preference given to the older believers. Must be able to hum a tune. Women can wear slacks but gentlemen, please wear a button-down collared shirt. This is a church of total silence so any questions should be emailed to helloGod@ groveapartments.

Botox and liposuction lessons in your own home. Special introductory sign up price. Pay for one lip, get the second lip free. Limited to one family member. Contact poutmouth@ gleneden

Note: All goods sold at the buyer’s and seller’s risk. All goods not collected from my caravan within a month of the sale will be resold and the proceeds used for a Christmas knees-up.

Regards, Lizard.