Hikurangi Bulletin December 2022

BULLETIN DEADLINE FOR

HIKURANGI BULLETIN DECEMBER 2022

JANUARY 2023 is the 11th

F/House Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs 9.30 am to 12 noon, Fri 9.00 am to 2.30 pm, Closed Wednesdays. Ph 4338452

HIKURANGI COMMUNITY DINNER

On Nov 18th the HBA held our annual Community Dinner at the Hikurangi Bowling Club. At this dinner we introduced three new community awards; Community group of the year was awarded to the Hikurangi Maori Wardens for the huge effort they put into helping the elders of our community, consistently volunteering for local events and just generally being involved with the community and its plans, The Good Bugger of the year award was for an individual who is just that a good bugger. Someone who shows up and does the Mahi consistently, giving up their own time to help assist with local community projects and events there were many options but most notable was my own deputy chairperson Wayne Fowell. Lastly, Long Service to the community was thought of as a way to recognize some of the people who have been involved in the community for a long time this was a hard choice but we decided to go with someone who doesn’t get involved with much community group work. Possibly due to the fact he is always busy helping the community at work and that person is our local medical practitioner Dr George. We also had 9 Community Groups speak on what their year has looked like so far and where they are headed in the future, it was a great opportunity to get a look at what is going on behind the scenes. Some noteworthy mentions are to the library which managed to get sponsors for a whole bunch of new books. The museum which is currently doing renovations and has been doing specific exhibitions and the freshly minted Community Development Manager role which even though Sharlene could not attend has made some great strides to pushing local projects which often get forgotten about without someone enthusiastic enough to find and apply for funding and make these projects into reality. All of this was accompanied by a great venue and bar service thanks to members of the bowling club and a delicious buffet dinner and dessert provided by Alfies Spitroasts, But the highlight of the night for myself and for many others was our guest speaker Eric Rush. Eric is a Whangarei businessman and ex-sevens player, the stories from when he was growing up were very entertaining and were the perfect way to end the night.

RAINFALL NOVEMBER 2022

HUKERENUI 345 mm

HIKURANGI 420 mm MARUA 463 mm

We would like thank the following people who give us these Rain Results each month.

Hukerenui: Lillian Reid, Hikurangi Linda Vanstone and Marua Rob Roest These rain measurements are taken from their rain gauges in their local back yards.

Church Services In Hikurangi

Hikurangi Village Church: Meet Sundays at 10am, in the Hikurangi War Memorial hall. Last Sun of month is a Shared Lunch. Phone/Text Stuart on 0274 575247.

Hikurangi Catholic Church: Valley Rd Sundays 8 am Mass 1st Sun & Liturgy 2nd, 3rd & 4th 10 am.

Hikurangi Christian Fellowship: Sundays 10am or contact 4338654 and please leave a message.

Time flies by, and another year comes to it’s end. We would like to thank you all for your ongoing support. Because our museum is only run by volunteers, every bit of help is appreciated. We know that it is important for a lot of people in our community (and for those in the future) to keep our fascinating local history alive.

The Hikurangi Historical Museum opened its doors to the public in November 1988 in the small building that had housed the Hikurangi Town Council for many years. It was the initiative of a small group of dedicated locals who wanted to preserve the history of Hikurangi for future generations. Later on the corner section adjoining the Council Building was purchased with the help of the Whangārei District Council and the Hikurangi Jail was added. Then the old Hikurangi Courthouse became available and was moved to the museum section.

The time has come to renovate these historic buildings that house our museum. We received funding this year from the Whangārei District Council and Lottery to buy paint and materials, and to set up scaffolding. We are very grateful for their support, but we still have to do the work. That’s why we would like to ask you to please give us a hand. Works will start on the 13th of February 2023. So if you think you can handle a paint brush, or can assist with paint prep or feeding the volunteers during working bees (we supply the kai), please get in touch with us. Every helping hand is greatly appreciated.

Our opening hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10am - 11.30am or by appointment. hikurangi.museum@gmail.com

We will be closed over Christmas and New Year and open again on the 10th of January 2023. But do not despair! If you have visitors that you would like to take to the museum during this period, please email us in advance, as we might be available and able to open up. The museum team wishes you all a happy and safe summer break!

Opuawhanga Community Hall News

Magical Christmas Grotto

The weather was perfect for enjoying a sausage sizzle before entering the magical, festive world that was inside the hall; Santa was there, Christmas lights and Christmas trees a plenty. Santa’s Chief Elf had set up a workshop and was busy making toys for Santa to deliver, so many lights and displays for everyone to enjoy, a surprise around every corner! We really hope everyone who managed to come visit enjoyed it. From the Hall Committee, we wish you all a very happy Christmas, have a wonderful break, stay safe and all the very best for 2023

What a fantastic day at the hall for the

Hukerenui Playcentre

Our centre is located at 9 Crows Nest Road. Contact us about coming to us in 2022 Email: hukerenui@playcentre.org.nz

Session Times: Monday to Friday 8.45am to 12.45pm. For more info please call in and talk to us @ the above address.

Tai

Hikurangi Mountain Lions News

By the time you read this, we’re sure many of you will have enjoyed the Christmas Parade, the Hikurangi Mountain Lions are proud to be able to bring this event to our community and hope everyone enjoyed it. Well, 2022 is drawing to a close and we wish you all the best for the festive break and hope you all enjoy a well-earned break. We in the Club will be taking a short break but – but not for long!

We have our annual Golf Tournament happening on Saturday 28th January and planning is already well underway! This time we are raising funds for “Kind Hands” an amazing local charity that provides incredible support for children, and their families, who are dealing with the many challenges they face through illness or disability.

We would love you to help us with this, why not get a group of friends, whanau or work colleagues together (a great team building opportunity) and have a fun day out! There will be delicious food and of course drinks available, raffles and an auction! And we have of course organised stunning weather for the day!

If you are not able to come on the day, you can still help! Why not donate a raffle or auction prize? Or be a sponsor– any help, large or small, would be very much appreciated.

If you can help or would like to join us for the day, we would love to hear from you, or if you have any questions, please contact Marc on 027 322 6128 or marc@wscas.conz

Stay safe and have a wonderful Christmas! Please remember we are always here to help where we can so get in touch if you need.

The Hikurangi Mountain Lions

HikurangiCommunityNotices.

Badminton (Social): Wed 9 - 12noon @ Hiki Memorial hall $3 per session. Rackets available. Contact Robyn433 8718.

Children’s Lighthouse Playgroup: George St. Tues & Thurs 9.30 am – 12.30pm. Contact Sharlene 021 283 7944

Fire Brigade: Training Monday Nights at 6.30pm in the Fire Station. More Volunteers needed.

Friendship House Trust: meets every 4th Tues of the month at 5.30pm held in the Hikurangi Hall. All welcome. Phone 433 8452 formore information.

Hikurangi Business Association: Meet 2nd Wed of each month, 7.00pm Hikurangi Bowling Club. All Welcome.

Hikurangi Freemasons Lodge No 140: Contact Ivan Berryman 4335847 or Steve 435 5601.

Hikurangi Transfer Station Please Note Winter Hours

Open Hours: Monday to Sunday 8am-1pm.

Hikurangi Golf Club: Phone Blue on 4337453

Hikurangi Hall: For Hire. Phone 433 8452

Jack Morgan Museum, Hukerenui: Open 10am-4pm daily.

Justice of the Peace: Shayn Rouse Phone 433 8471

JP and Marriage Celebrant: Paul O’Dea 0275348374

Kindergarten: 5 Park St, Phone 433 8535

Library Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am - 2pm Tues & Thurs 10am - 6pm Sat & Sun closed. Ph433 8773.

Hikurangi Lions: Meet 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month. Phone either Cyndy Verryt on 946008 or 021544531 or Carol Head on 0273661029.

Hikurangi Plunket: Whanau Anhna Plunket Holly 027 203 2863, Mon & Thurs Home & Clinic visits. Drop-in Clinic at 33 King Street Kensington, 9am to 1pm Wednesday & Friday. No appointment necessary.

Hukerenui Playcentre:Email Hukereui@playcentre.org.nz

Marriage Celebrant: Jeanette Logie Contact 0210359313

Museum: Hours are: Tues, Thurs, Sat 10am-11.30 am, or by appointment. Contact number433 8062

Museum Committee: Meet in the Museum every 3rd Sat of the month at 9.30 am. Phone Linda 433 8062 or please Email: hikurangi.museum@gmail.com.

Opuawhanga Com Hall: For Hire Ph Joan Dempster on 0211614872

Eureka Taekwondo: Self Defence for all age groups. Hik Sch Hall, Tues & Thurs 6pm -7pm. Please just turn up on those nights for more information. Thanks.

Tai Chi: Held in the Hikurangi Hall @ 1.30pm every Wednesday (except school holidays). Please Phone Linda on 4338062 for more info.

Whakapara Pony Club: Steve Martin Whakapara Women’s Institute: Contact Marie 433 9900. Whangarei District Council: Phone 430 4200. Yoga: Marua Hall. Thursday 6pm $8. Allison 09 434 4330

Ifthereanychangesneededtothesenoticespleaseletusknow beforeourdeadlinewhichisonthefrontpage. Wearenotresponsibleforinformationthatiswrongifpeople donotletusknowofanychanges.

HIKURANGI VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE

Hi Hikurangi

December already, it really is a busy month for us all, with so much on all trying to get squeezed in.

With everyone rushing around trying to get things done. Remember you’re not the only one stressing to get things done, we all are. As the Holiday approaches we head into the busy time on our roads.

Remember to take your time with your travels, be patient, share the driving if you can, expect delays, expect roadworks drive to the conditions.

If you see us out on the road please pay attention to what’s in front of you and follow direction given to you by our members or police, we know the Facebook community page has posts about some of our incidents by members of the community, we have had incidents were people see something on Facebook and then come for a look, this adds more work to us and we can’t concentrate on what we need to.

If a Facebook post says there is a detour, please pay attention to this. Help us help our community.

Last month a group of our members were out at the Hikurangi Community Trail Ride, there to help if needed, What a great weekend despite the weather. This is a great event for Hikurangi helping out our local community groups, bringing more people into our community.

As summer approaches the greatest risk to your home is from an ember attack when embers from a wildfire are carried by the wind. Keep roofs and gutters clear of dead leaves, debris and pine needles. Move anything that could burn (mulch, flammable plants, leaves, needles and firewood piles) away from wall exteriors, decks or porches. Ensure your house number is easy for us to find and that we can fit fire trucks down your drive. Updates on the fire season can be found on our Facebook page and checkitsalright.nz

The lolly run planning is underway and we will keep everyone updated on this for on our Facebook page.

We have had 13 Calls this month 10/11/22 Hika 641, Hika 6429 Trees blocking road Hikurangi 11/11/22 Hika 641 Cars trapped by flooding Whangaruru 11/11/22 Hika 6411 Cars trapped by flooding

Whakapara 12/11/22 Hika 641, 6411, Kamo 191, Whan 9926 House fire Punaruku 13/11/22 Hika 641, 6429 Oil spill on road Whakapara 16/11/22 Hika 641, Kawa 747, 741 MVA Matawaia 17/11/22 Hika 641 Powerlines down Hikurangi 17/11/22 Hika 641, Medical Hikurangi 19/11/22 Hika 641, 6429, Whan 127, 122, 9926, 9919 MVA Kauri

20/11/22 Hika 641 Kawa 747, Towai 8771, MVA Towai 24/11/22 Hika 641 Car fire Hikurangi 25/11/22 Hika 6411, Whan 121, 127 Building fire

05/12/22 Hika 6411, Whan 121, 127, Onerahi 201 Bushes on fire Tamaterau

Until Next Month OS Bain.

D.I.Y

Ace Timber Products (formally Guyco Timber) are excited to announce, we will now stock timber (grade two). Available from 35 George Street, Hikurangi.

STRICTLY EFTPOS ONLY

4.8m

4.8m lengths.

4.8m

A Big Thank You To Lotteries

Hikurangi Friendship House would like to thank the Lotteries Community Funding for their on going support with grants to pay our two Community Workers who provide valuable Administrative services in the office as well as producing our Monthly Magazine the Hikurangi Bulletin. This grant to us is very very much appreciated.

Hikurangi Bus Run Thursdays Leaves Hikurangi @ 9.30am (opposite Miners Rest Café). Returns from Whg @ 1.30pm and arrives back @ 2.05pm. $3 each way. Please note!! Gold cards do not apply for this run.

Whangarei Mobile Library Bus

This arrives outside the Hikurangi Community Library at 1.15pm. Please call into the library for the next date of arrival. Please contact the library on 4338773 Thanks.

J C Godfrey Certified Plumber & Drainlayer & Digger Work PO Box 53 Hikurangi 0150

Ph/Fax (09) 4338858 Mobile 027 4976632 johncg1943@gmail.com

Funny Stories: If anyone has any of these that would be suitable for the Hikurangi Bulletin please call into Friendship House with them or email us at friendship@hikurangi.co.nz. They would be very much appreciated. Thanks Linda (Editor).

Policemen Pete

Hikurangi Police

Today I am announcing a change in direction, career wise for myself and my family. I am leaving the police after 20 years of service and plenty of memories and friendships made.

My last day in the job is 16th December. Policing has changed dramatically over my 20 years, the frustrations of being hamstrung in all we do, the dangers involved and where it’s going concerns me. It has taken a toll unfortunately.

I have huge respect to all front-line police officers who serve their communities the vast majority do it for the right reason under constant pressure and scrutiny.

I have enjoyed my three and a half years at Hikurangi over 3 different stints out here. The challenges were many and varied but the people of the communities out here have made it special. I have made many friendships in the area that I intend to keep and of course upset a few as well, such is the life of a rural cop.

I have thanked many in person, but I’ll take this opportunity to thank those that have welcomed me into the community and helped me along the way, the locals always have the best information and knowledge, we rely on you all.

I introduced Constable RADOVANOVICH (Rado) in my last Bulletin, he remains on deck, and I have been told Senior Constable Adam GROVES or Grover as he’s known will be coming out from the Kamo Station. He has worked Hikurangi in the past and will be a great addition. One of these two will continue doing the Bulletin piece or share it between them.

My new venture is something I am excited about taking up a franchise opportunity with Jims Mowing. I will be based in Whangarei and hope I can get some work in my former policing area (small hint).

My family are excited to maybe have a normal father back who can relax a bit who doesn’t live and breathe police work and crime. This is certainly not guaranteed but anything’s possible.

As always take care out there put your loved ones first, I certainly will be for a change and give me a bell if you need a manicured lawn and garden. peter.thomas@jimsmowing.co.nz

You will be missed by us all in Hikurangi Pete, but we wish you all the best with your new venture. Linda.

HIKURANGI MAORI WARDENS

Senior Constable Pete THOMAS

Hikurangi War Memorial Hall available for hire

Large Hall with Supper Room and Extra Large Kitchen. Hireage for Social, Birthdays Weddings etc.

“After multiple postponements from crazy weather, we were able to hold another trail ride in November which saw a good turnout and raised a good amount of money for 4 local community groups. We want to thank the riders who turned up in the wind and rain, it was great to see so many smiling kids enjoying the day in the fresh air and mud. A big thank you to our volunteers and sponsors, in particular to Warren McQuinn for your kind donation and of course Steve Brown for the use of your farm. We have received lots of positive feedback about the event from the community so far so we want to thank those of you continuing to support this event and encourage anyone wanting to place feedback to do so via a feedback form we will upload to the HBA facebook page or you can request one from admin@hikurangi.co.nz. We hope to hold another event in the new year, likely February or March, keep an eye out for a new Hikurangi Trail Ride facebook page in the new year where we will update all upcoming trail ride details. We are impressed to see so many local riders attending this event, we look forward to hosting you all again in 2023. From the trail ride organizing group, we wish you all a merry Xmas and happy new year”.

To enquire please contact Friendship House on Phone 4338452 during open hours which are on the front page of the Bulletin or email us at friendship@hikurangi.co.nz

HIKURANGI TRAIL BIKE RIDE