Mahurangi Matters_Issue 440_10 October 2022

Carpark controversy continues P5

Local Folk: Ian Hutchinson P11

Garden and landscape P30-36

October 10, 2022

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Pipeline project ready to roll Earthworks for a new wastewater transfer pipeline between Warkworth and Snells Beach will start next week. The work will create two launchpads for the tunnel boring machine, with tunnelling expected to start next March and finish in 2025. The five kilometre pipeline will stretch from the pump station in Lucy Moore Memorial Park to the treatment plant in Hamatana Road.

It will include a dual rising main, break chamber (transition from pressurised rising main to gravity) and a gravity sewer section.

Watercare has partnered with major infrastructure company McConnell Dowell to deliver the $300 million project. Watercare project manager Dirk DuPlessis says the project team

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will use the ‘direct pipe’ tunnelling methodology to carve out the underground pipeline route. It is a type of micro tunnelling that allows trenchless pipeline installation and is robust enough to go through a wide variety of rock.

mm wall thickness

He says the transfer pipeline will build resilience in the wastewater network to help support development and residential growth, which is expected to swell to 28,000 by 2050.

The existing Warkworth wastewater treatment plant, which discharges into the Mahurangi River, will be decommissioned when the new plant opens.

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Targeted rate funds Mahurangi shuttles Rodney Local Board will spend more than $2.5 million from its Transport Targeted Rate (TTR) to fund new shuttle bus services for Warkworth, Leigh and Sandspit over the next three years.

The new service will feature: • an on-demand service for Warkworth • fixed route/fixed timetable shuttles between Warkworth and Leigh seven days a week • fixed route/fixed timetable shuttles between Warkworth and Sandspit,

Friday to Sunday, to connect with the Kawau Island ferry.

The money will come from the Warkworth subdivision portion of the TTR, which is the only one with sufficient income left to fund the services.

At last month’s monthly meeting, some Board members said the high cost made the new service a risky venture.

“My primary concern is cost,” Warkworth member Tim Holdgate said. “$2.5 million locked in for three years, that’s a pretty

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significant funding risk. That’s venture capital. “$850,000 every year when the roads are just falling apart as we look at them – it’s a big risk.”

However, Auckland Transport (AT) senior service network planner Dave Hilson said the new service would be reviewed annually.

“If it’s not performing, there is the option to cancel it, but we do need to give it a chance,” he said.

The meeting heard that an on-demand shuttle bus trial in South Auckland had

proved a success and was being made permanent.

Board member Steven Garner repeated a concern he had raised at previous meetings about the lack of a bus service to the west of State Highway 1.

“What work is being done to extend the existing scheduled services to the western side of Warkworth, past the high school, along Woodcocks Road and down through Hudson Road, which is where a large continued on page 2

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www.localmatters.co.nz Next issue: October 24 Book your advertising now News: Jannette Thompsonph 021 263 4423 gm@localmatters.co.nz Sally Marden ph 022 478 1619 reporter@localmatters.co.nz Advertising: Ken Lawson ph 022 029 1899 advertising@localmatters.co.nz Marc Milford ph 022 029 1897 local@localmatters.co.nz Digital: Richie Lovelock digital@localmatters.co.nz Rosie Hutchinson ph 022 544 0249 online@localmatters.co.nz Accounts: Angela Thomas ph 425 9068 admin@localmatters.co.nz Graphic designer: Heather Arnold design@localmatters.co.nz A division of Local Matters. Mahurangi Matters is a locally owned publication, circulated to more than 15,200 homes and businesses two weekly from Puhoi to Waipu.

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New shuttle service funded number of people commute to and from?” he asked.

“The majority of people who commute go to the western side of town. It doesn’t make sense that we don’t have that service from Snells Beach and Matakana.”

Hilson said that to extend the existing bus routes from Algies Bay and Matakana would either require an extra bus being brought in or cuts to the timetable, and the new on-demand service was designed to fill in such gaps.

“Part of the purpose of on-demand is to serve the west and to allow a lot more travel through Warkworth itself,” he said. “At the moment, we’re only covering a small area of Warkworth.

This would do more than connect to the western side of the state highway.”

He added that with the Warkworth to Leigh service, there was scope to pick up and drop off passengers along the route, rather than just at official bus stops, and stressed that it wouldn’t be an ‘off the shelf ’ bus service.

Beth Houlbrooke said the new services had been requested by residents and community groups, and the focus should not simply be on the estimated cost, as they would provide invaluable social and economic benefits to the wider area.

“Remember how much growth we’ve got coming, demand will only grow,” she said.

“We need smaller, shorter, more flexible routes like this. And there is still enough money in the Warkworth TTR to carry on with building footpaths, trails and so on,” she said.

AT said after the meeting that the new services would not start until next year.

“We had to wait until the Local Board passed the resolution to fund this, before we could start work in earnest,” a spokesperson said.

“On-demand rideshare is relatively new for Auckland Transport and there is still a lot of work to do to get these services up and running.

“When we introduced the bus services funded by the Local Board in 2019, we were able to piggy-back on existing bus contracts, including vehicles and drivers.

This meant we were able to implement these relatively quickly.”

from page 1

AT has recently trialled and adopted a new on-demand shuttle bus service in South Auckland.

Gulf plan worries fishing group Warkworth Gamefishing Club is meeting this week to discuss concerns about the large areas in Kawau Bay and around Titirtiri Matangi that will be closed to fishing under proposals that are currently out for consultation.

The club is one of many fishing groups preparing to make a submission on the marine protection proposals developed from Revitalising the Gulf, the Government’s response to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan.

The strategy is proposing the establishment of 19 new protected zones including the addition of the Noises, increasing the area under protection from just over six per cent to about 18 per cent. This is in response to the deteriorating health of the gulf due to human activities.

The marine protection proposals include 12 High Protection Areas (HPAs), five Seafloor Protection Areas and two protected areas adjacent to Cape Rodney-Okakari Point and Cathedral Cove/Whanganui-aHei marine reserves.

A large area of Kawau Bay would be covered by seafloor protection, and an area between Kawau Island and Mahurangi East Peninsula would be a HPA, banning all commercial and recreational fishing in

The protected areas could also support abundant fish stocks for commercial and recreational fishers, alongside the proposed fisheries management measures. The spillover of fish larvae from marine reserves has shown the potential for contributing to fisheries sustainability and enhancement. For example, it is estimated adult snapper at Leigh marine reserve contributed 10.6% of newly settled juveniles to the surrounding 400sqkm area.

Department of Conservation the area.

Overall, the protection measures would result in an estimated 5.7% of recreational boat fishing for snapper being displaced, or 1.6% in Kawau Bay specifically.

Consultation on the proposals closes on October 28.

The Gamefishing Club can be contacted on 021 644 686 (Terry Creagh).

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In brief

Motorway tour booked

The Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway project has had an overwhelming response to its invitation to a public open day on Saturday October 29. All tickets have been allocated to the event, which was postponed last year due to Covid.

Ticketholders will be given an exclusive bus tour of the whole project alignment, south to north. The tour will include a commentary on the engineering features of the new road and staff will be on hand to answer questions. Although the tickets are free, a gold coin collection will be taken for the Warkworth Volunteer Fire Brigade. If any tickets are released closer to the event date it will announced on the NX2 Facebook page at: aratuhonopuhoitowarkworth

Coastal assets assessed Council is investigating the background on the seawall before making a decision on any possible enforcement action.

Council investigates Whangateau seawall Auckland Council is investigating the construction of an unconsented seawall in Lews Bay, on the Whangateau Harbour.

The timber seawall is being built to replace a deteriorating rock wall, but residents have raised concerns that it is being built on the foreshore rather than on the property, and without the required consents.

In August, Council warned coastal property owners not to address coastal erosion by taking matters into their own hands.

The warning came after a Beachlands property owner carried out substantial

preventative erosion work without building and resource consents, landing them a fine of more than $41,000.

At the time, Council team leader investigations David Pawson said Council understood that protecting properties from erosion was important, but asked homeowners to work with Council and apply and gain consent before starting any work.

A Council spokesperson says an investigation is underway to determine whether or not a consent was required for the Lews Bay seawall.

“The investigation needs to take its course before any decision can be made on the legality of the construction,” the spokesperson said.

Coastal property owners are reminded that under the RMA, the Auckland Unitary Plan contains rules relating to activities on land and in the coastal marine area, which includes the foreshore.

There are general rules restricting the deposition of material in the coastal marine area unless resource consent is obtained for that as a restricted discretionary activity.

The letter also cited numerous examples A small community group at Whangateau has made a complaint to the Ombudsman of ill-conceived development on steep and over the failure of Auckland Council to slip-prone ground, earthworks exceeding take seriously its concerns about the impact legal limits, bulldozing of esplanade reserve development is having on the health of the land and destruction of mangroves, poor Whangateau Harbour. silt management on construction sites, sand removal from Omaha spit, pollution runOnce described as one of the most pristine off from roads, parking areas and other hard waterways in the Auckland region, surfaces, and discharge of untreated sewage.

Whangateau Harbourcare says nothing could now be further from the truth.

In a lengthy response in August, signed by a Council customer resolutions manager, the The volume of silt that continues to group was told that research found that fine pollute the harbour and Omaha Bay has sediments were not significantly increasing resulted in a substantial layer of mud across relative to earlier Council surveys in the what were once sand flats. This has led to a estuary. The group was referred to data proliferation of mangroves and, over time, on the Land Air Water Aotearoa website the loss of cockle and pipi beds. www.lawa.org.nz In June this year, the group wrote to the It shows that the mud count at the four Council’s chief executive and other senior monitoring sites in the harbour was low, council managers, articulating its concerns but interestingly, the highest reading, and giving examples where Council was at a site just off Point Wells, has only be failing to uphold the policies and objectives monitored once in 2016. of its own Unitary Plan.

Much of the letter recounted established The letter said, “In essence, Council is Council goals and aspirations and reiterated overseeing the destruction of this unique Council policies and processes. On the environment. It cannot keep cramming issue of resource consent monitoring, the development into this fragile area without letter said a project called Closing the Gap, applying, monitoring and enforcing appropriate rules after consulting locals”. Logo Small which aims to reduce sediment discharge Logo Large

from small building sites across the region, had visited Whangateau 16 times in the past three years.

“The project team found that compliance in the Whangateau area was generally high, with only one abatement notice issued as part of these inspections,” the letter said.

“A Strategic Approach to Sediment programme is also underway to help with identifying strategic initiatives across the broad range of Council disciplines to better integrate and enhance underlying Council activities and outcomes directed at reducing sediment discharges. One of the outcomes of that programme has been to support increased resourcing for the proactive compliance team in recent years.”

In response to Council’s letter, the Harbourcare group wrote back saying that although they appreciated the time and research involved, it appeared Council did not “quite understand our concerns”.

They said the responses tried to make it sound as if all was well.

“What we are saying is that all those words are not being supported by actions.

We would have appreciated individual

THE

THE

Harbourcare takes concerns to Ombudsman

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It will cost nearly $30 million over the next three years to remove or improve coastal assets managed by Auckland Council’s community facilities department. This includes boat ramps, jetties, piles, pontoons, retaining walls, seawalls, stairs and wharves.

Projects on the current programme include Rainbows End jetty ($182,409), Scotts Landing seawall ($1.1 million) and the Willjames Ave seawall at Algies Bay ($363,000). Both the Point Wells seawall renewal (just over $1 million), which was set down to happen in the 2023/24 financial year, and an investigation and renewal programme for coastal assets in the Whangateau Harbour/Omaha Estuary ($2.56 million), have been put on hold.

Projects being assessed but not yet costed include the Point Wells jetty, Point Wells boat ramp and Whangateau boat ramp. The programme does not include coastal assets managed by Auckland Transport. responses from the senior staff to whom our letter was addressed. This would have enabled us to appreciate the extent to which they understand our concerns.”

The group was also concerned about the statement that fine sediments were not significantly increasing relative to earlier council surveys.

“If their policies and documents were effective this should read ‘significantly decreasing’,” the harbourcare said.

One committee members also commented that after examining the report on the Auckland East Coast Monitoring Programme they were concerned to see that in the sampling of Whangateau Harbour there was no regular sampling of the site near the point at the entrance to Tramcar Bay. “Council should consult with locals to determine where best to locate these sites.

Currently this site is showing 10% to 20% sediment levels.”

The harbourcare group is asking the Ombudsman to direct senior staff to respond to their concerns directly, and not through a third party.

• Consents • Hearings & mediation • Expert evidence • Plan changes • Planning advice, due diligence • Land development & consenting strategy

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info@thepc.co.nz | +64 21 422 346 | www.thepc.co.nz October 10, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

3

Omaha comes out swinging on golf plan

Council has spent more than $145,000 developing a plan that is still going nowhere.

Golf plan on consultation merry-go-round

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.

The public can look forward to yet another round of consultation from Auckland Council on its draft Golf Investment Plan, despite the plan already getting the thumbs down from all 21 local boards, Golf NZ and countless other groups and individuals.

At a Parks, Arts, Community and Events (PACE) meeting on September 22, Councillors were divided on whether to approve the plan, consult further, or reject it altogether. It took the chair’s casting vote to get the motion recommending further consultation over the line.

Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers wanted the plan overturned and the process started again from scratch.

“There has been an omission of the contribution, the financial, the social, the environmental benefits [from the golf sector],” he said. “They are just not captured. Before we move forward that needs to be clear.”

Hibiscus and Bays Councillor Wayne Walker agreed that Council should go back and start over.

“Essentially what we have got is a fudged report and a fudged process. The information is deficient,” Walker said.

“The underlying agenda behind this is, frankly, to sell stuff off,” Walker said. “We are not engaging genuinely with the community and we are not putting the appropriate values on [properties]. What we are trying to do is to eliminate open space and park space and recreation space across Auckland, which will be to the detriment of generations to come.”

Golf New Zealand was a key invisible player during discussions as it issued a legal challenge to Auckland Council just days prior to the meeting.

Community and social policy general manager Kataraina Maki said the legal challenge meant that approving the plan was risky. Therefore, officers recommended further

consultation in order to reinforce that it had conducted “open, fair and representative” consultation.

Responding to claims the consultation process was flawed committee chair Cr Alf Filipaina said the only reason people were saying it was a flawed process was because they had been listening to Golf New Zealand.

“I am not going to listen to Golf New Zealand. I am going to listen to our staff who are experienced and who have come back to us with options.”

Mayor Phil Goff said that rejecting the plan would be a waste after six years.

“Rejecting the draft plan would say that the status quo, and the fact that 93 per cent of Aucklanders who own this land will not have access to it, is fine,” Goff said.

He said St Andrews golf course in Scotland had opened up on Sundays for the wider public to enjoy.

“If St Andrews can do it, what golf course in New Zealand thinks their status is too grand and too great that they cannot involve the wider public?”

Council first engaged with the public on a plan to increase access to publicly owned golf courses in 2016. Earlier this year, it undertook another round of community engagement on an updated version of the plan, receiving 2203 pieces of feedback.

Council maintains that public access to its 535 hectares of golf course land is limited and that more space is needed for open space, community facilities, housing and business.

It says exclusive use of the publicly owned land – which it said had an estimated value of $2.9 billion in 2018 – for golf alone was “unsustainable”.

Cr Chris Darby, Christine Fletcher, Richard Hills, Tracy Mulholland, Daniel Newman, Greg Sayers, Sharon Stewart, Wayne Walker and John Watson voted against having another consultation process, while Paul Young abstained.

The Omaha Beach Golf Club strongly opposes any suggestion that the course in its present form could be reconfigured or “repurposed”.

Omaha is one of the 13 courses included in Auckland Council’s draft Golf Investment Plan. In its submission on the plan, club spokesperson Richard Brabant says the club is well used by both members and non-members, has a strong women’s and juniors programme, and provides major benefits for Omaha’s natural environment. He says the plans casts uncertainty over lease renewal arrangements, which will be detrimental to investment in the courses and their facilities.

He adds that the plan also includes information that is “out-of-date, incorrect or misleading”, and he describes the value that Council puts on the total amount of land involved ($2.9 billion) as a fiction.

“There was no consultation with the golf clubs before preparation and publication of the draft plan,” he says.

“The clubs were given a single opportunity to make a written submission and were able to make a presentation to their Local Board, as Omaha did. The two requests I made on behalf of Omaha to speak to the Parks, Arts, Community and Events committee were refused.”

Omaha golf course started as a nine-hole course developed privately as part of the original northern settlement and was in use from 1975. A further nine holes were added around 2004 and it was then vested in the Rodney District Council.

“Both the original leases from the District Council and the 30-year lease recently granted by Auckland Council are longterm, and at a nominal rental in recognition of the land transfer arrangements, the privately funded design and construction of the golf course, and that its continuing development and maintenance is a private and not a public investment.”

Brabant says these long term leases have provided a secure tenure for the club, enabling long term planning and investment decisions. At no time during the previous 30 years of the first lease or since renewal has any financial contribution been made by Council. The Omaha course has always been available for play by the public, ‘green fee’ players, whether members of another golf club or not and there has been a substantial increase in the number of green fee players.

“As a result, Omaha is enjoyed by social and casual golfers of all ages and abilities, as well as for competition golf.

It represents a valued community facility, maintained and operated by the local community through its golf club without any investment or other obligation imposed on the Auckland Council or ratepayers.”

Brabant added that the course provided major benefits to Omaha’s natural environment and one of its defining features was the integration it has with the regionally significant Omaha-Taniko swamp forest.

The club has nearly 1000 members with more than 32,000 rounds played last year.

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Overnight closures and layout changes around the Johnstones Hill Tunnels As we progress work to link the new motorway to the existing State Highway 1 at Johnstones Hill Tunnels (JHT) we will be making further road layout changes to the Southern Connection. We encourage you to plan your journey over the next couple of weeks as this work will involve lane changes and at times full road closures.

Work will take place over two weeks in mid-October, with four nights of road closures during this time.

Kawau residents want the carpark renamed the Kawau Island Carpark to better reflect the purpose for which they say the land was acquired.

Kawau residents lobby for greater say in carpark decision Kawau Island residents say they are being frustrated in their attempts to have a say on the future of the Sandspit Wharf carpark.

The carpark was the subject of a confidential item at a Rodney Local Board meeting on September 21.

The item on the agenda was to consider “options to provide an improved parking service”.

However, the Kawau Island Resident and Ratepayers Association (KIRRA) says the Board is not in a position to make any decisions on the carpark because it has failed to consult with the affected community of Kawau Island.

In a letter to Board members, circulated prior to the meeting, KIRRA called for the establishment of a Kawau Carpark Advisory Group to help the Board “unravel the complexities around the requirements of the carpark”.

Signed by KIRRA representative Sue-Ellen Craig, the letter suggested the advisory group include representatives from Kawau Island (permanent residents, bach owners and businesses), Sandspit Residents & Ratepayers Association, mana whenua, Kawau Cruises, FENZ Kawau Island and an appropriate Council officer.

“There is no dissension around paying for carparking,” the letter said. “What is of concern, is how those rates are equitably set for ratepayers, business and essential services versus day trippers, and the fair allotment of spaces to ensure

our community can function. Like any other seaside carpark, tensions arise from December to February, with no issues evident throughout the rest of the year.”

It is understood Auckland Council is in the process of appointing a specialist parking provider to run the carpark, which has about 320 parking spaces.

The independent operator will oversee charging and enforcement, although the Local Board will set the tariffs.

After last month’s meeting, KIRRA received thanks for its correspondence, but did not receive a response to the content of the letter.

“We’d like to be involved, rather than ignored,” Craig said.

“We’ve since learned that there will be ‘public notification and engagement with iwi regarding the parking proposal … when KIRRA will be afforded the opportunity, through the public notification process, to put in a formal submission on the proposal’.

“The use of the phrase ‘public notification’ and only referring to ‘engagement’ with Iwi, is highly concerning to our community, given that choice of wording indicates the Local Board has made a decision that has not been informed by the community it will directly impact.

“It appears the Board has made a decision that is outside of Council policy and against the requirements clearly outlined in the Local Government Act.”

•

Sunday 9 October – Full road closure both directions – Silverdale to Johnstone Hill Tunnels northbound and Pūhoi to Grand Drive southbound. The detour will be via State Highway 16 and local roads, from 10pm to 5am.

•

Sunday 16 October and Monday 17 October – Closure Northbound only – Silverdale to Johnstone Hill Tunnels. The detour will be via State Highway 16 and local roads, from 10pm to 5am.

•

Wednesday 19 October – Full road closure both directions – Silverdale to Johnstone Hill Tunnels northbound and Pūhoi to Grand Drive southbound. The detour will be via State Highway 16 and local roads, from 9pm to 5am.

From Monday 10 to Wednesday 19 October there will be a temporary contraflow road layout for both northbound and southbound through the southbound JHT. From Thursday 20 October, a slightly new road layout will be in place. Please drive with caution, reduce your speed and keep to the sign posted limits.

While the dates are fixed, bad weather may cause works to be postponed and rescheduled – we will keep you up to date.

While we will try to limit disruption to traffic flows, road users should plan ahead by checking the Waka Kotahi journey planner. https://www. journeys.nzta.govt.nz/ before heading out and allow more time for their journey.

We would like to thank our local neighbours and night-time road users for their patience while we undertake this important work to improve the safety and resilience of the network.

Nga mihi, Robert Jones – Project Director

Marja Lubeck Labour List MP based in Kaipara ki Mahurangi 0800 582 325 (0800 LUBECK) marja.lubeck@parliament.govt.nz 5/62-64 Queen Street, Warkworth

For more information, call the NX2 team on: 24/7 Freephone: 0508 P2WK INFO (0508 7295 4636) Email: info@nx2group.com Facebook: Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth Web: nx2group.com

PG17771-0920

For appointments and assistance please phone:

Authorised by Marja Lubeck, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

www.localmatters.co.nz

October 10, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

5

Multisport centre battles paperwork Board picks up AT

A multisport facility at the Warkworth Showgrounds, which has been trying to get off the ground since at least 2015, is still chugging through design and consent processes.

The plan is to build the facility between the Mahurangi Rugby Club clubrooms and Kowhai Arts.

Earlier this year, the Mahurangi Sport and Recreation Collective was hoping to start a major fundraising campaign after securing Land Owners Approval and an Agreement to Lease from Auckland Council.

However, collective co-chair Paul Manton says the committee has re-visited the design to accommodate an additional basketball court. This has made the footprint slightly larger, necessitating an amendment to the resource consent.

“The delays are frustrating, but the last thing we want to see happen is that we open the facility and then find out immediately that it isn’t big enough,” Manton says.

“We’re conscious of Warkworth’s predicted population growth and felt the facility would be too small if we continued with the existing plan.”

Manton said the project is being driven by volunteers so the risk of volunteer burnout and funding fatigue were also factors in the decision.

“We don’t want to have to go through all this a second time.”

The project is already planned in two stages with the first stage including a gym-sport facility and indoor courts catering for a range of sports. It is expected to cost $6.5 million.

In 2018, the Rodney Local Board approved a grant of $150,000 for design, planning, architectural drafting, geological engineering and preliminary site works for Stage 1. Then in 2020, Council put aside a grant of $2,250,000 for the project, which leaves the collective to raise the remaining $4.25 million from grants, donations and fundraising.

Manton says some grants have been secured, but can’t be realised until the resource consent is finalised. He hopes

funding shortfall

It could be some time before work starts on the multisport centre at the showgrounds.

this will happen before Christmas and then the next step will be to seek building consent early next year.

The committee is also working on a governance model for the new facility.

The second stage of the project could include lounges, bars and changing rooms.

While Covid has undoubtedly contributed to delays in the project, Manton says that organising such a large project solely with volunteers has also been challenging.

Meanwhile, the bike and skate project at the showgrounds has been on pause while volunteers look at options to source about $70,000 to fund more detailed plans.

Nicola Jones says this will enable final stormwater and planning reports to be done so the group can apply for landowner approval and a resource consent.

“I am in contact with a sports-based crowdfunding organisation and will send out a link to the local community in due course to see if I can raise the funds that way,” Jones says.

“The demand for this park is there as I get questioned about it all the time. Unfortunately, money is not as quickly forthcoming.”

Kaipara council given green light on land purchase

Mangawhai will soon have a 5.8 hectare block of land designated for future public sporting and recreational facilities in Mangawhai Village. More than 90 per cent of people who took part in a recent survey to assess community support for the proposed land purchase were in favour. Kaipara District Council will draw on the current pool of reserve contributions to buy the land. It has collected on average $2.7 million in reserve contributions each year for the last two years in Mangawhai. The current balance for Mangawhai is around $8 million. At the time of the decision, then Mayor Dr Jason Smith said there was a real lack of infrastructure in Mangawhai, and Council was playing catch-up to growth that had already happened. “We have taken up a very rare and special opportunity to secure suitable public land in a great location in Moir Street, near the current sports fields in the Domain, Mangawhai Beach School and the shared path,” Smith said. Survey respondents noted the importance of securing land in Mangawhai now “before it is too late”.

The land will cost just under $6 million.

Raised pedestrian crossings in Wellsford ($200,000) and Hauraki Road Leigh ($150,000) will proceed despite an Auckland Transport (AT) request that they be deferred.

The Rodney Local Board decided at its meeting on September 21 to fund the projects through its Transport Targeted Rate.

AT requested the deferrals on the basis that it faced significant pressure on operational expenditure, principally due to a slower than expected recovery of public transport patronage.

While it had been given a moderate increase in operating funding in the 2022/23 financial year, it had also agreed to defer capital expenditure by $223 million over the next three years.

The Transport Capital Fund for Local Boards has been slashed from $20 million to $10.3 million. For Rodney, this means the 2022/23 financial year allocation is reduced from just over $1.1 million to $607,383. Current commitments amount to $411,380, leaving a balance of just $196,003.

A ‘carry over’ budget of $917,931 was approved, which would increase the total budget this financial year to just over $1.5 million, but ‘carry over’ funding was subject to under-spending on other work programmes.

As well as the Wellsford and Leigh projects, the Board was also asked to defer a school pedestrian crossing at Kaukapakapa, but this will be included in targeted rate spending as well.

Work on the Leigh crossing is due to start next January, while the design of the Wellsford project is expected to be finished in December.

Local projects that remain in the AT budget for delivery this financial year include: • A raised pedestrian crossing on Mansel Drive in Warkworth – $260,000 • A raised crossing/traffic calming at Warkworth Primary School – $$260,000 • Point Wells traffic calming – $100,000 • Puhoi electronic speed monitor – $22,500 • Krippner Road Puhoi red carpet street coating – $16,000.

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7

WeSay Feedback gold

Book winner Congratulations to Christine Bolstad who won a copy of the book Just Keep Going.

See story page 1

YouSay

We welcome your feedback but letters under 300 words are preferred. We reserve the right to abridge them as necessary. Unabridged versions can be read at www.localmatters.co.nz/opinion.

Letters can be sent to editor@localmatters.co.nz or 17 Neville Street, Warkworth 0910

Warkworth Ridge issue

The headline article on this new development (MM Sept 12) highlights a significant issue about the management of urban growth and the planning process.

It is paramount that the actual development in identified (future) growth areas/zones be appropriately staged in line with the provision of the essential infrastructure (roading, wastewater, water, stormwater and power). It is obvious that this is not the case in Warkworth.

It is a failure of both parties (developer and the utility providers) not to have liaised and coordinated their programmes to ensure that the development could proceed appropriately. Watercare in its evidence to the Plan Change hearings (2020) stated that “the network would be available in 2022 or 2023 at the latest”. For a variety of reasons that has not happened and it will not be ready until 2025. Surely that should have been discussed with the developer to time the development to tie in with that.

In fact, one of the policies included in the Plan Change decision stated that “the subdivision and development to be coordinated with the provision of transport infrastructure and services identified on a plan (that was included

as part of the Plan Change documents).

In response to Mr McKenna’s complaint that he should “not have to have land sitting vacant waiting for water and wastewater connections”, it would have been prudent (given that the Plan Change area is large) to have staged the development to ensure that there was adequate capacity at all stages.

Hugh Briggs, secretary, Northern Action Group (NAG)

Dog control plea

Council dog rules clearly state that dogs should be leashed on public roads.

I would appeal to all dog owners to follow this rule.

A man in our street walks with his dog unrestrained and out of control.

The dog dashes from one side of the street to the other and into people’s properties where people could be gardening and children playing.

I have been attacked by dogs even the cute fluffy ones “who would never hurt you” and abused by their owners in the past for trying to keep the dogs away from me.

They have hurt me. I have a skin condition which has taken months of healing caused by a dog.

the record

off

Thank you to the hundreds of readers who took the time to fill in our recent survey in the paper and online. It was heart-warming to get such a positive response and it was lovely to meet some of you who dropped your responses in personally.

You’ve provided some valuable feedback which is being collated and will help us map a way forward for both the Mahurangi Matters and Hibiscus Matters, as well as our digital platforms. We all enjoyed reading through your comments about the paper, including your feedback on what you love about it and ideas about what could work better. More humbling was your general enthusiasm and appreciation for what we do, so thank you for that.

The immediate message we have taken from your responses is that you appreciate the home delivery, free of charge so, at least for the foreseeable future and while we can continue to justify it financially, this will continue. We will review this decision next year.

Part of being able to continue the deliveries is your support for our advertisers who make it possible. So, next time you use a local business that you have found through the Mahurangi Matters, don’t forget to tell them that their ad worked!

Part of the work we have been doing over the past few months is to take a closer look at how we communicate with online readers especially younger members of our community. Staff shortages are hampering our efforts to expand in this area, but last week we were excited to launch The Loop, a weekly online newsletter that previews upcoming local events. It’s free and will be delivered by e-mail every Friday. If you haven’t signed up already, jump onto the www.localmatters.co.nz home page where you will find a link to register. Look for The Loop.

We remain committed to not just keeping local journalism alive, but to seeing it thrive, so watch this space as we take your feedback and continue to strive to be relevant, reliable and entertaining. While the survey has closed, we welcome feedback at any time so don’t hesitate to get in touch with your ideas at gm@localmatters.co.nz

School pick up complaint

I’m writing in with a complaint as I got a fine of $60 for picking up my daughters from school [Mahurangi College]. We only parked there for three minutes.

I’ve always double parked on a bike lane that never gets used, while sitting in the car waiting with the engine running, completely off the road while still leaving room for cyclists to go past. There are no car parks available and if I don’t double park, my kids have to cross the road themselves (it’s extremely dangerous as it’s a busy with lots of heavy trucks).

Most parents double park to pick up their children as it’s one of their only options.

Seems to be another case of revenue gathering money for the Council. There’s no safety issues or any inconvenience caused to any road users, pedestrians or cyclists. Can’t figure this one out.

Mark Parker, Kaipara Flats

E V A H YOUR SAY

Insect or anus-cleaner?

Reader Ana Carroll loves that she is seeing more macrons on Maori words in Mahurangi Matters but recently spotted some that we had inadvertently left out. The error highlighted how macons make a huge difference. Here’s what Ana said: “The word weta was recently highlighted within the reo Māori learning community as a common mistake where it is pronounced weta and mispelt without its macrons. Wētā, said with a longer vowel sound on the ‘e’ and ‘a’ is our beloved ancient creepy wētā. However, weta (no macrons) are sprigs of grass that were traditionally used to clean the anus of a tūpāpaku- dead person!”

Hopefully, context made it clear which one we were referring to!

I thought my garden would be the last bastion of safety but now I have to be alert to this roaming dog coming up and down the street. Please all dog owners, keep your dogs on leashes on footpaths and think of others. Thank you.

Sandy Garman, Algies Bay

Worthington Road residents have enjoyed the humour of a new sign that has appeared on the roadside.

8 OCTOBER 2022 LOCAL ELECTIONS

PŌTI 2022

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NGA PŌTITANGA Ā-ROH

VOTE 2022 LOCAL ELECTIONS

Election coverage For coverage of Saturday’s Auckland Council, Rodney Ward, Rodney Local Board and Kaipara District Council election results, go to: www.localmatters.co.nz

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Chris Penk, MP for Kaipara ki Mahurangi

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Labour shortages Immigration is one of the topics that I am asked about most in my role as local MP, both in terms of constituents understanding policy and getting help with individual cases. It’s an important subject for two fundamental reasons – firstly, it culturally and socially enriches our country; and secondly, it enables the lights to be kept on.

One example (of many) that I have continued to witness in my role as local MP is the ongoing worker shortages within aged care. This issue was highlighted when I recently met with some constituents who own aged care facilities. When I spoke with the owners, they shared stories about how short of staff they are, to the point that both they and their managers have been faced with no other choice but to carry out the shifts themselves.

If you are in the business of looking after the welfare of people, then you can’t take short cuts. Our country simply cannot provide the care our people need if there aren’t enough workers to go around. Sadly, these are the kind of stories I’m continuing to hear on the ground and across the board, based on my conversations with local people, local businesses and

community organisations.

Despite the government’s promise to deliver 20,000 critical workers to fill shortages, our net migration remains negative. Another issue compounding this problem is that more Kiwis are leaving the country than arriving back. To add further pain, worker shortages are fuelling higher inflation but the worst part is that it is costing New Zealanders their lives. Despite our labour shortages being the worst they have been in 50 years, our current immigration settings continue to be hugely disadvantaging to New Zealand’s ability to attract workers we need.

Immigration plays an important role in mitigating the labour crisis that New Zealand currently finds itself in. All policy makers need to think about how to improve immigration settings so that the country can get on with delivering the services that Kiwis desperately need and ensure lives are saved.

At the same time, of course, we need to ensure that infrastructure is provided to keep up with the size of the population.

That’s already a shortcoming on our current numbers. We should not have to choose between these things, as a country and as a community. Watch this space!

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Pool complex floats forward The opening of a pool and gym on land adjacent to the Matakana link road, overlooking Warkworth Showgrounds, is still at least 18 months away.

Northern Arena marketing manager Justine Byrne says the Warkworth complex is currently in detailed design.

“The hope is to start building early next year,” he says.

“The timing is still being dictated by the opening of the Matakana link road, but we are roughly aiming to start in May/June.”

Construction will take about a year.

The new facility will include two 12 metre by six metre pools designed for learn to

swim, and one seven lane, 25 metre pool.

There will also be an indoor/outdoor gym, group fitness studio, spin room and café.

Access to the pool complex will be membership-based. Memberships in Silverdale currently cost from $25 a week for adults and $19 a week for students and seniors, and Justin says they will be the same in Warkworth.

He estimates that when the complex is fully operational it will employ between 80 and 100 staff.

The opening of the Matakana link road is dependent on the opening of the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway next year.

Chris Penk

MP for Kaipara ki Mahurangi

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October 10, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

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localfolk Ian Hutchinson, engineer

by Sarah Thornton

Old school approach to getting stuff done

Mansel Drive bridge

Point Wells boat ramp

Tamahunga foot and cycle bridge

www.localmatters.co.nz

I

an Hutchinson (aka Hutch), principal engineer, and founder of Hutchinson Consulting Engineers in Orewa, is not one to make a fuss. A self-described ‘westie’ who attended Auckland’s Kelston Primary, Intermediate and Boys’ High School, Hutch has always had a pragmatic, no-nonsense attitude to getting stuff done. He also reckons he has never worked a day in his life … “It’s fun. I love coming to work and never for one second have I ever got out of bed in the morning to make a dollar”.

After graduating from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Engineering in 1983 and a Master of Engineering completed on the drip feed while working, Hutch started out at Repco in Auckland. In 1985, he took a role as a graduate engineer at Rodney County Council, something he did for three years. During his time working for Council, he developed a passion for working with the local community. “I learned a tremendous lot and had a fantastic time, and I hold Rodney very dear to my heart because it was a good place with a lot of great people. It’s a big reason why I like to support the local community – there’s a history there.”

Living in a flat at Red Beach before building a home at Stanmore Bay, then later moving to Point Wells in 2000, he founded Hutchinson Consulting Engineers in 1988, imbuing it with his principles of honest, hard yakka.

Heading up a team of some 30 engineers, many of them in their twenties and thirties, Hutch says the company motto is, “We only do it (the work) because we want to do it.”

That work often involves large-scale structural, civil and geotechnical engineering projects, many of them in Rodney and benefitting the public. Recent projects include the Te Ara Tahuna Estuary cycleway and walkway in Orewa, the Tamahunga pedestrian/cycle bridge in Matakana, and Whale Cove seawall and boat ramp in Red Beach.

This public good mindset extends to the pro bono services Hutchinson does every year for local schools and charities such as the Matakana Coast Trail Trust (MCTT).

In dollar terms, its significant and although Hutch would be the last one to talk about such philanthropy, his company’s generosity has benefitted many. In the time Hutch has been working with MCTT, a relationship which came about through his friendship with trust cofounder Allison Roe, his company has gifted more than $150,000 of pro bono work to help with the development

of the trail network. It has also provided MCTT with dedicated, inhouse engineers to push through design, consenting and construction work. To date, Hutchinson has completed or is in the throes of completing numerous projects for the Trust, including: • A detailed design document for the Point Wells Community to Matakana Farm Park trail section (2.2km in road corridor).

• Departure from standards application – AT approval form for Point Wells Community trail section.

• Assessing complex sections of Matakana Road.

• Four engineering designs for wooden bridges on a farm forestry trail, on Roger (Hops) Trotter’s farm on Hamilton Road.

Hutchinson will also complete engineering detailed design plans for Lawrie’s Scenic Reserve trail sections, Grange to Muncaster Trail section and the concept design for an underpass on Sandspit Road.

Hutch says Covid has generally been kind to professional businesses provided they were not in the travel or hospitality trade. While he acknowledges the disruption Covid caused in certain areas, including supply chain issues, he reckons he and his company have continued, business as usual. He recalls having one company meeting with all his staff when Covid first hit in March 2020 – the one and only time everyone had been in one room at the same time – to reassure everyone that their jobs were safe, and everyone would remain on full pay no matter what happened. Hutch said, ‘I’d sell the shirt off my back before letting anyone go’. Thankfully, that day never came and the company has come out the other end relatively unscathed.

Now living on a 133-hectare lifestyle farm in Ahuroa, about 10 kilometres inland from Puhoi, Hutch and his wife Maggie spend their spare time breeding pedigree Red Devon cattle and Wiltshire sheep. The farm has been in Maggie’s family for four generations and while she does the lion’s share of the work during the week, Hutch still rises at 4am each day to move stock and do anything else which needs to be done, before heading to his ‘day job’ in Orewa. It sounds like a busy life for the almost 65-year-old, who plans to retire on March 31, 2025, and hand the business over to his ‘younger and smarter engineering team’ who he considers family. But, Hutch wouldn’t have it any other way.

October 10, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

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| Mahurangimatters | October 10, 2022

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AT takes over bus services

Footpaths lengthened The Rodney Local Board was provided with an update on its footpath projects, which are being funded by the Transport Targeted Rate.

The 10-year rate is expected to raised just over $46 million. Of that, just over half ($24 million) will be spent on footpaths.

A total of 35 footpath projects are scheduled for work. Four, including Omaha Drive and Hudson Road, have been completed,

five have been removed for various reasons including cost escalation and technical and design issues, and the remaining 26 projects are progressing through the investigation and design phases. Only one of the removed projects is in the Mahurangi area – Falls Road in Warkworth was removed as the adjacent developer is required to complete the full length of footpath under its resource consent.

At its final meeting prior to last weekend’s local government election, the Rodney Local Board was given an update on the bus services it was funding with the Transport Targeted Rate.

Two of the services – 126 (Westgate to Albany) and 998 (Wellsford to Warkworth) – were taken over by Auckland Transport (AT) in March when patronage levels showed that they could be run economically.

AT also took over the 128 (Helensville to Hibiscus Coast Station) service last month, agreeing to fund it through to June 2024, with funding from the Climate Action Targeted Rate.

Additionally, in a breakdown of how the targeted rate funds have been allocated or spent on a subdivision-by-subdivision basis, the Board was told that in the Dairy Flat and Kumeu subdivisions, funds were fully spent or allocated.

A total of $695,000 remained in the Wellsford subdivision. However, the approved budget for the Rodney Street footpath project was $3.4 million, which included $3 million from the targeted rate and $400,000 from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. The design consultant for the project had signaled that the construction

Footpaths $24,098,000

Community transport hubs $10,500,000 Bus services $7,565,234 Bus stops $845,313 Unallocated $3,188,453

The graphic shows how the $46,197,000 raised by the rate has been allocated.

cost might be higher than the provision in the $3.4 million budget. Therefore, AT advised delaying any decisions on the allocation of the remaining budget until the full cost of the project was known.

Warkworth subdivision still had $4,915,000 unallocated, but this was before the Board agreed to spend $2.55 million for an on-demand bus service.

Total Actual expenditure to date by Subdivision (from July 2018)

The following is an update on local projects:

Wellsford

Warkworth

Kumeū

Dairy Flat

Total

$282,349

$1,472,068

$217,993

$641,630

$2,614,041

$0

$3,884,846

$204,283

$0

$4,089,129

Construction due to start next month Leigh Road Whangateau Pakiri Road Leigh School Road Wellsford

Design completion due in March Point Wells Road Ahuroa Road Puhoi Olympus Road Wellsford

Footpaths

Construction tender next month Wech Drive Warkworth

Design completion due July 2023 McKinney Road Warkworth Mason Heights Warkworth Kaipara Flats Road School Road Kaipara Flats Old Woodcocks Road Warkworth

Bus services

$682,467

$682,467

$5,220,616

$677,784

$7,263,334

Bus stops

$42,650

$0

$725,044

$85,299

$852,993

Total expenditure to date by subdivision

$1,007,465

$6,039,381

$6,367,936

$1,404,713

$14,819,495

Estimated funds to be collected per subdivision

$4,777,500

$19,009,500

$18,420,000

$3,990,000

$46,197,000

Detailed design completion due in December Rodney Street Wellsford Construction from January Goodall Road Snells Beach Puhoi Road Albert Street Leigh

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The presence of uniformed personnel added a certain authenticity to the open day.

American Embassy representative Wes Jeffers did the honours of officially opening the refurbished army huts at the Warkworth Museum, assisted by Brenda Yoxall.

Some spectators couldn’t resist a dance when Warkworth Brass fired up with In the Mood.

Wartime stories shared at open day Warkworth’s association with US servicemen, who were stationed here during World War II, was celebrated at a special open day at the museum on September 24.

A large crowd gathered to watch US Embassy representative Wes Jeffers cut the ribbon on two refurbished army huts, which are on permanent display.

The embassy supported the recent upgrade of the interiors of the huts, including a display of soldiers relaxing surrounded by their belongings in one hut and information and photograph panels, including an audio history, in another.

Museum president Brenda Yoxall told the gathering that the stories that had been

gathered during the refurbishment were to be treasured.

“They are our shared history,” she said.

“They remind us of a time when NZ was under the very real threat of a Japanese invasion and that’s why we refer to the arrival of the US servicemen as ‘the friendly invasion’.

“They made us feel safer and during their time here, they shared our lives, their skills, helped on farms and built roads. They deserve to be remembered.”

Jeffers thanked the museum for celebrating the deep friendship between the US and NZ. He said many of the 5000 soldiers who came to Warkworth were very young men

who had never been away from home before.

“You opened your hearts to them and gave them comfort and love, and for that we will always be very grateful,” he said.

Museum manager Victoria Joule said the day had been exhausting but very enjoyable.

“There was a great atmosphere and it was particularly rewarding to see older residents who remembered the servicemen, connecting and sharing their memories,” she said.

A specially recorded video featuring some

Above, Chris Bass, who was instrumental in involving the Military Reenactment Society involved in the day’s events.

of those memories, as well as a display of war bride memorabilia, will be on display at the museum for the remainder of this year.

Special thanks were extended to Jon Waters for his production of the video and museum volunteers, and the Military Reenactment Society and Warkworth Brass for their involvement on the day.

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Leigh town speeds reduced Leigh residents have had a small win in their campaign against a reduced speed limit.

Auckland Transport has approved speed limit changes on more than 1600 roads to take effect from December onwards.

In Leigh, the speed will drop from 50kph to 40kph on most streets on March 2 next year, and to 30kph around Leigh School during school hours.

Campaign organiser Tony Enderby says it was worth locals voicing their opposition to the 30kph limit that was proposed for the whole of Leigh.

Other local roads affected include two sections of Woodcocks Road (between 150m west of Falls Road and 86m east of Carran Road and between 86m east of Carran Road and Old Kaipara Road) where the speed will drop from 100kph to 60kph; Hibiscus Coast Highway at Waiwera (between 50m east of Waiwera Road and 624m north of Otanerua Road) will drop from 80kph to 60kph; and Pakiri Road (between Witten Road and the beach) will drop from 60kph to 40kph.

Auckland Transport’s executive general manager of safety Stacey van der Putten says the purpose of safe speed limits is to save lives and prevent serious injuries.

“In Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland we have a shocking number of deaths and serious injuries from road trauma,” van der Putten says. “It’s just unacceptably high.

“Evidence shows speed is a factor in more than 70 per cent of injury crashes in New Zealand. We need to do everything we can to create safe school neighbourhoods, so parents feel confident their children can walk, bike or scooter to school.”

Auckland Transport says safe speed limits are saving lives. In areas where speed limits were changed in June 2020, fatalities reduced by 30 per cent in the following 24-month period. During the same period on rural roads, there has been a 48 per cent reduction in fatalities and a more than 25 per cent reduction in serious injuries.

AT’s Safe Speeds programme supports its Vision Zero goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on Auckland’s roads by 2050.

The affected streets in Leigh are: Albert, Barrier View, Cotterell, Cumberland, Ferndale, Harbour View, Hauraki (between Wonderview Rd and north of Hauraki Rd), Hill, Kowhai, Kyle, Lax, Pakiri (between Seatoun Ave and 240m west of Seatoun Ave), Penguin, Puriri, Sea View, Seatoun, Totara and Wonderview.

Wharf works nearly finished The replacement of the Ti Point Wharf is expected to be finished later this month.

Auckland Council is spending $620,000 on the project which includes design, reports, repairs, consents and contingency. The work started in June. A Council spokesperson says once investigations confirmed excessive decay to the piles, a full replacement was planned which included improving the structural integrity of the wharf. The new structure largely matches the original footprint, but it will be slightly higher to better account for future sea level rises. The work necessitated some road widening. Additionally, the seabed provided some challenges due to an extended layer of very hard and almost impenetrable basalt. Meanwhile, maintenance work is taking place on two other wharves in the area this financial year. The Rainbows End jetty (selected pile replacement and general repairs to timber deck) and Scott’s Landing wharf (gangway realignment, timber deck repairs, bolt and selected diagonal timber truss replacement).

Forestry focus at Fieldays The many facets of the forestry and wood processing sector will be on display at Fieldays in Hamilton next month (November 30 to December 3).

A dedicated Forestry Hub will cover forestry growing, climate change, wood products, timber construction, biosecurity and biodiversity.

There will also be two forestry simulators on site so visitors can experience what it’s like to operate machinery in a forest.

More than 40 sector organisations and companies will be involved.

Hub spokesperson Alex Wilson says that

the multi-billion-dollar forestry sector employs more than 35,000 people in both year-round and seasonal jobs.

“We’re entering an exciting phase in forestry and wood processing, which is creating huge employment opportunities,” Wilson says. “People of all ages and abilities can find great careers in this sector – from planting and managing native forests and looking after the forest environment, to managing people and resources and working with state-of-the-art technology.”

New Zealand has about 1.7 million hectares of productive forests and is currently the world’s largest exporter of softwood logs.

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Council collaborates with Te Uri o Hau on boardwalk design Construction on the second phase of the Mangawhai shared path is due to start this week and includes a collaboratively designed boardwalk running alongside the causeway.

Te Uri o Hau environs group worked with Kaipara District Council staff and Resilio Design Studio on the boardwalk, which reflects Maōri design principles. Kaumātua Hone Martin says several species of fish and shellfish are integrated into the design.

“From head to tail, the boardwalk reflects the mahinga kai (natural resources) of Mangawhai, especially the estuarine environment the boardwalk traverses,” he says. “In the boardwalk design, we have included whai (stingray), pātiki (flounder) and pārore.”

At the northern entrance, a tohu te whai (stencil of a stingray) will be engraved in the path, and at the southern side, a pou representing te upoko o te ika (head of the fish) will be carved and installed.

A fishing platform, located in the middle of the boardwalk over Tara Creek takes on the fin shape from the ika (fish) species found in the estuary. The movement of whai wings is represented through the undulating balustrade that hem the fishing platforms. The smaller balusters also symbolise the spines of the various ika (fish) species. Specific design features will be further refined with Te Uri o Hau and local Māori artists and carvers.

Martin has gifted a te reo Māori name to this section of the shared path, and also encompassing the Backbay boardwalk, built by the Mangawhai Trackies.

“The name Te Ara o Te Whai has three dimensions or reference points – referring to the pathway of (the stingray), the pathway of (the chief ) and the pathway of (pursuit).”

Fulton Hogan has been awarded the contract for phase two physical works, which starts at the end of phase one (about 80 metres past Estuary Drive) through

Mangawhai Heads

Tara awa

Fishing platform Mangawhai Boardwalk

Mangawhai Central

Mangawhai Village

The unique position of the boardwalk represents the joining of the two Mangawhai areas – the village and the heads.

to Mangawhai Central and includes the boardwalk alongside the causeway. It is part of a wider shared path network planned for Mangawhai, improving safety and connectivity between its two centres, and making it easier to travel by foot, bike or scooter along busy Molesworth Drive.

To kickstart the second phase of shared path works, Fulton Hogan will build a

retaining wall beginning at 90 Molesworth Drive down to the causeway.

Kaipara District Council project manager Tim Manning says construction is being timed to fit in and around the busy Christmas break.

“Fulton Hogan will start work on the retaining wall sometime in the week beginning October 10, finishing ahead

Hone Martin

of Christmas. Traffic management will be in place. Work will shut down over the Christmas/New Year period and Molesworth Drive will be open to two lanes across the summer break, from early December through to mid-January.”

The work on the boardwalk section will start in mid-January. Phase two is planned to be finished by August next year.

Join us | Become a OMBA Committee Member The success of One Mahurangi Business Association depends on the leadership, skills, and perspectives of the people who sit around the board table and contribute to our organisation. OMBA Committee Members bring depth and breadth to decision-making for the local business community. They are people who represent a good mix of retail, trades, commercial/industry, professional services, and landlords. We are Stronger Together.

OMBA Committee Nomination forms can be found on www.onemahurangi.co.nz/agm-2022/

Nominees for the One Mahurangi Committee must be registered OMBA members. Email murray@onemahurangi.co.nz PRIMARY LOGO

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| Mahurangimatters | October 10, 2022

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Pipi knows best...

When evening draws near and the moonlight appears shining light on the roof overhead.

Pene Fox

Bespectacled

E

ye wear as artwork is the interesting concept behind Bespectacled, a new business in the area that specialises in spectacles, supplying frames, sunglasses and prescription lenses.

Owner Pene Fox, who has more than 35 years experience as a dispensing optician, is passionate about helping people find the right glasses for their face shape and lifestyle.

“If you’re wearing glasses all day, every day, then they should be something that you love,” she says.

“Whether you want something bold and edgy or fine and discreet there is a lot to choose from – life’s too short not to wear beautiful glasses.”

Pene’s range of frames, for both men and women, certainly has the “wow” factor.

While five of the six brands come from France, Spain and Italy, she also stocks Good Gryf, a NZ designed frame range.

Many of the frames are handmade with detailed features that flatter the face.

“When you meet someone who wears glasses, the first thing you normally notice is their frames. They reflect your personality, so you want them to make a statement.”

Pene has been choosing frames and fitting lens since she left school in Paeroa. She trained as an optical technician, edging and glazing lenses, and then did a degree in psychology and education. She qualified as a dispensing optician in 2003, and took out the award for the top student in both Australia and New Zealand.

“I’ve spent many years as a dispensing optician, which has given me a wide appreciation of the industry.”

The new business is based in Pene’s home in Ti Point where she has lived with husband Shayne and son Millah for the last 17 years.

She says she is more than happy to make home visits if required.

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It might sound quite boring – I’d rather be snoring - and safely tucked up in my bed.

The neighbourhood’s crawling with cats that are brawling to be at the top of the tree.

Being neutered or spayed stops more being made - a relief there will be only me!

A chip is some bling without any ring that lets people know I am tame.

A bell round my neck is loud jingly check, to foil my stalking type game.

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Pets Vets Corner

Pet of the Month Mouse

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.

Auckland Council was unanimous when it voted to support a revised Regional Parks Management Plan at a Parks, Arts and Community and Events meeting on September 22.

Earlier this year, a review on park management proposed moving 21 of Auckland’s 28 parks into the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. At the same time, the forum was shifting towards co-governance.

The proposal was swept into a host of discussions around democracy under co-governance and eventually, the move to shift the 21 parks to the Forum was dumped.

Cr John Watson, who raised alarm bells earlier in the year over co-governance in the proposal, said the regional parks brought Auckland’s diverse communities together.

“I am pleased to see policy 45 has been removed and now that it has been removed, perhaps we can release the legal opinion on that,” Watson said.

Cr Linda Cooper said co-governance was a big discussion happening both locally and nationally.

“We talk about (co-governance), that it is somewhere else. It is not actually in a particular place, but it is just in the ether at the moment. It is going on nationally … we just felt that was for another time because it was not just about this plan,” Cooper said.

“What I really love about this plan is that we got to hear what the community felt.

You will find bits and pieces that were really important to different parts of our

This little guy’s name is Mouse, he’s a Papillon Chihuahua cross dog and although he is small in stature, he has the attitude of a racehorse.

Mouse loves to sprint over the hills on the sheep and beef farm where he lives with his 3 equally fit Jack Russel friends. On their daily walks around the farm recently his owner noticed Mouse yelping at times then holding his hind leg up for a few paces before continuing on.

community in this plan.”

She said the plan was about working together with local communities, iwi and the wider Tāmaki Makaurau community.

Independent Māori Statutory Board member Glenn Wilcox said he had spent his summer visiting all 28 regional parks and came away with a unique experience in each.

“From Duder, I got the smell of the karaka.

From Wenderholm, I saw the light that freckled through the pōhutukawa. From Te Muri, it was like a step back in time because the tide determines when and where you can go. Finally Awhitu, it was the camp spells and the korero that was going around in the campground that was drifting in the afternoon,” Wilcox said.

“It really brought home to me how much Aucklanders enjoy and need our regional parks.”

He said the regional parks were not just the lungs of Auckland or the place where people play but waterways in the parks gave sustenance to the city.

The management plan is intended to last for 10 years before its next comprehensive review under the Reserves Act. Meanwhile, Hauraki Gulf Forum cochairs Nicola MacDonald and Pippa Coom have welcomed the adoption of the Management Plan, which will see strengthened collaboration between Auckland’s regional parks and the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

“It is fantastic to see that the new plan includes clear policies supporting integrated management of land and sea, collaboration with the Forum, improved water quality, and advocacy for marine protection”, MacDonald said.

Pictured design generated by our software

A visit to our Wellsford branch confirmed that Mouse’s knees were not race ready and that both patellae were slipping out of their normal position when he was running. This condition is relatively common in small dogs and can be painful. Unfortunately, if it’s not treated, it can lead to degenerative joint disease later in life so surgery was recommended.

Mouse had both knees operated on at Warkworth Vets and is taking his recovery like a champ, lapping up all the extra attention.

After a few more weeks recovery then a slow return to exercise, Mouse will be tearing across those hills with his dog friends and never looking back.

Vets: Roger Dunn BVSc, Jon Makin BVSc, Danny Cash BVSc, Justine Miller BVSc, Chelsea Gill BVSc, Sam Eaton BVSc, Jackie Nicholls BVSc, Neil Warnock BVM&S

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TOSSI Roger Grove

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Changing of the guard After 20 years on the Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary Society (Tossi) committee, the last eight as chairperson, Alison Stanes MBE has retired. Of course, she has only retired from the committee, and we still expect she will be an active volunteer at Tāwharanui. It is hard to imagine Alison giving up on her tireless support of the tūturiwhatu (New Zealand dotterel). It is my honour to have been elected to take over the role of chairperson and attempt to fill her shoes.

Jackie Russell and Marguerite Vanderkolk have also retired from the committee but have indicated a willingness to continue supporting Tossi as best they can. We thank them for their excellent work over recent years. Steve Osborne, Lyn Hamilton-Hunter and Mark Atkinson have been elected to fill the vacancies.

We welcome them and look forward to working with them. They bring a broad range of experience and skills and are all active volunteers at the sanctuary.

As a committee we are passionate about leading Tossi in its support of Auckland Council with the ongoing operation and future development of the Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary. This not only includes the ongoing management of the onsite nursery, wildlife monitoring, fence line monitoring and predator control. Also, in the coming years, there are plans for a major wetland restoration project.

In the next month, we will be supporting Council in reintroducing wētāpunga.

These are the local giant wētā. They are also known as Little Barrier Giant Wētā (Deinacrida hetaracantha). All wētāpunga whakapapa to Hauturu-o-Toi. Ngāti Manuhiri whakapapa to Hauturu-o-Toi and are kaitiaki of wētāpunga. This is an exciting reintroduction for us and follows on from many species’ reintroductions in the last 20 years. While most of these have been bird species, there have also been several geckos and giant kokopu. Giant kokopu are one of the five galaxiid species that we know as whitebait.

We will also be continuing with monthly Sunday in the Park workdays. These days involve volunteers in a variety of tasks within the sanctuary. There are also three public planting days each year that are so important to the revegetation programme.

These not only involve planting but also the set-out of the plants produced by the nursery. Fulton Hogan and other organisations have assisted us with set-out activity, and we hope they will continue to do so in the future. We appreciate how well we are supported by local and regional volunteers.

All these activities require extensive planning, funding, and delivery effort.

This is not only undertaken by the committee, but also the many dedicated volunteers without whom success would not be possible. We encourage anyone who is keen, to get involved. Check out our website www.tossi.org.nz or email me at roger@tossi.org.nz and I’ll put you in touch with the right person.

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Sweetappreciation

with chocolatebrown Congratulations to Murray Chapman who is this week’s recipient of a gift box from Chocolate Brown. Murray was nominated by Peter Henderson, who wrote:

FIT E N E B A F F O D E V O PEOPLE M

R O W O T N I D ATHN E PAST YEAR

Although he is the public face of One “Mahurangi, there is more to Murray

than this. Outside One Mahurangi, Murray is a long-time member of Warkworth Toastmasters and has organised the great debate for the last 10 years. This has raised over $30,000 for Hospice. He also chairs the group of volunteers that gives us the Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights and has been heavily involved in the Kowhai Festival for a number of years.

He is a member of the Warkworth Lions Club and has a keen interest in all things going on in the town.

I feel he is a worthy recipient of the Chocolate Brown Sweet Appreciation for his commitment to the community outside One Mahurangi.

IN

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Know someone who deserves a big “thank you” for their community spirit? Tell us and they will receive acknowledgement in Mahurangi Matters and an amazing hamper from Chocolate Brown, 6 Mill Lane, Warkworth. Send your nominations to editor@ localmatters.co.nz (subject line: Sweet Appreciation) or post to: Sweet Appreciation, Mahurangi Matters, PO Box 701, Warkworth. Kindly refrain from nominating members of your own family.

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Productive rural land given high protection Rotten egg odour causes concern A new National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (HPL) comes into effect on October 17 and Auckland Council has a three year window to get its house in order.

Under the new policy, Council is required to identify, map and manage the areas of Auckland that will be categorised as HPL, and protect it against urbanisation and rural lifestyle development.

It is estimated that Auckland has already lost about one-quarter (31,500ha) of its elite and prime agricultural land – 13% to urban, 5% to future urban and 7% to countryside living.

Until the maps are incorporated into the Unitary Plan, any rural zoned land that is LUC 1-3 (elite and prime soils) will be considered HPL and provisions will apply to that land accordingly.

A Council spokesperson says the new maps will need to go through a plan change process with public engagement, hearings and appeals.

The effect of the new policy will mean that Council may be in a position to reject private plan change requests at the start of the process if they seek to rezone rurally zoned property. Any currently lodged and accepted private plan change application

that does not have a final decision by October 17 must give effect to the new policy.

While the policy aims to ensure land is available for growing vegetables, fruit and other primary production, now and into the future, councils will still be able to rezone highly productive land for urban housing if less productive land is not available, or if certain tests can be met.

Nationally, since 2002, a total of 35,000 hectares of highly productive land has been carved up for urban development or rural residential development.

Council supports Smokefree 2025

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.

Auckland Council has voted to support the Government’s latest tobacco bill, but is concerned there may be unintended consequences.

The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill has three proposals – reducing smoked tobacco supply, prohibiting supply to those born after January 1 2009, and nicotine removal in smoked tobacco.

While Council’s submission on the bill expressed support, it also urged caution with warnings of an illicit tobacco market, the need for better smoking cessation support and concerns around how smokefree may increase vape use.

At the Park, Arts, Community and Events Committee on September 22, policy advisor Victor Faletutulu said feedback from local boards, the Independent Māori Statutory Board and committee members was overwhelmingly supportive of the bill.

“However, concerns were raised about the

effect on vaping, which is already regulated but not effectively enforced,” Faletutulu said.

He said the bill would contribute to New Zealand and Tāmaki Makaurau becoming smoke-free by 2025.

Māori and Pasifika people have some of the highest rates of smoking in Tāmaki

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Kaipara District Council is asking Mangawhai house owners and residents on the wastewater system to flush water through their drains, toilets and showers to prevent gases from backing up into their homes.

Recent monitoring at pumpstations has detected elevated levels of hydrogen sulphide in the pipes coming from houses and the wastewater network. Hydrogen sulphide is the key odour contaminant from wastewater systems – in low concentrations it has the distinctive smell of rotten eggs.

While elevated levels of the gas are not unusual, it has triggered Council to ask residents, and bach owners in particular, to run water through their systems and make sure their p-traps are working as they should.

“If you have been away for a while and smell odour, we ask that you open up windows and doors when you arrive, and do a quick run of all your taps, showers, baths, flush the toilets, anything with a drain that connects to the system,” acting general manager for infrastructure services Anin Nama says.

Nama believes the elevated levels are due in part to some house connections not being used often, causing wastewater to stagnate in some pipes and release hydrogen sulphide as it breaks down. Breathing high levels of hydrogen sulphide in confined spaces can be fatal.

“We’re keen that people know how important a functioning p-trap is so they can take their own preventative measures.

We’re keeping a close eye on the hydrogen sulphide levels and are taking necessary actions to reduce the gas to an acceptable level.”

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October 10, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

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Blue Light treat for students

Around 250 young people from the north Rodney and Kaipara descended on Rainbows End recently for a fun day of activities. Students from Mangawhai Beach School, Tomarata, Wellsford, Otamatea High School and Mahurangi College attended Blue Light’s annual trip for students in Years 7 and 8.

Supervisors on the buses included schoolteachers, community volunteers, police and ex-police staff.

A free sausage sizzle and drinks were provided and even the rain stayed away for the day. The local students were joined by nearly 2500 other young people from Blue Light branches from Kaikohe to Kawerau. The popular event, which has been held regularly for more than 25 years, was subsidised by the Oxford Sports Trust, Recreational Services, Rainbows End and NZ Blue Light Ventures.

Warkworth withdraws from cricket competition

The Warkworth Cricket Club won’t be fielding a team in this summer’s Rodney competition because it can’t find enough players.

The current club started in 2014 with ambitious plans to field multiple teams in the T20 and 40-over competitions, catering for men, women and juniors.

However, club president Hayden Searle says it has been a struggle from day one to attract players. This has been exacerbated by the disruptions caused by Covid.

“It’s pretty disheartening, but I think people’s lives have changed over the past three years,” he says. “Some players have

become more involved in their children’s sport but for others, I think they have got out of the habit of weekend sport and maybe are enjoying weekends with less commitments.”

Searle says a number of club players lived in Auckland and travelled north for the competition.

“Having to sit in the summer traffic queues on Saturday mornings has also put some players off.”

The club had repeatedly tried to establish a cricket pitch at the Warkworth Showgrounds without success.

“The sport needs a higher profile in the area to draw people in. The other sports codes at the showgrounds were all supportive, as well as the committee behind the multisport centre.

“The difficulty was Auckland Council. It refused to help – they wanted us to pay for everything and then vest it in Council.”

Searle says the club will try to muster a team for the 2023/24 season.

“There’s a lot of volunteer hours behind the scenes that go into running the club, securing sponsors and so on. It’s pretty heartbreaking to invest that time and then not be able to find players.”

Pakiri Gala success

Pakiri School’s annual Pet Day and Gala was held on September 24 and raised $13,000. The money will go towards an upgrade of the school pool area, including the changing sheds. The pet day was followed by a school trip to Wellington where students toured Weta Studios and met local politicians Marja Lubeck and Chris Penk at Parliament.

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| Mahurangimatters | October 10, 2022

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skin refresh!

Life-saving message wrapped in pink From pink socks on the rugby fields to the Pink Ribbon Street Appeal, pinked out Harley Davidsons to the Pink Ribbon Walk – October is the time to show support and fundraise for the more than 3500 Kiwi women diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

There will be street appeals in Warkworth, Snells Beach and Matakana over Labour Weekend (one week earlier than the official street appeals).

Organiser Shona Pickup and volunteers will be collecting in Snells Beach and Warkworth, including the industrial area, on October 21, and then at the Matakana markets on Saturday October 22.

Breast Cancer NZ chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner says breast cancer is most treatable when it’s caught early.

“It’s vital for us to keep spreading this life-saving message when we’ve all been so distracted by Covid-19 these past few

years,” Rayner says. “We’re urging women to make sure they’re up-to-date with their mammograms, and to see a doctor quickly if they notice any symptoms.”

As a charity, BCNZ receives no Government funding.

“The generosity of Kiwis donating to our cause will make a huge difference to further our work in research, education, advocacy and patient support.”

As well as the street appeals, Auckland’s pinkest fundraising walk will be held at Auckland Domain on Sunday November 6. Supporters can also walk in their own neighbourhoods by taking on the Pink Ribbon Walk Challenge – over the month of October, walk 350,000 steps for the 3500 women diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

Find out more about all the different ways to get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month at www.breastcancerfoundation. org.nz/bcam

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Raising awareness about joint pain

Arthritis NZ is inviting supporters to take the Arthritis Challenge to raise awareness about the condition and mark World Arthritis Day on October 12. There are more than 140 different forms of arthritis, each of which affects joints in different ways, and it affects more than 700,000 Kiwis. Most adults with arthritis in New Zealand have osteoarthritis. Other prevalent types are gout arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The challenge involves people without arthritis completing an everyday task that isn’t so simple for someone with arthritis. Info: www.arthritischallenge.nz

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What is on in Term 4?

When life gets busy, it is easy to be consumed by the practical things that are needed to get on with life. Often the practical things take precedence over doing activities with family and friends that are enjoyable, fun or new. If you want to try something new in term 4 there are lots of wonderful options available.

We have done some exploring of local groups and activities and want to take the opportunity to share the great variety with local whānau. There are plenty of free or low cost options so why not make the most of what our awesome community has to offer.

Got preschoolers?

Monday 10.30am, Story time at Warkworth Library Tuesday 10.30am, Wriggle and Rhyme at Warkworth Library Thursday 10am, Wriggle and Rhyme Mahurangi East Library Friday 10am, Storytime at Mahurangi East Library Friday 10.30am, Rhymetime at Warkworth Library After school ideas for tamariki Wednesday 4pm-5pm, A.M.I.G.A explore new languages and cultures through interactive games and fun activities at Mahurangi East Library Friday 3.30pm, Kids Club at Mahurangi East Library Gain skills, make friends and have fun while building new connections Monday, Te Reo Māori- Ngā piwakawaka o Mahurangi Te Reo Māori language learning support group 9.30am-10.30am for beginners, 10.30am onwards for intermediate learners 1st and 3rd Monday of every month

5.30pm, community singing group at Warkworth Library, open to all Wednesday 7.30pm, AA Women’s Group meeting at the Women’s Centre Thursday 10.30am, Brainfit at Warkworth Library, develop brain resilience and mental fitness Sunday 11am-midday, board game day at Warkworth Library Wednesdays 10.30am-12.30pm starting Wednesday 19 Oct Women Walking for Wellness Low intensity, pram friendly, and a great opportunity to make new friends.

Walks are followed by some wellbeing activity at Women’s Centre Warkworth Thursday 10am-12.30pm (starting October 20), young mums support programme for mums aged 24 years and under, network with other mums, explore positive parenting, life management skills, and strategies for raising happy and healthy children at the Women’s Centre Warkworth.

Friday 10am-12.30pm (starting the October 21), Crafty Conversations a peer support group for conversation, laughter and creativity at the Women’s Centre Warkworth Upskill Kia Kaha Digital – Teaching confidence and skills with technology at Mahurangi East Library Friday October 28 and Friday November 25, 10am-2pm Self Defence & Physical Safety, a one-day workshop to learn physical and verbal selfdefence actions and strategies to keep safe.

Discuss topics such as safety, situations and fears and gain more confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness. Totara Park Hall, Saturday November 19, 9.30am-4.30pm Tutor, Raina Moir. Cost: $10.

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| Mahurangimatters | October 10, 2022

Auckland

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Guitarist promises

unique musical journey Award-winning guitarist, composer, songwriter and arranger, Dave Flynn, who is currently based in Ruakaka, will showcase his music at the Whangateau Hall on Monday October 31.

Flynn’s expertise in classical guitar, composition and traditional Irish music allows him to take audiences on a unique musical journey.

His playlist at Whangateau will mostly be guitar arrangements of Irish and Scottish traditional music, exploring the musical connections between these Celtic countries.

“I’m going right through the history of the music, from an ancient Irish battle march and baroque-era harp music by Turlough O’Carolan to 19th century reels and jigs and then some more modern compositions that I recorded on my albums Contemporary Traditional Irish Guitar and Draíocht,” Flynn says.

“There’s also some new Irish-style tunes I composed in New Zealand – a new kind of traditional Irish-Kiwi music! Another aspect of my show is I like to highlight connections between Irish traditional music and other countries to show how certain types of Irish tune styles were imported from England, Scotland, Poland and Germany. Then, to throw a spanner in the works, I do a piece I call an Irish Raga, which explores connections between Indian and Irish music.”

Flynn made the connection with New Zealand through his wife and they continue to divide their time between the Ireland and NZ. He has toured Europe, Japan and New Zealand, including giving solo recitals at the Canterbury Folk Festival, Tournay Irish Music Festival and the Masters of Tradition Festival.

Flynn was a prominent part of the legendary Dublin singersongwriter scene of the 1990s. He cut his teeth sharing a stage at open mic events with the likes of Oscar-winner Glen Hansard, folk legend Christy Moore and songsmith Declan O’Rourke, whom Flynn recently worked with on the top 10 album.

Initially self-taught, Flynn studied classical guitar and took masterclasses with classical guitar luminaries such as Roland Dyens, David Russell and Manuel Barrueco.

He plays a custom-made nylon string guitar and holds a PhD from the Dublin Conservatory of Music and Drama and a Masters in Composition from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

The Whangateau Folk Club evening starts at 7pm. Entry $15.

Flynn will also play a gig at the Absurdistan Hall, near Kaiwaka, on Sunday November 13.

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ORION PIANO TRIO With 2022 marking the birthday anniversaries of F. Schubert and J. Brahms, the Trio have chosen to perform the composers’ best and most beautiful piano trio works.

All Tickets for 2022 $30 per person per concert Purchase Tickets Online at www.trybooking.com/nz/ eventlist/warkworthmusic or www.warkworthmusic.org.nz DOOR SALES – CASH ONLY

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The Orion Trio will present a programme rich in history, lyricism, reflection and virtuosity.

Constellation of stars celebrate master composers Warkworth will join a worldwide celebration to mark the birthday anniversaries of two master composers, Franz Schubert and Johannes Brahms, when the Orion Trio takes the stage at the Warkworth Town Hall on Saturday October 22.

The concert, which will also include pieces written by the young NZ composer Claire Cowan, is the last in Warkworth Music’s 2022 winter series.

Schubert and Brahms were two remarkable composers who were well known for their prolific, rich and varied works, having left behind some of the most beautiful and beloved piano trios.

The Orion Piano Trio has selected two of these piano trios for the Warkworth performance – Schubert’s Piano Trio No.2 in E flat, Op. 100 and Brahms’ Piano Trio No.1 in B. Members of the trio are Marko Pop Ristov on violin, Marco Ariani on cello and Flavio Villani on piano. All three have extensive international musical careers.

Ristov has been awarded first prize in several international competitions including Performing Australian Music (London 2008), Giovanni Batista Pergolesi (Italy 2003) and Peter Konjovich (Yugoslavia 2001). Since arriving in New Zealand in 2013, he has been a regular player with the

Auckland Philharmonia and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, as well as the section leader of Bach Musica. Last year he was awarded a full research scholarship at the Waikato University.

Ariani began studying the cello at the age of seven, under the guidance of Mº Francesco Pepicelli. He has won several prizes in national and international chamber music competitions, performing duets with pianist Marco Gianferrari and trios with the Trio Gentilucci. He is currently a teacher at the Orazio Vecchi Conservatory of Modena.

Villani is an Italian-born New Zealand citizen living in Auckland. He completed a Bachelor of Piano performance with Matteo Napoli at the Conservatory G.Martucci in conjunction with a Bachelor of IT in Salerno Italy in 2007. He moved to New Zealand in 2008 to follow his dream and in 2012, completed a Master in Piano Performance at the University of Auckland with first class honours under the guidance of pianist Stephen De Pledge. The journey towards his first solo performance with an orchestra was documented in the feature length film Crossing Rachmaninoff. He directs and teaches at L’Accademia in St Heliers.

The concert starts at 4pm.

The trio will also perform in Waipu on October 16.

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28

| Mahurangimatters | October 10, 2022

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History Rose Reid, Albertland Museum www.albertland.co.nz

Life on the Oruawharo River For the Albertland settlers, the Oruawharo River was their lifeline. It provided food when there was little else to eat and a way to visit friends and neighbours in the isolated settlement. For some, it was also their livelihood, transporting passengers and goods up and down the river.

George Bennett, who was born in Onehunga in 1866, was the eldest child of a very large family. By the age of 13, he was working for his Uncle William, transporting coal and firewood around Newmarket. He met Mildred Shepherd, who was of Albertland descent, while attending church together at the Newmarket Wesleyan Church. After their marriage, they fell on hard times and shifted back to Port Albert buying the local Co-operative store from Mildred’s father John Shepherd after he retired.

George was working at the Raekau Mill owned by Mander & Bradley, across the water from the Port Albert wharf. He was appointed manager when Frank Mander left the district, retaining this position until the mill closed in 1899. George and Mildred had several children and lived in the large boarding house near the wharf, providing accommodation for commercial travellers passing through the district. George loved the river and had a launch built which he called the Ivy after his daughter. He would transport goods and locals up and down the river carefully working the tides. In 1906, he gained his Certificate in Competency as Master of a River Steamer followed soon after by another Certificate which entitled him to be an ‘engineer of a ship propelled by any other means other than steam

with restricted limits’.

As his business grew, he purchased another launch, the Belle, and began transporting scoria and sleepers to Topuni and Te Hana for the railway when it came through Wellsford. In 1910, a tragedy unfolded at Batley when George and another young man named Jack were heading for Kaiwaka.

The barge had taken on water and in their attempt to get it further onto the beach a series of events unfolded which resulted in George falling into the water. Unable to swim, he called out, “Hurry up, Jack, I cannot hold on much longer” but before Jack could help him, George had drowned.

Jack swam to shore to raise the alarm and after a search of the beach there was no sign of the body so gelignite was used to clear the water. Sadly, George’s body was not discovered until the neap tides came in. He was buried in Port Albert cemetery with a simple inscription on his headstone, George Bennett 1866-1910. The Bennett family continued to run the local store for many generations until its closure in 1991.

Come along and visit our display ‘Oruawharo River – Lifeline of the Albertlanders’ running October 1 to 16 for the Auckland Heritage Festival.

Northland centre president Ann Muir rolling the first bowl of the season.

Leigh Bowling Club president Matthieu Lennan following suit.

Leigh summer bowls starts The Leigh Bowling Club held a combined prizegiving and opening day on September 3.

Guest speaker was Northland Bowls president Ann Muir who has an inspiring record in bowls as a player, coach and now, administrator. Among her many bowls achievements, she won a Commonwealth bronze medal in the fours at the Games in Canada in 1994. In recognition of her contribution to the sport, she is only the fourth Life Member of Bowls NZ. Presentation of the trophies for the 2021/22 season was followed by a light lunch and a rollup to open this season.

However, the first tournament planned for October had to be postponed due to the weather. The club single champs were due to

be played on October 8, followed by the club pairs champs on October 22 and 23, and the triple champs on November 5 and 6.

Several notable achievements by club members include Lance Michelle being named the Northland Greenkeeper of the Year for the second year in a row and Steve Wallace being selected in the Northland Junior rep team.

The club is holding regular rollups every Tuesday at 9.30am and on Friday afternoons.

Junior coaching and fun games sessions are held every Friday from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

This is sponsored by Sport North Harbour and includes a sausage sizzle for the kids.

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October 10, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

29

feature garden & landscape

Bumper hamper giveaway

The new environmentally friendly nursery pots should see an end, at last, to the wasteful plastic pots.

Biodegradable pots go plastic-free A new product developed with help from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will offer an alternative to the estimated 350 million plastic trays and pots used by New Zealand nurseries and gardeners each year.

The pots can last 12 months above ground before biodegrading, with the biodegrading process starting as soon as soil is added.

They can be planted directly into the ground, with the pot providing fertiliser for the plant as the pot biodegrades.

MPI’s director of investment programmes Steve Penno says taking commonly used plastic pots out of landfills will also help the environment.

MPI contributed more than $41,000 to the project through the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund. This has enabled Pinehurst Associates to refine its research and development, and work through manufacturing issues.

The new product, PolBionix, is made from bio-polymers and a bio-filler. The bio-polymers are made from

sustainably grown sugarcane, cassava and corn.

Pinehurst Associates director Peter Wilson says the biofiller is from waste organic matter that contains naturally occurring chemicals and nutrients that are attractive to microbes to eat.

The product is currently being tested in three commercial nurseries.

“Raw material costs for PolBionix are higher than for traditional fossil-based plastic pots, so the pots will be more expensive. However, once you factor in not having to add fertiliser, and costs saved from not having to then dispose of the traditional pots – such as reduced labour, landfill and environmental costs – the pots are a clear winner.”

Auckland Council trialled the planting of PolBionix pots in Waitawa Regional Park in August.

PolBionix will be commercialised through Wilson and Ross within the next year.

Mahurangi Matters, in conjunction with Yates, has a special hamper of gardening products to giveaway as part of National Gardening Week – October 17 to 24.

The theme this year is Grow Good Soil.

The Gardening Week Hamper, valued at more than $220, includes: • Thrive Natural Organic Blood and Bone to fertilise, improve soil structure and provide natural organic nutrients • Thrive Natural Organic Garden Lime to encourage decomposition of organic matter and earthworm activity • Yates Nature’s Way Compost Maker turns garden and kitchen waste into rich, nutritious compost – fast • A stylish compost caddy to collect household scraps ready for the compost bin (random colour assigned of cream, grey, navy and black) • Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed Plus, which both nourishes plants and enriches soil including microbe and earthworm activity • Thrive Natural Seaweed – a tonic for plant and root health • Thrive Natural liquid fertilisers for citrus and fruit and veggie and herbs • a Yates Garden Guide – a newly updated edition for both beginners and seasoned green thumbs • A selection of Yates organic veggie seeds.

National Gardening Week aims to foster a love of gardening with a focus on growing not only plants but friendships, good health, strong communities and closer connections with nature. Whether it’s a few pots on the balcony, a small patch or an extensive garden, everyone can experience the joy of gardening.

To enter, email editor@localmatters.co.nz with ‘Gardening Week’ in the subject line. Alternatively, you can post an entry to Gardening Week, Mahurangi Matters, 17 Neville Street, Warkworth (don’t forget to include your name and a daytime phone number); or just drop your name and contact phone number into the office. Competition closes on October 21.

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| Mahurangimatters | October 10, 2022

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Warm weather signals orchid show in north The arrival of warmer weather in Taitokerau signals the start of the orchid flowering season in Northland’s gumlands.

Gumlands are a defining characteristic of the region, associated with ancient kauri forests.

Northland Regional Council biodiversity manager Lisa Forester says they were formed on the top of hills and are totally reliant on rainfall as a water source, so are often parched in summer and saturated in winter.

“Having once drawn thousands of settlers to seek their fortune digging kauri gum, the gumlands play an important role in settler history,” Forester says.

“Previously very common in Northland, most gumlands have been cleared and developed. Those that remain are often dismissed as worthless scrub, but a closer look reveals a unique community of plants that thrive on low fertility soils, including short mānuka, wīwī (sedges) and tangle fern, as well as a treasure trove of native orchids.”

Taitokerau has more than 70 native species of orchid, although at least four have become extinct in the region due to habitat loss.

The peak flowering season is from October through to December.

“Orchids occupy many habitats from forests to wetlands, sand fields and gumlands. Their tiny flowers pack an awesome visual punch, with incredible variety and fantastic names such as potato, duckbill and onion orchid.

“All can be found in Northland, as well as numerous sun orchids including Thelmitra Ahipara, which is nationally critical and only found in the Far North on old kauri soils.

“These beautiful plants flourish in unexpected places that are often overlooked such as disturbed roadsides. A particular delight for me are the sun orchids on Mount Parihaka. We are so fortunate to have such an incredible range of native orchids in Taitokerau.”

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Forester says wild orchids should not be picked or dug up to be transplanted into domestic gardens, where they would be highly unlikely to survive.

She encourages people to simply enjoy their beauty in their natural surroundings.

“They are a treasure to be discovered and enjoyed and then left alone to flourish.”

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feature garden & landscape

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Wine James Graham, Winemaker james@takatuwine.co.nz

Spring in the vineyards Springtime in vineyards, like many other environments, is a moment of rebirth, a literal bud burst of new growth full of expectation for the season ahead. This year we are coming out of the warmest and wettest winter on record in New Zealand.

Bud burst has arrived early, the soils are still saturated, and the work in the vineyards has begun in earnest.

This spring will be extra challenging until the ground starts to dry out. Sodden soils making tractor work particularly difficult, if not impossible in places. Work will need to be done on light weight equipment, or by foot if necessary.

Early season sprays, which target powdery mildew in particular, are largely based on elemental sulphur. Naturally occurring, it is the base of many organic treatments and used in multiple variations for millennia.

It provides a robust protection against a number of fungal diseases without risk of them developing any tolerance to its efficacy.

Thankfully, in Matakana and other northern regions, we are spared one of the most dangerous spring time weather events – frost. Our proximity to the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean moderates any risk of frosty weather in springtime. Young shoots and leaves are highly susceptible to damage from frost. Temperatures at or below -2 Celsius can cause catastrophic damage to a young shoot – killing it along with it any potential fruit it could have produced.

In frost prone regions, you will see rows of wind machines, standing sentry over the vines, on frosty nights their blades mixing

warmer air trapped in inversion layers above the ground with the freezing air at vineyard level. This mises and moves the air to lift the temperature just enough to stop any damage.

For all of their challenges, these trials will pass, the rain become less frequent, the sunshine prevail as the lengthening days of October and November take us into summer. Careful work carried out in spring, such as removing (thinning) excess shoots on the vines, will help to create an appropriate balance of vegetative growth and fruit setting the vines up for a great outcome later in the season.

Spring is also when we see the first wines from the previous vintage make their way into the market place. The early release Matakana white and rose wines from the 2022 vintage are out in our cellar doors, restaurants and bottle stores.

While you enjoy the longer days and vibrant energy of spring, take the opportunity to enjoy these new Matakana wines and even take a second to appreciate the hard work put in this time last year.

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Gardening Andrew Steens

Post-holiday bounty Firstly, my apologies for not writing any gardening articles over winter. We were fortunate to be able to enjoy a wonderful trip to Asia and Europe, so we missed all the rain! Being away for so long we had to put our veggie beds into sleep mode, which we did with a layer of fresh compost, topped with a layer of seagrass, then cardboard over that. A great way of both suppressing weeds and feeding the worms to make a beautiful rich soil for spring planting.

On our return we were horrified to see the supermarket fruit and vegetable prices. It really reinforces the need for families to grow as much of their own as possible. Of course, being away for so long, our garden was essentially a case of starting from scratch, as normally we would have food being produced year-round. Well, that would be the expectation, but we arrived home to many different crops producing food for us to eat immediately.

In the vegetable garden, perennial crops are invaluable as low maintenance, yearround food sources. We were excited to see that our asparagus bed already had spears emerging, there is nothing nicer than freshly harvested asparagus. A clump of perennial spinach (actually a type of beet) provides handy salad greens from the young leaves or steamed greens from the older leaves. Likewise, a clump of perennial celery provides a regular supply of stems and leaves for soups, stews and salads.

From the herb bed, aside from handy herbs such as rosemary, marjoram, thyme, oregano and various mints, there are also clumps of chives and garlic chives; perfect for salads and many other dishes and very easy to grow. The bed next door contains rhubarb to stew for delicious deserts, although to be fair it is better to wait

Asparagus

Rosemary

Mint

Oregano

Celery

Rhubarb

Spinach

Bok Choy

for harvesting until the heat of summer produces thicker, lusher stalks.

Aside from the perennials, there are several vegetables in our garden that happily self-seed all year round without any help from us. In fact, we are normally having to weed these plants out to prevent them taking over and crowding out our other vegetables. Self-seeders include the NZ spinach or kokihi, a native that forms mats of succulent leaves on stems that sprawl

Thyme

Chives

over anything. This is best used cooked (fabulous in a lasagna) or steamed, as the fresh leaves contain oxalates which are harmful to health. Another is bok choy, a staple in Asian dishes, but equally at home as a replacement for European cabbage.

The bees love the bright yellow flowers, so we always let a few go to seed, ensuring a prolific supply of this useful vegetable.

Perennial vegetables really do give a great return on investment of time and money,

they are a valuable standby in lean times and there are many more varieties than listed in this article. They are generally very easy to grow, much less work than annual vegetables and will happily withstand months of neglect. A decent application of fertiliser in spring, some occasional cutting back and regular watering is about all that is needed. Even space challenged gardeners can grow these, as most are quite happy in pots.

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feature garden & landscape

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Former Mahurangi resident Michelle Tyrrell has started a business that combines her two loves – gardening and sculpture.

She is importing stone sculptures from Zimbabwe that range in size from easy to carry pieces to large artworks that are up to 1.7 metres high.

“I first fell in love with these sculptures when I was visiting Zimbabwe in 2015,” she says. “At the time, I lamented that I could not fit the bigger ones in my suitcase but I did bring home lots of the smaller sculptures.”

She says a garden sculpture can create a focal point in a garden as well as a certain mood if it is works in harmony with the plantings.

“What I love about these sculptures is the beauty of the natural serpentine stone they are made from. The colour of the stone is amazing and so varied.

“Each piece is hand carved into something unique.”

The artists create the sculptures using hammers and chisels, raspers and even electric grinders, and then finish them with sandpaper. The final stage is the heating and waxing to reveal the beautiful colour of the stone.

“I travelled to Zimbabwe and met the

artists and hand selected each piece. I bought what I loved. It was wonderful to see the happy faces of the talented artists after each purchase. The country is poor so the income these artists make from these sales is very important to them.”

Michelle, who attended Mahurangi College, says she is planning to move back to the area in the next couple of years.

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Check out our website and come visit us. www.TheSculptureGarden.co.nz Ph/text Michelle 027 298 5798 167 Simpson Road, Henderson Valley, Waitakere, Auckland

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Auckland Garden DesignFest chair Deb Hardy says it is exciting to be back for the first time since 2019.

“We are so incredibly excited to be back for 2022 after sadly having to cancel our event last year due to Covid. We have so many spectacular gardens on display this year and our designers can’t wait to welcome everyone. It’s going to be a wonderful weekend.”

Tickets to visit all gardens cost $55 if bought before October 31, or $65 after that, or $25 for a three-garden pass. They can be bought online from www.iticket. co.nz/events/2022/nov/auckland-gardendesignfest or from Kings Plant Barn.

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feature garden & landscape

Countryliving Julie Cotton

admin@oceanique.co.nz

Possum hunt I have found myself with a new level of loathing for possums. Prior to this and like most of us, I was only blindly aware of the massive destruction these introduced animals were having on our environment.

Our Tapora peninsula has had a strong Landcare group funded by us landowners for a very long time, so the masses have mostly been eradicated out here. My intimate knowledge of their presence extended only to an occasional polite wave to a trapper on our farm and a cosy pair of possum blend bed socks. That was, until I noticed some strange happenings in my favourite lemon tree out my back door.

In all these years, I had never had a possum in my home garden, so I was oblivious to their conduct. Whole lemons hanging from my tree stripped entirely of the rind – perhaps I would have been grateful for the effort if I was juicing them? The concept of eating just the rind amused me slightly. I mean, let’s face it, apart from Nana’s boiled fruitcake on Christmas day, who in their right mind would voluntarily choose to eat peel and leave the flesh? I concluded that possums must not only be destructive and rude, but they are also stupid!

Over a short period of time, this possum proceeded to pillage the lemons in my garden. This, of course, annoyed me greatly, so I brought a trap and placed it under the tree. This was when I quickly realised that possum stupidity does not extend to them eating lemons in a small yellow trap when they can grab them off the tree.

So, out came the crunchy peanut paste, but alas, and with no results. I had to presume this freak was the only possum in existence with a nut allergy. Angry, and with my favourite lemon tree stripped almost bare, I decided it was time for a possum hunt.

The big problem I had with this was the fact that possums have those hopelessly gorgeous “big brown eyes” and us chicks are suckers for those. This meant trying to avoid such songs on my playlist such as Bright Eyes by Art Garfunkel and Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison if I was to successfully blow a possum of its perch.

It was a freezing night when I coaxed myself and husband out of the warmth of the lounge and loaded up with bullets for his Remington pump action shotgun.

Armed with a good spotlight, we lurked around the surrounding gardens and farms

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sheds like a couple of creeps until I finally spotted a glowing set of eyes in the rafters.

I pulled back the spotlight and retreated to get a quick pep talk from the husband.

I loaded the gun and pulled it back ready to fire. By this stage I was pretty “wired” to dispose of this vermin who had denied my family’s right to lemon cordial and lemon syrup cakes. My husband lifted the spotlight and I took what I thought was a strong stance, raised the gun and pressed it firmly against my shoulder. Through the open sight I could see the truth in the phrase, “stunned like a possum in headlights”. In my line of vision, I thought

I had perfect eyes on my target and did not hesitate to pull the trigger. Bang! The recoil pushed me back and it’s at this point that I wish I could tell you that I took down that rancid little dirtbag, but I missed.

Stunned by my own absolute failure, I could hear my husband ranting on about how impossible it was to miss that clear shot and something about “give me the gun, woman”. However, it was too late.

The possum had scurried off and hid in the rafters. We wandered around the bush on the farm for a long time that night looking for possums. I had never really immersed myself in our native bush at the night and it was quite a surreal experience until it wasn’t. The drizzle and wind eventually picked up, and with no sightings of possums, I declared myself bored and cold and wandered back to the warmth of my home. It was back at home, and after my husband had locked his gun away, that I gave him one of those deep eyeball stares that only a wife can do. With no words spoken Rodney knew exactly what I wanted. The next night he grabbed his gun and left the house. When he came home, he told me he had a present for me, and “that possum and a couple of others will no longer be bothering you again, Sweetheart”. So, finally with my immediate possum situation sorted, and with lemons now on the grocery list, I am able to reflect on the impact that these overstayers are having on our environment and our food sources. While I am deeply proud of all those volunteers out there trapping and landowners like those of us in Tapora who donate amounts of money above our taxes for their eradication, we have a long way to go. As far as I’m concerned, the only good possums are either up a tree in Aussie, keeping my feet warm or dead.

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Online shop Kaiwaka showroom

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We offer the following services:

Plumbing drainage septic systems water tanks pumps & water filters jetting machine drain camera

GAS & PLUMBING LTD

Certified Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers

www.trueblueplumber.co.nz

Dog Life Jackets . Coats . Beds Collars . Leads . Harnesses

021 102 4561

tttplumber@gmail.com

P: 0272 761 761 E: info@wellsfordgas.co.nz

021 446 064 • New Roofs • Roof Repairs • Re-roofs • Roof Inspections Specialists in long-run roofing www.positiveimage.co.nz For any queries, please contact diane@positiveimage.co.nz

16A Flexman Place, Silverdale

Rob Campbell

A great team you can trust

Northern Contracts Manager

For a fresh approach in Property Management, with proven results.

Serving Puhoi to Ruakaka.

0800 649 324 | 021 425 117 rob@rightnowroofing.co.nz www. rightnowroofing.co.nz

Sam 021 1966 391 / Shona 021 539 391 rentalsitn@bayleys.co.nz

Your LOCAL Community Newspaper

w o H do your customers find you?

Enhance your online profile at

www.localmatters.co.nz/business-directory/

www.localmatters.co.nz

SECURITY & INVESTIGATION

Your Local Trusted Security Service

Buyers of: Copper • Brass • Aluminium • Lead • Steel Stainless Steel • Batteries • Cable • Machinery • Electric Motors • Cars • Car Removal. Pick up or drop off bins available

Phone 0800 14 15 30 • 09 426 9150 35 Forge Road, Silverdale

09 425 7113 www.insitesecurity.co.nz admin@insitesecurity.co.nz 24/7 Patrols

24/7 Monitoring

Alarm/CCTV

October 10, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

39

SURVEYORS | TILING | WATER

• Rural & Urban Subdivision • Boundary Locations • Site Contour Plans • Construction Set-out

Hibiscus Tiling

Your LOCAL Community Newspaper

Rupert Mather 021 425 837 Graeme Smith 021 422 983 23 Bertram Street, Warkworth

Wall & floor tiling • Accredited Waterproofer Underfloorheating • Free consultations and quotations • 23 years experience

09 425 7393 admin@wwsurveyors.co.nz

Phone Darcy 021 482 308

Enhance your online profile at

www.localmatters.co.nz/business-directory/

Pump & Filtration Services

ABSOLUTE CONCRETE

(2007) Ltd

• Water treatment & Filtration • Pumps • Pool & Spas • Waterblasters 7days / 24hours Paul Harris

Moosome Concrete Troughs!

09 431 2211

Call Steve today 0212 787 427

M: 021 425 887 T: 09 425 0075 E: pumps4u@live.com

0800 278 288 | www.aquaworks.co.nz

sales@absoluteconcrete.co.nz

Pumps & Filters Water Treatment Spa & Pool Shop Water Testing Valet Service Water Blasters Tanks & Sprayers 24 Hour Mobile & Workshop Service

SUPPLYING QUALITY HOUSEHOLD WATER IN THE LOCAL AREA FOR OVER 37 YEARS

425 8454 0800 747 928 or 027 556 6111 www.rhodesforroads.co.nz

31 Woodcocks Rd, Warkworth 09 425 9100 splashwater@xtra.co.nz

REGISTERED DRINKING WATER SUPPLIER IN NZ

w o H do your customers find you?

Shop hours Mon - Fri 8am-5pm Sat 9am-12pm

Classifieds AERIALS

REDDING ELECTRONICS Freeview Installs, Satellite Dish, UHF Aerial. Installation & Repairs. Ph Dave 09 422 7227 or 027 458 5457 APPLIANCE REPAIRS A SMART REPAIR Service for F&P smartdrive washers, F&P/ Simpson dryers. Prompt service 021 168 7349.

DRIVEWAYS MAINTENANCE Grading, rolling & metalling for rural Driveways.

No job too BIG or small. Ph Trevor 021 0225 5606

HAIR & NAILS

HOME & MAINTENANCE

MOBILE HAIR & NAILS

COLLINS ELECTRONICS HAVE YOU LOST PRIME?

Working around the greater Warkworth Region. Offering hairdressing, manicure and pedicure services, in your home.

Call Rebecca 021 0825 8242

Ph Paul 09 422 0500 or 027 29 222 04

HOME & MAINTENANCE

Blue Skies Cleaning Window Cleaning, Soft Bio House Wash, Gutter Clean, All Exterior Cleaning, Water Blasting, Roof Treatment, Local Professional service.

Ph Pat 022-646-5849 WINDOW CLEANING/ HOUSEWASH/GUTTER CLEANING Local professional service. Ph Pat 022-646-5849.

The deadline for classified advertising for our October 24, 2022 paper is October 19.

Send classified advertising enquiries to design@localmatters.co.nz

Or need your Freeview box tuned for the new channels? TV repairs, microwave oven repairs, Freeview installations.

PUBLIC NOTICES

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the Warkworth area:

Warkworth Fellowship and Snells Beach Big Book Meeting Phone/text 0275 773 689 www.aa.org.nz | www.12steps.nz

PUBLIC NOTICES

OUT OF ZONE ENROLMENT VACANCIES Enrolment at the school is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available from the school office or on the school website www.warkworth.school.nz. The Board has determined that 20 places for students in Years 1 – 6 are likely to be available for out of zone students in Terms 1 and 2, 2023. The exact number of places will depend on the number of applications received from students who live within the school’s home zone.

Applications are now invited for out of zone students. Application forms are available from the school website (www.warkworth.school.nz). The deadline for receipt of applications is 17 October 2022.

Parents of students who live within the home zone and intend enrolling their child at any time during this year should notify the school by 17 October 2022 to assist the school to plan appropriately. Students who live in the home zone are entitled to enrol at the school.

If the number of out of zone applications exceeds the number of places available, students will be selected by ballot. If a ballot is required, it will be held on 25 October 2022. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the ballot within three days of the ballot being held.

www.localmatters.co.nz

Supported by Mahurangi Matters

HIRING?

JOB HUNTING?

Advertise on our website www.localmatters.co.nz/jobs

Check out the vacancies on our website www.localmatters.co.nz/jobs

40

| Mahurangimatters | October 10, 2022

Sudoku

Solution

Your LOCAL Community Newspaper

Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters

Classifieds SITUATIONS VACANT

TOTALSPAN RODNEY PROUD SPONSORS OF

SCOREBOARD THE scorEBoArD ToTalspan Rodney pRoud sponsoRs of

Working From Home.

$

Indicative Salary: $53k

Omaha Beach Junior Surf Information and registration days are Sunday, October 23 and October 30, 10am-midday. Season starts Sunday, November 13, 9.45am sign on for 10am start.

Info: juniorsurf@omahasurf.co.nz to volunteer or talk to one of the committee members

Te kaupapa Our Vision at The Forest Bridge Trust is to create a connected landscape with healthy forest and flourishing indigenous wildlife from the Kaipara Harbour to the Pacific Coast.

Dub Dub Running Club Runners of all abilities in the Warkworth area are invited to join the club, from the casual jogger to the competitive marathoner, to achieve their goals while enjoying running in a friendly, social atmosphere. Info: Warkworth Running Club, facebook.

Tēnei tūranga / About the role This role at TFBT, working under our partnership with the Kaipara Moana Remediation (KMR) will engage and support landowners to develop Sediment Reduction Plans that identify priorities for remediation activity, with the purpose of reducing the flow of sediment into the Kaipara Harbour.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako/ Skills and experience • Experience in leading fencing and /or planting projects on NZ’s rural properties • Leadership and project management skills in planning and co-ordinating resources, motivating others, and demonstrating sound forward vision • Good knowledge of best practise Health and Safety principles and disciplines • Proven written reporting skills • A good level of computer literacy, including MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint • Knowledge of SharePoint and ArcGIS would be an advantage

Mahu Mixed Touch Mahurangi RFC mixed touch module starts October 13. Junior mixed, contact Vanessa or Fleur at mahutouch@gmail.com. Senior mixed, contact Bernie at bernie@bkdesign.co.nz Cowboy Challenge North Auckland Beginners have a go day, on Saturday, November 19, 10am-5pm at the Warkworth Showgrounds. A fun, mock competition for beginner riders who have never competed or who have tried one CCNA challenge up to Rookie level with no placing.

Info: cowboychallengena.weebly.com/event-calendar ganized Simply Or

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE SERVICE DESKS Warkworth, at the Council Offices Monday 10am – 2pm Matakana, Cinema Complex Tuesday 11am-1pm Snells Beach, at the Library Friday 10am – noon Warkworth RSA Fridays 4pm to 5pm No appointment is needed.

There is no cost.

Supported by Mahurangi Matters

AGM

MANGAKURA BOAT CLUB Sunday 16th Oct, 3pm, at the club (Hoteo Wharf). All welcome. Enquires to Tracey Belcher 027 495 7972 SITUATIONS VACANT

CLEANERS REQUIRED For Plume Villas Matakana. On call and available weekdays, weekends and public holidays and stat days. Up to $23 per hour or dependent on experience.

If you are honest, reliable, with an eye for detail and have own transport please give me a call.

Denise 021 422 313, 09 283 3630

CCS Manufacture & Installations Ltd FACTORY HAND TRAINEE FABRICATOR We are seeking a person to join our team in Silverdale.

We are looking for someone who is capable, enthusiastic and a practical learner to join us and learn our fabrication processes. No experience is required as full training will be provided for the right person. You will need a full/ clean drivers licence, be fit and healthy, have a good work ethic and be prepared to learn.

Wages are negotiable in line with experience.

Excellent English, both written and verbal and NZ residency is required.

Please send your CV to: accounts@ccsnz.net.nz or Ph 021 947 271 www.ccs.net.nz

Butch Chadwick Memorial Golf Tournament This tournament will be held on Sunday, November 6, Wellsford Golf Club. Adult/junior pairs compete in 18-hole, 9-hole, 5-hole divisions, plus non-scoring divisions. Info: Martin Worthington on 021 0273 1704 or email bcmemorial@outlook.com.

Sandspit Yacht Club The summer season will start with an evening race on Friday, October 21, followed by a destination rally for the remainder of Labour Weekend.

Snells Beach Indoor Bowls Bowls held October 17 and every Monday, starting 12.30pm, Mahurangi East Community Centre, Hamatana Rd, Snells Beach. Info: Pam 425 6405

To apply or for further information please contact admin@theforestbridgetrust.org.nz

PUBLIC NOTICES

A round-up sports activities and events the district a Roundup ofof spoRTs acTiviTies ininTHe disTRicT

Leigh Bowls The club offers junior coaching and activities every Friday, 4.30-5.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend, and kids receive a free sausage. A members’ draw is held every Wednesday evening and three $50 meat packs are raffled every week.

$

ToTalspan Rodney Warkworth Pony Club The NZ Community Trust has awarded the club $5280 to meet coaching and administration fees. Family and 229 sTaTe HigHway 1 fun oriented pony club offering rallies, a variety of events, annual camps and coaching.

The club holds rallies at the Warkworth waRkwoRTH Showgrounds on Tuesdays, 5.15-7pm. pHone 09 422 3149 List sports news FREE by emailing online@localmatters.co.nz

TOTALSPAN RODNEY 229 STATE HIGHWAY 1, WARKWORTH PHONE 09 422 3149 0800 TOTALSPAN (0800 868 257) WWW.TOTALSPAN.CO.NZ

Sudoku the numbers game 9 2

WANTED TO BUY ganized Simply Or

5 7

WORK WANTED BUILDER LOOKING FOR SMALL JOBS 021 492 939

CHURCH NOTICES

CATHOLIC CHURCH Phone 425 8545

www.holyname.org.nz

Holy Mass Timetable: WARKWORTH

Holy Name Church, 6 Alnwick Street Saturday Vigil: 6.00pm Sunday: 10.30am

PUHOI

SS. Peter & Paul Church Sunday: 8.30am

www.localmatters.co.nz

4

5 Pulham Road, Warkworth Phone 425 8861 www.mahu.org.nz Sunday Services 9am & 10.35am

4 MEDIUM

1 9

6 5

7 3

7 1 6 5 3 3 9 7 1

If it’s local, let us know!

4

2

www.puzzles.ca

Job Vacancy: Fencing and Planting Coordinator

SUPPORTING LOCAL SPORT FOR FIVE YEARS AND RUNNING

SOLUTION page 40

Mahurangi 425 9068 FILL IN THISMatters GRID SO THAT EVERY COLUMN, EVERY ROW AND EVERY 3X3 BOX CONTAINS THE DIGITS 1 TO 9.

October 10, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

41

RAINCLOUD TRUSTED WATER DELIVERY EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE. FAST RELIABLE DELIVERY Bill and Megan Boyce both captained winning teams.

WE’RE THE FIRST TO BRING YOU

+ Rainfall figures for September 204mm Leigh

131mm Mangawhai

205.5mm Whangateau

133mm Wellsford

Matakana Dome Valley

147mm

158mm

Warkworth

139.7mm

Kaipara Flats

The Rouse family are all making their mark on the local squash scene. Pictured, from front, are Samuel, Mollie and Fiona.

Takatu

120.5mm

Families shine in squash comps

Sandspit

137.5mm

142mm

Algies Bay

Spotlight on Warkworth The 120mm rainfall total for Warkworth last month was slightly lower than the monthly average of 134mm and was the second lowest total over the last 10 years (the lowest was 2020 when only 55mm fell). There were 15 wet days in the month. * All figures collected by Mahurangi Matters. Do not reproduce without the permission of Local Matters Inc.

www.Raincloud.co.nz | 0800 50 44 50

Want Your D L House O

Don’t Delay call Mick Fay today!

021 544 769

S

Wed Fri

Oct Aug14 4

4:55am 3:41am 9:51am 11:18am 4:21pm Tide Tide 5:16pm 10:24pm Times Times 11:40pm

Moon Moon

4:35am 0.5 2.7 5:35am 10:45am 1.0 11:59am 3.2 5:14pm 2.7 5:59pm 0.7 1.2 11:14pm 3.0

6:39am 7:16am 7:36pm 5:39pm

Sun Sun Fishing Fishing Guide Guide

Thu Sat

4:03am 8:36am 4:28pm 9:01pm

5:28am 2.7 12:23am 0.6 1.0 11:35am 6:16am 3.1 6:03pm 2.8 12:42pm 0.8 1.1 6:46pm

4:54am 9:26am 5:19pm 9:52pm

10:18am 5:45am 10:45pm 6:11pm

1.1 12:45am 1:53am 2.8 7:06am 2.8 7:48am 0.9 1:05pm 0.8 2:20pm 2.8 7:29pm 3.0 8:32pm 1.1

6:35am 7:13am 7:39pm 5:41pm

Best Best At At

FF

Tue Sun

11:11am 6:37am 11:38pm 7:02pm

1.0 2.7 2.9 1.0 0.7 2.7 3.1 1.1

Oct Aug19 9

1:29am 2:45am 7:51am 8:45am 1:47pm 3:18pm 8:11pm 9:31pm

6:34am 7:12am 7:39pm 5:42pm

Best Best At At

BF

Wed Mon

Oct Aug18 8

12:04pm 7:27am 7:52pm

2:12am 0.9 3:42am 2.6 8:35am 3.0 9:47am 1.1 2:29pm 0.6 4:16pm 2.7 8:53pm 3.2 10:28pm 1.2

6:33am 7:11am 7:40pm 5:43pm

Best Best At At

BF

Thu Tue

Aug Oct 20 10

12:29am 8:16am 12:55pm 8:40pm

2:56am 0.8 4:42am 2.6 9:18am 3.1 10:48am 1.1 3:11pm 0.6 5:11pm 2.7 9:36pm 3.3 11:20pm 1.1

6:31am 7:10am 7:41pm 5:44pm

Best Best At At

BG

Wed Fri

Aug Oct 21 11

9:03am 1:20am 9:25pm 1:44pm

3:40am 0.7 5:40am 2.6 10:02am 3.2 11:43am 1.1 3:54pm 0.5 6:00pm 2.7 3.3 10:21pm 1.1

6:30am 7:09am 7:42pm 5:44pm

Best Best At At

BG

Thu Sat

Aug Oct 22 12

9:48am 2:09am 10:10pm 2:32pm

4:26am 0.6 12:09am 2.6 3.2 10:47am 6:32am 1.0 4:40pm 0.5 12:31pm 2.8 3.3 11:07pm 6:46pm

6:29am 7:08am 7:43pm 5:45pm

Best Best At At

BG

Sun Fri

Aug Oct 23 13

10:32am 2:56am 10:53pm 3:20pm

5:12am 0.6 12:54am 0.9 3.2 11:34am 7:20am 2.8 5:29pm 0.5 1:15pm 0.9 3.3 11:56pm 7:30pm 2.9

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Mon Sat

Aug Oct 24 14

11:15am 3:43am 11:37pm 4:07pm

6:01am 0.6 1:38am 0.8 3.2 12:24pm 8:04am 2.9 6:22pm 0.6 1:58pm 0.8 3.3 8:14pm 3.0

6:26am 7:05am 7:45pm 5:47pm

Best Best At At

BG

Tue Sun

Aug Oct 25 15

11:59am 4:31am 4:56pm

0.6 12:47am 2:22am 0.7 6:53am 3.1 8:48am 3.1 1:20pm 0.7 2:41pm 0.6 7:21pm 3.1 8:59pm

6:25am 7:04am 7:46pm 5:48pm

Best Best At At

FG

Wed Mon

Aug Oct 26 16

12:22am 5:21am 12:45pm 5:47pm

1:42am 3:05am 7:50am 9:31am 2:22pm 3:25pm 8:25pm 9:45pm

6:24am 7:03am 7:47pm 5:48pm

Best Best At At

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3.2 0.5 0.6 3.2 3.1 0.5 0.8 3.2

Thu Tue

1:09am 6:14am 1:34pm 6:41pm

Aug Oct 28 18

2:41am 3.1 3:50am 0.4 8:53am 0.7 10:16am 3.3 3:28pm 3.0 4:11pm 0.5 9:30pm 0.8 10:32pm 3.3

6:23am 7:02am 7:48pm 5:49pm

Best Best At At

GG

Wed Fri

Aug Oct 27 17

1:59am 7:10am 2:26pm 7:39pm

3:45am 3.0 4:35am 0.4 9:58am 0.7 11:03am 3.3 4:33pm 3.0 5:00pm 0.5 10:33pm 0.9 11:21pm 3.3

6:22am 7:01am 7:49pm 5:50pm

Best Best At At

BG

Thu Sat

Aug Oct 29 19

2:54am 8:09am 3:23pm 8:40pm

Sun Fri

Aug Oct 30 20

4:50am 3.0 5:22am 0.4 11:02am 0.7 11:52am 3.3 5:34pm 3.1 5:52pm 0.5 0.8 11:32pm 3.2

6:20am 6:59am 7:50pm 5:51pm

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3:53am 9:11am 4:24pm 9:42pm

3.0 0.4 0.7 3.3 3.2 0.6 0.7

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®

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10:12am 4:56am 10:42pm 5:27pm

Last New New First Quarter Moon Moon Quarter Set Rise 8:57am 3:42am Rise Rise12:08am 4:39am Rise Rise 1:06am 5:33am Rise Rise 1:59am 6:23am Rise Rise 2:45am 7:07am Rise Rise 3:25am 7:47am Rise Rise 4:00am 8:21am Rise Rise 4:30am 8:52am Rise Rise 4:57am 9:21am Rise Rise 5:22am 9:50am Rise Rise 10:20am 5:47am Rise Rise 10:52am 6:13am Rise Set 12:54am 6:42am Rise Set 7:15am 2:05am Rise Set 7:54am 3:16am Rise Set 8:41am 4:22am Set Set 12:10am 5:22am 2:13pm Set 3:05pm Set 4:03pm Set 5:05pm Set 6:10pm Set 7:16pm Set 8:23pm Set 9:29pm Set 5:18pm Set 6:22pm Set 7:28pm Set 8:37pm Set 9:48pm Set 1:01pm Rise 2:00pm Rise 3:06pm Set 1:28pm Set Set 9:38am Set 10:24am Set 11:16am Set 12:13pm Set 1:12pm Set 2:13pm Set 3:14pm Set 4:16pm Set 10:36pm Set 11:44pm Rise 11:28am Rise 12:11pm Rise11:01pm Rise 9:38am *Not *Not for for navigational navigational purposes. purposes.

Mick Fay 42

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RayWhite

Ray White SeaSea Watch Auckland Area Watch

Oct Aug17 7

6:37am 7:14am 7:38pm 5:40pm

Best Best At At

GB

Mon Sat

Oct Aug16 6

6:38am 7:15am 7:37pm 5:40pm

Best Best At At

GB

Sun Fri

Oct Aug15 5

Holly Joss, Philipa Potaka and Lianne Maric.

This follows on from Fiona Rouse’s win as part of the Auckland Masters Team that won the NZ District Masters Teams Event earlier in the month, at Hamilton. She was also runner up in the NZ Age Group Final.

Not to be outdone, daughter Mollie has raced up the grading list this year, starting as a J2 and is now a top E1 and is hoping to be D2 before the end of the squash season.

She has been unbeaten at interclub this season.

Another successful Warkworth Master is Anthony Roberts who won the national title for his age group in the NZ Masters.

Two families were prominent in the Warkworth Squash team’s success in winning the M10 and W4 Squash Auckland Interclub Pennants late last month.

The M10 team, lead by Bill Boyce who is also the Warkworth Squash Club captain, along with his son Cameron and Simon Rouse with his son Samuel, plus Ben Moore, Dave Harvey, Aubrey Donovan and Adam Barber took out the third seed Eden Epsom in the final 11-4.

Megan Boyce captained the W4 team to victory against the top seed Henderson, 11-3. Other members of the winning Warkworth team were Julie Beaumont,

Snells Beach

GG

Good Good Fishing Fishing

FF

Fair Fair Fishing Fishing

BB

Not Not So So Good Good

www.tidewiz.com www.tidewiz.com

www.tidespy.com www.tidespy.com

www.ofu.co.nz www.ofu.co.nz

Graphic Graphic supplied supplied by

by OceanFun OceanFun Publishing Publishing Ltd. Ltd.

Licensee Agent Snells Beach 021 544 769 E. mick.fay@raywhite.com W. https://mickfay.raywhite.com/

| Mahurangimatters | October 10, 2022

Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters

What’s on See www.localmatters.co.nz/whats-on/ for a full list of upcoming events

October 13

Heritage Festival combined local museum talk, Old Masonic Hall, Baxter Street, Warkworth,10.30am-noon

13

Beef + Lamb NZ Northland community dinner & quiz night, Port Albert Hall, 5.30-8.30pm. All welcome. For catering purposes, RSVP Hazel at nh.macmillan@xtra.co.nz

14

Scratch Band, Warkworth RSA, 6.30pm

15

Photo Exhibition, fundraiser for Warkworth Photo Club, Old Masonic Hall Warkworth, 10am-4pm. Koha entry and cash only sales

15

Kauri Heritage 60th Birthday Festival, Kauri Museum, 10am-5pm. Family day with free entry. Info: www.kaurimuseum.com

15

Harakeke/Flax weaving workshop with Britta Conrad, Warkworth Anglican Parish hall on behalf of Women’s Centre, 10am-2pm. Cost, $65pp

15

Wellsford’s Got Talent finals, Wellsford Community Hall, 7pm

15

Recliner Rockers Band, Tahi Bar, 7pm-10pm

15

Pest Free Leigh open day, Leigh Hall, 10am-midday

16

Return of the kuaka (bar-tailed godwits) celebration, Bayside Bistro Snells Beach, 1pm; organised by Snells Shoreline Conservation Community

17

Community Sing-along, Warkworth Library, 5.30pm. Regular meetings will be 1st and 3rd Mondays.

17

Men’s Rebus, general meeting at Shoesmith Hall, 10am. Info: Ron 422 3111

19

One Mahurangi annual general meeting, The Bridgehouse, Warkworth, 5.30-7.30pm

20

Careers Expo, Te Hana Ao Marama, starting at 10am

20&21 Coastal Heritage Art (CHArt) Awards, featuring the work of primary school students in the Mahurangi region, Warkworth Town Hall, 10-4pm. Topics this year are Fins and Flukes or Down by the Mangroves 20

Forest & Bird Warkworth Area Branch, a talk by Lyn Wade on special areas of NZ’s coastline, Totara Park Retirement Village Hall, Melwood Drive, Warkworth, 7.30pm. All welcome.

20

Rotary Speaker Series, the Bridgehouse Warkworth, 5.30-8pm, organised by Barfoot and Thompson

21

Crafty Conversations, Women’s Centre, every Friday 10am-12pm. Host: Jo Nicholson

21

U3A Science and Climate Group Talk by Professor John Montgomery on sharks, Totara Park Meeting Room, 2-4pm. RSVP: ralphpcooney1@gmail.com

21

Stephon Battour, Warkworth RSA, 6.30pm

22

Tauhoa Ag Day, Tauhoa School, 9.30am-2pm. Info: 422 5722

22

Super sausage sizzle for Warkworth Volunteer Fire Brigade, outside Warkworth Butchery, 10am-2pm

22

Mini Nip N Kwik, Snells Beach Community Church (opposite fire station) 8ammidday. Plants, cafe, sausage sizzle, car boot sale.

22

Orion Piano Trio, Warkworth Town Hall, 4pm. Tickets $30 from www.warkworthmusic.org.nz (see story p28)

22

Food Truck Collective, Warkworth Showgrounds, 5-9pm

22

Frisky Business Flashback to the 80s, Leigh Sawmill, 9pm. Tickets $15-$21.97

23

Snugleigh Community Scarf Event and market, Leigh Hall, midday-4pm.

Organisers welcome enquiries from stallholders; proceeds to Leigh Hall. Info: Hillary 021 0891 6855

23

Goat Island Swim, Goat Island Marine Reserve, 9am. Info: www.oswim.co.nz/ the-goat

24

Matakana Monday Market Labour Day special, Matakana Country Park, 8am1.30pm

25

Warkworth Ladies’ Rebus Club meeting, Totara Park Village Hall, 10am.

28

Matakana Night Market, Matakana Country Park, 5-9pm

28

Kerry Adams and Mattie Duo, Warkworth RSA, 6.30pm

29

Super sausage sizzle for local charities outside Warkworth Butcher, 10am-2pm

29

Annual Greek Extravaganza fundraiser for Hibiscus Hospice, at Orewa Arts & Events Centre

29

Halloween Fair, Puhoi Pub, midday-3.30pm. Prize for best costume.

30

Puhoi Village Market, Riverside Park, 9am-1pm. Live music, stalls, treasures, food and the community table produce and plants. To book a $20 stall space, phone Jenny on 020 4020 6154

30

Groups and Clubs expo day, Warkworth Town Hall, 10am-2pm. $10 a table.

31

Sustainable Living Series, Women’s Centre, every Monday, 10.30am-12.30pm. Free

31

Dave Flynn, Whangateau Folk Club guest, Whangateau Hall, 7pm. Entry $15 (see story p 27)

List your event by emailing the details to online@localmatters.co.nz

www.localmatters.co.nz

SUPER SAUSAGE SIZZLE IF YOU WANT TO L, SUPPORT MORE LOCA T NO Y THEN WH JOIN US!

On the last Saturday of every month, we’re raising much needed funds for local charities and organisations — perhaps groups that would not normally get the exposure within the local community.

COME ALONG AND SUPPORT

Saturday 22nd October 10am - 2pm next to Warkworth Butchery

Warkworth Volunteer Fire Brigade

This is a volunteer station. That means all members of our brigade dedicate their own time in order to serve this community. They respond to a variety of emergencies in our local area. These include:

• Fires

• Medical emergencies

• Motor vehicle accidents • Search and rescue • Civil defence

• Natural disaster responses

They also offer fire safety advice. If you want to visit this station, get in touch or come by the station on a training night.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Rotary Speaker Series Thursday 20th October, 5.30 - 8pm

Treat yourself to an evening full of local information and good company • Warkworth Community Response - Jim Flewitt

• Matakana Coffee Roasters - Lindesay Smith

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Coast & Country October 10, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

43

Old, but definitely not out A dedicated group of tennis players in Warkworth is proving that age is no barrier to fun and fitness.

They have been getting together for social tennis every Wednesday morning for nearly 25 years.

There are at least two 87 year olds – Des Sharp and Gerry Brown – with the youngest player being a mere 65 years old.

The “regulars” include Warkworth Tennis Club patron Gloria Wilmot.

“Affectionately known as the Old Diggers Club, this elite group of athletes, whose members have changed only a little over time, epitomises what being part of the club is all about,” player Roz Callender says.

Many of the players have been club office bearers and Sharp has been doing the racquet restringing for more than 20 years.

The group includes retired farmers, teachers, truck drivers, an airline pilot, hairdresser, beekeeper, accountant, tech guru and a couple of forestry workers. It was ‘blokes only’ until one day they found themselves short of a 12th ‘man’ and roped

in a sprightly, younger woman to fill a gap.

There are now two women – Wilmot and Callender – on the team.

“The morning always starts with a ‘seniors’ warm up, and things can get a little dodgy when no-one can remember the score, who’s serving or which side of the court they’re on,” Callender says. “But it’s the company, stories and friendships that make a good game of tennis great!”

Ten of the 12 regular Old Diggers at the Warkworth Tennis Club.

Two players were off sick – one was recovering from a knee operation and the other was resting his back after laying carpet.

New Omaha manager tees off Auckland businessman Paul O’Brien is the new general manager at the Omaha Golf Club.

O’Brien has worked for many years in the food and beverage, and healthcare sectors.

He has been a part-time lecturer of international MBA students at Auckland University and was formerly chief executive of Easiyo, the world’s largest make-at-home yoghurt brand in the world.

He has been a judge for both the Trade and Enterprise business awards and the Westpac Business Awards.

“I also play golf and have had many years experience with the Eden Epsom Tennis Club as president, vice president and club captain,” he says.

“My wife Helen saw the ad for the vacancy at Omaha and suggested I apply, saying

‘It’ll be fun’.”

The couple is in the process of selling their house in Auckland and will then buy in the Omaha/ Matakana area.

“I’m spending these early weeks getting to know members and the issues at the club. I also want to bring a health and safety focus to the club and work on staff development.”

One of the first major events Paul O’Brien took over the O’Brien will oversee will be the management of the golf Hospice Charity Tournament and club early last month.

Gala Dinner, which runs from November 11 to 13. More than 400 people will attend the dinner, and the fundraising target is over $100,000.

O’Brien replaces Sue Jury who left earlier this year.

Ross Cornes Warkworth resident

Des Sharp, the oldest on the team, shows he still has what it takes to enjoy a game of tennis.

My wife and I both needed cataract surgery and were pleased to hear it could be done at Rodney Surgical.

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My advice is to ask your GP if you can have it done locally.

Or ring Rodney Surgical direct.

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www.rodneysurgicalcentre.co.nz • 09 425 1190 44 | Mahurangimatters | October 10, 2022

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