Mahurangi Matters_Issue 442_7 November 2022

Sand mining continues P2

Local Folk: Barry Clarke P11

Wining and dining P24-29

November 7, 2022

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The Rodney Rays are, from left, Peter Sundvick, Thomas Tameris, William Clapham (captain), Bhavya Sharma and Reef Brown. The sixth member of the team is Azariah Hare.

Students dive deep into aquabot challenge A team of Rodney College students will compete in the national AquaBot Competition in Rotorua next month after finishing second in the regional finals in Auckland.

At stake is a chance to represent New Zealand at the International Sea Perch competition in the United States next year, hosted by NASA.

The Rodney team, led by captain William Clapham, includes Reef Brown, Thomas Tameris, Peter Sundvick, Bhavya Sharma and Azariah Hare. All are Year 11 students.

This is the first time Rodney College has fielded a team so the students, along with coach Sean Kingsley, are proud of their performance so far. Not that it has been all plain sailing.

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“During the regional finals, the propellers fell off and the glue kept breaking,” Clapham says. “We definitely learned a lot from that first competition and have been working on improvements.”

All teams in the competition receive the same kitset, which includes motors, batteries and propellers, and instructions on how to set up a basic model. It is then

up to the individual teams to use their skills and imagination to make modifications that cost no more than $20, which they hope will make their craft faster and more manoeuvrable under water.

The remote-controlled aquabots have to complete two challenges in the pool, which includes an obstacle course and a continued on page 2

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Contact us November 7, 2022 – Issue 442 17 Neville Street, Warkworth, 0941 ph 09 425 9068 mahurangimatters

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www.localmatters.co.nz Next issue: November 21 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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Pakiri sand mining continues Sand extraction company McCallum Brothers has been refused resource consent to extract sand from the in-shore area of Pākiri Beach, but has been granted consent to continue to mine sand in the MangawhaiPākiri embayment’s mid-shore area.

The mid-shore consent is for 10 years, half the time McCallum’s requested. The two consents were heard concurrently in July and September by hearing commissioners, on behalf of Auckland Council.

The decision confines the extraction area to the north of Te Arai Point and within the rohe of Te Uri o Hau, with a lesser extraction volume of 50,000 cubic metres a year.

The decision states that the consent is approved for a shorter duration than sought by the applicant, in recognition of the potential for increased erosion effects associated with climate change and to maintain sufficient resilience within the foredune and beach environment of the northern Pākiri embayment.

A total of 950 submissions were received in

respect of the mid-shore application with 272 in support, four neutral and 674 in opposition. A similar number of submissions were received on the in-shore application.

The Rodney Local Board was among those who opposed both applications.

The applications sought consent to extract sand from the seabed, using a trailer suction dredge within area of the Coastal Marine Area.

In granting the mid-shore consent, the commissioners’ decision noted that during the course of the hearing, the applicant had included a number of not insignificant changes to the original proposal in terms of extraction volumes, duration of consent and method of monitoring.

The mid-shore consent was granted with conditions.

The applicant and submitters on the two consents have 15 days to file an appeal in the Environment Court.

The full decisions can be read with this story online at www.localmatters.co.nz

Rodney enters aquabot challenge surprise event, and the team has to make an oral presentation. The theme of the competition changes each year, with this year’s challenges focused on the practical applications of underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) on aquaculture.

The Rodney team has spent all their spare time over recent months designing, modifying and testing their entry, and this will continue during their current study leave, ahead of the national final on December 4.

“There are limits on how much you can change the design,” Clapham says. “One of the hardest things we’re finding is getting the buoyancy to balance ratio right. There’s a lot of trial and error and a lot of calculations to be done. The rules are a little vague, which I think is done on purpose.”

NZAquaBots is an initiative of the Ministry of Inspiration to help students learn engineering concepts and hone skills in problem solving, teamwork, scientific communication and technical applications.

Building the aquabot teaches basic skills in design and encourages students to explore naval architecture and marine and ocean engineering principles. It also teaches basic

from page 1

Set to sizzle

The aquabot team will hold a sausage sizzle at the Wellsford Night Market, at the Wellsford Community Centre, on November 11. Money raised will help them attend the national aquabot finals in Rotorua. If any business or individual would like to support the team, they can contact Sean Kingsley at sean.kingsley@ rodneycollege.school.nz or phone the school on 423 6030. science, electrical concepts, tool safety and technical procedures.

Clapham gave a shout out to Warkworth Butchery and the top Wellsford Four Square for their support of a fundraising sausage sizzle that will be held at the Wellsford Night Market, at the community centre, on November 11.

The students also thanked engineering teacher Nicholas Gedye, digital technology teacher Debbie Anderson, head of science Oliver Trottier and their coach Sean Kingsley for their encouragement and support.

To watch an aquabot in action, go to: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=658fdMjtpdo

Wayne Brown was guest of honour at the lunch.

New Mayor visits Matakana

Just hours after his official inauguration, new Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown was in Rodney for a private function at Matakana Estate on Saturday, October 29.

The Mayor was guest of honour at a lunch party thrown by winery owner Chrissy Lu to celebrate not only Brown’s election, but also a recent court win by Lu in a longrunning property dispute.

Brown said that during a lengthy campaign, with 300 public meetings and interviews in six months, the mayoral candidates’ meeting at Wellsford had been one of the most open, friendly and enjoyable he had attended. He also expressed regret again that he’d been unable to get to the candidates’ meeting in Warkworth, due to being trapped by floodwaters in the far north.

He later thanked guests for their support during his campaign, which included a fundraising evening where bottles of Matakana Estate wine signed by John Key and Helen Clarke were auctioned off, and promised he would be a good mayor for all of Auckland.

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Local Board Chair offers olive branch to Rodney Councillor Newly elected Rodney Local Board chair Brent Bailey is promising to “vigorously” support Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers, despite being highly critical of him in the past.

Bailey says the fact that Sayers seems better aligned with the new Mayor creates an opportunity for him to be a better advocate for Rodney.

He admitted that he and Sayers had had a “testing” relationship in the past.

“I believe he has failed to build relationships with fellow Councillors or align the interests of Rodney with the wider council,” Bailey says.

“He has also never voted for the Mayor’s budget, ever. I personally urged him to reconsider this decision on many occasions, but he did not see fit to change.”

Bailey says the political differences between Sayers and the previous Mayor came at a cost to Rodney.

“The things we were advocating for never got any closer to delivery. If Sayers has a more influential role to play in the new Council, then I celebrate and welcome it, and will fully support him.”

Cr Sayers says he welcomes this expression of goodwill from Bailey to work together constructively because, at the end of the day, ratepayers will benefit.

But he says this token will be tested when it comes time to vote on issues, particularly

Auckland Councillor Greg Sayers.

Both Bailey and deputy chair Louise Johnston are part of the Rodney First alliance which has a five/four majority on the Board. Bailey represents the Kumeu subdivision, while Johnston represents Dairy Flat.

where public feedback is involved.

“I’ve always supported the public’s pointof-view, where as he hasn’t,” Sayers says.

“If we are able to find consensus or agree to disagree and not take exception, then that will be a positive step.”

Sayers feels that while he had had a positive relationship with a number of Local Board members last term, including some Rodney First members, he struggled to have a constructive relationship with previous chair Phelan Pirrie.

“At the start of last term, I suggested to Phelan

that we meet weekly. His response was to say that he would ring me when he needed to.

“Brent has already agreed to meet regularly, which is a very good sign.”

Meanwhile, Bailey has rejected a suggestion that the Board should hold a mid-term vote on the chair and deputy chair roles.

“I’m honoured to have the opportunity to chair the Board and I’m going to give it my best shot.

“Board members build relationships with the Governing Body and it is an asset to have some continuity in that regard. I also believe the Board needs to be led by experienced members. I am not a fan of an interrupted term.”

Carran Road turns into pothole alley Auckland Transport has described the current state of Carran Road in Warkworth as “problematic”, while drivers are using phrases such as “appalling and dangerous”. The road, which runs between Kaipara Flats and Woodcocks Roads, is often used as a detour when the highway is closed, increasing its use by heavy transport. This has seen the seal deteriorate in multiple places and large patches of the road have slumped. An AT spokesperson says a series of faults that needed maintenance and repairs were identified during the last inspection of the road.

“We are reviewing our budget to see how we can carry out significant repairs this month,” he said. Carran Road has been included in our 2023/24 chip seal resurfacing programme.

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Giant weta New Zealand’s biggest insect, the giant wētāpunga, has become the latest species to be reintroduced at Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary, following the release of more than 220 of the super-sized crickets in the regional park last month.

It was only the second mainland release of wētāpunga, which although once common in Auckland and the north, have in recent years become confined to just one natural habitat – Hauturu Little Barrier – plus a few pest-free islands in the Hauraki Gulf.

The Tāwharanui release operation was a joint effort between Auckland Council, open sanctuary society TOSSI and Butterfly Creek, the South Auckland zoo and animal park that pioneered a revolutionary wētāpunga breeding programme in 2009.

Zoo staff, Council rangers and volunteers collected crates of the wētāpunga from Butterfly Creek early on October 28 and brought them to the park in a ‘Wēta Waka’ for release into a remote section of remnant forest, well away from busy public tracks.

The wētāpunga were a mix of different ages, sizes and genders, each in its own labelled plastic box which, after a karakia to welcome and bless them, were put into shopping bags and carried into the steeply banked bush by two release teams. Each insect was then gently encouraged into sections of bamboo that had been strapped to various tree trunks and branches in advance.

Butterfly Creek zookeeper Paul Barrett said the wētāpunga would eventually find their own preferred homes, but the bamboo lodges offered the best initial protection from predators.

Council’s senior ranger for open sanctuaries,

returned to Tawharanui

Adult wētāpunga, with their huge back legs and aerial-like antenna, can weigh more than a sparrow.

Matt Maitland, said Tāwharanui, as well as Shakespear Regional Park at Army Bay, were chosen as the first mainland sites as they were free of pest mammals, but said the wētāpunga were still tempting prey for many birds, principally ruru (morepork), tīeke (saddleback) and kōtare (kingfisher).

“And any insectivore bird will have a crack at the little ones,” he said.

The release of wētāpunga at Tawharanui has been a longheld dream for park staff and volunteers, made possible by the Butterfly Creek captive breeding programme and knowledge acquired observing island colonies over several years.

Maitland said the last three species reintroductions to Tāwharanui had all been giants – NZ’s biggest surviving lizard, Duvaucel’s gecko, in 2016; its biggest surviving fish, the giant kokopu, in 2018; and now the nation’s biggest insect,

the wētāpunga.

Adult wētāpunga can weigh up to 35g and they shed their hard exoskeleton 11 times before reaching breeding maturity. Females lay eggs in the soil, which take from six to 10 months to hatch.

Butterfly Creek staff said that anyone feeling slightly nervous at the prospect of encountering one of the giant armoured insects shouldn’t worry – they are shy, mostly nocturnal and hidden in the depths of the bush in one of the most remote and inaccessible areas of the park.

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Warkworth growth fuels need for strong local advocacy Advocacy will remain a major focus for the One Mahurangi Business Association in the coming year, the organisation’s cochairs David Stott and Bevan Morrison told the annual meeting on October 19.

The organisation expects to collect $142,000 from Warkworth businesses through the compulsory Business Improvement District (BID) rate this financial year, with a further $55,000 contributed through voluntary sponsorship and associate membership.

“The BID budget is not sufficient to run the association by itself, so the contributions provided by our sponsors and associate members are vital, without which we would not have a business association,” the co-chairs said.

Their report stated that with the rapid growth in the town, it was essential that a strong local community voice influenced key decision-making for new infrastructure, well-planned new development in keeping with the character of the town, and for the development of a prosperous and vibrant business environment.

They listed some of the organisation’s key advocacy efforts and successes as: Hill Street “We were successful in getting funding for detailed design, land purchase and procurement, but the draft detailed design produced by Auckland Transport (AT) does not fulfil our requirements. We are currently lobbying AT vigorously to upgrade the design Motorway tolls “Thanks to strong and persistent of lobbying of our local MPs, the Minister of Transport

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Watercare “We are in consultation with Watercare over routes for the wastewater main through the town. Watercare wanted to take the pipe up the main street, but we are looking at alternative routes with them.

Centre Plan “We are a participant with other community groups to develop a Centre Plan for the CBD. Supporting Growth Alliance (SGA) “We are consulting regularly with SGA on the development of business cases for the new Sandspit link road, Western Collector, southern motorway interchange, upgrading of Matakana Road and Sandpit Road from Hill Street to the rural-urban boundary, and park and rides at end of the motorway.”

Other advocacy projects include involvement in the development of a Tourist Destination Plan, the campaign against the removal of the weir, lobbying the government on wetlands legislation, submitting to government and Auckland Council on medium density housing intensification, illegal parking in Glenmore Drive, and reverse sensitivity issues with future urban roads.

Stott and Morrison said the organisation’s successes in advocacy were in no small apart due to the positive working relationships that it had developed with local MPs, the Rodney Local Board and other community groups.

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November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

5

Site, ecology and Maori view under scrutiny at tip hearing The appeal hearing against Waste Management NZ’s (WM) plans to construct a giant landfill near the Dome Valley resumed in the Environment Court on October 25 after a break of more than two months.

The unscheduled break in proceedings was at the request of WM to allow it time for site assessment with a “specific cultural lens”, meaning the case will continue well into next year before it can be decided.

Since the case reopened, witnesses appearing for WM have been grilled on a range of specific aspects concerning the proposed tip and its construction, including how and why the Wayby site was selected, the intricacies of sediment load calculation and forecasting, and whether proposed activities to mitigate, offset and/ or compensate for damage to ecological habitat or species are sufficient.

There were also repeated challenges from lawyers representing Ngati Whatua, Ngati Whatua Orakei and the Manuhiri Kaitiaki Charitable Trust (Ngati Manuhiri) on when, and even if, Maori values had been assessed or taken into account during the site selection process and various ecological assessments since.

Conversely, WM counsel have been crossexamining expert ecologist witnesses for the other parties appealing against Auckland Council’s decision to grant resource consent for the new landfill – DoC, Forest & Bird and Fight the Tip. Simone Eldridge, who was responsible for overseeing research and reports into site selection for the new landfill at consultant engineers Tonkin & Taylor, was quizzed over the precise order that different potential sites were considered by WM, and at what stage ecological and cultural assessments had been carried out at the chosen Wayby site.

The court heard that until early 2017, sites at Woodhill Forest and south of State Highway 1 near Awawere Stream were favoured by WM; Wayby was down the list at fourth. However, when the preferred route

for the Warkworth-Wellsford motorway was announced, which also went south of SH1, Awawere was dropped, as was Woodhill after discussions on its future use.

Judge Jeff Smith was concerned that there was a lack of documentation recording the exact details of when and why key sites were dropped or reconsidered.

“In April 2016, a decision was made to only advance the Awawere Stream site in that footprint. WM made that decision to continue with that one. That was a critical decision, there are some consequences of that, but I can’t find a record of it anywhere,” he said.

“There are no documents supporting Woodhill no longer being appropriate, or for Wayby being better.”

Eldridge conceded that there weren’t, but said there had been regular meeting updates and it was quite common for sites to go in and out of favour as new information became available.

Smith then put it to her that there hadn’t been proper examination of the ecological and cultural values of Wayby until after the purchase of Springhill in May, 2017.

Eldridge said it was often difficult to get access for such assessments prior to owning a property.

“It’s been very robust, I don’t think it’s been inadequate,” she said, though added that with the benefit of hindsight, more integration of the Maori world view would have been valuable.

Andrew Braggins, for Fight the Tip, questioned WM general manager Ian Kennedy on why former WM managing director Tom Nickels had said in a TV interview in 2018 that “you won’t see the landfill, you won’t smell the landfill, you won’t hear the landfill” and that the local community wouldn’t even notice it was there.

“That was a comment Tom Nickel has made, I haven’t made that claim to anyone and personally, I probably wouldn’t,” Kennedy said.

“You will hear it, but it won’t be offensive;

There has been much debate over how much silt may or may not end up in streams and rivers coming out of the tip area, many of which regularly flood, as seen here this winter.

you might see trucks going in, and I believe you will be able to see landfill from Wellsford in the final stages, as it reaches its peak.

“With respect, this hearing is based on evidence of experts, not on comments to the press.”

Braggins said he was simply trying to get his head around what the WM board thought when it was making its decisions and why Nickels would have said what he said.

The court also spent several days hearing detailed questioning on precisely how much sediment may or may not be produced, not only from construction of the landfill itself, but the harvesting of surrounding pine forest, and whether

the package of environmental mitigation, including a lengthy pest-free fence and species relocation, met the requirements laid down for landfill construction, or could compensate for the loss of around 12km of streams.

Concerns were also raised by the panel of judges and commissioners over how long the case was taking and when it might be heard next year.

“The parties are a long way apart on the matter of conditions. We might need a (separate) hearing if consent were granted,” Judge Smith warned.

The case continues.

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| Mahurangimatters | November 7, 2022

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Council staff costs exceed $1b

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

Newly-elected Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is wasting no time in reviewing the salaries of highly paid bureaucrats.

In the last financial year, annual staff costs at Council and its Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs), such as Auckland Transport and Eke Panuku, sat at just over $1 billion, hitting the 10-digit figure for the first time since amalgamation in 2010.

The latest annual report also revealed that 257 staff earned more than $200,000. In the previous year, that figure sat at 222 and, since 2015, it has risen by 60 per cent from 155.

The number of staff earning over $300,000 is 56, one up from the previous year.

In several public statements, Mayor Brown put a target on the backs of middle managers to cut the highest salaries by 30 per cent, which would see more than $5 million cut from the salary bill.

However, to advocate for this, the Mayor will need a resolution from the Governing Body.

Brown’s sway over Council staff is also limited by the fact that only one employee is directly under the Mayor and the Governing Body’s control – chief executive Jim Stabback.

Stabback receives quarterly performance reviews from the Governing Body and in the last term, it was repeatedly noted that he was councillors’ only direct employee.

The remaining employees answer to Stabback.

Another tack Brown could take would

be to adjust the performance measures in Stabback’s quarterly review – provided the Mayor has support from the majority of councillors.

However, even if Council set Stabback performance measures to reduce staff numbers, any salary adjustments would be in the hands of the chief executive himself.

During one of Stabback’s performance reviews last April, former Mayor Phil Goff challenged the idea that Council staff were overpaid.

“Whenever anyone tells me that we have got a bloated and overpaid bureaucracy I say, ‘Well, if it is so bloated and overpaid, why is it that we have skilled people going to other organisations?’” Goff said.

Chief financial officer Peter Gudsell said the increase in employees earning over $200,000 and $300,000 was because of annual salary increases and a tight labour market.

“Staff that were hired during the year received higher salaries in line with increasing market rates, and some existing staff received salary increases in line with the market,” Gudsell said.

“The high demand for the limited number of skilled workers drove salaries upwards.”

Gudsell said there was a contractual commitment that increases would be in line with the Consumer Price Index rates.

Council benchmarks salary levels for employees against the public sector and market rates, with 15 salary bands for similar positions.

Stabback was approached for comment but did not respond.

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November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

7

WeSay

Delivering more, but not for less Starting this week, regular users of the Local Matters website will notice a few changes.

Access to most of the site – the What’s On calendar, local jobs, business directory and classifieds – will remain free, but readers in future will be asked to make a small contribution towards some of the stories they see on our site.

The revenue raised from charging for premium content will be invested in our newsrooms. It is a fairly simple exchange, but one that we expect to be a bumpy ride because for too long, media organisations have been giving their content away for free. This has built an expectation that it should always be free.

However, the idea of introducing a small charge for premium content to support good journalism has been rolling out internationally for many years. One of the first adherents in New Zealand was the National Business Review, which has had a paywall since 2009. NZME, which prints the NZ Herald, followed suit 10 years later.

Some other media organisations have gone down a different path to fund their news.

For instance, writing in The Conversation, the co-director of the AUT research centre for Journalism, Media and Democracy, Merja Myllylahti, predicted that Stuff, which prints the Rodney Times, would never introduce a paywall, because it had built its revenue model on e-commerce activities and was now selling broadband access, electricity and health insurance among other things.

But here at Local Matters, which prints both the Mahurangi Matters and the Hibiscus Matters, we want to stay focused on our core business – keeping our communities informed with balanced, reliable and up-todate information. Funding this just through advertising is no longer a viable option.

So, if you go on our site and are asked to pay to read a story, remember … the stories and photos you want to see don’t get their by magic. It takes the effort of trained journalists, often working evenings and on weekends, to deliver those stories. The

survival of local journalism relies on readers recognising and accepting the need to put their hands in their pockets occasionally to contribute to this.

We understand that it can be frustrating to want to read a story and find yourself blocked by a paywall. We have endeavoured to make the process as simple as possible, but if you have suggestions on how we can improve the experience we would welcome hearing from you.

Local news does matter – it keeps us connected as a community, (tries) to keep the politicians honest and often gives a voice to the disenfranchised. We thank you in advance for your understanding of the journey we are on and hope you will join us.

Garden winner Congratulations to Sharon Freeth, of Warkworth, who was the lucky winner of the box of garden products courtesy of Yates.

off

the record

Litter patrol keeps town tidy

Congratulations to Peter Furniss who is doing his bit to keep Warkworth litter-free.

Peter has become a regular sight around the town since he moved back from Orewa a few months ago. Carrying his recogniseable red shopping bags and litter stick, he says he picks up the rubbish to stop it washing into the ocean. Sometimes he goes through the town twice in one day.

Fast food wrappers and containers, and drink bottles and cans make up the bulk of what he collects, but he has also found glasses, a harmonica and money, and a wallet which was handed in to police. He also does some weeding if time allows.

Talk to the foot ...

This handsome young fella made it abundantly clear he was no fan of the paparazzi during the recent release of more than 220 giant wētāpunga at Tāwharanui Regional Park. As soon as a camera lens got a mite too close for his liking, he went into classic wētāpunga defence mode by lifting his huge back leg towards the perceived threat, before adding a few guttural rasping noises for good measure. But that’s about as aggressive as these gentle giants get, as they rely mainly on camouflage and their spiky exoskeleton for defence against animal and bird predators. As nonaggressive as they might be, however, they do also manage a nice line in creeping the heck out of most homo sapien observers.

Another busy day at Warkworth’s $3.7 million community transport hub, built with funds from the Rodney targeted transport rate and officially opened in June.

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Greg Sayers, Rodney Councillor

Early optimism reversing the centralisation of decisionmaking away from city-based bureaucrats and back to locally based personnel. This is particularly necessary for rural areas like Rodney in the north and Franklin in the south. Urban-focused planning, consenting, compliance and contracting rules simply do not work in the rural environment. Exactly where and how this will be achieved by the organisation is to be worked through. One size does not fit all and Mayor Brown seems to understand this.

The public want Council staff to be more accessible, more identifiable and more accountable when helping them to resolve issues. Council’s chief executive Jim Stabback will need to be accountable for implementing the organisational culture changes required to fully support the Mayor’s vision.

Success will also require the Local Boards to be given wider powers, more resources and budget to deliver more at the local level. All this does depend, however, on the Mayor having the political support of the majority of councillors to vote in these directives. This will be his first big political test.

The Royal Commission’s recommendation to have an Independent Services and Performance Auditor acting as a watchdog over both the bureaucrats and politicians between elections is still valid. Mayor Brown is currently neutral on this. Overall, there is a strong sense of hope that Rodney will be treated far more fairly this term.

Wellsford gets Christmas rolling

Kicking off the Christmas festivities this year is the muchloved Wellsford Santa Parade on Saturday November 26.

Another casualty of Covid’s restrictions last year, which all but cancelled Christmas for some, it’s back to fill the streets of Wellsford with good cheer. Starting at the Wellsford District Community Centre, the parade will cruise down Matheson Road, turn right down Olympus Road to the old railway station, where it will turn around and head back to the hall. Judging is split into four categories – community, children, business and walking – with $250 for first prize, $150 for second and $100 for third place. There will be a sausage sizzle, drinks, a coffee cart, home-cooked goodies, face-painting, lollies and Christmas Carols to round off the festivities. And, of course, the guest of honour will be Santa himself. November 26 • 10.30am • Wellsford District Community Centre.

Marja Lubeck Labour List MP based in Kaipara ki Mahurangi For appointments and assistance please phone:

0800 582 325 (0800 LUBECK) marja.lubeck@parliament.govt.nz 5/62-64 Queen Street, Warkworth

Authorised by Marja Lubeck, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

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D E L I V E R

T O

Y O U R

D O O R

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM SEE US ON FACEBOOK

greg.sayers@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

First and foremost, thank you for all your support during the recent elections.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is urging me to get busy and to deliver upon my election promises. Getting Council focused on delivering core services together with stopping unnecessary wastage and overspending is still firmly in my sights.

The Mayor is intending to appoint me to a leadership role, creating a “razor squad” with authority to scrutinise the spending of every Council department, with the goal of cutting costs, improving productivity and improving better customer services. Savings would be directed back into Council’s front line staff, improving roading and minimising rate increases.

In the past, senior Council staff have identified cutting front line services such as libraries, community centres or selling parks, before looking at Council’s own internal processes. This is no longer the acceptable response.

In addition, Council needs to publicly define what is ‘core business’ At the time of amalgamation, Auckland Council never went through the exercise of defining what this was. Accordingly, the efficiency and cost savings Aucklanders were promised never materialised. Trustfully, a new day has dawned under the leadership of Mayor Brown.

Significant pushback for change from some of the Councillors, Local Board members and staff is to be anticipated. However, the majority of Aucklanders have voted for change by electing Brown as Mayor.

We can now expect that change to occur – expectantly for the better.

Integral to achieving any success will be

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localfolk lk Barry Clarke, firefighter

They say every cloud has a silver lining and so it was when Barry Clarke was overlooked for a promotion while working as an office equipment mechanic for the NZ Postal Service.

In line with post office policy, the job went to a longer serving employee even though that employee didn’t have the same experience.

Coincidentally, about the same time, the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board was advertising for recruits, so Barry decided it was time for a career change. He put his name forward and, in his own words, “never looked back”.

This month, Barry will receive his double gold star for 50 years combined service as a permanent and volunteer firefighter. He reflects on his long career …

T

he fire service was changing to a four days on/ four days off roster when I started, so they were looking for a couple of hundred more firefighters.

There wasn’t much to the pre-entry test – you had to put up a wooden extension ladder against the side of a building on your own, carry a dummy up the yard and back, and run up a flight of stairs carrying two breathing apparatus cylinders. There was also an IQ test.

If you were a real dummy, you didn’t get in and if you were really bright, you didn’t get in. They wanted downto-earth people who could think on their feet and do the job, not academics.

We did a nine-week training course at Mount Wellington.

This involved taking a bunch of guys who had never seen inside a fire truck before and teaching us to run out a hose, climb ladders, drag charged hoses up a tower and work together as a crew. Health and safety officers today would have a heart attack if they saw what we did – there wasn’t a helmet in sight. We learned how to climb out of windows carrying a dummy and then descend down a 35foot wooden ladder. It wasn’t a dummy though – it was one of the other recruits pretending to be unconscious.

How no-one got hurt, God only knows! You can’t even get on the roof of a house without lines and special training now, which is probably a good thing. During storms, when roofs were blown off, we’d get up there in our gumboots and firefighting gear and try to put salvage sheets up with nothing to hang on. It’s a wonder guys didn’t slide off the roof. But we didn’t.

I started at the Otahuhu Station. Firemen were still sliding down poles in those days, but I think health and safety has put a stop to all that – we used them for years without any problems, but maybe there were too many broken ankles! At Otahuhu there were two doors opening onto the same pole, so when you went to jump on you just had to hope there wasn’t anyone coming through the opposite door at the same time. It was a lot of fun. The first accident I attended happened on George Bolt Drive out by the airport. Some young kids in a station wagon missed the bend in the road, rolled and hit a tree or a power pole. It was a real mess and, of the seven on board, only one survived. We didn’t have much in the way of cutting equipment, but we did have what was called a partner rescue saw. It was like an overgrown chainsaw with a huge circular blade on it, about 12-inches in diameter. There was fuel spilled and sparks flying everywhere. Pretty rough work really. That was my introduction to motor vehicle accidents and it left an impression on me. It also changed my driving habits for ever because I never wanted to end up like those boys.

As time went by and I attended more accidents, I got

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used to it and just accepted that it was all part of the job. using his walking stick to operate the siren and push the Counselling wasn’t something that anyone thought about. clutch down. Christ knows how he got to the call! On Usually, we’d head back to the station after an incident another occasion, we had a young fella join the crew and and unwind over a cup of tea. There was a lot of black suddenly business was booming and we were putting out humour, but it was a way of relieving the stress. It’s how fires all over the place. It’s not common to get arsonists on we coped. I also think we were different sorts of people the team, but it does happen from time-to-time. then. Most of the guys were really down-to-earth and the There was a big change in the sort of equipment we had older guys had a lot of life experience. By example, they to use when Allan Bruce took over as Auckland Central’s showed you how to keep calm and, if you were feeling a bit chief fire officer in the 1970s. He was responsible for getting overwhelmed, to step back, take a breath and have another us new trucks with mid-mounted pumps, high pressure look at the situation. Most people had a second job because deliveries and good rescue equipment. Sadly, after he retired, it was hard to make ends meet he was involved in a really bad on a firefighter’s wage. I think car accident. His wife died at the this gave us a grounded sense scene and he died later. He had If I had my life to live over, of what our job was and helped worked over many years to make us process what we had to deal I’d definitely sign up again us a really good brigade. with at times. I spent my days off I did nearly 32 years as a paid under the same circumstances tinkering in the shed – I’ve always firefighter and then Cheryl had a mechanical bent – and I that I did in 1972. and I moved permanently to also made a lot of home brew.

Matakana in 2002. I joined I rode on rescue tenders for part the Mahurangi East Volunteer of my career, out of Otahuhu Brigade, mostly in a training role, and then the Matakana and Manukau. And I really enjoyed that work. Cutting brigade when it started in 2005.

For a couple of years, people out of cars sounds gruesome, but every job was I turned out whenever I could for both brigades before different and it was a challenge to get those people out, finalling quitting Mahurangi East and devoting my time into an ambulance and keep them alive. When you heard to Matakana.

I was the chief fire officer for a number of back later that the person had made it, you really felt years but stood down in 2017 to let a younger member good about it. I never had any aspirations to move up take charge and have more free time to use the camper the ranks. Senior firefighter was as high as I went because van. I’m still the station officer and enjoy training nights I never wanted to swap hands-on operational work for and Saturday mornings checking the truck out, fuelling it paperwork. up if necessary and making sure the gear is in good order.

The shift work meant you both worked and lived with Matakana brigade is pretty strong at the moment, with your crew, and this resulted in some life-long friendships. about 20 active firefighters, including operational and It’s probably the part of the service that I enjoyed the on-operational and a very good medical team. It’s a bit of most – the camaraderie. There were some real characters a funny brigade in some ways because we’ve trained about and it seemed everyone had a nickname. A particularly 150 people over the years, but a lot of them have relocated officious chief got the name ‘Step Aside’ after turning for work or because the rents are too high here. Our loss up to a fire in a multi-storied building and ignoring a has been another brigade’s gain though, because a lot of warning from a younger firefighter not to go through them have joined the service in their new towns. the door at the end of the corridor. The young firefighter was told to “step aside”. As a result, the chief marched If I had my life to live over, I’d definitely sign up again through the door and fell to the storey below and broke under the same circumstances that I did in 1972. The job his leg. They used to call me Clean Clarke because no gave me confidence and taught me a lot. But would I sign matter what sort of fire I attended I could leave it looking up under today’s rules and regulations? I’m not so sure. like I’d just stepped out of the drycleaners.

Things had to change because firefighters were expected to take too many risks in the old days and many paid the Some of the stations were composite stations, where price with their health. But it’s gone too far the other way volunteers were attached. I remember we had a now. You have the ridiculous situation where a volunteer particularly keen volunteer at the Manurewa station, who who drives a truck and trailer for a living has to do a fourworked at the car yard next door. One day he provided day driving course just so someone can tick a box. I’ve back-up to a callout in the volunteer’s truck on his own. never had much time for that part of the job.

He had a broken leg in plaster and was driving the truck

“

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Next steps for Puhinui / Warkworth Centre Plan Warkworth residents are sharing views for a plan to ensure the town is well-designed and meets the needs of the whole community over time.

The year-long collaborative Puhinui / Warkworth Centre Plan project, funded by the Rodney Local Board, is engaging with the community through workshops and community events to help shape the plan and ensure the community is engaged in the process.

The need for that approach was outlined in the 2020 Rodney Local Board Plan, and in collaboration with the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, and consultants - Community Think, and Motu Design with good engagement over the last six months.

Using new tools to gather community feedback has produced excellent results over the first engagement phase.

More than 130 students and families took part in workshops delivered out of a box containing all the relevant material, on loan from Warkworth Library; more than 40 others shared their thoughts and ideas at the Festival of Ideas family event, 22 wishes were placed in community boxes or posted online, and 39 online surveys were completed.

In addition, workshops were also held with Inclusive Rodney, Mahu Vision and Springboard, while community leaders remain involved in ongoing conversations and hui through the project’s steering groups.

After the main themes were extracted from the initial feedback, further conversations took place last month, with community representatives’ input helping to expand on the key themes that are part of the urban design brief.

One of the main concerns raised has been the new motorway and big box developments drawing residents and visitors away from the town centre.

Residents have talked about a sustainable vision and a local economy that supports locals and visitors alike. Other suggestions have been to activate more spaces around town and by the river, and for lanes and paths that connect the town, river and green spaces.

Key themes: • A town with nightlife • More public spaces by the river and in parks so people can eat, meet, and connect • A sustainable and circular economy places to grow food, trees and share skills • Public facilities and services that foster connection across all age-groups encouraging community wellbeing • Awa Mahurangi / Mahurangi River as the pulsing heart of the town re-orientating the town towards the river • Accessible pathways so it is easier to get around town. More transport options such as cycling, walking and public transport.

The urban design team will now build on the themes from public feedback to develop design options for the river and town centre.

Early in December, the team will test design principles and options with the community, with residents able to take an interactive journey through different sites around the river and town to help them visualise what the plan might deliver.

Then in 2023, a draft centre plan will be developed for further community feedback and input.

Puhinui is the name Māori used to refer to Warkworth. It holds meaning as a place of reflection and connection, and will be used with Warkworth throughout this project to honour the traditional name while its future is reflected on.

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Springing into action for area’s youth Warkworth-based youth organisation Springboard is holding its annual fundraiser on Saturday, November 12 to raise much needed funds to support the ever-growing demand for its programmes.

The organisation is currently working with more than 300 young people from across the region. Just half of its costs are funded by the government, so the fundraising event is crucial in allowing it to continue the important work it does.

Through the purchase of Sheepworld last year, Springboard is providing young people with the opportunity to learn authentic farming skills, as well as to continue in education, receive counselling and mentoring, and get help to prepare for work.

General manager Dan Gray says statistically, people under 25 years of age who go on benefits stay on benefits for life, so Springboard’s aim is to give young people a sense of self-worth and pride so that they can interact socially, contribute positively to their community and find their pathway forward in life.

“We were unable to have the fundraiser last year due to Covid,” Dan says. “Along with the continuing impact that the pandemic has had on many young people, we are making a big push this year to get everything back up and running.”

Major sponsors, Kennards Hire and Northwood Developments are again giving their generous ‘double your donation’ pledge. Both companies will match all donations up to $100,000, giving Springboard the opportunity to raise $200,000.

Springboard is inviting supporters from the community to attend the fundraising event, which will be held at Sheepworld on State Highway 1, starting at 5.30pm.

The evening will include dinner and music, and some of the young people who have benefited from Springboard programmes will share stories of their experiences and how they have turned their lives around.

Event:

November 12, 5.30pm-9.30pm.

RSVP to dan@springboard.org.nz to check availability Online for donations: springboard.org.nz/fund-abrighter-future-2022

Springboard is inviting the community to support its annual fundraiser in person and online.

Fuel relief for Leigh fishers The 45 independently owned and operated fishing boats that supply Lee Fish will pay less for their fuel, following a deal brokered

by Foodstuffs North Island.

Lee Fish manager Tom Searle says the fleet is made up of small, often multi-generational family owner-operated fishing businesses, many of whom run long-line fishing boats.

“Operating costs are increasing across the board, but rising fuel costs are hitting our independent fishers particularly hard,” he says.

“It’s not something we can cut back on, as it’s fundamental to allow us to do our job.

It’s fantastic to have Foodstuffs come into bat for us and for our fishers to deliver a solution that will have such a meaningful impact for our suppliers.”

The agreement with marine fuel specialists Go Fuel and on-land fuel company BP will see all boats in the fleet able to access substantial savings at the on-land stations, port pumps, as well as the use of the minitanker fleet.

Previously, the mini-tankers would only do deliveries for larger boats, meaning many of the small boats in the Lee Fish fleet only had the option to refuel at the port pump, which included an extra premium for docking.

The new arrangement sees the minimum fuel order requirement reduced and allows small boats to share a tanker delivery, an arrangement that was previously unavailable to them.

Lee Fish is a Foodstuffs subsidiary.

Manager Tom Searle has welcomed the new fuel arrangements.

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Rodeo protesters have been gathering outside the annual Warkworth Rodeo since 2016.

Anti-rodeo protest shifts to local parks plan hearing panel Independent commissioners will this week be urged to end the Warkworth Rodeo, held annually on New Year’s Day at Warkworth Showgrounds.

Direct Animal Action representatives, Stephanie Koks and Romina Marinkovich, will make a case against the rodeo today (November 7) during hearings for the draft Rodney Local Parks Management Plan, being held in Orewa.

The commissioners will be asked to recommend to Auckland Council that Warkworth Rodeo, and all rodeo events, no longer take place at the showgrounds.

Marinkovich says she supports much of Council’s draft plan, which will enhance living in Rodney and provide benefits to children, youth, families and individuals in an inclusive way.

“However, what I don’t support is the Rodney Local Board and Council’s parks management renewing the lease for the Warkworth Rodeo Club to hold its annual rodeo event at the showgrounds,” she says.

“The landowner is required to be guided in their decision by the changing needs of the community, whether or not to allow certain activities on their land.”

Warkworth Rodeo secretary Paul Manton says the club won’t be represented at the hearing.

“The parks plan isn’t a suitable document to discuss activities in reserves, whether it is the rodeo or rugby or the pony club,” he says.

“I absolutely respect their [Direct Animal Action] right to have their say – that’s one of the great things about living in a

democracy.”

Manton says Warkworth Rodeo has been well-patronised for 62 years.

“Rodeo is not illegal. We adhere to the Animal Welfare Code, as well as having representatives and observers on site from vets, Ministry of Primary Industries, animal welfare officers and club and NZ Rodeo Association officers.”

However, Koks says rodeo is losing its social license.

“Council and the Local Board must ask themselves, representing a progressive community, what will they allow to happen on their land, and what will they continue to celebrate as entertainment?” she says.

“Every year, young calves, bulls and horses are bullied, abused and killed by so-called cowboys, all for the entertainment of a

minority. There’s no place for rodeo in modern New Zealand.

“We want to see the rodeo arena dismantled and replaced with a space that would accommodate family friendly activities such as country fairs, farmers markets and zero-waste food festivals.”

In 2020, Direct Animal Action presented a 5000-signature petition to the Local Board during a deputation, calling on it to no longer allow rodeo at the showgrounds or any other council-owned land under their management. The Board did not support the request.

The organisation has staged regular protests outside the showgrounds every New Year’s Day since 2016 (Covid-19 restrictions allowing).

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Upcoming events

A Christmas Market will be held at the Mangawhai Museum on Sunday December 4, from 10am to 4pm.

Museum manager Tom Long says volunteers have been working diligently throughout the year on some bespoke items to sell at the market. The items reflect craft that is normally thought of as “women’s handiwork”. Then, on December 9 and 10, the museum will host two concerts by the Mangawhai singers.

Mangawhai Museum manager Tom Long says telling Mangawhai’s stories through the exhibitions should just be a starting point. “We should also be giving visitors pathways to learn and explore independently.”

Canadian couple move to manage two Northland museums A young Canadian couple’s passion for New Zealand wine has proven to be a windfall for not one, but two, local museums.

Tom Long and Barbara Hilden recently took up management roles at the Mangawhai Museum and The Kauri Museum, respectively.

They say they fell in love with NZ after spending three months traversing both the North and South Islands in 2019 doing their two favourite things – visiting museums and vineyards.

“We got back to Edmonton and decided we wanted to move here,” Long says. “Barbara was offered a position at Puke Ariki in New Plymouth, so we quit our jobs and rented our house. We were on the verge of flying out when Covid struck and everyone went into lockdown.

“When it became obvious that the pandemic wasn’t going to be over in just

a few months, we moved to Vancouver and then, finally, got to NZ in June this year, two-and-a-half years after our original arrival date.”

The couple say that as they travelled around the country during their initial visit, they were impressed by the quality of museums. This included both the professionally run facilities such as Te Papa in Wellington and the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim, as well as the many community museums run mostly by talented volunteers.

“There is a level of expertise and artistic design in these museums that you wouldn’t see to the same degree in Canada, and the automatic involvement and inclusion of mana whenua stories is also a bit of a novelty for us,” Long says. “Canada is moving towards this, but in NZ it is just taken as a given.

“The dedication and enthusiasm of the volunteers and the level of community support for local museums is also staggering.”

Long says he fell in love with the Mangawhai Museum even before he was appointed manager and is excited to be part of its future.

“We’re just about to embark on the next five-year strategic plan, so it is great to be here at this planning stage.”

He says existing partnership and collaborations with groups such as the Daring Trust, the Historic Village and Mangawhai Community Park will be an important component of the plan.

“In five years’ time, Mangawhai will have grown substantially, so it will be important that the museum reflects the character and identity of Mangawhai.”

At The Kauri Museum, Hilden has spent her first two months as director on site “learning”.

She says this has involved talking with the people who helped build the museum, people who volunteered over the years, who work there now and who are helping take the museum to new places.

“There’s lots of overlap amongst those categories!” she says.

“As a newly arrived Pakeha person, I have a lot to learn about te ao Māori and my obligations as a treaty person in Aotearoa, and I’m lucky to have friends and colleagues within Te Uri o Hau and our board helping with that.”

The Kauri Museum received $3 million from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to, among other things, elevate Māori continued next page

Chris Penk

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Museum director Barbara Hilden has taken the helm at Matakohe.

from previous page

voices across its offerings.

“We are nearing completion on this multi-year project – our Research and Discovery Centre is open, we have a new Feature Gallery that showcases community talent, and the Gumdiggers Café is being refreshed.

“The highlight of the PGF project is an indoor Forest Walkway experience that our partners at Story Inc have been designing – I can’t wait to share that with everyone when it opens early next year.”

The Kauri Museum is celebrating our 60th anniversary this year.

“We started life as a pioneer museum. The stories we tell have expanded, and we work with a number of partners to roundly tell the story of New Zealand’s greatest tree – from Gondwanaland to Māori settlement and then Pakeha arrival. We’re also focused on the future to encourage environmental

stewardship, preservation and protection of kauri forests. Museums aren’t dusty places of the past anymore.”

Hilden says the exciting part of leading the Kauri Museum is the opportunities ahead.

“We want to include more hands-on exhibits and bring the museum in line with contemporary best practice. We can widen not only the range of stories we tell but also the way we tell them. It’s now less about text panels on the wall and more about appealing to differing interests, learning by doing, making meaning and building relevance.

“We don’t want to be just a community centre, we want to be the centre of the community. This means co-curation with local artists and partners, and opening our doors (metaphorically and literally) to make the museum a gathering place that is inclusive, culturally safe and welcoming to all.”

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November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

19

Orewa highrise decision awaited Lucy Moore’s childhood in Warkworth gave her a lifelong love of nature.

Developer Rick Martin of K Rd Investments has yet to make a decision on whether or not to proceed with his plans to build an eight storey ‘vertical retirement village’ in front of the Nautilus apartments in Tamariki Avenue, central Orewa.

Earlier this year, K Rd Investments applied to Auckland Council for resource consent to demolish the three-storey Tamariki House (now called Coast HQ) and construct a multilevel, mixed-use building to be known as ‘The Ivy’. The proposed building includes retail on the ground floor and 73 apartments above.

The site is zoned Business-Town Centre

and has a 27-metre allowable height limit.

The proposed new building is around 29.9m tall (including the roof ) which is one reason that consent is required.

In August, Auckland Council decided to publicly notify the resource consent application, giving the community a say.

However, the developer/applicant is required to agree to this or withdraw the application.

Last week Martin had no comment to make and Council advised no decision was forthcoming as yet.

There are no time constraints on when the applicant must make a decision.

Moore gets

stamp of approval

The achievements of Warkworth botanist Lucy Moore (1906-1987) are being celebrated in the latest stamp issue from NZ Post, called Women in Science.

Mākereti Papakura, Joan Wiffen, Beatrice Hill Tinsley and Moore are all featured, and recognised for their achievements in the scientific fields of ethnography, palaeontology, cosmology and botany in the 20th century.

They are seen as trailblazers in their fields during a time when institutional and societal structures often made things difficult for women in science.

As a lifelong tramper, mountaineer and beachcomber, Moore’s interest in the natural world was supported by her family and encouraged at Epsom Girls Grammar School, where she met her friend and collaborator Lucy Cranwell.

Known as one of the ‘Two Lucies’ by classmates at Auckland University

College, Moore initially struggled to find employment in science, working as a demonstrator and tutor. She eventually started in the botany division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) in 1938, focusing on weeds, algae and fungi.

She edited several groundbreaking works of taxonomy and continued this work after her retirement from the DSIR in 1971, producing The Oxford Book of New Zealand Plants in 1978.

Her meticulously detailed reference works are still regularly picked up by New Zealand scientists, gardeners and nature lovers.

Moore was selected for the stamp issue by Kate Hannah and Rebecca Priestley, who have both done research and written about women scientists.

The vertical retirement village planned for Orewa.

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| Mahurangimatters | November 7, 2022

M E E T JAN AND M ICHE LLE

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Sweetappreciation

with chocolatebrown Congratulations to Barbara Carpenter, of Snells Beach, who is this week’s recipient of a gift basket from Chocolate Brown. Barbara was nominated by Adrienne Steffener, who wrote …

“

As a former Snells Beach Garden Club president for about four years, Barbara’s commitment, energy and special talents have been enlightening to our growing club. Barbara is also president and treasurer of the Indoor Snells Beach Bowling Club and a member the Warkworth Floral Art Club. Our meetings are always fun and interesting with a raffle, guest speaker and best flower categories of the day. Funds raised throughout the year, especially at our yearly Spring Flower Show, are donated to our community. Barbara is an amazing lady and has gone the extra mile. A huge thank you in appreciation for her invaluable time and support to our club.

”

Send your nominations to editor@localmatters.co.nz

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.

Cafe, Gifts, Chocolaterie Ph 422 2677 6 Mill Lane, Warkworth

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November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

21

Pipi knows best...

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

Poppy Brown, 10, of Matakana School, won the Years 4-6 section with her Mighty Whale painting. Her description read: “The purpose of my whale art is to emphasise the power, beauty and size of the whale compared to humans.”

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.

My ancestors ate without a nice plate, we are all just big cats in disguise.

Red meat for dinner will make me a winner - I won’t want to hunt for a prize.

When you leave me alone without even a phone, I tend to go roaming around.

More toys for play and someone to stay means I can stay home safe and sound.

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| Mahurangimatters | November 7, 2022

Seven-year-old Nero Raman, of Pakiri School, with his decorated whale’s fluke, which won him second prize in the Years 1-3 section.

“The sleek dolphin cutting through the deep ocean with shark fins,” by Charlotte Clayden.

The artwork Robinson.

of

eight-year-old

Eva

Environment inspires youth The talent of young artists in the district was celebrated on October 20 when the Coast Heritage Art Mahurangi School Competition (CHArt) held an exhibition and prizegiving at the Warkworth Town Hall.

Although the competition was first held in 2020, due to Covid disruptions, this was the first “live” exhibition.

An organiser, Kelly Grovehills, said the body of work delivered by the students this year was exactly what CHArt had hoped for.

“It showed skill, awareness and imagination,” she said. “It has confirmed for us that children and young people’s art needs to be encouraged and celebrated.”

The student work addressed two themes, fins and flukes, and down by the mangroves, and entries were judged in two sections – Years 1 to 3 and Years 4 to 6.

Five primary schools entered – Pakiri,

Snells Beach, Matakana, Tomarata and Warkworth.

Organisers hope to involve Year 7 to 10 college students from Mahurangi, Rodney and Horizon next year, as well as expanding the range of art media for entries.

Organisers congratulated all the finalists whose work was exhibited, and thanked sponsors and supporters, including the NZ Maritime Museum, Toi Toi Media, Foundation North, Auckland Council, National Art Supplies, Forest & Bird and Mahurangi Action.

Prizewinners were: Years 1-3 –Eva Robinson, Snells Beach School 1, Nero Raman, Pakiri School 2, Cami Minoprio, Matakana School 3. Merit Award – Charlotte Clayden, Tomarata School. Years 4-6 – Poppy Brown, Matakana School 1, Zoe Brebner, Warkworth School 2, Mia McDonald, Matakana School 3.

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Awarding Kaipara local artists

The awards ceremony was held in the courtyard at Bennetts.

Photos, Joel Cayford

The Mangawhai Artists Gallery recently hosted the Kaipara Art Awards 2022, which took place on October 28 and included 55 entries from Kaipara artists.

“The awards are an annual opportunity for artists practising in the Kaipara to challenge and test themselves,” Belinda Vernon, from Mangawhai Artists, said. “Each year we discover new talent and see creativity thrive within our communities. It is exciting and uplifting.”

The awards were judged anonymously by an independent panel over five hours.

“We were delighted by the quality of the exhibition, with more deserving works on show than we had prizes for,” judge Jean Allen said.

There were three judging categories, with two-dimensional work split between 2D painting and 2D other media, and three-dimensional work covering sculpture and other 3D media. In addition to the three prizes in each of the categories, there was also a Judges’ Award and an Emerging Artist Award.

The 55 works were presented as a curated exhibition at Mangawhai Artists Gallery through to November 8, before moving to Muddy Waters Gallery in Dargaville, where the exhibition will be open Monday to Friday through to December 7.

Members of the public have their chance to determine the winner of the People’s Choice Award by voting for their

favourite at either of the two galleries. The winner will be announced on December 7.

Prize winners were: 2D Painting – Geoff Ruthe, Paradisus Terrestris 1; Peter Bradburn, A sort of pietà 2; Elena Nikolaeva, Attributes of Art (after Jean Chardin) 3. 2D other media –Micaela van den Berg, My mother’s savage daughter 1; Nina Gastreich, Shapeshifter 2; Rachel Moore, East meets West 3. 3D Sculpture – Yvonne Tana, Wāhine Toa (Strong Women) 1; Kim Logue, Coastal Development 2; Juliette Robb, Philosophical Piupiu 3. Judge’s Award – Clovis Viscoe for Weather Icon. Emerging Artist Award – Mark Graham for Fatal Attraction.

Clovis Viscoe, winner of the Gordon Harris Judge’s Award with Weather Idol.

Geoff Ruthe, winner of 2D Painting with Paradisus Terrestris.

Kim Logue, 2nd place 3D Sculpture with Coastal Development.

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feature local fare

Winning team – Chocolate Brown owner Susan Vize, with head chocolatier Amanda Casci and chocolatiers Romy Fenning and Rachel Moon.

Five gold bars – David Herrick with a handful of Foundry’s medal-winners.

Not just for Christmas – judges said Dekadenz’ winning festive treat was great for any occasion.

Local chocolate makers win big at national awards Mahurangi residents and visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to top level chocolate, if results from the recent NZ Chocolate Awards are anything to go by.

Four of the region’s chocolate makers came away with more than 20 awards and medals for their bars, bonbons and novelty chocs at this year’s awards, which were judged in Auckland last month.

Foundry Chocolate, based at Mahurangi West, Warkworth’s Chocolate Brown and Dekadenz from Pahi, near Paparoa, all scored category wins and a raft of medals, and there were medals for Honest Chocolat in Matakana as well. And although supreme winner Lucid Chocolatier is not based locally, its founder Johnty Tatham cut his chocolate-making teeth in the district, working first with Nico Bonnaud at Honest Chocolat and getting tips and advice from Foundry’s David Herrick.

Foundry is no stranger to success at the awards, having been supreme winner in 2020, and this year David and wife Janelle were the single largest medal winners, collecting eight gold, three silver and two bronze medals, as well winning the drinking chocolate category.

24

Judges said Foundry’s Pinalum, Malekula Island, Vanuatu drinking chocolate had a well-developed, full flavour, was balanced and had “a lovely silky melt”.

David Herrick makes all Foundry’s craft chocolate bars and drinking chocolate from scratch, sourcing cacao beans from all over the world before roasting, grinding, tempering and transforming them into a range of single origin products. No flavours are added, just organic cane sugar, but every bar tastes different, depending where the cacao comes from.

“You can really taste the difference – so from Vanuatu, you get malt and caramel characters, Mexico, nuts and fruit, others have amazing citrus flavours,” he said.

The boutique bars are sold online and in specialist stores across NZ and internationally, and are stocked locally by Matakana’s Village Picnic and at Chocolate Brown in Warkworth, which itself won six medals and the children’s choice category in the awards.

Business owner Susan Vize said the awards for their hazelnut gianduja-filled white chocolate hedgehog and five other filled

| Mahurangimatters | November 7, 2022

chocolates was a tremendous achievement for Chocolate Brown, especially head chocolatier Amanda Casci and her team, who had been working together for barely 12 months.

Casci is a trained chef, but her passion is patisserie and she has spent the past year perfecting and refining the Chocolate Brown range – something that has swiftly paid dividends.

“It’s in my blood – my grandfather and great-grandfather were both confectioners who came over from Italy,” she said.

Russian-born Tatiana White is also a chef by training, but after taking chocolatemaking classes in Auckland 10 years ago, established her Dekadenz brand when she moved to Pahi in 2015. Her colourful Christmas treat filled chocolate won the Christmas and novelty category, and she also came away with six medals.

Judges said the fruit mince-flavoured chocolate was exquisite, with accomplished surface painting, a subtle balanced flavour and moreish – “a real all occasion chocolate”.

This was the first time White had entered the awards and she said she couldn’t believe

Young judges thought Chocolate Brown’s White Hedgehogs were “delicious”.

it when she found out about the wins.

“It’s fantastic, I didn’t expect it at all,” she said. “I was laughing when I heard about it, I couldn’t believe it.”

Dekadenz chocolates are sold locally in Waipu, Maungaturoto and the Paparoa Store, with more outlets expected to be added in future. White also makes bespoke chocolates and gift baskets for weddings and businesses, and runs occasional chocolate-making classes.

The 2022 awards were decided by a panel of 16 specialist food judges, who had the enviable task of sampling and savouring more than 150 different chocolate products.

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NZ Chocolate Awards Christmas and Novelty Dekadenz, Christmas Treat

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A touch of Italy in the heart of Warkworth. Dine in & take away. Aldo's also offer bespoke platters & their award winning tiramisu for your home entertaining.

Gift vouchers are available.

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Visit our Brand New Tasting Room Open Weekends 10-5 Sample our wines as a tasting or by the glass.

‘Build Your Own’ Platter or Picnic to enjoy amongst the vines.

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November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

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feature local fare

Plume Restaurant introduces BJ Sebastian, our talented new head chef BJ Sebastian proudly stands as one of NZ Beef + Lamb’s 2022 Ambassador chefs and has fine credentials to bring to his new role at Plume Restaurant. BJ has forged his success working in London for the the Gordon Ramsey group, in Hatted restaurants and Michelin-star fine dining establishments.

Guests at Plume Restaurant are sure to enjoy the fabulous flavours featured within our delicious new menu. BJ’s stunning cuisine is beautifully complemented by a fine selection of wines from our sister property, Runner Duck Estate. Plume Restaurant hosts our cellar door.

We strongly recommend that you make reservations, either online or by calling 09 422 7915. www.theplumecollection.co.nz

37 Sharp Road, Matakana 09 422 7915 / 09 283 3630

49A Sharp Road, Matakana 09 422 7915

1335 Leigh Road,Matakana 09 423 0390

Cellar door, Plume Restaurant 09 422 7915

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| Mahurangimatters | November 7, 2022

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Plume in a ferment as new head chef appointed

have huge respect for people growing what we eat. I like to respect the whole product.

For example, you can use even the leaves and petals of the onions. You can burn the skin and make an ash, if you know how to use it.”

Sebastian was born in India, where he acquired his love of food from watching and helping his mother and grandmother gather, preserve and cook a wide variety of foods. After working in one of Gordon Ramsay’s London restaurants, he moved to New Zealand in 2013, where he has since worked in a number of top flight winery, lodge and restaurant kitchens.

The chef is no stranger to the Mahurangi area, having worked for a while at Sculptureum’s Rothko restaurant when it was first established five years ago with Jarrod McGregor – a former Beef + Lamb NZ ambassador chef himself – at the helm.

Sebastian’s most recent post was heading a team of 25 chefs at the Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant complex on Waiheke. He says he is excited to be moving to another winery restaurant.

“I know exactly what I’m going to do here.

I know the suppliers here, like the oyster farmers, and many others from Auckland.

“I want to give an identity to the place, a different approach to the future. And we intend to change the menu often, depending what is in season.”

Sebastian describes his food as contemporary in style using a blend of flavours, with influences from cuisines as diverse as Japanese and Italian, and he is busy devising a completely new menu that will be launched on the evening of Friday, November 18.

“It’s totally different. I like to experiment and bring something new, or it all becomes very boring.”

BJ Sebastian has just come in from the garden when he sits down to explain his vision for Plume’s vineyard restaurant where he’s just taken over as head chef a few days previously.

He’s been busy exploring the extensive gardens and greenhouse at the Sharp Road restaurant and vineyard, as well as getting to know the kitchens.

“This morning I was picking all the kaffir lime leaves for oil,” he says. “Yesterday I was picking flowers and making nasturtium vinegar for a new dish.”

He also has batches of grapes and daikon radish fermenting and bottles of tomato vinegar on the go, so it comes as no great surprise to learn that his most ardent culinary passion is for the ancient art of fermentation.

“My food concept is nature-to-plate – everything we need is found in nature – with a lot of preserving, smoking, pickling and fermentation behind it,” he says.

Sebastian doesn’t just confine these procedures to fruits and vegetables, but meat and fish as well, something he demonstrated when he was made an Ambassador Chef for Beef + Lamb NZ earlier this year. Both his winning dishes – Kombu aged beef eye fillet, beef cheek, onion textures, caulilini, beef tendon puff, bone sauce and leek ash, and Hawkes Bay lamb loin, lamb belly and potato roulade, piko piko, lamb sweetbread, elderberry, burnt zucchini, pickled green walnut and lamb garum – employed advanced fermentation techniques and flavours.

They also showcased Sebastian’s other culinary loves – cooking with foraged ingredients, seasonality and using every part of the plant or animal protein he can.

“It takes a lot of effort to grow these things, so we have to use as much as possible. I

Right, Ferment-Asian – BJ Sebastian has had a passion for pickling since learning to cook from his mother and grandmother as a child in India.

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November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

27

feature local fare

Philippa Potaka has some enticing picnic ideas.

Photo, Kids&Co Photography.

Picnic season An oyster bar and picnic platters will be served in the cellar.

Oysters popping back to Matakana Estate Shellfish lovers should head to Matakana Estate this Saturday, November 12, when the winery will be holding its second Oyster and Wine pop-up event from 11am until 4pm.

Mahurangi Oysters will be shucking and serving freshly caught oysters straight from the shell, as well as frying fritters for those who prefer their seafood cooked.

Gourmet platter picnic boxes will also be available, together with Matakana Estate wines by the glass, bottle or tasting paddle, plus a range of beers from Sawmill Brewery.

There will also be live music between noon and 3pm.

Entry costs $14 per person from Eventbrite, which includes a glass of wine or a beer, or there will be limited door sales at $18 if not sold out prior and/or the weather allows for outdoor seating.

Matakana Estate events and marketing manager Nicole Ng says this will be round two for the oyster and wine pop-up, following a successful inaugural event during the Auckland Elemental festival earlier this year.

The winery has also started running a

Platters, paddles and glasses of wine in a Super Gold special.

special deal for Super Gold cardholders every Thursday, where an antipasto sampler platter and two glasses or tasting paddles of wine can be purchased for $45, which Ng

says makes a perfect lunch for two.

Oyster pop-up info and tickets: www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/oyster-wine-popup-vol2-tickets-415055691747

The sun is finally out and the promise of summer is in the air, which means picnic season is officially upon us.

Village Picnic owner Phillippa Potaka says homemade, fresh and locally sourced picnics are always a favourite.

She says for something special, salmon from Matakana Smoke Room makes a delicious pate, with some crème fraiche, dill and a little truffle salt.

She suggests folding some smoked ham or salami from Matakana Butcher onto a cracker or crust of bread, and dressing up cheese with a homemade chutney from The Humble Pantry.

Salad, hummus and olives, and fruit found in abundance from home-produce stalls along Omaha Flats Road are all good picnic staples, all rounded off with a chilled bottle of wine.

There are many picnic spots in the area, from secluded beaches to more popular regional parks such as Tāwharanui, or even Kawau Island.

If barbecues are more your thing, there is no shame in slinging a hunk of meat over one shoulder, a crate of beer over the other, and heading down to the beach where, in places like Omaha, Mathesons Bay and Algies Bay, there are BBQ spots to fire up a feast for the family.

The traditional egg mayonnaise sammie is a good standby, plus a bag of chips and some chocolate finger biscuits. It may not sound grand, but keeping it simple leaves more time for beach games and swimming.

Don’t miss our most ambitious fund raising event ever and help HOSPICE!

Tournament Friday Nov 11 with golf scramble Nov 12 & 13 640 rounds of golf over 3 days.

Friday night Gala Dinner

for up to 400 people in OBGC marque, with guest speaker David Seymour. Tables available for 10 people, some individual seats.

Bookings: Bill Abraham 021 933 170

Online Charity Auction

Details on www.omahagolf.co.nz this week.

Fantastic items available

Major/key sponsors: Di Balich, Jarden, NZ Aged Care, Cardinal Logistics, Rhodes for Rhodes, Pearl Fisher, Foundation Coffee, Phil Bramwell, Oceanbridge, Barfoot & Thompson, David Levene Trust, Falls Road LP.

North West Anchorage, Omaha Beach | 422 7551 | admin@omahagolf.co.nz | www.omahagolf.co.nz

28

| Mahurangimatters | November 7, 2022

Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters

Fresh Cafe' FINE FOOD & COFFEE

Healthy salads | cakes and slices | sweet and savoury muffins | gluten-free options | vegan and vegetarian meals are available | delicious Allpress coffee.

Argyll Angle, 58-60 Queen Street, Warkworth 09 425 0414 | freshcafeww@yahoo.co.nz Mon-Fri 8am-3pm, Sat & Sun closed Daniel and Sharon Emmanuel with their son Azriel (Azzy).

Emmanuel’s Café - Catering - Events

A

fter years of running other people’s kitchens in resorts, hotels and restaurants, award-winning chef Daniel Atesh Emmanuel is excited to be opening his own café in the Riverside Arcade.

And he is promising Warkworth a café they can be proud of.

Formerly Q Café, Daniel has changed the name to Emmanuel’s to reflect that it is a family-run business. Working alongside him is his wife Sharon.

“Regular customers can expect the same quality food and service, but with some innovative offerings to keep things interesting,” Daniel says.

“The blackboard menu will remain basically the same with some minor changes and every week there will be a chef ’s special board. It will be an opportunity for customers to try something maybe a little different, a little bit special, that they may not have tasted before.”

Originally from Fiji, Daniel and Sharon moved to New Zealand 20 years ago.

“I’ve always loved cooking and as a child I would peel the veggies for Mum and get the fire going in the outdoor oven. There were eight of us in the household – three generations – so there was always lots of cooking to be done.

“I started my training in the kitchen of a resort in Nadi and then followed my then girlfriend and now wife, Sharon, to NZ.” In Auckland, Daniel worked for the Langham, Heritage Hotels, Stamford Plaza and Waitakere Estate. For the last seven years, he has been the head chef at Plume in Matakana.

Sharon says the family has found the peaceful lifestyle in this area addictive.

“We love the beaches and the rural setting,” she says. “It’s why we’ve chosen to invest in a business here.”

Daniel sees plenty of potential to expand the business in the months ahead. He is already looking at offering off-site catering for parties, weddings and other celebrations, and will apply for an alcohol licence in due course, so he can hold small events at the café as well.

Your local grocer offering a range of fresh fruit and vegetables with St Pierre’s Sushi, Atomic Coffee and Real Fruit Ice Creams!

Pop in for friendly service and great local products, right next door to The Warehouse!

Shop 3, 250 Mahurangi East Road, Snells Beach | 021 216 7353 | shop@thefoodmarket.nz

Extend your Christmas spirit a little wider this year and help families in our community celebrate Christmas too.

We are collecting now: • Vouchers PERFECT • Toys, sports equipment, games & books for children (preferably new, or in very good secondhand condition) • Something special for a parent • Christmas food & treats Gifts don’t have to be wrapped, but if they are, please note on the outside who would be the ideal recipient (ie boy or girl and age group) Mahurangi Matters Christmas Appeal Supporting:

We are a family orientated cafe with a talented chef of over two decades of experience.

We are locals and our services also include catering for functions, in-house events or hire a private chef for a dining occasion in your own home.

See you at The Emmanuel’s!!

Daniel Atesh Emmanuel 021 209 8880 info@emmanuels.nz | www.emmanuels.nz Shop 3 Riverside Arcade, 62-64 Queen Street, Warkworth

Homebuilders Rodney Women’s Centre Mahurangi Presbyterian Church Gifts can be left in the Mahurangi Matters reception area, 17 Neville Street Warkworth during normal office hours.

Thank you in advance for your support and generosity!

November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

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Leigh General Store Proud to be supporting our local community.

09 422 6034 16 Cumberland Street, Leigh

Donkey Christmas celebration

The annual fun day at Highfield Reserve, Algies Bay, is back. It will be held this year on Saturday, December 3 with lots to do for the whole family. The programme includes donkey rides, old fashioned games and a free barbecue. The organisers are also expecting a visit from a big guy in a red suit. There are seven donkeys currently at the reserve. Chair Jane Kelsey says the committee would like to have more involvement from young people and is looking at ways to achieve this next year. The reserve is at 483 Mahurangi East Road and the fun day starts at 11am.

Beginning again

‘A Century of Tango’ is a musical journey through the evolution of tango, showcasing popular favourites such as El Choclo, Por una Cabeza and La Cumparsita, to the revolutionary nuevo tango style works of Argentinian composer Ástor Piazzolla.

Aotango features violinist Andrew Beer (APO Concertmaster), pianist Somi Kim (NZTrio), double bassist Gordon Hill (APO Section Principal), jazz guitarist Sam Swindells and world champion accordionist Grayson Masefield.

21st November - 7.30pm - Warkworth Town Hall, Warkworth 22nd November - 7.30pm - Westlake Girls Events Centre, Takapuna Tickets are available online at Eventfinda - Door Sales

Kowhai Singers are back with a performance titled Let’s Begin Again, which speaks to their post-Covid return as a fresh start.

An enthusiastic, community-based, nonauditioned choir, the singers perform for the public two or three times a year.

The evening will feature 12 songs by both modern and classical composers, such as Billy Joel, Paul Simon and New Zealand’s David Hamilton. Flautist Ameline Makin will perform a solo and accompany the choir with Flying Free by Don Besig.

Also accompanying the choir will be pianist Fiona Strathern and guitarist Vaughan Morgan, who will treat the audience to some personal favourites.

The concert will be held at the Leigh Community Hall on Saturday, November 19, starting at 7.30pm. Entry: $10, cash only.

Flautist Ameline Makin will be one of the accompanists at the concert.

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2 Alnwick Street, Warkworth | 027 527 8869 | info@warkworthtownhall.nz | www.warkworthtownhall.nz

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| Mahurangimatters | November 7, 2022

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Preparations have started for the Artfull Weekend in Matakana. Pictured at the Kowhai Arts & Crafts clubrooms are, from left, Barry Lee, Alexis Waterhouse and Mave Halligan.

Taste of Brick Bay 09 425 4690 www.brickbay.co.nz 17 Arabella Lane, Snells Beach O PEN

10am - 4pm Monday to Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday & Sunday

Crafts exhibited in Matakana Kowhai Art & Craft will hold its fourth Art-full Weekend Exhibition in the Matakana Hall later this month.

The creative work of 13 artists will be on display and for sale encompassing book art, calligraphy, felting, flax weaving, glass art, leatherwork, mixed media, painting/art, porcelain painting, pottery, print-making and spinning and weaving.

Kowhai Art & Craft has been nurturing and promoting local artists for nearly 50 years.

“It started with five women meeting in an old cow shed at Sandspit,” one of the organisers Mave Halligan says. “The artists would meet fortnightly and the shed became known as The Mud Slingers Inn.

R o s e

&

“In 1977, the club bought the Keith Hay office building and negotiated a lease with the Warkworth A&P Society. The building was then transported to the site where it stands today at the showgrounds.”

The club currently has 130 members and operates as a cooperative.

As well as showcasing the work of artists, this month’s exhibition is a fundraiser to help support the club premises and equipment costs.

“It’s also an ideal opportunity to purchase some unique Christmas gifts.”

The exhibition will run from November 25 to 27 at the following times: Friday 10am-4pm; Saturday 9am-4pm; Sunday 10am-3pm.

F l o w e r

Celebrating 100 years

S h o w

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Stunning blooms on show

The Warkworth Garden Club’s Rose and Flower Show is celebrating its 100th anniversary with more splendid displays this month. It’s a welcome return after last year’s hiatus due to Covid. Unperturbed, the show promises its usual array of stunning blooms, despite recent tricky weather conditions that have made for a slower growing season. With hundreds of entries, Warkworth Town Hall will be a truly sensory treat. Heritage roses will also be on display this year. The show will be held at the Warkworth Town Hall on Friday November 11, from midday to 5pm. Entry $2, under 16 free.

Tomarata School Guy Fawkes Night Fundraiser Saturday 12 November 2022.

Gates open at Tomarata Domain, on Pakiri Block Road at 4pm.

Bring a picnic chair and blankets, and settle in time for the big display once darkness falls.

Food and drink on sale, as well as games, rides and a bouncy castle, plus live music from the Tuarangi Road Band. Also raffles with amazing prizes.

Tickets: Presale/online - child $7, adult $15, family $35 https://events.humanitix.com/tomarata-primary-school-fireworks-2022

Gate sales - child $10, adult $20, family $40

Posting presents overseas for Christmas?

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Warkworth Museum. Parry Kauri Park, Tudor Collins Drive (Off Wilson Road, Warkworth) | 09 425 7093 warkworthmuseum@xtra.co.nz | www.warkworthmuseum.co.nz

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November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

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Dobegoo 2 was a state-of-the art ambulance when it was donated to Warkworth by Beryl and the late Doug Good in 2018.

Accompanist John Wells.

Choir celebrates

Dobegoo 2 moves north

An ambulance donated to St John by Warkworth couple Beryl and Doug Good in 2018 is moving north.

Dobegoo 2, which was the second ambulance donated by the couple, is headed for Rawene on the Hokianga, as it has done more than 500,000 kms in the past three years.

Dobegoo 2 responded to 5579 incidents, with 4271 of those requiring transportation of patients to a hospital or treatment centre.

The most common type of incidents Dobegoo 2 responded to since it started service were referral from a GP (1056), chest pain (556), falls (542), breathing problems (468), unconsciousness (373), heart problems (144), cardiac arrest (68) and traffic accidents (218).

Of those callouts, 3421 were to incidents in Warkworth, 805 to incidents in Silverdale and 675 to Wellsford.

Hato Hone St John has two ambulances stationed in Warkworth – one that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and a second ambulance that is crewed by volunteers and responds when required.

St John district operations manager Casey Allen-Stark says Dobegoo 2 had played a huge role in the service delivery of the Warkworth and wider Rodney area.

“We’re pleased that it is being relocated to Rawene, where its modern features and design will support an isolated rural community.”

Christmas

The Matakantata Choir will present Faces of Christmas for its Christmas concerts this month.

The choir will sing two choral items by concert organist and composer John Wells, a Rodney local and the accompanist for the choir. As well as the usual choral fare, there will be some lighthearted pieces.

Directed by Jenny Eirena, the choir has grown, post-Covid, to 28 members. New and original members are enjoying the chance to sing in harmony again, after two years of restrictions.

The two concerts will be held at the Point Wells Hall on Friday, November 25 at 7.30pm, and at the Mahurangi Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 27 at 2.30pm.

Tickets will be available from Harts Pharmacy, Warkworth and Gull Service Station, Matakana.

Choir director Jenny Eirena is a familiar face on the Mahurangi music scene

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Northland Rescue Helicopter chief executive Craig Gibbons with KMR Pou Tātaki Justine Daw and intensive care paramedic Sara Eivers.

Kaipara plan backs helicopter The Kaipara Moana Remediation (KMR) programme has announced its inaugural sponsorship of Northland’s Rescue Helicopters.

Less than a year into its official establishment, KMR leader Pou Tātaki Justine Daw says the team is thrilled to be supporting Northland’s life-saving air ambulance service.

“We are working with hundreds of people throughout the Kaipara so we feel an obligation to help keep people safe by supporting the amazing work the Northland Rescue Helicopter crews do,” she says.

Northland Rescue Helicopter chief executive Craig Gibbons says he is grateful for the KMR support, given the service needs to raise more than $1 million annually to help fund operations.

“We fly numerous missions to the Kaipara every year and around 1200 across Northland,” he says. “We have always been well supported by the people of Kaipara, so

we are grateful KMR has come on board to help us. Kaipara Kumara managing director Ant Blundell is one of our longstanding ambassadors, so we have really strong links to the district.”

Daw says that while it is still early days, a key to KMR’s success has been its focus on enhancing environmental and social outcomes, which makes this sponsorship such a natural fit.

The Kaipara Moana Remediation Programme is one of New Zealand’s largest catchment restoration programmes, investing $4.67 million last year in projects to reduce sediment flowing into the Kaipara Harbour.

“Not only is the Kaipara Moana important ecologically, it has deep cultural and economic significance. The harbour is home to several iwi/hapū groups, with local taonga species providing food and medicine, underpinning cultural practices and connecting people to place.”

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sheer volume of rainwater going into the stormwater system and, ultimately, the Omaha River meant the dam runoff was diluted enough not to cause any lasting environmental harm.

Watercare environmental care manager Nathaniel Wilson said its investigation and report to Auckland Council had found any effects to be minor.

“The report found that due to the heavy rainfall that triggered the incident, there was significant dilution in the discharge that minimised any environmental impact,” he said.

“It concluded that it’s unlikely the event will have any long-term effects on the Omaha River or the Whangateau Harbour.”

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The dam water that was discharged had been through a screening and nutrient removal process, but had not been passed through sand and UV filters. Watercare said in its report to Council that when water levels threatened to breach the dam, and potentially cause an uncontrolled overflow, pumping it into stormwater drains was the only practicable option.

“The volumes were too high to truck to another site, there were no other storage options, and irrigation rates were already at their practical maximum,” the report said.

The pumping operation continued for just over a week, and subsequent water quality monitoring found there was no evidence to indicate the discharge would have had any discernible effect on the natural environment.

However, Watercare said it was continuing to look into how such events could be avoided in the future.

“The incident was a breach of Watercare’s resource consent conditions and repeat instances could increase the potential for environmental damage, particularly the risk of eutrophication in the Whangateau Harbour,” the report said.

“The root cause of the event was very heavy rainfall. Although the occurrence of such events is out of our control, we’re reviewing how the incident was managed and what we can do to minimise the risk of a recurrence in the future.”

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Her interest health science and desire to work Rainfall was so heavy at the time – more with people led her into the exciting and everthan in any other month over the last five years – that it threatened to burst the banks improving www.mahurangihearing.co.nz field of audiology. She lives locally and of the plant’s storage dam. Rather than risk 021 1000 629 • info@mahurangihearing.co.nz the 38,000 cubic metre dam rupturing, has worked as anSnells audiologist / clinic manager Watercare opted to release partially treated 31 Kauri Crescent, Beach, Auckland 0920 wastewater into stormwater channels in Warkworth for the last three years. She isinstead of its usual irrigation fields – a breach of its resource consent conditions. delighted to be opening the first independent, However, subsequent monitoring found despite the discharge having nitrogen locally-owned audiology clinic in the region.that levels above the national bottom line, the

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Homebuilders Quentin Jukes, Coordinator www.homebuildersfs.org

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The main criteria include that the person applying must be a NZ citizen or permanent resident, the families combined before tax income is below a set level, the child is (usually) younger than five years of age and is attending an approved early childhood programme or service.

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three and 50 hours per week for each child (depending on other criteria). The subsidy can make a big difference in a family’s take home income each week.

Generally, families with children aged three or four year olds will be better off taking up 20 hours free early childhood education, where their childcare provider offers it.

However, a family can choose to take up either 20 hours early childhood education or, the Childcare subsidy, or a combination of the two.

If you would like to know more about the Childcare subsidy, you can call Work and Income on 0800 559 009, go to www. workandincome.govt.nz where you can apply online, or call us at Homebuilders Family Services 09 425 7048 for a chat.

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Festive food appeal Wellsford foodbank Loaves & Fishes is running its annual festive season appeal for groceries and treats to help families in need have a brighter Christmas.

Chairperson Karen Lennon says this year the parcels are being changed to a Christmas Treat Box full of extras and goodies that families might struggle to buy, in addition to regular boxes of food staples.

Food can be dropped off at the Wellsford Co-Operating Church at 253 Rodney

Street on Tuesday mornings between 10am and 11am until November 20, though the foodbank takes items at any time as there are always families that need help.

Festive food being sought includes Christmas tarts, boxed chocolates or scorched almonds, shortbread biscuits, tinned beetroot, tinned fruit salad, meringues, and red or green jelly.

Cash donations or out-of-hours dropoffs can also be arranged by emailing foodbankwellsford@gmail.com.

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November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

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PAINTING YOUR BOAT READY FOR SUMMER?

Books Tracey Lawton

Tradextra has everything that you need!

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Pets Vets Corner

The Romantic by William Boyd The Romantic bears many similarities to arguably William Boyd’s best novel, Any Human Heart. Once again, Boyd gives us a likeable male protagonist, Cashel Greville Ross, born in 1799. We follow his life as he grows up as an orphan in County Cork, his school days in Oxford and then his life as a soldier at Waterloo and in India, followed by travels across Europe and America. It is an engrossing read as we follow this impetuous young man with a strong moral conscience and a certain amount of gullibility. He falls desperately in love with a married woman in Italy, has close social ties with both Lord Byron and Shelley, and spends some time as an inmate in New Marshalsea Prison. It is a rollercoaster of a life and I found myself hooked right from the start. This will make a great Christmas gift for all William Boyd fans, plus anyone who loves well written historical fiction.

A Mild Touch of the Cancer

by David Downs

Pet of the Month

Zeb, a 2 year old Brown Shaver Hen Zeb is a much loved chicken. It is estimated that she has produced more than 600 eggs over her lifetime, both as a commercial laying hen and with her new owner who has provided her with a much deserved retirement. 600 eggs passing through her puckered little backend has however resulted in some structural problems, and Zeb was presented to our vet with a prolapsed cloaca, a condition whereby her insides are hanging outside. The vet on duty is very partial to eggs, in fact he has an omelette every single morning for breakfast, so it was with great reverence that he performed emergency surgery on Zeb. She was anaesthetised and a delicate repair was performed from which she has made a complete recovery. Cheers to you and your sisters Zeb for being breakfast time heroes!

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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‘David Downs is a business leader, public servant, consultant, board director, comedian speaker, and a genetically modified organism,’ is a quote from a post online. Downs is also a cancer survivor and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after feeling like he had a mild touch of the man flu that was progressively getting worse. Downs has written this book cobbling together a series of posts that he wrote for www.stuff. co.nz as he documented his cancer journey. What makes this book so different to the others written on this harrowing topic is his irrepressible humour and endless optimism. Downs injects a decent amount of Kiwi irreverence into his descriptions of treatments and side-effects, and more than once I laughed out loud. Downs is surrounded by a loving family and a vast group of loyal friends and colleagues, which no doubt helped him through some very difficult times. This is not a depressing read and he is a very inspiring man … and he’s available for public speaking engagements if you’re looking for motivation!

In brief

Bloomin’ success

The Snells Beach Garden Circle held one of its most successful Spring Shows ever last month. Being the first show in three years, a record number of entries were received. The overall winner was Jennie Ferguson and Doris Ranfurly won the floral art section. Ann Anderson’s entry won Best in Show. Through trading tables, raffles and afternoon teas, the club raised $1200 for the St John Ambulance and $1200 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter service. The club thanked everyone who participated.

Church turns green

St Leonard’s Anglican Church in Matakana is showcasing the talents of the Warkworth Floral Art Group this month. With a mix of traditional and contemporary designs both large and small, the church will be adorned with home-grown flowers from the talented artists’ own gardens. Five different groups have each been assigned an area of the church to decorate, from ends of pews to altar, and the completed display will be open to the public throughout the day on November 19, with a regular church service the following day at 9.30am. The Warkworth Floral Art Group meets once a month in Matakana and arranges other learning and collaborative opportunities for its members. Info: Delwyn 021 257 2202

Support the advertisers who support Mahurangi Matters

Māori-Pākehā relations put under author’s spotlight The complex and increasingly polarised state of relations between Māori and Pākehā is put under the microscope in a new book by Pākiri author John Bluck.

Becoming Pākehā is part memoir and part cultural analysis, written in a readable and accessible style, with as much amusing anecdote as societal dissection. It follows Bluck’s life from growing up in a Māori village in the 1950s through his career as an Anglican clergyman and writer, up to his retirement in recent years to Pākiri, together with an examination of MāoriPākehā relations generally.

The former Bishop of Waiapu and Dean of Christchurch says it wasn’t a straightforward choice to write the book, but it was a topic he had been thinking about for many years and it was time for a new look at where currently things are, and might go in the future.

“It’s a very caustic debate right now, especially for people of my colour, my gender and my age,” Bluck says. “For anyone under 30, it’s almost a non-issue, but for my generation, it’s pretty dramatic.

“Because the debate is so polarised, I had very strong advice from some learned friends from the academic and church world, who thought it probably wasn’t a good idea.”

But this is not the first time he has tackled Māori-Pākehā relations. As well as writing previous books on the subject, he presented a series of talks on Radio NZ called Who Wants to be a Pākehā? in 2019, and regularly writes for newspapers and magazines.

“I’ve been talking about this for 30 years,” he says. “We were overseas for 10 years and came back in the early 1980s. I was very conscious, and a bit shocked, as to how the whole bicultural debate had heated up and got more confrontational and more difficult.”

However, he says the situation now is far worse, with Pākehā and Māori more separate than ever, largely due to the way people communicate with each other and source news and information.

“My background is not only in the church, but in journalism and as a teacher in communication, so I’m very interested in what makes good communication. It’s a science as well as an art form,” he says.

“There are some basic rules about how to talk to each other if you want to be heard and most of these are being broken daily.”

Bluck says the Treaty of Waitangi is misunderstood by many Pākehā, and it needs to be understood as a covenant – a

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Pākiri Pākehā – John Bluck with his new book.

binding contract by two parties to work together towards a common goal.

“Before it was a political document, it was a covenant. It was read and seen and signed

by Māori and missionaries, who drafted it as a compact of mutual obligation,” he says.

“If you don’t use the language of covenant, and spirituality, you can’t really understand why the treaty is as important as it is.”

As well as analysing the state of biculturalism, both good and bad, in Aotearoa today, Becoming Pākehā offers much food for thought on the way forward, and what might be needed for relations to be built upon and improved into the future.

Bluck will be embarking on a national tour to promote Becoming Pākehā this month, which includes a signing at Matakana Village Books on November 27 at 4pm.

The book is published by Harper Collins.

Book giveaway Mahurangi Matters has a copy of Becoming Pākehā to give away. To enter the draw, just email reporter@ localmatters.co.nz with ‘Becoming Pākehā’ in the subject line, together with your name and a contact number. Competition closes Monday, November 14.

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Rompin’ stompin’ blues band Making their debut appearance in New Zealand next month, New York band, Daddy Long Legs, will be bursting onto the stage at Leigh Sawmill with their ‘Devastation Blues’ on December 2.

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turns them inside out, upside down, round about and renews their primal energy.

My favorite rompin’ stompin’ New York band of the moment”.

With Brian Hurd on vocals, harmonica and guitar; Murat Akturk on slide guitar; Josh Styles on drums; and new member Dave Klein on piano, they will be popular with fans of Schyzophonics.

One of Silverdale’s biggest attractions, Snowplanet, closed last week for major refurbishment and won’t reopen until next April.

Snowplanet sales and marketing general manager John Howsam says as part of ongoing maintenance, it was found that sections of its large, flat roof were compromised. The work involves replacing the entire 200m x 40m section of roof over the snow dome.

Snowplanet was built in 2005.

“We have repaired leaks over the years, but engineers said the best plan was a complete replacement,” Howsam says. “We have been looking for some months at the best way to do this. Unfortunately, the major work involved will take considerable time and requires complete closure.”

October to April is the facility’s quietest time, so Howsam says it made sense to do it then. Unfortunately, this means Santa photos in his snowy grotto won’t be happening this Christmas.

A temporary roadway has been created alongside the building to give access to the giant crane that will lift and replace the roofing panels.

Once the work is finished, all the snow inside will need to be replaced.

As far as staff are concerned, Howsam says they have tried to do the right thing by everyone, including helping people to find other roles.

“Some will come back to us, some won’t. That’s the risk we take. We fully understand that people need to do what’s best for them.”

He says the work is costing “a not inconsiderable sum”, but that the actual figure is commercially sensitive.

“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank customers for their understanding,” he says. “Snowplanet is here for the long term, so we figured it was important not to delay this work, but just get on with it.”

Info: https://snowplanet.co.nz/snowplanetmajor-refurbishments

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Ali Baba (Kerrie Cleverdon) at the court of Sultan Bin Roolin (James Addis), with courtiers Rowan Walton and Briony Finlayson. Inset, rehearsals of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Ali Baba (Kerrie Cleverdon), Mrs Baba (George Moore) and Salma (Amelia Meineke).

Oh yes it is! Panto making a festive return to Warkworth Audience participation is a must in the new Warkworth Theatre performance of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

A veritable delight of slapstick, music, magic, and ‘He’s behind you!’, it’s a Britishinspired pantomime that’s festive fun for all the family.

The play is directed by Sally Knight, Pauline Hirst and music director Val Couling.

“We are all experienced in pantomime direction,” Knight says. “And it’s the first time this century that Warkworth has seen a pantomime.”

Traditionally a gruesome, bloodthirsty tale, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves has been rewritten with families in mind to deliver heartwarming and raucous entertainment for everyone.

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Ali Baba falls for the Sultan’s daughter and sets out to impress her by retrieving valuables stolen by a band of thieves. Despite being assisted by a trusty crew that includes a genie, a camel with integral SatNav, and a resourceful servant girl, Salma, as well as his mother, what Ali Baba really needs is help from the all-seeing audience.

“Over 20 cast members are each developing their singing voices and comedic timing to create an amazing family show,” Knight says. “So beware of the camel, boo the thieves and bring a hanky for the soppy love song when it all ends happily ever after.”

November 25 to December 3, 7pm shows with two matinees at 2pm. Warkworth Town Hall. Tickets available online from www.trybooking.com or from the Mahurangi Matters office.

Staff personable, ready to listen and not make assumptions. On time and offered good advice which I have followed.

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Countryliving Julie Cotton

admin@oceanique.co.nz

Looking back, looking forward Today my mood is cloudy with a chance of heavy rain. This is worryful to me, as I fear it may impede on the imaginary monthly picnic that I have been having with you (my readers) for the last nine years. I never knew your names and I never saw your faces, but your presence on the grass outside my office window every month was my constant and comforting source that enabled me to compose my stories about the love, humour and complexities of rural life.

So, as I sit here on the grass with you all holding back welling precipitation in my eyes, I announce that sadly this will be my final picnic and column with you all. My husband and I have purchased a historic waterfront farm at the bottom of the Pouto Point peninsula and, unfortunately, my new home sits outside of our paper’s circulation, so a farewell column is in order.

But, before I give thanks to the past, I will share with you a lens into my future. Our new farm, along with its surrounding small and remote community, is everything that this little outback West Australian-raised girl ever dreamed that she could hold within her grasp. An intensely beautiful and natural playground sitting on the cusp of the Kaipara Harbour and Tasman Sea. It will be my new little place in the world, full of hope and wonderment for my future.

For some time now my thought processes and actions have been mostly driven by the natural world around me. This includes my greater driven desire to explore more avenues of self-sufficiency, the nurturing of food, and nature (basically, the best dressed hippie this side of the black stump :).

I have now got my first little moko, and it is important to me in an increasingly urbanised and digital world that I do my best to provide an anchor to the earth. The

farm has lovely loam soils and hopefully, this will allow us to turn our hand to other types of food production in the changing face of agriculture if needed. My worldly belongings will be stored as I try and squish my family into a tiny mid-century bach that we have painstakingly restored. It will be from here that we drive ourselves forward towards an abundance of lifelong dreams. I intend to give up my intimate relationship with spiders, cobwebs, dust and draughts to build a “landscape sensitive, solar passive, mid-century modern home”.

I would also love a glasshouse to grow my veggies during the winter months, along with the planting of a large heritage fruit orchard. Learning to extract perfume oils from field flowers, and homebrew will also be on my hit list. My genuine love for minority/marginalised communities, along with small doughnut economies, will remain staunch and I have every intention of landing feet first into that lot. If all this sounds like I am running away from the Supa City to create a Jules version of Utopia, then you would be correct. So, I’m saddled up, good to go, and excited!

Now, back to the past. To Jannette Thompson, thank you for having faith in my craft, for never shackling my words and allowing my writing to run wild and free.

I guess the one thing you won’t miss is my chronic addiction to inverted commas and exclamation marks! My much-adored rural and farming communities who are a neverending source of admiration, strength and resilience, the whole world should be proud of you. My husband, who is a deeply private person and never really asked to be part of my shenanigans but ended up that way through default. And finally, as the dark clouds move in and tears come streaming down my cheeks and crashing onto my keyboard, I give thanks to my adorable readers.

Forever my true inspiration, the humble commonness within us all as we go about negotiating life’s intricacies and giggle at them. Writing this column has taught me that we are all connected to the same tree of life, merely just growing on different branches. Collectively on the same trajectory towards the happiness of the sun, just on an individual bent to get there.

It’s the privilege to write about that bent and the laughter that we can all derive from it that makes my buzzing world go round.

Amazingly, you hardly ever got cranky with me, and sometimes you sent me messages of kindness. An ordinary woman sitting among extraordinary people having a little picnic outside my office window – thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there with me. On a personal level, I would like to keep writing as I have a fire-front of content coming my way, but honestly, will I ever find a group of friends as cool as you guys to picnic with again. Wiping away the tears, I raise from my computer screen and gently wave you a fond goodbye out my window. You guys go now, and chase your dreams, reach for the brightest of sun and claw your way up the highest mountains to achieve them, and I will be right beside you climbing up mine. I leave you with a song that is going to help me get over the sadness I feel from losing you.

“La mer” (The Sea) by Cyntia M. Warmest forever, Jules xx

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Collaboration a hallmark of Takatu success A recent arrival to Baddeleys Beach, Jon Hoyle, has replaced Ngaire Wallen as the Takatu Landcare community pest control coordinator.

Hoyle move north from Wellington three months ago.

“I’ve spent the last four-and-a-half years working in local government in the Wellington region – a significant part of this time working on projects aimed at protecting and enhancing native biodiversity on private land,” he says.

“Much of this work revolved around project planning and working with landowners, funders and conservation groups just like Takatu Landcare.”

Interestingly, Hoyle says he shot possums and sold pelts as a teenager, and has had some experience with trapping in recent years.

“I’m now in the process of sharpening up those trapping skills.”

Takatu Landcare setup about 10 years ago to trap pest animals, remove invasive weeds and monitor birdlife to see if its work was making a difference.

The group has coordinated and supported the development of a network of traps for possums, stoats and rats. The aim is to provide a protective buffer for the wildlife at Tawharanui Open Sanctuary, making

the entire peninsular a safer place for native wildlife.

Hoyle says the group is moving into a new, ambitious and exciting phase.

“Earlier in the year, we commissioned an ecological survey of the peninsular to identify sites of ecological importance, with the potential to restore and expand these important habitats. Planting and weed and pest animal eradication will create a patchwork of safe zones for birds to move safely across the peninsula.

“We are now in the planning stages of restoring a pilot block, with work expected to start this summer.”

Hoyle says Wallen and the landcare group have done an outstanding job building and supporting an important and effective conservation community.

“Native plants and animals are in a perilous state nationally.

“By restoring and expanding areas of native bush on the peninsula, we’ll further support native fauna, as well as increasing carbon absorption and contributing to climate change mitigation.

“Our geographic area is 99 per cent privately owned land, so the group’s achievements have relied on the engagement, cooperation and support of the landowners. The new

Remembering Mary

A celebration of life for the late Mary Evans, co-founder of Matakana winery Heron’s Flight, will be held at the Sharp Road vineyard on Saturday, November 19, from 1pm to 5pm. Husband David Hoskins said Mary loved nothing more than bringing friends, family and community together, and all would be welcome. Mary, who established Heron’s Flight with Hoskins in 1987, died in June after a short illness. The celebration of her life will take place on what would have been her 74th birthday.

Rules tightened to stop seaweed spread

Tougher restrictions to prevent the spread of the invasive seaweed Caulerpa, which make it illegal to anchor most vessels in three bays at Aotea Great Barrier Island, came into force on October 31. The Controlled Area Notice and a rāhui imposed by mana whenua for Aotea, cover Blind Bay, Whangaparapara Harbour and Tryphena Harbour. Anchoring with or without a permit is no longer permitted except in an emergency. Info: www.biosecurity. govt.nz/caulerpa

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Debt service charity

Mahurangi-based financial assistance service Debtfix has become what it claims is New Zealand’s first debt solution registered charity, following its acquisition by new charitable trust the Debt Relief Foundation. Chief executive and Debtfix co-founder Christine Liggins says the move means more help for a greater number of people, as it can now get funding from sources other than the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). “MSD’s funding is limited and becoming a charity ensures Debtfix can secure funding from other sources and take its debt solution services to more people,” she says. “It also means we benefit from the skills and experience of an independent board of trustees.” Liggins says bad debt is an economic and social problem impacting individuals, families and communities that is not going away.

Info: www.debtfix.co.nz

Musical scholarships Former Wellingtonian Jon Hoyle is thrilled to be joining the Takatu Landcare initiative.

restoration work will be dependent on continuing this collaboration, as well as the ongoing support of hard-working volunteers and the wider community.

“Personally, I’m thrilled to be part of a such an ecologically important and rewarding project.”

Warkworth Big Band is applying for community funding to support a scholarship tuition scheme for Warkworth area based, primary school aged children next year. The aim is to provide free tuition for trumpet, trombone and saxophone for eligible children. In the meantime, the band is looking for contributions of unused or broken instruments, in any condition.

Info: warkworthbigband@gmail.com

Council scholarships open

Northland Regional Council is offering six scholarships to encourage students to take courses that relate to its environmental and regulatory functions. Each Tū i te ora scholarship includes $4000 to help with study costs, plus paid full-time work experience with the council from November next year until February, 2024. Relevant study areas include biodiversity, biosecurity, climate change, environmental planning and science, flood engineering and management, Geographic Information System, land management and water management. Applicants must live in Northland and three of the scholarships are earmarked for Maori students. Applications must be submitted

by November 18. Full eligibility criteria and application forms are available from

https://scholarships.nrc.govt.nz.

LABOUR'S GROWING A STRONG ECONOMY WITH MORE PEOPLE IN WORK 6%

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4.5%

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3.9% 3.3%

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NEW ZEALAND’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT THE JUNE QUARTER EACH YEAR

Marja Lubeck

Labour List MP based in Kaipara ki Mahurangi 0800 582 325 | marja.lubeck@parliament.govt.nz

021 81 33 82 | thelma@thelmafrench.com | www.thelmafrench.com 42

| Mahurangimatters | November 7, 2022

Source: Statistics NZ | Authorised by Marja Lubeck MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

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The bellbird call can be heard here: www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/ conservation/native-animals/birds/birdsong/bellbird-06.mp3 A bellbird. Photo, Nga Manu

Return of the bellbird/Korimako

www.localmatters.co.nz

Bellbirds travel great distances, which could explain recent sightings from Warkworth to as far north as Mangawhai.

The newer bellbirds to our region have likely come from predator-free areas such as Tawharanui, Little Barrier and Hen Island. A significant self-reintroduction occurred in 2005 when more than 100 bellbirds suddenly arrived at Tawharanui – they had been absent from Northland since the 1850s. It was thought that they had flown 23km from Te Hauturu-o-Toi/ Little Barrier Island soon after the building of the predator-proof fence at Tawharanui.

It is believed that the song of the bellbird varies from region to region. Just as with human languages, studies have shown that different populations of bellbirds have different song dialects, and this is how ecologists can determine where bellbirds have originated from. It is worth remembering that bellbirds play an essential role in pollinating the flowers of native trees and shrubs, so it is of great benefit to us all to have them stay in the Rodney area.

Preferring to nest in dense foliage, these beautiful songbirds are vulnerable to predation from ship rats, so we encourage you to set a trap on your property to help keep native birds like bellbirds safe. The Forest Bridge Trusts, community liaison and predator control team can help you get started with trapping or you can volunteer to help us maintain traplines in the Rodney area.

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The Forest Bridge Trust has been thrilled to receive reports of bellbirds being heard and sighted in the Rodney area over the past few months.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to let you know that for the first time in 20 years, korimako/bellbird are now around our house, feeding confidently on the native plants in our garden, and beyond” said a Matakana resident.

It is hoped that bellbirds are establishing permanent territories in areas where they have previously been only seasonal visitors.

Being fast-moving and well-camouflaged, it is not always easy to spot a bellbird. They are about 20cm long, olive and black in colour, with red eyes. Only males have a purple head while females can be identified by a narrow pale stripe from the bill below the eye.

Before you sight a bellbird, you might first become aware of its distinctive call.

Captain Cook described them as sounding “like small bells exquisitely tuned”. A bellbird call is like a tui, but with a less guttural tone. Unusually, both female and male bellbirds sing, although at this time of the year it will likely be the male territorial call that you hear.

Bellbirds have a brush-like tongue that allows them to reach deeply into flowers.

They are drawn to native nectar sources such as puriri, kowhai and tree fuchsia, and exotics such as bottlebrush and banksia.

However, if tui are also present, bellbirds will be driven off the nectar resource and may move on to where they can feed without being harassed.

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Whakatō Kūtai Mussel bed restoration in the Mahurangi Harbour Te Au o Morunga is the overall marine strategy for the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust and focuses on restoration, protection and enhancement of Te Moananui a Toi (Hauraki Gulf ). Whakatō Kūtai was the name gifted by kaumatua for the first deployment of 150 tonnes of kūtai (mussels) across two sites south of Te Kawau Tūmaro o Toi (Kawau Island).

“Looking after Tangaroa’s children” is part of a wider concept that embraces protection and restoration. The Revive Our Gulf project, a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy NZ, University of Auckland Institute of Marine Science, and the Mussel Reef Restoration Trust, plans a network of restoration sites across the Gulf to support the research on how to achieve mussel reef regeneration ‘at scale’. Kūtai reefs were extensive across Te Moananui ā Toi, until they were dredged into near-extinction. Without kūtai, the moana is a shadow of its former self.

Scientists refer to kūtai as “ecosystem engineers”. Reefs, with all their nooks and crannies, provide a home for invertebrates and a nursery habitat for juvenile fish. They provide a food source for crustaceans and larger species like tāmure (snapper). They also stabilise the seafloor, reducing wave energy and reducing suspended sediment.

As filter feeders, kūtai are incredible water filters, removing suspended sediment and heavy metals from the water column. A single kūtai can filter an entire bathtub of seawater in a day. Commercial dredge fishing last century is thought to have removed over 600 square km of kūtai,

which were all sold and eaten.

Peter van Kampen from The Nature Conservancy NZ/Revive Our Gulf says this will be the start of our largest series of kūtai drops to date. He says that working with treaty partners is a priority for them.

“We’ve worked alongside Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust on the kūtai restoration kaupapa since 2016, this tākoha to Tangaroa symbolises our commitment to improving the taiao.”

Ngāti Manuhiri were instrumental in helping to establish Aotearoa New Zealand’s first ever Marine Reserve at Te Hāweraā-Maki (Goat Island) in 1975. Current projects include waterways plantings to reduce sedimentation and a Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge project, Kohunga Kūtai, that aims to find natural products that can replace plastics used in aquaculture. On behalf of the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, I wish to acknowledge our project partners, whānau and community who have supported and attended our mussel drops over the past few months and look forward to what the future holds.

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Expo expands

students’ career choices

Te Hana Te Ao Marama Cultural Centre hosted an innovative and highly successful careers expo called Dream Big last month.

Students from Dargaville High School, Ruawai College, Rodney College, Wellsford School and the Kura Kaupapa Ngaringa o Matariki attended.

The Ministry of Education chose the inter-regional venue to connect employers, schools and communities, and the Te Hana event was part of a national careers initiative.

Te Hana Te Ao Marama Cultural Centre chief executive Linda Clapham said the day was amazingly successful, with more than 400 people from iwi, hapu, local community organisations, training organisations, employers, emergency services and NZ Defence services participating.

“The day demonstrated each and everyone’s participation to invest in our collective future – our young people,” she said.

“Our local student graduates are our greatest and most precious resource. It is so important to encourage, engage with and inspire our youth to dream big and assist them to reach their fullest and happiest potential.”

Clapham said many employers commented that this type of hands-on local initiative was long overdue.

“Companies were excited to connect directly with potential apprentices, trainees and employees in a more direct one-to-one situation.”

Te Hana’s carpark allowed students to gauge the size and scale of machinery and equipment brought on site by local civil engineering contractors and sawmills. The Wellsford Fire Brigade fire truck provided much excitement in displaying fire protection clothing and breathing apparatus.

The positive feedback from participants at the expo could see the event repeated next year.

A range of careers and training opportunities were showcased at the expo.

Kaipara Moana Remediation (KMR) had a big presence at the event and together with Kaipara Pest Free NZ, Fisheries and UMS, showcased the employment opportunities available within the fields of environment

and conservation.

Tourism and hospitality interests including the high-profile Sculptureum, training representatives including North Tec, an electrical training company, military

training organisations, surveying and drone photography, and health providers made up some of the 30-plus exhibitors present.

Te Hana Te Ao Marama hopes the expo will become an annual event.

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Gardening Andrew Steens

Spring heralds busy season Late spring is when everything really gets into gear in the garden, including me! There are so many jobs to do before summer arrives. Indoor and outdoor pot plants need re-potting and fertilising to give them room and food to support their growth spurt. I use a three to fourmonth slow-release fertiliser that is high in nitrogen for any leafy plants such as ferns, palms, monstera, philodendrons and the like. For flowering plants and bulbs such as frangipani, hippeastrum, anthurium, orchids and so on, a fertiliser high in potassium and lower in nitrogen is used, as this supports the flowering process without generating too much leaf growth.

Late spring is when I prune hibiscus and several other subtropical shrubs. Pruning now rather than in winter, like most other trees and shrubs, allows me to remove any frost and kereru damaged branches without exposing the new growth to further damage, as the frost should be well and truly over, and the kereru have usually moved on to other plants by then. Cannas and ornamental gingers are due a cleanup at this time. In many gardens these are left to themselves, with the result that they usually look very messy with lots of dead foliage detracting from the glossy new leaves and showy flowers. Anything that has already flowered is cut off at the base, removed and composted or mulched back into the garden. Some fertiliser and mulch applied to the bed at this time will reward you with even lusher growth and flowering throughout the summer and autumn.

Pests and diseases are also waking up at this time of year. By late spring, many of the bugs will be establishing their first generation.

Get these under control and the rest of

Canna lily

the year will be a lot less buggy! A spray of neem oil and insecticidal soap around the whole garden is worthwhile to get the first wave of passion vine hoppers, aphids, tomato/potato psyllid, various caterpillars, whitefly and thrip. After the first general spray, I can then spot spray later on plants that need the extra attention. For example, my citrus are sprayed with this mix three times between Labour Weekend and the end of November to get the citrus whitefly

Ferns

Hibiscus

under control. Likewise, I will use Yates Success Ultra on the apples at bud burst and again on the young fruit for control of codling moth and guava moth.

Any insecticides I use are carefully chosen for minimum impact on beneficial insects such as honeybees, bumble bees, parasitic wasps, lacewings and ladybirds.

These are an essential part of my garden and are encouraged further by having lots of flowering plants to complete their

lifecycles on. Amongst the best plants to have flowering in your garden are borage, cornflower, alyssum, coriander, bok choi, phacelia, echinacea, Queen Anne’s lace, marigold, arugula, rosemary, thyme, chives and many more. Right now is a good time to get these plants established with the warming soils, regular rainfall and mild conditions. In fact, right now is the best time to be getting anything done in the garden – best I get back out there!

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| Mahurangimatters | November 7, 2022

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TRADE & SERVICE DIRECTORY Advertise your business here for only $68+gst per insertion. Phone 425 9068 or email advertising@localmatters.co.nz or local@localmatters.co.nz

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November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

47

CONTRACTORS | ELECTRICIAN | FARM SUPPLIES | FENCING | FURNITURE | GLAZING | HAIR/BEAUTY | HANDYMAN | JOINERY | LANDSCAPING & SUPPLIES

PARKER CONTRACTING

A E Inger Electrical

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021 492 939 FARMYARD • BACKYARD • PET SUPPLIES • STOCK FOOD • WATER TANKS • WORK GEAR AND MORE...

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• Window handles, seals, hinges & stays • Security locks for windows & doors • Sliding and bi-fold door rollers, locks & handles • Retractable insect screens • Window handles, seals, hinges & stays family business servicing Rodney & Hibiscus Coast •Local Window handles, seals, hinges & stays • Security locks for windows & doors • Security locks doors • Sliding and bi-foldfor doorwindows rollers, handles Calllocks free&&anytime • Retractable insect screens

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115

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C.I.D.E.S.C.O, C.I.B.T.A.C, dip Beauty Therapy, dip Electrolysis, dip Body Therapy, dip Nail Technician

46 McKinney Road, Warkworth Mob 021 051 3661 • Ph 09 425 7776 tlcbeautytherapynails@yahoo.co.nz

Alwyn Inger - Registered Electrician | alwyninger@hotmail.com

OUTDOOR FURNITURE Tables to order Chairs • Swingseats Benches • Umbrellas New Zealand made quality built to last 25 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Silverdale (next to BP) Ph 09 426 9660 • em clipper.furniture@xtra.co.nz www.clipperfurniture.co.nz

Domestic and Commercial Glazing Glass Showers Splash Backs Mirrors • Cat Doors Windscreen Replacement and Chip Repair

We will match or better any competitors quotes!

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arkworth lass & lazing

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All aspects of electrical work for farms, housing and industry.

Your local Electrician - Domestic and Commercial 24 hour service cover (No mileage charge).

Bob Waata Mobile 021 634 484

Farm & Lifestyle Centre 2-4 Morrison Drive Warkworth

ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE & INSTALLATION

We specialise in: • Vantage Aluminium Joinery • Bi Folds, Sliders, Entrance Doors • Thermally Efficient options

• Gel Nails 1 STO UR AL MOWI G SHOP FORNHANDYMAN SERVICES • Acrylic NailsP SHOP F OR 1RSTOP 1 ST OP SH OP F OR R UR AL MOWI N G • Peter Manicures Peter Ride-on Mowing 1 Building STOP SHOP FOR HANDYMAN SERVICES Ride-on Mowing Peter • 021 Pedicures 021 912Large 805 Lawns 912 805 Building PeterMaintenance 021 912 805 Large Lawns 021 912 805 tickidiboo@orcon.net.nz • tickidiboo@orcon.net.nz Electrolysis Maintenance tickidiboo@orcon.net.nz tickidiboo@orcon.net.nz Repairs Lifestyle Blocks • Make-up Repairs Lifestyle Blocks Local and Reliable Cleaning Orchards & Vineyards • Body Wraps Cleaning Orchards & Vineyards 7 Glenmore Drive, Warkworth • Massage sales@compositejoinery.co.nz • www.compositejoinery.co.nz Phone Peter 021 912 805 • Spray Tans

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48

| Mahurangimatters | November 7, 2022

• Retaining Walls/Decks • Fences • Paving/Concreting • Planting • 1.7 tonne digger and operator hire Ph Jeff - 021 368 552 | warkworthlandscaping@gmail.com www.warkworthlandscaping.co.nz

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LANDSCAPING & SUPPLIES | LOCKSMITH | MOVING & STORAGE | PAINTERS & PLASTERERS | PLUMBING | PRINTING | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT | ROOFING | SCRAP METAL | SECURITY | SURVEYORS | TILING

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0800 638 254 www.wyatts.net.nz

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11

luke.raphaella@gmail.com Ph: Luke 021 507 463

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www.trueblueplumber.co.nz

021 446 064

We offer the following services:

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

021 102 4561

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For any queries, please contact diane@positiveimage.co.nz

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• New Roofs • Roof Repairs • Re-roofs • Roof Inspections Specialists in long-run roofing A great team you can trust

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

Serving Puhoi to Ruakaka.

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

SECURITY & INVESTIGATION

Your Local Trusted Security Service 09 425 7113 www.insitesecurity.co.nz admin@insitesecurity.co.nz 24/7 Patrols

24/7 Monitoring

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Rob Campbell Northern Contracts Manager

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

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

Hibiscus Tiling

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 November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

49

WATER

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

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

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

0800 278 288 | www.aquaworks.co.nz

sales@absoluteconcrete.co.nz

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

Classifieds AERIALS

LAND WANTED

REDDING ELECTRONICS

BUSH BLOCK OR BARE LAND

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

MOBILE HAIR & NAILS

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

Call Rebecca 021 0825 8242 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

COLLINS ELECTRONICS HAVE YOU LOST PRIME? Or need your Freeview box tuned for the new channels? TV repairs, microwave oven repairs, Freeview installations.

Ph Paul 09 422 0500 or 027 29 222 04 WINDOW CLEANING/ HOUSEWASH/GUTTER CLEANING Local professional service. Ph Pat 022-646-5849.

The deadline for classified advertising for our November 21, 2022 paper is November 16.

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

50

SITUATIONS VACANT

Anyone interested in taking a $400k boat as a deposit on land, plus cash.

Call David 021 507 608 PUBLIC NOTICES

Warkworth Garden Club Annual Rose and Flower Show 2022 Friday 11th November Warkworth Town Hall

12 noon - 5pm Prizegiving 1pm Admission $2 (Under 16 free) Notify entries to - Jocelyn Sharp 09 425 7724, jocelynsharp1180@ gmail.com by 3.00 pm on Thursday 10th November.

Show Convenor - Annette Sharp 09 422 7766

Hiab Operator We have a vacancy for an experienced Hiab Operator to operate our Palfinger crane truck based from our Warkworth depot. A class 5 license is required. Applicants must be prepared to work extended hours and Saturdays when required.

Excavator Operator We have a vacancy for an experienced Excavator Operator with our Warkworth based company. Applicants will be competent in operating on civil construction site works, with a minimum 5 years experience. Works will include operating 1.7 – 20 tonne diggers. Ability to operate other machinery (Dozers, dumpers etc) would be an advantage as this may be required at times.

Truck & Trailer Driver

We have a vacancy for an experienced Truck & Trailer driver with our Warkworth based company. A class 5 licence with metal delivery experience is essential.

Applicants must be prepared to work extended hours and Saturdays when required.

SUPPORTED BY MAHURANGI MATTERS

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

--------

at Christ Church Warkworth 43 Percy St (Opposite the bandstand) Thursday 1st December 9.15 for 9.30am-10.30am All are welcome.

These are an opportunity to join a long established local firm and become part of a team environment. A uniform is provided and remuneration is relevant to experience and ability.

Pre-employment drug test will be required.

The Warkworth Christian Meditation Group at Christ Church will re-commence on Thursday 1st December. Over the course of Advent there will be short talks each week introducing different aspects of this ancient Christian tradition of Meditation.

Through silence and stillness meditation offers a way of being open to the Spirit of God. If you are interested in finding out about meditation this is an opportunity for you. We also welcome those who already have a meditation practice and wish to join a meditation group, and those who have meditated in the past.

Contact for further information John Collins 021 273 7913 Dianne Hawken 027 477 2149

Apply To: MASON CONTRACTORS LTD 76 Hudson Rd, WARKWORTH. Phone 09 425 7799 PO Box 146, Warkworth 0941 admin@masoncontractors.co.nz

| Mahurangimatters | November 7, 2022

Mason Contractors is committed to a Drug And Alcohol-Free Work Environment CHURCH NOTICES

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Sudoku

Solution

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

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

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Classifieds SITUATIONS VACANT

TOTALSPAN RODNEY PROUD SPONSORS OF

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

$

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Seasons for Growth is an innovative programme offering groups for children, young people, parents, & adults who have experienced significant change or loss.

Seasons Warkworth/Wellsford is currently looking for more volunteers to facilitate our programmes. Working mostly in schools, volunteers work in pairs with small groups of children. Full training is given and you will work as part of a supportive team. An interview, police checks and a weekend training in Auckland are part of the selection process.

Seasons is a chance to be of positive assistance to those who are living with change & loss and is very rewarding work.

For more info email Heather seasonswarkworthwellsford@ gmail.com

PART-TIME CARETAKERS LIVE-IN • Separate House MATAKANA

Live-in position, on a 3 acre lifestyle property 5 min from Matakana village in attractive warm separate 2brm semi-furn house, large deck with elevated rural views, north facing. Power, gas hot water, broadband, Wi-Fi, landline and shared produce from large domestic veg garden included in overall package. Must be fully vaccinated.

Caretakers make a modest weekly contribution towards the value of the package plus provide up to 10hr pw of property management: lawns, grounds, pet sheep, garden, cleaning, landscaping, & general assistance for retired owners.

Excellent modern 4wd ride-on & equipment provided, own handyman tools needed. An opportunity for fit reliable mature applicants, possibly recent retirees, seeking inexpensive rural lifestyle. Must have proven DIY handyman skills, good communication & open compatible can-do attitude.

Other local part-time work OK. Pets, other than dogs, OK. Details: Chris 021 764 183

7

A round-up sports activities and events the district a Roundup ofof spoRTs acTiviTies ininTHe disTRicT Omaha Beach junior surf 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.

Warkworth Branch Pony Club Twilight Ribbon Arvo for younger riders, November 23, 5.15pm, Warkworth Showgrounds. Low key event that is open to all and the aim is fun and learning. No plaiting required.

Info: wwbponyclub@gmail.com Women’s Centre Rodney Self-defence & physical safety, November 19, 9.30am-4.30pm, Totara Park Hall Warkworth. Tutor, Rana Moir. $10. Bookings required. ganized Simply Or

WANTED TO BUY

Warkworth Gamefish Club Women’s fishing event, followed by Flappers and Gangsters dress-up themed party, Saturday, November 12, 6am-3pm fishing, 3-4pm measure in. Info: Louise 027 425 7224 or Dave 021 886 289 Bootcamp sessions Free sessions at Mahurangi Rugby Club, Mondays and Wednesdays, 6pm. All welcome Mahurangi Rugby Club

ToTalspan Rodney The Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 6pm at the clubrooms. Phone Donna 027 250 3872.

Players, coaches and managers wanted for 2023 Season.

229 sTaTe HigHway 1 Contact: Haden Kose 021 045 1186 or email dor@mahurangirugbyclub.co.nz waRkwoRTH pHone 09 422 3149

WORK WANTED BUILDER LOOKING FOR SMALL JOBS 021 492 939

List sports news FREE by emailing online@localmatters.co.nz

PUBLIC NOTICES

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

WARKWORTH LIONS CLUB RAFFLE RESULTS

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

5 4 2 9

SUPPORTING LOCAL SPORT FOR FIVE YEARS AND RUNNING

Cowboy challenge North Auckland Beginners have-a-go day, Saturday, November 19, 10am-5pm at the Warkworth Showgrounds. A fun, mock competition for beginner riders. Info: cowboychallengena.weebly.com/event-calendar

#2349 #1590 #1158 #2673 #1216 #2834

Judi Roberts Robyn Henry T.Whitmore Trudy Barnett Hayden Taylor Michelle Watkins

Sudoku the numbers game 6

SCOREBOARD THE scorEBoArD ToTalspan Rodney pRoud sponsoRs of

CLEANERS REQUIRED

1

8

7 4

4

2

8

GETGET READY READY

FOR SUMMER FOR SUMMER

6

5

Water courses & charters Gear packages packages & Gear & deals deals Hydrotesting & servicing

MEDIUM

5 6 8 1If it’s local,2 5 let us know!

1 7

SOLUTION page 50

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

www.localmatters.co.nz

www.puzzles.ca

CONTACT TODAY

09 422 3599 dive@nzdiving.co.nz Unit 2, 9/23 Morrison Drive, Warkworth

November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

51

T

he Mahurangi College auditorium has been earning its keep of late, with the prize-giving season in full swing after a two year covid-induced hiatus. Our Cultural Blues Evening was a top class affair, showcasing works from our dance, music, drama and kapa haka programmes. Students performed extracts from artists as diverse as Shakespeare, Ozzy Osbourne and Tchaikovsky, impressing the audience with their creativity. Earlier, our Māori achievers were celebrated at the Māori Success Evening, and our Pacific Evening was also a special event, full of colour and vibrancy.

The Sports Blues Event was also a highlight, with guest speaker Olympian Alicia Hoskin impressing the audience with her story of participation in the kayaking finals.

Congratulations to our new head students for 2023. The head students for 2023 are Grace Richards and Tobey Sykes, while the deputy head students are Cameron Davey and Charlotte O’Connor. We look forward to their contribution to the College, and wish them all the best for 2023. They are a talented group, respected equally by staff and peers, and keen to stamp their mark on the College.

Speaking of head students, it has been great watching the Black Ferns

52

| Mahurangimatters | November 7, 2022

progress in the Rugby World Cup, led by Mahurangi’s own Ruahei Demant, who was one of our head students in 2013. Ruahei is the co-captain, and staring at first five eighth where she always seems to have time and space, the hallmark of a great player. She’s a great example for current students, mixing sporting prowess with academic excellence (she has a law degree) while being humble and unassuming. We look forward to welcoming her back to an assembly in the near future, hopefully with the trophy. Go the Black Ferns!

Cricket made its long awaited comeback at Mahurangi, with an invitational team bolstered by some staff members taking on the boys colts team on the new artificial pitch. The sound of leather on willow reverberated around the campus, with the invitational team recording a solid victory. Teacherin-charge of cricket Anthony Koers is looking forward to growing the sport over the coming seasons.

Senior students are in full study mode, preparing for the upcoming NCEA exams, and we wish them every success.

Tony Giles - PRINCIPAL

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Despite the rain, the Whanau Frenzy (previously known as Interhouse Athletics) was able to go ahead in late October!

Students had a lot of fun dressing up in their house colours, getting very creative with costumes and participated on a rotation of activities together as a whanau.

Teachers also got in on the fun (see super santa and banana man.)

MITRE 10

Photos by Noah Barclay

Congratulations to our Head Students for 2023

ACHIEVER OF THE MONTH

Lucy Butler Charities & Events Executive Prefect Academic Blue NCEA L1 Academic Blue NCEA L2 Excellence Member of Harmony Group World Vision 40 Hour Famine Involved in Mahu Festival of Lights Pictured with Tony Vasconselos Trade Manager

Proudly Supporting Mahurangi College

Cnr Woodcocks Rd & Mansel Drive WARKWORTH Phone 425 8119

www.localmatters.co.nz

November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

53

Singles play draws good field

RAINCLOUD TRUSTED WATER DELIVERY

By a Leigh Bowling Club correspondent

After a slow start to the 2022/23 season, the Leigh Bowling Club is picking up tempo.

Bad weather forced the postponement of the first tournament, the Cameron/Penney triples, but a week after the postponement, the club championship singles were played.

A high number of entries were received, which meant that the two finalists weren’t determined until the close of play on the Sunday. Steve Wallace and Dave Johnstone fronted up the following week and it was a close tussle, coming down to the last bowl.

As Johnstone stepped up with his last bowl, Wallace held two, which should have given him the title. However, Johnstone put his last bowl against the Jack to win the championship.

The club championship pairs was played on October 22 and 23. By Sunday afternoon, the two finalists had been decided. Kerry Hyde and Lyndsay Duncan faced two new club members, David Hickey and Guy Robson. Hyde and Duncan were on top of their game and took out the title.

In other news, the club flag was recently replaced. The new flag displays a crayfish, which is the club logo. The number of crayfish on the reefs off Leigh made this an obvious choice.

There was a disappointing turnout to our first junior coaching and fun games night in late October, but the club will continue with this initiative every Friday at 4.30pm.

EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE. FAST RELIABLE DELIVERY

WE’RE THE FIRST TO BRING YOU

+ Rainfall figures for October 100mm Mangawhai

147.5mm Leigh

139mm Wellsford

126mm Topuni

Whangateau

157mm

Matakana Dome Valley

214mm

Takatu

159mm

Warkworth

163mm

Kaipara Flats

168.5mm

Sandspit

Snells Beach

162mm

124mm

Algies Bay

Spotlight on Warkworth

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

3:46am 3:41am 9:51am 10:12am 4:21pm Tide Tide 4:08pm 10:24pm Times Times 10:31pm

Moon Moon

4:35am 0.5 2.7 4:26am 10:45am 1.0 10:51am 3.2 5:14pm 2.7 4:50pm 0.7 11:14pm 1.2 11:12pm 3.0

6:07am 7:16am 8:03pm 5:39pm

Sun Sun Fishing Fishing Guide Guide

Thu Sat

2:44am 8:36am 3:10pm 9:01pm

5:28am 2.7 5:04am 0.6 11:35am 1.0 11:31am 3.1 6:03pm 2.8 5:32pm 0.8 1.1 11:53pm 2.9

3:36am 9:26am 4:02pm 9:52pm

10:18am 4:28am 10:45pm 4:53pm

12:45am 1.1 12:35am 0.8 7:06am 2.8 6:25am 3.0 1:05pm 0.8 12:54pm 1.0 7:29pm 3.0 7:02pm

6:05am 7:13am 8:07pm 5:41pm

Best Best At At

GF

Tue Sun

11:11am 5:19am 11:38pm 5:44pm

1.0 2.8 2.9 0.9 0.7 2.9 3.1 1.0

Nov Aug16 9

1:29am 1:18am 7:51am 7:10am 1:47pm 1:41pm 8:11pm 7:52pm

6:04am 7:12am 8:08pm 5:42pm

Best Best At At

GF

Wed Mon

Nov Aug15 8

12:04pm 6:08am 6:32pm

2:12am 2:06am 8:35am 8:02am 2:29pm 2:33pm 8:53pm 8:45pm

6:04am 7:11am 8:09pm 5:43pm

Best Best At At

FF

0.9 2.7 3.0 1.0 0.6 2.8 3.2 1.1

Thu Tue

Nov Aug 17 10

12:29am 6:56am 12:55pm 7:18pm

2:56am 2:58am 9:18am 8:59am 3:11pm 3:26pm 9:36pm 9:39pm

6:03am 7:10am 8:10pm 5:44pm

Best Best At At

BG

0.8 2.6 3.1 1.0 0.6 2.7 3.3 1.1

Wed Fri

Nov Aug 18 11

7:41am 1:20am 8:03pm 1:44pm

3:40am 0.7 3:55am 2.6 10:02am 3.2 10:00am 1.1 3:54pm 0.5 4:20pm 2.7 10:21pm 3.3 10:32pm 1.1

6:02am 7:09am 8:11pm 5:44pm

Best Best At At

BG

Thu Sat

Nov Aug 19 12

8:24am 2:09am 8:46pm 2:32pm

4:26am 0.6 4:54am 2.6 10:47am 3.2 10:57am 1.1 4:40pm 0.5 5:12pm 2.8 11:07pm 3.3 11:24pm 1.0

6:02am 7:08am 8:12pm 5:45pm

Best Best At At

BG

Sun Fri

Nov Aug 20 13

9:07am 2:56am 9:28pm 3:20pm

5:12am 0.6 5:50am 2.7 11:34am 3.2 11:50am 1.0 5:29pm 0.5 6:02pm 2.8 3.3 11:56pm 0.9

6:01am 7:07am 8:13pm 5:46pm

Best Best At At

BG

Mon Sat

Nov Aug 21 14

9:50am 3:43am 10:12pm 4:07pm

6:01am 0.6 12:14am 2.8 3.2 12:24pm 6:43am 0.9 6:22pm 0.6 12:39pm 2.9 3.3 6:52pm

6:00am 7:05am 8:14pm 5:47pm

Best Best At At

BG

Tue Sun

Nov Aug 22 15

10:34am 4:31am 10:57pm 4:56pm

0.6 12:47am 1:03am 0.8 6:53am 3.1 7:33am 2.9 1:20pm 0.7 1:27pm 0.8 7:21pm 3.0 7:42pm

6:00am 7:04am 8:15pm 5:48pm

Best Best At At

BG

Wed Mon

Nov Aug 23 16

11:21am 5:21am 11:46pm 5:47pm

1:42am 1:52am 7:50am 8:21am 2:22pm 2:15pm 8:25pm 8:32pm

5:59am 7:03am 8:16pm 5:48pm

Best Best At At

FG

3.2 0.6 0.6 3.1 3.1 0.7 0.8 3.1

Thu Tue

12:12pm 6:14am 6:41pm

3.1 0.5 0.7 3.2 3.0 0.6 0.8 3.2

Nov Aug 25 18

2:41am 2:40am 8:53am 9:09am 3:28pm 3:03pm 9:30pm 9:23pm

5:59am 7:02am 8:17pm 5:49pm

Best Best At At

GG

Wed Fri

Nov Aug 24 17

12:40am 7:10am 1:09pm 7:39pm

3:45am 3.0 3:28am 0.4 9:58am 0.7 9:57am 3.4 4:33pm 3.0 3:54pm 0.5 10:33pm 0.9 10:15pm 3.3

5:59am 7:01am 8:18pm 5:50pm

Best Best At At

GG

Thu Sat

Nov Aug 26 19

1:39am 8:09am 2:10pm 8:40pm

Sun Fri

Nov Aug 27 20

4:50am 3.0 4:17am 0.3 11:02am 0.7 10:47am 3.4 5:34pm 3.1 4:46pm 0.5 11:32pm 0.8 11:07pm 3.3

5:58am 6:59am 8:19pm 5:51pm

Best Best At At

BG

2:42am 9:11am 3:14pm 9:42pm

3.0 0.3 0.7 3.4 3.2 0.5 0.7 3.3

5:58am 6:58am 8:20pm 5:52pm

Best Best At At

BG

®

Best Best At At

BG

10:12am 3:47am 10:42pm 4:20pm

New Last First New Moon Quarter Quarter Moon Set Rise 7:32am 3:42am Set Rise 8:16am 4:39am Set Rise 9:06am 5:33am Rise Rise12:39am 6:23am Rise Rise 1:22am 7:07am Rise Rise 1:58am 7:47am Rise Rise 2:29am 8:21am Rise Rise 2:57am 8:52am Rise Rise 3:23am 9:21am Rise Rise 3:47am 9:50am Rise Rise 10:20am 4:13am Rise Rise 10:52am 4:40am Rise Set 12:54am 5:10am Rise Set 5:47am 2:05am Rise Set 6:31am 3:16am Rise Set 7:26am 4:22am Rise Set 8:31am 5:22am 1:28pm Rise 2:13pm Set 3:05pm Set 4:03pm Set 5:05pm Set 6:10pm Set 7:16pm Set 8:23pm Set 9:29pm Set 4:03pm Set 5:07pm Set 6:15pm Set 7:27pm Set 8:41pm Set 1:01pm Set 2:00pm Rise 3:06pm Rise Set 10:54pm Set 11:50pm Set 10:02am Set 11:00am Set 12:00pm Set 1:00pm Set 2:00pm Set 3:01pm Set 10:36pm Set 11:44pm Rise 11:28am Rise 12:11pm Rise 9:53pm Rise11:02pm *Not *Not for for navigational navigational purposes. purposes.

Mick Fay 54

2.7 12:01am 5:44am 0.7 6:18am 0.9 12:11pm 3.0 2.9 12:21pm 6:16pm 0.9 2.9 6:47pm

RayWhite

Ray White SeaSea Watch Auckland Area Watch

Nov Aug14 7

6:06am 7:14am 8:05pm 5:40pm

Best Best At At

GB

Mon Sat

Nov Aug13 6

6:07am 7:15am 8:04pm 5:40pm

Best Best At At

GB

Sun Fri

Nov Aug12 5

This is suitable for all ages and the whole family is welcome. Children get a free sausage and drink.

The club championship singles were due to be held on November 5 and 6, weatherpermitting, and the Lion Red Triples will be held on November 12.

The main parking area at Tawharanui Regional Park is due to be sealed and reopened in the next two weeks, according to Auckland Council. The carpark and access to the Anchor Bay beach have been closed to vehicles since mid-August, when work started to improve the layout and surface of the parking area, which often becomes congested on busy weekends. A Council spokesperson said contractors were hoping to have the carpark sealed by Friday, November 11, or by the following Friday if there were any unforeseen delays. The improvements have been timed to finish before the peak summer season.

* All figures collected by Mahurangi Matters. Do not reproduce without the permission of Local Matters Inc.

Wed Fri

New flag.

Tawharanui carpark set to reopen

Warkworth’s rainfall total of 163mm last month is about 80mm less than October last year, but still 52mm above the October average of 110mm. In the Dome, 91mm or 42% of the monthly average fell in the last three days of the month. Sandspit had 18 rain days altogether.

Nov Aug11 4

Kerry Hyde (left) and Lyndsay Duncan proved too strong in the championship pairs.

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 | November 7, 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

November 9

Public Meeting to discuss year of celebrations for Warkworth’s 170th anniversary, Bridgehouse Bar, Elizabeth Street, 5.30pm

9

Adult Barefoots – help construct a steampunk steam boat engine from recyclables, Foundation Art Gallery, Leigh, 6.30pm-8pm. Social, fun and encourages creativity. BYO drinks; $25 a session to cover costs.

11

Tea and Talk, Warkworth Museum, 10am-midday. Talk on the history of Warkworth Cottage Hospital, $5 entry – booking advised: warkworthmuseum@xtra.co.nz

11

Rose & Flower Show, Warkworth Town Hall, midday-5pm. Entry $2, under 16 free (see brief p31)

11

Kane Steves, Warkworth RSA, 6.30pm

11

Wellsford Night market, Wellsford Community Centre, 4pm-8pm. Info: wellsfordnightmarkets@gmail.com

12

Warkworth RSA Market, 8am-1pm. Then every 2nd Saturday. Info and booking: warkworthrsamarket@gmail.com

12

Introduction to Group Facilitation with Heidi, Women’s Centre Rodney, Warkworth, 9.30am-4.30pm

12

Oyster and Wine pop-up, Matakana Estate, 11am-4pm (see story p28)

12

Tomarata Guy Fawkes Night, gates open 5pm. ​​Tickets: Pre-sale/online: Child $7, adult $15, family $35. Gate sales: Child $10, adult $20, family $40 (see ad p31)

12

The Dirty Happys, Warkworth Town Hall, 7.30pm. Doors open 7pm. Tickets $20

12

Springboard Fundraiser, 5.30pm-9.30pm. RSVP only dan@springboard.org.nz (see story p13)

12&13 Mangawhai Garden Ramble. Explore a large number of private gardens and estates in the Mangawhai Region. 9am-5pm.

13

Matakana Drum Workshop & Sound Journey, 988 Matakana Road, 12.30pm.

Entry $25 in advance or $30 on the door. Details and tickets: Matakana Drum Workshop on Facebook or text/call 0274 334 627

13

DanceTime Warkworth Concert, Warkworth Town Hall, 3.30pm. Entry $7

14

Communities Supporting Awareness and Readiness Rodney East meet & greet, Mahurangi East Community Centre, 7pm

16

Scholastic book fair, Leigh School, 2-5pm

17

Operatunity Christmas show, Warkworth Town Hall, 11am. Doors open 10am, standard tickets $39, Group of 10+ $35, group of 30+ $34.

17

Late Night at Matakana Estate, 5-8pm

18

Happy Fish, Warkworth RSA, 6.30pm

18

U3A talk on Emissions Trading Scheme by Professor Basil Sharp, Totara Park Village Hall,, 2pm-4pm

19

Self Defence & Physical Safety presented by Women’s Centre Rodney, Totara Park Hall. 9.30am-4.30pm. Tutor Rana Moir. $10

19

Pest Free Open Day, Leigh Community Hall, 10am-12pm

19

Pre-loved Clothing Market, Warkworth Town Hall, 10am-2pm. $25 a table (see p30)

19

Kowhai Singers, Let’s Begin Again, Leigh Community Hall, 7.30pm. Conducted

by Susan Hayday. Entry $10, cash only. (see story p30)

19

Flower Display by Warkworth Floral Art Group, St Leonard’s Church, Matakana, 9am-4pm (see brief p36)

20

Repair Cafe with Mahurangi Wastebusters, Wellsford Community Centre, 1pm-4 pm. A Christmas themed repair day where people are welcome to bring gifts or decorations that need some tickle ups/TLC repairs, or other items in need of repair

21

NZ Blood Service donation day, Warkworth Town Hall, 10am-3pm

21

Community Sing-along, Warkworth Library, 5.30pm

21

Aotango Quintet, A Century of Tango, Warkworth Town Hall, 7.30pm. Tickets $33.30, concessions $25.25 (see ad p30)

23

Craft - Christmas Gift Fun, Women’s Centre Rodney, Morpeth Street, Warkworth, 9.30am-2.30pm. Create Christmas gifts/decorations, $20

24

Kaipara Flats Christmas Night Market, Kaipara Flats Sports Club, 4-8pm

24

Open Mic Night, Matakana Village Pub, 6.30pm

25

Matakantata Concert, Pt Wells Hall, 7.30pm (see story p32)

25

Roger Skinner, Warkworth RSA, 6.30pm

25-27

ART-full weekend, Matakana Village Hall, 10am-4pm. The Kowhai Art and Craft annual exhibition and sale. Free entry. (see story p31)

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 26th November 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

Sunday 12th March 2023

Get Your Ducks in a Row The Barfoot & Thompson Annual Raft Race Returns Family Duck Racing Register Your Team Now! warkworth@barfoot.co.nz

THE CHARITY SAVING LIVES AT SEA

Coast & Country November 7, 2022 | Mahurangimatters |

55

Pitch perfect

for first college

cricket match A match between the school’s 1st XI and an Invitational XI, comprised of seven teachers from five different faculties, marked the opening of Mahurangi College’s new cricket pitch last month.

The invitational team also included principal Tony Giles, four Kaipara Flats cricket club players, and a member of the school’s colts team.

Batting first, the Invitational XI scored 143 for 4 off 17 overs in their hour of batting, with Sam Adams, Liam Jones and Anthony Koers all retiring on 30 runs. Kieran McClintock was the pick of the bowlers for the 1st XI, with two wickets.

In reply, the 1st XI scored 105 for 7 in their hour of batting, with the majority of runs coming from the top three in Kieran McClintock, Andrew McNaughten and

James Webb. Andy Gipps and young Jackson Adams shone with the ball for the Invitational XI. A convincing win to the Invitational XI in the first of what the college hopes will become an annual fixture.

Teacher-in-charge of cricket Anthony Koers says it is the first time in a few years that cricket has been played at the school and it was a good opportunity to make the sport more visible to the wider student body.

“Thanks to the hard work from a core group of parents in the area, junior cricket has seen a huge growth in recent years,” he says. “Mahurangi College hopes to jump on the back of that and offer high school cricket to keen players as they move up through the college.”

Ross Cornes Warkworth resident

1st XI captain and head boy James Webb (left) and teacher-in-charge of cricket Anthony Koers.

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

The convenience of being treated locally and promptly, with hassle-free parking and just a short trip home after surgery, all combined to help us decide to opt for Rodney Surgical.

We were pleasantly surprised by the facilities, and the staff were great – very caring and giving good, clear explanations of what was happening.

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

Or ring Rodney Surgical direct.

The best surgeons offering you day care surgeries right here in Warkworth.

Ask your GP if your day care surgery can be done at Rodney Surgical.

www.rodneysurgicalcentre.co.nz • 09 425 1190 56 | Mahurangimatters | November 7, 2022

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