Hibiscus Matters_Issue 358_16 October 2023

How the Coast voted

Dotteral watch begins ... p9

Scrap over food p3 scrap bins p8

October 16, 2023

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Around 40 adult volunteers and heaps of enthusiastic children descended on Ōrewa Beach School on the last Saturday of the holidays for five hours of tidying, trimming, gardening, painting and a host of other tasks. Local estate agent Ben Gibson, centre in white T-shirt, organised the event as a community extension of his Five Hours of Free Labour initiative. See this story, and more Coast volunteer action, pages 21-23.

Community impacted by centre closure The Ōrewa Community Centre is closing for around four months while seismic strengthening and roof work takes place, leaving regular users of the space scrambling to find alternative venues.

Auckland Council area operations manager Kris Bird says the work is expected to begin by the end of November although the start date remains to be confirmed.

The closure means that the Salt Community Trust will not be able to hold the annual free community Christmas Day

lunch this year.

Salt Trust general manager Nigel Debenham says it intends to provide its foodbank clients with an extra hamper this December and encourage local churches to consider running their own – smaller – dinner events for the local community.

The Citizens Advice Bureau is also among those affected by the plans. Manager Tanya Gouws says CAB was informed last week that it will have to vacate in time for the renovations. It’s now exploring options.

CAB returned to its premises just five months ago, after having to work out of St Chad’s Church in Florence Ave for several months while interim roof repair work was carried out.

“The works will see the weather-tightness of the facility enhanced and the facility made safer in the event of an earthquake,” Bird says. “Once completed, the local community will have an improved facility with an enhanced lifespan which residents can use and enjoy for years to come.”

Council understands that the temporary closure “will be frustrating for some users”.

“We have been in contact with those who

For some users of the centre, the challenge goes further, because even once the work is completed the smaller of the two halls will be out of commission until at least next November, as it’s to be used as a temporary library while Ōrewa Library renovations are underway. (see story p3)

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October 16, 2023 – Issue 358

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Next issue: October 30, 2023 Book your advertising now General manager: Jannette Thompson gm@localmatters.co.nz Editorial: Terry Moore ph 022 019 6569 terry@localmatters.co.nz Patrick Goodenough ph 022 549 8271 news@localmatters.co.nz Advertising: Angela Gallagher ph 022 029 1895 sellit@localmatters.co.nz Leigh Cameron ph 022 096 8517 sales@localmatters.co.nz Graphic design: Lorry McCarthy hibiscus@localmatters.co.nz A division of Local Matters. Hibiscus Matters is a locally owned publication, circulated to more than 22,450 homes and businesses fortnightly: Pūhoi • Waiwera • Hatfields • Ōrewa • Silverdale • Millwater • Dairy Flat • Red Beach • Whangaparāoa Peninsula Views expressed in Hibiscus Matters are not necessarily endorsed by the publishers. All rights reserved. Reproduction without editor’s permission is prohibited.

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have regular bookings to advise that they will not be able to use the facility during the shutdown.”

Some users have voiced that frustration, saying council gave them just a few weeks’ notice, and that some of the alternatives it suggested were unsuitable.

The Great Big Rescued Food Cook Off, a cooking competition featuring rescued food originally scheduled for November 10, has been postponed until next March, as organisers couldn’t find another venue with suitable kitchen facilities, says Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste coordinator Sarah Williams.

Similarly affected is the Repair Café, although Williams says an alternative venue is being sought.

“It was really disappointing to not have been given more notice and it’s been quite stressful trying to find alternative venues for both events,” she says. “Presumably such a large refurbishment has been planned for a long time.”

Lynn Aubrey, who leads exercise classes in the large hall for over-50s twice a week, says

council suggested the Wainui Community Hall as an alternative.

But that’s a 14km drive from the community centre, and “because we’re a senior group and a lot of people walk to my class, we needed to stay locally.”

She has managed to find a venue nearby, although the group of around 30 will be “squished” into a far smaller space.

“It’s very inconvenient – they would have known months ago that they were going to do this,” Aubrey says. “I’m very disappointed.”

Brian Barton, who has led weekly Tai Chi classes in the smaller hall for 10 years, has been told it won’t be available until November 2024.

Council suggested Wainui Community Hall as an alternative, but he says that would be too far for some of the class, all of whom are older people.

A longer notice period “would have been nice”, says Barton, who has found an alternative venue nearby.

For 20 years Shelley Elmsly’s Creative Dance Ōrewa has used the small hall four

times weekly. The classes draw around 180 children and adults over the course of the week.

Council gave her four weeks’ notice, saying the venue could not be used until November 2024. After scouting around, she will now hold some classes at Centrestage and some at the Ōrewa Community Church.

“It is what it is,” Elmsly says. “Creative Dance always moves forward with positivity. Covid didn’t stop us, and this won’t either.”

The leader of another exercise group for seniors, who asked not to be named, says council suggested Takapuna War Memorial Hall as an alternative venue, but she has found another venue locally.

“There is complexity around planning this project and the start date depends on a number of factors,” says council’s Kris Bird. “Once we confirmed an approximate timeframe to start, we informed those with regular bookings about the upcoming temporary closure. We empathise with those users for whom the temporary closure will be inconvenient.”

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Whangaparāoa seat earns biggest majority for National Whangaparāoa has emphatically reelected National’s Mark Mitchell to be its MP for a fifth term, handing him the biggest majority in the country.

Mitchell has represented the area ever since taking over from Lockwood Smith in 2011.

His lead as a local candidate, which had hovered around the 20,000 mark, was slashed to just 7823 in 2020 with a change to electorate boundaries and voters swinging to Labour. Last election Labour also got more party votes than National in this electorate.

This election, as elsewhere in the country, that swing was reversed with the National party 14,305 votes ahead of its nearest rival, Labour, in Whangaparāoa and Mitchell 19,300 votes ahead of Labour’s local candidate, Estefania Muller Pallarès.

Votes for Act NZ remained almost the same as in 2020 – 4827, coming in third in Whangaparāoa.

The Greens were fourth in this area, only around 100 votes ahead of NZ First. In the candidate stakes, however, the Greens Lorraine Newman was around 600 votes ahead of Act’s Simon Angelo – NZ First’s candidate Janina Massee having withdrawn

her candidacy.

Among National’s campaign promises was to 4-lane the O Mahurangi Penlink road and to revisit the tolling of the road, a decision made by former Transport Minister Michael Wood.

Speaking the morning after the election, Mitchell said with O Mahurangi Penlink already under construction, those changes were top of his priority list and will no doubt require some tough conversations with Waka Kotahi.

He spent election night at a function at Northern Arena in Silverdale before heading to Shed 10 to join the National celebrations.

He says he never takes a win in Whangaparāoa for granted.

“You have to earn that support,” he says.

With a Ministerial position, in Police, likely, he says he will have to make sure his electorate office in Ōrewa is able to provide the service the community wants.

“I learned the importance of that balance of Wellington with back home when I was Minister of Defence,” he says.

Second place candidate Estefania Muller Pallarès says she knew she was in the toughest blue seat, but is very proud of the

Mark Mitchell

movement that she and her team built on the ground.

“You have definitely not seen the last of me,” she says.

Indications from preliminary results are that the voter turnout in Whangaparāoa was a little down on last election, with special votes still to be counted.

Muller Pallarès has a focus on encouraging

the youth vote and says she will be interested to see the numbers, but judging from the turnout to local election candidate events, there is “some work to do” in getting local young people to vote.

Note: These are preliminary results, with official results to be declared on November 3. For final results go to www.electionresults. govt.nz

Timeline bookmarked for Ōrewa library’s transformation Ōrewa Library will close in March next year for an estimated nine months, while upgrading and repair work is carried out to turn the outdated building into a modern community space.

Auckland Council head of community delivery, Darryl Soljan, says that during that period, library services will relocate to Ōrewa Community Centre, where the same opening hours and access to council services will be provided.

The upgrade includes the building of a mezzanine floor. There will be a meeting room available for a variety of purposes, including local board meetings. Soljan says the meeting room is unlikely to be big enough for larger public meetings.

The work is funded by the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, but it appears that the dates for construction were locked in by Council before the board made a final decision to proceed, and signed off the plans.

Council staff brought two options to a local board workshop in April – one including a mezzanine floor, with a budget of $3.048 million, and one without a mezzanine, budgeted at $1.508 million – the smaller

amount had already been allocated by the local board (HM, April 17).

The library was designed and constructed between May 1995 and June 1996. It is the seventh most-visited of Auckland’s 56 libraries and the fourth busiest in terms of the number of items checked out. Staff told members that it no longer meets the needs of current and future service priorities, citing a “cramped and crowded” layout, especially in the front of house, where staff and customers interact in a high-traffic area.

They said the complexity of the curved roof design has made maintenance difficult, and with water egress causing localised damage, a full roof replacement is the best option.

Members were positive about the renovation plans and what could be gained from adding a mezzanine floor. They were also impressed that such a transformation could be completed for an estimated $3m.

However, they cannot make decisions at workshops and expressed the need to see the final design before signing off the project at a later business meeting. They wanted to be sure the floor plan would cater for the community’s needs, and to look at budgets to find the extra money for

Ōrewa library is to be transformed next year, requiring a nine-month relocation of its services to the community hall.

the additional floor.

The matter has not been brought back to a business meeting, and local board chair Gary Brown was therefore surprised to discover from our reporter that construction of the more expensive option

was to begin in March. However, he says he hopes the board will see the plans soon “to ensure that everything’s okay”.

Soljan says that the timeline, schedule of works and final cost may change as the project progresses.

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Above, A Fullers ferry operating on the reduced timetable leaves Gulf Harbour. Right, Stickers for sale at the save the ferry public meeting. The reduced ferry timetable took effect on October 1.

Ferry group hopes alternative provider can be found A community meeting held on September 28 is the latest in a series of gatherings focusing attention on the dire straits that the Gulf Harbour ferry is in.

Around 80-90 people attended the meeting at Gulf Harbour Yacht Club. Auckland Transport (AT) was not invited.

Attention focused on whether an alternative provider to Fullers 360 could be found to run the service. AT was recently able to contract the Explore Group for the Bayswater, Birkenhead and Northcote Point services abandoned by Fullers 360, so could it be persuaded to do something similar for the Gulf Harbour service, despite the fact that the AT/Fullers contract for Gulf Harbour runs until 2028?

This latest public meeting came three days before a new slashed-back timetable took effect (HM October 2), leaving just two return sailings in the morning and two return sailings in the evening between Gulf Harbour and the city. There are no ferries during the rest of the day, and none at weekends.

AT has laid on replacement weekday buses between Gulf Harbour and Britomart, two in the morning and three in the evening.

By comparison to the 50 minute ferry trip, the replacement buses are scheduled to take 80 minutes.

The drastic reduction in sailings, which

is expected to continue for 14-18 months while Fullers trains new crew, followed two years of service cancellations, running, at worst, at around 50 percent.

The longer-term outlook for the ferry service is uncertain, too: in its draft Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP), AT proposed cancelling it from 2028, replaced with improved bus services.

Attendees at the meeting declared their support for AT severing its contract with Fullers, putting in place an alternative provider, and withdrawing its plan in the draft RPTP to kill off the service.

“If Explore can take over those other routes, what can we do for our community?” asked group spokesperson Anna Thorburn. “We want to see these ferry services reinstated.

Four trips to and from the city a day is not enough.”

“Fullers are letting AT down,” said Hibiscus and Bays Local Board chair Gary Brown.

“If Fullers can pull out of contractual obligations to service the Gulf Harbour route, why can’t AT pull out of the contract for Gulf Harbour, and put a new operator in there?”

The meeting also heard from Albany Ward councillors Wayne Walker and John Watson on their efforts to prod AT into taking action in the short and longer terms.

Walker told the meeting that several ferry

operators had expressed interest in taking over the route from Fullers (HM September 4), including the Wellington Electric Boatbuilding Company, and a company operating in the Hauraki Gulf, which he did not want to name.

Outlining priorities for the campaign to save the ferry, Walker said first the existing service needs to be restored – and “in order for that to happen, Fullers need to relinquish their contract.”

The proposal to drop the Gulf Harbour service altogether must be removed from the RPTP, he added.

AT’s contract signed with Fullers last year remains under wraps, although it’s understood to have been worth $351 million for Gulf Harbour and three other ferry routes.

In response to Hibiscus Matters’ questions, AT Metro Contracts manager, Gareth Willis, said while the contract with Fullers 360 is in place [until 2028] an alternative operator wouldn’t be able to take over the service unless both parties agreed to a subcontracting arrangement and a suitable operator was found.

“However we are engaging with the wider market to identify any suitable alternatives who may be open to discussions with Fullers360 about subcontracting for the Gulf Harbour route,” Willis said.

Willis said AT was also “assessing contract mechanisms to encourage Fullers360 to find a solution to the Gulf Harbour situation”.

He did not elaborate, but in response to questions put to AT by members of the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board at a briefing last month, AT said Fullers was being financially penalised for not operating the full Gulf Harbour timetable.

Asked about the current ferry and bus replacement services, Willis said AT appreciated it was a challenging time for those relying on the ferry to travel to the city.

He said AT was committed to restoring full timetables for the ferry route as soon as possible.

AT was constantly reviewing the performance of the replacement bus service and would look at whether tweaks were needed to make it a more reliable and useful option, he said.

Providing a glimmer of hope is the fact that, after receiving more than 1300 submissions in response to the proposal to end the service in 2028, AT agreed to commission a study into Whangaparāoa public transport (HM September 4). As a result, when the RPTP is adopted in November, it is expected to hold off on a decision on the shutdown plan, pending the outcome of that study next year.

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Hibiscus Coast Artists

Viewpoint

Art Exhibition and Sales Paintings by a group of Artists based in Stanmore Bay

Gary Brown, Hibiscus & Bays Local Board chair gary.brown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

20-22 October, 2023 10am-4pm

‘Oliver’s office’ open Although my family and I have lived on the Hibiscus Coast for many years, there is never a day that goes by that I don’t appreciate the fantastic facilities and community that we have in our area.

Your local board is doing everything in its power to advocate and convince NZTA and Auckland Transport to reconsider its plan not to fund the bus terminal at the Whangaparāoa end of Penlink.

As a standing joke amongst my friends, you’ll often hear them say that if you’re looking for me, you’ll find me at my “Oliver’s Café office” however, I do believe that it’s important that I’m available and accessible to people to discuss any items of interest they may wish to share – perhaps more elected representatives should do the same. Make sure you say ‘hi’ if you see me at Oliver’s early in the morning!

With having been involved and associated with many types of sporting and community groups over the past few decades, it’s always great to see these develop into stronger and extremely well run organisations especially as our population grows exponentially. Hopefully in the near future there will be a continuance of building community facilities to accommodate the many community groups as the population increases as predicted.

I think a lot of us are facing uncertain times, especially dealing with increasing inflation costs and rising mortgage interest rates, and so on. I can assure you that the Hibiscus and Bays Local board is no exception. We definitely have been faced with the difficult task of being fair and also balancing the funding for so many projects that we wanted to achieve. I have always stated that as a local board, we must have transparency and be accountable especially when it comes to the annual funding, and this year especially we have had to make some hard decisions to ensure that the funding is put to the best use for the majority of the community.

On a positive note, it is extremely pleasing to see the Penlink development well and truly underway and you will notice the very prominent excavation work on the Northern motorway and also beside Whangaparāoa Rd (opposite New World) at Stanmore Bay.

Ōrewa Community Centre 40-46 Ōrewa Square, Ōrewa

On a personal note, I have now finished my two-year position as president of the North Harbour Referee Association and looking forward to the entertainment side of things as it’s starting to pick up for the Christmas season, which naturally gives me an opportunity to separate from the stress council obligations.

A few days ago, I was very honoured to be awarded the Agnew Award of Excellence 2023 at the Variety Artists Club Benny Awards in Auckland. This was a very humbling experience and I do have to thank Tracey, my wife, and the family for putting up with all those years of traveling and entertaining all over NZ and internationally.

Finally I wish everyone a fantastic and relaxed holiday season coming this year and I’m sure we’ll catch up sometime soon at my Oliver’s Café office.

Staff increases needed after significant Council cuts

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

Auckland Council chief executive says staff will need to increase in some areas to meet demands for service. At the Governing Body meeting on September 28, acting chief executive Phil Wilson gave an update on council’s position with some concerns about how lean the organisation was running with regard to staff. He said while there were pressures on savings there

are also pressures to deliver council’s core services. He acknowledged media around the $8 million redundancy bill at council.

“We are down by 420 full time employees.

That is a consequence of 335 redundancies and the balance being vacancies being retired.” He said that low staffing numbers could compromise council’s ability to open services where rosters had gaps and more animal control officers would be needed as requests for service increase. Low staffing in key areas is expected to be raised as a part of council’s long term plan.

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YourOpinion

Contributions to this page are welcome but letters under 250 words are preferred. We reserve the right to abridge as necessary. Unabridged versions can be read at www. localmatters.co.nz/opinion Letters should be sent to terry@localmatters.co.nz or 21 Florence Ave, Ōrewa 0931. Note: We do not publish abusive or unsigned letters.

Girls arrested for bus station assault

No nod for name

Regarding the Milldale street name article (HM October 2), being kind has its drawbacks. We can no longer have the enjoyment of mocking what I may see, in my ignorance, as silly behaviour. When Māori address regional or local boards, the members begin nodding their heads in synchronised unison and when a member of the public questions the voice of the iwi the board starts shaking their heads. They have become the nodders and shakers – no longer the movers and shakers. Ngati Manuhiri’s kind proposal to gift the street name Honohono Avenue instead of the easily understood Parklink name should not get the nod.

Geoff Hansen, Hatfields Beach (abridged)

Two girls, aged 14 and 15, recently appeared in the North Shore Youth Court after an assault was reported to Police at the Hibiscus Coast Bus Station in Silverdale. The assault happened on Wednesday, October 4 at around 8pm.

Youth Aid Sergeant Jon Williams says the offenders were taken into custody two days after the assault was reported.

The pair were both charged with assault with intent to injure and were scheduled to reappear in court on October 11.

Vegie votes are in

Bus station departs

Just another kick in the teeth for public transport on the Hibiscus Coast – the news in your October 2 paper that the bus station at the Whangaparāoa Road end of Penlink is gone-burgers. Why oh why do this area’s public and alternative transport (cycleways) needs get constantly put to one side? This area simply cannot take any more development until that key infrastructure is in place.

David Andrews, Manly

The public change room/toilet block at Ōrewa Beach is getting a facelift, in time for summer.

Brazilian artist Noila Souza, now living in New Zealand, approached Auckland Council with a proposal and concept sketch, says area operations manager Kris Bird. Hibiscus and Bays Local Board supported the designs. The cost to complete the work is $5740.

Club president Linda Mellor, left awards the Ellen Boyce Memorial Trophy to Betty Goss. Betty Goss’ entry won the Best Exhibit award.

Voting has been on everyone’s mind, and along with a general election, there has been a chance to vote for your favourite, and least favourite, vegetables. The inaugural poll, held as a bit of fun by Yates, saw around 4500 people cast their votes from across NZ. Results are in and the tomato topped the poll with a clear majority. However, the winning ‘vegetable’ also comes with a rider, that tomato is actually a fruit.

Broccoli and kumara came in second and third. The notorious Brussel sprout was not named the ‘Most Hated Vegie.’ That dubious honour was taken out by kale which ironically has risen to popularity in recent years.

The traditional cow-fodder reached superfood status a few years ago due to its range of beneficial nutrients including antioxidants, vitamins and iron. However its flavour and texture has provided a challenge for some. The second most hated vegetable was okra, followed by broadbeans.

Ōrewa spring show brings riot of colour Stylish at 100

Cutting a colourful figure at the Maygrove Village is Jose Jones, who turned 100 early this month. Showing off the sartorial style that hints at her early career as a milliner, Jose attributes her longevity to healthy eating, saying she has always had veggie gardens. The eldest of six siblings – two sisters live locally – she was married in 1947 to Rhys, a farmer, and the couple had three children. Rhys died in 1989 aged 68. Jose has lived in Ōrewa for 20 years. At Maygrove, she indulges her love of reading and collecting.

Spring had definitely sprung when the Ōrewa Garden Club held its Spring Show in mid-September.

The 118 exhibits by club members produced a riot of colour, shapes, designs and much more, bringing the St John’s Catholic Church hall to life.

While independent judges were considering their verdicts, club members wandered down to Lillian Place to view four compact but remarkable gardens in the new cul de sac development.

“It’s amazing what you can include in small

spaces without it looking overplanted,” says club president Linda Mellor.

Upon returning to the church hall, members were able to view the final category awards, which were being judged by Murray Silverstone and Linda Rollitt from Bunnings Warehouse Silverdale – both well known to club members as they are very involved with the Garden Centre there.

Critiquing the exhibits, Murray and Linda were thoroughly impressed by the standard, Linda says. “They said they would be hard pressed to grow some of the exhibits as well

as the members had done.”

Special mention was given to Betty Gray for her ‘Kaka Beak’ exhibit as the shrubs are “hard to grow and are especially liked by the many bugs that hang around our gardens”, she says.

The Ellen Boyce Memorial Cup, given to the entry earning the most overall points was won by Betty Goss, who also took out the Best Exhibit trophy.

“A great day was had by all and both judges did so well that the executive and members have asked them back again next year.”

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Shaven-headed show of support Almost two dozen members of the emergency services on October 1 joined a senior Hato Hone St John colleague from the Hibiscus Coast in shaving their heads and facial hair in a show of solidarity with his young daughter, recently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

“Amelia was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in early August this year which came as a massive shock to our family,” said Andrew Everiss, Hato Hone St John district operations manager for Auckland.

Treatment for the condition – a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects white blood cells – generally includes chemotherapy, whose side effects include hair loss.

“When we got the diagnosis I made a promise to Amelia that when she lost her hair I would shave my head. She requested a Mohawk, and how could I say no?”

When he mentioned this to friends, Zhann Smith of Hato Hone St John and Michael Upton of Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), the response was, “if you are doing it then we all do it.”

Welcome Back Celebration

“As a family we were then informed that Zhann and Michael, along with multiple colleagues and friends from Hato Hone, FENZ, Police and Defence were going to shave their heads in support of Amelia at an event hosted by West Harbour FENZ station,” Andrew said.

“On the day 20 people shaved their heads, moustaches and eyebrows for Amelia to show her just how much support she has and we do as a family from our Emergency Services whānau.

“Unfortunately Amelia was not able to attend due to her lack of immunity, but the team had a live link set up, so she did not miss a thing.”

Andrew said the support shown to the family has been “truly amazing”.

“Special thanks to our friends and whānau, Hato Hone St John, FENZ, Police, and Defence for their continued support and love during this time.”

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He also praised the “truly spectacular” oncology team at Starship Hospital who have been caring for Amelia, saying they “have made our journey so far as comfortable as it can be”.

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October 16, 2023 | Hibiscusmatters |

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Scrap over food scraps rollout

Auckland Council’s new food scrap bins will be delivered across the Hibiscus Coast from this week (Oct 16), with the first collections starting from the week beginning October 30.

A total of 41,255 households in the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area are in line to receive the small outside bin, a kitchen caddy, starter pack of compostable pink bin liners, and an information booklet.

Council’s waste solutions general manager Parul Sood said the diversion of food scraps from landfill will be the equivalent carbon emissions saving to taking 10,000 medium sized cars off the road a year.

The programme, which is being financed via a new targeted rate charge on all ratepayers (regardless of whether they use it or not), has not been without controversy.

When council in June set rates for the year, several councillors, including the two representing Albany Ward, voted against the measure, arguing that ratepayers should not be forced to pay for a service many carry out themselves already.

“I am certainly supportive of the principle of recycling but I do not support a programme that charges everyone when there are significant numbers of Aucklanders who already deal with their food scraps in a more affordable, sustainable and financially prudent way,” Cr Wayne Walker said at the time.

Among other issues raised were concerns that the small bins could be blown around by the wind, and that trucking the scraps to a plant at Reporoa in the Waikato – 270 kilometres from Auckland city – would produce unnecessary carbon emissions.

Sood said the scraps will be treated at the plant through a process called anaerobic digestion technology, breaking them down

Tips for using the bins

into biogas (which will be captured and converted into renewable energy), and nutrient liquid fertiliser (which will be used on farmland).

“Once fully operational, the plant will process 75,000 tonnes of organic material each year, including food scraps from Auckland and other councils.”

The annual rates charge for the 2023/2024 food scraps collection service is $77.20 per property. For those areas where the service was not yet underway when the rates year began on July 1, a partial charge has been applied. For Coast ratepayers, this means a charge of $51.47 in the 2023/2024 year.

“You will still pay for the food scraps collection service through a targeted rate charge whether you accept the bin and use the service or not,” Sood said. “If you pay property rates in an area covered by the service, you cannot opt out of the

charge. This is the same as for our roadside recycling bin service. Both of these services contribute to the public good, providing a benefit to the city by reducing the amount of waste going to landfill.”

“We encourage our customers to give the food scraps service a try,” she added. “We estimate the food scraps collection service will divert 40,000 tonnes of Auckland’s food waste per year, allowing this material to be processed in a way that helps our environment.”

“The new food scraps service is a way for residents to make a difference and help protect the environment in quite a simple way,” Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said in an earlier statement. “It makes sense that food scraps are collected and converted into a renewable resource used to grow more food, and at the same time, reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.”

Households are asked to place any and all food scraps into the bins, including meat, bones, bread, pasta, rice, vegetable peelings, egg shells, dairy products, coffee grounds and tea leaves.

Not permitted are plastic bags, food wrapping and containers, clothing, nappies, pet waste, liquids and chemicals, cigarette butts and garden waste.

Food scrap bins (but not the kitchen caddies) should be put out on the same day as the usual weekly rubbish collection, and be placed to the side of other bins, rather than behind, in front or between them.

The bins feature a handle which should be left upright – this both locks the bin (in order to prevent spillage if it is knocked or blown over) and makes it easier for collection to take place.

The compostable bin liners are intended to help keep the kitchen caddy clean and reduce smells. Liners will be available in rolls of 20 from council service centres, libraries and selected supermarkets and dairies, at a cost of $2.80.

Householders may use alternative bin liners, as long as they are compostable, or can line their caddies with paper bags, paper towels or newspaper.

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Beach goers are reminded to play their part in protecting the rare birds now nesting in and around Big Manly beach.

Signs are good as Manly’s dotterels nest again Rare dotterels are making themselves ever more at home at Big Manly beach, remaining there after the nesting season is over, and making new nests this season.

A team of devoted volunteer Dotterel Minders, supported by Jenny Hanwell of Forest and Bird, have been keeping a close eye on them.

Experienced minder Derek Kelsey says the pair (known as EDS) that successfully raised and fledged two chicks at the east end of the beach last season, and the pair named CX (that lost all their chicks) have been resident all winter.

Throughout the winter months as many as 12 birds were seen along the beach at the same time – including the two resident pairs and three other unmarked pairs – so the minders could be in for a busy summer.

At one stage, it was thought that the male bird of the CX pair had lost a leg, however close scrutiny revealed that the leg was injured but intact. Volunteers have now nicknamed him ‘Limpy’ but he seems to

have fully recovered and is taking an active part in sitting on the three eggs that the pair has in a nest on private land at the west end of the beach.

“The property is surrounded by a fence big enough to keep dogs away, so they are well protected at present,” Derek says. “We are not sure when the eggs were laid, so can only guess as to when they might hatch.

We have our fingers crossed for them as they have not yet succeeded in raising any chicks to fledging stage.”

The other resident, EDS pair, are showing signs that they too will be nesting soon on private land, although the site is more exposed than the other nest. This pair have not laid eggs as yet.

The Dotterel Minders are already active and keeping watch on progress and have installed signs warning beach goers, especially dog walkers, that there are rare nesting birds on the beach.

More signs will be added soon.

Anyone interested in helping the group can call Derek, 021 032 6878.

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October 16, 2023 | Hibiscusmatters |

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Green scene John Stewart, SOSSI info@sossi.org.nz

Sharing Shakespear’s spaces Shakespear Regional Park includes three major bays, each with features offering visitors a range of experiences. Army Bay is sandy, north-facing and the most exposed of the three. The largest is Okoromai Bay, which faces south, is relatively sheltered and very shallow. Te Haruhi Bay also faces south, is sandy and offers deeper water than Okoromai. Depending on the prevailing wind direction and tides, visitors can usually find somewhere for swimming, sunbathing, barbecues or water sports.

The three bays also offer a range of facilities for birds and they, too will have their preferences. The bays host everything from very large black swans/kakīānau and Canada geese/kuihi to small waders like banded dotterel/pohowera and other species including lots of kingfishers/kotare.

When the tide is out, Okoromai becomes a large area of mudflats with marine plants on the surface and shellfish, marine worms and other creatures buried in the mud. Night or day, this is when the shorebirds arrive and will be busy feeding until the incoming tide displaces them. Those with keen eyesight or binoculars will spot a wide range of low-tide feeders including pied stilts/poaka down from the nearby wetlands, New Zealand dotterels/tūturiwhatu, variable and pied oystercatchers/tōrea pango and tōrea, and bar-tailed godwits/kuaka which will be here for our summer but migrate to Alaska to breed. Herons, geese, swans, ducks and gulls will also be feeding. Each species will have

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It’s unfortunate that the bays are so attractive to both humans and wildlife and that we sometimes arrive in such numbers that the birds are displaced. However, if we are willing to share and to make allowances so the hungry birds can get enough time on the shore and space for their nests, they will survive and prosper, and we will be rewarded by opportunities to enjoy their presence.

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Te Haruhi Bay seems to fall between the other two in terms of low-tide feeding, but it does have sand and dunes at the top of the beach where tōrea pango and tūturiwhatu will build their nests. When the chicks hatch, and before they can fly, they are able to find sufficient food on the tideline. In recent years a pair of kakīānau have nested behind the beach and raised their family nearby.

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Army Bay seems less hospitable. Although there are often flocks of red-billed gulls/ tarāpunga and black-backed gulls/karoro, which will happily supplement natural food with anything they can scavenge from human visitors, the waders, swans and ducks don’t seem so keen, probably because the sandy beach is steeper and doesn’t provide accessible food.

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its own preferred diet and what they can access depends on the length and shape of their bills and the length of their legs. Some will feed when the tide is in by diving or upending.

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Millwater author sees decades-old dream realised A novel that sat unfinished for 20 years, and then languished unpublished for as long again, has finally come to life for its Millwater-based author.

Anna Hendry’s The Locket, a post-war romance touched by a life of travel that included childhood years in Singapore and a teenaged foray through swinging 60s London, is now on the shelves.

It’s the story of a young woman raised in England by her grandparents and believing herself to be an orphan until “her mother’s old locket, a faded memory, and a mysterious bank account lead Emma to the colourful, exotic world of Singapore in search of answers to her past”.

The daughter of an army officer, Anna’s early life took her from Wellington to Auckland, Victoria, Waiouru and Christchurch before the family moved to Malaya, where aged 11 she began two years of boarding school in Singapore.

Very different from today’s modern metropolis, it was a place she quickly grew to love, and it was little surprise that when, much later, she began formulating ideas for a novel, it would be set partially in that part of the world.

From Malaya the family returned to Wellington before Anna spent a year in London in 1967. “I just loved it – the miniskirts and boots – it was absolutely fabulous.”

She secured a job in radio, where she worked as a copywriter and voice-over artist in Wellington and Auckland before getting married and taking time off to start a family. In 1979, she decided it was time to start working on a story she had long been thinking about.

“I’d always thought that one day I’d love to write a book, so I sat down to write it,

Anna has meanwhile completed a second novel, and is eight chapters into a third, set in Devon.

She loves Millwater, where she has lived for nine years.

“Of all the places that I’ve lived in the world, and all the homes I’ve had, I wouldn’t leave here for anything.”

Anna Hendry

but when you’ve got a three-year-old and a little baby, there’s not a lot of time.”

Using a borrowed typewriter, she wrote chapter one, quickly realising that it would be very different from writing a 30-second, 75-word radio commercial. When the typewriter was reclaimed, “I put it aside in a manila folder, in a drawer, and there it sat.”

Anna returned to work, and a full life which among other things saw her scoring cricket matches for New Zealand. Twenty years passed before she picked up the project again, this time using a computer at her North Shore home.

“While gardening, I’d be working mentally on The Locket – the perfect way to write a book.”

The novel was finished in 2000, but then

Anna’s life took an unexpected jolt when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

The disease put her in a wheelchair.

Over the following years, Anna looked into the possibility of self-publishing, but then her husband Allan said to her, “This book is good enough – you should be able to get it published.”

While she was looking online for literary agents, up popped an ad for a UK-based publisher, looking for new authors. Twenty months and a lot of work later, a package containing the first 25 copies of her freshlyminted novel arrived at her home.

Her reaction on first picking up the book?

“Yay! It’s real. A dream that had been in my head for so long, and suddenly there it was!”

Book giveaway

Hibiscus Matters has one copy of The Locket to give away. To go into the draw, ‘like’ Hibiscus Matters on Facebook and message us your name and phone number with The Locket in the message.

Please note we are unable to take postal entries this time, as our office is closed due to refurbishment. Entries close on Friday, November 3. The Locket (Pegasus, Elliot, MacKenzie) is available locally through PaperPlus and Mighty Ape, and at online booksellers.

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October 16, 2023 | Hibiscusmatters |

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O MAHURANGI - PENLINK

Main Construction Begins on New Highway

We have an opportunity to improve how we deliver transportation projects, especially when it comes to using resources wisely and reducing waste. One way we are doing this is by using hybrid machines on site.

Our goal is to make changes that will leave a lasting, positive legacy in the community and wider industry.

Read more on our Sustainability Targets:

www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/penlink/sustainability

October 2023 is a milestone for the project with the start of main construction works.

This earthworks season, we plan to move 400,000 cubic metres of earth while also managing erosion and sediment controls.

We appreciate your patience as some work will impact our neighbours and other road users.

Construction of the temporary platform on the western side of Wēiti River is also underway. This platform will enable us to build the

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Iwi partners Ngāti Manuhiri at the Hurihia te Whenua | Sod Turning in December 2022.

What’s in a Name?

In 2021, our Mana Whenua partners gifted the name O Mahurangi to the project.

Scan the QR code to subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter:

North to Silverdale

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East Coast Road o rk a re a

Exploring Sustainable Solutions

Wēiti Bridge. Noise will be heard on both sides of the river during this work. Works on the Whangaparāoa side of the river will be more noticeable to residents on the Peninsula.

Ara Wēiti Road

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Hybrid machinery used on one of our construction sites.

We are building a new seven kilometre highway between Whangaparāoa Road and State Highway 1. The highway will create a more resilient network and get people where they need to go faster.

The name recognises the ancestress Mahurangi, a tohunga (priestess) who lived in Hawaiiki. Mahurangi’s powers are said to have enabled the construction of the great voyaging waka Tainui.

Traffic Changes Coming to East Coast Road

When waka Tainua arrived at what is now known as Wenderholm Regional Park in around 1200, they gave the name Mahurangi to a small island next to the Maungatauhoro headland. The island’s name gave rise to the harbour in which it sits, and eventually to the wider district and the Crown’s land purchase.

As works ramp up, there will be lower speed limits and a raised level crossing with traffic lights. This is so construction vehicles can safely cross East Coast Road. The traffic lights will remain green until a construction vehicle needs to cross.

October brings us the start of a new earthworks season. You will soon see work beginning on the first bridge (there are six along the alignment) at East Coast Road.

Please drive to the conditions. Consider our workers’ safety and abide to the temporary speed limits.

0800 7365 465 | www.nzta.govt.nz/penlink | omahurangi@nzta.govt.nz

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A better way to ‘do death’ Treza Gallogly is gently challenging the perception that conversations about death and dying are awkward and often avoided.

Treza is an end-of-life doula, a concept still relatively new in New Zealand, though better established in some parts of the world.

A doula – the word is ancient Greek for a female slave – is a woman (usually) who comes alongside a person and family and offers support, practical and otherwise, during a significant life event, such as a birth, miscarriage or end of life.

Western culture has moved away from the idea of “compassionate communities”, she says.

Speaking ahead of a public talk she will be giving at Whangaparāoa library on October 28, Treza says that until around the early 1900s, people tended to die at home, with the body kept at home until the burial.

“About a hundred years ago it all changed. When people died at home, funeral directors started taking care of their bodies away from the home. Kids grew up not knowing anything about death. We all stopped talking about it.”

“This idea of ‘compassionate communities’ is that we take the care of our sick and dying back into our communities.”

Treza says we have much to learn from other cultures, pointing for example to the Māori tangi and Irish wake.

“There can be a lot of healing that happens when somebody dies if you keep their body at home for two or three days, and have lovely ritual and conversation before they go to their final resting place.”

“There’s a lot to be learned by just having that time to grieve and mourn and to touch and sit with our person. I think that helps in the long run.”

A doula’s role is not a medical one. Treza says they can help in practical ways when end of life is approaching – for example, coordinating with family members and health agencies, getting equipment in, or helping to organise meals.

They can also offer support in spiritual, cultural, social and emotional spheres, walking beside a person and their family – supporting them with whatever they need, so they can talk about their fears, or sometimes “just being with them and holding their hand”.

The fundraising team and helpers at last year’s event: front row, from left, Anne Hawes, Lyn Hodgkiss, Penny Goodman and Sheryl Wilson. Back row, from left, Pauline Sargisson, Lesley Masters and Robin Holding.

Fundraiser aims to beat last year’s tally

Treza Gallogly

Treza underwent nursing training after leaving school before pursuing a career in television production and international trade, and bringing up a family. She had always wanted to do something “more compassionate”, and during Covid felt that, “if I’m going to do something, now is the time”.

For three months she supported a friend dying from cancer. “Little did I realise but what I was doing was this role of a doula for her, being her advocate, empowering her to make informed decisions about her care.”

She then took a hospice course and doula training.

“I absolutely love it, and feel that I’ve been able to make such a difference already.”

Treza has been living in Whangaparāoa for the last three months, minding a friend’s home and says she’s giving serious thought to “becoming a local”.

Kensington Park residents are hoping to beat last year’s proceeds when they host a fundraiser for Hibiscus Hospice next month, making and offering for sale a selection of homemade produce and wares.

Jams, chutneys, relishes, biscuits, cakes, fudge and other items will be available for sale at the Frank Mackereth Reserve in Kensington Park on November 4. The wider community is welcome, and organisers have arranged gazebos for stallholders in case the weather does not cooperate.

Residents have been hard at work over recent months, making jams, marmalade and other treats, says organiser Lyn Hodgkiss. Big donations of baking are expected from some of Kensington Park’s 700 residents. Coffee and food trucks will be on site.

The day will also feature raffle draws, with prizes donated by local businesses Cheek & Chong, Kawau Bay, Soljans winery, Kings Garden Centre, Hickeys Pharmacy, Reflexology by Jenny, and Natural Ambience, a Riverhead-based weaving business that has donated a handwoven runner/throw.

Organisers are hoping to beat the $5500 raised for Hospice at last year’s event, when 500 people passed through.

“Even though we are not a retirement place, a lot of folks here do use the local Hospice services,” Lyn says. “This is the perfect chance, to give back, to Hospice, they have helped so many of us, through difficult times.”

For event details, see What’s On, p31.

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From left, Hibiscus Coast Artists Inc has been going since the late 1960s. Raimond and Angela Lasar of Warkworth are regulars, joined on this occasion by their daughter Gloria, on school holiday.

Hibiscus Coast arts group strong 56 years on For more than half a century, a group of artists on the Coast has been meeting faithfully every week, creating in various mediums, sharing suggestions and skills, and having fun.

On a recent rainy Monday, the group was smaller than usual as some members were away doing training for voluntary general election work. But the 16 or so gathered at the Stanmore Bay Community Hall in Waiora Road were brimming with the ideas and enthusiasm that have kept Hibiscus Coast Artists Inc a vibrant enterprise since the late 1960s.

Sketches, watercolours and acrylic painting were being worked on, ahead of an exhibition to be held at the Ōrewa Community Hall over the Labour Day

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weekend. It will be an opportunity to display their works, which will also be available for sale.

“I paint for joy,” says Leo van de Wijdeven, a member for 25 years who drives down from Warkworth every Monday. “I paint what I like to have on my own wall.”

Leo, who also teaches a sketching group, has a 50ha farm to run which keeps him very busy, but says that on Mondays, somehow that doesn’t seem to matter.

“It keeps the mind active,” he says of the group. “And we’re all old friends here.”

Pauline Morley has been a member for at least 23 years. She lives nearby and says that as she has no intention to leave the area, she plans to keep coming until “they carry me out”.

Club president Shana Southcombe says the artists meet every Monday except for Christmas. Covid threw a curved ball, but the group is thriving, with around 50 or so members. Newcomers are always welcome.

Shana says there’s a strong social aspect to the sessions. Group trips are arranged, and once a month, members submit works to be assessed by an outside judge, which helps to hone their skills.

In 1967, a handful of enthusiasts started meeting at a farm cottage somewhere near the current location of the fire station on Hibiscus Coast Highway.

“It was through the generosity of a Mr Lawrence, a local farmer, who allowed this to happen on his farm, connecting electricity and ensuring the ‘long drop’ was

in working order,” says club secretary Ken Crawford.

“The founding members gathered to help repair and tidy up so they could use this space. It became known as Wood Path Cottage. No key required on entry, it was simply give the front door a good kick!”

In 1971 the group moved to the Holy Trinity Church in Wainui Road, and when it ran out of space again, it decamped in 1986 to where it meets today.

“We are fortunate with our panoramic views from the windows,” Ken says.

“The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and inspiring for everyone.”

The exhibition is on October 20-22, 10am-4pm. Info: contact Ken: kenc2014@ outlook.com or 021 158 6347.

October 16, 2023 | Hibiscusmatters |

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There are a lot of other high roading priorities, and we have to spend money wisely ...

Emma Liston

Being Magic

A

s a child growing up in South Africa, Emma Liston “always wanted to be helping, healing”.

“Initially I thought I’d become a vet, but nothing about mainstream medicine resonated with me,” she says. “So I shelved that, and went to work and forgot about my dream.”

But the desire to help didn’t end. In her corporate job, colleagues “would naturally come to me and offload” – and halfjokingly she had a sign on her desk reading “agony aunt”.

Emma took her first reiki course in 2011 which reignited her childhood dream of healing, before moving to New Zealand with her husband and daughters seven years ago.

It wasn’t until Covid gave her “time to pause and reflect” that she decided to “follow my dream, do something bigger”.

Under the name Being Magic, Emma now offers reiki, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy and more, in sessions ranging from 45 minutes to three hours. She has online clients but has fitted out a little cabin at home in Gulf Harbour, and is better equipped to take clients in person.

She’s cut back on her job with an auditing firm, and is ready to stop altogether as the new venture takes off.

Emma says you don’t need to understand reiki to find it helpful – her scientist husband benefits, even though he thinks it’s “a bit woo-woo”.

After a drive up to Ōrewa opened up a world that felt “completely different” to other parts of Auckland, the family 18 months ago found a home in Gulf Harbour, amid the lake, greenery and birdlife.

“It’s amazing. We love it.”

Sweet Disorder

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fter a career in corporate buying and with her children growing, Molly Hansen decided in 2018 it was time for “something different”.

“I don’t know what it is but if I don’t do it now it’s never going to happen,” she recalls thinking.

For a month, she jotted down ideas – some realistic, some not – and it came down to three things: “I love sweets. I love making people laugh. I want something that’s fun.”

At the same time, she was witnessing many mental health struggles around her.

Drawing those elements together birthed Sweet Disorder, a company selling cans and jars of mostly NZ-made candy – Canned Hugs, Dad Joke Enhancers, Grumpy Git Gummies, Hangry Pills and many more – with every sale including a donation to a mental health charity.

Molly Hansen

“Simple gifts to make someone smile. It creates a bit of happiness, which is really what we want to do.”

Molly, a Brit who had returned to NZ with her Kiwi husband and children in 2010, began with a pop-up store in Ponsonby, before two trade fairs in 2019 landed her a “best small stand” award and around 100 shops signing up. The number has since more than doubled.

Having outgrown space at home, Molly was visiting family on the Coast when she spotted the premises in Silverdale, where Sweet Disorder will open its first retail store on October 28.

In addition to sweets, the shop will stock their own handmade candle range and offer space to other small, quirky NZ brands.

“Our motto is ‘Laughter is the best medicine’. We hope the shop will add a dash of fun to the Coast.”

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| Hibiscusmatters | October 16, 2023

25 Hibiscus Coast Highway (next to BP) 021 944 997 www.sweetdisorder.co.nz molly@sweetdisorder.co.nz sweetdisordernz Sweet Disorder localbusiness

New Coastie Ed Amon

edamonnz@gmail.com

Fingers to the fore It’s time to talk about a tradition that has been with us for millennia – eating with our hands. It’s a practice many cultures have embraced – billions of people on the planet do it – and today, we’re going to explore the benefits of this finger-lickin good tradition.

Shana Hopper-McCully, left and her former teacher, Helen Stringer.

Maygrove opens ‘heart and soul of village’ Maygrove Village in Ōrewa celebrated a milestone recently with the opening of its new café, bar and entertainment area, an airy space for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.

“We’ve unofficially had it open for the past few weeks, and we, along with our residents, are so pleased,” sales and marketing manager Shana Hopper-McCully said.

“We’ve seen an increase in patronage to our bar and café, and it has added ambience to the village community..”

Shana described the facility as “the heart and soul of the village”.

At the opening celebration, she also recounted how she had grown up with the village, a flagship project of the thirdgeneration Hopper family business, which opened in 2002.

“As a young teen, I used to vacuum the

Now, you might be thinking the idea is disgusting, but it’s the most therapeutic and enjoyable experience, connecting us with our kai on a whole new level. Humans have been using our hands to eat since we realised we had them. I encourage you to embrace your inner ancestor and touch that food. I promise that you will feel like the first time you skinny-dipped in the ocean. And if you still haven’t skinny-dipped in the ocean while living on the Coast, I’m disappointed.

When you eat with your hands, you’re reducing your carbon footprint, too. No more plastic implements going to our landfills, no more metal mine to manufacture forks. It’s just you and your hands, in perfect harmony with the land. It also saves time, and avoids those horrible screeching noises on the plate while cutting the steak into bite-size pieces. Just pick it up and take a bite. You will have enough time saved to take a nap before watching another boring election debate. In fact, you’ll be so satisfied that you can nap through that debate.

To truly appreciate the majestic biryani, one must feel the moist and aromatic grains of rice on one’s fingers. It’s like playing music but with your food

Therese Stevenson and Gay Rolston enjoy Maygrove’s new café facilities.

Being from Pakistan, I cannot discuss eating with hands without diving into the rich tapestry of South Asian cultures. Take a moment to imagine an Indian feast – an extravaganza of colours and flavours – and now, picture trying to navigate that culinary wonderland with a fork and knife. Instead, you can scoop up your dhal and rice, mop up the roghan josh with a piece of naan, and punctuate each bite with a spicy pickle, all using the same trusty digits.

“But what about hygiene?” I hear you ask.

You do not need to put your hands through the dishwasher for hours – you can have perfectly clean hands by the time you finish singing Happy Birthday.

main building halls as my afterschool job,” she said.

She said it was special for her to be able to celebrate the occasion with a lifelong friend, her former primary school teacher Helen Stringer, who moved into the village last year.

And then there’s the ultimate South Asian hand-eating chef-d’oeuvre: biryani. To truly appreciate the majestic biryani, one must feel the moist and aromatic grains of rice on one’s fingers. It’s like playing music but with your food, each bite a note in a delightful symphony you compose as you eat.

So, there you have it, the virtues and benefits of eating with your hands. It will not only connect you to your food on a deeper level but brings joy, culture and environmental consciousness to the table. Next time you’re faced with a fork and knife, put them aside and dig in. You might just enjoy it.

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October 16, 2023 | Hibiscusmatters |

17

Summerset Milldale * selling off plans now Summerset Milldale is excited to announce our first release of homes are selling off plans now.*

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Once complete, the village will offer a range of independent homes to choose from including a variety of villa types. Plus, we will have a wide range of care options, including serviced apartments, a care centre and our industry-leading memory care centre. All safe and secure within a fully gated village community.

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Summerset Milldale is located close to Silverdale and the Whangaparaoa Peninsula in one of Auckland’s newest and most affordable suburbs. It will offer the perfect retirement lifestyle, close to beaches, cafes and shopping, everything the Hibiscus Coast has to offer. Visit our sales office today to discuss the range of homes and floor plans for the first release, with our Sales Manager, Nicola Redmond.

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Summerset Milldale sales office 50 Waiwai Drive, Milldale 09 304 1632 | milldale.sales@summerset.co.nz *All Summerset homes are sold under a licence to occupy and are subject to availability. Image is artist impression as of January 2023.

SUM5293_FP1

18

| Hibiscusmatters | October 16, 2023

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Blast from the past Susanne Wilson

FB: Hibiscus Coast History

Amit Botadra’s Ōrewa Lotto Plus/A Taste from Home will offer postal services to the community from next week.

New Ōrewa home for NZ Post Ōrewa will not be losing its only post shop, once Paper Plus’ contract with NZ Post ends on Friday this week.

NZ Post has lined up a new outlet, just 100 or so paces down the road, at the Ōrewa Lotto Plus/A Taste from Home shop on Moana Avenue.

The PO boxes currently located at the back of Paper Plus will close at 1pm on Friday, and customers will be able to access their mail at the new location from next Tuesday – the day after Labour Day – a NZ Post spokesperson confirms.

Customers’ box numbers and addresses will not be affected by the move. The new post box lobby will be located in the walkway between Moana and Tamariki avenues, near Muldoon’s Bar. “We just want to provide these services to the community,” says Ōrewa Lotto Plus/A Taste from Home owner Amit Botadra of the decision to take on the contract.

“I have a huge clientele here because it’s the luckiest and busiest Lotto shop around.

They would be satisfied with having Lotto and NZ Post together. Services-wise, people know us very well.”

Amit says some revamping will be needed

but NZ Post will do most of the work, providing signage and equipment. The work will be done overnight and “before the shop opens the next day, we should be ready to roll”.

The outlet will be a “one-stop shop” offering full postal services, including payment of bills and car registration.

“We are here to serve the community, to give them the best possible service and keep everyone happy.”

Amit has owned the business for four years.

A Taste of Home sells British groceries as well as fragrant oils and incense, and also has a bulk bin section. The Lotto counter has sold 19 first division tickets, including the ticket that won a $23.3 million Powerball draw last September. Ōrewa Paper Plus owner Kevin Frances said earlier it made no commercial sense to keep the NZ Post contract, since the advantages of having post customers come through the store were outweighed by the costs of hosting the service, including the need for trained fulltime staff. (see HM Sept 18).

The changes in Ōrewa do not affect other postal services in the district.

Access to Ōrewa has evolved over the years. The first of four bridges at the southern end of Ōrewa was built in 1880 to enable movement north. In this era, Ōrewa Beach was the main road north until the road we now know as Hibiscus Coast Highway was created. The original one-lane bridge was replaced in the 1930s with a two-lane concrete bridge, enabling traffic to flow freely.

Lollies needed

The Circle in Manly is one street that goes all ghoulie at Halloween, and this year is no exception. Expect to see some spooky setups and ghastly costumes on October 31, as well as a whole lot of children fired up on sugar. The residents are asking for donations of sweets for the event. They can be dropped at: Two Spoons Café, Manly Unichem pharmacy, Coast Cakes, Hibiscus Coast Midwives (Link Crescent), Manly Fire Station, Countdown Whangaparāoa (Plaza) and Whangaparāoa New World.

Building more dotterel protection

Dotterels also nest at Shakespear Open Sanctuary and this year, volunteers have come up with a new scheme to protect them. Protective cages that can be placed over the nest once all three eggs are laid and the bird is incubating have been built using volunteer labour, donated materials and money gifted by Gulf Harbour Primary School. Wooden boxes have also been made, which can be used to transfer nests to higher ground if tides or storms could destroy the nest. There will also be extra signs to inform the public.

M08853

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Discover the magic aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/foodscraps

www.localmatters.co.nz

October 16, 2023 | Hibiscusmatters |

19

A boost for self-storage on the Coast After Mitre 10 Whangaparāoa moved to the Wade River Road site formerly occupied by The Warehouse, its old site at Karepiro Drive stood silent – until last spring, when internal demolition work began.

Fast forward a year, and its transformation into a gleaming, modern two-level selfstorage facility is nearing completion, with November 1 eyed as the prospective opening date.

The last vestiges of the ubiquitous Mitre 10 bright orange have given way to a dark façade, broken only by a large sign declaring Self Storage World – the same name as that of two nearby storage businesses. The branding of all three will soon change again, to Storage 4 You, offering a total of more than 800 units between them.

The renovation of the 3800 square metre building is the realisation of a dream by a couple with self-storage in their blood and a key shareholder and director who have been operating successfully in the industry for more than two decades. All three have family roots in Ōrewa.

For ten years from the mid-1980s, Larry and Mary Mingins lived in the United States, where Larry worked on self-storage facilities in dozens of states.

Mary picks up the story.

“Larry specialised in roofing storage facilities as well as sheet metal siding, building some from the ground up and in other cases refitting existing buildings,” she says. “We had the dream of coming home and doing this here, so we got some friends together and went in together as partners.”

In 1997, the couple opened Storage 4 You in Wairau Valley, with Larry and Mary running the operation and Grant Brady, a friend and successful businessman, acting

The building as it looks now.

Inset. The previous Mitre 10 building.

as director and visionary.

After subsequent expansion that included the building of a third floor, the Wairau Valley business, with 1100 units, was one of the six biggest of its kind in the country, says Mary.

The team meanwhile had become involved in two operations closer to their Coast roots – two near-adjoining facilities in Whangaparāoa under the Self Storage World brand.

When the old Mitre 10 building came onto the market, they seized the opportunity.

“The building came up for sale and we heard that one of our competitors was looking at it, and we thought, well that’s not good if a competitor came and opened up there,” says Grant.

After the other company dropped out following due diligence, “we engaged with the owners and bought it”, says Grant, who was one of the founding members of KEA

Campers and today is still a Director of Action Manufacturing, the country’s biggest motorhome and speciality vehicle maker.

The thinking was, “let’s invest in the old Mitre 10 building and scale up what we have there, based on the concept that once Penlink opens, the area will open up and people will be inclined to want more storage in the area.”

It was a challenging undertaking, including getting a second level approved and then built.

Since operators don’t know what type of goods will ultimately be stored in selfstorage units, significant weight loadings have to be taken into account – requiring more robust construction, for example, than a car parking facility.

“We had to cut 280 holes through the existing slab, and put quite big foundations down below the slab to take the loading of the second level.”

“This all happened – planning, consenting and construction – through that postCovid, high inflation, escalating building cost period,” Grant says. “So that’s been challenging.”

Keeping it in the family, Larry and Mary’s two sons are also involved in the work, Kyle as project manager and Brad as project electrician. Kyle is a director at DCF Management, an Auckland-based project management company, specialising in project, design and construction management. Brad is director at Elextech Ltd. Auckland-based Eagle & Franich Construction is doing the fitout.

Mary says the old Mitre 10 building had “great bones”, but a lot of internal rooms had to be demolished.

“We needed to take it right back to empty, and start again.”

Construction work began in March although for the first three or four months there

NEW STORAGE COMING SOON!

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| Hibiscusmatters | October 16, 2023

Storage4you

continued from p20

EAGLE & FRANICH CONSTRUCTION

Mary Mingins inside the under-construction storage facility. Mary and Larry Mingins on the site of their new project.

wasn’t much to see, while the foundational strengthening work was being done.

Now, however, every time she enters the building, considerable progress has been made. Most of the storage units are complete, as is the new heavy duty lift, trolley bays and protective metal sheeting along walls and corners. Offices are being completed. Good lighting and air vents give the vast space an airy, well-ventilated feel, in contrast to many self-storage facilities that can be quite dark.

“We want to keep offering the storage that the community knows [at the nearby Self Storage World facilities], but also give it that new look that it needs – a building that’s up to par with the latest trends.”

Self-storage is a growing industry in New Zealand, as it is elsewhere.

Grant says that when Larry and Mary first returned from the US, “we didn’t think there’d be huge demand here, where many people have quarter-acre sections”, a situation quite different to America.

But over the decades since, infill housing and smaller properties have made selfstorage much more popular.

“People use storage for small businesses, for sports equipment, kids going to uni – it’s just become a really big industry, far bigger than I thought it would.”

“Storage has changed,” agrees Mary, who has been involved with the Self-Storage Association of Australasia since 2000 and attends conferences where legal issues, security, health and safety, building costs, features, software and other issues are the discussed.

“The number of facilities going up in the last eight years has been quite substantial.

We’ve seen the growth happening especially in areas where smaller housing units are being built.”

Unlike many of the large Australianowned companies, Storage 4 You is familyrun, with Larry the “maintenance man” and Mary the “facility and operations manager”, she says.

“My husband has been amazing – he knows what storage needs. He can repair a roof , fix a leak if one appears, basically everything. He’s magic, he’s got that inside edge. We’re not just owners of the facility, we’re operators too.”

Although approaching what some may consider retirement age, Mary says they don’t have any succession plans in place.

“It’s really lovely having a facility near where we live. I don’t think we’ll ever step away from it. Once you get into this industry you can’t imagine doing anything else.” she smiles. “There’s no hurry. Not yet.”

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October 16, 2023 | Hibiscusmatters |

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Ben’s volunteer army mounts first campaign Students and staff at Ōrewa Beach School began a new term last Monday in a spruced-up setting, thanks to the efforts of a community “volunteer army” mustered by local estate agent Ben Gibson (HM September 18).

Ben has been volunteering his time and labour to help locals with a range of projects this year, and has now opened up his initiative to form a group of Coast volunteers. The idea is they can come together when needed to provide free labour in the community, similar to Christchurch’s Student Army.

Around 40 adults and twice that number of children turned up to the first community project, at Ōrewa Beach School on the last Saturday of the holiday, armed with

a wide range of tools and equipment. Ben thanked Ōrewa builder Luke Martens in particular for bringing along a tipper truck laden with tools.

For five hours, the crew touched up paint, clipped hedges, weeded and tidied garden beds, trimmed trees, replaced playground bark, water blasted public areas, cleaned up signage and laid paving stones across grassed areas to give children access to a playground without having to get muddy on the way.

Ben said some residents from neighbouring Kensington Park came over, saying they were too old to help but bringing food for the recruits.

The working bee was the first group event

Flipping for a good cause

Braving wind and driving rain, three Hibiscus Coast men flipped a tractor tyre a distance of almost five kilometres on a recent Saturday morning, to raise funds for two local animal rescue charities.

Alice Rosier of the Health Consultancy organised the unusual fundraiser for dog rescue and rehoming charity Saving Hope, and Gutter Kitties.

“It’s a bit chilly on the hands but the guys are doing a great job,” said Alice, who together with her son was accompanying the three – her husband George and two of her personal training clients, Paul Urquhart and Phil Corser.

The route marked out the recent move of the Health Consultancy, from Ladies Mile in Manly to new premises at the western end of Gulf Harbour.

The team estimated the distance would require around 5000 flips of the tyre, which weighed around 230 kgs, although

Alice noted they did roll it in a couple of places where the pavement was too narrow.

“But Paul is ex-military, so he’s very much about doing the job properly!” she said.

“They’re probably going to be a bit sore on Monday.”

Alice’s son, Sam, comprised the support team and at one point was dispatched for hot drinks. Café Manly gave them coffees on the house.

“A few members of the public helped out with a few flips and we got lots of toots and cash donations along the way,” Alice said at the finish. The challenge was completed in three hours.

By the end of the day, donations on the Givealittle page set up for the fundraiser exceeded Alice’s initial goal of $1000. By the time the page closed on October 7, the total raised was almost $1280, in addition to a $100 voucher from New World Ōrewa.

“We really would like to thank Paul, Phil

organised by Ben, who launched a “Five Hours of Free Labour” initiative early this year, offering his services for five-hour stints to community groups in the area.

“Pretty crazy that on Saturday we would have knocked out over 150 man hours in one day,” he said. “Just goes to show how powerful the community uniting is.”

He hopes to arrange the next group event towards the end of summer.

Meanwhile, Ben’s personal tally of free labour offered has reached 115-120 hours.

Deputy principal Marray Barclay said the turnout had been excellent.

“Fortunately, the weather stayed fine until the reward of cool drinks and a barbequed

sausage arrived later in the day. It was a fantastic effort by all concerned and a big thank you to Ben for organising this event,” he said.

Ben said he had been humbled by the show of support from the community. He thanked Hibiscus Matters for its earlier coverage of his free community service initiative, saying it had drawn a good response and helped to ensure a good turnout at the school.

Ben also praised Harcourts Cooper & Co for its backing, including the provision of free ice creams and coffee.

“It’s easy just to put money into something, but to actually do the work is, I think, way more important.”

Alice Rosier with Paul Urquhart, Phil Corser and George Rosier, en route from Ladies Mile to Gulf Harbour.

and George for such an awesome effort in helping to raise funds for the two charities,” said Saving Hope founder Janine Hinton.

“Every dollar helps us to help more neglected pups. Thank you.”

“We are delighted that a local business has run this awesome fundraiser to help raise awareness not just for Gutter Kitties

but also Saving Hope!” said Gutter Kitties founder and chair Danielle Howard.

“Fundraising is getting harder and harder whilst the demand on animal charities is increasing. We are hugely grateful not just for the recognition but the community spirit that this fundraiser created.”

COMMUNITY MATTERS Bayleys Hibiscus Coast is very much part of our local community. By contributing time, resources and money we know we are helping to grow strong and supportive communities.

Giving back is part of Bayleys’ culture and values – its what we do.

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF :

Silverdale School, Whangaparaoa School, Gulf Harbour School, Ahutoetoe School, Big Buddy, Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club, Red Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Orewa Surf Life Saving Club, Manly Bowls Club & Manly Business Bowls, Estuary Arts centre, Kaukapakapa Pony Club, Hibiscus Coast Garden Club, Whangaparaoa Scouts, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, Mahurangi West Fishing Competition, Destination Orewa, Business Whangaparoa, Orewa Beach Kindergarten, Vine Church, The Salvation Army Hibiscus Coast.

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October 16, 2023 | Hibiscusmatters |

23

A step by step guide to backyard rat trapping – Jenny Hanwell, Project Manager, Forest & Bird –

Now is an important time to be setting your backyard rat trap as birds are nesting and some already have vulnerable chicks.

It’s a really easy way for you to give some time to help a local cause, and you’ll soon see the benefits. Most people never see rats since they’re generally nocturnal, but they are there and our team of volunteers and backyard trappers remove thousands from the Coast each year.

Prepare your kit: Order your free, pet safe, humane tested rat trap from Pest Free Hibiscus Coast Project: www.forestandbird. org.nz/how-can-you-help-pfhc

Location, location, location: Rats can be cautious, so to attract them you should place your trap somewhere they feel safe – for example along the edge of a fence or under a tree. Think like a rat!

Set your trap: Close the trap hood, making sure it clips into the small black buttons on each side. The trap cannot be set if the hood isn’t secured. Slide the red lever to “Set Trap”, and push back the black lever until it clicks.

Caught something? The trap will be unset, so you can lift the hood. Push back the black lever to release the rat, which can be buried, composted or put in a sealed bag in your rubbish bin.

You will also need: A cable tie and weed mat pin to fix it to the ground (so cats can’t drag the trap across the garden if you catch a rat), or to a horizontal tree branch. • Gloves, as rats urinate and can carry disease. • Some tasty lures such as nut butter or mayonaise. Add something solid like a nut, banana, meat or cheese so that insects don’t remove your lure too quickly.

Remove other sources of food: This is an important step for successful rat trapping and includes fallen fruit or nuts, pet food, and bird seed.

Add the lure: Place lure in the bait cup, plus a little at the entrance to entice the inquisitive rats. They are attracted to scented foods high in energy.

Refresh the lure: Do this at least once a week. The more often you check your trap, the less decomposed your catch will be. Try to vary your choice of lure. Ensure the trap is clean and the treadle plate (the flat black part that the rat steps on) doesn’t have dirt or old bait under it. If it does, it will stick, and not set.

Record your catch! This is essential so we know what is happening in your area.

It’s also important to track the success of the project. All data is kept confidential.

We have made reporting easy for you by adding a QR code to the trap hood.

Pīwakawaka (NZ fantail). Photo, Anna Arrol

Enjoy the birds saying thank you, and get that warm fuzzy feeling!

BOOK HEAVEN Whangaparāoa Methodist Church

Pre-Loved Books and puzzles

Donations of books welcomed Monday-Saturday: 10am-4pm 76 Red Beach Rd, Red Beach | phone 426 5615

Hibiscus Coast Community Shop ~ HELP US HELP THE COMMUNITY ~

Quality donations are always welcome ...

Monday-Friday: 9am-3pm • Saturday: 9am-12pm

Western Reserve, Orewa • Phone 426 3596 24

| Hibiscusmatters | October 16, 2023

feature.volunteers

Life of volunteering celebrated In the 75 years that Margaret Christie has called Ōrewa home, the community has benefited significantly from her contributions in a range of volunteer fields.

To her family and friends, she is so much more, and it was a joyful day in September when they gathered around her in Maygrove Village Hospital to celebrate her 100th birthday.

On the table beside her in the lounge were some of the emblems of a full life – the Queen’s Service Medal (awarded in 1997 in recognition of service to the community), the Rodney District Council Community Service Award (1992), the Order of St John (2000) and a St John medal for 12 years’ service, with three bars representing an additional five years each.

Also displayed was a letter from King Charles and Queen Camilla congratulating her on her centenary, along with cards from Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, Whangaparāoa MP Mark Mitchell, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen, and Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro.

Margaret’s many roles have included that of Plunket volunteer, St Chad’s Anglican Church stalwart, sexton of the Silverdale Anglican Cemetery, overseer of the Ōrewa Community Hall, and St John Ambulance volunteer for 27 years, serving in numerous capacities including that of area treasurer.

Theatre has been a great love, and over decades she raised money for the new Centrestage Theatre by catering for dinners in the old Ōrewa Community Hall. She arranged shows, took box office bookings, helped with props, and organised garage sales. The new theatre opened in 1991, and she remains a patron to this day.

Margaret’s daughter, Barbara Everiss, said her Auckland-born mum spent her early years in Huntly where her father, George Robertson, was police constable. She was five when the family loaded their possessions onto a coastal steamer in 1929, for a move to Warkworth, her dad’s new posting.

“The family travelled by car but had to spend the night at the old Waiwera Hotel as the road north was impassable. So they loaded themselves and their car onto the steamer – which had called into Waiwera – and continued sailing along the coast and up the Mahurangi River to Warkworth.”

That trip north provided Margaret with her first glimpse of Ōrewa. It was a very different town from the one she lives in today, and when the Robertsons in 1935

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Margaret Christie on her 100th birthday.

Margaret’s medals and congratulatory cards

built a holiday home opposite the campsite, Ōrewa comprised little more than beach houses, a dairy and butcher.

After George died in 1949, Margaret and her mum moved from Warkworth to the Ōrewa holiday home, where they lived until she married Max Christie in 1953. The couple moved into a house on Riverside Road that would be her home for almost 70 years – until health issues prompted a recent move to Maygrove.

In addition to her community work and raising a family – today she has two children, five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-greatgrandchild – Margaret worked with Max in the family electrical business until 1986, and later for 18 years with Barbara in her business, Flowers by Joanne.

Margaret finally retired at 95 in 2018, when Barbara sold the florist business..

“My mother has always been a wonderful mentor, role model and guiding light in my life and that of my children and grandchildren,” Barbara said. “She is an inspiration.”

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Gail Boshard, centre, and her year eight students with their soft toy creations.

Some of the creative works on display

Kindy kids admire the soft toys based on their artworks.

Soft toy creations bound for Ukrainian children A group of Year 8 students at Ōrewa College have put their imaginative and artistic skills to work, creating monster soft toys that are destined for children in war-torn Ukraine.

The “sew-a-softie” project also involved children from neighbouring Ōrewa Beach Kindergarten, who drew the pictures on which the toys were based.

There was great excitement when the youngsters arrived at the college one recent afternoon to see the toys that their artwork had produced.

Year 8 student Libby Mabbett said it had been hard work stitching and stuffing the softie, but she was happy that it would go to children affected by war.

Gail told the children and parents that a college staff member who was previously in the New Zealand Army has a former colleague now involved in relief efforts in Ukraine and Syria.

Her classmate Jonty Wellman said the project was challenging at first, when trying to understand how to interpret the picture into a toy, before “my imagination started to click in”.

He was sent a slide show about the project and has offered to take the packed-up toys and pictures when he returns soon to Ukraine. He will also hopefully be able to report back to the students later, letting them know how the toys were received, she said.

Jonty said it made him glad to think their creations would help Ukrainian children to know “what it feels like to have a soft toy to cuddle while they’re scared – they get to have something to hug in case something bad happens”.

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Ukrainian children would be encouraged to know that “people are supporting them in any way possible”, said Jonty, who added that he has been “following up a bit” on

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“I feel bad for the children stuck there in the middle of a war.”

“It’s obviously a fantastic cause,” said Ōrewa College principal, Greg Pierce.

“We’re all well aware of the trauma and stress that is going on in Ukraine. And as we all know, little people like simple things in life, and things that are colourful and full of life, and that’s what we’ve got here.”

It was great that a college teacher had a contact in Ukraine, “so these will be going in very quick-time to children over there who may have lost parents and family members”.

He congratulated all those involved in the project, including “our students as well as our future students – and probably parents who were involved a little bit in initial project design”.

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Health David Cooper, physiotherapist david@kineticsrehab.co.nz

It’s not that scary – usually!

Over the past four months, I have taken it upon myself to learn something completely new. To challenge myself by going back to being a beginner, a blue-eyed-bushy-tailed novice. It has been in the form of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

My three sons are rapidly growing up and the older two have been doing martial arts for nearly two years. Eventually my curiosity of ‘the gentle art’ peaked enough to give it a go. Either that or I realised that pretty soon I would be the hapless victim of lounge-room sparring in a testosterone-fuelled household.

My poor wife.

I acquired a‘Gi’, the typically white martial arts attire complete with my humble white belt, and turned up to my first training session at Ochiba Dojo at 5.30 am. My background as a competitive runner would surely help right?

Wrong. I quickly discovered (and continue to learn), that the linear nature of distance running does not at all prepare one for the world of jiujitsu.

I can best describe jiujitsu as a threedimensional million-piece WASGIJ puzzle that one attempts to do upside down with your eyes closed. I can only imagine the thoughts going through the head of the patient blackbelt sensei as he watches me fumble, trip, brace and awkwardly struggle around.

The journey thus far, which has become a five day a week morning ritual (or addiction) has challenged me physically, but most of all mentally. Though running remains a passion, my morning run would become preoccupied with the days challenges ahead. Those same

challenges don’t consume you anywhere near as much in a jiujitsu class when you are caught in a chokehold! For me, this was the added bonus. A time to focus on something completely new, without distraction.

I can only imagine the thoughts going through the head of the patient black belt sensei as he watches me fumble, trip, brace and awkwardly struggle around Learning a new skill, a new sport, picking up a new musical instrument, or learning a new language are all fantastic ways to broaden your mental horizons. Going back to these humble beginnings has helped me appreciate how challenging the sport is for my boys. It has also helped me appreciate the challenges of life as a new-graduate physiotherapist with an overwhelming knowledge base of conditions and injuries to problem-solve.

Keeping the mind active particularly as we age is known to reduce the risk of neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. More importantly for me – it has been a rekindling of the passion and excitement of learning a new skill and slowly starting to get better at it. Though it may seem scary (and some choke holds certainly are), the positives far exceed any fear or negatives.

So get out there and try something new.

Welcome to Semola, an Italian-inspired restaurant located in the heart of Ōrewa. Named after the Italian word for semolina, a type of flour that is used to make a variety of delicious Italian dishes such as pasta and bread.

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Whether you are looking for a romantic dinner for two, a family gathering or a corporate event, Semola is the perfect destination. Our warm, welcoming atmosphere, coupled with exceptional food and service, will make your dining experience one to remember.

Indulge in the taste of Italy right here in Ōrewa. House-made pasta, wood fired steaks, international wine list, spectacular cocktails and whiskey bar – what more could you ask for?

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www.semola.co.nz October 16, 2023 | Hibiscusmatters |

27

Honours for surf stalwarts as season begins

As Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club gears up for a hoped-for drier season after last year’s wettest summer on record, five of its members have been recognised for their community service

by Surf Life Saving NZ.

At its annual awards ceremony in Wellington, SLSNZ honoured the club’s Mark ‘Macca’ McCarthny with a 50-year badge, for volunteer commitment to the community.

For most of those years of service, Macca has been a lifeguard at Ōrewa and Piha, and he remains an active volunteer lifeguard on Ōrewa beach. The club says he’s also been a key factor in Ōrewa’s success in surf boat racing since the 1980s.

Long time club coach Zac Franich and director of surf sport Jon Copeland both

received service awards, and Benny Larsen, a club member since the 1970s, received a distinguished service award.

Benny is currently a member of the board, and volunteers as an examiner and surf sport official in the Northern Region and nationally.

The top award went to club stalwart John Chapman, who received SLSNZ life membership in recognition of his commitment to surf lifesaving.

John has been involved at local, regional and national level for more than 40 years, serving as president or chairperson of the Ōrewa club for more than half of that time.

He is only the fourth member of the club to receive the honour. One of the earlier three was his father, also John.

Meanwhile membership committee chair Renée Beckett says the club is “looking forward to a warmer and hopefully drier summer!”

The senior training schedule began on October 9, and although most have been training through the winter, “you will start to see a few more dusting off the winter layers as it gets a bit warmer”.

She says the club normally has around 400 children across the 3-13 year age range.

A highlight for juniors is the nationals (also known as Oceans ’24), a four day competition at Mount Maunganui in February.

Anyone wanting to become a lifeguard needs to go through a training program, offered three times a year. Enrolment is via the club’s website: www.orewasurfclub.co.nz

Top, Ōrewa lifesaving awardees, from left, John Chapman, Jon Copeland, Zac Franich, Benny Larsen and Mark ‘Macca’ McCarthny.

25

First woman life member Michelle Newton of the Red Beach Surf Life Saving Club was honoured with a Surf Lifesaving NZ life membership, becoming just the third member of the club – and its first female member – to attain the achievement. Michelle joined the club in 1987, quickly becoming a qualified lifeguard and then an instructor for Surf Lifeguard Awards just a year later.

During three years as chief instructor she put through a total of 91 lifeguard awards, and in 1992/3 she won Auckland Surf’s Instructor of the Year trophy. She competed for the club for seven consecutive years and was a member of a winning Ladies March Past team at the Nationals in 1990. Other highlights include officiating at the world champs in Auckland in 1998. Michelle has been a member of the Auckland Surf Lifesaving board of judges and a Northern Region official for the last 29 consecutive seasons, and a nationals judge and official for 27 years. After chairing the Red Beach Surf Club Committee for two three-year terms, she was made a Life Member of the club in 2020, and the following year became a Life Member of the Northern Region, becoming just the seventh woman to achieve that honour. “In her 36 years with Red Beach Surf Club, Michelle has made an enormous contribution to the surf lifesaving movement, not just at club level but also at regional and national levels,” said Red Beach executive officer Ross Malyon.

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Sea Eagles snap up Raiders talent Eighteen-year old league player, Tanaia Herniman of Silverdale, is packing her bags for Sydney, having signed a contract with the Manly Sea Eagles U19 team.

Also signed is Maia Crutcher from Whangarei – both play for Hibiscus Coast Raiders.

The pair will take part in the Tarsha Gale, New South Wales’ premier women’s rugby league competition.

Tanaia says a Sea Eagles scout approached her when she was playing with the inaugural Ahi Kā Aotearoa team, on the Gold Coast in May. The offer was later confirmed, and her one-year contract begins in November.

Although Tanaia has only played league for

two years, she was in the Raiders highly successful tag team for seven years.

This season, she has been training in Whangarei with coach Mike King and the Raiders team twice a week, as well as running, cardio and gym work.

Tanaia is grateful and excited about the Sea Eagles opportunity, although says it is daunting to be moving away from home to a part of Australia that she doesn’t know.

The fact that she will share the experience with her friend MC (Maia) is a big plus.

A potential career in the sport beckons, with scouts for the NRL Women’s premiership having a close eye on the Tarsha Gale games.

“But my ultimate goal is to play for my country,” Tanaia says.

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The Great Big Rescued Food Cook Off, which was to have been held on November 10 at Ōrewa Community Centre, has been postponed until March 2024 because of the work being done on the centre building (see story this issue). Organisers say they are disappointed, but were unable to find an alternative venue. When details of the new date are available, we will include them in this newspaper.

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5:37am 0.6 12:24am 3.0 1:15am 2.9 2:11am 2.8 3:14am 2.8 4:22am 2.9 5:29am 3.0 12:05am 0.6 1:00am 0.4 1:52am 0.3 2:41am 0.3 3:29am 0.3 4:14am 0.3 4:58am 0.4 5:43am 0.6 12:36am 2.9 1:24am 2.8 12:06pm 3.1 6:23am 0.7 7:15am 0.8 8:15am 0.8 9:23am 0.9 10:33am 0.8 11:37am 0.7 6:30am 3.1 7:27am 3.2 8:19am 3.4 9:07am 3.4 9:54am 3.4 10:40am 3.4 11:25am 3.3 12:11pm 3.1 6:28am 0.7 7:16am 0.9

Tide 6:05pm 0.8 12:56pm 3.0 1:52pm 3.0 2:55pm 3.0 3:59pm 3.0 5:02pm 3.1 6:00pm 3.2 12:34pm 0.6 1:27pm 0.5 2:17pm 0.4 3:05pm 0.4 3:52pm 0.5 4:39pm 0.6 5:26pm 0.7 6:15pm 0.8 12:58pm 3.0 1:49pm 2.9 7:07pm 1.0 8:01pm 1.0 6:55pm 3.3 7:48pm 3.4 8:38pm 3.4 9:27pm 3.4 10:16pm 3.3 11:03pm 3.2 11:49pm 3.0 6:58pm 0.9 7:58pm 0.9 9:01pm 0.9 10:05pm 0.8 11:07pm 0.7 Times 6:32am 7:41pm

Sun Fishing Guide

6:30am 7:42pm

Best At

G

5:04am 5:34pm

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Set 12:23am Set

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10:42am 11:06pm

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11:31am 11:55pm

6:21am 7:50pm

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12:20pm

6:20am 7:51pm

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12:45am 1:11pm Full Moon

6:18am 7:52pm

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1:37am 2:04pm

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2:31am 2:59pm

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1:24am Set 2:22am Set 3:09am Set 3:48am Set 4:22am Set 4:51am Set 5:19am Set 5:47am Set 6:16am Set 6:48am Set 7:26am Set 8:09am Set 9:00am Rise 12:44am Rise 1:33am Rise 2:13am Set 9:56am Set 10:56am Set 11:57am G B F *Not for navigational purposes.

Good Fishing Fair Fishing Not So Good www.tidewiz.com www.tidespy.com www.ofu.co.nz Graphic supplied by OceanFun Publishing Ltd.

Moon Rise 9:43am Rise 10:43am Rise 11:51am Rise 1:04pm Rise 2:18pm Rise 3:31pm Rise 4:43pm Rise 5:55pm Rise 7:07pm Rise 8:19pm Rise 9:31pm Rise 10:41pm Rise 11:46pm

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Odd jobs, gardening, painting & water blasting. Phone Nev 021 399 226.

Phone 021 057 9743

DVDS & VIDEOS

PUMP DOCTOR

VIDEOS TRANSFERRED to DVD/hard drive. Phone or text Te Totara Video 021 777 385.

WATER PUMP & FILTER SERVICES. New installs for all your water pump requirements. Ph 0274 430 654.

FOR SALE

ARKLES BAY PAINTERS/DECORATORS In the area for the area. Contact Shane 021 0813 8481.

CARPET CLEANING, repairs and installation. Dwayne 0274 997 929.

HOME REPAIR SERVICES Maintain, repair, renovate. Ph Jeremy 027 237 9455.

HAIRDRESSING CAN’T MAKE IT TO A HAIR SALON?

No problem come to you.

HOT KING KOIL HAWEA MATTRESS ONLYI can $2750!

Qualified Hairstylist providing cutting PACKAGE KING KOIL TEKAPO MATTRESS ONLYwave $2950!services. and blow Please phone Julie 021 112 PRICES 8015 INTEGRA PLUS’ MATTRESS ONLY $3450!

COMMUNITY NOTICES

STAINLESS STEEL BBQ • 2 hot plate burners • 3 grill burners • 1 rotisserie burner • 1 side gas ring for saucepans.

All functional.

On castors.

Excellent cond.

Offers. Ph Alan 021 473 890

WANTED TO BUY TO BUY, RECORDS/LP’S 09 428 1587 txt 0210 258 3437

SITUATIONS VACANT DO YOU LOVE CHRISTMAS? ARE YOU GOOD AT THEMING? DO YOU WANT TO THEME A WINTER WONDERLAND FOR SANTA AND HIS GUESTS THIS CHRISTMAS? Snowplanet is looking for a project coordinator with a flair for theming and scene-scaping to dress our Winter Wonderland on the snow in our snowdome ready for Christmas. We expect thousands of visitors to see Santa in the snow this year and are looking for someone to coordinate and assist with the installation of the theming itself.

You will be required to theme Santa’s cabin, his tree-lined grotto as well as the Winter Wonderland. You will be working in the Winter Wonderland in our snow dome and are prepared to work in the cold and are physically fit.

You will need excellent communication skills, have a confident nature, and need to interact with and coordinate our crew who will assist with building trees and installation of chattels. You will have a flair for theming.

This is a short-term project, approx.

50 hours, $30phr.

To apply, email marketing@ snowplanet.co.nz, Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of something genuinely unique!

HOUSIE AT BOWLS ŌREWA every Friday, 1pm-4pm. Lots of fun and great prizes. Ph 09 426 5937. All welcome.

HIBISCUS COAST RAIDERS Rugby League & Sports Club (Inc.) AGM, Clubrooms, Brightside Rd, Stanmore Bay. 6.30pm, Tuesday November 14. Nomination forms for Executive Committee positions can be obtained from the secretary hbcraidersrlsc@ gmail.com Notices of motion and nominations close 5pm, November 10.

FOUND Ring found at Puhoi Tearooms please call 09 427 8188.

NEW CLIENTS WELCOME

DOUGLAS

ACCOUNTING For all your accounting requirements • Monthly and end of year accounts and tax returns.

• Business planning and advice • Personal Tax Returns • ACC Coverplus Xtra • Cashbooks, Xero & MYOB • GST, PAYE, FBT • Agent with IRD PO Box 308 001, Manly Whangaparaoa 0952 Phone: 09 424 4684 Mobile: 021 912 184 Fax: 09 424 4688 greg@douglasconsulting.co.nz www.douglasconsulting.co.nz

Crossword conundrum solved waitematabackcarebeds.co.nz ACROSS: 1 Bend over backwards, 10 Merchant, 15 Repast, 16 Chatterbox, 17 Premiere, 19 Perform, 21 Adult, 22 Altimeter, 25 Acetylene, 27 Kidnaps, 29 Octave, 33 Front, 34 Tailings, 36 Salamander, 39 Use, 41 Careful, 42 Danger, 43 Rookie, 44 Icon, 45 Phantom, 48 Fastidious, 53 Glimpse, 57 Oral, 58 Garter, 59 Pacify, 60 Fairway, 62 IOU, 64 Get married, 65 Limiting, 66 Minus, 69 Prison, 70 Shrivel, 71 Eccentric, 76 Envelopes, 77 Aorta, 78 Initial, 83 Explicit, 84 Sauerkraut, 85 Haggis, 86 Disperse, 87 Beat a hasty retreat.

#18

DOWN: 2 Evened, 3 Dwarf, 4 Vat, 5 Rice, 6 Aladdin, 7 Kettle, 8 Acre, 9 Doodling, 11 Earned, 12 Commercial, 13 Abet, 14 Theatre, 18 Diaphanous, 20 Rate, 23 Pleat, 24 Handicap, 26 Canteen, 28 Insured, 30 Preach, 31 Knight, 32 Fading, 35 Llama, 37 Rinse, 38 Ludo, 40 Ergo, 45 Prong, 46 Abattoir, 47 Meagre, 48 Fatherhood, 49 Sari, 50 Impulse, 51 Income, 52 Unfit, 54 Lead, 55 Martini, 56 Statue, 61 Mayonnaise, 63 Inset, 67 Liberate, 68 Stun, 69 Pretend, 72 Cutlass, 73 Genius, 74 Hookah, 75 Marina, 79 Tiger, 80 Opus, 81 Bent, 82 Stay, 85 Hoe.

Shop 3, Silverdale Centre 09 421 1307 | 16F Link Drive Wairau Park 09 444 0244 | www.waitematabackcarebeds.co.nz

DELIVERERS WANTED TO DELIVER HIBISCUS MATTERS 11 YEARS+ TO DELIVER THE HIBISCUS MATTERS NEWSPAPERS Hibiscus Matters is a fortnightly paper, pays good rates and you have 4 days to deliver.

If you are fit, like walking and wanting to get paid for it ...

Contact Rosemary 021 0300 263 or email name, contact details & age to: hmdelivery@localmatters.co.nz

30

MATAKATIA Whangaparāoa Rd Zita Avenue Capitol Road Matakatia Parade Roberts Road Laguna Place Beauvoir Road Balboa Drive

ARKLES BAY 4: semi rural

| Hibiscusmatters | October 16, 2023

MANLY 4: Brixton Road Rawhiti Road Leal Place Beach Road Brown Street The Esplanade Laurence Street Cross Street

STANMORE BAY 9: HATFIELDS 3: Beachwood Drive Seaview Cres Fendalton Place Otanerua Road Hibiscus Coast Highway Oceanview Road Sykes Avenue

Whangaparāoa Rd Cedar Terrace Scott Road Norfolk Road Arklow Lane

Deliveries available

Support the advertisers who support Hibiscus Matters

What’s on ...

October

18 20

Connect For Women, Beach House Eatery, 257 Hibiscus Coast Highway Ōrewa, 12pm. A social networking group for all women.

Info: Kayleen 027 647 5000 or www.ripple.net.nz/connect Strange Brew perform classic British songs of the 60s-90s, Paraoa Brewing Co., 719A Whangaparāoa Rd, 8.30pm-11.30pm. A new band celebrating the best of British music. Entry free.

20-22 Hibiscus Coast Artists exhibition, Ōrewa Community Centre, 9am till 5pm. All items will be for sale. (see story, p15) 21

21

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To list events, email: online@localmatters.co.nz

U2 tribute band The Bloody Sundays, Paraoa Brewing Co., 719A Whangaparāoa Rd, 8:30pm-11.30pm. A night of the greatest songs by rock legends U2. Tickets from Eventfinda.

Hibiscus Coast Motorsport Club 50th anniversary celebration weekend: Party at De Hot, Dairy Flat, 5.30pm

21 & 22 Antiques Fair, fundraiser for Dementia Auckland. Ōrewa Community Centre, 1pm-4pm both days. Entry by donation. Info: email Diane Akers finechinadinz@gmail.com 23

Hibiscus Coast Motorsport Club 50th anniversary celebration weekend: Return to Woodhill Bentsprint, entry via Restall Rd, Woodhill Forest. 8am. To enter: http://online.motorsport.org.nz

26

Connect For Women, Drifter Coffee, Unit 1/3 George Lowe Place Ōrewa, 9am. A social networking group for all women. Info: Kayleen 027 647 5000 or www.ripple.net.nz/connect

28

Pre-Loved Fashion & Thrift Market, Ōrewa College Arts & Events Centre, 9.30am-1pm. Browse 50 stalls selling pre-loved fashion items. High Street brands, retro and vintage, and designer labels.

28

End of life doula Treza Gallogly, public talk at Whangaparāoa library, 10.30-11.30am. Entry free, no booking necessary. More info: treza@ swansong.nz (see story p13)

28

Silverdale School Country Show Day, Longmore Lane, Silverdale.

10am-2pm. Stalls, entertainment, rides and more.

28

Halloween Quiz Night, The Wade Bar and Bistro, 2 Tavern Rd, Silverdale, 6.30pm-9pm. A Halloween dress-up quiz night with all proceeds from this spooktacular event going towards helping the Ōrewa Girl Guides redo their aging kitchen. Hosted by Rotary Club of Ōrewa-Millwater. Tickets $15pp from events.humanitix.com/halloween-quiz-night

28 & 29 Model Train Show, Whangaparāoa Community Hall, Cnr Whangaparāoa Rd and Main Street, 10am-4pm both days. Organised

by Auckland Marklin Club.

NOVEMBER 23 November 2

Food Truck dinner, Manly Park Ave, Manly, starts 5pm. Food, drink and good vibes! Pop up bar, wide range of savoury and sweet food.

4

Kensington Park residents’ fundraiser for Hibiscus Hospice.

Members will sell homemade produce (jams, chutneys, relishes, biscuits, cakes, fudge …) at Frank Mackereth Reserve 10am-2pm.

Contact: Lyn Hodgkiss lynhodgkiss@hotmail.com (see story p13)

14

Waste minimisation workshop with Auckland Council’s WasteWise Advisors, Ōrewa Library, 1-2pm. Presentation and Q&A session discussing Auckland waste issues. What services council provides, what is inorganic waste, and how to recycle right.

18

Dining for a Difference – community formal dinner and auction, Ōrewa Arts & Events Centre, Riverside Road, Ōrewa, 6pm-9pm.

Fundraiser for Coast Community Trust. Tickets $125 from Eventbrite www.eventbrite.com/e/dining-for-a-difference-coast-community-dinnerauction-tickets-704360951567?aff=oddtdtcreator

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

Pharmacy Talk with Tania Adams

Pharmacist at Unichem Manly

Pharmacy Services At Unichem Manly Pharmacy we choose to provide a high level of service so that we can help you. We are also pretty good at getting selected to pilot new services, so our patients benefit with early access to some great assistance. Here’s a taster of what’s on offer at Unichem Manly Pharmacy: • Weight Loss Clinic - provides an individualised prgramme including support, information and weigh ins over a six week period. A proven method to help you lose a couple of kilos or start you on a longer weight loss journey.

• Digestion (Gut Health) Clinic - for those who have ever suffered from bloating, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation or heartburn, then this is the clinic for you. Our highly trained professionals (including a naturopath) have had amazing outcomes from this clinic.

• Medicine Reviews - Involves a personalized consult with our trained pharmacists to give you an in depth understanding of your medicines and how to get the best from them. This is a free service. Just call for an appointment.

• Osteoporosis Clinic - an assessment of your osteoporosis risk by an ultrasound bone analysis through the heel. Jeanette from Ultrascan will be visiting Unichem Manly on Thursday, 2nd November. By appointment only. See our website for details.

• Vaccinations - COVID and Flu vaccinations available. Pregnancy vaccinations available. Catch up vaccinations for whooping cough, measles and others now also available.

• COVID supplies - Our specially trained pharmacists can prescribe anti-virals for you if you meet certain criteria and deliver those to a Coastie home on the same day.

• Conjunctivitis - our pharmacists are able to prescribe antibiotic eye drops to help if you have an eye infection.

• Urinary Tract Infections - if you have a urinary tract infection and meet certain criteria, our trained pharmacists can prescribe you with antibiotics for this infection after a short consultation.

• Smoking Cessation - if you want to give up smoking, come and see us! Our pharmacists are now able to prescribe Nicotine Replacement Therapy and give counselling.

• Deliveries - we deliver around the Coast with our same day* delivery service • Warfarin Testing - Unichem Manly Pharmacy has been chosen to provide blood testing and management of warfarin doses for patients.

Results are available to patients within minutes. For enquiries about this service, please consult with our pharmacists.

• Erectile dysfunction - our specially qualified pharmacists can talk with you in a private consultation and may prescribe sildenafil.

• Pain and Inflammation Clinic - sit down with our trained health professionals and get a personal plan to lessen your pain.

• Emergency Supply - If you are caught without any long term medication and cannot get your prescription in time, our pharmacists are here to help. We can provide you with a 3 day supply to “tide you over” until you are able to get your prescription from the doctor.

(Note that certain medicines are not available) • Personalised Medicine sachets - simple to use and a great reminder system. Come and see one of wonderful pharmacy technicians to get started on your own personalized sachets.

We pride ourselves in taking good care of our patients and their health needs. How can we help you? *received by 3pm

SATURDAY: Silverdale Market, every Saturday from 8am-1pm, 7 Silverdale Street.

SUNDAY: Ōrewa Artisan Market, Estuary Arts Centre, 9am-1pm • Ōrewa Beach Farmers Market, every Sunday from 8am-12.30pm, Ōrewa Square • Silverdale Night Market, 5pm until late, in the carpark underneath The Warehouse in Silverdale • Car Boot & Craft Market (every second Sunday of the month)from 10am-2pm, Lower Coast Plaza Carpark, Whangaparāoa. www.localmatters.co.nz

53B Rawhiti Road, Manly Village Whangaparaoa Ph (09) 424 7708 Fax (09) 424 7427 www.unichemmanly.co.nz

Manly Pharmacy

Your local health professional October 16, 2023 | Hibiscusmatters |

31

Cricketers take on weather in friendly Stanmore match A cricket match in challenging weather, played at Stanmore Bay Reserve on September 30, showcased the resilience, as well as skills, of both teams.

The game was a friendly between the Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club’s Sri Lankan Community team and the NZ Arasan

Super Kings, a South Asian team (HM September 18).

Although the day began fine, rain, wind and even hail quickly disrupted proceedings with the match recalibrated from 30 to 25 overs per side.

The players remained undaunted, making

the best of anything nature could throw at them.

Coast all-rounder Ramesh Lakmal scored 59 of his team’s 147 run total, and also took two wickets. The Super Kings’ Pradeep Chakravarthi added 50 runs to the scoreboard and Ulaganathan Chinnadurai was the Super

Kings’ standout bowler, taking three crucial wickets for just 12 runs. An enthusiastic crowd cheered on both sides.

The Super Kings took the game, as the clouds parted, by a narrow margin of three wickets but community cricket was most definitely the winner on the day.

The game continued, despite interruptions for hail and rain. Photos, Ethan Fagan

Cricketer bowled over by new wheels Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club director of cricket Ramesh Lakmal was bowled over when a recent practice in the nets in Millwater turned unexpectedly into a show of appreciation, in the form of a gleaming new SUV. The surprise was arranged by club manager Gair McSkimming in conjunction with Tristram European, whose fleet corporate manager Darren Bird handed over the keys to the MG to a beaming Ramesh.

“Ramesh runs a pretty special cricket programme here on the Hibiscus Coast and wider Auckland, and has done for more than seven years, coaching 4000-5000 kids every summer,” Gair said, praising his contributions not just to the club, but also the community.

The club has been using an elderly stationwagon, approaching 300,000 kms on the clock, so “this is a massive step-up for us”, he said. “It will make Ramesh’s ability to get out and coach cricket a lot easier.”

Ramesh said that having grown up in a poor family in Sri Lanka, he has worked hard to achieve what he has.

“I’m a passionate cricketer and passionate coach,” he said. “I try to do my best to bring my coaching and knowledge to other people, so that one day they can come to that position.”

Darren said that Ramish absolutely deserves the support from Tristram for his work with young cricket players.

“We wish him all the best for this summer of cricket,” he said.

32 | Hibiscusmatters | October 16, 2023

Tristram’s Darren Bird, left hands Ramesh Lakmal the keys to the new car.

www.localmatters.co.nz