Hibiscus Matters_Issue 387_16 December 2024 by Localmatters

Pro baseballer Zac Treese coaches Coast youth at Ōrewa’s Victor Eaves park, Photo, Jayden Murdie Photography. see story p33

Coast generosity spreads Christmas cheer

With less than 10 sleeps until Christmas, many families on the Coast will be worrying how to finance their festivities.

But thanks to the boundless generosity of the community, three charities have received an influx of donations through the annual Hibiscus Matters Christmas appeal.

Saving Hope Foundation volunteer Amy brought 10-month-old Cruz in to collect items donated for him, his foster siblings, and all the dogs that will find themselves

in the care of the dog rescue charity this summer.

Woven Earth founder Kerryn Thrupp stopped by with Rachael McGregor to collect items donated to the charity that supports family violence survivors to rebuild their lives by helping furnish their new homes.

Grandparents Parenting Grandchildren’s Hibiscus Coast support coordinator, Donna Taylor, collected items donated to the organisation’s annual free shopping

spree, which will enable grandparents to provide a festive holiday for the children in their care fulltime.

For those in need this Christmas, there is help available from Coast charities. Here are a couple of options:

With the joy of giving spreading across the Coast, Shoebox Christmas Rodney is asking for families in need to reach out to them. The community-driven initiative pairs people ready to donate a gift with children to ensure they experience the joy

of a Christmas gift, fostering a strong sense of community and support for families facing hardship. Coordinator Louise Still said the initiative saw more than 70 parcels prepared and distributed to schools, kindergartens, and families when it was launched last year. Info: rodneykoha@ gmail.com

Ōrewa Community Christmas Lunch, supported by Salt Community Trust, is at midday, December 25, at Bowls Ōrewa. Free of charge, all welcome, no booking required. Info: christmas@salttrust.org.nz

December 16, 2024 – Issue 387

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As the year draws to a close and the summer holidays beckon, it is that time of year when you pretend to love fruitcake, listen to well-worn family stories, eat chocolate for breakfast and find 50 different ways to serve leftover ham.

With its tinsel and twinkling lights, traditions, and gatherings with family and friends, the holiday season is a time to let go of the year’s stresses, have some fun and find joy in reconnecting with those you hold dear.

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to forget the importance of unwinding – of giving ourselves permission to step back, breathe, and embrace moments of stillness.

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Whether it’s decorating a tree, whipping up a pavlova, wrapping presents or just taking a leisurely stroll along the beach, Christmas demands that we press the pause button on our normal routine. It’s about creating space to rediscover the magic around us, in the laughter shared during a holiday movie marathon or board game, the heartfelt – and let’s hope not too heated – conversations over a festive meal, or the contemplative peace of lying on the grass at night star gazing. These moments ground us and rekindle the wonder that can so easily be overshadowed by the demands of everyday life.

This Christmas, let’s give ourselves the gift of relaxation. Let’s take time to embrace the

traditions that bring us joy, connect us with the important people in our lives, and reflect on the blessings – big and small – that this year has brought. May we approach 2025 with renewed energy and clarity.

We would like to thank our advertisers for their continued support this year and wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas. May your eggnog be strong, your wrapping paper be plentiful, and your ability to fake excitement for weird gifts be Oscar-worthy. And remember, calories don’t count when you’re wearing a Santa hat.

From the Hibiscus Matters team – Lorry (design), Karalisa (news), Leigh & Angela (advertising), Angela (accounts), and Jannette (management).

Coasties urged to be future prepared

The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board has adopted an Emergency Readiness and Response Plan.

The plan includes advice and information about the top hazards in the area, how to prepare for emergencies, and what to do when responding to emergencies. It was developed together with Auckland Emergency Management and community groups to ensure it was specific to the area.

Board chair Alexis Poppelbaum said the flood damage to homes last year was a brutal wake-up call to be better prepared

for future emergency events.

Heading into the summer season, many residents will still have last year’s floods and the cyclone aftermath on their mind. That was a key driver for the plan, incorporating lessons learned from the response and recovery management.

“The reality of emergency preparedness is that the response will be different depending on the type and scale of the event,” Poppelbaum said.

“It’s essential that households agree on their plans for a range of emergency situations,

such as where you would meet if you can’t get home. This plan will help you and your household be prepared.”

The plan also includes key emergency contacts, information on where community emergency hubs are located, and a map on inundation risk areas. Poppelbaum encourages residents to connect with neighbours and to go through the plan with their families.

The plan is available on the council website at https://tinyurl.com/nabb4vxr Printed copies will be available in libraries and community centres.

Wishing our community a very Merry Christmas and thank you for your continued support. Supporting us supporting, Red Beach Surf Club, Orewa Surf Club, Hibiscus RSA, Manly Seniors Tennis Club, Red Beach School, Hibiscus Dairy Flat Hockey Club and North Harbour Hockey – without you this would not have been possible.

Penlink funds Shakespear planting

The O Mahurangi Penlink team will undertake a planting programme at Shakespear Regional Park next year, to offset the vegetation being lost on the route.

This follows the Waterfall Gully project announced for Okoromai Bay next year (Hibiscus Matters, December 2), which is an ecological offset for the Milldale development where waterways on the farmland were culverted.

As the landowner, Auckland Council has given permission and operational requirements for both projects, but the project teams are responsible for regulatory compliance. In this case, that is the O Mahurangi Penlink team who are leading and funding the 38-hectare, winter revegetation project.

Council’s regional parks manager Scott De Silva said large areas of pasture at Shakespear would be converted into new forest and wetland habitats, creating vital

connections for wildlife across the open sanctuary.

“The reduction in pastureland will result in a decrease in grazing sheep, with the flock size dropping from 416 ewes to around 300. It will allow for habitat gains, with native birds like the bellbird, tūī, kererū, and kiwi benefitting from the new forest corridors, while wetlands will support native fish and species such as the endangered banded rail,” De Silva said.

Shakespear senior ranger Matt Maitland said the project would include 30 hectares of grazing land that was not part of the original revegetation plan. He said volunteers together with the Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society (SOSSI) normally plant two hectares a year. With the O Mahurangi offset project happening next year, the parks team and SOSSI volunteers will alter their work programme.

“Apart from the revegetation work, SOSSI also partners with the park on wildlife

monitoring and pest trapping. Our focus will switch to this, as well as threatened plants and species thickening,” Maitland said.

Though some ewes won’t return next year, Maitland says people don’t need to be concerned about not seeing lambs or about a loss of views once the project is completed. There may even be additional benefits with walking tracks planned for the newly revegetated area.

The project is part of a larger effort to offset ecological losses from infrastructure developments. An ecological offset involves mitigating the loss of native habitat due to development by creating or enhancing habitats elsewhere. It is required by the resource management consent process to balance the loss of forest, wetland, and riparian areas.

Park visitors can expect to see work on fences and areas being sprayed in preparation to be planted next winter.

Consultation on dog rules planned for new year

Auckland Council’s proposed changes to the dog policy and bylaws is causing controversy even before it’s opened for public consultation.

The Dog Policy and Dog Management Bylaw have not been reviewed since 2019 though Council staff say they hope there will be annual reviews in the future. Regulatory and safety committee chair Josephine Bartley said the proposed changes are backed by robust data and feedback.

“On the Hibiscus Coast, there are proposals to update some of the rules at Shakespear Regional Park. It is recommended that east of the Army Bay boat ramp, and east of Okoramai Bay to the open sanctuary fence become dog-free areas. Your dog’s bark can be just as strong as it’s bite to our native wildlife, and we are lucky to have a lot of wildlife that call Shakespear home. That is why we’re recommending this change.

“The park also gets busy during summer, so we are also recommending the open grass area between Army Bay and Okoromai Bay becomes an on-leash area from 10am-5pm from December 1 to March 1,” Bartley said.

Though Bartley said that the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board “is also recommending that parts of Big Manly Beach and Tindalls Beach become on-leash areas to help protect the endangered birds that nest in these areas”, the discussion at this month’s board meeting was to the contrary.

Board members challenged council staff on

the evidence for the rule changes proposed for Hibiscus Coast beaches, but weren’t able to get a satisfactory response despite some of these questions being put to staff in October when they last presented to the board.

The board also took issue with the lack of clarity on how changes to the dog access rules could be submitted, how those submissions would be evaluated, and what evidence threshold had to be met to change the rules.

Board chair Alexis Poppelbaum said the topic would have benefited from a workshop where the board could have addressesd queries and feedback, though that opportunity is now lost given the timing.

“We need to ensure this process is more agile going forward as local board areas are growing really fast. We can’t wait years for changes to be considered though we appreciate the legislative requirements involved,” Poppelbaum said.

Auckland-wide, Council has also proposed changes to the dog policy and bylaw including:

Updating where dogs can and cannot go at 14 of Auckland’s regional parks.

Setting limits on the number of dogs that can be walked at once.

Making the policy and bylaw easier to understand by clarifying some of the existing rules, such as requirements to neuter dogs classified as menacing, including those that have been relocated

from outside Auckland.

Bartley said that these changes follow a thorough review of data by council staff. This includes preliminary feedback from a public survey in March this year, showing the common issues for Aucklanders are owners not picking up after their dog, packs of dogs taking up pathways, and dogs wandering off-leash in an on-leash area.

A council statement said that staff analysed statistics from animal management service requests, multiple dog ownership licences, registrations, and the animal management annual report. They also reviewed Auckland data from the National Survey of Dog Attacks, dog control statistics and Accident Compensation Corporation’s dog related claims.

“This level of due diligence is vital when recommending changes to policies and bylaws, as these are the rules we will all live by if adopted,” Bartley said.

Council’s analysis of complaints data found most dog-related complaints were about dog access rules not being followed. The local board picked up on this as the key issue, challenging the regulatory team to consider the value of increasing rules when existing rules were unable to be enforced due to staffing constraints.

Board member Gregg Walden said it all goes back to the one pivotal point that the council needs to get right – compliance enforcement.

Council contemplates double-digit rate rise

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

Hot on the heels of the Auckland Mayor’s CCO-reform proposal, Auckland Council has signaled potential rates increases. Council chief financial officer Ross Tucker said preliminary work for Council’s annual plan had identified a $10 million budget gap and it was still unclear how some financial pressures would impact the annual plan. Tucker said rates increases could exceed the 5.8 per cent increase planned for the next financial year. He cautioned suggestions for small rates increases for things such as events funding or transport projects.

This means more money going out earlier, which means higher interest costs.

Ross tucker

“We have got some challenges to work through. We might need to adjust some services, some capital expenditure and as always, the question is do we need to adjust rates?

“If you add up a bunch of small increases, it could add up to a number where we are suddenly heading towards a double digit rate increase,” Tucker said.

At a previous meeting, Council’s recovery office signaled that buyouts for storm affected properties had been underestimated (Hibiscus Matters, November 18).

“That means potentially moving money from some of the longer-term infrastructure [projects] into buying properties now. This means more money going out earlier, which means higher interest costs. There will be impacts on the annual budget,” Tucker said.

Cr Julie Fairey wanted to understand the costs tied to the buyouts.

“We are likely to have increased maintenance of these sites because there are more of them. It will also cost more to clear more sites,” Fairey said.

Chief executive officer Phil Wilson said the council would receive an update on the buyout costs by the end of this year but would not have a fuller answer until February.

Gulf Harbour golf course continues in limbo

The Auckland High Court has granted Gulf Harbour Country Club (GHCC) adjournments in it’s bankruptcy and liquidation proceedings.

Company director Greg Olliver was granted an adjournment in the bankruptcy proceedings brought against him by BNZ. At the December 10 hearing, Olliver’s lawyer, Rob Tucker requested the adjournment on the basis that Olliver was preparing a Creditor Proposal. Despite objections from BNZ, Judge Cogswell granted an adjournment until February 24 on the basis that the Creditor Proposal was presented by January 31.

Keep Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces

(KWGS) legal advisor Chris Gedye said that in addition to the $53 million owed to the first mortgagee, 1543 Capital of the USA, and the $2 million owed to BNZ, there was likely money owing to the second mortgagee, Alpha First Finance.

“The various mortgagees have the golf course land as their principal security so any action for recovery of their loans would be against Long River Investments, the owner of the golf course.

“However, if the loans are in default, and if there is a personal guarantee from Mr Olliver, then the mortgagees will have the right to exercise that personal guarantee and have a claim against Mr Olliver personally,” Gedye said.

Gedye said that if Olliver was not able to satisfy all creditors with an acceptable proposal, the bankruptcy would likely proceed on February 24.

Similarly, at the November 29 Auckland High Court hearing, GHCC’s barrister succesfully petitioned for an adjournment of the liquidation proceedings brought by KWGS.

The hearing was adjourned to February 2 to allow GHCC to seek a compromise with creditors, but the court required GHCC to present documentation to commence the creditor compromise process by December 20. According to their barrister, GHCC’s debt amounts to more than $400,000, with $20,000 of that owed to IRD.

Flying start for contactless transport ticketing

Two weeks in and Auckland Transport (AT) has clocked a quarter of a million trips using the new contactless payment option on public transport.

Last month, AT introduced contactless payment with cards and smartdevices for travel on buses, ferries and trains (Hibiscus Matters, October 21). However, concession fares and the weekly fare cap are still only available to those using AT’s HOPcard.

Auckland Transport’s chief executive Dean Kimpton said AT’s public transport, technology and customer service teams,

together with AT HOP partner Hitachi Rail GTS, had spent more than 18 months working on the roll-out of the contactless payments, including planning and testing.

“So far we’re seeing the most demand from people using contactless payments on the weekend, and using our train and ferry services,” Kimpton said.

Hitachi Rail GTS’ general manager Denise Burns said the roll-out had its challenges because it covered buses, trains and ferries all at once.

“We had both hardware and software releases

planned in stages to allow us to update the technology in the background without causing issues for public transport customers. We started installing the first new ‘validators’ that people use for tagging off and on back in April while we continued to make the software changes needed for us to go live [with contactlesss payments] in November.

“There was a huge amount of planning needed to make sure the go-live was as seamless as possible because of the unique challenge of making changes to buses, trains and ferries,” Burns said.

Board asks for transparency on infrastructure constraints

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

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board says they want no more surprises after the Army Bay wastewater treatment plant capacity issues arose last month (Hibiscus Matters, November 18).

At the Watercare board meeting on December 12, Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Chair Alexis Poppelbaum shared concerns on behalf of the community and said that the announcement had caused a great deal of anxiety in the industry.

“It’s mum and dad businesses that are going to be the hardest impacted, where it’s causing a lot of anxiety. They are worried about whether they are going to have to lay off staff and what the future is going to hold,” Poppelbaum said.

Last month’s Watercare announcement stated that resource consents for new homes or businesses on the Coast would come with the condition that they can not be connected

to the public wastewater network until the plant has capacity. The capacity upgrade is planned for 2031, seven years away.

Poppelbaum acknowledged the current constraints were likely exacerbated by the government’s fast track approvals bill but highlighted that local elected members could be great advocates for Watercare. Though surprise announcements about infrastructure problems had the potential drive a wedge between Watercare and the local board

“You are quite lucky that this hasn’t exploded into a bigger problem.”

Poppelbaum had three requests. For Watercare to be clear and transparent in terms of constraints; to look at alternative solutions to expedite and upgrade infrastructure; and finally, to be more “nimble” in infrastructure planning.

In his response, Watercare’s chief strategy and planning officer Priyan Perera said that for the last six months, Watercare was focused on building better relationships with local elected members with a ‘no surprises’ approach.

“For the Hibiscus Coast that has been developing for some time,” Perera said, referencing a community liaison group for the community.

“In terms of our planning being nimble –the more a plan deviates from a plan the more it’s going to cost for everybody.”

Poppelbaum commended Watercare’s engagement but clarified that the community liaison group last met in 2019, five years ago.

Watercare board chair Geoff Hunt said that the next steps were around communicating with developers about their plans for building.

“We know we need to do better in terms of updating where things are at. With capacity, being a bit more upfront as opposed to saying ‘we have got a plan and it will be okay’,” Hunt said. “In this case, it was clearly showing up that it wasn’t going to be okay.”

Watercare’s wastewater treatment planning team is currently preparing a comparative analysis for Army Bay wastewater plant including cost options for future plant upgrade.

Park access issues raised

Concerns have been raised about the lack of wheelchair access at many Auckland parks. Disability Connect chair Colleen Brown showed a picture of a playground that had no connecting path to the sidewalk as part of her presentation to Auckland Council’s community committee on November 26.

“To be able to walk to your local park is wonderful but you can’t get from the pathway to the actual park if you have got a child in a wheelchair,” Brown said at the meeting. “I know it can’t be done overnight but even having a budget for the next three to five years, for accessibility features, would be progress.”

Brown said she was on the council’s disability advisory panel for years and raised the issue of an accessibility audit at the time.

“A lot of funding has been paused by the government so families are really struggling for breaks with their children and from their children,” she said.

“For a lot of people in the disability community things are very, very tough.”

Disability advisory panel co-chair Barry de Geest was present at the meeting and said the council was making progress.

“Obviously some of the previous comments have paid off because [the council] has just done an audit of all the parks and pathways in Auckland, and they are going to bring out a map that will show all the pathways that people can go on,” de Geest said.

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

Viewpoint

Leanne Willis, Hibiscus & Bays Local Board leanne.willis@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Building on momentum in the new year

As we celebrate the festive season, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you all for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Reflecting on the past year, it’s clear we’ve experienced our share of challenges but also achieved some significant milestones as a community. From road maintenance – the resealing from the plaza out toward Tindall’s, rehabilitation works on Centreway Road in Ōrewa, the beach stabilisation project at Waiwera – to the ongoing upgrades to our local playgrounds and parks, we’ve seen real progress.

A standout example is the recently installation of equipment in the Harvest Avenue playground in Ōrewa, with the Stanmore Bay playground beside the leisure centre set to receive exciting new equipment very soon. Additionally, the pathways around our beautiful beaches have been repaired and improved, making them more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

One of the biggest wins for the Hibiscus Coast community has been the reinstatement of the ferry service to its pre-covid timetable. Thanks to the tireless efforts of locals, the support of the Facebook group Hibiscus Coast Ferry (Gulf Harbour), and advocacy from councillors John Watson and Wayne Walker alongside local board members, this vital service is thriving again. The recent public consultation on the future of public

Bird flu grounded in Otago

transport highlighted the importance of this ferry service, which isn’t just about getting from A to B – it’s a unique and memorable experience, especially during this wonderful time of year.

Looking ahead, we have a golden opportunity to build on this momentum. The ferry is an asset for everyone, whether young or old. Imagine how exciting it would be to have weekend sailings, giving families an easy and scenic way to visit the viaduct in Auckland. Many locals have expressed their enthusiasm for this idea, and I personally hope to see it become a reality soon.

A special shoutout is also in order for KWGS (Keep Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces) and the incredible volunteers who maintain the Gulf Harbour golf course. Your can-do attitude and dedication don’t go unnoticed – thank you!

This year, I’ve been inspired by the variety of local projects, both big and small. While large-scale, multimillion-dollar developments grab headlines, it’s often the smaller, community-driven projects that bring just as much joy and satisfaction. These efforts truly highlight the spirit of the Hibiscus Coast.

As we approach the festive season, I encourage everyone to take a moment to unwind, cherish time with loved ones, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy our stunning beaches.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Just days after Auckland Council cautioned the public about the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) reaching our shores (Hibiscus Matters, December 2), a strain of avian influenza (bird flu) was discovered in New Zealand. The oubreak of the HPAI H7N6 strain has been contained on a commercial free-range egg farm in Otago. Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Biosecurity NZ say it is not the same as the H5N1 strain causing deaths in poultry, wild birds, and mammals overseas and there has never been a human case of this strain reported. As avian influenza viruses are sensitive to heat treatment, MPI says it is safe to consume egg and poultry products that are thoroughly cooked. Biosecurity NZ is asking all poultry farmers to keep close watch on their chicken and immediately report instances of three or more sick or dead birds to 0800 80 99 66. For more information visit mpi.govt.nz/HPAI or mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu

Are you in The Loop yet? www.localmatters.co.nz/the-loop/

LocalOpinion

Seeing red over cones

Ratepayers are annoyed about the number of red road cones being used. I believe they cost $20 for each one placed on the road. Safety is the issue here, but is this overkill?

The photo shows the main area where a two-metre stretch of concrete footpath was replaced. There were more cones on the road further along the other way. As a side issue, people need to be more responsible for their own actions.

Gayle Robinson, Whangaparāoa

Inconsiderate cyclists

Since the introduction of e-bikes, more people are using our shared walkways and footpaths than ever before. It appears many people (noticeably the elderly) may not be up- to-date with the rules and regulations involved. This is particularly obvious in Ōrewa where I live, and I understand in other areas in New Zealand. It never seems to amaze me that cyclists can be so hypocritical. They complain that they are treated badly by car drivers, but they show a complete disregard for the welfare of pedestrians generally. As a person who walks every day, with my husband and our dog, I am constantly encountering the ignorance of cyclists who have a sense of entitlement and show no consideration for walkers. They zoom along at a rate of knots, passing you within inches and in a lot of instances they will intimidate and/or use obscene language. This places all pedestrians at risk of facing serious injury, and the same for their

family dogs. No one seems concerned about the disrespect and risk to pedestrians, even though the accident rate for them is higher than for cyclists. The general rule is that all cyclists/pedal power or scooters give way to pedestrians. Cyclists have to obey the road code like all car drivers. It is important that all cyclists (young and old) make themselves familiar with the code for cycling on the NZ Transport Agency website – see page 52 for the rules on shared paths and footpaths.

Shirley Dyke, Ōrewa

Waterfall view ruined

I was upset today seeing a huge new ramp thrust up the middle of the glade in front of the waterfall, has destroyed the wild natural aesthetics for me, I cannot understand why anyone would think this intrusion a good idea? Yes steps down a steep bank good idea but nothing more. The circular nature of this once magical place has been ruined!

Ruth, Matakatia

Call for witnesses to dotterel attack

As someone who appreciates our beautiful beaches and the wildlife they sustain, I was deeply upset by the scene at Big Manly on Wednesday, December 4. I had been notified, well before 8am, of a dead dotterel discovered on the beach.

On arrival I found a beautiful adult dotterel barely alive. Under the protocols for endangered birds, and in conjunction with DOC, the bird was taken to the intensive care unit at Auckland Zoo. The bird was examined by the critical care vets, x-rayed, given fluids, pain killers, had DNA taken, put on oxygen and was in an incubator.

Sadly, the bird deteriorated rapidly and could not survive so it had to be euthanised. The vet said there was crush and bruising evidence consistent with a dog attack, but could not confirm the cause of death without witnesses to the attack, or a better

DNA result.

DOC wants to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident and from anyone who sees any dogs injuring or harassing the dotterels in the future. Please contact DOC directly, 0800 362 468. Updates can be found on the Facebook page for Big Manly and Tindalls Dotterels.

As a dog owner myself, I have seen an increase in off-leash dogs on our beaches, dogs not under any sort of control, and ‘entitled’ owners who have little regard for anyone or anything but themselves. Bylaws are flouted and many owners are aggressive towards anyone daring to remind them.

Our wildlife is precious and the Northern NZ dotterel is endangered and protected under the Wildlife Act.

Diane Waring, Manly

Congratulations to Donna O’Grady of Hatfield’s Beach and Irene Williamson of Tindall’s Bay. You’ve each won two copies of Mr Bingley is different, one for yourself and one to gift to someone special this Christmas. Please pop in to collect your books before 5pm on Thursday, December 19.

Pioneer village appeals for return of stolen furniture

Silverdale Pioneer Village volunteers arrived to an unwelcome surprise on Wednesday, November 20. Less than a week after three sets of outdoor furniture were donated to the village, two of the sets (two tables and four chairs) were stolen. Village president Ian Hacking said the theft had likely taken place overnight, under cover of darkness. He said the thieves would have had a vehicle, possibly with a trailer to move the furniture.

“It is visitors to the village who will lose out with the two new sets [of outdoor furniture] stolen. Our very few, and now elderly, volunteers also felt the effect of the theft strongly.

“It is sad when someone steals from a charity that is trying to provide an asset for the community with very little funding,” Ian said.

Ian has also spoken with Ōrewa police to voice his concerns about concerning activity at the village overnight. There have been multiple instances of volunteers discovering empty alcohol bottles and empty nitrous oxide cannisters with balloons strewn on the village grounds. Anyone with information on the stolen furniture, or wanting to facilitate an anonymous return, can contact the village on 09 426 8272.

Photo, Derek Kelsey

Plans to cut rural post services criticised

The government has received more than 1230 submissions on plans that could see rural postal deliveries cut from five days a week to just three and the number of post shops down from 880 to 500.

Time is running out to provide feedback on government plans that could see rural postal deliveries cut from five days a week to just three and the number of post shops down from 880 to 500.

The proposals are among a raft of planned changes to NZ Post’s mail service that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has been consulting on.

The proposals are among a raft of planned changes to NZ Post’s mail service that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has been consulting on, the deadline for which is 5pm on Tuesday, December 10.

The plans, which would also allow NZ Post to deliver to new rural communal collection points instead of mailboxes, have come under fire from Rural Women New Zealand, which it says will disproportionately impact people living in rural areas.

Chief executive Marie Fitzpatrick said NZ Post was abandoning the quality of its service and putting commercial viability ahead of the need for rural communities to access basic postal services.

“These proposals will disproportionately impact rural communities, as well as the elderly and those with health issues and disabilities, who will be forced to wait longer and travel greater distances to do

New Zealand’s economy and deserve better – especially from a state-owned enterprise, which should include a large element of social responsibility.”

basic things like clear their mailboxes and send a letter or parcel,” she said.

“These communities often suffer from poor digital connectivity, which makes it difficult to do administrative tasks online.

Fitzpatrick added that NZ Post also needed to be upfront about which post outlets it was planning to close, and that the proposals needed to be scaled back.

“Our rural communities play a vital role in New Zealand’s economy and deserve better –especially from a state-owned enterprise, which should include a large element of social responsibility.”

“The consultation document says rural communities will not be disproportionately affected, but there is no detail on where services will be cut,” she said.

Fitzpatrick added that NZ Post also needed to be upfront about which post outlets it was planning to close, and that the proposals needed to be scaled back.

“The consultation document says rural communities will not be disproportionately affected, but there is no detail on where services will be cut,” she said.

“We are also concerned the consultation is being run online only, with no face-toface community engagement and a short consultation window. This has made it difficult for rural people to have their say.”

Communications Infrastructure and Trade, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) general manager James Hartley says MBIE is reviewing the feedback received before providing advice to ministers.

Info and feedback form: https://www.mbie. govt.nz/have-your-say/seeking-feedbackon-moving-towards-a-financiallysustainable-mail-service

“Final decisions on any changes to the NZ Post Deed of Understanding will be determined by Cabinet,” he said.

Fairer funding needed fast

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

“These communities often suffer from poor digital connectivity, which makes it difficult to do administrative tasks online.

“Our rural communities play a vital role in

The fairer funding model to address Auckland’s growing infrastructure inequity needs be rolled out as soon as possible, Rodney Local Board (RLB) said at Auckland Council’s budget committee workshop on November 27.

Board chair Brent Bailey said at present, when people built things out of sequence it created issues around infrastructure, public transport, and where the secondary schools were, and there were no consequences.

“We have got to penalise out of sequence growth,” Bailey said.

He told councillors that the unsealed road improvement programme, which was entirely funded through Council, was “crucial” for the local board.

“I know that creates a problem of ‘where’s the money going to come from’,” Bailey

Drainlaying + Earthworks

Scott a’Beckett 021 027 95745

scott@dynamicpipeworks.co.nz www.dynamicpipeworks.co.nz

www.localmatters.co.nz

said before pointing to central government for passing costs on to the council.

“The council is broke. We need to change some stuff and I am open to any idea that will improve our ability to make the most of the limited funds we have available.”

“Following this, any changes to the Deed will be drafted and signed by the parties to the Deed – the Minister for Media and Communications and NZ Post. The revised Deed will be published on MBIE’s website along with a summary of submissions.”

This is likely to happen next year.

Councillor Greg Sayers asked if Bailey had any ideas on how Council could address the issue of rejected plan changes being overturned in court.

“If somebody puts in a private plan change and it’s rejected by Council, they can go to the Environment Court and it seems frequently that objections from Watercare or Council are overturned by those commissioners,” Sayers said.

Bailey said reiterated that out-of-sequence development should be avoided but did not have a an answer to Sayers’ question.

“When we do out-of-sequence development it comes at some cost to the amenity of residents.”

Drainlaying + Earthworks

Scott a’Beckett 021 027 95745

scott@dynamicpipeworks.co.nz www.dynamicpipeworks.co.nz

scott@dynamicpipeworks.co.nz www.dynamicpipeworks.co.nz Drainlaying + Earthworks

scott@dynamicpipeworks.co.nz www.dynamicpipeworks.co.nz

Funding boosts launch of pest free group

Pest Free Dairy Flat and Waitoki is the latest group to join the nationwide Predator Free 2050 movement.

With a name change, some funding, and burgeoning community engagement, founder Anne-Marie Hopkins said the group is gaining traction in its effort to eradicate pests and revegetate rural properties.

When Hopkins found that her new home in Waitoki was overrun with possums, she contacted local pest free groups for guidance, but found they were already at capacity and unable to help. So, she did a trapping course to tackle her own property and then joined forces with Olaf Jones and Roberta Mek to coordinate local efforts (Hibiscus Matters, July 1).

Three months later, the trio has secured funding from the Dairy Flat Community Trust. The trust was established by Waste Management NZ as required by the consent they received for the Redvale Landfill. The trust provides grants to individuals and groups within the Dairy Flat community. Hopkins said the funding will enable the group to supply subsidised traps to Dairy Flat and Waitoki residents.

The group negotiated with manufacturers to secure lower cost traps and plans to offer them as a bundle, based on advice from trapping experts. A standard bundle designed for a four hectare lifestyle block will include traps for mustelids, possums and rats. Hopkins says the group will also be able to provide variations on the bundle, but priority will be given to landholders who commit to the programme.

and Mountains to Sea. This provided the opportunity for residents to learn about their options for trapping and predator control, as well as understanding more about the biodiversity and ecology of the area. The launch attracted more than 60 residents..

“It was such a great evening, connecting us with the passion we all have for nature, and just so lovely to meet everyone,” Hopkins says. “There’s a lot of work involved in establishing a group like this, so the energy and level of interest at the launch was very much appreciated.

“Regardless of the name Pest Free Dairy Flat and Waitoki, we won’t be stopping at trapping. Restoring the environment to support native birds means also giving them a safe place to rest, nest and feed.”

The existing pockets of native bush in Dairy Flat and Waitoki are only a small proportion of the land that the group is targeting. The group hopes to plant native bush on surplus land and stream margins to enhance local ecosystems. Hopkins says it will also bring other benefits such as improving soil quality, stopping erosion, flood control and resilience.

Hopkins says the next step is to secure funding or subsidies for this work. Though there are subsidies for riparian margin planting, Hopkins says they are for the Kaipara catchment and not for the Waitemata catchment.

“Why is that? We see a huge opportunity to replant large swathes of Dairy Flat, particularly the tributaries of the Rangatopuni stream, with native bush. A

to coordinate the administrative efforts involved in making these projects a reality.

Hopkins says the community needs something similar to Restore Rodney East, a group that supports a network of ecological groups involved in trapping and replanting.

“They offer centralised support in areas like fundraising, social media, liaison between themselves and other groups, training, workshops and so on. For some reason, no such group currently exists in the Dairy Flat area.

“We are breaking the 7700 hectare target area into smaller hubs that can function largely autonomously. We need volunteers to coordinate these and help run local

Craft your beachside lifestyle

Secure

To find out more, look for Pest Free Dairy pestfreedairyflat@

lifestyle

The invasive and poisonous moth plant smothers natives and stops other plants growing. It’s also poisonous to animals including birds.

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We’re open Mon - Fri over the Christmas holidays (excluding stat days). Come for a visit!

Manly welcomes first female station officer

Less than a decade into her service as a volunteer firefighter, Janette Baird has risen to the rank of Station Officer, leading the way for women at Manly Fire Brigade.

Janette joined the brigade in operational support – the team that does everything from fetching coffee for the crew through to supervising road closures at incident sites. Working her way up to a qualified firefighter was no easy task though.

Born with full hearing in one ear but completely deaf in the other ear, Janette says she had to prove herself on the job. She was grateful for the support and mentorship of her deputy chief, Athol Conway, and her station officer, Dave Nyman.

“Dave’s been at the station for 17 years. He grew me from a firefighter into an officer. I’m sad to leave him but I have my own crew now.

“At a fire station, the crew becomes your family. My job now is to take care of them and the welbeing and to make sure everyone is prepared. When we’re rostered on, we do truck, PPE, and equipment checks as well as training. That’s the important part, the training strengthens our team. The better we work as a team, the better we are on the ground and those minutes we shave off in training can save someone’s life on the ground,” Janette says. Janette passed the officers course with flying colours, scoring 100 per cent on all four scenarios. But that was just the start as she then had to apply for an open station officer position. When that gap opened up, Janette applied and was approved the night of her interview. In her new role, Janette has her own crew and is in charge of fire scenes at callouts, making the calls on how to tackle the emergency. Callouts can range from fire or medical incidents through to vehicle accidents or civil defence emergencies. She says one of her hardest callouts was the fire at Gulf Harbour Country Club earlier this year.

“We were already on the road after attending another call so we were the first to arrive at the scene. It was my first major call in a leadership role.

“It’s not always as it seems at an incident. As we pulled up, all we could see was smoke. It wasn’t until we were on the other side of the building that we could see the

flames. We worked on that scene all night,” Janette says. Being a volunteer brigade, all the firefighters have day jobs. Janette is the manager of a Stanmore Bay ECE centre. She says firefighting is about serving the community and it takes a whole community to support the brigade.

“It’s important to have employers be understanding about us being tired the night after a call or giving us the time off for training and attending incidents,” Janette says. She herself has staff at the ECE who are in the fire service – Lulu Smith was the youngest firefighter when she joined the brigade at 16, following in her own mother’s footsteps. When Lulu joined she was still at Whangaparāoa College. The college has a long history of students signing up to the brigade with year 12 student Jayden Murdie and year 11 student Max Heydon now in the brigade as well.

Max is Janette’s son and he says he always knew he was going to end up in the fire service, coming from an emergency service family. Janette’s husband, Doug, is brigade support and her 11-year-old son Jack alternates between his dream of joining the service and being a police officer.

With her son joining Dave’s crew, Janette is pleased that he will benefit from the same leadership she did. She says Max is thriving in his first weeks at the brigade through his long-term plan is to join the navy as a marine technician. For now, Max plans to work his way up to a qualified firefighter and become a driver. He says it’s every child’s dream after all, to drive a red fire truck.

“I enjoy the physical side, the training. Waiting for something to happen is the hardest part,” Max says. His first callout was also Janette’s first official callout as Station Officer. Though it was an alarm without incident, she says it was a good opportunity to show Max the ropes. Since then, Max has been eager to join another callout.

“Instead of hearing ‘Are we there yet?’, I now hear ‘Is there a callout yet?’. We’re all really eager when we start out but with the experience you realise that no calls is a good thing. It means we’ve done our job with community education around fire safety,” Janette says.

Janette Baird is Manly Fire Brigade’s newest Station Officer and the first female to hold the role. Janette’s son Max Heydon has followed family tradition, joining the Manly brigade after turning 16 this year. Photo, Jayden Murdie Photography.

Fruit World Whangaparāoa

Daljeet Kaur’s supportive family is helping make her dream of owning her own business come true.

The business is Fruit World in Karepiro Drive, Whangaparāoa, which Daljeet and husband Raj Singh opened last month. The couple live in West Auckland, and have two young children, so starting the business means getting up at 4am, seven days a week, and having grandparents step in to care for the little ones.

As well as being instore to keep customers happy, Daljeet’s experience in accounting and working at Four Square focused her attention on the financial side and ordering. She also takes care of the grocery section. Groceries, with a focus on premium quality and things that may be hard to find elsewhere, are an important part of the store. What is stocked will be led by community demand, Daljeet says, so

customers are welcome to ask for particular items. A range of organic groceries is on its way.

Meanwhile, Raj is in charge of fruit and vegetables, with his priorities being freshness and good preparation – including trimming and quality checking so only the very best goes onto the shelves. The produce is delivered from the market six days a week, and if it isn’t up to scratch, it goes in the reject pile.

The couple is keen to sponsor local community groups and have started with a connection with Love Soup Hibiscus Coast, which may be able to take any produce that is edible but surplus.

As this is Daljeet’s first business it has been a steep learning curve, but she is confident that Fruit World Whangaparāoa can offer a good alternative to customers looking for freshness at a reasonable price.

Business comes naturally to 12-year-old entrepreneur

Mixing together things she found around the garden into pastes and slurries was something that Beulah Nawn loved to do from a very young age.

Her mother Yoekie, a science teacher, says while the result of this experimentation was “a kitchen filled with containers of weird concoctions”, she has always encouraged and supported Beulah’s curiosity.

Now an Ōrewa College student, 12-yearold Beulah combined aloe, coconut oil and hibiscus flowers (for natural colour) to see what happened. The result was a product that melted quickly when out of the fridge, so further work was needed.

“She and her dad made loads of samples, and I made suggestions along the way,” Yoekie says.

That was at the start of this year. The resulting balm was hydrating, and Beulah

had her first product.

She went on to research New Zealand companies that could supply her with natural ingredients – keeping it local, natural and hand-made is important to her.

The first time she shared her lip, hand and foot balms, at the Kids’ Market in Stanmore Bay, they almost totally sold out. More markets, including the Ōrewa Twilight Market, followed.

Beulah used the money to buy more ingredients and has expanded her range with bath and shower bombs and bath salts. Yoekie says her daughter’s fascination with creating natural products shows no sign of slowing down.

“She prefers it to schoolwork for sure,” Yoekie says.

Look for B’s Balm on Facebook.

Daljeet Kaur

Beulah Nawn created her own range of natural products, which is a sellout at markets.

Tertiary scholarship on offer

The Hibiscus Coast branch of the National Council of Women NZ (NCW) has launched a $2000 tertiary student award for women on the Hibiscus Coast.

NCW’s Hibiscus Coast branch president Jenny Brittain said the award is open to past and present Coasties who have completed their first year of tertiary study. The award is part of the branch’s aim to facilitate improvements to the quality of life of women, their families, and their community.

Brittain ran a similar award, through Business & Professional Women (BPW) which has since closed down its Hibiscus Coast group. So when the NCW branch found success with recent fundraisers, Brittain had the opportunity to launch the award anew.

The last scholarship recipient under BPW, Hayley Mulder said the award was about more than the money, it was about being part of a sisterhood with significance.

“It provided me with a community that

helped me to realise and redefine my aspirations. I benefited from the insight and support of very successful, intelligent women,” Mulder said.

“I encourage women on the Coast to apply this year because it will provide them the same. It is so much more than material benefit.”

Mulder, who studied a joint Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business Studies degrees at Massey University, said the financial award facilitated her commute from the Hibiscus Coast and subsidised tuition fees, as well as costs such as textbooks and stationery.

Students have until the end of December to apply. The NCW branch will interview shortlisted applicants at the end of next month and present the award at their branch dinner in early February.

For application forms, email davenjen@ xtra.co.nz

Grant helps fund rescued food initiative

Love Soup Hibiscus Coast received a boost, when it was granted $18,000 from Woolworths NZ recently. Love Soup is a charitable food rescue service, on the Hibiscus Coast as well as in Tokoroa and Rotorua. It also provides regular free community meals on the Coast and a free Christmas dinner, which locally was held at the Whangaparāoa Community Hall on December 15. The businesses that Love Soup collects food from for re-distribution within the community include a number of supermarkets, including Woolworths. Woolworths NZ says it will distribute around $1m to its food rescue partners in its 2025 financial year, including customer donations in store.

Shakespear fantasy forest comes to life at community library

A group of young artists has been hard at work over the last month, painting a new mural for the outdoor children’s area at Whangaparāoa Library.

The mural was a long time coming with idea dating back to pre-covid conversations.

Red Beach artist Susannah Law was approached by the library’s then manager, but with delays around covid, funding for the mural fell through.

Four years later, noticing the still blank wall, Law approached children’s librarian ToniEmma with an offer to apply for funds to create the mural together with her students.

To keep costs down, Law repurposed an old commissioned mural that had since been relegated to storage. The library also received a donation of paint for the mural.

Library manager Eileen Sione said the mural transformed the back courtyard space into something really special for the children.

After securing funding from the Creative Communities Scheme, Law set to work with eight student artists early last month.

Two students were from her studio and six were year 10 students, nominated by Whangaparāoa College art teacher Camilla Copley.

With the old forest mural as a foundation, the young artists painted more than 20 fantasy creatures, as well as flora and fauna from nearby Shakespear park.

“I guided the students to draw and paint images of their choice. They worked on different parts of the mural for the

children’s area over the month.

“My son Daniel is a builder and he installed the mural with my nephew Jet Hannah.”

After the installation, the artists added finishing touches before Law varnished the mural earlier this month.

“It was enjoyable working with the students, they were skilled and very enthusiastic,” Law said.

Sione said the library is thrilled to have a new mural in the courtyard.

“This mural brings to life a magical forest wonderland, right next to our children’s area. We are excited that this beautiful work of art is part of our library.

“We are extremely grateful to Susannah, our student painters, and everyone involved

About the artists

An ecological artist, Susannah Law’s acrylic paintings bring conservation stories to life. She embeds this into her art classes for Hibiscus Coast youth. Growing up on the Whangaparāoa peninsula has influenced her art, and her work reflects the unique Coastie culture. Grace Cook and Tayla Griffiths who are Red Beach studio art students. Whangaparāoa College art students: Mine Rossouw, Charlea Cannell, Brooke Witherington, Emma MortonJones, Alyssa Bright and Ana Walker.

for making our back courtyard a place of beauty, discovery and wonder!” Sione said.

Young artists continued to paint once the mural was up. Adding the fantasy creatures to the scene.

Community spirit growing on newest Coast suburb

Students at Ahutoetoe School have been busy working on a mini-library for the Milldale community to enjoy over the summer holidays.

From little libraries to book-bombing, community book exchanges are a global phenomenon. Auckland-based disability support worker Robyn Hoffman turned the concept into a project for the young adults she supported through Real World Living (RWL).

“I thought this would be a great project for the people we work with at Real World Living. This would give them a sense of purpose, a place in community and being seen and present,” Hoffman said.

“The project took off and as of last month, we have made 74 little libraries for communities across Auckland.”

Milldale resident Gaylene Chambers, who knew Hoffman through the disability sector, was inspired to bring a little library to her neighbourhood on the Hibiscus Coast.

“I have been collaborating with Robyn

since August to bring one of these nifty libraries into the newly-established Milldale suburb, and Ahutoetoe School,” Chambers said.

The wooden stand was made with love by volunteers from the RWL disabled community. They put their heart and soul into building these cool little libraries for everyone.”

The libraries are made from donated plywood. After experimenting with different models, Hoffman said the organisation developed a standard style but each library door was different, inspired by the person helping build it. Then they give the library to the people who requested it so they can decorate the library to make it a part of their community.

Year 6 students at Ahutoetoe School worked together to design and paint the library with support from the caretaker. The students are proud of their creation and excited to share it with the community in time for summer holidays. The little library works on a “take a book, share a book” principle.

Introducing Louis Potgieter, our branch manager for Dils Stanmore Bay.

Louis has a passion for helping families.

With an honest, genuine and compassionate approach, he is committed to supporting each family with the care and attention they need at every stage of this vulnerable time.

They say it’s always a little warmer here on the Hibiscus Coast. Maybe that’s why when you visit Louis and the team at Dil’s, you’ll instantly feel at home.

We’re proud to be serving our community so come by for a chat and discover the Dil’s difference. It’s always nice to meet our neighbours.

Planning your own funeral

can be surprisingly satisfying. At Dil’s, we believe that creating a beautiful funeral starts with a good conversation. So why not drop in for coffee and a chat? It’s your daylet’s make it perfect.

Ahutoetoe School students enjoyed preparing and painting the Community Library.

EACH number in our CodeCracker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 9 represents I, so fill in I every time the figure 9 appears. You have one letter in the control grid to start you off. Enter it in the appropriate squares in the main grid, and solve the starter word. Fill in other squares in the main and control grids with the found letters and look for the next word. Follow the word trail through the puzzle to its completion.

www.codecracker.co.nz

Outdoors calling on Coast this summer

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board is funding free outdoor activities again this summer.

The board has allocated $40,000 as part of Auckland Council’s Out and About programme, which supports people to get active in their own neighbourhood. The programme kicked off last month and will run until the end of March.

Local board chair Alexis Poppelbaum said there’s something for everyone to enjoy with family and friends, and she encourages residents to check out the free programme.

“This is part of the board’s commitment to ensuring that parks, beaches and open spaces support a wide variety of recreational activities,” Poppelbaum said.

Activities range from pop-up obstacle courses and girls skate clinics to cultural play and stand-up paddle boarding. For those looking for something more out of the box, there’s also opportunities to learn circus skills such as juggling, acrobatics, and spinning plates.

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Driving Miss Daisy Hibiscus Coast

This year’s beach yoga programme has a new instructor with Ōrewa’s Mignon Opmeer leading sessions in Stanmore Bay. Opmeer says the beach sessions are open to beginners and experienced yogis alike, and that poses can be adapted to ability. She encourages Coasties to join her in the new year, to stretch and unwind by the sea.

“We breathe in the ocean’s energy and exhale all worries and fear. It’s pure bliss to experience a seaside savasana in the sunshine,” Opmeer says.

The board has ensured a diverse programme for the summer with more active offerings including kiwi bubble soccer and Hungerball, both of which are multisport mashups that will get the blood pumping.

There’s also a chance for children to connect with nature through the nurture sessions, which are fun, sensory experiences focused on building a sense of kaitiakitanga for the natural environment.

Full list of activities: www.aucklandleisure.co.nz/out-aboutauckland/#a4

Surf club set for sizeable donation

An auction is always a tense and exciting time, and there was an extra vibe when 55 Spars Road, Milldale went under the hammer on November 30, as the proceeds were to be donated to Ōrewa Surf Lifesaving Club.

The money will be a significant contribution to the club’s project of rebuilding its clubhouse and community hub on Ōrewa Beach.

The charity initiative was spearheaded by GJ Gardener Homes Rodney East, and saw more than 100 mostly local businesses, trades and their suppliers coming on board to donate material and labour.

GJ Gardener Rodney East general manager, Brad King, says it was an amazing project to be part of.

“Seeing the community rally at such a challenging time for the industry was very special,” he says.

The property sold to a young family for $1,089,000. How much of this will go to the club is still to be determined – the cost of the land and Auckland Council fees need to be covered, and GJ Gardener is crunching those numbers, with the donation total expected to be announced early in the New Year.

There will be an official handover event, including a chance to say thanks to all those involved.

John Chapman, who chairs Ōrewa Surf Lifesaving’s redevelopment committee, says the club is extremely grateful for the generous funding injection.

He says at this stage it is expected to be the end of next year before any physical work begins on the project, as fundraising is ongoing.

Making the most of your summer holidays

The last week of work and school is finally here. For Coasties planning a staycation, there’s plenty to keep you entertained this summer.

Slip, slop, slap to stay sunsmart this season

NIWA has predicted warm and dry conditions for summer, sparking a reminder to stay sunsmart. Too much UVR (Ultraviolet radiation) exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer. Aotearoa ranks among the highest in the world for skin cancer rates, with more than 90,000 skin cancer diagnoses every year.

According to NIWA, Auckland’s typical

peak midday UV Index values are 12-13 in summer and around 3 in winter. When the UV Index is higher than 3, it’s important to to follow sunsmart precautions: Slip on clothing – Cover as much skin as possible for protection from the sun • Slop on sunscreen – Use broad-spectrum, waterresistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30, at least 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours • Slap on a hat – Choose one with a wide brim or flaps covering the ears and neck • Seek shade – Look for a leafy

oneYourstop Christmas shop

tree, building or shade sail, or plan activities for early or later in the day • Slide on some sunglasses – Opt for close fitting, wrap around style sunglasses and always check the label for the sun protection rating. Daily UVR level forecasts are available on the UVNZ, NIWAWeather, and Metservice apps.

Jump online before jumping in Before you cool off this summer, jump online to check out the water quality whether you’re planning to swim, surf or even just wet your feet.

Heavy rainfall from summer storms can pose contamination risks for waterways at beaches, lakes and rivers, when stormwater and wastewater system overflows. Red pins represent high risk of illness and black pins are a clear warning that the water is not safe.

Auckland Council has added new locations to its Safeswim platform that provides real-time information on water quality, swimming conditions, and potential safety hazards at beaches and freshwater swimming spots. Council has also refreshed the mobile apps to increase accessibility on the go. Info: www.safeswim.org.nz

Bring in the new year with neighbours

If you’re hosting a new year’s eve party, be a considerate neighbour and check the rules around noise, fireworks and alcohol bans. Fireworks are not permitted on berms and footpaths on your street, beaches, forests and conservation areas. Liquor bans apply to public spaces such as streets, beaches and parks.

There’s a few ticketed events on the Coast for those that prefer to leave the hosting to someone else. Check out page 35 to see what’s on.

Tramping tips for the outdoors

As Coasties prepare to travel and explore the great outdoors this summer, Land Search and Rescue New Zealand (LSAR) has

released essentials tips for a safe adventure. Choose the right trip – Research the route, make sure you have the skills for it, and check you understand the weather forecast. Pack warm clothes and extra food – Prepare for an unexpected night out and have a back-up plan, weather can change fast. Expect the best but prepare for the worst –Tell a trusted person your plans and make sure you carry a distress beacon so you can call for help if needed. If you’re travelling with a group, eat, drink, rest, and make decisions together.

The Mountain Safety Council also has a free app for kiwi tramping afficiandos, Plan My Walk. In addition to providing track alerts and weather forecasts, the app helps trampers plan their gear and create a shareable trip plan. Though the app only works online, new functionality allows for a trip plan to be downloaded.

Raumati reading for the holidays

Raumati Reads kicks off today at Ōrewa and Whangaparāoa libraries with the children’s programme handouts ready for collection. The handouts cover a range of activities from a word find to a colour scavenger hunt designed to engage children, aged 5-12 years, old over the summer holidays. The programme was developed by Auckland Libraries to support children in developing a daily reading practice to tackled the summer slide.

The “summer slide” isn’t as exciting as it sounds – research reports that the summer school holidays may lead do a drop in children’s literacy and reading skills. To combat this, Raumati Reads offers challenges, prizes, and events at community libraries. Older readers also have something to look out for with the recently released “Top 100 Reads of 2024”, curated by librarians across Auckland. The list showcases the newest books across multiple genres including 26 books penned by kiwi authors, nine of whom hail from Tāmaki Makaurau.

77 Very hot (9)

79 Neck vein (7)

81 Craze (3)

84 Compare (5)

85 Of horses and riding (10)

Crossword conundrum

86 Less (5) 87 Placates (5) 88 Unbelievably saintly; morally beyond reproach (6,4,5)

89 Revolution (5) DOWN

2 Large serving dish (6)

3 Coach (5)

5 Entice (4)

6 Enthusing lecture (3,4)

7 Insect’s antenna (6)

8 Pester relentlessly (5)

9 Highest (7)

10 Short letter (4)

11 Suave (6)

12 Lined chart (5)

13 Timidity (7)

14 Electric cell (7)

18 Annoy, cause to become hostile (10)

23 Conductor’s stick (5)

24 Post on wharf (7)

26 Run away (7)

27 Cruel and brutal fellow (7)

29 Alpine goat-antelope (7)

30 Strict (6)

31 Foot-operated lever (5)

32 Bargain over price (6)

34 Chinese monetary unit (4)

36 Knife-sharpening rod (5)

38 Great fear (5)

40 Palm fruit (4)

45 Reside (5)

46 Extremely stupid, foolish (7)

47 Rope fibre (4)

48 Season (6)

49 Ruse (5)

50 Perform surgery (7)

52 Association of companies (10)

53 Branch of mathematics (7)

54 Cricket team (6)

55 Score (7)

56 Circumference (5)

57 A metal (4)

62 Snap (5)

67 Particulars (7)

68 Flawless (7) 70 Ill-defined (7) 72 Ruler (7) 73 Oriental smoking pipe

Picked (6)

Handbook (6)

X-rated (5)

78 Not smooth (5)

80 Oneness (5)

82 Tangle (4)

83 Silly (4)

© The Puzzle Company

Put your walking shoes and discover Rodney’s hidden treasures

You might think you know your own backyard, but there is always more to discover.

Ōrewa’s Linda Cole has always looked for the paths less travelled and she first began to share this sense of wonder and exploration with others when she was approached to form a walking group for the local area in 2005. That group, Hidden Treasures of Rodney, has been going ever since, celebrating its 20th anniversary this month. More than 30 people from all over Auckland attended the get-together.

Linda says at the start, finding interesting and off the beaten track places to take members was relatively simple. She enjoyed looking at a map and planning new routes to explore. However, kauri dieback has brought restrictions for walkers, so Linda has had to uncover routes that stick to tracks but may still not be well known. Originally, members were aged in their 40s-60s. Anyone could join, as long as they were fit enough and had the right gear. The walks, every Monday in term time, generally involved about five hours’ walking, including breaks.

“There was even the occasional sunbathing,” Linda says. “I let them do however much they wanted to do.”

There have been lots of laughs, as well as the occasional fall or medical incident. Linda says some great friendships have been made along the way, and that walking with the group has also fostered a love of the outdoors.

“They keep coming back, and the group grew in numbers,” she says. “It is great fun, and members encourage and support each other.”

As well as discovering new places, spotting rare plants and enjoying the birdlife are elements that make the walks special and memorable.

Some members are in their late 70s and 80s, and Linda says while the walks are continuing, things are less demanding, slower and at a more gentle pace to accommodate everyone.

But the focus remains on finding hidden treasures.

“Even today we find places to walk that are relatively unknown,” Linda says.

The group takes a break over Christmas and New Year and walks begin again in February. To get involved, email hiddentreasuresofrodney@xtra.co.nz

Here are some of Linda’s favourite Hidden Treasures of Rodney:

• Scotts Landing and Casnell Island

This is accessed from Ridge Road off Martin’s Bay Rd. Choose a very low midday tide. Set off in the morning and explore Scott House and surrounds before crossing the causeway and up onto Casnell Island to its southeast corner for magnificent views. Return to causeway and go up the western side of the land to a walkway near a couple of posts in the water. Up the walkway and cross through Charles St and back to the eastern coast and work your way along to the south and the wharf/carpark.

• Big Sand Island

Located on the SW corner of Tapora peninsula – west of Wellsford. Best in autumn or winter as it can be very hot with no shade or water.

This island is literally big and sandy, but fascinating. It is a bird breeding area so please respect the birds. Cross at low tide though even at full tide the causeway is not too deep. Walk around the coast and keep an eye out for sharks. The dunes can be carved into varying shapes by recent storms so very photogenic.

Located on SH1 at the southern end of the Dome valley. This is an easy walk for the first part to the lookout then much more ‘au naturelle’ with tree roots and muddy bits to keep up the excitement.

• Mt Tamahunga

With a profile similar to Rangitoto Island, this is the highest point in the Warkworth area. There are several access points and lots of beautiful bush. Very natural – no boardwalks just well-worn tracks, although

there is a helicopter pad (to service the weather station on the other summit).

• Te Muri Regional Park.

This is a relatively new park accessed at low tide via Mahurangi Regional Park. You need to go south to the river and cross to explore Te Muri, which back onto Te Muri Bay.

• Dunn’s Bush

Beautiful bush preserved via the QE11 Trust by local farmer Arthur Dunn. No formal tracks just orange triangle signs to follow (never blue or pink as they are pest control lines). From Puhoi, drive along Ahuroa Rd and turn into to Tolhopf Rd. Carpark and track map is at the top of the first hill.

• Te Arai Point

A lesser known regional park. Several walkways over the hill to Pakiri beach. An old coastal quarry is a shell collector’s haven after storms. Wonderful surfing.

• South Head (of the Kaipara Harbour) – need low tide.

A bit of a drive to get there via South Head Rd and Trig Rd, but used by lots of kite surfers. An ever-changing coastline where you can walk to the headland and back. Opposite is the Papakanui Spit bird sanctuary, the base of which is the Defence Force bombing range – no access!

Mt Tamahunga summit: A break, a snack and a chat beneath the weather station.

• Dome Walkway

Deep in the Dome, from front to back, Lyn Hayward, Eric Howe and Jan Gillespie.

Dunn’s Bush – from left, Evan Orsborn, Linda Cole and Lyn Hayward.

Don your sun hat, grab your spade, and get ready to dig

Ōrewa’s iconic treasure hunt is returning to the beach this January and everyone is invited to the familyfriendly event.

The Ōrewa Lions Club is hosting it’s annual Big Dig on Saturday, January 11. This year the profits will be donated to HBC Grandparents Parenting Grandchildren and Ōrewa Sea Scouts.

The sea scouts will also receive funds from the sales of the Lions club’s 2025 calendar. Scout group leader Jonathan Weatherby says they will use the funds towards new sails for their two cutters, which will cost about $3000 per sail. The current sails have been repaired many times over and are coming to the end of their lives.

“Sailing is an important part of being a sea scout group, as this enables us to teach our youth sailing skills they would not otherwise have the opportunity to learn and experience,” Weatherby says.

The sea scouts also help set up the event, burying the iceblock sticks once the sand near the surf club has been loosened with digger equipment. One area will be cordoned off for the under-fives age category, which takes place before the overfives start digging. Sticks are redeemed for

a small prize and a raffle ticket entering them in a bigger prize draw held at the end of the event.

Lions club president Wendy Miller said the annual event has raised between $5500 and $10,000 in the past. Other charities to have received funds from the event include Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club, Hibiscus Coast Youth Centre and Hibiscus Coast Community Patrol.

This year, Miller promises even more food trucks in addition to the carnival games, rides and entertainment.

“Each year we look for new ways to entertain the families who come along. We will have stalls, beach activities, great food and refreshments, as well as our famous raffles. But you need to be there to claim your raffle prize in person,” Miller said.

The famous quickfire raffles and diggers prize draw will be run during the Big Dig but the community raffle is already on sale and has some big prizes up for grabs – a $1000 supermarket voucher, $500 travel voucher, and a Coastguard experience.

For more information on the Big Dig and to enter the raffles, contact the Ōrewa Lions Club via Facebook @orewalions

Longboard club comes of age

Members of Ōrewa Longboard Club marked the club’s 21st anniversary recently.

Since it formed in October 2003, the club has produced two NZ National Open Men’s title winners, including six-time champion Tom Kibblewhite (TK), a current member. Another member, Phil Morris, won the NZ Longboard Tour in 2004. There has also been one National Open Women’s title winner, Sasha Brownlee, and any number of age division winners at New Zealand National Surfing Championships. Recently, 17-year-old Taj Robinson won the Auckland Surfing Champs Open Men’s Longboard title at Piha, having previously won the Under 18s longboard event at the National Scholastics Surfing competition in October.

As well as regular surfing, the club holds social events such as quiz nights, and evenings at Underground Surf or Morris Boards where people can hear about surfing gear and get advice. Once a month, there are contests at an Auckland surf break.

Founding president and long-time member Scotty Riach, says the club started after a group of surfers who lived locally would often see each other out surfing.

“We originally called ourselves the Hibiscus Coast Longboarders Club but quickly changed to include the name of our home surf break – Ōrewa.”

He says the Ōrewa bar makes great longboard waves due to sand banks off the estuary mouth of the Ōrewa River, particularly

during the tropical cyclone season. Ōrewa Beach is considered a top place to learn how to surf or improve your skills.

Longboards, around 2.75m in length, were the first modern era surfboards. Surfing on one of these boards is about using the full length and ‘walking’ from tail to nose. When a surfer puts 10 toes on, or over, the nose of the board, it is called nose-riding or ‘hanging 10’.

“It’s darn hard to do and can take a long while to learn,” Scotty says. “We had some expert longboard riders in the club, and it didn’t take long before we had our first national tour champion or divisional champions.”

Current president Greg Illing says the club’s strengths are its family-focus and links with Ōrewa and the wider Hibiscus Coast. They have members as young as nine through to 70 years old.

He says local businesses also play a key role in keeping the club going.

“Last year we held a 20th anniversary contest at one of our regular surfing spots, Waipu Cove, and more than 100 people attended. We’ve also had several memorial contests as we surf in honour of members who have died over the years.”

Members meet on the first Wednesday of every month (apart from January when they are all away surfing) at the Ōrewa Surf Lifesaving Club at 7pm. The club can be found at OrewaLongBoardClub.com

Photo, Tom Morales

Scrumptious pies even easier to locate on Coast

Nothing beats a pie when it comes to a quick snack at a pitstop.

So to avoid disappointment, a new pie map of Aotearoa has been launched to help roadtrippers locate the best pies in the country.

The map is designed by the organisers of Bakel’s Supreme Pie Awards who awarded Silverdale’s Wild Grain Bakery a gold for their chicken and vegetable pie in July. Wild Grain owners and bakers Buntha Meng and Ketaka Lao also received a highly commended award for their classic steak and gravy pie. Not to be outdone, Dairy Flat Bakery joined Wild Grain Bakery in the top 10 for their potato top pies.

Dubbed the ‘Great NZ Pie Hunt’, NZ Bakels’ managing director, Brent Kersel, said the map was launched for some seasonal fun, encouraging kiwis so start hunting down the award-winning pies.

“After we announced the winners in this year’s Pie Awards, people from all over New Zealand, even tourists, went to find the winning bakeries and taste their champion pies. That’s a while ago now and some pie fans may have forgotten the locations of those bakeries.

“We know food stops on road trips is what we do. You just can’t help it when you come through a town and see those bakery signs. But not all pies are created equal and that’s why our Great Pie Hunt map will lead you to only the best – pies that have jumped through hoops to prove their worthiness,” Kersel said.

The interactive map provides a quick reference for all the winning and highly commended pies across New Zealand with geolocations for the retailers, connected to google maps.

Find your closest award-winning pie at www.piehunt.nz

Green scene

Hanwell, Hibiscus Coast Forest & Bird j.hanwell@forestandbird.org.nz

Have a wild time this summer

We are so lucky here on the Hibiscus Coast to live in a place where so many people around the world dream of going on holiday. It’s easy to forget that when we’re going about our day to day lives. Not only do we have a beach for every day of the week, but there’s something for nature lovers to enjoy every day of summer, so take the time to slow down and notice nature with your family. Here are a few of my favourite things to do with young ones, or the young at heart, over the school summer holidays: Explore rock pools – we have some amazing places to see weird and wonderful sea creatures. Plan a low tide walk and take the time to look closely at what is moving around amongst the seaweed. I like the walk from Fisherman’s Cove to Army Bay, returning via the Pacific Parade esplanade reserve which is full of birdlife. Arkles Bay also provides a fun adventure, starting at the southern end of the beach, work your way around to the Weiti Estuary and climb the steps up to Ferry Road Reserve. It truly is an alien world in the rock pools, in particular the sea slugs in rainbow colours, the lemon doris for example looks like lemon peel and its eggs are like orange ribbons swirled into a rose shape.

Go on a night walk – hot summer days can leave us craving the cool of night-time, and the forest is a different world once the sun sets. Look out for glow worms near the waterfall at Shakspear, or wētā and spiders at Alice Eaves Bush or Karaka Cove. Listen for the distinctive sound of the ruru and if you’re lucky you might hear kiwi at

Shakespear, or Cook’s petrel calling as they fly overhead.

Plan for a rainy day – join Forest & Bird’s kids club (KCC) and receive an awesome quarterly magazine as well as invitations to local events and lots of activities on the website. Membership also makes a unique gift for the kids or grandies.

Learn their name – my daughter and I love the iNaturalist app for learning what the critters we find are called, and it also adds helpful records for ecologists to use to learn more about wildlife populations. Simply take a snap and upload it, the app makes suggestions about what it might be, then experts come back to you overnight with an answer. Make it into a competition to see who can record the most native species. Want to turn that phone into your family tour guide? Download the free Shakespear Explorer App from SOSSI and add two self-guided trails to your device, featuring hidden interactive signs, videos and stories from the sanctuary, it will help keep all your explorers busy.

Start thinking about new year’s resolutions – 2025 will be upon us before we know it. How about finding a way to make a difference for wildlife next year? We’re always looking for volunteers, with our Branch Committee, Pest Free Hibiscus Coast Project and Big Manly Dotterel Minders group. There’s a role for everyone so get in touch.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas season. Please remember to be a voice for nature when you’re out and about, nature needs your help.

Jenny

The Pest Free Hibiscus Coast team on a night walk at low tide, at Arkles Bay.

Water skills building children’s confidence

Down river from the busy Penlink worksite, students from Wairau Valley Special School (WVSS) are learning water safety skills on the Weiti River.

For some of these students, it’s their first experience with water activities. WVSS teacher and Waterwise programme leader Izelle Toerien said she finds it rewarding to watch a student progress through the programme – from hesitating at the river’s edge to enjoying their time on the water. “I’ve even had teacher aides start out not wanting to enter the water, only to end up telling me they are going to buy a kayak after the programme,” Toerien said.

When Toerien, a Stillwater resident, founded the community Waterwise programme at Stillwater Boating Club eight years ago, she used kayaks from the community before the club fundraised to add paddleboards to their programme.

“We are the only centre that has paddleboards. There isn’t regular enough wind here for sailing, and we can only run sessions every second Sunday because of the tide,” Toerien said.

The programme has proved popular with the Sunday sessions attracting children from Dairy Flat School and Silverdale Primary, in addition to children from the Stillwater community. So much so that Toerien expanded it to students from WVSS where she teaches digitial technology.

WVSS has 10 satellites where students who attend local colleges are taught in a dedicated unit supported by a teacher and three teacher aides for every six to 10 students. Two of these satellites are on the Hibiscus Coast, at Ahutoetoe Primary and Whangaparaoa College. Toerien organised for intermediate-aged students through to older students (up to 21 years) to attend Waterwise sessions at the boat club during

the week.

A spokesperson for the Stillwater Boat Club said it is important to promote water safety not just for members, but for all kids, which is why they opened the programme up to everyone.

“It’s very heart-warming to see new kids with barely any water confidence, become more confident in the water and start to learn to sail,” the club spokesperson said.

Waterwise relies on volunteers and parents to run community and school programmes. The programmes aim to develop children’s

Milky Way Glow Worm Cave

A destination like no other, hosting a diverse range of nature-based activities and environments including the Milky Way Glow Worm Cave and the Jurassic Walks. See NZ’s world-famous glow worms, pristine cave formations, stalactites, stalagmites and flow stones. Learn about the glow worms and geology of the recently opened Milky Way Glow Worm Cave. This is one of only a few caves in NZ where you can take photographs.

self-confidence and safety skills around water. Toerien said she didn’t start the Stillwater programme because she was a teacher. She started it in 2017 when she discovered there were no opportunities for children to learn the skills needed to stay safe in a tidal river.

“I just enjoy the fact that the students get to learn all the skills for water safety on the river or ocean, and not just in pools. But we would appreciate help and support from people willing to volunteer or train as an instructor. Many centres have closed down in the last year and that means

The Jurassic Walks, spread over 320 acres, has multiple tracks through the karst limestone and biodiverse native bush. Rock climbers can climb one of 3 climbing crags with many routes. Bike on the farm roads and meet the friendly farm animals.

Visit for the day or stay for several at one of our three tent or motorhome camping areas with cooking, toilet and shower facilities.

children miss out.

Toerien said she was motivated by her love of being out on the water. When she moved to New Zealand, she started sailing in an effort to deal with the winters, which were a tough adjustment from South Africa.

“In South Africa I lived on a game farm, 900 kilometres away from the ocean, but I would go kayaking any opportunity I could get, on a dam or a river. I also ran a fishing lodge on the Zambezi River, but there I had to have guides help me navigate because they knew where the hippos and crocodiles were lurking.”

Izelle Toerien runs a waterwise programme from Stillwater boating club.

Youth Voice

Caitlin Watson caitewatson@gmail.com

Shining Christmas hope on community

Christmas is fast approaching and with it comes the familiar sights, sounds, and traditions of the season. We’ll brace ourselves for the usual corny Christmas cracker jokes, indulge in the deliciousness of Christmas cake, and give thanks to our thoughtful Coastie neighbours for their spectacular Christmas light displays. There’s something truly special in the air, that brings plenty of joy, and peace abounding near.

As we look forward to the celebrations of Christmas 2024, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on a remarkable moment from Christmas over a century ago. In 1914, amidst the horrors of the first World War, an extraordinary event occurred on the Western Front. After months of relentless trench warfare, soldiers from both the British and German forces spontaneously declared a ceasefire on Christmas Eve. Despite the ongoing brutality of war, men climbed out of their trenches and crossed into no-man’s-land. They exchanged greetings, shared cigarettes, told jokes, and even played football together, celebrating as brothers, not enemies. How is it that, even in the dark depths of war, peace prevails and enemies are united during the season of Christmas? What is in the Christmastime air?

In Christian tradition, Advent is a time of preparation – a season leading up to Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ that focuses on themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. These four themes, celebrated each week in Advent, offer a beautiful contrast to the often fast-paced, consumer-driven world around us. It’s a reminder that Christmas is

not about the quick flash of a credit card, or the stress of last-minute shopping, but about something deeper.

Fast forward to Christmas 2024, and unfortunately, the world still faces many conflicts. Wars rage on in different corners of the globe, affecting millions of lives. On the Hibiscus Coast in little New Zealand, we couldn’t get much further away from these devastating conflicts. This reflection isn’t meant to induce guilt, but rather to spark hope – a hope that the unifying spirit of Christmas, like the one experienced during the Christmas truce of 1914, can find its way into our lives today, even in small ways.

So as we take the final days to prepare for Christmas, it might be too big an ask to come up with quick solutions to address the plights of our distant neighbours. However, we can extend the same Christmas spirit of peace and joy to those around us who share our streets, schools and supermarkets. Could it be the opportunity to swap unforgiveness for generous love to a family member or friend? Or share from a space of plenty, a gift to a struggling neighbour or stranger? Or perhaps exchange projecting a moment of stress induced Christmas shopping despair onto a shopping assistant, with relaxed joyful and encouraging Christmas cheer?

With all that said, dear Coasties, may you have a wonderful Christmas filled with an abundance of peace and joy, and bring on the great summer adventures as we head into the new year!

Tree...t yourself to fresh

There’s still time to treat yourself to a fresh Christmas tree and support a good cause. Here’s what you need to know: Coast Youth Community Trust 10am-6pm, daily until December 19. Whangaparāoa Baptist Church carpark, 733 Whangaparāoa Road. Standard trees $55; apartment trees $40; large trees (special order only) $125; tree stands $40; festoon lights – domestic $50 – heavy duty $65. All profits help to provide up to 500 hours of youth work to learners in Whangaparāoa College next year.

Hato Hone St John Ambulance Hibiscus Coast 10am-5pm weekdays and 9am-4pm weekends, until December 20. Silverdale Ambulance Station car park, 36 Silverdale Street. Standard trees $55. Special orders can be placed on-site, on weekdays, subject to availability; tree stands $40. The funds from these trees go towards supporting the welfare and well-being of the frontline ambulance crews on the Hibiscus Coast

Tips to care for your tree

Location – Find a shady spot for your fresh, new tree. Avoid setting it up in a hot room or in the path of airconditioner flow.

Stand – Choose a stand that holds at least a litre of water, and keep the water topped up at all times. Avoid letting the water level drop below the base of the trunk, as this can cause the cut to seal and stop absorbing water

Watering – It may seem odd but your tree needs regular watering. Make a fresh cut 2.5cm from the bottom of the trunk and place it in the water immediately. The first 48 hours are crucial, be careful not to let it dry out.

Refill the stand with clean water daily, as the tree can absorb up to a litre a day. When the party’s over – book in with a Christmas tree disposal service for January. There are a few operators providing collection on the Coast.

Our gorgeous gift shop is located in a tiny Victorian summer house in the grounds of Ōrewa House. Call in for a delightfully unique shopping experience.

All natural skincare, crystals, jewellery, fairies, unicorns and other lovely treasures.

Open Friday to Sunday 11am to 3pm

498 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Ōrewa | 027 618 1996

Sales from Christmas trees will help fund CYC Trust youth work and St John crews.

Although the Hibiscus Matters Christmas appeal has now closed, there are still a number of other organisations who are collecting donations to support those in need this holiday season.

The Catalytic Foundation is running a Christmas Shoebox Project, working with local charities and businesses to ensure kids living in hardship in the Hibiscus Coast area and across the country do not go without a gift. Info: www.christmasshoebox.

org.nz

A reported 56 per cent of women choose to stay in an abusive relationship out of

fear for their pets’ safety. People who use violence will often threaten, injure and even kill a pet to control family members. Often survivors can’t take their pets with them when seeking refuge, fearing the pets will be harmed or killed if left behind. Pet Refuge removes this barrier by providing temporary shelter and care for pets, while their families escape domestic violence, until the can find a safe, pet-friendly home. Info: www.petrefuge.org.nz

Toyworld Silverdale is collecting toys to donate to Salvation Army Hibiscus Coast and welcome people coming in to support this worthy cause.

by Mark Mitchell, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

Around 85 per cent of kiwis flock to the beach over summer, with half of them engaging in water activities.

Pause for concern over summer injury spikes

There’s lots to do out and about over the summer holidays but one adventure most Coasties will want to avoid is a trip to urgent care.

In particular, because of the rising costs of treatment and the decreasing availability of emergency care centres on the Hibiscus Coast.

ACC receives almost 70,000 claims for summer outdoor recreation activities each year with a fall being the top cause of fatalities. ACC injury prevention

Top tips for injury prevention

Road Cycling – 28,059 new claims last year costing $76 million: Helmets should meet New Zealand safety standards and be replaced if they take a hit • Watch out for cars, potholes, slippery surfaces, or anything that can stop the wheels from turning • Position yourself where you can be seen on the road. Hi-vis gear can help you be seen at night.

Mountain biking – 4152 claims last

leader James Whitaker says most of these injuries are preventable and it pays to take a moment to ask questions such as: “Am I wearing the right shoes for this activity?”;

“Should I take it a bit easy if it’s a new bike track or road I haven’t ridden before?”; or “Does the activity I am about to do match my skill level or ability?”

“We want New Zealanders to enjoy their time this summer – whether that is at the beach, on mountain bike trails or on the sports field – but we are challenging them to have a moment, to have a ‘hmmm’.

year costing $21 million: Check your bike – ABC method, Air (tyre pressure); Brakes; Chain • Fit your helmet correctly – 2–4–1 method, 2 fingers from eyebrows to helmet, 4 finger v-shape around the bottom of ears, 1 finger under chin strap • Stick to trails that suit your ability

Swimming – 7551 claims last year costing $31 million: Know how to float – practise in a pool • Find the safest place to swim – stay between the flags to avoid

To think about smart ways they can do what they love while staying injury free,” Whittaker said.

As part of their summer injury prevention programme, ACC is providing online tips and advice on reducing the risk of injuries from summer recreation activities. Their guidance focuses on the four activities that drive major spikes in injuries each summer, according to their claims data –road cycling, mountain biking, swimming and surfing.

rips • If in doubt, stay out – the weather can be unpredictable

Surfing – 5582 claims last year costing $13 million: Check it before you charge it – look for hazards before paddling out

• Hold on to your board – make sure you wear a leg rope • Protect your head –cover your head if you wipe out.

For a full list of tips, go to www.acc.co.nz/ preventing-injury/

ACC Levies to rise

ACC Minister Matt Doocey last week announced an increase in levies and an independent review of the organisation, citing declining rehabilitation rates and increasing costs.

The earners and business levy will increase by up to five per cent a year for three years, and the motor vehicle owner levy will increase by five per cent, plus inflation adjustment, per year for three years.

“I am concerned that ACC’s performance has been declining for a decade. Rehabilitation rates are down, weekly compensation costs are up and average costs per claim are up,’ Doocey said.

“This review will have a particular focus on claims management. It will look at whether ACC has the right interventions and settings in place to support accident claimants to return to independence as quickly as possible.

“I know that many Kiwis are doing it tough. The staging of the increase in ACC levies reflects this.”

ACC chief executive Megan Main acknowledged that more people were receiving weekly compensation and remaining on the scheme for a longer period with non-serious injuries. Combined with rehabilitation and care service cost increases, Main said the scheme’s funding and levies left the organisation with a $2 billion annual shortfall.

“Each year ACC spends $7 billion on health care and weekly compensation to support the two million injury claims we receive,” she said. “Health and social insurance schemes internationally are facing similar challenges in balancing scheme boundaries, rising healthcare costs and funding.

“We hope any findings [from the independent review] will further help us improve our rehabilitation performance and assist us in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the ACC scheme.”

Dr Lynsey Ellis, Ōrewa Community Garden lynseymellis@gmail.com

Christmas gardening Green Thumbs

Christmas is finally here and that means sunshine and harvesting summer fruits. As the long-awaited holiday season arrives on the Hibiscus Coast, it’s the perfect time to nurture your garden and reap the rewards. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a novice gardener, summer on the coast offers is a great time to grow food for humans, butterflies and bees. We have been forecast a hot dry summer so now is the time to prepare your garden to sustain through the hot summer.

Water and mulch

Water early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation and help your plants retain moisture. If you have heaps of slugs, like I do, water in the morning. Use deep mulch on your beds to retain soil moisture, keep roots cool and minimise weeds. I have used pea straw this year which is great for the soil, and you get free peas!

Look out for weeds and pests

Warm weather brings weed growth and pests. Regular weeding prevents competition for nutrients, while giving you the opportunity to keep an eye out for pests like aphids and whitefly. Use natural solutions such as companion planting and homemade insect sprays to keep your garden eco-friendly and protect the soil.

Heat-loving plants

Plant heat-loving fruits and vegetables such as berries, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers,

St Stephens Anglican Church

Your invitation to our Christmas Services

Dec 19 8:00pm Carols by Candlelight A reflective service

Dec 24 11:00pm Midnight Mass

Dec 25 9:00am Holy Communion

3 Stanmore Bay Rd www.ststephenswgp.org.nz

@StStephenswgp

eggplants and peppers. Herbs such as rosemary, basil, sage and thyme love the sunshine, and add flavour to your meals. For a butterfly and bee garden, plant flowers such as petunias, swan plants, calendulas, marigolds and lavender to provide vibrant colour and attract the pollinators.

Sustaining your garden while on holiday Many of us will be away for the holiday season so be sure to water and deep mulch before you go and ask a neighbour or family to water for you a couple of times a week. With a little effort and some planning, your garden can stay nourished, hydrated and fruitful.

Embrace the season, get your hands dirty, enjoy your holidays and watch your garden thrive while having a Merry Christmas!

Hibiscus Coast Catholic Parish

CHRISTMAS MASS

CHRISTMAS EVE: Family Vigil Mass, 5.30pm

St John’s, Orewa

Carol Singing, 11.15pm

St John’s, Orewa

Christmas Mass, Midnight

St John’s, Orewa

CHRISTMAS DAY: Mass, 8.30am

St Francis, Manly Mass, 10.30am

St John’s, Orewa

St John’s Church: 180 Centreway Rd, Ōrewa

St Francis’ Church: 8 Motutapu Ave, Manly

Sunday December 22, 9.30am, Manly Church, Carols and Readings the Manly team.

Sunday December 22, 10am, Red Beach Church. Carols and Readings

Rev Sione Tesimale

Christmas Eve – Tuesday December 24, 7pm, Manly Church

Rev Sione Tesimale.

Christmas Day – Wednesday December 25, 10am, Red Beach Church

Rev Sione Tesimale.

Bumble bees on my perennial basil

Winning a national competition called Dig the Gig has helped raise the profile of Ōrewa band Th’Goodside, which will perform a showcase at the famous Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles next year.

The band members, all from Ōrewa, are Grant Heyns (rhythm guitar), Evan Fairgrey (bass), Harry Le Cheminant (vocals), Oliver Wallace-Pram (lead guitar) and Visko Bryers (drums).

Formerly known as Bliss, they changed the name in October – drummer Visko Bryers

says both names were references to iconic New Zealand band Th’Dudes, who are a key influence.

Dig the Gig is a competition for university bands with a unique system for selecting finalists – it lets the crowd be the judge. A decibel meter is used, and the bands that receive the loudest audience reactions go through.

The grand final, held in Christchurch in October, was judged the same way, with the addition of online voting and Visko says they were stoked to win.

Both the regional and national finals saw the band play to packed venues.

The prize included a trip to Los Angeles where Th’Goodside will perform a showcase at Whisky a Go Go on Sunset Boulevard.

Visko says their original material is written by different combinations of band members, describing their style as “alternative rock, heavily influenced by Th’ Dudes”.

Four of the members are former Ōrewa

College students, who began playing music while they were still at school. Now in their 20s, all but one are tradies and Harry is a geologist studying for a Masters. However, the big dream is to make it as professional musicians and with this in mind, they have been busy recording original tracks with their debut EP, Close to Home, just released.

Catch them at Parāoa Brewing Co, Whangaparāoa on Christmas Eve. You can also get more info and hear them play at www.ThGoodside.com

Th’Goodside recently rocked Parāoa Brewing Co. and is returning there for a special Christmas Eve gig with other bands. From left, Grant Heyns, Evan Fairgrey, Harry LeCheminant, Oliver Wallace-Pram and Visko Bryers.

Health

Dr Peter Hall hallpeter708@gmail.com

The key to enjoying a safe holiday

Covid clipped our wings, but people are travelling again bigtime. About half a million people depart New Zealand every month, many of them to tropical climes. This means travel medicine is again a hot topic, particularly as there are some important new diseases appearing on the scene and some old ones making a comeback.

I’m particularly sad about the resurgence of polio, which was a disease that we really thought we had ‘licked’ globally, but has reappeared in over 40 countries, mostly in Africa and Asia.

Likewise, there was a devastating measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019 and the Western Pacific, in general, is still considered at risk. These and other outbreaks mean that travellers need to make sure they are up to date with routine vaccinations, as well as the exotic ones.

Dengue cases are increasing, particularly in the Americas and Southeast Asia. There is a vaccine but it is expensive, in short supply and not suitable for everybody, so the best prevention is mosquito bite avoidance. Sometimes when told that there is no malaria risk, people neglect insect repellents and appropriate clothing, exposing themselves to other nasties such as dengue, yellow fever, Zika and chikungunya.

Hepatitis A remains a constant threat in situations where food and water safety is questionable.

Covid and influenza are the highest risk vaccine-preventable diseases in travellers. I can attest to that, having picked up covid on a trip back from the UK this year. After

nearly four years on the frontline without getting it, I was feeling a bit smug but I shouldn’t have been surprised. I believe the inflight risk is low due to nifty airflow and filtering systems on planes. I probably got it lining up in customs, or somewhere else en route.

By comparison, the more exotic diseases (typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis and cholera etc.) are rarer but potentially deadly. Vietnam has had a recent surge of rabies cases and India reports tens of thousands of deaths each year from this disease.

While the risk of rabies is low, the chance of getting bitten by an animal is high, particularly in places where animals are used to interacting with humans. I’ve even heard of monkeys stealing personal items from tourists and then bartering them back for food. If bitten, it is advisable to seek medical treatment and rabies vaccination. Pre-travel rabies shots make this much less urgent and complicated. On the whole, it’s better just not to go near anything with teeth.

As scary as these diseases are, they are not the major cause of illness or death while overseas. The most common cause is common such as a heart attacks, followed closely by accidents – road traffic and drowning. The much beloved scooter is a high-risk activity. So much so that a number of insurers require special cover if you plan to ride one on holiday.

Traveller risk is highly individual so generic information from a web site is often not adequate. A consultation with a travel medicine expert is the way to go!

The Importance of Early Detection of Skin Cancer: Why Early Diagnosis Leads to Better Outcomes

Early detection can make all the difference when it comes to health, especially for conditions like skin cancer. The earlier a problem is found, the simpler and more effective the treatment can be. Skin cancer, for instance, is highly treatable when caught early but can become lifethreatening if left undetected.

Our skin is the largest organ of the body and serves as a protective barrier but it’s also constantly exposed to risks like ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Over time, this exposure can lead to damage and in some cases the development of skin cancers. While everyone is at risk, certain groups are more vulnerable. People with fair skin, a history of sunburns, or a family history of skin cancer should be particularly vigilant. However, it’s important to understand that even those with darker skin are not immune.

Early diagnosis improves outcomes because it often means the cancer is caught before it has spread. For example, melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, has more than 90% survival rate when detected early. However, if it spreads to other parts of the body, the chances of survival drop significantly. Regular skin checks, either by yourself or a professional, can help identify suspicious spots or changes in your skin.

What should you look for? A good rule of thumb is the ABCDE method:

• A for Asymmetry: One half of a mole doesn’t match the other.

• B for Border: Edges that are irregular or blurred.

• C for Colour: Uneven shades or new, unusual colours.

• D for Diameter: Growth larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser).

• E for Evolving: Changes in size, shape, or colour over time.

If you notice anything unusual, don’t wait—get it checked by a healthcare professional. This is especially important for people at higher risk or those who spend a lot of time outdoors. Regular skin checks are a simple but vital step to protect your health. They are quick, painless and could save your life. By making skin checks part of your routine and seeking medical advice when something seems off, you take an active role in safeguarding your health. Early detection isn’t just about survival—it’s about giving yourself the best chance at living a full and healthy life.

Take care of your skin—it’s the only one you’ve got!

Dr Talat Nur

MBBS, FCPS (General Surgery) Associate SkinSafe Ōrewa

Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm | 18 Florence Ave, Ōrewa Clinic: 09 242 7546 | support@skinsafe.co.nz skinsafe.co.nz

Fishing fundraiser nets three grand

Following the annual HBC Raiders Old Boys’ fishing competition, and eagerly anticipated weigh-in, the fish were auctioned for charity, netting $3000. This year’s proceeds will be shared between Harbour Hospice and the Raiders’ junior programme.

Pictured is Wyn Hooggerbrugge who won the Kingfish section with his 16.78 kg catch.

Photo, Roger Reid.

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Coast cricketers defend T20 trophy against Takapuna

Last week, Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club (HCCC) hosted the first mid-week T20 of the season, with the Mills Jones trophy on the line for the premier mens team.

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In a tight contest at Victor Eaves park, HCCC batted first, scoring 137 for seven in 20 overs. Auckland Aces player, newly IPL-contracted Bevin-John Jacobs topped scored for HCCC with 54 off 32 balls including four massive sixes. Will O’Donnell, also an Aces player, was the main bowler for Takapuna with three wickets for 28 runs. Chasing 138 for a win,

Takapuna were two for 53 in the ninth over when the rain arrived.

It’s an annual match against Takapuna Cricket Club, and the HCCC team was very determined to hold on to the trophy after winning it for the first time last year. HCCC skipper Max O’Dowd said local derbys are fantastic with a very high level of cricket played by both teams, performing well in spirit and in skill.

Despite the rain, the HCCC premier mens team managed to hold on to the MillsJones trophy.

Pétanque partnership finds success in Paraparaumu

Last month, Millwater pétanque player Charles Deane and his partner Neville Frost placed third equal in Pétanque New Zealand’s 2024 National Doubles Championship. Charles has developed a success streak with his partner – the duo were runners up in last year’s competition in Dunedin. This year, both in their seventies, the duo bested almost all 50 teams from across the country, of all ages. They were the only seniors to make the top eight but were knocked out in the semi-finals.

Normalising non-competitive para sport

Milldale sprinter Mitch Joynt insists that sport is about being brave and just giving it a go. The paralympian wants to change the perception of sport for people with disabilities. Mitch says sport was a huge part of his rehabilitation and he wants others living with a disability to feel comfortable taking up a sport. “Maybe too often Para sport is viewed as only for the elite. You hear about the Paralympians and that’s it. But there are some really cool opportunities out there,” Mitch says. With nearly a quarter of the kiwi population living with some form of disability, Mitch says it’s important to normalise the conversation about what they are capable of. He says New Zealand has come a long way in terms of how people with a disability are perceived or treated, but there is still more progress to be made. Mitch remembers the challenges he faced trying to return to employment after he lost his right leg in a woodchipper accident. He worked as a truck driver for many years, but his bosses were skeptical. He faced a lot of questions about his ability to do the job with a prosthetic leg. “So, my advice to anyone looking to employ someone with a disability, is just trust the person in front of you, if they tell you they can do something, they definitely can. “We’re pretty normal people, and we live relatively normal lives, so we don’t actually need to be treated differently in a lot of circumstances when we do get treated quite differently. “We just want to be treated like everyone else,” Mitch says. He walks the talk when it comes to giving it a go. After his accident, Mitch tried multiple sports before finding his stride with sprinting. “I think that’s probably the most important part about [para sport]. People at all levels, at all abilities just giving sport a go and enjoying the benefits that come from that,” Mitch says.

Six-year-old Benjamin is stoked that dad, HCCC manager Gair Mcskimming brought the trophy back home last week.

Ōrewa diamond sparkles with celebrity guests

The Ōrewa Sharks baseball club have had two very famous visitors in the last two months.

Last month, New York Yankees scout Troy Williams visited the club at Victor Eaves Park. Troy worked with Jack Rust who is one of the Hibiscus Coast’s rising stars in baseball. Currently in his last year of high school, Jack is hoping to follow in the footsteps of the three Sharks players who secured baseball scholarships to study at US colleges. One of these is club secretary Michael Vukcevic’s son Luka.

“We are trying to grow and lift participation in the sport on the Coast. We just know that baseball is so good for the kids from hand-eye coordination to building resilience. So far there has been good engagement from the community and there’s a huge opportunity to grow the sport here with the next generation of kiwi baseballers,” Michael said.

The Sharks have two mens teams in the Auckland Baseball Competition. Michael said both teams rank either third or fourth out of the seven competing clubs. So far the premier team has won three out of four games this season though one was an injury forfeit.

“We’ve had tremendous support from the local board and council in terms of investment in artificial turf at victor eaves. Having a high quality diamond has made a massive difference to the players,” Michael said.

Though there are no women currently playing baseball with the club, Michael welcomes women players and said there’s a plan in the works for a social baseball evening next year. He said less than a handful of women play baseball in New Zealand but there is a growing movement internationally. The Sharks other coup has been securing an extended visit from professional minor league baseballer Zac Treese. On a break from playing in Croatia, the star pitcher is spending his holiday giving back to the sport by sharing his skills and experience

with children learning the sport.

An Arkansas native, Zac didn’t follow the traditional route of getting scouted into college on a baseball scholarship and was actually a “walk-on”, having to try out for the college team. Where Zac grew up, he said the mentality was to make it to college, not to make it to big money baseball. He’s been playing since he was five and said he started coaching before he could even drive.

“It came easy to me. I’ve had many good coaches and learned new methods since I started coaching at 16. Often I find I’m telling the kids things I need to be reminded of as well – ‘one pitch at a time, learn to slow down’,” Zac said.

When teaching children, Zac treats baseball like school and said it immediately connects in their mind.

“The game is like a test. If you didn’t study, you won’t walk on to the field with confidence. But it’s also about understanding what works for each kid.

“Ultimately I have to make sure they’re having fun. I want them to learn that it’s okay to fail because that’s how you build character.

I believe the only one that loses is the one that walks away without learning,” Zac said.

Zac hasn’t spent all his time on the diamond though and he said he’s enjoyed the few Hibiscus Coast gems he’s had the chance to explore, with Ōrewa beach being his favourite so far.

Michael said that the Sharks have ambitious plans for next year starting with a summer baseball camp for six to 16 year olds where Zac will teach the fundamentals of baseball and focus on skill development. He said the charge is nominal as it’s about having people commit rather than making money.

The club also has outreach plans for schools across the Hibiscus Coast to offer on-site introduction to baseball and havea-go classes.

Info: Join the Facebook group Ōrewa Sharks Baseball Club

ToTalspan Rodney pRoud sponsoRs of

THE scor EBoArD

aRoundup of spoRTs acTiviTies in THe disTRicT

BADMINTON

Social badminton is held at The Stanmore Bay Pool & Leisure Centre, on Mondays 11.30am-1pm. Cost is $5 per session. Bring your own racquet.

RUNNING

Park Run Millwater – Free, fun, friendly 5km community activity. What a way to start your weekend! Every Saturday, 8am-9am, meeting at Metro Park sportsfields, Millwater. Walk, run, jog, volunteer or spectate! All welcome. Info: www.parkrun.co.nz/millwater/

CROQUET

Ōrewa Croquet Club. Come and see if croquet is for you. Golf croquet is played Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and Association on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Coaching programme and mallets available. Phone 426 3506, Pixie 021 0249 5910 or visit 43 Hatton Rd, Ōrewa.

FISHING

Golden Years Fishing Club. Do you love fishing. Are you 50+. Don’t have a boat or want some company. Maybe a little mobility issue. We can help. Our club does weekly charters on Hauraki of Kaipara Harbours. Even shore based torpedo expeditions. Phone Derek 021 032 6878.

PETANQUE

Hibiscus Petanque Club, Tuesday and Wednesday 9am-12pm, Sunday 1pm-4pm. Adjacent to Ōrewa Bowling Club, 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway. All welcome. Ph John 027 489 4955 www.sporty. co.nz/hibiscuspetanque INDOOR BOWLING

Whangaparāoa Indoor Bowling Club. New members welcome. Come and learn this easy to play game. Club nights Monday 7pm Whangaparāoa Primary School hall, Thursday afternoon Whangaparāoa Hall. Contact Maurice 027 392 0541 or Owen 021 264 9192 for more information.

List your sports here FREE: hibiscusnews@localmatters.co.nz

ToTalspan Rodney 229 sTaTe HigHway 1 waRkwoRTH pHone 09 422 3149

Classifieds

& MAINTENANCE

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LAYING, CARPET RE-STRETCH, VINYL LAYING, CARPET REPAIRS Over 30 years’ experience. Contact

HOUSE WASHING - SOFT WASH / LOW PRESSURE / CHEMICAL WASH

Also Window Cleaning / Gutter Clearing / Decks / Concrete. Careful service, reasonable rates. qualitywash.co.nz / 021 0579743

Small local landscaping business specialist in push mulch mowing/ ride on mower with weed eat edges, Garden revamps weeding/weed spray, tree/palm trimming, full/overgrown section tidy, hedges, green waste / rubbish removal, mostly everything. Free easy no obligation quote no job too big or too small. Please call, text also WhatsApp 0210 887 8995 or email asap.lawnsandoutdoor. maintenance@gmail.com

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

CARPET ADVICE, FREE QUOTE FOR STEAM CLEANS, Carpet Repairs, 35 years experience Dwayne 027 499 7929.

ELECTRICAL WORK Installation/upgrade of switch boards, down lights, power points, ceiling fans, ovens and hobs. Spa power, EV charger power. All small jobs welcome. Ronnic Electrical Ltd 021 752 430

HEDGE TRIMMING - Fruit tree & orchard pruning - formative prunes - stump grinding. Ph 020 4027 6200.

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

PEST CONTROL Eradication of rats & mice. Competitive Rates. Ph 426 2253 Ph 027 286 7321, www.noratsandmice.nz

TRIM & PROPER SOLUTIONS Hedge trimming • fruit tree & orchard pruning • formative prunes • stump grinding. Ph 020 4027 6200, trimandproper@outlook.co.nz

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

A SMART REPAIR Service for F&P smartdrive washers, F&P/Simpson dryers. Prompt service ph 021 168 7349.

LOST CAT

Help bring Marco home for Christmas

DRAINLAYERS

For your drainage requirements. Certified drain layers. All Round Drainage Ltd: Ph/txt 0274 890 851 email jeff@ardnz.com

FURNITURE REMOVALS

exp Owner Operator 30 years. Single Items to Flat/House lots. Silverdale Based. Ph Gavin 0274 973 867

HYPNOTHERAPY

Lose weight. stop smoking. anxiety and depression, confidence, self esteem. Ph 021 635 966 www.hypnotherapy2succeed.co.nz

WANTED TO BUY

Marco escaped from a local cattery while his family were away. He is dearly missed and they are worried he is cold, scared, hungry and in an unfamiliar neighbourhood. Marco may be trying to make his way home to Ōrewa.

His family would love to have him home safe & sound, please contact Ann 027 589 8963

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

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN – Hibiscus Coast, $2,000 TERTIARY STUDENT AWARD – 2025 Applications are now open to a past or present female Hibiscus Coast resident. Application Forms & Criteria available by email to: davenjen@xtra.co.nz Applications close December 31st 2024.

Ration,

Fracas, 33 Seismology,

Elf, 36 Sultan, 37 Laud, 39 Fat, 41 Bedouin, 42 Salami, 43 Rigmarole, 44 Ahead, 45 Dead heat, 50 On, 51 Deceased, 55 Syrup, 58 Enigmatic, 59 Elixir, 60 Snigger, 61 Cur, 63 Lair, 64 Embark, 65 Apt, 66 Cordon bleu, 68 Prefer, 69 Accuse, 71 Impartial, 76 Amazon, 77 Scorching, 79 Jugular, 81 Fad, 84 Liken, 85 Equestrian, 86 Minus, 87 Calms, 88 Whiter than white, 89 Cycle. DOWN: 2 Tureen, 3 Train, 5 Lure, 6 Pep talk, 7 Feeler, 8 Hound, 9 Topmost, 10 Note, 11 Urbane, 12 Graph, 13 Shyness, 14 Battery, 18 Antagonise, 23 Baton, 24 Bollard, 26 Abscond, 27 Ruffian, 29 Chamois, 30 Severe, 31 Pedal, 32 Haggle, 34 Yuan, 36 Steel, 38 Dread, 40 Date, 45 Dwell, 46 Asinine, 47 Hemp, 48 Autumn, 49 Trick, 50 Operate, 52 Consortium,

11:26am1.2 5:33pm2.7 11:50pm1.0 6:23am2.8 12:16pm1.1 6:24pm2.8 12:39am0.9 7:12am2.9 1:03pm1.1 7:14pm2.8 1:26am0.9 7:57am3.0 1:48pm1.0 8:03pm2.9 2:10am0.8 8:40am3.1 2:33pm0.9 8:50pm2.9 2:53am0.7 9:23am3.2 3:18pm0.8 9:37pm3.0 3:36am0.6 10:06am3.3 4:04pm0.7 10:22pm3.1 4:19am0.6 10:50am3.3 4:50pm0.7 11:08pm3.1

What’s on ...

December

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

20 Dairy Flat Live Boogie Night, Dairy Flat Community Hall, 7.30pm11pm. $7.50pp cash only. Licensed bar. BYO nibbles.

20 Centrestage Theatre – Christmas carols on the lawn, 60 Centreway Road, Ōrewa 7pm. Bring a picnic and the family,

21 Tribute to Kevin Greaves with Midnite Special, Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, 43A Vipond Rd, Stanmore Bay, 7pm-10.30pm. $10 members, $15 non-members.

21 Paraoa Brewing Christmas Party with Dire Straits Tribute, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 8pm-11pm. Tickets: www. eventfinda.co.nz/2024/paraoa-brewing-christmas-party-with-direstraits-tribute/auckland/whangaparaoa-penins

22 Carols and readings at Manly Methodist Church, 9.30am and Whangaparāoa Methodist Parish, Red Beach 10am. 1 Walbrook Road, Manly, 76 Red Beach Road, Red Beach.

22 UFC - Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 Parāoa Brewing Co., 719A Whangaparāoa Road, Whangaparāoa, 9am. Tickets: www. eventfinda.co.nz/2024/ufc-tyson-fury-vs-oleksandr-usyk-2/auckland/ whangaparaoa-peninsula

24 Christmas Eve service, Manly Methodist Church, 1 Walbrook Road, Manly, 7pm, service by Rev Sione Tesimale.

24 Th’Goodside Christmas bash, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, www.ThGoodside.com (see story p30)

25 Christmas Morning, Whangaparāoa Methodist Parish, 76 Red Beach Road, Red Beach, 10am, service by Rev Sione Tesimale.

28 Retro Valley Summer Fest! Parāoa Brewing Co., 719A Whangaparāoa Road, Whangaparāoa, 8pm-12am. Tickets: www.eventfinda. co.nz/2024/retro-valley-summer-fest/auckland/whangaparaoapeninsula

31 Rock the Coast NYE 2024, Parāoa Brewing Co, 719A Whangaparāoa Road, 7pm-12.30am. Tickets: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/rock-thecoast-nye-2024/auckland/whangaparaoa-peninsula

31 New Years Eve Party with the Brendon Ham Band, Dairy Flat Community Hall, 8pm-12.15am. $20pp cash only. Licensed bar. BYO nibbles.

January

11 The Ōrewa Lions Big Dig (see story p22)

February

8 Mark Williams & Annie Crummer Parāoa Brewing Co., 719A Whangaparāoa Road, Whangaparāoa, 7pm-11pm. www.eventfinda. co.nz/2025/mark-williams-annie-crummer/auckland/whangaparaoapeninsula

21 A Night Of... Parāoa Brewing Co., 719A Whangaparāoa Road, Whangaparāoa, 6pm-11pm. Tickets: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/anight-of/auckland/whangaparaoa-peninsula

March

8 Summer Serenade - Jazz in the Garden, Couldrey House & Garden, 6pm. Featuring Jane Horder and band performing jazz favourites and musical hits. Tickets $55+booking fee from Eventfinda.

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

Christmas hours

Hibiscus Matters’ closes for the year on Thursday, December 19, 2024. And reopens on Monday, January 6, 2025. Our next paper will be out on January 13, 2025.

May you all have a festive Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

Pharmacy Talk

with Tania Adams Pharmacist at Unichem Manly

Our Services

If have a health problem during the Christmas break and don’t know where to turn, come and see us at Unichem Manly Pharmacy for help and advice. As pharmacists we’ve got lots of great services that you might not even be aware of. Did you know that we can perform a test for strep throat and (if you test positive) may prescribe you antibiotics? Here’s a taster of what’s on offer at Unichem Manly Pharmacy:

Strep Throat - if you have a sore throat, our specially trained pharmacists are able to perform a test to see if you have a bacterial infection commonly called “strep throat.” They can prescribe antibiotics and pain relief for this after a consultation.

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

Vaginal Thrush - if you think you might have vaginal thrush, come and speak to us at the pharmacy as we are able to sell both creams and tablets for vaginal thrush.

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

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)

Smoking Cessation - if your New Year’s resolution is to give up smoking, come and see us! Our pharmacists are able to prescribe Nicotine Replacement Therapy and give counselling.

Morning After Pill - this may be prescribed by one of our specially trained pharmacists after a consultation.

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

Vaccinations - COVID vaccinations are available. Pregnancy vaccinations and “Catch up” vaccinations for whooping cough, measles plus others now also available.

FREE COVID tests - We have a number of FREE COVID RAT test kits available if you or a household member has become sick. We also have available to purchase combination RAT test kits for COVID, Influenza A, Influenza B and RSV.

Here’s some other services that you may also find handy:

Weight Loss Clinic - this clinic is an individualised programme 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.

Gut Health Clinic - for those who have ever suffered from bloating, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation or heartburn, this is the clinic for you. Our nutritionally qualified pharmacist has had amazing outcomes.

Note that charges do apply to some of our services. Also note that restrictions apply to some of our services. Simply call us on (09)4247708 or visit our website at www.unichemmanly.co.nz for details.

American Magic crew test Manly waters

Elite international sailors are arriving on the shores of the Hibiscus Coast this month for the Moth World Championships hosted by Manly Sailing Club early next month.

Californian sailor Helena Scutt and Florida-based Lucas Calabrese are among the premier sailors preparing to compete in the international competition. Both sailors are coming off a mammoth America’s Cup campaign.

The American Magic teammates have arrived on the Coast early to collect their brand new boats from Silverdale boatbuilder and competition sponsor, MacKay Boats, and to acclimatise to sailing the boats in Manly.

“It was cool to see the MacKay factory in person as I’ve had a lot of boats from them over my career,” Helena said.

Despite being Olympic sailors and Americas Cup veterans, Lucas and Helena said they aren’t expecting to win the competition.

“For me it’s about staying active and continuing to sail in my break. These boats require a lot of time that we don’t get when we’re working on an America’s Cup campaign.

“My expectations are low because I haven’t been able to put in the time this boat needs. I still have the pressure I put on myself but with experience you eventually learn to just enjoy,” Lucas said.

There aren’t many women sailing moths and though Helena said she’d love to be one of the top women sailors in the competition, she’s more interested in all the women sailing well.

“We’ve been trading tips and it will be fun

to sail against each other because we push each other as well.

“For me it’s about enjoying sailing my own boat after being one part of the big America’s Cup push. It’s almost a different sport because on the moth it’s just you and the ocean. The other day I tacked and ended up in the water but I just loved it. It feels a bit more free.

I’m not in the shape I would have liked to be for this race but that’s okay. These boats are hard to sail so any time you put into them, you end up a better sailor,” Helena said. For many women in sailing, their size can be a barrier to competing in the moth class. It’s hard to achieve the speed. The heavier you are, the more leverage you have to make the boat go faster,” Helena said. Both Lucas and Helena have so far been

focused on familiarising themselves with their new boats and preparing for the competition, but they plan on taking some time out over Christmas to enjoy what the Hibiscus Coast has to offer.

Lucas’ wife, Pilar Garcia, and their two young children are flying in to join him for a summer holiday. His sister is also coming over from Australia with his nephews so Lucas is looking forward to a mini family reunion. Helena’s husband, Hans Henken, is also joining her for a summer Christmas and the couple will stay on for Hans to compete in the the Sail GP event.

“Everyone has been really welcoming so far and I appreciate the volunteer efforts in making this competition happen,” Helena said.

“It’s a community to be proud of – it feels very safe and clean,” Lucas said.

Lucas Calabrese moth training. Photo, Sam Thom. Right, Florida-based Lucas Calabrese and Helena Scutt