18 | Mahurangimatters 17 April 2013
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Tasty rolls, sandwiches and other “tradie”-type food can be found in Matakana with the opening of Lunches Mata. The business is the brainchild of local woman Sharon Hubbard, who operated Matakana Country Park’s Country Kitchen Café for three years until 2009. Ms Hubbard spent four years in Australia before returning to New Zealand in May and checking out changes in the market. “I saw a gap for a lunch bar serving good-value home-prepared ‘tradie’type food. I love food and the people side of the industry and I was motivated to make it happen.” She explains there aren’t many places in the area where you can get healthy, affordable takeaway food and Lunches Mata’s 6am opening time has tradesmen in mind. No food item is over $10. A shop was rented on the eastern side of the village and friends and family gave advice about the menu. “It’s been hard starting with a blank canvas but the fit-out has gone well.” Customers can purchase sushi, Oxford pies, home-made cookies and “the best value coffee in Matakana”. “You can get a bap with a minutesteak, or a filled roll with hot lamb and mint jelly, or hot chicken and mayonnaise,” Ms Hubbard says.
Those learning to get behind the wheel will have more options to choose from with the opening of the Warkworth Driving Academy. The school has been running for six months and is operated by Mahurangi College technology teacher Neil Collings. The former Welshman moved to the area five years ago with his wife and three children and decided to start up a driver training school after noticing a gap in the market. Only one other driving school had been serving Warkworth and an increasing number of people were failing their tests after changes to the regime. Mr Collings is trained to meet the latest NZTA standards and can teach people to drive a car or motorbike. He says aspects of the full driving test are now in the restricted test and it is recommended people have at least 120 hours of driving time before going for their restricted. “I suggest you go to an instructor right at the start to get the basics. Then learn to drive with someone experienced or Mum and Dad and come back. It’s a more economical and safer way to drive rather than me having to undo bad habits.” Students repeat this until they’re ready. “It depends on how much driving they’ve been doing and whether they’ve got support from someone at home to reinforce it.”
Lunches Mata
Warkworth Driving Academy
Sharon Hubbard (right) with manager Philicia Murray.
Sandwiches can be self-designed or set themes can be chosen including Mighty Mata, Gourmet Mata and Classic Mata. “We’ve got a big salad bar where you can choose from wraps, rolls and Turkish pides. You can pick a filling and choose from salads and sauces.” Fresh salads will be offered until the weather gets too chilly. The menu is displayed on a large digital TV and coffees can be ordered via text message. Philicia Murray, who worked with Ms Hubbard at the Country Kitchen Café, will manage the lunch bar. It has plenty of parking and is open from 6am to 2pm Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 2pm on Saturday. The eatery can be found in the first set of shops on the left as you drive into Matakana from Warkworth.
Matakana’s 1st lunch bar We offer good, fresh, home-made food, with unbeatable variety and value. Hot, Classic, Gourmet & Mighty Mata style, or come in & build your own Healthy Mata. Select whatever you want, from our breads to fillings
Coffee from 6am
021 212-6414
Text us your coffee order to go Open Mon - Fri 6am-2pm, Sat until 2pm Unit B, 989 Matakana Road
Take Away Only Drive In / Drive Out Lunch, brunch or a snack the way people crave it, because we know, just as you do -
lunches mata
Neil Collings
The first step to getting a motorcycle licence is for drivers to pass a basic handling test. Given Mr Collings is an NZTA-recognised motorcycle examiner, he can carry out training and tests in Warkworth so people don’t have travel out of the area. Mr Collings supplies all his trainees with information about what to expect in their tests, what they should do to drive well, and things they shouldn’t do. The teacher says the lack of public transport in the area means driving a car is vital. He has noticed a number of young people driving with adults without displaying “L” plates or driving on their restricted licence with passengers. “As a community we need to get people passing tests and not turning a blind eye.”
Warkworth Driving Academy Warkworth - Matakana - Omaha Wellsford - Orewa
All your Car and Motorbike Training Needs! Neil Collings - Driving Instructor See me about your driving intensive course these school holidays. NZTA Approved to carryout basic handling skills for motorcycles – why go to Auckland!!
Make a booking today! Phone: 09 425 0557 Mobile: 021 182 7258 warkworthdrivingacademy@hotmail.com 38 Rivendell Place, Warkworth
www.warkworthdrivingacademy.com