LIFESTYLER
January 11 2012
Kaipara
Festive Season in the Kaipara
Pages 8-9
Kaipara’s Regional Newspaper — Kaipara Owned and Operated — Phone 09 439 6933 — www.kaiparalifestyler.co.nz 10,000 Copies DELIVERED FREE throughout the Kaipara: Dargaville, Ruawai, Paparoa, Matakohe, Maungaturoto, Kaiwaka, Mangawhai and environs
Art in gum at Dargaville Museum by Joanne Speechly
An exceptional collection of kauri gum crafted into beautiful sculptures, has been donated to the Dargaville Museum by the craftsman himself, Tom Potter The retired farmer from Hikurangi has spent most of his life carving kauri gum after falling in love with the precious resin as a 10-year-old. From that youthful moment, Tom started collecting gum at every opportunity but did not start to carve the resin until after he returned from the Second World War. The carving, melting and sculpting all took time and patience on the part of the self-taught artisan, who also turns his own wood and makes furniture. Tom’s huge collection of gum crafts can be seen at Jack Morgan museum in Hukerenui where Tom farmed, the Kauri Museum, Whangarei Museum and Hikurangi Museum. He also has ‘a house full’ of crafts. “I polished my first piece of gum when I came back from the war,” said Tom. “There was gum everywhere at that stage — we even managed to sell some of it.” His farm was littered with kauri tree stumps and logs and when the land was cleared, gum was scattered throughout the area. “After I find or buy a piece of gum, I sit it on the kitchen bench and just stare at it. I study it until I come up with an idea.” The Tom Potter collection at Dargaville Museum includes an imitation Bible, spheres and replica monuments from New Zealand and overseas. Tom said although his eyesight is failing him, he still practises his art when he can.
The series of errors and omissions have been identified following a promised financial review of the council’s books and cover a number of areas. Recently appointed council chief executive, Steve Ruru, who succeeded former CEO, Jack McKerchar, said there were a number of factors involved. “The big issues which have contributed to the deficit include
ORT to celebrate 50 years
Page 3
From Ruawai to Milan
More debt sparks rates rise signal Mistakes in the Kaipara District Council’s 2011–2012 Annual Plan adding up to more than $4 million are to be partly paid for with another $2.5 million in borrowings, and a ‘significant’ district rates rise has been signalled.
Page 2
an anticipated $1.2 million of receivable interest which was never realistic, and consequently was not received,” Mr Ruru said. “Approximately $2.5 million was missed out of the Annual Plan. An example of this is the grant to the Cinema Trust which was agreed to but never included. Stormwater targeted rates of some $450,000 were budgeted for but not levied or set.
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Mangawhai gala triumphs
“To reduce the impact of these errors council has moved to make a number of operational savings and reduce capital expenditure where possible. While the savings that have been made are sizeable it has not been possible to completely offset the errors made and hence the need for increased borrowing.” continued on page 3 . . .
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