June 30 2020
32 Victoria Street DARGAVILLE Kaipara’s Only Regional Newspaper | Kaipara owned and Operated
PHONE 09 439 6910
10,450 Copies DELIVERED FREE throughout the Kaipara
Honey sweet honey u by Ann van Engelen
Tangiteroria school children have been learning for the past few years how valuable bees are and what it takes for them to produce honey.
Caring for the harbour
More than 18,000 trees across 28 properties planted by a wide array of volunteers …
P3
Ready to launch
The newspaper you now hold in your hands is not the only Lifestyler you will receive …
P5
Midwinter time to share
Traditionally Matariki, the midwinter festival of the Maori celestial calendar …
P7
“A local beekeeper gifted the school our own hives, and he has been helping the children discover the importance of the honey bee,” says office administrator Kirsty Jessop. “We have our own native bush with manuka and kanuka as well as our own orchard with a variety of apples, pears, peaches and oranges. “The senior students are proud to be the kaitiaki, which means the guardians of our school bees and environment. “The bees collect the pollen from the orchard and native bush block. The beekeeper helps them with the practical process of collecting the honey. They extract it from the hive, and he takes the honey and processes it ready for them to decanter it into the sterilised jars for sale. “They also design the labels themselves. The whole venture has given them a tremendous understanding of the economics of running a business. It certainly helps with maths and has shown them that hard work pays off as the whole process is not that easy. “They have learned about the native trees and their names. We have been lucky to receive council grants for the children to maintain the bush block. “The combination of manuka, kanuka and clover, which the bees love the nectar from makes a really tasty honey. The pupils have just decanted their 2020 lots of honey, which they sell in half-kilogram and one-kilogram jars at a very reasonable price.”
DAIRY FARMERS
p Tangiteroria School children are hands-on when it comes to maintaining the school beehives
The school uses the funds raised from honey sales to purchase jars, print the labels and buy beekeeper suits. “We also buy equipment we need to help learn about the environment. The children absolutely thrive on the experience, and it gives them a real sense of pride. “The knowledge they have gained includes learning about the queen bee, discovering honey is a natural anaesthetic and that it is a replacement for sugar that can be used in many things. The hives are an ongoing project,
and the children have certainly come to appreciate how bees work together, how important they are for the environment and the working operations of a hive. “It is our local curriculum promoting environmental science through meaningful learning opportunities both indoors and out. The students maintain the hives with our local beekeeper on a regular basis, and we really appreciate his input. “To purchase the honey, contact the school office or check the Tangiteroria School Facebook page.” ¢
KEEP THE INSPECTOR OFF YOUR BACK WITH PERMACOLOUR DAIRYFIX FOR REPAIRS TO YOUR DAMAGED MILK ROOM AND YARD CONCRETE.
BOOK IN NOW TO GET THE JOB DONE BEFORE NEXT WINTER!
• SPECIALISTS IN CONCRETE • PROVIDE FREE MEASURE & QUOTE SERVICE • ELIMINATE PROBLEMS BY DISCUSSING JOB WITH CUSTOMER
• COMMERCIAL DOMESTIC ON THE FARM • INNOVATIVE COLOURS & DECORATIVE CONCRETE • LEAVE JOB CLEAN & TIDY • WE ARE THE PROFESSIONALS
SPECIALISING IN CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS INCLUDING RIBRAFT FLOORS
Ph: 09 439 4700 • John: 027 497 2116
E: office@vuletichconstruction.co.nz • 14 Normanby St, Dargaville