Our Place Magazine. Issue 27 / Week 2

Issue 27 / Week 2 April / May 20

25 Great BOP Food Deliveries

#wereinthistogether

Teen Creatives Changing Attitudes

Chocolatey Banana Bread

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Founders Rachelle & Christopher Duffy Creative director Christopher Duffy Editor Sarah Nicholson sarah@ourplacemagazine.co.nz Marketing & social media Rachelle Duffy rachelle@ourplacemagazine.co.nz Contributors Danielle Cubis (Spongedrop Cakery), Laura Tuck, Tasha Meys (@tastefullytash) Photographers Alisha Taylor, ilk, Jane Keam

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Cover & contents Cover photography by ilk Contents photography by Jane Keam

When the going gets tough, the tough get going...

How relevant is that saying right now? All the people that have rapidly adjusted to this situation, many changing everything they do, just to get their jobs done and be of service. It's been incredible to see and hear about the innovation, hardwork and kindness that's been happening everyday.

We're thankful that we're here too, with our second weekly digital issue of Our Place, enabling us to bring you some of this fantastic community news. Check out our food listings (page 12) — we were amazed by how many locals are delivering everything from meat and hot cross buns to cheese. And all the money going into our community. We also love The Front Steps Project (40), which is bringing joy to families and helping the Tauranga Community Foodbank at the same time. You'll find more news and stories (as well as delicious recipes!) on our new website — make sure you check it out!

Do get in touch if you know of any businesses or people we should highlight or even if you just have some entertaining lockdown news, email sarah@ourplacemagazine.co.nz He waka eke noa — we're all in this together.

The Our Place Team 5

Contents 5

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Welcome

What's Up 12

Local Food Shopping Guide 16

Glamour Doppelgänger 18

The Little Big Markets Shopping Guide

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The Power of Good TCSC Creative Group 32

Time Out Dahlia photo essay 40

The Front Steps Project Lockdown family portraits

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Banana Bread & Savoury Scones

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Things to Love

B R I N G I N G S M I L E S TO T H E B AY S I N C E 2 0 0 1

WHEN YOU PRACTISE ‘SELF CARE’

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T O O T H F A I R Y D E N TA L . C O . N Z

What’s Up

Get Cosy We know what Mount-based Amy Partridge is doing during lockdown — knitting her heart out fulfilling orders for Artem Mos, her cosy-cool knitwear range. It’s all about boxy bodies, oversized sleeves and a nature-inspired palette. Amy creates the patterns, then knits the pieces by hand.

She taught herself to knit via YouTube a few years back, but up until last year she could only make blankets, beanies and

scarfs. She finally decided to tackle a jumper, it was a success and the rest is history. Amy uses mohair/wool blends and alpaca/wool blends, and plans are afoot for organic cotton pieces in summer.

Styles are created with both men and women in mind. Latest addition to the range is the Remi bomber-style cardi.

Amy is taking orders now. artem_mos_

Life in the Raw Hannah Mellsop, aka Real Rad Food, is livening up lockdown with a series of cooking demos. At 12pm on Good Friday she’ll be sharing the recipe for these Hot Cross Rad Balls live and on her IGTV. Click here for the ingredients so you’re all set to cook along. Upcoming tutorials: Monday (13th) Real Rad Protein Balls, Wednesday (15th) Goal Writing with Han, and Friday (17th) Real Rad Lunches. @realradfood 9

What’s Up Child’s Play So you’ve done the indoors kids’ obstacle course that went viral (still peeling the tape arrows off your carpet, right?). Made nature faces out of leaves? Completed the Covid Time Capsule by Long Creations? Run a scavenger hunt? Baked scones? Well, we salute you. And if your kids are still in their pjs at dinner, we salute you too. Locals are doing their bit for kids: Eco-mama NZ Facebook has kids’ activities including playdough (essential oil and bio-glitter, optional) and DIY paint. And Adam McLean (pictured), who runs Bay Music School, is doing online gigs, Monday and Thursday at 12.30pm. Kids can play along on an instrument, or just sing and dance. @ecomamanz @baymusicschoolnz

Picture This Mt Maunganui illustrator, artist and designer Morgan Mardell is having fun on Instagram during lockdown. He first caught our eye with his fun illustration designed for surf-starved kids (and maybe adults!) to colour in. Now he’s offering to check out your favourite surfing shot and see if it inspires him to create a rad drawing in his trademark style (long-haired dudes with skinny legs and knobbly knees). Check him out. @morganmardell

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Culture Club Like many sectors right now, arts and culture is being pushed to be innovative to connect with their audience. The Royal New Zealand Ballet is braodcasting recent performances for free (rnzb.org.nz/live) and NZ Opera has started a curated collection of opera online, that’s regularly updated (nzopera.com/opera-online). Art galleries are no different, with many shows now showing virtually. Mount-based artist Kalou

Koefoed cleverly managed to hang her show, The Basaloid Project, in isolation before lockdown, and it’s now a virtual exhibition with an online workshop ( @rollingaskalou). Tauranga Art Gallery has video and images of its exhibitions ( @taurangaartgallery), and Sumer Gallery has work from artists Sam Rountree Williams and Sandra Bushby (pictured) still on show (sumer.co.nz).

Inside Your Lockdown What’s going down your lockdown life? Send us a photo that captures a moment in your world during this crazy period. It could be family time, flatmate madness, a landscape, a street scene... Anything you want. Tell us in 50 words or less about the image and we will publish our favourites as part of an Our Place photo essay later this month. Best of all, the winner gets a $100 RPM Clothing voucher to spend after lockdown. Entries close Monday, 20 April.

Email images to chris@ourplacemagazine.co.nz with the subject line COVID-19 Lockdown.

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There are a lot more places that can supply food now, aside from supermarkets, so now’s the time to buy local and support our community’s businesses.

The Lockdown Guide to Local Food

Six Toed Fox Photo: Alice Veysey. Te Puna Deli Photo: Ilk

↑ Left to right: the lush fields at Six Toed Fox Organics and hanging goodness at Te Puna Deli.

SHOP IN STORE Be Organics Fresh fruit and vege and groceries.

Although this shop is open, they would rather you ordered from them online at Mount Wholefoods for delivery, if possible.

6 Tawa St, Mt Maunganui mountwholefoods.co.nz Gilmours Wholesale food. Shop in store or delivery.

31 Taurikura Dr, Tauriko, Tauranga gilmours.co.nz Huckleberry Organic fresh food and grocery, plus refills. Delivery too.

35 Macdonald St, Mt Maunganui & Wild Earth Organics, 777 Cameron Rd, Tauranga Mount Sourdough Available Tuesday to Saturday at FreshChoice Papamoa, FourSquare Papamoa, FourSquare Cherrywood, FourSquare The Lakes, Vetro Mediterranean Foods and Te Puna Deli.

The Fresh Market Fantastic greengrocer (also by delivery mygreengrocer.co.nz).

1000 Cameron Rd, Gate Pa, Tauranga The Source Bulk Foods For all your food refill desires.

Bayfair Shopping Centre Te Puna Deli Artisan goodness, from bread and organic milk to veges and cured meats. (Check out their recipe for shakshuka here, it’s the perfect brunch.)

17B Minden Road, Te Puna @tepunadeli Vetro Mediterranean Foods Quality food and wine from the Med and beyond.

111 Third Ave, Tauranga @vetrotauranga Note: For some places, you can order and pay ahead, then pick up without entering the premises. Check online for details.

FOOD DELIVERIES Abundant Backyard Organic fresh fruit and veges. abundantbackyard.co.nz Better Bread Hot cross buns and top-notch sourdough. betterbread.co.nz Bidfood Home Now delivering. Register online. bidfoodhome.co.nz Col’s Butchery Delivery or contactless pick up. @colsbutchery Doug Jarvis Butcher All offerings and prices online. dougjarvis.co.nz Eden Orchard Cherry and blueberry juices. edenorchards.co.nz Elspeth Bakery Hot Cross Buns, divine loaves of sourdough and more. elspeth.co.nz Flame Lily Orchard Fresh blueberries for a week or two more!

Text 021 085 85097 Gilmours Wholesale food delivery. gilmours.co.nz Harbourside Macadamias Macadamia nuts and products. harboursidemacadamias.com

Huckleberry Details as per ‘Shop in Store’ section.

Just Blend Frozen smoothie packs (and zero plastics). justblend.co.nz Liberty Growers Hydroponically grown and herbs, vegetables and fruit. Email for a product and price list. libertygrowers@gmail.com Mitchell’s Bone Broth The range offers health-boosting Bone Broth Powder, Collagen Peptides and Collagen Repair. mitchellsbonebroth.com Mount Eliza These cheesemaking pioneers are offering sensational raw-milk cheese and their renowned Blue Monkey. mounteliza.co.nz Mount Wholefoods A range of superb organic vegetables and fruit, including vege boxes, as well as lots of grocery items. mountwholefoods.co.nz My Greengrocer Fruit and vegetable deliveries from The Fresh Market in Gate Pa. mygreengrocer.co.nz Nicki’s Eggs Free-range, cruelty-free eggs.

Price list: nickis-egg.co.nz Order by text 0223 064 174

OTHER KEY FOOD-RELATED SITES & SOCIAL Pepper & Me Spice pastes, salt blends and sauces and more to make lockdown dinners easier and more delicious. pepperandme.co.nz

Price Watch If you’re concerned about high prices at your local supermarket, you can report it by emailing pricewatch@mbie.govt.nz along with a copy of your receipt.

Six Toed Fox Organics Vege boxes packed with lush, just-picked organic produce from their farm. sixtoedfoxorganics.co.nz

SOS Cafe Buy vouchers for cafes and other local businesses now, when they need the cash, and redeem the vouchers after lockdown.

We love this idea! soscafe.nz

The Avo Tree Great value boxes of avos, freshly picked from the tree. theavotree.co.nz The Snag Co Artisan sausage delivery. @thesnagcompany Vigour Vitality Long shelf-life Mylk concentrates, nuts and seeds. vvmylk.nz Webster’s Tea Because a fine cup of organic loose leaf will get us through all this. websterstea.co.nz

BREWER DELIVERIES Mount Brewing Co mountbrewingco.com Slab Brewing slabbrewing.co.nz The Island Brewery @onlyontheisland

The Modern Forager Locals Melissa and Reuben Woods have set this up to connect people with growers, makers and farmers across New Zealand. themodernforager.nz Tauranga Farmers’ Market Check for producer delivery updates. @taurangafarmersmarket For those that can’t shop in store New World Brookfield is offering a new service for those who can’t make it into the store and have no one to shop for them.

Volunteers will do the shopping and deliver it to their door. Call John 027 355 3992.

Also, Countdown has priority assistance for those who can’t shop in store, just apply on their site. This gives you priority for home delivery slots.

Glamour

Doppelgänger

Heard of the glamour shots isolation game? Google your name and ‘glamour shots’ and see what delights await you.

Here we share the looks for the Our Place team (it’s really quite uncanny). Don’t call us, we’ll call you.

Christopher Weighed down by 15kgs of man jewellery. Likes taking special ladies to the disco.

Rachelle Remembers having facial movement in the 90s. Hair can NEVER be big enough.

Sarah Deep thinker, snazzy dresser, a mean streak.

A maniac for bedazzling.

Nicola Not the first rodeo for this cowgirl. Friends required to wear matching outfits.

Adam Just don’t touch his hair.

Or any of his 20 beloved cats. Quietly threatening.

Tessa Close to the edge. Been investigated many times but nothing proven.

If you buy from a local business, it has a positive impact on the whole community! Check out these fantastic products that are regulars at TLBM.

Cook & Nelson

Earthly Elements

Cook & Nelson has five new gift boxes that are all killer, no filler: the excitingly combustible BBQ box, the Designer selection, Entertainer, alcohol-free Cocktail kit and the Victory box. RRP $79.95–$199.95. cookandnelson.com

Earthly Elements brings you the best quality and selection of lush indoor plants, ranging from just $22 to $130. Private consultation available too — free for the first hour, then $25 per hour after that. earthlyelementsnz earthly_elements_

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Best of Bay of Plenty

Sweet Dough Co

Best of Bay of Plenty gift boxes are filled with locally crafted goodness. Every time you gift one, you share a taste of this sunny area as well as support local makers. From RRP $52. bestofboxes.co.nz bestof.bop

Love American-style treats? Sweet Dough Co has you covered with its famous Slice & Bake Cookie Dough, baked cookies and more! Find them at Dinner in the Domain and The Little Big Markets or order online. sweetdough.co.nz @sweetdough.co

Appleby Farms

Little Beauties

Appleby Farms premium ice cream is made with A2 milk. It’s created in Nelson where the whole process — from cow to cone — is an absolute labour of love.

You’ll taste the difference! RRP $11.99. applebyfarms.co.nz

Kiwis’ favourite fruits are now available year round: Gold Kiwifruit and Boysenberries.

The delicious range of Little Beauties dried fruit slices burst with goodness! RRP $6 packet but get the market special: 4 for $20. littlebeauties.kiwi 19

Aloha Poke

Sage & Grace

Aloha Poke is a local food truck serving colourful, nutritious and tasty Hawaiianstyle poke bowls. Think flavours such as salmon, tuna or vegan, with deliciousness like charred corn, avo and edamame. @alohapokenz

These Sage & Grace cake kits make it easy to create a delicious cake using organic, unrefined and nutritious ingredients. Perfect as a gift or just for yourself. Most dietary requirements are covered within the kits. sageandgrace.co/cakekits

The Snag Co.

TLBM Tote Bag

The Snag Co artisan sausages are 100 per cent real meat, real flavour and no nasties.

Shop is currently closed but they are delivering to your door during lockdown!

6/5 York Ave, Mt Maunganui @thesnagcompany  @thesnagco

These generous totes are made from bull denim, so easily hold essential items (or a small child) without the handles ripping off. All for $10! Purchase at the markets or littlebigevents.co.nz/shop-our-tote-range (delivery after lockdown).

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merakihoney.com

Machup Burger

Meraki Honey

After many burger tastings over ten years and trips through the States, Machup Burger was born. Try the 100 per cent pure beef patties in the classic smashed burgers with house-seasoned fries. @machupburger

New to the market is Meraki Honey, which is all about 100 per cent New Zealand honey and bee products. There’s lovely raw honey (RRP $10 per jar), honey fudge and beeswax to choose from. merakihoney.com @Merakihoney

Head Loco

Ethnic Jewellery

Head Loco food truck serves delish food at events around the city. After lockdown, they’ll open Head Loco Kitchen “cafe, dining and takeaway” at Matua, just before Fergusson Park. Expect fun, tasty Japanese. @headloco2019

Ethnic Jewellery imports amazing pieces from all over the world and most are striking one-off designs. Pictured necklace or bracelets, RRP $30. @jewelleryethnic @ethnicjewellery 21

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To keep you connected with your club community, we will run weekly online challenges. This is a fun way to help keep each other accountable and continue seeing results!

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SMS YOUR NAME AND EMAIL TO FIND OUT MORE. 027 839 9566

Let us Inside Your Lockdown

We want a glimpse of your lockdown life. Send us a photo that captures a moment in your world during this strange time (it can be of anything you want), tell us in 50 words or less about your image, and we’ll publish our favourites as part of an Our Place photo essay later this month. The winner gets a sweet $100 RPM Clothing voucher to spend.

Email images to: chris@ourplacemagazine. co.nz, with the subject line COVID-19 Lockdown.

Photograph: Cab Creative

Get your lockdown photo published in Our Place & win a $100 RPM voucher!

Teens Samuel Tomaszyk and Ciaran McGettigan are the smarts behind TCSC Creative Group – a organisation that promotes social equality through performance.

The Power of Good Story by Laura Tuck Photography by ilk

When most 13-year-old boys were coming home from school, smashing a loaf of bread and plonking themselves in front of the TV, Sam Tomaszyk and Ciaran McGettigan were launching a company.

A company that would provide a vehicle for creative expression for hundreds of youth. A company that would challenge stereotypes and start conversations. A company that would introduce audiences to a whole new concept of theatre.

“We started TCSC Creative Group [formerly known as The Charitable Stage Co] as a way to explore our own passion for the arts — especially art performed with an element of social justice,” says Ciaran, the technical brains behind TCSC and the company’s general manager.

“We wanted to use our skills to create change within society and we have a call to working with youth,” adds Sam, TCSC’s artistic director. “Their stories are what fuel our work, so it’s not surprising we have a focus on mental health awareness.”

It’s hard to believe Ciaran and Sam are just 17 years old, right?

Over the past four years, the duo have transformed TCSC from a casual hobby to a multi-faceted and rapidly growing local business. “TCSC started as a bunch of friends getting together to do school shows and musicals,” Sam recalls.

“I was a dancer and gymnast, which led to the aerial work I do now, while Ciaran was into sound, lighting and technical elements.”

TCSC Creative Group is now the umbrella company for both TCSC Productions (theatrical shows) and Fusion Studios, a Te Puke-based arts facility offering drama, creative dance and acrodance classes. It’s also the name behind various community-based initiatives, such as the Creative Futures Programme.

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“This programme offers a certain number of underprivileged kids and teens free access to our weekly Fusion classes,” Sam explains. “Dance can be expensive, so this is our way of giving back to the community and trying to make creative expression available to more people. We also have a number of side projects on the go, like working with schools to create social media videos about equality.”

“This programme offers a certain number of underprivileged kids and teens free access to our weekly Fusion classes,”

The Power of Silence lead, Joshua Lord-Bark with ensemble member, Karlina Steiner.

Opening page: Samuel Tomaszyk (left) and Ciaran McGettigan.

Self-taught Success Since launching TCSC, Sam and Ciaran have worked hard to learn the ins and outs of the industry as well as the fundamentals of running a business.

“Our skills are largely self taught,” says Sam. “At school, we were given a specific way of learning and thinking, and since my brain didn’t work that way, I’d always question things — why

can’t we make a dance about the topic rather than write an essay?”

“I remember Sam doing speeches at primary school,” adds Ciaran. “It wouldn’t be a normal speech; it was almost a show in itself. Today, we balance each other out nicely. Sam comes up with the extravagant ideas, then I back them up with the technical knowledge.

We haven’t had any mentors as such, we’ve just learned along the way.”

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“Fear of judgement, depression, anxiety and teen suicide are massive issues because people are bottling up their feelings.

We want our work to show people that it’s okay to express Ciaran’s skills are all the more impressive when you consider the fact he left school in year nine (yep, when he was 13 years old!). “I left school around the time we started TCSC,” he says. “My parents let me do correspondence, which was the best decision for me personally. I was free to do my own thing alongside schoolwork.”

“Although Ciaran left school very early, he’s so intelligent with his ability to develop ideas and run a business,” says Sam. “Ciaran chose ‘real world’ learning and it worked for him.”

Starting a Dialogue Sam and Ciaran’s art is performed with a contagious energy and flair, but it also explores some very serious underlying messages. “Over the past four years, people have asked us why we haven’t focused on a trade or sports,” says Ciaran. “And this is exactly the type of conversation we want to start — we want to show people that there’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to life.”

“As a young person who’s more ‘feminine’, I’ve experienced pressure to not share what’s frustrating or hurting me,” Sam explains. “Fear of judgement, depression, anxiety and teen suicide are massive issues because people are bottling up their feelings. We want our work to show people that it’s okay to express themselves, that it’s okay to talk.”

The success of TCSC’s shows and programmes demonstrates the positive ripple effect it has on young people’s lives 28

here in the Bay of Plenty. “Not everyone is gifted in the arts,” says Sam. “We work with a mixture of people for every show – some have been attending dance school since the age of five and others have never danced before. It’s about bringing people together and growing as a group.”

“Our last show, Flying Hope, was a true representation of that,” adds Ciaran.

“Being able to witness the development of the people involved, and see their confidence levels soar, was so rewarding.”

The Power of Silence TCSC’s next show is a contemporary circus/ dance production that follows the story of a young boy who has a beautifully creative mind, but is told his emotions, ideas and aspirations aren’t acceptable. “The Power of Silence follows a boy’s journey through anger and frustration at not being able to express who he is because of the stereotype of what it means to be masculine. He’s a boy who’s teased, broken and mad. But he’s also destined to rise above others and break a cycle of silence,” says Sam. With a mixture of dance, violinists, aerialists (performing aerial silks and aerial hoops), film and projection, The Power of Silence is tipped to be TCSC’s biggest and best show yet. Sam is the show’s director and choreographer, and Ciaran is the producer.

Joshua and Karlina at rehearsals for the upcoming show, The Power of Silence.

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“There are some very talented young people involved in this show, and we’ll be using new and exciting projection techniques to convey emotion and create an atmosphere,” explains Ciaran. “When it comes to drawing crowds, it’s always hard to compete with cinemas, but we’ve managed to turn the most unlikely people into theatre fans over the years. Live shows are powerful in that sense.”

“We give a lot of tickets away to mental health organisations and schools because we want as many people as possible to enjoy our shows,” says Sam. “Our vision is always an audience full of 30

different cultures and backgrounds… we want the youngest baby and the oldest person in Tauranga to come along!

“We do what we do because we love seeing passionate youth work hard to express ideas to a public audience. We’re truly not in this business for the money.

We’re in it to change the world.” tcsc-productions.com The season for The Power of Silence is currently postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions, but keep an eye out for the show at Baycourt Community & Arts Centre once it re-opens.

Flying Hope image supplied

↑ A scene from Flying Hope, TCSC’s most recent production, which showed at Baycourt.

Time Out

Photography by Jane Keam

Go to a calm room, take a deep breath and meditate upon these images of freshly plucked dahlias (and a delicate gypsophila) from Jane Keam’s autumn garden. All is well...

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arleys look for h at foo d out let s

that support lo ca l pr od uc ts Stockist enquiries hello@harleys.co.nz

Front Steps Otumoetai photographer Alisha Taylor is capturing a moment in time by shooting lockdown family portraits, while raising money for the Tauranga Community Foodbank.

Project

Story by Sarah Nicholson Photography by Alisha Taylor

↑ Grant Taylor at home with Karlia, Estee and Mila.

Previous page: Kat Leppard and Brad Barrow with Buddy, and twins Rosie and Olive.

The Front Steps Project kicked off in the US during the early period of Coronavirus self isolation. The idea: photographers shot quick family portraits at home, from a safe distance, while taking their daily walk around the neighbourhood. The families were then asked to donate to a local charity.

The idea has since been picked up around the globe and been brought all the way to little old Otumoetai, thanks to local photographer Alisha Taylor, who read about it online. “It struck me as such a positive thing to do, in a time when you feel helpless,” she says.

Alisha threw it out there on Facebook, posting on the Otutmoetai Community page and her Facbook business page, nominating the Tauranga Community Foodbank as her chosen charity. It only took 42

a few family portraits until world of mouth got the ball well and truly rolling.

Interested locals message Alisha through Facebook, and she confirms whether they’re in walking distance of her house. She aims to shoot two to three families on her daily walk. Alisha messages them when she is outside, they gather in front of their house and she uses a zoom lens to capture them.

“I feel like I am bringing a spark of joy, as all of the families have been really excited when I arrive. There are lots of mums getting dressed up for the first time since lockdown!” says Alisha. “The families bring animals with them, like cats and dogs, and even a bunny — usually a family portrait wouldn’t include pets like that, so it’s really quite unique.”

families she’s photographing, it’s giving them something to focus on, and people are donating if they can. It’s feeding families, this project!” Nicki adds that they’re preparing for the rest of the year to be tricky for many. “We want to reassure people that we’ll be here to help,” she says.

“And we want them to know they shouldn’t hesitate to make contact with us.”

For now, Alisha will keep up her daily walks around her neighbourhood.

“When the lockdown is over, there’ll be a lot more familiar faces!” @alishataylorphotography Residents in The Lakes can contact: @charmainemarinkovichportraits Residents in the Mount can contact: @salinagalvanphotography #frontstepsproject Donate to Tauranga Foodbank: taurangafoodbank.co.nz ↑ Gabriella and Craig Beswick with Vienna-Rose, Melah and Isaac. ↘ Lenny and Christina Davey.

The families get a photo that documents an unusual time in our history and they in turn are asked to donate whatever they can to the Tauranga Community Foodbank. Alisha doesn’t charge at all, she’s just happy knowing she’s helping an amazing charity.

The Foodbank can’t receive food donations right now, but they can buy food with these cash donations. Nicki Goodwin, manager of the Tauranga Community Foodbank, says she’s been very happy with local support during lockdown.

“All the phone calls and emails we are receiving... The donations are appearing without us even asking!” she says.

“Alisha’s project is helping in so many ways — it’s heartwarming for the 44

“Add whatever flavours you fancy to this versatile recipe.

The asterisked ingredients are optional, in case you just want to make a great batch of regular cheese scones. Or you could add ingredients such as cooked bacon bits, fresh herbs and olives.”

Cheese, Carrot & Onion Scones Recipe by Danielle Cubis, Spongedrop Cakery

MAKES 10 1 tbs white or apple cider vinegar 1 1/4 cups milk 3 cups plain flour 1 1/2 tbs baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp paprika* 1/2 tsp mustard powder* 1/4 tsp white pepper 100g cold butter 2 carrots, grated* 1/2 onion, finely chopped*, fried and cooled a little 1 1/2 cups grated cheese, plus extra for sprinkling *Optional ingredients.

Preheat oven to 200°C. Dust a baking tray with a little flour.

In a small bowl, mix the vinegar into the milk and set aside for 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together.

Grate the cold butter into the dry mix. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs (some chunky bits of butter are a good thing). Add the grated carrots, onion and cheese, then toss together with your hands.

Work quickly here: pour the milk/vinegar mix into the bowl and, using a butter knife, cut the mix together until you just have a loose dough. Tip onto a floured surface and press the dough into a rough rectangle. Cut into 10 equal portions. Place on the baking tray and sprinkle with extra cheese.

Bake at 200°C for 20 minutes or until golden and the bottoms sound hollow when tapped. Best eaten the day they are baked but you can slice and toast them the next day.

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“As a banana bread enthusiast, I’ve tried A LOT of variations over the years. This is our all-star winning recipe. It’s super moist and the addition of choc chunks is a game changer.”

Choc Chip Banana Bread Recipe by Tash Meys (@tastefullytash)

MAKES 1 LOAF 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 100g butter, softened 2 large eggs 5 ripe bananas 1 tsp cinnamon 2 tbs almond milk (substitute any milk of your choice) 2 tsp honey 2 caps vanilla extract 2 cups wholemeal flour (substitute plain flour) 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 125g dark chocolate, roughly chopped 48

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a loaf tin or line with baking paper.

Mix the butter and sugar until a paste forms, then beat in the eggs until the mixture is creamy, fluffy and pale.

In a bowl, lightly mash 4 of the bananas (keep a bit of texture for extra moistness), then mix in cinnamon, milk, honey and vanilla. In another bowl, mix together dry ingredients. Fold both mixtures together, then gently mix in the chocolate chunks.

Pour into the prepared loaf tin. Peel and cut the remaining banana lengthwise, and place the two long long pieces on top. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.

Church has never been easier to be a part of.

WE’RE NOW GATHERING ONLINE! Sundays 8.30am 10am 11.30am 4pm 6pm 8pm curatechurch.com

Easter…. Covid….

So what?

Curate Church Promotion

There are good sorts all around New Zealand doing their part to make our country a better place. It’s in times like these that we need all the good sorts we can get; people who go out of their way to give others a hand up when the going gets tough. In the middle of a worldwide pandemic, and with Easter around the corner, there’s no better time to spread some love.

Curate Church is a good sort. It’s a group of everyday Kiwis with a mission to see people loved and see needs met. Curate means ‘to care for the soul’ — the soul of each person and the soul of their city. At the beginning of 2020, The New Zealand Herald ran an article about Kiwi kids who either weren’t allowed or were too embarrassed to start school because of a lack of school supplies. School starting back can be a financially tough time for many Kiwi families, so when Joel Milgate, the Lead Pastor of Curate heard about it, he jumped on the opportunity to do a bit of good in the hood.

Over the following weeks, Curate came together and gave hundreds of back-toschool items to three Bay of Plenty schools in the most need.

It’s not just a one-hit-wonder though; Curate is always on the lookout for ways it can lend a helping hand to those in need. Some other

excellent Curate initiatives are: - The support of Awhina House — a house for women experiencing homelessness.

- Warm Up the Streets partnership with Stoney Creek, which provides 2500 kids with new, warm clothes for winter.

- Gift of Groceries initiative, which provides food gifts to 1200 homes every year.

- Serve our City days, where hundreds of people get together to do practical work in local neighbourhoods.

Curate has some pretty cool new initiatives brewing, with its goal being to invest more into communities every year.

Joel says: “Curate Church is about keeping it real — building authentic communities that help people from all walks of life connect to God through the message of Jesus, a message that invites people to genuine love, genuine acceptance and genuine care.”

So whatever your go-to is: a creamy egg, hefty hollow egg, luxe Lindt mini... As we watch Netflix in isolation and partake in some chocolate goodness this Easter, let’s be inspired to be a good sort ourselves and spread some love to those who need it most.

Curate will be streaming their Easter gatherings online at www.curatechurch.com

Things to Love

Mum’s the Word Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday 10 May. We figure some gift inspiration wouldn’t go astray, and you may just be inspired to get something for yourself too...

Vivo Skin Clinic Vivo is here for you — at a safe, online distance! All of your hair and skin essentials are now available for purchase online (and there’s plenty of choice for Mother’s Day gifts too!). Now, more than ever, is an important time to take care of ourselves — take 10 per cent off your online product purchase with code SELFCARE. Deliveries are made under contactless guidelines. vivoskinclinic.co.nz @vivohairnz Ph 0800 400 300 or 07 578 7297 556 Cameron Rd, Tauranga Gift vouchers available 52

Zen Float Spa At Zen Float Spa, you’ll experience ultimate relaxation.

With more than 500 kilograms of Epsom salts, your body will become weightless with no effort whatsoever. Let your body be free of gravity while absorbing all the goodness from the salts. You’ll leave feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and ready for a blissfully deep sleep. zenfloatspa.co.nz 07 562 0833

Zeneden Eden Moana Taingahue is a tattoo artist with a Bachelor’s degree in graphic design and photography.

Eden is based in Mt Maunganui and says: “Zeneden Art is a place where I can share my passion for tattoos and creativity everyday.

If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo, I hope we can work together to create a piece that’s special to you.” zenedenart.com hello@zenedenart.com Studio at The Beauty HQ, Level 1, 276 Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui @zeneden_art 53

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