Post
Tuesday • JANUARY 29 • 2014
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PHONE: 09 235 78 35 FAX: 09 235 78 34
INSIDE THIS WEEK: PG 12-14
Showhomes Get involved... Join a club VOL 26 • NO.03
Local sports, social and cultural groups
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CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
48 Queen St, Waiuku (above ASB) • 09 235 7455 RISE ACCOUNTANTS - COUNTIES LTD
Vandalism disgust Vandals have destroyed some of Waiuku’s Christmas lights over the holidays.
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A special achievment A schoolteacher credits New Zealand, and a local gym, with saving his life after he drops close to 100kg. PAGE
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Kingfish on the rise Catching a 30-pound kingfish off the beach is not a bad effort... check out some of the catches on our fishing page.
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15 YES, PAINLESS DENTAL CARE
That's the promise we make in 2014 at FRANKLIN DENTAL - here to serve you!
The Franklin Dental Centre
203 KING STREET, PUKEKOHE A/HRS 235 7409
Ph 238 9656
Call in & compare our fees You’ll be very pleased you did!
Waiuku’s world-famous proposal People driving along Waiuku’s Queen Street on Wednesday afternoon may have wondered what a trio of Fijian musicians, a media contingent and a group of waiters with champagne were doing hiding behind some bushes in a suburban driveway. The answer was they were about to announce that locals Aveael Webb and Murray Armstrong were about to find out they had won an international competition for the wedding of their dreams at romantic Turtle Island Resort Fiji on Valentine’s Day. Despite facing tough competition from seven American couples and two Australian couples, the Waiuku pair emphatically won the coveted prize worth $26,000. Their last minute entry to the competition received massive support from New Zealanders, with Aveael and Murray beating their nearest rival by more than 3000 votes during the 60 hour voting period. The couple entered the video re-enactment of their engagement only days before the competition closed on January 7 and received huge support from the nation. Competition organisers say they were stunned to find that the winning couple hailed from New Zealand. “When you compare the population base of New Zealand to that of the USA or even Australia, we never dreamed a Kiwi couple would win.
“Aveael and Murray weren’t the only couple to get media support and promotion either, but clearly New Zealand got behind them 100 percent... it was amazing to see,” said Matt Buchan, Director of Marketing and Sales for Turtle Island Resort Fiji. “It was a great surprise for us and we wanted it to be a great surprise for them too, which is why we flew to New Zealand to let them know today, together with a taste of the friendly Fijian hospitality they can expect in Fiji on their special day.” More than 60 couples entered the competition and thousands of people around the world voted for their favourite video. Engaged in July last year, Aveael and Murray have won airfares for two to Fiji, seaplane transfers to Turtle Island Resort, seven nights’ accommodation in one of the island’s 14 grand beachfront bures, all activities, meals and beverages and, of course, their wedding ceremony, photographer, wedding feast and celebration. The prize is particularly exciting for Aveael who has dreamed of going to Turtle Island for as long as she can remember. The couple’s entry said: “We don’t have a sympathy story or anything like that, we are just a genuine hardworking Kiwi couple and we would always help anyone who needed help without a second thought, and it would just be nice if something like that happened
to people like us.” Turtle Island Resort Fiji is the ultimate in private luxury wedding destinations. The island only ever hosts 14 couples to ensure that each couple has to themselves one of the 14 private beaches that border the famous Blue Lagoon. Island staff members will take care of the whole event for Aveael and Murray - from traditional Fijian wedding attire, the celebration feast and wedding cake - all the couple will need to do is relax and enjoy the romance of Turtle Island Resort Fiji. More pics, page 9.
…and it gets better! Just as the Post was finishing this issue, Aveael popped in to let us know the Turtle Island team had just come up with a package to allow them to take two groomsmen, two bridesmaids, and Murray’s parents to the island for the wedding, putting together a special airfares package to allow some friends and family to attend the dream wedding. A reception will be held on their return, and Aveael says her and Murray wish to thank, once again, all those who voted for, and supported them, as they beat out the world for their stunning prize.
24 MONTHS INTEREST FREE! GARY PYES
43 QUEEN ST, WAIUKU • PH 09 235 9711
OPEN SATURDAY: 9AM - 4PM • SUNDAY: 10AM - 4PM
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