SERVING WITH A SMILE – SEE YOU ON COURT TAKE A BOW – MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE • NO FEAR OF FLYING – GROUND CONTROL NET GAIN – SHOOT FOR THE STARS • WRITE ALL ALONG – LIFE STORIES SummersetScene • SPRING 2022 •
tale
hear from you! magazine@summerset.co.nz COVER Trish Scott serves with a smile. Read her story on page 4. Photo Credit: Steve Hussey at Steve Hussey Photography. AoteaLower Hutt Havelock KelvinPalmerstonNorthNorthGroveMasterton Dunedin Casebrook = Proposed village KEY = Summerset village Katikati Papamoa Beach Flat Bush Half Moon Bay ParnellNewWhangāreiMilldaleEllerslieHobsonvillePlymouthBellBlockWanganui Nelson ParaparaumuWaikanaeLevin KenepuruRangioraBlenheim Richmond PrebbletonWigram Rototuna Avonhead Hamilton Cambridge Karaka Warkworth Hastings Trentham Te NapierAwaTaupōStJohnsRotorua
We really
touch with us. We’d
tell,
exciting
7,000SummersethomeMorethanNewZealanderscall
Story to share? enjoy telling your stories. If you have an or interesting to get in love to
We talk planes with Alex Brodie, a model maker from Taupō, and discuss music with Sharyn Evans from Kenepuru, a violinist for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. We also sat down
winter chills and ills have lessened, and it’s a time for renewal, trying new things, and getting outside more.
Lucy Corry shares with us why grandparent fashion is having a moment, and Lynda Hallinan demonstrates how anyone can grow their own produce, even without a garden. We also have seasonal recipes, crafts, books, and travel, as well as photos from our village happenings and poetry from our residents. So sit back, relax, and let’s welcome in spring together.
Hello from Ellie
Hello and welcome to the spring issue of Summerset Scene ! As I write this, I am watching two parakeets nibbling the buds on the tree outside my kitchen window. On the other side of the window a deep purple magnolia is about to burst into bloom, and fruit is growing fat and yellow on the lemon tree branches. Hurrah for springtime! I for one am delighted to usher in the new season. This winter seemed to be particularly long and arduous for so many, but as always, seasons change. Spring is one of my favourite times of year. The days are longer, the endless
1Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
with Pat Frykberg, a writer from Havelock North, whose recent interest proves we are never too old to stop learning new things.
Our cover star for this month is an excellent example of the joys of the great outdoors. Trish Scott from Summerset in the Sun has been playing tennis since she was 10 years old! We also catch up with two keen netball fans. Judy Sutherland from Summerset Palms has umpired matches around the country and continues to do so every Saturday in Hawke’s Bay. Mac Crampton from Nelson has a special reason to follow New Zealand’s Silver Ferns: the captain happens to be his granddaughter!
Ellie SUMMERSETCliffordSCENE EDITOR
Contents 48 Our news PainChek Three new Summerset villages planned New kaitiaki roles 16 Jude on Fascinating people 18 News Climate SummersetProgressCoalitionLeadersatCambridge 17 News MultiBall pilot New Zealand Property Awards nominations 19 Serving with a smile See you on court 14 Write all along Life stories 10 No fear of flying Ground control Take a bow Music may be the food of love 12 Net gain Shoot for the stars 2 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Paper produced using elemental chlorine-free (ECF) and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System. This publication uses vegetable-based inks and environmentally responsible paper produced from Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)-certified, mixed-source pulp from responsible sources. Five questions Colonel Terry McBeth 21 News Onesie Day success Robotic superheroes Activities Coordinator recognised 20 Delicious recipes Appetising asparagus and springtime delights 26 Agedmatterscare 30 Craft corner DIY lip balm 34 Style Embrace your coastal grandparent 31 Book reviews New reads for spring 36 In the garden Pots of produce –from a patio! 32 Go Greener Green update 38 Let’s talk about brain health 41 Wellness Highway to habit 39 Travel log Matakana 42 Help! I need to downsize 40 Village people Photos from Summersetaround 22 Staff profile Kirsty Johnson 24 Brain tease Puzzles 46 Poet’s corner Village wordsmiths 44 Pets of Summerset Lilly Chihuahua–Pomeranianthe 48 3Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
As Trish got older and sharpened her tennis skills further, she began to compete more and more. “I moved to Ashburton in the 1960s. We travelled all around the region playing other clubs. A highlight was becoming a team member of Mid Canterbury ladder — where you play matches against other members in your group. This included challenging Canterbury teams. For example, Town (Canterbury) versus Country, which was Mid Canterbury. These
Trish Scott is experiencing some time off from playing tennis. The 83-year-old is waiting for some stitches to be removed from her leg before she can get back on the courts. “My tennis club is in Richmond, Nelson, and Tuesdays is Ladies’ Day,” the Summerset in the Sun resident says.
Always keen on physical activities, Trish was fortunate to attend an all-girls college in Christchurch that had a strong sports programme. Despite being petite, she made the A-team for basketball. “I was easily the shortest and youngest on the team,” she says, laughing. “But I’m fast. I’d much rather run than walk. I still would.”
SERVING WITH A SMILE
5Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
clubs, biking from St Albans, where I lived, to Cashmere for tennis throughout the summer, which was great.”
BY ELLIE CLIFFORD
Trish thanks her older brother for her long-standing enjoyment of the sport. At the age of 10 she would watch him don his tennis whites and go off to play, but it wasn’t until she was 12 that she tried tennis out for herself. “I presented myself to the St Albans Tennis Club in Christchurch every day after school. Before too long I became a junior team member. Saturday mornings would mean visiting other
“Our village presents a lovely atmosphere – we are one big, happy family.”
After returning to Christchurch, Trish regained her membership at her previous club. Alongside playing tennis, she threw herself into the social side of the sport, becoming a committee member. “Ladies’ tennis organiser, function assistant, entertainer! I always enjoyed every position,” Trish recalls.
Top left: Trish with her Mobility Card. Top right: Trish is delighted to be playing again. Bottom right: Trish with the trophy she won with her grandson.matchestook
In the 1990s Trish became ill, leading to a 10-year gap in her tennis playing. Although she had limited mobility and needed a Mobility Parking permit in her car, she kept her tennis gear in her car boot, living in the hope that she would one day play again. That hope paid off in 2009, when Trish was able to return to her beloved sport. “I regained my strength, and I was back on the courts. It was remarkable, really.”
“We seem to be a very active lot here. Table tennis, swimming in our wonderful pool. We enjoy many events, dressing appropriately when a theme is involved.”
6 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
place on the grass courts at the amazing Wilding Park.” Later, Trish was made vice president of the Ashburton Tennis Club.
“We seem to be a very active lot here. Table tennis, swimming in our wonderful pool. We enjoy many events, dressing appropriately when a theme is involved. Feathers and plumes were on display when a recent Brazilian festival took place. Our village presents a lovely atmosphere – we are one big, happy family.”
In 2013, Trish spent Christmas in Nelson with her family. On a whim, she decided to check out the Summerset in the Sun village with her daughter. “It was love at first sight! The next March, I became resident number 84. It was early days for the village then – I have been here almost 10 years!”
Being near to her family meant that Trish was able to play tennis with them, particularly her grandson, who was being coached in the sport. When his coach saw grandmother and grandson having a game, he suggested they take part in an upcoming parent and pupil tournament at the college. “We teamed up and we successfully won a trophy for our games. Obviously, both being left-handed players gave us an advantage, as competitors had difficulty assessing which direction the balls would go!”
Above: Trish at home in Summerset in the Sun. (photos by Steve Hussey at Steve Hussey Photography)
7Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
As active in the village as she is playing tennis, Trish throws herself into Summerset life with gusto, enjoying singing and performing in particular. At the annual remembrance ceremony held in the village’s care centre, Trish joins the visiting families of passed residents, who appreciate hearing her singing. And on Anzac Day she dresses up as Dame Vera Lynn and sings ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’, encouraging the care centre residents to join in with her.
BY ELLIE CLIFFORD
Coming from a musical family meant that learning to read music and play the violin came naturally to Sharyn. “My grandfather and both my parents were music teachers. Mum taught piano and dad taught cello and piano.” At the age of 17, Sharyn moved from Whangārei to Wellington to take part in the symphony orchestra trainee scheme. “It was three-and-a-half years of learning the NZSO repertoire and etiquette. There are 92 members in
“There are so many contrasting ways to sound, depending on the conductor. Each conductor puts their own unique stamp on a piece, and each conductor interprets a piece differently. Music is never, ever boring.”
Sharyn was a mere three years old when she was taken to her first symphony orchestra concert, and was instantly smitten. “Listening to these sounds and seeing the lady musicians in their pretty dresses – that was it for me. I never wanted to do anything else,” she says. “I started to learn the violin at age six.”
Did boredom ever set in from playing the same music? “Never! You can play the same piece over and over, yet it will always sound different.
While a piece may sound different every time it is played, Sharyn still has her favourite composers. “I am very fond of Richard Strauss. To me, that’s when I feel that the orchestra is at its finest. His is difficult technically to play. I can’t say I have a favourite piece of his though; it is all beautiful to play. I also love Mahler’s symphonies.”
8 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
If music be the food of love, then Sharyn Evans has enjoyed a lifelong feast. A formidably talented violin player, the resident of Summerset on the Landing in Kenepuru enjoyed a career in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) spanning almost 50 years.
the symphony orchestra, and it is the only orchestra in the country with full-time roles – no one else got my job for almost 50 years!”
The life of an orchestral musician can be nomadic – even though the NZSO is based in Wellington, it tours the country. “In the 1970s we would do quite long tours – up to 10 days. In the 1990s and early 2000s they grew shorter; three days was usual.”
Sharyn played second violin, one of 14 within the orchestra. “Your personality and individual style all comes out when you play; everyone interprets a piece differently. I had an excellent team. As well as the 14 second violins, there were 16 first violins. Some of them I played alongside for 30 years –suffice to say, we knew one another’s styles.”
Take a bow
Sharyn’s musical talents were also recognised beyond the NZSO, by Queen Elizabeth II no less, when in 2017 she received the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to music. “Patsy Reddy was the Governor-General of New Zealand,” says Sharyn. “She presented it to me. What an honour it was.”
Sharyn enjoys life in the Summerset on the Landing village. “I live in an apartment, and I have made great friends with other residents in my building. We meet for coffee twice a week and we check in on one another. Everyone looks out for one another here. I feel safe here, and I know I can have help from the staff if I need it. Continuum of care is important to me, and it’s not offered everywhere – I did my homework! When I first moved in, it was such a relief to not have stairs any more! Even though I moved from a big house, my grandchildren say it still looks like my old home as I have my paintings and tapestries hanging on the wall. And wherever I go, I always take my beloved violin.”
9Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Another way Sharyn keeps herself mentally sharp is through playing mah-jong. “It’s a great way of keeping the brain supple. We play the European version every Monday. Our group is a mix of residents from the apartments and the villas. There wasn’t a mah-jong group when I moved here, so I asked around to see if there was interest in playing or learning how to play. I taught three people new to the game. Now there are eight of us that meet, and we have become friends.”
Opposite page: Sharyn at home in Summerset on the Landing. Below left: Performing with the NZSO. Below right: Sharyn in 1973.
While frequent travel could put a strain on most personal relationships, Sharyn was fortunate to tour with her husband. “We met in the orchestra. He was a trumpet player, and we had 20 wonderful years as a couple travelling together with the orchestra, living out of suitcases and seeing so much of the country together. I have family in Auckland and was able to catch up with them often, as we performed there frequently. It’s been a dream life! I feel incredibly privileged to have done what I love every day until I retired at 65.”
“It’s been a dream life! I feel incredibly privileged to have done what I love every day.”
Sharyn’s days of public performance may be over now that she has retired, but she still enjoys playing for herself. “I stopped playing for a while once I left the orchestra, and that was a mistake. I get so much pleasure from playing and I missed it. I have started to play again, but I only do it for myself. It is good for the body and brain.”
Many of Alex’s planes are big, and RC models are not cheap. The kits are usually shipped from the United States, and the international postage is an expense on top of the motors, circuits and radio receivers that need to go into the units. Alex estimates that it usually takes him between eight and 10 flights before he is comfortable flying each model. They are not something one would be particularly keen to fly around the shores of Lake Taupō or in a treelined park. Luckily, Alex is secretary, treasurer and member of the Taupo Model Fliers Club, based out of Taupo Racing Club course in Rotokawa, where he and the other 40 members of the club have space to fly their RCs.
Making the plane was one thing, but learning to fly it was another matter entirely. “It took me six months of flying on Sundays to get my ‘wings’ badge!” Alex jokes. “If anyone wants to learn to fly remote-control aeroplanes, then I definitely advise getting lessons.”
Open the door of Alex Brodie’s garage and you are just as likely to be greeted by an aeroplane as a car. The Summerset by the Lake resident in Taupō is a model aeroplane fanatic, and to date has made more than 15 remotecontrolled (RC) models.
10 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
BY ELLIE CLIFFORD
NO FEAR OF FLYING
These are no child’s-play polystyrene gliders either – but rather balsa with real working engines, the largest of which has a 2.5m wingspan. In the 15 years since he retired and began his hobby, Alex has made a variety of planes, some of them electric and others powered by methanol and oil. “Some are scale replicas. I have a Fokker fighter, which is a quarter-scale, built from a kit. I also have made a quarter-scale Citabria, and a water plane, which is fun to land on the lake. The one that has the most flying hours is an Astro Hog, with a four-stroke 1.5cc engine. The Astro Hogs are designed for RC flying. I have made several for friends.”
The first model plane Alex made was a SIG Kadet. “It took me 12 months, spending about three to four hours a week on it. It had a wingspan of 6ft.”
out on the waters around Wellington. “We called it Striptease , on account of the amount of sanding back over and over I had to do!” Alex says, laughing.
“I have no idea why I started making them,” Alex says thoughtfully. “I wanted to do calligraphy, but I couldn’t do it. I have always liked planes. When I was about 10, I made two or three gliders from balsa, tissue paper and rubber bands, but they never really flew – they always crashed!”
“With RC planes you need a line of sight. We are restricted to a certain part of the racecourse. I did get into trouble once as my plane landed in the middle of the track. I got told off by WorkSafe and the Civil Aviation Authority!” Alex remembers. And there have been a couple of other near misses. “We typically have to stay within a 3.5km range of the park to keep in radio range. Once I couldn’t tell if
Alex is not one to be daunted by a challenge. He recounts a story about how, despite never sailing before in his life, he bought a 5m ‘trailer sailer’ and spent two years fixing it up before taking it
Having all 40 or so members of the flying club congregating on a fine day to fly in the same airspace can obviously lead to trouble. “I’ve not had a mid-air collision, though I have had some prangs. I have seen them though. The etiquette is that you announce, ‘I’m coming to land’, but one bloke didn’t hear and there was a big crash in mid-air. A mate flew his plane too close to mine and hit it. Mine ended up as a heap on the ground.
It was slightly bent but it could still fly. I was delighted to be reunited with it.”
Alex and Ann, his wife of 40 years, have been residents of Summerset by the Lake for 18 months. The couple had settled in Tauranga, but Alex regularly travelled to Taupō as part of his job with ANZ Bank and the couple loved the area. “Ann had been poorly, and we knew about the village as we had been to visit five years prior. The same day that Ann had a nasty fall at the supermarket, we came home to an email from Kate [the Village Manager] saying that a villa had become available. We went to view it on a gorgeous day, and before we left, we had signed up! We have settled in well here and made friends.”
“This gives me the chance to be outside with friends when the weather is fine, and gives me time in the workshop when it’s not. I usually have one significant project a year. It’s great fun.”
my plane was coming towards me or going away from me. It suddenly disappeared. Eventually I gave up looking for it and resigned myself to never seeing it again. A while later I got a call from someone miles away who’d found it crashed by the side of the road and tracked me down as the owner.
The couple met in Wellington in 1980 when Alex had embarked on an earlier challenge, a Continental cooking course. Both worked at the same tin can factory, where Alex was a manufacturing manager and Ann a temporary receptionist, and Alex invited Ann to enjoy one of his cooking creations.
Alex with some of his planes and their accessories.Some
Ann thinks Alex’s RC hobby is wonderful. “I do go along to the events held by the Large Model Association,” she says. “It’s great fun, but you need earplugs – the high-pitched whine of so many machines is a little overwhelming on your ears.”
Flying model planes relies on fine weather, with no rain or wind – a difficult ask in New Zealand’s maritime climate. “Anything over a 15km wind is asking for trouble,” Alex says. “Wind and rain are the enemy. A sudden wind gust can catch a plane and you can end up with 2,000 pieces of matchstick on the ground.”
“It was chicken Stanley,” Ann remembers. “We had never heard of it before nor eaten it ever since, but it was lovely. I knew then that Alex could turn his hand to most things. He is very talented.”
Alex smiles. “This gives me the chance to be outside with friends when the weather is fine, and gives me time in the workshop when it’s not. I usually have one significant project a year. It’s great fun.”
11Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
blokes get really uptight if things go wrong, but I just laugh.”
“I became an examiner for the Hawke’s Bay region and did that for nearly 20 years, as well as umpiring matches myself and still playing. I attained my New Zealand umpiring qualifications as well. It was a lot of travelling, and I got to see a lot of New Zealand.”
Judy took her new role very seriously. “I think the biggest part was learning to be confident and turning a blind eye when people were rude. When I was learning to umpire, you learnt practical and theory at a local level, then a regional level, and then a national level. You had to renew your qualifications every second year.”
BY ELLIE
NET GAIN
Judy still umpires every week locally, usually a college game, and for one of the oldest netball clubs in the country. “Hastings High School Old Girls’ Netball Club has 12 teams, all different levels. It is open to anyone who wants to play.”
As strong believers in the benefits of staying active, Summerset is proud to be an official partner of Netball New Zealand. Here, we catch up with two Summerset residents for whom netball plays an important part in their lives.
Initially, Judy preferred playing to umpiring. “I was bawling my eyes out after the first game I umpired. I was given a really hard time. Back then, if the players didn’t like your decision, they let you know! I knew I wanted to keep playing netball, so I decided to learn how to umpire properly.”
“I started playing the game in 1950 as a child. After I left school, I joined a netball club and started to move up through the ranks. In those days, if you played in the top two grades you had to umpire. It was compulsory. You did it on your own; you had to keep score, you had to keep time, and you had to swap sides of the courts every so often.”
After moving from the Hutt Valley to Hawke’s Bay, Judy started to move up through the national netball organisation. “I started to teach a couple of school teams and it snowballed from there.
For Judy, netball has offered her many opportunities, including a great social life. “I met one of my closest friends through netball. We still go away to tournaments every year and room together. Whether you want to train hard and get to the top or just meet up on a Saturday socially and throw a ball around, there is something for everyone.”
Judy Sutherland is chuffed. The netball team she supported in the ANZ Premiership, Wellington’s Central Pulse, has won the grand final, watched by Judy and friends at her Hawke’s Bay village. As a netball player, umpire and coach for more than 60 years, there’s not much the Summerset Palms resident doesn’t know about the game.
Judy also thinks that netball teaches women confidence and resilience. “You have to learn to work as a team. You must learn to win, and you must learn to lose. But you also learn determination. You see a loose ball, you think ‘that’s mine’. You must be positive and determined, and that attitude then flows over into other aspects of life. Netball also keeps you fit.”
Judy also thinks that netball teaches women confidence and resilience.
In addition to umpiring netball matches weekly, Judy enjoys an active village life. “I play table tennis and go to exercise classes. Every Friday, my husband Graham and I join in the village social drinks. There’s a lot going on here.”
CLIFFORD 12 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
“Gina got into netball when she was at intermediate school. Aged 13 she was the youngest pupil at Wellington Girls’ College to get into the first team,” Mac says. So, what’s it like being granddad of the captain of arguably the best-known netball team in the world? “She’s still the same Gina. No matter how busy she is she always has time to communicate with her grandfather! Gina and [Silver Fern] Te Paea Selby-Rickit were in the area recently and stopped by our villa for morning tea.”
Mac and his partner, Carol, are supportive fans and watch every game they can. “Gina missed out last minute on the Commonwealth Games in 2018. We went anyway as we had booked to go. And the Silver Ferns didn’t win that time. This year Gina led the team in the 2022 Commonwealth Games as captain!”
13Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
The sporting gene appears to run in the family. Mac’s son Colin (Gina’s father) played basketball for the Tall Blacks and grandson Flynn is a promising rugby player. “Colin worked at a sawmill as a young adult to build up his strength. Nothing like lifting logs to give you Macmuscles!”himselfused to climb mountains in the ranges west of Nelson. “There’s only Mt Gomorrah, Mt Sodom and Mt Star in those ranges I haven’t ticked off. I love the excitement of getting to the top and seeing the views. You can’t beat the overnights either, sitting around the campfire or being in the DOC huts.”
Family Goals
Mac Crampton has a broad grin on his face when he talks about his granddaughter. There is no doubt the Summerset in the Sun resident is a proud grandfather – as he should be, considering that his granddaughter is Silver Ferns captain Gina Crampton.
Above left: Judy at home in Summerset Palms. Above right: Mac with granddaughter and Silver Ferns captain Gina Crampton. Bottom right: Netball fans watching the ANZ Premiership at Summerset Palms.
Even without his granddaughter leading the team, Mac and Carol are keen netball fans. “We like it because it’s fast and action-packed. There are fewer stoppages than in other sports. There is not much time with the ball off the court.”
Mac still challenges himself physically. “I play veterans’ tennis, and play table tennis twice a week, play pool, and visit the gym here.” Mac and Carol have lived in their village for four years. “We love it. We have peace of mind and there’s no maintenance to do or lawns to mow!”
Pat was delighted when the staff at Summerset in the Vines organised a book launch for her. “It was wonderful! I sold quite a lot!”
Pat left school at 16, and at 18 she became a radar operator in the army in the Second World War. Not long after the war ended, she met her husband, Doug, who had served with the Signals in North Africa and Italy. “We were very fortunate with the army. After the war, they offered us the opportunity to train as teachers. I met Doug on the first day of teacher training.”
children kept her too busy, as did her long teaching career.
In addition to her memoirs, Pat has written a children’s book, Max , based on her own dog and telling the story of a Staffordshire terrier that gets adopted, as well as a family history spanning three centuries. She also writes stories for her 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. One is titled Pat’s Boyfriends . “I did a course in the U3A called ‘Writing for Your Grandchildren’. My grandsons asked me if I had ever had boyfriends when I was young! I was indignant and said, ‘Of course I did!’ How dare they insinuate that I didn’t? So, I decided to write a little book that was about each one that I had.”
14 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
“I was an English teacher at Woodford and Hastings Girls’ High, and assistant principal at Havelock North High School. I was a founding teacher there when it opened. It was, and still is, a very progressive school. But when Doug retired and would spend his days by the ocean, I got jealous and decided to retire too! I would spend my days reading, painting and writing.”
BY ELLIE CLIFFORD
The two married and began a family. Uneasy at living under apartheid, they leapt at the opportunity to take teaching posts in New Zealand. “We had no idea where we would be living, but we were sent to Hawke’s Bay. How marvellous that we were!” says Pat happily.
Pat’s second book, Many a Golden Afternoon , is a memoir of her life as an immigrant in New Zealand. “I have always been scribbling things down my whole life, in the hope that one day I would write a novel,” says Pat as she leafs through a thick binder of poems she has written over the years. She laughs, adding, “I haven’t written one yet!” Her four young
As she answers the phone with a cheery “And a very good morning to you!”, there is just the faintest hint of a South African accent in Patricia Frykberg’s voice. It has been almost 70 years since she moved to Havelock North in Hawke’s Bay.
“I was born in Namibia, which was then South West Africa. My family moved to South Africa when I was 11. My first book, Many a Golden Morning , is a recount of growing up there.”
WRITE ALL ALONG
15Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Unusually, perhaps, for a 98-year-old Pākehā woman, Pat is also teaching herself to speak te reo Māori and took part in the Māori Language Moment last year. “My daughter helped me to get started about five years ago. She is about six years into her te reo journey.”
Left: Pat at home in Summerset in the Vines. Top right: Pat’s family provide an inspiration and a keen audience for her books. Bottom right: Pat’s book Many a Golden Afternoon recounts her story as an NZ immigrant.
Pat started out learning a new word a day and teaches herself, memory permitting, from phrasebooks. Her daughter helps her with her pronunciation. “As an immigrant, I believe it is absolutely important to be respectful of the native culture. I want to be able to pronounce the words properly, to try. Not everyone shares my views. But I think it’s horrible to make another culture bow down to yours because you think yours is superior. That mindset is why we left South Africa.”
Pat has lived in Summerset in the Vines for 15 years. “I love it here. I have a lovely view of Te Mata Peak from my living room, and I get my lunch delivered from the café most days. The staff are just marvellous. In fact, our old Village Manager has just retired into the village himself! If that’s not a testament, then I don’t know what is! We may be a retirement community, but I will never say we are old!”
Always interested in indigenous rights, Pat gained an insight through her teaching career into how the use of Māori language and culture has slowly been embraced. “The school I taught at had two excellent teachers who were Māori. They would speak about how they were
slapped for speaking their native language in school as children. Recently, there has been an enormous resurgence of Māori identity, thank goodness. The school where I used to teach now has a marae.”
Pat was delighted when the staff at Summerset in the Vines organised a book launch for her. “It was wonderful! I sold quite a lot!”
the Park Village Manager Brian Gabolinscy says Kaitiaki ensure residents living with dementia have quality time to engage in conversation and activities, and that their individual needs are met.
Gayani Kodippili, Care Centre Manager at Summerset down the Lane in Hamilton, says residents love the Kaitiaki team. “Our Kaitiaki work to understand the residents’ best interests by spending quality time with them.”
Wellbeing is central to new roles
We are delighted to announce we have purchased land for two more New Zealand villages. The proposed village in Landsdowne is just 2km from Masterton’s town centre, the largest town in the Wairarapa. CEO Scott Scoullar says, “It is expected the new village will draw residents from across the region and Wellington due to the peaceful location and the terrific local amenities.”
16 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
“PainChek is an important technology breakthrough in aged care, and one that we believe will help us continue in our mission to bring the best of life to all our residents, especially our most vulnerable,” says Project and Change Manager Craig Moore. Summerset is the first aged care provider in New Zealand to introduce PainChek, which is currently used in more than 900 aged care facilities around the world.
Following a successful six-month trial at our Levin village, we are happy to announce that in July we began to roll out the pain assessment tool PainChek across all our villages. PainChek is an iPhone app that uses artificial intelligence to identify the presence of pain in an older person who cannot verbalise it. PainChek scans and reads micro-changes in a resident’s facial expression via an iPhone’s camera. Used in addition to the current traditional ways we look for pain, the app gives a voice to people with dementia or cognitive impairment who may have trouble communicating that they are in pain.
To help us move towards a more personcentred care offering, Summerset has created a Kaitiaki (wellbeing assistant) role, which provides a high standard of care to some of our most vulnerable residents. Kaitiaki focuses on care resident mobility, activity and cultural programmes, and support with meals and fluids intake. We have employed 60 Kaitiaki across our villages. Kaitiaki bring a wide range of skills and experience to the role, including in fields such as music therapy and neurological Summersetphysiotherapy.by
NEWSOUR
Three new Summerset villages planned
The proposed village in Fairy Springs is Summerset’s first site in Rotorua. Located close to local amenities including golf clubs, Rotorua’s CBD is just 5km away.
Summerset Head of Clinical Lynda Irvine says, “PainChek really made us think about how important effective pain management is for older people. A key advantage is being able to rule out pain as a contributing factor for residents who are at times distressed.”
PainChek
A new site has also been purchased in Victoria, Australia, bringing the total number of Summerset sites in the country to six.
Progress is well underway at our fourth village in the Waikato. Situated on an 8.4ha site, Summerset Cambridge is positioned in a semirural location with views towards the peaks of Maungakawa, Maungatautari and Pirongia. The village is conveniently situated within walking and cycling distance of superb local cafés and is just a short drive from local amenities. The
Progress at Summerset Cambridge
Summerset is proud to be signatories of the Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) and the only New Zealand retirement village operator to be part of this group. We have signed the CLC’s new Statement of Ambition to accelerate business action to mitigate the risks of climate change. We are determined to play our part in supporting Aotearoa’s domestic and international climate commitments. We do this by reducing our own emissions and helping to creating momentum that influences all businesses to act on climate change. We have put a plan in place to fully upgrade our lighting at existing sites to LEDs, including in common areas and street lighting, and using more renewable energy such as solar installations. Alternative fuel sources for existing sites that currently use gas are being investigated. Our new village centres are designed to be more energy efficient, and we are switching from petrol to electric vehicles. EV charging stations are being installed at some
sites. We are committed to working to accelerate our transition towards a zero-carbon and climate resilient future where Aotearoa, and all New Zealanders, can thrive.
village has a relaxed rural feel, with post-andrail fencing that is in keeping with Cambridge’s equine lifestyle.
Above: Render of Summerset Cambridge.
17Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Climate Leaders Coalition
Once complete, Summerset Cambridge will provide a variety of homes, including villas, cottages and serviced apartments. There will also be a village centre with recreational amenities, a care centre offering rest-home hospital-level care, and an industry-leading memory care centre, providing a safe environment for people living with dementia.
Tim Cope is an adventurer, author and filmmaker who spent three-and-a-half years on a solo 10,000km horseback trek with his dog. Animal welfare was key to his success – without horses that were well cared for, the journey would have failed. Tim reflected on the importance of groundwork and organisation, while also being open to the unexpected and flexible enough to change plans when needed.
JUDE ON FASCINATING PEOPLE
It’s such a treat! There is always something I can take away and apply to my own life, and I’m quite sure others will feel the same. The first interview, earlier this year, was with Sir Graham Henry. What I learnt from him was the importance of creating a good culture within a group and how that leads to great success and personal satisfaction. The insights into how that played out with the All Blacks was fascinating to hear about. Graham also talked frankly about dealing with depression and adversity, and how to keep on top of things when times are tough.
I can’t wait to meet the guests we have lined up for the rest of the year. I do hope you can join me.
Every month I get to talk to fascinating people for the Summerset ‘An Interview With …’ series.
Dr Richard ‘Harry’ Harris recounted his part in the heroic search and rescue mission for the Thai schoolboys trapped in the Tham Luang cave in Thailand in 2018. His expertise as a cave diver and anaesthetist was pivotal to the success of the rescue, and I was spellbound by his ‘against the odds’ story. There is no doubt that his pragmatic, courageous, think-outside-the-box attitude saved their lives. The adage ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ is indeed true.
Bottom right: Richard Harris. Zoom code is 874 5352 1510 Past interviews can be found here: www.summerset.co.nz/an-interview-with 18 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Mark Inglis almost lost his life in 1982 when he became trapped on Aoraki / Mt Cook. Despite losing both his legs to frostbite, it did nothing to curb his adventurous spirit. Later, he became the first double amputee to conquer Mt Everest, and you can’t help but be inspired by his attitude. As he says, “Attitude determines your altitude, and challenge is the essence of life.”
Dame Valerie Adams has won more World Championship and Olympic and Commonwealth games titles than you can count, and has had an athletics career spanning two decades. Yet Valerie’s mother died when she was only a teenager, and her preschool-aged son has type 1 diabetes – the type that requires active management with insulin injections. This living legend is testament to the fact that resilience is a great trait to nurture.
my talk with David inspired me to start tracking down a branch of my own family.
David Lomas is the well-known face of popular family reunion programme Lost & Found. He has reunited countless lost family members, and his stories are both heart-warming and heart-wrenching. The human need to know where we come from is very real, and
Residents interact directly with the game’s video software while standing in front of a large screen-wall, using their hands, soft balls or pool noodles. Residents that need a walker, wheelchair or other assistive devices can also take part, as there are options for games to be played while seated. Some of the MultiBall games help with balance, coordination and agility, while others focus on brain activities that develop cognitive skills and precision training.
A whole new ball game has been played at a few Summerset villages recently. MultiBall is an interactive platform that enables anyone to enjoy sports in a fun and intuitive way. It can support both a mind and a body workout, as the technology is adaptable for people at all fitness and strength levels.
The materials used in the building were chosen for both their quality and their reduced environmental impact. All building services were selected with the goal of minimising energy usage while maintaining comfort for our residents and staff. Recyclable copper or steel pipework was used where possible over plastic or PVC, high-performance CFC- and HCFCfree insulation was used, and all lighting is LED. A building management system monitors energy usage, which can be changed to suit operational needs, and the temperature of each space can be independently controlled.
19Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
MultiBall pilot
The multi-purpose three-storey, 9,000m2 building is home to 56 one-bedroom serviced apartments, a care centre with 43 care suites, and 20 apartments in the industry-leading memory care centre, alongside amenities such as a pool, movie theatre and café.
Right: Residents at Summerset Richmond Ranges try out MultiBall.
MultiBall is currently being piloted at Summerset at Monterey Park, Summerset on the Coast, and Summerset Richmond Ranges.
We are delighted to announce that Summerset made it to the finals of the Property Industry Awards, hosted by the Property Council New Zealand. Summerset was nominated in the Multi-Unit Residential Property Award category for our Richmond Ranges regional main building. Summerset Group Construction Manager Joe Roberts says, “We were extremely excited to be nominated. It was the first time Summerset has been a finalist for this award.”
finalistsSummerset for IndustryPropertyAwards
Superheroes sweep through Summerset at Heritage Park
Aptly named after superheroes, Wonder Woman, Batman and Ironman traverse the corridors, each vacuuming approximately 100m2 per day, all while taking care to avoid bumping into residents and furniture.
Activities recognisedCoordinatorbyRotary
Anna was nominated by a Summerset on Cavendish resident and Rotary member. This award is presented by more than 600 Rotary clubs worldwide and is designed to acknowledge individuals who display outstanding qualities in terms of approach, attitude, dedication and
On 10 July, Wellington Free Ambulance launched its brand-new one-of-a-kind Onesie Day ambulance to the public on Wellington’s waterfront. Many of our staff and village residents have been actively involved in fundraising events for Onesie Day, the Wellington Free Ambulance’s largest fundraising event. In 2021, Summerset became the principal partner of the Onesie Day appeal, donating $40,000.
The long corridors in the main building at Summerset at Heritage Park now have new inhabitants, in the form of robotic vacuums!
Village Manager Leticia Chuck says, “We have kilometres of carpeted corridor space in Ellerslie and keeping it clean can be a huge challenge – especially in times of labour shortage and pandemics.”
We are so proud of Anna Childs, Activities Coordinator at Summerset on Cavendish in Christchurch. Anna has received the Pride of Workmanship Award from Garden City Rotary in recognition of all her hard work and her dedication to our residents.
Anna started working at Summerset four-anda-half years ago as a Village Assistant. Since moving into the Activities Coordinator role, she has twice won the Activities Coordinator of the Year Award at Summerset’s annual Applause Awards. We are delighted she has also been recognised as an asset by such a well-known organisation!
20 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
The commercial-grade vacuum cleaners and sterilisation units are fully programmable to clean any area at set times and intervals.
commitment to their chosen vocation.
Top right: Onesie wearers with the new Wellington Free Ambulance vehicle. Below right: Anna Childs from Summerset on Cavendish.
Anna says, “This was presented to me during a residents’ meeting. I was shocked and very honoured! All the residents applauded and cheered – it really did bring tears to my eyes.”
Comfort for a cause
We are delighted to be supporters of the Wellington Free Ambulance service, the only emergency ambulance service in Greater Wellington and the Wairarapa. This vital organisation needs to replace six ambulances annually, at a cost of $250,000 each, to provide a modern fleet that meets the needs of the Greater Wellington population.
me is Robinson Crusoe. The themes of man alone, surviving alone are always powerful, and it was based on fact. In terms of literary style, it is not the best, but in terms of grand adventure for a young man it definitely is. A close contender is Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks. It is both a love story and a great war story.
What advice would you give to your 21-year-old self
21Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
After the army I joined the ANZ Bank and then the National Bank, where we answered to Lloyds Bank in London. They invited me to the UK. I was retired but held the honorary appointment of Colonel Commandant of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment, and I represented Prince Andrew, as he was (although he’s been stripped of it now) Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment. I got in contact with him through his staff and he invited me for lunch at Buckingham Palace! It was just the prince, his equerry and me. I can still remember what we ate – New Zealand lamb chops, of all things, mashed potatoes and peas.
FIVE QUESTIONS
I would say not to get married so young – not that marriage isn’t wonderful; it is. We got married when I was 20 and Anne 21. But I was an arrogant little p$%k. Being in the forces is like a family, but it’s hard on your own family. Summerset is our 29th house; we’ve been here almost six years, so it has probably provided the most stability. I was first trained as an infantry platoon commander, and similar junior postings is what I did. Anne was the one who did everything else, and she did it alone. So, my advice to my young self is to be less of a boy and more of a Forpartner.more information about Poppy Places, visit poppyplaces.nz
I really enjoy technology and improving my computer skills. I taught myself how to create graphics, photo design and how to build websites. I started playing croquet in 2006, and I was involved on committees and as president of croquet clubs as we moved. I used to run the drawing group here in the village, but I haven’t painted or drawn for a couple of years now. Life gets in the way!
Right: Terry with his great-granddaughter Cameron on Anzac Day.
Colonel Terry McBeth spent 33 years in the New Zealand Army, specialising as a logistician. After several overseas postings, including an operational tour in Vietnam, he and his wife Anne retired to Summerset at the Course in Trentham, Upper Hutt. Terry is the founder and chair of the New Zealand Poppy Places Trust, a project notifying the public of the significance of street and place names across New Zealand associated with overseas military sacrifice.
Living here for almost six years, every day is a weekend! But the best is a day spent with the extended family. Anne and I have three daughters, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren! Those weekends are particularly wonderful, but they don’t happen often enough. We are lucky that we have some living in Wellington and Levin, so we can see them regularly.
What skill or talent would you most like to learn?
What is the most adventurous thing you have done?
What is your favourite way to spend a weekend?
5 4 6 7 22 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
3
Take a look at some of the recent village happenings.
PEOPLEVILLAGE
Photo 1: Members of the Summerset by the Sea ukelele club welcome residents to Happy Hour.
Photo 8: Summerset Mount Denby gets a visit from the canine constabulary.
Photo 4: 102-year-old Joan from Aotea care centre has learned how to use Amazon’s Alexa.
Photo 2: A biker chick at Summerset at Avonhead.
Photo 5: Summerset in the Sun residents pottering about in a recent ceramics class.
Photo 6: Strike! Summerset Palms residents enjoy 10-pin bowling.
Photo 3: Summerset Falls queen and consort.
1
Photo 9: There’s a bounty on your heads! Summerset down the Lane goes wild wild West.
Photo 7: Winners of the disco dress-up at Summerset at Wigram.
Photo 13: Happy birthday, Your Majesty, from Summerset on the Course.
9 1110 12 14 15 23Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Photo 10: She may be 99, but Summerset by the Park’s Muriel still likes a Harley-Davidson.
Photo 11: Block party! Richmond Ranges residents show off their block-printing work.
Photo 15: Hats off to you! Summerset on Cavendish residents don fancy headgear for their Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
Photo 12: Bonjour from Summerset in the River City.
8
Photo 14: Wonderful wine, say Summerset at the Sun residents at a recent tasting.
Ask Kirsty the best thing about her job and she struggles to pick just one. “There is so much I like. I love that I feel connected to every single village and their day-to-day life through my work with our Activities Coordinators and the Sessions. It sounds a bit clichéd, but my job is adding to the vibrancy of village life. My goal is to provide opportunities and content to brighten even just one person’s day in some way.”
BY ELLIE CLIFFORD
24 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Kirsty also works closes with Daniel Hardie to develop Summerset’s signature exercise programme, CB Fit, which is a Live Stronger for Longer accredited falls prevention class. “I knew Dan was the right person to develop this programme as he really understands the brain–body connection, and is really dedicated to creating safe, functional and fun exercise classes.”
Kirsty has swapped one set of distant islands for another. Born and raised in Shetland, a remote cluster of islands 100km north of mainland Scotland, Kirsty moved to New Zealand in 2009. She has been working at Summerset since 2018. Residents often recognise her from the Zoom quizzes that were held weekly during the second Covid-19 wave. “When I started, my role was quite different. We didn’t have a nationwide entertainment series. Instead, we had Summerset Connect, annual local speaker events. I’ve been fortunate to be able to introduce some new ideas and now develop the programme of events offerings.”
Kirsty Johnson is Programme Activities Lead for all Summerset villages and works closely with our Activities Coordinators. Based out of the Wellington office, Kirsty is responsible for creating and delivering the varied content of Summerset Sessions.
now we have lots of offerings. Some events are pre-recorded, like the MasterChef recipe videos, so that each village can take part when it suits them.”
In her spare time Kirsty likes to cook, and having recently bought a house she is excited to have a bigger kitchen to create in. “I love the idea of growing my own veges to cook with, so am going to have to learn to garden – if anyone has any top tips please send them my way!”
Kirsty is responsible for organising the TV show A Summerset World , the Cooking with a MasterChef series, Will Martin concerts, virtual wine tastings with Villa Maria, and the Summerset Big Quiz and An Interview with… series which are hosted by Jude Dobson. “I love doing the quizzes. They’re great fun. They have moved to monthly now and I always get excited when I see it on my calendar!”
Kirsty Johnson
The pandemic has obviously been a big challenge, but it also provided an opportunity to re-evaluate how to deliver content and events. “We weren’t set up for virtual programmes at first, but we adapted fast and
STAFF PROFILE
“MY GOAL EACH AND EVERY DAY IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND CONTENT TO BRIGHTEN EVEN JUST ONE PERSON’S DAY IN SOME WAY.”
SERVINGS SPRING
DELICIOUSRECIPES
RECIPES BY JAN BILTON
Happy cooking. Spring into it!
26 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Fish is also amazing when cooked in the microwave. The teriyaki salmon recipe here can easily be adapted for the microwave. Follow the marinating procedure, drain the salmon pieces and then place them in a single layer in a microwave-proof dish. Cover and cook for 3–4 minutes on high (1,000W), then leave to stand for a minute before serving.
APPETISING ASPARAGUS – THE ‘ARISTOCRAT OF VEGETABLES’ –ANNOUNCES THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING. IT’S TIME TO ENJOY WARMER DAYS, PERFUMED FLOWERS AND EASIER SOCIALISING WITH YOUR SUMMERSET FRIENDS AND FAMILY. FOR ME, WINTER HAS LINGERED WAY TOO LONG.
Young asparagus can be enjoyed raw in salads, either whole or shaved. For a quick lunch or dinner accompaniment, I often trim and wash 500g of asparagus and place it in a single layer in a microwave-proof dish. I sprinkle it with a tablespoon of water and cover the dish, then microwave it on high for about 3 minutes (1,000W oven) or until crisp-tender. I serve it drizzled with a teaspoon each of lemon juice and a good olive oil, and topped with a little grated lemon rind or Parmesan cheese.
1 clove garlic, crushed
INGREDIENTS
125g sour cream
METHOD
Dip each spear into the flour, then the egg, then the combined breadcrumbs and salt. Chill to set the coating.
Combine the egg and garlic and pour into a shallow dish or onto a dinner plate.
1 egg, lightly beaten
Serve the dish as a starter to your main or as part of a platter of predinner nibbles.
To make the paprika cream, combine the ingredients and serve in a small bowl for dipping.
TIPS
27Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Trim the asparagus spears so that they fit neatly in your frying pan.
Place the flour on one plate and the panko breadcrumbs seasoned with salt on a separate plate.
rice bran or canola oil for frying
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Paprika cream
SERVES 4
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons plain flour
300g asparagus
Snap the ends off the asparagus spears and trim if necessary.
Keep warm in a 160°C oven.
CRUMBED ASPARAGUS
flaky sea salt to taste
Heat about 1cm of oil in a small frying pan. Fry the asparagus in batches, about 1 minute on each side, using tongs to turn them.
INGREDIENTS
non-stick ridged frying pan or similar. Add a little oil. Drain the salmon, reserving the broth to use as a marinade. Pan-fry gently for about 2–3 minutes on each side depending, on the thickness, until just cooked. Place on a serving plate.
If preferred, this simply super salmon dish can be prepared and cooked a day in advance and served chilled. Steamed Asian greens and noodles make a great accompaniment. Choose either one large salmon fillet or four individual portions.
28 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
2 tablespoons each: brown sugar, rice wine vinegar
METHOD
1 tablespoon grated root ginger
1 tablespoon canola oil sesame seeds to garnish
Place the salmon in a shallow casserole dish. Combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, garlic and root ginger. Mix well, then pour over the salmon. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour, turning after 30 Preheatminutes.aheavy,
SERVES 4
½ cup low-salt soy sauce
TERIYAKI SALMON
500g salmon fillet
Using tweezers, remove the pin bones from the salmon.
Boil the marinade in a small saucepan until thickened. Drizzle a little over the salmon sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.
TIPS
1 clove garlic, crushed
300ml cream
Before serving, melt the chocolate for the drizzle. Trickle it over the meringues. Chill to set.
To make the topping, dissolve the coffee granules in the boiling water. Cool. Combine the cream and icing sugar and whip until thick. Fold in the coffee.
2 teaspoons instant coffee
1granulestablespoon boiling water
INGREDIENTS
MOCHA MERINGUES
1 cup sugar
Drizzle
SERVES 6
2 tablespoons icing sugar
METHOD
100g dark chocolate, chopped
Topping
Meringues
Preheat the oven to 160°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Draw six 8cm circles on the paper.
Turn the oven off and leave the meringues inside –with the oven door shut – for 2–3 hours.
50g dark chocolate
To serve, dollop the topping generously onto the meringues and stand the chocolate shards on top.
29Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
To make the meringues, place the egg whites in a large bowl and beat until soft peaks form. Slowly add the sugar a tablespoon at a time, beating continuously until stiff and shiny. Spoon the meringue mixture into the circles on the tray, using about three heaped tablespoons per Bakeserving.for25minutes.
Meanwhile, make the chocolate shards. Line a tray with baking paper. Microwave the chocolate on medium for 3–4 minutes until just melted. Stir well. Pour onto the baking paper to form a thin layer. Chill. When set, break into shards.
Chocolate shards
4 egg whites
can continue to provide its usual high level of care, the same cannot be said for other organisations. Our population is living longer, and the pandemic has highlighted complex medical needs. Without appropriate funding, and staffing levels, charity and not-for-profit providers may be forced to take drastic measures. Many have had to turn away submissions for a bed, and more than 1,000 aged care beds have been lost in the last six months due to lack of funding.
30 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
It is estimated that the sector is underfunded by up to $425 million per year. While a small percentage of aged care beds are provided by the public health care system, more than 50 per cent are provided by charities and not-forprofits, and they are struggling to make up this Whileshortfall.Summerset
This movement is called Aged Care Matters. Summerset has written letters to every Labour MP who has one of our villages in their electorate, expressing our concerns and pushing for action. Summerset’s CEO, Scott Scoullar, has already met with Labour MPs Dr Megan Wood and Dr David Clark to discuss this critical issue.
We will not compromise on care and have invested an additional $4.3 million in either new care roles or additional care wages. Our nurses’ pay rates are equal to the best in the sector. Yet, we are concerned for the sector. The biggest underfunding risks are overwhelmingly to do with staffing levels and associated impacts on care. A survey by the New Zealand Aged Care Association indicates that there are approximately 1,000 vacant positions for registered nurses across the aged care industry. If that shortage continues, more and more providers will struggle to take new admissions and staff their facilities. We believe the government must fix the underfunding for aged care, or there will be a huge impact on New Zealand’s public health system. New Zealand’s seniors deserve better.
The country’s battle with Covid-19 has highlighted the lack of specialist nurses and caregivers in the public sector, as well as a lack of sufficient government funding for the provision of quality public aged care.
AGED CARE MATTERS
The concerning state of New Zealand’s government-funded aged care has dominated the news in recent months, along with issues in the wider health sector.
Write to your local MP and express your support for greater government funding. Save aged care in Aotearoa New Zealand is a petition organised by the NZ Aged Care Association (NZACA) and Care Association NZ (CANZ). Sign it online aotearoa-new-zealandwww.change.org/p/save-aged-care-in-at
BY ELLIE CLIFFORD
At Summerset, we do not think this is good enough. We have joined forces with other organisations from the New Zealand Aged Care Association to lobby the government to provide adequate funding and to address the critical issue of pay parity for aged care nurses.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
shades, natural fabrics and effortless elegance. If your ‘coastal grandparent’ look is more baggy trackpants and an ancient jacket to ward off spring showers, here’s how to upgrade it.
31Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Spring is the season to embrace the ‘coastal grandparent’. Here’s how.
While spring temperatures are unpredictable, increased daylight hours are a signal to shift winter’s dark shades to the back of your wardrobe. Lighter colours – including white, cream, ecru and beige, and watered-down pastels like rose, pale blue, lemon and mint – are very flattering to the skin, whether you’re a real-life coastal grandparent or not. There’s a ‘right light’ shade for every skin tone. If you don’t feel that you suit white, try a warmer cream or ecru. The right shade will bring your face alive, making your eyes look brighter and your teeth whiter.
While the trend focuses mostly on ‘coastal grandmothers’, men can get in on the act too. The ‘coastal gentleman’ could take his cues from perennially stylish Sir Ian McKellen – a linen shirt, a panama hat, well-fitted but comfortable trousers in lighter tones, and leather deck shoes or canvas sneakers. True coastal gents keep their branded caps and rugby jerseys for when they’re doing DIY or other chores that never appear in the idealised coastal grandparent lifestyle portrayed on social media.
Grand style
GO NATURAL
STYLE
Are you Dograndparent?ayouliveon or near the onlooktostyleatcallfashionhavingYou’reCongratulations!coast?currentlywhatpeople‘amoment’,leastifyourconformsaparticularthat’sbigneutral
You might argue that ‘coastal grandparents’ have existed ever since there were (a) grandparents, and b) coasts, but the term was recently coined by a US social media user, Lex Nicoleta. She describes how to identify the trend, helpfully telling us that “you don’t have to be a grandmother to be a coastal grandmother; this is for anyone and everyone”.
In Nicoleta’s view, the coastal grandmother ‘aesthetic’ reflects the kind of cosy, beach house vibe depicted in movies like Something’s Gotta Give and The Holiday. Wearing artfully crumpled white linen or beige cashmere jumpers, living in beautiful flower-filled houses by the beach, this look embodies a kind of effortless elegance. If that kind of lifestyle sounds a bit too aspirational (or impossible) to achieve, rest assured that there are ways to introduce the CG vibe into your spring wardrobe without breaking the bank or becoming best friends with a drycleaner.
LIGHTEN UP
TIPS FOR COASTAL CHAPS
ARTICLE BY LUCY CORRY
Coastal grandparents are environmentally conscious. That’s one of the reasons they eschew oil-based polyester fabrics in favour of natural fibres such as linen, organic cotton, bamboo and wool. Of course, it could also be that clothes made from these materials wear better and have more longevity, as well as being breathable and nicer to wear. Coastal grandparents should be glowing, not sweaty – unless they’ve just done a workout, been toiling in the garden, or returned from a bracing walk along the beach.
3 Silver beet
10 easy edibles to grow in tubs and troughs.
ARTICLE BY LYNDA HALLINAN PHOTOS BY SALLY TAGG
IN GARDENTHE
– from a patio!
32 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
obelisks; pop in a few sweet pea seeds with your beans for a pretty and productive display.
5 Radishes
Pop a punnet of silver beet or rainbow chard seedlings into a tub and you’ll be rewarded with a year-round supply of nutritious greens. Grow the old-timer ‘Fordhook Giant’ or plant so-called ‘Perpetual Spinach’ – a milder form of silver beet. Silver beet may suffer a little leaf spot (caused by Cercospora fungal spores) in summer, but this is largely cosmetic. Watch out for slugs and snails when silver beet is still at the baby leaf stage.
1 Cherry tomatoes
2 Climbing peas and beans
4 Herbs
A plain plastic bucket with holes poked in the base is the perfect pot for a quick crop of crisp red
Start sowing cherry tomatoes indoors so the plants are a good size to transplant on Labour weekend. Or, if you want only one or two plants, buy vigorous grafted seedlings at your local garden centre in late spring. Grafted plants produce more fruit more quickly. ‘Sweet 100’ is a foolproof variety for high yields but it will sprawl in every direction it can, whereas the dwarf hybrids ‘Container Choice’ (Kings Seeds), ‘Balcony’ and ‘Patio’ (Egmont Seeds) have been selected for pot life. Try ‘Dwarf Enterprise’ (Egmont Seeds) for full-sized fruit on a compact bush.
Almost all herbs flourish in pots, helped by the fact that their Mediterranean ancestry means they love hot, dry conditions. Parsley, basil and mint need more water than pizza thyme, rosemary, oregano and sage, so group these together. And the more you snip herbs, the healthier and bushier they grow
Downsizing your garden doesn’t mean downsizing your desire to harvest homegrown fruit and vegetables.
The secret to growing successful crops in pots is to start with large, lightweight containers (for portability and ease of repotting) and good-quality potting mix, preferably a brand that includes water-retention crystals. Maintaining soil moisture is important in pots, for without regular watering, container-grown plants struggle in hot, dry conditions, leading to fewer fruit on tomatoes and beans, smaller roots on beets and carrots, and a tendency for leafy salad greens and radishes to rapidly run to seed. Water daily in summer and feed weekly with diluted liquid fertiliser for the best results.
POTS PRODUCEOF
It seems counterintuitive, but climbing beans and peas are much better suited to small gardens than dwarf varieties, because they keep cropping for longer and, by growing up rather than out, they actually take up less room at ground level. My favourites are ‘Sugarsnap’ peas and, for green beans, I grow heirloom ‘Shiny Fardenlosa’ or classic ‘Scarlet Runner’. Train the vines up strings on a fence, or lash together a few stakes to make a rudimentary tepee. Garden centres sell decorative
With careful harvesting, a single punnet of six ‘Green Midget’ broccoli seedlings (from the Zealandia Grow Fresh range in garden centres) can yield several dozen small heads. How? When the first heads are ready, cut them off rather than pulling the whole plant out, leaving about 5–6cm of stalk attached to the outer rosette of leaves. Within a matter of weeks, you’ll have a bonus secondary crop of smaller side-shooting heads.
8 Beetroot
6 Baby carrots
Although standard hearting lettuces such as ‘Iceberg’ and ‘Buttercrunch’ are tricky to grow consistently in containers, it’s child’s play to grow mixed-leaf salads. Simply sprinkle half a packet of mesclun seed over a tub of potting mix, water well and snip at the microgreen (14 days) or baby leaf stages (28 days). When watering, add a splash of organic liquid fertiliser to your watering can to encourage lush growth.
10 Broccoli
33Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
radishes. Sprinkle seeds of ‘Cherry Bell’ or ‘Gentle Giant’ (both Yates) and lightly cover with potting mix. You’ll be able to start munching on their crunchy roots within six weeks.
Plastic is fantastic for potted carrots because, as their orange roots develop, they need room to push outwards, meaning that flexible grow-bags are better than terracotta tubs. Space the seeds 5cm apart for standard ‘Manchester Table’ (Yates) carrots, or sprinkle closer together for baby bunches of slender ‘Ladies Fingers’ (Egmont Seeds).
7 Broad beans
Beetroot is great value in a container garden because, while you wait for the roots to swell, the
Most broad beans get rather top-heavy under the weight of their pods, but the award-winning dwarf variety ‘Robin Hood’ (Kings Seeds) is ideal for containers. It grows to about 45cm high. Or sow ‘Hughey’, a New Zealand selection with beautiful burgundy blooms as well as plump pods
succulent blood-red foliage can be snipped for salads. Sow torpedo-shaped ‘Cylindra’ or ‘Bonny Baby’ (Egmont Seeds) for baby red beets the size of golf balls.
9 Mesclun salad mixes
One thing to note is that sometimes lip balms made with shea butter can become grainy over time. One way to counteract this is to cool the balm as quickly as possible after pouring it into its container – placing it in the fridge to set is a good option.
34 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
CORNERCRAFT
ARTICLE BY MELISSA WASTNEY
DIY LIP BALM
Making your own lip salve is quite a simple process, and these little pots can be customised to suit your own preferences. They also wonderfulmakesmall gifts for grandchildren and friends.
You can order the empty containers online, and shops such as Commonsense Organics stock them too. Or think creatively and reuse washed peppermint tins or cosmetic jars if you have them. Here, I’ve given directions for how to make rose geranium lip balm. Because the quantities involved are so small, you’ll need a set of digital scales. The possibilities are endless though – experiment with your own shades and scents, depending on what you can find.
5 . Make labels for your lip balm pots. Enjoy using your beautiful balm or gift it to your friends!
9g beeswax, grated or chopped (you can buy this in pellet form, which is easier than grating it yourself)
4 . Carefully pour the mixture into your prepared pots. Leave them somewhere cool to set for an hour or two, before placing on the lids.
Small glass or heatproof jug
Small containers, e.g. glass pots or small tins with lids (if reusing, it’s best to sterilise these in hot water or the dishwasher)
1 . Measure the carrier oil, coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, and lipstick and honey (if using) into a heatproof jug.
2almondtablespoons coconut oil
35Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Equipment
ROSE GERANIUM LIP BALM
Labels and a pen
LEMON AND HONEY LIP BALM
Ingredients
2 teaspoons carrier oil, e.g. jojoba or sweet
I find it can be tricky to clean the jug. It helps if you wipe out the oily mixture with paper towels or a rag before washing the jug in hot soapy water.
5 drops each of rose and geranium essential oils
THE QUANTITIES GIVEN HERE MAKE THREE SMALL POTS OF LIP BALM.
Paper towels or rag
2 tablespoons shea butter
3 . When the mixture is completely liquid and everything is blended, remove from the heat and stir in the essential oils.
½ teaspoon honey (optional, for sweetness)
SUPPLIES
METHOD
2 . Melt the ingredients in a microwave or on a stovetop. If using a microwave, set it for 20-second intervals and stir the mixture well with a wooden stick at each pause. If you are using the stovetop method, place the jug over a pot of simmering hot water and stir continuously.
TIP
Digital scales
To make a batch of lemon and honey lip balm, use the same ingredients but replace the ½ teaspoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of mānuka honey, and use five drops each of lemon and sweet orange essential oils instead of the rose and geranium oils.
Have fun dreaming up your own combinations!
2 thin slices from a commercial lipstick (optional, for a little colour)
Wooden iceblock stick, chopstick or similar disposable implement for stirring
AUTHOR HOUSE RRP $35.00 36 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
REVIEWSBOOK
I Will Make You Passionate About Exercise
Joy Manville is a New Zealand journalist married to Stephen, an older English husband, and they are enjoying life in Aotearoa. Stephen teaches film studies and Joy writes a regular column. But when Joy writes an article titled ‘Detachment Theory’, partly based on her husband’s experience of being sent to an English boarding school, she starts receiving malicious texts that become increasingly hostile – and that causes her to question her husband’s integrity. When the anonymous tweeter claims that Stephen is a cold-blooded killer, she begins investigating, wanting to prove Stephen’s innocence but suddenly questioning many things about the man she loves. Her investigation starts in New Zealand and goes to Stephen’s childhood home and boarding school in England. As Joy investigates, things turn deadly.
Detachment Theory is a well-written drama that I devoured in one sitting, such is the power of the storytelling. It’s very different from anything else I’ve read before, with themes to ponder long after the closing page. The characterisation is extremely well done and one of the reasons this fine novel is so compelling.
Bevan is a fitness expert who has written this book to help the many people who currently don’t have exercise in their life to get off the couch and move. It offers an achievable 10-step plan to get you exercising, with the aim of laying the foundations that will allow you to create a lifetime love of exercise.
The benefits of regular exercise are well documented – it’s not only good for us physically, but also mentally and socially. Through helping thousands of people, Bevan has devised a plan aimed at the ordinary person. There are no gruelling workouts, no expectations to become a high-performance athlete, and no schedule that will set the average person up to fail because it is much too hard. Instead, Bevan starts with simple steps that aim to foster a genuine love of exercise, with plenty of tools to help readers achieve the goal of exercising regularly and looking forward to it.
BEVAN JAMES EYLES
Written in a friendly, accessible style, I Will Make You Passionate About Exercise is both practical and inspirational, with plenty of great advice to keep people moving.
MARY EGAN PUBLISHING RRP $37.00
REVIEWS BY KAREN MCMILLAN
Detachment Theory
RICHARD WOOLLEY
The Murders at Fleat House
book in a series of three. Each is written from a different viewpoint, with the intention of presenting all perspectives – of grandparents, parents and grandchildren. The books will make a massive difference to any family separated geographically, and will enrich the lives of every generation. a Distance Son or Daughter – A Book for All Generations ELLIS
WWW.DISTANCEFAMILIES.COMWWW.NZBOOKLOVERS.CO.NZ RRP $38.00 37Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Being
HELEN
LUCINDA RILEY
Detective Inspector Jazmine ‘Jazz’ Hunter has stepped away from her police career in London after a painful divorce from a fellow police officer. She is now rebuilding her life, but then she is persuaded by her old boss to take on an investigation at Fleat House, a small private boarding school in Norfolk. A student has suddenly died – is it suicide or murder?
Sadly, author Lucinda Riley passed away in 2021. The Murders at Fleat House was published earlier this year, after her untimely death, and is as good as any of her previous bestsellers.
This is an invaluable book for everyone who has family living overseas. Author Helen Ellis is a researcher and anthropologist, and the founder of DistanceFamilies.com. In this book, she shares stories, ideas and resources to help families who are separated by geographical distance. Being a Distance Son or Daughter provides insights into what it is really like for loved ones living in an expat or migrant setting far from home.
Jazz begins investigating the tragic death with her team. The deceased, Charles Cavendish, is revealed to be a bully. Many people around him had the motive and opportunity to replace his epilepsy drugs with the aspirin that killed him. But then there is another death, of one of the staff, and the disappearance of a young pupil, Rory Millar, and things get very complicated as Jazz works all the leads. Everything seems to be linked to events in the past.
The book brings to life the different points of view of families living at a distance and provides practical and inspirational solutions for common issues. With knowledge come understanding and empathy, and the book is written with the intention of encouraging knowledge in families who are Thisseparated.isthesecond
MACMILLAN PUBLISHERS RRP $37.99
3. If they do not pass the quality checking process, Arrow will pick an end-of-life alternative from one of two options:
TextileGREENERGOwasteisone
of New Zealand’s fastest-growing waste streams. In fact, it’s estimated that more than 200,000 tonnes of textile waste ends up in New Zealand’s landfills each year – a frightening statistic. Even clothes made of 100 per cent cotton don’t degrade very well in landfill, surrounded as they are by plastic and other household waste.
38 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
We are also actively working with Arrow to change our plastic uniform packaging to a more sustainable option that can be reused as part of the uniform return process. Watch this space!
send these to landfill, we have now partnered up with Arrow Uniforms. Arrow will take our unwanted village uniforms and either repurpose them or dispose of them in an environmentally friendly way.
2. If these uniforms pass the quality checking process, Arrow will launder them and get them ready for reissue when we need them.
• repurpose the clothing to breathe new life into it
Buying clothes second-hand is a good way to start reducing your environmental impact. As well as being kinder on your purse than buying new, you can often find some great treasures. Reusing or repurposing clothes and material can also go a long way to effecting change and tackling the textile waste mountain. Why not set up your own op shop like Summerset on Cavendish did recently?
Top: Dianne Nicholson from Summerset Richmond Ranges upcycling denim.
At Summerset we are continually looking at ways we can reduce our overall emissions and lessen our environmental impact.
How it works:
• shred the garments into pieces and use these as stuffing for boxing bags.
Members of the Bishopscourt Knitting and Crafting Club at Summerset at Bishopscourt in Dunedin have founded Elegant Treasures. Helmed by resident Judith Birchall, this initiative sees residents and staff kindly donating their gently used clothing, shoes and accessories for Judith to sell on. The money raised is then donated to a variety of Summersetcharities.Richmond Ranges residents held the Anything Goes Expo at the end of August. The show is about upcycling and recycling items, and literally anything goes!
1. Arrow takes unwanted uniform garments when our staff no longer need them.
As many of our village staff wear uniforms, we have struggled with excess textiles from leftover or worn-out clothing. Rather than
At the end of September, Summerset in the Sun residents in Nelson are hosting their eighth Waste to Waist event, where contestants create high fashion from a variety of waste products. Resident Gwytha France is one of the organisers and says the broader ideas of recycling and being kinder to the environment are just as important as the costume creations. “Sustainability is really critical these days,” says Gwytha. “That’s why we introduced new elements like the ‘op shop challenge’ to explore the possibilities of recycled clothing.”
Fortunately, there are ways to trick ourselves into forming better habits or make it easier for us to do more of the activities we enjoy.
Leaving your walking shoes by the front door, having the meal ingredients you want to cook out in plain sight, or putting your gardening gloves on the door handle are all ways you can support yourself in picking up new habits. Doing so makes it easier for you to fall into the things you want to do more, because you spend less energy on getting started.
Imagine you’re taking a walk through a forest. As you begin to wander further in, the bush starts to thicken, covering parts of the track you’re walking on. Eventually, you’re forced to slow almost to a halt as you step over roots and push away branches.
HIGHWAY TO HABIT
I’m currently learning to play the piano, and I’ve noticed that since moving my keyboard out of the cupboard and into my bedroom, I’m tickling the ivories much more.
Now imagine you walk through this same track every day for a few weeks. You might bring some tools with you to remove branches and make it easier for you to walk along the overgrown path. At some point, the section of the path that was once overgrown, is now clear and is easy to navigate with the same amount of energy as any other part. This is what building a new habit feels like.
WELLNESS
By now you’re probably thinking of at least one thing you’d like to do more of. How can you make your path to starting your new habit clearer, smoother and even effortless? BY
To the brain, building new habits is expensive. It requires more energy to create a new habit than it does to carry on doing what we already do. This applies to breaking old habits too, which makes sense when you think about it. Could you imagine having to use as much energy to focus on brushing your teeth every day as you do when learning to cook a new recipe?
My wife has begun a new training programme. Instead of packing her exercise gear away after each session, she leaves it right next to the couch, so if she forgets, the equipment serves as a passive reminder.
ARTICLE
Building a new habit or breaking an old one is akin to clearing the forest path of bushes and branches and laying a new one to walk along. When we first start a new habit, things can be clunky. It takes time for our brain to rewire and form new pathways, but how much time depends on what the activity is.
DAN HARDIE 39Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Even if you haven’t made the decision to move to retirement living, it’s still a good time to start downsizing. In fact, the more time you have to do it, the better, so start today and make a plan.
It’s a good idea to think about the next chapter and what you want your lifestyle to be like. This will help you focus on the things you should keep and what you could potentially let go of. Consider the type of home you will want. We always recommend visiting the retirement villages you are considering, as this will give you a good feel for their layouts, the
Downsizing gives you the opportunity to take a walk down memory lane and enjoy seeing precious things that have perhaps been tucked away in a cupboard. You’ll also enjoy the feeling of tidying up all those bits and bobs that you’ve kept but know are too old or too worn. If you love that dinner set, use it regularly. Or perhaps this is an opportunity to sell, gift or donate it. Focus on the next chapter and the new friends you will make, your beautiful new home, the wonderful new community you are moving to, and all the experiences and activities that will be available to you to enjoy.
Summerset Senior Moving Consultant Jenny Peploe regularly gives downsizing seminars at our villages. These are always very popular, and she gives some practical tips and suggestions to think about before you embark on your downsizing journey. If you’d like to come along to one of these, please keep an eye out on the events page on our website summerset.co.nz/about-us/events/,https://www.orask your local Summerset Sales Manager to add you to our database so you get invited to the next one in your area.
You don’t have to tackle your whole house or even a whole room in one go. Start with a cupboard or drawer – even dealing with that small area will bring you satisfaction and motivate you to keep going. And you don’t have to spend a week or even a weekend on the project – just set yourself 15 minutes to start with, when you feel the time is right and you’re in the mood for a decluttering session.
START EARLY
FOCUS ON THE POSITIVES
HELP! I NEED TO DOWNSIZE
We hear this a lot from people making the move to Summerset, and we understand those concerns. But downsizing doesn’t have to be stressful or scary if you follow four very simple points.
HAVE A PLAN
START SLOWLY
amount of storage space available, how many bedrooms you need and so on. If one or two floor plans particularly resonate with you, take these home and have them front of mind as you start downsizing, as this will help keep you focused on what will fit and what won’t.
SUMMERSET DOWNSIZING SEMINARS
We’re all guilty of keeping too many things, just in case we will use, wear or need them one day. Over the course of a lifetime, these belongings add up. Before you know it, you are moving house and feeling quite overwhelmed about the challenge of downsizing that lies ahead.
40 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
LET’S TALK ABOUT BRAIN HEALTH
Studies tell us that 15 per cent of people aged 75–79, 25 per cent of those aged 80–84 and about 37 per cent of people aged 85 years and older have MCI. For some, MCI remains relatively stable and they can continue to live well for many years. For others, however, MCI indicates the beginning of mild dementia. The main distinctions between MCI and mild dementia are that, in the latter, more than one cognitive domain is involved and substantial interference with daily life is evident.
It’s funny how there’s such a taboo around talking about certain parts of our bodies acting up – our bladder, our bowel and our brain. Even though, as a society, we’re getting a bit better at this, we do still need to bring these body parts out from the darkness of the closet and talk more openly about issues that can arise.
Let’s face it, none of us are getting any younger. Life follows the same cycle. We are born, we grow, and if we are fortunate, we experience old age. In between, we live a fine life. We develop relationships, families, skills and abilities, we have fun and we experience some sorrow along the way. Then towards the later years of our life, we grow old, and our parts begin to wear down. Everyone ages differently – for some, it affects joints, eyesight, hearing, heart, balance or strength. For others it’s a bit of everything. Let’s face it, none of it works as smoothly as it did 40-odd years ago!
41Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
AGEING IS A GRADUAL DECLINE OF ALL BODY PARTS, INCLUDING THE BRAIN
Remember, your brain was born at the same time as the rest of your body. Be kind to it, treat it well with a good diet and mental and physical exercise, and forgive it if lets you down occasionally.
If we have the privilege of living to an old age, then we will have to accept that for many of us our brain will begin to show wear and tear. If you hang out with a group of older people, you will often hear someone say, “Oh, I’m having a senior moment!” This is normal.
If we keep cognitive changes and MCI in the closet and don’t talk about them, we’re in danger of creating a ‘them and us’ world, separating those who still have full control of their faculties and those who do not. This distinction is unfair.
As we age, we should expect a 10–15 per cent drop-off in the speed we process new information and our ability to remember names, words and where we left things. If this gradually becomes worse, it’s called mild cognitive impairment (MCI). People with MCI experience a slight but noticeable decline in memory and thinking skills, and
frequently forget conversations, appointments and events, to the point that they and others notice. Even so, they are still able to carry on with normal daily life and activities.
ACCOMMODATION
MATAKANA
Staying close to Matakana Village, you can’t go wrong with a night or two at Plume Villas. Positioned beautifully in manicured gardens, the quiet, rural setting ensures peace and privacy. Whether you choose a single-, double- or triple-bedroom villa, each is comfortable, contemporary and within walking distance of the award-winning Plume Restaurant and on-site cellar door.
EATING
ARTICLE BY AMELIA NORMAN
their own terrace. With in-house therapeutic massage services, yoga, exceptional dining and an on-site vineyard, there’s really no need to leave for the entirety of your stay!
JustTRAVELLOGashort
42 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
With such stunning countryside around Matakana, it comes as no surprise that there are some simply breathtaking accommodation options.
You really can’t go wrong with anything from the delectable selection of fresh, local, seasonal offerings turned out by the Brick Bay chefs. Diners at The Glass House also get a discount on the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail, described below.
Matakana Farmers’ Market is the place to head for breakfast on a Saturday. Attracting visitors from miles around, this lively market is absolutely brimming with the best in local produce, artisan products and delicious coffee and brunch items. It opens at 8am, so head in early and grab a bite. Wander down to the riverside to see the resident population of eels while enjoying the live music at the market.
In keeping with the theme of luxury, tranquillity and wine, Takatu Lodge is another accommodation option worth checking out. Located a short drive from Matakana Village, it has a stunning selection of suites, each with
For an unforgettable lunchtime dining experience, make your way out to The Glass House at Brick Bay. While you’ll be totally engrossed by the floor-to-ceiling windows and lake views, be sure to take in the menu too!
drive north of our largest city is the ultimate weekend escape destination. Artsy Matakana Village and the glorious Matakana Coast are the antithesis to the hubbub of nearby Auckland
ACTIVITIES
Last but not least, we can’t ignore the exceptional wine experiences on offer in and around Matakana. At Matakana Estate, not only can you enjoy a delicious cellar door tasting, but you can also book in for a wine-blending experience that allows you to create your own custom wine and teaches you the intricacies of wine making. Leave with a deeper understanding of the wine-blending process and a 375ml bottle of your very own blend.
Main road: Matakana
Airport: Auckland Airport
Wine, food, markets, art, views … Matakana Village offers everything you need for a relaxing escape, whether from nearby Auckland or further afield.
STATS Region: AucklandRodney,
Road Population: 492
SUMMARY
Sculptureum is a world-class visitor attraction unlike any other. Art from around the globe is beautifully presented within six indoor galleries and three sculpture gardens just waiting to be explored. Enjoy a self-guided walking tour at your own pace, stopping off for refreshments or lunch at one of the top on-site eateries. Those who enjoy Sculptureum will also love the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail. Here, more than 60 artworks from leading New Zealand artists are positioned thoughtfully throughout the Brick Bay Vineyard and surrounding property. The trail takes you over farmland, through native bush and among the vines, with incredible sculptures and an array of native birds welcoming you at every turn. Sturdy footwear is recommended, and it is not suitable for wheelchairs.
While the region abounds with wineries and winery restaurants, Sawmill Brewery is also worth a mention. Craft beer enthusiasts should visit the brewery as much for on-site restaurant Smoko as for the ales. The contemporary menu is sharply focused on supporting local growers and producers, with ethically sourced, seasonal ingredients crafted into delicious dishes that are best shared.
43Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Must have something green
He’s planing, and gluing and making??? who knows?
By Fay SummersetTuffin,Rototuna Man at work
One day he surprised me when he walked in the door he’d make just exactly what I’d been asking for some small wooden shelves they really are nice to hang in the pantry for each herb and spice.
A lettuce leaf or two And three cups of tea
With a lettuce leaf or two Another slice of Marmite on toast With tomato and chives And three cups of tea
Two poached eggs
By Patricia SummersetFrykberg,intheVines
Marmite on toast
Vegetables? Must I?
While I do morning puzzles to the big Men’s Shed he goes.
If you would like to submit a poem for consideration in Poet’s Corner, send it to magazine@summerset.co.nz 44 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
And what about protein?
And three cups of tea
My other half is pretty good at making things from bits of wood.
That’s not enough protein
Cooking for one
POET’S CORNER
One slice of Marmite on toast
On two slices of Marmite on toast With lettuce, tomato, chives and cheese And three cups of tea.
Marmite on toast
Marmite on toast
Lettuce leaves, tomato and chives And chunks of cheese with garlic salt And three cups of tea
Cooking with a MasterChef
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra presents nearly 20 exciting performances this spring. English conductor Alexander Shelley leads the Orchestra for three distinctive concerts featuring pianist Gabriela Montero, organist Joseph Nolan, singer Whirimako Black, and singer-songwriter Shayne Carter Mahler’s magnificent Fourth Symphony is brought to life by the Orchestra led by Miguel Harth-Bedoya with soprano Madeleine Pierard. Singer-songwriter
We have something special on 29 November for our Christmas episode of ‘An Interview With…’. Watch this space!
13 October 4pm – 5pm
For ‘Cooking with a MasterChef’ in October it’s our residents’ turn to share their favourite recipes. Episode 8 is released 21 October Christmas Special episode 9 lands on our website from 18 November
Summerset Big Quiz
We have a great line-up of virtual events for you this spring! Peter Hillary kicks off our ‘An Interview With…’ on 27 September at 11am . Adventurer Peter talks to host and Summerset ambassador Jude Dobson about forging a new route across Antarctica on skis, recounts his spine-tingling survival of a brutal storm on ‘savage mountain’ K2, and, like his father Edmund before him, scaling Mt Everest. Peter discusses teamwork, resilience, caution, and a healthy dose of adventurous spirit.
To chat all things food, ask questions and share your own top tips & tricks in the kitchen join Brett live on the last Friday of the month at Zoom25283011amSeptemberOctoberNovembercode:838 2419 6427
All pre-recorded episodes can be found at: summerset.co.nz/masterchef
Zoom code: 874 5352 1510
YEARS COUNTINGAND
An Interview with…
Tune in on 25 October at 11am to hear author Saroo Brierley chronicle the adventures he undertook 25 years after he was separated from his birth family in India, and later adopted by a family in Australia. Using only Google Earth and the memories he forged as a five-year-old lost on the streets on Calcutta, Saroo managed to cross continents to track down his birth mother. His book A Long Way Home inspired the Nicole Kidman film Lion . We cannot wait for this one!
Join your host Jude Dobson and challenge that grey matter!
45Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Zoom Code 864 9595 3556
10 November 4pm – 5pm
*Subject to availability
It is all about comfort food for September’s ‘Cooking with a MasterChef’. Brett McGregor continues to serve up delicious fare in episode 7 on 23 September .
Ria Hall’s stunning album Rules of Engagement is given a symphonic makeover, while Spooky Symphony is a treat for all the family. Gemma New conducts the NZSO with Voices New Zealand Choir for Mozart’s tour de force Requiem. Summerset residents are entitled to 25% discount on tickets to all NZSO-presented concerts. To take advantage of this offer simply use the code SUMMERSET25 when booking.
TEASEBRAIN PUZZLES 46 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
47Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Above: Jill and Lilly.
PETS
She may not have an official certification, but Lilly the Chihuahua–Pomeranian is regarded as a therapy dog by many at the Summerset on Cavendish memory care centre, where she has been keeping residents company for nearly three years. “She has a very placid and friendly personality,” says owner Jill Prouting. “I used to volunteer at the memory care unit and sometimes brought her in. The staff at the centre say how calming she was for the residents and now she goes there often.”
Lilly defies the characteristics common to her ancestry and rarely barks. “She will only bark when the doorbell rings or if people walk past my window. Because I am deaf and wear a hearing implant, hearing her bark is good for me as it notifies me that someone is around.”
SUMMERSET
It took Lilly a little time to get used to living in a home and not a crate, but she soon settled in with Jill, who has owned her for three-and-a-half years. “She was very nervous for the first two weeks I had her, but then I think she realised how much she was loved and really made herself at home. She sleeps on my bed with me and never moves all night.”
48 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
PETS OF
One thing Lilly won’t do is wear a lead. “Being shut up all the time, she was never taken for a walk. No matter how hard I tried to put one on her she won’t wear it. She walks besides me well and loves meeting residents on our walks.” Lilly also doesn’t know what toys or balls are for. “Before I adopted her, she was never exposed to them. She spends her days walking around the village or sleeping. She is a dear little thing and I wouldn’t be without her.”
Despite her gentle personality, Lilly didn’t have a good start to life. “Lilly is a rescue dog. She was brought up in a crate outdoors in Invercargill and only brought out for breeding. Some kind soul brought her to the New Zealand Chihuahua Rescue here in Christchurch. I have always had dogs as pets and I adopted her.”
Summerset at Pohutukawa Place 70 Pohutukawa Place, Bell Block, New Plymouth 4371 Phone (06) 824 8530
* Proposed village
Summerset at Monterey Park 1 Squadron Drive, Hobsonville, Auckland 0618
AUCKLAND–NORTHLAND
Summerset Richmond Ranges 1 Hill Street North, Richmond 7020 Phone (03) 744 3432
Summerset St Johns 188 St Johns Road, St Johns 1072
141 South Belt, Waimakariri, Rangiora 7400 Phone (03) 364 1312
Phone (07) 376 9470
1-3 Bluff Road, Kenepuru, Porirua 5022 Phone (04) 230 6722
16 Sargeson Street, Stoke, Nelson 7011
Summerset at Avonhead 120 Hawthornden Road, Avonhead, Christchurch 8042
Summerset on Summerhill 180 Ruapehu Drive, Fitzherbert, Palmerston North 4410 Phone (06) 354 4964
Phone (07) 843 0157
WAIKATO
Summerset Cambridge 1 Mary Ann Drive, Cambridge 3493 Phone (07) 839 9482
OTAGO
Summerset at Bishopscourt 36 Shetland Street, Wakari, Dunedin 9010
Phone (09) 951 8900
NELSON–TASMAN–MARLBOROUGH
Phone (03) 538 0000
Summerset Palms 136 Eriksen Road, Te Awa, Napier 4110 Phone (06) 833 5850
Summerset by the Park 7 Flat Bush School Road, Manukau 2019
Summerset Half Moon Bay* 25 Thurston Place, Half Moon Bay, Auckland 2012 Phone (09) 306 1422
Summerset Waikanae 28 Park PhoneWaikanaeAvenue,5036(04)2930002
Summerset Boulcott
MANAWATU–WANGANUI
Summerset Prebbleton 578 Springs Road, Prebbleton 7604 Phone (03) 353 6312
Phone 0800 786 637
Phone (06) 845 2840
Summerset Parnell* 23 Cheshire Street, Parnell 1052
Summerset Mountain View 35 Fernbrook Drive, Vogeltown, New Plymouth 4310 Phone (06) 824 8900
Summerset at Aotea 15 Aotea Drive, Aotea, Porirua 5024
Phone (09) 272 3950
Summerset down the Lane 206 Dixon Road, Hamilton 3206
BAY OF PLENTY
Summerset on Cavendish
147 Cavendish Road, Casebrook, Christchurch 8051
Summerset Mount Denby 7 Par Lane, Tikipunga, Whangārei 0112
1A Boulcott Street, Lower Hutt 5010 Phone (04) 568 1442
Summerset Kelvin Grove* Stoney Creek Road, Kelvin Grove, Palmerston North 4470 Phone (06) 825 6530
HAWKE’S BAY
Summerset Blenheim* 183 Old Renwick Road, Blenheim 7272 Phone (03) 520 6042
Summerset by the Lake 2 Wharewaka Road, Wharewaka, Taupō 3330
Summerset on the Landing
Phone (09) 951 8920
Phone (09) 470 0282
Summerset in the Sun
CANTERBURY
Summerset Rototuna 39 Kimbrae Drive, Rototuna North 3210
Summerset Rangiora*
Summerset Falls 31 Mansel PhoneWarkworthDrive,0910(09)4251200
Phone (03) 357 3202
DIRECTORY
TARANAKI
Summerset Milldale* Argent Milldale,Lane,Wainui 0992
Phone (07) 981 7820
Phone (07) 542 9082
Summerset in the Vines 249 Te Mata Road, Havelock North 4130 Phone (06) 877 1185
Summerset at Karaka 49 Pararekau Road, Karaka 2580
Summerset at the Course 20 Racecourse Road, Trentham, Upper Hutt 5018 Phone (04) 527 2980
Summerset in the River City 40 Burton Avenue, Wanganui 4500 Phone (06) 343 3133
Summerset at Heritage Park 8 Harrison Road, Ellerslie, Auckland 1060 Phone (09) 950 7960
Summerset by the Ranges 104 Liverpool Street, Levin Phone5510(06) 367 0337
Phone (04) 235 0011
Summerset Masterton* Lansdowne, Masterton 5871 Phone (06) 370 1792
Phone (09) 950 8212
Phone (03) 950 3102
Phone (03) 741 3340
Summerset Rotorua* 171–193 Fairy Springs Road Rotorua 3010 Phone (07) 343 5132
WELLINGTON Summerset on the Coast 104 Realm PhoneParaparaumuDrive,5032(04)2983540
Summerset at Wigram 135 Awatea Road, Wigram, Christchurch 8025 Phone (03) 741 0870
Phone (07) 985 6890
Phone (09) 950 7980
Summerset in the Orchard 1228 Ada Street, Parkvale, Hastings 4122 Phone (06) 974 1310
Summerset in the Bay 79 Merlot Drive, Greenmeadows, Napier 4112
Summerset by the Sea 181 Park Road, Katikati 3129
Summerset by the Dunes 35 Manawa Road, Papamoa Beach, Tauranga 3118
erset
