Life + Style 10 June 2016

21 August, 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 1

Business behind the suits, See page 2

THE WEEKEND

Featuring

Property | Food & nutrition | Fashion | Leisure

2

life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015 10August, June, 2016

Putting the ‘real’ in real estate The other side of the suits They employ more than 13,000 staff, more than 1900 property management professionals, manage about 230,000 rental properties and help about 220,000 homeowners and purchasers successfully buy and sell property every year.

Those are the national figures Ray White is proudly boasting.

But nestled in the heart of Tauranga CBD, seven agents of two local branches show Life+Style the other side of the suits. Ian and Rachel Grindle, Nicolette and Frank Aldridge, Adrian Sage, Rodney Fong and Sue Peard from Ray White Tauranga and Ray White Plenty are putting the ‘real’ in real estate.

Licensee of both businesses, Ian sits in this interview as though he’s at the beach – arms back, legs up, dressed in smart casual attire. This is his personal side.

“I’m a big kid really,” says Ian. “I’ve never thought of myself as old really.”

The 57-year-old is a motorsport fan, likes a good time and the odd glass of chardonnay. Ian lives in Tauranga CBD with wife Rachel and their two maltese bijons “babies” Penny and Cherry. Their daughters, aged 18 and 19, go to Auckland University.

“We’re empty-nesters, hence the photos with the dogs,” jokes Ian. Penny and Cherry are sitting in on the interview too. Ian and Rachel enjoy walking their fluffy companions most mornings and evenings, dining out for dinner, going to the movies and socialising.

“We just like having fun because real estate is so full on,” says Ian. “You’ve got to be available all day, all night and all weekend, so it’s good to look at the lighter side of life.”

Rachel and Ian have been in real estate for more than 45 years between them and started Ray White Tauranga in 2009. Rodney Fong came on as a full business partner in 2011, before a partnership with Nicolette and Frank Aldridge and Adrian Sage in 2015.

Ian says he’d be lying if he said the

agents ‘sell’ the Bay lifestyle. They don’t need to, the lifestyle sells itself. “People who want to buy here already know they want to be here.

“They come here because of the coastal lifestyle and the weather, and it’s a lot more relaxed.”

Nicolette and Frank Aldridge have been living in Tauranga for 10 years with their children Richard and Megan.

“Most of our time is spent juggling kids, running the new business and participating – when time permits – in sports and voluntary organisations.

“We love living in Tauranga and love what we do. The mix of living in Tauranga, selling real estate and having a family works well for us and we’re excited about the future ahead,” says Nicolette. Meanwhile, Rodney – Ray White Tauranga real estate agent and auctioneer for both companies – has been in real estate for more than 10 years, with almost half that time as coowner of the business with Ian. Wife Danielle is his biggest advocate. “He’s got people skills and is approachable.” He’s also a great dad to 20-month-old son Thomas.

“You have to make time for family,” says Rodney. “I try not to talk about work when I get home, or when the phone’s not ringing.”

Home time is family time, work stays at work. “We’re passionate about what we do,” says Rodney. “It’s very different to a 9am-5pm job. “It’s satisfying running your own business. It’s pretty stressful at times, but when you do sell houses it’s really rewarding.

“What do you on the weekends?

Work. What do you in the weekdays?

Work.” He’s joking, he loves his job.

He’s selling a “really cool” property on Fifth Ave. “It’s one of the original mayor’s houses, a guy called J.C. Adams.

It’s an 1882 heritage building, number 11 Fifth Ave. “Getting to sell things like that and being part of Tauranga’s history is really cool.”

Sue Peard, who has more than 25 years real estate experience in the Tauranga market assists Rodney as his sales associ-

The Fongs.

The Grindles.

The Sages.

The Aldridges. ate and is a valuable member of the team. Sue lives in Matua, loves her job, enjoys travelling and spending time with her family and new granddaughter Lilah.

Ray White Plenty’s Adrian Sage has also been in real estate for more than 10 years. He met wife Lisa in real estate. “He’s a bloody good agent,” says Lisa.

And he’s got a good reputation. “It’s about being honest with people rather than trying to get a deal for the sake of a deal,” says Adrian.

“If you’re not straight with people, it doesn’t work in real estate. It doesn’t take long to get a bad name.

“A lot of the people you sell for end up being friends, not just customers.

“I can go back 10 years with some people who I’ve helped sell for. It makes you feel like you’ve done the Zoe Hunter job properly.”

Add value to your home

It’s not all about the properties we sell, it’s about the relationships we build

Deal with the business owners at Ray White Tauranga today Ian & Rachel Grindle and Rodney Fong

Deal with the business owners at Ray White Plenty today Frank & Nicolette Aldridge and Adrian Sage

Phone 07 571 4102

Phone 07 571 4106

Select the right agent

Reid Realty Ltd Licensed (REAA 2008)

Trending Realty Ltd Licensed (REAA 2008)

10 August, June, 2016 21 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 3 Photos: Daniel Hines

Nutrition in every blend Just blending into the future Sam Watherston’s enthusiasm and energy is infectious.

He bounces around his small shed, music blasting, cutting bananas, measuring seeds, mixing smoothies and sealing bags, all while posing for photos and answering questions about his business for Life+Style.

Sam describes his smoothie business, Just Blend, as a cottage enterprise – and at the moment that’s exactly what it is. The fatherof-two couldn’t be prouder of his backyard business in Mount Maunganui. It’s just the beginning for Just Blend.

The business offers a simpler lifestyle – frozen smoothies delivered to your door.

The idea for the frozen smoothies came from his children.

He was rushing to make a smoothie for eight-year-old Eva and six-year-old Mila when he thought there had to be an easier way.

“I thought there has to be something out there that I can just take from the freezer and blend up straight away, so that’s where the idea was born,” says Sam. “The idea of freezing it was to keep all the nutrients inside, so they’re basically wholefoods.” Just add water, milk or a liquid of your choice and chuck the ingredients in a blender. Simple.

A chef by trade, Sam has always been concerned with what goes into our bodies, and says Just Blend uses only natural ingredients, which are locally sourced where possible.

And he’s incredibly passionate about sharing his desire for wholefoods with the nation.

“This is goodness, sweetness. This is the

future, come on New Zealand!”

Just Blend smoothies aren’t just healthy for you, they look great too!

“It’s balanced nutrition. With every blend we incorporate all food groups, so the carbohydrates, protein, fibre, everything,” says Sam. “And some of the colours are just electrifying.”

Currently offering five different smoothies but planning on expanding to 10, Sam uses a variety of seasonal ingredients in the blends and a few unusual ingredients thrown in for good measure.

“I take my lead from a nutritionist, she tells me what is good for what.

“I create the blends based on her expertise,” says Sam. One smoothie contains turmeric, another chilli seeds, a third advertises a splash of apple cider vinegar.

But Sam has carefully crafted each smoothie so the flavours meld together and no one ingredient is overpowering. And the blends aren’t just for adults.

Sam has changed his number one smoothie – a breakfast smoothie that contains coffee beans – to suit children.

He’s currently selling his smoothies at Mount Maunganui’s Blake Park during the week after sports games as a healthier alternative to hot chips and fizzy drinks.

“This is the easiest way to get nutrition into a child sometimes!” Sam laughs.

Ordering is easy, says Sam. The website has information on each blend and subscriptions can easily be tailored to suit your preferences.

But being a new business, there’s always

room for improvement. Sam is currently in the process of repackaging his smoothies to something that is both eco-friendly as well as easy and convenient for customers.

He’s also trying to organise a better delivery system.

Sam currently hand delivers each order, which limits his reach to the Tauranga area.

But he aims on spreading Just Blend so it can reach the nation.

“We hope to be nationwide and are striving to develop a system where this can be achieved,” says Sam. “This is a fight. A revolution against fast food, crappy convenience foods that have no Cayla-Fay Saunders nutrition benefits.”

WE DELIVER BALANCED, PRE-PORTIONED, FROZEN WHOLEFOOD INGREDIENTS, READY TO BLEND. Order a Blendie bundle and enjoy the convenience of frozen fresh balanced blends with FREE DELIVERY.

  

d thrive We’ve ord of on w r nearly fo o m uth years 20   

WWW.JUSTBLEND.CO.NZ WWW.JUSTBLEND.CO.NZ

021 432 658

hello@justblend.co.nz

021 432 658 hello@jus facebook.com/justblendnz

4

10August, June, 2016 life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015

Bethlehem Treasures Stars led the three wise men to Bethlehem, but these shining gems will lead keen shoppers straight to Bethlehem Town Centre and shops. From beautiful homewares and designer fashion to superfoods and skincare, the shopping hub has plenty of little treasures waiting for you to find.

For, superfoods and supplements visit Bethlehem Health & Tea Shop opposite Bethlehem Town Centre on State Highway 2, Bethlehem.

Our stylish range of shoes, bags and accessories will keep you warm and looking great this winter!

Footloose Bethlehem, in the Bethlehem Town Centre.

Find a unique, handcrafted gift, or that perfect piece for your home or garden at Bethlehem Pottery Club & Gallery, opposite Palmers Garden Centre on Bethlehem Rd.

Come in and see the beautiful range of homewares, gifts and décor available at Options Living, Bethlehem Town Centre.

“This machine is designed to improve circulation, aiding healing”

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) is now available at Bethlehem Health & Tea Shop.

Therapeutic pulsating magnetic fields are associated with aiding recovery and achieving better outcomes from:

• Pain • Swelling

• Spasm • Inflammation

• Mood • Strength

• Mobility

PEMF delivers results at an affordable, comfortable and efficient level. Plus so much more!

Call Jude for more information today on 07 576 9442

State Highway 2, Bethlehem, Tauranga

www.bethlehemhealth.co.nz

S1623kdbethlehem

• Wound Healing • Tissue Degeneration

10 June, 2016 2015 21 August,

life+style The Weekend Sun 5

For organic and natural skincare visit Bethlehem Health & Tea Shop opposite Bethlehem Town Centre on State Highway 2, Bethlehem.

Deerskin Moccasin and Cowhide slip-on and scuff styles, among the fleecy lined men’s slipper range, in stock now at Memories Shoes, Bethlehem Town Centre.

See the full range of stunning Jane Daniel designer fashions and exquisite Kagi jewellery at After Hours Eventwear in Bethlehem Town Centre.

6

June, 2016 life+style The Weekend Sun 2110August, 2015

Photos: Bruce Barnard

Big boy’s toys One man’s passion for model powerboats Steve Trott is a real Kiwi bloke. There’s Tui posters of scantily-clad women on his garage walls and an aeroplane made from beer cans hanging from the ceiling.

But this man plays with toys, expensive toys. Ten prize model powerboats sit neatly on shelves inside the 51-year-old’s garage. We’re in his workshop, where he spends hours, sometimes hundreds of hours, building and tinkering with his toys.

“You’d start with a 10cc nitro-powered deep vee; they’re probably only really capable of about 60km/ hr on a really good day. They’re primarily designed for rough water offshore-type application.

“Then it escalates to the other end of the scale which is a twin 90 outrigger hydroplane, which is well capable of 140km/hr. Then you’ve got everything else in between.” Some of the boats are replica of the real thing.

“They’re built to an exact one eighth of the full size boat,” says Steve.

“You contact the owners of the boat and ask for some drawings, you get a full plan set and then you shrink it to the right size and then you just start cutting things out.

“Generally, the true-scale boats are hand-built because they’re off a plan and they’re very unique.

“There’s not another one in the world like it, unless there is another guy somewhere who happens to have built off the same plan.

“I’ve moulded mine because I thought if I’m going to spend that much time on it and make that investment, my mould is my insurance policy. If I wreck the boat in a crash I want to be able to build

the same one again.” Steve invests between 100-200 hours building each boat. A lot of time devoted and a lot of money invested.

“We bought one for my son second-hand for $150 and this one is about $7000,” says Steve, showing Life+Style his prize possession – a twin 90 outrigger hydroplane.

“Not many people would go that far, but I do because I’ve been to two world championships and I was within an inch of taking it out last time; and I thought: ‘Next time I’m going to go back with the absolute weapon’.”

The world championships are occasionally hosted in Australia about every 10-12 years.

“The first time I went was 1993, then 2008, so we’re hopefully coming up to the next one.”

Then there’s Steve’s other toys – his motocross bikes. It was an accident that caused the 51-year-old Tauranga man to jump from one ‘toy’ to the other.

Steve was 18 years old at the time, and it happened in Taranaki.

“I’ve been riding those things [motocross bikes] since I was about 10 and at 18 I had a bit of a prang and was pretty knocked around,” says Steve.

“When I was racing one day in Taranaki I didn’t take a jump the right way and ended up going completely upside down. The bike came down on top of me and smashed my shoulder to bits and hurt my back and all sorts of other things.” He couldn’t walk for a while after a “really bad back injury”.

Twelve months later Steve was back on his feet – but not on the bike – and he was walking through Pukekura Park in New Plymouth when he heard the noise and smelled the smells the motocross rider was so familiar with.

In St o NOWre !

10 21 June, 20162015 August, “With that speed you’ve got to be really accurate and careful. I’ve actually won a race with a boat flying backwards and upside down”

“I came across some guys who were racing powerboats and I thought: ‘Well they’re making the right noise and they go reasonably fast’ and: ‘Hey that’s something I could do’.”

So Steve joined Taranaki Model Powerboat Club and model powerboats fueled his need for speed while his body continued to mend.

At age 30, Steve moved to Tauranga with his boats – but had nowhere to race them. So Steve and a fellow model powerboat enthusiasts proposed to Tauranga City Council to clear the gorse-covered stormwater pond at The Lakes.

“When I first went there you wouldn’t have known there was a lake there because the gorse right around the lake was way over head-high,” says Steve.

“I went down there with a scrub-cutter and a chainsaw and basically cut a path down to the water.

“It was a band of gorse about 15m wide, so we had to cut a track through that.

“Then we started off just by taking the old lawnmower down and continuously mowing that track a little more at a time. We ended up clearing an area about 30m long.”

Working with TCC and area developers IMF, Steve and his friend were given the okay to use the area for model powerboat events. With a new venue came more interest, and the duo and friends became Bay of Plenty Model Powerboat Club, which Steve is now president of.

He is also secretary and life member of the New Zealand Model Power Boat Association.

Now the Bay of Plenty Model Powerboat Club’s main race venue, the club – which now has about 30 members – has since held three national model powerboating events at The Lakes.

Set up at a picturesque spot with six numbered pit lanes and a pit area, the venue is still being developed into a high-class racing arena.

The club is trialing what Steve calls a NZ-first three-hour non-stop enduro race. “If that goes well, we’re trying a 12-hour non-stop enduro race.”

Racing one of his model powerboats at The Lakes during a photoshoot with Life+Style, Steve is calm and collected as he fires facts at the reporter.

His eyes are focused on the boat and his hands are tight on the controls as he speaks.

“It takes seven-eight minutes before it runs out of gas,” states Steve, as his model boat reaches up to 90km/hr.

“With that speed you’ve got to be really accurate and careful. I’ve actually won a race with a boat flying backwards and upside down,” laughs Steve.

Contact the BOP Model Powerboat Club on Facebook, or visit www.nzmpba.co.nz Zoe Hunter

EXCELLENCE IN DERMATOLOGY

life+style The Weekend Sun 7

8

life+style The Weekend Sun 21 August, 2015

68

$

EXCLUSIVE Number 8

PanelHeater

Eco-friendly. Wall mountable. Paintable surface. White.

425 Watt.

279435

4998

157

$

$

Goldair

Dimplex

Radiant Heater

Mini Cube Flame Effect Fire

Two heat settings.

Safety tilt switch.

Grey. 800 Watt.

2 year warranty.

Two heat settings.

Flame effect can be used independent of heat source. 1.5kW. 2 year warranty.

279414

121604

1599

$

Tui

Firewood

Dry, multi sized, NZ sourced offcuts.

8kg minimum.

7896

177

$

$

DeLonghi

Goldair

Convector Heater

Panel Heater

Three heat settings.

Adjustable thermostat.

Compact and wall mountable. 2kW.

Two heat settings.

Adjustable thermostat.

Wall mountable.

1.5kW. 2 year warranty.

279334

279428

280533

mitre10.co.nz * locally we will beat it by 15%. store or Mitre 10 website we’ll match that price. Excludes trade and special quotes, stock liquidations and commercial quantities.

The in-store price may be lower than that advertised.