Life + Style - 19 November 2021

Explore your b

ackyard

THE WEEKEND

Mercury Bay and beyond Page 4

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life+style The Weekend Sun 21 20152021 19August, November,

Enjoy an experience of a lifetime A crisp, choppy morning turned into a sunburned back, a refreshed mind and the experience of a lifetime for Tauranga local Mel Hamer-Hurst.

Photo: Mel Hamer-Hurst.

Mel and her partner decided to book a tour to see the beauty and incredible wildlife of the Bay of Plenty after recently relocating to the area.

Dolphin Seafaris focuses on encountering marine life such as wild Common Dolphins, Orcas, Humpback and Pilot Whales, little Blue Penguins, New Zealand Fur Seals and much more.

The company is run by ocean lover Cille Fabert, who is passionate about sharing her love for the ocean and wants those that join her to take a little bit of that passion back home.

After a morning of listening to the stories of Tauranga Harbour, including the statue Tangaroa – God of the Sea – Mauao and Whakaari, Mel’s cup was already full.

“The staff were really informed and more than happy to answer our questions,” she says.

“It was so refreshing to be on a trip where people are actually knowledgeable and passionate about what they’re doing.

“We were nearing the end of the day when we saw a pod of Photo: Mel Hamer-Hurst.

Cille Ferbert. Photo: Nathan Pettigrew.

Common Dolphins and I was just in awe. We stayed out there for quite a while, just looking and taking pictures.”

Normally, Dolphin Seafaris offer the chance to swim with dolphins, but due to baby dolphins being with the pod, Mel was given a thorough explanation as to why they wouldn’t be getting wet that day.

“I couldn’t believe I was able to see them,” she says. “It was the first time I had seen dolphins in the wild and it is quite breath-taking when you actually get to see them.

“I didn’t actually think we were going to see any, and although it was the highlight I would have been happy either way.

“The staff could have stopped at any time realistically but they didn’t - they just kept going, which I find a lot of companies don’t do these days.

“I’ll definitely be going back, especially in these current times. It’s really difficult for these businesses.

“If you don’t see anything out on the water, Dolphin Seafaris offer you a voucher so you can return, but if that had been the case, I wouldn’t have accepted it.

“I would have come back and paid again because it’s worth it.”

Jordan Boyd

EXPLORE YOUR BACKYARD

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19 November, 2021

life+style The Weekend Sun 3 Allen Snowsill from the Bay Association of Sea Kayakers.

Photo: John Borren.

Bountiful kayaking throughout the Bay The Bay of Plenty is a mecca for water sports, with its stunning coastline and a myriad of lakes and rivers to explore.

Life + Style spoke to members of the Bay Association of Sea Kayakers, Aaron Dixon and Allen Snowsill, about top spots and tips for kayaking in the Bay and surrounding areas.

Tauranga Harbour offers trips for beginners and experienced paddlers, setting off from Ōmokoroa Esplanade or domain and heading to Pahioa – it’s an easy trip with nice views of the coastline, including Matakana to the east.

Another trip Allen recommends is from Waitui Reseve in Te Puna, where you can paddle around Motuhoa Island. It will take up to 90 minutes.

It is best to do both of these trips on an incoming tide.

“You can sneak along the shoreline and take in the birds, as well as whatever’s flowering at the time,” says Allen.

Another great place for beginners is the Waimapu Estuary, and Aaron has taken a trip up Waiorohi Stream from this very spot.

“The surprise of that trip is the pretty scenery right on our doorstep,” he says.

Keeping it local for the more experienced kayaker is a trip to Panepane Point on Matakana Island. You can stop for a picnic on the beach and explore the coastline of Rangiwaea Island from the water.

If you’re keen on going further afield, Pokaiwhenua Stream, which is a one-hour drive from Tauranga, is

a great way to take in some history and explore the stunning backdrop.

You can check out the canyon surrounding the stream and head out on the Waikato River to see the site of the flooded Horahora Power Station.

Lake Karapiro is another great spot to kayak, with two waterfalls. To get to one of them you’ll need to duck under tree trunks and watch for rocks just below the water, but experiencing the falls close up is well worth the effort.

In the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Lake Matahina about a 90-minute drive from Tauranga - will have you paddling past pine forest, native bush, dilapidated dwellings, streams, waterfalls, sand banks and beaches.

You can head towards the bridge which crosses the lake at the bottom of the Galatea valley.

Newdicks Beach to Motunau Island (Plate Island) is around a 26km trip for more experienced kayakers.

You can enjoy red-billed gull and tern colonies and watch seals bask on the rocks while nosing into the many caves on the island.

“One of the things I enjoy about sea kayaking is the intimacy with the environment,” says Aaron.

“You’re almost at the water level and you’re right in amongst it.”

Aaron and Allen say it’s important to know your abilities when kayaking. Check the weather forecast, use a personal floatation device and take two forms of communication in a waterproof bag.

Summer is a chance to take out the kayak and get amongst some of the region’s lesser-known spots.

Lake Matahina.

Waiorohi Stream.

Pokaiwhenua Stream.

Lake Matahina.

Alisha Evans

To find a haulout operator in the upper North Island go to www.marinepests. nz/find-a-haulout

Boating in the Bay this Summer? Make sure you’re clean below Marine pests often ‘hitchhike’ on boats moving around the country, either from biofouling on hulls or from the discharge of ballast and bilge water.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Plan 2020 – 2030 rules are designed to protect the region’s coast from unwanted marine pests.

RULE 1 The occupier in charge of a craft moving to, or within Bay of Plenty waters must ensure the hull is sufficiently cleaned and antifouled, so that the hull has no more than a slime layer and/or barnacles.

RULE 2 All aquaculture equipment (including ropes and floats) used within Bay of Plenty waters must not have been used outside Bay of Plenty waters or used within a known pest incursion zone in the Bay of Plenty.

Please familarise yourself with the rules and keep your boat sufficiently clean by: •

Regularly cleaning and antifouling the hull and niche areas

•

Ensure antifouling paint is in good condition and working effectively

•

Cleaning hull and niche areas when the boat has been stationary for periods of time

•

Keep biofouling management information in one place, like the vessel's logbook

If you think you’ve seen a marine pest in the Bay of Plenty, call us on 0800 STOP PESTS (0800 786 773) or MPI on 0800 80 99 66. Note the location and grab a sample if you can.

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19August, November, life+style The Weekend Sun 21 20152021

Mercury Bay and Travelling to Mercury Bay in the not-too-distant future?

Here’s some possible places to visit.

Mercury Bay

Cathedral Cove

First things first. If you are travelling up north over the height of the summer period, or before or after long weekends, allow plenty of time for your travels.

The volume of one-way bridges, camper vans and general holiday and commercial traffic can be frustrating, so leave early in the morning to avoid possible delays.

If travelling up the eastern coast, a trip to Pauanui is worthwhile - as is a slight detour off the main road at Tairua, especially if the Game Fishing Club is open.

After being signed in you can enjoy a beautiful view, meals and hospitality. A short trip along the coast to view the beach is also worthwhile before you rejoin the highway.

On a Sunday morning there’s a farmers’ market at Coroglen that is well worth stopping at.

Opera Point

Driving Creek Railway

Whitianga

Whitianga has developed into an all-seasons destination, and a top attraction is a glassbottomed boat trip or charters to Cathedral Cove and the marine reserve. Several vessels offer snorkeling for the more adventurous among you.

These trips depart from the wharf.

Over the summer period, game fish can be viewed being weighed in before they’re taken for smoking, and a common sight is a tag flag on the launch which indicates a catch and release by the angler.

Catches and competitions are regularly celebrated at the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club, which is opposite the wharf. Many competitions are open to the public, with day membership options available.

Check out their competition schedule and

Opito Bay

opening hours - especially their beautiful meals and roast nights, which can be enjoyed in the clubrooms or as a takeaway option. Simply ask a member to sign you in to the clubrooms.

A leisurely stroll through Whitianga Marina is always of interest – home to many fine vessels, haul-outs and launches during the week.

Over the summer period, swimming at Buffalo Beach is a must - and don’t forget, the community pool on the school grounds is open over this period. If you want to jump off the wharf, there’s a special designated area.

Nearby are the famed pipi beds, which are super popular, and a meal with fresh bread from one of the many bakeries is a must-do.

Whitianga really is spoilt when it comes to fine cafés and breakfasts, and there are several on the Esplanade.

Out by the airport is the bike park, which is a brilliant facility for all ages. The park-like area, which features all sorts of activities for younger, more adventurous types, also caters for those that enjoy fine walking trails. A barbeque or picnic in the area is a very popular option.

Nearby is the golf club, which is one of three in the area, and many golfers take in all three courses whilst visiting.

The area is noted for fishing and diving, with many charters and launching ramps available in the area. Surf casting is another good option, with some fine summer catches possible from the popular area near the wharf.

Hot Water Beach is one of the most recognised attractions, as are walks to the famous Cathedral Cove. Visitors may like to check out the ferry trip from Hahei, which saves time and energy when visiting the cove.

The airport hosts an increasing number of charters and regular passenger flights - many linking with Tauranga and Great Barrier Island. Some use the flights then book a camper van, while another popular option is connecting with the ferry from

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19 November, 2021 21 August, 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 5

Pauanui and Tairua

“I hope you’re able to visit this magnificent part of the peninsula and enjoy some of the great attractions available”

Auckland that travels via Waiheke to Coromandel, before using the connecting bus to Whitianga.

Visitors and locals are once again spoilt for choice for dining in the evening, with a wide range of first-class options available. Most have menus posted at the front of the venue, so it pays to check out the various choices on offer.

Fish and chips on the beach is an absolute must especially on a Wednesday evening when the local keeler fleet have their midweek racing.

The immediate area offers a great selection of walks, with some longer than others. A walk or cycle along the beachfront is a very popular activity. You can check out a selection of walks at the information centre, take a ferry trip across the harbour entrance and follow the signage to New Chums Beach

Whitianga Rock, or walk to Cook’s Beach and Shakespeare Cliff.

For younger ones, the playground is super popular while the skateboard park and basketball hoops cater for those a little older.

And for the very young, a recognised highlight is a trip to Whitianga Farm Park, which is full of animals and exhibits for the whole family to enjoy.

A more leisurely activity is a drive around the Whitianga Waterways development. Here you’ll find some beautiful homes and launches, together with many homes that are in the Cathedral Cove construction phase.

Another popular drive is a trip to Opito and Otama beaches. Turning off at Kuaotunu, you’ll find great walks, swimming and fishing.

A day trip to Coromandel is a popular option, with the iconic Driving Creek Railway a highlight for many. If time permits, venturing further up the coast offers stunning scenery - especially when the pohutukawa are in full bloom. Check out the outstanding walks and campsites on the CANCER Department of Conservation website. SOCIETY STARS TAURANGA Coromandel fishing from WALKING mussel barge charter boats never disappoints, and the restaurants and shops offer fresh oysters and mussels during most months.

If travelling to Coromandel, the short trip to Whangapoua and New Chums Beach walk is highly recommended.

I hope you’re able to visit this magnificent part of the peninsula and enjoy some of the great Ron Morgan attractions available.

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November, life+style The Weekend Sun 2119August, 2015 2021

Walking among giants The trails of Whakarewarewa Forest Park Escapism is a concept that seems to suit the Bay of Plenty. Distractions from everyday life dot the landscape like stops on a train line – some celebrated and well-trodden, others less established but equally adored.

A site that straddles both sentiments is the sprawling Whakarewarewa Forest Park – a 55,000ha playground that clips the edges of downtown Rotorua, two state highways and houses the city’s renowned redwoods.

The beauty of the place, alongside a stunning array of tree species, plants and impressive recreational resources, is in its subtlety.

The forest holds hands with an urban area that houses the 12th-largest population in New Zealand, but once inside Whakarewarewa on one of its many trails, you are a world away from society.

Even when stood at the Whaka view point on the Pohaturoa track overlooking the centre of the city, the nearby thermal reserve, a notable road junction and an airport, there is serenity to be found in your elevated surroundings.

The beginning of each of Whakarewarewa’s five colour-coded trails is also deceiving.

Starting from the Redwoods Visitor Centre and i-Site, beneath the hugely popular Redwoods Treewalk, the first steps on your chosen trail are often tourist-heavy.

It is, however, a good opportunity for a lastminute toilet stop before your walk of choice

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begins, and your chance to grab anything you’ve forgotten from the well-stocked shop and an all-important map of the forest park.

Within minutes you are among some of nature’s true giants. Native to the west coast of America, redwoods were first planted in Rotorua in 1901, and today Whakarewarewa’s largest stands at 72-metres tall and 169cm in diameter.

As an aside, walkers of a certain age are forgiven for being instantly transported to the forest moon of Endor – a fictional location from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi filmed in California’s Redwood National Park and scene of the film’s famous speeder bike chase.

After a short stroll spent mostly looking upwards, it is decision time. The path splits, and an array of tracks that vary in length and difficulty lie in wait.

Short walks include the family-friendly Redwood Memorial Grove track – a well-used route among the towering trees that covers around 2km – and the Waitawa Walk, which comes in at 3.4km and includes stunning silver and mamaku ferns. Both take less than an hour and are a memorable introduction to this serene space.

A variation on the Waitawa Walk is the Quarry Lookout track (4.8km), which ambles further into the forest and takes in a view point over – you guessed it – an old rhyolite quarry, while a route to consider for more serious hikers is the Tokorangi Pa track.

Challenging in places and littered with

19 21 November, 2021 August, 2015

The beauty of the place, alongside a stunning array of tree species, plants and impressive recreational resources, is in its subtlety.

inclines, the route clocks in at 11.5km and will take even the more experienced trekkers over three hours. After a steady climb to around 500 metres above sea level, the views of Mount Ngongotahā and surrounding lakes make the effort worthwhile.

It also takes in the site of an old Māori pā before a descent to the valley floor. Caution is needed here outside of the summer months, as a lack of sunlight often leads to an immediately-noticeable drop in temperature. If you’re heading off with the Tokorangi Pa trail in mind, an extra layer or two is advisable.

Like many of the park’s routes, you’ll also find yourself crisscrossing with heavily-used mountain bike tracks, and while perfectly safe, it pays to stay alert on certain sections of the walk. There’s also some steady climbs to navigate, so a certain level of fitness is required.

At approximately 7.5km, and coming in at a little under two hours, the Pohaturoa track skirts the western side of Whakarewarewa, and factors in around 220 metres of elevation. The majesty of the redwoods makes way for a raft of pines and ferns, and the trig comes with its own viewpoint to rival that of the Whaka lookout.

The longest route by quite some distance is the Whakarewarewa Circuit – a full day’s walk that covers more than 34km and can take anywhere up to eight hours to complete. This is intermediate-level tramping, taking in the shores of nearby Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake) as well as some stunning panoramic views.

A good map is highly recommended on this trail, and it’s not a bad idea to check in with the park’s i-Site prior to departure, as parts of the route may often be closed for forestry operations depending on the time of year and the conditions.

It is rare to find a set of walks that cater for such a diverse level of experience and fitness all in one place, but that’s exactly what Whakarewarewa Forest Park provides – a myriad of trails that grant complete escapism and all within striking distance of Rotorua city centre.

Dan Sheridan

life+style The Weekend Sun 7

News from Bay of Plenty Regional Council November 2021

Rangitāiki Floodway & Spillway progresses

What do you do if you see dangerous behaviour on the water?

Bay of Plenty Regional Council continues to make good progress on the multi staged Rangitāiki Floodway and Spillway.

We are doing this work to improve how water travels down the Rangitāiki Floodway (Reids Central Canal) which will reduce the pressure on the stopbanks of the Rangitāiki River during large flood events.

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We are hoping to have the Floodway completed by June next year, with construction on the Spillway beginning in March.

Do your bit to protect the lakes and rivers that you love All it takes is one tiny fragment of hornwort or a single catfish egg.

If aquatic pests hitch a ride on your gear they can spread to previously unaffected waterways choking our lakes and rivers, making them murky, and out-competing native wildlife.

If you’re moving between waterways visit www.boprc.govt.nz to see how you can help reduce the spread of freshwater pests by using the Check, Clean, Dry method.

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Enjoy free travel with your SuperGold Bee Card from 9am on weekdays plus all day on weekends and public holidays. Get where you want Super gold ad to go with greater ease. For more information, please visit your nearest Bay of Plenty Regional Council office.

Call 0800 4 BAYBUS (0800 4 229 287) or visit www.beecard.co.nz

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana works to ensure our region’s environment and its people thrive.

Find out about the work we do at www.boprc.govt.nz

Report it to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Harbourmaster hotline

0800 5 KNOTS (0800 55 66 87)