Life + Style 24 June 2016

21 August, 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 1

Decades of decoration See page 2

THE WEEKEND

Featuring Design & build | Food | Style | Home & living

2

life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015 24August, June, 2016

Decorating Tauranga for 120 years

Guthrie Bowron is the longest-standing and best-known supplier of interior and exterior decorating products in the home décor sector, says Tauranga branch’s owner Shelley Varnam.

And she’s continuing to ensure this is the case.

Guthrie Bowron has been New Zealand owned and operated for 120 years.

“Guthrie Bowron’s core business of supply and service for paint, wallpaper, curtains, blinds and flooring is unchanged,” says Shelley.

“We are continually updating our showroom and product lines to make this an inspiring store in which to discover new decorating trends.”

Shelley moved from Hamilton to purchase the Tauranga franchise, leaving a job in social services.

During the years she’s renovated many of her own homes and loves putting together colour schemes for herself and others.

The Guthrie Bowron Tauranga team consists of highly qualified people, who have a vast amount of knowledge and experience in the home décor industry both personally and professionally, says Shelley.

Richard Forster and Anna Given have been with Guthrie Bowron Tauranga for many years and have built a strong base of loyal customers, who are able to call on them for assistance with paints and curtains at any time.

Ruth Stephen is the stores colour consultant and works alongside interior designer Katie Knapp and curtain design consultant Anna, offering both instore and in-home complimentary consultations.

Helen Golding is the office administrator who works behind the scenes keeping everything ticking over.

With everything from carpets and vinyls, paints and wallpapers through to window treatments, curtains, blinds and shutters, you’ll find exactly what you’re after at Guthrie Bowron.

“Being able to compile the complete package in one store makes the process so much easier for clients,” says Shelley.

The store’s main goal is supporting clients to make informed decorating decisions which add value to their homes and lives, and Shelley and her

team work collaboratively to achieve this.

The team approaches the interior and exterior projects through the eyes of their clients, listening and guiding rather than dictating, so clients achieve exactly the look they had in mind.

Great old-fashioned service, time spent with customers, and instilling confidence in making the correct choice is very much part of Guthrie Bowron Tauranga’s ethos.

Shelley is delighted to see colour back ‘in’ for interiors; however she acknowledges the place of neutrals in any home décor.

Shelley finds Dulux’s whites and neutrals range is very popular, with Cardona a top-seller from the huge range of Guthrie Bowron and Dulux paints.

“Don’t be afraid of colour in your home – colour changes the energy of a home and brings warmth, vibrancy and fun, and gives your home its unique quality,” says Shelley.

As interior design is always changing, Guthrie Bowron is an ever-evolving space.

“Specialised room sets in-store provide a view of what’s current; and vibrant fabric and wallpaper displays offer ideas.”

And what is the ‘in’ colour this season? “Blue – in every shade imaginable!”

You can find Guthrie Bowron Tauranga at 325 Cameron Rd, between Fourth and Third Avenues.

Open Monday to Friday from 7am-5pm and Saturday from 8:30am-3pm, and with plenty of off-street parking, Guthrie Bowron is ready to help you with all of your interior and exterior design.

For more information, visit: www.guthriebowron.co.nz

Photo: Daniel Hines.

The complete decorating package in one store

24 June, 2016

life+style The Weekend Sun 3

Dishing up sustainability ‘Doing what we believe is right’ Fish ‘n’ chips is a Kiwi icon.

But you won’t find battered fish on the menu at The Falls Café.

Co-owners Miranda and Harriet Campbell and manager Alice Campbell have scratched the iconic Kiwi meal off the list due to family morals. “We firmly believe that fish needs to be sustainably and ethically farmed. We’re environmental people, and knowing it’s [fish stocks] been damaged by trawling upsets us,” says Harriet.

According to the Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand’s seafood industry sustainably harvests about 600,000 tonnes from wild fisheries and aquaculture each year.

Seafood exports consistently rank as the country’s fourth or fifth largest export earner.

“The sea sustains millions of people,” says Miranda. “But man has a horrific ability to destroy everything. We have to move before it’s too late, and we’re trying to make that move.”

And one of the steps forward is taking fish and chips off the menu.

“We hoped by not stocking it other people would follow and they’d see that not having fish and chips on the menu wouldn’t damage their business.”

The café has swapped fish and chips with a sustainability-farmed venison burger. “We chose the venison burger because it’s free

range. We try to avoid factory farming.”

As well as home-made, vegan and gluten-free options, the café uses free range eggs and all meat, including pork products, are free range.

Any food waste is fed to the neighbour’s pigs and the girls recycle everything they can, including glass, plastic and paper. “We try to keep waste to a minimum.”

The Campbells hope through their stance other businesses are encouraged to be more sustainable and environmentally-friendly.

Like Falls Café, Mount Social Club in Mount Maunganui is also committed to quality and sustainable practices, using only free-range eggs, meat and fresh, local produce, organic milk and coffee beans.

“It’s good to see other people are making changes to their business to do what they believe is right,” says owner Lucas Fleury.

“It takes a bit of extra effort and costs, but in 2016 there is just no excuses for not trying to find a better way.”

Lucas shares a similar view about the seafood industry, with the restaurant serving only sustainably-farmed salmon and calamari.

Like Falls Café removed fish and chips from the menu, Mount Social Club chose to remove their popular pork belly dish to avoid inconsistencies in offering the main ingredient free-range.

“We made the decision of unless we can buy free-range, we’re not going to buy.”

Open seven days a week, Mount Social Club

The Falls Café.

Mount Social Club. offers great tapas, desserts and coffee options until 1am. Gluten-free, vegan and paleo dishes are available.

“We want to give vegans and glutenintolerant and paleo diet customers options. With each seasonal menu change we try to increase the number of those

dishes,” says Lucas. They’re proactive recyclers, compost most organic waste, and are finding ways to drastically reduce the amount of plastic they use.

“We’re diverting 1.3 tonnes of organic waste from the landfills just by composting.”

Zoe Hunter

4

24August, June, 2016 life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015

Warm up your winter

Protect yourself this winter against chills and ills with the wide range of health care products available from Unichem Greerton Pharmacy.

As the weather begins to bite with cold, you need to make sure you’re staying warm. Whether it’s bundling up in a thick warm coat or wearing warm colours of polish on your fingers and toes, keeping cosy is a priority this winter!

Life + Style has collated a collection of warm colours and comfy winter wraps to keep your body and soul warm.

Treat your sundamage & dull winter skin with our EA PRO New Release and La Clinica skin brightening products.

Gorgeous winter hues from Faby Illusions limited edition colour story, and Young Blood Eye duo and Intimatte Lippy will look and feel amazing in these colder months! Available at Sanctum Beauty Therapy, Mount Maunganui.

Cosmetic Medicine

Stylish range of cosy fashion to keep you warm this winter, available at Lemonade Fashions on the Cruise Deck, Mount Maunganui.

24 2016 21 June, August, 2015

An extensive range of scarves for any occasion available in the CBD at Indelible, 39 Devonport Road. Open 7 days.

Cosy up with Furnish’s latest Winter range of new furniture, cushions, throws and homewares. They have everything you need to keep your home on-trend this season. Furnish, Store 1, 683 Cameron Road, Tauranga. Open 7 days.

Collect Fly Buys Please ask in store

life+style The Weekend Sun 5

6

June, 2016 life+style The Weekend Sun 2124August, 2015

Helping house humanity Having a habitat to aim for There were five of them living in a two-bedroom state house. Mum and Dad camped in the lounge with the two baby boys, while their teenage son occupied a bedroom.

paint | wallpaper | curtains | blinds

we've got your

style

Seraphina $100.00 per metre uncoated

“Part of it was because it was cold and they [the baby boys] were so sick,” says dad James.

It was an old house, says James, 45. “It was a bit damp and there was black mould all down the walls.

There was insulation in the floor which made a difference but there was still no insulation in the walls.”

And it was making the family sick with colds, flu and the occasional rashes.

James had to switch jobs. “I was an engineer but the house was making me quite sick and I was having a lot of flu problems.”

Despite the family’s health, it was the only home mum and dad could afford for their family. “I didn’t

think I deserved any better, I gave up,” says James.

But today, the family is speaking to Life+Style inside a new three-bedroom home – a home free of mould and dampness. We’re sitting at the dining table and mum Helena is pouring us coffee. “We’re warm, we’re dry and we’re happy. It’s all thanks to Habitat for Humanity Tauranga.

“We don’t get sick anymore,” says James. “The kids love it,” says Helena. “The two babies are finally in their own bedrooms and we have our own room.”

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian not-for-profit organisation that works in partnership with people of good will and families in need, to eliminate sub-standard housing by building and selling simple, decent homes on an affordable rental basis.

“I’d actually pretty much given up on the dream of owning my own home,” says Helena. “Life’s circumstances and finances got in the way.”

Habitat for Humanity Tauranga works alongside local, independent, not-for-profit community organisations to assist them to build homes for families and help these families achieve their goal of home ownership.

Applications are shortlisted based on various criteria including a willingness to partner long-term with Habitat and an ability to make required payments.

Volunteers, corporate groups and the family work alongside experienced workers and supervisors to build or renovate the house.

An applicant must work at least 500 hours helping to build both their home and others. This is called ‘sweat equity’. Then, the family can move in.

The five-year initial tenancy period is followed by a sale and purchase agreement activated if all

paint | wallpaper | curtains | blinds

we've got your

style

free CURTAIN

15% free CURTAIN

MAKING

FREE measure & quote*

MAKING

FREE measure & quote*

Seraphina $100.00 per metre uncoated

off selected

15% off Luxaflex selected Luxaflex*blinds* blinds

COLOURPLUS STORE Store Address Details, Phone Number www.colourplus.co.nz * Conditions apply, see in store for details. All offers are valid until Sunday 10th July 2016, and apply to cash, eftpos and credit card sales only. Excludes existing quotes and other promotional offers.

COLOURPLUS STORE Store Address Details, Phone Number www.colourplus.co.nz * Conditions apply, see in store for details. All offers are valid until Sunday 10th July 2016, and apply to cash, eftpos and credit card sales only. Excludes existing quotes and other promotional offers.

EXCELLENCE IN DERMATOLOGY

24August, June, 2016 21 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 7

required conditions are completed during the tenancy term. An applicant is someone who is not eligible for a commercial home loan, their house is too small, and they’re living in an unsafe or unhealthy home, or have a low or marginal income.

James and Helena had been in an old, cold state house in Judea for 14 years.

“I’d been looking around for a bigger house to rent and just couldn’t find anything that we could afford, then we saw Habitat for Humanity and thought we actually can afford this,” says Helena.

“I actually didn’t want to apply. I had too many misgivings.”But their church pastor and friends encouraged them to apply.

“At the end of the day getting a 20 per cent deposit on a house is like a pie in the sky for a lot of us. I had to swallow a bit of pride,” says Helena.

“We were told it could take up to two years, and three weeks later we get a phone call saying they’ve already started the house,” says James. They were lucky. “I had to pinch myself. It took a while to sink in.”

Through their Family Support Committee, Habitat works with the family from time of selection and during the rental period to provide assistance in the move towards home ownership, including home maintenance and monitoring rental payments.

The family has been in the new house since February.

“I think for the first time I actually know who all my neighbours are. I not only know their names but I know they’ve been through something similar to us,” says James.

“Now we have something to aim for, for the future.

“When you’re renting, you’re constantly thinking on a 90-day notice to move, whereas in four-and-a-half years we get to buy it with a mortgage and it will be our home.”

Since 1995, Habitat for Humanity Tauranga has housed a total 64 families in Tauranga and Te Puke – and 29 families in Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Three houses are being built for Tauranga families, with two about to commence building and two more in the design process.

“That’s a total of 100,” says Habitat for Humanity Tauranga office manager Murray Graham.

They also hope to start building in Greerton next year, says Murray. “There will be eight homes initially and eventually 10. This could house as many as 50-60 people.”

Murray says Habitat has purchased more land in Tauranga, enabling the organisation to build another four-five homes.

“During the current financial year, five of our families have been able to purchase their homes from us at the fiveyear point – this is the ultimate aim.”

To apply for a Habitat home, visit: www.habitat.org.nz or email: habitat.tga@xtra.co.nz Zoe Hunter

Photos: Bruce Barnard.

“I’d actually pretty much given up on the dream of owning my own home,” says Helena.

“Life’s circumstances and finances got in the way.”

8

life+style The Weekend Sun 21 August, 2015

MAKE NO PAYMENTS AND PAY NO INTEREST UNTIL 2018 WITH Q CARD*

GE OF A HUGE RAN * BEDS!

Chiropractic Baroness

NEW

!

• Firm feel.

• Features Torquezone® - 3 zoned design for support and durability.

• Features Latex Gold® and Dreamfoam®.

50% OFF

Queen Set WAS $3,199

Now $1,599

Sanctuary Monroe • Medium to Firm feel.

• Features Latex Gold® and FusionGel® comfort layers that work together with the Sensorzone® core to reduce pressure points and improve circulation.

Queen Set

50% OFF

Now $3,399 • Medium feel.

• Features Latex Gold® and Dreamfoam®.

• 7 zoned Swisstek Pocket Spring.

• Silverline infused bamboo fabric for natural health benefits.

Queen Set

LARGEST

INDEPENDENT BEDDING GROUP NEW ZEALAND’S

50 STORES LARGEST NATIONWIDE INDEPENDENT BEDDING GROUP

40% OFF

OFF

WAS $4,499

Serene Pop Up

• Firm feel.

• Great space saver perfect for kids or spare rooms.

• King single full length mattress with additional single trundler mattress, ideal for sleepovers or guests.

King Single + Single Trundler

WAS $5,099

Only $1,099

VISIT US ONLINE TO FIND YOUR CLOSEST STORE WWW.BEDSRUS.CO.NZ PROU D TO BE LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

STORE NAME BEDS R US Address Details Ph: 00 123 4567

40%

Now $2,699

Now $3,059 NEW ZEALAND’S

• Firm feel.

• Features Latex Gold® and Dreamfoam®.

• 7 zoned Swisstek Pocket Spring.

• Silverline infused bamboo fabric for natural health benefits.

Queen Set

WAS $6,799

Swisstek Lugano

Swisstek Biel

PROU D TO BE LOCALLY OWNED ANDD OPERATED PROU TO BE LOCALLY PROU D TO BE LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED OWNED AND OPERATED

*Offer valid 13/06/2016 to 10/07/2016 or while stocks last. Excludes Everyday Dream Prices and clearance stock. Minimum spend $999. Lending criteria, $50 Annual Account fee, Establishment fee, terms and conditions apply. See counter for full terms and conditions.

21 August, 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 1

Decades of decoration See page 2

THE WEEKEND

Featuring Design & build | Food | Style | Home & living

2

life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015 24August, June, 2016

Decorating Tauranga for 120 years

Guthrie Bowron is the longest-standing and best-known supplier of interior and exterior decorating products in the home décor sector, says Tauranga branch’s owner Shelley Varnam.

And she’s continuing to ensure this is the case.

Guthrie Bowron has been New Zealand owned and operated for 120 years.

“Guthrie Bowron’s core business of supply and service for paint, wallpaper, curtains, blinds and flooring is unchanged,” says Shelley.

“We are continually updating our showroom and product lines to make this an inspiring store in which to discover new decorating trends.”

Shelley moved from Hamilton to purchase the Tauranga franchise, leaving a job in social services.

During the years she’s renovated many of her own homes and loves putting together colour schemes for herself and others.

The Guthrie Bowron Tauranga team consists of highly qualified people, who have a vast amount of knowledge and experience in the home décor industry both personally and professionally, says Shelley.

Richard Forster and Anna Given have been with Guthrie Bowron Tauranga for many years and have built a strong base of loyal customers, who are able to call on them for assistance with paints and curtains at any time.

Ruth Stephen is the stores colour consultant and works alongside interior designer Katie Knapp and curtain design consultant Anna, offering both instore and in-home complimentary consultations.

Helen Golding is the office administrator who works behind the scenes keeping everything ticking over.

With everything from carpets and vinyls, paints and wallpapers through to window treatments, curtains, blinds and shutters, you’ll find exactly what you’re after at Guthrie Bowron.

“Being able to compile the complete package in one store makes the process so much easier for clients,” says Shelley.

The store’s main goal is supporting clients to make informed decorating decisions which add value to their homes and lives, and Shelley and her

team work collaboratively to achieve this.

The team approaches the interior and exterior projects through the eyes of their clients, listening and guiding rather than dictating, so clients achieve exactly the look they had in mind.

Great old-fashioned service, time spent with customers, and instilling confidence in making the correct choice is very much part of Guthrie Bowron Tauranga’s ethos.

Shelley is delighted to see colour back ‘in’ for interiors; however she acknowledges the place of neutrals in any home décor.

Shelley finds Dulux’s whites and neutrals range is very popular, with Cardona a top-seller from the huge range of Guthrie Bowron and Dulux paints.

“Don’t be afraid of colour in your home – colour changes the energy of a home and brings warmth, vibrancy and fun, and gives your home its unique quality,” says Shelley.

As interior design is always changing, Guthrie Bowron is an ever-evolving space.

“Specialised room sets in-store provide a view of what’s current; and vibrant fabric and wallpaper displays offer ideas.”

And what is the ‘in’ colour this season? “Blue – in every shade imaginable!”

You can find Guthrie Bowron Tauranga at 325 Cameron Rd, between Fourth and Third Avenues.

Open Monday to Friday from 7am-5pm and Saturday from 8:30am-3pm, and with plenty of off-street parking, Guthrie Bowron is ready to help you with all of your interior and exterior design.

For more information, visit: www.guthriebowron.co.nz

Photo: Daniel Hines.

The complete decorating package in one store

24 June, 2016

life+style The Weekend Sun 3

Dishing up sustainability ‘Doing what we believe is right’ Fish ‘n’ chips is a Kiwi icon.

But you won’t find battered fish on the menu at The Falls Café.

Co-owners Miranda and Harriet Campbell and manager Alice Campbell have scratched the iconic Kiwi meal off the list due to family morals. “We firmly believe that fish needs to be sustainably and ethically farmed. We’re environmental people, and knowing it’s [fish stocks] been damaged by trawling upsets us,” says Harriet.

According to the Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand’s seafood industry sustainably harvests about 600,000 tonnes from wild fisheries and aquaculture each year.

Seafood exports consistently rank as the country’s fourth or fifth largest export earner.

“The sea sustains millions of people,” says Miranda. “But man has a horrific ability to destroy everything. We have to move before it’s too late, and we’re trying to make that move.”

And one of the steps forward is taking fish and chips off the menu.

“We hoped by not stocking it other people would follow and they’d see that not having fish and chips on the menu wouldn’t damage their business.”

The café has swapped fish and chips with a sustainability-farmed venison burger. “We chose the venison burger because it’s free

range. We try to avoid factory farming.”

As well as home-made, vegan and gluten-free options, the café uses free range eggs and all meat, including pork products, are free range.

Any food waste is fed to the neighbour’s pigs and the girls recycle everything they can, including glass, plastic and paper. “We try to keep waste to a minimum.”

The Campbells hope through their stance other businesses are encouraged to be more sustainable and environmentally-friendly.

Like Falls Café, Mount Social Club in Mount Maunganui is also committed to quality and sustainable practices, using only free-range eggs, meat and fresh, local produce, organic milk and coffee beans.

“It’s good to see other people are making changes to their business to do what they believe is right,” says owner Lucas Fleury.

“It takes a bit of extra effort and costs, but in 2016 there is just no excuses for not trying to find a better way.”

Lucas shares a similar view about the seafood industry, with the restaurant serving only sustainably-farmed salmon and calamari.

Like Falls Café removed fish and chips from the menu, Mount Social Club chose to remove their popular pork belly dish to avoid inconsistencies in offering the main ingredient free-range.

“We made the decision of unless we can buy free-range, we’re not going to buy.”

Open seven days a week, Mount Social Club

The Falls Café.

Mount Social Club. offers great tapas, desserts and coffee options until 1am. Gluten-free, vegan and paleo dishes are available.

“We want to give vegans and glutenintolerant and paleo diet customers options. With each seasonal menu change we try to increase the number of those

dishes,” says Lucas. They’re proactive recyclers, compost most organic waste, and are finding ways to drastically reduce the amount of plastic they use.

“We’re diverting 1.3 tonnes of organic waste from the landfills just by composting.”

Zoe Hunter

4

24August, June, 2016 life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015

Warm up your winter

Protect yourself this winter against chills and ills with the wide range of health care products available from Unichem Greerton Pharmacy.

As the weather begins to bite with cold, you need to make sure you’re staying warm. Whether it’s bundling up in a thick warm coat or wearing warm colours of polish on your fingers and toes, keeping cosy is a priority this winter!

Life + Style has collated a collection of warm colours and comfy winter wraps to keep your body and soul warm.

Treat your sundamage & dull winter skin with our EA PRO New Release and La Clinica skin brightening products.

Gorgeous winter hues from Faby Illusions limited edition colour story, and Young Blood Eye duo and Intimatte Lippy will look and feel amazing in these colder months! Available at Sanctum Beauty Therapy, Mount Maunganui.

Cosmetic Medicine

Stylish range of cosy fashion to keep you warm this winter, available at Lemonade Fashions on the Cruise Deck, Mount Maunganui.

24 2016 21 June, August, 2015

An extensive range of scarves for any occasion available in the CBD at Indelible, 39 Devonport Road. Open 7 days.

Cosy up with Furnish’s latest Winter range of new furniture, cushions, throws and homewares. They have everything you need to keep your home on-trend this season. Furnish, Store 1, 683 Cameron Road, Tauranga. Open 7 days.

Collect Fly Buys Please ask in store

life+style The Weekend Sun 5

6

June, 2016 life+style The Weekend Sun 2124August, 2015

Helping house humanity Having a habitat to aim for There were five of them living in a two-bedroom state house. Mum and Dad camped in the lounge with the two baby boys, while their teenage son occupied a bedroom.

paint | wallpaper | curtains | blinds

we've got your

style

Seraphina $100.00 per metre uncoated

“Part of it was because it was cold and they [the baby boys] were so sick,” says dad James.

It was an old house, says James, 45. “It was a bit damp and there was black mould all down the walls.

There was insulation in the floor which made a difference but there was still no insulation in the walls.”

And it was making the family sick with colds, flu and the occasional rashes.

James had to switch jobs. “I was an engineer but the house was making me quite sick and I was having a lot of flu problems.”

Despite the family’s health, it was the only home mum and dad could afford for their family. “I didn’t

think I deserved any better, I gave up,” says James.

But today, the family is speaking to Life+Style inside a new three-bedroom home – a home free of mould and dampness. We’re sitting at the dining table and mum Helena is pouring us coffee. “We’re warm, we’re dry and we’re happy. It’s all thanks to Habitat for Humanity Tauranga.

“We don’t get sick anymore,” says James. “The kids love it,” says Helena. “The two babies are finally in their own bedrooms and we have our own room.”

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian not-for-profit organisation that works in partnership with people of good will and families in need, to eliminate sub-standard housing by building and selling simple, decent homes on an affordable rental basis.

“I’d actually pretty much given up on the dream of owning my own home,” says Helena. “Life’s circumstances and finances got in the way.”

Habitat for Humanity Tauranga works alongside local, independent, not-for-profit community organisations to assist them to build homes for families and help these families achieve their goal of home ownership.

Applications are shortlisted based on various criteria including a willingness to partner long-term with Habitat and an ability to make required payments.

Volunteers, corporate groups and the family work alongside experienced workers and supervisors to build or renovate the house.

An applicant must work at least 500 hours helping to build both their home and others. This is called ‘sweat equity’. Then, the family can move in.

The five-year initial tenancy period is followed by a sale and purchase agreement activated if all

paint | wallpaper | curtains | blinds

we've got your

style

free CURTAIN

15% free CURTAIN

MAKING

FREE measure & quote*

MAKING

FREE measure & quote*

Seraphina $100.00 per metre uncoated

off selected

15% off Luxaflex selected Luxaflex*blinds* blinds

COLOURPLUS STORE Store Address Details, Phone Number www.colourplus.co.nz * Conditions apply, see in store for details. All offers are valid until Sunday 10th July 2016, and apply to cash, eftpos and credit card sales only. Excludes existing quotes and other promotional offers.

COLOURPLUS STORE Store Address Details, Phone Number www.colourplus.co.nz * Conditions apply, see in store for details. All offers are valid until Sunday 10th July 2016, and apply to cash, eftpos and credit card sales only. Excludes existing quotes and other promotional offers.

EXCELLENCE IN DERMATOLOGY

24August, June, 2016 21 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 7

required conditions are completed during the tenancy term. An applicant is someone who is not eligible for a commercial home loan, their house is too small, and they’re living in an unsafe or unhealthy home, or have a low or marginal income.

James and Helena had been in an old, cold state house in Judea for 14 years.

“I’d been looking around for a bigger house to rent and just couldn’t find anything that we could afford, then we saw Habitat for Humanity and thought we actually can afford this,” says Helena.

“I actually didn’t want to apply. I had too many misgivings.”But their church pastor and friends encouraged them to apply.

“At the end of the day getting a 20 per cent deposit on a house is like a pie in the sky for a lot of us. I had to swallow a bit of pride,” says Helena.

“We were told it could take up to two years, and three weeks later we get a phone call saying they’ve already started the house,” says James. They were lucky. “I had to pinch myself. It took a while to sink in.”

Through their Family Support Committee, Habitat works with the family from time of selection and during the rental period to provide assistance in the move towards home ownership, including home maintenance and monitoring rental payments.

The family has been in the new house since February.

“I think for the first time I actually know who all my neighbours are. I not only know their names but I know they’ve been through something similar to us,” says James.

“Now we have something to aim for, for the future.

“When you’re renting, you’re constantly thinking on a 90-day notice to move, whereas in four-and-a-half years we get to buy it with a mortgage and it will be our home.”

Since 1995, Habitat for Humanity Tauranga has housed a total 64 families in Tauranga and Te Puke – and 29 families in Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Three houses are being built for Tauranga families, with two about to commence building and two more in the design process.

“That’s a total of 100,” says Habitat for Humanity Tauranga office manager Murray Graham.

They also hope to start building in Greerton next year, says Murray. “There will be eight homes initially and eventually 10. This could house as many as 50-60 people.”

Murray says Habitat has purchased more land in Tauranga, enabling the organisation to build another four-five homes.

“During the current financial year, five of our families have been able to purchase their homes from us at the fiveyear point – this is the ultimate aim.”

To apply for a Habitat home, visit: www.habitat.org.nz or email: habitat.tga@xtra.co.nz Zoe Hunter

Photos: Bruce Barnard.

“I’d actually pretty much given up on the dream of owning my own home,” says Helena.

“Life’s circumstances and finances got in the way.”

8

life+style The Weekend Sun 21 August, 2015

MAKE NO PAYMENTS AND PAY NO INTEREST UNTIL 2018 WITH Q CARD*

GE OF A HUGE RAN * BEDS!

Chiropractic Baroness

NEW

!

• Firm feel.

• Features Torquezone® - 3 zoned design for support and durability.

• Features Latex Gold® and Dreamfoam®.

50% OFF

Queen Set WAS $3,199

Now $1,599

Sanctuary Monroe • Medium to Firm feel.

• Features Latex Gold® and FusionGel® comfort layers that work together with the Sensorzone® core to reduce pressure points and improve circulation.

Queen Set

50% OFF

Now $3,399 • Medium feel.

• Features Latex Gold® and Dreamfoam®.

• 7 zoned Swisstek Pocket Spring.

• Silverline infused bamboo fabric for natural health benefits.

Queen Set

LARGEST

INDEPENDENT BEDDING GROUP NEW ZEALAND’S

50 STORES LARGEST NATIONWIDE INDEPENDENT BEDDING GROUP

40% OFF

OFF

WAS $4,499

Serene Pop Up

• Firm feel.

• Great space saver perfect for kids or spare rooms.

• King single full length mattress with additional single trundler mattress, ideal for sleepovers or guests.

King Single + Single Trundler

WAS $5,099

Only $1,099

VISIT US ONLINE TO FIND YOUR CLOSEST STORE WWW.BEDSRUS.CO.NZ PROU D TO BE LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

STORE NAME BEDS R US Address Details Ph: 00 123 4567

40%

Now $2,699

Now $3,059 NEW ZEALAND’S

• Firm feel.

• Features Latex Gold® and Dreamfoam®.

• 7 zoned Swisstek Pocket Spring.

• Silverline infused bamboo fabric for natural health benefits.

Queen Set

WAS $6,799

Swisstek Lugano

Swisstek Biel

PROU D TO BE LOCALLY OWNED ANDD OPERATED PROU TO BE LOCALLY PROU D TO BE LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED OWNED AND OPERATED

*Offer valid 13/06/2016 to 10/07/2016 or while stocks last. Excludes Everyday Dream Prices and clearance stock. Minimum spend $999. Lending criteria, $50 Annual Account fee, Establishment fee, terms and conditions apply. See counter for full terms and conditions.