The Weekend Sun 23rd January

D EN EK E IS W TH

23 January 2015, Issue 734

The Bay’s largest circulating, most read newspaper.

64,980 copies

City’s green wizard – p10

to the homes of 159,700 residents throughout TAURANGA, MOUNT MAUNGANUI, PAPAMOA, WAIHI BEACH, KAIMAI, KATIKATI, TE PUKE, PAENGAROA, OTAMARAKAU and all RDs

Dad’s swim of love – p32

Fun under Bay’s sun – p49

Sprint finish This weekend V8 superboats will take over ASB Baypark, skidding, splashing, bouncing and thrashing their way round the only stadium jetsprints course worldwide.

Tomorrow is round two of the PSP New Zealand Jetsprint Championship, with gates open to the public at 12 noon for an action-filled race programme from 3pm to a 9.45pm finale.

Sunday offers more thrills and spills, with the inaugural ENZED Stadium Jetsprint Cup seeing Kiwi teams race overseas guest teams from 3pm-9.45pm, with gates opening 12 noon.

To see what’s on offer for the whole family at jetsprints, see pages 18 and 19. Photo by Neil Jones, Inshot Photography.

Your Central City Health Centre

OPEN EVERY DAY 8AM - 9PM

• accident & medical • family medical practice • chiropractor • physiotherapy • pharmacy

• dentist • xray

2nd Avenue Health Centre - 19 Second Avenue - Tauranga

2 1 The Strand, PO Box 240, Tauranga

ads@thesun.co.nz newsroom@thesun.co.nz

The Weekend Sun

The Weekend Sun is published every Friday, circulating throughout the Western Bay of Plenty, delivered free to 64,980 homes of more than 159,700 residents from Waihi Beach, through Katikati, Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke including rural and residential mailboxes.

The Weekend Sun is produced by Sun Media Ltd, an independent and locally owned company based at 1 The Strand, Tauranga.

Sun Media Ltd Directors: Claire & Brian Rogers Editorial: Andrew Campbell, Hamish Carter, Letitia Atkinson, Elaine Fisher, Zoe Hunter, Luke Balvert, Merle Foster, David Tauranga, Dan Sheridan, Hunter Wells. Photography: Tracy Hardy, Bruce Barnard. Advertising: Kathy Sellars, Suzy King, Lois Natta, Rose Hodges, Aimee-Leigh Brunsdon, Tasha Paull, Lucy Pattison, Bianca Lawton, Cath Jump, Doug Britton, Chloe Brown, Vanessa Lee. Design Studio: Kym Johnson, James Carrigan, Sarah Adamson, Kerri Wheeler, Kyra Duffy, Amy Bennie. Digital Media: Lauren McGillivray, Jay Burston Office: Julie Commerer, Melanie Stone, Kathy Drake.

Holiday itches and jandal scandals Mid-summer and some Kiwis are feeling the itch. This week we have a rash of reports.

For some it’s the seven-year itch, according to a recent study, New Zealanders are more likely to divorce in January that any other month.

More than 45 percent interviewed said they are more interested in divorcing during January, according to Victoria Milan, a website for married people searching for “adventure”.

The largest segment of the infidelity site’s responding members said that intense family requirements during the holiday season are the most serious precipitating cause (44 per cent). In contrast, just under 20 per cent said they simply believe that the New Year is the right time for personal change.

Seventeen per cent reported that they argue more in January, and 15 per cent said they just feel like having sex with other people.

So some sound advice from the

Rabbit: If you’re feeling the pressure, hang on for another week or so, it’s nearly February.

Also if your relationship is under stress, we doubt that joining an infidelity site, or having your partner discover it on your web browser history, is going to help.

Others are feeling the itch from the Mount Mauler. It’s the creepy little bug in the sand that will chew your togs off and take a chomp out of your cellulite, if you lay around the beach in the wrong places.

Meanwhile, some of you are apparently suffering Duck Itch. People swimming in the south end of Lake Taupo have been warned, following two cases of duck itch, or swimmer’s itch, most commonly occurring in shallow, warm areas of some lakes.

The larvae are part of the life cycle of parasitic worms, which involves ducks, other birds, and snails. ‘Swim-

mer’s itch’ occurs when a film of cercariae-infested water dries on exposed skin, and, for humans, is a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Medical officer of Health Dr Jim Miller suggests people take a precautionary approach and avoid contact with areas of shallow water, particularly around vegetation and where birds are evident.

“Washing or showering with clean water and drying yourself off with a towel after swimming can also help.”

In a nutshell: Don’t swim with the ducks.

Speaking of the birds, a seagull in Welcome Bay this week cured its butt rash, by landing on the insulator of a power pole and blowing itself up.

The seagull, described as “young and dumb”

by Greerton fire station officer Steve Wright, exploded atop the pole, taking out power to a section of Welcome Bay. There were pieces of seagull scattered in the vicinity. Fireman found motley juvenile feathers. It is not known who got the bill.

Jandal scandal Thanks to the many readers who expressed their outrage to the Jandal Scandal – the spontaneous citizen art installation on the Mount, cruelly ripped down by bureaucrats who clearly didn’t approve of the ‘jandal fence’.

Here are some of your responses, the first from Jeannie Overall: Oh I love being a jandal and guess what!

I’m not a vandal didn’t mean to make a scandal was just hanging round for fun I made many people grin which some sad folk say’s a sin, got cool snaps of folk with kin underneath our Mountie sun My mate who hung me there was trying to spread some cheer cos it’s been the saddest year, for families more than one To all you folk who liked me, said I wasn’t so unsightly you’re a Mountie and so rightly, you and I have really won For we really made our mark, and it’s really been a lark We created quite a spark, so thanks for all that you have done

There are currently 72 jandals on the fence at 117 OceanView Rd at the Mount.

Carl (Jandalman): The location of the fence is the best place for the Lost Soles!

Gill Ogle: We have one in Oceanview Rd but I think it’s almost full.

Are the council not lucky? We don’t have the bra fences in the South Island! Come on guys it’s harmless and a bit of fun. Huntertwasser’s toilets come to mind!

Donna Anderson: Whoever created the jandal fence needs to find another place to

have another erection... Sadly I did not see it, but what has the world come to if we can’t have a bit of Kiwiana fun. Shame on the people that complained. I tell them to get a life and mind your own business.

Christine Frost: Just re-instate the Jandal Fence where it was – perfect. Such an iconic thing to have in an iconic place – couldn’t be better. Some people need to get a life and start having some fun.

brian@thesun.co.nz

4 STOCK CLEAROUT

BEDS U .co.nz

Bring back your dream sleep

UPTO 60% OFF & 12 MONTHS INTEREST FREE*

58% OFF!

Queen Base + Mattress

WAS $1895

796

$

SNOOZER A Great Value Pocket Spring Bed finished in high quality designer fabric.

60% Queen Base + Mattress OFF! WAS $ $2350

940

SNOOZER PLUSH 5 Zones Pocket Spring Bed with Natural latex & Luxurious euro top.

Back supporter’s Ortho-cool Gel Memory foam infused with gel beads for a premium quality memory foam and extremely comfortable more supportive and cooler sleeping surface.

ORTHO-COOL GEL MEMORY FOAM

5

SNOOZER PLUSH

ORDINARY MEMORY FOAM

SNOOZER

BACK SUPPORTER

7 Zoned Pocket Springs with advanced cool Gel Memory Foam for a more support and a generous plush pillow top with natural latex.

60 N

IGH

T

#

PROUDLY MADE IN NEW ZEALAND

10 WAS $5899

2950

$

Queen Base + Mattress

Also Available in King & Super King

50% OFF!

on all sizes

65 Chapel street, Tauranga (In Bay Central Shopping Centre) / OPEN 7 DAYS (10am - 5pm) Ph: 07 578 5874 *12 Months Interest Free is available on Q Card Flexi Payment Plans. Minimum spend $999. Normal Lending criteria apply. #Comfort guarantee not available in all models, some terms and conditions may apply. Beds4u reserve the right to amend any misprints or error with in this advertisement. All stock subject to prior sale.

IMPORTANT STUFF: All material is copyright and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Sun Media makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information and accepts no liability for errors or omissions or the subsequent use of information published. The word ‘jandal’ comes from ‘Japanese sandal’ and became part of Kiwiana in the 1950s. Other countries call these ‘thongs’ or ‘flip-flops’. Favoured summertime footwear for most New Zealanders, an important part of any Kiwi wardrobe and available in a range of colours, jandals can be worn just about anywhere – from the beach to the pub – they are always a fashion statement on their own.

3

The Weekend Sun

Pools of funding needed

Merivale Primary’s principal Jan Tinetti in front of her school’s old pool site. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Remember the days when the cheerful sound of children splashing in the school pool was an integral part of a school’s summer curriculum?

Unfortunately for some schools this is a distant memory as a lack of government funding continues to restrict lower decile schools’ ability to develop vital swimming and water safety skills among children.

Now the issue is once again sending ripples through the education sector with New Zealand First calling for the Government to reinstate funding for school pools in light of new data showing 90 people drowned in New Zealand last year.

The Water Safety New Zealand figure is less than the 2013 toll of 107, but the country still has the third worst drowning record in the developed world.

NZ First deputy leader Tracey

Martin says the curriculum has an expectation schools will teach water safety, but the Government refuses to pay for school pools.

She says dozens of school pools have disappeared through a lack of funding and the Government urgently needs to change its attitude and value school pools.

Merivale School principal Jan Tinetti is supportive of any extra funding, given students at the decile 1 school missed out on swimming and water safety lessons for two years because of the cost until it received sponsorship from Water Safety NZ. “It may not be school pools but I think what they [the Government] need to do is an assessment of equity of schools.

“Where it’s a problem – and in my community it is a problem – and come up with some solutions.”

For the last four years Merivale staff and students have made the 2.4km trek to Greerton Aquatic & Leisure Centre for a two-week swim

school block costing $4.50 per child per lesson.

Forced to decommission its pool eight years ago – unable to fork out $60,000 for repairs – parents were initially charged 50 cents per child per lesson, by using the school’s own teachers who were Swimsmarttrained until that cost skyrocketed to $4.50 as the aquatic centre now demands lessons be given by its own instructors.

A cost the school simply couldn’t afford – nor its families, says Jan. “The majority of our children don’t have access to private lessons either, because it’s quite expensive so they don’t have that.

“Our children tend to do a lot of swimming, it’s an activity they do in their holidays and leisure time, like swimming in the rivers.”

NZ First is suggesting an increase to the operations grant for those schools with pools that currently have working pools tagged for use on water testing and day-to-day

By Luke Balvert maintenance.

FREE CONSULTATION & QUOTE

For a FREE in-home consultation call the shutter & blind specialists 0508 274 888 Need ideas? Visit our Tauranga showroom – 142 Newton Street, Mount Maunganui

THE SHUTTER SPECIALISTS santafeshutters.co.nz

4 A selection of some local breaking stories featured this week on...

The Weekend Sun

Muddled motorists’ donations

The only local daily news source you need, constantly updated, seven days a week

www.sunlive.co.nz News tips ph

0800 SUNLIVE

Jail for $146K theft

A trusted employee who stole more than $146,000 from her boss of 15 years has been sentenced to 23 months in jail.

In Tauranga District Court on Wednesday, Lesley Hunt, 54, was convicted on one count of theft for offending spanning three-and-a-half years and totalling $146,175.60.

Triac Lighting, Sound and Visual Hire owner Neil Turner says the woman had worked for him for 15 years and was a trusted employee.

Guilty after puppy dragged

A five-month-old puppy was kept alive despite advice to euthanise it after the dog was dragged behind a ute and had its leg ripped open and snapped in two.

The staffordshire terrier suffered severe injuries to its right hind leg last year, and later died from its injuries.

Tauranga man Jarrod Wharekawa tied his crossbred puppy Temtem to the back of his ute in September and drove off.

The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to two charges in Tauranga District Court on Tuesday and was sentenced to 100 hours community work for each and ordered to pay reparations of $637.90.

Seagull causes powercut

The cause of a powercut in Welcome Bay was a “young, dumb” seagull, says NZ Fire Service Greerton station officer Steve Wright.

Large parts of Welcome Bay lost power when the seagull landed on the power pole at the corner of Welcome Bay and Waitaha roads earlier this week.

Nearby residents called the fire brigade when they heard an explosion, and subsequently lost power.

“We turned up and there was a dead bird on an insulator at the top of a pole,” says Steve.

Tree felling cuts link to ‘Jinty’

An 18-metre Pohutukawa tree planted by Jinty Rorke – one of Tauranga’s pre-eminent historians – was cut down on Tuesday after being deemed dangerous.

Jean Euphemia Finlayson Rorke, who died last year, planted the tree on Monmouth Redoubt, but it has been felled out of necessity.

The tree split in two at the base recently, and Grant Schuler, contracts manager for Arbor Care, was charged with removing the hazard.

Metal bar inquiry continues

Tauranga police want to hear from people that attended a party in Clive Rd, Katikati, last Friday night who may have information about an assault which left a man with a metal bar sticking out of his head.

“Police are very keen to speak to any person who was in the area or may have any other information in relation to the assault,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner.

The 23-year-old Tauranga man was parked in Clive Rd when he was approached by a woman and two men.

He was punched a number of times in the face, before being struck with an iron bar which lodged in the right side of his head.

‘Heure D’arrivee’ – Gabrielle and Ray Gregory with the motorists’ friend they use in a French town. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

How much money has been needlessly pumped into Tauranga CBD parking meters by confused motorists – motorists who are unclear about what they need to pay for parking, where and when?

Is it hundreds of dollars, thousands, perhaps tens of thousands?

“I’m not certain it’s a problem or if it can be sized,” ponders Tauranga City Councillor John Robson.

But it was a problem for John Duffill.

“I was a bit annoyed,” says John, who pumped $6 into parking meter number 4452 when $4 would have been enough. He was either misled or he misunderstood – and he’s not alone.

Because it was also a problem for several other city car parkers who contacted The Weekend Sun after unwittingly making ‘donations’ to city coffers.

Like Strelsa Gribben, who paid for two hours parking “and got just

NOW half SALE ON

YEARLY

up to FURTHER Up t o REDUCTION S!

5 0 50% off all your favourite labels %

off

threadz

and Many More!

13 Devonport Road, Tauranga - 07 5790383 21 Wilson Road, Waihi Beach - 07 863 5300

Boutique

Also at Birkenhead, Tirau, Ngatea and Hamilton

Fabulous Fashion That Fits Sizes 8 - 20

one hour and three minutes”. “No wonder no one wants to go into the city centre – we are not made of money.”

Strelsa, like John, was drawn to the parking charges in big bold print on the front of the meter – but not the fine detail on the small display screen, which would have told them parking was free from 3pm Monday-Friday and 1pm on Saturdays.

“Free after three,” as the TCC song goes.

“If that’s the case why didn’t 4452 spit out the excess money. The meters at the airport block payment if it’s not due.”

And there’s the case of Sheryl Ruscoe, who inadvertently ‘gave’ to TCC while in a hurry.

“I put $2 in the meter at 2.59pm last Friday. When I got back to the car I saw the ticket expired at 3pm”.

Of course that’s when ‘free after three’ kicks in but the meter gratefully accepted her money anyway.

“So $2 for one minute of parking. What a joke!”

It’s more that Sheryl, Strelsa and John didn’t need to pay, there was confusion and they didn’t get their money back.

“The good thing is,” says Cr Robson “none of them were threatened with an infringement notice”.

What isn’t good is they were confused into making a contribution to TCC. So what’s the scale of the problem? How many other motorists have blindly and needlessly paid parking charges to the TCC and how much?

Cr John Robson dials up the Town Hall for some answers. He comes back with “it’s not easy to tell”.

“The only observation is 1pm parking has been in for a long time and it hasn’t presented as a problem.”

“A lot of people do a lot of parking in this town and Tauranga and no one’s complained.”

And he explains they could spend money to find out there isn’t a problem. “You would struggle to justify that.”

To read the full story, go to SunLive.co.nz and search ‘Motorists ‘donate’ to TCC parking coffers’.

By Hunter Wells

Get clicking before the show Budding photographers should get clicking this month to enter the Katikati A&P Show’s Annual Amateur Photography Competition.

The adult categories costs $1 per entry, while the junior sections cost 50 cents each, with entry via printed image only.

There’s five adult categories for those aged 16-plus: It’s all there in black and white; In a fowl mood; Going round in circles; Seeing red; and Turning over a new leaf.For junior categories, those aged 11-15 can enter Now that’s funny; and youngsters 10 and under can enter Toy Pictures ‘R’ Us. Entries forms are available at Katikati Information Centre or www.katikati.org.nz Entries must be delivered to the wrestling club hall, Uretara Domain, on January 31 between 9am-2pm for display and judging.

Entries will be displayed at Katikati A&P Society’s 93rd annual show on February 1.

Awards and prize money will be presented on show day at the Home Industries’ prizegiving at 2pm.

5

The Weekend Sun

Fixing up the Ford Tauranga Fire Brigade volunteers Kris Wright and Paul Sykes with the 1950 Ford V8 fire engine. Photo by Cameron Avery.

While waiting for the fire siren to howl, Tauranga Fire Brigade volunteer firefighters are in a men’s shed tucked away at Judea with their tools.

About six of them are restoring one of the first motorised fire trucks – a 1950 Ford V8 fire engine that served in Tauranga from 1950 until the early 1970s. It has a story very similar to the childhood fictional book character ‘Flick’ the fire engine.

The guys at Gisborne Transport Museum didn’t want him. So the old truck was hauled up to the city about two years ago for Tauranga volunteers to get stuck in to preserving a bit of their organisation’s local history.

Station officer Bruce Nilson says once restored, the fire engine could be used in the community for children’s rides in the back of the truck – just like firefighters did in the 1950s. “They’d be open to the elements, so if you were tearing up Cameron Rd on a cold winter’s night, you’d get soaking wet and frozen.

So I’m glad it’s changed since then,” says Bruce, who says the engine will also be used to promote fire safety at events. But the boys only started pulling the wheels and back deck off last September. They’ve been busy – working full-time jobs and fighting fires in their spare time.

“The brakes and the engine’s pretty much done,” says Bruce. “Then there’s the body work.”

But to carry on, they need a new men’s shed. The lease on their man cave in Judea ends this month.

So they’re looking for something with a roof and somewhere close to the fire station. “In case we get called out to a fire,” says Bruce.

The boys are funding the DIY project out of their own pockets. They haven’t put a price on it yet.

“Most of the guys have been doing it for love,” says Bruce.

Anyone who can help with restoration, storage, funding or sponsorship, email Bruce at bruce.nilson@fire.org.nz To view the progress, visit the 1950s Ford Fire Truck Rebuild Facebook page.

By Zoe Hunter

21

st

Birthday party

®

ONLY

949

$

®

The Family Q cooks sensational barbecues and® just like the Weber kettle, caters for huge roasts using natural convection.

The cooking system is ® incredible, so when it comes to the best food there’s simply no match for the Family Q. Comes complete with full colour cooking manual, POL hose and regulator. Feeds up to 15.

At licensed Weber Specialist Dealers only

ONLY

ONLY

399

$

549

$

®

The standard model baby Q™ as seen on TV has piezo ignition and a lower roasting lid which takes up less space. Comes complete with full colour cooking manual, POL hose and regulator. Feeds up to 6.

At licensed Weber Specialist Dealers only

®

The one that started it all, the medium sized standard model Q™ with sleek styled roasting lid. This is the Q™ that revolutionised the way we think about cooking outdoors forever. It has foldaway work tables and piezo ignition. Comes complete with full colour cooking manual, POL hose and regulator. Feeds up to 10.

At licensed Weber Specialist Dealers only

ONLY

449

$

®

®

The precision built-in thermometer, a higher roasting lid (for taller roasts) and electronic ignition make this the stand out baby Q. Comes complete with full colour cooking manual, POL hose and regulator.

Feeds up to 6.

®

ONLY

599

$

The precision built-in thermometer, a higher roasting lid (for taller roasts) and electronic ignition. If you are wanting a medium sized Q™ this is the one to own. Comes complete with foldaway work tables, full colour cooking manual, POL hose and regulator. Feeds up to 10.

ONLY

999

$

The Family Q cooks sensational barbecues and just like the Weber kettle, caters for huge roasts using natural convection. The cooking system is incredible, so when it comes to the best food there’s simply no match for the Family Q. This model has a precision built-in thermometer, a higher roasting lid (for taller roasts) and electronic ignition that the standard model doesn’t have. Comes complete with full colour cooking manual, POL hose and regulator. Feeds up to 15.

6

The Weekend Sun

HAVE A LITTLE OR A LOT...

Are you: • Looking for a place to retire?

• A young professional wanting the ultimate lifestyle?

• A family re-locating?

At Coast Papamoa Beach you can live a luxury lifestyle, at a price you can afford.

• 24-hectare master-planned residential community • Wide variety of options from townhouses to large executive homes • Architecturally-designed to perfection • Light, spacious, modern living spaces • Raked timber rooflines • Encircling decks and patios • A stroll along the boulevard to the beach • Exquisite, architecturally-designed houses from $580,000 • Three stunning showhomes to view • Four hand picked-builders on site

LIVE YOUR DREAM, MOVE TO COAST PAPAMOA BEACH IT’S NOT CALLED THE BAY OF PLENTY FOR NOTHING When you live at Coast Papamoa Beach, the beach is your playground. With direct beach access, you can enjoy the feeling of sand between your toes every day of the year. Tauranga’s bountiful natural resources and its vibrant and growing community, mean there is plenty to keep you amused both on and off-shore. From young families, to those looking to make the most of their retirement years, the Bay of Plenty lives up to its name – there is plenty for everyone.

OUR QUALITY GUARANTEE To maintain the highest of standards, all building and landscaping designs at Coast Papamoa Beach must go before the Coast Design Committee for approval, before building commences. When you buy at Coast Papamoa Beach you can be secure in the knowledge that the quality of your investment will continue to be upheld by its high quality surroundings.

Contact 0800 BYCOAST (0800 292 6278) or VICKY PILBROW 027 246 3758 1 Papamoa Beach Road, Papamoa www.coastpapamoabeach.co.nz http://www.facebook.com/CoastPapamoaBeach

WAV21854

WE WOULD LOVE TO HELP YOU SETTLE INTO YOUR SLICE OF PARADISE. COME AND TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT IS YOUR ‘AFFORDABLE’.

7

The Weekend Sun

Eastern Region champs ‘spiritual’ return Surf, sand, finely tuned athleticism and a fleet of drones for good measure.

water action. In a New Zealand-first, Napier company Altus UAS is overseeing the project, enabling spectators and the general public to see exactly what’s happening out on the water.

“The championships have been running for 52 years and have so much history and meaning in the surf lifesaving fraternity,” says Scott.

“It doesn’t mean they can’t move with the times, however.

“What we’re trying to do is create a memorable event for athletes, as well as help the public comprehend why

surf sports are so vital to the wider surf lifesaving movement.”

Scott has also tweaked the beachbased sprinting events so they have a late-afternoon carnival atmosphere.

The championships start 8am tomorrow and finish Sunday afternoon, with the club-based Super 9 carnival to follow at the same venue on Monday.

The Super 9 pits NZ’s best clubs against each other in an invitation-only event, to see who has the best athletes throughout a range of age groups and disciplines.

By Luke Balvert

Papamoa’s Ben Johnston and Waihi Beach’s Jamie Green will be among nearly 1000 athletes chasing glory at this weekend’s Eastern Region championships. Photo by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services.

The Eastern Region surf lifesaving championship makes a spectacular return to the Bay of Plenty this weekend – returning to their spiritual home, at Mount Maunganui’s Main Beach.

Traditionally the biggest carnival on the surf lifesaving calendar behind the national champs, the ERC is held every Auckland Anniversary weekend bringing attracting 1000 surf lifesavers across a range of disciplines.

But for the last two years Whangamata’s held the honour of hosting the highly competitive event that boasts more than 50 years of history.

While events like the belt race,

chariot race and march-past have all been consigned to the archives, the fundamental purpose of surf sports remains the same; athletes run, paddle and swim as hard as possible, knowing the fitness and skills they’re harnessing could be put to use in a real-life rescue.

Those are the sort of memories event organiser Scott Bicknell hopes to create.

The Eastern Region sports manager, also a NZ representative kayaker, wants the event to evolve and remain relevant to future generations, while remaining true to its core role.

“Mount Maunganui is kind of the spiritual home for the ERCs

and we’re delighted to have it back there, while we’re adding a few modern twists to all that history this year to make it more enjoyable for athletes and to ensure the event resonates with the viewing public.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase the role our lifeguards play on our beaches over summer and to help the public understand why surf sports competition plays such a vital role in saving lives.”

This year 980 athletes from 38 clubs will compete in 14 disciplines across five age groups with organisers adding a central hub with a mini surf lifesaving expo and drones getting aerial footage so spectators can follow the on-

LOCKWOOD Winner of Trusted Brand 2013 Campaign

The only limit is your imagination

quality paint colour advice

p. 07 572 1865 e. info@oceansidehomes.co.nz www.oceansidehomes.co.nz

quality paint colour advice quality paint colour advice

Showhome and Office located: 26 Tatahi Cove (off Domain Road) Papamoa

OPENING HOURS:

Mon-Fri 11am - 4pm Sat - Sun 1pm - 4pm

8

The Weekend Sun

Another voice for the Western Ward A new Western Ward Residents and Ratepayers Association has formed and is scouting for members, with flyers landing in Western Bay of Plenty letterboxes this month.

Bowentown resident Selwyn Hill is chairman of the association, which covers the Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Western Ward stretching from Waihi Beach to Works Rd south of Katikati and encompassing Matakana Island.

“It’s about rates and how the council is mismanaging things; there’s a group of us and we decided to form the ratepayers’ association to try and do something about items of concern.”

Selwyn’s inviting residents and ratepayers to join via a $20 per household membership

fee, with the association aiming to reduce annual WBOPDC rates increases and recommend alternatives in the Western BOP to possible amalgamation with other councils.

“The rates increases are definitely too high and the rates themselves seem to be out of all proportion. Also it’s about what rates are being spent on.

“Amalgamation is looming with all councils at present; we are researching other options besides the Western BOP.” Other objectives are to provide clear communication and transparency on council matters via regular newsletters as “information is everything”.

“Our aim is to also assist ratepayers and residents on their behalf anonymously in any particular problems they may be experiencing.”

Selwyn says while small council interest groups exist, the association covers

the entire Western ward. The next step is public meetings this Sunday, January 25 at Waihi Beach Community Centre at 10.30am and the Katikati Memorial Hall at 4pm.

“We only started late last year and we’re just getting organised and getting known in the area.”

In the association’s constitution it needs 15 executive member.

So far has about eight.

“So we’ll also be wanting other people on the executive as well.

We’re aiming to get 1500 household members; with that many we’re big enough to be listened to.”

Selwyn says the feedback so far has been very positive.

“I’ve got a database of about 250 households and as we get more members we will only communicate with those financial members.”

People interested in learning more can email selwyn@ontheharbour.co.nz

By Merle Foster

Call: 574 2664 Call:(07) (07) 574 2664 or 021 266 0279 or 021 266 0279

e: sarah@coachmomentum.co.nz

e: sarah@coachmomentum.co.nz

Bowentown resident Selwyn Hill is chairman of the new Western Ward Residents and Ratepayers Association.

9

The Weekend Sun

Thundercats to roar in the Bay

More than 10 Thundercats will offer thrills and spills on Bay of Plenty waves this weekend in rounds three and four of the national championships.

High-speed inflatable boats will roar across Bay waters this weekend as Thundercats return to the city, offering water-filled action as competitors jockey for positions in the sport’s national series.

Tomorrow, the boats race two laps around Matakana Island from 10.15am in what Thundercats’ vice president Brad Stark says is the series’ first endurance race of the season.

“Saturday’s King of the Island event is what we call a long-haul race where we race two laps from Sulphur Point to Matakana Island.

“Our starting point is on the sand, then we head out through Tauranga Harbour, turn left and head up the coast towards Bowentown at the northern end of Tauranga Harbour, over the bar there and finish back at Sulphur Point, after completing two laps,” says Brad.

“It’s just over 100km in distance travelled and depending on conditions it takes about 1.5 hours to complete.”

On Sunday the action heats up with beach folk able to watch the Thundercats clash against the waves out from Tay St at Mount Maunganui.

Competitors complete five heat races, giving opportunity to collect championship points, then race a final for the day.

“Where you start the final depends on how points you’ve collected. Then total points of the day gives winners for first, second and third; and gives each competitor points towards the championship.”

Sunday’s races start 11am, with Brad saying it’s the best opportunity for onlookers.

“The sprints races are over in six-seven minutes and are very high-energy, high-action.”

“It’s all in the surf-break area – so we’re hoping for easterly winds to make a lot of two-three foot waves come through regularly

for us.” Afterwards Brad says they’ll offer rides to the public. “We just ask for a $10 donation for adults and $5 for children.”

With 10 boats committed so far, Brad expects another three-four to join the pack.

But unfortunately no one from Tauranga will compete including his own co-pilot Aaron Lang, who recently broke his ribs.

“It’s a bit of a shame because this was going to be his home event but he’ll be there on the day helping out,” says Brad, who is based in South Auckland and races for Franklin Long Roofing team.

With Saturday and Sunday rounds three and four of the seven-round championship, Brad says upsets could happen.

“This weekend should help someone snatch the lead away or tighten up the field more.”

“It’s going to be interesting to see how people go.”

For more information, see www.thundercatracing.co.nz By Merle Foster

Zac needs a loving family

Architecture Landscaping

Engineering Kitchen Furniture Fashion

Interior Product

With flexible distance learning

ENROL

NOW

0800 DRAWING 0800 372 9464

WWW.CADTRAINING.CO.NZ AutoCad

SketchUp Pro

Inventor

Archicad

Ref no. 20960

New year, new home House & land packages

LAKES SHOWHOME:

NEW Tauranga Campus

Get a practical start to your design career in:

24 Mortlake Heights, The Lakes | Open Tues – Sun 1pm – 4pm

COAST SHOWHOME:

9 Maria Tini Drive, Coast Papamoa Beach | Open Tues – Sun 1pm – 4pm

OFFICE SHOWROOM:

Cnr 16th Avenue & Fraser Street, Tauranga | Open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm

0800 102 105 www.signature.co.nz

NEW HOUSE & LAND PACKAGES » Lot 132, The Lakes, “Wai” Plan ........ $503,039 3 bdrm + study, 2 bathrooms, dble gge » Lot 84, The Lakes, “Austral” Plan ..... $514,044 3 bdrm, 2 bathrooms, 2 living, dble gge » Lot 83, The Lakes, “Endeavour” Plan $519,287 3 bdrm + study, 2 bathrooms, dble gge » Lot 82, The Lakes, “Endeavour” Plan $521,154 3 bdrm + study, 2 bathrooms, dble gge » Lot 92, Coast Papamoa ................... $ 598,890 3 bdrm, 2 bathroom, dble gge » Lot 93, Coast Papamoa ................... $ 587,000 3 bdrm, 2 bathroom, dble gge » Lot 144, Coast Papamoa ................. $ 624,863 3 bdrm, 2 bathroom, 2 living, dble gge

VOG0280

I came to the SPCA with my five brothers and sisters after we were found crowded into a small box in a park.

We were very thin, starving, covered in fleas and full of worms when found so we’ve been at fantastic SPCA foster homes while we’ve gained weight and become healthy enough to return here

for adoption into new loving forever homes.

We’re lovely, friendly little pups who adore people despite what we’ve been through in our young lives already.

We’ll need some training and a reasonable amount of exercise to keep us healthy and happy, so we can grow into awesome family pets.

Please come in and meet us and see if one of us might be the perfect new best friend and lifelong companion for your family.

Or call 07 578 0245 for more information.

*Price available for a limited time only and subject to building location, ask your consultant. Conditions of offer(s) are subject to change without notice.

My name is Zac and I’m a gorgeous threemonth-old male shepherdridgeback cross.

Design Develop Dream

10

The Weekend Sun

Tim O’Brien shows Mount Maunganui RSA’s Peter Moss a photo of his late father John. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

A war to remember or forget?

One night after the First World War ended, John O’Brien was sitting safely in his arm chair with the radio up loud when a fire cracker burst through the kitchen doors – banging and fizzing on the carpet.

That night is a vivid memory for John’s son and Te Puke resident Tim O’Brien.

“He hated Guy Fawkes night. It reminded him of gunfire and Gallipoli.”

At age 28, John enlisted in the Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment – one of four mounted rifles troops raised to serve overseas in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during WWI. Just on daybreak on October 16, 1914, John sailed out of his hometown in Wel-

lington. He was wounded on August 8, 1915, and repatriated to England to recover before going to work for the War Office. One hundred years on, Tim and two mates raised a bottle of port on the beach last October to toast his father – a Meritorious Service Medal recipient.

After the war, John returned to Wellington where his son Tim was born in 1945.

Believe it or not, John was 60 years old when Tim was born.

“When I was 10 he was 70. I’m 70 now and I’d hate to have a 10-year-old child, especially as naughty as I was,” laughs Tim. At age 15, Tim remembers not paying attention to his father’s war stories. He wishes he had.

“But when you’re 15 you don’t want to sit down and listen to ramblings of a 75-yearold man,” he chuckles.

Tim may not have showed much interest

in his father’s accounts of WW1. But he sure remembers them now – and the effect the Great War had on his father.

“One thing dad always said to me was there was no God. These were his exact words: ‘If there had been a God, he would not have let happen what happened on Gallipoli”.

In 1967, in his last moments at Calvary Hospital in Newtown, Wellington – John stuck out his tongue at a crucifix on the wall beside him. “To me that was a sign of bravery,” says Tim. John’s portrait is being painted by Amy Shepherd to raise funds for a hitching rail on a station in the Southern Alps, part of a memorial at Birchwood Station, Rangiora, to the horses that perished during WWI. His face will also feature on the next Anzac Day commemoration stamp booklet.

By Zoe Hunter

11

The Weekend Sun

Casting green spells on Tauranga When you see a bearded man with a gnarlyended wooden stick, wearing a clover green robe and lingering at The Historic Village, you feel people’s curiosity stirring within.

Earth. He’s on an environmental mission – in a happygo-lucky, casual kind for way – to educate people on the importance of caring for the environment.

“The concept is evolving and it may become full-time task,” says the born-and-bred Greerton man.

“It sort of evolved from the year 2000, when I came to So what is Noel Peterson doing attending public the conclusion I was the emanation of a green man.” events dressed as a cross between Robin Hood, the Then about 12 months ago he had a vision “which crooked man who walked crooked mile and Gandalf? evolved into the journey of being a wizard”.

Noel – who pronounces his name Noelle – says he’s “It’s to do with caring for Mother Earth and showing not in it to make peoples’ wishes come true, but hopes other people in the world the values of nature.” to casts spells to persuade people to care for Mother Now Noel sees himself as a wizard – he even has a Green Wizard Facebook page.

“What I’m aiming for is education for young and old people alike,” says Noel, who works for Envirohub Bay of Plenty, based at The Historic Village.

“I’ve served three years as an Envirohub trustee, and two years as an employee.”

Asked if his magical mission is serious, he says: “I don’t know about serious, I’m a good wizard, a happy person rather than a serious Noel Peterson person, though I take being a wizard is the city’s new seriously”. green wizard.

Noel does gain some inspiration from Photo by Bruce Barnard. the Hobbit movie trilogy’s Gandalf and Radagast butthinks of himself as different to the Christchurch wizards.

“Being a wizard is an identity, my identity probably has more of an environmental accent. Though they have recently been spotted in Christchurch green spaces studying Mother Nature.”

“I wish to be a messenger about caring for our environment – and ambassador for The Historic Village, and in effect for

By Merle Foster Tauranga City.”

Managing growth and meeting infrastructure needs This week I’ve asked Otumoetai/Pyes Pa Ward councillor Bev Edlin to provide her thoughts on the year ahead.

Thanks Matt, 2015 is already presenting some interesting challenges for TCC councillors.

As we look to the Long Term Plan we should reflect on the work achieved in the first year of this new council: a time when a number of key initiatives were advanced.

A few projects, like the University Campus and the Greerton Library, had been on the

table for some years. Other projects, such as the Marine Precinct, Route K and the newly functioning night shelter are of interest to differing sectors.

Whereas lowering the debt ratio, a promise many of the incoming councillors campaigned on, has also been achieved with the debt ratio dropping from around 244 per cent early in our term to 215 per cent in December 2014.

Once Route K changes hand over, the ratio will drop even further.

Read this column in full at www.sunlive.co.nz

quality school uniforms ELIZABETH STREET

you can afford!

SPEND $150

with us and we will give you

$20 OFF

SPEND $150

with us and we will give you

$20 OFF

111 GREY STREET - TAURANGA

< < < 111 GREY STREET, TAURANGA

www.activeschoolwear.co.nz

FIND US BEHIND MACPAC

TEL: 579 4923

25 TO

50

12

%

The Weekend Sun

Grant benefits Topaz

OFF

ALL READYMADE

CURTAINS HURRY ENDS MONDAY! 40

%

*DISCOUNT IS OFF THE ORIGINAL PRICE. EXCLUDES YELLOW STICKER “CLEARANCE” PRODUCT. OFFER AVAILABLE FROM FRIDAY 23RD TO MONDAY 26TH JANUARY 2015.

OFF

RANSOM BLOCKOUT READYMADE

THERMAL ROLLER BLINDS

NOW ALSO AVAILABLE

FROM $104.97 EACH

30

ONLINE

%

7 COLURS. 5 SIZES

OFF

NICOLE QULTED

BEDSPREADS FROM $69.97 EACH

NOW ALSO AVAILABLE

ONLINE

FREE

4 COLURS. 3 SIZES. MATCHING PILLOW SHAMS AVAILABLE

LINING

WHEN WE MAKE YOUR CURTAINS APPLIES TO ALL FABRICS $29.95 PER METRE AND ABOVE EXCLUDES AVILA FABRICS AND ROMAN BLIND MAKING

FREE IN-HOME CURTAIN & BLIND CONSULTATIONS AVAILABLE NOW CALL TODAY: OR BOOK ONLINE:

0800 00 88 80

harveyfurnishings.co.nz

WE COVER:

0800 00 88 80

Tauranga, Waihi, Te Puke, Whakatane and Rotorua

SHOP ONLINE AT:

harveyfurnishings.co.nz _________________________

OR VISIT OUR STORE AT: 387 CAMERON ROAD PHONE 07 578 6428 ALSO AT: NORTH SHORE • MT EDEN REMUERA • BOTANY • NEW LYNN HENDERSON • MANUKAU • HAMILTON WHANGAREI • PALMERSTON NORTH

ALL OFFERS AVAILABLE WHILE STOCKS LAST UNTIL 26TH FEBRUARY 2015 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. STOCK MAY VARY BETWEEN STORES. 17/01

Mike Savage with Tauranga’s Riding for the Disabled horse Topaz.

“Topaz is popular with volunteers Topaz is one of 15 special and clients alike.” workers at the Riding for the Legacy Trust became involved with Disabled facility in Riding For the Disabled some years Welcome Bay. ago with a grant for the purchase of a hoist to assist riders with mobility difThe 13-year-old chestnut mare is ficulties to mount the horses. sponsored by Legacy Trust and is a When the new arena opened in 2012, favourite with her clients and other Legacy Trust extended its support to volunteers for her easy temperament the sponsorship of a horse. and reliable nature, according to “It’s humbling to see the fantastic Tauranga’s Riding For the Disabled work that RDA does in our commanager Elisha Olds. munity to help people of all ages “Before any riding work starts with challenged physically and mentally our clients, we work with referring with disabilities,” says Mike Savage, medical and educational professionals to understand the goals the riders want from Legacy Trust.

“It’s enormously rewarding to see to achieve,” says Elisha. clients and volunteers beaming from “We then seek to match the most ear to ear because they love what they appropriate horse with the client, are experiencing. taking into account the personalities “That joy is a lasting gift that we all and temperament of both parties as share and one we feel honoured to be well as the physical and psychological a part of.” needs of the client.”

The sponsorship grant from Legacy Elisha says many of their working Trust helps Riding For the Disabled horses have an instinct about the abilto pay for feed costs and veterinary ity and responses of the rider and will expenses for Topaz. respond accordingly.

Work on Domain Rd roundabout next week The Domain Rd roundabout will open to traffic in its final form next month, marking another milestone for the Tauranga Eastern Link project.

From February 2, the temporary traffic configuration on the roundabout will change permanently, opening two lanes up to Tauranga-bound traffic travelling from Domain Rd and Tara Rd in Papamoa.

The NZ Transport Agency says work

to prepare for the change starts Wednesday, January 28, with motorists advised to drive with care and expect changes.

From January 28 to February 1 the current roundabout configuration will remain, but adjacent work will be occurring in preparation for the changes.

From 6pm February 1, major works will be done at the roundabout. By 6am February 2 the new roundabout will be opened to traffic.

The Weekend Sun

13

OPEN DAYS THIS WEEKEND!

COME AND SEE OUR 3 NEW SHOWHOMES

Live Free T

his is your invitation to live with Freedom. Come and join us at Freedom Villages Papamoa this Anniversary Weekend – meet our residents, and have a coffee and sausage on us. See for yourself the latest in over-50s living – and make a new lifestyle decision in 2015. Walk through our designer houses, which are available from as little as $229,000 for a one-bedroom plus den, to $339,000 for a 2-3 bedroom house with internal-access garage.

All houses are sold complete with carpets, fixed appliances, multiple kitchen options, unlimited choices of interior paint colours and quality soft furnishings. Each house has a 10 year Master Build warranty. Freedom Villages is a registered retirement village and is operated within the requirements of the Retirement Villages Act 2003.

61 Golden Sands Drive, Papamoa Phone 0800 OVER 5O (0800 683 750) www.freedomvillages.co.nz

OPEN THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, 10AM TO 3PM FREE COFFEE AND SAUSAGE SIZZLE! STAGE 2 NOW OPEN!

• Live in a luxury house, customised by you to your taste.

• Enjoy resort-style facilities.

• Feel secure: lock up and leave in the knowledge your house is protected.

• Secure motorhome parks, blokes’ sheds and communal gardens.

• Enjoy the advantages of being the beneficial owner of your own house.

Over 50 & Living Free

14

The Weekend Sun

Te Puna’s mushroom man The way delicate oyster mushrooms are cultivated at Te Puna’s Flavour Queen Mushrooms might be a world first.

Mushroom grower Geoff Oliver has been experimenting with growing the tasty fungi and thinks he’s onto a winning system, the exact details of which he’s understandably not about to make public.

“As far as I know, what we are doing here is a world first,” says Geoff.

“Traditionally, oyster mushroom have been grown in bags of straw suspended from a ceiling but we think we’ve found a better way,” says Geoff, whose

family has been growing mushrooms commercially at Te Puna for 65 years.

So successful has Geoff ’s trial been, he’s confident of soon producing commercial quantities of the oyster mushroom to sell alongside his already well-known portobello mushrooms at the Tauranga Farmer’s Market and from the Te Puna mushroom farm.

That Geoff should have the knack to find innovative ways of growing mushrooms is really no surprise. Innovation is definitely in his genes and he grew up helping his mother Pat and his late father Trevor grow and harvest the fungi.

Recently he also visited mushroom farms overseas seeking new ideas, only to find farmers in Europe are “reverting” to the way the Oliver family has always grown mushrooms.

“The mushroom industry in Europe has gone through the kind of trends we’re seeing in New Zealand, starting from small family businesses, growing to very big operations, and now returning to small family businesses again.”

Pat, who at 82 still helps with harvesting and selling mushrooms, says quality control is much easier in a smaller operation.

Mushrooms can be tricky to grow and need careful handling at harvest to ensure the best quality product for customers, she says.

One international trend Geoff says is catching on in New Zealand is to use food as medicine in keeping with the saying of Hippocrates, the Greek physician referred to as the father of western medicine: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”.

Pat Oliver and her son Geoff take pride in the “Asian cultures, Chinese in parquality of their Flavour Queen Mushrooms. ticular, have always used food as a lucidum), which is commonly called the medicine and the rest of the world ling-zhi in China. is now beginning to think this way with Geoff says there’s no doubt that mushpeople looking for foods with medicinal rooms are a nutritious food; they are low in benefits,” says Geoff. calories, fat-free, cholesterol-free, glutenIt’s for that reason the next species of free, and very low in sodium, and provide mushrooms he grows commercially will important nutrients, including selenium, be the reishi mushroom (Ganoderma potassium, riboflavin, niacin,

Geoff Oliver believes the way he’s growing oyster mushrooms is a world first. vitamin D and more.

Pat says she and Trevor became mushroom farmers almost by accident. “Trevor was an electrical engineer and when we first lived here in Clark Rd, Te Puna, we were surrounded by farmland and in autumn could go out and pick wild mushrooms.”

As land use changed to orchards, the supply of mushrooms dwindled.

“Trevor saw an advertisement in a magazine about an American company, which was selling mushroom spore so he had some shipped out.”

By Elaine Fisher

15

The Weekend Sun Burton the chicken coop Nazi.

He’s big, black and his name is Burton.

That’s Burton as in the English vernacular – to go for a Burton [bur-tn] – verb – to be broken irreparably, to die.

Because that will inevitably be this chook’s lot and I will gladly play a part.

Burton is five kilograms of Black Orpington – but I suspect he’s inherited the worst genes of a couple of lesser breeds.

He’s a beautiful boy – tall, black, proud and arrogant as you like. He has a withering stare, like an unspoken declaration of war – one that has you reminding yourself that Burton is just a rooster, a crazed one, but a chook none-the-less.

And a human should not be intimidated by a chook. Unless it’s Burton.

Burton also packs a beak that will draw blood or at best bruise. His spurs should be licensed as offensive weapons.

Burton is a chicken coop Nazi – if I can steal that expression.

He stomps around in clawed jack boots taking every corner of the farmyard by force out on State

Man versus bird Highway 2 just beyond Te Puna.

But just like Hitler, who made a strategic error in trying to invade the Soviet Union, Burton has blundered by trying to invade my night – or a good part of it.

This morning at 4.33am, when the night was at its calmest and quietist and sleep was at its lush and deepest, Burton burst into full throat.

Well, he coughed and sputtered into full throat – but the effect was the same – the night and my sleep was shattered.

Burton gives me verse and refrain for five minutes then stops. Oh the sweet silence! Then just as I was on the brink of reclaiming the night, or some of it, he struck up again.

Burton knows torture, Burton knows torment; Burton the butcher of the night.

His perverse chook concerto continued until first light – and then just when work beckons, just when the crowing’s drowned by the racket of snap crackle and pop from my breakfast bowl, Burton stops. He stops crowing when it no longer matters. And therein lies his cruelty. And I know he knows.

He knows he has reduced me to a

simpering, red-eyed, sleep-deprived train smash. And I bet he is smug with his evil work.

He has probably crawled under a nice shady tree with his hens to catch a few z’s while I wrestle with the real world, unable to cope simply because Burton’s body clock starts unwinding at 4.33am.

It was 4.30am the previous day and the other 21 days since I arrived on Burton’s patch. But I have had enough. Enough!

I know the animal psychologists say don’t let the rooster win – there’s no glory in defeating a big fat Orpington. De-sensitise or relocate him.

Well I am about to de-sensitise and relocate Burton – please pass me an axe while I still have the strength and will to lift it and I will relocate him to the afterlife.

But it’s actually too late – Burton has won. I won’t give him the satisfaction of becoming a martyr and dying from one clean blow. I am going whence I came Burton – back into the ‘burbs’ – I can cope with the sound of boy racers.

Crow as loud and as long as you will Burton, you big beautiful insensitive sod.

By Hunter Wells

ACG School Tauranga

NOW OPEN!

ACG Tauranga is an exciting new venture committed to high quality, private education in the Bay of Plenty.

Our secular, uniformed, co-educational school welcomes students to its Preschool and Years 1 to 9 this year.

Further secondary levels will be introduced gradually from 2016.

The curriculum will include the highly regarded Cambridge International Examinations (IGCSE and A-Levels) at senior level.

The spacious 14.8 hectare campus is situated on a superb site at 438 Pyes Pa Road, Tauranga.

To arrange a personalised guided tour, please call

07-213 0100

or email acgtauranga@acgedu.com

www.acgedu.com

16

The Weekend Sun

THE N I L E V TR A

Staunch wharfie – the late Gordon Ranui, with niece Erenie Te Ka kau back in December.

Wharfie loses last battle He was a true champion for fairness, dignity and respect on the Tauranga waterfront and now he’s gone.

was only about two foot tall.”

Gordon was a 57-year career wharfie. It literally became a job for life – retiring just a few years before he died.

Gordon Ranui, also known as ‘Snow’ or ‘Goro’, succumbed to cancer recently, while approaching his 80th birthday.

And the water siders, the seafarers and stevedores, the men he worked and fought alongside, turned out in droves to farewell their brother.

Career

Respect

INSPIRATIONAL TRAVEL CLUB Presents a Film Evening

INSPIRING AMAZING JOURNEYS Thursday 29 January 2015 From 6pm to 8pm House of Travel Papamoa in store Domain Road, Papamoa Drinks served from 6pm • Bring a plate to share Films start from 6.30pm Registration absolutely necessary.

Contact: Jemma by phone: 07 542 9308 or email: jemmaw@hot.co.nz

www.keystonejourneys.com House of Travel Papamoa 07 542 9300 | papamoa@hot.co.nz

Waterside workers delegate Selwyn Russell laughed as he remembered Gordon, a man who commanded respect.

“If he thought you were wrong, he let you have it...he forgot he

But he started his working career with the Post Office and became a ‘wharfie’ only when he discovered you could earn a fortnightly wage in half the time.

When I spoke to Gordon shortly before he died he told me he “earned big and spent big”.

Gordon was also a ‘scrapper’ on the side of workers’ rights.

“He was a staunch, a real staunch unionist,” says Selwyn.

“He believed in fairness and a reasonable share of the profits getting back to the workers.”

The union attitude was reflected

in my chat with Gordon.

He was recalling ‘good ships’ that visited the Port of Tauranga – including the USS Company’s Korowai, the first ship to berth at the new Mount Maunganui wharf in 1954.

Good ship

Gordon was there that day.

“The Korowai was a good ship.”

Then he smirked. “But if they weren’t good, we didn’t work them.”

“He was just an amazing dude.

Everyone loved him,” says Selwyn.

You don’t expect such effusion from a hard core wharfie.

The Waterside Workers Union will have lost a bit of edge with the passing of Gordon…and a wonderful old-style character.

By Hunter Wells

Let’s be rock solid, not a rock star In recent weeks there have been some excellent headlines in our local papers, which show our community is heading in a great direction.

The summery weather you’ve enjoyed at the beach is expected to help bump up gold kiwifruit volumes by 70 per cent, supporting local employment.

House sales in the Bay of Plenty rose 26.7 per cent during the Christmas period and there was strong growth in the sales and retail sector.

One of my local favourites was the massive support for the new bimonthly Little Big Market in Papamoa and the large number of families that its 60 stalls attracted last weekend.

As a region and as a country we’ve made a great start this year. The economy is in its fifth year of expansion and economic growth is expected to average about three per cent during the next four years, better than the Euro zone, United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada.

Nationally, employment is growing, with 72,000 more people employed than a year ago, and an additional 153,000 people are expected to be in work by mid-2019.

The average fulltime wage is expected to rise by $8000 to around $64,000 by mid-2019.

Unemployment, currently down to 5.4 per cent, is expected

to fall to 4.5 per cent by 2018. Our positive performance and outlook in an unpredictable world led one international bank economist to call New Zealand “the rock star economy”.

However, our goal isn’t to be a rock star. It’s to be rock solid.

We want stable, sustainable growth during the long term to support New Zealanders and their families.

We’ll continue to do this by spending taxpayers’ money wisely and responsibly managing the country’s finances – just like you’d expect us to.

We’ll continue to build a more competitive and productive economy because that’s the best way to create more jobs and increase your wages.

We’ll continue to work at delivering better public services.

These include lifting educational achievement and upskilling our workforce, providing better and more convenient healthcare, getting more people off welfare and into work, supporting the vulnerable, and making our communities safer.

This is a remarkable country and there are many opportunities for us all.

After a refreshing break with family and friends, I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and continuing to build the brighter future our community and all New Zealanders deserve.

17

The Weekend Sun

Buzzing through the world of honey bees Families can discover the “amazing world” of honey bees at Experience Comvita, with daily tours to captivate and enthral both young and old.

Drew Copestake from Experience Comvita says visitors will enter Tane’s Forest and explore the healing power of nature through New Zealand’s native plants, including “nature’s first aid kit” – manuka.

“You will then see the world through the eyes of a honey bee and learn how they share the gifts of nature with us. In the virtual beehive, immerse yourself in

Format change for Matata beach fish Organisers of the Rotorua Fishing and Casting Club’s surf fishing bonanza at Matata this weekend have changed the competition’s rules to open up the prizes to the less skilled fishers.

Past president Dave Brown says it is now an average weight competition and the change is due to the event increasingly being taken out by ‘semiprofessional’ anglers, leaving the rest prizeless.

There is still the snapper, kahawai, etc categories, but now the winning fish is decided on an average weight of the fish caught on the day.

It means they can dispense with the beach wardens, says Dave.

Also fishing time is extended by an hour with a start time at 7am to allow fishing during the change of light – and the competition headquarters has moved from the clubrooms at the eastern end of the Matata straight to Matata Tennis

extraordinary harmony their world.

“The tour concludes in the Wellness Room – a place to reconnect, and reflect on how we can learn from the bees and live healthier lives.”

Drew says people can complement their visit to Experience Comvita in the retail store, which offers a full range of Comvita health, wellness and beauty products to purchase, taste and sample.

They can also pamper themselves in the health and beauty room.

“Our qualified therapists offer a wide range of naturopathy and beauty treatments using our range of Comvita products and complementary medicinal herbs,” says Drew.

Dave Brown.

Club. That’s for traffic safety reasons, says Dave. The northern boundary of the fishing ground has also been moved a little. Beach access at the Otamarakau Stream will be closed.

There’s a section for children aged under 12. Entry fees are $25 per rod or handline or $40 for two rods or handlines. Fishing starts 7am this Sunday, concluding at 2pm, with final weigh-in at 3pm sharp at Matata Tennis Club, Arawa St, Matata.

Last year’s nearly 700 rod-holders competed for the prizes. “We’re looking forward to match or beat this number again this time around,” says Dave.

There will be a barbecue and a lolly scramble for children during weigh-in time. “This is a great family day with everybody catered for.”

For tickets or information, see www. sportsground.co.nz/rotoruafcc

By Andrew Campbell

“All of Comvita’s products are completely natural and meet the highest standards.” Visitors can also treat themselves to something delicious in Comvita’s café – Café Restore.

“We offer a taste of the best free-range and organic produce from the Bay of Plenty, including fair trade coffees and local beers and wines,” says Drew.

See the promotional discount advertisement for the tour in this paper. To book a tour, contact Experience Comvita today.

Enter the world of the honey bee

FREE

Child entry

SPECIAL DEAL

For every paying adult on the tour one child is FREE! Plus receive 1 bottle of Olive Leaf Extract FREE per adult following the tour (100ml) Bookings are essential. Ph: 0800 493 782

“Join our guided tour and discover the world of the honey bee and the wonder of nature’s intelligence” Experience Comvita 23 Wilson Road South, Paengaroa, Te Puke 3189

18

The Weekend Sun

Action-packed jetsprints for the whole family

This weekend’s jetsprints at ASB Baypark will offer thrills and spills on and off water-filled tracks for the whole family as the venue transforms into a youngster’s entertainment haven.

While many children flock to see V8 jetboats navigate tiny water channels round the only stadium jetsprints worldwide, this year has more to satisfy young event-goers.

Event director Pip Minnell says round two of PSP New Zealand Jetsprint Championship is on tomorrow.

Gates open 12 noon with an actionfilled race programme from 3pm all the way to the 9.45pm finale.

Meanwhile, Sunday is the inaugural ENZED Stadium Jetsprint Cup, with Kiwi teams racing against overseas guest teams plus on-track entertainment, to the 9.45pm event finish.

But it’s not all about boats, entertainment includes on-track jetski spectacles, free Anchor Family FunZone with giant water slides, bouncy castle and balloons to thrill youngsters.

“We want to get across this event is not just for males or petrolheads – it’s for the whole family,” says Pip.

Established since 1978, taking you where the others don’t go!

Fully escorted with senior citizens mind Established sincetours 1978,designed taking you where the othersin don’t go!

Fully escorted tours designed with senior citizens in mind

This weekend’s jetsprints at ASB Baypark offers children the chance to be mesmerised by the V8 boats and enjoy loads of entertainment an activities for the whole family.

“Last year we had families who thought they’d bring their children to jetpsrints for two hours to see the boats – they were still here at 8pm.”

And the pits will be open to the public and supervised children to get up close to the V8 boats and teams.

“Children were mesmerised by the boats last year,” says Pip. “Plus, there’s a digger trackside – so they can see a real-life ‘Bob the Builder’ show.”

“The only thing we ask is parents keep their children under close supervision at all times.

“There’s a lost children meeting point at the Information Kiosk.”

Pip says jetsprints aim to be affordable for families, and booking tickets online at www.eventfinda.co.nz, from ASB Arena reception or Creative Tauranga before midnight tonight will save money on tickets.

To learn more, see www.jetsprintbop.com

Fun for all at the harness races The Bay of Plenty Harness Racing Club is holding the 21st annual family picnic meeting on the grass at Tauranga Racecourse this Sunday, January 25.

2014-15 2014-15 Tours Tours

info@scottsdaletours.co.nz | www.scottsdaletours.co.nz info@scottsdaletours.co.nz | www.scottsdaletours.co.nz

There is a full 10-race card of capacity fields starting at midday.

The feature race, the Gartshore Group Tauranga Grass Cup, for a stake of $14,000, starts at 5pm.

The ever-popular Kidz Kartz miniature ponies driven by six to 15-year-olds will also be racing, with all the competitiveness of the The Bay of Plenty Harness Racing Club’s 21st annual professionals. family picnic is at Tauranga Racecourse on Sunday.

Grass track harness racing has become so popular that An Interislander $600 prize pack is trainers from all over the North Island up for grabs, consisting of a return have set their horses for these events. family pass for two adults and up to The fields reflect this with more than three children, including a vehicle.

130 horses starting. Study up the grass People are welcome to bring a picnic, track form because the dividends are but there will also be a wide variety of often huge at this meeting. food available. People should also bring This year has attracted horses from sunscreen and hats. some of the strongest stables across the “Make sure you get there early – this North Island. event has grown so much there will be All of the children’s entertainment is people covering the grass with their free, including a huge range of Kids picnic gear in front of the stand,” says Go Racing events, a scavenger hunt, a club president Garry Hardaker. lolly scramble – and the Super Slides.

It is a family event, so a BYO policy is The Kids Go Racing caravan will also in place for half a dozen stubbie beers be there with prizes to be won. or one bottle of wine per person.

Live music, hot racing action, on-track games and much more!

TAURANGA HARNESS RACES Sun 25 Jan

Adults $10, under 18s FREE. Gates open at 9.30am, first race 12.18pm Proudly Supported locally by: Gartshore Group, Downtown Cars Tauranga, Seeka Kiwi Fruit Industries, Wilson Plumbing and Gas, Racing Tauranga, Honeyfield Family, Woodlands Stud, Ultimate Motor Group, Staples Rodway Chartered Accountant, Tauranga Citizens Club, R & R Tractors, Family of Alison Wallis, Waihi Beach RSA, Renners Bar Tauranga.

FREE KIDS ENTERTAINMENT Visit theraces.co.nz .co.nz

19

The Weekend Sun

4 x Alcohol Free Zones Blocks V, WW, Z & ZZ 4 x Alcohol Free Zones Blocks V, WW, Z & ZZ

Blocks A - ZZ

Blocks A - ZZ

KIDS ZONEKIDS

ZONE

Blocks AA – FF Gold Zone

PIT AREA

Blocks AA – FF Gold Zone

PIT AREA VIP ENTRY Stadium Lounge (Food Hall) Corporate Boxes (Level 1) Corporate Lounge (Level 1) Premium Lounge (Level 2)

Stadium Lounge (Food Hall) Corporate Boxes (Level 1) Corporate Lounge (Level 1) Premium Lounge (Level 2)

VIP PARKING

VIP ENTRY

VIP PARKING

TH IS

W EE KE ND !!

20

The Weekend Sun

Getting mums back into business When mothers give birth, it’s only natural they choose to spend the first few months of their baby’s life with their brand new son or daughter.

For these mothers it can be tricky heading back to work – but Pacific Coast Technical Institute is offering a second chance for mums of any age re-entering the workforce.

The Mount Maunganui tertiary educator has designed a technology course for them. It’s called Biztech and it’s fee-free.

PCTI director Mark Hellyer says the small to medium business and enterprise environment is dynamic and technology reliant.

“Prospective mums who

don’t necessarily have any high school qualifications can successfully complete our zero fees Biztech – and will automatically achieve their NCEA Level 2 high school qualification.”

The two-pronged approach provides students with a high school equivalent qualification, which Mark says is becoming increasingly important to employers and technology skills to get a foot in the door in Bay of Plenty business administration roles.

“More importantly, the large proportion of career-advancing tertiary education opportunities available in the Bay require a Level 2 qualification as entry criteria.”

Mark says programme hours are flexible, so mothers can work around their children and school hours.

“The 26-week technology-

focused programmes are focused on BOP industries and opportunities exist to expand into other industry areas.

“At the end of PCTI experience tutors help students take the next step going as far as assisting with pathways to employers and other BOP educators.”

For more information, talk with PCTI staff over a barista-made coffee in their training café – The Jungle – or visit www.pcti.co.nz.

Spaces are limited.

A New Year - a new opportunity Every year after midnight strikes on December 31 the world is full of people making New Year resolutions to make changes to their lives – to change habits, be a better person, work harder etc.

One of the actions that should be on the short list to making that New Year resolution become reality is to take stock of your current financial situation.

Seldom does anyone take a good hard look at their situation and set some financial goals.

Or at least find out if there is a better way to structure existing plans – whether it is your home loan, insurance or investment – these should be reviewed properly each year.

Every hour the environment is changing; interest rate specials are on the market, better and more cost effec-

tive insurance options are becoming available, better access to advice on investments. Yet most people do nothing – they stand still. Believing that the way you structured your mortgage in 2013 is appropriate to your needs today is a sure way to either be paying more interest than you need to, or not making the most of today’s opportunities to reduce your home loan debt.

True or false? Under all circumstances first-home buyers need 20 per cent to get into a first home? False.

The trauma insurance I took out three years ago is the same as what’s on the market today? False.

I cannot afford to use a financial adviser for a review of my situation? False. Our New Year resolution for 2015 for you is a free, no-obligation review of your financial situation.

Ear Care Excellence Whether you’re just curious about having your ears and hearing checked or if you want to change the way you hear we can help you. With over 50 years in business Applied Hearing still offers the best hearing care with traditional values and personal attention with clinics from Kaitaia to Invercargill.

Our most popular services are;

• Hearing Tests including diagnostic testing, prescription and tting of the latest hearing instruments some of which are exclusive to us, but all brands are available.

• Full frequency Hearing Tests and monitoring for Musicians and Audiophiles up to 16 kHz and custom Musician Plugs and Noise lters for Industrial and Recreational Noise Protection.

• Wax removal with the latest techniques including microsuction.

• Custom Earpieces for Race Radios, iPhones, MP3 players etc.

• Eustachian tube dysfunction treatment using the Ear Popper, for those with blocked ears or with a propensity towards Glue Ear, including children over 3 years.

• Custom and Preformed Ear Plugs for Swimming, Sleeping [Snorers] and Flying.

CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE HEARING TEST IF YOU’RE 50 + AND GET:

• Full 60-day trial and a satisfaction guarantee • Quality Hearing Aids at affordable prices • Access to Government and Insurance Funding • Extra rebate if you buy two hearing aids • Free follow-up appointments for the rst year • Free batteries for 12 months at nalisation

Free phone 0508 20 30 20 for your FREE Initial ear examination at Hearing’s Mt Maunganui/Tauranga Clinic.

www.appliedhearing.co.nz www.appliedhearing.co.nz

21

The Weekend Sun

Learning the art of performance Boys and girls learn vocal training, singing, dance, drama, musical theatre performance and theatre terminology in the musical theatre class.

“The aim of the class is to have a balanced performance of the three skills; acting, singing and movement,” says Paula.

In theatre dance, which is a combination of ballet and jazz, students learn a form of movement for theatrical performance, preparing the body physically through exercise and stimulating

Having fun, gaining confidence and building essential life skills, while learning the art of performance, is the main focus at Steps Performing Arts.

A registered teacher of the International Dance Teachers’ Association, Paula Harrison says Steps encourages students to grow, increase their confidence and self-esteem, while developing new skills both in class and performing on stage.

Specialising in musical theatre, theatre dance and tap, Paula says Steps offers structured classes in a friendly atmosphere.

Enrolments are now open for Steps Performing Arts.

The difference is ‘dramatic’ with drama Helen O’Grady Drama Academy principal Camilla May believes every parent’s dream of confident, creative and articulate children can be a reality with its unique life skills programme starting this month.

“Children today, more than ever, need to be confident communicators,” says Camilla.

“They need to be able to express their ideas and feelings effectively so they can make friends, be included in decisions, play and work cooperatively – and get themselves out of difficult situations.”

Camilla says the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy’s unique life skills programme encompasses speech work, music and movement, scripted and improvised drama – and quick-thinking team games.

“Children love coming to the weekly classes, which are varied, challenging and fun. Trained teachers ensure each child realizes their own potential.”

Beginning January 30, classes are held across the Bay of Plenty for children aged five to 17.

Phone Camilla or visit the website for more information.

The best brands for bands and musicians Whether you’re a drummer, guitarist or pianist – Bay City Music Works has access to top brands for beginners to professional and advanced musicians.

Nicola Bettley of Bay City Music Works says the Devonport Rd music store is the sole agent for Yamaha, Maton, Ibanez, Peavey, Tama and Ashton.

They’re also proud stockists of Fender, Jackson, Casio and Vox. Prices are affordable too, with entry level guitars starting from $99 and drum kits complete with cymbals, stool and sticks from $499. They also offer keyboards and electric guitars from $199, with finance available.

Bay City Music Works has been owned and operated in Tauranga for more than 20 years, with knowledgeable and friendly staff on-hand to offer advice in store or over the phone.

artistic ability, improvisation and interpretation of music.

Children and adult tap classes are also available – with preschool classes new to the school in 2015. Saturday classes are also available.

Throughout the year, children partake in IDTA examinations and an annual show.

Last year’s production ‘The Little Mermaid’ received excellent reviews, says Paula.

Term one commences February 2.

For enrolment, contact Paula today.

By Zoe Hunter

22

The Weekend Sun

Dance Institute Urban Dance pupils practising in the new Studio 162.

A new home for movement

Whether it’s dancing for health, fitness, enjoyment, seeking education pathways in the arts or simply a love for performing and competing – Studio 162 is being dubbed Tauranga’s new home of “all things movement”.

Known for hip-hop and street dance, Urban Dance – in conjunction with Motion Concepts – is now offering a range of dance styles at a brand new studio on the corner of Elizabeth and Durham streets.

Hip-hop, street dance, jazz, contemporary, ballet and acrobatics – keen dancers can try it all at Urban Dance’s open day next Saturday.

“There’ll be demonstrations and mini workshops so people can come along and have a go at each of the different styles and see what they like,” says promotion manager Ronnie McAllum.

From 10am-12pm there’ll be sausage sizzles, prizes, giveaways and competitions, with entertainment provided by Mai FM. Studio 162 has two air-conditioned studio spaces, complete with sprung, floating floors – and is also available for hire.

Director Sarah Martin says Urban Dance has the Bay of Plenty’s leading classes to suit all passions and energy levels.

“Our mission is to offer equal opportunities to young New Zealanders to develop qualities of leadership, independence and community spirit through the creative arts movement.”

The open day is at the new studio on January 31 from 10am12pm. Access to the studio is from driveways off Elizabeth St and Durham St. Urban Dance Company auditions will be held after the open day from 12.30pm-3pm.

Growing through dance Seeing children grow and develop through dance is very rewarding for experienced dance teacher Shireen Breebaart.

She’s been teaching at her company – Dance Institute School of Ballet and Modern Dance – for 14 years.

“I absolutely love my job,” says Shireen. “I believe children need to feel good about themselves and therefore we strive to offer high quality teaching in a fun and encouraging environment.”

The annual production is a highlight for Shireen.

“I love show week because it’s so exciting seeing the children’s confidence grow with every performance.

“However, it’s bittersweet for me as every year I have to farewell senior students who have been with me since age four and are leaving to go to university.”

The dance school offers classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary and modern dance to children from age three upwards.

Exams are offered in all disciplines – although Shireen says they’re not compulsory.

“Students are encouraged to take part in the exams, as we feel it’s important to have a goal to work towards.”

Finding life’s rhythm through dance Learning life skills through superb dance training for all ages is what’s promised at Dance Education Centre.

Dance Education Centre’s Debbie Gooch says DEC, established in 1975, has given so many young people a start to their lives. “We celebrate the success of all who have come through the doors.”

Debbie says there are many students who come wanting to be in the dance industry – and never realised on that first day they would be involved with dance for the rest of their lives.

“How exciting to have that dream of a dance career when you’re young, then work hard through the years and realise you can make it.”

Debbie says each person is unique at DEC, with training catering to all levels of ability.

“The DEC assessment programmes are excellent in ballet, urban dance and contemporary, giving encouragement and developing confidence.

“DEC offers skills for life at a professional standard.”

The Weekend Sun

23

Stories written by Zoe Hunter

Rising to full potential in dance Enrolments are open now for Rise Dance Co’s Mount Maunganui studio.

Rise Dance Co is on a mission to provide a one-stop dance shop teaching a wide range of dance styles to all ages in many locations.

Dancers of all abilities are encouraged to enrol for classes at their new Mount Maunganui studio upstairs at 416 Maunganui Rd. “We have something for everyone,” says owner Carla Beazley.

“The new dance studio means people on the other side of the bridge can now take advantage of all the dance opportunities Rise has to offer.”

Formerly Rhythmz Dance Co, Rise Dance Co is offering more than 60 classes every week for dancers aged two to adults.

As well as acro dance, hip hop, contemporary, jazz, ballet and specialty technique classes, RDC also offer boys-only classes.

“We’ve found boys thrive in dance

Incorporating flexibility and strength into dance Bay of Plenty dancers can further their talent fied dance educators at Dani’s Papamoa and Mount Maunganui studios. with a brand new acrobatics programme Term 2 begins February 2. For a free trial lesson, or starting at Bay of Plenty Performing Arts. to enrol, contact Dani Miller today.

Dani Miller opened the academy in February with the vision of creating and boosting dance opportunities for local dancers.

She’s continuing that dream by offering beginner, intermediate and advanced acrobatic dance syllabuses every Tuesday at Arataki Community Centre.

“We’re the only place in New Zealand offering the Acrobatics Arts syllabus from Canada,” says Dani.

She believes dancers who are looking to further their career professionally need to be able to do more than just dance.

They need good flexibility and to be able to incorporate tricks into their choreography, says Dani.

“This syllabus is designed to scaffold them through that. The focus is on developing their strengths as well as flexibility, balancing and coordination skills.”

“Even if the child does it and doesn’t end up going down a dance path, they’re developing those coordination and balancing skills needed for everyday life.”

Starting from age four, three classes are offered in 12 levels from beginners, where they’re learning a basic bridge to more advanced aerials and complex tumbling combinations.

Classes also offer video analysis and home conditioning programmes for children to work from at home.

The academy also offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, contemporary, boys’ dance, a new adult class and cheerleading – all taught by fully quali-

when they’re with their peers.

Our boys had amazing success at competitions last year,” says Carla.

She says her team is passionate about keeping dance fun.

“The most effective way for a dancer to reach full potential is to be taught in an encouraging, confidence building environment.”

Rise Dance Co classes start on February 9.

To enrol, visit www.risedance.nz

By Zoe Hunter

24

The Weekend Sun

Adult education at its finest Community adult education is alive and well in the Bay of Plenty, according to notfor-profit support group Community Education BOP. In the midst of this, they’re having a renaissance with fresh new faces on a new committee and exciting plans for the New Year.

Exciting ideas include the group’s new strategic plan – a way forward for the group to maximise co-operation, collaboration and support for community educators and providers in the Bay. Long-time adult educator Zoe Wilkinson of Wilko Consulting put her hand up to assist in the new plan – and together with other keen members – she’s convened a brand new committee with exciting new roles.

“A spanking new vision and mission statement set the tenet for the future of the group,” says Zoe. “Four key focus areas of professional development, networking opportunities, collaborative marketing/ communication and online support are priority areas for the coming year.”

Zoe says the next meeting this week will decide key roles and responsibilities of the freshly-minted committee, with subcommittees created to support these key roles in their plans for the coming year.

Michele Barnett and Zoe Wilkinson.

“One of the first moves is for Community Education BOP to become a Charitable Trust to enable it to be recognised for grants to promote and support educators and adult learners in the Bay.” The group welcomes all adult educators and adult education providers, and has a ‘free to join’ membership offer

available until the end of March.

For more information, contact Zoe and the team at Community Education BOP today.

Vaccines before tertiary time If you’re getting prepared to head off to University or other tertiary study, now is a good time to check you’re up to date with your immunisations.

It is never too late to catch up and most immunisations are free until you turn 18.

“There’s lots to arrange – choosing courses, finding accommodation, sorting student loans – but don’t forget to make sure you’re up-to-date with your immunisations before you leave home,” says Dr Jim Miller, Medical Officer of Health.

Immunisation is your best protection against many serious but preventable diseases. Don’t assume you’re immune. Check with your family doctor or nurse to make sure you are protected.

If you’re 18 or older you can still get immunised but there will most likely be a fee, which will vary depending on the vaccine and the GP practice.

“There are other immunisations, which are not subsidised but are worth considering.

“For example, if you are planning to live in a hostel or shared accommodation I recommend getting immunised against meningococcal disease,” says Jim. For further information contact your family doctor or see getimmunised.org.nz

The Weekend Sun

25

Hometown hero - King Cole rules Baypark Tauranga drift racer Cole Armstrong staked a claim to the national championship title at the weekend when he won the Baypark round in front of hometown fans.

“We have always been aiming for number one.

We always set our goals high, but with the work we’ve done on the car and the results we’re getting it definitely feels achievable.”

At Baypark last year Cole had to pull out after blowing the gearbox and hitting a barrier wall “It was fantastic, we are very happy. We’ve put a on a qualification round, while he was knocked lot of time and effort in, so to claim a win shows it’s out the previous year when he crashed and paying off,” says Cole. broke his steering rack.

His success at ASB Baypark’s temporary track, which Cole is excited about improving suspension Tauranga drifter Cole Armstrong shows his winning form at Baypark on Sunday. was set up in the pits area, propelled him from seventh set-up in his cars after teaming up with legendPhoto by Erron Soon. to third in the Demon Energy D1NZ National Driftary V8 Supercar driver Shane Van Gisbergen, ing Championship Series. who was competing at Baypark in Cole’s The M{zd{ The M{zd{ Cole’s win at round three of the series was all the RB34 Skyline. sweeter after disappoint“We’re teaming up ing results at Baypark again in Hampton WITH great WITH DEALS great DEALS during the last Downs in February, and on a range ofon vehicles a range of vehicles two years. they know a lot about FROM ONLY “The best part was suspension so we will be being able to do it in doing a bit of work 995 $ front of all my friends on that.” +ORC 4 and family and everyone Fellow Western Bay Includes 3 years of mazdacare Genuine I went to school with, to drivers shared in the sucScheduled Servicing show I really can match at no extra cost cess at Baypark, with ‘Ms it with the best of them.

Drift’ Jodie Verhulst con“It’s pretty special to tinuing to climb her way put on a strong up the ladder to eighth show here.” for the season – despite Cole says it’s great to a bungled gear change get a strong performance seeing her knocked out from his V Energy in the round of 16.

250GT Skyline with its In the pro-am class new Dodge NASCAR Adam Davies cemented V8 engine, but is his second placing for the continuing to tweak for season after making the more improvements. top eight, while Maketu The win has firmed up ‘Champers’ Cole Armstrong celebrates his win with driver Ben Belcher made his resolve to the top 16.

Andrew Redward, who placed second, and third claim the national title. place-getter Gaz Whiter. Photo by Erron Soon.

STocktake STocktake sale sale

39 3

By Hamish Carter

26

The Weekend Sun

Speed flows through the blood for Maureen The love of motorsport is something Maureen Burgess has always had a passion for, ever since being born into the sport 61 years ago.

“My father used to race AGS and Norton bikes and used to take me

along with the motor races.”

Maureen, who now lives in Paengaroa and is a member of the Maketu Rotary Club, grew up in the Levin motor racing circuit and even had her first date with her husband at a car trial.

“I was widowed when I was 36, so just raised my two children

for a while.” Her passion for motorsport was reignited when she went for a ride in her cousin’s classic car last year.

Maureen saw a competition on Facebook to take a spin in an F1 Arrow AX3 as part of the Festival of Racing at Hampton Downs last Saturday.

When she received the call announcing she had won, Maureen says she thought it was a call from India or something and was waiting for someone to tell her she had something wrong with her computer.

“The conversation kept going and I thought okay,” says Maureen.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Rides like this cost about $1200 to do and having no income there is no way I would have been able to do it if I hadn’t won the competition.”

Maureen took to the track last Saturday and says she wasn’t nervous. “I was excited.”

“The whole set-up, getting me in the suit and in the car, took about 10 minutes.

The preparation time was prob-

ably longer than the lap around the track.

“At the end of it, I was hot and sweaty and being hauled out of the race car by these guys.”

Maureen says she was so little compared to the driver, whose shoulders she only came up to while sitting in the car.

“There is only a small space to fit in. People about six foot wouldn’t be able to do it. I looked like a kid in the back seat.”

Maureen says it was a unique experience and given the chance, she would definitely do it again.

“I would like to go on a different track. Speed is great.”

By Letitia Atkinson

FINANCE FINANCE FINANCE 111FINANCE % % %%

Tauranga resident Maureen Burgess preparing for her high octane thrill.

1

%

1 FINANCE

ACROSS THETHE ENTIRE RANGE ACROSS ACROSS THE ENTIRE ENTIRE RANGE ACROSS THE% ENTIRE RANGE

ACROSS THE ENTIRE RANGE

ACRO S

S THE

NAVARA DX RANGE

21,990

NAVARA DX RANGE +GST +ORC NAVARA NAVARA DX RANGE NAVARA DX+GST RANGE $ DX RANGE FROM

NAVARA ST 2WD

FROM

21,990 $ 21,990 $ 21,990 21,990

$$

FROM

FROM FROM

+GST+ORC +ORC

+GST +ORC

+GST +ORC

RANG

29,990 39,990$ $ 29,990 $ 29,990 $ 29,990 $ 39,990 $ 39,990 $ 29,990 $ 39,990 39,990 $ 21 nissan.co.nz ,990 nissan.co.nz nissan.co.nz nissan.co.nz nissan.co.n $ 29 ,990 $ 39 ,99

FROM

$

NAVARA ST-X 4WD

ENTIR E

+GST NAVARA ST 2WD +ORC NAVARA NAVARA ST 2WD NAVARA ST+GST 2WD FROM ST 2WD

FROM

FROM FROM NAVAR A DX R ANGE

+ORC +GST +ORC

FROM

$

+GST +ORC

+GST +ORC

+GST NAVARA ST-X 4WD +ORC NAVARA ST-X 4WD NAVARA ST-X 4WD NAVARA ST-X +GST 4WD FROM

FROM

FROM FROM

+ORC +GST +ORC

+GST +ORC

+GST +ORC

F RO M

Offer available to approved applicants of Nissan Financial Services only and excludes all lease and some fleet purchasers. Units must be registered in January to qualify for the special finance offer. The 1% Finance offer applies to the new Nissan vehicles only. The 1% p.a. interest rate is available with zero deposit and 36 months term. Additional finance related fees, charges, and terms and conditions apply. +Additional fees and on-road charges G ST apply. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers and is only available while stocks last. Aftermarket tray and sports bar shown are optional accessories at additional costs.+Offer ORC must end January 31st 2015.

O ff er av Offer available to approved applicants of Nissan Financial Services only and excludes all lease and some fleet purchasers. Units must be registered in January to qualify for the special finance offer. The offer applies NA1% VAFinance to the ailable to ap R A on-road neterm.

ST offer. please to the new vehicles only.

1%top.a. interestapplicants rate is available zero deposit 36 months finance related fees, charges, and terms apply.

Additional and rosome w Offer available to Nissan approved Offer available applicants to The of approved Nissan Financial applicants Services of Nissan only andwith excludes Services allServices lease only and and andonly excludes some all purchasers. leaseAdditional and fleet must purchasers. befleet registered Units in must January be to registered qualify for inconditions the January special qualify finance for offer. the The special 1% Finance offer The applies 1% Finance applies Offer available approved ofFinancial Nissan Financial excludes all and some purchasers.

Units must be and registered in to January to qualify the special offer.

The 1% offer Finance offer applies Ffor veUnits Rfees 2finance O WDcharges aand ppfleet M finance ly. O ffe Nis san vehic d applic ants apply.

Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers and is only available while stocks last.

Aftermarket tray and sports bar shown are optional accessories at additional costs.

Offer must end January 31st r le o c s f to the new Nissan vehicles to the new only.

Nissan Thenew 1%vehicles p.a. interest only. rate Theonly.

1% is available p.a. 1% interest with zero is deposit available and with 36 months zerowith deposit term.

Additional related Additional finance charges,related and terms fees, and charges, conditions and terms apply. and Additional conditions apply. and on-road Additional charges fees andfees on-road charges charges to the Nissan vehicles The p.a. rate interest rate is available zero and deposit andfinance 36 months Additional finance related fees, charges, and terms andfees conditions apply.2015.

Additional and on-road anno36 Nterm. onlyterm. is safees, t bemonths . n T h F e 1% p used in inancia .a apply. Offer cannot beapply. usedOffer inapply. conjunction cannot with used any in other conjunction and withisany only other available offers while and isstocks only last.

Aftermarket while stocks tray last. and sports Aftermarket bar shown tray and are sports optional bar accessories shown are optional at additional accessories costs.

Offer at additional must end costs.

January Offer 31st must 2015. end January 31st 2015. l Offerbe cannot be usedoffers in conjunction with any other offers andavailable is only available while stocks Aftermarket tray and sports bar shown are optional accessories at additional costs.

Offer must end January 31st 2015. conlast.

S . erv inte junctio +GST n with rest rate is ices only an d any oth av +ORC er offe ailable with excludes all le rs and NAVAR is only zero deposit a se and som availab e a le while nd 36 month fleet purcha FROM A ST-X 4W se s stocks D la st. A term. Additio rs . Units must fterma be reg rket tray nal finance istered rela and sp in orts ba ted fees, ch January to a q r show n are o rges, and te ualif y for the rm ptiona sp l acce s and cond ecial finan ssorie s at ad itions apply ce offer. The . ditiona 1 l costs. Additional fe % Finance o ffe es O ffer m ust en and on-road r applies d Janu ary 31 charges st 201 5.

nissa

116 Hewletts Road Mount Maunganui, Tauranga City Tel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz Follow us on Facebook

The Weekend Sun

27

Racing from recovery Cody Cooper’s wins at Summercross and King of the Mountain events has him rated as a threat at this weekend’s Woodville grand prix. Photo by Andy McGechan, BiksportNZ.com ahead of John Phillips and Cody.

Injuries are being put behind the Western Bay’s top Last weekend Rhys underlined his position as a growmotocross riders as they head into the pointy end of ing threat after being sidelined for three months late in the season with the national champs in Woodville this 2014 after a serious crash. weekend.

Rhys claimed the MX1 class at last weekend’s annual Seasoned Mount Maunganui rider Cody Cooper will King of the Mountain weekend in Taranaki with two be defending his crown in Manawatu at the Honda outright wins from three starts.

New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix, with the hope of Also on the comeback trail from injury at Woodville joining an elite club of only five riders who’ve held the this weekend will be Logan Blackburn, Rhys’ riding title three times. mate from Mount-based Moto City Bel-Ray Pro Rider Earlier three-time winners include Tauranga rider Suzuki team.

Peter Ploen, who was dominant in the 1970s.

Logan, a Te Puke rider, is happy with his recovery The 31-year old, who retired from international comfrom collarbone, lower leg and ankle injuries after petition two years ago before going on to clean up in crashing out of the national series in March but says the Kiwi motocross scene last season, is still recovering from knee injury but remains confident of his chances. this weekend’s grand prix is a lower priority than the upcoming nationals.

“I actually feel in a better place this season compared “My injuries are all good but my fitness is still not to last season, as I was on a new bike and didn’t know where I was re: speed and bike set-up,” says Cody, who 100 per cent – I’m aiming to be at 100 per cent with the first round of the nationals in three weeks.” is aiming to repeat last season’s clean-sweep by defendDespite his limited fitness, Logan is pleased with his ing his grand prix and MX1 crowns. results in the MX2 class – which he moved up to this But fellow-Mount MX1 rider Rhys Carter, who is season – finishing fifth at both the Auckland champs also recovering from injury, is not about to let Cody and Summercross. have it all his way.

“This weekend is the first really big event, but our Rhys showed this at Summercross at Awakaponga on main focus is on the nationals.”

December 28, wining in a tight three-way battle just

By Hamish Carter

28

The Weekend Sun

New drivers’ website for travelling visitors A new website designed to give visitors the information they need to enjoy a safe driving holiday in New Zealand is being launched.

DriveSafe.org.nz provides basic information about New Zealand road rules and etiquette, along with links to more details about everything that

drivers unfamiliar with our roads need to know.

It offers valuable guidance to visiting drivers at three key stages of their trip – before they arrive, when they pick up their rental vehicle and during their journey around New Zealand.

Tourism Industry Association New Zealand chief executive Chris Roberts says New Zealand driving holidays are popular with people from all across the

globe and are a great way to explore and enjoy all that our country has to offer.

“But our roads and driving conditions can be quite different from what our visitors are used to at home.”

TIA has led development of the website, with support from the New Zealand Transport Agency, Rental Vehicle Association and major rental vehicle operators.

It is an initiative under the Visiting Drivers Signature Project, which is part of the government’s Safer Journeys Action Plan 2013-2015.

The website comes after public opinion on the safety of overseas drivers has swayed, following crashes, including fatal accidents, which have involved tourists behind the wheel.

“Nationally, visiting drivers are involved in only a small proportion of crashes, but we want to do all we can to keep them safe and ensure they remember their trip for the right reasons,” says Chris.

DriveSafe.org.nz tips include encouraging drivers not to get behind the wheel until they have rested after their long flight, and highlighting the fact that driving in New Zealand can often take longer than expected due to our narrow and winding roads.

There are also links to the New Zealand Road Code and suggested itineraries.

The website is translated to Mandarin and German, and translations into more languages is planned.

All operators and organisations that come into contact with visiting drivers, such as travel wholesalers, visitor information centres and accommodation providers will be encouraged to inform their guests about the website.

The URL will also be added to rental vehicles’ steering wheel tags, carrying simple road safety tips.

RVA chief executive Barry Kidd says in conjunction with TIA more than 110 rental operators will be contacted during the next few weeks, to promote the website, discuss other visiting driver safety initiatives such as a regional network where rental vehicle operators inform each other when clients have contracts cancelled because of unsafe driving.

Visiting Drivers Signature Project chairperson Jim Harland says the DriveSafe website is a valuable initiative that will help improve New Zealand road safety.

“The safety of visiting drivers is paramount. We’re aiming to deliver visiting drivers with relevant and accurate safety information at the right time, in the right way.

“The result will be safer roads and a better holiday experience for visitors.”

The Weekend Sun

29

Appraised Used Vehicles

Appraised Used Vehicles

30

The Weekend Sun

Summer madness in a burger The hot sunny days have driven a lot of us inside during the heat of the day – once again this year I’m using the siesta initiative.

It’s nice to rest or sleep during the hot parts of the day, to wake up totally refreshed ready to party or get underway with some other recreational activity.

In the animal world dogs seem to pant more, chickens hide under the hedge and make themselves scarce.

But then there’s the odd exception. ‘Cocoa’ the dark chocolate chicken has a fondness for wandering inside and now sleeps on the back step at night!

She has play fights with the cat and dog, preferring to

hang out near the back door as if ostracised from the rest of the flock.

I’m no animal psychologist, but there’s something weird going on in that chicken’s head especially since the hot weather has hit.

The heat can drive some people crazy too. I witnessed an overzealous parking warden issuing a ticket for a basketball hoop at the end of the cul-de-sac.

As for the garden, well that’s gone ballistic too. Zucchinis are turning into marrow in no time at all and tomatoes ripening every day, inspiring me to use it all in some mad creation for this week’s recipe – a very different summertime cheeseburger.

BURGERS

Summertime cheeseburger Gluten-free, serves two Ingredients 2-3 large zucchini 2 large tomatoes 200g paneer cheese 1 small bunch mint, chopped Fresh basil leaves 2 eggs, beaten 1 Tbsp custard powder Microgreens for garnish Salt and pepper Olive oil for cooking Aioli or mayonnaise for dressing Method Finely slice the zucchini or use a spiralizer to cut into small ribbons.

Sprinkle with salt and place in colander to drain.

Slice the paneer cheese into large steaks and pan fry in hot olive oil.

Mix chopped mint in with beaten eggs, custard powder and drained zucchini and make four large fritters.

When all nice and cooked drain on kitchen towel and assemble using the fritters as a base. Adding the fried paneer cheese, sliced tomatoes, basil leaves, mayonnaise or aioli, and microgreens.

Enjoy the delicious summer madness.

The keys to successful lifestyle changes I hope you’ve all had a great holiday. This week we thought our first column should review some of the key ideas which have helped make Eat For Keeps work for so many people.

Ph 0508 KIWIFRESH (0508 549 437)

Always retain a focus on finding ways to eat sustaining meals and snacks. A good balance of protein, fat and carbohydrate will keep you fuller for longer, provide sustained energy and maintain healthy bloodsugar levels.

Take small steps – make a few food and lifestyle changes a permanent part of your life first. Once these are permanent, build on this by introducing other changes.

Be real and have the right attitude.

This means taking a long-term lifestyle approach, persevering when things get tough, and really believe in what you’re doing. No excuses or guilt – recognise that ups and downs are part of your everyday life.

Elevate the food choices you make from “whatever” to “what’s best”.

This means being better prepared and thinking ahead to make sure you have the right food choices on hand.

Remember to coach yourself to help take ownership and responsibility. If you’re having a problem, solve it by asking yourself a relevant open-ended question like: ‘How could I get around this?’ Find your own answers and act on them.

Treat any physical activity as an opportunity, not an inconvenience. All forms of physical activity will help. Find ways to move more often, this will be critical for your future success.

These points above have been the key to our success during the years.

If you’re looking to make lifestyle changes, always remember human nature tends to let us slip back into old habits.

If you’d like to know more, our website www.eatforkeeps.com has lots of helpful information.

Any feedback is appreciated – call 027 294 1980 or email leigh@eatforkeeps.com

31

The Weekend Sun

Sand, seaweed and spuds

Tauranga chef Peter Blakeway with a warm potato and sea lettuce salad, and a salad with sea lettuce on it. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

The bouquet of sea lettuce butter wafted around The Weekend Sun newsroom.

It was a little number whipped up from the larder of Omanu Beach

by Tauranga celebrity chef Peter Blakewell.

He reckons “we are missing a trick with sea lettuce” – like new season potatoes swimming in sea lettuce butter and drizzled with more chopped sea lettuce.

We’ve heard a lot about the rest of the world eating what we consider to be a beach-cast health hazard, so we invited Peter to tempt us with sea lettuce…if he could?

And a newsroom devoid of pretentious foodies would be the ideal taste test.

As sea lettuce spuds ‘a la Blakewell’ did a lap, a couple of suspicious and cynical heads went down and stayed down and the recently announced and hormonal mother-to-be wisely and politely declined.

But the adventurous were rewarded.

The recipe

• Boil up some new season potatoes. Don’t ‘nuke’ them, keep them firm.

• Wash a little sea lettuce thoroughly to rid it of sand. Soak for 20 minutes in fresh water.

• Warm some butter and add the sea lettuce, season and blitz with a wand or in a blender.

• Pour it over the potatoes and garnish with more chopped sea lettuce.

“Exquisite” – that from a bloke who thinks a new season Jersey Benne is the most noble of vegetables and needs no embellishment.

He also believes food has to look good – “and the vibrant lime green of the sea lettuce transformed an ordinary spud into a glossy painting”.

He also enjoyed the saltiness.

“But it isn’t a sodium salt, not a processed table salt,” reassures Peter.

“It’s not bad for you in a way that salt can be. And in that recipe it works so well with potatoes,” says Peter. He’s right – trust me.

“The sea lettuce butter works well with any land vegetable and works beautifully with fish,” says Peter.

“It’s also supposed to be wet, it lives its life wet so as a chef it transfers to sauces really well.”

From another critic: “You wouldn’t know it was seaweed,” suggested a hardened newshack.

He even dunked a finger for a second course. “Tasty!”

The recently imported English news editor knows his cod and chips, his pease pudding and his mild from his bitter...but sea lettuce? “That’s delicious, really sweet. People would be pleasantly surprised.”

I still don’t think it would sell well Saturday afternoon outside St James’ Park in Newcastle, where this chap hails from.

But all-in-all Peter’s sea lettuce butter was visionary in a room full of culinary conservatives.

Back to the “missed trick”.

“The minerals and vitamins in sea vegetables are colossal by comparison to land vegetables but we associate it with stinky shorelines.

Being modern people we all run away from it,” says Peter.

Us Kiwis don’t realise we’re eating as much seaweed as we do. Food processors have been using it for decades as thickening agents, preservatives and a way of getting added vitamins and mineral into processed food.

“But again, you go back to the old Scottish and Irish recipes where sea lettuce is used in bread and cakes in the most wonderful way. It promotes the moisture and that is absolutely beautiful.”

We are living, tasting and learning Peter. Stay with us. By Jim Bunny

On the grocery list Don’t like the busyness of the supermarket? Having a well-planned grocery list gets you in and out of the store quickly. It can also help to stick to a healthy eating plan. For the bakery and bread section, choose wholegrain breads that contain at least three to four grams of fibre and are less than 100 calories per slice. Same goes for pasta and rice – wholegrain is best. For meat, choose the leanest cuts and eat ground chicken or turkey. These meats are said to be much lower in fat. In the cereal aisle, pick product that’s high in fibre and low in sugar.

Instead, use berries, dried fruit or nuts for sweetness.

32

The Weekend Sun

Don’s big swim for James The Reid family has received some big news. News they were most desperate to hear.

A surgeon in the United States has agreed to perform a life-changing procedure on Sonja and Don’s fiveyear-old son James.

James is unable to crawl or stand without support – and can only take assisted steps with great difficulty.

He has spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, epilepsy and hydrocephalus – or a blockage to the flow

of cerebrospinal fluid. But his spasticity or high tone in his muscles could be relieved with the help of surgeon David Yngve. The family’s new hero.

“It’s a big load off my mind to get something secure,” says James’ mum Sonja.

“We’ve got direction and focus now, which is awesome news.”

The operation will include selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening, which involves small skin 2mm-3mm incisions in James’ legs to release stiffness of muscles and tendons.

As any worried mother would – Sonja’s done her research. “We have found that only two surgeons in the world do this procedure,” she says.

The surgery and postoperative rehab could cost the family about $150,000 – and they’re reaching out to the community to help.

They’ve so far raised $12,000 via a Givealittle page and James’ dad Don is planning to swim 12.3km from Motiti Island to Maketu on January 31 alongside some All Black and Chiefs rugby players including Don Reid and his five-year-old son James’ favourite place – the beach.

Nathan Harris, Tim Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Bond and Hika Reid, to the next big challenge of sending James to school for help gather more funds. the first time. He’ll go to Te Akau Ki Papamoa.

Sonja is “nervous and excited at the same time”.

Sonja says he’s done it twice before – and he’s franti“It’s going to be another big change and challenge cally training for his third big swim. for James but I have every hope that he settles well “Hopefully everyone will come up and support us. with lots of support – and obviously we’d love for It’s going to be a great event as a Maketu Fun Day

By Zoe Hunter him to make some new friends.” for families is planned with sausage sizzles, bouncy castles, face painting, a sports memorabilia auction, music and more.”

“New beginnings are To donate, or sponsor Don’s swim, see often disguised as www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/TeamJames painful endings” or follow his Team James - Whatever It Takes Facebook page.

- LAO ZHU. In the meantime, Sonja and Don are focusing on New beginnings can be paradoxical. They can make us joyous yet give us pause. They send us forward and at the same time cause us to reflect on what has already occurred.

This is because new beginnings include assuming responsibility and taking stock of what needs to be done, and applying what we have already learned.

We have all made our fair share of mistakes, and it’s important to learn from them.

So take a little time out to reflect on this past year, the good things and the challenging things you’ve experienced.

Although each of us has had our share of difficult and painful situations, and it’s important to acknowledge and learn from them, it’s equally important to then choose to think about the positives that have also occurred.

What are the biggest learnings you’ve had in this past year that you are grateful for?

If you’d like to know more about coaching phone Mary Parker on 07 577 1200, or visit www.coachingtheattitude.co.nz

33

The Weekend Sun

Tauranga couple push to lift the bar on mammograms tumours spread to her lymph nodes and chest wall. But with radiotherapy and chemotherapy she survived.

Today she’s well and the Short family is eternally grateful “However, we know a lot of women who had lesser cancers and who aren’t with us today.

Debbie Short is a 13-year survivor of breast cancer, husband Tim is her ‘rock’ and today they threw unequivocal support and best wishes behind a campaign to raise the upper age threshold for free mammograms.

It started with a push by the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation to raise the age limit from 70 to 75, New Zealand First chimed in with some political clout. Then this week Ohauiti couple Debbie and Tim Short also pitched in.

“New Zealand undervalues its women,” says Tim. “That’s how it’s been through the decades. And it’s only through strong lobbying that changes are made.”

There are more than 660,000 New Zealand women in the existing screening age group – the proposed five-year adjustment would draw in another 78,000 women.

“A women’s risk of breast cancer is higher in her 70s than her 50s. But 90 per cent of women don’t know that,” says Adele Gautier of the Breast Cancer Foundation.

“They presume their risk is reducing because they are no longer getting free mammograms.”

Tim and Debbie have already battled with the Government on behalf of NZ women – Ohauiti residents Tim and Debbie Short are supporting and won. From 2001 they campaigned for 18 a new campaign to raise the upper age threshold for free months to have eligibility for the breast screenmammograms. Photo by Merle Foster. ing programme to be extended from 50-64 years to 40-70. With the catch cry “detecIt annoys Tim. “Australia is light years ahead in all tion is your best protection” they gathered 125,000 areas of health. We are the poor relatives.” signatories for their petition and the Government An Otago University study backs him – it shows the capitulated – eligibility for free mammograms is now statistic of Kiwi women surviving breast cancer was 45-69. But it doesn’t end there.

28 times worse than in Australia.

The Shorts are backing the NZ Breast Cancer “There have been big changes, even if the Foundation and New Zealand First’s new country can’t afford it. The state doesn’t campaign. pay for mammograms from age 40, but “It’s exciting and positive – and it recommends that if you if you have sometimes a family which has been the resources, have the through it has greater powers to mammogram.” advocate for change,” says Tim. Now he wants the NZ GovernThey are drawing inspiration ment to come out and say it is from Australia where the statistics beneficial for women to have are enviable. mammograms up to their Another $60 million commit80th birthday. ted to increase screening from 70 Tim also believes there are a to 74. Another 70,000 women lot of people who think if it isn’t invited for a mammogram. Early state-funded, if it’s not provided by detection and treatment of 600 the state, then it’s not necessary. extra breast cancer cases a year.

“They fervently believe the GovernIn fact, Australia effectively has free ment has their best interests at heart breast screening from 40-80. Because at which isn’t the case. either end of the spectrum women can have “It’s all about funding.” ‘self-requested mammograms’ and the GovernSo if it isn’t funded, then Tim and Debbie want a ment pays for them.

Government message encouraging women to ‘selfAnd studies from Australia show screening women initiate’ mammograms. in their 70s results in fewer, hard-to-treat cancers Debbie’s breast cancer was quite invasive – eight being found and increases survival rates.

“Unfortunately it’s going to be the statistics, the loss of lives that provides the push – that’s the sad reality.”

If you support the age threshold for free mammograms being raised to 74 you can download and sign the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation petition at www.nzbcf.org.nz/petition

By Hunter Wells

Deanna Way (Naturopath in-store) bookings essential.

HEALTH 2000 MT MAUNGANUI GLUTEN FREE DAIRY FREE GMO FREE

194 Maunganui Road, Mt Maunganui P: (07) 575 7002 E: health2000mt@clear.net.nz www.health2000.co.nz

Follow Health2000Group on:

A women’s risk of breast cancer is higher in her 70s than her 50s.

But 90 per cent of women don’t know that

Anniversary Weekend

SALE!

20 50

everything in-store*

Curtains - Sheers - Tracks - Blinds - Accessories

HURRY, sale ends Monday 26th January!

STORES OPEN 7 DAYS MOUNT MAUNGANUI,

HomeZone Centre, 2 Owens Place, Ph 07 572 1581 *Offer valid until 26/01/15 or while stocks last. Excludes Lower Hutt and Christchurch stores. In-store stock only.

Excludes already discounted product and custom orders.

curtainstudio.co.nz | 0800Curtains (0800 287 824)

CSM6630WS

*Conditions apply

34

The Weekend Sun

Tramp flip equals teeth chip It started when a group of us were playing on the trampoline at my friend Liam’s house.

We were seeing who could do the best flip.

When I did a flip, I hit my chin on my friend Alexi’s head.

My bottom teeth hit my top teeth and chipped three of the bottom teeth.

I was a little confused because I’d never broken my teeth before.

All my friends were saying: “Kaiden are you okay?” or “Kaiden can I see?”.

I said I was okay, showed them, then went inside to show Mum and Dad what happened. Dad said they were just chipped and he did the same thing on his sister’s head when he was my age.

On the Before other hand, Mum was really upset and said we had to call a dentist.

Lucky for me it was a Sunday and no dentists were open, so I got to stay at the party and play.

After a little bit I started to get hungry but Mum said I could only eat soft food on the side of my mouth.

We went home after dinner and by that time my mouth was quite sore.

It probably didn’t help that I played spotlight outside at night in the cold.

The next day I got to skip school for the morning. I went to the dentist to see if they could fix my chipped teeth.

My usual dentist was on holiday, so I had a new dentist. He was nice and did an x-ray on me. Then he got to work. It took 55 minutes and I was a little scared.

When he was working on me I prayed every time he went to pick something up, that it was not a blue stick because that was very cold and stingy.

He put a black plastic thing in my mouth to make sure I didn’t swallow while he was moulding the new teeth.

It felt really uncomfortable but a suction tube took away my saliva.

The hot light used to set the mould was quite uncomfortable too. The dentist said I did a great job staying still, which was pretty hard because I wanted to move as everything was hurting.

When it was over I felt numb, very dry and interested in the new feeling of the teeth.

They felt nice, soft and relaxing.

Mum’s threatened After to make me wear my rugby mouthguard next time I go on the trampoline, but I promised her I would be more careful! By nine-year-old Kaiden White

Affordable expert dental care According to Adrian Cable Dentist, everyone deserves a great smile.

They can create a dental plan, from regular check-ups to a custom-made oral hygiene plan, to help people achieve and maintain a beautiful smile.

For people who put off going to the dentist, the professional team at Adrian Cable Dentist understand and promise to do all they can to make the next trip to their dental practice on Willow St a pleasant experience.

They understand dental care can be costly, so they’ll discuss an affordable

plan before commencing treatment – and will do all they can to keep costs down.

For affordable expert dental care, contact Adrian Cable Dentist today.

35

The Weekend Sun

Comedian

returns to city

He doesn’t usually get to spend much time soaking up the sights and sounds when he’s in Tauranga for a gig.

Either way, Jeremy’s adamant The Laugh Club will put on a good show as usual. It’s at Club Mount Maunganui on January 30 from 8.30pm.

In fact his during last visit in mid-December, Jeremy Elwood and fellow ‘7 Days’ comedians Paul Ego were rushed on Baycourt’s stage after their direct flight from Christchurch was diverted to Auckland. A quick drive to Tauranga followed.

Giveaway

The Weekend Sun has two double

passes to The Laugh Club to give away to lucky readers who can name two comedians in the line-up.

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competitions section.

Entries must be received before Wednesday, January 21. By Zoe Hunter

Memories

“We literally pulled up to the back of the stadium and ran onto the stage with about two minutes to spare,” says Jeremy. “It was a close call, but the show must go on.”

He’s got other memories of his time here. “I’m not sure if there’s any I really want to repeat in print.”

He hopes this time to be able to relax in the green room before he stands under the spotlight at Club Mount Maunganui on January 30.

He’ll be headlining Epic Promotions’ The Laugh Club event with Paul, team leader of ‘7 Days’.

It’ll be Jeremy’s first show for 2015, alongside 2014 New Zealand Comedy Guild Most Improved Comedian Nominee Paul Douglas, and 2014 NZ Comedy Guild Best MC Nominee Matt Stelingwerf.

As for Jeremy’s top picks in upcoming comedy.

“There’s a lot of people doing comedy these days, but every now and again you get a couple of guys or girls who come along and just get it.

Comedian Jeremy Elwood is headlining The Laugh Club with fellow ‘7 Days’ funny guy Paul Ego in Mount Maunganui on January 30.

“They’ve got something to say and I like the way they’re saying it.”

As a ‘7 Days’ panellist, Jeremy enjoys writing jokes about the news. He’s good at it.

Michael Coddington Carey Wright

Jeremy’s angle

Stand-up comedy is a little different. He sources his gags from social observations.

“Things that’ve been going on in my life – and things that’ve been going on worldwide. That’s my angle.”

He’s been on holiday for awhile and January is generally “comedy quiet time”. But perhaps he’ll have some witty stories about his summer holiday.

Plenty for everyone to snap up Keen photographers are encouraged to hover their fingers over the shutter to snap their best photos to enter in the Photographic Society of New Zealand’s 63rd annual convention and exhibition.

A selection of the most eye-catching shots will be displayed at the 2015 ‘Exploring Pixels’ exhibition, hosted by Tauranga Photographic Society, at Tauranga Racecourse from April 29-May 3.

Aspiring shutterbugs are encouraged to snap their photographs before March 20, with images to be submitted between February 1 and March 31.

Entries can be uploaded to media@ bayofplentynz.com with the subject line: photography competition entry. Or go to www. sunlive.co.nz under the competitions section.

Photographers are asked to spontaneously capture the natural beauty of the region or show family and friends enjoying what the Bay of Plenty has to offer.

The National Photography Exhibition’s convention – dubbed Natex – will showcase 350 high quality printed images and 200 projected images, open for public viewing on May 2.

nt’ ‘Trekking the Mou

Caring for Te Awanui Tauranga Harbour

36

The Weekend Sun

Te Tiriti o Waitangi – here’s some of the history Ahead of Waitangi Day this year, The Weekend Sun has received this opinion piece from Chris Lee. Written by Bruce Moon, it offers his take on the Treaty of Waitangi - a much-debated part of our history.

There are far too many fantasies floating around in the New Zealand air today, based mostly on false interpretations of the Treaty of Waitangi and the pretence that supposed modern meanings of words were what they meant in 1840.

The essence of the Treaty is that by this document in the Ngapuhi dialect, the chiefs ceded sovereignty to the Queen completely and forever.

Are you including new to the New Zealand?

In return, all Maoris, many slaves of other Maoris, became British subjects with their full rights and privileges - a magnificent gift.

Have you made the decision to settle in the Bay of Plenty?

Need information & advice Are you new to New Zealand? on living in New Zealand?

Have you made the decision to settle in the Bay of Plenty?

Need information & advice on living in New Zealand?

New Migrant Service from 6th January 2015 Are you are new to Tauranga or New Zealand?

Need Information or Advice on any aspect of daily life in New Zealand?

New Migrant fromis open 6th January 2015 The Service Citizens Advice Bureau to ALL Tuesday-Friday 1pm-4pm just call in no appointment necessary.

Are you are new to Tauranga or New Zealand?

Citizens Advice Bureau is open to ALL

Need Information or Advice on any aspect 9am-5pm Monday – Friday for all other enquiries. of daily life in New Zealand?

38 Hamilton Street, Tauranga 3110 between the Council and Baycourt Or phone 07 578 1592

The Citizens Advice Bureau is open to ALL Tuesday-Friday 1pm-4pm just call in no appointment necessary.

Claims today that the chiefs never ceded sovereignty to the Queen show contempt for the truth.

It was accepted at Waitangi by numerous English-speaking chiefs that the word “kawanatanga” used for “sovereignty” in the Treaty meant exactly that. Claims to the contrary today are based on the false idea that translation is the same as derivation. It is not.

Hobson’s brief was “to treat with the aborigines of New Zealand in the recognition of Her Majesty’s sovereign authority over the whole or any part of those islands which they may be willing to place under Her Majesty's dominion” but only with “the free intelligent consent of the natives”.

Without it, he would have sailed away and who knows what the outcome would have been?The written record of events at Waitangi on February 6, 1840 is totally clear.

The chiefs ceded sovereignty completely and forever to the Queen and knew that they were doing so. This was confirmed fully by the chiefs’ own words at the Kohimarama Conference in 1860 and corroborated by missionary Samuel Warren, who worked subsequently amongst the northern tribes for 15 years. It was confirmed yet again by outstanding Maori scholar, Sir Apirana Ngata in 1920.

By Article third of the Treaty, all Maoris “tangata Maori, katoa o Nu Tirani” - received full citizen’s rights and this included the many slaves of other Maoris, most being held in abject conditions and often the victims of cannibal feasts. Descendants of those slaves today should be singing the praises of the British for their liberation but we never hear a word.

Many chiefs dishonoured the Treaty of Waitangi by being very slow to release their slaves, often taking years.

It is Article second of the Treaty which perhaps has been most twisted in recent times by racists and revisionists. Yet in essence this article is redundant since all it does is guaran-

tee the right of citizens to own private property - land, dwellings and chattels - and British subjects have these rights anyway. Looking more closely at it, some things stand out. First, the guarantee is made to all the people of New Zealand - “tangata katoa o Nu Tirani” - in clear distinction to Article third which applied only to Maoris - and “all” means “all”.

The vital point to note before we even look at the meanings of words such as “rangatiratanga” and “taonga” is that rights of ownership were guaranteed to all - equality of rights is a fundamental aspect of the Treaty in which we should all rejoice, not make spurious claims based on ancestry or sometimes a very small part of it.

Since, in pre-Treaty days, Maori property was only what could be held by force of arms and then only by few people except chiefs, for Maori citizens to own property in their own right, with assurances of permanence and inheritance, was a considerable boon.

Nevertheless, “tino rangatiratanga” propaganda continues unabated with the flagrantly false idea that it applies only to those with some Maori blood.

The words were hardly ever used by anybody for decades after 1840, Parkinson noting “a single late and remarkable exception” being “tino rangatira” as one title amongst many by which Queen Victoria was addressed in a petition by some Rotorua Maori residents. As Parkinson has also said: “Kawharu’s mistranslation of ‘tino rangatiratanga’ as 'the unqualified exercise of ‘chieftainship’ is not merely erroneous but preposterous”.

Two things are certain: Article first of the Treaty stating that the chiefs ceded sovereignty, neither Hobson nor anybody else would have imagined that it was contradicted a few lines later in Article second, so whatever the meaning of “tino rangatiratanga”, it was nothing like “sovereignty”. “Full possession” is the only meaning which makes sense in context.

So Maori “aspirations for tino rangatiratanga”

which Gareth Morgan says will never be over, are all modern day-dreaming about fantasies of the past with no existence except in their imagination.

Even more abused than this is the meaning of “taonga”. In 1820, Hongi Hika asserted that it meant “property procured by the spear”.

When 13 Ngapuhi chiefs wrote to King William in 1831, they stated that their only possessions were “timber, flax, pork and potatoes” and the word used for “possessions” was “taonga”.

With the range of European material goods such as iron cooking pots, steel knives and so on becoming available to the tribes, it was natural that the meaning of “taonga” be extended to include them but it still only meant “property” in William Williams’ 1844 dictionary, i.e. after the Treaty was signed.

Given that some 10 years later its meaning was again extended to include “treasure” it is as equally preposterous as misuse of the meaning of “tino rangatiratanga” to claim that that was its meaning in 1840. Yet, ignoring the genuine meaning of Article second today, the claims are rampart that only people with Maori ancestry are somehow entitled to natural water, the electromagnetic spectrum, special treatment by health authorities, and indeed special fishing quotas (which are not even mentioned in the Treaty).

More and more are compliant government departments, local bodies, educational institutes and hospital boards kowtowing before this onslaught, the rights of most New Zealanders being swamped in a sea of political correctness.

It is high time that all New Zealanders of whatever ethnic origin or mixed race put the Treaty back in 1840 where it belongs as one step in our progress towards nationhood, and moved forward in harmony as equals in a democratic state with no racist privileges of any kind for anybody.

ONE & TWO BEDROOM UNITS

Citizens Advice Bureau is open to ALL

9am-5pm Monday – Friday for all other enquiries.

38 Hamilton Street, Tauranga 3110 between the Council and Baycourt Or phone 07 578 1592

LOCATED IN

INQUIRE AT THE GOLDEN HOMES SHOWHOME 42 GOLDEN SANDS DRIVE

07 929 7682 0800 22 22 36 WWW.GOLDENHOMES.CO.NZ

®

SENSITIVE CHOICE SUPP OR T IN G A S T H M A CA RE

PA N 1 0 1 2 1 1 8

LIFESTYLE PARK

GOLDEN SANDS LIFESTYLE PARK

37

The Weekend Sun

Why be a toy poodle NZ? Our Prime Minister said this week that we would sent military staff to Syria and/or Iraq because this is the cost of being in the club.

The club being ‘Five Eyes’ the so called intelligence-sharing club of the USA, Britain, Canada, Australia and us.

He also said that they would come to our aid if invaded.

Who would invade us? The Chinese, I doubt it they already own much of the place and could simply buy the rest with the Prime Minister’s blessing.

The USA, well they have invaded far more countries than any one else in the last 50 years so it’s a possibility they already spy upon us with Govern-

We really don’t give a hoot - just give us a toot travel faster than years ago? It seems that way to me, a person of a certain age, and they are almost silent, giving us pedestrians a fright when waiting until almost upon us to call out?

Please cyclists, spend a few dollars and buy a bell, teach your children to use it. Use it when approaching pedestrians when you first come within hearing distance, we don’t mind, really we don’t.

I’d rather be hooted at than run over, knocked off my feet, or scared half to death.

I’ll even wish you ‘Good Morning or God Speed’ as you whizz by.

Noeline Griffiths, Te Puke.

Every Tuesday a small group of ladies of a certain age, including myself, walk in the mornings. It’s great exercise as well as social time.

We walk in various places, sometimes from Owens Place along Matapihi Rd, over the railway bridge, or beside the duck ponds at Papamoa. These places are shared pathways with cyclists.

It concerns me that cyclists don’t have bells on their bicycles any more, and those that do don’t use them to alert walkers when coming up from behind.

Do cyclists realise that modern cycles

ment Communications Security Bureau’s help.

Indonesia, it has a bigger prize, Australia on it’s doorstep.

New Zealand has no quarrel with Syria and/or Iraq, so why get involved in this contrived attempt at regime change in Syria?

We were once a proud nation that stood up for it’s principles - whether popular or not internationally. Not any more; we are the toy poodle of the USA. Watch how we vote on the United Nations’ Security Council. Will our service personnel have to forfeit their lives, as happened in Afghanistan, to pay the green fees for John Key to play golf at the club with President Obama?

P Dolden, Papamoa.

Cyclists - please use bells I narrowly missed being struck by a fast, careless cyclist a few days ago, on the Kulim Park walkway.

The results of such a collision in such a place, at an advanced, ‘rickety’ age, could be catastrophic.

The woman was not attending to her cycling, or any possible hazards, not to mention injury to both her and pedestrian.

It’s an all too common occurrence.

Then, a bit later, from possibly 40-50ft behind us, came the sweet sound of a little bell.

A small helmeted child on his little bike, pedalled along concentrating intensely, intermittently ringing his bell. It was no way intrusive, but gave a definite warning to us in time for us to make allowance if necessary.

His father, presumably, followed unobtrusively behind, supervising.

Surely, if a little child can learn how to use a communal path safely for both himself and pedestrians, the adults that don’t bother could try to follow suit?

Concrete is very unforgiving.

D Holm, Otumoetai.

We want letters

How to save your precious Monarchs in the home garden

Do you have an issue or concern to raise?

Or would you like to comment on one of the published letters in this edition?

Write a letter to The Weekend Sun? Just email your name, contact details and 200 words to: letters@thesun.co.nz

around the swan plants.

Wasps see the paper bags as the nests of rival wasps and avoid them.

I’ve tried this method and it works - my new batch of caterpillars are doing well and no wasps in sight!

T Townsend, Pyes Pa.

blowing into them (an inflated balloon may be placed in each one to keep them inflated, especially if it rains) and then tie the bags onto branches

If you’ve had monarch caterpillars on your swan plants, only to find that they have disappeared, wasps may be to blame.

Try taking some medium-sized, brown paper bags, inflate them by

Happy New Year! $

23

.99

$

Tiger Bottles 15s

16

.99

DB Draught/Export Gold/ Tui Bottles 12s

$

16

.99

Export Citrus/ Grapefruit Bottles 12s

$

23

.99

$

Carlsberg Bottles 15s OR Asahi Bottles 12s

18

.99

$

Pinnacle Pure 1L OR Pinnacle Flavours 750ml

Jim Beam 1125ml OR Devils Cut 1L

13

.99

Haagen Bottles 15s Desperados 330ml 6pk

$

39.99

$

33.99

Tue 20th January 2015 Sat 24th January 2015 Stolen Dark Rum 1L $

31.99

Steinlager Pure Bottles 15s $

Devils Cut Cans 8pk

18.99

$

Mount Gay Rum Eclipse 1L

Baileys 1L $

37

41

.99

$

Seagers 1L

30

.99

$

.99

Grants Whiskey 1L $

35

.99

Bombay Sapphire Gin 1L

2 for $

42

Woodstock 7% 355ml Cans 4pk

$

.99

19

$

20

.00

.50

$

19

Woodstock OR Codys 7% 250ml Cans 12pk

Cruiser 7% 250ml Cans 12pk

$

Lion Brown 330ml Cans 18s $

Jim Beam & Cola Cans 15pk

.50

18 Jack Daniels & Cola 330ml Cans 8pk

6467547AC

$

.99

$

9.99

Billy Maverick 7% Cans 18pk Shingle Peak Range excl Pnoir OR Rawsons Retreat Range

10.99

$

Merivale L.C. Fraser Cove L.C. Papamoa L.C.

27.99

$

Merivale Fraser Cove Papamoa

Bensen Block Range $

8.99

Heineken Bottles 12s

White Label Range

7.99

$

Papamoa Beach L.C. Te Puna L.C. Te Puke L.C. Commercial Hotel L.C.

18.50

26.99 $

Montana Affinity Low Alchohol Range OR Montana Classic Range

26.99

Jackman Ridge 2L Casks $

Papamoa Te Puna Te Puke Waihi

Prices valid until 30 January 2015. All specials may not be available in some stores. Specials only available at Liquor Centre Stores detailed above. No Trade Sales.

14.99

23.99

Woodstock 5% Bottles 12pk $

18.99

38

The Weekend Sun

E N T E R T A I N M E N T G U I D E The Weekend Sun’s ever popular guide to ‘What’s On’ in the Bay.

Saturday 24 January

Alcoholics Anonymous Women’s meet-

ing at St Andrews, Dee St 10-11am.

Children welcome.

Art in the Park Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui 8.30am – 5pm, weather permitting. Tauranga Society of Artists offer for sale a variety of art to suit all tastes.

American Greats Tribute Show Held at Haiku Reserve, Main Rd, Katikati. Gates open 5pm, music 6pm. Adults $20, children 15 & under free with adult. Wet weather back up concert 25 Jan. www.katikaticoncerts.co.nz Battle of Gate Pa Exhibition Tauranga Moana Maori Trust Board Hall, No 3 The Strand. Open every Fri, Sat & Sun & on cruise ship days 10am - 4pm. Free entry for children. Adults, gold coin donation.

Burger King 3x3 Tour 3x3 basketball at Blake Park Tennis Courts, Mt Maunganui 10am start.

Eastern Region Surf Lifesaving Champs Sat & Sun at Mount Main

Beach from 8am. About 1000 surf lifesavers competing.

Jetsprints - Anniversary Weekend At ASB Baypark Stadium Jan 24-25 3-10pm both days. www.jetsprintbop.com Get your tickets from eventfinda.

Maketu Fun Day Jan 31 - charity event run raising money for 5yr old James’ life changing operation with James’ father swimming from Motiti to Maketu.

Chiefs players swimming & at the event. Maketu Surf Club 9.30am - 2pm.

Leanne 021 738 275

Masonic Park Outdoor Movie Night

Forrest Gump starts 8.30pm. Proudly presented by The Phoenix.

Messianic Weekly Meetings The Way meet in the Kingfisher Room, Arataki Community Centre, Zambuk Way, Mt Maunganui 10am. 542 1438

Mount Lions/Lioness Annual Book Sale

Jan 24 9am – 5pm & Jan 25 9am – 4pm at Mt Maunganui Sports Centre, Cnr Maunganui & Hull Rd Mt Maunganui. Books, CD’s, DVDs, puzzles & records. EFTPOS available, bring your own bags.

Tauranga Farmers Market Tauranga Primary School cnr 5th Ave & Cameron Rd every Sat 7.45am - 12pm. Fresh & artisian produced food. Trixie 552 5278 or www.taurangafarmersmarket.co.nz Taichi Qigong Every Saturday 10am.

Free to join in at Memorial park between mini golf & playground. All welcome.

The Power of Love Afternoon mediation course. Learn through mediation & beneficial thinking to unlock potential for a loving heart & bring happiness & joy to ourselves & others. Cost $36, bookings essential. Feb 14 at Tga City

MUSIC

SPECIAL EVENTS

OUT THERE

News, reviews and upcoming gigs on the music scene - pg40

Community events and occasions across the Bay - pg41

Stories, snippets, strangeness, and general entertainment - pg42

Plunket Rooms, 471 Devonport Rd 12.45-4pm. www.meditateintauranga. org or 09 846 5829 Village Radio Community radio broadcasting from Tauranga Historic Village 1368 kHz AM. Music of 1920’s - 80’s weekends 9am - 5pm, weekdays 10am 5pm. Specialty programmes. www.villageradio.co.nz or 571 3710

Spiritual Club, The Psychic Cafe A

Bay Bible Fellowship/Lord’s Day

Monday 26 January

Sunday 25 January

Welcome Bay Primary School Hall, 309 Welcome Bay Rd 10am. Worship & communion. God’s character on display. Colossians 1:13-14 “The Great Exchange” John Kerr. www.bbf.net.nz Beekeeping Hobbyists Meet in Welcome Bay Community Centre (behind Welcome Bay Hall) 2pm.

Guest speaker: Beekeeping in Columbia, Canada, using holistic, sustainable approach (no drugs, chemicals).

Gordon 027 544 2882 BOP Linux Users Bi-monthly hands on day. Bring your computer to install Linux. Arts & Crafts Centre (back room), cnr Elizabeth & Glasgow Sts 9.30am - 3pm. $2 door charge. www.boplug.co.nz Home Computer Club (Tga) Inc Computer enthusiasts meet to share knowledge & experience last Sun of month at Arts & Crafts Centre, Elizabeth St West 9.30am – 12.30pm. $3 door charge.

544 2067

Mount Mainstreet Farmers Market

Every Sun in Phoenix car park 9am 1pm. Fresh fruit & veges, breads, cheese, oils, plants & more. All home grown & home made. 575 9911 mountmaunganui.org.nz

NZ Assn of Rationalists & Humanists BOP Meet last Sun of month at Alzhei-

mer’s House, 116 13th Ave, Tauranga 1.30pm. This week: “How humanity if benefitting from knowledge gained as a result of the space age.” Judi 576 6872 Papamoa Lions Market At Simpson Reserve 7am – 12.30pm. Stalls must be set up by 7.30am. Great range of goods for sale including fruit & vege, arts & crafts. Fundraising stalls to support needy causes. $10 per car space. 542 2559 a/hs Petanque Every Sun & Thurs at Cliff Rd 12.45pm. Boules available, tuition given. 1st 3 visits free. 578 3606 Quakers in Tauranga Every Sunday in hall behind Brain Watkins Historic House 10am. Mainly silent worship, hour long meeting followed by tea & talk. 544 0448 Radio Controlled Model Yachts Meet Sun 1.30pm & Thurs 5.30pm at pond behind 24 Montego Drive, Papamoa, to sail electron & similar 3ft long yachts for fun. Graham 572 5419

group of 8 or more spiritual, psychic & healing practitioners for you to meet for followship & friendship.

Greerton Community Hall, Greerton.

Doors open 7pm. Door charge $10, everything else free. 578 7205

Weekend Activities for the Over 60’s.

Walks, dinners, day trips & good times.

Gloria 544 1834

Eves Triathlon Series Pilot Bay Classic

Triathlon at Pilot Bay from 8am.

Learn to Dance With the Monday night dancers at St Pats Hall, Beatty Ave, Te Puke. Dance tuition from 6.30pm then sequence dancing until 8.30pm approx.

Sequence dancing for beginners & improvers. $3pp. Gordon 572 0060 Meditation Group Free classes Mon 10am & Weds 7.30pm. Find peace, spiritual awareness & the meaning of your life. David 576 9764 Omanu Bowling Club Twilight bowls every Mon 6-8pm. Flat shoes essential.

Recycled Teenagers Gentle exercise for 50’s forwards, & injury or illness rehabilitation. Mon & Weds at 14 Norris St, Tauranga Citizen’s Club behind Pak n Save 9-10.30am. Classes taken by qualified instructor.

First class free. Jennifer 571 1411 Snooker At Mt Maunganui RSA every Mon 12.15pm & Weds 6.15pm. New members welcome, tuition available.

Keith 021 170 2394 Tauranga Senior Citizens Club Cards, 500 & Bridge Mon & Thurs. Indoor Bowls Tues, Weds & Sat at 14 Norris St, behind Pak n Save 1-4pm. Register by 12.45pm. $2 includes afternoon tea.

Water for the Soul Do you feel spiritually isolated & seek relationship with like-minded people? Join us for biblical study, shared meals, relationship, celebration & social times. All things working together for good. 571 5188

Tuesday 27 January

5k Run for Beginners/Slow Runners Cheyne Rd neighbourhood every Tues, Thurs & Fri 6am start. Run & fitness. Free. No sunburn. Svetlana 027 616 2124

Alcoholics Anonymous Mt Maunganui

Open meeting every Tues 11 Victoria Road St Peters Hall 7:30pm. 0800 229 6757 for more meetings or assistance.

Altrusa Club of Tauranga Women’s community service group. Dinner & business meeting 2nd Tues. Social programme 4th Tues monthly. Interested?

Denise 570 3134 Badminton (Social) Every Tues at Otumoetai Baptist Hall 9.30am - 12pm.

Racquets available. All welcome. Lorraine 579 3229 Bayfair Petanque Club Every Tues & Thurs at Bayfair Reserve, Russley Drive 1pm. Tuition & boules available for learners & visitors. Margaret 572 3173 Body & Soul Fun Fitness For over 50’s, social events & guest speakers. Tues 27th Wesley Church Hall, 13th Ave. Weds 28th City Church cnr Otumoetai Rd/ Sherwood St. Thurs 29th at Tauranga Senior Citizens Hall, Norris St behind Pak n Save. All classes 9.15-10.15am.

First class free. For men & women.

Dianne 576 5031 Qualified Instructor/ Cardiac Care leader.

Does Your Loved One have an Addiction? Do you wonder what you can do?

How to help? Hanmer Clinic Tauranga ‘Significant Other’ programme for spouses, partners etc of people who have an addiction. 7 weekly sessions starts March 24 - May 5 1-3pm at 1234 Cameron Rd, Tga. Free. 579 6470 or 0800 842 426

Home Instead Senior Care Music Morning Feb 3 - Community music

event for seniors at Greerton Hall, Cameron Rd, opp McDonalds 10am.

Entertainment: Dennis August, singing the songs you know & love. Entry $4, morning tea & raffle.

Inachord Chorus Womens 4 Part Harmony Every Tues at Bethlehem Com-

munity Church, 183 Moffat Rd 6.55pm.

Enjoy the challenge of singing & performing varied repertoire. Cathy 579 2040 email: inachordchorus@gmail.com Ocean Running Club Every Tues 5k Family Fun Run or Walk during Daylight Saving. Registration at the Mt Ocean Sports Club, Pilot Bay from 5.15pm.

Walkers start from 5.30pm Runners 6pm. $5 entry, free drink and spot prizes. Phil 021383354 “Other Roads” Contemporary UK folk band at Te Puna War Memorial Hall, 3 Te Puna Rd 7.30pm. Door sales $20 pp or book through Eventfinder Otumoetai Toastmasters Leadership skills, speaking skills. At Lyceum Club rooms, 68 1st Ave 7.15-9.30pm. Alan 544 5989 Petanque Tuesday’s Club Mt Maunganui 12.45pm. Boules available, tuition given. 1st 3 visits free. 572 3768

Tauranga Astronomical Society

Recorded lecture by Jim Garvin, NASA’s chief scientist on ‘The Inner, Terrestrial Planets’, plus videos of interest. Telescope viewing.

Fergusson Park Observatory 7.30pm.

Tauranga Scrabble Club Every Tues at Tauranga Bridge Club, Ngatai Rd 9am.

3 games $3. New players welcome.

544 8372

GUIDE The Weekend Sun’s guide to who’s playing and where.

Tauranga Toastmasters Tga Lyceum

Club 7.15-9.30pm. Confidence building, speaking skills, leadership skills.

Alan 544 5989

Widow & Widowers Club

People living alone invited to Arts & Crafts Centre, Elizabeth St 2pm.

Margaret 576 5292

Wednesday 28 January

Diabetes Support Tauranga Had a difficult time resisting yummy food over the holidays? Is your diabetes suffering?

We can help. Come along to Church of Christ, Greerton 2pm. Guest speaker from Min Social Development. Meeting is open to all. 571 3422

Fernlands Spa Water Exercise Classes

Weds 10.45-11.45am. Held rain or shine but not during school holidays. New participants planning to attend ph Jennifer 571 1411. Classes recommence Feb 2015, date to be advised.

Global Hearts Exercise Group Weds 2pm & Fri 11am. Provides group activities combined with health education that encourages members to live a healthy & active lifestyle as well as social friendship gatherings monthly. No special clothing required. First 2 classes free to try. Global Fitness, 150 Newton St, Mt Maunganui.

Amber 575 0470 Healing Rooms At Bethlehem Town Centre cnr shop behind PO/Bookstore.

Christian prayer for healing.

Weds 1-3pm. 021 110 0878 www.healingrooms.co.nz Ninja Knits Every 2nd & 4th Weds at The Incubator, Historic Village 7pm. Knitters, crocheters, felters etc. Yarnbomb, swap patters & teach each other new skills. All ages & beginners welcome. On Facebook.

Scottish Country Dancing Every Weds at Senior Citizens Hall, Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui. Beginners class 6-7.30pm. 573 5055 Tauranga Embroider’s Guild Every Weds at Tauranga Rowing Club rooms, Memorial Park 10am - 2.30pm & 7-9pm. Juniors 4-5.30pm. Beginners & experienced stitches welcome.

Nancy 544 4778

Tauranga Mid-Week Tramping Group Ngamarama towards Te Tuhi & return. Grade easy, approx 5.5hrs. Hard 7 hour option available. Pat 544 0670

Te Puke Spiritual & Healing Group

Constables Gallery, Commerce Lane.

Tauranga clairvoyant Kevin Reid.

Doors open 6.45pm for 7.15 start.

Entry $4. Raffle, tea/coffee available.

Kerry 552 6768

Continued...

as ire ylinder SERVICES

39

The Weekend Sun M U S I C

P L U S

By Winston Watusi

A band that never lets up - and it pays off Some things seem meant to be – that’s how I feel watching Swamp Thing play.

I’ve seen them several times now, most recently at a festival in Northland a couple of weeks ago. It was one of those sweltering summer days we’re getting so used to and the location was beautiful, right on the water’s edge with a backdrop of boats on the silent shimmering harbour and the sun slowly setting.

But there was a problem. Instead of the expected few thousand the festival had attracted only a couple of hundred. In front of the band where there should have been packed crowds of dancers there was largely empty space.

New percussion

Did that make the slightest difference? Not that I could tell. Swamp Thing delivered with as much energy and excitement as at every show, even adding some elaborate new percussion to Michael Baker’s already extravagant drumming rig. But more on that later...

This was full force Swamp Thing, a reminder that the band never let up, never give it less than 100 per cent, and that’s when I couldn’t help but think that some things just seem meant to be. Like Michael Baker and Grant Haua meeting and forming a musical partnership.

That was reinforced when I got a press release this week ahead of their big local show at the end of the month. (In case you’re in a hurry and don’t want to read to the end, it’s on Saturday, January 31 at 8pm at the

Mauao Performing Arts Centre on Totara St at the Mount).

Succinct summary

Although I general try to avoid quoting such promotional documents this one had quite a succinct summary of the band’s genesis: “The band was formed by Barker in 2010 on his return to Rotorua after living in Melbourne since 1985. Drawn to the two man blues format Barker fortuitously met Tauranga’s Grant Haua, a man with true blues grit in his voice and fire in his belly”.

The word that gets me is “fortuitously”. Because I can’t imagine anyone else fitting the role that Grant Haua fills so exactly.

Prodigious songwriter

He’s a great singer, an extraordinary guitarist, both electric and acoustic, a prodigious songwriter and plays the kind of full throttle rhythmic blues that fits Barker’s percussion style like a fist in a glove. As much as that, he’s a man with real drive and desire and the work ethic that goes with them.

And that’s important – the work ethic.

Michael Barker is also driven. He’s not close

to being yer average drummer and he’s also a fine piano player, singer, songwriter, promoter and seriously hard-working perfectionist.

Indeed, together, the two of them work harder than any band I know. And it is paying off.

In April they head off on their first American tour, invited by The Tipitina Foundation as artists in residence in Baton Rouge for the month of April. There the band will appear as featured international artist at The Baton Rouge Blues Festival ahead of a tour through Louisiana’s juke joints and bar circuit. Then, although not performing, they have Access All Areas backstage passes as guests of The New Orleans Jazz Festival. Damn!

The band also have a new album out, a double pack called ‘Let's Get Live’, comprising a CD and DVD culled from a gig they did at The Okere Falls Store near Rotorua last June. Expect a review in a couple of weeks when I digest it more fully.

What isn’t on the CD is that new percussion I mentioned earlier, which I saw for the first time in Northland. Two kettle drums.

These are huge and must be an absolute pain in the ass to set up and transport. And they

used them for one song. That’s all, one song in front of a minimal crowd.

Extreme effort

Most bands wouldn’t have bothered. The effort for just that one song was extreme. But it was a stunning way to open a show and it struck me as emblematic of how Swamp Thing operate – nothing is too much work if it makes the show or the music better.

See for yourself at MauaoPAC. Advance tickets are $20 from Eventfinder, The Rock Shop or Music PlPlaPLanet. PLanet.Planet. They're $25 on the door (no EFTPOS).

...Continued Toastmasters - City Early Start Improve communica-

tion, leadership & teamwork skills. Every Weds at Classic Flyers Avgas Cafe 6.458.15am. Toastmasters is the answer for building confidence & leadership skills. To find a club near you email: LaniDTM@gmail.com or 571 1545. http://cityearlystart.toastmastersclubs.org

Thursday 29 January

Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Salvation Army,

Eversham Rd, Bayfair 7.308.30pm.

Community Bible Study International Join us at

14th Ave Gospel Centre 10am 12pm for a non denominational Bible study starting Feb 5. Jack/Betty 544 3809

Happiness & Our Mind

Drop-in meditation classes.

Beginners welcome. Classes are self contained, so start any date. Cost $14 per class at Tauranga Plunket, 471 Devonport Rd. Monthly classes, next class Feb 12 7-8.30pm. www.meditateintauranga.org

Keynotes 4 Part Harmony

Women’s chorus meet every Thurs at Wesley Church Hall, 13th Ave 6.45pm.

Sing for fun & health.

Nora 544 2714 Smiths Sports Shoes Everyone’s Run & Walk Until April 2. Walkers start 5.45pm & runners 6pm with registration from 5.15pm. 3km & 5km options starting Maxwells Rd Reserve. $5 adults, $3 students. $100 Smiths Sport Shoes voucher each week.

Tai Chi Qingong Every

Thurs at Ohauiti Rd Settlers Hall 11am. Class takes approx 1 hr. $1pp. All welcome. Eric 577 1988

Tauranga Heart Support Group Low impact group

exercise for those with or at risk of heart disease. City Church, Otumoetai 9.3010.30am. $3.50pp includes light refreshment. Hannah (Clinical Exercise Physiologist) 0508 227 342

“What’s On” is a FREE service for non-profit clubs & organisations.

Email julie@thesun.co.nz or Fax 571 1116 or post to PO Box 240, Tauranga.

Deadline 3pm Tuesdays.

Contributions should be less than 20 words.

Young Parents Group

Restarts 5 Feb (For ages 23 & under) every Thurs at Plunket, 471 Devonport Rd, Tauranga 12pm.

Lunch provided. Text Rozi 027 924 6526

Friday 30 January

Alcoholics Anonymous

Open meeting every Fri at Hamner Clinic, 1235 Cameron Rd, Greerton (behind Bridgestone) 7.30pm. 0800 229 6757 for more meetings or assistance.

Chess Tauranga Every Fri at Tauranga RSA, Greerton 6pm & 7pm onwards for the whole family. Werner 548 1111 http://www.westernbopchess.weebly.com/

Gay/Bi Men Support Group Do you need a

trusting person to talk to? Discretion assured. For meetings & locations ph/ txt Alex 027 358 5934 The Sociables 30’s/40’s age group of males & females that meet up once a week to socialise by dining out or participating in local activities & event. Email sociables@outlook.co.nz

Across 1. Former National prime minister (5,8) 8. Synthetic polymer (5) 9. Defendant (7) 10. Arrangement (6) 11. Scattered (6) 12. Search (5) 14. Twist (5) 18. Meal (6) 20. Mark (6) 23. Fold (7) 24. Zodiac sign (5) 25. Islands (3,3,7) Down 1. Warm-hearted (6) 2. Decoration (5) 3. Distinctions (7) 4. Spoken (4) 5. Sailing boat (5)

No. 1406

6. Stern (7) 7. Finish (6) 13. Countless (7) 15. Aperitif (7) 16. Jewelry (6) 17. City (Sth. Island) (6) 19. Beauty parlour (5) 21. Beverage (5) 22. Saga (4) C A T A D A F A H A E A E

O R A T E B O P O S S U M

M C W C L C X C B C C C I

A D A M A N T D S C A N T

T E E E Y E O E O E P E E

O M I T F I N U N D A T E

S G N G G G G G G G D G S

E I G H T E E N H F E A T

I I E I E I L I D I I I E

M I S E R J U K U L E L E

Solution 1405

E K T K A K D K V K V K M

S T E E P L E L E X I L E

S M D M A M D M T M L M D

40

The Weekend Sun

American Greats in Katikati Mount RSA Friday 23 – Che Orton 7.30pm.

Saturday 24 – Blaze 7.30pm.

Sunday 25 – Des and Pete 4.30pm.

The Matua Sunday 25 – Matua Pool Comp 1pm start.

Wednesday 28 – A Touch of Country Night 7.30-10pm.

Welcome Bay Bar Friday 23 – Karaoke with Paulena 8pm.

If you love Elvis, Buddy Holly and Neil Diamond then get ready for this weekend’s second gig in the 2015 Katikati Twilight Concert summer series – this is the show for you.

Spokesperson Jenni Wilson says the concert at Katikati’s Haiku Reserve tomorrow night features one of the best rock ‘n’ roll bands around.

“The Che Orton Band delivers a sensational, high energy show that offers an all-round rock ‘n’ roll experience,” says Jenni.

“They will have you dancing the night away to favourites such as ‘Shake Rattle and Roll’, ‘Great Balls of Fire’, ‘Twisting the Night Away’, and many, many more.”

Jenni says Tony Wellington has been performing as Buddy Holly for more than four years and belts out all his favourite tunes.

Brett Wallace as Neil Diamond appeared in ‘Stars in

their Eyes’ several years ago and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Plus, Che Orton has been performing for 14 years and has travelled New Zealand and internationally with his Elvis Tribute Show.

“Supported by The Che Orton Band this is set to be a fantastic night of rock ‘n’ roll so put your dancing shoes on, pack a picnic and stroll down to the reserve with an appetite for entertainment,” says Jenni.

“It will be a night to remember.”

The January 24 American Greats Tribute Show concert featuring The Che Orton Band is at the Haiku Reserve, off Main St, Katikati. Gates open 5pm and show starts 6pm.

Gate tickets cost $20 each, or a season pass costs $45 from Katikati information Centre. Children under 15 entre for free with an adult. For concert updates, call the info line 07 549 3549 or see www.katikaticoncerts.co.nz

COMPUTER PROBLEMS?Relax!

The Che Orton Band will perform at Katikati’s twilight concert, the American Greats Tribute Show tomorrow night.

Tauranga Computers Ltd

Adrenalin junkies to take to the track Thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies are encouraged to sign up for an action-packed race around the terracotta track this April as part of the SunLive Baypark Speedway Demolition Derby.

Baypark Family Speedway promoter Bernie Gillon says anyone with a driver licence can enter the derby at ASB Baypark on April 11.

Bernie’s hoping to have at least 60 cars entered, with a $3000 prize pool expected to turn up the heat.

“Whoever is the last man or woman standing wins $2000 and the best troublemaker out there – the one who is the most entertaining – wins $1000.”

Live music, hot racing action, on-track games and much more!

TAURANGA HARNESS RACES This Sunday!

ISF_WkSn_8a

Adults $10, under 18s FREE. Gates open at 9.30am.

.co.nz

FREE KIDS ENTERTAINMENT Visit theraces.co.nz

Bernie says they’re making it easy for entrants this year, with a limited number of cars available for drivers to hire for the event.

“It makes it a heck of a lot easier for people who can’t find a car to drive in the clash – or for those who don’t have the skills to set their cars up for the derby.”

Entry forms are available online at www.bayparkspeedway.co.nz, at Flamecrusher in Gate Pa, or at the merchandise hub at ASB Baypark.

The entry fee for drivers competing with their own car is $100, or $400 for drivers who wish to hire a car for the event.

By Zoe Hunter

Entries are now open for the SunLive Baypark Speedway Demolition Derby.

The Weekend Sun

41

Swamp Thing will make your heart sing Off the back of a brilliant summer, Swamp Thing is returning to town to tear the roof off the Mauao Performing Arts Centre this month.

Rotorua’s Michael Barker and Tauranga’s Grant Haua are the duo behind the highenergy swamp blues band and both are hugely excited about the January 31 show.

“We don’t play in my hometown a hell of a lot,” says Grant. “So it’s good to get friends and family come along and check out the gig.”

Michael adds: “It’s a really special place to me”. We’re looking forward to sharing our music with the locals”.

The show’s part of their ‘Let’s Get Live’ tour promoting the release of their live DVD and album of the same name.

Later this year Swamp Thing is off to the United States, being invited as artists in residence at Baton Rouge’s Tipitina Foundation in Louisiana for the month of April.

They’ll also appear as international artist at The Baton Rouge Blues Festival ahead of a tour through Louisiana’s juke joints, bar circuit and participate in music workshops.

Michael says during the last four years they’ve received huge support from Tauranga audiences and they’re looking to put on a show that’ll entertain and energise.

“Things are going from strength to

strength, we put a lot of focus on every show because you’re only as good as your last.

“We get a lot of smiling, happy people along to our shows who dance and have fun and that’s really neat for myself and Grant.”

Door tickets to Swamp Thing’s Mauao PAC show on January 31, subject to availability, are $25, or $20 online at www.eventfinder.co.nz Or see the Swampthingnz Facebook page.

By David Tauranga

Bay of Plenty’s Swamp Thing will be playing at the Mauao Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, January 31.

Get to the gallery If you’re at a loose end this summer Tauranga Art Gallery has three exhibitions, to suit differing tastes.

‘John Blackburn: in the shadow of the Mount’ is a suite of abstract works using many different textiles and materials inspired by Mauao on show until February 1, 2015.

‘The Garden of Forking Paths’ comprises new works from Dunedin artist Anya Sinclair evoking her upbringing in the Waitakere Ranges and her experiences of travelling in Brazil, which is on display until February 8, 2015.

‘The Whale Years: paintings by Gregory O’Brien’ featuring whales and sea birds of the South Pacific Ocean. This is also on display until February 8.

‘The Painter in the Painting’, an exhibition by Sydney-based Kiwi painter Euan MacLeod, is on show until February 22, 2015. To learn more, see www.artgallery.org.nz

42

The Weekend Sun

March to the tune of Marchwood If you haven’t got tickets for the upcoming Marchwood Blues Picnic, you’d better hurry up because only 400 are left.

With under two-and-a-half months to go, preparations for the annual Omokoroa blues festival have kicked up a notch, says organiser Peter Archer.

“We’re expecting to sell-out of tickets, if that happens there’ll be no door sales,” says Peter.

“There’s been a huge interest this year, with a lot of it coming from outside the region.

Daddy Wilson who is now unable to perform.

“No-one plays the blues like Darren, he’s got a unique style and ranks up there alongside the likes of Midge Marsden, Hammond Gamble and Rick Bryant.”

Local added

Recently added to the bill is local act Black Velvet which features the talents of singer Tara Watson, guitarist Bruce

Rolands, bassist Brian Franks and drummer Angela Jalava.

Peter says each member has been a figure of the Tauranga music scene for many years and will present fun interpretations of modern and classic Blues guaranteed to “rock your soul”.

“We’ve got some of the most extraordinary local, national and international musicians and I can guarantee 2015’s Marchwood will be talked about for a very, very long time.”

Camping

Festival reach

“We’ve got people coming from Christchurch, Dunedin and Australia, so it goes to show you the reach our festival has.”

Peter says the 2015 festival will be their biggest yet with a bill featuring headliner and legendary musician Tony Joe White.

There’s also been a few line-up changes, with New Zealand blues guru Darren Watson replacing Big

Marchwood Blues Picnic co-founder Peter Archer, playing harmonica, says tickets sales are going strong ahead of the 2015 picnic.

Peter says if you wish to reserve a camping space you need to contact him quickly; there’s only 15 left.

A 12- seater courtesy bus is also available, but Peter says if more festival-goers are interested he’ll explore the option of hiring a 40-seater bus.

Marchwood Blues Picnic is on March 7 at 316 Youngson Rd, Omokoroa. Gates open 10am and the concert is from 12pm-8.30pm.

Tickets cost $80 via www.bluespicnic.com

By David Tauranga

The problem that brews from Kentucky Jim Beam has been brewing Kentucky bourbon for more than 200 years – and at some point, many will have tried their white or black label.

There’s also the green label – a rye bourbon, their premium level with Bookers, the new Signature Craft quarter cask and the single barrel bourbon.

Jim Beam also introduced Red Stag cherry bourbon, Devils Cut naughty bourbon and Ghost White bourbon to their range, so I’ll introduce Jim Beam Maple bourbon liqueur.

This bourbon is like drinking genuine Canadian liquid maple syrup with creamy, smoky flavours – without that typical gnarly after-bite.

Yes it’s sweet, but as a bourbon liqueur, it’s a smooth sipping experience and that’s where the ‘problem’ is.

It’s perfect, purely by itself in a chilled glass. But Jim Beam set a challenge – create a cocktail that tastes like pancakes with maple syrup.

There’s a crazy shot called The Pancake, which is amazing; and Joel Bartosh makes the best in town.

To create a stunning cocktail with Jimmy Maple has

proven a great challenge, and I need a couple of guinea pigs to finalise the Maple Syrup Pancakes recipe.

So if you want to be part of my ‘Tasting Team’, come down to The Phoenix and receive the ‘T.T’ special price.

Jim Beam Maple bourbon Liqueur is a smooth sipping experience that will be wasted with coke, but is awesome with soda and ice in a tumbler.

The Weekend Sun has a $50 The Phoenix voucher to give away to a lucky reader who can tell us who makes The Pancake – the best crazy shot in town?

Enter online at www. sunlive.co.nz under the competitions section.

Entries must be received before Wednesday, January 28.

43

The Weekend Sun

A radical Christian response of love

www. www.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS - SUMMER SERIES Sunday 10am 345 Maunganui Road info@shoreline.org.nz www.shorelinechurch.org.nz 07 562 0820

It’s easy to give way to fear and hatred when we watch news reports of radical Islamic terrorism. I believe we need to give a radical Christian response of love.

ing of Arabic throughout Europe so there would be better communication with Muslims.

Neither of these men compromised their Christian faith but they continue to teach us today how Christians must respond to violence and terror. There is no fear or hate in radical Christianity, only courage and love.

Jesus gave us a very simple command:

By Mark Holt, Pastor, “To love my neighbour as myself. When Tauranga Central Baptist Church I live out that command I become a radical Christian”.

In practical terms this means making a deliberate effort to befriend Muslim visitors and neighbours, to respect the quiet, moral lives lead by the vast majority of Muslims – and most of all, to stop engaging in hate talk.

I have two heroes, Francis of Assisi and Raymond Llull, who both lived more than 700 years ago in a 07 576 5387 time of terrible hatred 252 Otumoetai Road between Christians www.citychurchtauranga.org.nz and Muslims.

Both men travelled to Muslim countries to share the news that our God is such a God of love that He became a man, Jesus Christ, to die for us.

Assisi returned to Italy.

Lull made repeated trips to Africa until he was eventually stoned to death. Llull was a brilliant scholar and advocated for the teach-

Sunday Gatherings 10:00 am Mount Sports Club 51 Miro Street Blake Park The Mount

www.stlukeschurch.org.nz

.org.nz .org.nz

44

The Weekend Sun

trades & services

Jeff ’s the man to call Whether it’s plumbing repairs or gas fitting, or anything in between – just call Jeff Warren.

JEFF

Jeff Warren from J.C.J Plumbing.

JUST

CALL

Jeff from J.C.J Plumbing prides himself as being an honest and reliable sole trader with 36 years’ experience in the plumbing and gas industry.

From the first phone call to completion of the job – all work is carried out by the craftsman plumber, so customers know who they are dealing with from start to finish.

“This makes for a more personal relationship with the customer,” says Jeff.

Blocked drains are not a worry for Jeff, who can complete a camera inspection of the drain to help get to the bottom of the problem.

Jeff realises his reputation depends on good quality work and does his utmost to deliver.

By Zoe Hunter

Keeping properties secure Whether it’s security systems or fire alarms for the home or workplace, Alarmtek in Tauranga has everything to keep the family or business secure.

As well as home security alarms, Alarmtek also offers security cameras, access control and monitoring CCTV cameras for both residential and business properties – as well as fire alarms for commercial businesses.

“That’s why we’re dubbed the security professionals,” says owner Marc Cotter.

Marc has more than 25 years’ experience in the trade and says the company aims for outstanding service and has a good customer base with both residential and high profile businesses.

Marc says it’s a Alarmtek owner good idea to get your Marc Cotter. premises fitted with a security system to keep possessions safe and secure.

“Any burglar alarm is a deterrent, especially if it is maintained and operating.”

Alarmtek covers Bay of Plenty and wider areas, including Taupo and Coromandel – as well as Auckland and Waikato.

By Zoe Hunter

xterior wash

F QUORTEE ES!

45

The Weekend Sun

trades & services

broken window handle?

• • • • *finance available

doors • windows locks • hinges handles conservatories

for a FREE quote

07 571 4491

Suits Shirts Waistcoats Ties Shoes Hats Page boy attire . . . and much more!

Use Our On-line “VIRTUAL MODEL”

New Zealand’s Suit Hire Specialists 61 Willow Street Tauranga Ph 07 578 2888 www.frankcasey.co.nz

AAA

MASTER

PAINTERS

We Specialise in:

TAURANGA

• Continuous Spouting • All Metal & PVC Spouting systems • Long-run Roofing • Fascia • Repairs & Leaks • Spouting & Roof cleaning • Moss & Mold control Your local specialists

Call/text/e-mail us for a FREE no obligation quote Ph: 07 542 1016 Mob: 021 02051038 E-mail: kiwispout@kiwispout.co.nz

46

The Weekend Sun

trades & services

personal

for sale

Visit us.

OPEN: Monday-FridayÊ8.00am-5.30pmÊÊÊ SaturdayÊ9.00am-5.00pm

Visit us.

OPEN: Monday-FridayÊ8.00am-5.30pmÊÊÊ SaturdayÊ9.00am-5.00pm

116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui.

116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui.

Tel:Ê07Ê578Ê6017

Tel:Ê07Ê578Ê6017

www.farmerautovillage.co.nz www.farmerautovillage.co.nz

business opportunity New Year

New

Opportunity

cars wanted

Buyers of Damaged, Unloved & Unwanted Vehicles

Great NZ People who are Honest Vehicle Buyers Follow us on Facebook

0800 382 828

Looking for a clean start in 2015? You can afford to be your own boss.

Our quick start training programme gets you earning fast.

Cleantastic offers full and part time business packages with finance available (conditions apply).

Recession Proof Industry A Guaranteed Work Supply Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions of the Franchisee Agreement

Commercial Cleaning Franchise

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR A FREE INFORMATION PACK

www.cleantastic.co.nz

appliance service

47

The Weekend Sun

funeral directors

karaoke hire

health & beauty

funeral stationery

computer services

wanted

situations vacant

JOB VACANCY! If you’re looking for the right person, they could be a Weekend Sun reader who no longer buys a daily newspaper.

Ph 928 3042 or email aimee@thesun.co.nz

public notices

ou Thanky

deceased

public notices

MANAGER WITH NO QUALIFICATION WANTED Know you have the skills and experience but not the qualification to back it up?

Enrol now in our Business Management Programme and study for a Certificate in Management (NZIM Cert Mgt) from the NZ Institute of Management.

• Distance learning course by correspondence study from anywhere in NZ: from the comfort of home... or down at the beach... or in a café downtown... anywhere, anytime • NZQA Approved • You will need to commit approximately 10 hours to study per week • A 52 week study plan and assignment schedule will be set for you • ZERO FEES* for all 2015 • Learn about management, marketing, communication, research, finance, human resources, problem solving, and decision making

public notices

HON SIMON BRIDGES MP FOR TAURANGA

TODD MULLER

MP FOR BAY OF PLENTY Simon Bridges MP and Todd Muller MP will meet with constituents most Fridays at 184 Devonport Rd, Tauranga. Appointments necessary.

Simon Bridges MP | P: 07 579 9016 | E: taurangamp@parliament.govt.nz

• All course materials supplied but...

• You will need a computer with an internet connection *Administration charge of $360 applies.

Every year the skill level of the NZ workforce climbs another notch. Does yours?

It’s time for you to up-skill.

ENROL TODAY

Visit our website for more info

www.Management.org.nz

Todd Muller MP | P: 07 578 0175 | E: Todd.MullerMP@parliament.govt.nz Authorised by Hon Simon Bridges and Todd Muller MP, 184 Devonport Road, Tauranga 3110

• Unlimited student support provided via email and freephone

Programme provided by Cornerstone Education Ltd www.national.org.nz

48

The Weekend Sun

www.sunlive.co.nz/classifieds.html

THIS WEEKS GARAGE SALES!

bible digest

desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5

OTUMOETAI

cars for sale

107 Grange Road, Sat from 8am. Whole range of household goods, furniture, office equipment, sporting equipment, garage tools, antiques.

Something for everyone! Huge clear out.

CAR FAIR – buy or sell any vehicle every Sunday at 11th Avenue Car park opposite Mad Butcher 8am-noon. Ph for more information 027 733 9686 or www.taurangacarfair.co.nz

arts & crafts

COMPUTER GETTING you down? Problems, viruses, upgrades, internet, new or refurb PC’s tuition, or advice.

Ph Bruce for a no obligation chat or quote 576 7940 or 021 260 9183

GLASS FUSING 31st Jan 1-4pm The perfect introduction to fusing glass for jewellery, coasters, suncatchers etc. 3hrs of information and making your own unique pieces. $50 per person plus materials. Use of all tools and firing is included, we even take your notes! Contact Lynn Ph 571 3726 Leadlight Expressions, Historic Village, 17th Ave.

bible digest THOSE WHO LIVE according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature

computers

FREE ON SITE DIAGNOSIS & quote. We come to you & don’t charge extra for travel.

Pensioner discounts. Ph Kyle at Tech Solutions 027 828 7078

entertainment TAURANGA TANDEM SKYDIVING. Best buzz in the Bay! Gift vouchers available. Ph 574 8533 today

education

lost & found

for sale

house for sale

ISEKI SX65, 60HP, 12x4 transmission, 5000 hours, crowd action F.E.L, good rubber, sunroof, only $16,900+gst.

Ph Michael at Transport Maintenance, 100B Maleme St, Tauranga, 577 9895

GREAT LITTLE INVESTMENT or first home. Quiet no exit street, so handy to Greerton Village. Private sale $290,000.

Ph 577 1661

Found Greerton Area, DSH Tabby Cat, Ref# 21110.

join a club

Found Welcome Bay Area, Rabbit Black/White Female Ref# 21112.

cont.

SECOND HAND CARPET ideally suited for 2 bedroom house or floor area approx 110m2, royal blue, in very good condition, asking price $200 ONO. Queen slat bed $50 ONO. Ph 021 165 3536

health & beauty NATURAL NEW ZEALAND Health Products & Clinic.

Something for everyone. NZ Registered Natural Therapies & Natural Medicine Practitioners.

Opposite BP Te Puke. Ph 573 5533 www.naturaltherapiesnz. com and www.kiwikitz.com

housesitters TRUSTED HOUSESITTERS available from 10 March - 28 May. 14 years housesitting experience in Tauranga, excellent references. Ph 027 302 8328 or evenings 543 3457

WIN $500 CASH MONTHLY! Join Te Puna Hunting & Fishing club for only $10 per adult and enter our monthly competition Prime Explosives 500, you could win $500 Cash every month. Check out www. tepunahuntfishclub.co.nz or check out our facebook page to keep up to date www.facebook. com/tepunahuntfishclub

livestock AC PETFOODS collect injured & unwanted cows & horses.

Ph 0800 369 6269

lost & found

SPCA FOUND: Lots of Kittens, various colours from various areas.

Found Te Puke, DSH Tabby Female Cat, Ref# 21083.

Found Te Puke Area, DSH Tabby Female Cat, Ref# 21090.

cont.

Found Papamoa Area, DSH Grey Male Tabby, Ref# 21111.

Found Welcome Bay Area, DSH Ginger/White Adult Cat, Ref# 21115.

Found Te Maunga Area, 3 x Collie x Puppies Females Ref# 21123-25.

Found Oropi Area, DMH Torti Female Cat, Ref# 21127.

Found Maungatapu Area, DSH Torti Cat, Ref # 21130. If you have lost a pet please phone the SPCA 07 578 0245

mobility FOR ALL disability needs, visit our showroom 29 Burrows St, Tauranga Ph 578 1213 MES “Supporting your Independence” for 12+years.

situations vacant

trades & services

BACHCARE IS RECRUITING in Papamoa! Become a Bachcare Holiday Manager and join NZ’s leading holiday home management company.

Receive excellent training / support. Enjoy meeting people, have great attention to detail, and a cleaning extraordinaire?

Contact gemma@bachcare.co.nz FISH TANK CLEANER required for tropical tank plus outside pond. Located at Sun Media #1 The Strand, Tauranga. Must be experienced, reliable and have own equipment. Ph 928 3040

BOAT BUILDING repairs and maintenance. Timber & fibreglass trade qualified, boat builder. Ph Shaun 021 992 491 or 07 552 0277

storage OUTSIDE STORAGE AVAILABLE for caravans, campervans, boats, trailers or containers. $20pw on private rural block Pyes Pa. Ph 0274 998 122

trades & services APPLIANCE REPAIRS For service of all Fisher & Paykel, Haier and Elba appliances, Ph 0800 372 273 for your local technician.

BUILDER AVAILABLE alterations & home maintenance jobs. Decks, showers. For a quote ph 578 9334 BUILDER/HANDYMAN 47yrs experience, no job too small.

Ph Bryan on 022 064 3003 ELECTRICIAN, 18+ years experience, NZ registered.

Residential & commercial, maintenance & service, new builds, renovations.

Fast, friendly service. Ph Andrew 022 354 1960 FUTURA PROPERTY SERVICES Building maintenance, timber repairs, landscape features. Contact us about the best new sunroof materials available. Ph Bill Purdie on 575 0407 or 027 6247 247 info@futura247.co.nz

mobility

advertising

A new way of driving...

Upgrade to an Elite Scooter

Book a test drive Phone 0800 354 837

Elite Scooters Where comfort and style matter www.elitescooters.co.nz

financial

financial

For that personal loan you may require...

for Robert Smylie Manager - Tauranga Branch

Terms and conditions apply. Subject to Linsa Finance lending criteria and responsible lending guidelines. All loans must be approved and drawn down in our branch.

0800 34 62 63 | www.linsa.co.nz 1 7 4 D E V O N P O R T R O A D, TAU R A N G A | ( 0 7 ) 5 7 8 7 7 1 7

Need Short Term Mobility Equipment?

Hire & Sales Available from...

• Knee Scooters • Wheelchairs • Orthopaedic Chairs • Commodes • Crutches • Walkers • Shower Chairs • Toilet Frames • Overbed Tables ... and more!

Brook Street, Tauranga Ph / Fax / AHrs 07 578 4874 www.tubularequipment.co.nz Hours: Mon - Fri 8.30 - 5.00pm

865 kawikadesign.com

here you ...we are

49

The Weekend Sun

Step Correct trades & services

trades & services

travel & tours

venues

HANDYMAN BUILDING and section maintenance, decks, fencing, pergolas, painting, water blasting, odd jobs.

Free quotes Ph Rossco 027 270 3313 or 544 5911

Plasterboard Stopping Small Jobs Free Quotes! Contact Stan 021 130 2621

“A A A”- WHITE ISLAND SCENIC FLIGHT, including lunch: - Tour 2. Kenny Rogers Show “LIVE”, with gold tickets: Tour 3. - The Word of Wearable Art – Auckland Museum: - & many more tours. Contact us to receive your free newsletter for our door to door tours. Ph The Hinterland Tours Team on 07 575 8118 3RD - 7TH MARCH - 5 days of towering mountains, rolling farmland, fine dining & spectacular scenery of the Opawa River. Molesworth Station Tour - Ph Zealandier Tours today for more info 575 6425 ANOTHER 3 DAY popular Rail Cart Tour in March.

Spectacular scenery & unique experience from Taumarunui to Whangamomona. Good price, best deal. John’s door to door tours. Ph 576 9305 NO.8 TOURS TRAVEL CLUB Specialists in fully escorted day & extended tours. Free pick-up, free newsletter. Up and coming tours; Sunny Nelson Stayput - 24th-28th Jan. Tiritirimatangi Island Cruise & Tour - 11th13th Feb. East Cape Summer Escape - 21st-24th Feb. Hamner Springs, Molesworth & Rainbow Stations 17th-21st March. Tasmania - 21st March 13days away. Seats are limited, don’t miss out, book now!

Ph 579 3981

FOR WEDDINGS, FUNCTIONS OR MEETINGS check out No.1 The Strand, a beautiful historic setting. Ph Tony 07 928 3676 or email tony@thesun.co.nz

INSECT SCREENS Measure.

Make. Mend. Ph Rob at Magic Seal 543 4940 MENDS & STITCHES Zips, hems, rips, button holes, uniforms. Same day service available. Ph 544 2826 or 027 696 8226 PA I N T E R / D E C O R AT O R Interior and Exterior, quality workmanship friendly services.

Over 20 years specialising in residential and more. Quality paint at trade prices. For your best advice in all areas.

Ph Shane Mount/Tauranga Decorators 07 544 6495 or 021 575 307 PAINTERS AVAILABLE for immediate start.

Interior/ exterior.

Guaranteed workmanship. For free quotes, Ph Graeme today 022 0466 776 or 07 544 5234 PAINTER AVAILABLE for smaller jobs. Quality work & materials. Free quotes. Ph Eric 577 1988 PLASTERER Interior 30+years.

Skimming walls make good ceilings walls Cornice Cove

ROOF PAINTING and maintenance. Roofs rescrewed.

Waterblasting, moss removal.

Free quotes! Ph Mark 543 3670 or 021 0273 8840 ROOF REPAIRS free quotes for all maintenance of leaking roofs, gutter cleaning & repairs. Chimney maintenance & repairs. Registered roofer, 30yrs exp. Ph Peter 542 4291 or 027 436 7740 TIMBER RETAINING WALLS decks and all types of fencing.

Excellent work at a competitive price. Ph Clive 021 048 2833 or 552 6510 TREE SHRUB and hedges trimming, topping removal, rubbish removal, palm pruning or removal, satisfaction guaranteed free quote. Ph Steve Hockly 571 5958 or 027 498 1857

transport DRIVING MISS DAISY relief for busy families. Let us take care of the transportation of your parents/children to appointments, outings, afterschool groups.

Safe, friendly, reliable service. Ph Jackie from Driving Miss Daisy 552 6614

Auckland’s Harry Tatu from breakdance group Free Will doing a banana freeze at the second annual Step Correct breakdance battles event on Saturday.

WEDDINGS, PARTIES, MEETINGS etc. With stunning Harbour views, fully licensed bar & kitchen onsite. Restaurant open every Friday from 5pm & Sunday from 4.30pm. Tauranga Fish & Dive Club, 60 Cross Rd, Sulphur Point. Ph 571 8450 or text 027 318 5760 www.tfdc.co.nz

Photos by Tracy Hardy.

wanted to buy FREEZER in good condition. Ph 576 6302 or 0274 356 066

Below: A breakdancer shows off his skills at the Step Correct battles.

wanted to rent 1 BDRM RENTAL wanted for single, mature, non-smoking lady, no pets, anything considered. Ph 027 2817 424 3 BEDROOM HOME with garage in Te Puna or nearby preferred for working couple with references. Willing to work on the property if and when required. Ph Alan 027 490 8405 or Sue 027 818 5797 a/h 07 552 6630

Give Salina a call today to book your Run On Listing 07 578 0030

The battle between tenants and landlords 2. Keep the property reasonably clean and tidy.

It’s a relationship that can be tainted with 3. Tell the landlord as soon as possible about any tension. But the battle between landlords damage or anything that needs to be fixed. and tenants doesn’t need to be difficult – as 4. Fix any damage they or their visitors cause on purpose or by being careless, or pay for someone to long as everyone follows fix it. the rules.

5. Pay for all charges that are exclusively attributLandlords and tenants have certain rights and responsibilities when they agree to a tenancy.

Some of these are listed below: The landlord must: 1. Sign a tenancy agreement and give the tenant a copy.

2. Send any bond money, including part payments, to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment within 23 working days and give the tenant a receipt for any payment that is made.

3. Make sure the property is clean and tidy before the tenant moves in.

4. Maintain the property and do any necessary repairs.

5. Write and tell the tenant at least 60 days before they put the rent up.

The tenant must: 1. Pay the rent on time. The tenant should not withhold rent even if they think the landlord is breaching the tenancy agreement.

Papamoa Surf Carnival

able to the tenant’s occupation of the premises, for example telephone, electricity, gas and internet.

Papamoa’s Bella Peddle, 9, diving in the flags race with Mount Maunganui’s Mia Thompson, 9.

Whangamata’s Jono Allen, 8, winning the under 8 board heat at the Pak’n Save Papamoa Junior Carnival on Saturday.

British Car Show Ted Horan with his 1967 Triumph Herald, that he restored from the Christchurh Earthquake, at the 21-year celebration of British motoring at The Elms on Saturday.

Photo by Cameron Avery.

50

The Weekend Sun

accepted.

The Weekend Sun

51

!

30% OFF

RETAIL

accepted.

52

The Weekend Sun

accepted.