About 450 vehicles, 50-plus food and craft stalls and a brilliant line-up of specialist vehicles descended on Pukehina School back in March
Now, four months on from the epic car show and community day out, the money
raised from the event has been handed over to five organisations – with each receiving $7000.
Originally, the Surf ‘ n ’ Sand Autorama was started to fundraise for Pukehina Beach Surf Rescue and Pukehina
Volunteer Fire Brigade. Those two organisations benefited again this time, but also receiving $7000 each were Pukehina Fishing Club, Inspire Kindergarten Ōtamarākau and Youth Encounter
Started in 2020 with the intention of
raising funds for the Pukehina Volunteer Fire Brigade and Pukehina Surf Rescue, the event has bounced back after a Covidenforced cancellation and beaten floods, going from strength to strength. Read more on page 4. Photo / Supplied
Te Puke NEWS
Te Puke’s spring clean event expands to a week
An annual town cleanup is expanding – in length and coverage. The EPIC Te Puke Spring Clean will be on again in September
In past years, the cleanup had been a quick, done-in-acouple-of-hours event ending with free pizza at The Daily café This year, that will still happen – but it will be the culmination of a week-long drive to encourage people to pick up litter
Now named the Great Te Puke Tidy Up, the rubbish gathering event will be from September 15-19 to coincide with Keep New Zealand Beautiful Week.
EPIC Te Puke’s Sally Benning said the hope is that schools, community groups and businesses would all become involved, collecting rubbish during the week
More interesting
“What we are doing is trying to make it a bit more interesting – we ’ re opening it up to schools and maybe we’ll get a bit of a competitive thing going – we’ll get a few small prizes.”
Schools would be able to do audits of the litter collected and collect litter around their grounds, expanding the area covered by the cleanup, and take what has been collected to The Daily on September 19.
Benning said it might be an opportunity for students to show leadership or accumulate hours for community work.
local businesses, with the first one on July 31.
Community groups were also invited to be part of the litter collection, with Te Puke Scouts and Poutiri Trust already expressing interest in being involved.
“We really want to get it to be a little bit more than just a couple of hours because that’s not very long and not everybody can be there.”
Keep Te Puke Beautiful co-ordinator Craig Wallace had been involved in helping organise the tidy-up week.
Epic restart
EPIC Te Puke is restarting its networking get-togethers for
Called EPIC Connect, the monthly events would be similar to the previously held BA5 events
“Nothing has been done here for a little while in terms of networking in the evening and it is something a couple of the business owners have talked about,” said Benning
The idea is that there will be a short guest talk, a talk from the host and a talk from EPIC.
“It will be quite casual and a chance for businesses to connect, ” Benning said.
Email EPIC Te Puke for more details at: events@epictepuke.co.nz
Stuart Whitaker
Jackson, Malachi and Harry at the Te Puke Spring Clean last year
Photos / Stuart Whitaker
Rina Clarke, eretupou Skudder and Huia Huanio rom Poiutiri Trust at the Te Puke Spring Clean last year.
Helping hands wanted for planting day
Te Puke residents are being asked to dig in and make a difference at a community planting day in Lawrence Oliver Park.
With more than 2000 native plants ready to go in the ground, Western Bay of Plenty District Council is inviting people to be part of this important mahi, on Saturday, July 19, to help create a thriving wetland in the park.
“This isn’t just about native planting –it’s about planting a sense of connection. When the community helps shape a space like this, it becomes something we all take pride in,” said WBOPDC community outcomes advisor Liesel Carnie
Something special
“It’s a great way to connect with the environment and each other, so come along, get your hands dirty, and help create something special.”
The restoration project, at the southern end of the reserve, will see 2775m2 of the park transformed into a treatment wetland, to improve water quality, support wildlife, reduce flooding, and add to the park’s recreational and cultural value.
The project is a joint initiative between
the council, which owns the land; Bay of Plenty Regional Council, which maintain Managh’s Drain bordering the reserve; and the Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway Society, which previously established a 4km public pathway in the area that passes around part of Lawrence Oliver Park.
Adjacent to the pā site Te Aore – which was a camp for forces during battle at Te Tumu – the area has unique cultural values, with mana whenua providing guidance to ensure those values are acknowledged and upheld
Everyone welcome!
“Everyone is welcome to come along to the community planting day – we ’ re looking for as many helping hands as possible,” said Carnie.
“The area is likely to be wet and muddy, so we recommend wearing gumboots or sturdy shoes, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty If you have gardening gloves or a spade, bring them along – but we’ll have some available to share too
“We’ll also have some morning tea on hand as a small thank you to everyone who comes out to help,” Carnie said.
Helpers were asked to bring a drink bottle and spade, and wear gloves, closed
footwear and warm waterproof clothing. Parking would be available along King St and Landscape Rd, but would be limited, so people may need to park further afield and walk in. There are three open water
New coastalerosion maps forWestern Bay ofPlenty
New and updated coastal erosion maps are now available for the Western Bay of Plenty district.
is includes new maps for Matakana Island, parts of Tauranga Harbour not previously mapped, Maketū, aihī Estuary, and east of Pukehina to Ōtamarākau, and updated maps for Waihī Beach and Pukehina BOPDC strategy and community acting general manager Emily Watton said this new information improves understanding of the risks that sea level rise could create and how the district’s open coastlines and harbour and estuary margins may respond to those potential changes over the coming 100 years.
“Improving the accuracy of hazard maps, like these, is more critical than ever due to the increasing legislative requirements around climate change, the need to reduce
natural hazard risk, and ensuring preparedness and response to natural disasters.
“The mapping information will help people make informed decisions about undertaking building works, buying property or preparing for a natural disaster”
The district council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council have been updating the natural hazards maps for the district over the last few years. This is because of changes to the Resource Management Act and Bay of Plenty Regional Policy Statement, which have brought in new requirements relating to how councils manage natural hazard risks, Watton said
The coastal erosion maps show the possible extent of erosion, taking into account the possible effects of climate change, including sea level rise, that may occur by the years 2080 and 2130
ponds in the area, so children must be supervised at all times.
The Community Planting Day starts 10am, Saturday, July 19, at the northern end of Lawrence Oliver Park, Te Puke
Lawrence Oliver Wetland Planting Day site map. Image / WBOPDC
Previous wetland planting mahi at Lawrence Oliver Park. Photo / WBOPDC
Previous wetland planting mahi at Lawrence Oliver Park. Photo / WBOPDC
Lawrence Oliver wetland Photo / WBOPDC
Pukehina now has an updated coastal erosion map
Photo / George Novak
A hilarious but thought-provoking comedy…
‘CALL GIRLS’ - REVIEW
Once again, Te Puke Repertory delivers!
Imagine you are visiting someone dear in a rest home You find yourself in the company of senior citizens who have earned the right to no longer worry about the world around them, let alone whether they need to fight to keep a roof over their heads.
How will your nan or your mum react to the news that their home is being forced to close? The four feisty residents of Beach Haven Rest Home don’t know how they’ll fight for justice, but fight they will This is their home They have nowhere else to go Their ideas come thick and fast but are swiftly rejected Such fundraising will take too long Closure is imminent Blue-sky thinking is required Blue-sky thinking yields hilarious results
Meet residents Angela (Di Leach), Ivy (Bridget Maher), Pauline (Viv Brownrigg) and Rose (Elizabeth Rose), four elderly ladies, very different from each other but each character bringing her own life experience to the situation
Convincing portrayal
Audiences will be pleased to see Di Leach again, after a seven-year absence, showing she has lost nothing of her flair for immersing herself in a role, this time of a sharp-minded, ex-accountant who is widowed and childless
Seasoned actress Bridget Maher has crafted a convincing portrayal of the caring yet sarcastic Ivy, the resident “from the other side of the tracks” Her dialect, stance and movement bring substance to her character and she delivers Ivy’s quickwitted barbs with aplomb Returning to the Litt Park Theatre after a short absence, Viv Brownrigg sets the stage alight with her scintillating performance as the pretentious, flamboyant divorcee, Pauline
But it is Elizabeth Rose who wins our hearts as she quietly presents the life of a quintessential old lady: kind, innocent, slightly forgetful Rose Which one will save the day?
The principal players are ably supported by eight others Carla Wilton is Sarah, the kind but rather naïve owner of Beach Haven Carla has truly blossomed in this key role Dick Brown has stepped confidently into Councillor Leonard’s shoes, so convincing is his portrayal of this officious, odious, would-be suitor to Sarah, who nevertheless is on a mission to shut down her business The panache with which Nic Reid gleefully portrays debonair TV celebrity Phillip Dinkle brightens the stage as he brings hope to the desperate residents in their hour of need.
Flair
Three actors are playing two roles each, a challenge overcome with flair Americanborn Owen Force gives fine cameo
performances, both as a stereotypical Irish priest with a lovely brogue, and a pompous mayor with elegant English diction. Appearing in her first major production, Mollie Wilton skilfully portrays the contrasting roles of Carla, the home’s exuberant and energetic yoga teacher, and the world-weary, efficient TV producer, Pip
Promising young actors
Hamish Avery gives very creditable performances as the greasy local reporter, Glen, and the lonely, vulnerable widower, Jack, very different roles which he executes well.
Finally, promising young actors, Amber Gleeson (as Ivy’s affectionate granddaughter) and Harrison Matthews, play Kirsty and her boyfriend, Tim Amber was Wal’s delightful niece, Pongo, in Footrot Flats but this is Harrison’s debut on the Te Puke Repertory stage As always, this production is brought to
Autorama funds boost five organisations
As fun a day out as it is, the main reason behind the Pukehina Surf ‘ n ’ Sand Autorama is fundraising for the local community
Recently, the money raised at this year ’ s show in March was handed out to five organisations – with each receiving $7000 Originally, the Surf ‘ n ’ Sand
Autorama was started to fundraise for Pukehina Beach Surf Rescue and Pukehina Volunteer Fire Brigade
Those two organisations benefited again this time, but also receiving $7000 each were Pukehina Fishing Club, Inspire Kindergarten Ōtamarākau and Youth Encounter
Trustee Kirsty Garrett said it was always nice to be part of the handing over of the funds, but that the money distribution would not be possible
life through the efforts of an enthusiastic and talented crew: the bright, sunny day peeping through the window; that cosy, authentic rest home lounge where the ladies spend much of their time, each with her own chair carefully draped in a shawl or rug that reflects its owner; the numerous props to authenticate the setting or be used by the characters, all of them found (and sometimes even created) by a resourceful team; the costumes; the music; the lighting and sound effects
Swan song for director
It takes a dedicated team to produce a successful show Take a bow, every one of you! This hilarious but thoughtprovoking comedy is a triumphant swan song for director and master craftsman Michael Jones, whose expertise in theatre is equalled only by his great love of it. The season is already booked out, a notable tribute to Michael and his assistant Pam Chapman.
Pukehina Surf ‘ n ’ Sand Autorama trustees with representatives of four of the five recipients of funds from this year ’ s show
without the “huge number” of people who make the event happen “A big thank you to all of them,” Garrett said
The trust would soon be looking for expressions of interest from local groups and organisations who would like to be considered as recipients of funds from the 2026 event.
The best way to find out more is to keep an eye on the event
Facebook page The event combines a vehicle show with a market and entertainment – and while the basic format won ’ t change, tweaks had been made each year it had been held
Started in 2020, the event bounced back after a Covid-19enforced cancellation and had beaten floods to go from strength to strength
The 2023 edition had to be moved to Pukehina School due to its previous home, Midway Park, being waterlogged and unusable after the Auckland Anniversary weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle and it had been held at the school ever since
Stuart Whitaker
Lois Wort
The season of ‘Call Girls’ is already booked out. Photo / Te Puke Repertory
Duo’s big walk to raise awareness and better equip The Hub
If someone suggested walking the 250km from Auckland to Te Puke – a fair question would be, why?
The Hub Te Puke general manager Scott Nicholson and chairman Lee Harrison are preparing to do just that, and there are two answers. Firstly, it is a chance to acknowledge and raise awareness of the struggles people might be facing in their everyday lives; and, secondly, it is a way to help The Hub be better equipped to help Nicholson and Harrison will start their trek from Britomart in Auckland on August 18, walking an average of 25km a day to finish in Te Puke on August 29.
The idea stemmed from a discussion between the pair after Harrison heard about a neighbour’s housemate who had experienced long-term struggles with mental health and who, one day, left and somehow found his way to Auckland. His neighbour assumed he had walked.
Raise issues
“We were discussing this and about there being aspects of it that are the unseen side of people’s mental health, or even just other issues they might be facing in their lives,” said Nicholson “They do what they need to do to get through.”
They felt a walk ending at “home” might be a good way to raise awareness of the issues.
“There’s also the fact that we are here as a support organisation for our community and while we can ’ t do everything, we definitely try to assist people where we can. ”
The other part of what had become known as the Feet First Fundraiser was to encourage more people to support the charitable trust ’ s work
“We are getting good support from many businesses and we do get some support from the Government, but we realised we do need to boost our support in terms of micro donations from general supporters, ” said Harrison.
500 new supporters
The micro supporters are those who donate a small amount on a regular basis, Harrison said
“So that’s anything from as little as $5 a month and our goal is to try and get 500 new monthly supporters, ” said Nicholson
“The more people we get giving just a little bit means that we can do a whole lot more for everybody in the community”
The services provided by The Hub, and possibly even its very existence, was under threat prior to Christmas due to funding shortfalls
Nicholson said the Feet
First Fundraiser was in part a response to that, although financially the trust was now in a much better position
Proactively building
“Financially, we are doing well but we also just don’t want to sit back and wait for the next shock or wait for the next crisis We want to proactively build support
within the community and with business and other organisations so we can be sure of our funding and sure of our ability to support the community”
The later part of winter was also a time when demand for The Hub’s services tracks upwards
“With the end of kiwifruit [work income] and colder weather, often demand starts to
rise and from now on we expect to see numbers needing support around food to continue to increase.”
Nicholson and Harrison were both well into their preparation for the walk. They had been helped by Jono Crawford at Te Puke Box Gym, who had also advised on how they could avoid injuries.
Stuart Whitaker
The Hub Te Puke general manager Scott Nicholson and chairman Lee Harrison will walk 250km from Auckland to Te Puke next month Photos / Luke Edwards
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