The Weekend Sun - 26 January 2024

26 January 2024, Issue 1194

Into the blue Go sky high while summer is still here and catapult into the beautiful blue of Tauranga Moana!

Waterworld-Inflatable Waterpark at The Strand is here to make you slip, slide, soar and squeal with fun until Waitangi Day. With inflatable stepping stones, slides,

monkey bars, the infamous ‘Blob’ and more - the park is packed to the brim with bouncy obstacles sure to entertain.

“People are having heaps of fun, having lots of laughs and being safe,” says Waterworld’s managing director Kel Travers. “The weather's been fantastic this summer too.”

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course the longest without slipping into the refreshing harbour. It’s harder than it looks and barrels of laughs!

“It's just awesome to bring a big family attraction to The Strand.” Waterworld will be open until Tuesday, February 6.

Read more on page 16. Photo: John Borren.

Scan or visit mercurybaypark.co.nz for more info events@bayvenues.co.nz

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The waterpark’s ‘Blob’ is definitely the pinnacle activity for thrill seekers, spiking your heart rate as you wait for your ‘blobber’ to launch you. “‘The Blob’ is everyone’s favourite!”

Try out the park for yourself with friends and family and see who can stay on the

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Friday 26 January 2024 1 The Strand, PO Box 240, Tauranga Phone 07 578 0030 www.theweekendsun.co.nz ads@thesun.co.nz newsroom@thesun.co.nz

The Weekend Sun

2 The Weekend Sun is published every Friday and distributed throughout the Western Bay of Plenty from Waihi Beach, through Katikati, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke and available to collect at many stand locations throughout the area. For a full list of stand locations see https://theweekendsun.co.nz/stand-locations.html Produced by Sun Media Ltd, an independent and locally owned company based at 1 The Strand, Tauranga.

Sun Media Ltd Director: Claire Rogers Editor: Merle Cave Editorial: Letitia Atkinson, Alisha Evans, Rosalie Liddle Crawford, Georgia Minkhorst, Hunter Wells, Ayla Yeoman.

Photography: John Borren. Publications Manager: Kathy Sellars. Advertising: Jo Delicata, Karlene Sherris, Suzy King, Lois Natta, Sharon Eyres, Sophie Main. Design Studio: Kym Johnson, Kerri Wheeler, Amy Bennie, Caitlin Burns. Office: Angela Speer, Kristina Clayton.

Making a world of difference…

Today’s random word of the day is “pleasure”.

pleasure /ˈplɛʒə/ noun: Enjoyment or satisfaction derived from what is to one’s liking, gratification or delight.

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Just the thought should charge up all the feel good juices, get the serotonin and dopamine flowing. And that’s why this week we give over Page 2 to moments of deep, enduring pleasure, simple things that made a world of difference over summer. They say ‘a man is rich whose pleasures are the cheapest.’ Well, these are Warehouse budget-low pleasures.

1. BLOKES BALLET There’s a big CAT excavator with a 30 metre arm, or boom, and grapple working on the ‘living seawall’ on the Tauranga waterfront alongside the Cargo Shed. It might appear to be just an excavator at work, but it’s an art form, a ballet, and the beast of a machine is an extension of the drivers artistic being.

The big steel tracks are his dancing pumps, the dust and dirt and rocks are his medium or stage, and the boom is doing all the expressive stuff, the arm movements. Finding the right rock for the right space on the wall brings on the pirouettes, pas de basques and port de bras of the ballet. It’s a performance. It just needs a speaker stack blasting out some Pyotr Ilyich. I stopped and watched for five minutes. It turned into 20.

At the moment, the ‘Blokes Ballet’ is free on Dive Crescent all day weekdays.

2. WILL I, WON’T I, MAKESHIFT HARBOUR JUMP The bridge across the Waikareao Estuary on Chapel Street was built as critical infrastructure, an arterial road. But it has become a destination for thrill seekers.

Kids flock to the bridge walkway, clamber over the safety rail, and chuck themselves into the briny below – 10 to 15 metres perhaps, depending on the tide. Then they swim ashore, clamber up the rock face on the bridge approach and

do it again. And again. And again.

Daredevilry is addictive. If you see a pile of cellphones, tops and towels on the pedestrian way across the bridge, you will find a commensurate number of heads bobbing in the tide below. Vertigo suffers can live vicariously by playing “will they, won’t they”, because the timid kids will cling to the safety barrier for 15-20 minutes while they muster the courage to take the jump. There’s pleasure in being petrified. The ‘bombers’, the big splashers, are a good watch. As are the screamers, they ones who believe they’re plunging to eternity. Anyhow, city fathers couldn’t have provided a better attraction had they set aside a budget, brainstormed and tried to design it. Kids through the ages have always figured their own best fun, and it always comes with an element of danger. I have been waiting for a grumpy council face to stick up a ‘No Having Fun on this Bridge’ sign.

3. “BESTEST” CHRISTMAS PRESENT “It’s my pleasure,” she said. Au contraire - it was all my pleasure. I had dropped by a service station to use the car vacuum when a wonderfully elegant and mature Māori woman had just finished cleaning her car. She fished in her bag and offered this old equally mature but far less elegant Pakeha male a spare coupon to use the vacuum. I suggested she use it next time she cleaned her car. “No, I will have the pleasure now thank you. Happy Christmas.” Just a $4 ticket but worth $1m in goodwill. The other ‘bestest’ Christmas present was an out-of-date 2022 joke calendar. When it was pointed out to the gift-or, she was a bit indignant

- the calendar might be out-of-date, she explained, but the jokes aren’t.

A joke in itself.

4. NOBLE PLEASURE THAT IS ICE CREAM I bought well. Because if I tripped at the front door of my hovel, I would land where a coffee and ice cream cart has just popped up 20 metres down the road. It is a source of immense pleasure. Summer’s upon us when the ice cream cart comes out of hibernation, the shutters are thrown up and the first scoops are scooped. At first I wondered how they’d make it work – folk dropped by in dribs and drabs. Now there are queues – people gather, yap and lick.

And across the road on the harbourside reserve, instead of hoons pissing up and making bother and a mess, there are now families with faces buried in ice cream. The pleasure comes with a bit of a bottleneck – but a manageable one. You can forgive people making silly driving and parking choices when they’re preoccupied with berries and ice cream.

They should put up a road sign – ‘SLOW - ice cream at work’.

5. MAKING TIME And finally - there’s a wee rooster and his Dad over Brookfield way, who like spending time. All their time. When Dad’s in the driveway pottering over, around or under his car, Dad’s boy has his toy car parked up alongside with his own set of small gauge tools. And they potter, they swap tools, they chat and laugh for hours. Their time is precious.

And when the lawns are being mowed, Boy, with earmuffs and sunhat, is strapped securely into a special seat so he can enjoy the mowing journey with Dad. Slowly, up and down, up and down.

Dad and Boy permanently bonded.

Now I can sense the Pleasure Police getting rarked – ‘dangerous’ they will be saying. Then I remember as a kid, my old man plonking me between his knees in the driver’s seat.

As a seven or eight year old I would steer round the open road while he worked the stick shift and the pedals.

So many of our pleasures as kids came with an element of risk.

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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.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the most popular Russian composer of all time, best known for his ballets Swan Lake and The Nutcracker Source: Britiannica.com

The Weekend Sun

Friday 26 January 2024

3 Friday 26 January 2024

Council spends $4600 on unneeded signs Signs for paid parking in Tauranga were installed by mistake. Photo: John Borren

Paid parking signs have been popping up around Tauranga despite the council pausing plans to extend parking charges.

On Monday, contractors installed signs for paid parking on Tauranga’s city fringe.

Around 22 signs were erected on Monmouth St, Anson St, McLean St and The Strand at a cost of $4600.

This is despite Tauranga City Council delaying plans to extend the paid parking from Third Avenue up to Arundel Street, and from McLean Street up to Monmouth Street.

The charges were meant to come into force on February 26, but a decision to delay them was made at a meeting in November.

Commission chair Anne Tolley says there was a “huge amount” of community concern about the parking.

The commission wasn't convinced of a case for extending the paid parking in the CBD when

there was still a lot of parks available,says Tolley.

“Normally you put paid parking in when you're trying to manage [spaces] and get turnover.

“We've got good turnover in the centre of the city, so there's no need to try and extend that at this stage.”

Council parking strategy manager Reece Wilkinson says the job for erecting the signs was logged in early October before the commission postponed the extension.

“It has slipped through the system and the signs are being removed Tuesday.”

The cost of the installation is included in the council’s general maintenance work but worked out to be around $4600, including GST, he says.

The commission will be reviewing the parking strategy in March.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

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Friday 26 January 2024

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

www.sunlive.co.nz News tips ph 0800 SUNLIVE

Iconic business closing down

A popular Tauranga business that has delighted tourists and locals for 30 years is closing down as the centre of town is “dead”.

Curiosity started in Thames in 1993 and moved to Tauranga's CBD around 1995.

Levi Phillips, who lives in Australia with his partner Rhozie Edmonds and their two children, took over the shop when former owner Dennis Pederson died following a motorbike accident in 2012.

Levi says they kept the shop open for as long as they could.

He says the decision comes from mainly the changes council have made, like deciding to turn Wharf Street into an eat street.

"We had major issues with the street being revamped twice, loosing the car parks and permanent closing of the street. Tauranga Council has destroyed this city."

Homicide inquiry

A border collie’s “horrific injuries” have finally healed six weeks after her throat was “ripped open” by two dogs that came onto her owner’s property.

Molly was all smiles and wags, if not a little hot, when Local Democracy Reporting caught up with her and her owner Paul Gibbs.

Paul says she had her last vet appointment for the injuries on Tuesday.

The 13-year-old dog had a wound on the top of head that wasn’t healing but it had closed in the last couple of days, he says.

On December 4, Molly was relaxing on the grass when two German Shepherds came onto the Whakamārama property after leaping from a ute filling up at the nearby petrol station.

Paul says they chased his son’s dog up the driveway then came across Molly.

He didn’t see the attack but was shocked when she arrived on the deck bleeding from the neck.

At first he thought someone had put a red collar on his dog, then after a closer look he realised she was bleeding from "horrifying" gaping wounds and her neck had been “ripped open”.

“She literally had stitches from the top of her neck, right around to the bottom.”

Molly required two surgeries and Paul estimated she needed at least 50 stitches.

She also had daily vet visits to check the wounds.

“She’s such a placid dog and for that to happen to her, it was just devastating.”

He hasn’t received a final bill from the vets but the first surgery cost $1500 and the second was $2300.

It wasn’t just Molly that was bitten that day, when Paul tried to stop the owner of the German Shepherds leaving his property he was bitten on the hand, drawing blood.

The man came up Paul’s drive to collect his dogs and when Paul said he wanted him to stay until the police arrived the

Paul Gibbs and Molly who is recovered after been attacked by two dogs. Photo: John Borren.

man tried to leave.

Paul reached into the man’s car to try stop him leaving and was bitten.

“It was quite painful. I had to go to the doctor to get a tetanus shot and get it treated.”

That too is healed but a red mark is still visible.

Paul managed to flag down passing police who also attempted to stop the driver leaving. He says the police put out spikes to stop the vehicle, but the driver avoided them and drove away.

Molly’s temperament has also returned to normal but she was sometimes weary of other dogs during vet visits, says Paul.

“She's come right now, but she would cower away from me that was horrible to see she's never done that. She didn't do it a lot, but she did do it.”

Paul reported the attack to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and he is considering filling an assault charge with police against the dog owner for biting him.

A police spokesperson confirmed an officer assisted after a dog attack at a

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About 4000 kiwifruit roles need filling in Western Bay of Plenty and two February hiring days are planned to match job seekers with employers.

Ministry of Social Development has joined forces with seasonal employers to promote work opportunities.

About 18,000 seasonal vacancies need to be filled across the Bay of Plenty region ahead of the 2024 kiwifruit harvest, NZ Kiwifruit Growers’ Incorporated says.

Job seekers keen to see what jobs are on offer can head to the Te Puke War Memorial Hall, 130 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke on Monday, February 12, or the Patuki Manawa Digital Hub, 21 Main Road, Katikati on Thursday, February 15.

Both events run from 10am to 12.30pm.

Whakamārama property and the matter hand been referred to animal control.

Paul says he believed the dogs should have been taken off their owner when the attack first happened.

He was concerned the dogs could attack another dog or a person and says it was lucky his grandchildren were at school or they could have been attacked as well.

“I think they [the council] were all a bit blasé about it. I felt like they didn't sort of see the seriousness of it.”

Western Bay of Plenty District Council team leader animal services Peter Hrstich says the council was still investigating the incident and there weren’t any updates.

“We are aware of a dog attack that took place at a private property in Whakamārama on 4 December.

“It is important that we take the necessary time to gather and compile all the evidence available to us, before coming to a decision.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Call for tech companies to provide greater scam protections

ALL

Police investigating the homicide of John Isaac are appealing for sightings of the victim or unusual activity around the Waikato River.

Fifty-two-year-old John Isaac of Hamilton was located deceased in the Waikato River by members of the public on Thursday, January 18.

Police subsequently launched a homicide investigation following a post mortem examination.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Patterson says anyone who was out on the river or its pathways and banks and may have been recording recreational activities or taken photos or video on their phones is asked to please contact the inquiry team.

Anyone with information is asked to call 105, or make a report online at: 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report”. Please reference the file number 240119/8775.

Recovered after “devastating” attack

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

The Weekend Sun

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Consumer NZ has joined consumer groups from 19 countries in an international statement calling on governments to require social media and other tech companies to implement stronger protections against online scams. The global statement on stopping online scams highlights the enormous losses to scams globally and the role that tech companies play in enabling these scams, says Consumer campaigns manager Jessica Walker. “According to a recent report by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, about $200 million was lost to scammers in NZ in 2022."

The Weekend Sun

Friday 26 January 2024

5 Friday 26 January 2024 Hittmen bring the beats with their plastic buckets. Photo: John Borren.

before giving fuse a go, but praises the lessons taught by the humble bucket. “You use the same skills. I think I’ve probably learnt more skills with bucket drumming, and then applied them to regular drumming,” says 16-year-old Noah.

And the best thing about fuse?

“The laughs,” says Daniel. “It can be pretty funny sometimes.”

Hittmen will be performing this weekend at Festival One held Friday, January 26-29 at 209 Whitehall Road, Karapiro.

For more information and tickets visit: www.iticket.co.nz/events/2024/ jan/festival-one Check them out on Facebook at: https://www.facebook. com/thehittmen

Georgia Minkhorst

Beats on buckets Rapping, tapping and drumming on plastic buckets with their wooden drumsticks these lads sure know how to hold a beat!

Daniel Moore and Lucas Shepherd.

All are well seasoned with putting on shows and mesmerising crowds with their quick drumming and catchy beats.

“We go to festivals, perform on live TV, and play at Chief Games over in Hamilton,” says Carl.

Hittmen say they get amped from performing and busking, play a range of genres such as pop, hip-hop, reggae, New Zealand music and more.

Last month they performed as the opening act at a Night Before Christmas - a popular variety Christmas show that attracts an audience of more than 10,000 each year.

“It was our biggest crowd yet. It was real good,” says 15-year-old Daniel.

“It seemed like a lot of people when we were up there,” says 13-year-old Tristan.

Tristan says his favourite song to perform with his fellow Hittmen is ‘Can’t hold us’ by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton. “It’s our most technical song. We drum on each other’s buckets instead of just our own.”

Noah started out with traditional drumming

Together they are known as Hittmen - a group of select school students that practise and perform fuse drumming.

If you were unfamiliar, unlike regular drumming, fuse drumming uses buckets for drums. Hittmen’s manager, Carl Homersham, started Hittmen about nine years ago, advancing students into the team through his fuse drumming programme. Not anybody wielding drumsticks can join this elite crew either, with students having to go through an audition process to become one of the Hittmen.

“We see all these kids stand out,” says Carl.

“They've got something extra. They put in the extra mile and have some extra talents.

“Then we put them through an audition process to get them into the team.”

Right now there are six Hittmen who practice every week, and the Weekend Sun got to meet up with four of them - Noah Stuart, Tristan Sparks,

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Terrific Tilly!

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The Weekend Sun

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a safe space and see her sweet, smoochy personality flourish! This cutie can't wait to find her own home with a comfy bed to call her own, a sunny spot by the window to watch the world go by.

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Mucking in and

The Weekend Sun arrives at Brookfield Foodmart and Lotto. Businesswoman Gultajvir Kaur -“Just call me Gul’ - talks stuff with the oldest paper boy in the land. Photo : John Borren.

The old fella followed the early morning sun down Bellevue Rd - just before 7am - cheese cutter, cane, a head full of opinions, and looking for an ear to bend.

He found a pair of them - just as this reporter was climbing from The Weekend Sun car to dump 50 copies of a ‘fine publication’ in a stand outside the Brookfield Food Mart, just by that crazy tangle of traffic lights. You read right - a Sun reporter finds a story, does the interview, writes the story, might even shoot a picture if he remembers to take the lens cap off, and then on Friday delivers the newspapers. We get our hands dirty at The Sun, there’s printers ink on those fingers - no room for

blustering self-importance and egos when a small company is maximising an even smaller workforce.

It’s whatever is required and whenever. No demarcation, no complaints. Not many anyway.

Anyhow, Old Fella spotted The Weekend Sun car and collared me. Damn!

And for the next 20 minutes, as he flicked through the latest edition, he banged on about everyone and everything. Bagged the ‘bloody’ commissioners’, beat up on big business - “they’re all crooks” - and saved his biggest swipe for ‘Mr Six Percenter’ who, “through subterfuge and BS, thinks he’s running the country”. Poor Winnie.

Old Fella insisted we do something about it.

What’s this ‘we’ Old Fella?

Use mulch for gardens, not sprinklers.

For more water-saving tips, check the Water Watchers Plan.

tauranga.govt.nz/waterwatchers

The Weekend Sun

making it happen For the people

Because ‘we’ don’t bring down governments, we don’t do conspiracy theories, or expose malfeasance.

We do road cones and road works, cats stuck up trees and matches and dispatches.

We are a community newspaper - of the people, for the people. We reflect their thinking and what they’re doing. That’s what people want, that’s what we deliver.

“Hey, people are waiting for those!” cried Jathinder Singh, rescuing me from the Old Fella. Every day, for 14 hours a day, Jatinder runs Brookfield Foodmart & Lotto right in the shadow of a big brother supermarket.

“My customers love this newspaper,” explains Jatinder. “It’s local, it’s us.” A mirror-image of the community. They see themselves, like Arthur King, on the front page of issue 1189. That’s a lot of newspaper - 23 years’ worth. There’s a reason it has endured. It’s because people like hearing from likeminded people, and keeping abreast of local events, sharing local experiences.

Old Fella is nose deep in the latest issue, shuffling back up Bellevue Rd, still mumbling about the evils consuming him. I love that about community newspapers. Our newspaper is the Old Fella’s newspaper. He has investment and ownership.

Mini-paper run

And that’s why I’ve learned to love this gig, this delivering, because you’re out there mixing it with the folk who have featured, or will feature, or have thoughts about The Weekend Sun. Not all of them positive or pleasant. Unfortunately The Weekend Sun’s geography extends only from Waihi Beach to Otamarakau and halfway up the Kaimais... well short of Amritsar in the Punjab where Jatinder hails

r a e w m i Sw

7 Friday 26 January 2024

from. “But I still read it when I have a moment.”

“Can I have three please?” asks Jessie. “They’re not all for me.” She’s doing a mini-paper run for her neighbours, her friends, our readers.

All this got a man thinking. I’ve gone the full circle in this industry during 60 years - from a newspaper run as a schoolboy, to newspaper reporter, radio and TV and back to a writing for a newspaper, and delivering them. It keeps you humble and grounded.

The giddy roundabout

Meanwhile back in The Sun office the graphic designer is stand-in receptionist, the accounts manager is putting a new garden in the courtyard before emptying the dishwasher and balancing the books. And I was on the paper run and mixing it with the punters. Talking stuff with people. Our people. That’s the giddy roundabout that is a day in the life of The Weekend Sun. See you on the beat. Maybe.

Hunter Wells

Friday 26 January 2024

Friday 26 January 2024

8

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The Weekend Sun

Friday 26 January 2024

9 Friday 26 January 2024

Tauranga history talks before 160th commemoration Three talks that highlight the most significant events in the history of Tauranga city are being held this coming week.

Featuring historical experts, the talks will be an opportunity for people to learn more about local history ahead of the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Pukehinahina-Gate Pā in April.

"This is an important event for our city, especially with some of the other things happening currently in Aotearoa," says Anglican Parish of Gate Pā Vicar Rev. John Hebenton.

"So, we are again offering free lectures to help our community understand our city's history and how it shapes our present.

"This year we are hoping to offer three lectures."

The first two lectures will discuss the two major colonial era battles that occurred in Tauranga in 1864 and will be

offered by Dr Cliff Simons.

Cliff, a retired army officer, has specialised in New Zealand's colonial wars for more than 35 years.

He has written two books and numerous articles and frequently gives talks about the various battles and campaigns, as well as conducting battle field tours.

In both lectures, Cliff will explore the story of each of these battles within their historical context so that we can understand the ongoing legacy today.

In the first lecture, on Sunday, January 28, Cliff will look at The Battle of Pukehinahina/ Gate Pā - April 29, 1864.

In the second lecture Cliff will discuss the other major battle that occurred in Tauranga in 1864 - the battle at Te Ranga, and its consequences for mana whenua.

Buddy Mikaere will also be speaking about the planned New Zealand Wars Museum at Gate Pā, Putake O Te Riri.

Buddy Mikaere of Ngati Pukenga and Ngati Ranginui descent, is a former director of the Waitangi Tribunal and a well-respected historian.

He has published widely in his specialist field of 19th century race relations and on Māori history in general.

Buddy is project director for the Pukehinahina Charitable Trust who have been working in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tamarāwaho, to establish the New Zealand Wars Museum - Putake O Te Riri on the Gate Pā Recreation Reserve.

"We are working on a third lecture for February 18, with Graham Cameron talking around Te Tiriti in Aotearoa today," says John. "More information about this will be made available shortly."

St. George's Anglican Church, Gate Pā, sits on the site of the Battle of Pukehinahina - Gate Pā; one of the most significant events in the history of Tauranga city.

"We operate with the kaupapa of - 'let everyone who enters here be reconciled'.

“There will be an opportunity for questions and discussion at the end of each lecture."

A koha donation will be collected at the door to help cover the costs.

All lectures are at Te Whare Karakia o Hori Tapu - St. Georges Anglican Church, corner of Cameron Rd and Church St, Gate Pā, on the hill next to the Mega Mitre 10.

Dates and times: ‘The Battle of Pukehinahina/Gate Pā - April 29, 1864’, with Dr Cliff Simons on Sunday, January 28, from 7 - 9 pm.

‘The Battle of Te Ranga - June 21, 1864’, with Dr Cliff Simons, and Buddy Mikaere speaking about the planned New Zealand Wars Museum at Gate Pā, Putake O Te Riri, on Sunday, February 4 from 7 - 9 pm.

‘Te Tiriti in Aotearoa today’ with John Cameron, on Sunday, February 18, 7 - 9pm. Rosalie Liddle Crawford

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Historians Buddy Mikaere and Dr Cliff Simons will be speaking at free lectures about significant events in the history of Tauranga. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

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Friday 26 January 2024

The Weekend Sun

10

The legacy of Wang Food Market Tauranga After 21 years of dedicated service, Joseph and Maria Lee, the founders of Wang Tauranga, a beloved local Asian grocery store, have decided to retire and pass the business to a younger couple.

Their journey extends beyond merely providing groceries; Wang Tauranga has been a true Asian community hub under Joseph's care.

“It has become a place where customers can come and not feel homesick,” says Joseph.

The store opened in 2003 as the first Asian supermarket in Tauranga

What’s Your Property Worth?

The couple who founded Wang Food Market Tauranga, Joseph and Maria Lee. Photo: Ayla Yeoman.

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at the time. “In my case, when I came to Tauranga there was no Asian market, they were only in Auckland so when I wanted to get Korean food I would drive for three hours to do grocery shopping,” he says.

Six months after Joseph arrived in Tauranga, he saw the necessity and began to develop an Asian grocery store. “I started from ground zero, the first five years were very difficult,” he says “It was extremely difficult at the start because there was a small Korean community and the non-Asian Tauranga community was not interested in buying Asian grocery products at the time. For the first five years, there were almost no customers at all, but then with more things popping up like K-pop culture it started to go up quite rapidly.”

In the beginning, Joseph says there were only about four Korean families in Tauranga, now, he says, there are about 150 families. “I made a Korean complex building, there is a hair salon called Michelle’s Hair Salon, a mechanic called Car On, and a bank.”

Joseph started with the food market and turned the building into a Korean complex where everyone can speak Korean.

“When people are moving to town from overseas and they are dealing with language

difficulties, the whole complex can speak Korean, making it easier for them and acting as a community hub or a stepping stone for Korean families to join the community.”

Joseph says some of his customers have said they would search for Asian grocery stores before coming to New Zealand and they would contact him and ask him questions about the city.

There are “around 350 families that go to the market on a regular basis”.

“Covid-19 was an interesting time, the market was asked to stay open as an essential service.

“At the time of Covid, everyone rushed to you for groceries, so a lot of the Asian community that had grown and blossomed all raced to the shop as it had been asked to stay open as an essential service.

“There was limited stock and lines were going all around the building outside, I had to try and manage what was going on outside and inside the store.”

During Covid, the product most sought after, and often out of stock, was toilet paper for most supermarkets, but for Wang Asian Market Tauranga, the most sort after product was rice. “There was a shortage of rice and rice is very important,” says Joseph.

When starting the store it was

important for Joseph to bring a piece of Korea to Tauranga.

When passing on the baton to the young couple taking over the store, he wants to ensure that Korean culture continues to be shared here in the BOP. “The new owner is quite energetic and is a person who shares the vision,” he says.

“They are very relevant with the next generation and I am very excited for that transfer.”

The business will be transferred over on Friday, January 26.

The new owner is a loyal customer of the market, they are a couple with a family and their son goes to Bethlehem College as their children did.

Joseph was able to bring a piece of Korea and now his hopes and aspirations are that the new owners will ensure that Korean culture continues to be shared in the community here in the bay.

Joseph's commitment to serving beyond the shelves is evident in the various ways he cultivated a sense of community.

In Joseph's own words: “It was the community that made this business possible, and the people that made it all worth the blood, sweat, and tears.”

After the passing over of the business, Joseph says he wants to get involved in community work.

Ayla Yeoman

The Weekend Sun

11Friday 26 January 2024

Friday 26 January 2024

Friday 26 January 2024

The Weekend Sun

12

Great K Valley Cycle Adventure is back Think scavenger hunt, map reading and puzzle solving as you cycle past ancient pa sites, primitive jawless fish, and wetlands, on 300 hectares in the middle of Tauranga.

It’s time to register now for the best fun on bikes with the Great K Valley Cycle Adventure of 2024.

This is not a race but more like a scavenger hunt, with a map, being run on Sunday, April 21, through the largest urban wetland restoration in NZ. Kopurererua Valley is packed

with history, bird life, great cycling and walking trails as well as some fun mysteries, waiting to be uncovered.

Rumour has it that a friendly bogmonster may be moving in, just in time to surprise a few cyclists participating in the Great K Valley Cycle Adventure.

So get your friends and family together to enjoy a fun few hours as you find the clues within the valley.

Run by the Rotary Club of Tauranga Sunrise, the Great K Valley Cycle Adventure, which began in 2018, is supported by sponsors like MyRide Tauranga, Ingham Mora

and Pak N Save, with all profits going to local youth charities.

Teams made up of up to six people, of family, friends and workmates, follow clues along either a 10km or 25 km trail through the valley, join in team challenges to score more points and can come away with fabulous prizes. Teams can start at 10 minute intervals between 10am and 12 midday.

On arrival and registration at the west end of 17th Avenue, you will be directed to the Starter for your safety briefing confirmation and your team start. Prize giving is at 2.30pm.

Last year, a spot prize of a bike, worth near $600 came from MyRide Tauranga.

There were also first, second and third prizes for the 10km

and 25 km courses.

Rotary Club of Tauranga Sunrise club member and event co-organiser Michele Beaton says that last year the clues related mostly to the valley's history, its biodiversity and the value of the wetland in mitigating effects of the climate crisis. “It was so successful we are looking forward to increasing the fun value for an even bigger and better 2024 event,” says Michele. “[In 2023] competitors, provided with maps and crossword clues, had to cycle the course to find the answers, discovering the valley as they went and

joining in challenges involving things like catching water bombs and standing whole teams on sheets of folded newspaper.”

To register for the Great K Valley Cycle Adventure on April 21, 2024 go to: www.eventspronto.co.nz/ event7032

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

The Great K Valley Cycle Adventure - think scavenger hunt, map reading and puzzle solving by bike as you explore the trails of Kopurererua Valley. Starting point is at the west end of 17th Ave near Tauranga Historic Village. Photo: supplied.

The Weekend Sun

13Friday 26 January 2024

Friday 26 January 2024

The Breeze Mount Everest Challenge is back!

The Breeze Mount Everest Challenge is back for 2024!

And this year funds raised will be going to the three local surf lifesaving clubs based at Omanu, Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa.

It’s the 10th time the challenge has been run, and very fitting that the original beneficiaries back in 2015 have been chosen again this year.

While it may be a breeze to walk up Mauao once, the mission of the charity fundraiser is simple - walk, run, stagger or crawl up Mauao 38 times in 50 days; which is the equivalent to climbing Mount Everest, all while raising much needed funds for a local charity.

Grab a team or do it as an individual.

This year, Tauranga’s 95.8 The Breeze is putting the emphasis on doing the challenge as a team, taking the pressure off individuals trying to reach the goal.

No limit

“Clubs, groups, families, workforce teams - spread the 38 climbs across members of the team. And there’s no limit to the team size,” says The Breeze Tauranga Breakfast host Jolene James. Fellow local Breeze breakfast host Max Baird says the slogan for this year is "climb for life" and that's literally what the surf clubs do.

Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service operations manager Ali Wieringa says they are “grateful and honoured to be one of the recipients for this year’s Mount Everest Challenge along with our fellow surf clubs”.

“It’s extra special to be benefactors, as our volunteer lifeguards patrol the Mount Main Beach from Labour Weekend - Easter weekend every year, and we also do search and rescues on Mauao, which result in large numbers of injured or unwell climbers being attended to and helped down to safety

been chosen for the challenge.

“We’re very grateful,” says Scott.

“We’re going to purchase new lifeguard uniforms for all our lifeguards - that’s a new shirt and a safety hat and shorts. And we’re going to upgrade our trauma packs and our oxygen delivery services.

“We use those when we patrol and they’re very valuable equipment.

Max Baird and Jolene James.

Above: Jolene James, Max Baird, Scott Bartlett from Omanu, Charlotte Webb from Mount Maunganui, and Nikki Heatley from Pāpāmoa.

Photos: John Borren.

and medical support,” says Ali. She says the Mount service will be using the funding to support the much needed running of the surf club.

“It will help to develop our lifeguards with training and leadership to ensure we have highly skilled, fit, qualified lifeguards with the best equipment to look after our local, national and international beach goers for the years ahead,” says Ali. Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club is also “hugely grateful” to be as chosen as a beneficiary this year.

"As a volunteer community organisation, focused and preventing injury and drowning, and keeping people safe along the 14km of beach that we patrol, this is huge for us,” says Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club chairperson Jim Pearson.

Feeling grateful

“Being chosen as one of the receiving charities will allow us to continue to deliver our service to the community and focus on prevention through education, skills development and mentoring/coaching of our Junior Surf/nippers programme.

“We are so grateful to be a

recipient of the Everest Challenge Charity."

Jim says funds raised will be going to support the Junior Surf/ Nippers programme.

“With more than 400 kids under the age of 14 enrolled this summer and continuing demand increasing even throughout the summer this money will help supply resources to fund the Junior Surf programme and help educate our young members and their families about the importance of water safety through education, skills development and mentoring and coaching, ” says Jim.

Future lifeguards

“Our Junior Surf members are also our future lifeguards and these programmes also teach the values of being a good contributor the community and the importance of giving back.

“Laying a foundation for being safe in and around the beach and becoming a future lifeguard and contributor to the community are the foundations we build through our Junior Surf programme.”

Scott Bartlett at Omanu says they are very excited that the three clubs along the coast have

“If we have an issue on the beach where someone needs oxygen we can use that to help them until the ambulance arrives.”

The challenge will run from February 12 to Easter Monday, and teams can register at: thebreeze.co.nz or follow The Mount Everest Challenge Facebook page.

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Friday 26 January 2024

The Weekend Sun

14

Genevieve Whitson and the new Mainstreet Tauranga manager. Photo: John Borren.

Wanting to see the city thrive

While a lot of us may have given up on the CBD, new Mainstreet Tauranga manager Genevieve Whitson is “not somebody that gives up on things easily”.

Having sunk her teeth into the role over the past three months, Genevieve says she is someone who likes a challenge.

When she arrived in Tauranga in 2020, Genevieve recalls her reaction to seeing our city centre.

“I was like: ‘Whoa this city needs some serious help,’ and I never would've dreamt that I'd actually have an opportunity to really assist with that process,” she says.

“I see so much potential here and believe in all the businesses that also want to see the city centre thrive.”

Genevieve has more than a decade of experience in event

management, communications, fundraising and marketing in the UK. She also competed as a professional cyclist in Europe for several years, where she selfmarketed to advance her career.

As the Mainstreet Tauranga manager, Genevieve says “it's definitely challenging but really rewarding”.

“It also resonates with a lot of the key skills that I've learned previously.”

So what are the biggest challenges facing Downtown Tauranga? “Right now the businesses need more advocacy and support to ensure that their voice is heard – so that's going to include working closely with the council.” Genevieve says a lot of the developments going on in the city have been a “non-stop stampede”.

“The good news is that early this year quite a lot of the disruption is going to settle down… especially at the top of

Elizabeth Street.”

Genevieve and the Downtown Tauranga team have been working hard on the draft annual plan for the city.

“We've got a number of key items we're advocating on, and also mapping out a really strong marketing and promotion strategy for 2024 to ensure that the businesses downtown get greater visibility so that we can draw more people back in.”

Upcoming Downtown Tauranga events people can look forward to is the Jazz Festival and school holiday promotions in March, and Flavours of Plenty in April.

To see what Genevieve and the Downtown Tauranga team have in store for the CBD in 20242025, view the annual plan at: www.tauranga.govt.nz/council/ working-with-organisations/ mainstreet-organisations/ downtown-tauranga

Georgia Minkhorst

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The Weekend Sun

15Friday 26 January 2024

W A N T E D

W A N T E D

Friday 26 January 2024

W A N T E D

GOLD • COINS • WATCHES • BANKNOTES • ANTIQUES • JEWELLERY • COLLECTABLES Any sterling silver items, cutlery canteens,

candle sticks, trays, trophies etc.

STERLING SILVER tea services, (LOOK FOR THIS MARK) | No silver plate or EPNS please.

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scrap gold, including gold coins, gold trophy cups, OLD GOLD oralluvial gold, & broken jewellery, dental gold etc

in broken or unwanted items, chains, cufflinks, NZ BANKNOTES WORLD BANKNOTES GOLD JEWELLERY Cash bracelets, brooches, fob watches etc. 9ct, 14ct, 18ct, 22ct Pre decimal, trading banks, Reserve Bank issues, collections, All old world banknotes, collections, accumulations, obsolete currency decimal notes, errors, groups or collections

Complete collections, single coins or accumulations wanted. Especially

silver coins, any gold coins, sovereigns, WANTED ANY ROLEX Vintage or modern, any model, any condition OLD COINS pre-1947 NZ & world proof coins and sets

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POCKET WATCHES & ANY MENS SPORTS WATCHES GOLD & SILVER BULLION MEDALS & BADGES OMEGA, IWC, HEUER, PATEK PHILIPPE etc

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Krugerrands, Sovereigns, Maples, alluvial gold

Military, service, bravery, sports or agricultural medals

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Our buyers will be at many convenient venues around BAY OF PLENTY.

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Please look for one near you.

The market for many antiques, collectables, vintage watches, artefacts, gold and silver items has been buoyant these past few years.

So if you are considering selling any of these or similar items then our specialist buyers would like to make an offer. Any items will be considered so please don’t be shy and visit one of our venues. Large or valuable collections? Single items? Downsizing, moving or decluttering? Family not interested? or simply turning unwanted items into cash.

Immediate payment made * No commission or waiting * Free no obligation appraisal *Please have your bank details handy Whether you have a large and valuable collection or a single item of broken jewellery please take this opportunity to see us at a venue near you.

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Friday 26 January 2024

The Weekend Sun

16

Sun

Movie night next to Tauranga Moana Grab your friends, family, a picnic rug, and your favourite movie snacks and enjoy!

The Night Owl Cinema is here all summer long, bringing their much loved outdoor movie experience to the Tauranga Waterfront. Tonight, Friday, January 26, Alvin and the Chipmunks will be playing, bringing the laughs and

musical numbers, Enjoy this 2007 classic as you follow the endearing talking Chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore as they make their new home in Los Angeles and launch their singing careers with songwriter Dave Seville.

Night Owl Cinema will be held Friday, January 26. Meet from 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Georgia Minkhorst hanging around on the course. Photo: John Borren.

Blob out while Waterworlds still here!

Slipping, sliding, and soaring are just some of the action packed thrills you can expect at Waterworld-Inflatable Waterpark at The Strand.

From inflatable stepping stones, slides, monkey bars, the infamous blob and more, there’s plenty to get wet and wild amongst!

I was lucky enough to try out the course for myself thanks to Waterworld’s managing director Kel Travers and his friendly team. “People are having heaps

of fun, having lots of laughs and being safe.

“That's what makes it all worthwhile,” says Kel. And he’s right! I couldn’t keep the smile off my face barrelling through the different bouncy obstacles.

But it isn’t easy – one slip on the park’s smooth surfaces, and you’re sliding into the refreshing blue below. Then it’s into seal mode as you wriggle back up for more water filled excitement!

“It's just awesome to bring a big family attraction to The Strand,” says Kel. “There’s not many activities around where mum, dad, teenagers, and younger kids can all play at the

same thing. That’s the cool thing – we bring families together.”

‘The Blob’ is Kel’s favourite park activity and was mine too.

Jumping onto a large inflatable cushion and scooting to the end, the anticipation builds as your ‘blobber’ prepares to send you sky high.

With a “three, two, one!,” you’re hooting and hollering as you suddenly launch above Tauranga Moana, soaring before the harbour catches you with a splash.

Book now and experience Waterworld for yourself! The park will be open at The Strand until Tuesday, February 6.

Georgia Minkhorst

Fun and fitness with the whānau Gather your family and kick start your health and fitness goals for 2024!

Tu Te Ihi is a free fitness program funded by Poutiri Trust and led by qualified trainer Tanya Hood.

“It’s about providing families with an opportunity to increase their physical activity and fitness, and their health and wellbeing together,” says Poutiri Trust’s CEO Kirsty Crawford Maxwell.

“We have a day class and we have an evening class.

“The main reason is about providing free and affordable whānau activities to get healthy and stay healthy. Exercise is a great and fun way to do that through Tanya Hood who’s been leading the program for us.”

Tanya creates a supportive and motivating group environment, and all fitness levels are catered to!

Tu Te Ihi is held on Tuesdays at 5.15pm and Thursday at 11am, at Te Puke Baptist Church, 1 Malyon Street.

MEDIUM

5

VERY EASY

SUDOKU

4 1 9 5 2 4 2 8 5 9 7 5 6 7 1

3 7

2

2 4 5 7 5 6 3

The Weekend Sun

17Friday 26 January 2024

Waitangi “weekend” brings the music Two long weekends in a row - can life get any better?

Of course the second one isn't strictly a long weekend. Waitangi Day is a Tuesday.

But is anyone you know not taking a holiday on Monday to enjoy a relaxing four-day break?

And February is arriving in the Bay with a bang.

The first weekend is one when we seem deluged with music. Gigs, gigs, gigs... There are two on Friday and three on Saturday, all different flavours and all well worthwhile.

But let's start with a quickie on Thursday (February 1).

At The Freeport Bar in Bayfair it's the monthly Cleaver Indie Artists session hosted by local blues-rock band Rehaab. Often Sassafras. this is a showcase for up-and-coming talent, this time they feature the veteran blues of TJS Blues, the trio featuring impeccable guitarist Trevor Braunias and his son Stefan on drums.

Young electro-pop singer Sophie-Maude is the other feature act.

On to Friday (February 2) and it really comes down to a choice of guitarists and styles.

Over at Totara Street, Grant Haua, with the Grant Haua Explosion, is launching his new album 'Mana Blues'. It seems that in making this one of my “Albums of 2023” and going on about it almost non-stop I was being a bit previous as Arthur Daly would say. But now it's all go and Grant will be joined by James Bos (drums) and Brian Franks (bass), with support from young rockers Sonorous.

If you haven't seen Grant play then this is the best chance before he heads back to Europe.

There's lots more to move on to so I'm not going to rave about him yet again. Hi-energy blues-rock at its finest, 'nuff said.

That same night at The Jam Factory you can wallow in the delights of Gypsy jazz and old time swing with virtuoso acoustic guitarist Mark Mazengarb. He's been living and touring the US for several years now, popping back to New Zealand every couple of years with an outstanding guest. This time, from New York, it's singer Katie Martucci, who grew up in the Catskill Mountains singing and playing fiddle and guitar. This will be a show of immaculate musicianship and true class.

Yum! MEDIUM

5

SUDOKU

No.2221

Above: Grant Haua with the Grant Haua Explosion.

And on to the Saturday (February 3). My pick of the bunch is again at the Jam Factory, a second set of international visitors in the shape of Sassafras. They are a bluegrass quartet based in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. They've played festivals round the globe and promise everything from the traditional sounds of the Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs era to the progressive end of the genre, popularly known as “Newgrass” music.

But that's not all. If your tastes lean to reggae Raglan's Lost Tribe Aotearoa are playing over at the Waihi Beach Hotel while back in town down at The Barrel Room you can catch long-serving Auckland alt-country quartet The DeSotos.

And to think we used to complain about nothing happening...

Hear Winston's latest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UpdcjmaILbh 031Znpn0Pl?si=ce9c9dedbcba4f66

How to solve Sudoku!

6 8 Fill the grid so that 7 9 4 8 every row and every 3x3 square contains 2 7 No. 1869 theAcross digits 1 to 9 6. Harbour (Nth. Is.) 5. Slip (5) 3 8 6 4 (10) 7. Lament (5) Solution No.2220 How to solve 13. Famous dolphin (3) 8.

Lazy (4) 2 5 3 19.9 Hostile 7 4 7 8 6 2 (4) 14. Uncommon (7) Sudoku!

No.2221 M 2 7 8 1 4 5 9 6 3 15. Extra (5) 10.

Youngster (5) 9 4 7 694 327 185 6 81 17. Cheer (6) 11.

Tense (4) Fill the grid 6 so that 8 5 6 4 3 2 7 9 1 1 18. Ordained minister (6) 12.

Legend (9) 7 9 4 8 every row and every 4 2 3 7 1 9 8 5 6 16.

Murder mystery (9) 19. Demand (6) 9 6 7 1 5 8 4 3 2 3x3 2 6 9thesquare 5 contains 1 6 720.8 Throw 2 7 21. Pebble (5) 9 3 5(4)2 4 digits 1 to 9 6 1field 3 (NI) 7 8 (5) 5 Ski 9 4 222.

R I C H A R D P E A R S E 1 3 8 523.2 Belt 8 6 4 2 4 E F O O V O U M V R E N N 7 4(4) 6 1 9

SUDOKU

How to solve 9Sudoku!

4

SolutionNo.2220 No.2220 2 5 3Solution 1 9 8 6 2 4 7 7 62 97 48 13 42 75 19 68 35

1 2 8 8 5 6 4 3 2 7 9 1 1 6 4 2 3 7 1 9 8 5 6 Fill the grid so that 7 5 2 6every row 9 and 5 every 1 61 97 68 95 38 45 23 24 3x3 square contains 1 4 the 2 digits 1 to 9 1 39 48 52 52 67 41 36 71 98 7 Solution No.1621 3 3 2 8 6 1 4 7 9 5 No.1622

5 7 1 2 9 8 6 3 4 9 4 6 7 5 3 2 1 8

N I C H E C S T E W A R T

24. Unarmed combat O E O C R K K L N V L P I H A N A U G S T A T I C (4) W N B C A G S G T I J O E E 25. Famous writer (5,5) Y A M B E R G U S U R Y O T X E D E I G E H A K L A Down A B D U C T G G A T E A U 1. Islands (6) C R D M R D S S N I L L G T A L L E S T N N A U R U 2. This evening (7) I M E L P E O A O E D V S 3. Call off (6) C O R R E S P O N D E N T 4. Trimming (6) Solution 1868

Friday 26 January 2024

Sun 28th One Love Festival Players 6-7.30pm ASTROLABE Wed 31st Open Mic 7-10.30pm 11am -10.30pm *Cover charge Fri 26th Sunshine Sound applies System with special guests LATITUDE 37 Laughton Kora and Dj Zeca THE JAM FACTORY Fri 26th St Marcus 8.30pm 9pm Sun 27th Coast Arcade Sat 27th Jason 8.30pm Sat 20th Zeca/ Encee / Iffy 9pm 7-9.30pm *Cover charge Sun 28th Damo 4-7pm CROWN AND BADGER Mon 29th Midnight Fizz 4-7pm applies Fri 26th Pow Wow Duo THE PHOENIX TAURANGA MOUNT HOT POOLS 10pm-1.30am Sun 28th Dan Harris 3-6pm Sun 28th Les Robinson CORNERSTONE BAR 7-8.30pm *Cover charge VOODOO LOUNGE Fri 26th Live Music - DJ 10.30 applies Fri 26th DJ Ayesha 10pm Sat 27th Live Music - DJ 10.30 MOUNT MAUNGANUI RSA Sat 27th Camila 4pm Sun 21st Karaoke 7pm Fri 26th Doubtful soundz Sat 27th The Jump Off with 7-10.30pm Omega B and twenty2 9pm JACK DUSTY’S (Bureta) Sat 27th Fiona Cosgrove 2-5pm Sat 27th Anne G 7-10.30pm Sun 28th Asher and Regan 5pm Sat 27th Yeah Nah Yeah 7.30- TAURANGA DOMAIN 10.30pm Sun 28th MC Gamma 9pm Sat 27th One Love Festival Sun 28th TJS 3-6pm 11am – 10.30pm *Cover charge Wed 31st Voodoo jam night 9pm Mon 29th Jack Dusty’s Ukulele applies

Friday 26 January 2024

18

The Weekend Sun

Our city centre is on the rise The transformation of our city centre is well underway, with a bunch of public and private sector projects on the go to help make it an even better place to live, learn, work and play. or Council’s own projects, our dedicated teams are working alongside designers, mana whenua and contractors to bring these projects to life. We’re doing what we can to finish these projects as quickly and cost efficiently as possible, so you can enjoy and benefit from them.

Te Manawataki o Te Papa With pre-construction work complete and the site officially blessed, we’re now installing 900+ rammed aggregate piles as part of the foundation work for the new Library and Community Hub, before construction kicks off next month. We plan to start work on our new museum and exhibition gallery in the middle of the year.

The civic whare (public meeting house) and the upgrade of Baycourt, and associated landscaping, will get underway from next year, with the full project set to be complete by 2028.

Once complete, Te Manawataki o Te Papa will play a significant role in restoring our city’s heart and become a place where people from near and far gather to spend time, be entertained and have fun, learn, celebrate and explore our city’s rich past, and help shape our future.

Te Manawataki o Te Papa

The Weekend Sun

Friday 26 January 2024

Friday 26 January 2024

19

Done and dusted

Dive Crescent car park

Some projects are already complete, ready for the community to enjoy. Last year, the Cargo Shed opened for community use, following refurbishment. Just across the road, the development of the new Dive Crescent car park is now complete creating more than 150 parking spaces and making the southern entrance into the city centre a lot more welcoming. Additional car parks were also opened following seismic strengthening of the Elizabeth Street and Spring Street parking buildings.

Across town, the upgraded Tunks Reserve area on Elizabeth Street East has created an amazing space to look out at Te Awanui Tauranga Harbour. There’s also a new stairway and cycle runnel for people to easily connect with The Strand.

Look what's happening Across the city centre, we’re working hard on a range of other projects which are set to be completed by the end of this year.

Waterfront developments

Beacon Wharf

Masonic Park

Improvements to Beacon

The Masonic Park upgrade

Our future office block

A new green reserve, a

Wharf, along Dive Crescent,

will create a place for people

At 90 Devonport Road, you’ll

destination playground, a

will include a new viewing

to enjoy the green space with

see our future leased office

shared waterfront pathway,

deck, gangway and pontoon,

shade, shelter, seating and

block and the country’s

a new boardwalk connecting

along with associated

covered walkways.

largest mass timber office

to the railway underpass,

landscaping - providing more

Once complete around

building going up quickly,

and a seawall upgrade with

ways for people to connect

mid-2024, Masonic Park

with all eight levels expected

ecological enhancements are

with the harbour. The new

will be an important link

to be in place by the middle

some of the transformational

look Beacon Wharf will

connecting the new civic

of the year. Developed by

projects happening along

be ready for action by the

precinct, Te Manawataki o

Willis Bond with construction

the waterfront. Planned for

middle of this year.

Te Papa, and the Tauranga

partner LT McGuinness, this

Moana waterfront.

building sets new standards

completion by the end of 2024.

New Devonport Road car park

in sustainability and will bring over 1,000 of our people into

An additional 110 car parks are coming to the city centre in the

the city centre when we move

next few months, at 160-176 Devonport Road.

in next year.

For more information about city centre projects, visit: www.tauranga.govt.nz/ ourfuturecitycentre

Friday 26 January 2024

The Weekend Sun

20

Refreshed and enthusiastic for 2024 Hello 2024! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and holiday period relaxing with family and friends.

We spent a couple of weeks together as a family at home and enjoyed time at the beaches in the Mount. My wife and I also completed one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Tongariro Northern Circuit. Three days of hiking around this beautiful national park and two nights sleeping in huts was an amazing way to challenge ourselves, get off the grid and explore one of the true wonders of our country.

Next week, we return to Parliament. As a team we are refreshed and enthusiastic to progress with the National-led government’s incredibly ambitious and transformative 100-day plan. It is clear that New Zealand is in need

of a severe turnaround job and it is our duty to rebuild our economy, reduce the cost of living crisis, restore law and order and deliver better health and education services.

I am committed, as your local MP, to ensuring our key ministers continue to come here as often as possible and clearly understand the investment requirements and opportunities here in Tauranga.

We are a key strategic part of New Zealand. Together, we can unlock this city and address some of our major issues, like transport and housing. I will continue to work hard to be a strong local voice for all the people of Tauranga.

Please reach out if there’s anything I can do to help you.

Thirteen-year-old Mount Maunganui surfer Sol Fritchley won the Under 14 Division at the 61st National Championship. Photo: John Borren.

Surfing with Sol It was his last chance to claim the national title for his division, he had to ride some stellar waves and rake in the points against the competition - and he did just that.

Earlier this month, 13-year-old Mount Maunganui surfer Sol Fritchley put on a phenomenal performance at the 61st National Championship at St Clair Beach, Dunedin.

Sol came out on top in the Under 14 division, being crowned the national champ.

“I was pretty happy because I really wanted to win that because it was my last year in the Under 14s so I was hoping to get a national title,” says Sol. “I didn’t know I had it in the bag. I knew I had to still work

for it and I definitely knew I had what it takes to win.”

He sure does, with Sol also taking out the Peter Byers Overall Performance of the Event Award from 350 competitors. “I was pretty honoured to get that.”

These recognitions are well deserved too. Sol says he’s surfed “pretty much” since he was three-years-old.

“Then I went off it for a bit and then I got back into it around age nine.”

“My dad and my mom just taught me and they were always into it.”

He surfs “lots” almost every day, two times a day. “Whenever there’s surf - I surf… just whenever there’s any sort of swell I just get out there.”

His mahi has paid off. Sol also won the Volkswagen Highest Single Wave Score where he got

an impressive two 9.75 point rides in his semi-final heats of the comp.

“It’s pretty hard to get scores like that. I was surprised to get that many of them.

“There were a couple good snaps in the lip to get good scores like that.”

And his overall highlight of the competition?

“Definitely winning it and just seeing all my family happy.”

Sol has some advice for those looking to get into surfing too.

“Just keep it going, don’t get your head down and just believe in yourself.”

Next up for the young surfer is the Billabong Grom Series which is being held this weekend Saturday, January 27-28 at Tay Street, Mount Maunganui. Get along and see the surf action for yourself!

Georgia Minkhorst

Mermaid art and culture in the city!

For those mermaid fans out there - or those intrigued by the creatures - Tauranga Art Gallery’s Pop Up destination at 42 Devonport Rd has a free exhibition on the topic.

‘Megan Dunn: The Mermaid Chronicles 2.0’ is the next episode of Megan’s mer-odyssey to chart the significance of the mermaid across art and contemporary culture.

The exhibition includes retro artefacts, painting, sculpture, underwater photographs, and videos by artists, photographers and

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Plus - it’s the only exhibition where you can see a mermaid tail sprouting out of an industrial washing machine, which is made by New York based artist Olivia Erlanger.

The exhibition is sponsored by Our Place Magazine and is open 10am-4pm daily at the TAG POP UP located at 42 Devonport Rd until February 2, 2024. Get along and see the magic! Entry is free or koha.

The Weekend Sun

Friday 26 January 2024

21Friday 26 January 2024 news and views for the over 55s

Seniors’ ambition to strengthen family financial security

Estate and will planning is top of mind among older Kiwis amid current economic uncertainty, with more Kiwis over 50 planning to provide financial support to their loved ones.

According to new research by New Zealand Seniors, around eight in 10 (80 per cent) Kiwis

over 50 have intentions of leaving an inheritance, with two-thirds (66 per cent) aiming to provide greater financial security for their younger family members.

Meanwhile, a growing number of (37 per cent) of Kiwis have already or are planning to transfer their wealth to their loved ones before they pass.

The Legacy Report 2023,

commissioned by New Zealand Seniors in partnership with consumer research group, CoreData, surveyed more than 500 Kiwis over 50 about their attitudes toward leaving financial legacies.

The study found more than half (54 per cent) believe the wealth of younger generations is now largely reliant on how much they inherit. And while the majority (82 per cent) already have a wealth transfer plan in place, just over half (58 per cent) have discussed a will or an asset inventory with family.

Nearly a third of survey respondents (30 per cent) agreed that leaving a positive financial legacy behind is now more important than ever, with the vast majority planning to pass down financial assets, such as

Seeing things that are not there with dementia Dementia symptoms vary from person to person, but it is not unusual for people with dementia to see things that are not there.

If I had told her that her dog was not there and refused to put food in the dog bowl, she would have been very distressed and possibly embarrassed and angry with me, so every day we topped up Visual hallucinations have a few different the dog bowl and called the dog in for its meal. causes and generally, trying to treat them with Hallucinations from Dementia with Lewy Bodies medications is not helpful. Many hallucinations are often very vivid and frightening for the person are of people, commonly children and sometimes, and it is best to seek advice from your GP or specialist animals. The best response is to simply 'go along’ regarding medications to help reduce them. with what the person is seeing and not distress If you would like to have a chat about a loved one them by trying to convince them they’re not real. with dementia, give me a call.

People can find their hallucinations comforting Ruth Thomas, EnlivenPlus. Phone: 07 547 4349 and are able to enjoy them. I recall working with EnlivenPlus provides specialist dementia care a lovely lady who was having hallucinations of from $60. her dog that had passed many years ago.

She and I regularly called the dog in for its dinner, and made sure the dog bowl was always full of dog biscuits.

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valuable personal property (72 per cent), real estate (68 per cent), and cash savings (65 per cent).

Interestingly, the older Kiwis get, the more thought they give to legacy planning. According to the findings,

less than a third (31 per cent) Gen X respondents have given a great or considerable amount of thought to their legacy, compared Baby Boomers (49 per cent) and PreBoomers (68 per cent).

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Friday 26 January 2024

The Weekend Sun

22 news and views for the over 55s

Katikati MenzShed benefits local men To onlookers, it is a simple shed.

To local men of Katikati, it is a common space to gather with others with similar interests to create, build, learn, meet new people and chat.

The key benefit of the Shed is having a purposeful space to gather, say those who are involved.

Although all ages are welcome, MenzShed’s main purpose is to give older, retired men a place to share skills, experiences, stories, laugh and offer support to each other in various and meaningful ways.

The Katikati MenzShed also benefits the wider community through commissioned projects.

Along with this, the men themselves gain pride in community service,

broader friendship groups and companionship.

The Menzshed was displaced from their previous site a number of years ago but, thankfully, Katikati College offered their premises for after school and Saturday use as a temporary solution.

Fortunately, the MenzShed, in collaboration with the Community Van and Community Patrol organisations, successfully responded to an expression of interest sought by Western Bay District Council for the building of a community facility on a vacant piece of

Council land.

Chairman Don Mossop says they can now continue doing jobs for the community for years to come.

The new MenzShed building is located at 33 Middlebrook Drive, Katikati, and will allow normal daytime open hours to return.

The Katikati MenzShed is currently open Monday, Thursday and Saturday from 9am onwards for men, with membership an affordable $10 per annum.

Other days will become available, under the supervision of qualified Menzshed

Katikati MenzShed members with the thicknesser. Photo: Supplied.

members, to any community members or groups that may have projects to undertake.

To learn more about the Shed and how to become a member to broaden your skills and help the community, email: kkmenzshed@gmail.com

Omanu Rebus Club welcomes newbies Retired locals looking to extend their social network are being invited to get involved with the Omanu Rebus Club.

The Tauranga chapter is one of 27 around the country and has been running for almost 30 years.

Co-president Doug Guthrie says the monthly gatherings are a highlight, where members have morning tea, raffles and

hear guest speakers. “Then we have off-shoot specialist interest groups,” he says. Rebus not only organises relaxed get-togethers but also day trips. “When I retired, I found myself wondering what to do,” says Doug. “It can be hard to find things to do when you don’t have work to go to each day so we’ve organised the likes of garden and port tours.”

The group also invites guest speakers each month.“We try to cater to a wide range of

people” says Doug. With around 60 active members, Rebus has an interesting and diverse community. “I never get bored talking to members,” he says.

Anyone curious about the club is offered complimentary visits to a couple of monthly meetings held at the Omanu Golf Club on the second Thursday of the month at 9.30am.

Book in with Margaret on: 542 0548, or visit: www.rebus-omanu.nz

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The Weekend Sun

23Friday 26 January 2024

Friday 26 January 2024

news and views for the over 55s Jack Anderson in his Austin A30 from 1956.

Photo: John Borren.

Jack in the gearbox In the depths of the shed, old metal parts collect dust and hold decades of memories, dating as far back as 1910 - lying in wait to be back on the road once more.

And amongst it all, in this miniature world of vintage motors, hubcaps, gearboxes, headlights and thingamabobs, is 82-year-old Jack Anderson, who is suitably Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club’s parts and club manager. He’s been part of the club for 26 years now, and helps collect parts to add to the shed’s impressive arsenal. “People bring the parts in and donate them to the club,” says Jack.

“We don’t buy anything and then we sell the parts off to members that come along and want things.

“It’s just a bit of a little bit of a revenue for the club.”

With years’ experience of handling car parts of all shapes and sizes, and a past life as an A Grade mechanic, Jack certainly knows his stuff. He says the oldest parts he has come across in the shed are more than a century old. “Some of the things would

be off cars that are from 1910 you know, so they’re about 113 years old now.” It’s fair to say that the parts shed is Jack’s happy place. When asked what it is about vintage cars, parts and the motoring world he loves, Jack says: “It’s just the old type of thing that they are really. There’s nothing modern about them as of today’s standards anyhow”.

And of course Jack has a vintage car of his own an Austin A30 from 1956 to be exact. Modelled as a small family car, Jack says the Austin is “something I grew up with really”. “It was the first car I ever had.”

He’s had this vintage beauty for 15 years, but has had 10 different vintage cars in his time. “They’ve mainly been Austin 7s and Morris 1100s.”

Sometimes these old cars might need a part or two from the shed, and some TLC. Jack says he has put a lot of time into caring for his vintage cars. “But once they’re fixed and restored there’s nothing much to it. You just keep maintaining them.”

The Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club meets regularly. Check out their website at: www.bayofplentyvintagecarclub.com Georgia Minkhorst

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Friday 26 January 2024

24

The Weekend Sun

The Weekend Sun

Friday 26 January 2024

25Friday 26 January 2024

Women in the workshop Pacific Toyota is proud to shine a light on their female workshop staff.

Their four talented young ladies have shown exceptional dedication and skill in what is traditionally a ‘male-dominated’ field of work.

These girls have a passion for cars and are pursuing their goal of becoming skilled automotive technicians.

Ashleigh Baker had already completed her pretrade course before joining the Pacific Toyota team in 2021 when she started as a groomer at the Tauranga branch. She was offered an apprenticeship about 10 months later and is now two thirds of the way through achieving her Level 4 Certificate in Automotive Engineering.

Courtney Dale started at the Whakatane branch in May 2022 and is now into the fourth year of her apprenticeship which is exciting. She continues to improve her skill set and is being rewarded with specialised Toyota training this year.

Gaby Absalom

Amber Harvey

Courtney Dale

Ashleigh Baker

Gaby Absalom started at Pacific Toyota Tauriko doing work experience while completing her pretrade course during 2022. Approximately seven months later she became a full-time employee as an apprentice. Gaby is now into her final year of her apprenticeship and she’s just one course away from becoming a Toyota accredited technician.

Amber Harvey is the most recent addition to the Pacific Toyota team. Having completed the first year of her apprenticeship elsewhere, Amber is continuing the remaining levels at our Tauriko branch and is looking forward to the challenge of larger automotive repairs and maintenance.

Pacific Toyota is committed to promoting diversity by providing equal opportunity for women to excel in a traditionally ‘male-dominated’ automotive industry.

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The Weekend Sun

Omoda - a new brand for New Zealand We were lucky enough to get an exclusive sneak peek at the Omoda C5, an exciting new entry into the NZ market. The Omoda was on display last weekend at Tauranga Motor Company, the official dealer for the brand in Tauranga.

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Omoda is the latest brand to start selling cars in New Zealand, with the C5 being their first model on offer. The Omoda C5 will be available with 1.5L Turbo and 1.6L Turbo engine options.

There will also be fully electric versions available, though these will be known as the Omoda E5.

We took a 1.5L Turbo high-spec model for a drive, and it was a great experience. In recent years, compact-size SUVs have become more spacious and better-equipped than ever, and the Omoda C5 is one of the best examples of this trend. When compared to similar-sized cars on the market, think Kia Seltos, Toyota C-HR, Volkswagen T-Roc, Mazda CX-30, and Hyundai Kona, but with significantly more advanced technology available as standard.

For example, the test car had a wireless phone charger, keyless entry and start, eight Sony speakers, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, sunroof, multicolour ambient lighting, 360-degree parking camera, a dual 10.25-inch touchscreen display and digital dash, electric tailgate and heated seats, to name a few.

The Omoda C5 is also fitted with a number of

driver assistance systems, and it has the full five-star ANCAP safety rating.

This is an extremely impressive package for a car that aims for a mid-30K price point.

Starting with the C5 and E5, Omoda is planning to bring four models to New Zealand in the next two years. The brand is seeing significant growth overseas, including strong demand in Australia, with nearly 6000 Omoda cars sold from March to December 2023.

All Omoda cars will be covered by a sevenyear unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assistance program, which gives great peace of mind. Omoda is supported by a comprehensive nationwide dealer network, Tauranga Motor Company represents Omoda and its sister brand Jaecoo with a new showroom opening soon at 114 Third Avenue in Tauranga.

The Omoda C5 and the all-electric E5 are planned to be available for test drives as soon as late February. For more information, call Tauranga Motor Company on: 07 578 1378 or visit: www.tmccars.co.nz Axel Smith

The Weekend Sun

27Friday 26 January 2024

Friday 26 January 2024

Safe summer motoring is key!

With summer now in full swing, many of us will be heading to the bach, beach or bush. According to the AA, such holiday spots are often in isolated locations and the roads to them can be challenging.

As such, the organisation offers some vital tips on how to safe navigate roads many of us don’t usually drive on.

Coastal and rural roads are often narrow and winding; they can include hair-pin bends with small shoulders, are sometimes Eight-year-old Alyssa Easton with parents Andrew and Sandra Easton in front of their 8m caravan.

Photo: Deb Griffiths.

Family holidays made easy!

It was cherished childhood holiday memories combined with a post-Covid reluctance to stay in hotels that inspired Ōmokoroa couple Andrew and Sandra Easton to buy their own caravan.

“With a motorhome, you need to unplug it, pack up and then parking can get interesting.

“If you’ve got a good vehicle, it’s a lot cheaper to buy a good caravan.

“We go to Waihī Beach a lot and the caravan is around one-third of the price of an apartment.

“We also know what we’re getting when we go.

“We can start packing a week before, then just drive over, plug it in and relax.”

“The longest we’ve been away is seven nights at Ōhope,” says Sandra. “We don’t go too far away. I’m not big on road trips, to be honest. I’m Scottish and in the UK, we would fly everywhere.

“We’ve even stayed at the Mount a couple of times and that was really nice.”

“It was almost three years ago, and when everyone started travelling again after lockdown it was hard to get accommodation,” says Sandra.

“We’d outgrown tenting life, though, and wanted a bit more comfort, so we bought a caravan.”

“It was also a good excuse to get the extended family together,” says Andrew, who also has adult children from a previous relationship.

“We had a gathering in October [last year] where we had the big kids and their partners turn up, so we put them in tents and Alyssa was in the caravan with us. We’ve Sandra Easton, daughter Alyssa, 8, and stayed in flash resorts but still prefer relaxing in our father Andrew Easton love time away in their caravan. Photo: Deb Griffiths. own caravan.”

Easier

“It’s much easier to pack up a caravan than a tent,” adds Sandra. “When we get home, we just give it a quick clean and vacuum and it’s ready for the next time. With a tent, if it gets wet, you need to dry it all out and if it’s just for a couple of nights away, it feels like a lot of work.”

Andrew and Sandra also prefer the caravan over a campervan. “We like the idea of being able to park it and then still drive away for groceries or whatever,” says Andrew.

Off-grid

Their eight-metre-long caravan has central heating, a full bathroom, kitchen complete with an oven, skylights and solar panels to enable them to go off-grid. There’s plenty of storage under the queensized bed and the dining space can be converted into a double bed.

“Alyssa’s made lots of friends on holidays and we keep in touch with them,” says Sandra.

“It’s more social and relaxed at campgrounds.”

“We really enjoy it,” says Andrew. “The caravan’s been a great investment. We have the freedom to decide on a Friday afternoon that we want to get out of town, so we just go. It’s the enjoyment factor and you can’t really put a price on that.”

Debbie Griffiths

unsealed and usually have no street lighting.

If a road is unsealed, increasing your following distance is important to allow for the fact the road surface gives less traction if you need to stop quickly; gravel acts as a roller between your wheel and the road surface.

Keeping left will minimise the chance of stone chip damage to your vehicle from gravel flung up by other motorists.

And always scan left and right!

Friday 26 January 2024

The Weekend Sun

28

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Lots of people are considering whether the new year the time to buy or sell their home.

Working with a good real estate agent can make all the difference when it comes to this big life decision.

A real estate agent’s job is to make the process of buying or selling a home a stressfree as possible.

Real estate agents can advertise and market properties, arrange and host open homes, build relationships with sellers and buyers, complete sales and negotiate contracts, research the housing market and property values, and organise building inspections and reports.

They’re required to have knowledge of sales and marketing techniques, networking, property laws and regulations, mortgage financing, basic accounting, business contracts, and real estate market trends – both nationally and in the area they typically work.

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consumers buying and selling real estate.

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The Weekend Sun

29Friday 26 January 2024

Power safety warning for DIYers this summer

Overhead power lines and underground gas pipes and electricity cabling can make even simple DIY projects dangerous.

DIY enthusiasts are being urged to ‘look up’ and ‘know what’s below’ before they grab the paint brush and chainsaw, or hire the likes of a digger or post hole borer this summer.

The warning comes from Powerco - the secondlargest gas and largest electricity distributor in New Zealand - as Kiwis get stuck into projects around the house during Aotearoa’s warmer months.

Powerco head of health and safety Craig Stewart says summer months are the ideal time to get these important safety messages out because it’s when most people are busy catching up on work around their homes.

“DIY is a favourite Kiwi pastime, especially this time of year. But overhead power lines and underground gas pipes and electricity cabling can make even simple DIY projects dangerous.”

Craig says remember that electricity can jump to your equipment and you.

“So, to stay safe, it’s important to keep yourself and any equipment at least 4m away from overhead lines. When working near power lines, treat them as live at all times, because getting too

close can cause serious injury or death.”

You can arrange for a temporary disconnection if you’re doing anything near a service line that’s the line that connects a building to the pole on the roadside.

Contact your retailer - the company you pay your power bill to - to arrange a temporary disconnection. If your disconnection is during business hours, it will be free. Your retailer will need at least 24 hours’ notice.

Craig says before digging in and around your property, know what’s below first.

“Know what’s below is about educating people to use the free beforeUdig service - at: www.beforeudig.co.nz/nz/home - to help locate gas pipes, electricity cables and any other utilities before starting to dig around the home.”

If you accidently hit a gas pipe there’s a risk of the gas igniting, potentially causing serious harm to people and property.

Explosion and burns can occur from damage to live underground electricity cables.

For more information about how to stay safe around electricity and gas networks, visit: www.powerco.co.nz/safety

Friday 26 January 2024

Friday 26 January 2024

30

The Weekend Sun

Coastal home meets future-forward living The booming future of Pāpāmoa shows no sign of slowing with premium homes for sale surrounding a new Town Centre that will spread across an area four times the size of Bayfair, and local building company Highmark Homes are at the centre of the action.

Highmark Homes, a family building company that has been delivering dream homes in Pāpāmoa and around the motu for more than 60 years, has just listed a home of coastal elegance and modern living at 269 Te Okuroa Drive, an example of what is driving people in droves to the area.

"Location is key," says managing director Ryan Hunt, as he speaks of the home's strategic positioning. "This property isn't just a home; it's a lifestyle choice conveniently placed amidst the pulse of progress." The spotlight here is the Sands Town Centre, a billion-dollar development right around the corner.

“The Sands Town Centre isn't just about retail; it's a vision of comprehensive living,” says Ryan. "With a supermarket that’s opening the end of this year to anchor the development, alongside major tenancies, this centre is designed to cater to every facet of contemporary life. It's a testament to the thoughtful

planning that defines Pāpāmoa's growth.”

As Tauranga City experiences a boom, Pāpāmoa remains at its forefront.

"Pāpāmoa is one of the best places to live in New Zealand,” says Ryan. “It is coastal living at its best, with a thriving community feel, and The Sands Town Centre is a nod to the exciting future unfolding here."

Pāpāmoa East is booming with its convenient coastal living.

Find out more about this exceptional property fresh to market, visit: www.trademe. co.nz/a/property/new-homes/new-house/ listing/4392463926?bof=mhBzmT0a

Stay cool but fence the pool this summer Tauranga City Council is reminding private pool users to make sure they take all the necessary precautions and enjoy summer to the fullest with peace of mind.

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As such the council’s Pool Safety Compliance team is asking people to familiarise themselves with the safety rules that must be followed whether the pool is permanent or portable.

“As a pool owner, it’s your responsibility to maintain and ensure the effectiveness of all pool safety barriers on your property, especially including all gates, doors and windows that may

provide direct access to the immediate pool area,” says TCC team leader of building compliance Denise Hyde. “If you’re considering buying a portable above-ground pool - which is a popular choice during the summer months - you need to think about how you will ensure appropriate precautions are taken.”

According to Denise, if the pool’s side walls are more than 1.2m high, it may not require a compliant pool safety barrier.

“A portable pool with 1.2m high side walls that can’t be climbed may not require a safety barrier - but if the pool can be accessed by a portable ladder, it is important to ensure the ladder is removed and not accessible while not in use.

“The ladder should be secured away from the pool or stored inside the pool so a small child cannot access it,” says Denise.

If your portable pool has sides less than 1.2m high, Denise says you need to have a pool safety fence around it. “Fencing your pool is an essential step towards keeping everyone safe, especially children who are at risk of drowning in an un-fenced pool.

“Failing to have adequate barriers would breach the Building Act 2004, and you may receive a $500 fine.”

For more information about swimming pool safety barriers, visit: www.tauranga.govt.nz

The Weekend Sun

31Friday 26 January 2024

Embrace effortless living with motorised roller blinds In the realm of home automation, Bay Blinds stands out as a local pioneer, crafting blinds that seamlessly blend style and versatility.

Manufactured by their local team, Bay Blinds specialises in motorised roller blinds - a game-changer for those seeking the ultimate in convenience.

The blinds are controlled with a handheld remote or can be integrated into your home automation system and smartphone apps.

Modern battery-operated motors can now be retrofitted into blinds in any existing home. The child-safe feature, achieved by eliminating cords or chains, adds an essential layer of safety for families.

Managing director Gail Christie says motorised blinds are no longer a luxury exclusive to top level homes. Today, they are both affordable and adaptable to any home, whether it’s a new build or a renovation project.

“These blinds are perfect for various scenarios, from protecting furniture against sunlight, adjusting your privacy levels to controlling Motorised roller blinds are a great safe them remotely in your holiday homes.” choice for a child’s room with no chain Whether you opt for voice-activated, operation, and the remote is easy for older remote, smartphone or chain control, Bay children to operate.

Blinds offers locally-made, high-quality blinds in a range of patterns and textures.

To explore Bay Blinds’ diverse options, contact the team and discover how these blinds can not only enhance your home’s decor but also bring ease and sophistication to your daily life.

Stay ahead in home technology - call the Bay Blinds specialists today at: 0800 229 254, visit: www.bayblinds.co.nz or drop into the factory and showroom The slim design of the remote control makes it easy to use it can also be at 8 Maleme Street, Greeton, for a stored away discreetly. complimentary measure and quote.

Check before you DIY this summer!

With longer days offering DIYers plenty of time to get those longheld projects underway, Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council is reminding landowners to check if they need a Bylaw Authority before doing any digging, planting or building. According to council, those living in a rivers and/or drainage scheme may need a Bylaw Authority – which is written permission from BOPRC that includes conditions to ensure flood protection and drainage infrastructure assets are not damaged or compromised.

Properties next to or near regional council-owned or managed flood protection or drainage assets –such as stopbanks, floodwalls, drains and pump stations – may be in a Bylaw

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Applicable Area and, therefore, need a Bylaw Authority before completing work on their property.

BOPRC rivers and drainage assets manager Kirsty Brown says these bylaws do not prevent the public from doing work on their land, but ensures any work doesn’t accidentally affect the integrity of flood protection and drainage infrastructure assets. The council’s Flood Protection and Drainage Bylaws have different rules for different parts of the region.

Landowners can check if their property is in a Bylaw Applicable Area by using council’s interactive map online. The public can also contact riversanddrains@boprc.govt.nz for information specific to their property.

Friday 26 January 2024

The Weekend Sun

32 Email: letters@thesun.co.nz (200 words maximum) supplied with full name and contact details.

For more letters go to www.sunlive.co.nz

Have some humanity for our senior people!

I will not live in a retirement home, but I will invest on them to get seven per cent interest.

One couple told me recently that they have been in a retirement home for some years which they paid $500,000 for - but they expect it will sell for $1 million when they depart. Many of these homes also have very strange charges like $10 to use a shared toilet, and this used to be very minimal charge. Maybe it’s inflation? It is a sad situation for any organisation to make excess profits from the frail and elderly in society as at present. But who cares? Not the Government it would appear. So far those who profess to care are hard to find. Housing in the future will have many renting for life, as they will not have the money to buy into the present situation. What then is the question, we just have too many old people? Sorry, senior people. Tauranga - have humanity, if any is left, for the above.

Ron Chamberlain, Otūmoetai.

An enormous burden on Immense gratitude for our health services the healthcare sector Re: News article in The Weekend Sun, titled ‘Stick to the limit, stay alive’, page 9, Friday, January 12, 2024.

Although each and every motor vehicle accident fatality is one too many, the true cost to society lies with those fortunate enough to survive. Speeding, falling asleep at the wheel or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs cost society millions of dollars and thousands of hours of intensive medical resources each year.

Pre-hospital (paramedic) care,

This is fiscal madness...

Re: The proposed Memorial Park Aquatic Centre. The recent media reports about Tauranga city Council’s Commissioners’ inane decision to approve $153m upgrades for the proposed Memorial Park Aquatic Centre, mainly comprising three hydroslides and an eight-lane 25m lap pool defies belief!

By the look of it this is fiscal madness by spendthrifts it will not even include an Olympic-sized 50m pool; and by the time they have finished, the cost, will not be nearly $200m but closer to $300m. The site, which is historically

on low lying reclaimed land, is geotechnically and tsunami suspect.

It is not true to say that Baywave is over-capacity because some evenings only the main pool becomes crowded with multi-users, and all because council did not listen to the public in early2000 and spend slightly more for a 50m Olympic pool. By the looks of it the new development does not even have a spa/steam/sauna room facility nor children’s pool.

We must rid ourselves of these spendthrift Commissioners who have not even provided or addressed essential

hospital beds including ICU time, surgery (often multiple trips to the OR), nursing care, allied health intervention and post-discharge rehabilitation place an enormous burden on the healthcare sector. It soaks up dollars and time that could have been allocated elsewhere.

It is frustrating to witness drivers’ behaviour on our roads, knowing that billions of dollars and thousands of lives are wasted annually.

J Marnewick, trauma medical director, Tauranga Hospital.

infrastructure during the past three years; and Memorial Park, stadium, civic centre and Cameron Road mess are not even remotely in that class. Abridged.

Rob Paterson, Ohauiti.

Editor’s note: It has been reported that the proposed aquatics centre will have bombing pools, splash pad, a toddler pool, and eight indoor 25m swimming lanes and two outdoor lanes at a cost of $122.25m. Find out more about the project at: letstalk.tauranga. govt.nz/projects/memorial-park-andcommunity-recreation-hub

In the last two months of 2023 I had to call St John’s ambulance for my husband six times. Although concerned for him, I had immediate and complete confidence in their care and concern offered to him by all the paramedics. Each team who attended to him was professional and compassionate towards him and stayed longer to reassure me.

Our next experience was the A&E department at Tauranga Hospital, not once but five times in about two weeks. The excellent standard of care continued each time. Although quite often, running to attend to the increasing number of patients, the staff were always courteous, diligent and responsive to the many requests directed to them.

At the end of a very long 10 hours in A&E, when my husband had many scans, tests and observations, I thanked the doctor who had attended to him and I was surprised by his response. “You don’t have to thank me, it’s my job” to which I replied: “I want to thank you because it may be your job but it’s the manner in which you carry it out that is of great inspiration and reassurance for me as a wife”. So he thanked me too.

My husband was eventually admitted to hospital due to a deterioration in his condition and yet again I experienced an extra level of compassionate care for him.

This was in Ward 2C. I stayed there for four and half days and nights with my husband until he unfortunately died having experienced the best care he could possibly have had. The number of times, staff came to check on, not only him, but also me was incredible. He died with dignity and respect, shown so genuinely by all the staff who were no longer strangers but friends.

I miss my husband terribly but confidently know that we, in Tauranga, are so blessed to have a health team who has a passion for treating the sick and their family, and who excel in the manner in which they carry that out. Forever grateful.

L Tobin, Tauranga City.

Churches Active In Our Community

Finding ways to be compassionate

BETH - EL la tyb la tyb

SHALOM SHALOM

Also replace the words: AM SABBATH SABBATH 10AM ONLINE SERVICES ONLY 10 OTUMOETAI PRIMARY PRIMARY MountSDA@gmail.com OTUMOETAI Joel & & Sharon Sharon van van Ameringen With: We lookJoel forward to seeing Ameringen you!

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info@bethel.org.nz info@bethel.org.nz bethel.org.nz bethel.org.nz

You are welcome to worship with us each Sabbath (Saturday) St Andrews Church, Dee St, Mt Maunganui Bible Study 9:30am • Worship Service 10:45am Enquiries 021 277 1909

We look forward to seeing you! mtmaunganui.adventist.org.nz

Tauranga Churches

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e CHURCH CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Messianic Family with Messianic Family St Andrews Church, Dee St, Mt Maunganui ALL WELCOME WELCOME Bible Study 9:30am -ALL Worship Service 10:45am

Christians are supposed to be compassionate. I want to encourage us all to think about some very easy ways that we can show compassion. One way is embracing a plant-based diet. It aligns with the principles of compassion, stewardship, and responsibility inherent in Christian teachings.

Christians are called to reflect the love and compassion of Christ in their daily lives, and one impactful way to embody this principle is by adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.

The modern meat industry often involves practices that disregard the well-being of animals, compromising their inherent value as part of God's creation.

Choosing plant-based options supports ethical treatment of animals and promotes a lifestyle in harmony with biblical values.

Additionally, responsible stewardship of the earth is a recurring theme in Christian

teachings. The environmental impact of industrialised animal agriculture is significant, contributing to deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Opting for a plant-based diet reduces one's carbon footprint, demonstrating a commitment to preserving the environment as stewards of God's creation.

Considering the implications of global hunger and resource distribution, a plantbased diet can be a responsible use of resources.

In a world where millions suffer from food scarcity, diverting grains and crops from livestock to direct human consumption could address this challenge more effectively.

Ultimately, embracing a meatfree lifestyle becomes a powerful expression of Christian values - compassion for animals, responsible stewardship of the earth, and mindful use of resources - enabling Christians to align their dietary choices with their spiritual beliefs for a more harmonious and compassionate world.

John Carr, Wesley Methodist Church

The Weekend Sun

33Friday 26 January 2024

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Friday 26 January 2024

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Stay cool in summer heat

It’s hot, hot, hot but Graham Jones has just the solution to keep you and your home cool without delay!

Owner operator of Tauranga Air Conditioning, Graham says: “Our motto Graham says his van is usually remembered by is ‘same day install and we come customers. Photo: Joh Borren when you call’.” straight away at the moment because they just Graham offers top-quality can’t sleep!” brands, including the consumer “We come when you call. Put that air con on recommended Mitsubishi Heavy your wall!” Phone Graham on: 0272547667.

Industries 2.0 kw. “In 2022 and 2023, the Mistubishi HI air conditioners/heat pumps won great awards in the Consumer Guide.

“We strictly follow New Zealand consumer guidelines.” Graham always keeps his stock up to date and the wait is cut out.

“When you call me, I put the unit in – not in six weeks’ time. That’s my point of difference.

“Most people want an air conditioner in their bedroom

HEAT PUMPS & AIR CONDITIONING

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The Weekend Sun

34 1

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12:06 PM

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The Weekend Sun

trades & services

Friday 26 January 2024

35Friday 26 January 2024

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Friday 26 January 2024

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The Weekend Sun