23May2025, Issue1261
Modelplanemayhem
Ifyou’veeverhadanappreciationforaircraft –bigorsmall–reallifeormodels–then Taurangaistheplacetobe.
TaurangaModelAircraftClubmember RogerPeddle,pictured,hasorganisedfor350 modelaircraft–bothreplicasofvintageplanes throughtomodernmodels–tobeauctioned
offatClassicFlyersinMountMaunganuithis Sunday,May25,from10am.
“It’sthebiggestmodelaircraftauction certainlyinNewZealand,”saidPeddle.His clubliterallytakesoverthehangaratClassic Flyers–“theyhavetomovealltheaircraftout, andwesetupapodiumfortheauctioneerand
allitemsforsalewillgoondisplay”. Then,nextWednesday,May28,ClassicFlyers itselfiscelebrating20yearsofoperationatits JeanBattenDrivefacility.
OfficialopenedMay28,2005,ClassicFlyers wascreatedtoprotecttherichandprecious historyofNewZealandaviation.Todayit’san
iconicdestinationofferinganaviationmuseum, conferenceandeventscentre,adventureflights andacafeandbar.
Findoutmoreaboutthemodelaircraft auctiononpage15–andreadaboutthe creationofClassicFlyersonpage27.
Photo/BrydieThompson
TheWeekendSun Friday23May2025
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“Whatchalookingat?”sheasked.Iwas onthestreetstaringdownatasmidgeon ofgrass,alittlebitofberm.Nowshewas staringatthesamebitofgrass,butnot seeingwhatIwasseeing.
“WhatIamlookingat…”Iharrumphed.“… istheworstofhumanity.Miserableness,meanspiritedness,selfishness.Andyouwillsense,Iam notlikingwhatIamseeing.”
“Gosh,”shemused.“AllIcanseeisfinefescue whichisoftenblendedwithothergrassestoform anattractive,deepgreen,finetexturedturf.”
Sparemeplease!Butsheblatheredon.“Ido likeanicelawn.KingCharleshaslovelylawnsat Sandringham.Likecarpets.”
“Ma’am,Idon’tmeantomesswithyourdaybut Iamconfrontinguglinesspersonified.Andyouare lecturingmeonthedifferencesbetweencocksfoot, carexandkikuyu.”
“Didyouknow…”shecontinued.Shewasa talker,notalistener.“…mowinglawnsremoves clippingswhichcontainessentialnutrientslike nitrogen,phosphorousandpotassiumsoregular fertilisationiscrucialto…”
“Ma’am…Idon’thavetimenorspacefor agrostologylessons.Iamtryingtocobbletogether ayarnforPage2,I’m150wordsintoascript,onequarteroftherequiredwordcount,andIhaven’t
TheWeekendSunispublishedeveryFridayanddistributedthroughouttheWesternBay ofPlentyfromWaihiBeach,throughKatikati,Tauranga,MountMaunganui,Papamoa andTePukeandavailabletocollectatmanystandlocationsthroughoutthearea.For afulllistofstandlocationsseehttps://theweekendsun.co.nz/stand-locations.htmlThe WeekendSunispartofNZME-NewZealandMedia&Entertainment.WekeepKiwisin theknow.Locallyproducedat405CameronRd,Tauranga
yetmademypoint.Anypointreally.” So,tothatpoint.
Anicety
Someonehadmowedthisberminthe inner“burbs”–mowedittoanicety. Trimmedtheedges.Trimmedtoanicety. Everythingneatasapin.Butnotallwas asitseemed.
Becausetheyhadmowedso fardownthebermandstopped, about1.5metresshortofthe neighbour’sdrive.Andthey hadtrimmedtheedgestosame pointandstopped.Apatchof about3m2remainedunmown, untrimmed,unmanicured.The tell-taledemarcationlinewhere themowinghadstopped,lined upperfectlywiththeboundary fence.Themowerhadobviously decidedthatlittlebitoflawn wasnottheirresponsibilitysoit wouldstayunmown.
Howpetty!Howspiteful! Where’stheneighbourliness, thefriendliness,warmthand kindness.Where’sthegoodwill?
That3m2ofgrowththat hadn’tbeentendedormanicured madeamockeryofthebigbit thathad.Allthetidiness,and propertypridewasundone bythemean-spiritednessofa demarcationline.Asortofgreen grassyBerlinWall,alinethat divided,alinethatscreamed: “Wedon’tcareaboutyou!”Asad statement.
Morethanunmowngrass
Editor: MerleCave Editorial: LetitiaAtkinson,Alisha Evans,RosalieLiddleCrawford,HunterWells,Ayla YeomanTomEley. PublicationsManager: Kathy Sellars. Advertising: JoDelicata,SharonEyres. DesignStudio: KymJohnson,CaitlinBurns.
a someone’sbermwithoutaskingfirst. Intentionsmaybegoodbutmowing arbitrarilycanbeconstruedasintrusive orpresumptuous.Really?Perhaps themowerjustwantstokeepthe neighbourhoodtidy,ordosomeone afavour.It’sinterestingthatwhen
TheWeekendSunissubjectto NZMediaCouncilprocedures. First,emailyourcomplainttothe Editorat:newsroom@thesun.co.nz Ifnotsatisfiedorformoredetails, goto:mediacouncil.org.nz
“Mmm,”saysmynewagrostologist friend.“Atbest,petty!Butit’smorethan unmowngrass,isn’tit?It’saverypublic demonstrationofsomeone’sdisregardfor you.Theyjustdon’tcare–aboutyouor theappearanceoftheneighbourhood.”
Butitcouldalsobeacontractorwho can’tmakealivingdoingfreebies.Orit couldbesomeonewhosimplydoesn’t wanttheirbermmowed.
BecauseAucklandTransport–that Aucklandinfrastructurebehemoth, chargedwitheverythingincluding berms–suggestsitcanberudetomow
youfirstspotbermdemarcationyou suddenlystartseeingitallovertown. Petty!Pettypeopleobsessingaboutthe small,unimportantthings,andbeing unnecessarilyunkind.
Allovertown…
Butbermmaintenancecanexcitepeople –evenmovethemtobadlanguage. Here’ssomeonlinebermtraffic: “There’sabermnearusthatwouldfeed afamilyofgoats.Buggerthat.”
“Imowmyneighbour’sbermbutthey don’treciprocatebecausemine’sabit bigger.“FFS”–inthecontextofthis storyatruncationof“ForFescue’sSake”
Isuspect.“Myneighbourleavesahalfmetrestripnexttomyletterbox whenhemows[expletive]pathetic!” “Imowedmyneighbour’sberm andhegotpissybecauseIscalpedit. Neveragain.”
Thenfromstageleft,enterthe “Two-strokesamaritan”.
“Itwasn’tuncommontoseemy Dadmowingthebermfourorfive propertiesuptheroad.AsakidI cringed,nowIseehowgeneroushe was.”
‘Mycontribution’
Ihadaneighbourwholivednext toanelderlycouple.Therewereno fencessowhenhemowedhislawns mostweekendshejustcontinued seamlesslyintotheneighbour’s property.Alittletime,alittleeffort repaidwithbucketsofgratitudeand smiles.
Anotherbloketookitonhimself tobeconservatorofneighbourhood berms–startingonhisandfinishing fivepropertiesupthestreet.“My contribution,”hewouldsay.Two recipientsofthatgoodwillwould occasionallymowtheirownberms, butjusttheirown.Nice.
Sometimesgoodwillcanbetaken advantageof.Anotherhouseholderwould shamelesslydumpgrassclippingsfrom lawnsinsidetheirpropertyunderaplane treeonthesameberm.
Heknewhisproblem,hiscrap,would beselflesslytakencareofbythe“Twostrokesamaritan”.Two-strokewould justshrug,wouldn’tletMrSelf-centred takeawayfromhis“contribution”,his enjoyment.
There’salso“Super-Samaritan”inthe US,whoscoutsneighbourhoodsfor over-grown,uncaredforpropertiesand peopleinneed.Thenhecracksintoit. Fornothing.Hedoesn’tleaveanybitof thebermuntended.
BayofPlentyMPTomRutherfordwillbe “pushingreallyhard”forTauranga’snew 24/7urgenthealthcareservicetobeinthe fast-growingsuburbofPāpāmoa.
PrimeMinisterChristopherLuxonandHealth MinisterSimeonBrownsaidinapre-Budget announcementonSundaythatTaurangawould gainanew24/7urgenthealthcareservicebymid2026.
RutherfordandTaurangaMPSamUffindell saidinajointstatementonSundaythatthe newTaurangaservicewoulddeliverfaster,more accessibleurgentcareclosertohome.Askedhow likelyitwasforthenewclinictobeinPāpāmoa, RutherfordsaidthatHealthNZwasworking throughanegotiationphaseandtryingtofindthe “appropriateproviderlocally”fortheservice.
Fastest-growing
HesaidPāpāmoawasthe“fastest-growing suburb”inTaurangaandwashometoabout 40,000people.“Weneedafter-hoursand emergencycareonthissideoftownaswell,so
BayofPlentyMPTom RutherfordwantsTauranga’s new24/7urgenthealthcare servicetobelocatedin
I’llbepushingreallyhardforthat,butthat’s ultimatelyadecisionforHealthNZtomake.”
RutherfordsaidthepreviousHealthMinister ShaneRetiandBrownhad“bothheardalotfrom me”aboutensuringthePāpāmoaandMount Maunganuicommunitieswere“adequately served”.
Theonlyoptionsforafter-hoursoremergency carewereAccidentandHealthcareonSecondAve inTaurangaorTaurangaHospital,hesaid.
RutherfordhadinformedtheHealthMinisterof this“andI’llcontinuetobeatthedrumonthat”.
“Thecommunityelectedme...tostandupand fightforthemandthat’sexactlywhatI’mdoing.”
Rutherfordsaidhewasproudtobepartofa governmentwhichwasinvestingsignificantly inhealth–arecord$16.68billionacrossthree Budgets.
“Weknowhavingaccesstotimelyandquality healthcareisreallyimportantforpeople...that’s whywe’remakingannouncementslikewe’vedone andwe’llcontinuetoputmorefundingintoitbut alsoensuringwe’vegotagoodworkforceaswellto beabletoserviceittoo.”
Uffindell–alsotheHealth Committeechairman–saidasa fatherofthreeyoungchildren,it wasa“hugereliefandbreakthrough” togetfurther24/7urgentcarein Tauranga.“I’mreallyhonouredtobe abletodeliverbetteroutcomesfor ourcommunity,torelievepressure onTaurangaHospital,andhavethe assurancewecanget24/7urgent care.”
10,000patients
InNovember,Pāpāmoa’safterhoursmedicalcareclinicConsult365 abruptlyclosedafterbeingopenless thanayear.
Theclinic’sfoundersaidatthetime thatithadseen10,000patientsbut neededdoublethatorextrafunding tobefinanciallysustainable,andthe decisiontoclosewas“thehardest
thing”.HealthNZsaidConsult365 wasnoteligibleforcapitation funding–paymentsbasedonpatient enrolments–becauseitwasnotset upasageneralpractice. Itrecognisedtherewas“no consistentapproach”tofunding urgentcareservicesandwaslooking into“futurepotentialmodels”for this.
TheGovernment’spre-Budget announcementalsodetailednew 24/7urgentcareservicesfor CountiesManukau,Whangārei, PalmerstonNorth,andDunedin, andnewdaytimeurgentcareservices inLowerHutt,Invercargill,and Timaru–amongotherinvestments.
TheBudgetinvested$164million acrossfouryearsintourgentand after-hourscarenationwide.
Pāpāmoa. Photo/NZME
MeganWilson
SharonMelrose CosmeticMedicine
Aselectionoflocalbreakingstories featuredthisweekon...
Theonlylocaldailynewssourceyouneed, constantlyupdated,sevendaysaweek www.sunlive.co.nz
Newstipsph 0800SUNLIVE
Nationalemergencyalert
Thenationwidetestof theEmergencyMobile Alertsystemisthis Sunday,May25.
From6pm-7pm,the alertwillbebroadcast fromcelltowerstomore than5.5millionphones acrossNZ,saidapostontheCivilDefence Facebookpage.
“Ifyourphoneisturnedon,capable,and hasup-to-datesoftware,youshouldreceive thealert.TheEmergencyMobileAlertisan extrachannelthatcanhelpkeepyousafein anemergency.Itdoesn’treplaceotheralerting systemsortheneedtotakeactionafternatural warnings.Youshouldstillbepreparedforan emergency.
“Theyarebroadcasttoallcapablephones fromtargetedcelltowerstoareasaffectedby serioushazards.Youmaynotreceiveanalert ifyouareoutofmobilecoverage,mobile phonetowersaredamaged,orthereisapower outage.”
Ratesrally
About250people attendedarallyat Tauranga’sMemorial Parkurgingthecity counciltoreducerates.ActlistMPCameron Luxtonspoketothecrowdbeforethey marchedtoTheStrandinthecitycentreon May18.
RallyorganiserJanGyengewantedTauranga CityCounciltofind$40millioninsavings becauseshesaidtheproposed12%rates increasewas“unsustainable”.
Gyengesaidtherallywentwellandtherewas greatengagementfromtheattendees.
Thecrowdstoppedoutsidethenewcouncil officesonDevonportRdandsportedsigns askingcouncilto“stopthespend”and“respect ratepayers”.
Therallywasnottheendbutaplatformfor peopletosharetheirconcerns,Gyengesaid.
Councilendscashpayments
TaurangaCityCouncilnolongeracceptscash asaformofpayment.
Thecouncilmadethedecisiontogo cashlessdueto“highcoststhataccompany themanagementofcashpayments,”said libraryandcommunityhubsmanagerJoanna Thomas.
Shesaidtheever-decreasingcash-paying customersalongwithcontinuedsafetyand securityconcernsforstaffwerealsoadeciding factortogocashless.
Accordingtocouncilstats,99%ofpayments forcouncilfeesweremadeonlineinthelast financialyearand0.9%werepaidinpersonvia Eftposorcreditcard.Seebelowformorefacts andfiguresaboutwhythecouncildecidedto gocashless.
“AsofMarch31,2025,councilnolonger acceptscashasaformofpayment.We encouragepeopletocomeseeourfriendlystaff attheirlocalLibraryCommunityHuband theycanhelptosetupadifferentpayment method.”
Kurt’s600kmingumboots
KurtThomsoniseasytospot whenhe’strainingforhisupcoming charitywalk.He’stheonepounding thepavementwearingapair ofgumboots.
ThePāpāmoaresidentwantstoraise $6000fortheIAmHopeFoundation bytraipsingmorethan600kmaround TaurangaduringOctober-November thisyearintheheavy rubberboots.
“Lastyear,617NewZealanderssadly tooktheirownlives,soI’llbewalking morethan600kilometresingumboots forthem,”saidThomson.
“IhelpedoutwiththeGumboot FridayeventattheMountlastyear, andthisyearIwantedtodosomething biggertogetsomeattentionandraiseas muchmoneyaspossible.”
ThecharityresonateswithThomson, who’shadhisownbattle with depression.
“Acoupleofyearsago I was in a darkplace,”hesaid, recounting thatitwasa2amcall from a friendthatpulled him through “Hestayedonthe phone with meuntilthesun came up
“Itwasa horrible feeling so that’swhyI want to make thiswalkharder by wearing gumboots. It represents people’s struggles with mental health ”
andfinishingonNovember7,whichis GumbootFriday.“Ihadn’ttakeninto accountthemotorways,”saidThomson. Asaresult,hisnewplanistowalkthe
600km–still“allingummies”–inhis homecityofTaurangafromOctoberto November7thisyear–bytraipsingan averageof30kmadayfor21days.
“Already y therehavebeenppeopple reachingoutwantingtojoinmefor partsofthewalk,soI’llbepostingmy startingpointeachday.Itwouldbe cooltohavesomecompany.”
Withanestimatedsixhoursadayof walkinginstore,Thomson’ssupport crewwillhaveplentyofplasterson handtocombatblisters.“Andthere’ll beplentyoffootmassages,too.”
Thomsonsaidthewalkalsorepresents thewaybacktomentalhealthwellness, bytakingitstepbystep.
“Whenthingsweren’tgoingwell,I rememberthinkingthatitcan’tget better,”saidThomson.“You’vegotto rememberthatnothinglastsforever–evenifyoubreakitdownto gettingthroughhourby hour
“One day atatimeis all you needtodoin those dark moments because tomorrow is always a newday. If I can raisesome money to helppeople struggling, thatwould be really great.”
The original idea was to walk 600km from Auckland to Wellington, starting this October
To donate, visit: givealittle co.nz/ fundraiser/618-reasonsto-keep-going
TheElectoralCommissionre-opensAccessFund
TheElectoralCommission hasre-openedtheElection AccessFundfordisabled peoplewishingtorunfor Parliament.
TheElectionAccessFund TeTomokanga—Pūtea WhakatapokoPōtitangafirst openedinOctober2022for the2023GeneralElection.
Thefundcanbeusedtopay fordisability-relatedcosts
duringcandidateselectionor campaigning,saidElectoral Commissionchiefelectoral officerKarlLeQuesne. Thefundhasbeenopened ascandidateselection getsunderwayfor2026’s GeneralElection.“Itseeksto reducebarriersfordisabled peoplewantingtoenter Parliament,”LeQuesne said.“We’rehappytoaccept
applicationsfrompeople whomeettheeligibility criteria.Applicantsmight needfundingtopayforaNZ SignLanguageinterpreter atapartyselectionmeeting, oraportableramptomake attendingeventseasier.The commissionisavailableto talkthroughanapplicant’s needsandanswerany questions,”saidLeQuesne.
TheElectoralCommission isresponsibleforrunning theElectionAccessFund undertheElectionAccess FundAct2020.Thefundis notavailableforLocalBody Elections,saidLeQuesne. Informationandeligibility criteriaisavailableonline andinalternateformatsat: elections.nzorcall080036 7656.
DebbieGriffiths
Kurt Thomson is going to pound 600km of Tauranga pavement in October-November, for the I Am Hope Foundation Photo / Bob Tulloch
Please helpkeep puppies warm
TaurangaSPCAisputtingoutanurgent callfordonationsofwoolorpolarfleece blanketsandtowelstohelpkeepitspuppies warmthroughthecoldermonths.
SheltermanagerAndreaCromptonsaidtheneed isparticularlypressingthisyear,withanunusually highnumberofpuppiesinSPCATauranga’scare. “We’redesperatelyinneedofbeddingandtowels tohelpruntheshelter,”Cromptonsaid.“Our dogsandpuppiesneedwarm,cosybeddingtostay comfortableintheirkennelsasthetemperature drops.”
Cromptonsaidtheshelterwascaringfor21 puppies,ranginginagefromfourweekstofour months.
“It’sbeenaparticularlybigseason.Often,we receivepuppiesthathavebeenseparatedfromtheir mothersandneedextracare.”
Theshelterusedlargequantitiesofblankets andtowels–notonlyforbeddingbutalsofor cleaning,dryingsurfacesandmaintaininghygiene. Withstrictcleaningprotocolsinplace,some
blanketswerediscardedafteruse,especiallywhen quarantininganimalstopreventthespreadof illness.
“Wegothroughalotoftowels,”Cromptonsaid. “Woolandpolarfleeceblanketsareespecially usefulandverywelcomeifdroppedoffdirectlyto theshelter.”
Whiletheshelter’sgratefulforalldonations, Cromptonnotedthatduvetsorblanketswith stuffingarenotidealforpuppies,whotendtolove tearingthemapartandpullingoutthestuffing. ThoseitemscouldinsteadbedonatedtotheSPCA opportunityshops,wheretheywouldbeusedto supportpeopleinneed.
“Wetrytostockpilewhatwecan,butthere’s reallynosuchthingastoomanyblanketsor towels,”Cromptonsaid.“Weusethemyearround,butinwinterthedemandincreases significantly.”
Anyonewithclean,unwantedwoolorpolar fleeceblanketsortowelscandropthemoffat theTaurangaSPCA,43AlachSt,Greerton.The shelterisopen10.30am-3pmMondaytoSaturday.
RosalieLiddleCrawford TaurangaSPCAmanagerAndreaCrompton,holdinganunnamedpuppy,isaskingforblanketsand
PyesPaVenue OpenDay.
Saturday,24May2025|10:00amuntil12noon 383PyesPaRoad,PyesPa,Tauranga PleaseRSVPbyphoneoremail. 075434780|office@legacyfunerals.co.nz TakeatourofourLegacyPyesPavenue. Discoverthepeaceofmindthatpre-planning brings,askquestionsandenjoyalovely brings,askquestionsandenjoyalovely morningteaonus.
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Th Thecommuniityhhas“ “ won thebattle”tosavethe ŌtūmoetaiPoolfrom closing,thesuburb’sward councillorGlenCrowther believes.
“Readingbetweenthelines, presumablyitwillplayoutthis way,”Crowthersaid.
Buttherewasalwaysachance thecouncilcouldmakeadifferent decisionwhenthereportonthe poolwasbroughttotheminJune, hesaid.
i itoperatiing.ThThecommuniity opposedtheclosureandtheSave TheŌtūmoetaiPool-Project STOPcampaignwaslaunched.
Crowthersaidtheinformation hehadsincereceivedshowedthe geotechnicalissueswerenotas seriousasfirstthought.
“Asthepoolgotolder,it developedsomecracks,butthey couldshoreitup.”
Thecouncilwouldalsohaveto decidewhattospendtokeepthe poolrunningandwhetherthey wantedtoupgradeit,hesaid.
Th Therewasallsothhepractiicallity ofhavingthepoolcloseto ŌtūmoetaiIntermediateand ŌtūmoetaiCollege.
Theprincipalshadtold Crowtheritwouldcosttoomuch totransporttheir3000students totheMemorialParkaquatic centre.“Theprincipalsaresaying it’snotlikelytohappen,”said Crowther.
“Theschoolsandthestudents wouldbenefitimmenselyfrom keepingitopen.”
Somewheretolearn
In2023,theCommission governingthecouncildecided todecommissiontheŌtūmoetai Poolin2027oncetherevamped MemorialParkaquaticcentrewas open.
Reasonsforthepool’sclosure wereitsageat57years, geotechnicalissues,andthe “unsustainable”costtokeep
Crowtherbelieveditwas importanttokeepthepoolsothe communityhadsomewhereto learntoswim.
“I’dpersonallyliketogeta betterenvironmentforthose littlieslearningto[swim],to upgradeitslightlysoyoucan haveawarmersection.”
Nothingmuch Ōtūmoetaididnothave othercouncilfacilitieslike acommunitycentreorhall, Crowthersaid.
“There’sbasicallynothingmuch herethatiscouncilotherthan justsortofparksandreserves.
“Ifyoutakeawayouronly significantfacility…we’renot gettinganybenefitandwe’re
Councillor Glen Crowther outside the Ōtūmoetai Pool that he hopes will be saved from closure. Photo / Supplied
losingouronefacilitywe’vegotofanysignificance.”
KeepingtheŌtūmoetaiPoolcouldworkout cheaperforratepayersbecausethecouncilcoulduse moredevelopmentcontributionsfortheMemorial Parkfacility,hesaid.
Latelastyear,thecouncilputplansforthe$105m MemorialParkaquaticcentrerevamponholdto lookatotherdesignoptions.
The$105mplanhadincludedabombingpool, splashpad,toddlerpool,eightindoorswimming lanesandtwooutdoorlanes.
ItwouldreplacetheoutdoorpoolandtheQEII YouthCentreatMemorialPark.
SuzieEdmonds,whostartedProjectSTOP,said shewouldbeecstaticiftheŌtūmoetaiPoolwas saved.“I’mreallythrilledthatwe’vecometothis point.Peoplehavedonealotofworktogethere.”
Therewasapublicmeeting,aworkinggroupwith thecouncilwasformed,andpeopledidleafletdrops toraiseawareness.
Tooearlytosay
“Alotoftimeandeffortandenergyand fundraisingandallthosesortsofthingshavegone intothatpool.”
Itwouldbeinterestingtoseehowthecouncil voted,butshehopedthepoolwouldbesaved.
MayorMahéDrysdalesaiditwastooearlytosay iftheŌtūmoetaiPoolhadbeensaved.
ThecouncilwaslookingatTauranga‘saquatic strategyaswellasthenetworkofsportsfieldsand courts,hesaid.
Thecityhadaninfrastructuredeficitandmostof whatthecouncilbuiltwas“catchup”,hesaid.
Ifthecouncilwasdeliveringnewfacilities,then growthcouldpayformoreofthosethrough developmentcontributions,hesaid.
“Oneofourprinciplesisgrowthpaysforgrowth.”
KeepingtheŌtūmoetaiPoolwasoneofthe optionsthecouncilwasconsideringthat couldenableittousemoredevelopment contributionstowardtheMemorialParkaquatic centre,Drysdalesaid.
Thecouncilwouldlookatoptionsforthe ŌtūmoetaiPoolandMemorialParkaquaticcentre atameetinginJune.
-LDRislocalbody journalismco-fundedby RNZandNZOnAir.
artist’s impression of the $105m Memorial Park Aquatic Centre in Tauranga. Image / Tauranga City Council
IfyougetaskedtodonatemoneytoAlaska –don’tpanic,youwon’tbebankrollingan entirestateofAmerica.
thetrip,whichbeginsAugust31.“Iwantedtouse myownresources,Iguess,”shesaid.
Call0800785077, orvisitwww.audika.co.nz
^Offerends30June2025.Notavailableinconjunctionwithotherdiscount/bonusoffers. Seewwwaudika.co.nz/tradeinforfullTsandCs.Alwaysreadthelabelandfollowtheinstructions. AudikaNewZealandLimited,Auckland(HeadOffice).
BethlehemCollegestudentAlaskaShaw, 13,knownas‘Ali’toherfriendsandfamily,is teachingkidshowtoridehorsestoraisemoney foramissiontriptoFijiinAugust.
“Thisisanamazingopportunityforhertoserve Jesus,”saidhermumShanelleShaw.
“Forsomeofthetriptheywillbepartnering withBethelCommunityChurchovertherewith buildingachurchandministrywork.Theywill alsobehelpingsolomothersandtheirchildren.”
Alisaidshewantedtohelppeopleinneedona biggerscale.
“Ourchurchdoespancakesandhotdogsatthe endofeveryserviceandIhelpwiththat,butI’d liketodomore.”
AliandherhorseLuxygivelessonsattheir houseatAongatete.
She’salsodoingoddjobssuchascleaning,plus raffles,toraiseenoughmoneytosecureaspotin thegroupof17BethlehemCollegestudentson
Thetripwillcostabout$2400.SofarAlihas managedtocoverthecostofgettingherpassport renewedplusanother$1500.TheAustralianbornteenhasn’tbeenonaplanesinceshemade thetrans-Tasmanflightasachild.
“I’mreallyexcitedaboutit,”shesaid.
“We’rehelpingsolomumswithwaystosetup abusinessandIthinkwe’llbeteachingthekids newgames.Itreallyresonateswithme.”
Shanellesaidthere’salotofpovertyinFiji“and Iwasalittlesurprisedthatshe[Ali]wantedtogo becauseshecanbeahomebody”.
“Itwillbehardbutshe’salwayshelpingpeople sothetripwillbegreat.It’ssuchacrucialage tofindmeaningandpurpose.Thebenefitsto ayoungpersongoingonatriplikethisare immeasurable.”
DonationstoAlaskaShaw’smissiontriptoFijican bemadebydirectbanktransferto:Accountname: SShaw.Accountno:02-1210-0055194-025.
Keeptheheatinandsave onenergybillsthiswinter
Sealdraughtsaroundwindowsanddoors withdraughtstoppersandwindowseals.
Cleanyourheatpumpfilterwithavacuum orgiveitawash.
Checkyourhomeinsulationis12cmdeep andpluganygaps.
Switchyourhome’smostusedlights toLEDs.
Checkyou’reontherightpowerplanforyour homeat powerswitch.org.nz
CheckyoureligibilityforaWarmerKiwiHomes insulationorheatpumpgrant.
DebbieGriffiths
Photo/BrydieThompson
Citrustreefundraisersale
Acommunity-ledprojectinKatikati issellingaselectedrangeofcitrustrees from750cm-1mtallasafundraiserfor itsactivities.
GrowOnKatikatiaimstoinspire residentstogrowtheirownfood resilience,onebackyyardatatime,said spokespeersonJizzyGreen.
“GrowOnKatikatiissellingaselected rangeofcitrustrees from7500cm1mtallaasa fundraiseerfor itsactivitties aspartof f theirmisssion togetmoore
kaigrowinginlocalbackyards. “Treesforsaleincludelime,lemon andarangeofmandarin,orangeand grapefruitvarietiesandcostjust$35 each.”
Greensaidproceedsofthefundraiser wouldggotowardtherunning g of GrowOnKatikati.“Treesupplyis limited,sofirstin,firstserved!”To orderortoinquirewhatvarietiesare available,emailJizzyGreenon: growonkatikati@ gmail.com
Anyonewithsparewoolandtimearebeing calledontoknitupwarmthforEastern Europe’spoorestnationsaheadofwinter. OperationCoverUp’sWesternBayofPlentyarea coordinatorSharmanMarshhasagroupof30ladies click-clackingfromtheirJudeabase–butanybody fromacrosstheWBOPdistrictcangetinvolved.“We needtogetwordoutthatpeoplewhowanttoknitor crochethats,gloves,scarves,jerseys,slippers,socks, plusblankets–thewholegamut–shoulddosonow tobeabletodropitoffatourWBOPOperation Cover-UpcollectiondayonJuly2.”
ItemsdonatedgetbaledupandsentovertoAlbania, Bosnia,Herzegovina,Bulgaria,Moldova,Romaniaand Ukraine.“There’sUkrainerefugeeswhohavespilled acrossintoallofthosecountriesnow–socurrentlythe focusisonthosedisplacedbythewar.Blanketsarethe biggestneedbecauseitgetstominus25Coverthere.”
Marshsaidpeoplecandonateothergoodssuchas shoes,smalltoys,toiletries,stationeryandbought clothingbutduetoCustomsrequirements,nosecondhanditemsareallowed.”
Marshsaidshecannotdictateexactlywhere donationsgo–becauseasortingcentreinRomania
distributesitemstocountriesaccordingtoneed.
“However,allofthosecountrieshavepeoplein needofwarmclothingthiswinter,whichbeginsin December.ShippingtoEuropetakesthreemonths, plustruckingtodestinations.”
IfWBOPandTaurangaresidentshavesurpluswool butarenotknitters–Marshaskedforittobedropped atLifezoneChurchinJudea.
“I’vebeengivenalotofyarn,whichhasbeen droppedatLifezoneanonymouslyandIwanttosay ‘abigthankyou’forthesepastdonations.Sometimes whentheJulycollectionisdonewehavenothingtogo forwardwith–sodonatingwoolisjustasimportantas makingtheitems,theknitting.”
TheannualOperationCoverUpcollectionisat LifezoneChurch,OakLane,Judea,onJuly2,from 9.30amwithadisplayofdonateditemsandmorning teaat10am.“Aspeakerfromtheparentorganisation, MissionWithoutBorders,willtalkaboutwhatit’s likeoverthere.”Agoldcoindonationfortheeventis appreciated.
Todonateknitteditems,woolorshippingcostfunds beforeJuly2,callSharmanMarshon0272454034or email:tsmarsh@kinect.co.nz
Photo/BrydieThompson
MerleCave
TaurangasailorMicah Bollen,13,haslofty goals. Photo/BrydieThompson
Heidiisafive-month-oldplayful femalepup.Shewaslivinginan overcrowdedsituationwhereshe couldn’tgettheloveandcareshe needed.Shyandscaredwhenshe arrivedattheSPCA,shehasgained lotsofexperiencesandisnowbrave andwillingtogetstuckintonew things!She’slovingexploringtheworld, sniffingnewsmells,seeingnewsights andmeetingnewpeople. Thispupisagreatall-rounderand wouldbeagreatfitinanyactivefamily whereshecanhaveacheekysnuggleon thesofa!
skillsinsocialisingandhowtointeract withtheworld.
Doyouhaveroominyourhomeand heartforHeidi?
Attheageof13,Tauranga sailorMicahBollenisthe youngesttoqualifyforthe NewZealandOptimist EuropeanChampionships teamthatwillcompetein Turkeynextweek.
“Ineededtomakethetop 10inNewZealand.Iwas verysurprised;Ididn’tthinkI wouldmakeitthatfar,”saidthe TaurangaBoys’CollegeYear9 student.
Micahtookupsailing fouryearsagoandhasbeen competingforthelasttwoyears, thrivingontheaddedpressure. Itwashisoutstanding achievementattheNZ InternationalOptimistDinghy Association’sOptimistSelection
RegattainAucklandinFebruary thatsawhimsurpasshisgoal byfinishingninthoveralland placingfirstinoneofhisraces.
“Ididn’treallybelieveitatfirst, butwhenIsawtheresultsIwas reallyhappy,”hesaid.
OfftoTurkey
ItmeansMicahwillnowhead toCesmeIzmirinTurkeytorace againstabout300competitors frommorethan40countriesin the2025OptimistEuropean ChampionshipfromMay 28-June4.
“I’mincrediblyproudof Micah,”saidhismother GraceBollen.“Wewentupto Aucklandnotsureofhowhe’d dobecausethey’reatoughcrowd andit’sabiggoaltoachieve. “Hewasjustnailinghisraces
Micah to take on the orld
andstayingconsistent.He’sputa lotofhardworkintoit,training threetimesaweek.Wespenda lotoftimeinAucklandandhe hasgreatcoaches.”
Forthelastsixmonths,oneof thosecoacheshasbeenLorenzo Milesi.“Micahistheonewho worksthehardest,”Milesisaid. “Heisintenseineverytraining, veryfocusedanddisciplined.He realisesthathe’sgoodandhas thepotential.Henevermisses asession,he’sthefirstoneto arriveandisalwaysaskingme questionsabouthowhecan improve.”
Micahhasloftygoals–inspiredbyPeterBurling,a formerTaurangaYacht&Power BoatClubmember.“I’dliketo makeittotheworlds–and,one day,theOlympics.”
DebbieGriffiths
Stillyoung,theSPCArecommends puppyclassesandtrainingtoensure Heidigrowsintoamodelcitizen. Puppyclassesteachmuchmorethan justobedience–dogslearnessential
ApplytomeethappyHeiditoday! PhoneTaurangaSPCAon075780245. Ref:637653.
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MuayThaiclub headstoThailand
ATaurangaMuayThaiclubis takingtheirtrainingtoThailand tolearnfromthebestofthebest nextmonth.
ButbeforetheyheadtoPhuketin June,theclubhasbroughtThailand toTaurangaastheytrainwith professionalhigh-levelMuayThai
coachWithaya‘KruWit’Khamlert.
TheMartialArtsAcademyowner andcoachScottCoburnsaidthe Tauranga-basedclubhas21students preparingfortheintensetraining campattheendofJune.
KhamlerthasbeenaproMuay Thaicoachfor13years,teachingin theUAE,China,Korea,Thailand, AustraliaandNewZealand.
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CoburnsaiditisabigdealfortheTaurangaclub tobetrainedbyanathleteofsuchprestige.
Outdoors
experience,andnotjustthetrainingcamp.
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TheBangtaoMuayThai&MMATraining CampwilltakeplaceduringNewZealand’sschool holidaysfromJune27-July12.“Ijustwantedto givethemtheauthentictrainingexperiencein Thailand,”saidCoburn.
“InNewZealand,weteachMuayThaialittlebit differenttohowtheydoitinThailand.”
WhileinThailand,thestudentswilltrain outdoors,battletheheatofPhuketandtrainwith world-classtrainers.
“Oneofthebiggestchallengesforthemover therewillbedealingwiththeheat.Itisgoingtobe 36degrees[Celsius].
“Wedon’treallyhavetotraininthosesortsof conditionsoverhere,sothatwillbechallenging forthem,”Coburnsaid.
Thestudentsareagedfrom11to40-plus,and Coburnhopetheywouldlearnfromthewhole
“It’sanopportunityforthesestudentswho havebeenlearningthetheoreticalthingsabout ThailandandaboutThaicultureandgooverthere andactuallyexperienceitforthemselves.”
ThaiFight
Thetrainingcampinvolvestwosessionsaday,six daysaweekforthetwoweeksthattheyarethere. Coburnbelievedtheyoungerstudentswillget twotermsworthoftrainingoutofthetwoweeks andtheadultswillgetthree-fourmonths’worth. Outsidethetrainingcamp,theclubwill experiencetheculturebygoingtohighly-regarded eventThaiFight,takinganislandtour,goingtoan elephantsanctuaryandenjoyingtouristactivities. Thetripcosts$4000perperson,andtheyhave allbeenfundraisingtogetthemselvestoPhuket. TodonatetohelpthestudentsgettoThailand, visitTheMartialArtsAcademyat154FirstAve, Taurangaoremail:scott@tmaa.co.nz.
Tauranga athletes Roman Jervis and Katie Abbott doing the Muay Thai spinning elbow
Photo / Brydie Thompson
AylaYeoman
Na eteran receivesnovelhonour
ATaurangamanwhogavetwodecadesof totheNewZealandNavyinthe1960s-19 beenhonouredthisweekforhiscontributi somethingquitenovel.
fhislife 970shas ionwith
WilliamJohnNewell–or‘Scouse’tohismate presentedwithan‘Anzacquilt’byTaura CherylFarrowathisPāpāmoahom 19,surroundedbyfriends,family membersandfellowveterans.
Newell’sNavystorybeganwhe onatage17toservehiscountr expectedtoreturnhomeafter a ofdays.
Instead,heendedupserving aroundSoutheastAsiaon12 o Majesty’sNewZealand[HMN andatIrirangi,theNavybase stationnearWaiouru.“Ienjo moments,andImadesome mates,”Newellsaid.“Iwas callaship’stechnician.Iloo alltheelectronics.”
Newellwastheonlytechn theship,sohehad a wasnotrequired t upperdeck,he mainjobwas tradebetwee andMalay didpatro Malacc New asa an
es–was angawoman meonMay y,RSA enhesigned yand acouple g20years ofHer NZS]ships; eradio oyedmost egreat whatthey okedafter nicianon ariflebut tobeonthe said.“Our tostopthe enIndonesia ysia.We olsupthe caStrait.’’ wellworked patrolsailor ndaship technician during thenine months
heservedontheMalaccaStrait. Therestofhistimewasspentatthe Irirangiasaradiomechanicatthe radiostationthatmanagedoverseas communications,hesaid. Afterbeingdischargedfromservice onJuly26,1980,heworkedas atechnicianforFonterrabefore retiringwithwifeMargaretin Taurangamorethan20yearsago. Hehaspreviouslybeenawarded withtheNewZealandOperational Medal,theGeneralServiceMedal BorneowithMalayPeninsulaBar,
theLongServiceandGoodConduct Medal,theDefenseServiceMedal andthePingatJasaMalaysiaMedal forhiscontribution.
The82-year-oldsaidhewas honouredtoreceivethequilt designedwithNewZealandpatterns andaNavysymbolfromFarrow, whohaddiscoveredasimilar traditionoverseasandadapteditfor KiwiservicemenhereintheBayof Plenty.Sofarshe’sgifted200quilts todeservingservicemen.
AylaYeoman
TheTaurangaRSASupportTrustCommitteewishtothank theCommercial,Retail,SchoolsandpeopleofTaurangafor theirverygenerousdonationstoourPoppyDayAppeal. Yourgenerosityraised$22,000.00
Thankyou,FredMilligan-Chair TaurangaRSASupportTrust
TaurangaRSA,1237CameronRoad GatePa,Tauranga
100HewlettsRoad,MountMaunganui P:075781378|www.tmccars.co.nz
WilliamNewell–or‘Scouse’–withhisnewAnzacquilt. Photo/AylaYeoman
This 14-week-old male Labrador-cross has a confident and curious nature
He gets on well with cats and is gentle around people of all ages He loves to play and is growing leaps and bounds with his training and
toileting Zoro and his siblings are ready for their forever homes To meet Zoro, apply at : https://rrr org nz/home/adoptcanine/
Baycourt gives schools tickets to groundbreaking show
Tauranga school students are being gifted tickets to a world-class, groundbreaking show in their own town this August – thanks to Baycourt Community & Arts Centre.
The internationally acclaimed Māori circus-styled theatre show, Te Tangi a Te Tūī, will be performed at Baycourt on August 6 – the first of five North Island centres. Tickets for the August 6 public show went on sale May 19 and proceeds will subsidise the schools-only matinee on August 7.
Baycourt Community & Arts Centre manager Reena Snook said Te Tangi a Te Tūī is unlike anything previously staged in Tauranga, with all dialogue in te reo Māori.
Unique
“This production is so unique, of such high calibre and it carries such cultural and emotional weight that it called for an exceptional response from us, ” Snook said That response includes the offer of free tickets to Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty school students, to remove financial barriers and ensure rangatahi (youth) from both kura kaupapa Māori and mainstream schools can experience the show Baycourt had also partnered with Toi Tauranga Art Gallery to deliver a creative project in which students will design a tūī inspired by the production’s themes Artworks will be displayed at Baycourt to extend the show’s visual impact.
Universal
Te Tangi a Te Tūī performances sold out last year when the show opened in Auckland and Vancouver, Canada.
Snook said the evocative experience, which tells the story of the tūī’s song and its evolution through the centuries, is a collaboration by kaupapa Māori performing arts company Te Pou Theatre and cirque theatre company The Dust Palace.
“While the te reo component is essential, Vancouver audiences proved this is an incredibly universal show that transcends
language barriers,” Snook said “We know Canadians have had limited exposure to Māori culture and language yet they connected deeply with the timeless themes of love and loss, and they laughed and cried right on cue. That speaks to the strength of storytelling as well as the stunning visual elements –from the acrobatics to the dramatic performances.”
First time
Snook had no doubt Tauranga audiences will be just as moved come August. “For some in our audience, this will be the first time they’ve stepped inside a traditional theatre space...It’s so important we support work like this, so that powerful, professional Māori storytelling reaches the communities that need to see it most. ” For details and tickets, see: https://www.baycourt.co.nz/
Eve Gordon and Paku Fernandez star in ‘Te Tangi a Te Tūī’ coming to Baycourt on August 6.
Photo / The Dust Palace Ben Sarten
Sky-highexcitementformodelaircraftauction
Modelaircraftarestartingtofillup shedsaroundtown–andTauranga ModelAircraftClubmembersare startingtofroth.
Theclub’sannualauctionfundraiser –tokeeptheirflyingsiteatTECTAll TerrainParkspickandspan–ison Sunday,May25,from10amatClassic FlyersinMountMaunganui.
Flyinginstructorandmodelaircraft fanaticRogerPeddlehasexcitementin hisvoice.
“It’sthebiggestmodelaircraftauction certainlyinNewZealand.”
Anestimated350itemswillbeupfor saleviaauction.
“Weliterallytakeoverthehangarat ClassicFlyers–theyhavetomoveall theaircraftout,andwesetupapodium fortheauctioneerandallitemsforsale willgoondisplay.”
Thinkhundredsofmodelaircraft–big andsmall,oldandnew,completeand half-built–plushundredsmoreparts andpieces.
Chocka-block!
Gasandelectric-poweredplanes, gliders,electricductedfanjets, multirotorsandhelicopters,control lineaircraft–it’llallbetherewhenthe auctionstarts10am,andusuallywinds upnear3pm.
“Theplaceischocka-block,”said Peddle,whoestimatedabout150-200oddpeoplecometobidonitemsin personeachyear.“Itemsforsalecome frompeoplewholiveallaroundthe NorthIsland–fromKaitaiarightdown
toWellington–anditcanbeanytype ofmodelaircraftthatpeoplewantto sell,plusparts,engines,anythingtodo withmodelaircraft.”
Peddlesaiditemswillincludestufffor beginnersrightthoughtoexperienced pilots.“There’ssomethingforeveryone –includingsmallonesthatcostbugger all.There’sevenfreestuffthere–Iknow ofthreeaircraftwhichwillbefree.”
absolutelybuzzing.“We’vegotabig Britishbi-plane.It’samodelofa SopwithTabloid–it’sanabsolutely beautifulplane.
“Atthemomentitdoesn’thaveits wingsattachedbecauseittakesupalot ofroom,andwehavetostoreituntil wesetitupattheauction.”
Somevintagemodelsupforsalehave comefromadeceasedestate.“Thisguy wasabuilderofaircraft,andavery
Vintageaircraft
Vintirrft
Peddlesaidinyearsgonebyitemshad rangedinpricefromnothingtoabout $3000.“Mostaresmallaircraftthatwe sellfrom[apricetagof]nothingupto about$500-$600.”
Isthereanyuniqueorreally interesting?“Oh, heck yeah,” said Peddle “This year we ’ ve got some vintage aircraft – they’re pretty big, about 2 5-3 5m wingspan with big motors ”
goodone.Andhe’smadetheseaircraft himselfandthey’rereadyflyifsomeone wantstobuythem.Thesearequite stunning-lookingaircraft.”
Growyour passion towardsyourcareer
Theseprogrammesareabroad introductiontohorticulturethatwill supportemploymentinawiderangeof areasacrossthehorticulturalindustry.It isalsosuitedtohobbyisthorticulturalists keentolearnskillsthattheycanusein theirownorchardsandgardens.
item, in particular, has TMAC members
TaurangaModelAircraftClubmembers MurrayBailey,RogerPeddleandAlf Harwood,withamodelLoughead ModelS-1biplaneandamodel SopwithTabloid. Photos/BrydieThompson
MerleCave
Tauranga Model Aircraft Club’s Roger Peddle with a more modern Escapade model aircraft.
Highlighting ourvoluntary sector’shuge contribution
It’softensaidthatthe natureofacommunity canbejudgedbythe healthofitsvoluntary sector.
Basedontheoutstandingstoriestoldaboutthe organisationsandindividualshonouredatthe recentWesternBayCommunityAwards,Ithinkit’s fairtosaythatourregionistrulyblessed. TheawardsceremonyatHolyTrinityTauranga featured34finalistsselectedfrommanymore nominations,allofwhomareworthyofrecognition andacollectivevoteofthanksfortheworktheydo tomaketheWesternBayandTaurangaagreatplace tolive.
Astandoutformewasthatthevastmajorityof thepeopleinvolvedgetnorecompensefortheir efforts–theydowhattheydofortheloveoftheir communitiesandfellowcitizens,andthatmakes themallthemorespecial.
Therewereninecategory winnersonthenight–but actually,theywereallwinners. Andbecauseoftheirefforts, soarea Wester ofPlentyresidents. Inmybook,thesepeoplea organisationsaretrueheroes ourcommunity–soifyou haveachancetosupport theirefforts,pleasedo. We’llallbebetteroffasa resultofyourgenerosity, whetherthatbeinthe formoffinancialhelpor yourownefforts. TheWesternBay CommunityAwardswinners arelistedat:www.tect.org.nz community-awards-2025
, all rnBay and of s z/ WesternBay CommunityAwards
Livingwith foot arthritis can affect everypartofyour life. It keepsyou from enjoying the good thingsin life –playingwiththe grandchildren, playing golf, evenworking in the garden. It wouldbeniceto get out of bed – just one morning–without foot pain.
Doyouhaveanyofthese Arthriticfootproblems?
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Foot arthritisisnotjust old age. No question, ifyou’rehavingfootpain then something is wrong It’snot normalageing to hurt all the time. Pain in yourfootisnotasignofold age. If that was true, all 360jointsinyourbodywould hurt since your whole bodyisthesameage.
“IonlywishIhadfoundyousooner”
•Anin-depthconsultationaboutyourfootpain
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•Wewillanswerallyourquestions We will answer all your questions
Pāpāmoawomancelebrates40-plusyearsasanurse
AsAdrienneArthurcelebrates morethan40yearsinthe nursingprofession,shereckons it’sherworkwithaTauranga iwithathasbeenthemost rewarding.
Reflectingonhercareer,Arthur saidonerecurringmoderntrend especiallywithrangatahi(youth) isthey“craved”morequality familytimeand“arecryingoutfor attention”.
Thathadbeenerodedbyhectic workschedules–sowhānaucould putfoodonthetable,Arthursaid.
The69-year-oldstartedwith healthandsocialservicesprovider NgāiTeRangithreeyearsago
becauseitsholisticapproachto wellbeingandhelpingvulnerable peoplemostinneedalignedwith herownvalues.“Ihaveastrong senseofpurposeinmymahi.Ilove it,”saidthePāpāmoaEastresident. “Ihaveenjoyedtheopportunity tocollaboratewithstafffrom variousdepartmentswithintheiwi byworkingtogethertogenerate newideasandimprovethequality ofeducationandserviceswe providetoourclients.”
Lifeexperiences
Arthursaidsheoftendrawson herownlifeexperiences–which includedtimespentonthebenefit raisingfivechildrenafterher marriagebrokeup–andupskilling
fromanenrollednursetoregistered nurse.She’dbeennursing“onand off”sinceshewas17.
“Idecidedtogobackandgetmy nursingdegreesoIcouldsupport mychildren.Ifounditquite degradingtobeasolomotheron thebenefit,Icouldn’twaittoget offitandempathisewiththose whoarereliantonit.”
Arthurhadworkedacrossmany sectorswithintheindustryasa communitynurse,highschool nurse,kaumatuahealthadvocate andinagedcareacrosstheWaikato andBayofPlenty.
Frustratedatthemainstream healthsystemArthursaidin herview,itwasdishearteningto seeservicesoverburdenedand underfunded,nursesburningout vingoverseasandpeoplenot tothedoctorbecausethey n’taffordit.
ysheisaregisterednurse yedbyNgāiTeRangi20 perweek–butoftendoing –andassistswhenrequired owAboutYou(HbU).
ryingtopic
–afreemobilehealthwaka sitslowsocio-economic unitiesintheeveningin ngaMoanaandtheWestern Plentywithadoctoror practitioner. ur’shealtheducatorrole shealsoengageswithyouth ovidesinformationand pnanarrayoftopicsfrom
contraceptivestosexualhealth, drugandalcoholuseandmental wellbeing.
However,onetopicof conversationthatoftenaroseis worrying,shesaid.“WhatI’m findingis,childrenwanttobe abletospendmoretimewiththeir family.Theywanttodomorefun, wholesomeactivitiesbutsome parentsarestruggling.
“Theyareworkinglongerhours duetothecost-of-livingcrisisto putfoodonthetable.Meanwhile ourchildrenarecryingoutfor attentionandtobeheardand loved.”
Humbling
RegardlessofthesituationArthur saiditisimportantwhānautryto maketimetobewithandlistento eachothertostopotherissuesfrom
escalating.OntheHbUhealth wakashesaiditwashumblingto bepartofaservicethatreaches someofthemostvulnerablepeople inourcommunitywhooftencan’t affordtoseeadoctor.“Thatiswhy I’msopassionate.It’sallabout beingabletoassistwhānauwho havecomplexhealthneedsand toempowerthemtolookafter themselvesbetter.”
Arthur’smotherandgrandmother werenursesandshesaiditwas“a realprivilegetocarryonthefamily tradition”–whichshehadnoplans ofretiringfromsoon.
NgāiTeRangichiefexecutive PaoraStanleysaid:“Youhave toheartandsoulwhenyouare workingforyourcommunity”. “SomeCEOsgivetheirstaffa job,wegiveoursacapeandadose ofhope.”
Registered nurse Adrienne Arthur at the HbU mobile waka health clinic inMerivalewithnursepractitionerDebbieInglis. Photos/Supplied
iTaurangadealershipwins three national a ards
TaurangacarddeallershhipEEbbettt Presttigehhas thismonthtakenhomethreemajorawards at2025JaguarLandRoverNewZealand RetaileroftheYearAwards.
Thedealership’srepresentativesattendedtheaward ceremonyonMay3andwonLandRoverRetailer oftheYear,theNewCarSalesTeamAwardandthe Events&PartnershipsAward.
“Itmakesmefeelimmenselyproudofmyteam andtoknowallthehardworkandefforttheyput ineverydayisrecognisedatanationallevel,”said dealerprincipalLeeSmall.
Tauranga’sEbbettPrestigebrandmanagerDes Martinsaideverymemberoftheteam–from salesandservicetomarketingandevents–had contributedtothisresult.“It’satestamenttothe passionandprofessionalismthatdrivesusevery day,”Martinsaid.
“It’sbeenaveryvolatileyearacrossmostindustries –sotoperformintheseconditionsspeaksvolumes ofnotonlyourJaguarLandRoverproductsand ourteambutalsothestrengthoftheBayofPlenty.”
Martinsaidithadbeentrickytonavigateexactly whereconsumerdemandwasduetomanyvariables changingexternally,suchasemissionstaxes,fuel prices,stocksupplyandhybridelectric.“Thelist goeson,”hesaid.
Consistentexcellence
TheLandRoverRetaileroftheYeartitleis awardedtothedealershipwithconsistentexcellence incustomerservice,productknowledgeandaftersalescare.
EbbettPrestigeoperationsmanagerHannah Burrsaidtheirteam’scommitmenttodeliveringa premiumexperienceacrossthefullrange–from
t the Defender to the Range Rover Sport –sstood out acrossthenationalnetwork.
Strongresults
“TheNewCarSalesTeamAwardacknowwledges astandoutyearforthesalesdepartment,wwhich achievedstrongresultsinacompetitivemaarket, drivenbyapassionateteamthatgoesabove e and beyondtomatchcustomerswiththeirideaal vehicle,”saidBurr.
Connectwithcustomers
TheEvents&PartnershipsAwardrecognnises adealership’sleadershipincreatingimmerrsive experiencesthatthatconnecttheJaguarLLand Rover‘HouseofBrands’withthelifestyle e of theircustomers.
“Fromcuratedoff-roadadventurestoeleegant brandcollaborationswithfashion,art,and d equestrianevents,thedealership’sstrategic c activationshavemadeameaningfulimpacctboth regionallyandnationally,”Burrsaid.
“Thegoalwastomovebeyondtraditionaal dealershipeventsandinsteadcreateexperiiences thatfeelgenuine,aspirational,andaligned d with ourbrands.Muchoftheinspirationcame e from listeningtoourclients.”
SmallsaidEbbettPrestigeisasmallteam m in the Mountthatfocusesonhavingahigh-perfforming andcaringculture.
“Tocompeteandoutperformtothelevelwe doisrealtestamenttousandshowsmethe engagementandpassionmystaffhave–butmore importantlyitshowsthefocusonensuringour customerexperienceisthebestitcanbe.”
Smallsaidhisdealershipwassetapartfromthe restbytheirgenuinepassionfortheindustry AylaYeoman andtheircustomers.“Welikewhat wedoandlovetogoaboveand beyond,it’snotjustsomethingwe say.”
Tougherpenaltiesforracingandfleeingdrivers
TheGovernmentisturninguptheheaton boyracersandfleeingdriverswithasuiteof strongermeasurestodeteranti-socialand intimidatingdriving,accordingtoTransport MinisterChrisBishopandPoliceMinister MarkMitchell.
“Atpresent,thepenaltiesforanti-socialor intimidatingdrivingbehaviouraren’tstrong enoughtodeterthisappallingbehaviour.Police reportingshowsthatsometypesofanti-socialroad eventsareactuallyincreasinginfrequency.We’re sayingenoughisenough,”Bishopsaid.“Kiwisare sickofseeingtheseidiotdriversputtingeveryone aroundthematrisk,sowe’retakingaction
througharangeofmuchtougherpenalties. Thenewoffencesandpenaltieswillinclude establishingapresumptivesentenceofvehicle destructionorforfeitureforthosethatfleePolice, streetracers,intimidatingconvoysandowners whofailtoidentifyoffendingdrivers;givingPolice morepowerstomanageillegalvehiclegatherings byclosingroadsorpublicareasandissuing infringements;andincreasingtheinfringement feeformakingexcessivenoisefromorwithina vehiclefrom$50to$300.“Thesechanges,tobe introducedinnewlegislationinmid-2025,will meanconvictedfleeingdrivers,boyracers,and peopleparticipatinginintimidatingconvoyshave theirvehicledestroyedorforfeited,”Bishopsaid. Findoutmoreat:www.beehive.govt.nz
Smallsaidhebelievedtheawards showedthepublicthattheyarea companytheycouldtrustandfeel comfortabledealingwith.“Wefeel we’reintherightplaceandhavethe rightpeoplewiththerightbrands tomoveforwardandwedohave somesolidfutureplansforthe dealership,HopefullyI’llbeableto sharethemsoon.”
Discoverthepinnacleofprestige motoringwithEbbettPrestigeTauranga. HometoLandRover,Jaguar,andVolvo.
•Acuratedrangeofpremiumvehicles •Personalisedservicefromapassionatelocalteam •ConvenientlocationintheheartofMountMaunganui •Exclusiveeventsandownershipexperiences
Visitourshowrooms: Jaguar&LandRover 115HewlettsRoad,MountMaunganui Volvo&PremiumPre-Owned107-109HewlettsRoad,MountMaunganui
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EbbettPrestigeTauranga’sLeeHaslam,HannahBurr,AaronWestall, EbbettGroupdirectorWaltervandenEngel,anddealerprincipal LeeSmallatthe2025JaguarLandRoverAwards. Photo/Supplied
The perfect place to plan our edding!
Walking into 2025’s Bay of Plenty WeddingShow offers thechancetosee,touch, smellandtasteeverything thatcouldhelpyouplanone ofthemostmemorabledays ofyourlife!
“Wewillhavenearly50 weddingvendorssetupinside TheCargoShedonDive Crescent,thisSunday,May25, from10am-3pm,”saidorganiser RochelleFree.
“Thevendorsareour region’sbestweddingindustry professionals–theywillbe
there in-person offering an array of products and services from gowns,flfloral items,ccakes,tto beautyservices,photography, videography,weddingvenuesto celebrantsandmuchmore!
“You’llseeloadsofgorgeous ideas,on-trendinspirationand you’llmeetamazingwedding vendorswhocanhelpyouplan themostamazingdayofyour life.
“Takethetimetobrowseand speaktothem,astheyhavea wealthofexperienceonoffer,” saidFree,whobelievesmeeting vendorsface-to-faceissomuch better.Thosewhoprovidea serviceorproductforthedayof
your wedding play pivotal roles in everything going smoothly, so you want to gel with them beforehand.
“Thismakesmeetingpotential vendorsface-to-facesuper importantinyourplanning stage.”
Freesaidtheweddingshowwill alsohavegiveawaysandevent dayspecials–“socomealong, soakuptheatmosphereand experiencethefun,excitement andglamourasallthetop weddingspecialistsintheregion gatheratTheCargoShed!
“Thisshowistheperfectplace tocomewhenplanningyour futurewedding.”
Chooseaspecial wineforyour weddingday
Thinkingaboutwhichtippletopour tyourspecialday?Meetandtalkto leneWilsonofCultWineandWilson urWineBuyerat2025’sBayofPlenty WeddingShowatTheCargoShed. tWineandWilsonYourWineBuyer togetherprovideafullbeverageservice,said Wilson,whoisaself-professedwinegeek!
“Cultisthehomeofsmall-scale,generally family-runwinerieshereandinternationally,and offersahugerangeofwinestochoosefrom.
“Andbecausewearefullyindependent,wecan alsosourcealmostanythingyouwouldlike,”said Wilson,whohasmorethan30years’experience inbuying,cellaringanddrinkingwine.
MOBILEBBQCATERING TheBigSmokeBBQCo.isbuiltaroundowner &HeadPitmaster,MikeJeffries,his15plusyearsof catering experienceandourcollectionofuniqueportablecustombuilt, commercialgradeBBQandSmokers.WecookgourmetBBQfoods, creatingfoodyourguestswilltalkaboutlongafteryoureventwith ourhugerangeofmenusandbbqfoodstosuiteveryone. Weuseallourownsecretrecipesofbbqrubs&saucesandonly
“Soifthere’saspecialwine,something sentimentalorjustafamilyfavourite–wecan probablyfindit!”
WilsonYourWineButlerprovidesthe consultingsideofthebusiness.Thisiswhere Wilsonwillsitdownandtalkyouthroughyour needsandwantsforyourspecialoccasion.
“Icangiveadviceonfoodandwinematching, howmuchyou’llneedandwhatkindofglassware willworkbest.
“Icanalsohelpyousetupyourbar,sourcesome greatbeersandnon-alcoholicbeveragesandeven suggestasignaturecocktail!”
Sowhetheryoujustneedsomeadviceandhelp withsourcinggoodquality,goodvaluebeverages, orifyou’dlikeafullbarservice,talktoWilson andCult!
MeettheladybehindBayofPlenty’sWeddingShow!
Th Theorganiserofthe2025Bay of PlentyWeddingShowand Th TheWaikatoWeddingAffairis no otherthanTauranga-based marriagecelebrant RochelleFree.
She’sbeenworkinginthewedding industryforquiteanumberofyears now –actually20–firststartingout as a weddingplannerinWellington. ShemovedtoTaurangain 2009andsetupaWeddingand EventHirecompanyfocusingon corporateeventsandweddings. Thatbusinesswassoldjustbefore lockdownin2020asshefocused moreonbeingamarriagecelebrant and organisingTheBOPWedding Show.
“Mypassionistopresentavery professional,stylishandwell organisedeventsomyclients can promotetheirbusinesstoall thebridesandgroomswhoflow throoughthedoor.
Beautifulringsforyourbigday...
VisitHammonDiamondJewelleratthe 2025BayofPlentyWeddingShowatThe CargoShedthisSunday,May25,foran amazingselectionofweddingringsand specialshowoffers.
“Whetheryouareconsideringaclassicdesign weddingringorhavecomplexcustomdesign requirements–HammonJewellersoffera completesolution,”saidAlexandra Hammon-ElliottofHammon DiamondJeweller.
“Withspecialisedmanufacturing andavastarrayofmetaloptions onoffer,yourrequestcanbe skilfullyandbeautifullycreated foryou!”
HammonDiamondJewelleris aproudlyindependentjeweller, whichwasestablishedmorethan 75yearsagoandboastsatrusted reputationearnedacrossthreegenerationsof familyownership.“Inadditiontoourgemstone andfinejewellerycollections,weoffera comprehensivejewelleryandwatchrepairservice
andspecialiseincustombespokepieces andremodelling.”SeeHammonDiamond JewelleratTheCargoShedthisSunday,May 25,todiscovertheperfectringorvisitin-store attheirboutiqueat16GreySt,Downtown Tauranga.Formoreinformation,seeHammon DiamondJeweller’sadvertonthispage.
“Iofferawealthofexperienceto benefitboththecoupleswhovisit theshowandalsomyhighlyvalued vendors.”
Freesaidsheispassionateabout “creatingacommunityoflikemindedindustryleaderswhocan sharetheirexperiencesandwork togethertomaketheBayofPlenty
Sizes10-26 s
96MaunganuiRoad,MtMaunganui 075753218 www.magazineclothing.co.nz
andtheWaikatothepreferred regionsforhostingweddings”.
“Therearesomanyamazing weddingvendorsinbothregions andit’swonderfultoseethepassion andtheinnovationshiningthrough attheshows.
“Themantra‘Lovetotally,plan locally’iswhatFreeisallabout!
RochelleFree organisesboth theBayofPlenty WeddingShow andTheWaikato WeddingAffair.
Photo/Supplied
HammonDiamondJewellerislocated at16GreySt,DowntownTauranga.
Photos/Supplied
KNOWYOUR
Managingyourpropeert withabsolutecare
YellowBrickProperty Managementhasfound theirplaceintheworld–inauniquenicheinthe propertymarket.
Theteamattheboutique propertymanagement companyonlymanagea select50properties.
“We’reinvestorsourselves andhaveanumberof properties,”saidYellow Brick’sNickyHamilton.“So weunderstandwhatittakes andwhat’sinvolvedtolook
afterapropertyreallyw
“Otherpropertymana holdbetween130-180 propertiesintheir portfolio,butwehave decidedwewilltake onnomorethan50.”
Whenyouchoose YellowBrick,youknow yourhomeisbeinglook afterwithcarewhenyou tenantit.“Wedoagrea becausewe’recarefulno takeontoomuch.”
Formoreinformation, YellowBrickProperty’s onthispage.
Weareaboutiquecompany, that’swhywedoafantasticjob! Wetakethestressoutof propertymanagment!
REALESTATEAGENT
Signalspointtoasteadyupturn
NewZealand’spropertymarket continuestopointtosignsofrecovery, accordingtonewdatafromCotalityNZ’s latestMonthlyChartPack.
ChiefpropertyeconomistKelvin Davidsonsaidpropertysalesvolumes havebeengraduallytrendingupwardfor nearlytwoyears.
InApril,salesrose4%comparedto ayearearlier–liftingactivityto7% abovethehistoricalnormforthistime ofyear.Fallingmortgagerateshave clearlysupportedthismomentum,said Davidson.
“Salesactivityhasbeenonasteady incline,andwe’renowstartingtoseethis translateintohomevalues.”
TheCotalityHomeValueIndexrose 0.3%inApril–thefourthconsecutive monthlyincrease–althoughgrowth remainsmodest.Amongthemain
centres,HamiltonandChristchurchled thegains,whileDunedin,Wellington andTaurangashowedflatterresults. “Despitethesesignsofimprovement,the marketremainstiltedinfavourofbuyers. Stocklevelsarestillelevatedbyhistorical standards,whichwilllikelykeepprice growthincheck.”
Mortgagedmultiplepropertyownersare alsoregainingground.
Thisgroupaccountedfor24%ofApril’s sales–thehighestshareinmorethan threeyears.Lowermortgageratesare reducingcashflowshortfalls,improving thefinancialappealofproperty investment.
Davidsonsaidtheoutlookfor2025 remainscautiouslypositive.
“We’reexpectingamoderateupswing, withnationalpropertyvaluesforecastto risearound5%fortheyear.”
free,noobligationMarketAppraisal Nopressure,andit’sgoodtoknowthevalueofyourproperty. I’llkeepyouupdatedfromtimetotimeasthemarketchanges.
YellowBrick’s NickyHamilton.
Photo/Supplied
MaryBorman,ownerofHighStBoutique,isoneofthejudges fortheGreertonRetroFestOp-ShopChallenge,seenhere amongbags,hatsandaccessoriesatMDSLeatherworksin GreertonVillage. Photo/BrydieThompson
Freehorticulture coursesonoffer
BayofPlentyresidentshavethechanceto startpart-timehorticulturecourses–which usuallycost$1000each–forfreethiswinter.
Tauranga’sbranchoftrainingandeducation groupLifeskillsisofferingaday-timeLevel3 GeneralHorticultureandanight-timeLevel 4SustainableHorticultureProductioncourse, startingMay26and27respectively.
LifeskillstutorRuthMcLeansaidtheLevel3 coursewasperfectforbeginnergardenersorthose lookingtoimprovetheirskills.Participantslearnto identifyandselectplants,managepests,diseasesand weeds,propagation,pruningandmore.
McLeantutorstheLevel4courseaimedatmore experiencedgardenersorthosewho’vestudied previously.“Theprerequisiteforthiscourseis completionoftheLevel3courseorsimilar,” saidMcLean.Participantslearnaboutorganics, composting,wormfarming,holisticpestdisease, weedmanagement,propagation,croprotation, companionplanting,biodiversityandmore.
McLeansaidbothcourseswereapprovedbythe NewZealandQualificationsAuthorityandTertiary EducationCommission,whichencouragepeople whowanttofindworktosignup.
“Somepeopleendupdoinggardenmaintenance, forexample,andstarttheirownbusinessandthat canworkreallywell,”saidMcLean.
“Othersalreadyhavetheirownmaintenance businesses,andrealisetheircustomersknowmore aboutplantsthantheydosotheywanttolearn more–butthere’salsopeoplewhoareworkingfor
Retro FestinGreertonVillage
Greerton Village isthroowing it back through thedeccades with The GreertonRetroFest – a vibrant, vintage-theemed celebration happening g on Saturday, May 31,froom 11am-3pm
This free, family-friendlyevvent will feature live music, decorrated shop windows and goodies,mmarket stalls, and plenty of nostalgic c charm, Greerton Business Associatioonchair Cameron Templer said The Greerton Village Squaare outside the library willcome e alive with music from Indecisiveand
MarkAffleck,alongwithface painting,avintagephotobooth, andgiveawayshostedbyMC BrutusPowers.
“Visitorscanalsopickupamap andgoonatreasurehuntthrough thevillage’smuch-lovedvintage, charityandfashion/accessoryshops, withevenasliceofcakeandgreat coffeeinoneofthelocaleateries,” Templersaid.
“Orpopintoyourfavourite Greertoncafésfor1980s-inspired hazelnutlattes,retro-stylecoffeeor chocolatemilkshakes,pies,pizzas andclassicburgers.”
Toaddtothefun,at12.30pm willbetheGreertonRetroFest Op-ShopChallengewheresome
“everydaylegends”willbegivinga twirlinfrontofjudgesatavintage fashionrunwaytoshowhowthey’ve pulledtogetherathemedoutfit fromGreertonVillage’sthriftshops. Checkoutthesecond-hand treasures,thewinning“best-dressed” shopwindow,vintagegoodsand handmadeitemsondisplay.
“Grabyourfriends,come fortherummage,stayforthe entertainmentandfood.Retro Festisyourchancetoexplore GreertonVillage–thehiddengem ofTaurangaandsupportthelocals whomakeitshine,”Templersaid. GreertonRetroFestisonSaturday, May31,from11am–3pm.Entryis free,andallarewelcome.
landscapecrewsandinotherareasofhorticulture.
“TherearestillplentyofplacesinadaytimeLevel 3class,whichreallysuitsparentsofschool-aged kidswhoareeventuallywantingtogetbackinthe workforceorjustupskillorrolemodellifelong learning.Thegoodthingisthattheknowledgegets sharedwithparticipants’kidsand/orgrandkids.We dogetalotofhobbygardeners,andthat’sperfectly valid.Forothersit’saboutgrowingmorefood.”
Tosignup,visit:lifeskills.nz/enrolorcall0800 000055.Formoredetails,ortocheckifyouqualify forLevel4,callRuthMcLeanon0273171170or email:ruth.mclean@lifeskills.nz
CaféandBar | AviationMuseum | ClassicFlights Enquiries+Bookings075724000 enquire@classicflyersnz.com|www.classicflyersnz.com 9JeanBattenDrive,MountMaunganui
Sunday25thMay,10am-11.30am,$23pp ($5fromeachpersonattendingdonatedtoBreastCancer) Bookingsareessential-BookatClubreception
Entertainmentin theRestaurant Saturday31stMay Ahighlyrecommended newband “Make Believe”
RESTAURANTOPEN TOTHEPUBLIC
JointheTauranga CitizensClubfor only$35andaone offadministration feeof$10
LifeskillstutorRuthMcLeansaidthehorticulture coursesofferbenefitsgalore. Photo/DavidHall
MerleCave
5.Agreement(6)
6.Nativebird(5) 11.Herb(8) 13.Quantity(6) 14Dress(6) 15.Disintangle(6) 16.Watery(5) 18.Wayout(4)
Irealisethatwhilesequelsarepopular inHollywood,theyarelessencouraged innewspapercolumns.
Nonetheless,thisissomethingofa continuationsoifyou’reconsumed withcuriosityallowmetoreferyouto sunlive.co.nzwhereyoucanfindWinston Watusicolumnsreachingtothedawnof time.Lookunderthe‘Music’tab,under the‘Lifestyle’tab.Orbefriendmeon Facebook.
ImentionedTauranga’salternativemusic festival,Loserpalooza,upcomingatTotara Street,June21.
Manywouldhaveimmediatelymovedon, awarethat“thosetypes”ofbandsarenotto yourtaste.Thefeelingofbeingpinnedtoa wallbythesheerforceofsoundFalseWaltons createispossiblynotuniversallyenjoyed.
But‘alternative’containsmultitudes. There’salsoalternativepop.That’sonoffer whenanotherLoserpaloozaband,WeWill RideFast,takesthestageattheVoodoo LoungenextFriday,May30.It’syetanother high-flyingBayofPlentyactIhavesofar neglectedtoheapoutrageouspraiseupon.
KyleSattler
Let’sremedythat:thebandisthemusical frontofmultimediaKatikatiartistKyle Sattler.Todescribehisworkaseccentric wouldnotbeunfair;yetthesongs–melodic synth-pop–arerelativelymainstream.
Exceptthelyrics,oftenanexploration ofscience-basedideasrelatingtothe universe,withtitlessuchas‘MatterMakes Abstraction’and‘TheLogicallyImpossible’. They’reverylikeable.
Lastyeartherewerefoursingles,two ofwhichhitthenumberonespoton the95bFMTop10Countdown.That’s prettyhighcottonwhoeveryouare.The accompanyingvideosarecompletelyinsane,
Ridingfastaat the Mount
starring,filmed,andeditedbyKyle himself.They’reonYouTube. He’llbejoinedbyDaveyBeigeAnd TheDreamOfTheOctopus.That’s thestagenameforDaveBishop,a mainstreamsingerofoptimisticpoprockwithagreatheritage.
HefirstsurfacedinAucklandfronting thehighly-regardedPeterStuyvesant Hitlist,whichincludedbothaNarcand aSailor.
Helivesherenowandpopped uplastyearwithnewsingle‘Lost InTheScroll’;andlastmonthat MountrecordandbookstoreRound AndRound.AlsolastyearAaron ChristiansenwontheMusicVideo awardatMistyFlicksinTeAwamutu forasongofDavey’s‘RiseAbove’. NigelGavin
And,afterwritingabouthimlast week,starguitaristNigelGavinis downfromAucklandagain;thistime attheJamFactoryonSaturday,May
ApinkbreakfastisbeingheldattheKatikati CommunityCentrenextFriday,May 30,toraisefundsfortheBreastCancer FoundationofNewZealand.
Peoplecanpopintothecommunitycentreon BeachRoadanytimebetween8am-10amMay30
31.Andthistime,Nigelandsinger SoniaWilsonfocusontheFrenchside oftheirrepertoire,joinedbysuperb accordionistTraceyCollinsforthetrio Blue,Blanc,Rouge. LetmeraveaboutNigelagainbriefly. Inthiscontextheplaysahandmade seven-stringacousticguitarbut–of course–hecanplayprettymuch everystringedinstrumentknownto humanity.HefoundedtheNairobiTrio andGitboxRebellionandastounded recentjazzfestival-goerswithNeon Quaver. Heis,Iwouldsuggest,prettymuch themostamazingguitaristyou’llseethis year,ormostothers.Whatatreatto hearthemplayinglamusiquefrancaise!
www.tinyurl.com/zm2tkwhu
andpay$10forayummybreakfast.However, peopleareencouragedtopre-registerfortheevent iftheycan–callKatikatiCommunityCentreon 075490399oremail:info@katikaticommuity.nz Andthosekeencanbringextramoneyforan old-fashionedbakesale,raffleanddonationstation on-site. ATaurangaAIBusinessSummit isbeingheldattheUniversityof Waikato’sTaurangacampusthismonth asafundraiserforMountMaunganui Collegestudentstoembarkonlearning opportunitiesabroad.
Peopleareinvitedtopurchaseticketsto theFriday,June6,event–whichwillsee aline-upofspeakersfrombusinesssuch asincludingCraigsInvestmentPartners, BallanceAgri-nutrients,Parallo,James& Wells,Zespri,MulberrySt,SmartSpaceAi, TheUniversityofWaikatoandWaveAgency talkonhowdifferentindustriesareeffectively usingAI,andseerealworldapplicationsthat canhelpyouembracethevastopportunities. Thesummitisfrom1.30pm-5.30pmat UniversityofWaikato,Taurangacampus,on Friday,June6.Purchaseticketsat:events. humanitix.com/tauranga-ai-business-summit
Right: Kyle Sattler. Inset: Blue, Blanc, Rouge Photos / Supplied
CLASSIFIEDSECTION
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Whatwenowknowasthebustling classicaircraftmuseuminMount Maunganuiwasoncejustanideain pilotAndrewGormlie’shead21years ago,whenhestillhadaheadofhair.
“Agroupofusgottogetherbecausewe werecollectingandbeginningtoownold aircraftandartifactslikesengines,clothing andhelmets,”saidtheMountMaunganui businessman.Hepitchedtheideatoa groupof50fellowaircraftcollectorsand theideadeveloped.
Ayearlater,thebrainchildtookflight, andasyearswentby50memberssoon turnedinto3500andthedoublebuilding siteturnedintoafive-buildingcomplex.
Gormliesaidwhenitallbegan,heoften thoughtaboutwhatthemuseumwould belikeinthenext20years.“ClassicFlyers beganwithanefforttopreservea1940s hangaratTaurangaAirfield,”saidClassic FlyersmarketingmanagerCoreyTyler.
“Thoughthehangarcouldn’tbesaved,the projectevolvedintobuildingapurposebuiltaviationmuseum,officiallyopening onMay28,2005,withamajorairshow.”
Sincethen,thefacilityhadhostedseveral airshows,withthousandsofpeopleacrossa weekend. Gormliesaidanotherreasonfor morerecentgrowthatClassicFlyersisthe studenttraining.“Weseealotofkidsnow. Youthtraininghasbeenaslowburnbutit’s areallycoolthing.Itgivesyouacoolfeeling tositdownthebackoftheairlinerand go:‘Well,thatboythereusedtowashmy airplane,andhe’sagrownmannow’.”
helpedbuilddisplays,keptupwith maintenanceandhostedeventstohelp themuseumtakeoff.“Thewholeplaceis aboutthevolunteerandcommunityspirit. Theygivealotoftimeandenergyand expertisetotheplace.”
Communitysupport
Anotherkeyaspectthathadhelpedthe museumhadbeenthefinancialsupport fromthecommunity.“We’relucky enough,fortunateenough,togetsmall grantsallthetimethroughouttheyear frompeople.”
Flyersbecauseofhislonginterestinaviation. Hehadbeentherethreeyearsanddidn’tplan onstoppinganytimesoon.
You’lloftenseeBrownatthegiftshopwhere hecanmakethemostofhisexpertise.“It’s anamazingthingtocomeouthere.Yousee littletwo-year-olds-three-year-oldsrunning aroundandenjoyingthemselvesinthe pedalcarsandwe’veputnewthingsonline liketheflightsimulatorandthingslikethat. There’salwayssomethinghappening.”
OneofthethingsBrownenjoyedmost waswhengroupsof10seniorstouredthe museum,dressedupinflightsuitsandtook pictures.
Alivingmuseum
V Volunteers
Gormlie said none of it would have been possible without the volunteers who’d
About10-12yearsago,“alovelyfriend” donatedaround$260,000fromhis deceasedestatetothemuseum.“Hedidn’t haveany y familyy.hehadafairbitofstuff and we just happened to be one of them He really liked us, and we liked him ” Ross Brown started volunteering at Classic
Brown,whorecentlyvisitedtheRoyalAir ForceMuseuminChristchurch,saiditwas brilliantbutitmissedwhatClassicFlyers has.“Everythingisquiteironedandpretty andtidy.Hereit’smorehands-onandyou actuallylikeyou’reinalivingmuseum. “You’llseesomebodywalkingaroundin someoverallswithaboltandhe’sfixingthis andsomebodyelseispushingaplaneout.” TocelebratetheanniversaryClassicFlyers willholdafreeopendaythisWednesday, May28.
OnKing’sBirthdayweekendabigger celebration–whereeveryentryticket soldwouldbeenteredintoaprizedraw–hadbeenplanned.
Hearing t e stories of others
We did a little road trip last week We went down to Wellington, which was rather pleasant, surprisingly, to visit the Gallipoli exhibit at Te Papa – New Zealand’s national museum
Slow in getting there I know, but we wereso glad to experience the stunning creativity and lli g of the grim ces of those first like entering r world, a not my own part of my story Both my dfathers fought this war but silently tried to forget the
storyte n experien Anzacs It was anothe world but a own gran in
overwhelming, traumatic experience of war, I suppose Forthree hours I entered their world and found tears in my eyes and deep sadness for my beautiful, broken grandfathers We need stories to make sense of our world and the people we meet Humans become people when we hear their story The mystery under the skin is revealed as we hear their challenges and joys The failure to hear people’s stories makes us strangers, makes us islands –leaves us shallow rather than appreciating the depth of a human soul
Entering the Godstuff, Jesus and all that, is like entering another world Our culture has been so silent on life,death, meaning, prayer and hope we can feel strangers too, shallow in the world of belief and Spirit Perhaps a way to start is to let someone who knowsthe Jesus story share their journey Orvisitachurch, they are not all museums! And a quiet prayer can start a revolution
Nigel
Shabbat(Sat)10amor
Dixon, Vicar, Holy Trinity Tauranga
AylaYeoman
The purpose-built aviation museum under construction more than 20 years ago Photo / Supplied
Ross Brown, Andrew Gormlie, Cory Tyler, Angus Cook and Harry Needler get ready to celebrate Classic Flyers’ 20th anniversary Photo / Brydie Thompson
Deardiary,laughterreally isthebestmedicine
Lovethecarearoundyou.
AtSummerset,there’salwaysahelpinghandwhenyouneedit. Alongsideourneighbourlycommunity,ourvillagesaredesignedso thatasyourneedschange,wehavedifferentlevelsofcareandsupport acrossourvillages(subjecttoavailabilityandeligibilitycriteria).Wecall itourcontinuumofcare…butreally,it’saboutalwaysbeingthere.
ComeandtakealookforyourselfatoneofourAutumnHighTeas. Plus,we’llhelpyoueverystepofthewaywith$30,000cashback, $2,000towardsyourlegalfees,amovingpackage,andnoweeklyfees for12months.Simplysignasalesapplicationforaselectedvillabetween 01April2025and30June2025andthensettleby30September2025.# Lovethelifeyouchoose.
AutumnHighTeas
EveryThursdayinMay,10:30am
SummersetbytheDunes 35ManawaRoad,PapamoaBeach 075429082|papamoa.sales@summerset.co.nz