Budding young artists across the Bay of Plenty are invited to take part in the 2025 Acorn Foundation Junior Art Awards, which are now open for entries
Presented by Tauranga Art Gallery, the biennial awards celebrate the creativity of tamariki (children) aged four to 14, with this year ’ s
theme: ‘The Future Is / Ko te anamata ’
Entry is free, and submissions close August 15
Finalists’ artworks will be exhibited at Baycourt Community & Arts Centre from September 13-20, with an awards ceremony taking place on September 12
For Whakamārama artist Maggie Harlan,
pictured, aged nine, it’s her first time entering Inspired by the birds around her rural home, her work features owls and pīwakawaka (fantails)
“I like to draw nature and animals,” said Maggie “My entry has three birds, lots of scribbles and mark makings ”
“We would love entries to come in from our
wonderful young Bay of Plenty artists,” said Tauranga Art Gallery experience manager Hannah Wynn “The theme encourages tamariki to imagine the future in all its forms Imaginations can run wild ” Enter now at: artgalleryorg nz/acornaward
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R ll al ng n w Jaffas… Rol lon now
I get the distinct and uncomfortable impression that Jaffa is not the preferred flavour in Tauranga.
I was in a Devonport Rd bank shortly after arriving in town and mentioned to the teller I was from Auckland. A Jafa That was a bad call Because a loud threatening voice behind tells me to: “…*#@^ off back to Auckland then. You’re not welcome”.
Really? Monday 9.30am in the quiet and calm of a bank, surrounded by the joys of overdrafts, mortgages, credit cards and foreclosures – it’s a bit early for effing and blinding And regional loathing.
He looked straight out of the Appalachian mountains, straggly, unkempt and whiffy – like one of those inbred, feudin’ McCoy boys. Born angry Cue Duelling Banjos.
Hillbilly wasn ’ t finished – he needed to get the last taste of Jafa out of his foul mouth. “And take all your *#@^-ing Auckland friends with you!” Actually, Hillbilly and I shared some common ground. He despised “Jafas”, and 10 years after he gave me a verbal biffing in the bank, I’m completely indifferent about RJ’s withdrawing the
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good riddance.
‘The Snake Pit’
There was a bit of online pushback –“That sucks!”, “Murder!”, “Something wrong with the world”, “It’s not recession, it’s depression”. But you c can ’ t get all gooily sentimental over the doodo Jaffas if you weren ’ t out there buying, scoffing and supporting the market.
My excuse is Jaffas left me psychologically scarred from childhood d As a birthday treat, the “bros” went to a Saturday matinee movie – ‘Toby Tyler’, the story of a boy who runs off to join a circus.
But the “bros” decided we would instead go to the cheaper State Cinema, aka “The Snake Pit”, a seedy joint just down the road. That would free up cash for add-ons – lollies, sodas, ice-cream and the like. I got a box of Jaffas and a chocolate derby – a double-headed cone dipped in chocolate and hundreds-andthousands.
The movie was about bloodletting buccaneers on the high seas – “hang-’em from the mainmast”, “run’em through” some poor sod disembowelled with a cutlass, and walking the plank as the sharks circled. Gory as all hell. Mindaltering stuff for a 10-year-old Anyhow I didn’t have the constitution for the cruelty y and I p projjectile regurgitated a whole box of Jaffas, and ice-cream, and chocolate, and
hundreds-and-thousands, all over the seat in front. It was not pretty Five minutes later the cinema lights went up and the curtain came down. The show waas over I have never reconnectted with h Jaffas
Loove barometer
For another chap I know, Jaffas were a barometer of love.
As Clarry tells it, when he and Cheryl met they immediately fell into a steamy, unconstrained, romantic relationship – a higgh deggree of p phyysical intimacy and sexual activity Before they e even married Tut tut!
For two-and-a-half years, every time they consummated their love for one another, the couple w would take a Jaffa from the box and put it in a crystal vase. It was, said Clarry, a measure of their love. It blossomed and grew, to thhe point when they did marry, the vase was s brimming Damned near full A lot of J Jaffas and a lot of passion in that vase. Th Then, after they married, Clarry and Chheryl would remove one Jaffa at a time, whenever
they made love. Forty years later, Clarry lamented that the vase, sadly, remained three-quarters’ full. The steam went out and the Jaffas stayed in. They just had different priorities – they exercised beyond the bed – walks, Pilates, bowls, mahjong, art classes, volunteering And they were eating the Jaffas, one little bit of love at a time But the taste and the memories were sweet
All this got us thinking of other pet coonfections that have disappeared off the pllanet Snifters – the spearmint-coloured chocolate and mint chews Carnival Pattties, rounds of marshmallow covered in chocolate and sprinkled with nonpareils
The grocer would freeze them so they were chewy enough to rip out your amalgam Tangy Fruits, Sparkles, Snickers, Clinkers
N Nasty taste?
Some deserved to go; after we all grew up, and grew aware
Once-upon-a racially insensitive-time, we kids could wander into a shop and buy threepence worth of “black babies” – black chewy jellybaby-type lollies Who thought that would be okay? In the day, no one thought anything of it Until they did And the lollies suddenly, and rightfully, disappeared into the after-world of disgust and disgrace
Another of our crimes against culture was the so-called “Eskimo Pie” I bought, ate, enjoyed them, because I didn’t know better Is ignorance an excuse? Eskimo – an exonym, or label given to people by outsiders – is associated with a colonial past, has racist overtones, and is offensive to many Inuit and Yupik people Apparently a visiting Canadian academic suggested a smiling, cartoon “Eskimo” character on the “Eskimo Pie” packaging might offend There was some rapid rebranding
But doesn’t it leave a nasty taste like Jaffas do for me.
iconic Jaffa from the planet. Hasta la vista Jaffas. Goodbye,
Flooding hits charit shop hard charity
“I think it was probably 11-12 o’clock the night before,” said Lesley Rutherford
“The skies just opened up and so much water came down it had nowhere to go I’ve never seen so much water ” The manager of Waipuna Hospice Pāpāmoa charity shop on Domain Rd arrived the next morning, on June 11, to find about six inches of water throughout the store
Thankfully the hospice’s Pāpāmoa depot next-door –
s s J which supplies stock to all five Waipuna Hospice shops – was not affected, said Rutherford. Despite being shut only two days for clean-up, the Pāpāmoa store is still recovering a month on. This is because the team had to throw out a large amount of water-logged stock. “Basically,
all the furniture, beds etc –anything was that was on the floor – got contaminated ” Donations needed
“We had to throw a lot of stuff out that people had donated, which has made us very short [of donations].”
Rutherford said the store would appreciate any sellable, good condition furniture, homewares and fashion to be dropped off. “If they need somebody to pick it up, we do have that service for free Call our donation hotline 07 281
1755 to book your collection.”
Waipuna Hospice retail general manager Jace Dowman said he was still working with insurance assessors to determine the value of donated stock, plus shopowned appliances and fittings, and the loss of two days’ trading. Dowman said Tauranga
City Council was looking into the cause of the flooding “The volume of water simply overwhelmed the existing runoff system, ” he said, noting the depot remained unaffected because it sat about 600mm higher than the store
He added the store was built before building regulation changes, which introduced requirements for new structures to be elevated above sea level
TCC manager of drainage services Radleigh Cairns said the area was zoned rural residential and stormwater relied on a
combination of soakage and a series of drains on both roading land and private property ” Cairns said TCC was working with landowners on options for improving the stormwater flow in the area, including ensuring drains were clear where council can access them.
All furniture inside the Waipuna Hospice Pāpāmoa charity shop had to be dumped after the flooding on June 11. Photo / Supplied
Pōhutukawa at risk from myrtle rust
Teams working to prevent the spread of myrtle rust detected on Mauao in Mount Maunganui are warning people to stay away from pōhutukawa trees on the mountain.
Myrtle rust first appeared in New Zealand in 2017, raising concerns it could threaten species such as mānuka, feijoa, and kanuka – all members of the myrtle family, said facilitator of the Mauao Trust Kaitiaki group Kawana
Warahi These species, which Warahi described as “ money trees”, have so far escaped damage from myrtle rust. But other trees, like the pōhutukawa on Mauao and ramarama in Rotorua, have been hit hard. “Rotorua has already lost the ramarama, ” Warahi said.
Guardians
He’s leading a team of seven kaitiaki (guardians) investigating the spread of the aggressive plant disease
All seven kaitiaki have ancestral ties to Mauao and a deep understanding
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of the environment, Mauao Trust project manager Porina McLeod said.
Myrtle rust affects pōhutukawa trees just as they begin to produce a fresh flush of growth, McLeod said. “Eventually, the tree dies off because it’s not growing any new shoots.”
Myrtle rust typically appears as a yellowish to orange, furry-like growth on the underside of leaves.
“The impact of myrtle is quite devastating,” McLeod said. “You get fully stripped and dead trees, so we want to prevent that ”
The pathogen is most active in summer and tends to subside in winter, she said. “November is when it starts coming back. It then sticks around for a few months and dwindles off as it gets cooler”
There are currently no conclusive methods to eliminate the disease.
While herbicides may suppress it temporarily, McLeod said it remains unclear whether they actually eradicate the pathogen. “There is still research to be done on our part around that ”
Mauao is jointly administered by the Mauao Trust and Tauranga City Council, and the project is funded by Genomics Aotearoa – a national research initiative supporting the use of advanced genomics and bioinformatics in health, the environment, and primary industries.
Three pōhutukawa
Three varieties of pōhutukawa grow on Mauao: Pītau pōhutukawa, Kermadec pōhutukawa, and a hybrid formed from the merging of native and introduced types.
The Kermadec variety originates from the Kermadec Islands, more than 1000km northeast of Aotearoa. Following a 2016
fire on Mauao, which destroyed 4000 square metres of vegetation, a large number of Kermadec pōhutukawa were planted
North-east
side
Now the north-east side of Mauao has been affected by myrtle rust, with the pathogen blowing across from Australia, McLeod said
“A whole lot of planting was done, and nobody knew that there were different types. ” Taranaki iwi consider the Kermadec variety a taonga species, brought over by their ancestors on waka centuries ago, she said
Hybridisation – the mixing of two different species to produce a new form with combined traits – contributes to the decline of native eucalyptus in Australia, Warahi said
To identify the pōhutukawa on Mauao, Warahi analysed 4000 leaves from 200 trees to determine key traits. This enabled the Kaitiaki to begin identifying individual trees across the maunga
His team then employed artificial intelligence, using satellite imagery and deep learning to map the canopy “We managed to get to around 580 pōhutukawa trees, ” he said Hybrids pose a threat to native species and could eventually replace them, Warahi warned “Your old trees would die out, ” he said.
Tom Eley
Ramarama plants with myrtle rust. Photo / Stuart Munro
The team of seven kaitiaki (guardians) with facilitator Kawana Warahi. Photo / Brydie Thompson.
Pohutukawa flowers on Mauo, looking down Mount Main Beach.
Photo / Alan Gibson
Matahui School’s war for survival
Matahui School “ went to war ” and remained open thanks to the tireless efforts of parents and the school community, according to principal Mary Woods
The independent primary school near Katikati had been on the brink of closure in May but had now secured its long-term future
People power
In a last-ditch effort to prevent closure, parents formed working groups, each tasked with a dedicated mission. Some contacted politicians, others wrote letters, and all played their part in keeping the school’s doors open, said Woods.
“When I reflect on what happened, one could call it a movement – power to thhe people ” A significant number of students at Matahui School are neurodiverse, though the school also caters to neurotypical learners “Most of our children have learning disabilities that fall under the
umbrella of neurodiversity,” said Woods Now that the school’s immediate future is secured, its focus can return to delivering its unique curriculum, said Woods.
The school has 49 students and four teachers, and its approach is grounded in the theory of multiple intelligences “At Matahui, we individualise learning around each child,” she said.
Established in 1988, Matahui School had built a strong alumni network, which mobilised quickly in the school’s recent time of need.
An influx of donations followed news of the closure, and enough money was raised to secure the school’s long-term future, according to board chairperson
Craig McCullough
However, the high tuition fees, at $13,000 per annum, remain a barrier for some families, McCullough said “We try to make it as affordable as possible We’re a not-for-profit, but we do need to cover our costs ”
McCullough said the school would like to reach a point where it no longer depends on community support, and he expressed hope that the school could one day transition to a charter school.
A dead end
“We’ve sort of hit a dead end,” he said. As previously reported by SunLive in May, the school applied in 2024 to become a charter school but was declined by the Charter School Authorisation Board.
In a letter to The Weekend Sun, in May, Charter School Authorisation Board chairperson
Justine Mahon clarified that a charter school can be established in two ways: either by a sponsor applying to develop a new school, or by a state or state-integrated school converting to charter status “UUnder the legislation, private schools can ’ t convert to a charter school ” This means an independent school, such as Matahui, would need to close before a sponsor could apply to open a new charter school
Tom Eley
With Matahui School’s immediate future secured,
principal Mary Woods said. Photo / Brydie Thompson
Call for entries for Junior Art Awards
Young Bay of Plenty artists are invited to unleash their imaginations for 2025’s Acorn Foundation Junior Art Awards, which is now open for entries.
Presented by Tauranga Art Gallery in collaboration with the Acorn Foundation, the biennial awards celebrate creativity in tamariki (children) aged four-14, with this year ’ s theme: ‘The Future Is… / Ko… te anamata’. “We’d love entries to come in from our wonderful young Bay of Plenty artists,” said Tauranga Art
Gallery experience manager Hannah Wynn. “The theme encourages tamariki to imagine the future in all its forms – technological, environmental, personal or even fantastical Imaginations can run wild.” Entry is free, with submissions open until Friday, August 15, via artgallery.org.nz/ acornaward
Public exhibition
Finalists will be featured in a public exhibition at Baycourt Community & Arts Centre (X Space) in Tauranga, from September 13-20. An official awards ceremony is on September 12.
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For many youth the competition offers a first opportunity to exhibit their work. That’s the case for first-time entrant Maggie Harlan, nine, from Whakamārama, and eight-year-old brother James.
Maggie’s mother, Stephanie Harlan, is an established mixed media artist and a member of the Tauranga Society of Artists.
She’s delighted to see her children follow in her creative footsteps.
12-14, with two winners from each category, plus a heap of special awards including People’s Choice of $100, which is voted on during the exhibition.
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Inspired by wildlife surrounding their farm cottage, Maggie’s piece features owls and piwakawaka (fantails) brought to life through expressive “mark makings” –creative textures and strokes layered into the background of her painting. “I like to draw nature and animals,” said Maggie. “My entry has three birds, lots of scribbles and mark makings.”
“It’s cool that they’re interested in the same things I am, and it’s something we can do together Art is meant to be shared around the world and I think it’s a way of communicating what words can ’ t say, ” Stephanie said Prizes
This year ’ s award pool includes age-specific prizes and special category awards. The four age groups are 4-5, 6-8, 9-11 and
Submissions must be made online via at artgallery.org.nz/ acornaward before August 15. Entries are open to all Bay of Plenty residents aged four-14. The awards will be held in X Space, Baycourt Community & Arts Centre.
Finalists will be notified by August 22. For full entry criteria and submission details, see: artgallery.org.nz/acornaward
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Maggie Harlan, nine, with her entry for the 2025 Acorn Foundation Junior Art Awards. Photo / Brydie Thompson
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Fashionistas walk the runway in upcycled outfits
Envirohub’s upcycled clothing challenge is back to divert clothing from the landfill and i i hi fi
turn it into something fit for a runway
The designs of 63 Bay of Plenty contestants will take to the runway at The Cargo Shed this Saturday, July 12, for Envirohub’s annual fashion show, Re:Stitched Runway
In previous years the fashion show has focused more on wearable art – but this time, project coordinator Hannah Cousar said: “We really want it [the show for designs] to be wearable day-to-day” This is to align with their focus on making more sustainable fashion choices”
Cousar believed the youngest contestant was about seven, and the oldest would be in their 70s The remodelled competition follows last year ’ s
format, where contestants were given 48 hours to turn five upcycled garments and one “challenge ”
garment into an outfit
This year contestants had been given a month to create their outfits since collecting five garments each on June 14 from the Envirohub office in Tauranga City Contestants were also given a “challenge garment ” which they must incorporate into their design.
Hi-vis twist
“This year we ’ ve made it a hi-vis shirt. This piece had been cut up into quarters and each entrant had to choose one of the quarters and they have to put it into their outfit some way, ” Cousar said.
The clothing was supplied by Turning Point Trust, which collect excess clothing from
overloaded op shops that may otherwise be taken to landfill and resell the items for affordable prices.
“They provide a space for people who are going through mental health and addiction issues and support them,” Cousar said
The clothing was set up like a ‘ popup shop’, for contestants to choose their pieces, Cousar said – with 102 5kg of clothing diverted from the landfill for the contest.
A line-up of Tauranga judges will pick winners based on the criteria of wearability, construction, creativity and sustainability The judges are zero-waste swimwear company,
Emroce founder Emma La Rocca from Pāpāmoa, Waste Wizards NZ founder and CEO Vincent Callister from Whakamārama, former model Jo Page; and DJ and avid second-hand shopper Jeffery Oakley from Te Puke. The show will be MC’d by Sarah Lancaster from Tauranga, the owner of Sew Love, teaching people how to sew upcycle clothing Cash prizes will be given in the open and high school categories with first place netting $250 and the runner-up receiving $100 Doors open 6pm Saturday, July 12, at The Cargo Shed with the show starting 6 30pm Tickets cost $10 each at: humanitix com/nz
The first Barket is set to be hosted in the Bay of Plenty – and dog-lovers are invited to gather in the Mount for the canine-product market hosted by eager business studies students.
More than 30 groups of Year 12-13 Mount Maunganui College students will launch their
businesses at the market, in conjunction with The Little Big Markets at Coronation Park on Saturday, July 19.
The dog market, or “Barket” as it has affectionately been called, was thought up by Mount Maunganui College business studies teacher Kent Fenneman to bring all students’ projects together
The students’ projects involved creating a business plan for a dog-related business to launch at the school’s new market, which teacher Angela Young said they hope to hold annually
Nothing like it
One of the 35 groups included students Corban Willson, Cooper Everett, Ollie Breed, Mac Ewing and Trent Easton, who created a product they call “Dogodorant Spray” – a scented mist to spray on canine to neutralise their smell
“I thought of the idea because I’ve never seen anything like it and there’s always that smell that comes off dogs,” said group member Corban Willson “I thought it would be nice to make a product that can neutralise that.”
The product, which will be sold at the Barket for $10 per bottle, comes in three scents – “Sleepy Pup” with lavender and chamomile, “Floral Blend” with lavender and frankincense, and “Woodland Fresh” with cedar wood and frankincense. “People can be assured that it’s natural,” said Willson “I did a lot of research ”
The group had promoted their business on social media, and engagement received had given them confidence going into the Barket
Th They will go to the market with a stock of 104 bottles, three of which will be used as testers
As part of their project, the group has to sell at two other markets with money earned covering manufacturing costs and expenses of the market stalls Whatever profit was left would go into the students’ savings accounts ready for university next year
Uni savings
“We want to try and get as many customers as we can and try to retain them across the markets,” said group member Cooper Everett “We don’t want them to just be a one-time purchase and
to help that we have made loyalty cards
If you buy three [bottles], you get one free If people buy one every market, by the third market they’ll essentially buy one get one free ”
The boys are all off to university next year to continue their business studies education in finance, marketing and commerce The Barket will be held in conjunction with The Little Big Markets on Saturday, July 19, from 9am-2pm at Coronation Park
Other groups have designed businesses such as “Pup-arazzi” dog clothing and crocs for dogs with jibbitz accessories
Ayla Yeoman
Mount Maunganui College students Corban Willson, 18, Cooper Everett, 18, Ollie Breed, 17, with dog Charlie and their product ‘Dogodorant Spray’ Photo / Brydie Thompson
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Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council is rolling out the red carpet to the community this month, with nominations now open for the upcoming Local Body Elections
BOPRC is seeking nominations to fill its 14 seats across the region – including its three Māori constituency seats
Acting chief executive Reuben Fraser said this is the opportunity for community members who have a passion for regional issues to take the stage
“Being a regional councillor is about making the decisions that help define the future for our community – decisions that help us direct and then deliver on the work in our plans and policies
“Our councillors are one of the vital links between the organisation and our community, so it’s important that the make-up of our council reflects our communities ” Nominations for the elections opened July 4 and will close August 1 at midday Voting papers will be sent out from September 9, with postal voting closing at midday October 11. Fraser said for anyone thinking about standing the best place to start is to watch a recording of the recent Candidates Information Webinar on the council website at: www boprc govt nz/elections This space has all information about the elections, including nomination forms.
The ‘sold-out’ sign has officially gone up for AVIS Magic’s upcoming ANZ Premiership home game in Tauranga against the Central Pulse, at Baypark Arena this Saturday, July 12.
The Tauranga fixture continues to be a highlight on the Magic calendar, with strong community support and a passionate home crowd, making it one of the most anticipated matches of the season, according to head coach Mary-Jane Araroa
The team always feels the love when they play in the Bay of Plenty, said Araroa
“We love playing in Tauranga – the support is incredible, and the energy in the stadium gives us a real lift This is where we
train during the week, so it feels like home To see the stands full again means a lot to the whole team ”
Fans are encouraged to arrive early, with doors opening 1 30pm with a fantastic curtain-raiser between the WBOP Men and the Pulse Men to begin 2pm There will be plenty of other activities to keep everyone busy before the main game centre pass at 4pm
As well as the Tauranga home fixture, AVIS Magic’s 2025 ANZ Premiership home games included four at Globox Arena in Hamilton On May 19 they lost to Southern Steel 41-69; May 25 they lost to Tactix 44-48; June 2 they won against Stars 72-51; and on June 21 lost the Hobbiton Cup game to Mystics 51-63
The Magic’s away games have been also full of intense excitement, losing to Pulse
57-44 in Palmerston North on May 10; beating Stars 71-54 in Auckland on June 9; losing to Mystics in Auckland 40-38 on June 16; and losing to Southern Steel 65-56 on June 28 in Invercargill AVIS Magic operations manager Janette Douglas said the response from Tauranga fans had been outstanding “Last season ’ s game in Tauranga was a sell-out, and to see it happen again this year, and this early, is really special,” Araroa said “We know how much this team means to the community here, and with support from the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund, we ’ re looking forward to putting on a great show for our final home game of the round robin matches ” This is Magic’s only Tauranga fixture and the last game of this season
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Avis Magic’s Saviour Tui and Stars player Kayla Johnson in action during the Stars versus Magic ANZ Premiership Netball match at the Pullman Arena in Auckland. Photo / Michael Bradley
Ruby was found living in a rubbish p pile with six young puppies Scared, h hungry and in need of help, Ruby’s a amazing personality has flourished
When she first arrived at the SPCA, R Ruby was fearful and protective of h her babies.
But after gentle encouragement, r regular meals and a cozy room, R Ruby began to trust people again
h her quirky personality
Th This amazing girl can ’ t get enough cuddles, and has everyone in stitches
veable Rub !
A classic terrier, she loves to talk and will let you know exactly what she’s thinking Ruby is also learning to be a puppy again, something she may have missed out on, so loves toys and anything with a squeaker!
Aged about two, Ruby is deeply yal and a bit stubborn She has the classic big terrier head and nose; and is equally nosey and head strong Ideally, she needs a home with an active family, previous experience with terrier breeds and a good handle on training, plus a fully secure, fenced section.
Ruby loves other dogs, and maybe okay with confident cats – speak with staff.
Phone Tauranga SPCA: 07 5780245 Ref: 638522
Coffee transforming
A coffee roastery in Tauriko is helping brew a better future for Fijian villages, one bean at a time, thanks to the passion of a Tauranga family
What began as a chance discovery of wild coffee plants growing in the Fijian highlands has transformed into a thriving social enterprise that’s reshaping lives and livelihoods across Fiji’s most remote communities.
Bula Coffee, founded in 2011 by New Zealander Luke Fryett, is now a beacon of sustainable development – one cup of coffee at a time.
38 villages, 1500 pickers
From humble beginnings, harvesting just 20kg in their first season, Bula Coffee now sources beans from 38 remote Fijian villages, supporting 1500 coffee pickers. The company is the first and only coffee producer in the country to proudly display both ‘Fijian Grown’ and ‘Fijian Made’ emblems on its products
The story began in a village tucked deep in Fiji’s interior, where Fryett noticed coffee growing wild and largely unused
“It was just falling off the bush and rotting on the ground,” said his mother, Colleen Fryett “Luke saw the potential and promised to build a way for the villagers to earn from it.”
With no prior knowledge of the coffee industry and operating on a shoestring budget, Fryett said they began roasting coffee on the floor of a village
house using a microwave-sized roaster
Today, Bula Coffee operates a full processing plant on Fiji’s Coral Coast and offers Crop to Cup guided tours from its Sigatoka headquarters. These immersive experiences walk visitors through the coffee journey while telling the powerful story behind each bean
Social impact, sustainability
At the heart of Bula Coffee’s mission is a deep commitment to social impact and sustainability
The enterprise operates on a direct-trade model, purchasing beans straight from the villagers who pick them – many of whom are women
“We pay the women directly,” Fryett said “That way, the income goes to those doing the work, rather than being filtered through traditional village structures where women may miss out.
“Luke’s even helped many open their first bank accounts. ”
Before the pandemic, more than 5000 women were involved in picking coffee. Although numbers dipped during Covid-19 due to the collapse of the tourism industry, the enterprise is rebounding – boosted by local and international interest.
Rugged and raw
In some villages, Bula Coffee has become a lifeline. After a cyclone devastated crops and wiped out incomes, the village received $32,000 in payments from Bula Coffee for their harvest – income that would have otherwise never
Bula Café barista Hope Stewart Photo / David Hall
Fijian communities
materialised. The work is often rugged and raw Beans are hand-picked in the highlands, sun-dried, and carried down to villages by foot or horseback.
From there, they’re processed locally and roasted in Fiji and now, also at the company ’ s new roasting facility in Tauriko
The Tauriko roastery and Bula Café serve as a springboard for expanding the brand’s footprint in New Zealand and Australia. While the café offers food and coffee, the primary focus is scaling roasting operations and supporting sales that flow directly back to Fiji. “The café
helps us drive awareness and online sales,” said Fryett.
“Every extra kilo we sell here increases the amount of coffee we can buy from the villages –and that income means women don’t have to leave their children behind to work in the tourism sector for months at a time.”
The Fryett family’s vision is holistic – combining environmental preservation, women ’ s empowerment, and economic development.
Uplift communities
With support of grants, Bula Coffee is now helping villages
move from wild harvesting to establishing managed plantations using locally grown seedlings Luke, now a Fijian citizen, splits his time between fieldwork and international trade, including showcasing Bula Coffee at global expos Though still small-scale by global standards, Bula Coffee’s impact is outsized, said Fryett, with their model creating a premium product that proves an ethical, locally-rooted business can uplift communities without sacrificing quality or growth
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
RRR has four gorgeous eight-week-old SharpeiMastiff-cross puppies that will be available for adoption very soon
The two females and two males are fun and cuddly pups, and their personalities are just starting to shine
Named after Tanuki anime characters, Ponki, Kuku, Boonta and Poko were taken in because their owners couldn’t cope and their mother dog was in a very bad state Now these wrinkly bundles
Luke Fryett during a Crop to Cup Coffee Tour, walking the visitors through the harvesting and production of coffee beans. Photo / Supplied.
A Fijian villager bringing coffee beans by horseback to the Bula Coffee processing centre in Sigatoka. Photo / Supplied.
Harmony in the heart of Tauranga
Billed as New Zealand’s “finest family band”, The Harmonic Resonators will bring their signature sound of soaring yodels, lush harmonies and heartfelt waiata to Tauranga on July 26 – and the whole community is invited, for free
The concert is one of several events planned to mark a major milestone – 150 years since the founding of Holy Trinity Tauranga at 215 Devonport Rd – the city’s
first church and a cornerstone of Christian life in the region.
Pre-registration
Tickets are free, but preregistration is required as tickets are being quickly snapped up
The Harmonic Resonators have struck a unique chord with New Zealanders Blending classic country music with waiata Māori (Māori songs), their music is more than entertainment – it’s a celebration of whakapapa (genealogy), community, and culture.
“We’ve been singing harmonies together since forever,” band member Jeremy Hantler said In 2023, Hantler moved to Tauranga to be closer to whānau and helped reignite the family band
“Some parts of our shows are a bit rough-and-ready, after-party, others ring like greenstone –but all of it is just a blast to be a part of ”
The band’s members – a mix of parents, aunties, uncles, cousins and lifelong friends – not only perform together but also travel as a unit, often with partners and pēpi (babies) in tow
The Resonators are known for their passionate embrace of te reo Māori in their performances – a reflection of their own journeys of reconnection with whakapapa and te ao Māori
“Incorporating te reo Māori into our music is our way to share our stories and connect with others on a similar path,” Hantler said.
With roots in both Pare Hauraki and Te Waipounamu, the band is reclaiming and celebrating their heritage one waiata at a time.
Holy Trinity turns 150
Established in 1875, Holy Trinity Tauranga was built to serve the growing settler population, but its roots go deeper – back to the arrival of
Christian missionary Alfred Brown in 1838 and the establishment of the Te Papa Mission Station From these beginnings, the church grew into a hub of worship, outreach and reconciliation in Tauranga Moana
In recent decades, Holy Trinity has become known for its vibrant community, charismatic worship and commitment to unity and healing As the first church in the region, it has carried a responsibility to honour its past
while continuing to serve the city faithfully
Culture and joy
The free community concert from 7pm Saturday, July 26, at Holy Trinity Tauranga, 215 Devonport Rd, will feature singalong classics, waiata with rich harmonies, hilarious banter and powerful stories of connection, culture and joy
Those interested must preregister for free tickets at: www holytrinitytauranga com
Crawford
Rosalie Liddle
The Harmonic Resonators will perform at a free concert at Holy Trinity Tauranga on July 26, 2025. Photo / Supplied
we specialise in skin cancer
We see firsthand the toll sun exposure can take especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors The cooler months are an ideal time to check and address any skin concerns
If you notice a mole changing in size, shape, or colour or a spot that doesn’t heal or starts to bleed call to book an appointment with one of our experienced and friendly plastic surgeons
They offer straightforward, expert care from diagnosis through to treatment, with a focus on achieving the best possible outcome If you’ve spent years in the sun, it’s worth considering a regular skin check even if you don’t have any current concerns
Book your skin check with us this Winter. You’ll be in safe, skilled hands every step of the way.
People wanting to find a different way to fundraise are being invited to talk to the team at the White House Restaurant in Te Puna Village
Situated up on the hill behind Farmlands and opposite Te Puna Vets, White House Restaurant has a menu that caters to all ages. The restaurant is extremely popular with both locals and visitors, serving soul food six days/nights per week.
or helping a meaningful charity, like an animal rescue or hospice.
“We already have a jazz and dinner fundraisers for Waipuna Hospice Addline Transport sponsor our Wild Food dinner raising funds for BOP Rural Support Te Puna Old Boys’ rugby team and Te Puna School All these events are fun evenings ”
Owners Jo O’Keeffe and Penny Oxnam and their team want guests to relaxed warm ing served by dly staff, all while aising money for either your favourite sports teams, school, hobby clubs
w dine in a r surroundi friend
People also have a chance to win a night away at a local B&B and dinner for two at White House Restaurant Contact Penny at W House Restaurant, Te Puna, to make an enquiry and find out more about how this can be done or see their advert on this page for more information.
Elevated Care in Your Later Years.
Te Manaaki Care Centre allows Pacific Coast Village to offer a comprehensive range of care – from independent living, serviced apartments to residential aged care Te Manaaki is a continuation of this considered design, crafted to provide residents with luxury living as well as elevated care and with it an added sense of security in their later years The Care Centre offers rest home, hospital level and dementia care.
Telephone 07 572 3029 | pacificcoastvillage.co.nz
The White House co-owner Penny Oxnam. Photo / Brydie Thompson
True love on the Daintree
We were on our honeymoon in North Queensland, delayed by five years because of Covid-19, when we witnessed true love And it didn’t come from a likely place or species
But here we were, on the Daintree River, observing something quite spectacular, according to Jed, our tour guide Lying on the riverbank, we met Scarface – an 82-year-old, 5m male saltwater crocodile
As Scarface sat in the murky brown, with river lapping at his giant torso, I couldn’t quite see the romance in his eyes But Jed told his boat full of tourists that the devil is in the detail
You see, most male crocs are highly territorial Dominant males establish and defend territories, often between 7 and 12 square kilometres in size, aggressively excluding subordinate males
So to start with, being 82 and with no teeth left, Scarface was doing exceptionally well defending his piece of turf against younger, more physically fit crocs. Not only that, crocs are polygamous and mate with multiple females Scarface, Jed told us, had seven sheilas up his 7km stretch of the river
The first we met was Sandy –named d affter the l lighht h hue of f her scales Very still, she kept one eye on us the whole time.
Another of Scarface’s ladies we met was Scooter, named so after losing a few spikes from her tail in a skirmish Scooter didn’t stick around long enough to tell us what she thought of her beau
Dusty-Rose...
Then we met her The lady that had stolen Scarface’s heart. Dusty-Rose was about 3.5m in length, with not a scale out of place.
We sidled up alongside her, enjoying the luscious green of the river’s trees, the beautiful browns of the mangroves, the squawking of wildlife, the ebbing and flowing of water
She was spectacular, I admit. But I still couldn’t see the X factor Being a male croc, Scarface always visited his ladies
during the breeding season, said Jed d B But then, out of f breedding season, he’d only be spotted sunbathing with Dusty-Rose But the tell-tale sign of love was simple When Scarface sunbathed with a lady, he’d never “ move over ” for a beauty to take in more of the sun
“But I’ve seen Scarface move over for Dusty-Rose more than once, ” Jed said “Must be true love?” I suggested “It must be,” agreed Jed, who said naming the crocs had been purely organic until now His grandson was among Daintree River School’s roll of 11 Yes, you read right “They’re having a competition to come up with a name for our next croc ” This time it’s most likely to be a two-year-old male, who, against nearly all odds, has made it from hatchling to juvenile along the Daintree
* TheTotal Daintree Experience tour is run by Daintree DiscoveryTours
Take a side trip this summer
Driftwood Eco Tours are offering to take people somewhere unique, where they’ll feel like one of the locals
With more than 20 years of building relationships with locals, a journey with Driftwood Eco Tours feels like you ’ re reconnecting with old friends living in fantastic places. Co-owner and guide Julian Tovey once worked for a gold buyer in the Yukon This experience helped him develop a bond with two classic Kiwi characters who are working a gold claim on New Zealand’s wild West Coast. “You’ll get a r rare chance for an up-close view into a small gold mining operation, then share stories over dinner at the nearby historic pub,” said Tovey Fellow co-owner Maree Carson said connections were everything on their journeys
“Travelling in small groups of six-eight guests means there’s ample opportunity to develop friendships with locals and travellers alike, without being overwhelmed ”
At the northernmost tip of D’Urville Island, rugged coastlines and farmland jut out into Cook Strait. It’s a difficult place to reach, but with a comfortable boat and 4WD transport taken care of, you can relax and enjoy the hospitality of Patuki Station, explore the inlets and cliffs or try your hand at catching a fish for dinner Whether it’s Blue Cod, high country lamb or a red from a boutique winery, these tours always seek out delicacies prepared by the locals
This summer, why not enjoy a different kind of journey with Driftwood Eco Tours? For more information, see Driftwood Eco Tours’ advert on this page
Enjoying a cuppa in the remote high country on a Driftwood Eco Tour. Photo / Supplied
Merle Cave
A shy Scarface nestled along the Daintree Riverbank. Photo / Merle Cave
Nifty way to ID plants
Have you ever found yourself wanting to know a plant’s name or species? If you own a newer-model iPhone, this is now super easy to find out!
The Apple iPhone has a built-in plant identification feature called Visual Look Up, which can identify plants and other objects in photos. This feature is available on iPhones running iOS 15 or later
To use it, open the Camera app and point it at the plant. A small white info icon might appear over the plant in the viewfinder. Tap on it if it does. If the above method doesn’t work, open the photo in your Photos app, tap the Info button, and then tap ‘Look Up’.
If the feature recognises the plant, it will provide informatioon about it Voila!
BOP produces some ‘bl**dy big’ kūmara
Life’s full of surprises – but none quite as sweet as the giant kūmara unearthed at Carmel Country Estate Retirement Village in Ohauiti by Ted Schischka
“I put the spade in the garden and there was the bl**dy big th ground,” Schischka said After digging up, he took The Fresh Market in Gate weigh it Schischka usually grows cauliflower and broccoli, b decided to give kūmara a g after a friend dropped off some slips last December Beyond planting them, he left them to their own devices
“We didn’t know anything about kūmara, so we just let them do their own thing ” The crop produced only a few kumara Later, Schischka planted
potatoes over the same plot, and covered them with frost cloth for winter
On June 26, while clearing out the garden, he got more than expected
“We got some little ones [kūmara], then we started a few ones, and hat massive ara We got a nice feed out t ”
growth and decided to dig them up
“I started digging, and had to dig even more – then it came loose like a giant h ”
The 2 96kg kūmara was discovered in a small garden bed measuring just two metres by 1 2 metres
“It is in perfect condition,” Gargan said
Not far away in Te Puna, Maurice Gargan had a similar surprise waiting in his soil – a 2 96kg kūmara he never even planted
“I did not put any kūmara in, but there must have been a few wild ones left over, ” Gargan said
After returning from a trip to the South Island, Gargan noticed unexpected kūmara
With the giant kūmara still intact, the yield from just three or four plants netted Gargan 22kg of food
Two backyard giants, two different gardens, but both gardeners have one common plan in mind: to use their giant kūmara for fries
The largest kūmara in both the Bay of Plenty and Aotearoa weighs 4 6kg and belongs to Ōtūmoetai man Jeremy Thompson, as reported by The Weekend Sun in 2020 Meanwhile, the world record for the largest sweet potato is 37kg, discovered by Manuel Pérez Pérez in Güime, Spain, on March 8, 2004, according to Guinness World Records
Envirohub Bay of Plenty’s Hans Dirkse is heading to Katikati next month to host a Bird Feeder workshop.
Grow On Katikati will host the workshop at their shed behind Katikati Community Centre, on Beach Rd, from 11am-1pm August 16 Those interested will be able to build their own bird feeders, which
look after wildlife in their backyards
The workshop is suitable for families but there will be use of hand and power tools The workshop costs $20 Book online at: humanitix.com/nz/events/newzealand
Tom Eley
Te Puna man Maurice Gargan had a surprise waiting in his soil –
kūmara he never even planted. Photos / Brydie Thompson
Ted Schischka with his 2.68kg beauty. Photo / Supplied.
Maurice Gargan’s 2.96kg kūmara.
A world-class spectacle in town!
Get ready, Tauranga – the circus is coming to town!
From July 18 to August 10, the iconic Weber Bros Circus will take centre stage at Mercury Baypark, bringing with it a brandnew show direct from its international tour
The Weber name is a household favourite across New Zealand, and for good reason For generations, this family-run spectacle has delivered unforgettable performances that blend tradition, innovation, and jaw-dropping talent Now, they’re back with their most thrilling show yet, said organisers in a statement “This all-new production promises something for everyone – from daring stunts that will leave you breathless, to breathtaking aerial artistry, laugh-out-loud comedy, and acts from every corner of the globe. It’s a heart-pounding, awe-inspiring celebration of live entertainment that captures the magic of the circus like never before.
Live performances!
“In an age of screens and digital distractions, Weber Bros Circus brings back the wonder of live performance – where kids are wide-eyed with amazement and adults are transported back to the magic of their own childhoods ”
Whether it’s your first circus or your 15th, this is a show you won ’ t want to miss. Gather the whole family, invite friends, and witness the world-class talent, dazzling costumes, and thrilling energy that only Weber Bros Circus can deliver
Tauranga, the circus has arrived Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic – live under the Big Top!
Win!
The Weekend Sun has two double passes to giveaway to
show to give away to two lucky readers who can tell us where the Weber Bros Circus will be held in Tauranga? To enter, visit: www sunlive co nz and click on the ‘competitions’ tab. Entries must be in by Tuesday, July 15
The blues comes to town
Festivals are tricky; Tauranga’s jazz one is well-established, but Rotorua has struggled with the blues
Having hosted two splendid Blues & BBQ events in 2022 and 2023, there was surprise when Rotorua’s festival organisers pulled the plug last year Could that be the end?
Well, no It’s just been a hard time for festivals, especially those featuring international acts while the New Zealand dollar is still tanking. But rejoice! It’s back with a fantastic line-up, last weekend in November
Fortuitously, one of the headline acts are touring New Zealand to support their new album, calling
in at the Mount’s Tōtara Street next weekend, on July 19; and Rotorua’s Citizens Club on July 17.
I’m talking about Australian band 19-Twenty, a high energy trio who really blew away the Rotorua fest when I saw them
As is often the way at blues bashes, hard-liners argued over whether “they’re really blues”, but everyone agreed they were absolutely sensational The album is ‘Call It What You Want’
Music fusion
The band themselves describe the music as “ a fusion of blues, roots, rock, and a touch of folk” I completely agree But the overarching thing is those two words I mentioned earlier: “high energy ” . They’ve got a great singer and a serious guitarist and the rhythm section drives with a passion, but they also have a whole bunch of fun on stage which is infectious
I’m not alone thinking this They were People’s Choice Award winners at the Blues At Bridgetown Festival two years in a row and after this year ’ s Byron Bay Bluesfest were voted sixthmost-popular live act, behind Crowded House and just before Gary Clark jnr Not bad
The band also have a groovy new single out ‘Life Is Good’ – a collaboration with American singer Aloe Blacc, born out of a chance meeting during lockdown It’s a stomping blues rock anthem and gives a good idea of the band’s energy levels
At Tōtara Street, they’ll be supported by five-
piece all-woman band Piece of Cake and d a l local l duo comprising Rehhaab b singer Roy Baker and 18-year-old Waikato guitarist Sean Lurman, who won an astounding four gold medals at the World Champion of Performing Arts competition in Los Angeles.
Blues day
Should you require further blues fixes, International Blues Music Day – first Saturday in August – sees local favourites Kokomo playing two celebratory shows along with bluesman Mike Garner and sensational singer Joanne Melbourne: Friday, August 1 at Katikati’s Arts Junction; and Saturday, August 2, at The Jam Factory In other blues news, recent visitors BB & The Bullets have a new single
Do you want to sing with a choir, and like the idea of daytime rehearsals?
A new choir is starting in Mount Maunganui this month – and it’s open to all ages and anyone who wants to sing with others. There’s an open day on Wednesday, July 16 at 1 30pm in the hall at St Andrews’ Church in Dee Street, and everyone is welcome SoundSwell Days is an offshoot of SoundSwell Community Choir, which meets Monday nights The new choir will provide an outlet for people who enjoy singing, but prefer to get together during the day, said music director Catherine Graham
out, a take on the Beatles I ‘Want You (She’s So Heavy)’ Their previous single ‘High Tide’ just hit number seven in Australia’s Top 50 Song Chart Plus, 19-Twenty, Kokomo, and Mike and Joanne will be at the Rotorua Blues & BBQ Festival, along with Human Instinct, Texan guitarist Elija Zane, The DeSotos, Sonorous, Recliner Rockers, Dave Tewi Teka Band, The Kaos Blues Revue, Flaming Mudcats, Tina Turley, Jolly, Karen Clark, and whole pile more Maybe save that weekend
She’s keen to develop choirs for all sorts of groups to enjoy “Singing is brilliant for your mental wellbeing, as well as your physical health ” Graham said singing in a choir can enhance your mood and boost your immune system while reducing blood pressure and chronic pain “Some GPs prescribe singing for a range of conditions Singing in a group releases ‘happy hormones’, such as dopamine and endorphins, to give you a true natural high ”
A choir also provides connection for people of all ages, Graham said She is keen to get people together to sing, get to know each other and eventually perhaps perform She’s especially keen for men to take up the invitation to join in Choir practices will be weekly at St Andrews’ hall Find out more on the SoundSwell Days Choir Facebook page
Chorus enhances outage map tool
Chorus has launched a series of upgrades to its Internet Outage Map, delivering a clearer, more informative experience for users across New Zealand.
“We understand how integral reliable internet access has become to our modern lives and how disruptive outages can be, whether you ’ re working from home, streaming your favourite TV show or live sport, or staying connected with loved ones, ” said Chorus access general manager Dan Kelly “So, on the rare occasion there is an outage, we also know how important it is to customers to know we ’ re aware of the fault and are working to fix it. Ensuring everyone can rely on their internet connections is our top priority”
Improvements
Key improvements include the following.
Smarter visuals: “We’ve improved the way network outages display to more accurately reflect affected areas. This provides a clearer and more precise view of outage zones and scale of the impact, helping users quickly determine if their location is impacted”.
Clearer updates: Users now have access to more detailed information when selecting a specific outage. This includes real-time status updates, the nature of the issue, actions being taken, the estimated time and date for service restoration. Incident numbers are now publicly displayed, allowing users to reference specific outages when seeking support from Chorus or their retail service provider
Improved navigation: The updated map now more closely aligns with the familiar look and feel of popular platforms like Google Maps, offering intuitive zooming, panning, and map interactions. They’ve also introduced location tracking, making it easier for users to quickly pinpoint their area and assess any service impacts nearby
30,000 views
The outage map typically received about 30,000 views a month, but this could increase dramatically during significant disruptions
“During Cyclone Gabrielle, the outage map saw a sharp increase in usage, with 43,583 views in just one week [February 11-18, 2023].
“This highlights how critical the tool is for keeping people informed and reassured during
unexpected disruptions, whether caused by severe weather, technical faults, or other major events, ” said Kelly
“The surge in activity also provided an opportunity for Chorus to look at some of the challenges people experienced using the map. We spoke with users, listened to their experiences and looked at what we could do to improve.”
The changes were the latest in a series of upgrades made as a result. “By providing more detailed outage information and clearer visuals, we ’ re helping customers feel more in control and better supported during service disruptions.”
While the outage map improvements apply to all users, outages are significantly more common on copper networks than on fibre. As more homes and businesses transition to fibre, the overall number and severity of outages is steadily declining, Kelly said
A real difference
“The shift to fibre is making a real difference in network reliability We’re seeing fewer faults and faster recovery times, which means fewer disruptions for customers ”
The updated outage map is live and available at: chorus.co.nz/help/tools/internet-outages-map
Do you know of someone who you think should be honoured for their outstanding impact and contribution to our country?
Nominations for 2026’s Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards (Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa) open later this month and can be made in one or more of the seven awards by any member of the public aged 15-plus
Individual categories include Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year (Te Pou Whakarae o
Aotearoa); Young New Zealander of the Year (Te Mātātahi o te Tau); Senior New Zealander of the Year (Te Mātapuputu o te Tau); Local Hero of the Year (Te Pou Toko o te Tau); New Zealand Innovator of the Year Te Pou Whakairo o te Tau); and New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year (Te Toa Taiao o te Tau)
For duos or groups, there’s a New Zealand Community of the Year (Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau) Nominations for the awards open July 24 and close August 24 at: nzawards org nz
Churches Active In Our Community
When you reach rock-bottom...
Psalm 68:19 says: “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens”
This verse tells us at least two things about who God is, which is the basis for our praising and worshipping God
First, God is a saving God He is a rescuing God He is “ our Saviour” God When we mucked up in the beginning – through our forefather Adam and his wife Eve, in the garden of Eden – God immediately announced, and put into action, His great rescue plan This was to one day send a Saviour to deliver us from the curse of sin (see Genesis 3:15) Psalm 68:20 says “Our God is a God who saves ” Secondly, God’s character is personal He “daily bears our burdens” This means there is never one moment when God fails His people, is not aware of their needs, or fails to help them flee or be delivered from daily trials, hardships, or temptations
All this is real and true because of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, who was raised from the
dead Jesus is now at the right-hand of the Father in heaven, where He intercedes and prays for us (see Hebrews 7:25; also, Romans 8:26-27) In this way, God Himself daily bears our burdens In Psalm 72:12 we read: “For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help”
Dear reader, when you reach rock-bottom and feel like no one cares or you have no one to help you – the scriptures urge us to look to God and draw near to Him in faith For He is a Saving God, and in drawing near to Him, He bears our daily burdens and hears every cry of prayer unto Him
100th Anniversary Celebration of the Tauranga Seventh-day Adventist Church October 24-26, 2025
25 Moffat Road, Bethlehem, Tauranga Interested persons are invited to join us for this special weekend event. See the church website for registration details tauranga.adventist.org.nz
Richard Roodt, Redeemer Church, Tauranga
Comparisons of the Chorus map tool before and after the upgrades.
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