It’ll probably make grown-ups, adults, seniors, all sentimental, even melancholy Younger people will be bemused, bewildered and probably disbelieving. It’s a display called ‘Power to the People’ and it showcases more than 40 relics and artefacts from the Western Bay Museum’s trove of treasures which illustrate the evolution of electricity in the region. How hydroelectricity impacted our lives. And it celebrates the man – a brainy handsome man by all accounts – who electrified the Bay of Plenty How we curled our hair before electricity, the machine that replaced Taniwha Soap and elbow grease for washing clothes as museum volunteer Jenny Gawith demonstrates, plus how we kept our feet warm, the typewriter metronome,
Brydie
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Bashed with a bacon hock
“They’re going to have to rein the horses –before they stampede in the aisles ”
My mate ‘Bloke’ was talking about 5% discount day at the supermarket for we SuperGold Card (SGC) toting olds. Every Tuesday 5% Spend $100, save $5 – whhoopee!
“On Monday my y neighbour with the pixie cut and bright red Lunnar Park lips is inviting me in for a cinnamon creeam oyster and cuppa. Come SGC Tuesdaay those lips have narrowed and d hardened
she’s a tearaway, looking for a fight, , or a saving, or both h down the biscuits, cookies and crackeers aisle at the supermarket ” Bloke reckons we e old folk “ turn feral at the w whiff of a buck to be saved”.
That’s we senior c citizens he’s bagging – the mothers and fatherrs of the nation Those who have helped forge this fine natiion.
“You have to tell my story on Page 2. Warn people!” Forever the exaggerator is Bloke. However his story from the trenches of cheap Tuesday is a colorful one.
Almost clobbered
It started with a skirmish over a bacon hock at
the front door of the supermarket. Some poor porker had sacrificed a lower limb and now an old biddy was brandishing it at Bloke She resented paying $9 73 for the smoked lower limb, when a couple of years ago it cost just $2 or $3 yadda y yadda A And it was Bloke’s s fault “So I suggested she put it back and she almost clobbered me w with it ” Oh, the humiliation of being K KO’d by a superannuitant with a bacon hock
“I was going to ask what you do with a bacon hock b but the trolley traffic behhind us was getting grumpy and impatient I blame Winston –it’s his fault ”
Well, the SGC is his baby – a proviso of the confidence and supply agreement between Winnie and Helen in 2005 But we can ’ t blame Winston for the behaviour. “Yes we can!”
Bloke had inadvertently stumbled in on a live, unconstrained SGC Tuesday at the local supermarket “I needed some fresh fish ” Which begs the question, would you buy any other sort of fish Bloke? Slightly-off fish, manky fish, fetid fish?
Bad etiqquette
Bloke is n not a kosher card-carrying superannuitant – not yet, he’s a precocious s 61-year-old
But the supermarket experience reminded h him of the dodgems “Crazy No o rules They just want to bash eacch other” He reckons SGCers haave weaponised shopping t trolleys and will want bull bars next “Trolleys e every which way y –bargains to the right of them, savings to the left of them – into the jaws of deaath Into the mouth of h hell, rode the superannuitants ”
Apologies to Alfred Lord Tennyson “The sound of tortured metal as trolleys and attitudes collide Crash, clunk There will be skin off shins soon Where has the love and niceness gone ” People park willy-nilly to chat, or to figure the best, cheapest brand of whatever “And if you dare ‘ excuse me please?’ them, it’s like a declaration of war! There’s glowering and glaring because suddenly their bad aisle etiquette is my fault ” He reckons the graces we subscribe to every other day fly out the window on SGC Tuesday “Why does a 5% saving bring out the worst?” I don’t know Didn’t know it did “Have you not had a shopping trolley laden to the gunnels with pantry staples and ready-to-eat- meals rammed into your calves from behind?”
Hang on! There’s a traffic snarl of Hewletts Rd proportions down aisle seven – household essentials, cleansers, laundry powders, detergents, toilet paper Five shoppers have inadvertently created a blockade with their carts –they’re yapping and no-one ’ s going anywhere.
Almost clobbered
Add to the hullabaloo, Maisey lobbing questions to hubby Bert who’s stuck on the other side of the muddle. “You want some whole wheat chocolate biscuits d dear?” W We need a cop and road cones “ Pu t on your ‘pointless’ hi-viz vest Winston and come restore order,” demands Bloke Winston’s got
bigger fish Bloke – like educating the people of Aotearoa who insist calling Aotearoa Aotearoa when the name Aotearoa doesn’t have official standing, even among the first people of Aotearoa A frazzled Bloke said he saw “loads of seniors being trucked in” to the supermarket – but he’s given to hyperbole. What he saw were ‘peoplemovers ’ from local retirement homes or rest homes shuttling we oldies to the supermarket, keeping us independent, active, stimulated
Protocols
Bloke suggests some SGC Tuesday supermarket protocols
• One-way traffic – trolleys up one aisle, down the next
• No stopping, no passing
• Motorway on-ramp traffic lights regulating trolley flow, crucial to an orderly shop
• Calling out inconsiderate trolley parking
• Compulsory shopping lists to reduce dilly-dallying
• Travelators, or horizontal escalators Climb on, cruise, buuy, then spat out at the checkout
• Backing alarms a and indicators on trolleys
• Refreshher courses on smiling and politeness for rude, aggressive customers
• Charm m rewards – incentives for compleeting a tidy, timely shop without injuring, insulting or arguing TWS A bit of w whimsy you think? Well, I know someone who goes to the supermarket on a Tuesday in their luncchbreak to watch the circus “For the s#*ts and giggles because it really is like that ”
Protestters oppose Te Puna industrial park plan
About 30 Te Puna locals gathered to protest the Te Puna industrial park on Wednesday morning. Photo / Alisha Evans
“Wrong business, wrong place.”
That was the catchcry of a roadside protest opposing an industrial park in a rural Western Bay of Plenty community
Wednesday morning
About 30 people gathered on the corner of State Highway 2 and Te Puna Rd at rush hour to raise awareness around the Te Puna Business Park development
Resource consents were granted for the industrial park by an independent commission in July
Te Puna Industrial Ltd bought 12ha of industrial-zoned land at 297 Te Puna Station Rd for $4.7 million in 2021 and applied for consents from the Western Bay of Plenty District and Bay of Plenty Regional councils in 2022
Plans for the site included refrigeration, engineering and workshop activities including container washing. Te Puna Industrial Ltd is half-owned by shipping container company ContainerCo, which would hold a “small supply” of up to 300 containers at the site.
Te Puna Industrial Ltd denied it would be a “container terminal”, as protest signs claimed.
Local residents have been rallying against the development since 2021, as they say the culturally significant, flood-prone wetland is the wrong place for the operation.
Protest organiser Brooke Mullooly said the wider community needed to know the project had been consented. “We as a community actually need to stand up and show
that we don’t want it here.”
Mullooly and others were worried about the safety of children, pedestrians and cyclists using Te Puna Rd with increased traffic from trucks accessing the site
She feared the road wouldn’t cope with extra traffic. More protests were planned for August 21 & 26
Armstrong Rd residents Doug and Leslie Kirk also held traffic and safety concerns.
Doug wasn ’ t against a container terminal but believed the proposed site was the wrong place. The development would have no benefit to the community, Doug said.
Pirirakau kaumātua Neville Bidois said the land in the Te Hakao valley where the development will be was a wetland where his people gathered food, materials for
clothing and stored their taonga. The Pukewhanake Pā at the headland was occupied by Pirirakau and a meeting place for iwi, he said. The area was wāhi tapu (sacred) and a lot of archaeological sites existed, Bidois said.
ContainerCo managing director Ken Harris previously told LDR the business planned to build “ very low-intensity, specialised businesses” at Te Puna Business Park. They’d also establish community and mana whenua liaison groups. “This is a facility that will fit into the community and be good for the region ”
Te Puna Industrial Ltd had no
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intention of building a container terminal or a container park of any scale, he said. The traffic plans were “carefully considered” by experts and if people were concerned, they could call the company, he said. Once fully developed, the site would generate 774 vehicle movements per day, with a peak of 125 vehicles an hour, according to the commission’s decision report. LDR tried to reach Harris for more comment. – LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
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C Curtain bank reopens
After a winter hiatus, Tauranga Curtain Bank is operating in a new location at Pāpāmoa.
Run by the Red Cross Tauranga Branch, the service recently relocated to a new space in Pāpāmoa, where it would continue providing warm curtains to vulnerable households across the Western Bay of Plenty
The curtain bank was formerly situated at the Hillier Centre in Mount Maunganui, which wound up earlier this year after the property was sold.
New Zealand Red Cross Tauranga branch president Rick Hopcroft told The Weekend Sun the bank’s team of volunteers were really pleased with the new location.
“The curtain bank has some specific space requirements,” said Hopcroft “It needs to be large enough for shelving to store lots of bulky curtains and have adequate floor space for tables where our volunteers work on large pieces of curtain fabric This new location meets those needs.”
Curtains play a key role in home insulation, especially for those who struggle with heating costs in winter, Hopcroft said. “Installing good curtains is one of the simplest ways to make a home warmer This helps people maintain their health and wellbeing and keep winter energy costs down.”
Tauranga Curtain Bank operates on a referral basis, working with community partners such as Sustainability Options, Tauranga Community Housing
Trust and Ngā Kakano Foundation, to identify those most in need. Individuals with Community Services Cards can also enquire directly via email.
Hopcroft said for many families, investing in quality curtains isn’t always possible
“Our curtain bank helps individuals and families who might struggle to purchase warm curtains,” he said
Between July 2024 and June 2025, the curtain bank worked on more than 2000 curtains, all thanks to a small but dedicated team of Red Cross volunteers
“They receive and carefully check donated curtains to make sure they are suitable for reuse They then mend, re-line or upcycle these curtains as needed, and pack and supply these to households ”
Donations of clean, mould-free curtains – especially thermal-lined or quality unlined ones – are welcome However, the bank cannot accept roman blinds, net curtains, or curtain tracks, Hopcroft said Donated curtains can be dropped off at Red Cross WBOP Service Centre at 245 Chadwick Rd; the Greerton Red Cross Shop, or the Mount Maunganui Red Cross Shop People can also email: midland area@ redcross org nz or call 0800 RED CROSS (0800 733 27677) The service is always looking for more volunteers, said Hopcroft Those interested can apply through the Red Cross website at: www redcross org nz/volunteer Volunteers meet Mondays to work on curtain transformations.
Toxic shellfish found in Bay of Plenty, warning issued
New Zealand Food Safety has issued a public health warning advising people not to collect or eat shellfish gathered from the coast between Mount Maunganui and Whakatāne
The warning comes after unsafe levels of a deadly biotoxin were found in Bay of Plenty shellfish Agency deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said: “Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick”
Mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, pūpū (cat’s eyes) and Cook’s turban were all affected Arbuckle
not remove the toxin
Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut was completely removed before cooking as toxins accumulate in the gut Finfish were not included in the warning, but people were advised to gut the fish and discard the liver before cooking The warning only applied to recreationally collected shellfish
Arbuckle said the toxin was linked to an algal bloom that was spreading in the region
ll buckle said cooking would publ th Anyone w e 1
He said NZFS was monitoring the bloom and shellfish in the region and would notify f the public if the situation changed who became ill after ating shellfish should phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately
Dot Hodgson, Veronica Shuttleworth, Ann Letheren, Linda Waterman and Friederike V Bultzingslowen are volunteers at Tauranga Curtain Bank. Photo / Brydie Thompson
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Re ealing Classic Fl ers ’
After 30 years in the French Navy and more than 10,000 flying hours, retired Commander Yann ‘Fluo’ Lehe has traded supersonic jets for a quieter life in NZ, volunteering at the Classic Flyers Museum From carrier decks to Kiwi skies, Lehe’s journey has been anything but ordinary
A seasoned fleet air arm pilot, his aviation career began in 1975 when he joined the French Navy as part of his compulsory military service. He would go on to become one of the elites – flying combat missions from aircraft carriers around the globe, training on nuclear-capable jets, and even liaising with US forces during Operation Enduring
Freedom. But his path to the cockpit wasn ’ t exactly direct. “I tried to become a doctor to please my mum because she said the best job in the world is to be a doctor,” Lehe said “I said: ‘Yes mum, ’ and tried two years doing everything except studying.” After a short-lived stint as a geology prospector – with hopes of “hunting for diamonds with a donkey” – he found his true calling in the military. Starting as an air traffic controller, he quickly gravitated toward flying, earning his wings in 1981 and becoming the 6058th pilot in the French Navy Brutal
His training was brutal and, at times, improvisational “There were no simulators or
Yann ‘Fluo’ Lehe with the Pacific Aerospace CT 4B Airtrainer he flies at Mount Maunganui. Photo: Brydie Thompson
French Navy volunteer...Getyour
twin-seat aircraft You learned to fly jets ‘ on the fly,’” he said
During the next two decades Lehe would log more than 2000 hours as a combat pilot – often deployed to high-tension zones such as the Mediterranean “Landing on an aircraft carrier from 10,000 feet –it looks like a box of matches,” he said
“The three best things in life are a good landing, a good orgasm and a good bowel movement The night carrier landing is one of the few opportunities in life where you get to experience all three at the same time ” In 1985 he became an officer, which came with its own perks –“upgraded from a 60cm bunk to an 80cm bunk” His mother, who had once questioned his decision to join the military, later took immense pride in his career
coordinating with US carriers including the USS Roosevelt, USS Stennis, and USS Kennedy “Below the sea, there were submarines as part of the fleet ”
After his military retirement in 2003, Leh seamlessly transitioned into civilian aviation clocking 2500 as a medevac pi “I’d been work for 20 years wit guns, bombs, a rockets – so my karma was pret negative Flying medevac impro it a lot ” From 2006 to 2014, flew Beechcraft air ambulances often transport critically ill pat across Europe a North Africa O mission stands transporting a b an incubator th
temperature mid-flight
“We raised the cabin temperature to 35°C baby came through fine – everyone else felt
New mission
“When I told her I was a fighter pilot, she said: ‘Be careful, my son ’ When I became an officer, she said: ‘That’s my son ’ ”
The Super Etendard
Lehe flew the legendary Super Etendard – worth €30 million – and completed 550 carrier landings with 100 of them at night, becoming one of the last pilots to be rated on the F-8 Crusader, breaking the sound barrier at Mach 1 55 He was no stranger to danger or loss He admits the work was “intense” not frightening “I lost my best friend and a couple of other colleagues ” In 2002 Lehe was appointed liaison officer for the French aircraft carrier during Operation Enduring Freedom in the Indian Ocean,
Lehe later undertook surveillance operatio over Africa and the Middle East
“By day, there’d be a shepherd with a coup goats and sheep By night, you ’ ve got an AK and bombs We were just watching for bad and reporting to the proper agency ”
Now based in the Bay of Plenty, Lehe has found purpose volunteering at the Classic F Museum He also co-owns a light aircraft, w he flies regularly Although he was a solo di pilot on the French navy, he isn’t rated here an acrobatic pilots
“I never fly by myself,” he said “My missi now is to make my passenger happy That’s important mission ” Rosalie Liddle C
Mojo and her siblings have had Tauranga SPCA staff and volunteers under their spell since their arrival. Mojo is such a loving girl; she adores attention and loves a cuddle. Placid and gentle, she has a wonderful nature, making her the
Commander Yann ‘Fluo’ Lehe spent 30 years in the French Navy Photo: Supplied.
Getting a buzz
The place is buzzing, humming and crackling The sounds of electricity – tiny, charged electrons creating a vital force of energy Driving the world. Driving the knowledge and understanding for visitors to Katikati’s Western Bay Museum
It’s the story of electricity, local electricity “We don’t appreciate electricity until we don’t have it,” said Paula Gaelic, manager of the museum “Until there’s a power cut ” Then the lights go out, there’s no TV, no internet, no dinner, no shower – all things we take for granted “And we ’ re scrambling Where’s the torch? Where’s the candle?”
That’s why the museum ’ s latest exhibition – ‘Power to the People’ is a tribute to the Kaimai Range
Kaimai means food source, but the giving doesn’t stop there The lakes, rivers and watercourses on the brooding mountain range also drive the turbines at four hydroelectricity installations
of one Lloyd Graham Mandeno OBE – late Tauranga Borough Council electrical engineer, passionate electricity advocate, inventor. The man who electrified the Bay of Plenty “Handsome, and he had brains,” said Gaelic “A genius ”
‘Mandeno clothesline’
A large image of the power pioneer with the piercing eyes presides over the museum exhibition’s maps, diagrams, photos and factoids that trace the development of the Kaimai hydro scheme.
“Electricity which keeps lights burning in 23,000 homes in the region,” said Gaelic “And we are grateful ”
It’s an exhibition as much about hair tongs, toasters and typewriters and the like from the museum ’ s trove of relics and artefacts as it about the science of hydroelectricity The 40-plus exhibits give context.
The exhibition also points to the contribution
He once wandered the range with his trusted sidearm – a pocket aneroid barometer – recording the water levels of the waterways that are now linked through a network of tunnels and lakes that form the hydro power scheme.
And when he was done he had significantly grown New Zealand’s first underground hydroelectricity station at Omanawa Falls, had overseen the designed and construction of the McLaren Falls hydro scheme, and he’d hung his washing on ‘the Mandeno Clothesline’ – an analogy for his globally feted invention, the single-wire, earth return system of electricity reticulation invention which enabled power to be distributed cheaply over long distances. At home, it carried power down Tauranga’s Cameron Rd to pub kitchens on The Strand. “Chefs were thrilled,” said Gaelic. “Immediate, controlled heat in the kitchen ”
From another time – Western Bay Museum volunteer Jenny Gawith gets in the spirit with the circa 1915 oscillating washing machine. Photos / Brydie Thompson
Lloyd Graham Mandeno.
from power...
Although the public was suspicious of this newfangled energy alternative, this black magic, that fired the fluted street lamps.
The relics
“Being used to gas lights they had to be educated to not try lamps.”
as lights, y to light the electric street
So when climbin give thanks to Man who invented the fi electric hot water storage heater He was a man “ prone seek a path not rea trodden by others” His words. And th world was a better place for it.
ng into the shower tonight ndeno, first
One of the fluted street lamps is on display at the ‘Pow the People’ exhibit at Western Bay Mu
one of more than common househol and artefacts inven because of, or imp the advent of elect Kaimai Power Sch
n 40 ld relics nted proved by, tricity And the heme. iluvian’ washing machine –
There’s an ‘antedi g it doesn’t tumble or spin, it oscillates, rocks back and forth. How did that get rid of stubborn stains? The exposed ringer would nowadays be a health and safety issue.
right or hair singes and the scalp burns.
Odd house
See the hand-cranked food mixer out of the 1950s. See it and be grateful to Mandeno, Kenwood and Breville There’s the Remington I go, and an original ing. I still get called ng my computer
There
learned to type on 60 years ag electric Brother for touch typi out by the kids for thumpin keyboard
There’s a “good G the Torka typewr a time and speed was sufficiently l a typing classro
There’s curling tongs that were heated on the woodstove – users would need to get the heat
God!” invention –riting metronome, d mechanism that loud to be heard in om.
There’s the sin Todd’-type cut Solingen, ‘The in Ge remo of ve accid when Shave the com razor, in 193 Once upon house down D looked odd Was a chimney That’s beca
nister ‘Sweeney t throat razor from e City of Blades’ ermany Sunbeam oved the likelihood eins being dentally opened n it introduced the emaster Model R –mpany ’ s first electric 37.
n a time there was a Devonport Rd that odd It didn’t have ause it had been touched with Mandeno magic It was the first house in New Zealand to be totally electrified Mandeno’s doing The handsome man with brains
The Western Bay Museum’s ‘Power to the People’ exhibition will hum through until January next year
Power revolutionised the way we experienced sound On left, a US gramophone designed and patented in 1916. On right, a home-grown Columbus radio. Both were owned and used by Bay of Penty folk and donated to Western Bay Museum.
Hunter Wells
What’s Your Property Worth?
I’ll
Craft tributes to veterans
Knitters, weavers and crocheters are invited to create a scarf for a veteran to let them know they are not forgotten
Operation Wrapped in Remembrance is a nationwide community project where people knit, crochet or weave scarves for veterans to show appreciation for their service and to commemorate significant war anniversaries.
This year marks 80 years since the end of World War II, 75 years since the beginning of the Korean War, 65 years since the end of the Malayan Emergency and 50 years the Vietnam War ended.
photos of the finished scarves being posted to the Operation Wrapped in Remembrance Facebook page. “I like how each scarf our wonderful creators around NZ are making, is different,” Swift said. She said scarves can be any ply, any pattern, and any combination of colours. Tags can be included on each scarf so knitters can choose to put their name on their finished creation.
“We are looking for more masculine or neutral colour generally as those who served in this time tended to be male. However, more feminine or non-gender-coloured ones will be welcome.”
Interior Blinds. Designed for Kiwi
“We are aiming to do something for the veterans who are still with us from these wars to let them know they are remembered and their service, all these years on, is appreciated,” said project administrator Holly Swift.
The project is running to November 11, with scarves being collected and distributed via RSA and other veteran associations. Residents of retirement villages, people learning to knit, and knitting groups around NZ are joining in, with
Each handmade scarf carries a sense of warmth and connection, conveying appreciation and a message of gratitude wrapped in wool to veterans Volunteers of all skill levels are encouraged to participate and rally their local craft or knitting group to support the initiative.
In Tauranga, completed scarves can be dropped at any Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries locations – Tauranga City, Mount Maunganui, Greerton and Pāpāmoa Libraries – before November 11. Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Tauranga Library Community Hub team leader Brad Fuller and library assistant Caitlin Bowkett
Photo / Brydie Thompson
Menopause ellness e ent a first for NZ
A Tauranga woman who was “hit like a tonne of bricks” when she first experienced menopause symptoms is hosting an event to empower, educate and uplift fellow ladies and their communities.
New Zealand’s first Peri/Post Menopause Wellness Event – called ‘Living Your Best Life during the Menopause Transition’ – is next Saturday, August 23, at Tauranga Boys’ College from 9.30am-5pm “This unique event is the first of its kind,” said event organiser Sara LlewellynEvans, aged 54.
Dream team
“There will be a dream team of menopause specialist speakers – three being world class menopause-related doctors; Dr Linda Dear, Dr Wendy Sweet (PhD) and Dr Waz Tze Cheng
“Each will cover a different topic – ‘Menopause in the Workplace’, ‘Weight Management and Lifestyle’ and ‘Hormone Replacement Therapy and Non-Hormone Therapies,” said LlewellynEvans.
“Plus we have a variety of lifestyle speakers and demonstrations from businesses that will focus on topics such as nutrition, fitness, sleep, corporate wellness packages, supplements and general wellbeing.” A Wellness Exhibition will showcase products, services and support available during this stage in life “which may help ease symptoms or simply make women feel better about themselves”.
Rewind 10 years and Llewellyn-Evans lived in the UK, working in corporate sales, marketing and event management. “Perimenopause hit me hard. I struggled with sleep deprivation, which then led to anxiety and panic attacks. I just didn’t feel like me anymore and at the time, I had no idea what was happening. I’d visited doctors on a few occasions, but they were clueless.”
More needed
After a tough six months, Llewellyn-Evans started to understand what was happening, through self-initiated research and by talking to friends and family “Almost 10 years ago, there was a lot less information available.”
When she moved to New Zealand five years ago Llewellyn-Evans felt work was under way here to bring knowledge on peri/post menopause into the
open – but more was needed. “I’m obviously not medically trained in this area, but I do think of myself as a collaborator
“I’ve reached out to experts in different areas of expertise, with the hope to help others become aware of the potential symptoms and gain knowledge and understanding of what resources and support are available.”
Llewellyn-Evans said the event was aimed at women experiencing, or about to experience, their own personal peri/post/menopausal journey
“Many of us have daughters, mothers, sisters, aunts and nieces and I believe the current average age of Kiwi women is about 39. Perimenopause generally starts around 45, so there will be many women approaching this stage of their lives soon. ”
Empower
Llewellyn-Evans wanted the event to empower and uplift women, their friends and families “I want people to walk away feeling empowered and with a better insight into what could potentially happen or be happening.”
She had the idea for hosting an event two years ago but spent the last six months piecing it together. “To get the specialists [on-board] I just started cold-calling, and the speakers have been incredible in terms of wanting to be involved.”
Thankfully, some women have few or minor menopausal symptoms – but for others it could be the opposite, said Llewellyn-Evans.
“It doesn’t just affect women, indirectly it can sometimes affect their partners, families, workplaces and communities.” That’s why she’d like everyone to come along – men included. The event is a chance to come together, with opportunities to discuss the topic openly, in a safe place, without judgment, Llewellyn-Evans said “It’s about helping and supporting each other”
Tickets
In the future she hopes to expand the event further afield in NZ. “I’d like to build on this first event, to host it within other regions and reach more Kiwi women ”
To purchase tickets to NZ’s first Menopause Wellness Event ‘Living Your Best life during the Menopause Transition’ next Saturday, August 23, at Tauranga Boys’ College from 9am-5pm, see the advert on this page. Sponsored Content
Tauranga woman Sara Llewellyn-Evans is hosting New Zealand’s first Menopause Wellness Event – called ‘Living Your Best life during the Menopause Transition’ in the city on August 23. Photo / Brydie Thompson
EleanorTait
Vehicle show and rally to rev up funds for Cancer Society
Car-lovers are invited to pull their old beauties out of the garage and cruise along to this month’s Classic & Vintage Vehicle Show and Rally on August 24 in Tauranga for a good cause.
The Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club has hosted the annual fundraiser for the local Bay of Plenty/Waikato Cancer Society at its Cliff Rd clubrooms since 2017.
The Tauranga event is one of many put on throughout New Zealand on August 24, by the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand to raise funds for the NZ Cancer Society
BOP VCC members Trevor and Raewyn Hughes have coordinated this event for the last two years, and are organising their third Classic & Vintage Vehicle Show and Rally on August 24; and said their main goal was to raise as much as they could for the local Bay of Plenty/Waikato branch of the Cancer Society
“We want as many people as possible to bring their vintage or classic vehicles along and enter the display and/or rally,” said Trevor “We also invite the community to come along and view the car show”
Vehicle owners don’t have to be part of any car club – all are welcome. “A classic car is any car older than 30 years, so all pre-1995 vehicles are eligible,” said Raewyn.
Gates to the club, at 29 Cliff Rd, Tauranga, open 8am on August 24 for cars to assemble.
Entry is $10 per car Vehicles need to be assembled by 9.45am for the car show
The public are invited to the car show from 10am until l middday
Those who just want to peruse the car show can enter via gold coin donation “New for this year is that we ’ ve sectioned off part of the Cliff Rd
carpark for public car parking,” said Raewyn.
The show will have some massive drawcards this year, the Hughes said A replica of the famous ‘Goodbye Pork Pie’ mini – owned by Rotorua man Kevin Hollamby – will be on display
“We’ll have a yellow 1927 Ford Race-A-Bout coming from Waiuku, plus a 1928 Model T Speedster We’ve tried to get a whole heap of yellow cars to join the day – in the spirit of raising fundds for thhe l local l Cancer S Society – but we welcome all classic and vintage vehicles along,” said Raewyn A 1913 Ford Model T Tourer owned by BOP
This page proudly sponsored by
CC Club Captain Kaaren mylie – will be on-site, as will ny other impressive and memorable sets of wheels
Raewyn said the show is a amily-friendly event – so lly the wife, hubby, kids, grandkids, grandparents –everyone – to come along. There will be tea, coffee, scones, sandwiches and savouries available for purchase, plus a sausage sizzle, coffee cart and popcorn ”
For those who want to be part of the afternoon rally –which has a range of prizes to be won at its completion – there’s a 12.30pm briefing rally will begin soon after for all cars – vintage, classic or your everyday car
“This year ’ s rally is called Town & Country, and will take participants on a drive through both types of
landscapes for about 1.5 hours to finish at an undisclosed location for afternoon tea and prize draws,” said Raewyn.
Rally entry is $10 per car for the driver and navigator with afternoon tea included. Extra passengers cost $5 each for the afternoon tea
“We have more than $2000 worth of prizes to be drawn. We will have at least eight draws – so there will be plenty of winners!”
Raewyn wanted to see as many people as possible bring their cars to the show, view the show and join the rally because it contributed to a good collection for the cause. “The more the merrier!”
Trevor said “all takings will be passed on to the local Bay of Plenty/ Waikato Cancer Society for further research and development”.
Find out more at: www bayofplentyvintagecarclub.com
Bay of Plenty VCC members Raewyn and Trevor Hughes, pictured with their 1965 Rover salon, are the organisers of Tauranga’s Classic & Vintage Vehicle Show and Rally on August 24. Photo / Brydie Thompson
This yellow 1927 Ford Race-A-Bout from Waiuku is coming to the Classic & Vintage Vehicle Show in Tauranga on August 24.
Photo / Supplied
Rottorua man K Keviin H Holllambby’s repllica of f the famous ‘Goodbye Pork Pie’ mini will feature at the show. Photo / Supplied
Pāpāmoa force o of nature changes tack k
A driving force behind some of Tauranga’s largest suburb’s most iconic events and initiatives has stepped down after six years
Julia Manktelow resigned from her role as marketing and events manager for Pāpāmoa Unlimited in April
A mission
Known for her boundless energy, creative vision and deep-rooted commitment to connection, Manktelow leaves behind a legacy that’s less about accolades and more about impact. “My role wasn ’ t a job – it was a mission,” Manktelow said. “To find the soul of Pāpāmoa and make it shine so brightly the rest of NZ couldn’t help but notice.”
During the past six years Manktelow said sh’d worked to transform Pāpāmoa from a quiet coastal suburb into a vibrant community with a national profile.
During her tenure Pāpāmoa Unlimited became synonymous with family-friendly events, cultural celebrations and community connection. From the Santa Parade to her brainchild – the awardwinning Manawatia Matariki celebration – she brought bold ideas to life, always with an eye toward
inclusion, joy, and purpose.
Manktelow said her path to Pāpāmoa was anything but conventional A single mother to daughter Amaleigh, she arrived seeking connection – and found far more than she expected
“We were Pāpāmoa’s original superhero duo,” she said, reflecting on dressing up for the first Polar Plunge to standing tall as Supergirl beside Santa.
“We just wanted to sprinkle a little magic and a lot of heart around the town we are so proud to call home.”
That combination of heart and hustle has defined Manktelow’s career Prior to joining Pāpāmoa Unlimited, she held high-level strategic roles, including national brand and sales manager at Motion Entertainment, earned awards for excellence in media, and even helped raise $150,000 through ‘Harcourts Dancing for Hospice’.
Her past event creations included everything from whisky clubs to bridal shows, and she’d managed projects for MTV at Rhythm and Vines. But it was in Pāpāmoa that her passion truly took root.
Community spirit
Manktelow’s role was marked by
innovation, even in the face of adversity During thhe Covidd-19 panddemic, when gathering in person wasn ’ t possible, she devised the ‘Spooktacular Halloween Hunt’, creating socially distanced fun for families. That spirit of reinvention continued with experiences like the ‘Alice in Wonderland Trail’ and her magnum opus, the ‘Manawatia Matariki’ celebration.
For Manktelow, that Matariki event wasn ’ t just professional – it was personal. She said in learning more about local iwi and the history of the whenua, she reconnected with her own whakapapa and marae, Pikitu.
“It grew my own soul,” she said. “The most rewarding part was seeing the pride sparkling in the eyes of our local hapū as their stories lit up the waterway ” Even as she reflected on her achievements – such as spearheading Pāpāmoa’s winning campaign for Trade Me’s ‘Choicest Suburb’ – it’s the quiet moments that remain closest to her heart. “The look on a child’s face seeing the lights for
the first time. A message from a family saying it was the best day they’d had all year That’s the real payment. That’s the fuel.”
What’s next
Despite her passion, Manktelow made the decision to step back. Juggling her full-time career, community commitments, and solo motherhood left her running on empty.
“The passion was still burning bright, but the fuel was gone. I needed to consciously recharge.”
That recharge is under way Manktelow now holds a senior role with Domain, where
he’s using her skills o empower real estate agents across thhe central l North Island, helping them connect more meaningfully with their own communities. But don’t count her out of the community space ust yet “This is a pause, not a full stop, ” she said “Community is in my DNA. That fire will never go out. ”
Thank you
Manktelow’s farewell comes with a heartfelt thank you to all who supported her journey – from iwi partners and local sponsors to the Pāpāmoa Senior Rugby Club, who she called “ a true reflection of what club culture should be”.
“Most of all, thank you to the community of Pāpāmoa,” she said “You were the magic behind it all. “You made this place home for me and my daughter, and for that, I am forever grateful.”
She encourages the community to “dream big”. “Lead with a heart of service. And know I’ll be cheering you on ”
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Julia Manktelow with Mickey and Minnie Mouse at a Pāpāmoa Christmas parade. Photo / Supplied
Julia Manktelow has stepped down from her role as marketing and events manager for Pāpāmoa Unlimited.
Photo / Brydie Thompson
New online mental health
for Western BOP
Accessing free mental health and wellbeing support just got easier for Bay of Plenty residents, with the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOPPHO) launching a new online referral system for its rebranded service, BeingWell
The new online booking page allows individuals to make appointments directly with health coaches or Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs), without needing to go through a GP first The service is free and tailored to suit people’s preferences – whether in person, by phone, online, or in community spaces.
“This reflects our commitment to reducing barriers and making support more accessible to more people across the Bay,” said WBOPPHO’s general manager community services Sarah Stevenson
The BeingWell service is already well-utilised, averaging more than 600 patient interactions per month Importantly, 83% of people were seen within one week of referral – many on the same day
Stevenson said BeingWell brings together a range of professionals including health coaches, HIPs, social workers and counsellors, offering practical and emotional support for everyday challenges such as stress, anxiety, grief, lifestyle changes and chronic health issues
The rebrand to ‘BeingWell’ follows community
consultation, with the name inspired by service users ’ feedback about taking small, meaningful steps toward wellbeing It also unified the organisation’s previous Coordinated Primary Options (CPO) and Integrated Primary Mental Health and Addictions (IPMHA) services under one identity “You don’t need to see a doctor to get started,” Stevenson said “Just fill in the form on our website or ask your general practice for a free appointment ”
BeingWell is offered through most general practices in Western and Eastern Bay of Plenty and is available to anyone, regardless of the challenge they’re facing
Support is flexible – there’s no cost, no session limits, and people can have one-off appointments or ongoing check-ins The holistic approach considers emotional, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing
Common reasons people seek support include low mood, anxiety, or grief; sleep issues and stress; lifestyle and nutrition goals; parenting and relationship difficulties; long-term health condition management; or digital overwhelm or breaking unhealthy habits
To learn more or to book an appointment, visit: www wboppho org nz/free-mental-health-services BeingWell services are available at more than 35 clinics and practices across Tauranga, Pāpāmoa, Mount Maunganui, Whakatāne, Ōmokoroa, Katikati, Te Puke, and Te Puna A full list of participating providers is available on the BeingWell website
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Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Sarah Stevenson. Photo / Supplied
Course enables Tauranga migrants to find their voice
A workplace communication training programme is making a meaningful impact on Tauranga’s growing migrant community by helping participants gain confidence, improve job prospects and strengthen their connection to life in New Zealand
Six Tauranga-based migrants recently completed a 10-week course run by Multicultural Tauranga, earning a ‘Certificate in Professional Speaking’ through Speech NZ. The course, renamed Migrant Workplace Communication Training, is designed to empower non-native English speakers with practical communication skills essential for the New Zealand workplace Delivered in a hybrid format –both online and in-person – the revamped programme was fullyfunded by Multicultural Tauranga, with assessment costs supported by the Community Organisations Grant
because they didn’t see themselves giving presentations or becoming managers But the communication skills taught in the course are useful at every level of employment It’s about building confidence ”
The six participants, originally from China, Chile, the Czech Republic, and Palestine, came from a variety of backgrounds Some were new arrivals to New Zealand; others had lived here for years
Their professional roles ranged from transport and administration to trades, student life, and volunteering.
The programme was facilitated by experienced educators Pieter de Zwart and Niall Baker, h id d
participants through key workplace communication skills: speaking in job interviews, giving and receiving feedback, navigating workplace conflict, presenting to groups, and adapting tone and body language for different audiences
The difference
“For many migrants, English isn’t the only barrier,” said Multicultural Tauranga programme coordinator Premila D’Mello “Confidence, cultural awareness and professional communication can be the difference between surviving and thriving in a new country ”
The course culminated in an assessment where participants
read from a professional publication, engaged in an interview simulation, and gave a short social speech All six successfully passed.
Participant feedback highlighted the personal and professional growth the course fosters: “ to improve my English and get to know more about New Zealand culture”; “ to build confidence, look more professional, and grow in my job”, and to refine communication skills such as “adjusting my tone and body language” or “polishing my pronunciation”.
For many, it was also about connection and courage: “I want to improve my English and build relationships” and “I’m thinking
confident speaking in public and speaking English in front of other people” and “I won ’ t be afraid now ”
Friends and family also observed a positive shift in their personalities.
One participant, now pursuing a career in beauty therapy, said the course gave her the tools to better express herself with clients and colleagues.
Real tools
“This programme gives people more than just communication skills – it gives them confidence, connection, and real tools for life and work in NZ,” said Coulton
The course saw an uptick in engagement thanks to stronger collaboration between Speech NZ and Multicultural Tauranga.
While 15 people initially expressed interest in the course, only six were able to complete the full 10 weeks due to changes in work or living situations Plans are under way for another Tauranga intake in 2026, and expressions of interest are now open
Speech NZ, a national organisation supporting confident communication, also backed similar migrant training programmes in Rotorua and the Waikato
“It’s about real community impact,” says Coulton “We’re not just a vague persona in the background. We want to be actively connecting with communities and listening to what they need.”
For more information, visit: https://www.speechnz.co.nz/contact
China, Chile, Czech Republic and Palestine – have graduated unication Training course run by Multicultural Tauranga peech New Zealand. Photo / Supplied
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
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x beauty has lost its e for those who believe true beauty comes from within,” said Pavlovich.
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and HDU for hospital
A $21 million upgrade of Tauranga Hospital’s urgent care units is complete – almost four years after being funded. Health Minister Simeon Brown officially opened the new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU) in Tauranga on Wednesday, marking a milestone for improving critical care services in the Bay of Plenty Previously, the hospital had six intensive care beds, four high dependency beds, and 10 Coronary Care Unit (CCU) beds on the same floor
Perceivedversus
“Your perceptions rule your reality” – Steven Redhead
Our reality is what we perceive Recently, I planned to meet up with someone and had to wait quite some time before they turned up, to a point where I had almost decided to leave I could have lived in my perceived reality – that I should be spending time with them and feeling frustrated that I was wasting time – or the true reality that I was on my own and what did I want to do with my time?
The second option was much more fruitful and much less frustrating. When they turned up, they had a very good reason for the lateness, which made me even happier that I hadn’t gone
The upgrade increased intensive care and high dependency capacity from 10 to 16 beds on a separate, dedicated floor
When asked what delayed the project, which was supposed to be complete April 2022, Brown replied: “The last Government announced a range of projects which were going to be delivered, and actually, we ’ re getting on and delivering them”
Brown said the expansion was “really important” because of the BOP’s growing population
down the frustration path because my perceived reality wasn ’ t happening. How often do you waste time worrying and wanting something to happen that isn’t happening? Rather than looking at alternative ways of thinking or operating?
If you’d like to know more about strengthening relationships exploring your potential and creating transformation in your life, phone Mary Parker The Fast Track Coach, on 021 258 2145, or visit: www.thefasttrackcoach.co.nz
Kem Ormond
Photo / Supplied
Mitochondria are our cell engines that take the energy from food and change this into the energy our bodies need
At the end of the line is the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to provide the energy that makes our bodies work.
Free radicals, especially nitrogen radicals like peroxynitrite, can damage delicate cell structures and cause less energy to be made.
Some diseases can damage mitochondria. Studies show chronic fatigue syndrome weakens mitochondria resulting in significantly less energy than in healthy people.
The result is always tiredness, but other symptoms are determined by the type of disease. For example, in people with Multiple Sclerosis, mitochondrial changes occur and lead to nerve myelin damage.
The first step to improve energy is to add Coenzyme Q10. But be aware – most CoQ10 on
Ho Coenz me Q10 gives you energy
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the market are low-cost, semisynthetic materials I prefer high grade, naturally-fermented material despite its higher cost. There is no such thing a good, cheap CoQ10.
The most important component of nutritional therapy for fatigue and inflammatory problems is adding a range of mitochondrial nutrients and co-factors. These include CoQ10, PQQ and other compounds such as Resveratrol, Grape seed extract, Acetyl lcarnitine, N acetylcysteine and, Alpha Lipoic Acid
These help to increase energy output, support flagging energy processes and reduce free radical damage by actively targeting the free radicals that damage delicate energy systems We then add a full B vitamin complex because these are needed in most of the steps to make energy A combination of a good diet and
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make a real difference in life quality for those with low energy Most people feel a real difference within two months
The much-anticiipated d Kia Tasman is here!
Kia’s much-anticipated ute – the Tasman – is finally here, and it’s everything we imagined and more Kia promised to set a new benchmark for the ute market, and they’ve delivered. Let’s take a closer look at why this new arrival has everyone talking For more than a decade, Ranger, Hilux, and Triton have ruled the ute market. Others have tried to break in – now it’s Kia’s turn. With the Tasman, their intentions are clear: they’re aiming high, and they’ve got the tools to make it work.
Bigger, bolder, meaner
The Tasman is larger than the key rivals and brings brutal, modern styling –squared edges, vertical LED headlights, and a chunky front end. Details like wheels, bumpers, and roof rails vary across the range, but every version looks aggressive and ready for business. This is a vehicle you really have to see in person as photos just don’t do it justice.
Serious capability
All Tasman models are four-wheel drive, powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine and boast 3.5-tonne towing ability – perfect for large caravans, horse floats, boats, and trailers. With a 1027kg payload and a tray sized for both Euro and Aussie pallets, capacity is good and well thought out. Most models include 240v power sockets in the tray and rear of the cabin for powering tools and appliances.
Off-road testing
It was always a concern whether this newcomer could foot it in the rough. Extensive testing by Kia engineers in Australia has ensured that the Tasman is ready for challenging off-road environments. There have now been multiple tests in extreme environments by independent journalists to prove the Tasman’s off-road credentials.
Comfort meets toughness
On the road, the Tasman feels more like a premium SUV than a ute. NZ-tuned
suspension delivers a smooth, confident ride Inside, premium materials and a large combined digital dash and infotainment display are matched with chunky physical controls – easy to use even with gloves on In the X-Line and X-Pro, the armrest doubles as a workbench for mobile office or lunching space
The eight-speed auto transmission, which is cleverly mapped and combines with nicely spaced gearing, provides a smooth, unfussed drive Pairing the 2 2-litre diesel’s broad torque curve with the well-matched gearbox gives the Tasman a feeling of confident power
Make no mistake, the Tasman is a big vehicle, but its ability to manoeuvre in tight spaces, due to a tight turning circle, is at the top of the class
Tech and safety
Standard features include reverse camera, parking sensors, keyless entry and start, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate, smart cruise control and the Kia Connect app The Tasman’s welldesigned and tested body, along with a full suite of driver aids have seen it receive the top five-star ANCAP safety rating
Pricing
The Tasman starts at $52,690+ORC for the TX 4WD Auto, with the range-topping X-Pro 4WD priced at $79,690+ORC Every model is backed by Kia’s extensive five-year warranty programme and roadside assistance See it in person at Tauranga Kia, 100 Hewletts Rd, Mount Maunganui, or call 07 578 1378 Axle Smith
news and views for the over 55s
N New rulles f for O Operation Cover-Up
As more than 800kg of Bay of Plentyknitted goodies are shipped across the world to warm Eastern Europeans, back here Operation Cover-Up’s co-ordinator needs her knitters to know about some new rules
Western Bay of Plenty area co-ordinator
Sharman Marsh said another successful annual collection of blankets and goods took place on July 2 in Tauranga. “A total of 815kg left on July 5 from the Bay of Plenty, bound for Eastern Europe,” said Marsh.
The shipped stock would go to a sorting centre in Romania where it would be distributed to Eastern European countries according to need “These items will reach the hands of Eastern Europeans before Christmas, to keep them warm in their upcoming winter”
Marsh said all contributors should pat themselves on the back. “My special thanks to Central Diesel Services for the use of a large van, Farmlands Tauriko for supplying wool packs,; Mainfreight for providing transport to Auckland, and Peter and [the knitted it
New requi
d Kerry Coster for baling tems],” said Marsh irements f Plenty knitters clicking needles collection, ere were w rules for at she to
With Bay of now furiously for next July’s Marsh said the important new the project tha needs crafters be aware of
“For our next season – with the WBOP Operation Cover-Up collection day scheduled for July 2026
– all knitters must know that we can only send garments that are sized for people aged four-plus,” Marsh said “We cannot accept any baby clothing ” Marsh said new government regulations in the receiving countries now require all clothing in under-four-year sizing to be sourced from within the European Union “While not all countries we knit for are part of the EU, some are – and we fear all stock may be declined if we include anything smaller than size four,” said Marsh “So please knit your hats and garments bigger this time ”
Wool preferred
Marsh also reminded knitters that wool or wool mix is the preferred yarn for garments and blankets “This is due to its warmth and waterwicking qualities. Please endeavour to use wool wherever possible. Acrylic can be used for sewing up, fancy edges and contrast patterning.”
Finally, Marsh asked BOP knitters to make blankets big enough to sleep under “The recommended size is 160cm by 140cm. Smaller blankets will still be accepted, but the emphasis is on the larger size.”
over to a retirement village operator, OR
g All goods must be ne Marsh “We cannot s used goods due to regulations How wool is perfectl to make a new If knitters h questions a new rules phone 027 or t k
ew, said send customs wever, used ly fine to use w garment. ” have any about the s, they can Marsh on 7 2454034 r email: tsmarsh@ kinect.co.nz “Please give me a call if a chat is helpful,” said Marsh.
Licence renewalmade easierfor seniors
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has this month made it easier for drivers aged 75-plus to renew their driver’s licence
From August 1 this age-group no longer needed to complete the entire driver licence renewal form unless personal details – such as their name, address, gender and organ donor status – had changed It was believed
that the update would make renewals easier and more efficient where NZTA already held information that was unlikely to change For accurate and up-to-date information about driver licensing, visit the NZTA website at: www nzta govt nz/driver-licences/ renewing-replacing-and-updating/renewingfor-seniors
For many retirees, less is actually more. Downsizing your home and possessions can be a smart move that brings more freedom, not less. It’s not about giving things up It’s about making space for what truly matters.
Letting go of excess furniture, unused gadgets, or boxes of “just in case” items can feel surprisingly uplifting Often, it’s an ideal time to consider who in your family might want some of your precious possessions, and that can be a beautiful handover experience.
When we simplify our spaces, we often find more space in our minds, too A smaller home can mean fewer chores, lower costs, and more time for the things (and people) you love
Treasured keepsakes still have their place but it’s also okay to make space and embrace this new chapter with a lighter load Downsizing isn’t a step back it’s a step into something thoughtfully chosen and deeply rewarding
Gavin Archer made the decision to move into a three-bedroom villa at Summerset after spending time thinking about his future.
“In my case, the problem was that I felt a bit vulnerable going forward as a single male living by himself There was no support there. I thought: ‘Perhaps it’s time to actually look to the future rather than hang on to the past’,” said Archer
Settling on Summerset
“I had heard about Summerset, so I got in the car and drove down here. It was fortunate because the sales office was a three-bedroom villa, so I could see straight away what a villa looked like,” Archer said. “Summerset has full-time presence on the
Looking to o the future
site, day and night,” said Archer “I don’t have to worry about security. I don’t have to worry about anything. The vulnerability is gone, and freedom has actually taken over from that particular emotion ”
A home for hobbies
While some may choose to downsize to a smaller home when moving into a retirement village, Archer had a clear idea of what he was looking for. “I wanted my home to have a combination of good light and good wall space. I do art, and I wanted a room to do that in and leave it set up I do have a problem if I feel confined, so these feelings were quite important to me.
“However, the village is set in a very nice environment, close to established areas and has great topography
surrounding it So there’s always a vision and a vista to look at. ”
Peace of mind
Since moving into the village, Archer not only feels right at home but has made new friends with the like-minded people in the village community “We all come here on the same basis, we ’ ve got the same aspirations, and I find that everyone meshes together very well.
“I’ve got some great neighbours, best neighbours I think I’ve had in the six properties I’ve actually occupied in my adult life. And that’s a benefit because we all come in together with the same intention of making sure that the next stage of our life is well catered for,” said Archer Knowing that the village centre provides
a wide array of facilities and care options has given Archer peace of mind about the future. “If in fact something happens, and I’ve got to go into a serviced apartment or other parts of the facility, I don’t lose the identity of the village, which I’ve grown into, or the people. From that point of view, I’ve been quite enlightened by the change, knowing that I’ve got stability”
Pop in!
If you ’ re contemplating village life, pop in and spend some time in a Summeset village. You can enjoy a cuppa and treat in the café, or just call in and talk with the friendly team and chat with residents who already love the Summerset life. Summerset by the Dunes is at 35 Manawa Rd, Pāpāmoa.
Love more family time
Moving to Summerset doesn’t mean moving further away from family, it means getting even closer With maintenance taken care of, you have more time for the good stuff, like hanging out with the most important people in your world. Love the life you choose.
Summerset
Gavin Archer, centre, with his Summerset neighbours Photo / Supplied
Matua octogenariian completes tribute row
An 87-year-old Matua man is happy after completing a 33 3km row from Tauranga Harbour to Bowentown Boating & Sport Fishing Club one hour ahead of schedule
“The wind was against us most of the way, ” rower David Stubbs said. “I started wearing five layers and finished with four but never felt warm ”
The retired civil engineer and lifelong sailor launched from Pilot Bay at 7am on August 2, to honour the adventurous spirit of his late son Phil Stubbs, who once set a world record crossing the Atlantic David was joined by his second son Steve Stubbs, who flew from Sydney to take part, while third son, Michael, accompanied them by land, driving the boat trailer
For Phil
their feat Tragically, Phil died one year later in a light plane crash on a West Auckland beach “What Steve and I did was loosely commemorative of Phil and his exploits,” David said “He was a good multi-sport athlete What he and Rob did was extraordinary”
Out of water
Rowing a 5m Finnish-made Terhi dinghy with sliding seats for sculling, Daivd said it would have been better if they’d left Mount Maunganui an hour later “We had a light head wind for the first mile and then good conditions until three miles north of Ōmokoroa. We were so much ahead of schedule at this point that we ran out of water and had to get out and drag the boat for several h d d Af h h d diffi l i
hundred metres. After that we had a difficult six mile stretch when we were slowed right down by a nasty little chop and head winds ”
to meet them “He was a close mate of Phil’s,” said David, who is no stranger to adventure himself At 75 he completed a solo sail from the Caribbean to NZ aboard a 36-foot yacht
The overall time for this row was eight hours with an average speed of 4 7km/ hr recorded on Steve’s Garmin watch
“This allowed for some downtime when we were changing positions and stopped for the tide ”
The rowers took turns each hour,
rowing for a total of four hours each Tired but content
“A dottery old man doing something out of his comfort zone, ” was how David described himself, feeling content but very tired “We couldn’t get home to the warm fast enough There wasn ’ t that much life left in us Remarkably no damage to our bodies except fatigue
We were both in bed by 8 30pm ”
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
The journey paid tribu former New Zealand po transatlantic rower Phi in 1997 when he and te Hamill won the inaugu Rowing Race, covering journey from the Canar to Barbados in just 41 days – nearly eight days ahead of the nearest competitors The pair earned a place in the ‘Guinness Book of Records’ for
ute to Phil, a olice officer and il made headlines
eammate Rob ural Atlantic the 4700km ry Islands
s
After hugging Matakana Island for much of the way due to wind, and walking through the shallows, they reached Kauri Point and were able to rocket on
“We had a strong tail wind for the last two miles on the final run down to the boat club We were yawing so much we had to use an oar as a rudder” The pair were met by trans-Atlantic rower
Steve Westlake, who rowed 15km
David Stubbs retrofitteed his 5m Finnish-made e dinghy with sliding seaats for sculling.
Photo / Brydie Thompson
• Music
• Comedy
• Theatre
• Circus
• Dance
• Family
• Free
• Escape Programme Key
Undergrand – a baby grand piano in the wild – will feature in 2025’s Tauranga Arts Festival Photo / Supplied
Arts festival is back – bigger and better – for 2025!
All the fun of the circus and the magic and cleverness of musicians, comedians, actors, writers and more will be on offer at this year ’ s Tauranga Arts Festival
The festival was launched last night when its vibrant programme was revealed. Tickets are now for sale for the wide range of events that will be part of the October 23-November 2 festival
Wondering what to do on Labour Weekend?
Tauranga Arts Festival general manager Sarah Cotter suggested staying in Tauranga as the festival promises something for everyone. There are numerous free events, and plenty geared at intergenerational enjoyment.
“We have placed a strong focus on ensuring our festival is accessible and appealing to everyone, ” Cotter said.
“The region’s own creatives, national treasures and international performers all feature on the festival programme, which is packed with vibrancy and variety”
New Zealanders set to delight include funny guy Te Radar, cookbook queen Chelsea Winter, applauded writer Catherine Chidgey, singing superstar Tami Neilson, actress Anapela
Polata’ivao of ‘Tinā’ fame, musical heavy-weight Jason Te Mete, and comedians Hayley Sproull, Nicola Cheeseman and Rhys Mathewson to name but some
There will be an early morning dance party, a disco night, and all the fun of the circus Cirque Bon Bon – a sell-out internationally – promises a high-octane fusion of circus, dance and comedy suitable for all ages.
Free events include Car-A-Oke – fancy the chance to karaoke inside a parked van? Another is Undergrand – a baby grand piano in the wild. This is a roaming, open-air musical event that involves up-and-coming students and seasoned pianists performing wherever the piano takes them – Mount Mainbeach at dawn, and in the festival garden at Tauranga Waterfront at dusk, for example. Also free, and in the festival garden, will be Obelisk Natura, a large-scale installation to treat the eyes and ears.
The festival will also see the return of popular items, such as Zinefest and Poetry Slam – and Tami Neilson – plus a new performance, called The Griegol, by Trick of the Light Theatre who have formed a strong Tauranga following.
For the full programme and to buy tickets, see: www.taurangafestival.co.nz or head to Eventfinda
A free Mend & Make Do community sewing workshop is on at Otūmoetai this Saturday, and everyone is welcome.
Hosted at C3 City Church at 252 Otūmoetai Rd from 10am-noon on August 16, the workshop was for people to bring their well-loved clothes for a fun, hands-on session where they would learn to mend together “Whether you ’ re brand new to sewing or just need a refresher, our
Do you have treasured family photographs that you’d like to preserve for future generations? Bring them along to a special hands-on event run by Tauranga City Libraries at the Schoolhouse in Tauranga’s Historic Village on Sunday, August 17, between 9.30am and 12.30pm
A friendly library team will help you scan your photos or slides – no negatives, please – and upload your family memories to Pae Korokī, Tauranga city’s online archives.
Or, if you’d prefer to keep them private, the team will help you email the digital copies directly to your own email address.
No bookings are required. Just drop in to this free event, which is perfect for families, history lovers, or anyone looking to protect and preserve their precious memories.
The Digitising Day is 9.30am-12.30pm this Sunday, August 17, at the Schoolhouse, The Historic Village, 17th Ave West.
friendly group and experienced stitchers will help you build confidence and pick up simple repair skills.”
To save clothes, share laughs, and stitch up something great, get along tomorrow
The workshop would also have a Kids' No-Sew Barbie Clothes lesson. Children were encouraged to bring their favourite Barbie or soft toy to learn how to upgrade their toy ’ s wardrobe with no-sew clothes
Welcoming Creatures of Comfort
It always good to welcome a new member to the family so this week I’m delighted to feature Creatures of Comfort.
The five-piece is the latest Tauranga recording artists, with the release of their debut EP ‘The Great Unknown’. Creatures of Comfort started in late-2022 when guitarist Scotty Atherton and bass player Luis Luna were looking to jam with someone A friend suggested Andrew Tilby, former member of turn-of-the-century Kiwi band Breathe
What started out as an excuse to drink a few beers and bash out tunes at a monthly practice became something more As it can, a band sound emerged from the players’ individual styles and influences: they cite The War on Drugs, Midnight Oil, ‘Bends’-era, Radiohead and new wave bands such as New Order
Ambitious step
It was about a year later I first noticed them when, along with drummer Heath Menefy and keyboard player Logan Callesen, they started playing gigs around town. Then they took the ambitious step of buying recording equipment and largely self-recorded a debut EP Drums and some vocals were tracked at Mike O’Meeghan’s studio; the rest of the instruments were recorded in various houses and garages across Tauranga and the Mount Then local mixing legend, Nathan Sowter, took the raw tracks
and polished them up Now the first Creatures of Comfort EP, ‘The Great Unknown’, is out, fulfilling bass player Luis’ life goal: “I just wanna hear my songs on a streaming platform” Job done Logan Callesen has since left the band but his keyboards grace the EP which is modern mainstream melodic rock I hear a hint of Drive-by Truckers which is nothing but a good thing The band is gearing up for a full album
Right Next weekend is busy Let me suggest some exciting gigs
‘Chrysalis’
Since debut single ‘Spinning’ they’ve cracked US college radio charts and in 2024 left school to pursue music full-time They’ve since played US shows at SXSW and in the UK at The Great Escape, and ‘Chrysalis’ is
rock It should be a big night, with special guests Fran Kora and Mirage
Also that night is a punk gig at Ōkahukura. Where’s that you might ask? In town on Grey St, down the alleyway by Bohemian Tattoo There you’ll find three punk bands, Hoick, Auckland’s 3 Horse Race and Te Puke youngsters Punktuation. I could give descriptions but let’s just leave it at loud and fast
getting airplay on BBC Radio 1 and Triple J in Australia
First is Totara Street next Friday, August 22, where Auckland four-piece up-andcomers Borderline present their new EP ‘Chrysalis’, which includes chart-topping single ‘New Romance’.
The following night, Saturday, August 23, Laughton Kora brings his band Black Comet to Totara Street with their second full-length album ‘Episode Two: The Force Between Us’, a signature blend of funky grooves and smooth
Lastly, Friday, August 22, is National Poetry Day Celebrate at The Jam Factory with night of unfiltered spoken word, featuring the legendary Archaeo, popular locals Poetic Justice, and headliner Captain Houndstooth.
Rugby double header this weekend as Steamers verse Canterbury
The Steamers will be joined by the Volcanix Wahine Toa for two home double headers this NPC season
The first is this Saturday, August 16, at Tauranga, where the Volcanix host Manawatū first with kickoff at 11 35am and the Steamers host Canterbury at 2 05pm
The second is double header is on Saturday, September 13, when both the Volcanix, at 11 35am, and the Steamers, at 2 05pm, host Hawke’s Bay in a ‘Double Battle of the Bays’ clash at Tauranga Domain
“We are extremely excited about this year ’ s Bunnings NPC draw,” said Bay of Plenty Rugby Union board chairman Scott Kahle “Off the back of last year ’ s amazing season, this year ’ s draw presents some opportunities for us, both from a team point of view and commercially” Kahle said a doubleheader against old foes Hawke’s Bay
will be
Creatures of Comfort.
Photo / Supplied
Punktuation.
Photo / Supplied
Photo / Bay of Plenty Rugby Union
trades & services
public notices
CemeteriesandLivestock MovementsBylaws
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council passed resolutions at a meeting held on Tuesday 5 August 2025 to adopt the following bylaws: Cemeteries Bylaw 2025
Livestock Movements Bylaw 2025
Thesebylawswillbecomeoperativeon8 September2025.
The adoption of these bylaws follows consideration of community feedback received during consultation from 20 March 2025 to 22 April 2025.
You can read more about the review processes and the key changes made to the bylaws in the decision story at www.westernbay.govt. nz/council/plans-policies-strategies-bylaws/ decision-stories
Copies of the bylaws may be inspected:
• Online at www.westernbay.govt.nz/rulesregulations-and-licenses/bylaws
• At Councils offices at Barkes Corner in Greerton, or at Katikati, Te Puke, Ōmokoroa and Waihī Beach libraries/service centres.
Copies of the bylaws are also available for purchase at Council’s offices and service centres at a cost of 20c per page
MT Maunganui R S A WOMEN’SSECTION
ANNUALGENERALMEETING
WillbeheldintheRS A Clubrooms,MaunganuiRoadon WednesdaySeptember24th, 2025at1.30pm
Business:
Minutes of 2024 AGM
Financial Report Presidents Report
Election of Officers and Committee
Nominations open August 27th and close September 17th at 2pm Nominationformswillbeavailableattheoffice fromAugust 27th, 10am – 4pm
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Churches Active In Our Community
There is a great line in ‘The Matrix’ movie when Morpheus tries to explain the way of things to Neo: “The world has been pulled over your eyes ”
All the world that Neo had experienced was slowly but brutally revealed as construct, as virtual, as a lie, as the continual now.
None of us like to be lied to but much of what is spoken around us is possibly untrue
We are submerged in contrived social media feeds and ‘ news ’ that might just be ‘fake’ We have so much information, but so little ability to know its integrity And then there is the rise of AI, the new billionaires, characterless politicians, the loss of community and common journey
The world has got bigger, uglier and overwhelming It has been ‘pulled over our eyes ’ We find ourselves belittled
It is no wonder that we obsess about personal identity and control
in a too-big world?
Ditch social media and Belong with people you
mines your soul Second, explore a way o greater than your own con world I am a Christian because I can see the world, it’s brokenness and deviousness, and know it is just the world A
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
