Greerton Village School/Te Kura o Maarawaewae is having its annual gala on September 13 The event features games, raffles, market stalls, food trucks, school performances, and fun activities
like a bouncy castle, Ferris wheel, and vertical bungee A highlight is the Monster Wheelbarrow Hamper Raffle, with donations welcomed Funds raised will support a new school entrance and other
resources The gala also includes a car show by Street Machines & Custom Cars club, showcasing American and Australian classics Live music by Al Dawson and the Wild Cats, plus a no-reserve auction and prizegiving, add to the excitement
the
It was a dark, hot and steamy night in the garden. The air heavy with moisture, perfect for gastropods, perfect for snails, perffect for love.
And Ned, the old sleazeball, was out on the prowl. Again. Looking for action. Again.
He had buffed up his crowning glory, hiis shell And he was glistening with that gooey fraggrance snails go for – called “Come and get me!”. Ned was a right spiffy snail tonight.
If he had a tail, it would have been up, beccause this one-in-40,000-snail fancied his chances And
the silver beet, Angel decided something was wrong Even with all the will in the world, this union wouldn’t, couldn’t, work “ThThat’s the problem,” spotted Angel. “Your shell’s on back to front.”
those tentacles on his head, those long erect appendages Ned used to touch, smell, taste and someetimes see, were sensitive Very sensiitive. And they were probbing.
in their knowledge bank
Anyhow there was high excitement and expectation Because now Ned’s holed up in a fish bowl while his minder waits for another lefty to be found A nationwide mission to salvage a snail’s love life? What?
She was right. The spiral design, or coil, on Ned’s shell was on the lefthand side. Hers the right. Right is deadest common. Left is not. Which meant there could be no hanky panky tonight. Ned needed another lefty if he wanted love And Angel, for her part, needded d a righty
A snail’s chemistry was right. And the night was right. And Ned was quietly and confidently humming to himself as he…well, slid along on his large muscular foot, just the one, that he used for locomotion.
“C’mon angel, my heart’s on fire, Don’t deny your man ’ s desire….”
A randy snail singing a womaniser’s song. Lovely!
“Kick off your shoes and sit right down, Loosen up that pretty French gown. ” Then, at snail’s pace, from the loose fountain of spinach leaves, Angel manifested – a vision of snail exquisiteness And that’s when a mollusc’s heart almost exploded through its shell. And that’s when a bloke’s tentacles went beserk, waving deliriously, looking to touch, smell and taste. As what happens when a snail’s looking for love.
Wardrobe malfunction
Snail pace i is 0.048km/h actually – so snails doon ’ t have time for wooing, sweet talk, flattery, or r flowers. No, no! Through necesssity, snail love is peerfunctory, little feelinng and even less effort. It’s a about procrreation, not a fun, lingering, casual l releasse of emotions.
Then, when snail shells were colliding, clunnking and crashing in the heat of the mooment, when tentacles were tangled, whhen it looked like there would be an explosion of little garden pests under
A righty shows its coil when the snail moves left to right. The lefty shows its coil when the snail moves right to left. Snail lefties and righties – never the twain shall meet.
And it meant the very thing that m made Ned special, a one-in-40,000-snail, w was also his undoing. His would be a chaaste life unless he hooked up with another lefty.
It’s to do with the configuration of their bits and pieces – anatomical talk of course The positioning of their reproductive organs Perhaps that’s the very reason slugs got rid of their shells? They were an impediment to a voracious sexual appetite Slugs are smarter than snails
Surely, as a hermaphrodite, Ned can tend his own life needs? Snails have male and female bits and pieces that enable them to be both guy and gal during mating And in some cases snails can self-fertilise – but I suspect sustaining thhe species wasn ’ t a priority for Ned He wanted fun without responsibility, fullblown lust and love, then walk, or slide, away I never had any affinity for snails. I dissected one in a biology class but the teacher said it looked like it had been dropped from a great height, or involved in a 150km/h head-on smash Snail pâté I abandoned any plans to do autopsies But why are we getting all sentimental abouut a snail? Ned’s a pest, he does serious d damage, and he’s a slimy philanderer
Eat or r
“So what?” I hear you say But I bet you’ll be d doing a righhty/lleffty chheck on every snaail that storms your garden hereon in Those e people do exist Ned was spotted by a z zoophilist, a creature lover, while in the g garden weeding The kindest thing I woulld have done is heaved Ned over the fence into the neighbour’s vege patch, knowing it would take him six months to make his way back But a zoophilist, lover of all things great and small, was moving him to a safe part of the garden when she noticed his lefty coil How did she know what to look for? It’s extraordinary the stuff people store away
Sports t teams which adopt animals to promote e strength, speed and aggression for their brand, a psychological tool, never choose snails The Greerton Gastropods, or the Pyes Pa Snails, wouldn’t work
If Ned doesn’t find a friend, I suggest the zoophilist boils him, douses him with garlic, parsley butter and bakes him until he sizzles A wonderful squid-like, chewy texture, is the snail Or throw him over the fence!
* Ned and his dilemma was brought to light recently by the ‘New Zealand Geographic’ publication Find out more here: www nzgeo com/stories/lets-find-amate-for-ned/
“As soon as I saw the role, it felt like one of those: ‘Yep, this is so me ’ moments, ” said Stacy Percy
Volleyball Bay of Plenty’s new coach force officer started her career in San Francisco’s competitive, fast-paced sporting culture “I was lucky to be surrounded by great coaches, strong programmes and a real love for the game from a young age ”
Percy’s new role involved developing programmes that supported volleyball coaches in schools and clubs across the region She would focus on strengthening capability and fostering growth within the sport
The role had not been filled since 2023 after the former coach force officer left.
Percy said she was excited to be in this role and continue to mix “passion and purpose ”
“I get to work with awesome people, talk volleyyball, , and help p grow something g really y special in the region that already has such a strong volleyball energy g ”
Percy grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she found a love for volleyball before moving to London after university
She stayed in London for 20 years, met her Kiwi partner and started a family, but moving to NZ was always on their minds.
“A few years ago, the timing was right, and we made the move
“Getting involved with the
volleyball community here in the Bay has been such a positive part of my own adjustment It’s given me a real sense of connection, purpose, and belonging ”
Percy said she had always believed in the power of sport to teach kids confidence, teamwork, resilience, and joy; this role was a way to support that on a bigger scale
Her leadership, digital strategy background, and lifelong love for volleyball made it a perfect fit.
“A lot of what I did in the digital world was about listening, understanding what people needed, and designing something that worked for them.”
Percy wanted the programmes to be helpful, encouraging, and accessible that made people feel more confident and excited about where the game could take them
“It’s about building something that reflects the needs and aspirations of our whole region ”
Percy had two main priorities during the next six months: coach development and getting to know the volleyball community across the Bay of Plenty
“There are so many kids eager to play volleyball right now, which is fantastic for the game ’ s growth At the same time, we ’ re facing a real shortage of coaches, especially at grassroots level ”
• Better transport delivery
• Clean air and unpolluted waterways
• Democracy means ensuring the community gets a say
Experience Matters (Regional Council)
• Qualified Hearings Commissioner
• Deputy Chair Monitoring and Operations Committee
• Risk and Assurance Committee
• Mount Air Quality Working Group
• Public Transport Committees
Governance Roles
• Royal Foundation of the Blind
She said many coaches were volunteers who needed support, resources, and clear pathways to grow, so coach development would be a key focus for her She wanted to make coaching less scary and more accessible for everyone
Ayla Yeoman
• Workbridge Holdings
• Consumer NZ
• SILC Charitable Trust
• Former Deputy Chair of BoP DHB
• Former TECT Trustee
Community
• Justice of the Peace
• Gate Pa Community Centre Trustee
• AA National Council
• Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors
It’s time to see who the real Bay is with the Bay of Plenty Steamers and Volcanix set to play the Hawke’s Bay Magpies and Tui teams in a double header home game at Tauranga Domain on September 13.
Gates open at 11am, with the Volcanix game kicking off at 11.35am, and the Steamers game following at 2.05pm.
The round 7 game in the 2025 Bunnings NPC round robin comes after five games for the Steamers during August against Tasman, Counties Manukau, Canterbury, Southland and North Harbour, and one coming up in New Plymouth on September 7 against Taranaki.
So far, the Steamers have won against Tasman (37-7), Counties Manukau (39-22) and North Harbour (197), and lost against Southland (25-30) and Canterbury (7-21).
The Auditor-General will not look into Tauranga City Council spending further despite several requests, including from MPs
The Office of the Auditor-General said it had received requests to inquire into spending decisions made by the council from 2021-2024, when the Government-appointed commission was in charge
Senior inquiries specialist Andrew Goddard’s August 26 letter to council chief executive Marty Grenfell said the requests had come from members of Parliament, councillors and the public
The concerns were about the sale of the Tauranga Marine Precinct, the sale of the former elder housing village at Pitau Rd, the $306 million civic precinct Te Manawataki o Te Papa, the lease of the council’s new office 90 Devonport, the purchase of 134 Durham St and 160-176 Devonport Rd
The Auditor-General may carry out an inquiry into any matter concerning a public entity’s use of its resources, Goddard’s letter said “We receive many requests for inquiries each year and choose carefully which ones to investigate.
“We do not intend to carry out further inquiry work on these matters ”
In late-2024, the office considered several requests to inquire into the Marine Precinct sale but decided not to because it was subject to High Court proceedings.
The office said it would maintain
a “watching brief” as proceedings progressed.
Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell and Act MP Cameron Luxton asked the auditor to investigate the sale because of concerns the precinct was sold for “well under” its valuation.
A last-minute injunction was filed in November to stop the sale of the precinct to Christchurch developer Sam Rofe for $13.98 million.
A midpoint of valuations was about $23m.
The injunction was heard in the High Court in February and dismissed by Justice Peter Andrew in April. The sale settled two weeks later
Goddard’s letter said it was unlikely an inquiry into the sale would add further value.
“It would also be inappropriate for us to appear to second-guess the court ’ s view” Uffindell told Local Democracy Reporting the Auditor-General’s decision did not change anything because the sale, in his view, remained a “terrible deal”.
“Private developers profited massively at the expense of Tauranga ratepayers
“The people of Tauranga deserve better” Goddard’s letter said concerns raised about the council centred on: Whether it was appropriate to exclude the public from relevant meetings or a lack of publicly available information about
decisions; whether the council followed a clear and appropriate process when deciding to sell, purchase, or lease property; whether the council achieved an appropriate sale or purchase price; and whether the council’s actions had inappropriately benefited private individuals and whether conflicts of interest were identified and managed
The office was not best placed to inquire into these concerns, the letter said.
It was up to the Ombudsman to examine whether it was appropriate to exclude the public from meetings.
It was also not the Auditor-General’s role to express a view on the merits of a particular decision.
“It is also not for us to say whether the council has achieved an appropriate sale or purchase price – that is, whether any transaction is a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ deal for ratepayers. ”
The Auditor-General could examine whether a public organisation followed an appropriate or agreed process in making a particular decision
The office had “carefully reviewed” information provided by correspondents, including the council, and other publicly available information.
“Based on what we have seen, the council has explained the approach that it took to the
transactions it has entered into, including the policy trade-offs it has considered in arriving at the decision to purchase, sell, or lease property
“We have not seen evidence to substantiate the concerns raised with us about the probity of the decision-making processes
“The fact that transactions may have led to a private benefit does not mean that decisions made by the council were improper”
The office asked the council to consider how and how often it made more information publicly available about the process and rationale for transactions, including those the office had reviewed.
“This might help to ensure trust and confidence in decisions the council has made.”
Council head of commercial Alastair McNeil said the council welcomed the findings
“We acknowledge the finding that there is no evidence to support concerns about the council’s decision-making processes
“We are committed to publicly disclosing significant future decisions, where appropriate ”
pressure, and it’s good to know the value of your property.
Any newcomers putting down roots in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty are invited to two events on two days this month
A picnic celebration will be held next week in Pāpāmoa, and planting a tree will happen in the ‘Welcoming Forest’ at TECT Park on September 14.
“We think that the Welcoming Week organised by the Welcoming Communities is a great week to make newcomers feel welcome and learn more about the rohe,” said Multicultural Tauranga president Premila D’Mello “For two years we ’ ve been contributing to this week-long effort by hosting a Multicultural Picnic for migrant children and their families.”
The Multicultural Picnic is on Saturday, September 13, from
5 & 6
$5 entry (under 12 Free)
Massed displays of flowering plants
Free growing advice Orchids & other unusual plants for sale
Cafe, raffles, cash out available
10.30am-2.30pm at Pāpāmoa Sports & Recreation Centre at Gordon Spratt Reserve. D’Mello said the free event offers newcomers a welcoming opportunity to meet other migrant families. “Attendees are encouraged to bring a plate of picnic food but there will be picnic food provided by Multicultural Tauranga for children and families,” D’Mello said.
“We are collaborating with Volunteering Services, who will be providing some entertainment and a very Kiwi sausage sizzle for the event. There will also be free candy floss, face painting, cultural games and lots of prizes.”
Everyone is welcome to join – people should register on the Multicultural Tauranga Facebook event page encouraged for health and safety and catering reasons.
“Our events like the Multicultural Picnic often lead to life-long friendships and meaningful connections, as people
from both similar and diverse cultural backgrounds come together and form lasting bonds,” D’Mello said “These relationships help newcomers feel more settled and supported in the Bay of Plenty”
The Welcoming Forest Planting Day, run by Western Bay District Council, is on Sunday, September 14 from 10am-12pm at TECT Park. “Over time, this forest will continue to grow, and you can come back to visit your tree. Whether you ’ ve moved here from overseas, or from elsewhere in NZ, everyone is welcome,” said the council. A bus will be available for up to 40 people, which will leave from the Historic Village, 17th Ave, Tauranga, at 9.15am, and return by 12.30pm The event starts 10am. Poep can make their own way to TECT All Terrain Park located on SH36. Registration for the event is at: https://tinyurl.com/3uhb4nt4
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Six months ago, Kathy watched her walking group head off without her Today, the 67-year-old retiree leads the pack.
“I thought my serious tramping days were over, ” she admits “My knees were really complaining if I did anything with elevation or distance They left me on the sidelines while my friends went walking It was really tough ”
Like many active retirees, Kathy had spent decades exploring New Zealand’s beauty Weekend trips to local DOC tracks, summer holidays tramping around the South Island - it was who she was The idea of giving it all up felt like losing part of herself
For months, she tried everything she could think of Rest days, stretching routines, different walking shoes “I was determined not to give up, ” she says “But nothing was really making a difference ”
Then, reading the local paper one morning, an article caught her eye
“I saw this piece about Koru FX,” she recalls “A number of well known Kiwis said it helped them stay active Then I saw it in the pharmacy and thought why not. ”
What impressed Kathy was the natural approach “I’d tried other gels before but I wasn ’ t keen on them long-term,” she explains “This one was different being all natural and made in New Zealand ” She started applying Koru FX morning and night
“The cream has this lovely peppermint scent, absorbs quickly and you feel it working near instantly There’s an initial
warmth, then it’s followed by a cooler soothing sensation that seem ’ s to last a really long time Within a couple of weeks, I noticed I was moving more confidently Not miraculous, but I found it impressive ”
The cream ’ s blend of 16 natural compounds is the only joint cream with this triple-action formula
Warming oils like black pepper and nutmeg help the ingredients penetrate, while peppermint and eucalyptus then provide cooling relief Mānuka, calendula and other botanicals offer long-lasting support throughout the day
“What I like is that it’s not just sitting on the surface,” Kathy says “You feel it absorb like a moisturiser, so it’s not sticking to my
clothes I just keep doing what I love and forget about my joints ”
Now, she’s back on the trails with her group She’s also exploring easier bush walks with grandchildren
“Teaching them about native birds, showing them my favourite spots - I thought I’d lost that,” she reflects “I’m not running marathons, but I’m out there creating memories That’s what matters ”
She’s introduced several friends to Koru FX
“We’ve got no intention of spending retirement on the couch,” she grins “In fact, I’ve got a bit of cabin fever just sitting here chatting Time to get moving!”
A once-proud motor sailer that spent more than 20 years moored off Ōmokoroa has been lovingly given up by its owner to raise funds for youth sailing, thanks to a group of sailing buddies who rallied to help
The project also offers a rare bright spot in a growing issue of derelict boats clogging the Tauranga Harbour
Former Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club commodore and life member David Peet was inspired after a fire at the Tauranga Marina earlier this year left several boats damaged and abandoned
When one of those boats failed to sell – even for $1 on TradeMe – the club struck a deal with the insurance company to take it apart and keep any salvaged materials That experience raised $3000 for the club and sparked a larger idea for Peet’s “bunch of merry men ”
Their mission was to dismantle Karangi – which
The Karangi has been moored o Ōmokoroa for more than 20 years.
would have needed far more money to restore it than it was worth – and salvage valuable materials such as lead and bronze, and put the proceeds toward the club’s youth sailing programmes
“There’s quite a bit of money in the lead It’s a voluntary fundraising demolition job The boat has been donated to the yacht club and the owner of it is delighted that it’s going to help youth sailing,” Peet said
The 40-foot sloop rigged motor sailer was built by Salthouse boat builders in Auckland for Howard Smith and designed by scientist Jack Brooke, who is regarded as one of NZ’s most important yacht designers
In 1958 Smith named the boat Te Wairu Karangi, which translated means ‘The restless spirit’ It spent its early life in Wellington, and Peet said it’s “been sitting out at Ōmokoroa for 25 years or more ” .
“There are a lot of derelict boats up there [at Ōmokoroa] but the problem is how do people get rid of them?” Peet said “We’ve come up with the idea
Pacific Lakes Village is set amongst tranquil park like grounds and private lakes Spacious modern villas and terrace houses have been designed to create a vibrant community, providing an ideal setting for your active and independent lifestyle.
The village’s main community facility, The Pavilion, is currently under construction Positioned on the lakes edge, this impressive building will house an eatery, lounge bar, library, art studio, beauty salon, wellness suite and extensive recreational facilities
Show villa available to view by appointment 242 Grenada Street, Mount Maunganui
pacificlakes co nz | 07 262 0191
that by donating the boat to the yacht club, we get our team in and cut it up, take the lead to scrap and use the funds raised to put towards youth sailing” Karangi was hauled out of the water using the Tauranga Marina’s travel lift and placed on a hardstand During the course of a week, Peet and his team cut the vessel apart and recovered roughly four tonnes of lead, along with bronze fittings and other scrapable items They’re expecting to raise more than $12,000 from the project
“There’s the odd bit of good wood and a nice mahogany table We can salvage some of the gear out of it, but most of its very old We’ve got a lovely, dedicated bunch of senior members in the yacht club We’ve made it a bit of a fun event and my wife came down with morning tea And the Marina Society and Greg Prescott, the marina manager, have bent over backwards for us ”
Prescott said the problem with older boats in the harbour that are worse for wear and needing restoring is that they’re only worth “between nothing and $50,000”
“And who’s going to want to go and spend $200,000 on it as when you finish, it’s still only
worth $50,000 The logical thing is that you ’ re going to end up scrapping them,” Prescott said
The Tauranga Harbourmaster team said they are open to exploring the option of community-led salvage efforts and would welcome further discussions with Peet’s group
Harbourmaster Jon Jon Peters said the rising number of abandoned and derelict boats in Tauranga Harbour was becoming a costly issue, with ratepayers
often footing the bill for their disposal if they sink
“We’re seeing more and more boats left to deteriorate on their moorings,”
Peters said “Each one of these vessels can cost anywhere up to $25,000 to remove if they sink, and when we can ’ t recover the costs from the owner, the community ultimately pays for this”
Many vessels now causing problems were built during the boating boom of the 1960s and 1970s – and now, decades later, they’re reaching the end of their usable life
“Some owners can ’ t afford the upkeep anymore Others don’t have the skills or time to maintain their boats, and some just lose interest and walk away, ” Peters said “Unfortunately, if those boats sink, they may become hazards to navigation, create environmental risks
and become costly to dispose of”
The Bay of Plenty Harbourmaster team manages 490 moorings across the region and annual inspections by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s marine biosecurity dive team have revealed that around 40% of vessels moored in Tauranga Harbour are showing signs of neglect, with no recent hull maintenance
“This is a red flag,” Peters said “Neglected boats are more likely to become derelict and, once they reach that point, the costs and risks of sinking multiply”
The Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club’s volunteer approach of salvaging boats while raising money for a good cause had resulted in a “win-win”
“It’s not going to be the first one and it won ’ t be the last”
Progress is driving forward for plans to create a new motorsport facility at TECT Park.
Western Bay of Plenty Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with representatives of the soon-to-beformed Thunder Ridge Motorsport Park Trust on August 26
This follows WBOPDC unanimously approving ‘in principle’ the proposal at their August 15 meeting. “We’ve worked closely with the council throughout the development stage of the Thunder Ridge idea and we ’ re now in a position to turn that idea into a reality thanks to the unanimous support of all council members,” said Tony Roberts of Thunder Ridge “It’s exciting times for us and for the region and it will now be full steam ahead to turn the ambitious plans into reality” Council said the MOU enabled lease
negotiations and planning to go ahead for the proposed development of 70ha within TECT Park’s motor sport zone.
Focused on grassroots motorsport events, car club events and track days, the facility would include a 3 2km circuit, pit garages, on-site garages, clubrooms and potentially a café and camping area for track users.
TECT Park is jointly owned by WBOPDC and Tauranga City Council.
WBOPDC is the administering body
The park already has a 360ha designated motorsport zone, leased long-term to Te Matai Motorsport – a group of motorsport clubs – since it opened.
WBOPDC acting chief executive Miriam Taris said the lease by Thunder Ridge is dependent on conditions and consents, including Te Matai Motorsport surrendering its lease. Member clubs would then have their
Maunganui Ratepayers,
own individual leases.
“Motorsport has had a strong home at TECT Park since it opened, and this project would bring even more opportunities for clubs, fans, and the wider community to get involved,” said Taris. “Thunder Ridge brings professionalism and experience to this project, with a clear vision for a sealed racing track and facilities that could attract significant numbers of visitors.”
The MOU is not an approval to build, Taris said, but an agreement to work through processes towards a lease agreement. “If for any reason negotiations fail, it will not go ahead.”
Thunder Ridge presented their business plan to WBOPDC on August 5.
“Motorsport has had a strong home at TECT Park since it opened, and this project would bring even more opportunities for clubs, fans, and the wider community to get involved,” said Roberts, who is behind the project along with long-time racer Roger Williams and former Pukekohe Park and Hampton Downs circuit manager Gary Stirling
The circuit will not require public funding and will be fully compliant to world governing body of motorsport, FIA’s high standards, said Roberts.
Council said discussions were ongoing with Te Matai Motorsport and individual clubs, which support Thunder Ridge’s proposal, pending final details. Te Matai Motorsport Inc chair David Loughlin said his group had worked proactively with Thunder Ridge since early-2023. “The inclusion of a race circuit at TECT Park has always been a key part of our vision for the facility” Council is developing a motorsport management committee with the clubs and individual leases. The proposed lease term for Thunder Ridge is 33 years, with two rights of renewal – the same proposed for motorsport clubs currently at TECT The park will pursue required subdivisions for Thunder Ridge and the individual clubs. If all pre-conditions are met, construction could start by the year ’ s end.
A “book battle” is about to debut in Tauranga this month after success last year on Auckland, Waikato and Manawatū soil.
The Book Battle NZ will be hosted by Pyes Pā Primary School on September 15 with students from local 15 schools participating, said New Zealand Literary Association (NZLA) president Todd Burton Having witnessed the Waikato
Book Battle enjoy three years of success, Burton – a teacher at Omokoroa No 1 School – decided to bring the Book Battle over the Kaimai Range.
“We’ve had reports back from the schools saying that the kids loved it,”
Burton said.
He put the word out for a Tauranga Book Battle at the start of this year, got interest from schools, and sourced a venue.
Book Battles encourage children to read widely, explore different genres
and visit their local library, said Burton.
For the competition, children pre-select five-six books to read and study – then they team up to
complete a quiz-style challenge on the day
Convinced that “ paper books aren ’ t going anywhere” Burton said there are titles that would suit even the most reluctant readers. “Scholastic put out plenty of awesome titles for kids to read. For boys [or those not keen on lots of words] there are graphic novels.”
Burton said the September 15 quiz would have multiple-choice answers to make it less threatening. “It’s competitive, but everyone ’ s out there to have a good time as well.”
Year 5-6 students participate in seven rounds of questions, while Years 7-8 compete in 10. Each round focuses on a specific book the students have read “We want to create lifelong readers,” Burton
said “If children are engaged in reading and they love books, then teaching them the reading process becomes easier”
Bayleys Tauranga is sponsoring the event with Scholastic providing the books to schools.
Bayleys Tauranga Sarah Campbell said the more kids are encouraged to read, the more they’ll learn at school. The Book Battle harnesses their competitiveness as a trigger to get them reading, she said “It’s an academic sport. ”
With 15 schools involved this year, Campbell hoped to get 30-40 on board in 2026.
Campbell and her team will provide winners’ cups and prizes, ensuring children feel rewarded for their effort, teamwork and enthusiasm. She said it’s more than a competition – it’s about inspiring young people to connect with literacy in a fun and memorable way Bijou Johnson
This loving fe find a new famil she’s a lovely yo and lots of fun
Betsy has lived choice if you ha home Betsy like independent stre doing her own th cat-savvy kids co Looking for a g in perfectly if yo to call her own Come and mee on 07 5780245
male feline, named Betsy, can ’ t wait to y to call her own Smoochy and friendly, ung adult cat at two years old; still playful with a small dog, so could be a good ve an existing, cat-friendly canine at es people and attention but also has an eak, so is happy cruising around and hing She’s lived with children before, so ould be a great fit great all-round family cat? Betsy will slot u give her plenty of pats and a cosy bed et Betsy today! Phone Tauranga SPCA Ref: 646148
The Te Puke Memorial Pool and Dave Hume Pool in Katikati will offer an expanded range of activities and swimming programmes when they open for the summer season, under new operators.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council has awarded the pool service delivery contract for the two pools to Bay Venues, for the next four years, with a two-year, performance-based extension.
The council also approved a nine-month operating season for the Dave Hume Pool, once current improvement works have been completed.
The partnership brings new aquatic opportunities for the communities while keeping the running of the pools local, WBOPDC interim chief executive Miriam Taris said.
“Bay Venues is a not-for-profit organisation that has strong community connections and also provides local jobs,” said Taris.
“They already manage five public pools across the BoP and are well placed to work with the Katikati and Te Puke communities to expand learn-to-swim programmes and support groups that struggle to access pool space elsewhere.”
WBOPDC owns the land and facilities at Dave Hume Pool.
It also owns the pool plant, the changing rooms for disabled
people and other equipment at the Te Puke Memorial Pool, which is located at Te Puke High School on land owned by Waitaha iwi and leased to the Ministry of Education These assets remain under WBOPDC ownership while Bay Venues will be responsible for their day-to-day operational expenses, including maintenance – but not capital works.
While Bay Venues is a Tauranga City Council-owned Council Controlled Organisation, the finances for the Te Puke and Katikati pools will be managed separately, ensuring ratepayers from each council only pay for their own pools, while also benefiting from the sharing of some mutual overhead costs.
The Katikati facility was previously operated by the Dave Hume Swimming Pool Trust and the Te Puke pool by a private contractor – both of these contracts expired in April.
In Katikati the main pool is currently being reconfigured, along with other improvements, to increase its learn-to-swim scope, improve accessibility and enable the pools to run for an extended season, from September through to the end of May each year
At Te Puke, a new swimming pool development is earmarked for 2030 in the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan
The location and design are yet to be decided. “While we don’t know exactly what our future pools will look like, we ’ re focused on making the best use of the facilities we have now so they can continue to offer a wide range of programmes and activities to meet our community’s diverse needs.”
Bay Venues head of aquatics, Matthew Strange said his organisation would bring new offerings while keeping operation of the facilities local “We’ll keep employing local people and are committed to a cost-neutral funding model, introducing operational efficiencies and leveraging economies of scale, without seeking profit. We’ll offer new community-focused programmes and activities, and aqua exercise and activity options, and BaySwim class options.”
Strange said Bay Venues would share its experience in pool safety, operations and training, and expand its Keep Me Safe supervision initiative and pool safety efforts. The Te Puke Memorial Pool will open summer season in October Katkati’s Dave Hume Pool will open in December, after upgrades were completed.
Summerset by the Dunes in Papamoa offers a relaxing, low-maintenance lifestyle, in a vibrant and welcoming village, with resort style facilities, and a renowned continuum of care All safe and secure within our fully gated community (care is subject to availability and eligibility criteria)
We know that moving to a retirement village is a big decision So why not come along to our High Tea and Tours, Thursday 11 and 18 September. See for yourself why our residents love the Summerset life
Love the life you choose.
High Tea and Tours
Thursday 11 and 18 September, 10:30am
Summerset by the Dunes 35 Manawa Road, Papamoa Beach 07 542 9082 | papamoa sales@summerset co nz
much
More than 20 years ago I was in Russia, and decided to go to the library The entrance to the library was massive. At the entrance I had to walk through metal detectors, then past security guards. Inside there were multi-level mezzanine floors in dark wood with their wooden safety railings. I wanted to read a book But I couldn’t. Unless I showed ID, signed for and registered the book
that I wanted to read Which I did
Our large political parties want to import digital identification systems here, which are in England and Australia. They say it will relieve parents from onerous guardianship Social media companies would be compelled to collect biometric ID from adults – including overseas visitors – for age verification. But this incentivises youth to access
SATURDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER MATINEE.
Last opportunity - just a few seats remaining Cost $255 pp includes -premium seats, transport & dinner on way home.
Priscilla is the heart warming, uplifting adventure where three friends who hop onboard a battered old bus looking for love and friendship, end up finding much more than they could have ever dreamed of With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and a hit parade of dancefloor favourites, this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey that will warm your heart and delight with memories of fun and frivolity!
Buckle up for a fabulous night out, that will keep you smiling all the way home!
Phone 07 572 4118 admin@zealandiertours com zealandiertours com
the dark web, creating a worse problem for parents Meanwhile it is unclear if the Government plans data collection from our cars to implement new ‘fair’ road user charges We should not create too much surveillance and enforcement data, because it has a risk of being misused
These policies are only replicas of justice and safety, but they would be exchanged for real freedom and life.
Andrew
Clow, Te Puna
As an old boy living with Colleen my wife in a two-storey house in Tauranga, I have come to realise that I may have become a worry wart apprentice That’s because neither of us are as young and agile as in days gone by
To the community of Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty, I want to express my deepest thanks for all you have given to Daffodil Day, with particular thanks to our local volunteers and area coordinators
While it may be our biggest fundraising event of the year, Daffodil Day carries special meaning and to many of us it is about connection, compassion, and hope
That being said, purely for peace of mind, and a firm believer in an ambulance at the top of the hill scenario, I called the local fire service to ask if they could possibly visit our home and assess it for fire risk etc
Within the week two firemen in a big red shiny truck turned up at our house, causing neighbours net curtains to twitch I’m sure
They were so helpful in their advice and also answered any questions put to them They also replaced two old smoke detectors, about 20 years old, which I hadn’t even thought of doing
I simply want to express my genuine heartfelt thanks to the guys and the service they belong to We will sleep easier from now on, that’s for sure Well done team
Mike Loakman, Ohauiti
The daffodil continues to stand as a figurehead for the one in three New Zealanders who will face a cancer diagnosis When we come together each August, we ’ re reminding those on the journey that they are seen, supported, and surrounded by a community determined to make a difference It was truly an honour to witness so much of our region painted yellow
In the past year, we have: accommodated 2,696 guests
at the Cancer Society’s Lions Lodge; contributed $252,583 to cancer research; driven 104,657km taking our clients to their cancer treatment; and provided 19,289 direct client services
These figures reflect the scale of the need – and the importance of your role in helping us meet it As cancer rates rise, our resolve to be here for every person who hears “ you have cancer ” only grows stronger I extend my heartfelt thanks to every donor, volunteer, business, school, community group and staff member who contributed to Daffodil Day this year Together, we are not just tackling cancer We are building a future where no one faces cancer alone, and where hope grows stronger with every year Ngā mihi nui
Helen Carter, CEO, Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty
No one faces cancer alone y Apartments selling from $715,000. Private tours available by appointment. 210 Maranui Street, Mount Maunganui
I have just read a report that a person who lives at the Mount visited Tauranga CBD, and was shocked at the state of the city He thought that the Covid lockdown was still in force, such was his impression of the “Tauranga ghost-town”. But, wait, he is obviously mistaken!
The Mayor says Tauranga is in for an “exciting transformation”, and the Tauranga City Council CEO “ supports the city centre revitalisation”. Maybe Drysdale and Grenfell should get out from behind their desks and walk down the city end of Devonport Rd? They would see more “for lease” signs in
shop windows than occupied
retailers The words that spring to mind are “sad”, “pathetic” and “underwhelming”.
No wonder there are so many empty stores because nobody
If, God forbid, New Zealand was thrust into war, the chances are there would be emergency housing and barracks erected very quickly up and down the country to accommodate the military with a working staff to maintain the buildings
Luckily, we are not at war – but we still have an emergency with the hordes of homeless people sleeping rough
Why can ’ t we have barracks and pre-fab houses erected and staff created – like the Salvation Army – to control and maintain these buildings?
My gut feeling is it won ’ t be allowed to happen because the NZ Parliament is overshadowed by the money barons, who would go all out to prevent anything that would devalue their real estate and rentals
I’vespentmostofmylifeinand aroundtheBay growingupin Rotorua,summersatNewdick’s Beach,fishingatPukehina,andnow livinginŌmokoroawithmyfamily andourrescuepup,Ruby.Thisplace hasshapedme.It’swhereIlearned thevalueofcommunity,oflistening, andofdoingthingsproperly.That’s whyI’mrunningforMayor. PeoplehaveaskedwhyIdidn’t makethesechangeswhenIwasthe WesternBayofPlentyCouncil’sCEO.
AuthorisedbyJohnHolyoake-JohnHolyoake@hotmailcom
wants to visit. Compare that to the shopping strip in Mount Maunganui. Always lots of people around, and no empty shops. The retail community there are obviously doing something right. The two-hour free parking in Tauranga was dumped because Commissioner Anne Tolley thought office workers were gaming the system As if office people have nothing better to do than move their vehicles every two hours. I would suggest that when the CBD is attractive enough to visit, then, and only then, will retailers and visitors return.
Gary Kenny, Bethlehem
We needto fix thisproblem andquickly!
Still we have in NZ a very real emergency Perhaps we need to do a survey of every country in the world and see how they deal with the problem of homelessness?
We need to fix this problem and quickly!
Ps I am well-fed and wellhoused but it brings a tear to my eye to see the homeless on TV
Ken Jones, Katikati
It’safairquestion.Thetruthis,the CEOrunstheorganisation notthe Council.Iadvised,Iimplemented,I ledteams.Butthedecisions?They camefromaroundtheCouncil table.Andtoooften,thattablewas boggeddowninpolitics. Isawfirsthandhowgoodideas stalled,howprioritiesshifted withpersonalities,andhowthe community’svoicecouldbe drownedoutbyprocess.That’snot acriticism it’stherealityoflocal
government.Butit’salsowhyI’m puttingmyhandupnow.Because Iknowhowthesystemworks,andI knowhowtomakeitworkbetter I’mnotrunningtopointfingers. I’mrunningtolead.Ibelieve Councilshouldbeaplacewhere smartdecisionsaremadesimply Wherewefocusonwhatmatters cleanwater,saferoads,good infrastructure andstopchasing distractions.Peoplearen’tasking forperfection.They’reaskingfor competence,clarity,andvaluefor money.
I’veledbillion-dollarprojects, builtthousandsofhomes,and workedacrossgovernment,iwi, andtheprivatesector AtTāmaki RegenerationCompany,we deliveredthousandsofhomes andrevitalisedcommunities. AtCorrections,Ihelpedsetup NewZealand’sfirstPublicPrivate Partnershipprison.Theseweren’tjust projects theywereproofthatwith therightleadership,bigchallenges canbemethead-on.
Butleadershipisn’tjustaboutbig budgets.It’saboutknowingwhen tolisten,whentoact,andwhen togetoutoftheway.It’sabout understandingthatbureaucracy can’tbeallowedtosmother progress.Thatthebestdecisionsare oftenthesimplestones.Andthat Council’sjobistoserve,notstall We’reheadingintoaperiod ofchange.Waterreform, amalgamations,ratecaps it’s coming,whetherwelikeitornot.
Councilswillbetested.Weneed tobeready.Thatmeansstrong leadership,notmorepolitics.It meansprotectingourlocalvoice whilepartneringforprogress.Andit meanshavingsomeoneatthehelm who’sbeenintheengineroomand knowshowtosteer I’mnotheretomakenoise. I’mheretomakeadifference.I knowhowtoturnchallengesinto opportunities.
Let’sbuildasmarter,stronger WesternBay.Together Thisishow wedoit!
YoushouldexpectCounciltoworkwith,and
Metlifecare presents Bay Sands Village your modern coastal retirement in the Bay of Plenty. Looking to join a vibrant community with stunning new homes and modern amenities? Bay Sands Village is ready to welcome you.
Brand-new apartments available now
Bay Sands Village offers the ultimate in relaxed living with spacious, light-filled apartments in two or three-bedroom layouts Perfect for entertaining or unwinding in style.
Apartment features
Exceptional quality -7-Star Homestar
Design Certified
Modern kitchens, spacious living areas, high quality appliances and fittings
Main bathroom with underfloor heating
24-hour emergency call buttons
Two-bedroom apartments from $740,000^
Three-bedroom apartments from $920,000^
Village facilities
Heated indoor pool, spa, gym and wellness room
Library/media room, billiards table and activities area
Spacious lounge, dining room and café
Resident workshop
Multi-purpose green, Pétanque and BBQ area†
Care Suites available now
† Expected to be available from late 2026
Timing subject to change
A Tauranga organisation providing hospitality and welfare to seafarers is celebrating Merchant Navy Day this Sunday at their Mount Maunganui home on Hull Rd.
The event includes a blessing of a new van, recognising 70 volunteers, and a community lunch
The United Seafarers Mission (USM) invited people from sea and the shore to join them at their Tauranga Seafarers Centre on September 7. After a two-year hiatus, the event had relocated from Sulphur Point with Reverend Iain Dickson at the helm.
Dickson said the USM wanted to honour those who serve in the Merchant Navy, along with their fathers and grandfathers. “They give their lives in service to their nation.
“There are those who have lost lives to the sea, and it’s not like parents can take their
bodies and bring them home. They just disappeared.”
As such, Merchant Navy Day is a time of thanksgiving, recognition and fellowship to honour the contribution of seafarers and the Merchant Navy to New Zealand, ports nationwide, and local communities, said Dickson New van
Another triumph would be celebrated too on September 7. The USM had, via generous grants and community support, recently purchased a new 12-seater Ford Transit van to continue transporting seafarers safely
On one occasion, 33 seafarers arrived at the centre within 40 minutes, proving the demand for ample transportation.
Dickson said USM was able to transport 11 seafarers in the first van, and another 11 in the second, and return for the final group
“Their time is so precious,” said Dickson, who shared one seafarer had to be back on his ship within three hours.
He’d been on the ship for seven months straight, and
he wasn ’ t alone. Dickson said 1.8 million seafarers were on the ocean at any time, and out of 12,000 seafarers that come through the Port of Tauranga annually, roughly 100 are female. In terms of culture, 60% are Filipino, followed by Indians, Chinese, Ukrainians and Russians, said Dickson, who believed the USM offered “Kiwi hospitality to the stranger, the sojourner”.
Three organisations within the USM – Stella Maris, the Mission to Seafarers, and Galilee – had 70 volunteers to tend to seafarers.
They run a small snack shop and exchange USD money into NZ currency, and support seafarers in any way they can, said Dickson. For example, one volunteer took a seafarer to a dentist after he’d suffered toothache for three weeks.
The USM also monitors ships, ensuring captains follow Maritime NZ rules and maritime laws, seafarers’
wages are fair, and raise concerns to ship welfare officers If the public want to attend Merchant Navy Day, contact Iain Dickson
Hato Hone St John ambulance service has experienced its busiest winter on record, with July and August marking the two heaviest months for ambulance callouts in the service’s history
In August alone, HHStJ had more than 50,000 ambulance incidents – the highest number ever recorded in a single month “Winter always brings additional pressures, but this year we ’ ve seen unprecedented demand,” said Rosanne Shaw, Acting DCE Ambulance Operations
“We have seen a significant rise in respiratoryrelated emergencies In the past year, ambulance crews responded to almost 6000 cases of breathing difficulties, up 33% on the 12-month average ”
While ambulance demand has been soaring, HHStJ has also been helping to reduce pressure on hospital Emergency Departments Each day, around 350 patients who may otherwise go to EDs are instead either being safely managed at home, or are being referred to community health services, by our paramedics on scene or remotely by a team of health professionals via phone, using care pathways and telehealth support, Hato Hone
St John said in a statement released this week
A key part of this effort has been the recent rollout of the Government-funded 24/7 online GP service, launched by Health New Zealand in mid-2025, which allows patients to book an appointment with a registered health professional for care that is not serious or life-threatening
“This initiative is already proving its value,” said Dr Damian Tomic, DCE of Clinical Services
“It means patients get timely care that’s right for their needs, freeing up our ambulance crews to focus on the most urgent emergencies It’s a win for patients, hospitals, and the wider health system We are working on establishing referral pathways to the new service for patients who, following triage - do not require an ambulance “Making this initiative work in the long term will involve building strong connections with local providers We have already begun engaging with them to establish clear and reliable referral pathways, and to explore how their services can best integrate with ours ”
HHStJ is also urging the public to continue using all health services wisely – calling 111 for emergencies; Healthline, the 24/7 online GP service, for non-urgent issues; and their local GP or pharmacy where possible
Caleb Stuart has been awarded the title of 2025 Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year for the Bay of Plenty & Central Plateau region, recognising his outstanding craftsmanship, professionalism and leadership within the building industry
Trained through BCITO and employed by A Knight Design & Build in Tauranga, Stuart stood out among a competitive field of entrants.
His submission detailed every stage of a high-end residential build in Waihī Beach from earthworks to its current stage, highlighting his thorough understanding of construction processes. The regional competition tested more than just technical ability
Each apprentice was required to submit a project overview, take part in a two-hour practical challenge constructing a planter box, and participate in an interview and on-site assessment.
Judges praised Stuart’s confidence, enthusiasm, and strong technical knowledge, noting his ease in communicating complex construction details and his professional approach on-site.
During the practical challenge, his focus and attention to detail, resulted in a high-quality finished product.
“Stuart’s commitment to excellence and his positive attitude confirm that he has a bright future ahead in the industry,” said the judging panel.
Now a qualified builder, Stuart continues to develop his skills at A Knight Design & Build, a building and design company with a team of seven builders working across new
builds and renovations “I love being a builder and I still have plenty to learn’” he said Director Adam Knight said “ to be a good builder, you need to have been in the trade for seven-10 years ” highlighting the value of long-term experience in the industry Stuart will now represent his region at the National Apprentice of the Year competition, on October 9-10 at The Cloud in Auckland, alongside six fellow top apprentices from around New Zealand
Bike racks are once again available on public buses in Tauranga and Whakatāne.
The use of bike racks was temporarily suspended in late 2024 after NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi raised concerns about potential headlight obstruction on some bus models when the racks were in use. Operators were advised to keep the racks locked upright while the issue was investigated and solutions developed.
The required modifications have now been completed on the Tauranga and Whakatāne fleets, enabling the safe return of front-mounted bike racks across the Bay of Plenty’s urban network. This follows the return of bike racks to Rotorua buses in July Bike racks are fitted to all urban buses in Rotorua, Tauranga, and Whakatāne. No booking is required and most standard bikes can be carried.
Discover the lifestyle our vibrant retirement villages have to offer with guided tours and friendly conversations. Whether you’re planning for the future or ready to make the move, we can’t wait to welcome you
Your country club retirement
Set on 42 acres of lush grounds and home to a friendly community, offering a range of facilities, to live life at your own pace
Apartments from $650,000^
Two-bedroom villas from $800,000^
A new gem in the Bay
The ultimate in relaxed retirement living Spacious apartments, perfect for entertaining or unwinding in style Plus, get $30k cashback when you choose brand-new.*
Two-bedroom apartments from $770,000^
Three-bedroom apartments from $900,000^
33 Gloucester Road, Mt Maunganui
10 Welcome Bay Road, Tauranga Call Jamie on 07 544 7711 $30k cashback*
Call Jamie on 07 572 9090
Resort-style retirement living
A boutique retirement village located in the heart of downtown Tauranga, with architecturally designed, spacious luxury apartments and premium care home (subject to availability)
One-bedroom apartments from $720,000^
Two-bedroom apartments from $690,000^
10 Tenth Avenue, Tauranga
Call Jamie on 07 544 7711
Life’s a beach in Pāpāmoa
Enjoy bach-style living at Pāpāmoa Beach Village
Set on flat grounds and amongst a friendly community, life is like a holiday retreat close to conveniences, yet away from the city’s hustle
Two-bedroom villas from $657,000^
Three-bedroom villas from $950,000^
2 Te Okuroa Drive, Pāpāmoa Beach Call Amy on 07 547 4175
The ultimate coastal playground
Discover Bayswater village, offering relaxed coastal living near the beach in the heart of Mt Maunganui
Two-bedroom apartments from $740,000^
60 Maranui Street, Mt Maunganui Call Amy on 07 547 4175
Bay of Plenty Open Days
Greenwood Park 15 September, 10am–2pm
Bay Sands Village 16 September, 10am–2pm
Bayswater Village 17 September, 10am–2pm The Avenues 18 September, 10am–2pm Pāpāmoa Beach Village 19 September, 10am–2pm
Ōmokoroa o
Playcentre’s muchloved Pre-Loved Fundraiser is back this month, offering the community a chance to shop sustainablly, find bargains and support local tamariki all at once
Ōmokoroa Playcentre’s Pre-Loved Fundraiser will generate funds to improve their playground and support ongoing resources.
sponsoring the fundraiser
The event w will be held at Ōmokoroa Playcentre on Sunday, September 14 from 9am-nooon, said Kirstie Parker, a playcentre paarent.
“The sale wiill focus on quality pre-loved items for ages zero to six, including chiildren’s clothing, toys, books, puzzlees, and nursery gear
“They will be matching every dollar raised – which will double the impact of the community’s support ” Alongside the pre-loved sale, there will be a raffle and silent auction with prizes donated by local businesses.
“For a sneak peek at what’s on offer, head to the Ōmokoroa Playcentre Facebook page, where auction lots will be revealed ahead of time ”
“Families caan expect plenty of affordable treasures, perfect for little ones who are growing fast!”
Parker said t this year ’ s event has had an exciting boost thanks to Annabel Reyes and Chhris A’Court of Barfoot & Thompson Ōmokoroa, who are
Omokoroa IT has been in business now for six years, having started after Covid-19 struck
Owner Dan Hesson left the corporate IT world to set up his own business and he hasn’t had time for his feet to hit the ground since
“If I had one piece of advice for my customers, ” said Hesson, “it would be: ‘Be proactive with your IT security’ ” Hesson and his team of five s portion of their home visits in helping people recover from o scams or resolving technical is customers aren ’ t sure how to h
ay a large nvolve online sues their handle
Scammers and hackers are get smarter and more sophisticated with their dealings, said Hesson. “It is like continually putting out fires and this is not going to get easier for anyone, ” he said Providing on-the-spot, in-your-home repairs from small to large jobs, they will fix and install networks, pr
users is a big part of our job ”
With a largely older customer base, Hesson’s team spends time teaching clients what to watch out for online, reminding them to call for advice rather than click on suspicious links “We really value building trust with our customers ”
So much so, Hesson has even been asked by a client to help move his fridge on one of his visits “It’s all part of the job for Omokoroa IT”
Kem Ormond
Parker said Playcentre parents say the event is always a highlight “It’s about more than fundraising – it’s a fun, feel good day where people connect, shop, and give back ”
This year all funds raised would go towards improving Ōmokoroa Playcentre’s playground and supporting ongoing resources for tamariki, Parker said
“So mark your calendars, Sunday 14 September is set to be our biggest Pre-Loved Fundraiser yet!”
A Community Health Liaison and Network Group (CHLNG) has formed in Tauranga to assist people in the Bay of Plenty with health needs who might fall through the cracks
The group ’ s chairperson Robyn Paterson said the CHLNG had been established on the strong foundation of many years of dedicated grassroots work by various support services in the BOP region
“Our group ’ s members bring extensive experience and in-depth knowledge, representing a wide array of organisations,” Paterson said These include mental health
support, disability services, senior assistance groups, heart health organisations, Hato Hone St John, diabetes support, Plunket, brain injury services, hearing and vision disability groups, Parkinson’s support, osteoporosis services, Rural Women, Grey Power, Age Concern, Māori health organisations, multicultural groups, Alzheimer’s support, osteomyelitis advocates, and many more.
“A Te Whatu Ora Bay of Ple consumer engagement represe also sits on the g effective commu collaboration w
and connecting the group to other health and community resources ” Meeting every two months, the group would provide a regular forum for sharing challenges, networking, and collaborating to g of le
y included individuals discharged from hospital without a clear follow-up plan, or families facing a new diagnosis and were unsure where to find help, Paterson said
The group welcomed anyone working in community health, who is committed to helping people thrive, to join CHLNG.
“The Community Health Liaison and Network Group encourages more support organisations in the BOP to join our efforts,” said Paterson, who noted that most support provided by the groups involved was free of charge. For more information, contact Robyn Paterson 027 498 7482 or Berenice Langson on 027 252 7156.
leading to joint omfort.
ffective way to manage osteoarthritis educing inflammation because it plays a significant role in joint pain and stiffness. While diet is helpful, well formulated supplements can be anti-inflammatory
The most important is Chondroitin sulphate supported by Omega 3 fish oil and Curcumin from turmeric I speak to p
more comfortable joints by adopting these measures, especially well formulated joint supplements Recently, two people with knee arthritis reported significant improvements after two months of therapy Chondroitin sulphate is a component of cartilage, recognised for its anti-inflammatory properties. It plays a central role in reducing inflammation in joints by inhibiting destructive enzymes that break down cartilage and suppressing immune system generated inflammation in the joint capsule.
people daily who have much
•
Unfortunately, most supplements don’t include this or have it in smaller, ineffective amounts. This begs the question – why this is the case? Surely manufacturers are aware of the benefits of Chondroitin. I think due to the high price of quality chondroitin, especially when compared with much cheaper Glucosamine.
A good Chondroitin maintenance dose is 800mg daily However, I usually start people with OA on double this My formula combines Chondroitin with Glucosamine and Curcumin from turmeric This, com-bined with the right dose of Omega 3 fish oil, can make huge differences to arthritic joints
John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice, contact John on 0800 423559 or email: john@abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz
This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Child Cancer Foundation (CCF) is calling on Kiwis to get creative with their hair for Wig Wednesday – on September 10 – to help ensure no kid faces cancer alone.
Now in its 10th year, Wig Wednesday has raised an incredible $1.5 million since it began. But with a 19.2% increase in referrals so far for 2025 compared to last year – the need for support has never been greater, said Child Cancer Foundation chief executive Monica Briggs
“Every week, three families in New Zealand face the devastating news their child has cancer, ” Briggs said.
“The pressure on families is enormous, and with referrals increasing rapidly, our support is needed more than ever From petrol vouchers and counselling to accommodation and peer connection, we provide a lifeline during their darkest days,” Briggs said.
“None of this would be possible without the kindness and generosity of Kiwis who get behind Wig Wednesday and other fundraising efforts ” Briggs said the foundation is the only organisation in New Zealand providing personalised, one-to-one support to every child with cancer step of the way It currently walks than 1500 families, emotional and financial what is often the har their lives.
Wig Wednesday
With no direct government funding, the foundation must raise $6.5 million each year to continue its work – relying entirely on the generosity of everyday Kiwis, Briggs said.
Wig Wednesday in particular is a light-hearted, colourful way to suppor families going thr
something unimaginably tough, said Briggs Losing hair is a particularly painful part of a child’s cancer journey as they go through chemotherapy – participants can wear a wig, style a wacky hairdo, or even shave their head in solidarity. While the official day is Wednesday, September 10, people can take part any time during September by fundraising at school, work, or with whānau
This year, Child Cancer Foundation hopes to raise $250,000 – but said it would be “incredible” to reach $500,000, hitting the $2 million milestone raised through Wig Wednesday since the campaign began.
How to get involved
• Sign up or donate at: wigwednesday.org.nz
• Text ‘WIG’ to 3457 to instantly donate $3, as many times as you like
• Wear a wig, go wild with your hair, or shave it off to show your support.
“Wig Wednesday isn’t just about fun and fundraising,” said Briggs “It’s about showing tamariki facing cancer that their community stands beside them – providing strength, hope and practical support every step of the way ” About CCF
essential support nosed with cancer and eek in Aotearoa, devastating has cancer The to ensure these e their journey ng tailored otional, financial, and practical assistance to meet their unique needs. With a nationwide network of family support coordinators, the foundation provides one-on-one guidance, connection, and care from diagnosis ough treatment
To learn more or ldcancer org.nz
“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier”
– Roy E. Disney
We are always making decisions, ranging from small choices like what to have for lunch, to major life decisions such as buying a home. They are a constant activity of our everyday lives. When it comes to making those decisions, your mind may look for comfort, but your spirit will search for challenge, because there is an underlying desire for growth and purpose in our lives. Values –which are your core beliefs and principles – play an important role in your decision making process They serve as a type of guiding light, they remove that feeling of confusion and they help you make more conscious and consistent decisions when you note if they align with, or violate, your core beliefs Decisions consistent with one ’ s values often lead to less regret and more confidence in the outcomes, and empower you to stand by those big decisions with greater assurance. Do you have clarity around what your values are that will enable you to make decisions more easily?
If youd 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
Do Something Blue to help a mate through this September – Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
If you haven’t been directly affected by prostate cancer you ’ re bound to know someone who has
Today, somewhere in New Zealand, 10 men – fathers, brothers, husbands, sons or best mates – will be told they have prostate cancer There are 4000 prostate cancer cases every year, and it is the most common cancer for men in Aotearoa New Zealand
The funds you raise will help the Prostate Cancer Foundation provide the support services that they and their families need, advocate for improved standards of care and invest in research that will not only save their lives but help
them live their best life beyond diagnosis
Every dollar raised during Blue September makes this possible – every effort, every activity, every dollar, every cent, however small Every little makes a lot
hat is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate, the small gland that sits below the bladder and is part of the male reproductive system
Like the rest of your body, the prostate is made of tiny ‘building blocks’ called cells
Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of these cells into a lump or tumour
Prostate cancer symptoms
The symptoms of prostate cancer are often hard to pick out and confused
with other non-cancerous conditions
The symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
- difficulty peeing - peeing more often, especially at night
- pain when peeing
- blood in your pee or semen
Often there are no signs of early-stage prostate cancer
Having these symptoms does not mean you have prostate cancer, but it is important to have any changes checked by your doctor
Talking to your doctor
- make a list of what you are feeling and how often it happens, including as much detail as possible
- think about your family/whānau history of cancer and tell your doctor - go back to your doctor if you don’t
feel better, even if tests show you don’t have a problem - you can ask for a second opinion if you want one - take a family/whānau member or friend with you to the appointment for support
hat causes prostate cancer?
Like many types of cancer, we don’t always know why people get prostate cancer, but some things increase your risk These risk factors include:
- getting older
- if your father or brother has been diagnosed with prostate cancer
Men are more likely to develop prostate cancer as they get older It is also more common in men who have a father or brother with prostate cancer, and in families who carry certain genes such as the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
When Brendan Dugan is on-stage, he often talks of his prostate cancer diagnosis
“Afterwards, I always get men come up to me to talk about it, wondering if they should get checked,” said the Mount Maunganui-based veteran entertainer.
“They just want to know what it’s like by talking to somebody who’s been there,” said Dugan
This Blue September he wants more Kiwi males to get regular health checks “I’m 100% behind getting the message out, ” said Dugan, who is part of country music band the NZ Highwaymen with Gray Bartlett, Dennis Marsh and Frankie Stevens
diagnosed with prostate cancer shortly after With the pandemic halting many medical treatments, Dugan opted for radiation at Tauranga Hospital “To me, the radiation, it was no big deal – I had about 20 bouts – except that it does tire you and for a few years you feel ugh ”
Dugan said his wife Sandy was a big support to him “This year we celebrated 40 years of marriage, so we ’ re a pretty cool couple ”
“Prostate cancer can hit anybody at any time ” Dugan knows this too well
About 10 years ago he approached his doctor “You get this feeling sometimes So every three months from then on I’d do the blood test – that went on for five years with nothing found ”
All of a sudden, Dugan’s PSA
Blood test results spiked “It happened overnight ” He was
Today Dugan is happy to report he’s more-or-less cancerfree. “I’m pretty clear – but I still get checked regularly” And he’s back on the road, doing what he loves – entertaining people – and urging men to get regular health checks “I’m about to lose another mate to cancer and if he’d got tested earlier on ” It could kill you!
Dugan said Kiwi men are well-known for keeping quiet, or thinking they’re tough enough to withstand most health problems “It’s amazing really, the amount who don’t talk – that’s what our men have got to get over I’m quite happy to talk about it – maybe that’s because of the way I think – I mean, why wouldn’t you go and get checked? It could kill you!
Mount Maunganui-based veteran entertainer Brendan Dugan wants all Kiwi men to get regular health check-ups
“I think a lot of it is this bigman perception – well I’m sorry but that’s just crazy Once you ’ ve been through it, you realise this: None of us are bulletproof!”
Dugan’s cancer diagnosis is not the only one to touch the NZ Highway Men The late Eddie Low had stomach cancer Dugan said this shows cancer can touch anyone
Often no symptoms
According to PCNZ, there are often no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer – but early detection is vital This year 4231 Kiwi men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 730 will die With the NZ Highwaymen bringing ‘Tour 25’ to Tauranga
in October, Dugan is “really forward to it”, and happy to still be enjoying life
This month NZers will host Blue September fundraisers to raise more than $1 million for PCNZ, which support the one-in-eight Kiwi blokes diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime Find out more at: www blueseptember org nz
The ultimate girls’ day out awaits Bay of Plenty ladies, filled with shopping, pampering and mouthwatering indulgences, and the chance to win amazing prizes!
Gather your besties and prepare for an unforgettable day at 2025’s Tauranga Women’s Lifestyle Expo this month!
The two-day event – on Saturday, September 20, and Sunday, September 21, at Mercury Baypark, Mount Maunganui – is for women of all ages, and features everything you can think of that relates to women
The incredible weekend of shopping, inspiration, pampering
exhibitors showcasing the latest in fashion, beauty, health, wellness, gourmet food, beverages and much more to explore.
To find out more information, or to purchase earlybird tickets to the expo, visit: www womenslifestyleexpo co nz
Thanks to the expo organisers, The Weekend Sun has two double passes to 2025’s Tauranga Women’s Lifestyle Expo to give away to two lucky readers who can tell us the expo ’ s dates?
The two Bay of Plenty heats of the 2025 Vista Foundation 48Hours Film competition will be held on Sunday, September 7, at 2.30pm and 3.45pm
Sixteen BoP teams, including three student teams from Otūmoetai College, will have their films screened in the heats Filmmakers will be viewing the heats at a Tauranga venue with limited seating available, while the public will be able to watch and vote for their favourite by following live online
To enter, visit sunlive co nz and click on the ‘competitions’ tab Entries must be in by Tuesday,
on September 20-21.
/
The recent 48Hours shoot weekend on August 15-17 was a whirlwind of creativity, chaos, and collaboration for local filmmakers as they came together to create a 1-5 min film under extreme time pressure Each team was given a specific genre, and expected to include an accident, something precious, a miniature and slow motion as four required elements in their film
This year 542 teams took on the challenge across NZ, with over
4000 filmmakers putting their creativity to the test This year the country was divided into four regions comprising Auckland with 161 teams, Wellington with 173 teams, and Christchurch with 79 teams, while the remainder of the country being ‘Across Aotearoa’ had 129 teams
Following the heats, the regional finals will be held with the Across Aotearoa regional finals taking place on September 27
The top 14 films from around the country, plus three Sir Peter Jackson Wildcards will compete for the title of grand champion at the national finals in Wellington on October 25
Many participants cited the sense of camaraderie as the best part of their 48Hours weekend
As one participant put it, “The friends we made along the way ” was the best part of the entire experience
This Sunday, September 7, Tauranga will host the Dying Matters Expo at Hope Family Funerals, 2A Loop Road, Te Puna
Running from 9.30am to 4pm, the free community event – entry is via koha (donation) – is part of the Dying Matters Week Aotearoa and offers a welcoming space to explore death, dying and grief in practical, compassionate ways
Hope Family Funerals manager and funeral director Oliver Marriner said the expo will bring together local experts, support organisations and community groups for a full day of talks and interactive sessions
“Visitors can learn about advance care planning, grief support, funeral options, legal matters, assisted dying, memory-making and more, ” Marriner said “Demonstrations include assembling a kitset coffin, with stalls from the Alzheimer’s Society, Holland Beckett, the Katikati Coffin Club and others ” End-of-life doula and one of the event ’ s organisers, Gaylene Delaney, said death affects every one of
us – but so often it’s hidden away or avoided
“This week is a chance to bring it into the open, whether that’s writing a will, learning how to support someone grieving or simply starting the conversation,” said Delaney
Whether you are planning ahead, supporting someone who is grieving or simply curious, the expo provides a chance to ask questions and connect with those who can help, Delaney said
“Come along, enjoy a coffee from the coffee cart, and learn more about what’s involved in preparing for and dealing with life’s final chapter.”
For more information, visit the Facebook event page at: http://www tinyurl com/bddh8ben
An award-winning Broadway musical charting the rise and fall of one of pop ’ s most iconic groups will be on stage in Tauranga this month
Presented by Tauranga Musical Theatre, ‘Jersey Boys’ will take audiences behind iconic hits of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons – including ‘Walk Like a Man’, ‘December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)’ and ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You’ – to discover the secret of a 40-year friendship as the foursome work their way from the streets of New Jersey, where they formed in 1960, to the heights of stardom
Tauranga Musical Theatre president Jeremy Spparrow said ‘JJersey y Boyys ’ had been on the society’s must-do list for several years “The music is timeless, the story is equal parts funny and
emotional, and the sights and sounds of the stage and band are larger than life “Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, you’ll find something new to love about it every time ”
Local performers have been rehearsing up to three times a week for five months to get the show pitch perfect
While cast and crew roles are volunteer, the calibre of the production is that of a professional company, said Sparrow “Our society has been entertaining Tauranga audiences for many years, with recent productions including ‘Matilda’ and ‘Les Misérables’ ”
As a not-for-profit, Sparrow said sponsors are vital to bring TMT productions to life For ‘Jersey y Boyys ’ , Barfoot & Thomppson is princippal show sponsor
Barfoot & Thompson manager director Peter
The Weekend Sun has one double pass to the September 13 show of ‘Jersey Boys’ at Baycourt to give away to one lucky reader who can tell us which year the Jersey Boys formed?
Thompson said his company is proud to support the local arts scene in the Bay of Plenty “We are excited to see ‘Jersey Boys’ open and bring the magic of The Four Seasons to life ” ‘Jersey Boys’ is at Baycourt Theatre from September 11-27 For ticket information, see their advert on this page
To enter, visit: sunlive co nz and click on the ‘competitions’ tab Entries must be in by Tuesday, September 9
Greerton Village School/Te kura
o Maarawaewae is inviting the community to a day of fun, food and family entertainment at its annual school gala on Saturday, September 13
The event, which runs from 10am2pm, is a major fundraiser for the school and promises something for everyone School principal Kimberley Henderson-Ginns said the gala in the school grounds will offer games, hampers, quick fire raffles, market stalls, delicious food and school performances
“We will be having a Monster Wheelbarrow Hamper Raffle This is one of our biggest money-makers on the day,” Henderson-Ginns said.
only a vital opportunity to raise funds for classroom resources and school projects, but also a celebration of the vibrant school community
Children will be able to enjoy a variety of fun activities, including a bouncy castle, Ferris wheel, face-painting, rides, a vertical bungee and jeeps
A variety of food trucks and stalls will be on-site, offering everything from sausage sizzles to sweet treats like candy floss and ice cream
There will also be raffles and auctions, helping to raise money that goes directly back into the school This year ’ s gala will fund a new entrance outside the school’s main office
Te Rata Kuka, 11, principal Kimberley Henderson-Ginns, Maeve Quirke, 10, and Autumn-Rose Carter, 5, preparing for the Greerton Village School gala Photo / Brydie Thompson.
the show’s prizegiving.
“For this to happen we are asking our Greerton Village School whānau if you have any non-perishable food or hamper items that you could kindly donate to the raffle, please drop them into the trolley in the office Your donations are very much appreciated ” Henderson-Ginns said the gala is not
There’s one of those weekends coming up in Tauranga, actually more of a week, that’s incredibly busy
If you have friends with broad music taste wanting to escape the big smoke, or in a smaller smoke craving cultural kicks –Hawke’s Bay is pretty quiet this time of year I hear – invite them to Tauranga for a week’s musical feasting
Starting on September 10, the second Wednesday of the month, the Tauranga Blues Jam is at the Sport Fishing Club at Sulphur Point
There have been some spectacular nights there recently, last month featuring among many others Craig Norman, Murray Hancox and the Horn
Street Machines & Custom Cars club had combined with the school to hold their 48th anniversary bash at this year ’ s gala with a unique car display taking place on the school’s sports ground
Organiser Greig Covell said the car show is open to all American and Australian classics, hotrods and special interest cars, “preferably V8-powered” “Show car gate opens from 7.30am, and in by 9.30am,” Covell said The cars will then be on display until after
He said Al Dawson and the Wild Cats will perform live, with a no reserve auction at 12pm, followed by prizegiving for car owners
Previously, the Greerton Village School gala was held in conjunction with the Greerton Business Association’s Cherry Blossom Festival, which this year has changed to a three-week ‘Shop Among the Blossoms’ promotion from September 20-October 10 in Greerton Village
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Dogs with Paul Smith on lead guitar, The Fine Cadillacs, Kaos Blues Revue Band, and regular house band Chill Factor comprising sterling locals Ken Green, Mike Butler, Glenn Potier, Gary Harvey and Simon Fenlon
On September 11, try Baycourt for the opening night of ‘Jersey Boys’ and sing along to the tunes of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Should opening night tickets prove elusive it runs until September 27, or you could instead enjoy some refined and uplifting sounds at Totara Street where the New Zealand String Quartet perform pieces by Haydn and Borodin as well as the world première of NZ composer Mika Cornelius’ ‘Universal Veil’
Go classical
Skipping ahead, the Mount has more classical music thanks to Scholars Baroque Aotearoa, which presents an evening of Beethoven on September 13 at St Peter’s Anglican Church The highly-regarded chamber choir will perform his ‘Mass in C’, and rising pianist David Jiang plays the wonderful ‘Sonata Pathetique’
Back to Friday, September 12, when can take your pick of blues, reggae or punk Get in early for the blues at The Matua Bar where
Joanne Melbourne and Mike Garner will start 6 30pm; then at 7pm things kick off at The Jam Factory as the increasingly impressive Somacaine bring their hard bluesy rock, supported by Waihi Beach pop-punks Not Exact and young Te Puke retro-punks Punktuation
Then head to The Mount Social Club at 8 30pm for a night of live R&B and reggae from RnBeast which includes Francis Kora and other luminaries I suspect a big night is in-store
On Saturday, September 13, there’s also a solo show from singer-songwriter Kingston Rose, coming from Wellington to the Jam Factory He makes smooth electro-pop with grooves that pass for soul these days, and follows January’s ‘Violet Heartbreak’ album with a new single ‘Don’t Even Know Why’ Support comes from excellent Tauranga Girls’ College band Sidetracked
Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty residents – young and old – can fall in love with tennis this Sunday
Seven local clubs will open their doors and courts to the community from 10am-2pm on September 7 – so why not take the family and give tennis a go for free?
Clubs will have activities and membership deals for all ages including coaching sessions, fun games, prizes, sausage sizzles and more for the Love Tennis event!
Plus, don’t miss the chance to scan a QR-code on Love Tennis Day and go in the draw to win an allexpenses-paid trip for two to ASB Classic 2026!
Tennis WBOP manager Sussa Bailey said tennis is thriving in the Western Bay of Plenty with memberships jumping 5.6% in the past year
“Tennis is evolving with lots of new national programmes delivering cardio and fun sessions, catering for all ages and abilities.”
Bailey, who has played the sport for 48 years, said the tennis court is her happy place. “It’s my mental sanity, my connection to my community, and my second family!”
Tennis is non-contact, safe and an individual sport you can play for life, said Bailey It teaches kids – and adults – self-belief, confidence, assertiveness, how to cope with pressure, and how to deal with the emotions of winning g and losing g
“It is the cheapest life coach you will meet on your life journey!”
Bailey said everyone is welcome to September 7 Love Tennis at the clubs listed below “The events are free with equipment
ar free, provided We’d love to see you!”
Tennis WBOP manager Sussa Bailey said everyone was welcome at Love Tennis Day on September 7.
Photo / Debbie Griffiths
Love Tennis is on Sunday, September 7 from 10am-2pm at these clubs:
Gate Pā: www clubspark kiwi/GatePaTennisClub
Mount Maunganui: www,clubspark kiwi/mtmaunganui
Ōmokoroa: www clubspark kiwi/omokoroacommunitytennisclub
Ōtūmoetai: www otumoetaitennis co nz
Pāpāmoa: www clubspark kiwi/PapamoaTennisClub
Tauranga Lawn: www clubspark kiwi/taurangalawn
Waihi Beach: www clubspark kiwi/WaihiTennisClubInc
From the beginning, the church has had a lane
It is the way of Christ, who was called Lord not as a spiritual slogan but as a bold claim that no empire, wealth, or violence held ultimate authority To say Christ is Lord was to challenge the powers of the day and to imagine a world shaped by compassion, equity and care
That means the church has never been confined to the purely spiritual realm. If our calling is to love our neighbour and seek justice for the poor and the vulnerable, then our path inevitably runs through public life This has always been our lane
At its heart, that lane looks like justice, speaking up when people are exploited, overlooked,
or silenced It looks like compassion, standing alongside those who carry heavy burdens and insisting that dignity is not reserved for the privileged few And it looks like faithfulness, holding steady to the conviction that God’s love is wider than fear, greed, or division
The church does not exist to chase after power But neither can it ignore the real
lives of people in our communities Love lived out loud will always press against the powers that be And if anyone still wonders what lane the church belongs in, the answer is simple We belong in Jesus’ lane of justice, compassion and faithfulness
Rev John Carr, Minister for Western Bay of Plenty Parish Circuit
Saturday 6 September
Art in the Park
Original art for sale Coronation Park Mt Maunganui Weather permitting 9am - 5pm TgaSociety of Artists
Association Croquet
On Sat Mon & Wed 9 15am for 9 30am start at Club
Mt Maunganui 45 Kawaka St Visitors & new players
welcome Ph Peter 07 574 9232
Badminton
Social Badminton Greerton Hall Mon + Fri 10 30am –
12 30pm All Welcome Phone Lorraine 027 408 6211
Bay Singles Social Group
Join a bunch of over 50’s young singles Weekend dinners, pot-lucks, occasional outings Have a go! Ph Delia 027 284 8762, Andrea 021 133 031
Beth-El Messianic Family
Celebrate Shabbat (Sabbath) as did Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) his disciples and early believers All welcome Lifezone -7-Oaklane-Judea-Tauranga 10am or Youtube Live @10am Joel 021 768 043 info@bethel org nz
Boules - Petanque
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at Club Mt Maunganui Boules available New players welcome Ph Ray 027 756 3565 for times, further details
Falun Dafa
An ancient mind /body programme perfect for today Eliminate stress anxiety and pain For locations around Tauranga call/text Judy 021 0425 398 https:// en falundafa org
Free Outdoor Concert
The Strand Reserve, 4 Warf Street 12-1pm
Postponement date: 12 Sept
Indoor Bowls Saturday Tuesday and Wednesday 12 45 am start 50+ and over Afternoon tea is provided 14 Norris Street (behind Pak n Save) Carol 022 639 2411
Indoor Bowls
Matua Primary School Hall at 7 15pm New members
welcome Come and join us for a evening of fun and bowls Phone Ken 576 6048
Scottish Country Dance Club
Come and try Scottish Country Dancing every Monday evening 7 15-9 30pm St Johns Church Hall Bureta All welcome for fun and exercise ph Joy 027 285 3093
St Stephen’s Jigsaw Library
Every Saturday 10am-12noon Hire for 2 weeks a variety of 600 puzzles Cnr of Brookfield and Highmore Terrace
Tauranga Scottish Society
Sequence dance 4th Sat Monthly at Wesley Church Hall 100/13th Ave 7pm Dancing, raffles and supper All welcome Ph Nola 576 5076
Sunday 7 September
Accordion Music Group
Every third Sunday of the month Welcome Bay Hall 1-4pm $4 00pp afternoon tea supplied everyone welcome to an afternoon of evergreen music Ph Joy 027 285 3093
Electronic Recycling
Electronic Recycling Give your gear a new life Fees apply Otumoetai College Car Park Windsor Rd 8 00am Brian 021 122 8735
Golf Croquet
On Sun, Tues, & Thurs 8 30am for 9am start at Club Mt Maunganui, 45 Kawaka St Visitors & new players welcome Ph Graham 07 572 1032
Quakers in Tauranga
Explore your spiritual journey amongst supportive Friends in our mostly silent meeting Second Sunday of month 10am-12 Brain Watkins House Cameron Rd/ Elizabeth St Ph 027 458 1322
Mah Jong
Experienced players invited Sunday & Thursday 12 45 -4 00 pm learners 2 be arranged Te Puke Lyceum Rooms 8 Palmer Pl , ph coordinator 027 430 6383
Otumoetai Rotary Carboot Sale
8 00am for buyers at Otumoetai College Car Park Windsor Road for Otumoetai Rotary Sellers $10 Details Brian 021 1228735 Bevan 027 461 2127
Radio Controlled Model Yachts
1:00-3:30pm, at Pond behind 22 Montego Drive Papamoa, sailing Electron Radio Controlled Yachts for fun and competition Adult beginners welcome Graham 572 5419
Rifle Range Open Day
Managed by NZDA-BOP branch at TECT All Terrain park upper Pyes Pa Last Sunday of every month (except December), 9am – 3pm Day fees apply Must bring a valid firearms license, and all rifles and ammo to be inspected upon arrival Info wwwdeerstalkersbop org nz
Tauranga Model Aircraft Club Interested in flying model planes? Join us every Sunday at TECT Park weather permitting between 10-3pm Beginners welcome Directions & webcam on our website wwwtaurangamodelflyorg
Tauranga Organ Keyboard Society
Meets at 1 30pm Carmel Country Estate Social Centre, 11 Hollister Lane, Ohauiti, Tauranga Play or listen to Organ, Clavinova, Piano Maureen 544 5013
Monday 8 September
500 Card Group
Every Monday (except public holidays) from 9 3011 30am, held at Age Concern, 177A Fraser Street,
Tauranga $2 donation light refreshment provided - all welcome!
Chess at Mount Maunganui
Mount Maunganui RSA Chess club 544 Maunganui Rd
Mondays 6:15pm & 7pm onwards excl Public holidays for more info http:/wwwwesternbopchess weeblycom/ or search Western BOP Chess
Euchre
Tauranga Euchre Club, Monday evenings from 7pm Inquiries - Graeme 027 543 0872
Greerton Garden Club
Meets every 2nd Monday of the month Feb-Nov at St James Church Hall, Pooles Road, Greerton at 1pm Visitors
Extremely Welcome Ph 579 6003
Invitation to singing men
Harmony-A-Plenty has been singing for twenty years
We practise Monday evenings 7-9pm Ph Frank 576 3037 David 576 0578
Keep On Your Feet
Omokoroa, 11am-12, Settlers Hall, 334 Omokoroa Rd
Strength & Balance classes for older adults, all levels of fitness welcome Contact Sharnie on 021 111 8617
Miniatures Club Tauranga
“Making it Small” Meetings second Sunday each month [Feb-Nov] 10am to 4pm Arts and Crafts Centre 177 Elizabeth Street Tauranga Contact Jan 021 214 5192
Recycled Teenagers Gentle Exercise
St Peters church hall, 15 Victoria Rd, Mount
Maunganui 9 30-11am Suitable for joint replacements arthritics, recovery from accident & illness Strength, coordination & balance Jennifer 027 206 0776
Tai Chi Practice Group
Join our friendly group Mondays 11 30am Mount Community Hall, 345 Maunganui Road All ages and abilities welcome Parking available Bus stop nearby Enquires Jay 022 467 5687
Tauranga City Brass
Tauranga City Brass Band Practice nights on a Monday 7pm to 9pm for Snr Band Jnr band from 5:30 to 7pm Contact Jeremy 021 132 3341
Tauranga and District Stamp Club
Every second Monday (10am) and fourth Monday (7 30pm) of each month Wesley Hall, 100 Thirteenth Avenue New members welcome Ross 578 8215 Jill 578 0930
Tauranga Theatre Organ Society
Meet at Baycourt Theatre at 1 00pm Hear and play
Taurangas historic nearly 100 years old theatre organ All welcome Ph 552 0243
Tauranga Vision Club
Tauranga Vision Club (affiliated to Friendship NZ) meets 4th Monday each month at Tauranga Citz Club 10 amnoon New members welcome Ph Jim 022 088 7760
Te Puke Community Menz Shed
48 Cameron Road Te Puke Mon Wed Fri 9am-12 30pm Share your skills & knowledge learn new skills or redevelop your old skills Ph Mike Harman 027 444 8559 or Phillip Du Plooy 021 756 604
U3A Tauranga Seniors Group
We have interest groups running Mon-Fri Computing, card & board games, dining, films, history, music, photography, exercise, sciences wwwu3atauranga kiwi nz
Womens Art Group
We are a Women’s Art group who meet every Monday 10am, 68 1st Ave to paint together in a supportive environment Beginners welcome Annie 021 186 4429
Tuesday 9 September
500 Card Club
Mount Community Hall 12 15 pm Fun and friendly group All ages all welcome Afternoon tea provided Parking available Bus stop nearby Queries to 027 658 6848
Altrusa Ladies Service Group
Come and join a group of women for community projects & social events We meet 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month Ph Maggie 0274-476530 or visit wwwaltrusa org nz
Arataki Coastal Club
Meet on 2nd Tuesday of the month 9 30am Arataki
Community Centre for friendship morning tea guest speaker, dining, outings etc Contact Robyn 572 2908, Bev 575 3348
Body+Soul for 50+
Fun Fitness for men and women Exercise for better health, strength and balance to great music Tauranga
Senior Citizens hall Norris St Ph Dianne 027 431 4326
Cherrywood Probus
Meet every 2nd Tuesday of Month @ Citizens Club 13th Ave 10 00am Come along for Fun Fellowship And Friendship Visitors very welcome Pam 578 3757
Coffee/Conversation Group Te Puke
Age Concern Tauranga holds a friendly Coffee and Conversation Group, Te Puke Citizens RSA, 179 Jellicoe Street, 10am – 11 30, cost $5pp All Welcome
Free Public Advocacy Service
Need help completing a form? Accompany you to an appointment? Talk to an agency? Come speak to an Advocate! Every Tuesday, Greerton Library, 1-2:30pm Greerton Indoor Bowling Club
Club Night, Greerton Senior Citizens Hall, Maitland
Street New Members welcome Coaching available Phone Sally 021 172 6004
Greerton Walking Group
Meet outside Greerton Library at 9am for a gentle, local walk with a friendly crowd, followed by a cafe visit All welcome Contact Mike 021 180 7429
Inachord Singers Tauranga
Women’s Chorus Join us with our new Musical Director
Dan Ireremia 7pm Bethlehem Community Church, 183 Moffat Road Contact: Julie 021 0252 6805 or Sabine 021 111 8659
Keep On Your Feet
Katikati Community Centre 45 Beach Road 11am-12
Strength & balance classes for older adults all levels of fitness welcome Contact Sharnie 021 111 8617
Let’s Learn Something New
An A-Z of Clubs, Courses & Classes happening now Find an activity, join, & do it! All ages wwwletslearn co nz or ph 07 578 9416
Migrant Seniors Morning Tea 10am - 12pm Multicultural Tauranga complex 1, Historic Village, 17th Avenue To register/more information ph 07 571 6419 or email enquiries@trmc co nz
Olympic Style Rifle Shooting
Every Tuesday evening at 7 00pm at the Tauranga Target Rifle Club’s range 165 Elizabeth Street opposite Tyre
master Public welcome All gear and coaching provided
Petanque @ Bayfair Reserve
Play social petanque at Bayfair Reserve, Russley Dr 12 45 to 2 30pm, Tues and Thurs Friendly club, all welcome
Boules available Call 021 158 0129 for details
Science fiction coffee club
Enthusiasts of science fiction or emerging technologies including AI, electro magnetic frequencies, humanities futuristic future Meet like minded people over a coffee and chat Phone Dan 022 462 3316
Tauranga Embroiderers Guild
Meets Tuesdays @ Bowls Tauranga South 15 Tutchen St (off 11th Ave) 10am - 2 30pm Everyone welcome Contact Linda 027 369 0984 or taurangaembroiderersguild@gmail com
Tauranga Patchwork & Quilters
Every 1st & 3rd Tuesday at 7pm and 2nd & 4th Friday at 10am Tauranga Art & Craft Centre, 177 Elizabeth St Contact: taurangaquilters@gmail com
Tauranga Model Railway Club
Club meets Tuesday 9 30am & Thursday 7 30pm corner
Mirrielees & Cross roads, Sulphur Point Phone Mike on 021 939 233
Tauranga Scrabble Club
Tuesday Scrabble Meet weekly for friendly & competitive games at Tauranga Citizens Club 9 30am - 12 45pm Ph Fay 021 1648180
Te Puna Quarry Park
Many tasks for active volunteers in a friendly team environment 8:30am-noon each week Contact Jennifer 021 132 9585 or email tepunaquarrypark@gmail com
Yoga, Private Classes
Feel uncomfortable in a group setting? Or have special needs? I can design a class to specifically suit your needs/capabilities Contact Asunta 021 061 4394 or yogaindailylife@pl net
Wednesday 10 September
10 Pin Bowling 1pm at 10 Pin Tauranga 135 Thirteenth Ave Mixed group play for fun but keep the score Very occasionally competitive Ph Glenda 021 257 8678
Age Concern Walking Group
A friendly weekly walking group for all ages and all fitness levels 10am start, meet at Lakeview Bus Stop (The Lakes), Pyes Pa
Body+Soul 50+Fun Fitness
Better health, strength and balance to great music Men & women welcome, make new friends 9 15am Bethlehem hall opposite Woolworths Dianne 027 431 4326
Bolivia Te Puke
Every Wednesday Lyceum Club 8 Palmer Place 1pm-4pm
beginners welcome Come and join our friendly group Ph Brenda 027 229 6992
Cards - cribbage
You are very welcome to join our friendly group every Wednesday 12 30 for 1pm start at Tauranga Citz Club, 13th Avenue, Tauranga Jill 021 160 6143
Coffee/Conversation Group - Brookfield
Age Concern Tauranga holds a friendly Coffee and Conversation Group at St Stephens Church, 9 Brookfield Terrace, 10 30am - 12noon, cost $5pp All Welcome
Improve Strength & Balance
Steady as you go (saygo) Exercise programme keeps you mobile Friendly group 2-3pm Wednesdays at St Johns Church Hall, Burtea Road Phone Angela 576 9847
Ladies Tennis
Every Wednesday at Tauranga Lawn Tennis Club Come join in ladies tennis from 9-11 am New or seasoned players are welcome
Marching For Leisure
A non-competitive activity for mature ladies Fun, Fitness and Friendship For details of Tauranga teams please contact Ros Rasmussen 0272720908
Newcomers Coffee Meetup Group
Have you just moved to Tauranga? Come along to meet other like-minded people and make new connections For more information email enquiries@trmc co nzor phone 07 571 6419
Omanu Rebus Club Join our monthly meeting 9.30am at Mt Maunganui
RSA. Enjoy morning tea guest speaker raffles other activities for Older Adults. Phone Margaret on 021 170 5933
Seniors Fitness Greenwood Park
Join us Wednesdays 9 15am for fun fitness to music
Improve strength & balance & gain more confidence Open to public also Ph 022 340 6219
Tauranga
stretching and flexibility suit all ages and abilities, 10am Baptist Church Hall, 13th Ave Phone Pam 021 117 7170
Free Public Advocacy Service Need help completing a form? Accompany you to an appointment? Talk to an agency? Come see us! Every Thursday, Welcome Bay Community Centre, 1-2 30pm Healing Rooms Prayer 6-8pm Every Thursday St Peters Church Cameron Rd entrance Experience God’s healing All welcome No charge facebook com/TaurangaCentralHealingRooms 027 640 1263
Keynotes Women’s Barbershop Chorus Love to sing, come along and enjoy the fun and friendship, all ages welcome 7 00pm Wesley Hall, 100 13th Avenue Bernice 576 4848 Catherine 027 540 0036
Mt Maunganui Creative Fibre Every Thursday 9 30am - 12 30pm St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Dee St Mt Maunganui Spinning, knitting, weaving, felting, crochet etc all fibrecrafts Very friendly group
Serenata Singers Join our friendly welcoming group Thursdays 10 - 11 30, Methodist Church Hall 2 Oroua Street Te Puke Phone Anne 027 850 3776
State Organs One screening only A searing
•Headboards•CustomIndoor&OutdoorSquabs •Upholstery,Restoration&Repairs 995CameronRoad,GatePa,Tauranga 075784110•info@theupholsteryshoppe.co.nz
•
work areas including:
Ngā āhuatanga o te tangata e tika ana - The skills and personal attributes we are looking for are:
Enthusiasm and self-motivation, with a passion for the environment
• Depending on the role you may be studying, or planning to study, in a related area; or be a school leaver and have a strong interest in one of the work areas above; or just have a passion for the environment and motivation to gain experience in a new career path
• A valid driver s licence and eligibility to work in NZ
Positions will be based across our regional offices of Rotorua Whakatāne and Tauranga
For more information please visit our website: https://www boprc govt nz/your-council/contact-us/careers-with-us/toi-moanasummer-experience-programme
A selection of local breaking stories featured this week on
The only local daily news source you need constantly updated, seven days a week www sunlive co nz News tips ph 0800 SUNLIVE
Te Kapu o Waitaha Trust (“Te Kapu”) is the Post-Settlement Governance Entity (“PSGE”) established to receive and manage the Treaty settlement assets of Waitaha Iwi
Te Kapu is governed by five (5) trustees Two of these trustees must retire by rotation later this year and one additional vacancy exists due to an earlier previous resignation Te Kapu now invites nominations from suitably qualified candidates to fill the three available Trustee positions The retiring trustees can stand for re-election if they choose Each vacancy is a full three-year term commencing December 2025
Candidates must be registered and verified adult members of Te Kapu NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR ELECTIONS
Nominations must be made on the official information form and received by the Independent Returning Officer via Te Kapu o Waitaha (contact details below) no later than 4 00pm Thursday 18 September 2025
Nomination Application Forms and Candidate Information Sheets can be:
The Ōtūmoetai
Intermediate School dance crew won gold on the hiphop stage at AIMS Games. Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School student Sibheal
Dobson, who is part of the crew, reckons she is right where she belongs. The 12-year-old loves to dance and her infectious energy lights up the stage. “It’s just a whole new world,” Sibheal said. “If I’ve had a bad day, I just want to dance. There’s no drama with dance.” Sibheal, who was born with achondroplasia, a type of short-limbed dwarfism, performed for the first time on the Zespri AIMS Games hip-hop stage at Tauranga’s Mercury Baypark Arena at the weekend – and walked away with a gold medal After missing out on a spot on the dance crew last year, Sibheal was proud to be part of AIMS Games 2025 “I just thought it would be a cool opportunity,” she said.
• downloaded from www waitaha-iwi org nz
• emailed to registered and verified members with a valid working email address
• sent to NZ postal addresses on request (allow sufficient time for receiving and returning these)
ROLL OPEN TO REGISTER FOR ELECTIONS
To qualify for voting, you MUST be registered on the Te Kapu Register on or before closing of the Roll at 4 00pm Thursday 18 September 2025 Any registrations received after the roll has closed, will NOT be able to vote or stand in this election WAYS TO SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION FORM
1 Email to: info@waitaha-iwi org nz
2 By post to: Te Kapu o Waitaha PO Box 220, TE PUKE 3153
3 In person to Te Kapu o Waitaha Offices, 2 Dunlop Road TE PUKE, Monday-Friday between 9 00am – 4 00pm ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT
In accordance with clause 6 5(c), an independent panel appointed by the remaining trustees will assess nominee eligibility and skills against criteria set out in clauses 6 5(a) and 6 5(b) of the Te Kapu o Waitaha Charter (available on our website) Only candidates whom the panel certify as meeting the eligibility and skills criteria, may stand for election or be appointed Trustee
CANDIDATE MEETING
1 All nominees certified by the independent panel as meeting the eligibility and skills criteria are expected to attend a Candidates Meeting at Hei Marae on Thursday 2 October 2025 from 6 00pm – 700pm
2 At the Candidates Meeting, each candidate will be given an equal opportunity to present to the
People are being invited to have their say on the future on Tauranga’s streets. A public survey is open until September 30, asking people to share their views on which streets should be prioritised for investment and how they can be made more welcoming, vibrant and easier to move around. The council is especially keen to hear feedback on Hamilton, Harington, Spring, Wharf, Willow and Grey streets, as well as The Strand. Transport system operations manager Shawn Geard is also keen to hear feedback on the city centre ’ s trial one-way street system and how to use the extra space beside the single lane. Tauranga City Council is seeking feedback through a survey on its Kōrero Mai - Let’s Talk Tauranga page at: letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz
People travelling along State Highway 2 on Sunday are being warned to expect delays. NZTA is planning to do tree felling works will take place on September 7, between 7am and 6pm, just north of Katikati “This work has been scheduled on a Sunday to minimise disruption to weekday traffic,” a statement from NZTA said. “While this work is underway, for people’s safety, a reduced speed limit, shoulder closure and a combination of stop/go and stop/stop traffic management will be in place. Delays of up to 10 minutes may occur throughout the day “We appreciate people’s patience and understanding while these essential works are carried out. ” In the event of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, the work may be postponed.
Ready-to-eat salads sold at supermarkets throughout New Zealand are being recalled because of the presence of metal filings. Speirs Foods brand salads sold from deli counters in Woolworths, Fresh Choice, New World and Pak’nSave supermarkets between August 27 and August 29 are affected, along with 250g and 450g Woolworths brand classic coleslaw with a use-by date of September 5, 2025 or September 6, 2025
