Tauranga archer and coach John Ellis knows when a newbie trying out archery will sign up to his club “Some think: ‘Oh yeah, I know how to do it’ then there’s others, like me, who go: ‘I love doing this!’ Those are the people who stick,” said Ellis.
For ACG Tauranga Year 7 student and club member Mariam Harrison, 12, pictured, the sport has well and truly stuck.
“It’s usually 2-3% of people,” said Ellis.
“I can see it in their face. I just became fascinated with it [when he tried the sport
eight years ago], and since I discovered it in my adult years it’s good to be coaching youth.”
Tomorrow, Saturday, September 27, Tauranga Archers is hosting a regional competition to celebrate the club’s 75th birthday this month The competition is from 10am at the club’s Graham Park base. To find out more about the club’s history and offerings, and the skills and passion behind the sport, read
Photo / Brydie Thompson
Friday26September2025
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Don’twanttobeanAllBlackwhenI growupnow.Notnow.Theresetting ofaresetrugbyscrumdoesn’tthrill anymore.Nordoeswedgingface betweentwoamplebuttocksofforged steelforarollingmaul.Itwouldmess withmymoisturiser.
Iwasn’texpectingit,butitmighthave beenniceona75thbirthdaytohavethe opportunitytodeclineacall-upforthe Bledisloetomorrow.
“Thankyou,butnothankyouRazor.Ihave line-dancingatthechurchhalltomorrow.Sort JoeSchmidtonyourown.”
ButrememberRazor,wehavesplitloyalties intheBayofPlenty.Schmidtmayhavebeen borninWoodvillebuthetaughtatTauranga Boys’Collegeandwestillproudlyembrace theman.SoinTaurangawecan’tactuallylose tomorrow–theABswinorJoeSchmidtwins –andwewineitherway.
Isthisallsoundingabitdisloyal?Well, furthermore,wegottheoilfromformerOzzie hardman‘Kearnsy’today.“We’lltakeitto them.”Mmm–whatever!PhilKearnswon aBledisloe.Butmorefamously,hegaveSean Fitpatricktwofingersandlivedtotalkofit. KearnsreckonshewasaskingFitzpatrickto bringtwofatsausagestoabarbecuethatnight. ‘Alltimeserous’
Myinterestinrugbywaschallengedeven morebyaYarpietradieonthejobatmygaff lastweek.HebangedoninathickAfrikaans
TheWeekendSunispublishedeveryFridayanddistributedthroughouttheWesternBay ofPlentyfromWaihiBeach,throughKatikati,Tauranga,MountMaunganui,Papamoa andTePukeandavailabletocollectatmanystandlocationsthroughoutthearea.For afulllistofstandlocationsseehttps://theweekendsun.co.nz/stand-locations.htmlThe WeekendSunispartofNZME-NewZealandMedia&Entertainment.WekeepKiwisin theknow.Locallyproducedat405CameronRd,Tauranga
accent,abouthowother-worldly,how Herculean,theSpringbokswereinroutingthe ABsinWellington.
Theywereindisputablyallthosethings.But Ididn’tneedtoberemindedadnauseum.I shouldbewiserandimmunetosuchdrivel. ButI’mnot.AndIhatelosingtoSouthAfrica andAustralia.Atanything,synchronised swimming,Ludo,frisbeegolf.Anything. Thenthis.“IhatetosayitbutSouthAfrica wasabetter,morebeautifulcountrythan NewZealand.”But‘hullehetditverpletter’ astheyapparentlysayontheveldt–‘they completelywreckedit’.Notsurewho‘they’ are.Regardless,theBoksremainbehemoths, almighty,all-powerful.AndcoachRassie Erasmusis“serious!Alltimeserous!”.Ithink hewastellingmeErasmusisthebusiness, perhapsthebestever.
HewasunmovedwhenIremindedhim oftheconsummate,nearperfect,AllBlack
Editor: MerleCave Editorial: LetitiaAtkinson,Alisha Evans,RosalieLiddleCrawford,HunterWells,Ayla Yeoman,BijouJohnson. PublicationsManager: KathySellars. Advertising: JoDelicata,SharonEyres. DesignStudio: KymJohnson,CaitlinBurns.
performancetheweekprior.Asone ofthecommentatorsremarked, itwasan“um-bleed-ball”–did hemean“unbelievable”?.“Only asgoodasyourlastgame,”he chuckledwithmoreofthat supremearrogance.Itwas becomingirritating.Youcantake themanoutofPotchefstroom,but Potchefstroomstillboilswithinthe man.
Soar,leap,run,lift
Infact,itwasadelightful encounter–webothenjoyedthe “geskerts”,thebanter.AndIlovethefresh perspectivesandrichnessourimportsbring. Thenlast weekendasolidboottothe entrailswhenthosemaplesyrupgargling part-timersfromCanadaputittoourBlack Ferns.Playingforthirdplacewillbeadouble indignity.
SoIhavebeenlookingfornewheroesto worship.AndIfoundacoupleofdeserving candidatesinthesportingpurityofathletics –“citius,altius,fortius”–soarhigher,leap further,runfaster,liftheavier. InwinningtheWorldChampsrecently, KiwihighjumperHamishKerrflewtoan “un-bleeb-ball”2.36metres.Markthatheight onthewall.Getasenseofitandexplain tomehowhemanagesit.Kerrcouldhave clearedtheheadofSunMingming,history’s tallestprofessionalbasketballplayer–2.36 metres.“Un-bleeb-ball!” Andwhileanationobsessed,itseemed,
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deconstructingacoupleofrugby’sdark moments–headlineslike‘Humiliating record-breakingdefeat’and‘DeclineinNZ rugby’.Kerrandanotherblokewerehoisting usfromthedoldrums.Butdidtheirdeedsget theexposureandthefanfaretheysodeserved? Arguablynot.
Who’sGeordie?
Andthenthat“otherbloke”Geordie Beamish,anotherKiwi,turnedonthe afterburnersinJohnWalker-esquefashion, and spectacularlyrandownthefourtimes worldchampionMoroccan,towinthe3000m steeplechase,and,AND,NewZealand’sfirst everworldchampionshiptrackgoldmedal. Afterwards,theMoroccanadmittedhehad noideawhothatKiwiwas.Notsurprising. Seemsmanyhereathomedon’tknoweither. Sowedidaveryunscientificsurvey.
Thefirstthreepeoplestruckout–didn’t knowGeordieBeamish.Thefourthhadan inkling:“Isn’thethat…um..trackguy?”
Thefifthsaid:“YoumeanJordieBarrett?” No!JordieBarrettprobablywisheshewasa worldchampion.AsmostofNewZealand would.Butno.
AnotherknewBeamishbecausehe’dseen thatfrightfulpictureofhisfacebeingtrodon afterfallinginthesemi-final.Isthatwhathe’ll berememberedfor?
Iwillrememberthatdazzlingdashfromthe waterjumptothetape.Thenthetwomen –thevictorandthevanquished–sharing themomentastheyreclinedtogether inthe pondofthewaterjump
Poisoning has been determinedasthecauseof “widespreaddeaths”ofsmall birdsataTaurangapark. Howthebirdscametobe poisoned,andwithwhattoxin,isa mystery–butonewitnessbelieves thebirdseedscatteredintheareais toblame.
PāpāmoaresidentJillMcFarlane saidthesceneshefoundat
PāpāmoaHillsCulturalHeritage RegionalParklastweekwaslike somethingoutofahorrormovie.
Shesaidshereceivedacallfrom fellowparkvisitorDanieLootson September18tellingherhe’dcome acrossbirdshavingfitsanddyingin thheolld carpark k “Itwasahorridscene,”shesaid. “AfriendandItriedtohelpas manyaspossible.”
Breeds
Shesaidtheysawabout15 pigeons,sparrows,blackbirds,doves andquailsdeadordying.Shesaw birdseedscatteredinthecarpark. Theytooksomebirdstoher husband,PaulGreaves–alocum veterinarianatBeachRoad VeterinaryClinic–forhelp.
AroosterLootshadbeenvisiting hadalsobeenaffected.McFarlane
took the rooster home, along with some other birds, to recover.
BeachRoadVeterinaryClinic directorBrettKirklandeuthanised thebirdsthatwerepastsaving.
OnSeptember19McFarlane revisitedthecarparktoreleasethe birds–includingtherooster–that hadrecovered,butfoundseveral morebirdsinabadcondition.
Shesaidthedaybefore,she’d seenabout40quails,whichshe suspectedwerealldead.“It’spretty dramatic,”shesaid.
“Weweretraumatisedbyit... Itmakesmeupseteventhinking aboutit.”
ShealertedtheDepartmentof Conservation,whichtoldher itcouldbebirdflu.However, McFarlanesuspectedthebirdfeed shephotographedatthescenehad beendeliberatelypoisoned.
Four
Kirklandsaidoutof12birds broughttotheclinic,fourwere alive.“Thewidespreaddeathsare consistentwithapoisoning.”
Hecouldnotsaydefinitively whichpoisonwasusedwithout testingandapathologyreport, whichwouldbeexpensivefora memberofthepublictohavedone.
Hesaidtheclinicalsymptoms lookedsimilartothoseseenin
Suspected poisoning of birds at Pāpāmoa Suspectedpoisoning ofbirdsatPāpāmoa cases of chloral hydrate (alphachloralose) poisoning. If itwas chloralhydrate,itwouldhave anaesthetisedthebirdsbeforethey diedfromhypothermia.“These birdslookedlikethat,butthereare manypotentialtoxins.”Poisoned birdfeedcontainingalphachloralose isavailableoverthecounter.
Localisedpoisoning ABayofPlentyRegionalCouncil spokespersonsaidamemberof thepublicreportedfinding20-30 deadanddyingsmallbirdsnear theoriginalcarparkattheendof PoplarLaneonSeptember18.
“OurstaffnotifiedtheMinistry forPrimaryIndustries(MPI),who haveruledthecauseofbirddeath tobealocalisedpoisoningevent.”
Thecouncilcouldnotconfirmif thebirdfeedwaspoisonedorhow itwasdistributed.Affectedbirds wereremovedfromthesiteand“no residualbirdfeedwasobservedon thegroundinthearea”.
Thespokespersonsaidcouncil, whichmanagedtheparkin partnershipwithTeUepu,didnot operateabirdcontrolprogramme.
AnMPIspokespersonsaidthe ministry’srolewastoruleout exoticdiseaseasacauseofillnessor deathinthesecases,whichit haddone. AylaYeoman
Some of the dead birds found at Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park after a suspected poisoning Photo / Jill McFarlane
Taurangawillagainplayhostto NewZealand’spremiergymnastics eventwhenthe2026Xtreme ProductiveGymnasticsNationals returntoMercuryBayparknext September.
oneplace.
TaurangaMayorMahéDrysdale waslookingforwardtowelcoming theeventbacktotown,afterit waslastherein2023.
“Thisisthepinnacleeventfor gymnasticsinNZ,anditwillbe arealprivilegetohostsomany ofthecountry’stopgymnasts, coaches,andsupportershere.”
Gymnasticsnationalstoreturn Sustainable BOPshuts forgood Tobeheldinthefirstweekof Term3-4schoolholidaysnext year,fromSeptember29-October 3,thenationalswillattractthe country’stopgymnaststocompete fornationaltitlesacrossfivecodes: aerobics,men’sandwomen’s artistic,rhythmic,andtrampoline.
MercuryBayparkisoneof thefewvenuesinNZableto stageallfivechampionships simultaneously,offeringfansa uniqueopportunitytoexperience thefullspectacleofgymnasticsin
TaurangaCityCouncil, alongsideTECTCommunity Trust,successfullybidtohost theevent,whichissupportedby TaurangaEventFund.
Withnearly1000athletes,200 coachesandmanagers,morethan 100volunteers,andthousands ofspectatorsexpectedtovisit Tauranga.
VaricoseVeinsTroublingYou? Therearemyriadsymptoms, whichmayindicateyouhave varicoseveins.
Heavy,tired,oftenachyand restlesslegsarecommon symptomsalongwithleg cramps,swollenlegs,itchy skinordermatitis,poorskin healingandlegulcers.
Ifyousufferfromanyofthesesymptomsitcouldbewellworth consideringaconsultationwithaveinspecialist.
DrPhoebeShearmanhasrecentlyreturnedtotheBayof PlentyfollowingfurtherspecialisttraininginAucklandandis dedicatedtodeliveringeffective,minimallyinvasivetreatments forvaricoseveins.
Dual-trainedinPhlebologyandGeneralPractice,Phoebeis passionateaboutprovidingpatient-focused,comprehensive careforvaricoseveinsandchronicvenousdisease.
DrShearmanoffersEndovenousAblation(RFA)and Ultrasound-GuidedSclerotherapy.Botharenon-surgical treatmentsthatarewalkinandwalkouttreatments,requiring nogeneralanaesthesiaandminimaldowntime.
ABayofPlenty-based environmentalawareness trusthasformallyclosed, withitsremainingfunds distributedtothreelocal charitiesthatarecontinuing itsenvironmentalplatform.
TheSustainableBayofPlenty Trustpromotedsustainable outcomesthroughawareness, accountability,andactioninthe BayofPlenty.
Year-longhiatus Thedecisiontoclosefollows ayear-longhiatustriggered bytheresignationofkeyteam membersGlenCrowtherandErin Nicholson,andcomesafterthe trusteeswereunabletofindaviable pathforwardthathonouredthe trust’slegacyandcommitmentsto funders.
Inastatementthisweek,the SustainableBayofPlentyTrust (SBOPT)saidit“wastheintention ofthetrusteestotakestockand considerthefutureofthetrust”.
Thetrusteesexplorednumerous scenariostocontinuebutwere unabletofindasolutionthat theysaid“woulddojusticetothe fundersandtothelegacyleftby Crowther”.
Redistribution Thetrust’sconstitutionrequires theredistributionofanyremaining fundstolocalorganisations pursuingcharitableoutcomes
CongratulationstoourEssayContestWinnerson whatmakesforstrongfamilies,andthankyouforall whoentered(ages12-95) Pleaseviewthewinningessaysonourwebsite!
similartothoseoftheSBOPT.
Threeorganisationshavebeen identifiedandtheremaining fundshadbeenspiltinthreeequal amountstosupporttheirwork.
TheBayConservationAlliance (BCA),specificallyitsSeedfund, wasoneofthethreerecipients. BCAchiefexecutiveMichelle Elbornsaiditwasgratefulto receivethedonationoffunds.
“Firstly,wewouldliketo acknowledgethegreatworkSBOP hasledoverrecentyears,”Elborn said.
Sad
“Itissadtohavetomakethe decisiontonotcontinuebutwe aresuresomeofyouractivitieswill havelong-standinginfluence.
“Wewillallocatethesefundsto ourSeedfund,whichisavailableto allourmembergroups,tosupport theirvaluableconservationmahi [work]ontheground.”
Tiwaiwaka
Tiwaiwakawasanothercharity chosenforthesefundstosupport withestablishmentandresourcing.
“Tīwaiwakagratefullyreceives thiskohafromSBOP,with heartfeltthanksfortheirgenerous supportandfortheimportant mahicarriedoutonbehalfofthe whenuaovertheyears,”founder andnativeecosystemandRongoā MāorieducatorRobMcGowan(Pā Rōpata)said.
“Tīwaiwakaisbothamovement andacollectiveofpeoplefromall walksoflife,committedtohealing
themauri[lifeforce]ofthewhenua [land].”
Themovementoffereda pathwayofhopeforthefuture,as communitiesfacedtherealitiesof climatechangeandenvironmental challenges,workingtogetherto carefortheplacestheycalled home,Rōpatasaid.
“Together,wewillstrive tohonourSBOP’slegacyby strengtheningourkaupapa, whichprioritisesthehealthof Papatūānuku[theMāoriEarth Mother]andsupportsthepeople whodosomuchtocareforher.By doingthis,weupliftthewellbeing ofourcommunities,”Rōpata said.“Kaoratewhenua,kaorate tangata.Whenthelandiswell,we arewell.”
Envirohub
Thethirdcharitychosen toreceiveSOPTfundswas Envirohub,specificallyforthe ClimateActionFestival.
EnvirohubBayofPlentychief executiveLauraWraggsaiditwas verygratefultobechosenasa recipientofSBOP’sfinaldonation.
“SBOPThasplayedanimportant roleinprogressingsustainability outcomesacrossourregionand weacknowledgetheirsignificant contribution.
“Thisdonationwillsupportour ClimateActionFestival,helping todrivemeaningfulcommunityledclimateaction–afitting continuationofSBOPT’svision.”
ChiefexecutiveMichelleElbornoftheBayConservationAlliance,whichisoneofthethreecharities chosentoreceivetheleftoverfundingfromtheSustainableBayofPlentyTrust. Photo/JohnBorren
MostcandidatesbackstrongMāoriroleinresourceprotection Māorishouldhaveasignificantrolein theprotectionofnaturalresources,many regionalcouncilelectioncandidatesbelieve.
TaurangaresidentManuCaddieaskedBayof PlentyRegionalCouncilelectioncandidates18 questionsabouttheirconcernsaroundpollution, regionalcouncilresources,fundingandenvironmental monitoringaheadoftheOctober11election.
Twenty-sevenofthe47candidatesresponded.
Candidateswereasked:“Whatroleshouldlocal iwiandhapūhaveinrelationtotheprotectionand utilisationofnaturalresourcesintheirrohe?”.
Caddiesaid80%ofrespondentssaidtheroleshould besignificant.“Theroleofmanawhenuaanddecision makingcamethroughreallystrongly.”
knowledgeandvalues,andensuringthesustainability oftheseresourcesforfuturegenerations.”
WesternBayofPlentyconstituencycandidateNeil ParkersaidMāoriwerewelcometooffertheirviews alongsideotherratepayers.“Thereisnoneedto distinguishbetweenethnicitiesingovernmental[local andcentral]activity.Indeed,todosowillinevitably createmoreproblemsthanitsolves.”
CaddiesaidhisexperienceasaGisborneDistrict councillor,from2010-2014,showedhimthe importanceofhaving“goodpeople”aroundthetable, sohewantedtofindoutmoreaboutthecandidates andshareitwithpeople.“Themoremechanismsfor findingoutwherecandidatesstandontheissues,the better.”Regionalcouncilshad“significantstatutory responsibilitiesforenvironmentalprotection”,sohe wantedthequestionstoemphasisethis.
wasaboutright.Twentypeoplesaid theywereextremelyconcernedabout biodiversityrestoration,sixwere somewhatconcerned,andonewasnot veryconcerned.Allrespondentswere concernedaboutwaterpollution,with 82%extremelyconcerned,andtherest somewhatconcerned.Thefullsurvey resultscanbefoundonCaddie’swebsite: manu.org.nz.VotinginLocalBody ElectionsclosesOctober11.
-LDRislocalbodyjournalismco-funded byRNZandNZ OnAir.
perspective, strong support for that to continue ”
“WiththecurrentGovernment’spushtoreduce Māoriinvolvementinlocalandcentralgovernment decision-makingprocesses,it’sgoodtosee,frommy i fhi”
A Government-imposed referendum is running alongside theelection,asking if peoplewant Māori wardsforcouncilsthatintroduced themafter 2020. MauaoconstituencycandidateAngeWebstersaid localiwiandhapūshouldhaveastrong roleinthe protectionofresourcesthroughkaitiakitanga,the principleofguardianship
“Thisinvolvesactively participating in decisionmakingprocesses related to resourcemanagement, contributing their traditional
Caddiesaidstrongsupportformorebiodiversity protectionandrestorationwas“reallyencouraging” anda“pleasantsurprise”.
and a pleasant surprise
Sixteen respondents said too few of the regional council’s resources were allocated to achieving indigenousbiodiversityprotectionandrestoration intheregion.Ninewerenotsure,andtwosaidthe resourceallocation
BayofPlentyRegionalCouncil candidateshavebeenquizzedon theirenvironmentviews.
ManuCaddie. Photo/Supplied
Photo/AlexCairns
Pāpāmoa’snewpolicesergeant,Tanerahi ‘TK’Keno,issettlingintohisroleatthe helmofTauranga’slargestsuburb–and embracingtheshiftfromfrontlineresponse tocommunity-focusedpolicing.
With15yearsintheNewZealandPolice, SergeantKenobringsawealthofexperienceto thejob.Hiscareerhasspannedgeneralduties, detectiveworkintheCriminalInvestigation Branch(CIB),intelligenceroles,andtimeasa policenegotiationteammember.Now,asthe
MaleKiwifruitPollen
officerinchargeofthePāpāmoastation, he’skeentomakeameaningfulimpacton theground.
Listening “Thisrolegivesmethechancetoengage moreproactivelywiththecommunity, ratherthanjustrespondingto111 calls,”hesaid.“It’sadifferenttypeof policing–onethat’smoreaboutlistening, identifyinglocaltrends,andpreventing crimelikeburglaries,sopeoplefeelsafein theirhomes.”
Kenowaspromotedtosergeantalittle morethantwoyearsago,andafterseveral yearsworkingfrontlineinTauranga,the opportunitytoleadthePāpāmoastation cameup.
“Ireallylovedthefrontlinework,but thePāpāmoapositionofferedsomething new–thechancetohelpshapetheway policinglooksinthearea,andtoalignit morecloselywiththeneedsandvaluesof thecommunity.”
ThePāpāmoapoliceteamincludes anon-swornsupportofficer,ayouth aidofficer,andapublicsafetyteam thatreportstoaseniorsergeantbased inTauranga.ButwithKenostationed locally,he’stheonedirectingtheday-todayfocus.
“Ifthere’soffendinghappening,Imake surethepublicsafetyteamknowswhere toconcentratetheireffortsbetweenjobs.”
Alsobasedatthestationislongtime PāpāmoaCommunityConstableAdrian Oldham,whoKenosaidis“abitofa legend”inthearea.
police sergeant “Adrianknowseveryone.Ilovehis style–he’spersonable,fullofenergy, andgenuinelyconnectswithpeople.I don’tliketogointhereroughandhard; it’saboutgettingpeopleonboard,not tellingthemwhattodo.”
Kenohasalreadybeenoutmeeting withlocalschoolsandthePāpāmoa CommunityPatrol–agrouphe describesasoneofthebestinthe country.
Valued
“Theircommunicationandpassionare outstanding.Thisisacommunitythat
reallysupportsitspolice,andIwantto makesuretheyfeelvaluedinreturn.”
Assummerapproaches,Kenois workingtofamiliarisehimselfwiththe fast-growingsuburb–a20kmstretch that’sconstantlyexpanding.
“Therearestreetsherethataren’t evenonGPSyet,”hesaid.“Idon’tlive inPapamoa,soI’mstilllearningthe streets.”
Despitethechangeinrole,heremains oncallasapolicenegotiator–a responsibilityhe’sheldforeightyears, usinghiscalm,empatheticapproachto defusehigh-pressuresituations.
Police Sergeant Tanerahi ‘TK’ Keno is now based in Pāpāmoa.
Photo / Brydie Thompson
“Ibelieveinmakingapositiveimpactinthe livesofothersbyholdingspaceforthemtobe seenandheard.”
Hisbroadpolicebackground–includingtime asafieldtrainingofficeranddetective–gives himastrongfoundationfortheleadershipand coordinationrequiredinPāpāmoa.
“Ifsomethingseriousweretohappenhere,I knowIcanleanonmyCIBandIntelnetworks tohelpidentifytrendsandtargetrepeat offending.Thoseconnectionsarevaluable.”
Stepforward Kenoseesthisnewroleasbothaprofessional andpersonalstepforward.
“Itgivesmetheresponsibilityofmanaging astationandbuildingpartnerships,aswellas growinginareasIhadn’tyetexperienced.Iwas fortunatetobesuccessfulingettingtherole,and
I’mlovingitsofar.”
He’salsoworkingtoimprovecollaboration betweennearbystationstoensureregionalcrime trendsareaddressedcohesively.
Beyondtheuniform,Kenoisanavid ultramarathonrunner–apassionthatstartedwith a20kmWhakapapatoTūroaSkiFieldrunwith policefriendsandhassinceexpandedtoinclude eventslikethe55kmTaraweraUltramarathonin Taupō.
It’salsoanopportunitytohaveanAirBnBgetaway withhispolicecolleagues,runtheevent,“andthen enjoyabigbowloficecreamafterwards”.
“Ihaterunning,butI’vefalleninlovewiththe feelingitgivesyou.Knowingyoucanthrowon shoesandgorun20kmswithoutreallythinking aboutit.”
RecenteventsincludeRotorua’s21km RuntheForest,theupcoming34kmCape
“Ireallylovedthefrontlinework,butthePāpāmoa positionofferedsomethingnew–thechancetohelp shapethewaypolicinglooksinthearea”
KidnappersTrailRun,andanother ultramarathoninOctober. “It’sallaboutfinishing.You’re pushingyourbodyandyourmind toseewhatitcando.”
Thelonghaul Athome,Kenoenjoysdowntime withhiswife,twodaughters,and their“littlestaffie”Rosie. “Onweekends,there’snothing
betterthanmowingthelawns, goingforarun,andrelaxingwith myfamilywatchingsometrashy TV.”
Lookingahead,Kenoisclear:he’s inthepoliceforthelonghaul. “NowthatI’molderit’snotabout arrests.Igetmoresatisfactionfrom theinteractionandknowingyou canmakeadifference.”
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Nana’ssecrettomovingfree Forthelastfewyears,Christinewatched othergrandparentschasetheirgrandkids aroundtheplaygroundwhileshesatout.
“I’dgottenquitegoodatmakingexcuses,” the64-year-oldadmits.“Whenmygranddaughterwouldtugatmyhandsaying ‘Comeon,Nana!’I’dhavetotellherNana neededtorest.Butreally,Ijustdidn’thave theconfidenceanymore.”
Thegradualchangesinherkneeshad transformedChristinefromanactive grandmotherintosomeonewhomeasured lifeincarefulsteps.Everyoutingrequired planning.Thelocalpark,just400metres away,feltimpossiblyfar.
“Theworstpartwasn’tphysical-itwas watchinglifehappenwithoutme,”sheexplains.“I’dtriedvariousproductsforjoint support.Someupsetmystomach.Others smelledawfulandleftmarksoneverything.Nothinggavemetheconfidenceto getmovingagain.” Christinehadsettledintoacautious routine,alwaysthinkingaboutherknees. “Ikeptthinkingaboutmymother’shealth. Icouldseemyselfheadingdownthesame pathoflimitations.”
Thentwomonthsago,whileatthelocal pharmacy,Christinenoticedasmalldisplay forKoruFX-anaturaljointandmuscle reliefcreammadeinNewZealand.
“Iwassceptical-I’dtriedsomany things,”shesays.“ButI’dseenittalked aboutonlineandtheladysaidit’sbeen sellingreallywellwhichmademethinkit wasworthtrying.” Christinebeganapplyingthecream
directlytobothkneeseachmorningand night,gentlymassagingitin.“Itabsorbed beautifully,withapleasantpeppermint scent.Nostickyresidueonmyclothes.”
“Afterafewweeks,InoticedIwasmovingdifferently.Moreconfidently.Myknees feltsupported,”shereflects.“IfIoverdid it,theKoruFXwaseasytopoponquickly andI’dfeelitgettingtoworkrightaway.”
Therealtestcamewhenherthree-yearoldgranddaughterarrivedforavisit.
“Sheaskedifwecouldgotothepark,and Ialmostsaidmyusual‘nottoday’.ThenI realised-Ifeltreadytotry.Notreckless, just...ready.”
The400-metrewalkthathadseemedlike milessuddenlywasn’t.Christinefoundherselfnotjustatthepark,butparticipating -pushinghergranddaughterontheswings, evenmanagingagentlegameofchase.
“Shelookedatmewiththesehugeeyes andsaid,‘Nana,you’replaying!’That’s whenIfeltlikecrying,”Christinelaughs, eyesmistingatthememory.“Threeyears ofwatchingfromthatbench,andfinallyI waspartofherworldagain.”
Now,Christinecontinuestoreclaim piecesofherlife.Dailywalkstotheshops. Standingandbakingwithhergranddaughter.Evencarefulgardening,kneelingwith support.
“I’mstillcautious,butI’mnotafraidanymore,”shesays.“Thecreamgivesmyknees thesupportIneedtobepresentinmyown lifeagain.”
She’scarefulnottooverdothingsbut findsherselfsayingyestoactivitiesmore often.
“Peopleaskwhatchanged,andItellthem ‘KoruFX’,”shegrins.
Tanerahi ‘TK’ Keno is in charge of the Pāpāmoa Police station, pictured. Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Pubblic support grows GrahamandCarolFootewithTaurangaCityCouncilDeputyMayorJenScoularatthedragonsculpture inCommonsAve,MountMaunganui.
FollowingTaurangaCityCouncil orderingtheremovalofalargemetaldragon sculpturefromMountMaunganui’sPilot Bay,effortshavebeenunderwaytofindita new,permanenthome–ideally,still withintheMount.
outsidetheMountMaunganuiLibrary–though thatwouldneedatwo-metrestandsopeoplecan’t climbonit.”
He’salsoapproachedsomeMount-based organisationsandprivatelandowners.
“Mostoftheplaceswe’veaskedhavesaid‘no’for variousreasons.That’sokay–everyonehastheir ownspaceandrules.”
GrahamandCarolFoote,thecouplebehindthe mysteriouslate-nightinstallation,saidthecouncil hadbeensurprisinglysupportive,despitethe sculpturebreachingbylaws.
“Thecouncilareverysupportiveandwantto seeiftheycankeepthesculptureinTauranga –justnotwhereitis,asitcouldinterferewith infrastructure,”saidGraham.
Positive
“Butthey’vebeenreallyaccommodatingand positive.Honestly,Ican’tpraisethemenough. They’reasking:‘Howcanwehelp?’andthey’ve beengreattoworkwith.
“Thecouncilstaffaretotallytheoppositetowhat mostofusthink.Theseguysareverymodern, andI’mamazed.Idon’twantpeopleknocking thembecausetheyarenotthatsortofteam.This isanewgenerationcouncilthatisreallytrying hardtolistentothepublicandIbelievetheyare listening.”
Thesculpture,a1.2-metre-talldragonmade entirelyfromscrapmetalvehicleparts,appeared inlate-Augustatopa1.5-tonnerockatthecorner ofCommonsAveandTheMall–withaview acrossPilotBay.Thestatuewasinstalledwithout councilpermission,transportedunderthecoverof darknessfromtheFootes’Pukehinaproperty.
Handcrafted OriginallypurchasedasabirthdaygiftforCarol fromPyesPā’sArtofOutdoors,thepiecewas handcraftedbySouthAfrican-basedartistsusing recycledmaterialssuchasbolts,carparts,padlocks andhorseshoes.
Despitethecouple’soffertogiftandmaintain thestatue,thecouncilruleditinbreachof Tauranga’sStreetUseandPublicPlacesBylawand saiditdidnotmeettherequirementsofitsCivic ArtPolicyorPublicArtFramework.Aletterfrom councilnotedthepiece,whileappreciated,lacked the“culturalorartisticsignificancespecifictothe Taurangaarea”requiredforpermanentpublic placement.
Grahamsaidwhiletheyunderstoodthedecision, ithasn’tdampenedtheirhopetokeepthedragon ondisplay–justinamoresuitablelocation.
“MaybeplacingitinthepondatCoronation Parkasthewatercreatesanaturalbarrier,oreven
Offersreceived
Thecouplehavealsoreceivedofferstorelocate thesculpturetomuseumsandpropertiesin Auckland,Wanaka,Ohakune,Ōhauitiand Katikati.
Inthemeantime,thedragonhasbeengranteda temporarystayofexecutionwhiletheFooteswork throughoptions.Anew,moreattractivesafety fence–onloanfromTuffTrailersinPāpāmoa–nowsurroundsthesculpture.
“I’mthinkingofmakingaformalapplicationto thecouncilforthispieceofarttobeembraced, takenintotheircustody,andplacedsomewhere official,”saidGraham.
Hispreferenceisforthedragontostaycloseto itscurrentlocation.
“Ithinkitcomplementsthearea–especially withthedragonboatracingandbeingnearthe water.Itwouldbereallycooltokeepitaroundthe Mount.”
Thesculpturehasgarneredawaveofpublic support,withlocalscontactingelectedofficialsto expresstheirdesireto“savethedragon”.
MostcommenterstoTheWeekendSun’s previousstorysupportthedragonsculptureasa creative,community-spiritedgiftbeingunfairly removedbywhattheyperceiveisarigid,outof-touchcouncil,whileaminoritycitecultural inappropriateness,safetyconcerns,andthe importanceoffollowingrules.
91%wanttosaveit
TaurangaDeputyMayorandMountMaunganui wardcouncillorJenScoularsaidshe’sreceived numerousmessagesfromthecommunityin supportoftheartwork.OnSeptember12,she launchedapollonherFacebookpage‘Savethe dragonorslaythedragon’with91%sofarvoting tosaveit.
“I’menjoyingtheinteraction,hearingfromour peopleto‘savethedragon’,”saidScoular.She’s decidedit’safemaledragon.
“Ilikethatourpeoplehavegotbehindit,” Scoularsaid.“LotsofthetextsIreceivedsaidthat it’slovelyintoughtimestohavesomethingthat makesthemsmile.
“WhenIwenttoseeher,shemademesmiletoo. Ilikethatourpeoplearesharingtheirpositive
Photo/BrydieThompson.
tokeepthedragon... viewswantingtosavethedragon.”
Shhesaid d onthheothhersiddeshhe’sawarethhereare bylawsthatneedtobeconsideredtoo. Asthedragon’sfutureisconsidered, onethingisclear–thisguerrilla artinstallationhassparkedawider conversationaboutpublic space,creativity,and communityidentity.
Nameit! excitingnewaddition,alongwith aWomeninLeadershipcategory.”
TaurangaBusinessChamber (TBC)hasopenedthe2026 TaurangaBusinessAwardsfor applications–plus,nextyear’s awardshavearefreshedselection ofcategories.
“Itsoundslikethereare acoupleofgreatoptions tokeepthedragonatthe Mountbutmovehertoa moreacceptable spot, wherehopefullywecanstill smilewhenwegopasther,” Scoularsaid.
TheFootesareoffering $100‘NametheDragon’ cashprizeforthebestname submittedtoandchosenbyThe WeekendSunteam.Thosewhowant to enternamesshould email:rosalie. liddlecrawford@nzme co nz with theirfull names,contact details and their name suggestion. Entries close Tuesday, October7.
TBCchiefexecutiveMatt Cowleysaidtheexcitingnew categorieswouldreflectthe region’sstrengths.
“TaurangaisNewZealand’s exportgateway,soforminganew categorytocelebrateoursupply chainandlogisticsexpertiseisan
TBCcommsandeventsmanager CarrieBrownsaidanyonecan enter–youdon’thavetobe nominated,andyoudon’tneedto beachambermember.
“Businessescanapplythemselves orthepubliccannominatethem toenter.”
Entries/nominationsclose October20.TicketstotheAwards GalaEveningonMarch12,2026, goonsaleinNovember.
The1.2-metre-talldragonmadefromscrapmetalappearedinlate-Augustatopa1.5-tonnerockat thecornerofCommonsAveandTheMall. Photo/RosalieLiddleCrawford
TaurangaKia 100HewlettsRoad,MountMaunganui P:075781378|www.tmccars.co.nz
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
JoinTheGoodWalkthisOctober! It’stimetoputyourfeettothe pavementandjoinamovement makingarealdifferenceinyour owncommunity.
TheGoodWalk–theannual fundraiserforGoodNeighbour–is backthisOctober,andyou’reinvited totakepartinthe“30Lapsin30Days
Challenge”.“Whetheryou’rewalking aroundyourlocalschool,retirement village,neighbourhood,orMauao,every steptakenisasteptowardspositive transformationinourcommunity,” saidGoodNeighbourgeneralmanager ReneeHanna.
GoodNeighbourisacharitythat existstobringtheWesternBayof PlentyandTaurangatogetherinorder
totransformourcommunity, saidHanna.ThisyearGood Neighbourwasrecognisedwith theHeartofCommunityandBest CollaborativeCharityawards.
Thenumbersbehindtheirmahi (work)lastyearspeaksvolumes, saidHanna.
Thenumbers towardsapositivefuture.
“Allofthispoweredby26,000 volunteerhours,impacting7500 peopleeveryweek,”saidHanna. “Thesearemorethanjustnumbers, theyrepresentreallivesbeing changed.”
‘Weightoffshoulders’
GoodNeighbourrescued662 tonnesoffood–worth$4.8million peryear–fromsupermarkets, food-basedorganisationand growers,preventingnearlysix millionkilogramsofcarbon emissions.
“Thisfoodinsteadofgoingto landfillwasdistributedthrough morethan80charitiestoensureit wenttothehomesinmostneed.”
GoodNeighbouralsocooked morethan14,000mealsfor familiesinneed;producedmore than400m³offirewoodfrom rescuedlogsanddeliveredit tohomesfacingacoldwinter; completedmorethan165 backyardprojects for individuals overwhelmed by practical circumstances; picked 31,000kg of fruit from local backyards instead of itrotting ; and supported40high school studentswith mentoring and life-skills training, helping them
Shesaidarecentrecipientof abackyardprojectshared:“it’s allowedmetosleep”.“Iusedtocry lookingatthemessoutside.Ihad noonetohelp.GoodNeighbour tookthatweightoffmyshoulders. NowIcanbreathe.Icanheal.I havealifetolive.” Hannasaidthereismoremahi (work)tocome.“In2026Good Neighbourwilltripleitsyouth mentoringprogrammetosupport 120students,andcompletethe fit-outofabrand-newcollaborative facilitythatwillallowmultiple communityorganisationsto worktogether,wrappingcareand
supportaroundwhanaufacing complexlifechallenges.” Hannasaidforpeoplewhowant togivebacktotheircommunity thisyear:“Whydon’tyouget involvedinthischallengeandbea partofmakingadifference!” ShesaidgettinginvolvedinThe GoodWalkissimple.“Register soloorsharetheloadasateam andtakeonthe30Lapsin30 Dayschallengethroughout October.Gathersponsorships–andremember,everydollarraised willbematchedbyourfunders, doublingyourimpact!” ThisisthankstoCarmelCountry Estate,HollandBeckettLaw,One NZandFoodStuffsBayofPlenty. SignUp!
“Whetherit’sthrough volunteering,financialgiving,or businesssponsorship,everyonehas somethingvaluabletooffer.The GoodWalkisyourchancetobe partofthatimpact!”Signupat: www.goodneighbour.co.nz
Good Neighbour general manager Renee Hanna, supporter Stephen Thomas and Good Neighbour food rescue coordinator Fleur Bos want the community to walk alongside them in fundraising for their work. Photo / Brydie Thompson
MaintenanceworkontheMauao waterreservoir,whichsupplies MountMaunganui’smainwater supply,hasanewcompletiondate.
Theworkwasoriginallyscheduled forcompletioninmid-to-lateJuly buthadbeendelayedduetobad weatherconditions,saidTauranga CityCouncilinitsweeklybulletin.
“Thisworkincludesstructural strengtheningandtheapplication
ofawaterproofmembranetoensure theongoingsafetyofthewater supply.”
Becausethewaterproofingrequires dry,warmerweather,thenew expectedcompletiondateistheend ofOctober,saidcouncil.“When workiscomplete,atemporarytrack closurewillberequired.”Findout moreat:www.tauranga.govt.nz/ parks-and-recreation/parks/mauao
Taurangathriveswhen eventscomealive TheZespriAIMSGames,whichrecentlywontheCommunityorNotforProfitEventoftheYearAwardat the2025NZEventAwards,injected$8.8millionintothecity’seconomyin2024.
Thismonth’shugelysuccessfulZespriAIMS GamesandtherecentconfirmationBay Ovalwillbeactivatedthroughcricketand concertsduringsummeremphasisethe positiveimpactthateventshave forTauranga.
Theynotonlycontribute significantlytooureconomy, butalsoboostourcultural, socialandsporting vibrancy,generatenational andinternationalprofile andareagreatsourceofcommunitypride.
spendintheTaurangaeconomyacrossthethree events.
Andthegoodnewskeepsoncoming,withthe announcementearlierthismonththattheXtreme ProductiveGymnasticsNationalswillreturnto MercuryBayparknextyear,havinglastbeenhosted herein2023.
Taurangawillhostaseriesofinternationalcricket matchesthissummer,IncludingaT20seriesagainst theAussiesinOctober,aswellasmatchesagainst England,WestindiesandSouthAfrica.TheHot SpringsSpaT20BlackClashcomesbacktoTauranga inJanuarynextyear,followedbyconcertsforthefirst timeatBayOval,includingFisherandUB40.
Thousands
Addingfurthermomentumtoourfutureevents calendaristherecentannouncementthatour citywillalsohostthreeofWorldTriathlon’smost prestigiousevents–in2026,2027and2028.
Theseeventswillbringthousandsofeliteathletes, supportcrewsandspectatorstoourshores,with internationalbroadcastcoverageshowcasingour landscapesandlifestyle,positioningTaurangaasa vibrant,globallyconnectedcity.
TaurangaCityCouncilandTECTCommunity Trusthavecontributedacombinedinvestment of$350,000towardssecuringhostingofthe WorldTriathlonseriesandwearegratefulforthe Government’scontributionof$2.65millionfromits MajorEventsFundtosupportTriNZhostingthe threeeventsinourcity.Thisinvestmentisexpected totranslateintoapproximately$11millioninvisitor
OurVenuesandEventsteam workhardtofacilitateawide rangeofeventsforthepeopleof Taurangatoenjoyyear-round –everythingfromperforming artstosporting,culturaland communityevents.Someofthese eventsalsoreceiveafundingcontribution,where there’scertaintyaroundthevaluetheywillcreatefor ourvisitorindustryandthewidercommunity.
Evenlarger Forexample,theZespriAIMSGames,which recentlywontheCommunityorNotforProfit EventoftheYearAwardatthe2025NewZealand EventAwards,injectedaround$8.8millionintothe city’seconomyin2024;andwithmorethan14,000 athletesattendingthisyear,plussupporters,its contributionhasbeenevenlarger.
Cardspendingdataconfirmsthatvisitorspending inthecityduringthegameswasupmorethan18% comparedtotheprevious10-weekaverage,with totalspendingupbycloseto6%.Andthebenefits werewidespread–foodandbeveragespendingrose by34%;apparelandpersonalspendingrosebyclose to22%;andaccommodationspendingwasupmore than8%.
Eventsplaceusfirmlyonthenationalstageas aplacetovisitandhaveagreattime,andjustas importantly,encouragepeopletocomebackto forareturnvisit.Theyalsogiveusanopportunity todemonstratethecity’sfamousmanaakitanga (hospitality)–somethingwecanalsotakegreat pridein.
Callmeforyour free, noobligationMarketAppraisal Nopressure,andit’sgoodtoknow thevalueofyourproperty.
I’llkeepyouupdatedfromtimetotime asthemarketchanges.
Phone0800RACH4U
No.1AgentPapamoaOffice2020-2025 Top5GreaterTaurangaArea2020-2025
Kiwisareurgedtoturn everydaymomentsintomarine conservationwinsasthe DepartmentofConservation (DOC)launchestwonew citizensciencetoolsaimedat protectingNZ’srarestocean species.
TheSeaSpotterandSpyfish Aotearoaappsmakeiteasy foranyonetocontributeto marineresearchandprotection, simplybysnappingphotosor identifyingfishonscreen. Marinetechnicaladviser HannahHendrikssaid everyonecancontribute. “Fromidentifyingfishatyour desk,tosnappingphotosof sealsonthebeachorspotting Māuidolphinswhileyousurf, youcanbetakingactionfor nature.It’saboutfindingthose smallmomentsindailylifeto connectwithandcareforthe environment.”
CitizenscienceappSeaSpotter makesiteasytouploadphotos andvideosofmarine mammalssuchaswhales, dolphinsandseals. Sightingscontributetoan
open-sourceplatformdirectly supportingresearchand conservationefforts.
TheSpyfishAotearoaproject isdesignedtobringmarine lifeintooffices,homesand classroomsbyinvitingpeopleto watchshortclipsofunderwater footagefromNZmarinereserves andidentifyfishspecies.
DownloadSeaSpotterfrom theAppStore,GooglePlayor visit:www.seaspotter.nz
JoinSpyfishAotearoaat: www.zooniverse.org/projects/ victorav/spyfish-aotearoa
Photo/Supplied
Troutseasonre-opensinBOPwaters NextWednesday,October1,Kiwi anglerswillhitthefreshwaterasthe newtroutfishingseasonopens.
AccordingtoFishandGameNew Zealand(F&GNZ)Easternregion monitoring,thisyearpromisestobe abuumpperseason.Growthhasbeen excellentacrossthedistrict,said F&GNZofficerMattOsborne.
“We’ve seen the Rotorua lakes performing exceptionally well for two seasons now, and all indications are this will continue into 2026 The big rain events of 2023 left the lakes rich in nutrients, which boosted the troutfoodchain.”
WhilemanyRotorualakesareopen year-round,Rotoiti,Taraweraand Okatainacloseeachwinter.
AccordingtoF&GNZ,bylaw everysinglefreshwaterfishermust haavea a licenceto o fisshinNNZrivvers andlakes.Findouthowtoget started,andwheretobuyalicence, at: www fishandgame org nz/ freshwater-fishing-in-new-zealand/ F&GNZ also reminds all anglers to check, clean, dry their gear when moving between catchments to prevent the spread of pests
Celebrating thosestill youngat heart Tauranga’sleadingaquarium specialists,pondfish,tropicalfresh waterfish,marineandcorals. Popintothestore,orshoponline! 57BurrowsSt,TaurangaSouth 079296400 | www.bayaquatics.co.nz
EnvirohubBayofPlentyisthrilledto partnerwithTaurangaCityCouncilto bringtheYoungatHeartFestivalto lifenextmonth.
omOctober1-8,aseriesofcommunity-led eventswillcelebratethecity’soldercommunity–parents,grandparents,friendsandneighbours. Theweek-longfestivalhonoursthewisdom, creativityandvitalityofourseniors,while promotingasustainable,connectedwayof living,saidEnvirohubBayofPlentyproject co-ordinatorRachaelPratt.
“Thisyear’stheme‘Wisebynature’encourages asustainableapproachtolifethroughmaking thoughtful,everydaychoicesthathelp preserveourplanet,supportcommunities, andenhancepersonalwellbeing,”saidPratt. “Thediverseprogrammeofeventsisdesigned toinspire,engage,andconnect.Whetheryou’re rediscoveringalong-lostpassionorlooking totrysomethingnew,there’ssomethingfor
everyone!”
ChrisTownsend wascapturedin thisimagebyStevie Allisonfor2024’s ‘theOldistheNew Black–Throughthe Lens’photography competition.
Photo/StevieAllison
Thefestivalkicksoffwithalauncheventon Wednesday,October1onTheStrand,where thewinnersofthe‘OldistheNewBlack’photo competitionwillbeannounced.OnSaturday, October4,BOPresidentswillbeinvitedto enjoythesoundsoflocalchoirsattheSenior MusicFestival–anupliftingafternoonof singingandnostalgia.
“OnMonday,October6,testyourgeneral knowledgeatJackDusty’spubquizafternoon, wherefriendlycompetitionmeetslaughter,”said Pratt.
Toclosethefestival,thecommunitycanjoin EnvirohubBOPonWednesday,October8,fora treeplantingcelebration–ameaningfulwayto marktheendoftheweek.
“Let’scelebrateageingwithpride,purpose,and awholelotoffun!”
Forthefullprogrammeandeventdetails, visit:www.youngatheart.co.nzorpickupa programmefromTaurangaCitylibraries.
FredHartley,VicSterling,andDennisMollerwillbebacktoperformagainthisyear.
Festivalofsingingseniors Anunforgettableafternoonofharmony, heart,andhighnotesawaitsastheBayof PlentySeniorMusicFestivalreturnson Saturday,October4,atBethlehemBaptist ChurchinTauranga.
HelenavanderMerwefromŌmokoroaCountry Estatesaidthefestival,nowinitsthirdyear,hadgrown fromasmallbuthighlysuccessfulbeginningintoa musicalhighlightfortheBayofPlenty’sretirement villages.“Thefestivalwasbornfromthesuccessof performancesbytheŌmokoroaCountryEstatewhen Irealisedtherealvalueofchoralmusicfortheelderly,” vanderMerwesaid.“Weformedasmallcommittee anddidourfirstfestivalforthemanyretirement villagesinTauranga,whichwasanenormoussuccess.”
Passion
Thisyear,morethan150choristersfromninegroups willparticipateinasmorgasbordofmusicwiththe festivalnowpartofTaurangaCityCouncil’sYoungat HeartFestival.
“Itbecametoobigformetohandle,andthecouncil sokindlysteppedin,”vanderMerwesaid.
RunningfromOctober1-8,theYoungatHeart FestivalcelebratesTauranga’soldercommunityand surroundstheInternationalDayofOlderPersonson October1.
84
VanderMerwesaidtheaverageageofthechoir membersis84.“Theysingwithsuchpassionandmake adifferenceinthelivesofmanypeople.”
Beyondentertainment,theseniormusicfestivalis alsoaforceforgood–allticketproceedswillgoto WaipunaHospice.
“So,we,inthetwilightyearsofourlives,canandare makingadifference,”saidvanderMerwe.
Heldfrom2pm-5pm,thefestivalpromisesarich smorgasbordofmusic–fromtimelessclassicsto
Broadwayfavourites.Thisyearalsomarkstheinclusion oftwobarbershopgroups,alongsidereturningfan favouriteslikeFredHartley,VicSterling,andDennis Moller,whodelightedlastyear’scrowdandwillbe backtoperformsongssuchas‘Yesterday’byCharles Aznavourand‘I’mGettingMarriedintheMorning’ from1965musical‘MyFairLady’.
“Italwaysbringsthehousedown,”vanderMerwe saidofthelattersong.
Camaraderie NewgovernorforReserveBank TheReserveBankofNewZealand hasanewgovernor,FinanceMinister NicolaWillisannouncedWednesday. DrAnnaBreman,thefirstdeputy governorofSweden’scentralbank, hasbeenappointedtotherole.This f follows the resignation of Adrian Orr groupchiefeconomistatSwedbank, aleadingSwedishcommercialbank. ShehasalsoworkedattheSwedish MinistryofFinance,theWorldBank andasanacademiceconomistinthe UnitedStates.”
“Theaudiencenormallyjoinsinwhentheyknowthe songs,soitbecomesanafternoonofentertainment andcamaraderiethatsurprisesmany.”
Shenotedtheriseandpopularityofmasschoirs. “Themovie‘Tina’supportedthegrowthinchoral singinginNewZealand,andwiththeNZyouthchoir winningbigontheinternationalstage,peopleare realisingthevalueofchoralsingingmorethanbefore.”
VanderMerwebelievedchoralsingingoffersmore thanjustmusicaljoy.
“Forthe160-pluselderlyparticipants,singing becomesalifeline–ajourney,anescapefromthebars ofpainandloneliness,itbuildscommunitiesandseals friendships,butmostofall,itimprovesthelivesofthe participants.
Agenodeterrent “Theaverageageofthechoristersis84,butthatisno deterrenttoenjoyingthemusicthatvariesfrom‘The SoundofMusic’medley,‘SkyeBoat’song,‘Yellow Bird,IwillfollowHim’and‘LandoftheLongWhite Cloud’.
“Weendtheafternoonwithamasschoir,andit becomesmoreandmorepopular.Thisyear,wewillbe singingthepopular‘WhentheSaintsGoMarchingIn’ and‘AnyDreamWillDo’.”
BayofPlentySeniorMusicFestivalis2pm5pm,Saturday,October4.Ticketsare$15eachat: youngatheart.co.nzorHumanitix.Therewillbeno doorsales.
W Willis said Breman was nominated
ical ent nd kesby pril
Join hosts
John&Robyn Cooney…for 20daysJune/July2026
• •
Meanderwithusthroughsomeofthesweetest,loveliestcornersof YeOldeEngland–theCotswolds,Cornwall,Devon,Dorset,Sussex: oohing-&-aahingatfairytalevillages,quaintthatchedcottages, cobbledseasidetowns,castles,cathedrals,historicestates,and gardenssogorgeousthey’llknockyergumbootsoff!
RosalieLiddleCrawford
Globalgreyhoundwalk k returnstoTauranga Timezonesandoceanswon’tstopTaurangagreyhounds andtheirownersfromwalkingtogetherthisSundayto promotedogrehomingtothecommunity.
TheGreatGlobalGreyhoundWalkonSunday,September28, atRobbinsPark,isnotjustforgreyhoundsthough,saidTauranga GreyhoundasPetsvolunteerandeventorganiserLaurenKramer.
Sighthounds–whichincludelurchers,whippets, deerhounds,galgos,Italian greyhounds,Ibizanhounds,borzoi, wolfhounds,Afghanhounds,saluki–andmorecancomealongtoo from10.30am.
Kramersaidthewalkispartofglobal eventtopromotegreyhoundadoption worldwide.
“Pushingthewordaboutadopting greyhounds,”istheaim,saidKramer, whorecentlyorganisedaPat&Chatat DécorGardenworldonJuly19.
Theideaofthateventwastoraisethe profileofGAPinTaurangaaheadof theupcomingbanongreyhoundracing inNewZealand.
LastDecember,RacingMinister WinstonPetersannouncedgreyhound racinginNZwouldbebannedfrom July31,2026.However,Greyhound RacingNZ(GRNZ)appliedfora judicialreviewofthedecisionwhich wasdeniedbytheHighCourtin Wellingtonlastmonth.
Iftheracingbanproceeds,thenumberof greyhoundsneedinghomeswillincrease “exponentially”,saidKramer.
“Alotofpeoplecameout,andwehadafew familiesreachouttoGAPafterthat[Pat&Chat] eventtoinquireaboutadoptions,”saidKramer,who willbewalkinghergreyhound‘Marcel’thisSunday.
GAPnationalmanagerLisaPhilpsaidtheevent“bbrings thegreyhoundglobalcommmunity together”.
Thisyear’swalkthemislove,with ownersencouragedtodresstheirdogs upfortheoccasion.Greyhoundsand fellowfurryfriendswillslinkoffat 10.45amfor40-60minutes,oruntil theyrunoutofsteam.
In2024,13,383sighthoundsjoined 511walksacross42countries,saidthe GreatGlobalGreyhoundWalkwebsite. “Wewantgreyhoundstobeseenup therewiththelabradorsandthegolden retrieversasaverygoodoptionfora familypet,”saidPhilp.
“They’resogentle,loving,loyaland reallylowdemand.Theyjustwantlove andtobenearyou.Ihavefourofthem lyingaroundmeonthefloorofmy office,andtheyareveryhappy.”
DogownerscanfindaGreat GlobalGreyhoundWalknearthemat: greatglobalgreyhoundwalk.co.uk/ walk-schedule/
We’dloveyourideas!
Togetherwiththecommunity,we’re buildinganewplaygroundatSimpson Reservethatwillbecomeavibrant, inclusivespacefortamariki,whānau, andthewidercommunitytoenjoy.
Telluswhatyouthinkwouldmakethisnewplayground andreserveawesome.
Comealongandshareyourthoughtsinpersonwiththe projectteam:
→ Wednesday,1Octoberfrom 12.30pm-2.30pm atPāpāmoaLibrary
→ Saturday,4October from 10am-12pm atSimpsonReserve
Yourplace,yourplayground. Let’sbuildthistogether. ScantheQRcodeorvisit letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/simpsonreserve for moreinformationandtoshareyourfeedback.
BijouJohnson
AdoptagreyhoundascuteasMaus.
RydaworkshoptoempowerMountyoungdrivers MountMaunganuiCollege’s Year11studentswilltake partintheRydaroadsafety workshoponOctober16as partofanationwideinitiative toequipyoungpeoplewith theknowledgeandstrategies neededtostaysafeonNew Zealandroads.
“We’reexcitedtobebackin theBayofPlentydeliveringthe Rydaworkshop,”saidRoadSafety
Education(RSE)CentralNorth IslandprogrammecoordinatorRuth Nicholls.
“Theprogrammeisdesignedto helpstudentsmakesaferchoicesas bothdriversandpassengers–skills thatcouldsavelives.”
RydaisNZ’sleadingroadsafety educationprogrammeforsenior secondarystudents.Itcombines interactive,real-worldlearning withexpert-ledsessionsandpostworkshopfollow-upactivities. Studentsexplorekeyroadsafety
topicssuchasspeed,risk management,peerpressure,and driverresponsibilitythrougha mixofhands-onexperiences, crashre-enactments,andsmall groupdiscussions.
In2024,morethan17,580 studentsacrossNewZealand participatedintheRyda programme,reflectingits growingimpactinshapingsafer drivingbehaviouramongyoung people.Eachworkshopincludes sixcoresessions:Speed& Stopping;DriveS.O.S.;The‘I’ inDrive;RoadChoices;Crash Investigators;andMindMatters –alldesignedtoempower studentstomakesaferdecisions, whetherthey’rebehindthe wheelorinthepassengerseat.
AstandoutfeatureofRydais theDriverCoachSession–an eveningeventforcaregiversand whānau–whichwillalsotake placeonOctober16.
“Thissessionofferspractical adviceandtipsforanyone helpingayoungdriverlearn,” saidNicholls.“Ithelpscaregivers understandthechallengestheir teensfaceandhowtocoach themeffectively.”
Withresearchshowingthat carryingyoungpassengers significantlyincreasescrashrisk fornovicedrivers,Ryda’sfocuson whole-communityeducationis vital.Supportingmaterialssuch aslessonplans,riskfactorguides, andpost-workshopconversation toolsarealsoavailabletofamilies
viatheRSEwebsite. Rydacourseshavebeen subsidisedintheBayofPlenty since2018throughthefinancial supportofBOPRotaryRyda –acollectiveofthefiveRotary clubsofTaurangaTePapa, TaurangaSunrise,Tauranga, Pāpāmoa,andKatikati. Accordingtopost-programme surveys,92%ofstudentssay theyarelikelytoapplywhat theylearnedatRyda,and97% ofteachersbelievetheworkshop shouldbemandatoryinall seniorhighschools. Formoreinformation,visit: www.rse.org.nz/ryda,call 0800150180,oremail: nfo@rse.org.nz
DaylightSavingbegins,checksmokealarms! SpringishereandsoisDaylightSaving.
AccordingtotheonlineGovt.nzguide,Aotearoa changestoNewZealandDaylightTime(NZDT) at2amonthelastSundayinSeptember.
ThismeansKiwisneedtoensuretheyhave switchedtheirclocksforwardonehourtoNZDT beforetheygotobedthisSaturday,September27.
Someclocksanddeviceswilladjustthetime automatically,whileothersneedtomanually changed.Findoutmoreat:www.govt.nz
Meanwhile,FireandEmergencyNZ(FENZ) remindseveryonetochecktheirsmokealarmsare workingatthestartofNZDT.
“Whenyoulookafteryoursmokealarms,they lookafteryou.Checkingiseasyandshould
actuallybedoneonceamonth,”saidFENZ nationalmanagercommunityreadinessand recoverySteveTurek.
“Justpushthebuttononeachofyoursmoke alarms.Ifyouhearthebeep,youknowtheyare readytoprotectyouandyourhousehold."
Smokealarmscan’tdetectsmokethrough closeddoors,soit’simportantthereareenough smokealarmsinstalledtocoverthewholehouse, saidTurek.
“Werecommendyouhaveanalarminevery bedroom,livingareaandhallway.”
Tipstolookaftersmokealarmsareat: escapemyhouse.co.nz/sorted Makeathree-stepescapeplanat: www.escapemyhouse.co.nz
About 92% of students say they are likely to apply what they learned at Ryda. P Photo/ / Suppllied d
RosalieLiddleCrawford
Hittinga75-yeartarget Tauranga’sarcheryclubiscelebrating75 yearsofexistencethismonthwitharegional competitionstarting10amthisSaturday, September27.
Establishedin1949,theclubhadseenafew namechangesovertheyears,saidclubmemberand coachDavidHillary.“TheseincludeAshbyArchers andTaurangaArcheryClub.Nowwearesimply TaurangaArchers.”
AsTaurangadevelopedanddemandsforland grew,theclub’srangelocationhadtomovewith thetimes,saidHillary.“Theearlyrangeswereat JordonPark,GreenparkSchool,Greerton,GatePa, TaurangaDomainandBOPPolytechnic.Today, we’repermanentlysetupatGrahamPark.”
Acombineddistrictarcheryassociation–called Eastern,Central,BayofPlentyArcheryAssociation (ECBOPAA)–wasestablishedinthe1950sto provideastrongervoiceforthesportandorganise inter-clubtournaments,saidHillary.
Fascinated
“ClubaffiliationtoNZArcheryAssociation–now ArcheryNZ(ANZ)–wasalsoencouragedwith successfulnationaleventsheldlocallyandmany BOParchersperformedwithgreatsuccess.”
TodayTaurangaArchersisstillaffiliatedto ECBOPAAandANZ,withallmembersholding jointmembershipsenablingthemtoshootat nationallysanctionedtournaments.
T Tauranga archer and coach John Ellis, who has
beeninvolvedforeightyears,saidclubmembership sitsat120butcanreach200.
HewasintroducedtothesportviaTauranga Archers’twice-monthlyhave-a-gosessions.Thefirst timeheletgoofanarrow,thethoughtswirled:“I lovedoingthis!”.Thatwasit!
“Somethink:‘Ohyeah,Iknowhowtodoit’then there’sothers,likeme,whogo:‘Ilovedoingthis!’ Thosearethepeoplewhostick,”saidEllis.
“It’susually2-3%ofpeople.Icanseeitintheir face.Ijustbecamefascinatedwithit,andsince Idiscovereditinmyadultyearsit’sgoodtobe coachingyouth.”
SchoolsProgramme ElliscoachesTaurangaArchers’Schools Programme,whichrunsWednesdayafternoonsand Saturdaymorningsforintermediateandhighschool students.ACGTaurangaboughttheirequipment thenapproachedtheclubforguidance.“Twoof ourcoacheshavebeenthereforfiveyearsteaching archery.”OtumoetaiCollege’slaunchoftheirNot SoSportsClubpromptedtheschooltobookprivate have-a-gosessionsfortheirstudents.
“Archeryisaboutstrengthandcoordinationrather thanfitness.”
Moreover,archeryisamartialart,saidEllis. “Peoplewhoarebodilyaware,likedancersand gymnastsorstudyingmartialarts,theypickuponit quitequickly.Buttargetarchery,whichiswhatour clubdoes,isalsoanendurancesport.”
Ellissaidit’ssimilartogolf“becauseyou’vegot togeteverythingtogetherandthetimingright. I It’s s very easy to get it right, and it’s s very easy to get
Aselectionoflocalbreakingstories featuredthisweekon...
TaurangaArcherswillhostaminicompetitiontomorrow,September27, tocelebratetheirclub’s75thbirthdaythismonth.
itwrong!”Allarcheryclubs’new memberscompleteabeginner’scourse forsafety.“Oursisthreesessions.It givesthemafurtherunderstandingof archery.”
Bowsanddistances Theclubtakesprivatebookings, holdsSundayClubDaysandhosts regionalandnationalcompetitions. Ellissaidmembersshootarange ofbows,includinglong,bare, recurveandcompound.Mostadult competitionshave90arrowswhile youthget36. “Thetargetdistancevariesfrom15m to90m.Inwinterweshootsmaller
targetsfrom18matourindoorrange atTaurangaRacecourse.Insummer, itrangesto70m,theOlympic-style recurvearcherydistance.Compound archeryis50m;barebowshooters shoot50mtoo.”
TaurangaArchersthankTECT fortheirgenerouscontributionto co-fundtheirrecenttargetupgrade. Theinvitationtotomorrow’s competitionwenttoallfellow EOPAAclubs.“We’llrunamini tournamentof90arrowswithtwo distancesof28mor55m.Thenwe’ll haveabarbecue,”saidEllis. Findoutmoreat:www. taurangaarchers.com
PRISCILLAQUEENOFTHEDESERT SATURDAY27THSEPTEMBERMATINEE. Lastopportunity-justafewseatsremaining.Cost$255pp includes-premiumseats,transport&dinneronwayhome.
Priscillaistheheartwarming, upliftingadventurewherethree friendswhohoponboarda batteredoldbuslookingforlove andfriendship,endupfinding muchmorethantheycouldhave everdreamedof.Withadazzling arrayofoutrageouscostumes andahitparadeofdancefloor favourites,thiswildlyfreshand funnymusicalisajourneythatwill warmyourheartanddelightwith memoriesoffunandfrivolity! Buckleupforafabulousnightout, thatwillkeepyousmilingallthe wayhome!
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Abalaclavawearingman grabbedand assaulted awoman walkingneara retirementvillage inPāpāmoa lastSunday,September21,policesaid. DetectiveSergeantSamPritchardsaida womanwaswalkingalongMaranuiSt fromtheintersectionofCoastBoulevard, westtowardsBayfair,about4.40pm.“She hasturnedarounduponreachingthe retirementvillageattheintersectionof MangatawaBoulevard,andbeganwalking backeastalongMaranuiSt,ontheopposite sideoftheroadtothebeach.“Itisatthis pointanunknownpersonhasassaultedher frombehind.”Pritchardsaidthewoman brokefreeandyelledout. “It’sbelievedtheoffenderrantowardsthe dunes,however,thiscan’tbeconfirmed.” Thepersonwhoassaultedthewoman
wasmediumtostockybuild,waslikely male,andwearingablackfabricbalaclava, blacksunglasses,awhitehoodiewithan imagecoveringtheupperback,white, grey,andgreencamouflagecargopants withsidelegpockets,sneakersandpossibly gloves.Anyonewhocanhelpcancontact policeon105andreferencefilenumber 250922/6208.
Mountparkingcharges
TaurangaCityCouncilwilltakea stagedapproachtoparkingchangesat theMountfollowingpublicfeedback. Responsesthroughthesurveywerevaried: 770peoplesaidtheydidn’twantpaid parking,while1341recognisedthereare problemsandwantbetterparkingoptions. Thecouncilhasalsogivenstaffthegreen lighttogatherfeedbackfromresidents andbusinessesontheMiroStone-way proposal.Lookingahead,thecouncil confirmedthedevelopmentofaMount MaunganuiParkingManagementPlan thatwilloutlinethestrategicdirectionof
parkingattheMount.Optionsinclude angledparkingonTheMall,paidparking atcouncil-ownedoff-streetcarparks,anew off-streetcarparknearCoronationPark, andabusinessplantosupportfinancially sustainable,paidparkingattheMount.
Criticalinjuriesincrash
Onepersonwascriticallyinjuriesafter acarandbuscrashatWelcomeBay, Tauranga.
Emergencyserviceswerealertedtothe crashonWelcomeBayRdabout6.15pm Wednesday.FirecrewsfromTauranga, PāpāmoaandMountMaunganui,plus ambulanceandpoliceattended.“There wasonepersontrappedinthecar,”Fire andEmergencyNewZealandnorthern shiftmanagerJoshPennefathersaid.“We have threefiretrucksandtwosupport vehiclesinattendance.”Policesaid onepersoninthecarwasinacritical condition.Theoccupantsofthebuswere notseriouslyinjured.
Tauranga Archers’ members (back row): Tessa Temara, David Rowe, Charlotte Hills, Jenni Donald, John Ellis, Eric Lunde, Aaron Reeve; front row (crouching) Mariam Harrison, David Mansell, Lauren Haddock, Rheinhardt Coetzee, are ready to mark their club’s 75th birthday Photos / Brydie Thompson
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LegacyFuneralsisavailable24/7toassistfamiliesinneed. Photo/Supplied
Classroomsgetspruceup atŌtūmoetaiPrimary Classroomrenovationstakingplaceat ŌtūmoetaiPrimarySchoolareonthe homestretch.
PrincipalZaraMcIndoesaidconstructionwork beganinMay,whenbuildersopenedupacanof wormswhilelookingintothewallsofclassrooms. Wallframing,cladding,roofsandguttersneeded replacing.Intotalfiveclassroomsandtheschool hallwerebeingworkedon,saidMcIndoe.
Ontrackforcompletionbytheendofthis year,theworkwillensurestudentsandteachers returnin2026towarmandsafeclassrooms,said McIndoe.
TheMinistryofEducationisfundingthe weathertightremediationwork,whileupcoming sportsandsafetyimprovementsattheschool wouldbecoveredbyfundraisingeffortsofthe ParentTeacherAssociation(PTA)andfundsfrom theBoardofTrustees(BOT).
Anewbell,intercomsystem,andair conditioningunitswerebeinginstalled,plusnew lightingandsecuritycamerastoimprovesafety afterschoolhours,saidMcIndoe.
Theschool’stopsportscourtwouldberesurfaced inNovember.Pipinghadbeenlaidunderneath thecurrentcourt,butthenewLaykoldHardcourt Surfacecanonlybelaidinwarmerweather.
Thetemperaturehastobeaminimumof10 degreesCeliusandrisingduringinstallation, hencetheneedtowaituntilsummer,McIndoe said.Customnetballandbasketballhoopswillbe installedtoo.
LouisTeWheoro,8,saidheandhisbasketball team,Thunder,usuallyplayonthesportsturf.
Thecurrenthoopsonthetopsportscourtaretoo high.ButLouisandhisfriends,FlynnBart,9,and MasonEdkins,9,saidtheystillscoregoals.
“ŌtūmoetaiPrimarySchoolhavealargenumber of chilldren invollved d innetbballl and d baskketbballl
LouisTeWheoro,8,MasonEdkins,9,andFlynnBart, 9,areexcitedtoplaybasketballonthenewsportscourt.
forallages.Thehoopswillbeabletocater fordifferentagegroupsduetobeingheight adjustable,”McIndoesaid.
Improvementstothesportsfacilitieswillcreate a“morevisuallyappealingsportsarea”.Primer, epoxyandbond-kotewouldbeusedtosealthe newsurfaceandpromoteadhesion.
Thankstosecuritycamerasandanewspotlight overlookingthetopcourtandneighbouring playground,thecourtwouldbeavailableforthe communitytousenightandday,McIndoesaid.
“Thecommunityalreadyusesthecourtonthe weekendandafterschoolhours.Weliketohave aschoolthatcanbeaccessibleforthecommunity touse.”
ShesaidŌtūmoetaiPrimarySchoolhad undertakenalotofpropertyupgradinginthelast sevenyears,includingacanopydomeoverthe astroturfthatwasaddedin2024.
Teachershasutilisedotherspaces,liketheart andmusicroom,assubstituteclassroomsduring ongoingconstruction,saidMcIndoe.
“Weextendoursincerestgratitudetoouramazing BOTandPTAfortheirunwavering g suppportand commitment to our school ”
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Constructioninvolvesreplacingwallframing,cladding,roofsandgutters. Photos/BrydieThompson
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Buildingsmartermoresustainablehomes AtNavigationHomes,they believeahomeshoulddomore thanprovideshelter–itshould elevateyourlifestyle,support yourwellbeing,andadaptfor thefuture.
That’swhythey’vepartnered withtheSuperhomeMovement,a nationwideinitiativeredefininghow
Kiwihomesaredesignedandbuilt.
NavigationHomesBOPmanaging directorGregSteelesaidtogether, they’reraisingthebar,delivering homesthataresmarter,healthier,and moresustainable.
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ForNavigationHomes clientsthismeanshealthier livingwithairtight construction,insulation, andventilationthatreduce mouldandallergensand supportsbetterhealth.
“Italsomeanslower energybillswithsmarter designandperformance models,keepinghomes comfortableyear-round withminimalenergyuse.”
Inaddition,the sustainabledesignfurther reducesenvironmental impactthroughpassive solarorientationand eco-consciousmaterials, saidSteele.
“Clients/homeownersare future-proofingtheirhomes withSuperhomestandards thatfarexceedtheoutdated NZBuildingCode, ensuringclimateresilience andlong-termdurability.”
Constructionof NavigationHomes’Bay ofPlentySuperhome Showhomeisunderwayat
Ōmokoroa,saidSteele.
Oncebuiltitwillfeature EcoPanelwalls,high-performance glazingandairtightconstruction.
“Itwillbealivingexample ofhowstyle,comfortand sustainabilitycancoexist,showing thathighperformancedoesn’t meancompromisingonbeauty orlifestyle.”
SteelesaidmuchofNew Zealand’shousingstockisoutdated andunderperforming.
“Believingthat‘goodenough’ isn’tgoodenough,Navigation HomeshasjoinedtheSuperhome Movement,tobuildhomesthat supporthealthierfamilies,stronger communitiesandabetterfuturefor Aotearoaandbeyond.”
Newgovernmentconstruction spendprovideshope-WPMA NewGovernmentconstruction announcementsareprovidingaglimmer ofhopetoNewZealand’swoodprocessing andmanufacturingindustry,accordingtoan industryassociation.
Afteragovernmentpauseinbuildingand constructionspend,announcementsthisweekon newdefencehousing,schoolinfrastructure,and hospitalfacilitiesprovidesaglimmerofhopetoa flatbuildingindustry,saidtheWoodProcessors andManufacturersAssociation(WPMA).
Homes,classrooms Theprojectsincludea$600millionspendon homesformilitaryfamilies,aplantoaccelerate $413millionofinvestmentinclassroomsand otherschoolinfrastructure,anda$100mboostto upgradehospitals.
WPMAchiefexecutiveMarkRosssaidthe announcementscomeatatimewhenthewood processingindustryisdoingittough,“withsome millssayingdomestictimbersalesaretheworst theyhaveeverwitnessed”.
“Withaflatdomesticmarketandchallenging globalsales,anynewgovernmentspendingin buildingandconstructioniswelcome.”
Rosssaidwoodisakeycomponentofbuildings, anditwasanticipatedthatthenewprojectswould ldidibdfdi
lead to increased timberorders from domestic mills.“Withthewoodindustryemploying more than 30,000 people in regional New Zealand, it is essential that the government procurement
processsupportsthepurchasingoflocally producedsustainabletimberandlumberover importedwoodproducts,”saidRoss.
TheJunequarterGDPfiguresshowed constructionhadsufferedmorethanmost industries,withthevalueofbuildingworkputin placedown2.2%.
Conditionsinthebuildingandtimbersupply sectorsarestillgloomy,butthereisslightoptimism emergingamongindustryplayers,especially followingthisweek’sgovernmentannouncements.
Data Buildingdatahighlightsthatthepictureinthe constructionsectorwasstillverymixed.While Otago,includingQueenstown,hadseena47% jumpinannualbuildingconsents,Wellingtonwas down11.4%andshowingnosignsofimproving. AccordingtotheWPMA,buildingactivityin Aucklandhadjustturnedacorner,witha3% increaseinconsents.
Overall,the34,000consentsissuednationally intheyeartoJunewerea1%improvement,and althoughitwaswelldownonthe2022peak,itwas inlinewiththelong-runaverage.Renovationwork dominated,withnewbuildingactivitypatchy. WPMAisanindustrymembershipassociation representingcompaniesinvolvedinthewider woodprocessingandmanufacturingindustries, includingsawntimber,pulpandpaper,
g , p p p p , manufacturedandengineeredwood products,along withbio-forest products Find out more at: wpma org nz
Construction of Navigation Homes’ Bay of Plenty Superhome Showhome is underway at Ōmokoroa Photo / Supplied
Taurangacivicprecinctopensforone-daytour Peoplecurioustoseeinside Taurangacitycentre’sfuture civicprecinctwillgetthe chancethisweekendwhen TeManawatakioTePapa opensitsdoorsfora one-daytour.
Thisweekend’stour,from11am3pmonSunday,September28,is partofSTEMFest2025. Nowinitsfourthyear, STEMFestbringstogether science,technology,engineering andmathematics.
Thefree,family-friendlyfestival isexpectedtoattractmorethan 8000attendeesfromTauranga andbeyondtoexperiencelarge-
scaleexhibitsandinteractive demonstrations.
Peopleareinvitedintothe constructionsiteofthenew libraryandcommunityhub,set toopeninlate-2026,toseehow theprojectistakingshape.
“TeManawatakioTePapaisa placewherelearning,storytelling andcommunityconnection willthrive,”saidTePapaward councillorRodTaylor.
“Bygivingyoungpeoplea behind-the-sceneslookathow it’sbeingbuilt,wehopeto sparkcuriosity,createpathways intofuturecareers,andbuild excitementforwhat’stocomein thecitycentre.”
ForLTMcGuinness,the
companyleadingthebuild, STEMFestisachanceto showcasebothinnovationand opportunity.
ProjectdirectorCraigBody saidconstructionisaworldof problem-solvingandcreativity, poweredbynewtechnologiesand thepeoplewhousethem.
“STEMFestistheperfect platformtohighlightthosetools, celebrateourapprentices,and hopefullyinspireyoungvisitors toimaginetheirownfuturein thisindustry.”
Thetourwillshowcasethetools andtechnologydrivingthebuild, fromlaserpositioningsystems and3Dmodellingtotheskill anddedicationofapprentices
currentlyworkingon-site.
Youngpeopleandtheirfamilies willbeabletoheartheirstories, askquestionsandexperience theinnovationbehindmodern construction.
STEMFestfreeticketshadallbeen claimed,butticketsaren’trequired tocheckoutthenewlibraryand communityhubconstructionsite onthecornerofWharfand Willowstreets.
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TeManawatakioTePapawillbeopeningitsdoorstothepubliconSeptember28.
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KNOWYOUR REALESTATEAGENT Regionsseepricegrowth amidslowersales NewdatafromtheReal EstateInstituteofNew Zealand(REINZ)showa modestyear-on-yeardipin thenationalmedianprice, althoughmostregionssaw medianpricesliftingyearon-year,andvaluesremain broadlysteadyaslisting numbersincrease.
AccordingtotheREINZ August2025fullMonthly PropertyReport,themedian priceforNewZealand decreasedby$4000(-0.5%) year-on-year,to$761,000.
ExcludingAuckland,the medianpriceincreasedby1.5% year-on-yearto$690,000.
Medianprices
Thirteenoutofthesixteen regionsreportedanincrease inmedianpricescompared toAugust2024.Auckland’s medianpriceincreasedby1.3% year-on-year,to$964,000.
Themostsignificantyear-onyearincreaseswererecorded inGisborne,up11.3%from $620,000to$690,000, Southland,up8.9%from $427,000to$465,000,andin
theWestCoast,up7.8%from $357,000to$385,000.
“AcrossNewZealand, confidenceintheproperty marketistemperedwith caution,”saidREINZchief executiveLizzyRyleyofthe theREINZAugust2025full MonthlyPropertyReport.
“Whilemanyexpected therecentOCRchangeto encouragemoreactivity,the historyofREINZdatasuggests thatwemaybecautiously optimisticthatwewillsee anincreaseinactivityinthe marketinthecomingmonths.
“Atthisstage,bothbuyers andsellersappeartobetaking ameasuredapproachasthey watchhowthemarketunfolds, particularlyaswenearspring.”
Salesacrossthecountrystalled inAugust,withsalesdeclining year-on-yearandmonth-onmonthforbothNewZealand (down3.7%and11.1% respectively),to5866sales, andNewZealand,excluding Auckland(down1.3%and 11.3%respectively),to4052 sales.Onlysixregionsreported anincreaseinsalescompared toAugustlastyear.Themost notableincreaseswererecorded
intheWaikato,up13.2%to 688sales,Gisborne,up11.1% to40salesandSouthland,up 8.1%to133sales.
Interestingtrends
“Augusthashighlightedsome interestingtrendsacrossthe country,”saidRyley.“While saleshaveeasedinpartsofthe market,mostregionsarestill seeingincreasesinmedian prices.Propertiesaretaking differentlengthsoftimetosell dependingonthearea,which showsthatwhilethemarketis active,buyersareconsidering theiroptionscarefully.”
Therewasaninfluxofnew listingsrecordedaroundthe country,withNewZealand up9.0%year-on-yearto 8769.NewZealand,excluding Auckland,alsorecordedan increase,up6.5%year-onyearto5481.Inventorylevels reached30,000propertieson themarketacrossNewZealand, representinga1.4%year-onyearincrease.
“Somelocalagentshave observedthatincertain markets,investorsseemless active,andsomeareoptingto sell,inanticipationof
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the typical end-of-winter to earlyspring shift in the property market,” Ryley said Daystosell
NewZealand’smediandaysto selldeclinedbytwodayscompared toAugust2024,reaching48days. ExcludingAuckland,thedaystosell remainedthesameyear-on-year,at 49days.Thehighestincreaseindays tosellwasontheWestCoast,up19 daysfrom38to57days.Thelargest decreaseindaystosellwasrecordedin NelsonandMarlborough,bothdown 11daysto35and41mediandaysto sell,respectively.
Auctions
Augustsaw778auctionsales nationally,whichwas13.3%ofall sales.ForNewZealand,excluding Auckland,therewere412auction sales,whichwere10.2%ofallsales. Gisbornerecordedthehighest percentageofauctionsales,with 42.5%ofallsalesdonebyauction (17auctions).Thehighestnumbersof propertiessoldbyauctionwereheldin Aucklandat366auctionsales(20.2%
of all sales) and Canterbury, at 199 auction sales (19 4% of all sales)
“WWhile we ’ re seeing more new listingscomingontothemarket,sales aren’tkeepingpace,whichisreflected inthemediandaystosellinsome regions,”Ryleysaid.
“AcrossNewZealand,itnowtakes around48daystosellaproperty, slightlyfasterthanthistimelastyear, butinsomeregions,suchastheWest Coast,propertiesarestayingonthe marketmuchlonger.”
HPI TheHousePriceIndex(HPI)for NewZealandisat3577,showinga year-on-yearincreaseof0.4%and anincreaseof0.3%comparedtolast month.Duringthepastfiveyears,the averageannualgrowthrateofNew Zealand’sHPIhasbeen3.2%. ForthefullMonthlyProperty ReportfromREINZforAugust 2025,see:www.reinz.co.nz/ libraryviewer?ResourceID=787 FortheHousePriceIndex (HPI)ReportforAugust 2025,see:www.reinz.co.nz/ libraryviewer?ResourceID=788
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Breakfastandalaugh withTeRadar A captivatingmorningof breakfastwithoneofNew Zealand’smostrecognised comediansisbeingservedup asafundraiserforWaipuna Hospice,thankstotheRotary ClubofTaurangaSunrise.
“PleasejoinusintheCrystalPalace ontheTaurangawaterfronton Friday,October31,”saidco-organiser andRotarianPhilMangos.
“Wearehostingthebreakfastas partoftheTaurangaArtsFestival programme,raisingfundsfor WaipunaHospice,andthisyearthe brilliantTeRadarwillbejoiningus.”
Theclubhasraisedthousands atpreviousfestivalsforWaipuna Hospicewithvisitingguestspeakers, maximisingtheopportunitythat themagicalCarrusCrystalPalace presents.
“AfterPhilwelcomeseveryone,Te Radarwillberunningthewhole
event,”co-organiserandRotarian KathyWebbsaid.
Webbsaidthebreakfast,whichis supportedbyCarrusandBayleys,will featureaselectionofdeliciousitems, andsuggestspeoplepurchasetheir ticketsassoonaspossible.
InthecourseofhiscareerTeRadar hasdivedwithsharks,narrowly avoidedarabbitwhileracinga Formula3carat200km/h,plunged intothefrozenRossSeainAntarctica inonlyaskimpypairoftogs, interviewedthePalestinianpolitical leaderYassarArafatunderthewatchful eyeofgun-totingsoldiers,been stunginaratherawkwardplacebya scorpion,andbecome(unofficially) NZ’sworsttelevisiongardener. Apoliticalandcurrentaffairs enthusiast,he’sprovidedasatirical reviewoftheweekonRNZ
National’sNinetoNoonprogramme formorethan15yearsandwontwo QantasMediaawardsforhisNew ZealandHeraldcolumns.
Withastringofmoreofficialawardstohis name,includingthecountry’shighestaccolades forcomedyandtelevision,heisheadingto TaurangaArtsFestivaltopresentacomedic celebrationofthebelovedandbizarrecookbooks fromNZ’spast,withasideofsumptuous vintagefoodphotography.“We’redelightedthat he’salsogoingtobeourguestspeakerforour Waipunafundraiser,”Mangossaid.
“Wewillalsohavesomeinterestingmystery itemstoauctionatthebreakfast,toberevealed ontheday.Bringsomecashfortheauction,” Webbsaid.
“Thereisalimitedseatingcapacityof200, withticketssellingfast.Everyyearwerunthis
Courseforseniorstostaysafewhiledriving WithsupportofNewZealand TransportAgencyWakaKotahi, AgeConcernTauranga’sgeneral managerTanyaSmithinvites seniordriverstoattendafree classroom-basedrefresher coursetohelpkeepthemsafe ontheroads.
Smithhopesolderdriversinthe BayofPlentywilltakeadvantage oftheopportunitytore-familiarise themselveswithtrafficrulesandsafe drivingpracticesinafriendlyand relaxedenvironmentalongsideother olderdrivers.
“Weshowanumberofvideos soparticipantscanbesurethey knowhowtocorrectlysignalat roundabouts,areawareofthe dangersofblindspotsandknowthe givewayrules,forexample–thereis muchmorewecover.”
Therearefourupcomingcourses, Smithsaid.Theywillbeheldat GreertonSeniorCitizensHall,33 MaitlandSt,onFriday,October17; TaurangaCoastguard,72KeithAllen Drive,SulphurPoint,onFriday, October24;PapamoaSports& RecreationCentre,80AliceLane, onTuesday,October28;andMount MaunganuiRSA,544Maunganui Rd,onWednesday,November5.
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Qualitymaterials: BHPColorbondsteelmeshwithunique patentedlouvrewhichwillevenkeepoutpineneedles. Willnotrustorsagwithageorload.
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renewadriver’slicenceandfromthetimeweare 80,wehavetorenewthiseverytwoyearswitha medicaleachtime.”
AtthestartofthisyearNZTAchangedthe timeframeforlicencerenewalforpeopleaged above74becauseolderdriverswerehavingtheir licencesexpire“becausetheycouldnotgetin tothedoctororforanon-roaddrivingtestif required,"Smithsaid.
Theupcomingcoursesrunfrom10am-2.15pm. Registrationisessential.PhoneAgeConcern Taurangaon075782631toreserveyourplace.
attheTaurangaArtsFestivalweselloutwitha fullhouse.”
Ticketsareavailableat:rotarytaurangasunrise@ gmail.com
RosalieLiddleCrawford
T Te Radar is guest speaker at the Rotary breakfast charity fundraiser in the Crystal Palace Photo / Supplied
ToSpotifyornot... Across
6.Racecourse(10) (SI)
8.Retreat(4)
9.Frozenrain(4)
10.Flower(5)
11.Beetle(4)
12.Rejoice(9)
16.Inventorofthe bungy jump(1,1,7)
20.Extinctbirds(4)
22.Respectable(5)
23.Nativebird(4)
24.Immense(4)
25.Beneficial(10)
Down
1.Leave(6)
2.Accomplished(7)
3.Manservant(6)
4.Colour(6) No.1953
5.Tree(5) 7.Assertive(5) 13.Cinder(3) 14.Inadequate(7) 15.Stupid(5) 17.Comics(6) 18.Lackofinterest(6) 19.Gossip(6) 21.Create(5)
ToSpotifyornottoSpotify? Thatisthequestion. It’sadiscussionI’vehadwithmorethan afewmusiciansthisweek,sinceTiki Taaneandotherspulledtheirmusicfrom thestreamingservice.It’satrickyone... Inmyopinion,Spotifypaysworse thananyotherstreamingservice.Spotify haslowerlisteningqualitythanmost streamingservices.Itsuseofalgorithms topromotecertainmusic,anditspolicy towardsAI-generatedmusicareboth dubious.Plus,Ihavereadthatfounder DanielEkuseshismassivefortunetofund AIweaponssystems. Ithinkthat’saboutit.Thereareprobably reasonsthatslipthemindrightnow.
Why? Sothequestionis:whywouldmusicians putmusicthere?Theanswerisverysimple –becausethat’wherepeoplelistento music.Why?Becauseit’sfree.Obviously youcanpayifyouwanttoavoidthose tunlike etal, listen forfree. rmusic then eople urnto ifyto music not it.
–thisweek#101–Idid astrawpollofmusicians andfoundprettymuch whatyou’dexpect:a waryviewofSpotifyasa necessaryevil,withnoway backtoamodelwhere musiciansarereasonably rewardedfinancially. Sodamnedifyoudo, damnedifyoudon’t. Oneapproachistouse Spotifyasasortof“shop window”.Wellingtonjazz guitaristLockieBennett, whoplayedamemorable be-bopshowatthelastjazz festival,hasjustreleased ‘LockieBennettTrio’,a simplystunningcollection ofstraight-aheadbe-bop tuneswithtastefuldrum anduprightbassaccompaniment. TherearetwotunesfromCharlieParker, twofromBudPowell;thisisoldschool be-bop,sharpandhyper-activeinthe soloing,smoothandsensitiveonalive takeofGuyLombardo’s‘Don’tBlameMe’.
Onetrack
ScantheQRcode,orvisit: you can pay if you want to avoid th annoyingads,but Apple,Tidal, peoplecan l toSpotify f Andifyour isn’tthere, allthepe whot Spoti hear will n hear Sinc there S
ce e’sa Spotify playlist here each week
Bennetthasreleasedjustonetrackon Spotify.It’sonthisweek’splaylist.The fullalbumisonlineonBandcampwhere youcanbuyitinmostformats.I’dhighly recommenditasanalbum,and–ifyou’re someonestillinterestedintheconceptof buyingmusic–I’drecommendBandcamp ingeneralastheonlyplaceonlinethat actuallypaysmusiciansproperly. Nowsomethinglivethatpromisesto beworthwhile:nextFriday,October 3,AucklandfolksingerTomCunliffe visitstheJamFactory.Despitereleasing threecritically-praisedalbumsCunliffe
It’sthebattleofthebothsideofKaimaiRange thisSunday,September28,atWharepaiDomain, TaurangaCitywithBayofPlentySteamersversus Waikatointhelasthomegameoftheroundrobin oftheBunningsNPCRugbyseason.
“Thisweekend’sgameisanexcitingclashbetween
Fillthegridsothat everyrowandevery 3x3squarecontains thedigits1to9 Howtosolve
hasflownratherundertheradarthough perhapshisupcomingalbum,recorded livetotapeatRoundheadStudio,will changethat.
He’saveryappealingintrospective storytellingsingerwithinfluencesof NickDrakeandLeonardCohen,andis bringingmulti-instrumentalistDaveKhan (RebFountain)andTinyRuin’sCassBasil onbass.
Theeveningstartswithasolosetfrom FrancesEllen,whoisalwaysworth hearing.HerdebutEPwasproducedby DaveKhan,soperhapsNewZealand’s currentlymostin-demandaccompanist mightjoinher...
HearWinston’s LatestPlaylist
www.tinyurl.com/bdd7fey2
oldrivals,withonepointseparatingthemonthe table.BOPSteamerscurrentlysitfourthwith26 points;Waikatocurrentlysixthwith25points, andbothsidesplayingsomereallygoodrugby thisseason,soexpectanepicmatch!”saida Steamersspokesperson.
Thegamekicksoffat2.05pm.Ticketsrangein pricefrom$5-$25from:www.boprugby.co.nz/ buy-tickets/home-game-tickets-1
ThiswillbetheSteamers’secondtolastgame oftheregularseason,withthelastonOctober4 againsttheWellington
LockieBennett. Photo/Supplied
Frances Ellen. Photo / Supplied
The BOP Steamers take on Waikato on Sepptembber228 at t Whareppai i Domaiin. P Photo/ / Proddeuce
IurgeTaurangaregionvotersto quiztheircandidatesfortheBayof PlentyRegionalCouncilelection astowhattheirattitudeisto reducingBOPRC’sshareholding inPortofTaurangafrom54% downtoapotential28%.On May16,2024I,alongwith manyothers,participatedina publicsubmissionagainstany reduction.Unfortunately,that wasnotheededbythemajorityof BOPRCmembersandtheyvoted toproceed.
Mysubmissionsaidthatthe shareholdinginourlocalPortwas ajewelinthecrownofinvestments andshouldbeseparatedfromthe normalinvestmentphilosophyof spreadingyourinvestments.The BOPRCinitslackofwisdom decidedtoignoretworisks.Firstly, thatsome177hectaresofland intheSulphurPointandMount Maunganuidistrictwasatriskof beingforeignowned.Secondly,I
haveneverheardofaninvestment advisertellingaclienttoselltheir residentialhomeandputthefunds inshares.Thatiseffectivelywhat themajorityofcouncillorshave decidedtodo.
Idon’tknowiftheselldownhas commenced.Iimplorevotersto firstlyaskifourcandidatesinthe threelocalconstituencieswhether ornottheywouldhavesupported theoriginalresolutionbearingin mindthatevenifaselldownhas commenced,BOPRCcaneasily buyfurthersharesonthemarket andrestoremajoritycontrol.
IwasadirectorofPortof Taurangafor16yearsupuntil 2012andamabsolutelydisgusted withtheattitudeofthemajority ofcouncillorswhovotedtosell downourcrownjewelswhichhave beenbuiltupbymanypioneers intheTaurangaandBOPdistrict since1912.
BillCapamagian,Avenues
Everytimethelocalelectionscomearoundtheplaceisplasteredwith boardsallovertheplacewithpeopletryingtogetyoutovoteforthem. Eachtime–somanyofthemsaythattheywillcutrates.Butnever hasthishappened.Never.Ratesalwaysgoupeveryyear.Sobewary whenyouseepeoplepromisingsomethingtheycan’tandwon’tdeliver.
PJones,Bethlehem
WRITETOUS TheWeekendSunwelcomesletterstotheeditorfromreadersbut pleasenote: •Lettersshouldnotexceed200words
•Theyshouldbeopinionbasedonfactsorcurrentevents
•Ifpossible,pleaseemaillettersto:letters@thesun.co.nzorpostto: PrivateBag12002,TaurangaMailCentre
Email:letters@thesun.co.nz (200wordsmaximum)suppliedwithfullnameandcontactdetails. Formorelettersgotowww.sunlive.co.nz
ThearticledatedSeptember12inThe WeekendSunreferredtoaformerWestern BayofPlentymayorwhocriticisesthe ex-CEO’sperformance.Thisisbothrevealing andatthesametime,alarming.
Therehasbeenaninferencebycouncillors, duringtheelectioncampaign,aboutthe failureofthecouncil’smanagementof itsfinancialstatementsandaccounting procedures.
Criticaltothisistheimplicationthatdueto thefailureofwhatever,ithashadanadverse impactontherateslevied.Iquote“thatlead tohigherratesrisesthaninitiallyforecast”.If thisisthecase,thenweratepayersdeservefull detailsandclarificationofwhathasoccurred. Anyexplanationshouldinclude:The
•Letterswillbepublishedwithnamesandsuburb/town •Nonoms-de-plume •Includefullname,addressandcontactdetails,forourrecordsonly •Lettersmaybeedited,abridged,orrejectedattheEditor’sdiscretion •Rejectedlettersarenotnormallyacknowledged •Theeditor’sdecisiononpublicationisfinal
In the Gospel of Mark chapter 4, we have the account of when Jesus calmed a storm on the Sea of Galilee
Jesus and His disciples had finished an exhausting day of ministry to the crowds When evening arrived, Jesus and His disciples got into a boat an out for the otherside of th lake Jesus soonfell asleep on a cushion inthe stern of the boat
Meanwhile, a fierce storm had arisen, threatening to fill and capsize the boat The disciples woke Jesus and said to him: “Teacher,do you not care that we are perishing?” Of course Jesus cared that they were about drown! But Jesus was in total control of everything, because He was (and is) the Son of God As Hebrews 1:3 says: “he upholds the
AfterlivingintheUSfornearly20years IwasshockedonreturntoNewZealand withtheinroadstheMāoripopulationhas madeintothisculture. NowIgetsomelocalbodyelectionpapers inthemailaskingmetovoteonseveral differentinstitutionsaroundtheWestern BayofPlenty. TwooftheseareforMāoriwards.What wouldtheysayiftwoofthemwerefor Pākehāwards?...Nocountryisacountry withsplitculturesfightingforsupremacy. NZmustbecomeanationofonepeople, allinharmonywithnospecialpreferences foroneortheotherofthecultures.The TreatyofWaitangicalledforequalrightsfor MāoriandPākehā.Onecannotarguethat... Thedemandoneveryschoolchildtolearn Māoriis,inmyview,atotalwasteofvery importanttimeatschool.Ifearforwhere allofthisisheaded.
ColinStitt,Katikati
ChurchesActiveInOurCommunity universe by the word of his power ” And so, Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea: “Peace! Be still!” Immediately the wind ceased, and there was a great calm
Jesus said to the disciples in the boat with Him: “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Mark 1:27 Jesus had mmanded an unclean and evil spiritto come out of a man in the synagogue in Capernaum.Inthese, and many other ways,Jesus showed Himself to be the authoritative Son of God Dearreader, in any and every situation or “ storm ” inyour life, you can turn to esus and trust Him In faith d trust in His Name, call Him He is Mighty to save anyone who callsupon His Name
historicproblems;theremediesinstigated; confirmationthatthereisnowaccurate andfrequentreportingtocouncillors;and assurancethatratesareleviedonaccurate forecasting.
ItappearsWesternBayofPlentyDistrict Councilspendsabout30%oftherates gatheredonadministrationexpenseswhereas comparablecouncilsspendaround20%to 22%onthesamecosts.Thisalsorequires clarificationtoratepayers.
Mybeliefisthatinthefuture,allelected councillorsandtheappointedCEOmust havetheabilityandknowledgetointerpret andquestionfinancialstatementstoavoid theseissuesinthefuture.
GraemeThomson,Katikati
Re:ParkingmetresoutsideTauranga’s2ndAvemedical clinic(TheWeekendSunLetterspage,September19 edition).
Ireadwithsympathytheplightoftheladywhohad touse2ndAvemedicalclinicandthengotaparking fineontoponpayingforhealthcare. Whatanabsolutedingbatanswerfromthecouncil employeerespondingtohergenuineconcern. Whenyouhaveamedicalproblemandthereis noroominthecliniccarpark,apersonisn’tgoing lookingforparkingmeters.
AndeventhoughIamreasonablycompetentwith mysmartphoneaparkingappisnotforolderpeople. Nooneisgoingtoexcusethemselvesfrommedical treatmenttotopupthemeterwithcasheither;and certainlythepatientwillnotwishtostayattheclinic amomentlongerthanisnecessary.
Thiskindofresponseofobeytherulesorelseis makingTaurangaaratherunpleasantplacetolive. ThatCouncilemployeeshouldlearntobekindashe toowillbeolderandmaybeneedsympathyoneday.
LynetteHart,Bethlehem
021768043 office@bethel.org.nz BethEl.org.nz AssemblyofGod Service:10.30amSaturdays 70PoolesRdGreerton(StJames) Findrealhope,peace&strengthinChrist www.churchofgodslove.com Enquiries0226325957
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