The Weekend Sun - 14 November 2025

Funwithapurpose

FamiliesacrossTaurangaMoanaareinvited totheWhiteRibbonFamilyDayatAnzac Park,GatePā,onSaturday,November22, from10am-2pm.Thisfreeeventcelebrates community,funandfamilytogethernesswhile sharinganimportantmessage–toendviolence

towardswomenandchildren.

Enjoylivemusic,food,facepainting,plus abouncycastle,andmore,plusakapahaka performancebyTeAraoTawhakioteKapa Haka.

“WhiteRibbonDayisavitalreminderthat

familyviolenceaffectspeoplefromallwalks oflife,”saidFamilyWorksBayofPlentyarea managerJuliePeake.

“Bycomingtogetherasacommunity,we canraiseawarenessandshowsupportforthose affectedbyviolence.”

OrganisedbyFamilyWorkswithlocal partners,thedayhighlightsunity,respectand supportforsafer,strongerfamilies.Francisco Salustio,HarpinderKaurandAniCoker, pictured,sayeveryoneiswelcomeattheevent. Readmoreonpage9.

Photo/DavidHall

Friday14November2025

405CameronRd,PrivateBag12002, TaurangaMailCentre,Tauranga3143.

TheWeekendSun

Phone075780030 www.theweekendsun.co.nz

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TheWeekendSunispublishedeveryFridayanddistributedthroughouttheWesternBay ofPlentyfromWaihiBeach,throughKatikati,Tauranga,MountMaunganui,Papamoa andTePukeandavailabletocollectatmanystandlocationsthroughoutthearea.For afulllistofstandlocationsseehttps://theweekendsun.co.nz/stand-locations.htmlThe WeekendSunispartofNZME-NewZealandMedia&Entertainment.WekeepKiwisin theknow.Locallyproducedat405CameronRd,Tauranga

Editor: MerleCave Editorial: LetitiaAtkinson,Alisha Evans,RosalieLiddleCrawford,HunterWells,Ayla Yeoman,BijouJohnson. PublicationsManager: KathySellars. Advertising: JoDelicata,SharonEyres. DesignStudio: KymJohnson,CaitlinBurns.

TheWeekendSunissubjectto NZMediaCouncilprocedures. First,emailyourcomplainttothe Editorat:newsroom@thesun.co.nz Ifnotsatisfiedorformoredetails, goto:mediacouncil.org.nz

Babble,gabbleandjibber-jabber

Bugger!NeilFinnturned 65yesterday.Nocard thisyear.

PeterArnettwas91–Arnett, myheroCNNwarcorrespondent fromInvercargillwhoscored aninterviewwithOsamabin LadeninacaveinAfghanistan. ImetArnett.Yep,Ihaveshaken thehandthatshookhandswith thearchitectofevil.Ifyouwere

Arnett,whatwouldhavebeen yourfirstquestiontothatguy?

AndPeterBlairDenisBernard Nooneturned78lastweek.No card.He’llbehurting. Noone,teenidolofthe1960s. Hewasanutcase.Calledhimself HeneryVIII. “Igotmarriedtothewidownext door,She’sbeenmarriedseventimes before.”

Shewouldn’thaveaWilly

oraSam.OnlyHenerys!That PeterNoone–fringed,prettyboy frontmanofthepopgroup,Herman’s Hermits.

Ibetifyou’re65-plus,thatnonsense songwillnowbean‘earworm’–swirlingaroundyourin subconsciousfortheday. Andyouwillhateme

TheGoldenSandsSchoolBoardinvites applicationsfromparentswhowishtoenrol theirchildrenatGoldenSandsSchoolin2026.

Enrolmentatthisschoolisgoverned byanenrolmentscheme,detailsof whichareavailablefromtheschool office.

Thedeadlineforreceiptof outofzoneapplicationsis: 12pm,20November2025-sendto office@goldensands.school.nz

Theboardhasdeterminedthatthe followingplacesareavailableforout ofzonestudentsin2026Startof2026-5xBilingualspaces Term3,2026-2xYear0/1spaces

e

Ifthenumberofoutofzone applicationsexceedsthenumber ofplacesavailable,studentswill beselectedbyballot.

Ifaballotisrequireditwillbeheld on 21November2025.Parentswill beinformedoftheoutcomeofthe ballotwithinthreeschooldaysof theballotbeingheld.

Itwasanirritatingditty eventhen–justeight meaningless,nebulous, linesrepeatedad nauseum: “Secondverse, sameasthefirst.”

“I’mhereightholdman, I’mHenery.”

Itwasare-makeofa 1910musichallsong thatprobablydeserved tobeconsignedthere forever.

“Henerytheeighth,I

it,canhavealltheexcitementofa walkingtourofGreerton.

Unadulteratedcheese

WhenBKspringsNoone’sbirthday onme,IboastI’magoodmateof KarlGreen–theband’sbassguitarist andbackingsinger.Methimin 1964afterHerman’sHermitsplayed theDunedinTownHall.Cost17 shillingsandsixpence–$35today’s

cocaine,thehardliquor,andhordes ofscreaminggroupies.Andimagine, ifyoucan,KeithRichards,Ozzyor JimMorrisontamingtheiraddictions withicedchocolate.

IaskedGreenforhisautograph. Andthingscameundone.

“Yougotanautographbook?”he askedme.

“Ahh,no.”

“Aprogrammeorsummat?”

Overlyunderproduced,andlikeaskifflegroup atanA&PShowtalentquest. Incrediblybad,hugelysuccessful. Blatherandbalderdash

SowhyareHerman’sHermitsnow demandingattention?It’skindofa StatlerandWaldorfthing–because everymorning,longbeforethe sparrowshavetwitchedtheirtail feathersandpooped,BrianKelly‘BK’ wandersoutofNZME’sCountry SportBreakfastradiostudiointothe newsroomsinging‘gold’songsvery badlyandsharingstuffwithme.

Likeit’stheanniversaryoftheBerlin Wallcomingdown.AndIcanbrag “beenthere,donethat”,wentthrough CheckpointCharlieintheearly-1980s –gotseriouslyfriskedbyaformidable Frau,anEastGermanborderguard, whodidn’tappreciateawarmwestern smileinthemiddleofaColdWar.

WithBK,it’sallblokeyoneupmanshipandnowinners.Two fossilstradingbanter,opinions,moans andgroans.It’sgreatsport.We’re lucky.

Havingaradiostudioattached livensadark,soulless,morningin anewspaperofficewhich,ifwelet

realmoney.

Whataday–whatanight?By afternoonIwasinshortpantsat schoolandbynightdancingwildly intheaisleinBlackWatchtartan bellbottomswithwhitebeltand parrotingallthosesimplisticand addictivelyrics.“There’sakindof hush,allovertheworld”–thesound ofloversinloveofcourse.Vomitous stuff.“Nomilktoday”becausehis lovehadgoneaway.And“I’mInto SomethingGood”–hewalkedher homeand,becausesheheldhishand, heknewitwasn’tjustaone-night stand.Unadulteratedcheese–butwe lovedthesimplicity,purityandfun. ItwasalsothenightIbecamelifelongbuddieswiththeband.Well, that’soverstatingit.Ibumpedinto oneofthembriefly.And61years later,Iamstillbangingonaboutit.

‘Daft‘apeths’ KarlGreenwasrelaxingafterthe showwithanicedchocolateata caféjustoffDunedin’sOctagon.A genuinerockstarofthetime,onhis tod,suckingicedchocolatethrough astraw.Really?Wherewasthehired muscle,wherewerethelinesof

“No!”

“Gotapen?”

“No!”

Helaughedandcalled me“yerdaft‘apeth”which Ibelievetobebothmildly offensiveandaffectionateat thesametime.‘Yer’is‘you’. ‘Daft’is‘stupid’.‘Apeth’is aha’penny,aworthlesspredecimalcoin–orastupid idiot.Figurethat.ThePoms inventalanguage,then mangleit. Regardless,tonightIwas inthecompanyofcelebrity. Tomorrow,Iwouldbeback inshortpantsatschool,but IwouldhavebraggingrightsandI wouldbeinsufferable.

Fascinatingstuff

ThenBKremindedme,it’s exactly50yearsagothattheiron orefreighter,EdmundFitzgerald, perhapsthelargestfreshwater freighterofhertime,founderedin afiercestormonLakeSuperior. Fascinatingstuff.Inhislong, hauntinglybeautifulfolkrock ballad,‘TheWreckoftheEdmund Fitzgerald’,GordonLightfootsings thatLakeSuperior“nevergives upherdead”.The29handswho perishedwithouttracethatnightare testament.Thestorymesmerizedme. BKreckonshecanplaythesongon hisguitar–allsix-and-a-halfminutes ofit,allsevenbyeightlineverses. Buteconomyofwordsiskeyin thisindustry–thestorycouldhave beentoldinoneline:“Shiprunsinto storm,sinks,29dead.Theend”. AnyhowmymateKarldumpedall thatpopbandandteenidolstuffin 1980.Hetradedfameforplumbing andtilinginLondontown.Gotback tohisroots.Likehisstyle.

Erodingdunesandripssparksafetywarning

Surf Life Saving New Zealand

is urging beachgoers to stay alert along the Mount MaunganuitoPāpāmoa coastline,wherehighsand dunes,erodedbeaches, andstrongripsarecreating dangerousconditionsaheadof aweekoflargeswells.

EasternregionmanagerChaz Gibbons-Campbellsaidrecent inspectionsrevealed“six-foot-high dunesandbigdrop-offs”insome areas,particularlynearBanksAve. “Wecouldhardlygetthroughin theCan-Ambuggyaboutanhour afterhightide,”hesaid.“AtTaySt, thewaterwasuptothetoeofthe dunes,soitdoesn’tleavemuchbeach

for sunbathing at high tide ”

He said people also need to be cautious walking the beach at high tide “With the big swells coming, peoplecouldbewalkingalong,and thenbigsurgingwavescouldeasily comeandcatchyouoffguardand you'vegotnowheretorun,because it'sabighighdunebackthere.”

Heandlifesavingsupportofficer DavidCooperfoundthedunes nearBanksAvewereunstableand crumblingwhiletheywereon-site. “Peopleneedtobecareful–don’t digintoorplayaroundthosedunes,”

Gibbons-Campbellsaid.“Eachhigh tideiserodingmoresandaway. We’veseenhowdangerouscollapsing sandbankscanbe.”

InAugustfather-of-fourKane Watsondiedinasanddunecollapse atMuriwaiBeachwestofAuckland.

Erosionisnotonlythreatening

Threeyearsofmaking

public safety – it also affects surf lifeguard operations, GibbonsCampbell said

“The high dunes and tides mean wecan’tuseATVsalongpartsofthe beachathightide.We’llneedtorely moreonjetskisandIRBs[Inflatable RescueBoats]outinthewatertodo preventativeactions.”

Gibbons-Campbellsaidthebanks alongthecoastaremessyafterwinter –“therearedeepinshoreholesand strongrips”.

“Headingintoorcomingoutoflow tideiswhenthere’salotmorewater pulling,soyou’vejustgottobemore wary.Youcouldbeeasilystanding onalittlesandbankandthenstepoff andsuddenlydropintoachannelup toyourneck.”

Withswellsandhightidesforecast toincreasenextweek,surflifesavers urgedswimmerstosticktopatrolled

areas.“Swimbetweenthered andyellowflags,avoidwalking closetothedunesathigh tide,andstayalert,”GibbonsCampbellsaid.“Lifeguardscan’t beeverywhere,sopeopleneed

toknowhowtokeepthemselves andtheirfamiliessafe.”

Volunteerlifeguardsareon dutyweekendsfrom11am-4pm throughoutNovember.

RosalieLiddleCrawford

InNovember2022,ResonateHealthopeneditsfirststudio inSilverdale,Auckland,withaboldidea—tomakehearing carefair,affordable,andtransparent.

Threeyearslater,we’vegrownto 30studiosacross NewZealand,withmoreopeningsoon.

OurUnlimitedsubscriptionservicegivestop-of-the-rangehearing aids,service,andupgradeseverythreeyearsfor$90amonth— pricelockedforlife.Noupfrontcosts.Nohiddencharges.Just greatserviceandtechnologythatkeepsupwithyou.

We’reproudtobe100%Kiwi-ownedandtrustedbythousands ofNewZealanders.Thankyouforhelpingusbuildsomething special—anewwayforKiwistohearlife,together.

ContactResonate 0800327360 | resonatehealth.co.nz

Westartedwithone studio.Nowwe’rehelping thousandsacrossNew Zealand.It’sallthanks tothepeoplewhobelieved hearingcarecouldbe betterandmoreaffordable.

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Surf Life Saving NZ Eastern region manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell showing the eroded sand dune from the beach near Banks Ave, Mount Maunganui. Photo / David Hall

VaricoseVeinsTroublingYou?

Therearemyriadsymptoms, whichmayindicateyouhave varicoseveins.

Heavy,tired,oftenachyor restlesslegsarecommon symptomsalongwithlegcramps, swollenlegs,itchyskinor dermatitis,poorskinhealingand legulcers.

Ifyousufferfromanyofthesesymptoms-itcouldbewellworth consideringaconsultationwithaveinspecialist.

DrPhoebeShearmanhasrecentlyreturnedtotheBayofPlenty followingfurtherspecialisttraininginAucklandandisdedicatedto deliveringeffective,minimallyinvasivetreatmentsforvaricoseveins.

Dual-trainedinPhlebologyandGeneralPractice,DrShearmanis passionateaboutprovidingpatient-focused,comprehensivecarefor varicoseveinsandchronicvenousdiseaseandoffersEndovenous Ablation(RFA)andUltrasound-GuidedSclerotherapy.

Botharenon-surgicaltreatmentsthatarewalkinandwalkout treatments,requiringnogeneralanaesthesiaandminimaldowntime.

Valueof volunteering

Emily-KayLivickneverimagined she’donedayleadAchillesTauranga Moana,butforher,volunteeringhas alwaysbeenaboutwhānau.

Herson,TamahauHicks,aYear6junior para-athlete,liveswithaTraumaticBrain Injury(TBI)thataffectshisvisionand coordination.

Afterplayingrugby,specialistssaidhe’d needtofindanewsport.

Determinedtokeephimactive,Livick discoveredAchillesInternationalNZ, whereathleteswithdisabilitiesare pairedwithvolunteerguidestotake partinrunningevents.She’spassionate aboutencouragingotherchildrenwith disabilitiestotrylong-distancerunning, creatingopportunitiesforparticipation andgrowth.

WhentheTaurangaMoanachapter neededanewleader,Livicksteppedin, despitelivinginKarangahakeGorge.“It’s

reallyateameffort.We’vegotamazing peoplerunningtrainings,andwework withtheWaikatochaptertoo.Everyone justpitchesinandthat’swhatmakesit special.”

ForLivick,thekeytovolunteeringis consistency.“It’snotthebigthings,it’s turningupeveryweek.Littlebits,over time,makethebiggestimpact.”

ThissummerLivickishelpingorganise anadaptivebeachrunatWaihīBeach forchildrenwithdisabilitiesacrossthe BayofPlentyandWaikato.It’spartof hermissiontoopendoors,encourage participation,andcelebrateeverysmall victory.

“Everylittlebitofsupport,everysmall act,helpssomeonemoveforward,”she said.

Ifyou’rekeentovolunteer,orifyour groupneedsahelpinghand,Volunteering Servicescanconnectyou.Learnmoreat: www.volunteeringservices.org.nzorphone 079870920.

Emily-Kay’sson,Tamahau,distributingfoodparcelstowhānauinneed. Photo/Emily-KayLivick

Electricdirtbikeshaverules Electric dirt bike

Electricdirtbikesarecausingserious concernsforpolice,duetoagrowing numberofcrashesandcasesofillegal riding,accordingtoWesternBayof Plentyarearoadpolicingmanager SeniorSergeantWayneHunter. Inmostinstances,thebikes,which couldexceed80km/hr,wererequiredto beregistered,saidpoliceinastatement. WayneHuntersaidthatcameasashock tomanyoftheriderspolicespoketo. “We’veseenpeopleridingdangerously andcrashesinvolvingpedestriansand vehicles,andpeopleneedtorealisethat justbecausethesedirtbikesareelectric,it doesn’tmeantheyareallowedontheroad. “Ignorancewon’tprotectyoufromfines

orhavingyourdirtbikeconfiscated,and policeareroutinelystoppingriderson electricdirtbikestomakesureboththe bikeandtheriderarecompliantwiththe law.”

Thebikesweregainingpopularity,he said.“We’renowdealingwithroughly fourcasesinvolvingelectricdirtbikesa week,andpeoplehavebeenhurt.”

Recentlyonee-bikehadbeen impoundedfordangerousriding,and thecosttoretrievethee-bikeafterthe 28-dayimpoundwas$900.“Twoothers havereceivedinjuriesaftercollidingwith cars,andnumerousridershavereceived infringements.

“Ifyouhaveoneofthesebikes,youneed toknowwhereyoucanandcan’trideit, thesameresponsibilitiesasanymotorist,”

Huntersaid.Policeremindedthepublicthatindividuals needavaliddriver’slicenceif:theelectricmotor exceeds300watts(notkilowatts);thebikeiscapableof speedsmorethan50km/hr;orifthebikedoesnothave pedals–forexample,itcannotbeclassifiedasapowerassistedcycle.

PolicesaidthebikeneededaWarrantofFitnessand registrationif:ifitcanexceed50km/hrthenitmustbe registeredasamotorcycle.Ifitcannotexceed50km/h:It mayberegisteredasamoped.Inbothcases,thevehicle mustbeentrycertifiedandmeetroadworthystandards. AWarrantofFitnessisrequiredunlessexempted(e.g., somemopeds).

Policesaidelectricdirtbikesarenotbicyclesif:they lackpedals,theyhavemotorsexceeding300watts;or theyarecapableofautonomouspropulsionwithoutrider input.

Clarification AstoryinThe WeekendSun onOctober24 incorrectlysuggested thatMareeHartwas theownerofthePyes PāPetLodgeand thepropertylocated at190PyesPāRd. Infact,MsHart operatedabusiness atthePyesPāroad kennelandcattery, andisnowmoving onfromthatventure toteachaggression risks.

BronchiectasisClinicalResearchStudy

Thisstudyisresearchinganinvestigationalproductdesignedtoreducelungflare-ups andimprovebreathingandqualityoflifeforpeoplelivingwithBronchiectasis. Youmaybeeligibletojointhisstudyifyou: •Are18yearsorolder •HaveaconfirmeddiagnosisofbronchiectasisviaCTscan •Haveexperiencedalunginfectionrequiringantibiotics inthepastyear Participantswillbereimbursed upto$3,150

MomentumTauranga 075790453 www.momentumclinicalresearch.co.nz

Fromeverydayessentialstodesignerfabrics andmotorisedoptions,wehaveblindstosuit everybudgetandinteriorspace.Choosefrom Rollers,Venetians,SmartDrape,orenergyefficientThermacellHoneycombblinds.

Bookyourfreein-homeconsultationwithour expertteamtodayandgetyourhomeready forsummer.

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BusyBellacoachesprimarytouchteam

Betweenvolleyball,dance,touch rugby,andvolunteering,Pāpāmoa 11-year-oldBellaBowmanbarely hastimeforTVonheroneday offaweek.

Herschedulehasbeenjam-packedsince shestartedcoachingatouchrugbyteam fourweeksagoofPāpāmoaprimaryYear 1-2students–atheroldschool.

Thepart-timegigisagenerousact consideringtheYear7PāpāmoaCollege studenthasnosiblingsorconnections leftattheprimaryschool.

PāpāmoaCollegeschoolmateFranklin MatthewsjoinsBowmanincoachingthe littletackerssometimes.

Bowmansaidshewanted“togiveback tomyoldprimaryschoolandhelpout”. “Itfeelsalittleweird[toreturn],”she said.ButBowmandoesknowsomeof thestudents,soenjoyshavingfunwith themwhilecoaching.

Someoftheplayersdon’tlistenwell anddon’tknowtherules,Bowmansaid. “Theylistentome...sometimes.”

Helpedher

Shesaidthey’vehelpedherdevelopher teamworkandleadershipskills.

Bowmanfocusesonteachingthemhow topass.Sheinstructstheplayerstostay inalinewiththeirteamwhiletheyrun.

Forthefirstcoupleofweeks,shealso taughtthemhowtorolltheballbetween theirlegs.Hercoachingphilosophyis: “Don’tbetooharshonthekids,but don’tbetoolooseeither”.“Focuson helpingthemlearnthegameandtell themtohavefun.”

Kind

PāpāmoaPrimarystudentMikaylaNel saidBowmanwassokindandhelped herwhenshedidnotknowwhattodo “especiallywhenIfeltnervous”.“Ilike BellabeingmycoachandIhopetohave hernextyearwhenIplay,”thesevenyear-oldsaid.

PāpāmoaPrimarySchoolsports coordinatorKirstenCrossansaidshe wasverypurposefulinplacingBowman withateamofbeginners“andafew childrenwhoarealsonewtosportanda littlenervous”.“Sportissuchapowerful waytohelpkidsbuildconfidenceand feelpartofateam.”Crossansaiditwas

fantastictoseeBowmanreturntocoach andrefereeyoungerstudentsattheschool.

Commuityspirit

“Evenwithoutfamilystillattheschool, herchoicetogivebackshowsgreat communityspiritandthestrongsenseof belongingourstudentscarrywiththem.”

BowmancoachestheteamThursday nightsbeforetheirgame–whichshe alsoreferees–andbeforeshehasdance practice.She’sabusygirl;Mondayisher onlyeveningoff.

OnTuesdaysshehasherowntouch rugbygamebeforedance.Wednesdays shehasdance;andFridaysshevolunteers

atherschool’sbreakfastclubandhas volleyballafterschool.

Bowman’sweekendsarealsopacked.She eithervolunteersattheweeklyGordon SprattReserveparkrunonSaturdaysorat theLionsClubfoodtruck.

Aparamedic

Herinclinationtohelpothersextends tohercareerambitions,withhergoalof becomingaparamedic.

ParentsMandyandMichaelBowman said:“Wethinkit’samazingwhatshe’s doing,alwayswantingtogetinvolvedwith everythingshepossiblycan”.“We’reso proudofher.”

Bella Bowman, 11, volunteers at her former school Pāpāmoa Primary, coaching touch rugby

Photo / David Hall

BellaBowmancoachingYear1-2students fromPāpāmoaPrimary. Photo/Supplied

BijouJohnson

ConstableMarkSanderswithMountMaunganuiCommunityPatrol memberBrigitteMouat. Photo/BrydieThompson

Makeadifference

Ifyou’re18orolderandlookingfor awaytogetinvolved,makenew friends,andhelpyourcommunity, MountMaunganuiCommunity Patrolwantsyou.

“We’relookingtogrowourteam,”recent recruitBrigitteMouatsaid.“We’vegot eightvolunteersnow,butideally,wewould likeabout28tocoveralltheshiftsthatwe wouldliketodo.It’ssuchagreatthingto do,andI’mabsolutelylovingit.”

Brigitte,whousedtobeasocialworker, saidthepatrolisn’tjustaboutdriving aroundinacar“snooping”.

“We’reouttherehelpingpeople,looking outforourcommunity,andworking closelywiththepolice.Andit’sflexible–youcandoafewhoursaweek,aweekend nightshift,orevenjustonceamonth. Anyoneover18canjoin.”

ThepatrolcoverstheMountMaunganui areafromTaurangaBridgeMarinatoPilot Bay,includingArataki,Matapihi,andthe industrialareas.Volunteersoperateinpairs, usingafullyequipped,sign-writtenpatrol vehicletoreportanythingunusualtothe police–whetherit’samissingperson,a vehicleincident,orsuspiciousactivity.

Socialtoo

“Beingpartofthepatrolissocial,too,” Mouatsaid.“WewalkthroughBayfair andalongMountMainStreet,meetshop owners,chatwithlocals.”

MountMaunganuiCommunity ConstableMarkSanderssaidthepatrol

kickedbackintogearinAprilthanks tosupportfromRonJuddandDebbie YoungmanfromthePāpāmoa-based communitypatrol.

“ThepatrolempowerslocalstohelpNZ Policeinpreventingcrimeandreducing harmthroughanactivepresenceinthe community,”Sanderssaid.

“Patrollersaretheeyesandearsofpolice. It’sflexible,rewarding,andgivesyoureal experience.Someyoungpeopleeven useitasasteppingstonetoacareerin policingthroughourPatrol-to-Police(P2P) programme.”

Trainingprovided

Trainingisprovided,andallvolunteers arevettedandguidedbyexperienced patrollers.Dutiesareflexible:patrols typicallylastabout3.5hours,dayornight, andvolunteersarefreetoswapshiftsor adjustschedulesasneeded.

Careerpathway

“Youcancommitasmuchoraslittle asyoulike,”Sanderssaid.“Eventwo hoursacoupleoftimesamonthmakesa difference.Andforanyonewhowantsto gofurther,there’sacareerpathwayintothe policetoo.”

Ifyou’rereadytohelpkeeptheMount safe,makeadifference,andjoina supportive,community-mindedteam, MountMaunganuiCommunityPatrol wouldlovetohearfromyou.

Email:mountmaunganui@cpnz.org.nzto findoutmoreandgetstarted.

TheNewZealandTransportAgency WakaKotahiisconsultingonproposed changestoitsWarrantofFitness(WoF) andCurrentofFitness(CoF)systems.

AccordingtoNZTA,NewZealand checksvehiclesmoreoftenthanmost countries,butthisdoesn’talwaysleadto bettersafetyoutcomes.

“Thechangesproposedaimtoreduce unnecessarycostsforlow-riskvehicles, whilestillmaintainingsafetystandards forhigher-riskvehicles.”

NZTAisseekingfeedbackonthe followingproposedchanges–themain onebeinginspectionfrequency.“Vehicles lesslikelytobeinvolvedincrasheswhere mechanicalfaultsareacontributingfactor wouldneedfewerinspectionsoverall.”

Theyproposetochangetherequirement ofanewvehicle’sfirstWoFbeingissued forfouryears–extendedfromthecurrent ruleofthreeyears.

Vehiclesagedfour-10yearswould requireaWoFeverytwoyears.Vehicles agedabove10yearswouldneedaWoF everyyear;andlightrentalvehiclesaged belowfiveyearsoldwouldneedaCoF everyyear. Toreadthediscussiondocumentonthe proposedchangesandfillouttheonline feedbackform,visit:www.nzta.govt. nz/about-us/public-consultation-hub/ current-consultations/consideringchanges-to-light-vehicle-inspections ThefeedbackperiodclosesDecember 17,2025.

DiscovertheArtattheHeart ofYourCommunity Over70oftheBay’sfinestartists opentheirartstudios.

StartingPointGallery Openfrom17th-23rdNovember AtTheKollective-14517thAvenue, TaurangaSouth,3112. @bopopenstudios

RosalieLiddleCrawford

FamiliesacrossTaurangaMoanaare invitedtocelebratecommunity,fun, andfamilytogethernessattheWhite RibbonFamilyDayinAnzacPark, GatePā,onSaturday,November22.

Thefreeeventpromisesalivelymix ofentertainment,activities,andan importantmessage:theneedtoend violencetowardswomenandchildren andpromotehealthy,respectful relationships.

OrganisedbyFamilyWorks,the eventbringstogethermorethan20 localcommunityandgovernment organisations,demonstratingthe strengthofpartnershipsintackling familyviolence.

From10am-2pm,attendeescanenjoy awiderangeofactivitiesdesignedfor allages,includinglivemusic,asizzling barbecue,facepainting,hennatattoos, abouncycastle,aluckydip,anda treasurehuntforchildren.

Thedaywillconcludewithakapa hakaperformancebyTeAraoTawhaki oteKapaHakaofTurningPointTrust –TeTaiopeHuringanui,offeringa powerfulcelebrationofcultureand communityspirit.

Vitalreminder

FamilyWorksBayofPlentyarea managerJuliePeakehighlightedthe significanceofWhiteRibbonDay asmorethanjustanevent.“White RibbonDayisavitalreminderthat familyviolenceaffectspeoplefrom allwalksoflife.Itisimportant

thatorganisationsworktogetherto preventfamilyviolenceandstrengthen communities,”Peakesaid.

“Bycomingtogetherasacommunity, wecanraiseawarenessandshow supportforthoseaffectedbyviolence.”

Familyviolencecontinuestohave wide-reachingconsequences,with devastatingimpactsthatrangefrom psychologicalandphysicalharm tolong-termeffectsonchildren, families,andeventhelocaleconomy. FamilyWorksofferscounsellingand socialworksupportforchildrenand families,alongwitharangeofgroup programmes.Theyalsocollaborate

withotheragenciestobuil andstrongercommunities

Standtogether

Peakeexpressedhergratit totheTauranga-MoanaAb Preventionnetworkforthe swiftsupportinorganising theevent.“Thankyou toalltheorganisations intheTauranga-Moana AbusePreventionnetwork whohavebeenquickto rallytosupportwhatpromisesto beagreatdayoutforallthefamily, includingTautokoTane,Tauranga

enjoy th

Tipoftheiceberg?

gWithoutViolence, ngaWomen’sRefuge GatePāCommunity t,”shesaid. heeventofwetweather, hiteRibbonFamilyDay epostponedtoSaturday, ember29.Theeventwill heldatAnzacPark,19 nzacRd,GatePā,from 10am-2pmonSaturday, November22.Familiesare uragedtocomealong, enjoytheactivities,andstand togetheragainstfamilyviolence.

Photo/DavidHall.

Pāpāmoamansheds87kgin11months

APāpāmoamanwhoshed87kgin 11monthshasbecomeapersonal trainertohelpotherstackletheir healthgoals.

Before2019BenPammenthadnever setfootinagym.Butonedayduringthat year,whentippingthescalesat157kg,he decided“enoughwasenough”.

Afterfiveyearsofstruggling,Pamment decidedhewantedto“actuallylivemylife andchangewhileIstillhaveeverychance todoitatayoungerage”.

Spiralled

InJanuary2019heembarkedonahealth transformationandbytheyear’sendhe’d shednearly90kg.The31-year-oldsuffered aseriouskneeinjuryplayingfootballin 2014,andfromherehishealth“spiralled”. Hehadexercisedthroughsportbut consistentlyatea“terriblediet”.Sowhen hewasinjured,withnoexercisetheweight begantopileon.Bythetimehewas157kg

hedevelopedanxietythatpreventedhim fromleavingthehouse.Togetaroundthis, hefoundwaysliveinacocoonathome.

“I’dbuiltmyselfintothislittlevirtual worldofplayingvideogamesandtalking tofriendsonline...I’dhavefoodbroughtto me–itwassosimpletodolifelikethat.”

Pammentsaidhealwaystriedtojoingyms butendedupcancellinghismembership.

Thework

Tostartlosingweighthecutoutall processedsugar,joinedthegym,andstuck toa“sustainable”routine.In11months Pammentwentfrom157kgto70kg.

“Asclichéasitsounds,eatingaroundthe outsideofthesupermarketworkedforme [tolostweight],”Pammentsaid.

Healsofocusedoneatingwhenhe neededtoeat,notwhenhewashungry.

Whenacravingstirred,hetoldhimself: “It’sfivesecondsofflavourforawhole hourofexercisetoburnitoff”.

Pammentconqueredhisfearofbeing seeninpublicbypostinghis journeyonline,showinghis rapidprogress.“Everyonewas sosupportive.Whoknowsif IwouldhavestuckatitifI didn’thavetherightpeoplein mycorner,”hesaid.

PāpāmoamanBenPammentlost87kgin11months.

“Allmyfamilyisfitaswell, soIreallyhadnoexcusetobe thewayIwas.Theytriedto helpme,butIwasatastage whereIdidn’twanttobe helped.”

Pammentsaidifpeople couldfindtherightgym withtherightpeople,itisthe

perfectplacetosucceedand“comeoutof yourshell”.

Helpingothers

Sincetransforminghisownhealthand physique,Pammentdecidedtohelpothers dothesame.InFebruary2020hebegan apersonaltrainingqualificationthrough Cert4FitnessatToiOhomai. Sincebecomingqualified,hestartedhis personaltrainingbusiness,BPFitness,last monthonOctober13.

Paymentbelievedthathewasdifferent tootherpersonaltrainersduetohisfirsthandexperiencewithweightloss–because hecouldrelatetowhathisclientswere goingthrough.“Itwouldhavebeennice atthestart[ofmyhealthjourney]tohave someonearoundmethatIcouldhave

Havingshed87kg, BenPammenthas becomeapersonal trainertohelp othersachievetheir healthgoals.

lookedupto,”Pammentsaid.

“I’mnottryingtosellasecretbluepill.If someonewantstositdownandtalkabout exactlywhatIwentthroughandwhatcan help;Iwouldneverchargethemacentfor that.I’mhappytohelpwhoever,evenjust byspeakingaboutit.”

Noone’sjudging

Forthosewhoarescaredtostarttheir fitnessjourney,Pammentsaid:“Noone’s judgingthem”.“Thebestthingtoseeina gymissomeonetryingtobetterthemself. ThequickerIcanhelpthembecomemore independentandhappier,thenthat’sthe jobdoneforme.”

ContactPammentat:bpfitness@outlook. co.nz,on0275258377,orfoundonsocial mediaas@bpfitness_nz.

ElevatedCareTailoredtoYou

PacificCoastVillageoffersacomprehensiverangeofcare-fromindependentlivingand servicedapartmentstoresidentialagedcare,includingdementiacare.DesignedwithPacific Coast’sconsideredapproach,TeManaakiCareCentreprovidesresidentswithluxuryliving alongsideelevatedcaretailoredtoyourneeds.

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Photo/DavidHall

BijouJohnson

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SaraváFestbringsAfro-Braziilian spirit

AvibrantcelebrationofAfroBraziliancultureiscomingtothe BayofPlentythisweekend.Saravá Festwilltakeplacefrom10am-4pm onNovember16atCoronation Park,MountMaunganui.

OrganisedbytheSaraváFest Committee,thefreeeventpromisesa joyfuldayfilledwithlivemusic,dance, food,andcommunityspirit.

Belonging

ExecutivedirectorSarahRizzisaidthe festivalis“morethanacelebration–it’sa callto“memory,joy,andbelonging”.

“Webelievewecanonlyknowwhere

we’regoingifweunderstandwherewe comefrom,”Rizzisaid.“That’swhywe celebratetheAfro-Brazilianrootsthat continuetoguideus–throughmusic, dance,food,andthespiritualitythat echoesinthedrums.”

MusicisattheheartofSaraváFest,with performancesbyIaraBand,Cirandade Roda,Fohobodo,TaurangaSamba,and RodadeSamba.

Workshops

Festivalgoerscanalsojointwo interactivedanceworkshops–Sambando withGabi,ledbyRiosambaschool dancerGabiGuimarães,andRebolado eJogação,afunsessionthatwillget everyonemovingtheirhips.

TheeventwillalsofeatureAnaPaula,a passistafromAuckland’sSambaPassion dancers,bringingsparkle,rhythm,and energytothestage.

Market

TheMarket–or‘AFeira’–willbea highlightoftheday,offeringauthentic Brazilianfood,handcraftedgoods,local products,andcolourfuldisplaysinspired byAfricanandBraziliantraditions.Food trucksandfamilyactivities,including children’sfacepainting,willmakeita festivalforallages.

Marketshavealwaysbeenatthecentre ofAfro-Brazilianlife,Rizzisaid.

“Theyaremorethanjustspacesfor buyingandselling–theyarecentresof culture,tradition,andresilience.”

Visitorscanalsoenjoyashowcaseof Brazilianbikinisandbeachwear,bringing atouchoftropicalsummertoMount Maunganui.

RizzisaidSaraváFestisthefirstevent ofitskindinNewZealanddedicatedto

aEROCOOLRESCUEHELICOPTER

OPENDAY2025

Afro-Braziliancultureandheritage.“It’s amomentforourlocalcommunityto celebratediversity,learnfromoneanother, andfeelproudoftherichmixofcultures thatmaketheBayofPlentysospecial,” Rizzisaid.

SaraváFestrunsfrom10am-4pmon November16,atCoronationPark.For moreinformation,contactSarahRizziat saravafest@gmail.com

Sarah Rizzi

Photo / David Hall

RosalieLiddleCrawford

AnaPaula,apassistafromAuckland’s SambaPassiondancers. Photo/Supplied.

Saythankstoourbusdrivers

ThisSunday,November16,isBus DriverAppreciationDay–atimeto celebratededicatedBaybusdrivers whokeeptheBayofPlentymoving. FromTaurangaandRotoruatotheEastern Bay,theBayofPlentyRegionalCouncil, whichoperatestheregion’sbusnetwork, saidBaybusdriversconnectcommunities –helpingpeoplegettowork,school, appointmentsandhomeagain.Butbeyond thetimetablesandroutes,it’sthedrivers whobringkindness,careandhearttoevery journey.

OnesuchdriverisLesterHarris,aged58, forwhomeverydaybehindthewheelinthe WesternBayofPlentybringssomethingnew –andthat’sexactlyhowhelikesit.“Ijustlove beingabusdriver–thepeople,thefreedom, thevariety.It’sthelittlethingsthatmakeyour dayworthwhile,”hesayswithagrin.

OriginallyfromBedfordshire,nearLondon, LestermovedtoNewZealandwithhisfamily in2018afterfallinginlovewiththecountry duringseveralholidayvisits.

Beforetakingupbusdriving,hespentyears workinginhorticultureandthebuilding trade,evenrunninghisowngardening businessinHamilton.

Butafterahipoperation,hedecideditwas timeforanewdirectionandaslowerpaceof life.“IthoughtitwastimetodowhatIwant todo–slowdown,kickbackabitandenjoy life,”hesaid.“Ilovedriving,soIthought, whynotbecomeabusdriver?”

Thatdecisionturnedouttobeaperfectfit. “SomedaysI’mdoingtheschoolrun.Other daysI’mdrivingtheKatikatiandŌmokoroa routes–notwodaysarethesame,”hesaid. “That’swhatkeepsitinteresting.”

Butwhatreallymakesthejobspecialfor Lesterisn’tthevariety,it’sthepeople.“The peopleImeetonthebus,thepeopleIwork with,areallsofriendly,”hesaid.“It’sall aboutthepeople.”

WesternBayofPlentybusdriverLester Harrisonthejob. Photo/Supplied

Thatcaringattitudeshinesthroughin thewayhegoesabouthisday.Hestill remembersthetimehenoticedagroupof womenstrugglingwithheavyshoppingbags inBethlehem.Withoutasecondthought,he jumpedoutofhisseattolendahand.

“Theyweresograteful,”hesaid.“Theyeven wroteinacommendation.It’sthosesmall thingsthatmakeyourday.It’snicetobe appreciated.”

ForLester,drivingabusisn’tjustabout gettingfromstoptostop;it’saboutthe connectionsmadealongtheway.“Youmeet somanygoodpeople,”hesaid.“That’swhat makesitallworthwhile.”

Everyday,driverslikeDave,Daisy andLesterhelppeopleacrossthemotu (region)getwheretheyneedtogowith professionalism,patienceandcare.

ThisBusDriverAppreciationDaybesure totakeamomenttosaythanks.Whetherit’s asmile,awaveorasimple‘thankyoudriver’, thegesturewillmeantheworldtothem.

Tuesday25Novemberat9.30am Baypark,MountMaunganui

Tuesday25Novemberat5.30pm TaurangaYachtClub

Thursday27Novemberat5.30pm TaurangaYachtClub

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Taurangapilotreunites withflyingtutor

ClassicFlyerstookaflightdown memorylaneonWednesdaywitha doublereunion.

FormerstafffromtheNationalAirways Corporation(NAC)–NewZealand’s nationaldomesticairlinefrom1947-1978 beforeitmergedwithAirNewZealand –reunitedattheMountMaunganui museum.

Taurangapilotandflightinstructor PhilHooker,whothesedaysoperates gyrocopterflightsatClassicFlyers,took totheskieswithTrevorAncell–Hooker’s trainingcaptainfromFreedomAir,a subsidiaryofAirNewZealand.

AncelltaughtHookerhowtoflyBoeing 737sabout24yearsago.

Rolesreversed

OnWednesday,theroleswerereversed; HookershowedAncelltheropesof operatingagyrocopter,whichisa helicopterbutusesautorotationandan unpoweredrotortotakeflight,whilean enginepowersahelicopter’srotor,said Hooker.

Thetwomenlastflewtogetheron August9,2001–Hookerhadthelogbook toproveit,whichdatedtheirtripfrom HamiltontoBrisbaneandbackagain. Hookersaidtheirgyrocopterflightwas a“tripdownmemorylane”.“He[Ancell] taughtmesomething24yearsago,so todayI’llteachhimsomething.”

AncellandHookerreunitedwithbig smilesbeforeheadingstraighttothe

runway–theirnaturalhabitat.

Whentheyreturnedtogroundcontrol, Ancellsaidtheflightwas“moreamazing thanIexpected”.

Hookerevenlethimtakethereins, teachingAncelltoflythegyrocopter.

“It’ssoamazingtoactuallycatchup withPhilafterallthattime,andIdidn’t realisethathewasstillactivelyinvolvedin flyingsomanydifferenttypesofaircrafts,” Ancellsaid.

Ancellinquiredaboutthegyrocopter tripwhileplanninghistripdownfrom AucklandfortheNAC reunion,unawareof Hooker’sinvolvement.

HookergaveAncellacall andsaid:“Trevor,it’sPhil.”

NACin1964

Ancellstartedwiththe WellingtonbranchofNAC in1964,initiallyflyingthe DC-3,theViscount,and the73.

HesaidtheNACwas agreattrainingground andturbulenceandstrong windsneverbotheredthe Wellingtonteam.

Whenwindsreached50 knots,theyusedtothink “it’sgoingtobeafundayflying”.

“Wedidsixtake-offsandlandingsaday, whereasaninternationalpilotmighthave donefourorfive.”

PhilHooker,onright,reuniteswithhis FreedomAirtrainingcaptainTrevor Ancellafter24yearsattheNACreunionat ClassicFlyers.

HesaidAncellandHooker’sreunion representsa“recyclingofknowledge–expressinganddemonstratingthehistory ofaviation”.

“Aviationhasbeenapartofour nationalgrowthfabric.We’reacoupleof islandswaydownintheSouthPacific. Kiwiscan’tgoanywheregenerally withoutflying.

Recyclingofknowledge ClassicFlyersCEOAndrewGormlie saidthemuseumhadbeenhostingNAC Reunionsandpreservingaviationhistory since2007.

“Centreslikeoursarebecoming fewerandfurtherbetween,butthey’re generallygettingbigger.Theygrow quietlyanddevelopgoodroots.”

Andthoserootsleadtoenduring connectionslikeHookerandAncell’s.

BijouJohnson

TrevorAncellandPhilHookercomparelogbooksfrom theirlasttriptogetherin2001beforetheNACreunionat ClassicFlyers.

Photos/DavidHall

Findingconnectionaftergrievingsuicideloss

Warning:Thisarticlediscussessuicide, depressionandmentalhealthissues.

Haveyoueverfeltthedeepache ofgriefortheisolationthatcomes afterlosingsomeonetosuicide?

Formany,thatpaincanfeel overwhelming–butsharingitwith otherswhounderstandcanbring comfortandhope.

GriefSupportServicesisinvitingthe communitytoitsannualRemembrance PicniconSunday,November16,from 12pm-3pmatTePunaQuarryPark, afreeeventofferingspacetogather, reflect,andhonourlovedoneslost tosuicide.

Gentleopportunity

Thepicnicprovidesagentle opportunitytoconnectandhealahead oftheoften-difficultholidayseason. Guestsareencouragedtobringtheir ownpicnic–perhapssomethingthat remindsthemoftheirlovedoneor simplyfoodthatbringscomfort–and totakepartincreative,family-friendly activitiesdesignedtocelebratelifeand remembrance.

“Thiseventisallaboutremembrance andcommunity,”GriefSupportServices generalmanagerDeannaWhartonsaid.

“Whenpeoplecometogethertoshare theirstoriesandtheirgrief,something powerfulhappens–theyfeellessalone. Thispicnicisabouthope,connection, andgentlehealing.”

Activitieswillincludeartsandcrafts, facepainting,andthesymbolic‘LetIt

Go’waterballoons,offeringacreative waytoreleaseemotionsorsendlove.A dedicatedremembranceareawilldisplay photosandmessages,withcolourful scarvesandtreedecorationsforminga sharedtributetothosemissed.Guests canalsoenjoyafreesausagesizzle andtakehomeaself-caregoodiebag filledwithsimplewellbeingtoolsand remindersforkindnesstooneself.

Noexpectation

SuicideBereavementSupport

CoordinatorLloydShandsaidthedayis designedtomeetpeoplewhereverthey areintheirgrief.“There’snorightwayto grieveandnoexpectationontheday–peoplecantalk,reflectquietly,orsimply bepresentinacaringenvironment.It’s adayofunderstanding,support,and gentleremembrance.”

GriefSupportServices,basedin Greerton,providessubsidisedgrief counselling,suicide-bereavement support,andeducationforthoseacross theWesternBayofPlentyexperiencing loss.TheRemembrancePicnicisfree toattend,withdonationswelcome tosupporttheorganisation’swork. Formoreinformation,email:lloyd@ griefsupport.org.nz,075784480,or visit:www.griefsupport.org.nz

Wheretogethelp

Ifitisanemergencyandyouor someoneelseisatrisk,call111. Forcounsellingandsupport: Lifeline:Call0800543354ortext 4357(HELP) SuicideCrisisHelpline:Call0508828

865(0508TAUTOKO)

Needtotalk?Callortext1737

Depressionhelpline:Call0800111 757ortext4202

Forchildrenandyoungpeople Youthline:Call0800376633ortext 234

What’sUp:Call08009428787 (11amto11pm)orwebchat(11amto 10.30pm)

Forhelpwithspecificissues AlcoholandDrugHelpline:Call0800 787797

AnxietyHelpline:Call08002694389 (0800ANXIETY)

OutLine:Call08006885463(0800 OUTLINE)(6pm-9pm)

Safetotalk(sexualharm):Call0800 044334ortext4334

Allservicesarefreeandavailable24/7 unlessotherwisespecified.

Formoreinformationandsupport,talk toyourlocaldoctor,hauora,community mentalhealthteam,orcounselling service.TheMentalHealthFoundation hasmorehelplinesandservicecontacts onitswebsite.

RosalieLiddleCrawford

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Grief Support Services suicide bereavement support coordinator Lloyd Shand at Te Puna Quarry Park where the Remembrance Picnic is being held on Sunday, N Novembber116 Photo/DavidHall

Doyouhaveabunion andthinksurgeryis theonlyanswer?

An ode to Odie!

Odieand hissistercametotheSPCA cold andscared.Nowthey’vegrowninto two beautifulyoungpups.Odie’ssisterhas found herforeverhome,nowit’shisturn. We justcan’tbelievehowfarthisfivemonth-old malehascome.Odiealways took thelead fromhissisterbutonlyifit workedfor him!He’slessconfidentbuthe still hashis ownideasonhowtoapproach the worldandnewexperiences. He’s athinkerandiswaymorelikelyto assess before jumpingin.

He willbe agreatcompanionthatwill love beingby hisowner’sside. Meetthislittlecharactertoday.Phone TaurangaSPCAon075780245.Ref: 647255.

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ToiTauranggaArt

aAftertwoyearsofclosureand transformation,ToiTaurangaArt Galleryisreopeningitsdoorson November15,unveilingacompletely reimaginedvisitorexperience,fresh exhibitions,andarenewedfocuson localandindigenouscreativity.

AtthenewMasonicParkentrance, visitorsaregreetedbytheMauriStones–alargepieceofpounamuandtwopieces ofobsidianfromTuhūa(MayorIsland), restinginwater–aninvitationto connect,touch,andbegintheirjourney throughart.

Inside,thenewgallerystoreshowcases regionalartists,designers,andmakers.

“Whenyouvisitanothercity,youwant tobuysomethingfromtheregion,” gallerydirectorSonyaKorohinasaid. “We’vechampionedasmuchfromaround theBayofPlentyaspossible.”

Newflow

Thegallery’s hasreoriented entrancetofa city’semergin precinct.

s redesign d the acethe ngcultural hegallery p ontothe rohina the next

“Itmeansth nowopensup precinct,”Ko said.“Whent libraryopens yearandthe museumin 2028,visitors willbeable tomove seamlessly

betweenthem.”Therevampedlayout alsoincludesacreativitycentreforschool programmesandcommunityworkshops, anewexhibitionspace–theMeldrum Gallery–andimprovedaccessibility featuressuchaslarge-fontwalltexts, noise-cancellingheadphones,and magnifyingglasses.

Acafé,Breadhead,runbyBrentand KateBeamish,hasopenedbesidethe gallery,creatingwhatKorohinacalls“a muchmorepleasantexperience–people canspendtimeinthegallery,havecoffee, andreturnformore”.

Reopeningexhibitions

Thefirstexhibitiontogreetvisitors is‘Whakairo’,alarge-scaleaugmented realityinstallationbyKereamaTaepaof TaurangaMoana.

UsingARtechnology,Taepaexploresthe originsofMāoricarving,inspiredbythe waylarvaeburrowthroughwood.

“Forourpeople,carving iaboutemulating theworm,” Korohinasaid.

“You’llseethose movementscome tolifethroughyour honeoroneofour evices.”

aepa’sworkfillsthe raigsInvestment PartnersGallery (formerly theAtrium), alongside historicaland contemporary piecesincluding

ToiTaurangaArtGallerydirectorSonyaKorohinainfrontofSamoanartistPusi Urale’s‘OLeTaimiUaTe’a’acryliconcanvas.

Photo/DavidHall

Acrylic on wood sculptures by Darcy Nicholas in his ‘LandofMyAncestors’exhibition. Photo/DavidHall

Galleryreopenswithnewvision

‘Amo’,acarvingfromthe1884wharenui Tamapahore.Nearby,exhibitionsby MatthewHarris,TyroneTeWaa,and Kaylene Whiskey extendthe cultural inheritance andidentity.

Upstairsin theGlausiuss Gallery,‘Old Friends’, curatedby DrPenelope Jackson, revisitsToiTaurangaArtGallery’s owncollectionofportraiture.Works byMarkBraunias,EdwardBullmore, NigelBrown,VanessaReed,Robin White,VenettaMiles,DoreenMcNeill andBettyWisharthighlightdecades ofartisticevolutionandpersonal connection.

keyboardsymbols.Atthefarend, ‘LandofMyAncestors’byDarcy Nicholasspansnearlysixdecadesof artisticpractice, featuringdrawings, paintings,carvings, andjewellery exploringMāori identity,land,and memory.

Nextdoor,thenewMeldrumGallery debutswith‘Glimmer’,acontemporary jewelleryshowfeaturingVanessa Arthur,MoniekSchrijer,andAustralia’s MeredithTurnbull.

“We’reusingitbecauseit’sanintimate space,toshowdesignwork,”Korohina said.“Andinthisinstance,jewellery.”

ThelonggalleryupstairshostsPusi Urale,the87-year-oldSamoanpainter knownforhervibrantpointilliststyle, combiningcolourfulSamoanpatterns withabstractfigures.

AlongsideherisdaughterVaimaila Urale,whoreinterpretstraditional Samoanpatternsusingcomputer

Hiddenwithin thebuildingis ‘ClosetHistory’, awhimsicalart treasurehunt forchildren

andadultsbyTaniaLewis-Rickard andTawhaiRickard.Lightboxesand miniaturesculpturesaretuckedinside

thewalls,creatingwhatKorohinacalls “enchantingandcuriousscenesreadyto bediscovered.”

Communityreconnected

ToiTaurangaclosedinOctober2023for renovationsthatKorohinasaidcouldhave takenmuchlonger.“I’mreallygratefulwe couldreopenaftertwoyears,”Korohina said.“It’slikerediscoveringanoldfriend. Whenyoureacquaintyourselfwithan oldfriend,everything'sfamiliarandsome thingsfeellikethey'vechangedaswell.” Forlocals,themostvisiblechangeisthe newentrance.

“Somemaybealittledisoriented,”she said,“butthereorientationmeansthe buildingfunctionsalotbetter”. Thereopeningmarksthereturnofthe

BayofPlenty’sonlypubliclyfunded regionalartgallery,amilestoneforacity increasinglyknownforitscreativeenergy. “We’vegotgreatspaceslikeThe IncubatorandMatterGallery,” Korohinasaid,“andToiTaurangaoffers anotherlevel”.

Inclusionanddiscovery

ProgrammingatToiTaurangaspans 18to24months,designedtobalance media,culture,perspectivesandartists’ careerstages.

“Weworkwithalargematrix,” Korohinasaid.“Sometimesvisitorswill findsomethingthatchallengesthem, andsometimesthey’llfindsomething theylove.Overtime,there’ssomething foreveryone.”

Accessibilityandinclusionhavebeen akeyfocus,withlargetext,quietspaces andsensorysupport.

Visitorscanalsolistentoexhibition audiosonlinewhileexploringthe galleries,andthenewcreativitycentre offersworkshopsforallages.

Aplacetogather

Beyondexhibitions,ToiTaurangawill functionasamultipurposeeventspace forspecialoccasions,productlaunches, andcorporategatherings.

“We’rereallyexcitedtoreopen,” Korohinasaid.“Wehaveanewteam, newspaces,andwe’llrecalibrateaswego along,toensurethingsworkwell.”

ToiTaurangaArtGallerywillopen sevendaysaweek,10amto4pm,except somepublicholidays.

RosalieLiddleCrawford

MauriStonesattheentrancetoToi TaurangaArtGallery. Photo/BrydieThompson

Photo/DavidHall

WoodcraftonshowatŌ

Theartistryandcraftsmanshipof localwoodworkersaretakingcentre stagethismonthatTOLO–The OldLibraryŌmokoroa–where somemembersoftheTauranga WoodcraftersGuildareholdinga publicexhibitionoftheirwork.

Theexhibition,whichopenedNovember 4andrunsuntilNovember29,features morethan60handcraftedpiecesmadeby guildmembersPhilHansen,RonGubb, GarryWebber,GregTaylor,MikeBuck, MikeMcCarthy,GeoffBrann,Lawson WorsnopandNadiedeKremer.

Visitorscanexploreawiderangeof creations–fromfinelyturnedbowlsand platterstocarvedsculptures,Christmas decorations,andornamentalinstruments –allbeautifullycraftedfromnativeand exoticwoods.

“It’sintheoldlibraryatŌmokoroa,” exhibitorGregTaylorsaid.“Thebuilding wasgoingtobepulleddown,butafew localsgottogetherandsaid,‘Wecankeep thisgoingasanexhibitioncentre’.Nowit’s bookedouteverymonth.”

handmadeartpieces.“We’vegotalotof talentedpeopleproducingoutstanding woodturning–anditemsareforsale, sopeoplecantakehomeapieceofthat craftsmanship.”

Amongthestandoutexhibitsisawalking stickfeaturingasnakeclimbingupthe shaft,meticulouslycarvedbyPhilHansen andenteredinanationalcompetition. FormerWesternBayofPlentymayor GarryWebberhascraftedadelicate ornamentalviolin,whileothermembers’ piecesincludefruitbowlsfilledwithcarved woodenfruit,intricateboxes,toysand breadboards.

Therangeofmaterialsisjustasvaried, withitemsmadefromkauri,swampkauri, walnut,beech,copperbeechandother wood.Oneguildmemberspecialisesin segmentedwoodturning–acomplex processthatinvolvesgluingtogether multiplepiecesofwoodindifferent coloursandpatternsbeforeturningthem onalathetocreateintricategeometric designs.

“Hecutsallthelittlebitsup,gluesthem togetherandthenturnsthem,”Taylorsaid.

Award-winningwork

TOLOhasgivenŌmokoroaavibrantnew communityhub.Thevenueoperatesas acooperative,supportedbyseverallocal groupsincludingtheŌmokoroaPublic ArtGroup,ŌmokoroaHistoryGroup, ŌmokoroaArtistsGroup,and ŌmokoroaEnvironmentalManagersInc., whichalsolinktoPest-freeŌmokoroa, ŌmokoroaBirdGroup,andthe ŌmokoroaANZACGroup. Recently,thegalleryhostedtheBirdsofa Featherexhibition,andeachmonthanew groupofartistsorartisansfillsthespace withfreshwork.

Abouttheguild

TheTaurangaWoodcraftersGuildwas establishedin1987andowns,operates, andmaintainsafullyequippedhobbyists’

Tauranga Woodcraft f ersGuild member Garry Webber with his ornamental violin.

workshopat3CherokeePlace,Mount Maunganui.Theguildhasabout80-90 members,rangingfrombeginnersto seasonedcraftspeople.About65%are retireesand20%arewomen,allsharinga passionforworkingwithwood.

Membersmeetalmostdailyfordifferent interestgroups,coveringcarving,turning, scroll-sawwork,furnituremaking,and toyconstruction.Theguild’smissionis toencouragecreativity,shareskills,and promotethejoyofcraftsmanshipwithin thewidercommunity.

Formoreinformationaboutthe TaurangaWoodcraftersGuild,visit: taurangawoodcrafters.org.

TocontacttheTOLOgallery,email: theoldlibraryomokoroa@gmail.com.

RosalieLiddleCrawford

Photo / David Hall

ofthecharity’steam,volunteersandsupporters.

GlobalrecognitionforHOS

ATauranga-borncharitable organisationthataimstoliftscientific literacyinKiwiprimaryschoolshas beenrecognisedgloballyforitswork.

HouseofScienceNZ(HOSNZ)has beennamedoneoftheworld’sleading educationinnovationsintheHundrED GlobalCollection2026–anannualreport thatcelebrates100ofthemostimpactful andscalableeducationinitiativesfrom aroundtheglobe.Selectedfrommore than3000innovationsandreviewedby aninternationalpanelofexperts,the organisationwasrecognisedforitshands-on approachtoimprovingscienceeducation andempoweringteachersacrossAotearoa. HOSNZwasfoundedin2014in Taurangabybiochemistandformerteacher ChrisDuggan.Sinceitscreationthe organisation,whichprovidesteacherswith

comprehensive,bilingualkitsthatcontain everythingneededforsciencelessons, fromteachermanualstomaterialsfor experiments,hasgrownintoanationwide networkofbranches.

Duggan,nowtheorganisation’schief executive,saidthehonourreflectedthe dedicationofthecharity’steam,volunteers andsupporters.“Beingnamedinthe HundrEDGlobalCollection2026is atremendoushonourthatreflectsthe dedicationofourteam,volunteers,and supportersacrossAotearoa.

“Ithighlightshowasimple,scalableidea ofsharinghands-onsciencekitsthrough acommunitylibrarynetworkcanmake ameasurabledifferencetoeducationand equity,notjusthereinNewZealandbut aroundtheworld.”Therecognitionalso reinforcedHOS’roleasatrailblazerin accessiblesciencelearning,Duggansaid.

Althorp’sservicedapartment residentsenjoyallthecomforts ofhomewhilelivinginasafeand suppor veenvironmentaswell asregularou ngsandac vi es tailoredtotheirability.

Eachapartmentconsistsof1bedroom withlargeensuite,lounge,dining,small kitchene e,heatpump,airconand mobilityscooterparking

Residentsalsohavetheirownchefto providetheireveningmeal.

Andlaundryandcleaningservicesform partoftheminimumsupportpackage.

HouseofSciencefounderChrisDuggansaidtherecenthonourreflectedthededication

Photo/BrydieThompson

Finalrollcallforthecreative

Itwas‘TheYearoftheFlood’.Not aBiblicalcalamity,butafloodof learning,freedomofexpression andcreativity.Ofnurturingand shapingyoungminds.

AndthefloodwasMissLeonieFlood, firstyearteacher,Room5,Palmerston NorthIntermediateNormalSchool, 1963.“Wedidn’tunderstandatthetime butshewasremarkablyinspirational,” saidretiredTaurangabusinessmanRoger Craw,whowasoneofthatclassof1963 –allagedabout11.“Weadoredher. Wejustwantedtobearoundherallthe time.”Totheextenttheywillingly wenttoschoolduringschoolholidays. Room5waswheretheywantedtobe. AndMissFloodwaswhotheywantedto bewith.

“Honestly,theywerethemostbeautiful kidsimaginable,”saidLeonie.ThenMiss Flood,nowMrsSweeney.Thenaraw 19-year-oldteachers’collegestudent teacher,now82yearsoldandallmisty eyedatthememory.“It’shardholding backmytears.”

Now,62yearslater,heretheywere, alltogetheragain,atanimpromptu get-together,organisedonthehopwhen worditwaslearnedMissFloodwas comingtotown.

Ifthey’dheldarollcall,13ofthe29 pupilsinRoom5wouldhaveanswered “present”atthegettogetherlastmonth.

Arty,crafty

IncludingCraw.Andtheyweresharing thelove,therespect,andthegratitude

fortheimpactMissFloodhadonlittle lives.

“Iwillalwaysremembertheinfluence shehadonme,”reflectsCraw.“AndI willbegrateful.”

Itmightbeexpectedaclassreunion wouldbealltittle-tattleaboutwholiked who,playgroundindiscretions,whobeat uponwho,successesandfailures.

Notinthiscase.Itwascelebratinga greenhornteacherchargedwithgiving 29creativekidsadifferentsortofstart

–indulgingtheirpassions,doingwhat theyweregoodat,doingwhattheyliked best,ratherthanwhattheeducation systemdeemedbestforeveryone. “Traditionallyclasseswerecomposed ofchildrenofasimilarIQ,”saidLeonie. “Forsomereasonthisclasswasgrouped accordingtoindividualtalentsand interests.”

Arty,crafty,creativekidsbeing shepherdedbyasingingteacherwitha loveofwordsanddrama.“Amatchmade

TheBowerChristmas LightTrail isback

inheaven,”LeonietoldTheWeekend Sunfromherlifestylehomeinthe rainforesthalfanhouroutsideSydney. Ka-plunking

Crawbelieveseverythinghappens forareason.“Inretrospect,itmade senseconsideringwhatwehavedone withourlives.”BecauseRoom5 provedahothouseforfuturearchitects, designers,sculptorsandmusicians.Craw himselfwasasuccessfuldesignerand businessman.Andnowasteampunk sculptorandownerofmoreukulele’s thanaHawaiianbeachparty.Helives nextdoortothereporter.Ihearhim ka-plunking.AndIhavemarvelledat hisartwork.Room5andMissFlood servedhimwell.

TheRoom5yearstartedwitha flourish.Everyonetooktheirgrotty desksintotheschoolyardandspentthe daysandingthemcleanofinkspatters. Thatwasn’tonthesyllabusinthe classroomnextdoor.Theyweregrinding throughastodgystapledietofthreeRs–reading,writingand‘rithmetic.

Paintingtheworld

Room5wasunorthodox–whenthe inspectorscalledoneday,the11-yearoldswerewieldinglongswordsand actingoutShakespeare.PerhapsPrince HalversusHotspur?Theyreadtheir prize-winningpoetryonalocalradio station,andtheyproducedthreewinners inanationalcompetitiontoencourage entrytoarchitecture. That,understandably,createdsome envyandresentment–therewere

Registrationsarenow opentojointheBower ChristmasLightTrail! Decorateyourproperty,share thefestivespirit,andhelp makethisholidayseasonone torememberforthewhole community.Byregistering, you’llalsogointhedrawtowin fantasticprizesfromTauranga CrossingandChuffedGifts. Registrationsclose16th November–don’tmissout: bit.ly/bowerchristmaslights

whizzkidsof‘63?

teacherswhocouldn’tabidethealternative education,thespecialtreatmentgoing downinRoom5.

WhenMiss Flooddecided theclassroom wasdrab,allthe kidswentback toschoolduring theholidays tohelpher paintaworld maponthe backwall.“We justwantedto betherewith her.”Shealso letthemride theirbikesup anddownthe corridor.There weredifferent rules.“Which wasjustgreat.”

LeonieSweeney–neeMissFlood–withpaststudent,RogerCraw.

WhenCraw sawMissFloodatthereunion,hedidn’t quiteknowwhattodo.“SoIjustasked herforahug.”Shesaidyes.Andshe giggled.Themutualregard,theesteem andappreciationhadendured.Andthere’s goodreason.

Famousatschool

“Becauseshewasn’tsomuchateacher. Shewasmoreoneofus,”saidCraw. AndcamethedaytheyenchantedMiss Floodwiththeirsong.Four11-year-olds, voicessweet andpure.“We werehaving aclasssing along,Miss Floodon ukulele,and sheseemed tohavean earout,”said Craw.Later shewould pullfourof theyoung voicesaside andsuggest theyformaband.RogerCraw,Robert Wilson,StuartHarrisandWiiraTeKooro became‘TheFourNotes’–theirsignature song‘Puff’–thatmagicdragonwholived coastal“…andfrolickedintheautumn mistinalandcalledHonahLee.”

NormalSchoolassembly.“Wemusthave beenokaybecausewegotaskedback,”said Craw.Theyevenbecamebig-ishbeyond theschoolgatewhen theywonatalent questatthelocal A&Pshow.

Thenfourof“the mostbeautifulkids imaginable”were invitedtosingwhen MissFloodbecame MrsSweeney.“She justwantedustobe atherwedding.”

Itwasabit overwhelming. “Noneofus wereCatholic. Butitwasa bigCatholic weddinginabig Catholicchurch. Feltabitodd.”

AndTheFour Notesgottosingattheafter-match function.Theyprobablydustedoff ‘Puff’again.

Lasthurrah

Astheydidfortheiremotioncharged lasthurrahrecentlyinTauranga,the reuniongig,62yearsafterRoom 5.Thentheysignedoff.Perhaps foreverthistime.“Onreflectionthe reunionwasamazing,quitesurreal… beautiful,”said Craw,now sittinginthe sunonhisdeck inBureta.A lipquivers, andeyesare wipeddry. “Iamquite emotional.You can’tbuythose moments.”

MissFlood isbewildered.

“Ihadnoidea whatwedid thatyearwouldaffecttheirlivesso significantly.”Shesaidallyoucando is“teachkidswhatyouknow.And theyjustmoppeditup.Likesponges”. MissFloodtheenabler.

Peter,PaulandMary’soriginalmadeitto number2ontheBillboardHot100,while ‘TheFourNotes’covermadethemfamous atthePalmerstonNorthIntermediate

Theclassprobablydidn’treally appreciateRoom5untiltheymoved backintomainstreamlearningthe nextyear.“Thatdidn’tgoquiteas well,”Crawlaughed.

HunterWells

TheFourNotes of 1963: RobertWilson, StewartHarris, Wiira Te Kooroand Roger Craw.

MissFlood’sRoom5classphotofrom1963.

GOLDENTOURS

A circuit-breaker weekend in Whitianga

November and December seem to be stress-filed months of the y year

Overtaken by cramming all our work, school and social pressures and festive shopping into seven-odd weeks What I recommend is a no-stress weekend away in Whitianga This is what I enjoyed, with a group of six fellow mothers of young children –with a not a toddler or hubby in sight

Planned in advance – thanks to our heaving lists of commitments – we landed on November 7-8 But I’m sure a last-minute booking would bring the same wellbeing benefits

Seascapes, short walks, wining, dining and a stressmelting soak at the hidden wonder that is The Lost Spring soothed the soul

We escaped our hometown just after midday Friday, stopping along the way to buy Lotto tickets –the jackpot was big! – and take in the sights while winding up the Coromandel.

The ‘bach’

The organiser had booked a large two-storey ‘bach’ among the town ’ s waterways and a 30-second stroll to a mini manmade beach at the canal. It was perfect Actually this area would be ideal for families, out of the town ’ s busy-ness but close to water with no waves for little ones.

Following afternoon platters we ended up at Grace O’Malley’s Irish Inn for dinner. This place serves up traditional Irish and Kiwi fare with a spectacular view There’s something for everyone on the menu – it’s great for groups

The next morning, after a bacon and egg breakfast at our accommodation, we drove to town and took the super-short ride on the Whitianga Ferry, which connects the township to Ferry Landing Wharf across the Whitianga Harbour

Short walk

Operating 365 days, this offers pedestrians and cyclists the ability to explore nearby attractions like Cooks Beach

We went on a path up the hill, cut through a cemetery then followed the road to Maramaratotara or Flaxmill Bay A sunny day, it was great exploring somewhere unknown We headed left up hill following a track to Lookout Rd via grassy reserve

At the top of the headland is

Shakespeare Cliff Lookout – offering panoramic views of Mercury Bay, Whitianga and Cooks Beach You also get a glimpse of Lonely Bay just down the hill This is a great spot for group photos and was in high demand mid-morning

A lovely waitress and cafe

Back in Whitianga we headed to The Harbour House Café for much-needed iced coffees and a sweet treat – their cabinet line-up of goodies is amazing! But what really struck us was the high level of service – we had this lovely lady taking care of all of our various drink orders and requests She did so with such warmth and friendliness We were so impressed we got breakfast there the next day – only to meet her again The breakfast is delicious, varied and the serving sizes are good Our favourite waitress farewelled us with a hug! She even ran after me down the street after me when I left my drink bottle behind Her hospitality –let alone the food – is worth supporting with a visit

The bucket list item

We roamed the shops, before heading home to eat and enjoy some downtime before we went to my bucket list item – The Lost Spring

With a range of spa treatments, swim and dining options we opted for a Dip & Dine, which included two hours of soaking in the blissful pools followed by a delicious meal for $99 Well-equipped with changing rooms, lockers and showers, we changed into togs and meandered the path around the pools

This hidden paradise is surrounded by native and tropical plants and filled with geothermal spring water more than 16,000 years old It’s like entering a forest and finding an oasis each time you turn a corner

Pools vary in temperature, between 32°C and 41°C, and in depth making it accessible and relaxing for all Pasifika-flavoured music swirks, transporting your senses to the heart of Fiji

The dining is fine, the staff are attentive, and the restaurant elegant It was a dream I’d like to return to soon It’s tranquil, soothing and magical You can also order drinks – they have an impressive range of cocktails and mocktails – from the poolside

Shopping

The final morning shopped before we left We also stopped at Whangamata, which has a decent amount of shops open on a Sunday for a last dash of retail therapy A weekend in Whitianga went by quickly but it was just the refreshing circuit-breaker I needed to cope with the impending busy weeks

Sh k L k t ff

The Lost Spring in Whitianga is a hidden, tropical oasis. Photo / Supplied

The view of Lovely Bay and Cooks Beach from Shakespeare Cliff Lookout. Photo / Merle Cave

Merle Cave

Growyourowntropicalgarden!

Stepintoavibrantoasisthissummer atPalmersWelcomeBay,where gardeningandlifestylemeet“the tropics”inthemostinspiringway.

WithTaurangaandtheBayofPlenty’s increasinglywarm,tropicalclimate, nowistheperfecttimetotransform yourbackyardwithplantsbothbeautiful andedible.

“Exploreourextensivenewrangeof tropicalfruittrees,includingjackfruit, giantguava,dragonfruit,starfruit, bananas,andpassionfruit,”saidPalmers WelcomeBayownerRyanChoy.

“Theseonceexoticvarietiesnowthrivein ourlocalconditionsandofferadelicious, spray-freewaytoenjoyfreshfruitstraight fromyourgarden,”saidChoy.

“Imaginestartingyourdaybypicking yourownbreakfast,richinfibre, vitamins,andflavour.“Growingyourown producenotonlysupportsyourhealth

butalsogivesyoucontroloverwhatyou eat,”Choysaid.

“Ourgardencentresupportsthelocal foodforestmovement.It’sbeenawesome seeingthecommunityrespondtothe workshopsanddemonstrationswe’veheld hereforthelastthreeyears,”saidChoy.

“Ourknowledgeableandfriendlyteam arehappytoofferadviceonvarieties, wheretoplant,andongoingcare.Nowis theidealtimetoplantifyou’reaimingto harvestfreshfruitintimeforChristmas andthesummerseason.”

Choyalsoinvitesreaderstocallintothe store’srefurbishedon-sitecafétoenjoy organiccoffee,breakfastorlunch.

“Soakinthetranquilatmosphereand say‘Hi’toCharlie,theresidentcat.From plantsandtoolstoinspirationandadvice, wehaveeverythingyouneedtogrow somethinggreat.

KemOrmond

“Let’screatebeautifulspacestogether–at yourplaceorours.”

Palmers Welcome Bay staff member Wendy Hodgson among her store’sextensivenewrangeoftropicalofferings.

Photo/DavidHall

Youngpianistoffersrichflavourandvibrantenergy

Ayoungvirtuosic pianistwho’llperform anafternoonoflive musicwithBayofPlenty Symphoniathismonth promises“vibrantenergy andrichculturalflavour”.

Fifteen-year-oldsoloist ShanLiu–whowon 2025’sNationalConcerto Competition(NCC)–will play‘TheEgyptian’byCamille Saint-Saëns’atBayofPlenty

Symphonia’sNovember16 concertinTauranga.

‘EgyptianPiano-Keystothe Future’atBaycourt’sAddison Theatrebegins2.30pmwith theorchestra’snewlyappointed musicdirectorMichaelJoel toleadtheorchestrathrough KiwicomposerDouglas Lilburn’s‘AotearoaOverture’ andSibelius’magnificent ‘SymphonyNo.1’. Liu,who’llperformthePiano ConcertoNo.5,saidwhathe lovesmostabouthischosen

concertoisitsvibrantenergy andrichculturalflavour.

“Oftencalledthe ‘Egyptian’concerto,it’sfull ofexoticharmoniesand rhythmsthatreflectSaintSaëns’travels,especially throughNorthAfrica,”Liu said.“Thesecondmovement feelslikeamusicaljourney –mysterious,colourful,and deeplyexpressive.”

SoloistShanLiuwill performaconcerto in‘EgyptianPiano -KeystotheFuture’. Photo/AdrianMalloch

Liuchosethispiecefor theconcertbecauseit offeredsuchadynamic rangeofemotionand technicalchallenge.“It’sa joytoperform,especially incollaborationwithan orchestra.Ipreviously playedChopin’s‘Piano ConcertoNo.2’withBOP Symphoniain2022whenI was12,andthatexperience createdaspecialconnection forme.Comingbacknow feelslikecontinuingthat musicalrelationship.”

Liusaidhealsolearned muchfromworking

withJoelandBOPSymphonia’s musicians.

“Theirsupport,insight,andartistry havehelpedmegrownotjustas apianist,butasacollaborative musician.It’sanhonourtoperform withthemagain.”

Liu,whowashumbledand empoweredtobenamedtheyoungest winneroftheNCCatage14,said

hewasinspired“tokeepchallenging myselfandsharingmusicwith others”.

Watchhimliveat‘EgyptianPiano –KeystotheFuture’concertat BaycourtAddisonTheatre.Tickets costadult$25,under-18s$5,or$50 perfamilyat:www.eventfinda.co.nz orPhone0800BUYTIX(289849). Bookingfeesapply. MerleCave

PantomimemagicinTaurangathismonth

Su 6 o , .30p

Sun16Nov,2.30pm

Baycourt Theatre

38 Durham Street, Tauranga ults $25, mily $50 king fees da.co.nz

Tickets*: Ad Child/Student $5, Fa *Plus boo eventfin uture Keys to the f

The16thAvenueTheatre’s much-anticipatedpantomime of‘BeautyandtheBeast’ isjustaroundthecorner, withtheshowsettodazzle audiencesfromNovember21 toDecember6.

Renownedforitscompelling dramaticproductions,director LauraWeatherleysaidthetheatre isembracingawhimsicalturn withthislivelyandlaughter filledshow.

TheplotisbasedonRose,a brightand kind-hearted young woman, wholivesin aquaintvillageanddreamsof love.She’sledtoamysterious castle,andfindsherself inhabitingthepalacewitha fearsomebeastwithatragic secret.

saidWeatherley.“Audiences canexpectacolourfulcast ofcharacters,includingthe flamboyantDame(Ma),the mischievousFelix,achorus ofenchantedobjects,andthe spiritedRose. “Attheheartofthestorylies amysteriouscastledeepinthe woods,broughttolifewith music,magic,andmayhem andofcourse,thefearsome Beastwithahauntingsecret.” Featuringatalented ensembleof23local performers–including17 castmemberswhowillmake their16thAvestagedebut inthepantomime–the productionpromisestoa vibrantmixofcomedy,music, andaudienceinteractionthatwillbeadelightful experienceforallages,saidWeatherley. Atreatnottobemissed,purchaseticketsto ‘BeautyandtheBeast’at16thAvenueTheatrefrom November21-December6at:https://www.iticket. co.nz/events/2025/nov/beauty-and-the-beast

Butallisnotasitseems,

‘TheBeautyandtheBeast’pantomime cast. Photo/PeteLuxfordPhotography

Handel’sMessiah:afamilytradition

The anticiipatedbuild-upto Christmasisbeginning,and ScholarsBBaroqueisproud to annoounceitsannual performaanceof‘Messiah’ by George e FridericHandel, presented d incollaboration with h NZBarok, New Zeealand’spremier Baroqqueorchestra.

Composedin1741,‘Messiah’ remains oneofthemostrevered works in theBaroquechoral tradition,cellebratedforits dramatic struucture,richmusical textures, and d profoundscriptural narrative

Thisyear’sperformance willfeature24voicesfrom ScholarsBaroqueand17period instrumentsplayedbyNZBarok, offeringaudiencesanauthentic andvibrantinterpretationof Handel’smasterpiece.

Theconcertpromisestobe amovingandmemorable experience,withtheiconic ‘Hallelujah’choruscontinuing toresonateasatimelesssymbol ofjoyandspiritualtriumph,said conductorChaliumPoppy.

“Thistwo-and-a-half-hour showisawonderfullead-upto Christmasandhasbecomea traditionformanyfamilies.

“It’sarareopportunitytohear 250-year-oldinstrumentsbeing

played,verysimilartothoseused inHandel’stime,”Poppysaid. Scholars’Baroqueisperforming inTaurangaandWaihi“asitis reallyimportantthatotherareas outsideofTaurangahaveachance tohearourmusic,”Poppysaid.

“Thisisaperformancethat willreallygetyoumotivatedfor Christmasinaveryspecialway.”

Tauranga’sconcertison November22at7.30pmStMary's ImmaculateonCameronRd. Waihi’sconcertisonNovember 23at2.30pmatWaihiMemorial Hall.

Forticketpurchaseand information,visit: www.scholarsbaroque.com

KemOrmond

Supportinganxietyfromeveryangle–afreecommunitytalk

Afteranincredibleturnoutof morethan150peopleattheir firstevent,theBayFunctional Healthisthrilledtoofferasecond informativepublictalkforthe communitythismonth.

TheAnxietyCommunityEducation TalkisnextSaturday,November22, from2pm-4.30pmatC3CityChurch, 252OtumoetaiRd,Tauranga.

“Thisfreecommunitysessionbrings togetherbothmedicalandnaturopathic

g p more th sharehe andgiv address

perspectivestoexplore anxietyfrommultiple directions–mind,body, andlifestyle,”saidLisa Pomare,aregistered naturopath,medical herbalistandnutritionist, whoco-foundedBay FunctionalHealthwith functionalgastrointestinal practitionerandnutritionist PaigeDunlop. DrTrishZingel,aTaurangaGPwith morethan30years’experience,will erownexperiencewithanxiety veinsightsintohowanxietyis sedinclinicalpractice. willalsoexplainwhatanxietyis, epracticalmindfulnessstrategies, nhowmedicationcanbenefit,” dPomare.

“She provide explain said D

disruptsleep.“Forthose whostrugglewithsleep, you’lllearnhowpoorrest canamplifyanxiety–and whatnaturalstrategiescan helpresetyourbodyclock, calmthenervoussystem,and supportrestorativesleep,” Pomaresaid.

Attendeeswillleavewith real-life,practicaltools theycanstartusingstraight away–coveringnutrition,supplements,

lifestylehabits,andstress-reduction techniquesthatnurturebothbodyand mind,Pomaresaid.

“Whetheryouexperienceanxiety yourself,workinhealthcare,orwant tosupportafriendorlovedone, thissessionwilloffereducation, empowerment,andhope.

“Joinusaswecontinuetheconversation onholisticmentalhealth–helpingour Taurangacommunityfindcalm,clarity, andconfidencethroughanintegrated approachtowellness.”

DunlopandPomarewilldiscuss thepowerfullinkbetween nutrition,guthealth,and mood–exploringhow commondigestiveissuessuch asconstipationanddiarrhoea canbelinkedtoanxiety,and howrestoringgutbalancecan improveemotionalwellbeing. Theywillalsounpackthe influenceofhormones, especiallyduring perimenopause,whenhormonal fluctuationscanheighten anxiety,affectmood,and

Conductor Chalium Poppy with Scholars Baroque, ahead of the ‘Messiah’ performances this month Photo / Callum Stevenson

Bay Functional Health’s Lisa Pomare and Paige Dunlop are hosting a free, informative community eventonanxiiety. Photo/Supplied

DrTrishZingel. MerleCave

NatKingColeandtheKārearea

There’ssomuchmusictofollowat themoment,butIwantedtostart bypluggingoneofmyfavourite non-musicalevents.

TheBayofPlentyOpenStudiosArt Trailhappensacrossthreedaysnext weekend,November21-23,from 9.30am-4.30pmdaily.

Duringthattimemorethan70artists fromtheBOPopentheirstudiostothe publicandyoucanseewhereandwhat they’reworkingon.Apeakbehindthe curtainforart-lovers.

Artstops

Thereare16stopsupnorthbetweenTe PunaandWaihīBeachbuttherealbulk isaroundtownandtheclosesuburbs wherenearly40spacesareopen.

Across 6.PreviousNZcricketcaptain(6,5) 7.Nativebird(4) 8.Crucial(8) 9.Fruit(6) 10.Spoil(6) 12.Battered(6) 15.Beach(NI)(6) 17.SubantarcticIsland(8) 19.Bound(4) 20.Unfounded(11) Down 1.Back-stabbers(8) 2.Punches(6) 3.Economize(6) 4.Hostile(4) 5.Rotate(6)

6.Fluid(5) 11.Dampness(8) 13.Bough(6) 14Fuel(6) 15.Well-mannered(6) 16.Perfect(5) 18.Tree(4)

Perhapsthebestplacetostartis TheKollectivedownattheHistoric Villagewherethere’sworkfromallthe participatingartistsdisplayedfrom November17onwards. However,Ithinkmy favouritepartslastyear wereactuallytheMount andPāpāmoaofferings. Thereweremorethan 20studiosinthisareaand itwaslovelydrivingalongthecoaston asunnyday,droppingintolookatart asyouwent.Thearttraildetailsareall online–makeaplantoday!

Birdsongs

released‘Kārearea’thisweek,the firsttrackinanewmusicalproject ‘WaiataManu’.TheKāreareawasthis year’swinningbird. Theplanisfora newsongeachyear andDavidson,who conceivedtheproject, saidtheserieswasabout rekindlingatraditionbegunwith HiriniMelbourne.Hewasinspired byMarlonWilliams’song‘Hoiho’, writtenafterBirdoftheYear2024.I lookforwardtoreviewingthefull albuminthelate-2030s.

hismusicwillbeplayedbythemost excellentensembleofpianistAlana Turmaine,bassplayerLiamMilson, andguitaristTrevorBraunias,with singerJoanneMelbourne.

Indieheaven

Andfinally,twoshowsattheJam Factoryareguaranteedtousheryou intoindieheaven.

Now,fromart-loversto lovers,becausethisweekm thestarttoalong-termal celebratingNewZealand’s variousBirdsoftheYear. Forest&Bird,ormore pertinentlysingerTroy Kingiandproducer DelaneyDavidson,

CelebratingCole

Thismonth,onFriday, November21,atThe TaurangaClub,Black CoffeeMusicCollective celebratesNatKing Cole’smusic,whichis agreatidea.It’seasyto rememberColefrom latervelvetballadsin the‘MonaLisa’vein butbeforethathe,along withOscarMooreon guitarandWesleyPrince bass,formedoneofthe texcitingpianotriosyou ouldhopetohear. m7pmonNovember21,

Next,Friday,November21,We WillRideFastandFrancesEllenplay, withsupportfromAmeliaMcNabb andthepromiseofanaudio-visual experiencewithoutrageousvideo accompaniment.KyleSattler,theman behindWWRF,isanacreditedvisual artist:thisiswherehisvisualarts careercollideswithhismusicalone. And,finally,November22bringsthe JamFactory’slong-awaitedSci-FiParty. Thislookslikebeingablastbutdetails arestillunderstrictwraps.Expecta nightofsciencefiction-themedmusic andentertainmentwithaward-winning musicians,aliveband,DJ,aquizand mostimportantly–everybodydressing up.Klaatubaradanikto!

www.tinyurl.com/x7mpsckp

TaurangaCityCouncil’sEmergency Managementstaffarepartnering withSustainabilityOptionsto exploreanddiscusswaysresidents canmaketheirhomesmoreefficient andclimate-resilientaswellasready fornaturalhazardssuchasflooding. Thefreepresentationison tomorrow,November15,atThe CargoShedfrom11am-noon. Thiswillbeanopendiscussion wherepeoplecansharetheir experiences,ideasandlearnings. SustainabilityOptionswillalsooffer afreetwo-hoursustainabilityhome assessmentforaTaurangaresident, helpingtocreateawarmer,drier, healthierhome.

Toregisterfortheevent,orfind outmoreinformation,visit:www. whatsontauranga.co.nz

Kiwi singer Troy Kingi and producer Delaney Davidson released song ‘Kārearea’ this week after Forest & Bird 2025’s Bird of the Year. Photo / Supplied

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FLATMATEWANTED. CentralTauranga.Wellmaintaned3-bed60shouse. Offstreetparking.Useof underhouse.Residentcat. Mature&financially independent.Non-smoker preferred.Initialenquiries Jennytext0284063240.

ServicesOffered

BuilderAvailable

Decks,fencesandsmall alterations.Reliable, affordable.Qualified Builder,LBP&NZCB. Freequotes. PhoneShane0221655995

www.sunlive.co.nz ClickonFuneralNotices

Finalistsnamedfor2026 WesternBayCommunityAwards

Thirty-fourWesternBay ofPlentyresidentsand groupshavebeennamed finalistsinthe2026 WesternBayCommunity Awards,recognisingtheir contributionstotheregion throughvolunteering, sustainability,youth leadershipandmore.

Thefinalistswereselectedfrom morethan100nominations,with judgesPaulGeoghegan,Soifua TupouandVickiSempletasked withnarrowingdownthefield. Geoghegansaidthecalibre ofentriesreflectedthestrength ofthecommunity.“Astrong communitymakeslifebetterfor everyone.Whenpeopleconnect andsupporteachother,amazing thingshappen–it’showwesolve mostofthechallengesweface,” hesaid.

Theawards,heldannuallyin March,aimedtohonourthose whoupliftothers–oftenquietly andwithoutexpectation.

Individualsandgroups

Finalistsincludedindividuals whoorganisedlocalclean-ups, grassrootsinitiatives,not-forprofitgroupsdrivingchange, andyoungpeopleleadingwith empathyandcourage.

The2026ceremonywas scheduledforMarch19,2026, withwinnersannouncedacross sevencategories:Community Event,SustainableFuture, DiversityandInclusion,Heart oftheCommunity,YouthSpirit, VolunteeroftheYear,andBest Collaboration.

APeople’sChoiceAwardwould alsobedecidedbypublicvotein February.

Finalistswouldbefeaturedinan onlineshowcaselaunchinginthe newyear,withvideosintroducing eachnominee.Theawardswere

VolunteeringServicesmanagerAngelaWallacealongside2025’s VolunteeroftheYearAwardwinnerDonnaPfefferleatthelast WesternBayCommunityAwards. Photo/Supplied

supportedbyAcornFoundation, BayTrust,TaurangaCityCouncil, TECTandWesternBayofPlenty DistrictCouncil.

Previouswinnerssaidthe recognitionextendedbeyondthe awardsnight.

Increasedsupport

DonnaPfefferle,whowon VolunteeroftheYearin2025,said theexposurehadledtoincreased supportforprojectsinWaihī Beach.“Theawardsexposurehas resultedinpeoplecomingforward tohelpwithadditionaldonations orsupporttolocalprojectsin WaihīBeach.

“Beingrecognisedasafinalist isamazing,buttheawardsitself hasalotofteethandreallyshows whatpeoplecandowhenworking together,”shesaid.

Finalistsforthe2026Western BayCommunityAwards: CommunityEventAward: 100thKatikatiA&PShow; KatikatiFestivalofCultures; TaurangaDiwaliFestival;Tauranga PrimarySchools’MusicFestival; TaurangaSTEMFest SustainableFutureAward: MaketūOngatoroWetland Society;RotoehuEcologicalTrust; SpaceforNature;STEAM-Ed CharitableTrust

DiversityandInclusionAward: BayofPlentySportsandCultural Club;CasitaCommunityShop; MomentaCharitableTrust; SpectrumConnectionsCharitable Trust;YouthVoicesAction HeartoftheCommunity Award: ArmyofAunties;Cancer SocietyWBOP–Tauranga TransporttoTreatmentClient Drivers;GoodBitchesBaking Tauranga;HuntforGood; TaurangaMiniatureRailway YouthSpiritAward: Blessing Pasi;IsraelTapuikaRota-Bon; JJNiles;MalachiSteel;Spencer McNeil VolunteeroftheYearAward: AndrewMcDowell;BillWebb; JasonRive;JulianFitter;Sue Walsh BestCollaborationAward: HeretoHelpUandYouthVoices Action;LiveWellWaihīBeachand WaihīBeachLifeguardServices; SurfingforFarmers;Underthe StarsandOrangeSky;Youngat HeartFestival Invitationstotheawards ceremonywouldbesentto nominees,nominatorsandfinalists earlynextyear.Theeventwould alsobeopentothepublic. Moreinformationisavailable at:https://www.tect.org.nz/ community-awards-2026/

Inourlegalsystem,youcan’tdatethe personwho’stojudgeyourcase.Nor cantheybeyourgolfingbuddy.

Ifyou’rebeingprosecutedforyourdog maulingsomeoneandthejudgeisyour neighbourwhoknowsyouhavenodog–fantastic,youmaythink!Butalas,theycan’t beyourjudge.

Concerningjuries,onerationaleforthemis thatbeingmadeupofordinarypeople–our peers–theyaremoresuitedtojudgeusthan esteemedmembersofthejudiciarywhosome perceiveasoutoftouchor

Koran,bothproclaimJesusasourJudge. TheBiblepresentshimassuper-qualifiedto judgeusbecauseHe’sourpeerbeingtruly man–havingwalkedinourshoes–and God.He’sappointedbyGodasjudge,He knowsallaboutusandHe’smerciful.

Thewonderfulnewsforusisthat,unlike inourlegalsystem,wecanbeinclose relationshipwithourJudge.Jesusactually desiresthisrelationshipbeforeJudgment Day.

perceive as out of touch or sitting in ivory towers. The Bible, and interestingly the (John 10:14)”.

Jesussaid:“Iamthegoodshepherd;andI knowmysheep,andamknownbymyown (John10:14)”.

KnowingJesusbeforeJudgmentDayis givensomuchimportance–asJesuseven says:“Andthisiseternallife,thattheymay knowYou,theonlytrueGod,andJesus Christ…(John17:3”).

Knowing Jesus before Judgment Day is given so much importance – as Jesus even says: “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ…(John 17:3”).

Agoodwaytostartthisvitaleternal life-givingrelationshipissimply toopenaBibleandlearnofHim.

021768043 office@bethel.org.nz BethEl.org.nz AssemblyofGod

DavidKidd, ChurchofGod’sLove