The Weekend Sun - 22 May 2026

Wheel power

The seventh annual Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport returns to Mercury Baypark Arena this weekend, showcasing adaptive sport and celebrating inclusion. More than 250 athletes from around New Zealand are expected to compete in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, boccia, wheelchair rugby league and sailing, making it the country ’ s only crosscode disability sports festival.

Bay of Plenty Steamrollers player and former Paralympian Stacey Roche (pictured), who has supported the festival since it began, said the event gave

disability sport the profile it deserves. “It’s the first and only cross-code disability sports festival in the country, which is pretty awesome, ” she said Highlights would include national wheelchair rugby and basketball tournaments, a women ’ s wheelchair rugby

showcase, and community ‘have-a-go’ sessions to encourage participation in adaptive sport. Sailability events will also be held at Tauranga Marina on Saturday morning, alongside a casual athlete awards evening on Saturday night. Read more on pages 12-13. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

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Re-inventing our childhoods...

Just when you think you have seen and heard it all, life springs another doozy Not doozy as in spectacularly good, or extraordinary, but doozy as in mind-numbingly banal or silly

And I am old enough to have seen a few real doozies of a doozy You know as in whacko competitions

I’ve seen gurning where contestants distort their faces into grotesque and bizarre shapes Generally won by those not exactly blessed to start with Snail racing And all the gooey trails

Before you apply the facial hydration, it might help to know that the snail goo, or mucin, is used in cosmetics.

I’ve seen cheese rolling Cheese rolls yes, cheese rolling, no! Why would you roll cheeses? I’ve seen paramedics resuscitating the fearless and feckless on the brink of death from polar plunge-induced hyperthermia Dunking in the surf on the shortest day? The point being ?

‘Steadfast Urine’

Heard of ‘The Great Pie and Puke’? Uni students ran the length of a rugby field to eat a cold pie and drink a pint Then again and again, with the winner being the last person to vomit What gamesmanship, what style “Hey Mum and Dad, I flunked med school but I won The Great Pie and Puke ”

Toilet seat tossing and the classic Japanese

Bladder Experiment – men gargle gallons of water and it’s the last to pee The guy with the strongest bladder is crowned King of Steadfast Urine That would look good on the CV In Germany the 100-hour running shower contest You only leave the shower for bathroom breaks Why would you need to? Did you know 60-70% of people admit to peeing in the shower? The squeaky clean winner got $5000

‘One-handed

unclasp’

And in China’s Gungzhou city, the great one-handed, unclasping, Bra Removing Competition What great mind thought of this a-boobination? Abomination? Was there really an audience? Why do we care?

The contest for men was won by a woman – unclasped eight bras in 21 seconds She won 1000 yuen, $NZ250 84 But the world record is held by Irishman Sean, of course Ninety-one bras in 60

Say goodbye to Varicose Veins

Heavy, tired, achy/restless legs, leg cramps, swollen legs, itchy skin, dermatitis, poor skin healing and leg ulcers are all common symptoms of varicose veins.

If you suffer from any of these symptoms, consider a consultation with a vein specialist

FEEL CONFIDENT IN YOUR LEGS AGAIN, WITH NON-SURGICAL VEINS TREATMENT.

Dr Phoebe Shearman has returned to the Bay of Plenty following further specialist training in Auckland and is dedicated to delivering effective, minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins.

Dual-trained in Phlebology and General Practice, Dr Shearman is passionate about providing patient-focused, comprehensive care for varicose veins and chronic venous disease and offers Endovenous Ablation (RFA) and Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy

Both are non-surgical treatments that are walk in and walk out treatments, requiring no general anaesthesia and minimal down time

seconds His mum broke out in a 34F smile when her boy “done well” Where’s all this nonsense headed? To a remote corner of Lake Hawea in Central Otago to be precise, where “hundreds” turned out to make a splash A series of splashes, with a stone, in the water Stone skimming They’ve given it respectability, acceptability and a name Stone skimming It’s a “ sport ” because they say it is If darts, underwater hockey and ear-pulling, can be “ sports ” , so can stone skimming

Boys bitching

The number of stones we heaved into that lake in three weeks How did we not concuss a few rainbow trout, or empty the beach of pebbles? We skimmed stones until they started disappearing into darkness Plop, plop, splosh Gone! And there would be calm until four boys found something else to bitch about Momentary calm

Funsies become nasties

Skimming’s been around for centuries In 1583 they called it ‘ducks and drakes’ –why? But funsies became nasties when they bounced cannonballs off the water in naval battles and the RAF famously bounced round bombs at German dams Not as hostile, but certainly edgy and competitive at Lake Hawea – a buoyed off alleyway down which 130 competitors tossed their favourite rocks Seemed like a nonsense when I first heard, but I may have changed my mind And while skimming may seem a blokey kind of thing, a woman skimmed 72 metres, then 42 metres, to win it She was going to uni until she decided skimming got in the way What the hell? Now she’s off to the world championships in Scotland. What’s with skimming?

It all feels like rediscovering the childhood. Let me paint a picture. Kingston 1960-ish, at the foot of Lake Wakatipu The pall of smoke from the stack of the TSS Earnslaw has disappeared up the lake, the Kingston Flyer steam train has chugged out of town towards Lumsden, the sun ’ s headed for bed beyond the Blue Mountains, Dad’s in bliss, parked up listening to the skirl of bagpipes wafting from somewhere across the lake “Glorious! Touches my core, ” he would say Bagpipes? Really? And we ’ re chucking flat pebbles into the lake – four boys, four fiercely competitive brothers, bitching mercilessly about how far they can make a stone dance

Mount cat shooting: Reward offered

A $2000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the prosecution of the person who fatally shot a Mount Maunganui cat.

Rosalie Liddle Crawford, a Weekend Sun reporter, earlier said her 3-year-old ragdoll Clyde was shot in the face between 6pm on May 11 and 6am on May 12 She found Clyde outside her front door about 6am on May 12 with blood on his face, legs and mouth, and part of his lower jaw was torn Clyde underwent surgery, including removing bullet fragments, but his injuries were too severe and he was euthanised May 14. Police are investigating the incident, including whether there was a link to notes threatening to “poison” a fluffy ff black and white cat, which were left in mailboxes in Liddle Crawford’s neighbourhood in 2024.

PAW Justice and PD Pet Insurance have combined to fund the $2000 reward

PAW Justice founder Craig Dunn said the charity wanted to offer a $1000 for information leading to Clyde’s shooter being charged and convicted by the police

Dunn said the charity had a fund for offering rewards in animal cruelty cases, which had been successful in the past

“For a person to do this to an animal shows emotional rage and the start of a sociopathic behaviour, which could escalate if not caught and prosecuted This is extreme animal cruelty, and the question is: What happens next when something or someone upsets or annoys this person?”

He said animal cruelty was rising in New Zealand and globally, with well-established links between cruelty to animals and escalating violence against humans

PD Pet Insurance chief operating officer

Michelle Le Long said she was “shocked and saddened” to learn of Clyde’s shooting and its impact on their customer, Liddle Crawford

“We’re contributing $1000 toward the reward for information because we believe there has to be accountability Animal cruelty of this nature doesn’t exist in isolation; it matters, and the community deserves to know that speaking up could make a real difference ”

Liddle Crawford said the reward offers were “fantastic” and hoped it “tipped the scales” in

prompting people to contact the police about who killed Clyde.

She said the response to Clyde’s story had been “overwhelming and amazing”.

She said many people wanted to help with veterinary costs but these had been covered by her insurer

Liddle Crawford has set up a Givealittle page in Clyde’s memory to raise funds for animal rescue organisation Rescue, Revive and Rehome (RRR) Bay of Plenty

Donations will be paid directly to the organisation’s bank account and used to help injured animals needing urgent vet treatment.

“I hope that something good can come from something so senseless and cruel. I also recognise from hundreds of people’s responses that this horrific act feels like a blemish or

stain on our community There is a lot of anger and outrage. But this is not who we are.

“We’re a community that cares for each other, for animals and our environment, and it feels like the universe has gone off kilter, and people want to do something to help restore that balance.”

RRR board member Liz Proudlock, who oversees the organisation’s feline division, said there was never any justification for inflicting pain and suffering on a defenceless animal

“We feel honoured and privileged that Rosalie has chosen us as the recipients of the fund set up as Clyde’s legacy after such a tragic and horrific situation ”

Police urged anyone with information to call 105, quoting file number 260513/6073.

Sandra Conchie

Clyde, 3, was shot with a firearm near his Mount Maunganui

Photo / Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Local Government reform: Rotorua Mayor

A future Bay of Plenty super council dominated by Tauranga is “incredibly unlikely”, Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell says.

It comes as rural leaders are concerned major local government reform could dilute smaller communities’ voices.

Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer said this was a “huge concern ” for his district, Tauranga’s only direct neighbour

The Government’s reforms aim to simplify local government by reducing duplication and encouraging larger, more efficient unitary authorities.

Councils nationwide are racing to develop reorganisation proposals within a 90-day deadline.

They have until August 9 to submit voluntary proposals for the Government to consider, or risk decision-making being taken out of their hands.

Federated Farmers warned against any restructuring that sidelined rural and provincial districts

‘Very

short runway ’

In February, the rural advocacy organisation proposed regional councils be replaced with unitary authorities. It suggested a split into urban and rural governance models to streamline local government, improve efficiency, and better represent communities of interest while easing rate pressures.

Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty president Brent Mountfort said councils had a “ very short runway ” to act or risk decisions being made by Wellington.

The sheep and beef farmer warned that a single council for the region could be dominated by Tauranga, the biggest city

He suggested a Tauranga authority alongside a combined unitary model for Western and Eastern Bay could be “ very effective”, leaving Rotorua to decide whether to join that merger or form its own unitary council.

Tapsell ejected the likelihood of a Bay of Plenty super-council scenario

She said discussions between Bay of Plenty mayors had so far focused on locally tailored “sub-regional” models rather than a single overarching authority

“It’s incredibly unlikely,” she said.

“There’s no strong interest from our councils or communities to merge the entire region.”

‘Not

confident’

Tapsell said she was “ not confident” of any benefits from becoming a “ super region”

“We would lose local decision making, ownership and leadership,” she said

She said rural and provincial councils were “ very different to metro cities” and that it was “really important” small populations did not “lose their voice”.

Tapsell said it was important reforms did not undermine the desires of smaller districts.

She referenced Reporoa, which is in Rotorua district near the Taupō border, but falls in the Waikato Regional Council area, rather than the Bay of Plenty

She said she would continue engaging with other councils and the Government

as proposals developed, with final recommendations expected to go back to communities for feedback before any changes are made.

“It takes a lot of work to not only merge districts, but also all of our functions and systems, ” she said.

“So realistically, the timeframe is only enough to put forward options, which will then be tested with communities ”

Federated Farmers Rotorua-Taupō president Braydon Schroder said it was “ great to hear” Tapsell downplaying those super-council concerns

Tipoftheiceberg?

“We will not support a council re-organisation that lumps provincial and rural communities in with a large metropolitan area where provincial priorities and voice will be drowned out by representatives of an urban voting bloc,” Schroder said

Different needs

He said such a plan would only do everyone a “disservice”, with the needs of urban and rural areas being “ very different” He said no councils should sit the discussions out

Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell. Photo / Laura Smith

says Bay of Plenty super-council unlikely

“Drive your own destiny, rather than having it decided for you by the Government,” he said

He said local government reform had long been a priority.

“It’s time for a rethink,” he said, highlighting three waters and resource management reform programmes as perfect timing

“It makes sense to ensure that the structure of our local representation is right to deliver services, infrastructure and regulatory roles moving forward”

Huge concern

Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer said rural representation being lost in a larger Tauranga-led structure was “ a huge concern ” for his district

Denyer said Western Bay communities would need to be carefully considered in any future governance model

“It is something that we ’ re looking at very carefully,” he said

“If we were involved with Tauranga, they would obviously have a lot more people and a lot more say, and our voice could be lost”

He said the Western Bay was considering a range of possible governance models as part of early discussions with other councils, including sub-regional arrangements and different district combinations.

“There are quite a few options out there,”

Denyer said

The council would be hosting “community conversations” for Western Bay residents to share views from May 25 to June 14

Denyer said the tight timeframe “makes it harder” to get a full picture

“We as a council would like to hear the views of our community before making our proposal or indeed not making one, ” he said

“It’s not going to be possible to do a formal consultation, but we want to hear community views because our rural communities absolutely need to keep their voice”

- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Matthew Nash

Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty president Brent Mountfort Photo / Supplied

Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer Photo / David Hall

The University of Waikato Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre has turned one – and will celebrate with a free Community Fun Day tomorrow from 10am-2pm.

The event will host have-a-go sports sessions, games and activities, prizes, food trucks, and plenty of fun for all ages.

Haumaru opened May 2025 after Tauranga City Council purchased the former Warehouse site on Cameron Rd and transformed it in 18 months into a multi-purpose sport and recreation centre.

The venue is managed by Bay Venues on behalf of council

The multi-use indoor venue accommodates everything from casual sports sessions to competitive leagues, with the space used daily for recreational activities for the community Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said it was fantastic to see Haumaru delivering on its vision– a multi-purpose, accessible facility where people of all ages and abilities can come together to be active, connect and compete. “Haumaru is a great example of meeting a community need in a costefficient way by repurposing an existing building, while also contributing to the wider transformation of Tauranga city centre. ” More details at: https:// www.bayactive.co.nz/what-s-on/

Loose change turning into big opportunities

A simple bucket of old coins at Resene ColorShop Tauranga is helping transform forgotten currency into lifechanging opportunities for young New Zealanders

Bethlehem Te Puna Lions member Bernie Allen is encouraging locals to rummage through drawers, jars and cupboards for unused coins and foreign currency as part of the nationwide Heads Up for Kids initiative

People just need to drop their old coins at Resene ColorShop Tauranga on Waihi Rd, Judea, during the store ’ s opening hours of 7am-5pm weekdays, Saturdays 8.30am-4pm and Sundays 9am-2pm.

The project, supported by Lions Clubs New Zealand in partnership with Resene, has been quietly making a difference for more than a decade.

Collection tins in Resene ColorShops nationwide allow people to donate obsolete or unused money that would otherwise sit idle.

Store manager Craig Bennett said their Judea store had supported the initiative for about 10 years.

“We’d love to see more people get behind it,” he said.

“It’s such an easy way to help – just bring in coins you ’ re not using and drop them in.”

Despite the long-running effort, Bennett admitted the local collection tin was looking a little light – something the Lions hoped would soon change with increased awareness via The Weekend Sun

The Reserve Bank had previously estimated that households hold hundreds of old coins each, while Lions clubs believed millions of dollars in obsolete and unused currency remained out of circulation throughout

New Zealand. While pre-decimal currency was no longer legal tender, it could still be redeemed for its face value, and many older coins also carried metal value Foreign currency was sorted and either exchanged or recycled

For Lions, the appeal lies in its simplicity: donating costs nothing.

“All this obsolete cash is turned into real funding for young Kiwis,” Allen said. “It helps provide opportunities they might not otherwise get.

” Since 2010, the initiative had collected more than 26 tonnes of coins, raising more than $560,000. The funds support education and development programmes, including scholarships to organisations such as the Spirit of Adventure Trust and the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre.

New Zealand, Lions clubs run a wide range of youth initiatives, from leadership programmes to international exchanges, aimed at helping young people reach their potential.

Allen, who is also well known locally for his volunteer work at community events such as ParkRun, said the coin project is just another way to give back.

“I’m not really into the spotlight,” he said. “I just enjoy helping the community” With collection points available at Resene ColorShops nationwide, including Tauranga, the message is simple: those forgotten coins could make a meaningful difference.

So next time you come across a stash of old change, consider dropping it into the bucket – because small change can create big opportunities.

Across

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Bethlehem Te Puna Lion Bernie Allen with Resene ColorShop Tauranga manager Craig Bennett.

Photo / Kelly O’Hara

Tauranga model aircraft auction returns

The Tauranga Model Aircraft Club is preparing for one of the biggest events on its calendar this weekend, with hundreds of model airc aviation items expected to g the hammer at the club’s a auction at Classic Flye

The auction, which has been ru since the 1980s, will be held on May 24, in the main hangar at C Flyers at Tauranga Airport

Organisers said between 300 an items were expected to be auctio alongside tables stacked with sm aviation gadgets, parts and access available for fixed prices.

Club secretary Garry Bentley sa event had grown into the largest aircraft auction of its kind in Ne Zealand, attracting enthusiasts fr across the North Island.

“We have people come from all the North Island to it, from Kait Wellington,” Bentley said. “It’s a place to get something, and if yo done modelling before, it’s a grea come along and see the type of s available.”

The Tauranga Model Aircraft Club used the annual auction as a key fundraiser to help cover operating costs, including maintaining its flying grounds at TECT Park.

Bentley said the club was fortunate to have a dedicated flying area approved by the Civil Aviation Authority

will once again be former Tauranga city councillor Tony Christensen, a longtime model aircraft enthusiast and club member

Bentley praised Christensen’s commitment to the event. “He gets up there at 9 o’clock and he doesn’t leave the stage until he’s sold the last thing said “He ly amazing Graeme t was open ther they odellers or rious to see he hobby ed. ryone is e, you bargain for e auction gold coin n, with a uring the children are rpedo Park heir items s before craft and go under annual ers.

The auction catered for everyon beginners to experienced hobbyi model aircraft ranging from sma planes costing a few hundred dol through to large-scale models wo thousands.

Bentley said the event was also major social occasion for the mo community

“It’s a great social thing for all t

unning Sunday, Classic nd 400 ned, aller sories aid the model ew rom l over taia to n ideal ou haven’t at place to tuff that’s ne from sts, with all foam llars orth a odelling these hobby”

“We’re very lucky to have our own flying field,” he said “A lot of clubs around the country have to share public spaces or farmers’ paddocks, but we have a controlled area where we can operate safely”

modellers because they don’t always see each other from year to year, ” he said. “They can meet up, share ideas and tips, and talk about the ay

The club’s auctioneer for the day

Sometimes they call her mother

Thenshe’sout the door

The alarm goes at five-thirty Noleen pulls on her shoes, reaches for the cream on the bathroom counter,andworksit intoherhip

Circuit starts at six Monday Wednesday Friday She’s been doing it for years now She’s the oldest one there and sometimes theycall hermother

She likesthat

Noleen is 79 and she has always been one active woman

“If you don’t use it, you lose it,” she says She meansthat completely

She’s watched friends slow down Sit out Gradually stop going She’s seen how quickly the world shrinks when you stop moving She hasnointerest inthat

But the thing about bodies is, they carry everythingyou’ve done tothem

Backin1994,Noleenandherhusbandwere living on the West Coast One day, with rain coming down hard, they went to check on the river The cliff on the far bank gave way and a huge tree came downright ontopofher

Her husband lifted the trunk Noleen scrambled free, leaving her gumboots behind in the mud They walked back to the house The hospital gave her walking poles Nothing wasbroken She healed Kept moving

Forthirtyyears,the hipheld

Then, about four years ago, the hip started making itself known Her husband put it togetherfirst

“It’ll be from that bloodytree,” he toldher She knewhe wasright

What frustrated Noleen wasn’t how it felt exactly It wasthe attitude she raninto

“They look at how old you are,” she says, “and decide that you don’t have much left They don’t take your lifestyle into account at all ”

She wasn’t prepared to accept that But the hip was getting harder to ignore She’d been using a magnesium rub and it helped, up to a point But it wasn’t keepingpace

She walked into her local pharmacy and asked what else was out there The woman behind the counter suggested Koru FX, a natural cream made inNewZealand

Noleen wasn’t sure another cream would make a meaningful difference But what did she have tolose?

The routine came together quickly Before circuit, she rubs it into the hip Shoes, bag, KoruFX Inthat order

“Withoutthatsupport,Imightnotbeableto dothe thingsIwant,” she says

The small win came first: getting through circuit without the hip pulling her focus Then the bigger one: still showing up, three times a week,doingwhat she’salwaysdone

“They sit down and think they can’t do it anymore,” she says “They lose the muscle Andthenthey’re shot ”

She’sseenfriendsstepbackfromonething, then another, until the stepping back became the whole story

At79,Noleenisstilltheoldestoneatcircuit

Still keeping pace Still showing up before most people her age have had their second coffee

Sometimestheycall hermother She’searnedit

at 3pm,” Bentley s does an absolutel job ” Club president G Jaine said the event to everyone, whet were keen mo simply cur what th involve “Ever welcome should all come and there’s a b everybody,” Jaine said Doors open 7.30am, with th to begin at 10am Entry is by g donation

The AvGas Café will be open sausage sizzle in the hangar du auction Families with young c encouraged to make use of Tor beside Classic Flyers Sellers must register th with club organisers 10am

R Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Tauranga Model Aircraft Club secretary Garry Bentley with one of his model aircraft.

Photo / Kelly OHara

Tauranga studio’s dancers taking on the world

A Tauranga dance studio is proving big dreams can grow from small places, with its young performers heading to international stages and major competitions this year.

After being crowned back-to-back national hip hop champions in 2025, Space Studio dancers have been invited to perform in Canada at a confidential international event a rare opportunity for a group of performers aged just 14 to 17.

NFL but for dance

“It’s pretty wild,” Space Studio co-director Cameron Smith said. “To have kids flown across the world to perform is something really special.”

The momentum doesn’t stop there. The studio has also been selected to join Community Division in the International Dance League – a new global competition model Smith likens to professional sport.

“Think NFL, but for dance,” he said. “Dancers can be selected, contracted, and potentially go on to become full-time professional performers.”

A team of Space dancers will travel to Sydney shortly after their Canada trip to compete in the league, with hopes of catching the attention of international recruiters.

Closer to home, the studio’s contemporary team is preparing for the National Dance Challenge in Auckland later this year, following viral success in 2025 when one of their performances racked up 30 million views online

“There’s definitely a buzz around our dancers now, ” Smith said.

‘Watching our kids’

International attention has also come from major artists, including Nicole Scherzinger from the Pussycat Dolls and Natasha Bedingfield, who have shared Space Studio content on social media.

“It’s crazy to think people like that are watching what our kids are doing from little old Tauranga,” he said

Later this year, 46 dancers will travel to Queensland to compete in a major Australasian competition, while another group had secured a month-long performance residency at Spookers in Auckland during Halloween. This will see 10 dancers perform multiple shows each weekend, travelling back and forth from Tauranga.

Creating opportunities

Smith, who runs the studio alongside partner Summer Tyson, said the success came down to hard work and strong community support.

“The biggest thing is gratitude,” he said. “The parents are the ones driving kids to rehearsals, picking them up late at night, making it all happen ”

Morevoer, the studio’s focus had always been simple – creating opportunities for local talent, Smith said “The Bay is so overlooked, and we ’ ve got so much talent here. Space is all about giving kids opportunities they might otherwise only find in big cities or overseas. ”

Despite the growing recognition, funding remained a challenge. “It can be harder to get support compared to

other activities,” Smith said “But we ’ re fortunate that opportunities are starting to come to us ”

Founded during the Covid-19 pandemic, Space Studio had rapidly grown into a high-performing training ground for young dancers and a launch pad for future careers.

“We always knew this was a stepping stone, ” Smith said “If our dancers can turn something they love into a full-time career, that’s the dream ” Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Space Studio directors Summer Tyson and Cameron Smith. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

Tauranga doctor a national art finalist

A Tauranga-based artist has been named among the country ’ s top portrait painters with Dr Bronwyn Copeland selected as in the prestigious Adam Portraiture Award 2026.

Copeland is one of 43 artists shortlisted from 429 entries for the biennial award, presented by the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata and supported by the Adam Foundation

The winner announced on May 20, wins a top prize of $30,000 – a significant increase that underscores the award’s importance in the New Zealand art scene Copeland’s finalist work, Facing

painters, a e finalist

Fronto-temporal Dementia, directly from her professional life as a geriatric atrist

portrait depicts Kevin and Jacqui Sawford, moa couple she has worked with through nga Hospital’s memory clinic for about a year said Kevin, 56, who married his childhood heart, lives with Behavioural Variant Frontoral dementia (BVFTD) “I have known this ful couple since making the diagnosis at Tauranga tal’s memory clinic,” Copeland said

ivilege

as been a privilege to witness their enduring love evotion despite the profound personality changes d by the illness Dementia affects not only the

individual but also those around them who must navigate its challenges.”

When Kevin began showing subtle behavioural changes, his family never imagined dementia could be the cause “He’s just 55 years old, and a few short months ago was diagnosed with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia,” Jacqui said

The rare, young-onset form of dementia, known as bvFTD, affects personality, behaviour and memory It is progressive, life-shortening, and has no cure

Jacqui said she remembered watching an interview in April 2025 with retired Hollywood actor Bruce Willis’ wife about his FTD diagnosis

“I remember thinking, ‘That’s Kevin ’ Those words have never left me ”

Two days later, the bvFTD diagnosis was made

iouralVariant

Dr Bronwyn Copeland’s s work ‘Facing Behavioural Variant Fronto-temporal Dementia’ which shows the faces of husband and wife Kevin and Jaqui Sawford. Photo / Supplied

“We were left shocked and heartbroken Suddenly everything made sense, ” Jacqui said She said Kevin is the centre of a big, loving family, and would always lend a hand, share a laugh, and bring warmth into the lives of those around him.

Heartbreaking

“To see dementia slowly change the man we love so dearly is heartbreaking ” Jacqui said the earliest signs of bvFTD began about four years ago

She advised people not to take it lightly if they notice a “massive change in someone ’ s personality or behaviour”.

“BvFTD hides behind so many faces –depression, stress, burnout, even a midlife crisis ”

Copeland said her artwork reflects both the challenges of dementia and the enduring strength of human connection

“My art is shaped by the belief that creativity can bring joy, offer comfort, and transform suffering into moments of beauty and meaning Through both medicine and art, I am drawn to the human stories that shape our lives ”

The work takes the form of an optical illusion, inviting viewers to engage from multiple angles As perspective shifts, new layers of meaning emerge – mirroring the confusion, insight and evolving understanding experienced by those living with dementia and their loved ones

Serve a purpose

“When viewed from different angles, new meaning and clarity emerge, reflecting how perspective can bring moments of insight within the chaos of dementia,” Copeland said Copeland said she balances her medical career with a deep commitment to art, guided by a belief that creativity can

offer comfort and meaning “I believe art should serve a purpose by enriching society and positively influencing others. It should remain accessible and meaningful to all people, not limited to elite spaces This philosophy guides my work, my family life, and the patients I walk alongside A photograph shows my artwork from three angles ”

Unconventional materials and fresh perspectives define this year ’ s Adam Portraiture Award, with painted nails, woven tape measures and corrugated aluminium among the surfaces used in works selected for the 2026 finalist exhibition

This year ’ s award introduced a renewed emphasis on portraits painted from life, with all entries required to be based on at least one live sitting – a move that international judge Jude Rae said had strengthened the immediacy and

connection within the works

The finalist exhibition opened at the gallery’s Wellington waterfront site yesterday, May 21, and would run to August 9 before touring nationally.

Powerful intersection

Gallery director Brian Wood said the 2026 selection reflected both innovation and depth “There’s a real sense of momentum in this year ’ s finalists

“The move toward working from life has brought a deeper sense of connection with the sitter, more immediacy and presence to the portraits, while the range of materials and approaches shows just how expansive contemporary portraiture can be ”

For Copeland, the recognition highlights the powerful intersection between art and lived experience – and the stories that connect them

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Jacqui and Kevin Sawford are facing a future where Kevin has a progressive, life-shortening rare form of dementia. Photo / Brydie Thompson

Tauranga geriatric psychiatrist and artist

Dr Bronwyn Copeland in her studio.

Photo / John Borren

Festival puts disability y spport

Bay of Plenty wheelchair rugby player and former Paralympian Stacey Roche said she is “stoked” the Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport continue to grow nearly a decade after Parafed Bay of Plenty first created the event

The seventh annual festival will be held at Mercury Baypark Arena this weekend, running from 9am-4pm on Saturday, May 23, and 9am-3pm on Sunday, May 24, with Sailability events at Tauranga Marina from 10am-noon on Saturday.

Roche, who plays wheelchair rugby for the Bay of Plenty Steamrollers, has been involved with the festival since its inception and said it was created to give disability sport the profile it deserves

“We needed a festival that celebrates disability sport because there was nothing like it in New Zealand,” she said “It’s the first and only cross-code disability sports festival in the country, which is pretty awesome ”

The event has grown significantly since it began nearly a decade ago

Organisers are expecting more than 250 athletes from around New Zealand to compete this year across wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, boccia, wheelchair rugby league and sailing

Roche said one of the things she loved most about wheelchair rugby was the way every player’s role mattered

Actually needed

“Every person and every ability is actually needed and required to make a great team, ”

she said

“There’s a classification system and you can only have eight points on the court at one time, so every position is valued”

The Steamrollers squad has about 10 players, with four on court during games

Roche’s sporting background stretches back many years Before taking up wheelchair rugby, she competed internationally in boccia and represented New Zealand at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games “I’ve travelled all around the world,” she said.

“Going from boccia to wheelchair rugby is quite a divergent path because they’re so different”

Despite the change in sports, she said her passion had always remained the same. “I love being involved and playing sport ”

The festival will also feature community ‘have-a-go’ sessions across several adaptive sports, including wheelchair rugby league, circus workshops and sailing.

These sessions invite people with physical disabilities, including those with low vision or hearing impairments, to experience adaptive sport in a welcoming and supportive environment

Parafed Bay of Plenty chairman Bryce McFall said the idea for the festival began nearly a decade ago when he “woke up in the middle of the night” with a desire to bring disability sport into the spotlight

Aiming to grow

“I thought, ‘Let’s try and get it into the best arenas we ’ ve got in the Bay of Plenty So, we modelled it a little bit on the AIMS Games – starting small and aiming to grow

and grow and grow, ” he said

“We started our first year with about 50 athletes. This year, we ’ re hoping to have over 250, and we ’ re showcasing it as a leading sporting event for disabled people in New Zealand, right here in the Bay”

After a successful debut last year, wheelchair rugby league returns in 2026

“Rugby league is a really growing sport, ” McFall said

“Last year it was a have-a-go opportunity, which was really well received, and this year they’re coming back to compete, which is fantastic”

Highlights include national wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball

Bay of Plenty wheelchair rugby player and former Paralympian Stacey Roche.

tournaments featuring top para-athletes from around the country, including Wheel Blacks players

The women

A special women ’ s wheelchair rugby showcase on Saturday afternoon will also celebrate wāhine in adaptive sport

“Wheelchair rugby is traditionally quite a male-dominated space, so we really want to celebrate the women coming through the sport, ” Parafed Board member and Bay of Plenty Steamrollers player Amanda Lowry said The match will feature female wheelchair rugby players from around New Zealand “Wheelchair rugby is one of the only

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on centre stage

sports with fully inclusive male and female representation, which is incredible. We want to celebrate the hell out of wāhine in sport and profile the amazing women involved,” Lowry said

She said the festival is unique in the way it brings adaptive sport into major venues and celebrates athletes on a large stage

“Disability sport is often played in local halls and gyms and doesn’t always get profiled Here we are at Mercury Baypark, celebrating more than 200 athletes in a stateof-the-art venue It’s a massive celebration of disability sport, and that’s what makes the festival so special,” Lowry said More opportunities

“The festival is an important opportunity to celebrate disabled athletes, promote inclusion, and create more opportunities

for people to experience adaptive sport in the community,” Tauranga City Council disability and ageing strategic advisor Tan Phuangdokmai said

Healthvision’s Debra Williams said their organisation was proud to partner alongside Parafed Bay of Plenty bringing this event to life

“This festival is a powerful example of what happens when the right opportunities are created – athletes shine, communities come together, and disability sport is celebrated on the stage it truly deserves It is a reminder that sport is for everyone, ” Williams said

The Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport is at Mercury Baypark Arena May 23-24 with Sailability events at Tauranga Marina on Saturday morning A casual athlete awards evening will be held Saturday night Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Volunteergraffitiremovalgroup at Ōmokoroa’s service

A volunteer group set up to coordinate the removal of graffiti on public property in the Ōmokoroa community wants residents to report sightings of tagging and vandalism

The Ōmokoroa Graffiti Busters are volunteers operating under the Ōmokoroa Community Policing Group Charitable Trust to keep the peninsula tidy, said coordinator Stephen Casey

“When graffiti appears in our neighbourhood, our team responds quickly to remove it, helping ensure their streets, parks and public spaces stay clean and welcoming for everyone ” Casey said the group had been reporting on and coordinating the removal of graffiti on public property

for several years, working closely with local authorities, businesses and utility companies

“A strong community response sends a clear message to those responsible that graffiti will not be tolerated,” Casey said He encouraged residents to report graffiti when they saw it, so the group could get it removed

To report graffiti on sites in Ōmokoroa, phone 027 680 2172 or email: omokoroa graffiti@gmail com

To report graffiti on bus stops, road signs, streetlights, public buildings, public toilets and wastewater stations contact Western Bay of Plenty District Council on 0800 926 732 or email: info@ westernbay govt nz

The Department of Internal Affairs has announced a fee increase for its Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships services and products.

From June 18, the prices for most services will increase by about 5.6%.

A standard birth, death or marriage certificate will increase from $33 to $35 Copies or electronic copies of any document will increase from $25 to $26, and marriage and civil union licence fees will increase from $150 to $158

While birth, death and marriage certificates were the most commonly accessed services, the increase applies across majority of the BDM services and products, Births, Deaths, and Marriages registrar-general Russell Burnard said.

“BDM services are primarily funded by fees, not by taxpayers, and they have

remained unchanged for almost 10 years, ” Burnard said.

“I am confident this outcome strikes the right balance between keeping the fee increases as low as possible while ensuring we can meet the cost of running a sustainable Births, Deaths, and Marriages service.”

The adjustment would support rising costs of delivering services that included staffing, distribution and replacement of essential IT systems, he said

Registering a birth or death would remain free of charge, and no new fees are being introduced. “Updating fees is essential to maintain high-quality, efficient and sustainable services Burnard said.

Find out more about the fee increases at: www.govt.nz/organisations/births-deathsand-marriages/

EMPLOYMENT ADVOCATES NEEDED

Bay of Plenty wheelchair rugby players Stacey Roche and Sam Fitness in action.

Morning badminton in city facility

On any given Tuesday or Thursday morning in Tauranga, the sound of shuttlecocks flicking across courts is accompanied by laughter, encouragement, and the easy camaraderie of a club that has quietly become a cornerstone of community life

The Tauranga Morning Badminton Club, now based at the University of Waikato’s Haumaru Sport and Recreation Centre on Cameron Rd, is more than just a place to play sport For its members, it’s a social hub, a fitness outlet, and, for many, an extended family Club president Dale Hobson, who stepped into the role two months ago, said one of the club’s strengths is the wide range of people it attracts “We appeal to a real cross-section of the badminton community,” he said “Some come for a social hit, while others are serious players looking for competitive games ”

found her place, eventually becoming treasurer

Hobson, who has been a member for two years, said the morning format makes the club unique “It’s the only morning club you can go to, which suits people with different schedules,” he said “For me, doing shift work, it gives me something active and social to do during the day”

Flexibility

“I wanted something social and active,” she said “And that’s exactly what this club offers ” That sense of belonging is echoed by club secretary Pam Robertson, who joined in 2024

The people

Club treasurer Diane Yorke said that flexibility is a big part of the appeal “Most badminton clubs play at night, but a lot of people can ’ t get out in the evenings With more flexible working hours, morning badminton really suits ” Yorke joined about a decade ago after retiring from a career in banking Encouraged by a colleague, she gave badminton a go and quickly

“I’d always thought about getting back into badminton,” she said “But it’s not just about the game – it’s the people Everyone is very welcoming, and you meet such a variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures It’s really broadened my social circle ” Robertson said the club is evolving, with younger leadership bringing fresh ideas, including coaching opportunities and a push to raise its profile.

Tauranga Morning Badminton Club members Gary Cooper and Carol Sherwen. Photos / Kelly O’Hara

runs year-round and welcomes all!

Hobson said increasing awareness - particularly among younger players – is one of his goals

“We’re looking at ways to get the word out moore, including reaching students and people who migght not realise we ’ re here,” he said

Some members are relatively new, whereas otherrs have decades of history with the club Carol Sherwen, while not one of the original club members, is the longeest standing member still playing, having joined in 1987

“It started as a ladies’ club, but now it’s open to o everyone, " she said

Aged 73, Sherwen has been playing badminton n for more than 50 years and still regularly takes to thhe court

Like family

“It’s like a big extended family,” she said “We’re a smaller club now, but that just makes it more friiendly” Long-time member Gary Cooper, 86, had also seen the club evolve A badminton player for more thhan 60 years, he’s competed around the country and won medals at the World Masters Games in Sydney in 2009 These days, he plays for the love of the gamme –and the people “It’s very social now, ” he said “YYou mix in with people of all ages and backgrounds I really enjoy it.”

That mix is something Hobson is keen to emphhasise

“It’s not just one age group, ” he said “We’ve goot players ranging from younger, competitive athletes right through to those there for fitness and fun

Everyone can be catered for”

Players are graded by ability, allowing games to o be matched so everyone can enjoy a fair and compeetitive experience, whether beginners or seasoned playeers Tuesdays tend to be more relaxed and social, whhile Thursdays often see a higher level of play

In its heyday, the club had more than 200 memmbers and could fill all 10 courts at the old QE2 facilitty at Memorial Park Today, numbers are closer to 30-50 regular players, with additional casuals dropping g in

Sam Opie playing badminton at the Tauranga Morning Badminton Club.

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The current venue offers modern facilities, with four courts typically in use on Tuesdays and up to eight on Thursdays, ensuring plenty of game time

Newcomers welcome

Despite its strong core of experienced players, the club is keen to welcome newcomers “You don’t have to have played before,” Yorke said “People can just turn up, and we’ll fit them in We’ve got rackets available, and everyone ’ s happy to help beginners learn ” Sessions run 9 30am-midday Tuesdays and Thursdays, March to November Casual players are welcome, with membership options for regulars The club also hosts tournaments, including its annual event – this year on June 23, 2026, at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre Open to all, it’s a highlight on the calendar To find our more see the club’s Facebook page –search ‘Tauranga Morning Badminton’

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Students raise thousands for food rescue organisation

An immersive dining experience in the Bay of Plenty blending creativity, education and community purpose has raised thousands for a local food rescue organisation

Delivered by Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, the Dish-rupted event on April 30 at the Windermere campus showcased student innovation through a unique culinary experience that brought sustainability and hospitality together

The event was delivered during the 2026 Flavours of Plenty Festival and raised more than $4000 for Good Neighbour Guests were invited to experience an

interactive multi-course dining journey designed around the festival theme

Pushing the Palate.

The event transformed the Toi Ohomai campus into a series of themed spaces, with diners moving between locations for each course and a sensory experience.

Delivered by culinary, baking and hospitality students alongside academic staff, the event gave students the opportunity to apply their skills in a live event environment.

Academic staff member Marco

Fuchser said the event was created to push boundaries and highlight student capability “We wanted to create something more than a standard sit down meal,” he said.

“This was about rethinking food as an experience, something that connects people, tells a story, and brings creativity to the forefront ”

Students worked alongside tutors to plan, prepare and execute the evening. They were challenged to adapt to real world conditions, including working with mystery ingredients supplied shortly before the event.

Fuchser said that type of experience was “invaluable”.

“Students had to stay flexible, collaborate, and think on their feet. These are the skills the industry demands ”

A central part of the event was its collaboration with Tauranga organisation Good Neighbour, which provided rescued ingredients that may otherwise have ended up in landfill.

Toi Ohomai’s event ‘Dish-rupted’ was delivered by culinary, baking and hospitality students alongside academic staff.

the impact they can have beyond the kitchen,” Fuchser said

Good Neighbour rescues about $4.8 million worth of food each year, redistributing it through a network of more than 80 community organisations.

General manager Renee Hanna said the event demonstrated the value of food rescue in a powerful way

“It was a chance for our students to be creative, to be challenged, and to see

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“To see high-quality, rescued ingredients transformed into a premium dining experience shows just how much good food is at risk of going to waste ”

“It’s a meaningful way to raise awareness while supporting the community,” Hanna said

Tauranga residents canget a free bloodpressure check

A free blood pressure pop-up will take place in Tauranga City on Monday, May 25, giving people a quick and easy way to check a condition that quietly puts more than a million Kiwis at risk of heart disease.

The event will be held at St Enoch’s Presbyterian Church, 134 Sixteenth Ave, in Tauranga from 10am-2pm.

Run by the Heart Foundation, the events are aimed at letting people know if they have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, the single biggest risk factor behind New Zealand’s leading cause of death – heart disease.

According to the foundation, high

blood pressure contributes to nearly half of all cardiovascular deaths in NZ, with about 4000 lives lost each year

One in three Kiwis aged 30-plus has high blood pressure, yet only onequarter, or 25%, have it under control

The foundation estimates that about 350,000 people in New Zealand are living with undiagnosed high blood pressure.

“High blood pressure damages your arteries and can lead to heart attack and stroke,” Heart Foundation medical director, Dr Gerry Devlin said “It rarely has symptoms, which is why so many people don’t realise they have it.”

He said blood pressure checks can be done at GP practices and many pharmacies, but the free pop-up events

running nationwide would make it even easier for people to get checked.

“We want to encourage New Zealanders to get their checks done, understand what the numbers mean and take charge of their heart health to live a longer, healthier life.”

Devlin said here are many small, practical actions people can take to prevent and help manage high blood pressure – exercising more, eating healthier, reducing salt intake, improving sleep, reducing stress and cutting back on alcohol all have a positive effect.

Find more information on managing blood pressure at: www.heartfoundation. org.nz/wellbeing/managing-risk/bloodpressure-and-your-heart

The Toi Ohomai event raised $4660, with all proceeds donated back to Good Neighbour to support the expansion of its community meal programme

Photos / Finnley Lombard

the regional deal?

You might have seen announcements last week where the Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal was signed

If your reaction was something like, “Okay… but what does that actually mean?”

you ’ re not alone.

So, here’s the simple version.

The regional deal is about getting the infrastructure we need, in the right order, aligning investment by local government with that of central government and with more certainty about getting it delivered. It doesn’t mean everything will happen overnight But it does mean we now have a clearer, more joined-up way of moving forward

The Western Bay is one of the fastestgrowing parts of the country That growth is already being felt – on our roads, in housing demand, and in pressure on services

The deal recognises that It backs the work that’s already been done and helps turn it into a more certain pathway for delivery

For the Western Bay, that includes:

• Takitimu North Link Stage 2 (Te Puna to Ōmokoroa) – will now be prioritised by the 2027 Government Policy Statement on land transport and funded from the National Land Transport Fund Although an existing Road of National Significance, uncertainty of delivery remains until funding is in place.

• The Katikati Bypass – A Crown uplift in funding means there is now a clear pathway to funding and construction.

• Local roading improvements across key growth areas to be agreed and funded by the Funding Assistance Rate (FAR), including Ōmokoroa (Francis Rd and Francis Link Rd), Te Puke (including Seddon St to Bell Rd connection), Rangiuru and Young Rd, and the wider western corridor such as Keenan Rd, Belk Rd and Kaweroa Drive extension to SH36

• Funding and financing opportunities for the provision of waters infrastructure in the Eastern Growth Corridor to enable new housing and growth

• The redevelopment and upgrade of Tauranga Hospital, supporting the whole sub region.

Meet Martha and Stellar – inseparable 7-month-old sisters looking for a home together

These girls arrived at the SPCA shelter together – and after watching their bond grow, we can ’ t imagine splitting them up Wherever one goes, the other follows. If Martha is napping, Stellar is curled up beside her If Stellar heads to the food bowl, Martha is right there too With these two, you truly get double the love without needing two of everything. Stellar is the brave explorer of the pair, confidently leading the way and checking out new adventures first Martha is a little more cautious and prefers to wait for Stellar’s ‘all clear’ before jumping in herself Once she knows it's safe, though, she’s all in for cuddles, playtime, and affection

• Planning and consideration of new or expanded education facilities, including the high school in Ōmokoroa.

These aren ’ t new ideas – they’re projects that have been discussed and planned for years, even if not everyone will be familiar with each of them

What’s different now is that they’re connected together, with more certainty about how and when they will be delivered

Alongside this, there’s been a bit of confusion – which is understandable. Some of that comes from earlier announcements and information still circulating. For example, it was already announced back in December that were TNL2 to be built, it would be tolled That is not a new aspect of the project

Other projects have previously been included in wider planning work – that can feel like they are all ready to go, but without a funding pathway, nothing can happen. Those pathways are now in place, which means delivery is more certain.

This deal has not been agreed in a vacuum. It is the outcome of nearly three years of work by our council and the other deal partners to achieve this result. It builds on longstanding growth plans that have existed for some time.

This deal recognises that work, and builds on it We’ve done the planning. Now we ’ re moving into the doing – with more certainty about how we get there.

The next few months are critical Between now and September, councils and central government will be working together to agree how projects will be sequenced, funded and delivered

Not everything can happen at once. There will be natural prioritisation – and usually that starts with roading, because that’s what unlocks housing and growth.

That’s what we ’ re now focused on – turning long talked about priorities into reality

Regional leaders who signed the deal: Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer, Bay of Plenty Regional Council chair Matemoana McDonald and Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale. Photo / Bijou Johnson

Every couple wants their wedding to feel memorable and distinct

Without venturing into themed events, there are many elegant ways to add personality and create a celebration that truly reflects you as a couple

While many weddings take place in the afternoon with an evening reception,

consider a morning ceremony followed by a relaxed lunchtime celebration

Picture guests enjoying coastal views and a gentle sea breeze Conversely, a late winter wedding can feel magical with an abundance of fairy lights and tall white candles creating a warm, intimate atmosphere

For casual weddings, food trucks and drinks vans offer a fun and social dining experience

A wedding with a difference

hared platters, grazing boards, BBQs, themed food stations are also excellent ptions Most caterers can advise on creative enus to suit your style

Beyond traditional venues, consider beaches, riversides, private gardens, woolsheds, bush settings, mountain tops, or destination locations

Your wedding dress doesn’t have to be white, embrace colour and make a bold statement

Handmade signage, décor, arches, place settings, and favours add a personalised, distinctive touch Photo booths, signature cocktails, cheese wheel cakes, mobile bars, fur baby involvement, blankets for cooler evenings, or even hay bale seating can enhance the atmosphere

Your imagination is the only limit enjoy creating a wedding that is uniquely yours

Celebrate every moment at The Village

For couples seeking a seamless wedding celebration in one stunning setting, The Historic Village offers everything you need in a single location

“Get ready on-site, exchange vows, nd capture beautiful photos around the ounds while guests enjoy lawn games, before moving effortlessly into your reception,” said the village’s venues business development specialist Angela Heyward. “Ceremony options cater to a range of styles and preferences. Choose the charming Village Chapel with traditional wooden pews to seat 50, the outdoor Village Amphitheatre set amongst native bush, or the Village Cinema for a unique indoor ceremony experience.”

Reception spaces are equally impressive, Heyward said. “The Balcony Room features a stylish bar, dedicated dance floor and wraparound balcony, while the grand Village Hall with soaring ceilings and white timberpanelled walls opens directly onto the garden.”

“Food and beverage options are flexible and designed to suit your vision, from elegant canapés and generous platters to a full buffet menu, ” Heyward said “Vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free options are available, with specialty menus discussed on a case-by-case basis. The fully

licensed venue offers both cash and charge bar options ”

Whether you ’ re planning an intimate gathering or a celebration of up to 120 guests, The Historic Village offers a wedding experience that feels effortless from beginning to end

The charming Village Chapel is great destination for weddings.

Photo / Salina Galvan Photography

Kem Ormond

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Seasonal blooms in the Bay

Now in its sixth year, The Floral Hub

Tauranga is the Bay’s only seasonal wholesale flower market, operating from spring to autumn.

Selling flowers to both florists and the public, The Hub is a collective of about 12 local growers who all share a love of flowers and flower farming.

Brimming with a wide range of seasonal cut flowers and other special and hardto-find flowers, The Floral Hub offers beautiful blooms to the market at competitive prices, with everything grown locally in the Bay of Plenty. The Floral Hub also supplies bulk flowers for DIY weddings and special events

The Hub is just a short walk from Tauranga’s CBD, in the grounds of the Holy Trinity Church in Devonport Rd, and is open to the public on Thursday mornings from 8am to 9.30am from lateOctober to April. To pre-order flowers for DIY weddings and special events, email: thefloralhubtauranga@gmail.com

Sustainable wedding with zero waste

produce reduces environmental impact and supports the community Careful planning can minimise food waste, with leftovers donated, composted, or reused where appropriate.

Zero-waste

Bouquets may include dried flowers for longevity or garden-grown arrangements for sentimental value, with fresh blooms

later preserved. Desserts, including wedding cakes, can accommodate dietary needs through individual servings. Eco-friendly favours such as herbs, seedlings, candles, or local honey provide thoughtful gifts. Ultimately, a zero-waste wedding demonstrates that sustainability and sophistication can coexist, creating a celebration that is meaningful for both the couple and the environment.

Kem Ormond

JewelleryByDesignNZisanindependent Christchurchjewellerystudiospecialising inbespokeengagementrings,wedding bands,andraregemstonepieces CharlieLattimoredesignseachpiece aroundexceptionalgemstones particularlysapphiresandunusual colouredstones ratherthanrelyingon stocksettings Theresultisjewellerythat feelspersonal,distinctive,andenduring Fromengagementringsand weddingbandstoone-of-a-kindgemstone designs,everypieceiscraftedtocelebrate life’smostmeaningfulmilestones

Donate to warm others

With winter approaching, the Bay of Plenty community is being asked to donate heaters, blankets and funds to help warm the homes of fellow residents.

Tauranga-based altruistic organisation Sustainability Options is running its 20 Degrees winter donation drive to keep whānau warm, dry, and healthy as cooler weather sets in.

Sustainability Options co-founder Nik Gregg said an estimated 27,000 people in the Bay of Plenty region are living in poor housing conditions – and more than 28,000 children nationwide are hospitalised each year with illnesses linked to cold, damp homes.

Gregg said the number of respiratory related illnesses started to increase dramatically as temperatures dropped “A simple heater and good bedding can make a huge difference ”

The 20 Degrees initiative was developed after years of Sustainability Options working alongside whānau and seeing firsthand the impact cold and damp housing had on health.

The programme provides free home assessments, practical education, minor repairs, and connects families to support.

Gregg said 20 Degrees had supported 2533 whānau across the Bay of Plenty, delivering

more than 12,000 home improvements

The World Health Organisation recommends indoor temperatures of at least 20C for young children, older adults, and vulnerable people.

However, many homes sit well below this, contributing to respiratory illness, asthma, pneumonia and rheumatic fever, Greg said “With good heaters and lots of blankets, we can help – when a home is warm, when our kids are warm, we see a significant drop in hospital visits.”

People can drop off plug-in electric heaters (no unflued gas), clean woollen blankets and duvets at 59 Seventh Ave, Tauranga City from Monday to Thursday

Online donations of funds can be made at: https://givealittle co nz/cause/20-degrees-1

Sustainability Options also encouraged residents to support local initiatives by donating clean curtains to Tauranga Curtain Bank.

Curtain donations can be dropped at Red Cross Western Bay of Plenty Service Centre at 245 Chadwick Rd, the Greerton Red Cross Shop or Mount Maunganui Red Cross Shop

Donations of preloved children’s clothing can be made to the Clothing Project, which ensures Eastern Bay of Plenty kids have access to suitable clothing from newborns to age 12 Find out more at: www theclothingproject co nz

Tauriko togetMitre 10tradecentre

A new Mitre 10 trade and distribution centre worth $6.8 million has been approved for the growing Tauriko Business Estate.

Tauranga City Council’s latest building consents report says the build at 1 Ihakara Place will include a new warehouse and offices built across three lots.

HEATPUMPS& AIRCONDITIONING

Juted Holdings, which owns and operates Tauranga Mitre 10 Mega, partnered with commercial construction company Tuatara Structures to design and build the centre. Tuatara Structures and Juted Holdings Ltd declined to comment.

Tuatara Structures said in a Facebook post from September that the “purpose-built facility” would support stores in Waihī, Tauranga and Rotorua.

It would be a “central hub for trade supplies and distribution” across the Bay of Plenty

The building would be 4120sq m, the post said, comprising This included 3030sq m of premium warehouse storage, 815sq m across two breezeway canopies, 45sq m of canopy and 230sq m of office space.

Tauranga City Council head of environmental planning Alex Miller said developments like Mitre 10 were a part of Tauriko Business Estate’s wider plan

The development would provide jobs and support Tauranga’s growing population and the regional economy, he said.

The council had approved 19 building consents within the Tauriko Business Estate in the past four months, to a total value of $13,433,912 Miller said the council had also approved four resource consent applications in the estate, including one variation to an existing resource consent.

Caitlin Ogilvy welcomes donations of clean woollen blankets and duvets and plug-in electric heaters to the Sustainability Options base at 59 Seventh Ave. Photo / Kelly OHara

Q Quallity, relliabble paiinting and decorating in the Bay

If you are looking for a painting company that is committed to quality workmanship while providing professional service and competitive pricing throughout the Bay of Plenty region, then 2M’s Painting and Decorating is the team to call

“Interior, exterio d l commercial, refur fences – even kitc concrete, we pain owner-operator M O’Halloran.

If your kitchen is beginning to look dated, why not refr the space with a ne coat of paint and professionally finished kitchen cupboards? Experienced with projects of all sizes, the team also offers

expert wallpapering services.

“We are always available to discuss your requirements and provide a free, no-obligation quote, ” O’Halloran said.

“In fact, if you are considering having your home painted before Christmas, now is the ideal time to secure your booking.”

As trade-certified painters and decorators with more than 18 years of industry experience in the Bay, they have established a strong reputation for tsmanship, vice.

New rules restricting lead plumbing products will ensure new homes and buildings are fitted with modern parts that protect the quality of drinking water, said Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk

“International health advice shows that removing lead from plumbing products entirely is the most effective way to reduce the risk of exposure, ” Penk said.

From May 2 all pipes, fittings, valves and tapware that came into contact with drinking water must be lead-free for new

buildings or renovations. Tapware must also be resistant to dezincification to help maintain water quality over time

“That means designers and tradies will need to check that products specified in a building consent and those installed meet the updated requirements and confirm early with suppliers that compliant products are available, so they don’t get caught short,” Penk said

For further information, v isit: www taumataarowai.govt nz/learning-hub/waterproperties/plumbosolvency

Maree and Mark O’Halloran are owners of 2M’s Painting and Decorating Photos / Kelly OHara

Kem Ormond

2M’s Painting and Decorating owner Mark O’Halloran and worker Mark Isbill.

“Life is divided into three terms – that which was, that which is, and that which will be” –

William Wadsworth

Your life is always unfolding across three dimensions: the past, the present, and the future. The past holds lessons, not chains. Every mistake, disappointment, even success, can be an opportunity for growth or a hindrance to it.

The present is where your choices carry power The habits you form, the attitudes you nurture, and the decisions you make are what shape your future.

The future isn’t built in one dramatic moment; it’s formed through your acts of learning, of courage, and of intention. Use all those moments of growth, of encounters, to reflect realistically and logically on the past, to live intentionally in the present, and to move with hope toward the future Are there experiences in your life you need to learn from rather than continue regretting?

If you’d like to know more about strengthening relationships, exploring your potential and transformation in your life, phone Fast Track Coach, on 021 258 thefasttrackcoach.co.nz

Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand is urging Kiwis to take stroke seriously at every age this Stroke Awareness Month, with nearly f strokes by people 65. Kiwis experience y, making second leading in Aotearoa cause of adult urprisingly, okes are with high blood number one factor

Stroke Aotearoa chief executive Jo Lambert said many people wrongly believe stroke only affects the elderly “Stroke can happen to anyone, at any age, and we are seeing far too many New Zealanders in their 30s, 40s and 50s having their lives turned upside down,” Lambert said.

Preventable

“The encouraging thing is that many strokes are preventable. Managing high blood pressure and taking small steps towards healthier living can dramatically reduce your risk.”

High blood pressure can be caused by smoking, diets high in salt, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of

New Zealand Food Safety is asking people to pause and do a quick check before buying food through social media platforms to make sure it’s safe for them and their families

“We know shopping for food online through non-traditional avenues is becoming increasingly popular and that people enjoy the selection and convenience this provides,” said NZFS acting deputy director-general Jenny Bishop “It’s up to sellers to identify and manage all the risks associated with their products and that’s no different when it comes to food sold through social media.

“However, consumers can ’ t be expected to

Lambert said cost, access and awareness barriers meant that many people were not having their blood pressure checked regularly enough. “To combat this, we provide free community blood pressure and pulse checks across the motu We want to remove barriers and educate people to understand their risk before a stroke happens ” That’s why Stroke Awareness Month is so important, she said.

Take action early

“We need New Zealanders to understand the risks, know the signs and take action early”

Stroke Aotearoa encourages people to remember F.A.S.T – which stands for Face drooping, Arms weakness; Speech difficulty; Take action – call 111 immediately

“Recognising the signs quickly and acting fast can significantly reduce the severity and long-term impacts of stroke,” Lambert said Stroke Aotearoa is encouraging Kiwis to support its work this month. To donate or learn more, visit: donate.stroke.org.nz

know all the rules involved in selling food, especially for online sales where they can ’ t immediately interact with the seller

Before buying, NZFS advised people to:

Ask if the seller is registered under the Food Act if they need to be See if you can identify what’s in the food, including any allergens, how it’s prepared, and how it’s been stored. Check food is cleanly presented and consistently prepared. Confirm it will arrive at the right temperature.“You should be able to easily contact the seller to ask them these questions, and as always if the answer doesn’t feel right, do not buy it,” Bishop said.

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Father Jamie Summers was in the midst of raising a young family with his wife Sarah when he had a stroke at age 39. Photo / Supplied

Pāpāmoa Bowling Club rolls out new era

Pāpāmoa Bowling Club is rolling into a new era after completing a major upgrade at their Gordon Spratt Reserve site, replacing its old artificial surface with a brand-new playing green

The transformation, which took about three weeks to complete, has given the club a noticeably smoother and more modern playing surface – and members are already noticing the difference.

Club sponsor coordinator Fraser Gibson said the green was officially handed back to the club last week after the project, led by Tauranga

City Council and contractor

TigerTurf, was completed.

“We had no access for about three weeks. The whole area was fenced off,” he said.

“But we got back in last Thursday, and it’s magnificent to play on. It’s really good – the bowls just move so smoothly now ”

The upgrade marks a significant change for the club, which had previously been using an older synthetic surface with wear and uneven patches

“Just with the wear and tear, it had bumps and different spots where the bowls would wobble,”

Gibson said.

“But now it’s just beautiful – it’s smooth as a baby’s bum.”

T To keep members playing during the closurre, nearby clubs stepped in to help, with Tauranga and Te Puke providing space for roll-ups and tournaments

“People still got to play a little bit, but it was great to get back home,” Gibson said.

The Pāpāmoa Bowling Club, established in 1999, had grown into a busy community hub with about 90 playing members

and daily activity year-round.

President Ken Smythe said he only discovered bowls after retiring – and quickly became hooked.

“The week I retired I just went down to the club I’d never played before,” he said.

“It takes a couple of seasons to really pick up, but once you do, it’s fantastic.”

Smythe, in his first year as president, said the club caters to all skill levels and prides itself on welcoming newcomers “We’ve always had coaching People can come down on Thursday mornings and learn for free,” he said

The club runs roll-ups twice a week, hosts up to 15 external tournaments a year, and has a popular summer

corporate programme that attracts up to 300 participants Gibson said those corporate events had become a major part of the club’s identity, bringing in both income and new interest in the sport.

“Companies come in for Christmas functions or team days. We provide the bowls, coaching, and they just come down and have fun,” he said.

“People love it because it’s about sport and connection rather than just going out drinking.”

The club is now looking to the future, with plans underway to expand its clubrooms to accommodate its growing membership and community use

Smythe said the club had grown from about 50 to 80 members in the past few years, with demand continuing to rise

“Our clubroom is only about a 50-seater, and we ’ re standing room only at meetings now, ” he said.

“We’re looking at doubling the space so we can better support our members and community groups ”

The new green is expected to be officially showcased at upcoming tournaments, with members already settling back into regular play – this time on a surface they say feels like a major step forward. “It’s just a completely different look and feel,” Gibson said. “To us, it’s just magnificent.”

Pāpāmoa Bowling Club sponsor coordinator Fraser Gibson Photo / Kelly OHara

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

From left, images show ‘before’, ‘during’ and ‘after’ shots of the greens upgrade at Pāpāmoa Bowling Club.

Returning From The Dark

Today we return to the heavier side of Tauranga music. Last year I wrote about a black metal band who caused quite a stir in Tauranga 30 years ago But it wasn ’ t just an exercise in nostalgia.

The band is From The Dark and their one album, In The Last Days of The Sun, released on cassette in the mid-1990s, was discovered by Australian company Channel Sanctum, specialists in extreme metal, which reissued it worldwide on CD

Unreleased let loose In keeping with black metal lore the band wore stage make-up – think scary Kiss – and had pseudonyms. Thus Jason, Tane and Tony, friends since fifth form at Ōtūmoetai College, became Laguz, Belial and Stone. That re-issue sold out, but lurking in the wings was a previously-unreleased second album, recorded at Tauranga’s famous old Noise Factory with Shane Davies in 1999. Channel Sanctum has now let the band’s magnum opus, In The Night of Pan, loose on an unsuspecting world. In Tauranga the CDs are for sale at Record Roundabout. What does it sound like?

Remember someone saying, “Turn it down, that’s not

music”? This was probably what they meant. Fastbruisingly heavy guitar riffs supporting throat-shredding yelled vocals on five-minute musical epics, a dense overlaid sound complete with grand tempo changes, occasional keyboard moments and an operatic grandeur But mainly heavy guitars and a lot of screaming

If that’s the bag you ’ re into then I should also probably add a warning that this might offend Christian sensibilities

The story might still not be over One-third of the band – Laguz to be precise – is planning to assemble an outfit to belatedly play these tunes and to record new material. I’ll keep you updated.

Different ‘heavy’

Meanwhile, Hoick is a completely different kind of heavy This band has released a self-titled debut album

Previously, with a different bass player, they were Super Narco Man, before guitarist Joel Burgin and drummer Matt Gibson enlisted the help of Conrad Stephenson on bass. Engineered, produced and mixed by Evan Pope at the Mount’s

most excellent Studio 11b the album – available on vinyl – contains 13 short sharp modern punk attacks from the initial kick of Chargey Chargey to closing guitar workout Sewer Crab

What distinguishes the band, apart from a slew of good songs, is their musicianship If anyone still associates punk with scrappy playing then Burgin’s guitar will change that. In fact, there are more guitar solos here than you’d expect from a genre that once decried them. The whole band is

tight and precise. Hoick is on a nationwide tour and arrive in Tauranga on Saturday, May 30. They will play at Ōkahukura on Grey St in what looks like a killer night for fans of the alternative with a rare outing from Threat Meet Protocol as well as sets from Two Skinner and Stunt Clown, which also has a new album almost ready to go

Hear Winston’s Latest Playlist Scan the QR code or v sit

Plant a native tree to help grow urban canopy

Free Tree Day is back for a third year, helping Tauranga residents grow the city’s urban canopy by planting a free native tree at home. This year ’ s collection will take place at Mercury Baypark 8am-4pm on June 6 – a day after Arbor Day is celebrated in New Zealand. Households can register

to receive one free native tree to plant on their property

Tauranga City Council urban forester team lead Mark Armistead said there was a range of native trees to choose from “each offering benefits such as shade, improved air quality and habitat for birdlife”.

Residents wanting a free tree must book a collection time on June 6. More information and registration are available at: tauranga.govt.nz/freetreeday

Laguz. Photo / Dark Art Productions

Choir festival set to fill Tauranga with song

Tauranga is set to come alive next month with the sound of young voices as The Big Sing: Waikato-Bay of Plenty Regional Festival returns to the city

The festival at Holy Trinity Tauranga on June 11 will see about 27 choirs from 16 secondary schools gather for a day of inspiring performances, finishing with a public Gala Concert at 7pm.

The Big Sing involves more than 8000 students nationwide and attracts audiences of more than 10,000 each year

In Tauranga, the full-day programme will feature 13 choirs travelling from Rotorua, Hamilton, Morrinsville, and Cambridge, joining four local Tauranga groups.

New Zealand Choral

Performers

Federation events manager Emma Billings said the festival is about more than just music.

“Participation in The Big Sing gives young people the opportunity to share their voices on a professional stage, building confidence, teamwork and leadership skills that last well beyond the festival.”

She said it was a celebration of creativity and connection, “and the power of young voices coming together”.

About 630 students are expected to take part in the Tauranga event, with more than 500 community members anticipated to attend across the daytime sessions and evening concert.

The festival is known for its wide-ranging repertoire, with choirs presenting everything from classical works through to contemporary music, waiata

wanted forTe Puke’s first FestivalofCultures

Te Puke will come alive with colour, music, food and connection next month when the inaugural Te Puke Festival of Cultures brings the community together to celebrate its rich cultural diversity

The festival, on June 6, will feature cultural performances, international food and interactive workshops, with organisers calling for local groups, performers, artists and craftspeople to take part

Anyone with a cultural performance to share –including dance, music or storytelling – is encouraged to get involved, along with those wanting to run workshops teaching crafts or traditions, or showcase and sell handcrafted arts and crafts inspired by their heritage. Funded by the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund and Welcoming Communities Programme, the festival is being organised and run by EPIC Te Puke, COLAB, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Dale Snell, a passionate community member and Te Puke - Eastern Community Board chair

Western Bay of Plenty District Council general manager strategy and community Annika Lane said the event builds on the success of Katikati Festival of Cultures, which began in 2019 as a community-led initiative, and was last year named a finalist in the

and global traditions

Recent performances have featured Samoan, African, te reo Māori and gospel pieces

The event is supported through funding from the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund, a collaboration between Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, Tauranga City Council, TECT Community Trust and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

TECT Community Trust chief executive Wayne Werder said that events like The Big Sing highlighted the impact of community support for young people

“By providing opportunities for secondary school students to perform on a professional stage, we ’ re helping to nurture the next generation of creative talent and build a vibrant, connected community”

BayTrust chief executive

Alastair Rhodes said supporting events that brought people together remained a key priority for the trust.

“The Big Sing not only showcases the incredible talent of our young people, but also offers a memorable experience for the wider community to enjoy and be inspired by”

Participants at last year ’ s Katikati Festival of Cultures. Photo / Bad Panda Productions

Western Bay Community Awards

“Looking ahead, the Te Puke Festival of Cultures will become a biennial event, alternating with the Katikati celebration,” Lane said.

According to Census data, more than one in four people living in Te Puke were born overseas – and that’s not including seasonal workers.

Hence, the Te Puke Festival of Cultures is designed to recognise and celebrate this diversity, while strengthening community connections and belonging, Lane said

“The Te Puke area reflects a long history of migration and cultural growth, from Te Arawa as the original inhabitants, through waves of European and Asian settlement, to more recent arrivals from Polynesian, Melanesian, South American and Southeast Asian communities, as well as seasonal workers who play an important role in the region’s horticultural industry,” she said

“This festival is about showcasing the many cultures that make up our community and ensuring everyone feels valued, welcomed and part of Te Puke’s story ”

To find out more and to register for the event, visit: facebook.com/TePukeFestivalofCultures

NZME, 405 Cameron Rd

Pak ‘n Save, Cameron Rd, Tauranga

Tauranga Information Centre, 1 Devonport Rd

Tauranga Library, Goddards Arcade, 55 Devonport Rd

Tauranga Airport

Greerton Library

The Fresh Market, Gate Pa Shopping Centre

Merivale Dairy 5 Merivale Rd, Parkvale

SuperValue Supermarket, 83 Pyes Pa Rd, Pyes Pa

Four Square The Lakes 1 Caslani Lane, Pyes Pa Four Square, Welcome Bay Palmers Welcome Bay, 1 Ohauiti Road

Harties Liquor Store, 198 Maungatapu Road

Paper Plus, 130 Maunganui Rd

New World, Cnr Maunganui Rd & Tweed St

Mount RSA, 544 Maunganui Rd

Tickets to The Big Sing: Waikato-Bay of Plenty Regional Festival in Tauranga at Holy Trinity Church on June 11 from 9.45am to 2pm, and the 7pm gala concert, go on sale late-May at: https://nzcf.org.nz/events/ nzcf-events/big-sing/ticketing

Bayfair Shopping Centre information desk

FreshChoice Papamoa, 20 Coast Boulevard, Papamoa Papamoa Plaza

Four Square Papamoa, 4 Golden Sands Dr Countdown Bureta, Otumoetai Four Square Cherrywood, Otumoetai

Brookfield Food Mart, 75 Bellevue Rd

Matua Dairy, 97 Levers Rd, Matua Patrick’s Pies, 19 Bethlehem Rd, Bethlehem

Four Square Bethlehem, 233A SH2, Bethlehem

Décor Gardenworld, 165 Moffat Rd, Bethlehem

FreshChoice Omokoroa, 160 Omokoroa Rd, Omokoroa

Katikati Information Centre, 36 Main Road, Katikati Katikati Woolworths

Te Puke 4 Square & Woolworths

Bethlehem College students at a past Big Sing.

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Churches Active In Our Community

As the cluster of stars known as Matariki rises in the winter sky, many of us feel the pull of a new beginning.

Unlike loud celebrations of the calendar New Year, this season invites reflection, a standing at the edge of what has been and what might yet be It is a time of thresholds.

Thresholds are rarely comfortable They hold both grief and possibility We carry memories, losses and lessons, while sensing that something new is asking to emerge

Dr Hinemoa Elder writes, “He iti te kupu, he nui te kōrero (a few words can

hold many meanings)”. Matariki is like that: simple, yet deeply layered.

This is a time to honour what we have come through, to give thanks for what has sustained us, and to consider what we want to nurture next.

Not everything needs to come with clarity Remember that some beginnings are small and unseen, like seeds beneath winter soil.

Perhaps the invitation this year is not to rush forward, but to step with intention.

To notice what we release, what we carry, and what we are ready to begin.

Youth and conservation collaboration

A collaboration in the Western Bay of Plenty is bringing together environmental restoration work and youth development

Outflow Trust and Recreate NZ are creating opportunities for young people to build skills in a range of practical conservation activities across local coastal and natural environments.

Young participants from Recreate’s Moxie Work Experience programme have been working alongside Outflow teams on environmental projects across the Western Bay of Plenty

Activities included beach clean-ups, dune restoration, weed removal, native planting, microplastic monitoring, and preparing native seedlings for future planting.

Outflow founder and CEO Ash Morgan said the charity was created to support both the environment and young people who may be struggling. “We wanted to bring both together to give purpose and restoration for everyone involved.”

Now in its third year, Outflow had expanded beyond conservation work to include mentoring, workplace preparation and support with CV writing and job readiness.

Morgan said his own experiences shaped the direction of the organisation.

“The environment was my healing,” he said.

“I wanted to create something that could help others, too ”

Recreate Bay of Plenty programme coordinator Adam Barrett said the programme gave participants valuable real-world experience.

“It’s mostly conservation work with Outflow, but there’s also a big social aspect, ” Barrett said. “Getting out, connecting with people and contributing to the community is really meaningful.”

Volunteer Earl Fisher said the programme had helped him better understand environmental issues.

“We got to learn about the beach environment and how to remove rubbish and weeds,” Fisher said.

New participant Alice Sampson said she enjoyed learning more about conservation work and helping the environment. “I’m hoping to help the environment more and learn different things.”

Both organisations hoped the partnership would encourage more youth to get involved in community volunteering and environmental restoration.

If you feel inspired to volunteer or your group needs support, Volunteering Services can help Visit: wwwvolunteeringservices org nz or call (07) 987 0920

As the stars return, so too does the reminder:

starts in the dark

Moxie

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