The Weekend Sun 5 December

5 December 2014, Issue 729

The Bay’s largest circulating, most read newspaper.

64,980 copies

to the homes of 159,700 residents throughout TAURANGA, MOUNT MAUNGANUI, PAPAMOA, WAIHI BEACH, KAIMAI, KATIKATI, TE PUKE, PAENGAROA, OTAMARAKAU and all RDs

Defending the empire The lemon squeezer hats, the epaulets and chevrons will be back on the streets of Katikati for Saturday’s Christmas Parade as they have been for decades.

But just what is the Legion of Frontiersmen, what do they stand for and what’s the attraction for people like 21-year-old sergeant Florrie Baker?

Learn more about the Legion of Frontiersmen on page 9. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

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The Weekend Sun

The Weekend Sun is published every Friday, circulating throughout the Western Bay of Plenty, delivered free to 64,980 homes of more than 159,700 residents from Waihi Beach, through Katikati, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke including rural and residential mailboxes.

The Weekend Sun is produced by Sun Media Ltd, an independent and locally owned company based at 1 The Strand, Tauranga.

Sun Media Ltd Directors: Claire & Brian Rogers Editorial: Andrew Campbell, Hamish Carter, Letitia Atkinson, Dan Sheridan, Elaine Fisher, Zoe Hunter, Luke Balvert, Merle Foster, David Tauranga Photography: Tracy Hardy, Bruce Barnard. Advertising: Kathy Sellars, Suzy King, Lois Natta, Rose Hodges, Aimee-Leigh Brunsdon, Tasha Paull, Lucy Pattison, Bianca Lawton, Nikki Lean, Cath Jump, The Stig. Design Studio: Kym Johnson, James Carrigan, Sarah Adamson, Kerri Wheeler, Kyra Duffy, Amy Bennie. Digital Media: Lauren McGillivray, Jay Burston Office: Julie Commerer, Melanie Stone, Kathy Drake.

What we’ve learnt this week, part two It seems you all have learnt a lot in the last week.

We’ve learnt that finally petrol prices are edging down, close to the $2 a litre mark for the first time in two-and-a-half years.

We’ve learnt that it may pay to shop around; readers report a lot of difference such as eight cents/ litre between a couple of local stations on the same street.

We’ve learnt that sirens on Tuesday night might not be a bad thing; emergency services are backing the Sallies foodbank, with a drive to collect food on December 9.

Police area commander Clifford Paxton tells us donations for the Salvation Army Foodbank can also be dropped at police stations in Katikati, Tauranga, Tauranga South, Mount, Papamoa and Te Puke, up till December 10.

Rain frustration

Ruth Jack reckons that after feeling very frustrated with hearing time after time “It’s going to rain” only to find it doesn’t, she got up at 5.45am in her nightie with the hose and gave the garden a good watering. “By 6.30am I wondered ‘why am I wet?’”

“YES it was drizzling and did so off and on for the next few hours. Next time I’m going out in bathing suit and staying there so the garden can get a good soaking!”

You drive what?

Rob Gordon was going to work early Friday when he saw a red car with its bonnet blazing furiously at the new Papamoa overbridge. BUT he says he was wrong, according to the Australian-owned paper, page 3 ‘Briefly’ column, it wasn’t a car, it was a “mobile property”.

Finding the positive

Marj: “I have learned this week that finding and seeing credit in others is positive and therefore self-fulfilling. That finding and believing criticism becomes defaming and destroying of oneself.

Criticism is a negative, self-destructive force, for which it can be difficult – even impossible to find a remedy.

Criticism of others is like a psychological

cancer which grows and destroys its own body.

Let’s be positive. The power of the mind has huge strength.

Let’s discard criticism and search for creditable instances and characteristics for a happier NZ – both politically and humanely.”

Moral re-education

As if ukuleles weren’t a hazard in their own right, now they’re in the hands of miscreants.

Brent Clough, our Sydney correspondent, reports punk is not dead, they’ve just taken up ukuleles.

Brent points to a link on radio national to Indonesia’s thriving underground punk scene.

The website reports: “In 2011, the government of Aceh, the only province of Indonesia that practices Sharia law, declared punk “the new social disease.”

Sixty-four punks were arrested, held without charge, and were forced to attend a 10-day moral re-education camp.

can come in all shapes and sizes. She brought in a couple of weird ones to the Sun office this week. One of her 12 chooks at Bethlehem regularly lays a wrinkly shelled egg.

Normal size, normal taste, but very thin and brittle. The other was a small egg, weighing just eight grams, only two grams heavier than the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ and 2mm larger than the smallest recorded. (Pictured below, Alison’s eggs)

Going overboard

Tracy Hardy: In regard to the 84-yearold guy falling off the cruise ship. In total 239 people have been lost overboard on cruise ships since 2000, according to the cruisejunkie.com website.

The website states 16 of those cases were from Princess ships. This year, 19 people were lost overboard, two from Princess ships. What are these people doing?

How many were playing scenes from the ‘Titanic’ movie?

Eating healthy

Rocky Shaw tell us he’s learnt ‘Five plus a day’ does not include hops or fermented beverages. Apparently we need to keep up the 5+ A Day eating habits through Christmas, when it’s easy to get sidetracked with other goodies.

We’ve learnt that we’ll be happier and healthier with a good nosh of fresh season summer produce.

Weird Chicken Department

Tim Simcock: 1. Eggs don’t bounce.

2. There are no slow learners, only quick forgetters.

Alison Verran has learnt that hen’s eggs

Poultry strikes back

Emma Norgrove would like us to learn better food safety. She says one-quarter of the nation will fall sick during the year due to poor food preparation, many of those through summer.

And raw meat, especially chicken are the main culprits. She’s urging cooks to aim for a stress-free Christmas, by following some simple guidelines: Clean, chill, cook and separate.

After you’ve eaten your dangerous chicken, avoid being caught out, as Colin Smith did. He learnt this: “Don't turn on your electric tooth brush until it's in your mouth, especially when wearing a black shirt!”

Parting shot

The last word, from Ben Rogers, who learnt a Neat Nature Fact. “If we took every elephant in the world and laid them end to end into space… did you know that all the elephants would die?” brian@thesun.co.nz

IMPORTANT STUFF: All material is copyright and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Sun Media makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information and accepts no liability for errors or omissions or the subsequent use of information published. Strawberries, blueberries, asparagus, stonefruit, tomatoes and other seasonal produce contain a variety of minerals and vitamins that are important for good health. Apricots are a good source of vitamin A equivalent, which is important for growth and development and good vision. Apricots, nectarines and blueberries all contain dietary fibre which aids digestion. Strawberries, peaches and tomatoes are good sources of vitamin C, which not only helps the body to absorb iron, it also contributes to a healthy immune system, helps fight fatigue and supports healthy skin.

3

The Weekend Sun

Battle of the booze Cosmetic Medicine BOP Brewery Limited director Glen Meikle and Western Bay of Plenty Police alcohol harm reduction co-ordinator Sergeant Nigel McGlone have conflicting ideas on having alcohol at Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park.

The future of an alcoholic version of Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park is up in the air with organisers and police at loggerheads over its necessity at such family friendly events.

This week the two parties voiced their opinion before the District Licensing Committee about an on-site special licence ahead of the December 20 event at Blake Park.

It’s the vision of event organiser Rachelle Duffy and BOP Brewery Limited director Glen Meikle to continue providing local craft beer and wine at the event for the third year running.

Since 2012, the event has held a liquor licence for a separate bar area – both at the vacant site next to Zespri International then at Blake Park. During this time the event has grown in popularity, from 3000 event-goers to 25,000.

But Western Bay of Plenty Police alcohol harm reduction co-ordinator Sergeant Nigel McGlone

says police are opposed to alcohol at this year’s event, believing the majority who attend the event are under 18.

The ever-increasing size of the bar area, one-third of the proposed site, is also a concern for police when so much is heard about the damage alcohol does to the community.

“Why should it [alcohol] be anywhere at an event like that when there are so many under-age people and it’s family friendly?” asks Nigel.

“Why expose people to something that they don’t have to be?”

Glen concedes the jump in crowd numbers meant the bar area became overcrowded last year, not helped by 90 per cent of food stalls inside the designated area.

Organisers have since responded by increasing the size of the venue and the area where liquor can be served, and shifting 16 food stalls out of the bar area.

With up to 2000 people in the

designated area at any one time there will be four duty managers on the bar and up to 20 certified security guards.

Glen says meetings with police prior to this week’s hearing saw them agree to reducing the bar’s opening hours by one hour – open from 5pm-8pm.

Glen and Rachelle both say there’s no push for heavy intoxication at the event with event-goers tending to enjoy a drink with dinner or while enjoying the acoustic music.

Glen says even with last year’s crowd of 25,000, he only sold six kegs of beer, the equivalent of one drink for every 20 adults.

“We have always had a separate bar area which was undesignated, which means anyone could go into it, but if you didn’t want to then, hey, you didn’t have to.”

The committee will deliver its decision early next week.

By Luke Balvert

4 A selection of some local breaking stories featured this week on...

The only local daily news source you need, constantly updated, seven days a week

www.sunlive.co.nz News tips ph

0800 SUNLIVE

Farmers brace for price drop

Bay of Plenty dairy farmers are bracing themselves for what could be a further fall in Fonterra’s payout, following a drop in the latest Global Dairy Trade auction prices.

Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers’ dairy chairperson Steve Bailey says the 1.1 per cent drop is “not ideal” and farmers will be hoping Fonterra doesn’t decrease this month’s payout forecast.

“Farmers are realists and know the writing is on the wall as other dairy companies have already dropped their forecasts,” says Steve, who farms at Te Puke.

Christmas arrives early

Clarke St in Gate Pa is abuzz with early Christmas cheer as 20 residents move from dated and inaccessible accommodation into brand new functional homes.

Classic Builders has recently finished developing 14 purpose-built units – eight onebedroomed and six two-bedroomed units – for people of mixed ages and abilities.

The development is a Tauranga Community Housing Trust project, which received a $1.7million cash injection from the Government last year to help develop an age-friendly affordable housing village.

The Weekend Sun

Help of hospice Barbara Bekx has simple needs. She would like a “nice hanky” for Christmas – but when pressed she decides she’d also like peace, world peace.

The team – Waipuna client Barbara Bekx with volunteer Dianne King.

The hanky is very manageable but “peace” will be more difficult. And it might just have to wait for negotiation with her God, when He calls this Christian woman home sometime soon.

You wouldn’t pick it. But this full-ish aunty figure with enough smile for two people and an industrial strength sense of humour is terminally ill – and she’s at ease with it.

“I love Christmas but this will be my last,” she declares.

And in the sunny day room at Waipuna Hospice discussion about

recurring cancerous hotpots and mortality mingles with uproarious laughter and delightful humility.

“I couldn’t have chemotherapy because of my dicky heart, so they put me out to pasture,” says Barbara.

She throws her head back and bellows with laughter at her own joke.

The dayroom laughs with her.

“I am at peace with myself and have no fear of death.”

This is an entirely different encounter with cancer for Dianne King – Barbara’s Waipuna Hospice volunteer sidekick.

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Cancer centre opens

The doors to one of Tauranga’s most technically accomplished buildings opened on Wednesday.

The $34 million Kathleen Kilgour Centre is a complex cancer treatment facility housing stateof-the-art medical equipment and a range of holistic and environmentally sustainable design considerations.

The building will, for the first time, provide Bay of Plenty residents with a radiotherapy treatment facility in their own region – saving about 500-600 Bay of Plenty-based patients time-consuming trips over the Kaimai Ranges to Hamilton.

“When my husband got cancer 20 years ago I learned how hard it was to be with a dying person.

He was angry, didn’t think he should be dying and wouldn’t accept help.”

This time Barbara extends a comforting hand to Dianne – it’s her turn.

“I always had this thing inside about how it could have been had I had help. That’s why I’m a Waipuna volunteer.

“I needed to put things right and I had the empathy, the humour, the will and the time.”

Waipuna Hospice made a good connection here – Barbara and Dianne are more a couple of giggly good-time girls than client and carer.

“I love these people,” says Dianne. “I love this place,” says Barbara. Cue more laughter.

“It’s been a gift to be part of Waipuna. However, there will come a day, and it’s not far away, when it will be sad – but I won’t let anyone cry for me.”

Barbara and Dianne are a microcosm of the work done by the Waipuna Hospice.

But it’s work that needs an extra $48,000 a week to cope with increasing numbers of patients, and to continue providing services free to those in need. chief executive Richard Thurlow told the hospice’s recent annual meeting an increased fundraising target equating to $2.5 million had been set for 2015.

This year a total of $2.3m – about $44,400 per week – was raised to care for hospice patients, 76 per cent of whom have a primary diagnosis of cancer.

“Our number of patients is growing and forecast to grow in the years ahead,” says Richard. “Consequently our fundraising requirements grow each year too.”

The hospice depends on donations, grants, bequests, goods, services, and the skills and time of volunteers like Dianne. To donate, call 07 552 4380 or see http://waipuna-hospice.co.nz/

By Hunter Wells

Car hits school bus in Katikati

A man was treated by St John Paramedics after the car he was in rear-ended a school bus before crashing into a ditch in Katikati on Wednesday.

Police, firefighters and St John Paramedics were called to the crash on KauriHOT Point Rd at about PROPERTY 3.20pm.

HOT PROPERTY “No one on the bus was injured,” said a close by, top development potential HOT PROPERTY City boundary City close by, top development reporter at the scene. “ThereFour was boundary no visible large plastic skinned hot houses withpotential Mount views City boundary close by, top development potential damage to the bus but the car sustained signifi Four large plastic skinned hot houses with views Total land area 9064m² with speciman and Mount fruit trees Four large plastic skinned hot houses with Mount views cant damage.”

Total land area 9064m² with speciman and fruit trees Comfortable three bed family home Total land area 9064m² family with speciman and fruit trees Comfortable three Big living areas thatbed flow onto home expansive deck Comfortable three bed family home Big living areas that flow ontoincluded expansive deck Several sheds and equipment Another man has been charged in relation Big living areasto that flow onto expansive deck Several sheds and equipment included the stabbing of a man in Ohauiti last weekend.

Great potential to own a top work from home business Several sheds and equipment included Great potential to own a top work from home business Name suppression was granted for thefor 37-yearExtra land futher enterprise or expansion Great potential to own a top work from home business old Mount Maunganui man Extra whenland he appeared for futher enterprise or expansion Extra landcharged for futher enterprise or expansion in Tauranga District Court this week,

Second arrest in stabbing case

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ID: TAR2737203 with wounding with intentwww.pggwre.co.nz to cause grievous www.pggwre.co.nz ID: TAR2737203 bodily harm. www.pggwre.co.nz ID: TAR2737203 Police arrested the alleged offender on Tuesday.

The man is jointly charged with a 36-year-old Arataki man who appeared in court on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old man was arrested yesterday afternoon as police continue to investigate the stabbing of a man in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is advising motorists to expect short delays when travelling on State Highway 36 between Tauranga and Rotorua in December.

Contractors will be working on a 300 metre stretch of highway between Taumata Rd (south) and Mangatoi Rd, from December 1-8.

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They want cheaper buses, want more user-friendly buses and more of them.

And if Tauranga City transport bosses agree, then life for some disadvantaged Bay of Plenty people will be a whole lot easier.

Jodie Turner of People First NZ Incorporated – an organisation which assists the disabled – says many of her group’s members are heavily dependent on buses.

“We’d use the buses more often if they were cheaper and if we could get on and off more easily.”

And on Sundays: “Buses on the half-hour instead of every hour – that would be of enormous assistance,” says Jodie.

5

The Weekend Sun

for Te Puna home attack

Above: Jack Ake, Derek Drewry and Jasmine Borrell in Tauranga District Court.

“Unjustified vigilante action” is the term Judge Christopher Harding used this week to describe an attack on a Te Puna family when he sentenced three people.

Jack Simon Ake, Derek Michael Drewry and Jasmine Borrell were all sent to prison for their role in the attack on the Duncan family.

Ake has been sentenced to four years and nine months wounding with intent to injure and three years for assault with a weapon, while Drewry and Borell have been sentenced to six months on assault charges.

All three have been ordered to pay $6521 reparation. They are each to pay $25 weekly towards the total amount.

Borrell, Ake and Drewry were part of a group of about 20 people who descended on the family’s property on Te Puna Rd in an assault which is

described as a “horrific attack”.

Earlier in the night, Borrell and Drewry had arrived at the property asking about a person who was not there.

A fight broke out and the pair left before returning about 15 minutes later with a larger group.

In court on Wednesday, Linley Duncan told the court how she had suffered since the attack, having constant nightmares, flashbacks and anxiety since the attack on November 23, 2012.

In her victim impact statement, Linley recalled the night her family were assaulted and retold how she spent the night tending to the injured, stemming blood, icing injuries and trying to keep everyone, including herself, calm.

“I was saddened to see the man I love covered in blood and in pain, and as the months went on to see him black and blue was a reminder of that night,” she said in her statement.

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Jeanene Avison really gets into the Christmas spirit each December.

Photo by Bruce Barnard.

If you hear the jingle bells rocking and the silver bells ringing at Bethlehem Paper Plus this December – it’s Jeanene Avison.

Tis her season to be jolly as she dresses up in Christmas-themed costumes every Tuesday-Saturday until the eve of the big day.

The charming woman, in her 60s, has been doing this every year since the store opened almost seven years ago.

Manager Sue Hedge says it’s become a bit of a tradition at the store.

“She jingles and bells across the shop and the customers just love her.”

Donning a different outfit every shift, Jeanene calls herself the green and red Christmas girl of the shop.

“I do it to liven up the elderly people and children here – and also the mean-

ing of Christmas for some people who have got no Christmas.

“I do it just to see them smile. That’s the main thing.”

Jeanene’s costumes can vary from an elf to an angel – but are mainly green and red, she says.

“I make four new ones every year so they’re unique. People come in to see what different costumes I’m wearing.”

Jeanene starts early December with a few bells and whistles – and finishes looking like a fully-decorated Christmas tree by the end of the month.

“I’m a woman in her 60s, but a child at heart,” she giggles.

By Zoe Hunter

7

The Weekend Sun

The Jennian Homes New Zealand Aquathlon Championships at Pilot Bay tomorrow, as is the Sovereign Tri Tinman event. Photo by ScottyT Photographer.

Athletes try it out One of New Zealand’s most iconic triathlon events is attracting athletes, from sporting heroes to beginners, to Mount Maunganui this Sunday.

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By Zoe Hunter

up to

The Sovereign Tri Series begins on December 7 with the Sovereign Tri Tinman at Pilot Bay, with Silver Fern netballer Laura Langman trying triathlon for the first time.

The main event at invites athletes to complete a 1500m swim, 36km bike and 10km run, with shorter courses for the less advanced.

Despite establishing herself as one of the world’s premier players on the netball court, Laura, aged 28, admits she’s unsure how the triathlon will play out.

“This is my triathlon debut. Sometimes I think I don’t know myself that well so I’m not sure how I’ll react once the race starts.”

There’s also the inaugural Sovereign CEO Chal-

lenge, where CEOs are challenged to encourage employees to take part with $25,000 up for grabs to be donated to a chosen charity. The Sovereign Tinman starts 8am at Pilot Bay on December 7.

This weekend also features the Jennian Homes New Zealand Aquathlon Championships at Pilot Bay tomorrow.

From 8.15am, participants will complete a 1km swim in Pilot Bay and 5km run around Mauao. A shorter course is available for children and teenagers aged 11-15.

Event organiser Sheryl McLay is expecting this year’s event to be bigger than 2013, with more than 150 entries so far.

Sheryl says the aquathlon is a good opportunity for younger athletes to get a taster of the sport.

“We’ve got about 35 in the age 11-15 course. We do tend to get the best of the age groupers.”

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The Weekend Sun

Self-imposed containment What’s good for prison inmates is also perfectly good for Tessa of Tauranga.

There were cries of ‘inhumanity’ when the Government started double-bunking old shipping containers to relieve the pressure of a record prison muster.

However, an egalitarian Tessa lives in a shipping container by choice.

“I have no power bills, no water bills.”

And, throw in an idyllic and yawning valley vista on the fringe of the city.

When she advertised for somewhere to put down her container Tessa got six offers. “It restored my faith in humanity.”

She chose an art retreat because she’s “an arty kind of person”.

“It’s like a dream come true really.”

It costs the Kiwi taxpayer $140,000 for a double bunked container cell – there are two cells in each container. It cost Tessa considerably less, although it’s a

work in progress.“I bought the container for $2000 and spent about $10,000 all up for the finished conversion.”

And if she was to write an advertisement for a realty magazine she could boast a completely self-contained 14.4 square metre minimalist dwelling with all the mod cons.

“There’s a little lean-to outhouse with a composting toilet and a gas califont for hot water and an indoor shower. The little compartment at one end is a walk-through wardrobe.

Two solar panels power two huge batteries, which in turn power the necessities – the fridge, the laptop, music appliances and the electric toothbrush.

“And I’ve got rainwater collection off the roof into two tanks of nearly 3000 litres.”

So she’s got everything she needs except for official consent, but as there’s no discharge of anything noxious to land – and no connected utilities – she considers it the same as ‘glamping’ on private

Tessa, at home in her shipping container. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

property.

“Sometimes it’s easier to ask forgiveness than seek permission.”

There are disadvantages of living in a shipping container.

“My kids think I’m nuts and I have to move out during winter’s coldest month because my heating system is inefficient.”

But if she was really dedicated to the “survival thing” Tessa says she would work it out.

Now Tessa is proselytising the “tiny homes thing” – a global phenomenon caused by housing unaffordability – and she holds workshops on how to convert

shipping containers. “People either think ‘wow’ I’ve always wanted to do that, or they can’t understand how you can exist in a 20 foot metal box.”

But her partner, another minimalist who lives in a tiny cottage, loves the shipping container because “it’s a complete reflection of her.”

And her granddaughter stops overnight every week – there’s no TV and lots of arty things to do.

The immediate satisfaction for Tessa is she can now travel overseas without paying rent for a house she’s not using. There’s another container conversion workshop at the Nashi Festival in February.

By Hunter Wells

Santa’s sewing helpers display for charity Margaret Mills, Pauline Williams, Jan Morgan and Lyn Smythe all share a passion for sewing. They regularly get together at Bridgewater Village and companionably practise their

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This year’s benefactor is Tauranga SPCA, receiving $300 worth of pet food.

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9

The Weekend Sun

Eyes and ears of the empire

Farewell for long-serving Jos Past, present and future pupils and parents of Pahoia School are invited to farewell one of their longest-serving teachers this Wednesday.

Jos Marsden is leaving the rural primary school at the end of this year – and everyone who knows her is invited to attend a farewell morning tea at 10.30am in the school hall on December 10.

Jos has been teaching at the Esdaile Rd school for 37 years. People who can’t make it are invited to send in their farewell messages to the school office.

On duty – Legion of Frontiersman Barry Coker. Photo by Hunter Wells.

Cover story

“God Guard Thee” – it’s a lofty sentiment on the crest of Barry Coker’s hat badge.

But he doesn’t need divine assistance today. There are just three horse floats in the back carpark at the Tauranga racecourse where he’s “on duty” – and the threat levels would be low.

“I am here because that is what we do.”

‘We’ is the Legion of Frontiersmen – a paramilitary group, a fiercely patriotic bunch of adventurers and fighters who came together to protect the empire when war clouds were gathering in 1905.

One century later, the task has changed but the ideal and spirit of the Legion lives on.

“Now we’re happy helping people have a better day,” says Barry Coker, Frontiersman 3095.

And while it is a ‘better day’, the war clouds are gone, the empire has disintegrated and the Legion is

a shadow of itself.

But Barry, like all Frontiersmen, is staunch in the face of reality. “I will die a frontiersman.”

In the heady days the Legion could muster a 1000 men with a call to duty. Now there are just pockets of mostly ageing enthusiasts and memories.

“When young people discover we don’t get paid in the Legion, they’re not interested,” says Barry.

What you don’t get paid for are “duties”.

And for Barry ‘duty’ today is eight voluntary hours in the hot sun minding a near empty carpark.

He can hear the race call and gets a glimpse of the horses on their way to and from the birdcage.

Effectively race day passes him by – but more importantly for Barry, it passes without incident.

“The Legion has fulfilled its duty,” he says proudly.

And tomorrow ‘duty’ will be a full muster of J Troop at the Katikati Christmas Parade.

The town is a Legion stronghold – there’s about eight Frontiersmen here including Val Baker and her twin daughters, Florrie and Ali. The Legion is etched in them – Val’s father, the late Doug Baker, was the world’s longest-serving Frontiersmen when he died aged 80.

His Frontiersman spirit lives on in daughter and her daughters – and this town and will no doubt be ‘on duty’ tomorrow.

Back at the racetrack Barry’s in full uniform – he’s impeccable and would pass military inspection.

The trademark lemon squeezer hat with a glistening legion badge, the epaulets, hi-viz vest with the Legion chevron and name tag.

“It’s just having a presence at places,” says Barry. “Being uniformed helps people take direction and makes some of the unruly ones think twice.”

Then Frontiersmen 3095 turns back to the gate, back to duty, back to being the eyes and ears of the empire, back to helping people have a better day. By Hunter Wells

Listening to tomorrow’s leaders Last week I represented the Bay of Plenty Regional Council at a presentation in Wellington. It was the culmination of a four-day workshop and regional tour undertaken by 44 young people sponsored

by NZ Treasury, Wellington City Council and the McGuiness Institute.

The theme of the workshop was ‘Are the Goals of NZ Inc – central government – and regional nz –local and Regional

Government – the same? And if they are not, what do the differences look like?

The outcome was very thought-provoking. The message was the goals aren’t necessarily the same.

The participants reported central government had the power, identified an issue and implemented solutions without understanding local and regional Read this column in full on www.sunlive.co.nz situations vary.

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What’s in a picture?

“It’s not about me! – it’s about photographs, an exhibition and history,” Alf Rendell reminds us.

But actually it’s quite a bit about Alf. Because when his interactive photo exhibition ‘Alf Rendell – Historic Tauranga from above 1946-2006’ opened at Creative Tauranga this week he was on hand to add a personal live narrative to his black and white images – colouring in the detail from memory.

He’s a small man with a big persona and an even bigger reputation.

“My age is irrelevant,” he insists.

No it’s not – because Alf is 97 and he’s holding a public exhibition of his work when most men of his years are coddled in a retirement home with a blanket across their knees.

Again, Alf tries not to let this be about him and tosses a photo of The Strand on the table.

It features a spectacular bed of flowers. “The Strand looked better then, than it does now.”

The Weekend Sun Alf Rendell – Tauranga’s living history. Picture by Tracy Hardy

And that’s the point. He’s a living anthology of Tauranga – a living artefact – living history.

Alf is a cultural treasure asset but that escapes him.

“I am more concerned whether people will be the slightest bit interested in my photographs.”

Alf was born in the midst of a world war, survived a depression and another world war – he’s lived the historic moments captured on his folding 120 Zeiss Super Ikonta from the open rare cockpit of a Tiger Moth biplane.

“And I was shooting backwards.”

His recollection and commentary brings life and hidden meaning to pictures frozen in time.

His casual observations give them added dimension and he’s learned, lucid and fascinatingly entertaining about it.

“That’s the sand spit,” he says refocusing the discussion on the exhibition.

He’s pointing to a white promontory on another aerial.

“It’s Sulphur Point before it was reclaimed and became Sulphur Point – and the reclamation stretches right to the brink of the channel.”

That’s the story the picture doesn’t tell you.

How’s your health? I ask because his eyes are bright and his complexion is perfect – hardly a blemish or wrinkle to reflect the decades of wear.

“I am a bit silly in the head.” He is not.

“And there’s my house,” he declares producing another aerial. It’s a prime bit of realty on Harbour Drive and taken when there was just a smattering of houses.

It’s a photo of scattered rooftops, the birth of a suburb – but when Alf tells you he paid 1500 pounds for the section and the land value has increased 700 times, the photo becomes historically and economically significant.

Aside from photos and capital gains, Alf ’s elevated living room window frames Mauao and he watches every ship that slips through the gut.

“And what do you eat?” I ask, seeking

his elixir of life. “Snarlers and onions.”

Alf scans his photos and reels off names, dates and places with consummate ease, which is good for a man who claims he can’t remember a thing he said five minutes ago.

It’s an extraordinarily significant historical offering from this senior lens man – 40 odd images shot during 78 years. And it’s rich with stories about us, who we are and where we came from.

Alf looks at his watch, but he’s not contemplating a Poppa nap.

When many of his age are getting meals on wheels, this indefatigable nonagenarian is driving himself to lunch at the yacht club with his mates. “And yes I might have a glass of wine.”

And with apologies to Alf – the 97-year-old with the delicate shutter fingers has a vice-like handshake, which is another good thing in a man.

Alf’s photograph exhibition is at Creative Tauranga on Willow St until January 5.

For details, call 07 928 5270.

By Hunter Wells

Opportunity shop opens The St John Opportunity Shop is officially opening on Saturday. The celebration of the opening ceremony and dedication by the Chaplain, Reverend Jim Wallace of the Tauranga St John Opportunity Shop is on Saturday, December 6.

An afternoon tea will follow the dedication ceremony.

The Weekend Sun

11

Mum makes grades Tauranga mum Mauria Urwin dropped out of school after Year 11 to give birth to her baby boy at age 16.

You might be thinking tut-tut. Some of her peers did. But this young mum has a head on her shoulders.

The 19-year-old will be one of the hundreds of students donning a robe and cap for Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s graduation ceremonies on December 8-10.

Mauria’s completed a National Certificate in Hospitality after enrolling in the polytechnic’s Youth Guarantee Hospitality Programme in February.

She could be a qualified chef at the end of next year – and she has a message for other young mums out there: “Don’t listen to what other people say”.

“When you’re a young mum they say: ‘You’re not going to get anywhere’. But there really is help out there.

“You can finish school and tertiary study – you just have to have the willpower.”

Mauria finished Year 11 at Tauranga Girls’ College and didn’t go back to school after giving birth to her now three-year-old son in 2012.

Admitting she needed to get her “crap” together, Mauria enrolled in the School for Young Parents at BOP Polytechnic to gain the qualifications needed to finish NCEA. It turns out she’s pretty smart too, with Mauria named the top Te Reo Maori student for NCEA Level 3 at the time.

She admits hospitality was a back-up to her original plan of studying architectural design at Auckland University of Technology.

But that’s still on the cards. She’s just a bit pre-occupied with her hospitality career at the moment after being accepted into the Level 4 Diploma course in 2015.

Mauria loves to cook. There’s nothing in particular she likes to dish up, she just loves “everything about food”.

Her favourite part about the polytechnic’s hospitality programme is the chance to run her own restaurant and the excitement of catering for 68 people at the on-site Atrium Training Restaurant.

“I liked the adrenaline rush that you got from it. I loved it. It was Mauria Urwin with some focaccia everything I expected it to be.” she’s baked. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

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12

The Weekend Sun

Funding for future protection A row of 16 little blue penguins are offering a helping flipper out to the fledgling Mauao Area Wildlife Trust in the hope of raising funds for their species future protection.

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Mauao Area Wildlife Trust, a not-forprofit-organisation, continues its plight to monitoring and protecting the hundreds of penguins that live and breed on Mauao, Moturiki and Motuotau (Rabbit Island).

But with funds a necessity Tauranga artist Peter Crammond is helping out by donating his original sketch ‘The Sea’s That Way’, of the little blue penguins being released onto the Mauao beach after being rehabilitated during the Rena Oil spill disaster.

Installed last October at ‘Shark Alley’, the intricate Oamaru stone carving features 16 penguins being released back into the ocean from Mount Maunganui Main Beach honouring the more than 300 little blue penguins oiled in the spill in 2011.

Mauao Area Wildlife Trust projects manager Dave Richards says the trust, established in 2013, is looking for bids in excess of $2000 to help with a number of penguin specific projects.

“It will be put towards the penguin environment with pest control, the re-planting of some of the coastal areas especially Moturiki and creating some artificial nesting burrows.”

The trust is extremely grateful for Peter’s donation and equally of Don Banks of Prestige Framing and Gallery 59 who framed the sketch.

Mauao Area Wildlife Trust projects manager Dave Richards with the donated and framed sketch of Peter Crammond’s ‘The Sea’s That Way’ at Shark Alley. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

“We were very happy he [Peter] approached us and wanted to donate it to us.”

Apart from habitat protection and enhancement and pest control, the trust is trying to help locals understand why their dogs and cats need to be kept away from Mauao and Moturiki (Leisure Island) areas.

Dave says sadly people think it’s okay to allow their dogs to walk with them onto or near Leisure Island.

“But before they know it, and even with-

out them knowing it, a dog has reached into a penguin burrow and killed the chicks.

“Their smell is so strong that a dog finds them immediately and they are often very easy to reach.”

The original framed sketch is available for viewing by request. Bids can be made by emailing admin@mauaowildlife.org or by calling trust chair person, Julia Graham 021 077 6851.

Bidding starts at $2000 and closes DecemBy Luke Balvert ber 17.

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The Weekend Sun

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The Weekend Sun

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Knitting for hospital

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Knitting group coordinator Noeline Harwood cuddling up with some of the toys the group has made. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

Forty children admitted to Tauranga Hospital at Christmas time will receive a bright, cuddly companion to comfort them during their stay thanks to Althorp Village’s knitting group.

Group coordinator Noeline Harwood says her 16 knitters, aged 65-87, have been clicking the needles together as fast as they rattle off conversations to make teddy bears for unwell youngsters.

“The teddies will be all wrapped up with a note saying whether they’re for a boy or girl – I’m delivering them to the hospital’s children’s ward the week before Christmas to be given out as gifts.”

Noeline says the group get together to knit every Monday afternoon.

Their first project for 2014 was knitting hats and singlets for Starship Children’s Hospital.

“Then Plunket asked for smaller blankets to go in children’s car seats, so we knitted for that request.

“But in the last two months – because we got sick

of knitting squares – we’ve been knitting teddy bears and the response has just been overwhelming.”

Noeline says 51 teddy bears have been knitted, with 40 going to Tauranga Hospital.

“The remaining 11 will got to St John’s because they always like a knitted toy in the ambulance to soothe children when they’re a little bit distressed.”

Noeline says the group fundraise to buy the wool to knit the items – and plan to get back on the needles in March 2015.

“We just think something cuddly and home-made that makes a child feel secure is a good thing for them to have.

“I’ve been doing this for five years and the group’s just grown and grown – we’ve got a lot more residents at the village and lot of new people have joined up,” says Noeline.

“Our oldest member is 87 – she just knits and knits and knits – and she enjoys the group.

“We talk about all sorts of things – rugby, what’s on TV or what’s going on the village.”

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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The Weekend Sun

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17

The Weekend Sun

Flag the referenda – save our money Tauranga’s John Hepburn has advised the Prime Minister on how to save the taxpayer $20 million on the new national flag referenda and still achieve the best new standard for the country.

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Route and timetable changes

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Changes are being made to Papamoa routes. › Papamoa Route 30 will now service Papamoa College instead of Dickson Road, and Gloucester Road instead of Grenada Street. › Papamoa Route 33 has been changed to service the growing population in Golden Sands. › Papamoa Route 36 has been shortened and will now turn near Papamoa College.

Bethlehem (Route 62) buses will now leave 10 minutes earlier to improve the service to Bethlehem school.

The Lakes and Greerton will have a new bus route (Route 52) that will link with services to the CBD and the Mount.

There are some other small changes to improve network performance.

For more information about the changes go to the news page at www.baybus.co.nz

For more info call us or visit

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On Monday the 15th of December 2014 there are changes to Bayhopper Tauranga bus services. This is to improve reliability, meet changing customer demand, service schools and to provide bus services to areas of growing population.

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The flag man – Tauranga’s John Hepburn.

John says at the moment the referenda are destined for disaster.

“There is such a range of flags to consider in the first referendum, the chance of one of them achieving an outright majority is unlikely – meaning the majority of people will have voted against it.”

And in the second referendum he believes “many people could vote against a new flag just to protest at the cost and the process”.

Most people, he says, “are appalled by the obscene amount of money involved”.

This is his plan: • Ask all New Zealanders, including children, for their design for a new flag.

• Fly 1000 New Zealanders to Canada for four days during the July 1 Canada Day celebrations to experience what a new flag has achieved for that country. This would cost about $5 million – a lot cheaper than two referenda.

• Instead of a national referendum, ask the flag delegation to Canada on whether they believe the time is right to replace the New Zealand flag with one that is more representative. They’d be better equipped to make that decision.

• If at least 55 per cent vote “for” then only the flag committee should vote on their preferred choice.

• If less than 55 per cent vote “against” then abandon the entire process.

John, who has lived in Canada and is a devotee of the “maple leaf ” believes 1000 New Zealanders is a fair statistical sample, while the 55 per cent threshold removes any bickering over a margin of error.

John has shared his vision with Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller this week – and it’s contained in a letter to Prime Minister John Key and the Minister in charge of the flag process, Bill English.

By Hunter Wells

18

The Weekend Sun

Snapping an emotional event Surfing up awareness

I attended a fabulous dance production called ‘E-motion’ at Baycourt this month.

It featured dance routines performed by talented people with ages ranging from seven to 50. This was one of my favourites.

Congratulations to Carla Beazley, for organising such an amazing event.

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Andy Collins is taking lessons for National Surf Day. Photo by Tracy Hardy. compliments of the Academy and the Tomorrow is National Surfing Mount Surf Shop.

Day – and Bay of Plenty If you’re not interested in a lesson, residents have the chance to you can still get a shot at winning the learn to surf on their doorstep at board by grabbing a rubbish bag off Mount Maunganui while raising Andy, and helping to clean up the beach. funds for charity.

Celebration of National Surfing Day Surfing New Zealand is hosting the will take place throughout New Zeaday to help raise awareness of the sport, land with the country’s 145,000 surfers and assist those interested in getting encouraged to hit the water, along with started. anybody else keen to get out amongst Mount Surf Academy’s Andy Collins it and give it a go. says he’s running discounted lessons at Surf schools are offering heavily disthe corner of Marine Parade and Banks counted surf lessons, with all proceeds Ave from 12pm-4pm. going to charity.

“For $25 will get you a board and The recipient charity will be deterexpert instruction on what to do with mined by public vote on the Surfing it.”

New Zealand Facebook page.

Andy says an added bonus of the According to the Metservice, Tauevent is anybody taking a lesson is ranga’s weather forecast for tomorrow they’ll be eligible to enter a draw to is mainly fine with southwesterlies and win a seven foot soft top surfboard, a 22 degree Celsius high.

Weekend dancing

Talented Tauranga dancers are taking to the stage for Mount Maunganui Dance Academy’s 2014 recital this weekend.

The dance academy’s recital, at Mount Maunganui College on December 6-7, will showcase the dancers’ talents in jazz, ballet and contemporary styles.

Tickets cost $15 for adult, $10 for children (under 5s free) and $40 for a family pass. Door sales available.

Show starts 6.30pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday.

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Off-road running Beginner and intermediate cross-country runners and walkers are encouraged to slip on running shoes and tie their shoelaces for an off-road event at TECT All Terrain Park tomorrow.

The R-Line Off-Road Half Marathon and 10km Run/Walk on December 6 invites runners and walkers of all ages and fitness abilities to complete a 21km course at the all-terrain park on Whataroa Rd. There’s also a 10km run or walk for those less advanced. See www.beyondadventureracing.co.nz

19

The Weekend Sun

Drier December on way

Drumming up members

The MetService’s outlook for December indicates more highs overall in the New Zealand region.

MetService Meteorologist Georgina Griffiths says as we move into December the weather over the country should gradually start to settle.

“The signal for highs over the country is particularly strong in the second half of the month,” says Georgina.

“This means a drier than usual December is forecast for most regions of the country.

“After a very stormy and cool November, many people will be looking forward to some enjoyable barbecue weather.”

For more information, see metservice.com

Nigel Marsden, Josh Brainstormer, Dave Watson, Dannii-Rose Dean and Fiona McClure want to drum up new members.

Photo by Tracy Hardy.

If you have a heartbeat, you have rhythm – and you can drum. That’s the motto of Tauranga man Nigel Marsden, who has started a weekly drum circle group in the city.

Nigel moved to Tauranga three years ago from the South Island’s Golden Bay – which had four drumming groups – to find nothing here.

“Golden Bay has a population of just under 2000, so I was quite surprised coming to Tauranga, with about 130,000 people, that I couldn’t find any,” says Nigel.

Since then a monthly full moon gathering has started in Tauranga, but hunger for more frequent improvised beats prompted Nigel to

start a weekly gathering for beginner drummers to the advanced.

“Based on African-style Djembe drumming, we gather in a circle and play rhythms together with hand drums and percussion instruments.

“A lot of it’s improvised, so somebody starts a rhythm and people just add into it – either they copy that rhythm or add something harmonious to fit in.

“So it’s street style; kind of like a jam session with spontaneous rhythms as people join in, bang out a basic beat, or lead and can swap over.

Nigel says the song “if that’s what you want to call it” doesn’t have any set links and naturally stops.

“So it’s a way of communicating with the

group – it doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced drummer or not.

A drummer on and off for 15 years, Nigel likes freestyle. “I really enjoy a rhythm and seeing how it progresses – you kind of go into a bit of a trance state.

“But a connected state with the group – I always come out with a smile on my face.”

The group is also open for members share or teach rhythms and welcome anyone who wants to dance or watch.

The group meets at Arataki Community Centre’s Penguin Room in Mount Maunganui on Monday nights 7pm-9pm.

People can bring percussion instruments or borrow the group’s spare drums. Entry is $3 to cover the hall charge. For details, call Nigel on 027 2084806 or see Eventfinder.

By Merle Foster

Birds and bees, flowers and trees in the city At this week’s City Vision committee elected members heard from some submitters to the Draft Vegetation and Tree Management Policy.

One speaker was concerned about the Taiwan Cherry tree and said it was our greatest single threat.

Many people will know this variety of tree, as it lines the driveway to the Pyes Pa cemetery and the blossoms attract tuis.

Perhaps, like agapanthus, if a

plant grows well it’s often put on the unpopular species list.

Another submitter asked council to consider planting bee-friendly native trees and shrubs.

This was supported by elected members, as was the planting of fruit trees in our local reserves.

After a few minor changes, the draft council Public Art Policy was

adopted by elected members.

This will go out to the community for consultation in February.

Last week I attended one of the best events I’ve ever seen in Tauranga – The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra at Baycourt.

It was a sell-out performance and the orchestra received a standing ovation.

They were complimentary about the customer service they’d received from Baycourt staff.

On Sunday I attended the 30th anniversary of Friends of Baycourt. Well done to Maureen Guy for her commitment during the years in keeping the archives up-to-date.

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IKES E BIKESTheThe Tauranga Tauranga

Dealer Tauranga Dealer in Tauranga

The Weekend Sun

Tough smart and refined I know Daisy Hardwick well.

She’s a soul mate and I’m not being presumptuous.

But it’s a bit odd, because Daisy passed in 1989; a full quarter of a century before I first heard her name uttered.

And from that very moment I connected. Was it the name or was it the woman?

I knew Daisy would be a tough bird; smart and refined but tough.

Tough because she broke in a farm, tough because she took six hours to mow her lawns every couple of weeks – smart because other smart people sought her wisdom, and refined because despite the volcanic soil under her nails she was The late Daisy Hardwick, who has a walkway named after her. coiffed and elegant and articulate. I liked her cut. up the Minden Hills and leaving a wonderland of Six weeks ago a friend Jill asked: “Do you want to 600 different species of trees and shrubs. Kiwis adore do the Daisy with me?” that pioneering spirit – so you’ll be sharing the love I’m a jogger, a ponderous, ageing one trying to by now too. keep a rusting chassis up for just one more WOF. She wanted to be a doctor and save lives but she I did not know what the ‘Daisy’ was and who Daisy turned to horticulture and created life. Out of the was. But for the next 9.6 kilometres around the Great Depression she became a public figure through Waikareao Estuary, around the eponymous Daisy Women’s Division of Federated Farmers and the like Harwick walkway I thanked God for Daisy.

– the Chamber of Commerce, the Progress League.

If you’re going to put yourself through the pain And with her spare time had three children with her threshold then do it with Daisy – the boardwalk, the husband William. mud, the mangroves, the canopies of native trees, the She wrote newspaper columns on horticulture, ran tide. The sounds, the smells, the sights – it’s almost radio shows on horticulture – decades before those spiritual.

‘Johnny Come-Lately’s’ Eion Scarrow and Maggie It may only bear her name, but my new mate Daisy Barry even got their hands dirty. has gifted something quite special to this city; and as “I have sap instead of blood coursing through my a newcomer to Tauranga I’m indeed grateful. veins,” was this matron of the garden’s famous quote.

Except, and it’s a big ‘except’, no-one seems to “A conservationist but not a fanatic” who “only had know Daisy like me. And this from a man who never her knowledge to pass on”. met her.

Well what a wonderful legacy Daisy. I’ll member She probably never did the walk herself – she was you with reverence as I slog around your glorious,

By Jim Bunny busy breaking in 13 acres of gorse and fern and pine heavenly pathway again this weekend.

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Fuchsias flowering in the city The Tauranga Fuchsia Group’s annual competition and show is returning for the 17th year on Saturday.

The event at Tauranga Arts and Craft Centre, Elizabeth Street West, on December 6 is an opportunity for people to view some of the region’s most beautifully grown fuchsia flowers.

There will also be a fuchsia flower table for people to purchase one

of their own – and experienced fuchsia growers will be on hand to offer any advice.

Fuchsias are described as a beautiful, exotic flower with striking two-tone colours.

Doors open 9am4pm. Entry is $3.

The Weekend Sun

Enjoying summer outdoors Summer is here – and 4 Seasons Home and Leisure manager Dave Boocock has everything needed to enjoy the warmer evenings outdoors.

Now the sun’s out, Dave says Tauranga residents are spending more time relaxing outdoors and making the most of the long summer days.

“Increasingly people are viewing the outside as an extension of their home, an expression of individual style,” says Dave, who says spa pools are a popular choice to relax during summer nights. To keep the spa pool sparkling, 4 Seasons offers water testing too.

Dave says people can choose from wooden, ceramic or all-weather wicker furniture in a variety of styles, from the traditional to contemporary.

“Our massive showroom surprises everyone who comes in.”

Because summer’s the time for outdoor cooking and dining, Dave

4 Seasons manager Dave Boocock with some of his store’s summer products. Photo by Tracy Hardy. barbecues retail at an everyday and his team are hosting regular price. cooking lessons.

“The Broil King self-cleaning The store has barbecues to suit ability makes barbecuing a fun, every need and budget from small portable barbecues to take camping easy and a stress-free nightly event.” or out on the boat, to something a So to enjoy a great summer outbit more substantial for the deck. doors – give 4 Seasons Home and A popular barbecue choice is the Leisure a call and check out what North American-made Broil King they’ve got on offer, or register for and Weber barbecues, says Dave. one of their popular cooking les“Designed to cook juicy steaks, sons only available in store. great pizzas and roast meals – these

Properties revaluations in Western Bay of Plenty ratepayers this week are receiving the latest revaluation of their property.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council has sent letters to all property owners advising the outcomes of the latest revaluation.

Revaluations are required to be conducted at least every three years by every council in New Zealand under the Rating Valuations Act 1998.

WBOPDC group manager corporate services Matt Potton says the main changes since the 2011 valuation reflect an overall increase in the value of lifestyle properties, kiwifruit orchards and dairy/pastoral land and a slight decrease in residential values across the district. However the range in values varies across separate communities.

The valuation was completed by independent valuation firm Landmass Technology and audited by the Valuer-General, and comes into effect July 1, 2015.

Matt says while valuations have an influence on rates, due to the portion of total annual rates being based on the land and capital value of each property, the total amount of rates collected by the council isn’t influenced by valuations.

Property owners can lodge objections if they disagree with their new valuation and objections must be lodged in writing with council by January 30, 2015

By Zoe Hunter

Girls in the garden This one’s for the ladies. Now I’m not saying gardening is a women’s job – but I’m sure there’s plenty of ladies who will agree with me on this number one gardening dilemma I’m forever finding myself in.

Have you ever gone to do the gardening and end up finding dirt trapped underneath your nails – even when you’ve put gloves on? The nasty stuff always finds a way of getting in there.

In my opinion, your nails shouldn’t have to suffer when getting out to do the gardening this summer.

Here’s a solution to prevent the dirt from getting underneath your perfectly manicured fingernails.

I suggest running your fingernails across a bar of soap to effectively create a seal to stop dirt collecting beneath them.

When you’re finished in the garden, just scrub the soap away with a nailbrush and you’re nails and hands will be sparkling clean. Not a spot of dirt in sight!

So, the next time you’re in the garden, remember –

By Zoe Hunter beauty first. You grow girl!

23

The Weekend Sun

The appeals of a big red garden shed I love looking at gardens, but I don’t like growing things. I love eating vegetables but not growing them.

cers – to provide us with health and goodness through the seasons.

But despite my indifference to the soil I’m getting a garden shed this Christmas – even though I do not own a hoe, or a spade or a wheelbarrow.

Isn’t that why we are blessed Because aside from being a male with supermarkets and greengrohaven, health experts believe the garden shed could be a lifesaver, it could assist men to live longer.

Yes the humble GS has therapeutic qualities packed inside those four A shed – take twice daily.

walls. The effects of pottering around doing odd jobs relieves stress, which in turn lowers blood pressure and even boosts self-esteem.

And I need a serious course of all three.

A professor of men’s ‘things’ at Leeds Metropolitan University believes my new shed, preferably 5m x 4m and red, could add years to my life simply because doing things is relaxing; and that in itself is good for health.

In fact I might even start a club of like-minded souls – all men want to hang around long after their use-by date. And that very same professor from Leeds is so convinced of the health benefits that men’s shed groups have

started springing up in England.

But shed men are a certain breed – men who like to potter, who like to pull a car apart and put it back together again on a Sunday afternoon.

The professor also thinks a shed will men so at ease they will be more willing to talk about their health issues.

Perhaps I won’t get a shed after all.

By Jim Bunny

Sipping on a coffee in serene surroundings Imagine starting the day, or winding day from a busy afternoon, sipping on a cup of coffee in beautiful garden surroundings.

Villa Ridge Garden Centre and Café owner Graham Quick says the Cambridge Rd business is the perfect place to relax with a coffee in the naturalistic environment, gain garden advice, or purchase a plant for the garden at home.

“Service and quality are our goals. Our aims is to provide a good quality product that our customers can take home, plant and enjoy.”

Graham says the café offers visitors to the garden centre and café plenty of home-made food and deli-

cious coffee to tempt the taste buds.

Established about 20 years’ ago by enthusiastic gardeners, Graham says the garden centre and café has grown to be able to supply a wide range of plants for the garden – all backed up with sound advice on how to care for each plant at home.

“Roses and fruit trees are proving very popular for the home garden this summer – and perennial plants are making a comeback.”

Graham says at this time of year the garden is usually home to more than 2000 roses, 500 trees and thousands of shrubs and perennials.

There’s also the serene sounds of the water features scattered around the garden centre, which also offers aquatics accessories, including pumps and filters –

By Zoe Hunter and of course, fish.

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24

The Weekend Sun

SPORT & RECREATION

Young cricketer’s star keeps on rising Taylor Bettleheim is a runmaking machine and he’s hungry to make more runs for his Bay of Plenty Coastlands team as the Northern Districts’ annual Primary Schools tournament kicks into top gear with three rounds left.

The remaining rounds are all in Hamilton starting on Monday, December 8 and finishing on

Wednesday, December 10.

With scores of 86 not out and 68 in the first two rounds, Taylor has already established himself as a force to be reckoned with in this year’s tournament.

The Primary Schools tournament is an annual event where eight regions within the Northern Districts association select their best players.

The children get to test themselves on grass wickets with 40 overs per side played. Taylor played in last year’s tournament as a Year 7 which is testa-

ment to his skills, with one year of growing at this age making a big difference.

Taylor has been part of the Western Bay of Plenty representative cricket scene for a number of years.

He’s always been at the forefront of the run-making. He bowls useful leg spinners as well and fields with rare confidence at this level.

In the Active Post 20/20 Intermediate this last year Taylor made consecutive centuries.

This is great achievement, with it being very difficult to make 100 in any game let alone in a 20/20 fixture.

Taylor is not a block basher either, he’s a stylish batsman

relying on timing with his runs coming from cuts and pulls often.

Taylor believes success is built with commitment and coolness under pressure.

This is very much in line with his hero Kane Williamson.

Given Taylor has been selected for Northern Districts last year the future is looking very bright for this cricketing star.

If you’re in Hamilton next week and have some time, go watch Taylor and the Taylor Bettleheim is playing in Monday’s boys battle it out.

Northern Districts’ primary school tournament.

By Josh Hoskin

Enrolment interviews are now underway for the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, in partnership with AUT University.

Information session for popular sports degree The Bachelor of Sport and Recreation, delivered by Bay of Plenty Polytechnic in partnership with AUT University, is now open for enrolments.

Parents and potential students who’d like more information – and a chance to meet the tutors – can attend an information session at the polytechnic’s Windermere campus at 6pm on December 11.

But is there any difference between gaining this degree in Tauranga or Auckland?

Group leader Pete Sommers says students get exactly the same resources and material as they get in Auckland – but the programme is delivered here in Tauranga.

“The class numbers are much smaller, so students are getting a lot more personalised care and attention.

“They’re treated as a person, not a number – we like to get to know them as individuals.”

Pete says this is a sports degree that covers a range of subjects, including human anatomy, nutrition, athletic conditioning and sports psychology.

Graduates are now working in places including Sport Bay of Plenty, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, the Cardiac Clinic and the Heart Foundation.

“Whatever their sporting passion is – coaching, management, marketing, events, nutrition or exercise prescription – this degree covers it all,” says Pete.

Enrolment interviews are now underway and with interest high, early application is advisable.

To register for the information session on Thursday, December 11, phone Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

25

The Weekend Sun

SPORT & RECREATION

Top tents for an adventure under the stars Most Kiwi holidaymakers remember that summer camping trip when the tent caved in to wind and rain, or waking up on the ground because the blow up mattress had a hole in it.

Forget those camping nightmares. Hamilton-based EquipOutdoors’ Tent Expo at Mount Maunganui College next weekend will have all the finest equipment needed for a comfortable camping holiday.

EquipOutdoors’ owner Geoff Rawlings says there’ll be about 20 different Kiwi Camping tents for all camping ventures, including canvas, dome, adventure and family sizes – as well as a range of shelters.

“We’re bringing Kiwi Campings’ high quality products to the Tauranga audience for two days only.

“We’ve also got plenty of high quality outdoor camping equipment, including furniture and bedding, Gasmate gas cookers and portable barbecues.”

Geoff says it’s a perfect time for keen campers to grab all the equipment needed for their next summer adventure under the stars.

Tauranga residents have the opportunity to view EquipOutdoors’ camping gear and products up close next weekend at Mount Maunganui College.

“Staff from EquipOutdoors and Kiwi Camping will be on-site to help you choose the best of the best.

“It’s also a great opportunity for people to see the tents pitched on-site, rather than buying from the box.”

EquipOutdoors’ Tent Expo is at Mount Maunganui College on December 13-14 from 9am-5pm on Saturday – and 9am-3pm on Sunday.

Visit EquipOutdoors’ website for more information.

By Zoe Hunter

Bay of Plenty’s sporting best to be recognised The 2014 Bay of Plenty Sports Awards ceremony is tonight at Rotorua’s Energy Event centre from 6pm.

Hosted by Sport Bay of Plenty, the annual event is the region’s premiere sports awards ceremony, recognising all aspects of sport

with categories highlighting the superb achievements of sports clubs, administrators, coaches and officials alongside athletes at the top of their codes nationally and internationally.

Tonight’s gala, which has sold-out, will announce this year’s award winners and a supreme award winner.

26

The Weekend Sun

The privilege of the power to heal (Part 1) I have the privilege of working closely with people who have health challenges and sharing their joy as their health starts to return.

One client is a South Island farmer with serious joint problems.

His knees were bad enough to cause a lot of discomfort, but not bad enough for surgery.

The only way he could maintain some quality of life was to live on anti-inflammatory medications, which come with their own set of side effects.

While diet can help reduce joint inflammation his problem was severe and needed a prolonged intensive period of supplementation. I see arthritis supplements like the three legs of a tripod.

The first are the antioxidants that can protect cartilage cells (chondrocytes) from free radical damage by adding multi antioxidants and minerals.

For this purpose I used my broad spectrum multi-antioxidant, multi-vitamin and multi-mineral formula plus an antioxidant booster for a few months.

The second component is to add and glucosamine

“What we know matters, but who we are matters more” - BRENÉ BROWN. Look at all the areas you feel define you.

Then ask yourself this question: “Who am I without ……….” and continue asking it as many times as it takes, in as

Wayne Rush

Bodywork Specialists in injury and illness recovery and prevention

Abundant Health

and chondroitin ideally at a 1:1 ratio. Recent research concludes about 800mg of chondroitin is needed for knee arthritis.

The formula I use has approximately equal amounts of chondroitin and glucosamine plus a potent 95 per cent curcumin (turmeric) extract.

The last leg is a range of anti-inflammatory nutrients including fish oils, curcumin, grape seed OPC, resveratrol and several others.

These are incredibly effective at reducing the inflammation associated with arthritis.

Remember any disease with the suffix ‘itis’ is an inflammatory disease.

The farmer is now off medication and while he has a few niggles, in his own words he feels he’s got his life back.

He can work on the farm and has even been able to go back hunting again.

It just goes to show the body can start to heal if you give it what it really needs.

Give me a call if you need more information. Join my full weekly newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz John Arts is a qualified nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. To read more go to www.sunlive.co.nz

many areas as needed, until you come to the realisation that you’re valuable without adding anything.

What do you notice that is positive when you remove the ‘defining areas’ and look truly at yourself as you are?

If you’d like to know more about coaching phone Mary Parker on 07 577 1200, or visit www.coachingtheattitude.co.nz

27

The Weekend Sun

Immunisation challenge made “It’s a wero [challenge] out there to you whanau [family] – let’s feed our kids good food, let’s keep our kids healthy and let’s get started with immunisation.”

A challenge from Matua Parkinson – first and foremost a loving, responsible father-ofthree and secondly a Bay of Plenty District Health Board politician and a cause celebre.

“My message, my advice is get your kids immunised on time and every time baby.”

“If immunisation is preventing children getting life-threatening disease like measles, mumps and whooping cough, then I’m doing my job. And that’s how I console myself at night.”

Matua, of course, was dynamic on the rugby field as an Auckland Blues openside flanker and NZ sevens representative. Now he’s charismatic off the field.

“As a Maori male and Maori father it is my job to look after my kids and I take that responsibility very seriously.”

And he reveals when the subject of immunisation came up in the Parkinson household it started a heated debate.

“My wife is an educated woman and she did a lot of research. However my question was if we don’t immunise and our children get seriously ill, how will we feel?”

And Matua wasn’t just involved in the decision-making, he was hands-on.

“I took all my babies in for their ‘imms’ because my wife didn’t like the idea of her

babies being jabbed and squealing. My little buddies weren’t happy either.”

However, it was 30 seconds of discomfort as opposed to a lifetime threat of serious disease.

“The decision was easy for me. However, I know some people out there don’t agree with immunisation – but my question to them is if their baby didn’t have their ‘imms’ and got seriously sick who would they blame?”

And he has some advice to Maori fathers – advice for all fathers.

“Hey dads! How would you feel if your precious little buddy got a preventable disease. Your obligation is to look after your children. If in doubt, find out and then go get your imms.” By Hunter Wells

Why focus on blood sugar control Thanks for all the feedback on our proposed trust. The common question we received is: “Why would you have a trust focused on blood sugar control?”

Here’s some reasons, and we believe they present a fairly compelling case.

A good example is Massey’s ‘Centre for Public Health Research’ landmark study published in ‘Diabetes Care’, published by the American Diabetes Association.

The study followed 47,904 people, the largest study of its type worldwide, who received haemoglobin A1C testing – a standard way to measure blood sugar.

They were followed until the end of 2004, by which time 815 had died. Those in the highest category of blood sugar levels had more than twice the death rate of those with low levels.

The study’s leader Naomi Brewer says: “In future, people will need to know their haemoglobin A1C level, just as they may know their blood pressure or

their cholesterol levels”. Apart from the findings on the absolute relevance of blood sugar levels for general health, the relationship between high blood sugar levels and ‘diabesity’ is clear-cut and diabetes is actually the result of having too much glucose in the blood.

The Ministry of Health estimate by 2028 about 10 per cent of our population will have type 2 diabetes and 40 per cent will be at risk. During the next decade the cost to NZ of the overweight and obese population is estimated at $8 billion. This is direct costs to our health system and loss of productivity. Two-thirds of these cases can be prevented by the right lifestyle preventions.

Our NZ Blood-Sugar Foundation, launching April 2015, will have an estimated annual budget of a fraction of this phenomenal cost – less than 0.2 per cent – but have potential to reduce these numbers and costs. Feedback is appreciated – call 027 294 1980 or email leigh@eatforkeeps.com

Matua Parkinson has ensured his eight-year-old son Kiira has been immunised. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

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Whip up smoothies or fruit and veges?

Originally just a fruit juice with ice added, the traditional smoothie has been altered by adding protein powders for a more nutritious, or wholesome drink.

berries equals 200 grams of raw product.

“These products need to be correctly prepared like freeze drying, to retain the original nutrition. Smoothies are used as a meal enhancement, snack or dessert.”

Most importantly, Bruce says a smoothie may have little fibre – and he says that is vitally important to a person’s health.

“Insoluble fibre – the sort found in many vegetables – helps move stools through your digestive system and helps prevent constipation.

“Soluble fibre – found in legumes, carrots and citrus fruits – can help lower your cholesterol and blood sugar,” says Bruce, who recommends both types of fibre in your daily diet.

He says fibre can be added using psyllium husks, which not only cleans the system but can have a really positive effect on cholesterol levels.

“Once you get skilled at smoothiemaking there’s no end to the amount of creativity you can employ to make smoothies for all seasons,” says Bruce.

For many, this can be a brilliant way to start the day.

But what many don’t realise is powdered fruits and vegetables can be far stronger than the original product, according to the team at Hardy’s Papamoa.

Owner Bruce Hart says one teaspoon of powdered

Hardy’s Papamoa health consultant Janine Walsh testing the latest smoothie recipes with owner Bruce Hart, medical herbalist Niki Miklesen and manager Marion Olsen.

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As outlined on the American Cancer Society website, fatigue is one of the most common and distressing side effects of cancer and its treatment.

Fatigue from cancer treatment is often more intense than the feelings of being tired we all have from time to time.

This is something I see regularly in clinic and the recovery can be slow. It’s believed more than 70 per cent of cancer patients experience a problem with fatigue.

A study, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago in 2012, showed vitamin D supplementation improved the symptoms of fatigue among a cohort of 69 cancer patients.

According to MD, Head of

Oncology, Croatia Dr Trivanovic, more than 50 per cent of healthy adults are vitamin D deficient. This problem is more advanced in oncology, and especially breast cancer patients.

“We know from a meta-analysis if the serum vitamin D goes up, that is associated with a reduction in mortality, especially in breast cancer patients.”

This study is just one of many on vitamin D and cancer fatigue.

Research is still being undertaken to ensure they know the right dose or how long you have to supplement for long term effects, but it shows promise for cancer fatigue sufferers.

Sources of vitamin D are found naturally via exposure from the sun though very few foods in nature contain vitamin D. The flesh of fatty fish, including salmon, tuna, and mackerel, and fish liver oils are among the best sources.

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The Weekend Sun

A stylish scout group needs your help When you can get eight young lads to pose with handbags and feather boas you know they really, really want something. That something is you The Weekend Sun ladies!

Arataki Omanu Scouts is presenting the ‘What to Wear and Not to Wear’ fundraiser at Mount Maunganui College next Thursday.

For $25 you’ll get a glass of bubbly, nibbles, spot

prizes, plus a night of hilarity and inspiration.

“We’re raising money to send our group of 10 to the 2016 Scouts Jamboree in Blenheim,” says organiser Cathy Donnelly.

“Our scout den’s also seen better days and desperately needs a new bathroom and kitchen.”

Initially they hope to raise $5000 but the reality is they need a rough total of $20,000.

Entrepreneur Suzie Johnson will be guest speaker and will also present clothing, accessories and jewellery from her Oosh Experience range.

“Suzie is inspiring, she encourages women to empower themselves and she’ll speak for about an hour.

“Her beautiful range will be on display and there’s also an opportunity to buy items, which start from $5.”

Cathy hopes the community will rally behind the scout group, she says gives

Arataki Omanu Scout Group members Joe Bourne, Charlie Mills, George Mills, Ben Davies, Caycee Downey, Max Way, Kaden Adlington, Michael McCahill want you to head to their fundraiser next Thursday. children essential life skills while nurturing to Wear and Not to Wear’ fundraiser for their love for the great outdoors. those aged 18-plus is at Mount Maunganui “We’re teaching them about nature, conCollege on December 11 from 6.30pm. servation and the world around them; and Show starts 7pm.Tickets cost $25, via these kids absolutely love it.” email omanuscouts@gmail.com or on the

By David Tauranga The Arataki Omanu Scout Group’s ‘What Eventfinda website.

Christmas is arriving in ‘Castaway’ premieres tonight Greerton next weekend Residents are encouraged to celebrate Christmas in Greerton this week. Compered by New Zealand entertainer Jackie Clarke, the Greerton Village Christmas Concert is at the Village Square on Friday, December 12 from 6pm.

There’s promising to be loads of great acts, solo artists, dance groups and more.

The night will end with organisers turning on the lights of the new First Credit Union Giant Christmas Tree, to be installed in the Village Square soon.

The Dance Institute School of Ballet and Modern Dance’s endof-year performance ‘Castaway’ premiers at Bethlehem College Performing Arts Centre this weekend.

The show begins at 7pm on Friday, December 5, with a 1pm matinee and 6pm evening show on Saturday, December 6.

Tickets cost $22 for adults, $17 for children, under 3s enter for free. Door sales available at the venue before each performance.

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Engineering skills shortage good news for graduates Local firms have been snapping up engineering certificate students faster than ever and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic tutor Gary Berwick says every graduate who wants work is now getting a pay cheque.

Dale Schischka and Jethro Nilsen-Daly are among the 60 per cent of this year’s level 3 class who’ve started new engineering apprenticeships before graduating later this month, with a further 23 per cent starting new labouring roles.

Contract Mechanical managing director Dennis Gore was so impressed with Dale and Jethro he decided to take on a third Polytechnic graduate, Tom Meredith, who is now working as a trades assistant until another apprenticeship spot opens up next year.

“These guys have got some very good opportunities ahead of them, they can earn some good money.

Engineering apprentices Dale Schischka and Jethro Nilsen-Daly.

They’ve got a good attitude and they’re prepared to work,” Dennis says.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic tutor Gary Berwick says a key part of the graduates’ success is the work experience they’re encouraged to sign up for during the one-year certificate.

“We seem to have a lot of school-leavers being pushed into universities, doing a four-year

degree and then not being able to find work – whereas our guys are doing a one-year course and then getting employment.”

Gary says the industry is keen to encourage those who are planning to do an engineering diploma or degree to do an engineering trade qualification first. “Then you are very marketable in regards to having both academic and practical skills, you’ll never be out of work.”

Schoolhopper’s free travel for start of 2015 Schoolhopper passengers will have one less cost to account for in 2015 with travel on the new network free for Term 1.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council made the call to provide certainty to parents planning their children’s travel next year.

BOPRC councillor and Public Transport Subcommittee chair Lyall Thurston says he hopes the decision takes some of the financial pressure off families as they look at their budgets for the start of the school year.

“This will also allow us to ensure we have all our technology and processes in place to make sure the network runs smoothly in the first few weeks and give students time to purchase their Smartride Cards for their travel for Term 2.”

School student users of the Bayhopper network will also benefit – they’ll be able to take advantage of the reduced Schoolhopper bus fare from Term 1 2015 next year, costing $1.15 with a Smartride card or $1.60 cash fare. Timings and stops for the Schoolhopper network are on www.baybus.co.nz/ schoolhopper from next week.

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Diamond the springer spaniel - a man’s best friend They say a dog is a man’s best friend. But owning a dog comes at an expense – a cost Phillip Rudolph says is worth it.

Phillip’s best friend is his beloved springer spaniel – Diamond.

Keeping Diamond has always kept his wallet busy, but it’s become harder.

It seemed Phillip had no other option

but to re-home his animal friend, before Papamoa Vets on Percy Rd and Bayfair Vets decided to sponsor the dog.

“I’d rather be working for it, but at least this way I know Diamond will always be looked after,” says Phillip, who’s currently on a sickness benefit and does small jobs where he can.

“I’m over the moon with the generosity and support shown to me.”

Phillip was born with polio – a viral

Phillip Rudolph and his dog Diamond.

infection that can lead to paralysis – so life has been a struggle.

But Phillip says the Evans Rd Church has influenced his life and taken him on another path.

Phillip’s lived in Papamoa for 11 years after being released from jail. He moved there to get away from his old environment – start fresh. At first he found it hard to move to a new area – but having Diamond has helped. One year on, they’re inseparable.

“Diamond keeps me company, listens to me and keeps my feet warm at night.”

But where does Papamoa and Bayfair Vets come in?

Phillip sought advice from both vet clinics on how to settle Diamond into a new home. Veterinarians there could see how close the two are and decided to cover all costs, including food and medical bills.

“It’s our Christmas gift to him as he has touched our hearts,” say the team.

By Zoe Hunter

Fishing for pirate treasure this weekend The team at Kiwi Petz is calling ahoy maties, as they launch their new piratethemed fish area this weekend – and blimey it looks great.

water fish to marine fish.

So, hang the jib and haul wind to Fraser Cove for super in store specials – and baton down the hatches for their new range of themed fish tank accessories, including sunken ships, skulls and buried treasure, along with loads more – all at low As if the fish area wasn’t Kiwi Petz owner Jody Woodhouse’s daughters prices. popular enough, they’ve Yazzmine and Shannon dressing up for Or have a go at finding the added a pirate’s atmosthe launch of the new pirate-themed treasure hidden around the phere to their fish area, so fish area this weekend. store. Remember, ‘x’ marks it has its own theme to match the and Sunday to come and check the spot. rest of the store. out the transformation of their Check out the transformation of The team is inviting young and the fish area at Kiwi Petz at Fraser fish area. old to the store at Fraser Cove Cove Shopping Centre, launching The fish area is home to about Shopping Centre this Saturday on December 6-7.

500 fish from tropical and cold

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The Weekend Sun

Keeping pets safe this Christmas Unfortunately, vets are often quite busy during the Christmas period with many new hazards that can spoil the season for you and your pet.

Christmas trees are full of hazards, especially for young pets. Decorations can be chewed and swallowed, causing intestinal blockages.

Swallowed tinsel can twist up intestines. Trees can fall on adventurous kitties. The safest option is to have the tree in an area the pets can’t visit unsupervised.

Be careful with leftovers from Christmas dinner. Fatty treats can cause painful pancreatitis. Cooked bones can splinter and get stuck in the

throat or intestines.

Foods too rich, too fatty or too spicy, anything your pet is not used to, can cause stomach upsets.

If you want to feed bones, offer large raw bones (never poultry), and discard after a couple of hours’ chewing or if broken into pieces that can be swallowed.

Chocolate and grapes are poisonous to dogs, so share these only with human friends.

Keep safe when travelling.

Always take water for pets, schedule in stops to stretch their legs, and never leave pets in cars during summer – it’s just too hot.

And don’t forget New Years. Many people save fireworks to let off at midnight. Make sure your pet is safely inside with the curtains closed, we don’t want them getting scared and running away.

Stay safe this holiday season, and Merry Christmas all!

‘Kathleen joined VCT in 2005. She completed her Veterinary Degree in 2003 and has a special interest in Ophthalmology (eyes) and Oncology (cancer). She is proud Mum to Romey & Manny (dogs) and Woof (cat). Ph VetCare 576 9069’

Pick up Polly ‘Polly’ is a seven-year-old female, which just loves attention – and she can’t get enough of being patted.

She loves adults and older children but doesn’t really like younger ones, and she doesn’t get along with other cats. She would be best suited to a single-cat household.

All of ARRC’s cats up for adoption have been de-sexed and vet-checked, and cost $60 to adopt to help with some of the vet costs.

If you’d like to meet Polly, or one of our other lovely cats, please ring

ARRC’s foster carer Maureen on 07 578 8335 or have a look at www.arrc.org.nz or Facebook.

No buts - get your dogs checked Dog’s anal glands may not be at the height of everyone’s conversations – but Mount Vet Hospital says it needs to be talked about.

The team of experienced veterinarians say for most dogs, the anal glands will empty a small amount of anal gland fluid each time the dog defecates.

They say sometimes the anal glands, also known as anal sacs, do not empty naturally – or do

not empty enough.

“This can lead to the glands filling up and becoming uncomfortable, leaking at inconvenient times or even becoming impacted and infected if left untreated.”

Small and overweight dogs tend to be most at risk, according to the team.

“Signs may include, scooting [dragging bottom along the floor], scratching, licking or biting around the anus, fishy smelling breath or coat [from grooming], generally sore and protective around the back end – or depression.”

For treatment, the team at Mount Vet Hospital suggest gentle regular expression if glands are just full.

They say diet can play a part and there are now special prescription diets that can be helpful.

“The anal glands may need to be flushed under sedation if impacted or infected. Chronic anal gland problems may require surgical removal.”

KittyCat Fixers need your help KittyCat Fixer founder Jan Cooper says the most important thing to her is helping people on lowincomes de-sex their cats.

That’s why her charity needs help to win the Jennian Homes ‘What’s Important To You?’ competition.

A total of $50,000 is up for grabs with the winner, decided by public voting on Jennian’s Facebook page, walking away with $10,000.

Eight runner-ups will receive $5000 and Jan says even that amount would make a huge difference.

“KittyCat helps people on low incomes to get their pets de-sexed at local vets by providing financial assistance towards the cost.

“We’re a small charity, run by just myself, with a big heart and grand plans.”

Since its founding in 2011 KittyCat has de-sexed 700 pets, with 67 receiving treatment in the last two months. The charity is sitting at 14th in the competi-

tion with 421 votes but Jan hopes to make the top nine.

With $5000 the charity could spay up to 80 female cats. “Mathematicians have worked KittyCat Fixers founder out one female cat Jan Cooper. can, in her lifetime, can be responsible for producing over 400,000 descendants.

“Please, let’s end the misery of the unwanted animals of this country and save thousands of lives by voting for KittyCat,” says Jan. The competition closes Sunday. Vote for KittyCat Fixers at www.facebook.com/JennianHomes or see www.kittycatfixers.org.nz

By David Tauranga

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A forest of palms for Papamoa Janine Gray of Coast Palms and Cycads has a noble vision for Papamoa – well, she has two visions.

She envisages transforming the suburb into a green coastal wonderland awash with lush Chatham Islands nikau palms and pohutukawas. “Can you imagine it?” asks Janine.

And she’d like to gift one of her clients $5000 cash – that’s 50 cherry red $100 banknotes in The Weekend Sun’s Shop ‘n’ Win Christmas promotion.

The gift is immediately manageable – customers are invited to pitch their bid by popping their name in the Shop ‘n’ Win entry box at Coast Palms and Cycads on SH2 on the Papamoa side of Te Puke.

Christmas could come a week early when the winner from the Papamoa district is drawn on December 14 and announced in The Weekend Sun a few days later.

But Janine’s other vision may take time – but she does have 30,000 trees in her nursery to get started on a green coastal oasis.

“The Chatham Island nikau is an iconic native tree; it’s a luscious green, has perfect structure and tidiness of leaf.

“Totally perfect for Papamoa – it’s happy with the odd frost, low soil quality and the relentless Spring winds.” The nursery boasts many fine examples.

Janine says it’s a vision of hers, to have Papamoa – a fairly challenging climate for gardeners, a forest of Chatham Island palms and pohutukawas – “a picture of Kiwiness.”

Despite its rural setting, Coast Palms and Cycads is “very much in the locality” – its palm trees grace properties from the Mount to Papamoa and Te Puke.

“There are also three pallets of palms shipped off to other NZ destinations every week.”

The speed of growth doesn’t

make the Chatham nikau a friend of developers – they grow just 10 metres in 60 years. But they’re ideal for homeowners because they’re not going to reach the sky anytime soon.

“Environmental psychology tells us you have to feel happy in your surroundings to have a great shopping experience and in my opinion, greenery is a massive part of that,” says Janine.

“And we’re going to put our money where our mouth is. For the reminder of December every purchaser goes into a separate draw for to win a landscaping grade Chatham Island nikau worth $250 which we’ll deliver for free within the Papamoa area.”

So when the winner of the Shop ‘n’ Win promotion calls by the Papamoa Plaza for a big spend-up , Janine would like them to negotiate a forest of Chatham Island palms and pohutukawas to get to the plaza. Create beauty and plant gardens.

By Hunter Wells

Coast Palms and Cycads’ Janine Gray with one her beauties. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Journeying through Jan’s imagination

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Papamoa author Jan Goldie has one big imagination. She likens her mind’s eye to a rich inner life she translates onto the page.

While her recent travels to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Europe are real life adventures, many of Jan’s journeys remain between the covers of her books.

The 46-year-old mother-of-two’s tale ‘Brave’s Journey’ has earned her a spot as the only New Zealand author on IFWG Publishing Australia’s list and a shortlisting for the NZ Tom Fitzgibbon Award – something she’s honoured to receive. “‘Brave’s Journey’ is about enjoying the journey and not just the destination, which is something you learn about when you’re travelling.”

In Jan’s new young adult novel 12-yearold Brave takes an unexpected trip to a “wonderfully magical world” with rainforest, wildlife and outback settings.

While her book encourages young adults to explore courage, be brave and creative – Jan also wants her readers to learn to be true to themselves.

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Jan Goldie is to offer a new reading adventure in 2015.

“I’ve always been a huge reader and escaped into books and I wanted to write something that would be completely escapist and fun to read, but had some deeper messages as well.”

Jan’s imagination is imprinted on several of her short stories including her novella ‘A Mer-tale’, in ‘Conclave’, a collection of science fiction and fantasy for teens featuring mermaids and aliens.

When she’s not creating imaginative worlds, Jan is a freelance writer for websites, print and social media. “I just write all the time.”

‘Brave’s Journey’ is expected to be released in February, 2015.

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Santa visits Katikati and Te Puke It’s Te Puke and Katikati’s turn to bring festive cheer to the region with the jolly white-bearded man expected to visit each town tomorrow.

Santa Claus’ first stop is the Te Puke Christmas Float Parade, organised

by Te Puke Lions Club, on December 6.

From 11am, Santa and all his reindeer, including Rudolph, will parade from Jellicoe St to the Oxford St roundabout and back again.

The red-suited

man will be joined by more than 30 floats, centres and churches. including community groups and “One of our features is we emergency services. encourage people to dress Te Puke Lions Club member up and walk their pets Peter Miller says the parade in the parade. That’s is getting bigger a little quirky thing and bigger each that we do.” year, with Santa’s next their Santa stop is Katisleigh and kati’s Christmas reindeer Parade from “the best in Earle Drive the Bay of down Main St Plenty”. and back up to “Possibly the Moore Park, biggest supwhere Katch KatiRod Calver and Don Fraser porters this year kati’s Jacqui Knight loving the ride of Katikati’s have been comsays the fun continChristmas parade last year. munity groups ues with Santa in the including Barnardos, play Park and the Christmas Variety Concert.

“Santa will be doing the lolly scramble and there’ll be The Lion’s Club carnival rides, merry-go-rounds, bouncy castles and the quick-fire raffle.”

The Kaimai Express Bluegrass Band and musicians from Katikati College will provide entertainment.

The parade begins at 3pm, with Santa in the Park and the Christmas Concert starting 4pm.

“It’s a really good community parade – a real feel good factor,” says Jacqui.

By Zoe Hunter

Bay’s regional council turns twenty-five

Fixed village fee

FOR LIFE

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is celebrating 25 years this month.

Welcome to the place where neighbours become Friends Location. Lifestyle. Laughter.

Greenwood Park is a wonderful place to retire.

Particularly if you are the sort of person who loves making the most of each day! This exceptionally friendly village sits on 17 stunning hectares set up for active living, including its very own track for walking and cycling. The outdoor playground also boasts a beautiful bowling green, tennis court, pétanque terrain and croquet green that everyone can enjoy. There is even a special space for campervans and boats.

Find the retirement lifestyle that suits you best.

New Zealand’s regional councils were set up in November 1989, replacing more than 700 ad-hoc bodies formed in the previous century, such as roads, catchment, drainage, pest control, harbour, domain and reserve boards.

BOPRC chairman Doug Leeder says it’s gratifying to look back over the regional council’s history and see what it had achieved.

Work includes managing clean-up of Rotorua’s lakes, and protection and enhancement of Tauranga and Ohiwa Harbours.

Over time it’s fenced off many kilometres of streams and rivers to protect fresh water resources, eradicated many plant and animal pests and managed navigation safety and civil defence for the region.

The council provides public transport in Tauranga, Rotorua and Eastern Bay of Plenty, and invests heavily in river schemes to protect communities from flooding, says Doug.

“We have a lot to thank those early councillors and staff for in leading the way 25 years ago. “Our population has exploded, particularly in the Western Bay, and the issues we face become more challenging each year.”

“Our role has also moved from solely managing the environment into economic development in the Bay, because of our unique ability to take a Bay-wide approach to analysing our region’s economic issues,” says Doug.

“The people and the environment have been central to what we’ve been doing for 25 years; and that won’t change.”

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A great night of rock ‘n’ roll It’s promising to be another great night upstairs at Tauranga Citz Club this Sunday, with an evening of rock ‘n’ roll planned.

The Entertainers Club is proud to present New Zealand’s Mr Rock ‘n’ Roll himself – Tom Sharplin and the Cadillacs – to the stage for the club’s end-of-year Christmas function on December 14.

Led by Tom, the Cadillacs consist of Ray Eade on bass guitar, Peter Wood on keyboard, Gordon Joll on drums and Steve Hubbard on guitar – all brilliant musicians in their own right.

Tom’s career spans many decades with countless accolades both nationally and internationally.

The Tauranga-raised musician is described as a rock ‘n’ roll survivor.

Programme coordinator Nicole Stagg says Tom is very excited about performing back in his hometown.

“We endeavour to keep the level of entertainment consistently good and varied so our audiences know no matter

what sort of genre we’re offering, that it’s going to be an enjoyable three hours spent every second Sunday of the month.

“This is the final of this years’ exciting monthly line-ups and what a cracker to finish the year with.”

Tom Sharplin and The Cadillacs will be playing at Tauranga Citz Club on Sunday, December 14 from 5pm-8pm.

Entry is $10, door sales are available from 4.30pm.

For diners, there’ll be a traditional festive meal available for $15 throughout the evening. Full bar service available.

For many more great nights of entertainment in 2015, visit the Tauranga Entertainers Club Facebook page.

Debbie sews together store’s farewell It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for Debbie Lagas – but she’s decided to close the doors of her beloved Sew and Sews store in Jellicoe St.

December 20 to open a new volunteering chapter in her life, working for Youth with a Mission – a non-profit Christian missionary organisation – where her new role will be an immigration and transport manager.

She’d also like to spend more time with Debbie says the time her adult children and has come for her to grandchildren. But sadly bid goodbye to she’s going to miss the the store she’s owned Debbie Lagas is saying place. for nearly 12 years – a goodbye to customers with “I’ve loved being store she says that’s a closing down sale. here and I’m going to been at the heart of miss all of the friends I’ve made at the the Te Puke community for more than shop.”

25 years.

Debbie says there’ll be an opportunity “It’s been an emotional ride. I’ve had for her crafters to stock up on their arts lots of my loyal customers coming to and crafts in Sew and Sews’ 70 per cent me either in tears or wishing me well off closing down sale on now. with my future ventures.”

By Zoe Hunter Debbie will be shutting up shop on

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Santa heads to the country Santa and his sleigh are pulling up at Athenree Homestead for the next three Sundays to give Western Bay country kids the chance to put in their requests with the jolly big red man.

Volunteer Colleen Low says the homestead’s novel idea came from realising youngsters from Katikati and Waihi Beach areas would have to go to town, to shopping malls, to meet Santa Claus.

“This way we thought it would give local children the magic of Christmas.

“They can come up to the homestead and have their photographs taken with Santa.”

Santa is on duty at Athenree Homestead, 360 Athenree Rd, on December 7, 14 and 21 from 1pm-3pm.

The homestead is also open to view it’s new vintage Christmas decorations for $5 entry.

Enquiries to Barbara on 07 863 4421.

The Weekend Sun

Emergency services drive for foodbank Western Bay of Plenty’s Emergency Services will be supporting the district’s Salvation Army Foodbank by conducting a food donation drive on Tuesday, December 9 from 6pm-7.30pm.

Police, Fire and St John staff and volunteers will move through a number of Western Bay of Plenty communities with their vehicles’ sirens and loud hailers going while collectors enter streets to receive donated food items.

Foods to donate include powdered milk/long-life milk, tinned fish and meats, instant cooked rice, fruit juice, muesli barsand other items that help make up food parcels. If residents aren’t home on Tuesday night, the Salvation Army Foodbank has drop boxes in Police stations in Katikati, Tauranga South, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke until December 10.

Natural home care products which become addictive Choosing home care products made from natural organic New Zealand ingredients is high on my priority list.

I’ve been using Pure Blend products for several years now, and I’m totally addicted to them.

Aside from the fact that they’re made from natural and organic ingredients I particularly love the Lavender laundry liquid, which is made from distilled water, washing soda crystals, white vinegar and lavender essential oils. It makes the

laundry smell amazing.

Pure Blend has a huge range of products to cover most cleaning requirements, including products for your pets.

The baby products are totally fantastic; it’s so nice to be sending natural NZ products for my English grandchildren to use, at least I know they’re getting some Kiwi influence.

Kelly Willoughby is the founder and producer of Pure Blend products.

Kelly wanted to make an organic and natural range of body and

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home care products that were not only affordable for all but also used high quality ingredients.

By keeping the packaging simple Kelly was able to do just that.

All products are fresh and made in small batches to maintain quality.

Kelly doesn’t use sodium lauryl sulphate, petrochemicals, parabens, artificial colours or fragrances, caustic soda, bleaches or animal products and the products are not tested on animals.

Check out the full range on www.pureblend.co.nz They make for great Christmas presents, delivered to your door!

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43

The Weekend Sun

Santa Claus is coming to Merivale Their annual Christmas Festival returns next Friday and will be jampacked with fun, food, games and a special appearance by the man of the hour Hana Koko (Santa Claus).

The festival has been around for the last 10 years now and is guaranteed to pull a large crowd.

Merivale Community Centre manager Rachel Palmer says the festival will reflect the community and will have a great multicultural and multi-spiritual feel.

“It’s basically to bring the community together in one place to purely celebrate the end of the year and Christmas.

“There will be lots of food, children’s games, and I even heard we may have a fire engine

coming along so I recommend people may want to bring a towel.”

Rachel says there’s a long list of entertainment, including music from local band Empress, the centre’s Studio RZ students, plus the winner of this year’s Merivale Idol competition.

Many different community groups will also run stalls, plus a number of churches will be present on the day.

There’s also going to be a special visit from everyone’s favourite jolly fat man Hana Koko, says Rachel.

Merivale Community Centre manager Rachel Palmer is looking “Santa will be coming along forward to the community’s Christmas Festival on December 12. and his presents have been the festival. Many have donated and the community is driving generously sponsored by the this festival, it’s really nice.”

Fraser Cove Warehouse and MP equipment, will be cooking food and volunteering their The Merivale Christmas FesSimon Bridges. time on the day. tival is at the community centre “I also need to thank Creative “It has been great watching on Kesteven Ave, on December Communities because we really 12 from 12pm. couldn’t have done this without how everyone works together For more information, call and to all their strengths,” says them.”

Merivale Community Centre Rachel.

Rachel says the whole comon 07 578 6450.

“We’ve basically stepped back munity have come on board for

LOFT

THE THE

When it comes to putting on a heck of a celebration no-one does it better than the Merivale community.

By David Tauranga

Kiwis set to be generous this Christmas Kiwis are embracing the spirit of giving this Christmas, with new figures revealing the majority will be looking to purchase gifts for six or more people this festive season.

Commissioned by MasterCard, the study reveals more than half of New Zealanders – about 54 per cent – planned to be shopping for six or more friends and family this Christmas, while nearly one in five look to buy gifts for more than 11 people.

Women are set to be the biggest givers in terms of the number of stockings they’ll be filling, being more than twice as likely than men to purchase

gifts for 11 or more people, and three times more likely to be on the hunt for more than 16.

In terms of gift-buying, children are likely to take the biggest bite out of Christmas budgets, with parents expecting to spend an average of $140 on gifts for each of their youngsters –although one-quarter of households plan to spend $200 or more.

Partners

come in a close second in terms of priorities, with Kiwis planning to spend on average $136 on their significant other’s gift.

Third are parents and in-laws at $80, followed by extended family, $65, siblings, $59 and friends, $52.

Overall, most Kiwis expected their Christmas expenses to cost more than $500, including 24 per cent who expect to spend in excess of $1000 on items such as gifts, food, travel and decorations.

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44

The Weekend Sun

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

It seems this age-old question is a bit like the one about why did the chicken cross the road?

I know the answer to that one though; my neighbours leave all their vegetable scraps out on the front lawn so my flock of chickens can and do cross the road to feast.

This has been going on for five years until recently, when complaining members of the public, moaned to the council that chickens are freely wandering the local streets early morning, seen feasting on rubbish sacks.

After several council visits I’ve had to reign in Gloria, Cocoa and the others, restricting them to half the backyard.

Now several neighbours are missing the girls visiting them everyday clucking away and searching for worms and bugs along everyone’s fence lines.

Strangely enough Pearl set up her nest outside the fortified compound under the market stand by the Ginkgo tree; and I haven’t shifted her.

She’s become a great sales chicken as I launch a world-first pick-your-own-egg system – a sign telling you Pearl will let you grab a few eggs from under her as long as you pay 50 cents per egg.

The eggs are placed under her daily from the rest of girls, so there’s a mix of colours – white, green and brown.

Alas, this new venture could be doomed if Pearl wanders too much or gets arrested by the authorities for vagrancy. Then I may have to come up with a summer dish using chicken and egg.

DESSERT Crispy chicken strips and Avocado Aioli

Gluten-free, four snack serves Ingredients 200g boneless skinless chicken thighs 3 eggs separated 3 gluten-free wheatbix 2 Tbsp maize cornflour 1 cup plain yoghurt 2 Tbsp sea salt flakes 1 ripe avocado ½ cup avocado oil 2-3 cloves roasted garlic with skin on then squished out 2-3 Tbsp lime juice Cracked black pepper

Method Cut chicken thighs into small pieces, about the size of a matchbox, then pound down between two plastic bags to flatten a little. Mix sea salt and yoghurt together, then marinate the flattened thighs in the yoghurt mix for two-three hours. Crush wheatbix with cornflour. Whisk up the egg whites until stiff, then mix through the yoghurt to make a light batter. Dip the chicken pieces into the batter before coating in the wheatbix mixture and placing in hot pan with a little oil. Seal on both sides then bake in the oven on 250 degrees Celsius for about 15 minutes. To make the aioli add roasted garlic to a small bowl and add egg yolks and a drop or two of lime juice. Whisk in the avocado oil, a tablespoon or two at a time, until the mixture liaisons together. Add more oil until the mixture thickens, then add lime juice and the avocado, which can be beaten into the mix. Once the chicken is ready serve with the avocado aioli and salad greens.

Mastering the Gengy’s Mongolian magic As a keen food lover, I was excited to become acquainted with what Tauranga’s Gengy’s has to offer.

As a first-timer to the Mongolian barbecue buffet – and the Durham

Plus, fresh vegetables, sauces St restaurant – I was and oils, letting you be as eager to become accusfussy as you like and persontomed to what this alise your meal. meant.

You can also go back as My guest and I were many times as you like! greeted by very friendly For starters, two soups and staff with an impeccaa huge salad bar are on offer. ble standard of service The seafood chowder was without being interrupdelectable! tive – all night.

Then, time for the fun The premises is part, I mixed and matched deceivingly large with Chefs cooking meals Mongolian barbecue style. a whole heap of ingredients an open and spacious and created a unique meal – delifeel. the gluten-intolerant too. This is cious!

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45

The Weekend Sun

Something amiss in Christmas puddings?

The ‘Edmonds Cookery Book’ is quite explicit about Christmas puddings – it’s a non-negotiable thing.

“Put sultanas, raisins, currants, almonds and mixed peel into a large bowl. Add suet, mix to combine.”

Edmonds insists it has to be ‘suet’ – that’s one cup of shredded suet, or ‘Shreddo’, the kind you buy in the shop.

That’s the way Connie Breeds has been doing it for the 64 years she’s been married – and her mother before that.

But history ends there, it seems. Cerebos Greggs Ltd has arbitrarily torn a page out of the Kiwi cooking Bible. The company confirmed it has stopped producing Shreddo; it has been delisted, there is no more.

And that’s considered sacrilegious in domestic kitchens around Tauranga.

“It’s ridiculous and I’m outraged,” cries Connie in response to a purely commercial decision and dwindling sales.

Cerebos Greggs Ltd has told The Weekend Sun that Shreddo was deleted from its range more than two years ago “due to lack of consumer demand”.

“We appreciate that there are some loyal consumers who are disappointed in this

Connie Breeds, with great granddaughter Florence Evans, and one of her puddings. move, so every Christmas we bring in an Australian Product Tandaco Suet, which is available for sale from November in New Worlds.”

Cerebos Greggs Ltd says English stores like Bramptins import a suet equivalent “and some people make their own from beef fat from the butcher”.

But when the supermarket advised Connie to use a substitute product at $6 a tub she said: “No thanks”.

Suet is the hard white fat encasing the kidneys and loins of sheep and beef.

It’s kneaded into the flour of a Christmas pudding or dumplings. “[It] holds it together and gives a distinctive flavour and unique lightness and fluffiness,” according to executive chef Peter Gordon.

“Don’t tell me to substitute butter,” says Connie, “because butter doesn’t cut it”.

But does it?

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic chef tutor Lee Pearce insists butter has the same effect if not the distinctive taste. It’s all in the method.

“Freeze the butter first, grate it and work the chunks of frozen butter into the pudding. You still have the presence of fat for taste and mouth feel.”

And the health issues around gorging animal fat?

Peter, who’s done some research, says suet isn’t much worse than butter that you should avoid it.

“When looking at 100 grams of each, suet has about 10 per cent more saturated fat.

What’s hot, tasty and tempting in Bellevue?

Nothing says it’s Christmas more than a delicious, homemade, hot roast meal – and that’s exactly what’s cooking at Bellevue Roast Meals.

Previously owning a successful roast shop in Hamilton, owner Srba and his wife Vesna are offering quality roast meals to tantalise the taste buds at their new premise in Bellevue.

Bellevue Roast Meals on Windsor Rd is the newest roast shop in town – and with more than 10 years’ experience in the industry, Srba knows how to cook a good one.

The roast shop offers mouthwatering roast lamb, pork and chicken and beef meals, complete with all the trimmings, including potatoes, kumara, pumpkin, peas and carrots.

Bellevue Roast Meals owner Srba Ilic with the roast lamb meal.

“We also make wraps, sandtasty hot roast meal today, Srba is wiches, bread rolls and burgers encouraging hungry customers to filled with scrumptious roast tell their friends about Bellevue meat, as well as burgers and lamb Roast Meals. shanks.”

They’re open lunch and dinner Srba and his team of experienced times from Tuesday to Sunday chefs promise to tempt the taste from 11.30am-8.30pm. buds with their very own homePresent the coupon on this page made gravy and traditional rice to the Bellevue Roast Meals team pudding. and receive $1 off your next small, So to sink your teeth into a medium or large meal.

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“Unless you’re an Arctic sleigh dog, which are fed suet for energy reserves, you aren’t likely to be eating more than a few grams per serving.”

But Connie’s problems don’t end with the Christmas pudding. What will she use for the paste in her dumplings and steak and kidney pie?

These are probably weighty issues for the ‘Edmonds

By Hunter Wells Cookery Book’ in the New Year.

46

The Weekend Sun

Amalgamation set to be talk of the town Amalgamation is the talk of the town next Friday. At least that’s what’s on Stephen Town’s lips as he returns to the city for a speech to fellow business leaders and the city’s citizens.

The former Tauranga City Council chief executive officer will be in Tauranga for the ‘Leaders in Business

Pantone Process Blue

with Stephen Town’ lunchtime event, hosted by Cooney Lees Morgan, at Mills Reef Winery and Restaurant on December 12.

The theme of the current Auckland City Council CEO’s speech will be ‘Auckland – Amalgamation Three Years On’.

He’ll be talking about the savings and benefits of amalgamation and how it works – a topic frequently muted for

Pantone Reflex Blue

Bay of Plenty councils since Auckland began the exercise.

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce operations, events and training manager Anne Pankhurst says with a lot of discussion about amalgamation in Tauranga, looking at the city’s close neighbour for the “real oil” makes sense.

“Stephen is very aware of Tauranga, and now even more on top of what’s happening in Auckland. Stephen will be a very interesting speaker and one you should book ahead for.”

Anne says amalgamation is a hot topic in Tauranga, with a number of views on the subject.

“It seemed like a great idea to speak to the CEO of the biggest amalgamation [in New Zealand], and one that had been operating for a number of years now.

“It makes sense to understand what works, what doesn’t and if

Mayor Stuart Crosby and former city council CEO Stephen Town. you could learn from Auckland what would you do differently.”

Before returning to Auckland in 2010, Stephen spent eight years as TCC’s CEO. He’s held a variety of chief executive roles in education and local government sectors during 20 years.

Open to the public, the ‘Leaders in Business with Stephen Town’

event is at Mills Reef Winery and Restaurant on December 12 from 11.50am.

Tickets cost $55 plus GST for Tauranga Chamber of Commerce members and $65 plus GST for non-members. For more information, or to book tickets, visit www.tauranga.org.nz/events

By Zoe Hunter

New Zealand on track and growing It’s encouraging to see the progress New Zealand is making through the hard work of households and businesses up and down the country.

The economy continues to grow, jobs, wages, and household savings are increasing, and unemployment is coming down.

Businesses are confident and hiring more staff, all of our regions are growing and more New Zealanders are voting with their feet and either staying home or coming home.

Consumer confidence in the Bay of Plenty has topped regional rankings and increased to a 10-year high, according to ANZ’s Regional Trends report released last week.

This has been reflected in a strongly performing retail sector, with sales increasing 6.7 per cent in the last year, and households choosing to spend more on house construction, with the value of dwelling approvals up 23 per cent in the last year.

This good news reflects the positive feedback I’ve received from businesses I’ve visited recently.

However, in order to sustain this growth longterm, I believe we must also develop and grow our skilled locals.

That’s why increasing the provision for local tertiary institutions, which align to our local industry and needs, is important.

Nationwide we’re also continuing to see improved results from our public services in areas that really matter – such as lower crime, higher educational achievement and more New Zealanders moving from welfare into work.

Locally, our Bay of Plenty District Health Board has been performing well since National streamlined national health targets to improve health services for patients.

In the last quarter, this includes 341 more discharges from elective procedures than the national target as well as ensuring all cancer patients receive radiotherapy or chemotherapy within four weeks.

Overall I think we have reason to be optimistic as we go into the Christmas period.

The economy is growing at 3.9 per cent and 72,000 extra jobs were created in the year to September; also our health services are improving, we have the lowest crime rate in 35 years, and our children are getting a good education.

New Zealand is on track, growing, and the future is bright as New Zealanders and the Government work together to lift our country’s performance.

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47

The Weekend Sun

Trees and public art

Late night Te Puke shopping

Trees are wonderful things that provide us with oxygen, house our wildlife, and soften the effects of urban concrete jungles.

Bayfair to Baypark link gets funding

People generally like trees, as long as they don’t negatively affect individual properties or personal health issues.

On Monday, Tauranga City Council finalised the new tree and vegetation management policy for managing vegetation that grows on council-own land.

We received good feedback from submitters asking council to continue to balance the need to support trees in public places, but find ways to assist those living next to them who are obviously negatively affected.

Council manages thousands of trees on council-owned land throughout the city. The revised policy empowers staff with better tools to address your tree-related issues. But we have maintained your right of appeal to present to elected members if you

disagree with our staff.

On Monday, council also considered the draft Public Art Policy.

We’ll ask the public for feedback on the draft policy during February 2015.

The policy sets up a similar process to holding a tender on constructing a road or a building project. It ensures public art on prime locations is available to all artists to submit their ideas.

It also establishes a largely external advisory panel to recommend to council which idea to choose.

I want separate public art funding from this policy, which just sets up a process. Any ratepayer money allocated to public art will be discussed during the draft Long Term Plan process next year.

We held public sessions to help shape the draft policy. They debated whether impromptu art, such as flash mobs or yarn-bombing trees in Greerton, should be required to go through a

formal approval process.

While the policy opens up opportunities for all artists to submit their ideas for high profile locations, the policy excludes temporary public art so there are fewer hoops to jump through because it’s only temporary.

Public art is about bringing public spaces to life. Few postcards or Facebook profiles include neatly manicured grass or the absence of pot holes in roads.

I believe a public art policy is another step in this council’s direction to bring out the best in local communities, especially combined with a greater focus on events, our new community development team, and the creation of our community development fund.

Like I said a few weeks ago, we need to turn many small cogs to change the direction of council.

Te Puke retailers set to open their doors all day and night on December 19 till 8pm. The late night shopping evening will also have Te Puke Retail Action group’s $2000 Christmas promotion drawn at 6pm at the Te Puke Post Office by the town’s very own All Black Nathan Harris, under Police supervision The New Zealand Transport Agency has approved $5.4 million in funding to cover the initial design of the Bayfair to Baypark link. The project will see two flyovers built on SH2. One flyover will take SH2 over the Maunganui-Girven intersection; the second will take State Highway 29 over the railway and Te Maunga intersection. NZTA has issued a tender calling for initial designs to support the project. The tender closes December 16, with the contract to be awarded March 2015.

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Feel free to email me your thoughts (matt. cowley@tauranga.govt.nz), call/text me on 027 6989 548, and follow me at www.facebook.com/a.younger.voice.

Marine Precinct funding gets green light Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council have signed a heads of agreement defining the main conditions and obligations for a $5 million regional infrastructure fund investment in the Tauranga Marine Precinct project.

The signing is one of a number of significant project milestones celebrated at a recent visit to the Mirrielees Rd site by marine industry stakeholders, elected members and council staff.

This includes marketing of adjoining properties to be sold as part of the project and appointment of marine industry

consultant Phil Wardale as project manager.

The $10 million marine precinct project will create a purpose-built marine servicing facility and related infrastructure at Sulphur Point.

BOPRC is contributing $5m and TCC’s contribution of $5m will be offset by the sale of properties on and near the site.

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Milking dairy prices For the life of me can someone explain to me why dairy products keep going up in price at the supermarkets when our dairy products have decreased, and I emphasise decreased, some 50 per cent-plus in overseas markets. Just who is having us, the public, on? Is it Fonterra? Is it Anchor?

Or is it the supermarkets? For it is certainly not the hard-working dairy farmer.

Are we the public going to be treated as mugs forever or are we going to ask questions and get some John O’Rourke, Tauranga. answers?

The Weekend Sun

Welfare system is being abused - as are Kiwi children RE: ‘Child poverty actually abuse’ (The Weekend Sun, November 14) I’d like to congratulate K.Molloy on their excellent letter pointing out ‘child poverty’ is a euphemism for child abuse.

There is no need for any child to go to school hungry when bread is available at $1 a loaf.

They rightly point out it’s immoral to continue producing children when you do not have the means to care for them properly.

Minister of State Services Paula Bennett is doing her best to stop people bucking the system but there is no accountability as to what WINZ handouts are spent on.

Food, clothing and petrol vouchers could be issued instead of money, which cannot be transferred to anyone else or exchanged for

drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.

It goes back to education. Girls must be taught dropping out of school to have a baby and go on a benefit is not a wise career choice.

Likewise, having several children by different partners who disappear into the night without supporting their offspring is foolish. At least get their address, phone number and IRD number, would be good too if they have one.

People in this country are overly generous.

Foodbanks sound like a good idea but it stops people learning to fend for themselves.

It’s easy to grow your own vegetables, even in pots or on window sills, but how many WINZ clientele grow their own food?

My mother has told me during World War II she queued for hours to buy offal - the only thing not rationed. This is a country of abundance but the welfare system is being abused and children along with it.

M Brooks, Pyes Pa.

Debt the reason for child poverty RE: ‘Child poverty actually abuse’ (The Weekend Sun, November 14). In response to K Molley’s letter, I agree with their comment there is no such thing as child poverty, it is child abuse. We are blessed to live in this country where there is social system that ensures families in NZ have a minimum income that provides enough money for all

the basic needs of looking after a family.

Every day as a financial coach I’m helping families from all walks of life that are struggling to keep up with everything, and only spending meagre amounts of food. Once we take out debt payments but maintain the normal costs of raising children, the budget always balances.

The reason they struggle is because in calculating the basic requirements, the social system doesn’t allow for families to have debt.

Debt is the main reason we have child poverty, and by parents paying for their debt instead of feeding their children, it is child abuse!

We have hard-hitting TV adverts for other social issues – why don’t we have adverts showing the reality of getting debt when you can’t afford it and then can’t provide for your children.

S Newland, Mount Maunganui.

Send us in your letters

The Weekend Sun welcomes letters and photographs from readers.

Preference will be given to short letters (200 words maximum), supplied with full name and contact details. Photos are best in high resolution, jpeg format.

letters@thesun.co.nz

49

The Weekend Sun

Amalgamation makes sense

A red herring debate for New Zealand The flag change debate is a red-herring and most Kiwis couldn’t care less about the flag. There are currently far more important things of concern to New Zealand but if we seriously need to address the flag thing then at least save millions by undertaking the binding Referendum at the 2016 Local Body Elections.

Only two questions need to be put on voting papers: Do you want the NZ flag changed?

Answer: Yes/No. If ‘Yes’, here is a selection of say six flag designs - which one do you prefer should Parliament finally resolve that a flag change is necessary?

If the Referendum majority says ‘No’ to a flag change then that’s the end of it.

The $27 million cost for this flag nonsense is obscene and fiscally imprudent – still, as a country that racks up to $300 million per week on overseas debt deficits probably this represents only small change to Prime Minister Key & Co. The National Government and most Local Authorities seem to have no accountability or personal concern about profligacy so this is how these madcap ideas take flight.

S Paterson, Arataki.

We are in effect one RE: ‘Amalgamation woes we don’t want’ (The Weekend Sun, November 28).

Both Doug Owens and Alastair Bourne get it wrong in their call to fight amalgamation or suggesting Auckland’s woes flow from a similar amalgamation to that proposed for the Western Bay of Plenty.

The amalgamation for the Western Bay is simply a merging of the territorial authorities comprising

the Western Bay of Plenty District Council and the Tauranga City Council.

There is no intent to interfere or incorporate the Bay of Plenty P Regional Council into the mix, such as has been proposed in Northland, Waikato, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington.

Big is not always beautiful but in the Western Bay there is a commonality of identity and purpose

in what happens. Or as Sir Brian Ellwood said, in the 1989 report on reorganisation for the Bay of Plenty Region: “There is so much that unites and so little that divides”.

A single council for the Western Bay would recognise the reality of the common community of interest that exists today where the city’s growth has spilt over into the district and we are in effect one.

G Horsley, Mount Maunganui.

Big boys need to pay their dues As some of you already know, I’m a capitalist. I believe the creation of wealth is good for mankind in almost every way.

And how do we know this is the best way? By the length of the queue of people trying to get into our systems across the planet.

Now, I’m just a working class boy (and always will be) but creating wealth gives us choices, and choices can create amazing lifestyles. But there’s something bothering me.

With the advent of technology, combined with global commercial internationalism, big corporates are finding ways to avoid paying their fair share.

You will have read/heard the stories about Google and Apple and others setting up structures that essentially avoid paying their taxes in the countries where they make their money.

It’s a big issue. And governments around the planet need that income to mainly look after the poorer people, as all good governments need to do.

But this set up allows these huge multinationals to, I believe, avoid their responsibilities to the very cultures that creates their wealth.

It’s a bit like sh**ting in your own nest. I did that once. It doesn’t work.

It p*****s people off. And so it should.

So come on you big boys and corporate businesses, you are dodging your dues. Man up and pay up. It’s for your ultimate benefit as well.

Otherwise before you know it, there could be an international consumer backlash of the very products that help create these profits.

And you may not like that.

Graeme Martin, Bethlehem.

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I may have a vivid imagination, but I had this vision over the weekend.

Here is a prisoner in jail in New Zealand serving a 20-year sentence, sitting back in his cell watching television and laughing himself silly as he watches politically correct people marching down the streets of our cities complaining about the proposed curtailing and invading our privacy in our use of internet, Facebook and other forms of telecommunication.

He’s saying “thanks for privacy because over the last 20 years using prison supplied computers and cellphone I have done the following: 1. Earned enough money to fly out of New Zealand to places eventually unknown in the world – ouch, tickets are pricey!

2. Even though passports have a five year span, over the last 20 years I have been able to get, or renew (and that was difficult but not impossible) a new passport in my supposed Birth name.

3. Say thank you to the prison guards as I leave them to do their duties”.

The above says that in some circumstances ie prisons and seriously convicted persons, the CSB (spy services) should be available for use.

If a prisoner could do the above, imagine what an upto-date terrorist could do!

Rex O’Connor, Tauranga.

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50

The Weekend Sun

E N T E R T A I N M E N T G U I D E MUSIC

SPECIAL EVENTS

OUT THERE

News, reviews and opinionated raving on the music scene.

Community events and occasions across the Bay.

Stories, snippets, strangeness, and general entertainment.

& craft stalls, kids activities & rides, games, stage entertainment & performances & more. Supported by Welcome Bay Community Centre. 544 9774 or info.wbcc@xtra.co.nz

ABC Tauranga Market Day

Honey Bee Milonga (Tango Social Dance) An evening of Argentine Tango. Held fortnightly at Honey Bee House, the Art of Dance & Movement Studio, 233 Waihi Rd, Judea 7.30-11pm. Gold coin donation & BYO drinks/nibbles. Logan 021 275 5636 or www.facebook.com/ TangoinTauranga

Alcoholics Anonymous

Every Sat & Sun departs 11am from the Katikati Info Centre, 36 Main Rd, Katikati. $10pp. For group bookings ph 549 5250

The Weekend Sun’s ever popular guide to ‘What’s On’ in the Bay.

Friday 5 December Christmas Fair

Omokoroa Point School 6-8pm.

Stalls, games & food. Free entry.

Saturday 6 December Face painting, Pied Piper Icecream & heaps of bargains. 169a Maleme St, Tauranga 9am - 12pm.

Women’s meeting at St Andrews, Dee St 10-11am. Children welcome.

Art in the Park

Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui 8.30am - 5pm, weather permitting.

Tauranga Society of Artists offer for sale a variety of art to suit all tastes.

Baypark Family Speedway

Sprint Cars, Super Saloons, Saloons, Stock Cars, 6 Shooters, Mini Stocks. www.bayparkspeedway.co.nz

BOP Shirley Club

Christmas gift exchange meeting at Classic Flyers, Mt Maunganui 10am.

Bring a gift to the value of $10 for exchange. Confirm attendance with 577 6607

Car Boot Sale

Greerton School 7am start. Cost $5 per single site or $10 for double site.

Weather permitting. Something for everyone. Shirley 577 1116 or 0274 146 040

Christmas Dance

Dec 13 at Greerton Hall, 1247 Cameron Rd 7.30pm. BYO drinks & nibbles. Supreme Dance Centre 544 2337 or 027 322 1786

Christmas Dance Tonight

Wear a touch of Christmas to sequence & old time dancing. Door &spot prizes.

Great music & supper. Greerton Hall 7.30-11pm. Entry $6. All welcome.

Run by Tauranga Social Dance. Garry 543 0051

Christmas Parade

And Santa in the Park Katikati 3pm.

Starts at Earl Drive & finishes at Moore Park.

Christmas Variety Concert

At Moore Park, Katikati 4pm. Great line up of performers. Follows on from the Lions Christmas Parade. www. katchkatikati.org.nz

Cinderella

At Baycourt 1pm & 7pm.

Garage Sale

At Katikati College school hall 8am start. Outdoor furniture to sports equipment. Bake sale & sausage sizzle.

Katikati Mural Tours

Messianic Weekly Meetings

The Way meet in the Kingfisher Room, Arataki Community Centre, Zambuk Way, Mt Maunganui 10am.

542 1438

Multicultural Language of Christmas

Dec 13 Multicultural Tauranga celebrates the year’s end with songs, poems, dances & stories from children at the region’s 8 language schools.

Wesley Church Hall 6pm. Bring a plate of food to share. 571 6419

Permaculture Eco Building Workshop Morning Q&A on ecobuilding & energy efficiency with expert Carsten Beetz, followed by an afternoon tour on 2 eco properties. Tauranga area 9am - 5pm. 027 240 1305 www.

PlentyPermaculture.co.nz

Tai Chi Qingong

Every Sat in Memorial Park between mini golf & playground 10am. Free. All welcome.

Tauranga Farmers Market

Tauranga Primary School cnr 5th Ave & Cameron Rd every Sat 7.45am 12pm. Fresh & artisian produced food.

Christmas hamper tickets available at market $2 each. Drawn Dec 13 9am & 10am. You must be present to claim winning hamper. Trixie 552 5278 or www.taurangafarmersmarket.co.nz

Tauranga Fuchsia Group Show

One day competition & show at Tauranga Arts & Crafts Centre, Elizabeth St West, Tauranga 9am - 4pm.

Entry $3. Plants for sale. Open to public. Pat 579 1655

Transform Life’s Difficulties

An afternoon meditation course.

Learn to develop methods which give us the ability to stay happy & positive, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Dec 6 at Mount Senior Citz Hall, 345 Maunganui Rd 12.45-4m. Bookings es-sential. www.meditateintauranga.org or 09 846 5829

Tye Park Community Fun Day

Tye Park, Forrester Drive, Welcome Bay 10am – 2pm. Food stalls, arts

Welcome Bay Markets

First Sat of month at Welcome Bay Hall car park 9am - 12pm. Stalls $5.

544 9774/info.wbcc@xtra.co.nz

Sunday 7 December

Bay Bible Fellowship/Lord’s Day

Welcome Bay Primary School Hall, 309 Welcome Bay Rd 10am. Join for worship & hear what God has to say from his Word about “The highs & lows of marriage” (part 1). Lincoln Forlong. All welcome.

Bethlehem Lions Market

1st & 3rd Sun of month at Bethlehem Town Centre 8am - 12pm.

Carols on the Waterfront

Dec 14 Downtown, the Waterfront on The Strand 5.30-7pm. Join the combined churches in a beautiful celebration of the spirit of Christmas. See Mary & Joseph arrive with the donkey, then join in singing Christmas Carols.

Falun Dafa

Simple exercises to liberate your mind & energise your body. Free to learn. At Memorial Park by the fountain 1st & 2nd Sundays 9.45am. Judy 576 9683 or txt 021 0425 398 en.falundafa.org

Keep the Scene Clean

Car Park, Tuna Ave, Island View, Waihi Beach 9.30am for litter reduction. Zenya 07 863 1357

Mount Mainstreet Farmers Market

Every Sun in Phoenix car park 9am - 1pm. Fresh fruit & veges, breads, cheese, oils, plants & more. All home grown & home made. 575 9911 mountmaunganui.org.nz

Radio Controlled Model Power Boats

Racing at Lake Taurikura off Taurikura Drive in the industrial area of the Lakes subdivision 10am start. Follow the RC Boat signs. Brian 548 1334

Radio Controlled Model Yachts Meet Sun 1.30pm & Thurs 5.30pm at pond behind 24 Montego Drive, Papamoa, to sail electron & similar 3ft long yachts for fun. Beginners welcome.

Graham 572 5419

Road to Bethlehem Dec 14 - 17 at 19 Moffat Rd, Bethlehem. Experience a 40 minute outdoor walk-through theatrical experience that brings to life the story & meaning of Christmas. Tours depart approx every 8 mins between

6.30-9.30pm. 929 4292 or www. roadtobethlehemorg.nz

Santa’s Snapper Snatcher

Kayak fishing competition.

Free entry, 7am shotgun start at Papamoa Beach Domain. www.nzkayakerevents.co.nz

St Nicholas Celebration

Organised by CS Club Tauranga, in Matua Community Hall, 110 Levers Rd, Matua 10am – 1.30pm.

Come & join us. www.facebook.com/ csclubtauranga, email csclubtauranga@ gmail.com or Jana 579 3918.

Tauranga Brass Christmas Concert Memorial Park 1.30pm.

Tauranga Night Market Bayfair

Every Sunday in the Bayfair undercover carpark 5.30-11pm.

All weather, fully undercover. Fresh produce, gifts, fashionware, antiques, live music & more.

Tauranga Organ & Keyboard Society

Meet 1st Sun of month at Carmel Village, Hollister Lane 1.30pm.

All welcome to play or listen.

Carol 574 0228

Tauranga Spiritual Society Inc

Senior Citizen’s Hall, 14 Norris St. Christmas dinner & remembrance service. Guest speakers: Jefree Clarkson with clairvoyant readers. Doors open 5.45pm for 6.30pm start. Lots of great raffles. Members: free. Non members $10. 022 0670 467

Tauranga Theatre Organ Society

Meet at Baycourt. Hear & play the mighty wurlitzer. All welcome.

552 0243

thequietforest

Offering an uplifting space for meditation, reflection, discovery & community. 1st Sun of month at Cliff Rd building (adj to Petanque Club) Tauranga 4pm. www.thequietforest. wordpress.com or Carole 022 068 9183

Young Classical Musicians Soc

Christmas concert & awards presentation 2pm. Come & enjoy our varied programme.

Meeting of all members at conclusion of awards. At Wesley Church, 13th Ave, Tauranga 2pm. All welcome.

Monday 8 December 500 Card Games

Most nights. Free & social, some experience preferred. Chris 572 3834

Australian Born Travelling Monk Teacher

Speaking on richness & rhapsody of ancient Eastern literatures. Dec 8-14 at different venues in Tauranga. Bhadra 021 239 8402

GUIDE The Weekend Sun’s guide to who’s playing and where.

Bay of Plenty Vintage Car Club

Meet every 2nd Mon of month at clubrooms in Cliff Rd. New members welcome. www.bayofplentyvintagecarclub.com

Body & Soul Fun Fitness

For over 50’s, social events & guest speakers. Mon & Fri Greerton Hall Cameron Rd. Tues Wesley Church Hall, 13th Ave. Weds City Church cnr Otumoetai Rd/Sherwood St. Thurs at Tauranga Senior Citizens Hall, Norris St behind Pak n Save. All classes 9.1510.15am. First class free. For men & women. Dianne 576 5031 Qualified Instructor/Cardiac Care leader.

Citizens Advice Bureau

Free, confidential info & advice about anything call in Mon - Fri at 38 Hamilton St, Tauranga 9am - 5pm or free-phone 0800 367 222 or 578 1592.

JP service every Mon 1-5pm, Weds & Thurs 9am - 11.30am. Weds CAB service at Welcome Bay Community Centre 9.30am - 12.30pm, Fri at Mount Library 11.30am - 1.30pm. No appointment necessary.

Greerton Garden Club 2nd Mon of month at St James Hall cnr Devon St & Pooles Rd, Greerton 1pm. You don’t have to have a big garden to come along. Jill 543 0390

Junction Mental Health Peer support & advocacy: coffee & chat 10am - 12pm. 579 9890

Leisure Marching For exercise, fun & fellowship.

Ladies 50+ required. No experience necessary. Coreen 570 0172

Meditation Free classes Mon 10am & Weds 7.30pm. Find peace, spiritual awareness & the meaning of your life.

David 576 9764

Omanu Bowling Club Twilight bowls every Mon 6-8pm. Flat shoes essential.

Papamoa Genealogy Branch NZSG meet in Tohora Room, Papamoa Community Centre 9.30am - 12pm. Christmas morning tea. Finger food - small plate please. Small door charge. Daphne 575 4674

Papamoa Progressive Assn 2nd Mon of month at Dune Room, Parton Rd, Gordon Spratt Reserve. Ken 574 2332

Recycled Teenagers Gentle exercise for 50’s forwards, & injury or illness rehabilitation. Mon & Weds, 14 Norris St, Tauranga Senior Citizens Club, behind Pak n Save. Last 2014 classes Dec 8 & 10. Tues at St

as ire ylinder SERVICES

51

The Weekend Sun Mary’s Church Hall, Girven Rd. Last 2014 class Dec 2. All 9 - 10.30am.

Classes taken by qualified instructor.

First class free. Jennifer 571 1411 Steady as You Go Falls Prevention Classes Every Mon at Accadia Manor, 101 Edgecumbe Rd, Tauranga 1.302.30pm & 2.30-3.30pm. Arataki Community Centre, Zambuk Way, Mt Maunganui 11am - 12pm. Every Tues at Acacia Park, 134 Hamurana Rd, Omokoroa 10.30-11.30am.

Hodgson House, 51 Botanical Rd, Tauranga 2.30-3.30pm. $2pp per class. 578 2631

Tauranga Civic Choir

Every Mon at Wesley Church, 13th Ave, Tauranga 7.30pm. New members welcome. Heather 575 9092

Tauranga Creative Fibre

Every Mon at Arts Centre, Elizabeth St from 9.30am.

Spinning, weaving, felting, knitting, crochet & more. Learn & share in a mutually supportive club.

Also on Thurs evening twice a month.

Joan 577 6781

class free. Ray 022 0776 484 info@ tmaa.co.nz

disorder 1-2pm. Ph Junction 579 9890 for info or if you need a ride.

Children’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Bowls Indoor:

Under the Gracie anti bullying programme. Term 4 kids classes Tues/Thurs at Martial Arts Academy, 154 First Ave West 4.30-5.30pm. First class free. 027 752 5534 info@tmaa.co.nz

Chiropractic Health Talk

Every second Tues at Mt Maunganui Chiropractic, 2a Tui St, Mt Maunganui 6.15-7.30pm. A fun, informative, in-teractive discussion about keeping your spine & body healthy to live a full & active life.

Healthy refreshments served.

Jennifer 574 3099

Have a Go Morning

A free kayaking trip for the active retiree, starts 9am at the bottom of Sixth Ave, Tauranga. Email: tim@ nzkayaker.com

Home Instead Senior Care

Twilight Bowls

Community music event 1st Tues of month, Greerton Hall, Cameron Rd, (opp McDonalds) & at Otumoetai Church of Christ Hall, Ngatai Rd (near Cherrywood roundabout) 3rd Tues of month. From 10-11.30am. $4 entry & raffle. Morning tea & music.

Water for the Soul

Dynamic martial art suitable for the family ages 4 & up. Term 4 kids/ beginner classes 7 days from 4pm/Sat 9.30am. New class for 4-6 year olds 3.45pm. Martial Arts Academy, 154 First Ave West. First class free. Christine 021 980 878 info@tmaa.co.nz

Tauranga RSA Indoor Bowls

Mon report 12.45pm for 1pm start. Weds 3.45 for 4pm start.

Leanne 570 0154 Every Mon at Omanu Bowling Club, Golf Rd, Mt Maunganui 5.45pm for 6pm start. Jim 572 1983.

Also at Bowls Matua, 108 Levers Rd 5.30pm start. 576 9980. Bowls & tuition available for new bowlers. Flat shoes essential. $5 fee.

Do you feel spiritually isolated & seek relationship with like-minded people? Join us for biblical study, shared meals, relationship, celebration & social times. All things working together for good. 571 5188

YMCA - ALFS

(Active lifestyle for seniors). Smooth Movers class Mon 9-10am & 10.15-11.15am at Matua Community Hall, Levers Rd. Also 9-9.55am & 10-10.55am at Arataki Hall, Zambuk Way (off Grenada St). Tues 9.15-10.15am & 10.30-11.30am at Papamoa Community Centre, Gravatt Rd. Weds 9.15-10.15am Welcome Bay Hall, Welcome Bay Rd. First class free. Thurs 9-10am at Otumoetai Action Centre, Windsor Rd. Also 10.30-11.30am at Bethlehem Hall, Bethlehem Rd. Fri 9.15-10.15am at Papamoa Community Centre, Gravatt Rd. Also Fri at Papamoa Library 10.20am. 578 9272

Tuesday 9 December 2014 @ The Clothesline

Quality pre-loved clothing babies adults 50c - $2, & prayer for the sick.

36D MacDonald St, Mt Maunganui 10am - 2pm.

5K Run for Beginners/Slow Runners

Every Tues/Thurs/Fri Cheyne Rd 6am start. Build up running routine. Svetlana 027 616 2124

Hwa Rang Tae Kwon Do

Ocean Running Club

Every Tues 5k family fun run & walk. Registration at Sport Fishing Club, Pilot Bay 5.30pm, starts 6pm. $5 entry, free drink & spot prizes.

Phil 021 383 354

Otumoetai Toastmasters Leadership skills, speaking skills. At Lyceum Club rooms, 68 1st Ave 7.159.30pm. Allan 544 5989

Sequence Dancing Tauranga Social & Leisure Club. Every Tues at St John’s Anglican Church Hall, 94 Bureta Rd, Otumoetai 7-9.30pm. Second Tues of month 3-5.30pm. Visitors welcome.

John 578 9716

Tauranga Acoustic Music Club Cherrywood Arms, 44 Cherrywood Dr 7.30pm. Friendly jam sessions.

Sing, play or just listen. Paul 579 2346 or www.tamc.org.nz

Tauranga Astronomical Society

Tonight some short astronomical videos, partake in quizzes & enjoy nibbles & drinks. Fergusson Park Hall & Observatory 7.30pm. Telescope viewing if weather permits.

Tauranga Toastmasters Tga Lyceum Club 7.15-9.30pm.

Confidence building, speaking skills, leadership skills. Alan 544 5989

Village Walkabout

Alcoholics Anonymous Mt Maunganui Open meeting every

Learn about the past & present of Tauranga’s Historic village 11am.

Bookings essential. Free tour includes retailer discount vouchers. Ph Jen for time and dates 021 672 281 or email: jen@nzhealthnow.com

Altrusa Club of Tauranga

Wednesday 10 December

Tues at St Peter’s Hall, 11 Victoria Rd 7.30pm. For more meetings & assistance 0800 229 6757

Women’s community service group.

Dinner & business meeting 2nd Tues.

Social programme 4th Tues monthly.

Interested? Denise 570 3134

Amicus Probus Club

Meet 2nd Tues of month at Tauranga Citizen’s Club 9.30am. Interesting speakers, morning tea, friendly atmosphere. New members welcome. Frank 573 3392 or 022 103 5770

Chen Wu Kuan Kung Fu

Traditional Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu developing strength, stamina & flexibility. Term 4 Tues & Thurs Juniors 4.15-5.15pm at Martial Arts Academy, 154 First Ave West. First

Age Concern Walking Group

Meet at Brookfield New World 10am. All welcome. 578 2631

Baywide Community Law Service Drop in clinic every Weds at 63 Willow St 5-6.30pm. No appointment necessary. Free legal assistance. 571 6812. Every Tues morning at Te Puke Clinic. For appointment 573 5614. Every Thurs morning at Katikati Clinic. For appointment 549 0399

Borderline Personality Disorder Support group for people who have a diagnosis of borderline personality

Every Weds & Fri at Mt Maunganui Senior Citizens, 345 Maunganui Rd 12.45pm. 575 4560

Fernlands Spa Water Exercise Classes Weds 10.45-11.45am

held rain or shine but not during school holidays. New participants planning to attend ph Jennifer 571 1411

Healing Rooms

At Bethlehem Town Centre, cnr shop behind PO/Bookstore, Christian prayer for healing. Weds 1-3pm. 021 110 0878 www.healingrooms.co.nz

Kiwi Toasters

Learn to speak with confidence & grow leadership skills. Meet 2nd & 4th Weds at Te Puke Hotel 5.30-7pm.

Guests welcome. Chrissy 543 9493 or c.meyer@xtra.co.nz

ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Support BOP meeting upstairs 14b Hocking St, Mt Maunganui 10.30am.

Please bring a small plate of festive food to share. Tina 281 1480 or email: tina@mebop.org.nz

New Year’s Sequence Dancing

Dec 31 at Greerton Hall 8pm - midnight. Live music. Men $7, ladies a plate please.

Tauranga Embroider’s Guild

Every Weds at Tauranga Rowing Club rooms, Memorial Park 10am 2.30pm & 7-9pm. Juniors 4-5.30pm.

Beginners & experienced stitches welcome. Nancy 544 4778

Tauranga Floral Art Group

Combined Christmas Party at Central Baptist Church Hall cnr Cameron Rd & 13th Ave 6pm. No 1pm meeting. 572 2193

Tauranga Mid-Week Tramping Group Kawerau, Waterfall

Rd to Tarawera outlet. Wet weather option Humphries Bay Okataina. Grade moderate. Approx 5.5 hrs. Pat 544 0670

Toastmasters - City Early Start

Improve communication, leadership & teamwork skills. Every Weds at Classic Flyers Avgas Cafe 6.45-8.15am.

Toastmasters is the answer for building confidence & leadership skills. To find a club near you email: LaniDTM@ gmail.com or 571 1545. http:// cityearlystart.toastmastersclubs.org

T.S Chatham (Sea Cadets)

Weds during school term at TYPBC, Keith Allan Drive, Sulphur Pt 6.159pm. Micah 021 336 719 or cucdr@ tschathamorg.nz or www.tschatham. org.nz

Thursday 11 December Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

Salvation Army, Eversham Rd, Bayfair 7.30-8.30pm.

Dine Down at the Village

Historic Village, 17th Ave open on Thursday nights 5-7pm. Dine, shop, relax.

Forest & Bird - Tauranga

Christmas get-together, Te Puna Quarry Park 10.30am - 1pm. Pot-luck lunch, food item, gold coin donation.

Eddie 576 1849

Free Seminar

Natural health & personal care. International speaker, Cliff Winkleman. Hotel Armitage, 9 Willow St, Tauranga 7-9pm. Preregister, or register on the night from 6pm. For info, or to register ph Pet 544 2469

Junction Mental Health

Peer support & advocacy: addiction support group 1-2pm. Ph 579 9890 for info or if you need a ride.

Relationolic’s Anonymous for Women

Are you forever ending up in unhealthy relationships? Do you keep wishing & hoping he will change?

Join this group for self development

& support. Every Thurs at Hanmer Clinic, 1235 Cameron Rd, Greerton 10-11.30am.

Ph/txt Liz 0274 362 800

Simplee Cre8ive

Every Thurs at Arataki Community Centre, Zambuk Way, Mt Maunganui 9am 2.30pm. Ladies craft day, bring the craft that you do. $5. Jenny 572 5396 Smiths Sports Shoes Everyone’s Run & Walk Until Dec 18. Walkers start 5.45pm & runners 6pm with registration from 5.15pm. 3km & 5km options starting Maxwells Rd Reserve. $5 adults, $3 students. $100 Smiths Sport Shoes voucher each week.

Tai Chi Qingong

Every Thurs at Ohauiti Rd, Settlers Hall 11am. Class takes approx 1 hr. $1pp. All welcome. Eric 577 1988

Tauranga Heart Support Group

Low impact group exercise for those with or at risk of heart disease. City Church, Otumoetai 9.30-10.30am. $3.50pp includes light refreshment. Hannah (Clinic Exercise Physiologist) 0508 227 342

Tauranga Model Railway Club

Meet every Thurs & Tues evening 7.30pm. Ed 543 1108 www. taurangamodelrailwayclub.co.nz

Tauranga Rock n Roll Social Dancers

Last meeting for the year Christmas night (come dressed for Christmas Function at Tauranga Senior Citizen’s Club, 14 Norris St (behind Pak n Save), doors open 7pm. $3pp entry. All welcome. Maria 576 7326

Toastmasters - Kickstart Club

Have fun while learning to speak confidently. Breakfast meeting at Alimento Cafe, 1st Ave, Tauranga 7-8.15am. Guests welcome. Helen 571 6181

Friday 12 December Alcoholics Anonymous

Open meeting every Fri at Hamner Clinic, 1235 Cameron Rd, Greerton (behind Bridgestone) 7.30pm. 0800 229 6757 for more meetings or assistance.

Bowls

Friday twilight games until Dec 19 at Gate Pa Bowling Club 5.30-6.30pm. Open to anyone to have a go. Flat shoes. Sausage sizzle. Tim 027 577 3560

Chess Tauranga Every Fri at Tauranga RSA, Greerton 6pm & 7pm onwards for the whole family. Werner 548 1111 http://www. westernbopchess.weebly.com/

Concert on Wheels NZ At Baycourt 6.30pm.

Free Immigration Assessment

By Licenced Immigration Adviser.

Tauranga Multicultural Ethnic Council, Historic Village, 17th Ave. For appoint-ment ph Iryna Stewart 543 9125 or 021 0226 2619

Free Immigration Clinic

Every Fri - legal advice & information on immigration issues. For appointment, Baywide Community Law 571 6812

Gay/Bi Men Support Group

Do you need a trusting person to talk to? Discretion assured. For meetings & locations ph/txt Alex 027 358 5934

Nak Rop Muay Thai Kickboxing

A unique & challenging form of self discipline & fitness. Term 4 kids classes every Fri at Martial Arts Academy, 154 First Ave West 4.30-5.30pm. First class free. Alexis 578 5344 info@tmaa.co.nz

Village Walkabout

Learn about the past & present of Tauranga’s Historic village 10am. Bookings essential. Free tour includes retailer discount vouchers. Ph Jen for time and dates 021 672 281 or email: jen@nzhealthnow.com

“What’s On” in the Weekend Sun is a free service for non-profit clubs and organisations.

Email julie@thesun.co.nz or fax 571 1116 or post to PO Box 240, Tauranga.

Deadline 3pm Tuesday. Contributions should be less than 20 words.

52 M U S I C

P L U S

The Weekend Sun

By Winston Watusi

Bye bye Bobby Keys and hello Sean Bodley I’ve got a new local album to tell you about this week. But let’s start with Bobby Keys.

Bobby Keys, saxophonist extraordinaire died earlier this week. You might have heard, you might have missed it.

He was about famous enough to be mentioned in worldwide news but, like in life I guess, not quite famous enough to be the headliner.

Sideman extraordinaire

Actually, that’s not fair. Booby Keys was here in March, playing a gig in Auckland with his band.

But he was mainly known as a sideman; and sidemen rarely get the recognition they deserve. Let’s pause a second and do just that.

Because Bobby Keys was something else. A wild sax player – and wild enough to be Keith Richards’ party buddy for decades – he left an indelible mark on pretty much everything he touched.

I guess he’ll be most remembered for ‘Brown Sugar’, the Stones’ anthem. It was never quite the same without that sax solo.

But then he’s all over the best Stones stuff. Check out pretty much anything on ‘Exiles From Main Street’ (start with ‘Live With Me’), or ‘Can’t You Hear Me Knocking’ from

Sticky Fingers. Magic.

But you don’t get to be a legend by just playing with the Rolling Stones.

(Actually, you do, but I’m not typing that again.)

Three more ‘Key’ moments: Dion and the Belmonts – ‘The Wanderer’; Joe Cocker – ‘The Letter’; and John Lennon – ‘Whatever Gets You Through The Night’. There was a lot more but...damn!

Of course, the best Bobby Keys story, retold in Keith’s autobiography, is how he got kicked out of the Rolling Stones on their 1973 world tour.

After a no-show when the band assembled for the tour’s penultimate gig in Belgium, Keith went to Keys’ hotel room to check on him.

And found him smok-

ing a cigar with “a French chick” in a bathtub filled with Dom Perignon.

Keys declined to leave the tub and was consequently kicked out of the band for over a decade. (The contents of the bath also cost more than his entire tour wages!)

Farewell Bobby – thanks for the music.

Monster guitarist

And onto some local music...

Monster guitarist Sean Bodley has released his second CD of 2014, in a very attractive limited edition that comes signed and with two free guitar picks.

His previous album was Balance, comprising an impressive bunch of electric guitar instrumentals with a nod to Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.

This time it’s an all-acoustic set called ‘Acoustic Soundscapes’ and the title is a pretty good two-word description of the album.

It’s a collection of instrumentals recorded over the last 14 years, immaculately played and of obvious appeal to guitarists out there.

But it’s not just someone showing off on a guitar, despite the frequently impressive use of advanced techniques.

These are pieces with melody and musical shape and the album mixes longer “new-age” type explorations with more straight-ahead melodic tunes such as ‘Popcorn Girl’.

Each overlays several acoustic guitar parts and builds in complexity as it progresses. Everything is played by Sean.

Popping corks?

Things wrap up after over an hour with ten minutes of ‘Beyond the First Step’, which is a rather lovely closer.

If you’re looking for acoustic semi-ambient guitar music this will be perfect. But I realise that for many it won’t pop any corks. There is a limited audience for such music, which in no way invalidates it: that’s just the way it is.

What I look forward to – having spent a while this year with both his all-electric album (yes it did have one amazing acoustic guitar solo on it, courtesy of Mark Wright) and this new all-acoustic set – is an album of Sean’s that mixes his acoustic and electric playing.

Each on their own explore specific tonal colours and a combination could broaden this spectrum and possibly widen his music’s audience. He certainly deserves it to be heard.

‘Acoustic Soundscapes’ is on iTunes, Amazon and others online platforms, or check Sean’s Facebook page to get a CD. Next week: Waihi band The Line Up (since I ran out of space for them this week) and a bunch of other albums that have been exciting my aural passages in recent times. Till then... watusi@thesun.co.nz

53

The Weekend Sun

Village Radio cranks back into life

Village Radio technician and announcer George Stewart and chairman Steve Lambie. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Tauranga Village Radio – off air with technical issues since late-November – is back on the airwaves this week, with announcer Chris Adams' heartfelt thanking loyal listeners for their understanding and support.

Village Radio went off air for one week when a valve cooked from an electrical fault and the transmitter went up in smoke.

Station manager Steve Lambie says Village has borrowed a solid state transmitter.

“I stress it’s borrowed and we don’t know when they will want it back.”

The long-term solution is a $20,000 one. “That’s what it will cost for a new transmitter and I am not sure where

we will get that money from. Can you help us?” asks Steve.

“It’s certainly money we don’t have, so we might have to go cap in hand to keep the station going long-term.”

Steve gets emotional about the level of support from Tauranga. “Judging by the switchboard at Village Radio we have a lot of listeners out there – extraordinary numbers.

“They were in tears when we went off air and now they’re excited we're back.”

“Well, we are all excited.”

Village Radio is totally voluntary and is already strapped for cash.

It struggles to find the $1200-$1300 a month required to meet overheads, including rent they pay to the Tauranga City Council, licensing fees and operational costs.

Those willing to help the station can call 07 571 3710 or email info@villageradio.co.nz By Hunter Wells

Singing the true Christmas meaning The Christmas story of Mary and Joseph is coming to life next weekend with a walk along The Strand and a sing along on Tauranga’s Waterfront.

Next Sunday, Christmas Carols on the Waterfront invites families to dress up as angels or shepherds and follow Mary and Joseph on a donkey from No.1 The Strand to The Edgewater Fan, where they can join in a chorus of festive carols.

Master of Ceremonies Simon McLeay says the event attracted almost 1000 people last year and he’s excited to bring it back for the fourth year.

Simon says the aim of the event is to bring the Christmas Carols on the Waterfront’s master of focus back to the heart of ceremonies Simon McLeay practising his carols. the Christmas story and a chance for a sing-a-long.

Carol singers can follow along with the “Christmas time can be a stressful time of year, with a particular focus on buying words from the lift-out in The Weekend Sun newspaper. gifts for families.

Christmas Carols on the Waterfront “This event helps people to focus on the is on Sunday, December 14. Meet at importance of family and the celebration No.1 The Strand at 5.30pm. People of God’s love for us, rather than what we will then gather at the waterfront for get.” carols at 6pm.

Simon says there will be about 10 wellBy Zoe Hunter known festive carols to sing along to.

The Crown & Badger Friday 5 – Celsius.

Saturday 6 – Red Zone.

The Matua Sunday 7 – Blaze 3-6pm.

Wednesday 10 – A Taste of Country Night 7.30-10pm.

Welcome Bay Bar Tauranga Citizens Club Friday 5 – ‘Xmas Factor’ karaoke Sunday 14 – Tom Sharplin and the Cadillac’s 5-8pm. 3 hours of competition from 8pm.

Saturday 6 – Chubby Renata – Rock n Roll revival. live music 6-9.30pm.

Mount RSA Friday 5 – Ray Solomon 7.30pm.

Saturday 6 – Coopers Run 7.30pm.

Sunday 7 – Andy Bowman 4.30pm.

Across 1. Former Governor General (5,8) 8. Severe (5) 9. Harsh (7) 10. Praise (6) 11. Catch fire (6) 12. Exhausted (5) 14. Vessel (5) 18. Pass (6) 20. Fruit (6) 23. Work (7) 24. Remove (5) 25. Locality (Northland) (13) Down 1. Destiny (6) 2. Perfect (5) 3. Pistol (7) 4. Paddles (4) 5. River (SI) (5)

No. 1400

6. Scrap (7) 7. Holiday weekend (6) 13. Elevated plain (7) 15. Layman (7) 16. Improve (6) 17. Racecourse (NI) (6) 19. Colloqualism (5) 21. Fear (5) 22. Yank (4) S A W A B A C A H A C A O

H E A V Y B A M U S I N G

O C R C W C R C N C T C L

C O U R A G E D T E A S E

K E E E Y E E E L E T E E

I F F Y F C R A Y F I S H

N G A G G G G G G G O G A

G I M M I C K Y H A N O N

I I I I N I A I D I I I D

P O S E D J R A E T I H I

Solution 1399

A K H K E K A K F K O K C

C L E M E N T L E X T R A

E M D M D M E M R M A M P

54

The Weekend Sun

Extra fridges, freezers and furniture for the festive season Fridges and freezers are “flying out the door” The Chapel St store at Mr Rental in Tauranga, as people stock has everything needed to help with the overflow up on food for the festive season. of Christmas hams and puddings in the kitchen fridge or freezer, as well as furniture and bedding for extra guests during the holiday season.

Tauranga franchisee Stephen Warne says renting this equipment means people don’t have to come up with the full purchase price, which can be difficult at this sometimes stressful time of year.

There’s also the benefit

Mr Rental receptionist Charlene Pulham with a rental fridge for all of your extra Christmas food. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

of having the flexibility of using the equipment for as long as they need during the Christmas period.

“The best thing is customers can take advantage of the benefits of renting, including flexible contracts, fast approval and free delivery and installation – or customers can pick it up at no cost to them.”

Along with fridges, freezers and furniture, Mr Rental has TV, gaming and entertainment equipment available for short-term or long-term rental.

Looking ahead to 2015, Mr Rental also has phones, laptops, and computers for back-to-school, as well as fitness equipment to help with the “let’s get fit” New Years’ resolutions.

By Zoe Hunter

Backyard shed creation pours to life ‘If it isn’t broken, don’t drink it’. What a slogan and also a great way to introduce Broken Vodka – a premium New Zealand vodka.

Created in a backyard shed down Wanaka way, Broken Shed has been distilled four times, has no additives, uses Central Otago water and is Kiwiowned.

Now if that hasn’t piqued your interest, then perhaps the smooth flavour and texture will tempt you to try it.

Or perhaps that it’s also sugar-free and gluten-free may offer you a new and exciting vodka choice.

The vanilla aroma complements the butterscotch and peppery flavours, so that opens many opportunities to experiment making cocktails for your drinking pleasure.

With passionfruit starting to bud on vines, a shaken

combination of 60ml Broken Shed, one tablespoon of fresh passionfruit and 100ml apple juice will prove too easy to drink.

Or something more daring: 60ml Broken Shed, grated fresh ginger and cucumber, slices of dragon fruit and 200ml chilled green tea. Build over ice in a tall glass and stir well. Yummy.

Our resident bartender Paul has created a fantastic martini combining Broken Shed, macadamia liqueur, white chocolate with L&P. It’s amazing – if you pop in and try it, you’ll go in the draw to win a bottle of pure Southern Kiwi-ness.

By the time you read this the new drinking rules will be running, so folks let’s use them to our advantage.

Get a sober driver or even use Dial-a-Driver. It’s all about looking after you – the patron – not about stopping your fun times.

Responsible fun times, bring it on.

The Weekend Sun has a $50 The Phoenix voucher to give away to a lucky reader who can tell us what the premium New Zealand vodka used in the cocktails is called.

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competitions section. Entries must be received before Wednesday, December 10.

Deluxe Facial & Massage

Book for a Deluxe manicure and receive a

1 ½ hours

FREE

Only $75

file and polish on your toes

Only $50

WAXING book two areas to be waxed and receive

COMPUTING

ENTERTAINMENT

WHITEGOODS

FURNITURE

+ MORE!!

+ MORE!!

COMPUTING ENTERTAINMENT WHITEGOODS FURNITURE Credit check criteria apply. Full terms and conditions available on application. Visit our website at mrrental.co.nz or ask in store for details. Brands and model may vary.

Accessories are for illustration purposes and not included. **Win a Summer BBQ Bundle competition is open to New Zealand residents who enter into a new rental agreement with participating stores during the competition period. Automatic entry on delivery of goods. Prize pool is $23,590 made up of 17 BBQ bundles with 1 bundle to be won from each of Mr Rentals 17 stores during the competition period. BBQ bundle valued at $1,388. Competition runs from 03/11/14 - 12/12/14. All winners will be drawn on 16/12/14.Full terms and conditions available at mrrental.co.nz/summer-bbq-bundle. ^Upgrade subject to approval. Price payable is based on the new item rate. Fees may apply. ‡Delivery and installation only within store delivery zones. See in store for details. #Approval subject to credit criteria being met. †Product faults only.

Book for a Deluxe pedicure and receive a

FREE

file and polish on your fingers

Only $50

50% OFF the price of the lower priced area starting from $10

Christmas Gift Vouchers Available.

FREE

award winning super hydration and soothing eye mask when you book in for a

Combo Lash brow tint and shape $35 or Express Facial $55

55

The Weekend Sun

Dinner options galore at Bethlehem event Bethlehem’s upcoming ‘A Night Before Christmas’ is offering a myriad of dinner options for families to enjoy while lapping up all the entertainment at Mills Reef on December 20.

Event manager Luisa Schroder says the beauty of the 2014 event is the choices of food on offer for all tastes and budgets.

“People coming along have three options – they can bring their own picnics, buy food from our wide range of vendors, or go upstairs to Mills Reef for an exclusive experience.”

With the event debuting at Mills Reef, the winery’s restaurant is offering Bringing a picnic is just one dinner option on offer at ‘A Night a dinner and show package for $65 for Before Christmas’ on December 20. adults and $22.50 for those aged two10, with an exclusive viewing option “This is a good, old-fashioned affordable option – but people have to book in advance. from the Lions,” says Luisa. “So there’s something for “It’ll be so lovely to able to go up to the restaurant everyone’s budget.” and enjoy entrees, a buffet and dessert platters with a “All of these people are behind keeping such a fun, unique, prime viewing at the top of the hill.”

Meanwhile, those snuggled up close on the grounds free event that’s unique to the Bay of Plenty region.”

People are encouraged to get to the December 20 can bring a picnic from home or purchase food from event early from 5.30pm when food and beverage a number of vendors on-site.

“Vendors include Cornish pasties, wood-fired pizza, vendors open. The main event is 7.30pm-9.40pm with a spectacular fireworks finale. hot chips, crepes, samosas, hot coffee, amazing desLuisa says people need to book their Mills Reef serts, real fruit ice creams, waffle cones, wraps, Mr dinner and show packages now by calling 07 576 Whippy – and more,” says Luisa.

8800 or bring cash on the night with vendors operat‘’Mills Reef is a beautiful location for families to ing via cash-only sales. bring candles, rugs and chairs to share a Christmas The event is free, but a collection will be taken for celebration with friends and family.”

Waipuna Hospice.

By Merle Foster Luisa says vendors will be operating a zero-waste management scheme, aiming to recycle The Weekend Sun has two most rubbish from the night, organised Mills Reef dinner and show packages

by Gourmet Night Markets organiser to ‘A Night Before Christmas’ to give away Kim Renshaw. “The council is actually to a lucky readers who can tell us where the supporting the zero-waste initiate for event is being held this year? our event – this is just part of the supEnter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under port we’re receiving from all facets of the competitions section. the community,” says Luisa.

Entries must be received before Plus, the Te Puna Bethlehen Lions club Wednesday, December 10. will be on-site offering a sausage sizzle.

Kokomo blues for Christmas

Keen music-lovers are invited to celebrate the festive season with Tauranga blues band – Kokomo – next Friday.

Presented by Tauranga Music, Kokomo’s 2014 Christmas Party at Mauao Performing Arts Centre on December 12 features special guests Marion Arts, Andy Craw, Mike Garner, John Michaelz, Aaron Saxon and more.

Tickets cost $20 and are available from Eventfinder, Creative Tauranga, Music Planet, The Matua Bar and Mauao PAC. Event begins 8pm.

The Weekend Sun has two double passes to the Kokomo’s 2014 Christmas Party to give away to lucky readers who can tell us where the event is held.

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competitions section.

Entries must be received before Wednesday, December 10.

BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH PRESENTS

Mills Reef Winery Saturday 20th December

5.30pm Food for sale & Entertainment

7:30pm Show & Fireworks FREE ENTRY - COLLECTION FOR WAIPUNA HOSPICE

Enjoy carols, entertainment & fireworks under the stars amongst family and friends. (NO BYO ALCOHOL) Supported By

Key Sponsors

For all details including parking and the Mills Reef “Dinner & Show Package” go to

WWW.ANIGHTBEFORECHRISTMAS.CO.NZ

56

The Weekend Sun

trades & services

Experts in roofing and spouting

No job is too big or too small for the team at KiwiSpout.

New roofs, re-roofs, new spouting, re-spout, fascia, downpipes, repairs and maintenance – no job is too big or too small for the team at KiwiSpout.

Dave Geary and Lee Nomell run the Tauranga spouting and roofing company and are both fanatical when it comes to customer service. They are proud of their flawless happy customer record.

KiwiSpout’s pricing is very competitive, with all work finished to the highest standard.

Locally owned and operated business Dave, Lee and the rest of the team have more than 60 years combined KiwiSpout prides itself on excellent experience in the industry. There is no customer service and quality workjob to big or too small – or problem manship. that can’t be solved.

The Amber Crescent business in Judea offers service in roofing, continuous spouting, all metal and PVC spouting guttering systems, fascia, downpipes as well as We Specialise in: repairs and maintenance.

• Continuous Spouting Call KiwiSpout today for a free quotation, • All Metal & PVC Spouting systems friendly advice and prompt hassle free service.

• Long-run Roofing

Sun-Tube Save $150 now

SAFEPLANK SCAFFOLDING

SAFE • CERTIFIED • COST EFFECTIVE MADE & DESIGNED

NEW ZEALAND

Time 2 Shine

• Fascia • Repairs & Leaks Tomorrow’s technology today • Spouting & Roof cleaning Co-owner • Moss & Mold control and operator Your local specialists Kevin O’Sullivan.

Call/text/e-mail us for a FREE no obligation quote Ph: 07 542 1016 Mob: 021 02051038 E-mail: kiwispout@kiwispout.co.nz

As technology continues to change in the world of digital television and security systems, the team at Prime Tech is proud to be able to offer their extensive knowledge and capabilities in the industry.

Owners and operators Chris and

Kevin O’Sullivan have more than 29 years’ experience in the field of servicing, installing analogue and digital televisions, home entertainment and security systems in the Tauranga region.

They are associated with Prime Tech in Auckland which has up to 20 qualified technicians already contracting their services to corporate companies for the last 10 years.

Chris and Kevin decided Tauranga customers deserve to have service come first at an affordable price.

They’ve incorporated their security alarm business – Master Alarms Limited – which has been supplying and servicing Tauranga and Auckland for 12 years.

By Zoe Hunter

AAA

MASTER

PAINTERS TAURANGA

57

The Weekend Sun

trades & services

Deck Restoration

We specialise in restoring weathered decks, fences & outdoor furniture

From this...

To this...

Deck cleaning, staining & oiling - fence staining & painting - garden furniture restoration 07 552 5311 Deck&FencePro specialists or 0274 108 940 Paint, Oil & Stain Restoration

 All electrical work undertaken  New builds, renovations, lights and sockets  Repairs, maintenance and installations  Competitive pricing  We cover the whole of the Bay For Prompt, friendly local electricians telephone 0800 322000 or 021 564 560 www.phase1electrical.co.nz

xterior wash

F QUORTEE ES!

broken window handle?

• • • • *finance available

doors • windows locks • hinges handles conservatories

for a FREE quote

07 571 4491

58

The Weekend Sun

trades & services

Suits Shirts Waistcoats Ties Shoes Hats Page boy attire . . . and much more!

Use Our On-line “VIRTUAL MODEL”

New Zealand’s Suit Hire Specialists 61 Willow Street Tauranga Ph 07 578 2888 www.frankcasey.co.nz

DUO-BUILD Limited

59

The Weekend Sun wanted

for sale

funeral directors

karaoke hire

situations vacant

health & beauty

Afterhours Advisor: Contact Centre

situations vacant

Visit us.

Visit us.

PART TIME: 28HRS PER WEEK

unganui.

deceased

Advisor: Contact Centre 2 positions Tauranga is on a journey to become a talented and innovative city full of opportunity; a city with heart and soul; and a city of great spaces, places and environments. The Council’s long term plan will guide us to achieve this vision, and our people will be the driving force to make it happen.

To assist us to meet this vision, the Council is currently looking for one fulltime employee working 40 hours per week and one part time employee working 35 hours per week. We are looking for exceptional people to join our Contact Centre - people who are customer focused and go the extra mile.

The Contact Centre is Council’s first point of contact for enquiries. The Contact Centre team has extensive knowledge of anything and everything about the Council. This role will involve answering a wide range of inbound enquiries about bylaws, building and property information, animal control, water service and rates information.

The normal hours of work for this position will be between 6.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday.

Our Contact Centre also operates an afterhours service covering nights and weekends. We need team members who can be available when our customer needs us. On occasions you will be required to work an after-hours shift when business need arise.

Tauranga is on a journey to become a talented and innovative city full of opportunity; a city with heart and soul; and a city of great spaces, places and environments. The Council’s long term plan will guide us to achieve this vision, and our people will be the driving force to make it happen.

Tauranga is on a journey to become a talented and innovative city full of opportunity; a city with heart and soul; and a city of great spaces, places and environments. The Council’s long term plan will guide us to achieve this vision, and our people will be the driving force to make it happen.

To assist us to meet this vision, the Council is currently looking for an exceptional person to join our afterhours Contact Centre in a Part Time position for 28 hours per week. – You will be customer focused and go the extra mile.

The afterhours Contact Centre is Council’s first point of contact for enquiries afterhours. The Contact Centre team has extensive knowledge of anything and everything about the Council. This role will involve answering a wide range of inbound enquiries about bylaws, building and property information, animal control, water service and rates information.

We are looking for a person who can be available when our customers need us. Our shifts run between Monday to Friday 4.45pm – 7.00am and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays.

You will need to be flexible with shift patterns and available to work additional hours as required.

This position will cover shifts for the following: • Saturday and Sunday: 8.00am to 5.00pm • Tuesday: 4.45pm to 11.15pm There will be additional shifts Monday through to Friday to make up to 28 hrs per week.

Our excellent in-house training will provide you with the necessary skills to handle each type of call and support you while you settle into your role. You will learn from passionate, engaged leaders and be surrounded by a fun and diverse team.

Our excellent in-house training will provide you with the necessary skills to handle each type of call and support you while you settle into your role. You will learn from passionate, engaged leaders and be surrounded by a fun and diverse team.

In order to be successful for this role you must have NCEA Level 3 or University Entrance equivalent. You will need a minimum of three years’ work experience, preferably in a customer service environment.

In order to be successful for this role you must have NCEA Level 3 or University Entrance equivalent. You will need a minimum of three years’ work experience, preferably in a customer service environment.

The following skills are also an essential requirement for the position: • Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to relay technical information to customers in a way that is easily understood.

• Excellent listening skills and the ability to ask probing questions and understand concerns.

• Strong customer focus and commitment.

• Patience and empathy as required.

• Excellent keyboard skills and proven competency in the use of a wide range of computer applications and online service tools.

The following skills are also an essential requirement for the position: • Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to relay technical information to customers in a way that is easily understood.

• Excellent listening skills and the ability to ask probing questions and understand concerns.

• Strong customer focus and commitment.

• Patience and empathy as required.

• Excellent keyboard skills and proven competency in the use of a wide range of computer applications and online service tools.

If you would like to be part of this dynamic and growing call centre, and you believe you have the necessary skills and experience required to be successful in this position, please apply on-line by visiting our website www.tauranga.govt.nz

If you would like to be part of this dynamic and growing call centre, and you believe you have the necessary skills and experience required to be successful in this position, please apply on-line by visiting our website www.tauranga.govt.nz

Applications close at 5.00pm on Wednesday, 10 December 2014.

Applications close at 5.00pm on Wednesday, 10 December 2014.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand. If you are not a NZ Citizen, you must have the right of permanent residence or a work permit.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand. If you are not a NZ Citizen, you must have the right of permanent residence or a work permit.

Council is a member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Trust.

Council is a member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Trust.

60

The Weekend Sun

public notices

cars wanted Buyers of Damaged, Unloved & Unwanted Vehicles

Great NZ People who are Honest Vehicle Buyers Follow us on Facebook

0800 382 828

public notices

mobility A new way of driving...

Upgrade to an Elite Scooter

Book a test drive Phone 0800 354 837

Elite Scooters Where comfort and style matter www.elitescooters.co.nz

HON SIMON BRIDGES MP FOR TAURANGA

TODD MULLER

MP FOR BAY OF PLENTY Simon Bridges MP and Todd Muller MP will meet with constituents most Fridays at 184 Devonport Rd, Tauranga. Appointments necessary.

Simon Bridges MP | P: 07 579 9016 | E: taurangamp@parliament.govt.nz Todd Muller MP | P: 07 578 0175 | E: Todd.MullerMP@parliament.govt.nz www.national.org.nz

Need Short Term Mobility Equipment?

Hire & Sales Available from...

• Knee Scooters • Wheelchairs • Orthopaedic Chairs • Commodes • Crutches • Walkers • Shower Chairs • Toilet Frames • Overbed Tables ... and more!

Brook Street, Tauranga Ph / Fax / AHrs 07 578 4874 www.tubularequipment.co.nz Hours: Mon - Fri 8.30 - 5.00pm

865 kawikadesign.com

Authorised by Hon Simon Bridges and Todd Muller MP, 184 Devonport Road, Tauranga 3110

61

The Weekend Sun

financial

www.sunlive.co.nz/classifieds.html

THIS WEEKS GARAGE SALES! OMOKOROA 30 Margaret Drive, Sunday 7.30am – 11am. Clothing for men, women and children, vinyl records, CD’s, household and toys.

OTUMOETAI Milton Rd, Sat, signs out at 8am. We are moving Islandscome grab yourself a bargain: retro, kids, kitchen, garage and some just plain odd stuff.

PAPAMOA 45 Carrington Drive, Sat, 7.30am start. Christmas tree, electric appliances, tools, furniture, general household items.

TAURANGA 2a Old Kaimai Rd, Sat 8am start.

Tools, household items, furniture, all sorts.

Sunday, 8:30am, Tauranga Adventist Church, 25 Moffat Road, eftpos available. Items include: Suitcases, Clothing, Bike, Indoor Bowls, Fishing Rods, Kitchen Appliances, Booster seat, Lounge Chair, Blankets, Christmas Tree, Bread Maker, Slide Projector, Wooden Rocking Horse, Camping Equipment, Organ, etc.

WELCOME BAY 76b Victory St, Sat from 8am.

Lots of household items!

arts & crafts CRAFT RETREAT 5 Dec 5.30pm 6 Dec 10.00am $20 Classes – 10x Xmas Cards $35 & Canvas $50 deborah@cropnshop.co.nz or 027 430 3781 NEW Kids Soap making workshop! 1.30pm - 5.00pm Saturday 13th Dec. Make a variety of different soaps totalling approx 1kg! 100% pure natural ingredients, all kid safe.

The possibilities are endless and so much fun. $55 all inclusive. Bookings essential.

Clay Art Studio, Historic Village 571 3726 SPECIAL FUSING WORKSHOP for those who have completed our introduction workshop, make this a date to come in and assemble something special for Christmas. $25 plus materials.

10am - 12pm Sat 13th Dec. Clay Art Studio, Historic Village 571 3726

bible digest WISDOM IS SUPREME; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

business opportunity BE YOUR OWN BOSS! Fully equipped Toyota truck with house cleaning equipment. One man operation. No experience needed. Ph Mark 027 699 8356

cars for sale A NO DEPOSIT DEAL from $50 p/w. Cars, vans, & 4x4s. To find out more txt ‘NEWCAR’ and your name to 9090. Learner licence welcome, with good guarantor.

CAR FAIR – buy or sell any vehicle every Sunday at 11th Avenue Car park opposite Mad Butcher 8am-noon. Ph for more information 027 733 9686 or www.taurangacarfair.co.nz

computers COMPUTER GETTING you down?

Problems, viruses, upgrades, internet, new or refurb PC’s tuition, or advice.

Ph Bruce for a no obligation chat or quote 576 7940 or 021 260 9183

computers

cont.

FREE ON SITE DIAGNOSIS & quote. We come to you & don’t charge extra for travel. Pensioner discounts.

Ph Kyle at Tech Solutions 027 828 7078

entertainment TAURANGA TANDEM SKYDIVING. Best buzz in the Bay! Gift vouchers available.

Ph 574 8533 today

gardening BE READY for Christmas! Lawns mowed, trees/hedges trimmed, all garden maintenance, general tidy ups, rubbish removal. Quality work. Ph Steve 571 2295 or 021 0264 8265 GARDENER, experienced, efficient, knowledgeable, highly qualified. Maintenance, pruning, hedges, disease/pest control, garden renovations. Gardening vouchers available, perfect for Christmas! Ph Tita 027 654 8781 or a/h 542 0120

health & beauty NATURAL NEW ZEALAND Health Products & Clinic.

Something for everyone. NZ Registered Natural Therapies & Natural Medicine Practitioners.

Opposite BP Te Puke. Ph 573 5533 www.naturaltherapiesnz.com and www.kiwikitz.com

housesitters

TRUSTED HOUSESITTERS available from 24 Feb 2015. 14 years housesitting experience in Tauranga, excellent references.

Ph 027 302 8328 or evenings 543 3457

PROFESSIONAL HOUSE MINDER available. Do you want peace of mind that your treasured home is in trustworthy hands while you are away on holiday?

Excellent references. Available from the 24th December.

Ph Cathie 022 162 8301

join a club WIN $500 CASH Monthly! Join Te Puna Hunting & Fishing club for only $10 per adult and enter our monthly competition Prime Explosives 500, you could win $500 Cash every month. Check out www.tepunahuntfishclubco.nz or check out our facebook page to keep up to date www.facebook. com/tepunahuntfishclub

livestock

AC PETFOODS collect injured & unwanted cows & horses.

Ph 0800 369 6269

lost & found SPCA - Found Welcome Bay Area, DSH Black Female Cat, Ref# 20829. Found Maketu Area, DSH Black Female Cat Ref# 20836. Found Ohauiti Area, Lab x puppy Fawn colour Ref# 20838. Found Mount Maunganui Area, DMH Black/White Cat Ref# 20839. Found Ohauiti Area, DMH Tabbi Torti Female Cat Ref# 20835. If you have lost an animal please contact the SPCA on 07 578 0245

mobility FOR ALL disability needs, visit our showroom 29 Burrows St, Tauranga Ph 578 1213 MES “Supporting your Independence” for 12+years.

trades & services APPLIANCE REPAIRS. For service of all Fisher & Paykel, Haier and Elba appliances, Ph 0800 372 273 for your local technician.

BOAT BUILDING repairs and maintenance. Timber & fibreglass trade qualified, boat builder. Ph Shaun 021 992 491 or 07 552 0277 BRYCE DECORATING Interior & exterior painting, wallpapering.

Quality work. Ph Wayne 579 5588 or 021 162 7052 18+ years ELECTRICIAN, experience, NZ registered.

Residential & commercial, maintenance & service, new builds, renovations. Fast, friendly service. Ph Andrew 022 354 1960 FRESHCOAT PAINTING Professional, experienced, reliable top quality painters!

Lowest price guaranteed. We’ll get the job done right! FreshCoats Painting 021 109 7070 Call for a free quote!

HANDYMAN BUILDING and section maintenance, decks, fencing, pergolas, painting, water blasting, odd jobs.

Free quotes Ph Rossco 027 270 3313 or 544 5911 INSECT SCREENS Measure.

Make. Mend. Ph Rob at Magic Seal 543 4940 PA I N T E R / D E C O R AT O R Interior and Exterior, quality workmanship friendly services.

Over 20 years specialising in residential and more. Quality paint at trade prices. For your best advice in all areas. Ph Shane Mount/Tauranga Decorators 07 544 6495 or 021 575 307 PAINTERS AVAILABLE for immediate start. Interior/exterior.

Guaranteed workmanship. For free quotes ph Graeme today 022 0466 776 or 07 544 5234 PLASTERER Interior 30+ years Skimming walls make good walls & ceilings. Fibrous, Plasterboard, Cornice, Cove no job to small.

Ph Stan 021 130 2621 and ROOF PAINTING maintenance. Roofs rescrewed.

Waterblasting, moss removal.

Free quotes! Ph Mark 543 3670 or 021 0273 8840 ROOF REPAIRS free quotes for all maintenance of leaking roofs, gutter cleaning & repairs. Chimney maintenance & repairs. Registered roofer, 30yrs exp. Ph Peter 542 4291 or 027 436 7740 TREE SHRUB and hedges trimming, topping removal, rubbish removal, palm pruning or removal, satisfaction guaranteed free quote. Ph Steve Hockly 571 5958 or 027 498 1857

transport DRIVING MISS DAISY – available for all! Special needs are catered for including assistance with a walker or wheelchair. Ask for us if you have an injury and have ACC subsidized transportation needs.

Safe, friendly, reliable service.

Ph Jackie from Driving Miss Daisy 552 6614

travel & tours

trades & services

“A A A” - SOUTH ISLAND - BY RAIL AND HIGHLIGHTS including The Coastal Pacific, TranzAlpine & Taieri Gorge.

2. - Skyline Rotorua Gondola Christmas Luncheon Venture.

3. - Christmas Gift Vouchers Available. Door to Door. Free Newsletters. Ph The Hinterland Tours Team on 07 575 8118

AFFORDABLE BUILDING MAINTENANCE. House repairs, spouting/ roofing repairs, painting, general maintenance.

20 years experience . Ph Andy 027 310 1065

A FEW SEATS REMAINING Whangamomona, Rail Cruising the Forgotten Highway 20 tunnels & over night at the Chateau- 26th – 29th Jan, Ph Zealandier Tours 575 6425

real estate FOR SALE 1 Bedroom Flat in Pillans Point area. Been totally renovated etc. Price $250,000.

Ph 576 8193 leave details on answerphone message.

travel & tours

cont.

CZECH ROMANCE 21 days $6900 Departing Vienna 27 May Behind the old Iron Curtain.

Timeless Turkey 26 days $7990.

Departing Istanbul 10 August.

Special departure into the Black Sea Mountains. Contact Russell and Karen Pringle 0800 488 753 eurolink@xtra.co.nz www.eurolinktours.com NO.8 TOURS TRAVEL CLUB Specialists in fully escorted day & extended tours. Free pick-up, free newsletter. Up and coming tours; Sunny Nelson Stayput - 24th-28th Jan. Tiritirimatangi Island Cruise & Tour - 11th-13th Feb. East Cape Summer Escape - 21st-24th Feb. Hamner Springs, Molesworth & Rainbow Stations 17th-21st March. Tasmania - 21st March 13days away. Seats are limited, don’t miss out, book now!

Ph 579 3981

wanted to rent

cont.

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wanted BARE LAND/SECTION Flat and sunny section required for couple to build our first home. Approx 1 acre or more. Contact Alison, 022 102 5157 ali.jones@live.co.uk

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The Weekend Sun

Burpees to help other Bay hearts

Bethlehem College students painted the Homes for Hope fence last Saturday while raising money for the charity. Photos by Tracy Hardy.

Seven-year-old Mount Maunganui boy Jack Dunkerley is one tough little cookie, and to show us just how tough, he plans to celebrate the fifth anniversary of his open heart surgery with a burpee fundraiser challenge tomorrow.

In 2007 Jack, aged thre, was diagnosed with early stages of heart failure, throwing parents Glenn and Heather Dunkerley into the terrifying and helpless agony of specialists, tests and waiting.

“We noticed Jack struggling to breathe so took him to a specialist. We knew it was serious when the specialist cancelled his plans for the rest of the day to do further testing on him – it was terrifying,” says Glenn.

Jack was leaking blood from his heart to other parts of his body, including his lungs.

The call was made to monitor his condition in an attempt to stave off surgery until he was older, but the hole in his heart grew bigger. In 2009 it was decided the two-and-a-half-year-old would have to undergo major surgery.

Five years down the track, Jack is fit and well, and is

James Ackland, 15, working on his art.

Olivia McOnie, 16, and Emily Johnston, 15, hard at work.

Olivia McOnie, 16, and Jessie Smalberger, 15.

By Tony van Maanen

Jack Dunkerley, with father Glenn, before his operation five years ago. Photo Supplied.

Tips for hassle-free renting There can be a lot to organise and remember when you’re flatting.

Jay Silcock, 16, Daniel Hill, 17, and Andrew Fuller, 16, painting the fence.

planning on celebrating the anniversary of his liferestoring operation by giving thanks.

Heart Kids Bay of Plenty helped and supported both he and his parents all through the hard and harrowing process, advising, explaining and reassuring, so Jack has decided it’s his turn to help them.

Jack, Glenn and 20 members of the S.P.E.E Training gym will take part in a one-minute Heart Kids Burpee Challenge, with Specsavers Mount Maunganui donating $1 per burpee to the non-government funded charity.

Glenn, who is part-owner of Specsavers, says is happy to get behind the Heart Kids Bay of Plenty cause, which is only charity supporting Kiwi children and families affected by Congenital Heart Disease.

“We can’t thank Heart Kids Bay of Plenty enough for their support over the years,” says Glenn.

“Now on the anniversary of our son’s heart surgery, it’s our chance to thank them.”

If you’d like to offer your support, the challenge is at Mount Drury Reserve from 10.30am tomorrow, with all proceeds raised going to Heart Kids Bay of Plenty.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has some basic guidelines for renters to follow to ensure a positive flatting experience.

As a renter, it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities.

Before you move in, figure out what you can afford.

There are a few payments you may need to consider, including rent in advance, four weeks’ rent as bond and a letting fee (usually one weeks’ rent plus GST). Keep track of rent payments from here on in and ensure your bond is lodged properly with the landlord.

For a smooth renting ride, understand your tenancy agreement. This sets out the tenancy terms including rent and bond amount owed, the date the tenancy begins, maximum number of occupants – and any other terms the landlord and tenant agree on.

The legal contract between a tenant and landlord also includes a property inspection report which renters can complete with the landlord to record the property’s condition when you move in.

Both parties need to sign the agreement and keep a copy. Tip: keep copies of anything else put in writing between you and the landlord.

The landlord’s insurance doesn’t cover personal items, so it’s a good idea to get your own contents

insurance. Or personal liability insurance for cover if you damage the property.

Finally, know the difference between tenants and flatmates. A tenant shares the responsibility for the entire tenancy, while a flatmate is someone living in the property but is not named on the tenancy agreement.

63

The Weekend Sun

Drawing near to God Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, right? For many folk it’s more of a ‘silly season’ when any excuse will do for a good party – and no thought is given to the Christ whose birth is remembered at this time of the year.

For others Christmas is a ‘sorrowful season’ because it holds painful memories of loss or abandonment, or because it’s a time of separation from loved ones who are far away.

It seems to me that for most people, Christmas is also a time when very little thought is given to God and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ – God, for them, is far away.

Whatever your personal situation is,

I’m encouraging you to draw near to God this Christmas.

God says He is the Shepherd of His sheep, the great Comforter, the Only Wise, the Everlasting One, Immanuel – God with us.

You may think or feel God is far away from you – but in actual fact, He is closer than you think.

He sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world, so that through Jesus we may draw near to God. James 4:8 says: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded”.

How do I draw near to God? By placing my faith in Jesus Christ – faith in Jesus is turning away from an old way of thinking (unbelief ), and now trusting Christ every day.

Many people have difficult relationships and in some cases lead very miserable lives because of a lack of being thanked.

It’s good within any friendship or marriage to be able to say

a simple “thanks”.

At the beginning of a meal we often bring our thanks to God for the food. But how often at the end of the meal do we thank the cook?

Have you noticed in your club or social circle there are those who are thankful and those who grumble about everything?

Can I encourage you today to develop an attitude of gratitude?

And this extends not only giving thanks to others but giving thanks to God for all the good things He does for us.

www.

.org.nz .org.nz

The bible and especially the book of Psalms is all; about people giving thanks to God Psalms 106:1 (NIV) 1 Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Can I encourage you this week to develop an attitude of gratitude both to other people and to God and see what a difference it will make in their lives but also in your own life.

Sunday Services 9:30am & 6:00pm Come along!

07 576 5387 252 Otumoetai Road www.citychurchtauranga.org.nz

By Richard Roodt, Bay Bible Fellowship

Give thanks and see the difference How many times have you done something for someone and been thrilled when you get a little card in the mail or text expressing their appreciation?

www.

ROMANS

Renaissance Sundays 10am 345 Maunganui Rd w. www.shoreline.org.nz e. info@shoreline.org.nz p. 022 043 2334

By Stephen Tyrrell, senior pastor, South City Baptist Church, Tauranga

Sunday Gatherings 10:00 am Mount Sports Club 51 Miro Street Blake Park The Mount

www.stlukeschurch.org.nz

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P 07 575 5008 | F 07 575 4367 | E sales@furnituregallery.co.nz

A 282 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui

The Weekend Sun