As I sit down to prepare the February issue of the Herald, it's a scorching day (summer has arrived!). Can you believe that three of our major cities (Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland) are telling us to stay out of the water ? And we have all seen the images of "floating bits" in the water - that is just crazy !
It is just not OK to live next to the sea, or for that matter any body of water and not be able to use it for exercise, recreation or just plain relaxation.
It seems very topical then to do an Eastbourne and Bays recap of the highly successful "Clean up the Hutt" campaign that rolled out in December.
Eastbourne is very lucky in that we have a great community which gets stuck in and has regular beach clean ups.
Including 6 divers , there were just under one hundred people who gave up their day to clean up our local part of the coast line (including Matiu/ Somes Island) .
Over a tonne of rubbish was collected and we can see that the higher volumes tend to correlate
with the "remoter" less visible areas along our coastline.
We need to put a challenge out to ourselves and to the Hutt City Council - how do we keep our coastline cleaner? No it's not the
Cleaning Needs Sorted.
same as the effluent which is flooding parts of our coastline at the moment - but looking at the photos, there's a few things there that I don't want to be swimming with!
Sustainable Coastlines CEO Sam Judd had this to say:
"This event gave people an opportunity to engage in something positive during difficult times. But beyond the clean-up itself, we're creating lasting behaviour change. When volunteers see firsthand the impact of plastic pollution and start to separate out recyclables, they carry those waste minimisation practices home. And that's where the real transformation happens, changing how we all think about and manage waste in our daily lives".
A huge thank you to marine contractors Underwater Solutions and Neptune Diving who undertook the diving work and thanks to all the sponsors including Hirepool, Benefitz,Trumpet, AON and Hutt City Council.
To all those who volunteered a huge thank you to you all!
Lee Steffens, Neptune Diving at Days Bay
This little light of mine...
A British television series, The Piano, has recently been screening on TVNZ The series showcases people of all ages displaying their piano-playing skills before a passing audience of travellers in major British railway stations.
Watchers are entranced by the variety of music and the evident talent of the performers. The cameras show the happy smiles on the faces of all, both young and old.
What were the listeners thinking? Would they be inspired to reconnect with a previous musical background or take up a new instrument themselves? Among the pianists were those who were nervous, and others who were full of confidence, but all were eager to share their talents with those around them. By sharing their gifts with others, they all affected the crowd in ways they may not have imagined possible...
We, too, can enhance the lives of those around us by sharing our gifts of caring and kindness. It may be by a simple smile, or saying ‘hello’ to a passing stranger, or offering to help with a load of shopping, or by stopping for a chat. There are so many ways we can put a little ray of sunshine into a neighbours’ day by living the Christian gospel in our community.
St Alban’s+St Ronan’s: 1st Sundays 9:30am monthly Shared Communion Services (alternating venues, leaders and preachers). 1 March at St Ronan’s church, 5 April at San Antonio church. St Ronan’s: 1st Sundays shared with St Albans (see above). 2nd and 4th Sundays 9:30am informal, 3rd Sundays 9:30am traditional, 5th Sundays 12:00pm fellowship meal. office@stronans.org.nz www.stronans.org.nz
St Alban’s: 1st Sundays shared with St Ronan’s (see above). Other Sunday services at San Antonio church at 9:30am. 1st Thursdays, communion at 10:30am at St Ronan’s church. www.facebook.com/StAlbansNZ office@stalbanschurch.nz www.stalbanschurch.nz San Antonio: Vigil Mass, Saturdays 5:30pm. Sacred Heart, Petone: Mass, Sundays 9.30am and 5.30pm. holyspiritparish41@gmail.com www.holyspirit.nz
Column sponsored by St Alban’s Anglican, St Ronan’s Presbyterian & San Antonio Catholic.
New Zealand’s only not-for-profit electricity company toastelectric.nz
WHAT’S HAPPENING HAIR FEBRUARY
February in Wellington means long, golden evenings and that back-to-routine feeling. It’s the perfect moment to refresh your look and start the year feeling polished and confident
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With years of experience and continual training, I’m always refining my craft to deliver premium, personalised results. From soft, lived-in blondes to expertly blended greys, my work is all about creating effortless, low-maintenance colour that enhances your natural beauty
Due to high demand, bookings are often made well in advance. But that’s how I ensure every client gets the care, focus, and attention they deserve.
If you ’ re ready to elevate your look this year, I’d love to welcome you into my chair. Because when your hair feels amazing, you do too
Eastbourne Community Board
Community Survey
The Eastbourne Community Board is preparing a new community survey and would like residents’ input on what it should include. Our 2014 survey identified key community priorities - with the cycleway ranked number one, followed by climate change and weather-related concerns. As we look ahead, this new survey will help define Eastbourne’s longer-term priorities and guide future planning with Hutt City Council.
We already have ideas around public spaces, including Burdan’s Gate and the potential for a bike/cycle skills area, as well as activities linked to the shared pathway. However, we are keen to hear what you believe should be considered as long-term priorities for our community. Please get in touch with suggestions.
Bike / Cycle Skills Area
To progress this project at Burdan’s Gate, concept plans will need to be developed for Council consideration. We are seeking help from anyone with graphic or landscape design experience, and we welcome ideas from the young people who would use it. Please contact Jeremy if you can assist.
Summer Pool
Thanks to our volunteers, trained lifeguards are in place for the final month of the season.
Next Public Meeting
The February ECB meeting has been postponed due to the severe weather conditions being experienced. Refer online for a new date.
ECB Members
Bruce Spedding Chair 021 029 74741
Jeremy Chaston Dep Chair 027 515 5571
Murray Gibbons 04 562 8567
Ben Hainsworth 022 584 2248
Emily Keddell 021 188 5106
Tui Lewis (Ward Councillor) 021 271 6249
Business goes to the dogs
Nicola sat down with Roger Tuarau who together with his son Karl owns Dogwash Solutions Ltd.
They have recently installed the Eastbourne K9000 Self Service Dogwash located just next to the swimming pool.
The business is now in its fourth year of operation. The idea came about after facing the struggles of not only owning their own dogs, but going through the drama and battles of cleaning them.
They were introduced to the Dogwash units when they discovered one out at Plimmerton after treating their dogs to a day at the beach. The dogs enjoyed their time in the water but needed to be cleaned after they decided it was a good idea to roll around in the sand. Roger and Karl later discovered that the machine in Plimmerton was for sale and they decided to start their venture from there after purchasing it.
They have also purchased and installed Dogwash machines in other locations around the Greater Wellington Region. As mentioned
Nicola Morris
above, their first machine was purchased in Plimmerton. This machine is located at Vetsmart on the corner of Grays Road. Their second machine was installed at Sparks Park in Carterton. Their 3rd machine was installed at Placemakers in Paraparaumu and their most recent machine was installed in Eastbourne, behind the public toilets by the swimming pool. They have plans for the future to bring more machines to the Wellington Region.
They are offering Eastbourne dog owners somewhere they can bring their dogs to get clean after going for a long walk, or after a swim down at the beach, or just because they feel like they need to be cleaned. They have put up a fence and a gate for owners to feel secure while washing their dog.
The Dogwash units are all environmentally friendly, with filters to catch dog hair so it doesn’t get washed into drains. The waste water is connected to the sewer so it doesn’t flow out to the sea or local river.
Self Service Dogwash
•Easy to Use
• 3 filters to capture all dog hair
•Council consented
• Cost $12, pay with gold coin or card via paywave
• 10 minutes to wash your dog using Shampoo, Flea Shampoo and Conditioner, rinse them off with warm water and blow-dry them.
• Area is under surveillance and has a motion activated light for late night dog walkers
•If any issues arise, contact numbers are located on the machine
LOCATION: Behind the public toilets at the Eastbourne Swimming pool. This is to provide somewhere safe for the dogs to be washed after going for a walk or a swim along the beach.
WATER INTO CARS
February/March: Late summer/early autumn. It’s been above averagely warm and wet. The lawn’s still green. A bumper year for our primary industries.
Imports: We import ~$60B of product a year. Four sectors account for about half of this: machinery (~15%), vehicles (~15%), fuels (~15%), electrical (~5%); the rest is a myriad of other products. Exports: To buy all this, we must export products of similar value. About 75% of our exports are primary products. Four sectors account for just over half of our exports: dairy (29%), meat (11%), horticulture (7%) and forestry (7%).
Plants: All these products involve plants, either for feed (dairy and meat) or for the product itself (horticulture and forestry). All plants consume water.
Water to biomass: Water-use-
efficiency (WUE). There’s a relation between the water consumed by a plant (L) and the biomass it produces (g). Across many species, a WUE of ~1 L of water /g of biomass produced is normal (see www.mulchpile.org/68).
Feed-conversion-ratio (FCR). There’s similar relation between the biomass of feed (kg) consumed by an animal and its carcass weight gain (kg). A typical value for beef cattle is ~10 kg feed /kg meat produced. There’s a similar relationship between the biomass of feed (kg) consumed by a cow and the volume of milk it produces (L). A typical value is ~0.7kg feed/L milk. (Google Feed conversion ratio wiki).
Back-calculate: Combining these ideas, we see there’s a calculable relationship between the amount of water input to a production system and the amount of product - milk or meat or fruit or timber. So, water inputs can be ‘back-calculated’ from the export production data.
Water exports: There’s a real sense in which our exports of primary produce are an export of our water. When we look at it this way, the volumes of water are very large -
cubic kilometres (km3). To help you appreciate how large, I note that Wellington harbour holds ~2 km3 of water (area ~80 km² x average depth ~25 m).
Dairy: Over 95% of our milk is exported. Based on export data I calculate export dairying consumes about 120 km3 of water (dairy pasture is ~80% rain-fed, ~20% irrigated (river/ aquifer)).
Meat: Beef and sheep-meat account for almost all our meat exports. I calculate export meat production consumes about 12 km3 of water a year (almost all our meat is pasturefed, almost all the meat pasture is rain-fed).
Horticulture: Compared with the others, horticultural products are of very high-value and very low-volume. I calculate our horticulture (mainly kiwifruit, apples and wine) together consume only ~0.7 km3 of water a year (~85% rain-fed, ~15% irrigated).
Forestry: We export about 66% of our timber, ~22M m3. I calculate the forests from which this proportion comes consume about 17 km3 of water a year (~100% rain-fed).
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Power to do Good
Energy should be a human right. ‘Power to do good’ is the motto of Aotearoa’s only not-for-profit electricity retailer, Toast Electric. First established in 2022, it grew out of Wellington’s Sustainability Trust, a charity that works to provide healthy homes through assessing and upgrading poorquality housing. The trust also runs a trades operation catering to all homes and budgets, works in waste minimisation, has its own curtain bank and runs a reuse shop and education programmes.
Sustainability Trust’s Fair Energy manager and Chief Toaster, Phil Squire, addressed a public meeting in Eastbourne this month. Awareness of the struggles many families living with low-income faced paying their power bills led to the decision to establish Toast Electric, he said.
“Our mission is that every home in Aotearoa will be able to afford the power they need to stay warm, dry and healthy. To help achieve this, we use our profits to reduce the energy costs faced by families living on low-incomes, many of whom might be making the tough choice between heating and eating.”
Toast Electric currently purchases power, at mates’ rates, from Mercury and Meridian. It
Ann Manchester
also partners with several social service agencies and research centres to facilitate its work.
Toast Electric functions like a regular power company, except it has two levels of customers. For every four households (or small businesses) who sign up, one household in energy hardship gets support. Support in warmer months will be less than during the months of June, July and August when their kWh hourly rates will be reduced by up to 30 per cent. In the Wellington Region, most referrals for families in need come from DCM (Downtown Community Ministry), the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Newtown Budget, Supergrans or Wellington City Mission.
“We have discovered that households living with lowincome use more power than regular households,” said Phil. “There could be several reasons for this. They may be living in larger homes with larger families. Appliances might be old. Someone might often be home during the day. Their use of hot water and plug-in electric heaters is usually very high. We work with people to understand their unique situations and see how they might use their power more efficiently.
Wellington and Wairarapa Show Room: Unit 1 50 Gracefield Road, Lower Hutt
We offer a wide range of cardio fitness equipment for hire or purchase including treadmills. exercycles. cross trainers, rowing machines and spin bikes, primarily for home use. With 25 years of experience importing top quality fitness equipment, we ensure you can work out comfortably and conveniently at home.
Come into our showroom to view new machines available or ex rentals, or look online. https://rutherfordfitness.co.nz/
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Sustainability
Trust’s Fair Energy manager and Chief Toaster, Phil Squire
We provide free in-home assessments from Sustainability Trust’s expert team, help with home insulation and install heat pumps where possible.”
Although most of Toast Electric’s customers are in the Wellington Region (close to 3000 at present), the company also operates in Porirua, Kāpiti, Horowhenua, Wairarapa and parts of Christchurch and Canterbury. Toast Electric would like to increase its customer base by 2000 households per year, and to spread the model to other parts of Aotearoa. “We believe energy should be a human right but achieving that in a marketdriven economy is a challenge. Producing our own power one day is a dream for the future,” said Phil.
For further information, including how to sign up, go to www.toastelectric.nz.
Hire It
Powerful
production promises an exciting night of theatre
If the first dress rehearsal for King Lear earlier this month is anything to go by, audiences are in for a dramatic and powerful evening of theatre.
As this issue of The Eastbourne Herald goes to press, the production will have begun its six-night season, with opening night on Thursday February 19. The rest of the season continues on February 20 and 21, and on February 26, 27 and 28.
The outdoor setting in the Muritai School Yard adds its own special magic to the Butterfly
Creek Theatre Troupe’s annual Shakespearean production. Audiences are advised to dress warmly, though cushions and rugs are provided. And if the weather turns inclement, the play goes on, with actors and audience transferring to the school hall. Don’t miss out on this exciting, contemporary production of one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. Tickets are available through Humanitix at https://collections. humanitix.com/King-Lear with door sales available, if not already sold out before the night.
Kidz talk
Many of you may have noticed a few changes going on at Barnardos Early Learning Eastbourne, as the centre underwent a major renovation over the summer. We now
Tide's Out for new counting book
Ann Packer
Sand-Play Time on the SunBaked Beach, Eastbourne illustrator Lily Uivel’s second book with Wellington author Juliette MacIver, was an instant hit with the grandbaby in our family, who responded enthusiastically to a subtraction story played out on a sandcastle – a clever riff on more usual counting books. While the beach is more golden than Eastbourne’s, it still features plenty of sticks, stones, shells and the ubiquitous oystercatchers. The duo’s Beddy-Bye Time in the Kowhai Tree collaboration, also published by Scholastic, was a finalist for Best Picture Book in the 2025 NZCYA Book Awards.
News from Barnardos Early Learning Eastbourne
have a new access ramp, new kitchen and a refreshed interior. The tamariki are excited to be back in their ‘new’ centre, hanging out with all their friends again and playing all their favourite summer games.
We have also welcomed our new centre manager, Tess, to the team.
Barnardos Early Learning Eastbourne currently has vacancies for under-
2-year-olds. For more information, please contact Tess on 0275477883 or eastbourneelc@ barnardos.org.nz. You can also visit our website at barnardosearlylearning. org.nz.
King Lear (John Marwick) offers one third of his kingdom to his daughter Goneril (Lian Potter). Holding the map is Lear’s fool (John Smythe). Photo by Tanya Peijus
Buses that Inspire ! Nicola Morris
Nicola sat down recently with Felipe Gomes, Head of Marketing and Communications for Wellesley College. The conversation was sparked by driving past the school buses and noticing their striking new livery. Felipe not only managed the project but also created the content and graphic design that brought the buses to life, ensuring each one reflected the school’s values and new brand.
Felipe, now in his second year with Wellesley, clearly takes pride in both the school and his role. His work can best be described as promoting the school to prospective students and their families, while also fostering a lasting sense of community that continues long after the final school bell and extends to Wellesley Old Boys. Felipe says "At Wellesley, past, present, and future come together, shaping our story and driving everything we do as a community."
The new bus livery has been a collaborative effort between Mana Coach Service (the bus operators), Mesh (the local company that carried out the wraps), Ocean Design (the design studio that created Wellesley’s new brand), and the wider Wellesley community, with input from students, art teacher Glen Jorna, Marketing Assistant Kate Cole, and management.
These buses are just one visible part of a broader brand refresh for Wellesley, designed to present the school as forward-looking while honouring its cherished traditions. Over the coming weeks and months, the full brand refresh will continue to roll out across the school. The theme behind the refresh is: "Find your feet, make the leap."
There are six buses, all in the
school’s traditional royal blue. On closer inspection, each bus has subtle differences, including colour variations that align with individual school bus routes.
Each bus also features photographic montages and illustrative elements paired with taglines designed to inspire and reflect Wellesley’s values. The taglines include:
• Be Active
• Be Creative
• Be Curious
• Be Prepared
• Be Brave
• Be Empowered
• Be Bold
• Be Yourself
• Be Adventurous
• Be Confident
• Be Ready
• Be Inspired
What happens to nature if we disappear?
Robert Ashe GWRC East Harbour Ranger robert.ashe@gw.govt.nz
One of the books I read this summer was Craig Harrison’s 1981 science fiction classic The Quiet Earth. Geoff Murphy adapted the novel into a film in 1985, starring Bruno Lawrence as the main character who wakes up one day to discover he is the last human apparently left alive following a scientific experiment that has gone horrifically wrong. Both the book and movie are set right here in New Zealand and I spent the next few weeks wondering what life might be like if I was the last person left alive here on Earth, here in Eastbourne. Then the book got me wondering about our forest. What would happen to nature if we suddenly left it to itself?
I’ve been asking pretty much everyone who might know the answer to this question ever since. The response is chilling: everything we love about this place would eventually collapse and be overrun by weeds. And there is one weed that would rule them all, smothering our hills for millennia.
A bit about Climbing Asparagus
If you look closely, especially on the Bus Barns Track, you’ll see a plant known as Climbing Asparagus, Snakefeather fern or, more formally as Asparagus scandens. The plant originally came from South Africa and was introduced here in the 1960s as a pretty, ornamental house plant. I saw it first promoted in a 1960s Sunset magazine at my parents'. By 1970, the plant had become naturalised. Once climbing asparagus had escaped the garden, it quickly established itself as a pest plant. Shade and
drought tolerant, fast growing, and dispersed by birds, it quickly establishes itself in regenerating forest, climbing young trees, and smothering them. It eventually kills and collapses the forest, until it only has itself to grow over.
An environmentally transformative weed
Climbing asparagus is one of a handful of weeds that will transform an entire ecosystem from a rich and varied forest to a single species if left unchecked. As such, it represents a severe ecological threat – a ticking time
bomb for our forests. Can we introduce a safe biological control method? Results to date have not been promising and come with possible flow on implications for the commercially grown asparagus that some of us love to eat.
Greater Wellington doesn’t have the resources alone to fight the spread of climbing asparagus in our parks. They are trying to hold the line at the top of the ridgeline, by controlling climbing asparagus from the ridgeline down towards our homes. But if nothing else changes, the weed seed bank below will reach a critical mass where it may become an invasion we can no longer hold back. How you can help Without us, our forests are in deep trouble. Protecting our forests from weeds like climbing asparagus needs a collective effort. We can act on our own land and help out in our parks to stop Eastbourne’s beautiful forest from being overwhelmed. I’ve managed to control climbing asparagus on our own small hill section with a bit of hard work and constant vigilance. I still pull out 50-100 seedlings a year, however.
It’s easy work to remove the plant when it is small. Just make sure you pull all the roots and dispose of it carefully, ideally in the rubbish.
Big infestations require repeat spraying – something not undertaken lightly if you don’t have the protective equipment or the expertise to avoid killing a lot of native plants in the process. If you’d like advice or want to join with others to help fight our climbing asparagus nightmare, please get in touch.
A forest of climbing asparagus is no science fiction story. Charlotte Ashe starring.
Identifying climbing asparagus
We have made a positive start to the 2026 school year at Muritai. It is wonderful to have the classrooms and playgrounds full of smiles and laughter, all ready for an action-packed term ahead.
This year, we are thrilled to welcome 323 students into our classrooms. It has been especially heartening to see many new five-year-olds beginning their educational journey with us, alongside several new families joining our school whānau. We also welcome many new students and families that have recently moved into the area - it is wonderful to have you join us!
The growth isn’t just among the students; we are also delighted to introduce two new members to our teaching team. A warm Muritai welcome to Joey Cassar
Term 1 is always synonymous with the water in our seaside suburb. All students are currently attending the Eastbourne Pool for their swimming instruction—a vital skill for our coastal kids. We are also looking forward to our wholeschool picnic at Days Bay—the iconic Days Bay Day!
For those looking for a treasure or a bargain, mark your calendars! Our House and School Committee are hosting the annual Muritai Car Boot Sale on school grounds on Sunday, 22nd February. It’s a fantastic way to support the school and find some hidden gems.
While our students are busy learning, building contractors are continuing their work around the school. The major roofing
and Logan Managh, who are bringing fresh energy and expertise to our staff.
If you’ve walked past the school recently, you’ve likely noticed that our newly re-visioned school garden, Māra Muritai, is absolutely blossoming!
This space has become a
true testament to the power of community. It’s wonderful to see locals pausing during their daily walks to admire the progress. This garden wouldn’t exist without the incredible mahi of our dedicated parent group, community members, staff and students.
and cladding project is moving along steadily. The majority of the work on the school hall is now complete, and work is now moving to our two-story classroom block.
Thankfully, we have ample spare space to house all our classrooms while construction continues, ensuring minimal disruption to learning. The project is expected to be fully completed in May.
We appreciate the community’s patience as we future-proof our school buildings.
We are looking forward to another exciting year ahead, making the most of our unique natural environment and valuable community resources.
Stu Devenport Tumuaki / Principal
Editor's Note: To me the school is the hub of a small community; so I contacted Stu to see if he would be interested in contributing a monthly update. Full kudos to Stu, he was immediately on board. Over the year we will be including project work from the children as well to make this a full school contribution.
It's not too late to contribute
St Alban’s Fundraising Update
We are almost there!
St Alban’s has so far raised $830,000 and is well on the way to achieving an earthquake strengthened historic church and community hall and will soon be ready to say “Kuhu Mai – Come on in!”
Our vision is for a Church and Hall that are available for all to use throughout the week for community groups, playgroups, celebrations and special events such as concerts, as well as for regular worship and mission.
How can I help?
We are now reaching out to the wider community and anyone who has an association with St Alban’s through:
Being baptised or confirmed at St Alban’s Having family married at St Alban’s
Having family ashes in the memorial wall or family funerals at the church, Attending St Alban’s in the past Would like to join us to make this happen in 2026!
We plan to start construction mid-year and be using the buildings by early- 2027, but we need your help to make a final push to maximise our funds so that we can strengthen both the Church and Hall.
Please consider making a donation, pledging funds or making a bequest. To find out more, contact Kathy in the Parish Office at office@stalbanschurch.nz
Thank you! St Alban’s Church
Who are
you, really? Do you Know?
Louise Parry, Liberty Counselling
Many of us struggle to understand who we really are. We try to fit into society, cultural expectations, and ideas about success. It can become easy to lose sight of ourselves.
Sometimes people reach a point where they realise they are not sure who the “real” them is anymore. Often this disconnection has been present for years. But it is never too late to begin stripping away the masks we wear to fit in.
In my final university semester, we were asked to develop a metaphor that reflected our journey as emerging counsellors, to guide our future practice. Two words stood out for me during that process: authenticity and liberty. These became touchstones in both my professional and personal life, and they led me to think more deeply about the importance of being ourselves.
We all know people who seem comfortable in their own skin. They live by their principles and walk the talk. Sometimes people like this can seem slightly confronting, because many of us carry at least some level of insecurity. But perhaps what we are seeing is simply someone being unapologetically authentic.
Letting go of the many “shoulds” in our lives often begins with noticing where our beliefs about identity have come from. Narrative
therapy pioneers Michael White and David Denborough invite us to think about identity as constructed by a world in which the actions we take are judged according to standards set by others.
Narrative therapist Dr Donald McMenamin suggests the alternative is people being understood through their intentions, rather than judged only by their actions. To achieve this, we need to become curious about what sits behind behaviour, and more willing to ask and answer questions about meaning and purpose.
This way of thinking is a large part of why I value narrative
therapy. Instead of seeing ourselves, or others, as the sum of our actions, our identity is separate from the difficulties we experience and the actions we take. From there, change becomes more possible, and a stronger sense of self can begin to emerge.
Perhaps the question is not only Who am I?
Perhaps it is also Who am I becoming, when I am no longer trying so hard to fit in?
Thought provoking? Let’s talk –contact me on 022 0800 393 or libertyconsellingnz@gmail.com to make an appointment.
Watts Inside? Eastbourne and Bays
Solar and Electric Home Tour
Interest in solar is growing and Electrify the Hutt plans to connect people wanting to know more with local owners of solar homes who are happy to share their knowledge and experience with neighbours.
Many of us know a bit about solar – that it saves money in the long run, it reduces carbon emissions and contributes to New Zealand’s renewable energy transition. But we don’t know how great the savings are, how long it takes to pay off the investment and where to find more information.
We may have electric bikes or electric cars and like the thought of charging them off our solar house, but don’t know how to take the step to getting that solar house. The mass of technical
choices can be daunting.
The solar and electric home tour will give people a chance to see actual installations either in new houses or retrofitted in older homes. Some will be fully solar, some part way there and considering options for their next step.
By visiting a number of homes it will be possible to compare technologies, see actual installation quotes and talk to owners about what has worked and what they would do differently if starting now. How much has actually been saved on those power bills?
The tour will start in a hub in Williams Park where booklets with addresses, transport and parking information will be available. There will be four
morning and four afternoon slots so people can visit a number of different homes and group numbers will be small so everyone will be able to ask questions. There will also be experts at the hub to answer tricky technical questions that may not be straightforward for individual homeowners.
The organisers are incredibly grateful to the homeowners who have agreed to host these visits. They are solar enthusiasts who have experienced some of the challenges as well as the satisfaction of using the sun’s energy instead of fossil fuels. We are lucky they are willing to support others starting the same journey.
Market Intel
Welcome to a new monthly feature where local real estate agent Sinead will discuss what is happening in the real estate market with a specific focus on Eastbourne and the Bays.
Hutt Valley property values saw significant decline from the peak of 2021 (post covid) to 2025. A country wide recession hit Wellington hard, with significant job losses in the public sector. Confidence in the real estate market and the employment market are intrinsically linked. Combined with the cost-of-living crisis, this led to a depressed environment; most property sales were need based (people moving for jobs, retirement). Home transactions were for seriously motivated sellers (mostly buying in the same market). Properties needed to be well presented, well priced and without problems. The significant (11-20%) drop in the HCC rating valuations, dated August 2025,
Sinead Diederich, Harcourts
reflects the above recessionary period.
Economists believe - after a period of interest rate stability, and more affordable borrowing
rates, combined with other mostly positive economic signals - that 2026 will be a period of steady house prices. This environment, coupled with a pent-up demand from sellers, means an increase in property listings. Eastbourne and the Bays enjoy an economic microclimate, protected to some degree by the high land values and being a sought after lifestyle
Tupua Horo Nuku Project Update
In March, we farewell the colourful boatshed, an important step to improve the safety of shared path users and eliminate a weak point in the seawall. Look out for a short lane closure in early March so this can happen safely.
Plus, join us on 4 March from 6pm at the Eastbourne Neighbourhood Hub, to hear from our Project Ecologist Josh about what we’ve achieved so far and how you can help protect and restore our taiao.
hutt.city/ tupuahoronuku
destination. Summer sees buoyant activity from sellers and buyers. 40 Bays properties are currently for sale, 21 of which were listed since 1 Jan. Since our open homes started on 11 Jan, we have already seen nearly 200 groups of buyers through the doors of Saturday, Sunday and midweek Open homes. We have seen a mood change among buyers, compared to 2025, reflected in high demand for good housing, multiple offers increasing, healthy open home numbers and sellers achieving their goals. A couple of strong sales in the village (motivated sellers and motivated buyers) have set a positive tone to start the year.
Top Tip: On average, more than 80% of all viewings at a property take place during the first 3 weeks it is on the market.
Optimise your outcome with a focused campaign, for maximum exposure during that time.
NOVEMBER
MARCH
Spring bulbs
Flowering plants
Potted colour
Winter vege seedlings
Summer carrot & parsnip seeds
Shrubs
Hedges
Re-sow lawn
Tips & tricks to keep your garden looking great all year round!
March is an epic month in the garden. After a hot summer, it’s the best time for planting and there’s heaps to get on with.
Fertilise lawn
Spray lawn for weeds
Rake leaves
Harvest potatoes, onions & kumara
Harvest basil & coriander
Pick tamarillos
Prune fruit trees
Feed citrus trees & remove small fruit
Cover grapes with bird netting
Keep an eye on feijoas
Take Fuchsia Cuttings
Water
Regularly
Check
Irrigation Systems
KEY POINTS FOR THIS MONTH PLANTING MAINTENANCE
` Plant now for a display of spring flowering bulbs. March is the best month for selecting and planting spring bulbs.
` Start planting your vegetable garden for harvesting in the winter.
` For colour during the winter months sow seeds of winter annuals.
` Re-plant pots with new seasons annuals.
` March is the best time for lawn maintenance and preparing to sow seed.
` Start planning your landscaping project, now is the time to plant trees and shrubs.
` Tidy up and cut back summer flowering perennials and shrubs.
KITCHEN GARDEN
` Keep on top of watering if the weather is still dry.
` Prepare empty spaces for new crops by turning over the soil and adding compost and sheep pellets. Blood and bone can be worked in to the top layer before you plant.
` Plant lupin, mustard or oats for green manure if you are leaving the garden empty for a season.
` Sow seeds: carrots, parsnips, kohlrabi, radish, leeks, spinach, silverbeet, beetroot, broccoli, onions, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts. Transplant to the garden when they are showing at least two sets of true leaves.
` Salad greens can still be planted in warmer regions.
` Onions can be planted now; they can go in the same place year after year.
` Plant peas and snow peas before autumn sets in, the seeds can be planted straight in to the ground.
` Finish harvesting passionfruit. Then prune back, feed with citrus fertiliser and water this in to the soil. Spray with copper oxychloride and a pyrethrum spray to take care of passion vine hoppers, mealy bug and brown spot.
` Continue to feed vegetable crops with a general purpose liquid fertiliser.
` Finish tidying strawberry beds, remove old or diseased plants. Cut off runners unless you are using them for next season’s plants.
` Feed citrus with citrus fertiliser, water well as the fruit starts to develop.
` Spray citrus with spraying oil and copper oxychloride to protect against scale and verrucosis.
Wainuiomata
7.30am weekdays
8.00am weekends & public holidays
8760
After clothing sales, a garden tour, raffles, plant stalls, tea towels and tote bags, and many generous donations, the St. Alban’s fundraising campaign that began nearly a year ago, is nearing its official end!
“And what better way to celebrate, than with a good old fashioned Church fête,” says Vicar Sue Brown. “There’ll be something for all the whānau – games, craft stalls, bric-a-brac, music, tea & cake (of course!) and more. As well as an exhibition of classic cars, a chance to take a peek inside the Church and a very special auction including paintings by local artists Richard Ponder and Alan Collins, boutique accommodation and more. All the fun of the fête will be there!” she adds.
“Yes, we’ll hope to raise some more dollars towards the earthquake strengthening work,” says Sue, “but the most important thing is to celebrate, to thank everyone who’s supported us in the fundraising and to bring the village together for some fun. And then to look forward to the strengthening work as it gets under way later this year...”
You might also want to bid for the chance to be the first person
to ring the Church bell again after nearly 10 years of Sunday morning silence.
You’ll find the Autumn Fête in the St. Alban’s Church garden on Saturday 21st March, 2-5 pm. “Come and celebrate with us,” says Sue, “and then look out for building work to get under way mid-year. Who knows, maybe we’ll be able to throw open the Church doors again by next Christmas – watch this space!?”
Penguin Dog Aversion training
"The training results in dogs, who end up near Penguins or near their nests, actively moving away from the penguin and the area".
Nicola sat down with local Ross Gilmour. His first interactions with little blue penguins/Korora came when he found them nesting under his house in the Bays. He was involved with Kiwi Dog Avoidance training and could see the need for similar training for penguins - and so was born "Penguin Avoidance Training" . Talking to him, I was impressed with his passion for the cause and his decision to get the initial training off the ground.
This training is designed to significantly decrease the likelihood that your dog would approach Penguins or go near their nests.
The training does not however, remove your responsibility for keeping strict control of your dog/s around Penguin nesting areas.
While your dog may not attack a Penguin, just approaching a Penguin while it is travelling between the sea and its nest, or sniffing around the nesting area can result in the Penguin abandoning its nest.
The training is on a one-onone basis with dogs booked at 20-minute intervals, and you only need to come on one of the days. The Trainer
Willy Marsh will be the trainer. Willy has extensive experience conducting Kiwi Dog Avoidance Training throughout New Zealand. He has also, previously, conducted Penguin Avoidance Training. For more information on Willy and his training methods, you could do a google search on ‘Willy Marsh” and look at the Conservation blog, Kiwi lessons for dogs going bush. What’s Involved in the Training?
Willy will walk with you and your dog around a training course. The course has a mixture of ‘mock’ Penguins, deceased Penguins and real Penguin ‘poop’ and nesting material (Willy has a DOC permit to hold deceased birds and the associated material). Penguin calls are also played in the background.
An E-Collar, which also has a vibrate mode is placed on your dog.
At the start of the course there is a deceased Penguin and when your dog is having a “really good sniff” Willy uses the vibrate or, very occasionally, the shock mode to give your dog a big fright. Your dog is likely to get a couple of further “frights” on the course.
Usually, Willy, removes the collar in the early stage of the training, so that the dog is not associating the collar with what’s happening but rather the smell, sight and sounds of Penguins together with their poop and their nesting material. While the training is brief (1015 minutes), the impact lasts a long time. For instance, we have had lots of dogs returning for a
refresher after 1 year, not wanting to enter the course area. Just the smell and sight of the first bird is more than enough for them!
Feedback From Dog Owners
Feedback from over 300 dog owners who have participated in Eastbourne and Lyall Bay has been very positive. Owners were happy with the training and the way their dog was treated; plus, they felt they learned something new about their dog. A wide range of dog breeds have attended the training and all have done well.
How Long Will It Take?
As mentioned, the actual training only takes 10-15 minutes. However, you will need to allow 30-40 minutes all up. The extra time is for checking in, walking along the beach to the course location and then returning to the check in to receive your certificate. Please keep your dog/s on a lead when walking to and from the course location. Your dog will be off leash during the training. Because we book dogs at set intervals, please make sure you arrive at your allocated time.
Penguin Dog Aversion training cont
Training Outcomes
We have now held a total of 20 training days, including the two pilots, and have trained 308 dogs. 81 have returned for their one-year follow-up.
We had 136 dogs do the training in Eastbourne, and 39 do the refresher.
We had 172 dogs do the training in Lyall Bay (on the beach in Dorrie Leslie Park and dog exercise area) and 42 do the refresher.
What has been very impressive to see is how well all of the dogs have done when returning for the refresher. It is just like they had done the training a week ago. We have had quite a few dogs who did the initial training at one location and the refresher at the other location, so the training outcomes are definitely not site specific.
For the refresher dogs the reassessment is done without the E-Collar being on and for all 81 dogs it was just like they had done the training a week ago. Some dogs picked up the scent before they
had entered the course area and didn't even want to go onto the beach. Willy got the owner of a dog that was extremely reluctant to enter the course, to take his dog well away from the course and then to enter from the windward end of the course. The owner was then asked to walk through the course. The dog was hesitant, but because a reasonably strong wind was stopping the dog getting any scent it slowly started to enter the course area. Suddenly the dog caught the scent, stopped, looked around and spotted some of the decoy penguins. The dog then bolted straight to its owner (who by this time was 20 metres ahead of the dog), without daring to look left or right!
We had at least 8 dogs do their refresher at a different location to where they did their initial training and it was very clear that the training is not location specific. All of the dogs actively avoided the decoys.
To Enrol in a course
The next training sessions are: Lyall Bay: Sunday 22nd Feb and Saturday 28th March 2026 at Dorrie Leslie Park Dog Exercise Area, Lyall Bay. Eastbourne: Saturday 21st Feb 2025 and Sunday 29th March. 100 metres north of WildFinder Pencarrow bike hire. In Google Maps enter Wildfinder Pencarrow, 519 Muritai Road, Eastbourne, Lower Hutt.
Cost
The fee for the initial training is $40.00 per dog and it is $30.00 for a refresher. All this fee goes to Willy and pays for his time, travel costs (he lives in Woodville), accommodation, meals etc. Payment, which is made when you check-in needs to be in cash or by bank transfer to Willy Marsh’s account. This could be done via your cell phone if you have the facility, or you can do this at home a couple of days before the training.
Check In “Office” and Locations
You must check in before proceeding to the training area at your designated time.
The check in “Office” is a large motorhome registration number KRR300.
In Lyall Bay it will be parked in the parking area just south of the dog exercise area. If you enter Moai Statue 370/344 Queens Drive Lyall Bay into Google Maps you will be taken to the parking area. In Eastbourne the “Office” will be parked 100 metres north of WildFinder Pencarrow bike hire. In Google Maps enter WildFinder Pencarrow, 519 Muritai Road, Eastbourne, Lower Hutt.
Please keep your dog/s in the car while you check in.
To book contact ross@penguinavoidance.org
Summerset Boulcott Open Days
Nestled in the sought-after Lower Hutt suburb of Boulcott, beside Boulcott’s Farm Heritage Golf Club, Summerset Boulcott offers stunning views of the surrounding valley and lush greens - the perfect place for those seeking premium retirement living.
The village offers beautifully appointed villas, apartments, serviced apartments, and a range of care and specialist dementia care living options.^ The village centre features resort-style facilities and a resident bar with picturesque views over the golf course.
There are a range of brand-new one and two-bedroom independent apartments available, with two-bedroom apartments starting from $916,000.*
Come along to our Open Days, and see why our residents love the Summerset life. Love the life you choose.
*Flexible pricing arrangements are subject to a bespoke deferred management fee. Price and stock levels correct as at 12 January 2026, only Independent Apartment 1207 left at this price. All Summerset homes are sold under a licence to occupy and are subject to availability. ^Care is subject to availability and eligibility criteria. Summerset does not offer rental accommodation. Images are indicative.
Sustainable Saunas
Too hot for a sauna? Think again, says Harry Tapsell, who, with his wife Mishaela, built the sustainable sauna that now nestles at the southern end of the H.W. Shortt Recreation Ground on Wednesdays or Thursdays (weather dependent), as well as Fridays and Sundays.
Ideally placed for a quick dash to the water to cool off, the stylish structure spent a long stint in the young family’s Korokoro driveway before Hutt City Council gave the go-ahead for it to be parked beside the Eastbourne sports ground.
Locals who have discovered ShareHeat’s sleek sevenperson sauna - also available for private hire - are finding there’s more to the experience than just sweat and steam. It is considered a “breathable sauna”, offering gentler heat and better airflow than conventional
Ann Packer
designs.
“Sauna is all about connection,”
Girls Years 1–13, Co-ed Preschool
Girls Years 1–13, Co-ed Preschool
says Harry, who finds most people relish the social element of sharing breathing space - quite literally - with others.
Built from thermally modified pine and insulated with sheep’s wool, the sauna reflects the couple’s commitment to natural, sustainable materials.
Mishaela (previously a yoga instructor, now a qualified doula) first encountered sauna culture at Wellspace in Queenstown, sparking their interest.
Harry, who spent a decade at sea working on everything from superyachts to cargo ships and ferries, says regular sauna use builds resiliencesomething long understood in parts of Europe.
“There’s something restorative about the ritual of release, connection and renewal. It’s very holistic,” he says.
Kia ora neighbour - Kerry
From Kerry: Like many people well into middle age, my 2025 was marked by a significant injury that was slow to heal. So I’m grateful to know John Haywood,
Makin-Byrd
founder of Eastbourne Physio, and his colleague Gavin Cross. (This interview has been edited and condensed.)
Please email me at kerry@
drkerrymakinbyrd.com to nominate anyone who you think should be highlighted in this column.
Kia ora neighbour - John Haywood and Gavin Cross
Kerry: John, why don't you start with your name and where you grew up?
John: John Haywood. I arrived early and held the New Zealand record for a premature birth weight.
Kerry: Are you serious? What year, and how much?
John: 1959. Mum said, “You were about the size of a pound of butter.” I remember lots of doctor’s appointments and being told, “Be careful,” until about age five. They never told me what was happening.
I did most of my formative schooling years in the Hutt Valley, actually at Hutt Valley High. After a couple of years working, I asked myself, “What do I really want to do?” I figured I wanted to be actively, physically involved with people. Something that resembled medicine, but not medicine. My mother was a registered nurse but I didn’t think I had the emotional intelligence or intellectual capacity for full medicine.
Early on I worked with Don McKenzie in Papakura, who was an esteemed physio who was also blind, and he taught me so much about the tactile world of therapy.
Kerry: Are there things you learned from him that you still use?
John: Totally. The first thing he said was: you have to give people time. Explanation, respect, and you have to learn how to care. Even with a science and evidence base, those qualities matter. He taught me we have to meet clients at their level and communicate in a way they can actually understand.
Kerry: John, there’s a special
reason you wanted to do this interview now…
John: I’ve done this for 46 years. I’ve loved working in Eastbourne since 2009 and it was a joy to work and live here and realise what the fuss was about. I’m phasing out and moving away early May, but I didn’t want to leave people hung out to dry. So Gavin is now with me in the practice and we’re slowly introducing him more and me less.
Kerry: Where are you moving to?
John: Taranaki or I think they call it “Taradise.” We’re building in New Plymouth. We want to be closer to grandchildren, and to be able to lock up and leave. And honestly, I had some close experiences with death last year that left me thinking: don’t leave it too late.
Kerry: Do you mind introducing Gavin?
John: I first met Gavin when he was working for the Phoenix, way back in 2008. We sat in the stands, had a laugh.
Last October I ran into him on the street. That’s literally how we started.
The more we talked, the more aligned we were…thinking, outlook, experience, what we believe is important. No ego of “I’m right, you’re wrong.” It’s collaborative. And it’s a wonderful feeling to know I can step away and the community will be in fantastic hands.
Kerry: Gavin, how would you introduce yourself to the community?
Gavin: I was born in London to an Irish mum and Welsh dad. Mum was a nurse, dad was a policeman. I joined the army from school, probably with a misguided
Kerry Makin-Byrd
thought of being able to change the world. I jumped out of planes for a few years.
I had a serious neck injury and got rehabbed through a spinal unit. That was a fork in the road: doctor/medic, or physio? I graduated from AUT (Auckland University of Technology) in 1999 and never left.
Two things really shaped my career after that.
One: I got a spinal tumour while I was doing my master’s. I had three operations and ended up doing a diploma in pain management because I was going through it.
Two: High performance sport. I moved to Wellington and was physio for the Saints for 14 years. I was introduced to Steven Adams when he was 15 or 16 and I still work with Steven now. I got to work with the NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder, and national teams. After that, I moved into cricket: the Wellington Blaze, Firebirds, and then the Blackcaps. I do rehab work now, but no travel, which is perfect.
High performance is amazing, but you’re on call 24/7. I wanted to be home more—hang out with the kids, be involved with their sports teams. That gives you a different kind of joy.
So coming into Eastbourne, bringing what I know into a community service, is genuinely exciting.
Kerry: What do you both want to keep as the heart of the physio practice here?
Gavin: I’ve got big shoes to fill. The outpouring of love for John from everyone I’ve spoken to is massive.
Kia ora neighbour - John Haywood and Gavin Cross
It’s important to say this isn’t “one person leaves, one person takes over.” There’s integration. We think the same way, and as we talk, it’s like, “Yes, I can see it the same way.”
John: The fundamentals: time, respect, and meeting people at their level. You can have all the science in the world, but you’ve got a human in front of you. You’ve got to communicate in a way that makes sense to them.
Gavin: That’s exactly it. And it’s not just “hands off” or “hands on.” It’s the combination. John’s handson experience is immense, and I bring a strength and conditioning background. The setting within a gym is ideal. We can integrate treatment and movement properly.
Kerry: Help us understand the parallels between helping professional athletes and supporting people in the community.
Gavin: People sometimes think high performance sport is a totally different world. It’s not. The only thing that changes is the end goal. Do you want to play cricket for the national team in India in three weeks, or do you want to walk your dog in Eastbourne in three weeks? Same human body. Same muscle. Same process. It’s just: “Where do you want to be?” You tell us, and we work backwards.
Kerry: What do you most want people to understand about pain and recovery?
John: Pain is not always proportional to damage. Sometimes what holds people up isn’t the size of the tear; it’s fear of movement. Kinesiophobia. Your brain is designed to look for threats and protect you, and sometimes it gets it wrong. Pain is an output, not an input.
The neurophysiology shift from when I trained is huge. What we know now is completely different from the old models.
Gavin: And pain is subjective. When someone says, “I’m in eight out of ten pain,” what does that mean for you? It means something different for every person. If you’ve had previous injuries, your brain can
be hypervigilant. Sometimes we can bring pain down just with a discussion (hands off!) by helping your brain understand what’s happening.
John: We stay in our lane (we’re not psychologists) but we can help people understand the psychological side of physical rehab. That’s one of the biggest changes in the profession.
Kerry Makin-Byrd
is magical.
Gavin: Rona Wharf. The little beach there, the yacht club. We go down for an ice cream and just gaze out. There’s always something unfolding…people fishing, the sea, the whole panorama.
Kerry: What do you think is Eastbourne’s best kept secret?
Gavin: The great outdoors and how accessible it is. You can be “out
Kerry: What is some practical advice you’d give anyone who wants to stay vital and healthy as they age?
Gavin: Keep moving. Doing nothing isn’t a solution. Make movement doable. People say, “Athletes have time.” Sure, but we can break rehab into smaller chunks for real life. You’ve got kids, work, everything. We understand that.
John: And accept some reality with grace. You won’t always have the same capacity as you get older. That doesn’t stop enjoyment. It just changes what it looks like.
Gavin: Sleep matters. Food matters, focus on good healthy food. Recovery matters. You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to cover the basics.
Kerry: Let’s end with a few standard questions. John, what’s your favourite local gem?
John: Sitting outside at the Sport and Services Club (ESSC), the sun sinking down, seeing families…kids who’ve been playing cricket or footy and hearing the joy and laughter of adults and kids together. That spot
there” within minutes.
John: Absolutely. You’re in another world, the beautiful native bush. We’re so spoiled.
Kerry: One piece of advice to your younger self?
John: Remain inquisitive and curious. Keep learning.
Gavin: Slow down. Enjoy what’s around you. It’s gone like that.
Kerry: Final question: if you could make one wish for our community, what would it be?
Gavin: To contribute as much as John has, and to help keep building a holistic, communitycentred health hub; bringing our combined expertise into the sports clubs and the social side of health.
John: keep coming back to the sports club because it’s a focal point for healthy activity and connection. Spaces where people gather, where everyone feels welcome, are everything. This is the most inclusive community I’ve ever lived in. I’d love to see that spirit protected and strengthened.
Scout off to World Jamboree
Eastbourne’s Thomas Enge and his family are hard at work raising funds to get him to the USA National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia in July, an event he has had in his sights for a few years. As is the practice at such gatherings, international scouts are invited to attend.
Thomas began with a sellout batch of lemon cordial at the Lions’ Christmas market, and plans on having a bake sale in the village as well as brewing up another batch of the bestselling sweetness (spare lemons anyone? see below). His mother is also making cards to help raise funds.
Baking is just one of the skills Thomas has learned as a scout ––others include first aid, (safe) firelighting, everything to do with tents and ropes, plus team building – in short, everything you need to know to be self-sufficient for 10 days at a jamboree.
Scouting, the largest youth organisation in the world, has a real presence in Eastbourne.
Local leader Ed Churchhouse says they’re incredibly proud of Thomas, “a thoughtful, enthusiastic Scout who always shows kindness and gives his best in every challenge.
“We know he’ll make the most of every moment and return with stories and experiences that will inspire the whole group.”
Thomas will be the only New Zealand Scout at this gathering at Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, one of Scouting America’s four “high adventure” bases. It was the venue in 2019 for the 24th World Scout Jamboree,
when some 40,000 Scouts from over 150 countries gathered; this time they’re only expecting 20,000.
The Summit’s 10,600 acres (4,300 ha) offer activities such as white water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, shooting, abseiling and rock climbing, and it has a skatepark plus a zipline stretching over 1.2 km. As this is the country’s 250th year of independence, there’ll be fireworks as well as the usual jamboree concerts.
It’s not Thomas’s first trip to the States – the whole family, including parents Janet and Sam, plus older sister Tilly, spent 24 days in the southwest last Christmas, beginning at Disneyland then exploring National Parks in California, Utah, Colorado and Arizona.
As well as being inveterate travellers – his mum met his Aussie dad in London – the family’s scouting tradition goes
Local Book Signing
Local clinical psychologist Kerry Makin-Byrd joins Ben Sedley for a combined author talk and book signing at Schrodinger's Books in Petone on Thursday the 19th of March.
The Spinoff praised Ben's most recent book, Holding the Heavy Stuff as a “a self-help book that actually helps,” “exceptionally practical” and “totally devoid of
bullshit,” with exercises that are “genuinely useful” while Kerry's newest book is “deeply humane, scientifically grounded and courageously honest.”
Eastbourne native, Catherine Adam, founder of Wonderbird Design, designed the covers and interior layouts of both books.
Ann Packer
back several generations: Janet grew up going to regattas, the Sea Scouts’ equivalent of jamborees, as her father, a naval officer, was Chief Sea Scout.
Thomas’s attendance at this jamboree was sparked by his mother’s friendship with Melody Gwilliam, a woman from Morgantown, West Virginia, she met while backpacking in Bolivia. Their families did the trip together last year. He will be joining with a local contingent of 72 Scouts and 8 leaders known as the Mountaineers, whose leader Steve Blosser is excited about the ongoing chance to connect with scouts from all over the world.
“I truly believe that having Thomas in our troop will bring a whole other experience,” he says, “not only for him but our scouts as well…an opportunity like no other to learn about scouting and the culture of another country. “
As it’s difficult for a single scout to fundraise, Thomas is piggybacking on Eastbourne Scouts’ fundraising for the New Zealand Jamboree at Mystery Creek in Hamilton at the end of the year. Leader Ed Churchouse, who picked Tom out as a future leader several years ago, says they hope to send around 20 Scouts to that event and they’ll be asking for support as the year goes on.
If you have lemons to donate to the sweet fundraiser or wish to purchase some of Janet’s handmade greeting cards, please contact Janet Enge on 021 051 5270.
WHAT'S ON
Mondays
• Retired Persons’ Assn meet 4th Mon, 10am St Ronan's Church hall for morning tea followed by a speaker - $2 entry. Transport can be arranged for these meetings on request, ph 562 7365 or 562 8387.
• “Baby Bounce & Rhyme” at the library 10.00am.
• Toy Library - 7.30-8.30pm. EastbourneToyLibrary on Facebook. Kathy 0273551950.
•DB Playcentre Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings, from 9:30am to 12 noon. Drop in anytime to visit a session or email daysbay@playcentre.org.nz to arrange a visit.
• Pt Howard Playcentre. Mon 9.15 -11.45am. pcpointhoward@gmail.com
• The Historical Society’s Eastbourne History Room above the library is open 2-4 pm every Monday.
• Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade training every Monday 7-9pm. Ph 562 7001 for more info.
• Keas - 5:15pm - 6:15pm. Ed 021 738 699.
•Junior sailing at Muritai Yacht Club, 4:30-7:00 weather dependent. More info: myc.org.nz Tuesdays
• Mindful Mummas group for Mums and preschool children. Childminder onsite. 1011.30. Text Emily 027 552 6119 to join or go to bemoreyou.co.nz for more info.
•DB Playcentre Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings, from 9:30am to 12 noon. Drop in anytime to visit a session or email daysbay@playcentre.org.nz to arrange a visit.
• Muritai Tennis Club 9.30–noon. Merryn 562 0236.
• Eastbourne Homebirth Group 1st Tuesday of the month. Phone Kate 562-7096.
• East Harbour Women’s Club Morning Tea & Chat Group 10am. Contact Glendyr 0210303480.
• Indoor Bowls Club 1.30pm, at the croquet club, Oroua Street. Rosemary 562 7365
• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Barrie barrielittlefair@gmail.com 0204 1234511. Women welcome.
• 9.30am Nia Dance Fitness Class (low impactteens to 70+) Music Movement Magic - Muritai Yacht Club - call Amanda 021 316692 www. niainwellington.com
• Toy Library - 9.30am-10.30am. Wednesdays
• Cubs: 5.30pm - 7.00pm, Ed 021 738 699.
• Venturers - 7:15pm - 9pm - Ed 021 738 699.
• Library preschool story time 10.00 am.
• Pt Howard Playcentre Wed 9.15 -11.45am. pcpointhoward@gmail.com
• Scottish Country Dance. Merryn 562 0236.
• Bridge Club 7-10pm. Shona 562 7073.
•DB Playcentre Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings, from 9:30am to 12 noon. Drop in anytime to visit a session or email daysbay@playcentre.org.nz to arrange a visit.
• “Steady as You Go” Age Concern sponsored Falls Prevention and Exercise Programme. Held 12 noon each Wednesday at Eastbourne Community Hall. Classes are held for 1 hour and costs only $2. Improve your strength and balance to reduce falls and injuries. Falls are preventable. Please join us!
• Tai Chi 9.40am Muritai Yacht Club Lyn 021 1428915 Thursdays
• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Barrie barrielittlefair@gmail.com 0204 1234511. Women welcome.
• St Ronan’s Mainly Music, 9.15am-11.15am, during school terms. Contact Cathy 027 213 9342.
• SPACE at Days Bay Playcentre. Michelle 971 8598.
• East Harbour Women’s Club,- Bolivia 12.45pm, Contact Glendyr ph: 0210303480. Guest Speaker (3rd week of month)6pm, drinks and nibbles provided, Contact Celeste 021 206 5713
•Lions meet 2nd Thursday of the month at the Eastbourne Sports and Services Club, Tuatoru St 6.30 pm. New members and visitors are welcome. Graham 562 8819.
• Scouts 6pm-8pm - Ed 021 738 699
• Eastbourne Bowling Club casual summer bowls 5.30pm for an hour or so. Make up a mixed team of three. Contact Keith Turner ph 04 934 4142.
• Sing Eastbourne: 8pm, San Antonio. Fridays
• Pop in and Play playgroup at St Ronan's Church Hall, 9am-11.30am during school terms. All preschoolers (0-4 years) welcome. Cath 027 213 9342.
• Pt Howard Playcentre Fri 9.15 -11.45am pcpointhoward@gmail.com
• AA Plunket Rooms 7.30pm. Mark 566 6444/ Pauline 562 7833
•Senior Residents: Lighthouse Movies - last Friday of every month. Pick up from 10am. Contact Celeste on 021 206 5713 for more information. Okiwi Services (Eastbourne Community Trust).
• Probus club of Boulcott Hutt bowling club, Myrtle street, Lower Hutt. Meeting every 2nd Friday @ 10am starting in February 2026.
Fun - fellowship- friendship New members welcome.
More information contact Doreen 0210799063 Saturdays
• Justice of the Peace at the Eastbourne Community Library, first Saturday of each month 12pm-1pm.
• Croquet from 10am Muritai Croquet Club. Lyn 562 8722 or Val 562 8181.
• Lions' Bin - cost effective rubbish and e-waste disposal. Last Saturday of the month (except December) by Bus Barns. Gavin 027 488 5602.
• Club sailing and racing at Muritai Yacht Club, 1:00-5:00 weather dependent. More info: myc.org.nz
Sundays
• AA Plunket Rooms 10am. Karen 021 440 705.
• Days Bay Touch Rugby, by arrangement on Whatsapp group, text Xavier 027 249 3645 to join.
Our Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at Te Omanga. Volunteers are an integral part of the valuable service we provide to all our patients and families.
We need some more volunteers on our happy lawnmowing team. Once a fortnight commitment, or could be once a month. Need to be able to bring your own lawnmower. Morning tea provided.
Call Rachel on 021 103 8841 for more information or email volunteers@teomanga.org.nz
The Eastbourne Herald is proud to support Te Omanga Hospice.
Welcome to 5 Cheviot Road, privately nestled and perfectly oriented for year round sun, this is a residence that feels calm, established, and quietly impressive. Homes of this calibre, condition and position are tightly held and rarely offered to the market, particularly in such a sought after Lowry Bay location. bayleys.co.nz/3329516
4 2 2 2
Auction 11am, Thu 12 Mar 2026
Level 14, 36 Brandon Street, Wellington View by appointment
Matt Hourigan 027 542 7604
matt.hourigan@bayleys.co.nz
CAPITAL COMMERCIAL (2013) LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
A home that welcomes and delivers
This substantial family home is set on a sunny, flat 918sqm section in the heart of Lowry Bay, offering both privacy and space in a highly regarded location. The gardens are established and easy to maintain, providing room for children to play or outdoor entertaining. bayleys.co.nz/3329663
Eastbourne 8 Cheviot Road, Lowry Bay
Beachside living
Welcome to this home that delivers the privacy, outlook and lifestyle this sought after seaside suburb is known for. The open plan kitchen, living and dining area is the heart of the home, opening through large doors to the front yard. Fully fenced and positioned to capture the best of the sun. bayleys.co.nz/3329662
4 2 3 1
Tender (unless sold prior)
Closing 12pm, Thu 5 Mar 2026
120 Queens Drive, Hutt Central View by appointment
Matt Hourigan 027 542 7604
matt.hourigan@bayleys.co.nz
CAPITAL COMMERCIAL (2013) LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
4 3 2 2
For Sale offers invited over
$1,595,000
View by appointment
Matt Hourigan 027 542 7604
matt.hourigan@bayleys.co.nz
CAPITAL
(2013)
A coastal sanctuary in Lowry Bay
Designed by respected New Zealand architect Peter Norton, the home blends contemporary design with its natural setting. Spread across three levels, the main residence features three bedrooms and two bathrooms, including a master with beautiful bush and harbour outlooks, plus a one bedroom studio. bayleys.co.nz/3329593
4 2 3 3
Tender (unless sold prior)
Closing 12pm, Wed 25 Feb 2026
120 Queens Drive, Hutt Central View by appointment
Tina Jeune-Bridges 021 062 9766 tina.jeune-bridges@bayleys.co.nz
Christelle Van Zyl 021 075 8291
christelle.vanzyl@bayleys.co.nz
CAPITAL COMMERCIAL (2013) LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
