The Ellerslie Village Magazine: Autumn 21 issue

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The Autumn Issue March - May 2021

Mike Pero Real Estate Ltd Licensed REAA (2008)

Hello Ellerslie, We hope you’ve been enjoying the long, hot balmy summer and life outdoors. We enjoyed some Kiwi camping at Mangawhai Heads and spent precious time with the family in the South Island. Thankfully, there is still plenty of sunshine hours after work to walk our pug, catch up on reading and play Trivial Pursuits (kids version only because it’s shorter!) Now that we are back in business, we are full steam ahead helping clients buy and sell. It is a crazy time you could say; and low interest rates are certainly making home ownership more desirable. Real Estate has changed a lot over the years and we have learnt to adapt to a changing climate. Thankfully, the Mike Pero brand has allowed us to change and stay on top of our game. If you are struggling to buy or wanting information on how to sell, we would love to talk to you. Contact Aaron & Sonya 0274-485-965/964.

Thinking of selling your home?

Aaron and Sonya Telfar 0274 485 965/ 0274 485 964

Aaron & Sonya

ARIENZ Licensed Agent and Salesperson 118 Main Highway, Ellerslie

Auction

22/2 Cawley St

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O is for Outstanding Location At Ellerslie Oaks

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Auction

13 Ronaki Rd

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$779,000

D406/176 Broadway

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Auction

4/267 Victoria Ave

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SOLD

2/3 Hubert Henderson Pl 3

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Connect

Kia Ora from Ellerslie Business Association

Also that week, we are hosting Ellerslie Neighbours Day on Saturday March 20, between midday-2pm. This is a fantastic chance to meet your neighbours, and put a face to the person you only know through a Facebook profile! We are inviting local community groups to join us to showcase their organisations plus we will have live music, a plant seed swap, games for kids and a free sausage sizzle. We would love to see you there.

Finally keep an eye out for our Easter competition and our Mother's Day giveaways. More details on these and the above events can be found on our website, ellerslievillage.co.nz or on our facebook page.

Enjoy the last of the summer sunshine and thank you for your continued support of our wonderful Ellerslie businesses, it is greatly appreciated.

Well as it does, the hot summer days are speeding by and before I know it I’m writing a column to be read in autumn.

It's been wonderful to start the year afresh and I know many Ellerslie businesses are looking forward to a more settled year and hoping that they can continue to put the turbulent times of last year behind them. To help that be the case, please make an effort to scan in with the Covid tracer app, it only takes a few seconds and could make the difference between needing another lockdown or not.

— Megan Darrow Town Centre Manager, Ellerslie Village (09) 579 5033 megan@ellerslievillage.co.nz ellerslievillage.co.nz F : ellerslievillage

We are delighted to begin this year with a new publisher for this magazine. Kirsty and her team from The Hobson publishing have a huge wealth of experience and we are thrilled to be working with them. We hope you enjoy the new layout and content changes as we strive to bring you a high-quality local publication.

We have lots happening in Ellerslie over the next few months. On Thursday March 18, we have our next Ellerslie Night Market. This is always a fun, relaxed evening out, so take the evening off cooking and join us 4pm-8pm in the village square for music, food and wonderful stalls.

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The Ellerslie Village Magazine

The Ellerslie Community Patrol are the recipients of the Ellerslie Business Association’s Good Sorts award for this issue. All volunteers, this wonderful group of people patrol our village and surrounds in pairs. They work closely with the police as extra e̒ yes and ears̓ through intelligence and observation to assist police and other agencies to build safer communities.

They also assist us with all our community events, such as the Ellerslie Fairy Festival (pictured top left), Santa Parade and markets.

Without their help we simply wouldn’t be able to run these events for our community. They are so friendly and helpful to those who attend and they are a joy to work with.

In addition they undertake other activities to keep our community safe such as the Safer Plates initiative (pictured left), whereby they change the screws used to affix your licence plates to special tamper resistant screws, substantially reducing the threat of licence plate theft.

Good Sorts They are always looking for new volunteers to join the team. You always work in pairs, are trained and don’t undertake work that puts you in harm’s way. The groups are well supported by the police who attend if any assistance is required.

If you would like to know more about community patrols see cpnz.org.nz or get in touch with Murray Wells via murrayw@jdw.co.nz or (09 ) 579 7096.

Thank you Ellerslie Community Patrol, your work is greatly appreciated by our community. In lieu of flowers, a donation has been made to support your fantastic work.

join us for neighbours day in ellerslie village local community groups live music, kids games, sausage sizzle, plant / seed swap, Orakei local board will be there too www.ellerslievillage.co.nz for more info

Proudly brought to you by:

20th March 12pm - 2pm village square

Autumn 2021

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Welcome from the EBA & Good Sorts

Josephine Bartley

Smells Good . . .

Our local ward councillor shares her news

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Tastes and treats from local eateries, and a family recipe to try at home

Wish List

Community Connections

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Retail therapy from the village

What's on at the theatre, Wear Your Slippers to Work day, littlies' activities and more — community news from our local groups

Local business and organisation numbers and addresses at your fingertips

8 Ellerslie Residents Association A catch-up from the neighbours

9 Scott Milne An update from the chair of the Ōrākei Local Board

10 Priyanca Radhakrishnan MP The MP for Maungakiekie gets in touch

Ellerslie Village Magazine is published quarterly on behalf of the Ellerslie Business Association by The Hobson Ltd. Editor: Kirsty Cameron Design & Production: Stephen Penny Sub-editor: Dawn Adams Editorial: Vanessa Baxter, Sonia Chelli, Megan Darrow, Karen Leach, Justine Willams

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20 Dragon's Den! We visited the Ellersie Toy Library and found happy dragons (on the cover), rocket fans and a selection of toys to rival Santa's workshop

Village Directory

34 Diary Save the date!

24 School Reports Local schools share their news

Advertising and general inquiries: helloellerslie@gmail.com Cover Image: A little dragon at the Ellerslie Toy Libary. Photographed for the Ellerslie Village Magazine by Sonia Chelli Follow us on Facebook: ellerslievillage www.ellerslievillage.co.nz

All content copyright The Hobson Ltd. This publication uses environmentally responsible papers

ICG Logo CMYK.pdf 1 05/08/2015 6:19:01 AM

Views expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or the Ellerslie Business Association.

The Ellerslie Village Magazine

We came, we saw, we did a little retail therapy . . . Justine Williams finds beautiful things in Ellerslie Village How wild it is to be kissed by Stella + Gemma in this Leopard Lips Rose tee. $55, from Coko Design + Fashion, 111 Main Highway. coko.co.nz

Ellerslie Jewellers offers a sparkling world of choice: traditional, bespoke, modern jewellery designed inhouse and for all budgets too. Especially dazzling is the Platinum Engagement Ring, $14,960 and its partner Platinum Wedding Ring, $4500.

Ellerslie Jewellers & Engravers, 115 Main Highway. ellersliejewellers.co.nz

THE WISH LIST

This gorgeous Orla Kiely Kingfisher rug is made from pure new wool, hand tufted in India. Available in a range of sizes and customised for you, this 1200 x 1800mm version is $1309. Aladdin Rugs, 1 Robert St. aladdinrugs.co.nz The ultimate go-anywhere-in-style outfit: the Shangri La Midi Dress Bone Multi, $349, is fab on its own. And as the autumn air cools, the Bliss Tabard (in Ginger), $279, will keep the chill at bay. Loobie & Friends, 114 Main Highway loobiesstory.co.nz

The Ellerslie Village Magazine

Put your best face forward with Caci’s Microdermabrasion treatment. An instant skin pickme-up that leaves you glowing: you’ll see noticeable results after one session, and there's no down time. $70 for new customers (usually $100) at Caci, Level 1, 124 Main Highway. ellerslie.caci.co.nz

Anyone wanting to live in a better world will adore Violette, which specialises in well-designed, planet-friendly needs.

The Ecofelt Grow Bag, $18, by Jo Luping Designs is an excellent example — plant directly into the bag and use it to grow pot plants, flowers, herbs. Made from 100% post-consumer recycled bottles it comes with a toning saucer. Violette, 114 Main Highway (through Loobie & Friends). violette.co.nz

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Connect

Greetings from the Ellerslie Residents Association How has the summer gone for you? Even with many people off exploring the country, the Ellerslie community retained its lively atmosphere, with parks bubbling with kids’ voices and the town centre keeping its familiar buzz. Schools are back, and we imagine that many parents are happy to be catching up on work (and sleep)! After the trials of 2020, it’s great to look ahead to 2021 with a sense of normality returning (short detours into Level 3 nothwithstanding). We hope that everyone continues to find support in the strength of our community.

The ERA aims to make Ellerslie Auckland’s most liveable suburb, and this vision includes care for the environment which we all share. Many residents commented that they used the lockdowns and summer holidays to organise at home, identifying unused electronic devices and appliances. When this e̒ -waste̓ can’t be disposed in the regular council collection, what can be done?

After being delayed multiple times due to Covid-19, the ERA is pleased to announce that our e-waste collection event is going ahead, planned for March or early April. We’re working on a central location in Ellerslie where people can drive in, drop off unwanted devices, and drive out again, all the while ensuring that any potentially hazardous materials are handled in safety. Watch the ERA Facebook page facebook.com/ EllerslieResidentsAssociation for more details!

We’ve partnered with ewaste.org.nz, who have a long track record in safely salvaging recyclable materials from e-waste which is no longer usable. Please take a look at http://ewaste.org.nz/page/ accepted-items to see what devices, appliances or batteries you could recycle! We’re also very pleased that the Ōrākei Local Board has provided $2,500 in funding for this initiative, so that Ellerslie residents can drop off for free even items which would usually attract a fee!

Positive progress continues in infrastructure projects which will benefit everyone in the community. The Michaels Ave Reserve pathway lighting is now completed, making it safer for YMCA users and footballers to return home in the evenings, safer for residents to walk/commute from around 5am to about 11pm, and enable recreational exercise even outside daylight hours. Thanks again to Auckland Council Community Facilities and the Ōrākei Local Board.

The next stage of the Michaels Ave upgrade has now begun, with the initial piling work on the new clubhouse by the YMCA. Driven by the sports clubs and funded by the council, sponsorship and donations, it will include new public toilets and changing rooms on the ground floor, plus a clubhouse on the upper floor which is planned to be available for community grounds to use. See https://appeal.ellersliefootball.org.nz/ for more details.

Once the clubhouse is built, the existing concrete block toilets will be demolished and a new kids playground built, bringing the playground into the heart of the sports fields. The vision – shared by the sports clubs, the local board and council – of comprehensive sports and leisure facilities for all ages, accessible at all times, is on the way to realisation. Already a great asset to Ellerslie, Michaels Ave Reserve will become a park of which we can all be genuinely proud.

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Another great opportunity for engagement with council is now open! Auckland Council wants feedback on its 10-year budget for 2021–31 (the recovery budget) and the Ōrākei Local Board is consulting on priorities for July 2021 to June 22. Council finances have been hit hard by Covid-19, and money is tight. If we are to have our community’s needs addressed, we need to make our voice heard at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/have-your-say/.

The Residents Association suggests that Ellerslie residents advocate for continued investment in parks and green spaces enhancement, maintenance programmes such as replacement of our many deteriorating footpaths, ongoing support of the Ellerslie Business Association, improved bus links to the town centre (particularly from the Marua Rd/Abbotts Way area), and reopening ‘missing links’ to get around Ellerslie such as laying a footpath along the Ballarat St extension to Abbotts Way. In the meantime, if you see any dangerous footpaths or other issues with public spaces, please do contact the council quickly, online at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/report-problem or direct at (09) 301 0101. Make sure to receive and note the case number, which is critical when following up later.

The Ellerslie Songbird Project continues undiminished. If you want to be part of the renaissance of native birds in Ellerslie, please get in touch and get involved in predator control. The bird song during the quiet of lockdown and through the summer was something to behold, and we believe that the best is yet to come.

Register your interest at ellersliesongbird.co.nz Finally, it seems like years since we held our AGM and general election candidate meeting on October 5. Thanks to everyone for the great turnout – packing the Leicester Hall! – and for everyone having your say at the ballot box. The ERA Committee is now focusing on plans for this year. If you have any ideas or concerns about issues in our community, please let us know so we can support action to get it sorted. We achieve more when more residents work together! Please give us your ideas about how to make a positive contribution to Ellerslie directly via our Facebook page: Ellerslie Residents Association or email ellerslieresidents@ gmail.com We’re always looking for new ways to work in partnership with council, the Ellerslie Business Association and other community groups to help make Ellerslie Auckland’s most liveable suburb.

We’re also looking for new committee members – we have places free and you can join at any time. Please lend us your ideas and inspiration!

Enjoy the rest of the summer everyone.

— Glen McCabe, chair, Ellerslie Residents Association

The Ellerslie Village Magazine

Representatives

Maybe not a Perfect Storm — But Certainly a Nasty Blow like community facilities, open-space parks, sports grounds, libraries and beach optimisation (given that these are part of our unique community environment) just as a start.

To continue the storm analogy, the towering, cyclonic cumulonimbus clouds of climate change and increased environmental consciousness are massive financial hurdles we must confront. The nation and the council have signed up to a climate emergency, which was the easy part. The hard part is that cold hard cash will be required if we are to enhance and electrify our public transport system, replace our ailing stormwater and wastewater reticulation services to rescue our beaches, reduce our carbon footprint and promote the planting and care of large numbers of oxygen producing trees while reducing weeds and pests. This movement may have been predictable but the pace and quantum of the new demands on the city’s coffers is heart-stopping.

The two parts of Auckland Council (the governing body and the local boards) are currently deep into the process of writing the Long Term Plan (LTP). This plan looks at all the capital works and operational expenditure the organisation expects to undertake in the next 10 years. It is never completely rewritten but reworked and updated every three years.

When looking at the previous plan, written in 2018, it is staggering to see how much our city has changed and to contemplate what new pressures it is under just three years later.

We are confronted by a set of circumstances, some predictable, but many not, the likes of which we have never seen before.

And then of course, there is Covid-19. Even within the bestmanaged city in the country no-one could have predicted that we would be facing a $1 billion shortfall of income over this and the next three years. There has also been a massive shift of wealth within our community and country. If you were a hardworking tourism operator, you’re now in deep trouble. If you were a run-of-the-mill, poorly performing PPE manufacturer, you just hit a weekly jackpot. We have much to do to look after both our city and our community. For many, these are very stormy times indeed.

Ratepayers will soon be asked to decide on a rate level for the years ahead. The consultation document is 80 pages of executive summary and 660 pages of background reading. It is good material but it is hard work. And we do need to hear what your priorities are.

For decades councils have kicked down the road the can of infrastructural renewal. Our water pipes in many of our most beautiful suburbs — the very ones first inhabited because of their beauty — are over 100 years old and are beginning to fail. Renewal budgets have been inadequate and deferred.

Other infrastructure, whether it be community halls, footpath maintenance or park drainage have also had sub-optimal renewal budgets. It should be noted that the old Auckland City had the most advanced, sophisticated, working asset management plan of any of the cities in the region. We are now paying for inadequate plans inherited in the 2010 amalgamation. And the problem of asset renewal is not Auckland’s alone but a failing of all western-style democracies.

Rates only account for 40 per cent of the city’s income. In my opinion, we are simply not going to come through this storm well, with just a 3.5 per cent rates increase. There will be further deferrals of renewals, reduced capital expenditure on new infrastructure, the sale of community assets and a substantial and measurable adverse effect on our environment. A 5 per cent increase and the retention of the water quality targeted rate (which expressly provides for improving the Tāmaki River), while not providing a magic bullet, is workable.

If lack of historical investment in infrastructure is a rain cloud, the immense pressure of substantial city growth is a hefty black thundercloud. All local boards are experiencing substantial growth. In the Ōrākei Local Board area alone we have hundreds of new units being built by the old Housing Corp, now called Kāinga Ora. Add in the substantial in-fill housing that is occurring in our traditional quarter-acre section suburbs, well, the cost pressure is immense. We need considerable new investment in hard infrastructure for roads, power, communications and water but also ‘soft’ infrastructure

Note: these are my personal comments and may not reflect the collective board opinion.

The Ellerslie Village Magazine

The sun will shine again, but right now we need to do all we can to reduce the storm damage. Please engage in the LTP consultation process and tell us what you think.

— Scott Milne, chair Ōrākei Local Board

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Kia Ora Koutou! when on public transport are our best defences against this tricky virus.

This is my first column in the Ellerslie Village Magazine as your MP for Maungakiekie. I hope you’ve all been well through the recent alert level changes.

It was a good reminder that Covid-19 can rear its head again at any time, and although we’ve enjoyed great freedoms comparative to the rest of the world, we need to remain vigilant. Good hygiene practices, scanning QR codes with the NZ Covid Tracer app (with bluetooth tracing turned on), and wearing face coverings

As your new electorate MP, I’m keen to hear from you about the local issues. As such, I will be holding regular constituent clinics and street corner meetings in Ellerslie, starting very soon. I will share information about them on my social media pages (@priyancanzlp) and to the Ellerslie community Facebook page. I’m also working on securing a new electorate office soon and I will share its location once it’s finalised. In the meantime, please feel free to get in touch with me via email at priyancaMP@parliament.govt.nz or to contact my team at (09) 622 2660 if there’s something we can help you with.

Alongside my work in the community as your local MP, I am also the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector; Youth; Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities; and the Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment.

These are all areas that I’m passionate about and some may recall that over the last three years, as the List MP based in Maungakiekie, I hosted regular meetings

for local not-for-profit organisations to meet with relevant ministers — and myself — so that they had the opportunity to engage directly with the government.

I have also held forums for youth to tell government what’s important to them and engaged widely with our ethnic community groups. I look forward to progressing our government’s priorities in these portfolios – and I know they will also benefit Ellerslie locals.

Late last year, I popped in to visit a number of small businesses in Ellerslie to make sure that they were aware of the various types of support the government had put in place for small businesses and to check in on them. I will continue to do this as Covid remains a significant challenge to all of us and to our businesses and as the government continues to ensure that our small businesses — the backbone of our economy — are supported to thrive.

Take care, and if you see me out and about, please come and have a chat!

— Priyanca Radhakrishnan Member of Parliament for Maungakiekie priyancaMP@parliament.govt.nz

Kia Ora, Talofa, Greetings Everyone!

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer.

Council is currently consulting on our long-term plan, which is our recovery budget. This maps out how we are going to invest over the next 10 years, which is especially important due to the economic effects of Covid-19. We have some tough decisions to make and we want to hear from Aucklanders to make sure we are investing in the right places.

The recovery budget responds to council’s loss of income from Covid-19, while at the same time contains record investment in transport, water, and community facilities which will provide critical infrastructure for future generations.

Aucklanders value our community asset and local services. Our libraries, community facilities, parks and playgrounds provide valuable spaces for our community. We want to continue to invest in what is important to our people.

Looking into the future, Auckland is facing climate change and environment challenges. The recovery aims to immediately halt the purchase of new diesel buses to bring forward the electrification of our bus fleet, continue to clean up our harbours and waterways, and to ensure ongoing protection for native species, such as kauri.

The recovery budget aims to be financially prudent by balancing additional investment through operational savings within council operations, selling the surplus properties we no longer need, and moderately increasing our level of debt. It maintains our commitment to an annual 3.5 per cent rates increase with a oneoff increase of 5 per cent in the year 2021/22.

This budget aims to continue to invest in people, businesses, infrastructure and environment. Without doing this, around $900 million of needed investment in Auckland would be delayed from the next three years to later in the decade. This would slow recovery from Covid, put our services and our assets at risk, and limit actions on climate change and environmental challenges.

Councillor Bartley (in orange shirt) at a Te Waipuna Puawai Koru women’s group meeting in Ellerslie.

Please get involved in providing feedback by telling us what you believe we should be prioritising given council’s limited financial situation due to Covid-19. Consultation is open until March 22.

Aucklanders can have their say in a variety of ways including at in-person events and online. For more information visit: akhaveyoursay.nz/recoverybudget Locally, I continue to hold my councillor clinics at Melba Café in Ellerslie. I will be available from 9am on the first Saturday of the month — my thanks to Melba for accommodating me. Residents have raised a range issues which I am working on, which include crime and safety, intensification, venue hire policies, transport issues and air pollution.

Please continue to contact me with any concerns regarding council: josephine.bartley@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz — Josephine Bartley, councillor for Auckland representing the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki ward

Paris for Hair welcomes back Sheree Tam to the team. To celebrate, we are offering a 20% discount on all hairdressing with Sheree until March 24 2021.

Call us to book and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Paris for Hair, 123b Main Highway Ellerslie (09) 579 7745 parisforhair.co.nz Open Monday to Saturday, Late Nights Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

The Ellerslie Village Magazine

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Community

Slip some support to Communicare

donation would help a vulnerable older person get back on their feet (after a mixed year of Covid-19 isolation) and step right on in to their local Communicare friendship centre.

On Wednesday April 14, Communicare will be holding ‘Wear Your Slippers to Work Day’. You might already be doing this if your home has become your workplace – in which case you might choose to go to our website and make an online donation. If, however, you have a place of business to go to, please wear your slippers proudly and encourage all your colleagues to do likewise.

A gold coin donation to Communicare means you can relax in your slippers knowing you’ve helped an older person get out of theirs and into a Communicare friendship centre! Now is not the time to drag your feet, rather it is an opportunity to put your best foot forward.

Together we can all raise funds to help a vulnerable older Aucklander make friends, enjoy a great get-together with those friends, share some companionship, some games and activities, lunch and a nice, hot cuppa. With your help we can foot the bill too if they need help with transport.

Contact Communicare by email (office@communicare.org.nz) or phone us on (09) 631 5968 and we will deliver a donation bucket for you to collect funds at your workplace. We will collect it again following Wear Your Slippers to Work Day.

It's a Sham! Theatre News

Communicare is up and running for 2021, including our Ellerslie Friendship Centre, and front-footing a first for our small Auckland not-for-profit. We are calling on friends, family, Facebook followers and frankly all fellas we can think of to step up and join us for our new campaign.

Imagine if the shoe was on the other foot – you’re older, living at home alone, isolated, lonely and vulnerable. Now imagine if you were to take part in our fundraising day and wear your slippers to work, without costing an arm or a leg your small gold coin

Ellerslie Theatrical Society has already started rehearsing the first play they will have on stage this year. The play was written by an award-winning New Zealander, Jess Sayer.

Sham examines family relationships resulting from historical family events not being as openly shared as perhaps they should have been. What was deemed to be the correct action some years ago has possibly caused an unlooked-for situation now.

Come along with your friends to see this well-crafted play. You will go home talking and thinking about the outcome. This is a thoughtful play which will keep you interested from beginning to end.

Scientific Dentistry with a Holistic Approach A consultation with Angela Lowe-Ho could be life-changing. As well as a comprehensive range of dental services including gum treatments, teeth whitening, gap replacements, and smile creation, Angela also offers strategies to maintain oral health. Personalised, affordable and caring, Angela Lowe-Ho can make you smile again, even if you’ve been putting off a dental visit for some time!

Text your inquiry: 027 4720 638 or call 09 579 4746.

Angela Lowe-Ho B.D.S Otago, 126a Main Highway Ellerslie, with parking at the door.

See www.Wellness-Dentistry.com for the full range of services and patient testimonials.

Seniors Special discounted rates; ACC and WINZ provider.

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The Ellerslie Village Magazine

We, the theatre, have survived as have other arts organisations, a very difficult year. We were only able to perform four of the 10 scheduled performances of Proof by David Auburn, and none of the other shows we had planned. Not only have we survived but we will continue this year to mount our biannual One Act Play Festival, offering the opportunity for new playwrights to see their works actually performed on stage and budding directors who have always wanted to direct an established play to ‘have a go!’

In September we will produce the six selected one act plays, giving each one four evening and one matinee performance. There will be three plays presented at each performance. Now is the time to write the final draft of that play and submit it to us, or if directing is your dream, make the final choice of play and submit it for inclusion in our festival. Any information you may need will be on our website: ellerslietheatre.co.nz Now you, our audience who are such an important part of our theatre. We are waiting to see you all, with your friends, back on March 11 (when Sham opens) when we promise you will have an interesting evening. We would also suggest that now is a good time to renew your subscription for 2021: only $10 for seniors and students and $20 for adults. Not only does this ensure you receive a copy of our newsletter so you do not miss any of our events, but you will be entitled to a $2 discount on evening performance tickets. Also the more paid up members we have, the easier it is to convince our financial supporters that we are a valuable part of the community. We look forward to entertaining you, hopefully without further interruption, during the year.

Learning Through Play NEWS FROM PLAYCENTRE Tēnā koutou and warm greetings to our friends in the Ellerslie community.

What a great summer we have had! Last term we really enjoyed taking our play out into the sunshine, and are looking forward to doing the same this term as well.

The Ellerslie Village Magazine

With water restrictions still in place, we have been creative with our outdoor play, and our tamariki have been enjoying lots of gloop, paint and other messy play outside, as well as potions in the sandpit. Tree climbing and jumping off high planks have been very much enjoyed both by our younger and older tamariki, as well as a fun school holiday trip last year to the beautiful Tahuna Torea reserve in Glen Innes. With our high adult-to-child ratios we can go on excursions and also support our children in riskier types of play which is great to build their courage and confidence!

Late last year we said a sad farewell to some of our long serving members, who are ready for school after many years at the centre.

We will miss having their friendship, fun and invaluable knowledge with us day to day. We wish them all the best for their new adventures.

While we are sad to say goodbye to our children leaving for school, we have welcomed two new babies to our centre over the summer.

It’s a joy watching them grow and learn, and the older children love including the little ones in their play as well! Our last influx of babies from last year are now confident toddlers, who show a great sense of belonging at Playcentre as they have grown up there!

Playcentre is open to children of all ages and stages, from birth to six years. Ellerslie Playcentre provides our family with a community, made up of a diverse range of people and personalities. It is a safe place for the children to explore, be creative and develop their own relationships and social skills in a mixed-age setting. They get to do all those activities that can be difficult to provide at home because of the mess or expense, like endless painting, as well as play with clay and play-dough.

We are all grateful to have the chance to play an active part in our children’s learning and development – and to do so among the support of friends and whānau. As part of our ongoing commitment to provide the best for our children, Playcentre also offers free workshops, first aid training and an accredited NZQA education programme that leads to the NZ Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care.

To find out more or book in a visit, please visit our Facebook page and message us, or email us at ellerslie@playcentre.org.nz

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Sustainable Products For Everyday Living

NEW Z EALAND MADE G IFTS BEAUT Y • VEGAN-FRIENDLY Customers love our unique range of products.

New stock arrives weekly

VIS IT US IN S TO RE

Located in Ellerslie Village 114 Main Highway, Ellerslie

www.violette.co.nz

NEWS FROM PLAYGROUP

SOUTH PACIFIC COLLEGE OF NATURAL MEDICINE 8-12 Arthur Street, Ellerslie Presents

THE ART OF MINDFULNESS Meditations to Revive and Restore MARCH 2 – APRIL 20, TUESDAYS 6.00 – 7.00 PM $145 for 8 classes, Or $20 per casual class

YOGA FLOW Gentle Hatha and Yin Practices to Build and Balance MARCH 2 – APRIL 20, TUESDAYS 7.15 - 8.15 PM $145 for 8 classes, Or $20 per casual class Classes taught by Lekshe Chodron Information and bookings: catherine.wilson@spcnm.ac.nz

Ph 09 579-4997

There is nothing like bubbles to bring smiles to children’s faces — and it was certainly bubbles galore at our Ellerslie Playgroup Christmas party! It was a wonderful way to wrap up what was – thankfully – a typical Term 4 at Playgroup. Each week the kids enjoyed craft activities, free play, music, and the shared morning tea. Our trip to Ambury Farm was another highlight.

Term 1 is now underway. Playgroup runs on Tuesdays, 9.3011.30am at Leicester Hall in Ellerslie during term time. We have space available and there is no need to book – please just come along for a visit. $4/family, but your first visit is free. Keep an eye on Facebook for updates.

Make Friends with Probus The Ellerslie Combined Probus committee is looking forward to hopefully an uninterrupted year of interesting talks in the Ellerslie War Memorial Hall at 10am on the third Friday of each month. We have already had a delightful summer picnic in the garden of one of our members. Sitting in comfortable chairs under shady trees with tasty food being offered by her charming grandchildren was very relaxing. It was so pleasant to be able to chat with our Probus friends, some of whom we had not seen since November.

We have also had our first formal meeting of 2021 in February, when we listened to Gillian Eade talking about healthy memories.

Not actual memories, but how to enhance our ability to remember!

Does your family say ‘I’ve told you that’ when you ask a question?

Mine certainly do! If you did not know this was on don’t worry, The Ellerslie Village Magazine

there will be another meeting at the same time and place on Friday March 19, when we will have another interesting speaker on a very different subject. You are very welcome. Anyone may come to these meetings, there is no door fee.

We always suggest you come a couple of times before you actually join and pay the subscription, which is $20 per year with a one-off joining fee of $10. There is always time at these meetings to chat to old friends or meet new people over a cup of tea or coffee. If you are new to the area or have recently retired and missing the workplace chatter, joining us is a very good way of meeting your neighbours.

On the fourth Friday of every month the committee organises a trip, a bit further away, usually on a bus but sometimes a boat.

The cost of these days varies depending on the destination but we try to average about $30 to $35 each time.

Our group also organises a board game morning which meets in the Christ Church Hall in Ladies Mile every Thursday to play mahjong, Scrabble, Rummikub or what you want. Definitely not competitive but lots of fun! Although we organise it, it is not necessary to be a Probus member to join the group. Just turn up with $3 to cover the rent and tea and scones, and you will be welcomed.

For further information, just ring Maureen Reed (09) 520 7403 or Rona Colbert (09) 579 7605.

Philharmonic Sounds The Friends of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra are ready and excited to start a new year of musical activity to help our wonderful orchestra in its 40th year of performance. The orchestra’s Friends have been helping for almost all those 40 years in many peripheral, practical ways. This includes raising funds to help pay for scores for the various players or copyright fees to play some of the pieces, to helping pay the salaries of both players and administrators. And to let the music lovers of Auckland know they have a dedicated band of musicians who were forming what would become a full symphony orchestra now ranked amongst the world’s notable orchestras. This is no mean achievement and the recent restrictions caused by Covid-19 have not helped.

However, we have a new year and it is time to renew memberships.

A mere $35 per year makes you a friend of the APO, and you have the opportunity to come to amazingly entertaining Friday mornings in the Ellerslie War Memorial Hall. On those mornings music is performed sometimes by members of the orchestra, and sometimes by extraordinary young players on the threshold of their performance careers. The entry to these mornings is $20 for non-members and $15 for members.

You also get to listen to our mainly local (Covid-19 again) musicians talking about their very interesting professional lives, and if the particular guest does not have to rush away to another engagement, have the chance to talk to them personally over the finger food lunch which concludes these mornings. Be assured that the $20 or $15 entrance fee for the morning is the best entertainment money you will spend this year. We will probably be unable to have any international musicians this year, but our wonderful music director, Giordano Bellincampi, will brave all the hurdles to visit Auckland once or twice during the year. This is both a tribute to his perseverance and an endorsement of the quality of our orchestra.

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Come along at 10.30am on Friday March 12 to enjoy the morning and pick up a copy of the next six months’ programme. The only qualification you need is to enjoy listening to music. You don’t need to play, or have played an instrument or be able to read music, just enjoy it. We would love to meet you and your friends.

For more information contact Jackie Wilkinson, 021 570 895 or email wilkinsj@xtra.co.nz

Talking Shop in the Shed

The East Auckland Mens Shed is located on the edge of the Waiatarua Reserve next to the Remuera golf course in Abbots Way. The Mens Shed movement has grown rapidly in recent years. There are now over 100 sheds in New Zealand and over 1000 in Australia. Its main purpose is to provide comradeship and purpose to retired men, who on retirement, find they have time on their hands and very little to do with it.

With as much as 60 years in the workforce, and up to 80 years of bringing up families, dealing with wars, recessions and massive technological changes, the fathers and grandfathers that comprise our membership have developed a huge range of life skills and abilities. On retirement, many of us value the opportunity to apply this knowledge, for the betterment of our communities, on a voluntary basis. The shed gives us many new friendships and utilises our abilities in a win-win scenario that improves both our health and mental wellbeing. Mixing with younger members and other genders, some still in their 20s and still working, keeps us in touch with today’s world.

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We have three core areas of activity: community work, personal projects and further development of a valuable community resource in the shed itself, for current and future generations.

Members have come from many different backgrounds: professional, trade and organisational.

As a consequence, our building programme is progressing rapidly. The spartan implement shed we took over from Auckland Council has been transformed into a first class facility. It now includes a new toilet block, custom built kitchen and a fully equipped meeting room. The woodwork shop has been filled with new machinery and workbenches.

The metalwork shop sports welding and machining facilities, as well as a substantial stock of recyclable materials. The technology room has computers and courses run to upskill members in new technologies.

Shortly, we will be building a craft mezzanine for modelling and handcrafts.

Here are examples of some current and completed projects: • A 300 name badge board in native rimu for the foyer of a local church • A recycling station for an intellectually handicapped resident • A boardroom table for the Arthritis Foundation • The rebuild of an outboard motor for the safety boat of a local boating club • Refurbishment of oars for the Auckland Rowing Club • Trophy restoration for local sporting clubs and organisations • Making 4000 rat traps; 1700 to the Eastern Bays Songbird Project, 1000 to Pest Free Howick and the rest to residents’ backyards predominantly via local residents associations • 26 w ̒ aterwall ̓ interactive play walls placed in IHC centres, local schools and childcare centres • In conjunction with local Rotary clubs, assembly and placement of ̒Trees for Survival ̓ nurseries in local schools. The children rear seedlings to plant new generations of native forests

REPAIR AND REMODELLING

115 Main Highway, Ellerslie, Auckland email: info@ellersliejewellers.co.nz Ph: 09 579 5673 www.ellersliejewellers.co.nz 16

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Our reaction to the Covid lockdown was to take our meetings online. These included members̓ life experiences and visitors̓ presentations. They were filmed and posted for viewing on our website, www.msae.nz Recently, we have been successful in securing the support of the Ōrākei Local Board to take over the old tractor shed next to our existing shed. This has allowed us to store bulk materials and assemble large projects which would not fit into our existing workshop.

We are still accepting new members. Anyone over 20 who is mobile and active is welcome. We are also open to considering any community projects, particularly those that benefit the local community. Check us out online at msae.nz or call in, any morning from Tuesday to Saturday, at The Mens Shed, 98 Abbots Way, Remuera.

Active for Longer with Tai Chi Ellerslie Tai Chi classes are underway for 2021. Our group is social and we welcome new members. Tai chi builds strength, flexibility and fitness as well as preventing falls. Ellerslie Tai Chi began as an ACC falls prevention programme, and is now a certified ‘Stronger for Longer’ class that ACC continues to support.

Tai chi is enjoyable to practice and improves both the mind and the body. Using the flowing movements you become more flexible, stronger and relaxed, and afterwards you feel energised and tranquil. Tai chi can be practiced sitting or standing, or a combination of both.

pendence. We need awareness of falls prevention — tai chi is shown to reduce falls in older adults by 47 per cent.

Come and join in a class. They are held on Wednesdays in Leicester Hall, 20 Findlay St, Ellerslie, from 10.30-11.30am. Contact Alison on 021 528 744 or email alison.taichi@gmail.com

Kicking off: the Michaels Ave Reserve Pavilion Project Many of our residents may have noticed over recent weeks the start of some construction works relating to the sports clubs’ new amenities/clubrooms complex, which has been in the pipeline for a number of years. These works related to some test piling required as part of the building consent process to confirm the pavilion’s structural design.

The project is now out for tender with tenders closing on March 4. It is contemplated that the main building contract will be signed, with establishment on site by the successful tenderer, towards the end of March.

With construction activity pending on the site, there will be a need for some modifications to the carparking and traffic arrangements within the reserve. New signage will be established onsite, together with further communications through the Ellerslie Residents’ Association Facebook page.

For any queries, please contact Mark Weipers from Ellerslie Sports Club Inc on markw@location.co.nz or call 021 941 139.

Tai chi exercise helps boost the immune system, manage stress, improve blood pressure, reduce blood sugar levels, improve cardiovascular and respiratory function, and also helps manage the symptoms of arthritis by increasing mobility and reducing pain.

Falls can take a serious toll on older adults’ quality of life and inde-

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Preschool

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A World of Fun at the Toy Library Photographs by Sonia Chelli

On a sunny Saturday morning the Ellerslie Village Magazine visited the Ellerslie Toy Library in full swing at the hall and shaded garden behind St Peter's Church, 7 Harrison Rd. The toy library offers two-week loans of toys, puzzles, dress-ups, musical instruments and more for children aged six months to five years.

“One of the best things is the toys available for different ages and stages,” says Cathy McIntosh, mother of Archie, 3. “You don't have to worry about being left with toys that your child has grown out of. Members can check out up to five toys at a time, and there's a lot of variety.”

There are trial memberships of a month ($20, plus a $50 bond), duty memberships are $110 a year: those include taking a turn just four times annually at library sessions. Full memberships are $190.

The Ellerslie Toy Library is held Saturdays 9-11am and Wednesdays 7-8pm year round, with a short break in January. See ellerslie.mibase.co.nz, ellerslietoylibrary on Facebook, or email ellerslie. toylibrary@gmail.com.

Aviana, 2, tests out a drum set (she is also on the cover). Beside her is the Pikler triangle climber — the library's most requested toy,.

Above, toy librarian Jordan, left, an early childhood teacher, on the returns desk with Shreya, a high school student volunteer. Helping at the toy libary can earn students credits for Duke of Edinburgh awards.

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Tenzin, 7 ½, came to the toy libary to help her dad make returns on behalf of her two younger brothers. They like cars. If she was little again, she'd choose Duplo.

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Session volunteer Jackie Ho shows the wizardry of the Gears Super Set, which was popular at her home. “I really like this toy,” she says. “It's fun to assemble it with your child.” Left, Alice dropped in to return a workbench.

Cathy McIntosh with son Archie, 3. His favourite toy? “Space rockets.”

Right, Elyse, 5, chose to road test a scooter.

The Ellerslie Village Magazine

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Schools

Te Manawa: The Heart of Ellerslie School

Above, the new Te Manawa space inside the school's refurbished heritage building.

After a fantastic summer the students and staff at Ellerslie School are back and raring to go for another exciting year of challenge, change and achievement. 740 committed students have returned to school, ready to learn for another year. We have also welcomed 40 new students who have started at Ellerslie for the first time as well as three new staff members.

The school is fully staffed and has continued to invest in important human resources to help provide students with as much support as possible. This includes employing an extra teacher to keep class sizes appropriate, a learning support coordinator who supports students with a variety of learning differences, as well as runs life skills programmes and a guidance counsellor who is available to students and whānau members, two days a week. The school has been fortunate to maintain its highly competent and committed group of teacher aides who every day support students in learning pods from Year 1-8.

Te Manawa is open: Our heritage building has once again come back to life at Ellerslie, refurbished, reinvigorated and now our new library or more accurately, Te Manawa, is the 24

heart of the school. This sacred space opened late last year and has become a special place for fun, reflection and of course, reading. Its design is bright and creative, offering something for everyone, including a meeting space for pods and teams to celebrate our successes. Students have a number of opportunities throughout the week to enjoy this important space.

The Ellerslie School community was thrilled to hear about Nick Coughlan’s recent National Excellence in Teaching Award.

Ellerslie School and One Tree Hill College have a strong and positive relationship. It was great to see Nick’s outstanding leadership being recognised particularly in the way he responded so well to the challenges caused by Covid-19. Well done, Nick!

Exciting Term 1 events have already started at Ellerslie.

Nearly 100 students participated in the annual Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon at Point England Reserve. It was fantastic to see a large contingent of Ellerslie supporters enjoying this impressive event made even better by such perfect weather.

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On Friday February 12, the students donated all their ice block money to our friends and whānau at Apanui School in Whakatāne who have been devastated by a school fire. The school will be sending a care package to Apanui.

The Year 8 students have started their new leadership programme which kicks off with a leadership camp at Tāwharanui and we all can’t wait for the Big School Picnic on Thursday March 4! The school loves our community, please drop in to visit us any time. Enjoy the rest of the warm weather. — Nick Butler, Principal

Michael Park's Fair: March 27 Each summer thousands of visitors flock to

Ellerslie from all over Auckland and beyond for a fair like no other. Hosted by Michael Park School and Kindergarten, the fair is held in our grounds up the hill from Ellerslie township in Amy St. The first school fair was held in November 1979 and was initiated to bring the community together, building spirit and celebrating each other and the school.

The Michael Park School Fair is known for the amazing food it sells (from a sausage off the BBQ to our famous vegetarian café), the secondhand clothing sale, cake stall, on stage entertainment all day, the fun activities for children and the stall holders that come from near and far to sell their products.

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Ellerslie School students made up a strong contingent at the recent Weet-Bix Kids TRYathalon.

With over 80 incredible stalls on the day you can shop for a multitude of handcrafted delights and do all your Christmas shopping in one day.

Many people return to our fair each year to be transported back to the charm of yesteryear.

We hope that you will join us on Saturday March 27, from 9:30am to 3:30pm at Michael Park School, 55 Amy St, Ellerslie.

Michael Park School is a state integrated area school offering Steiner education for students from kindergarten to Y13.

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Natural Wonders at Stanhope Road

The students of Stanhope Road School have an amazing new outdoor ̒Nature Wonderland̓ to play and learn in. Our central courtyard has been transformed into a stunning playful entrance to the school and this space now marries beautifully with our 'learning through play' journey, inspiring us to take the programme outdoors.

The courtyard is defined by a large and well-loved oak tree but prior to our transformation the ground beneath the tree was a dust bowl in the summer and a mud pit in the winter.

With the support of the Rotary Club of Ellerslie Sunrise and The Johnson Trust, we have been able to turn this around and create a very special place for our junior learners to play in and explore. We have constructed some raised planters to define the courtyard and contain the play area, created a faux r̒ iver ̓ of grasses that ‘flows̓ beneath two timber bridges into a ‘sea’ of grasses that has timber rafts ̒f loating ̓ within it that the children can sit on and jump from one to another. We have five timber tepee-like huts beneath the oak tree for playing within, two mud kitchens and natural timber logs with painted ends for seating and to use like stepping stones. Some reused pavers have been mosaicked by the students with beautiful designs and these will be placed within the space for jumping and hopping games.

We had an official opening ceremony in October last year and celebrated the realisation of our Nature Wonderland dream with our special guests. It was a great occasion and an opportunity to acknowledge the Rotary Club of Ellerslie Sunrise and The Johnson Trust for funding the project. We are also grateful to the team from Savory Construction for their incredible support and construction skills, the workmanship of the structure that they built is seriously impressive. A special mention must go to Bob Stubbs from Rotary for his support of the project right from the beginning.

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Stanhope Road pupils were excited to welcome representatives from the Rotary Club of Ellerslie Sunrise and The Johnson Trust to the opening of their new play space.

Our Nature Wonderland is a space that we are very proud of and one we can call our own. The oak tree that covers the courtyard with its huge canopy has always held a special place in our hearts as it has watched over generations of children playing beneath it and it is a joy to see the children enjoying the new Nature Wonderland.

The Ellerslie Village Magazine

One Tree Hill College Celebrates Success

One Tree Hill's student leadership team: from left, deputy head prefect Bree Felton, head prefects Savannah Cook and Roy Rogers, and deputy head prefect Felix Nicholls. Below, principal Nick Coughlan with his National Excellence in Teaching commendations.

Welcome to another exciting year at One Tree Hill College. The year has already started very well with the release of our NCEA results, and another big intake of Year 9 students, most of which are from our local community.

The roll is now at capacity and our enrolment scheme is assisting us to prioritise families wishing to enrol children from our community. As ERO (Education Review Office) stated, “One Tree Hill College is a school that the community are proud to send their children to.”

I am very proud to be able to inform our community that our 2020 NCEA results were once again outstanding, with over 91 per cent and 83 per cent of students achieving their NCEA Level 2 and 3 respectively. This, along with a very high percentage of students achieving merit and excellence endorsements in NCEA, continues to highlight the excellent teaching and learning taking place at One Tree Hill College.

I would like to congratulate the many students who achieved so highly. To succeed at these levels are outstanding achievements and we are all very proud of these students. We have honoured these students at our annual Scholars Assembly with ‘Academic Excellence’ awards and challenge all other students to emulate their success this year. These wonderful results reflect the emphasis that we have placed on our college values and ‘attitudes to learning’ which are fundamental to student success. Students are focused on academic achievement, and 2021 will see One Tree Hill College reach even greater heights following our outstanding successes last year.

I would like to congratulate our Head Prefect team for 2021. Our Head Students this year are Savannah Cook and Roy Rogers, who will be assisted by deputies Bree Felton and Felix Nicholls. They are all excellent young leaders who will serve our students, college and community very well.

Finally, I was humbled recently to have been awarded a National Excellence in Teaching Award (NEiTA). These are very prestigious awards presented to teachers and educational leaders across Australia and New Zealand.

There were only six awards presented across New Zealand. The NEiTA

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selection process includes a comprehensive nomination outline, a written paper, and a video interview with the NEiTA judging panel, including esteemed educators associated with school and higher education. This acknowledgement is also a reflection of the outstanding teachers, students and community we have at One Tree Hill College.

Following the excellent ERO report endorsing the college, this continues to be a great time to be involved with One Tree Hill College. We certainly have students with exceptional talent and it is wonderful to see them show such pride in the college. I look forward to the many successes which will occur throughout the year.

— Nick Coughlan, Principal

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Hospitality

Food, Glorious Ellerslie Food Ellerslie's food and hospitality offerings are second to none — we're one of Auckland's best destinations for all things edible. Food editor Vanessa Baxter follows her nose to flavours, special treats and coffee-to-go

Global Flavours Overseas travel is off the menu so tuck into curbside international flavour just around the corner. And all are available with contactless collection in times of lockdown too.

Make it a Reuben (or even a Cuban): Pastrami & Rye With house-cured smoked pastrami, bacon or salmon topped with homemade pickles and preserves, feast on a jam-packed American-style sandwich hot off the griddle. Order in advance and get one by the metre! pastramiandrye.com 112 Main Highway

Green Curry Vegan Pie: Richoux Patisserie Order the vegan green curry or pick the pork belly favourite and sink into that pastry and filling for a comfort hit to somewhere lush. Cambodian born Jason has a pie cult following, so you may need to join the queue. richouxpatisserie.com 119 Main Highway

Taste Japan: Mr Tanaka’s Yakitori Hut Choose from 10 types of yakitori skewers, or crispy gyoza or flavoursome pork ribs. You can experience dining in-house or click and collect, and pair with a local beer at home. mrtanakas.co.nz 120 Main Highway

Chef’s Specials: Sanehs Thai If you are a lover of garlic, lemongrass, galangal, ginger and lime, get your fragrant fix from this Thai menu laden with full flavour options. sanehsthai.co.nz 83 Main Highway

Ay! Chicken Fiesta: Mexico Fried Chicken, Spicy Popcorn Fried Chicken, OG Mexico Fried Chicken combo . . . enjoy inhouse with a margarita on the side or choose your favourites for an at-home bubble party. mexico.net.nz cr Ladies Mile & Main Highway

A Mint Experience Mint Cakery is a hit with the young and old in Ellerslie.

Whether your order is warm morning donuts, owner Michelle Bevan's spectacular cakes ordered for special celebrations or Darren Jarrett’s warming pies, this partnership is delivering!

Michelle, what do you love about baking for people?

We love how happy a box of baking or getting a cake for their birthday makes someone. Especially kids! Even though they always only just eat the icing, ha ha.

How do you come up with all the unexpected donut flavours?

Expect super fresh flavours — we love using seasonal fruits, which is usually where we start when coming up with new flavours. Also love a good throwback. You can't beat a classic jam and cream long donut. The nostalgia gets people excited.

Can you cater for individual needs such as vegan or gluten free?

We do gluten free, but there are so many other great bakers who specialise in dietary-need baking, so we like to stick to our eggs, flour, butter and sugar.

What’s one of your most popular cakes to order?

Our top seller is our chocolate, pear and salted caramel cake

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The Ellerslie Village Magazine

(pictured). Super rich, so you only need a small slice but it's worth it. We make our own brandy snap shards and crush it up over the top of the cakes so it tastes like bits of crunchy caramel pieces. It has a chocolate ganache for the icing too, so it’s totally decadent.

What do people keep coming back to buy?

Our cinnamon sugar donuts. They come out around 9am each day and getting one that is still nice and warm, well you can’t beat it. Also our cinnamon buns with cream cheese icing, they’re also quick to disappear.

Do you offer a full catering service?

We are wanting to get into catering more! Just need to make the time in organising menus and logistics for it. So watch this space.

Do you deliver?

Yes but only for our whole specialty cakes. The daily baking you have to come to the store to get your hands on.

Darren, why do you love pies? You’re quite the specialist.

It's a Kiwi classic isn’t it! Everybody’s cured a Saturday night with a mince and cheese and a blue Powerade. Mostly, though, I love how they can be an entire dish inside one tight little pastry bite.

How do you come up with the flavours?

I think most cooks seem to tug on childhood and young adult food memories. My pie fillings are the same. Even the mince and cheese is inspired by corner bakery pies, I put raw onion juice in right at the end to imitate the undercooked onion taste in its predecessor. The roast chicken and leek pie is a goodie because it’s pretty much zero waste, which is nice!

What is the most important aspect to making a pie?

Enjoy what you’re doing! Whether it’s professionally or at home, cooking is a passion where love and care are of upmost importance.

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I heard word that your jalapeno sausage rolls are sublime!

Yeah, I’m pretty happy with those. Honestly even though they aren’t in our hood, a massive shout-out to Grey Lynn Butchers.

We use their sausage meat as the base which is the best quality.

Then add in our little extras to make them a bit special. The cream cheese just really balances out the spicy jalapeños. It’s definitely a must try.

Mint Cakery, 92D Marua Rd. mintcakery.com

Mint Cakery's Roast Chicken & Leek family pie (serves 4-6) 1 size 16 free range chicken 1 large leek, sliced into 1/2cm rings 1 litre chicken stock (this is made fresh at Mint but you can cheat) 200g butter 150g flour 2 tsp wholegrain mustard 2 tsp light soy sauce 2 tsp miso paste (optional) 2 tsp white wine vinegar 1 sheet flaky puff pastry 1 egg (lightly beaten for egg wash) Season chicken with salt and pepper and roast at 170°C for 75 minutes.

Cook leeks in 50g of the butter with a good pinch of salt until tender and collapsed. Place in a 20cm x 30cm casserole dish, or other volume appropriate pie dish.

In a large pot melt the rest of the butter (150g) with 150g flour to make a roux, cook until sandy. Slowly add in warmed chicken stock, stirring to combine without lumps. Cook for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. Add remaining

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ingredients and taste to check for seasoning. Add salt and pepper to taste. (If you don’t have miso paste, don’t stress, I just find it gives the sauce a little more depth.)

Once the chicken is cooked, shred all the meat. (I like to put the crispy bits of skin in too, they’re delicious.) Mix through the cooked leeks.

Once the sauce is seasoned, pour it over the chicken and leeks and stir to evenly mix.

Cut pasty to just bigger than the size of the dish — you can smoosh a couple of pieces together to make it work if you have to.

Crimp the edges onto your dish and score the top of the pastry, making a couple of small holes throughout for the steam to escape. Brush with the beaten egg and cook at 190°C for 20-25 minutes. Rest slightly before serving.

Yum! — Darren Jarrett, Pie Chef, Mint Cakery

A Cup of Cool: Bow & Tie Gustavo Nervegna loves coffee so his wife suggested the idea of a pushbike coffee cart for a business venture. “Are you crazy?” he said. “In Auckland? It’s just hill after hill, you are always going up.” Months later, the intrepid micro roastery entrepreneur could be seen pedalling through Ellerslie balancing a coffee machine, battling Auckland’s undulating terrain and fluctuating weather.

“It wasn't easy. It was a lot of flat tyres, a lot of very rainy days that I couldn't trade ... and a lot of rainy days that I was still trading but no one was coming because I was in the middle of the rain.”

Gus shakes his head and has a chuckle. Coffee is his passion and he has built his business organically, overcoming obstacles one by one. He loves the whole ceremony associated with a cup of coffee and wanted to offer this as an experience for all his customers. He started by parking his bike opposite Ellerslie School. Parents and commuters heading to the train congregated at the stall. “Having all those parents, walking by every day, having a coffee or not having a coffee and that sense of community just by saying good morning. It's not even about customer service because they were not necessarily my customers, but it's that sense of community of just being nice with people that opened up a whole lot of things.”

Whilst the pushbike espresso business was manageable and continues as part of his business, Gustavo’s obsession and pride in his coffee and community was hitting the mark for locals.

With demand growing, he needed to also. He found himself a large roasting machine but needed a spot to house it. Colin from Ellerslie’s Designa Ceramic Tiles was chuffed with the prospect of inhaling freshly roasting beans each morning. This organically percolated into the micro-roastery outlet of today. Rather than simply house the machine there, Gus built himself a hub.

singular system and he loves it because it allows him to focus on the person he is currently serving. Another innovation that came in conjunction with lockdown was the stocking of Wild Wheat bread. The artisan bread that many customers would cross the city for was beyond the local bubble, so Gustavo organised to stock it in Bow & Tie to satisfy the urge to match coffee with a decent bread.

Single origin coffee beans and special blends are ever changing and available online and inhouse. Gus is determined to bring you the best flavour so tell him how you like your coffee and he can recommend a bean. The local kids give his hot chocolate a thumbs up and decaf is available.

Bow & Tie Micro Roastery: 15 Kalmia St bowandtie.co.nz Open Mon-Fri 6am-3pm; Sat 8am-12pm

With an urban vibe, rough edges and a carpark table, you can rock up to Bow & Tie for an indie coffee made with personal attention and care. If you poke your nose into the hand-built, carved out space you will spot the polished and gleaming roaster in the corner. If we are in a lock down level, you are likely to be served your coffee or beans via a conveyor pulley on a wooden tray. This is another design inspiration by Gustavo, who admits he is not an engineer, but loves inventing and creating. It’s a 30

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Building No.4 195 Main Highway, Ellerslie Ph 09 525 2163 Email general@bsmlaw.co.nz www.brucescottmullerlaw.co.nz

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Village Directory

FOOD & HOSPITALITY

FOOD & WINE RETAIL

BAKERIES

Ellerslie Supermarket 133 Main Highway Ceres Wholefoods 181 Ladies Mile Ellerslie Four Square 126 Main Highway Ellerslie Liquor Centre 123 Main Highway Ellerslie Meats 128d Main Highway Glengarry 87 Main Highway

Bakers Delight 127 Main Highway Ellerslie Bakehouse 87 Main Highway Julia’s Bakery 128b Main Highway Richoux Patisserie 119 Main Highway

580 0088 579 6538 526 4919 579 1815

BARS & RESTAURANTS Ajadz Indian Cuisine 8 Robert St Charlie Baxter’s 121 Main Highway Doolan Brothers 3 Robert St E Japanese 5/101 Main Highway Little Lamb 2 Robert St Mexico 120 Main Highway Mr Tanaka’s Yakatori Hut 120 Main Highway Royals 130 Main Highway Sanehs Thai Restaurant 83 Main Highway Union Post 124 Main Highway

580 1555 525 2522 579 5592 589 1689 280 1511 281 2714 216 8914 579 7568 579 9447 579 2303

CAFES, CASUAL DINING & TAKEWAY BurgerFuel 2 Robert St Columbus 139 Main Highway Heng Seng 128a Main Highway Haru Sushi 79 Main Highway Hell Pizza 135 Main Highway Golden Dragon BBQ & Dumplings 137 Main Highway Little Elephants Café 179 Ladies Mile Little Luscious 101 Main Highway Malaysia & Singapore Cuisine 112 Main Highway MELBA 135 Main Highway Mexicali 2 Robert St Pastrami & Rye 112 Main Highway Subway 2 Robert St Temptation Indian Cuisine 129 Main Highway The Coffee Club 131 Main Highway

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525 7752 580 0501 579 3517 525 2291 525 6664 579 8466 200 0877 214 7200 579 6567

579 4549 579 7126 579 5259 579 5556 579 6393 571 2567

SPECIALITY & GENERAL RETAIL Aladdin Rugs 1 Robert St Amazing Frames 2/199 Main Highway Beauty Plus Souvenirs 8 Robert St Cardz Mags & Lotto 135b Main Highway Church Stores 8 Robert St Coko Design & Fashion 111 Main Highway Dollar House 101 Main Highway Ellerslie Jewellers & Engravers 115 Main Highway Flowers of St John 127 Main Highway House of Travel 108 Main Highway Loobie & Friends 114 Main Highway Mercy Hospice Shop 188 Ladies Mile Morris & Wallace Florist 171 Main Highway NKD 210 Marua Rd NZ Post Shop 101 Main Highway Smartphone Ellerslie 3/1 Robert St Unichem Pharmacy Ellerslie 125 Main Highway Violette 114 Main Highway

579 6469 579 7417 579 2887 580 2088 525 1380 530 2308 580 1926 579 5673 529 2677 525 2363 218 9651 579 1208 021 152 3519 529 7421 579 7099 580 9282 579 5520 027 555 5790

525 1303

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

579 5162

COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS

579 1562

Computer Tech4You 112 Main Highway Electrical and Computer Services 130c Main Highway

526 5073 963 8405 525 0374

580 2664 579 8195

FINANCIAL, LEGAL & INSURANCE AFSN - Loan Market Level 1, 101 Main Highway

021 226 5050

Genesis Advice 195 Main Highway Andrew Lemalu Law 2 Robert St Assetwise Level 1, 101 Main Highway Bruce Scott Muller Law Building 4, 195 Main Highway Duggan & Murphy Lawyers 8a Robert St Harden & Hart 101 Main Highway JDW Chartered Accounts Ltd 127 Main Highway Kiwibank ATM 101 Main Highway Loan Resources 6 Findlay St Provisional Tax Finance 101 Main Highway Schmidt & Peart Law 1 Robert St Towers Law 1 Robert St Umbrella Company 3 Robert St Wise Advice Level 1, 101 Main Highway

525 2586 570 0045 580 1111 525 2163 525 1316 589 1701 570 7096

950 3515 636 6010 222 3388 0800 119 0939 639 1004

PROPERTY Bayleys 101-105 Main Highway Barfoot & Thompson 107 Main Highway Broadway Property Group 139 Main Highway Inspire Real Estate 29 Main Highway Mike Pero 118 Main Highway Mike Webber Surveyors 1 Robert St One Stop Property Shop 116 Main Highway Ray White 2/101 Main Highway Southern Cross Plumbing 130 Main Highway Westferry Property Services Hurst St

525 1773 579 1081 525 0084 579 4050 390 5900 579 8411 0800 677 777 525 2600 354 4548 580 3121

OTHER SERVICES Building Services Contractors of NZ 580 1160 Canstaff 579 2087 Level 1, 101 Main Highway Greenhouse Creative 021 202 9758 5b Lawry St Meadow Mushrooms 0800 687 476 Level 1, 101 Main Highway Optimis Systems 529 5265 Level 1, 101 Main Highway People First NZ 579 1588 Professional Sales 580 2490 Level 1, 1 Robert St Vital 0800 101 900 2 Robert St

The Ellerslie Village Magazine

HEALTH, SELF & ANIMAL CARE Angela Lowe-Ho Dental 579 4746 126a Main Highway Dental Solutions 525 0959 2/2 Robert St Eccentric Physio 021 022 07725 123 Main Highway Ellerslie Medical Centre 579 6147 41 Robert St Ellerslie Veterinary Clinic & Cattery 281 3481 199 Main Highway Fillan Healthcare 0508 FILLAN Level 1, 101 Main Highway Harmony Shiatsu 526 5375 Shop L, 101 Main Highway iChiropractic 526 5375 Shop L, 101 Main Highway Physio Logic 0800 756 750 17 Kalmia St RiverSong Studio 0204 113 0022 7 Walpole St South Pacific College of Natural Medicine 8 Arthur St 579 499 TCM Healing Centre 949 0168 Unit D, 123 Main Highway FITNESS 9 Round 2 Robert St Active Plus 180 Main Highway Anytime Fitness 87-93 Main Highway F45 Training Ellerslie 6 Findlay St Movement Pilates and Yoga 123 Main Highway Reset Fitness Bldg 9, 666 Great South Rd

027 796 8633 579 0004 529 0144 027 234 5345 021 254 3888 525 2436

HAIR, BEAUTY & MASSAGE SERVICES Baan Thai 123e Main Highway Barber Shop Co 101 Main Highway Beauty Mark 101 Main Highway Caci Ellerslie 124 Main Highway Pamper Nail & Spa 131 Main Highway Mal's Scissorhand Barber 101 Main Highway Newbody Massage Clinic 101 Main Highway Paris for Hair 123 Main Highway Revive Spa Level 1, 129 Main Highway Scarlett 130b Main Highway Zurri 179 Ladies Mile

525 2795 571 2194 525 3852 571 0575 579 5384 0800BARBER 579 6279 579 7745 214 5937 579 8733 579 5022

GOOD TO KNOW All Clean Laundromat 81 Main Highway BP 171 Main Highway The Ellerslie Village Magazine

579 7690 218 6902

Ellerslie Automotive & Tyres 171 Main Highway Ellerslie Drycleaners 128c Main Highway Epsom Funeral Home 129 Main Highway Luxury European Rentals 411 Great South Rd National Mini Storage 14 Penrose Rd Stitched Up Alterations 101 Main Highway Summerset at Heritage Park 8 Harrison Rd

525 8155

UNDER-FIVES

579 8828

Ellerslie Kindergarten 579 0076 122 Celtic Cres Ellerslie Playcentre 579 1974 8 Lawry St Ellerslie Playgroup ellerslieplaygroup@gmail.com Ellerslie Plunket 579 7564 138 Main Highway Ellerslie Toy Library 022 1872 304 Kiddie Garden Learning Corner 283 0352 2 Morrin St One Tree Hill Kindergarten 579 8382 21 Massey Ave YMCA Early Learning Centre 525 4753 46 Michaels Ave

0800 437 766 021 047 8828 528 8001 579 6678 950 7962

CHURCHES C3 Church 579 1716 20 Cawley St Christ Church 579 5279 169 Ladies Mile Ellerslie Bible Chapel 525 7216 7 Robert St Horizon Church 571 3390 9 Mono Pl Mountainside Lutheran Church 579 4490 1 Harris Rd Siaola Family & Wellbeing Services 106 Ladies Mile 021 108 5597 St Mary’s Catholic Church 579 8937 58 Main Highway St Peter’s Presbyterian 579 4428 Harrison Rd

SPORTS & RECREATION Ellerslie AFC 579 5477 Ellerslie Aikido Club 579 1118 Ellerslie Athletics Club ellerslie-athletics.co.nz Ellerslie Cricket Club ellersliecricket.co.nz Ellerslie Eagles Rugby League Club 579 7719 Ellerslie Domain Ellerslie Tennis Club 570 5605 Konini Park Stonefields Sports Inc enquiry@stonefieldssports.co.nz YMCA Ellerslie 579 4716 46 Michaels Ave

COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUPS Anthroposophical Society 104 Michaels Ave Ellerslie Combined Probus Club Ellerslie Community Patrol Remuera Freemasons 9a Robert St Rotary Club of Ellerslie

579 5606 525 6330 579 5033 579 4494 027 493 574

COMMUNITY ACTIVITY/INTEREST GROUPS Communicare Friendship Centre 631 5968 Ellerslie Theatrical Society 525 3336 138 Main Highway Toastmasters (Harrison Rd) harrisonroad@toastmasters.org.nz Toastmasters (Ellerslie Sunrise) ellersliesunrise@toastmasters.org.nz

SCHOOLS Ellerslie School 12 Kalmia St Michael Park School 55 Amy St One Tree Hill College 421-451 Great South Rd Stanhope Road School Harris Rd Stonefields School 81 Tihi St St Mary’s Catholic School 66 Main Highway

579 5477 579 3083

USEFUL CONTACTS Auckland Council 301 0101 Auckland Justice of the Peace Association 138 Main Highway walk-in Tues, Thurs, Sat 10am-2pm Citizens Advice Bureau 573 5707 Ellerslie Business Association 570 5033 Ellerslie Residents Association ellerslieresidents@gmail.com Ōrākei Local Board 521 7021 25 St Johns Rd, Meadowbank Local MP: Priyanca Radhakrishnan 622 2660 Level 1, Crighton House, 100 Nielson St, Onehunga

EMERGENCY SERVICES Police, fire, ambulance emergency 111 Police non-emergency 105 Mt Wellington Police Station 526 7300 6a Harrison Rd Constable Don Allan 662 8722 Ellerslie Fire Station 579 4400 634 Great South Rd

579 5049 579 6434 527 7721 579 5458

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Autumn Diary

MARCH Learn to meditate or enjoy the gentle pace of yoga — classes in both run every Tuesday evening until April 20. South Pacific College of Natural Medicine, 8-12 Arthur St. Take a single class or sign up for a full course. Info and bookings email catherine.wilson@spcnm.ac.nz 9 The Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board is holding a series of community forums so you can have your say about the Long Term Plan for the isthmus: 4pm-6pm, Te Oro, 98 Line Rd, Glen Innes. Drop in and find out what’s in the pipeline.

For other meetings, workshops, webinars and info, see akhaveyoursay. aucklandcouncil.govt.nz 11 It’s the opening night of the Ellerslie Theatrical Society’s production of Sham.

Tickets and info on ellerslietheatre.co.nz or Facebook, door sales also available.

Stables Theatre, 138 Main Highway, performances run to March 20 18 Have dinner al fresco at the Ellerslie Night Market. Enjoy live music and a variety of stalls in the Village Square, 4pm-8pm 20 Celebrate Neighbour’s Day Aotearoa: join your community for a fun afternoon in the Village Square. Midday–2pm, 34

there’ll be a sausage sizzle, kids games, live music and more

16 Last day of Term I for most schools

22 Consultation closes today on Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan

25 Anzac Day

27 More neighbourhood fun — it’s the annual Michael Park School summer fair. Organic food, music, stalls, entertainment. 9.30am-3.30pm, 55 Amy St

MAY

APRIL

1 Maungakiekie-Tāmaki councillor Josephine Bartley will be at MELBA café, 135 Main Highway, from 9am to meet locals

2 Good Friday 5 Easter Monday 6 Extra day off for schools 14 ‘Wear Your Slippers to Work Day’ to raise money for Communicare, which provides services for the elderly, lonely and disabled. See story, page 12.

Communicare.org.nz 15 Ellerslie Night Market returns for an autumnal evening of food, music and stalls in the Village Square, 4pm-8pm

Keen to know more about joining in at the East Auckland Mens Shed? Call in any morning Tuesday to Saturdays, see the shed in action and talk to members.

98 Abbotts Way

3 Term II starts for local schools 9 Mother’s Day 15 201st anniversary of the birth of politician Robert Graham, who named Ellerslie after his father’s home in Scotland

Special note: June 5: Your winter issue of the Ellerslie Village Magazine arrives in letterboxes from today!

The Ellerslie Village Magazine

AUTUMN IS BETTER WITH BAYLEYS

Simone Jonelle

Adrian Frazer

Aimee Dillon

Claire Hutchinson

Edit Frazer

Georgia Stainton

Irene Wei

Jasmin Wilson

Marie Graham

Vicki Voon

With cooler weather on the way, house hunters are searching for a new place to nest.

Persistent demand for residential property offers homeowners the ultimate opportunity to call the shots – and with autumn underway, there’s no time to waste. List your home for sale with Bayleys this autumn to gain unparalleled access to an audience more eager to invest in a home than ever before.

If you’re considering making a move, contact us for our specialist market knowlegdge on local property values and for what is happening in your neighbourhood.

A LT O G E T H E R B E T T E R

Bayleys Ellerslie 105 Main Highway, Ellerslie 09 525 1773 ellerslie@bayleys.co.nz BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, ELLERSLIE, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

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