NumberWorks’nWords has been part of the Silverdale community for seven years and has recently moved location. We are now located in a bigger premises at 3 /16 Wainui Road (opposite The Coffee Club, Burger Fuel, Sal’s Pizza). As we look back on our seven year journey, we’re incredibly proud of our students’ achievements and our team’s dedication. We remain committed to helping children reach their potential and succeed in their education. Here’s to many more years of inspiring confidence and a love for learning in children in the Silverdale community.
The Silverdale centre is owned by Michelle Buckley and Olivia Stewart who are experienced ex teachers, their team of managers and tutors are passionate and knowledgeable about education. What brings them all together is their dedication to helping kids succeed. Our owners, managers and tutors are great at assessing the specific challenges each child faces and giving them the support they need to thrive.
Last year the NumberWorks’nWords company celebrated 40 incredible years of being in business! A significant milestone that shows our proven model and dedication to making a positive difference to children’s lives through education. The journey started in NZ in 1984 with a dream to boost children’s confidence and improve their results. In 1988, the company expanded to Australia through franchising which added even more strength to the company’s mission. Over four decades, NumberWorks’nWords has grown into a global company with 72 centres across New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. During this time, the company has had the privilege of helping nearly a quarter of a million children achieve academic success, a testament to the impact of personalised and focused tuition.
At NumberWorks’n Words, we focus on maths and English, offering customised tuition that suits each child’s unique needs and learning style. Our approach ensures every student gets the best education possible, building their confidence and making learning fun. Our new centre in Silverdale is welcoming and supportive, creating an environment where children can reach their full potential and enjoy their learning journey. We offer proven tuition methods for children aged 5 to 16 that aligns with the school curriculum and will continue to adapt as the curriculum changes. If you suspect your child is struggling with maths or English or eager to race ahead and you are looking for support, a free assessment at Numberworks’nWords Silverdale is a great place to start.
There’s nothing quite like sitting outside a café on a sunny morning drinking good quality coffee while the sun warms your back and your fork dives into the softness of a cheeky raspberry friand you couldn’t quite resist. Such was a recent Saturday morning for me with ex-Coastie friends visiting from Spain who were determined to eat as many of Puff’s legendary date scones as they could during their short visit home. With spring officially here now is the perfect time to get out and support our local cafes and make some special al fresco moments for yourselves in the process.
Befitting a spring theme, in this issue we bring you helpful hints for looking after your lawns now the sun is back, and we introduce a new beauty column by the lovely Kerry Venter of Mint Skin & Body Therapy in Milldale. Welcome to the mag family, Kerry. We look forward to reading all the tips and tricks you have for us over the coming months.
We also feature quite a few celebrations, from the impressive rise of local 11-year-old muso Jack Ward to the national success of Orewa College’s ShowQuest team and, in recognition of Blue September, a local’s prostate cancer journey with the best outcome.
As you know, we love bringing you delicious recipes to try, and we are always on the lookout for new recipes to share. If you have a favourite recipe you think our readers would enjoy, please send us an email with the recipe and one or two photos of your dish and we’ll do our best to include it in a future issue.
Finally, to all the dads out there, and everyone ‘being’ a dad, we hope you have Happy Father’s Day on the seventh. Thank you for everything you do.
Please, pop your feet up and enjoy.
Claire Nevans
Redefining retirement
There was a time when retirement was synonymous with slowing down, but talk to the residents of The Botanic Silverdale and you’ll hear a very different story – one filled with strength and fitness classes, long lunches, hiking groups, travel, gardening clubs, dinner parties and a steady stream of new friendships.
‘Moving here was the start of a whole new chapter for us,’ says Kaye Procter. ‘I’m busier now than when I was working, but it’s a wonderful type of busy – I love it.’
The Botanic Silverdale, located at the gateway to the Hibiscus Coast, has been purpose-built to make this kind of life possible. There’s a heated 20-metre pool, a fully equipped gym, landscaped walking paths, a café open to the public and a thriving community garden.
Alan Edwards, a partner at The Botanic, has more than 25 years’ experience creating purposeful environments for retirees.
‘We don’t tell people how to live. That’s the beauty of it,’ he says. ‘Our job is to create beautiful homes and spaces where life happens naturally. The pool, the gardens, the café – they’re all just backdrops for
what really matters, which is retirees finding community and living with purpose.’
Sales Manager Michelle Pipping says visitors are often surprised by how social and energised the village feels. ‘There’s this idea that retirement living is quiet and sedentary, but people are doing yoga in the morning, heading off on day trips, enjoying long lunches in the afternoon. It’s a full life.’
For many residents, The Botanic is a launchpad for a ‘second act’ – a chance to pursue passions such as writing, painting, travel or picking up a long-forgotten musical instrument.
The village supports active lifestyles, but Kaye says it’s the people who make it thrive. ‘The friendships we’ve made here are wonderful. Everyone has a story, and everyone’s willing to share.’
The trend towards active, purpose-filled retirement isn’t going anywhere, with more New Zealanders living longer, healthier lives, communities like The Botanic are redefining retirement.
As one resident puts it, ‘I didn’t come here to retire from life. I came here to live it.’
The Clubhouse Café offers fresh, seasonal dishes in a beautiful, light-filled setting every day. It’s your perfect spot for coffee, lunch, or a glass of wine, or join us for an early evening meal on Friday and Saturday. Visit theclubhousecafe.co.nz for opening hours or to book a table.
Print | Digital | Social
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DESIGN
PUBLISHER
Grayson & Sarah Furniss
MANAGING EDITOR
Claire Nevans
GRAPHIC DESIGN
KD Design
PRINTER
Treehouse Print
CONTACT US
021 771 140 advertising@thecoastiesmag.co.nz
CONTRIBUTORS
Hayley Crawford
Karen McMillan
Mark Lane
Tim Lawrence
Jorja Millward
Carmen Bird
Chris Norris
IN THE LOOP
Work in Progress Club
We’ve just heard about an awesome little hang session that happens at Drifters Coffee NZ.
On the first Wednesday of every month, from 6.30pm to 8pm, Drifters hold a ‘Work in Progress Club’ session, where anyone can come along with a project they’re working on or one they want to get started, grab themselves a beverage, plonk themselves down on one of the cosy couches or armchairs and soak up the creative hive mind as they work away on their project in a supportive environment.
Maddy from Drifters says in the past they’ve had everything from crochet, painting, sewing and homework to welding and digital art. You can even just bring in a book you’re reading. ‘It’s a great way to get more creative’, she says.
You’ll find Drifters Coffee NZ at Unit 1, 3 George Lowe Place, Orewa, New Zealand. They’re also open every day till around 2pm.
New home for The Kowhai Tree
They may not have gone far, but The Kowhai Tree, New Zealand’s only Op Shop in support of
Women’s Refuge, now have a new home.
After being nestled in at 29F Silverdale Street for many years, they have made a short move down the hill to 5 Palm Court, which sits down the driveway beside Top Horse Takeaways.
The grand opening of their new premises took place on 30 August with many special guests in attendance. The team at The Kowhai Tree are very excited to welcome you to their new store, so why not pop along and check out all the bargains and pre-loved treasures they have waiting for you.
National success for Orewa College’s ShowQuest Crew
In our July issue we celebrated the success of the Orewa College ShowQuest Crew, who were crowned first place champions at Night 2 (the top-tier event) of the Auckland ShowQuest competition, while also securing a slew of other awards on the night.
By winning the Auckland event, the crew then progressed to the ShowQuest digital Nationals.
At the Nationals event, which took place on 30 July, Orewa College competed against top schools from all over Aotearoa and finished in third place!
On top of the third-place finish, the Orewa College team were also awarded Excellence in Soundtrack, and earned recognition in both Drama and Lighting Design. Lachlan Buckley was also named Senior Whetū Rangatahi, the top performer in the country.
A big congratulations to everyone involved.
sKids KingsWay KingsWay Junior Campus
Gear
Experiment,
It’s time to get
and creating!
pizza and foodie art. Food themed games and more for a delicious day of creative foodie fun!
September
Get moving and shaking as we explore the Science of Sound! Move your body, MYO Music box and more melodic mayhem!
Explore your inner artist and art in all it’s forms as you transform your ideas into expressions.
October
Bounce into Inflatable World and into a day filled with action and games galore! Teamwork and timing with Minute to Win IT challenges!
Celebrate our furry family members with a day dedicated to their quirky cuteness! Get dog safety tips from special guest BARK NZ. *no pets will be onsite
create sound effects and dive into epic movie themed adventures!
Foster critical thinking and curiosity with a day full of hands-on physics and chemistry experiments, both in the ‘lab’ and in the field!
Kelly Townsend is a passionate planner. ‘Set things up properly from the start, and the rest will flow,’ she says.
So, naturally, Kelly is all over it when it comes to planning for the end of life. The Red Beach-based funeral celebrant and facilitator for Death Without Debt, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to ensure Kiwis can have an affordable and dignified farewell, knows what she wants for her send-off, and has written her Will.
Kelly wrote her Will in 2019 then amended it recently, in both cases taking advantage of opportunities to create a free Will using lawyers in partnership with Harbour Hospice.
September is Wills Month, and that same opportunity is being offered by lawyers Denham Bramwell Lawyers, Simpson Western North Lawyers and Paxton-Penman et al, who will create or amend a simple Will for you, free of charge, when you include a Gift in your Will to Harbour Hospice.
Kelly says she is very happy to leave a gift in her Will to Harbour Hospice because she volunteers for the charity at its gift-wrapping station at Silverdale Mall every Christmas and used to be a volunteer life story writer; she understands the impact it has in its community. She has also had a good friend cared for by Harbour Hospice ‘who couldn't speak highly enough about their care’.
She adds, ‘I’m also aware that over the next 10 years, the number of deaths is estimated to rise significantly. We will need services like Hospice that provide specialist palliative care, and support people to die at home.’
When you leave a gift in your Will to Harbour Hospice you’re ensuring that hospice care can continue for generations to come. A gift in Will can be any amount you like, it all makes a difference to hospice patients and their families. To arrange your free Will or learn more, contact Harbour Hospice Planned Giving Manager Suzie Smith on 021 226 2741 or suzie.smith@ harbourhospice.org.nz or visit harbourhospice.org.nz/
Jack Ward A rockstar in the making
At just 11 years old, Coastie Jack Ward is already making waves in the New Zealand music scene. The Year 7 Orewa College student has recently been signed to the renowned music agency TPA (The Production Agency). TPA is a well-known music agency that represents some of New Zealand’s top talent. Only picking up the guitar for the first time two years ago, Jack’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary.
It was Jack’s parents who first sparked his musical journey. ‘My mum and dad decided they wanted to learn guitar. They gave me the inspiration to give it a go,’ he says.
That spark quickly turned into a roaring flame. With his dad teaching him a few basic chords and the rest self-taught from YouTube, Jack dove headfirst into the world of music and hasn’t stopped since. Alongside the guitar, Jack also dabbles in drums, teaching himself to play and rocking out to Foo Fighters and Op Shop in his spare time.
‘I love the feeling and the challenge of learning new songs,’ he says. It is that passion and determination that have caught the eyes and ears of some of Aotearoa’s most respected musicians. Since being discovered busking on the streets of Orewa, Jack has had the opportunity to play with an impressive line-up of Kiwi music legends, Jason Kerrison (Op Shop), Andy Lynch (Zed, The Feelers), Andy Keys (Kaylee Bell, The Feelers, Synthony), Matt Short (Sola Rosa), Hamish Gee (The Feelers) and Josh Leys
(Timberland finalist). ‘They have all been really kind to me and taken me under their wing,’ Jack shares. ‘I am hoping I will get to jam with Laughton Kora soon.’
His discovery sounds like something out of a movie: while busking in Orewa, Jack caught the attention of a music agent who tracked down his parents and offered him a chance to perform at the Mairangi Bay Food and Wine Festival. From there, things snowballed.
‘At first I thought my mum and dad were joking,’ he laughs, recalling the moment he was signed to the label. ‘It was pretty unreal. I feel really lucky to have been chosen. It has been such an awesome ride since.’
Jack has several corporate gigs coming up in Auckland and Christchurch, and he has also been booked for the iconic Christmas in the Park, which he is understandably buzzing about.
Locals can often catch Jack busking in Orewa; his favourite spots are in front of the circle sculpture in Moana Reserve or on the stage in Browns Bay during summer. He speaks passionately about his love for busking and can’t wait to get back out there once the weather improves.
As for the future, Jack has big dreams. ‘I’d love to be in a band one day, like Metallica or Ozzy Osbourne. I’m hoping that it will be
and that the
With his talent, drive and humble attitude, Jack Ward is definitely one to watch.
AI-proof
love for live music will still be strong.’
Jorja Millward | Features Contributor
Clarity. Stability. Excellence.
With New Zealand’s education system in transition, Pinehurst offers a stable, internationally recognised Cambridge pathway from Year 1 to Year 13.
Visit us in Albany, just 20 minutes from the Hibiscus Coast, and discover a school where your child can thrive. pinehurst.school.nz
10 Bakehouse Lane 09 426 6646
Our friendly team are here to provide you with a thorough eye examination, the latest fashion frames and technologically advanced lenses for work, sports and everyday wear. We stand by our products, services and expertise with integrity and have proudly supported and cared for our Hibiscus Coast community since 1987. We are right here in the heart of Orewa – Call on us today.
Our Dispensing Opticians Petra, Angela, Christine and Laura
Our Optometrists Grant, Helen, Anuja and Sasha
builders and gain real-life insights into their design and craftsmanship.
In this ‘Show Home Village’, you will find a diverse selection of builders, including nationwide big brands, bespoke home builders, multi award winners, and high performance house specialists, who cater to a wide array of requirements. Each builder offers many different packages, ranging from spec builds, purchase off-plans, or completely bespoke design and builds, providing show home visitors the chance to discover a variety of styles, building options and features that best suit their needs.
To celebrate the launch of the show home village, Milldale and all their approved build partners on the street are running an open day full of fun and excitement on 11 October 2025. It will be a family friendly day packed with activities to suit everyone. Although the final details are yet to be confirmed, we have heard that there will be hungerball (look it up if you're unsure—it's guaranteed to be fun), free ice cream, BBQ, a basketball shooting contest, face painting, hourly prize draws and a chance for visitors to enter the final grand prize draw by visiting all the builders and collecting a special 'something'.
There are many activities planned throughout the day, and the timetable will be confirmed soon and available at www. MilldaleShowHomeVillage.co.nz but you will also be able to check out all the details in the next issue. Remember to save the date so you don’t miss out on this exciting event!
OPEN DAY: 11 October 2025
Meet Terri, your local Pet Companion, based on the Hibiscus Coast. With over 6 years experience in the animal industry and certifications in veterinary nursing, animal management and PET First Aid, Terri offers personalised pet care services. Her holistic approach nurtures the whole pet—mind, body and spirit.
SERVICES INCLUDE
Dog Walking: pack adventures and scenic walks
Pet Sitting: day care, overnight stays and customised visits
Specialised Care: senior strolls, café outings, pet taxi and medication administration
Terri prioritises the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, ensuring your pet’s happiness and wellbeing.
TAKING A HIKE
Te Arai Beach walk
Just an hour’s drive north of Orewa, at the end of a winding gravel, forest-lined road, lies the southern headland of Te Arai Beach – a spot that feels remote, wild and peaceful.
My friends and I set off with the forecast promising sunshine, but as we pulled into the carpark, the skies told a different story. Thick, dark clouds gathered overhead, and drizzle began to fall. Still, we were keen to get moving, so we headed up the muddy track, slipping a bit here and there but it all added to the fun. We had a bit of a sodden twenty minutes up and over the headland, hoping the weather would turn.
And it did. The rain eased, the clouds began to lift, and suddenly we were walking along Te Arai Beach with peaks of blue sky. The beach was stunning – long stretches of sand, barely a soul in sight apart from a few surfers carving waves and horse riders trotting along the shoreline. The ocean’s steady roar felt a bit West Coast, and the whole place had a kind of untouched magic to it.
We carried on north, eventually reaching an inlet with a surprisingly strong current. Navigating across it added a bit of adventure to the walk, but we managed okay and kept going, soaking up the solitude and the raw beauty of the coast.
After about 5km, we turned back and retraced our steps along the beach. With the sun now fully out, the headland looked even more stunning, and the return walk was drier, hotter and the views were spectacular.
To round off the day, we stopped at Ric’s Café for a late lunch. Great food, beautiful outlook, and even a mini golf course if you’re up for a bit of fun. It was the perfect way to wind down after a solid walk.
Te Arai Beach is one of those places that reminds you how special New Zealand’s coastline really is – wild, beautiful, and just far enough off the beaten track to feel like an adventure.
Carmen Bird
Carmen Bird Photography www.carmenbirdphotography.co.nz 021 310320 For framed landscape prints PRINT SHOP | All | Carmen Bird Photography
I am a local in Millwater aged between 50 and 60, and I recently had my prostate removed due to prostate cancer. The only outcome I would like from telling my story is that if you are over 50, please ask your doctor when you have a blood test to include a prostate test for your PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen), the main indicator for prostate cancer. If you have a family history of prostate cancer you should check from as low as 40 years of age.
The prostate PSA for a male of 50-60 years should be no higher than 3.5. If it is, it means it needs to be investigated as there may be other contributing factors to this level. Fiftyish is considered on the younger side for prostate cancer as most diagnosis are 65 plus, but it can rarely affect men from their 20s. I am no doctor, so please don’t take what I say as gospel, this is just my personal experience.
I was lucky that I have regular blood tests completed a few times a year due to hereditary high cholesterol. Late last year my PSA came in at 4.4, which is still very much on the low side, and it never went higher than 5.1. I had no other symptoms or contributing factors to alarm me to be checked, apart from a low flow rate, which I thought was normal for aging men. After an internal examination, which was negative, my doctor suggested, just to be safe, I see a urologist, which I did through surgical insurance. I had an initial internal examination, which came back negative, but the specialist suggested getting an MRI completed to be sure, but with no rush as he thought there was a slim chance of cancer. I wanted it sorted ASAP so I booked the MRI and I had it within two weeks.
The MRI came back with 9mm PIRADS 4 lesion, which came to mean I had a 60-80% chance of Prostate Cancer. Then there was over two months’ wait, due to the Christmas shutdown. I was keeping positive and hoping for the best. I had booked for a transperineal prostate biopsy in late January, and this came back positive for prostate cancer.
After careful consideration and professional advice, I decided to have my prostate removed. I booked in June 2025 to have a robotic prostatectomy. It was 4-hour operation, with only one overnight stay and then home to recover. I had my catheter removed after 10 days, with almost immediate continence (which was one of my biggest fears) and feeling 95%. They suggest a 7-week recovery but to be honest I felt fine after two weeks, just with no lifting over 5kg.
At the follow-up appointment with my urologist after 11 days, it showed with the biopsy taken at the time of the operation that they had removed all the cancer and my long term prognosis was very positive.
The whole experience for me has been really positive and I feel I have a new lease on life and am ready to move ahead to the next stage of my journey.
Guest Coastie Contributor
Summerset Milldale Open Days
Summerset Milldale is a vibrant retirement community located in the new suburb of Milldale. Here, you’ll enjoy peaceful living with flat walkways, cycleways, and convenient access to Silverdale via the new bridge. Our pet-friendly homes, community shops, and relaxed lifestyle create an inviting atmosphere in this connected and growing area.
A range of two-bedroom villas are available with flexible pricing starting from $924,100*.
We know that moving to a retirement village is a big decision. So why not come along to our upcoming Open Days in September. See for yourself why our residents love the Summerset life.
Here is the reality about the trend that’s damaging skin — and the inside-out secret to a lasting glow.
The glass skin illusion
As winter fades, it’s tempting to chase the latest beauty craze. Right now, that’s glass skin. This wet-look, poreless finish
is flooding social media feeds, Sephora hauls and skincare forums. But here’s the reality: in pursuit of that polished, ultrasmooth ideal, many people are unknowingly over-exfoliating, overusing actives and damaging their skin barrier. In fact, the ‘glass skin’ trend is making many skincare professionals cringe, as it encourages harsh routines that strip and sensitise skin.
Studies suggest more than 60% of women are now dealing with sensitised, inflamed skin because of these harsh routines. Skin isn’t meant to look like glass — it’s meant to be alive, with texture, resilience, and movement. Real skin tells a story; it’s healthy, functional and protects you from the outside world.
Your internal glow system
This is where your lymphatic system comes in. It’s your skin’s natural drainage network, quietly removing toxins, waste, and excess fluid that contribute to puffiness, dullness and breakouts. Unlike your circulatory system, it has no pump — it relies entirely on movement, deep breathing and massage to do its job.
Facial massage is one of the most effective, non-invasive ways to stimulate lymphatic flow and bring life back to dull, congested skin. Just a few minutes of gentle massage can encourage circulation, reduce puffiness, and leave your complexion looking naturally brighter — no scrubs or harsh peels required.
Spring skin tips
Hydrate well: Aim for at least two litres of water a day. Herbal teas or citrus water can make it more enjoyable.
Stimulate lymph flow: Try dry body brushing, gentle stretches, facial massage at home, or book a professional facial for a deeper boost.
Skip harsh exfoliants: Avoid gritty at-home scrubs which can cause microtears in your skin. Opt for gentle enzyme exfoliations performed by a professional for safer results.
Focus on barrier repair: Use products with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides, peptides and fatty acids to strengthen and hydrate.
Forget filters and the fleeting glass skin trend this spring. Nourish your skin from the inside out and reveal a truly authentic and healthy glow.
Kerry Venter Health & Skincare Therapist Mint Skin & Body Therapy
www.mintskinbody.co.nz 020 4126 2064
THE FICTION SPOT
The Ballad of Old Digger Jack
By Paula Kora
So pour me an ale and I’ll tell you the tale
Of a fella we called Digger Jack.
Had a horse and a gun, an old dog called Skunk Lived right here in the town of Marnee.
One summer’s night in the pub with no name Digger Jack and the mutt rose to fame.
He’d just ordered a drink when in through the door Came his brother Slim Jim and Raylene.
Digger swallowed his rum then he picked up his gun Bang! Bang! Shot them both point blank dead.
For Raylene was his wife and the love of his life Till Slim Jim reappeared on the scene.
Kneeling over their bodies with old Skunk at his heel He whispered these words to deaf ears.
“Shouldna left me Raylene Shouldna cheated on me Shoulda stayed right here by my side.
And what kinda fella steals the wife of his brother
And leaves an old dog for company instead?”
Digger Jack went to ground, never saw him again Not surprisin’ considrin’ what went down.
But each year on the date when Raylene met her fate
Red roses appear on her grave.
Oh poor poor Raylene.
Shouldna cheated with Jim Shoulda stayed by Jack’s side
Shoulda gave all her lovin’ to him
Shoulda known there’d be strife
Cos a bloke has his pride
Shoulda known in this town you can’t hide.
Poor poor Raylene.
Hibiscus Coast Writers
For more information, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Membership Secretary, Paula at paulajkora@hotmail.com
COOKING QUESTIONS
Your own personal chef with Mark Lane
I have been cooking professionally for 39 years. My business, Culinary Lane Catering, is based in Millwater, providing three and five course dinners in your home, out-catering and grazing tables. Gain the benefit of my experience by emailing me your cooking questions.
Teresa: Do you have any ideas for desserts that are simple to make but look like you’ve made an effort? I always focus on the main course and then don’t have enough energy forfaffing around with complicated sweet courses.
I always think a water bath set crème brûlée is simple if you find a good recipe that only has four main ingredients and can be impressive for your guests. It’s also easy to change the flavour by adding different fruits, alcohol and other sweet flavours. There are so many good premade sweet and flaky pastries around that you can make nice tarts or sweet pies with (lemon, chocolate, almond, fruit). The main thing is to blind bake the pastry first to achieve a crisp pastry shell. Google recipes for tiramisu, pana cotta, sweet mousses and trifle to name a few. Look at some chocolate or sugar garnishes which aren’t that hard to make but can make a dramatic difference to the look of your desserts.
Thomas: If I wanted to eventually become an in-home/catering chef like you, what career progression would you suggest? Is it still a good idea to start out in commercial kitchens? Thanks very much.
There are no shorts to learning how to cook as a profession. I believe the only way to be a well-rounded cook/chef is to work in good European-style professional kitchen. Whether it’s a restaurant or a hotel, I believe you need to change jobs around every two years to keep learning from as many different chefs and learn as many different styles as possible to broaden your culinary repertoire. The skills required to be able to run an in-house catering business is quite extensive as you need to have knowledge and skills in all parts of the kitchen, including cold and hot entrees, mains, desserts, banqueting, canapes, finger food, platters and then having some knowledge in ethnic cuisines, as well as good management skills.
I am certainly not saying don’t do it, however, you need to be able to commit to obtaining a strong cooking background first. One of the pitfalls for young/new chefs is they can move up the ranks too quickly and this can stifle them learning new things as they are doing more main course cooking and managing rather than learning all aspects of food. I tried to get as much culinary knowledge as possible before I took on any Head Chef job. Don’t plan to be become an in-home/catering chef, just plan to be a good cook/ chef and then see where it takes you. People seem to think it’s a glamorous career but it’s hard work, long, unsocial hours working
nights and weekends and it can be hot, stressful and grubby. But saying all that I wouldn’t change my job for anything. Happy cooking.
Mark Lane | Culinary Lane Catering
Diwali Extravaganza 2025 Lighting up our community together for Harbour Hospice
This year, the Hibiscus Coast is set to sparkle with Diwali Extravaganza 2025, a fundraising event in support of Harbour Hospice Hibiscus Coast, being organised by the Rotary Club of Orewa-Millwater. This event offers an opportunity to experience the colours, lights, tastes and culture of India, featuring wonderful food (by Cheeky Chapati, Orewa), authentic Indian musical entertainment, floorshows and unity. Mark down Saturday, 18 October 2025, for an unforgettable evening, as we bring together families, friends, neighbours and businesses to celebrate the Festival of Lights in grand style, while supporting the wonderful community services provided by Harbour Hospice.
Diwali is a celebration of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Diwali signifies the victory of hope, knowledge and righteousness over ignorance, negativity and injustice. This is represented through various symbolic acts such as lighting diyas (lamps), which symbolize the inner light that illuminates our path and banishes darkness.
Diwali Extravaganza 2025 will be a showcase of our community’s heart and spirit in supporting Harbour Hospice, a wonderful community charity that has touched the lives of so many people. This event continues the successful legacy of the Greek Extravaganza, organised by the Rotary Club of Orewa-Millwater, which, from 2017-2023, raised $140,000 for Harbour Hospice.
Locals supporting local charities
Events like this don’t just happen – they’re powered by the support of local residents and businesses that believe in giving back to the community. And here’s something worth remembering: as we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.
Get a table of friends together and secure your tickets
Attending this event is a great way to demonstrate your support for our community.
Organise a group, buy your tickets and enjoy a wonderful cultural event of colour, lights, authentic Indian food and entertainment – all while knowing that you are helping a Harbour Hospice, which has served our community for over 40 years.
Let’s shine together
As we mentioned, Diwali is all about light triumphing over darkness and togetherness overcoming division. By joining us in supporting the event, you become a part of that story. And in return, our community will shine a light on you.
Tickets, $90 per person, $850 for a table of 10 can be purchased online at https://harbourhospice.org.nz/event/ diwali-extravaganza/.
Theo Simeonidis & Geetanjali Vashisth Co-Convenors, Diwali Extravaganza 2025
Photo: Paul Conroy
Jewellery maintenance
Why a little care goes a long way
Jewellery maintenance isn’t often at the top of people’s minds, until something goes wrong.
I’m reminded of this every time a client brings a treasured piece in need of urgent repair, because a stone has fallen out. This can happen if you've worn a ring continually for a couple of decades without any
preventive care.
The tips of the claws that hold gemstones secure wear off over time, and you often won’t notice until the stone is no longer there. This can be distressing.
Regular maintenance is a simple but essential safeguard. This may just be a case of building up a claw, reinforcing a setting, or
replacing worn components.
If carried out in time these repairs can be quick, relatively inexpensive, and can save both the heartache and the financial cost of replacing a lost stone or remaking a cherished design from scratch.
Maintenance brings the added benefit of rejuvenation. Professional cleaning and polishing can restore a piece’s original brilliance, removing the build-up of oils, lotions and daily wear so your gemstones reflect light and sparkle as they did the day you purchased them. Customers often comment on how good their jewellery looks after a professional clean and polish.
Think of jewellery care as you would a regular service for your car – preventative attention keeps everything performing at its best. Just as you wouldn’t wait for your car to break down before booking a service, it’s wise to have your jewellery checked.
A little care now truly can preserve the beauty, security and sentiment of your treasured pieces, ensuring they can be worn, and loved for generations.
Top tip: Get your jewellery independently valued, and make sure that each item of jewellery is specified on your insurance policy. Failure to do so will result in an offer of cash settlement in the event of loss, in my experience this is rarely adequate. Lastly, it is important to understand your consumer rights at claim time.
Greg Holland | Master Jeweller Holland & Co Fine Jewellery
www.hollandandco.co.nz
THE GREEN SPOT
Wonderfully wonky, fabulously floral
It’s a busy time of year for birthdays in our whānau and a gift idea I’ve long avoided is cut flowers, because of the high carbon footprint of the floral industry. But now a new company has made it possible to purchase a beautiful bouquet without the guilt. In fact, with Wonky Flowers you can sign up to a subscription to receive a regular delivery of seasonal stems and know that you are saving them from disposal.
You might be familiar with Wonky Box, which provides produce that supermarkets have rejected due to being odd looking or surplus in quantity. I wrote about this sustainably minded business previously and it has now broadened to include bunches of flowers and greenery that would otherwise go to waste.
Florists often have strict cosmetic standards, ruling out stems that are too short, too curvy or too abundant due to growers oversupplying to meet an unpredictable demand. All this time, energy, water and care goes into a product that is often discarded at the last hurdle and the environment is paying the cost. Wonky Flowers took the opportunity to rescue these blooms, fresh from the farm, and deliver them to homes to be admired.
You can choose your frequency and cancel at any time, allowing you to send them to a
friend as a one off, but surely you deserve to brighten your own home with a regular arrival for your table centrepiece? Or you can temporarily adjust your delivery address to share the love around. Gift cards are available, which extend to their fruit and vegetable boxes too, but you will need to check they deliver to the address of the recipient.
The flowers are of top quality – they have just been overlooked, perhaps due to a tiny quirk in appearance or sometimes they are from an order cancelled at the last minute.
They’ll come with a flower food sachet and on the website you’ll find a blog with tips for arranging, choosing a vase and keeping your flowers alive for longer. The advice is to change the water every 3-4 days, refreshing the stalks with an angular snip each time. Wilting can be delayed by placing your display away from sun, heaters, draughts and fruit that give off ethylene gas, such as bananas and kiwifruit. Also, removing any faded or droopy blooms keeps the rest of the bunch happy. That might be your cue to switch to a smaller vase or jar for appearance’s sake, but don’t use unlined metal vases as they can leach chemicals, while anything with a soapy residue can throw off the PH stopping your stalks from drinking.
So go to wonkybox.nz and click on the Wonky Flowers banner to sign up for your perfectly imperfect posy and show kindness to the Earth, in gratitude for its fabulous floral gift.
Hayley Crawford | @trashtalkingmama
Do you need a well-fitting bra? comfortable, supportive,
Then visit Rich Lingerie in Albany and let us professionally and personally fit you. We have been helping customers feel at ease and look their best for over 30 years. We stock bras in back size 6-30 and cup size C-LL. Choose from a huge range of Elomi, Goddess, Fantasie, Freya and other brands.
How to protect yourself from scams and fraud
Protect yourself from scams and fraud by getting tips and advice from Citizens Advice Bureau or the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) (formerly CERTNZ). NCSC have developed a website called
OwnYourOnline, which provides security tips on choosing passwords, two factor authentication, improving your online privacy and security, a self-assessment tool to help you stay secure online and a scam checker – a quick check tool to find out if you might be being scammed.
NCSC’s top tips are to:
• take care who you give your personal information to
Upcoming Exhibitions & Events
“The Embroiderers’ Art” Northern North Island Embroiderers guilds
“The Painter and the Potter” Patsy Fisher and Gail Smith
Estuary Arts Members Gallery
September School Holiday programme for kids and teens aged 5 years and up.
• do not be pressured into making hasty decisions
• practise good computer security
• be aware of suspicious electronic mail
• check your financial records regularly
• educate yourself about the range of scams
For more insights into these tips, see www.OwnYourOnline.govt. nz or, get in touch with your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and they can talk through any questions you have.
You can also join Hibiscus Coast Neighbourhood Support, CAB Hibiscus Coast and ASB for their safety talk at Orewa Library on Thursday, 4 September 2025, from 10am to 12noon.
You can contact CAB for free, confidential info and advice on freephone 0800 367 222, online at cab.org.nz (send a message or speak with a volunteer on live chat), or visit one of our seven CAB locations around the North Shore & Rodney : cab.org.nz/find-a-cab/
CAB Hibiscus Coast locations
Orewa Community Centre Mon-Fri: 9:30am to 3pm
Whangaparaoa Library Wed: 10am to 12noon (excluding public holiday)
Spring lawn care
Simple steps now will give you a lush, healthy lawn all summer long.
After months of slow winter growth, spring signals the start of your lawn’s most active season. Warmer temperatures, longer days and a sprinkle of rainfall provide the perfect conditions for grass to bounce back, but only if you give it a little help.
Mow for growth
In early spring, raise your mower’s cutting height to allow the grass to strengthen after winter. Start mowing only once the grass has begun to actively grow. Jumping the gun too early can result in damage to the grass blades, which may prevent the lawn from being able to grow back properly.
Rake your lawn
Spring is the perfect time to give your lawn
a light rake. Over the cooler months, dead leaves, grass clippings and other debris often accumulate, forming a layer called thatch. This build-up can block sunlight, air and water from reaching the soil, leaving your lawn looking dull and patchy. By raking away this layer, you allow your grass to breathe, encouraging healthy growth and a lush, vibrant lawn for the season ahead.
Aerate
and top dress
If your lawn feels compacted or has poor drainage, aerate to allow oxygen, water and nutrients to penetrate the soil. Top dress with a fine layer of lawn mix to even out low spots and encourage new growth.
Check your mower
Give your mower a good clean. Remove all grass clippings, dirt and debris from the deck, engine and wheels. This kind of
build-up can hold moisture, leading to rust and corrosion. Inspect the mower blades before the new season begins. Then consider if your mower could do with a service. If you see bent blades, chips, dents or other imperfections that would cause uneven cutting, it’s time to replace them or get them sharpened. Gasoline can go bad in as little as 30 days so if gas has been sitting in your mower all winter, drain it and refill with fresh gas.
By investing a little time in spring lawn care, you’ll give your grass the best possible start for the season ahead, resulting in a lush, healthy lawn you can enjoy all summer. If you need a new mower or a service, head into Gatmans Mowers and More – their experts are ready to help.
www.gatmans.co.nz
Soaring insurance premiums put Kiwi families under pressure
For many New Zealand households in 2025, personal insurance is no longer a ‘set-andforget’ expense. Sharp premium hikes — with some health insurers increasing rates by more than 20% this year — are forcing families to make tough choices about what they can afford to keep. Rising costs for life, health, income protection, and even home insurance, have pushed the sector into the top tier of household financial concerns, alongside housing, groceries and debt.
The drivers are complex. Health costs are climbing due to medical inflation, an ageing population, a backlog of access to medical diagnoses and treatment during the long COVID lockdowns – leading to increased claims and growing demand
your personal and family risks, compares providers and structures cover so you’re protected where it matters most — without paying for extras you don’t need. Advisers have access to a wide range of products and can often negotiate terms or find options you may not discover on your own. UProtectNZ’s brochure, The Six Universal Rules of Life & Health Insurance, provides a sound basis for approaching personal insurances (copies are available on request).
Just as importantly, when it comes time to claim, an adviser is your advocate — helping to navigate insurer processes and ensuring you receive what you’re entitled to. In a time when disputes and declined claims are on the rise, that support can be invaluable.
for faster access to treatment. Inflation has been adding further upward pressure.
Faced with these realities, some Kiwis are reducing cover, increasing excesses or cancelling policies altogether. But cutting the wrong protection can leave families financially exposed when illness, disability or loss of income strikes. The challenge is to strike a balance between affordability and the right level of protection — and that’s where the value of an experienced insurance adviser really comes into play.
A skilled insurance adviser analyses
The bottom line? Soaring premiums are, unfortunately, a reality in today’s insurance market, but going without cover is a gamble few families can afford to take. Working with a knowledgeable, independent adviser helps you make smart, informed decisions — protecting both your budget and your peace of mind.
Helping our clients is what we do! Providing security and peace of mind for you, your family and your business.
Theo Simeonidis
UProtectNZ Insurance Services
Theo Simeonidis is a Financial Adviser, living and working in Millwater on the Hibiscus Coast, and specialising in personal and business insurances. Theo can be contacted on 027 248 9320 or email theo@uprotectnz.com. Any assistance is provided on a free, no-obligation basis. A public disclosure statement is available on the www.uprotectnz.com website.
Is the customer always right?
If a customer expects one thing and gets something different there are a whole lot of factors at play. There are exceptions but, we as business owners need to own this mistake first.
How do we know what the customer expectations are? What is the ideal customer experience? How do we know that is the case?
Whilst experience and learned behaviour about what to expect from a business plays a part, the majority of these questions can be answered by asking your customers. Feedback forms, focus groups, asking at the till, asking for referrals, watching reactions.
The most reliable feedback comes when the person doesn’t feel confronted to give a safe answer, which does not help anyone. Waiter: ‘How’s the food?’ Reply: ‘Good’. That’s not helpful. Be authentic with your question and show you care. Better still, have someone who didn’t perform the service ask the question. That’s less confrontational. If you ask for feedback make sure you are seen to act on it. Don’t be afraid of bad feedback. It’s an opportunity.
The biggest opportunity is how you deal with a complaint. Research says that a prompt and fair response to a complaint will build loyalty. Plan as if you’re responding to every customer you want to have. Stories of wellhandled complaints get shared. Equally the reverse applies ten-fold.
How do we influence a customer’s expectations?
The way you present your business plays a big part in what a customer will expect. This is also called your brand promise. First impressions count. If you say you do something in a particular way, do it that way! Consider the value of under promising so
you can over deliver. Communicate at all times, especially if events are not going to plan – don’t leave them wondering.
Why do we do what we do, in that way. Is this helping our business?
You’ve heard the term customer centric. Being customer centric means putting yourself in your customer’s shoes. Don’t tell customers what YOU want them to know, think, what do THEY want to know, or want? Then engineer your whole operation to deliver this.
The best customer experiences are when the customer gets what they expect, and it’s easy. Remove barriers, over deliver. If the customer experiences something unexpected, the business needs to own this.
• Bookkeeping
• Office Administration
• Recruitment
Kelsey Scott
Phone: 027 493-3746
www coastbizservices co nz
Email: coastbizservices@yahoo com
Once you have built the ideal customer experience make sure you staff know how to deliver it, and have ways of measuring how they are.
Chris Norris | AllBrand
Cert. MKTG | MCC | Cert. Typography
Former Chairman of Business Whangaparaoa and Board Member for Silverdale Business. He is also a mentor with the Business Mentors Programme at MBIE. Now running a locally focussed branding business. Allbrand.co.nz –Revealing the true USP in businesses. Chris@ allbrand.co.nz
(Edited by Chris Norris from a session between members of the Independent Board facilitated by Steve Myatt)
THEoAsTiEs MAG
Silverdale & Districts
Historical Society (Inc) & Silverdale Pioneer Village
Discounts & free design apply when booking for multiple consecutive issues.
advertising@thecoastiesmag.co.nz 021 771 140
+GST
Do you remember when children’s TV was not available and computers had not even been thought of?
The theme for this year’s Auckland Heritage Festival, taking place next month, is Games of yesteryear. Come along for some old fashion fun and games, bring the kids, ditch the digital for the day and take a trip down memory lane.
On these days Devonshire Teas will be served in the parsonage (for only $8 each) and our Treats & Treasures Gift Shop will be open. Entry is by donation.
2025 Auckland Heritage Festival: Games of yesteryear
Saturday, 20 and Sunday, 21 September 10am to 3pm each day
Our family experienced an unforgettable 7-night Blue Lagoon Cruise through the stunning Yasawa Islands of Fiji—a heartwarming and enriching journey. Traveling with our adult children made it even more special, as we all enjoyed the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and meaningful cultural moments.
Each day brought new highlights: snorkeling with reef sharks, swimming in crystal-clear lagoons, and soaking up the sun on remote, pristine beaches. One of the most touching experiences was visiting a local village school. It was humbling to see how the children learn with such basic resources, yet with so much joy and enthusiasm. Bringing them school supplies brought smiles to their wee faces and filled our hearts.
We were also lucky to be there during a local rugby tournament. The energy, community spirit, and passion on the field were infectious. Watching the teams play with such pride was a real treat and added something truly memorable to our journey.
A peaceful and moving moment was attending a Sunday church service in one of the villages. The Fijian singing was absolutely beautiful—pure, harmonious, and deeply spiritual.
Onboard, the crew were nothing short of fantastic—fun, friendly, and full of life. Our kids especially loved joining the games and evening entertainment. The food was great and included in your cruise cost, I do have to say we were never hungry! Drinks are additional (except for tea, coffee and water).
This cruise gave us memories we’ll treasure forever, and sharing it as a family made it all the more meaningful. We’re already dreaming of our return.
Blue Lagoon Cruises offer 3, 4, or 7-night options. I’d highly recommend at least 4 nights so you can visit the stunning Blue Lagoon cave, where The Blue Lagoon movie was filmed. If you can swing it, 7 nights is perfect. The cruise departs from Denarau on Friday afternoons—perfectly timed for flights from New Zealand.
Michelle | Bucket List Travel
michelle@bucketlisttravel.co.nz
Cut pile vs loop pile carpet What’s the difference?
When it comes to choosing carpet for your home, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is between cut pile and loop pile carpet. These two styles differ in how the carpet fibres are woven and finished, and each offer unique benefits in terms of look, feel and durability. Choosing between them depends on priorities such as desired softness, durability and appearance. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide which is right for your space.
What is cut pile carpet?
Cut pile carpet is made by cutting the loops of fibre, leaving the ends standing upright. This gives a soft, plush feel underfoot. Variations include plush, frieze and twist, and each has a slightly different texture.
They come in a huge variety of qualities and price ranges and in high weight, longer pile options offer a luxurious feel and opulent look. These higher weight carpets do show footprints and other tracking and wear over time, so it’s best to bear that in mind when purchasing. If you’re not fond of footprints and vacuum marks you should opt for a lower, tightly packed pile.
Cut pile carpet is best for:
• living rooms and bedrooms where comfort is key
• homeowners who want a soft, elegant look
• spaces where you’d like a cosy, welcoming feel
• offering a more blanket, one-colour look on the floor
Consider your lifestyle
What is loop pile carpet?
Loop pile carpet is made by leaving the yarn loops uncut, creating a strong, textured surface. This style is known for its durability and resistance to crushing, which makes it a practical choice for busy households. Most of the loop piles sold in New Zealand are made from wool, which is the best fibre for these styles as it tends not to flatten as easy as synthetic materials.
Loop pile carpets offer stylish textures and designs, ranging from a minimalist appearance to bold, unique patterns. Depending which style you choose, loop pile carpets can offer a classic or casual look. Some have a formal, linear look, others are very textured and chunky, and some have random loops giving a more casual feel. They hide the dirt well but pet claws can occasionally snag the loops.
Loop pile carpet is best for:
• high-traffic areas such as hallways, stairs, and family rooms
• homes with kids
• those who prefer a more casual, textured look
• those who don’t like the look of tracking or shading
While you may be dreaming of a pristine, light-coloured carpet, you need to think about what's practical. If you have a young family or pets, look for a durable carpet in a forgiving colour like a textured loop pile or a quality hard twist cut pile in a subtle blend of colours. If you’re looking for a touch of luxury, you might go for a plush pile in a flat colour. In high traffic areas such as hallways and stairs, a loop pile or hard twist cut pile is best.
MORTGAGE MATTERS
What is a revolving credit mortgage?
A revolving credit is a type of home loan that works like a big overdraft. You can deposit money into this account type and take money back out as often as you like without incurring fees – so long as you stay within your approved limit.
This facility is different from a regular mortgage, as you’ll only pay interest on the amount outstanding (not the limit). For example, if you have a portion of your mortgage set up as a revolving credit facility with a $100,000 limit loaded, and you deposit $20,000 into your revolving credit, then you’ll only pay interest on the remaining $80,000. You would also still be free to spend the $20,000 if you wanted to.
There are two types of revolving credit facilities. Reducing facilities have their limits reducing slowly over time, much like a normal mortgage where you make principal and interest repayments. With non-reducing facilities the limit remains the same.
The benefits of a revolving credit mortgage is that they:
• may help you pay your mortgage off faster – there is no limit to extra payments and no fees
• provide you with extra flexibility – you can deposit as much as you like and withdraw as often as you need
• have a lower interest rate than a normal
Donations & Volunteers Welcome
• Meeting rooms for hire
• Groups and courses
• Community shop
• Car seat rental
• Foodbank
• Jigsaw library
overdraft facility – a bank overdraft is similar but typically with a much higher interest rate
• only require you to pay interest on money you’ve used
The drawbacks of a revolving credit mortgage are that they can be dangerous if you’re not disciplined, as you’re able to withdraw the money you deposit at any time, so it’s easy to spend the funds on other (more exciting) things. Revolving credits work best for those who can follow a strict budget and don’t overspend, otherwise a standard mortgage might work better for you.
Making a revolving credit mortgage work for you
The idea behind a revolving credit facility is to use it as a flexible savings and repayment tool. For example, your goal could be to put aside $1,000 each month in your revolving credit account. So, if you set up your mortgage with a $12,000 revolving credit limit, you could pay the entire thing off within one year.
If you had a $400,000 loan with an 8% interest rate and a 30-year loan term and you followed the above example, you could potentially pay your loan off more than 14 years sooner and pay around $380,000 less interest.
If you’re wanting to look at ways to repay your mortgage faster, we recommend that you seek help from an experienced Mortgage Adviser. Let’s chat! Contact Wayne Henry on 021 423 818 or email wayne@ waynehenry.co.nz.
Wayne Henry | Wayne Henry Mortgages
Wayne & Karen Henry are Millwater locals. Wayne is a Financial Adviser specialising in mortgages and Karen supports him with all admin related work. Wayne’s Disclosure Statement is available free of charge on request or can be downloaded via website https://www.waynehenry.co.nz/ wayne-henry-mortgage-adviser/
THE FISHING SPOT WITH TIM
Spring is here – and so are the fish!
After a long winter of wind, rain and chilly mornings, I’m more than ready for calm seas and warmer days. The good news? Spring is here and the fishing is already firing.
The work-ups never really stopped over winter, they just shifted further north, out from Omaha and halfway toward Little Barrier. The gannets have been putting on a show, but here’s the trick: don’t waste fuel chasing them around. Instead, trust the process. If you see birds working, mark the spot, then spend half an hour drifting through where you last saw them. Even better, find a flock sitting tight on the water and drift nearby.
The golden rule: always approach from
the windward side and let your drift carry you down past them. Too many boats roar straight through the birds, which is pointless — the fish aren’t up top, they’re 50 metres down and usually sitting down-current anyway. Patience pays. Keep your line in the water, play the percentage game, and you’ll do far better than those burning fuel all day chasing shadows.
On my last mission, I teamed up with an old mate, the same guy I first fished with when we moved up here. Like old times, we pushed off in the dark to catch the sunrise and fished the change of light. With the tide running just right, the morning session was magic with decent sized snapper on the chew in 20 metres of water until the tide slowed.
After that, we pushed wide looking for birds, and sure enough, under the gannets we found a solid school of fish around the 40–45cm mark. The conditions couldn’t have been better — glassy seas, not a breath of wind, so calm we never even touched the sea anchor. By 12:30pm, the bin was full, the smiles were wide and we headed home to clean up.
If that’s a taste of what spring has in store, I’ll be out there every chance I get. What a magic day, glassy seas, solid fish and great company - Tight lines!
Tim Lawrence
So many eye drops
How do you choose the right one?
It’s time to celebrate the change of season –spring is here!
Itchy eyes? Could be allergies.
With warmer weather comes an increase in allergens and pollutants in the air. Allergies are triggered by pollen released by trees and grasses during spring and summer. For seasonal allergies there are several types of eye drops that can provide relief.
Antihistamine eye drops offer quick relief from redness and itchy eyes. Zaditen eye drops block histamine, the chemical that is released during an allergic reaction. The single vial Zaiten is a preservative free eye drop which is particularly important for anyone who is sensitive to preservatives. Your optometrist will be able to advise you if Zaditen would be a good option for you.
Lubricating eye drops will soothe dryness and can also help to flush out allergens.
Eyes watering excessively? Could be dry eye.
There is an extensive array of lubricating drops on the market these days so it can be quite daunting trying to work out
Let our knowledge and experience be your advantage. For legal matters relating to Wills,
which is the right one for your needs. In this blustery weather, our eyes’ tear film can easily become unbalanced, leaving us with a deficiency in the tear film layers. Systane Complete is one option that relieves all types of dry eye. It replenishes both oily and watery components of the tear film.
It is important to note that if you use lubricating drops more than four times a day, or if you are on other medication eye drops, it is worth considering nonpreserved artificial tears.
Systane Hydration is another drop that helps to provide greater moisture retention and is excellent for healing. Systane Hydration can be used before and/or after ocular surgery, including cataract surgery, and can also be used with soft contact lenses.
Pop into Orewa Optics and our knowledgeable and friendly staff will be able to help you navigate the range of eye drops available.
Orewa Optics are here Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm, and enjoy extended hours until 7:00pm on Tuesdays. Call us today 09 426 6646 or book online.
orewaoptics.co.nz
COASTGUARD
Becoming ‘qualified’ crew
A small glimpse at the training and dedication of our Coastguard volunteers
Recently, I attended the Coastguard Qualified Crew Intensive Course.
The course is a fully focused practical course where training can be revisited and fine-tuned prior to completing the operational practical assessment. Much like a ‘finishing school’, it provides an intensive week of training and review of all the skills, knowledge and practical training we receive over our recruitment, deckhand and operational training stages, with the incentive that at the end of the course you may be offered an assessment to become ‘Qualified’.
Our course included eight wonderful coastguard volunteers from around the country merging at the Auckland Marine Rescue Centre at Mechanics Bay – the home of the Coastguard Operations Centre, Auckland Coastguard and the Maritime Police Unit. Here we set up home for the week and emersed ourselves into everything Coastguard, balancing classroom sessions with nearly 50hrs on the water.
The eight of us divided into two teams, each with a dedicated Senior Instructor and an allocated a vessel for the week. Our vessel was Tirikawa.
The week started on Sunday afternoon with a debrief and a boat familiarisation followed by the first of many pre-departure/start up checks. It was suggested, wisely, we head back for an early night. Before we left, we were told that each morning we would present a weather report for the team. The report had to include the wind, tides, moon and sun rise and set, rainfall, visibility, temp/UV, Notice to Mariners (found on the AT website) and any shipping movements on that day. So much for an early night.
Monday morning we headed out for the day on the vessel, focussing on boat handling and control, coming alongside (a wharf or vessel, utilising a spring line) basic navigation and emergency procedures. This became a common theme for the week. Most of the day was spent rotating around the different functions on the vessel allowing time for us to get comfortable and familiar with the boat, while the
instructor started assessing our capabilities.
That evening as a treat, especially for those who’d travelled from outside Auckland, we went out to experience the ‘nights lights’ of the harbour. The harbour on the water and at night is a unique experience. Understanding the navigational lights and the lights on other vessels moving around the harbour can be a challenge, especially with the distraction of our largest city lit up in the background.
Tuesday’s focus was on several specific skills including anchoring the vessel, setting a course to a specific latitude/longitude waypoint and then navigating the vessel demonstrating close loop communication.
The night’s challenge was a circumnavigation of Rangitoto Is / Motutapu Is, through the Rakino Channel and back to AMRC. This provided an opportunity to work on our radar skills, particularly, as we headed back towards North Head and into the busy harbour.
We did have a treat that night as we watched Sparky (the electric tugboat) manoeuvre a large ship alongside the wharf.
Wednesday and Thursday saw us on the water most of the time, working on CQM (close quarter manoeuvres), a skill especially important for those of us that regularly return vessels to marinas, such as Gulf Harbour or up the Weiti River. We then spent time replicating someone lost in the water. This included navigating and helming several different search patterns and fine tuning the techniques to retrieve someone from the water and back to safety. It was also an opportunity to utilise boat control and our first aid training. And we had a visit from some of the Gulf’s amazing marine life.
Thursday morning we spent time practicing the important skill of towing and barging a vessel. We often must tow a vessel back to their home mooring or boat ramp. When we get close to this destination we will swap from towing to coming along side and
attach barge lines for the final part of the journey. This requires a great deal of boat control and teamwork, especially in tricky weather conditions.
In addition to the practical tasks, time was spent reviewing the fundamentals of good seamanship, including the navigation markers and beacons (and light pattens), the give way ‘rules of the road’ at sea, the 5-knot rule, and the safety equipment on the vessel.
A big couple of days, rewarded on Thursday night with a trip on the police boat Deodar – a fascinating couple of hours spent with the crew discussing the policing of the waters around the Hauraki Gulf.
Friday was the final morning for those who needed to finetune their skills before the assessment in the afternoon.
The assessments were a series of tasks/knowledge we had covered during the deckhand and qualified training phase. These were conducted without the help of the team on the boat. Fair to say, a more pressurised environment closer to what can be expected on a real ‘tasking’.
The assessment took over three hours. Two completed it on Friday
afternoon, while the other two completed theirs on Sat morning. If you were not being assessed, you were quiet/helpful deckhands there to support those being assessed. (Hard when you’ve worked as a team all week). Saturday morning saw the completion of the assessments, followed by a team lunch, the final boat closedown and farewells.
What an amazing week meeting fellow volunteers with a passion to help and keep boaties safe, while revisiting and developing skills both on and off the water.
Yes, it was exhausting and challenging, but that’s what makes achieving your goal so satisfying. A huge thank you must go to our team at Coastguard Hibiscus, the standard of training here on the Coast is second to none and their willingness to support me before the course was truly outstanding.
Finding something positive in every situation is not always easy, but is it always possible? The idiom ‘Every cloud has a silver lining’ has varying dictionary definitions. ‘It is said to emphasise that every difficult or unpleasant situation has some advantage.’ (Cambridge) ‘It is used to say that every bad situation holds the possibility of something good.’ (Merriam-Webster)
The phrase proposes that there is always a potential for positivity, even in the face of adverse circumstances. I’m not referring to
aspects of pop psychology, where positivity is seen as the essential ingredient of success in life – having a realistic concept of optimism is necessary.
Sometimes our brain’s negative bias prevents us from finding the silver lining. Helen Keller observed, ‘When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.’
We can stay stuck in short-term thinking patterns when we have negative experiences or observe them in our community and world events. Unexplainable tragedies, senseless crimes, and people suffering in war-torn countries are life events that appear to have no positive outcome, and finding a silver lining may feel unattainable.
Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, is the author of Man’s Search for Meaning. A key message in his book is that meaning is not dependent on external circumstances, but on a person’s choice of attitude and perspective towards the circumstances. His viewpoint suggests that a silver lining isn't always obvious or easy to find. It's a conscious choice to focus on the positive aspects of a situation, even when all seems negative.
He writes, ‘Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.’
A silver lining may not be immediately apparent; it may take months or years to recognise any benefits of challenging life events. It is the meaning we attach to the experience that determines whether it moves us forward or holds us back.
Finding a silver lining in the storm clouds of our life’s experiences is achievable.
As Art Buchwald says, ‘Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got.’
Trish | Life Wellness Coach trishbeauchamp.com
ART SPEAK
What’s happening at Estuary Arts Centre this September
1
We are delighted to be hosting the Association of New Zealand Embroiderers’ Guilds Inc (ANZEG) biennial regional exhibition. ANZEG exists to promote, preserve, and inspire the art of embroidery in Aotearoa New Zealand, and this exhibition is always a highlight on the textile arts calendar. Visitors can expect to see a stunning array of embroidery, from exquisite traditional techniques to bold, contemporary interpretations that push the boundaries of the craft.
In our smaller gallery, we are thrilled to welcome back The Painter and the Potter. Patsy Fisher, an impressionistic painter, brings her love of nature to life on canvas, while ceramic artist Gail explores the meeting point between painting and clay in her richly expressive works.
September also brings our much-anticipated two-week School Holiday Programme for children and teens. With a wealth of creative classes and workshops on offer, there’s something for every young artist to dive into—whether they’re exploring a new medium or building on existing skill. New on offer is teens photography and watercolour painting. Head to the website on www.estuaryarts.org to book your spaces as they fill up super-fast.
Get in quick to take advantage of our school holiday specials. Purchase a full week of classes and get great discounts. Come into the centre to view and enjoy the free exhibitions. We are located at 214B Hibiscus Coast Highway, with free parking and an onsite café. Call us on 09 4265570 or email admin@estuaryarts.org.
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Images:
1. Patsy Fisher (the painter)
2.Gail Smith (the potter)
3. Selected embroidery
4 & 5. Sarah-Jane Smith is the new teens watercolour and ink painting tutor. Here are two of her works.
3 4 5
Is the family trust still for you?
Family trusts have long been a popular tool for protecting assets, providing for loved ones, and managing property. However, changes in the law and evolving circumstances mean that a trust may not always serve the same purpose it once did.
A family trust is a legal arrangement where assets are transferred to trustees to hold and manage for the benefit of beneficiaries. The potential benefits include safeguarding assets from certain claims, asset protection in blended families, supporting succession planning, and ensuring that property is passed on according to your wishes.
That said, a trust is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Legislative changes, such as the Trusts Act 2019, have increased compliance obligations for trustees, including duties to keep detailed records, act in the best interests of beneficiaries, and provide more transparency. These responsibilities can make managing a trust more time consuming and, in some cases, more costly.
Furthermore, the trusts' tax rate has now increased to 39%. Trusts are taxed on any income that it does not distribute to beneficiaries. Previously, trusts were taxed at a flat 33% rate, but this has changed since 1 April 2024. Now, the 33% tax rate will only apply if your trust earns $10,000 or less in a tax year. Further details and some exceptions to the 39% tax rate can be found on the IRD website.
It is important to review trusts regularly to ensure it continues to achieve its intended purpose, complies with the law, and reflects your current wishes.
If your circumstances have changed, for example, if you’ve sold a business, your children are financially independent, or your asset base has shifted, it may be worth discussing whether your trust still meets your needs. Conversely, if you still want to protect assets for future generations, or if you have specific succession or family considerations, trusts can remain a valuable tool.
If you’re unsure whether a trust is still right for you, or whether your current trust needs updating, reach out to our team of experts at Simpson Western North who are more than happy to help. Get in touch at office@simpsonwesternnorth.co.nz or give us a call on 09 421 0559.
Anushka Sequeira | Solicitor, Simpson Western North
Note: This article is published for general information purposes and should not be relied upon as legal advice. For advice specific to your legal issues, please engage a lawyer directly.
BEST BOOKS
Karen McMillan Author
Looking for your next great read? Let our local author guide you.
Rue De Paradis
by Jeena Murphy
France, 1933. Yvette flees their tiny village and arrives in Paris with her younger sister Janie. The only person they know in the City of Lights is their cousin Daniel, who works at the prestigious Blum Foundry.
Yvette lands on her feet when she finds work as an artist’s model, and she also discovers a love of sculpting. She is also drawn to Steffan, the foundry’s owner’s estranged son, who is also finding his way in the city. His mother was a gentile, his father is Jewish, and he is discovering more about his Jewish heritage. He joins his friend Daniel’s chapter of the communist party to combat the activities of the Croix de Feu, a fascist group causing trouble in the city. Anti-Jewish sentiment is sweeping through the city, bringing violence and danger, with Yvette and Steffan soon in the midst of it all.
Rue De Paradis is a captivating debut that brings inter-war France to life, with vividly imagined central characters.
Semiramis Press, RRP $30
Elemental Heroes: Hydrogen Showdown
by Chrissy Metge and Karen McMillan
Queen Gold has requested help from world leaders to stop the unrest that is happening in Elemental Land. Twins Sophie and Joey are chosen for a mission that will take them into a dangerous world where elements such as gold, iron, hydrogen and sulfur live.
This time, it is the coppers who are causing problems. They have kidnapped a young hydrogen and are demanding a ransom, but then they come up with the hair-brained idea of going into the human world to steal the Statue of Liberty for an even larger reward. Can Sophie and Joey put a stop to their crazy plans? Joey has the knowledge, Sophie has impressive powers of deduction, and their sword-fighting skills are exceptional. But will this be enough against coppers who can recycle themselves whenever they feel like it, and who have questionable taste in jokes?
An action-packed, imaginative read that brings the world of everyday elements wonderfully to life for children aged 7 and up.
Duckling Publishing, RRP $19.99
WHAT'S ON HIBISCUS COAST
Hibiscus Coast Scottish Country Dance Club
Every Weds Silverdale Hall 7:00pm
Hibiscus Coast Artists Group
Meet on Mon 9.30am-1pm Stanmore Bay Community Hall Whangaparoa. All Welcome.
Shana 021 650 184
Hibiscus Coast Rock & Roll
Every Tues. W’poa Hall 7pm lessons. 8pm general dancing. Wear soft sole flat shoes. See website & Facebook
Dance Fitness Class
Every Tues/Thurs evening 7-8pm @ Kingsway Jnr Campus. First class FREE then $10 per session. Richard 021 504084
Puhoi Celtic Sessions
Every 2nd Thurs @ Orewa North Primary School. A sing-around/ play-around event. Alan alanthewag@outlook. com
Suicide Bereavement
Support
Last Mon of every month (Jan-Nov) 7-9pm HBC Community House. Support for anyone who has lost a loved one.
Susan 021 884 162
Orewa Garden Club
2nd Thurs of month
Feb–Nov 12.30–3pm. St John’s Catholic Church Hall, Orewa. Visitors welcome. Contact: orewagardenclub@ outlook.co.nz
Hibiscus Coast Orchid Society
2nd Sunday of the month. Feb–Dec 1-3pm Masonic Lodge, Centreway Road, Orewa. Visitors welcome. Contact Bruce 09 947 5787
St Chad Market
1st Sat of every month 8am-noon 117 Centreway Rd, Orewa. Grant 021 0830 7743 or email chadorewa@gmail.com
Ukelele Classes
Every Thurs @ St Andrew’s Church Hall. 107 Centreway Dr 1pm-2:15pm. $15 includes music.
Avon Hansen-Beadle 021 421 109
Hibiscus Coast Concert Band
Every 2nd Thurs
All ages & abilities welcome hccb.org.nz Call 021 186 4599
Whangaparaoa Indoor Bowls Club
W’poa School Hall Mon 7pm. All ages, beginners welcome. Coaching provided.
Orewa Presbyterian Church 10am-12pm. Friendship Club for seniors. Morning tea, guest speakers & outings. Colleen 021 112 3409
Hibiscus Coast Country Music Club
1st Sun each month
Orewa Community Centre 1-4pm $5.00. Everyone welcome. Janet 0212367094
Housie
Every Friday 12.30pm ($1000 jackpot) at Bowls Orewa, 214 Hibiscus Highway Ph 09 426 5937
Millwater parkrun Every Sat 8am
See www.parkrun.co.nz/ millwater for more details
HBC Grandparents Parenting Grandchildren
Monthly 1st Wed, Support Group. Maygrove Retirement Village. 10:30-1:30 free lunch. Weekly for Coffee Group each Wed 10:30 (various locations). Donna 021 024 30064.
HBC Senior Citizens Assn. Inc. Meet Tues for Indoor bowls & cards @ Orewa Community Hall. 12-4pm. Membership $5/yr. $2 entry includes afternoon tea. Edna Tibble 0272975554
Silverdale Ballroom Studio
Every Thurs Silverdale Hall 7pm. Adult & Improvers classes for beginners & social dancers. 021 031 4216
Pioneer Dance club
Every Thurs @ Silverdale Hall 1.30-3.30pm. Social Ballroom Dance for seniors. 021 031 4216
Line Dance Classes beginners class Weds 10am-midday @ Silverdale Hall. Great way to exercise to music & make friends. Sue 021 99 1717
Travel Club with Bucket List Travel. 2nd Tues of every month
(Feb-Nov) 9:45am–11am Red Beach SurfLifesaving Club. Michelle 094261490
Hibiscus Coast Friendship Club
4th Wed of the month at 10am Bridge Club rooms, Edith Hopper Park, Manly. Speakers/outings/luncheons together. Peter or Jeanne 09 4268675
Rotary Club of OrewaMillwater 1st & 3rd Tues of every month 7pm at The Wade Tavern. 2 Tavern Rd Silverdale. orc.secretary@outlook.com
Ladies Crafts Group
Every school term Tues Orewa Community Church 235 HBC H’way. 10am-12pm. $2 for morning tea & craft creche provided.
Silverdale Village Market
Every Sat 8am -1pm Silverdale St Silverdale
Hibiscus Coast MidWeek Badminton Club
Every Weds 9am-noon All welcome . Orewa Badminton Hall, Victor Eaves Park. 021 0870 8118
Arts Group
Every school term Friday Orewa Community Church 235 HBC H’way. 9am-1pm $2 incl. morning tea
Alan 021 039 7155
Mon/Wed/Thur & Sat 10-noon at W'poa Library. By Volunteers from HBC Genealogy Group. Garry on 021 902715 or garryphillips2010@gmail.com
Kiwi Club 4th Sun of each month. Social Dance 5-8pm, all welcome. Silverdale Hall.
Hibiscus Petanque Club
Every Tues/Weds 9am-12 & Sun 1pm @ 214 HBC Highway. New players welcome, free coaching. John 0274894955
10 pin Bowling for Seniors W’poa Bowling Centre, Arkles Bay. Looking for senior players to join club for league games. Mon & Fri 10am. Lots of fun and advice. Brett 0210530905
Hibiscus Coast Quilters 1st Tues of the month at 9.30am & 3rd Weds at 7.30pm. W’poa Community Hall. Beginners, experienced quilters & visitors welcome. Jill 0211890866
Hibiscus Coast Literary Club 2nd Sat of the month @ 1pm W’poa Library Workshops. By authors. Writing competitions. Friendly atmosphere. Everyone welcome. Lorraine 021 02680132
Hibiscus Coast Genealogy Club 3rd Tuesday of each month at St Chads Church, 117 Centreway Road, Orewa 2-4pm. Guest speaker. Afternoon tea and fellowship follows. Members free, visitors welcome, $5.
Heartbeats Cardiac Survivors Support Group 1st Tues of every month 10am @ HBC Community House. Open to all heart event survivors & their families.
Silverdale Naval Club meets the 3rd Sun of each month at HBC Community RSA at 15.00. Vince Sturmey 09 4285222
Dairy Flat Music Club
Weekly dances/events with live music held at The Dairy Flat Hall, Postman’s Rd. Visit www.dairyflatlive.com for more info.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL
Fashion / Art / Gifts Homewares
Estuary Arts
09 426 5570
Holland & Co 09 524 8440
Rich Lingerie 09 625 2242
Food, Entertainment, Sport & Recreation
Fishing Direct 09 426 0574
sKids Kingsway 021 773 301
The Clubhouse Cafè theclubhousecafe.co.nz
You Travel katie@youtravel.co.nz
Health & Well-Being, Fitness & Beauty
The Rebound Room silverdale@theRR.co.nz
Home, Garden & Design
AFA Home Improvement & Landscaping 09 217 8866
Crewcut Rodney 0800 800 286
Gatmans Mowers & More 0800 800 960
Locals
Midway Flooring 09 424 3790
Shades Direct 0800 742 337
TK Revive 027 677 0747
Housing
Milldale Show Home Village milldaleshowhomevillage.co.nz
Insurance / Finance Business Services
Allbrand 021 743 762
Coast Business Services coastbizservices.co.nz
First Rate Mortgages 0800 178 726
Gallagher Insurance 09 424 4700
KD Design sarah@kddesign.co.nz
MTF Silverdale mtf.co.nz/silverdale
UProtectNZ Insurance Services 027 248 9320
Wayne Henry Mortgages 0800WHENRY
Legal
Simpson Western North 09 421 0559
Local Government, Council & Community
Forrest Funeral Services 09 426 7950
Harbour Hospice 021 226 2741
HBC Community House 09 426 3598
Mark Mitchell MP 09 426 6215
Medical / Dental Optometrist
Orewa Optics 09 426 6646
Motoring / Boating Transport
First Auto Electrical 09 427 5748
Rodney Auto Centre 09 426 5016
Silverdale Car Services 09 421 1413
Networks, IT & Electronics
seQure 020 4000 9802
Pets & Vets
Pet Companion 021 0800 4515
Printing
Treehouse Print ryan@treehouseprint.co.nz
Real Estate
Brianna Liu at Barfoot & Thompson 021 596 888
Rita Oliver at Barfoot & Thompson 021 116 6377
Stephen Reed at Barfoot & Thompson 022 037 4919
Sarah O’Gorman at Professionals Hibiscus 021 919 459
Retirement Living Summerset Milldale 09 304 1632
The Botanic 0508 268 264
Tutoring & Education Numberworks 09 426 7236
Pinehurst School pinehurst.school.nz
LOCAL RECIPES
Apple and frangipane tart (Serves 6-8)
Method Ingredients
Pastry and apple
500g sweet shortcrust pastry
4 large or 6 small apples, peeled, cored and sliced 3-4mm thick
50g castor sugar
½ cinnamon stick or ½ tsp cinnamon powder
2 Tbsp apricot jam
25cm fluted tart tin (with loose bottom)
Butter, for greasing
Baking beans and greaseproof paper
1 egg yolk
Frangipane (almond cream)
185g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
185g caster sugar
35g plain flour
185g ground almonds
2 #7 eggs, lightly beaten
Grease tart tin with butter and gently place the rolled sweet pastry on top of it. Gently work pastry into the bottom edges of the tin, to finish just above the top edge. If your pastry doesn’t cover whole tin, add a cut second piece and push edges together to create a secure seam. Cut away any excess pastry over the top of the tin.
Place round of greaseproof paper in tin and fill to the top with baking beans. Push beans into bottom edges.
Place in 160°C pre-heated oven on fan bake for 20 minutes or until pastry is cooked on the bottom and just started to brown on the edges. Remove beans while hot, brush hot pastry with egg yolk. This will make a cooked seal to keep pastry crisp.
In heavy-bottomed saucepan, add sliced apples, sugar, 1 Tbsp water and cinnamon. Place on medium heat, stir occasionally until the apple is soft, 8-10 minutes.
To make frangipane, cream butter and sugar on a high speed until white and fluffy (scrape the sides often), slowly add eggs, then almond and flour. You can freeze any frangipane that’s left.
Place the drained apples evenly onto the cooked pastry then smooth over the almond cream to the top of the tin. I like to lattice with leftover sweet pastry (just google this). Place back on middle shelf of oven on same temperature for 25-30 minutes or until the almond mix is cooked in the centre.
While hot brush with the melted apricot jam to make a glaze on top. I like to serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream, whipped cream or custard. Just keep covered in the fridge and microwave quickly to re warm.
Mark Lane | www.culinarylane.co.nz
For 3 & 5 course in-house lunches and dinners, out-catering, grazing tables and corporate catering
Chocolate peanut butter banana loaf
Grain free, refined sugar free
Ingredients
½ cup coconut flour
½ cup cacao powder
¼ cup cacao nibs
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp vanilla powder (or essence)
¼ cup sweeter of choice, such as rice malt syrup or maple syrup (optional)
5 bananas, mashed
3 large eggs
¼ cup extra virgin olive
oil (or coconut oil)
½ cup natural peanut butter (almond or cashew butter)
To top
1 banana, cut length ways
2 Tbsp chopped walnuts
Method
Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a standard loaf pan with baking paper. Mash bananas until smooth, then add eggs, peanut butter and oil and whisk to combine.
Add all dry ingredients to the banana mixture and stir to combine. Be cautious to not over mix or the loaf won't rise as much as it should.
Transfer mixture to pre-prepared tin and flatten. Place extra sliced banana on top and sprinkle with walnuts.
Bake for one hour or until skewer comes out clean. If the top is getting too brown, place some tin foil over the top in the last 20 mins while the middle continues to cook.
Cool, slice and enjoy with your favourite nut butter or coconut yoghurt! Yum!
Nicky
Skinner | Nourished & Vibrant
www.nourishedandvibrant.co.nz
WHAT'S ON AT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY
Whangaparāoa
Special events in September
Dr Chris Benton’s discovering exoplanets – The search for Earth 2.0: 3 September at 10.30am. Learn about exoplanets that resemble Earth and could potentially support life. Free event. RSVP to WhangaparaoaLibraryEvents@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Dying matters awareness specialist panel discussion: 5 September, 10am to 12pm. Representatives from Hospice, The Legal Team, funeral directors, grief guides, end-of-life doulas and celebrants come together to talk about death, dying and planning ahead. Free event.
When You Die film screening: 7 September at 1pm. Special screening followed by tea, cake and Q&A discussion at 2pm. Free event.
Emailing basics and safety: 11 September from 1pm to 3pm. Intro tech class on how to use email safely. Free event. RSVP to WhangaparaoaLibraryEvents@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Learn Te Reo Māori: 16 September at 11am. An introductory Te Reo Māori class with Kendra Barr. Free event.
History you weren’t told: 29 September at 11am. Dr Adam Claasen presents the extraordinary life of Keith 'Grid' Caldwell — New Zealand’s unknown war legend. Free event.
Regular programmes
Adult’s programmes
BrainCharge: Fridays, 2pm to 3pm
Beginner’s English: Fridays, 10am to 10.45am The Reading Revolution: Mondays, 2pm to 3pm
Children’s programmes (term time only)
Rythym & Beats: Mondays, 10.30am to 11am (3 to 5 years)
Ōrewa
Special events in September
Dying matters awareness specialist panel discussion: 1 September from 10am to 12pm
Gain valuable insights with representatives from Hospice care, The Legal Team lawyers, end-of-life doula care, grief guides, funeral services and funeral celebrants.
Frank Nunan – Self-publishing presentation: 11 September at 11am. Frank is a self-publishing facilitator who has assisted more than 80 authors in the technical aspects of self-publishing. Come and hear Frank talk about the world of self-publishing.
Beads and bracelet weaving: 5 September from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. In collaboration with Estuary Art Centre, using jewellery yarn, clips and beads. All ages. Free event with no bookings required.
Ruby the Rubbish Fairy Show: 6 September at 2pm. Join Ruby the Rubbish Fairy and a cheeky seagull, in a high-energy adventure full of laughs, learning and loads of interactive fun. Free event with no bookings required.
Regular programmes
Monthly & fortnightly (in the upstairs meeting room)
Book Chat: Wednesday, 3 September, 10.30am
Seed Savers: Wednesday, 17 September, 10:30am to 12pm
Orewa Writers and Poets: Saturday, 20 September, 1.15pm to 3.15pm
HBC Embroiderers Guild: Sunday, 28 September, 1pm to 3pm
Under Cover book club: Saturday, 27 September 2pm to 3.15pm
Orewa Orators: Fortnightly, Friday, 12 and 26 September, 12pm to 1pm
Weekly adult programmes (in the upstairs meeting room)
Craft group: Wednesdays at 9:30am
BrainCharge: Wednesdays at 11am
ESOL Classes with Lynn: Mondays, 1pm to 2.30pm
PTE & IELTS practice course for working people: Saturday, at 9.30am, 8-week course.
Te timataanga o taku Reo Maori Haerenga – The beginning of my Maori language journey: Wednesdays, 1pm to 3pm in upstairs meeting room.
Weekly children’s programmes (in the children’s area)
Term time only, 30-minute sessions
Whangaparāoa cont... Ōrewa cont...
Minecraft Club: Wednesdays, 3.30pm to 4.30pm (all ages)
Wriggle & Rhyme: Thursdays, 10.30am to 11am (0 to 2 years)
Te Reo Story Time: Fridays, 10.30am to 11am
Beginner’s Mandarin: Saturdays, 1.30pm to 2pm (6 years+)
Advanced Mandarin: Sundays, 10am to 10.45am (6 years+)
For community group meetings and services run from the library, refer to the library Facebook page for more information.
Wriggle & Rhyme: Wednesdays at 11am (for 0 to 2-year-olds)
Rhymetime: Tuesdays at 11am (for 18 months to 3-year-olds)
Storytime: Thursdays at 11am (for 2 to 5-year-olds)
September school holidays
Shoe Trouble author talk by Eleanor Neil: 23 September, 10.30am. Snells Beach children’s writer Eleanor Neil will read her book, Shoe Trouble, illustrated by Lisa Allen.
Kreating creatures: 25 September or 2 October at 10am. Local creator and author of W.E Kiwi, Jon Stubbs shows kids how to create their own unique creatures and draw them. Suitable for Tamariki 8-10, limited spaces, make a booking at the library.
Auckland at play: 30 September, 2pm to 4pm. Play at our oldfashioned games stations. Giant Jenga, Dominoes and Connect Four, Mū tōrere, Noughts and Crosses, Snakes and Ladders, House of Cards, and many others.
Anytime: Complete the Old to New Scavenger Hunt and choose a badge or sticker to keep. Acrostic poem and take-home colouring to do.
