The Millwater Mag, August 2024

Editor’s Note

In August 2014 this local mag began With lots of people moving in the owners had a plan To be a source of info and of entertainment too And help the local businesses reach out to me and you

We love to share your triumphs and to champion the Coast And bring together people who can help each other most So now that we’re a decade old we’d really like to say Thanks a bunch to everyone who’s helped along the way

Yes, dear readers, it’s ten years this month since our wee mag was born, just a baby at 16 pages long. We’re so proud of how much she’s grown and matured over the years. Every month we put our heart and soul into making her the best that she can be. But they say it takes a village and it truly does, so thank you all for your support along the way. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.

In celebration, this month we take a look back at what was happening around here in August 2014. We also introduce you to the lovely team behind Noire on Bankside Road and Silverdale Business give a shout out to the award-winning chocolatiers at Foundry Chocolate.

We bring you a busy day in the life of a Coastguard volunteer and we have some beautiful hikes for you to try around the Brynderwyns. If you fancy a bit of history and culture we have details of upcoming events at the Pioneer Village and Estuary Arts, and we also have info on everything from sales pipelines, prioritising time and privacy to a local doggy day care and a delicious chocolate cake recipe because, ya know, it’s our birthday.

Please, pop your feet up and enjoy.

Claire Nevans

PUBLISHER MANAGING EDITOR DESIGNER PRINTER CONTACT US

Plan your funeral, then enjoy life. Whatever your choices, traditions or budget we’re here to help you celebrate the life you lived, your way. Phone us for an appointment.

Hayley Crawford

Karen McMillan

Mark Lane

Tim Lawrence

Madison Derbyshire-Smith

Carmen Bird

Chris Norris

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Celebrating 10 YEARS

Happy Birthday to us! We are so proud to have reached a decade in publication. We love looking back to our beginnings in August 2014 and seeing how much the magazine and our community have grown over the past 10 years. A big THANK YOU to everyone in the community for all your support!

Sarah and Grayson Furniss, Publishers

Congrats on turning 10 in August – quite an achievement for any printed media. Well done!!

Gwenda Holster-Dowler, Orewa Surf Lifesaving Club

Happy 10th Birthday! Thank you for all the work you do supporting our community, and being such an important voice for so many. Rachel Smalley

Congratulations and Happy Birthday to Grayson, Sarah, Claire and The Millwater Mag team on reaching such an exciting milestone! For the past 10 years, your magazine has been an integral part of our local community, serving as a vital hub of information and connection. Your dedication to delivering quality content and fostering community spirit has made a tremendous impact on many of us (particularly as fellow small business owners) and we’re incredibly proud to have been part of your journey so far.

Jake and Jen, Millwater Specialists – Harcourts Cooper & Co

The Millwater Mag has long been an integral part of life in Millwater, providing great stories, information and insights into all manner of business and community activities. Wishing them a very Happy 10th Birthday!

Theo Simeonidis, UProtectNZ Insurance Services

Congratulations on being part of our community for the last 10 years. Thank you for helping us to connect, share our stories and knowledge to continue our mission of saving lives at sea. We look forward to continuing our partnership to keep all Coasties safe on the water – no matter their Waka.

Your local team of volunteers at Coastguard Hibiscus

A very Happy 10th Birthday from The Citizens Advice Bureau Hibiscus Coast. Thank you for a decade of fantastic content and a HUGE CAB thank you for your kind, much valued support. Looking forward to being a part of the mag’s next TEN YEARS!

Tanya Gouws, Manager, CAB Hibiscus Coast

Happy 10th Birthday to The Millwater Mag! Congrats on reaching this milestone. You always deliver great content and useful info for our community. Our family looks forward to getting the mag each month. Thanks to the team for creating such a wonderful resource for the community to enjoy!

Nita Wong, Millwater Resident.

Congratulations to the team at The Millwater Magazine on your 10th Birthday. You are an asset to our community. Keep up the good work.

Mark Mitchell, MP for Whangaparaoa

Hi. Hello. Woof Woof.

As dog owners, we all know the struggle of leaving our dogs at home while we work and then trying to make time to tire them out at the end of the day. Urban Dogs Silverdale and Albany provide pawrents with a secure, neutral space for their dog to play and socialise, in all weather. Our daycare service is designed to keep your pup entertained while you're busy.

Doggy Daycare exists so you can drop your dog off and we fill their days with activities, naps, hugs, treats (as long as they are not watching their figures) and plenty of dog social time… did we mention the cuddles?

We cater for all dogs, and understand they have different behavioural needs (and personalities) based on their breed, age and experience. Our environment – and our ethos – is simple: happiness + harmony in the playgroup and in the environment.

The Urban Dogs Squad are seriously crazy dog people who treat each dog like they are their own. This simple concept is at the centre of everything we do; from a day of daycare, a run at the Urban Dogs farm, a swim trip or a basic nail trim, your pup will be treated as if they are one of our own.

We also understand that before choosing a day care it's important to take a look, meet the squad and ensure it meets your standards for safety, cleanliness, fun and care. We welcome you to drop in anytime during the week to have a look around and see if Urban Dogs Silverdale is right for you and your pup, plus we offer a free trial so your dog can meet everyone.

We also offer a grooming, puppy socialisation, retail, training help and more… a one paw stop if you like.

We can’t wait to meet you and your pooch, so pop in, give us a call or drop us an email. We promise it will be worth it!

Can’t wait to meet you, tell your dog we say hi!

Leanne, Kerry & the Urban Dogs Squad x

www.urbandogs.co.nz

Prioritising time

We are all given 24 hours each day. How are you taking care of your time? Self–help books abound about time management. Eisenhower's Urgent/Important Principle was developed into a matrix with 4 quadrants and Stephen Covey expanded the concept in his books about positive habits. I’ve devised a time management matrix of 4 quadrants: Immediate, Scheduled, Discerning and Disciplined action.

Quadrant 1: Important and urgent (IMMEDIATE action) This quadrant demands essential priority but spending too much time on emergency mode tasks can result in being overwhelmed and not feeling in control. Tasks include medical

emergencies, critical issues to solve, deadline driven projects and relationship or financial crisis. The strategy for Q1 is to manage the stress of time-dependent commitments.

home maintenance and financial status. The strategy Q2 is to manage long-term commitments and goals.

Quadrant 3: Urgent but not important (DISCERNING action) This quadrant is where people want to impress or please others. The urgency of Q3 activities is frequently determined by the priorities and expectations of others. If a task can be delegated to someone else, allow it. Tasks include low value ‘busy’ work, attending to unnecessary interruptions, activities and tasks urgent for someone else, not you, and distractions from fulfilling Q2 priorities. The strategy for Q3 is to manage interruptions and distractions.

Quadrant 2: Not urgent but important (SCHEDULED action) This quadrant adds quality to our lives through focused planning and high priority. Jacki Hart (Business Consultant) calls this quadrant, ‘sow now and reap later’. Tasks include clarifying beliefs, values, and goals; recreation, self-care and personal development; building and nurturing relationships; health choices, vehicle/

Quadrant 4: Not urgent and not important (DISCIPLINED attention) This is the quadrant of the escapists. When dealing with urgent matters of Q1 and 3 temporary relief is found here, but it can lead to excessive timewasting and addictive behaviour. Tasks include trivial/nonbeneficial activities, impulsiveness to avoid boredom or stress, mindless screen time and unnecessary interactions with others. The strategy for Q4 is to manage or delete low-priority activities.

Prioritising our time allows us to focus on high priorities and determine which activities are important and which activities are becoming distractions in our lives.

Rose Planting made Easy As!

Planting Your Roses

Winter is ideal for planting roses, prepare a sunny spot with good drainage, enriching the soil with compost or well-rotted manure. For heavy clay soil, add gypsum or create a raised bed 15–20 cm high. Choose plants with plump, fresh-looking stems and roots. Dig a 30 cm deep hole, soak the roots in seaweed tonic, position them on a soil mound, backfill, water well, mulch, and feed regularly once shoots appear.

Mitre 10 MEGA Silverdale has over 15 varieties of roses in-store, come and check them out!

Feeding Your Roses

Feed your plants and they will reward you. For feeding, while dormant, integrate slow-release fertilizer tailored for roses into the soil during planting for future nourishment.

Select a fertilizer specially blended for your plants like Tui Rose Food, which contains high levels of potassium to promote large, vibrant, healthy blooms and added iron to deepen colour. Feed roses planted in pots and containers with Tui Enrich Rose, Camellia, Azalea & Gardenia controlled release fertilizer.

Maintenance & Pruning

Maintenance during dormancy is crucial for healthy growth and pest prevention. Pruning encourages abundant blooms come warmer weather. Consider each rose's specific pruning needs.

Welcome to Noire

There’s something special about Noire. Walking through the door you feel as though you’ve been transported to a chic little coffee shop somewhere in the Mediterranean. It’s just the kind of stylish and punchy personality this half-circle premises on the hill has always deserved to be.

The lovely owners Johan Wilken and Dewaldt van Zyl did much of the fit-out themselves, in just two weeks after waiting over eight months for approval from the Council to build. ‘It’s so rewarding to hear all the positive feedback,’ says Dewaldt, ‘after spending late evenings painting, to hear customers saying they love the feature wall and they love all the flowers, it’s wonderful.’

Johan, the brains behind the business, spotted the empty site when the couple were house hunting in Millwater, his dream of owning a French bulldog the inspiration behind their move to the dog-friendly Coast. ‘The view is amazing and I just knew it would be great spot for a café,’ says Johan.

But Noire is much more than just a café. With a diverse selection of gourmet grocery and deli items on offer and freshly prepared take-home meals too, the team at Noire have positioned themselves as a quality focused one-stop shop for our local community.

‘The key idea is to bring convenience and quality to the community,’ says Johan. ‘You can grab a late coffee on the way

home from work and pick up a flavourful, nutritious meal for your family’s dinner at the same time, or just pop in for cheeses and breads when unexpected visitors arrive. We want to support local artisan businesses too, so they can grow.’ Johan started researching local producers a year ago and was delighted to discover there were so many fantastic artisans out there making quality products with passion and love. He was spoilt for choice.

‘The community has been so welcoming and we already have a number of regulars,’ says Dewaldt, who works full time elsewhere but enjoys socialising in front of house, getting to know the customers. Some pop in every day for coffee, others stop in to stock up on pies and they’ve even heard of one local who is Italian and has come to think of the café as his ‘little bit of Italy away from Italy’. ‘They want us to do well’ says Johan. ‘They are invested in us being successful and tell us they want to make sure we stay.’

The cabinet is stacked with a delicious array of home-made meals, snacks and treats, and the couple plan on introducing a short a la carte menu when they find the right chef. A liquor licence is also on the cards for summer –imagine a cheeky wine with a view on that lovely terrace!

So pop in when you’re passing and experience the vibe at Noire for yourself. They’re open till 6pm on weekdays and 5pm on weekends.

www.noire.nz

Claire Nevans | Editor

Simply put, it can be thought of as either insufficient iron supply through reduced intake or absorption, or, increased demand through blood loss and iron consumption. It can be the first sign of a serious condition.

MBChB 2014, FRACP 2021 Feeling

Iron deficiency silently lurks, affecting many New Zealanders, yet often goes unnoticed until symptoms become severe. This condition results in insufficient red blood cell production (anaemia) and can have profound consequences on an individual’s health and wellbeing.

The signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia extend well beyond mere fatigue and weakness and can include:

• impaired cognitive and physical performance

• compromised immune function

• tongue pain

• abnormalities in hair and nail growth

• pale complexion

It can be easily detected through a community blood test arranged by your family doctor. Once detected, a cause needs to be established. Causes of iron deficiency with or without anaemia include:

• reduced dietary intake

• reduced absorption including coeliac disease and other inflammatory conditions of the small bowel

• heavy menstrual blood loss

• gastrointestinal blood loss including malignancy (cancer)

Whilst iron deficiency can be treated with

Waitemata Endoscopy is delighted to share that we are further increasing capacity to offer greater access to experienced Specialists to provide you with excellence in endoscopy care.

Appointments are available within 7 working days for most standard Gastroscopy & Colonoscopy procedures by matching patients with the availability of our Specialists.* Talk to your GP about a referral to the

dietary modification, oral supplementation or infusions, we strongly recommend investigations for all cases of iron deficiency in men and post-menopausal women. In pre-menopausal women, a thorough history, examination and discussion is required to determine if investigations are required.

The most common investigations required include gastroscopy (a flexible camera assessment of the stomach and first part of the small bowel) and colonoscopy (a flexible camera assessment of the large bowel or colon).

If you or your family doctor are concerned about iron deficiency, with or without anaemia, Waitemata Endoscopy accept GP, specialist and self-referrals via our website. Our experienced team will put you at ease. Take a virtual tour of the patient journey and our clinic for an insight of what to expect at www.waitemataendoscopy.co.nz/ locations.

Dr Sam Seleq | Gastroenterologist & Endoscopist

The Fiction Spot

My Neighbour – a Character Study

By Paula Kora

Let’s just call him Harvey, my neighbour of 23 years. Long gone are the mullet, the Holden and the leather trousers. The wife’s gone too. There are no more weekend parties and burning rubber on the road is a thing of the past. These days he sports a meticulously shaven head, drives a late model car and the music is more mellow.

Last year a spa was installed, close to the tall fence that separates us. It’s a honey trap for the steady stream of ‘swipe rights’. Sometimes, when I’m out in the garden, he’ll call out inviting me to join in. My reaction is always the same. ‘Yuck! No thanks.’ And I scuttle away inside and turn up my radio to block out the moans of a bit of ‘afternoon delight’.

This morning I was sitting on the patio when Harvey’s head appeared above the fence, like Wilson, the character from Home Improvement. ‘Howdy neighbour,’ I said. ‘What’re you up to?’

‘On the way to getting stoned or drunk or both,’ he replied, trying unsuccessfully to open a bottle on the top of the fence. ‘Oh, just the usual then,’ I laughed. ‘Wanna see my new washing machine?’ he asked. I followed him up his pathway and complimented him on the manicured borders. ‘You know, in all the 23 years I’ve lived next to you, I don’t think I’ve ever seen your backyard.’

‘Go through and have a look. Just gotta find my bottle-opener.’ The vege garden was lush. I noted the pillows airing in the sun and the washing-line heavy with sheets and towels. I was struck by a waft of freesias but there wasn’t a flower to be seen. ‘What’s that lovely smell?’ I asked when he returned. ‘Dunno,’ he said, shoving a rum and coke at me.

‘Harvey, it’s not even 11 o’clock.’

‘Call it an early lunch then,’ he grinned. As I followed him I got the same whiff of freesias. ‘It’s your washing. What powder do you use?’

‘You can have it,’ he said. ‘I’ve had to buy the liquid version for the new washing machine.’

In the kitchen the new Bosch gleamed in its cavity. A chicken steamed away in a crockpot. The benches were clean and uncluttered. Rows of exotic beer cans, on top of cupboards, lined up as proud trophies. Harvey dumped a 5kg box of Surf on the table.

‘Crikey! That’s huge. I’ll give you $10 for it.’

‘Nah. Don’t worry about it,’ he said. He took a small pipe from his pocket and lit it. The effect was immediate, slowing his eye movements. ‘Well, cheers for the laundry powder,’ I said. ‘I’ll leave you to enjoy your day.’

mow the lawns.’ Shortly after, the rain set in. There’d be no mowing today. But I also knew that tomorrow Harvey would come home from work early to cut the grass because Harvey never ever lets his lawns get long and unruly.

www.hibiscuscoastwriters.org

Email Paula Kora, Membership Secretary at paulajkora@hotmail.com for more information

Ten years on the millwater insider

During our first four years of publication a popular column called the Millwater insider was a finger on the pulse of our growing community, providing all the latest updates on local developments and confirming many a rumour that circled within our streets.

Here we take a look back at what was happening in our community in August 2014 via the very first the Millwater insider, and revisit those topics now, ten years on.

Millwater Central

In August 2014 thanks to a few construction delays, Millwater Central was still being built. The good news from the Insider was that most premises had been leased and would be opening in the new year, and locals could look forward to a hairdresser, a sushi shop, a bakery, an Indian restaurant and takeaway, a café, a vet, a gym, a pharmacy, optometrist, dentist, doctor and real estate.

Today many of those tenants remain, but a timelapse video of the last ten years would show several coming and going. What started as the child-friendly Robert’s Café with jungle murals, blackboards and books is now our beloved Millies, with delectable donuts and lots of other deliciousness. There’s been a pet shop, a bistro, a wholefood café and store, the hairdressers became an audiologists and Stonewood Homes have recently departed the corner shop for pastures new in Milldale. And that’s just the first block. Now there are two.

Northern Union Gastro Pub

In August 2014 the Northern Union Gastro Pub was just one month old, with their outdoor areas not yet complete. The Insider reported that first impressions were promising, including attentive staff, great menu options and particularly tasty pizza. With live bands and regular quiz nights on the way, it looked like the Union was set to be a great new local.

Turns out those predictions were oh so true. The Northern Union swiftly become a much-loved venue for everything from after-work drinks, music, watching sports and themed party nights to relaxing Sunday lunches and family celebrations. Their quiz nights became the stuff of legends and they host many getting-to-know-you gatherings for the community. Still as popular as ever, last month they celebrated their own ten-year anniversary and we’re thrilled to see that as the area has grown and developed, the Northern Union has continued to flourish, staying true to their roots while also evolving when required. Kudos to you Northern Union, and a happy ten years to you.

Millwater Development

Ten years ago the Millwater insider reported section sales in Millwater had topped 1000, more were due to be released by the end of the year, and the suburb had nearly 500 occupied dwellings. Wainui Road was closed while major works were undertaken to adjust the height and align it with new connecting roads.

Today Millwater consists of just over 3000 homes. The Ridgedale, Seaview and Bonair neighbourhoods are largely complete, with Arran Point and Arran Hills the only neighbourhoods with a significant amount of building work still underway, including a new neighbourhood centre currently under construction in Arran Hills. Across the motorway, Milldale is pretty much at the same level of development today that Millwater was ten years ago, with the first permanent Milldale shops due to open in the coming months.

Then & Now

Metro Park East

The original Millwater master plan detailed lots of exciting features planned for Metro Park East. In August 2014 the insider reported the re-establishment of Hibiscus Coast Athletics Club was soon expected but no further updates on the park’s development had been received from council.

Today the park has floodlights and pathways, cricket nets and hockey courts. The athletics club has come and gone and come back again as RDS, and the space is well used by a large range of sporting codes. Sadly the kayak ramp once promised has yet to eventuate but lots of hardworking locals, including many at Rodney District Sports, are championing the building of a multi-code sports and community centre on site, which would be a fantastic asset to our corner of the Coast. I’d love to see a pedestrian and cycle bridge built from the park across to the estuary path by Orewa

College – imagine how many cars that would take off the road in the morning!

Buses

Ten years ago a regular local bus service through Millwater was but a dream. The insider reported in August 2014 that Auckland transport had just released plans for a bus running from Orewa via Millwater to the Park’n’Ride, where facilities were to be improved.

Ten years on our local buses are well established and the Park’n’Ride is now (finally) a fully-fledged Hibiscus Coast Bus Station, with more parking (though never enough), sheltered waiting areas, bike parks and top-up machines. While some of the community has had a love-hate relationship with the facility, both because of parking issues and safety concerns, an increased police presence onsite, particularly over the recent school holidays, has been very welcome.

Run Auckland Series

The Run Auckland Series is ‘a series of 6 running events hosted at purpose picked locations to offer all types of runners a challenge’, with the last event taking place in Millwater and run across courses that take in parts of Millwater, Totara Views and the Te Ara Tahuna estuary path. In August 2014 the insider reported on the recent successful hosting of the event at Silverdale School, with several hundred runners taking part.

Ten years on the final event of the Run Auckland Series, and the only one to include a half marathon, still takes place in our back yard. The 2024 race is scheduled for 8 September at Metro Park East with a 5km, 10.5km, half marathon and 2.5km kids run on offer. If you’re not beating the streets yourself, why not get on down there and cheer the runners on with some of our warm Coasty hospitality. For more info check out https://runauckland.co.nz/millwater-estuary/

With high development continuing on the Coast I wonder what another ten years will bring? The new high school open in Wainui? The main town centre buzzing in Milldale? The Penlink old news, as though it always curved off across the Weiti River heading west? Perhaps Butler Stoney Park will no longer be the glorious but sadly barren bowl it is today, but for that one, dear readers, I won’t be holding my breath!

Claire Nevans | Editor

The Green Spot

Did you know you can get a free rat trap from the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society if you live on the Hibiscus Coast? Every year, more than 100 million native birds, eggs and chicks are killed by introduced predators across Aotearoa and approximately 80% of our native birds and lizards are threatened with extinction.

Our native trees are also at risk, particularly by possums who also eat through tonnes of bush every year. Pests, such as rats, additionally cause millions of dollars worth of damage to property yearly, chewing through pipes and electrical cables, which can cause flooding and fires.

Having personally experienced this expense, I joined the Pest Free Hibiscus Coast Project by going to forestandbird.org.nz/projects/

pest-free-hibiscus-coast . They sent me a free trap on long term loan for as long as I’m living within the project zone displayed on the map on their website. They also sent me bait, tips and instructions and all I have to do is set the trap and record any catches on trap.nz or their catch record form.

The trap is approved as humane and its design is safe for pets, birds and children. It won’t go off unless the lid is securely closed yet I would recommend keeping fingers away from the exterior side bar when handling the trap as it can flip quickly.

Initially, I felt rather averse to the idea of dealing with deceased rodents but I was encouraged by motivating comments from members on the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society Facebook page and the notion that I can make a positive difference with this important initiative.

Whilst I’m yet to actually catch anything in my trap after several months of regular checking and baiting, I am comforted to know I have precautions in place to protect my property from future costly damage as well as helping our precious native species to survive.

Hayley Crawford | @trashtalkingmama

Taking a Hike

Tanekaha Tracks

I’m on a roll with local walks and on a recent Saturday I rallied some friends for a day out. One of my fellow hiking buddies suggested the Tanekaha Tracks on the southern side of the Brynderwyn Hills. The area has been developed by local volunteers into a series of stunning tracks. It’s an hour drive from Orewa, however, being a Saturday we opted to detour via the Matakana Markets. We loaded up with coffee and fresh pastries and we were on our way.

From Matakana it’s 50 minutes to the carpark and the start of the tracks. Our hike kicked off through a kauri cleaning station, over a mini swing bridge, through an open field then into the bush. The area has a few track options and we decided on a smaller loop thinking that would be an enjoyable couple of hours.

We started along the Tanekaha Falls Track passing multiple waterfalls, an old Kauri damn and lots of stunning waterholes – suitable for a freshwater dip if you were keen. There were several river crossings – manageable, but also one slip and it could have been a very soggy rest of the hike. I’m very mindful when crossing the streams especially when carrying my precious camera! The rain had been sporadic all morning but in timely fashion had cleared for us. It left the Kanuka and Tanekaha forest, ferns and Nikau palms sparkling and shimmering as the sun peaked through the canopy above. There is an abundance of steps, and I might have quietly muttered some swear words on the climb up to the ridgeline.

Once we got to our half way point we had a team discussion and made the call to carry on via the bigger circuit, heading along the Langsview Track which follows an old walkway along the hills and then joins the Tanekaha Forest Track. More lovely bush and at one point we popped out to a clearing with a shelter and stunning panoramic views up the coast to Waipu and Whangarei Heads.

We stopped for lunch and some photo taking before carrying on past another lookout high above the Mangawhai sand dunes. The rest of the track was a welcome downhill, our total time about four hours for around 10km. I love a leisurely pace with a few stops along the way. I’m all about the journey with lots of photo stops!

You can find more info at www.mangawhaitracks.com

Carmen

Bird | Carmen Bird Photography

www.carmenbirdphotography.co.nz | 021 310320

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A sweet journey with Foundry Chocolate

Nestled in the heart of Silverdale, Foundry Chocolate stands as a testament to passion, craftsmanship and the pursuit of flavour excellence. Founded by David Herrick and his wife Janelle, this boutique chocolate company has carved out a unique niche in the world of bean-to-bar chocolate making. I recently had the honour of interviewing David and touring their remarkable factory. It was inspiring to witness firsthand the meticulous process that goes into creating their exquisite chocolate bars.

At Silverdale Business, we are dedicated to promoting our members in the Industrial Precinct and sharing their successful journeys. Join us as we delve into the

journey of Foundry Chocolate and discover what makes their creations truly exceptional.

Journey to chocolate making: What inspired you and your wife Janelle to start Foundry Chocolate, and how did you get into the world of chocolate making?

D: It started about 10 years ago when I read an article about making chocolate on a micro scale. I had no idea you could make chocolate without a huge factory. This was my first insight into bean-to-bar craft chocolate. I taught myself with a lot of research, making many mistakes and gradually getting better and better. Once we were happy with what we were doing we launched Foundry Chocolate in 2018.

Bean-to-Bar Process: Can you walk us through your bean-to-bar process and explain what sets it apart from other chocolate makers?

D: We start with unroasted cacao beans from different single origins around the world. They get hand sorted and roasted with careful attention in our amazing gas roaster. They are then cracked and winnowed, and the cacao nibs are stone ground into chocolate in melangeurs for over 72 hours. The chocolate is poured into large blocks of chocolate to mature for weeks or months, depending on the single origin. It is then melted down again, tempered and moulded into chocolate bars, then wrapped.

What sets us apart is the exquisite single origins we use, and our roasting approach and technique. Each single origin is roasted differently to bring through specific flavour notes.

Flavour Development: With only two ingredients, cacao beans and organic sugar, how do you achieve such a wide range of flavour notes in your chocolate?

D: We like to say chocolate isn’t a flavour, chocolate instead has flavour, just like good wine or whisky. When you’re working with the best cacao beans in the world there are different flavour notes such as stone fruit, cherries, caramel, citrus and malts, the list goes on.

Challenges and Triumphs: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced in creating and growing Foundry Chocolate, and how have you overcome them?

D: The biggest challenge we face is people not expecting unflavoured chocolate to have flavour when they’ve only eaten industrial chocolate with flavour added. We love sampling chocolate at events and at our cellar door and amazing people with just how much flavour there is in craft chocolate.

Vanessa Li | Silverdale Business www.silverdalebusiness.co.nz

What is a sales pipeline?

A sales pipeline is a snapshot of where prospects are in the sales process and how close they are to buying, how many deals salespeople are expected to close and when, and the status in reaching their quota.

Research results published recently in the Harvard Business Review shows an 18% difference in revenue growth between companies that defined a formal sales process and companies that didn’t. So this says a lot about getting the sales process right.

Identifying opportunities for improvement within your pipeline will help you increase your conversion rate.

10 tips for maintaining your sales pipeline

1. Update your pipeline regularly. Keep up to date with notes as leads move from stage to stage. Typically B2C is shorter than B2B, with 75% of B2B sales taking 4 months to close, 18% taking 12 months or longer!

2. Create a standardised sales process. Consider how much your ideal customers have in common. Work out a process you can standardise for these similarities.

3. Review (and improve) your pipeline processes. Remove bottlenecks or barriers to sale and shorten the steps to reduce the chances a prospect will drop off.

4. Follow up. Ten years ago it took 3.68 sales calls to close a deal. Today it takes more than 8! Find a balance between not enough and being pushy. (Two weeks is a good place to start).

5. Focus on the best leads. Prioritise the best, most sales-ready, high value leads.

6. Drop dead leads. A lead is dead when they clearly state they’re not interested. There are exceptions when you feel your businesses are a great fit.

7. Monitor pipeline metrics. Metrics change all the time, including the number of deals, average size, average percentage (win/loss ratio) and sales velocity (average time to close).

8. Give your prospects more content. Listen to what they want. Make your message short and simple to digest with links to other content. Brief your marketing people if you don’t have something your prospects are asking for.

9. Use a CRM to manage your sales. Easier with purpose-built software like a CRM. Otherwise you can use a simple excel sheet.

10. Automate your sales pipeline. A CRM is essential for automation as email sequences can be automated to follow up with leads. If you only use excel you will find it helpful to try a quick visual tool of lead scoring by colour coding, such as Red = Hot, Blue = Cold.

Chris Norris | Truth Seeker

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. If you are passionate about something you already have a great story. Get in touch to tell it: Chris@allbrand.co.nz

Your own personal chef Cooking Questions with Mark Lane

I have been cooking professionally for 39 years, both in New Zealand and internationally. My business, Culinary Lane Catering is based in Millwater, providing three and five course dinners in your home, out-catering and grazing tables. Now you can gain the benefit of my experience by emailing me your cooking questions.

Chloe: I love mashed potatoes when I have them at a restaurant but can never get them the same at home. What is the secret to perfect mashed potatoes?

I love a good mash, which even a lot of restaurants do not get right. The secrets are simple but they do require practice to refine the required skills! I use Agria potatoes as they’re floury, fluffy and not too waxy. Don’t cut the potatoes too small as they will cook too quickly and soak up extra water. Cut a medium potato in 3 to 4 pieces.

Always cover and start in cold water to avoid overcooking the outside. Pre salt the water and bring to the boil quickly, then medium simmer until fully cooked. Undercooking leads to lumpy mash. Drain and allow to sit for at least 5 minutes for excess water to evaporate. Mash with a potato masher, a ricer or pass through a fine sieve. When lump free add fridge-cold diced butter (the more butter the richer the mash) and hot half milk and cream (the more liquid the runnier the mash). Finish with salt and ground white pepper. I like to then whip them for a minute with a fine whisk to add air and fluff them up. If you aren’t going to serve them straight away, gladwrap and place holes in the gladwrap to allow moisture out but no skin will form.

Trish:

People eat such different amounts of food, so when you are cooking for a group how do you decide the right size of a protein portion? Is it different for chicken and red meat? Do you go by weight? Please help!!

Great question. These amounts in the industry have changed over the last 30 years due to the cost of proteins going up so much. I remember as a younger chef that 220-280g was the average weight for red meat and fish. This is the portion sizes that I use and are all boneless.

Eye fillet, game meat e.g. Venison 160-180gms other red meat such as sirloin, scotch and lamb loin etc around 200-250gms. Fish around 160-200gms. White meat such as chicken or pork at 220-250gms. In my opinion its always better to do 10-20gms extra for those bigger eaters.

Mark Lane | Culinary Lane Catering

www.culinarylane.co.nz | email culinarylane@gmail.com

Bucket List Travel

Sport and splendour

dramatic setting for road cycling races, where athletes navigate the city's landmarks amid ornamental fountains and palatial museums, showcasing Paris' rich cultural heritage.

It is going to be so exciting watching the Paris Olympics on TV. The Olympics will offer viewers a spectacular glimpse into the heart of the city and its iconic landmarks transformed for the games. The River Seine, flowing gracefully through Paris, serves as a picturesque backdrop for events such as marathon swimming and the triathlon, showcasing the city's timeless charm with the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum in the distance.

At the Parc du Champ de Mars, viewers will witness the intensity of beach volleyball and the excitement of men's Paralympic blind football, set against the magnificent backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, symbolising the city's fusion of sport and architectural splendour.

The Grand Palais, with its awe-inspiring glass roof, will host fencing, taekwondo and Paralympic wheelchair fencing competitions, offering a stunning view of its Herculean nave—a marvel of engineering and a testament to Parisian grandeur.

Versailles, steeped in royal history, becomes a venue for equestrian events such as cross-country, dressage and show jumping. Temporary arenas will be nestled within the palace's vast gardens and along the serene Grand Canal, evoking the opulence and elegance of France's regal past.

Trocadéro, overlooking the Seine and the Eiffel Tower, provides a

Place de la Concorde, with its historic significance as the site of revolutionary events, becomes the stage for contemporary sports such as BMX freestyle, 3x3 basketball and skateboarding, highlighting Paris' ability to blend tradition with modernity.

Pont Alexandre III, adorned with intricate sculptures, serves as a starting point for marathon swimming and a backdrop for road cycling time trials, offering viewers a glimpse of its architectural splendour and strategic location along the Seine.

Beyond the competitions, the Olympic Village will transform into dynamic cultural hubs in neighbourhoods such as Saint-Denis and Marne-la-Vallée, bustling with cafes, galleries and community events—a reflection of Parisian contemporary life and hospitality.

In essence, watching the Paris Olympics on TV not only showcases the world's finest athletes in action but also offers a captivating journey through Paris' rich history, architectural splendour and vibrant cultural scene—an experience that will resonate long after the games have concluded and might even encourage a few of you to hop on a plane and visit the city in the flesh.

Michelle | Bucket List Travel, Red Beach info@bucketlisttravel.co.nz

We believe that selling and buying a house or property can be stress-free and exciting when you have the right knowledge and insights, partnered with a supportive real estate agent and sales system. As top local agents who know the Millwater/Silverdale area, know the current market, and know how to get results, all while providing our clients with the best possible service, we offer a down-toearth yet bespoke approach to real estate. We hope you'll find the next few pages provide some information and insights to help you make informed decisions about your next move. We welcome the opportunity to chat with you about your current and future property plans. So have a read and send us a message or call us any time.

jake.morgan@harcourts.co.nz

jen.singleton@harcourts.co.nz

Our motivated vendors are overseas bound, so don't miss the chance to own this enchanting family home in a prime location. 6 Kingfisher Road is a charming single-level sanctuary designed for relaxed family living, and built by wellregarded NZ builder, Golden Homes. The heart of the home is the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area, creating an inviting space for everyday moments and special occasions, flowing out onto a large deck, making outdoor dining and entertaining a breeze. Kick off the cares of the day and relax as you soak up the afternoon sun and enjoy the elevated local views towards the western hills. The back garden provides ample room for children to play and families to enjoy the outdoors together. There is parking space for a boat or trailer. Built with brick and weatherboard, this home promises both durability and timeless charm. Low-maintenance living will help keep your weekends free for enjoying all that the Hibiscus Coast has to offer. Contact us today to arrange a viewing and experience the perfect blend of comfort and convenience at 6

Rd.

RECENT CASE STUDIES

BY

In recent weeks, we've experienced a surge in activity, with an increase in buyers eager to secure properties and we’ve had multiple offers being submitted across a range of properties. Attendance at open homes has been more encouraging, and we've been delighted to put up several more "sold" stickers. Here's a brief overview of two successful campaigns we've had recently.

THE NUMBERS IN A NUTSHELL

MILLWATER - 94 ORMONDE DRIVE

We have multiple cash buyers who have missed out on properties recently and are actively looking to purchase in the area. If you've been considering a move, give us a call for a friendly chat and see what we can do to help your property dreams become a reality. Jake 021 447 534 | Jen 021 820 373

MILLWATER - 44 BANKSIDE ROAD

Jake and Jen have years of experience selling properties, many for record prices and a reputation of consistently out-performing their competitors on overall vendor experience. Don't take our word for it though....

"Choosing an agent to sell our Millwater property was not easy, there are a number of awesome people to choose from. We are really happy with our experience with Jake and Jen - from advising on preparing the property for market, sales strategy, and communication throughout. And we got a great auction result! Thanks team.” Vendors of 44 Bankside Rd- July 2024.

an escape in luxury to Tahiti WIN

BREATHE IN WHAT’S NEXT

Contact me to have your property appraised before 20 September 2024 and go in the draw to win a luxury escape to beautiful Tahiti.* Prize package includes:

• Return flights for two flying Air New Zealand, departing from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch

• 2 nights twin share in Papeete at Te Moana Tahiti Resort, including breakfast

• 5 nights twin share at Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea, including 2 course dinner each night and breakfast

• Transfers to and from Papeete airport, ports and both accommodation venues

* Terms and conditions apply. View at nzsothebysrealty.com/escapeinluxury

Leanne Wallace

M +64 21 594 022

leanne.wallace@nzsir.com

Proudly Sponsoring Rodney District Sports

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. NZSIR North Limited (licensed under the REAA 2008) MREINZ.

What's on

at Ōrewa Library

In the community centre

If you haven’t visited our pop-up library location at 40-46 Orewa Square, come along and see us. Our Children’s collection is on the bus, parked out front.

Our two weekly children’s programmes are in the Main Hall in the Orewa Community Centre, and Craft Group and BrainFit are in the Supper Room attached to the Main Hall. There is parking out the front for 120 minutes.

Monthly

Book Chat: Wednesday, 7 August at 10.30am

Google and the Internet: Wednesday, 21 August, 1pm to 3pm

Weekly adult programmes

BrainFit: Wednesdays, 11am to 12pm

Craft group: Wednesdays at 9:30am

Weekly children’s programmes

Wriggle & Rhyme: Wednesdays at 10.30am (for 0 to 2-year-olds)

Storytime: Wednesdays at 11.30am (for 2 to 5-year-olds)

In the loop

Moving in time at Milldale shops

Building of the Stage 1 shops at Milldale’s first neighbourhood centre, on the corner of Waterloo Reserve and Henry Tayler Rise, has been completed and keys have been handed over to the respective tenants. Shop fit-outs will now take place and the stores will open on an individual basis as and when ready over the next few months. Occupiers will include a diary, café, Pizza Hut, Ray White and Stonewood Homes. Please keep your eye out for opening doors and let’s support these new local businesses.

Other than the Little Millies container café, the new neighbour centre contains the first shops to open within the Milldale development. A larger Milldale town centre is also on the cards and currently due for completion around 2026.

Changes at St Chads

If you’ve driven past St Chads church in Centreway Road recently you probably noticed that major renovations are underway. These renovations are necessary due to subsidence issues caused by shifting sand foundations that, over time, would have put the structural integrity of the buildings at risk and therefore the safety of those using them.

The church hall is being carefully demolished and rebuilt in a new design that will be a warm and welcoming space that can be used for meetings, workshops, community meals, counselling and retreats.

The cost of the renovations is estimated at around $1.5M and the church are fundraising to help pay for the new hall. Donations of $500 or more from individuals or families and $1000 or more from businesses will be recognised with a named brick in a cross of recognition laid in the grounds outside the church using bricks from the original church hall. If you are able to help, donations can be made to:

HBC Anglican Parish, Building Account

02-0390-0074418-97

Coastguard

Tales from the crew

The longest day

This day started with a new recruit wanting some boat time to decide if he wanted to be part of the team. The pager went off at 6.40am, no idea what time that is on a Saturday, however, we heeded the call and headed for the boat.

Our first tasking was off of Tiri, a vessel with a flat battery. They had been out all night and waiting for dawn to call up. Thank you. We got them all started and ops radioed to say a vessel off of Kawau was taking on water. Now this is serious, so 'best speed' meaning safe speed to get there safely without beating up the crew and we deployed our dewatering pump. The issue was a blown water manifold so as much as their engine pumped water out, it also pumped it right back in! A short tow to Sandspit and off for a spot of search training.

Ops had other ideas. The next call was around 11am to Mahurangi Harbour to assist a yacht onto its mooring as their engine stopped. Turns out a rope around the prop did not help. Once all safely secured the radio sparked off to an urgent task to a grounding inside Bon Accorde. By lunchtime our new recruit was getting the idea that Saturdays in summer can be busy!

After a relatively peaceful afternoon helm training and position fixing we headed south towards the Tiri channel. Just north there was a yacht which just did not look right. We circled around the stern to find the yachtsman stumped over the wheel having been knocked out by the boom and bleeding severely. We have trained first aiders on board so quickly stopped the bleeding and radioed for an urgent assist from the Ambulance crews to meet at Army

Bay. Once there we transferred the patient on a stretcher by going chest deep in water, before delivering to the ambo's who took over. We then had to secure the yacht and, as our new recruit had extensive experience with yachts, the task fell to him. He boarded and sailed the boat home behind us.

We returned to Gulf Harbour at 9pm that night and our new recruits final words were 'Are all days like this?!'. Fortunately they are not and also fortunately he became a valued member of the team. We are always on the lookout for volunteers so if this sounds like you, please get in touch.

Jeff Royle | Senior Crew, Coastguard Hibiscus

The Fishing Spot

Last month we travelled to Wellington for a four-day charter to Durville Island, located at the top of the Marlborough Sounds. The trip was organised via the Petone Working Men’s Club where my father-in-law is a member. They were a couple of spots short and it wasn’t a hard decision to jump at the opportunity as this trip has been on my bucket list for years.

The weather forecast was changeable, and we had to make a call whether to go or not as we had to travel to Wellington. We knew the last day was in question due to 50 knot winds forecast to arrive. As it turned out, we did have to leave a day early and even then we were racing home in 35 knot winds on the Sunday afternoon.

The Marlborough Sounds area has different quotas to the rest of NZ due to over fishing and now the fishery is very healthy. I was amazed at how prolific the fishing was and the number of species we caught beats Auckland on any day. It was good to see the skipper making the call to stop fishing one species and move spots to catch another species in what seemed to be a very short amount of time. There was one spot we literally fished three sides of the reef and got our quota of blue cod, terakihi and then snapper. It felt like two hours and we had quota for three species. Absolutely amazing.

Our accommodation was at the Durville Island Wilderness Park Resort in Catherine Cove. Each night we returned to the resort and ate at the restaurant. The first night we were served fish and chips using our blue cod that was freshly caught that day. The accommodation was rustic but fit for purpose for 10 tired and hungry fisherman. Our hosts were amazing and had learned all our names by the second night. It was also great socialising and having a beer and a yarn to the other fishos who were also staying at the resort after dinner.

We were so impressed by the quality of the charter, we have rebooked our own charter for May next year – tight lines!

Tim Lawrence

What will it cost to carpet my home?

If there is anything good to come out of this cost-of-living crisis, it’s that some suppliers are starting to lower their prices and giving some great deals. This gives retailers the chance to pass these savings on to you, so you do not have to put off those ‘nice to haves’ and get to proceed with things like projects around the house you may have been putting off.

There are certainly some incredibly cost-effective flooring options that deliver big on performance and style. If you have been

thinking about updating your flooring, there is no better time to do so.

Purchasing carpet is a big decision. It helps to have plenty of product and cost information to help you get the right product for you that fits within your budget. We’ve created this guide to help give you an idea of what you can expect to pay when carpeting your home using the following types of carpet:

$ Good – Based on quality, NZ Made, Solution Dyed Nylon

$ Better – Based on superior quality, NZ Made, Solution Dyed Nylon or Cut Pile Wool

Please note: This is a guide only which includes carpet, 10mm underlay and standard installation only, and the pricing includes GST. All jobs will be subject to a physical measure before any work is undertaken.

If you need flooring advice feel free to come and have a chat with our friendly team at Midway Flooring and either visit our showroom at 675 Whangaparaoa Road, give us a call or visit our website where you will find our range of flooring options as well as more information around all things flooring on our ‘Learning Centre’.

With our current sale through August and September there is an opportunity to make flooring more affordable without compromising on quality.

www.midwayflooring.co.nz

*No uplift, disposal, transition bars, floor preparation, furniture removal or any other possible costs have been allowed for.

$$$ Best – Based on top of the line, NZ Made, Solution Dyed Nylon or Cut Pile Wool

What is the Privacy Act?

The Privacy Act controls how agencies can collect, use, share and store personal information.

An agency can be any individual, business, government agency or other organisation that collects and holds personal information about other people.

Personal information is information that identifies you and contains facts that wouldn’t normally be available publicly and could be sensitive. Examples include personal details written on an application form, a photo, emails or a recorded conversation.

While the Privacy Act generally doesn’t apply to personal information collected by an individual for personal, household or family purposes, it does apply where it would be highly offensive to an ordinary reasonable person to collect, use or disclose this information.

The Privacy Commissioner investigates breaches of the Privacy Act.

Changes to the Privacy Act that took effect on 1 December 2020 include:

• If a business or organisation has a privacy breach that they

believe has caused – or is likely to cause – serious harm, they are responsible for notifying the Privacy Commissioner and the affected individuals.

• The Privacy Commissioner can require a business or organisation to do something, or stop doing something, so that it complies with the Privacy Act.

• A business or organisation can only disclose an individual’s personal information to an overseas agency if that agency is subject to similar privacy protections as in New Zealand.

• An overseas business or organisation that does business in New Zealand must comply with the Privacy Act even if they have no physical presence in New Zealand (eg Google, Facebook).

• It is a criminal offence to mislead an agency in order to obtain someone else’s personal information (eg, by impersonating that individual).

• It is a criminal offence for a business or organisation to destroy personal information if they know someone has requested access to it.

At the Citizens Advice Bureau, our service is confidential. Any information we collect is not linked back to you and we do not keep your personal details unless you give permission. To read our privacy statement go to https://www.cab.org.nz/privacy-statement/

Call the CAB free nationwide on 0800 367 222, send us a message online via our website www.cab.org.nz or hop on the live chat, or visit a CAB near you. Not sure? Ask us!

Marathon days and milestones

At The Botanic

A roof tent has been fitted on the second apartment building at The Botanic Silverdale marking a significant milestone in the retirement village’s development.

The tent fixture follows a marathon 12-hour effort in which 150m3 of concrete was poured to complete the top floor of the three-story building.

‘The pour began at 4am and it finished at around 4pm,’ says Jeremy Quiding, the senior development manager at The Botanic Silverdale.

Construction on the Rimu apartment complex, the second apartment complex in the village, began in September last year and should be completed in 12 months. The 4,590sqm building will house 32 apartments in three, two and one-bedroom configurations and underground parking.

‘The roof tent really is a milestone because it signals how far we’ve come, but it also allows us to push ahead and complete the build irrespective of whatever the weather throws at us as we head into the wetter month,’ says Quiding.

It’s been a busy few weeks for MAKO, The Botanic’s build partner, who also staged a mock rescue operation from the large crane tower which is stationed alongside the Rimu apartments.

MAKO collaborated with a specialist team from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and a local Silverdale FENZ crew to simulate a rescue option to retrieve a crane operator who had suffered a medical event.

‘Central to everything we do is safety, prevention and preparedness, but if an event occurs that is out of our hands we need to know how to respond quickly and safely to minimise the risk to life for everyone on site. It’s part of our evolving Occupational, Safety and Health plan,’ says Quiding. Emergency responders worked at speed to access the cab of the crane and then secure and lower the operator to the ground.

‘Tower cranes, by their nature, present a

unique set of risks to emergency response teams. The rescue plan had to consider a number of challenges including how to create a safe landing zone for the patient, what to do if the crane had a load suspended in the air, and how to quickly position fire appliances and ambulances below,’ says Quiding.

‘It was an eventful day, but it also reinforced The Botanic and MAKO’s shared commitment to creating a safety-first build environment.’

www.thebotanic.co.nz

Silverdale & Districts Historical Society (Inc) & Silverdale Pioneer Village

Here are details of two upcoming events.

Author talk by Pat Backley: Friday, 23 August at 11am

Pat Backley, an author born in England but now happily based in Orewa, will talk on her life and books at the Silverdale Pioneer Village. Join us for tea and coffee in the Parsonage at 10.30am

before Pat’s talk in the Chapel.

Pat is passionate about people and has travelled the world, spending 70 years living a colourful and interesting life and her books reflect that. She has always been fascinated by social history and the lives of ordinary people and believes their stories should be told. ‘It is a way of honouring my ancestors. They have no voice, so I will make sure their stories are heard.’

She has published eight books, a mix of historical fiction, memoirs, travel, ancestry and one little self-help book! She also contributes short stories to anthologies and articles to magazines, has cohosted a virtual book fair and talks in schools as a volunteer for Inspiring the Future Aotearoa. Her web site is www.patbackley.com

This talk is open to the public. All are welcome. Entry by Donation.

Fathers day at the pioneer village: Sunday, 1 September from 10am to 3pm

Bring Dad to explore the Silverdale Pioneer Village and Museum. Enjoy a coffee and nibbles in the Old Parsonage before exploring our historic houses including the Old Forge Blacksmith Shop and Old Pioneer Tools in the Sidwell Annex and the Bayes Building. www.silverdalemuseum.org.nz

OUR SERVICES

• Property - Sale / Purchase / Refinance

• Wills & Family Trusts

• Separation & Relationship Property

• Deceased Estates

• EPOAs & PPPR Applications

WE ALSO OFFER

WE ALSO OFFER

• Exclusive Offers and Packages for Millwater Residents

• Online Self-Help Legal Services

• Exclusive Offers and Packages for Millwater, Milldale & Orewa residents

• Evening Appointments

• Evening Appointments

• Mobile Service for Millwater Residents

• Mobile Service for Millwater, Milldale & Orewa residents

• Free Certification of Documentation

• Free Certification of Documentation

Lizette Heathcote LLB B.COM(Hons) Barrister & Solicitor

Phone: 09 475 5916 Mobile: 021 648 978

Email: practice@heathcotelegal.co.nz www.heathcotelegal.co.nz

Serving you through the power of active listening

The days of the old-school, high-pressure insurance ‘salesmen’ are well and truly over. The current environment demands that insurance advisers actively listen to and understand their clients' needs, before proffering advice. Advisers are also compelled to ensure that clients understand the advice they are given.

I am not an insurance ‘salesman’. I see my role as providing quality insurance advice and guidance to my clients, to empower them to make the insurance decisions that are appropriate for their needs. One important tool that I always use is the power of active listening.

What does ‘active listening’ mean to me?

A recent client referral was passed on to me, seeking assistance for a couple who had been flatly denied insurance for their business. They had a previous history of drug and substance abuse. To any insurers or advisers, such a history was treated with a slammed door.

By encouraging my clients to open up and share with me their full stories, it was soon clear that they had been clean of drugs for years and had commenced an initiative to help others who were breaking the addiction cycle. With a new, young baby they were now very focused on family, their health and welfare and giving back to the community. Active listening enabled me to understand their history and armed me with the information to act as their strong advocate.

I presented a compelling and transparent case to an insurer, based

on the detailed information gained from my clients. The insurance application was approved without any question. This is not a rare example. We are always strong advocates for our clients to ensure that we secure the best possible terms for their insurance protection plans.

We at UProtectNZ Insurance Services are proud of the commitment we make to using the power of active listening so we can best serve our clients.

We listen. It's what we do!

Theo Simeonidis FNZIM | UProtectNZ Insurance Services

Theo Simeonidis is a Financial Adviser, living and working in Millwater on the Hibiscus Coast, and specialising in personal and key-person 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 web site.

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

Building a legacy

Donated house nearing completion

In previous issues we’ve told you about the house that Elaine and Ross Morley from G.J. Gardner Rodney East are constructing in Milldale and donating the auction proceeds to fund the new Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Community Hub. Their vision has inspired a remarkable team of dedicated individuals who have generously contributed their time, energy and resources to help bring this dream to life.

Andrea May, the Ōrewa SLSC Community Hub Sponsorship Manager, said, ‘the Club is profoundly grateful for the overwhelming generosity of numerous local sub-trades and suppliers, including larger organisations such as Milldale, PlaceMakers, Windowmakers, The Kitchen People and Atlas Concrete, who have all rallied to support this vision. Their contributions have been instrumental in making this project a reality, and we are deeply thankful for their support. It has been an exciting process to see a home built from the ground up and the engagement from so many contributors.’

The 147m², 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home was perfectly tailored by G.J Gardner to suit the 55 Spars Rd, Milldale location. We are excited to share that construction is expected to be completed by September, with Bayleys hosting the auction on site at 55 Spars Road, Milldale, pending final Council approvals. You can add this link to your watchlist or request further information at www.bayleys.co.nz/ listings/residential/auckland/rodney/55-spars-road-milldale-1271002.

Rallying for the Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Community Hub John Chapman, OSLSC Project Manager, passionately shares that the planned Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club redevelopment will transform our community. The project not only meets current accessibility standards but also anticipates future needs, offering enhanced safety and engagement while strengthening Ōrewa’s identity as a vibrant coastal destination.

The latest updates are that the consenting process is complete and cornerstone funding from Auckland Council has been secured. Now we need the entire community to unite and push this project to completion. This initiative promises modern, accessible facilities

designed to meet diverse needs—from lifesaving operations to recreational activities and youth development.

We offer sponsorship and donation levels to suit everyone who wants to be a part of this remarkable legacy journey. Visit our website at orewasurflifesavingcommunityhub.co.nz to learn how you can contribute. Let’s come together to make a lasting impact on our community!

Enquiries welcome Andrea.May@orewasurfclub.org.nz or phone 021 1701838.

FROM SHADES TO SHELTER, TRUST THE EXPERTS IN COVERED OUTDOOR LIVING AREAS

20 + Years in Business : No

Gwenda Holster-Dowler | Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club

Benefits of reviewing your mortgage

By reviewing your mortgage when your fixed rate is up for renewal, there are many ways you can optimise your mortgage.

Splitting your mortgage across different fixed rate terms is a good way to reduce your risk. If interest rates increase, only a portion of your mortgage will be affected by the interest rate increase.

Mortgage Matters

Refixing your mortgage online

Why to seek advice before locking in your new interest rate

Over the years, banks have encouraged their customers to use online banking and ATMs for their banking needs to make it more convenient for them. This convenience also extended to customers having the ability to refix their mortgages online.

This might be an easy and convenient way of locking in a new interest rate on your mortgage, but you’re not going to know if you’re getting the best deal or not.

By locking in an interest rate online, you’re also locking into a new contractual agreement with the bank that you’ll have to maintain for the rest of the fixed term. If you need to break that contract, in the instance where you sell your property or want to refinance, for example, then you may be required to pay early repayment costs and/or repay your cash incentive to the bank.

Offset mortgages. If you have funds in your bank accounts you’re not using, you can offset your mortgage against these funds to save on interest. For example, if you have a $500,000 mortgage and $50,000 in your savings and everyday accounts with the same bank, they would only charge you interest on the difference, $450,000. It should be noted that not all banks offer this lending product.

Refinancing is a good option to take advantage of cash incentives on offer while looking to restructure your lending to better suit your financial situation. This can allow you to extend your loan term to help reduce your loan repayments, which is ideal if you’re going to struggle with higher loan repayments due to moving onto higher interest

If your mortgage is expiring off fixed term within the next 60 days, we recommend you seek expert 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/

Too quick to judge?

Do you have a friend or family member who displays somewhat annoying tendencies such as being forgetful, having an inflexible attitude, seeming to be self-absorbed, often arriving late or tending to be unreliable? Before you judge them too harshly it is worth considering whether they are stressed/overwhelmed or dealing with a mental health issue such as anxiety, depression or even ADHD.

Adults and children experiencing these kinds of issues are expending energy just trying to deal with their internal turmoil, including physical symptoms and mental disruptions.

Physical symptoms can include, among other things:

• a pounding heart

• digestive issues

• lack of sleep

• poor eating

Mental disruptions can include symptoms such as:

• racing and/or obsessive thoughts

• fight/flight/freeze response

• ‘worst-case scenario’ thinking

When we face threats (real or imagined) and the flight/flight/freeze or stress response is in effect, our brains and bodies shut down unnecessary functions and focus on threat detection and self-protection. Under those conditions, the rational part of the mind also tends to be dulled, which can make it hard to make decisions, remember important dates or stay organised. On the surface an individual may seem okay but there may be a battle raging to try and feel safe, secure and not under threat.

Does your friend or family member who forgets important dates or events also forget things important to them? Notwithstanding other disorders that impact the memory, this may be a sign

their actions are not due to selfishness, but rather something going on for them that has the brain and body under stress.

Do they tend to not to offer to help? Do they avoid social events? Are they controlling? Again, it may be due to a state of self-protection in which they unconsciously know they need to avoid situations that may lead to increased stress or overwhelm. It may be hard for them to be flexible, think about others and remember things that are important to others while they are so absorbed with their own internal turmoil.

Imagine the piling on that happens to these adults and children if they are judged as ‘bad’ or ‘selfish’ or ‘irresponsible’. It is worth taking a moment to consider whether your family member or friend needs understanding and support rather than condemnation.

Mandy Bradshaw | Counsellor and Coach

millymandz@gmail.com 0272 880178

The changing face of colour

As a generalisation, women tend to be very loyal when it comes to colour. Most women believe they know which colours look good on them because they’ve worn them all their lives.

But are you aware a particular colour that may have looked fabulous in your younger days may not enhance your face like it used to? That is because we all lose colour from our complexion and hair later in life.

The trusty black and tortoise shell frames could quite possibly work in reverse – highlighting harshness or maybe a warmth to your face when a cooler shade would complement your new colouring. There has certainly been a trend toward naturally grey hair since Covid, which is great for our wallet, but special consideration needs to be made when choosing the correct colour glasses to enhance this. The crystal-clear coloured frames, although on trend at the moment, can be challenging to get right as they can easily deplete colour from the face.

You will see a real benefit in choosing a frame that introduces the correct depth of colour. It can highlight your eye colour or even be a makeup replacement!

Historically, men’s frames ranged in colour from gun metal to gold to black but we are definitely seeing a more adventurous display of colour in recent times. Pops of blues, green and accents of reds or oranges along the fronts or sides of the frame are a great way to introduce some life and character to your style.

There is an amazing array of colour on our shelves at Orewa Optics and our expert eyewear stylists will be able to help you along the journey towards a fabulous new pair of glasses that will ignite your new trendy look!

Visit us 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 at www.orewaoptics.co.nz

Photos by Orewa Optics

Beauty Aspects

result in dry, flaky, itchy, or dull skin. However, with the right skincare routine, you can combat these challenges and keep your skin healthy throughout the season.

Use a hydrating cleanser or cleansing oils. Does your skin feel tight after washing?

Opt for a moisturizing cleanser that gently cleans without stripping away natural oils, which is crucial in winter when dryness is more prevalent.

Opt for richer creams morning and night. In winter, your skin's ability to retain moisture decreases significantly. Choose thicker, hydrating creams to boost moisture levels and create a protective barrier against dry air. Consider using a nourishing overnight cream for intense hydration while you sleep.

Regularly use hydrating masks. Hot showers can strip your skin of essential oils, leading to dryness. Lower the water temperature and keep showers brief. Treat yourself to a hydrating mask once or twice a week to replenish moisture. Look for masks containing aloe vera, hyaluronic acid or shea butter for added hydration.

Protect with a hydrating face oil. Even oily skin types benefit from face oils, which help seal in moisture and enhance the effects of your other skincare products. Face oils support your skin's natural moisture barrier, keeping it soft and supple.

Don't neglect your lips. Combat chapped lips by avoiding the temptation to lick them, as it can worsen dryness. Instead, gently exfoliate with a soft toothbrush and apply a nourishing lip balm or overnight mask to heal and protect.

Protecting your skin from the harsh effects of cold weather is essential. Winter can take a toll on your skin, with cold temperatures, low humidity and indoor heating, all contributing to moisture loss which can

In addition to applying moisturising skincare, ensure you layer up with extra clothing to shield your face and hands from the elements. Here are some other tips to winter-proof your skincare routine with the use of effective products.

Unlike other areas of your skin, your lips lack oil glands, making them more prone to dryness. By following these skincare tips, you can maintain healthy, hydrated skin throughout the winter months.

Amelia | Beauty Aspects

amelia.beautyaspects@gmail.com

Book Reviews

A Thousand Paper Cups

by Jodie Shelley

For fans of Marian Keyes, readers are in for a treat when they pick up A Thousand Paper Cups, which expertly walks the tightrope between humour and real-life issues. The novel follows an integrated tale of three brothers. Will has given up a demanding corporate job to start a lawn mowing business. Liam is thinking of asking his girlfriend to marry him while she is concerned about the string of disastrous parent-teacher interviews she has been conducting. Benjamin reveals a secret to his family but the response from his father is not what he has anticipated, especially when he cuts him out of the will.

If you are wondering about the title, it’s a nod to one of the brothers who is forever mangling well-known sayings, and in this case, a thousand paper cuts have turned into cups!

A Thousand Paper Cups has laugh-out-loud moments but also tackles serious themes of homophobia and family harm.

Bank Street Publishing, RRP $37.99

Guardians by Alan Titchall

Guardians is a book of three parts that follows Robert Smith’s journey through life after he finds an injured white fantail as a young boy. Written as a mystery-thriller, it follows him from the eve of the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 as an eleven-year-old boy through to life in 1995 as an adult.

In the first section, young Bob is caught up in an adult world with troubling secrets. While he is nurtured by relatives and befriended by residents, we learn they have their own agendas.

In the second part of the novel, we are transported to Northern Ireland in 1979, where an assignment in the special services goes terribly wrong, and Robert is left disfigured.

The third part of the novel takes us to 1995, when Robert returns to the small village from when he was a boy for a final showdown. All the while, the fantail is an integral part of the story. Guardians is a filmic read that you will want to savour—a thought-provoking, original read.

Devon Media, RRP $49.99

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 ClassEvery Tues/Thurs evening

7-8pm • Kingsway Jnr

Campus • First class FREE then $10 per session Richard 021 504084

Puhoi Celtic SessionsEvery 2nd Thurs • Orewa North Primary School

A sing-around/play-around event • Contact 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 Valma 021 0634852

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 Maurice 027 392 0541

Hibiscus Coast Embroidery Guild - 2nd Weds 7-9pm & 4th Thurs 10am-noon Hibiscus Coast Community House • Josie Slack- hibiscus. embroidery2022@gmail.com

Red Beach Combined Club 3rd Wed of every month

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

Bowls Orewa - Free coaching & introduction to lawn bowls every Friday 10am-12pm, bowls provided • Housie every Fri

12.30pm ($1000 jackpot)

214 Hibiscus H’way Ph 09 426 5937

Millwater parkrunEvery 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 on Tuesday for Indoor bowls and cards

Orewa Community Hall.12-4pm.

Membership $5/yr.

$2 entry includes afternoon tea.

Val Lincoln 09 963 8242

Silverdale Ballroom Studio

Every Thurs Silverdale Hall at 7pm. Adult & Improvers classes for beginners and 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 Classesbeginners 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 Surf-Lifesaving Club Michelle 094261490

Hibiscus Coast Frienship 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 GroupEvery school term Tues Orewa Community Church 235 HBC H’way • 9am-12pm

$2 for morning tea & craft creche provided

Silverdale Village Market - Every Sat 8am -1pm Silverdale St Silverdale

Kiwi Club - 4th Sun of each month • Social Dance 5-8pm • All welcome • Silverdale Hall

Hibiscus Petanque Club

Every Tues/Weds 9am12 & Sun 1pm • 214 HBC Highway • New players welcome, free coaching Colleen 021 1774820

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 Quilters1st 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 is welcome Lorraine 02102680132

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

FREE Family history research advice - Mon/Wed/Thur & Sat 10am-12noon at Whangaparaoa Library • by Volunteers from HBC Genealogy Group

Contact Garry on 021 902715 or garryphillips2010@gmail.com

Lunchtime Toastmasters Every Fri 1-2pm

Orewa Library • Evening Toastmasters meets fortnightly Thurs orewa.toastmastersclubs.org/

Heartbeats Cardiac Survivors Support Group - 1st Tues of every month 10am • HBC Community House • Open to all heart event survivors & their families Trent Lash 0220 606 199

Orewa Lions Club - 1st & 3rd Weds 6.30pm (7pm start) • St Chads Hall 117 Centreway Road, Orewa Wendy 021 841 125 orewalionsclub@gmail.com

Silverdale Naval Clubmeets 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

Health & Well-Being, Fitness & Beauty

Beauty Aspects 021 0297 2587

Kate Allen Aesthetics 09 421 0910

Online Counselling & Coaching 027 288 0178

Tuatara Counselling Services 022 692 7351

Home, Garden & Design

Armstrong Security 09 426 0126

Cypress Sawmill 09 420 5485

Gatmans Mowers & More 0800 800 960

Midway Flooring 09 424 3790

Mitre 10 Silverdale 09 426 0760

Shades Direct 0800 742 337

The Kitchen People 09 424 3468

TK Revive Ltd 027 677 0747

Insurance / Finance Business Services

Claire Nevans Editorial Services 021 771140

UProtectNZ Insurance Services 027 248 9320

Wayne Henry Mortgages 0800WHENRY

Silverdale Business Association 021 595 048

Medical / Dental Optometrist

Orewa Optics 09 426 6646

Visique Hawkins Optometrist 09 426 5308

Waitemata Endoscopy 09 925 4449

Real Estate

Dylan Turner at Ray White Orewa 021 428 138

Jake Morgan at Harcourts 021 447 534

Jen Singleton at Harcourts 021 820 373

Leanne Wallace at Sotheby’s International Realty 021 594 022

Roger Sumich at Ray White Orewa 029 666 6666

Legal

Heathcote Legal 09 475 5916

Simpson Western North 09 421 0559

Motoring / Boating Transport

First Auto Electrical 09 427 5748

Rodney Auto Centre 09 426 5016

Silverdale Car Services 09 421 1413

Recycle

Alexander Scrap Metals 09 426 9150

Local Government, Council & Community

Forrest Funeral Services 09 426 7950

Hibiscus Funeral Services 0800 420 470

Pets & Vets

Urban Dogs 09 421 0995

Printing

Treehouse Print ryan@treehouseprint.co.nz

Retirement Living

The Botanic 0508 268 264

Local Recipes

Broccoli cheddar soup

Ingredients

4 Tbsp unsalted butter

1 small onion, chopped small

1 garlic clove, minced

¼ cup all-purpose flour

½ cup milk

½ cream

4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth

1 bay leaf

Salt and freshly ground pepper

4 cups broccoli florets and stems, chopped small

1 large carrot

2 ½ cups coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese

Extra cheddar cheese for garnish

Method

Melt the butter in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes, then gradually whisk in the milk and cream until smooth.

Add the chicken broth, bay leaf, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered,

stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Add the broccoli and carrot to the broth mixture and simmer until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and adjust seasoning if needed, but err on the cautious side with the salt because the cheese will add a bit.

Puree the soup to your desired texture. I like mine fairly chunky, just lightly blended with an immersion blender or in an upright one. Back on the stove, add cheese and whisk until melted, about 1 minute.

Serve in bowls, garnished with a pinch of cheese and a hearty slice of grainy toasted bread on the side, for swiping.

Source: www.smittenkitchen.com

Notes: You can use extra stock instead of the milk if you’d prefer. This soup freezes really well so make a double batch and save future you some cooking time.

The I want chocolate cake cake

Well it is our birthday…

Ingredients

Cake

6 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature

¾ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

2 Tbsp granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

¾ cup buttermilk (see notes)

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ cup cocoa powder

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp table or fine sea salt

Frosting

50g unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

1 ½ cups powdered sugar (sifted if lumpy)

½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

Pinch of fine sea salt (optional)

1 Tbsp cream or whole milk

½ tsp vanilla extract

Method

Cake

Heat oven to 175°C. Line the bottom of an 8-inch square cake tin with parchment paper, grease the paper and sides with butter or oil spray. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugars until fluffy. Add the egg, yolk and vanilla and beat until combined, then the buttermilk and mix again.

Place your flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a sifter and shake it over the batter bowl. Stir on low until just combined. Scoop batter into prepared pan and smooth flat. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool for 5 to 10 minutes then flip out onto rack or serving plate to finish cooling before frosting.

Frosting

Place frosting ingredients in a food processor and mix until smooth and a little fluffy. Scoop the frosting onto the cooled chocolate cake and swirl. Finish with rainbow sprinkles.

Source: www.smittenkitchen.com

Notes: You could replace the buttermilk in full with yogurt or sour cream thinned with a little milk or water. Cake keeps at room temperature for a day or two or in the fridge up to a week.

Art Speak

August focus on our local talent

For the month of August Estuary Arts Centre focuses on the rich pool of talent that our local artists bring. The Annual Member’s Merit Awards will run for four weeks from 31 July to 1 September, featuring over 200 artworks created by Estuary Arts Centre members. These works of art will be on display in all of the galleries, and you will be able to view painting, pastels, printmaking, drawings, ceramics, glass art and mixed media.

This year we celebrate our young people, with two youth categories under 18 years of age in 3D (sculptural work) and 2D (painting, drawing and illustration). We are lucky to have a great line-up of prizes for the merit award winners for painting and drawing by supportive businesses such as Takapuna Art Supplies, Gordon Harris, Emma Jean Framing, Factory Frames, Ribbon Rose and special prizes for ceramics and mosaics sponsored by Bot Pots, CCG, Decopot and Mosaic Traders. Visitors also have the chance to vote for their favourite artwork with the winner of the People’s Choice sponsored by Orewa Framing Studio being announced at the conclusion of the exhibition.

August is also the start of our term three art classes for adults, teens and youth under 10 years of age. I know winter can be a downer, but if you join a class, what better way to get through the long winter months and keep you occupied and engaged. All of our studios are warm and cosy and a great place to shelter from the cold. To view what is on offer head to the website www.estuaryarts.org. There are a whole range of weekend workshop especially designed for those of us working during the week. If you cannot find the class of your dreams, then give us a call and let us know what you would like to see us offering.

Estuary Arts is located at the Southern end of Orewa at 214B Hibiscus Coast Highway, with plenty of free parking and a fantastic coffeeshop on site. It is a great destination to visit on a monthly basis to check out the new exhibitions and classes. Call the centre on 09 4265570 or email admin@estuaryarts.org.

Kim Jennifer Boyd | Centre Manager BAFA, PGCE, MA Arts Management, Dip Production Design/sculpting

16 AUG 03:19 2.6m 09:42 1.0m 16:15 2.6m 22:17 1.0m

17 AUG 04:20 2.6m 10:43 0.9m 17:12 2.7m 23:14 0.9m SUN 18 AUG 05:21 2.7m 11:39 0.7m 18:05 2.9mMON 19 AUG 00:09 0.8m 06:20 2.8m 12:32 0.6m 18:56 3.1m TUE 20 AUG 01:02 0.6m 07:15 3.0m 13:22 0.5m 19:45 3.2m WED 21 AUG 01:53 0.5m 08:07 3.1m 14:11 0.4m 20:34 3.3m

THU 22 AUG 02:43 0.4m 08:57 3.2m 15:00 0.3m 21:23 3.3m FRI 23 AUG 03:33 0.3m 09:47 3.2m 15:49 0.4m 22:13 3.3m SAT 24 AUG 04:22 0.3m 10:36 3.2m 16:40 0.5m 23:03 3.2m

25 AUG 05:12 0.4m 11:28 3.1m 17:33 0.6m 23:54 3.1m

26 AUG 06:03 0.5m 12:21

Live a life less ordinary at our resort-style retirement village.

A fully-refundable $5k will secure you a brand new apartment. Move in now, or later next year.

Our luxury, spacious, light-filled apartments are a popular option for young-at-heart retirees. The open plan design is perfect for entertaining, and the ease of apartment-living allows you to ‘lock-up and leave’ when adventure calls.

Visit us and experience the very best in retirement living Monday to Friday, 10am-3pm, or weekends by appointment Apt. G09, Nikau Apartments, 2 Evergreen Drive, Silverdale