The Millwater Mag, October 2023

Hold on to your sun hats readers, we’re in for a busy month. This year October brings us the school holidays, the beginning of term four, the general election, labour weekend, Halloween and, for the truly organised amongst us, a start to Christmas shopping. My kids turn 11 this month so we also have TWO sleepover parties happening at our house in one weekend – please spare a thought for my sanity!

With the start of daylight savings at least it feels like we have more hours in the day, and it certainly gives us more opportunity to get out and enjoy living in this beautiful bit of New Zealand. In fact I have a challenge for you: this month, why not try visiting a beach or a park on the Coast you’ve never been to before? Maybe you’ll find yourself a new favourite.

As the weather gets warmer and summer pursuits are on our mind, this month we have the Coastguard’s tips for keeping your boats well maintained, gardening tips from Central Landscape Supplies and, in a new column by golf professional Mike Dumcumb, beginners’ tips for anyone wanting to get out on the golf course for the first time.

If travel sounds a bit like you, Carmen Bird – who we also get to know in our feature article – shares trail info and gorgeous photos from her hikes of The Milford Track and we have details of all the delights that a holiday in Malaysia has to offer.

There’s info on everything from romance scams and house settlement woes to eco products, prioritising fun and a bit of an unusual recipe that is sure to have everyone’s tongues wagging at your next movie night.

Please pop your feet up and enjoy.

Claire Nevans

PUBLISHER Grayson & Sarah Furniss

EDITOR

Claire Nevans

DESIGNER Sally Travis Design

PRINTER Treehouse Print

CONTACT US 021 771 140

CONTRIBUTORS

Hayley Crawford

Karen McMillan

Mark Lane

Madison Derbyshire-Smith

Tim Lawrence

advertising@themillwatermag.co.nz

In This Issue

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Eclipse Polyresin Shutters - Insulation Benefits

We believe that selling and buying 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 specialise in 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-to-earth 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

There are just three months left before Christmas That’s just enough time to get on the market, sold and into a new home for summer! Before you list, talk to the Silverdale/Millwater Agents of the Year for 2022 & 2023 That's us!

As well-known and highly regarded local area specialists, let us guide you through each step on how to sell your property and how to achieve the best possible sales result. After recent sales in the Millwater area we have a surplus of genuine cash buyers looking to purchase.

Jake Morgan 021 447 534 | Jen Singleton 021 820 373

Testimonials CLIENT

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

"Excellent service throughout! We are so glad we chose Jake and Jen of Harcourts Millwater to sell our house Their knowledge and experience, combined with their patience made this otherwise stressful event a smooth and successful process We highly recommend them to anyone looking for top-notch real estate services!”

Stephen & Dawn - August 2023

“Choose the A Team or should I say the J team who are AAA+. Best Real Estate team ever! I counted back and this is my 8th home I've sold (I have nasty habit of moving every 5 years give or take) and I can't sing Jake & Jen's praises highly enough. What is to love - clear, concise communication, realistic price setting, a total commitment to getting you the best price; listening to you and not pressuring you.

I really like that they work with other agents but no lock box, and only they bring people through your house, preferably at open homes, but if outside of that buyers are qualified, and you know they can afford your house and are not tire kickers. Group chat on WhatsApp kept us all updated. Fantastic customer service. Responsive. They go the extra mile. Helped immensely in sorting out and chasing info from my builder for my buyer so they could go unconditional. Would 100% recommend them, and list with them again. And I can honestly say I've never said that about an agent I've used the past. Choose them with confidence.” Sharon - August 2023

“Excellent experience. I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to both Jake and Jen for all their hard work and dedication in selling my house. Their professionalism and expertise truly shone throughout the process. I could not have been happier with the results. Their hard work has made a significant difference to my life, I highly recommend their services. Wishing them continued success in the future.” Aletta - August 2023

WHEN IT COMES TO

SELLING A HOME...

Should commission be the main factor when choosing an agent?

When it comes to selling a home, real estate professionals are often looked at like a commodity Owner: They all do the same job, right? So let's just find the cheapest one and get on with it. Homeowners understandably find it hard to see why they should pay thousands of dollars more to hire one real estate professional over another. But is this the right call? Could those homeowners who choose the cheapest option potentially be costing themselves money in the long run?

In this article, we will run you through a few key differences between a good and a not-so-good real estate professional and provide you with questions to ask when interviewing one to market your home. Above all, it's important to remember that every property has a range of potential outcomes Some houses sell cheap, some achieve great prices, and some don't sell at all. Where you end up with your property will in large part depend on who you hire to represent you.

Top agents understand current market dynamics

Their knowledge of the market allows them to position your home in the right way to maximise your chances of securing offers in a reasonable timeframe. Top agents know all the competing sales and can talk to the market with authority when negotiating on your behalf.

Ask your potential hire about the current market. What recent sales will buyers be comparing your home to? How will they reach as many potential buyers as possible?

A good real estate professional knows when to stop talking

There is nothing an agent can say to a prospective buyer that can make them fall in love with your home. But there are a lot of things they say which might talk your buyer out of offering. Many a deal is lost by salespeople not knowing the answers to certain questions, or by appearing flippant, unprofessional, over-eager or downright rude.

It's important to hire an agent who isn't desperate to make a sale, who knows what questions to ask, and most importantly, when to shut up.

Visit local open homes in your area before you start interviewing agents, to get an idea of their level of professionalism.

The best agents have a big database of local buyers

It's often helpful if your eventual buyer has worked with your real estate professional on other properties The added trust created by past experience comes in handy when your chosen salesperson calls a deadline and asks potential buyers to put in their best possible offer. Without some level of trust, buyers are likely to be more cautious.

Ask your potential hire about their database How often do they keep in touch with active local buyers? How many houses have they sold in your area?

The best real estate agents are problem solvers

No one can anticipate every potential issue before it comes to light, but the best salespeople can think on their feet and move quickly when problems arise It's this problem-solving ability that can save you thousands in the long run, by building confidence with potential buyers and by keeping deals together that might otherwise fall apart. They have a support network of contacts who can make things happen on short notice when the need arises.

Ask your potential hire about a recent time when they solved a problem that kept a deal alive

At the end of the day, you have to choose The key is to choose wisely The real estate professional you hire will have a big impact on your end result. Don't let price be the leading factor in your decision-making process.

Call us today to book an obligation-free chat. We love putting our vast experience to work helping owners in our community make smart real estate decisions. Get in touch today!

Jen Singleton: 021 820 373

Jake Morgan: 021 447 534

COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS

There’s no doubt in our mind that Millwater, the Hibiscus Coast, Rodney and the greater North Shore are truly special places to live and at Harcourts Cooper & Co, we pride ourselves on our community relationships. We are so committed to keeping it that way that we, both as individuals and from a branch/company perspective, work hard to support local community events wherever possible. We happily support many events from local school fairs to running and swimming events, Santa Parades and all sorts in between! Take a look at a few images from the Orewa Wintery Festival held recently at Moana Reserve.

Orewa

WINTERY FESTIVAL

Sunday 24th September Moana Reserve, Orewa

FREE EVENT 12,000 litres of snow polar swim prizes

A very special event brought to you by Destination Orewa Beach and proudly sponsored by Harcourts Cooper & Co, the Orewa WinterY Festival was a fun afternoon at Moana Reserve, nestled between the shops and Orewa beach front. The kids got to experience snow at the beach with 12,000 litres of the white stuff trucked in courtesy of SnowPlanet. With delicious food trucks, giant games, face painting and special guests Olaf and Elsa from Frozen, there was plenty to see and do. Well done to the 80+ participants who brrr-aved the water for the polar swim event!! It was great to see so many locals get in on the action, with hundreds in attendance and supporting. The festival was a great success that the Harcourts Cooper & Co Community Sponsorship team and Silverdale & Orewa branches were very excited to be involved with. Thanks for joining us for this wintery blast! Visit orewabeach.co.nz for more local events and information or cooperandco.co.nz if you’d like to apply for support with an upcoming community event......and now roll on summer!

Community 1

Evolving, for a stronger team

Having built so many award-winning homes in Millwater, Milldale and around the Coast, it is not surprising that Maddren Homes have recently moved their headquarters to Silverdale, to be close to where their heart is.

‘We’re so excited to be here, to be part of this energetic business hub where many of our suppliers and building partners are just around the corner. Our new office is going to be the perfect nest for our close-knit team. The open-plan layout suits us really well. It will help us to work more effectively, and supports our smart business model, which allows us to operate the business in innovative ways,’ says Maddren Director Keegan Anderson.

Like many other businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic drove Maddren to find new ways of operating with increased flexibility, to allow them to adapt to an ever-changing environment. Keegan believes it is always possible to find something positive, even in adverse situations.

‘I am very proud of our team. We’ve overcome so many obstacles together. After pushing through all the recent challenges and refining our best practice, I can safely say this is the strongest team we’ve ever had. At Maddren we specialise in design and build projects. The process and level of service is quite different to simply following set plans. Every job is unique and it takes a special kind of dedication to nail every detail. I can confidently say

everyone in our team is devoted to making that happen.’

The day after moving into their new offices, Maddren achieved another great business success. At the regional House of the Year awards their entry proudly secured gold award status and was also announced as the overall winner for their category. Then, to top off an already great evening, Maddren received the prestigious supreme award for projects under $1milion, and furthermore secured a spot in the top 100 houses across the entire country.

‘It was such a magical night,’ says Tony and Terena Anderson, the owners of Maddren Homes. ‘We have won national awards before but this is our first supreme award. Hopefully we can bring home some more national awards in November as a wonderful way to celebrate the efforts of our team and of all our building partners.’

It is great to have Maddren Homes relocated into our community and we look forward to seeing them build more award-winning houses on the Coast and beyond.

www.maddrenhomes.co.nz

Tony, Terena and Keegan Anderson

A beginner's guide to trying golf

Are you interested in golf but unsure where to start? Taking those first steps onto a course can be both exciting and daunting. Fear not! With a little guidance and a lot of enthusiasm, you'll soon be embracing the joys of golf. Here's a quick guide to help you dive in.

• Embrace the basics: Before hitting the course, familiarise yourself with the fundamental aspects of golf. Learn about the different clubs, rules and etiquettes. Research golfing terminologies and techniques to give you a head start. Watching instructional videos and reading about the game will help you feel more confident on the course.

• Find a beginner-friendly course: Seek out a local golf course that welcomes beginners. Look for courses with shorter holes and less challenging layouts. Wainui’s Orchard 9 par three course is perfect for this. These beginner-friendly courses provide an excellent environment to learn and practice without feeling overwhelmed.

• Invest in proper equipment: Golf clubs can be expensive, but you don't need a full set to get started. Borrow or rent clubs initially to gauge your interest in the sport. As you progress, invest in a few essential clubs tailored to your swing. A golf bag with a ½ set, golf balls and comfortable flat-soled pair of shoes are all you need to get started.

• Take a lesson from a pro: Enrolling in golf lessons is an excellent way to receive personalised instruction and proper technique. There are either individual or group style coaching options available. A golf professional can help you correct your swing, teach you the correct grip and stance and will lay the foundations for your swing.

• Practice makes perfect: Practice regularly at the driving range to hone your skills. Focus on developing a consistent starting position, pre shot routine. Remember, golf is a game of patience and persistence, so do not be discouraged by initial challenges.

• Play with friends: Golfing with friends who are also beginners can make the experience more enjoyable and less intimidating. Friendly competition and camaraderie will keep

you motivated and create lasting memories on the course.

• Embrace the outdoors: One of the joys of golf is the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. Enjoy the tranquillity of the course, appreciate the scenic landscapes and take advantage of the fresh air and exercise.

• Have fun: Most importantly, remember that golf is meant to be fun! Embrace the journey, celebrate your progress and don’t get too caught up in perfecting every shot.

So, gear up, head to the course and embark on this exciting golfing adventure. Happy golfing!

Mike Duncumb | Head Golf Professional, Wainui wainui.online

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Through the lens with Carmen

A new artist has arrived on the Coast, ready to capture the town with her unique vision. Photographer Carmen Bird has recently made this picturesque haven her home, moving closer to her husband's business in

Carmen has a genuine passion for photography that spans over 14 years. Her photographic journey began through capturing all the moments of her own family, and over the years she’s gradually developed her skills and transformed her hobby into a thriving career. She’s now an experienced professional photographer with and an impressive portfolio to her name.

Intriguingly, Carmen does not limit herself to one genre; her lens has witnessed a multitude of subjects and themes that have ignited her creativity. Whether it's meeting fascinating people, capturing the essence of fashion labels, crafting compelling corporate headshots, stunning landscapes or producing striking kickboxing posters,

Carmen has done it all. Her repertoire includes website, print and social media content, catering to the needs of small, medium and large corporate clients. She enjoys the thrill of experiencing new things and meeting new people on the job. She thrives on the ever-changing canvas that photography provides, where every moment is a new opportunity to explore her craft.

The transition to photography from her previous career in the fashion industry was a natural one. Her artistic flair and knack for organising seamlessly merged in to her love of creating stunning images. Her primary goal is to continually nurture her creativity and grow as an artist, to use everything as a learning experience.

Reflecting on her illustrious career, Carmen recalls her overseas adventures from the Pacific to East Asia to Europe. These journeys have added landscape prints to her portfolio and her website print shop, allowing her to incorporate travel and adventure into her work.

She also has worked with several charities including Heart Kids and Cure Kids capturing special moments with brave and inspirational children. A highlight was

meeting Eva Mitchell, who has battled gastrointestinal failure from birth, spending her formative years in Starship Hospital. Carmen has artfully captured moments for Eva and her family over the years and she recently celebrated her 16th birthday, a huge milestone for Eva.

In fact many of the people that Carmen has worked with over the years have left lasting impressions on her – the kickboxers with fierce determination, the individuals walking unique paths and the countless faces that have graced her photographs. She looks forward to including our local scenery and meeting many colourful Coasties when making her future memories, one snap at a time.

For more information, visit www.carmenbirdphotography.co.nz.

Madison Derbyshire-Smith | Features Contributor

Not

BRIAR COOK

KATIE SELF RICHARD WORKER

MICHELLE PAUL

JADE HARREWIJN

The Green Spot

One of the first steps people take to reduce their waste is to switch from liquid shampoos to bars, and with varying degrees of success. Now we have a new option to try thanks to Dust and Glow, who have created beauty powders. This New Zealand company provide hair and skin care concentrates in powder form that are activated by water while you wash.

Traditional beauty companies charge you for products that can contain 80-95% water, packaged in excess plastic. Dust and Glow powders are supplied in aluminium bottles that have been designed to last and be reused with certified compostable refills.

Dust and Glow uses natural, active and biodegradable ingredients rather than sending artificial substances down the drain. Their

powders are certified vegan and animal cruelty free and 1% of sales is donated to bring clean water to those who need it most.

To use the products, just shake some of the powder onto wet hands or directly onto wet hair and lather. On average, one bottle is equivalent to three liquid bottles and they can last up to 60 washes. Personally, I was thrilled with how it left my hair feeling clean and soft and I became an instant convert.

They have a range of waterless beauty formulas to replace body wash, face wash, shampoo and conditioner, with options for different needs, such as, sensitive skin, itchy scalp or coloured hair. You can even buy a trial size if you are unsure which product is right for you and these make great gifts or are useful as travel minis. For extra convincing, they have an offer for our readers of a 20% discount. Just type POWDER20 as the promo code at the checkout of their website dustandglow.com. Say goodbye to plastic and water waste and help save billions of plastic bottles from ending up in landfills.

Hayley Crawford | @trashtalkingmama

In the loop

Greek extravaganza fundraiser: The annual Rotary Club of Orewa-Millwater’s Greek Extravaganza fundraiser for Harbour Hospice will be held on Saturday, 2 December 2023, at the Orewa Arts & Events Centre. The evening features a three course dinner of traditional Greek dishes by Emily’s Greek Kitchen and Greek wines, beers, non-alcoholic drinks and ouzo supplied by Little Greece, this annual event is a popular local event and by all accounts an amazing cultural experience. If you fancy enjoying some Greek music, food and dancing, tickets will be $85.00 per person or $800.00 for a table of ten and are available at https:// harbourhospice.org.nz/event/greek-extravaganza/.

Orewa Primary School farewell Debbie Hicks: Last month Orewa Primary School said a fond farewell to longstanding staff member Debbie Hicks. Debbie worked in the office at Orewa Primary for an incredible nineteen years. During that time she made a massive contribution to the school, and was often the first face of Orewa Primary to many students beginning their journey at the school. A big thank you to Debbie for the important role she has played in the lives of many children within our community and best wishes for her next adventure.

Making the most of the pump track: Can you believe it, our time with the pump track kindly provided by The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board is nearly half over already! Now that the weather is improving be sure to get out there and make the most of this temporary instillation on Millwater Parkway while you can. Let’s show that there is a desire and a need for more facilities such as this on the Coast.

Halloween how to: Yes, Halloween is nearly upon us once again. If you’re new to the Coast and planning on trick or treating, the usual local etiquette is that if someone has decorated their house they probably have treats at hand and are worth a door knock, but if a house is not decorated, then please walk on by. If you get any good pics of your trick or treaters this year, send them our way and we may just publish a few of our favourites.

Everyone wants the good life - smooth sailing, affairs in order, business matters sorted, our families and assets protected.

For exceptional legal support and results, together with a real belief in personal service, please give us a call.

Share your stories with us: We love celebrating local achievements, acknowledging pillars of the community and promoting worthy local events. If you have a story you think would be of interest to our readers, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to include it in an upcoming issue.

Cooking Questions with

Mark Lane

Your own personal chef

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.

Christina: My 11-year-old son is showing a real interest in being a chef. Do you have suggestions for dishes he should start building up in his repertoire over the next few years so he has a bag of tricks ready to go when he hits the workforce?

The best thing your son can do to prepare for a career in a professional kitchen is learn how to use a sharp chef’s knife properly. As a young cook he will spend most of his time cutting and chopping in a kitchen and building up his speed. Of all the skills I have after 39 years of cooking, my knife skills are the most important to me as this is the back bone of any good chef. The dish itself is not as important as the basic skills of cooking. Once your son has mastered the knife skills he can work on the basic building blocks of cookery, basics sauces, stocks, methods of cookery and so on. Try YouTube for professional knife tutorials.

Tracey: I want my family to eat more fish but it is so expensive. Do you have some suggestions for dishes that use cheaper types of fish or make fish go a long way?

It’s always best to use fillers with the fish to bulk it out. I like to make fishcakes using potatoes and breadcrumbs. You can’t go wrong with a great fish pie and by blind baking your pastry first and then topping your fish mixture with mashed potato this will add lots of volume to the fish. Make a risotto and finish with fish pieces or make a classic Niçoise Salad and finish with tuna or salmon. You can also make Kedgeree, which originated in colonial India and uses smoked fish and rice. Making fish curries is always good as there is lot of vegetables and sauce and when served with rice it makes the fish go a long way. I use prawn cutlets, mussels and calamari as they work out cheaper per kilo than most fish, or serve them with fresh fish to make it go further or to bulk out a curry or fish pie. My favourite fish is snapper but a cheaper fish great for poaching and curries is monk fish. Smoked fish works out cheaper and also has more flavour.

Mark Lane | Culinary Lane Catering

www.culinarylane.co.nz

Let’s talk about vaping Family Corner

With New Zealand working towards being smoke-free by 2025, devices such as e-cigarettes and vape pens have been useful tools to help smokers break the habit, but unfortunately there has been a rise in the number of young people taking up vaping.

While the long-term health effects of vaping are still relatively unknown, there have already been links to health risks that are concerning. For example, the dontgetsuckedin.co.nz website states that vaping has been found to worsen coughing and asthma symptoms and that over time, the chemicals in vapes could ‘potentially cause cancer, increase inflammation in the lungs and lead to other lung diseases’. With nicotine in some vapes there is also concern around addiction.

On top of the direct health risks there is also a risk of fires starting from vape pens being left on and there have been instances of modified vape pens exploding.

The government have announced new restrictions to try to reduce the number of young people taking up vaping, such as requiring child safety mechanisms on the pens, controls around the naming of vape flavours, reducing the maximum amount of nicotine allowed in vapes and not allowing vape stores within 300 metres of a school or marae.

With the prevalence of vaping among some young people and curiosity in others, it’s becoming one of those tricky topics of conversation around the dinner table.

Talking about vaping

Ellie Gwilliam, content editor for Parenting Place, says having an open and honest conversation with your kids about vaping could include:

• asking your kids what they know about vaping and what they think about it

• discussing some reasons why people might start vaping

• discussing why some people might find it hard to stop vaping once they’ve started

• talking about the cost (monetary and otherwise) of vaping

She says ‘the power in honest and open conversations with our kids about vaping is that we can help them see some of the implications of addiction and develop some empathy for others, while at the same time equipping them with some healthy hesitancy of their own.’

She also emphasises the importance of listening more than lecturing, and asking ‘What would you do if…’ to prepare for any tricky situations that may occur, such as ‘What would you do if your friend offered you a vape on the way home from school?’.

Hopefully conversations such as these will encourage our young people to make informed and well considered decisions around vaping.

Claire Nevans | Editor

Useful links: dontgetsuckedin.co.nz website by Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ www.parentingplace.nz

The

new kid in town

A review of Columbus Coffee

After dropping my kids off at Orewa Primary School one recent morning I happened to look up at the horizon while heading back down Maire Road and spotted something I’d never noticed before. Standing out, off in the distance – but not at all where my internal compass thought it should be – was the bright orange banner of the new Mitre 10 Mega store that recently opened in the Highgate Business Park. It struck me how the development of our local area is continually altering the vistas we look upon and I wondered how long this new view will last before another building rises up to change it again.

The following weekend when my family were contemplating possible brunch spots the orange up on the horizon came back to me and we headed up Wainui Road to try out the new Columbus Coffee that sits within Mitre 10.

Parking was easy and when we arrived the café was busy enough to have atmosphere but there were still plenty of tables left to choose from. The interior is very similar to the Columbus Coffee at Mitre 10 in Albany, with a mix of booth-type benches, standard

tables and bar-height options along the wall, though the playground outside seems a little smaller.

The staff were friendly when we ordered our food and happily sought answers to our ingredients questions from the chef. The cabinet food looked appetising and master 10 chose a massive sausage roll that he thoroughly enjoyed, sending little flakes of pastry flying across our table and beyond as he devoured it. Miss 10, hubby and I all ordered from the menu and were equally impressed with our pancakes, omelette and eggs benedict, all very tasty, well balanced (other than the pancakes being a little too sweet) and looking rather pleasant on the plate.

The coffee was hot and strong, and the kids declared their hot chocolate and smoothie super yummy, though they did have a little drink envy when spotting a masterpiece of a milkshake creation heading to another table across the café. There’s also a water station with free still and sparkling water, which is a nice touch.

For a chain café I have to say we were pretty impressed and would happily return for a second visit. Fairly sure I know what the kids’ drink order will be.

Claire Nevans | Editor

COME SEE WHY THOUSANDS TRUST US! HEARING PROBLEMS?

When it comes to problems with your ears, it’s great to know you are in safe hands. Hear Again have been delighting Hibiscus Coast residents for over 7 years at their inviting Whangaparaoa Coast Plaza clinic.

With a dedicated ear wax removal suite, FREE initial hearing tests, and access to the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers, Give your ears a treat today!

Coastguard Maintenance tips for this summer

Poorly maintained vessels result in problems at sea that can be disastrous. Breakdowns, battery and fuel problems on boats account for over 50% of the calls to Coastguard for assistance. To help ensure the safety all those on board, get into the habit of checking everything before you head out, especially if the boat has been laid up over winter.

Wash your boat regularly with fresh water to remove any salt water build up that can be very corrosive to your boat and equipment. Wet and Forget Salt Shaker is a blend of surfactants and protective anti-corrosive compounds designed to remove the damaging effects of salt on your boat and trailer.

Service your engines at least once a year. Spark plugs should be changed with your engine service, and you should carry a spare set and a sparkplug spanner on your boat. Keep an ear out for new or different noises or vibrations, as they can be the first sign something isn’t quite right.

Every time you start your motor, check the water pump to ensure a strong discharge. A blocked cooling system can quickly overheat and destroy a motor.

About a quarter of all incidents attended by Coastguard volunteers relate to flat batteries, so check your battery once a year to ensure it is charged, that it continues to hold the charge, and it is kept topped up with distilled water. Make sure that the connections are not corroded or loose.

Check fuel lines at least four times a year. Make sure that there are no cracks in your fuel line and that any connections are not corroded.

Check your oil 3-4 times a year. Check the oil level regularly and keep an eye on the oil colour. Just like in a car, make sure you change it if it's starting to turn dark. If it turns milky or magically starts appearing (the level is moving up the dipstick) you may have a serious issue and need to consult an expert.

Check your prop for damage or rubbish, such as fishing line being wound around it. A damaged prop can be very fuel inefficient.

Check the hull for any visible signs of damage, such as unexpected scratches and dents and look inside the boat for water leaks. Make sure the bung plugs still fit securely and check the navigation lights and bilge pumps.

Check your trailer frequently as well as your boat. Have a quick scan of the trailer immediately after launching your boat. Check the rollers are in good condition, winch cable is secure, lights working and that corrosion is minimal.

Make sure you're sorted with a Coastguard membership. Despite everything, and even with the best maintenance in the world, things can (and do) go wrong. If you run into trouble out on the water, Coastguard will have your back 24/7. Our trained volunteers are on call.

Rachel Hessey | Coastguard Hibiscus President

Found & Fancied

A few items we spotted locally this month and rather fancied.

17/350 HBC Highway, Orewa

438 Waitoki Road, Wainui

350

Highway,

8 Polarity Rise, Silverdale

1. Astronaut ornaments $39 at About You Gifts & Flowers

2. Casheta cashew feta at Olliff Farm Artisan Shop

3. Grubbs by Jed Seward $69 at Absurd Hope

HBC

Orewa

4. Jingle Jungle toddler togs $47.95 at Northern Arena

3.

2.

4.

1.

The Milford Track Taking a Hike

I’m working my way through the Great Walks and in the last year I have been lucky enough to tick off the Milford Track twice, with friends in spring then again in summer with my husband. The 53.5km was all kinds of epic both times.

The start of the track is a scenic ferry ride up Lake Te Anau and a 20 minute stroll to the first hut in a beautiful spot a stone’s throw from the Clinton River. Our second day stepped up a notch with a 16km hike along the Clinton Valley through beech forest then out onto open plains. We stopped at Prairie Lake and after watching other hikers plunge into the cold water, FOMO got the better of us. We had a quick dip before heading on to our hut for the night.

Day three is the most challenging and we were up early, heading out the door in the dark. We had an easy hour or so until hitting the series of zig zags that take you up to MacKinnon Pass. It’s a decent climb into alpine terrain and to the top of the pass 1154m above sea level. It’s often blanketed in cloud but we were lucky enough to have sunshine and spectacular panoramic views of the mountains and valleys of the Fiordland National Park.

After the mandatory photo stop it’s on to the downhill, just as hard as the uphill but our poles make it a little more manageable. The descent takes you down countless stairs and steps past dozens of waterfalls and pools covered in ferns and moss. It’s a stunning vista and a great distraction from thinking about tired legs.

After dropping our bags at a shelter we headed to Sutherland Falls. The 45 minutes is a hard slog after the ups and downs of the pass but it’s an absolute highlight of the walk. It’s reputedly the highest waterfall in NZ at an impressive 580 metres. Just watching the spray is an experience. Once again we braved the icy water Wim Hof style and jumped in for a quick swim, better than an ice pack for aching muscles.

Milford Sound is infamous for its wet weather and our last day was solid drizzle. The rain made everything a bit sodden from boots to raincoats that weren’t quite thick enough, but it truly is a beautiful experience as the track comes alive with glistening trees, ferns, moss and waterfalls appearing everywhere, cascading down to the rivers creating ethereal mist sprays.

The end of the hike is Sandfly Point, aptly named, and then it’s a short boat ride back to Mitre Peak with a celebration dinner and some stunning sunset photos. The hike is worthy of its reputation as the jewel of the Great Walks. I would sign up again, but Rakiura is up next. I’ve heard it’s a tad muddy. Wish me luck.

www.carmenbirdphotography.co.nz | 021 310320

For framed landscape prints PRINT SHOP | All | Carmen Bird Photography

Carmen Bird | Carmen Bird Photography

Honours Night Silverdale Volunteer Fire Brigade

On Saturday, 9 September the Silverdale Volunteer Fire Brigade past and present members got together to celebrate their annual Honours Night. It started at the fire station with a full brigade photo, and after the formalities, ended with a fun-filled evening at the Red Beach Surf Club.

An Honours Night is a recognition of the current volunteers’ contribution to fire and emergency services in our greater Hibiscus Coast community. Service honours have been awarded since the UFBA (United Fire Brigades' Association) was founded in 1878 and are exclusive to FENZ volunteers. They reflect the volunteer’s time and commitment and show an appreciation for everything they do.

This event was attended by not only by current and past members, but life honorary members and guests, including our local MP Mark Mitchell and FENZ Assistant Area Commander Shaun Pilgrim.

This year 33 members received certificates, bars, medals and trophies recognising service time ranging from three years right up to 47 years. Special recognition needs to go to the following members who received gold bars: Station Officer Adrian Rice for 31 years, ex-Chief Fire Officer Don McErlich for 41 years and Senior Station Officer Nigel Capon for 47-years of service. Congratulations too, to Neil Mahoney, who received the Silverdale Volunteer Firefighter of the year.

The Silverdale Volunteer Fire Brigade would like to give special thanks to their fantastic hosts at the Red Beach Surf Club and to Danni at Photo Carnival for taking such wonderful photos of the event.

Madison Derbyshire-Smith | Features Contributor

Firefighter of the year Neil Mahoney and Chief Fire Officer Ted Fuller

Chief Fire Officer Ted Fuller and Assistant Area Commander Shaun Pilgrim

ex CFO Don McErlich and Rt Hon Mark Mitchell

Mortgage Matters

Buying and selling

Should you sell first or buy first?

Here are several options you can consider when buy and selling, depending on your risk comfort levels.

Option 1 – Buying first

A popular option is to make an offer on the property you want to buy conditional of your existing home selling. The risk with this option is that you don’t know how long it’s going to take to sell your home.

In these situations, the vendor of the property you’re interested in purchasing will usually include a ‘cash out clause’, which means they can accept another, more straightforward offer at any time.

Option 2 – Bridging loan

If you’re looking to buy before selling your existing property, you may want to see if a bridging loan is a possibility as a backup option. A bridging loan is a short-term loan that allows you to purchase a new property before you sell your existing one. This can be expensive, as for a time you’ll be servicing two loans simultaneously and you’ll need to be able to demonstrate to the bank that you’re able to service both loans.

Option 3 – Selling first

This is the least risky option. The downside is that you may not find a suitable property before your current one settles, which may mean you need to find temporary accommodation.

For this option, there may be penalties for repaying your mortgage early, such as break costs, as you may be repaying your loan in full prior to purchasing your new property.

Option 4 – Buying and selling at the same time

Lastly, you could choose to put your home on the market while

actively looking to buy your next home and have both properties settle on the same day, so that you can keep your existing fixed terms (this is ideal if you are currently fixed on lower interest rates than is currently available) and the bank can simply transfer the security to the new property.

If you’re considering buying and selling, we recommend you speak with an experienced mortgage adviser to ensure you understand your financial options.

Let’s chat!

Contact Wayne Henry on 021 423 818 or email wayne@waynehenry.co.nz.

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/

Bucket List Travel Malaysia – Truly Asia

Malaysia Tourism’s tagline ‘Malaysia – Truly Asia’ really couldn’t be more succinct. It is a destination that should be on everyone’s bucket list for the diversity of offerings. There is something here to suit anyone who has an interest in an Asian holiday experience. Here's a closer look at some key aspects that make Malaysia a great destination for everyone.

Malaysia's geographical location, situated near the equator, gives it a tropical climate and a variety of ecosystems including lush rainforests, beautiful beaches and diverse wildlife. The division between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia adds to the country's geographical diversity.

Malaysia's history, influenced by various colonial powers, indigenous cultures and immigrant communities has shaped its unique identity. Its transition from a colonial past to an independent nation and its subsequent economic development is a testament to its resilience and adaptability. The resulting mix of architecture is a reason to visit in itself, with an eclectic variety of modern and colonial structures including the famous Petronas Twin Towers in the district known as the Golden Triangle.

The multicultural nature of Malaysia's population is its defining

feature. The Malays, Chinese, Indians and various indigenous groups have contributed to a rich cultural mosaic that is celebrated through a wide variety of festivals, languages, traditions and cuisine that makes Malaysia an ideal holiday destination. This cultural fusion creates a harmonious coexistence that sets Malaysia apart. Malaysia's ability to celebrate its cultural differences while fostering unity is remarkable. The country's approach to embracing and valuing its diversity serves as an example for the world. The diversity of culture, history and varied ecosystems provide a wide range of activities for travellers. Whether you're interested in exploring the vibrant cities, relaxing on beautiful beaches, diving, caving, trekking through lush jungles (and tea plantations) or immersing yourself in the tapestry of cultures, Malaysia has something unique to offer every traveller and does so with warm hospitality. It truly lives up to the tagline ‘Malaysia – Truly Asia’.

Get in touch if you’d like some guidance booking your getaway to Malaysia.

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

Enjoy fun-filled

moments

With these three essential ingredients

‘…prioritizing fun is like going on a diet that requires you eat more foods that you love.’ Catherine Price, The Power of FUN.

Catherine Price’s book The Power of FUN reads both as a research document and a menu for creating healthy moments of fun and fulfillment in your life.

How would you define fun?

This was a question that Catherine proposed to a global group of volunteers and concluded that there is a universal definition for true fun that is consistent with people and contexts: fun happens when we experience a combination of playfulness, connection and flow. These states are not dependent on any specific activity –everyone experiences their own authentic fun moments.

Playfulness: Play depends less on the activity itself and more on having a playful state of mind. With true fun, laughter is usually a key ingredient.

Connection: People described feeling they were having a fun experience with someone when they felt connected with themselves at the same time. Connection can also be with nature, with a pet or even a solitary activity.

Flow: True fun can only be experienced when we give full attention to the given moment. Staying in the flow requires being present

and free from distractions such as devices pinging notifications or unnecessary multitasking.

Experiencing moments of true fun can have you feeling happy, without needing to pursue a specific goal to attain happiness. In her book, Christine acknowledges restrictions were imposed on fun activities during the peak of the recent global pandemic.

I was reminded of the extended lockdown we experienced in 2021. My ‘playground’ of Latin dancing, gym classes and walking with friends was closed indefinitely. To compensate for my lack of fun times with others I started creating daily posts to share on my Facebook page as ‘Lockdown Laughs’. The post that received the most emojis and comments was the one video I made of me playing solo hopscotch – that was true fun!

Creating a flow of humorous images to share with friends disrupted the sense of isolation I was feeling at that time and also discouraged mindless scrolling on social media. Junk flow, like junk food, does not nourish our mind and soul.

Purchaser's failure to settle

What happens next?

A vendor enters into a Sale and Purchase Agreement to sell their property to a purchaser. The vendor plans to use the money to buy a new property. On the settlement date, the purchaser does not pay the remaining money needed to settle. What happens now?

Under the standard Auckland District Law Society (ADLS) Sale and Purchase Agreement, if the vendor is ready, willing and able to settle, then they can serve a settlement notice which requires the purchaser to settle within 12 working days from the notice being served.

Penalty interest on the amount outstanding will be charged from the original settlement date until the property is settled.

when your fixed term expires?

If the purchaser still does not settle within 12 working days from the notice being served, the vendor then can either sue for specific performance or cancel the Agreement and sue for damages, including potentially loss incurred on a resale within the next year. Suing for specific performance means seeking a court order for the purchaser to complete the settlement. In some instances, this may not be possible.

If the vendor decides to cancel the Agreement, they can still retain the purchaser's deposit as long as it does not exceed 10% of the purchase price. They can then also sue for damages.

While these options appear to be straightforward, you must be careful. If the process is not followed properly it could result in the vendor breaching the Agreement. If in doubt, reach out to our team at Simpson Western North, either at office@ simpsonwesternnorth.co.nz or call us on 09 421 0559. Our property team can help you assess your options.

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.

Anushka Sequeira | Simpson Western North

The Fishing Spot

Wow, the spring season has certainly kicked off with warmer temperatures and more settled weather. The gannets have already started bombing the bait schools out wide towards the Coromandel and will soon be making their way in closer to the coast. This month the moon phases line us best with the change of tide and change of light around the 15th to the 18th, right around the time of the full moon. This combined with the water temperature increasing will bring the ocean to life and make for some pretty awesome fishing conditions.

I’ve already fixed up the wonky trailer light, put on a new chain and anchor and had the boat in for a service ready for the new season. I’m hearing about some great fish being caught out past the cable lines and my last two trips fishing in close have not produced anything over 10 pounds. With FOMO kicking in, I’m going to put my straylining tackle box and burley pot away and break out the lure bag and light gear for my next trip out!

My last fishing expedition was during the last full moon. Fishing

dusk, watching the sunset to the west and then watching the moon rise behind Great Barrier Island to the east was magical. I also had the change of tide at the same time making for perfect conditions for the direction of the current and a long burley trail onto the reef.

The fishing was pretty exceptional too and I had to be picky on which fish to take so I didn’t catch my limit too soon and miss out on that big one. Unfortunately, I had anchored too close to the reef structure and not on the sand beside the reef where I usually anchor. My baits were getting tangled in the kelp on the reef and I lost a few rigs which were snagged. This night wasn’t to be my night with my biggest fish coming in around 50cm. I wished I could have stayed out there a lot longer. I’m really looking forward to some long summer nights fishing – tight lines.

Tim Lawrence

Mark Mitchell For Whangaparāoa

Authorised by Hon Mark Mitchell MP, Tamariki House, 7 Tamariki Ave, Orewa.

Central’s Tips October 2023

The fruit and vegetable garden

• Planting edible flowers with vegetables is a no-brainer - salads become more interesting, the vegetable bed looks pretty and the bees arrive! Flowers to eat include nasturtiums, carnations, daylilies, rose petals and violas

• All the summer vegetables can go in at Labour Weekend – the soil temperatures are warmer, and the sunlight hours are increasing making it ideal for planting!

• Despite a year awash with rain, watering has become important: young seedlings and germinating seeds are in the top layer of soil which dries out first. Water daily and if it’s becoming dry very early in the season, place pea straw around the plants

• Protect young plants from spring winds with windbreak cloth. Or leave in some of the finished winter vegetables and plant young vegetables and herbs between them. Cold spring winds can be deadly to seedling establishment

• Liquid feed all seedlings at planting – it gives nourishment at the root area and helps get the plants off to a good start

• Tomatoes are especially fast climbing, so construct climbing supports to manage the growth and aid access to picking them

Project for October

Time to refresh the pots and urns

Time to refresh the pots and urns

The ornamental garden

• Wage war on the weeds – actively removing or spraying them early in the season, leaves plenty of room for the desirable plants to flourish and reduces recurrent weed growth. Mulching around plants after weeding helps with this

• Fertilise established lawns with Prolawn Lawn Booster. Use a handheld spreader to apply the correct amount evenly. Lawn fertilisers should be watered in after application to avoid burning

• For a summer of flowers plant dahlia tubers, sow seeds of cosmos, hollyhocks and poppies. Daisies, perennial petunias and alstroemerias are all reliably long flowering and appear in garden centres now. Plant with Garden Mix

• Keep the garden healthy with foliar spray of Aquaticus organic Garden Booster. Apply early morning or later in the afternoon

• Rhododendrons and hydrangeas bloom from now onwards. Both plants grow as small or medium sized bushes and they come in a range of flower colours, so they’re a worthy addition to a garden

• Fancy some blossom? Most ornamental cherry and crabapple varieties are available now. Plant into Garden Mix or Nutra Soil, stake well and mulch around the new tree

Planted pots are micro gardens where the plants are being asked to grow under harsher conditions. Re-planting them can refresh the look: use Potting or Garden Mix as these blends drain better and are packed with fertilisers. Fill to within 3cm and layer on mulch to finish the look.

Planted pots are micro gardens where the plants are being asked to grow under harsher conditions. Re-planting them can refresh the look: use Potting or Garden Mix as these blends drain better and are packed with fertilisers. Fill to within 3cm and layer on mulch to finish the look.

Tip: if it’s a very large pot, polystyrene can be recycled into the base to about halfway up, saving on mix.

Tip: if it’s a very large pot, polystyrene can be recycled into the base to about halfway up, saving on mix.

For Potting or Garden Mix in bags visit centrallandscapes.co.nz

For Potting or Garden Mix in bags visit centrallandscapes.co.nz

Does your insurance company move the goalposts?

It’s Rugby World Cup time…. Richie Mounga is lining up a penalty kick. As he is in the process of kicking, two groundsmen come running out and move the goalposts! Couldn’t happen, right?

Yet that is exactly what some banks offering life insurance policies do. They retain the right to move the goalposts if it is in their interests to do so. This insidious practice needs to be condemned.

Mainstream life and health insurers honour the fact that an insurance policy taken up by a client in good faith, with full and honest disclosure, is an unbreakable contract. They may enhance that policy by adding further benefits (at no additional cost), but they cannot unilaterally remove or lessen the conditions of the contract.

Yet we continue to become aware of policy wordings from some companies which enable them to ‘move the goalposts’ in relation to their clients’ policy. For example, one insurer provides ‘Serious Illness Trauma Cover’. Not only is this poor-quality cover, which bears no comparison against the more comprehensive trauma covers provided by mainstream insurers, but the policy wording also allows this company to unilaterally make any changes it wishes to the client’s policy. This insurer states:

‘We can change the Serious Illness Trauma cover definitions and add or remove medical conditions covered. We can also change whether medical conditions are high severity or low severity…. We’ll give you at least 60 days’ notice of any changes and the date they’ll apply from…. If you’re not happy with any changes you can cancel your Serious Illness Trauma cover…. We may change the premium rates, the criteria for when different premium rates apply, and/or the method of calculating the premiums.’

This means that the cover you think you have may not be the cover that actually applies at claim time. Furthermore, if you don’t like the changes they make, you can cancel your cover! What they are saying is ‘if you don’t play by our rules, we don’t want you’.

I believe these types of policy wordings, which are typical of several banks’ insurance policies, are a disgrace. If you have life insurance products in place with any bank, the best thing you can do is seek a comprehensive ‘warrant of fitness’ insurance review with a quality insurance adviser. You owe it to yourself, your family and your business to have total confidence in your protection plan and that your interests are firmly protected.

It's what we do!

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 web site.

Book Reviews

Darling Girls

by Sally Hepworth

Although not related by blood, Jessica, Norah and Alicia feel they are sisters after they were rescued from different family tragedies as children and given a second chance by being raised on an idyllic farming estate.

These days, Jessica runs a successful home organisation business, and Alicia looks after troubled children. When they get a phone call from a police detective, their first thought is that Norah is in trouble with the law again. But the call is not about Norah; it turns out a body has been discovered at Wild Meadows Farm during evacuations, and the story then follows the current investigation, but also the events from twenty-five years ago. The three ‘sisters’ childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thinks it was, and the foster sisters are thrust into the spotlight of the investigation as key witnesses. Or are they the suspects?

Darling Girls is completely unputdownable, an emotionally compelling story that is dark and funny at the same time. The best domestic thriller of 2023!

Macmillan Publishers, RRP $37.99

Secrets of the Land

by Kate Mahony

This novel opens in Melbourne in 2018 when a stranger approaches Imogen and says that her grandfather, who she thinks is dead, needs her help. Bewildered by the encounter, Imogen carries on to meet her boyfriend, who blindsides her when he declares he is going back to his estranged wife. Imogen decides to proceed with their planned trip to New Zealand; the investigative journalist in her curious about the stranger’s words. When she arrives in Taranaki, she finds her gruff granddad is very much alive, but someone is trying to frighten him off his farm. But who is doing this, and why are they doing this?

The novel also follows the story of Imogen’s mother, Aoife, in Taranaki in 1976 as a young girl, and the story of Irishman Michael in 1864. It turns out there is a long shadow over Imogen’s grandfather’s farm. Secrets of the Land is a tale where the past haunts the present, but secrets refuse to stay hidden.

Cloud Ink Press, RRP $29.99

Art Speak October brings fresh weather

and fresh new artwork and art classes

In October Estuary Arts Centre will be hosting five new exhibitions by over 40 artists.

In the main gallery view a painting retrospective by Adrienne Wright, whose love of manuka is a key theme throughout her work. Growing up in Takapuna, near Hauraki corner, there was a lot of native bush and Adrienne spent many hours as a child playing there. One of her earliest teachers was aunt Wintrop Bartleet, an accomplished watercolour artist who mixed blue, yellow and a touch of red and then said ‘there is the colour for a pine tree’. Other significant tutors in her life were Toss Woollaston, Don Binney and Roy Delgano.

Sharing this space is Kati Macadam, who is an emerging artist originally from Wellington but currently living in Auckland teaching art to children and adults. Her speciality is pencil but she enjoys acrylics and oil to bring that pop of colour to her realistic animals and flowers.

In gallery two view the rich and sumptuous colour palette of Laura Layton, whose exhibition acknowledges ‘Nature's Abundance’. Laura is a full-time artist from North of Auckland. Her style has developed over the last few years from detailed pencil/ pen works to colourful paintings, often with a hint of realism, texture or pattern. After experimenting with different mediums, acrylic paint became a firm favourite and with this came experimenting with colours and shapes and her love of abstract art.

In gallery three we introduce a digital moving image artwork called ‘Manifesto’ created by Ian and Nancy Miller, featuring up-close-and-personal interviews with four local artists who work in painting, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture. A small selection of these featured artists work will also be on display.

Gallery four features the annual group printmaking exhibition by the Hibiscus Printmakers. This group of artists usually meet every Friday at Estuary Arts to share,

learn and create together. If you are a keen printmaker then this group is for you.

The term four programme starts on 10 October with 35 art classes and workshops to choose from. EAC is pleased to introduce new tutors Alisdair Scott, who will be tutoring soft stone workshops, Caitlin Johnston, our new children’s tutor, Ara Bosch joins the ceramic team and Macarena Bernal, who teaches resin jewellery.

If your work mates or social groups are keen for a fun pre-Christmas gettogether, we offer hands-on art parties and team building sessions for large and small groups. The art centre is open 7 days a week, visit the website on www.estuaryarts. org, call 09 4265570 or email admin@ estuaryarts.org

Kereru painting by Laura Layton

Manuka by Adrienne Wright

Leda Daniel who is part of the Manifesto film

Golden lab by Kati Macadam

Romance scams

Online scammers pretend to form a genuine relationship with someone online to gain their trust and affection and then use that ‘relationship’ to con money out of them. They find their victims through sources such as email, social media, dating websites and more.

Understanding how this happens can be difficult, but remember that scammers invest a lot of time and energy into establishing online friendships, gaining the trust of their unsuspecting victims and making them believe that the connection they have is real. Many scams are run by professional outfits who train the scammers to be very skilled at what they do.

If this happens to you, please do ask for advice. You’re not alone in having fallen prey to frauds. The CAB or NetSafe are good places to turn to for help and advice. You could report incidents to the police but in the case of online scammers, they’re probably operating from overseas. If money has been sent off-shore, recovery is unlikely as cyber criminals are experts at hiding their identity and often operate from countries that don’t have reliable law enforcement agencies for the NZ Police to network with. This means that prevention is by far your strongest tool against online scammers.

To avoid falling prey to online scammers:

• be cautious about who you communicate with online

• don’t respond to requests or hints for money

• never send money to anyone you don’t know or haven’t met in person

• avoid giving out personal details that could be used to impersonate you

• if you think you’re being scammed, stop all contact and avoid sending further payments

• contact the CAB or Netsafe for free and confidential advice if you feel something isn’t quite right.

The CAB provides free, confidential, independent information and advice to anyone. Not sure? Ask us.

Useful links: https://www.cab.org.nz/ article/KB00002033, www.netsafe.org. nz, www.cffc.org.nz

Image credit: Designed by Vectorarte on Freepik

Discover Silverdale

New campaign to promote local business

After successfully obtaining BID status, the Silverdale Business Association have been hard at work exploring new ways to support local businesses and promote Silverdale as a vibrant and thriving destination. With this focus in mind, the team are excited to announce the recent launch of their Discover Silverdale campaign.

For this campaign Silverdale Business have partnered with GrabOne to provide an e-commerce platform that will help local businesses increase their exposure and reach, fill up quiet periods and move targeted products.

‘Silverdale has always been a hidden gem,’ says Silverdale Business General Manager Tasha Gummer, ‘but it's time to let the world know about the incredible experiences and treasures it holds, from adventure to mouthwatering dining options, there's something for everyone in our growing town. This initiative will put all that just a click away.’

There are no up-front costs for local businesses to get involved, as Silverdale Business is paying for the full media package. Business owners in the local BID area who want to get involved just need to come up with a discounted offer on products or services that they

wish to provide. Silverdale Business and GrabOne will take care of the rest.

Broader benefits

The campaign also gives both locals and those further afield a chance to try out Silverdale businesses at great prices, with options such as entertainment, service appointments, meals out and retail. With the current cost-of-living crisis the discounted deals are sure to be popular with consumers, making the campaign a winning opportunity for those on both sides of the checkout basket.

The campaign is now live and there has been plenty of early activity. It runs through until 30 November and there are still more deals coming on board.

For business owners wanting more information, email tasha@ silverdalebusiness.co.nz with your details, and you will get a phone call or visit to discuss the opportunity in more detail.

To take advantage of the GrabOne deals, go to:

www.new.grabone.co.nz/auckland/c/silverdale-association

Who is a dispensing optician?

You will usually find a dispensing optician working closely with an optometrist within an optical practice.

It is the job of a dispensing optician to interpret the prescription and discuss with the patient which type of lenses would be the best option for their glasses. Their skill and knowledge means that they consider not only the prescription but also the lifestyle of the patient to match the best options for their needs. Dispensing opticians are also knowledgeable in contact lens use, solutions, general eye health, myopia control and magnifiers/low vision aids.

New Zealand dispensing opticians currently complete a twoyear correspondence course in order to become qualified. This includes practical block courses run in New Zealand, and experience on the job in an optical practice. These qualifications, and the fact that a registered dispensing optician must complete annual continuing education requirements, are what sets them apart from an untrained optical assistant you might find in an optical store.

• personal growth - this comes as tastes and preferences naturally change

• confidence boost - to feel more in control and confident

• healing – through a relationship change or bereavement, or

• simply because they have broken or mislaid their current glasses

If you need help with new frames, the team at Orewa Optics are on hand to answer any questions you have. They also provide knowledgeable advice around looking after your eye health, as well as helping you get the best type of optical lenses or contact lenses that will suit your lifestyle.

We can’t wait to see you! Visit us at 10 Bakehouse Lane, Orewa.

At Orewa Optics, we have a team of four qualified and registered dispensing opticians who have over 70 years’ experience between them! One of our dispensing opticians (and business partner with Petra Hewitt, third generation dispensing optician in her family) Angela Mitchell (current President of the Association of Dispensing Opticians of New Zealand), is among five finalists for this year’s International Opticians Association (IOA) Silmo International Optician of the Year!

As well as the skills mentioned above, the team have also completed an International eyewear styling course. They have learnt how to accentuate your best facial features with the perfect spectacle frame.

People tend to choose new frames for a number of reasons, other than just needing new glasses, such as:

• new beginnings – such as starting a job

Christine Rae (Dispensing Optician), Petra Hewitt (Dispensing Optician and Business Owner), Laura Thompson (Dispensing Optician), and Angela Mitchell (Dispensing Optician and Business Owner)

Popular apartments

The lights are officially on at The Botanic Silverdale’s Nikau apartments with 28 new residents moving in to the stylish, brand new, two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments over the next few weeks.

‘You don’t realise just how expansive the views are until you’re actually sitting on one of the balconies or looking out through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The spring light in the evenings is just glorious,’ says Michelle Pipping, a Millwater resident, and one half of The Botanic’s sales team, with Jan Fisher.

The spacious apartments all come with generous rooms and undercover parking, however, Jan says one of the challenges that new residents face is getting their head around the need to downsize their possessions and make life more manageable.

‘I always tell retirees that they shouldn’t try and do everything in a weekend. Take your time. Do a cupboard a week, or a room every couple of weeks. It should be a fun process, and not something you dread. You just need to spend a couple of hours a day chipping away at it. Bite-size chunks is the way to go,’ she says.

Pipping says younger retirees tend to gravitate towards a new apartment.

‘They sell the house to buy a lock-up-and-leave apartment at The Botanic, and they head off on a cruise or they buy a campervan, and suddenly they’re off. Jan and I always tell them to make sure they bring us back something nice!’

There will soon be close to 100 residents living at the resortstyle village, and many of the brand-new amenities are also operational including the Wellness Centre and the 20m lap pool.

The Botanic’s much-anticipated Clubhouse Café will open later in October and local MP Mark Mitchell will be there to officially declare the café, lounge, dining space and barbeque area ‘open for business’.

‘I think Mark’s been run off his feet with the election so I’m pretty sure he’ll be keen to have a nice cold beer on the Hibiscus Coast, and to catch up with some of the people who live in his electorate,’ says Pipping.

Once completed, the eight-hectare site will have 84 villas and 354 apartments for independent living residents, an aged care home and specialist memory care facilities will follow.

www.thebotanic.co.nz

Pride is catchy

Growing up in NZ I was surrounded by pride in our little country, punching well above its weight. This pride really caught on. Celebrating our sporting achievements with the All Blacks, All Whites, Silver Ferns, America’s Cup and our innovators such as Rocket Lab, Gibbs’ amphibious bike/boat, our movie industry, and more locally Ochiba Dojo cleaning up at competitions (see September issue p15). Actually there are just too many to mention.

This feeling is fading, rapidly. I bring your attention to Bruce Cotterill’s NZ Herald 5 September article and subsequent letters to the editor on pride. Whilst grim, in my opinion Bruce’s words paint a true picture of where our country is sitting financially. But despite this, pride must come from us. Although we can feel somewhat helpless in the macro picture we can make a difference in our micro environments. Presenting ourselves, our homes and our businesses well will grow our pride and this pride is infectious. As this column is about marketing, let’s look at our businesses. If

we respect our brand, others will too. Respect and honesty in the way we advertise and speak with our customers will plant the healthy seeds. The way we do what we say we will and focus on providing value gives your business the watering it needs for life. And this attracts the good word of others to help irrigate.

I wrote a short book on ‘Brands, Respect, Pride’ 10 years ago. Out of print now, but the sentiment is perfect for today I feel. A brand isn’t a logo, a colour, an advert, a sales pitch – it’s all of these things. A successful brand is something that is respected by everyone who comes into contact with it. Pride is NOT something that can be bought with large budget campaigns. Pride is something that comes from within and builds momentum through every touchpoint. So it’s available to all of us.

Start with ‘knowing your why’ (See my August article on p25) and then build your story around this. And be true to this each time you sponsor, advertise and sell something. Put the effort in to tidy your presentation and don’t leave any pot unturned. Make sure you are consistent so your customers are given the chance to notice you. There it is right there, they’ll notice you and the pride you have in the way you do what it is you do.

If you respect your brand others will too.

Chris Norris | Allbrand

Cert. MKTG | MCC | Cert. Typography

Chris is Chairman of Business Whangaparaoa and is a mentor with Business Mentors. He runs a locally focussed branding business. Design, Print, Sign, Web - tools, and advice to help you grow your business bigger, or better. Get in touch: Chris@allbrand.co.nz

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

The final October dates of the 2023 Auckland Heritage Festival at the Silverdale Pioneer Village are:

Sunday, 1 October

Saturday, 7 October and Sunday, 8 October

The festival is open from 10am to 3pm each day at 15 Wainui Road, Silverdale.

The theme for this year’s festival is PEACE, LOVE and PROTEST. The focus at the Silverdale Pioneer Village is on LOVE, and their exhibition, entitled ‘Objects of Love’ features displays representing 50 wedding anniversary gifts from paper to golden.

These dates are your opportunity to enjoy the Objects of Love exhibition with special activities for children and, of course, the gift shop.

Devonshire Teas will be available in the Old Parsonage for $8. There is FREE ENTRY, but a donation is always appreciated.

Normal weekend activity returns from 14 October with historical displays in all our buildings.

10am to 3pm every Saturday and Sunday. Come for a day and experience a lifetime.

www.silverdalepioneervillage.com | 09 426 8272

15 Wainui Road, Silverdale

Beauty Aspects

How to combat skin dryness any time of the year

Seasonal change can bring on some negative skin changes for many of us due to the contrasts and extremes in temperature. Being outside in cold temperatures followed by warm temperatures indoors has a physiological effect on the skin. These fluctuations in temperature can exacerbate water loss evaporated through the skin to the environment.

What can we do to prevent dryness?

Vitamin A and antioxidants are an absolute ‘must’ for skin health. If you are finding your usual moisturiser isn’t cutting it, try a Nimue Super Hydrating mask. Apply your usual serums at night and massage a liberal amount of the mask over the top. Leave overnight for an incredibly effective! This can be done weekly. One of my recent favourites serums is the Nimue Hyaluronic ultra filler serum. Not only do you get the immediate hydrating effect of the hyaluronic acid but a filler as well, helping to address fine lines and wrinkles.

A fabulous way to fast track hydration, and my personal favourite, is a session of 6-8 LED treatments taken twice weekly. It is quite a commitment but worth every luxuriously, relaxing minute under the warm lights. Not only does it give you an instant ‘glow’ but it has the longer-term effects of repair and collagen induction.

Take some high quality Omega 3 fish oils 4, around 6000mg per day, spread between meals. This helps maintain healthy cell interactions in the skin by maintaining the all-important lipids. Remember, not all fish oil is created the same.

What should you avoid to help skin drying out?

Poor quality makeup and skin care should be avoided. They can cause a ‘wash out or stripping’ effect on lipids in the skins barrier by lowering surface tension and often causing low level inflammation that leads to further damage and the compromising of your acid mantle barrier.

High Glycaemic Index foods cause inflammation in the skin and the cross linking of collagen fibres. These acid-forming foods will also cause glycation of the skin cell membrane, which will influence the absorption and transfer hormones, nutrients and oxygen, as well as the elimination of waste, which changes the quality of fluids in and around the skin cells.

To get the best protection for your skin, consider coming in for a consult and an enriching facial now.

Amelia | Beauty Aspects

What's On Hibiscus Coast

Hibiscus Coast Scottish Country Dance Club - Every Weds Silverdale Hall

7:00pm

St Chad Market - 1st Sat of every month 8am-noon • 117 Centreway Rd, Orewa • Grant 021 0830 7743 or email chadorewa@gmail.com

Millwater parkrun - Every Sat 8am • See www.parkrun.co.nz/millwater for more details

Rotary Club of Orewa-Millwater - 1st & 3rd Tues of every month 7pm at The Wade Tavern, 2 Tavern Rd, Silverdale • orc.secretary@outlook.com

Hibiscus Coast Mid-Week Badminton Club - Every Weds 9am-noon • All welcome Orewa Badminton Hall, Victor Eaves Park • 021 0870 8118

Hibiscus Coast Artists Group - Meet on Mon 9.30am-1pm, Stanmore Bay Community Hall, Whangaparoa • All Welcome • Shana 021 650 184

Ukelele Classes - Every Thurs • St Andrew’s Church Hall at 107 Centreway Dr • 1pm-2:15pm • $15 includes music • Avon Hansen-Beadle 021 421 109

HBC Grandparents Parenting Grandchildren support group - 1st Weds of each month 11am-2pm • Red Beach Methodist Church • Free group offering support, friendship, guest speakers & lunch • Donna 021 024 30064

Ladies Crafts Group - Every school term Tues • Orewa Community Church 235 HBC H’way 9am-12pm • $2 for morning tea & craft • creche provided

Arts Group - Every school term Friday • Orewa Community Church 235 HBC H’way • 9am-1pm • $2 incl. morning tea • Alan 021 039 7155

Hibiscus Coast Rock & Roll - Every Tues • W'poa Hall 7pm lessons • 8pm general dancing • Wear soft sole flat shoes • See website & Facebook

Hibiscus Coast Concert Band - Every 2nd Thurs • All ages & abilities welcome • hccb.org.nz • Call 021 186 4599

HBC Senior Citizens Assn. Inc. - meet for indoor bowls & cards Tues, indoor bowls & scrabble Thurs • Orewa Community Hall 12-4pm Membership $5/yr • Entry $2, incl. afternoon tea • Val Lincoln 09 9638242

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

Silverdale & District Historical Society Coffee Morning - 3rd Tues of each month • 10:30am Silverdale Pioneer Village • Bring your items of historic interest • Free entry • pioneervillage1968@gmail.com

Dance Fitness Class - Every Tues/Thurs evening 7-8pm Kingsway Jnr Campus • First class FREE then $10 per session • Richard 021 504084

Whangaparaoa Indoor Bowls Club - W'poa School Hall • Mon 7pm • All ages, beginners welcome / coaching provided • Maurice 027 392 0541 & Owen 021 264 9192

Silverdale Ballroom Studio - Every Thurs • Silverdale Hall at 7pm • Adult & Improvers classes for beginners & social dancers • 09 427 5542

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

Lunchtime Toastmasters - Every Fri 1-2pm • Orewa Library Evening Toastmasters meets fortnightly Thurs http://orewa.toastmastersclubs.org/

Hibiscus Coast Embroidery Guild - 2nd Weds 7-9pm & 4th Thurs

10am-noon • Hibiscus Coast Community House • Josie Slack • Hibiscus Embroidery2022@gmail.com

Puhoi Celtic Sessions - Every 2nd Thurs • Orewa North Primary School A sing-around/play-around event • Alan alanthewag@outlook.com

Hibiscus Coast Stamp Club - Meets 2pm on 3rd Sat every month at 22 Settlers Grove, Orewa • Interesting Speakers • All welcome • Derek 09 427 8911

Hibiscus Petanque Club - Every Tues & Weds 9am-12 & Sun from 1pm 214 HBC Highway • New players always welcome, free coaching available Colleen 021 1774820

Heartbeats Cardiac Survivors Support Group - 1st Tues of every month

10am at HBC Community House • Open to all heart event survivors & their families & all cultures • Contact Trent Lash on 0220 606 199

Suicide Bereavement Support – Last Mon of every month except Dec 7-9pm, HBC Community House • Support for anyone who has lost a loved one • Susan 021 884 162 or PM us on Facebook (Empathy support group)

Red Beach Combined Club - 3rd Wed of every month •Orewa Presbyterian Church, 107 Centreway Rd, 10am-12pm •Friendship Club for seniors • Morning tea, guest speakers & outings Colleen 021 112 3409

Line Dance Classes - beginners class Weds 10am-midday at Silverdale Hall great way to exercise to music and make friends • Sue 021 99 1717

10 pin Bowling for Seniors - at W'poa Bowling Centre, Arkles Bay • Looking for senior players to join our club for league games on Mon & Fri at 10am Lots of fun and advice • Brett 0210530905

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

Orewa Garden Club - 2nd Thurs of month • Feb–Nov 12.30–3pm • St John’s Catholic Church Hall, 180 Centreway Road, Orewa • Visitors welcome orewagardenclub@outlook.co.nz • Valma (Sec.) 021 0634852

Hibiscus Coast Country Music Club - 1st Sunday each month Orewa Community Centre 1-4pm • $5.00 • Everyone welcome •Janet 0212367094

Travel Club – with Bucket List Travel • Meets 2nd Tues of every month (Feb-Nov) 9:45am–11am • Red Beach Surf-Lifesaving Club • Michelle 094261490

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

Silverdale Naval Club - meets the 3rd Sun of each month at HBC Community RSA at 15.00 • Vince Sturmey 09 4285222

Hibiscus Coast Orchid Society - 2nd Sunday of the month • Feb– Dec 1pm-3pm • Masonic Lodge, Centreway Road, Orewa • Visitors welcome Contact Bruce 09 427 5787 or PM us on HBC Orchid Society Group

Local Recipes

Kedgeree – from Colonial India (Serves 6)

Spicy rice, smoked fish and boiled eggs

Ingredients

3 large free range eggs

700g smoked fish fillets, deboned (best on the day at your fish shop)

2 fresh or dried bay leaves

170g long grain or basmati rice

Sea salt and ground pepper

1 Tbsp pure butter (ghee or clarified)

1 thumb-sized piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated

1 medium onion, or 1 bunch of spring onions, finely chopped

2 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped

2 heaped Tbsp curry powder

1 Tbsp mustard seeds

2 tomatoes, deseeded and chopped

2 lemons, juice of

2 good handfuls fresh coriander or, leaves picked and chopped

1 fresh red chilli, finely chopped

250g natural yoghurt

Method

1. Boil the eggs for 8 minutes, then hold under cold running water. Put the fish and bay leaves in a shallow pan and cover with water. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for about 3 minutes, until cooked. Remove from pan and cool. Remove skin and flake fish into chunks.

2. Cook the rice in salted boiling water for about 10 minutes and drain. Refresh in cold water, drain again and place in the fridge. Melt the butter (ghee or clarified) in a pan over a low heat. Add the ginger, onion and garlic. Soften for about 5 minutes, then add the curry powder and mustard seeds. Cook for a few more minutes, then add chopped tomatoes and lemon juice.

3. Quarter the eggs. Add the fish and rice to a pan and gently heat through. Add the eggs, most of the coriander and the chilli and stir gently. Place in a warm serving dish. Mix the rest of the coriander into the yoghurt and serve with the kedgeree.

Chefs Note: Add mussels, prawn cutlets and/or calamari to the Kedgeree if you want to bulk out and add more flavour.

Mark Lane | www.culinarylane.co.nz

For 3 & 5 course in-house lunches and dinners, out-catering, grazing tables and corporate catering.

Miso & black sesame caramel corn

The deeply fermented, salty and a little earthy flavour of miso plays off the buttery-sweet-faint bitterness of caramel in a satisfyingly balanced way. With the addition of nutty black sesame seeds, you try to stop eating it!

Ingredients

Non-stick vegetable oil spray

8 cups freshly popped popcorn

¾ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup water

3 Tbsp unsalted butter, in chunks

½ tsp salt

½ tsp baking soda

2 Tbsp white or red miso

1 Tbsp black sesame seeds

Method

Heat oven to 150°C. Line a rimmed baking sheet with baking paper; set aside. Lightly coat paper and the very largest bowl you own with non-stick spray.

Place sugar and water into a 3-litre (or larger) pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, only stirring until sugar has dissolved. Boil, swirling pan around (wear potholders) until caramel is a deep amber colour (about 8 to 9 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in butter (mixture will hiss and bubble). Return to stove, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, removing from the stove if it appears

smoky sooner. Remove from heat and whisk in the salt, baking soda and miso.

Quickly pour mixture over your popcorn and toss to coat. I use two silicone spatulas to mix it up because it’s a messy project and the popcorn will want to fall out. Whatever you do, do not pick up any caramel-coated popcorn that falls out unless you like burned fingertips. (Wait until it cools.) Coat popcorn as best as you can, but don’t fret if there are gaps.

Spread popcorn on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top. Bake in oven, tossing occasionally (which will also help coat any scantily-clad popped kernels) until mixture is dry, about 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely on baking sheet, then break it up into a large bowl.

Note: Keeps at its very best for 4 hours. It can be stored in containers or bags at room temperature, but it might get just a tiny bit sticky. Nobody will care.

Source www.smittenkitchen.com

What's on

at Orewa Library

Special events

Estate planning with Wendy Hampton

Monday, 9 October, 11am to 12pm

First home buyers guide with Wendy Hampton

Sunday, 15 October, 11.30am to 12.30pm

Wendy is a local North Shore lawyer with more than 30 years’ experience primarily in property matters including residential and commercial conveyancing, wills, estates, trusts and relationship property matters. Wendy has also written two books, one on estate planning the other, First Home Buyers Guide.

Plastic-free Workshop (Auckland Council Waste Solutions)

Tuesday, 10 October, 1pm to 2pm

Compost Collective – Bokashi composting

Friday, 13 October at 10.30am

School Holiday Programme for October

Make your own 3D Bug: Tuesday, 3 October 1pm to 2pm

Geodes: Thursday, 5 October, 1pm to 2pm

Dot Painting: Friday, 6 October, 1pm to 2pm

Monthly

Book Chat : Wednesday, 4 October at 10.30am

Ōrewa Writers: Saturday, 14 October from 1.15pm to 3pm

Seed Savers: Wednesday, 18 October from 10.30am to 11.30am

Fortnightly

Hibiscus Coast Embroiderers Guild: Sunday, 8 and 22 October from 1pm to 3pm

Weekly children’s programmes

These programmes will stop for the school holidays, which end on 6 October.

Regular programmes Made

Rhyme time: Tuesdays at 11am (for 18 months to 3-year-olds)

Wriggle & Rhyme: Wednesdays (term time only) at 11am (for 0 to 2-year-olds)

Storytime: Thursdays at 11am (for 3 to 5-year-olds)

Weekly adult programmes

BrainFit: Thursdays from 11.30am to 12.30pm

Craft group: Knitting, Thursdays at 9:30am

Your Local Tides

What’s

“Adrienne Wright” A Painting retrospective

“Plants and Animals” by Kati Macadam

“Natures Abundance” by Laura Layton

“Manifesto” by Ian Miller Digital art

“Explorations” by the Hibiscus Printmakers

The Members Gallery

Term Four Art Classes Available NOW

Our friendly team is ready to provide you with professional advice and the best

to suit your needs. Come and see us today!

The Botanic is the Hibiscus Coast’s

Michelle Pipping

Jan Fisher