Times Media Covid-19 Lockdown Flipbook - 22-09-2021

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TIMES OF TROUBLE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES

By Zoe Garden Local businesses have continued to face troubles and concerns under the devastating impact of lockdown and Covid-19.

Botany MP Christopher Luxon said on social media that, over the last few weeks, the conversations with small business owners in particular have changed quite dramatically.

“What I’ve observed is a bunch of people under extreme stress, pressure and anxiety,” Luxon said, “and are feeling quite desperate in this lockdown situation.”

Clive Thompson, owner of Barrel Inn in Howick, says that when his business is 100 per cent closed they lose 100 per cent income. “It’s the same as last year.”

The wage subsidy pays the staff, not the business, Thompson says. “(Barrel Inn) gets nothing basically”.

The difference between the first lockdown and the current one, Thompson says, is that “we’re getting used to it. The problem is that the people who don’t have any money won’t survive”.

Additionally, the current circumstances don’t take into account businesses having to continue to pay their regular bills. “Everybody still needs to be paid, such as rent and suppliers,” Thompson says. “And the GST. Bills don’t stop coming just because you’re closed.”

If lockdown continues, Thompson says the debt is going to be too great for businesses. Talking about the Barrel Inn’s future, he says he’s “100 per cent concerned.”

Even if alert levels drop, level 2 will put a significant financial strain on businesses. “You can only serve them when they’re seated,” he says. “You have to put more staff on. The costs rise.”

Frith Jenkins, practice manager and owner of Howick Village Optometrists, echoed many of Thompson’s fears and concerns.

He says that this is “Everybody still the biggest difficulty needs to be paid, such Last year’s lockdown, of the lockdown – as rent and suppliers. she says, was a learning keeping everything And the GST. Bills don’t curve for everyone in going. “There’s going stop coming just because NZ. “We were unable to to be a lot of people you’re closed.” – Clive open our doors for facethat don’t survive this Thompson, to-face business until level one because of the Barrel Inn 2,” she says. “We are reliant cost,” Thompson says. on that face-to-face to be able “It’s the same everywhere.”

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to fulfil our client requirements.

“I also had to deal with anxiety amongst our wonderful staff as well.”

“We found that people are willing to do a lot more online.

People are now more comfortable dealing remotely and electronically.” – Matthew Wales, Andrew Simms

The business cannot have an online store so they made sure that their clients could contact them and access information required. “We also made sure our website and social media were updated regularly to keep clients advised,” she says.

The likelihood of another lockdown was very real, Jenkins told the Times. “We have made sure we have plenty of PEP and systems in place so we can move forward in an efficient manner.”

If the lockdown is extended, she says that “the financial loss would obviously be a large impact on any small business.

Staff mental health [see story, p6] is very important.”

“Organisation is key,” Jenkins says.

“Making sure that staff are coping at home with their whanau and mokopuna and, of course, clients’ well-being, is a priority.”

Matthew Wales, the dealer principal of Andrew Simms, says there was a lot more confidence transitioning into the current lockdown than the previous ones. “We have a lot more assurance,” he says, “partially because we have more understanding. In the first lockdown we didn’t know what the future held or what the market would look like.”

Barrel Inn, Howick

He has noticed that there is a significant increase in consumer interest and activity. This is due to both the business and the public being more prepared.

more comfortable dealing remotely and electronically,” Wales says. “Having the ability to have a technological solution does make a big difference.”

“It’s been really hard for small business owners,” Wales says. “Because we’ve got a little bit of scale we have the ability to look at alternative funding lines, whereas a lot of smaller businesses might not have the option to do that and the capacity to take on so much debt to sustain the business through a period of no revenue.”

CPA Australia New Zealand head Rick Jones told media group Stuff that many businesses last year suffered because of their limited use of social media, lack of involvement in exporting and a lack of investment in innovation and technology.

During levels 3 and 4 at the last lockdown, Andrew Simms implemented the credit card ability to hold a deposit online for a vehicle. “That meant we could secure some sales,” Wales says.

“And we’ve been doing that throughout the current lockdown as we didn’t have the pre-existing technology during the last one.”

“We found that people are willing to do a lot more online. People are now

“Companies that were more plugged into the digital economy did better than others,” Jones says.

One benefit to having a small business in a tight-knit community is the ongoing level of support, a thought echoed by all three business owners.

“After the first lockdown, they (community) were very supportive,” Thompson says. “You wouldn’t want to have a business in the city, that’s for sure.”

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 – 3

FIRMS PRIORITISING STAFF VACCINATIONS

By Zoe Garden

take this opportunity.”

Several New Zealand businesses have held vaccination events to get their employees vaccinated.

“Getting vaccinated can keep you out of hospital and intensive care. It can also save the lives of those you love.”

NZ Post held a two-day drive-through vaccination clinic at Auckland Mail Centre in Highbrook yesterday [Tuesday] and Monday to vaccinate their employees, contractors and their families. It comes after a NZ Post worker tested positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago in the Highbrook depot.

E tū is hoping that, with this initiative, it’ll lead to other companies following suit.

The clinic is run in collaboration with health provider South Seas Healthcare and private sector union E tū. E tū negotiation specialist Joe Gallagher says getting essential workers vaccinated was vital to the battle against Covid-19.

“NZ Post’s vaccination clinic is an initiative we fully support and want to encourage all of our members

“We would love to see this rolled out to the wider community.”

NZ Post’s two-day drive through vaccination clinic encourages employees to get the vaccine.

Photo NZ Post Facebook and their whanau to get vaccinated,” Gallagher said. He said a large number of NZ Post’s essential workers live in communities with high positive case numbers. “It’s important for them to

Respirator maker Fisher & Paykel Healthcare began to vaccinate their employees and families in early September. They were one of several businesses to partner with the Ministry of Health to pilot workplace vaccinations. The drive-through facility is located at its Highbrook headquarters. Fisher & Paykel chief executive told media they aim to have 100 per cent of their workforce vaccinated.

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WE’VE DROPPED TO ALERT LEVEL 3 Auckland dropped to Alert Level 3 at midnight, one month and four days on from the first case in this outbreak. It comes as the MoH reported 22 cases on Monday and 14 cases yesterday.

Below is an excerpt from the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement: “We now know Delta had been present in the community for a week to 10 days prior to that first case and multiple chains of transmission were already established.

With Delta, we knew we couldn’t take chances, and the immediate move to Level Four – initially to understand the breadth of the outbreak, and then to get it under control – was the right move and has worked.

Modellers tell us that, had we waited just one more week to act, we would be sitting at around 5000 cases by now.

So to everyone, but especially Auckland – thank you for acting quickly, and for persevering.

We know that Level Four has been tough, but we also know it’s made a difference.

Since the outbreak began, we’ve identified 39,637 contacts, carried out almost 670,000 tests, administered 1.43m first does of the vaccine and provided a further 660,000 people with their second dose.

Almost all cases in the last 14 days have been household or known contacts of existing cases. And we are confident

there is no significant undetected transmission.

must continue to keep bubbles tight.

This is key.

But Delta does have a long hard tail to it and the question we discussed as a Cabinet today [Monday] was: what is the best alert level we can use now to continue stamping out cases.

And, all of these features are part of Level Three. These observations taken together has helped inform the advice of the Director General, and Cabinet’s decision today [Monday].

In considering this decision, we looked at the details behind recent cases. And here are some observations:

That advice explicitly stated that Level Four has done what we needed it to do – it has helped us contain the outbreak and now as we continue our zero tolerance approach to cases, Level Three still provides the really important and strict rules that help us keep up that important work.

For the most part, we haven’t had widespread issues with workplaces.

Where we have had cases at worksites.

These have generally been close contacts of existing clusters who have then gone on to infect work colleagues.

Workplaces have for the most part had strict protocols in place and have moved quickly when cases were identified in their worksite. This tells us that this approach remains important going forward.

Another important observation is that of the cases where we’ve been able to establish a link, none have resulted from people accessing essential services.

This tells us that infection prevention controls like masks, distancing and limited travel have all been incredibly important, and must continue to be used.

And what everyone will have observed, is the final point – that where we have had cases, they have been dominated by close contacts – mainly household contacts and in some cases, secondary households with other family members.

That is why the next stage of our plan

Therefore we have accepted the Director General of Health’s advice and confirmed that Auckland will move to Alert Level Three at 11:59pm, Tuesday 21st September. The Director General was also clear that given the long hard tail of Delta, we will need time here.

And Cabinet has accepted his advice for Auckland to stay at Level Three for at least two weeks, with Cabinet first reviewing those setting on Monday 4th October.

As for the rest of New Zealand, as I outlined on Thursday last week, for as long as Auckland is at the higher alert levels of three or four, a greater level of preparedness is needed elsewhere – in other words Level Two. You will have heard me signal last week though, a view that with Auckland’s move, there is an ability to allow one minor change for the rest of the country around the number of people who can gather together at Level Two, including in hospitality venues from 50 to 100.”

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TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 – 5

FOUNDATION ENCOURAGES KIWIS TO GET SOME ‘ME TIME’ With lockdown extended in Auckland last week, and a drop to Level 3 this week, the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) is sharing its newest campaign – Meh Time to Me Time, encouraging Aucklanders (and all New Zealanders) to take some time every day that’s just for themselves.

“We’ve noticed that this lockdown has been a lot harder on people than others,” MHF chief executive Shaun Robinson says.

“We’re hearing it from essential workers – who aren’t getting the same levels of thanks and kindness they were in previous lockdowns – from people who are really struggling in their bubbles alone and from people who are in bubbles with others but are still finding lockdown is hard.”

Kiwis have used lots of words to describe how they’re feeling – anxious, overwhelmed, hōhā, over it – but at the end of the day, it all came down to one word: we’re all feeling a bit ‘meh’. And, that’s totally understandable.

“We know it’s hard to find the headspace, time or energy to do something big for your mental health right now,” Robinson says, “and we get that. So we’re asking you to do something little but powerful. Take some of that meh time and turn it into me time, some time that’s just for you, to do something you want to do.”

The MHF understands this message might be challenging. People in bubbles alone might be thinking they get nothing but me time, but Robinson says the most important thing about this

The Mental Health Foundation suggests you should take some of that ‘meh’ time and turn it into me time, some time that’s just for you, to do something you want to do. Times photo Wayne Martin 6 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

campaign is the reminder that it’s vital for our wellbeing to feel like we’re in control of our lives and how we spend our time, so reframing how we spend our time is a powerful tool.

Me time is great for our wellbeing: it helps manage feelings of stress, anxiety and depression and helps us feel happier and more satisfied with our lives.

“Most importantly at the moment, it increases our resilience and our sense of empathy for others, two things which are going to help us get through this really hard time and come out the other side,” Robinson says.

Of course, this campaign isn’t just for Aucklanders. It’s been running quietly on social media for a few weeks and has proven popular all around Aotearoa, with feedback from members of hard-hit industries such as tourism, hospitality and supermarkets that the messages of the campaign are just what their people need to hear – so many things are out of their control right now, but they matter, their mental health matters and their wellbeing needs to be cared for.

“We had a tiny budget for this campaign, and we weren’t expecting it to reach many people,” Robinson says, “But it’s turned out to be what people needed to hear. New Zealanders are used to looking after others, but sometimes we all need a reminder that we also need to look after ourselves.”

SC4181

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 – 7

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS REMAIN UNCHANGED IN AUCKLAND School holidays in Auckland will continue to be held at the same time as the rest of the country, starting from Saturday, October 2, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said.

“I’ve carefully considered advice on the implications of shifting the dates and concluded that, on balance, maintaining the status quo is the best course of action,” Hipkins said.

“This wasn’t a straightforward decision.

I acknowledge the added pressure currently on parents and families in Auckland, but as Education Minister, my primary concern has to be the effects on children’s education and wellbeing and on the good running of our schools.

“Keeping the holidays as they are will avoid disrupting the plans already in place for students, families and educators, including curriculum and activity planning and families planning

School holidays will be continue to be at the same time as the rest of the country.

Photo Bucklands Beach Intermediate. they return to the classroom, which their holidays, and will reduce anxiety. principals have advised is important for student mental health and wellbeing.

“It also means we don’t have to extend the length of term four, when fatigue “I’d like to thank all the students, among students is at its highest at the parents and teachers who have shown end of a school year. resilience and flexibility to continue learning from home this term, and the “It has the added advantage of there concerted efforts of all Aucklanders to being higher vaccination levels among stop the spread of Delta,” Hipkins said. students aged 12 and over when

MAN CHARGED AFTER SUPERMARKET INCIDENT Police have arrested and charged a man after responding to a serious incident at an east Auckland supermarket.

A police spokesperson says the 24-year-old is charged with assaulting police, disorderly behaviour, shoplifting, threatening behaviour and failing to comply with a direction under the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act. The incident happened at the Pak’nSave supermarket in Botany on September 15.

“The alleged offender had stolen some items and when confronted by a supermarket security staff member, the offender has then allegedly got his dog out of the car and both he and his dog have then chased the victim around the store,” the police spokesperson told the Times.

“The offender was allegedly not wearing a mask.

Essential Services ELECTRICAL Police responded to a serious incident at the Botany Pak’nSave on September 15.

Times photo Wayne Martin “Police have arrived and arrested the man, who assaulted one of our male officers during the arrest and then allegedly threatened to kill our female officer who was in attendance.”

The police spokesperson says the alleged offender was expected to appear in the Manukau District Court on September 17.

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TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 – 9

Central to providing Aucklanders with a plan out of this lockdown is an answer from the Government to the question as to what is the percentage of the population that needs to be vaccinated, says MP Simeon Brown.

AUCKLANDERS NEED PLAN OUT OF LOCKDOWNS Aucklanders have faced the greatest level of Covid-19 restrictions than any other part of New Zealand over the past 18 months with the city being host to the largest proportion of MIQ facilities and the fact that Covid-19 has leaked out of these facilities on a number of occasions.

Whilst a move to Level 3 may come as a relief to us all with the ability for many businesses to start operating again and the ability to get a takeaway coffee or KFC for dinner, this will only be the start of Auckland’s pathway out of lockdown.

The reality is that Aucklanders need a plan out of this lockdown but the Government has not yet provided one.

Central to providing Aucklanders with a plan out of this lockdown is an answer from the Government to the question as to what is the percentage of the population that needs to be vaccinated.

MP for Pakuranga

Simeon Brown

avoid Level 4 lockdowns but stopped short of saying whether it would also mean an end to Level 3 lockdowns.

which must be taken into account by the Government and all New Zealanders.

New Zealanders have sacrificed significantly over the past 18 months.

Businesses have been shut down, people have lost income, hospital operations have been delayed or cancelled, people haven’t been able to say goodbye to loved ones who are dying, in the way that they wanted. This has had a very real impact on people.

With a vaccine now widely available and more and more New Zealanders taking it up, it is time that we were given a pathway out of this lockdown and the certainty needed to ensure this is the last.

So far the Government has failed to directly answer that question. The Prime Minister has provided the aspirational yet unachievable target of ‘everyone’ whilst the Minister of Health has suggested that the number should be somewhere around 90 per cent.

Lockdowns have also cost us as a country. Each week at Level 4 costs the taxpayer approximately $1.5 billion in increased Government expenditure, a completely unsustainable pathway forward for a country which borrowed $50b last year to respond to Covid-19 and which the Government has signalled may need to borrow another $40b this year.

Worryingly, the Minister of Health said that this target would be needed to

This places a significant burden onto future generations to repay - a concern

10 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

National has stated that a vaccination rate of 70-75 per cent should be set to ensure we no longer rely on lockdowns to respond to Covid-19 which is similar to the pathway put forward by the Australian Government.

Whatever the number is that the Government sets, it is critical that a goal is provided so that Aucklanders and the rest of New Zealand can have certainty over what the future holds and so that we can get our lives, livelihoods and freedom back.

Simeon Brown MP for Pakuranga

ADVERTORIAL

Clinical Director Dr Bruce Greenfield at the Crawford vaccination site at 12B Picton Street (left); Crawford Medical Centre has recently opened their temporary vaccination clinic (right).

CRAWFORD MEDICAL CENTRE OPEN FOR VACCINATIONS The trusted and respected Crawford Medical Centre in Howick was one of the first general practices in east Auckland to administer Covid-19 vaccinations, which it’s been doing since early-June.

Since then its team of 17 dedicated and experienced nurses have vaccinated about 4300 patients, Crawford practice manager Kate Donley says.

“There’s actually an oversupply of vaccines in the market right now,” Donley says. “But we haven’t wasted a single one.”

Crawford’s new and separate vaccination centre has been up and running for three weeks. The temporary clinic is located on 12B Picton Street (behind the Crawford Specialist Centre).

It’s open Monday to Friday between 9am-4.30pm and on Saturday mornings (9am-12:30 pm).

Part of the reason its vaccination centre is separate is because Crawford is also a community testing centre.

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Vaccines at 12B Picton St, Howick Ph: (09) 538 0083

“We want to keep our infection control as tight as possible and everyone safe,” Donley says.

The staff are vaccinated, have prior extensive experience with vaccination and are trained in the Covid-19 programme.

“We have a real focus on education and keeping up-to-date on clinical processes,” Donley says.

“Our staff are at the top in terms of knowledge and general expertise.

“Everything we do at Crawford is with the utmost patient care.

“This (vaccine) programme is no different. You get the same Crawford care even though we’re part of a national programme.”

There are also processes in place to ensure the safety of their staff and patients, such as spaced out seating

and regular cleaning.

Crawford is encouraging anyone aged 12 years old and over to get vaccinated.

All that’s needed is a phone call, brief details, and a scheduled appointment.

Patients are in and out for their vaccinations within 30 minutes and families in bubbles can get vaccinated together.

“It’s an easy and convenient process,” Donley says. “There is street parking just outside the clinic.”

The main clinic is also open for anyone desiring Covid-19 swabs.

The process takes approximately 10 minutes with a scheduled appointment.

“We want people in east Auckland to be protected.”

To schedule a vaccination appointment, call Crawford on 538 0083 or visit their website www.crawfordmedical.co.nz and press Book Appointment.

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 – 11

Feedback WE MUST SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS I believe.

I believe in hope, I believe in the power of community spirit, and because of that I believe in revival.

I believe in you.

The support we give to our community at this time will resonate forever more if we all rise again together. Our children rely on us to preserve and strengthen all we love about life in Howick and Pakuranga and it’s going to require us all to buy into this belief.

We are very lucky in east Auckland that we have everything we need, available to us right on our doorsteps. Supporting local business and not-for-profit organisations at every opportunity will enable these companies to support us in return.

Howick and Pakuranga has always been somewhat of a perpetual motion machine when it comes to support going full circle. Consider the many businesses that have become iconic for their longevity, especially on and around Picton Street.

The same applies to our extremely successful sports clubs and charities that have been allowed to aim high and believe in greatness, thanks to the constant, staunch support and sponsorship from these pillars of our community.

The Howick Hornets are just one of many such clubs that seriously would not be where it is today without these local businesses. Being current 1st division champions is no small feat and, with a support base that rivals even the biggest clubs, it isn’t something that was achieved overnight. That said, if we as a community don’t choose to support local at a time such as this, then it most certainly can all be lost in that minute time frame. I for one can’t imagine our home without places such as our awesome array of bars and restaurants, bakeries, butchers and dairies.

Our local trades and service industry is not to be overlooked. It is not only a one-stop shop for anything you require at any time, but also boasts some of the most experienced, skilful men and

women this country has to offer in their fields bar none.

I personally met many of these business owners this year and I’ll tell you now, the pleasure was all mine. I thought that I was passionate about our community, but these amazing people had me in awe when they spoke about their love for our town and their willingness to support it financially where they were able to.

People such as Mike Johnson from Howick Tyres And Alignments, Frith Jenkins at Howick Village Optometrists, Marie Raos of Ray White Eastern and the superstars that run our local radio station East FM, led by Mike Rowse, to name just a few. Nick Krause and the team at The Times are a fantastic bunch also. They are always willing to help promote all that is good about our town, in a nut shell they (along with East FM), support our supporters with gusto.

Since this pandemic took hold we have sadly lost a number of our long-standing local businesses, Picton streets iconic Spillers Hardware store possibly being most notable of all. It is up to you and I to ensure that now is where the capitulation ends, and the resurgence begins.

Play your role and do your part.

East Auckland unite.

I believe, do you?

Josh Garry, Howick

SOAP IS A VIRUS KILLER

It is no accident that the regular washing of our hands with soap, along with social distancing and mask wearing, are our best weapons for preventing the spread of the virus.

The fatty outside protein layer of SARSCoV2 acts like a bag to protect the RNA which allows it to multiply.

When we wash our hands with soap, the soap contains molecules called surfactants which have two ends. One dissolves really well in fats while the other dissolves really well in water.

When the surfactants in the soap meet with the outside layer of the Sars-Covid 2, they dissolve it and tear it apart and kill the virus.

12 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

All soaps contain these surfactants.

Initially when the Covid-19 first began to spread, it was quite noticeable that women made up only 40 per cent of the victims compared to 60 per cent of men. This was attributed to women’s far greater attention to washing their hands with soap on a more regular basis than men.

Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay

THIS IS JUST NIT-PICKING

Deane Smart’s summary of the IPCC Report offers all the reassurance of nit-picking – for monkeys! There is absolutely no evidence the “greening” Smart refers to will reduce famine because the “greenery” is not all food, it is mostly weeds and scrub.

Already, earth’s increasing temperature is causing soil desiccation – that’s the difference between nature and a glass house, where you can certainly add CO2 but also water. If you have any. A casual acquaintance with the truth shows droughts are more frequent, more severe, and last longer exactly as the science predicted. At the present rate the Sahara will spread into Spain.

I remind Smart absence of evidence is not proof of absence. In a large complex system like earth’s climate, it takes extraordinary science to detect the human influence above natural variation.

Nevertheless, clever attribution studies show there are more and worse hurricanes and the cause is global warming. With higher sea surface temperatures, not only does more water evaporate but more latent heat (energy) is transported into the atmosphere.

Due to the disturbance of the polar vortex and jet streams, weather is sometimes moving more slowly, resulting in huge deluges that cause flooding. Smart claims flooding may be less in Australia. How reassuring is that for the driest continent on the planet, apart from Antarctica?

Talking about Antarctica, if we burn all the fossil fuel we know about, the sea level will rise 60 metres. Not in Smart’s lifetime of course so that’s all right, eh.

Dennis N Horne, Howick

N I D E R E F F O E P S U O D X I D M R I E H N T I C C VA

By Chris Harrowell People who may have received an incorrect dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in east Auckland are being offered the chance to receive a third dose and they’ll have to sign a waiver before doing so.

As the Times has previously reported, the Ministry of Health believes some people may have received an incorrect vaccine dose at the Highbrook vaccination centre on July 12.

Jo Gibbs, the national director for the Covid-19 vaccine and immunisation programme, says a situation arose where the end-of-day reconciliation of doses didn’t match those administered.

“Although no patient harm would have resulted, at this stage we can’t rule out the possibility that five people may have received an incorrect vaccine dose.

“The situation that occurred relates to just five doses that were unaccounted for at the end of that day, during which 732 people were vaccinated.”

Gibbs says the error may have happened due to some vaccinators getting more than the regular number of doses out of some vials and forgetting to record it, or some people received an incorrect vaccine dose.

The Ministry of Health believes people may have received incorrect Covid vaccine doses at the Highbrook vaccination centre on July 12.

Times file photo Wayne Martin

The Ministry of Health has since written to people vaccinated at the Highbrook centre on July 12 to inform them of the situation.

Northern Region Health Co-ordination Centre clinical director Dr Anthony Jordan says the centre sent out further information and detailed guidance on September 10 to 731 people who attended the Highbrook vaccination centre on July 12.

“This is in response to the possibility up to five people who attended on that day may have received a lower dose than intended,” Jordan told the Times.

“There is also a possibility this was a recording error. We have written to those who attended the centre that day to offer them the option of a third [vaccine] dose if they wish to take this up, and will continue to provide them with support.”

Jordan says while there is a less than one per cent chance someone may have received a more diluted dose at Highbrook on July 12, it’s important they’re offered a choice of an additional dose and understand the benefits or risks associated with choosing to take it up or not.

“We have provided those who attended the centre that day with a comprehensive range of information and have encouraged them to speak to a medical professional, such as their doctor or one of our Healthline professionals, to help them to make an informed decision.

“The consultation will be free.”

Jordan says signing a consent form confirms people have had the chance to read and discuss the information around receiving a third Covid-19 vaccine dose, as it is currently not part of the standard vaccination programme.

“The letters were issued following a thorough investigation and we worked closely with the Ministry of Health and a range of experts to develop appropriate health advice.

“We have also put in place new systems and processes that will reduce the likelihood of an event like this happening again.”

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 – 13

MACLEANS SHINES IN ESPORTS CHALLENGE Avid Macleans College video gamers are shooting up in the ranks.

The school’s esports programme had teams in all four national finals at New Zealand’s premier high school esports competition.

“An incredible feat amidst extensive nationwide competition,” Andrew Cardy, teacher in charge of the Esports programme at Macleans College says.

The National High School Esports tournament involved 1500 students and 200 teams from around 100 schools across NZ. It was directed by local esports organisations The Shadownet and Victory Up. They were originally to compete on August 21, with the finals taking place in-person at the Media Design School.

Due to Covid-19, it all went ahead online.

ige ana Arachch : Levon Lakm am te lied pp ue su ag oto te. Ph ket Le d James Whi Macleans Roc remkumar an P an sh O ), (C

Macleans’ Rocket League Premiere 1 team won one national title. The school’s overall performance in all four esports secured them a second place nationally in the competition.

Additionally they have reached the finals of this tournament, winning against Yarra Valley Grammar (VIC) 3-2 and “coming out ahead of all secondary schools in Australia,” Cardy says.

The Shadownet spokeswoman Prony Sykes told a Kiwi news outlet the company’s main goal is to create a pathway and set a good foundation for Kiwis in gaming.

The Rocket League team has since progressed in the Oceanic tournament, representing secondary schools in NZ.

The final will be held on either September 25 or 26 online. They will be playing against Caringbah High School (NSW).

“We believe that esports and techno sports is the future and that is it a viable career path for our many Kiwis.”

DEATH IN WHITFORD CRASH

By Zoe Garden One person died following a serious crash in Whitford on Tuesday (14/09).

Counties Manukau Police say the incident involved two vehicles and happened at about 2:30 pm on Whitford Road.

Two people were injured in the crash.

One was transported to Auckland Hospital in critical condition. This person later died.

Police have confirmed one died following Whitford crash.

14 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

ANGER OVER ‘HORRIFIC’ PARKING PROBLEM

Contractors’ vehicles are causing damage to grass berms in Pakuranga. Times photo Wayne Martin

By Chris Harrowell Previously plush, green grass berms in two east Auckland streets have been transformed into mud due to workers at a nearby construction project driving over and parking on them.

A woman who lives in Snell Place, Pakuranga, told the Times about her frustration at the actions of workers involved in construction work at Edgewater Village in nearby Edgewater Drive.

Numerous berms in front of properties in the two streets are badly damaged and have lost a large amount of their grass to the extent they’re now just mud. The resident, who doesn’t want to be identified, describes the parking problems as “horrific”.

She says she’s made numerous phone calls to Auckland Council about the issue and has also phoned the council on behalf of neighbours who are not native English speakers.

Orange cones have since been placed halfway down one side of Snell Place and there are also cones along Edgewater Drive.

“Many vehicles have been ticketed for parking illegally close to driveways

where many neighbours have not been able to get out of their driveways, mine included,” she says.

“Twice I’ve had to ring the police for a neighbour and a contractor arguing and a contractor’s car parked on my rental property with aggressive behaviour.

After work, especially on Fridays, contractors have in the past grouped together drinking for hours with music blaring in the park.”

The resident says the biggest problem is at a nearby street corner where she once had to brake suddenly in her vehicle due to a lack of visibility from parked vehicles.

Another woman, who moved from Snell Place earlier this year, says the problem was bad enough when she left, “but now it is a nightmare for residents with what looks like a new set of contractors lining the streets and blocking the traffic”.

She says Metlifecare, which owns Edgewater Village, should have made contact with local residents about the work being carried out.

“There seems to be no on-site parking.

We all realise parking for their workers is a huge problem, but those who reside in Snell Place didn’t ask for such a big

construction to go up and they’re just expected to live with it.”

Metlifecare chief executive Earl Gasparich says the company is conscious of the disruption being caused to local residents due to the construction work at Edgewater Village.

“Throughout the project we have been working as quickly as possible with our contractors to address issues as that have been raised. This includes damaged grass on neighbouring berms, which we have committed to replanting.

“The development at Edgewater Village is significant in scope and will, once completed, provide many modern, attractive new homes and a care centre for local residents. A construction project this size does unfortunately cause inconvenience and we apologise for the impact on the local community.”

Auckland Transport spokeswoman Natalie Polley says there were about 20 infringement notices issued on Edgewater Drive and Snell Place this year, but none from the end of June onward.

“The infringements ranged from parking on broken yellow lines, parking on the footpath and too close to driveways.”

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 – 15

MIQ’S HUNGER GAMES BEGIN Former Times news editor Farida Master shares her experience from Canada of an anxious four-hour wait in the new MIQ Virtual Lobby with 22,912 desperate Kiwis ahead of her trying to get a spot to return home.

It was a heart-stopping moment.

of waiting to get an MIQ voucher.

At the stroke of 8am (NZT), Kiwis all over the world, desperate to return home got their passport numbers ready after thoroughly reading the instructions on the MIQ website a hundred times over. Seconds ticked by in different time zones and all eyes were trained on the clock. It was the beginning of the MIQ Allocation System Hunger Games as tens of thousands logged on, eager to be let into the newly introduced Virtual Lobby by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

Once logged into the website, a message flashed on my laptop screen. It read: ‘Number of users in queue ahead of you is 22910’.

As I rubbed my eyes in disbelief, my mind screamed, “Aren’t there only 3000 rooms to be let out?”

Anxiety levels were running high as the robust MIQ: NZ Facebook group of stranded Kiwis the world over compared notes supporting each other and reaching out to those who had reached breaking point.

September 20 was meant to be the day MBIE promised to make the MIQ Allocation System more transparent after almost a year of people complaining that the system is broken.

The Virtual Lobby was meant to be the much-anticipated panacea for all those who had patiently waited their turn and said their prayers to be safely delivered to the promised [almost] Covid-free land of hope!

It was the moment of truth after months

Hope that you could finally book a

16 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

ticket back home even if it meant paying $3100 (per person) plus your ticket costs, of course! A homecoming of sorts to Godzone, regardless of being locked up in a hotel room for a 14-day isolation period that has often been described as a prison sentence.

Well, it is the price you pay if you dared to travel during a pandemic, whatever the reason. The MIQ: NZ and the Grounded Kiwis Facebook groups are filled with innumerable heartwrenching stories of NZ citizens from all over the globe hopelessly waiting to be reunited with their loved ones suffering from life-threatening illnesses; or those whose visas have expired; people who have lost their jobs and don’t have a roof over their heads or money to sustain their overstay in different countries. Countless stories of people who have lost their dear ones and would give anything to be with

The awful realisation that new MIQ Virtual Lobby allocation was not going to be much better at getting Kiwis a room in an MIQ facility (opposite page); Farida Master with daughter Sanaya Master and granddaughter Spenta in Richmond, British Columbia (above).

family… often made me feel guilty for wanting a spot in the nightmarish MIQ system.

Five-and-a-half months ago when I took the leap of faith and nervously flew half way across the world to reach Canada (35-hour flight) to welcome our first grandchild, I was well aware that the MIQ system was going to be a challenge. However, I was hopeful that persistence would pay off if I devoted sufficient hours a day for the next four months to MIQ. After months of obsessively checking the MIQ website (starting in February this year) every few hours and minutes, I had reached a stage when I wasn’t quite sure how I would react should I actually get a prized slot in the MIQ Allocation System. Would it feel like I had just won a lotto ticket? Or perhaps a prime seat in Who wants to be a millionaire?

I’d play different scenarios in my mind just to keep those depressing thoughts of not knowing my departure date from the country I am visiting.

Can it be this hard? Not if you are an IT expert or have a special software/ malware, various media reports stated about the MIQ backlog. However, if you want to go about it the honest way, you’ve got to wait—endlessly.

Talking of waiting, it’s been almost four hours since I’ve been anxiously watching my number spiral down from 22912 to 15295.

Soon after, the bubble is burst as another message declares the end of the race to the MIQ lottery.

‘The room release has now concluded.

Thank you for your patience.

Unfortunately, you were not successful

in securing a room this time. The date and time of future releases will be made available on the website on a later date.”

Around 25,000 people are upset about being left out…there are plenty of outbursts, wanting to take the government to task for breaches of human rights; there are lessons learnt and advice for the powers-that-be— starting with allowing those with double vaccinations a shorter quarantine time; home isolation for those who live alone so that more hotel rooms are made available for the long line-up of people furiously knocking on the doors to be let in.

Sadly, people have come to a stage where just lip service by politicians is not enough. No one is in the mood of being fatalistic about ‘whatever will be will be…’. It’s time for platitudes to be actioned.

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 – 17

HOWICK INTERMEDIATE ENGAGES IN INNOVATIVE LEARNING

By Zoe Garden Students at Howick Intermediate have been busy producing some amazing lockdown learning.

As well as reading, writing and mathematics, there has been a huge variety of other learning taking place, such as the building of lockdown box forts, art activities, science experiments, Zoom meetings, constructing bird feeders, cupcake challenges, baking, and Minecraft towns, says Howick intermediate deputy principal Michelle Hewlett.

To celebrate Conversation Week, students undertook an activity to construct something beneficial to their local environment.

With the help of her grandfather, Katelyn designed and created a beautiful bird

feeder. She is now waiting for a bird to swoop in and pay a visit.

As part of hard materials this week, students were given the opportunity to design and make their own model from objects sitting around the house.

Katelyn designed and made this bird feeder with the help of her grandfather.

“We need to thank all Howick Intermediate staff for providing the outstanding learning opportunities that supports learning and wellbeing during these uncertain times,” says Hewlett.

The students participated in a variety of activities.

BOTANY DOWNS SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT ATTAINS GOLD

By Zoe Garden A Botany Downs Secondary School student has achieved the world’s leading youth achievement award.

Participants (16+) are required to complete four sections at each level – voluntary service, skills, physical reaction and adventurous journey.

Voluntary Service is where the participant Emma Twentyman went must volunteer in their through a number of community and see how challengers to receive their service can make a her Gold Duke of positive difference.

Edinburgh Award. It is designed to get young In skills, the participant people experience Emma Twentyman has must improve on an outside the classroom recently completed the existing skill or learn in order for them to Gold Duke of Edinburg something new. become “committed, Award. responsible and fulfilled Photo Botany Downs Secondary School Physical recreation is citizens of the world,” the designed to improve the health and Duke of Edinburg International Award fitness of the participant with them says on its website. choosing a team sport, solo sport or another healthy activity.

The award has three levels, says Botany College, and each is progressively more On the participant’s adventurous difficult.

18 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

journey, they are encouraged to go on a team expedition or exploration amongst wildlife.

The first three must average at least one hour per week on each section over a 12 month period. Adventurous journey is four days/three nights, plus training and at least one practice journey.

When they reach gold level, they must also complete a residential project.

This involves spending five consecutive days and four nights in a residential setting in which the participant must be working “towards a common purpose”, for example, on a restoration project or volunteer work at a national park Gold is the third and final level of the award. It takes a minimum of 12 months to complete.

“Emma has shown commitment and perseverance throughout the award,” Botany Downs says.

Puzzle Page Cryptic Puzzle ACROSS

Sudoku

NO. 727

6. T akes a romantic trip? (5,2,4).

7. He’s started packing to go to Pennsylvania (4).

8. A hop-head! (8).

9. A high-pitched “Quiet with the water!” (6).

10. Going back, he writes a cheque out for the prize (6).

12. Polishes and is very good at it (6).

15. Inspired by an idea that didn’t work? (6).

17. With assistance, not all are generous (8).

19. Fleece and it may be black or white (4).

20. Can’t you get it into your head it’s out of the question? (11).

For solutions flick through to page 22

1

NO. 8028

2

3

4

10

11

5

6

DOWN

1. T he day the two boys went round to get the dog (8).

2. Attack at an auction, say (6).

3. The gunman again legs it back (6).

4. Not good at work when upset, either (4).

5. For a gambler, it’s more adviseable (6).

6. News the boy’s taken back to mum (5).

11. Clothes or a dressing-gown for the patient? (8).

13. Shout at us from the opening (6).

14. Impassive, glided round to (6).

15. Supports, we’re told, providing food (6).

16. To shut it up is mean (5).

18. A girl-friend for every day of the year? (4).

7

8

9

12

13

17

14

15

16

19

18

20

Quick Puzzle ACROSS

6. Successive (11) 7. Couple (4) 8. Determined (8) 9. Leave (6) 10. Comment (6) 12. Napping (6) 15. Stern (6) 17. Unblemished (8) 19. Duck (4) 20. Vane (11)

NO. 8028

DOWN

1. Grow (8) 2. Animal (6) 3. Ship’s officer (6) 4. Herb (4) 5. Missive (6) 6. Stop (5) 11. Race (8) 13. Scattered (6) 14. Predicament (6) 15. Drink (6) 16. Split (5) 18. Fake (4)

Latest news local views times.co.nz

MP3660

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 – 19

SPRING INTO FRESH PRODUCE Lockdown and changeable weather challenges may be pushing many to slip from normal healthy eating routines so spring’s bounty of fresh, nutritious fruit and vegetables couldn’t have come at a better time.

September means it’s time to add a burst of colour and flavour to meals with asparagus, mushrooms, avocado and new potatoes arriving in stores as well as tasty spring fruit, such as strawberries, grapefruit and tangelos.

The change of season is perfect for building up immunity and resetting the health of all the family even in the midst of a Level 4 lockdown.

Project manager for 5+ A Day, Carmel Ireland, says staying healthy in lockdown is a challenge for everyone but eating at least five servings of fresh produce every day helps maintain health and wellbeing.

“Healthy eating doesn’t need to be complicated,” she says. “Include fresh fruit with breakfast, try a spring salad at lunchtime and serve colourful helpings of vegetables for dinner.”

Carmel suggests a daily routine should include a walk in the fresh air plus regular mealtimes to avoid unhealthy snacking. Meal planning will help make the most of spring produce and also make supermarket shopping easier.

“You’ll find avocado and mushrooms in the supermarket already with asparagus and grapefruit due to arrive soon. Later in September the first of the season’s locally grown strawberries will be picked, and in October we’ll have fresh tangelos and new potatoes in stores,” she says.

EXPLORE NEW IDEAS • Create a citrus & strawberry fruit salad with mint and honey for breakfast • Try mushrooms on toast for lunch with feta and fresh herbs • Use avocado to butter your sandwiches • Try fresh asparagus rolls for lunch with melted cheese • Design a new potato salad with chopped avocado and asparagus

NUTRITIONAL FACTS • Avocado – good source of dietary fibre, contains folate, vitamin B6, niacin, vitamins C & E and potassium

20 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

Here’s a quick and easy pasta salad using avocados which are abundant in stores right now.

• Mushrooms – a source of dietary fibre, contains biotin, pantothenic acid, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, copper, phosphorus, potassium and selenium • New potatoes – a source of dietary fibre, vitamin C, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, thiamin, magnesium and contains potassium • Asparagus – a source of dietary fibre, contains folate, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamins B6, C & K and contains potassium • Grapefruit – more than 100% of the RDI for vitamin C, a source of folate and contains potassium • Strawberries – a source of dietary fibre, one serving contains 200% of your RDI. Also contains folate, niacin and potassium • Tangelos – a good source of vitamin C

AVOCADO PASTA SALAD Serves: 4 | Preparation: 10 minutes | Cooking: 5-7 minutes

INGREDIENTS: • 400 grams whole wheat pasta (we used rotini) • 1 avocado, pip removed and sliced • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved • ½ cup fresh basil

Pesto Ingredients: • 1 avocado • Juice of 1 lemon • 1 garlic clove • 1 cup fresh basil • 3 cups baby spinach • ¼ teaspoon salt

Add 4 cups of water to a large pot and bring to boil. Add a pinch of salt and the pasta. Stir gently. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the pasta is soft. Remove from heat and drain the water

In a large bowl, add the pasta, pesto, sliced avocado, cherry tomato and remainder of the basil. Toss everything together until evenly coated. Season to taste with more salt

To make the pesto add 1 avocado, lemon juice, garlic clove, 1 cup of basil, baby spinach and salt to a food processor and blend until smooth

This salad can be kept covered in the fridge.

Courtesy of 5+ A Day

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 – 21

ID V O S C N E K P O O O E HIGHBR TION CENTRE R VACCINA

By Chris Harrowell The Covid-19 vaccination centre in Highbrook has reopened after being closed for a month while its staff were redeployed.

Numerous people have expressed confusion and frustration about the site’s operation on local community Facebook pages since mid-August.

Some people wrote they were not notified their bookings needed to be rescheduled and others said they turned up to be vaccinated only to find it was closed.

The Times is aware of a situation involving a resident who received their first dose of the Covid vaccine at Highbrook on July 24. They made a booking to get the second vaccine dose on September 4, but received no direct communication from the Ministry of Health to say the booking wouldn’t go ahead due to the Highbrook centre being closed. The resident eventually made a new booking for September 17, which went ahead as scheduled.

A spokesperson for the Northern Region Health Co-ordination Centre (NRHCC) says the Highbrook site closed on August 17 when New Zealand again moved to a Covid alert level four lockdown.

Its staff were “urgently redeployed” to work across Covid testing, contact tracing and at other vaccination centres.

“People who had booked to get their vaccine at Highbrook were offered the opportunity to attend the Auckland Airport park-and-ride drive-through [vaccination] centre or re-book their appointment at another centre,” the spokesperson says.

“The Highbrook vaccination centre reopened on September 16. People who had made bookings for September 13 to September 15 have been contacted by phone and text to reschedule their appointments to later that week.

“We have lots of appointments available at Highbrook and centres across the

city this week and next so we are encouraging everyone aged 12 years and over to book in now by visiting bookmyvaccine.nz or calling 0800 28 29 26.”

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern recently announced the Government had bought 500,000 doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines from Denmark to be used as part of this country’s vaccination programme. They’re added to the 275,000 vaccine doses the Government bought from Spain the previous week.

“There is now more than enough vaccine in the country to vaccinate at the world-leading rates we were hitting earlier in the month and I strongly encourage every New Zealander not yet vaccinated to do so as soon as possible,” Ardern said.

“This extra supply means we can continue to roll out vaccines well ahead of plan, so everyone in New Zealand over the age of 12 can be vaccinated as soon as possible for free.”

The National Party has repeatedly criticised the speed of the Government’s rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine. National Covid-19 response spokesman Chris Bishop said last month: “The simple reality is that while things are only slowly ramping up now, New Zealand has the slowest vaccine rollout in the developed world, and the Government’s negligent execution of the rollout has left New Zealand a sitting duck for the Delta variant.”

22 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

The Covid-19 vaccination centre in Highbrook, east Auckland, reopened on September 16.

Times file photo Wayne Martin

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ENROLMENTS

“We cannot always build the future for our youth.

But we can build our youth for the future.”

SHELLY PARK SCHOOL

In Zone Enrolments forfor 2022 “We cannot always build the future our youth.

All in zone enrolments for Term 1 2022 should be received by Friday 1 October 2021. This levels build of the school.

Butis for weall can our youth for the future.”

Edgewater College provides a caring and supportive environment focused on academic excellence, innovation and a genuinely personalised approach.

Application for Out-of-Zone Enrolments for 2022, Terms 1 and 2

We support all learners to achieve meaningful qualifications and be actively involved in the arts, sports, culture and service to the community.

Cohort 1 - Tuesday 1 February Cohort 2 - Monday 14 March Cohort 3 - Monday 2 May Cohort 4 - Monday 6 June (These 4 Cohort entry points mean students will start school on the closest date AFTER their 5th birthday. For example if your child was born on March 1st they would start school in Cohort 2 on Monday 14 March)

2022 ENROLMENT APPLICATIONS

Edgewater College provides a caring and supportive The Shelly Park School Board of Trustees is limited in the number of places it is environment onofacademic excellence, innovation able to offer studentsfocused who are out zone. The Board has determined that there are and spaces a genuinely approach. limited available personalised for children in Term 1 and Term 2, 2022 who are: • Year 1 (Cohort one beginning February 1) We 2 and support all only learners to 1 achieve • Year 3 (Cohort entry applies to Year students)

Enrolment applications are now being accepted. Please enrol online through our school website at www.edgewater.school.nz/students/enrolment or email enquiries@edgewater.school.nz to request an enrolment pack be posted to you.

meaningful

qualifications andseeking be actively involved in the arts, For out of zone students enrolment at Shelly Park School the sports, deadline for the receipt ofand applications Tuesday October 2021. If the number of out of zone culture serviceis to the 19 community. applications exceeds the number of places available, students will be selected by ballot following the Ministry of Education defined priority order. If a ballot for out of zone places is required it will be held on Thursday 21 October 2021. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the ballot within 5 working days of it being held.

OUT OF ZONE APPLICATIONS

2022 ENROLMENT APPLICATIONS

Application closing date: Tuesday 28 September

Ballot date: Tuesday 5 October

Closing date for out of zone application: 19 October Enrolment applications are Tuesday now being accepted. Please Ballot date: Thursday 21 October (if required) enrol online through our school website at Applicants notified: On or before Thursday 28 October

A dynamic and exciting school that serves its community exceptionally well.

P: 576 9039 | E: enquiries@edgewater.school.nz

www.edgewater.school.nz/students/enrolment or email

OUT OF ZONE APPLICATIONS

Enrolment forms will be available from the Shelly Park School office once we are back at school.

Shelly Park School Board of Trustees MP3664 Application closing date: Tuesday 28 September

Ballot date: Tuesday 5 October

A dynamic and exciting school that serves its

MP3665

**Due to the uncertainty of lockdown please email the principal at edr@shellypark.school.nz to request anchild’s enrolment forenquiries@edgewater.school.nz any In-zone or Out-of-zone applications. Please include your name, name, date of birth and your address. Once are back at school we will be able to get an enrolment form pack be posted to we you. sent to you.**

Please be aware during Covid Alert levels you can always contact us through the enquiries email address.

Māia | Courage  Manawa reka | Curiosity  Manaakitanga | Care

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 – 23

LOCKDOWN IN PICTURES

24 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

Award-winning Times photographer Wayne Martin has been capturing images in and around our area during lockdown.

View photos online to buy www.times.co.nz

TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 – 25

er who has Samisoni Taukei’aho is a monst at a time s king ran ker rocketed up the hoo depth. h suc had er nev has when New Zealand Photo Photosport

YOUNG GUNS FIRE ROCKETS The huge gains made by relative new caps has been the most pleasing feature of the All Blacks’ progress this year as they head into Saturday’s 100th test against arch enemy South Africa in Townsville.

With fatherhood stopping Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga from making their Rugby Championship trip to Australia, fears they would be seriously missed has not happened.

In fact, Australia suffered their third loss to them before Argentina fell 36-13 on Saturday in Brisbane after 11 changes were made to the All Blacks’ starting team between the last two games, And it was relative rookies Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan Blackadder and Hoskins Sotutu whose relentless work at hooker, blindside flanker and No 8 made them stars of the show in Saturday’s second win against the Pumas.

Taukei’aho is a monster who has rocketed up the hooker rankings at a time when New Zealand has never had such depth.

Young lock Tupou Vaa’i, 21, scored two of the team’s five tries, dynamic stand-in captain Ardie Savea relished the chance to revert back to openside flanker from No 8.where Sotutu thrived

and loosehead prop Joe Moody made a strong return after a long absence through injury.

Halfback TJ Perenara enjoyed his normal robust game, first-five Damian McKenzie was content to be a sharp link who ensured his outside backs swift service which speedy centre Rieko Ioane particularly relished.

Jordie Barrett was rock solid at fullback and missed only one of six shots at goal after converting all eight the previous week.

However, although monstered in the scrum, Argentina tackled well when reducing New Zealand to just one second half try after scoring four in the first and unlucky not to have doubled it.

Forward coaches John Plumtree and Greg Feek had cause to be delighted with the skill set of their forwards, especially Sotutu whose pass and footwork made him a danger peeling off the scrum and the dynamic Blackadder and powerful Taukei’aho.

However, the big winner over the weekend was coach Dave Rennie and his Australian team who crunched world champions South Africa 30-17 and elevated New Zealand to top dog status.

That should make the Springboks even more dangerous in next Saturday’s

26 – TIMES MEDIA LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

Agnew’s Angle

with Ivan Agnew Townsville clash and the selection of the All Blacks that much more interesting with so many first stringers and so few second to choose from.

Having blamed Dave Rennie’s selections for the Wallabies’ poor results against NZ, it’s not the first time former coach and champion loudmouth Alan Jones has had to eat his words, with the recall of Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi master strokes.

In Nic White and and Tate McDermott they have two fantastic halfbacks, a hugely gifted young centre in Len Ikitau and strong scoring wings Marika Koroibete and Andrew Kellaway.

I cannot think of any prop who has a better combination of power and pace than Taniela Tupou, who is still only 25, and Michael Hooper is an inspirational captain.

Meanwhile having won eight from eight this year, All Blacks head coach Ian Foster can turn deaf ears to his dwindling band of critics.

Ivan Agnew is an award-winning sports writer