Times Media Covid-19 Lockdown Flipbook 28-04-20

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Tuesday, April 28, 2020

IN THIS ISSUE

LATEST NEWS

PRINCIPAL: SCHOOL IN TWO PARTS IN LEVEL 3

Sunrise over cenotaph:

DAM WATER - DROUGHT CONTINUES

Anzac Day in lockdown See pages 6-7

Photo Wayne Martin

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2 – TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK

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TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 3

Puzzle Page Cryptic Puzzle ACROSS

2

3

4

6

5

7

NO. 7954

DOWN

9

8

1. H elp a ship: it’s in distress (6).

2. In the water, it’s not terribly well covered (5).

3. What it cost, one writes, to tunnel through the river (7).

4. Tidings from all quarters (4).

5. A red and blue material! (5).

6. That I’ve risen above depression is clear (7).

7. Having a lot more rum, totter (6).

13. Making the heart sink, goes in to get flowers (7).

15. Don’t allow to shut up the priest inside (7).

16. Choose to include the Spanish group (6).

17. Quick to seize, up river, the enemy agent (6).

19. The appearance of the said fellows (5).

21. Fall about the ring and be obviously tired (5).

22. “Not for the worker,” I added (4).

11

10

12

14

13

17

18

19

20

21

22 23

24

25

Quick Puzzle 1. Murderer (4,3,6) 8. Seat (5) 9. Altered (7) 10. Yearly (6) 11. Tell (6) 12. Rock (5) 14. Malice (5) 18. Repeat (6) 20. Packet (6) 23. Rejection (7) 24. Lukewarm (5) 25. Submarine division of the navy (6,7)

Sudoku

15

16

ACROSS

NO. 006

1. S uperior to the boss, which is hard to understand (5,4,4).

8. Leading in the tennis match: that’s the situation (3-2).

9. What the neurotic dog did?

(7).

10. That ties up the series (6).

11. Always the recovered admire one greatly (6).

12. How you get up courage to become a guard? (5).

14. Cutting half the speech about it from the sheer malice (5).

18. Make one see red as a green: most peculiar (6).

20. Was a robber and was made an example of (4,2).

23. The tail wags when one runs out, with joy (7).

24. Stick into the middle of the cheese and eat (5).

25. Trouble there would be in redeeming from hell (3,5,2,3).

1

NO. 7954

DOWN

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

13.

15.

16.

17.

19.

21.

22.

Animal (6) Series (5) Ground (7) Every (4) Picture (5) Show (7) Blush (6) Diplomatic (7) Dish (7) Suit (6) Vehicle (6) Ascended (5) Island (Italy) (5) Sadly (4)

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Times photo Wayne Martin

COVID-19 IS NOT STOPPING THE TEAM AT THE TIMES FROM COMMUNICATING WITH YOU ALL Five weeks into lockdown and as a country we have done so well.

The Times is the only community newspaper in our area still keeping you up-to-date online with our website which is constantly updated, our flipbook published twice a week and our Facebook pages.

Now that the government has allowed us to deliver the paper to letterboxes we will be printing again on May 12.

We are very proud to be a locally owned media company and like so many small to medium businesses it certainly is not easy. In our industry we have already seen the huge German owned

publishing company Bauer Media Group pull out of New Zealand citing insufficient advertising revenue for the next few months the reason. Another Australian owned newspaper group has been asking readers to donate to their journalism. Australian owned wanting New Zealanders to pay!

We want and must have for all of us to be viable local business supported by locals. I hear all the talk about Uber eats and again why, an overseas company doing the deliveries for our local businesses that are now at Level 3 beginning to trade again?

I urge people to contact the local business you are wanting to buy from

and see what options they have for you to pick up or deliver. Please make contact with them first and also contact us if you have any stories that need telling, and of course if you want to advertise.

We are back in print on May 12 but in the meantime thank you for all your support before Covid-19 and during.

As someone said to me yesterday our Times brand is synonymous with this community. Maybe after nearly fifty years it should be.

In conclusion, we all still have a way to go but the brighter days are ahead. We must support local businesses, local business is essential to our future.

TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 5

Anzac Day A DIFFERENT ANZAC DAY

LEST WE FORGET For the first time since Anzac services began in 1916, Kiwis couldn’t gather at public services and war memorials on Saturday to mark this significant day of remembrance.

Above, Cameron Burns & Leah Lewis at their letterbox surrounded by home made poppies, ready for ANZAC Day remembrance from their driveway in Howick; above right, Captain Musick Air Scouts were represented by Ethan Tapley, 8yrs and his sister Amelia, 4yrs, joining with neighbours for remembrance.

While there was a sparse commemorative turnout (due to social distancing rules and Covid-19 lockdown) on Stockade Hill, many in our community marked Anzac Day in solidarity with the NZDF and RSA’s #StandAtDawn campaign calling for Kiwis to stand at the end of their driveways on on their porches at 6am. The sunrise was amazing too.

Times photographer WAYNE MARTIN captured many beautiful shots on Stockade Hill and around our community.

LTR: Brooklyn, Vanessa, Kyle and Blair Wiltenburg stand among the poppies the family made ready for remembrance of ANZAC Day in Howick.

6 – TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK

For more photos visit www.times.co.nz Wendy & Richard Stovell getting into the spirit of ANZAC by installing this poppy art on their front fence in Howick.

Pip Burns (front) stands for ANZAC remembrance with her neighbours holding medals and photos of those who fought for New Zealand during war time.

TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 7

5 NEW CASES OF COVID-19; ONE NEW DEATH

DEATH TOLL NOW 19 From Dr Ashley Bloomfield, DirectorGeneral of Health

management (if already in New Zealand).

MINISTRY OF HEALTH As at Monday, April 27 we have only one new confirmed case of Covid-19 to report and four new probable cases. All of today’s cases can be traced to a known source. Three are linked to St Margarets Hospital & Rest Home, and two are linked to known cases.

In the context of our overall total, six cases which were previously probable have been reclassified as either still under investigation or not a case. This means the current national total is 1469, a net reduction of one.

Public health units are working with the Ministry to review recent probable cases and as such, some are being reclassified.

This will mean our daily net total of cases will vary. We will continue to report the daily confirmed and probable cases and the new net total for that day.

New Zealand’s total number of confirmed cases is 1122. This is the number we report to the World Health Organization and in many instances this is the number reported publicly by other countries.

There were 2939 tests completed yesterday (Sunday), with a combined total to date of 123,920. This lower number of tests reflects regular weekend patterns.

Of our cases, 1180 are reported as recovered – an increase of 38 on yesterday. Eighty per cent of all confirmed and probable cases have now recovered. There are seven people in hospital, again unchanged from yesterday. This total includes one person in the ICU in Middlemore.

Very sadly, we have one additional death to report today which takes our total to 19. A woman in her 90s who was a resident of St Margaret’s Hospital and

As at Monday, April 27, 2020

Rest Home died yesterday at Waitakere Hospital. Our thoughts are with her family at this deeply sad time.

The woman was a confirmed case of Covid-19 and had a number of underlying health conditions. She was one of a group of residents transferred to Waitakere Hospital earlier in the month and is the third person from this cluster of cases to have died. Her family have expressed their gratitude to the Waitakere Hospital staff caring for their loved one.

There are still 16 significant clusters, and again this is no change from yesterday.

CASES STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION We have only one case since April 1 where we are still investigating the source of infection. This is a confirmed case in Tauranga and a possible link is still being investigated.

A second case, in Waikato, is now no longer considered a case. This was a probable case which after further investigation is no longer classified as a probable case.

CASE MANAGEMENT UNDER LEVEL 3 Strict isolation and monitoring around confirmed and probable cases of Covid-19 will continue during Level 3.

All confirmed and probable cases will continue to be managed in quarantine (if recently arrived into New Zealand) or be under strict isolation and active

8 – TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK

For those in quarantine, the facilities being used will continue to have robust infection prevention and control measures. Active management for cases in self-isolation in the community means daily phone calls to check on people’s welfare and health, including whether they have any symptoms.

In addition, all close contacts of confirmed cases are under active management and are called daily to ensure they continue in their selfisolation for a mandatory 14 days, and to check if any symptoms have surfaced or they have welfare needs.

SECTION 70 A new Health Act Order comes into effect from 11:59pm tonight, when NZ moves to Alert Level 3. It’s available on the Ministry of Health website.

The information in the Order is comprehensive and has previously been signalled at media conferences over the last week, particularly around permissions for things such as going to work or school, exercise, and Maori customary rights to fishing and food gathering.

HEALTH NEEDS A further reminder that people should not delay seeking care for any health needs either by phoning Healthline 0800 611 116 or through their GP. And, as usual, if it is an emergency then dial 111 and ask for the ambulance service or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

Also, if you get an appointment for an investigation such as an x-ray or scan, or to get an elective operation or procedure, it is safe to do so. The hospital will have tight processes in place to keep you and staff safe.

on pal of Pige son, princi ool h sc e Ian Dickin th ary, says m ri w.

P in ta Moun m tomorro o parts fro tw in pplied su n o e ot p o Ph will

PRINCIPAL: WE WILL NOT MAKE PARENTS FEEL LIKE OUTCASTS In light of the announcement made by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern about schools reopening tomorrow in Alert Level 3, and children of essential workers returning to school, IAN DICKINSON, Principal of Pigeon Mountain Primary School reflects on the implications and the logistical challenge.

It’s unusual times for us and our biggest challenge, other than finalising numbers likely to attend, is identifying the staff able to attend (obviously, there are multiple situations affecting this large group of people); and then pinning down our systems for maintaining the safety and wellbeing of those who will be with us from Wednesday.

We are not actively encouraging our community to flout rules and attend school but we see ourselves now as an essential service, for essential workersvery much in-line with our school vision of providing ‘Education with a Heart’.

was sharing some useful materials about their planning in the event of a lockdown and we developed it further for our own community.

I spoke to our community on video, through Facebook and WeChat ahead of the new term, revisiting the plans/ systems/structures we had initiated at the end of T1 when we were closed down.

Our teachers had already started the ball rolling ahead of the holidays break so we were able to just pick up where we’d left off to some extent.

We will NOT make parents feel like outcasts or criminals when they have no option other than go to work. Some of the things I’ve read from some other schools have made me feel embarrassed to be an educator!

A number of us maintained the connection with students and parents during the holiday break - little things like face-to-face meetings online, mini video messages every day, reading a story online etc.

We have sent out a survey to the parents through our school website, Facebook, social media and emailed for them to let us know if their children who have no supervision at home (since their parents are essential workers) will be returning to school.

We felt it was important during the early weeks of lockdown to do this to try and reduce stress and create a little ‘normality’ (if that was possible).

As a school, we will maintain safety for children, teachers and members of staff and for that we will develop a plan.

Prior to lockdown, we were lucky that we were planning about three weeks for this eventuality - a colleague overseas

We attempted to identify our most needy parents in terms of devices before the holiday break, but we’ve found that we are amazingly lucky with the number of households in our school already equipped with the means to engage in learning.

As such, we felt it better to provide our own machines on a loan basis to

the families without anything for their children to use. I think it is every school’s responsibility to meet the needs of its own community and not to prejudge what parents want.

Our teachers have worked hard to meet the needs of all our learners, our families and their diverse situations. We had three simple goals when developing our approaches—maintain some routines, learning and connections. There are some elements of time-tabled sessions that children could attend if possible with open ended learning they could do through the day.

We had provided links to online sites and applications for them to explore or practice independently, some ways of submitting/returning learning for feedback and all this wrapped in ‘Education with a Heart’. There was an understanding that some children will do everything, some will do a chunk and some will dip in and out depending on circumstances and parent expectations.

And no one will be given a hard time or stress as a result of how much or little they did.

Now, as our school reopens in two parts, we will continue to maintain connections with children doing online learning at home and have those kids in school whose parents are essential workers. It’s exciting times and we’re proud to be part of this community.

TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 9

TANKER-TO-TANKER WATER ENDS The ‘tanker-to-tanker’ initiative employed by Auckland Council to support private water carriers over the summer, has ended.

Recent rain across the region has seen a drop in demand from operators, as their turnaround times for delivery return to normal, with many now reporting either same or next day delivery services.

At peak in early March, up to 13 tankers were operating daily in the north, south and west of the region.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, together with Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore, proposed the idea of using the milk tankers to support water deliveries.

Mayor Goff says, “We were conscious of the position rural communities and independent water carriers found themselves in as the rain stayed away over summer.

“As the drought progressed in February, tanks were running low or out and the waiting time for water deliveries was approaching six weeks or more.

We knew we needed to find a solution quickly, so we asked Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters team to investigate using milk tankers to help transport water to residents.”

From that seed of an idea, within six days a network of tankers was stationed at rural sites in areas most in need of water to act as mobile filling stations.

Six days on from their arrival, the fleet were delivering over one million litres daily to private water carriers and over the 11-week period have carried around 44.4 million litres of water for distribution at a cost of $1.4 million.

Watercare pulled out all stops to ensure both private tanker operators and the support fleet had greater access to water, opening four new temporary filling stations in Kumeu, Glen Eden and Orewa.

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Dr. Yang grew up in Mainland China and graduated from Dalian Medical University in 2000. She then worked in China for 3 years, with a focus on Cardiology and Neurology, before moving to New Zealand.

Dr Wei worked at Whanganui hospital as well as general practice until recently moving to Auckland with her family.

Dr. Yang is interested in General Medicine, Women’s health and Children’s health. Currently she is working towards Fellowship with the RNZCGP. She is bilingual and proficient in English and Mandarin.

“By having the tankers on the ground as a hub, it allowed us to get water deliveries to the people faster. And there were some very anxious customers out there desperate for water,” says Warren Patchett owner of Maraetai Blue.

“We’ve really appreciated the support of the council in providing this service to us. It helped our stress levels and those of our customers,” he adds.

This is the first time such an initiative has been trialled in Auckland.

While the ‘tanker-to-tanker’ operation will no longer be operating, contingency drinking water supplies will still be available to rural residents at local halls where outside taps are accessible.

The amount of water that can be taken has been raised from 20L per person per household to 30L and Covid-19 guidelines apply when filling containers.

Our General Practitioners: Dr Anthony Yau (English, Mandarin, Cantonese) Dr Wei Yang (English and Mandarin) To Howick

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In mid-February, a fleet of milk tankers were redeployed from around the North Island to act as ‘relay stations’ to support private water carriers, under pressure from the demand for water from parched rural residents.

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TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 9

RACE CAR DRIVER AMALGAMATES BIG BOYS TOYS & CRC SPEEDSHOW New Zealand’s largest automotive event, the CRC Speedshow, will no longer take place in July but instead form the motorsport arm of the Big Boys Toys expo in November.

The two expos will now sit together under the overarching Big Boys Toys brand after both were purchased by lifelong motorsport enthusiast Shaun Varney.

Varney has competed in motorsport for over a decade, including the NZV8s and a number of GT championships. Last year he finished third in the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour Race, racing behind the wheel of a Holden Commodore. Varney says the amalgamation is strategic as well as practical, with many exhibitors and attendees forgoing one show for the other in recent years due to their similar offerings.

The new format will mean that the 45,000 collective attendees across both shows can get more for their dollar.

The new look Big Boys Toys is scheduled to take place at the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane from November 13 – 15, 2020 (Covid-19 permitting).

Tickets go on sale June 1, 2020.

For more information visit bigboystoys.co.nz.

“Big Boys Toys will now effectively be two shows for the price of one - by bringing Speedshow into the format we’ll be able to offer punters, sponsors and exhibitors much better value for money,” says managing director Varney.

“In all likeliness we would have had to cancel or postpone a standalone Speedshow in July as a result of Covid-19, so we’re confident the new combined mid-November expo will provide the public an opportunity to enjoy an epic event after the various cancellations over winter” he added.

“We’re looking to invest in fresh features to deliver a premium event that appeals to everyone, not just the blokes, and is fun for the whole family. Planning is still in the early stages but we’re excited to announce more information on the format and exhibitors later in the year,” said Varney.

Previously owned by SMC Events, Big Boys Toys roared into New Zealand’s cultural consciousness in 1997 with a goal of providing face-to-face interaction between Kiwi males and their favourite brands.

The change of ownership also sees a shift in vision for Big Boys Toys, with an aim of making it more diverse and inclusive, with more pockets of interest in 2020 and beyond.

Attracting upwards of 30,000 people, past shows have seen halls packed with classic and contemporary cars, innovative electronics and gaming, food and entertainment.

“Big Boys Toys and CRC Speedshow have amazed crowds of Kiwis for a combined 34-years but in a new social climate the time is right to shake things up with a bigger, better and more elevated offering,” Varney says.

Created by Auckland race driver Keith Sharp, CRC Speedshow first ran in 2007 and was the largest automotive and motorsport event in New Zealand.

Prior to Varney’s acquisition it was owned by businessman Bruce Anderson.

Ferrari’s The Ferrari Enzo – one of the greatest Photo supplied . show on be ever made – will TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 11

LOCAL FIRM DONATES 50,000 HAND SANITISERS TO SCHOOLS Free information sessions on Life Coaching hosted by Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga and facilitated

by Shiv Kumar from Think Life Coaching. Five sessions from 11 am to 12 noon on Fridays May 8, 15, 22, 29 and June 5. Topics covered are goal setting, improving selfconfidence, thinking out of the box, dealing with challenges etc.

Registration is compulsory. Contact Vani settlement.pakuranga@cab. org.nz or text 021 459 520.

ADVICE ON PHONE Citizens Advice Bureau Pohutukawa Coast is still open for advice via the phone and email during its regular Friday afternoon timeslot from 1-3pm. The contact phone number for these hours is 028 437 2515 or email enquiries. pakuranga@cab.org.nz.

The Ministry of Education has purchased 50,000 bottles of hand sanitiser at cost price from east Auckland firm NXP. The company has donated a further 50,000 bottles to ensure all New Zealand schools and child care centres have sufficient initial supplies when they reopen.

The sanitiser supplies are part of a shipment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) products purchased by schools which also include gloves and face masks - helping to protect teachers, staff and children.

The team at NXP in East Tamaki worked 16 hour days for the long weekend to make sure the delivery of 100,000 sanitisers were ready.

Photo supplied

Joe Taylor, chief executive officer of East Tamaki-based NXP, the country’s largest supplier of business supplies to Government and large corporates, says calls were made to all 6000 schools and childcare centres in the country to ensure orders could be taken in time for delivery ahead of Wednesday.

“Feedback from school principals has been extremely positive with many saying it has helped ease some of the health and safety concerns faced by staff returning to work at Level 3,” he says.

Along with the donation of hand sanitiser, Taylor says that in collaboration with Ministry of Business, Industry and Employment, the company has opened up online accounts for every school in the country - allowing them to leverage the All of Government (AoG) pricing structure and ensuring they access the lowest possible rates for PPE, kitchen, janitorial and office products over the coming months.

He says taking thousands of orders of PPE supplies, setting up online accounts and processing the orders in less than five days has been a significant logistics exercise for his customer service and warehouse team.

“Our team worked 16 hour days for the entire long weekend to make sure the deliveries were ready.

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12 – TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK

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More than 50,000 bottles of hand sanitiser have been donated and are being urgently delivered to schools throughout the country, ahead of their opening on Wednesday.

5 Rices Mall, Howick | Phone 021 766611 michaelsemporium.co.nz mwardtrading@outlook.com

MARAE REFURBISHMENT TAKES PRIORITY OVER BUSWAY PROJECT

By JIM BIRCHALL

With the news this week that construction on the City Rail Link in central Auckland set to resume under level 3 restrictions, the Times has been supplied with an email from Auckland Council outlining current and future projects, and their (council’s) preferred order of priority.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday April 22 that getting transport infrastructure projects back on track is a focus for the Government.

Auckland Council has submitted a list of 73 key projects to the Infrastructure Industry Reference Group, a government task force set up to effectively seek out ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure projects that can start quickly to stimulate the economy and reduce the economic impact of Covid-19.

The Eastern Busway project 1, crucial to the east Auckland area comes in fourth on the list of priorities behind the refurbishment of Auckland’s Marae.

Marae refurbishment, perhaps done before winter arrives and providing work for insulators and other trades people, appears more important to Auckland Council in a post-Covid environment.

Construction of the Busway is already well underway – the project broke ground in 2019, with the aim of creating high frequency, rapid transit bus travel for east Auckland.

The first stage includes turning Panmure roundabout into a safer, signalised intersection, construction of the busway along Lagoon Drive and Pakuranga Road, a new bridge across Tamaki River, shared cycling and walking paths, a new reserve at the end of Bridge Street in Panmure along with improvements for general traffic at key intersections.

PROJECT IN PRIORITY ORDER: 1. City Rail Link 2. Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme 3. Marae Upgrade Programme 4. Eastern Busway 1 5. North Western Busway 6. Rosedale Bus Station 7. Local Tracks Programme 8. Ferry Basin Redevelopment Stage 1 9. Lower Albert Street Bus Interchange 10. Kainga Ora – Northcote Development Stormwater Trunk Provision 11. Kainga Ora – Owairaka Development Stormwater Network Provision 12. Kainga Ora – Tamaki Development Stormwater and Park Upgrades 13. Clinker Place Development Stormwater Trunk Provision 14. Otahuhu Town Centre Upgrade 15. Te Whau Pathway 16. Puhinui Bus Priority and Cycling 17. Phuinui Stream Restoration Programme 18. Puhinui Interchange (Bus-Rail) 19. Eastern Busway 2, 3 and 4 (including Botany interchange) 20. 20 Hayman Park Projects 21. Barrowcliffe Bridge Upgrade

between Pakuranga and Botany, including the Reeves Road Flyover, are currently entering the consenting process and construction due to start in 2022.

The Times approached Auckland Council for comment on the reasoning behind prioritising marae upgrades ahead of continuing with a major transport project, but no reply was received by deadline, despite assurances from a media spokesperson.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Council put marae upgrades ahead of a multimillion dollar project designed to make life easier for east Auckland’s commuters?

Email jim@times.co.nz with your thoughts.

HOWICK LOCAL BOARD UPDATES The Howick Local board met virtually on April 20th. Given the remote nature of the meeting, no public deputations were received.

The Howick Local Board Transport Capital Fund Decisions for April 2020, was tabled. Ben Stallworthy, Elected Member Relationship Manager, was in attendance to speak in regards to the report.

It was requested that the Howick Local Board ask Auckland Transport investigate several projects (as detailed below) and provide rough orders of cost for options for a section of The Parade (between Laings Road and Whitcombe Road) at Bucklands Beach to provide better pedestrian safety.

Other projects under consideration or investigation of feasibility are: • Installing speed indicator variable message signs (VMS) on Point View Drive • Installing an information plinth at Half Moon Bay, and potentially other locations • Building a better walking route between the Half Moon Bay Ferry Terminal and the coastal walkway in front of the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club.

Request Auckland Transport provide options to utilise up to $4 million of the Local Board Transport Capital Fund to deliver projects identified in the Howick Walking and Cycling Plan, following advice from Community Facilities and prioritised as follows: • Maximise pedestrian and cycling connectivity to public transport and employment hubs and schools as recommended in the Howick Walking and Cycling Plan.

Future stages of the Eastern Busway TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 13

EMERGING COVID-19 UNDERCLASS REQUIRES

RADICAL GOVT ACTION People losing their income, housing and jobs, as a result of Covid-19 will be the new face of social need in New Zealand, says the latest Salvation Army monitoring report.

Vulnerable groups already emerging at Salvation Army social services throughout New Zealand include people who have lost their jobs and households unable to meet rent and mortgage costs.

Of further concern are immigrants formerly vital to New Zealand productivity, but now jobless and without any entitlement to Government support. The situation needs attention, National Social Policy Director Ian Hutson says.

The Salvation Army responded to considerable increases in demand for food over the last two weeks. In the last week, the organisation delivered 5895 food parcels, a 346 per cent rise from the week before the Covid-19 lockdown.

New Zealand cannot rely as it has in the past on government and charitable supported, community-based food banks to meet this new food demand.

The opportunity of this crisis is to break out of the cycle of food poverty and create a society where no-one goes hungry, based on social, economic and welfare responses that are sustainable.

Also of concern is the situation of workers from overseas who are here on temporary work visas and who actively contributed to New Zealand’s hospitality and agricultural workforce and productivity. These workers have lost their employment and are

Salvation Army 0800 Number—Reasons for calls (11/04 to 19/04)

250 200 150 100 50 0

11 Apr

12 Apr

13 Apr

14 Apr

Education & Unemployment

15 Apr Donations

Social Services—Family Store

not eligible for welfare assistance.

The Salvation Army encourages the Government to enable people to return to their countries of origin or to provide income support during the forced closure of their workplaces.

Covid-19 has deepened the housing crisis. People unable to pay their rent or mortgage could soon add to an already out of control need for social housing.

At present, 15,495 are on the waiting list for social housing with more than 5000 households isolated in transitional or emergency housing.

When New Zealand needs us…

We need you You can help The Salvation Army provide budgeting advice, food parcels, advocacy and social support services that are needed by hundreds of Kiwis every day.

Please donate today salvationarmy.org.nz PR0510

14 – TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK

Loans

Addictions—Gambling

Housing—Suportive Accommodation

Covid-19 provides a unique opportunity for the Government to resolve New Zealand’s housing crisis. With an

16 Apr

Housing—Emergency

17 Apr

18 Apr

19 Apr

Social Services—Other Addictions—Alcohol/Drugs Food Parcels

economy requiring massive stimulation and the need for the widespread creation of many new jobs, opportunities to fix the housing crisis abound.

The Salvation Army believes conditions are right for a multi-billion investment in housing to address the housing crisis in New Zealand. Such an investment should include social housing through a significant social house building programme; the boosting of homeownership with a national progressive homeownership programme giving all households with an income over $60,000 the chance to own a home of their own. It should also include the creation of a new public supply of houses for rent.

BREAKTHROUGH BONUS: THE FIRESTARTER FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY AS WE BREAK FREE FROM LOCKDOWN The Minister of Finance last Thursday revealed that helicopter money schemes, where direct payments are made to all New Zealanders, are on the table. Kiwibank’s chief economist Jarrod Kerr, senior economist Jeremy Couchman and economist & Mary Jo Vergara have been crunching the numbers.

From today, we will move out of Level 4 and into level 3. But our focus must be on getting to level 2, then level 1.

And what better way to keep us on track, than you offer a $1500 incentive to get to level 2 (or 1). A breakthrough bonus to make Kiwis smile (Queen lyrics). You can’t put a price on that. Actually, we have, it’s $6bn. It could be $2bn if only for low-income households. This is a silver lining, not a silver bullet. This is a fire starter, not a fuel cell. This is to kickstart momentum after purposely stalling activity. This is some relief after inflicting stress on many families.

The NZ Treasury suggests spending an additional $20-$40 billion in initiatives will soften the economic impact of prolonged lockdowns. Relatively effective, and inexpensive cash handouts are a sure-fire way to ignite consumption. Back of the envelope calculations show reasonable injections could cost as little as $2bn or as much as $6bn, a fraction of the $20-40b proposed by Treasury. Cash handouts will get great press coverage and lift confidence out of lockdown. Who wouldn’t enjoy spraying a bit of cash around after such an ordeal?

Every extra dollar spent goes towards covering a retail store’s rent and utility bills. An extra domestic tourist dollar goes towards rehiring a tourism operator (currently sitting on a couch).

Oh, and those good retail and tourism firms will naturally pay tax on those extra earnings – but hopefully not GST. And then there are the multipliers. The tourism operator gets off the couch, works, then spends a little more, and so on. Pure economic poetry in motion.

Now think of all the employees who have been asked to take pay cuts during the lockdown. Employees in the Media

industry are prime examples. Shattered advertising revenues has seen many take a temporary 15-to-20 per cent pay cut. Such a payment would offset some, if not all, of their temporary reduction.

The silver lining after a significant loss.

The silver lining effect is powerful.

The timing of when to distribute the cash is straight forward. We want to support of retailers and tourism operators best we can. Level 3 is not the time. Level 3 will allow for more economic activity to resume such as construction and manufacturing. But general activity will remain similar to Level 4 as many businesses remain boarded up. The grand re-opening of the economy at Level 2 is therefore the perfect time to inject the stimulus and boost spending. There is already pent-up demand. We’re all due for a haircut.

But helicopter cash will encourage that much STORY more spending. People are much more willing to spend money they deem easily obtained. Money for nothing, and your fish and chips for free.

It’s “helicopter money” to the masses.

Although we believe a very broad approach is best after lockdown, to entice all Kiwis, the Government may want to target the spending on lowincome households only. The tourism, hospitality and retail industries are the hardest-hit by from Covid-19 border closures and lockdowns. Border restrictions will remain for some time, probably into next year. Access to the international markets will be limited.

These industries will have to look internally, for domestic Kiwi travellers.

The helicopter of cash could also be flown over domestic tourist hotspots. To do so, the handout should also be made available to higher income households.

A wealthy 4 person ‘nuclear’ household could be given $4000 ($1500 per adult, 500 per child) to be spent with domestic tourism operators. Instead of cash, domestic tourism and retail coupons or vouchers could be offered to high income households. Use it or lose it. It would also limit the leakage on spending on imports (Amazon). ➤ Continued to page 16

TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 15

➤ From page 15 Every operator could quickly develop $3000-5000 family deals to visit the best areas in God’s country. So much to see, so much to do – even if we’ve lived here our whole lives. And many a family would love to get away after being locked down.

Importantly, the cash handout is timely, targeted and temporary.

WE HAVE ESTIMATED THE COST OF THE FOLLOWING THREE OPTIONS: Option 1: One-off payment to all taxpayers.

Option 2: One-off payment to all taxpayers earning up to $100,000 p.a.

Option 3: The full one-off payment for taxpayers earning up to $50,000p.a.

Thereafter, the payment is abated $50 for every $1,000 of income earned over $50,000.

Each option is altered by bonus payment size, assumed to be $500, $1000, or $1500 (see Table 1).

We haven’t included payments for children in the above table, as was done in the US. As a rough indication though, if each of the near 1mn children below the age of 15 in NZ was paid $500, this would add almost $0.5bn to the cost of the bonus payment. However, an abatement mechanism to exclude high income households would lower this cost.

TABLE 1 - ESTIMATED GROSS COST TO CROWN Payment

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

$500

$1.9bn

$1.8bn

$1.4bn

$1,000

$3.9bn

$3.5bn

$3.0bn

$1,500

$5.8bn

$5.3bn

$4.8bn

Some caveats apply to the above figures.

First, the costs shown in Table 1 are gross of tax deductions. The Government should treat a bonus payment as tax exempt, but may subject the payment to someone’s marginal tax rate. One way to annoy people, and take the shine off the silver lining. If so, the net cost to the Crown will be lower than what’s shown in Table 1. Second, our costings are based on NZers’ income distribution estimated by the Treasury’s microsimulation model TAWA as part of Budget 2019.

The Government may wish, on hardship grounds, to apply bonus payment criteria to peoples’ current situation rather than their income from the last tax year. This would likely mean the cost of Options 2 and 3 would be higher than shown in Table 1 due to recent job losses and pay cuts. Third, we have included taxpayers with zero income (6 per cent of all income taxpayers) in our calculation.

The Australian government decided to exclude anyone with nil income as part of their GFC bonus payment. The nil income group will include those with an IRD number but no taxable income.

The nil income group will likely include stay-at-home parents, students not also

16 – TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK

in employment or receiving an allowance etc. Excluding this group would lower the costs presented in Table 1. But we’d argue these people are just as deserving and excluding them would go against the spirit of the scheme.

A TAX BONUS IS A VIABLE TOOL Bonus payments have been used in recent times in other countries.

During the GFC the Australian Federal Government paid out a one-off A$900 bonus payment to those who earned taxable income up to A$80,000. The payment was rapidly abated for those with incomes above A$80,000. The GFC bonus payment was credited in helping Australia avoid the recession experienced almost uniformly across the developed world. This time around the Australian Government has already announced an A$750 payment targeted at social welfare recipients.

More recently the US announced a US$2tn economic stimulus package.

US$300bn of the package was dedicated

AS WE MOVE DOWN ALERT LEVELS WE NEED TO SWITCH FOCUS FROM SAVING THE ECONOMY TO STIMULATING THE ECONOMY to a direct bonus payment that most American families will receive. The payments were US$1,200 for individuals, double that for a married couple, and there is a US$500 for each child under the age of 17. The US direct payment was abated for those with incomes over US$75,000 to US$150,000. The reason for abatement is clear. Top income earners are less likely to need a one-off payment, choosing to save rather than spend it.

The use of a ‘bonus’ payment, rather than say a tax refund, seems to elicit different spending behaviour form consumers too.

A study looking at the spending patterns of Australian consumers following the GFC bonus payment, found a much larger willingness to spend the bonus compared to tax rebates offered to US consumers over a similar period. The framing of the payment as a bonus is thought to have contributed to a higher share spent.

There is a potential “silver-lining effect” going on here, were a perceived small gain has an outsized positive effect on the recipient despite larger losses being experienced.

Policymakers have been playing the cards they’ve been dealt well. But the biggest economic challenges lie ahead. And each move will demand scrutiny. The longer we lockdown, the worse the impact. To date, the RBNZ was the first to move, slicing interest rates to an operation low of 25bps (for now). Large scale asset purchases followed to flatten the government (and LGFA) borrowing rates out the curve. Pulling borrowing costs down aided the Government’s pursuit

to help households and businesses keep their heads above water during lockdown. But with the number of cases falling, we’re set to be discharged from Level 4, and enter level 3. As we move down alert levels, we need to switch focus from saving the economy to stimulating the economy. According to the playbook, the Government now must stimulate demand.

How much stimulus a breakthrough bonus will generate depends on how much of the boost in incomes is immediately spent. In economics we call this the marginal propensity to consume (MPC). And there is a multiplier effect here, as someone’s spending is another’s income. If for example, Kiwis spent 80 per cent of the income generated from the bonus payment, every dollar spent would produce $5 of economic activity. But in reality, the MPC will be much lower due to precautionary saving and debt reduction in uncertain times, tax, and the fact that some of the bonus will be spent on imports – imports subtract from GDP. Nevertheless, the psychological boost generated from the payment is likely to see a larger than typical boost to economic activity.

Fiscal stimulus cannot last forever and will need to expire as the economy has improved. When higher government spending is not matched by rises on the other side of the ledger, long-term budget deficits start to build dangerously. Our relatively strong starting point enables the Crown to do a lot more, in percentage terms, than most countries. And any adverse impact on our relatively stronger

sovereign debt market will be minimal at most, and easily managed by the RBNZ as a backstop buyer.

A decade or so ago, the government’s biggest mistake was to tighten the purse strings. Let’s not make the same mistake twice.

TAX CUTS ARE MATCHSTICKS, BUT A BLOWTORCH IS NEEDED Fiscal stimulus is by no means limited to greater Government spending. The Government may also consider making temporary tax cuts. Be it a reduction in GST for a period of time, or a cut to personal income taxes. Last year, the Australian Government cut personal taxes, with up to 10 million Australians receiving between A$255 and A$1080 in tax cuts. The same could be applied here and now to provide timely relief for many low-to-middle income earners whose lives have been upended by the Covid-19 economic fallout.

Both greater government spending and tax cuts work to stimulate demand in the economy. But the key difference is the speed at which each can have an effect on the economy. As we move out of lockdown, we need a Firestarter. Tax cuts are matchsticks, but a cash handout is a blow torch. If we want quick and easy stimulus – cash handouts are our best bet.

Besides, our tax brackets first need a serious re-think.

TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 17

AUCKLANDERS SUPPORT CALLS TO SAVE WATER AS DROUGHT CONTINUES A survey of 500 Aucklanders has found that 97 per cent of people believe it’s important to save water right now.

Watercare chief executive Raveen Jaduram says he welcomes this as a great outcome for the city at a time when the company is calling for people to urgently reduce their water use in response to the severe drought gripping the region.

Last week, the total volume of water stored in the region’s dams dropped below the halfway mark for the first time in more than 25 years.

Today, the total water storage is 48 per cent. This is lower than this time last year (66 per cent) and well below the average for this time of year (76 per cent).

Jaduram says it is heartening to know that Aucklanders understand the importance of saving water right now and the areas where we can all make good gains.

“We’ve been asking our community to think about their water use and minimise wastage of this precious resource for months now,” says Jaduram.

“This survey result shows Aucklanders have been listening and are on board with what needs to be done. But now is the time for us all to really tighten our belts and make every drop of water count.”

Jaduram’s comments come in response to an updated weather forecast from the MetService indicating the drought will persist over the coming weeks.

“Since the start of the year, we’ve received less than half (47 per cent) the usual rainfall in our water catchment areas so to receive yet another dry forecast is very concerning.”

Jaduram says that with little rain on the way, everyone must do their bit.

“We live in a city with 1.7 million people.

That means that if every person saves

ped below er stored in the region’s dams drop Last week, the total volume of wat the Upper is ured Pict s. year in more than 25 the halfway mark for the first time Photo Watercare Dam. Mangatawhiri Dam; the other Wairoa

what they can, together we will save a lot.

“While we encourage everyone to keep washing their hands, we ask that you do not wash your cars, water blast your houses or hose your lawns.”

The survey of 500 Aucklanders asked people what they believed everyone should be doing to help the city’s water supply.

The number one response was taking shorter showers – a result Watercare was hoping for as the company has been encouraging Aucklanders to take up a four-minute shower challenge.

“For most households, the shower guzzles the most water – around 27 per cent of total use. While it uses a lot of water if left unchecked, it’s also an easy place where all of us can make a big contribution to year-round water savings,” says Jaduram.

“We know that most people spend around eight minutes in the shower. If you cut back to four minutes – plenty of time, even if you wash your hair – the region will save around 80 million litres a day. That’s a phenomenal amount and it only requires a little effort by everyone.”

18 – TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK

With the total water storage dropping below 50 per cent, Watercare has reached a trigger point whereby it can consider mandatory water restrictions.

Jaduram says restrictions have not been practical so far but he acknowledges that if the rain doesn’t arrive soon, they will be implemented.

“Water restrictions are not a black and white science – several variables come into play,” he says.

“With the Covid-19 lockdown, we are very aware of the new demands everyone is facing and we do not want to add to these.

“We also acknowledge that it’s not possible to enforce restrictions while meeting physical distancing requirements. Instead we need everyone to keep on focussing on water savings, particularly as we move on from lockdown,” he says.

“Very positively though, Auckland’s current water usage – admittedly under lockdown conditions – is low enough that at the moment we are achieving sufficient [short term] savings through voluntary means. The challenge for the community, and for businesses, is to remain mindful of water use as we emerge from the lockdown.”

CALL TO ACTION FOR AUCKLANDERS: Please: • Wash your hands regularly • Take short showers • Run your washing machine and dishwasher when they are full Do not: • Water your lawn • Clean your car • Water blast your house

Purewa Cemetery and Crematorium in Meadowbank is an Essential Service • Under Level 3 Purewa can offer funeral services, burials, cremations and ash interments with up to 10 family members able to attend while observing social distancing of two metres between people.

• These gatherings can be held in our two chapels, which offer live streaming to anywhere in the world allowing family and friends unable to attend to join the service. The All Saints Chapel seats 208 and the All Souls Chapel 56, which gives ample room for social distancing.

• Under Level 3 the serving of food or drink is NOT permitted in our reception lounges.

• You are welcome to walk or cycle in our beautiful, park-like grounds covering 20 hectares in Meadowbank, East Auckland.

• The Administration Office remains staffed

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says that, after the lowest rainfall on record in January and February, and lake levels dropping below 50 per cent, the city needs to increase efforts to save water.

“Despite nine months of maximising our draw on water from the Waikato, our lakes are 28 per cent below the normal level for this time of the year,” he said.

“Saving water now means we can get through the period ahead with less severe restrictions if we have another drier than normal winter.

“Please don’t wash your cars, use water blasters or hose down the lawn during this time, and try to keep showers to under four minutes. It’s really important that everyone does their bit.”

for inquiries by phone or email but is NOT open for unscheduled visits by members of the public.

• Later when larger gatherings are permitted Purewa will offer a 30% discount on bookings for memorial services in our two chapels.

• If you need to arrange a burial for a recently deceased loved one please call and make an appointment to view our available plots.

• Please remember that family make the decision on where funerals, cremations and burials take place so make sure you know what options are available and that your wishes are being met.

We are here whenever you need us

Purewa – Part of our Community since 1889

DE0175

4A Parsons Road, Meadowbank Phone 09 528 5599 enquiries@purewa.co.nz www.purewa.co.nz TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 19

SHOPPING CENTRES PREPARE FOR ‘CLICK & COLLECT’ OPERATIONS Campbell Barbour, chair of New Zealand Council of Retail Property (NZCoRP) says its members, which include many of New Zealand’s largest retail property owners, will commence ‘click and collect’ operations under Alert Level 3, despite the Government’s decision to prevent them from operating.

“However, all members are putting the health and safety of our retailers and our community at the fore. While the ‘click and collect’ implementation is an excellent first step, unfortunately it is unlikely to significantly reduce the impact of a prolonged period without retail trade,” says Barbour.

“The information from government has created some confusion as many shopping centres have remained open for essential services throughout the Level 4 lockdown. The move to Level 3 on Tuesday means retailers will have the opportunity to return to trade through contactless and ‘click and collect’ methods in addition to these essential services.

“We remain very concerned that the long-term economic impact of this pandemic could place thousands of retailers and their tens of thousands of employees in jeopardy.”

“While we are disappointed that many centres cannot return to general trade under Level 3, our members are implementing strict safety guidelines and welcome the opportunity to take the necessary steps to recommence limited Campbell Barbour, non-essential retail trade chair of NZCoRP says he’s through our properties,” concerned that the long term says Barbour. economic impact of this pandemic could place “Many of our member’s thousands of retailers and shopping centres have their tens of thousands of remained open and employees in jeopardy. operational throughout the Photo supplied Level 4 lockdown and little will change as we transition to Level 3.

“We will continue to ensure that the essential services within our centres such as supermarkets, pharmacies and medical services remain available to the public,” NZCoRP has established ‘click and collect’ operational guidelines for its members to use in conjunction with each centre’s specific health and safety protocols under Level 3 trading.

THESE INCLUDE: • The organisation of single point of public collection locations • These collection locations will be positioned to avoid large numbers of customers within the enclosed shopping centre environment

• Collection points locations will ensure minimum queuing and direct personal contact and will maximise space for social distancing • All payment methods will be contactless Appropriate staff and security will be deployed to ensure the efficient and safe operation of the service “Property owners and retailers will need to work together to establish firm guidelines for collection in cohesion with their e-commerce platforms,” he says and goes on to explain that each centre will operate slightly differently based on its individual circumstance.

20 – TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK

“We trust that Government will proactively monitor the situation and continue to review its position with regards to the retail industry, which is of critical importance to our nation’s economy. We look forward to ongoing dialog and collaboration with Government to ensure the earliest possible return to business under what will be the ‘new normal’.”

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS QUICK PUZZLE NO. 7954 - SOLUTIONS Across - 1, Jack the ripper. 8, Chair. 9, Changed. 10, Annual. 11, Relate. 12, Stone. 14, Spite. 18, Encore. 20, Parcel. 23, Refusal. 24, Tepid. 25, Silent Service.

Down - 1, Jackal. 2, Chain. 3, Terrain. 4, Each.

5, Image. 6, Pageant. 7, Redden. 13, Tactful. 15, Platter. 16, Hearts. 17, Sledge. 19, Risen. 21, Capri. 22, Alas.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 7954 - SOLUTIONS Across - 1, Above one’s head. 8, Set-up.

9, Worried. 10, String. 11, R-ever-e. 12, Screw(up). 14, Sp-it-e(ech). 18, Enrage (anag.).

20, Held up. 23, E-lati-on. 24, (ch)E-rod-e(se) .

25, The devil to pay.

Down - 1, A-SS-ist. 2, (n)Ot-ter(ribly). 3, Ex-pens-e. 4, N-E-W-S. 5, Serge. 6, Ev’I-dent.

7, D-odder. 13, Cor-sag-e. 15, P-Rev-ent . 16, S-el-ect. 17, Sp-eeD-y. 19, Guise (guys). 21, Dr-o-op. 22, Ant-I.

KIA KAHA NEW YORK, MISSING YOU ALREADY

Former Pakuranga College house captain TANYA MEHTA was living the dream as she enrolled at the School of New York Times in Manhattan. However, six weeks into the programne, they were told to pack up and return home as Covid-19 ravaged NYC. Tanya writes about her once-in-a-lifetime experience with New York City as her classroom.

It’s not often you get accepted into The School of New York Times (SoNYT), Gap Year Programme to study journalism in New York City.

I couldn’t believe it when our class of 42 students were told on March 10 that our Gap year programme at the school was cancelled as NYC was struck by the coronavirus Covid-19.

Barely after we have finished a monthand-a-half into the programme we were told, ‘You need to pack up, move out and find a flight back home half-way across the world in less than three days!’

Just like many out there, Covid-19 heavily impacted me and a lifetime opportunity that I had looked forward to.

Tanya Mehta (centre) with fellow students from Brooklyn Bridge.

the School of New York Times at

To explain how it all came to be, in mid2019, a friend of mine flicked me an ad for SoNYT as something I would be interested in. Simply on a whim, I decided to apply and thus commenced a lengthy application process.

introduced to my peers, who came from all around the world. I made some really good friends and we soon became inseparable as we spent time together from breakfast to dinner and had many sleepless nights finishing off assignments.

out, the school notified us that the classes would be cancelled for a week. However, that same day, we received another email announcing that the programme was ending early due to the pandemic.

After submitting many written pieces, references, resume, solving quizzes and answering questions, I managed to score an interview.

Surrounded by teachers, advisors, mentors and qualified professionals, it’s safe to say I absorbed a great deal whilst studying and living in the city that never sleeps.

A Zoom meeting and a few weeks later, I was accepted into the prestigious school.

I was also lucky to get a financial grant for my tuition and accommodation.

Early 2020, fresh out of Pakuranga College, and just turned 18, I embarked on my new journey, saying goodbye to my family, friends and comfort zone.

The first night of my (supposedly) 15week adventure wasn’t an easy one.

The anxiety of a completely unknown environment soon passed as I was

Imagine meeting some of the best minds in journalism and having the opportunity to covering important issues of our time across global affairs, travel, arts and humanities.

The opportunity didn’t just teach me how to work on my communication skills when it comes to writing about food, travel, food or lifestyle, photography and video, but also taught me life skills.

Sadly, as the Covid-19 pandemic broke

Photo supplied

We were told we had two-and-a-half days to pack up our belongings and be out. There wasn’t a single dry eye in the room.

In the midst of confusion, loss and pain, we contacted family and quickly booked flights back home.

The next couple of days were a series of painful goodbyes.

A whole day of travel back home left plenty of time to reflect on the crushing end to my time in New York.

Though I feel I have been robbed of an intellectual adventure of a lifetime, I am positive there will be more opportunities that will show up in the near future.

TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 21

UXBRIDGE OFFERING ARTISTIC OUTLETS POST-LOCKDOWN Uxbridge, Howick’s arts and culture hub, is running two youth art competitions, a photo laundry exhibition and a free ladies Latin class, open once Alert Level 2 is reached.

The first is titled ‘Lockdown Heroes’ where we are asking youth of all ages to think about and celebrate those providing essential services and what this means for them and channel those thoughts into creating a piece of artwork for our competition.

Please view the details in the links below and get your children started.

■ Lockdown Heroes - Call for Entries ■ Lockdown Heroes - Entry Form The second is our ‘Youth Estuary Art Awards’ where all young people are invited to research the Tamaki Estuary, the ecological value of this vital waterway and encourage action against its pollution.

We can’t wait to see what you create, get started now by clicking the links below for the detail.

■ YEAA – Call for Entries ■ YEAA – Entry Form

‘Photo Laundry’ - On our Photo Laundry washing line, you don’t just hang and take photographs. Here we exchange stories, memories and perspectives from everybody involved. Through this, we pay homage to the the pre-digital era when photographers had to dry their pictures after fixation and rinsing.

Perfectly paired with this years theme of ‘Nostalgia’, We can’t wait to experience your interpretation of good ol’ days.

‘Ladies Latin’ - Learn some tips for shaking those hips! Uxbridge is offering a FREE trial for Ladies Latin on Tuesday 19 May! The focus for this class is on toning the body, strengthening the core, and deportment through the sensual Latin rhythms of Rumba, Salsa, cha cha and Samba. Book yourself in and have some fun! If you can’t get enough the sxsession course will commence from 26 May (the following Tuesday).

■ Rules and Conditions here: https://uxbridge.org.nz/wp-content/ uploads/2020/04/Rules-Conditions.pdf

■ Book your spot here: https://uxbridge. org.nz/product/ladies-latin1/

PAKURANGA CHASE: POLICE ACKNOWLEDGE IPCA FINDINGS

By JIM BIRCHALL Police acknowledge the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority in relation to the arrest of a 13-year-old who was a passenger in a stolen vehicle that fled from police.

At around 11.14pm on Saturday May 19, 2018, the stolen vehicle, which we now know contained seven young people, was involved in a pursuit which started in Pakuranga and finally came to a stop when the vehicle was spiked on State Highway 1 near the Johnstone Hills Tunnels near Puhoi.

Those involved were arrested, some were charged and others referred to

Youth Aid. Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Jill Rogers says police acknowledge the IPCA’s report which found their officer was justified in arresting and removing the teenager from the vehicle and that any minor injuries sustained during this were not intentional: “Our officer also had to use force to restrain the offender, the IPCA found this was not justified however I support his actions given the complex and fastmoving situation our officers were faced with,” says Supt.Rogers.

“The teenager was offered medical treatment on a number of occasions by our staff but we accept that, given

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the offender’s age, they could have considered arranging for him to be seen by a health professional.

“We say it all the time but our staff deal with unpredictable situations every day and, in the moment of high-pressure situations, they have to make quick decisions with the information available to them.

“They also have ensured that they reduce any risk to themselves, their colleagues and the wider public.

Police carried out our own investigation into this incident and found the arrest and force used was justified.”

AIR NZ – FREIGHT EXPECTATIONS

WILL COVID-19 ENSURE

Flights of fancy might be on hold for the time being but that hasn’t meant our national airline has been able to rest its wings. Instead, the company has had to lift its game to meet an increased demand for cargo, Rick Nelson from Air New Zealand reveals.

KIWIS CASH OUT? Cash may once have been king but, in a more virus-conscious world, a cashless society could well be a safer option. However, many Kiwis still need to come to grips with the technology involved, Ingrid Cronin-Knight from MYOB (Mind Your Own Business) contends.

Offering a range of charter services covering every port on the Air New Zealand network (excluding London), Air New Zealand is also providing customised options from North American markets through to Australia.

“Any strategy to reduce reliance on cash in order to limit the spread of Covid-19 will need to be accompanied by a comprehensive education campaign,” she says. “Surprisingly, many New Zealanders are still in the habit of carrying cash, with a small but significant number relying on it for regular payments.”

“We’ve also introduced a ‘Multi Party Charter Agreement’ which has been designed to help small and medium sized exporters and importers ensure they have options available to them to move their goods, he says.

During the lockdown, most businesses still open have required people use means other than cash. This has presented problems for some, particularly older people who, while being more vulnerable to infection of Covid-19, are also the demographic most inclined to use cash, Ms CroninKnight confirms.

“While experts have been predicting the end of cash for some time, it is a well ingrained habit. Respondents of a survey also told us they prefer to use cash to reduce bank fees and surcharges, and to avoid eftpos minimums.

“This is, undoubtedly, an extremely difficult time for our airline with a significant reduction in capacity due to reduced travel demand, but we are pleased to be able to keep New Zealand connected to the world.”

“Efforts like banks’ move to reduce costs for retailers to use contactless payment systems will likely help make those more widespread, but the cost of transaction fees are also something that is holding New Zealanders back from using their cards more frequently.

BREAD’ BRED BETTER? Long, dry summers are increasingly problematic as the world’s primary producers attempt to feed a growing population. What’s more (or less!), is that plants bred to provide better yields in dry seasons can also lead to reduced yields in good years.

Fortunately, researchers from The

University of Queensland have made a significant breakthrough, developing a technique to breed wheat which can deliver reasonable yields during wet or dry years.

browning process, which can add up to 10 per cent higher harvests,” lead researcher, Doctor Jack Christopher, says.

“Field trials indicate that one to two per cent more yield is possible for every day that delays the onset of the

To read more about this important research is accessible via qaafi.uq.edu.au.

TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 23

SPECIAL MESSAGES FOR THE 93-YEAR-OLD BIRTHDAY BOY

Being a much loved teacher is a rewarding experience. It’s one, that can pay rich dividends for a lifetime as we at the Times discovered when we wrote about the former headmaster of Cockle Bay School, Kevin Peterson, on his 93rd birthday.

We thought we’d share some of the special messages for `Sir’ and his wife Dawn also a teacher at the school for 43 years.

Jane Constant: Aww, happy birthday Mr Petersen. Congratulations on naming a block of school after you two, both gave a lot towards education and teaching during those times at Cockle Bay Primary.

From a forty something CBS student.

Joan Stevens: So lovely. I’ll never forget Sir. And funnily enough, I was thinking about him the other day and wondering how he was getting on. I bumped into him when I was in my 30s and he still remembered me and asked after family members. He was amazing! He knew every child in the school and their parents, siblings, etc. And if you were really lucky, you got to be in his Maths group - The Green Pigs! Not me though.... I remember him challenging us to 4 Square at lunchtime - he didn’t go easy on us either! Congratulations Mr Peterson on your special day.

Georgina formerly Simmons, nee Styles: Happy Birthday Mr Peterson. A pleasure to have been your neighbour for most of those years until I moved but you are still a good neighbour to my daughter’s family. I well remember that you always knew the name of every single student and your booming voice would call that name if there was any chattering during assembly. All three of my children enjoyed being taught by Mrs Peterson and would quickly let me know that it was she, not me, who knew everything. I hope you enjoy many more happy birthdays and you and Mrs Peterson have many more anniversaries. Although you have both invited me to use your christian names I have willing given up `Sir’ but never quite gotten to Kevin and Dawn.

Kim Eder: Congratulations Sir, lovely to see both your faces. I have many lovely memories of Cockle Bay School and after I left I became a teacher myself. xx Kim Boa Nanette Boyd Dunlop: Congratulations to a great headmaster - never to be forgotten. The Boyd-Dunlop family.

Geoffrey Downing: Have a wonderful, blessing, awesome, lovely, nice day, what the Lord has made for you & he died on the cross for you & for your family, for me too, also he made this day for you ok, so go have fun on it & have a Happy blessing Birthday to you Mr Petersen.

Congratulations turning a good age.

Jane Kenny-Mccabe: Congratulations to you both, from my principle and teacher to life-long wonderful neighbours to me and mum Shelley.

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Stephanie Ready: Lovely! Never forget Mr Peterson knowing everyone’s names. I used to be in his maths class and we had it in the staff room!! Highlight of the years at Cockle Bay! Wishing him and Mrs Peterson all the very best!

Lavern Clark: Happy birthday, Sir! I can confirm that he was a muchloved headmaster, even if slightly scary at the time! We all had huge respect for him, and it was always a pleasure seeing him outside of school as an adult and having him recognise his former students and call them by name. Amazing! Enjoy your special day with your beautiful wife.

Judy Hadfield: Congratulations Sir, from the Hadfield family. Your guidance and wisdom when we returned from living in Indonesia will always be remembered.

Thank you to you and Dawn.

BUBBLE Boredom Beaters NG I T C A R U O Y T S TE SKILLS Charades is an old game but remains as popular as ever among families and at parties.

While gatherings may be off the social menu for now, families can still enjoy the challenge of solving acting puzzles.

Start by planning a theme – book titles, animals, fairytales, famous people, movies, well known places, sports, celebrities, even food and a whole lot more.

First, players should write down ideas for each category; brainstorm with younger children to help them choose some easier words or categories.

Young children need charades that are easy to act out – too hard and they will become disinterested and give up. However, older teenagers and adults can tackle more challenging subjects.

Play individually or in teams if you

are a large family. Remember you cannot speak – you must mime actions which represent your word, phrase or subject.

There are basic rules to help. For example, if the word or phrase is a book, put your hands together and unfold them like opening a book.

To indicate a person, stand with your hands on your hips; for a song, pretend to sing; for a movie, turn your hand in the air as if operating an old fashioned camera and for a TV show use your fingers to draw a rectangle in the air.

Place finger and thumb together to indicate a small word such as ‘the’ or ‘a’; move them apart for a long word and touch your ear to indicate the word sounds like another easier to act out word.

Once you get the hang of it, this game will provide loads of fun and laughter.

D MAKE YOUR OWN CROSSWOR Creating a crossword puzzle is a family challenge which will suit households where children are old enough to read and write quite well – perhaps Year 5/6 upwards – the older the children the more difficult the puzzle size.

Start with something simple such as creating a crossquiz using local street names, common plants and flowers or animal species.

Your could test their knowledge using names – christian names for one, surnames for another. Of course, part of the test is to also create suitable clues for each line.

Older children may want to create the entire crossword format, as well as clues and answers. However, parents may need to supply a grid for younger children to work on.

Whatever the case, this can be a fun project for everyone.

TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 25

VIRTUAL DINNER PARTIES –

AVO-GO! Dining out might not be possible for the time being but that doesn’t mean we can’t gather together with friends and family to share an evening meal.

Although virtual dinner experiences were on the menu before the lockdown began, these interactive, fun experiences have become all the more popular of late as people look to connect in any way they can.

“We want New Zealanders to enjoy [making] connections, even while in lockdown,” Jen Scoular from NZ Avocado says. “And, we’re doing that using the amazingly nutritious and versatile avocado as a main ingredient in three courses.”

Working with Kitchen Takeover, experts

FROZEN AVOCADO & CHILLI MARGARITA Cool it down and spice it up with this stimulating cocktail by Kitchen Takeover and master chef Shane Yardley, courtesy of NZ Avocado. For more ways to make the most from avocados, visit www.nzavocado. co.nz/recipes.

in creating digital dinner parties, NZ Avocado has created #Avopartyanyway, designed to celebrate a range of flavours through an avocado-inspired three course meal. Not only do participants cook together – with directions by acclaimed chefs – but they can eat together too.

“Kitchen Takeover is really about connecting people through delicious plates of food,” the organisation’s founder, Stacey Jones, says. “The onset of Covid-19 has meant people are forced apart so what better way to bring them together than round a virtual dining

table with new food experiences. Dining online might just be the way of the future so why not give it a try?”

To join, or host your own #avopartyanyway, visit nzavocado.co.nz/avopartyanyway.

Participants can also be in to win prizes, share their own recipes and more.

Serves two Preparation time: 10 mins

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • •

1/4 avocado 4tbsp tequila or mezcal 2tbsp lime/lemon juice 2 tbsp agave syrup/maple syrup 1 1/2 tbsp of triple sec (optional) Salt and chilli flakes to rim glass 1/4 cup of ice 1/4 cups sparkling water/water if not available

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METHOD Mix chilli and salt together and place on small saucer. Rim glass with lime or lemon. Press glass into chilli and salt mixture. Add all ingredients into a blender. Add more water if necessary to achieve a runny consistency. Pour into glass and serve.

#AVO PA RT YA N YWAY

AVOCADO TORTILLAS WITH CHARRED AVOCADO, SWEETCORN & BLACK BEAN SALSA Serves two Preparation time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS • • • • • •

• • • •

1 cup flour 3 tbsp mashed avocado 1/4 cup hot tap water Pinch of salt 1/2 cup of protein of your choice e.g. chicken, beef, halloumi, tofu 1/4 cup mayonnaise spiked with chipotle, Tabasco or the flavouring of your choice 1 radish thinly sliced or other crunchy vegetable 1/4 cups cucumber (pickle this if you’re feeling adventurous) 1/4 iceberg lettuce or other lettuce of your choice Coriander leaves for garnish

Salsa • 1/2 avocado • 1 sweetcorn • 2 shallots or 1/4 red onion • Handful of coriander • 3 tbsp spoons tin of black beans or beans of your choice • 1 red chilli or pinch of chilli flakes • 1/4 peeled and deseeded cucumber • Lime juice or lemon juice, to taste • Extra virgin olive oil, to taste • 2 lime wedges

METHOD To make the avocado tortilla dough, combine the flour and the mashed

avocado in a large mixing bowl, working in the avocado with your fingers until incorporated. Dissolve salt in the water, pour approximately two thirds over the dry ingredients and immediately work it in with a fork. The dough will be in large clumps rather than a homogeneous mass. If all the dry ingredients haven’t been dampened, add the rest of the water – plus a little more, if necessary.

medium to medium-high heat. On a lightly floured surface using a rolling pin, roll each portion into a 9-10cm circle. Put the bread into the hot pan – you should hear a faint sizzle and see an almost immediate bubbling across the surface. Cook for 30-45 seconds, when there are browned splotches underneath flip it over and cook until the other side is browned.

Be careful not to burn. Repeat until all are cooked.

Put the dough onto your work surface and knead until smooth. It should be medium-stiff consistency — definitely not firm, but not quite as soft as most bread dough either.

Brush the protein of your choice with canola oil, season with salt and pepper and fry on a grill pan or on a barbecue until just cooked through.

Warm tortillas in a microwave until they are soft and pliable. Dress some lettuce with your spiked mayonnaise and lay a bed onto the tortilla. Top with salsa, cucumber, radish, chopped coriander and lime wedge.

To rest the dough, divide into six portions and roll each into a ball. Set them on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and let rest at least 30 minutes – this makes the dough less springy, easier to roll.

To make the salsa, place avocado and sweetcorn in a grill pan or BBQ and char until tender and set aside to cool. Finely dice the shallots and chilli, thinly slice the cucumber and pickle.

Chop the coriander. Rinse the tinned black beans. Chop the avocado and remove the sweetcorn from the cob.

Mix all ingredients together. Season with salt, lime juice and extra virgin olive oil, set aside ready for use.

Extras Chipotle mayonnaise and pickled cucumber can make this recipe extra special. To learn how to make these, visit kitchentakeover.co.nz/pickledcucumber and kitchentakeover. co.nz/chipotle-mayonnaise.

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EAST AUCKLAND APP A L L T H AT ’S N E A R , IS H E R E !

News, services, events, trades, food and entertainment, amenities, even the closest public toilet!

East Auckland

All you need from your community in one place

Search ‘East Auckland’ in your app store TIMES MEDIA COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FLIPBOOK – 13