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The public is invited to a party to help celebrate a major milestone for the beloved Howick and Pakuranga Toy Library

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Vol 54 No 11 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

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www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 3

Healthcare entrepreneur honoured for her service

By CHRIS HARROWELL

D

ame Ranjna Patel is a trailblazing businesswoman and community-minded philanthropist who’s dedicated her own life to improving the lives of others.

The east Auckland resident’s selfless efforts have seen her named a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) for services to ethnic communities, health and family violence prevention in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.

“I was in shock, it’s surreal,” she told the Times.

“You think of dames and sirs and you think of ‘old people’ getting these things, and I think, ‘I’m nearly 70 but I’m not old’. It takes a while to sink in.”

Her extensive achievements include in 1977 having founded Tāmaki Health, which has grown from a single clinic in Ōtara to become New Zealand’s largest privately-owned primary healthcare group.

In 2014 she co-founded the 24-hour family harm

intervention service Gandhi Nivas, which has helped more than 6000 Auckland families.

In 2019 she established the Mana 4 Mums free wrap-around service, which supports pregnant Māori and Pacific women under the age of 23 in south and west Auckland.

And in 2023, she co-founded the Swaminarayan Complex, a multicultural community centre in Auckland promoting connection and offering programmes for seniors, women, and children.

She’s the first person of Indian origin to be inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame, in 2024, and the first woman to receive the Kiwibank Innovator of the Year award in 2021.

When Dame Ranjna and her husband, Dr Kantilal Patel, opened their first clinic in Ōtara in 1977, being patientfocused was their top priority.

New Zealand owned & operated since 1993

“When we started in Ōtara we couldn’t afford to pay our mortgage,” she says.

“The [health sector’s] model wasn’t going to work for Ōtara because people putting bread on the table was far more important.

“We opened for longer hours so mums could bring kids before school and dads coming home in those days at 4pm or 5pm. What people needed, we did.”

Among the key people she’s keen to recognise for their support is her hus-

band, who was the driving force behind the Hindu temple and complex they built in Papatoetoe.

“With that, come every Sunday, we feed 700 to 800 people, for free,” Dame Ranjna says.

“We’ve started children’s classes where within two years there’s 150 kids involved.

“Their ages go from five to 15 and they do things like Vedic maths, public speaking, computer programming, all these things that people volunteer to come and teach and do.”

Dame Ranjna says she’s inspired to help people who truly need help.

“It’s about looking at problems from someone else’s point of view.

“I’ve just been very privileged and fortunate to have amazing people around me who have an idea and a can-do attitude.”

A lifetime of service has seen Ranjna Patel become a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

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Community Comments Check out a few of the latest comments from our socials below. Want more? Dive into the conversation at www.facebook.com/timesonlinenz YOUTH CHARGED WITH ARSON OVER MCDONALD’S FIRE (Times, June 6): Seema Clarke – Shocked to hear it was [allegedly] a 12-year-old, what consequences will they get.”

EAST AUCKLAND MUM WINS $125,000 RANGE ROVER (Times, June 5):

Tina Whitford – Congratulations, well deserved.

Elizabeth Musto – Congratulations on this amazing win! You so deserve it.

Mia Foley – Great story.

Well-deserved winner.

‘I’M NOT A RACIST’ – COUNCILLOR ON EASTERN BUSWAY’S MAORI NAMES

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(Times, June 5): Errol J Keegan – Yes, I’m with you Maurice on this.

Val Lott – I’m with Maurice all the way. Chinese, Korean and many other countries spend thousands sending their children here to learn English.

Jon Pryor – As new signs are needed and as old signs need replacing it’s a good opportunity to update them as they need replacing eventually, this then doesn’t need to be seen as additional costs as it’s just maintenance. A lot of people are concerned with budgets and are needing help so get upset when budgets are directed to things like billboards,

advertising and signage.

It’s always a tricky balance to get right especially during economic down turns when people’s stress is understandably elevated by compounding difficulties. Dual name signage makes a lot of sense considering our multi-cultural background as New Zealanders.

Billy David Davis – I’m a Maori that puts Kiwi before iwi. And I support Maurice Wiiliamson for his values.

Max Christiansen – No wonder the buses aren’t full. It’s going to be even more confusing than ever.

Auckland Transport needs a major redirection.

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www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 5

Relief as fitness centre’s property lease extended

By CHRIS HARROWELL

T

he devoted members of an east Auckland fitness centre are rejoicing at the news the Howick Local Board has voted to extend its property lease for three more years.

The issue of whether to extend Auckland Council’s lease of Marina Fitness, located at Half Moon Bay Marina, came before the board at its most recent business meeting.

Marina Fitness is the only pool and leisure facility in the council’s network where the council does not own the building.

Three options presented to the board at a workshop in April were to renew the lease for three years, explore outsourcing to one of the two council service providers, or choose not to enter a new lease.

The recommendation put to the board at its business meeting was to approve the execution of a right-of-renewal clause, thereby continuing the lease for a further

three years. More than 50 Marina Fitness members packed into the board’s meeting room at the Pakuranga Library building to hear what decision it would make.

Prior to the vote being held, about half a dozen of the gym’s members addressed the board to share their views.

They spoke about the convenience of having a fitness centre at that location, the high level of safety at the wider marina complex, how exercising at the centre helped them heal from injuries, the friendliness of the staff, and the more

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seen it grow since Covid times.

“The potential growth, with housing density in our catchment area growing considerably, we see more opportunity for more members to join the gym.”

Rigby said the group sees the gym as the community hub for its five surrounding suburbs.

Staff and “It’s a place of social members at connection and I think Marina Fitness are that’s as important as thrilled the centre’s the physical component lease has been relaxed of the gym.” extended. atmoThe board voted to sphere approve the right-of-rethan would newal clause, continuing be found at a for-profit fit- the lease for a further three ness centre. years.

Dr Colleen Rigby and It also voted to note a Glenn Ross spoke on behalf further three-year rightof the Marina Fitness Com- of-renewal clause remains munity Member Represen- available and may be exertation Group. cised in 2028, should the “Marina Fitness is a board wish to continue the seven-star performer as a lease at that time. gym,” Ross said.

Board member David “It is profitable, albeit it Collings moved a resoluhas struggled over Covid tion, which was carried, for times like a lot of busi- the board to allow staff to nesses. enter into a six-year lease if “It is a quality, gold- it were beneficial. tier gym. It has a growing • Read full article at membership and we’ve www.times.co.nz

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6 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

Special quality to honour

By PJ TAYLOR

P

ene Frost believes in her modest friendly way that her recent King’s Birthday Honour, a King’s Service Medal, is unique.

“The fact that the honour is for services to children and social work is really quite special,” she says.

“Stand Tū Māia has always done very solid social work. The conduit into the families is the children. And often, for whatever reasons, adults tend to blame the children.

“They haven’t connected the dots that it’s their behaviours that’s impacting children.”

Frost has been a career social worker specialising in children’s welfare and safety for 47 years.

She’s been with Stand Tū Māia, formerly Stand Children’s Services, throughout that lengthy service that commenced in 1978 when it was the Pakuranga Health Camp.

Stand is a specialist notfor-profit social services

Pene Frost KSM organisation that started in 2000 and she’s the Auckland regional manager.

“We provide trauma capable treatment and intensive support to help children and families heal scars of adversity, build resilient family life and take their place as equal citizens.”

The work that Frost and her team at Stand does is “really important”, she says, as it’s facing up to and trying to deal with problems and issues within families.

“I know that because I’ve been there for so long.

There’s always been a call.

That call is deeply rooted in

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knowing we make a difference.

“A lot of what we do is telling the stories about what can happen, parenting, attachment, and it’s also looking deeply at the family harm, family violence space.

“There are a lot of metrics that give us the ability to service the lack of safety.”

The official honour citation reads: ‘Mrs Frost has mentored many new Māori, Pacific and overseas social work students from Sweden and Germany into the social work profession.

‘She has practiced in roles including residential social work, family social work and as a parent educator, trainer and manager, with her team having worked with more than 8000 vulnerable children in Auckland over 20 years.

‘She has maintained a relationship with Panmure Medical Centre to support the health needs of tamariki. She’s a member of the East Health Trust PHO, the Otahuhu Oranga Tamariki Care and Protection Panel,

and the Social Work Stakeholders’ Advisory Group at Manukau Institute of Technology.’

Frost told the Times she retains enthusiasm for the work.

“I leap out of bed every morning and love what I do, because I know there’s going to be a child walk into my office.

“If the team has the resources and the support they need, they can do their best work. My job is to source all of those things.”

She still gets a kick out of being recognised by people out in the community who remember her and the Stand team’s efforts to help them earlier in life.

“Walking through Manukau City Centre and these big men call out ‘g’day Pene’. There is that absolute respect, ‘you made a difference to me’.”

Frost also pays tribute to the many groups and individuals in the community that have supported Stand and continue to.

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www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 7

Youth MPs ready for some political cut-and-thrust

By CHRIS HARROWELL Two east Auckland school pupils with big ambitions are among the Kiwis selected to take part in the 2025 Youth Parliament.

Pakuranga College head student Abby Plom, 17, will be Prime Minister and Botany MP Christopher Luxon’s Youth MP, while Abby’s schoolmate Cerys Gibby, who’s 17 also, will be one of 20 reporters in the Youth Press Gallery.

Youth MPs serve from April 28 to August 29 and participate in a two-day session at the Parliamentary precinct in Wellington from July 1-2.

Abby, who also chairs the Howick Youth Council, saw a post online about Luxon looking for a Youth MP and decided to apply.

“I emailed his office and they said to submit a two-minute video and letters of support, so I did that.

“They emailed back and said to come in for an interview, so I was like, ‘oh, fabulous!’”

Her interview went well and Luxon chose her

to represent Botany at the Youth Parliament.

“We have online trainings with the Ministry of Youth Development and we’ve had parliamentary working groups come and talk to us,” Abby says.

“In July we go to Parliament in Wellington.

There we have committee sessions, potentially do a speech in the debating chamber, and chat to ministers about things going on in New Zealand. I’m very excited and think it will be a very cool opportunity.”

The political issue Abby is most interested in is mental health.

“I’d like to see increased funding and support for schools to have on-site mental health specialists,” she says.

Her future plans include attending Victoria University of Wellington to study law and politics.

“After that I’m not sure where I’d like to take that, whether it be working for the United Nations or in foreign affairs, or whether I want to be a lawyer, but one day I’d like to end up in

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Pakuranga College pupils Abby Plom, left, and Cerys Gibby Parliament.”

Cerys was keen to join the Youth Press Gallery due to her love of reading and having grown up around the news.

“I read books a lot as a child, but my dad was always very passionate about my sister and I reading the news,” she says.

“We watched the news every night and he always had newspapers for me to read. I find journalism fascinating and I’m potentially looking to it as a career.”

Leading up to the twoday event in Wellington, Cerys will be assigned a group of Youth MPs who she’ll be tasked with writing about.

“Those stories will be published in the Youth Parliament e-newsletter, which is going to be released in June and August,” she says.

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“I’ll be seeking to publish my works in local newspapers or potentially with RNZ The House or the New Zealand Herald, so I’ll really try to pitch my stories.

“I’m trying to come in from a very objective standpoint and report on what’s happening in the parliamentary working groups, connect with the Youth MPs, and try to get their stories out there.

“The Youth MPs are going to be in parliamentary working groups and doing their speeches and debating.

“I’ll be sitting in on that as a Youth Press Gallery member, asking the tough quesions, but really just getting the story out there.

“I hope to make some connections, meet people, and learn from others.”

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8 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

Toy Library turning 30

By CHRIS HARROWELL

A

popular and much-needed east Auckland organisation that’s enabled thousands of local children to play with toys they otherwise wouldn’t have access to is celebrating a major milestone.

The Howick and Pakuranga Toy Library is this year turning 30 and it’s inviting the public to help celebrate at a birthday party with entertainment including music and ballons from 9.30am to 12pm on Saturday, June 14.

The toy library is based below the Howick Presbyterian Church in Vincent Street.

Two of its librarians, Sarah McNeil and Gemma Chuah, say it provides a vital service to numerous local families.

“It’s for children who are newborns up to six years old,” McNeil says.

“We have toys for all children including special needs or sensory-deprived kids.

“We have a lot of birthday parties that we supply slides and rollercoasters for, so the big stuff that people don’t have in their

Among the people celebrating the Howick and Pakuranga Toy Library’s 30th birthday this year are its staff, from left, Caroline Hubber, Shelley Clews and her daughter Thea Clews, Sarah McNeil, and Gemma Chuah.

Times photo house. We also do soft play toys for younger kids.

You name it, if it’s robust enough for kids to play with, we’ve probably got it.”

The toy library works on a membership system.

It costs $100 for an annual membership and $30 for five visits or three months, and each toy has its own fortnightly cost which ranges from 50 cents up to $4 or $5.

“We have 206 member families at the moment,

up from 164 this time last year,” Chuah says.

“We’re really continuing to grow since we moved to this Howick location, it’s amazing.

“We have 300 toys on loan and almost 500 toys issued in the last 30 days.

“It’s a really big group of people now. We had 136 families use the toy library in the last three months.”

Some of the toy library’s member families use it as it’s a more affordable option than buying new

toys, while others like the sustainability element.

“You’re borrowing it and didn’t have to buy it so you’re not having the packaging and everything else,” Chuah says.

“Some families come to us because they live in these teeny tiny box houses and don’t have space for all of these toys.”

The toy library utilities a range of funding sources and was recently the recipient of an “extremely generous” grant from the Howick Local Board, Chuah says.

“That helps fund our operational costs like rent and staff costs, and we apply for lotteries funding.

“There’s a national toy library body which helps to support all the toy libraries, and we do a bit of fundraising like a sausage sizzle at Bunnings.

“At our big birthday party coming up we’ll have a toy sale and a bake sale.

“We’ve done other little community things and now that we have a lot of members it’s funding itself really well.”

The Howick and Pakuranga Toy Library is at 11 Vincent Street, Howick.

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www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 9

Keen volunteers have removed a wide range of rubbish from Botany Creek.

Times photo Leah Breach

Community unites for creek clean-up

By LEAH BREACH, AUT Journalism Student

About 50 volunteers have helped to remove supermarket trolleys, road cones, tyres, and other assorted rubbish from east Auckland’s Botany Creek.

The community clean-up event on May 24 was organised by the Tāmaki Estuary Protection Society (TEPS) and hosted by the Highland Park Community House, which funded a skip bin for the waste.

Among other rubbish volunteers and TEPS members removed from the creek were a fence, a netball hoop, poles, balls including ping-pong, tennis and soccer balls, around 80 nerf gun bullets, beer bottles and cans, piles of plastic bags, clothing, an umbrella,

polystyrene, small plastic items and more.

Dr Julie Chambers, chairperson of TEPS, says Botany Creek is “an important local waterway”.

“Major issues for Botany Creek are pollution, from toxic chemicals such as zinc and lead, plastics, sediment, and sewage.

“Pollution flushes down the creek and into the estuary. It kills and drives away local wildlife by destroying local food sources and, when eaten, causes illness and death.”

She says maintaining healthy streams is essential for the survival of native freshwater species. The clean-up was prompted by a local resident who says she was tired of seeing waste at the creek.

“I live in this area, and I go around the corner to go

lenges, he says: “Our pipes aren’t big enough to be able to accommodate all the sewage going through.

“It’s very expensive to solve that, digging up the ground through people’s properties and putting in bigger pipes.

“So, we have to understand the impacts of the things that we do, like not putting fats down the sink, being careful what we put down the drain.”

Chambers says TEPS is grateful to those who turned out to help and is eager to keep helping local communities run creek clean-ups.

“It’s heartening to see how many people care about our local streams.

“Auckland Council cannot look after the streams as well as our local communities.”

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down Pakūranga Highway every single morning. For months, I saw all the litter on the bank, and I got sick of looking at it.”

Highland Park Community House manager Jennie McCormick says the attendees had a shared goal.

“The clean-up went extremely well and we were all there for the same thing – to try and clean up and make a difference if we could.”

Bruce Kendall, TEPS committee member and environmentalist, says such clean-up events are important.

“It’s not just the fact we’ve gone through and cleaned the stream – that’s a temporary thing and it will get dirty again – but it’s to send out the message that we care.”

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10 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

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12 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

Help us help you help others The Howick Local Board remains committed to ensuring locals are able to actively contribute to their community. This includes empowering locals to deliver projects and activities in their area through our community grant programme.

Often community groups can respond faster and better than council to the variety of challenges that locals face – by providing funding we unlock the massive potential within our community, often much more than the value of the funding itself.

Local grants are available across four different periods to support arts, community, environment, events, heritage and sports and recreation groups.

Quick response grants

are for smaller projects (between $500 to $4,000), while our larger grants start at $3,000 and have no upper limit.

Applications for more than $10,000 will need to provide a clear and concise itemised budget, in addition to the normal quotes required.

Local Board Grants Round One: open June 2 to July 11, 2025, for projects after October 1.

Quick Response Round One: open October 5-30, 2025, for projects after December 21.

Local Board Grants Round Two: open January 5 to February 13, 2026, for projects after May 1.

Quick Respond Round Two: open April 6 to May 31, 2026, for projects after July 1.

Each application is assessed on its own eligibility and merit.

Grant applications must align with the board’s funding priorities (which is set out in the grant guidelines).

It’s also helpful to consider how it fits within our strategic Howick Local Board Plan 2023. Priority is given to events or activities in the local board area that benefit the community, show other funding support or contributions, and support recovery from recent weather events.

Lower priority is given to fundraising, operational

Howick Local Board Chair

Damian Light

costs, and catering.

As part of the grants process, everyone who receives funding from the Howick Local Board must complete a report on their project or event. Previous applicants who haven’t provided a satisfactory accountability report will not be eligible for a grant.

FIND OUT MORE & STAY IN TOUCH Website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/howick Facebook: facebook.com/HowickLB eNewsletter: https://bit.ly/42kdAlK or scan QR

Replacing parents won’t protect kids As a parent and scientist, I understand why families worry about social media’s effect on young people.

Students today are more anxious, distracted, and less resilient than 15 years ago.

Reports of serious mental distress among youth have surged – a worrying trend for all of us.

Social media clearly plays a role. ACT shares that concern. But we must respond wisely.

A National MP has proposed banning under-16s from social media. It may sound appealing, but raises serious questions about whether it would work – or make things worse.

There are practical problems. Would everyone need to show a passport or driver’s licence just to access Facebook or Instagram?

ACT List MP

Parmjeet Parmar The proposed definition of social media is so broad it could include sites like YouTube, Wikipedia and almost every other part of the internet.

And even if a ban were put in place, young people are clever and often find ways around restrictions.

At least the most common social media sites have some protections in place to prevent young people from

being exposed to the worst kinds of content. Forcing them onto unregulated platforms may expose them to worse content, with no safety features at all.

There is also a bigger issue at stake. A Government ban takes control away from parents. It says the Government, not families, should decide how young people use the internet.

That is the wrong message. Instead of replacing parents, we should be supporting them. That’s why ACT proposes a different path. I’ve asked the Education and Workforce Committee to hold a full inquiry into social media’s harms.

An inquiry will allow us to hear from teachers, parents, mental health professionals, technology experts,

and the social media companies themselves. It will help us understand what actually works. We can look at what other countries are doing, including Australia.

Rather than make the same mistakes at the same time as Australia, we should take time to understand their experience and learn from it. Better solutions may exist – ones that respect parental responsibility.

A ban might even cause more harm. Or it might be right. But we shouldn’t rush into it without exploring all the options.

We all want young people to be safe. But lasting solutions must be realistic, effective, and based on trust.

Quick fixes make headlines – that doesn’t mean they work.

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 13

Parent Boost visa: reuniting families Over the weekend, the Government announced a new ‘Parent Boost’ visa category, aimed at making it easier for parents of New Zealand migrants to visit and support their families here.

As it currently stands, migrants who come to New Zealand to offer their skills and contribute to our society long-term often face difficulties getting their parents to visit, whether for a short or long period of time.

One of the main immigration issues I hear about through my office in Pakuranga is exactly this – migrants who’ve worked hard to receive New Zealand residency or citizenship, unable to bring their parents here to support them.

Before the last election, National campaigned on progressing a new category of visa to resolve this problem, not only to reunite those in New Zealand with their fami-

MP for Pakuranga

Simeon Brown lies offshore, but to make our country a more attractive place for skilled migrants seeking a new home.

Beginning on September 29, this new Parent Boost visa will grant the parents of New Zealand citizens and residents multi-entry access for up to five years, provided they meet specific health, income, and insurance requirements.

The eligibility criteria for this visa includes the requirement to have at least one year of comprehensive health insurance, which would provide cov-

erage for at least $250,000 of emergency medical care, and at least $100,000 of cancer treatment if necessary.

It would also mean holders of this visa are only required to leave the country once during a five-year period, when during their third year they’d need to complete new medical assessments offshore and prove they have maintained their health insurance while here.

This is in contrast to current visas, which require visiting parents to leave the country every three to six months, often with an equivalent standdown period before being able to return.

These existing restrictions add significant stress and financial burden and can be a turn-off for prospective migrants thinking about bringing their skills to New Zealand.

This new visa provides some certainty in this area

and would allow those in New Zealand to enjoy the support of their parents during challenging times, like welcoming a new child, going through health difficulties, or providing childcare so they can work.

The sponsor and/or parent must also meet certain income requirements, to ensure they’re able to support their stay here, and if they follow the rules for the duration of the visa, will be eligible for a further five-year extension.

The Parent Boost visa strikes a balance between making New Zealand a more attractive place for migrants to live, work, and contribute, without putting additional strain on public services.

Our Government is committed to delivering an efficient and predictable immigration system that drives economic growth to take New Zealand forward.

Our economy is starting to recover Budget 2025 shows that after a tough few years, New Zealand’s economy is starting to recover thanks to National’s careful economic management.

Inflation and interest rates are down, wages are growing faster than inflation, and the economy is expected to grow with 240,000 jobs created over the next four years.

We cannot take this recovery for granted. As we learned from Labour’s six years of economic mismanagement, a growing economy that reduces the

cost of living for Kiwis is not guaranteed.

That’s why National has delivered a responsible Budget firmly focused on growing the economy to help Kiwis get ahead.

A key part of that is Investment Boost, which gives tradies, farmers, and other businesses a tax incentive to invest in new tools and equipment to boost productivity and lift wages.

Businesses can now deduct 20 per cent of the cost of new machinery, tools and equipment off their taxable income.

From the Prime Minister

Christopher Luxon

This is on top of existing depreciation, meaning a much lower tax bill in the year of purchase.

For example, if a tradie

wants to buy new utes for their staff at $150,000, they’ll be able to immediately deduct $30,000 from their taxable income.

Investment Boost is good for businesses and good for Kiwi families.

When businesses have more money, they can hire more staff, lift wages of their employees, and ensure they deliver a better product to the consumer.

Budget 2025 is focused on making the careful investments Kiwis need now to grow the economy and help NZers get ahead.

14 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

Pupils keen to “slime” the principal

By CHRIS HARROWELL It’s not every day that excited Kiwi school pupils are encouraged to throw a slimy substance all over their principal.

But that’s what recently happened to Willowbank School principal Adéle Jacobs and her colleagues in front of their pupils and teachers as part of the Dannemora school’s fundraising efforts, which included a spectacular colour fun run.

“It’s to help us implement things like our hockey goals, and new iPads and computers, and resources for the kids to use inside the school,” teacher Sharon Woodward says.

“We’ve had spot prizes like Bluetooth speakers, magnetic building blocks,

Principal Adéle Jacobs, right and all sorts of prizes for children who signed up along the way.

“The first class to get everyone signed up got an ice block and the class that got the highest fundraising amount got to slime Adéle.

“If we got to $25,000, we were sliming Adéle.

She then threw out that if

we got to $30,000 we can slime the senior leadership team.”

Thanks to donations from several teachers, the school raised $31,500.

“And the parents’ support has been amazing,” Woodward says.

Teacher Gina Grant’s class earned the honours of being the chief slimers on the day thanks to having raised the highest amount, $3,444.

She says the colour fun run was staged two weeks prior to the sliming of Jacobs and the senior leadership team.

“There were all these coloured powders in squirty bottles and the teachers have a different colour, or theme. We had the sprinklers going as the powder only sticks to the

kids if they’re wet.

“The parents were welcome to run, as were pre-schoolers and ex-students, because we’ve been doing these for a number of years.”

One of the parents who got behind the fundraising is Mudassir Khan, whose five-year-old daughter Inaaya raised $1030.

“We explained what it was for, and she was really excited,” he says.

“We were as excited as her. We recorded a video of her introducing what she’s doing and how it’s her first ever fundraiser.

“We posted that video to all of my family around the world. Everyone chipped in and I posted it on social media, and we had colleagues and friends all chipping in toward it.”

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www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 15

Problems with on-street parking

M

y team of community constables are regularly called upon to deal with, or otherwise referee, an increasing number of disputes between neighbours.

Anecdotally, parking has become a significant catalyst of these disputes.

With the increasing proliferation of high-density housing and living, there’s been a substantial reduction in off-street parking, which has seen any street parking spaces become highly sought after.

Lately we’ve dealt with residents who have blocked

off or protected a car park on the street through the use of road cones or other makeshift barriers.

Others have created their own off-street parking, in areas accessed from private driveways, for which they have no ownership or title to.

It’s no surprise then that other neighbours become aggrieved by these selfish actions and confront those who are engaging in this behaviour.

On occasions, what’s initially started out as a convivial conversation between neighbours regarding these parking sit-

uations, has escalated into verbal abuse, threats and at times physical confrontations, hence the necessity for my staff to become involved.

To avoid any doubt, the public road or street directly outside your house is not your property and you don’t have exclusive rights to that kerbside parking, nor can you cordon it off.

When free, it can be used by anyone to legally park. Likewise, you cannot use a neighbour’s private driveway to access your property, unless you have the explicit permission of

Howick Police

Sergeant Brett Meale the owners of that driveway.

Whilst my staff can issue parking infringements, if you have any concerns regarding the illegal parking of vehicles or believe a vehicle may have been abandoned, Auckland Transport should be your first point of contact.

If a vehicle has been left in suspicious circumstances or you suspect it may be stolen, and there are no persons present, please report to police via 105.

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16 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

Public Opinion

Robert Picot, of Howick “It’s a mid-year time of renewal and reflection, a new opportunity to celebrate Māori culture. How many public holidays do we have specifically for Aotearoa?”

Callum Morriss, of Farm Cove “I know it’s about the Seven Sisters stars constellation and it signifies the Māori New Year, as do the flax leaves woven into stars. The holiday celebrates new beginnings.”

Matariki is a relatively new public holiday that’s been generally welcomed favourably by Kiwis. It’s not only just a day off work and school, as PJ TAYLOR discovered when asking around Howick Village Market: What does Matariki mean to you?

Naomi Thoms, of Howick “Last year, Matariki in Howick at the Garden of Memories was more than fantastic as the dawn was coming, celebrating Māori and for what Miss Emilia Maude Nixon has done.”

Shona Kenny, of Bucklands Beach “It’s a good time that acknowledges culture and customs. We have too many public holidays. We need to assess and look at what ones are priority. It has an impact on employers.”

Angelique Jurd, of Beachlands “It’s awesome and was well-overdue when introduced.

It’s about the start of something new, a turnaround. We get to celebrate a part of Aotearoa culture.”

Vanessa HatleyOwen, of Cockle Bay “It’s a great new thing to celebrate.

As we move forward, we get to learn and know about the Māori world all that much better.”

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www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 17

Pupil judged best Korean language speechmaker Sung-Ling Oh, a year 6 student at Baverstock Oaks School in Flat Bush, excelled at the recent National Korean Speech Competition held in Rotorua.

She attends Korean language classes on Saturdays at the south-east campus of The Korean School of Auckland, at Edgewater College.

Sung-Ling has been attending since she turned three years old in 2017.

The Korean School of Auckland operates three campuses across the region, with 230 students enrolled at the south-east campus.

In November, Sung-Ling placed second in the speech competition at the southeast campus, which qual-

ified her for the national competition. The national event featured 17 Korean Kiwi participants aged between nine and 15 from across New Zealand.

Each contestant gave a speech of three to four minutes on the theme of My Dream, with topics ranging from becoming a doctor, veterinarian, and dancer to a comedian or investigator.

Sung-Ling, the sixth speaker to present to a panel of seven judges including MP Melissa Lee, delivered a passionate four-minute speech while wearing a traditional Korean hanbok.

Her presentation, A Voice that Draws Dreams – My Dream of Becoming

a Voice Actress, included a performance on the traditional Korean instrument janggu, which impressed the judges and audience.

Her outstanding presentation earned her first place in the national competition, along with a trophy, certificate, and US$2000 scholarship.

She’s also been selected to represent New Zealand in an upcoming international Korean speech competition in the United States.

Lee shared that her childhood dream was to become president and emphasised, using the Korean saying “words become seeds”, speaking about one’s dream is the

Sung-Ling Oh first step toward making it a reality.

Other students of The Korean School of Auckland south-east campus to win awards at the national competition were a bronze prize for Jane “Jiwoo” Bae for her speech Good Posture, Bright Future; and the MP’s Award went to Jungmin Kim for Future Best-Selling Cartoonist.

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18 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

Bruce McLaren secures village of the year award

E

xceptional resident satisfaction and high clinical standards has led to Ryman Healthcare’s Bruce McLaren Village in Botany being named Village of the Year at the 2025 Ryman Awards.

“Amazing” and “unbelievable” are the words village manager Chantelle Hand uses to describe her reaction upon hearing Bruce McLaren Village winning the prize.

“We’ve waited for this for a long time,” she says.

Hand, who has worked for Ryman Healthcare for 16 years, seven of them as manager at Bruce McLaren, dedicates the accolade to the people around her.

“Thank you to my amazing team. I’ve just got the most amazing team. Thank you everyone,” she says.

Announcing the award during a virtual event was Ryman’s chief operating officer Marsha Cadman.

She says a whole range of different metrics were considered to choose Bruce McLaren as the winning village out of 49 Ryman villages across New Zealand

Resident services manager Riana van Niekerk, village manager Chantelle Hand and general manager operations Karyn Nobilo are all smiles at the glitz and glamour-themed celebration. Photo supplied and Victoria, Australia.

“These include financial performance, our newly developed clinical quality indicators, team engagement at the village, and of course feedback from residents and their next of kin,” Cadman says.

“We really aim to look at a complete picture of what makes a village stand out and we use a special weighting system to ensure the assessment is as fair as possible.”

With nearly 170 dedicated team members, affectionately dubbed “Rymanians”, the Botany village has built up a strong repu-

tation for care and connection.

“The exceptional resident satisfaction, high clinical standards, and strong financial results, all reflect the strength of the closeknit, high-performing team behind it all,” Cadman says.

Commending the finalists and winners, Ryman Healthcare chief executive Naomi James says: “I’ve seen outstanding performance, deep commitment, and a genuine passion for making a difference in the lives of our residents and that’s no matter where someone works or what they do.

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“Whenever I visit a village, I have residents telling me how amazing Ryman team members are, how much they appreciate the care, love, laughter and support they receive.”

The Bruce McLaren Village celebrated its 10th birthday in December.

It was the first village event James attended after joining Ryman in November, and an opportunity for her to share the special occasion with the late-great Bruce McLaren’s daughter Amanda and his sister Jan. Hand reflects on the hard work that has gone into the win and the way the team constantly strives for excellence at the east Auckland village.

“From the moment you arrive at Bruce McLaren there’s the wow factor from the beautiful buildings and stunning gardens thanks to our maintenance and garden teams, then the kitchen team who create delicious food every day for our residents. And there’s our awesome activities team who never cease to amaze me.”

• Read full article at www.times.co.nz

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 19

Understanding property boundaries

the Deposited Plan.

By ordering a title with a diagram you’ll save the cost of ordering a separate Deposited Plan.

If it’s likely a dispute may arise, each party should engage their own surveyor

engaging one.

Your own surveyor will help you to protect your property and show any inconsistencies in the neighbour’s approach.

It’s better to do this early rather than have problems later. You don’t want a sale delayed because you failed to act earlier.

to show exactly where the boundaries are.

This is an expense you should incur to protect your investment in your property.

You should get quotes from local surveyors before

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Boundaries can cause problems when a fence is to be renewed or replaced or a new development is taking place next door.

It’s necessary to ensure you know the exact place where the boundary is.

This is shown on a survey plan known as a ‘Deposited Plan’.

A copy of this plan can be obtained from Land Information NZ at a cost of $8.

Search the website of Auckland Council to find the legal description to your property which will look something like Lot 1 DP 12345 and then UI (Unique identifier) number.

Old titles in Auckland will have a NA number.

You can then order a search of your title with a diagram. The diagram is

This Solutions Column has been compiled by Brian and is a regular Eastern Times editorial from Pakuranga Citizens Advice Bureau. Email enquiries.pakuranga@cab.org.nz or visit us at the Library Building, Pakuranga, phone 576 8331 and at Botany Citizens Advice Bureau, rear food court entrance, Botany Town Centre, phone 271 5382, text/call WhatsApp 028 438 2188 or 0800 367 222 for free, confidential and informative help.

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20 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

Strive to be plastic-free!

D

id you know plastics can take from 20 to 500 years to decompose?

About two million plastic bags are used per minute worldwide. Just to give you some context, there are more microplastics in the Earth’s ocean than there are stars in our galaxy. > My inspiration: It all started in kindergarten where our teachers gave us a job to do. We had to sell these reusable bags. My dad even made a YouTube channel that had a video of me showing my DIY reusable bag that I made sneakily out of my dad’s old t-shirt!

Another video I made was a story about the sea turtle who thought the plastic bag was a jellyfish. If you’d like to see a four-yearold talking about reuse and recycle, scan the QR code here.

I also got inspired by a mural at Uxbridge Arts and Culture that’s filled with many thoughtful ideas and drawings to protect our world.

All these thoughts about sustainability and being plastic-free inspired me to write this article.

HOWICK

JIANNA KAPOOR

Sealife is impacted by the amount of plastic in our oceans. Supplied > Why is plastic harmful: We can all agree plastic can sometimes be useful, but it sticks around for a very long time and almost never decomposes!

Every year millions and millions of pieces of plastic end up in our oceans, rivers and lakes. Many pieces of microplastic, which are tiny pieces of plastic, end up in our packeted food and sometimes even in our tap water.

This is very dangerous to our health in a variety of ways! When the plastic ends up in our seas and oceans most of the animals think it’s food and eat it.

Plastic also causes plastic pollution and contributes to global warming.

When we burn fossil fuels or throw plastic in the bin, we create carbon emis-

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sions into the air which is the carbon dioxide (CO2) normally released into the atmosphere when something is burned. > Keep it sustainable: You should try replacing plastic products with ones made of bamboo, wood, stainless steel, glass, platinum silicone, beeswax-coated cloth, sustainable clothes made from organic cotton, wool or hemp which don’t shed plastic when washed, pottery, cardboard and paper. > Here are some tips on how to be sustainable: Reduce consumption (think before you buy), reuse and recycle (work smarter not harder), be mindful about water and energy (don’t keep the tap on for too long), make good food choices (reduce food waste and avoid eating too much

meat), sustainable shopping (try to get the organic materials), and transportation (bike, walk or use public transportation). > Conclusion: I read a quote online which said, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children”.

I didn’t fully understand this, so I curiously asked my dad. He told me it’s like borrowing something from a friend – you have to return it back to them in a better or the same condition.

Earth is like that. It isn’t ours, we’re just looking after it for the future generation. That means every time we reuse something, every time we choose a different sustainable material instead of plastic, every time we use a different transportation that doesn’t add on to global warming, we’re keeping the Earth clean for the generation ahead to come. > Jianna Kapoor is in year 7 at Somerville Intermediate School

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www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 21

Birthday girl chuffed with cards from Luxon, King Charles III Beloved east Auckland resident Dorothy Brockett has celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by her loved ones with a cake and a card from King Charles.

Her son Paul Brockett has told the Times about his mum’s colourful life in the lead up to the big day.

She was born Dorothy Coulter in Wellington on April 25, 1925, and was one of four siblings.

She lived in the capital until meeting her husband-to-be Owen Brockett through her brother Bill, both of whom were serving the Air Force at the time.

She married in 1949 and moved to Auckland that same year, initially living with her aunty in Titirangi before moving to the eastern suburbs in the early 1950s. There she and Owen raised their two sons in their first home in Barrack Road, Mount Wellington.

In the early days of motherhood, she supplemented the family income with part-time work, which was unusual for the time, delivering bread rolls at 4am from a bakery in Glen Innes to various hotels in Auckland CBD.

Dorothy Brockett, seated at centre, celebrated her 100th birthday at a party with family.

Taking a keen interest in the local community, Dorothy took exception to Mount Wellington Borough Council at the time with its lack of progress and poor decision making, standing for the Council in 1972.

Noting a lack of women representation the community and inspired by her uncle, Dorothy became a Justice of the Peace in 1973, actively serving for 47 years.

Paul says his mum got her first and only speeding ticket at age 92 for doing 55km/h in a 50km/h zone and voluntarily gave up

driving later the same year.

She’s lived in the Howick and Pakuranga area for more than 70 years in various family homes, eventually moving into a retirement village in Howick in 2023.

In recognition of her milestone 100th birthday, Dorothy received well wishes and cards from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown.

But her most treasured greeting came by way of a personally-signed birthday card from King Charles III

and Queen Camilla.

She has two children, five grand-children, and seven great-grandchildren and shares her birthday with her grandson Matthew, making for an annual double celebration.

She acknowledges and appreciates she’s especially lucky to have all her immediate family living in east Auckland enjoying regular visits, outings and family celebrations.

Dorothy celebrated her birthday at her retirement village with 30 attendees comprised of family members and close friends.

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22 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

Classic children’s stories brought to life

H

owick Children’s and Youth Theatre is inviting people to its upcoming productions of the plays The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Beatrix Potter Stories, which are both staged in east Auckland later this month.

Director Michelle Field says the former is a play

by Joseph Robinette, based on the fantasy novel by CS Lewis.

“In the story four siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, discover a magical land called Narnia through a wardrobe which is under the icy rule of the White Witch.

“With the help of Aslan, a noble lion and true king, the children fight against the Witch and her fierce army to restore peace and freedom.

“It’s an adventure story that explores themes of good versus evil, sacrifice, redemption, and the power of faith and courage.

“The show features many mythical creatures such as unicorns, centaurs, wood nymphs and a couple

of friendly beavers.”

Field says the cast have been rehearsing twice a week for the past eight weeks and its members ranges in age from nine to 15 years old.

“It’s been hard work putting together quite a complicated show, but so much fun and very satisfying to see this wonderful cast bring these mythical creatures to life. Their energy, imagination, and commitment will make Narnia a truly magical place.”

The play is suitable for audience members aged five and older. It’s two hours long and is at 1.30pm and 4pm on June 28-29 at Harlequin Theatre, 563 Pakuranga Road, Howick.

BEATRIX POTTER STORIES This is a one-hour show comprised of six of Beatrix Potter’s most well-known and well-loved stories.

The cast of 26 children who range in age from even to 13 have been rehearsing once a week since February and all perform in two stories each.

Director Kelly Raos says the stories are linked by

Among the cast of ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ are, from left, Prisha Verma as the White Witch, Waseema Khwaja as Aslan the Lion.

Photo supplied the wonderful character of Mrs Tiggy Winkle and two girls. Beatrix Potter began writing her stories in the early 1900s. Her stories are whimsical, gentle, nature-inspired tales featuring a variety of loveable animals, each story with its own moral lesson.

Some of the characters audiences will enjoy seeing include the mischievous Peter Rabbit, who disobeys his mother and sneaks into Mr McGregor’s garden, Mr Jeremy Fisher, a frog who loves fishing, and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, a kind, tidy hedgehog washerwoman who does the laundry for

the animals in the countryside.

“I’ve loved working with this wonderful cast,” Raos says. “In amongst the learning of lines and moves, is the wonderful opportunity for them to experience the delightful world of Beatrix Potter.

“I’m certain this show will be enjoyed by both children and adults alike.”

Beatrix Potter Stories is at Harlequin Theatre at 10am and 11.30am on June 28-29.

It’s suitable for an people aged four and older.

To book tickets to either show, email hcyt@xtra. co.nz or phone 537 4943.

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 23

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24 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

Discord’s tech helpful, but dangers lurk HOWICK

P

ublicly released in May, 2015, Discord began as a tool for gamers to commu-

nicate.

Little did everyone know that in just eight months, this ‘typical communication tool for gamers’ would become one of the largest communication platforms in the world.

At first, Discord primarily focused on communication for gamers, similar to Teamspeak, Ventrilo, and Mumble, all of which utilised the popular Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) technology.

This technology allows you to make calls with an internet connection rather than traditional phone lines, enabling crisper audio communication.

The main reason Discord became popular was it had a more informal user interface, making it much easier to operate and liked by all people, especially kids like me.

Discord had 56 million users by the end of 2019 and has since risen to 150 million. While gaming remained its core, Discord’s pandemic-era evolution

KAESAR WU

proved transformative.

In June, 2020, Discord announced it was revising its website to shift focus away from video gaming to a more general communication and chat function.

Among the other planned changes was increasing the server capacity and reliability.

This was great news to many people because, at the time, the need for hosting was great.

Beyond classrooms, Discord’s flexibility has transformed it into a hub for diverse communities, from book clubs to coding bootcamps!

Discord’s simple server setup lets anyone create communities within minutes.

Lots of educational

organisations have created servers that share information, and users can get help by asking other users who have joined the server.

This creates a win-win situation; learners receive instant help, while the mentors gain teaching experience.

I, for example, have joined a Mathematical Olympiad Server on Discord (not affiliated with the official IMO), where members toss out extremely complicated algebra problems.

Recently we had a competition called the World Scholar’s Cup, where you answer trivia questions and debate (it was really fun – we all got alpacas!).

My classroom also has a Discord Server where we can share information.

Most users will agree with the vast amount of people using Discord, as my friend and classmate Wilson says: “You can connect with friends and family – literally all my friends have it and so do both my parents.”

Another friend and classmate, Roger, agrees: “Discord allows me to interact with others worldwide.

“It’s entertaining, especially with games like Ballsdex, where you collect country-themed balls.

“It’s competitive and educational with real flag designs, I play this with my friends all the time!”

Discord is always finding new ways to make its User Interface as easy as possible.

While these flashy updates attract users, there are some things to note.

Wilson highlights ongoing challenges: “It features way too many promotions from games, which is unhealthy for teens.

“There’s no reliable way to control offensiveness, and it’s just too addicting for some to handle.”

As user Roger reports, “It can expose you to bullying and unwanted information”.

To counter that problem, Discord has practical features like enabling privacy settings, a spam filter, and there’s even a ‘Family Centre’ where parents can keep their children safe from harmful online content.

Parents can monitor servers the child joined, and chat users, while respecting their privacy – a balance of trust and safety.

Discord is like a Swiss Army Knife. If used wisely, it unlocks creativity and learning; if used carelessly, it can cause harm. Choose wisely.

• Kaesar Wu is in year 8 at Bucklands Beach Intermediate School

BUSINESS

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 25

Sistema founder sought excellence, not fame

By CHARLES MILLER

T

he founder of Sistema, Brendan Lindsay, received a Knighthood in the recent King’s Birthday Honours list – and very well deserved it was. Congratulations, Sir Brendan.

In 1987, Brendan Lindsay started making plastic coat hangers in his garage in Cambridge.

Over time, he shifted to food containers and founded Sistema, which would become a global leader in smart, stylish, practical kitchen storage.

In 2017, Sistema was sold to US giant Newell Brands. Sir Brendan focused on quality, people, and listening to customers.

That mindset has powered some of New Zealand’s most impressive startups.

Xero brought cloud accounting to small business and now serves millions globally.

Rocket Lab took satellites into orbit, proving we could lead in aerospace.

LanzaTech turned industrial pollution into biofuel. Sharesies made investing accessible.

Halter used AI collars to reinvent livestock farming.

IdeaLab, a leading US startup incubator, analysed hundreds of startups and concluded five factors shape success: timing, team, product, business model, and funding.

While all matter, timing stood out – responsible for over 40 per cent of outcomes.

Not blind luck but sensing when the market is ready. Sistema’s timing

was spot on.

As BPA plastics were rejected and families rethought food storage, Sistema delivered a high-quality, practical, locally-made solution.

The iconic clips and clean design stood out.

Sir Brendan and his team delivered a product that was well-engineered and resonated with consumers at just the right moment.

Sistema gave families control over food waste and food safety. Sharesies helped first-time investors take their first steps.

Halter gave farmers control over animal health and land use while freeing up time.

Xero put financial control into the hands of business owners – no degree required.

Rocket Lab commercialised infrastructure, not just product. Funding does matter, but it tends to follow the fundamentals.

Sir Brendan grew through reinvestment.

Others, like Xero and LanzaTech, raised funds from private equity and public markets.

Get timing, team, product, and model right – and capital will come. What can today’s Kiwi founders do?

Watch how customers behave – not just what they say, stay ahead of industry and tech trends and be courageous. Hire good people, who challenge and stretch you.

Brendan Lindsay never sought fame – he sought excellence, with determination and humility.

That’s the Kiwi founder archetype at its best.

Getting paid starts with the right terms of trade

For many Kiwi businesses, chasing payments is one of the most frustrating – and costly – parts of doing business.

But too often, the root of the problem isn’t slow customers. It’s unclear or inadequate terms of trade.

Your terms of trade are more than just fine print. They form the backbone of your commercial relationships, spelling out payment timeframes, interest on late payments, liability limitations, ownership of goods until paid for, and your rights to recover costs for chasing payment and interest.

Yet despite their importance, many small and medium-sized New Zealand businesses either copy terms from other businesses or rely on outdated templates that don’t reflect how they actually operate. That’s where risk creeps in.

Well-drafted, customised terms of trade make it easier to enforce payments, strengthen your legal position in a dispute, and provide clarity in your day-to-day dealings.

But not all businesses are the same, and neither should their contracts be.

A commercial law specialist can tailor your terms of trade to suit your industry, cashflow model, and risk profile.

For example, a trades business may need different protections around deposits and ownership of goods than a consultancy offering services over time.

At ASCO Legal, we work with New Zealand business owners across sectors to ensure their terms aren’t just legally sound, but commercially practical.

If getting paid on time matters to your business, it starts with your paperwork. Need help reviewing your terms of trade? Contact the team at ASCO Legal today.

Call us: 09 308 8070, or email us: info@ascolegal.co.nz

ascolegal.co.nz | 09 308 8070 Get in touch today

Alistair van Schalkwyk

BUSINESS

26 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

PROMO RIDDLE: AI – YOUR LIFE, WIN A PREMIUM UPGRADED UMBRELLA!

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What if there was a tool that could simplify your life, both at home and in the office, making everyday tasks smoother and more efficient?

Guess what – it’s already here. Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t a futuristic dream, it’s a present-day reality, seamlessly woven into our lives, and ready to transform how you work and live.

Embracing AI offers a practical pathway to streamline everything you do.

Consider a recent personal experience: faced with an unidentifiable, large spider in our home, we utilised the live Google Gemini app.

Taking a live image of the spider, this AI function quickly identified the species, confirmed its harmless-

ness, and provided detailed information on its origins.

Similarly, for a King’s Birthday weekend car journey, AI generated engaging “would you rather” questions, transforming potential boredom/sibling bickering into entertainment.

The practical applications of AI are extensive, offering substantial benefits in our daily routines.

Can you imagine the possibilities in our work life?

Check out how I’ve been working with businesses and schools all over New Zealand and Australia in implementing AI over the coming weeks in this column.

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BUSINESS

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 27

INTEGRATING PRINT WITH DIGITAL MARKETING:

A POWERFUL COMBO

In today’s fast-paced digital world, print still packs a punch, especially when paired with smart digital strategies.

At Kaleidoprint, we are seeing more businesses benefit from combining the tactile power of print with the reach of digital marketing.

A well-designed flyer or brochure doesn’t just land in someone’s letterbox – it can drive them online.

By including QR codes, social handles, or personalised URLs (PURLs), print becomes an active bridge to your digital presence.

It’s a great way to guide customers from the physical world to your website, social media, or online store.

Print adds trust and tan-

Clint Edwards

gibility – people spend more time with it, and it’s harder to ignore.

Paired with digital tools, the results are measurable and impactful.

For businesses wanting to stand out, integrating print and digital isn’t just smart – it’s essential.

Get in touch with Clint at Kaleidoprint to find out how print can work harder for your business.

WHY WE DO A BETTER JOB MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS

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Marketing your own business effectively is often like trying to perform surgery on yourself.

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BUSINESS

28 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

Why good businesses sometimes don’t sell DAREN LENG, Senior Business Broker at ABC Business Sales, shares insights on why it sometimes can be difficult for a good business to sell.

Even well-managed, profitable businesses can fail to sell.

At ABC Business Sales, we’ve seen it happen, and it’s often avoidable.

Here are five common reasons deals fall over: > Poor preparation – Buyers expect organised financials and documentation. If things are messy, confidence drops, regardless of how strong the business is. > Owner dependence – If the business can’t run without you, it’s risky. Document systems and delegate operations. Buyers don’t want key person reliance. > Unrealistic price – If your asking price doesn’t reflect market value, serious buyers walk away. > No handover plan – A clear transition plan reassures buyers the business will keep running smoothly. Buyers want to walk into a well-run operation. > Poor sale process management – Without a broker driving momentum and handling negotiations, deals stall or fail, with buyers and vendors becoming fatigued or frustrated.

Preparing your business properly, setting realistic expectations, and working with a professional advisor can make all the difference.

For more guidance, contact Daren Leng, Senior Business Broker at ABC Business Sales Ph 021 0278 6045 or email darenl@abcbusiness.co.nz

New Zealand's No.1 Business Matchmakers www.abcbusiness.co.nz LIC REA 2008

Latest property market trends TONI DAWSON, a fullyqualified Mortgage Adviser with more than 15 years’ industry experience, shares her expertise.

Want to know what the latest trends in the property market are, from an independent source? The following is taken from the May, 2025, Property Market Update produced by Loan Market in partnership with Cotality NZ (CoreLogic NZ now T/As Cotality): > Property sales volumes have been on a gradually rising trend for around two years, and the four per cent rise in activity in April (compared to a year ago) pushed the level of sales to seven per cent above where it’s been at this stage of the year since 2016. In other words, sales were the strongest they’ve been for around 3.5 years when compared to ‘normal’. Clearly, the falls in mortgage rates will have been a factor here. > Property values are finally responding to that turnaround in sales volume too, with the Cotality Home Value Index rising by 0.3 per cent in April – the fourth rise in a row, albeit the pace of growth remains fairly modest. > The market doesn’t seem set to suddenly switch from buyers holding the balance of power to sellers, given the stock of listings available to purchase remains at multi-year highs. > First-home buyers made up almost a 27 per cent share of property purchases in April. > Reserve Bank figures show more than two in every five first-home buyers took out a loan in March, 2025, with < 20 per cent deposit. > Mortgaged multiple property owners (including investors) remain on the comeback trail, accounting for around 24 per cent of activity in April, the highest share for well over three years.

Reach out to me if you’d like to stay informed with the latest insights to help you navigate the ever-changing market.

Toni Dawson

NZCFS Level 5, BBS, GradDipBusStuds (Personal Financial Planning) FSP1000506

027 646 9269 loanmarket.co.nz/toni-dawson ToniDawsonLM tonidawsonloanmarket Click here for my Publicly Available Disclosure The information provided in this column is for illustrative and discussion purposes only. Whilst all care and attention is taken in its preparation, any party seeking to rely on its content or otherwise should make their own enquiries and research to ensure its relevance to your specific personal and business requirements and circumstances.

BUSINESS

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 29

UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF DROPPING THE OCR Secured

The last Official Cash Rate (OCR) announcement on May 29 dropped the rate by another 0.25 per cent basis points to 3.25 per cent, as widely predicted.

Factors such as sliding residential rents, inflation expectations, lower mortgage and deposit rates, as well as the Government’s Budget 2025 are likely to have contributed to this decision by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

But will another 0.25 per cent cut be enough for now?

Some economists believe the OCR should drop to as low as 2.50 per cent by the end of 2025, and if that’s the case we can expect steady drops over the remaining three OCR reviews in July, August and October.

in interest rates on offer.

Term deposits offered by the ‘big four’ have fallen to as low as 3.80 per cent for a 12-month term deposit (as at June 5).

At Southern Cross Partners, we remain committed to seeking out the highest quality loans for our investors to invest in and receive a monthly return.

Rates start from 6.75 per cent and while they may not be the highest rates on the market, we believe quality and security are paramount, which is why all our investments are secured with a first mortgage registered over New Zealand property.

With over 28 years of experience, our first mortgage investments are built on

investments, backed by property.

As the OCR comes down, lowering residential mortgage rates should improve affordability for those purchasing or refixing their current home loans.

Mortgage rates have dropped an average of 2.26 per cent since January, 2024.

However, OCR changes affect borrowers and investors differently.

For investors, top of mind is concern with reduced returns because of the steady decline

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EDUCATION

30 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

Elim deputy departs with high praise

By PJ TAYLOR

A

nother long-serving member of the Elim Christian College leadership team is stepping away after more than two decades.

Deputy principal Gary Johnstone has finished his 21 years of service there, and a special assembly was staged recently to farewell the highly experienced educator of almost half a century.

The 73-year-old served as deputy to former principal Murray Burton, who also stood down at the end of last year after more than two decades in charge.

Both men presided over massive change and growth at the specialist Christian school that now has two thriving campuses in Botany, east Auckland, and others across the Auckland region.

“I’ve been so grateful to Murray over the years because he’s allowed me

to innovate and take risks,” Johnstone says.

“I’m sure he must have torn his hair out at times, but I’m grateful he’s given me that freedom to try all sorts of different things.

“I hope I’ve been able to make the school’s leadership more democratic, to give teachers more say.

“I encourage our teachers to take risks, to try out new things, without the fear of being clobbered if they fail.”

Born in Auckland and educated at Otahuhu College, Johnstone joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a young man.

“I was desperate to be a pilot. Had a little stint at flying Harvards for a while but was chosen to be a navigator and not a pilot,” he says. “My dream was to be a pilot. If I couldn’t be a pilot, I wasn’t going to be anything in the Air Force.”

After training to become a teacher, his first placement was at Mangere Col-

At his farewell assembly, former Elim Christian College deputy principal Gary Johnstone, centre, is acknowledged by Matua Matt Hakiaha, and Carol Pottow, the senior years’ assessment lead and international director.

Photo supplied lege for five years. Then it was to Howick College for another five years, and next to Tangaroa College as head of maths for seven years.

He then took time out.

“I really got burnt out.

I got quite badly assaulted one weekend. It took a long time to get over that, a year off, working as a directional driller boring underground. It was completely different.”

Johnstone gradually worked his way back into education, briefly teaching at Pakuranga College before landing a job at Epsom Girls Grammar that lasted for seven years.

“Teaching wasn’t my first choice. It took me a long time to get over the

pilot thing. But I’ve come to realise now that all those previous five schools were preparation for coming here [Elim].

“By nature, I’m an introvert and the job [teaching] I’m immersed in people. It’s been good for me,” Johnstone says. “There have been so many blessings through teaching. A lot of tramping. I’ve been to Israel three times with the school.

There have been so many camps, trips, experiences and adventures that I could not have had as a pilot.

“I came to my Christian faith in my late teens. That’s where I’ve felt called in many ways.”

• Read full article at www.times.co.nz

TUITION CONFIDENCE RESULTS

EDUCATION

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 31

PRINCIPAL IN PERSON With Ian Morrison, Mission Heights Junior College How long have you been an educator, and where did you train?

I’ve been involved in teaching for 40 years. I trained in South Africa, completing a teaching diploma while full-time teaching at Bryanston High School in Johannesburg. Elon Musk attended the same school. I was principal of Rand Park High School, a state, co-educational school before emigrating to Aotearoa with my family in January 2003.

When did you become principal of Mission Heights Junior College?

I started at the beginning of term three in 2015.

What’s the best thing about being an educator and principal?

During my career there have been different aspects that I have enjoyed. Being blessed and privileged to share in the development and growth of young people is immensely satisfying as is the professional and personal development of our teachers and leaders.

Having made some positive contribution in these

areas is very rewarding.

What’s special about Mission Heights Junior College?

I love the junior college years which give us the freedom to be innovative and explore learning in a way that is engaging yet provides our students with foundations for future study. I also love the whānau, or “schools within a school” model, which promotes a genuine sense of belonging, connection and care for each and every student and members of staff.

Is there anything you’d like improved in the education/school management sector?

I believe each government sincerely believes it is contributing positively to achieving successful outcomes for students. But it can be frustrating to have to shift our focus as a school in the absence of what seems to be a long-term strategic plan, and one that recognises the need for a holistic approach which acknowledges progress, active and positive contribution to the community, living our values as well as achievement.

Fortunately, at Mission Heights Junior College just as in other schools, we are able to focus on the student and what they need. This is our guiding principle and stands up to all other policies we are asked to implement.

Recent announcements of increased resources being provided in the learning support sector are very encouraging as all schools have identified this as a massive need.

How is the relationship between MHJC and its immediate local community?

I would say we have a very positive relationship with our local community.

Most of the time, things go according to plan and when they don’t, parents and the school are open to learning for the benefit of the students. I have always enjoyed very strong support from parents and in particular by our board. It is gratifying to know that the values and vision that we promote are shared by our community which makes it much easier to achieve our goals.

OUR PEOPLE

32 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

JUDITH Q&A COLLINS New Zealand’s Defence Minister has always told it straight with dignity, intelligence, reasoned argument and professionalism that reflects her distinguished legal experience and strong sense of fair play. Okay, so she crushed a few cars, and many agreed with her that the punishment of impounding the boy-racer vehicles fit the criminal nuisance. There are residents in Levin recently celebrating that result. PJ TAYLOR asks the Papakura MP of 23 years, and the Minister of Defence, Digitising Government, GCSB, NZSIS, Public Service, and Space (!), a range of questions across her portfolios with the people in the neighbourhoods in mind.

The Mill Road transport project is finally getting its go, ultimately leading to Aucklanders having an alternative arterial to State Highway One in the region’s south-east.

How do you feel about its advancement?

“You know what the rules are.

Behave. What you do is not have a little tantrum.”

It was 2017 we announced we were going to do this. Then there was a change of government and it got cancelled. Seeing it getting ready to start next year on stage one is going to add so much to the area.

Constituents are going to have a fourlane corridor, and creating a westbound bus lane at the northern end is going to help massively, and particularly in areas where they’ve got lots of new housing, such as Ardmore, Drury and Drury South.

That’s going to be like a whole new Hamilton in there in the next several years. It’s utterly crucial. It gives people another way through. Giving people options is just great. As you know, when that motorway [SH1] is blocked, it’s just dynamite and unsafe.

Coming from an everyday Kiwi’s point of view, learning about China sailing its navy on combat mode in the Tasman Sea firing live rounds – yes, in international waters, but very close to its “friends” New Zealand and Australia, a very clear message was sent and received – a show of force. As Defence Minister, what was our response to China?

Working with Australia, we took the feed of the first part of it, and the Australians the second.

OUR PEOPLE

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 33

We showed we were able to monitor what was happening there. The Task Group – it was the first time we’ve seen them in this part of the world. It was acting in accordance with the United Nations. They didn’t break the rules.

I think the biggest concern for many people was the live firing exercises in the Tasman. And the fact that, I think there were 39 civilian passenger flights needed to be diverted with little or no notice.

Normally, if there is live firing like that, you’re wanting to give a lot of notice, a few days’ notice, or something. Hours is not necessarily optimum. It’s a reminder to New Zealanders we cannot hide down in this end of the world hoping no one knows we’re here. We’re right in front of Antarctica. It was a message to New Zealanders and Australians that the Chinese Task Group is capable of coming down this way. It was a very capable task force because it had massive firepower.

There are lots of wars and tensions in the world. We could view it as an unstable time. New Zealand’s Defence budget is increasing in response, to where a lot of people were calling for, at least 2 per cent value of GDP. Where do you want that extra money spent? And what do you want the NZ Defence Force’s focus on into the future?

From about 1990, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, like other liberal democracies, New Zealand decided it didn’t need to spend as much on defence. Defence budgets were essentially falling as a percentage of GDP for around 35 years. There were a few years when Ron Mark was Minister of Defence, they were able to get some extra funding to buy the [RNZ Navy vessel] Aotearoa, the big spy ship we’ve got that’s really useful. And we got the new Hercules and P-8A Poseidon [RNZ Air Force aircraft]. When I came in as Minister, we decided to grow.

We’ve just announced the new maritime helicopters. That’s already been talked about by the people who want to supply them. We’ve got the money set aside, $2 billion, which includes buying them and four years of operation including crew,

“I think the biggest concern for many people was the live firing exercises in the Tasman.”

Photos supplied

training and everything else. We’ve also been out looking for replacements for the Boeing 757s, the ones that have occasionally left the Prime Minister and trade delegations somewhat stranded despite the excellent work of our maintenance people who make the old aircraft work, day in, day out.

very good. We’re making progress and we’re going to make more.

But every now and then there is a problem, so they’re being replaced.

And they’re not just used for the Prime Minister and delegations. Their work is taking our Defence people to locations for their work. We’ve got new communications equipment, new un-crewed vehicles that our Defence people are now looking at suppliers offshore and in New Zealand, because there’s some very good capability here that’s been working in Ukraine, for instance.

The vast majority of Members of Parliament respect the rules. And the vast majority of MPs are civil with each other. There are robust debates and then you go out and say “hello, how are you?” I just feel we’ve seen a deterioration in some behaviour in Parliament that’s very unfortunate. I’m the chair of the Privileges Committee and we’ve had to deal with a situation in the last six months which should never have arisen if people followed the rules. I follow the rules. I’ve been a MP for 23 years. I’ve never been thrown out of Parliament, never been sent to Privileges Committee. I’m not alone in that. Most MPs are the same. You know what the rules are. Behave. What you do is not have a little tantrum.

It’s very important we try and build our economic base and Defence industry as well. We’re moving up to 2 per cent of GDP in 2032-2033, and every two years we have a commitment to check in to see if we can go faster. We’re also increasing the personnel. We’ve stemmed the flow of people leaving the Defence Force, so our attrition rate is

Behaviour issues in the Parliament precinct have been highlighted over the past decade. As a long-serving MP, have you seen improvement in that culture?

•

Read full interview at www.times.co.nz

ARTS & CULTURE

34 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

EAST AUCKLAND ART KETE JUNE-JULY 2025 This is a shared arts column space put together by Howick Historical Village, Te Tuhi, and Uxbridge Arts and Culture.

EVENTS: Friday, 13 June, and 27 June at 12pm: Final two performances for Fridays@Twelve series – Botany Downs Secondary College and Edgewater College. Uxbridge Theatre, 35 Uxbridge Rd, Howick. Book via www.uxbridge.org.nz. $6/ticket.

Saturday, 14 June, 5-9pm: Howick Historical Village’s Midwinter Lights Festival is back! Sponsored by The Fairy Light Shop. Featuring Act One performers and live music by soul jazz band Big Tasty. With mulled wine and food trucks on-site. 75 Bells Rd, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga. Book via Eventfinda.co.nz. Adult $20, child $10.

Wednesday, 18 June 10-11.30am: The Matariki Glow Show brings this mythical tale to life with its unique puppets!

Uxbridge Theatre, 35 Uxbridge Rd, Howick. Book via Eventfinda.co.nz.

From Friday, 20 June, through Sunday, 22 June, 10am-4pm: Explore Howick Historical Village with 50 per cent off all tickets on the Matariki public holiday itself! Have fun making manu tukutuku (kite) using raupō and toetoe from our gardens. Follow Matariki self-guided star trail. 75 Bells Rd, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga. Activities are free with general admission.

Friday, 20 June, 1-1.30pm: join spoken word poet Zech Soakai in Puhi Nui at Howick Historical Village as he weaves together the many meanings of Matariki across Moana Oceania. 75 Bells Rd, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga. Free with 50 per cent off general admission.

Friday, 4 July – Friday, 11 July: Kids holiday programme. A fantastic range of creative workshops ranging from mixed

media to paper mâché, sewing, and clay!

35 Uxbridge Rd, Howick. Book via www.uxbridge.org.nz.

Wednesday, 9 July, two shows – 11am and 2pm: Mesmerising magic, comedy, and circus entertainment by a renowned French maestro! Uxbridge Theatre. Book via www.uxbridge.org.nz. From $15.

Friday, 4 July, 11am: School holiday film, a family favourite – Paddington! Uxbridge Theatre, 35 Uxbridge Rd, Howick. Book via www.uxbridge.org.nz. $6/ticket + Free popcorn!

Sunday, 6 July, 2-4pm and Thursday, 10 July, 10am-noon: Enjoy a school holiday workshop at the Polish Museum.

Learn about famous Polish artist Olga Boznanska. Create your own works to take home. 125 Elliot St, Howick.

Book via phtmuseum@outlook.com or 09 533 3530. $10/person, includes materials.

Sunday, 13 July, 10am-4pm: Join Howick Historical Village for Live Day | hobbies, games and crafts and discover what the Victorians did on their days off. 75 Bells Rd, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga. Live Day admission.

Saturday, 19 July, 9.30am-12.30pm: Finding Your Family Flow, a workshop to help tap into your natural flow, strengthen family bonds and parenting. Workshop facilitators are Melanie Grey and Wilbyn Mitchell. 35 Uxbridge Rd, Howick. Book via www.uxbridge.org.nz. $20.

Saturday, 26 July, 4–6pm: Te Tuhi opens six new exhibitions including work by without appeal, Abigail Aroha Jensen, Conor Clarke, Frances Libeau, Mariam Tawfik, and Ngaroma Riley. 21 William Roberts Rd, Pakuranga, Free.

‘The Great Magic Circus Show’ is coming to the Uxbridge Theatre on Wednesday, July 9.

Thursday, 31 July, 6.30pm-9pm: Painting Event – Mystic Woods. Let your imagination wander into the mystic woods with our brush and bubbles painting workshop.

35 Uxbridge Rd, Howick. Book at www.uxbridge.org.nz. $68.

ONGOING: Until Sunday, 6 July: Te Tuhi presents three exhibitions including work by artists such as Liu Chuang, Sean Hill, and Grant Priest. 21 William Roberts Rd, Pakuranga.

Free.

From Saturday, 12 June: Arts Out East and NFACT present Turning old into gold in Ormiston, a project aiming to establish a safe and welcoming space for women from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

Ormiston Town Centre, Free.

From Saturday, 28 June, to Sunday, 13 July: Howick Historical Village presents School Holiday Fun: Connecting Stars, Connecting Oceans with a range of activities: Waka carving workshop. Tuesdays, 11am-1pm. Join Calvin Devine (Ngāpuhi) to create your own waka hourua (doublehulled canoe) using traditional carving techniques. Age five+. Parent supervision required for children under 10. Booking via village@historicalvillage.org.nz. $10/ person for materials.

Butter making on Wednesdays and weekends at 11am. Free with general admission.

Beeswax candle making on Thursdays at 11am. $5/person for materials.

COMMUNITY

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 35

This week’s Community Hero is

Derek Wright

The Times is recognising the many wonderful people in our local east Auckland community who go out of their way to help others with our regular Community Hero award.

If you know someone who’s doing amazing things in our community please email 50 to 100 words describing why they deserves this recognition, highlighting specific actions they’ve taken to benefit our community, with your and their contact details and a highresolution photo of them if possible to chrish@times.co.nz.

Be sure to include details about what they’ve been doing, the impact they’ve made, and how long they’ve been involved in these efforts. The award is sponsored by New World Howick.

Recipients will receive a $50 New World gift card.

The latest recipient is Derek Wright.

He’s nominated by Hato Hone St John Northern and South Island community transport manager Irene Straker, who writes: “Derek has been a volunteer Health Shuttle driver with Hato Hone St John for nearly three years.

“His main role is to pick up clients and deliver them safely to their medical appointments and return them home. He’s dedicated hundreds of personal hours to assist others in his community to attend their important medical consultations, surgeries and treatments.

“Our clients enjoy being chauffeured door-to-door and delight in the social engagement of warm conversation.

“Derek’s commitment of kindness to our clients offers secure and safe driving, social interaction that helps to

prevent loneliness and the opportunity to interact with others who utilise our shared carriage. Derek is truly a ‘Community Hero’.”

Nominate a Community Hero online at www.times.co.nz/nominate/

Celebrate Matariki Festival in Howick Village Uxbridge Arts and Culture and O Wairoa Marae will once again host the annual Matariki Festival, staged to mark the Māori New Year. It’s on at the arts centre in Uxbridge Road from 10am-3pm this Saturday, June 14, and is organised by Te Tuhi and O Wairoa Marae.

Te Tuhi community programme manager Ashley Grogan says Matariki is signalled by the reappearance of the Matariki cluster of stars.

“It is a time to reflect, remember, and embrace new beginnings. Join us for a vibrant day full of creativity, discovery, and connection. From craft workshops and games to delicious kai, performances, and music, there’s something for everyone.”

She says the Matariki Festival at O Wairoa Marae is a beautiful opportunity to explore Te Ao Māori and engage in shared moments of learning.

Alongside the festival activities, the

audience is invited to visit the exhibition Kotahitanga: Ō Wairoa Marae in the Tainui Garden of Memories, hosted by the Malcom Smith Gallery at Uxbridge Arts and Culture.

The festival begins at 10am to officially launch the activities. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in various workshops and demonstrations including tītī tōrea (short stick game), mau rākau (weaponry using long sticks), raranga (weaving), poi making, and he ara uku (clay work).

People can enjoy a range of performances in the Uxbridge Theatre, featuring Korean

dancers and kapa haka performances from local schools.

The International Women’s Association will offer activities including origami, bean bag games, fried noddle tasting, a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, language corner, lantern making and much more. A free sausage sizzle and vegan hot pot will be served throughout the day.

Everyone is welcome for a free day of festivities, cultural enrichment, and community engagement as east Auckland comes together to celebrate Matariki and the spirit of togetherness.

COMMUNITY

36 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

Howick Dance Studio’s production of the ballet ‘Coppelia’ is on June 28-29.

Photo supplied

WHAT’S ON What’s On is a free community noticeboard for non-profit groups.

Send notices of less than 50 words to chrish@times.co.nz. Due to space restrictions there is no guarantee your notice will run.

ROCK AND ROLL DANCE LESSONS

Beginner lessons Tuesdays 7pm to 7.30pm from June 10 to July 1 (four weeks). Location: Fencible Lounge, 25 Uxbridge Road, Howick. Email lessons@cityofsails.org.nz or president@cityofsails. org.nz or phone 021 0266 8577.

BECOME A HOME-BASED EDUCATOR

Ballet dancers ready to soar The latest production from the young stars at Howick Dance Studio will entertain audiences over two days later this month. The school is staging the ballet Coppelia at the Hawkins Theatre in Papakura on June 28-29.

“The ballet has been choreographed by our senior dancers, who have been working on it since February,” studio principal Sharon Barber says. “They range in age from five years old to their mid-20s. Almost 100 Howick students are involved in this classic ballet story and they’ve been rehearsing every Sunday since March.”

Want a career with flexible hours working from home with children agreed up to five years old? Barnardos invites people to a homebased educator information morning at Botany Library from 10am to 12pm on Saturday, June 14. Learn more about this opportunity and the endless benefits and free training Barnardos would provide.

ART AND CRAFT FUN

July 6, from 2-4pm and July 10, from 10am-12noon. Enjoy a school holidays family art and craft workshop with presentation. Find out about one of Poland’s famous artists, Olga Boznanska, and create your own works to take home. $10 per person, includes materials.

Bookings preferred. Polish Museum, 125 Elliot Street, Howick. Ph 09 533 3530 / email phtmuseum@outlook.com.

BEGINNERS’ ENGLISH CLASS

Provided by English Language Partners. Chinese is the instruction language. Held at Highland Park Library, 16 Highland Park Drive.

Free. Classes ongoing throughout the year, contact the library for details. Email highlandpark.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz, phone 09 377 0209, or to book, phone 09 278 9099.

Tickets are available in the studio’s upstairs ballet shop at 3/121 Elliot St, Howick, on Wednesdays from 5pm-7pm, Saturdays 10am to 12pm, and Sundays during rehearsals, or phone 021 725 180. They cost $30 for adults, $25 for students, $20 for seniors, and $20 for children aged under 14. The ballet is performed at Hawkins Theatre, 13 Ray Small Drive, Papakura.

H OW I C K DA N C E ST U D I O P R E S E N TS SAT 28 JUNE – 6PM SUN 29 JUNE – 1PM | 5PM THE HAWKINS THEATRE 13 RAY SMALL DR PAPAKURA Adults $30 | Students $25 Senior Citizens $20 Children under 14 $20 Tickets are available from Howick Dance Studio 3/121 Elliot St, Howick Wed 5-7pm, Sat 10-12pm Enquiries ph 021 725 180

Cartoonist Roger Smith provides his take on important local, national and global issues.

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 37

UPCOMING

EVENTS OUT EAST BOLLYWOOD MASQUERADE

BOOGIE OOGIE BINGO

Saturday 14 June, 7pm, The Pavilion Bar & Kitchen

Saturday 14 June, 3 – 7pm, Turanga Creek Winery

Time to party Bollywood style with a DJ Party Night at your very own The Pavilion Bar and Kitchen. It’s the perfect spot to mix, mingle, and move to the beats of bollywood music!

Don’t miss out on our Early Bird ticket of $45 p/p.

Dress up 80s style and join in for some 80s/90s musical Bingo and then an 80s/90s disco to follow! Test your music knowledge and be the first to yell bingo! After the bingo, you can get your boogie on to some of the most iconic tunes of the 80’s and 90’s. Bingo starts at 3pm, followed by the Disco

TRIVIA NIGHT

HIGH TEA AT THE APOTHECARY

Every Wednesday, 7pm, The Stables Whitford

Sunday 22 June, 1pm, The Apothecary

Get ready for an evening of fun, laughter, and some friendly competition! Bring your crew, test your knowledge, and compete for some fantastic prizes. Plus, enjoy our delicious menu and drinks while you’re at it! Don’t miss out on local charm, unforgettable moments, and great flavours.

Join The Apothecary for their second High Tea of the year!

Enjoy delicious treats both savoury and sweet, lovingly crafted to pair nicely with your choice of tea. Just $45pp – or make it extra special with a glass of bubbles! Get your friends together and enjoy a fun afternoon.

LEARN MORE

Sponsored by

Tickets available on Eventfinda

historicalvillage.org.nz

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

38 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

TRAN’S KITCHEN

EXPERIENCE TASTY VIETNAMESE STREET FOOD IN ORMISTON People everywhere are drawn to Vietnamese cuisine for its fresh ingredients, vibrant flavours, and balance of textures. It’s known for combining sweet, salty, sour and spicy elements, appealing to a wide range of palates.

Many foodies appreciate its emphasis on

freshness, especially the use of mint, basil, lime, and chili.

Luckily for locals, Tran’s Kitchen at the Ormiston Town Centre is serving up fine Vietnamese food here in east Auckland.

Its menu is packed with authentic Vietnamese street food favourites with family recipes. People can enjoy steaming bowls of pho, crispy banh mi and fresh rice paper rolls and there’s something for everyone.

Those after a filling and hot bowl of tasty goodness can choose from a variety of pho noodle soups including beef, chicken, spicy beef, fish, grilled lemongrass, spicy chicken, seafood and

grilled lemongrass pork.

If you’re after something a bit lighter there’s the vermicelli noodle salads and a selection of rice meals such as bbq pork belly on rice and stir fry tofu and vege on rice.

Those who love a good dumpling are catered for with the dumpling soup, panfried dumplings, dumplings in spicy chilli oil sauce and the stir fried noodle and dumpling with chilli oil.

And don’t forget the mouth-watering banh mi Vietnamese sub, the fresh summer rolls, the stir fried noodle, bao bun, Vietnamese beef stew.

Ormiston Town Centre has been master-planned as the vibrant heart of Ormiston.

So much more than just a shopping centre, Ormiston Town Centre has been designed for community and convenience, relaxing and getting stuff done, entertainment and easy living.

Ormiston Town Centre has everything you need right on your doorstep – daily essentials or special treats, a coffee on the run or a relaxed meal out, a gym workout or some well-earned time out.

At Ormiston Town Centre we’ve created a place that’s yours.

It’s your place to be.

240 Ormiston Road, Flat Bush, Auckland

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 39

VINTAGE

roundup

Wine columnist and connoisseur DENNIS KNILL gives his views on Spy Valley’s sauvignon blanc wines Hidden away in the southern valleys of Marlborough is one of New Zealand’s purest wine-growing regions. Spy Valley Wines shares this unique valley with 180 hectares of premium vines that were planted 30-years ago by Bryan and Jan Johnson, who had the will and pioneering spirit to work land that was considered too hard, too dry, and too infertile for growing grapes.

Today, Bryan and Jan Johnson have established one of the most successful family-owned wineries in the country with a range of award-winning varietals that are exported around the globe.

While their sauvignon blanc will always

be worthy of a place in the King’s Court, their riesling, chardonnay, pinot gris, gewurztraminer, pinot noir, syrah and methode are as good as anywhere. ’24 Satellite by Spy Valley sauvignon blanc, RRP $17. Intense citrus and lively aromatics finely balanced with herbaceous flavours and crisp acidity.

An easy drinking wine. Pair with seafood, shellfish, roast chicken and leafy salads. ’24 Spy Valley sauvignon blanc, RRP $23. Fresh and aromatic, with a mouthfilling bouquet of concentrated flavours coupled with a dry finish that lingers long on the palate. Serve with pan-fried

SATURDAY 28TH JUNE MC

BEN HURLEY

fish, prawns, scallops, shrimps and ceviche. ’22 Spy Valley E Block sauvignon blanc, RRP $30. Ripe and fruity, refreshing and finely tuned with distinctive fruity flavours and a soft minerality and texture that will please. Best served with chicken, turkey, pork and vegetarian dishes. ’21 Spy Valley Envoy sauvignon blanc, RRP $40. Intermingled with tiers of ripe citrus and rich aromas and a smooth bouquet rounded with a gentle splash of acidity. Will take some beating. Pair with fish, chicken, pork and creamy cheeses.

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BY LOCALS Serving Howick’s best coffee and meals from 6am daily

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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

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$ 1 2 0 P E R P E R SO N BOOK YOUR TICKETS AT WWW.DAISYCHANG.CO.NZ

40 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

EATS OUT EAST

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11am - 9pm Saturday - Sunday: 9am - 9pm Lunch Break: 2:3 pm - 5pm Tuesday - Friday:

09 534 1989

contact@goldensandsbistro.co.nz

32 The Esplanade, Eastern Beach

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THE ULTIMATE SEAFOOD BOIL IS HERE Get your hands messy and make your tastebuds happy!

Grab your mates, bring the fam or treat yourself.

It’s messy, it’s delicious and it’s pure weekend magic.

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LUNCH: Tues-Sat 12-2pm DINNER: Mon-Sun 5pm-9pm

Thanks for your support

3 MOORE STREET, HOWICK DINE IN & TAKEAWAY

PH 09 537 2099 WWW.LAPADELLA.NZ

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 41

WIN! TO ENTER THE DRAW FOR THESE COMPETITIONS AND MORE VISIT WWW.TIMES.CO.NZ/WIN Scan me

Open 7 Days a Week 11:30am - 10:30pm

RAINBOWS END TWILIGHT RIDE TICKETS

BYO 09 600 2270 30 Union Road, Howick, Auckland

ODDBIRD COLOURING BOOK Open Tuesday-Sunday Lunch 12-3pm | Dinner 5-9pm

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• Eat FREE on your birthday • Kids make their own pizza when dining in

T&Cs Apply – Book online www.minos.co.nz or ph 09 535 5282

$100 CASUAL FOODIE VOUCHER

$50 MINOS VOUCHER

42 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

WHAT’S ON AT HOWICK CLUB JORDAN LUCK BAND Don’t miss out, Jordon Luck Band 2025 Winter Tour is coming to the club. Playing all the classic Exponents hits and more. This event is open to the public.

Tickets can be purchased online and at club reception.

ALL BLACKS V FRANCE Join us at the club to watch New Zealand’s national rugby team, the All Blacks. July Series – All Blacks vs France. Free event, open to Howick Club members, affiliated members and invited guest of both.

FAMILY BINGO Are you looking for a school holiday event? Join us for a fun afternoon of excitement and thrill with Family Bingo with several prizes up for grabs.

Ticketed event, open to Club and affiliated members and guests.

BRITISH INVASION NZ’s own professional live British Invasion band delivers your favourite songs in an exciting 2.5-hour gig. Expect fun and dancing. Ticketed event, open to Club members, affiliated members and invited guests .

BEATLES TRIBUTE A show that rekindles memories of the most influential force in modern music. A 3-part live show with costume changes — nothing but Beatles all night!

Ticketed event, open to Club and affiliated members and guests.

HOT DOG EATING FEAT GOES VIR AL

By PJ TAYLOR Tristan Olsen is a game young fella, “up for the challenge and a bit of a laugh”. The nine-year-old Mellons Bay Primary School student was on a father and son night out with his dad, Alex, and decided it was time he tackled The Apothecary’s legendary New Zealand’s Longest American Hot Dog Challenge. It’s usually steak night for them both, says Alex, but on this occasion, Tristan chose to taste the whopping 600mm American hot dog offered by the popular Howick bar and restaurant.

Owner of The Apothecary, Ted Waters, filmed Tristan consuming the hot dog and as at last Monday, the social media post he published about the eat-feat had been viewed more than 170,000 times.

Tristan says Waters also had some good advice before he tucked into the more than half-a-metre-long dog: Eat the sausage first, then the bread with melted cheese, ketchup and mustard, and drink water.

Tristan says it took him about “30 minutes” to down the dog, and “it was a fun thing to do”. “I was quite chuffed with myself. When we walked home afterwards my stomach felt big.”

He and Alex say the hot dog challenge accomplishment was the talk around Mellons Bay Primary in the following days. “They were really excited I did it,” Tristan says, of the reaction of his school friends.

Alex describes Tristan as a “community-based” boy, who is involved in lots of activities, including kapa haka and Trees for Survival, and his favourite subject is maths. On the week that he consumed the lengthy hot dog, he was also player of the day for his Pakuranga United Rugby Club under-10 Hawks side, running out at fullback.

“It was a week of success for him,” says Alex.

Waters says: “Our longest American hot dog challenge has been a lot of fun. It’s available every day. If you’d like to have a go, head to our website www.theapothecary.co.nz and book in. It’s not for the fainthearted. Give us 24 hours’ notice and we’ll have the beast ready. You can choose to enjoy this or share with a friend. Or we can film it for our social media, and if you conquer it, your name, and glory, goes up on our hot dog challenge board,” Waters says.

Become A Member Join the Howick Club for a vibrant community experience with exclusive access to dining, events, and recreational events for all ages!

www.howickclub.co.nz/membership

On a father and son night out, Alex and Tristan Olsen.

Times photo PJ Taylor

LEISURE

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 43

WATCH

LISTEN

READ

MOVIE REVIEW BY JACK WATSON

NOTEWORTHY PODCASTS

BEST NEW BOOKS

BALLERINA

I CATCH KILLERS WITH GARY JUBELIN

DIRECTOR: Len Wiseman STARRING: Ana de Armas, Gabriel Byrne GENRE: Action-thriller RATING: 3 stars

As a big John Wick fan, Ballerina on paper should be good and in practice is. It tries its best to stand out from the John Wick movies but weirdly feels similar to last year’s Furiosa, a film I loved, so this approach was something I didn’t mind.

My biggest hope for Ballerina is it would have its own identity from John Wick but for the most part it doesn’t. The neon aesthetic still stands true, but the action feels very different in the best way.

John Wick slowly became all about long and ridiculous action set pieces whilst Ballerina takes a more patient route.

Each set piece revolves around a singular item like ice skates, grenades, or even flame-throwers and it’s a joy to watch.

The creativity and the more assassin-like nature to the action was great with its thumping techno-music.

But the weakest part of the movie is Ana de Armas. She’s not bad, but with the pantheon of legendary actors (especially Gabriel Byrne who easily gives my favorite performance), she falls flat. The John Wick series is one I want to see continually built upon with universeexpanding sequels. > Jack Watson saw Ballerina at Monterey Howick.

This ongoing podcast series is hosted

by Gary Jubelin, one of Australia’s most accomplished police detectives.

After 25 years investigating homicides, he sits down across the interview room table from police officers, criminals, drug addicts, victims, cheats and lawyers to ask them to share their stories. I Catch Killers reveals the reality of life and death inside Australia’s justice system.

MEL ROBBINS PODCAST

Mel Robbins’ podcast is packed with advice listeners need to create a better life. She takes her audience into her life in real time, behind the scenes, and introduces them to tools people can apply in their own lives. Her podcast is hilarious, relatable, moving, and packed with helpful takeaways.

Each episode will make listeners laugh, feel inspired to take action, and who maybe even be moved to tears.

THE RAMSEY SHOW

If you want to learn how to manage your personal finances, this is the podcast for you. Dave Ramsey is a financial expert with a podcast, YouTube channel, and call-in radio show in which he answers questions by callers, some of whom need major advice to help them get out of financial dire straits. He and his co-hosts dispense advice on tackling debt, budgeting, and building wealth.

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From bestselling author John Boyne, this is a contemplative story about one man trying to move forward from the trauma of his youth to become a better father to his son. Being in limbo, 30,000 feet in the air, offers time to reflect and take stock.

For Aaron Umber, it’s an opportunity to connect with his 14-year-old son as they travel to meet a woman who isn’t expecting them. The damage inflicted upon Aaron during his youth has made him the man he is, but now threatens to widen the fissures between him and his only child.

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU

RRP $38.

The new gripping thriller

by Andrea Mara, who turns ordinary fears into extraordinary thrillers.

Look what you started.

You press send. Your message is full of secrets about your neighbours. It’s meant for your sister, but it doesn’t reach her – it goes to the entire local community WhatsApp group instead. Now everyone knows what you did. As rumour spreads like wildfire through the picture-perfect neighbourhood, you convince yourself people will move on, that this will quickly be forgotten. But then you receive the first death threat. And someone wants you dead.

LISTEN TO OUR STORIES ON THE GO

www.casualfoodie.co.nz Ph 09 480 6625 | info@casualfoodie.co.nz

www.times.co.nz

eastern times

LIFESTYLE

44 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

WELCOME DAY INFORMS THE PUBLIC

East Auckland residents and organisations from across the city have come together for a public event intended to connect the community. Representatives from a wide range of groups dedicated to helping locals took part in the recent Botany Library Welcome Day.

A wide range of groups took part in the recent Welcome Day hosted at Botany Library.

East Auckland Tourism, Bellyfull, Age Concern Auckland, Counselling Services Centre, Indian Association Manukau NZ, Utilities Disputes, Zonta, Asian Family Services, among others.

Photos Sue Townson, Howick Photographic Society

Among the groups on hand to dispense advice and information to members of the public about the services they offer were u3a Ormiston, Neighbourhood Support NZ, Citizens Advice Bureau PakurangaEastern Manukau, Eastern Women’s Refuge, Hato Hone St John, Zonta East Auckland, the Eastern Times,

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LIFESTYLE

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 45

Join Holly as she searches east Auckland for love and connection.

IN WHICH HOLLY HAS A NEAR MISS

least one near miss where she genuinely wondered: “Am I going to escape this situation unharmed?”

His nickname: “Mr Perfect”. In his early 30s, six-feet four-inches tall with blue eyes, broad shoulders, multiple degrees and a fancy finance job… he’s a walking David Guetta song.

Certain online groups peddle theories about women wanting financial security, wilfully ignoring what most of us value more – feeling physically and emotionally safe. And yet, Reader, I try to be understanding when people say “not all men”… because I think it’s genuinely hard for good men to realise how often this happens. They just don’t hear about it.

I liked him because he was fun and genuinely intelligent. Believe me, Reader, intelligence and university degrees don’t always go together. I’ve met many sharp-as-a-tack tradies, and many gormless graduates who scraped by on the credo “C’s get degrees”.

He’s Australian, and for a while now, we’ve enjoyed a warm but casual connection on our occasional visits.

Recently in Auckland on a business trip, he invited me to join him in town.

After catching up over dinner and a cocktail, we went back to his swanky hotel suite for dessert.

After a few hours spent enjoying “dessert” in bed, in the bathroom and on the balcony, I kissed him and told him I’d better be off. Reaching for my lingerie, I thanked him for a wonderful evening but explained that my day would be busy. I wanted to get a few hours sleep in my own bed and start fresh.

“I want to wake up with you. Wouldn’t it be great to cuddle all night and have breakfast together? Please stay!” he begged.

“That’s sweet,” I replied, “but no, thank you.”

He insisted I should stay. I wanted to go home. We went back and forth on the issue, calmly, for a few minutes.

Then, Reader, in a split second, things took a scary turn. His handsome face turned red and contorted with anger.

Minutes earlier, he’d been whispering sweet nothings and telling me I was lovely.

Now, he was snatching up my clothes and throwing them at me, then towering over me with clenched fists as I dressed, ranting about how disgusting I was for rejecting him.

At least I got out. Every woman I know has either experienced some form of violence, stalking or assault, or had at

Victims (of any gender) seldom report near-misses, for fear they won’t be taken seriously, and perpetrators (of any gender) are silent about their wrongdoings. Men who intimidate or abuse women don’t tell their mates about it, because they know a good guy would call them on their behaviour.

So, this is me, Reader, speaking up about a near miss, sending my regards out to the good guys, and reminding you that “perfection” isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be.

Read more of Holly’s columns here Email holly@times.co.nz Yours in love,

Holly

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By CHRIS HARROWELL Whitford’s Quay Gallery is hosting an exhibition of paintings by self-taught fine artist Andreea Ionela Berindei.

Originally from Romania, she now lives in New Zealand after previously establishing her practice in Southern California in the United States.

Berindei has gained international recognition for her stunningly realistic acrylic paintings of ocean scenes and waterscapes. She continues to translate her thalassophobia – a fear of deep or large bodies of water – into hyper-real acrylic seascapes, attributing her creative inspiration to her faith. Her paintings are in private collections across New Zealand, North America, Europe, China, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, with one work housed in Dubai’s Presidential Palace.

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Her showcase at Quay Gallery is entitled New Shores and is her first exhibition in New Zealand. It features six new acrylic paintings, all of which explore themes of water, courage, and faith, and runs from June 8-30.

“The fine art realism pieces show oceanic scenes with crashing waves and translucent water effects,” Berindei says. “What makes this collection particularly personal is that I’ve been painting water despite struggling with thalassophobia. Each wave I paint is both a challenge and a prayer. I pour my dreams, struggles, and hopes into these paintings. The irony isn’t lost on me that water, which terrifies me in life, becomes my sanctuary on canvas.

“While I hope my work speaks for itself, what I want visitors to take away is a sense of courage to face ‘new shores’ like I’ve done many a time in my life, including taking swimming lessons recently and even relocating to New Zealand. Facing our deepest fears can become our greatest strengths when we surrender them to something larger than ourselves.”

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Glow-Down

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 47

YOUR TWO-MINUTE GLOW ROUTINE

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Sunday Riley Power Couple Duo – $142 This magical nighttime duo pairs lactic acid and retinol to brighten, clear, and soften your skin while you sleep. Good Genes and Luna Oil reveal visible results by morning!

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GLOW ROUTINE ORDER FOR THE TIME-CRUNCHED Here’s how to use them together for a full two-minute glow: > Night before: Cleanse your skin and follow with applying Dr Dennis Gross Peel Pad or Sunday Riley Luna Oil from Power Couple duo set. Seal it all in with Mecca Cosmetica Weekend Skin Glow Serum.

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HEALTHwww.times.co.nz CARE IN| Friday, June 13, 2025 | 49 OUR COMMUNITY

HEALTH & WELLBEING

We are a group of doctors, nurses and people trained & skilled in health care. Our Primary Health Organisation has 19 clinics & 100 General Practitioners located in Howick, Pakuranga, Botany Junction, Beachlands, Clevedon, Kawakawa Bay, Ormiston, Highbrook & Pukekohe Areas.

Rudy Bakker

DON’T WAIT TO ASK FOR HELP YOUR LOCAL GP CAN SUPPORT YOUR MENTAL WELL-BEING Looking after your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health – and getting help early can make a real difference. East Health Trust clinics across east Auckland are here to help.

With the support of Health New Zealand – Counties Manukau, we’re able to offer funded Wellness Support sessions designed to help you navigate life’s challenges. These sessions are easy to access through your local GP clinic and are delivered with care and understanding.

Every year, many people in our community benefit from these services when dealing with things like: > Trouble sleeping > Feeling anxious or overwhelmed > Low mood or depression If you’re struggling, you don’t have to go through it alone.

Your GP can connect you with the right support through our wider East Health network, including health improvement practitioners, health coaches, peer support workers, group activities, and even psychologists or counsellors who can help in areas like: > Depression > Stress management > Goal setting > Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle Rudy Bakker, our East Health PHO Mental Health Co-ordinator, says: “Our team approach means you’ll receive support that’s accessible, co-ordinated, and suited to your unique needs.”

Talk to your local clinic today to see how we can help. Seeking support early is one of the best steps you can take for your health and wellbeing. And be sure to check back here in the Eastern Times for more local health updates coming soon.

Clinic

Phone

Beachlands Medical Centre

09 536 6006

Clevedon Medical Centre

09 292 8189

Botany Junction Medical

09 265 0321

Botany Terrace Medical Centre

09 274 1818

Ormiston Medical Centre

09 265 1325

Marina Medical

09 534 5414

Highbrook Medical

09 273 4876

Highland Park Medical Centre

09 535 8095

Eastern Family Doctors

09 222 0168

Crawford Medical Centre

09 538 0083

Howick House Medical Centre

09 535 8797

Juliet Ave Surgery

09 534 8780

Millhouse Integrative Medical

09 537 4980

Picton Surgery

09 534 7176

Vincent Street Family Doctors

09 537 0789

Tend Pakuranga

09 300 5076

Kawakawa Bay/Orere Health Clinic

09 292 2812

Pukekohe Family Health Care

09 237 0280

e phon ils obile ta ur m clinic de o y Use to see e ra onlin came

www.easthealth.co.nz

HEALTH & WELLBEING

50 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

NANDISH HEALTH: LEADING THE FUTURE OF INTEGR ATED HEALTHCARE Nandish Health is setting a benchmark for patient-centred care, offering a visionary model integrating physical, neurological, and emotional well-being.

Founded by Dr Karen Singh, a visionary leader in neurobehavioral healthcare, the clinic at Meadowlands Shopping Centre provides services including chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage, psychology, and wellness care – all under one roof.

It recently welcomed Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who toured the facility and met Dr Singh and her team.

He expressed strong interest in Nandish Health’s innovative, holistic approach and its potential contribution to national healthcare reform.

Nandish Health treats conditions such as chronic pain, post-surgical recovery,

pregnancy-related discomfort, fatigue, migraines, anxiety, and nervous system dysregulation. It’s known for supporting patients with trauma, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, fibromyalgia, and burnout using root-cause assessments, hands-on therapies, and lifestyle interventions.

“Over a decade ago, we identified critical gaps in public and private healthcare particularly around preventative care,” Dr Singh says. “With 79 per cent of GPs reporting burnout, the system is failing patients and providers. Our model addresses this by treating health as interconnected – body, mind, and social well-being must be considered together.

Sustainable healthcare must support patients and practitioners.”

Founded as Nandish Chiropractic, the

Prime Minister and Botany MP Christopher Luxon met with Dr Karen Singh at her expanded Nandish Health clinic on June 10. clinic expanded and rebranded due to community demand, Dr Singh says. “We listened to our patients. Now, we help them restore balance, regulate their nervous systems, and build lasting selfcare routines.”

As the national conversation shifts and the health system faces rising demand and burnout among clinicians, Nandish Health stands out as a working model of integrated, future-focused care. www.nandish.health

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 51

WISE WORDS 13 JUNE

SELF-CARE WHE N YOU ’RE SICK MICHELLE KEENAN empowers people and organisations to achieve optimal wellbeing by providing customised wellness coaching programmes tailored to their unique goals.

As we’re heading into the thick of cold and flu season, and having just spent three days in bed with a nasty bout of Covid feeling like death would be a kind release, it seems timely to talk about looking after ourselves when we’re unwell!

We live in a culture that quietly applauds powering through, showing up, and pushing on, even when our bodies are clearly waving the white flag. Here’s the thing – being unwell isn’t a personal failure. It’s a signal. A message from your body saying, “hey, I need a break!”. When we ignore that message, recovery takes longer, energy depletes further, and we risk passing illness on to others.

So please, I’m begging you, give yourself permission – permission to rest. Permission to take the day off. Permission to say no to the meeting. Permission to spend the day in bed or on the couch, drinking soup or that old classic, a lemon and honey drink. Read, or binge a series, or doze while you listen to podcasts, or sleep all day.

Let the emails wait.

at your place or ours

Self-care when you’re sick isn’t indulgence, it’s essential for repair and recovery. Sleep is medicine. Hydration helps. So does stepping away from screens and letting your nervous system reset.

And if you’re someone who struggles to stop, try reframing rest as something productive. Because it really is. Don’t underestimate the power of small comforts. If you have the energy for a hot shower and fresh sheets, they might make you feel a little better. If, like me, that’s beyond your capacity for a few days, well, nobody will die if you don’t get out of your pyjamas or your bed for 48 hours.

I know some of you who pride yourself on being strong and self-sufficient will be horrified at this idea, but let (or, even more horrifying, ask!) others help you. Being a martyr is so third century, it’s time to move on and accept help rather than wallowing in your suffering. Finally, a gentle reminder: the world won’t fall apart if you’re out of action for a few days. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so rest to recover. www.michellekeenan.com

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52 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

WALKING CLUBS STRIDING SIDE-BY-SIDE

By DAVID MALLOWES With winter approaching it becomes harder to be motivated to get outside and walk and enjoy the fresh air. Walking groups give you multiple reasons to get out of bed and get moving – socialising, exploring, motivation, improving mental and physical health. And all you need is a pair of comfortable shoes and the willingness to take the first step. Here are some groups that I or friends have walked with and found to be very friendly and welcoming: The Howick Picton Walkers meet Monday and Thursday mornings at 9.15am in the car park behind Wild Wheat, at the Picton Centre entrance. $2 to walk, includes use of the upstairs lounge, tea and coffee.

Over 100 routes, about 75 minutes.

Virtual Village East senior walkers meet

at Homestead Cafe by Howick Historical Village at 10am on Thursdays for a 20 minute walk then coffee, all welcome.

Walkers and joggers from the Pakuranga Athletic Club head out from the Cascades Road clubrooms at 9am Tuesdays and Thursdays. See their website.

variety of activities and interests. More than 20 of these groups walk most weeks. You get to meet an incredible variety of people from all backgrounds and from all over the world. Most ask for a $2 contribution towards their costs.

The Howick Tramping Club are keen for new members. Go online to www.sporty. co.nz/howicktramping/Home. It meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the Pakuranga Croquet Club rooms.

Here are a few I’ve walked with: > Intrepid Auckland Walking Adventures – led by Marie or Rebecca, interesting urban and bush walks around Auckland. > Auckland Outdoors – hikes are usually in regional parks, 3-4 hours at a moderate pace, sometimes longer or overnight. > Weekend Walks and other Fun Things – led by Mary and three other guides, walks for fit people who want to exercise at a moderately fast pace, groups of 20-25.

Also, www.meetup.com is an excellent international website that acts as a marketing umbrella for over 400 Auckland groups representing a wide

So, why not give it a try? Your body, mind, and spirit will thank you. Join a walking group and rediscover the joy of putting one foot in front of the other.

The Beachlands Walking Group meets on Mondays at 9am, 35 local walks. Email petercwebster@icloud.com for details.

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www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 53

Changes implemented for fisheries offending

L

ocal fishers heading out from east Auckland for a day on the water need to be aware of recent regulatory changes that will see fisheries offences be subject to a broader range of penalties.

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says the only option to deal with some fisheries offences by commercial and recreational fishers previously has been prosecution, which can take a lot of time and resources and doesn’t always fairly reflect the level of offending.

“The new infringement offences mean Fishery Officers will be able to issue fines that are more proportionate to the level of offending, removing unnecessary cost and burden on the court system.”

Jones says the new infringement fees range from $200 to $500 depending on the offending.

“By fitting the punishment to the crime, we can free up the system to better deal with more serious offending.

“Make no mistake, fishers who break the rules will face the consequences and prosecution remains on the table where appropriate.”

New infringement offences will also apply for breaches of bylaws made under customary fishing regulations with fees ranging from $250 to $500.

Other regulatory changes now in force include allowing spearfishing by commercial fishers, and the use of underwater breathing apparatus (UBA) for harvesting scallops, Jones says.

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“Consumers here and around the world prize New Zealand’s seafood for its high quality and sustainability, so it makes good

sense to allow selective methods like spearfishing.”

Commercial spearfishing will be allowed in most waters around the South Island and lower North Island.

“While most areas are currently closed to scallop fishing, including all of the commercially fished scallop beds, the provision of UBA for commercial scallop-gathering provides a more selective harvesting method if the fishery is reopened in the future,” Jones says.

“This is about future-proofing the rules with sustainability at the core.”

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SPORTS

54 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

BBAFC’s Josh Smith honoured for 200th First Team appearance

By CHRIS HARROWELL It was always going to be a tough encounter and that’s what it proved to be.

Bucklands Beach Association Football Club (BBAFC) recently took on powerhouse Eastern Suburbs AFC in a Chatham Cup roundtwo match at Rogers Park in Bucklands Beach.

BBAFC plays in the NRFL Div2 while Eastern Suburbs is in the Northern League, two leagues above.

The several hundred supporters of both teams who turned out to catch the action were treated to a fast-paced game.

Eastern Suburbs made the most of its scoring opportunities and won 5-0, including a hat-trick to

Eber Ramirez. The match was the 200th First Team appearance for BBAFC player Josh Smith.

Club president Rachel Penney says they honoured Smith prior to the game with a specially embroidered playing shirt and presented him with a framed shirt and embroidered cap at the post-match celebrations.

Rogers Park in Bucklands Beach played host to a Chatham Cup encounter between Bucklands Beach AFC, in yellow and blue, and Eastern Suburbs AFC. Photos supplied by Tony Haack, Howick Photographic Society

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www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 55

Rower to make NZ debut

By PJ TAYLOR

I

n just three years of competing, exceptional rower Nathan Strachan has powered his way to the head of fields, earning a coveted national title and debut New Zealand team selection.

The year 13 Macleans College student has just completed an outstanding domestic rowing season in which he was unbeaten in all his competition under18 single sculls finals.

It culminated in victory at the prestigious Maadi Cup held at Lake Karapiro near Cambridge in March, the NZ secondary schools rowing regatta, one of the largest school sports events in the Southern Hemisphere.

“Nathan has worked incredibly hard this past year, showing remarkable discipline and determination,” says Allan Vester, head coach of Macleans College’s rowing programme.

Heading into the Maadi Cup regatta, Strachan says he believed he could achieve a great result but wasn’t taking anything for granted, maintaining total focus in rowing his way to

Nathan Strachan victories in the heats and finals.

“I was quietly confident.

I knew if I held my nerve I could do well.”

It’s the second year in a row that Macleans College has claimed the national young men’s single sculls title, with Strachan following his former schoolmate James Dimock’s triumph in 2024.

“The only time a school has done that [in consecutive years] was when Joseph Sullivan did it years ago [2004, 2005] for Queen Charlotte College,” Vester says.

Strachan is now pre-

paring to make his rowing debut for NZ, at the under19 world championships at Trakai in Lithuania, on August 6-10.

As well as rowing in the single sculls, he’s also teaming up with Harry Lightfoot of Wakatipu High School in the double sculls.

“I’m nervous but very excited,” Strachan says, ahead of his first international rowing mission.

“It’s quite hard to comprehend. I’ve been rowing against the best New Zealanders, and now I’ll be lining up against the best rowers from every country.”

Strachan, who was born in England and came to this country with his family when aged eight, pays tribute to his coaches of the past three years at Macleans College, Vester and Martin O’Brien.

“Without either of them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Allan was the coach who instilled the love of rowing in me.”

He leaves next week for an intensive six-week training programme at NZ Rowing’s base at Lake Karapiro in the lead-up to the under19 world champs.

He’s going to be busy on and off the water over these next two months, as

Strachan says he’s studying for Cambridge exams that are held two weeks after his return from Lithuania.

Vester says the trip to the Northern Hemisphere is expensive and Strachan welcomes any financial assistance.

“Participation in the international campaign is athlete-funded, with an estimated cost of $20,000 for the 10-week Karapiro to Lithuania campaign.

“To help make this dream a reality, Nathan’s supporters have launched a fundraising effort through Givealittle.

“Every contribution, no matter the size, helps Nathan take another stroke toward international success,” Vester says.

To donate to Strachan’s under-19 world championships rowing campaign, go to https://givealittle.co.nz/ cause/help-nathan-get-tou19-rowing-world-champs.

Sullivan is a former NZ representative rower, Olympic gold medallist, and member of Team New Zealand.

Strachan says Sullivan and Nathan Cohen, who won the “impossible” double sculls gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, are two of his major influences.

SPORTS

56 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

New era begins for Pakuranga Jaguars

By REGAN HARRISON, AUT Journalism Student

T

he Pakuranga Jaguars Rugby League Club’s Premier side have had a challenging start to their 2025 season with four losses in a row.

Despite the slow start, the team’s morale is high in their first year after a major revamp, bringing in new coaches and players, specifically younger ones.

The Jaguars, whose home ground is at Ti Rakau Park, have introduced a new head coach this season in Gary Kingi, who’d previously had a role within the team.

They’re taking full advantage of this revamp and are implementing a new culture to the side, after finishing seventh in the Sharman Cup competition, winning three matches.

“The culture of the team was a little bit lacklustre, so we did a big overhaul,” Kingi says.

“That was probably the main goal. For example,

connection was one of the goals they all came up with.”

The Jaguars are confident in the talent within their squad, despite the tough start to the new season. Kingi says the team’s strengths are their speed, skill and mobility.

But he acknowledges there’s still work to be done, particularly around decision-making and game awareness.

“Just our team IQ, I think,” he says. “You know, we don’t have a lot of experience in our team. Lots of new young boys coming through.”

Kingi says these areas of growth are all part of a long-term process, with the team focused on building toward a stronger finish this season.

They’re aiming for the finals, and making real progress in 2026.

Reflecting on the environment within the club’s senior sides, club manager Rawinia Mana says: “It’s great this year – they’ve had a bit of a turnaround.

Just with new and younger

Gary Kingi is the new head coach of the Pakuranga Jaguars Rugby League Club’s Premier side.

Times photo Regan Harrison

players coming in. There’s a different vibe around the seniors this year.”

On another front, after a heartbreaking finals loss last year, the Jaguars under-18 girls side are confident in their 2025 campaign, despite a slow start and key player losses, with rep talent and injured players now returning.

They face the Mangere East Hawks Rugby League Queenz this weekend, aiming to reignite their finals hopes and take control of their 2025 campaign after opening the season with one win from three matches.

Rokeni Tofaeono, who manages the under-18 girls

team, highlights the squad’s main focus areas and says low training numbers have made building team chemistry the biggest challenge.

“We’ve got a good core of individuals. Combination – we need to build combination.”

People keen to follow the club’s season can do so via its ‘Pakuranga Jaguars Rugby League’ Facebook page and they’re also keen to hear from potential new players.

The club’s Premier side, who are currently in seventh position in the Sharman Cup, play the Glenora Bears away at Harold Moody Park at 2.30pm this Saturday, June 14.

PUZZLES

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 57

PUZZLE TIME CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 8181

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

ACROSS

1. Misled, wouldn’t you agree, about the halter? (3,5). 6. A poem about how you are unhappy (4). 8. Works with the ball-boy (4). 9. Have the horse stop and I will get on (8). 10.

An author or two (5). 11. The man, you assume, is in England (6). 13. Banker staying in a guest-house (6). 15. Mum regrets hiding the pieces of film (6). 17. Won’t keep still while you play (6). 19. Started, for instance, in the prohibition (5). 22.

Undo and reveal? (8). 23. Constitutional act (4). 24. Needs, out West, workers (4). 25. In fear and trembling, hide the gun in the shutter (8).

8

9

10

11 12

13

15

14

16

DOWN

2. Give a quarter to a down-and-out (5). 3. Tying up when it’s raining (7). 4. Be surprised to find the sun peeping through the opening (4). 5. Are they lagging behind other advertisements? (8). 6. See through the people at the greengrocer’s (5). 7. Mean to sit for first (7). 12. Wouldn’t go through with it when one gave the starting signal (5,3). 14.

View as something edible; good right through (7). 16. Ties in loops round the little gift for the child (7). 18. Shorten “arrival and departure areas” (5). 20. Say you will again, in time (5).

21. Pronounced the vowels in “trees” (4).

17

19

18

20

21 23

22

25

24

QUICK PUZZLE NO. 8181

Puzzle answers on page 62

Sudoku PUZZLE NO. 158

ACROSS

1. Creature (8) 6. Search (4) 8. Stage (4) 9. Musical instrument (8) 10. Sag (5) 11. Whiten (6) 13. Pencil (6) 15. Wealth (6) 17. Siren (6) 19. Sphere (5) 22. Obstruction (8) 23. Meat (4) 24. Salver (4) 25. Gas (8)

DOWN

2. Absolute (5) 3. Disease (7) 4. Ceremony (4) 5. Convict (8) 6. Rope (5) 7. Handcuff (7) 12. Intrude (8) 14. Fowl (7) 16. Music (7) 18. Intoxicated (5) 20. Push (5) 21. Peruse (4)

58 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

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O most beautiful flower of Mt Carmel, fruit of the vine, splendours of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin assist me in this my necessity. O star of the sea, help me and show me herein, you are my mother.

O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me here you are my Mother. O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to three (3 times).

Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands. Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine.

Amen. The prayer must be said for 3 days and the request will be granted and the prayer must be published.

62 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

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Public Meeting & AGM Educator (Casual)

Featuring Diane Turner, Director, Office for Seniors Resonate Hearing

Job title: Educator Reports to: Education Manager Contract: Casual Salary: $23.65/hr Support the mission of Howick Historical Village as one of our valued Educators and help bring history to life through engaged learning. This is a casual role, working with a team of educators to provide a memorable learning experience for school groups and visitors using classroom-based teaching. There is also an opportunity to join the Visitor Host team for one Saturday/month. For more information about the role, what to expect, and what the successful candidate will bring to the position, please see the job posting our website: www.historicalvillage.org.nz/jobs.

Please apply by emailing your resume and cover letter to manager@historicalvillage.org.nz

Grey Power Howick Pakuranga & Districts Association Inc. PO Box 38-281, Howick, Auckland 2145

SITUATIONS VACANT

SITUATIONS VACANT

Friday, 27 June 2025 Howick Presbyterian Church (St Andrews) 11 Vincent Street, Howick

1.00-1.05pm – Welcome 1.05-1.30pm – Annual General Meeting 1.30-2.15pm – Diane Turner 2.15-2.30pm – Refreshments 2.30-3.00pm – Resonate Hearing 3.00pm – Finish

All Welcome!

Grey Power N E W Z E A L A N D F E D E R AT I O N I N C

NOTICE OF AGM Sunday 15 June 2025 4pm 6 Oleander Point Sunnyhills

COMMUNITY SERVICES JUSTICE OF THE PEACE SERVICE DESKS

• Monday Botany Library 12-1.30pm • Tuesday Pakuranga Library 10-11am Howick Library 12-1pm Ormiston Mall 6-7.30pm • Wednesday Botany Library 12-1.30pm

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PUZZLE SOLUTIONS QUICK NO. 8181 CRYPTIC NO. 8181 Across - 1, Bullfrog. 6, Comb. 8, Across - 1,R-ed l-ight. 6, Mope Step. 9, Trombone. 10, Droop. (anag.). 8, O-Des. 9, Stall-I-on.

11, Bleach. 13, Crayon. 15, Rich- 10, (Mark) Twain. 11, Lon-don. 13, es. 17, Hooter. 19, Globe. 22, Lodger. 15, Ru-sh-es. 17, Fiddle.

Stoppage. 23, Pork. 24, Tray. 19, B-eg-an. 22, Dis-close. 23, 25, Hydrogen.

Turn. 24, (W)Ants. 25, Fa-sten-er.

Down - 2, Utter. 3, Leprosy. Down - 2, E-ndow. 3, Lashing. 4, 4, Rite. 5, Gaolbird. 6, Cable. Ga-s-p. 5, Trailers. 6, Me-‑lo-n. 7, 7, Manacle. 12, Encroach. 14, Pro-pose. 12, Cried off. 14, O-piRooster. 16, Calypso. 18, Tipsy. nion. 16, S-wee-tie. 18, Docks. 20, 20, Barge. 21, Read.

Ag-re-e. 21, Yews (Us).

Opening hours Beachlands Mon, Wed - Fri Medical Centre 8.15am - 5pm Botany Terrace Mon - Fri Medical Centre 8.30am-5.45pm Clevedon Mon, Tue & Thu 8.30am-5pm Medical Centre Wed & Fri 8.30am-1pm Mon - Fri Crawford Medical 7.30am- 7pm Eastern Family Mon - Fri Doctors 9am-5.30pm Botany Junction Mon & Wed 7am-5pm Medical Centre Tue, Thu & Fri 8am-5pm Mon - Fri Ormiston Medical 7.30am-5pm - Fri Highbrook Medical Mon 8am-5pm Howick House Mon - Thu 8.30am-6pm Medical Centre Fri 8.30am-5pm Mon - Fri Juliet Ave Surgery 8.30am-5pm Kawakawa Bay/ Mon, Wed - Fri Orere Health Clinic 9am-noon Highland Park Mon - Wed & Fri Medical Centre 8.30am-5pm Mon - Fri Marina Medical 8.30am-5pm Millhouse Integrative Mon - Fri Medical Centre 8.30am-6.30pm Mon, Wed, Fri Tend Pakuranga 8am-6pm Mon - Fri Picton Surgery 8.30am-5.30pm Pukekohe Family Mon - Fri Health Care 8am-5pm Vincent Street Mon - Fri Family Doctors 8am-5.30pm Clinic name

day walk in Extended hours Same service Tues No, bookings only 8.15am-7.30pm No

No, bookings only

No

No, bookings only

Sat 9am-noon

Yes. Walk-ins Mon-Fri 9am-noon

No

No, bookings only

Sat 8am-noon No

Yes. Walk-ins via Highbrook Medical

No

Yes. Walks in Mon-Fri 8am-4pm

No

No, bookings only

No

No, bookings only No, bookings only

Thu 8.30am-8pm

No, bookings only

No

No, bookings only

Sat 9am-noon Tue & Thu 8am-7pm

No, bookings only

No

No, bookings only

No

No, bookings only

No

No, bookings only

No, bookings only

FIND YOUR AGENT

www.times.co.nz | Friday, June 13, 2025 | 63

Tony de Leeuw

Jenny Benoy

“Over 20 years experience selling in Real Estate”

“Delivering exceptional service & outstanding results.”

021 716 288

021 722 933

Almarie Badenhorst & Chanelle Mansell

Are you and your family looking for a new direction?

“Local Knowledge & Proven Results”

"Motherdaughter duo redefining real estate with a unique approach."

PH: 027 552 8388

tony.deleeuw@bayleys.co.nz

jenny.benoy@bayleys.co.nz

A: 021 140 7667 l C: 021 059 5031

karen.kingdon@raywhite.com

Richard & Pheon

Mike Chen

Carol Woods

Brandon McCorkindale

“Your Kiwi Chinese Premier Team”

Your #1 Go-To Agent for Seamless Sales in Eastern Suburbs!

R: 021865516 l P: 0212934255

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Mark Muller

Loretta Li

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027 452 2159

" Partnering with

Jun Luo "Focusing on

success in East

results for every

Auckland."

property sale"

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Cathy Hu

Evan Davies

“Here for you - free appraisal to get started!”

“Navigate Your

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027 233 1657

karl.vermeulen@harcourts.co.nz

Karen & Edmund Lee

Family helping Families.

027 333 5666

deliver outstanding

l.li@barfoot.co.nz

“Over $850,000,000 worth of local sales since 1999!”

021 916 860

Mark Muller to

m.muller@barfoot.co.nz

Karl Vermeulen 027 204 4249

“Sending People Packing Since 2017”

“More than 27 years selling East Auckland Real Estate”

Real Estate Journey with Confidence”

e.davies@barfoot.co.nz

Michael Ellse “Award winner for outstanding sales performance”

021 312 886 l 021 612 033

Jacky Ng Top Sales, Proven Results, 12+ Years Expertise

021 251 3879 j.ng@barfoot.co.nz Simon & Renee Davies 021 535 280 021 145 9749

Trusted Husband & Wife team.

Living & selling locally.

021 187 9866 j.luo@barfoot.co.nz

Lucy Bondarenko

Your Trusted Partners in Real Estate.

021 638 832

l.bondarenko@gmail.com

Linda Hunt

linda.hunt@raywhite.com

Successful Knowledgeable Caring Now Realty Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008

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021 288 1562

64 | Friday, June 13, 2025 | www.times.co.nz

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