Times/EastLife - April 17 2024

Howick & Pakuranga

AIMING FOR MT EVEREST BASE CAMP



By CHRIS HARROWELL

Nine intrepid Kiwi adventurers are on their way to a remote location forever linked to New Zealand’s most famous mountaineer.

Among the group who departed the country on April 16 destined for Mount Everest base camp in the Himalayas is east Auckland couple Wesley Upfold, who runs a successful food truck business, and primary school teacher Nicki Reid.

The campsite is used by people during their ascent and descent of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, which was first summited by Kiwi Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953.

Their group includes several of Upfold’s family members and several of their friends.

“We’re flying to Singapore and then Kathmandu, and then we’re on a five-hour deadly bus ride, which goes along the sides of the mountains to Ramechhap,” Upfold says.

“Then we fly to Lakla, which is world’s deadliest airport. If there’s any bad weather it’s a no-go.

“If you can’t fly in you’re either delayed or you have to book a helicopter. It flies from Kathmandu but that’s US$300 extra. Once we land in Lakla we start straight away. We have a three- to five-hour walk and then we go every day.

“It’s between six to eight hours on foot.”

Upfold says the group will start walking first thing in the morning and finish depending on how far they have to go. They stop for lunch at about 10am.

“That’s because you’ve had breakfast early and you can’t walk in the heat of the sun when it’s 23 degrees.

“As soon as the sun drops the temperature goes negative. It’s eight days there and four days back.”

Reid says the group won’t get to linger at base camp for long.

“The day we go there we start at one of the tea houses. We walk for three to four hours to base camp and we’re only there for 30 minutes to take photos. Then we walk back to that same tea house to sleep that night. They don’t let you hang around there because they’ve got all the tents set up for the people who are summiting Everest.”

Porters will carry up all of the group’s luggage and everything they plan to eat and use.

It’s Upfold and Reid’s first trip to base camp and has been his bucketlist adventure for some time.

“I’ve always wanted to go and when my brother-in-law said he and his sister are going ... and the group can go up to 10 people and would I like to come, without even asking my wife I said, ‘yep, done, I’m eager!’.”

 Turn to page 5

East Auckland couple Wesley Upfold and Nicki Reid are on their way to Mount Everest base camp in the Himalayas. Times photo Wayne Martin

Progress on Roads of National Significance

The Coalition Government is committed to getting New Zealand moving in the right direction again and we are moving at pace to deliver the change our country needs.

As Minister of Transport, a key piece of work I have been undertaking is our plan to build 15 new Roads of National Significance (RoNS) around New Zealand.

These RoNS were outlined in our Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport released earlier this year, which prioritises economic growth and productivity, maintenance and resilience, safety and value for money.

Rebuilding New Zealand’s economy is a key goal for our Government, and upgrading our transport infrastructure with these priorities in mind will help us achieve that.

Further progress on the plan-

MP for Pakuranga Simeon Brown

ning for these new RoNS was announced last week, with NZTA [NZ Transport Agency] releasing its proposed delivery approach through the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP).

The SHIP outlines how NZTA plans to deliver projects like the RoNS and set out a long-term construction pipeline for the next decade.

This will include the possibility

of accelerating project development through fast-track legislation and seeking new sources of funding and financing to ensure timely and on budget delivery.

The SHIP also includes the Coalition Government’s commitments to other major infrastructure projects like a second Waitemata Harbour Crossing, the Northwest Rapid Transit Corridor, and increased investment in road maintenance and renewals.

We know that we must move quickly to deliver the transport infrastructure New Zealand needs, and that long-term planning is essential to provide certainty and to ensure we keep up with population and economic growth.

This kind of thinking has been missing for the last six years, with the previous Government dragging its feet on important projects and cancelling many outright.

Howick College, Saint Kents off to nationals

More than 200 students came together to celebrate the work of William Shakespeare, performing a selection of fiveand 15-minute scenes in Macleans College’s auditorium on Sunday, April 7. The audience was treated to The Merry Wives of Windsor meets 1950s housewife: a Gatsby-esque interpretation of the play Much Ado About Nothing and a striking visual interpretation of jealousy in Othello

Seven different colleges competed from Auckland South and East Region.

Saint Kentigern College’s unique interpretation of

Communities across the country have been crying out for greater investment, so I am pleased to see NZTA moving quickly to deliver on the Coalition Government’s transport priorities.

The NZTA Board must adopt a new National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) by September 1, which will confirm which projects may be funded by the National Land Transport Fund over the 2024-2027 period.

I am looking forward to the NLTP’s release later in the year and to confirmation of muchneeded investment into our transport infrastructure.

To learn more about the State Highway Investment Proposal, you can visit NZTA’s website at www.nzta.govt.nz and search for “State Highway Investment”.

 Simeon Brown, Member of Parliament for Pakuranga

Troilus and Cressida and Howick College’s witty performance of The Two Gentlemen of Verona were selected to progress to the National Festival in Wellington run by Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand in conjunction

with the University of Otago.

Judges Jan Saussey and Dr Jane Luton praised the participants for the hard work which had gone into their pieces and the imaginative interpretations of Shakespeare’s plays.

Saint Kentigern College’s unique interpretation of Troilus and Cressida and Howick College’s witty performance of The Two Gentlemen of Verona were selected to progress to the National Festival. Photo Joseph Zhang

PAIR ARE CHARGED OVER FATAL CRASH

„ By CHRIS HARROWELL

Police have charged two people following a fatal crash that claimed the lives of popular east Auckland couple David and Jill McArthur.

The artistic Golflands couple, who were aged in their 80s, died following a collision between the vehicle they were in and another car at about 2.42pm on May 31 last year in Botany.

One of their beloved pet dogs, Misty Rose, was killed in the crash on Botany Road also.

A police spokesperson says: “Police can confirm charges were laid in the latter months of last year over the fatality on Botany Road.

“Three charges have been laid under the Land Transport Act.

“A 17-year-old male is before the Manukau Youth Court on two charges of unnecessary exhibition of speed or acceleration causing death.

“A 21-year-old woman is before the Manukau District Court on a charge of operating a

vehicle in a race or in unnecessary exhibition of speed or acceleration. She has pleaded guilty and will appear for sentencing in the Manukau District Court on May 21.”

The police spokesperson says the first and second charges carry maximum penalties of 10 years in prison or a $20,000 fine if convicted. The third charge carries maximum penalties of three months in prison or a $4500 fine if convicted.

As the Times reported last year, following their tragic deaths the McArthurs were remembered as kind-hearted people who always had time for others.

Their death notice in the NZ Herald newspaper described them as dearly loved parents, devoted grandparents, and “amazing artists, gardeners and respected members of their Botany community”.

They’d been married for 54 years.

First electric ferry charger to be installed at Half Moon Bay

„ By LAURA KVIGSTAD, Auckland Council reporter funded by New Zealand on Air

Auckland Transport (AT) says electric ferry charging infrastructure is expected to be installed at Half Moon Bay this year.

At council’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee on April 4, AT gave an update on the future of electric ferries.

Chief executive officer Dean Kimpton said four electric ferries are currently being built, two 200 passenger battery electric ferries and two 300 passenger electric hybrid ferries for the Devonport ferry route.

Kimpton had previously

A 3D render of the charging dispenser (or MCS tower) that’s to be installed at Half Moon Bay.

We’re hosting morning tea at our place!

Wednesday 17 & Thursday 18 April.

expressed concerns over funding issues for the infrastructure but confirmed at committee that a contract had been placed for the charging infrastructure.

“We are working very hard to get charging infrastructure in place and installation of the first charger is due out at Half Moon Bay later this year,” Kimpton said.

The charging infrastructure is expected to be shipped this May to Half Moon Bay.

WHAT’S WHAT:

Charging dispensers will be installed at each AT ferry terminal where ferry charging is required. Half Moon Bay is scheduled to be the first ferry terminal to get ferry charging infrastructure.

One charging dispenser will be installed on the floating pontoon at the Half Moon Bay ferry terminal. The dispenser will have two charging plugs that will connect to the ferry like a petrol pump arrangement.

The charging dispenser will be approximately 3.5m tall.

The charging dispenser will be connected to additional charging equipment that will be installed near the ferry terminal.

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Police attended the crash scene on Botany Road on May 31 last year. File photo

AIMING FOR MT EVEREST BASE CAMP

h From page 1

Ayoung Auckland farmer is in it to win it after two years of coming in second.

Last weekend marked 31-year-old Whitford-based Sam Waugh’s last chance to compete at the highly anticipated Northern FMG Young Farmer of the Year Regional Final. The two-day contest was held from April 12-13 at Mangakahia Sports and Community Complex in Poroti in Whangārei.

It’s the seventh and final regional competition in the race to find New Zealand’s top young farmers for 2024. Six other regional finals have taken place across Aotearoa between February and April, with only the top contestants qualifying for a spot at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final, being held in Hamilton in July.

Waugh is among 80 AgriKidsNZ, FMG Junior Young Farmer and FMG Young Farmer contestants from Auckland and Northland vying for this year’s Northern regional contest. Placing second at last year’s contest has only fuelled his determination to give it all he’s got.

Last chance at rural stardom for farmer Youth Space opens

Waugh spends his days managing 125 cows on the NZ Young Farmer-owned educational dairy farm ‘Donald’s Farm’ in Whitford, Auckland.

Working with several schools in the region, Waugh and his team connect students to not just farming but the wider food and fibre sector.

Reflecting on his decade as a Young Farmer’s leader and member, Waugh says the only piece of advice he would give to passionate young farmers is to embrace discomfort, not just in the competition but in life.

“Often the ones who are nervous to give it a go get the most out of it. Be comfortable being uncomfortable, because that’s where you grow the most. I know I have, at least,” says Waugh.

Convenor and Whangarei Young Farmers member Ira Martinac says contestants will need to showcase a wide breadth of knowledge if they want to progress to the grand final.

Contestants will compete in one of three categories depending on their age. Primary school students, some as young as eight, can enter the AgriKidsNZ contest, while

CHARLOTTE LOSES BATTLE WITH ILLNESS

A former finalist in the Miss Howick beauty pageant has died in the UK after a long illness.

Charlotte Pennington, who died on March 9, aged 38, completed her schooling in Bucklands Beach and Howick, finishing at Howick College.

Charlotte was a finalist in Miss Howick and Miss Auckland 2004.

In 2007, she joined her parents Collette and Stuart Wighton when they moved back to live in the UK.

Both Collette and Charlotte starred in several plays at Howick Little Theatre.

“Charlotte loved to come and sit in my garden for a chat. She had a beautiful heart and shared her many aspirations with me,” says Val Lott who used to run the beauty pageants.

Her father said in an email to Lott, “Hello Val. It is with great sadness that we must inform you that we lost Charlotte on Saturday evening.

“She had been seriously ill for many years but had a real fighting spirit. Unfortunately, in the end, willpower alone was not enough and her body could take no more.

high school students, working in teams of two, are eligible for the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year competition. Those who’ve left school compete alone for a shot at rural stardom in the FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

NZ Young Farmers Chief Executive Lynda Coppersmith says it’s encouraging to see a high number of entries into this year’s competition, with 43

“We are grateful that she was deeply unconscious during her final hours.

“We are also incredibly grateful to the work of the people in the NHS and especially her nephrologist [a doctor who specialises in kidney disorders], who took on the diagnosis and treatment for the incredibly rare set of ailments and, in doing so, won us back perhaps an additional decade to spend with our beloved daughter.

“Charlotte fondly remembered her time with you Val, and the pageants. Thank you what you did for her in helping to turn our lovely girl into a beautiful woman.”

Young people living in the local community now have a place to call their own.

The East Auckland Youth Space opened at the Botany Town Centre on April 6.

The community hub is developed and run by Te Tuhi and funded by the Howick Local Board with support from the Howick Youth Council and Botany Town Centre.

“We’re thrilled to see this concept realised,” local board chairperson Damian Light says.

“The pilot was a massive success and proved the need for something more permanent.

“With a quarter of our population under the age of 20, locals have been clear they want to see more opportunities for youth.”

The project has been a decade in the making. It traces its roots to a request from the youth council to the local board to consider a dedicated youth facility in the community. That led to a “highly successful” pilot programme that engaged with more than 10,000 local intermediate and secondary school students.

The youth council says the trial youth space highlighted the demand for and importance of community connection among local youth, “so this new space

Reid wasn’t initially planning on going along as well but changed her mind when she went to book the tickets. “At the time there were quite a few people around us who we’d heard were coming down with different illnesses,” she says.

“It was kind of the mentality of, ‘you only live once’, and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, so why not?

“So I tagged along too.”

When the Times asks Upfold and Reid what they think the hardest part of the adventure will be, Reid answers without hesitation.

“Not showering. For about 10 of the 12 days we won’t have access to showers.”

Upfold adds: “You can shower but generally it’s going to cost you a lot of money, and also for all water that’s heated above tree line the gas is heated by yak poo.”

And having to reduce their luggage hasn’t been easy either.

per cent of contestants being first-timers.

“This is the 56th season of FMG New Zealand Young Farmers and it’s shaping up to be one of our best yet with many new faces including a large number of primary students entering our AgriKidsNZ competition.

“It just goes to show the future of farming is in good hands,” says Coppersmith.

“We bought up everything,” Upfold says. “Fourteen pairs of undies. Say you’ve got six shirts, you can get away with it. As soon as we put it all onto the scale we realised, ‘okay so what are we dropping?’

“So six pairs of undies disappeared. Six pairs of socks disappeared.

“And if you’re trying to dry stuff at -20 degrees it tends to go like a solid block of ice so on our backpacks we’ve got a whole lot of carabiner clips.”

is amazing news for our local rangatahi”.

“We are incredible thankful to the Howick Local Board, who have fully funded and developed this initiative every step of the way. The youth space would not be able to operate without their support.

“We would also like to recognise Te Tuhi for their partnership in bringing about the youth space.” Te Tuhi director Hiraani Himona says the organisation has loved being part of the project and

it’s excited to be opening the permanent space with the opportunities it gives young people for the future.

The youth space will feature study spaces, social nooks, creative spots and game zones.

It’s open from 3.30pm-6pm Monday-Thursday, 3.30pm-7pm on Friday and 11am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday and located beside the Robert Harris Coffee shop on the same level as Hoyts Cinemas at Botany Town Centre.

Charlotte Pennington, right, with mum Collette Wighton.

Sam Waugh on Donald’s Farm in Whitford. Photo supplied

Cutting the ribbon to open the new Youth Space at Botany Town Centre were Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light and Howick Youth Council chairs Tiffany Chan and Kelly Yan. Photo supplied

Prepare for your wonderful ‘Third Age’

If you’re around 50 to 75 years old, you’re in your Third Age of life.

The kids have (hopefully!) moved out, your working life is evolving or ending, and you may be traveling and/or looking to change how you live. In wanting to care for yourself and your family at this time, there are some key questions you’ll want to consider.

As specialists in Third Age Law, James Donovan Lawyers recommend you start here:

Do I have a current Will, and have I created an Enduring Power of Attorney?

Families change, as do the resources available to you.

If you want your wishes respected, it’s critical you update your Will so that it’s clear and incontestable.

Equally, it’s important to set out an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) that stipulates who runs your

affairs if you can’t, and to provide layers – so that if your first choice is unwilling or unable, another trusted person can step in and make decisions around your care and property if required.

If you don’t have an EPA, your nearest relative will have to apply to the court for one, and that’s an expensive, drawn-out process.

Am I ready to sell my house and move into a retirement village or managed care?

Conveyancing can be complex and highly detailed.

We can ensure a “no hooks” settlement and also advise on the Occupation Right Agreement (ORA) you’ll be asked to sign for your new place.

Units that allow capital gains are rare, and we can advise on those too. These ORA agreements are

Third Age law specialists.

We’ve been in Howick since 1970, and in that time we have become highly skilled in helping clients as they transition into their Third Age. Come visit us in our newly refurbished office, and let us advise you on your best legal options, so you can make the most of this relaxing and productive part of life.

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usually locked, but we can highlight potential issues, or suggest questions you should ask – especially around fees, and transitioning through different layers of care in the same facility.

Do I need to update my trust?

As your business and living arrangements have evolved, or you have perhaps entered into a second or third relationship, any trusts that you have created will also need to evolve.

We can advise on updating beneficiaries and trustees, creating a memorandum of guidance for your trustees, and how to create a watertight link between your trust(s) and your Will.

Third Age is a wonderful time –you’ve earned it! Making sure you’re well prepared legally will ensure it’s even better.

Newbury stepping down

Sadly we bid farewell to our esteemed village manager, Jane Newbury, on April 24, marking the end of her remarkable tenure.

Jane has been the driving force behind our signature events, including the Christmas Fair, Howick Village Hop and Cultural Food Festival. While we will miss her leadership, we’re excited to welcome Libby Evans as our newly-appointed events manager, who has seamlessly transitioned into her role and is already preparing for the upcoming Star Insure Howick Village Hop scheduled on October 12.

The hugely-successful Howick Village Market will continue to thrive under the stewardship of Sarah Laing, our market manager.

Join us for the highly-anticipated third annual Anzac Light & Sound Tribute, presented by the Howick Village Association. This moving 30-minute film will be screened at Bosuns Bar, 78 Picton Street, at 7pm on

Monday, April 22, and Wednesday, April 24.

Over the last couple of years, this sentimental tribute has captivated audiences, being an appropriate, poignant homage to our local war heroes, who are also commemorated on our Stockade Hill Cenotaph.

Recently, we celebrated the success of our local businesses at the inaugural East Auckland Business Awards, a collaborative effort with Business East Tamaki and supported by the Howick Local Board.

Among the winners were Resonate Health, Poppies Howick and Daisy Chang. Congratulations to them all!

Looking ahead, Rotary will kick off their Winter Blanket Campaign throughout May, while East FM hosts their Vinyl and Music Sale at the War Memorial Building on Saturday, May 11. They are also hosting a Vinylthon from midday, Saturday, April 20 to midday, Sunday, April 21. They are joining radio stations worldwide to honour the magic of

music on vinyl records.

For updates and insights into our vibrant community, don’t forget to grab your copy of the Community Chimes Newsletter, available outside our office doors located behind the War Memorial Building at 6/1 Central Terrace.

Stay connected and informed about all the exciting happenings in our wonderful Village.

„ Gerald Patterson, Chairperson – Howick Village Association

Jane Newbury is leaving her position as village manager.

Howick Audiology business Resonate Health claimed the Supreme Award at the inaugural East Auckland Business Awards held recently.

OUR DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN

I am writing in response to the Howick Residents and Ratepayers Association letter published in the Howick & Pakuranga Times on April 3, 2024.

The Howick Local Board has been busy serving our diverse communities across Howick, Pakuranga, Botany, and Flat Bush. Recently we’ve delivered Celebrating Cultures and Music in Parks, in addition to funding for local community events like the Auckland Brit and Euro Classic Car Show, the Pakuranga Rotary Family Carnival and River Festival, the Howick Village Cultural Food Festival, and the inaugural East Auckland Business Awards.

Last year, the newly-elected Howick Local Board made an extraordinary effort to consult with the public to understand their priorities, attending over a dozen community events plus two special sessions with all the local residents and ratepayer associations. We used that feedback to develop our latest Local Board Plan which is our threeyear strategy and we’re pleased to be making good progress. To make sure we’re still delivering for our community, we’ve recently checked in with the public and we appreciate everyone who took time to provide feedback.

It’s important to note that Local Boards do not have decision-making authority over zoning or planning rules, but we continue to strongly advocate for infrastructure to be in place before intensification is approved. Sandspit Road has been fast-tracked by the previous Government, removing Auckland Council from the decision-making process. We continue to advocate on behalf of the community for the right outcome.

Our business meetings are where your elected represent-

atives discuss, debate and vote so there must be robust rules to ensure we meet our legal obligations as well as maintaining an open and fair democracy.

Therefore, they’re not always the ideal place to engage in meaningful, two-way conversations, which is why we continue to create opportunities to meet with groups and individuals. We’ve met with the Howick Residents and Ratepayers Association on a range of issues, including the Howick War Memorial Hall. There have been no decisions on how this building will be managed, hence why there has been no update.

Our meetings are normally scheduled for the third Thursday of each month and we receive the agenda at the same time as the public (normally the Friday before). Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings and we always have a spot allocated for public forum and deputations. We haven’t turned anyone down for a speaking slot despite very high numbers of requests, ensuring that the public can always have their say. Minutes are published for every meeting, along with a recording for additional transparency (even though this isn’t required).

As we’ve discussed before, workshops are confidential because they often cover topics and materials that are commercially sensitive. A list of topics and who attended these workshops are published each month to provide transparency. We’re looking at ways to further improve the transparency around these workshops, without compromising good decision-making outcomes for our community.

Our monthly email newsletter provides updates on what we’ve been doing as well as what is happening in the community. You can also follow our Facebook page for more regular updates and we have a regular piece in

the Times. We can always do more to improve communication and are open to suggestions on what else we can do. There is also an open invitation to every group and resident of the area – if you’d like to meet with us to discuss any ideas or concerns, please contact us as we’d love to talk.

Damian Light, Chairperson, Howick Local Board

$272,000 FOR CROSSING

Auckland Transport [AT] is planning to build a raised zebra crossing on Litten Road outside the Litten Road Shopping Centre.

This proposal was put out for public feedback on December 19, 2023.

Cockle Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association followed up in January, 2024, asking AT for more information.

We received a reply advising how much the raised zebra crossing is going to cost – it’s estimated at $272,543.16 as at February 8, 2024. As at March 19, $42,000 has already been spent. Where to from here?

You can go to our Facebook page Cockle Bay Residents & Ratepayers or the website ‘www. cocklebay.co.nz’ to read more.

Let’s stop this unnecessary and wasteful spending!

Maja Heiniger, Cockle Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association

DEMOLITION OF LOVED AND THRIVING COMMUNITY GARDEN

The Mangemangeroa Reserve Community Garden has been demolished by Auckland Council for no reason other than a Farming Trust was given permission to take the stockyards away.

You may have seen the tall bright orange sunflowers or the sweet pea flowers as you have been along Somerville Road.

The garden grew many vegetables – sweetcorn, kumara, dwarf, runner and snake beans, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, courgette, buttercup, onions, silver beet and celery to name just some. It also contained many herbs and beneficial flowers which were always covered with bees. All community gardens provide valuable food in the current economic environment. They help feed their communities while developing valuable skills and gardening knowledge.

Seeing the cattle yards were inactive and with verbal encouragement from two councillors at the Friends of Mangemangeroa planting day in early June, 2022, Margaret Kitchen put in a formal proposal for a community garden to the Howick Board mid-June, 2022. She received an acknowledgement of the email but nothing further. So she went ahead and started a pilot garden anyway. Council staff looked in when they were passing and didn’t disapprove. Other volunteers joined the journey contributing valuable gardening experience and advice. What was grown was distributed each Wednesday.

When the volunteers heard the stockyards were to be removed Margaret made a formal presentation to the Howick

Local Board and received positive feedback. Then, 18 months after sending the initial email and a proposal, a reply was finally received stating that a landowner approval application could be submitted but it was unlikely to be successful.

Sadly, the garden has been demolished, the timber taken and the area levelled. It is disappointing the council did not support this local initiative which contributed to the community and has cost council nothing.

Margaret Kitchen and Monique Pot

FISHING HOOKS LEFT BY FISHERS

I was walking on the Farm Cove Walkway with my dog and found a large fish hook with bait attached lying on the grass by the Pakuranga Sailing Club.

Presumably it was left behind by a rather careless fisher. This is the second time we have found a large fish hook. That first one was in our dog’s mouth. A rescue dog with a high food drive, she thought it was great until the hook went into her tongue and the roof of her mouth. A large vet bill followed.

[This is] a reminder to return home with all the equipment taken to the beach.

Deborah Geisler

Gallipoli artwork named among finalists

Work by an east Auckland artist is among the finalists in Australia’s prestigious Gallipoli Art Prize.

John Richardson is a student of wellknown local artist and tutor Tony Clarke, who runs TC Fine Art in Pakuranga.

The organisers of the Gallipoli Art Prize say the concept of conducting art competitions in Australia and Turkey to commemorate the legacy of the heroes who fought on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915, during World War I, was conceived in 2004 and developed over the following two years.

“The project has achieved over a decade of successful competition due to the wonderful support from artists in Australia, New Zealand Turkey, and governments and communities in Australia and Turkey.”

The work Richardson entered into the competition is entitled Gallipoli – Past and Present and is painted with acrylic on canvas.

His artist statement says the painting encapsulates the memory of the ANZACs and today’s regenerated Gallipoli Peninsula.

“A distant St James Cathedral represents Great Britain, from which orders are issued to deploy the ANZACs to Gallipoli.

“Although time melts away, Aust. Private Robert William Hartley’s pocket watch forever captures the time of the first advance. His watch stops in the salt water as he exists his landing craft.

“Soldiers, like migrating birds today, gather along the peninsula.

“A young ANZAC finds safety behinds a wall of sandbags. He sees himself as a ‘sitting duck’.

“Red roses denote the blood spilt and lives lost. The Navy, symbolised by a menacing shark, sits offshore, just as the Australian submarine HMS AE2 patrolled the Dardanelles coastline.

“The Rev’d Captain Alexander Maxwell’s flag flew proudly, as he ran between the fallen ANZAC graves.

“He was on one of the last boats to depart Gallipoli in the successful and famous withdrawal.

“A bugle player is always a reminder of ‘The calls to arms’ and The Last Post

“In the centre of the painting, ANZACs stand with their heads bowed – lest we forget.”

Richardson’s painting will be publicly displayed alongside the works of other finalists at an exhibition in Sydney from April 18 to May 12. The art prize’s winner will be announced on April 17.

A painting by John Richardson will feature in an art exhibition in Sydney, Australia. Photo supplied

Volunteers clearing out the garden before the machinery moved in to demolish it and leave an empty, open space.

ANZAC DAY SERVICES

Contact: Michael Cole,

memorial and flags.

Contact: Fred Wilkings, 021 442 430 or fredwilkings@gmail.com

Beachlands-Maraetai Civic Anzac Day Service: Assemble 8.30am at car park of the Chartered Club, Wakelin Rd. Service at Bucklands School Hall via the Wakelin Rd gate.

Contact: Stuart Rowe, 021 926 921 or stuartrowe83@gmail.com

Parade Service 5.55am 6am

Parade Service 8.50am 9am

Updates are possible so for a full list of services, parking and road closure information please visit ourauckland.nz/anzacday or phone 09 301 0101.

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Missing man’s wife still has no answers 20 years on

The Times is looking back, through a series of stories, at one of the most baffling unsolved cases in recent New Zealand history.

„ By CHRIS HARROWELL

June 2024 will mark the 20th anniversary of the disappearance of east Auckland man Jim Donnelly.

The 43-year-old father-of-two was living with his wife Tracey Donnelly and their two young children in Dannemora when he disappeared on Monday, June 21, 2004.

Coroner Sam Herdson held an inquest hearing on the matter in Auckland in 2007.

Her subsequent report states when Donnelly vanished he’d been working at Glenbrook Steel Mill in Waiuku, South Auckland, in a supervisory engineering role for 19 years.

Despite extensive searches at the mill and surrounding area, and an in-depth investigation, the coroner found what happened to him remains unexplained but “the presumption is Jim has died”.

There’s no playbook, manual, or script to help someone cope with and recover from what Tracey Donnelly and her children have experienced.

One day in 2004 her husband, Jim Donnelly, went to work and never came home. There’s been no known sighting of him since.

When it comes to her husband’s disappearance, Tracey’s thoughts are stuck in a never-ending loop as she tries to process it. “It’s just constant,” she told the Times. “It’s probably not as much as it was in the beginning but it’s still there every day.

“I’m doing better than I was. I’m still working on it because it keeps going round in my head.

“It’s kind of like a loop, because it’s like, ‘what have I missed?’

“It just keeps going round and round and round and I’ve got to work out a way to stop it.”

In her mind, Jim is still 42 years old. He never ages.

In the early days after he vanished Tracey was resistant to having counselling as she couldn’t see what benefit there was to it, but her view has since changed. She had counselling through her job and took her children to Seasons For Growth, an education programme in Howick that helps young people deal with grief and loss.

“They really got something out of that and so I did it,” she says.

“It was very good. I felt a change at the end of it, just being with people who were in that process. That was in the very beginning and that helped. Along the way you pick up people who can help with the different parts of things.

“As time has gone on and with more I’ve read and the more information that’s out there, I see how it all kind of works.

“So I am working through things and accepting that I do need help. I know I’m wound up in all of this and it’s like a maelstrom and I can’t get out of it.”

Tracey says prior to Jim’s disappearance they were “just the average family” and it was impossible to foresee what happened to him.

Her husband was an extremely honest man who loved his family and would never have wanted to be without his children, she says.

“That’s why I don’t have anything I can say, ‘it’s because of

“

I was totally confused. My thoughts were they’d find him and he’d just had an accident.”

this’ or ‘because of that’. I think, ‘what have I missed, was there anything that I should have picked up on?’ Because we don’t have any information since the day he went missing. I’m trying to make sense of everything but there’s nothing to make sense of.”

For the first two to three years following Jim’s disappearance, Tracey was focused on surviving.

“As the years go on you do find yourself again but you’re never the same person you were

before. I’m kind of at peace with that.”

When she realised Jim hadn’t come home as expected and his whereabouts were unknown, one of his friends phoned her and said she needed to take Jim’s passport to the Papakura police station to formally report him missing.

She was in shock in the immediate aftermath and doesn’t remember how she got her two children up each morning and off to school. She knows they went to school because they weren’t with her, she says.

Tracey says she didn’t tell their children their father was missing for at least a week in case he was found. “They just went to school. I think I was living at my parents’ house for that week but I can’t really remember.

“That first week I spent down at the mill, just down at their offices and talking to people.

“Things started coming out in the media the following week because in that first week noth-

ing was said. The wider public wasn’t advised there was a missing person at the mill until a week later. By that stage I was back at home. I was in between home and here [her parents’ house]. There were a lot of media people turning up and I just couldn’t deal with anything. I wanted to hide.”

When Tracey visited the mill she didn’t get a sense either that Jim was still there or that he was gone.

“I was totally confused. My thoughts were they’d find him and he’d just had an accident.

“I couldn’t understand why they couldn’t find him. I was hoping he’d turn up somewhere and he’d maybe had a breakdown.

“I discussed that with my counsellor, that he’d had a breakdown and took off somewhere and she said he would have been seen because he wouldn’t have been acting normally in the community. I just didn’t know where anything would appear from next. For quite some time you’re hoping he’s going to turn up but it didn’t happen.”

Someone who’s been through what she has doesn’t go back to normal, Tracey says.

“You just basically end up dealing with what you’ve got. I was in full-time employment before.

“I ended up going back parttime and went back to full-time employment several years ago.

“Your priorities change. I was basically making sure the children were okay and I was there for them before and after school.

“But you’re hyper-vigilant. That’s the other thing I need to dial down.

“I’m still hyper-vigilant and I always see the worst that could happen. That’s quite normal too.”

„ Thenextandfinalstoryin this series details Tracey’s view about the evidence surrounding Jim’s disappearance.

Tracey Donnelly was living with her husband Jim Donnelly and their two children in east Auckland when he vanished in 2004. Times photo Wayne Martin

Big Bike Film Night here for cycle fans

In its 10th year, The Big Bike Film Night will be celebrating cycling in all its glorious shapes and forms, at the Monterrey Cinemas in Howick at the end of the month.

It features a programme proclaimed as ‘a feast of short films devised and designed for the two-wheel devotee’.

With its humble beginnings in 2015, The Big Bike Film Night is now a much-anticipated Film Festival that brings a love of cycling to cinemas, presenting an array of international and New Zealand movies specifically selected by Taupōbased curator, Brett Cotter.

“Each year I set out with just one goal – to bring together the best cycling short films from around the world for our audiences, celebrating the fun, the adventure and inspiration that bikes enable,” says Cotter.

“Our stellar 2024 collection contains 10 mesmerising films that are as varied and diverse as you could hope for. This global programme contains a strong contingent of Kiwi films, including a world premiere, alongside an assortment of international films having their New Zealand premiere here as well.”

Double Everest, shot against Queenstown’s panoramic backdrop, follows boundary-pushing rider Ben Hildred, “the vertical kilo-metre eater” on his latest quest.

“Everesting” is a feather few cyclists have in their caps and its concept is fiendishly simple: pick any hill, anywhere in the world, and complete repeats of it in a single ride until you climb 8848m – the equivalent height of Mt Everest.

“But what happens if your cap is full? So full in fact, you think’… ‘hey, why not do two Everests?’ ” says Cotter. “For Ben, it’s just another mountain bike ride, but for us mere mortals, it’s utterly bonkers and brilliant; that’s why I love it.”

Also in the treasure chest of films is a visually-commanding film following one rider’s colourful adventure scouring the most beautiful spots from Guatemala to Peru via Bolivia, bringing together a master-

piece of breathtaking images and memories; a documentary about a community of cyclists from Alexandra who all share a similar love and passion for their place, people and sport.

Then there’s films discovering how a bicycle can be much more than a bicycle, as it brings change to people’s lives; a determined father and his daughter prepare for their greatest adventure together: an ambitious ride that will push them to physical and emotional limits on a gruelling bike ride around Central Otago’s Lake Dunstan Trail; 10 young people learn to ride a long way…. embarking on a 900km bikepacking trip from Wellington to Wānaka; a fast-paced, fun, and feminist bike race film that finally

gives a groundbreaking, nearly forgotten athletic hero her rightful place in history; and a moving movie set in Scotland, showcasing how the simple joy of riding bikes can make a big impact.

“The power of storytelling is at the forefront of what we offer and the belief that the humble bicycle can improve our health, inspire and uplift people with where it can take us; connecting communities with stories that captivate us, stories that make us think and, most importantly of all, inspiring us to get out and ride” says Cotter.

„ The Big Bike Film Night will be screening at the Monterey Cinemas in Howick on Tuesday, April 30, 6.15pm. For details and to buy tickets visit www. bigbikefilmnight.nz.

Beware phone scammers posing as police officers

The public is being warned to be aware of phone scammers posing as police officers and seeking Kiwis’ financial details.

NZ Police say they’re aware of reports this month where people have been phoned by someone claiming to be an officer.

Detective senior sergeant Craig Bolton, from Auckland City’s Police’s financial crime unit, says there have been at least a dozen reports made to police and the scam calls are largely made to landlines phone numbers.

“While police do not have accurate numbers of how many of these scam calls have been received, it’s important

The officer will claim to be from a particular department, say the person has been a victim of fraud or a scam, and begin to try and obtain further financial information. This is a scam.

the public are aware.

“Police will make some enquiries into these calls, but our experience has shown that often phonebased scammers will be operating from overseas.

“We appreciate the vigilance of those who have contacted police so far, as this will help us to make others in the community aware.”

Unfortunately, scams can take many different forms and target victims on different platforms,

Bolton says.

“Scammers are opportunistic and thrive off your trust and good-will.

“If you receive a call of this nature, do not hand over any personal details.”

There are instances where legitimate police officers will contact Kiwis as part of their duties, but they will never contact people seeking their banking details, card numbers, pin numbers or passwords.

Mountain biking legend Kilian Bron took his Commencal mountain bike to new heights – literally. In his film ‘Fuego’, he rode an active volcano with fearless abandon. Photo JB Liautard - Commencal Bikes

Macleans College

ACCOUNTS MANAGER

Hours 8am-3.30pm

40 weeks per year with hours required during the school holidays (by negotiation)

We are seeking an experienced Accounts Manager who will work with the Finance Manager to manage daily financial operations and administrative tasks. Your role will be pivotal in maintaining smooth financial systems and supporting various departments within the school.

Responsibilities:

Manage invoicing, receipting, and follow-up for school debtors

• Provide financial reports to the Board

• Contribute to budgeting processes and provide support to budget holders for key school departments and projects

• Ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures, including the use of financial management software systems

Key requirements:

Previous experience in finance or administration roles

• Proficiency in financial management software systems – with experience in Xero

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment

You must be residing in New Zealand and have valid working rights to be considered for the position.

Closing date: 19 April 2024

Please apply with a CV and cover letter to lizzie.simpson@macleans.school.nz DE290715

DEPARTMENT AND LIBRARY ADMINISTRATOR

Howick College is seeking a friendly and helpful team member to work across a number of departments in the school. The position is for 25 hours per week during term time. Duties include supporting Heads of Departments to order resources, track their spending and manage their resources. Assistance with organising trips will also be required and 10 hours per week will be spent assisting in the Library. The ideal candidate will be someone who has a customer service focus and is keen to be part of a team striving to realise our vision, “Inspiring a community of passionate learners”.

Please email your CV, cover letter and completed employment application form on our website: www.howickcollege.school.nz/career-opportunities to: employment@howick.school.nz

Phone our classified department to advertise your job vacancy online and in print

Applications close on 3 May at 4pm DE290770 Ph

FINDING HER VOICE

Difficult times often bring out the best in people. FARIDA MASTER has a chinwag with upcoming, self-help Indie-pop artist Raging Flowers who had touched a breaking point until she discovered a new direction to reinvent herself with the release of her first EP.

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Photo supplied

CAN SOMEONE I LOVE, LOVE ME PLEASE?

Sounds familiar? Thousands of lonely hearts can easily identify with the heartfelt lyrics.

It was after an evening out with someone she’d just met on a dating app, that Amy Wang whose nom de plume is Raging Flowers was inspired to write the lyrics of her debut song.

“I was so upset that the evening didn’t pan out as well as I hoped that it prompted me to put my feelings down on paper. I’ve been on dating apps but haven’t found the one I’m looking for yet.

“After an unsuccessful date I was so disheartened, I thought of writing a song to comfort myself. Surprisingly, the song turned out to be on a cheerful note, and I felt much better after that,” says the Chinese-Kiwi singer-songwriterproducer based in Pakuranga.

The catchy song featuring Chet Atkins-inspired chicken pickin’ and finger-style clean electric guitars, accompanied by vocals have a raw vulnerability. Every note of the India-folk pop song tells a story of being tired of the dating game and yet deeply longing for love.

AN UNUSUAL START TO A MUSIC CAREER

A software engineer who worked with blockchain, AI and music software, for some of the top software companies, Amy had the opportunity to connect

with many aspiring artists with day jobs in tech. They included Mazbou Q, Sheep, Dog & Wolf, as well as band members of Acetone, Beachware, Cripple Mr Onion, Dick Move, Hit Pump, and Tahuna Break.

Driven by pure ambition, she was focussed then on building a small software business.

“Over a period of five years, I built and launched my software, MusoPipe, a music player for learning music, while working part-time as a software engineer,” she says.

The young and driven techie was undoubtedly pleased with all she had achieved. Though she didn’t realise then that she’d worked herself to the ground whilst setting up a new business.

“At the same time, I started training in Muay Thai and competed professionally,” says the popular coach for kids and beginners at the Wimbledon Muay Thai gym.

BREAKING POINT

It took Amy a while to realise that she had burnt both ends of the stick and was completely burnt out. The combination of work pressure and intense training left her physically and mentally exhausted. Everything came to a standstill.

“I felt dead inside. My blood sugar and cholesterol levels were alarmingly low for an athletic person.

“After an unsuccessful date I was so disheartened, I thought of writing a song to comfort myself.”

– Amy Wang

“I had to take a good break to care for my body and mind.

“However, with a hyper-active mind, I needed a focus. It was difficult for me to break out of the habit of high productivity and rational thinking, which I worked hard for,” she reasons.

It was then that she came across Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, which inspired her to connect with her creativity. It encouraged her to journal every day. “I set off on a creative journey and started writing.”

Amy also got professional help.

“I talked to counsellors and got to know my feelings. I read a lot, went for long walks, painted, and played with clay. Very slowly, I learned to relax and have fun. As I got to know my deepest fears, I became braver too.

“One day, I had the idea of taking singing lessons. It was something I always wanted to try,” she recalls.

She nervously contacted

Jennifer K Austin, a singersongwriter and vocal coach.

“Jennifer was incredibly friendly, but I was still anxious. In a few months, she managed to calm my nerves and taught me how to enjoy singing. She then encouraged me to try songwriting.

“It turned out I love it and I’m pretty good at it. Then I got into music production. Over the years, I’ve built myself a home recording studio.”

She enrolled for a few online courses on music production and was thrilled to get early validation from the industry. It was a very special moment when her debut song, Can someone I love, love me please, was played by the Most FM on its release day.

PROCRASTINATION

Another Raging Flowers’s single titled Procrastination was released on 29 March.

“Being a small business owner, when it came to filing my taxes,

HELP KIWIS STAY ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE

The cost-of-living crisis has seen even working Kiwi families struggle to make ends meet. Once those debts start to escalate, they just keep on coming. Until it’s a daily struggle—both financially and emotionally—just to keep from going under.

I always procrastinated. I’d find something else to do instead of getting on with the job of filing taxes,” says the long-time student of guitarist Tam Scholes from the jazz-fusion world music band Carnivorous Plant Society “I decided to write a song about Procrastination.”

Which again hit a familiar note with listeners.

SELF-HELP INDIE POP

For a newbie on the block, the 30-year-old says she couldn’t stop smiling when a senior A&R & Label Relations manager from a licensing company in Miami, emailed her saying the song, Can someone I love, love me please, put a smile on his face.

“I’m making light-hearted music about darker emotions to encourage people to explore their feelings, because it’s too easy to get caught up with being busy and get increasingly numb and unhappy.

“I classify my music as selfhelp indie pop. I wish my music to get out there and help someone through a tough day or bring them a big smile.”

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CUDDLY FELINE FRIEND?

Ready for a snuggle session? And remember some cats are more cuddly than others.

The Good Home is hosting a Kitten Cuddle Weekend on Sunday April 28 from 12-3pm. You get to cuddle a fur baby for a gold coin donation. You are welcome to bring along pet milk, cat biscuit, Chef kitten loaf and litter. There will be a raffle with all proceeds going to 9 Lives Orphanage. The charity cares for and rehabilitates injured, sick, and scared cats and kittens, and to re-home these once stray and abandoned animals into loving forever homes.

Founded by a couple of passionate

friends who had some stray cats living rough around their homes, it is a registered non-profit cat and kitten rescue, and the ‘hub’ of the charity is in South Auckland. The charity has expanded over the years to include a dedicated team of volunteers and foster parents, that specialise in taking on pregnant and nursing mums and abandoned kittens but won’t turn away a cat in need if they have the space and resources to help. The passionate individuals who are willing to go the extra mile to save the fur babies, work closely

Kitten cuddle weekend

SUNDAY APRIL 28 – 12-3PM

with other rescue groups too. Whether it is round the clock bottlefeeding, late-night runs to the vets or simply showing the kitties what it is like to be part of a loving family, the rescue is run from the homes of very patient and hard-working volunteers.

They do not have all the rescue cats and kittens in one location. Instead, foster parents host ‘meet and greets’ at their homes with potential paw-rents.

9 Lives Orphanage organises frequent fund-raising events such as ‘Kitten Cuddle Days’ at work places, Yoga with

Kittens, BBQs and raffles. They also do community days where they take kittens into rest homes and spend a while socialising with the residents.

The charity that is active on Facebook has a diligent screening process for adoptions to ensure suitable homes are found for cats and includes an adoption fee, a contract, and a lifetime agreement that the cat will be returned to them should circumstances ever change.

All cats are desexed, have first vaccinations and are microchipped before an adoption takes place.

PEACE OF MIND

A question veterinarians get asked on a regular basis is if it is worth it to invest in medical insurance for a pet. The answer is an unequivocal YES says ADRI ROSSOUW of True Vets.

New pet owners will often spend some time budgeting for their new family member to ensure that they are prepared for the extra expense. After they have calculated the cost of food for a rapidly growing puppy, the new bed and toys, grooming costs as well as the pet friendly Airbnb and puppachinos. . . the additional monthly contribution to a medical aid might just seem like a bit of a stretch, especially for a young healthy puppy or kitten. The sad truth is that this is also the age group that is the most accident prone. They are still figuring things out and, not unlike children, can easily get themselves into trouble. . . trouble that can lead to a vet visit and an unexpected bill. Not only does pet insurance provide you with the peace of mind that if something was to happen, you will be able to cover the cost required to fix the broken bones, but it also encourages owners to take their pets for regular health checks and to do the extra tests recommended by the

veterinarian. . . as these are generally covered.

A common argument is that it might be better to just put some money aside for a ‘rainy day’ . . . but we all know that it can rain in more than one place at the same time!

Having dedicated medical insurance for your pet forces you to put a small amount aside each month to ensure that you can provide your pet with the best medical care without it wreaking havoc on your finances.

There are numerous dedicated pet insurance companies these days that provide comprehensive coverage for pets of all shapes and sizes. It is well worth considering. A small financial contribution can have a big impact on your pet’s wellbeing!

COLD WATER BATHING

READY TO TAKE THE PLUNGE?

SPF FOR YOUR EYES?

KRISTINE JENSEN, owner-optometrist at Eyes of Howick talks about the importance of sun protection for your eyes – all year round.

Cold-water bathing – submersion in ice cold water for its therapeutic benefits – has been a hot trend for a while now. ASHLEY MILN who is always feeling cold, tries to warm up to the idea of ice bathing to find out if it is all that it’s cracked up to be.

CHILL OUT AND EMBRACE THE ICE LIFE

Cultures around the world have used cold-water therapy for thousands of years, and it continues to be popular, with people touting its benefits. Some find the chilling effects of cold-water bathing calming and mood-lifting, with research findings showing that cold water immersion led to a 250 percent increase in dopamine, the body’s natural feel-good chemical.

Others embrace cold-water bathing for its wealth of potential physical benefits, including boosting the immune system, the metabolism, improving circulation, and reducing pain and inflammation. Ice baths are also commonly used by professional athletes as an aid to help with muscle recovery after intensive exercise.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY DURING COLD-WATER BATHING?

When you take an icy dip, you reduce your body temperature, causing your blood vessels to constrict. When you get out the of cold water and your body temperature rises again, your blood vessels expand, pumping nutrient-rich oxygen back into your body’s tissues and muscles. When you’re in the water, the body also experiences hydrostatic pressure, which promotes blood flow to the heart, brain, and lungs.

READY TO TAKE THE PLUNGE?

Whether plunging into an ice-cold tub, or swimming in cold rivers, lakes, streams,

or the sea, there are lots of ways that one can indulge in a bit of cold-water therapy, making it readily accessible for anyone to enjoy.

If the thought sends shivers down your spine and you can’t quite bring yourself to soaking or swimming in icy water, you can dip a toe in by starting with a cold shower and working your way up to an ice bath when you are a bit more acclimatised to icy temperatures. It also helps to have a warm, fluffy towel to hand after your cold-water enjoyment, to help you feel toasty and relaxed.

DANGERS OF COLD-WATER BATHING AND WHO SHOULD AVOID IT

Ice bathing is not without risks. Negative effects that can occur include hypothermia, ice burn, shock, and nerve damage. So, it is best to be mindful of any pre-existing health conditions that could be negatively affected by a quick change in body temperature. These include heart or lung conditions, Raynaud’s Syndrome, or cold uterica (experiencing hives from exposure to cold). Pregnant women should also proceed with caution and consult their doctor if they are planning on cold-water bathing as drastic changes in body temperature can be potentially harmful to an unborn baby.

Whatever your reason for wanting to try a bit of ice-cold fun, do take any necessary precautions, ease into it, and start with small steps. Talk to your physician or healthcare provider, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition.

•

New Zealand has a harsh summer sun; however, UV damage can occur even in winter!

This is why at Eyes of Howick we choose Essilor® lenses to protect the eyes of our patients. Incorporating the Eye-Sun Protection Factor (E-SPF), an index certifying the UV protection brought to you by both sides of a lens and inspired by the protection index used to rate skincare and sunscreen product efficiency against ultraviolet light. The higher the E-SPF the greater the level of UV protection.

E-SPF indicates the overall UV protection provided by your lenses, to your eyes and to the sensitive skin around your eyes. All lenses are not equal in terms of UV protection. It is crucial to consider UV protection when you choose your lens treatment and with this new reference index in eye-health care, you now have a clear and objective measure regarding UV protection performance of your

eyewear and sunglasses.

For example, with E-SPF = 25, your eyes are 25 times better protected than without any protection. (E-SPF excludes direct eye exposure from around the lenses).

This rating system is eligible for clear and photochromic lenses as well as for sunglasses, with values ranked from 2 to 25 for clear lenses, and up to 50+ for sun lenses.

Today, Crizal® Sapphire™ HR provides the best UV protection for an Essilor clear lens, with an E-SPF of 35.

For corrective sun lenses, Crizal Sun X guarantees an E-SPF of 50+. This can be included on a standard sunglass or polarised lenses.

And considering we receive 80 percent of the UV damage to our eyes and skin before the age of 20, you can be rest assured our Kids Prevencia lenses provide not only the best UV protection of a clear lens but also reduction in blue light exposure.

Pop in and see our friendly team for quality eye care, advice or check out our wide range of the latest fashion glasses.

100 Picton Street, Howick.

Ph: (09) 534 5565 | www.eyesofhowick.co.nz

THE BETTER FUTURE PROJECT

According to the various ‘watch dogs’ world-wide, here are the issues that deserve at least some attention from the citizens of the planet who can, should and will... help to give our lives, a better future. We could even call it something like... ‘The Better Future Project’.

Biodiversity is short for biological diversity. It is ‘the variety of all living things and their interactions’. It is the foundation of human health, and supports food security, dietary health and livelihoods. Biodiversity loss affects economic systems and human society.

This is just one example of learning of such things, when very few people have heard of this or what it does. But we must know the key categories of human activity, which will be part of our lives. The more we know of this, the better prepared we will be.

Here are some of the categories and an excellent reference to them, from the U.N., about global issues. Ageing. Children. Child and youth

BILL POTTER – Maverick Thinker. Global Speaker. Personal Power Coach. Bill has made personal presentations in 53 countries.

safety online. Climate change. Anxiety and depression. Addictions. Our health. Lack of a good education. Ongoing poverty. Loneliness. Gender equality. Unemployment. No peace and security. Pollution. Limited democracy. Clean water. Loving families. Safe friends. Intelligent and timely awareness. Browse this document to see where you can help www.un.org/en/global-issues.

Dear reader, I understand that talking about global issues is never easy, because our crazy world finds much ‘new stupidity’ 24 hours a day. Never give up hope, because plenty of us, can help you and yours, in some way. Start with random acts of kindness. Be positive. Smile often. It might save those who dwell in ‘grumpsville’! The key to all the above, is an easy one: ‘What can I do, to help?’ So once again here is some help, OK. www.randomactsofkindness.org/ kindness-ideas Cheers.

duitdammit@gmail.com

This month, we feature the latest head-to-toe beauty buys so you can Style, Glow and Nourish. There’s even something for Mum’s big day.

MUM’S THE WORD

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, give Mum a little pampering with Natio’s Rose Indulgence Gift Set. Pairing a nourishing, full-size Rosewater

ON-THE-GO STYLE

The Lady Jayne Salon Pro Rechargeable 2-in-1 Hair Styler is the perfect solution for hairstyling without the price tag. With an impressive rechargeable range, the Salon Pro Rechargeable 2 can easily be recharged anywhere with its USB C cable, giving you 45 minutes of cordless power. Handbagfriendly, this lightweight styler means you can create Hollywood curls or a perfectly curved bob anytime, anywhere. Lady Jayne® Salon Pro Rechargeable 2 in 1, RRP $119.

Hydration Moisture Rich Hand & Nail Cream

Hydration Moisture Rich Hand & Nail Cream with a pretty pink Nail Colour - Peony, the beautifully boxed ‘Rose Indulgence’ gift set offers a gift of luxurious care and quiet sophistication. Natio Rose Indulgence Gift Set RRP $19.99.

GLIDE & GLOW BEAUTY

LuxeSticks, owned by MAFS NZ Samuel Levi, has launched a range of serum sticks for a mess-free, waste-free glide, glow-and-go beauty! Available in three formulations- the compact stick balm formulas are easy to apply and are designed specifically for sensitive skin. Use Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid in the morning and Retinol at night. LuxeSticks are crueltyfree and vegan-friendly, perfect for your everyday skincare routine. LuxeSticks Range RRP $34.99.

NOURISHING LUXURY

Revitalise your body with the specialised therapeutic and indulgent Frangipani and Lychee Body Crème from Roccoco Botanicals. This skin-loving, versatile moisturiser enhances skin elasticity, firms, and minimises stretch marks and pigmentation. It is infused with lactobionic acid, practaxi oil, and avocado seed oil for optimal nourishment and rejuvenation. Roccoco Botanicals Frangipani and Lychee Body Crème RRP $160.

ANCIENT EGYPT - A VISUAL TOUR

Colossal pyramids, golden treasures, mysterious hieroglyphs, huge temples, mummies…all fascinating features of Ancient Egypt you will encounter on this visual tour presented by Allan Knowles - Papakura Museum Curator, Friday, April 26, 10.30am at Pakuranga Library. All welcome. Tea and coffee served from 10.15am. Pakuranga.library@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Phone 377 0209.

FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

Come somewhere over the rainbow and down the yellow brick road to Howick to see The Wizard of Oz on stage! Harlequin Musical Theatre brings the classic movie you know and love to east Auckland in an on-stage spectacular directed by John Fausett. The Wizard of Oz runs from April 20 to May 4.

Evening shows 7.30pm, Saturday & Sunday matinees 2pm. Tickets from iTicket.co.nz.

‘LOVE MY BIKE’ FREE SAFETY CHECKS

Come along to Howick Library and follow the signs to the back staff carpark for bike safety checks and minor tweaks for bicycles. Free bike fix-it sessions on Saturday, April 27 and Saturday, May 11, 2.30pm - 3pm.

HOWICK COMBINED PROBUS CLUB

Why not join us on Tuesday, April 23 at the Howick Bowling Club, 10am - 12 noon to hear speaker Robert Clarke talking about the Kermadec Islands. For more information regarding our speakers, trips and friendship groups, phone Mary 0274 532 104. New members and guests are most welcome and morning tea will be provided.

HIDDEN TREASURES & RESISTANCE

Discover Polish archaeologists’ work from the Iron Age, Katyn Forest and Warsaw to Egypt and South America. Unearth links between WWII, Resistance and Polish New Zealanders. Museum entry is by donation and groups by prior arrangement (small fee applies). On May 2, 10.30am-11.30am (or book your own group’s time) at Polish Museum, 125 Elliot St, Howick. Ph 09 533 3530.

7. It is, in the main, a lonely place in which to live (6,6).

8. It’s obvious the man has given sanctuary to a number (6).

9. “Take back the blue,” she interposed. “It runs” (6).

10. Food for the soldiers fighting? (7).

12. The lad is about to return the swag (5).

15. Put off the English lady ringing agitatedly (5).

16. The film we back (7).

18. Isn’t breaking the record, going no faster than the others (2,4).

20. Change the horse’s name? (6).

22. A refutation? Anything but! (9,3). DOWN

1. From back copies, tear out one by one (8).

2. Now or an hour before (4).

3. As Monsieur said, you look about that height (7).

4. Said “Wrong note,” in a whisper (5).

5. Go ahead and have a drink, you’ll need it travelling (8).

6. Move from the border (4).

11. Is becoming stale before the

Premium cookie connoisseur Molly Woppy is celebrating its launch into select Woolworths by giving away two decadently delicious prize packs, each containing their range of artisan cookies (worth $56 each). The line-up of seven delightfully delicious cookies included within the prize pack includes: Cranberry Dark Choccy Chunk, GlutenFree Milk Choccy Chunk, Peanut Butter Choc Chunk, Zingy Ginger Delight, Gingerbread Kids, Gluten-Free and PlantBased Choccy Coconut Ruff, and Gluten-Free Sticky Date Walnut & Chia. Talk about cookie bliss!

Find in the grid and cross out all the words from the word list below. Ignore spaces, dashes and diacritics, if any. Words go horizontally, vertically, not diagonally, may intersect, do not bend, overlap or go backward. There are no unused letters in the grid.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRULY LOCAL MEDIA

I wanted to get in touch with the Times to say how grateful I am that you have taken the time to allow me to tell the truth about what happened with the recent presence of my business in the media. Through your article published on February 20th, ‘Reporting errors leave bad taste in the mouth’, you have helped to restore my trust that journalism can be relied on as a strong source of information and is truly in existence as an outlet for factual information to serve the community.

Since the release of your piece last week, which is proudly displayed in my shop window, the support from the community has been overwhelming. We have had people who normally wouldn’t come in, pop in for a coffee to share their views

on the matter and assert how appalled they were that news outlets could publish such slanderous articles without consequences. You have helped to bring to light a much bigger issue of irresponsible journalism that has become all too common. Overwhelmingly, to feel the support of our local news outlet and community has given me hope and energy, and I am so very grateful to you and the wider community that have shown up for my small business. Every act of kindness and support is bigger than the entire ordeal, and that is what I will remember from this situation. It’s a business, but it is a very personal matter for me.

– Jessica Chand, owner Vanilla Plant Based Kitchen

Want to age well and live independently?

Choose the retirement village that wants that too.

As a charitable, faith-based organisation, helping seniors age well and live fully is at the heart of HBH’s care philosophy. That includes supporting our independent apartment owners to remain just that … independent.

That’s why we’re pleased to offer a range of low-cost added services including meals, household help, medication supervision, and personal assistance. Because, as with everything we do at HBH, we’re for people, not profits.

To learn more about the many benefits of independent retirement living, please visit hbh.org.nz or call Robyn for a friendly chat.

Robyn Greer 538 0800 or 027 494 0344

robyn.greer@hbh.org.nz www.hbh.org.nz