Welcome to Pond Life...
Greetings Wattle Downers. Welcome to the December edition of our Pond Life.
As we write this we are surprised as to how fast the year goes by. When we were children, it took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get to Christmas, but age has a way of unfortunately speeding things up so that there appears to be very little time between the years.
Our annual Christmas picnic is just around the corner, and we hope to see you there with your picnic baskets. Come and join in with the Scout and Cubs activity, paint a rock, get your face painted, have a go in the Basketball Challenge, plus other happenings. Maybe you could win a beautiful raffle basket.
The weather continues to be a challenge because you never know if it will be raining or be sunny. Always remember to be prepared with sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat and, of course, a water bottle.
Enjoy time spent with family, stay safe and in good health over the Christmas season.
Have a great summer.
The Pond Life team
A BIT OF HISTORY
Wattle Downs history goes back to 1933 when the Kimptons, Campbell and Clements families purchased the 460 acre peninsula dairy farm.
Prior to this, the region had Wattle Trees grown on it for an extract that was used for the tanning of skins.
The first homes were built on the peninsula around 1970, taking over the dairy farming activities.
NEWSLETTER TEAM: Pat James, Sue Matete & Rae Baxter. Big thank you to Acacia Cove for printing the Pond Life.
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Jocelyn Watkin
CONTACT US: wattledownsresidentsassoc@gmail.com
Pond Life (E&OE) is a volunteer non-profit organisation operating as a sub-commitee of the Residents & Ratepayers Association Inc.
Pest Free Wattle Downs
WHAT’S NEW? INTENSIFICATION CONTINUES
We began by installing posts to attach the bait stations where trees weren’t available. Now we are going to create a ‘Virtual Pest Fence’ by installing bait stations in a line from the Papakura Stream to The Wattle Farm Reserve Ponds. The exact line of the bait stations has yet to be decided, but it’ll go through the Tington Wetlands and Tington Park on the way through Crannich to the stream. The latest Heat Map shows the areas that have more rats. If you have a look at the heat map below the red-yellow blotches are the areas where we are upping the density of the bait stations and we’re installing rafts in the ponds. The idea is that we need to get on top of the breeding colonies of rats and we think they are breeding at the ponds and moving into the housing areas. Time will tell. If we see a surge in the amount of bait taken and then a lull, we’ll know that rat families are or were living there, proving the theory correct.
VACANCY
Casual Nurse or Caregiver capable of being an emergency responder
We have a vacancy for an emergency response person preferably with nursing experience or a caregiving background to relieve our current staff. The position could suit a semi-retired person who could fill in days or evenings, seven days a week, as required. There could be no work for weeks on end, then one-two weeks work at a time. A first aid qualification is essential as is a clean police record, and excellent verbal and communication skills.
Please send your CV with covering letter to: bruce@acaciacove.co.nz Acacia Cove Retirement Village
Heat Map of Wattle Downs showing the hot spots where rats are eating more baits than in other areas. These are around the ponds.
CCTV
Wattle Downs CCTV camera system sets a safety standard for our part of South Auckland. Cameras track every car on its way into and out of Wattle Downs. Any stolen car passing the cameras triggers an automatic alarm for Police so they can be alerted and respond promptly.
The cameras are professionally set up and expertly maintained. The whole system is overseen by volunteer members of the Wattle Downs Residents and Ratepayers Association Inc.
For a team of volunteers, we can be quite busy at times – both personally and with security camera matters. The recent tyre dumping outside Clayton Park School required over 5 hours of video footage review to find the vehicle responsible as an example. To get the best result, the more information that you can provide the better. Sometimes, we are given wide-ranging timeframes, and a neighbourhood door knock is really worthwhile before contacting us, just in case your neighbours can provide any certainty around times. A recent example is spending over 12 hours searching security footage, only to discover that the reported dates were wrong. Ultimately, we are here to help the community, and the more that the community provides us with information, the more that we can help.
Please do also remember that Police resources are allocated on the basis of reported crime. The more that we report crime, the more Police resources we get. We all pay taxes, so we might as well utilise that money in our own backyard to help us all keep Wattle Downs a safer community together.
It’s now time for renewing the older cameras and recorders. This will cost approximately $5,000 this year. Please, if you are in a position to consider making an extra one-off donation over and above the regular $20 annual fee to help with these replacements, it would be greatly appreciated.
Direct Credit to account: 12-3032-0269585-01 (please include your Surname and Street Address)
An online incident link is available on the Association’s facebook page. This will provide a structure for collecting relevant information in a similar manner to the police website. When submitted, an email notification will be passed onto a volunteer who will then make contact with the resident.
September/October/November incidents Wattle Downs CCTV footage was accessed to assist residents:
• Stolen Trailer
• Stolen vehicles
• Collision with a parked motor vehicle
• Property theft
• Illegal dumping
• Tyre dumping
• Day/night prowler
These results (for privacy reasons we are unable to publish any further information on the above incidents) were only possible because of the people who financially support the purchase and maintenance of the system and the volunteers who process the residents and police enquiries.
Your contribution will help continue to make Wattle Downs a safer community for all residents.
Our 2025 stickers are pink so will stand out on your letterbox or front window.
Wattle Downs Hidden Gem:
OUR SECRET FOREST
Have you heard about the enchanting secret forest cloaking the slopes above Wattle Farm Ponds? This hidden treasure, featuring majestic totara trees, awaits discovery by nature lovers of all ages. The thriving native trees benefit from rich soil and ample sun and water, creating a magical, quiet canopy for a variety of seedlings and smaller trees to grow.
Our local birds play a vital role in the secret forest’s enchanting ecosystem, dropping seeds from nearby native fruit trees. This natural collaboration ensures the forest stays diverse and brimming with life. You might even spot seeds that have been dormant for years sprouting and adding to the lush landscape!
Curious to explore this hidden gem? Head over to Wattle Farm Ponds, where you can catch a glimpse of the forest across the water. Embark on a picturesque journey along little footpaths that start at two wooden bridges – one opposite 56 Wattle Farm Road and the other at the far end of the Wattle Farm Ponds carpark. Remember, some parts of the trail can be steep, so wear comfortable footwear and be ready for an adventure!
The Wattle Downs secret forest is a true testament to the magic of nature and the wonder of collaboration between plants and wildlife. Gather your friends and family and experience this living treasure for yourselves – just remember to keep it a secret!
Celebrating our locals
LYN & SNOW
Lyn and Snow have lived in Wattle Downs for many years, Snow buying his house in 1995, amongst a group of neighbours who have become good friends and who all help each other out when needed.
They are regular attendees at the Residents & Ratepayers meetings where they became involved in the Wattle Downs Pest Free group of volunteers who are responsible for a line of rat stations along the peninsula. Snow and Lyn go out every 3 or 4 weeks replacing the bait, adjusting and repairing the boxes when necessary, and recording the data. This leads on to observing if there is any dumped rubbish in the bush or around the streets and reporting it to Council. You will often see Lyn picking up litter.
They are both on a roster at the Beautification Trust on Holmes Rd, and on a Thursday morning they set up tables and crates ready to display the fruit and vegetables. Mainly local people come along to fill up a bag for $15 then all the tables and crates get stacked away again. This has led on to Lyn and a small group of ladies getting together on a Monday morning to carry out small repairs on donated clothes and goods to sell at the Recycling & Reuse shop, and clothes not suitable for selling get cut up for rags which the graffiti crew use.
Snow is the busy green keeper for the Manurewa Croquet Club and the fix-it man with help from other members.
They find it is a wonderful way of connecting with the local community as well as meeting many other players at tournaments in the Counties Manukau Clubs - Howick, Pakuranga, Pukekohe, Papakura
Manurewa is a very small but very friendly club who will welcome new members. There are 7 keen players from Wattle Downs who turn up on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, 8.45am - midday. Snow and Lyn love living in Wattle Downs and enjoy helping out at the Annual Christmas Party, and any fund raising and community clean up activities.
Thank you, Lyn and Snow, for being such local super stars. The community thanks you for everything you do.
In & Out of Wattle Downs
MANUREWA CROQUET CLUB
Golf croquet is played at our club. It’s a much faster game than the original game of association croquet and is more suited to the busy lives we lead today.
On average a game may last between 45-60 mins – depending on the competitiveness of the players.
We play every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8.45 am till lunchtime. Basic coaching and all equipment is provided for those keen to try this lesser known sport.
Our club offers you great company, and good times on the lawns, and for those who choose to play competitively we hold inhouse and open tournaments as well as interclub.
Why not come and give golf croquet a go. You have nothing to lose but much to gain!
You will find us at 31 Russell Road, Manurewa.
There is already a keen group of croquet players within the Wattle Downs community. Why not come join us!
BEING A VOLUNTEER AT THE BEAUTIFICATION TRUST
Volunteering at the Beautification Trust and working in the Recycling and Reuse Shop (sorting donations, hanging clothing, rolling fabric donations, sizing, rolling and hanging sheets and duvets is very rewarding). The staff are very friendly, and loads of fun to work with. Recently we had our 3-monthly Repair Café.
Through volunteering one can meet a wide range of people, and have the opportunity to make many friends.
The Rag Doll group, where we mend donated items for resale, meet on Monday morning.
The Boomer Shed is another popular area for men and women over 50 where you can do personal work or community projects.
Check out their website to see just how many ways the Beautification Trust can support you and the community.
The Beautification Trust’s mission is to connect and empower communities to learn, love and look after our environment. Since 2001 they have been leading beautification projects, community events, environmental education and zero waste programmes all over South and East Auckland.
• COMMUNITY GROUPS • VOLUNTEER
What is U3A?
U3A is a movement for people in their ‘third age’, post career and family. It started in France in 1973 and has spread throughout the world. The aim is for people to come together to continue their enjoyment of learning and sharing knowledge. There are over 80 U3A groups in New Zealand with Auckland having 25 groups with a total membership of 3600. U3A meets monthly to hear an interesting guest speaker also has study/interest groups throughout the month. Manurewa U3A is a small group which is hosted by Acacia Cove Retirement Village and meets in the Upstairs Meeting Room at 1.30pm on the second Monday of each month.
You are welcome to attend two meetings as a guest to see if U3A suits you before joining. The annual subscriptions are $60 for a couple and $35 for a single person. Come and give us a try - all welcome.
Contact Pat James: manurewaU3A@outlook.com
THE BOOMER SHED
The Boomer Shed evolved through the Beautification Trust and that evolved from the Best Streets and Gardens and eradication of Graffiti, which is still one of the main priorities. It has come a long way from those days and is now “booming”. Men and women from the age of 50+ and all walks of life have joined the Boomer Shed to share ideas, their crafts, and to support those who want to learn or enhance their skills. It is a place to make friends, have camaraderie, and to help community projects.
The Boomer Shed has been in existence since 2015 and has offered space for older people to help in community projects and finishing off those jobs from around the home that “I’ll get round to it someday”. Here you have the support, the tools and the space to do this.
To become a member is $85 per year, or membership is free with 12 hours of volunteering a month, taking advantage of assisting and being part of many projects. The Boomer Shed is open between 9am - 12 noon Monday to Friday. A scrumptious morning tea is provided at around 10:30 am with snacks, tea and coffee.
To find out more call 09 269 4080, email admin@ beautification.org.nz or visit the web site https://www. beautification.org.nz/boomer-shed
Reremoana School
Conifer Grove & Te Roopu ō Hinemoana Kaupapa Whakapai Ki Te Awa
Recently our senior Kapa Haka performing group, Te Roopu ō Hinemoana, went on a hīkoi from our kura to our local waterway, the Papakura Awa. On the other side of the awa, they were joined by Conifer Grove students, with whom we have been building a relationship over the past year.
The purpose of our kaupapa was geared around:
• Honouring and showing respect to mana-whenua - Te Ākitai
• Maintaining and strengthening our relationship with Conifer Grove Kura
• Teaching tamariki healthy kaitiakitanga practices, looking after our local awa
Our day at Papakura foreshore consisted of a clean up (picking up rubbish), discussing and learning about our local waterway and unpacking the history of the awa. The students also enjoyed holding a “waiata and haka off ” against Conifer Grove kura, and the opportunity to uplift each other by sharing kind messages between the schools throughout the day across the awa.
It was a lovely way to end our mahi this year with Conifer Grove kura. We look forward to working alongside Conifer Grove next year as we continue to honour Te Ākitai. It was also a meaningful and important way to care for our local environment.
Clayton Park School
Kia ora Wattle Downs community.
Clayton Park School was very excited to publish their third book over the last 6 years, this one called “Tō Mātou Turangawaewae Our Place to Stand”. We worked over the last two years alongside our kaumatua Martin Cooper at the Manurewa Marae, to capture some local history to help explain the mural we have projecting both into the school and into the community. This book was blessed over the term break and received by the Manurewa Marae. It will also be gifted to other local schools who share some of the same history as our school. We hope to add more information about our waharoa or carved entrance, as well as the narratives about our buildings and other local knowledge of the area.
I was really lucky to talk with Keith Clayton who was pushing into his mid 90s a couple of years back and he shared that the area below our school was an asparagus farm, and that the Clayton family built the causeway by the ponds once the farming was completed as it no longer needed to be flooded to help the asparagus flourish. Was his memory correct? Let me know if you know something different. He had also gifted our school a beautiful antique sideboard that Captain Clayton’s brother had carved with a nine inch nail while sailing. It had been homed at Nathan Homestead for over 20 years before it was finally given to us to care for.
This year is my 20th year at Clayton Park School so I’m very proud to have given a lot of service to the community and school. Also with 12 years service to CPS is George Hawkins, Papakura Councillor and teacher here. We have certainly seen a lot of change in our time and hope to see even brighter changes for the whole community.
Our Year 4-5 studio has been showing a lot of interest in the birdlife at the ponds and if you have some info to share about this, you can contact kumudg@claytonpark.school.nz to connect her with our bird watching people in the community.
Shortly our Year 8s will complete their legacy projects to the school. We hope to see a new set of pou or cultural poles at the entrance to our school, as well as some storytelling paintings on our wharepuni or playhuts in the junior school. A group of students have already planted up our Pasifika village with frangipani, hibiscus, canna lillies, and gardenia so next year it will look and smell amazing. They’ve also planted up around our Makerspace and senior playground just to fill in the ‘weird bits that are hard to mow’. We wish them luck as they prepare for high school. Where do students from CPS go? Besides our local high schools, they also head off to AGGS, EGGS, St Kents, Aorere, Howick College and Wesley. They spread out a bit but always stay in touch.
Have a safe and happy Christmas break when it arrives. We are all looking forward to the Christmas picnic.
Jolene Marie, Principal
Acacia Cove News
Recently we had our annual flower show. Some of the categories were, Vase of Mixed Herbs, Foliage, and Fruit/Vegetables. They were professionally judged, and there were some very beautiful and clever arrangements.
Our gardens are looking magnificent! The first pop of colour for spring never disappoints. We have recently planted long rows of begonia at the entrance to the village, and have received many compliments.
Our residents also enjoyed a fantastic performance by the very talented Mandolinata Orchestra. Many musical favourites were performed in our lodge to a great applause.
The Caroline Eve Fashion Show was a great success, with a fantastic turnout. The stars of the show were our resident models. They did an amazing job of showcasing the clothes. Thank you to all who participated.
Our future activities and trips include Melbourne Cup Day, a trip to see the new Manawa Bay Outlet Centre, a presentation by Shen Yun Performing Arts, a dinner function featuring the Toucan Band, and a fabulous performance by the wonderfully talented Suzanne Lynch!
Bruce Cullingham
021 649 065 • bruce@acaciacove.co.nz
Villas for sale!
Currently, we have villas available starting at $630,000. Each with their own gardens, fantastic living areas, and are fully refurbished. Pop in today and see why our residents love living here!
Bupa Wattle Downs
Wattle Downs Care Home is a place to call home. Offering a welcoming community, our residents enjoy a fun-filled daily activities programme, which offers everything from arts and crafts to dancing and exercise, games and outings. Participation is always optional; it is up to you how you spend your day. Our care home also overlooks the magnificent Wattle Downs Golf Course, which is a great place to enjoy a bite to eat with friends and family.
With 60 rooms on site, our Care Home offers rest home and hospital levels of care, as well as short stay services (subject to availability). Book a personal tour and pop in for a cuppa to find out if Wattle Downs Care Home is right for you.
Yvonne Kleyn
yvonne.kleyn@bupa.co.nz bupa.co.nz/wattledownsCare
Home 09 264 1393
Village 09 264 1397 120 Wattle Farm Rd
Wattle Downs
The Wattle Downs Café
BAR AND RESTAURANT
I popped into the Golf Club café today to chat to the lovely May about how things are going and what is on offer. I was pleasantly surprised with how inviting and homely the restaurant looked.
We all remember May’s amazing coffee cart but it is 18 months since she took over running the café. There is so much I didn’t know about what happens there.
Did you know that the café opens at 6.30am every weekday for coffee and other refreshments and that all the goodies are home baked? There are delicious cheese scones, cakes and slices on offer.
Then from 8am to 1pm (9am – 1pm Saturday and Sunday), you can order breakfast or brunch. There is a really comprehensive menu of cereals, waffles, eggs benedict, bagels and, of course, the ‘Big Breakfast’ with eggs, toast, tomato, mushrooms, baked beans and spinach all freshly cooked. I’ll certainly be taking my family there for a Sunday brunch.
How about popping in for an evening meal which is available until 8pm from Wednesday to Saturday? Again, a great range of choices with small plate dishes, pizzas, burgers and some lovely mains including Chicken Parmigiana, Pork Ribs, Fish of the day and Steaks – all served with salad, slaw and fries. As you would expect, there is Kid’s Menu with Chicken Nuggets, Meatballs, Waffles and much more.
With all of that going on, you would wonder if there was time for more – but there is!
A monthly Quiz Night when you can bring along your team and compete. Then there is a monthly ‘Sip and Paint’ experience which sounds like so much fun. Yoga is held every Tuesday morning at 10am with lots of opportunity to enjoy lovely food and good company.
The café has also started to provide healthy lunches for Reremoana School two days a week.
May and her team are happy to host and cater for any family functions. May tells me that they have organised themed Children’s Parties, 21st parties, Wedding Anniversaries, Weddings and Memorial Services. Just call in and talk to the staff.
I was thrilled to see what a wonderful facility we have right in the heart of Wattle Downs. So show your support and call in for a snack or a meal.
Phone (09) 268 1929
Gardening Corner with Chris
Hello Gardeners… while this short gardening snippet was written just as our gardens were coming alive again, Christmas is on the horizon with heat and possible water shortages. Bare soil needs protection from the sun, even if it is just pulled out weeds laid over the soil. Ideally, mulching before the real heat hits our garden is best, even with sprinklings of lawn clippings if you have nothing else.
I must just pop in here a reminder that the public spaces around our peninsula and the parks are not places to dump your unwanted plant material and miscellaneous green waste from your garden. Please dispose of it responsibly as most of us do.
Calendula is a great companion plant for lettuce & tomatoes, bees like them too. They have such bright coloured flowers, seed & regrow new plants readily, and provide a constant follow on in your garden – just rip out the old spent plants and let the new ones grow. One of the good things about calendula is that nothing seems to eat them!! The flower petals are edible too and look pretty though a garden salad.
Another plant for the bees is anything with a blue flower. They especially love borage, which grows easily too.
We are fortunate to have many pohutukawa trees growing along our shores so enjoy the gorgeous Christmas blooms they produce at this time of year. When I was holidaying on Great Barrier Island a few years ago, I remember the native kaka birds in the pohutukawa trees there, leaping around the branches burying their heads in the red flowers enjoying their feasting.
Happy gardening
Chris Allen
CHRISMAS HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS
• Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your house while you are away
• Try to make it look like you are at home by leaving your drapes and blinds open, leave sensor lights on and keep your lawns mowed (perhaps your neighbours can help).
• Set your house alarm while you are away
• Lock all doors and windows
• Make sure all valuables are out of sight
• Place “Beware of the dog” signage on your fence
• Make sure you have good locks on your garden sheds
Christmas is coming...
CHRISTMAS TRAIL
Follow the wonderful trail of homes in the area which make the special effort to celebrate Christmas with lights. From Glenross Dr to Manene St you will find a mass of beautiful lighting which many residents have spent hours putting together. On Christmas Eve join the neighbourhood in walking around the streets with festive cheer to gaze at all the glitz & sparkle. Special note to pop over to Ross & Maureen’s Christmas Grotto at 47 Blackwood Drive.
CHRISTMAS MORNING PARADE - 25 DEC ‘24
Get ready and excited for the Christmas morning parade. Local residents bring their cars and spend a few hours on Christmas morning bringing cheer to our lovely community. This has become such a huge event in our community and brings happiness to young and old. Contact Brett Burdett on 021 796 465 for more information – donations of lollies are always welcome.
CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES
GREAT FUN & EASY FOR KIDS TO MAKE!
Ingredients:
• 1 packet of plain biscuits
• 1 cup of desiccated coconut
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa
• 394 tin of condensed milk
• Extra coconut for rolling the balls
Directions:
1. Mix all the dry ingredients together. Pour in the condensed milk and mix together until completely combined.
2. Roll rounded teaspoons of mixture into ball, the roll into the extra coconut until well coated. Place on a tray and refrigerate until firm – about 4 hours
SANTA STRAWBERRIES
Ingrediants:
• 1 cup thickened cream
• ¼ cup sifted icing sugar
• 2 punnets strawberries
• 2 soft liquorice sticks or baking chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Gather all ingredients together.
2. Whip cream and icing sugar together until quite firm.
3. Hull the strawberries and then cut the bottom tip off each. Sit each strawberry on paper towel to soak up the juice.
4. Fill a piping bag (or icing press) with a fluted nozzle with the cream mixture and pipe it onto the cut surface of the strawberry to create a head.
5. Using the tip of the nozzle, join the cream and pipe a little “beard” for the Santa halfway down the side of the strawberry. It’s important to make these join up so the cream on the head takes the weight of the cream from the beard. Place tip of strawberry on cream. Alternatively you can just pipe two buttons.
6. Pipe a “pom pom” onto the top of the strawberry. Place liquorice or chocolate chips for eyes and serve.
Notes
• Adding the icing sugar to the cream gives it a bit of structure so it pipes and supports itself firmly. Even though this mixture is firm, you may need to refrigerate these until required so the cream doesn’t collapse in the heat.
• It’s really important to place the strawberries on the paper towel or you will have a red mess.
• You can add half a teaspoon of vanilla to the cream mixture if you want vanilla cream. This recipe was created by Jennifer Cheung for Kidspot, New Zealand’s best recipe finder.
COMMUNITY NOTICE :
14a Carnoustie Drive
We are working to coordinate a response to a new resource consent application to develop 14A Carnoustie Drive. The new application seeks to develop 37 homes (down from 42 submitted in the withdrawn application) ranging from two to four bedrooms per dwelling. One carpark has been proposed for each dwelling, with nine visitor carparks added.
There remains no provision for a Body Corporate to be established, which means no clarity on who is responsible for maintenance within the wider footprint of 14A Carnoustie Drive, nor other matters such as the maintenance of stormwater drains, rubbish collection, and traffic management. We have identified concerns regarding tree cover, and remain unpersuaded about developing properties affected by coastal hazards such as sea level rise.
As per our previous approach, Scott McArthur has been engaged to provide professional consultancy and is coordinating written advocacy to Auckland Council. We seek public notification and are hopeful that this will be agreed.
If this application proceeds to public notification, we will immediately convene a public meeting and support residents to write submissions. The timing of this is potentially very challenging (notifications through Christmas and the holiday period are unfair on neighbours and potentially affected communities), so this will take a big collective effort.
Like you, we are Wattle Downs residents. We are committed to doing all we can to ensure our community’s voice and our evidence is heard.
Heather Andrew, Row Robinson, and Daniel Newman
CHINESE
‘WECHAT’
GROUP FOR WATTLE DOWNS
欢迎来到WATTLE DOWNS 您好！我们非常开心您能够入住 到WATTLE DOWNS。在这里我们有一个微信群，如果您愿 意加入这个微信群，可以通扫二维码或者通过帐号加入到我 们的社区群里，一起交流，互相认识。谢谢！
TRANSLATION:
Hello! Welcome to WATTLE DOWNS. We are very happy that you can live in WATTLE DOWNS. Here we have a WeChat group; if you want to join, you can apply to join our community through the recommendations of the group friends, (Wattle downs residents only) to communicate together and know each other. Thank you!
Cycling around Wattle Downs
... AND BEYOND! - Ezekiel Robson
Cycling is really something anyone can participate in given the right opportunities. Riding bikes for sport and exercise, or travel to work etc. are valuable choices for some people. Wattle Downs is also safe and well suited to recreational cycling for young and old.
Wattle Downs has two cycling/walking routes which capitalise on the picturesque views we enjoy of the harbour and inlet coastlines. The fully paved paths are mostly flat with a few small hills; suitable for all ages and abilities. We often use the playgrounds, bench seating and picnic tables along the way for an easy local family outing. Taking a stroll while the smaller ones do the cycling is the way to go some days!
You can enter or exit at various different streets along the paths depending how much time you have for a shorter or longer trip. The 3 kilometre ‘North’ path leads from Aberdeen Crescent, through the Esplanade Reserve, to Bluewater Place. The ‘South’ path is more than twice as long, starting at Sunningdale Street and skirting the coast along to the Frangipani Avenue Reserve.
Did you used to enjoy cycling? Perhaps you have a bike in your shed or garage that hasn’t come out for some time?
The good news for anyone wondering how to get (re-)started on a bike, is that the Beautification Trust has just opened a bike hub in Browns Road, Manurewa. They sell secondhand kids and adults bikes and equipment, and offer bike repairs and advice for a koha/donation. If you have a bike or helmet you no longer need, please consider donating them for someone else in need.
The Bike Manurewa facebook group is another place to find info, news and events for anyone interested in cycling. A recent Bike Manurewa community event included a trishaw-bike from the Cycling Without Age group located at the Selwyn Village in Point Chevalier.
CWA is an international movement (with 10+ chapters around NZ) connecting experienced ‘pilots’ with retirement villages, bringing younger cyclists and older people together through the love of cycling. Using an electric trishaw, local volunteers help less-mobile residents to enjoy fresh air while exploring their neighbourhood, re-activating memories of childhood bike adventures, and creating new friendships.
Perhaps we could start a local group and work towards getting a trishaw for our own community if there is enough demand. If that’s something you would be interested to work on together then please contact me by email: ezekiel@salubrious.org.nz
More information:
• Wattle Downs South Path - https://www.aucklandcouncil. govt.nz/parks-recreation/get-outdoors/aklpaths/Pages/ path-detail.aspx?ItemId=70
• Manurewa Bike Hub - https://www.beautification.org.nz/
• https://at.govt.nz/cycling-walking/cycling-walking-community/community-initiatives/bike-hubs
• Bike Manurewa - https://www.facebook.com/ groups/658881831444906/
Weymouth Sea Scout Group
Do you enjoy the outdoors?
Are you interested in learning about sailing, kayaking, hiking or camping?
Keas are 5 ½ -7 ½year olds and Cubs are 7 ½ - 10 ½ year olds and meet on Monday nights at the Reremoana School hall. Scouts are 10 ½ to 15 year olds and meet on Tuesdays at our Browns Road hall.
For more information about Scouts Aotearoa go to www.scouts.org.nz
If you interested in seeing what the Keas, Cubs and Scouts do or are keen in joining the fun as a leader, contact our Group Leader, Kate on 0212973227 or email weymouth@group.scouts.nz for more information.
How does our community connect?
There are many ways you can get involved in doing things in our neighbourhood. There are so many passionate people with many interests and hobbies that they are willing to share and connect with their neighbours. Many communication channels are open to everyone. It does not matter what language you speak or if you have a computer or not.
Here are some ways that you can seek out and share in connecting in Wattle Downs:
WATTLE DOWNS RESIDENTS & RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION
Facebook: @wattledownsresidentsassociation
www.facebook.com/wattledownsresidentsassociation
Email: wattledownsresidentsassoc@gmail.com
LOCAL FACEBOOK GRAPEVINES
Wattle Downs Grapevine
www.facebook.com/groups/986812188017626
The Wattle Downs Community Grapevine
www.facebook.com/groups/THEWattleDownsCommunityGrapevine
The Wattle Downs Mummys group
www.facebook.com/groups/1444544802450137
Wattle Downs Buy and Sell
www.facebook.com/groups/715457138532911
Wattle Farm Ponds
www.facebook.com/search/top?q=wattle%20farm%20ponds
Wattle Downs Café, Bar and Restaurant
www.facebook.com/search/top?q=wattle%20downs%20club%20bar%20 %26%20restaurant
Wattle Downs Golf Course
www.facebook.com/search/top?q=wattle%20downs%20golf%20course
Wattle Downs Nannas Grandmas
www.facebook.com/groups/580100375500281
WeChat Group
www.facebook.com/groups/939028382775911
POND LIFE NEWSLETTER
Contact the newsletter team for more info, articles you would like to write, or to be a new committee member.
WATTLE DOWNS ANNUAL CALENDAR
Contact Leo: 021 930 066 or Sue Matete: 021 715 672
OUR LOCAL DIRECTORY
AAA Roberts Property
Maintenance Services
“All your Handyman Needs” robertspms@gmail.com 021 261 9301
Beauty Sensations
Specialising in Nails, Waxing and Eyelashes
99 Tington Ave, Wattle Downs 09 268 4044 www.beautysensations.co.nz
Beck Electrical
Richard 09 266 4584 027 242 2109
Cedar Park Superette
99 Tington Ave, Wattle Downs 09 267 5909
Clayton Park Bakery
99 Tington Ave, Wattle Downs 09 267 9087
Cleven Electrical Ltd
For all your electrical and air conditioning needs. 09 238 5374 office@clevenelectrical.co.nz www.clevenelectrical.co.nz
Davis Pool Care
Swimming & Spa Pool Servicing Mark 021 370 793 0800 4 POOLS
Euro Motor Works
General Vehicle Repairs & WOF MTA Assured
19a Holmes Rd, Manurewa 09 914 1590
Exclusive Electrical
Darren - 09 217 1477 0275 942 538 sales@exclusiveelectrical.co.nz www.exclusiveelectrical.co.nz
Fitaz Fitness and Group Fitness Classes
Tracey Raututi - 021 151 7174 fitaz@hotmail.co.nz
Go Pest - Pest Control
Commercial & Residential info@gopest.co.nz 0508 467 378
JB Lawn & Garden
Lawn mowing, tree pruning, spraying jblawnandgarden@outlook.co.nz 0210 260 5630
Kiwi Simulators
Gaming PCs, tech & IT support. Race car simulator components & complete race car simulators for your home. 0800 497 377 or 021 621 425 nathan@kiwisimulators.co.nz www.kiwisimulators.co.nz
Latree Services
Trees, hedges and garden maintenance. Mase - 021 0251 6240
Les Car Valet
Your local car valet service. Les - 0211 400 391
LS Muir Builders
Local renovations & building Lee 021 2255 282 lsmuirbuilders@xtra.co.nz
Moor Park Superette
1 Moor Park, Wattle Downs 09 267 4638
Next Gen Electrical
Dylan - 021 950 706 dylan@nextgenelectrical.co.nz http://www.nextgenelectrical.co.nz/
Perfect Kitchens
Kitchens, Wardrobe, Vanities & all kinds of cabinetries info@perfectkitchens.co.nz
Aman 0221 011 986 Ashika 0224 561 735
Ross’s Plumbing Ltd
Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainage 09 262 4003 0800 363 747 www.rosssplumbing.co.nz
Shane’s Installation Services
CCTV Installations, For all your UHF aerial & freeview TV services. Installation repairs, new outlets & TV wall mounting. 0276 601 377
Smartwash Waterblasting Ltd
House washing services 0800 80 WASH 021 748 277 office@smartwash.co.nz www.smartwash.co.nz
Taxteam - Accountants 09 267 3628 admin@taxteam.co.nz www.taxteam.co.nz
Unique Beauty & Hair Studio
NZ qualified with 10yrs experience 5% discount - Senior citizens
Open 7 days 0223 078 970