West Franklin Breeze - March 2022

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16 Bowen Street, Waiuku

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FRANKLIN

A breath of fresh air for West Franklin

09 280 4232 info@gographics.co.nz

VOLUME 3, EDITION 2

B r e eze WEST

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

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MARCH 2022

Prestigious Papal award for Trish A special and unique Papal award was made at St Anthony’s Catholic Parish on Sunday 23 January to local Trish Chitty.

Trish arrived in Waiuku with her parents John Trish’s late father John, the late Joan O’SalShe became involved with the Waiuku & and Johanna (Hans) van der Star in 1968 and livan, and current parishoner Mary Livingstone District Rugby Football Club in 1970 when she began a remarkable life of service and commithave also recieved the award. met her husband Phil, who was playing at that ment to the Church community.

Many locals will know of Trish from her intime. Over the years she took on more roles and In her early years at the church she became a volvement in a wide variety of Waiuku commuresponsibilities and is still a current committee member of and then leader of the youth group. nity activities such as Girl Guiding, having been member of the club. She has been made a Life Later she became leader and facilitator of a Pippin, Brownie and Guide leader while her Member for her valiant contribution. She has weekly religious education, baptism, first holy three girls were involved. For many years afterco-ordinated the senior touch rugby module for communion and confirmation. wards she was secretary/treasurer of the Waiuku many years and has been secretary/treasurer of She also led the children’s liturgy groups on Scout and Guide Hall Committee. Only retiring the Waiuku Rugby Supporters Club for 20 years.

Sundays and has always been an active particifrom that last year.

As well as all her community work, Trish has pant in the weekly liturgy.

Over the years she has been on many comworked in the office at Knight & Dickey Ltd for Trish joined the Catholic Women’s League in mittees for school events, indoor basketball and 26 years. the 1970s: has been a member ever since, and netball to name a few.

Trish is truly a West Franklin legend. became treasurer 1998-1992 and secretary 2016-2019.

She was a stalwart member of the group that formed to plan and fundraise the building of the new church which was opened by Bishop Denis Browne in 1991.

She has been a member of the Parish Council since the 1970s and held the position of secretary 2000-2021.

She produced the annual Parish magazine for ten years until 2018.

Trish is a regular at Parish working bees and is a long-time provider of food and service at Parish meals and morning teas.

Her commitment to her Catholic faith and the local Parish community has been a source of admiration and inspiration to parishioners.

“It was a very special day for the church members to see Trish accept this unique award. We were very proud of her,” said parishioner Christine Black.

The Benemerenti (meaning well deserved) medal is a Papal award.

It was first awarded by Pope Pius VI 1775-1799 for military merit, it is now given to clergy and laity for Trish Chitty being awarded her Benemerenti medal by St Anthony’s Parish priest Father Gilbert Ramos. services to the Catholic Church.

Covid-19 News

Information updates on our website

www.waiukumedical.co.nz

Over the next four weeks, because of staff shortages arising from COVID isolation requirements, we are trying to cope as best we can and consequently our current call-waiting and call-back times are much longer than usual, we thank you for your patience.

We are providing a RAT testing service for symptomatic patients registered at Waiuku Health Centre by appointment only. We have not been supplied with tests for patients to self-test at home.

Unfortunately, we are unable to see casual patients currently and ask they go to Testing station at Pukekohe Showgrounds or to Franklin Urgent Care in Manukau Road, Pukekohe.

We are continuing to provide Covid 19 vaccinations for all ages from 5 years old. Appointments should be made by emailing covidvax@waiukumedical.co.nz or ring after 11am on 09 2359102. We are able to do some outreach community vaccination so If you or someone you know is house bound and unable to come into the centre, please email a request to covidvax@waiukumedical.co.nz. A nurse will contact you.

Please do not come into the Medical Centre if you have Covid symptoms e.g., Cough, Cold, Sore throat or flu like aches and pains. Please ring and discuss with reception. We are continuing to see all patients with these symptoms outside in our Car park.

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As happens at this time of the in our1feedback. I know Council 8 9 9 5 7 10 11 12 year, Auckland Council is about documents can be large and in 13 14 8 9 to release for consultation, it’s language that sometimes is dif15 16 annual budget proposal. ficult to make sense of, however 6 please 9 4 3 1 5 In normal times this would be take the time and feel free 17 18 19 year two of the ten year budget to ask questions of 4 your1elected 8 7 1 (that is revised every three years), representatives.

20 21 22 23 however as we all know, these As mentioned the 4 3 last month, 7 5 4 6 2 24 25 are not normal times. Just when upcoming mayoral race at this 26 8 seems to be looking 7 6 3 9 we thought things were looking 2 point like a 6 1sudoku.com 38757 - Level Hard 1sudoku.com 321656 - Level Hard like returning to some semblance strange affair. With Mayorn°Goff Answersn°on page 14 27 28 of normality, some traffic lights now announcing he is retiring appear. It probably heightens the and the fact Deputy Mayor and ACROSS ACROSS 1 Unexplored, like a house DOWN with no water pipes? (9) dislike of traffic lights we seem Franklin Councillor Bill Cashmore 6 Little French city (5)accepts one fo 1 Unexplored, like a house with woman no waterinvolved pipes? in racket 1 3 in Down possibly Cocky’s Corner Open Day 27 February to have in the Franklin area but is is also retiring, this leaves a mas9 There’s profiting possibly made from ballet (3,4,2,6) (9) 2 Squash served with pear for med Some require a system that’s simple (4) out of our control. sive gap at the head of the largest As always was popular event with6another big involved 10 Little woman in Growth’s racket in rejected French city 3 (5)One piece of equipment (4) 11 as fodder The impact of Covid has been council in the country and this turnout. Club stalwart Cliff Hobbs exceeded his (5) 4 Inspire gutless brute to take hear 12 Money is posted we hear (4) 15 Foul-mouthed professional immense for everyone and worries me deeply.

9 to There’s profiting possibly made from ballet 5 meets Firstsupporter to declareatFreud a terrible c big effort at the Liquorland Open Day go two end of game (7) 6 Hoax victim is awaited outside f Council is not excluded. In fact What we must avoid at all costs better with 43 points and first place on(3,4,2,6) the po16 Count who was fond of claret (7) 10 Some require a system 17 that’s simple (4) (4) the financial impact is huge for 2 is the3possibility Punished again and purified? (7) dium. Meanwhile Ces Miller playing some 7 8 of Auckland6 7 6 was 3 11 Growth’s rejected as fodder (5)advances slowly and writes 7 Script which characters are no 19 Son badlyin(7) us across the board. It will have having a dysfunctional mayor high quality golf too but needed one putt 12more Money is posted we hear individually (6-2,7) 20 (4) Business is steady (4) 1 the govern2 5 3 5 1542.Foul-mouthed ramifications on us locally and and council forcing 21 She’s first to laugh at at garment (5) drinks for the birds? (9) to go in, landing second place with Chris professional meets supporter 8 Late 22 I’m backing set of books13 to make (4) of game Jackmoney takes family member on tri there has been an immense effort ment to appoint commissioners Matthews took out third with 41 pointsend - hot on (7) 26 Fifty million more can rebuild Washington 6 4 8 2 6 9 16 Count who was fond of claret (7) 14 Arabs fighting in Iraq (5) put in getting to the point where as has happened in Tauranga. monument (7,8) Ces’s heels.

17 Punished again and purified?

(7) endlessly misbehaves 15 in Responsibility of minister or of 27 Trevor public (5) the Mayor has produced his budremove all aspects Low8round of the day honours were 4 Commissioners 2 3 5 3Son advances slowly and 28 writes Elderlybadly theatre an experienced 19 shared (7)director? He’s(9) get proposal for consultation. of democracy and will be there

by Andre Rautenbach and Michael Fitz 20 (visiting Business is steady (4) performer (3,6) 18 One that’s spotted entertaining g It is really important that peofor 21 She’s singer (7) from 7 Pukekohe), both the DOWN (5) 6 several electoral terms. That 9 5 scoring275. Nearest 6first to laugh at garment 1 3toDown one free the (5) place of another and pr backing set of books makepossibly moneyaccepts (4) 19 forTake ple take the time to have a look would be disastrous for our area pins went to Michael Fitz (1st hole) 22 andI’m Karin Squash served with pear for event (5,10) 26 Fifty4 million more can 2rebuild Washington 23 media Workman needs hat, right? (5) 7 the region as a 9whole. Having 2 1 9 and provide their feedback, in fact and Gruber (10th hole).

3 One piece of equipment (4) monument (7,8) 24 Show of disapproval hurt ultima 4 Inspire gutless brute to take heart perhaps (7) I plead with people to do that. The a lame duck mayor unable to get Longest drives were Joan Hyland27 - proving Trevor endlessly misbehaves your 5 First in to public declare(5) Freud a terribleput cheat (7)foot in it! (4) 5 2 1 8 4 9 Franklin Local Board has been agreement around the table would her effort on the Liquorland Open Day was no 28 Elderly theatre director? experienced 25 Fit forofboxing (4) 6 He’s Hoaxan victim is awaited outside front palace match (4) 7 Script in which characters are not seen a bit of a lone voice challenging be a nightmare. performer fl uke, and Dangerous Dean Hancock edging out(3,6) 1 5 9 7 9 individually (6-2,7) some parts of the proposal.

So hopefully there will be more Jared Hyland (last month’s winner) by a mere 8 Late drinks for the birds? (9) 13 Jack takes family member on trip (5) There is a new targeted rate to credible candidates half a metre! Two were 2 scored 9 5 2popping 6 out of 8 3 hole-in-twos 5 14 Arabs fighting in Iraq (5) address climate change that we 1sudoku.comthe woodwork soon.

by Andre Rautenbach and Paul Ruttley n° 39573 - Level Hard 1sudoku.com n° 329840 - Level Hard 15 Responsibility of minister or of pilot possibly (9) believe should deliver regional On this note after my contribu18 One that’s spotted entertaining grand opera singer (7) benefits to reflect the rate that is tion last month, editor Bill enquired 19 Take the place of another and prosper (7) collected regionally. It is emisas to what my plans are. With Bill 23 Workman needs hat, right? (5) 24 Show of disapproval hurt ultimately, but you sions focused and with transport Cashmore retiring, I plan to put my put your foot in it! (4) being our greatest emitter, there name forward and seek election as 25 Fit for boxing match (4) is a real attempt to deal with that. the Councillor for Franklin. I believe Page 1/2 - Check the solutions, print more sudoku puzzles for free and play online at: https://1sudoku.com/print-sudoku Ph. 09 238 5188 I urge people to look at where the my time as a leader on the Franklin Mob. 021 343 335 funding is to be spent and give us Local Board has provided me with www. sepio.co.nz Specialists in commercial your thoughts as to whether you a reasonable grounding to be able and domestic insurance agree or not. Your thoughts help to take on the role and continue to Winner Cliff Hobbs receives his prize from Rod Wilson of Answers on page 14 us to reflect your point of view represent the area.

Awhitu Golf news

Cocky’s Corner

Waiuku Fire Brigade Callouts

JANUARY

with Sgt Dean Borrell

Drug catch success Once again Covid has taken its toll on our staffing numbers at Waiuku, but not by any of us catching the virus. This time round its having our team work elsewhere at anti-government protests in Auckland and Wellington. Pukekohe staff who back us up have often also been tasked elsewhere.

Waiuku is a small team of four staff supported 24/7

by Pukekohe Police. With many isolating or failing ill we are being impacted by that too.

In Waiuku itself there been very few issues relating to the pandemic and issues surrounding it so far.

Over summer we have followed up on complaints of people camping unlawfully at the Te Toro reserve.

One weekend recently almost the entire lower area was covered in tents. In these cases it is a council lead issue, they serve

trespass notices and we back them up. The illegal campers eventually packed up without issue.

Karioitahi Beach remains a focus, especially the problem motorbikes. Whenever we are free in the weekends we try to spend maximum amount of our time at the beach.

There’s been a handful of burglaries, one or two rural properties out Karioitahi way and commercial containers and sheds have been targeted in the town’s industrial areas. Local police and the Pukekohe burglary team are still investigating these.

We executed a search warrant at a Waiuku house recently and found cannabis growing and an amount of cannabis packaged ready for sale. The amount of cannabis was significant and a Waiuku man was charged with possession

for supply. Another person at the house had methamphetamine on them as well.

If you have information about drug activity or any criminal activity ring Police on 105, go online or phone crime stoppers 0800 555 111 if you want to report it anonymously. We can build a case and take action.

Social media: I’ve mentioned this before, but do not believe much of what you read about crime on face book. I spoke to someone worried about all the burglaries in his area that he’d heard about on a face book site and in fact there hadn’t been any in that area for months. I’m not sure why people post false or exaggerated info, maybe it’s a bad case of Chinese whispers. However if you are burgled you must report it, Police stations are full of property that we’ve found at some criminals’ house

but Police can’t match it to the owner because they never reported the theft or burglary and if there is a spike somewhere we can get into that area and prevent more. We have a very good catch rate with burglars, it doesn’t usually happen the same day but after several days or weeks of investigation sometimes.

Lastly we farewelled Senior Constable Noel Patten who retired from the Waiuku Police recently. Noel was a sworn Police officer for over 14 years and much of that time was serving the Waiuku community as a constable here. Noel also worked prior to that for many years up power poles with Counties Power and had been a volunteer fire fighter at Waiuku for a long time as well. Thanks for your service to the Waiuku community Noel.

— Dean

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MARCH 2022

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

PAGE 3

Cyclone Dovi ravages Waiuku shop verandas The weekend of 12-13 February saw Cyclone Novi brings torrential rain and strong winds to most of New Zealand.

Waiuku business area was not spared either.

On Sunday 13 February, the Waiuku Volunteer Fire Brigade were called out to the verandas of four shops in Queen Street that had been damaged by the storm and were in a state of collapse. The Brigade cordoned off the areas and business owners were unable to operate while the verandas were in a dangerous condition.

In the weeks before this incident, Waiuku Town Manager Sharlene Druyven had been talking with Waiuku business owners about the state of some

of the verandas.

“Some of the verandas on buildings within the Waiuku CBD are in a poor state of repair,” said Sharlene. “Just recently in Tuakau a large shop veranda collapsed and the cyclone damage has just proved how vulnerable some are here in Waiuku. Had these verandas and parapet fallen when pedestrians were walking in front of the building, their lives would have been at stake.

It is a serious health and safety issue and one that does need to be addressed and rectified sooner rather than later”.

Meanwhile the Waiuku Business and Development Association has made several financial grants available to building

or business owners to repair and tidy up shop frontages.

“It has long been discussed by locals and visitors to the town about how lovely the parapet and veranda architecture is but if only it was cleaned and repainted to respect its historical past to help beautify the town,” said Sharlene.

“Sadly, there are a range of reasons landlords or business owners just haven’t had the opportunity to beautify their shop fronts or strengthen existing struts and verandas.

“The Business Association see the heritage component of our town centre as a tourist attraction to bring huge economic gains to the area so want to help.”

100% Consumer NZ’s People’s Choice Award . . . again!

STORY SANDY SMITH

COCKY RECKONS

There are many companies that claim ‘customer service and satisfaction’ as part of their marketing mantra. 100% Stores have earned the right to make this claim many times over, having once more been awarded Consumer People’s Choice Award in the Retailer Category.

Nadine Bell 100% Group General Manager, made the following statement in response to the latest win: “We would like to thank our customers for voting us their Consumers People Choice for the seventh year running; this is something that as a group we are very proud of and it recognises the ongoing commitment and hard work from the entire 100% team.”

To gain the Award, a business must rate above average for customer satisfaction and meet other performance criteria set by Consumer.

Awards are based on customer satisfaction surveys, conducted with members and a representative sample of the New Zealand population.

According to Consumer NZ’s Chief Executive Jon Duffy, “100% Stores have worked hard to recognise that customers are a key part of its business. Understanding what customers need is central to its success in gaining a People’s

Choice Award. 100% Stores should be proud that consumers rate it highly. Its customers consistently rank its great range of products, competitive prices and point of sale service above other providers.”

Waiuku is fortunate to have its own 100% store. Originally owned and operated by Gary Pye and still branded as 100% Gary Pye’s Appliances, the current owner-operators Saurabh Walia and Gaurav Khurana purchased the store approximately three and a half years ago.

When asked why he thought 100% keeps winning the Consumer NZ People’s Choice Award for the Home Appliances and Technology Retailer Category, Saurabh said, “It’s not just about selling products. We take great pride in going one step further and offer a high level of customer service.”

Shailza Walia, Gaurav’s wife, Saurabh’s sister and a key member of the management team, added “We are a group of community-based stores, all Kiwi-owned, so this keeps the stores focused on customer service. We care more what that one customer means everything to us.

The group consists of small to medium business owners but we come together collectively under the 100% brand.” We proudly believe in “Big enough to compete and small enough to care.”

100% stores consist of 48 locally owned and operated stores throughout New Zealand. Given the wide network, achieving a consistently high level of customer satisfaction is no mean feat.

When asked how they ensure their staff share their concern for customer service, Shailza commented, “some of the staff have been here longer than us and they are largely from the local community. We are in the community and therefore work for the community.”

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PAGE 4

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

MARCH 2022

Mudlarks ‘discover’ large kauri Waiuku Mudlarks have been busy for over ten years now, taking out mangroves from inlets around the area. Recently, right against the shoreline, they came across a sizeable kauri tree. Though it is big, there are some dead leaders, and many roots are now showing.

“We couldn’t go past this without trying to do something about it” said Mudlark Dave Gribble. “it is probably the biggest in the Waiuku area.”

It appears that over the decades land has been lowered, high tides come right up beside the tree and erosion has left many roots bare.

Local arborist Billy McLean has been checking it out. He says: “This kauri has a diameter at breast height of 650mm and could be 17m high. The larger lower limbs and growth pattern of upper canopy suggests this tree is ending it’s ‘ricker’ phase of life cycle and entering maturity. The extent of exposed and semi-exposed roots suggests this erosion has been affecting this tree for some time, but has not killed it. This has resulted in a ‘bonsai’ type effect. Based on size, life stage and environmental factors, one could easily estimate this tree to be 150-200 years old.”

Billy also tells us that this tree will get charted in a system where it’s location and details will be stored.

“The idea is to make a bund around

the endangered tree that will hold back litter and other material, which should slowly build up over the years and offer the roots more cover and less sea water,” said Mudlark Ian Scobie.

“Using donated Future Post recycled plastic fence posts and timber from Glenn Bowler, the wall is only 150mm now but we hope when the need arises to add more timber rails.”

George Flavell, Kaumatua of Ngati te Ata recently visited the site with his nephew Areka (Alex) McQuinn. “I think the Mudlarks are on the right track here,” commented George. “I like the idea that they are not only removing the mangroves, but are also looking after te korowai (natural flora) of Papatuanuku (earth mother) along the foreshore of the Manukau Harbour.

George gave the kauri tree a blessing and he says it is the whakaaro (feelings for nature) the Mudlarks have, that they wish to rescue this precious taonga (gift from above) against the never ending battle between Tangaroa of the sea and Tane of the land (coastal erosion).

This is an ongoing project. “As soon as we see the need, we will be looking at making the wall higher”, said Mudlark Tony Oglvie. “There is potential here for holding back enough material to really make a difference for this troubled tree and it’s root system”.

This kauri has a diameter at breast height of 650mm and could be 150-200 years old.

Ian Scobie from Mudlarks, Kaumatua George Flavell and Alex McQuinn at the base of the centurion+ kauri tree.

AK HAVE YOUR SAY

‘We want more focus on climate action’ Have your say on how we can speed up our climate response in Auckland Council’s Annual Budget 2022/2023.

22-PRO-0751-WFB-A

Go to akhaveyoursay.nz/budget

MARCH 2022

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

Glenbrook train operation is on track

PAGE 5

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Our signature GVR train arriving at Glenbrook - Destination WAIUKU!

Established as a charitable trust in 1970, Glenbrook Vintage Railway (GVR) has been a key feature of local West Franklin life for many decades.

What many locals may not know is that GVR is privately owned, is the third largest passenger train railway in New Zealand, operates multi-day and day trips from Waiuku and across the North Island, and has recently been accredited to operate its own trains in various places around the country’s rail network.

GVR is well known to rail enthusiasts, with over 60 volunteers covering a number of essential activities, as well as local families who enjoy the railway’s famous child-friendly events like the Day Out With Thomas.

But there’s more to the railway than meets the eye. General Manager Tim Kerwin said the seven day-a-week operation supplies engineering and operational expertise to large Auckland-based projects and provides services for the City Rail Link, Pukekohe to Papakura rail electrification, North Auckland Rail Line upgrades and repairs, and maintenance to international companies like Winston’s Pulp International based in Ohakune. “Waiuku’s little railway has grown up.”

Tim said GVR volunteers are the pillars of the organisation, performing many of the functions required to keep the wheels turning. “I believe our model has been a successful example of diversification of business, having a nimble mindset towards the short term future and ultimately of a winning team environment.”

Like all businesses and organisations, GVR has been heavily affected by covid, but its ‘support local’ policy has seen the development of strategic relationships and support, and allowed it to pivot successfully. With a goal to become more immersed in the life of the town, GVR’s governance and leadership team is largely made up of locals.

Franklin Local Board’s Sharlene Druyven has been proactive in assisting GVR with its goals and the railway works closely with Ngāti Te Ata to share the rich culture and history of Waiuku and surrounds.

Tim, who has an 18 year background in the rail industry, has been a volunteer at GVR for 25 years and a full time employee for the last four, said the achievements of the operation were owed first and foremost to the local support and generosity of the community. “I am proud to say

I have never worked with, or been part of such an amazing team so dedicated to railways in New Zealand. I am really excited for the future and what that means for GVR, for Waiuku and Franklin.”

So whether you take a 3-day tour to the Ruapehu regions from Friday to Sunday on a Discover Ruapehu Rail Tour, a Discover the Lower North Island by Rail 14-day tour, or a day trip with lunch or dinner aboard, like the First Class High Tea experience catered for by the Shires Restaurant, GVR is ready and waiting to move you across the countryside in style.

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MARCH 2022

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Tennis courts in need of some love STORY TIFFANY BROWN

Waiuku Tennis Club has fundraised two thirds of the amount required to replace four of its court surfaces at the club grounds on Racecourse Road. The synthetic surfaces, which have an expected lifespan of 10-15 years, have been in place for over 20 years and are now showing signs of degradation, with a worn pile, uneven and slippery surfaces and wear at the baselines resulting in visible splits.

The resurfacing is a priority for the club so that members can use the courts in all weathers and the club membership numbers can stay buoyant.

Replacing the courts will allow the club to offer a continuation of all-weather physical activity opportunities for all ages and abilities, improve safety and playing conditions, ensure the continuation of part-time employment of a qualified tennis coach and offer wider benefit to the community by aligning with other

sports in the area and ensuring the longevity of the club.

The club has been in existence for over a century and is an integral part of the local tennis community. An arrangement with local football and hockey clubs to use their all-weather facility through the winter months also makes the club a vital component of Waiuku life. Other community partnerships, such as the promotion of tennis at Waiuku College and the primary schools as well as local iwi Ngati Te Ata further cement the club as a mainstay of the community. Local businesses also use the courts for tournaments and social evenings.

The courts are also available for the general public to use. Just turn up and phone the number on the gate. A nominal fee will be charged and a club volunteer will come to open the gate for you.

Dovi takes its toll on power supply STORY CHRISTINE RUPP, CHAIR COUNTIES ENERGY TRUST

It has been a busy time for Counties Energy with the recent storm during the weekend of 12 February with Cyclone Dovi.

Falling trees and high winds did more damage than the storm back in April 2018.

Thirty eight percent of the network was without power and the line crews worked extremely hard to restore it.

Cyclone Dovi took an extensive scenic route around the network and wreaked major damage in the time it took to dissipate. The wet and miserable conditions made the repair and restoring of lines extremely difficult to the lines crew. I was very proud of our Counties Energy team for their

great efforts. It’s time like this that you appreciate the power when it is restored, said Christine Rupp chair of Counties Energy Trust.

The company can’t stress enough how important it is to keep your trees trimmed especially those near power lines.

“I noticed in my rural area, trees and large branches were snapped off at various heights and from different directions.

If you have our Outage Hub app (app.countiesenergy.co.nz), you would have noticed how the ‘red’ showed extensively for about five days. Let’s hope we don’t have too many storms like this in future,” said Christine.

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With current Red Light status expected to still be in place, social spacing and mask recommendations in place and 100 person maximum even for outside events, it is obvious that what the West Franklin community normally does to celebrate Anzac in both Waiuku and Awhitu must change for 2022.

The RSA Representatives and Anzac Committee members are determined to continue with their Cenotaph Remembrances in both Waiuku and Awhitu in 2022 within allowable limits, to honour our service men and women and fallen comrades.

All veterans and current serving Armed Forces members, plus invited members of

NZ Uniformed Services (Police, Fire, Māori Wardens, St John etc) will be onsite at the Cenotaph. However the mass involvement of the public will not be possible this year.

There will be no parade and march from St Andrews Centre to the Cenotaph. All local schools and clubs will be contacted to advise them of these enforced changes and alternatives possible.

It should be noted, that the Waiuku and Awhitu Cenotaphs are public places and are therefore open at all times - families and community groups can visit any time of Anzac day to honour past friends and family members,

lay a wreath or place your personal poppy.

Please observe social spacing guidelines and give others who may be present, time and space. If you visit Awhitu Cenotaph at 9am or Waiuku Cenotaph at 11am, you will be requested to stand back while the RSA and community representatives carry out their formal remembrances of approximately 30 minutes duration. You may well be asked to stay back or stay behind a temporary barrier.

While these conditions are as at present, if national conditions change these will be informed in the next edition of the Breeze distributed between 7-10 April.

Advertorial

Lions mobility vans and scooters Waiuku Lions Club has long been a friend and supporter of local people with injuries or infirmities which make it difficult for them to fully participate in day-to-day activities. This is why in 1997 the Club assisted with the purchase of the first Lions Club Mobility van. This gave sterling service to many locals over the years until in 2015, as a 50th Anniversary Project, the Club purchased a replacement vehicle which met all current safety regulations. Now 2022 marks 25 years of Lions involvement with this mobility project.

Waiuku Lions mobility spokesman, Lion Allan Standing said “The old van was getting long in the tooth and was not easy to drive. The new van is so much better equipped with an easy to operate electric wheelchair lift and can accommodate one driver plus one powered wheelchair and five passengers seated. One additional manual wheelchair can be added if the person is transferred to a seat, with stowage available for the folded chair. We just wish it was used more than it is!”

Locals wishing to make use of the Mobility van can book through the Waiuku Library.

The Lions Club is very grateful for the support given by library staff to this project. Drivers do need to agree to a number of conditions of use, which are not hard to meet. Users are required to replace fuel used and make a donation to Club funds equivalent to the cost of fuel used. There are no other hire charges.

“The van is currently used for only five or six days a month, on average,” said Allan, “and we would really love to increase that, as it would mean other locals would be getting more freedom from it.”

Do you know - That Waiuku Lions owns a Mobility Van and several Mobility Scooters that are available for members of the local West Franklin Community to use?

In addition to the Mobility van, the Waiuku Lions Club also has four mobility scooters available for use by locals who need help getting around. There is a modest weekly charge of $12.50 and these scooters do tend to be in high demand. Availability can be checked through an enquiry made on the Lions Facebook page or by ringing Allan on 027 235 6031.

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MARCH 2022

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

PAGE 7

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Liana earns her Triple Crown

advertise with us?

STORY TIFFANY BROWN

Glenbrook ultra-marathon swimmer Liana Smith has reached her latest goal achieving the ‘Triple Crown’ challenge in her ultra-endurance sport by crossing Foveaux Strait on 10 February and raising over $11,000 for the I AM HOPE foundation supporting youth suicide prevention.

Liana previously crossed Lake Taupō in April 2021 in a time of 12 hours 29 minutes, and Cook Strait in May 2021 in 6 hours 59 minutes.

The third and final swim of 31.4kms across the inter-island strait was completed in a time of 6 hours 19 minutes, which means Liana set a new overall record total time for the crossing.

Liana is now just the eighth person in history to complete the Triple Crown. She said a swimmer would usually complete one swim per season, rather than the unprecedented eleven months she took to complete all swims. “Because of covid there were very few, if any, international swimmers booked to do the crossings,” she said.

“I got incredibly lucky with tide windows opening up and the current covid circumstances meaning that Phil Rush - my logistical guru -

had plenty of space on his books for us Kiwis to swim with no internationals coming over.”

After struggling with depression herself when a 2014 spinal fusion put an end to Liana’s young swimming career, the 25 year-old said mental health wasn’t really spoken about back then, and her emotional turmoil at the time was all kept under the surface.

“I relied totally on my closest friends and family to help me find my purpose in life after feeling my entire identity as an athlete was gone.”

The work for I AM HOPE in bringing these issues to light and supporting mental health for young people was a perfect fit for Liana’s charitable endeavours.

Now that the Triple Crown challenge is under her belt, Liana is working as a hiking guide in the South Island and indulging in her love of other outdoor pursuits.

You can see the final tally on Liana’s incredible fundraising effort at www.givealittle.co.nz/ fundraiser/marathon-swimming-for-i-amhope or Facebook swim for something

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FRANKLIN

A breath of fresh air for West Franklin

Talk to Chris today 020 4089 9939 sales@westfranklinbreeze.nz

Nourish your way to wellbeing The West Franklin Breeze has invited Gautam or Chef G, to share his passion for food with our readers. G is a Certified Nutrition Consultant and professional chef, helping people achieve their wellbeing goals through food. He has worked in contemporary and traditional kitchens around the world.

Four years ago, he moved to Waiuku and set up Nourish Holistic Nutrition, a small business born of a passion to heal through food. From his Wellness Kitchen, he shows people a science-based, holistic way to harness the power and joy of food.

G will share with us health-promoting recipes, global flavours and tips to help you and your family nourish at every meal.

Yemeni Sahawig (Suh-ha-vak)

Today, G talks about the abundance of tomatoes in home gardens.

Serves 4

A spicy Yemeni salsa suitable to include in any meal.

Serve as an accompaniment to rice, yoghurt, bread, fish or meat.

INGREDIENTS:

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups tomato 1 garlic clove, chopped A pinch of cumin seeds 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves 1 tablespoon lemon juice Salt to taste 1 green chili, chopped (optional) 2 tablespoons feta cheese

Blend all ingredients to a pulp for about 30 seconds.

Serve immediately.

“It’s a great problem to have!

Organic tomatoes (red, yellow, green or orange) all have lycopene, a well-researched phytonutrient known to enhance immunity.

So hold on to your surplus toms – G has just the recipe to turn them into something delicious!”

Make fresh whenever needed.

To learn more about Nourish visit

nourishholisticnutrition.co.nz

PAGE 8

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

MARCH 2022

Young Ryan is king of the court STORY TIFFANY BROWN

Young people are a particular focus for Waiuku Tennis Club which offers a professional coaching programme and nurtures young local talent, such as 16 year-old Ryan Crawford, who began playing tennis at the age of eight and coached by Rod McGregor. Natural hand-eye coordination, a competitive nature and enjoyment of the outdoors made the sport a perfect fit for Ryan.

As a beginner, Ryan displayed a touch of the ambidextrous. The story goes he would pick up his racquet in his left hand, before switching over to the right. His coach declared, “Come back when you’re sure which hand you’re going to play with!” Ryan committed to his right hand, and returned the following year to play interclub in Grade 7.

Ryan is now the number one ranking male player in the Waiuku Grade 1 team, having previously been invited to the Counties Junior Development Squad for elite players, representing Waiuku College in local and regional tournaments and being named Counties Junior Player of the Year in 2021. A slew of trophies and matches against more premier-graded players are providing Ryan with the opportunity to improve his skill level and increase his strength and pace while giving him much needed on-court experience.

Skipping, running and mountain biking form part of Ryan’s fitness strategy to support his tennis, and he works hard at the mental side of his game. Ryan also volunteers at the club, assisting with the Hotshots programme for children playing mini tennis, games and racquet and ball skills, as well as helping with weekly junior coaching clinics.

Tennis won’t be going anywhere for Ryan anytime soon, as the Year 12 student plans his future career. He hopes to win a scholarship to study and play tennis at an American college to continue with his favourite sport.

Ryan Crawford in action

Local athlete takes out top spot While gale force winds were closing Auckland’s Harbour Bridge in mid February, local athlete Charli Gardiner-Hall was battling a gnarly headwind on the back straight of Mt Smart Stadium, as she pushed through a punishing 1500m race.

Shortly afterwards, she joined a select group of finalists at the Franklin Junior Sports Awards and took out the top prize for the U16 Sportswoman of the Year category.

Earlier in the same weekend, Charli threw a massive personal best of 9.88m in shot put, breaking the Auckland record and the New Zealand record, for the U17 F38 para athletics classification. At just 14, Charli is certainly making her mark in the world of athletics.

Whilst Covid has played havoc with sports over the past two years, it hasn’t stopped this talented and determined teen from taking every opportunity that has come her way.

Charli has amassed a stunning tally of more than 30 gold, silver and bronze medals in just the past 12 months, competing in duathlon, swimming, cross country, road racing, distance running, throws and sprints. “I was booked in to test myself at table tennis and aquathon too, but those were cancelled,” notes Charli.

Born with a rare congenital brain condition, known as Sturge Weber Syndrome (type 3), Charli is an athlete that lives and competes with a disability. Her disability affects the physical power, coordination and reflexes of her right side, causes seizures and serves up challenges on the learning front. “Seizures are not much fun! They can make you drop from standing, straight onto the ground. It’s quite a big fall,

especially as I’ve gotten taller now!” she grins.

During the awards ceremony organised by Counties Manukau Sport, Charli had the opportunity to hear Olympic bronze medallist Dylan Schmidt speak about his journey in elite sport, and she got to hold his stunning Olympic medal.

“I really liked how Dylan said it was important to have other things in your life for balance, not just your main sport. And wow his medal was sooo heavy! I would love to earn one of those,” says Charli. We’ll be watching out for you Charli.

Waiuku athlete Charli Gardiner-Hall (14), hopes to one day “earn the fern” and represent NZ. She’s on her way after being named a winner at the recent Franklin Junior Sports Awards.

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PAGE 9

Top world score for Beau Local ACG Strathallan student achieves a top in the world score for design and technology

Waiuku local, Beau Engelbrecht, has not only topped his class but also the world.

Last year, while in his last year at ACG Strathallan, Beau achieved an A+ in Design and Technology for the Cambridge International A Level exams. Beau was very pleased with the result but did not find out that this was a top score for the whole world until the Principal of Strathallan, Danny O’Connor, rang him in late January 2022.

Beau is now enrolled in the Victoria University Bachelor of Architecture degree. Once he graduates, he wants to work as an architect “designing dream houses and also working on larger projects.” He will also consider doing post-graduate studies.

Beau knew he “wanted to be an architect from an early age” and started to channel his design talent in Year 8. He was encouraged by dad Darren, a skilled wood worker and owner of Naturally Wood Waiuku, and artistic mum Michelle.

According to Beau, “this was a great combination, growing up.”

For the Design and Technology course, Beau had to produce an object which had to be designed and created by him. Students taking the course could make anything they wanted and some of the creations he knew of included a guitar, a surf board and a paint brush holder.

Beau decided to make something he could use in the future: a desk. “In previous years someone always made a desk but this time I wanted to make something really special.”

When asked what he thought made the desk unique he submitted a top-scoring entry.

Beau first listed its functional features, such as the built-in drawing board and record player and a hidden drawer complete with six dial combination lock.

The desk is also aesthetically pleasing, with sleek lines, custom made brass fittings, and a pattern on the right hand side drawer panel, created through the use of an electrical current, aided by a certified electrician.

The wood used in the making of the piece is Ash from America, New Zealand Oak sourced from Auckland Domain and Mahogany inlays.

The project took hundreds of hours of planning, building an initial model, writing up the process and detailing how the piece could be improved once it was constructed. “I had to document each stage of the project, including providing photographic evidence, to make sure it was me designing and building the piece the whole way through.” For the design process Beau utilised computer-aided design (CAD) software. The final write-up totaled over 25,000 words.

When asked if he was planning to take the desk to Wellington, Beau said, “I would love to but can’t this year as I’m staying in student accommodation; I might transport it down when

I have a more stable place to live.” For now Beau will focus on settling into life down in Wellington and starting his studies.

Flame the National Champion After spending months working with her Hereford calf Flame, Eva Muir was disappointed to learn that the Otaua School Calf Club was cancelled due to ongoing covid level restrictions and uncertainty.

Determined not to let her hard work go wasted, Eva then took the opportunity to enter Flame into the online Calf Club NZ competition.

This meant a few more weeks work, but it was something Eva felt she and Flame could manage.

“I was stuck at home in lockdown, so it was nice to be able to spend more time with my calf, and get him ready for the visiting calf club judge to see,” said Eva. However, lockdown continued, and this meant the visiting judge for the Auckland region of the competition could not attend. Calf Club NZ had to change tactic, and the children were then asked to make leading videos, and send in detailed photographs of the animal’s conformation and presentation.

“This meant even more weeks of work with Flame, as Calf Club NZ decided what was needed to be donedo. It was a good excuse to take breaks from online school work,” said Eva. The hard work certainly paid off for Eva. Flame was awarded second for leading in the Auckland primary/intermediate section, first for rearing, and first for beef type. Eva and Flame were then awarded the overall champion, first place National Champion for leading, rearing and conformation.

“I was so excited I could hardly believe it, I was so proud of Flame.”

Above: Eva Muir and Flame

Right: Eva’s winning ribbons from her virtual entry with her calf Flame in the Calf Club NZ awards.

PAGE 10

MARCH 2022

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

Playground funding increased

Two Waiuku playground upgrades are to get more funding.

Franklin Local Board Waiuku representative Matthew Murphy says Massey Park will get an additional $252,000 to complete the new playground and Kevan Lawrence Park $390,000.

“Playgrounds are crucial assets for residents, and especially for young families. They are more than just swings and slides, for some parents. They provide spaces where they can chat to other parents and relax while the kids have fun.”

Board chair Andy Baker says the funding will complete work already undertaken at the parks, and at nearby Centennial Park.”

“It will provide what the public told us they wanted.

“We ran into funding issues due to the same big hike in costs being experienced everywhere else in the country so we had to take a staged approach. When we found we had some unspent money from other projects in Franklin, we agreed to apply it to finishing off these playgrounds.”

Jordan forever grateful for WTC 23 year-old Jordan Petrie has completed a degree in Business Management on a sports scholarship in America, and said he owes it all to WTC. “Simply put, I wouldn’t have achieved any of these things if it wasn’t for the overwhelming support I received from everyone at Waiuku Tennis Club.”

As an eight year-old Jordan remembered trepidation and nerves as he went with his parents to get his first taste of tennis at the club. “Within the first five minutes, I was hooked.”

The attention and compassion showed to the young tennis players was very special, Jordan said. “A big shout-out to Rod McGregor for showing me and every other kid what it meant to play the game we all know and love with respect and passion.”

Although Jordan said it took some time for the on-court

respect to catch up with his youthful passion, he’ll never forget the lessons he learned as a youngster. He also noted the skillful duo, Nigel Bradley and Jon Taylor, to whom he credits his successful doubles game.

“Derek Collins and Frank Lieder may have something to say about that. If I was ever looking for tips and tricks on how to better my game, I’d sit back and watch those four battle it out.”

Jordan’s American experience took him first to Miami, Florida, where his team managed to win a National Championship in his first year and take second place the next.

Next stop was Phoenix, Arizona where he and his doubles partner racked up the most doubles wins in school history, and earned another second place at the National competition.

Sadly, covid cut short Jor-

STORY TIFFANY BROWN

dan’s final year of college tennis, but with extra time on his hands, he was able to knuckle down and graduate with his Bachelor’s Degree from Ottawa University.

“After all the hard work that went into juggling a sports career alongside full time study, graduating is my proudest achievement.”

A potential professional tennis career was also cut short due to lingering back injuries, and Jordan’s dream now is to pursue a career within the sports industry, with the ultimate goal of becoming a sports agent.

Jordan said he urges any young kid considering tennis to give it a shot. “For any who may be nervous or anxious about being judged, there is no place or better feeling than walking through those gates of the Waiuku Tennis Club. It is truly a very special place.”

Elbow gets a facelift The Elbow Landing Reserve in Aka Aka is currently undergoing renovations.

The Elbow Landing Reserve in Aka Aka is currently undergoing renovations. The boat ramp is being re-poured to level and refresh the surface, new retaining walls are being constructed on the riverside around a large tree and a rock bank is also being established to stop erosion and improve the aesthetics of the popular water spot.

Work has been ongoing for about five weeks but is on a brief hiatus while some design issues are being resolved. Downer Site Engineer Jayden van Heuvel said the team hopes to re-start in a couple of weeks’ time. There had been some interest from Aka Aka locals in the work, and all had been very supportive of the project. The expected completion time for the work is late April, in time for May’s duck shooting season.

Work underway in the rebuild of the Elbow boat ramp.

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

DECEMBER MARCH 20222021

17 PAGE 11

World famous in Awhitu – the story of Swoop

STORY SANDY SMITH

Swoop has become legendary both in his community of Awhitu and also on social media, and now there is a children’s book published.

It all started when local Awhitu resident and volunteer firefighter Matt Owens was driving down the road and he saw an injured baby magpie. Matt took the bird home, introduced her to resident cat Mogli, and the three became best friends.

“I found Swoop when my Dad was terminal with cancer. She gave me a positive outlet through that time,” explained Matt.

“I never caged her, so Swoop would come and go as she pleased, but she stayed around. When my Dad eventually passed away and I returned from his funeral, Swoop had made her way out into the wild.”

However, the story of Swoop’s rescue and subsequent friendship with Matt and his cat Mogli had built a large following on Dodo, one of the world’s largest social media platforms focused on telling animals’ stories.

When introduced to the Dodo community, Swoop’s story went viral.

Eventually Matt found out that Swoop had

also been visiting local illustrator, Emma Gustafson. “Swoop kind of brought us together, so I pitched to Emma the idea of creating a children’s book and she agreed.”

Matt went on to find a publisher and after some knock-backs Scholastic offered Matt and Emma a deal. The book, The Story of Swoop, was published in February 2022 and can be purchased through major book retailers. You can even receive a signed copy if you contact Matt at www. shopmattowens.com.

There’s also been a lot of national publicity.

The tale doesn’t end there however. “Six months ago, a follower on my Instagram gave me Zoe, another magpie in need of rescuing. Zoe broke her wing when she was learning to fly so I got in touch with Avian Empire, a veterinary service specialising in treating birds and they helped me rehabilitate her.”

Now fully recovered according to Matt, Zoe has become “quite domesticated just like Swoop.” When asked if a second book could be in the pipeline, Matt’s response was, “this is only the beginning: watch this space!”

Student leaders share their vision for 2022 Members of the student leadership team at Waiuku College recently shared their thoughts on what it’s like to be back at school.

According to College Principal Stuart Kelly, the four head students have just come back from attending a leadership retreat in Hunua along with the school’s team of prefects.

When asked of the challenges of 2021, Head Girl Keely Lipscombe commented: “We know from last year that the student leaders found it difficult to be online and still lead, that will probably be our biggest challenge this year if we have more lockdowns.”

Head Boy Jared Falcone agreed. “Last year because of Covid, the leadership team didn’t get to spend as much time in the community as they wanted. That will be our aim this year – to be more community focused.” According to Keely, big events for 2022 will include Anzac Day, getting involved in rubbish clean-ups, and volunteering for events.

When asked to comment on how they see themselves supporting the

school population in 2022, Jared said, “I think we see ourselves supporting the students by being there for them so they can come to us with their ideas.”

Keely agreed: “We are here to support the student voice. We need to vouch for the students. Ultimately a school is for the students and we need to be the glue that holds the school community together.”

Concerning whether students were glad to be back at school or not, Deputy Head Boy Finn Strickland said, “Some students don’t want to be back at school and some do. For me, I’m glad to be back.” Deputy Head Girl Abbey Carroll added, “There’s a mixed feeling about being back. It’s hot and we’re wearing masks, but now students get to see their mates in person.”

At the prefect camp, the team, along with the prefects learned to work together. “We got to bond as a team and relate together more,” said Jared. According to Abbey “The camp enabled us to learn about our different skill sets.” Jared added, “The guest speaker from Waikato

Above: Swoop and his best friend Mogli.

Left: Matt Owens, author and friend to Swoop.

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“We were encouraged to face our fears and overcome challenges,” said Finn.

This year’s leadership team also shared their personal goals as fellow students. For Keely, “prioritising my leadership role while also achieving academically is important. I would to go to Waikato University next year, to study marketing or management.” Jared’s focus is to continue playing hockey and “encourage others to get involved in sport.” His career goal is to get involved in adventure tourism.

Finn plans on training as a nurse after leaving school and is now focused on “building up my confidence and learning to back myself up.” Abbey, who plays both rugby and netball and wants to study health science at AUT, aims to “balance school and sport and excel in both.”

Waiuku College and the wider Waiuku community, will undoubtedly benefit from having such a dedicated and multi-talented team as the school navigates its way through 2022.

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PAGE 12

MARCH 2022

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ One of Auckland’s new crazes is riding a pump track.

Biking in and around Auckland Get your heart racing at a pump track

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A pump track is a bit like a small rollercoaster that you ride on. To try this popular craze head to Grey Lynn Park; Birkenhead Dirt Jump Park and Pump Track, Harrowglen Drive Playground and Bike Track in Northcross, Riverhead Pump Track, Mountain Bike Course in Forrest Hill, Olympic Park Velodrome in New Lynn and Woodhill Mountain Bike Park.

If you’re looking for a more serious ride, mountain bikers should try the MTB skills park right next to the campground in Mangatāwhiri Valley at Hunua, plus trails of up to 20km graded from easy to difficult.

The Hunua Ranges is the Auckland region’s largest mainland forest, harbouring over 450 native species amidst 40,000 hectares of bush; with several well-maintained and well-signposted mountain bike tracks and a skills park right next to the Upper Mangatawhiri Campground.

For something easy try the Valley

Time to plant spring bulbs The arrival of the very colourful spring bulbs in bloom is always a welcome sign that winter is over and summer is just around the corner. If you would like to have a display in your garden, now is the time to get ready by planting spring bulbs.

Whether grown in the garden or patio containers, they’ll give you a fragrant splash of colour in early spring with masses of bright blooms. Plus, they’re extremely easy to plant and care for. Bulbs appreciate a good rich mix of compost added to the soil.

In the garden plant bulbs in clusters into free-draining soil, rich in organic matter or into bulb mix. To improve your soil, include compost, pumice, sand and gypsum. Plant in same colour drifts and put into a slight mound if the area is known to get wet.

Bulbs are also glorious in pots which can adorn a patio or deck,

or can be dotted around the garden for a pop of colour. Select a pot large enough to plant the bulbs at the correct depth and spacing. Plant using bulb mix or potting mix for a free-draining soil option. Keep the soil in pots moist and well fed.

Water your bulbs well after you have planted them and until they start to sprout.

Some of the most popular bulbs are daffodils, jonquils, freesias and iris but try some new ones to make a change. An early bulb is the delicate crocus which now comes in a variety of colours.

Anemones and ranunculus make a lovely display when mass planted together. But they are very prone to caterpillar infestation so keep a close watch on that.

Most garden centres will be starting to sell bulbs during March.

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Crocus come in many bright colours and make a lovely display in early spring.

Mass planting of different varieties that flower at the same time will turn heads.

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Loop Track. It’s 14 kilometres of undulating terrain through punga and kauri forest, and the nearby river has plenty of swimming holes perfect for cooling off.

Or even closer to home is the Āwhitu Regional Park which is the perfect half hour trip from Waiuku.

You’ll find it on the Āwhitu Peninsula, jutting out into the calm waters of the Manukau Harbour looking back to the city. The best way to see it all is via mountain bike on the easy 3km Settlers Farm Track, which will take most riders around an hour.

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WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

PAGE 13 17

Names used for generations Council’s budget open for could soon be ‘official’ consultation

Waiuku Franklin Local Board subdivision residents are being urged to have their say on Auckland Council’s proposed Annual Budget 2022/2023.

Big Bay the bay, Big Bay the general area, • Māori names with macrons added Waitangi Falls, Clarks, Grahams and Settler’s • Māori names where more information is beaches, Kingseat and Pollok could soon be sought ‘official’ names.

• non-Māori names to be adopted as is.

A Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa - New Zealand “The Geographic Board says where there’s Geographic Board project to make unofficial no other recorded name for a place, and it’s names official has been presented to the Frankunlikely the public would object, it can use a lin Local Board for comment. fast-track process to make things official.

Board chair Andy Baker says there are more “Public consultation isn’t required but local than 30,000 place names in New Zealand – 1421 authorities and mana whenua views are sought of them within Auckland, to ensure names are adand 177 of those withopted correctly, and that The lists are online at in Franklin – that have names can be dropped infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz been on maps for years, from the fast-track proas attachments to the but which have no official cess if there are objecFranklin Local Board agenda item. status. tions,” Baker says.

“Of the 21 local boards The Franklin Local Board The board will be advised in Auckland only Rodney has received the Geowhich names have been approved. has more names on the graphic Board’s lists of list than Franklin. names to become official, “Names are important to people, often reagreeing with the intent of the proposal. flecting historic or heritage ties, and to events “But we have said the process hasn’t enabled or geographic features, but most of all to our us to effectively represent local views, and we ancestors.” feel unable to comment without evidence of Auckland’s 1421 names include 690 of nonengagement with mana whenua and the wider Māori origin, and 731 te reo Māori, with the lists local community,” he says, adding, “we will not provided divided into four groups. simply rubber stamp something that has not • Māori names to be adopted as is been tested in the community”.

Andrew Bayly MP for Port Waikato Port Waikato Electorate Office 7 Wesley St, Pukekohe 09 238 5977 andrew@baylymp.co.nz AndrewBaylyMP

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Board chair Andy Baker says the annual budget council’s budget and work programme for 2022/2023 and public consultation runs for a month, 28 February to 5pm on 28 March.

“Public feedback and board input shapes the final budget.

Given the financial constraints we are seeing as COVID-19 impacts continue, it’s important people get involved to tell us where their priorities lie.”

Waiuku subdivision representative Sharlene Druyven says council will use a range of online and offline options at a time when traditional public feedback events can’t be held.

“We’ll also work with community organisations and council partners to ensure as many people as possible get the opportunity to provide feedback.

“Almost every area of the city claims it doesn’t receive its fair share and is overlooked, so it’s important people actually get involved. The board’s feedback is driven by what the public tells us.”

Baker says council is managing complex pressures this year but

the key is to have resilience in the budget. Whilst this would normally be a checking in on things contained within the 10-year budget, Baker urges people to look carefully at a new proposed regional targeted rate aimed at reducing transport emissions and in particular the projects or initiatives to be funded.

He adds “There is also a proposed change to how we collect rubbish more efficiently which is again important for the rural west of Franklin.”

The board is hosting an online presentation and Q&A session on Monday, 14 march from 5-7pm.

The event will take place using MS Teams and anyone can attend by emailing franklinlocalboard@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to have an invitation link sent.

Feedback can be provided directly using the council Have your say website at https:// akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil. govt.nz/ searching annual budget, The site also contains meeting information for events across the city and Mayor Phil Goff’s proposed climate action programme.

d

PAGE 14

MARCH 2022

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

Karioitahi, Tower, Misa and Hull Roads will be lowered to 80km.

AT have reviewed and identified 1646 roads that need new safe and appropriate speed limits.

These roads are: Around schools: Approximately 980 roads 82 schools around Auckland.

Rural roads: There are 415 rural roads, including areas including Āwhitu Peninsula and Hull Road area.

AT are saying that proposing safe speed limits will result in a number of benefits: • Reduced number of people getting seriously injured or killed on our roads.

• Potential savings of $4.53m per life saved and $0.5m per injury prevented.

• Safe walking or cycling trips to school safer for children.

• Healthy environmental with lower carbon emissions and improved air quality.

They are claiming that many of the rural roads in this proposal are twisting, have sharp bends and are hilly with narrow unforgiving lanes that pose challenges to even the most experienced drivers. The consequences of small driver errors on such roads can be fatal.

Over 90% of the roads AT propose changing the speed limits of are ‘self-explaining roads’ where drivers travel at a lower speed due to the road conditions. In rural areas, this could be due to the road being narrow, windy or hilly. And, in urban areas it could be due to the residential environment and things like speed bumps.

Narrow, unsealed roads with no road markings and poor surface conditions can cause loss of control and leads to crashes on bends and head-on collisions.

Road markings can significantly improve the safety of roads by giving drivers a better understanding of the road alignment.

WAIUKU NETBALL CENTRE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Monday 28 March 2021 7pm Due to the Covid situa�on, venue to be confirmed.

Please check our Facebook page.

Kohekohe Hockey Club AGM 24th March 2022 at 7pm All past, present and future members welcome. To be held via online meeting.

To get a link to the meeting email info@kkhc.co.nz

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Submissions close 3 April 2022

Have your say AT.govt.nz/haveyoursay or call 09 355 3553

Council to monitor septic tanks Auckland Council has known for some time that septic tanks were contaminating waterways and streams across Auckland, but they had no efficient way to monitor the systems.

It took a massive effort to identify the properties concerned and develop a compliance system to ensure septic tanks are regularly inspected and maintained.

Launched in November last year, the onsite wastewater compliance system is the first local government system of its kind in New Zealand.

“This system will have a huge impact on our beaches and streams and on people’s health,” says Senior Healthy Waters Specialist, Lizzie Johnson.

“It gives us more confidence septic tanks are being properly maintained and if they don’t meet safety standards, we can act more quickly to ensure they’re fixed.”

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The internationally recognised safe and appropriate speed in areas with people walking and on bikes, like around schools, is 30km/h. In Auckland, there are over 560 schools with current speed limits that do not make walking, cycling, and scooting Safeparents.

Speeds: School Programme appealing modes of transport, both for children and their There is only Glenbrook School listed in this pase of the proposal. Glenbrook School 459 Glenbrook-Waiuku Road, Glenbrook | Franklin There is a disproportionately high number of Māori road deaths Brookside Rd and serious injuries. In 2020 16% of death and serious injury occurred in Māori. Auckland Transport has d been working closely with Mana Whenua to understand uR iuk site specific risks around marae as each marae is unique.

There are changes to speed limits proposed for both Glenbrook School Reretewhioi and Tahuna Pa marae.

Wa

Auckland Transport’s safe speed programme, phase three is being rolled out and you have until 3 April 2022 to give any feedback.

Awhitu Road is to be lowered to 80km as far as Tram Gully Road then lowered to 60km. All side roads will be 60km and unsealed to 40km.

Safe speeds around schools

Glen bro ok -

Slower speeds proposed for all Awhitu Peninsula roads

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land are connected to Watercare’s piped network and pay for wastewater. But there are many households that are not connected and have private septic tanks to treat sewage and other wastewater. Under the Auckland Unitary Plan, owners of these properties must provide regular inspection records verifying their onsite waste water systems are in good working condition.

As there was no consistent information on the type, condition and maintenance history of septic tanks being used, council set about to accurately capture this data. All septic tanks across the region – from Franklin to Rodney and on Waiheke, Great Barrier and Kawau islands needed to be located. It took Healthy Waters and Proactive Compliance teams two years to identify all the households using septic tanks; data for 45,000 properties was eventually collected

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and migrated into the new system, along with 9000 supporting documents.

An app-based form to make it easier to record new data from external contractors who clean and inspect septic tanks for property owners has been developed. Information from contractors using the app will automatically update the corresponding property file in the compliance system.

Auckland Council’s Proactive Compliance team will now start requesting and processing more maintenance records and create reports to identify overdue and failed inspections.

“The health of our waterways is vital to Auckland’s future,” Lizzie says. “By giving us accurate and consistent information within hours of an inspection, this system will go a long way to help us reduce public health risks from wastewater and improve our water quality.”

Advertising Sales: Chris Stabler: sales@westfranklinbreeze.nz Publishers: Bill & Ngaire Deed: bill@westfranklinbreeze.nz

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MARCH 2022

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

PAGE 15

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PAGE 16

MARCH 2022

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

Kuaka heads back to Siberia STORY NGAIRE DEED

In the next few weeks the Kuaka (Bar tailed godwit) will be gathering on our shores in larger flocks as they get ready to fly back to Siberia. It is very much a part of the history and culture of our harbour and shores.

As you visit beaches around the harbour keep an eye open for these incredible mis sized birds. For larger gatherings tale a visit to the Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre. There you may also see some of their smaller companions such as the wrybill and knots.

The Centre is open through Red, however vaccine passes need to be shown.

The godwit breed in Eastern Siberia and Alaska and they arrive here in late September after a direct 12,000km flight.

They spend the summer months on the rich mud flats of the Manukau Harbour, Waikato River and Kaiaua sand banks.

They fly back to Siberia in March via Australia, Indonesia, China and Korea.

Sir Walter Lawry Buller wrote “The seasonal migrations of this species over a third of the globe’s circumference in search of a congenial climate, and then back again for breeding purposes, are astonishing facts in natural history, and to those who have not studied the subject might well appear incredible. But it is this romance of real life that so often forces upon the naturalist to conclude that ‘fact is stranger than fiction’.”

The godwit is classified as ‘declining-at risk’ by the Department of Conservation in NZ. Declines in bar-tailed

godwits and other shorebird species is due to habitat changes in the Yellow Sea. This is where they stopover on their migrations to the Arctic breeding grounds to refuel and gather food.

DoC is working with the State Forestry Administration (SFA) of China towards protecting the Yellow Sea and to protect, manage, and restore wetlands visited by bar-tailed godwits and other migratory shorebirds during their migratory flights. They are also working with local and regional councils to ensure the protection New Zealand estuaries.

In 2007, 16 birds were tagged with satellite tracking devices. Scientists, Dr Phil Battley and Jesse Conklin from Massey University tracked a bird known as E7 who made a non-stop flight from Miranda direct to Yalu Jiang, a coastal wetland on the North Yellow Sea, China/ North Korea boarder area. After feeding on the mudflats getting ready for the next big hop, E7 left Yalu Jiang on 3 May on a course for Alaska.

Tracking of the birds is an ongoing project and data collected includes how the birds deal with habitat changes, battling hurricanes and how long the birds stop over on the return migration. Also it measures how winds help or hinder the birds, last year one bird gave up fighting a hurricane and after six days arrived back in NZ. The Kuaka has also been a very significant bird to the Maori people and remains that way today. Kupe is as-

Waiuku Museum’s Spooky Sunday!

WWaiauikuukuMMusuesuemum’s’sSpSopookoykySuSnudnadya!y!

Interested in the paranormal? a strange experience you can’t explain?

Come and see Interested in the Had paranormal?

Had a strange experience the Haunted Auckland team at our Museum!

sumed to have followed the path of the kuaka on his journey to Aotearoa. The traditions of the Ngati Awa and Ngai Tahuhu hold that, when living on one of the small islands in the Pacific, they noticed that the kuaka migrated every year in a southerly direction, returning from the same point. From this evidence the ancestors of these tribes deduced that land was to be found in that direction and two canoes were

outfitted for the voyage to what has become known as Aotearoa.

Kuaka on the wing are known as “waka kuaka”. Their cries are loud as they fly. During daylight the ancestors followed the course of the flight in their canoes by observing the direction of the flight In the night they would listen for the cries of the kuaka above the fleet of canoes and so be guided by them.

Photo: nzbirdsonline.co.nz

Is our museum haunted?

Find out for yourselves on a special day visit

you can’t explain? Come and see the Haunted Auckland Haunted Auckland are a paranormal Interested the paranormal?

Had a strange experience you can’t explain?ofCome see Hear aboutintheir previous investigations our Museum (and hundreds otherand locations), team atatour Museum! research and investigation group. They Haunted Auckland team at ourinMuseum! and take part a the hands-on daytime investigation multiple buildings our site!

Interested in theinparanormal?

Had a strange experience you can’t explain?on Come and see began in 1984, which makes them New the Haunted Auckland team at ourhundreds Museum!

Hear about their previous investigations at our Museum (and of other Hear about their previous investigations at our locations), Zealand’s longest running paranormal and take part in a hands-on daytime investigation in multiple buildings on our site!in Museum (and hundreds of other locations), and take part Hear about their previous investigations at our Museum (and hundreds of other locations), field-research group. The group focus and take apart in a hands-on daytimeinvestigation investigation in multiple buildings on our site! hands-on daytime in multiple on gathering evidence, observation and buildings on our site! documentation.

They have investigated the Waiuku Museum twice with an interested in exploring possible attachments to artifacts. There have been reports of shadow figures being seen in the main museum area, communication via dowsing rods in the vestry and intelligent responses in the jail house.

If you would like to find out more and join the team on a daytime investigation - the Museum will be open on Sunday 13 March at 1:30pm. Visitors will be divided into groups and guided around the buildings so they can have a go at a daytime investigation using Date: Sunday 13th March 1:30 - 4pm Haunted Auckland’s equipment.

Date: Sunday 13th March 1:30 - 4pm Location: Waiuku Museum.

13 King St, Waiuku $10 entry, 50 person limit. Vaccine Date: Sunday 13th March 1:30 - 4pm Location: Waiuku Museum. th 13 King St, Waiuku passes will be required and we would Date: Sunday 13 March 1:30 4pm Cost: $10 per person (100% of all funds raisedStreet, go to theWaiuku.

Museum) Location: Waiuku Museum.

13 King Cost: $10 per person (100% of all funds raised go to the Museum) request that visitors all wear masks.

Location: Museum.

St, Waiuku Vaccine PassesWaiuku are required to 13 beKing shown on entry.

Cost: $10 per person of all to funds raised to the Museum).

Vaccine Passes(100% are required be shown ongo entry.

Cost: $10 per person (100% of all funds raised go to the Museum)

Vaccine Passes are required to be shown on entry.

Vaccine Passes areemail: required to be shown on entry.

For any queries please info@hauntedauckland.com For any queries please email: info@hauntedauckland.com

For any queries please email: info@hauntedauckland.com For any queries please email: info@hauntedauckland.com

The doll has a special memory to convey.

The lounge display in the Waiuku Museum is made up of very special historical artifacts which were donated by West Franklin people in years gone by. Did any of these items feature in the life of a person that will make them release a ghost-like image?