West Franklin Breeze - October 2022

“May ights of Angels sing thee to thy rest”

West Franklin, along with the remainder of the world mourns the death and remembers the long life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II and the investiture of King Charles during the emotion of losing his mother. The Breeze on behalf of the West Franklin community wanted to commemorate these moments but also recognise and remember the times when the royal family touched our district.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Pukekohe in 1953. Then later in 1970, the Duke came to Franklin again when he and Prince Charles visited New Zealand Steel.

On 30 December 1953 Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh made

a stopover in Pukekohe during their first royal tour of New Zealand.

The Royal couple arrived by car via Paerata Road and Edinburgh Street and made their way to a dias that had been erected near the intersection of King Street, Massey Avenue and Manukau Road where they waved to the crowd and were formally introduced to local dignitaries.

A crowd of about 15,000 people including 2500 children from local schools assembled to see the Royal couple.

It was an excited Waiuku that had the opportunity to welcome the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales when they visited New Zealand Steel in March 1970. While their Royal Highnesses were shown the finer points of turning iron sand into steel by mill staff.

Spring Updates from Waiuku Health Centre

Travel Plans?

Auckland

Heritage

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II being escorted along King Street Pukekohe by the mayor Mr S .C. Childs with The Duke of Edinburgh and Mrs Childs behind.

Photo below courtesy of New Zealand Steel

Editorial: Tiffany Brown tiffany@westfranklinbreeze.nz

Sandy Smith sandy@westfranklinbreeze.nz

Annie Chappell annie@westfranklinbreeze.nz

Keely Muir keely@westfranklinbreeze.nz

Advertising Sales: Chris Stabler sales@westfranklinbreeze.nz

Publishers: Bill & Ngaire Deed bill@westfranklinbreeze.nz

Local boards are a good system

As mentioned in my previous column, my time on the Franklin Local Board ends in just under a month.

Even after nearly 12 years, I still find many people who have little understanding as to what local boards are and what they do. More surprisingly I have had more than once in recent years, comments from people that they thought that both Franklin District Council and the Auckland Regional Council still existed but had come under the control from people in Auckland.

Local boards were created to allow decision making for local issues, activities and service within Auckland Council to be made at the level closest to the local communities affected by those things.

They also have a critical role being advocates on things outside their decision making allocations or delegations (like roading and transport). They also give feedback and input to the councillors on the governing body of council when they are considering policies, plans and strategies.

In theory, it is, I believe, a really good structure for Auckland however I strongly believe there needs to be far greater decision making ability given to local boards so they can have more control over, not only their budgets and priorities, but ultimately their destiny. More decision making power would create more accountability, need for transparency and in the end greater interest in local board elections. Candidates could stand on a platform of where and on what they want to spend their budget. Currently the discretionary budget for local boards is minimal.

The current councillors agreed (somewhat reluctantly for some) to pursue a governance framework review over the next few years to

give local boards more grunt which I applaud. However as is often the case, the change will be slow as it involves changes in budgets which some areas won’t necessarily agree with.

Whilst thinking local boards are a great concept, they do also come with some weaknesses in terms of governance as they have, in my opinion, created unnecessary parochialism whereby every local board seems to think they have to have what their neighbours have, almost creating mini councils competing against one another. This is ironically why one of the reasons Auckland Council was created, to stop that competition and taking a wider regional view to things.

We have been staunch advocates for taking a wider regional or sub-regional network approach to things on the basis people do not pay their rates to a particular local board, they pay them to Auckland Council and expect council as a whole to make good decisions about how those rates are spent. Getting a change in mindset is one of the challenges I am hoping to take up post 8 October on the governing body if I am elected.

All in all though, whilst public understanding of local boards may not be great, I can assure you the 12 years of Franklin Local Board has been a wonderful experience and I can assure you each of our boards along with our councillors have fought and worked really hard to get the best we could.

So I sign off from local board land. Who knows what October will bring.

Thanks for reading my monthly columns in the West Franklin Breeze: it has been a pleasure and a privilege.

Cheers Andy

Waiuku Fire Brigade Callouts SEPTEMBER Waiuku Fire Brigade Callouts SEPTEMBER

2 Awhitu Road MVA

2 Constable Road Smoke in the area

2 Farm Park Road MVA

12 Otaua Road MVA

12 Kitchener Road PFA

14 Victoria Avenue Vegetation

15 Colombo Road Power wire down

15 Constable Road Medical

18 Glenbrook Beach Road Transformer on fire

18 Glenbrook Beach Road MVA

19 Smith Road Cow stuck in a ditch

19 Kitchener Road PFA

19 Awhitu Road MVA

22 Bridge Street MVA

24 Awhitu Road MVA

25 Hermitage Road PFA

27 Dawn Place Smoke in garage

29 Kitchener Road Public toilet on fire

30 Constable Road Ring cutter needed

SEPTEMBER

Aka Aka Sept 2— W1 Crew tasked to Aka Aka to assist a patient involved in a motor vehicle accident. Unfortunately, the patient died and crew returned to base.

Karioitahi Sept 17 — W3 Crew tasked to Karioitahi to assist a male patient in his 40s involved in a motocross accident. He was flown to Middlemore Hospital in a moderate condition.

ACROSS

the

abandons fortunate

end

lamb

contorts flexibly around one different snake (3-11)

a British comedy

meets unknown gypsy

makes mark

to man

We often hear of complaints from people that they can’t get hold of the local Police. So we are starting an informal meet your local community cop out of the Information centre every Wednesday from 9am.

There are systems in place if you want to report a crime or leave a message for Police, this is just for those casual face to face conversations that probably doesn’t warrant reporting as a crime or incident. We used to call it coffee with a cop but there’s no coffee so it’s just meet your local cop. There should be flag and a sign out the front and maybe the cop car parked outside when we are in.

You might ask why we do this when we have a perfectly good Police station.

The idea is if it’s in the station it’s formal and this is not about taking reports, we can’t anyway because we don’t have a computer at the info centre, so this is purely chat. Also whenever we do plan a set time to open the station something always happens and we have to shut the door and people get grumpy with us. Remember if it’s urgent ring 111, if it’s anything else ring 105 or report on line.

There are a variety of police groups that look after Waiuku. My team othree are the community Policing side. But most 111 type jobs are attended by a patrol car that starts and ends its shift in Pukekohe, likewise with the road

policing squad, burglary squad etc. So if you want to talk to a local cop come along to the information centre Wednesday mornings.

Two Fridays ago we attended a two car fatal crash where a car ended upside down in a drain on Marsters Road, sadly someone died despite the awesome efforts from passers-by who pulled him out of the car and gave CPR. It was a long night for everyone involved. When there’s a death we end up at the Auckland mortuary sorting the identification etc.

We attended three search warrants last week, Pukekohe way, where Vietnamese growers have transformed entire houses into cannabis grow operations. These are sophisticated set ups , sales from the crops end up in the gangs’ hands, customers often purchase drugs using property stolen in burglaries and all drugs do harm. If your neighbours have recently moved in and there are odd comings and goings let us know.

A repeat shoplifter at a local supermarket was identified from CCTV last week and arrested.

From 3.00pm at many of the Waiuku school pick-ups it’s getting chaotic with parents parking everywhere to pick their kids up, blocking driveways, parking on people’s verges, limiting safe passage down the roadways etc .

There’s been a bit of road rage and it’s unsafe for the young children trying to cross the road when cars are illegally parked everywhere. How about you do yourself some good, and maybe park further back from the kaos. Even get out of your car, walk and meet your child at the school gates, or even walk from home. It’s a win win.

Some parents are driving less than 300 metres from home to school to get their children! Don’t park on yellow lines. It’s disgusting that teachers get abused when they ask someone to move. It’s okay for your child to walk a bit further down the road to your car or better still walk home. They are more at risk in your car than walking home.

We’ve had got a couple of prosecutions where cars have been doing skids. We’ve also served heaps of suspension notices to drivers that have exceeded 100 demerit points and so they then become disqualified from driving for three months. It takes about three speeding tickets to reach those demerits.

Finally keep your sheds and garages secured, property inside out of sight and get an alarm if you can. We have very few burglaries in Waiuku and want to keep it that way.

Keep safe - Dean

with Sgt Dean Borrell

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust

Supermarket rewards the community

A customer-led scheme facilitated by Waiuku’s New World Supermarket is funnelling $2000 worth of grants every month into various community organisations and projects. There are three funding categories in the ‘Community Giveback’ scheme; schools and early learning centres, sports clubs, and health-driven charities supporting communities and volunteers.

Anyone can nominate a charity of their choice, and every time a customer shops at New World either in-store or online, they get a chance to award the nominees with tokens.

At the end of the month the tokens are tallied to determine how the funding is shared with three groups.

Since July, New World has granted a total of $4000 across six organisations; Waiuku College, Kariaotahi Surf Lifesaving Club, Glenbrook School, Waiuku Netball Centre, Waiuku Primary School and Tūwhera Trust.

New manager welcomed at Waiuku Health Centre

BY SANDY SMITH

In August the Waiuku Health Centre Ltd (WHC) welcomed new manager, Sarah Hewitt. According to Sarah, she has big shoes to fill after taking over from Jackie Burton, who was in the post for 15 years.

Previous to taking on this role, Sarah was working as a nurse at WHC and eventually moved into a clinical coordinating role.

Sarah’s nursing career began after moving to New Zealand in 2007 and training at Manukau Institute of Technology. Most recently Sarah conducted post-graduate study in primary care systems at Massey University.

Originally from Gateshead, England and with a previous career in the Royal Air Force, Sarah is now settled in Ararimu with her husband Andrew. The couple have a family of an adult son and daughter.

Sarah emphasised that she is working with a management team of very capable people, namely Rosalie Dunston, Emily Schoushkoff and Jessaca Mills.

In turn, the management team are supported by WHC board members Dr Juan Toledo, Dr Sasha Maxwell, Dr Vivek Trikannand, Dr Richard Potman, Dr Lychhun Kouch and Dr Nicola Coombes and the clinical support personnel.

Sarah encourages feedback from the community to learn how WHC can continue best serving the local community.

Tuwhera Trust volunteers collect their award from New World Supermarket.

“I am looking forward to supporting the growth of the practice to increase the range of services we can o er patients. We are hoping to take the learning from COVID into daily business practices.”

Sarah Hewitt WHC Manager

Big day out for locals and visitors alike

Waiuku is long overdue for a vibrant community day out after government lockdowns and restrictions have wreaked havoc with our regular events like Steel & Wheels and Blast to the Past over the last few years.

To commemorate 100 years since the first passenger train puffed along the Waiuku branch railway on 5 January 1922, Glenbrook Vintage Railway (GVR) with support from Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club and the Waiuku Business and Development Association (WBDA) is set to make history with a re-enactment event, family entertainment, openair market and train rides to the Pukeoware station.

Incoming WBDA Town Manager Vanessa Newman said the event will be wonderful for the town. “We have a huge number of travellers coming down on the train from Auckland, which is fantastic for Waiuku.”

Visitors can take in the buzzing market atmosphere, check out historic details, picnic by the lake while enjoying local Sunset Coast Big Band, take a leisurely stroll through the town or ride a vintage bicycle around the estuary. From 1pm to 4.30pm, train rides will be running for $15 per person, including a Pukeoware workshop tour.

Vanessa said she’s excited to be helping to bring this historic event to life, and there’ll be something for everyone. “It’s going to be a really enjoyable family day; whether you’re into the history or not, or whether you just want to take the kids out for the day.”

GVR’s Waiuku Branch Centenary event and market will be held on Sunday 16 October at the Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club carpark, with parking in the old New World carpark and access from both Kitchener Rd and Victoria Avenue.

Waiuku Plunket branch here to stay

Rumours about cutbacks to services at Waiuku Plunket are not indicative of an imminent closure, said Plunket’s Sam Ferreira, Regional Operations Manager Northern Region.

Sam said there is ‘no intention’ to close the Waiuku clinic which has been affected by COVID-19 and other illnesses, as well as staff vacancies in the area.

“Our Waiuku nurses have been supporting their colleagues in Pukekohe, Tuakau and Pokeno, which has sometimes meant staggering some of our Waiuku clinic opening times to manage our staffing shortages.”

Waiuku Plunket’s history goes back to 1936, when the first clinic opened in the building now housing Kaos on Queen cafe next to the Anglican Church.

The current location inside the Waiuku Civic Centre offers clinics twice a week by appointment, as well as a weekly B4 School Check clinic.

Sam said Plunket may sometimes need to work differently to meet whānau needs and to manage staffing shortages, and that some Waiuku whānau choose to attend the weekly drop-in clinic at Pukekohe in preference.

“How much is that Doggy in the window?”

BY TIFFANY BROWN

“Our nurses are doing an amazing job in supporting whānau in what has been a tough couple of years for everyone.”

Clinics are also held at Waiau Pa and Patumahoe by appointment, and the popular Mini Beatz music group session is held every week at the Lions’ Den on Belgium Street.

The Plunket Foundation is funded through public donations, fundraising and grants. It recently received a grant of $100,000 from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to deliver services throughout rural communities.

Doggy is a local business owned by Lilo Merker and it recently turned one year old. The shop, opposite New World Supermarket, focuses mainly on selling products for dogs but as time has gone by, Doggy has extended the brand to provide items for “Doggy’s friends”, such as cats.

The idea for Doggy originally started from Lilo’s desire to make dog collars and leads, which then extended into dog beds and clothing. These core offerings then extended to wet and dry dog food, treats, toys, and pet care items. Doggy also sell a range of hypoallergenic dog food and dog treats.

Originally from Germany, Lilo has been in New Zealand for 23 years and describes herself as a proud kiwi.

With a background in commercial sewing and upholstering coupled with experience in animal husbandry, the unique combination of products and accessories sold by Doggy makes perfect sense. Currently, Lilo is also working as an upholsterer alongside running Doggy.

Lilo is very grateful for the help of her loyal team who assist her in running the business: namely, Christine (Chris) Featherstone and James Hedley. Through Lilo and her staff’s initiatives, Doggy is starting to thrive. With a focus on quality coupled with Chris and James’

expert customer service skills, the brand is building up a loyal customer base.

Doggy is starting to network with and support some of the rescue organisations, such as Saving Hope, Chained Dog Rehabilitation & Rehoming NZ, as well as local businesses.

Just as the hit song of 1953 “How much is the doggie in the window” by Pattie Page, if you visit our store, you’ll see the dog in the window named Woody. This was crafted by Darren, the owner of Naturally Wood By Design.

When you visit Doggy at 1 Martyn Street, you will not only find convenient parking but you may also meet Doggy’s two shop dogs, Dolly and Gigi, who regularly help out when Lilo is in store.

Doggy welcomes well behaved dogs; they may even be offered one of Doggy’s favorite treats.

The business is online as well and can send product nationwide.

For more information on Doggy, check out www.doggy.co.nz or phone 0225691400.

Chris Featherstone, James Hedley and Lilo Merker

Advertorial

Photo: GVR Collection

Big Bay sea wall renewal

Franklin Local Board Chair Andy Baker says the team believes, based on the various options identified and considered in the assessment, that the preferred treatment is a full extent composite stepped grouted stone masonry wall.

“That option has already been supported by Council’s coastal specialists, arborists and importantly, local iwi.

“Using a wall of the type recommended has several advantages. It improves the resilience of the reserve and reduces wave overtopping on the reserve, which in turn results in protecting the trees and reserve from erosion.”

He says using backfill made up of rock and a top layer of sand will provide resilience during extreme events.

“We have to ensure that whatever goes there, can stand up to the extreme weather locals are all too well aware can batter the coast.”

Experts say a wall would be a ‘low-impact’ structure, helping preserve the reserve’s character and amenity value.

Other benefits of the proposed method include limiting damage or interference with tree roots underneath the compacted basecourse of the pathway and upstand, tree removal would not be necessary, and its simple construction method means less ongoing maintenance than a timber piled wall.

“Acceptable fall height levels to the beach mean it won’t take up a lot of

beach area, which would mean the popular spot retaining its amenities,” Baker says.

However, the project team is awaiting an increase in budget allocation from the coastal renewals programme, with estimates for the work coming in at around $1.5million, including design, consenting and physical works The next steps, Baker says, will be to finalise budget ahead of lodging detailed design and consent applications, and going on to procure the work in the first half of next year.

Pool massive leaks repaired

Massive leaks that plagued Waiuku’s Whiteside Pool last summer appear to have been fixed.

The leaks were so bad that an estimated 80 cubic metres of water was being lost each day, an amount so high that it threatened the town’s water supply. Water loss is now less than an acceptable five cubic metres a day, demonstrating the works have been successful.

The pool was built circa 1970 and over the half-a-century since, various infrastructure, including the water pipes have aged, and the area has seen significant ground movement, factors that have led to water leaks and patch repairs.

Franklin Local Board Chair Andy Baker says the situation worsened last December when the pool’s water losses were at their worst, hitting unsustainable levels.

“The situation was not only expensive, but very disruptive for the local community and it was impacting the town’s water supply, even though water use was controlled by daily onsite management as a temporary fix.

“The board was able to find extra funding to ensure the pool could be fully repaired in time for summer, diverting $100,000 from budget al-

located to upgrade the Pukekohe War Memorial Hall to enable permanent repairs.”

Those repairs have enabled water pipes, the concourse, and a retaining wall to be renewed.

“Fingers crossed we won’t see any repeat of the closures that the leaks caused last summer, disrupting swimming for locals.

“It’s not always ideal to divert financing from one project to another, but in this case the money meant the pool could be repaired permanently, rather than persisting with temporary fixes that might have meant more disruption in the future.”

He says the pool is a priority for the board, given its importance to Waiuku.

The outdoor aquatic centre is open during the summer months and has a main pool, a toddlers’ pool and a ‘learn to swim’ pool. Last summer’s leaks closed the toddler and learn to swim pools.

Repair work has involved excavating the poolside concrete and to replace the two main return lines from the pool to the balance tank, filling and compacting trenching and installing slot drains at the end of the pool, and re-concreting the area.

& Politics

With guest speakers Lynda Hallinan, Jack Hobbs, Terry Hatch,

Clark

Rebecca Balemi

Erosion and tide water damage has taken its toll at Big Bay.

An options assessment report for sea wall renewal works at Big Bay on the Āwhitu Peninsula has been reviewed by an Auckland Council project team.

Candidate pro le

Andy Baker

I want to bring, what I have learned over a lifetime of living and working in Franklin as well as the last 12 years as a leader on the Franklin Local Board to the role of councillor.

I am driven by my connection to the place I call home and the communities in it.

That knowledge and understanding will mean I have credibility when taking up the challenge on behalf of Franklin or considering our needs when discussing regional policies and plans.

There are things in Council that need to change and I have clear thoughts on how that can happen. There are also good things that we need to continue with. I have developed a reputation as being a fighter for Franklin whilst being pragmatic and unafraid of hard work which probably comes from my dairy farming and police background.

Did you know that you can’t buy a Reflective AED Road sign in New Zealand?

Well, you will remember reading in the June issue of the West Franklin Breeze of the Waiuku Lions Club led project to increase the number of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) around Waiuku. This project has continued and there are now a further three AED boxes available 24 hrs per day, located at Waiuku Lions Station/Massey Park, Waiuku Rugby Club/Sports Park, and the Knight & Dickey Depot.

I am sure you will agree that this is wonderful news. But, how do you find your nearest AED in an emergency situation?

You whip out your smart phone and fire up the AEDlocations.co.nz phone App which in turn brings up a map of your town with all of the 24hr AED units highlighted in green, and off you go.

The logical solution was to obtain and install reflective signs to direct unfamiliar people to AED units. But, as I said in my introduction, whilst you can buy all sorts of reflective signs such as toilet signs, parking signs etc., you cannot buy an internationally recognised green AED sign with the green broken heart symbol.

Or the Waiuku Lions way, you just do all the measurements, get Deed Printing / GoGraphics to design and print reflective laminate signs, along with Signfix brackets from RTL, you cut back overhanging branches, put them up and the problem is solved.

So next time you are driving round town, look out for the new AED Reflective road signs directing you and visitors

to our AED units.

On behalf of the local community, the Waiuku Lions Club appreciates the support of Knight & Dickey Transport, Waiuku Rugby Club, PJ (Phillip James) Maintenance, Go Graphics, RTL, and Sandspit School for joining with us in this potential life saving project. Thank you.

Lions Club of Waiuku

I want to see Council try to do some things differently so we get better results from our rates and so that all parts of Auckland, no matter how far from the CBD, get treated equitably and fairly. I think what I will do is more important than what I have done. We need to look ahead.

BUT put yourself into the shoes of a visitor to our area or a new resident/tenant in the middle of the night

Auckland, no matter more important

• you need access to an AED as quickly as possible due to medical episode

• you even know how to use the AEDlocations.co.nz App and are given address and basic Google maps location

• but you are under stress and not familiar with town, especially so in dark or wet weather - where is Sandspit Road School? Where is Belgium Street to get to the Lions Station? Which is Knight & Dickey yard access?

Local people helping local people for over 50 years.

Are you looking for a way to help your local community? Do you want to give back?

Lions can help you with that!

Email waiuku@lionsclubs.org.nz

www.facebook.com/waiukulions

years

“There have been many changes in the 30years since – Waiuku township was full of di erent shops in 1992, but sadly a lot of retail has now gone. This is common in most rural towns country-wide with the spread of more and more shopping malls and online commerce. Waiuku shops o er something di erent and all have that friendly, helpful small town service. Since COVID changed our lives in March 2020 there has been a revival of “Shop Local” which has been very heartening”

Fiona would like to acknowledge her many long-term loyal customers – some of whom shopped at 8 Kitchener Road before her time! Many have become good friends and over the years shared the good times and the bad – Fiona is seeing the third generation of families! “Kind of makes you feel rather old!”

“I have also had fabulous sta over the years and am very grateful to them!

People are one of the most important parts of any business and here in Waiuku we have some of the best!”

We would love to see you all in the shop especially during our October 30th Anniversary promotion.

Labour Weekend 1992 Clark and Fiona Baker o cially took over the Waiuku

Fiona Baker Bakers Shoes & More

Propet

Propet

Auckland Council Franklin Ward

Counties Energy calls for sustainability grant applications

Counties Energy is calling for applications for $15,000 worth of environmental grants for the local community. The Counties Energy Environmental and Sustainability Grant aims to support not-for-profit community organisations or educational providers with projects that protect or enhance the environment in the southern Auckland and northern Waikato regions.

The company is offering three $5000 grants across three categories which include waste reduction, habitat improvement and emissions reduction. Educational providers, from early childhood right up to adult learning, or a not-for-profit organisation with a relevant project that needs funding are encouraged to apply.

This is the second year Counties Energy has offered the grant.

The two major grant recipients in 2021, each receiving $5000 were YMCA Camp Adair and Tamaoho School. Two additional grants of $2000 each were awarded to Manukau Heads Lighthouse Trust and Puni School.

YMCA Camp Adair in Hunua is launching Enviro Camps which will focus on practical environmental education experiences and riparian planting projects.

Tamaoho School is a recently opened public school in Pukekohe which required funding to establish infrastructure for sustainability projects within their greenfields site.

The Manukau Heads Light-

house is the Manukau Harbour’s oldest icon. A major community restoration project was initiated which included native planting to help showcase the original flora and increase native fauna.

Puni School applied for funding to develop a native plant screen between themselves and the neighbouring market gardens. They also marked the first year of the Matariki public holiday by planting a Matariki Garden, creating the Matariki Constellation – with each tree selected being an iconic native tree named after a star.

Applications for the Counties Energy Environmental and Sustainability Grant close 21 October, Projects must be within the Counties Energy

Candidate pro le Local Board - Waiuku Sub-division

Jasmine Woolrich

My names is Jasmine Woolrich and I am a candidate for the Local Board Waiuku Subdivision. I reside in Waiuku with my two children, I work locally, I shop locally, my children attend local schools, we use the local parks, sports clubs and facilities and I am committed to the future of Waiuku.

I would love your support in the upcoming elections, I am standing for a position on the local board because I am passionate about the area, the community and the future of Waiuku and the surrounding towns. If elected I will advocate for ALL locals and their voice on what is important.

Some clear concerns that have been expressed to date include:

• Ensure infrastructure is adequate for future growth.

• Support community groups, events and the arts.

• Quality upgrades and improvements that show true value for money.

• Adequate upgrades and improvements to our roads so that they are fit for purpose.

• Opportunity for new businesses & improved opportunities for youth & future generations.

As your local board member I will be focused on local needs and requirements. I will be working for you as your community advocate, in return all I ask is that you vote for someone who cares about the future of this community as much as I do.

network area. See the application pack for a map and additional detail.

Email environmentalgrant@counteisenergy.co.nz to be sent the information.

"Erin was a pleasure to work with. She was friendly and we felt like she really cared about us and our house! She was approachable and kept us up to date with what was happening during what could have been a stressful time. With her hard work and commitment to get us over the line, we achieved a successful outcome and would definitely recommend Erin to others

Students at Tamaoho School jump for joy in front of the Counties Energy Environmental and Sustainability Grant funded project.

Keys of Waiuku unlock active hearts in Nepal

BY ANNIE CHAPPELL

Dan Keys grew up in Glenbrook, attended Glenbrook Primary and then Waiuku College. His mother Dee Keys has taught generations of Waiuku College students and his sister Emma also taught there.

Dan is the CEO and founder of the Ac tive Hearts Foundation and Lead Guide of Active Adventures in the Himalayas. Dee and Emma who live in Waiuku, are board members of this New Zealand recognised and founded charity, formed to assist the people of Nepal’s remote villages, providing funding for access to education and health resources and infrastructure.

In year 13 Dan participated in a stu dent exchange to Costa Rica. This seeded his passion for adventure tourism and travel, so he pursued a zero fees course in adventure tourism based in Invercar gill. This set Dan up on a career path of guiding and travelling.

over the years to do something – I just didn’t know what. I had been travelling and living my dream for quite a long time and it wasn’t filling the cup like it did in my twenties,” Dan explained. “I had been visiting the schools with the other guides talking with the principals and teachers about how the school worked – just tag ging along.”

Dan started to learn the Nepali lan guage and find out more about the culture and how the country’s internal systems worked. He wanted to explore how he could help. The influence of his mother Dee’s teaching background and Dan’s love of reading along with identi fying a desperate need through local Nepali guide and friend Ar jun Adhikari, led to the idea of fundraising for a library for Sat dobate, one of the local Nepali schools.

and relief in Kathmandu. They ensured the safe evacuation of the groups they had been guiding at this time and then turned their focus to assisting the rebuild. The “give-a-little” page became the pivotal channel for the generous donation of funds which enabled the procurement of relief items including clothing, gen erators and power points, sleeping bags, baby clothes, tarpaulins, sanitary items, rice and rope which were sourced locally and distributed by the jeep load to many villages.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

dren access to better education resources.

Dan’s vision is to promote charity treks to Nepal including the corporate sector as team building exercises and target other groups such as students completing health studies, doctors without borders and mid wifery – pre- and post-natal care.

In recent times, covid and the lack of ability to operate “on the ground” saw a move into more humanitarian aid, such as sponsoring orphanages for physically and mentally disabled children instead of project based initiatives.

Dan moved to Queenstown and for several years guided on the Milford and Routeburn tracks. He then moved to Australia leading expeditions through the Australian outback and the tropics.

On his return to New Zealand Dan joined a company called Active Adven tures, based in Queenstown, which had identified Nepal as a new destination. In 2011 they asked Dan to head to Nepal to set up the Himalayan branch of that company. He instantly fell in love with its beauty and its people. Since that time Dan has been in the role of a senior guide and logistics coordinator for Active Himalaya.

In the early days of his ventures, Dan started spending more time in the Hi malayan villages, becoming close friends with the local guides and their families. Some of the local senior guides had be come community leaders and consultants with respect to the local health, education and infrastructure and Dan developed a great friendship and admiration for their selfless commitment using their energy and time to support their communities.

A significant percentage of the mon ey they were making through guiding was being used to aid local initiatives and sponsor poorer families. “It really appealed to me, as I had had a yearning

In 2015 Dan started a “givea-little” page to help finance the small library corner at the school which would include a first-aid box and a sports cabinet. A two-thousand-dollar target was deter mined but with the help and assistance of friends and family seven thousand dollars was achieved. This allowed the project to expand and instead of a “corner” it funded the refit of an entire classroom.

Local carpenters built custom-made bookshelves and curtains, carpet and fur niture were added. Hundreds of curricu lum-based books were especially pur chased. The project was about to launch with great festivities including a full day celebration with speeches and local dig nitaries, and up to two thousand people in attendance. The day was promoted on local radio and on-line.

Disastrously, on 25 April, a week before the opening of the library, the game changing 2015 earthquake struck the region. Over 9000 people were killed and 11,000 people injured, with the damage totaling almost USD 11 billion. It was one of the worst disasters in Nepal’s history.

The library was severely damaged but not devastated, however all the sur rounding areas were completely flattened.

Immediately following the earthquake, Dan and Arjun suspended the Satdobate library project to provide emergency aid

While Kathmandu suffered severe damage and loss of life, the destructive power of the earthquake devastated the less developed villages of the Himalaya. It was identified that farming infra structure such as irrigation piping would be critical to the re-establishment and survival of the farming industry and the main winter crop of rice.

The locals knew what they needed and understood the finer details but lacked the funding to make it happen and the management skills to enable things to happen in a cohesive and timely manner. Often because of this lack of funding, cheaper or “not suitable for purpose” options were employed, leading to early deterioration and breakdown. A new coupling system for the irrigation piping was devised and made locally. This was heavily subsidised by Active Hearts, with the community forming village coun cils and individuals contributing both monetarily and physically to the projects and managing them daily. This gave the locals across Nuwakot, Kathmandu and Solukhumbu regions “buy in” and a personal stake and pride in its ongoing operation and maintenance.

After the earthquake Dan returned to New Zealand and decided along with Arjun and other stakeholders that they still wanted to open the library. Six months later Dan returned to Nepal and the library was opened. Dan ran a charity trek where people from around the world joined to see the library and assess how the pipeline projects were going.

Money was still coming in and it was decided to get bigger and better and establish a formal charity with a strengths-based governance board and a raft of relevant policies. Recognition with overseas donee status was acknowledged by the New Zealand Government which meant that NZ individuals or entities could receive tax deductibility for any donation. Hence the birth of the Active Hearts Foundation.

Since 2015, Active Hearts Foundation has raised over $NZ300,000 and estab lished seven library learning centres. The Foundation provides more than 3000 chil

This local Waiuku boy and his support ers have “done good” and have become a global inspiration. Dan is an absolute credit to his Waiuku whanau and community.

The Active Hearts Foundation docu mentary on YouTube is a “must watch.”

The link is www.youtu.be/Tq5sCSrLYc or just search the Active Hearts Foundation documentary.

To find out more about Active Hearts Foundation and their current projects head to their website www.activehearts foundation.org or contact Emma Keys –Active Hearts Foundation Board member on 021941402.

As inspiration a quote of the Dali Lama is appropriate: “If you think you’re too small to make a difference – try sleeping with a mosquito in your tent.”

Arjun Ahikari and Dan Keys in front of the crumbled school building after the earthquake.

Nepali children

A proud Dan — mission accomplished, a happy

Working together for you

Andy Baker

From Franklin, For Franklin!

I will use my experience, understanding and knowledge of Franklin from a lifetime of living and working here as well as 12 years as a leader on the Franklin Local Board battling for Franklin within Council to address some key things I believe need to change in particular how, where and why Council does things, including:

◦

Greater accountability and changed approach from Auckland Transport

A more responsive Council with less layers of needless bureaucracy

Better bang for our buck by working with and empowering our communities as Franklin Local Board has done so efficiently in the Waiuku and other areas

Supporting more decision making at the local level through changes to the Council governance model

A better deal for our rural communities and those furthest from the city CBD

Greater focus on the Manukau Harbour and the importance of our rural economy

Bill Cashmore retiring as councillor

What was your background/ business before entering local government?

“I was bought up on farms and continued that vocation in later life as a sheep and cattle famer from the head of the Orere Valley. The farm consists of steep country and peaked up to 5000 acres including leased properties at one point.”

What were your thoughts about amalgamation at that time noting that FDC were fervently against the amalgamation?

“I was concerned with the way the Auckland Regional Council was becoming too dominant as a unity authority trying to usurp unitary control over the region. I was not a fan of the ARC or that form of duplicated administration at that time in the rural and business sense. However, on one hand I saw the amalgamation as a single unitary and local government authority not only as a threat but also an opportunity.

“The threat was that the rural areas could be ignored but fortunately that hasn’t happened. Another potential threat was that the rate returns would be spent predominately in urban areas. I wanted to see it as evenly distributed throughout the whole region and that to a large degree has happened.

“It’s been good and bad. It’s good in the sense that you can do really big projects that others can’t afford to do. So we had one plan, one set of goals and we have worked pretty hard to achieve that. We have delivered a lot of infrastructure.

“If the development of local infrastructure is a desired outcome, this can be achieved with council funding at a targeted rate. The example of Pukekohe opening the new soccer pitches and playground that was partially funded by the Local Board but largely by the growth funding from Council was a good example. “The secret is having the community joined up together. When you’ve got factions, it becomes really challenging.

“The main drawback has been the loss of the local knowledge through the centralisation of staffing. I am of the opinion that decentralisation of call centres is the way forward.

“My initial fears that assets would be stripped out of rural communities

such as Clevedon, Waiuku and Pollok for example, has not manifested. It hasn’t been perfect, I will be the first to say Auckland Council is not perfect and never will be, but what we have received in Franklin is way more than we could have done than as individual councils.”

What has been the highlight of your time being a councillor on Auckland Council?

“When I was elected as Franklin councillor when Des Morrison retired. “He gave me some really good briefing notes and good ideas. I carried on Des’s support for central rail. That is going to be life changing for the whole of Auckland but particularly for places like Papakura and Henderson on the outer links, as you’ll have a 10 or 12 minute service and moving up to 52,000 people an hour…that’s been seventy years in the waiting.

“The rail system to these areas will be opening up in two to three years’ time. The development of the rail infrastructure has cost a lot of money and will cost more yet, but it will deliver and is long overdue.

“We’ve got to do the public transport [projects]. We’ve got some great network plans. It’s not just the Central Rail Link, it’s having a series of linking public transport.

“Another really big win has been Watercare, which is self-funding through the volumetric charger, and I have huge apprehensions about the proposed 3 Waters concept.”

What were your thoughts when you were invited to be the deputy mayor?

“Speculation about who was going to be the new deputy mayor was all over the media but I wasn’t paying much attention to it at the time.

“I suggested to Phil Goff to put Penny Hulse back in. She held the council together during Len Brown’s second term. She was the face of the Ports of Auckland and did a brilliant job.

“I think the day it was due to be announced I was walking to a central city meeting at about 7.30am and my phone started to go off. One of the calls was from my wife and she said, ‘you’re deputy mayor’. So I said, well no one’s asked me yet.

“After my meeting, I went straight to [the mayor] and said okay what’s going on? Apparently someone had

leaked the news. Phil was apologetic and he said, well will you do it? I said give me an hour. I went and had a cup of tea and a bit of a think and spoke to my wife and spoke to my political advisor… and decided to say yes.” How do you see the development of Franklin tracking?

“Because of Franklin’s growth and employment opportunities in the future, residents should be able to more easily live and work and play in the same environment.

“I’ve always pushed hard to get businesses in the area. With Pukekohe getting towards 50,000 population you will soon have traffic lights, you will have different systems and an outer ring road. There will be more people still and there will be more businesses.

“Drury is going to be a really big hub; Waiuku is about to take off, and now we’ve got the systems to bring the piping for the water in here and take the sewerage out...it’s all future proofed to happen so no more hard water for Waiuku and that could happen quite quickly.

“Then you’ve got Glenbrook steel mill, they’re talking about doing some big things. We’ve all been holding our breath for a while so I’m really glad as Auckland needs industrial land. It will create employment; for every new industrial, there’s five others created; for every rural job there’s four others, for retail job created maybe one and a half others will result.” What do you plan on doing next?

“The farm is still there though my wife and I have signed it over to our eldest son; he’s been running the place for the past ten years.

“I still give him a hand: he chucks me into a bulldozer or a tractor from time to time and I quite enjoy that. I just don’t want to bend over and crutch a thousand sheep in a day like I used to, or hammer up fence posts — those things are a lot of hard work.

“My wife and I would like to find a new place to live. We would like somewhere where we can see the ocean or harbour, but I will still keep my interest of helping out on the farm.”

“I have also put my name forward for some advisory roles beyond Council, but will see how that goes.”

Kohekohe Hockey Club 2022

Kohekohe Hockey Club teams featured recently in the Counties Manukau Hockey Association nals at Pukekohe, and three of the club’s teams competed in the nals.

BY SANDY SMITH AND BILL DEED Bill Cashmore is the current councillor for Franklin and deputy mayor of Auckland but will not be standing for re-election at the 2022 local elections. Cashmore’s rich political career started when he was elected as a member of the Clevedon Community Board in 1991. He went onto become chairman of that Board from 1992 to 1994.

In 2010 the councils and community boards were amalgamated into the Auckland Council. Following the amalgamation, Cashmore was elected as a member of the Franklin local board and went onto become deputy chair in 2011. Then in 2013 he was elected as an Auckland councillor. In 2016, Cashmore was selected as deputy mayor.

We asked Bill Cashmore some questions about his time on the council and his future plans after retirement.

The Kohekohe A team played Waiau Pa Pirates, and were convincing in their win of 3-0, becoming Champion of Champions team for 2022.

The Kohekohe Backbenchers playing in the C grade played Pukekohe United Goal Diggers. The final score was nil all, but in penalty shootouts, Kohekohe won 2-1.

The Kohekohe Ladies team played against Alfriston Aroows in their finals. Again the game score was nil all, however in penalty shootouts Alfriston won by one goal.

Back row: Sophie Millar, Mikyla Welsh, Sophie Stening, Kara McLeay, Beth Shepherd, Nyamee Welsh, Tayla Thornton, Hannah Watson, Bernie Corcoran. Front row: Rebekah Massey, Anita Murray, Grace Ford, Lucy Massey, Abi Stewart, Michelle Hodgson. Absent: Isabel Hodgson, Deni Murray, Elise Maddock.

Backrow: Jessie Whitehead, Sam Woods, Chad Whitehead, Marty Hunt, Logan Drumgool. Middle row: Daniel Bayley, Robert Lowe (Coach), Joshua Lowe, Jordan Van Riele, Kailesh Leatham, Trent Thornton, Darien Torpey, Kieran McLeish, Billy Torpey. Front: Hamish McDonald. Absent: Sean Reynolds, Nathan Lowe.

Back row: Josh Whitehead, Andrew Massey (player coach), Mitchel Court, George Foster, Peter Hamilton, Finn Williams. Middle row: Michael Hamilton, George Williams, Archie Shuker, Samuel Morriss, Adam Lowe, Harry Croft. Front Row: Darryl Dead, Shane Croft. Absent: Nathanael Falcone (Injured), Max Hardie, Raniera Whiu.

Photos: Dianne Whitehead

Lifestyle

Animal handling and facilities

STORY DAVID BLACK

other hand, sheep and goats remain relatively manageable throughout their lifespan.

Many lifestyle block owners will decide to run some animals, perhaps just to keep the grass under control but also for the interest and experience of a real kiwi country lifestyle.

That’s entirely possible, but for those without prior experience not always quite as simple as it might initially appear. The pleasure of growing and caring for stock together with the potential rewards, if that is what is wanted, of home kill meat can be very rewarding.

At this time of year, the arrival of new life such as lambs is likely to provide both challenges and great pleasure to an extended family. There are some important considerations which need to be dealt with before the first animal arrives.

I will not go into too much detail about the choice of species other than to say it’s probably easiest to get started with animals which are common and not too expensive, so the loss of one is not catastrophic and for which veterinary advice is readily available.

It is also important to remember that animals grow and calves for instance, which may seem quite easy at first become large and rambunctious. On the

The first, an obvious issue is containment and there is much more to this than just border fences. Generally, the standard seven or eight wire battened fence will serve for most species while for some, an electric wire is a useful addition and much more humane than the older practice of using barbed wire. However, for sheep, generally straightforward fences are all that’s required although when it comes to lambing, that may be another matter.

The next step is to consider lamb netting which is easy enough to install in the first instance although it does need to be carefully maintained. A fence on the edge of a slope, for example bordering a stream, inevitably presents the risk of erosion and escape of young animals under the wire. A common and entirely satisfactory way of dealing with this is to line the bottom of the fence with boards which can be easily screwed to posts using the modern hexagonal drive screws. It is important not to attach the fencing material or the battens to the board as that must be able to move to maintain straining.

A good yard is essential for animal handling as it is extremely difficult to catch and treat stock in and open paddock. From the beginning there are maintenance activities such as drenching, protection against eczema and fly strike which soon make the yard a worthwhile investment.

Building a yard is a good project for the lifestyle block owner, perhaps a fencing contractor could be used while on site to knock the posts in; the rest

of it is straightforward. There are many different yard designs, but the essential components include one large pen in which to herd a group, a small pen for activities such as shearing and a crush pen. The latter is a small race, narrow enough so that an animal cannot turn around with a gate at each end to constrain several animals at once. All of these facilities are connected with gates, the pens by wide hinge gates with a hook latch; for the races the old kiwi tradition is a narrow drafting gate which swings both ways held by a loose bolt in a hole on the post. This is simple, inexpensive and works perfectly and it’s hard to go past it. Ideally, the property is designed with a race which enables animals to be driven to the yard. A farmer will soon become skilled in the art of “drafting” which is the use of gates whether in the yard or elsewhere to direct or sort animals.

Maintenance of fences is straightforward and should be entirely in the hands of the owner. This includes ensuring the battens remain straight and vertical and wires or netting is properly tensioned. This can be made much simpler by the inclusion of ratchet strainers when the fence is installed.

Gates need to be regularly adjusted as they are inclined to drop. Wooden gates in the yard also need to be kept free to move; if the yard is built in the summer, it is likely that there will be some swelling which will require adjustment for closure in the winter. Regular walking around a well set up property with the dog and the grandchildren with some simple tools to check and “tune” the fences can be one of the great pleasures of lifestyle farming.

October

Vote

Why vote for Vijayendra Sudhamalla?

1. Diverse & rich work experience

A management consultant who helps businesses with insights. Before coming to New Zealand, he was a business consultant who worked with big and small businesses, including three “Fortune 500” companies from Europe, Asia, and APAC, helping their workers with their processes.

2. Qualifica�ons

Holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering; recent MBA graduate from AUT.

3. Fit for the job

Survived through hardships, faced uncertain �mes, and been at the decision-making table that includes companies like Rolls-Royce.

Our water, sewage, and roads are not fit for purpose. As a community, we deserve be�er, and I raise my voice for a be�er future. Do You?

Authorised by V. Sudhamalla vijay@wordsalt.co.nz

Steam returns to Auckland & Waikato

Saturday 15th October

Saturday 8th October

Sunday 9th October

This October School Holidays jump on board these steam train trips in Auckland City

by

Coast Big Band, vintage cars and more.

A drafting gate which swings both ways held by a loose bolt in a hole on the post.

Podcaster seeks answers in Jim Donnelly case

BY TIFFANY BROWN

Actor and lawyer Ryan Wolf is set to release the first two episodes of the new season of his podcast Guilt on 20 September. The first season of the true crime podcast followed the unsolved Paeroa murder of pizza shop owner Jordan Voudouris.

The second 14-episode season follows the mysterious disappearance of Glenbrook Steel worker Jim Donnelly in 2004.

Ryan said making true crime podcasts can be nerve-wracking. “In a sense, you’re going in and sort of hijacking these peoples’ lives, it’s quite intrusive.” Ryan described Jim Donnelly’s wife, Tracey, as having been ‘through the trenches’ with the case, but acknowledged her determination to get answers for her family. “I want to give her credit for keeping it in the light.”

Jim’s family has not held a funeral or a memorial for Jim and after all these years, Ryan feels their motivation to discover the truth is now less about justice and more about seeking closure. “They just want Jim’s body - whether foul play or not – they just want him home.” At the time of his disappearance, Jim’s children were aged just five and seven.

Ryan said the case is as mysterious as the disappearance itself. “It’s crazy, this case. For every lead that points you in one direction, there’s something that refutes it.”

Ryan admits that his belief that the case could be solved may be naive on his part, but puts his confidence down to an analytical brain and willingness to go the distance. “If I didn’t think it was possible to solve it, I wouldn’t try to dig deep and talk to people who

haven’t talked before.”

The series is free-to-listen, and Ryan hopes his in-depth coverage might bring forward people with vital information. “The thing with podcasts is they never disappear the way TV shows do; they hang around. This is about getting it out there, because someone, somewhere, might know something.”

Already, new details have turned up. Someone has approached Ryan claiming to have found Jim’s watch, although when he checked with police investigator David Glossop – who Ryan

said has been very receptive to his investigation – Jim’s watch had, at least from the police’s point of view, never been found.

“I encourage people to listen because there’s probably a lot of people think they know, that they don’t know; and things you don’t know, that you’ll learn.”

Ryan also appealed for anyone with any knowledge, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to reach out to him anonymously. Email Ryan at brevitystudiosnz@gmail.com

Franklin: My Backyard

Waiuku Library hosted an awards night with a difference on Friday 2 September.

Auckland Council funded their inaugural Poetry competition in the Franklin area in conjunction with the “We read Auckland” initiative.

Sue Waldmeyer, Teamleader Franklin Libraries, put out the call to local writers and poets to submit a poem not exceeding 40 lines and with a Franklin theme.

They received some very well thought out and written entries. So she invited Siobhan Hartley from Howick to judge the poems. Siobahn is a writer and experienced editor, teacher and a judge of national writing competitions.

Sue said that there was extensive poetic form, subject matter and skill in the entries which made her job difficult.

“Perhaps given the sumptuous landscape of the region, topics about whenua, belonging, history and whakapapa were popular among the entries. I was looking for three core elements, exciting engagement with the theme, crafted development of form and sumptuous symphonic musical elements.” She said.

She went on to say that most of the entries contained at least one of those elements.

“The winning poem In Place and Time was an inventive use of form in four parts across a single page. Repetitions of questions and statements headline each part and invite the reader into a poem which gently and carefully marvels with its power,” commented Siobahn.

The results were:

Commended: Seagrove Road – Waiau Pa by Shannon Hazell and Aka Aka by Carla Parry

Highly Commended: Orua Bay– Place of Secrets by Helen Reardon. Whenua Lost by Terry Carson

Runner up: She Will Forever Be Here by Belinda Gribbon.

Winner: In Place and Time by Emma Keys

In place and time

by Emma Keys

Tell me, what makes you peaceful? Watching our moko run wild with the wind

Pulling in a tāmure the black thick sand we underfoot Climbing clay cliffs to face Mt Karioi energized with the raw deserted we coast Show me, where your mind rests Here, walking with the scent of damp earth alongside the stream of Whangamaire Notice the taraire, tawa, and tōtara sheltering kawakawa, māhoe and nīkau amoungst the moss covered boulders havens all shades of green for pixies and anxieties

Teach me, how to remain earnest Jump, no leap! at Waitangi go under and surface refreshed Or at Rangiawhea a hesitant manu off the pier or a good slide that has seen for umpteen decades young squeals of laughter

Enlighten me, dear. what keeps you inspired? Friendship, they matter with a nice cup of something a teaspoon of reciprocity a stir of acceptance The sweet entice of music the language of the heart, existing in independence Spring, bursting reliably around the corner

Back; Terry Carson and Emma Keys Front; Helen Reardon and Belinda Gribbon.

Gary Holmes

Gary Holmes is a previous three-term North Shore City Councillor and has also served as an elected member on one of the northern local boards.

Now a Waiuku resident, Gary brings experience and knowledge to the role of a local board member. Not afraid to actively speak-out and stand up for community issues. Gary is enthusiastic about Waiuku and the Awhitu Peninsula, and the job of preserving its special qualities.

Gary is married and with two step-daughters who attend local schools, he has a good feel for the local issues including standing up against inappropriate development, advocating for transport improvements and looking at options for facilities and activities for youth.

Gary has demonstrated time and again his political integrity. As an elected representative, he believes political action should reflect public sentiment and appreciates the need to listen to the community and act accordingly. Gary promises to provide leadership, accountability, and responsiveness.

Phone 0274 966283 gary@workingforwaiuku.co.nz

West Franklin community hall funding allocated

The Franklin Local Board supports nine rural hall committees in West Franklin to deliver community places services. This year their allocation is just over $114,000.

In 2020 it resolved to base funding on five-year operational plans, adopting a phased approach for developing the plans in four lots.

Board Chair Andy Baker says staff have worked with hall committees in the first two stages, taking cost projections and the committees’ visions and objectives into account.

“This is complex and challenging for hall committees as we are try to improve equity across the committee-managed halls while working with them to help guide future investment.”

Funding for hall committees with five-year plans and with existing reserves of $35,000:

• Glenbrook War Memorial $8700

• Te Toro $35,100

• Waipipi $6275

• Āwhitu Central $27,000

Funding for the committees without five-year plans:

• Glenbrook Beach $9179

• Grahams Beach Settlers $5008

• Matakawau $11,348

• Pollok $3304

• Pukeoware $8427

No universal agreement to new Council freedom camping bylaw

Auckland Council’s new Freedom Camping in Vehicles Bylaw has now come into effect.

Franklin Local Board chairman Andy Baker says it tries to maintain a balance between accessible holiday options and prohibiting or restricting camping in areas that need protection

“There is no universal agreement. Across Franklin the communities of Wairoa, particularly Maraetai, have a different tolerance than communities in the Waiuku subdivision, especially on the Āwhitu Peninsula.

“Around Pukekohe there is a different view again, with designated camping sites in place. But the new provisions are a good compromise.”

Freedom Camping Bylaw Panel Chair Councillor Linda Cooper says Auckland is a popular destination for freedom camping.

“We want to ensure campers act responsibly and have a great experience in our region and that means staying in suitable places, keeping themselves and others safe, looking after the environment

Merchant Navy commemorated

BY BILL DEED

and respecting their host communities.”

Andy says although most campers act responsibly, freedom camping still impacts communities. “Franklin’s growth has put pressure on shared spaces like parks and beaches, so we need to be even-handed and strike a balance between what the law allows and what works for the community.”

He says the Local Board will continue to work with staff to deal with localised demand.

There are 58 prohibited and 20 restricted areas. They are in addition to prohibitions on all Auckland’s reserves managed under the Reserves Act 1977 and all regional parks – though paid camping is allowed at designated sites.

In other areas, freedom camping is allowed subject to four general rules, the use of certified self-contained vehicles, maximum two-night stays in the same road or off-road parking area, vacating by 9am and not returning inside two-weeks.

The full bylaw is on Auckland Council’s website.

Anybody passing the Waiuku Cenotaph on Saturday 3 September may have noticed the Merchant Navy flag flying.

This date celebrates the contribution of civilian merchant seafarers in wartime. The date marks the first sinking of a British merchant ship (ss Athena) just hours after the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.

The work of merchant seafarers in wartime was so vital that many people called them the ‘fourth service’. Its personnel were a diverse group: some seafarers were as young as 14 years old, and others were in their 70s.

New Zealanders crewed troopships and hospital ships during Allied seaborne invasions: the famed trans-Tasman liner Awatea was sunk

after landing troops in Algeria in 1942, while the New Zealand ships Monowai and Aorangi supported the Normandy landings in June 1944.

More than 140 New Zealand merchant seafarers died between 1939 and 1945, most while sailing on British ships in the Atlantic although some were lost while serving aboard locally owned vessels in the Tasman Sea and South Pacific. A similar number were taken prisoner, mostly by Germany’s Pacific raiders or in the case of 55 crew of the Hauraki, by the Japanese.

Today seafarers including New Zealanders sail under many flags continue to keep the global economy moving, even amidst the Covid 19 pandemic. Ships have changed as have trade patterns, but the sea remains their great highway.

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Te Toro Hall has been allocated $35,100 in the Franklin Local Board rural hall funding round.

Before the war the Awatea was the fastest liner to cross the Tasman Sea. This painting by W. W. Stewart shows the Awatea heading off the Mariposa for the coveted Golden Cockerel trophy for the fastest crossing of the Tasman Sea between Sydney and Auckland.

Musical DANI shares the good news

Debut album from Waiuku contemporary Christian singer-songwriter DANI ELLA is due to launch on 14 October.

DANI said the album, Lost Letter, represents one of the biggest risks she’s ever taken. “This album is just me being my raw self.” The twenty-two year old has been writing songs since the age of eight, when her dad brought home a guitar and attempted to teach her a few chords. “Using those three chords I ended up with a fully composed song the next day called Heaven.” The song expressed DANI’s wish to share good news with people. “You could say my whole purpose in songwriting has remained unshaken through my many years of writing.”

Now a performing arts teacher guiding other youngsters in songwriting, musical theatre, singing and band, DANI first attended Waiuku College partway through Year 10, where the music department became her refuge. “The music room was always my safe space. I would constantly hang out and make music or record, and my friends would always stick around to listen or jam along with me.”

BY TIFFANY BROWN

Many musical opportunities were offered at Waiuku College, including taking part in Stand Up Stand Out and SmokeFree Rock Quest. “I was never really in it for the competition; I really just did it for my songs to be heard.” During her final year, she was exposed to recording and producing with Manon Peak, at the time music teacher Benjamin Ruegg’s band, and Waiuku College’s first and second album release. “Year 13 was probably the pivotal point for me in recording my own music.”

Written, performed, recorded and produced entirely by the artist, DANI ELLA’s Lost Letter is so-named because each song on the album represents a letter, as if the artist were writing to someone, or to herself. “Ever since I was a little girl all I wanted to do was to tell a story, my story and the stories of others around me. When I feel like I don’t have the words, I just begin to sing or play my instrument and let the emotion do the talking.”

Lost Letter will be available on most platforms including Spotify and Apple Music from 7pm on Friday 14 October.

Local Legends

Judith: just getting on with it

Long-serving community member Judith Hull was diagnosed with dementia about a year ago. While the diagnosis has caused a few unwelcome changes to her life, Judith has a philosophical outlook about her future. “I could wake up tomorrow and not know who I am,” she laughed. “So you just have to get on with it.”

For now, her long term memories are una ected, while immediate activities can present a challenge.

Instead of pulling a single item out of the freezer for dinner, Judith might get three, only to discover the beginnings of three separate dinners at various places around the kitchen. Forgetting the reason why she arrived at a certain room or place is also an issue.

“My mind remembers things from way back in the past much better than what I did this morning.”

Family years on the farm

Judith Hull moved to Waiuku as a child, and met her husband Colin at an Otaua dance as a teenager. In 1964, 17 year-old Judith married her 24 year-old beau, whose family had resided in the Waiuku district since 1858.

Good fortune immediately favoured the couple. “We got engaged on Saturday,” said Colin. “and on the following Thursday, I won the Golden Kiwi Lottery!”

Colin’s lottery win of about £12,000 meant fast-tracking of plans to buy a farm, and the couple bought land in Karioitahi that would be their family home for the next 46 years. The farm, purchased by the Sturgess family around 12 years ago, is the site of the coast’s distinctive windmill.

The couple have four children, and now many grandchildren and great-grand-children. Three of their children live in Perth, while their one daughter remaining in Waiuku is wellknown real estate professional, Deborah Andrew.

The first vision of windmills on the ridge was Colin’s, who had an ambitious dream to create a wind farm and target golf course on the property. Consent was granted and a deal struck with Genesis Energy, but the project never came to fruition

during their time on the farm.

Rotary’s annual Sunset Coast charity walk took place on the Hulls’ farm, and Rotarian Colin was actively involved in the organisation of the day for many years.

Council to clergy

Judith, who is the eldest of six and has been involved with Girl Guides over the years, also served three terms as councillor for the Franklin District Council. Set to move into a deputy mayoral role, Judith’s trajectory was interrupted when a fracas blew up over the plans for the wind farm in 2004.

A group of environmentalists believed the operation would be destructive to birdlife, and Judith was accused of having a

pecuniary interest in the project.

“The windmill debacle killed my council career,” she said good-naturedly. Judith lost her fourth term seat by three votes.

Despite her levity, Judith said it was a tough time, during which she made a temporary escape to Perth to see her children.

“For a while, I wasn’t going to come back.”

But her irrepressible spirit rallied, and following her council career, Judith turned to her love of the church, and became ordained as a non-stipendiary Anglican priest in 2010, ministering at St. Bride’s Church at Mauku.

Acknowledgment and moving forward

A regular doctor’s check leading to a specialist referral was the first formal recognition Judith had inherited dementia. When she was first diagnosed, Judith said she “sat there and howled”, despite the fact it had been a relief to find out for sure. “Intellectually it was more difficult to feel something was wrong with me, but not know what it was.”

The loss of independence from no longer being able to drive is what Judith has found the most difficult. After several incidents of finding herself in the car,

BY TIFFANY BROWN

but not knowing where she was headed, along with stories of other dementia patients’ difficulties, she decided to give it up. “It wasn’t safe.”

Judith is wonderfully pragmatic about her diagnosis. “It’s like with the windmill debacle. These things happen in life, and it’s not great for a short while, but you’ve got to be grateful for what you have.”

She hoped sharing her story might help others. Judith has a family history of the illness and had always felt she had a 50% chance of it happening to her, but it was still a big adjustment. “Being diagnosed with dementia is a shock at first.” Her family were equally shocked with the stark reality that “life is impermanent”. With her typical pragmatism Judith said, “You can’t change it: but you can acknowledge it.”

But there is plenty to smile about. Judith and Colin are preparing for an overseas cruise down the River Danube in October, and expect most of the family to be with them for Christmas. Judith smiled. “When one door closes, another opens.”

Judith was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal in the late 1990s for her service to the West Franklin community.

19 Romany. 21 comma. 23 mail.

New Theatre show promises lots of laughs

In August, the Breeze brought you coverage of the new Ruby Room at Waiuku’s Backstage Theatre; a refurbished actors’ backstage space dedicated to young Waiuku Theatre Group member Ruby-Jean Steele who was tragically killed in a car accident in 2018.

Now the group is preparing for to take its latest production on stage in late October. Written by Emily Laing and Liam Hagenson, Timber is described as “a fun-filled kiwi comedy, packed with hilarious one liners, the odd tear-jerker, and more than enough song and dances to shake a stick at.”

The script-writing pair have recently competed in the 2022 series of Lego Masters.

Member Haley King said like many community groups, WTG has suffered setbacks from covid over the last few years, including lockdowns part-way through rehearsals, cast illnesses and isolation requirements.

In addition to the Ruby Room, the members and committee, guided by president Shane Hartley, who has been a long time Theatre Group member, have carried out much-needed improvements and upgrades to the facilities including costume storage, lighting and lighting box access.

With 20 cast members and a further six on the production team, Timber has plenty of

WTG is planning a fundraiser show on Friday 4 November to support Gumboot Friday. All ticket sales from this performance will be donated to the mental health initiative. Commercial sponsors are also being invited to donate; with production members offering to create a tailor-made poster or jingle for the sponsor’s business to be displayed or presented during the show’s season.

St Andrew’s Seniors for over 65s

A revamped weekly programme for the over 65s has recently been launched in Waiuku.

Now called St Andrew’s Seniors, the programme picks up where the former Anglican-run Selwyn Centre left off when it ceased operating at the end of June 2022.

Selwyn Centres are a collaboration between Anglican parishes and the Selwyn Foundation. The Waiuku Selwyn Centre ran initially in the Anglican church on Queen Street in Waiuku. Later the venue was moved up the road to the Methodist-Presbyterian St Andrew’s Centre. Now the venue has become the host.

St Andrew’s Centre’s decision to run the programme itself was a ‘no-brainer’ according to the new coordinator, Leonie Winfield.

“It would have been a shame not to carry on something that was already successful. We had that core group and we’ve had a few more people come since,” says Leonie.

Each weekly Thursday morning session starts with gentle chair-based exercise. This is followed by morning tea and a group effort puzzling out that day’s newspaper crossword.

“Some people are whizzes at the crossword.” says Leonie. “I think those people come for the crossword! After that we have one more activity that lasts about 20-30 minutes. It might be a word puzzle, chess, card games, Scrabble or bowls. We had some musical entertainment once, which everyone enjoyed, and that’s something we might look at on a regular basis.

Sharlene Druyven

Although born and raised in Waiuku along with four generations before me, many will know me through my Waiuku Town Manager role which I held for 11 years. I have since relinquished that position to focus on my Local Board role.

I have a had the privilege of representing and advocating for the Waiuku ward for the last two terms. In that time the area has seen many changes and we are expecting growth unseen before.

I have learnt so much over my last two terms and know that now more than ever, experience will be key in insuring that we get our share of the pie especially the infrastructure and facili-

Another aim is to have some new thought or idea for people to take home each week to think about.”

In talking to some of the regulars, companionship is the main drawcard, especially for those who live alone.

Agnes, who had been going to Selwyn Centre for many years says, “I came to get myself out of the house because otherwise you could just stay there. You’ve got to push yourself to get out. I was terribly lonely in my house but when you have got something on, it’s good. The leaders put on some nice interesting things.”

Mental stimulation is a close second in the reasons for attending.

Helen, a woman in her early 80s and a former editor in her work life, says, “I didn’t want to come at first because I thought it was for old people and I don’t consider myself old. But I found it so stimulating. I had to have a lie down after my first time here! Now I love coming, especially doing the crossword.”

“Loneliness and social isolation are well-recognised as being contributors to poor well-being in older people,” says Leonie. “At St Andrew’s Seniors you’ll make friends, get some exercise, have a delicious morning tea, and enjoy activities that keep your brain active. What’s not to love!”

To find out more about St Andrew’s Seniors, phone the church office on 235 2238 or email administrator@standrewscentre.org.nz.

ties needed to cater for the growth. It is also extremely important that we retain that village feel that makes the Waiuku ward such a unique place to reside.

Although not all of us want to see growth we have the potential to capitalise in so many ways. We need to entice business that offers educational opportunities for our youth, well paid employment and tourism opportunities allowing our locals to be able to live and work in the area without the need to commute.

I want to sincerely thank you for allowing me to advocate on your behalf for the last two terms and

hope you have confidence in voting for me again so I can continue the work I have started.

Candidate pro le Local Board - Waiuku Sub-division

singing and dancing throughout the show but Haley said it’s more variety than musical. Set in 1965, the comedy sets a team of ‘hearty lumberjacks’ against a group of ‘tree-hugging hippies’ over the fate of a giant ancient kauri tree.

Friends Liam Hagenson and Emily Laing co-wrote the script for Timber, and previously competed in Lego Masters 2022.