West Franklin Breeze - November 2023

BAKER VAPOUR BLAST

Vapour & Media Blasting Resurfacing & Restoration Parts deg greasing, cleaning and a more

B r e eze

WEST FRANKLIN

027 641 1616 kelvin@bakervapourblast.co.nz www.bakervapourblast.co.nz

A breath of fresh air for West Franklin VOLUME 4, EDITION 11

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

PH: 09 235 7835

Major investment planned to develop offshore wind farm

While there is some consternation about the establishment of shore-based wind farms in the district another multi-billion dollar investment in offshore windpower generation proposal is set to make the local scene.

The partnership of BlueFloat Energy New Zealand (a leading global offshore wind developer) and Elemental Group has announced plans for a multi-billion dollar investment in offshore wind projects in the South Auckland and Waikato regions of New Zealand. The project is the second investment to be announced by the partnership as part of their nationwide programme to develop up to 3 GW of clean, renewable offshore wind generated power.

Currently named Waikato Offshore Wind project, is intended to be developed in phases to generate nearly 2 GW of power using both fixed and floating foundation technology.

Phase 1 of the project is for an 810 MW development using fixed bottom technology, 22 kilometres off the West Waikato coast. This phase would create around 550 jobs in construction, operations and maintenance and generate enough electricity to power 400,000 kiwi homes.

NOVEMBER 2023

Phase 2 would be in deeper waters and utilize floating foundations. It would add an additional 1125 MW of new generation capacity and would be to the north of the planned Phase 1 development, off Karioitahi.

The partnership is currently in the feasibility stage with construction expected to commence around 2030. Progress is subject to the government introducing a regulatory framework for offshore wind, which is expected in 2024, and the partnership gaining all necessary government and regulatory approvals.

“Waikato has a world class offshore wind resource, access to a skilled and experienced workforce and proximity to existing large energy transmission infrastructure which makes it a natural choice for an offshore wind farm. We are committed to early and meaningful engagement with local communities, iwi and hapū, business and industry to ensure that our project delivers enduring ben-

efits to local communities and regions,” said Nathan Turner, BlueFloat Energy NZ Country Manager.

Offshore wind in the South Auckland-Waikato region will benefit from close proximity to strong segments of the Transpower grid network, including those nearby to the Huntly power station and NZ Steel’s operations at Glenbrook, offering a direct route to the grid and the potential to provide new supplies of clean energy to consumers and industry in Waikato and the greater Auckland area.

Local partners, Elemental Group (an international energy developer and consultancy headquartered in New Plymouth) say the project offers significant opportunity for regional economic development in Waikato and South Auckland: “An offshore wind energy industry will provide thousands of jobs for New Zealanders and require an entire local supply chain to support it throughout its lifetime. This is particularly true with

Health Screening and Immunisations at Age 65 Although we may worry about getting old, for most the latter part of life can be active and enjoyable. The natural ageing process affects us all. However, it is good to know when to talk to your doctor or nurse about specific concerns. This may be if you are experiencing falls, memory-loss, mobility issues, low mood, pain, breathing problems or persistent diarrhoea or constipation.

At age 65, we are eligible for a range of health services to support healthy lifestyles, including immunisations, needs assessments and screening services. Many of these are free (Shingles, Whooping Cough, Tetanus, COVID and Flu) and when you attend there is the opportunity to discuss any wider health concerns with your nurse. She can advise and make any relevant onward referrals for medical advice or other services.

You can call us on 092359102 to speak with or book an appointment with a nurse or you may wish to visit us at our free nurse clinic at Hamilton Estate Community Hall.

This will now be on Tuesdays 10am to midday. Call in for a chat – no appointment necessary.

If you need more information about the benefits of screening and immunisation at age 65 go to the Healthify Website.

floating wind developments which require significantly higher local content in manufacturing and services in addition to the expected operations and maintenance roles,” said Elemental Director Nick Jackson.

“Our partnership is focused on providing positive social procurement outcomes that create benefits to the communities where we work. We intend to work closely with local iwi and communities, Councils, and regional economic development agencies to progress this opportunity,” added Jackson. www.waikatooffshorewindproject.com

Waikato Offshore Wind Project community information meeting see Page 5 for details

OVID C d n a Flu rs Booste able! ail still av All enquiries to 09 235 9102

waiukumedical.co.nz

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WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

Will there be a future for the regional fuel tax?

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NOVEMBER 2023

Just when we thought it was safe to not have to worry about the election any more, through very sad circumstances, we gear ourselves up for a by-election to be held on 25 November.

I am sure all those candidates who now face a second round of campaigning so soon are secretly unenthused about the prospect.

However that is the deal as a politician in this country, where we should cherish and respect the privilege we have to live in a democracy.

So to you all, take a breath if possible, and get stuck back into it in the next few weeks.

As I mentioned in last month’s column, I now obviously have a greater than before interest in what and how the next Government delivers on transport. There will be conversations happening at a level far above my pay grade about the intention to remove the fuel tax in Auckland. It was always there UNTIL an alternative mechanism was put in place (such as congestion charging) to supplement the

FRANKLIN COUNCILLOR ANDY BAKER

standard level of funding available to the region. Last time I looked we are nowhere near that and claims we have been putting the tax away and have enough to deliver what is needed is both wrong and poorly researched.

The way in which Auckland Transport is funded with 51% coming from Government through Waka Kotahi, there will have to be an massive change in the Government Policy Statement on transport and or completely new thinking in regard to funding If we see the removal of the tax without an alternative. Nobody, and I include those who are actually responsible for the maintenance and renewal of our transport networks, wants to see the continued degradation of that network.

Fingers crossed the new ears on the Government side of the house are open and better still, hearing what is being said.

It is now just on a year since this current Council was sworn in and got down

to business. To be honest at times it feels like it has been much longer such have been the challenges encountered.

Not just the terrible and tragic challenges such as the storm events or the well publicised budget issues but also those challenges of the very different political environment within which I now work.

Having been part of Council through the terms of Len Brown and Phil Goff, no surprises that Wayne Brown is an almost a polar opposite to the first Mayors. Being someone who campaigned on wanting to see change in how, why, where and what Council does, it won’t be a surprise to anyone who knows me that the current direction is one I like.

I don’t agree with everything the Mayor says and sometimes find myself cringing a little at what is said but in absolute honesty, the feedback I receive about what is happening and about the man himself is staggeringly positive.

I see what is happening, I see the direction and see

the effort being made to make change so after a year I am really encouraged that things are changing and more change is being considered. This will include things like the recently consulted on Maori representation, number of local boards and their boundaries, number of councillors and of course what our priorities are over the next ten years. So there is going to be plenty coming out for public consultation for you to get your teeth into. I will continue to challenge and ask questions about ensuring all of Auckland is treated equitably and reasonably from the most urbanised to the most rural.

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with Sgt Dean Borrell

ACROSS

DOWN

Dirt bikes a recent problem

swansong?7(8) Liking for swansong? (8) 1 Threat from males by a church (6) 9 A woman, first to kiss a nerd (6) first to kiss10a nerd 2 (3) Show or hide (6) Dirt bikes have been a problem for Poor(6) actor in first half of play in first half11of play (3) make bread low-calorie 3 Leaders of material manufacturing association equip Possibly with this (8) us lately in Waiuku, around town and ake bread low-calorie ancient plant (8) 12 One layswith downthis golf club (6) at the beach.

13 Slowly going round a shed 4 (4-2) ) One sleeping in tent is more affected (6) When they are ridden around town 15 (6) Great fire trick endlessly rehashed (8) own golf club 5 Remorseful criminal gets tired (8) 16 Ann quoted girl uncharacteristically speaking pompit such ng round a shed (4-2) 6 Cosmetic surgery changed life inisfact (8) a visual crime: everyone ously (13) sees from it, hears rick endlessly rehashed (8) 8 Film depicting very patient person Rome?it and want to know 20 Song about a...a curse (8) d girl uncharacteristically speaking (3,7,3) what the Police are doing about it.

22 Assume former partner will need training before court (13) 14 Song listened to in Scottish townBut (3) when it comes to crimes we (6) t a...a curse25 (8) Wine is left in crate anyhow 16 (6)Awkward crowd wants fish (8)deal with, a noisy dirt bike is at the 26will Toneed abandon plane is not unusual (8) rmer partner training 17 Modify, for example, ring for lower trusted end friendof the scale, compared to 27 Some ambassadors create fuss (5,3) (3) rt (6) our other daily jobs like investigating 28 Dark-sounding piece (6) t in crate anyhow (6) 18 Who can start such a sentence? (8) 29 Runs into trouble with southern relations (8) n plane is not unusual (8) 19 Born in endless poverty (3) burglaries, attending domestics or mental assadors create fuss (3) 21 Car in ultimately pristine condition (6) health episodes for example. dirt ding piece (6) 23 Difficult situation for Penny, notArich (6)bike doing loops up and DOWN the street is committing traffic rouble with1 southern relations (8) 24 Many sheets, we hear, neededdown for singing Threat from males by a church (6) groups (6) offences only, usually no license, 2 Show or hide (6) 3 Leaders of manufacturing association equipancient plant (8) no helmet, no registration and no 4 One sleeping in tent is more affected (6) warrant and at times it’s dangerous 5 Remorseful criminal gets tired (8) driving. Being a general noise and 6 Cosmetic surgery changed life in fact (8) 8 Film depicting very patient person from Rome? (3,7,3) nuisance is not a crime.

14 Song listened to in Scottish town (3) They are also hard for us to deal 16 Awkward crowd wants fish (8) with.

If they pull over and stop, we 17 Modify, for example, ring for trusted friend (5,3) can often only give out a ticket, if 18 Who can start such a sentence? (8) 19 Born in endless poverty (3) they are an adult. If they don’t have 21 Car in ultimately pristine condition (6) the right license we formally forbid 23 Difficult situation for Penny, not rich (6) them to ride it again until they get a 24 Many sheets, we hear, needed for singing groups (6) license. If they are stopped again, we can then impound the bike but only Ph. 09 238 5188 Mob. 021 343 335 if it is still in a public place. If it is www. sepio.co.nz back home on private property, we Specialists in commercial and domestic insurance need a search warrant, and we aren’t allowed to chase them if they don’t stop. Any time we prosecute someone Answers on page 15 we have to have enough evidence to take it to court. A lot of witnesses Waiuku Fire Brigade Callouts who call us don’t want to go to court and give evidence, so again we are hamstrung how we deal with the 5 Hermitage Road PFA problem.

8 Craig Road Control Burn So it’s a step by step process we 10 Karioitahi-Kohehohe Road Fire in area (sun setting) nothing follow, not just stop and arrest. In 13 Constable Road False alarm

SEPTEMBER

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Waiuku Road King Street Pukekohe Fleet Street Kitson Road Lina Place Kitchener Road Glenbrook Road Glenbrook Road

PFA = Private fire alarm

Rubbish controlled Building Light fitting on fire Medical Fire in area — nothing found Medical MVC MVC

MVC = Motor vehicle collision

Waiuku when we get called about them, we try and identify the rider and their bike from CCTV, we then pay them a visit at home and take action.

It is a bit the same with cars doing burn outs. It is at the lower end of the scale crime wise, but nuisance value for folk trying to sleep that’s probably at its worst. It is a similar process we follow to deal with them.

In saying that, we regularly impound their cars.

On recent burglaries, we have been investigating a couple with promising leads. A large aluminum hard top boat was stolen in Kendellvale Drive on the night of 28 September.

The boat was towed out of town and toward Pukekohe. If anyone has any information please ring Police on 105.

A gas califont was taken from a local café on the 22 September.

Phone 111 if you see suspicious activity at night. Cars towing boats, diggers or trailers at 3.00am should raise suspicions. We are happy to stop them and if it checks out fine that’s great.

If you would like to talk to a local cop come to the information centre on Wednesday mornings, that’s the best place to catch us in person.

The best way to report a crime is via phone on 111 or 105. The call taker takes all the details and forwards the job to us ready to follow up. You can also leave a message on the 105 line for a local cop to phone you back.

Keep safe - Dean

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Blast to the Past

Fireworks

Friday 10 November at 6pm Waiuku Rugby Park

Rusty Studs Swap Meet Saturday 11 November 30 Constable Road, Waiuku

Flora Fest ‘23

Friday 10 & Saturday 11 November St Andrews Centre, Waiuku Entry by donation

Surf Lifesaving Kariaotahi

Garden Ramble

Saturday 25-26 November, 10am-4pm Enquiries: Anne Walters 027 548 9929

Garden Ramble Christmas Market Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 November 2023 262 Hull Road, Waiuku 10am to 3pm $5 Entry Proceeds to Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi

Waiuku Family Support

Annual Meeting

Saturday 25 November 2023 at 1pm 8B Queen Street, Waiuku

Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club

Market Day

Saturday 9 December 2023, 9am-1pm Victoria Avenue, Waiuku Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust

MONTHLY MISSIONS

OCTOBER TE TORO

10 October — W2 Crew tasked to Te Toro to assist a male patient in his 40s involved in a motorcycle accident. He was flown to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition.

Waiuku

11 July — W3 Crew tasked to Waiuku to assist a female patient in her 50s involved in a mountain biking accident. She was flown to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition.

NOVEMBER 2023

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

25-26 November

Resident says ‘the cutting’ must be dealt with

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

Jonathan Kuttner emphasises the dangers of the deceptive hill on Masters Road

BY TIFFANY BROWN

Dr Jonathan Kuttner is appealing to Waikato District Council to address the dangerous stretch of Masters Road known locally as ‘the cutting’.

Jonathan, musculoskeletal specialist and long-term Masters Road resident, wrote to Waikato mayor Jacqui Church on 7 August following a fatal motor vehicle accident (MVA) just outside his property.

“I consider it to be an incredibly dangerous short stretch of road,” said Jonathan. “I have lived on this road for 35 years. Over this time, there have been seven spectacular MVAs on this short stretch on road and it is a miracle that only one person has died. The accidents are becoming frequent.”

Jonathan said the primary reason ‘the cutting’ is so dangerous is the long steep hill which has a small blind rise three-quarters of the way down.

“There is a subtle bend on the blind rise which you cannot see as the car descends or ascends the hill. Drivers speed up and down the hill and then lose control as they crest the blind rise.”

He said the vehicles are often airborne at that point.

The previous accidents include a vehicle which swerved to miss Jonathan’s son driving the opposite direction, crashed through a fence and ended up on its roof.

In another incident a young driver lost control while going up the hill, became airborne and crashed into a telegraph pole. High-tension wires dropped onto the car as well as the grass and set off a number of fires. Another accident that could have been catastrophic was when a car hit a mini bus full of young people.

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This latest incident involved a young driver who lost control heading over the blind rise, over-corrected, became airborne, and struck a stand of pine trees. His passenger, father to six children, was killed.

Jonathan said the ‘straightening up’ of the road has turned it into a potential death trap.

“The road used to have a few bends which a made drivers slow down.”

He believes installing good signage on both sides of the cutting, and placing a speed camera in clear sight might discourage reckless driving.

“There are an increasing number of houses along Masters Road. Every driver, including myself, my family and visiting friends, face potential severe injury or death every time we drive along this stretch of road.”

Since the August fatality, yellow lines have been painted in the middle of Masters Road.

Jonathan said he was not convinced this would have the intended effect to slow vehicles. “It just gives a visible target for drivers to stay at higher speeds,” he said.

Mayor Jacqui Church sent condolences to the family and friends of the person who tragically lost their life on Masters Road in August, and said Council had re-marked double yellow lines with raised reflective pavement markers, ie cats’ eyes added to highlight the nature of the road.

“We are also going to install extra signage highlighting the slight bend and blind rise. The speed limit on this road is 80kmh and mitigating driving behaviour is in the realms of the police when it comes to speed cameras etc. I do plan to have a chat to the police to identify how we can work together to prevent fatalities such as this on Masters Road, and our roads in general in the district.”

Locals Helping Locals

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Exciting news Harcourts Waiuku have now joined with our fellow Clarks Beach team out at the beach!

What does this mean for you? This means, more knowledge and experience from our team, more time out on the road and in the community.

If you are thinking of selling before Christmas, now is the time.

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Garry Johnson

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garry.johnson@harcourts.co.nz

0274 985 722

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021 688 477

CASTAWAYS RESTAURANT & BAR

NEW SEASON MENU Featuring delicious dishes like oysters, market fish and sumptuous Angus rib eye, with plenty of vegetarian options as well.

Come and enjoy great food while taking in the stunning vistas of Karioitahi Beach at our clifftop restaurant!

Bookings essential. Call (09) 236 5041 or book online at www.castaways.co.nz/restaurant Open seven days excluding Christmas Day

Port Waikato By-election Saturday 25 November

CASEY COSTELLO

Authorised by H. Howard, 41 Jervois Road, Ponsonby.

NOVEMBER 2023

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

Mayoral community award for committee Otaua’s Kay Vincent has been awarded one of 32 Mayoral Community Awards by Waikato District Mayor Jacqui Church, in recognition of her contribution to the local community as Secretary of Kariaotahi Hall Committee.

Kay’s family has been in Karioitahi for six generations; her great-grandfather R. J. Harris came to Waiuku in 1902 as headmaster of Waiuku District School. After World War I Kay’s grandfather Jim Naysmith married R. J. Harris’ daughter Gertie and the pair began farming on the corner of Coast (now Karioitahi) and Park Roads. The farmhouse is still in the family today.

Most of the Kariaotahi Hall committee are past pupils or descendants of past pupils of the school, which closed in 1968. Kay said there has always been a strong connection to the school by those who’ve attended. Along with Vivenne Lee and Graham Wilson, Kay stepped up in 2012 to carry on the work of other long-serving and dedicated committee members who were about to retire.

“We have many shared memories of community events, and we are keen to continue Kariaotahi traditions for the next generation. We have a strategic plan which includes restoration work to maintain the old school’s original 1930s character, as well as to create opportunities for others to use the facility so they, too, can feel connected to the hall as the centre of the community.”

Those traditions include the famous annual garage sale, community quiz night, and Kariaotahi Christmas party. The spelling of Kariaotahi is mirrors the spelling used when the school was in operation. The committee also hires the hall for various uses; since 2015 it’s been used several times a week for agricultural training classes.

BY TIFFANY BROWN

The Mayoral Community awards recognise volunteer work and contributions to the community. Kay said mayor Jacqui Church has worked with and supported communities on the northwest boundary of the Waikato District Council since she became a councillor in 2013.

Kay credits a strong, connected committee team, along with the support of community members, friends, and councillors with the success that earned her the Mayoral Community award.

“I think this award recognises what can be achieved when we all work towards the same vision - and have a bit of fun along the way.”

As an incorporated society, Kariaotahi Hall membership is free for anyone paying a Waikato District Council targeted rate, or $10 for other supporters. The group has a Facebook page called ‘Kariaotahi Connected’, and sends email newsletters several times a year; join the list by emailing kariaotahihallcommittee@gmail.com

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

09 235 0016

Kariaotahi Hall Committee L - R. Graham Wilson (chairman), Kay Vincent (secretary), Jennifer Thomson (patron), Viv Lee (treasurer), Michell Lemon, Noelene Burr, Keith Jackson, Denise Gunn. Absent: Lynn Bidwell, Gerard Vandermeer, Sandi Carter.

info@bigriverreadymix.co.nz www.bigriverreadymix.co.nz

WAIKATO OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT COMMUNITY INFORMATION EVENING Offshore wind presents a fantastic opportunity for Aotearoa. Developing this new industry can help us decarbonise our economy, meet growing demands for renewable energy and create long-term and meaningful jobs across the supply chain. To find out more about our plans for the Waikato Offshore Wind Project please join our team for a community information evening.

Date: Wednesday 8th November, 5-6.30pm Waiuku Memorial Town Hall, 80 Queen Street (corner of Queen St & Victoria Avenue) RSVP: info@waikatooffshorewindproject.com waikatooffshorewindproject.com

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NOVEMBER 2023

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

Concerned residents urge wastewater rethink Watercare announced in April its acquisition of 372 Glenbrook Beach Road to create a new south-western wastewater treatment plant.

The new plant will serve the growing communities of Kingseat, Waiuku, Clarks Beach, and Glenbrook, replacing three existing treatment facilities and meeting Watercare’s stated objective to minimise its carbon footprint. But community group Stop Polluting the Manukau Harbour Society (SPTMH), believes the site is inappropriate for the proposed plant.

“The proposed new treatment plant will process raw sewage from the current Clarks Beach, Kingseat, Kahawhai Point, and Waiuku plants, which are being phased out,” said a spokesperson for SPTMH. “Raw sewage will be pumped to the plant through some 20km of pipelines under local roads; largely under Glenbrook Beach Road.

The treated sewage will be returned to the consented discharge outfall off the golf course at Clarks Beach. We believe in this day and age the discharge of treated wastewater should not go into the Manukau Harbour.

This is the perfect opportunity for some progressive thinking. It’s time to look for a better long-term solution to improve the health of the harbour for future generations.”

While SPTMH acknowledges a new plant is essential to service population growth in these areas, it believes a preferable site exists on Williams Road. The site is adjacent to NZ Steel and is where the current Waiuku treatment plant is located. Watercare already owns the land, which is sited on a small, sparsely populated road. The current plant at the site cannot be seen from the road.

SPTMH said Watercare paid $11.2m for the

BY TIFFANY BROWN

Glenbrook Beach Road site—currently a market garden—significantly more than the government valuation of $4m. The spokesperson said Watercare had not provided a reasonable explanation for rejecting the existing Williams Road site, other than repeating its commitment to carbon emissions reduction.

But SPTMH believe many other options could exist for reuse of the wastewater, none of which have been thoroughly investigated.

“The site near NZ Steel in an already zoned industrial area is an obvious option. If reuse is not feasible then discharge water should go directly to the Tasman Sea.” Watercare said in September that it had considered 137 options for discharge including the Tasman Sea, but in the end the Manukau Harbour was chosen due to ‘cultural, social, environmental and financial considerations.’

Glenbrook Beach and Kahawai Point residents will face severe disruptions when sections of Glenbrook Beach Road are excavated for laying pipelines to construct the proposed new plant, which is expected to take up to five years. The pipe laying is expected to take two to three years.

“The related safety concerns are alarming, considering Glenbrook Beach Road is the only access road for the community.”

Watercare currently has an application to Auckland Council to designate the land at 372 Glenbrook Beach Road for wastewater treatment purposes, instead of its current zoning as mixed rural, highly productive land.

Submissions close on November 13. Submissions can be made via Auckland Council’s website aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

To find out more about SPTMH or its public meetings, email sptmh23@gmail.com

Green light to shrink carbon footprint Work will now get underway on NZ Steel’s new $300M electric arc furnace in its steelworks at Glenbrook.

New Zealand Steel has completed planning and internal approvals for the $300 million electric arc furnace (EAF) at its steelworks at Glenbrook, south of Auckland, and is about to start preparing the site for the installation.

The EAF, targeted to be operational by 2026, will reduce NZ Steel’s Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45 per cent – the same as taking approximately 300,000 cars off the road permanently.

Underpinning New Zealand Steel’s decision is the Government’s confirmation that its agreement to co-fund the project is unconditional. Under the agreement, the New Zealand Government will contribute up to $140m through the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry Fund and NZ Steel will invest around NZ$160m in capital and transition spend.

Chief Executive Robin Davies says his team is looking forward to starting work on the project, which will

Andrew Bayly

For Port Waikato andrew.bayly@national.org.nz AndrewBaylyMP

Authorised by Andrew Bayly MP, 7 Wesley Street, Pukekohe

reduce Glenbrook’s carbon footprint by 800,000 tonnes per year. “It’s really pleasing to have reached this important milestone and in good time – it bodes well for our aim to have the new lower carbon way of making steel up and running by 2026.”

Mr Davies says: “Steel is infinitely recyclable, and this model will make New Zealand as close to self-sufficient as possible using renewable energy via an innovative partnership with Contact Energy to recycle domestic scrap steel, rather than shipping it offshore.

“We will be announcing further partnerships as the project progresses, including the detail of our scrap steel arrangements. I would like to thank all our partners in Government and industry. The EAF is a partnership project that would never have happened without the support and innovation of others.” Delivery of the project remains subject to standard environmental regulatory approvals.

NOVEMBER 2023

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

Local link may secure South Island rail icon

One of the amazing rail viaducts on the Taieri Gorge Railway.

Photo: Paul Jeffery

The Glenbrook Vintage Railway (GVR) and the Otago Excursion Train Trust (OETT) are working together to secure the future reinstatement and operation of the world-famous tourist icon Taieri Gorge Railway.

The railway was closed to tourists over the Covid lockdown due to a lack of cruise ship passenger numbers and has struggled to gain traction since.

“Taieri Gorge Railway is an Otago treasure, and a new community-based model is being proposed so it can operate successfully in a post-pandemic world,” said Otago Excursion Train Trust chairman Murray Schofield.

The two New Zealand rail groups are in talks to secure the future of the internationally renowned day excursion and its operator, Dunedin Railways which is owned by the Dunedin City Council. The venture is between the OETT and GVR. “Glenbrook would bring business expertise to a joint venture,” he said.

“Like Dunedin Railways (DR), it has its own branch line, maintains a large vehicle fleet, and operates regular long-distance excursions.”

Despite the distance between the two groups, the partnership is a natural fit, Mr Schofield says.

“GVR has a lot in common with Dunedin Railways. In terms of scale, it is the next-larg-

Photo: Paul Jeffery

est heritage rail operator and brings mainline knowledge and business expertise. Like Dunedin Railways, it has its own branch line, maintains a large vehicle fleet, and operates regular long-distance excursions.”

Glenbrook Vintage Railway general manager Tim Kerwin says it is an exciting prospect.

“This is an opportunity to retain one of New Zealand’s longest privately owned rail lines that runs through some of our country’s most spectacular scenery.

“Really, this is only the beginning as a lot more work will be needed to be done obtaining necessary consents, but it presents an exciting privilege. The GVR has a lot of experience in operating tourist-focused rail journeys and family focused events and we are proud to be able to offer our expertise in this proposal,” said Tim. “GVR has been on a journey of transformation for the past five years, focusing on uplifting our appeal and introducing new products., Tim continued. “Last year we carried over 50,000 passengers. This was 10,000 more than our 2019 (pre-covid) number. So the joint venture is about pooling resources, utilising GVR IP and experience, coupled with OETT’s local knowledge and history, to rebuild the shape of DR. “This is not just going to be about cruise ships. We want to introduce family focused events, Dunedin focused events to showcase the area, as well as other exciting opportunities which would provide greater sustainability to DR than a sole focus on cruise ships.

“Rail based tourism and activities can and often are far more environmentally friendly given the volume of people that can be entertained.

What better way to experience the country than to load upwards of 300 people into one train, than into multiple buses or cars! Rail is the way of the future, and GVR wants to be a the cutting edge of that,” said Tim. The work ahead will entail preparing framework for the proposal and meeting legal requirements. The business case and joint bid to operate will be submitted to the Dunedin City Council before the end of the year.

There are 54 cruise ships scheduled to arrive in New Zealand waters during the 2023-24 season, which is 12 more than last season. It is expected that with 1000 port visits expected, 350,000 passengers will explore various ports and their tourist spots and the Taeiri Gorge Railway is normally one of these.

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JOIN THE MARKET CHARM BE A VENDOR AND SHARE YOUR GOODIES! To book your site or enquire call Hayley 09 235 9131 $20 per site (must be prepaid)

SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER 9am - 1pm WAIUKU COSMOPOLITAN CLUB VICTORIA AVENUE, WAIUKU

STEAM TRAIN RIDES! NOW again STEAMING SUNDAY! Steaming fromEVERY Labour Weekend!

Check out our First Class High Tea!

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PAGE 8

NOVEMBER 2023

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Waiuku College Foundation changing student’s lives The Waiuku College Foundation is a sponsorship organisation which has been running since May 2022.

Principal Stuart Kelly was a driving force behind creating the foundation which is run separately from the school by a voluntary board of trustees.

The foundation was created to give students opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise have, for things that are not funded by the school in areas such as sports, culture, arts and service. It’s used for the betterment of the Waiuku College students.

The foundation receives donations from the Waiuku community which provides financial support for teams or individuals students.

Foundation chairperson Chris Hedley sees the process as lifting up students and therefore lifting the overall aspirations of the community. “For me, it’s about lifting the aspirations and being proud of the school community,” he said.

100% of the money donated goes to students, but it does not always fund their full expense. This way students are learning about financial literacy. “It’s a hand up not a hand out,” said Chris.

He sees it as a bridge between the community and the school. Students report back to the foundation with a written or video thank you.

The funding has helped students who would not have been able to achieve in their area of expertise otherwise. Trustee Antoinette Walters said she has seen the founda-

tion build students confidence and change their lives.

“It gives them opportunities to do things they would never have thought of doing, or been able to do,” said Antoinette. “It can make kids aware of what their capabilities are. Sometimes we will recognise things in the student that they don’t actually see themselves.”

Students have received funding in a variety of areas such as wrestling, clay target shooting, wakeboarding, fashion and Duke of Edinburgh leadership.

Antoinette said that donations from the Waiuku community mean a lot.

“We couldn’t do what we do without them,” said Antoinette. “And it reinforces that what we are doing for the kids is the right thing and the community sees it.”

Donations from organisations like the St. Andrews’ Opportunity Shop helped build the foundation momentum and hit the ground running in the first year. Op shop manager Sharron Levestone feels positive about the contribution to the foundation.

“St. Andrew’s Opportunity Shop donated $10,000 last year to the Waiuku College Foundation Fund,” said Sharron. “We saw this as a great opportunity to provide essential funds to the youth of our town.

It ideally fits in with our values of supporting education and learning.”

The trust is generous but measured when giving grants to students. Students can make an application to the

Selling power meets solar power

BY BETHWYN LITTLER

Shiquarn Minhinnick-Eliis receives grant from Trust member Selwyn Herewini for wakeboarding at the inaugural Waiuku College Foundation event.

foundation with endorsement by a staff member. Not all applications are accepted.

“We have vigorous debates,” said Antoinette.

Waiuku College opened in 1960 and the foundation is planning to start an alumni association and a friends of the college programme.

They are also looking for another member of the trust.

The Waiuku College Foundation holds fundraising events such as the well-attended quiz night in July.

Next month is the Waiuku College Golf Classic on Friday 1 December.

Teams are invited to enter via the foundation website, waiukucollegefoundation.org.

Barfoot & Thompson Waiuku gets an eco-upgrade In a sunny stride toward sustainability, Barfoot & Thompson Waiuku has proudly taken out the badge as the company’s first branch to go solar. Having recently installed a 6.88kWp On-Grid peak solar panel system on their Queen Street office roof, the team is delighted to report that the impact has been immediate, and impressive.

In fact, Branch Manager Andrew Clark, says he’s “gobsmacked” by just how much power the new panels are generating.

“Of course we knew that switching to solar would make a difference” says Andrew, “but we had no idea that it would be this effective. Looking at the readings — after just seven days, four of which were pretty ho-hum weather-wise, we saw our energy consumption drop by up to 70%. Even better, we are also generating back to the grid, which means cost savings for business and positive flow-on benefits for the environment.”

The move to convert its branches to solar is part of a broader, network-wide initiative by Barfoot & Thompson, reflecting the company’s commitment to an earth-friendly future. Director Stephen Barfoot, who champions the cause of environmental responsibility within the firm, says there is a corporate duty to lead in this space.

“Both the Barfoot and the Thompson families have a strong commitment to doing the right thing,” says Stephen “and that extends to protecting the environment for future generations. We’re early on our journey towards sustainability. Every journey has to start with a single step, and we’re thrilled that the Waiuku team are leading the way.”

Thinking back to February, when the idea was first suggested for a solar power conversion for the Waiuku branch, Andrew says the decision was an easy one.

He sees the upgrade as a small but significant way to demonstrate his team’s commitment to sustainability, stating “we’re lucky to live and work in this great little township, where the environment is valued, and eco-matters are high on the agenda for our neighbours and the wider community. It’s great to know that we are doing our bit toward this important collective effort.”

NOVEMBER 2023

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PAGE 9

Successful conservation at Te Toro Greta and Chris Harris are quite the conservation orientated team, very hard working at that, from Te Toro.

This couple live on their twelve-hectare lifestyle property that bounds the tidal Ohiku Creek, with their six boys all blending into one family with an age range from 20 months through to 11 years. The school age boys attend our local Āwhitu School. The couple see this land as a fantastic chance for their boys to grow up in and around nature. Opportunities abound in this boy’s own backyard for motorbiking, fishing, archery, bush adventures and all other outdoor experiences.

These outdoor activities are carried out around significant forest and wetland restoration projects which will eventually create significant wildlife corridors. Chris and Greta hope this work will inspire others to begin restoration projects large or small in Te Toro and beyond.

This revegetation began in 2021 with funding from Auckland Council’s Regional Wa-

terways Fund and trees were supplied by Āwhitu Peninsula Landcare’s Te Korowai O Papatūānuku project. Āwhitu School comes to plant at this site on an annual basis so students can experience the progress from year to year. The property has also been enhanced with Trees for Survival plantings by Sandspit and Waiuku Primary Schools – the inspiration to the younger generation is apparent as Waiuku Primary now takes a visit to the property each school term to see progress not only on the trees but other projects such as the inanga (whitebait) run. This inanga run was supported by Whitebait Connection- with plenty of inanga eggs seen this season. Water quality testing was carried out at the creek – with results indicating low nitrate levels.

Sheep and beef are grazed in the adjacent paddocks are not only a great meat supply for the family and friends but show how well agriculture albeit small scale and conservation can work in a complementary manner.

Chris and Greta do this resto-

ration work along-side their busy family life, full time work and their side businesses of firewood, sawmilling, and digger work. Another work stream is a nursery to propagate additional plants given to the family or propagated themselves.

The most significant find on this site has been on the creekside which has been identified as a waka building site and mooring area used by Ngaati Te Ata in their early days on the Peninsula. This is one of a number a registered archaeological site on the Peninsula and couldn’t be in the hands of better custodians. Not only will this significant piece of history be preserved it is important for education of cultural history of the Peninsula. Ngaati Te Ata can visit this site.

The Harris family and their work are inspiring. Awhitu Landcare look forward to continuing to supply trees to this project and see the progress in the coming years.

Should you want to stay up to date with this project follow progress on Instagram #ohiku_restore.

Open invite to all locals bring along unwanted goodies to the swap meet and sell for cash for Christmas

5 Parsot Place Pukekohe  Only 8 days on the market  Total of 11 property inspections  Pre-Auction offer accepted  SOLD UNDER HAMMER

Plantings on the Harris site by Awhitu School school children.

Inset top: Inanga eggs and right: Inanga

Bird of the century NZ Forest and Bird are searching for the bird of the century Aotearoa New Zealand’s favourite election is back, and the stakes are higher than ever before.

This year marks a whole century of Forest & Bird speaking up for nature. Join them in celebrating their 100th birthday by sharing the love for our fantastic feathered friends. But vote carefully... this year the winner is not just Bird of the Year, but Bird of the Century!

Which New Zealand native bird from the last 100 years has captured your heart?

Voting opens 9am, Monday 30 October.

The Bird of the Year for 2022 was the Rock Wren.

Visit https://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz to meet the candidates and for details on how to vote.

Below the NZ Huia which has been extinct since the 1920s.

ERIN SKELTON 0274 867 965 erin.skelton@bayleys.co.nz BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, PUKEKOHE, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

PAGE 10

NOVEMBER 2023

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

Clue HQ fulfilling the love of trivia

Tim Gregory asks the questions in one of his ClueHQ quiz functions.

Waiuku locals, Tim Gregory and Sharyn Lee, both used to work in hospitality with Sharyn working as a bar manager and Tim in marketing.

It was from within this context that they started facilitating quiz nights for local venues. According to Tim, the pair were using other products for quizzes but found that they were not doing the job they wanted them to do.

“So we did something ourselves to get people engaged and we developed our own quiz. We started in Waiuku and went from there,” said Tim. “Sharyn said we needed to create something that could be duplicated and now we have a product branded as Clue HQ, which is being used, not just locally but, also in various places around the country.

“We started the business just before the pandemic. During that time when venues were forced to pause their public events, we offered an online alternative to give their patrons.

“This time forced us to pivot somewhat but it also introduced us to a lot more eyeballs by being online.

Quiz nights became a popular event during lockdowns.

“That’s how we grew and now Clue HQ is a full time business rather than something I do part time,” said Tim.

BY SANDY SMITH

Tim is also involved with basketball as an MC. He works for the Tall Blacks on occasion and also the local Bulls and Tuatara doing the announcing in the arenas as well as fan engagement.

Tim’s love of quizzes comes from his love of Who Wants to be a Millionaire and The Chase and is inspired by aspects of these two trivia game formats.

“I base our product around being a family-oriented game show where you can turn up without having to be a scholar and we add in some fun games to break it all up.”

Tim says he is always working on new versions of his product and improving the look and feel of the experience, his aim being to make sure that quiz nights always provide a fresh feel.

His view is that other quiz providers seem to be much the same product – “a slide with some pictures and some text pasted in each week.”

Tim is always trying to innovate the product to give customers the best experience possible.

Locally, Clue HQ can be seen on Wednesday nights at Malt n Steel. Quizzes are also at venues in Pukekohe, Drury and Mercer.

“We try to do one per town to give the venue we’re in some exclusivity.

“However, Malt n Steel is our test bed, our regular venue where we provide rounds or concepts of rounds for the first time.

“The locals are really good at helping us stress test our quizzes there. They are a great drinking crowd and they enjoy their food as well.

“Quizzes are a great way to encourage local engagement. We have quizzes every day of the week, staggered around different parts of the country.

“There are normally give aways along with prizes organised by the venue. We also sometimes add in prizes ourselves or local businesses will sponsor gifts. It’s a way for other businesses to create customer engagement too.”

Tim and Sharyn’s business supports local events such as Gumboot Friday as well as Movember through the donation of some quizzes to venues.

“We are a small fish in a biggish pond in terms of the quiz world but we’re like the piranas of the pond and that’s how we like it.”

Clue HQ can be found at www.cluehqtrivia.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ cluehqtrivia/.

Proposed honours board for WW1 soldiers at Otaua The Otaua Village Preservation Society (OVPS) are planning to help fund a replacement honours’ board for World War One soldiers in the Otaua Hall.

There is a sign commemorating World War Two attendees and the plan is to create a matching board for the 1914-18 men who came from the Otaua and Aka Aka area. However, the Society is keen to hear of other locals who may have attended the War from other districts “There may be people that grew up in Otaua/Maioro area but went to another part of the country (or even another country) to work say on a farm or something like that and ended up serving in the Great War from that area. The only way of finding any of this out would be by reaching out to people that grew up in this community and may know a bit of their family history,” said Mark.

“We’d love to hear from anyone if they know of someone that should be on that honours board. It would be nice if they could verify names but not essential, as we can always check service records and things like that through historic military data bases.”

Mark Vincent, chairman of the OVPS told the Breeze that this project joins several others the Society have been funding over the years.

The society has already donated $5000 to the Otaua Hall for painting the old Bowling Club buildings and the war memorial arch and additionally money has been donated to the Otaua School for their “Rat Ranger” programme to purchase a humane animal trap. In 2021 the OVPS donated funds to purchase a secure outdoor locker to house a defibrillator located at the school.

The plan is to have the board and other gained history ready for the 110th anniversary of the starting of World War One on Anzac Day 2024.

A list of the following whose names are currently recorded: V. Anderton, J. Boyd, *C. Cobourne, C. J. Connor, A. Denize, C. Deed, *G. Deed, S. Deed, W. Ellen, A. Glass, F. Glass, A. Gillon, A. Gillat, L. Hammond, R. Hammond, F. Hanfling, T. Harper, A. Hayes, N. Holmes, L. Johnson, O. A. Johnson, W. Lee, A. E. McDonald, *E. A. McDonald, G. McDonald, H. J. McDonald, R. L. McDonald, *J. McNair, E. Neil, J. Needham, M. O. Needham, T. F. Priest, H. Robson, G. Stokes, R. H. Stokes, W. Summerville, J. Wattam. * Denotes killed in action.

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New Zealand Lions Clubs have been selling Lions Christmas cakes since 1971. Even the design for the cake box was developed by Lions members with the slogan “Give twice for Christmas” indicating that by buying a cake as a gift, folks are also supporting Lions Clubs that will use funds raised to support community projects.

Since the Christmas cake project started it has raised millions of dollars for charity right across New Zealand. At one stage they were

selling like hot cakes (literally!) with over 100,00 cakes being sold each year.

To date Waiuku Lions Club has dealt with more modest quantities, averaging around 120 cakes being bought each year. Around half of these are given away to local causes, principally rest homes and hospitals, with the rest being sold to Lions members and friends.

But perhaps the time has come to offer the wider local population the opportunity to enjoy the cake’s original recipe and buy them as gifts for friends, secure in the knowledge that all profits raised (every cent of it) will be channelled back into local community projects and causes.

Cakes, which weigh a full 1kg, cost a mere $22 each, or quarter cakes are available individually ($8) wrapped to be given as gifts, perhaps to persons living alone.

They can be purchased locally from Lion Mel at footemel@gmail.com or Lion Pam at 0274629911, or via the Waiuku Lions Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ WaiukuLions They will also be available (alongside some yummy honey) from the Waiuku Lions stands at Blast To The Past, and the Waiuku Cossi Club Market day.

NOVEMBER 2023

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PAGE 11

Maioro School building survives a century MURRAY KEMP

Maioro School on its original site not long before being moved to Waiuku in 1988

exercise books. 1928 - built shelter shed £38. 1926 - committee to provide cocoa for children. 1931 - Power connected to school, 12 May. Dances held in school.

1932 - Tennis courts opened, 23 November. 1952 - New schoolhouse was built.

However, on 13 February 1961 the school the roll had dropped to just nine pupils and was closed. Those attending at that time were transferred to Otaua School.

Of the first farmers in Maioro whose children attended the school there are seven farms with descendants still on those farms. They are: John Thomson, Rankin Thomson, Fred Burns, R. (Bob) Perry, George Johnson, John Noble and George Goodwright. All have fourth or fifth generation family members running them, with the exception of Rankin Thomson’s farm. The homestead is still owned and lived in by Rankin’s grandson Stephen, the rest of the farm was subdivided and is now owned by Thorntons, who are descendants of George Goodwright.

In August 1986 Franklin County Council said that if the building could not be maintained it would be demolished or used as a practice site for the fire brigade and burnt.

Ngaire Deed, grand-daughter of the school’s founder, John Thomson was upset at this idea and contacted the local museum curator Mrs Leonie Garvey.

She explained the significance and her family connection with the school. Mrs Garvey then lobbied the Rotary Club of Waiuku and Franklin County Council and eventually she convinced them that the school building should be saved and moved to the Museum’s grounds. In 1988 the school was moved and as they say, the rest is history

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The Maioro School building located behind the Waiuku Museum on Tamakae Reserve, was 100 years old in February this year.

The building was erected (as the second school in the Maioro district) on the corner of Thomson and Robertson Roads in 1922 and the first pupils attended in February 1923. For a small farming district there is quite a unique story about the schools of the area.

Maioro was originally covered in thick puriri forest, except for the long line of sand on the west coast.

Eleven years after the arrival of the first immigrant settlers in December 1864, it was decided that a school should be built. The first Maioro school was situated on a piece of land given by Mr J. McDonnell, one of the first settlers in Maioro. It operated as a school on Forestry Road from 1865 to 1895.

The boundary fence line for the school grounds can still be seen today in Forestry Road. The site is marked with a sign made by local residents and installed some years ago.

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ucation Board agreed to build a school after constant pressure from local residents. The Maioro school was reopened on 4 December 1922.

Maioro School was remarkable as it was built even before the road was formed alongside it later in the 1920s.

Come and see us In the meantime the school was sitting for all your Water Needs on land in the middle of blackberries.

Access was across privately owned land.

• Bore Pumps It was a triumphant day for the locals when it was • Water Pumps opened on 6 February 1923 after the years of hard • Water Filters talking with the Educa• Water Tanks tion Board. On the first day there were 17 pupils and by • Water Testing year’s end, 27.

• Electrical Extracts from the original minute book show: The first annual meeting 40 Crosbie Road • Pukekohe • of the householders of the newly constituted Maioro School District was held in Maioro School pupils 1930: Back; Sandy Perry, JohnThomson, Roy the school on the evening Bright, Alex Noble, Lionel Johnson, Jock Thomson, Arthur Douglas, Claude (Bob) Perry, Dan Thomson, Allan Bird. of Monday 30 April 1923.

Middle: Wally Fellows, Ethel Burns, Dulcie Thomson, Jean ThomThose present were Messrs son, Ailsa Johnson, Doris Anderton, Marjorie Thomson, Olive (Tot) Robert Perry (Chairman), Bright, Mable Perry, Winnie Goodwright.

Front: Bob Burns, Seagar Kirkwood, Isobel Thomson, Beryl Thom- John Thomson (Treasurson, Alf Goodwright, Doug Thomson. er), J. Douglas, Alf Baker, Children attending the school came Vic Anderton, and the teacher, Mr A. S. MTA AUTO ELECTRICIANS from Maioro Bay on the Waikato Riv- Telfer. It was suggested that the next er to the south and Whiriwhiri to the meeting be on the next full moon to ennorth. In these days, no children from able members and their horses to see Otaua attended, as the swamp had not the tracks in the dark. Remember these been drained and there was no access meetings were also held by candlelight. from the Otaua area. The only road to Taken from an Inspector’s Report for Maioro was via Whiriwhiri. the Maioro School: ‘This is a soundly The northern part of Maioro was al- taught school and the pupils are workways known as Huarau and the marae ing well and making good progress. and urupa on Perry Road is still known The children are well-mannered and MOTOR TRADE ASSOCIATION as the Huarau Marae. the teacher spares no effort to achieve MEMBER The first settlers in the district, whose success. Creditable improvements have children attended the school were: Leg- been affected in the school surroundgett, Dunn, McDonnell, Mackey, Ghez- ings.’ zi, Johnson, Hanfling, McDonald, Glass, Extracts from the minutes reveal that Cobourne, Noble and Neil. on 22 October 1923, timber was re3 L E O N A R D S T R E E T, WA I U K U Ngaire Deed outside the Maioro School building.

Once the swamp was drained and quested to board the veranda floor and the milk factory established at Otaua, a those of 19 December 1923 that school was also built and was opened in the school base was boarded up 1895 The first Maioro school was then and a holiday was granted to closed on 5 April that year. the children to have a combined Teachers at the first Maioro school Otaua-Maioro school picnic. were: Mr Ogilvie, Mr Hurst, Mr Beach, Further entries state: 1924 Mr May, Miss Taylor, Miss Magee and - Committee to supply all pa6B Court Street, Waiuku Mr M. F. Haszard. per... and other paper, statioandysmotoservices@gmail.com 09 235 0507 Mr Haszard went to Otaua as the first nery, pens, pencils, erasers and teacher of that school when it started on 8 300NK 450SR April 1895. $8,790 + On Road $5,990 + On Road The re-establishd Costs LAMS Approved Costs LAMS Approved ment of a new school at Maioro was first mooted in August Up your game with CFMOTO's all-new work range.

1919. More farms were Real-world, work-ready UTVs and ATV’s packed full of features, value being settled in the and reliability you can count on. northern part of the district and a school was considered necessary again, as children were having to travel quite long distances to Otaua over the difficult clay roads. It was either walk or ride a horse and this was NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL was not easy for young For more info call Murray Jamieson children. It took four years before the EdMOB: 027 277 1803 A/H: 09 235 9133 $8,9 990 + GST CForce 400EPS S $15,4 490 + GST UForce 600EPS $9,990 + GST CForce 520EPS

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F R A N K L I N

NOVEMBER 2023

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Local Legends

Dave and Wendy Hendl – enjoying a vine life

BY ANNIE CHAPPELL

The story goes that in sugar content – a window of opportunity declares itself 2000 they wanted to buy and harvest time arrives. something that was with“Harvest day is lots of fun with family and friends,” in a 90-minute radius of says Wendy.” “All fruit is hand-picked into baskets prior Auckland central. The agent to processing – which begins as soon as possible after brought us here. “Wendy harvest.” fell in love with the place “Last year, there was no opportunity.” Says Dave. “It straight away,” laughs Dave. rained forever, and if we can’t get the fruit good enough, “I was a bit hesitant – but we don’t make wine.”

Wendy sat down in a chair “It’s interesting and fun. You can see the full cycle of and said – yes – this will do things happening, and when you get really old you’ve got us.” to have something to do.” says Dave jokingly. “We are The first ten years was both pretty active and I guess we’ve still got a little bit of “arrive Friday night and go gas in the tank.” home on Sunday night” but The stated objective here is in no doubt; it’s quality with a new house completed product all the way. “We want fruit that is top quality in in 2010 Dave and Wendy have order to produce exemplary wines” says David. “We are been permanent residents at very small operation, and therefore we must make very Graham’s Beach since then. good wine. Our first winemaker told us, if you give me “There is always someordinary fruit, I’ll give you back an ordinary wine. So, we thing to do – even in the try to get the fruit as near perfect as possible. But somewet” comments Dave. “In times mother nature says no and if the fruit is not good addition to the vines and enough, we don’t make wine.” gardens, Wendy’s up and Outside of the vineyard, Dave is an active supporter down the cliff with the dog – of the local community and a long-term member of the she’s as fit as a trout.” Dave Lighthouse Trust. and Wendy clearly have a With their passion for winemaking, love for each other, Dave and Wendy Hendl with their dog Buddy. The magnificent Manukau Harbour scene is the backdrop very active life on and around and a little bit of gas left in the tank, Dave and Wendy the property.

Hendl continue to create a beautiful legacy at Awhitu Located just above the pristine white sands of Graham’s Wendy says “This is a great collaborative family Wines. Their story serves as a testament to the power of Beach on the eastern side of the Awhitu Peninsula you enterprise. There are lots of opportunities throughout “just do it” and finding joy and fulfilment in every step of will find Awhitu Wines. The surrounding countryside is the growing cycle to include family and friends mainthat journey. ruggedly beautiful and the perfect position for a boutique ly around pruning and harvest when a group comes out Visit Awhitu wines at www.awhituwines.co.nz grape growing enterprise with its soils boasting a comand we all enjoy being involved and plex combination of clays and sand. mucking in together.”

Dave and Wendy Hendl are the proud owners and cusThe full cycle of the vineyard starts todians of this piece of paradise and could be described as in June when all the leaves have fallen accidental vintners. off the vines. At this time pruning Going right back, Dave was born during WWII and lived begins and surplus wood is removed. just down the road from a large American military base in The first bud burst is around early to Puhinui Road, Papatoetoe. Dave can vividly recall leaning Nine candidates are standing in Advance voting: mid-August dependent on weather out the window of his home as a very small child, watchWaiuku Bowling Club, Queen the Port Waikato by-election which conditions. The crop volume is maning the daily parades of horses and guns. will be held on Saturday 25 Novem- Street, Waiuku (entrance of Belgium aged by rigorous bud removal.

Most of Dave’s childhood was spent in a farming enStreet) ber 2023.

In October, rapid growth starts in vironment until in 1954 his father sustained an injury Waiuku Netball Centre, Kitchener The by-election is being held folearnest with evidence of the berries which meant the family moved to town. Wendy was from Road, Waiuku lowing the death of a Port Waikastarting to form. October to DecemElection Day (25 November 2023) a Te Puna timber milling family. to electorate ACT candidate Neil ber is an extremely busy period at the voting locations: This ex country boy met Wendy when she was 16, they Christensen during the 2023 Gen- Aka Aka School, 809 Aka Aka - Otaua vineyard. Tasks include keeping close got engaged when she was 17 and married when she was eral Election. Port Waikato voters Road, Aka Aka watch on the burgeoning harvest for 19. Wendys says “my family were horrified!” Despite will be electing a local member of Awhitu School, cnr Matakawau & mould or pests and thinning as rethis, Wendy and Dave will celebrate 60 years of marriage Parliament.

Awhitu Roads, Matakawau quired.

“Meticulous canopy managenext January.

Advance voting starts on Monday Glenbrook Primary School, 459 Glenment is a key contributor to gaining In terms of career paths Dave and Wendy both initially 13 November. Voting places will be brook Road, Glenbrook superior quality fruit.” says Dave. chose teaching. When Wendy, as an alternative to being open from 9am to 7pm on election Mauku School, 389 Union Road, Mid-January marks the period sent on compulsory “country service,” decided to leave Mauku day, Saturday 25 November: where the chardonnay grapes are the profession and join Forest Products in the xerox deOtaua School, 53 Maioro Road, Otaua Nominations for the by-election ripening, and the cheeky little winged partment, she also secured a salary that was significantly Patumahoe School, 38 Patumahoe closed on Friday 20 October, and neighbours start showing an interest more than Dave was earning, as a degreed teacher at Road, Patumahoe the following candidates have been Puni School, 357 Waiuku Road, Puni in grabbing a sugar fix. At this stage Auckland Grammar School. confirmed. nets are put on the vines for protec“I was moaning about this over a beer with a mate” Waipipi School, 100 Creamery Road, Bayly Andrew,National; Bright Waipipi tion. By the end of January sugars says Dave, “when the mate suggested that I should join have increased, the initially white Scotty, DemocracyNZ; Costello Ca- Sandspit Road School, 60 Sandspit IBM which was at the time, a leader in a very newly esbeginnings of the Syrah grapes have sey, New Zealand First Party; Ngaro Road, Waiuku tablished industry which I knew nothing about. “ Alf Metuakore, NewZeal; Ovens Jill Waiuku College, 43 Constable Road, Serendipity is a wonderful thing, a few weeks later Dave turned red, and all vines are covered.

Waiuku The crop is closely monitored for Annette, Women’s Rights Party; spotted an advertisement for a programmer with IBM. signs of optimum harvest. This comes Sudhamalla Vijay, Vision New Waiuku Netball Centre, Kitchener Despite knowing nothing about programming, he applied Road, Waiuku at the end of February. With one eye Zealand; Turner Kim, New Zealand for the job and got it and in the process, trebled his salaWaiuku Primary School, George St, on the weather, dialogue with the ry. Dave eventually formed his own IT company which he Loyal: Waiuku wine maker, and sample testing for operated for a number of years, selling it in 2020.

Port Waikato by-election 25 November

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NOVEMBER 2023

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

Franklin parks to be brought under one plan A Franklin Local Parks Management Plan is to be prepared, replacing individual plans for dozens of popular parks across the region.

Franklin Local Board has approved public notification of the intention to prepare the plan for all local parks and reserves, including inviting written suggestions on the proposed plan. Submissions close 12 November 2023.

Board deputy chair Alan Cole says the plan is still some way off, with the board merely approving the scope of the work and an engagement approach for development of the plan.

“Our expectation is that we will get advice on many reserves where there’s local decision-making, and that advocacy-only roles apply only where that decision-making is absent.

“We’ve also suggested undertaking engagement by subdivision because of the size of our area, and noted there are extensive esplanade reserves around the Manukau Harbour and Wairoa River.”

He says the board would remain open to partnerships and co-management options.

Richard Garvey chairman of the Waiuku Waterfront and Reserves Management Committee says that a management plan was set up by Franklin District Council in 2010 to provide a local voice on management and development of several of Waiuku’s reserves.

“Effective communication between the committee and Council has been an on-going issue for some time, and in recent months we have been trying to find a solution to this and to understand what role Council wants us to play, Richard told the Breeze.

“If there are plans being made to change to the way our local reserves are managed, I hope this committee will be included in those discussions.”

Waiuku Trails co-ordinator Barry Gibbon said: “With the Waiuku Trails Implementation well advanced, it is very important that any proposed replacement Park Management Plan, allows significant local input, to ensure the ongoing development of our high user scenic coastal reserves paths”.

Tamakae Reserve part of the changing management.

Once adopted, the plan will

Stronger voice for young people Young people will have more of a voice in shaping their community after Franklin Local Board committed funding to ensuring rangatahi have input into decision-making.

Board chair Angela Fulljames says A Sustainable Youth Voice for Franklin has been formally adopted, a move that approves a future youth engagement model for the area.

“We have allocated $15,000 towards that, and another $15,000 to our local crime prevention fund.

“We will be monitoring the impact of our new approach, and youth groups and the organisations supporting them will get performance guidelines.

“Much is made of involving young people and we have been fortunate in the past to have had some very insightful views provided that have shaped various plans and projects, but this formalises a voice for our young people.

“The guidelines to them might include targets around upskilling young people to engage with other young people, and to represent youth voice within council consultation processes.”

Council staff will return to the board to discuss the performance indicators.

Board member Logan Soole called for youth groups to work towards investigating the development of youth facilities in board’s three subdivisions, Wairoa, Pukekohe and Waiuku.

“We have also asked staff to investigate opportunities for joint decision-making with young people and the board on youth-related funding and youth specific projects.”

Waipipi Bowls hosts tournament

provide a policy framework to manage use, protect and develop Franklin parks.

Land in scope includes park land for which the board has delegated decision-making under both the Reserves Act and Local Government Act. Open space is excluded where it is not owned or managed by Auckland Council, or where the local board does not have a decision-making role, such as at regional parks and drainage reserves.

The board has decision-making over about 190 parks and reserves, 29 with existing management plans, all of them ten years old or more, and to be superseded by the new plan.

Cole says local park management plans are an important tool to protect the values of parks while providing for appropriate activities.

“They provide a framework for consistent, transparent decision-making for managing and developing parks that guides the board, council group, other organisations and the wider community.”

The next steps in development are publicly notifying the intention to prepare the plan, initiating engagement, and partnership with mana whenua. It is anticipated a draft plan will be available for public consultation in early or mid-2024.

Waiuku Committees still want to keep some involvement in local management

PAGE 13

Waipipi Bowling Club hosted a Bowls tournament on 19 October 2023 at the Pukekohe indoor centre. Teams entered from Pukekohe, Waiuku, Buckland, Clarks Beach, Patumahoe and Waipipi, and had a great day playing bowls and enjoying the comradeship of other players.

Winners were 1st Pukekohe: Paul Millar, Don Ramsay, Chris Ball; 2nd Pukekohe: Frankie Lim, Shaun Pennell, Mike Kavanagh: 3rd Pukekohe: Gavin Wiesche, Clem Jarvis, Len Corney.

WAIUKU FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK CHARITABLE TRUST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2023

1PM 8B QUEEN STREET, WAIUKU

Power for the People!

The year is passing so quickly, and although Spring is here, we can still think about energy savings as if the predicted hot weather eventuates, many will turn to their heat pumps / air conditioners - Christine Rupp so remember for energy efficiency, keep between 18 and 21C. Our new Trustee, Megan Matthews, can assist with using NZ Compare to find the best deal for your electricity. Below is a short bio from Megan: A requirement of our Trust Deed is that every ten years, the ownership of Counties Energy is to be reviewed. The Trust engaged a consultant and the document is published and now available to be read on our website or copies are available at Red Office, 117 King Street, Pukekohe. The public are invited to make submissions regarding the company’s future.

At the same time, we had legal advice that the definition of the Trust’s beneficiaries needed to be better defined as the original trust deed was formed 28 years ago. Under the new wording, no beneficiary is disadvantaged by the proposed definition, but we welcome any submission with your views.

The date for both submissions is the 8 December 2023. Please take time to read these documents and we welcome your comments.

https://countiesenergytrust.org.nz — Christine Rupp, Chair - Counties Energy Trust

10 YEARLY OWNERSHIP REVIEW SUBMISSIONS INVITED! Consumers who are connected to the Counties Energy electricity lines network are invited to share their views on: 1.

The future ownership of the shares held by the Trust in Counties Energy Ltd and the other assets held by the Trust;

2. The proposed amendment to the present definition of “Beneficiaries’’ as shown on Page 2 of the Trust Deed.

A special ‘’Ownership Review’’ report has been prepared for Consumers with instructions for online and postal submissions shown on Page 7 and is available for inspection during normal business hours, Monday to Friday, at Red Office, 117 King Street, Pukekohe; or the report can be viewed and downloaded from the “Ownership Review” tab on our website. www.CountiesEnergyTrust.org.nz Submissions close at 4pm on 8th December 2023.

Love your local electricity lines Trust?

Your views are important to us!

PAGE 14

NOVEMBER 2023

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

It will be an amazing ramble Embark on a journey through 21 magnificent gardens at the 2023 Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi Garden Ramble!

Travel around the Waiuku region to view vibrant blooms, fragrant blossoms, and be inspired by nature’s wonderland. This event is not only a celebration of nature’s beauty but also a heartfelt effort to support our amazing lifeguards at Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi get the new clubhouse they, and the district desperately need and deserve.

Tickets are selling well – there has been some amazing support – but there are still tickets available with your names on them!

There is also a Christmas Market at the home of Mary and Brian Hull, 262 Hull Road, Waiuku which is open to the general public as well as all ticket holders. The market features 34 stalls, raffles and food stalls.

By visiting Muriel and Noel Smith’s beautiful garden, men and women car enthusiasts can feast their eyes on a classic car collection and view some gyrocopters – there is something for everyone.

The organising committee hope you can come along and join us for the perfect weekend raising funds for a cause vital to summer.

Angrason Gardens: a subtropical paradise

Mary & Brian Hull, Park Farm, 262 Hull Road, Waiuku, Christmas markets/food, toilets available Bev & Lyndsay Shuker, 334 Awhitu Road, Waipipi Monica & Geoff McClay, 48 King Street, Waiuku Pip & Brian Cornish, 83 Creamery Road, Waipipi, sausage sizzle John & Heather Constantine, 185B Aka Aka Road, Puni.

Antionette & Stu Walters, 43 Kotuku Road, Waiuku Jeanette Benterman, 104 Ridgley Road, Waipipi Sylvia & Philip Davenport, 979 Kohekohe Karioitahi Road, RD3 Waiuku Rebecca & Brent Balemi, Koru Gardens, 38 Hull Road, Waiuku, plants for sale Lal Craig, 74 Taurangaruru Road, Waiuku, toilet available Steve & Julia Wright, 100 Westhead Road, Te Toro Debbie & Bill Turner, 195 Smith Road, Waiuku Colin Berger & Debbie Savill, 170 Titi Road, Mauku, food & drinks Douglas Road Nursery, Belinda & Roger White, 91 Douglas Road, Te Toro, toilet available, plants for sale Graham & Ann Thomson, Angrason Gardens 263 Ponsford Road, Te Toro, plants for sale Temple Gardens, Gaynor & Neil Hamill, 2109 Awhitu Road, Pollok toilets available Ngodevwa, David & Anthea Adams, 8 Whiriwhiri Road, Waiuku, toilet available/books for sale Jack & Sandra Hobbs 71 Pilgrim Road, Mauku, off road parking in paddock, plants for sale Ngaire & Peter Kraakman, 187 Titi Road, Mauku Sarah & Tom O’Neil, 42A Huarau Way, Maioro Muriel & Noel Smith, 452 Otaua Waiuku Road, Waiuku, toilet available Waiuku Fire Brigade, morning teas/stalls, toilet

Businesses that have sponsored the featured gardens: Barfoot & Thompson Waiuku Sublime Electrical Pukekohe Toyota Kings Plant Barn Crisp Plumbing JR Coachlines Ideal Buildings Franklin Share – Joey Gregory First Credit Union Aqua Style Pools Gardena Design Max Homes Lamont Builders CI Flooring Mitre 10 Waiuku & Mitre 10 Mega Pukekohe Stihl Shop Pukekohe Kevens Curtains Counties Pool & Spa Supplies Landmark Homes NZ Home Loans Kitchen Dynamics Franklin Law

There are many other sponsors that have helped with other expenses for the event.

Graham and Ann Thomson in their Angrason garden.

Angrason Gardens, located in Te Toro, is set to captivate garden enthusiasts as it features in a remarkable garden ramble fundraiser on 25 and 26 November, all in support of the Kariaotahi Surf Life Saving Club.

Owned by Ann and Graham Thomson, this 2.5-acre subtropical haven has evolved over the course of 30 years plus and now showcases an array of breathtaking flora.

With no initial plan to establish a big garden, let alone a garden open to the public, Ann and Graham’s shared love for nature led them literally down the garden path of awe-inspiring beauty. Graham says, “I had an affinity for bromeliads and Ann’s adoration for Vireya Rhododendron became the driving force behind the garden’s focus.”

BY ANNIE CHAPPELL

In the beginning, small inexpensive palms were purchased and planted, the owners took great care to protect these tender varieties from frosts. However, over time the palms have flourished, creating a protective canopy, and establishing a microclimate that is ideal for subtropical plantings amongst which bromeliads and vireya rhododendrons feature heavily.

Frosts are now a memory, allowing the garden to thrive with magnificent specimens of mature palm trees, rhododendrons, bromeliads, maples, giant cycad, native New Zealand trees, and ferns.

Large lichen covered boulders and rocks were acquired and strategically placed around plantings. Unwanted broken concrete, rustic fences and other recycled material have been sympathetically used in various forms. These recycled gems add natural contour, edging and art whilst providing the perfect foil for the gorgeous colours and variegations of texture in the plantings.

Wandering through Angrason Gardens is a delightful experience, with easy pathways guiding visitors alongside meandering streams, over charming bridges, and past rustic seating areas.

These serene spots offer the perfect opportunity to pause and soak in the heavenly surroundings while being serenaded by the abundant birdsong or gentle piped music.

Adding a touch of intrigue and delight, aviaries housing quail, partridge, kakariki, canaries, and other feathered varieties bring a sense of harmonious coexistence with nature. Furthermore, the garden boasts beautiful wooden carvings strategically placed throughout, serving as captivating focal points.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the enchanting atmosphere and witness firsthand the extraordinarily outstanding garden that Ann and Graham have cultivated over the years.

As the garden ramble draws closer, mark your calendars for a visit to Angrason Gardens, where nature’s allure intertwines with the noble cause of supporting the Kariaotahi Surf Life Saving Club. Prepare to be captivated by the sublime beauty and tranquility of this subtropical paradise.

NOVEMBER 2023

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

PAGE 15

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Kia ora Hello Gidday With summer on its way, we thought it timely to remind our farmers and market gardeners, lifestyle block owners, contractors, builders and general DIY’ers of the dangers around electrical assets so you can go about your work in the safest possible way.

We see a large increase in easily-avoided faults and safety issues as sunshine hours increase and our community is busy getting the job done.

Summer safety reminders High load?

Irrigating?

With hay season only just around the corner- please think about high loads. You’d be surprised at the number of safety issues and faults caused by overloaded hay loads, front end loaders, and post rammers that Counties Energy attend. Not only is this a safety risk, it can also cost you time and money if it takes out the power to the cow shed. Please checkyour route for power lines, and don’t forget that lines can be damaged in high winds and lie lower than previously.

Please ensure your irrigation is not hitting our network power lines and transformers (or your service lines).

Water and electricity don’t mix.

You don’t want to be issued with a hefty bill for a blown transformer and the inconvenience of a long power outage. Scout around for electrical equipment before you set up the irrigator.

The team at Counties Energy

Stay safe around electricity

Look up for powerlines Disconnect while you work near electricity, it’s free!

0800 100 202

countiesenergy.co.nz/safe-disconnect

Stay safe around electricity

Please take a minute to remind yourselves of the key points in this messaging and discuss these with your family, your employees and your community.

If you have a contractor onsite, don’t forget to point out where your power lines, cables and electrical assets are located to keep everyone safe and to save yourself additional time and the cost of disruptions to your business. Call us if you need a free safety disconnect, cable locate or have a safety question or concern.

Stay safe

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In the dark?

Down means Danger

If the power goes out, stay up to date on our Outage Hub

Stay put, stay clear, stay alive!

0800 100 202

countiesenergy.co.nz/stay-safe

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Keeping you safe!

Important information if you’re doing some DIY, working, transporting or building near electrical equipment.

Doing some DIY? If you’re considering doing some repairs to roofing, spouting, painting, waterblasting, tree-trimming and scaffolding – look up for overhead lines.

In an emergency

Apply for a FREE residential temporary disconnection when working near overhead service lines.

Moving the boat?

Don’t forget to look up for overhead lines!

Working near electrical equipment?

If you’re working around any Counties Energy electrical equipment, you must apply for a Close Approach Consent if you want to work within 4m of overhead lines, are excavating within 5m of a power pole or within 12m of a tower or pylon.

4m

If you hit an electricity cable or overhead power line: • Treat the cable or overhead line as live – jump well clear and get back at least 10 metres.

• Evacuate the immediate area.

• If you are in a machine, stay there.

• If you are at serious risk from another hazard, such as fire, and must leave the machine, jump well clear. Do not touch metal surfaces, or the machine and ground at the same time.

• Leave the damaged cables exposed for us to fix.

• Call us immediately on 0800 100 202 • In the event of an electric shock don’t touch the person or animal until you are certain the source of electricity has been removed.

• Call 111.

To apply for a free residential Temporary Disconnection or a Close Approach Permit go to countiesenergy.co.nz or call us on 0800 100 202.