Hibiscus Matters Issue 188 17 2 16

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A massive fundraising effort has enabled Tom Stephenson of Red Beach, a five-year-old with autism, to begin a journey towards independence.

The $20,000 dog: Louise Stephenson and her son Tom with Assistance Dog Libby. Raising the money for this dog was a community effort.

Family thanks community for life-changing Assistance DogThings changed for Tom on February 4 when his Assistance Dog – a two-year-old black Labrador called Libby – joined the family.His mother Louise, who is learning to be the dog’s handler, says that in less

than a week she saw changes in her youngest son. The first step was for the three of them to begin walking to school together. Tom attends KingsWay School, which is close to the Stephenson’s home, but until now he has been taken by car every day.

Now he walks attached to the dog, with his mum in charge of Libby, and is learning about crossing roads. Because Tom feels calmer around the dog, he is more able to cope with the stimulation caused by the noisy goings on outside.

continued page 2

Orca up closeBig surprise in store for student sailors

page 2

page 5

pages 16 to 22

page 11

Inside this issue

SOSSI in mourningAllan Parker is given a fond farewell

Healthy startGetting things moving for 2016

Holding onto the HammerheadFight begins for public access

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contact us... February 17, 2016 Issue 188

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“For the first time I’ve been able to step back, take a breath and let him go a little without expecting the worst,” Louise says. “I felt a load of worry lift off my shoulders.”In addition, Tom has begun speaking more, frequently repeating Libby’s name, and to reach out and touch the dog.The dogs, which are highly trained by Assistance Dogs NZ, increase safety and lessen the bolting behaviours common in children with autism, act as an anchor when harnessed to the child, as well as improving social and behavioural skills.Libby has been trained since she was a puppy – a process that costs around $48,000 – families are asked to contribute $20,000 towards this cost.Last year the family set up a Give a Little account to raise the funds, and two stories in Hibiscus Matters followed, raising awareness. The family held a barbecue outside The Warehouse and Dedre Bloem organised a Ladies’ Evening Out at KingsWay School last September that raised around $2500.Mike Hosking and ASB Good as Gold contributed the final $1500 to reach the $20,000 total.

Louise says the family was overwhelmed with the support and wants to thank everyone who contributed. “There were so many donations, large and small, and we’re grateful for every single one of them,” she says. “It would have taken our family years to save up that kind of money.”Assistance Dog instructor Susan Clark is working with the family. She says in England and Australia, where she’s also trained assistance dogs, the dogs are Government funded. “It’s amazing to see the community help in this way and come up with so much money for the family,” Susan says. She says in Australia there are now more dogs to help autistic children than there are Guide Dogs for the blind.Louise says that while they were fundraising, they also saw an increase in people’s awareness of Assistance Dogs, and of children with autism.“People are kinder to Tom now, and don’t just think he’s being naughty,” she says.Over the year, the family will work together with Susan’s support on a series of goals to achieve. “Tom’s confidence is already growing and he will learn so many of the skills he will need to become more independent.”

‘Access’ was the word on everyone’s lips as more than 200 people crowded into Gulf Harbour Yacht Club last week to discuss the subdivision of the Hammerhead.

Opposition to Hammerhead subdivision gains momentum

The land known as the Hammerhead, at the tip of Gulf Harbour marina, will be subdivided and leased to Gulf Harbour Investments following a High Court decision in 2009 – a recent resource consent application is the next step in that process and a chance for the public to have its say.What Gulf Harbour Investments will do with the land is as yet unknown, but Councillors and local board members are concerned about the potential impact on free public access.

“Once Gulf Harbour Investments has a lease, it will pay rent so it will no doubt want to add value to the land,” Cr Watson says.Key concerns raised at the meeting were the possible effects on the growing ferry service to and from the city and parking, as well as access to the boat ramp and for recreational users. The site’s role in a Civil Defence emergency is also seen as crucial.Protecting public access requires the

continued page 3

February 17, 2016 | Hibiscusmatters | 3localmatters.co.nz

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provision of an esplanade reserve (Queen’s Chain) around the land and ensuring that the strip is included in the plan will be the focus of many submissions.The meeting on February 9 was called by Crs John Watson and Wayne Walker, who were encouraged by the turnout. Hibiscus & Bays Local Board member Janet Fitzgerald also addressed the crowd.Mrs Fitzgerald said that the local board’s legal team advised that the resource consent application, by Council CCO Panuku Development Auckland, should be withdrawn because the change in use of the area means the subdivision does not fit with the

A year ago, physiotherapist Rob Knight treated a 14-year-old gamer whose severe back problem resulted from hours spent in front of a computer.

Coast professionals are working together to find out more about how spinal damage, dubbed the “iHunch” (pictured), and sports injuries caused by overuse are ageing our kids before their time. Physiotherapist Rob Knight demonstrates what can happen to the spine with frequent use of digital devices.

Coast team takes action as new childhood injuries surfaceThe MRI scan revealed a spine that looked like that of a 50-year-old labourer and required an operation to correct. Another patient, aged 17, developed rotator cuff problems from hunching over a computer. They were of a type normally associated with older people and surgery was required. These are not isolated cases.According to Rob, principal of Kinetics, injuries that were previously only seen in adults are now affecting children as young as 10.“It’s only in the last few years that we’re seeing young people who have these particular injuries,” he says. “It’s profound what we’re seeing in spinal problems. I had seven children from one school come in with headaches and the first thing you think of used to be meningitis – now I ask how much time they spend on a computer each day. Kids’ bodies are like plasticine – they mould very quickly – and those problems can last a lifetime because as an adult they’re hard to correct.”And while on one hand slumping in front of a screen or hand-held device is the issue, on the other it is the effect of intensive sports training on developing bodies.“I’ve taken a real interest in the effect of higher level training on young bodies having watched my two boys grow and develop over the past 12 years,” Rob says. “Young children move and stand so naturally yet recently the effects of prolonged sitting, hunching over computers and phones, and repetitive sports training regimes are having a major and negative effect on kids. As well as back issues in teenagers there is an exponential increase in activity related childhood conditions such as Severs disease.”Rob says there is also an increase in teens requiring hip surgery, and evidence suggests that this is due to the amount of sport and training during their rapid growth phase around the age of 12.Early specialisation in a single sport is one culprit,

with a broad range of activities, including “free play” considered better for building strength and agility in growing bodies.In addition, as more teens are training for, and playing, a single sport several times a week – some in a number of teams, there is an increase in overuse injuries and burnout at a young age.

“Often the training is modified adult training whereas children need specific exercises to protect developing bones and joints,” Rob says.However, without solid data to underpin these concerns, the information about how these issues are affecting children remains anecdotal. To solve this, AUT researchers will begin working with Kinetics in Whangaparaoa to gather baseline data, starting next month.Rob says the idea for the study arose from informal talks with AUT senior lecturer and Puhoi resident Simon Walters. “He is in the academic world, studying it, and as practitioners, we’re seeing it first hand.”The study will initially focus on sports overuse injuries, but will later look at injuries from overuse of digital devices, as this is an emerging area of interest.Simon Walters has researched children’s experience of sport for 10 years. He says the replacement of ‘backyard, free range play’ with regulated sports, and early specialisation is an issue. He says the data will reveal the extent of the problem.“When you’re telling parents that their child shouldn’t be playing as much football or rugby, you need the hard data behind you in the NZ context. At the moment we’re using overseas data, and you can extrapolate from that, but because it’s not local it weakens your argument.”The data will be gathered via a questionnaire and taking part is voluntary and anonymous.In addition, Rob and physiotherapist Jody McGowan have undertaken specialist training and are introducing a youth injury service at their Whangaparaoa clinic, starting this week.“We want to encourage the people responsible for children’s wellbeing to be aware of how the young body develops and how to avoid the damaging effects that can follow a person into adulthood.”

Council’s proposed Unitary Plan. The local board also engaged town planner Jason Evans to make a submission.The councillors stressed that public access is vital, and has become far more so in recent years. They said not to underestimate the role that ‘people power’ could play, especially in the form of submissions. A total of 140 submission forms were snapped up and individuals and groups such as the Marine Village Association, iwi, berth holders and developers Top Harbour were encouraged to get involved, as well as consider pooling their resources. Last week Auckland Transport advised Hibiscus Matters that it will make a submission.

Continued from p2....

Both councillors pointed out that this is only the first step in what is likely to be a long, drawn out process.Submissions close on February 19, at 5pm. They can be made at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz (under Publicly Notified Consents) and details are also at libraries and the Orewa Service Centre in Centreway Rd.

More than 200 people attended a meeting about the Hammerhead subdivision.


Feedback What’s on your mind? Readers are welcome to air their views. We do not publish abusive or unsigned letters. Letters may be abridged and full versions

are at localmatters.co.nz/opinion. Address on p2 or e:[email protected]

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Coast Gem takes a breakOur Coast Gem series on the inside back page is taking a break while we look for a great new prize to offer! Thanks to everyone who submitted images over the past 18 months or so and thanks to The Plaza and Eddie Law 100% who were the sponsors. We’ll let you know when it’s coming back.

Buses not workingI see public transport is going up in price again. When are we going to get a break? It is expensive enough as it is. If they want bums on seats the price should come down not up. And what do we get for the high price as it is? Overfilled buses, and parking that’s always full unless you wake up before the early bird. A monthly pass isn’t viable for what I do. If I were to use the bus for a week it would cost $76! No wonder I try to drive closer to the city. Drop the prices, increase the amount of buses –someone is making a killing. Maybe someone should start a bus service and undercut the monopoly this city has. Or just no one use the services until the prices come down. I would like to see the Councillors use public transport from real locations like Arkles Bay or anywhere that isn’t on the main route. And use it at peak times. When the buses turn into sardine cans. When is the council going to wake up and smell the roses? Public transport isn’t working like other countries. If it was, the motorways would be empty and free flowing.Marty van Iersel, Stanmore Bay

Squash court big lossThanks Auckland council for stripping away the Squash/Racquet ball courts in the near future from Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre (HM February 3). This is one of the main facilities we use at the centre, and far superior to anything else locally. Apparently they

are arranging discounted membership to another local court, but that is still money on top of our membership and for an inferior set up. We understand that they are under utilised, and can’t justify keeping all three open – but why can’t they stick to the original plans and keep one with their refurbishment? We know we’re not the only ones upset about this.Kim DuFresne, Stanmore Bay

Penlink - bring it onThere is no doubt that we will have the Chinese to thank if Penlink ever gets built (HM February 3). The commuters and businesses of this area need that road, but we can’t afford to build it. I hope that there will be controls over the environmental and building standards, and some enforcement, as well, as of our labour laws to make sure no corners are cut to reduce the cost. I suspect these things could become issues here when foreign money comes in to build infrastructure. Other than that, bring it on!David Martin, Gulf Harbour

Writer’s creditYou guys do a terrific job. My wife and I’d been waiting all summer to see what was up with the Hammerhead, as the application on the Council website was just the old stuff from Rodney District Council days. Sure enough, your paper delivered. I’m going to that meeting about the Hammerhead, which I saw in your paper, and will take

the paper with me. All credit to you.Bob Mackenzie, Gulf HarbourEditor’s note: Thanks Bob! There were quite a few who brought our paper to that meeting. See our report on the meeting, p2 and 3.

Money talksIt makes me hot under the collar to see that the business roundtable and a small group of business owners and developers have taken matters into their own hands and are pushing for Penlink to be built (HM February 3). There are many reasons why Penlink is a bad idea – a weak business case, its environmental cost and the irreparable damage to Stillwater’s community among them. Not to mention that it would make shopping away from the Coast way easier. I bet this group is not considering the ‘cons’ as well as the ‘pros’ because they are focused on self-interest, not the community good. Once again, money talks.Martin Cochrane, Whangaparaoa

Inspiring readingI read the story about Lexy Davis over the holidays (HM December 16) and found her journey really inspiring. People I know have had many battles with drugs and they too are coming out the other side. I have passed your fabulous paper onto them so they can see how one person fought their addiction and turned their life around.Amber Johnson, Tindalls Bay

From the road cones in tricky places file – this one has been on the roof of the Coopers Road toilet block in Stanmore Bay for quite awhile now. Locals say that it occasionally appears elsewhere in the reserve, then goes back up on the roof.

Immigrant definedAt his Rotary address in Orewa, NZ First Leader Winston Peters said the word ‘immigration’ was widely misused. An immigrant is a person who leaves the country they were born in to settle in another country. He said people who say ‘we’re all immigrants’ were talking rubbish. “I’m half Maori, half Scots and, as Billy T once remarked, “That means one half of you wants to have a drink and the other half doesn’t want to pay”.

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Pierre Cilliers of Orewa was inspired to share these images that he took with his drone after seeing Mark Yela’s drone photos in Hibiscus Matters’ last edition. When he’s not doing real estate and architectural photography Pierre flies his drone along the coastline and some unusual views of the Coast are the result. “All for a bit of fun and to tease the mind,” he says. These images, from top, are of Gulf Harbour and Arkles Bay.

Guava moth spreadsYour front page story about Guava Moth (HM February 3) solved a problem for me – until then I had no idea what had caused the loss of my entire plum crop, pictured. I looked closely at the fruit after reading the story and am sure it’s the same thing. There is a tiny pinhole in each fruit and the side of the plum is soft. I talked to Bugman Ruud Kleinpaste’s office and Biosecurity and it seems that MAF at the time the moth came in was underfunded and did nothing about it. Now it’s rampant everywhere on the peninsula. This is the first time this has happened and now other gardeners on the peninsula are seeing it in their stone fruit and apples. The only thing that controls it is too toxic for humans. If anyone has any ideas how to get rid of it without poisons, please write to this paper.James Welch, Gulf Harbour

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Wentworth’s beginner sailors, on their very first on-water session, discovered that sailing can lead to wonderful encounters with marine creatures. The group of Year 8–10 students with teacher in charge of sailing, Amy Fisher, were sailing towards Gulf Harbour Marina when several Orca appeared beside them. Year 10 student Alex Wood described the experience, with one Orca in particular, as “almost too close for comfort”. “The Orca spent almost an hour diving under the boats, which were less than half its size, and then rising with an almighty puff that would make even the most macho whack their head on the boom,” Alex said. Photo, Gavin Murdoch.


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A lack of volunteers could see Sport Gulf Harbour’s netball teams unable to take the courts this coming season.

Spa too costly?The multi-million dollar upgrade of the Council-owned Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre and Pool has begun (HM February 3) but is not finding favour with everyone in the community. Hibiscus & Bays Local Board deputy chair Greg Sayers says he is concerned about the inclusion of a unisex spa pool and sauna at a cost of $698,200. He says Auckland Council’s advice was that this addition would help attract and retain gym membership. “This money might have been better spent on gym equipment and may not be appealing to members,” Mr Sayers says. “I think it’s taking a big risk with ratepayers’ money.” A number of squash players have also contacted the paper, unhappy that all the squash courts are going (see letters page, this issue). The revamp is needed because of weathertightness issues and to update and improve the interior of the facility.

Sport Gulf Harbour netball teams’ future in doubtLast year more than 80 netballers (nine teams) played for Sport Gulf Harbour (SGH) but SGH treasurer Megan McDonald and basketball delegate Tanya Bater say no-one has so far stepped up to oversee netball (a role they call ‘delegates’), coach or manage teams.A change in the committee, with some long-term volunteers leaving their posts, means that the organisation lost three netball delegates. A chairperson is also needed – ideally someone with good sporting contacts – as well as one or two basketball delegates. Coaches and managers are also desperately needed.Sport Gulf Harbour is a charitable trust that was set up in 2009 to offer sports opportunities to local children. Parents pay a fee, all of which goes back into running the various sports. Volunteers are the oil that keeps the engine running – mainly parents, but older siblings, friends or grandparents also help out. Sport Gulf Harbour’s 282 members come from all around the Hibiscus Coast and from Kaukapakapa to the North Shore, playing at local facilities including The Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre and Hibiscus Coast Netball Centre. Basketball has the biggest numbers (12 teams last year), followed by netball. Summer sports are also offered.Tanya says that things were already tight for netball last year, with coaches

taking on multiple teams and a big workload for delegates.“We know that it’s difficult for people to find time to help out, but this organisation would not exist without volunteers,” Megan says.Based on whether there are enough volunteers, a decision will be made this week as to whether there is any point in holding netball trials on February 20 and 21.Tanya says to lose netball would be a major blow and while the organisation will continue to offer other sports, it would be sad to see it diminished.Founding member Linda Hitchcock says that the hard work has been done, and it’s up to the current group of members to take it forward.“We have a constitution, become a Charitable Trust, formed good relationships with sports clubs and providers, fundraised for uniforms and equipment, have an active website, database and systems. We just need volunteers to keep the good work happening,” Linda says. “If each sport has 2-3 people in charge then the workload is minimal.”She says if netball can’t go ahead, the community will lose out as the organisation contributes a large volume of players/teams to locally run competitions. If anyone can help, email [email protected] or phone Tanya, 428 0345.


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Network improvements plannedI hope that everyone is having a good summer and making the most of this beautiful part of the world that we are so fortunate to live in. I know it’s often said but it’s still worth repeating – we are very blessed with our natural environment here on the Coast. Recently researchers in Scotland analysed responses from 21,294 urban residents in 34 European nations and found compelling evidence that the mental health gulf that divides those in wealth and poverty is 40 percent narrower for people reporting good access to green space. Simply put, living near a nice park drastically reduces the well-being gap between rich and poor (throw in beaches/regional parks, such as we enjoy, and the well-being quotient presumably improves even further). That’s why preserving our open spaces and unique environment should always be a top priority. A strong, united front needs to be presented against interests, council or otherwise, that seek to compromise public open spaces acquired over generations – places like the Hammerhead, for instance, which additionally serves vital boating and public transport functions.Something definitely not worth preserving, however, was the nonsensical Stadium Strategy that was quietly ditched just before Christmas. It had been widely opposed by the sporting codes themselves and the general public. By contrast most councillors and the mayor had gone along with it unquestioningly, dismissive of the public opposition and unwilling to scrutinise the detail of what was proposed. Cr Wayne Walker and myself took an active interest in this Stadium Strategy and worked with the affected codes, such as the Warriors, to expose its glaring shortcomings and unnecessary expense. In this respect the common sense and businesslike approach of the people running rugby league, cricket and speedway made for a telling contrast with those in council supporting this strategy.Unfortunately the stadiums have been but one of a number of significant issues where vested or corporate interests are put ahead of those of the Auckland public. That’s why this back down represents a real victory for the sporting codes and their fans.On other matters, it was disappointing to see that Penlink wasn’t one of the transport projects announced by the Prime Minister recently (after much speculation that it would be included). I would have thought Penlink’s estimated $400 million price tag would have compared more than favourably with the $1.25–1.85 billion for the East-West connection for instance, on a cost-benefit analysis. Still the route has recently been redesignated and remains in Auckland Transport’s plans for the future, albeit too distant for most people’s liking.There is good news on the Hibiscus Coast transport front, however, and that is the significant improvements to the network that are in the pipeline for this year. This includes enhanced peak-hour traffic flow along Whangaparaoa Road from Red Beach lights to the highway, further extension of the Silverdale park and ride and major improvements to the Gulf Harbour ferry service – more details on all three to come later in Hibiscus Matters.

Viewpointwith Cr John [email protected]

Link Crescent gets Special Housing Area statusThe most recent crop of Special Housing Areas (SHA), announced on February 11, includes three on the Hibiscus Coast. The biggest is 2403 homes to be built on 190.5ha in Argent Lane in Upper Orewa. The development at 20 Link Crescent, Whangaparaoa, which is being developed by McConnell Property, has also been given SHA status. This 2.07ha development can deliver up to 60 homes under the SHA. McConnell’s Master Plan for this development is due to be released soon and is expected to be similar to the one prepared by Auckland Council CCO Panuku Development Auckland. This includes park/open space with a Family Centre site and a mix of two-storey, three and four bedroom homes. The other local SHA is the 0.41ha piece of land behind the Whangaparaoa New World supermarket, at 85–89 Brightside Rd, Stanmore Bay. Former Conservative Party leader Colin Craig is in the process of purchasing this site (HM February 3). As many as 50 homes (apartments) can be built there. Special Housing Area status allows development to be fast-tracked, with minimal consultation and appeal rights for the community.

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A trip to Nepal to see the way leprosy affects sufferers, first hand, was a real eye opener for 21-year-old Alexander Kuch of Gulf Harbour.

The academic year started well for Wentworth College Year 13 student Conrad Morley, pictured, who found out that he got the top mark in the country (91 percent) in the Cambridge International AS Level Art & Design: Graphic Design exam. Conrad’s graphics course last year included creating a concept for a suit brand called Real Men, for which he designed a magazine spread, business card and logo as well as producing a video advertisement, filmed in Woodhill Forest and at Muriwai Beach. In his final year, the workload for graphics will be intense and includes producing work to fill 10 A1 size boards. Conrad, who lives in Manly, is considering a career in film. More than 40 schools in NZ do the Cambridge exams. Wentworth principal Bruce Tong says it’s not the first time that the school has had students with the highest Cambridge grades in the country – others have topped the list in art design, drama and music. Conrad’s video can be found at https://vimeo.com/151983475

First hand look at leprosyAlexander was selected by the Leprosy Mission NZ to visit Nepal on a Youth Advocate Scholarship and he returned from the two-week trip on February 1.One of the selection criteria was relevant experience and motivation and Alex’s current studies at Auckland University in International Relations, Politics and Psychology, sent his application to the top of the pile.Added to this is the fact that Alex, who was adopted from Romania by German parents and has lived in NZ for 10 years, is passionate about human rights and has spoken numerous times to the Romanian Parliament about reopening international adoptions.He says among the highlights and

challenges of his experience were observing surgery, speaking to people at the self-care ward and visiting a rural self-care group as well as going on a 32km trek.He says he learned a lot, including: “realising how vast the difference in culture is, and that our Western thinking and approach isn’t always the best”.The Youth Advocate team set themselves a goal to raise money for a 4WD for the Anandaban Hospital in Kathmandu. Anyone wishing to donate to the Leprosy Mission to help with the 4WD can contact Gillian, phone 09 631 1806 or email [email protected]

Top accolades for Wentworth graphics student


localfolkSheryl Takayama, Nutritionist

Food manufacturers have such a powerful

voice and often nutrition messages are wrong:

such as ‘eat everything in moderation’

“

”

For nutritionist (and self-confessed ‘sugar addict’) Sheryl Takayama of Gulf Harbour, keeping refined sugar out of her life has become a mission. Among the affirmation statements on her consulting room wall are: “Don’t give up what you want most for what you want now” and “All things come to those who work their assess off and never give up”. The 41-year-old mother of two spoke with Terry Moore about health myths and keeping off the weight.

My way of doing things is a bit different from mainstream

nutritionists. I feel like it is the evolution of my life’s journey – how to solve my own weight problem and feeling so inspired by my own experience that I took the plunge in my mid-30s to make my passion into my career.

I did an arts degree at Auckland University and that’s where I gained

all my weight. Growing up I had a very simple Kiwi upbringing in small town Tokoroa with no food issues. My mother made beautiful baking from the Edmonds cookbook and we had simple, homemade food. We were all a “normal” weight. However, looking back I am aware that at university I was eating for emotional reasons. The catalyst was university life – too much partying, alcohol and bad food and being away from home. But underlying it all was the fact that I lost my best friend in a car accident a month before university started. It was an emotional year and I found comfort in food.

When I finished university I got a job in Japan teaching English.

One of the first things I had to do was have a medical examination, so I got on the scales. I remember they went to 91kg and I was horrified. I hadn’t been swimming in years, and had become good at hiding in family photos. I love food, but my biggest issue is sugar, refined carbs, stuff in packets, chocolate. The sugar addiction is a key part of it and something that I only realised recently. Because I knew no one in Japan, I joined a gym as a social thing. I was so embarrassed, surrounded by all those beautiful Japanese women, but I started exercising and it was fun. We started jogging and at first I couldn’t run for more than 30 seconds, but it felt good so I slowly built it up and the weight started coming off. Once your clothes get looser it becomes exciting and momentum grows to eat better and keep exercising. I never weighed myself – all I wanted was to wake up and feel better the next day. Within a year and a half I had done a Half Marathon and lost 30kg – that’s the joy of being in your 20s. I knew nothing about nutrition at the time, except what I believed to be healthy which was: eat vegetables, meat,

not too much fat, oats for breakfast – real food and simple.

When I got back to NZ I was doing the same things, but the

weight went up. A friend suggested that I go and see her nutritionist. That changed everything for me. She taught me about the hormonal effect of food and seeing her gave me accountability to someone. That’s why I have never regained that weight. So many people trying to lose weight think it’s about what they are putting in their mouth but it’s actually what is going on in our head. Everyone who has dieted knows what works: the question becomes – why do we stop and regain the weight, causing that cycle of gains and losses?

I worked for Tourism NZ and then had my first son in my early 30s. Having

children made me realise I wanted my passion to become my livelihood. My dream job was to sit and talk to people all day about food and weight. I went back to university to study chemistry and nutrition while being a mum. My husband Alex supported us – it was a big commitment. Since I’ve been working in this business over the past 10 years I’ve seen fads come and go. I recommend people use Mother Nature as a guide – real food, that’s what we should be eating. Paleo is popular but it can be overly restrictive for some people with no dairy or legumes. If someone is passionate about it, go for it, I don’t judge. But I have had many clients who couldn’t sustain it. The magic of nutrition is where the calories you eat are coming from. One hundred calories from carbs is not the same as 100 calories from protein or fat. The effect on your body changes with different combinations. Anyone who gains weight essentially needs to eat less carbs, especially the ones in packets. Cutting back on that stuff, including healthy fats – butter, coconut oil, lard, nuts, olives, avocado – did wonders for me. If you eat the right level of appropriate fats you are not hungry. You can’t sustain a diet if you are hungry.

People eat fruit thinking it’s a healthy choice, but it can stimulate

hunger due to the high levels of natural sugar and carbs. And fruit is also about

our fixation with sweetness: I am not seeing bingeing on celery or carrots – but doughnuts, that’s a different story! I view my sugar addiction as seriously as an alcohol addiction – I can’t stop with one. It’s a cycle of craving and a habit. You don’t need to give up sugar unless, like me, you see signs of an addiction. There are no absolutes in nutrition but would it do most of us good to cut back? Sure. You only have to look at the bread and biscuit aisles in the supermarket and you can see that those foods make a lot of people a lot of

money. Many of the alternatives you see in cafés these days are not helpful from a blood sugar perspective – they are full of natural sugar. As best I can, I keep refined sugar out of my diet – but if my mother makes a dessert, which doesn’t happen very often, I definitely eat it – that’s special. I see many clients who are addicted to Coca Cola – sugar and caffeine is a powerful combination. The fat and sugar combination is a human invention – you don’t find it in nature. Recent studies show that it messes with our ability to self-regulate appetite. That was an ‘Aha’ moment for me.

Every day I start by writing down what I am going to eat that day.

Like any mum, I am busy and need to know that I am prepared with my food.

My children are nine and five. Weight issues often stem from childhood and it’s very important what we say and how we act around food as parents. One of my children is a fussy eater who doesn’t like vegetables and my philosophy is to emphasise the things they do eat and don’t stress about the things they don’t. I’ve done talks at Gulf Harbour School and say, “here’s an apple it’s got one ingredient; and here’s a muesli bar which has 20 so it’s going to be harder for your body to deal with”. Where nutrition is heading is what goes on within the gut – how important gut health is to our overall health. And of course the biggest addiction of all is alcohol, when it comes to weight management – it’s not the calories, it’s the hormonal effect because when you drink your liver becomes very busy detoxifying so it doesn’t have the energy to do other things such as burn fat. In some people alcohol can slow the metabolism for days.

Food manufacturers have such a powerful voice and often nutrition

messages are wrong: such as ‘eat everything in moderation’. It’s very hard to be moderate with highly addictive food. I find it easy to be moderate in my broccoli intake, but biscuits or chips – who can eat one? You can poo-poo sugar addiction, but unless you have walked that path, don’t judge. There is only one world expert in your nutrition and that’s you. There’s a new book coming out every week – but you don’t need to read books; just start taking action, and get some accountability and support. It’s never been easier – there are many healthy alternatives out there now. All you need is a desire to change.


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Robin reintroduction plannedWhile the news from the Shakespear Open Sanctuary is mostly good, sadly I must start with the recent death of Allan Parker. Allan was a passionate and determined supporter of the Sanctuary since its conception in about 2007, giving many talks about the idea and building community and Council support to help to get it established. He was the founding chairman of SOSSI – a role he held for 11 years – and led the fundraising for the pest-proof fence which was finally built in 2010, leaving us with a flourishing wildlife sanctuary – a wonderful community asset and tribute to his leadership.On a happier note, visitors to the sanctuary over the spring will have been able to see the chicks of pied stilts, quail, pukekos and pheasants all right by the road. The whiteheads (popokatea) which were introduced last year have now spread themselves around and can be seen in many areas of the park. Currently there is a group near to the campground. We’re still collecting reports of sightings, so if you see any please report them to us by email (with leg band details if you can identify the colours). We also managed to locate some red admiral caterpillars from elsewhere and put them in a cage with the native nettles which they feed on. Having chewed the nettles down to the stems they’ve now hatched and flown off, so watch out for them too. We’ve planted a couple of nettle patches out in the wild, but now that we know how much the caterpillars eat, these patches might need to be a lot bigger to get the butterfly population established.The dotterels have managed to survive another summer of raising chicks amongst the summer crowds on the beach, and we have should have at least three fully fledged this year. This is well down on last year, partly because these birds had previously been nesting in open fields as well but are now being driven off by the pesky spur-winged plovers. We also had a few eggs disappearing suddenly, possibly taken by human pests risking the quite astronomical fines for doing this.The speaker systems installed last year to attract seabirds to nest were successful more quickly than we expected, with two fluttering shearwaters promptly taking up residence and laying eggs. Not much is known about their breeding habits but these were likely to be young birds nesting for the first time, so it was disappointing but not surprising to find that they later abandoned the nests. Still, in other locations it has often taken a season or two to see any birds breeding, so the quick response at Shakespear is very encouraging.This year we hope to re-introduce the North Island robin (toutouwai) now extinct in the Auckland region. These birds often come right up to humans looking for the insects that we might disturb. They’re even more friendly than fantails and will even sit on your foot, so we expect them to be a very popular sight on bush walks. The tricky bit is that bringing them back will cost about $18,000, so if you’d like to help with this project please go to our website and make a donation (Allan would have liked that).

Green scenewith Peter Jackson, SOSSI [email protected]

North Island robin (toutouwai)


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Early this month, the community received the sad news that founding chairman of the Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society Inc (SOSSI) and former Hibiscus Matters columnist (and Local Folk) Allan Parker has died.

Allan’s tireless efforts helped make the SOSSI pest proof fence a reality. He is pictured at the fencepost appeal launch in 2010.

SOSSI mourns founding chair

Auckland Council acknowledged Allan’s contribution to the creation of the open sanctuary at Shakespear Regional Park, through his chairmanship of SOSSI and the many hours he spent volunteering on the park. Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee chair, Cr Christine Fletcher, says it’s people like Allan that help council realise the full potential of its parks. “We recently celebrated the 50th anniversary our regional parks and acknowledged a group of visionaries who championed conservation and the protection of open space for all Aucklanders – Allan Parker joins this group. His passion for creating an open sanctuary at Shakespear always stood strong – while advocating for council to agree to the project; raising more than $600,000 towards building a pest proof fence and getting stuck in to the long list of volunteer tasks on the ground. We are grateful for the time that he and his family have given to the park and will make sure he is always remembered,” she says.Auckland Council Open Sanctuary senior ranger Matt Maitland worked alongside Allan through many phases of the development of the Open Sanctuary. “The early days for SOSSI involved lobbying and creating awareness. As chair, Allan was effective in engaging with regional and local politicians to shore up support for

the proposal,” Matt says. “He used his experience and networks to ensure support for the project was widespread and created new relationships between the community and partners like the YMCA Shakespear Lodge, the NZ Defence Force and Watercare.” Matt says that Allan was also a leader in developing SOSSI’s education programme and establishing relationships with local schools.Last year Allan and his wife Elaine joined other volunteers for the reintroduction of the whitehead.“Farewell Allan, we thank you for your leadership of SOSSI, for your unrelenting commitment and passion for the open sanctuary, and for your friendship and humour. You will be sorely missed – and particularly by our ranger team,” says Matt.


Local inland waters will become part of a Recreational Fishing Park and the way Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are set up and managed will change completely if government proposals go ahead.

Feedback sought on Fishing Park proposal

The Ministry of the Environment is asking for feedback on its plans which could see commercial fishing largely banned from much of the inner Hauraki Gulf, from Leigh down to Tiri Tiri Matangi and Waiheke, and across to Colville on the Coromandel.In a consultation document, the Ministry says its aim is to achieve “an appropriate balance between protecting our marine environment and maximising commercial, recreational and cultural opportunities”.It says that on a typical summer’s day on the Hauraki Gulf, nearly 7000 recreational boats can be on the water carrying up to 21,000 fishers. About 80 commercial fishing vessels are also fishing the Gulf, “which may be competing with recreational fishers for catch and space”.“The Government is proposing to establish recreational fishing parks to enhance the enjoyment and value of recreational fishing in these high-demand areas by reducing the localised impact of commercial fishing.”Commercial fishing of some species may be allowed to continue, however, and customary fishing and marine farming will not be affected, according to the document.Marine scientist Dr Roger Grace

of Whangateau Harbourcare says creating a local fishing park, even if no commercial fishing is allowed, will do nothing to build and restore local fish stocks, and do nothing for marine conservation.“Recreational fishing parks have no place in a Marine Protected Areas Act anyway, they should be under the Fisheries Act. They are of no conservational benefit whatsoever,” he says. He referred to the example of Mimiwhangata, a marine park between Whangarei and the Bay of Islands, where there’s been no commercial and restricted recreational fishing for 21 years. Studies show no difference in the numbers of fish and crayfish inside or outside of the park in that time, with most reefs devoid of life.“For Hauraki, it should be worse, they’re still going to allow some forms of commercial fishing, and they’re just putting a line on a map,” he says. “I think it will do absolutely nothing and, within a few years, recreational fishermen will get very disappointed because it won’t improve their fishing.”Submissions close at 5pm on March 11. For more information and to make submissions: http://202.36.137.86/consultation/mpa#submission

Award winning team at Orewa United Travel are pleased to welcome Mandy Herd

United Travel Orewa (09) 426 5743 26 Hillary Square [email protected]

Mandy has been in the travel industry over most of the last 30 years. After leaving Orewa College, she started her career as a consultant in this office and is funnily enough sitting in almost the same position, she feels like she has come full circle !

After experiencing airline /supplier side of the travel industry she is loving being back in retail. She treasures the relationships she’s made with existing clients and looks forward to making new ones too.

Mandy has travelled the world and has recently returned from a European River Cruise with APT, and said after selling it for years was wonderful to experience cruising on the Danube. Highlights included the Christmas Markets, beautiful Salzburg, Vienna and Budapest.

Mandy looks forward to seeing old and new clients at United Travel Orewa, 26 Hillary Square Email [email protected]


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Help guide Auckland’s direction for 2016/2017

Each year we set our budget to meet future growth and deliver the services that council provides.

As part of our Annual Budget consultation we want your feedback on rates, the Interim Transport Levy and local board activities and priorities for 2016/2017.

Have your say online at shapeauckland.co.nz or in person at the Have Your Say event in your local board area.

Hibiscus and Bays• Tuesday 23 February, 6.30-8.30pm,

Orewa Service Centre, 50 Centreway Road, Orewa.

Have your say by 4pm on Thursday 24 March, 2016.

For more information, to provide feedback or for a full list of Have Your Say events, visit shapeauckland.co.nz, your local library, service centre or local board office.

A plan to develop vehicle access to Te Muri Regional Park has been put forward by Auckland Council, as it prepares to open the park to the public.

Council’s draft management plan includes a large carpark near Te Muri beach.

Development plan releasedCouncil released a draft park management plan for consultation last month and an open day will be held at the park on Saturday February 20, from 10.30am to 2pm. The plans involve building three carparks and toilet blocks, and a major upgrade to the Hungry Creek Road and State Highway One intersection, near Puhoi. Developing walkways and protecting the archeological and ecological features of the park is cited as a priority. The carparks and toilet blocks would be built at the park entrance on Hungry Creek Road, near the beach at Te Muri and on Mahurangi Regional Park, near Te Muri stream.Work on the intersection will require funding from Auckland Transport and NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), and Council hopes it will be completed in the next five years.Council purchased the 382ha park, between Wenderholm and Mahurangi regional parks, in 2010 and it has been leased as farmland. Public access has been restricted to a strip of coastline and a small campground, accessed by a stream crossing from Mahurangi Regional Park.Mahurangi Action has been campaigning to establish a coastal trail from Wenderholm to Mahurangi Regional Park via Te Muri and group secretary Cimino Cole says the draft plan is “disappointing”.Council has made no commitment to developing the walkway, only saying the option could be investigated.But, Mr Cole says he is optimistic the trail will be prominent in the final plan, as it will be one of the quickest and cheapest ways to open the park to the public – developing vehicle access to the park is expected to cost millions.“It is highly likely the plan will be amended so that the coastal trail is the

first cab of the rank,” Mr Cole says. “The only thing standing in the way is gaining a resource consent.”Although, ideally, the park would be closed to vehicles, he says.“The place would loose it’s magic, which comes from its splendid sense of isolation.”During the first phase of consultation last year, 88 of the 139 submissions supported the Mahurangi Action proposal. The group is now trying to mobilise people to submit on the draft plan.An independent hearings commissioner will hold hearings in April/May before making recommendations to Council’s Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee, who will make the final decision in May/June.The park is home to significant archeological sites, including a pa site, burial ground and middens, and has a range of ecosystems including kauri forest and threatened plant species.Council plans to fence off native bush, wetlands and archaeological sites, develop walking/cycling trails and upgrade the campground, while continuing farming on the land. Two cottages could be rented out as holiday baches.Signs with information on the Maori and European history of the park could also be installed. The land has a long association with Ngati Manuhiri, Te Kawerau a Maki and Ngati Whatua, and was the site of “multiple inter-tribal events, battles and marriages dating back to the mid-1600s”, the Council plan says.It has been farmed since the 1820s and was owned by the Schishka family from 1885 to 2010.Consultation closes March 18.Info: shapeauckland.co.nz/consultations/te-muri-regional-park/

| Hibiscusmatters | February 17, 201614 localbusiness

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The new owners of Muldoons bar and restaurant in Orewa, Mandy and Harry Singh, say they are encouraged by customers’ response to the changes they are making.The couple took ownership of Muldoons just over four months ago and came in fresh – this is the first time either has owned a hospitality business. Harry was formerly a self-employed property investor and Mandy was ground staff for Air New Zealand. Life was hectic for the Auckland-based couple and when their daughter, Anahat, was born 14 months ago they decided it was time to make a change that would give them more family time.They say Muldoons was just what they’d been looking for, and Harry’s head for business, coupled with Mandy being a ‘people person’ meant they’ve hit the ground running.Since taking over in October, the couple, working with manager Gair McSkimming, have overhauled the menu, offering traditional bar snacks, options for kids, steaks from the grill and pizza meals.

Harry says their focus is to provide a family-friendly pub and restaurant where locals are comfortable coming for not only a drink, but also an affordable meal with the kids.“We have been turning it into a bar where it’s not all about drinking, but has a friendly and affordable family atmosphere,” Harry says.Gair’s background in the New Zealand beef and lamb export trade is being harnessed to bring a hearty steakhouse feel to the menu, just in time for winter. Gair says that his ability to buy direct will keep the pricing fair for Coast diners.He says almost all the food (95 percent) is made in-house, right down to the sauces and salad dressings.Making strong connections with the community is also something that the team are working on –including sponsorship of the Hibiscus Rodders Club, the buskers festival last Waitangi Weekend and the local cricket team.Mandy and Harry say that people are telling them that they like the change they see in the atmosphere at the bar and restaurant.

From left, Mandy and Harry Singh and

Gair McSkimming

Pharmacist Ahmed Alawi, owner of Stanmore Bay Pharmacy has an extra reason to stand by the products he sells – he developed some of them himself.As well as being a qualified Pharmacist, Ahmed has a pharmaceutical company that develops products that are sold in New Zealand, Australia and the Middle East. It includes suncare, anti-itch and wound wash – all of which Ahmed stocks in the pharmacy that he opened this month in the New World Whangaparaoa block.Ahmed, originally from Iraq, moved to New Zealand almost 20 years ago. Both his parents are doctors but Ahmed was drawn to pharmaceuticals because he likes its combination of business and medicine.It’s seven years since he qualified as a pharmacist, and his intern and locum work since then gave him experience in 40-50 pharmacies.He says he learned what works, and what doesn’t, and this has given him priorities and goals now that he has his own business.The most important thing, he says is to offer a good range of reliable products and have efficient systems and friendly, approachable staff. He says reasonable prices are also important and that being under the Unichem umbrella, coupled with his strong relationships with suppliers, provides access to good deals that are passed on to customers.The pharmacy stocks plenty of over the counter products as well as a good range of natural health supplements.

Ahmed Alawi

With a gym next door, Ahmed has also brought in sports protein and supplements. Passport photo and photo processing services are also provided.Ahmed says customers appreciate that Stanmore Bay Pharmacy is open from 8.30am–7pm on weekdays and Saturday and 9am–6pm on Sundays for their convenience.Having used Gulf Harbour boat ramp to launch his fishing boat for several years, Ahmed was already familiar with the Coast and its growing community and wants to get more involved with what’s going on locally.He says the New World complex, which is almost complete now, is developing nicely and shaping up to be a handy location for many people.Prescriptions can be faxed in to him, then collected when doing the grocery shopping, or brought in to the pharmacy direct.“I’ve already got positive relationships with local doctors and am getting prescriptions in from Silverdale and all over the Coast,” he says. “It’s a very welcoming community.”


Transport for Future Urban Growth Northern Auckland

Help plan the transport needed for new housing and business areas identified for Warkworth, Wainui and Silverdale-Dairy Flat.

Possible transport networks are being developed by Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and the NZ Transport Agency. The aim is to ensure transport is in place before new housing and businesses go in.

Have your say on the transport needed to make the new communities well connected and great places to live.

There will be two rounds of public consultation, with the first in your area from 25 February to 10 March and the second in mid-April.

WHEN & WHERE

1. Tuesday 1 March, 3:30pm to 7:30pm Warkworth Masonic Hall, 3 Baxter Street, Warkworth

2. Thursday 3 March, 3:30pm to 7:30pm Silverdale Rugby Club, 6 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Silverdale

3. Saturday 5 March, 10am to 2pm Dairy Flat School, 1220 Dairy Flat Highway, Dairy Flat

To have your say online visit: www.at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks

Have Your Say

Buskers brave elementsOutdoor performers taking part in the Buskers Festival in Orewa had their work cut out for them in the Waitangi Day weekend rain and wind, but they rose to the challenge and received great support from the local crowds.Organiser Hellen Wilkins of Destination Orewa Beach says her team has been overwhelmed with positive comments regarding this event – particularly in regard to the high calibre of performers.She says work for the 2017 event, which will again fall on Waitangi Weekend, has already begun and that new elements will include two evening performances over two nights – one for families and a later show the next night aimed more at the late teen/adult market – “with a few added thrill factors and maybe just a little bit of a low level ‘freak’ factor”.

From top, Sven and Olga bend over backwards to please the Orewa crowd at the annual Buskers Festival. Sixteen-year-old Quinn Vale from Auckland. More photos, localmatters.co.nz

Health & fitness| Hibiscusmatters | February 17, 201616

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Everyone taking part in the Paddle for Hope has a story of the impact of cancer on their lives to tell. Among the pink-clad paddleboarders lining up for the fancy dress four-person relay at Paddle for Hope in Auckland last weekend was Dianne Mayson of Orewa, who overcame many hurdles to take part.The quietly spoken English tutor says she didn’t normally do breast checks, but for some reason, in late 2009, she did.The lump she found turned out to be one of five tumours and an immediate mastectomy was required which removed 13 lymph nodes.Telling her two children, aged 16 and 11 at the time, required all her courage. A few days afterwards came the surgery – and then a long and problematic recovery. This included a full hysterectomy, memory loss as a side effect of the drugs and finding the strength to drive herself to and from radiotherapy treatments. There were complications from the implants and reconstruction and a battle with ACC.No wonder that she held a big party last year to celebrate being in remission.Although Dianne says she “slipped through the net” when it came to getting physiotherapy treatment after surgery, she later found out about the cancer rehabilitation programme run at Active Physio, which includes fully funded stand up paddle boarding classes in Orewa.Despite a lifelong fear of water, she got on a board and says it has given her a massive confidence boost.“Until this Paddle On programme I hadn’t been in the ocean in many years. The instructor Kath Pryce Jones and other survivors helped me overcome my huge fear of water.”

Dianne Mayson

Paddling towards cancer recovery

Practicing with her team – with equipment supplied free of charge by Nik Sams of SUP Shed – has been a highlight. “It’s so beautiful and peaceful out there and it makes you forget things and enjoy the moment,” Dianne says. “You are with people who understand and have also been through a terrifying journey.”Dianne broke her thumb during her last SUP practice, but was determined to take part in Paddle for Hope. “I’m nervous and don’t know how I’m going to hold the paddle with a broken thumb, but I will find a way. It’s an amazing feeling and great for your body too. I would recommend this Paddle On programme to anyone – it’s awesome.”The Paddle for Hope is a fundraiser for the Pinc & Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Trust, which funds the physiotherapy programmes.Although the race has been and gone, on February 13, it’s not too late to donate at paddleforhope.co.nz. Look for the Everyday Hero link, then enter Dianne/Team Orewa. So far she has raised $1400.

The Hibiscus Rodders Orewa Beach Hop, which was held last Anniversary weekend, continues to grow – even managing to better last year’s fundraising effort for the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust.This year a new record total of $35,000 was raised for the Trust.The event is a crowd pleaser, as well as popular with the hundreds of hot rod enthusiasts who take part. The three-day event drew an estimated 50,000 spectators.This year it included a drive in movie in Western Reserve and Miss Hibiscus Vintage fashion competition. Another new contest was the V8 Hot Chic Award for female car owners, which was won by Janine O’Gorman of Matakana with her ’58 Pontiac.Local Rodders Gavin and Rebecca Hollier of Orewa won two awards with their green 1967 Buick Electra – the Petrolhead Trophy and Loudest Stereo Sounds.Another Orewa resident, Carolyn Smith, won the Westpac Helicopter Trophy with her 1959 black and red Ford Mercury convertible. Show organiser Sharon Morris says hot rod owners travelled from as far away as Whangarei, New Plymouth, Gisborne and Te Awamutu to take part. “It’s great to promote hot rodding, great for our community and hopefully helps all the local businesses,” Sharon says. “And most of all, it raises fantastic funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to help save lives.”

Hot Rodders raise record sum

Health & fitness February 17, 2016 | Hibiscusmatters | 17

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BACKS & BODYWORKS Do you have Tight muscles, pinched nerves, Back, neck, shoulder and leg pain? Come and see us, we aim to help you get moving better and enjoying your life.

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A new regional wine and food festival will be run in conjunction with the Fruit Loop community fun run event at the Matakana Country Park on the first weekend in March.The Matakana Wine & Food Festival will be on March 5 and 6, featuring local wineries, craft breweries, restaurants, cafes and artisan food producers, plus local music and entertainment. The Matakana Fruit Loop will take place on the Saturday morning and will include a new ‘mini-loop’ around the perimeter of the park for 5-to-12-year-olds, in addition to the traditional trek through local orchards and farms.Both events are being managed and run by Paul Walker, who lives at Omaha. He says he’s keen to bring back Fruit Loop and combine it with a quality food and wine festival that will promote and showcase the area’s produce on an annual basis. And he stresses that the new event is being run by locals for locals and will start small.“I’ve taken time to talk to our producers, the wineries and cafes.We’re doing this to develop everyone’s business and the region as a whole.”The festival will be promoted as a high-end food and drink experience to encourage families and people who are interested in quality produce, and there will be a zero tolerance approach to excessive alcohol consumption – “the opportunity won’t even be allowed;

Fruit Loop back with new wine and food festival

they’ll just get shown the door”.Paul has taken over the running of Fruit Loop from the Matakana Community Group, and both parties regret that last year’s fun run had to be cancelled when the handover didn’t quite go as swiftly as had been hoped. However, it’s business as usual for 2016 and all Fruit Loop entrants will get the added bonus of free entry to the wine and food festival. But Paul stresses that the approach to the whole weekend is softly-softly, with the aim of building a lasting event to raise funds for local community projects.“This year’s going to be what it is, next year it will hopefully be bigger – we do want to learn and we want to grow it. We don’t want to crash and burn here,” he says. “I won’t make any money out of this, but it’s not about that. It’s about building a self-sustaining event and taking a holistic approach, trying to develop a long-term event that can be recognised as the iconic event in the region.” Info: mwff.co.nz/www.matakanafruitloop.co.nz

Paul Walker


Join us for services throughout

the month:

St Chad’s Orewa Sunday 8am & 9.30am

Wednesday 9.30am

Christ Church Waiwera 1st Sunday 11.15am

Holy Trinity, Silverdale 2nd & 4th Sunday 9am

For further information ph 426 4952

[email protected]

Cutting back on the amount of refined sugar in our diet is something more people are attempting to do.It makes you wonder whether eventually the dessert that we pride ourselves on as Kiwis, Pavlova, may fall out of favour for its sugary sweetness.Refined sugar is the latest to join the line up of things that promote themselves by not being in our food – such as dairy free, gluten free and fat free. You’ll see RSF on these foods (refined sugar free).Refined sugar gives sweetness and calories but has little nutritional value. At one end of the spectrum, it’s been described as “the white death”, for some it is addictive (see Local Folk, p9) and for people with some health issues, such as diabetes, their intake is critical. For the rest of us it’s about awareness and alternatives. To satisfy our desire for sweet things, there are a lot of treats on offer in local cafés that replace refined sugar with other sweeteners such as honey, dates or Agave syrup. And local stores such as supermarkets, health food stores, Bin Inn and Fruit World, sell a bewildering number of sugar alternatives for the home baker.Hibiscus Matters’ Fresh Food columnist, Trudi Nelson, outlines her favourite options for refined sugar free home baking below:Sugar free optionsHere are six of the best alternatives to use in home baking rather than refined sugar. I think Stevia and rice malt

This ‘cheesecake’ from Link Café in Whangaparaoa uses honey as a sweetener. Other cafés offering refined sugar free options include Local Café in Manly Village, Gather Wholefoods in Silverdale and Charlie Coco’s in Orewa.

Sweet ideas for sugar free

syrup are the best. All of the options below are available at local health food and organic stores or supermarkets. And remember, sugar is not the complete enemy. When we were active hunter-gatherers, sugar was good! It’s all about balance. y Stevia is my favourite. You can even grow the plant yourself (it’s available in the herb section of some garden centres) and steep the leaves to make your own sweetener.

y Rice Malt Syrup is made from fermented cooked rice and is 100 percent fructose free.

y Agave syrup (although this is still fructose)

y Dates (delicious with no sugar added, but again contains fructose)

y Honey – again, this is really classed as a sugar, but Manuka honey has added health benefits.

y Pure extracts or essences – think vanilla, orange and lemon.

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The good, the bad, and the uglyAs a citizen of this modern day world, I know that LOL stands for “laugh out loud”. Yes, I am truly up to date! But how about the acronyms that get thrown about when you are discussing your cholesterol, such as LDL or HDL? Which is good cholesterol? Which is bad cholesterol? And what is downright ugly?!Cholesterol is something that everybody has and for the most part it does a lot of good things in our bodies. But sometimes it does the wrong thing in the wrong places and that is when plaques can form inside your arteries, which lead to a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.Despite all the acronyms, there is actually only one type of cholesterol but it is carried around your body by different carriers which are deemed “good” or “bad”. LDL-Cholesterol (carried by low density lipoproteins) is known as the ‘bad’ cholesterol because it dumps all the cholesterol in your artery walls forming those plaques. HDL-cholesterol (carried by high density lipoproteins) is known as the ‘good’ cholesterol as it transports cholesterol away from your arteries to your liver. There are also triglycerides that store and transport fat in your blood. A telling risk of heart attack or stroke is your total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio. (Total cholesterol equals LDL plus HDL plus triglycerides). As a rule of thumb, a lower risk is a ratio of less than 4.0. But your ideal ratio might be different, depending on your health and family history.While we can change our diet somewhat to help with our cholesterol levels, it is worth noting that only 25 percent of cholesterol in our bodies come from our diet. The other 75 percent is produced by your liver. So what can you do?Move more: frequent exercise can increase HDL-cholesterol by five percent.Lose weight: losing just five to 10 percent of your weight can help improve your cholesterol levels. Eat porridge: research indicates that the fibre in oats helps decrease LDL-cholesterol levels.Medication, prescribed by a doctor, may be used to lower cholesterol. It can keep a good many people living a lot longer. However, some of these medicines (statins) may lower Co-enzyme Q10 levels, which can leave you feeling tired. Co-enzyme Q10 is available in tablet form for replacement. However always see your health care professional for advice about what is suitable for you.

with Tania Adams, pharmacist [email protected]

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Recently Hibiscus Matters caught up with Dr Ted Watson, who wrote a series of articles for the paper on his experiences since being diagnosed with Parkinsons.In the interim, he says he has become “a bit of a poster boy” for the Parkinson’s Society of NZ, with his face appearing in thousands of donation request letters.

Living with Parkinson’s – a ‘Brain Wave’ song to singIt is more than two years since I first wrote for Hibiscus Matters about my personal story from the beginnings of my diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease – through a number of phases as I experienced more of the symptoms. It has been an interesting and sometimes difficult journey.During the two years my wife, Jacqui, and I have shared the burden. She has been with me all the way. During this time we have moved to a retirement/lifestyle village in Mount Maunganui which proved to be a sound move. Security, support, companionship, and fun have all been amply demonstrated by this move.I have also reached a plateau in regard to Parkinson’s. I still get the good and bad days – just like everybody else I know with Parkinson’s.Perhaps the most worrisome thing has been a small spate of oesophagus blocking, the worst of which caused me to have a night in Tauranga A & E where they re-hydrated me and sent me home with a reminder – chew well, small portions and moist – lessons I had taught myself but forgot on each occasion. It just shows that you cannot give Parkinson’s an opening – if you do, beware!We have also become active in our support of the Parkinson’s Society of New Zealand. We have participated in advertising campaigns, are responsible for distribution of the regular Bay of

Plenty Parkinson’s newsletters, and I have begun guest speaking opportunities as a way of spreading the message. We are also both in the Brain Wave Singers choir. This is a group established several years ago to test the effectiveness of singing as a therapy for people with neurological problems – mainly, but not restricted to, stroke and Parkinson’s victims.The group is around 30 strong and we meet weekly. It is run by a professional speech therapist from Tauranga Hospital and the numbers are growing. We begin each weekly session with voice and facial muscle exercises and then we sing a selection of well-known songs – with a short tea break in between. We also do outside concerts.We all love it. No matter how “low” we might feel as we start, as soon as we begin to sing we all feel so much better. Problem is nobody wants to stop once we get going!I would strongly recommend that anybody who has a neurological problem seek out possible singing opportunities – there is nothing to lose and much to gain.So, my journey continues. We all await that miracle cure but I know also that we are all resigned to the day-by-day management of our complaint. Take the pills, recognise the signs, and for now – Keep Singing!! Jacqui and I certainly will.


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Supportive volunteers needed on Hibiscus CoastVictims of crime and trauma needing safety, healing, justice and restitution have the free Victim Support service to turn to, but service assistant Sarah Binks says that the organisation has always struggled to find enough volunteers on the Hibiscus Coast and in wider Rodney.She says that Victim Support workers are regular people from all walks of life. They receive professional training and are fully supported once out working in the community by their Service Coordinator.People who volunteer to be support workers often have full time jobs and other interests. Being a good listener and communicator is what counts.They offer emotional and practical support and financial assistance for victims and their families that have suffered serious crime and trauma. As a Volunteer Support Worker you are expected to be on the roster for crisis call outs or crisis telephone calls once a week, and there may be follow up work which volunteers can schedule to fit in

at a time that suits them.Testimonials from current support workers describe the work as rewarding.One says although she was worried about what to do, the training and support was amazing and she felt very confident in each situation. Another, who has been with the service for nearly two years says she is “grateful for the lessons about compassion and judgement, for the chance to walk with so many as they navigate heartbreak and upheaval and for the inspiration and learning that comes from being part of a team dedicated to helping others when they need it most”.Currently Victim Support is holding a big recruitment drive to find new volunteers in the Hibiscus Coast and Rodney areas.If you would like to know more there will be an information evening, date, time and location to be arranged. Please direct expressions of interest and any questions to Sarah, phone 425 6515 during office hours.Info: victimsupport.org.nz/volunteer

A new scheme encouraging 17-to 24-year-olds to come up with creative ways to stop the name-calling, neglect, bullying or social exclusion that young people with mental illness can face has been launched by the Mental Health Foundation (MHF).It says there is growing evidence to show that young people are more likely to be discriminated against than older people with mental illness, and they may be discouraged from seeking help due to fears of being ridiculed.Its new Point Of Difference (POD) incubator programme is looking for videos, websites, apps, writing, drama, music, art and other ideas to combat such stigma, and is focusing on 17- to

24-year-olds as it believes that young people are more likely to take notice of people their own age. “Young people are best placed to tackle social exclusion from their peers and others,” says Hugh Norris, MHF director of strategy, advocacy and research. POD participants will take part in a six-month development and support programme to give them the industry contacts and mentoring they need to bring their vision to life. There will be three POD programmes over the next 18 months, and applications for the first one close on March 4, with further intakes in June, and February next year. Info: www.pod.org.nz

Youths encouraged to help end mental health stigma


Task orientated treatment for osteoarthritis

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Contact one of the midwives or the Warkworth Birthing Centre

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Our experienced midwives will care for you from conception to 6 weeks after the birth of your baby. We work from Whangaparaoa to Maungaturoto Coast to Coast.

ur experienced midwives will care for you from conception to 6 weeks after the birth of your baby. We work from Whangaparaoa to Maungaturoto Coast to Coast.

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Sally Wilson 09 425 8127 0274 977 745

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Osteopath Jessica Rioufrays

Osteopath Jessica Rioufrays, who recently began work at ThreeSixty Osteopathy in Orewa, spent much of her clinical training helping patients with osteoarthritis and is excited to begin working with people on the Coast who have the condition.A lot of the patients with osteoarthritis who sought help at the Unitec clinics where Jessica completed her Osteopathy Masters degree were over the age of 75 and had the painful and debilitating condition in their knees or hips.Jessica says that one of the most important things is to work specifically on the tasks that an individual finds difficult.For many sufferers, the stiffness is generally worse in the morning.“Some people described taking an hour to put their clothes on in the morning, so the condition was really affecting their daily life,” Jessica says.Walking, standing for extended periods of time (such as while cooking), or lifting heavy objects were other common issues.The help offered by osteopathy includes exercises, sometimes involving the use of props such as an elastic Theraband, tennis balls or spiky balls.Jessica says it’s important to take the time to show patients how to do each specific exercise, which is tailored just for them. Structural osteopaths like Jessica also offer treatments that include articulation, to increase movement through the joints, and deep tissue massage. These types of treatments aim to increase the range of motion in a particular area of the body, which reduces tension in the associated muscles. This, in turn, can reduce the level of pain.

A holistic approach can also mean helping the patient to stay positive.“It’s sometimes hard for people to stay positive and not focus on the limitations brought about by something like osteoarthritis,” Jessica says. “We encourage them to follow their interests and get involved in local groups and activities.”She says teamwork among health professionals is also important and can lead to a collaborative effort with osteopaths, doctors, physiotherapists and chiropractors all having input.The key is to improve a person’s quality of life.“Osteopathy can’t cure arthritis. All we can do is improve day to day life for patients and slow the progress of the condition.”

Are you following us on facebook www.facebook.com/hibiscusmatters

February 17, 2016 | Hibiscusmatters | 23health&family

Task orientated treatment for osteoarthritis

callwww.eyedoctors.co.nz (09) 520 9689web

Dr Mark DonaldsonFRANZCO

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Dr Donaldson has expertly performed hundredsof small incision cataract operations at the Rodney Surgical Centre since the RSC opened in 2010. Phone today to make an appointment to see Dr Donaldson at his regular clinics at Coast Care, Red Beach.

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Gallery hours10am–4pm Mon–FriPaintings of native birds, fantasy & maori craft availableSummer sale on now20% of art by Susannah LawArt classes afterschool ph 027 259 2897Reddoorstudios/facebook.com

Our Souls At Night by Kent Haruf (Alfred A. Knopf, 2015) Addie Moore, a 70-year-old widow living in small-town Colorado, hates the long and lonely nights. One day, she takes a risk when she unexpectedly calls on her neighbour with a proposition – would he like to sleep over sometimes, just to talk and comfort her when she can’t sleep? And so begins an intimate and tender relationship, much to the interest and sometimes disapproval, of family and neighbours.Although it is written in unassuming language and is about ordinary people, this best-selling inspirational novel is a captivating read. It’s a reminder about the value of everyday affection and communication in our lives, especially as we age and our families leave home.This beautiful little book was the popular author’s last, and he said it was based on his happy marriage and conversations shared with his wife.

The Truth and Other Lies by Sascha Arango (Atria Books, 2015)Henry Hayden is a liar who sometimes tells the truth, if it suits. He is a famous author, living a life that suits him well – a quiet childless life with his devoted and reclusive wife (who is actually the writer of his best-sellers). His past is a mystery.All is going swimmingly until his young and driven mistress, the editor at his publishing house, finds that she is pregnant and pressures Henry to leave his wife. He has absolutely no intention of doing so, and makes his plan to problem-solve the situation. Unfortunately for Henry, the plan goes terribly wrong and somebody dies.Add to this intriguing plot the appearance of an obsessive stalker, a childhood victim of Henry’s bullying, who wants to expose him.The storyline is cunning, clever and quite dark – most of the time the protagonist is nasty but sometimes he surprises with a compassionate act, making him almost likeable. He is always one step ahead.Sascha Arango is a German screenwriter and this debut novel has been translated. Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers like Gone Girl have a new author to try!

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localmatters.co.nz/whatson| Hibiscusmatters | February 17, 201624

From Puhoi to the desert: Jack Turnwald’s storyAs a young man in a young country and working in a modern industry (the railways), it is highly unlikely that John Francis Turnwald, known as Jack, would have expected to be dashing across the desert on a camel, defending oases in Palestine and Sinai.He is more likely to have expected to go to Europe when he enlisted, aged 21, in January 1915, while working as a porter at Mt Eden Railway Station in Auckland.Jack’s father, Bartolomous, had arrived in Puhoi with his parents Lorenz and Anna (nee Wacker) in 1863 aboard the War Spirit, as part of the first settlers there.Bartolomous married his second wife, Anna Krohn in 1887 and Jack was born March 2, 1893. He was one of nine children and one of five Turnwald brothers and cousins who went to WWI.After training in Wellington, Jack sailed on the Tahiti in June 1915 with the 5th Reinforcements for Mudros, Greece, where he was posted to the Auckland Mounted Rifles.After serving at Gallipoli, he returned to Alexandria in December 1915 aboard the Hororata, and was sent to Zeitoun Camp and then on to patrol the Suez Canal Zone in January 1916 – the fighting he was engaged in included destroying or neutralizing enemy bases in Sinai. Jack was involved in battles at Katia and Salmana as well as Romani.In the Battle at Bir el Abd in August 1916, Jack was wounded and admitted to hospital in Cairo.On his release he moved on to his most exotic form of transport when he was transferred to Abbassia, where the Camel Corps trained, and then posted to the Imperial Camel Corps, becoming a “camelier” in September 1916.The camel companies trained at El Mazaar oasis in Sinai and in December 1916, faced their first Battle at Magdhaba, where the Ottoman Forces were guarding an oasis. Access to wells was paramount to their survival and many battles and skirmishes took place around these resources. They also needed to protect the advance of the railways and pipeline across the desert to improve supply lines between bases and the highly mobile frontlines.Jack survived the Battles of Romani, Magdhaba, Rafa and Gaza but in the field, he received wounds, from bombs, to his head and left side in June 1917. He was admitted from Rafa to the No 2 Australian Stationary Hospital at El Arish where he died aged 23.Jack was buried in gravesite No 110 in El Arish and later moved to Kantara Cemetery in Egypt where his headstone now stands.

El Arish village on the Sinai Peninsula during WW1. Inset, Jack Turnwald.

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localmatters.co.nz/whatson February 17, 2016 | Hibiscusmatters | 25

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A ROUNDUP OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICTFun RunThe Family Fun Run/Walk, which was to have been held in Shakespear Regional Park on February 20, will now be held on April 30. Info: Organisers, Michelle and Phil Rymer of Montage Health and Fitness ph 021 288 7733.

GymnasticsNorth Harbour Gymnastics Club: Hibiscus Coast Gym Centre, Stanmore Bay Whangaparaoa: Play Gym 2–5 years, Tues/Thurs/Fri and Sat. Recreational Artistic 5+, Mon– Thurs & Sat. Rhythmic Gymnastics, Saturday only. Orewa Gymnastics: Recreational Artistic, Monday only. Term 1 enrolments open (limited places available). Bookings www.nhgym.co.nzHockeyHibiscus Dairy Flat Hockey Club trials. North Harbour Hockey Stadium. Sunday February 21; Women Premier & Reserve White, 1.30pm, Women Reserve Maroon & Senior 1, 3.30pm, Men Premier & Reserve, 5.30pm. Wednesday February 24, Women Senior 1, 7pm. Saturday February 27; Men Reserve & Senior 1, 11.30am, Men Senior 1, Senior 2 & Senior 3, 12.45pm. Sunday, 6 March, Women Senior 2 & 3, 2pm, Men Senior 1, Senior 2 & Senior 3, 4pm. Info: www.hdfhockey.org or President: Roger Taylor 027 496 0248

During the 1970s and 1980s Whangaparaoa was home to a much loved BMX track. These photos were taken in 1981 and represent a healthy culture of local competition. Championship events were held here, as the track was recognised as extremely competitive; this of course must have given the local lads the advantage! The well-designed track made use of the gully, with jumps and corners challenging all. The track was located on the western side of Link Drive and the whole area has now been filled, creating flat land for the current buildings, Hoyts and McDonalds. A sneak peak at the background of the photo shows the western wall of the original Woolworths, which was operational till 1990 when it was completely replaced by our current mall. Photo, courtesy Glenn Rowell. Hibiscus Matters welcomes Susanne Wilson, writer of our new Blast from the Past column. Susanne is a teacher, and instigator of the Hibiscus Coast History page on Facebook. Every month she will present a piece of local history from that page.

with Susanne Wilson, Hibiscus Coast History on Facebook

Blast from the Past

Fun run now in AprilThe Family Fun Run/Walk, which was to have been held in Shakespear Regional Park this week has been postponed. The event featured in Hibiscus Matters’ December 16 edition and was to have taken place on February 20. The organisers, Michelle and Phil Rymer of Montage Health and Fitness, have had to re-schedule the event and it will now be held on April 30. It is a fundraiser for Hibiscus Hospice. Info: phone 021 288 7733.

localmatters.co.nz/whatson| Hibiscusmatters | February 17, 201626

Stanmore Bay Pool & LeisureCentr

e

aucklandleisure.co.nzStanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre • 159 Brightside Road • Stanmore Bay • 09 424 9227

Learn to Swim with us!At Stanmore Bay Pool and Lesiure Centre, we offer an affordableLearn to Swim Programme with...

• qualified and experienced instructors• small class sizes• lessons to suit all ages and abilities• free swimming before and after lessons• plenty of free parking

Learning to swim is an essential life skill and a fun way for everyone to feel safer in and around water - enrol now!

Stanmore Bay Pool & LeisureCentr

e

aucklandleisure.co.nzStanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre • 159 Brightside Road • Stanmore Bay • 09 424 9227

Learn to Swim with us!At Stanmore Bay Pool and Lesiure Centre, we offer an affordableLearn to Swim Programme with...

• qualified and experienced instructors• small class sizes• lessons to suit all ages and abilities• free swimming before and after lessons• plenty of free parking

Learning to swim is an essential life skill and a fun way for everyone to feel safer in and around water - enrol now!

Auckland Area Sea Watch

TideTimes

Sun

FishingGuide

Moon*Not for navigational purposes. www.tidewiz.com www.tidespy.com www.ofu.co.nz Graphic supplied by OceanFun Publishing Ltd.

Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu FriFeb 17 Feb 18 Feb 19 Feb 20 Feb 21 Feb 22 Feb 23 Feb 24 Feb 25 Feb 26 Feb 27 Feb 28 Feb 29 Mar 1 Mar 2 Mar 3 Mar 4

3:15am 3.19:21am 0.83:43pm 3.19:48pm 0.7

4:19am 3.110:25am 0.94:45pm 3.0

10:51pm 0.7

5:22am 3.011:27am 0.95:47pm 3.0

11:52pm 0.7

6:21am 3.112:25pm 0.96:46pm 3.0

12:49am 0.77:15am 3.11:19pm 0.87:41pm 3.1

1:40am 0.78:05am 3.22:08pm 0.88:31pm 3.1

2:26am 0.68:51am 3.22:53pm 0.79:16pm 3.1

3:08am 0.69:34am 3.23:35pm 0.79:58pm 3.2

3:48am 0.610:14am 3.24:14pm 0.7

10:38pm 3.2

4:26am 0.710:52am 3.24:52pm 0.7

11:15pm 3.1

5:04am 0.711:29am 3.15:29pm 0.7

11:52pm 3.1

5:42am 0.812:06pm 3.16:07pm 0.8

12:29am 3.06:23am 0.9

12:44pm 3.06:46pm 0.8

1:10am 2.97:07am 1.01:25pm 2.97:29pm 0.9

1:54am 2.97:55am 1.02:09pm 2.98:16pm 1.0

2:45am 2.88:48am 1.12:59pm 2.89:10pm 1.0

3:43am 2.89:46am 1.13:54pm 2.8

10:10pm 1.0

6:53am8:16pm

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6:55am8:13pm

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G 8:40am9:07pm

Best AtG 9:34am

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9:21pm

Best At

1:30am3:52pm

SetRise

2:22am4:47pm

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4:12am6:23pm

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5:10am7:04pm

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FullMoon

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8:01am8:48pm

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10:45am10:23pm

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1:27pmSet 12:11am2:21pm

LastQuarter

RiseSet

12:55am3:14pm

RiseSet

1:44am4:05pm

RiseSet

G Good Fishing F Fair Fishing B Not So Good

For the latest wind and swell information for the Auckland area go to: www.tidespy.com/?place=3005

Hibiscus Matters Seawatch – Sponsored by Stanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre

with John McArthur, [email protected]

Boating

Causeway over Weiti RiverAs a regular user of the ferries out of Gulf Harbour it is pleasing to see more and more people using this pleasant way of travelling into the city.Hopefully this can only mean an increase in the services in the future. I do like their slogan: “you don’t see dolphins on the motorway” – brilliant. You could add, “and they don’t serve coffee and refreshments on the buses”!My only regret is that it is necessary to travel out to Gulf Harbour to use this service. Before World War II there were wharves at both Little Manly and Arkles Bay, both extending some distance out to sea and regularly used by passenger vessels. Today all that is left is the entranceway to the Little Manly wharf (a good place for a picnic) and the foundation stones that appear occasionally at low tide.This got me thinking – why can’t we have another wharf built which would allow services from there, provide an alternative to the trek out to Gulf Harbour and maybe generate more ferry traffic? While parking could prove a problem, surely a feeder bus service would solve that. Ah well, one can dream.Still, I’m willing to bet that such a move would cost a darn sight less than the proposed Penlink Road. When this was first mooted, about 20 years ago, the quoted cost was $60 million for a multi-lane road and bridge. The latest I’ve seen, in Hibiscus Matters, suggests a cost of over $360 million – now that’s what I call inflation!Could I offend the locals of Arkles Bay and suggest a wharf at the eastern end of that beach? Horrors of horrors, maybe I’d better not. Perhaps instead of a flash bridge over the Weiti River, a causeway could be built over the river upstream from Stillwater. After all, how many boats travel up-river beyond Totara Road – not many I reckon. A causeway could be built that would still allow the flow of water from further upstream and it may assist in reducing the amount of mud accumulating on the bottom of my boat – a bonus for boaties like myself.Such a move would require the removal of some mangroves which may not be acceptable to some people; I do note, however, that the Auckland Council is allowing this to happen in other parts of the city. For years I’ve been pondering about possible commercial uses for mangroves – any ideas anyone?I’ve had quite a bit of feedback regarding my comments about scows in my last column – they obviously hold a warm place in the hearts of many. Not surprising when you consider the strong place they hold in this country’s history.

The experience of sharing a movie screening with others remains popular, despite the ability to access movies online.

Free movie night at PlazaIt’s particularly fun for families with young children, which is why The Plaza in Whangaparaoa has chosen to screen The Lion King and Shrek at its Epic Movie events, which start this weekend.It’s the first time that the Plaza has held movie nights and manager Anne Murphy says if this is successful she’s got even bigger plans for next summer.For the nights of February 20 and March 19, the Plaza’s lower car park will be turned into a cinema with the aid of a giant inflatable screen and sound system. Coast Youth Community Trust is supporting the event, providing live entertainment from local musicians from 7pm onwards. The movie will be screened starting at 8.30pm – The Lion King is on February 20 and Shrek on March 19.The Marilyn, a restored classic

caravan, will sell coffee and ice cream and Emily the CYC caravan will also be there.CYC youth work coordinator Jono Dempsey says the event is in a similar vein to the Silo Park movies shown in Auckland city – the idea is to bring your own chairs or bean bags and even a picnic and settle in for a free night’s entertainment.For those wanting a more upmarket experience, there is the Epic Burger Lounge. For $15 per person, this provides a special area with its own seats and tables and VIP car park. There is also an Epic Burger combo meal delivered as part of the package. Part of the $15 fee will be donated to the not for profit organisation Bikers Against Child Abuse.Seats are limited in this area and bookings essential – phone The Plaza management office, 424 4100 to find out more, or book.

Access fundingFunding for projects that improve access to the outdoors could be available through the NZ Walking Access Commission’s Enhanced Access Fund. The fund is open to individuals and groups, and is to support projects that provide free, certain, enduring and practical outdoor access for the public. Funding will be prioritised towards projects such as negotiations to secure access agreements, legal or survey costs of obtaining access, or the cost of obtaining Resource Management Act consents. Initiatives such as signs, installation of stiles and other activities that improve existing public access are also eligible. Projects approved so far include sections of the national Te Araroa Trail. A maximum of $25,000 may be allocated for any one project and applications close on March 31. Info: walkingaccess.govt.nz

27February 17, 2016 | Hibiscusmatters |localmatters.co.nz

A Pump Doctor

We’ll keep you pumping ...

Ph Cedric 027 443 0654

Repairs • Sales • Service

Learn to play the UkuleleKathy Manson phone 021 902 736 51 The Esplanade, Manly, Whangaparaoa www.absolute-beginners-ukulele.com

Our local team is ready to deliver 5 Star cleaning services in your home Weekly, for a Spring or Moving clean.

For a free quote phone Yvonne 09 475 9716 or 0800 297 253 www.atyourrequest.co.nz

HOME CLEANING

Tables to orderChairs • SwingseatsBenches • Umbrellas

25 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Silverdale (next to BP)Ph: 09 426 9660 • em: [email protected]

www.clipperfurniture.co.nz

NZ made – quality built to last

OUTDOOR FURNITURE

Advertise your business here for only $62+GST per insertion. To enquire phone 427 8188 or email [email protected]

Subdivision • Boundary Pegs Site Surveys • Council Consents

Building Setout & ChecksContact us for a free consultation

Email: [email protected] Ph 09 426 7109 or 021 838 365

www.boundary.co.nz

Callaghan Appliance Servicing Ltd

Phone: 09 424 7071 • Mobile: 021 987 616

Servicing the Hibiscus Coast & surrounding

areas for 35 yearsMost makes and models

Lexy Davis Alcohol and drug counsellorWhat your company specialises in: Alcohol and drug counselling, harm reduction, working with youthWhat are the essential skills and experience that you bring to this trade/service? As well as a Bachelor’s degree in addiction studies and three years working in the field, I have a personal history in addiction.What is it about this job that gets you out of bed in the morning and keeps you motivated? Helping people work through addiction and discovering a life full of unlimited potential.Tell us about your favourite aspect of the job, and/or the key piece of equipment in your toolbox and why you would not be without it. My favourite aspect would be watching an individual’s personal growth. There is nothing more rewarding than being a part of someone’s journey and watching them get their lives back. The key ‘equipment’ that I possess is my own personal experience with addiction. I couldn’t do this job if I didn’t have that experience.Customers can count on you because? I am a highly trained professional with a passion for helping others. I know first-hand how important it is to have the right support when dealing with addiction. I am 100 percent committed to providing that support towards a successful recovery..

Know local tradesyour Advertisement

Ph: Lexy 021 146 0060 [email protected]

Auckland Pergolas Patios & Carports Limited

• Patios & Carports • Strong • Durable finish • Long lasting • Full 15 year product Guarantee

Experience the best of outdoor living with STRATCO Pergolas

Call now for a FREE MEASURE AND QUOTEQuality Outdoor Living Solutions

Ph 426 9337 • www.appcltd.co.nz

Open daily, 7 days: 8am–11am & 4pm–6pmPh Helen 09 428 2595 / m 0274 070 659

www.coastcattery.co.nz / [email protected]

Top quality cattery in Stanmore Bay • Spacious individual & family rooms with balconies • Cats & kittens available for adoption Cats n Care stall, Silverdale Markets last Saturday of month

Local & ReliableAll sizes availablePh 0800 300 666discountbins.co.nz


Phone 0800 218 555 or 021 372 620Email: [email protected]

Serving you Rodney wide since 1995.

CALL FOR A FREE MEASURE & QUOTE

Offering a large range of styles and colours.

Cleaning and repairs available.

ERIC ODDI FOR BLINDS

APPLIANCE SERVICE

Ph: 09 360 0965 • Mob: 022 043 2284Em: [email protected] • [email protected]

We service all major brands of kitchen & laundry appliances: • Refrigerators • Cooktops • Range hoods • Ovens • Dishwashers • Washing machines & dryers

Servicing north of the bridge to Warkworth

When did you last service your water tank? For cleaning • repairs • advice... anything to do with tanks

Ph Garry 09 428 0448 or 027 84 77 000 www.healthywatertanks.co.nz

146M

Carpet, Vinyl, Cork, Ceramic Tiles,

Wood & Laminate

09 421 000619A Silverdale St, Silverdalewww.flooringxtra.co.nz

Free café coffee with WOF or service while you wait

For all Mechanical Repairs, WOFs, Servicing

www.nocowboys.co.nz & type in GT Automotive

Phone 428 7969 8/667 Whangaparaoa Road, Mon-Fri 7.30am-5pm, Sat 8am-12pm

Gustos

Crow

s

Nest


Ph Neil 0800 225 327 www.heatpumpclean.co.nzPh Neil 0800 225 327 www.heatpumpclean.co.nzPh Neil 0800 225 327 www.heatpumpclean.co.nz

HEAT PUMP CLEANING

SPECIALISTSHeat pump cleaning & servicing

HRV, DVS, Smartvent & Moisture Master filter replacements.

10% discount (heat pump cleaning only) for Gold Card holders

Need a professional CV?

cveJob Seekers & Employers Support

My e-CV is FreeSign up at

www.e-cv.nz

Sectional, Tilt & Roller doors | Repairs & Maintenance to all models | Automatic Openers & Accessories | Merlin professional

Hibiscus Garage Doors & Gates LtdYour local supplier & installer of all types of garage doors & gates

Freephone 0800DOORS4U | Ph 09 426 0851 Mb 027 476 2741 | Em [email protected]

www.hibiscusgaragedoors.co.nz

HOUGHTON UPHOLSTERY

10 Puriri Ave, Orewa | Ph 426 6176 0274 436 222 | [email protected]

Commercial, Domestic | Design & Recovery | Cut foam to measure

North Shore – Hibiscus Coast

• Locally owned & operated for over 16 years

• Residential & Holiday Home/Bach Management is our core business

Ph 09 428 0010 • [email protected] www.margay.co.nz

ProPerty ManageMentresidential & holiday hoMes

Marine • Industrial • Automotive

Jason Wells Ph 027 522 7703www.mobiledustlessblasting.co.nz

[email protected] You tube: mobiledustlessblasting.co.nz

jdpropertyservices.co.nz

Stump Grinding • Commercial lawnmowing

Bags: 600 litreBins: 240 litre

0508 26 26 26

GARDEN BAGS & BINS

Phone Darcy 021 482 308

Wall & floor tiling • Accredited Waterproofer Underfloorheating • Free consultations and quotations • 23 years experience

Hibiscus Tiling

Specialists in: • Electrical work • Commercial & residential • Gate automation & repairs • Electrical fencing • Garage door automation & repairs

Ph 022 352 7405 • [email protected] dudleyselectrical • www.dudleys.co.nz

No job too Small24 hr operation

Electrical practicing licence for NZ10%

oFF!

Term

s &

Con

ditio

ns a

pply

!

Keep your dog on your property with a SMART DOG containment system.NZ Agent Call 0800 872 546

for free brochures.

ANTI-BARK TRAINING COLLARS ALSO AVAILABLE

Phone 021 100 8422Em: [email protected]

WHERE THE WORKSHOP COMES TO YOU

YOUR LOCAL MOBILE MECHANIC

29February 17, 2016 | Hibiscusmatters |localmatters.co.nz

For ideas and advice about our windows and doors talk to us.

Rodney Aluminium Joinery09 425 7367 or stop by74A Hudson Road, Warkworthwww.rodneywindows.co.nz

Phone Grant or Lesley23b Foundry Rd, Silverdale | 09 426 2979 www.silverdalefurniturerestorations.co.nz09 426 8412 | www.countrycharm.co.nz

timber Furniture specialists with quality workmanship guaranteedspecialising in antique, new furniture & all other timber surfaces.

COUNTRY CHARMFURNITURE

2008

23b Foundry Rd, Silverdale | 09 426 2979

Furniture Restoration • Re-spraying • Special Finishing • Colour MatchingInsurance quotes • Furniture repairs • Custom made – Recycled

or new timber • Modifi cations • Upholstery

North Harbour Insurance ServicesFor all of your insurance needs, 30 years experience

16 Tamariki Ave, Orewa | Ph 0800 159 335 Orewa 426 6573 | Warkworth 09 425 9239

Email: [email protected]

North Harbour

16 Tamariki Ave, Orewa | Ph 0800 159 335 Phone 09 428 441820/A Hobbs Road, Tindalls Bay

Specialising in: Truck/Heavy Diesel Equipment • Servicing

Maintenance • COF Pre Checks

32 Peters Way, Silverdale Located on Golden Contracting Ltd premises

Phone 424 8938 [email protected]

Silverdale Diesel Services LtdSpecialising in:

Truck/Heavy Diesel Equipment • Servicing Maintenance • COF Pre Checks


Mobile Dustless blasting unDerboDy sealing

rust & Panel rePairs

Commercials & all types of vehicles

Ph 027 522 770344 Flexman Pl, Silverdale

COMMERCIAL CARAVANS MOTOR HOMES

0800 175 862 • [email protected] all Domestic and Commercial Plumbing needs

NZMEDIA BLASTINGAutomotive, Marine and Industrial Coating

Removal and Preparation SpecialistsHighest Quality Finish Every Time

9 Wainui Road, Silverdale | p: 09 426 3666 m: 021 462 880 | nzmediablasting

e: [email protected] www.nzmediablasting.co.nz

PET NURSE DIRECT“At Home Care” from a Qualified & Registered

veterinary nurseWorm/flea treatments

Nail clips • Microchips & more

For enquiries or bookingsPh Tracey 021 055 1192 www.petnursedirect.co.nz

Natural Stone Pavers Concrete

Phone: 09 947 5350 Em: [email protected] • www.sps-nz.co.nz

Acid Wash/Hypo Cleaning & Sealing of Natural Stone, Coloured Concrete, Concrete Pavers, Concrete, Driveways, Pool Copings, Pool Surrounds

For all your building and carpentry needsDecks • Roofs • Pergolas • Doors • Gates

Renovations • Maintenance • Fencing Kitchens • Gib fitter • Plastering • Painting

Phone 09 428 4770 | 027 428 4770 Email: [email protected] | www.top2bottom.co.nz

Come and see Cecily and her team for friendly advice on 1000’s of tiles. 09 424 1214 ▪ 663 Whangaparaoa Rd

The Clock Clinic

The Peaks, 689 Whangaparaoa Road,Phone/Fax: 424 5062 • Mob: 021 446 222

[email protected]

Clocks & watches repair & restoration specialist Watch batteries fitted while you wait

Paintings ConservatorAngela Rüegger

The Conservation WorkshopConservation Treatment of Paintings on Canvas and Wood

as well as Polychrome/ Painted Wooden Objects

M.A. (Cons. of Cultural Materials) B.F.A

NZCCM Full Member AICS Founding Member

E: [email protected] W: www.conservationworkshop.co.nz

M: 021 251 3851

35 Peters Way, Silverdale | Ph 027 275 2226 [email protected]

For all your Local Aggregate needs Come and see our range of:

Drainage Metals, Sand, Scoria, Gabion Rock, GAPS, MAPS and Builders Mix.

Be it a Trailer Load or Truck Load our Staff are there to help


00ITY @ HOME COMPUTER SERVICES for fast and friendly service,

ph: Rich, Toll Free 0508 482 846.

A SMART REPAIR Service for F&P smartdrive washers, F&P/Simpson dryers. Same day service 423 9660 or 021 168 7349.AFFORDABLE RATES – HANDYMAN House, garden, repairs & maintenance. No job too small. Ph 020 400 29460.BAY APPLIANCE REPAIRS – All major laundry/kitchen brands, small appliances, & power tools. Work guaranteed EWRB reg. Ph 09 947 0333/ 022 600 9919.BUILDER 40 YRS+ EXP SEMI RETIRED available for property maintenance, decks, fences etc. No job too small. Good rates. Ph Rob 021 1672155 or 426 2960.GARDENING Organic Methods. Phone Lisa 022 072 8648.HANDYMAN Small Jobs, gardening, rubbish removal etc. All jobs considered. Phone or txt Dave - 022 015 4032PEST CONTROL, Flies, spiders, cockroaches, ants, rodents, wasps. Competitive prices. Ph 426 2253.PLASTERING, GIB STOPPING All aspects of stopping. Skim coat specialist. 25 yrs exp. Karl 0210 42 42 96 or 428 7127.PLASTERING, SOLID, GIB STOPPING, Painting/repair work. Small jobs. Trade Cert. Keith 424 8841 or 022 682 4760.WATER FILTERS Underbench filters & whole house Ultra violet filters – Kill and remove ecoli/bacteria. FREE site visits. Ph Steve 09 945 2282, 027 478 7427, email: [email protected] or www.aquafilter.co.nzWATERBLASTING & CHEMICAL HOUSE WASHING. Careful service, reasonable rates. Ph 426 2253.

SUMMER SPECIAL: HANDS & FEET Nails cut & filed, includes hand & foot massage. $30 each or 2 people for $50. I will come to you. Phone 424 0676.

TECHNICAL SERVICES

AUDIOTECH – Home Technology & Electrical – TV Installs, Audio, Alarms, WiFi – 0800 178 679

HAIRDRESSING

CARING MOBILE SERVICE, I come to you. Pensioner rates. Ph Inga 426 0985.MOBILE HAIRCUTS European trained hairstylist to visit you at your time, your place. Sabine Ph 426 9652 021 149 8598

HEALTH & BEAUTY

WANTED

CARS, VANS, TRUCKS WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE Top Cash paid, Free Towing. Ph: 0800 333 398.TO BUY, RECORDS/LP’S Ph 428 1587.

DRESSMAKING

SYLWESTER’S dressmaking and alterations. Expert, fast affordable. Phone 426 7559.

Sudoku - the solution2 8 1 9 4 5 3 7 66 9 5 2 3 7 8 4 13 7 4 1 8 6 5 2 97 1 2 4 5 9 6 3 88 4 9 6 1 3 7 5 25 3 6 7 2 8 9 1 49 2 7 5 6 4 1 8 31 6 8 3 7 2 4 9 54 5 3 8 9 1 2 6 7

HOME & MAINTENANCE

GARDEN MAINTENANCE New gardens, lawn mowing, clean ups. Specialising in maintenance &

improvement. Ph Dave 021 950 154

COMMUNITY NOTICES

TUITION

Nanny & More! Quality full-time local courses for nanny &

childcare careers Call Amanda now for free info! 424 3055 nannyacademy.ac.nz

HIBISCUS MATTERS PUBLISHES COMMUNITY NOTICES AS A FREE SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY. A first in, first served policy, published subject to space & availability, (In fairness to other groups please keep them to a max 45 words) for non-profit organisations only (conditions apply). All other classifieds are $5.80 per line (incl GST). Em: [email protected] (attachments will not be opened) Visit: Tamariki Plaza, Cammish Lane, Orewa

Classifiedadvertising

SECURITY ALARM SERVICING $99 (+parts & GST). Local technician,

20 years experience. Ph 027 553 3032 or 09 428 5887

SITUATIONS VACANT

PAPER RUNS AVAILABLELocal Matters needs new walkers,

in various locations on the Hibiscus Coast, to deliver the

Hibiscus Matters. For more information, email your name, contact details and age to

[email protected] or phone Kim 021 138 6975.

PROFESSIONAL HYPNOTHERAPY

Anxiety & easy quit smoking. Ph Bill Parker NZAPH 424 7610

If it doesn’t say service, its not! We MAKE BlindsWe REPAIR Blinds • We CLEAN Blinds

The Company you know & trust for all your blind needs!

Phone 0800 999 229 • www.vlr.co.nz

Commercial & Residential Window Cleaning • Highly motivated team servicing Mangawhai to Penrose • Shop fronts, offices & homes • After hours service

A/h 426 6247 • Call Kelly 021 801 215 • [email protected]

The Difference

is Clear!

15% discount with mention of this advert

Advertise your business here

for only $62 +GST* Ph 427 8188 or email

[email protected]

Guitar Lessons 1-0-1All styles/All ages

Reg Keyworth • Ph 424 8959It’s time to really play!

www.guitarlessons1-0-1.com

SENIORNET FOR SENIORS Computer courses & workshops available. Phone 426 1509. Mon–Thurs 9am–3pm, Fri 9am–12pm www.seniornet-hbc.org.nz

PART-TIME PA/SEC – Suit experienced, confident and outgoing person. Work locally, old Silverdale. Email CV to [email protected] CLEANING/CLEANING. Full time. Full clean drivers licence. Head for height, reliable, keen to learn. Ph 021 801 215, cv: [email protected]

60S UP GROUP Meet third Wednesday of month, coffee/tea served. Guest speakers, trivia quiz, a great laugh, and prizes, plus learn a little. Outings and a show once a month. Ph Dorothy 428 2075 or Marguerita 424 2998.ARE YOU A SMALL, LOCAL NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUP HELPING people in our community and in need of some funds for a project this year? Hibiscus Community House may be able to help. Christine 426 3598 or em: [email protected] for details.BRIDGE LESSONS, Orewa Bridge Club 10, Tuesday evening lessons begin March 15 (7pm–9pm). $50 ph Carrol Harnish 426 9815, Eileen Sanger 426 1106 or Club 426 7677.COMBINED RODNEY SENIORS TRIP to Clevedon. Mon March 7. $40pp, Return coach fare, tour and talk Willow Farm to see the Therapy Animals, Buffet lunch picnic style at Hunua Falls, entrance to Ardmore Air Museum. Fred ph 426 5765, leave message, Stan, Orewa Community Hall, Tues/Thurs. 12.15–12.45pm. GARRY COOK will talk at the Theosophical Society, February 21 about the Faery and Elemental Realms and the growing worldwide movement among scientists to recognize Trees as sentient beings, 2pm, Forest Glen Rd. Ph Neil 428 3691.HIBISCUS COAST GREY POWER meeting, Fri Feb 26, 1.30pm, St Johns Catholic Church hall, 180 Centreway Rd, Orewa. Speaker, Senior Sergeant Iain Chapman, who leads the Auckland City Financial Crime Unit, he will be showing us how to recognise and deal with all online, phone and mail scams. All over 50 warmly invited. Ph Simonne Dyer, 424 1315 or 027 212 8322.HIBISCUS WOMEN’S INSTITUTE meets 3rd Wednesday each month. Enjoy interesting programme, competitions, guest speakers, fellowship. New members welcome. Ph 426 2432.HIBISCUS SPIRIT AWAKENING AND HEALING CENTRE. We meet fortnightly in orewa, mediumship, healing, and a chance to meet with like minded people. All welcome. Lynda 424 1998.KIWI DANCE CLUB, SOCIAL DANCE - ballroom, Latin American, new vogue, Modern sequence. All welcome. 4th Sun of month, 5pm-8pm. A great way to meet

people. Silverdale Hall, Ph 428 4939 or 022 081 6476. Next event February 28.LADIES CRAFT CLUB, Orewa Community Church – Tuesdays @ 10am Come along and try a new craft and make some new friends. A crèche is provided. Ph Carole 426 7023.LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE Easy, 2hr lessons, Mondays 10am at Hibiscus Coast Bridge Club, Manly. Ph 428 3278.MENTORS ART GROUP, Orewa Community Church, Tues 1pm–3pm. Art classes with an experienced teacher. Suitable for beginner to advanced. Come along and discover your artistic abilities. Ph Jane 426 6537.NETBALL DELEGATES & COACHES REQUIRED FOR YEAR 3–YEAR 8, 2016 Winter season. Em: [email protected] Netball trials: all schools, all abilities, all welcome Sat Feb 20. Wentworth astroturf: year 3 & 4, 1.30pm, year 5, 2.15pm, year 6, 3.15pm, year 7 & 8, 4.15pm. For registration: www.sportgulfharbour.co.nz/index.php/netball/2016-trials-registrationOREWA LADIES KEEP FIT CLUB Welcome older ladies young in heart for friendship and exercises to music Thurs 9.30am–11am St Andrews Presbyterian Church, 107 Centreway Rd. Ph 426 4067.SINGERS WANTED (especially men!) for Hibiscus Coast Singers. Rehearsals start Mon March 7, Presbyterian Church Waiora Rd, for concert in mid-June. New singers should come at 7pm. For more info: Bob 424 5711 or Wendy 428 4452.RAT, POSSUM AND STOAT traps available, both bait and non-bait types. Em: [email protected] GIRL GUIDING is having a open day at Raroa Guide Hall, 45 Stanmore Bay Road, Stanmore Bay 20th February, 11am - 3pm. Come along, check out what Guiding is all about and enjoy the various activities on offer.


WHANGAPARAOA PLAZA. PHONE 424 7870Eddie Law

What makes the Hibiscus Coast special to you? Coast Gems uncovers and celebrates the people, places, businesses and events that give the Coast its unique flavour and spirit.

These are the rocks at one end of Orewa Beach where I sit to turn any bad day into a good day. It never fails – one reason why I love this beach.

Amanda Gray

“

”

20 Epic Movie Night at The Plaza, Whangaparaoa. Bring family and friends, your own seats and even a picnic dinner to watch The Lion King, The Plaza lower car park. Live entertainment from 7pm. Movie screens 8.30pm. Food on site. Movie screening is free but there is also a VIP Epic Burger Lounge option, $15, Fun for the whole family. (see ad p7 and story p26)

20 Volunteers wanted for work on the Weiti Wildlink Project in Silverdale, 9am –4pm (both days). Plant releasing and mulching. Meet on site in Silverdale (details available when booking). Bookings are essential. To register phone 0800 567 686 or email [email protected].

20 Monster Garage Sale, Silverdale Pioneer Village, Silverdale Street, Silverdale, from 8am. Bargains galore. All welcome.

23 Give your feedback to Whangaparaoa 2030 – the community group who care about the future of the Peninsula, at the Plaza, 1pm–4pm. The group is gathering information from people about what they love about the Peninsula and how they would like it to be in 2030. All welcome.

28 Give your feedback to Whangaparaoa 2030 – the community group who care about the future of the Peninsula, at Red Beach Surf Club, 8.30am–12noon. The group is gathering information from people about what they love about the Peninsula and how they would like it to be in 2030. All welcome.

1 Give your feedback to Whangaparaoa 2030 – the community group who care about the future of the Peninsula, at the Stanmore Bay Pool & Leisure Centre, 8.30am–10.30am and 3.30pm–5.30pm. The group is gathering information from people about what they love about the Peninsula and how they would like it to be in 2030. All welcome.

4 World Day of Prayer service, St Francis Catholic Church, Motutapu Road, Manly. Morning tea at 10am, followed by a service entitled Receive Children, Receive Me at 10.30.

6 Kiara’s Angel Walk. Fun colourful 2km or 7km walk or cycle around the Te Ara Tahuna cycle and walkway, Orewa Estuary. Memorial service 9.15am followed by the walk at 9.30am from Pohutukawa Reserve. Registration opens 8.30am. Or register online for $10 single, $15 family & $50 group of 5 plus. Ticket includes a commemorative gift. Walk is followed by a free Family Fun Day from 10am–1pm at Western Reserve with entertainment and stalls. Info and registration: angelwalk.co.nz

8 International Women’s Day dinner, Maygrove Village, Tauranga Place, Orewa, from 6pm. Hosted by the Hibiscus Coast National Council of Women to celebrate International Women’s Day. Guest speaker is Dame Diane Robertson, formerly of Auckland City Mission. Tickets $35. Email [email protected] or [email protected] or Colleen at [email protected] for info or tickets.

8 Give your feedback to Whangaparaoa 2030 – the community group who care about the future of the Peninsula, at Whangaparaoa Library, 1pm–4pm. The group is gathering information from people about what they love about the Peninsula and how they would like it to be in 2030. All welcome.

March 2016

Free Call – 0508 HIBISCUS

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If you are looking to sell your home, you are in the very best hands with Mike & Kim Broome & the Mike Pero Hibicus Coast Team.

Stacey Sylvie Kim & Mike Anita Kevin

Working for OUR community - 0508 HIBISCUS

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Full Monty at ArklesThis week, on February 20, runners and walkers will rock hop, wade and scramble from Arkles Bay all the way to the Windsor Reserve in Devonport as they take part in this year’s Coastal Challenge. Event manager Mark Fordham describes the event as “a unique concept that involves all degrees of water interaction depending on the course you choose to undertake”. He says there is something for “all ages, abilities, shapes, sizes and levels of adventure”, as there are many courses and distances for participants to choose from. The run/walk from Arkles Bay is the longest in the series – 33km. It can be done as a team relay. Info: coastalchallenge.co.nz

Some of the world’s best paddleboarders will be competing when Omaha Beach hosts the NZ Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) National championships on the weekend of February 27 and 28.Australia’s Jake Jensen, currently ranked 11th in the world, France’s Titouan Puyo, ranked 5th, and Orewa-based Kiwi surf legend Daniel Kereopa will be among up to 300 paddleboarders taking part in a wide range of flat water and ocean races. This is the second consecutive year that Omaha has hosted the NZ SUP Nationals, with organisers keen to return after a successful event in March 2015. NZ SUP treasurer Bill Dawes says this year there will be more sponsors,

more events and more course options.“Omaha is a fabulous location,” he says. “Having the flat water of the harbour means the more recreational races can be run in a very safe, sheltered location, but for the hot shots and world class paddlers, Omaha Beach can put on fabulous surf. “And the Surf Lifesaving Club is a really nice club, they’re super helpful.”Although some of the world’s best pros will be tackling the gruelling 15km ocean race on the Saturday, Bill stresses that there are plenty of other races and events to suit even the most part-time paddleboarder.“The national championships are not

Holiday season cuts into cricket teamsThe serious end of the competitive Cricket season began on Waitangi weekend, with all grades getting to the sharp end of their competitions.However, Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club captain Dafydd Evans says team members being on holiday has caused problems ever since the senior grades started back on January 16 and 17.“We started with a double header, playing on both Saturday and Sunday. It proved very hard for many clubs to field sides as many players are still on holiday. We were no exception,” Dafydd says. “For the fourth year in a row, the club leads the competition at Christmas only to find that we are unable to field a full strength side come the New Year.”

“The Auckland Cricket Association has told the club on many occasions that they wish it to gain promotion to the Premier ranks, but while we have the bulk of our side pursuing other activities during this period it is becoming increasingly difficult.”The Association rules state that only four players can be changed per week during a game but in the first week against Grafton the Hibiscus team needed to change seven players, as they were unavailable the following week. Depending on the result with Grafton, which took place just as this paper was published, over the next two weeks the club could be playing Cornwall at Victor Eaves Park. Dafydd says this will

effectively be a ‘winner takes all’ game, and he hopes locals will come along and support the Senior A club side.Hibiscus’ Senior B side continues its climb, having gained promotion last year, with many solid performances including centuries scored by Alton Gray and Mark Basagre. Dafydd says that the drive is always on to attach new players, which is not helped by other clubs poaching players mid-season from the Senior ranks.“Other clubs offer winter programmes and for our players to take part in those they are told they must leave the club immediately, which is not very helpful when you’re trying to gain that elusive promotion.”

The NZ team for the World SUP Championships will be chosen from the Omaha event. Pictured is last year’s SUP champs at Omaha.

Top competitors head to Omaha for paddleboard Nationals

just for professionals,” he says. “It’s like a marathon or a half marathon, the majority of people are just there to take part.The fun races, the 4km and 8km races, have huge participation. Anyone who has a paddleboard should come along.”

Online registrations for the event close on Sunday February 21, but anyone entering the inshore or fun races can register on the days between 8am and 9.30am.Info: nzsup.org or look for NZ SUP Champs on Facebook.

Hibiscus Matters Issue 188 17 2 16

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Transcript of Hibiscus Matters Issue 188 17 2 16