Really Roskill

Really Roskill is published every month and delivered free to 16,000 homes as well as

businesses in Mt Roskill, Three Kings, Hillsborough, Waikowhai, Lynfield and Wesley.

For all advertising enquiries contact Jan Pitout, Ph: 021 048 4248, Email: reallyroskill@gmail.com

Issue 20. February 2015

Blockhouse Bay BranchDDI: (09) 215 5767

Mobile: 021 231 8123Phone: (09) 627 8325

d.gomber@barfoot.co.nzwww.barfoot.co.nz

WISHING EVERYONE

A HAPPY AND REWARDING NEW YEAR!

Dharmendra GomberBrendon Sy P: 621 1028M: 027 496 1688brendon.sy@harcourts.co.nz www.mtroskill.harcourts.co.nzV&B Realty Ltd MREINZLicensed Agent REAA 2008

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The New Year brings new beginnings and for the Roskill Together team this marks the start of a new phase of the Roskill Together programme – the implementation phase. Over the next few months we hope to roll out some interesting and exciting community-focused activities and events with your support and participation.

For those unaware of the Roskill Together concept, we’ve included a brief description of who we are, what we have completed so far and what we intend to do next. Roskill Together is a community-led development initiative that has been operational since Dec 2011. This initiative funded by the Department of Internal Affairs has been developed and shaped through a number of stages with input from members of the Mt. Roskill and wider community.

We have been busy listening to local residents tell us what they love about the area, along with their issues, concerns and ideas. We have put together the ideas provided by you, at our Summer Slickers events at local parks and reserves all through 2014. We have held workshops with several community groups. This has helped us develop a community plan that supports Mt. Roskill’s diverse communities and residents.

Over the next few months we will support residents by delivering on five key community projects that have been identified as important to the people of Mt. Roskill.

If you would like to share your views or get involved in any of our five community projects contact us via email: info@roskilltogether.org.nz, visit our website www.roskilltogether.org.nz or talk to our

team at some of the upcoming community events such as the Community Safety event, or Neighbour’s Day and the Auckland Cultural International Festival to be held in March 2015.

We look forward to talking to you, working with you and hearing your great ideas on how we could make Mt Roskill a great place for our local communities.

Roskill Together to roll out five Community Projects

Mayor Len Brown and members of Roskill Together at the launch.

Phone: 09 627 3555 6 Exminster Street,

Blockhouse Baynitin@aucklandortho.co.nz

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Really Roskill pg 2.

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Join in a family fun day out with the Lions7th Annual Wild Westie Car Rally - supporting Community Patrol

Why go overseas to tour when in the heart of West Auckland there are places of interest and attractions to see and enjoy?

Again this year for the seventh time on Sunday March 22nd, the Lions’ Wild Westie Fun Car Rally will head out of Blockhouse Bay and take the participants down roads many have never been down, to places probably never seen. The West of Auckland has a rich heritage, many cultures and hidden charms. The Blockhouse Bay-Lynfield Lions’ Wild Westie Fun Car Rally highlights these key points as it follows a special itinerary, and the entrants participate in a quiz to identify them, through to the final destination, with a social gathering, a BBQ and a nearby attraction to enjoy.

The whole journey takes about 2-3 hours depending on observation stops and comfort breaks. It is not a time trial, so everyone can enjoy the trip at leisure. The winner is judged on the number of correct answers in combination with the correct number of kilometres travelled on their speedo. Points are deducted for under and over k’s due to mis-navigation. It is a whole load of fun for the family or groups. Emphasis on fun. The driver concentrates on driving to the rules of the road while an accompanying passenger will navigate, spot key points and fill in the quiz, the more passengers the merrier to help with the questions.

On the journey a morning tea break refreshes entrants at a beauty viewpoint, and options to stop at other watering holes will be allowed, (no alcohol permitted for drivers during the rally). At the completion, the BBQ will be fired up and a Lions sausage sizzle will add to any picnic that entrants bring with them.

The Blockhouse Bay-Lynfield Lions’ again voted to use any profits from the event to support the Blockhouse Bay Community Patrol and to highlight the contribution the patrol makes to the reduction of crime in the Blockhouse Bay and Green Bay area.

The Wild Westie Fun Car Rally on Sunday March 22nd will start from Blockhouse Bay, with registrations from 9am.

For info updates, entry details including departure point go to http://eclubhouse.org/sites/blockhousebaynz/page-8.php Read also, last years report.

First car will leave 9.30 am. Cost is only $10 per person, Children under 12 free. To enter text “Lions Car Rally” to 027 66 111 22 with your email address also. Do it now.

Raise Up for 2015!When was the last time you did something totally awesome? When was the last time you did something totally awesome that YOU made happen? When was the last time that you, your friends and the whole community did something totally awesome that YOU made happen and were given props for?

Raise Up Puketapapa does exactly that. With crew meetings (complete with an epic feed) every Monday afternoon, we plan and put on events that YOU want to do. Last year, we held an Easter Egg Hunt, a dance party, fitness sessions, self-defence classes, a clothing swap, and heaps more. 2015 is going to be no different, except for one thing: this year YOU can make sure we put events that YOU want to do. Whether you want to start a Chess club, put on a hip hop concert, or create your own music album, Raise Up Puketapapa is all about giving you the opportunity to do stuff you want to do.

Sound rad? It is.

For more information, call Emma G at the YMCA at Lynfield Youth and Recreation centre on 09 627 1642, hit her up on Facebook.com/raiseup.puketapapa or pop down and see her.

CHUR!

What’s on @ the LibraryMt Roskill Library and staffs wish the community all the best in 2015. We had 256 registrations this year for our popular ‘Dare to Explore’ summer reading programme. The events organised by the staff for the children at this library were well attended.

The ‘Angry Birds’ game at the ‘Big Game Out’ event and volcanoes erupting at the ‘Scientists and Spies’ event thrilled all who attended. Certificates were handed out to all who completed the programme at the Dare to Explore party which marked the end of the programme.

Our regular services for Story-Time, Wriggle & Rhyme, Book Groups, Computer Classes resume in February. Please phone the library on 09 3741317 to check out dates and times.

Really Roskill pg 3.

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Heroic Garden Festival – a festival with a differenceThe Heroic Garden Festival gives attendees exclusive access to some of Auckland’s most striking private gardens, all with a point of difference.

The 2015 event will feature 26 gardens - the biggest selection of NEW gardens opened for the first time to the public. Gardens will be open across Auckland City including Lynda Hallinan’s private garden in Hunua, food producing and designer gardens in the central city suburbs and a collection of North Shore’s best private gardens.

The Festival was originally set up with three main focuses in mind, philosophies that remain unchanged today. To provide Auckland with a garden festival, to support a charity through a strong fundraising event and the unique ability for gardening enthusiasts to spend time with the gardeners themselves in their own environment.

“We have limited the Festival to 26 gardens, ensuring enough variety and contrast between big country gardens and small central city gardens including everything in-between. Our aim is to provide gardening enthusiasts with inspiration of the possible and appreciation of the unobtainable,” says Geoffrey Marshall, Heroic Garden Festival organiser.

The Festival appeals to a wide range of gardening enthusiasts, from those who appreciate the technical skill to others who simply enjoy the beauty that is unique to each garden.

“We often see the same people returning each year, many of whom will just sit and soak up the atmosphere of the garden. Others are new, often lured by an innovative garden design. Gardens have to evolve as gardens grow, it’s a process not a product and that’s what makes the Festival so exciting. You never quite know what you are going to see each year,” says Geoffrey.

Funds raised go to support Mercy Hospice Auckland and Hospice North Shore.

The Heroic Garden Festival will be held 14-15 February. Tickets are $50 each and valid both days. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.heroicgardens.org.nz.

Help reduce crime - join Mt Roskill Community PatrolAnother successful public meeting has been held by volunteers setting up a Community Patrol in Mt Roskill, aiming to help the Police make their community safer.

Community Patrols remain autonomous and are managed by a committee of their members, who meet regularly for training and to discuss issues and opportunities.

Local patrols are encouraged to affiliate with Community Patrols of New Zealand which means that the patrol has the support and confidence of the Police and a police liaison officer is allocated to work with it. Being a patroller is a non-confrontational role and any caring citizen in the community may offer their services.

Community patrollers usually patrol in pairs, once a month, acting as ‘eyes and ears’ for police, noting anything that could be suspicious and informing police immediately of incidents requiring urgent attention. Some patrols have high profile sign-written cars, while others drive private cars with removable magnetic Community Patrol signs.

Applicants are vetted by the Police before becoming patrol members and must complete a period of training (usually three months) where they work with senior patrollers.

Police notify the patrol of suspicious activities and trouble spots they would like the patrol to keep an eye on, as well as informing the patrol of events occurring in the area. Each member must sign a declaration of confidentiality and agree to abide by a code of conduct before working with the patrol. For more information visit www.cpnz.org.nz/ or contact mtroskillcp@gmail.com

Really Roskill pg 4.

New Kiwi workshops returnNewcomer settlement support agency Auckland Regional Migrant Services (ARMS) is kick-starting the New Year with the return of its series of free information workshops for new Kiwis.

From now until to 27 February, ARMS will be running a string of information workshops, covering top tips and guidance for finding work, information on the education system, health, homeownership, legal rights and budgeting.

The popular free job search workshop is also back, running on 17 February and 3 and 17 March. The workshop is packed with tips and guidance for new migrant job seekers.

The interactive Treaty of Waitangi Workshop is also returning for a new season. The workshop, which teaches newcomers about the Treaty as well as how to respond to interview questions on the topic, will be held on 21 February.

Communicating in a Kiwi workplace when English is not for your first language can be tough which is why ARMS is bringing back the ARMS English Pronunciation Course in March. Participants will be coached on how to hear and use subtle aspects of speech and pronunciation and taught how to develop clear articulation.

And new Kiwis will have the chance to enjoy some of Auckland’s best attractions such as the Botanic Garden, as well as the summer sunshine, on ARMS’ popular Regional Bus Tour on 28 February.

For more information on the workshops, contact ARMS on 09 625 2440 or visit the team at 532 Mt Albert Road, Three Kings Plaza.

See the full list of events and workshops below:

• Job Search Workshop – 3 and 17 February, and 3 and 17 March, 9.15am to 3.15pm

• Immigration Information – 12 February, 9am to 1pm• NZ’s education system and library services: Info Session –

23 February, 9.30am to 12.30pm • Health System in NZ and Community Safety: Info Session –

24 February, 9.30am to 3.30pm• Home Ownership and Tenancy in NZ: Info Session – 25 February,

9.30am to 3pm• Budgeting and Financial Systems in NZ: Info Session –

26 February, 9.30am to 3pm• Legal Rights and Responsibilities in NZ: Info Session – 27

February, 9.30am to 3pm• ARMS Regional Bus Tour – 28 February, 8.20am to 4.30pm• Treaty of Waitangi Workshop for Newcomers – 21 February,

9am to 4.30pm• English Language Clinic – Tuesdays, by appointment• ARMS English Pronunciation Course – Sunday 8, 15, 22 and 29

March, 1pm to 3pm• Legal Advice Service – every Wednesday, 3pm to 5pm

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Getting your giving goingIn my last column I talked about the Puketapapa Local Board’s efforts to promote and support the Mental Health Foundation’s Five Ways to Wellbeing campaign. In short, the 5 Ways to Wellbeing are ways individuals, families, and communities can improve their mental health and wellbeing in everyday life. By embedding opportunities to Give, Be Active, Keep Learning, Take Notice and Connect into your days you can really make a difference to your own happiness.

Give has a wide meaning – it’s not so much about giving presents to yourself or other people, it’s about giving your time, your effort, your attention. Some examples for Give include sharing some baking with a neighbour, reading a bedtime story to your child, volunteering in our community.

Here are a few ideas for local volunteering and how to get your Give going:

Citizens Advice Bureau – the Mt Roskill bureau is looking for volunteers to do reception and interviewing work. Full training is provided, and there is flexibility about the hours. A great way to connect people needing help with the many great local services and agencies we have. Contact 09 625 4854 or cab.mtroskill@xtra.co.nz or drop in to their office inside the Mt Roskill Library, 546 Mt Albert Road (above the Fickling Centre)

Community gardening – quite a few community gardens have popped up in the Mt Roskill area over the last few years, and most are looking for people to help out with their time, gardening skills not needed! The Puketapapa Garden Web meets quarterly to bring together people interested in gardening, and to visit a local garden, meeting next on Saturday 21st February from 10am to 12noon at the Roskill South Oasis garden, cnr Glass Rd and Albrecht Ave. You can just turn up on the day, or to find out more check out Facebook “Puketapapa Garden Web”. To find a garden in your area feel free to give me an email Julie.fairey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or call/text 021 287 9900 and I can hook you up.

Give your views on Auckland’s 10 Year Budget – giving your time and effort to make a submission (formal or otherwise) on Council consultation is a great way to give to your local community. Currently the draft Long Term Plan (which is the Council budget for the next 10 years) is open for submissions until 16th March. You can make a formal one through the shapeauckland.co.nz website or by getting a form from the library, or you can give informal feedback through attending a Have A Say event, or using Twitter or Facebook. You can call the Puketapapa Local Board office for more information, too, on 367 4301.

In future columns I’ll be looking at local opportunities to Be Active, Keep Learning, Take Notice and Connect – for more information check out www.mentalhealth.org.nz or search for “5 ways wellbeing”.

As always, feel free to get in touch with me directly, through email or the office phone number or my mobile (all listed above).

Ka kite ano, Julie FaireyPuketapapa Local Board Chair

Really Roskill pg 5.

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$22.5 million to accelerate Auckland cyclewaysList MP Parmjeet Parmar celebrates the news that six urban cycleway projects in Auckland will receive $22.5 million under the Government’s Urban Cycleways Programme, announced by Transport Minister Simon Bridges.

“The projects will enhance and expand the city’s cycling infrastructure and improve cycling safety,” Dr Parmar said. “They also support other priority transport projects, such as the Western Ring Route and the Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI).”

In Auckland, the $11 million Nelson Street Cycleway will receive $1.75 million from the Urban Cycleways Fund, $8.15 million from the National Land Transport Fund, and $1.1 million from local government. Five more projects will also be funded by the Urban Cycleways Fund and the National Land Transport Fund:

· Glen Innes to Meadowbank Cycleway (with a total cost of $7,500,000)

· Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Cycleway Design (with a total cost of $2,000,000)

· Airport to CBD National Cycle Trail (total cost of $250,000)· Central Park Drive Cycleway (total cost of $480,000)· Don Buck Road Cycleway (total cost of $1,260,000).”

The announcement is part of a $37 million package of cycleway projects to be rolled out across the country in the next year, pulling together a range of funding sources to expand and improve New Zealand’s cycling network. The Urban Cycleways Programme is providing $100 million over the next four years so high-quality projects can get underway faster.

“Cycling contributes to healthier communities, and the Urban Cycleways Programme encourages everyone to enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle,” Dr Parmar said.

Are you seeking work experience?Volunteer Receptionists Needed!We are seeking Volunteer Receptionists at the Mt Roskill CAB for the following shifts: Wednesday 1pm – 4pm and Friday 9:30am – 1pm. Training will be provided. Please contact Emma on 624 5371 or at cabac.mro@xtra.co.nz for more information.

Workshops for New Migrants: Are you new to New Zealand? Are you looking for work? CAB will be running a series of workshops for migrant job seekers this year. Upcoming workshops in your area are:

Communication – Part 1. How to communicate with Kiwis socially and in the New Zealand workplace – greetings, small talk, taboo subjects. Overcoming cultural barriers – status, politeness, strategies, hierarchy, class, age, gender. February 28th, 3pm – 5:30pm – New Lynn Citizens Advice Bureau, 3 Memorial Drive, New Lynn. March 14th, 10am – 12:30pm – Eden Albert Citizens Advice Bureau, 82 St Lukes Road, Mt Albert

Communication – Part 2. Effective Communication in the New Zealand workplace, teamwork in New Zealand, assertive communication, asking questions, giving feedback, written and verbal instructions. March 7th, 3pm – 5:30pm – New Lynn Citizens Advice Bureau, 3 Memorial Drive, New Lynn. March 21st, 10am – 12:30pm – Eden Albert Citizens Advice Bureau, 82 St Lukes Road, Mt Albert.

To register call CAB New Lynn on 827 4731 or CAB Eden Albert on 846 4023.

Additional CAB Services: JP Clinic • Legal Clinic • Immigration Law Clinic •Counselling Clinic

Appointments for our legal or counselling clinics can be made through a CAB interviewer who will help determine if an appointment is the right option for you.

All our services are free of charge. For more information please contact your local CAB office.

Really Roskill pg 7.

What’s on at the Pah HomesteadFor more information visit: www.tsbbankwallaceartscentre.org.nz Open hours: Tuesday – Friday 10am -3pm / Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm. Visit the stunning Pah Homestead, TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre and enjoy contemporary art, the Pah Gallery Shop and the Pah Café.

Live music and dance at the Pah HomesteadAs part of the Auckland Arts Festival PAH Pa Collective presents ‘PAH’: a remarkable multi-dimensional project weaving art, live music and dance at the Pah Homestead and Monte Cecilia Park on 10th March 2015

The Homestead will come alive for six evenings as a group of dancers and musicians explore hidden histories and forgotten secrets inside and outside one of Auckland’s largest 19th century houses. The audience will follow the performers on a journey as they weave through the magnificent rooms, amidst the artworks. For more information and ticketing visit: http://www.aucklandfestival.co.nz/events/close-encounters-pah-at-pah-homestead/

A fun valentine’s themed activity for kidsOur next Art Club will be held on 14 February 2015 at 11.00am on the Pah Homestead veranda. Drop in for a fun art activity! Practice your skills and learn a little more about the art on display!

This month decorate a little clay heart to gift to someone special for a Valentine’s Day celebration! Suitable for children aged 6 – 10 years old, activities run for around 30 minutes and are available between 11 – 1pm. This is a free activity and bookings are not essential.

A romantic poetry readingEnjoy the spirit of Valentine’s Day and come along to ‘When Love Comes to Town’ on 14 February 2015 at 1.30pm in the Pah Homestead Drawing Room. Michele Leggott (Poet Laureate 2008/2009), Jack Ross (editor Poetry New Zealand), and Fredrika van Elburg (Dutch poet) will join the current Otago Wallace Resident David Howard to celebrate St Valentine’s Day by reading love poetry. This event is free to attend however seats are limited, please RSVP to enquiries@wallaceartstrust.org.nz or call our reception on (09) 639 2010.

News from Wesley Intermediate SchoolIn 2014, students at Wesley Intermediate school achieved outstanding results in National Standards. In the area of Writing 70% of the students made accelerated progress, which can be defined as improving by more than one year of the expected rate of progress. A number of these students were in the new e-learning classes established last year. The Board of Trustees have been so impressed with the excellent results, including winning an Australasian Mathematics competition, they have decided to open a third digital class with one to one devices this year. Teachers and parents have noticed a big shift in students learning and student engagement has increased dramatically. The Board of Trustees are very keen to sustain students’ progress into 2015 and are welcoming any new students to enrol for this year. Contact the office on 620 9367.

Otago Wallace Resident David Howard.

Really Roskill pg 8.

The Really Roskill Team:Editor/Advertising: Jan Pitout, Ph: 021 048 4248Email: reallyroskill@gmail.comLayout: design@juliafisher.co.nzPrinted by Words IncorporatedFor all advertising enquiries contact Jan Pitout.

Copyright: Words Incorporated reserves copyright over all material printed herein, except where other copyright is shown. No material may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of the copyright holder. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher or editor.

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ClassifiedsEPSOM U3A meets on the second Wednesday of the month at the Fickling Centre Three Kings at 10am. New members are most welcome. Our first meeting for 2015 is on Wednesday 11 February at 10am. For further information Ph. Betty 626 6673 or Shirley 527 8983.

FREE MATHS TUITION from the EXPERTS – Call 0800MathMe Email: info@mathexperts.co.nz to book your Free Mathematics tutoring session. Parents are allowed / suggested to sit in the classroom to observe how our Experts make your child fall in love with and grow in Mathematics skills in just one hour. Your child deserves the best and we deliver nothing less than THE BEST.

TEMPTATION CAKES – For all your Cake needs from Cupcakes to Wedding Cakes and all things in between. Check out my website to get more of an idea on pricing www.temptationcakes.co.nz or call 625 1885. Free delivery in the Really Roskill area.

JD’S MATHS AND SCIENCE – Jignesh Desai (NZ qualified and registered). Tutoring Year 1 - 13 (NCEA). For excellent learning and results, phone 551 4385 or 021 145 3172. Classes held at Blockhouse Bay Community Centre.

Puketapapa News from your Local BoardConnect on social media for neighbourhood news:The Puketapapa Local Board facebook page is a great source of information for events and news in your area. The page content is wide ranging – you’ll find everything from Movies In Parks to playground openings and community surveys.

The board is also now posting content to neighbourhood based social media site Neighbourly.co.nz

Last chance for Neighbours Day:Like to have a tea party or BBQ in your street potentially funded by the Puketapapa Local Board? In March the board will allocate small grants for local street events which help create safe, respectful neighbourhoods and a greater sense of belonging. It’s all about turning strangers into neighbours and streets into neighbourhoods. Applications close Monday March 2, via www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/puketapapa or the Board office, 546 Mt Albert Rd.

It’s all part of the nationwide Neighbours Day Aotearoa initiative, taking place in the last weekend of March.

10-year budget: local and regional challenges:Auckland is facing big opportunities and equally big challenges, and Puketapapa Local Board wants you to have your say on council’s 10-year budget. We need to hear your views on regional and local priorities. Visit shapeauckland.co.nz to have your say (before March 16) or provide feedback in person at one of the following events in our area.

Community feedback events:• Wednesday 25 February, noon-2pm, Fickling Centre, 546 Mt

Albert Road (Community focus – local projects)• Saturday 7 March, 1pm-3pm, Wesley Community Centre, 740

Sandringham Road Extension

Have Your Say event (registration required):This event replaces a traditional hearing and will cover key regional topics (including investment, transport and rates – as well as local proposals). Registration is essential. Saturday February 28, Fickling Centre, 546 Mt Albert Rd