Focus on CHB Oct 2025

Welcome toFocus onCentral Hawke’sBay

WelcometotheOctober editionofFocuson CentralHawke’sBay presentedtoyoubyHawke’s BayToday,partofNewZealand MediaandEntertainment (NZME).Thisisamonthly publicationdistributingin Waipawa,Waipukurauand ŌtāneonthelastThursdayof themonth.

Weaimtobringresidents ofCHBinformationabout communityactivitiesanda potpourriofarticlessuchas localsport,education,events, clubs,councilnewsandsoon. We’dbepleasedtoreceive suggestionsontopicsyou’d bekeentoreadornewsyou’d liketoshare.Pleasenotethat ifyoudohavenewstoshare, wewillneeditwellinadvance –atleasttwofullweeksbefore publication.Don’thesitateto contactusifyouhaveaquery orwishtoadvertise. Pleasedirectadvertisingand editorialqueriestoshirley. randell@nzme.co.nz Coverphotocourtesyof Hawke’sBayTourism,credit KirstenSimcox.

Funding soon available forjunior sports teamsin Central Hawke’s Bay

ApplicationsopenforSportNew Zealand’sRuralTravelFund, Monday10November,offering afinancialboosttohelpjuniorrural sportsteamsgettotheirgames.

Thefundprovides$9500forthe CentralHawke’sBaydistrictto subsidisetravelcostsforteams withmembersaged5to18years.

Thegoalistoremovethebarrier oftravelexpenses,ensuringyoung athletesinCentralHawke’sBaycan participateinregularcompetitions andgames.

“Travelassociatedcostsareahuge barrierforsmallsportsclubs,and teams,byremovingthisbarrier teamscanfocusonwhatreally

matters,gettingoutthereanddoing whattheylove”saidRachelGunson, SportHawke’sBayCommunity AdvisorinCentralHawke’sBay. AdministeredlocallybytheCentral Hawke’sBayDistrictCouncil,the fundisavailableforcostslikefuel andtransportforeligibleteams.

Thefundisopentoruralsportclub teamsorruralschoolteamsthat meetthefollowingcriteria:

•ArebasedwithinCentralHawke’s Bay.

•Competeinaregularlocal competitionoutsideofschool hours.

•Consistsofplayersagedbetween 5and18years.

Thefundisnotavailableforteams locatedoutsideofCentralHawke’s Bay,individualplayers,coaches, officialsorschoolteamscompeting ininter-schoolorintra-school competitionsduringschooltime.

HowtoApply

Toapplyorformoreinformation: •ScantheQRcodeor

•VisittheCentralHawke’sBay DistrictCouncilwebsiteand searchfor“GrantsandFunding”. TheRuralTravelFundopensMonday 10November2025andclosesFriday 5December2025.

Lifestyle,location,breathtakingviews

CentralHawke’sBaymay nothaveanewspaper, butwe’restilla communitywithlotsofgreat newstoshare.

Anotherwaytoconnectwith Councilnewsistosignupto ouremailnewsletterKeeping itCentral.Thisfortnightlyemail newsletterfromCentralHawke’s BayDistrictCouncilisyour sourceforthelatestCouncil updates.

KeepingitCentralnewsletter isacuratedwrap-upof everythingCouncil’sinvolvedin thatyouneedtoknowabout, fromwaterupdatesand schoolholidayprogrammes toeventsliketheSpringFling. Youcangetallthelatestnews ontheCouncilwebsiteorgetit straighttoyourinbox. Don’tmissout.Togetyour regulardoseofCouncilupdates visittheCouncilwebsiteand clickthesign-upimageonthe homepage.

Theairwasfilledwithlaughterand cloudsofcolourfulpowderon Sunday,as350peopletookpart inWaipukurau’sfirstcolourdash,at RussellPark.

Participantswereinvitedtodressin white,whichbytheendoftherun wastransformedintoaworkofartas runnersandwalkerswerebombarded withvibrantcolouredchalkpowder

whilemakingtheirwaythrough obstacles–includingawaterslide -andbeinghoseddownbythefire brigade.

ASpringFlingevent,thecolourdash wasafundraiserforWaipukurau School.Aninitial300ticketsweresold out,leadingtotheadditionof50more whichalsosoldoutintwodays. Runnersandwalkersspannedthe

generationsfromgrandparentsto toddlers,withmanywholefamilies joininginthefun.Someoftherunners enjoyeditsomuchtheywentaround morethanonce.

Theevent,includingbakingsalesand sausagesizzle,madeover$4000for WaipukurauPrimarySchool. FormoreSpringFlingeventsgoto httpsthespringfling.nz

CentralHawke’sBayDistrict Libraries

-WaipawaLibraryandTeHuingaWai-The KnowledgeandLearningHub

JusticeofthePeace

JPsareavailable12-1pm ateitherWaipawaLibraryorTeHuinga Wai-theKnowledgeandLearningHub,alternatinglocationson Fridays.Checkthewebsite,https://www.chblibrary.nz/whats-on/ events-and-programmes-calendar/fortheexactdatesand locations.

BankingHub-communitysupport

Westpac 1stWednesdayofeachmonth,ASB2ndWednesdayof eachmonth,10am-12pm atTeHuingaWai-theKnowledgeand LearningHub.

Adedicatedstaffmemberwilloffercustomerssupportwith1: OnlineBanking(Registrations/New)2:BusinessOnlineBanking (Registrations/New)3:MakingChangestoSignatories4:General Enquiries5:EducationregardingEasyIDprocess.

Wiggle&Giggle

TeHuingaWai-TheKnowledgeandLearningHub,Waipukurau 10.30amonthe2ndand4thFridaysofthemonththroughout schoolterm.Bringwaterbottlesandpersonalsnacks.Hotdrinks andbiscuitsprovidedforparents/carers.

SafeSpaces -SensorySessions

TeHuingaWai -TheKnowledgeandLearningHub,Waipukurau

NovemberSession:ThursdayNovember13th9:30am-11:30am Withlowlight,lownoiseandacontainedarea,youcanassistyour littlesonestoexploreandcreate,inasafespace.

RanuiFarmWalk

RanuiFarmPark,NichollsRoad,Flemington 1November,10am-2pm

Embarkonascenic9-kilometrewalkthroughthepicturesque landscapesofasprawling1000-acrerollingsheepandbeeffarm, offeringbreathtakingvistasofCentralHawke’sBayandbeyond.

Thisisaguidedwalk.Participantsareaskedtoarriveatleast1520minsearly,tobereadytoleaveforthewalkat10.00am.Tickets fromEventfinda.

RanuiSundayFunday

RanuiFarmPark,785NichollsRd,Waipukurau Sunday2November202510:00am-2:00pm

Thisaction-packedplaygroundoffersthrillingadventuresfor thewholefamily,fromsoaring100metersontheflyingfoxto racingdownan80-meterwaterslide.Testyourskillswitharchery, paintballtargets,andaxethrowing,orshowoffyourmovesat theBMXjumppark.Forthoseseekinglighterfun,tryyourhandat golforletthekidslooseinourdedicatedplayground.Ticketsfrom Eventfinda.

KillerBoobs

WaipukurauLittleTheatre 19RuataniwhaSt,Waipukurau November6-15,7-9pm,matinee9Nov2.30-4.30pm Alight-heartedlookataserioustopic. www.littletheatre.net.nz

Wecan treatyour Varicose Veins andartery problems.

Minimallyinvasivetechniques. CallourfriendlyteamatUnityfor adviceregardingyourveintreatment options.

MESHFREE groinhernia repairperformedunderlocal anaestheticinourpurpose designedDaySurgeryUnit. Overallcostsareminimal makingtheproceduremuch moreaffordablethanyoumay think.

Ifyouhaveaherniathatis botheringyougiveusacallandask ourfriendlyteamfordetails,costings andavailability. ProcedureperformedbyMrBertrand Jauffret,GeneralSurgeonatUnitySpecialists, 102QueenStreetEast,Hastings4122.

CentralHawke’sBayA&PShow

26MitchellStreet,Waipukurau

Friday7andSaturday8November

Fridayisequestrianday,andSaturdayisthepublicshow daywithentertainmentandcompetitions:dogtrials, terrierracinganddogshow,shearingcompetitions, sheepsection,homecraftandbaking,photography competition,liveentertainment,foodtrucks,marketstalls andlargetradeexhibits.

Freeentryforchildrenandadults$15fortheSaturday only.

OtaneVillageArtisanMarket

Justoffthebeatentrackandithappensonthethird Sundayofthemonth.

16November

November2025

CHBHolisticWellbeingExpo2025

Saturday22November10amSaturdayandSunday. WaipukurauMemorialHall,CnrRiverTerrace&HerbertSt, Waipukurau

Thisamazingwellbeingexpoisrunovertwodays.Come joinourZenstyleeventwithtarotreaders,healers, massage,jewellery,crystals,giftwareandmuchmore. Freedoorentry.

TheFlemingtonMudRunisback!

Sunday23November

JoinusforadayoffunandadventureattheWanstead PoloGrounds,LakeStation,FlemingtononSunday,23rd November2025.Expectmud,mates,andmemoriesas yourun,slide,orbellyflopyourwaythroughthecourse.

Muddy,messy &magnificent

TheFlemingtonMudRun2025 promisestobeoneofthemost excitingandcommunity-spirited eventsontheCentralHawke’sBay calendar.ScheduledforSunday,23 November2025,theMudRunwillbe heldatLakeStation,nearWanstead. Thisannualmud-filledextravaganzais avitalfundraiserforFlemingtonSchool, affectionatelyknownasthe“bestlittle school”intheregion.

Participantscanchoose fromthreecourse lengths-2.5km,5km, and10km.Each isdesignedto challengerunners withavariety of32muddy obstacles,slippery slopes,andsplash zones.Whether you’reaseasoned athleteorjustlooking foragoodlaughwith friendsandfamily,the MudRuncaterstoalllevels offitnessandenthusiasm.Children undersevenmustbeaccompaniedby anadult,ensuringasafeandinclusive environmentforeventheyoungest adventurers.

Theatmosphereisoneoffunwith laughterechoingacrossthefieldsas participantsslide,crawl,andsprint throughthemud.It’snotaboutfinishing first-it’sabouthavingfun,gettingdirty, andsupportingagreatcause.

LakeStation,thevenuefortheMudRun, offersapicturesqueruralbackdrop thatcontrastsbeautifullywiththe chaosofthecourse.HayleyandAndy Barretthavekindlyallowed theMudRuntobeheldon theirpropertyforover 10yearsnow.The eventisexpected todrawalarge crowdofover600 participants,with manyreturning yearafteryear torelivethe excitementand contributetothe school’sfundraising efforts.Flemington School’sMudRunevent receivedtheCommunity InitiativeAwardatbothCentralHawke’s Bay(CHB)SportsAwardsandthe broaderHawke’sBaySportsAwards in2023whichistestamenttowhata fantasticeventthishasbecome.

A“refreshing”showerattheendofthe runhelpstheparticipantsblastofftheir muddylayer,butentrantsmustsupply theirowntowel!

Thedayistoppedoffwithaflyover aeriallollyscramblebyRuralAirWork whichisanabsolutehighlightforall theexcitedkidswhoswarmonthePolo fieldtoclaimasweettreat.

FundsraisedfromtheMudRungo directlytoFlemingtonSchool,helping tosupportavarietyofschoolneeds suchaslearningassistants,campcosts andclassroomresourcesjusttoname afew.There’salsoanamazingrange ofonlineauctionsthatrunalongside thisevent,whichyoucanfindon www.32auctions.com.

surroundingcommunity,showcasing howsportandfuncanbringpeople togetherforameaningfulpurpose. Thecommitteewouldliketothank amazingsponsorsinthecommunity fortheirongoingsupport.Theycouldn’t dothiseventwithouttheirgenerous contributionssopleasejumponthe FlemingtonMudRun’sFacebookpage toseethepostshighlightingthese fantasticbusinesses.

Teamsandfamiliesareencouragedto dressup,withprizesawardedforthe bestchild,adultandteamcostumes.

Theschoolwillhavefoodforsale andacoffeecartonsite,allreally appreciatedbyparticipantsontheday.

Theeventisatestamenttothestrong bondbetweentheschoolandits

Pre-registerticketsalesareavailable onlinenowatwww.flemingtonmudrun. com-makethemostofthecheaper ticketpricesnoworyoucanregisteron thedayatfullprice-cashispreferred. AlsoseeFacebookFlemingtonMud Runtokeepuptodatewithallthe details.

resistance,evenunderextremeloads f ACTIVEFLOATanddriveconceptdesignedforlowfuel consumptionandmaximumforagequality f SAFETYLINKreliablyprotectsthedrivetrain,andis quicklyreplacedwhenrequired

Rightnow,theNapierDistrictMasonicTrust, hasalimitednumberofbeautifullyrenovatedvillas availableforsaleinlocationstosuityourlifestyle. So,ifsecure,cosyandlowmaintenanceareon yourlist,don’tmissyourchancetoenjoythe retirementyou’vealwaysdreamedof.

Thepurchasepriceisinclusiveofinsurance,rates, andupkeepcosts,andeveryvillacomeswithitsown outdoorgardenandprivatecourtyard.Perfectfor pottering,entertaining,orjustsoakinginthesun.

Talktoustodayorcheckoutourwebsite andgetreadytorelaxintoyourretirement. (06)8459220|ndmt.co.nz/villas-available

Enquirenow!

VILLAFEATURES

1-bedroomvillawithcarportor

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Levelaccess,open-planliving andmodernkitchen

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KILLERBOOBS!

ComingtothestageattheWaipukurau LittleTheatre–directedbyRobBlamires

ByDebbyMinehan

WhoisthisRobBlamiresyou mightask?RobisaCentral Hawke’sBaylocal,who,along withhiswifeHilary(whomhemet whentheywerebothintheNavyafew yearsorsoago),resideinthequiet countrysideofŌtānewiththeirbeloved dogPippaandthreechooks.Theyare bothchampionsoftheWaipukurau LittleTheatre,welltheatreingeneralandhavebeenformanyyears. UponmeetingRob,youwillrealizehe iscommittedandhardworking,ajoker, aquick-wittedcharacterwhoalways hasaprojectonthego.

Robisnotyourquietruraltown inhabitant,stayingbackstageoutof sight.No!he’sactedincountlessplays andmusicalsinourCentralHawke’s Baycommunity.Hehasdesigned, builtandpaintedmanyasetforsaid plays,whetherheisperforminginitor not,andhasbeenamemberofthe WaipukurauLittleTheatrecommittee formanyyears.

Robisalwaysreadingascriptorthree butatthemomentheispouring histimeintodirectingthelatest WaipukurauLittleTheatreplayKiller BoobswrittenbyourveryownNew ZealandplaywrightTimHambleton. TheKillerBoobscastisplayedbyall localtalent,MeganAdie,HelenGriffin, IsobelLloyd,ChrisScanlan,KirstenSelfe andTessStablefordwhoismakingher stagedebut.

Ittakesateamtobringaplaytothe stageandHilaryismentoringthe crewofstagehands.CentralHawke’s BayCollegestudents,JulietteGriffin onprops,AmberMadsen,Elsanevan derRystandLupinBerrywhoare alllearningtheartofbackstage–complementedbyWalSlavinandLuke Madsenonlightingandsound. Thishumorousplayisaboutabreast cancersupportgroupaptlynamed “ThanksfortheMammaries”who meetonceamonthinasmall-town communityhall.Theeclecticgroupof womendiscoverapotentiallylifesavingdrugisnotbeingfundedbythe government.Anticsensueastheytry everythingtheycan,whetherabove boardornot,toconvincetheofficious PharmacCEOoftheneedtopayfor accesstothedrug.

WhileKillerBoobstreatsaserioustopic inalight-heartedway,theshows timingfollowsOctober’sBreastCancer Awarenessmonthandinsupport ofthistherewillbeadonationbox availableatthetheatreeachnightfor anycontributions.

Theseasonrunsfrom6to15 Novemberwithonematineeon Sunday9th.Ticketsareavailable onlinenowatEventfinda-www. eventfinda.co.nz/2025/killer-boobs/ waipukurauorlocallyatWaipukurau BettaElectrical.

Ticketprices$35.88Adultsand $30.75forSeniorsandstudents.Don’t missout!

NorsewoodPioneerMuseum

tocelebrate60years

December13willbeadayof celebrationinNorsewoodas it’sthe60thanniversaryofthe foundingoftheNorsewoodPioneer MuseuminCoronationStreet.Allare invitedtoshareinthecelebration, explorethemuseumandother attractionsinNorsewood. Visitorscanexpectavarietyofstalls andentertainment.Therewillbean openingceremonywithbagpipes,craft stalls,cakecuttingandfoodtrucks. EntertainmentincludesScandinavian dancingwithlocalschoolchildrenand formerNorsewoodSchoolstudents. Someperformersdancedwhenthe museumopened60yearsago.Several dignitariesareexpectedincludingthe NorwegianconsulMrOyvinnRimer fromWellingtonandhopefullythe mayorofTararua. Therewillbeagenealogyhubwithan expertfromSweden,whohasflown inespecially,andothergenealogists tohelpancestorsoftheearlysettlers searchtheirheritage.Thiswillbe heldintheNorsewoodWarMemorial CommunityHall. Naturallythemuseumwillbeopen alongwithabarndisplayingtoolsthe firstsettlersusedtoclearthebush,a stable,theoldOrmondvillejail,andthe informationcentrethatwasoriginally abutcher.Behinditisanoldkillhouse. Stepbackintimeandgetaglimpseof howthesettlerswouldhavelived. There’salsoplentymoretoexplore inNorsewoodsuchasthefirstand onlyreplicastavechurchinthe southernhemisphereatJohanna’s World,amemorialparkwithtrolls.

SeetheBindalsfaering,atraditional fishingboatgiftedbytheNorwegian government,whichisproudly displayedinUpperNorsewood.Take astrollaroundthevillageandthen seemoreinLowerNorsewoodsuchas TheWopWopsWetlandPark.TheNew ZealandNaturalClothingshopiswell worthavisitasistheHovdingGallery whichfeaturesworkbyartistsworking inTararuaandHawke’sBay.Forthose keenongenealogythecemeteryin OdinStreetisarichresourceforthose exploringtheirScandinavianheritage. ItwasMarch1964whentheideaofa museumwasfirstmootedduringa meetingoftheWomen’sdivisionof FederatedFarmerswhodecidedthat theuniquehistoricalbackgroundofthe ownanddistrictshouldbepreserved. Togettheprojectstartedtherewere manydonations,agrantfromthe HistoricPlacesTrustandassistance fromresidentsandtradespeople. Aninterimcommittee,formedthat night,procuredfromtheCommissioner ofCrownLandsahousebuiltin1888 bytheformerLutheranMinister,Pastor Ries.OnDecember22nd“Hanson’s BuildingRemovals”shifteditfrom itssiteamongrhododendronsand sumachs,ontheeastsideoftheold mainroadjustsouthofNorsewood, ontoasectionnexttothePostOfficein NorthNorsewood.

Background NorsewoodhasarichScandinavian heritage.Foundedin1872,itwas establishedaspartofagovernment initiativetopopulateanddevelopthe region,specificallytocleartheSeventy

MileBushandestablishfarmland.TheNew ZealandgovernmentpartneredwithWinge &Co.ofChristiania(nowOslo),Norway,to bringScandinavianimmigrants,primarily Norwegians,butalsosomeSwedesand Danes,tothearea.

OnJune1st,1872,thefirstScandinavian settlersbegantheirvoyagetoNew Zealand.365Norwegiansand11Swedes madethe108-dayjourneyfromNorway onashipcalledtheHovding.Afortnight later,theshipBallaratleftLondonwith79 DanesandbothshipsarrivedinNapier15 September1872.Nearly1,000Norwegians arrivedbetween1870and1876,carvingthe villageoutofdensenativeforest.

Thenewarrivalsenduredmuchhardship, isolationanddisillusionment.Itwasa harshenvironmentwithlandthatwas completelyforested,theclimatewaswet andcold,andtoolswereprimitiveand scarce.Shelterhadtobeconstructed,and foodwasbasic.

Originallyaloggingsettlement,Norsewood wastragicallydestroyedbyfirein1888 butwasrebuiltandhassinceretainedits strongculturalidentity.Thetownisdivided intoUpperandLowerNorsewood,each withitsowncharacterandlandmarks.

Norsewoodcontinuestocelebrateits Scandinavianrootsthroughannualevents suchasNorway’sConstitutionDayinMay andtheVikingFestival.

Theanniversarycelebrationsstartat 10amandconcludeat1pm.Themuseum open8.30-4.30pmdaily.Admission is$2.Admissionforchildrenunder12 isfreeprovidedaccompaniedbyan adult.Formoreinformationseewww. norsewoodpioneermuseum.comand Facebook-NorsewoodPioneerMuseum.

Thefullyrenovatedpioneermuseum.Thehousebuiltin1888onthemovetoitscurrentsite.Thehouse onthecurrentsiteinJanuary1965beforeworkbegan.TheofficialopeningofthemuseuminDecember1965.

CHBathlete aimingfor Commonwealth Games

“Sportisahugepartofmyidentity;Ijustlovethe challengeoftryingtobebetterandworkhard.”

ByChrysAyley

BrianaStephenson,26, recentlyreceivedtheSenior SportspersonoftheYearAward attheCHBSportsAwards.Herathletic careerbeganwhensheworetheCHB Athleticsgreenandyellowsinglet whenshewasayoungster.

Thetrackandfieldathleteiscurrently workingtowardscompetinginthe CommonwealthGamesinGlasgow nextyear.Tohelpcontributetoher goalshe’sholdingaFundraiserQuiz NightonSaturday8Novemberfrom 6.30–10.30pmatLindisfarneCollege HallinHastings.It’llbeanevening offun,rafflesauctionsandlocal involvement.

BrianagrewupinCentralHawke’s BayandattendedArgyllEastSchool beforemovingontoNapierGirlsHigh Schoolasaboarderfrom2013-2017. Shestartedathleticsatageseven wheresheshowedpromiseinsprints andjump.Shewasalsoatalented

netballplayer.HerfatherWilliam Stephensonwashercoachuntilshe wenttouniversityinAuckland. Sheandherfamilywouldattendthe ColgateGameseveryyear.When Brianawas11,shemovedtothe HastingsAthleticClubwhereshewas abletotrainonatrackandhave coachesavailable.

“Ijustlikedtorunandbeactive.I wouldalwaysrunagainsttheboys,I reallylikedbeatingtheboys.Wasa funsocialthingtodoaswell.”

At16shehadhermostsuccessful yearasayoungathleteandwas selectedtorepresentNewZealandin athleticsandnetball.

Thenin2016Brianatoreheranterior cruciateligament(ACL)playing netballforherclubteam.Butshewas backonthenetballcourt8/9months aftersurgeryandbacktosprinting butnotatquitethesamespeeds. 2018shemovedtoAucklandto studyandgraduatedwithaBScin

NewZealand,ourTourClubdeliversfabulousexperiencesdesignedfortheseniortraveller. Joiningourtourstakesthestressoutoftravel—simplychooseyourtrip,sitback,andenjoythebestofHawke’sBayandbeyond.Everytourincludes

,onourtoursheadingsouth.Lifelongfriendshipsareoftenformedaslike-mindedseniorscometogethertoexplore,connect,andenjoylifetothefullest.

Joinusforabloomingmarvellousweekendcelebratingthecharm, colour,andcreativityofthe WairarapaGardenFestival –ahighlightof thespringseason.Discoversomeoftheregion’sfinestgardensalong scenictrails,meetpassionategardeners,andenjoythelively Market Fair

We’llbeginwithaneleganthightealunchat TirohanaEstate in Martinborough,thenvisit SarahandWarwick’sinspiringStablehouse Garden beforesettlingintothe CopthorneSolwayHotel inMasterton. Throughouttheweekend,exploreavarietyofprivategardensacross NorthernWairarapa,fromquaintcottagecharmtostrikingcontemporary landscapes.Adeliciouspicniclunchandadelightfuldinnerat The FarriersEatery addtotheexperience.

Tocompleteourgetaway,we’llenjoylunchandavisittothe Pūkaha NationalWildlifeCentre,hometonativebush,wildlife,andthepopular eelfeeding.Afloral-filledescapeperfectforgardenlovers.

DiscoverthejeweloftheHaurakiGulf– GreatBarrierIsland,aserene paradisejust100kmfromAuckland.Oversixunforgettabledays, experiencetheisland’snaturalbeautyandwelcomingcommunityata relaxed“islandpace.”

Afterflyingvia AucklandtoClaris,ourhost Leigh greetsusforan adventureexploring MedlandsBeach, TheWindyCanyon,Blind Bay’sForgottenWharf,and TryphenaWharf.Meetlocalsat Shoal BayEstate,TheBarrierSocialClub, and Jacque’sHaven,then cruiseaboardtheSundancerpast BrokenIsles,Man-O’-WarPassage andvisitthepredator-free GlenfernSanctuary forstunningviewsfrom SunsetRock Strollthroughnikauforesttothe HotSprings,seeancient pōhutukawa at OkupuBeach,andtour OkiwiPassion organicfarm.Stayat Sunset WaterfrontLodge, andenjoytheinaugural GreatBarrierIsland GardenFestival,culminatinginafestive GalaDinner. Spaceslimited–atrueislandescapeawaits!

Joinoursmallgroupandexperiencetheruggedbeautyandrichheritage ofTheChathams–aplaceunlikeanywhereelse.Fromwindswept landscapesandancientforeststorollingfarmlandandwildbeaches,the islands’isolationhasshapedboththeirsceneryandstrongcommunity spirit. FlyingfromHawke’sBayviaWellington,we’llspendsevennightsat HotelChatham,exploringtheisland’shighlights:thedramaticRangiIka Cliffs,TommySolomon’sstatue,BlindJim’sCreek,andthecoastline famedforfossilisedshark’steeth.VisittheHapupuNationalReserve toseetheremarkableMorioriTreeCarvings,thetoweringBasalt Columns,PortMunningSealColony,andKaingaroaFishingVillage Ourtripalsocoincideswiththeisland’sannual‘DayOut’festival,when localscelebratetheiruniquewayoflife.Enjoylegendaryhospitality, exceptionalseafood,andunforgettablesceneryonthisbucket-listjourney toNewZealand’smostremoteislands.

physiologyin2022.

In2019shehadanewcoachwho helpedhergetbacktoherprevious performancelevelandshewas selectedfortheWorldUniversity Games.

In2020BrianawontheNewZealand SeniorWomen’slongjump titlewithapersonalbest of6.08m.

Brianare-torethe meniscusinher kneein2021 andfound herselfata crossroads. Anew coach, Matthew Wyatt, helpedher re-gain herpassion insport andhealso suggestedshe tryheptathlon trainingtospread theloadacrossher body.

ShestartedworkingwithDavid Galbraithasportspsychologistwho isahugepartofherteam.“The heptathlonissucharollercoaster ridewithseveneventsovertwodays. Youneedtobeabletomoveonfrom eventswithafreshmind.”

LastyearBrianagaveupherjob asasportscoordinatorforEpsom Grammarwhichhaspaiddividends intermsofherperformanceandhas enabledhertoestablishTakeFlight whichisaservicetohelpOceania

athletestogettoEuropetocompete. Nowshecantraineighttimes,six daysaweek. Brianaisontheselectionlonglist fortheCommonwealthGames andthisyearhasachieved3xNZ athleticsBstandards.Sheiscurrently rankedwithinthetop50inthe worldandfifthinthe commonwealth.She isworkinghardto achievetheA standard(63 pointsabove herpersonal best)and hopefully solidifyher spoton theteam. Looking aheadshe hopesto competein theLA2028 Oympicsand eventuallymove backtoHawke’s Bay. Givingbacktothe communityandbeingarole modelforherMāoricommunityis importantandshehopestoshow peopleofallagesandbackgrounds thatthereareendlesspossibilitiesif youputyourmindtoit.

Quiznight:LindisfarneCollegeHall Saturday8Novemberfrom6.30–10.30pm.$25pp|$210table(10ppl) Ticketscanbepurchasedthrough thislinkwherealleventinformation/ detailsareavailable-https:// events.humanitix.com/brianasfundraiser-quiz-night

TOPRIGHT: OnherwaytowinningherfirstNewZealandseniorwomen’sheptathlon championshipinMarch2025.PhotoPetroGeldenhuys. ABOVE: Briana13,andherdad WilliamStephenson,fromWaipukurauattheSylviaPottsClassicathleticsattheHawkes Bayregionalsportspark,inHastings,2013. INSET: JuniorFemaleSportspersonoftheYear CentralHawke’sBaySportsAwards,4November2016.

AllFelicityneedsisabackpack,herpaints,andsomewheresafeforthechildrentoplay.

Best OF THE BAY

CHBartistopensstudio duringHBArtstrail

ByChrysAyley

FelicityBergströmofWaipawa istheonlyCHBartisttodisplay herworkduringtheArtsTrail thisyear.Sheisalandscape artistwhomanlypaintsenplein airofwiderHawke’sBay.Thisisa methodofcreatingpaintingsinthe outdoors,directlyimmersedinthe environment. Thisapproachallowshertorespond instinctivelytothechanginglight, weather,andatmosphereofthe Hawke’sBaylandscape,resultingin worksthatarebothimmediateand deeplyconnectedtoplace.Herworks

oftendepictrollinghills,nativebush, andthedistinctiveruralarchitecture ofHawke’sBay.

FelicitywasborninNorthlandand metherhusbandCalebwhilesailing. CalebisfromHawke’sBaywhichis whytheyhavesettledherealthough theybothlivedinChristchurch whenCalebwasstudyingforan engineeringdegree.

AsachildFelicitywas“ahorsecrazy littlegirl,”butwasn’tallowedahorse soshedrewhorsesinsteadand developedquiteatalent.Although shehasneverformallystudiedart shelearnedfrombooks,DVD’sand on-lineworkshops.“It’sbeenaslow

SUNDAYS

TomoanaShowgrounds, 8.30am–12.30pm

Enjoyafreshlyroastedcoffee,pickupsomeingredientsforbrunchormeet friendsforasweettreat,thereissomethingforeveryoneattheHawke’s BayFarmers’MarketandNapierUrbanFarmers’Market.

JoinuseveryweekendinHastings&Napier,shoplocalandsupport ourgrowers,producersandmakers!

SATURDAYS CliveSquare, 8.30am–12.30pm

processandalsoalotofpractice,” shesays.

“Iaminspiredbypattern,by shapes,andcompositionsfound innature.Iaminspiredtolearnto seeourworldasitreallyis.Wesee theworldthroughalensofwhatwe alreadyknow.Weknowthegrass isgreen,andweknowtheskyis blue,andsoweseeagreengrass andabluesky.ButwhenIamout there,Ifindthatgreenisanamewe giveathousanddifferentcolours, andtheskyisalikearainbow,wine bluetogreenyellowonthehorizon. Ibelieverealityisthenextfrontier ofpainting.Tolearntotrulyseeour world,andtohonestlyrepresent thatiswhatcontinuestoinspire meanddrivesmetokeepstudying andlearning.”

FelicityandCalebnowhave fourchildren,rangingfromeight downtoone,andliveinavery smallhouse.Theyareworkingto renovateanoldpropertyontheir section.Workingintheopen-air suitsFelicity’scircumstancesand herstudioisherbackpack!

Withfourchildrenwhoarehome schooledshe’sabusywomanand mayonlyhavetwoorthreehours topaintsothere’snotimeto“dilly dally.I’vegottobeefficient.”The childrenaccompanyheronher paintingexpeditionssoshealways choosessomewherewherethey canplaysafelywhileshepaints. Shesaysit’spartoflifeforthekids. “Iappreciatethevalueoftimeand inhalfanhourIcandoaquick sketch.”

Felicitylikenspaintingoutdoorsto asportwhereshemustcapture somethinginashortspaceoftime. “It’skindoflikeatreasurehunt.”

There’snotimetowasteand“what Icomehomewithisexciting.”

TheArtofaHutwasalarge-scale projectFelicityundertookwiththe supportofCalebjustovertenyears agoandbeforethechildrenwere born.Withaninterestintramping, shewentoutforaweekatatime, withfriendsandsupporters,and sketchedorpainted40DOChuts. Herimageswereexhibitedin Whangareiin2015.Afewofherhut imageswillbeondisplayduringthe ArtsTrail.

Inadditiontoherlandscapework, Felicityhasalsogainednational recognitionforherdrawing.In2022, shewasoneofonlytenartists toreceiveaHighlyCommended awardattheprestigiousParkin DrawingPrizeforherpieceI CapturedYourBeing.Thisaccolade highlightsherversatilityandskill acrossmultiplemediums,aswell asherabilitytoevokeemotionand narrativethroughlineandform.

Hawke’sBayArtsTrail

The2025Hawke’sBayArtsTrail willtakeplaceovertwoweekends: November8th/9thandNovember 15th/16th.Thisisapopularannual eventallowingvisitorstoexplore openstudios,meetlocalartists andexplorevariousformsofart. StudioLocation-9MaraeSt, Waipawa Tea,coffeeandconversation throughouttheevent. www.felicitybergstrom.com/ www.artsinc.co.nz/hawkes-bayarts-trail

BOTTOMRIGHT: TheArtofaHutwasa large-scaleprojectFelicitycompleted justover10-years-ago.

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