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October 3 2023
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A wave of generosity u by Andy Bryenton
Aotearoa Surf School founder Che Burnett addressed the elected members of the Kaipara District Council last week, offering assistance to help the community and boost Kaipara’s positive profile.
Clean slate, targeted rate requested Mangawhai Museum representatives have petitioned the Kaipara District Council …
P3
Climate audit and policy cancelled
At last week’s Kaipara District Council meeting, Deputy Mayor Jonathan Larsen …
p Aotearoa Surf School has brought confidence, fun and an appreciation of the ocean to thousands — it has asked the KDC how they can help the community
P5
Safer pathways for students
A cycle and walkway project for residential, town and school areas in Dargaville …
P7
The Mangawhai-based surf school is a success, which is the sum of its place and the people involved. With more than 14,000 visitors taking to the water with them each year, this grassroots endeavour has introduced hundreds of locals to the pleasure of surfing. It has come about with a lot of hard work and commitment, building for several years thanks to the input of a team of passionate surfers with the skills to teach. “We provide a life-changing experience in a safe and fun environment,” said Mr Burnett. “We do surfing and beach education days for about 7,000 students, and we also do paddle boarding and kayaking. We stretch far and wide — Dargaville, Mangawhai Maungatūroto and Ruawai. We are doing a project at
the moment for all the west’s schools out here.” Mr Burnett also expressed an interest in helping the district directly. “How can we help Kaipara’s council? That’s one of my questions to you guys today,” he said. “We’re happy to do anything, free of charge for the community. Can we do an annual surf gala event that promotes the area? Can we have some more programmes that focus on central and west coast communities, or a lowsocioeconomic programme for people who could not usually afford to attend, for example? “Please think about those people who come to you. Is it troubled youth? Is it schools that can’t afford such programmes? Think about it, get in touch
with us; we can make that happen at no charge. We want to change people’s lives.” Mr Burnett’s words echo a tradition of his company giving back to the community through free events and donations to local causes and charitable groups. Councillors were informed of the $2,500 annual donation granted to local schools and the hosting of free Have a Go — Learn to Surf days, as just two examples. The Have a Go initiative introduced more than 130 youngsters to the sport the last time it was run. Additionally, ‘surfing for good’ is the name and aim of Aotearoa Surf School’s team-up with Sustainable Kaipara in an environmental programme tackling pollution, plastic recycling and other threats to the maritime environment.
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