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13 December 2013, Issue 679

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

to the homes of 159,700 residents throughout TAURANGA, MOUNT MAUNGANUI, PAPAMOA, WAIHI BEACH, KAIMAI, KATIKATI, TE PUKE, PAENGAROA, OTAMARAKAU and all RDs

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PRIDE The Bay of Plenty’s Rugby Sevens sides will tackle their regional rivals in Hamilton this weekend as teams ﬁght for a spot at next month’s national tournament. Both the men’s and women’s sides will take to Waikato Stadium, with the men enjoying the security of automatic selection, while for the women – it’s a different story. Read more on page 7. Pictured: Chad Jacob takes a tackle from Calli Turner. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

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The Weekend Sun

The Weekend Sun is published every Friday, circulating throughout the Western Bay of Plenty, delivered free to 64,180 homes of more than 159,700 residents from Waihi Beach, through Katikati, Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke including rural and residential mailboxes. The Weekend Sun is produced by Sun Media Ltd, an independent and locally owned company based at 1 The Strand, Tauranga.

Sun Media Ltd Directors: Claire & Brian Rogers General Manager: Ross Brown Editorial: Andrew Campbell, Hamish Carter, Letitia Atkinson, Phillipa Yalden, Corrie Taylor, Elaine Fisher, Zoe Hunter, Luke Balvert, Merle Foster. Photography: Tracy Hardy, Bruce Barnard. Advertising: Kathy Sellars, Suzy King, Lois McKinley, Kirsty Hutcheson, Rose Hodges, Aimee-Leigh Brunsdon, Tracey Taylor, Abby Taylor. Design Studio: Kym Johnson, James Carrigan, Sarah Adamson, Kerri Wheeler, Kyra Duffy, Amy Bennie. Digital Media: Lauren McGillivray, Jay Burston Office: Julie Commerer, Melanie Stone, Tasha Paull, Kathy Drake.

Seasonal rage just isn’t cricket Away in a manger, bash up a stranger Warning: there’s not much cheerful in here. Don’t read on, unless you have an overdose of happy that needs curing. Great to see the Christmas spirit evident around the streets of the city, as drivers work themselves into a seasonal frenzy; showing their goodwill for fellow man by cutting them off, failing to indicate, tailgating and ﬂipping the bird. The concept of ‘Merge like a zip’ seems to have been replaced with ‘Skewer like a turkey’. It seems a bit pointless to have a celebration of Peace on Earth when it actually equates to more stress, putting ﬁnancial and physical demands on families, while temperatures rise and tempers fray. The vision of Christmas and the holiday season being all jolly with joyousness and glee, like in the Santa cards and the Claus propaganda, is in reality, tiring and stressful for a lot of people. The police have appealed for drivers to take care and stop having “silly” accidents, after a spate of vehicle crashes – many single vehicles that have spun, rolled, run off the road, smacked into poles or missed the bend and crashed through fences.

Parting shot: luxury airport

shuttles

Santa Claus has announced he’s enlisted help from the Aussie cricketers. He’s heard they’re experts at sledging.

One driver who wasn’t taking the message lying down, was pulled over in the city after being caught with a king size mattress on the roof of his car – secured only by his and a mate’s hands out the window. Oh yes, there’s a rocket scientist around every corner. Jane Nees has a great solution in this edition of the paper: Get on the bus. Here at RR we agree. If you are too tired or inconsiderate to indicate, get on a bus and the driver will take care of it for you! It’s not just holiday season pressures on the road that seem to boil over. One bloke this week, in the holy suburb of Bethlehem, really excelled in the ‘Peace and love to all mankind’ theme, by bashing another bloke with a cricket bat, while the victim was eating pizza on the roadside. “Hark, the herald angels sing, beaten to a pulp in Bethlehem.” The fast food outlets should be asking if customers: You want contusions and haematoma with that?” Meanwhile the ‘merry’ has been cruelly taken out of Merivale, with the tragic loss of a decent citizen. Our condolences to the family and the good people of the suburb. Even Maketu, the laid back coastal settlement, has been rocked to the core with a shocking death. We know the majority of you

are good people and we hope an answer can be found to end these senseless acts of violence. If only the ‘goodwill to all’ message extended everywhere in the community, and on our roads. Christmas might be the happy and relaxing time we read about in the brochure. If you must ﬁnd someone to persecute this festive season, seek out the three wise men who decided it was a good idea to dig up the intersection of 11th Ave and Elizabeth Street in December, and subsequently paralyse Tauranga’s central shopping district for the 12 days of Christmas. That is true genius. Whoa, that’s enough wrist slashing doom and gloom. For some balance, here’s some festive mirth to cheer you up. Even if it is regurgitated rabbitings. Some custom-built Christmas carols from back in 2008…

A Carol, Holly ... and other friendly girls From RR archives: Gerry Brownlee has seen the light and the government has overturned the ban on conventional light bulbs. So Kiwis can now make up their own mind whether to use the more energy efﬁcient types. We new blokes in Parliament are, Finding lightbulb laws quite bizarre, Incandescent or ﬂuorescent, Glowing like yonder Star. (Chorus) O, bulb of wonder, bulb of might, Bulb with mercury danger alright, Bradford’s misleading, we’re not proceeding, Guide us to alternative light. A kayak trip north ended at the Coroglen Tavern, one of our favourite après-kayak watering holes. We’d seen an advert in the local rag for the “Last stock sale of the year, with Lovely Ladies” and thought, cool, we can hang out with the local yokels and enjoy a bit of live music.

However rocking up to the bar, it quickly became apparent that it wasn’t going to be a couple of ‘quiets’ and a wholesome country meal. Nor was it the locals “hanging out.” Because the farmers and stock agents were celebrating their Christmas wind-up for the Coroglen saleyards with a livestock show with a difference: A couple of raunchy strippers. I won’t be able to look at a pool table quite the same again. Away in a manger, at the Coroglen pub A navity scene with two girls in the nud. The stars in the bright sky Looked down where they lay stretched out on the pool table More moral decay Then there was a great discussion about which bottle of liquor to give Mother in Law for Christmas. No one could decide, so she’s getting the lot. Which reminded me of the lovely traditional carol: Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Falalala lala la la Let’s get grandma off her trolley Falala lalala la la la I remember it well, from my time in South Auckland while at journalism school, I lived next door to the Falalas and they used to sing it a lot. Finally, this from 2008 but still a valid thought for today: ’Twas the night before Christmas and forty below When Al Gore discovered carbon wasn’t his foe The world’s not warming at a horriﬁc rate In fact it’s been cooling since nineteen ninety eight Christmas bells those Christmas bells Ring out from the land The world isn’t warming quite as bad as we thought And “carbon footprint” is merely a rort Gore had CO2 dead in his sights He had half the world convinced and really up tight Then it was clear the science didn’t stack up And wealthy carbon traders had sold us a pup Christmas bells those Christmas bells Ring out from the land Earth warms and cools of its own accord And it’s got stuff-all to do, with man

IMPORTANT STUFF: All material is copyright and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Sun Media makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information and accepts no liability for errors or omissions or the subsequent use of information published. Drink sensibly and be a responsible host. No Grandmas were intoxicated in the production of this publication.

The Weekend Sun

Vendor’s icy fright A Tauranga City vendor is in a state of disbelief after finding out Tauranga City Council is issuing summer vending licences to out-of-town vendors instead of rewarding local businesses. Snowie Tauranga Limited, a popular shaved ice stall at Mount Main Beach for the last five years, is being kicked to the kerb following this year’s new tender process, says owner Brian Walker. According to the council, the two outside vendors are two students operating Jones and Woods fruit ice creams and Hamilton’s The Strawberry Farm. And though not wanting it to look like sour grapes, Brian believes the council is being greedy and playing the money card in front of himself and Subway, which is also missing out. “They [council] stated the money was not the ‘be all and end all’ but I don’t believe this is the case,” says Brian. “I thought I had a good rapport with council, as I had a meeting with them three months ago and it was all positive,” says Brian. Tauranga District Licensing Agency chairman John Payne says the tender is open to “anybody” regardless of where they are from; with the tender broken into three parts. But he does concede this year’s bids were all evenly matched heading into the final 15 per cent price weighting, with the dollar figure put down on paper having a major bearing on this year’s street side make-up. “We had 15 tenders this year, which is up from the six last

Snowie Tauranga Limited owner Brian Walker and his cold treats will not be at Main Beach this summer. Photo by Tracy Hardy

year. There is also the change in policy where there are 12 spaces rather than six, but some vendors take up two spots,” says John. “We honestly don’t look at where they are from; it is fair and open to everybody. But we want to make sure we don’t have six ice cream operators.” New rules ushered in by the old council earlier this year mean each application that conforms to the tender conditions is assessed against criteria groups and given percentage weightings based on their importance to council. Seventy per cent of the criteria is bundled with enhancement of visitor experience and relevance to site. A total of 15 per cent of the weighting relies upon the tenderer’s track record and previous experience in delivering the activity/operation tendered. The third weighting is 15 per cent on price. On top of the initial $1257 bidding fee, the tendered licence fee has to equal or exceed the base licence fee set annually through TCC’s Annual Plan. A vendor is returned the $1257 if they do not receive a licence. Brian feels by letting money begin to rule the process TCC will attract the likes of Coca Cola and Top Tip, which will buy the vending space regardless of the price, shutting out local businesses for good.

By Luke Balvert

The Weekend Sun

State school receives helping hand A Tauranga state school is among the top 20 schools receiving special NCEA exam support nationwide – despite ﬁgures showing high decile schools usually take the highest spots. Papamoa College is one of nine state-funded schools in the top 20 for special assessment conditions candidates. Top of the class is private

Auckland school King’s College, gaining 19.4 per cent of SAC candidates followed by Christchurch’s Saint Andrew’s with 16.5 per cent. Papamoa, a decile ﬁve college with 8.1 per cent of their candidates receiving exam support, sits at 16th on the list, making it the sixth state school. Figures released by the college show this percentage equates to 11 students of their 131 total of NCEA candidates are being helped with special assessment conditions.

The funding covers pupils with a condition that impairs their learning – including dyslexia, apraxia, ADHD and autism. In 2012, $433,000 was spent on special assessment conditions – a jump from the $159,000 spent in 2011. This year's figures for pupils receiving special assessment conditions show only eight decile 1 candidates, 1.2 per cent of the total sitting NCEA in schools of that decile, received support this year. This is compared with 1080 students, or five per cent, from decile 10 schools. Papamoa College principal Steve Lindsey says a very rigorous process is undertaken to ensure eligible students are receiving the required help with a student assessment needing to be conducted by a qualified assessor – costing the college and/or the parents. “Sometimes, parents will pay for assessment reports, which provide extra detail. “Unfortunately, many parents cannot afford to pay for such reports,” says Steve. Support given to the students is tailor-made, including some candidates receiving a reader and/or a computer/writer, and often students will receive extra time to complete assessment tasks. “Our learning support area has established very comprehensive processes to identify, evaluate and then support students who have learning needs. We are mostly able to carry out assessments of student needs internally, which will meet the criteria set out by NZQA for special assessment conditions.” When questioned whether he believes higher decile schools are given preferential treatment to some extent, Steve refrained from answering. “I couldn’t possibly comment on this. I wouldn’t know if this was the case or not.” The outcome of a joint New Zealand Qualifications Authority/Ministry of Education review (completed in August), into concerns of SAC inequality between different decile schools is expected to be available early 2014. By Luke Balvert Papamoa College principal Steve Lindsey. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

The Weekend Sun

Swimming supremacy

Team Shorebreak director Sheryl McLay, by the pool with some of her swimmers Karen Wagstaff, Cathy Lynch and Nikki Pol. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

Pilot Bay is set for some heavy swimming traffic in the coming weeks with swimmers dusting off their caps and googles to take the plunge in this year’s Team Shorebreak Ocean Swim Series. Run across five Thursday evenings in a row, the annual event sees swimmers of all shapes and sizes getting out there and active by swimming the various distances on offer. Team Shorebreak director Sheryl McLay says although registrations do not begin until 5.30pm on the day, she’s expecting some fierce competition at each of the five events – last night being the first. “I think they have got their head around there being an overall prize [for each division winner]. It is just that concept of needing show up to four or more races and that they can actually do quite well. “There has been a lot of interest already and I’m

hoping with the weather being what it has been, it’s going to be a big one.” The three divisions are the 1500m swim for elite swimmers, 750m for beginners and 300m for swimmers under 12 years old. The course is a 750m long triangle, with 1500m division swimmers completing two laps off the beach near Salisbury Wharf. Now in its ninth year, the event continues growing in popularity both within the swimming and triathlon communities. “Every year it gets bigger, so that’s very cool. We are weather-dependant, but it just keeps growing,” says Sheryl. “We have the likes of Andrew Lloyd, Owen Miller, Rebecca Kingsford and Anneke Jenkins [all triathletes] who have all said they will be there as much as they can.” Remaining Ocean Swim Series dates: December 19, December 26, January 2 and January 9. By Luke Balvert

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The Weekend Sun

Sideline support The recent death of Merivale man Lance Scullin has prompted a call for all Neighbourhood Support members to keep themselves safe if they see any suspicious behaviour. Lance, the coordinator of a Merivale support group, died after being assaulted when he tried to break up a disturbance.

Tauranga Community Constable Matt Elliott says Neighbourhood Support members are discouraged from getting involved in altercations, but believes the incident has not reduced any members’ desires to be involved in the organisation. “There have been no concerns that I’ve heard from any neighbourhood support groups across the Western Bay.” Matt says neighbourhood support’s focus is to keep an eye on what is happening in the community and people should contact the police if they see anything suspicious. He does not believe the death will prompt members to quit or deter others from joining. The Western Bay programme is in good health, with about 30 new groups set up during the last year – mainly in the Tauranga area following a six-month push to help establish new groups, says Matt. Research shows crime goes down when a group is formed – something he puts down to the deterrent of neighbourhood support signage and residents being more vigilant. For Christine Christie, who coordinates all of the groups in the Otumoetai-Brook-

Neighbourhood Support coordinator Christine Christie with some of her neighbours, Lindy Gregg, Libby Hill and Gwen Millward. Photo by Bruce Barnard. ﬁeld area, one of the programme’s main appeals is how it draws people together. “The thing I love the most is hearing people catch up after meetings, hearing them say ‘it’s been so long since I saw you’.” Christine is saddened about Lance’s death, but doesn’t believe membership will be affected. “If there are issues you can ring the

police. We never encourage people to get involved.” In her ﬁve years as area coordinator she has seen the groups become a lot more social – and she’s delighted with her success, with every street she’s suggested set up a group doing so. “I’ve never been turned down, so people obviously see the value in it.” By Hamish Carter

Drink and drug driving digits decrease While the number of police checkpoints in the Bay of Plenty has increased, the number of people caught driving under the inﬂuence of drugs and alcohol has dropped. Figures released to The Weekend Sun show a 21.4 per cent reduction in the Bay of Plenty and a 33.3 per cent drop in the Western Bay of Plenty. In the 2012/2013 period, 1021 drivers were caught driving impaired by alcohol or drugs in the wider Bay of Plenty, compared to the 802 drivers caught during the 2013/2014 period. Bay of Plenty District road policing manager Inspector Kevin Taylor says the Bay of Plenty has had a pretty bad reputation for drug and drink driving in the last couple of years. “That is highlighted around the Christmas and New Year period. “Of note though is that our catch rate for alcohol and drug impaired drivers is dropping and has been for the last few months.” Kevin says the decrease is on the back of increased police efforts. “So we are catching less people driving over the alcohol limit. The number of staff involved in the booze bus is the same, [but] we are doing more checkpoints, we are stopping more vehicles and we are breath testing more people but we are catching fewer offenders. “That’s a good news story. The people in the Bay of Plenty should be commended for what has been a

slow turn around but a turnaround none the less.” Kevin says it’s too early to say if the problem is solved, but ﬁgures are heading in the right direction. Kevin says as the number of people driving while impaired seems to be on the decrease, the number of people committing other offences seems to be on the rise. “Speeding, for example; we have some of the highest, in fact the highest, urban speeds in the country and most of those sites are in Tauranga where they are measured by the NZ Transport Agency. “We have increasing numbers of people being caught not wearing their seatbelts, and that’s a no brainer. It costs you nothing, could save your life; I just don’t get why people don’t wear them. The same with talking on cellphones, it’s just a no brainer.” By Letitia Atkinson

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The Weekend Sun

Summer of Sevens Cover story

Sun’s early Christmas deadlines

The Weekend Sun team is preparing to make up our last two issues of 2013 next week. With our Christmas deadlines we will require any news leads and photographs earlier than usual. If you wish to tell us of some great community news, or events, please let us know before 9am on Tuesday, December 17. We will take a break on Friday, January 3 and be back for another year on January 10.

Rugby Sevens players Chad Jacob and Calli Turner.

Provincial Rugby Sevens rivalries will be reignited with power and pace this weekend as both the Bay of Plenty men’s and women’s sides compete at the Northern Region Sevens Tournament in Hamilton.

Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Starting tomorrow, both sides take to Waikato Stadium as part of the 14-strong field, with nine valuable spots at next month’s national tournament up for grabs. Eight men’s teams and six women’s teams throughout the Northern region are entered, with only the top five men’s and top four women’s teams qualifying for the National Sevens Tournament, set for January 11-12 at Rotorua International Stadium. For the men’s side, the road to next month’s tournament is smooth – having the luxury of automatic selection thanks to the Bay’s hosting rights for the next three years. But for the women it is a different story – they need a number of strong performances to wrap up fourth spot behind powerhouses Auckland, Waikato and Counties Manukau. “Northland and North Harbour; they are the other two teams in the lower part of the draw fighting for the last spot. I think the thing is making sure we are up for these two games,” says Bay of Plenty women’s coach David Mays. “When we come to playing Counties and Auckland we might be a bit beat up, but you only get stronger and better by playing these sorts of games. And the side is not letting a recent string of influential injuries hamper their chances at gaining the highly sought after spot – after missing out one year ago. David says the loss of three key players, including captain Calli Turner to a broken leg, is a massive blow but their wider squad is more than capable of filling the void. “As a coach, you get a bit down because you have structures and everything set up. But bodies break down and we have to make sure our players are ready to go.” By Luke Balvert

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The Weekend Sun

No charges in Ruahihi fire case Police will not lay charges in relation to a ﬁre which completely destroyed a house on the Lower Kaimai in August.

Fire completely engulfed the Ruahihi Road home.

The initial theory was the ﬁre, on the afternoon of August 27, was arson but the cause is now being put down to an electrical fault. Detective Sergeant Alan Kingsbury says police won’t be pursuing any charges. “The occupant of the address has advised us that there was an electrical fault in the home and that was the cause of the ﬁre.”

A 41-year-old man was taken to Tauranga Hospital and was later transferred to Waikato Hospital following an armed stand-off with police at the scene of the ﬁre, where he was found with burns to his torso and hands along with lacerations to his wrist and throat. Alan says the man has since been released from hospital after receiving treatment for his injuries. A member of the public informed police a house was on ﬁre on Ruahihi Rd near its intersection with State Highway 29 at about 4.30pm. When police arrived they found a

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A selection of some local breaking stories featured this week on...

Special 5 per cent flood rates call Tauranga City Council is proposing a five per cent special rate to deal with Tauranga’s flooding issues. The intention is to raise $5 million each year to deal with remediation work costs without increasing the city debt. How the rate will be levied, whether per property or as a percentage of capital value, is not yet decided. The decision will be discussed further in the draft Annual Plan meetings in March and will go out for public consultation before the council makes its final decisions on the Annual Plan contents in May-June 2014.

Father jailed for raping daughter A Western Bay of Plenty man who admitted to raping his then 12-year-old daughter has been sentenced to nine years and four months’ jail. The man, who has permanent name suppression to protect the identity of the girl, appeared in Tauranga District Court this week where he accepted full responsibility for his actions. He was charged with two counts of unlawful sexual connection, two counts of male rapes female and one count of indecently assaulting a female aged 12-16-years-old. The offending took place during a ﬁve week period from August 1, to September 8, 2013 where a number of sexual acts were performed.

Iwi to sign $35m settlement

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41-year-old man outside the burning house, armed with a sharp-edged weapon. Police say he was uncooperative and hindered emergency services from getting to the fire. Armed police were called to help other officers take the man into custody and cordons were put in place at Ruahihi Rd and SH29, while firefighters waited to gain access to the house that was fully engulfed in flames. Alan says the man was very agitated as a result of the fire and they’ll not be pursing the matter further.

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A teenager accused of shooting a 46-year-old man found dead on a park bench in Maketu has been granted bail. Tyrone Daniel Flavell, 19, appeared before Judge Peter Rollo in Tauranga District Court this week charged with one count of murder. Maketu resident Isaac Dale Bushell was found dead with a gunshot wound in a park at Beach Road in Maketu early Sunday morning. Police earlier said the 46-year-old victim and the accused are known to each other and were at the same gathering at a Maketu address earlier Saturday evening. A ﬁrearm has been recovered from a local address, say police. Flavell was remanded on bail to reappear in the High Court at Tauranga on December 16. The only local daily news source you need, constantly updated, seven days a week

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The Weekend Sun

- Merry -

TO ALL TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

L ATE NIGHT

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The Weekend Sun

Refurbishment mows down boredom By Zoe Hunter

A newly refurbished support unit offering a “unique” garden area for people suffering from dementia is opening in Tauranga today.

The 12-week refurbishment, costing about $65,000, saw the old 12-bed secure dementia unit at Melrose relocated to a newly refurbished 18-bed secure unit at Elmswood.

The Oceania Group is opening its Memory Loss Support Unit – a secure dementia unit – at Elmswood Rest Home on Waihi Rd this evening. Melrose Lifestyle Care and Village and Elmswood Rest Home business and care manager Lesley Sparke says the Oceania Group decided earlier this year to undergo a refurbishment of the worn-out secure dementia unit at Elmswood.

Experiencing freedom

Edward ‘Eddie’ McCarthy, 93, ‘mowing the grass’ with Lesley Sparke keeping an eye on him. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

Lesley says the unit is the only one in a Tauranga rest home to offer a 700m2 secure garden area, where residents can wander at their leisure while families are reassured their family member remains safe. “What we’ve given them is a sense of freedom,” says Lesley. “We’ve got bus stops in there, a post box and a lawn mower.”

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“It’s trying to create a sense of some of the normal things we do that people – without realising it – often take for granted.”

Lesley says the unit is signiﬁcant to the city because it meets the needs of dementia patients. “We know that dementia is increasing, and statistically it will continue to increase.” The unit will be ofﬁcially opened by Minister of Health Tony Ryall at 5pm today. Both Tauranga MP Simon Bridges and Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby have been invited to attend.

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The Weekend Sun

Big-time event returns Thousands of people are expected to ﬁll Bethlehem Town Centre next weekend, as Bethlehem Baptist Church holds its sixth annual ‘A Night Before Christmas’ celebration.

Reuben Simpson and Georgia Lines pose for the camera. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

After attracting more than 7000 people in 2012, the event has become one of the biggest Christmas celebrations in the region – and organisers expect no different this year. Family and friends can enjoy a 20-minute ﬁreworks display, carols, and local entertainment at the familyfriendly, free event beginning 7.30pm. Organiser Luisa Schroder says the event always showcases upcoming local performers, and this year features 17-year-old student Georgia Lines, and returning favourite Rubin Simpson. “We have a guest appearance from Dziah Dance Academy ‘Krash’ – a hip hop group from Auckland – they are very talented so that will be great.” And for the children, a special performance from Cool Bananas. “The kids will love that, they’re putting something together specially for this event.” Luisa says families often begin at arriving at 6pm for the 7.30pm start, so she suggests getting in early – though a 40 ft screen will ensure everyone can see the entertainment. “People can bring a chair and a candle; have a picnic, and enjoy the ﬁreworks and festivities as we countdown to Christmas. “I think the fact that we can celebrate the event in a town called Bethlehem is really special, and hopefully everyone will have a festive and joyful time.” The event is alcohol and drug free, and checks will be conducted on entry. Donations for Waipuna Hospice will also be collected during the night. In the event of bad weather, ‘A Night Before Christmas’ will move to Sunday, December 22. Check their website for updates. By Corrie Taylor

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The Weekend Sun

New Zealand first concept for Papamoa By Corrie Taylor

A new $46 million resort-style village for over 50s is being built in Papamoa – offering residents both the freedom to travel and the security of owning a home. The concept is a ﬁrst for New Zealand – targeting active baby boomers with affordable, modern homes and the freedom to sell in the traditional way while enjoying any capital gains generated. Founded by married couple Rudy Van Het Wout and Juliette Yarrell, Freedom Villages in Papamoa East will feature about 160 ground-level homes, costing from $219,000 to a little more than $300,000. The development launched in November, attracting about 600 interested visitors – many showing immense excitement for the concept. “It just proves we have identiﬁed a need among the aging baby boomer population.” It enables over 50s to enjoy the best of both worlds, by making it possible to own a quality home near the beach and have the cash to travel, says Rudy. “A rapidly growing segment of the 50-plus market is making the decision to enjoy their lifestyle choices sooner and unlock the capital tied up in their current residential properties.” The village targets the younger, more active and still working or semi-retired, compared to those who choose

to live in a more traditional retirement development in New Zealand. “These people are older, but they are social; and they want the freedom to travel in their campervan, and enjoy the last best 20 years of their life.” “Many will use the villages as ‘lock up and leave’ holiday homes, or as bases they can feel secure to leave when they go off travelling in their campervans, or Rudy Van Het Wout and Juliette Yarrell at Freedom Villages take off overseas.” in Papamoa. Photo by Tracy Hardy. The development will enjoy the security and benefit of retirement village status under lages residents own their house and can enjoy the capital gains on their house when they the 2003 Retirement villages Act, and will sell (conditions apply). be built to have a resort feel – with commuIt’s been a five-year journey for Rudy and nity-linked walkways, boat and campervan Juliette, who have plans for five villages parking, blokes’ sheds, gardening plots, selfthroughout New Zealand – with Papamoa drive courtesy vans for residents and a wide the first. It is expected the first homes will be range of electronic entertainment options built in early 2014. The homes are designed such as pay-per-view movies and high-speed by top New Zealand designer David Pontinternet. Like most retirement villages there ing, who has created modern and affordable is a weekly fee of $135-155 per week, but factory-built homes, built to order and unlike most retirement villages, Freedom Vil- transported to the Papamoa site.

Starry event in style Want to attend the Stars Under The Stars event in top style? Here’s your chance to do so. January’s event will feature classic Kiwi sounds from the 1980s, with The Narcs, Andrew Fagan, Sharon O’Neill, Shona Laing, Margaret Urlich, Annie Crummer and Debbie Harwood serenading the audience at Mills Reef Winery. The Weekend Sun has a fantastic giveaway for this event, to see you and your friends enjoy the event in style. Valued at over $600 this includes: • Four tickets to Stars Under The Stars • Transport to and from Mills Reef in a limousine provided by Elite Limousines. You will enjoy impeccable grooming standards, premium silver service chauffeurs. The company’s exquisite ﬂeet, including prestigious brands such as Chrysler Hemi and Lincoln Limousines and the famous Black London Taxi Cabs, makes it

the superior choice for corporate transfers, weddings, school balls, airport transfers and special occasions. • A voucher for two bottles of Mills Reef Estate wines of the winner’s choice. • Four $15 food vouchers from Gourmet Shuttle/Wild Foods. Simply answer this question: Which artist featuring at Stars Under the Stars has recently been inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame? You’ll need to do your research. Enter online at: www.sunlive.co.nz under the competitions section. Entries received before Wednesday, December 18.

Your freedom starts here for as little as $219,000!* Close to shops, sandy beaches and amenities, Freedom Villages is the ultimate in lifestyle living for over 50s. The development also features 30 secure campervan sites, boat storage, blokes sheds, and a wash-down area. Choose from multiple design plans and then personalise your home with a wide range of interior options. This lifestyle resort is the perfect place to live, work, holiday or retire.

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We love the ‘lock-up and leave’ lifestyle. Find us on facebook at Freedom Villages LTD 63 Golden Sands Drive, Papamoa East. Open: Weekdays – 10am to 4pm, Weekends – 11am to 3pm. To arrange a private viewing call 0800 OVER 50 (0800 68 37 50) or visit www.freedomvillages.co.nz Freedom Villages Limited intends to apply for registration of Freedom Villages Papamoa under the Retirement Villages Act 2003 and to make oﬀers of occupation to the public. All occupation right agreements will be secured by a ﬁrst-ranking mortgage over the village land in favour of the Statutory Supervisor. * $219,000 for a 1 bedroom (plus den), 77sqm house ‘The Bach.’

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The Weekend Sun

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14 Ellis Emmett of ‘Descending’ fame invited Annie and I to join him on an eight-day, 200km journey down the Clarence River, from mountains to sea north of Kaikoura. To describe it as an epic adventure would be an understatement. I was allowed to get ashore to record some of the faster rapids. A shutter speed of 1/25 seconds gave nice water movement for this image.

From mountains to sea

The Weekend Sun

New Year resolutions Some people despise New Year’s resolutions. They don’t wait until the end of the year to make the changes they want in their life. However, the legislation steers us to the next annual plan process to affect the changes that you’ve signalled through the election. This week, we’ve started building our annual plan for 2014/2015. It’s the start of a six-month discussion with our communities (yes, we have many communities and it’s near impossible for the whole city to be unanimous on an issue). This column was written before our meetings were held this week. I will elaborate on speciﬁc issues in future columns. After a tonne of brieﬁngs since the election, I believe the theme of this annual plan will be managing what we’ve inherited from the previous council.

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Making changes to the council’s business is like trying to do a u-turn on the Titanic; it requires a series of cogs to be turned in the same direction. From our very early discussions, we’re building a platform to set our new course of ﬁnancial prudence and smart investment to create wealth for the city. We can achieve both if we have robust information to ensure the city’s investments can withstand scrutiny. I respect that debt was a key election issue, even if the media

did not give a voice to the communities that believe there is good debt and bad debt. Without my personal investment in ‘good debt’ (for example, a student loan), I doubt I’d be where I am today to serve this city. There are three ways the city can manage its debt: 1) Increase our revenue (e.g. rates). 2) Divert funding from services to pay for debt. 3) Review new infrastructure projects (especially since central government is reducing development contributions). Firstly, I doubt there is an appetite for a large rates spike or user fees. Secondly, we can massage the levels of service to ensure they’re optimised, but there won’t be substantial savings to reduce debt.

The right outcome

The big savings come from the infrastructure projects. We need to be certain each investment will deliver the outcomes the city needs. The decisions we make this week are only the ﬁrst stage of the process. It provides an early direction on issues for when we look at the full draft budget in January 2014. Our decisions are not ﬁnal. Formal consultation on the budget will begin in March 2014. Feel free to email me your thoughts at: matt.cowley@tauranga.govt.nz, call/text on 027 6989 548, and follow me at: www.facebook.com/ a.younger.voice

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STRANDED SUNDAY - This Weekend Join us this Sunday on The Strand. We’re closing the road again and putting out some fun games and activities for you and the kids to enjoy. While you’re there enjoy a cool drink or a meal at any of our fine bars, cafes and restaurants. See you this “Stranded Sunday” between 11am and 8pm!

Christmas Carols on the Waterfront

On Sunday 15th December at 5.40pm the combined churches in conjunction with Downtown Tauranga will host the Christmas Carols on the Waterfront. Starting with a small walk along the Strand with Mary, Joseph and their donkey leading the way to the carols that will start at 6pm until 7pm on the Waterfront. Join us Downtown Tauranga for Christmas carols and the spirit of Christmas amongst friends.

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The Weekend Sun

Railways, kites and Santa’s sleigh in Katikati Katikati Heritage Museum is morphing into a Christmas park this month in celebration of the festive season – offering entry specials and activities to encourage the community to enjoy it. Museum manager Paula Gaelic is beginning a “huge Christmas push” via a new exhibition which focuses on children and runs throughout the summer school holidays. “I’ve made the exhibition all about Christmas and the children in the hope it will encourage people to come and have a look at their community-owned museum,” says Paula. “It’ll have a model railway station, Irish dancers – to complement the Ulster provided by Omokoroa resident Rob lunteers e Museum vo heritage of Katikati’s township – will be Hicks, with a quarry and a logging secikati Heritag d Raewyn Judson with at K performing at the museum from 1pm on tion – we’ll also have the museum’s old and ert an Mike Cuthb eated Olden Days Toys Sunday, December 15 and 22. children’s toys on display too.” wly cr tion. ne bi e hi th ex ay The museum is also hosting a Carols By Outside, the museum’s Christmas Model Railw Candlelight on Saturday, December 14, where tree shines nightly thanks to LED lights the Katikati Concert Band and the town’s Maestro’s donated by Katikati Lions – and the jolly Choir will perform. man is visiting his Santa den from 6pm- 7pm on December 14, The Exhibition Room will open 5pm-7.30pm, with Santa arrivat 2pm-3pm on December 22, and 2pm-3pm on December 23.

Women’s only triathlon returns to the Bay The return of a women’s only triathlon to Mount Maunganui is being welcomed with enthusiasm by women of all ages and ﬁtness levels. Entries are now open for the February 16 Generation Homes Women’s Triathlon, with anyone above age 11 eligible to compete. Event director Miranda Clark says the event is creating excitement among women, after the Real Women’s Series events were cancelled in 2012. The cancellation created the absence of a women’s only event in the Bay, something

Miranda believes is important. “A lot of the ladies are so happy we’re bringing a women’s tri back. Participation for them is often hard at the best of times, especially if they’re not 100 per cent happy with their ﬁtness or appearance. So being womenonly helps them feel comfortable.” Women can compete as individuals or as a relay team. For those who want help preparing for the event, a number of free training aids are available. A training programme can be downloaded for free from the event’s website, and free group sessions will begin on January 14. These include a number of swim sessions,

a bike skills night, and introduction sessions at the gym. “We ﬁnd the biggest barrier is swimming, because swimming in a group is different to swimming alone, and swimming in a pool is completely different to Pilot Bay; so preparing for that is important.” There will also be a mini trial run the Sunday prior to help women feel conﬁdent in their ability to complete the event. The Tauranga Triathlon Club is running this event. With more than 200 current members, the club offers many group training sessions year-round. Entries received by December 16 go in the draw to win a $450 Avanti Women’s Cruise bike and helmet prize. By Corrie Taylor

Women make a splash in the 2011 Real Women’s Series at Pilot Bay.

ing on his sleigh at 6pm. The meaning of Christmas, supported by the Combined Christian Churches of Katikati is at 7.45pm, with carols starting 8pm. “People are invited to dress up as angels, Santa’s helpers, fairies, and they can bring a cut bottle as a holder for their candles.” Other summer activities include Kite days for youngsters on December 7, 8, 21, 22 and January 4, 5, 11, 12 and 19 if wind allows, and mini putt is half price all summer (adults $2, children $1). Paula says entry to the Olden Days Toys and Model Railway exhibition is $2 for adults and $1 per child. Katikati Heritage Museum is at the corner of SH2 and Wharawhara Rd. Call 07 549 0651 for more information. By Merle Foster

The Weekend Sun

Mount Maunganui woman’s fundraising feet Mount Maunganui’s top New Zealand endurance runner is on a 500km running mission across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato as her way of speaking out against domestic violence.

Starting today, NZ 100km title holder Shannon-Leigh Litt will run 100km each day as part of a fundraising effort in support of SHINE, Safer Homes in NZ Everyday, a charity striving to prevent domestic violence in New Zealand. Shannon-Leigh will run in Tauranga and along the beach between Mount Maunganui and Papamoa from 5am today before Rotorua’s Redwoods as well as the popular Waikato River Trails. The professional and competitive athlete will track her running using GPS, with her daily statistics to be logged and linked to her Facebook page. Shannon says her focus will be on the

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charity’s KIDshine service, which is unique in this country, by helping thousands of children who’ve experienced domestic abuse to become safer and begin to heal. Shannon-Leigh is familiar with the Waikato River Trails, which she describes as “a great trail and not too brutal”. “It will allow a nice mix of terrain to the big 500km picture. “Plus, the Waikato River Trails Trust is aligned, through its annual Taniwha sporting event, to SHINE –and this is a charity I am passionate about.” Shannon-Leigh, a former lawyer, says her job exposed her to the damage domestic abuse inﬂicts on families. As result, Sharon

The 2014 Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon comes to Tauranga on February 23, 2014, with rugby legend Jonah Lomu signing on as ambassador for the world’s largest sporting event for children. If children register before 12pm on December 20 they get a discounted rate of $34.60. Visit www.tryathlon.weetbix.co.nz

says this is her way of doing something, with the 500km event being one of many she’s got planned as fundraisers for SHINE during the next year or two. Racing in events from marathons to 100km distance runs on a variety of terrain, her favourite being mountain and road, Sharon says she is not only the 100km NZ title holder but is also the six-hour track record holder. She is currently in training for two major events next year – the Ultra Trail World Tour Hong Kong trail race in January, and the Vibram Tarawera 100km Rotorua event in March. To make a donation, visit: www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/shannonleigh.

Carols in quarry

A Te Puna tradition at Te Puna Quarry Park of a simple, rural version of community carols, with lots singing, is in the amphitheatre this Saturday. This event is put on by Te Puna Quarry Summer Trust and features the Tauranga Pipe Band and solos from local artists. Carols in the Quarry is on Saturday, December 14, from 7pm.

The Weekend Sun

Festive celebrations

Raffaella Veneziano, Youngee An and Iris Beemster prepare for a multicultural Christmas. Photo by Bruce Barnard. Greek (dancing), Filipino (ChristTauranga’s diverse ethnic mas carol singing), along with South communities are being American, Samoan and Indian groups. encouraged to come together “It’s completely up to them what they choose to do, but it’s always a popular this evening for a special evening. That’s why we are holding it multicultural end-of-year in the Wesley Church Hall, because it celebration. can take more people.” The event will also double as a thank The event, being put on by the you for the multicultural council’s Tauranga Regional Multicultural committee members and volunteers. Council as the ﬁnal evening in its The Living in Harmony cultural events Living in Harmony series on Western will resume in May, with the organisaBay’s cultures, will include perfortion now focusing on organising its mance by a handful of groups in what annual multicultural festival at the council president Ewa Fenn describes historic village in March. as like a variety show. The multicultural end-of-year cel“We do it every December to mark ebration is at the Wesley Church Hall the end of the year. It’s a fun way on 13th from 6.30pm, with all guests for our different communities to get asked to bring a favourite plate of food together, along with anyone interested for a shared dinner. for a fun celebration.” Details: 07 571 6419. Culture groups putting on perforBy Hamish Carter mances include Korean (drumming),

Christmas caroling on the waterfront Look out – the Christmas story of Mary and Joseph is coming to life this weekend with Carols on the Waterfront. On Sunday, children and adults are invited to dress up as angels or shepherds and join a procession down The Strand, following Mary and Joseph

on a donkey. Meet at No.1 The Strand at 5.30pm. People will then gather at the waterfront for carols from 6pm onwards. For carol lyrics, and more about this event see the centrespread lifeout in this week’s paper.

Toby Taylor, 9, with Bridget Simpson, 11.

The Weekend Sun

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The Weekend Sun

Lone rider chasing bike passion in 3086km Motorcycle enthusiast Greg Bold likes pushing himself to go the distance – and earlier this month he did just that. The long-time bike lover remembers being taken by the smart design of the Italian Bimota models as a lad, so treated himself to his own – a 1997 YB11 – three months ago, which he’s just put through its paces on a return trip to Invercargill. For the Tauranga businessman and polytechnic tutor, there has always

been something special about the Bimota bikes, which are produced in short runs, combining its own designs with engines from top motorcycle brands. His 1997 YB11 combines a 1000cc Yamaha engine with Bimota’s sport model in a short run of 600 handcrafted bikes of that model produced that year (his is number 11). Last week he returned from taking the bike on its biggest trip ever, to the Burt Munro Challenge Rally to celebrate the acclaimed Indian rider. “It was a seriously hard trip,” says Greg, still feeling the impact of covering 3086km in essentially four days. “But it was certainly worth it.”

When he bought the bike from its previous owner, it had only covered 7500km, “but I’m up to over 11,000 now”, says Greg, with a smile. “The bike is running like a charm – it’s my 50-year-old body that’s not coping,” says Greg, complaining the 5mm seat padding on the sport bike very quickly felt like a wooden plank. With its small 15 litre tank, he’s got to have compulsory leg stretches and “very small cups of coffee” every 230km. Greg is no newcomer to longhaul touring – having done two leisurely trips around the South Island with his wife Kay in the last two years on their Suzuki GSX750 Sport Tourer. But this time it was all about pace, travelling on his

own while Kay ﬂew down. Among the weekend’s highlights was a chance to push the bike to the limit on the Teretonga race track in Invercargill, where he reached what he believes must be its top speed – hitting 257km/h on two separate laps. “With the corner coming up very fast I wasn’t thinking too hard about whether I could squeeze any more

out.” Greg says the risk of damaging his bike stopped him doing anything too silly. Overall, he describes the rally as a great event, saying riders put aside normal brand rivalries for a fun weekend. “It can be a bit like the Ford versus Holden thing, but there was none of that. We were all on two wheels and all passionate about riding.” By Hamish Carter

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The Weekend Sun

Learning for free A free yyear e r of training to encourage students ea into the growing automotive industry is on offer at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic in 2014. Applications are now open for the Certificate in Automotive Technology (Vehicle Servicing) Level 2, with the polytechnic waiving the course fees for the first time. Group leader Sean Squires says the qualification is the first year in a four-year journey required to become qualified in the industry. It’s designed to teach students the fundamentals and principles behind automotive technologies and build a solid base of understanding in a wide range of systems, says Sean. “This is a great option, because students can get that solid base in the first year, then they can study further in 2015 before going into the workforce for the final two years.” Sean says the automotive industry is one that is constantly growing and changing, creating solid job security and providing challenging and interesting work. “It is absolutely growing; it’s becoming more and more exciting. “Automotive technology is rapidly evolving and has become very complex, with hybrid cars, etc, there’s a lot more to learn and understand – which is great.” While the course is free, students need to be serious about continuing in the industry, and must have a solid base in numeracy and literacy to qualify. “There are entry criteria, but it would really suit people with an interest in cars and a passion to learn.” This is the first year the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic is waiving course fees on selected courses. To find out more, visit their website. The Certificate in Automotive Technology (Vehicle Servicing) Level 2 begins February 17, 2014. By Corrie Taylor

The Th T h hee We W Weekend ekend Sun

Room for shopping Clearout sales are great for bargains, but when a car “sells itself ” it may have to be ﬁrst in, ﬁrst served.

Jono Allen from Car Connexxion says since moving to Cameron Rd more than a year ago, and having Nissan Tiidas on the lot, “it’s proving to be a very busy yard”.

By Reese Flaxman

Around town and out to the coast, the Nissan Tiida range at Car Connexxion will get you there efﬁciently and in style. “People come in after owning expensive six cylinders and love the economy of the Tiida,” says Jono. “Nine times out of 10 they will tick all of the boxes for people trying them out.” Coming out in 1.5 litre and 1.8 litre petrol motors, the Tiida is built for comfort around town. The interior features are also ideal for the silly season, with higher seats for exiting and entering ease and a sliding backseat for more Christmas cargo. Jono says they are perfect with two in the car, when

you need the extra boot space, ideal for a weekend away or extra shopping ; and the seats can also be quickly changed back to normal. “All you need to do is the pull the leaver, slide it back and then it’s back to a comfortable family hatch.” The last minute shopping dash around town will be cheap, as the 1.5 litre has a ﬁve-star fuel rating and the 1.8 litre has a 4.5 rating. The 1.5 litre Tiida will cost an estimated $1680 per year to run, based on doing 14,000km per year and the 1.8 litre will cost $1900 (for 14,000km). Car Connexxion has a large range of 45 Tiidas with 15 on display at their Cameron Rd yard. The models range from 2004 to 2010, from 11,000km to 70,000km on the odometer.

Your guide to driving around the Bay of Plenty this summer State highway summer maintenance programme for December 2013 The NZ Transport Agency makes it a priority to maintain road surfaces to help keep New Zealanders safe while travelling on the state highways. While the Transport Agency does its best to do this work with as little disruption to your trip as possible, we all know that roadworks are an inconvenience. Refer to the corresponding map to see where maintenance work will be carried out in the Bay of Plenty. This work will be done progressively over December (not all sites at once). Please allow time for minor delays to your journey.

Road maintenance sites for December 2013

Katikati

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Omokoroa Beach Mt Maunganui

Tauranga

Maketu

What’s happening?

Te Puke

State highway maintenance is a priority for the Transport Agency as the risk of crashes and injuries increase when roads have potholes, cracks and lack of skid resistance. By regularly resurfacing, resealing or weather prooﬁng the roads your journeys will be safer and go smoother.

Paengaroa Otamarakau

Western Bay of Plenty

Matata Edgecumbe

Whakatane

What’s involved? Te Teko

Reseal and reconstruction work involves heavy machinery, loose chips, bitumen and cement. It also involves speed restrictions which are there to keep you and the workers safe. Please keep to the restricted speed limit through these sites, even when there is no work happening.

Kawerau

Rotorua

Eastern Bay of Plenty

Why is this work done in summer? The work is dependent on dry conditions and this is why it is done in summer. This work is annual and begins in November with the aim to be completed by March. Thank you for your understanding and patience while the roadworks are carried out.

We’ll keep you updated on works in your area so keep an eye out for more details.

For further information please go to www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/maintenance-programme

Opotiki Taneatua

The Weekend Sun

NZ NEW

5 IN STOCK

WOW!!

Appraised Used Vehicles

5 IN STOCK

24 TAURANGA

43 Alach Street, Greerton Phone 07 578 0245

The Weekend Sun

Adopt- -thon

Spotlight on furry friends needing homes Welcome to the ﬁnal SPCA Adopt-a-thon for 2013. Here at The Weekend Sun we hope everyone enjoys a warm and festive Christmas – and that extends to the animals at Tauranga SPCA. So we’re working with the organisation to ﬁnd

homes for the cats and dogs currently in its care. Feel free to browse these pages and check out the gorgeous animals looking for a forever home, and contact Tauranga SPCA if you’re interested. And while we have your attention, SPCA

operations manager Margaret Rawiri is using this time to remind residents of some important summer messages when it comes to animal care throughout summer.

Pets as gifts

While the intention may be right, Margaret warns against giving pets as Christmas presents. “The recipient may not always want them, and it is SPCA policy to ensure any of our animals that are adopted go to loving, forever homes where they are a perfect match to the adoptee family and we are sure they will be loved and cherished. “Giving pets as presents can go very wrong. If you do wish to give someone a pet for Christmas and they are agreeable, have them come in and meet the animal ﬁrst. The new pet won’t be a surprise but it will be a forever pet.” She suggests instead the option of a prepaid adoption voucher. These can be purchased for the cost of an adoption; then the recipient can choose an animal in their own time, or give it to someone else.

Kitten season

Is a busy time for Tauranga SPCA with hundreds of abandoned kittens being brought into the shelter needing homes. It’s a recurring issue each year and one Margaret stresses can be avoided if pet owners are responsible. “Please have your cats and kittens de-sexed – as their owner and the person in charge it is your responsibility to ensure

unwanted kittens are not born in the first place, resulting in their abandonment.” Currently, the shelter has about 20 kittens up for adoption. They are vaccinated and de-sexed, ready for a home. There are also a further 90 in foster homes until they are old enough to be homed. Kitten season normally begins during the last few months of the year and continues until about May. The kitten season also brings another issue with it – in that older animals don’t find homes as easily. Adult cats and dogs are quite slow to be adopted at the moment, says Margaret. “These pets don’t often find homes as fast, but just because they are older it doesn’t mean they won’t make amazing pets. And you miss the sometimes messy stages young animals bring.”

Summer loving

Pets should never be left in hot cars alone during summer, says Margaret. “Often people think that if they leave a window slightly open its okay – but this is still very dangerous, and it’s my recommendation that they don’t leave them in at all.

The Weekend Sun

TAURANGA

10.30am to 4.00pm Monday and Tuesday 10.30am to 5.00pm Wednesday and Thursday 10.30am to 4.00pm Friday and Saturday 10.30am to 3.00pm Sunday

Adopt- -thon

Treating animals right The partridge in a pear tree “Over the peak of summer we will receive daily calls about dogs in dangerously hot cars. “If people are concerned for the welfare of an animal they should call the SPCA for advice or to make a formal complaint.” During summer, dog owners need to ensure that they are set up for summer. Their dog needs to have access to appropriate shelter that is ventilated and of sufﬁcient size. “Make sure your dog has plenty of clean water and in a large container that is secured in some way to ensure it won’t be tipped over.”

Holiday fun

Tauranga SPCA deals with animals each year that have

been left behind, and alone, while their owners go on holiday. This is a welfare issue for the animal, they must have daily care, food and fresh water and if left can be deemed as abandonment, which is a prosecutable offense. “Please set up proper care for your animals before you go on holiday or better still take your pets with you as part of the family.” All animals available for adoption have been de-sexed, micro-chipped and registered on the NZ Companion Animal Register. They are vaccinated, treated for ﬂeas and worms and checked to ensure they do not have any injuries or illnesses that will require continuing treatment.

By Corrie Taylor

The partridge in the pear tree is about the only feathered critter without trauma this week, despite the newshounds getting a ticking off last week from the Birdwatch Brigade. No sooner had the Sun hit your letterboxes, with when Ady and myself accidently cornered a couple of sparrows and re-aligned their wingspans. Being an obedient sort of bird dog, I immediately dropped it when the boss said “leave”. A couple of days later, while playing fetch the ball at the beach, an unfortunate seagull became the victim of an air trafﬁc control mishap, colliding with a high speed projectile from the ball thrower. Doing what retriever dogs do best, I picked up the seagull, and took it back to the boss for assessment. How was I supposed to know that seagulls are permanently out of season for retrieval? Anyway it

was a happy ending for the seagull, who flew away happily, but was heard muttering some pretty rude words as he left. But it doesn’t end there…later in the week, we had a close call with a pukeko, who was playing hide and seek in the mangroves. He was hiding; we were seeking. Fortunately again, the pukeko found some last minute altitude as the boss called me back, giving us an explanation about ‘purple chickens’ that even the nice people at the ARRC would approve of. I think we have learnt our lessons now. Although we are curious about the two turtle doves we’ve heard about in that song. Purely in a professional way, of course. Till next week, keep your feathers unruffled, don’t get in a festive flap and remember why ducks can’t fly upside-down – because they’ll quack up. - Flo

6 Pyes pa Road, Pyes Pa 07 543 4657 pyespa@ljh.co.nz

The Weekend Sun

Tauranga Payless Plastics owner Kathy Hardy. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Camping in style made easy As families and friends get set for a summer of camping and holiday fun – it pays to be prepared with the right equipment, says Tauranga Payless Plastics owner Kathy Hardy.

Jazz Brunch

“Camping has changed enormously with the desire by Kiwi campers to have all of the conveniences of home, but under canvas. “They want cupboards and bins to store gear, wardrobes, and pantries. They not only want ﬂash

tents but covered areas outside their tents, to provide shade and areas to eat and be social.” That’s where Tauranga Payless Plastics comes in – offering a large range of quality camping gear and equipment to help make the camping experience enjoyable. Kathy says campers want products that are easy and quick to erect and a common question she is asked is ‘How long will it take us to put this tent up?’ The modern tents they supply are relatively easy to assemble. “Our range of products is designed in Australia and the

Christmas in the Park

at Cafe Paradiso this Sunday Enjoy a delicious meal in the cafe gardens and listen to the mesmerising voice of Jazz singer Tracy Scott

Christmas is arriving early in Te Puke this weekend, as the town’s churches combine to bring an event celebrating the birth of Jesus.

WHERE FAME BEGINS School Holiday Performing Arts Workshop Students aged 5-15 years The January Workshop is:

THE WIZARD WIZARD THE OF OZ OF

Sunday 15 Dec 11am - 2pm

Tohu $6 per $6 glass Sunday a glass Special Village@7, Cnr SH2 & Clarke Road, Te Puna. T: 07 5526686

requirement for camping there is that products are good quality, practical and reliable. They also want good value for money.” Kathy knows campers vary in the type of facilities they require – from those heading to the bush, DOC sites, or general camping grounds, through to sophisticated ‘glamping’ – where the requirement is for the best equipment and amenities but still a camping outdoor experience. “We can provide great gear for all of these options, if people want to come and check out what’s on offer we are happy to offer By Corrie Taylor advice too.”

TAURANGA 13 - 17 Jan at Bethlehem College

Enrol online NOW at www.artzonshow.co.nz Phone: 0800 ONSHOW (667469)

Email: artz@onshow.net.nz

Te Puke Christmas in the Park is on Saturday, December 14, transforming Jubilee Park into the town of Bethlehem circa 0 A.D from 5.30pm. Organiser Lee Harrison says the event is designed to provide something for everyone, with a Christmasthemed obstacle course for teenagers, and activities for younger ones too. A live band will be on-stage, local motorcycle enthusiasts will be giving free rides, and there will be prizes and giveaways. The choir takes the stage at 6.30pm to lead the crowd in popular carols. Tear Fund has provided headline act Juliagrace, who will perform at 7.30pm. John says Juliagrace is a wonderful act and is thrilled to have her join the event. “We are excited about putting on events that bring happiness, fun and the Christmas spirit into the community, as well as provide people an opportunity through Tear Fund to change a life.” Another Christmas in the Park with Juliagrace is on Sunday, December 15 at St Andrew’s Church in Mount Maunganui from 10am. By Corrie Taylor

The Weekend Sun

Immersing children in theatre and dance running another course. “Many of the students who attended were in Steps’ recent musical ‘Seussical JR,’ which received excellent reviews. “It is a wonderful experience to watch students grow, increase their conﬁdence,

Anything is possible with Steps Musical Theatre Summer School, according to dance teacher Paula Harrison.

Steps Musical Theatre is hosting a summer school in Tauranga, on January 20-24, to immerse children in a variety of musical theatre skills, vocal training, singing dance and drama. This year’s summer school theme will be centred on much-loved childhood story musicals including ‘Peter Pan’, ‘Oliver’, ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Mary Poppins’, ‘Annie’, Dr. Seuss’ musical ‘Suessical’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, ‘Alice in Wonderland’, ‘The King and I’ and ‘Disney’. Paula, who has been teaching for more than 25 years in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, has a wealth of knowledge and experience of teaching, performing,

self-esteem, and develop new skills both in the class and performing on the stage.” Steps Musical Theatre is performing a selection of musical numbers at The Cargo Shed on Saturday, December 14, from 2pm. By Zoe Hunter

Paula’s students dress up for Dr Seuss’ musical ‘Suessical’. choreographing and producing shows. However, any prior dance, drama, vocal training or experience is not a requirement for the summer

school. But Paula says a love of singing and dancing is essential. Paula says last year’s summer school was “so much fun” and because of its success, she is

Family fun with a charitable purpose Fun festivities for the whole family are on offer in the city centre this Sunday as The Phoenix hosts its first Family Fun Day. Marking one year of business in the CBD, The Phoenix owner Melissa Lawrence says the event is about giving back to the community for their support during 2013. “We want to do something to give back to the community, and to thank our regular customers, because it’s not just all about drinking at the pub – we want to do something positive for the community. “So that’s how it all came about, we have a young family of our own and we’re always looking for fun activities to do at the weekends.” The day, from 1pm5pm, includes face painting, a bouncy castle, Bdazzled balloons, fire engine rides, sack races, and more. “We will also have a special visit from Santa at 3pm, and he’s going to do a lolly scramble. “Most of the things are provided free of charge by The Phoenix. There are a couple of things we have to charge for.” Entry is a gold coin donation – with all proceeds going to Camp Quality BOP. The charity aims to bring hope and happiness to children ages five-16 living with cancer. “They do awesome work and they’re not one

Camp Quality BOP’s Jo Sherwood, with Melissa Lawrence and son Cooper Lawrence, 20 months, outside The Phoenix. Photo by Zoe Hunter.

of the names you see around a lot.” Everyone is invited to attend the event at Masonic Park on The Strand, which coincides with Downtown Tauranga’s Stranded Sunday.

“We want to thank Tauranga City Council too, because they have been really fantastic supporting our fun day and allowing use of the Masonic Park By Corrie Taylor and carpark.”

20 - 24 JANUARY 2014 - Course cost $150 Juniors (7-10 years) 9am - 12noon Seniors (11 - 15 years) 1pm - 4pm

Contact Paula Harrison Ph: 0212 744 116 Email: paulaharrison@xtra.co.nz www.stepsperfomingarts.co.nz

The Weekend Sun

Giving the gift of education this season If you are stuck for children’s gift ideas then it could be time to go back to an old cliché and opt for the gift of learning. Worried that little miss might already have the Barbie outﬁt you are choosing, or she might declare it ‘so last year’? A great idea is to ﬁnd out what she is interested in and see if there is an educational toy to match. Toyworld Tauranga owner Mathew Davies says because children have fun when playing with educational toys, it is a great way for them to learn – and something is available for all ages and interests. Mathew says popular educational toys this year include the Leappad Ultra (four-nine years), while Lego’s Mindstorms is a hit for those interested in robotics, though old favourites, such as the Brainbox range, continue to be popular. Science education specialist Chris Duggan says there are some great science kits available and encourages parents to pay that little bit more for good quality

equipment that can be used over and over rather than just a one-off activity. Along with science kits, Chris – the director of Tauranga’s House of Science – suggests digital microscopes which plug into a computer also make a good gift for those interested in science, or even a voucher for the science centre’s after-school programme. To select the right education gift Mathew says it must be age-appropriate and something the child is interested in. Once settled on the educational element you want, he encourages people do some research “because the range can be overwhelming”. By Hamish Carter

Records and plans aplenty

As shoppers get in the Christmas spirit, all kinds of records are being set, and future plans discussed, says plaza manager David Hill. “We’ve had almost double October and November’s daily averages, with still the busiest weeks of the year to come. “And, after one week at Palm Beach Plaza, Santa and his helpers

are setting all sorts of records.” Santa has posed for more than 130 free photos a day, handed out as many free gifts to happy customers, and his helpers have wrapped more than 350 gifts per day. It’s not just Santa and Christmas shopping that’s drawing in shoppers, the Lions’ market at the plaza is also recording record numbers of stalls and visitors. “I think these rising numbers are due to a bristling local economy. This is also reﬂected inside Palm Beach Plaza with foot trafﬁc and turnover up 30 per cent on normal Sunday trade.” David is also supporting the

proposal for a targeted rate for Papamoa businesses. “We absolutely support a targeted business rate to promote Papamoa as the best place to live, shop, holiday and do business. “Papamoa Unlimited will provide a real focal point for the community to go forward and promote the best bits of our fantastic ‘village’. And looking ahead to next year, the suburb will welcome its own Santa parade. “When Santa heard that Papamoa will be introducing a parade in Papamoa in 2014, the ‘ho ho hos’ of delight could be heard throughout Palm Beach Plaza.”

EXTENDED CHRISTMAS HOURS: 19TH, 20TH & 23RD DECEMBER - OPEN TILL 7PM!!!

Santa's e!! Her from 14th december 11am - 2pm

SAnta’s Cove is Next to dollar value

O BE IN T WIN

Get your $6 Photo with Santa and be in to WIN a Leap Pad Ultra

r A L e a p P a d U l t LY a

Life at Palm Beach Plaza is bustling and busy this December, with almost double the daily foot trafﬁc recorded in October and November.

RMS

& CONDI T I O N S A

frasercoveshoppingcentre.co.nz facebook.com/Frasercove

MOUNT MAUNGANUI STORE NOW OPEN

12A Kereiti Street

Off Hewletts Rd, opposite Supercheap Auto

07 575 8844 OPEN 7 DAYS

MGP SCOOTERS, CLOTHING, SHOES WHEELS, CLAMPS & MORE!

WORKSHOP OPEN - ALL BIKES, MAKES & MODELS SERVICED HERE

* Sale valid for Bike Barn Mount Maunganui store only. Off recommended retail price. While stocks last. Products may have been advertised and sold below retail from time to time. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Sale ends 25 December 2013.

The Weekend Sun

ASB Baypark general manager Ervin McSweeney helps Paengaroa School pupils Jaxon, Alice, Tahu and Heath put presents under the tree. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

Gifts with a difference The typical gift-giving practice at Christmas sees friends and family exchanging presents with one another – but staff at ASB Baypark have another idea in mind. The ASB Baypark Christmas Gifting Tree is adorned in decorations and awaiting gifts of non-perishable food items and toys. ASB Baypark business manager Kylea Grayling is encouraging

residents to place a present, of any monetary value, under the tree at ASB Arena between December 3-20. All proceeds will go directly to the Salvation Army, which will ensure the gifts add Christmas cheer to deserving families the organisation has been working with during the year. Every toy will be allocated to the correct age and gender. Food hampers will be made up and delivered before Christmas day. Any remaining food will be given to the Tauranga Food Bank, says Kylea.

Sensational swimsuits for summer

CEO Ervin McSweeney feels it’s a worthy way for Baypark to further contribute to the community. “We are positioned to do this well, because of the sheer volume of people coming through our doors who can potentially donate items.” About 7000 people use the Baypark facilities on a weekly basis for pre-school activities, corporate conferences, and sporting events and leagues. “Helping local families at Christmas time is a great way to give back.” By Corrie Taylor

Fiona Bircham says Era Blu stocks swimsuits for every shape and size. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Now is the time to get ﬁtted for the perfect swimsuit at Era Blu, which is celebrating its seventh summer at Mount Maunganui. Era Blu Mount Maunganui is the only beachfront concept store in New Zealand and offers a range of colourful and ﬂattering swimwear for women. Retail manager Fiona Bircham would like to thank all of their regular customers and returning clientele

from all throughout New Zealand and welcome all new customers to the shop. There is a swimsuit for everyone at Era Blu, from elegant one-pieces to mix and match bikinis and tankinis, as well as cover-ups and wraps. The store’s signature line, Beachfront Swimwear, has a wide palette of colours, fabrics and prints that are easy to wear and easy to care for, in exciting new season colours. “Most importantly, the styles have the real woman in mind and are designed to flatter the figure.” Fiona offers one-onone fittings in the special oversized preening room, which has full length mirrors so customers can check out their new look head-to-toe. For those looking for great summer gift ideas, Era Blu has great gift vouchers to treat a special lady to the new summer fashion. Don’t wait until after Christmas to fit yourself into a stunning swimsuit, Era Blu is now offering up to 50 per cent off selected swimwear until Christmas Eve, December 24. “The team wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you all soon.” By Corrie Taylor

The Weekend Sun

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Christmas Carols and Central City Churches

& CH LI RI GH ST T MA TR S AI C L AR LI O FT L OU S T

on the Waterfront

Sunday December 15 from 5.40 to 7.00pm :DON EHKLQG SHRSOH GUHVVHG DV -RVHSK DQG 0DU\ ULGLQJ RQ D GRQNH\ WR WKH YHQXH VWDUWLQJ DW 6XQ 0HGLD DW 1R 7KH 6WUDQG DW SP RU MRLQ XV DW WKH VLQJLQJ RQ WKH ZDWHUIURQW Â˛ VLQJLQJ ZLOO EHJLQ DW SP ,I \RX SODQ RQ MRLQLQJ WKH ZDON WKHQ \RX PLJKW ZDQW WR dress as a shepherd or angel! What to bring: 7KLV OLIW RXW &DURO VRQJ VKHHW H[WUDV ZLOO EH DYDLODEOH RQ WKH QLJKW JORZ VWLFNV RSWLRQDO Most of all bring a loud singing voice and lots of Christmas cheer! Organised by: Downtown Tauranga and Central City Churches ZLWK PXVLF E\ WKH 6DOYDWLRQ $UP\ EDQG Sponsors: Legacy Trust, Trustpower, Tauranga City Council DQG 6XQ 0HGLD PHGLD VSRQVRU

1. O Come me e All A Ye Faithful O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant O come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem: Come and behold Him, born the King of angels Chorus O come let us adore Him O come let us adore Him O come let us adore Him Christ the Lord Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation Sing, all ye citizens of heavâ€™n above Glory to God in the highest Chorus Yea Lord we greet Thee, born this happy morning Jesus to Thee be glory givâ€™n :RUG RI WKH )DWKHU QRZ LQ Ă HVK DSSHDULQJ Chorus 2. While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night

:KLOH VKHSKHUGV ZDWFKHG WKHLU Ă RFNV E\ QLJKW All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around. â€œFear not,â€? said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind; â€œGlad tidings of great joy I bring 7R \RX DQG KXPDQNLQG To you, in Davidâ€™s town, this day Is born of Davidâ€™s line, The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; And this shall be the sign: 7KH KHDYÂˇQO\ %DEH \RX WKHUH VKDOO Ă€QG To human view displayed, All meanly wrapt in swaddling bands, s And in a manger laid.â€?

7KXV VSDNH WKH VHUDSK DQG IRUWK ZLWK Appeared a shining throng Of angels, praising God, who thus Addressed their joyful song: â€œAll glory be to God most high, And to the earth be peace; Goodwill henceforth from heavâ€™n to all Begin, and never cease.â€? 3. The First Noel 7KH Ă€UVW QRHO WKH DQJHO GLG VD\ :DV WR FHUWDLQ SRRU VKHSKHUGV LQ Ă€HOGV DV WKH\ OD\ ,Q Ă€HOGV ZKHUH WKH\ OD\ NHHSLQJ WKHLU VKHHS On a cold winterâ€™s night, that was so deep Chorus Noel, noel, noel, noel, Born is the King of Israel 7KH\ ORRNHG XS DQG VDZ D VWDU Shining in the East, beyond them far And to the earth it gave great light And so it continued both day and night Chorus Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord That hath made heaven and earth of naught $QG ZLWK +LV EORRG PDQNLQG KDV ERXJKW Chorus 4. Away in a Manger Away in a manger, no crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head: 7KH VWDUV LQ WKH EULJKW VN\ ORRNHG GRZQ ZKHUH +H OD\ RZ ZQ ZK Z Q H H +H The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the ha hay 7KH FDWWOH DUH ORZLQJ WKH EDE\ DZDNHV %XW OLWWOH /RUG -HVXV QR FU\LQJ +H PDNHV , ORYH 7KHH /RUG -HVXV /RRN GRZQ IURP WKH VN\

And stay by my side until morning is nigh %H QHDU PH /RUG -HVXV , DVN 7KHH WR VWD\ Close by me forever and love me I pray; Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care $QG WDNH XV WR KHDYHQ WR OLYH ZLWK 7KHH WKHUH 5. Maryâ€™s Boy Child Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible says Maryâ€™s boy child, Jesus Christ, Was born on Christmas Day Chorus Hark now hear the angels sing, a new King born today And man will live forevermore, Because of Christmas Day Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen to what they say That man will live forevermore, Because of Christmas Day :KLOH VKHSKHUGV ZDWFKHG WKHLU Ă RFNV E\ QLJKW They saw a bright new shining star; They heard a heavenly choir sing, The music came from afar Now Joseph and his wife Mary came to B Bethlehem that night They found no place to lay their child Not a single room was in sight Chorus %\ DQG E\ WKH\ IRXQG D OLWWOH QRRN In a stable all forlorn $QG LQ D PDQJHU FROG DQG GDUN $QG Maryâ€™s boy child was born Mary n Long time ago in Bethlehem, ehem, so the Holy Bible bl ssays ble Maryâ€™s M a y boy child, Jesuss Christ, Was born on Christmas W ass D Day Chorus

The Weekend Sun

e v i m a t r s s i L D i r s g t h h C Papamoa 104 Doncaster Drive 30 Bucklands Crescent 5 Koro Mews 54b Hartford Avenue 9 Aranui Drive 6 Enterprise Drive

Katikati 123 Park Road 11 Longmynd Drive 2 Major Street

Omokoroa 84 Harbour View Road

Te Puke 1 Allanah Place 61 Jellicoe Street 7 Washer Place Te Puke Baptist Church, cnr Station Rd & Malyon St

DV LUH \OLQGHU 6(59,&(6

Maungatap

1 Plover Place 7 Plover Place 22 Plover Place 9 Plover Place 383 Maungatapu R

Mt Maunganui 12 Te Ngaio Road Appartment 20 The Palms, 60 Maranui Street 47 Crane Street 55a Marnui Street 77 Maunganui Road 12 Te Ngaio Road

Pyes Pa 208 Cheyne Road

Bethlehem Bethlehem Town Centre, 19 Bethlehem Road

*Lights to be on for viewing from 8.30pm-10pm. Viewing time 14 Dec to 24 Dec

%URRNĂ€ HOG

201 Darraghs Road

The Weekend Sun

Welcome Bay 1 Highlander Place 131 Kaitemako Road 51 Discovery Ave 21 Victory Street 28 Victory Street 31 Cumberland Crescent 48 Cumberland Crescent 7 Meadowviews Drive 44a Langstone Street 2 Estuary View Road 1 Highlander Place

Tauranga

Wesley Methodist Church, 100 13th Ave 45 Fraser Street 100 Thirteenth Ave 16 Woods Avenue 201 Darraghs Road 47 Maxwells Road

Hairini 48 Sapphire Drive

115 Boscabel Drive (but lights are viewed from Dayna Ave & Amarillo Place)

Otumoetai 47-49 Maxwells Road

47 Awaiti Place

Road

Ohauiti

Oropi 9 Danny Place

Windemere

Waihi

31 Lagoon Place

Gate Pa

4 Neil Place 1 Rimu Street

273 Seaforth Road 53 Papaunahi Road 14 Clarke Street 23 Mataura Road 1 Margaret Street

The Weekend Sun

Christmas Carols and Central City Churches

on the Waterfront

6. Silent Night Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright! 5RXQG \RQ YLUJLQ PRWKHU DQG FKLOG Holy infant so tender and mild; Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace 6LOHQW QLJKW +RO\ QLJKW 6KHSKHUGV TXDNH DW the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar Heavâ€™nly hosts sing Alleluia; Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, loveâ€™s pure light! 5DGLDQW EHDPV IURP 7K\ KRO\ IDFH With the dawn of redeeming grace; Jesus Lord at Thy birth, Jesus Lord at Thy birth 7. Hark the Herald Angels Sing +DUN 7KH KHUDOG DQJHOV VLQJ â€œGlory to the newborn King! 3HDFH RQ HDUWK DQG PHUF\ PLOG God and sinners reconciled.â€? Joyful, all ye nations, rise -RLQ WKH WULXPSK RI WKH VNLHV With the angelic host proclaim â€œChrist is born in Bethlehem!â€? Chorus Hark! The herald angels sing â€œGlory to the newborn King.â€?

Offspring of the virginâ€™s womb 9HLOHG LQ Ă HVK WKH *RGKHDG VHH Hail the incarnate Deity 3OHDVHG DV PDQ ZLWK PDQ WR GZHOO Jesus, our Emmanuel Chorus +DLO WKH KHDYÂˇQ ERUQ 3ULQFH RI 3HDFH +DLO WKH 6RQ RI 5LJKWHRXVQHVV Light and life to all He brings 5LVHQ ZLWK KHDOLQJ LQ +LV ZLQJV Mild, He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die Born to save the sons of earth Born to give them second birth Chorus 8. Joy to the World Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King Let every heart, prepare Him room And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns; Let men their songs employ; :KLOH Ă€HOGV DQG Ă RRGV URFNV KLOOV DQG SODLQV 5HSHDW WKH VRXQGLQJ MR\ UHSHDW WKH VRXQGLQJ MR\ 5HSHDW UHSHDW WKH VRXQGLQJ MR\ He rules the world with truth and grace $QG PDNHV WKH QDWLRQV SURYH The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love, and wonders of His love And wonders, wonders of His love

9. Te Harinui Not on a snowy night By star or candlelight Nor by an angel band There came to our dear land Chorus Te Harinui Te Harinui Glad tidings of great joy But on a summer day Within a quiet bay The Maori people heard The great and glorious word Chorus The people gathered round Upon the grassy ground And heard the preacher say I bring to you this day Chorus Now in this blessed land United heart and hand We praise the glorious birth And sing to all the earth Chorus 10. We Wish You A Merry Christmas We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. *RRG WLGLQJV ZH EULQJ WR \RX DQG \RXU NLQ Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year

Christ by highest heavâ€™n adorned; Christ the everlasting Lord: Late in time behold Him come

Christmas Services in Tauranga Wesley Methodist

St Peters

Holy Trinity

St. Enochâ€™s Presbyterian

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6SULQJ 6WUHHW 7DXUDQJD www.stpeters.org.nz Christmas Eve Services SP .LGV 3- 6HUYLFH SP &DURO 6HUYLFH

'HYRQSRUW 5G 7DXUDQJD www.holytrinitytauranga.com

WK $YH 7DXUDQJD

Christmas Day Service DP )DPLO\ 6HUYLFH 5.00pm Community Christmas Dinner SOHDVH ERRN \RXU IUHH WLFNHW

Christmas Eve - Monday 24 Dec SP Â´6OHHS\ 6KHSKHUGÂľ &KLOGUHQÂˇV 6HUYLFH

SP &DUROV &DNH

Sunday December 23rd DP &DURO 5HDGLQJV 6HUYLFH KHDU WKH VWRU\ IURP WKH RULJLQDO ZULWHUV

SP 0LGQLJKW 6HUYLFH

Christmas Eve 24th. SP 0LGQLJKW &DURO 6HUYLFH $ VSHFLDO VHUYLFH Ă€OOHG ZLWK ZRQGHU

Sunday 23 December DP &DURO 6HUYLFH ZLWK WKH :HVOH\ &KRLU Christmas Eve 24th SP &DUROV RQ WKH /DZQ SOHDVH EULQJ rug/seat; candles provided; in Church if ZHW Christmas Day DP &KULVWPDV 'D\ )DPLO\ 6HUYLFH

Saint Mary Immaculate Catholic Church &RUQHU VW $YH &DPHURQ 5G www.stmarystga.org.nz Christmas Eve 24th 5.00pm and 7.00pm Vigil Masses SP ZLWK &DUROV EHJLQQLQJ DW SP 0LGQLJKW 0DVV Christmas Day DP DQG DP

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Christmas Day - Tuesday 25 Dec 8.00am Traditional Christmas DP )DPLO\ &KULVWPDV

From Eternity to Here - Christmas @ St. Enochâ€™s Presbyterian Church

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The Weekend Sun

Give a bus a go

Oropi’s $1.8m challenge

Enjoy spring babies

Badminton players use the hall most nights of the week and can’t wait for the old hall to be refurbished.

Oropi residents are seeking the community’s help to fund a $1.8 million proposed upgrade to the time-worn community hall. The Oropi Settlers Association Inc, operating as the Oropi Hall Committee, is undertaking the nearly $2 million upgrade which will see the

Oropi Memorial Hall become the Oropi Memorial Hall and Community Centre. Convenor Joan Kehely says they have already received an anonymous $100,000 donation. The aim of the proposed upgrade is to create a modern facility to be used by a number of community groups at the same time and to cater for a growing district. Built in 1953 as a war memorial, the

hall is a “community asset for the greater Oropi District”, says Joan. “The hall is one of the best facilities of its type in the Western Bay and is well run and maintained by an active and competent local committee of the Oropi Settlers Association Inc. Oropi is a vibrant community, offering all the rural opportunities while still being very close to Tauranga.” Proposed plans include a new meeting room, additions to the playgroup space, a new multipurpose ﬁtness room, and an indoor/outdoor ﬂow, which Joan says will enable the facility to become a “fully functional” community centre for the residents of the greater Oropi, Pyes Pa and Ohauiti districts. Two indoor squash courts will provide an all-weather sport facility for the young people of the community, including school students. Joan says the proposed concept improves parking and road safety in the vicinity and a new footpath, planned by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, will enable Oropi School to utilise the upgraded centre as a school hall. “The school does not have a hall. Road safety improvements, including a footpath, will enable children to move safely to and from the hall and school. “The school anticipate using the hall for assemblies, gym, indoor sports such as badminton and table tennis, music and for productions.” The hall is currently used by taekwondo, badminton, a ladies social club, playgroup, bowls, and Zumba groups, with private hire of the kitchen for weddings, By Zoe Hunter birthdays and funerals available.

CHRISTMAS CHEERS! Lindauer Classic Range

White Label $

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46.99

Devils Cut 700ml OR Canadian Club 1ltr $

20.99

36.99

14.99

34.99

59.99

Johnnie Walker Black Label 700ml

43.99

Jim Beam 1750ml

Grants Whiskey 1 ltr

Appletons Rum VX 1ltr $

The NED – Pinot Noir

7 each

10each

The NED – Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc

27.99

4 DAYS ONLY: Tue 10th Dec - Sat 14th Dec

Jack Daniels Whisky 1ltr

Stil Vodka 1ltr

31.99

50.99

Baileys 700ml

23.99

30.99 Export 33 Bottles 12s

Carlsberg 330ml $ 23.99 Bottles 15s Woodstock Bourbon & Cola 6% 420ml Cans 4 pk

Merivale Fraser Cove Papamoa Papamoa

21.99

Jameson Whiskey 1ltr

31.99

45.99

Export Gold

Tui Bottles 15s

20.99

Woodstock Honey 7% Cans OR Woodstock Smoked 7% Cans 12 Packs Dark Horse 7% Cans Smirnoff Double Black $ 12 Pack $18.99 Bottles 10 Pack $ 18.99 22.99

8.99

Te Puna L.C. Te Puke L.C. Commercial Hotel L.C.

Gilbeys Gin 1ltr $

Wild Buck Bottles 15s Peroni Bottles $ 18.99 12s $22.99

Your Local Liquor Centre is just round the corner Merivale L.C. Fraser Cove L.C. Papamoa L.C. Papamoa Beach L.C.

Pepe Lopez Gold 700ml, OR Pepe Lopez Silver 700ml

Jim Beam 7% OR 8% Cans 12 Pack $26.99

Lion Red, Speights, Waikato, Summit 330ml Bottles 15s

Cody’s 7% 12pk Cans Steinlager Classic $ 17.99 Bottles 24s $38.99

Haagen Lager

Wild Side Cider Range 500ml Bottles

4 for

Heineken 330ml Bottles 15s

Te Puna Te Puke Waihi

Everyday in every Liquor Centre outlet we give away FREE GIFTS on SELECTED PRODUCTS. While Stocks Last

Specials valid until 31 December 2013. All specials may not be available in some stores. Specials only available at Liquor Centre Stores detailed above. No Trade Sales.

Head out into your garden right now, and you should ﬁnd baby silvereyes, sparrows, starlings and blackbirds. A few gardens will have grey warblers, fantails or tui. Any garden with some lush vegetation should have babies in it right now. Chicks of urban and garden birds live in a By Ian McLean, spokesperson for the world full of cats and Green Party other dangers, and are not conspicuous. So the best way to ﬁnd them is to listen for calling that is high pitched and continuously demanding.

Speed cameras in discussion It will come as little surprise to drivers who’ve been pulled over by trafﬁc police that they recall these events with greater clarity than when they’ve received a speeding ticket from covert roadside cameras. For many, this latter form of enforcement infringement is viewed as an inevitable driving consequence, as most cameras are sighted in locations where speeding is more an outcome of the road environment than the driver’s intent.

independent

VIEWS

LARGEST LIQUOR CHAIN IN NZ WITH OVER 215 OUTLETS!

KING HITS K ING H ITS

There are many regular users of the buses, with more than 1.8 million passenger trips taken on the Tauranga network during the last ﬁnancial year. Many people though, just don’t know just how easy and convenient the buses can be. For example, my mother-in-law loves the buses in Tauranga. Since giving up her car, the buses are a lifeline for her. She will tell you she can get just about anywhere she needs to go via the buses –that they’re convenient, and easy to use.

Bay Mayors come out Last week I made an appeal to the councils to come out from behind the shelter sheds and start talking about their plans for amalgamation. To my surprise, they did just that the next day. It is good to see the subject raised but there is very little evidence in the release to indicate anything worthwhile from the last three years of negotiation. Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby’s priority is reported to be his desire to see the Port money staying with Tauranga.

Read all of these columns in full on www.sunlive.co.nz

Taylor Burley

The Weekend Sun

Healthy school wins big

Kleiman

Gate Pa School pupils Damaris Briggs, Nikki Phillips, Anahera Te Huna, Areka Lomax-Davie and teacher Janette Blake. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

Eating an apple a day not only keeps the doctor away – it’s one of the reasons Gate Pa School is the only school in the Bay of Plenty to receive an award for its healthy focus. The school has become a silver school under Toi Te Ora Public Health Service’s nationwide Health Promoting Schools programme. Gate Pa School health co-ordinator Janette Blake says winning the award is a huge achievement and an on-going process the

school is committed to. “Our school motto is ‘we care’ and part of caring is ensuring the wellbeing of our community.” Promoting positive relationships, positive behaviour and increased fitness for the students are among key changes at Gate Pa, which helped the school earn its first silver. As part of an active promotion of healthy lifestyles, pupils receive a piece of fruit each day and are offered milk on a daily basis. A breakfast club is also in place and healthy lunches are made available, so no child is hungry at school, says Janette. So far the school has built a number of new fitness stations

around the ﬁeld’s perimeter and are about to endorse a school-wide programme called Positive Behaviour for Learning. The school also has a jacket from the KidsCan charity to ensure pupils are warm and dry on rainy days and has established a net clinic where parents can get support and use equipment to eradicate nits. Janette says both health and education impact on each other and are inextricably linked. “Health is a determinant of education – and, education is a determinant of health. We need happy healthy students at school so they can make the most of their education.” By Zoe Hunter

Sorting niggles before the New Year Salveo Therapy addresses areas of weakness and imbalance and works on ﬂexibility or alignment issues.

Christmas is nearly upon us and it is the time of year for many of us to take a wellearned break –whether from work and/ or from those ﬁtness regimes you’ve been sticking to during the year.

Many of you enjoy this break and look forward to getting back after your holiday and into things in the New Year. But for some, the last few months have been a struggle coping with an on-going pain or a lack of movement that simply prevents them from performing those normal activities. With Roger Athy-Knibbs from Salveo Physio As a result, the end of the year couldn’t come fast enough and the thought of going back into it is a thought you’d rather forget. Now is a good time to get those niggles looked at while there is time. Luckily, there are specialists available, which at analyse and test the body to identify where a problem exits. Using a variety of treatment techniques from a physiotherapist, osteopath or massage therapist, you can be restored to your normal function and movement as quickly as possible. This is done by addressing areas of weakness and imbalance, or working on ﬂexibility or alignment issues – all of which are common reasons for these on-going issues. These types of therapies will get you into tip top shape – and ready to take on those challenges the New Year will present, whether new or old.

Being

Feeling Great

SALVEO

[OLYHW`

Please phone to make an appointment 07. 578 9408 www.salveophysio.co.nz

The Weekend Sun

A free challenge for motivated type 2 diabetics In the last three years, we have helped many type 2 diabetics improve and sometimes reverse their condition. We have developed a simple and very specific process to do this. Benefits include significant weight loss, reduced medication, reversing painful neuropathy (nerve damage)

in the feet and signiﬁcantly improving people’s overall health. Type 2 diabetics have too much glucose in their blood, and we focus on ﬁnding simple ways to put this right, by reducing their daily glycaemic (glucose) load through making some simple food and lifestyle changes. Doing this in tandem, with regular short bursts of high intensity exercise, creates a powerful force in helping reverse or improve both

diabetes and weight issues. Safety is a key issue during this process and we ensure we also collaborate with their diabetic’s own GP. Eat For Keeps is about to launch ‘The Big NZ Challenge’ across the country, and this free programme will help all Kiwis learn the life-saving concepts we’ve been using very effectively for many years. We are looking for people who have type 2 diabetes and are keen to do something positive about their condition to join a special team, which we’re calling Team Type 2.

This group will receive on-going speciﬁc advice and support and be able to challenge other friends and families to get involved. We intend running fun events and competitions. To qualify, you need to have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and be ready to commit to making a few permanent food and lifestyle changes. Take action now – if this sounds like you, phone or email me your details. Include your age, weight, short medical details, phone numbers and what you’d like to achieve. You can get a friend involved too.

Controlling Christmas calorie blow-out It is that time of year, when good intentions of weight loss and healthy eating are sorely tested. Everywhere we look there is temptation – good intentioned people giving you tasty morsels, to banquet size meals, with tempting recipes even featuring in the media. Visiting your supermarket is a mineﬁeld of temptation, from tasting stations to lusciously displayed exotic foods. Only the most steel-willed person will escape calorie-free from all of the season’s treats. I have put together a few suggestions on how to keep some control during the season: • Try to keep to your regular eating patterns so you avoid snacking on high calorie snacks. • At functions only eat what you really like

– don’t be tempted to try everything, you need to enjoy the food and not regret the additional calories. • Only have a single helping and eat it slowly. This gives your body a chance to advise your brain your stomach is full and you do not need seconds. • Try to include some healthy foods, such as fruit salad, rather than Christmas pudding. Eat skinless chicken rather than pork crackling, or more green vegetables and less roasted potatoes. • Alcohol is high in calories, so alternate each drink with a glass of sparkling water with a dash of lemon. Not only will this reduce your energy intake but will have you feeling great the next morning. • Find fun ways to get plenty of exercise with friends and family. Whatever you do, I wish you all a wonderful and safe Christmas.

Reflecting on health - how are you doing? December is a good time to reflect on your year, especially with regards to our health. You may have had a year of great health, or it may have been dominated by struggling to deal with various health problems. For me, the highlight has been working with people who have been prepared to make a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. For some this has been more of a fine tune, while for others it has meant major changes to diet and lifestyle plus the discipline and financial commitment to taking

high grade supplements. The results have often been spectacular with significant health benefits. This can be anything from increases in mobility to improved energy and a reduction in the symptoms from underlying disease processes. I spoke to one of my clients, who had problems with joints – especially her knees, fingers and thumbs. Her love is her garden and she found it difficult to cope with being unable to enjoy her passion. We put her on an intensive anti-inflammatory and joint support programme and after a few months she’s reported she’s out digging in her garden and is now enjoying what she loves. She knows her decision to do something dif-

ferent was the key to her recovery. Doing nothing always gets the same results. It has been said we tend to overestimate what we can do short term, but seriously underestimate what we can do in the longer term. The real question with your health is where you want to be in one, two, ﬁve or 10 years? Regardless of your age, most people can experience improvements by committing to a lifestyle of activity and good nutrition. Give me a call if you need a place to start. To join my weekly email newsletter, go to: www.johnarts.co.nz John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. Contact John on 0800 423559 or email: john@johnarts.co.nz. For product information, visit: www.abundant.co.nz

What is in Cell-X? Cell-X contains nature’s most potent antioxidants to protect from free

radical damage including OPC, Green tea, Bilberry, Goji, Hesperidin, Lutein, Lycopene, Beta carotene and vitamins C and E.

Cell-X is a full multi-vitamin including full B complex, C, D and E. Cell-X is a full multi-mineral including calcium, magnesium, potassium with trace minerals selenium, zinc, copper, boron, manganese, iron, molybdenum, chromium, silicon, iodine, vanadium and a 50+ trace mineral complex.

How can Cell-X help you? Supports heart health and circulation ,QFOXGHV D VSHFL¿ F H\H KHDOWK IRUPXOD Protects joints against free radical damage Supports immune function and optimum energy levels.

Abundant Health

The Weekend Sun

School pool cool for summer A refreshing alternative to the Mountâ€™s sandy shores is now open to the public every day this summer. Beginning today, Mount Maunganui Collegeâ€™s school pool is opening to the public 11am-3pm

daily, for $3 per person. The initiative is run by Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club, which provides a lifeguard to keep watch over the swimmers. Lifeguard Nick Ayers says itâ€™s not a money maker for the club, with the minor fees only just paying for the lifeguardâ€™s hours. â€œWe do it so the public can have

access to a reasonably-priced, nice pool over summer, and we want to make people aware that when they have nothing to do with their lovely children, and they donâ€™t fancy the sand, they can swim at the Mount College pool.â€? The pool has lanes for lane swimmers and a play area for children and adults. Children under eight years old must be accompanied by an adult. The pool is open every day until school resumes in 2014 and then will be open weekends. By Corrie Taylor

Lifeguard and swim coach Nick Ayers at the pool. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Pitching for help on the field Tauranga Primary Schoolâ€™s newest cricket team is pitching for a $100,000 grant so it can afford professional coaching and practice nets. %HFRPH D 1DQQ\ ,QWHUQ LQ DQG ZHÂˇOO WHDP \RX XS ZLWK D IDPLO\ IRU WKH SHUIHFW WUDLQLQJ JURXQG $UH \RX \HDUV ROG" *DLQ H[SHULHQFH LQ DQ LQGXVWU\ WKDW ZLOO HQDEOH \RX WR WUDYHO DOO RYHU WKH ZRUOG %HQHÂżW IURP Â‡ $ )5(( 4XDOLÂżFDWLRQ WR EHFRPH D TXDOLÂżHG QDQQ\ Â‡ $ )5(( )LUVW $LG &RXUVH Â‡ )5(( :RUNSODFH YLVLWV WUDLQLQJ DQG WXWRU VXSSRUW Â‡ )5(( DFFHVV WR WKH 3256( 3URJUDPPH $

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Keen-cricketers can apply for the nationwide ANZ Cricket Grant Scheme, which awards $100,000 worth of equipment to players and teams of all ages to help them reach full their potential. Tauranga Primary School coach Nagendra Nirvaneshwar has applied for the grant in order to fund practice nets and regular professional coaching sessions for the developing team. Tauranga Primary Schoolâ€™s new cricket team. â€œThis will encourage kids to get moment the squad is mixed. in there and play cricket regularly,â€? And with many talented students already playing at says Nagendra. â€œI am sure there are many kids who club level, Nagendra hopes to increase participation want to play cricket; and having this facility will be a in all age groups. great advantage.â€? Applications for the ANZ Cricket Grant Scheme So far the team consists of 10 Year 3-6 students. are open now until February 20 and can be comThey have just started practising and Nagendra says there needs to be more professional coaching sessions pleted at: anzcricketworld.co.nz. To vote, log on to: www.anzcricketworld.co.nz to further the childrenâ€™s skills. grantscheme and search for Tauranga Primary Nagendra wants to gain enough interest to create By Zoe Hunter School Cricket Team. two separate boys and girls teams â€“ but at the

The Weekend Sun

速 cut out the middle man

The Weekend Sun

Horta, the dish for when the heat is on VEGETARIAN

Horta Dazz style Ingredients Roughly equal quantities of the following (the more the better): Chicory leaves Silver beet leaves Kale leaves Sorrel leaves Dandelion leaves Spinach leaves 2 garlic cloves ½ cup lemon juice ½ cup olive oil Freshly cracked pepper Sea salt ﬂakes Method Bring enough salted water to the boil to comfortably blanch all of the greens. Put in all of the green leaves, except sorrel and spinach. Simmer for 20 minutes. Drain the cooked leaves and add in the sorrel and spinach In a new pot, heat 3-4 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add in the two garlic cloves and cook for a minute or two. Add in the greens, a little at a time, and fry off a little bit. Add one cup of water, bring to a simmer then cook until all of the water has been absorbed. Pile onto a plate and drown in the olive oil and lemon mix. Season with cracked pepper and sea salt. If it gets cold, and is left to sit for a while, it tastes even better – and it’s a great way to eat your weeds and leftover bitter vegetables.

Ph 0508 KIWIFRESH (0508 549 437)

Already, this month, as the heat of the day increases I have heard the bleating sound of summer with cicadas emerging from their winter refuges.

The strawberries taste fantastic as they soak up the sun. The basil is pumping, and I ﬁnd myself putting up extra shade cloths to shield the microgreens from the blistering sunshine. The chickens have the same idea and huddle under any shade they can ﬁnd. The rain water tank is running low, as extra watering is required, with almost everything growing well – including the weeds. As I’ve began pulling out some of the weeds, I‘ve came across a couple of large, old chicory plants, with some left over microgreens that grew up. Chicory is well known as a forage food for livestock here in New Zealand. In Greece, it grows wild and is sought after for its bitterness, as part of a dish called horta. I can remember eating piles of horta, accompanying simple grilled foods, in the taverns. Horta is a mix of wild greens often containing sorrel, dandelion, chicory, kale, and milk thistle. The cicadas also help to remind me of those 40 degree Celsius days in Greece, where cooked wild greens are served cold – and are so delicious you never ask for them to be heated. So with that barbecue streak or grilled chicken, I got thinking about how to have some tasty wild greens cooked and served alongside. If you have trouble getting kale, sorrel or chicory, try the farmers’ markets at Tauranga and the Mount – and look out for the new gourmet night market running during summer at Coronation Park on Friday evenings in the Mount.

Second gourmet market

The second Gourmet Night Market is on tonight, from 5pm-9pm at Coronation Park in Mount Maunganui. Last week’s inaugural market saw more than 2500 people try the event out for taste. Organisers say 95 per cent of the food stalls sold out. “We were overwhelmed and ecstatic.” Bring your appetite, a blanket or chairs and settle down for a night of delicious food and local musical entertainment.

The Weekend Sun

Community donates $200,000 to St John By Zoe Hunter

UD K RO SIN

I IW

Christmas has come early for Tauranga St John Ambulance with almost $200,000 being donated to the non-profit organisation by two separate community members this week. The women’s only Tauranga Harbour City Lions Club donated $28,000 to St John Tauranga on Tuesday, which is going towards purchasing a new Phillips MRX Cardiac Monitor and Defibrillator for one of three frontline ambulances. Raising the money through their annual 2012 book sale, the donation is made up of the club’s own contribution and a generous grant from the Lloyd Morgan Lions Club Charitable Trust. Harbour City Lions publicity officer Margaret Gunter says this is the largest contribution to a single organisation from the proceeds of the 2012 book sale. “The Harbour City Lions would like to thank the public for their support of our annual book sale, as without the public’s donations of books we would not have a book sale at all. “Our club members work long and hard for many months preparing for this project, but it makes it all worthwhile when we can make such a contribution to our community. “And we know that this new MRX monitor will help save lives.”

The women’s only Tauranga Harbour City Lions Club members with Lions district governor Richard Norris and St John district operations manager Jeremy Gooders. Photo by Zoe Hunter. St John district operations manager Jeremy Gooders says the donation means all three front-line ambulances now have a MRX Cardiac Monitor and Deﬁbrillator. Plus, a second donation by a Tauranga couple on Monday has equipped St John with a one-of-a-kind ambulance. Mike and Judy Lambert donated $155,000 which purchased a new-look yellow ambulance – one of the ﬁrst to the Bay of Plenty. Jeremy says after having cardiac surgery, Mike wanted to make a donation to say thank you to St John.

“He and Judy had been thinking about making a donation for a long time.” According to Jeremy, about 40 ambulances are manufactured each year – and from now on they will be made in the yellow colour, which will see traditional white ambulances slowly phase out. With two donations in one week, Jeremy says it has been a “little bit like Christmas” and he is grateful for the community’s support. “Without that support we wouldn’t be able to equip our ambulances with the latest and best technology available for the people in the community.”

Call to enrol for by-elections Time is running out to enrol in the Waihi Beach Community Board and Maketu-Te Puke Ward by-elections, with electoral rolls for both closing on Monday, December 16. “To get your voting papers in the mail you need to be enrolled or have your details updated no later than 16th December 2013,” says Lesley Christophers, registrar of electors for the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty electorates. “Only those people who are correctly enrolled by the time the electoral roll

has closed will get voting papers in the mail to vote in either of these two byelections.” People can get an enrolment form by calling 0800 36 76 56, by free texting their name and address to 3676, by requesting or downloading one from the elections website at www.elections.org.nz or at any post shop. Those unpublished on the electoral roll can call electoral ofﬁcer Dale Ofsoske on 0800 922 822 to ﬁnd out how to cast a special vote.

UD K RO

The Weekend Sun

Top quality barbecue cuisine made easy

4 Seasons Home and Leisure manager Dave Boocock has a large range of Broil King barbecues available. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

Summer is ofﬁcially here – and 4 Seasons Home and Leisure manager Dave Boocock has everything you need to enjoy the warmer evenings outdoors.

Dave says the days are getting longer and people are beginning to spend their evenings relaxing and cooking meals outdoors. The store on Cameron Rd has a large range of barbecues to suit everyone, says Dave, who reckons the most popular barbecue brand is Broil King.

Dave says his products are priced to offer great value ensuring customers a vast, high quality range to enjoy. He says the North American-made Broil King lives up to this standard by being designed to provide optimum performance and durability. “In every Broil King you will find features that make your barbecue perform better and last longer, plus it self-cleans to give you more time to enjoy the outdoors.” For tips on cooking the finest barbecue cuisine, the store invites a chef to teach customers how to cook on the barbecue. The next cooking session is on January 31. They also have a large range of outdoor furniture and spa pools which allows families to relax in their own home. Kwila furniture is a popular choice this summer, says Dave. The store offers a solution for all seasons – so for the cooler months, they also have an extensive range of home heating solutions. Dave says the store is dedicated to customer service and consumers can be confident they are talking to staff who know and use the products By Zoe Hunter themselves.

Simple tips for saving water this season When it comes to saving water this summer, every little bit counts. And with Western Bay of Plenty District Council this week announcing its preparing for the possibility of another summer drought, The Weekend Sun has put together some water-saving tips for around the home. And no, we’re not suggesting you all share the bath water. A good tip to start is to water your garden in the evening or early morning. This will minimise evaporation in the heat of the air and it also stops the drops of water from burning the plants and your precious vegetables. Water absorbs heat and also works like a magniﬁer glass to concentrate the sun’s rays, so watering in the middle of the day can be damaging and wasteful.

Use a timer on sprinklers. This can be done in a number of ways: buy a timer, set up an irrigation controller, or activate the timer on the kitchen stove to serve as an indoor reminder. Plants are better off with a 10-15 minute soak every 2-4 days. This varies according to soil conditions. If watering is done every day, the plant roots tend to be on the surface and that is the ﬁrst area to dry out. Looking for a practical gift that is water efﬁcient? Buy a front loader washing machine. Top loading machines can use as much as 228 litres per full wash, as opposed to approximately 58 litres per wash from newer front loading machines. When washing the boat or car, wash it on the lawn and use a hose with a trigger on the end. This saves water and soap from the storm water system

and keeps the grass greener. And remember: Keep your showers short and turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth.

The Weekend Sun

Christmas arrears: reminder for tenants and landlords This is the hardest month of the year for tenants, when it comes to rent payments. A lot of tenants struggle ﬁnancially with the extra burden and pressures of buying Christmas presents. Also, with the banks not paying automatic payments on public holidays, tenants see the extra money in their accounts the day after their rent is normally paid out – and think they can spend it, putting themselves in arrears and under more pressure ﬁnancially. What you need to do is offer them a friendly reminder. What we do is send them a Christmas card, or email them wishing them a Merry Christmas – it is always better in writing as they will remember it. Email us for the tenant newsletter we use. Remind them of the public holidays and that the banks may not pay their rent when it is due; and that they need to allow for this, and let them know of any emergency contact numbers for you and your service people. Then we will all enjoy our Christmas and New Year.

Homeowners disadvantaged in new legislation Last week, the Government passed into law a piece of legislation giving homeowners signiﬁcant rights and remedies when engaging a building contract. This piece of legislation, known as Building Amendment Bill 4, has been a long time coming. Ever since the days of leaky homes, the Government has taken the view New Zealand homeowners are at a disadvantage when engaging in a building contract. In my view, if a homeowner has enough smarts to service a mortgage in this day and age, they have enough understanding of their rights when engaging a builder. The Amendment Bill demands compulsory use of contracts and disclosures to better inform owners of the builder’s history. Should a defect arise within 12 months, the onus is on the builder to sort out if the defect is within the scope of the building contract or not. This applies past the contracted parties and sits with the house for 12 months. It is not intended to give a free maintenance period; and so builders will need to put some balances and

checks in place upon contract completion, to guard against owners who choose to abuse this position. For the great builders in the Bay, who already use

building contracts and independent guarantees, it will be business as usual. To engage a local builder, who already has these tools in his tool belt, you can ﬁnd them at: www.certiﬁed.co.nz

book online your FODVVL¿ HG listing in either ...

sunlive.co.nz/members

The Weekend Sun

A good impression Sean Benson, Jax Fitzgerald, Sean Wolsey and Jim Benson from Para Rubber in Tauranga. options when it comes to foam, with Para Rubber in Tauranga is under new ownership – and with specialist Glenda Walker able to answer any questions. summer just around the corner, Glenda is well-known throughout the new owners have everything the Bay of Plenty as “the authority on needed for the pool, caravan and foam” with customers coming from across the Bay to see her especially, bach this holiday season. says Jim. They stock a huge range of foam New owners Wayne Cuff and Matmattresses, ranging in quality from thew White, from Paramount Pools, occasional use for the bach, through and part owner and manager Jim Benson are proud to take ownership of to premium quality mattresses and overlays.They also offer a huge range of the store on Glasgow St. sheet foam, which can be cut to size for With a full range of pool products DIY projects. in stock, including pumps, ﬁlters, salt “We have lots of people come in who chlorinators, automatic cleaners and are refurbishing a classic car, caravan chemicals, Para Rubber has everything or boat who come in for foam, rubber to keep the pool sparkling clean this and all sort of other goodies we have summer. The fantastic range of pool around the shop,” says Jim. toys in stock make great Christmas Selling fast is the Bata Bullets, which presents and stocking ﬁllers, says Jim. are back in stock following a 27-year The new team has a key focus on absence. And just as the name suggests, Para Pools, which have been proudly don’t forget about the large range of made and manufactured in New Zearubber sheet, rubber extrusions and land since 1967. rubber mats available. By Zoe Hunter Para Rubber also has plenty of

Wooden toys make crafty gifts Beautiful handcrafted wooden toys await some of Tauranga’s less fortunate children this Christmas, with the Tauranga Woodcrafters Guild handing over a selection of its 2013 creations to the Salvation Army tomorrow. Club secretary Geoff says about 30 toys will be given to the charity tomorrow, which will then be distributed to families around the city. It’s a partnership that has proven successful for a number of years. “We chip away at the toys over the year, and we give them to the Salvation

Army, and they are always very grateful,” says Geoff. About six people meet once a month for the toy making – which is just one strand of the woodcrafter’s guild. They make puzzles, small and large wooden toys, pull toys and more. “A lot of the people involved are retired joiners and carpenters. Others have picked up their skills through the club.” The club will reconvene in 2014. Anyone interested can phone Geoff on 07 579 3637. By Corrie Taylor

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The Weekend Sun

Green zealotry is supersonic spin When Dr Ian McLean wrote in apparent shock he and his Green colleague were un-elected councillors, I suggested Green credibility had slumped, mainly due to overstatement and mis-information from the group. As evidence, I cited comments from the UK Guardian’s George Monbiot - a self-confessed Green activist. Monbiot’s recantation of his anti-nuclear beliefs - and I believe the antinuclear platform is still fundamental for Greens here - came after Monbiot interviewed

Green icon Dr Helen Caldicott. This interview led Monbiot to state: “The Green movement has misled the world about the dangers of radiation…the claims we have made are ungrounded in science, unsupportable when challenged and wildly wrong. We have done other people, and ourselves, a terrible disservice…”. Monbiot states he began to see the problem after a debate with Helen Caldicott. Receiving 21 honorary degrees, scores of awards, and nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, like other Greens, Monbiot says

he was in awe of her. “In the debate she made some striking statements about the dangers of radiation. So I did what anyone faced with questionable scientiﬁc claims should do: I asked for the sources. Caldicott’s response has profoundly shaken me,” says Monbiot. My problem with Green credibility is well-educated Green spokespersons haven’t acknowledged this fundamental crisis within the movement. Before, I’ve believed many Green supporters are well-intentioned, but mistaken. Now I

No global warming in last 17 years population is increasing rapidly. Al Gore’s picture of the polar bear on the melting ice was photoshopped “to make the point”. Water level rise cannot occur in some Paciﬁc Islands and nowhere else. It has to be all over. Records show there aren’t ever-increasing and more violent storms, despite media reports; and there’s certainly no connection between global warming and weather. A survey, in which 95 per cent of climate scientists agree global

In reply to G Ware, Nick Bagnall, R Lopert and G Oakbrook, measurements from several independent sources show there’s been no global warming for the last 17 years. This is acknowledged by Rajendra Packauri, IPCC chairman. Glaciers are rapidly melting in some areas, but growing in others. Local reasons are causing it, like underwater volcanic activity. The amount of ice in the Antarctic has increased considerably in the last few years. The polar bear

warming is happening, saw more than 10,000 questionnaires sent, but only a small number replied. From memory the two questions were: Is global warming occurring? Is at least some of it man-made? It’s surprising they didn’t get 100 per cent agreement to these. The key questions are: how much global warming is happening? And, how much of it is caused by man? Don’t trust what the media tell you, simply look for data yourself. It’s all available online and is generally not hard to ﬁnd. Kevin Mooney, Papamoa.

believe most Greens are ideologically-directed. Confronted with fact, they, like all politicians, resort to supersonic spin. NZ’s Greens are more concerned with being ideologically sound than truthful. What are Dr McLean’s feelings about Monbiot’s disservice claims? He should understand many are weary of Green zealotry – particularly when shown to be wrong. Kudos to The Weekend Sun for providing this forum for debate. I look forward to further exchanges. M Houlding, Ohauiti.

40,000 horsepower Millions in machinery Hours of entertainment

Gates open

5pm

Stripped wealth goes to bogus industry G Ware, Nick Bagnall, D Parish, R Lopert, G Oakbrook, I McLean, and R Stewart seem oblivious the head of UN International Panel On Climate Change, was recently forced to admit there’s no evidence of global warming in last 15 years. This reality is completely opposite to their climate models, which are woefully ﬂawed. No-one properly understands affects climate. It’s just as likely predictions we’re entering a new Ice Age are correct. Arctic ice comes and goes, but Antarctic ice volume has increased in the last decade - do the Greens mention that? Sea levels aren’t rising, a few islands in trouble are sinking, sometimes a natural

occurrence or destructive practices like dynamite ﬁshing destroying protective reefs. Thus, we spend trillions annually implementing illogical ‘climate’ policies, making some very rich and maintain a bogus industry and drain wealth from society. If only this was spent on real issues of pollution, sustainability and social justice. Millions starve with land previously used for food production now required for bio-fuel due to Green climate policies. The only certainty is the real intention power and control - becoming ever stronger as the UN’s Agenda 21 is implemented globally.

Many policies are now entrenched in our laws. Despite denials, Mr McLean wrote to this newspaper advocating wealth be redistributed equally in society. This appeals to those believing they’ve less than average. But wealth doesn’t ‘exist’, it must be created and is almost exclusively created by private individuals working for companies. Governmental organisations consume wealth, they’re not creators of it. Stripping wealth and redistribution it to unproductive and bogus industries is forcing the patient to take more of what ails them, claiming this will make them well. Mike Kuipers von Lande Mount Maunganui.

Due to an overwhelming response, more Green letters will feature next week.

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2012

The Bay of Plenty

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2012

Dec/Jan 2011 Issue No 161

DECEMBER

The Bay of

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07 578 0030

New radio room Reluctant

the water Weekends on Clip Taking trailer boating

to the next level

Set sail for summer

A piece of local Sea creatures

history

Club success stories

racer

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King of the river

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+ See Speedy

Saturday 14th December RFT Engineering Christmas meeting

Baypark Modified Champs and Stock Car Teams Racing

The Weekend Sun

Parents own poverty, not children On the midday news on December 9, the opening item started with “A reports says a high percentage of New Zealand children don’t have enough income”. When are people in New Zealand, who inﬂuence society, going to get to grips with the fact children don’t have any income? Its the parents who don’t have enough income, not children. Wake up folks. I have said and written before that there is no such thing as child poverty, as there’s no such thing as child

wealth. Parents are the ones who the word poverty applies to, not children. We need to address parent and adult poverty and that will sort life out for the children. Get away from the words and thoughts of child poverty and we’ll get somewhere. Because once we start to deal with parental poverty, then we’re dealing with a reality. Rebarbative comments about child poverty need to stop, because as long as we misinterpret reality we simply cannot move

forward. First to start doing something positive is employers in New Zealand, especially in Tauranga. I know of people who drive to Rotorua and further aﬁeld to work because they earn $6 to $8 an hour more there than they would here - doing the same job. As a manufacturer and exporter, I contract all of my work to places like Auckland, because we can get work done there for half the price as here. So the charges people employ here indicates they can pay a better wage then they currently do, in many places. Alastair Bourne, Bethlehem.

Costly watching for danger over the top I purchased a watch for my grand-daughter’s birthday and went to post it to Perth (where she lives), at Te Puke Post Ofﬁce. Because the watch had a battery in it, I was told it would cost me $37.50 to post. When I questioned why the postage is so high, I was told it’s because the battery could explode and cause the plane to crash. There was no explanation on how the $37.50 would prevent such a disaster from occurring. If I removed the battery, the postage reduced to $7.50. I later found the extra charge came in after 9/11. I was advised to contact Customs Minister Maurice Wil-

liamson to voice my horror and ask how an extra $30 is going to prevent a watch battery exploding mid-air. In my air travels, I’ve never been asked to remove batteries from my watch before boarding the plane. Is there a difference? On November 21, I received a letter from Mr Williamson’s private secretary, informing me the issues I’d raised fell within responsibility of the Minister of State Owned Enterprises, Mr Tony Ryall, and my letter had been forwarded to him. On November 23, I received a letter from Mr Ryall, informing me his responsibility as Minister of SOEs didn’t extend to operation

of an SOE; and he’d forwarded my letter to NZ Post’s chief executive. Now I await to hear from this person. Perhaps he’ll inform me he’s had to forward my letter to the Customs Minister? No wonder we mere inhabitants of New Zealand are confused when our elected Ministers don’t even know what responsibilities lie within each other’s portfolios. Perhaps someone can tell me how a battery-operated watch on a person’s wrist is permitted inside a plane, but a watch inside a parcel in a plane’s cargo can cause it to crash, therefore warranting an extra $30 in postage. Jan Taylor, Te Puke.

We want letters: Do you have an issue or concern to raise? How about writing a letter to The Weekend Sun? The Weekend Sun welcomes letters and photographs from readers. Preference is given to short letters (200 words), with full name and contact details. Photos are best in high resolution, jpeg format. Email: letters@thesun.co.nz

The Weekend Sun

Axed forum shows newbies’ fail Reporting on Tauranga City Council canning speciﬁc open forum presentations and questioning, in fact conﬁrms my fears. This initiative was probably hatched by the ‘old guard’ (who were summarily given marching orders by voters), and the usual suspect council bureaucrats who obviously decided, after embarrassing presentations early this year, they’d never be caught short again.

While these presenters had given ﬁve days notice, and arranged set speaking times, the upshot is some councillors threatened to stop any telling criticism in future - because they couldn’t stand the heat. Undemocratic lack of transparency and thin end of the wedge are words that spring to mind. It is a sad state of affairs when the Tauranga public and, or, their duly elected

representatives, are sidelined by council. The worst feature here is the new councillors, without any adequate public input or consultation, have gone along with what’s been dished up to them with barely a whimper, merely on the say so of council staff presumably? A fail mark here on lesson one for TCC’s six newbies. R Paterson, Matapihi.

Car safety paramount Freedom suppressed? A November 15 article in The Weekend Sun regarding booster seats showed challenges this presents for us living semi-rurally (‘Brakes put on outings’). We do have challenges when we when we wish to take our children out and about as part of their learning with this law brought in. But, like everyone who is involved in teaching and learning and welfare of children, we believe safety is paramount. Since the article, we’ve had overwhelming support from our local community to how they can help us. The Katikati Car Booters

has donated $100; a parent has organised a group working to support us ﬁnancially and Mike Savage from Legacy Funerals has suggested they may be able to set up a fund for trips. From now on, for our children aged under seven, it will be necessary to use buses - as its the only way we can ensure everyone can go safely. As buses are so expensive, I can see this fund lowering the price for all. Yet again, the Katikati community has shown how supportive it is in ensuring we provide the best opportunities for our children and their learning. Anne Morriss, Katikati Primary School.

In the wake of Nelson Mandela’s death many NZ anti-tour protesters conveniently omit mentioning they practised a form of moral apartheid on their countrymen who held different views, by denying them their civil rights via blocking highways, sealing off access roads and attacking television and radio outlets, damaging public properties and intimidating non-protesters. They censored the individual judgment of others and believed they could gain

freedom for the blacks in Africa by suppressing the freedom of those at home. About this time the Bolshoi Ballet was touring the country; and if the Springboks could be said to represent the South African Government, then surely the Bolshoi equally represented a Communist regime that held all of Eastern Europe in virtual slavery. Where were the protests against them, from John Minto and his minions? Bryan Johnson, Omokoroa.

The Weekend Sun welcomes letters and photographs from readers. Preference will be given to short letters (200 words), supplied with full name and contact details. Photos are best in high resolution, jpeg format.

Email: letters@thesun.co.nz

With over 100 years of history, Jones & Company is the oldest funeral services firm in our region. We remain wholly owned and operated. We have the Bay’s most qualified staff. We believe you should never accept less.

The Weekend Sun

( 1 7 ( 5 7 $ , 1 0 ( 1 7 G U I D E MUSIC The ever popular guide to ‘What’s On’ in the Bay.

Friday 13 December Dance Education Centre

Dance Showcase 2013. A variety concert for all. Ballet, contemporary, tap & jazz routines of high energy, colour & entertainment. Ages 3 onward – from the very cute to sophisticated. Dec 13 & 14 at Baycourt Theatre 7.30pm. Counter sales from Baycourt or www.ticketek.co.nz Tauranga Regional Multicultural Council Living in Harmony evening “End of the Year 2013 Celebration” at Wesley Church Hall, 13th Ave 6.30pm. During the evening talents of migrants will be showcased by story telling, poems, songs, dances, hip hop dance & drumming. Countries presenting are: Korea, India, Greece, South America, The Philippines, Samoa & NZ. All welcome, bring a plate of food to share for the festivities. Donations welcome. 571 6419 or Ewa 027 670 0700

‘Write for Rights’ Join Amnesty International at Bravo, Red Square 10am - 2pm. Write a letter, send a postcard, change a life. 576 6750

Saturday 14 December Alcoholics Anonymous

Women’s meeting at Mt Maunganui Primary School, Orkney Rd 10-11am. Children welcome.

Arts Market at Cargo Shed

Open every day 10am - 4pm. Performance of highlights from the recent Seusiccal by Steps Dance students 2pm Saturday. Reading & sale of children’s books by their authors Sat & Sun.

Bethlehem Pottery Christmas Sale

13 Bethlehem Rd 9am - 2pm. Unique bargain pottery for Christmas gifts, or yourself.

Bokwa Fitness

Omokoroa Settlers Hall, Omokoroa Rd 9am. Dance your way to a healthier & fitter you. Re-mixed house music, easy steps to sign language, an amazing cardio workout is here, go at your own pace. All levels of fitness welcome. Sarah 021 185 3363 www.bokwafitness.com/

News, reviews and opinionated raving on the music scene.

Christmas Dance Greerton Hall, 1247 Cameron Rd 7.30pm. BYO drinks & nibbles. All welcome. Supreme Dance Centre 543 2377 or 027 322 1786 or just come on the night.

DVD MOVIES Reviews of DVDs, old and new, as well as other bits and bobs. of Te Puke. Free entry, free sausage sandwiches, toasted marshmallows & fireworks provided. Prizes, giveaways & heaps of fun. If wet, held at Baptist Church, Station Rd, Te Puke. Lee 573 5343

Christmas Jazz Bash!

The Sociables

The Balcony Room, Historic Village, 17th Ave, Tauranga 12-3pm. Live music by Offshoot. Great music & company, delicious food. $5 entry or free if you’re a paid society member. Presented by Tauranga Jazz Society. Tickets available at the door or 577 7460

30’s/40’ age group of males & females that meet once a week to socialise by dining out or participating in local activities & events. Last event for the year today, with social events recommencing again in January 2014. Email your enquiries to: sociables@outlook.co.nz

Christmas Sequence Dance

Village Radio

Live band, quality supper. At Mt Maunganui Sports Centre cnr Hull & Maunganui Rds, Mt Maunganui 7.30pm. Entrance $7. Organised by Mount Scottish Soc. Elizabeth 544 5633

Community radio broadcasting from Tauranga Historic Village 1368 kHz AM. Music of 1920’s - 80’s weekends 9am - 5pm, weekdays 10am - 5pm. Specialty programmes. www.villageradio.co.nz or 571 3710

At Historic Village, 17th Ave 10am - 2pm. A variety of arts, crafts, gifts, clothing, music & fun with a sausage sizzle & more.

Sunday 15 December

Historic Village Christmas Bazaar

Garage Sale

Men’s Shed, Historic Village, 17th Ave 9am. Large range of goods (preceding Village Bazaar starting 10am)

Bay Bible Fellowship

Welcome Bay School Hall, Welcome Bay Rd 10am. Worship, praise & song. Pastor Lincoln Forlong preaching from ‘Joshua’ Ch 22, “Witness that the Lord is good.” All welcome. Gerald 021 938 618 www.baybiblefellowship.co.nz

Mt Maunganui College Pool

Carols on the Waterfront

Open every day 11am - 3pm. $3 entry.

Downtown, the Waterfront on The Strand 5.30-7pm. Join the combined churches in a beautiful celebration of the spirit of Christmas. See Mary & Joseph arrive with the donkey, then join in singing Christmas Carols.

Tauranga Farmers Market

Tauranga Primary School cnr 5th Ave & Cameron Rd every Sat 7.45am - 12pm. Santa arrives 9am. Christmas hamper tickets available - drawn 10.15am today. Twilight market Dec 23 5-7pm. Fresh & artisian produced food. Trixie 552 5278 or www.taurangafarmersmarket.co.nz

Tauranga Radio Sailing Club

Remote control yacht racing every Sat 11am - 4pm & every Weds 1-4pm at Scoria Close, the Lakes. Join the fun. www.ohope.co.nz

Tauranga Synchro Christmas Display Windermere Campus pool 12-1pm. Come along & enjoy the Tauranga Synchronised Swimming Christmas display.

Carols at the Quarry

Tauranga Woodcrafters Guild

At the Amphitheatre, Te Puna Quarry Park 7-8.45pm. Come & sing traditional Christmas carols with the Te Puna Quarry Choir & the BOP Pipes & Drums. $5+ donation per car. Pay on arrival. Cash only. If wet concert held at Te Puna Memorial Hall.

Meet at club rooms, Yatton St, Greerton 1pm. (Note change of day) Visitors & interested people welcome. Geoff 579 3637

Te Puke Christmas in the Park

At the new Jubilee Park, next to Te Puke New World from 5.30pm, presented by combined churches

Christmas Carol Service At St George’s Anglican Church, 1 Church St, Gate Pa 6-7.30pm. Carol service, with all your favourite carols for everyone to sing, & children’s nativity play (all children welcome to take part). Supper to follow. All welcome.

Christmas in the Park St Andrews Church, Dee St, Mt Maunganui 10am. Carol singing, free sausage sizzle, giant bouncy slide, face painting, candy ﬂoss. With Juliagrace (singer/songwriter) in support of Tear Fund. Come & celebrate the joy of Christmas. Bring something to sit on & an item for Foodbank.

Family Fun Day Held by The Phoenix at Masonic Park, The Strand 1-5pm. Face painting, bouncy castle, dog & cart rides, ﬁre engine rides, sack races. Visit from Santa & lolly scramble. Entry via gold

OUT THERE GUIDE Stories, snippets, strangeness, and general entertainment. coin donation with all proceeds going to Camp Quality Waikato/BOP – a camp for children with cancer.

Maketu Rotary Club Market At the Village Green, Park Rd, Maketu. Stalls $10. Lyn 533 1572 or 021 882 059

Masters Athletics Track & Field Tauranga Domain 12noon. Spectators welcome. No charge. Ray 579 1039

Mount Mainstreet Farmers Market Every Sun in Phoenix car park 9am - 1pm. Fresh fruit & veges, breads, cheese, oils, plants & more. All home grown & home-made. Downtown the Mount open 7 days. 575 9911 mountmaunganui.org.nz

‘Nine Days to Christmas’ Katikati children’s writers & dance teacher Gaye Hemsley will be at the Cargo Shed 10.30am promoting her book ‘Nine Days to Christmas’ which depicts a typical NZ Christmas. Gaye will keep the children entertained with stories, rhymes, songs, giveaways & a bit of magic. Names go into the draw for a free copy of the book. www.christinaproductions.co.nz

Petanque Every Sun, Tues & Thurs at Cliff Rd 12.45pm. Boules available, tuition given. 1st 3 visits free. Neita 572 3768

Prestige Singles 50+ coffee afternoon at Raft Expresso Bar/Eatery, Chapel St, Tauranga 2.30pm. Mix & mingle with other like-minded individuals. Gayle 027 439 3267

Radio Controlled Model Yachts Meet Sun 1.30pm & Thurs 5.30pm at pond behind 24 Montego Drive, Papamoa to race electron & similar 3ft long yachts. Graham 572 5419

Road to Bethlehem

Tauranga Adventist School, 19 Moffat Rd, Bethlehem Dec 15-18. Journey the road to Bethlehem & experience an outdoor theatrical presentation that reveals the greatest gift of all, & the reason for the season of Christmas. You will also encounter an authentic marketplace, loyal shepherds, majestic wise men, beautiful angels & Roman soldiers. Entrance any time from 6.30-9.30pm. Free entry.

Stranded Sunday

The Strand 11am – 8pm. Let the kids play safely on the Strand with the activity bins. Relax with friends at one of the restaurants, cafes or bars.

The Weekend Sun’s guide to who’s playing and where.

Summer Lions Market Papamoa New afternoon market held 1st & 3rd Sunday at Papamoa Sports Centre, Gordon Spratt Reserve, Parton Rd, Papamoa 1-5pm.

Tauranga Kennel Association Ribbon Parade Dec 15. Entries from 8.30am, judging starts 9am. Waipuna Park, Welcome. Bay. All welcome. All dogs welcome to participate as long as they are pure breds.

Te Puke Country Music Club Meet at St Patrick’s Hall, Beatty Ave 1pm. Last meeting for the year. Wear a bit of Christmas & members please bring a plate of festive food. Colleen 573 9360

Te Puke Spiritual Discussion Group Held 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday at Hair Linez, Old Railway Station, Jellicoe St 10.30-11.30am. Gathering of spiritual minds to discuss & learn from each other. $3 donation. Last meeting of the year today. Elaine 573 5361

Monday 16 December Body & Soul Fun Fitness

For over 50’s, social events & guest speakers. Mon & Fri Greerton Hall Cameron Rd. Tues Wesley Church Hall, 13th Ave. Weds City Church cnr Otumoetai Rd/Sherwood St. All classes 9.15-10.15am. First class free. Men & women welcome. Dianne 576 5031 Qualiﬁed Instructor/ Cardiac Care leader.

Fitness League Safe effective, low impact fun exercise set to music using the Bagot Stack technique, designed for women of all ages & abilities. First class free. Every Mon at Settlers Hall Omokoroa 9.30am & Tues St Johns Anglican Church Waihi 9.30am. Dorothy 549 3378

Citizens Advice Bureau Free, conﬁdential info & advice about anything call in Mon - Fri at 38 Hamilton St, Tauranga 9am - 4pm or freephone 0800 367 222. JP service every Weds & Thurs 9-11.30am. Weds CAB service at Welcome Bay Community Centre 9.30am - 12.30pm, Fri at Mount Library 11.30am - 1.30pm. No appointment necessary. All welcome.

Free Antenatal Classes Pirirakau Hauora, classes available each month. Venues throughout the Bay. Dates/venues 552 4573 or email: tamarikiora@ pirirakauhauora.org.nz

The Weekend Sun

Thursday 19 December

Freemasons

Tauranga RSA Indoor Bowling Club

Tauranga Acoustic Music Club

Worldâ€™s oldest & largest male fraternity. Make new friends & go on great social adventures or maybe ďŹ nd that lost symbol! Email: terryjones@outlook.com

Every Mon, names in by 12.45pm for 1pm start. Junior club every Weds (from 9yrs - 18yrs) 3.30pm start. At Tauranga RSA, 1237 Cameron Rd, Tauranga. 1st 3 visits free, coaching available. All welcome. Leanne 570 0154

McSwigganâ€™s Irish Pub, 158 Cambridge Rd 7.30pm. Friendly jam sessions. Sing, play or just listen. Paul 579 2346 or www.tamc.org.nz

Tuesday 17 December

Wednesday 18 December

Ladies welcome to join aged 30-60 for fun, friendship & travel. Training every Tues at Greerton 6-8pm. Anita 571 4096 or 021 0257 6094

Drop in clinic every Weds at 63 Willow St 5-6.30pm. No appointment necessary. Free legal assistance. 571 6812. Every Tues morning at Te Puke Clinic. For appointment 573 5614. Every Thurs morning at Katikati Clinic. For appointment 549 0399

Indoor Bowls Every Mon at St Maryâ€™s Church, Girven Rd, Bayfair 1pm. 575 9945

Justice of the Peace Service Centre Monday at Bayfair Shopping Centre Management ofďŹ ce 10am - 12pm

Meditation Free classes Mon 10am & Weds 7.30pm. Find peace, spiritual awareness & the meaning of your life. David 576 9764

Own Your Own Pony Come & learn riding & pony care during the school holidays. There will be lots of fun activities. Helmet & riding boots provided. Ages from 6 +. Price $60 per day (Oscar approved) Dates: Jan 13-17 & 20-24 9am - 3pm. For bookings & info 544 1899 or info@taurangarda.co.nz

Balmorals Leisure Marching Team

Come & See

Like to know more about the Catholic faith & church? Meet every Tues at St Maryâ€™s Catholic Church cnr Cameron Rd & Elizabeth St 7.30pm. 578 6209

Mah Jong

Every Tues at St Maryâ€™s Church, Girven Rd, Bayfair 12.45pm. 575 9945

Merge Social Connections Group

Tauranga Badminton Club

For new people to Tauranga meet 1st & 3rd Tues of month at The Raft 5pm onwards. merge.tauranga@gmail. com

Bethlehem College Events Centre 7.30-9.30pm. Free racquet use. $5pp. Sue 021 194 4335 www.taurangabadmintonclub.co.nz All players welcome.

Dec 31 Mount Vibes Music Festival at ASB Baypark Stadium. www.mountvibes.co.nz for more info.

New Years Eve

Partnership for safe driving

Awesome Clothing Sale

Baywide Community Law Service

Free Community Christmas Day Dinner

Bethlehem Pottery Club

For intermediate potters. Over summer every Thurs, 13 Bethlehem Rd 10am - 2pm. Dan 570 1559

Healing Rooms

At Fashion Island, 42 Gravatt Rd, next to Esquires Coffee Shop. 1st & 3rd Thurs 10.30am - 12.30pm. 2nd & 4th Sat 1.303.30pm. No appointment necessary. No charge. 021 154 0978 or 0210 271 3254 www.healingrooms.co.nz

Morning Walking Group

Dec 25 at St Peterâ€™s in the City, 130 Spring St, Tauranga 5pm. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time. Register at the ofďŹ ce or ph 578 9608

Takitimu Drive Walkway. 45 min around motorway (Mon, Thurs & Fri). People with diabetes welcome. Svetlana (I was a diabetic on insulin) 027 616 2124

Fellowship & celebration at Omanu Bowling Club, Golf Rd, Mount. Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. This is our Christmas Special as it is the last for the year. Door entry by way of donation to FoodBank. All welcome. Janet 027 264 0226

Phase 3 rehab exercise, social events & guest speakers for those with or at risk of heart disease. Every Thurs at City Church Hall, Otumoetai Rd/Sherwood St 9.30-10.45am. Men & women welcome. Dianne 576 5031 QualiďŹ ed instructor/Cardiac Care leader.

Mount Healing & Spiritual Centre

Across 1. Infant (4) 7. River (NI) (9) 8. Enthusiastic (4) 9. Capable (4) 10. Drizzle (4) 11. Cuddles (4) 14. Harbour (NI) (10) 16. He was Formula One world champion (5,5) 19. Dash (4) 22. Miserable (4) 24. Information (4) 25. Bed (4) 26. City (NI) (9) 27. Faculty head (4) Down 1. Bold (5) 2. Existence (5) 3. Hairdresser (6) 4. Brook (6)

Tauranga Heart Support Group

Alcoholics Anonymous

Open meeting every Fri at Hamner Clinic, 1235 Cameron Rd, Greerton (behind Tyremaster) 7.30pm. 0800 229 6757 for more meetings or assistance.

Chess Tauranga Every Fri at Tauranga RSA, Greerton 6pm onwards for the whole family. Noel 579 5412 http://www.westernbopchess.weebly.com/

Free Immigration Clinic Every Fri - legal advice & information on immigration issues. For appointment, Baywide Community Law 571 6812

Gay/Bi Menâ€™s Support Group Do you need a trusting person to talk to? Discretion assured. For meetings & locations ph/text Alex 027 358 5934

Zumba Class Every Fri at 129 Birch Ave 5.30pm. Get ďŹ t & have fun. Maya 021 995 065

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DONâ€™T MISS OUT!

Rachel Palmer and Dan Morris.

PLEASE NOTE: Christmas & New Year Whatâ€™s On and Gig Guide deadlines. Send through your items by Monday 12 noon December 16 for both Thursday 19 and Friday 27 editions toâ€Ś

A new community partnership has blossomed between Portside Auto Services and St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies). Portside has been servicing vehicles for more than 15 years and has proudly taken on sponsoring the maintenance of the small ďŹ‚eet of Vinniesâ€™ vans. Portside has also generously extended its discounts to more than 300 volunteers, who help run all aspects of the societyâ€™s community initiatives. Rachel Palmer, who drives the oldest van in the ďŹ‚eet, says as all old vehicles do, they need an extra bit of attention to ensure they are safe and reliable. â€œPortside business owner Dan Morris showed complete dedication to ensuring our customer satisfaction. Their friendliness is exceptional, their quality of workmanship is immaculate and their ethical standards of practice stood out. It is so nice to be conďŹ dent that you and your vehicle will be treated with the professional skills and respect you deserve.â€? Rachel has recently been given the challenge to empower as many individuals and businesses to come on board to donate or sponsor their goods, time or services to help those most in need in our community. â€œSt Vincent de Paul has been helping people for 180 years and we look to continue this legacy indeďŹ nitely. We are dependent on the kind heartedness of individuals and collectively as a team we offer great support to those in need.â€?

Historic Village, 17th Ave, Tauranga 9.30-10.30am. Good quality, all sizes & styles - menâ€™s, womenâ€™s, childrenâ€™s, shoes, sheets, duvets etc. Only $2 a bag. Rain or shine. Organised by Turning Point Trust. 578 6934

Friday 20 December

No. 1350 5. Celebrity (4) 6. Retailer (9) 12. Sickly (9) 13. Scrutinize (4) 15. Require (4) 17. Aircraft shed (6) 18. Solicitor (6) 20. Keen (5) 21. Occupied (5) 23 Repair (4) C G S A E C Y S A M Z A F

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The Weekend Sun

By Winston Watusi

Once again, Christmas is here...what happened? How did it happen? Stop and blink and suddenly it's a week till Christmas. Beats me. Time, as we are told, moves faster the older you are. Or appears to, from inside. That's because we – apparently – measure every moment as a percentage of our total life span

and as the life span increases so every new bit, whether it be a year or a week, seems, in relative terms, shorter. Knowing that, unfortunately, doesn't particularly help. “Time seems to be going faster, Doctor, what can I do?” “Nothing.” That's possibly the greatest lesson we learn in life: the slow acceptance of the

many things we have absolutely no control over and never will. And it seems particularly ﬁtting to be reminded of that at Christmas, a festival that was plonked on the date of a much older festival, both festivals celebrating belief systems which try to give people the reassurance that they have control over things that they really don't. Even if that control comes from praying to a possibly ﬁctitious entity (or entities) in the hope that he/she/it/they will help with those aforementioned things which the people can't control.

A little cynical?

Oh dear. Was that a bit cynical for the pre-Christmas build-up? Perhaps I was spurred on by newspaper reports that in this year's census 1.6 million people identified as having no religion. That's up by a quarter since the last census and seems like a lot. It compares with 1.9 million people who identify as Christian and the gap is rapidly closing... Anyway, believer or not, it's very nearly Christmas and the one thing we can all agree on is that Christmas is a time for presents, fun and overindulgence. Should 1.9 million do a bit of worshipping as well, then that's okay with the 1.6 million. Atheists are tolerant people. And presents...? Being a music column I'm obviously about to suggest musical gifts. CDs in fact. They may be dead in the greater scheme of things but in size, price and convenience they make damned good presents. And what music is hot right now? Well I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that the next big revival will in fact be... a folk revival. Now I could well be insane, or simply wrong, but here's my thinking: the Coen brothers 2000 film Oh Brother Where Art Thou? had a great traditional soundtrack and spurred a trad revival, the likes of Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris and Ralph Stanley all benefiting immensely. The Coen brothers new film, Inside Llewyn Davis, is due out in the early new year. It takes place in early sixties

New York - Greenwich Village to be precise - and has a folk soundtrack. And it's so good (rumour has it) that it will start a folk revival. At least that's my theory, and I'm sticking to it. So, with a fervent desire to make you hipper than hip and give you a chance to jump on this bandwagon before it even leaves the station, I'd like to recommend some folky albums for your listening and giving pleasure.

Here we go...

First up, Norah Jones. And why not? Great voice, cuter than a button and dueting on an album of folk songs with the singer from American punk outﬁt Green Day Billy Joe Armstrong. It's a weird world. Even weirder is that the album in question – Foreverly – is also a tribute to those not-exactlyfolk-singers, The Everly brothers. Seems that in 1958 The Everly's needed to make one more record to fulﬁl a contract so produced Songs Our Daddy Taught Us, a bare-bones selection of traditional tunes the siblings knew from childhood that had been popularised by the likes of Gene Autry and Tex Ritter. They weren't even expecting the album to be released, but it was, to little notice or fanfare. Then they went on making mainstream hits. But the album never quite went away and now Jones and Armstrong have recorded a trackfor-track remake. And it's rather wonderful.

Plenty out there

Of course there's a lot of folk music out there, from the defiant folk/punk of England's Frank Turner, to the meditative modernity of Bill Callahan, the trad reinventions of recent visitors to New Zealand Kelly Joe Phelps and Iris Dement, or even the soundtrack of the new Coen brothers film. There's also the “Best of 2013” list from fRoots magazine. You can find it at http://frootsmag.com/ content/critpoll. Next week – tickets as gifts.

Tuning up for contested semi-final Contestants of Welcome Bay Sports Bar’s Xmas Factor karaoke competition 2013 are fine-tuning their voices ahead of tonight’s semi-final. The Xmas Factor competition, now in its third year, will see 22 semi-finalists battling it out tonight for a spot in the grand final on December 20. Tonight’s semi-final sees seven finalists eliminated. Contestants are competing for the grand prize of $1000. To win, each contestant is required to perform two songs – one of them has to be a modern Christmas song. Tauranga entertainers Betty Pratt and Bernadette ‘Bunny’ August are judges for tonight’s semi-final and next week’s grand-final, with special guest judge Brannigan Kaa from Wellington. Brannigan is a popular recording artist on the Maori Radio network. His “most requested song” is his 1990s classic called ‘Maumahara Noa Ahau’. Betty is a well-known personality within the New Zealand Country Music Association. She’s not only an experienced performer but an experienced judge and vocal coach, teaching some of the country’s best young entertainers.

Bunny is a versatile powerhouse R&B soul vocalist and the 2008 grand final winner of ‘Maorioke’ TV show, which Brannigan co-hosts. She often features as a guest vocalist with Tauranga female band Kougar Sistas and combines with other well-known musicians in and around the Bay of Plenty. All three judges will be performing on the semifinal and grand final nights. The semi-final begins 8.30pm at Welcome Bay Sports Bar with the grand final on December 20.

By Zoe Hunter

A contestant dresses up in angel attire to sing in the Christmas-styled karaoke competition.

The Weekend Sun ' 9 ' 0 2 9 , ( 6

With Winston Watusi Magic and magicians are problematic on screen. The reason that there are so many TV shows of “street” magicians is that the surrounding public “prove” that it’s not just TV fakery. Now You See Me suffers severely from this. It has a great cast – Jessie Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and more – and an ultra-slick twisty story about four expert magicians who want to... well, do something, we don’t quite know what. Turns out that under the pacey ride is a lot of lazy nonsense and a plot that intellectually betrays everything the audience invests in. The tag line is absolutely true: “The closer you look, the less you’ll see.”

ELYSIUM Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley

There is a certain danger when reviewing a lot of ﬁlms constantly that you over-praise a ﬁlm for originality. Just because it stands out. It’s only later you realise that originality was its only merit. That may possibly be the case with John Dies in the End which is why, despite thinking it is brilliant and the most fun I’ve had all month, it’s not “Pick of the Week”. What can I say? It’s from the director of Phantasm and the amazing Bubba Ho-Tep, and has Paul Giamatti, time travel, a mindaltering drug called soy sauce, exploding monsters, an alternate universe, more twists than a really twisty thing and more laughs than should be legal. Fantastic!

Director: Neill Blomkamp Elysium is clearly the work of the same writer/ director as District 9, since it shares so many of that film’s strengths and weaknesses. It looks sensational – its world and weapons solid and believable, but also cool in a sci-fi way – has a stand-out turn from Sharlto Copley, and has a political message less insightful than the film thinks it is. Elysium is set in a not-too-distant future where earth is in the grip of extreme overpopulation and poverty. Except for a few very rich people who live on a luxury space station (in billionaire mansions with lakes and grass and waterfalls natch) called Elysium. More to the point, there is no noticeable healthcare on earth while on Elysium anyone can be cured on anything by hopping into what looks like a tanning-bed for five minutes. So when Matt Damon suffers an industrial accident and has days to live he must join the rebels to try and “break into” Elysium and smash the system. As you do. Foster is rather underutilized as the meanie in charge of Elysium security, Copley is wonderful as her aggressive enforcer and Damon is reliably impressive as always. In all ways this is a wellmade and engaging action thriller, a fun night for the family. Just don’t scratch too much below the surface for political meaning.

0 2 9 , ( 6

The Croods must have looked great in 3D. Even in 2D every minute of Dreamworks new animation has stuff bursting from the screen in the story of the eponymous caveman family led by Nicolas Cage's ultra-cautious patriarch and centring on the rebellious teen daughter (Emma Stone). An earthquake has them falling into an exotic Avatar-style world filled with wondrous flora and fauna where excitement and adventures ensue. The film's kitchen sink approach, throwing in gags of every style – slapstick, satire, whatever's going - actually works, while the visuals are dynamic and fresh.

Fantastic Damn ﬁne Not bad at all Dubious Dreadful

Thanks to Video Ezy Brookﬁeld for the DVDs

With Rialto

The second in a trilogy of ﬁlms adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece ‘The Hobbit’, by J.R.R. Tolkien, ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen), and 13 dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.

The Weekend Sun has two double passes to The Hobbit for lucky readers who can tell us who plays Bilbo Baggins. Enter online at: www. sunlive.co.nz under the competitions section. Entries must be received before Wednesday, December 18.

Appearing to all intents and purposes like a full-bore trashfest – Battle Royale meets The Running Man - The Human Race immediately wrongfoots viewers by coming on all arty. It even opens with some subtitled dialogue explaining the rules of the deadly running game that eighty abducted people must take part in. And which only one can survive. Further disorientation comes when a character set up to be major is immediately killed. It’s an audacious start and the ﬁlm continues to deliver, with rule-breakers’ heads soon exploding all over the place. But this is no grindhouse parody: it’s seriously brutal, unforgiving and nasty.

The Weekend Sun

Wheeling in the big dream Tauranga man Barry Walkerâ€™s life-long dream of owning a Jaguar has come true â€“and heâ€™s showing off his dream car for the ďŹ rst time at Mount Maunganui Rotary Clubâ€™s inaugural Barry Walker and his Show off Your Wheels 2008 XF Jaguar and Mount Maunganui Rotary Auto Show. Barryâ€™s brand new 2008 XF Jaguar arrived at his doorstep ďŹ ve years ago following his life-long dream of wanting one. â€œMy late father had his ďŹ rst Jaguar in 1957 and a second in 1968. Iâ€™ve always wanted one,â€? says Barry. â€œSometimes, I think that maybe heâ€™s looking over my shoulder â€“ so I better not put a ding in it.â€? Driving around the city, Barry says his car often catches the eye of passers-by, with its metallic redwine ďŹ nish and ivory leather interior.

president Les Cresswell.

Photo by Tracy Hardy.

â€œItâ€™s a fairly big car. It looks nice in that colour,â€? says Barry. â€œItâ€™s got a true Jaguar ďŹ nish. Everything is absolutely perfectly ďŹ nished. â€œ[And] it has a nice sound â€“ a sound of class. It just feels nice when Iâ€™m driving it.â€? Barryâ€™s Jaguar will join hundreds of other vehicles on display at the inaugural Show off Your Wheels Auto Show on February 23 at Mount Maunganui College grounds. Les says the event, which raises money for a variety of Rotary

charities, gives the opportunity for individuals who arenâ€™t car club members, but have a â€œspecial and lovedâ€? car, to show it off in public. To register vehicles or book commercial sites, visit: www. showoffyourwheelsautoshow.com Barry recommends for people to indicate their interest or book your site/s â€œas interest is highâ€?. Day entry is $5, with primary school aged children free when accompanied by an adult. By Zoe Hunter

Combo pass offers discounted entry Following on its heels is Sundayâ€™s biennial Tauranga City Airshow featuring commemorative aircraft from WW1 to mark the 100 year anniversary of the war. Thousands are expected to attend each event,

Mount Maunganui is the place to be for high-octane fans during Auckland Anniversary Weekend. Starting the weekend on Saturday, January 25 at ASB Baypark is the worldâ€™s ďŹ rst ever V8 Jetsprint championship series to be held inside a stadium.

Combination passes are available for people wanting to catch in-air action and jet sprint fun. Photo by Gavin Conroy.

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and organisers are conďŹ dent their joint ticketing initiative will result in people attending both events back-to-back. There are family and adult combo passes available which have been priced with affordability in mind. Taking a family to both events will cost $140. Thatâ€™s for more than seven hours of activity at the jetsprints on Saturday and six hours of airshow activity on the Sunday, making it about $2 per hour, per person, when you average it out, say organisers. Both organising bodies acknowledge they couldnâ€™t keep their ticket prices down to such affordable levels without the support of Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust. TECT chair Michael Cooney says TECT is delighted to provide support to these events and is hopeful that they will be well-patronised and enjoyed by large numbers of the community. Tickets are available to each event separately or as a combo pass at www.eventďŹ nda.co.nz and can be found by searching â€˜Jet-fuelledâ€™ Tauranga City Airshow or V8 Jetsprints.

Photo by Neil Jones.

The Weekend Sun

‘Road to Bethlehem’ nativity walk returns This festive season a group of Bethlehem churches are encouraging people to slow down and remind themselves of the reason for our celebrations, by visiting the ‘Road to Bethlehem’ nativity walk.

The 40-minute walk gives visitors a chance to experience the birth of Jesus Christ directly, by taking them through events happening in the village of Bethlehem, in Israel, at the time. Road to Bethlehem organising committee chairman and event founder Pat Downey says the walk-through re-enactment helps bring the biblical story to life – with visitors seeing scenes along the way that captures life at that moment. The show will be performed during four evenings from this Sunday to Wednesday, with walking tours beginning every 10 minutes from 6.30pm-9.30pm. “It’s become very well supported, with numbers growing almost every year since we started four years ago. People are always telling us how much they love experiencing the story.” Pat, the Tauranga Seven Day Adventist Church pastor, describes the experience as stepping back in time with the audience “immersed in the excitement and drama of the ﬁrst Christmas”. Along the way, walkers encounter an authentic marketplace from the era, loyal shepherds, the wise

Saturday 14 – Ray Solomon. Sunday 15 – Tellstar 4.307.30pm.

Club Mount Maunganui Friday 13 – Black Top Blur.

Mary and Joseph, played by Melissa Burrows and Kevin Connole, are among a cast of about 200 in the ‘Road to Bethlehem’ re-enactment. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Crown and Badger Friday 13 – Shabang. Saturday 14 – Eclipse. Sunday 15 – Jaymie King 4-7pm. Mount RSA Friday 13 – Mark Taipari.

The Matua Sunday 15 – Rock n Roll with Blaze 3-6pm. Wednesday 18 – A Taste of Country Night 7.30- 10pm.

KATIKATI Twilight Concerts 2014 SUNDAY 5TH JANUARY

TIM ARMSTRONG & THE KIWI BANDITS supporting act Calista

SUNDAY 16TH FEBRUARY

HOME BREWED SUNDAY 26TH JANUARY

Standing O, Zuhana, Danni Lochlan & Seth and the KK Brass Band

AMERICAN GREATS TRIBUTE SHOW featuring “Buddy Holly”, “Neil Diamond”, “Elvis” and the Che Orton Band

Haiku Reserve, Main Road, Katikati Adults: $20 Season Ticket: $45 Children: 15 and under free with an adult Season tickets available at Katikati Information Centre. Single entry available at gate (cash only). Gates open at 5pm – Music at 6pm. If wet check information line 07 549 3549 FREE PARKING

www.katikaticoncerts.co.nz

COFFEE CART ON SITE

men, angels and Roman soldiers before encountering baby Jesus in the ﬁnal scene. The free show is put on jointly by the Adventist, Grace Community and Bethlehem Community churches, with

the tour taking place at the Tauranga Adventist School in Moffat Rd. About 200 people are involved in the show. Details: www.roadtobethlehem.org.nz

By Hamish Carter

The Weekend Sun

trades & services

Curtains with class If your curtains are looking worse for wear – here’s a simple solution. Operating for more than 20 years, A1 Curtain Cleaners are mildew removal specialists and apply their best techniques to achieve spotless clean curtains for their clients. All curtains are cleaned by hand, with each curtain receiving 12-15 loads of water, and dried out in fresh air. To make it easy for customers, staff offer a pick-up and delivery service across the Tauranga and Mount

Zandy Derbyshire, hard at work cleaning curtains. Photo by Bruce Barnard. Maunganui areas for $40. “All the customer has to do is show us which ones they want cleaned, and we will take them down and rehang them once cleaned,” says owner Zandy Derbyshire. If client satisfaction is proof of the company’s success then A1 Curtain Cleaners have proof by the bucket load. “We have lots of repeat customers, and customers who recommend us to do their curtains. Also I get a lot of customers taking the time to phone me, just to say they are really pleased with By Corrie Taylor their curtains.”

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The Weekend Sun

trades & services

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The Weekend Sun

publice notices

health & beauty

personal

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cars wanted

PUBLIC NOTICE

cars wanted

Ian Taylor & Susan Boyle have won the Ron Moore - Chance to Win a $2,500 Holiday Competition. The prize was drawn at 3.30pm on the 2nd December 2013 at 2 Cynthia Place, Bellevue Tauranga.

automotive

Hon Simon Bridges MP FOR TAURANGA

I wish you a Merry Christmas

Ron Moore Registered Financial Adviser

My ofďŹ ce will be closed for the Christmas break at noon Monday 23 December 2013 and reopen on Monday 13 January 2014.

P: 07 578 2951 M: 027 573 5371 E: ron@mikepero.co.nz

POSTAL PO

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The Weekend Sun

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The Weekend Sun

REAL ESTATE

Not all auctions are the same I would like to share an auction experience with a difference. By choice I prefer to do real estate auctions on-site, therefore creating more ambience and emotion. One auction in particular comes to mind a few years ago, when I always wanted to be a ﬂying auctioneer. A pilot mate of mine picked me up at Tauranga Airport and we ﬂew to a large rural property in the King Country, landing on the farm airstrip. Picked up by the agent and setting the reserve in the house, we then went to the staged hay barn, with hay bales as seating. About 150 people were in attendance. We were able to view the whole property from the air, prior to landing. I recall we had to land from the wrong end of the strip due to the wind – large trees and pylons are a bit scary in a small two-seater plane.

After all the introductory details of the property, I put the property up for sale and proceeded to call the auction. A bit more than $11 million later, we managed to sell the property, do the paper work, jump back in the plane and ﬂy home. On return, when dropping my mate off, his wife duly said to me: “You know that’s the ﬁrst time he has landed on a farm airstrip”. Probably better I didn’t know this prior to setting off – otherwise I may have had a long drive.

situations vacant

By Frank Vosper

The Weekend Sun

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Children from Merivale enjoyed a breakfast with Santa last week at bbâ€™s Cafe. Below: Kingston, Leiraeous and Jessie James are speechless when Santa greets them. Photos by Bruce Barnard.

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The Weekend Sun

Where is the Christ in Christmas? Soon, Christmas will be upon us again. Some will be planning a sumptuous Christmas dinner, decorated trees and wrapped presents; and maybe some time away. But have we taken a moment to think about why all of this is happening? Why we have this ‘holiday’ season in the ﬁrst place? Has it concerned us we seem to see less and less of the Christ of Christmas than we used to? Where is the Christ of Christmas? We see everywhere ‘Xmas sale’, ‘Xmas holiday special’, ‘Xmas greetings’. Even President Bush could not put ‘Merry Christmas’ in his Christmas cards, but had to put ‘Happy Holiday Season’. They’re even selling ‘Holiday Trees’ in the USA. Isn’t that silly. Don’t people know why we have this ‘Christmas time’ in the ﬁrst place? We all enjoy celebrating, giving and receiving, wonderful food, some time off work; and we all usually enjoy hearing from friends and family, either by the

traditional Christmas card or nowadays by an e-card, plus all of the other things that go with Christmas. Whether we believe in Christ is not really the issue, but taking out the very reason for the season is pretty hypocritical. It’s a known accepted historical fact that the man Jesus Christ was born, lived and died; and this season we now call Christmas is the celebration and recognition of that one Man’s birth on planet earth. There’s more historical proof for His existence than for all of the Roman emperors. What a shame it is for our society to remove the Christ from Christmas. What a shame to remove the very reason for the season. What a shame to deceive our citizens, as to the meaning of Christmas. Come on businesses, let’s put Him back. Let’s be true to our children and grandchildren and generations to come, as to the truth of Christmas. They’ll ﬁnd out one day anyway, so let’s do it right. Let’s start something inﬂuential. This Christmas, let’s wish all our family and friends a ‘Merry Christmas’. By Pastor Stephen Whitwell, Elim Christian Centre Tauranga.

Walkthrough shows real meaning This time last year, members of Greerton’s South City Baptist Church transformed their church building into a walkthrough of the Christmas story with paintings and scenes from the story. This year, the church is again being transformed with an even better display, which is open to the public today (Friday, December 13), Monday (December 16), Wednesday, (December 18), and next Friday (December 20), each evening from 7-9pm. The display also forms part of the church’s services on the Sunday, December 15. Entry is free, with the church located next to the NZ Post ofﬁce on Chadwick Rd, Greerton.

Everyone is welcome to venture through the display, with people walking through in groups for the 10-minute event.

www.

Pastor Stephen Tyrrell says the walkthrough “is a great way to remind ourselves and our children of the real meaning of Christmas’.

.org.nz

The Weekend Sun

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