The Weekend Sun - 27 June 2025

June 2025, Issue 1266

Bayview Village’s Pat Purton, pictured, has been busy with fellow residents learning a new skill lately – and it’s taken over their retirement facility by storm Corn hole is the new game of choice after village manager Phil Holland introduced the activity as part of his monthly challenge against residents at Bayview

The first event was so successful it morphed into organising the firstever Tauranga Seniors Corn Hole Championship – which is being played from 2pm today, June 27.

“We decided why don’t we make it a Tauranga-wide competition? And invite other villages so there’s more chance for

Serious caper! erious

residents to socialise and have a good laugh and a bit of fun and play something that’s a little bit different – which all age-groups can play,” said Holland.

As such, today at Bayview, 22 contestants from four Tauranga retirement villages will play corn hole until the last one standing takes the crown.

“The residents will be divided into teams of two – and we’ll have a round robin followed by elimination until two contestants are left to challenge each another in a big grand final,” Holland said The public is welcome to come along and watch all the fun-filled action. Read more on page 8. Photo / Brydie Thompson

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‘Said Simple Simon to the pieman…’

It was a clean surgical excision, a gob-size bite, from a still bagged mince and cheese pie. And the bloke with the gobful, was gazing intently into the cavity Why?

“It’s a pie,” I said. “For the eating thereof So just gob it.”

“Uh huh!” he disagreed. “A thing of simple pleasure. A sensory experience. To be savoured.” But not this pie – the pastry had haemorrhaged and goop, the colour and consistency of sump sludge, was about to mess his shirt front. Or have him committed to the burns unit.

It was, he decided, “ a pirate pie”. A dud.

Then this thought, this flake of pastry….“I read that in a perfect pie, both the pastry and filling,

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should be independently perfect – the buttery, flaky mouthfeel of the pastry, and the mouthfeel of rich, unctuous filling. And the whole is more than the sum of its parts ” Mouthfeel? Pretentious Doesn’t unctuous mean greasy? Vomitus!

That’s when bloke, a student of ‘pielitics’ – as one wag said, like politics but more interesting – suggested we check out lesser-known pie stops around town.

“News you can use, ” he said, dusting pastry and mince from his beard.

I thought the power dynamics of the Tauranga pie industry were well established – Patrick Lam, Bake Shack and the like.

Two animals in one pie!

“Do some research, scratch around under the pastry, ” he urged So, on a recommendation, we pack a cut lunch and water bottle for the trek to Pāpāmoa. You are hungry again by the time you get there. And you are in the market for a pie at Rise Bakery “Lots of fun flavours,” I was told

Steak, bacon and cheese was the go-to “What’s better than eating one animal? Eating two, of course. ”

Rd for a mince pie. “It’s the bang.” Bang?

Now do a “u-ee”, pack another cut lunch and head 40km to Ōmokoroa and a shed; a nice shed called Next Door cafe. Factor in traffic snarls and a roundabout refusing to be finished, and you’ll be hungry again by the time you arrive. You’ll need to be.

“A simple mince pie please?” “We don’t do simple – we do an experience ”

A $9 experience, the Bunker Buster of pies, the biggest non-nuclear pie in the US arsenal. Looks substantial, is substantial. Smoked cheddar and mince, a ‘tradie’s pie’ apparently Must be sophisticated and well paid tradies in Ōmokoroa.

4 Heath Street, Mt Maunganui 07 575 5619 meals@malyonhouse.co.nz www.malyonhouse.co.nz

Pies, by nature, should be uncomplicated, so go for the common old, garden variety mince pie. There can be sophistication in simplicity – that perfect union when pastry and mince become one, sing in harmony

One said it was “just an office pie, a classic pie from anywhere”. Ouch! Okay, but still memorable in its ordinariness.

The Bunker Buster…

Don’t underestimate the pulling power of a good mince pie. I know someone who makes a half-hour round trip from Bayfair to The Sand Bakery on Cameron

All honey brown and homely and screaming “pick me ” from the warmer Seems you can buy a smaller junk $5 pie, but a tradie would need two to “do the job”. Even at $9 these pies have been “doing the job” for years No pushback on price.

Sunday service

I dismembered the beast and set it before a tasting panel of office jackals.

“Pizza like – delish – I wanna whole one. ” “A different experience. Attacks all the senses ” “I’d pay $9.” One got a bit sniffy “Too much going on there.”

If a pie is the ultimate comfort food, pop on the slippers and cardy and mosey into the Empire Bakery on Grange Rd –all the intimacy of the aged aunt ’ s home kitchen. Neat as a pin and a good feel. You sense the pie with the handwritten ‘M’ on the bag was made with ‘lerv’ just for you. Tasted like it.

“Thank you, ” I said, investing another $5.70 in this column and one of his self-professed “famous” pies. The “ you ’ re welcome” smile and doublebarrelled thumb pump were complimentary And if his pies aren ’ t quite famous yet, they should be.

The pastry flakes on the floor of the car are testament to the pull of the mini mince pies at the Cherrywood Bakery Some of us suffer from the crazy notion that snacking a couple of good minis is nowhere as bad as scoffing a full pie.

If there was a preferred pie, I found it down Chadwick Rd in Greerton – at ‘Baker Bob’, sandwiched between a dairy and a Thai takeout. Mum and two kids ahead of me bought eight pies between them. Make it nine! They grabbed a bacon and egg “just in case”. And a queue in a pie shop?

Baker Bob does simple well A golden crust with integrity and a nicely balanced filling were harmonising. A pie that hits hard. I was only going to dabble – two or three bites as a tester, but then I scoffed the whole thing. Warmth and nostalgia in there.

Like the church up the road, ‘Baker Bob’ now does Sunday service, he’s open on the Sabbath. “Excellent,” said a very chipper pie worshipper Yes, bless him. I had a mildly compromised BMI before setting out on this journey Now they call me ‘Three Pies’. Lovely!

Blossom festival

axed replaced by promotion axed, repl

A beloved community annual tradition in Greerton has been axed after nearly 20 years due to costs.

The Greerton Business Association, formerly known as Greerton Village Community Association, this week announced it has cancelled 2025’s Cherry Blossom Festival, which was set for September Association chair Cameron Templer said the decision was a difficult one, made after significant deliberation by the board.

“This decision was not made lightly but comes as we refocus our efforts and resources to better support the growth and success of our Greerton Village retailers during challenging financial times,” Templer said.

A shift

The move reflects a shift in focus towards more sustainable support for local businesses amid ongoing financial pressures, Templer said.

“The Cherry Blossom Festival has brought colour, energy, and joy to Greerton for many years. But as we navigate challenging economic times, we are choosing to concentrate our efforts on initiatives that more directly support our Greerton Village retailers.”

The event, known for drawing large crowds and celebrating the suburb’s seasonal beauty, has long relied on community support and volunteer efforts. In more recent years though, to align the festival date to coincide with and support the annual Greerton Village School Gala, the festival had often been held earlier than the first appearance of cherry blossoms, with last year ’ s

The Cherry Blossom Festival was started in 2007 to herald the start of spring and the flowering of the cherry trees in Chadwick and Cameron roads Greerton Village School held an annual gala on its grounds to coincide with the festival. In the street alongside was a display of classic cars and hot rods, with the car club also holding an auction and bringing a band from Rotorua to perform in the village square. Roving street performers, stalls, live music and delicious food added to the festival.

The festival had only been cancelled once before – in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Templer said he extended heartfelt thanks to past contributors, including Street Machines and Customs Tauranga Inc., Greerton Village School, the Lions Club, and many dedicated volunteers.

New

promotion

In place of this year ’ s festival, Templer said the association is launching a new campaign: Shop Among the Blossoms – Greerton Spring Promotion.

This is to begin with a shopkeepers’ and retailers’ Market Day on Saturday, September 20, 2025,

and is a three-week campaign aimed to attract visitors with shopping promotions and village activities.

Templer said the campaign will encourage residents and visitors to explore, shop and enjoy what Greerton has to offer “We are confident this refreshed approach will continue to celebrate the spirit

of Greerton while supporting our local business community in a more sustainable way, ” Templer said More details on the spring ‘Shop Among the Blossoms’ campaign will be released in coming months. For inquiries, email: office@ greertonvillage.org.nz

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Council headquarters now open

Tauranga City Council’s new $45 million administration building is a “sign of a city that’s growing up”, a local MP says.

The council had a ribbon-cutting and open day on Monday, with more than 120 people touring the leased eight-storey building, New Zealand’s largest-mass timber offices

Burial fees increase

Tauranga City Council is increasing most of its burial and cremation fees as of July 1. The fees are a new $200 fee for same-day cremations; a $1030 non-resident burial fee for anyone from outside of the city to be buried in a Tauranga cemetery; a new $293 fee for families who want to fill part of a grave themselves; and increasing the public holiday surcharge to $1000. Council would also remove the 10% discount for funeral homes that paid their bills on time. TCC spaces and places manager Alison Law said council decided to remove the discount for funeral directors because of a “significant loss in revenue”. The council lost nearly $15,000 from providing the discount in March alone, she said. The pricing adjustments reflected growing costs of maintaining cemetery facilities, infrastructure, and essential services, Law said.

Cricket stars to play Bay Oval

The Black Caps have a dearth of white-ball cricket but just three home test matches, as New Zealand Cricket confirmed the 2025/2026 schedule. After the 2024/2025 summer featured three tests against England to satisfy fans of the longest format, the Black Caps will again be limited to a sole series, this time against the touring West Indies. The tour was initially slated as a two-match series but NZ Cricket added a further test, with Christchurch, Wellington and Tauranga hosts from December All up, the Black Caps will play 16 Twenty20 Internationals this summer, in comparison to the three tests and six One Day Internationals.

MPs Tom Rutherford and Jan Tinetti attended, as well as three of the commissioners who greenlit the 90 Devonport project – former chairwoman Anne Tolley, Shadrach Rolleston and Bill Wasley

Tinetti said she “absolutely loved” the building “It’s been a long time coming and when I think about what our councils had to put up with in the time that I’ve been an MP and had to visit them, it’s been almost an embarrassment to our city and to see something like this is just absolutely incredible.

“This is this is a sign of a city that’s growing up ”

Impressive, fit for purpose

Tom Roper, who took the tour, said the timber gave the building “ a good warm feeling”.

Asked if, as a ratepayer, he got value for money from the building, he said: “You can always think it could be done with less cost, but it’s impressive and it’s certainly fit for purpose ”

“They’ve fitted it out well, it’s a lovely working environment.”

The council spent $33.5m on the fit-out and would spend $91.9m on the 15-year lease to house its administration staff, of which it has about 1000.

Former TECT chairman Bill Holland said the building was a “huge success”. “It’s a wonderful working space for the staff. When you look at where they’ve come from in Willow St, that was a disaster and nothing happened for years.

Kiwifruit forecast

Kiwifruit marketer Zespri has updated its indicative forecasts for the current kiwifruit season. Average orchard returns per hectare are steady or higher for most varieties, compared to last year ’ s results The highest per hectare returns were seen across SunGold at $171,000-$187,000 and SunGold Organic at $154,000-$172,000. The lowest per hectare returns were for Green14 at $63,000-$75,000 and RubyRed at $74,000-$79,000. Higher per hectare returns were forecast across most varieties, when compared to 2024/2025’s average rates. Most average returns per tray last season (2024/2025) matched this season ’ s forecast ranges – except for Organic SunGold and RubyRed.

Roll choice deadline for Māori

Māori voters who’d like to change electoral rolls before Local Body Elections this October have until July 10 to make their choice. If you are Māori, you choose the Māori roll or the general roll when you first enrol to vote. After that, you can change rolls at any time except in the three months before an election Go to: vote.nz to enrol, check your details, or change your roll type.

Something had to happen ” Staff have been working at various sites in the CBD since 2014, when black mould was discovered in the now-demolished Willow St civic administration building.

Current TECT chairman Mark Arundel said the city could be proud of 90 Devonport. “This is a moment of huge civic pride to see council housed in an environment that’s actually built for the future.”

The council building and the $306m civic precinct Te Manawataki o Te Papa, which will house a library and museum, needed to happen, Arundel said TECT committed $21m to the precinct project in 2023. Ratepayers would fund $151m of the under-construction precinct, due for completion in 2028.

All in one place

Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale cut the ribbon with long-time city resident Brian Kelly, who was made a member of

the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting.

Drysdale said it was good to have the staff all in one place. Between 600 and 700 people would work in the building on any given day

The tours they ran were full and there were 121 people on the waitlist, so the council would look to do more, Drysdale said

“This [building] was paid for by the ratepayers and we want to get as many people through so they can actually see what happens behind the scenes ” He said it was good to see staff visiting nearby businesses, and exciting to look out from his top-floor office and “ see the city centre coming back to life”.

“There’s a lot happening downtown.”

–

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Families s flood centres in search of food

Community centres across Tauranga Moana are grappling with surging demand as more families seek support, Welcome Bay and Merivale community centre managers say

At Merivale Community Centre’s weekly Kai Day, held Mondays, the number of families turning up for assistance has jumped from about 50 a year ago to as many as 167 during Anzac week, according to office manager Gemma Cramp

“The need is there, and some of them are working families They’ve got two incomes and it’s still not enough,” Cramp said.

Kai Day runs from the centre ’ s temporary base at 386 Fraser St but will return to its former site at 10 Kesteven Ave in September, when the newly-built Merivale Community Centre opens Volunteers hand out food bags using supplies from Good Neighbour, community donations and local support – helping families make it through to the next payday, Cramp said.

One community member had left $5000 at the Merivale Butchery, allowing the centre to purchase meat for families, Cramp said. “We make sure it’s enough for one meal for a family of four or five.”

The real culprits

While poor budgeting or heavy drinking and drugs are often assumed to be the issue of poor

financial management, rising living costs and soaring rents are the real culprits, Cramp said.

Families can access food parcels up to four times before being connected with services such as Bay Financial Mentors, based at Tauranga’s Historic Village, to develop a longer-term plan. But it’s not always a straightforward fix.

“Financial mentors tell us they’ve got clients with no debts, no

mobile phones because they can ’ t afford one – and they still can ’ t buy food,” Cramp said.

Next to nothing

With a minimum wage of $780.80 per week and Tauranga’s average rent at $720, many households are left with next to nothing, said Cramp “People are struggling with everything. We’ve had people say

they couldn’t afford to get home because they’d spent their last money getting to work ” When someone arrives at Kai Day, they queue before Cramp carries out a quick needs assessment. The person is then invited in to select items suited to their household. “We keep things as fair as possible,” Cramp said.

No one is denied help at Merivale Community Centre, but the help offered is only meant to patch things over until payday, Cramp said.

Welcome Bay

Welcome Bay Community Centre is also feeling the pressure. Manager Lucy

Brooks said the centre was seeing about 2200 people a month, despite being open only four days a week. “We’re talking about 50 people a day,” Brooks said. At Welcome Bay’s Kai Day, queues once stretched across the road, but because of safety concerns, people now wait inside, Brooks said.

“There used to be a queue over the road. Now, they can choose whether they want to be outside or inside.”

Both Welcome Bay and Merivale will sort food items, such as vegetables, meat, and bread, onto separate tables, but will also include toiletries for people. Tom Eley

Kaimai School debuts hunting comp

A small school in the Western Bay of Plenty is bringing its rural community together by hosting its first ever hunting competition.

The Kaimai School Winter Hunting Competition on July 2-6 is a family event with the aim of fundraising for the school, which has a roll of just under 100 students from Years 0-8.

“The event reflects the school’s

and a curriculum that includes conservation, sustainability, and environmental responsibility,” said Kaimai School PTA vice president and one of the event ’ s organisers, Leon Marshall

The competition is open to hunters from across Aotearoa with adult categories for deer and pigs – including stags, hinds, boars and sows – closest to average weight, heaviest and second heaviest plus

under-15s, categories included rabbits and possums closest to average weight, heaviest, second heaviest, plus most rabbits and most possums.

The four-day competition would end Sunday, July 6, with a weigh-in from 9am-noon at the Kaimai Community Hall followed by a prizegiving of cash prizes and spot prizes, said Marshall.

“The event has already drawn strong interest from hunters of all ages, with more than 100

people registering to take part, ” said Marshall.

With purpose

“This is more than just a competition, this event is a chance to rally around Kaimai School, support local kids, and give back to the community through hunting with purpose ” Marshall said with strong local and regional support there were plans to grow the event in future.

The 2025 event had drawn many local sponsors to donate

prizes and made the event possible, Marshall said

For those who don’t wish to keep the deer they shoot, Kaimai School is partnering with non-profit organisation Hunt for Good, which would process and distribute the meat to local foodbanks to help feed families in need

Adult entries cost $50 each and under-15 entry was $20. To enter the competition, email: pta@kaimai school nz Ayla Yeoman

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The House of Science’s Western Bay of Plenty branch is growing, but it does require more volunteers in winter months

Established in 2014, the charitable trust was founded by Tauranga’s Chris Duggan from a need to address the alarming trend of students entering secondary school with little to no exposure to science The trust develops relevant, comprehensive resource kits with all materials needed to carry out engaging science lessons with primary and intermediate-age students The bilingual kits are delivered to schools regularly using a subscriptionbased library system

WBOP branch manager Alana Campbell said in Term 2 the trust was on track to deliver 70 kits every fortnight to 44 member schools This equated to a presence in more than 73% of primary schools in the district, including four kura kaupapa Māori, two intermediates, a college, and homeschool groups

“Our goal is to support teachers in delivering highquality science programmes that spark curiosity and align with the curriculum, saving time and boosting engagement in the classroom ” Campbell hoped

More olunteers wanted

an activity in a kit would spark a lifelong interest and inspire students to keep asking questions, make educated decisions and dream big

The programme, run mostly by volunteers, is looking for extra hands this winter when their workload traditionally increases “Adding to the challenge, some of our wonderful volunteers take the opportunity to escape to warmer climates ”

Campbell said those with a few hours free weekly could clean, replenish or distribute kits Email: alana campbell@houseofscience nz

At King’s Birthday, Duggan was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her transformative impact on science education

She developed HOS after a 2012 Education Review Office report found 73% of NZ primary schools were not doing science very well

“I was quite horrified and decided something needed to be done.”

She first created the kits in fish bins “We’re a charity that now delivers science resource kits to primary schools all over NZ and the kits allow teachers in our primary schools to deliver hands-on science lessons,” said Duggan Ayla Yeoman

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‘Game On’ for city’s seniors

It’s usually a fun family backyard game, but today it’s serious business at The Bayview Village in Judea.

Twenty-two contestants from four retirement villages would this afternoon vie to be crowned the first ever Tauranga Seniors Corn Hole Champion.

“Oh, it’s my crazy idea,” said Bayview Village manager Phil Holland. “You always got to start off with a crazy idea, right?”

His village has been running a Phil’s challenge monthly – where the residents versus their village manager at an activity – since January The most popular had been mini golf, but that was until corn hole came along…

“We’re always looking for different activities for our residents to do,” said Holland. “So the residents sort of challenged me to something as a village manager, and we introduced in Phil’s challenge and got quite popular They finally beat me at mini golf the other day I drove back

very upset – they rubbed it in all the way home in the van!” Then came the idea for corn hole. “We decided why don’t we make it a Tauranga-wide competition? And invite other villages so there’s more chance for residents to socialise and have a good laugh and a bit of fun and play something that’s a little bit different – which all age-groups can play."

22 competitors

And so the first ever Tauranga Seniors Corn Hole Champion was born – and is being held this afternoon, June 27, from 2pm inside The Bayview Village’s café area.

Holland said Bayview Village held its own debut corn hole champs recently to select its residents for the Tauranga-wide competition – and the final was very serious “It was very tense – my goodness, you hear a pin drop!”

Now he has 22 contestants from four Tauranga retirement villages – including Bayview Village, Althorpe, Ōmokoroa Country Club and Matua Village – ready for game on this arfternoon.

“The residents will be divided into teams of two – and we’ll have a round robin followed by elimination until two contestants are left to challenge each another in a big grand final.”

Holland said activities like corn hole bring many benefits to Bayview residents – that’s why he wanted to open it up to other villages “It gives a lot to residents – it’s the socialising aspect of it, having a laugh, having some fun, and being part of something with like-minded people or getting out there and doing something a bit different.”

Corn hole, which has murky records on where it originated, had become a world-famous classic game – Holland can see why.

“Yeah, it’s simple in the sense that you don’t need a lot of gear, it is good exercise but it’s also accessible to a wide range of people. For example, if you ’ re in a wheelchair, you can still play – so it caters to all age groups and abilities. All we do is adjust the length the competitor has to throw from, depending on their skill level.”

Every day practising

The new skill is new to many Bayview residents, and it’s great for hand-eye coordination too, said Holland. “We’ve had teams up here every day practising and I just love seeing that, because most people had never heard of it before.”

Bayview Village resident Elaine Cupples, in her mid-70s, made the championship “It’s a great way to mix and mingle and socialise with other residents. I love the new exercise and have found that my hand-eye co-ordination has improved,” said Cupples, who was known to have a competitive streak. Holland is aiming to make the Tauranga Seniors Corn Hole Championship an annual event “We’re sort of promoting it to other villages to do so ”

Ready for battle

But right now, the contestants are ready for the 2025 battle – and Holland said the public are welcome to come along and watch from 2pm today

Bayview resident Pam Fields, who is almost 80, had been busy practising for the championship

She predicted the contest will be both fun and competitive with some good-hearted laughs along the way, and she looked forward to lifting the inaugural trophy “The final will be as tense as the Bayview final.”

Today’s championship is being run by local business, Backyard Games NZ, which provide and set up the equipment, organise draws, umpire the games, and offer encouragement to players

“They’ve been so good to deal with and will be present today and run the whole thing for us – they’ll be the chief scrutineers and scorers in the finals ” Merle Cave

After a seven-year hiatus, Pāpāmoa’s polar plunge is b k f 5

back for 2025

It’s time to don your winterthemed costume, head down to the beach below Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club and take an icy dip this Sunday, June 29, for a cracker of a community event

Hosted by Pāpāmoa Unlimited and the Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club, the Pāpāmoa Polar Plunge promises a chilly challenge, big laughs and feel-good vibes

Registration takes place on the beach below the club from 9 15am, and the mass plunge begins at 10am sharp

This year ’ s theme ‘Winter Wonderland’ encourages participants to go all out with creative costumes

“There’ll be awesome spot prizes up for grabs – from best-dressed to funniest costume and top team spirit,” said Raegen Tyrer, of Pāpāmoa Unlimited “We want

ake the plunge – if ou

to see everyone getting into the spirit, whether you ' re plunging or ” or convincing your mates to take the plunge, all you need is

just there to hype up your mates

“We are encouraging people to sign up ahead of the event via our registration link on the Pāpāmoa Polar Plunge 2025 Facebook event page or online at: shorturl at/Wxbka ”

Not keen on getting cold?

No worries! Come along and support the brave ones There’ll be plenty happening to keep you entertained and warm

For non-plungers

“It’s not just about the plunge –the morning will be packed with live music, facepainting, balloon twisting, a sausage sizzle, food trucks, giveaways, sauna sessions, and fun for the whole whānau It’s the perfect excuse to rug up, head down to the beach, and enjoy a unique local event that brings the community together,”

Tyrer said

Whether you ' re diving in solo

a towel, a sense of humour, and a bit of courage Costumes are optional but highly encouraged – and don’t forget to rug up afterwards Or grab a coffee and cheer from the sidelines

So, are you bold enough to brave the cold? Tag your friends online, dig out your best winterthemed costume, and make a splash! Whether you dive headfirst into the icy waves or cheer on the brave souls from the shore, there’s something for everyone at this beloved midwinter tradition

Entry is free - just bring your towel, a good attitude, and your warmest post-plunge outfit

Register online or on the day on the beach below the Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club from 9.15am, Plunge at 10am, Sunday, June 29 Theme: Winter Wonderland Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Lead designer guides Aztech to double-award win! double award

The whole team at Tauranga’s Aztech Signs is buzzing after winning two awards at the New Zealand Sign & Display Association’s annual Awards of Excellence in Nelson on June 14

Business owner Jim Merson said Aztech’s lead sign-writer and designer

Dwayne Coles’ design work for Hakanini Surf School won gold in the In-House Design category

“This is nationally one of the top awards in design,” said Merson, who said Aztech also entered the project into the Digital Sign-Written Vehicles category, where it won silver

Merson said Tom Botting at Pāpāmoa’s Hakanini Surf School

Lead sign-writer and designer Dwayne Coles and business owner Jim Merson with Aztech Signs’ gold and silver awards.

approached Aztech Signs early this year “wanting ideas for their trailer, where he operates his surf school out of”

“Dwayne created a design for their trailer, covering it with a Hawaiian Tiki Hut theme – and it certainly stands out He designed the whole thing and oversaw the project ”

Over the moon

Merson was over the moon that Coles had been recognised for his talents “It’s great for Dwayne to be acknowledged –it’s a competitive industry and

SoundSwell Community

Choir has just the antidote for those winter blues – a concert of lively music and food

The choir, which has been singing together since last October, has a heartwarming evening of good music and kai (food) planned to share with friends and whānau, and the local community in collaboration with Tauranga musicians.

The Mid Winter Celebration with

they don’t give out these awards easily It’s a nationwide competition with tough judging criteria; and the judges are industry experts ” Coles is “ pretty chuffed” and saw the awards as the pinnacle in his career to be recognised by his industry peers

Merson said the awards also show the dedication of the whole Aztech team

“We run digital roll printers and flatbeds and although Dwanye designed it all and picked the colours etc – we ’ ve got guys here who run the print machines They’ve got to get that side right too So the project has come through everyone ’ s hands at the company in one way or another, from printing the wrap to prepping the trailer – although with Dwayne managing what he wants and leading the pack ”

SoundSwell Community Choir and Friends is this Saturday, June 28, from 6.30pm-8pm at the Mount Maunganui Community Hall, 345 Maunganui Rd. Tickets cost $5 from Humantix.

Musical director Catherine Graham said Matariki is just the right time to celebrate together, remember special people, and look forward to the bright possibilities in the future.

“The choir sings new arrangements of songs by NZ

Aztech Signs, an NZSDA member, had been operating in Tauranga for more than 20 years, said Merson “We do a lot of printing, especially digital real estate board signs that you see around town

Anything!

“We do anything from site signs to stickers to vehicle and building signage – a full range of sign, design and print work – so we ’ re a one-stop shop!”

For all your sign, design and print needs – even if you only have a slight idea of what you want – call Aztech Signs today, said Merson “The Hakanini design was something that Dwayne came up with – so those looking for new, fresh ideas to revive old, tired signage, or looking to rebrand, the team at Aztech is happy to come up with an award-winning design for your business.” Sponsored Content

artists, as well as bands such as The Cure and other contemporary artists.

“[For this concert] The choir will be joined by local guitarist Chris Williamson, drummer Paul Hoskin and bassist Joe Stodart, as well as a guest performance by Emily Tattersall ”

SoundSwell Community Choir meets Monday nights at the Church Hall in Dee St, Mount Maunganui at 7pm.

A life mixing maths and music

Online tributes are flowing across the global computer science and research community following the death of Professor Barry Vercoe, the inventor of Csound.

The Tauranga resident, who died this month, aged 87, was internationally regarded as one of the founding figures of computer music

A pioneering computer scientist, composer and educator, Vercoe’s work revolutionised how the world creates, hears and understands sound

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in the digital age. As the inventor of Csound, a music programming language used globally by composers and researchers, his influence reached far beyond academia. The language he developed also formed the basis of SAOL, part of the MPEG-4 Structured Audio standard that powers audio technologies across the internet today. Born in Wellington in 1937, Vercoe’s talents emerged early He earned degrees in music (1959) and mathematics (1962) from the University of Auckland

Clarinet and Bassoon’ won the University of Otago’s Philip Neill Memorial Prize in Music – a work finally premiered nearly 60 years later in Tauranga in 2018.

Why had it never been performed publicly before then? It may be that Vercoe went off to do what appears to be, a very extended ‘OE’

A good rut

•

While sitting in an Auckland University dorm room, 20-year-old Vercoe wrote a piece of music for his musical friends. The following year, in 1959, the composition ‘A Program Suite for Oboe,

“I went to the USA in 1962,” said Vercoe during an interview with The Weekend Sun in 2018. “By 1971 I had become a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology I then stayed there for 40 years If you ’ re going to end up in a rut, just make sure it’s a good one. ”

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The good rut he ended up in was becoming a founding professor of MIT Media Lab in Boston, Massachusetts. He pioneered the composition of works combining computers and live instruments.

After moving to the United States, Vercoe completed a doctorate in music composition at the University of Michigan in 1968, studying with Ross Lee Finney His musical career unfolded alongside a blossoming interest in computer science, sparked while working as a statistician and learning to program From 1968-1971, during a postdoctoral fellowship at Princeton University, he conducted early research into digital audio processing, a field then in its infancy

four decades, ultimately serving as Founding Professor Emeritus MIT Media Lab, and Professor of Music and Media Arts and Sciences.

into MPEG-4, the world’s first international standard for sound synthesis. Exploring MIT’s website reveals fascinating topics Vercoe explored and led innovation on, such as analysing killer whale sounds; developing intelligent music systems where live music events can happen through the internet when musicians are located remotely from each other; and developing software that enables musicians to synthesise and represent non-Western music, in particular from Asia and the Middle-East Later in life, Vercoe turned his attention to global education, launching One Laptop per Child

initiatives across Australia to get a laptop into the hands of every child in remote and mostly indigenous communities. He co-founded One Education, an offshoot of OLPC, in Tauranga. Busy inventing the future, Vercoe will be remembered for combining his two degrees in music and mathematics to help establish a new field in computer music. A celebration of Vercoe’s life will be held in Tauranga when a suitable date is agreed

His legacy lives on – in every note crafted through digital synthesis and in every student inspired to blend mathematics and music.

Vercoe held teaching posts at Oberlin Conservatory, served as the Contemporary Music Project’s composer-in-residence in Seattle, and was a visiting lecturer at Yale before joining the faculty of the MIT in 1971. There, he became a transformative figure.

A founder, and more

He founded the MIT computer facility for Experimental Music in 1973 – now commemorated on a plaque in the Kendall Square subway station – and was a founding professor of the MIT Media Lab in 1984, where he pursued research in Music Cognition and Machine Understanding. He remained at MIT for nearly

Vercoe was more than a researcher; he was a mentor, teacher, inventor and creative mind. He directed the Music, Mind and Machine group at the Media Lab, exploring machine listening and interactive musical performance. In Paris on a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1983, he created one of the first systems for real-time interactive performance – a ‘Synthetic Performer’ that could listen and respond to live musicians.

Innovation leader

He received numerous accolades, including the 1992 Computer World/Smithsonian Award in Media Arts and Entertainment and the 2004 Seamus Lifetime Achievement Award. His students included leading figures in the field, such as Susan Frykberg, Miller Puckette, and Paris Smaragdis. Until his retirement, he was the head of the Media Lab’s Music, Mind and Machine group, which developed technology later incorporated

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Cult Cinema Club

e beloved Cult s long-awaited nter season this lage Community Tauranga said it’s been a heduled season was omotions began, when erything to a ting to be ult Cinema Club something I wanted to bring back.

When I saw the Western Bay Mini Arts grant opportunity from TECT and Creative Bay of Plenty, I decided to go all in. And here we are. ”

With support from Film Bay of Plenty, The Incubator Creative Hub and Mount Brewing Co, Cult Cinema Club’s 2025 Winter Series promises four unique evenings blending cult films, street food, live music, and community spirit – all indoors to fend off the winter chill.

More than a movie

The first event is a screening on June 28 of Luc Besson’s sci-fi cult classic ‘The Fifth Element’, starring Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman and Chris Tucker But there’s more than just a movie on offer

From 5pm, attendees can enjoy Sicula, a Sicilian food truck serving rich Italian fare From 5 30pm, the cinema space transforms with live music by Mr B’s Sci-Fi Circus – the ambient, electronic, low-fi blues, avant-garde guitar of multi-talented Jam Factory sound engineer Brett Williams. Meanwhile, a pop-up licensed bar and Mount Brewing Co beverages will keep things festive indoors

At 7pm, the lights dim for an independent short film screening, a signature feature of the Cult Pleasuredora’, a

science fiction short by Kiwi film-makers Mark and Marion Prebble, supported by Film BOP Then it’s on to the main event: ‘The Fifth Element’ Valli-Mills said she had curated an eclectic winter series that appeals to fans of arthouse, cult and classic cinema Each screening features a short film by an independent Kiwi film-maker and live musical acts to match the vibe

Upcoming titles include ‘Wings of Desire’ by Wim Wenders on July 26, with music by Sophie Maude and a short film curated by the Great Lakes Film Society in Taupō On August 30, ‘The Life Aquatic’ with Steve Zissou, Wes Anderson’s offbeat maritime adventure, will screen with music by Edward Gains On September 27 it will be ‘Romeo + Juliet’, Baz Luhrmann’s explosive Shakespearean remix with live music by Frances Ellen

Every event is built around the club’s signature “dinner and a show” format, encouraging attendees to come early, share food and conversation, and settle in for a full evening of entertainment, Valli-Mills said

Creating atmosphere

“This isn’t just a film screening It’s about community, connection, and creating an atmosphere People often come in costume, they come early for the food and music – it’s a whole vibe It’s warm, intimate and fun ”

Tickets for ‘The Fifth Element’, suitable for mature audiences only due to the licensed bar, cost $20 at: theincubator co nz/event-details/cultcinema-club-the-fifth-element

‘Pleasuredora’, at nine minutes in length, is rated M – suitable for mature audiences, sexual references; ‘The Fifth Element’, running for two hours, is rated PG – Violence

Valli-Mills said the winter series could lead to more events in summer

“If this resonates with people, there’s definitely potential for more ”

Keep your home warm and d energy bills low

We all like to keep warm during winter – but we all love to avoid the huge power bills that can go with using extra energy when heating your household.

Government agency Gen Less is dedicated to mobilising New Zealanders to be world leaders in clean and clever energy use. Supported by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Gen Less has its own website at: www.genless.govt.nz with information and resources exploring the many ways that Kiwi can make more energyefficient choices.

Here’s some of their advice on how to keep bills as low as possible while keeping warm Power

plan

First, check your household is on the right power plan. “Not all electricity plans are created equal. Your usage might have changed since you last signed up, and the best plan for you a year ago might not be the best one now “Use Powerswitch to compare plans and providers at: www.powerswitch.org.nz”

Draughts

Block any draughts in your home. “Can you feel a breeze under the door or around the windows? That’s your heating money escaping Seal up sneaky gaps with draught stoppers, door snakes or weather stripping. If you have a classically Kiwi draughty house, this is one of the cheapest ways to stay warm and could cut your power bill.”

Insulation

Ensuring your home is properly insulated will mean your heat source won ’ t have to work as hard and you won ’ t pay as much in bills each month. Start from the top with your

ceiling insulation, and make sure heat can ’ t escape. Then tackle the accessible spaces between the ground and floor Lastly, keep the heat on your side of the glass with wall solutions to fit most budgets.

Rooms in use

Focus on heating only the rooms you ’ re using, close doors to the others. Use a timer to warm the room before you need it, and switch off when you don’t need it. You can buy a separate timer plug if your heater doesn’t have one built in. When not heating, open your windows for 10 minutes to let damp air out and fresh air in.

How to avoidwet woodinwinter

If you ’ re sitting in front of the fireplace now with wood hissing loudly, not catching, while the house remains cold, it’s probably because your firewood is wet.

Growing up on a farm, a fun family past-time was collecting and preparing firewood at the start of each summer – yes, you read right – for next winter Or even the winter beyond that. Freshly cut firewood needs time and warm temperatures to dry slowly So the e best you can do right now is pop all your w wet wood into a pile in the backyard, then purchase some pre-dried wood from a reputable firewood seller – who likely has spent the best part of 18-plus months drying their product ready to sell. Use the dry wood now to fuel your fire this winter

When you get a chance – if you have ample storage room – put your wet firewood into another shed for next winter After a summer of warm temperatures it will be ready to go

A few other tips – for when you ’ re preparing firewood, preferably in spring or summer for the following cold season. Cut firewood to the right length – because it’s no good if it can ’ t fit inside your fireplace. And ensure you stock up on kindling. The driest pieces of wood could be completely cut into thin kindling. Dry bark is also ideal, and so a are pinecones – get the kids to collect and store them! Once firewood prep is s done rake up – with your glovved hands – all the chips, sawdust and dry bits and place into plastic bags. I recycle dog food bags for this. This also makes great firelighting material.

Close curtains or blinds at sunset to retain heat and prevent warmth from escaping

Heat pumps

If using a heat pump, make it work smarter Clean filters once-monthly – dust and debris build-up forces the system to work harder – and set the temperature to 21C. If you have older people or young babies at home, it might need to be a little higher

Hot water

Set the maximum temperature of your hot water system to 60C Higher temperatures waste energy

and increase risk of scalding Try to use less hot water Use cold water only in the washing machine. Shower rather than bath – and have a time limit Only run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine.

Get help

Every family deserves a warm, dry home. Warmer Kiwi Homes covers 80%-90% of the costs to purchase and install insulation and up to 80% off an efficient heater, to help you save money on your power bills while you enjoy a warmer, healthier home. Get more helpful information at: www.genless.govt.nz

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Changes to encourage uptake of solar power

The Government is making changes to energy and building consent systems to drive greater residential solar uptake in New Zealand, according to Energy

Minister Simon Watts and Building and Construction

Minister Chris Penk

“New Zealand’s residential uptake of rooftop solar is lower than many other countries,” said Watts. “This Government wants to change that so more Kiwis can generate, store, and send their own electricity back to the market. This will allow them to save on their power bills and contribute to a more secure

e electricity system ” To do this the Government was expanding the permitted voltage range for electricity networks, so Kiwis with solar panels coul send more power back to the grid.

Existing buildings

Realistic option

“That’s why we are expanding the voltage range from +/- 6% to +/- 10% to manage the changing flow of electricity from rooftop solar and EV charging. This will futureproof our electricity system and help electrify the economy ”

Penk said the building consent system would help accelerate a shift towards renewable energy

“We need the right incentives in place to make rooftop solar a realistic option for Kiwis.”

It would also make changes to the Building Act clarify that a building consent is not needed to install rooftop solar panels on existing buildings. It also planned to require councils to process building consents for new homes with solar panels within 10 standard working days instead of 20. Watts said rooftop solar would play a crucial role in supporting energy security and reducing emissions. “But our networks need to be able to better support the growing flow of electricity from consumers, while also dealing with growing demand for more electric vehicle charging.

High-end finishes at competitive prices

If your bathroom needs a refresh, remodel, total renovation or small repair, call on BW Builders & Bathroom Envy today!

and skilled contractors. He can complete all your renovation and building works along with your new kitchen renovations

The BW Builders & Bathr Envy team is a small, profes and achieves high-end finish competitive prices.

Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Bri Williams and Tanya Nolan, BW Builders & Bathroom Envy have specialised in bathroom renovations for the last 12 years.

They offer affordable and cost-effective solutions – Williams is a licensed building practitioner and uses experienced

room ssional hes at an Brians n your building mainten small quit ‘ba “ a

“Brian’s books are now open again for all requirements, general nance, repairs and all those jobs that you have never te got to or have only given and-aid’ repairs in the past.

“As owner-operators we ’ re able to keep our costs down because we don’t have all the overheads of larger companies,” said Nolan “So you are just paying for the labour and materials costs of the job

“We also offer transparent and detailed estimates on all jobs.”

Transform your home with stunning shutters

The Sorrento Shutters team is passionate about transforming homes across Tauranga with their custom-made shutters and blinds, said founder Kane Burton-Brown.

“There’s something special about the way shutters frame a room – letting you control light, privacy, and style with a timeless elegance. As a local business, we take pride in bringing that magic to our community, one home at a time.”

Their signature offerings, the Pompei PVC Shutters and Tuscany Timber Shutters, are where craftsmanship meets heart The Pompeii range, made from durable PVC, is perfect for Tauranga’s coastal climate, offering

low maintenance and a sleek, modern look that resists moisture and wear, said Burton-Brown

“Our Tuscany Timber Shutters bring warmth and natural beauty, crafted from premium wood for a classic, sophisticated vibe – so whether you ’ re after coastal chic or a cosy, traditional feel, we ’ ve got you covered!”

Sorrento Shutters also supply and install highquality, custom-made blinds for those seeking solutions tailored to unique spaces.

If you ’ re heading past Bunnings in Gate Pa or Mount Maunganui this Saturday, June 28, pull in to buy a sausage sizzle.

Bunnings’ barbecues across Aotearoa will fire up for a national sausage sizzle to fundraise for Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand from 9am-3pm. Team members will help to raise vital funds for those impacted by MND in support of the charity’s annual appeal. Sausages would cost $2.50 and drinks $2. Limited edition MND NZ beanies would be available to purchase in Bunnings stores and online for $25 All funds raised will be donated to MND NZ.

MND NZ chief executive Mark Leggett said

Burton-Brown said Sorrento Shutters is committed to quality “We limit installations to 1 100m2 a week k – roughly one full house a day because every project deserves our full attention ”

From initial consultation to final install, the team pour their expertise into every detail, ensuring shutters or blinds are fitted perfectly

“Whether you ’ re building a new

motor neurone disease doesn’t discriminate. “It is a progressive and ultimately terminal disease. It gradually strips away a person ’ s ability to walk, talk, eat – and eventually, to breathe.

“At present, there is no truly effective treatment and no known cure, so the support we receive through the partnership with Bunnings aids further research and support for those affected.

“We aim to be on the minds of decision-makers, and in the hearts of everyday New Zealanders –achieved through partnerships like our one with Bunnings,” said Leggett.

For more information or to donate, visit: https:// mnd.org.nz

dream home or refreshing your space, our team is ready to help ”

Enter Sorrento Shutters’ $7000 giveaway at: sorrentoshutters co nz “This is your chance to elevate

your home with the beauty and functionality of Sorrento Shutters, completely on us. ” To book a free in-home consultation, see their advert on this page

Kids’ film festival returns thanks to Tauranga teen

Tauranga 14-year-old Milli Banbury is in her fourth year running the Sunny Side Up Children’s Film Festival, following in the footsteps of father, Shem, who leads the Tauranga Mountain Film Festival.

The idea for running a film festival for children came when she was 11. “My dad runs the Tauranga

Mountain Film Festival. I got the idea from him,” Banbury told The Weekend Sun last year

The Sunny Side Up Festival – set for July 10, which is during the school holidays – showcases 10 short, animated films with each lasting between two and 18 minutes that have been carefully selected for primary-aged children, Banbury said.

This year the festival takes place at Tauranga Boys’ College’s Graham Young Youth Theatre on July 10,

with two sessions scheduled – at 10am and 1pm Each session could host up to 225 people, Banbury said Between films, attendees can enjoy interactive games and prizes, adding to the fun atmosphere.

Banbury said her motivation for running the festival was simple – she wanted to give kids a “nice day” filled with movies made just for their age group “[But] The festival isn’t just for kids – adults could enjoy the films too, ” she said

Drawing on her unique insight as a teenager, she vets all the films, ensuring they capture the attention of both children and adults

This year ’ s line-up includes films submitted by the New York Children’s

Film Festival annd Auckland’s Meddia Design School.

For now, Banbbury planned to keep p the Sunny Side Up Festival in Tauranga but t hoped to expand it to c cities like Queenstown or Wellington in future.

Despite her paassion for running the festival, Banbury said shhe had no interest in making films herself – she simmply enjoyed bringing great films to young audiences

The festival is s sponsored by Better Financce, Moana Road, Eco Store, Suburbia and Kiwi Kids N News

To purchase ticckets, visit: www.eventtfinda co.nz/2025/20225-sunnyside-up-childrenns-filmfestival/tauranga a

Getyour

Calling all crafters – whether you ’ re interested in scrapbooking, cardmaking, journaling, 3D projects, traditional art or teddy bear making.

There’s a new craft show coming to town, and it’s set to be a fantastic weekend

classes are available to book on the website now at: www craftandcreate co nz ” Australian tutors Alison Bevis and Melissa Kennedy are coming to Tauranga to teach classes at the show, alongside a range of Kiwi local tutors “One-hour mini classes are available to book, as well as longer, more in-depth craft experiences Many stands will also have make and take projects between $5 and $10 for you to do ”

With 18 exhibitor stands and two international tutors, Craft and Create at the Tauranga Racecourse is set to be two days of creative shopping and classes on July 4-5.

“Aside from stocking up on your favourite craft supplies, the show will also have a demo theatre to see the latest up-andcoming creative trends, a café and generous area to relax and enjoy a coffee and lunch,” said Mike Saunders of Craft and Create who is hosting the show

“For those wanting to learn and create over the weekend, a range of

Head to the Facebook page at: www facebook com/ craft-and-create-nz for up-to-date information and b hi d th k eeks

Entry is via gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to local Tauranga charity, Stepping Stone Ministries Craft and Create will be at the Tauranga Racecourse from 9 30am5pm on Friday, July 4, and 9 30am-3 30pm on Saturday, July 5 Free parking is available on-site For more information, and to see the list of exhibitors and book into classes, visit: www craftandcreate co nz

A little seventies nostalgia

A couple of months back I wrote about legendary Kiwi prog-rock band Think

Their fabled 1976 album ‘We’ll Give You A Buzz’ has been issued on vinyl and a thing of beauty it surely is There is a local connection in the shape of long-time musical Tauranga resident Ritchie Pickett

It was also one of those eclectically inaccurate releases that record buffs love. Because there are many entertaining stories behind the album Ritchie departed the band soon after for “bad behaviour” In the mid-1980s the master tapes were stolen from Stebbing Studio – many fingers point to a well-known Kiwi bass player

And the album was bootlegged in America During the process the album credits were lost

The new reissue comes from that source, hence several blips, including singer Allan Badger not being credited for vocals

I know I bang on about it but the CD reissue gives you eight – that’s right eight – extra tracks The vinyl contains only the album’s original six.

Worth

re-investigating

Following that brief nostalgia binge I got an email from Michael Loakman, obviously a fan of the era, pointing to a couple of his favourites While I realise the mid-1970s are now half a century ago, they’re worth re-investigating

There is a lazy tendency to assume whatever is happening right now is the peak of its particular mountain; that songs, arrangements and musicianship are now somehow superior

But 50 years ago it turns out, unsurprisingly, New Zealanders were

creating extraordinary music

Though, despite success at the time, outside the most mainstream and it often failed to leave a stain on the silence

An oddity

Waves were an oddity on a scene dominated by pub-rockers They were a harmonising modern folk band led by Graeme Gash and Kevin Wildman

They recorded a self-titled album at Stebbing in 1975 on the nascent Kiwi label Direction Records It stunned everyone by reaching the top 10 and included the singles ‘Dolphin Song’ and ‘Arrow’

Unfortunately, Direction Records immediately collapsed. But – good news! – they signed with WEA (WarnerElektra-Atlantic) and began recording their second album

Then, capriciously, WEA ordered the almost-completed album to be wiped. Luckily, the audio engineer covertly allowed the band to keep a rough mix.

And – good news again! – the original album was reissued in 2013 and the CD double-disc set contains nine songs from the “lost” second recording. Bloody good it is too

Going back to Think’s prog-rock, the Kiwi leaders in that genre I’d suggest were Ragnarok They’re on this week’s playlist though I should mention that the popularity of Norwegian death metal now means there are some 20 bands with that name

In 1974

They formed in 1974, and made two terrific albums, their self-titled debut – reissued on vinyl in 2022 – and follow-up ‘Nooks’. The first featured singer-songwriter Lea Maalfrid, who departed for the United Kingdom, but both are awash with relentlessly changing timesignatures, extravagant soloing and everything else you desire of proggy rocking They toured constantly and were gone by 1978 But, damn, could those boys play!

Hear Winston’s Latest Playlist

Skate Lab open to Katikati youngsters

A Skate Lab is being held for youngsters aged 10-17 at the Baptist church on Wedgewood St on Monday, June 30, from 10am-2pm by the Katikati Community Led Development group

The event costs $5 each or $10 per family – with proceeds going towards the Katikati Youth Park

Waihī Beach’s 15th annual Matariki Dawn

Viewing is at Te Ha Pō, Bowentown, from 6am8am this Sunday, June 29

The free event invites the whole whanau and community to gather above the campground at Te Hō Pā, Bowentown Domain, near Waipaopao Anzac Bay

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean and around a warm campfire, event-goers would experience a unique blend of education and entertainment, with speakers from Te Whānau a Tauwhao hapū ki Otawhiwhi Marae, community members, and Waihī Beach School students who will share insights and stories to offering a chance to learn more about the significance of Matariki

Following the viewing, event-goers were invited to a cooked breakfast at Otawhiwhi Marae, where they’ll receive a warm welcome from Te Whānau a Tauwhao hapū Parking is in the Anzac Bay Waipaopao carpark “Don’t forget to dress in warm clothing to witness the beauty of Matariki and deepen your understanding of this important cultural celebration.”

upgrade The hands-on beginner skate day is the ideal chance to learn the basics, gain confidence on a skateboard, and how to maintain and build your own

Numbers are limited – register, with parent permission, at: www katikaticld nz

KNOW YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT

Cautious confidence returns to property market

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand has this month released figures for May 2025, revealing a moderately more active market as the country heads into the winter season. While the number of sales has increased compared to the same period last year, this growth has been accompanied by a decline in the national median price and a slowdown in the number of new listings coming to the market.

New Zealand’s median price has seen a year-on-year decline of 0.9%, settling at $763,000. When considering New Zealand, excluding Auckland, the median price remained stable across the year at $689,000. Conversely, Auckland experienced a yearon-year decline of 3.5%, resulting in its median price reaching $975,000. Eight out of the 16 regions have reported an increase in median prices compared to May last year, with Southland leading with a notable 10% increase, rising from $450,000 to $495,000. The most significant year-on-year decline in median price was observed in ManawatūWhanganui, which decreased by 5.4%, from $560,000 to $530,000

The Bay of Plenty

The median price for the Bay of Plenty increased by 0.9% year-on-year to $822,000, according to the REINZ May 2025 full Monthly Property Report. “Owner-occupiers and first-home buyers were the most active, with a noticeable increase in investors re-entering the

market,” said the report. “Most vendors were realistic about pricing their properties. However, others were generally optimistic when first entering the market, hoping to meet market expectations and secure a sale.”

The report said attendance at open homes in the BOP was generally good, increasing throughout the month.

“Auction room activity varied across the region, with attendance also growing, along with higher bidding numbers and stronger clearance rates. However, others saw properties passed in at auction.”

Factors such as buyers’ lack of urgency, increased active buyers, increased positivity and heightened competition in some auction rooms influenced market sentiment. “Local agents are cautiously hopeful that the market will remain fairly steady during winter and see more activity later in the year ”

Tauranga

For Tauranga City, the median house price for May 2025 went up to $895,000 – up 2.3% – from $875,000 the month before (April 2025), and was 2.1% higher than May 2024’s recorded median house price of $877,000. The sales count in Tauranga was 295 for May 2025, increasing 22.4% from 241 in April 2025, and was up 35.3% from the 218 recorded in May 2024.

Western Bay of Plenty

For the Western Bay of Plenty, the median house price for May 2025 dropped to $890,000 from $905,000 recorded the month prior in April 2025. But compared to WBOP district’s median house price in

May 2024 of $825,000, last month’s figure remained higher

The sales count in WBOP was 55 for May 2025, an increase of 25% from 44 in April 2025; and an increase of 14.6%, at 48 sales, recorded for May 2024.

The reported stated the current median Days to Sell in the BOP region of 51 days is more than the 10-year average for May, which is 47 days. “There were 23 weeks of inventory in May 2025 which is two weeks less than the same time last year ”

Interest rates

The May 2025 report stated that the stability in interest rates had encouraged more buyers to enter the market, though levels of confidence varied by region.

“While some areas are experiencing consistent conditions, certain cities are still navigating changes in affordability and demand trends.”

In May 2025, the number of properties sold in New Zealand rose by 8.9% compared to the same month last year, increasing from 6579 to 7166 sales. When excluding Auckland, sales increased by 11.3%, from 4593 to 5114.

Regionally, Northland recorded the highest year-on-year increase, rising 33.3% from 171 to 228 sales. Other regions with notable sales increases included Tasman (+29.7%), Marlborough (+23.1%), and Manawatū-Whanganui (+18.7%)

New Zealand experienced a 2.9% increase in listings in May 2025 compared to the year prior, totalling 9489 listings. “The inventory levels in New Zealand continue to rise, increasing by 5.6% year-on-year to 34,415 properties available for sale.”

REINZ’s full Monthly May 2025 Property Report and its House Price Index (HPI) Report for May 2025, are both available at: www.reinz.co.nz

(07)2621000Tauranga info@silverservice.co.nz www.silverservice.conz Computer

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Community response to thhe new Bunnings store opened this month at Gate Pa had been warm and enthusiastic, said the manager And there was a lot of work behind the scenes to get everything ready for the June 21 opening.

“Local iwi Ngāti Ranginui and kaumātua Thomas Tata supported us and blessed the store during our official opening, which was a very special moment, ” said Tauranga Bunnings complex manager Tammy Fielding.

The store on Cameron Rd spans more than 4300m2 and brings a new retail option – and jobs –to Tauranga’s southern suburbs

Fielding said staffing has been a big part of the store ’ s set-up, with 10 team members transferring from nearby Bunnings locations and 35 new employees recruited locally

“All staff underwent six weeks of training at our Mount Maunganui store to ensure they were wellprepared for opening day,” Fielding said

Many employees bring previous trade or retail experience, helping customers make informed choices for their projects “In the lead-up to opening, we developed a strong team culture We’re

s ore keen to ma e big impac

proud d of f thhe diverse team we ’ ve b buillt and d look k forward to growing together,” she said

Fielding described the past eight months of preparation as both rewarding and challenging. She credited a tight-knit network of suppliers, subcontractors and staff for bringing the store to life.

Bunnings had made sustainability a focus in the store ’ s development, said Fielding “We reused as much of the existing building structure as possible, which allowed us to reduce construction waste and emissions from new materials ”

Eco-friendly features also include upcoming plant pot and battery recycling stations for customers

Inside, the layout is designed for simplicity and speed, helping customers find what they need efficiently While the store format is smaller, it is designed to reflect the needs of the Bay of Plenty lifestyle “We’re the most excited to finally open our doors and start supporting the community – whether it’s tradies or passionate DIYers,” Fielding said

The store sells a wide range of products including DIY tools, garden supplies, paint, outdoor living, cleaning, pets, automotive and assisted living items Fielding said the additional ranges help to “ meet the needs of the growing community”

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Peace, I leave wit

Shalom friends, what a crazy past two months we and the world around us have experienced

Sometimes it seems best to switch off all the news, put our white noise earmuffs on and go hibernate until the turmoil passes

But what does history show us?

There are increased tensions and unrest displayed in most parliaments – including ours – where respect is being sidelined and this flowing out to the streets People are becoming increasingly demanding and entitled

Ongoing changing waves of morality and opinions of who’s right and who’s wrong And now we not only have rumours of wars but we have real wars increasingly, ramping up with various powers on the prowl seeing who is ripe for the picking.

And to add to the misery, apparently Covid

is back Also some of the people and leaders we thought we could trust and we looked up have some how become tainted and sadly this can taint our view of YHVH (God) because He seems to allow this chaos

Don’t panic If you are truly In Messiah Yeshua, when facing difficult circumstances in the midst of life’s storms, God’s peace will provide calm and protection

Isaiah 26:3 said: “You (YHVH) will keep in perfect peace anyone whose mind is fixed on Him (God), because that person totally trusts in You (YHVH)”

Philippians 4:7 Tree of Life version said: “And the shalom (peace /wholeness/completeness/ well-being/harmony) of Elohim (God), which surpasses all under-standing, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus)” Secure your hope in Him today

Joel & Sharon van Ameringen

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