The Weekend Sun - 21 November 2025

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Bus drivers, sausage rolls and cops

I had oodles of love and support squirreled away in readiness for National Bus Driver Appreciation Day last Sunday But then I encountered someone I thought more deserving He was in a bakery grabbing a cheeky, sneaky, sausage roll Young and tall young man, a fine bit of Kiwi manhood, in a stab-proof vest and the sullied, albeit still proud, blue uniform of the New Zealand Police

In the last hour he’d probably knocked on someone ’ s door to tell them a son or daughter had been killed in a crash Or he’d saved a poor woman and child from being thrashed senseless by some methaddled, entitled, ape. Or maybe he’d collared some dirtbag who’d trashed and plundered someone ’ s house So who would begrudge him timeout for a sausage roll?

Yet I sensed he sensed the stench from an institution scandalised and contaminated by McSkimming-gate had

wafted into the bakery after him; and everyone was gagging, staring and judging Probably right

An ugly fog

That’s when I blurted out something inane and gaggingly saccharine, but which felt t right at the time: “We still appreciate what you guys do. We still love our cops ” See what I mean? Vomit!

The poliiceman, now drizzled w with pastry crumbs, smiled annd said something like “Thannk you, that’s appreciateed” Hope he didn’t put his greasy hannds all over his b baton or taser

And now there will be crumbs in n the footwell o of the cop car

This copp-ophile had an immmediate ‘helpers h high’ – you know that rush of positivity, that rush of chhemicals in the brain’s pleeasure and reward departmeent from a simple act

of kindness or niceness Courtesy and niceness cost nothing and give everything How virtuous

A photo appeared in the dailies last week – the latest echelon of recruits from the police college in Porirua With an ugly fog of objectionable publications, child exploitation and bestiality swirling overhead, thhey coulld be forgiven for questioning their career choice

They probably signed up out of a sense of duty, a desire to help and keep us safe, to fight

‘kumbaya’ with the passengers?” Why the outpouring for bus drivers? What about the unfortunate and unloved poo farm workers, our city’s embalmers, or people who live in Hamilton? And don’t forget our gastroenterologists and butchers I suspect they might need a smiile and d some craddling and caressing too They might need a special day

injustice, to have a positive impact A bit of excitement and challenge along the way Well, one particularly bad apple and another dubious one changes ng. H Have a long, f fulfilling onorable career guys

y love a bus driver? ch leads me back tional Bus Driver ciation Day last Sunday, regional council asked us something nice to a bus . Why do bus drivers get d out for special love? And eness?

u ’ re quarter of an hour late

! But we are blessed to be d by you ” Or: “You have d my stop I will walk back in the o show my love” Or, you ’ re stuck in a peaksnarl-up en route from bloody-moa: “Hey driver, not going anywhere so bout a group hug and a

othing is for nothing

Last Sunday’s Bus Driver Appreciation Day raised a couple of other issues for me

for my money

But I probably won ’ t take that bus trip until I am forced to –until the TCC finally strangles the life froom free all-day parking down Cameron Rd

Like the so-called ‘free off-peak travel’ for us ‘near-deads’ – us super-entitled SuperGold cardtoting oldies W Well, w we all know there is no such thing as a free lunch Uh-huh!

If I did take one bus ride this financial year it would actually cost me $302 98 – because that’s my passenger transport levy that I pay as a part of my Bay of Plenty Regional Council rates bill So nothing is for nothing! Perhaps I should also spend a contemplative Sunday afternoon in a suburban bus shelter because I understand part of my Tauranga City Council rates bill goes towards their instalment and upkeep

I’ll spread a rug over my knees, with a thermos of Chamomile Herbal Infusion in hand and count the buses and passengers (or lack of)

That’s some high excitement

What w would ya

There has to be an incentive to get out of your car and onto a bus, and I can ’ t see one yet

Why woould I spend at least an hour walking to and from bus stops, and navigate a bunch o of change of buses, when I c can drive that 3km to work i in 10 minutes? Why would ya?

Perhaps the bus drivers might want to haave an Appreciation Day for my subsidising their jobs and thhe empty yellow buses travelling a all ways at all times

After Appreciation Day what happens on the other 364 days of the e year? Do we just revert to giving the bussies gyp, complaininng and being our normal rudde, inconsiderate and offfensiive selves?

The sausage roll

On Monday morning (just gone) I thought the spirit of Bus Driver Appreciation Day might have lived on overnight But I wished for too much Because when I waved out to a bus driver downtown – and showed some belated Appreciation Day appreciation – he just gawked suspiciously at me You could see him thinking: ‘Weirdo!’. He’s been too long a bus driver, too damaged by rude passengers Then he drove off in his empty bus He was probably worried about getting nobody somewhere on time

In hindsight, I should have paid for that cop ’ s sausage roll

Foundation welcomes new investment

The Graeme Dingle Foundation is set to expand its Project K youth development programme with new Government funding announced by Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey

The investment will allow 36 more young people aged 13-15 in the Western Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Christchurch to access the strengthsbased 12-month programme, which builds confidence, resilience and wellbeing via three-week wilderness adventure followed by mentoring and community service.

Western Bay of Plenty site manager Neil Alton said the funding will enable a new local intake of 12

students, with each placement costing about $10,000 “The programme has been independently evaluated for more than two decades, consistently showing improved resilience, self-belief, and goal setting among participants,” Alton said.

Transformations

The expansion also strengthens the foundation’s connection with local communities, partnering with schools and trained volunteer mentors who play a vital role in each young person ’ s journey

Dan Allen-Gordon, who stepped down from helming the foundation’s WBOP organisation after 25 years but was still involved with Project K, said the true reward lies in the individual transformations.

“I still have strong connections with

Project K kids from 17 years ago who are now in their 30s – some are in the police, engineering, law, or doing their master ’ s degrees. They’ve gone on to do amazing things,” AllenGordon said. Research shows for every $1 invested in the foundation’s youth development programmes, there was a $10 50 return to New Zealand’s economy

Changed her life

Former participant Foa Samuelu, now a solicitor at Oranga Tamariki, said Project K changed her life. “My time in Project K helped me develop a deep sense of resilience and discipline through the three-week wilderness adventure,” Samuelu said. “The mentoring phase, arguably the best part of the programme, gave me the most important gift of all: a safe

space where I felt truly heard. Inevitably, this internal transition afforded me with plenty of opportunities.”

Doocey said mental health was one of the biggest challenges facing Kiwi youth. “Every young New Zealander deserves access to support when and where they need it. By expanding the help

available, we can ensure that no one is left waiting on a waitlist.” Alton said the funding would be an exciting addition to the school where the programme would be delivered. “While we can ’ t confirm the school currently, we look forward to announcing it in the coming weeks.”

College rowers to refuel goals with recipe book

Tauranga Boys College’s (TBC) school rowing team has launched a rowing recipe book – titled ‘Refuel – to fundraise for a new boat and challenge for the Maadi Cup within four seasons

The book is designed to provide easy, budget-friendly and effective recipes for parents of not just rowers but all young athletes – for carb loading and generally healthy eating, for lunch boxes also for “before and after” tough training sessions.

Entirely in-house

The book was conceived and produced entirely in house by Tauranga Boys’ College Rowing’s fundraising team and includes recipes from students, parents and Olympic champions Emma Twigg and Joe Sullivan plus recent squaddie Matt Dunham and Jackie Kiddle

Everyone involved in the project has or has had a son in the rowing team during the development of the book, said TBC Rowing programme leader Tanya Williams Proceeds from the book will go towards purchasing a new eight-man boat that carries eight sweep oar rowers and one coxswain.

1200 copies only

She said only 1200 copies of ‘Refuel’ will be printed and expects they will be in hot demand as busy mums and dads try to keep their young athletes in peak condition, especially in the lead-up to Christmas “I don’t know any rowing

parent who is not amazed what a rower can eat but that’s the nature of the sport, ” she said What Yearelvels would these students be?

“‘Refuel’ is a one-stop shop for them and is packed with recipes that are simple and effective for rowers who regularly consume more than 4000 calories a day when they are racing or training hard.”

The school has had several notable successes in the past few rowing seasons as the programme has gathered pace, Williams said In 2023 it moved to Bay

Coast Rowing Club – itself planning for major expansion and the same year Jameson McConnochie won the Under 17 singles title – and a very welcome new Lazlo single for the school In 2024 the school also produced the Maadi Regatta gold medal-winning Under 15 boys quad Sculler Tyler Nelson took a bronze medal in the North Island Club Championships and in 2025 at the North Island Secondary Schools; and the school made a record number of A and B finals At Maadi this year, the school’s top crew boat was part of the fastest ever Under-18 boys double scull final, Williams said

Rebuilding the club

New Zealand’s 2005 World Champion pair rower Nicola Austin, who is part of TBC’s dedicated volunteer coaching

team, said there was great focus on putting the school back where it belongs on the water Currently, the club has 48 students from Year 9-13.

“The boys in the past few seasons have been aware of the huge task everyone has faced in the rebuilding of the club and they have been amazing in making big steps forward on the water, ” she said

“That last step, to where we can compete at the very highest level, is the next big piece of the jigsaw in the rebuilding of the programme and that’s the motivation behind ‘Refuel’

“We’re pretty clear in that for us, next stop is a new eight and a Maadi Cup Under 18 eight programme. ”

Copies of ‘Refuel’ are for sale from $34 95 per copy at Bin Inn at Bethlehem Shopping Centre or onine at: www tbc school nzetickets

Christmas Convoy

Tauranga’s annual Christmas fundraising event is bringing a little extra community cheer this year

The Community Projects Charitable Trust, alongside MediaWorks, have been collecting and distributing gifts and food for families in need as part of the Stuff the Bus initiative for the last 13 years.

This year, they’re growing that tradition with Tauranga’s Christmas Convoy powered by Farmer Autovillage. The Christmas Convoy is a city-wide campaign gathering donations ahead of the Christmas in the Park at Mount Maunganui’s Soper Reserve on December 6.

From now until December 6, businesses or schools can come on-board as a Christmas drop-off point where staff or customers can drop off gifts or nonperishable food

To donate items, find a map of drop-off sites at: https://tinyurl.com/22kn775e

The items will be collected by the Christmas Convoy team to be donated to families who need it most this year Community Projects Charitable Trust representative Rachelle Duffy said dozens of local organisations have come on board so far already “We’re so grateful for the incredible support people have given in the past, and we ’ re looking forward to continuing that legacy with everyone again this year ”

Duffy said Christmas can be a difficult time for many families and encouraged those who can, to get involved “We have had so many families reaching out to us who are doing it tough this year If you want to be part of this kaupapa, this is your way of giving back.”

Entry to 2025’s Tauranga’s Christmas will be a gold coin, or donation of a nonperishable food item or wrapped gift. Learn more at: communityprojects.co.nz

Let’s create a hydration nation!

The Weekend Sun is running a series of eight 'Summer Smart' stories with our good friend Elfie the Circus Elf helping us out to keep safe and healthy these Christmas holidays. Today's Summer Smart #1 is on hydration.

A chilled drink in the sun is one of summer ’ s simplest pleasures – but if you ’ re not sipping the right stuff often enough, you could end up tired, dizzy, or worse.

Dehydration can sneak up fast in New Zealand’s hot and humid weather, and it affects everyone – especially kids, the elderly, and anyone active outdoors

How much water is enough? The general advice is 8-10 glasses (around 2-2.5 litres) a day

But in summer, you’ll need more –especially if you ’ re outside in the heat, exercising or playing sport, drinking alcohol or caffeine, or pregnant or breastfeeding.

Listen to your body

Thirst is a late warning sign, not an early one, so make sure to listen to your body. Signs that you might be dehydrated are a dry mouth or lips, a headache, feeling tired or lightheaded, and dark yellow pee or not needing to go often.

If you ’ re experiencing nausea, confusion, or rapid heartbeat, you could be severely dehydrated. If this is the case, seek help immediately

Hydration tips that work include starting your day with water, not coffee. We suggest carrying a reusable water

bottle and refilling it often. Look out for Tauranga’s public refill stations

You can add fruit slices or mint to make water more appealing Try eating waterrich foods like cucumbers, watermelon and oranges; and set reminders on your phone if you forget to drink regularly Remember, if your pee is clear or pale yellow, you ’ re likely well hydrated.

Watch out!

Watch out for iced coffee. This is a diuretic – it’s tasty but not hydrating. Energy drinks may be high in sugar, and beer may feel refreshing, but both can

dehydrate you. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water, especially on hot days

Young children dehydrate faster than adults – so encourage regular drinks, offer water-rich snacks like grapes, and keep bottles chilled and nearby Fun cups, straws or ice cubes in shapes can help too.

If you ’ re feeling thirsty – your body’s already behind. This summer, make water your best mate, and your body and your brain will thank you.

*The Weekend Sun gives special thanks to Circus in a Flash Ltd - We bring the Circus to you for bringing this series to life.

Rosalie

Brain Watkins House unveils a new display

Visitors to Tauranga’s historic Brain Watkins House can expect something truly different this summer, said Tauranga Historical Society president Julie Green.

“If people have been before, they’ll find there’s something different,” Green said. “And if they’ve always meant to come –like everyone says – now ’ s the time to do it.”

The idea for a summer season display grew out of last weekend’s Behind Closed Doors event, where the society showcased rarely seen items from the house’s extensive collection.

Green said nearly 70% of event participants stopped in at the Cameron Rd property as part of their trail.

“It was very successful,” she said. “We had so much fun setting it up, and people’s comments were so positive, we thought: ‘Let’s not pack this all away straight after the event – let’s build on the work we ’ ve done and have a little summer season with these things on display’.”

Full of stories

Built in 1881 by Joseph Brain, the Brain Watkins House is a rare surviving example of a kauri villa near Tauranga’s city centre

Registered as a Category II Historic Place, it remained occupied by the same family for nearly a century and still holds most of its original contents. The collection offers a vivid insight into the lives of a middle-class European family in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Stories are woven through every room

from the horse given shelter in the hall

during the Tarawera eruption to the latelife wedding of Elva Brain, who married her childhood friend Willie Watkins at age 72.

One of this season ’ s key displays is a reconstructed wedding scene celebrating Elva’s marriage.

“Elva’s wedding dress is one she already owned and repurposed for her wedding in 1964,” Green said “It’s still here, and it’s gorgeous ”

Personal connection

Green’s connection to the property runs deep She recalls nursing Elva in Tauranga Hosp during her training years, only later realising she was caring fo the woman who lived in the historic villa she’d admired since childhood.

“I used to walk home from school, see that beautiful, tiled path that leads up to the front door,” she said “When I met her in hospital, she told me she didn’t know what would happen to the hou because the Historic Places Tru didn’t want it.”

Elva eventually gifted propert to the Tauranga Historical Society in 1979, determined to protect it from the commercial development that had transformed surrounding properties into caryards and offi Today, the society manages, pre and displays the house with the volunteers.

For Green, who grew up at The

ms on Mission St, becoming esident of the society feels ike a full-circle thing”.

ummer displays nd tours

Alongside the wedding ene, the summer display cludes period linen, china, nd clothing. Guided tours ffered so visitors can hear the s behind the objects and the le who lived there.

uring Behind Closed Doors, the society also provided

refreshments in the hall behind the house – a service they are happy to offer again.

“We’d gladly host other groups who want to enjoy the garden and the house,” Green said Brain Watkins House is open to the public from 2pm-4pm on Sundays Admissions is $5 per adult while children gain free entry Private tours are available on request.

The Tauranga Historical Society meets on the first Sunday of each month at 2pm in the hall behind the house. Meetings are advertised on Village Radio and all are welcome.

Premium Outdoor Living

New viewing platform for Minden Lookout

A new covered viewing platform is being built at Minden Lookout to replace the original structure which was removed last year due to safety concerns.

The popular sightseeing location, near the corner of Minden and Junction Roads, is 286m above sea level and offers panoramic views over Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Matakana Island and the surrounding coastline.

The Minden Lookout currently. Photo / Supplied

Built around the existing stone plinth and viewing dial, the new structure will be singlestorey and is expected to be finished by the end of January 2026, said Western Bay of Plenty District Council in a statement WBOPDC reserves and facilities Manager Peter Watson said the structure would be designed to meet modern building code

v g g requirements – and one of the key differences would be steel roof beams, compared to the original platform which was mainly made of timber A new accessible path will also be built, to make the platform easier for everyone to reach

Under the Kaimai Reserve Management Plan 2025, council had committed to working with mana whenua to include heritage information at the lookout site in future, Watson said.

The original two-storey lookout structure was built in 1977 by the Ōmokoroa Te Puna Lions Club (now the Bethlehem Te Puna Lions Club) and handed over to Tauranga County Council in October 1978, which later merged with other county councils to become WBOPDC.

Closed in March 2023 for a structural investigation, the viewing platform was removed early 2024 after it was deemed unsafe Bethlehem Te Puna Lions Club was involved in the design process for the new $220,000 structure, which is funded from WBOPDC’s Facilities and Reserves Asset Renewal Fund

“We’ve worked closely with the Bethlehem Te Puna Lions Club to make sure the new design meets modern safety standards while respecting the history of this much-loved community facility,” Watson said.

Ron Stephens, of the Lions club, said the original platform was designed to benefit the whole community, providing a comprehensive view of the Bay of Plenty

The club raised $6650 and received $2850 in donations to build the structure, and Tauranga Electric Power Board shifted power lines so they wouldn’t interfere with the view

“Since its completion, many families and tours have used the lookout to show off the Bay of Plenty,” said Stephens. “It’s great to see a new platform taking its place.”

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

We manage regional land transport planning and plan, co-fund and deliver public transport in the Bay of Plenty to provide safe, convenient and affordable services.

Public transport in the Bay of Plenty is funded through the fares paid by users, targeted rates and investment from Waka Kotahi

Through our partnership with local bus operators, our Baybus network keeps our communities connected Whether you’re traveling on a Bayhopper in the Western and Eastern Bay or taking a Cityride bus in Rotorua, our goal is to make your journey safe, efficient, and affordable

But public transport does more than just move people from A to B – it also supports the region’s growth by reducing congestion and emissions, and provides transport options for people to get to work, school or places to have fun

To support your journey, we’ve improved the Baybus website, so you can navigate our services with ease

The Baybus website lets you see exactly where the bus is and when it will arrive, find travel information on individual bus stops and get service alerts for changes

It’s part of our commitment to seek new, innovative ways to make public transport more reliable and accessible

Find your route now at baybus.co.nz

Clover, a Staffy-cross female pup, arrived at Tauranga SPCA with a nasty wound to her head that desperately needed vet attention She’s made a wonderful recovery and is ready and raring to find a new home The twomonth-old pup is a real sweetie – full of beans and always excited to see people! Clover loves to play with her toys and

Lucky Clover

do puppy zoomies and after lots of playing she loves to curl up for a snooze and a cuddle

Affectionate and sweet, she’ll love being part of the family and join in on fun trips to the park and the beach

Friendly and loving, Clover has a huge heart and can ’ t wait to share it with her new family

SPCA recommends puppy training to ensure Clover grows into a well-mannered dog She requires a home with a fully fenced section so that she can enjoy exploring Also, due to being young, the ideal home would have someone present for at least part of the day while she settles in Could you offer Clover the loving home that she deserves? Meet her today!

Décor Gardenworld, 165 Moffat Rd, Bethlehem

FreshChoice Omokoroa, 160 Omokoroa Rd, Omokoroa

Katikati Information Centre

36 Main Road Katikati

Katikati Woolworths

Te Puke 4 Square & Woolworths

Children at Ōtūmoetai Playcentre have been gripping paintbrushes and getting hands-on with colour as Tauranga artist Millie Pidwell inspired them by demonstrating the creation of a new mural.

The recent workshop provided children with the opportunity to work on their own visual masterpieces alongside the artist Pidwell collaborated with Playcentre families to incorporate their ideas and the takitimu kowhaiwhai patterns of Ngāi Tamarawaho iwi to design the mural.

The mural depicts the Tuarikura Legend of a local girl after she transforms into a tuatara, because she’s too ashamed of not helping her grandfather She later becomes a guardian for the earth and water

Mural artist Millie Pidwell, from Murals by Millie, loved working with the families and local iwi on the Playcentre mural “Together, we created a very vibrant piece of art that celebrates the land, its stories – and will be enjoyed for many years to come!”

Playcentre participant Sonny Macartney, aged four, said: “Woah! How is she painting a tuatara?” and “How does she paint so big?”

The end result was a unique artwork tied to the community in which it’s displayed,

and it had proved popular with parents and children. Playcentre parent Jodie Moore said the depiction of the legend of Taurikura is the perfect backdrop to the centre. “Not only does it reflect our belonging to the local area, the story itself is about guardianship of the land and about kindness to those in need –qualities we want to instil in our little ones, ” Moore said.

Once completed, local iwi representative kaumātua Des Tata of Ngāi Tamarawaho to blessed the new mural at an unveiling ceremony with centre families and life members.

Ōtūmoetai Playcentre co-president Sheldon Macartney said the project was made possible by a Tauranga City Council Creative Communities Scheme grant, and was really special.

“We were delighted to be able to gather as a centre and take part in the blessing, made all the more memorable by the presence of kaumātua Des”.

Ōtūmoetai Playcentre is a parent-run early learning centre in Bellevue open 9am-12pm weekdays The centre offers child-led play for those aged up to six, free adult education for parents and the opportunity to become part of the Ōtūmoetai Playcentre village. Families can have three free visits before needing to enrol. Call 027 880 2673 to arrange a visit

Spacious,

We

Outfitted

Rotary helps Welcome Bay students thrive

Tauranga Te Papa Rotary Club members have spent several hours during this school year supporting Welcome Bay School as it rolls out the new literacy and numeracy curricula. The club assisted teachers by helping create maths resources and donating $5000 for new literacy materials, with half the funding from the June Gray Charitable Trust.

Welcome Bay School Principal Jamie

De La Haye said the donation will make a meaningful difference for students.

Engaging books

“This contribution will help us provide engaging books and learning materials that inspire a love of reading and support the literacy journey of our tamariki.

“We are deeply grateful for Rotary’s ongoing commitment to our community and their investment in the future of our children.”

Rotarian Jenny Robertson said the club reached out to the school at the start of this year to ask how they could help With major changes to the maths

curriculum, teachers needed support making new hands-on resources

Days and days

“We spent days and days there,” she said, describing a team of about a dozen Rotarians cutting, pasting, copying and laminating materials

When the school also shared that changes to the literacy curriculum required updated books, the club and the June Gray Charitable Trust provided a combined $5000 to purchase new reading resources Robertson, a relatively new Rotarian, said the project has been incredibly rewarding

Building stronger connections with our city

The councillors and I recently hosted a community event at the Historic Village, where about 70 locals joined us for an open conversation about our city’s future.

The purpose was simple: to share updates on council’s plans and progress and to hear directly from you about the issues that matter most

Our council is committed to open and transparent democracy, and events like this are an important way to ensure direct access to elected members and information on projects and priorities

One of the highlights was seeing many new faces Expanding the diversity of views we hear is a core engagement goal, because broader feedback helps us make decisions that truly reflect the whole community

At the event, we shared our aspiration for Tauranga: to become the best city in New Zealand To achieve this, we want to be the best in everything we do It’s ambitious, but it’s a goal we ’ re committed to striving for

Key priority areas

To guide us, the councillors and I have established four key priority areas we ’ re focusing on for delivering for the people of Tauranga They are: enabling housing; addressing transport; enhancing our environment; and delivering great services for our community

Alongside these priorities, we ’ ve set principles to guide our decision-making: Look after what we ’ ve got; be accountable and transparent; deliver value for money; everyone pays a fair share; growth pays for growth; be bold and innovative.

Get involved!

We’re committed to making Tauranga the best city it can be, but we can ’ t do it alone There are a set of community outcomes we ’ re working towards but it’s important that these outcomes continue to resonate with you, the people of Tauranga, so we ’ ’ll be consulltiing on thhese as part of f the next Long Term Plan (LTP) process Your feedback will help shape the future of our city, so we encourage you to get

involved If you missed last month’s community event, the full recording, presentation, and follow-up answers to some of the questions asked on the night can be found on the Taurranga C City Council website

We’ll be holding more of these events across the city next year, so stay tuned

Spotting the signs early: Why dermatoscopy saves lives

When it comes to skin cancer, time is everything, says Dr Morné du Plessis, who owns Bay Skin Cancer Clinic

“The earlier a suspicious spot is identified and treated, the better the outcome

That’s why regular skin checks – and the use of advanced tools like dermatoscopy

are essential in protecting your skin and your health ”

Dr du Plessis said skin cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand, and while many cases can be successfully

treated, early detection is key

“Unfortunately, dangerous melanomas can sometimes look harmless to the naked eye

“That’s where dermatoscopy makes a life-saving difference

This non-invasive technique uses a specialised magnifying device and polarised light to reveal structures beneath the skin’s surface – details invisible to the human eye. ”

distinguish between benign moles nd potentially cancerous lesions with far greater accuracy, said Dr du Plessis

A small melanoma detected by dermatoscopy

With dermatoscopy, trained doctors can

“This means fewer unnecessary biopsies, faster reassurance for patients –and, most importantly, earlier diagnosis of melanoma and other skin cancers when they’re highly curable ”

Whether people spend their weekends outdoors or simply want peace of mind, a

Bins in place for asbestos-risk sand products

Western Bay of Plenty District Council has set up dedicated disposal bins at its Te Puke and Katikati Recycling Centres following a nationwide recall of several coloured sand products found to contain asbestos

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has recalled rainbow sand from Educational Colours and coloured sand from Creatistics after tests detected tremolite, a naturally occurring form of asbestos. Several Kmart “magic sand” products were also added to the recall. Council is urging people to dispose of the products safely by using the dedicated bins rather than in kerbside rubbish or recycling.

WBOP recycling

The clearly marked bins will be available during each

recycling centre ’ s normal opening hours.

Te Puke Recycling Centre, at 36 Station Rd, is open Tuesdays 8am5pm; Thursdays 8am-5pm; Saturdays 8am-4pm.

Katikati Recycling Centre, at the corner Tetley and Wills roads, is open Thursdays 9am-4pm and Saturdays 9am-4pm

MBIE has advised people to stop using the affected products immediately Before disposal, the sand must be placed in a sealed container, then doublebagged in thick plastic, sealed with tape and clearly labelled ‘AsbestosContaminated Material’.

Retailers should arrange disposal through a licensed asbestos removal specialist. Registered providers can

be found on the WorkSafe website.

Products recalled

Products identified in the recall are the EC Rainbow Sand T 1.3kg; the Creatistics Coloured Sand at 1kg.

Also recalled is the Kmart NZ magic sand products: 14-piece Sand Castle Building Set (Batch no: 42975724); Blue Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304364); Green Magic Sand (Batch no: 432919650); Pink Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304371).

For more information, guidance and health advice, visit: https://www mbie.govt.nz/about/news/ recall-expanded-samples-ofkmart-magic-sand-productsfound-to-contain-asbestos

How to makekindness echo further

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless” – Mother Teresa

Kindness doesn’t require grand gestures – often it’s the small, simple words that shape someone ’ s day and strengthens their confidence When you choose to speak with intention and compassion, you create a ripple effect whose impact may be far greater than you realise Positive words are also an investment in yourself and in the kind of person you ’ re becoming Expressed consistently, kindness becomes woven into your communication,

your relationships, and your values

What is one small word of kindness you can offer someone today that might echo far beyond the moment?

If you’d like to know more about strengthening relationships, exploring your potential and creating transformation in

Or see: https:// info.health.nz/ keeping-healthy/ healthy-homesenvironments/ hazardous-substances/ asbestos/asbestos-insand

Worksafe also has information at: https://www worksafe.govt.nz/ topic-and-industry/ asbestos/

And at: https:// www.worksafe.govt. nz/tools-registersresources/registers/ asbestos-licenceholder-register-old/

professional skin check with dermatoscopy is one of the simplest, most effective health steps they can take, said Dr du Plessis

“At Bay Skin Cancer Clinic, our experienced doctors use state-of-the-art dermatoscopes to provide thorough, precise skin assessments – helping you catch changes before they become serious

“Don’t wait for a mole to change – book your full-body skin check today and take control of your skin health Early detection saves lives Dermatoscopy makes it possible ”

A new website has been launched by government departments to help people support others to make their own choices –large or small Whaimana - Support My Decisions is now online at: www.supportmydecisions.nz and was developed by Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People

TOLL FREE

Help people support others to make their own choices

with input from the Office for Seniors and a community advisory group

The site promotes supported decision-making as a positive, rights-based approach, said the Office for Seniors’ latest online newsletter

“Whaimana - Support My Decisions offers practical guides and examples for

027 466

Hostess: Margaret Jones 027 269 4277 margaretjjones13@yahoo.com Email: info@goldentours.co.nz

families, friends, carers, and service providers

“Topics include choosing a supporter, gathering information, and focusing on what matters most to the decision-maker,” the Office for Seniors said

Hard sometimes

The new website said that everyone has the right to make decisions about their life.

“These decisions can be everyday choices, like what to wear These decisions can be life-changing choices, like where to live.”

But it acknowledged that making decisions can be hard sometimes “That’s why we often ask someone we trust for help

A friend might help you pick new glasses A mechanic might explain the options for repairing your car We get help, but in the end, we make the final choice

“Some people might need extra support to help make decisions

Many things can affect people's ability to make decisions,” said the website

For anyone

Some examples are dementia, brain injuries, learning disabilities, mental distress, neurodiversity and different

ways of thinking

Supported decision-making means helping someone make their own choices, even if they need extra support, the website said

This website aimed to support decision-making and how to use it – and was to be helpful for anyone, including decisionmakers; family, whānau; friends;

paid supporters; supporters who have Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) or guardian roles; and advocates such as people who speak up for others

“Let’s make sure that every New Zealander gets the support they need to make the decisions that matter to them.”

Find the website at: www.supportmydecisions.nz

Time to g grow the crops that you crave

Happy spring! This month I’d like to talk about how to grow your own food on a budget

Growing your own food can be rewarding, and can save you money in the long run

Choose your crops

Start by considering growing food that you and your family would actually enjoy eating. Some popular and easy to grow options include string beans, sugar snap peas, determinate cherry and

such as lettuces, herbs, cherry tomatoes and beans take up less space and can be continually harvested through the season

Soil and sun

grape tomatoes, apple cucumbers, lettuce, microgreens, chili peppers, silver beet; and culinary herbs such as parsley, basil, thyme, lemon balm, mint and oregano

Plan your plot

What you grow depends on your plot dimensions and deppth. Cropps such as corn, pumpkkins, and zucchini are heavy feeders, need a lot of space to o grow, and take monthhs to mature and harvesst.

More compact crops

Choosing your growing medium is important to ensure the right balance of nutrients for your crops Potting soil for flowers is not always the best choice for growing fruits and vegetables due to the levels of nitrogen

I prefer to use garden compost that has added chicken manure and amend it with a general slow release fertiliser, blood and bone, garden lime, coffee grounds, crushed eggshells, and some chopped up banana peels

If you are growing in containers, always feed more heavily than crops that are in the ground, and top up with water and fertiliser regularly Happy gardening!

Melissa Cox is owner of Papamoa Pick Your Own Flowers, a garden offering affffordable pick-your-own flowers for weddings, parties and special occasions. Learn more at: tinyuurl.com/papamoaflowers

Twilight market at Papamoa village

A twilight market is taking place at Papamoa Sands Lifestyle Village tomorrow, November 22, from 3pm-7pm

The market will be at the village, which offers over-50s lifestyle living at 61 Golden Sands Drive, Papamoa East

On offer will be arts and crafts, avocados, a cake stall, knitwear, plus food trucks, a picnic dinner, barbecue and much more!

For more information, visit the ‘Freedom Lifestyle Villages’

This Christmas season Bay of Penty seniors don’t need to be shy asking for their SuperGold discount thanks to an app on their phones.

The SuperGold app makes it easy to gain the discount without having to ask for it. From home, people can browse the app to find which retailers offer the discount. Favourite shops can be saved so they’re easy to find later If you ’ re out and about, refresh the ‘Near Me’ feature to find deals close by When ready to purchase, people simply need to show the offer in-store to redeem – there’s no need to ask, just tap and show

The idea is the app enables seniors to be confident shopping and gaining the discount while watching savings add up It’s also quick and easy to use compared to fishing a card out of your wallet

Download the app now

For iPhones, visit https://

apps.apple.com/nz/app/ supergoldnz/id1479771742 For Android phones, visit: https://play.google.com/store/ apps

Learn more on how to use the SuperGold app at: https:// supergold.govt.nz/info_for_ cardholders/smartphone_app

Bold new work to debut at BOP Open Studios

A breakout multidisciplinary artist drawing increasing attention in the Bay of Plenty’s contemporary art scene will feature at this weekend’s BOP Open Studios event.

Sorren Groshinski, known for his bold artistic voice and rapidly evolving practice, will showcase new work as part of the annual art trail.

While Groshinski works across a range of mediums, it’s his installation

and assemblage pieces that are drawing the strongest response.

This weekend he will unveil his latest installation, ClusterfuNk – a deeply personal, self-representationa work exploring identity, cultural lineage, trauma, and transformation

Groshinski said ClusterfuNk represents “the clusterfuck of life – the chaos, trauma, challenges and generational influences that shape us”.

“It speaks to the messy, unavoidable journey we each al

undertake to find ourselves,” he said “The piece doesn’t just sit in the pain; it celebrates the act of transmuting to the other side – getting through the trauma, learning the lessons, and emerging as a sttronger, more evolved veersion of ourselves.”

Drawing on a richly laayered heritage – Māori, Kiwi,

Scandinavian, Celtic, Irish, Polish, and German – Groshinski weaves a narrative that’s both intimate and universal At its heart, the installation references the Tree of Life, or Axis Mundi, symbolising interconnectedness, rootedness, and the human desire to rise above inherited challenges.

“It represents generations reaching forward with hope, resilience, and a desire to rise beyond what came before,” he said With swift artistic growth and a raw, distinctive perspective, Groshinski is becoming an artist to watch. The BOP Open Studios weekend offers the public a rare chance to encounter his work up close

The BOP Open Studios art trail runs from November 21–23, featuring around 75 artists across 60 studios. The free public event spans from Waihī Beach to Te Puke, inviting visitors to explore creative spaces –from backyard sheds to fully equipped studios – and witness new

Ten winning pieces from the recent Climate Action Festival’s art competition will be displayed next week for the public to view at a Mount Maunganui gallery

Envirohub BOP partnered with Creative BOP to host Climate Canvas - Art for Action – a visual art competition run last month alongside the Climate Action Festival.

Envirohub BOP regional event coordinator

Te Ara Dirkse said the competition was designed to spotlight the climate crisis “ not with despair but with defiant beauty, bold solutions and hopeful resistance”.

The 18 entries received included artworks using oil and acrylic, upcycled blinds and mirrors, crocheted roses, pottery, fishing twine, collage, rimu tables and skateboards

First place went to Selwyn Jones for ‘Lollipop trees ’ – made from recycled timber including old skateboards to leftover decking

works in progress. An interactive map of the trail is at: gardenandartfestival.co.nz/ bop-open-studios/trail-map/ More of Groshinski’s work can be viewed at: www sorreng.com

timber “This piece was inspired by our endemic Taonga the mighty kauri forests that once dominated our native bush and still exist but sadly in far fewer numbers dew to 19th Century logging and more recently kauri die back disease,” said Jones. “This image depicts the kauri as lollipops and black smog rolling in as we lose our majestic beasts to pollution and adverse effects.”

Darrinee Horton won second place for ‘De-vine heart’ – a 3D wooden heart glued to a canvas mounted to a wooden frame; Bronwyn Copeland placed third for‘Fibonacci’s Garden – a spiral themed artwork that explored the mathematical elegance of nature ’ s patterns. People’s choice was Ratree Sawat’s ‘Marina Wharf’mixed media on canvas See the finalists’ artworks at Matter Gallery in Mount Maunganui from November 25-29 from 11am-3pm daily

Triathlon trio fundraising for Starship fo

Three mates and former triathletes intend to make history at this year ’ s Tinman Triathlon by competing in all three distances while raising money for Starship Triathlon Tauranga puts on the GenX/ Marr Tinman Triathlon every November, with this year ’ s race making a splash on Sunday, November 23, in Pilot Bay Tauranga men Sam Durrant, 31, Andrew Lloyd, 34, and Aiden Dunster, 32, have dusted the cobwebs off their bikes and wetsuits for the occasion –they admit it’s been a while since they competed internationally in their late teens and early twenties

Popularity surge

The sport has experienced a surge in popularity with Kiwi athlete Hayden Wilde succeeding on the world stage. He won silver in the men ’ s triathlon at 2024’s Paris Olympics.

Durrant, Lloyd, and Dunster became friends through Tauranga’s triathlon community and have found their way back home as adults and new dads of children under three.

Durrant is a fundamental sports skills coach, Lloyd an endurance coach, and Dunster a builder and landscaper About two months ago, they decided to give the Tinman Triathlon a go But Durrant said “the challenge got bigger and bigger” the more they talked

about the idea. One of them suggested doing two distances, then another came up with the “ crazy ” idea of doing all three.

Three distances each

Each of the trio will compete in one discipline – either the swim, bike, or run –for each of the three distances.

The standard distance involves a 1.5 km swim, 40km bike, and a 10km run; the

A galaxy of gifts at Christmas market

If you ’ re looking for a spot of Christmas shopping away from the hustle and bustle of retail shops, mark your calendar for next Tuesday night.

The Tauranga Astronomical Society (TAS) is holding its annual Christmas Market fundraiser on November 25, from 5pm-8 30pm in the Otumoetai Sports & Recreation Club (OSRC) building at Fergusson Park

Inside the hall will be a variety of market stalls including arts, crafts, gift cards, jewellery, candles, calendars, clothing, baby wear, garden art, hot food and much more!

“These are very popular with astronomy enthusiasts of all ages – and they make great Christmas gifts!”

Greig said the with market held inside the OSRC building it would go ahead regardless of the weather

There will be the society’s extensive range of TAS astronomy-themed tee shirts, polo shirts, hoodies, jackets, beanies and caps for sale too, said TAS president David Greig

“We want the public to please note that many of the market stalls will not have Eftpos facilities so please bring cash Entry to the market is free ” Greig said there would also be telescope viewing on offer – weather permitting

The OSRC building in Fergusson Park is located at the end of Tilby Drive, Matua

To find out more about the market, visit:

‘Tauranga Astronomical Society’ on Facebook or phone 028 432 8401

sprint involves a 750m swim, 20km bike, and a 5km run; and the short distance involves a 300m swim, 13km bike, and a 3km run.

Dunster will run while Durrant and Lloyd take turns swimming and biking. Durrant and Lloyd have been fitting in a couple of swims or bikes per week, while the Tinman will be Dunster’s third race in three weeks. He competed in two running

races the last two weekends.

The former triathletes will naturally approach the triathlon with a competitive mindset

“It’s hard not to, ” Durrant said “But we ’ re quite realistic now We’re probably not in the shape we were back then “We’re just looking forward to getting back together as a group of mates and having a bit of fun ”

Starship

They chose Starship as their charity to support because “being parents now, you hope that if anyone has to go through hardship with their kids, there’s a great charity like that”.

Starship Foundation chief executive

Jo Simon expressed his gratitude towards the trio “Every dollar they raise helps fund vital equipment, innovative treatments and the care our young patients rely on

“A huge thank you to the Three Tri Dads Your passion and generosity mean so much to Starship families across Aotearoa ”

Triathlon Tauranga events and development manager Paul Miller said it’s rewarding for the local triathlon club to see the sport bring the men together “They’ve all been on their separate journeys and have reunited through the sport

“They’ve used our sport as a vehicle for their fundraising ”

Donations to Starship fundraiser can be made at: https://givealittle.co.nz/ fundraiser/tinman-triple-team-triathlonfor-starship

All that jazz, and blues

I’m a big fan of ‘tribute albums’. The only thing I dislike is the name, tribute album.

Most such albums feature multiple people playing the songs of one artist. New Zealand has form. There was ‘Stroke’ (2009), with more than 30 musicians playing Chris Knox; ‘Stir It Up: A Tribute To Bob Marley’ (2016) with the likes of Tiki Taane, Anika Moa, and Hollie Smith; and ‘True Colours, New Colours’ (2021) featuring trans-Tasman artists on the fortieth anniversary of the titular Split Enz album

But few individuals have done this here. Overseas many have made Bob Dylan tribute albums, even tributes to specific albums There are at least four ‘Blonde On Blonde’ tributes alone. But rarely in New Zealand. The only one I can think of is Kokomo’s Dylan tribute ‘In The Well’.

Slinky blues

Now there’s ‘Darren Watson Sings John Hiatt’, a long-planned labour of love from the Wellington bluesman The result filters Hiatt’s songwriting through a small-band country blues lens, Watson’s anguished vocals and immaculate largely-acoustic playing bringing to life Hiatt’s tales of losers, drinkers and riding the rails The most well-known song ‘Thing Called Love’ gets a slinky blues treatment complete with doo-wop vocals. It's a beautifully poised album; one I’ll return to often

Sophisticated beauty

Liam Ryan’s new EP ‘Pastiche’ is now on Spotify; four tracks of sophisticated beauty Two were written and recorded with Evan Silva, New Zealand’s premiere ‘soul man ’ in the 1960s.

Silva is a real singer Lots of people sing but it’s a magical thing, listening to a craftsman caressing each note, slipping in subtle inflections, making every syllable count. Both are seductively engrossing romantic ballads in a 1950s/1960s style.

Ryan’s instrumental tracks are harder to classify, ‘Blues Trenody’ mixes a flute and woodwind melody with marching drums and a build more rock than classical, while ‘Efflurage’ is an ambient journey with bells and piano, punctured by orchestral strikes reminiscent of Aaron Copeland.

Wild, exciting, timeless

The other jazz album on my desk this week is ‘Elegant Calamity’ from Oscar Lavën, currently in Wellington but for many years a child prodigy here – he’s too old for that now – and heir to the Arts/Lavën estate.

Hear Winston’s Latest Playlist Scan the QR code or visit: ,

been tapped for the NZ Symphony Orchestra so borrowed new friends from that gig and create a 16-piece jazz orchestra: the usual horns plus violins, cello, oboe and more.

The result was recorded live, nine of Lavën’s pieces and one from Marion, the lovely ‘Butterfly’. Those who know Lavën will expect the maximalism on display. More than 80 minutes of music – the thrilling opening ‘Trong Park’ is nearly 12 minutes – the band rips it up The playing, from the likes of pianist Ayrton Foote, alto/bass sax player Daniel Yeabsley, and others, is outstanding and Lavën’s sax playing has risen to another level

This is wild, exciting, timeless jazz, modern and traditional simultaneously If this is your bag, you're going to be very happy

A top player on clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone and more, Lavën sticks to tenor sax on his new album, ‘Elegant Calamity’. He’s recently

www tinyurl com/2fvum5xw

Festive fun as park’s Christmas tree lights switch on

Tonight, November 21, Tauranga is kicking off the festive season by turning the Masonic Park Christmas tree lights on! Free festive family fun will be at the park too with face painting, Circus in a flash roving

performers, Katikati Muraltown Singers and Fuse drumming. Santa will even be making an appearance with his sack of treats And Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale will make a welcoming address.

People are encouraged to bring a gift or non-perishable food item to be collected by the Christmas Convoy and given to locals in need. The fun begins 6pm, with the lights to be switched on at 8.15pm.

This Christmas, Mount Mainstreet will be turned into one big roaming carol session, and the public is invited to be part of it

Organised by Mount Mainstreet and Tuatara Collective, people of all ages are encouraged to join the Mountie community choir for three carol-crammed rehearsals at the Mount Community Hall, then help bring it all to life on Saturday, December 13, for a roaming Merry Mainstreet Singalong.

No experience is needed – just bring your Christmas spirit and maybe a Santa hat or two The rehearsals are on next Tuesday, November 25, then December 2 and 9. It’s recommended people attend at least two rehearsals to perform at the gig The Mainstreet Singalong will be held on Saturday, December 13, with participants to meet at Te Papa o Ngā Manu Porotakataka at 12.45pm for the event to start at 1pm. Book now to participate at: www.whatsontauranga.co.nz

Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell’s spring newsletter call to “ cut the anti-car ideology” misses what the evidence shows and what our city has lived through Building cities around cars creates congestion, not vitality

When we add road capacity, driving rises one-for-one – that is the fundamental law of congestion Free or under-priced parking further entrenches car-dependence, covers premium land in carparks, and undermines local business by raising the cost of development and hollowing out street life

The overwhelming body of evidence shows that what actually helps retailers is people on foot: safe, attractive streets that invite walking

When I was growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, our CBD was vibrant But successive city councils and central government policies have allowed the city to sprawl, without providing rapid, reliable public transport or sufficient housing close to jobs

For example, the TCC 2024-34 Infrastructure Strategy maps large new urban growth areas (sprawling outwards) rather than intensification within

I hate cauliflower cheese, conservative populist American politics, people who park backwards and roundabouts Especially roundabouts Because they have been procreating, popping up everywhere They have become fashionable There must be a special vault of cash set aside for roundabouts and they’re determined to spend it all

Like the five on State Highway 2 between Ōmokoroa and Katikati Talk to people who drive that road and they wonder why, and what purpose they serve Except the Ōmokoroa chokepoint; they needed that roundabout 10 years ago I always thought roundabouts were the preserve of Poms They love their roundabouts But they make sense on their narrow roading network – safer than normal intersections, improving traffic flow by reducing stops, and accidents are less severe

They largely avoid the need to stop completely at a red light and help keep traffic moving And that we like As long as we ’ re moving we are happy So

the existing footprint The local policy of rezoning large green-field fringe growth areas such as Tauriko West, Ohauiti and Te Tumu east of Papamoa, explicitly enables expansion of the urban limit rather than making full use of the inner city If we want people back in town, let’s back what works: frequent buses, safe walking and cycling links, housing near jobs, and curb-parking pricing that turns a few idle car parks into many short-stay ones That’s not “anti-car”; it’s pro-people, probusiness, and pro-Tauranga Manu Caddie, Tauranga City

while I remain firm on cauliflower cheese, social conservatism and economic libertarianism, I have converted to the ideology of roundabouts

That conversion occurred at the intersection of Vale St and Bureta Rd I remember playing chicken to get across that intersection I also attended a TCC public consultation at the site when engineers tried to explain the benefits of a roundabout to an audience that did not want to know One person complained bitterly that he wouldn’t be able to tow his big flash boat around a roundabout at that intersection Forget the needs of the other 9000 or so Ōtūmoetai people, many of whom use that road Anyhow the engineers were right The roundabout works a gem Traffic flows through there as smooth as a baby’s bottom

I’m surprised I haven’t seen a “cache” of engineers having a picnic there and marveling at their noble work Roundabouts rule

I Goldmsith, Bureta

The Matua Scout Group is excited to announce that 21 of our keen Scouts are preparing for the adventure of a lifetime – the Scout Jamboree 2026, being held frrom D Decembber 2026 6 to January 2027 7 As one of thhe largest Scout groups in Tauranga, we ’ re incredibly prroud of our youth whho are determined t to represent our r community a at this national evennt.

The jamborree is a once-in-a-lifeetime experience where Scouts from across New Zealand and around the world come together for 11 days of camping, adventure, learning, and leadership It’s youth-led, with Scouts discovering more about themselves, developing life skills, and building strong friendships

it all possible.

all while being supported by our dedicated volunteer leaders who make

My husband and I would like to thank all who went out of their way and stayed to give assistance when I fell heavily in Tauriko Pak’nSAVE carpark on the morning of November 10

We were overwhelmed by the many people who helped in lots of different ways – by ringing the ambulance, sheltering me from the hot sun, bringing cushions and blankets for my comfort; the medic who gently checked me over, the lady who prayed over me for a good outcome and others God has been good,

Churches Active In Our Community

What can I do while I wait?

Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas

In some traditions, people light candles during this time But the heart of Advent is something many of us already know: that feeling of waiting for things to get better, while also realising that change doesn’t simply arrive on its own

This kind of waiting isn’t about sitting back

It asks: What can I do while I wait?

Here in Aotearoa, Advent arrives at the end of the school year – when everyone is tired, stretched, and ready for a break It’s a time when the pressure is rising due to living costs,

housing insecurity, stress, loneliness, and big questions about where we ’ re heading as a country and a planet

Yet every small act of generosity or fairness pushes back against the belief that things can only get worse You don’t need to be religious to feel the longing for a more

compassionate world

Advent simply gives that longing a name

It says that hope is not naive. It’s work It’s courage It’s how we help the future arrive

Waiting becomes powerful when it becomes preparation: checking in on someone, speaking up, supporting those who need help

This season invites us to live as if a better world is possible, and to help make it so

Rev John Carr

Our goal is to ensure every Scout has the opportunity to attend, and we’ll be fundraising hard during the coming year K Keep an eye out t for us around the communnity as we run Bunninggs BBQs, quiz nights, raffles, a market dayy, and our Christmaas tree collectioon in Januarry

Many of these e events will be held at o our home base, the Ōtūmoetai Sportts and Recreation Club in Fergusson n Park.

We warmly invite the community to get behind our Scouts and support their ‘Road to Jamboree 2026’ fundraisers. Every sausage, raffle ticket, or tree collected helps a young person take part in this incredible experience.

Stacey Koppens, Matua Scouts chairperson

after a CT scan and other tests, amazingly there was no brain bleed or broken or fractured bones as suspected – only facial injuries which will heal given time

We’d also like to thank the ambulance ladies and the staff at Tauranga A&E for their wonderful care and attention Instead of my fall leaving a bad memory, the care and kindness people showed a stranger, has left us with only gratitude and thankfulness A&R Chambers, Pyes Pa

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E: christine@bopgaragedoors.co.nz Web: www.garador.co.nz

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