It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas especially in the city centre, where Santa is tomorrow hosting the grand opening of his enchanting Southern Hemisphere Grotto
The jolly red man will arrive at Tauranga Waterfront at 9 30am on December 6 aboard the Kewpie Cruises boat before
making his way to the grotto at 41
Devonport Rd Downtown Tauranga manager Genevieve
Whitson said the summer-themed Grotto with a Kiwi twist is ready for families to step into the magic of Christmas in the heart of Tauranga
The grotto will be open 10am-3pm on
Santa in the city! nta t ci y!
Saturdays December 6 and 13 – then 10am3pm daily from December 16-21, and December 23-24 for all who want to enjoy an enchanting space of festivities.
“Santa’s Grotto will be a wonderland bursting with vibrant decorations, funky festive zones, and joyful activities for the whole whānau and anyone young at heart,”
said Whitson “So come along to the grand opening tomorrow and snap a photo, share a hug, or high-five the jolly man himself –Santa and his cheerful Elf will be there to spread smiles and Christmas cheer!
“Meri Kirihimete, Merry Christmas Tauranga!” Read more on page 35
Photo / Merle Cave
What and when is it not okay?
How damned rude! How unpresidential, how unstatesmanlike
That’s why, two weeks after he called a female reporter ‘Piggy’ I am still smouldering, still bothered, by DJTs ghastly verbal assault on the sisterhood –my female journalist colleagues “Typical,” observed one of them “Sadly,” she said, “ women face less
extreme versions of misogyny far too often in our daily lives”
‘Piggy-gate’ was much worse, dare I suggest, than ‘Ponytail-gate’ when a couple of Prime Ministerial mitts got a bit free and easy with a café waitress’s ponytail 10 years ago
“Can I have a flash Parnell Venti Iced Caramel Macchiato with almond milk And a tweak of your ponytail please?”
Probably didn’t ask, just tweaked and, understandablly, it wasn ’ t appreciated d It caused a rigght old stink, then he apologised
Unbefittinng
Now the moost powerful man on the pllanet has fired a cheeap, personal shot at a female journaalist because he didn’t like her r question abouut Objectionable e Jeffrey, Odiouus Epstein That’ ’ s his style, or laack of it
He levelled an index fingeer at the reporter and snapped “Quiet Piggy!”
Piggy? Wherre did that come from?
The rarified attmosphere of Air Force
One at 35,000 0 feet perhaps Or more men ’ s locker room behaviour like his infamous and unsavoury women ’ s genitalia comment The ‘Piggy’ shot was unforgiveable and has continued to ripple and draw condemnation Unbefitting a President Unbefitting anyone
“Why people love me ” Nervous chuckle And they would have said, well this is just US being frank and honest back at you, as they handed me an appropriately porcine pink slip of termination
One oink deserves another oink! I wonder how this would have gone down at home in Trump Tower? Would Mr Trump have ever pointed a digit at Mrs Trump and said: “Quiet Piggy”?
I suspect not She would have torn that
to power in Belarus for 30 years But not his hair His parting is creeping dangerously close to the top of his ears Soon it will have nowhere to go. Raise it with him and you’ll end up in a Gulag There’s “Uncle Bibi” with that curious signature purple, or blue, or grey comb o over What’s hiding under there?
And of courrse there’s the unfathomable orange thatch swirling around an orange tinted facce in the Oval Office
It needs to be said these comments aren ’ t coming from beneath a lustrous head of hair It’s embarrassing on the beach when people are lathering SPF50+ on svelte boodies and I’m smmearing it on my head
O Ouch!
The White House passed off the ‘Piggy’ snipe as Trump being a loveable Trump, the President being “frank and honest – one of the reasons he was re-elected” I wonder if that would work for me? Would that be a legitimate defence strategy if I had called Work Wife ‘Piggy’
strange orange coif by the roots and told the President “ n naj te koklja brcne”, , her native Slovenian for “May the chicken kick you ” In the tail feathers probably And what message does ‘Piggy’ send to boy-Trump To any boy, anywhere, for that matter “Why did you say that Dad?” “Because I am all powerful and I can say what I like, with impunity All part of the package, part of my eminently loveable self ” Boy Trump might think it empowering – good enough for a President, good enough for a Dad, good enough for me
Comb-overs
A week befoore his disparaaging ‘Piggy’ taaunt, he called another female reporter “rude” for asking Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about alleged state sanctioned murder Rude because journalists apparently lie, spread misand dis- information And we ’ re “fake” Whatever that means.
Anyhow DJT intercepted the question and booted it into touch with an insult Who was the rude one?
Then a female CBS reporter got a presidential spray – “Are you a stupid person? you ’ re asking questions because you are a stupid person ” Why gather your wits when you can get petty and personal?
After being excoriated by the barbs of her mercilessly funny tongue, I would have been summoned to an emergency summit of Human Resources to discuss an actionable employment issue
“Just being frank and honest,” I would have pleaded
If we ’ re getting personal, then I have a cheeky question Is it pre-requisite for powerbrokers to sport combovers? “Uncle Vlad” in the Kremlin who’s fighting on two fronts – an illegal expansionist war, and baldness He’s losing one of them Aleksandr Lukashenko who’s been hanging on
Yet another female reporter who dared challenge the President also got a vicious lashing –“ a third rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out ” Ouch! Global issues suddenly come down to personal attacks The male reporter who co-penned the story wasn ’ t mentioned
New Year lane closure on Cambridge Road
January will mark a significant milestone for the Tauriko Enabling Works project, as crews undertake an intensive programme of works to progress the State Highway 29 /Cambridge Rd intersection upgrade
While many locals enjoy their summer holidays, the team will take advantage of reduced traffic volumes and the absence of school buses to deliver what’s being dubbed ‘Super January’ – a concentrated effort to complete as much work as possible during this period
Ambitious approach
In a statement, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) acting regional manager infrastructure delivery Darryl Coalter said the ambitious approach would include removing temporary sheet piles, earthworks, relocating utilities, road construction and resurfacing
“To do this safely, we’ll need to close a short section of the northbound lane on Cambridge Rd, from the SH29 intersection to 579 Cambridge Rd, from January 3 until early February,”
Coalter said
Less future disruptions
“All Bethlehem-bound vehicles will need to detour via SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road or SH29A and Cameron Rd
The southbound lane will remain open
“We appreciate this will cause some disruption, so we ’ re committed to working extended hours to minimise the overall impact This short-term
inconvenience will mean less disruptions in the future ”
Work will take place seven days a week, with some extended shifts from 7am-12am and night works from 6pm-5am
The intersection upgrade began in late-2024 with construction of a
to public transport.
The Tauriko Enabling Works will improve safety at intersections of SH29 with Redwood Lane, Belk Road and Cambridge Road, enable housing development within Tauriko West, support further development of Tauriko Business Estate, protect freight routes and improve
210-metre retaining wall, supported by temporary sheet piles
Coaler said the first stage of sheet pile removal was already underway behind safety barriers with no traffic impact
In early-January, removal would continue in the narrower section of Cambridge Rd, requiring the lane closure
Once January works were complete, the team would focus on road widening and
What you need to know
*Cambridge Rd northbound lane 24/7 closure from Saturday, January 3, and reopens early February, ahead of the school year commencing
*Cambridge Road right-turn bay closure: Cambridge Road to SH29 –Kaimai Range/Hamilton-bound traffic must turn left onto SH29, then use SH29/SH36 roundabout to change direction
*Temporary speed limits: 60km/h on SH29 approaches; 30km/h on Cambridge Road near the work site
*Resident access: Via detours; vehicles exiting driveways within the closure must turn left onto SH29 and follow the detour.
More information is at: www nzta govt.nz/projects/tauriko-west/taurikoenabling-works
pavement construction The full upgrade would deliver a safer, more efficient intersection for all road users, with completion expected in 2027, Coalter said.
Tauranga City opens dementia
A new art gallery celebrating creativity in people living with dementia has opened at Tauranga Hospital, marking the launch of a unique partnership with the University of California San Francisco.
Gallery 190 NZ is the “little sister” to Gallery 190, which is run by UCSF’s renowned Memory and Aging Centre.
“We will be running four exhibitions a year in sync with San Francisco,” said Tauranga geriatric psychiatrist Dr Bronwyn Copeland, who spearheaded the collaboration “Our aim is to find beauty within the illness and showcase the incredible artistic talents that can emerge through dementia ”
During a recent sabbatical in the United States, Dr Copeland spent time at the UCSF Memory and Aging Centre (MAC), founded in 1998 by internationally respected neurologist Professor Bruce Miller MAC’s research has documented how degeneration in parts of the brain can sometimes release previously dormant creative abilities, resulting in remarkable visual art, music and poetry
Determined
Inspired by the centre ’ s gallery and outreach programmes, Copeland returned home determined to create a New Zealand counterpart.
“I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to partner with them,” she said. “Art and dementia are two of my passions, and forming a sister gallery was something I felt could make a real difference.”
After discussions with Professor
Miller, Gallery 190 curator Sara Wesson Chang, community creative coordinator Gloria Aguirre, and Alzheimers Tauranga, the international collaboration was formalised.
One of the first artists to exhibit is Ian Cameron, a 66-year-old Tauranga man living with dementia mate wareware who only began creating art after his diagnosis about five years ago
Dementia mate wareware is the name for symptoms caused by different diseases that affect a person ’ s brain, such as memory, thinking and social skills.
A former technical writer converting code to layman’s language, with a background in chemistry and geology, Cameron had not previously painted. Motorbikes were his passion, but due to dementia, he can no longer drive.
His wife is a keen quilter, and Cameron, who had previously done some leadlighting, would sit and watch her Encouraged by his wife and sister, he began making free-flowing, instinctive marks which grew into larger drawings he calls ‘Whackadoodles’.
Organically
“It just happens organically, you don’t think about it,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what you
do, there’s no wrong way It makes me feel good.”
Cameron’s distinctive work caught the attention of Curator Sara Wesson Chang during Copeland’s trip to the US. His first solo exhibition, “The Whackadoodler from Middle Earth,” opened last month at Gallery 190 in San Francisco
Now the exhibition has opened in New Zealand, where his pieces are on display at Gallery 190 NZ – a light-filled space created inside the Mental Health Service for Older Persons (MHSOP) waiting room at Tauranga Hospital.
The gallery builds on the success of Artful
Cyclist back on the road
The 6:30am alarm used to be Lesley’s favourite sound. It meant dawn rides through local parks and that glorious feeling of freedom only cyclists understand But last winter, the 64-year-old grandmother found herself lying in bed, listening to that same alarm with dread.
“I’d swing my legs out of bed and just pause, ” Lesley recalls. “My knees felt like rusty hinges. Everything ached before I even started the day”
For someone who’d spent four decades cycling, watching her world shrink was heartbreaking. The woman who once led group rides was now making excuses to stay home.
“I became an expert at declining invitations,” she admits. “Coffee catch-ups after rides became too hard to explain. I’d rather miss out than admit I couldn’t keep up anymore. ” Her bike gathered dust. Watching the cycling on TV was as close as she came.
“My husband would find me cleaning that dusty bike, just running my hands over it,” Lesley laughed. “He knew what I was thinking but didn’t know how to help.”
Flipping through the local paper one morning, an article caught her eye about people her age finding support with Koru FX, a New Zealand-made natural cream.
“I almost turned the page, ” Lesley remembers. “But these were people my age talking about getting back to activities they loved. I tore out the coupon. ” She took it to her local pharmacy, just planning to ask questions
“The pharmacist smiled when I showed her the coupon, ” Lesley recalls. “She said they could hardly keep it on the shelves. Customers kept coming back for multiple bottles. It was a ‘best-seller’ apparently”
What convinced Lesley was hearing it contained natural ingredients like arnica, mānuka, peppermint and black pepper oils. That evening, she applied the cream It absorbed quickly with a pleasant cooling sensation.
“Within about 20 minutes, I noticed something different,” Lesley says. “I actually walked up and down the hallway a few times just to check I wasn ’ t imagining it. Not magic, but enough to take the edge off ” She established what would become her routine: twice daily applications.
After two weeks, Lesley said she was feeling “ more confident in her movements. ”
“I realised I wasn ’ t thinking about my knees anymore, ” Lesley explains.
Six weeks later, she stood in her garage, helmet on, bike ready to go
“I just went around the block,” Lesley recalls happily
Now, Lesley’s alarm has regained its magic. She keeps a bottle of Koru FX in her cycling kit for longer rides.
“People ask how I manage, ” she says “I tell them straight: good bike maintenance, proper warm-ups, and Koru FX twice a day It just works.”
The natural cream ’ s unique formula combines 16 botanical oils. Warming compounds help penetration while cooling oils like peppermint provide comfort. Mānuka and calendula offer lasting support throughout the day
“Life’s too short to sit out, ” Lesley concludes. “I just needed the right support. ”
Mind, a 2024 exhibition led by Alzheimers Tauranga manager Glenn Bradley, volunteer coordinator Steph Harlan, local artists and Dr Copeland.
The project paired people living with dementia with local artists to create new work or have their life stories transformed into art.
Tells a story
The exhibition drew strong community support, prompted a second event in September 2025, and inspired the creation of Gallery 190 NZ.
“Every piece tells a story of resilience,
Artist Ian Cameron and Dr Bronwyn Copeland at the launch of Gallery 190 NZ in Tauranga
Photos / Rosalie Liddle Crawford
art gallery space
Gallery 190 NZ is located at the Mental Health Service for Older Persons (MHSOP) waiting room at Tauranga Hospital.
creativity and connection,” Bradley said. “It honours the voices of people living with dementia mate wareware and their whānau ” Copeland said the gallery is about much more than paintings on walls.
“It’s about creating meaning from art, giving it purpose, using it to bless others,” she said. “It’s about trying to find beauty in suffering and capturing moments and memories that might otherwise fade.”
Broader goals
She hopes that, as the gallery grows, it will support broader arts-based dementia programmes in Tauranga – something already common overseas but not yet available locally
“This is a step in the right direction,” she said. “It provides creative expression, increases awareness and enhances public empathy for people living with dementia ”
Gallery 190 NZ will run exhibitions
alongside its San Francisco counterpart, with plans underway for shared themes – including a potential Earth Day collaboration – and ongoing exchange of artworks between the two countries
“We’re honoured to have our first cross-Pacific artist in Ian Cameron, our ‘Whackadoodler from Middle Earth,’” Copeland said.
“His solo exhibition in San Francisco was a great success; we have his beautiful work here – this is something to be really proud about and celebrate.
“The underlying purpose of our gallery is to try and find beauty within the illness as well as showcase some of the amazing talents that can be revealed when dementia sets in.”
The gallery opened on October 24 and will feature rotating exhibitions by people living with dementia and those who have journeyed alongside them.
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Lifeguards train for challenging season
Surf lifeguards from Hot Water Beach through to Tairāwhiti Gisborne have been put through their paces this week at Mount Maunganui Main Beach in a twoday induction.
“Our lifeguards have completed refresher days to ensure everyone is
y y certified and ready to go We’re employing 140 seasonal staff to help keep the beaches safe this season, ” Surf Lifesaving New Zealand eastern region manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell said
“It’s been a great couple of days. To have all our seasonal staff across the region in one room provides unity amongst the teams and sets standards for
all our beaches.”
More swell, stronger winds
He noted that while last summer saw calmer conditions, this year could be different.
“We’re expecting more swell and stronger winds as weather patterns shift People need to respect the ocean and know their limits If in doubt, stay out. ”
w d u , y u
Training on Tuesday and Wednesday at Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service included CPR, first aid, completing water and board rescues and driving All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
The difference lifeguards make, giving up their personal time to volunteer with Surf Life Saving NZ to keep Kiwis safe on the beaches, is massive
74 clubs, 19,500 members
Surf Life Saving NZ has 19,500 members across 74 clubs throughout the country, from
Invercargill to the Far North. Each year more than 800 surf lifeguards are qualified There’s a dedicated team of volunteers, from instructors and examiners to club administrators, who help surf lifeguards in their development
Know how to float!
Eastern Region lifesaving manager Chaz
Rose Swain doing CPR training at Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service
Once obtaining a Surf Lifeguard Award lifeguards can advance through the surf lifeguard programme in whichever direction they choose – first aid, Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs), patrol captain, Rescue Water Crafts (RWCs), or eventually becoming an instructor and examiner They can also participate in the life saving sport programme to put their skills to the test against others – be it beach sprints, swimming, surf skis, paddle boards, surf boats or IRBs
With surf lifeguards at Waihī Beach, Mount Maunganui, Omanu, Tay St, Pāpāmoa, Maketū and Pukehina beaches this summer, beachgoers are being urged to follow some simple but potentially life-saving safety advice
Gibbons-Campbell said key messages were knowing how to float, finding the safest place to swim, knowing how to get help, taking care of others, and finally, if in doubt, stay out of the water
“The biggest message we ’ re pushing this year is knowing how to float,” he said
“If you get into trouble, floating allows you to calm yourself, keep your airway clear, and then signal for help ”
Gibbons-Campbell also encouraged swimmers to head to lifeguarded beaches and use the SafeSwim website at: safeswim org nz to find the safest spots and check for potential hazards
“The SafeSwim system now uses realtime data and weather forecasting to assess risk,” he said
“Even when when lifeguards aren ’ t on patrol, people can check the site for updated conditions.”
Isla Petherbridge behind the wheel of the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service’s ATV during the two-day training at Mount Maunganui Main Beach Photos / David Hall
Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Helpers light up home ahead of light trail
When Andrea Atkinson moved into her new home, she pictured her first Christmas there glowing with festive lights.
But one slip off a ladder threatened to pull the plug on her seven-year-long tradition – until a Tauranga crew with a gift for gifting stepped in to deliver some Christmas magic.
Now her house is glowing, and so is she, overwhelmed by how others were “happy to help out of the goodness of their own hearts”.
A team of five from Chuffed Gifts made Atkinson’s Christmas vision a reality by stapling lights, securing inflatable
decorations on her purpose-built carport, and decking out the entire front yard.
Part of the trail
Her decorated house will again be a part of the annual Bower Christmas Lights Trail, where more than 60 houses across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty have been lit up with festive cheer
The real estate company has teamed up with The Hits Bay of Plenty 95.0FM, Tauranga Crossing and Chuffed Gifts for this year ’ s trail, which is open now
Atkinson said she was “really overwhelmed” and “quite emotional” when she received the call that her Christmas lights would be put up for her
“I love doing it every year, love the feeling of it, you see all the lights and the decorations, and it’s just such a happy time.
Atkinson said she’d been painting her newly-built carport in preparation for Christmas when she fell off a ladder, rupturing her ACL and tearing her MCL ligaments
“I was so bummed out that I wasn ’ t going to be able to [decorate the house] this year, and it was such a down, to then such a high getting a phone call offering this.”
So meaningful
She watched from afar with her nineyear-old son, Maverick, as the Chuffed Gifts team worked hard to make her Christmas dream a reality.
Christmas is a big time for that.”
This is the fifth year Bower Real Estate (previously Tremains) has sponsored the Christmas Light Trail in Tauranga and Western BOP
A little joy
Bower managing director Anton Jones said it meant a lot to the company that it could help bring “ a little joy” to Tauranga. “There’s something about it that just makes you feel happy
“It’s great to be able to see children and parents alike able to have some fun and see people smiling and connecting, especially with the modern stresses of life.”
The lights are on nightly until at least 9pm, and viewers can vote for their favourite homes at: thehits.co.nz until December 22.
“To have people come in and do this for me is so meaningful, and it hits deep because people are so happy to help out of the goodness of their own hearts.”
Chuffed Gifts co-founder Alex Howard said the decorating experience was in the spirit of Christmas. The gifting service works with a network of providers who collectively offer more than 1000 experiences across New Zealand. “We’re all about gifting experiences, and
Bower and The Hits will also host two events in Christmas light hotspots with a free barbecue, ice blocks and lollies for the kids, face painting, games and more –from 7pm in Pāpāmoa East’s Wairakei Ave on December 11 and Matepu Cres in the Lakes on December 12.
Find the Christmas Lights Trail addresses list on pages 20-21 of this edition. Vote for your favourite at: thehits.co.nz
Kaitlin Morrell
Chuffed Gifts team Jess, Alex, James, Holly and Todd with Maverick (9) and Andrea Atkinson (front centre). Photo / Kaitlyn Morrell
Summer Smarts #3 – Slop
TheWeekendSun isrunning a seriesofeight‘Summer Smart’ storieswithourgoodfriendElfie theCircus Elfhelpingus out tokeepsafeandhealthy these Christmasholidays.Today’s Summer Smart#3ison using sunscreen correctly
We love our long, golden summers here in the Bay of Plenty, but with some of the highest UV levels in the world, a day at the beach without sunscreen can leave more than just memories Skin cancer is the most common
cancer in New Zealand, and while Kiwis are aware of sun safety, many still don’t use sunscreen correctly, or not often enough. Many resident and visitors alike tend to visit Mount Maunganui beaches during the hottest times of the day from about 10am-4pm
With some planning, it’s possible to arrive for a 7am climb up Mauao, followed by breakfast, a dip in Pilot Bay, some shopping and return home before the full extent of the sun ’ s rays start to strike
Likewise, a late afternoon trip can capture some great beach moments followed by a sunset picnic.
UV radiation levels in New Zealand tend to be higher than in many other countries, so the risk
of skin damage and skin cancer is greater
Both UVA – which penetrates deeper and contributes to skin ageing and long-term damage –and UVB – which causes sunburn and skin cancer risk – matter
Broad-spectrum coverage helps protect against both.
The sunscreen most dermatologists would recommend for everyday outdoor use is a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 50+ sunscreen, applied liberally 20 minutes before sun exposure, then reapplied every two hours, or after swimming. And yes, even if it says ‘water-resistant’. Most people don’t use nearly enough. You should apply at least one teaspoon per limb, the front
of your torso, your back, and for the face, neck and ears
That’s around seven teaspoons, or 35ml, for a full adult application.
Don’t be fooled by cloud cover Up to 80% of UV radiation can pass through clouds. If you ’ re outside, you still need protection – even if it’s overcast or breezy
Sunscreen is your last line of defence. For full protection slip on a long-sleeved shirt, slap on a wide-brimmed hat, wrap on sunglasses, and seek
shade especially between 10am and 4pm, when UV radiation tends to be strongest.
Try the free UVNZ app at: https://www.niwa.co.nz/ node/111461 for real-time UV updates
This summer, make sunscreen part of your daily routine –like brushing your teeth Your future skin 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 Liddle Crawford
Tipoftheiceberg?
A new app has been launched to provide Mount businesses and their loyal customers with a rewards system
Launched Sunday, Oasis enables users to scan QR codes at independent bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms and stores to unlock badges, earn points and score rewards through a gamified experience.
Oasis founder Siobhan Squires, who has more than a decade of hospitality experience, said she came up with the idea in 2020. “Places are really struggling, so this is my way of making everything better for people The app will spice up summer here.”
Businesses have the option to add a discount, but they could also serve full-price items and reward users with a badge.
Users collect badges, then sell them for points – the in-app currency – and redeem those points for rewards such as a cinema ticket or donate them to Bay Conservation Alliance.
Squires said she wanted to unite the hospitality industry through Oasis. “I want to build a community around hospitality” Find out more at: www.myoasis.co.nz
Sailors visit sandbar for
yachting version of The Amazing Race, the annual Coke Bottle Boat Race, nghy relays, games on a ndbar – complete with a bar on the bar” – and the Christmas Raft-Up all part of the wonderfully eccentric tradition Mount aunganui Yacht Club sailors forward to at their annual Christmas party year ’ s festivities on Saturday, ecember 13, will once again e a unique attraction –auranga harbour’s low-tide bar between navigation marks
9 and 13 near the Stella Passage.
For sailors, the sandbar has become a natural playground – a momentary island large enough for pirates, cricket matches, relays, and an impromptu beach bar
But long before it hosted yachties’ games, this sandy mound played a key role in Tauranga’s maritime history
Since at least 1835
The sandbar has been marked on charts since at least 1835. Known historically by names such as Man O’ War Anchorage, Maketū Mound, and Battleship Row, it sits beside a deep anchorage favoured by ships in the 1800s.
Tauranga maritime historian
Trevor Bentley said the area was once alive with activity
“During the Tauranga War of 1864, you could see four or five Royal Navy battleships anchored there at once, ” Bentley said “It was a very busy harbour with ship's boats and Māori craft –everything from utility waka tete with sails to smaller Māori sailing vessels selling fresh provisions to the troops at the redoubts and ships’ crews, and ferrying officers, passengers and military personnel back and forth.”
Today the sandbar serves a more light-hearted purpose – a temporary low-tide playground
River Rebel on Tauranga harbour. Photos / Supplied
a Christmas party
for Mount Maunganui Yacht Club’s most creative traditions, including a worldfamous (to them) sandbank cricket match.
The Amazing Race
Commodore Kyle Bryant said this year ’ s Christmas party would again blend sailing with surprises.
“It kicks off at 10am at the old Mount Maunganui Yacht Club in Pilot Bay – the shed near the toilet block where Waka Ama trains,” Bryant said Sailors will come ashore in their dinghies to receive the first clue of a boating mystery hunt that sends them around Tauranga Harbour
“It’ll be like The Amazing Race on boats,” he said. “We’ll pick up clues to different harbour destinations – maybe Salinity for a mimosa, Ōmokoroa, Matakana. Maybe we’ll even do a bomb off the new Matakana wharf. Who knows?”
Bar on the bar
One thing’s for sure – the sandbar will feature. Low tide is around 8.25am, so landing where games, food and general fun are planned could be a challenge Bryant said.
The sandbar party has become an annual highlight, in no small part thanks to Mount Brewing Co, which is sponsoring a keg for the pop-up “bar on the bar”.
“We’re just a few pirates that like sailing together – we don’t mind,” Bryant said. “We set up some trestles, had warm ham rolls last year We’ll have a few games, and then keep racing, and going somewhere else in the harbour We do lots of fun crazy stuff, that's what it's about ” Races
Before the fleet heads off on their harbour challenge, crews will compete in dinghy races or relays at Pilot Bay “Unsure yet, maybe you can ’ t take all your people at once – you ’ ve got to ferry them back to the boat by rowing relay,” Bryant said.
The day will also feature the clubs legendary Coke Bottle Boat Race, usually held during the Christmas Raft-Up around 4pm. “The rules are simple: No glue and no tape. May the fastest bottle ship win,” Bryant said
Last year the race was held at the Ōmokoroa wharf with boats rafted up on both sides and one or two anchored off.
All welcome
About 20 boats typically take part, including sailors from Tauranga Yacht Club who join the Mount club for winter and summer events
Families, newcomers, and sailors from any club are welcome. Registration is open on the Mount Maunganui Yacht Club website.
Bryant says the club’s spirit is built on camaraderie – and a lot of fun.
“Some people love serious racing. I love the friendships, the overnight trips, going to Mayor Island or around White Island for a sail. The social side makes the club ”
The Christmas party arrives just after the launch of the club’s summer series, which began November 15 with a three-island race.
The club’s base at the Mount Ocean Sports Club in Pilot Bay offers prime views of a harbour steeped in history
“We live in paradise here at the Mount,” Bryant said. “I love getting people out on the water and opening up the possibilities of sailing to them.”
TCC wants feedback on Brookfield playground
Tauranga City Council wants to know if it should upgrade Lees Park or build a new playground at Sydenham Botanic Park?
Council is consulting on the two options now – with the deadline to submit views December 15, 2025
Council’s Let’s Talk Tauranga website explains the two options in detail
Option one is to upgrade the existing playground at Lees Park New play equipment would replace the existing equipment – a mix of play types would be included, however, due to the smaller size, it may not cater to all ages and abilities
The popular Roktopus would stay, but no toilets or additional parking would be provided
The estimated investment would cost $380,000-$400,000
Option two is developing a larger
playground at Sydenham Botanic Park
This would be designed as a destinationstyle playground for longer stays, attracting families from a wider area It would provide a larger and more diverse range of play experiences, suitable for a broader age range and including accessible play
features
Additional amenities such as toilets, shade, and barbecue facilities would accommodate longer visits Parking was already available on-site, making access easier for visitors
The estimated investment would cost $1 million
For more information and to have your day, visit: letstalk tauranga govt nz/projects/taurangaplayground-and-reserves-upgrades/ brookfield-playground-and-reserve-upgrade
From 1–20 December, shop locally, collect your stamps, and go in the draw to win $500 to spend right here in Greerton Village!
Mount Maunganui Yacht Club members enjoying being ashore on the sandbar in the middle of Tauranga Harbour.
Jemma with Kyle Bryant dressed as Santa near the old Mount Maunganui Yacht Club in Pilot Bay.
600 not out –
It’s his other skin The skin he’s most comfortable in.
Cricket gear trimmed in yellow and black, coat of arms bearing bats, stumps and sabres. And that staunch heraldic banner: ‘Greerton, Established 1974’
“I put it on as soon as I get home from work.” Greerton shorts, Greerton shirt, Greerton cap “Pretty much what I live in, who I am. ” Year in year, year out, for about 35 years.
‘I’ is Scott Drabble – doyen, patriarch, servant, chattel of the Greerton Cricket Club A charmingly hopeless devotee of the noble art of cricket.
“Absolutely an obsession. A healthy one…for a beautiful game!” Cricket, it’s said, eats into the soul like
an insidious disease Drabble can attest.
Good bugger
“The most skillful of games – played over a long time and always demanding mental and physical awareness But - I don’t want this to be all about me. ” Understood. Because Greerton membership talk of Drabble being one of those self-effacing, deeply caring, kind, loyal, one-of-a-kind, larger than life “good bugger” – their words – who would rather this story be about the “tight supportive family” that is his cricket club One he pours heart and soul into.
“He absolutely deserves to be celebrated,” vouches Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford, who keeps wickets when Drabble is trundling down his stock,
Scott Drabble with the tool of his trade. Photos / Merle Cave
Scott Drabble’s finest innings
medium pace deliveries for Greerton reserve grade team
An intensely annoying delivery, difficult for batsmen to work away, to score off Forces rash shots, and frustrated batsmen get out. “I get a lot of wickets bowled, because I bowl straight.”
Wily operator
Drabble’s a wily operator He sniffs wickets.
Every ball he ever bowled was aimed at just one bail perched on off stump “Line and length mate ” is the mantra “Part of his charm,” said Rutherford. “Why we love having him, and other teams hate facing him.”
So sorry Drabble, this story is all about you Because tomorrow, weather Gods and a “dicky” knee permitting, his decades-long innings for the Greerton Cricket Club will pass a significant milestone “My 600th club game ” What a servant indeed “I do it because I love it.”
And many of those 600 games at God’s playground, if He played cricket, and we ’ re sure He did, Drabble’s hallowed and beloved home ground, Pemberton Park on Fraser St.
Every summer weekend for 35 years. “That’s a chunk of one man ’ s life.” He ponders it. “And then a lot more time in the bar”
Maiden half century
It will take magical balm to get him across the line tomorrow. “Deep Heat’s the most important thing in my kit.” Those bones have taken a pounding at the
bowling crease. “I’d bathe in it if I could.” Also because he damaged himself diving to field a ball. “I thought I was 22 when I dived.” Old men pretending to be young men “But when I stood, I was definitely 49.” He hurt.
Forty-nine – just shy of his maiden half century Mind you, years have been easier to accumulate than runs. The best he can brag is a 32 against Te Puke. But with the ball, several six-fers. “But never more than six ” Five or six wickets in an innings is likened to a century for a batsman. And 1000 wickets all up…perhaps Who knows? But one memorable scalp
“I had Kane Williamson caught on the boundary” What? Drabble waits ‘til the end of our chat before dropping that 24-Karat nugget. Kane Williamson! “But he was just 15 at the time and had already scored 180,” said Drabble. But still worth dining out on.
A straight bat
Drabble has a Masters in Psychology, so he’s well qualified to apply the dark arts of sledging – getting inside and messing with a batsman’s head, goading, annoying, and unsettling them into getting out Chirpy as all hell, always a quip, always looking to outsmart the smart
A colleague lets slip that Drabble is a “real sh***er” on the field – meaning, I suppose, he’s an ‘edgy’ uncompromising competitor But that gamesmanship stops when back in the pavilion, with convivial glass in hand, he plays a straight bat He reverts to cordial, courteous and eminently likeable “Can’t help but love it , ” said the true
blue Rutherford from Pāpāmoa who plays his cricket in very red Tinetti territory He suggests Drabble would have slotted well into national politics once upon a time. “Would have fitted right in with the drinking and smoking.”
But Drabble fits in best in Greerton. Born and raised there, educated around there, athletics there, rugby there, cricket there. Entrenched “Loyalty is a large part of who I am, ” he said But this is not ‘Taps’, not lights out, on Drabble’s career “I hate thinking of not playing any more. So fighting the inevitable drives me on. ”
Summer comfort made easy
Whether you’re
Book
Perfect
But if some young upstart with the skillset and mindset comes along, Drabble will happily step aside, maybe run the water, or park in the sun on the bank at Pemberton Park “Just fine by me ” There he could sit watching, reminiscing, sledging, bitching and debating about cricket and the world with a couple of other distinguished elder members Perfect After he’s lugged a few boxes to replenish the bar for the after-match function “My most important work,” he laughs Congratulations Nice knock Drabble
Scott Drabble in a happy place under the Greerton Gazebo, with teammate Rob Veltmans on left, and junior supporters Mason Clarke and Blake Clarke.
Hunter Wells
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Free bar crossing seminar
New Zealand Coastguards free bar awareness roadshow will be in Te Puke next week.
Focusing on the Maketū /Kaituna Cut, the seminar will provide information to help boaties build the skills, local knowledge and confidence needed to make safe decisions when crossing a bar
At each seminar, participants have been learning critical safety practices for bar crossings, how to read the bar and assess conditions, when it’s safe to go, how to log a bar crossing report with NZ Coastguard, and benefit from the knowledge of local Coastguard volunteers and fellow boaties
The NZ Coastguard is running the seminars in partnership with the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. “Too many boating tragedies happen in the waters we think we know best, with most incidents occurring within just 400m offshore,” said the fishing council’s Mike Plant. “That is why the NZSFC’s Hooked on Safety campaign sees clubs once again partnering with Coastguard to take bar awareness education directly into local communities.”
According to Water Safety New Zealand, while preventable drownings fell to 72 in 2024 – down from 90 in 2023 – fatalities
The hard, hot work of a group of Lions chopping up firewood this year has turned into a $3000 boost for the Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal.
The six-week appeal launched on November 15 and aims to help fill the Tauranga Community Foodbank’s shelves for the busy holiday period and heading into 2026.
On Tuesday, December 2, a group of Tauranga City Sunrise Lions gathered at their GReerton firewood yard to gift a $3000 cheque to Tauranga Community Foodbank’s Jordy Gastmeier for the appeal.
The Lions’ firewood mission makes the most of donated natural resources – chopping it up and selling a low-cost firewood option to the community
In turn funds raised are gifted to charities
involving power cases, with 18 liv waters or during
More than half including five capsi 7 this year, Coas Centre logged a reports in a single many of us take
But before you Coastguard and reminding boaties the trickiest – and the trip: crossing
Last year 2175 – more than four – and this year, council are aiming know knowledge Coastguard als for those keen to specific guides for Kaipara, Port Waikato, and Manukau, plus tutorials on logging a Bar Crossing Trip Report and maintaining inflatable lifejackets, all available on Coastguard’s YouTube channel.
Beautiful Beauden
Beauden and his two siblings were found on a rural road in Tauranga cold and alone until a kind-hearted member of the public brought them into the shelter
A little unwell at first, they have now made a full recovery and are ready to
The free local seminar takes place at Te Puke Citizens RSA on December 11, starting 7pm.
More information about bar crossings is at: https://www.coastguard.nz/barawareness
and community organisations around the Bay of Plenty
Acting chairman Martin Jacobsen said a core group of Tauranga City Sunrise Lions had worked hard all year – and were pleased to be able to donate $3000 to the BOP Times Foodbank Appeal. “Our firewood sales have enabled us to help the needy people of Tauranga,” he said.
Ken Evans, who organises the club’s firewood operation, encouraged those felling trees on their properties this summer to consider donating the wood for the good of the community
If people want to stock up on firewood ahead of next winter, they can contact Ken too For more information, call 0800 546 679 or visit: sunriselions.co.nz
For those who would like to donate to Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal, visit: taurangafoodbank.co.nz
Meander with us through some of the sweetest, loveliest corners of Ye Olde England – the Cotswolds, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Sussex: oohing-&-aahing at fairytale villages, quaint thatched cottages, cobbled seaside towns, castles, cathedrals, historic estates, and gardens so gorgeous they’ll knock yer gumboots off!
ch, he Meet SPCA
New Zealand Coastguard Coastguard’s Free Bar Awarene Puke next week. Photo / Supplied
Professional fighting scene ’ s rising force
Te Puke Muay Thai fighter Emma
Diprose has just got one more win under her belt.
Diprose is a world-class athlete who already has lot of wins to her name – and she’s just added the Industrial Athletic Athlete of the Year at the 2025 Adams Academy Awards to that list
The 25-year-old is a rising force in the professional fighting scene, steadily building a solid reputation for her skill, resilience and competitive edge.
She sits at number two on the World Boxing Council (WBC) world rankings and is coming off the back of four consecutive wins against international fighters.
Career highlights so far include a bronze at the International Federation of Muaythai Associations’ World Championships as well as a New Zealand title.
Next up is her WBC Muay Thai Welterweight World Title fight tomorrow, December 6, at Mercury Baypark Arena.
Impressive
Emma has been an Adams Academy athlete since 2019 and her journey has been an impressive one, with years of commitment and training culminating in her taking home the top prize at the 2025 Adams Academy Awards.
“A lot of work has gone into it, and I think the academy has definitely helped that,” Diprose said.
“Especially being a single-athlete sport, there’s quite a lot of isolation, and the academy allows me to be around the
other athletes, which I think pushes me more ”
Diprose said that’s the part that had probably benefited her the most. “For years it has just been me training literally by myself with my trainer and then now, I can be around other athletes who share the same values, same goals and you ’ re not really alone.”
The Adams Academy is a highperformance sport programme based at the Adams Centre on the outskirts of Blake Park in Mount Maunganui.
Relentless work
Head strength and conditioning coach Loretta Hogg said what set Diprose apart was the relentless work she’s put into her mental game. Diprose had committed to both sport psychology and clinical psychology, Hogg said
“The shift in her confidence and composure has been profound,” Hogg said.
“She began as a very nervous athlete who really struggled with self-belief and was still recovering from a significant setback after sustaining nerve damage in her leg,” she said
“Her progress is a credit to her resilience, consistency, and willingness to do the uncomfortable work.”
The 2025 Adams Academy Awards saw more than 25 local athletes recognised and celebrated for their sporting success, both at home and abroad.
The academy is sponsored by Carrus, and general manager Scott Adams presented the awards
In awe
“I’m in awe of the massive talent that continues to come out of our region and out of the country… it inspires all of our kids all over the country to see anyone can be a world champion, they just have to work hard at it and if you really put your mind to it and put your heart into it, you can accomplish anything,” Adams said.
“It’s not just about elite performance and fitness it’s also about recovery and it’s good to know if our young athletes get injured, they know that’s not the end for them, they can come in here and they can get better and they can come back stronger That’s what I really like about it.”
The academy works with 127 aspiring and established athletes across 27 different sporting codes, from triathletes, cricketers, surfers and runners to hockey and squash players, track and field athletes, gymnasts, footballers and more. It plays a crucial role in supporting young athletes as they begin their sporting careers.
Many academy members are teenagers still at school and this is their first taste of training in a high-performance, state-of-
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Te Puke’s Emma Diprose being announced the winner of the under-23 female 75kg world title at the IFMA Muaythai World Championships back in 2022. Photo s/ Supplied
a girl from Te Puke
the-art gym environment
As well as working one-on-one with a strength and conditioning coach, they have access to a dietitian and sports psychologist, as well as a sports science laboratory with a full array of testing equipment, including an environmental chamber – one of only two in the country – which helps athletes prepare for international competitions in
varying climates.
p
Adams award winners
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Emerging Athlete of the Year: Jayden Murphy (Surf Life Saving).
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Junior
Emerging Athlete of the Year: Emma Merson (Squash) and Jaxon Woolley (Para Athletics).
Body In Motion Road to Recovery: Zion Samuels (Athletics)
Sustain Speed Nutrition Resilience Award: Maggie Hammond (Surf Life Saving).
Industrial Athletic Mahi Award: Cole Hulsebosch (Mountain Biking). ficates: Phoenix Ottesen g), Ryan Addison Grant (Hockey), Millie , Jack Lord (Squash), (Cricket), Harry Burns Roberton (Cricket), and od (Cricket).
( Diligence Certi (Mountain Biking (Hockey), Kodi Dyck (Surfing) Marshall Flint (Cricket), Bryn Oliver Norwoo Outstanding Miller (Gymna (Squash), Je Running)
Life Mo Ri R K (
Performance: Lulu astics), Vihan Chatbury ssie Speedy (Mountain ), Dan Shanahan (Surf Saving), Taylor Thibeaultoore (Football), Grace ichardson (Canoe Racing/Surf Life Saving), Kaitlyn Black (Athletics), Hannah Berry Triathlon)
Scholarship Recipients: Adams Academy six Month Scholarship: Conrad Visagie (Triathlon) Adams Family six month scholarships: Michael Sutton (Mountain Running/ Athletics), Andrea Lilley (Wakeboarding) Stuart Whitaker
Travel by private train to locations such as Tokoroa/Rotorua, Tauranga, Ohakune,
A keen Emma Diprose back in July 2019
The Bower Christmas Light Trail
Construction to begin on new Gate Pā Community Centre
Construction is set to begin on the Gate Pā Community Centre at 13-15 Anzac Rd, marking a major milestone for a project years in the making.
Gate Pā Community Centre Trust chair
Doug Barnes said the centre will be far more than “just a physical building”.
“It’s about creating a central hub where the community of Gate Pā can gather, feel safe and welcomed, develop new friendships and learn new skills,” he said.
Barnes moved to Gate Pā in 2014 and quickly became involved with a newly formed stakeholders’ group established to identify local needs The idea for a dedicated community centre emerged from those early discussions He later led a submission to Tauranga City Council’s Long-Term Plan advocating for the facility.
Valued and belong
“It will be a place where people are valued, and where they feel they belong,” Barnes said. “The community centre will be something the community can own, be proud of and see as part of their identity”
The 500m² building will include
flexible multipurpose rooms, a computer and digital hub, a kitchen for food preparation, kaumatua services and a community noticeboard It will also offer professional services, advice, programmes and events, supported by outdoor spaces designed to meet current and future community needs.
Barnes is joined on the Gate Pā Community Centre Charitable Trust board by Ron Scott and Rachel Pinn.
Scott, a long-time Gate Pā resident and former Bay of Plenty regional councillor, also serves on the boards of the Blind Foundation, SILC Charitable Trust, Workbridge, the AA National Council and Consumer NZ.
“I’m thrilled to be part of establishing the Gate Pā Community Centre,” he said.
“It’s an exciting project because it creates a social centre for the Gate Pā community
Aspirational
“The centre is aspirational. Gate Pā is a mixed community with many first-time homeowners as well as residents who have been there for decades and tenants with state housing support.
“There is a thriving business community All parts of the community will be
welcome at the centre whether it be for budgeting advice or business expos, family functions or whole neighbourhood gatherings which spill out on to the park.”
Pinn, who has made Tauranga her home, brings governance and infrastructureplanning expertise, along with strong community involvement through her professional and volunteer work
“I’m honoured to be involved in developing a community centre that reflects the aspirations of the community,”
she said “While my journey here began elsewhere, I’ve found real purpose in helping shape inclusive, transparent systems that serve the people of this place ”
Tauranga City councillor Rod Taylor said the centre represented a significant step forward for Gate Pā.
“This project is about creating a space that truly belongs to the community –a place where everyone feels welcome and supported,” he said “It will be a cornerstone for connection and wellbeing in Gate Pā ”
The centre will be built on land adjacent to Anzac Park, made available by Accessible Properties, which is part of the IHC Group, to support community outcomes
Its central location ensures easy access to nearby schools, early childhood centres, churches, health facilities and parks
To open late-2026
Accessible Properties general manager of tenancy services Tania Wilson said collaborating with Tauranga City Council had been “ a fantastic experience”.
“It’s part of our kaupapa to support the communities our houses are in, and the centre will provide a space that brings people together and helps them to thrive,” she said
Since a blessing ceremony on November 26, construction work at the site will begin shortly, said Barnes and Scott, who said the Gate Pā Community Centre is expected to open late-2026.
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Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Gate Pā Community Centre trustees Rachel Pinn and Ron Scott and chair Doug Barnes are looking forward to a community centre that reflects the hopes and needs of Gate Pā.
Artist impression of the future Gate Pā Community Centre Image / DGSE
Pacific Lakes Village is celebrating a major milestone with the official opening of its landmark $40 million pavilion, setting a new benchmark for retirement living in the Bay of Plenty.
The Pavilion is a 2500m² architectural centrepiece designed to transform community life for residents and is one of the largest community facilities of its kind in New Zealand retirement living.
Māori Development Minister and Associate Minister of Housing, Tama Potaka, officially opened The Pavilion last Friday, November 28, addressing about 500 people, including tangata whenua, residents, MPs Tom Rutherford and Sam Uffindell, Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale, councillors, and project partners.
Unique partnership
Pacific Lakes Village is a unique partnership between upscale retirement village operator Generus Living Group and Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporation, the landowner Generus Living Group director Graham Wilkinson said the partnership not only supports meaningful economic outcomes for the region but also brings a depth of identity and connection to place that cannot be replicated elsewhere It is the same partnership that anchors the neighbouring Pacific Coast Village Wilkinson said The Pavilion was a worldclass amenity with design excellence and sustainability at its core
“Designed by architects Peddlethorp, The Pavilion represents the social heart of Pacific Lakes Village. It combines versatile function spaces for events, meetings and performances, a café and brasserie, lounge bar, wellness and activity rooms, and a new outdoor terrace overlooking the lakes
“The Pavilion is a real celebration of what New Zealand manufacturers can achieve.”
Wilkinson said about 200 local Bay of Plenty contractors brought the vision to life across three years “primarily using mass timber elements which significantly reduced the requirement for structural steel”.
New $40m pavilion oppened at Pacific Lakes Village
The Pavilion was blessed by the kaumātua of Mangatawa “This whare rests on whenua that has been shaped by the tides of the moana and the rich history of our rohe,” said Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporation director Blanche McMath
“As we gather here, we bring with us the values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and kaitiakitanga that define our people. Above us, under our maunga, Mangatawa stands our marae, the heart of our community, holding our whakapapa and the generations who have cared for this place. “Together, our marae and this Pavilion speak of who we are: a people bound to each other,
to the land, and to the enduring work of caring for community,” she said.
Interior design firm Space Studio leaned into texture and craft to create an atmosphere that feels luxurious yet humble, with natural light flooding through skylights and across surfaces.
Fluted timber panelling and delicate metalwork add refinement without pretension.
Handcrafted New Zealand furniture, bespoke ceramics by artists Peter Collis, Iza Lozano and Stephen Lee, and the woven ‘Kai Catcher’ artwork by Jasmine Clark anchor The Pavilion in craftsmanship and cultural storytelling. The pieces nod to the mid-century ‘Crown Lynn’ era familiar to many residents, but each had been reimagined in a contemporary way Pacific Lakes Village and neighbouring Pacific Coast Village
The exterior of Pacific Lakes Village new pavilion. P Photo / Suppllied d
Pacific Lakes Village new pavilion dining eatery.
Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park is on!
A full day of festive entertainment is on tomorrow, December 6, from 10am-4pm as Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park get under way for 2025
The annual community-focused Christmas fundraising event is located at Mount Maunganui’s Soper Reserve – and is set to be a cracker!
There will be Christmas markets, street food, live music, free workshops, Santa’s Grotto, fun football, face painting, stilt walkers, a photo booth and more!
More than 150 craft vendors are locked in for the event, said Community Projects Charitable Trust representative Rachelle Duffy Entertainment will include the
Tuatara Collective, Tauranga Big Band, Frente Sudaka, FiveEightOne Productionsand father-and-sons duo Indecisive
“Now in its 14th year, Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park event aims to create a great opportunity for the community to come together before Christmas and enjoy a full day of entertainment
“We want to encourage community spirit and ‘giving back’ to enable us to support local charities and communities group who are working with families and children.
“For a gold coin entry, wrapped gift or a non-perishable food donation, you will get to enjoy a pre-Christmas event filled with live music, performances, arts, craft and artisan food/drink ”
The Rotary Club of Ōtūmoetai is hosting its last car boot sale of 2025 this Sunday, December 7, from 8am-11am at Ōtūmoetai College.
Items for sale will include bric-a-brac, clothes, toys, tools, plants, veggies, art and crafts, and furniture. “Also, bring along any spare car batteries or electronics and we will recycle them for $5-$10 – no TVs or large items please,” said Ōtūmoetai Rotarian Jean-Paul Thull.
Santa will be back k in his grotto
Duffy said during the past two years alone, the event has raised more than $50,000 for charity “and we have seen thousands of nonperishable food items and Christmas presents donated to local charities It doesn’t get much better than that!” All ages are welcome to the event, with entry a gold coin, wrapped gift or a non-perishable food donation Find out more at: www whatsontauranga co nz
The car boot sale was one of his group ’ s main fundraising activities “We celebrate our three-year anniversary this month Over time the event has turned into a large local community event, bringing regulars to chase bargains, sell surplus items or just come to have a chat,” Thull said “The social side of such local events is of great value to the community, considering loneliness being recognised worldwide as a major contributor to depression
“Some will of course come along to enjoy a sausage cooked by our club board members or have a chat one of the local politicians, who are also part of our regular events. ”
Thull said Tauranga City councillor Glen Crowther will be on-site on December 7 and Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell will also be present to engage with the community “These are superb opportunities for the Tauranga community to have a chat and a laugh with politicians and share their views,” Thull said.
The regular monthly car boot sale is on the first
The 2025 instalment of Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park is on December 6 from 10am-4pm at Soper Reserve. Photos / Erin Cave
at Tauranga’s Christmas in the Park.
Gudsell Builders take out national award
Gudsell Builders in Tauranga have won the 2025 Master Builders National Craftsmanship Category Award for their harbourside haven home.
Elegant, tactile, dark, and handsome, this home has been designed to meld into its surroundings and has been achieved beautifully
This home is craftsmanship at its best – even the black in-situ concrete exterior walls have been designed to mimic the nearby bark of the Pōhutukawa tree.
Combining a list of subtle but stunning organic features, the use of light hemlock timber walls and ceilings offsets the dark textured concrete walls of the interior with style.
The moody tones of this home are highlighted by the use of skylights and down lighting, golden textured splashback tiles, and the most exotic-looking marbled kitchen island.
The judges said what defines this home is not just its materials “but the calibre of its making, precision, consistency and warmth brought together with quiet confidence”
“Thoughtful comforts complete this
picture with a freestanding glass bath, marble and textured tiles, underfloor heating, and automated lighting.
“The result is elegant, tactile and deeply comfortable, a harbour house that feels effortless yet richly made”
Gudsell Builders’ Matt Gudsell said they were proud to have delivered this bespoke home entirely in-house “showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship and experience of our dedicated team”.
“This home exemplifies the importance of true craftsmanship in creating a space that is both luxurious and relaxed, while harmonising seamlessly with its natural surroundings.”
Council reminds DIYers to check before they dig in this summer
DIY is a time-honoured tradition for every Kiwi, but before you ‘dig in’ this summer, Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council is reminding landowners living near flood protection or drainage assets to check if they need a Bylaw Authority under the Flood Protection and Drainage Bylaws before starting any works.
This includes stopbanks, floodwalls, drains and pump stations.
A Bylaw Authority is written permission from the regional council that includes conditions to ensure these flood protection and drainage assets are not accidentally damaged by works on your property
Residents who live in or own a property next to or near a regional cou owned or managed flood protection or drainage assets may be in a Bylaw Applicable Area and, therefore, need a Bylaw Authority before completing work on your property
work on their land, but they help ensure any work doesn’t accidentally affect the integrity of the reigon’s flood protection and drainage infrastructure assets.
“Flood protection and drainage assets are our first line of defence when it comes to keeping communities safe during large flood events It is crucial that they function properly when needed,” Brown said
“A tree or post near a stopbank, or a structure in a drain, can compromise the functionality of these flood defences and put them at risk of failure when we them most.
BOPRC rivers and drainage assets manager Kirsty Brown said these bylaws don’t exist to stop anyone from doing
”
The Flood Protection and Drainage Bylaws, which came into effect in 2021, have different rules for different parts of the rohe (region)
Brown’s advice for those who are unsure was to check before you g, plant or build. “Visit website, give us a call or send us an email – it's better to be safe than sorry."
To find out if you live in a Bylaw Applicable area, visit: boprc.govt.nz/ bylaw-authority
Members of the public can also reach out for information specific to their property by emailing: riversanddrains@boprc govt nz
Inside the award-winning home built by Gudsell Builders. Photos / Supplied
Kem Ormond
Sam Pulis and Matt Gudsell with their certificate and a Master Builders representatiive at thhe awardds.
Exploring the Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
It’s hard to pigeonhole the Baltic States into a distinctive east or west European feel, and that’s what makes it rather fascinating.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania sit between Scandinavia and Russia, each having its own connections with the neighbours, plus distinctive individualities.
My knowledge of this area
was scant prior to a recent visit, with Kiwi experience usually based on a cruise ship stop at the Estonian capital Tallin
Due to the Russia/Ukraine conflict, cruises are not running on the traditional Russia/Scandinavia routes including the Baltic States.
Air travel is also limited to Russia from Europe. I had an interesting conversation with a couple from Finland in Tallin (two hours by ferry), the husband originally from India
and his wife from Russia
For her to get to see relatives in St Petersburg required a flight via nonEuropean Union Turkey (Istanbul) from Helsinki.
Food and drink
My travel was a lot simpler, flying directly from Frankfurt, Germany, to Tallin (two hours)
July was mid-summer, but the day-time temperature remained a pleasant mid-20s throughout my two-week stay
Also rather pleasant was a marked drop in prices for food and drink compared to other parts of Europe.
Think NZ$15-$20 for dinner and NZ$5 for a beer
This did require a bit of shopping around however Double the price if you want to drink or dine around the central square in the Baltic capitals. It was best to get a couple of streets away, which you will probably find more locals doing. While all tastes are catered for, traditional Baltic dinners are meat and vegetables. Wild game is popular I even saw beaver on the menu in Lithuania. I didn’t go near it, but have read since that limited hunting is allowed and the beaver population is flourishing there. Cold beetroot soup is another traditional dish.
Rich history
My hotel in the Old Town of Tallin was a good illustration of the history of the region, including rule by the former Soviet Union after German occupation during the Second World War
even returning to where you picked it up required
Waterfront apartments are “the place” to live or holiday in Tallin, while those fancying something even more salubrious can rent a luxury igloo at NZ$350 per night
The Old Town is dominated by a magnificent cathedral, with my nearby hotel along a modern shopping street In another nod to the past, the former Soviet KGB headquarters – including a haunting prison – is now the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights
During my stay in Vilnius I also visited the nearby 15th Century Trakei Castle, built on an island in Lake Galve, which was due to host a few more Kiwis competing in the Under-19 World Rowing Championships in August
Film locations
Built in the 1950s, the hotel was closed to civilians for several years and served military purposes as the headquarters of Soviet naval officers The building underwent a complete renovation and opened as a 67-room hotel in 2001
The Baltic States gained independence from Soviet rule in 1991. Central Tallin is a mix of old and new, from cobblestone streets to upmarket shopping precincts. My private tour guide suggested a trip to the waterfront which we made in illuminating – for me anyway – fashion
Instead of a half-hour walk, we took a five-minute drive (NZ$2/ km) with a car rental service via an app that sees you locate a vehicle on the go and drop off at a designated parking spot when you are done, There’s no rental office or
Both the castle and Vilnius Old Town –UNESCO World Heritage sites – have been used as feature film locations on a number of occasions Next stop was the Latvian capital Riga I chose to take the train from Vinius, which proved to be an adventure I’d read that this was a relatively new route that began with two carriages in a once-a-day service last year I was very glad that I’d pre-purchased the ticket before my departure from NZ, because the now threecarriage service was completely sold out
The train trip took me across green and pleasant land, with a variety of cropping and livestock In Riga I stayed in a modern hotel along a cobblestone street in the Old Town, which again featured truly spectacular buildings including the Dome Cathedral, House of the Blackheads and St Peter’s Church The nearby National Opera House is also quite stunning
As a solo traveller, the Baltic States felt safe I was only ever bothered by people asking for cigarettes or change when I enjoyed a drink outside a bar A polite “ no ” sent them on their way Steve Edwards
Much-loved
The central square in the Old Town, Tallin, Estonia Photos / Steve Edwards
Family Works, part of Presbyterian Support Northern, continues to play an essential role in supporting children, whānau and wider communities across Tauranga and Whakatāne.
Area manager Julie Peake said their services span counselling, social work and a range of education and wellbeing programmes designed to help families stay connected and resilient
In schools
A key pillar of their mahi is Social Workers in Schools (SWiS), with five full-time social workers supporting 14 schools
It’s getting hot, and the sun is coming out to play
Community support at the heart of Family Works
across the region
“Our social workers support children facing challenges like anxiety, bullying, grief and friendship difficulties,” Peake said “This support helps young people get through challenges without feeling isolated ”
Family Works also delivers programmes like Parenting Through Separation, supporting parents to reduce the impact of relationship changes for children. This also includes Wave and Restore, which offers education and healing for women and tamariki affected by family violence
White Ribbon
Recently, Family Works brought the community together for White
Ribbon Family Day at Tauranga’s Anzac Park on November 22
The day was led by family violence response coordinator Harpinder Kaur, whose work centres on strengthening community responses to family violence through collective action
Kaur said White Ribbon events were an important annual moment to bring services together in one place for whānau
This year ’ s event brought together more than 20 organisations, each hosting information stalls to raise awareness about the many forms of domestic and family violence
All ages
To support meaningful engagement across all ages, the team developed a children’s treasure-hunt map, guiding families through the stalls while encouraging learning in an accessible way
“Kids collect stamps on their maps but on the back we added all the organisations’ names and contact numbers,” Kaur said “Whānau can keep it at home and know exactly where to reach out ”
from registrations to whānau engagement Hattie said it was easy to get involved in a kaupapa she’s passionate about and a great opportunity to connect with services
Volunteers’ energy
Kaur was deeply grateful for the volunteers’ energy and aroha throughout the day
“I’m so thankful for all the volunteers and their patience ”.
For her, the heart of the
day was simple – respect “Respect everyone. Children, elders, all genders, nature, animals If we start with respect, the world becomes a better, safer place ” If you’d like to volunteer in the Bay of Plenty, or your group needs support, Volunteering Services can help. Visit: www. volunteeringservices org nz or call (07) 987 0920
* Content supplied by Volunteering Services
But as the days get warmer, and people begin to spend more time outdoors, the Cancer Society’s SunSmart website wants Kiwis to know how to protect their skin from harsh rays
According to the website, in New Zealand, UV levels are high from – even on cool or cloudy days.
“Too much UV exposure increases the risk of skin cancer, and the effects build up over time.”
Fortunately, staying safe is simple – just follow these tips.
Slip on clothing: Light, loose, longsleeved tops and trousers keep you cool while protecting your skin
Slip into shade: Use natural or built shade like trees, gazebos, or buildings, especially during peak UV hours
Slop on sunscreen: Use broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF30
or higher Apply 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours, or after swimming.
Slap on a hat: Wear a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face, ears, and neck
Wrap on sunglasses: Not all sunglasses protect against UV radiation – always check the label for the sun protection rating or AS/ NZ1067:2016 sunglasses Standard.
Kaur said volunteers were key to bringing the day together, with Japanese student volunteers Sayu Kawamoto and Sana Kobayashi, alongside Hattie Young of Tautoko Mai, supporting everything
Jo and the team would like to thank you for supporting our small business. We wish you and your families a peaceful and relaxing Christmas. Christmas Gift Vouchers Available plus lots of gift ideas on our website Main Road Bethlehem | Phone 07 576 9442 www.bethlehemhealth.co.nz
Francisco Salustio, Harpinder Kaur and Ani Coker before the White Ribbon Family Day at Anzac Park. Photo / David Hall
