25 September 2026, Issue 1329
Caring for canines Dog groomer Rachael Bell-Fleming, pictured with her best friend ‘Russy’, is a huge animal lover. For months the Katikati-based The Groomers Shop owner has been working on the clippers by day while organising a national dog grooming festival with Tauranga dog groomer Helen McCauley by
night. The ladies will host GroomFestNZ on October 3-4 at Classic Flyers in Mount Maunganui – and they want the wider public to come along to create awareness of the industry and how to care for canines. “It’s one-of-a-kind event because we don’t have any grooming competitions in New Zealand this year,” Rachael Bell-Fleming
said. GroomFestNZ will be an action-packed with seating will allow festival-goers to relax, an on-site café will fill hungry tummies, plus two days. a wellness zone of local vendors will offer It will boast a range of dog-related demonstrations, competitions and products extraordinary treats. and services to watch and learn about, a daily There’s even a Canine Runway contest, which will open a public quiz night on judge-run live demonstration on how to maintain dogs at home, a daily dog trick and October 3. Find out more on page 27. Photo / Kelly O’Hara agility show and kids’ activities. A chill zone
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Friday 25 September 2026
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405 Cameron Rd, Private Bag 12002, Tauranga Mail Centre, Tauranga 3143. Phone 07 578 0030 www.theweekendsun.co.nz ads@thesun.co.nz newsroom@thesun.co.nz
The Weekend Sun is published every Friday and distributed throughout the Western Bay of Plenty from Waihi Beach, through Katikati, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke and available to collect at many stand locations throughout the area. For a full list of stand locations see https://theweekendsun.co.nz/stand-locations.html The Weekend Sun is part of NZME - New Zealand Media & Entertainment. We keep Kiwis in the know. Locally produced at 405 Cameron Rd, Tauranga
Editor: Merle Cave Editorial: Letitia Atkinson, Rosalie Liddle Crawford, Hunter Wells, Ayla Yeoman. Publications Manager: Kathy Sellars. Advertising: Cade Hughes, Jo Delicata, Sharon S Eyres, Ben Simpson. Design Studio: Kym Johnnson, Caitl Caitlin Burns.
Is a hotdog a sandwich? Rarely would you hear me talk up Gordon Ramsay. Or put him up as an arbiter on anything. Least of all good taste.
Remember he came to town promoting a cookbook and doco and got embroiled in a right old stink. Legend has it he likened Sir Paul Holmes to Ronnie Corbet. Apropos height, or lack of it. And he called our knight of TV a “tool” after Holmes ribbed and riled him, calling him a “Pom” who knew “eff-all” about rugby. Great sport – two stars of the small screen, the cook and the comic, clawing each other. Rude and aggressive was Ramsay’s strategy on his TV show Hell’s Kitchen, and in the process he cooked up a successful global brand. TV audiences loved watching the explosive chef cursing, insulting, belittling, abasing and abusing…in the name of entertainment and ratings. “My gran could do better, and she’s dead!” sort of thing.
Just don’t!
However, on one lofty issue of culinary “to do” or “not to do”, Ramsay’s opinion becomes relevant. Because he agrees with me. His word becomes God’s word after famously, or infamously, declaring, “You don’t put (BLEEP)-ing pineapple on pizza”. On that I agree. End of matter you. You would think…
then Stanley Tucci weighed in. “(Pineapple) on pizza is so repellent, were I to think of it, I might not survive.” Gosh…so grave, so final. Tucci is famous for his travel docuseries, like Searching for Italy, in which the acclaimed American actor and film-maker, with a traditional Italian name, ate his way around his country of origin. “Bwonjor-no! – num, num, num.” Nice work if you can get it. But Tucci did have to push the pizza pineapple to the side of his plate. “It’s just gross,” he said. Then in Iceland, the heated issue was melting ice caps. President Guoni Th.Johannesson said he would straight out ban the practice if he had the power. A man of discernment. Like Tucci. Like myself. We both like a side dish of honesty and tradition with food. And “sickly sweet” tongue-wrestling with “savoury” is a violation of the senses.
Go have a popsicle
The original pizza was a Margherita. Red, hand-crushed tomatoes, creamy white mozzarella and green, spicy, minty basil. The colours of Italy’s flag. It is that Italian. Divine in its simplicity. No mention of damned pineapple until Sam Panopoulos put it on a pizza in Ontario in 1962. A Greek gentleman, a new Canadian, put a South American fruit on an Italian flatbread and called it Hawaiian. If you crave pineapple, have a Piña
colada, or skewer a piece on a toothpick with a chunkk of cheddarr and a Maraschino cherry. Or have a popsiclee. Pizza doesn’t need compliccating or bastardiising. But haang on! Apparen ntly yes, it does. I was wroong. Hugely wrong. The question n’s been answereed, in the affirmattive, in the latest very unofficiial,, and d even more unscientific,, The Weekend Sun office poll which, every morning, examines the existential issues of our time. The question was: “Does pineapple belong on pizza?” Fourteen votes to six said it does. Jimmy Kimmel said the poll and Paris were straight out wrong. “Any pizza that tastes better with pineapple wasn’t a good pizza to start with.” Smart man. Anyhow, other issues addressed by The Sun’s office poll include the following. Would a giraffe wear his bowtie at the top or bottom of his neck? I figured the giraffe, like most blokes under a “black tie” dress code for a formal event, would wear it at the bottom of the neck. Is a hotdog a sandwich? How many ‘chuggas’ before the ‘choo choo’? Would
The Weekend Sun is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. First, email your complaint to the Editor at: newsroom@thesun.co.nz If not satisfied or for more details, go to: mediacouncil.org.nz
you ratther have a permanent wedgiee or a headache? One question is scribbled onto th he wh hiteboard firsst thing each day too fire the thougght processes, before we joournos sharpen our penccils and go in search h of the truth and justicee, or uncover crime and/or evil.
A staatute
It’s goood, wholesome, funny, bonding stuff. Even thou ugh I was called “opinionated” for expounding on dress codes for giraff ffes. And ff “deliberatelyy contraryy” wh hen I was the only vote one way or the other on another issue. Why are we re-litigating pineapple on pizza? Probably because it still isn’t in the statutes as a crime against niceness. Or they haven’t come up with a sufficiently cruel and unusual punishment to deter such bad taste and behaviour. If pizza chains are a measure…Gordon Ramsay, Stanley Tucci and I are dreadfully wrong. They wouldn’t put pineapple on pizza if the punters didn’t want it or like it. But that still doesn’t make it right. Now, to today’s question. Are the washing machine and dryer siblings, dating, or co-workers? Voting is split at this stage. I invite your opinion, dear readers... Email: hunter.wells@nzme.co.nz
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The Weekend Sun
Friday 25 September 2026
3
Tauranga event to mark World Homeless Day A child arrives at school in uniform, but the night before she slept in a makeshift shelter with her father and was frightened by rodents.
It is the kind of experience most people will never see. For Ani Stace, chair of the Te Paiaka Lived Experienced Panel for Homelessness, it is one of the reasons World Homeless Day matters. Because homelessness in Tauranga is about far more than people sleeping rough on the streets, she said. “Everyone’s got a story.” Te Paiaka and Under the Stars will host a free community event at Jordan Field, Memorial Park, from 12pm to 4pm on October 10, to bring together people experiencing housing hardship, support services and the wider community.
Connection, support
The event is about connection, support and awareness, offering free kai (food), information and donation stations. Stace said the aim was to bridge the gap between people experiencing housing hardship and those who want to understand more and help. “We need to actually look behind the myths and look at the people that are there,” she said. Homelessness can include rough sleeping, but also overcrowded or unsafe housing, couch surfing, temporary accommodation and having no fixed abode. Stats NZ uses the term severe housing deprivation for people living in situations where they have no other options for safe and secure housing. Its definition includes people without shelter, in
temporary accommodation, sharing accommodation with another household, or living in uninhabitable housing. Stace said the hidden nature of housing hardship made it difficult to know exactly how many people in Tauranga were affected. She estimated between 400 and 600 people could be directly affected locally, while acknowledging the lack of reliable local data. “It’s quite a hidden number,” she said. “You know, all it takes is for you to walk the streets and you can see that people are having to sleep outside, and that’s the part you can see.” She said families could also be moving between friends and relatives, sometimes trying to keep children in school while dealing with unstable housing.
Community solutions
The World Homeless Day event will have a range of organisations from Tauranga’s homelessness provider network present, including Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation, Gate Pā and Welcome Bay community centres, Street Reach, Bay Financial Mentors, Community Centre, Community Health 4 Kids, Awhina House, Hanmer Clinic Tauranga, Problem Gambling Foundation, StreetHelp, 4Kings Barbers&Co, Rau O te Huia Community Trust and Tūmanako. The Lions Club will provide free sausages and burgers at its barbecue trailer, while an enrolment stand would help people register to vote. For Stace, the event is not about simply raising awareness for one day. “Community solutions are what’s
An event to bring together people experiencing housing hardship, support services and the wider community will be held on October 10. Photo / John Borren
needed,” she said. “We can’t wait for someone to come in and tell us what to do or send us the golden tickets. We actually have to just try and look after our own backyard first and make a difference there.”
First step
She believed building relationships was an important first step for people who’d experienced years of trauma and instability. “You can’t address that trauma without building the trust in the relationship in the beginning,” she said.
Stace hopes the October 10 event will encourage people to look beyond what they think they know about homelessness. “If you look past what some people perceive is not a societal norm for them, then you actually find some really, really amazing humans,” she said. The event is free and the public is invited to come along, meet the organisations working in the sector, learn about housing hardship and find out how they can help. For more information, email: admin@ tepaiaka.co.nz. Rosalie Liddle Crawford
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Friday 25 September 2026
The Weekend Sun
4
Partially-sighted rock climber has Paralympic goal Competitive rock climbing takes steely focus, but that assumes an entirely different shape for Tauranga boy Teddy Hirini.
While his competitors at the recent Zespri AIMS Games saw their next move, the partially sighted 13-year-old had to feel his way up the wall, while listening intently to his “pilot”, Charlee Bluck. One unforeseen hurdle with this incredible set-up was the noise. More than two extraordinary days at the Rocktopia climbing venue in Mount Maunganui thiss month made it hard for Teddy to hear where his next handhold needed to go, above the clamour of a crowd chanting hiss name. “If it’s very loud, I can’t hear her, and I need her to repeat it,” he explained. “But I’m also locked in when I’m rock climbing, and hearing people yell also gets me more pumped to climb the wall. It’s inspiring.” Not as inspiring as this Tauranga Intermediate climber. Equipped with an earpiece and undiluted pluck, Teddy finished 25th out of 42 Year 8 boys. The Zespri AIMS Games is New Zealand’s biggest school sporting tournament, hosted annually in Tauranga. It ran from September 5-11. This year saw a record 14,506 entries from 467 schools, including 11 international schools from Australia, the Cook Islands and Fiji. The intermediateaged athletes competed across 27 sporting codes. Teddy has been climbing for just over a year but made it through qualifiers and into the quarter-finals during two intense
days of competition. He celebrated with a float from McDonald’s. “The first day was pretty nerve-racking. But then when I got on the wall, I wasn’t as nervous. It felt good, but now I’m pretty tired. My arms get pretty pumped.” Parents Paul and Claire Hirini watched on with unabashed pride. Teddy is one of six siblings, including twin Mason, and they’ve all been active kids. “It’s been hard to find a sport for Teddy,” Paul said. “When he was very little, he was pretty freaky with his hand-eye
Rocki climbing at 2026’s Zespri AIMS Games. Photos / Jamie Troughton / Dscribe Media Services
Teddy Hirini on the Rocktopia wall at 2026’s Zespri AIMS Games.
co-ordination, and he was incredible with both hands and both feet. It was pretty devastating when he got ill and lost his sight. But climbing has been incredible, and it has enriched his life. And for him to come to AIMS Games has been a highlight.” When he was 4, Teddy reacted badly to antibiotics for an ear infection. The auto-immune condition Stevens-Johnson syndrome is rare, but it cost him about 95% of his sight. When he climbs the wall, he can occasionally make out big features, but most of it is by feel only. The support he’s had is vast, with
Tauranga Intermediate teacher Seamus Murray a fierce advocate. Now Teddy has serious ambitions. The 2032 Paralympics in Brisbane beckon. His parents reckon the AIMS competition was a massive breakthrough, as does his caller Charlee, who saw first-hand how Teddy shone. “It was a learning experience for everyone, especially when I mixed up my left and rights at one stage yesterday, and had to write it on my hands,” she laughed. “But I just watched him grow through the event. It’s been amazing.” Jamie Troughton
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The Weekend Sun
Friday 25 September 2026
5
Teen film showing wetlands breathing grabs national win A Pāpāmoa College student’s creative take on wetland conservation has earned national recognition.
Year 11 Layla Clarke, 15, won the Year 9-13 Art Category at the Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair in Rotorua. Organised by the Te Arawa Lakes Trust at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, the fair brought together hundreds of students from 26 schools across the country. Layla’s project, also part of her media studies assessment, was the first-ever film entry in the fair. Her short film was named Te Hā o te Repo (The Breath of the Wetlands) and she said the title captured the idea that the “wetland is alive”. “It breathes, changes, and supports all this life within it.” Layla said she wanted the film to make the wetland feel like something living rather than a piece of land or water that “happens to be there”.
“I suppose if something has a breath, there is also the idea that we have to protect it and keep that breath going. “The close-up shots of birds, plants, water and movement, with the natural sounds and music all helped create that feeling.” Layla said she was “really happy” and proud when she found out she had won her category. “Winning was obviously amazing, but seeing people actually stop and engage with the film meant a lot too. “Knowing people had watched it, understood something from it or even just stopped and really looked at the wetlands for a few minutes was just as important.” Layla said film felt like the perfect medium to tell the storyy of wetlands because it allowed her to capture their movement, sounds and life. “I also liked that I didn’t have to directly tell the audience what to think. “There was no dialogue so I had to communicate the message through
Layla Clarke filming her short film Te Hā o te Repo (The Breath of the Wetlands).
Layla Clarke, 15, won the Year 9-13 Art Category at the Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair. Photos / Supplied
what they were seeing and hearing and hopefully make them feel something about the wetlands for themselves.” Her film was inspired by the wetlands stretching through Pāpāmoa and those around Te Ara o Wairākei near her home. Layla said that because wetlands were integral to Pāpāmoa, it was easy to take them for granted and stop noticing them. “That was really where the idea came from, I wanted people to recognise how important these spaces are to our community and that we have a responsibility to look after them.” She said one of the biggest challenges of the film project was that nature doesn’t always perform on command. “You can’t decide that the birds are going to be in exactly the right place when you arrive or that the light will be perfect or that something interesting will happen
Tip of the iceberg?
suddenly.” Layla said she was “lucky enough” to capture native birdlife, including a kingfisher, and filmed a pūkeko trying to remove rubbish from its foot. “After establishing the beauty and life of the wetland, I used that footage as a contrast to show the impact people can have on te taiao [environment].” She said the message she hoped young people would take from her film was to “look around you”. “We live in such a beautiful country and sometimes I think we get so used to it that we stop noticing what is actually around us. “Look at the wetlands, beaches, forests or waterways near where you live, notice what is there and think about what you can actually do to help look after it.”
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Friday 25 September 2026
The Weekend Sun
6
Classic cars to rev up funds for men’s health Classic cars and dapperly dressed drivers will take to Tauranga roads this Sunday, coming together to connect and raise funds for men’s mental health and prostate cancer research. On September 27, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive will happen across the world – including in Tauranga – with drivers in their thousands taking their classic and vintage cars out for a spin to raise funds for Movember, the leading charity to support men’s mental health. “The funds are invested for vital research and programmes for prostate cancer and men’s mental health to support the wellbeing of men all around the world,” Tauranga’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive host Carole Seymour said. “This year, there are 195 drives taking place in 57 countries and so far, there are 3055 participants.” The drive flows on from The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, which similarly sees men donning tailored and tweed suits – but instead of driving classic cars, they hop on motorbikes to fundraise.
community – and it’s not a very often talked about subject [mental health] and I just thought it would be a good way to raise some money, but to also have a fun day out that also is good for mental health – go out and drive your favourite car.” The convoy of classic cars will start off on their journey from Classic Flyers in Mount Maunganui at 9am. Th Theey then head to Th Thee Strand, Welcome Bay and Pāpāmoa before parking up at Coronation Park for a “Show and Shine” for onlookers to enjoy, connect and chat. “It’s for cars that are either 40 years or older. It’s not only that though, if it’s a
Drive to connect
Seymour said the classic car drive iteration of the fundraiser had been run in Tauranga since 2024, when she became the host for the region. “I’ve seen friends struggling with mental health problems and I’ve also had friends that have had prostate cancer and that prompted me to think that I’d like to get involved,” she said. “There’s a lot of men in the car
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replica of an old car that’s okay as well,” Seymour said.
Dress up!
Seymour said cars registered so far in Tauranga’s drive included classic Mustangs, Cadillacs, Corvettes and vintage cars from the 1920s. The dress code requests drivers and their passenggers to dress to match the era of their cars. “There are not many events where people are dressing up in tweed tw w jackets, dresses, scarves and driving gloves,” she said. Every driver had their own fundraising page to gather support from friends, family, co-workers and anyone wanting to donate. Seymour said that so far in Tauranga this year, the event had raised just Colin Denize, Icon the dog, with a 1929 Dodge and a 1934 Chevrolet Master behind them. Photo / Kelly O’Hara
over $1000, but since 2024 it had raised more than $8000 in Tauranga. Worldwide, since it started, more than $78 million had been raised from 2016 to 2025 – “that’s The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive and Ride combined”. “People just love it because it’s a very social day out ... it’s just been a nice way to bring people together.” Interested classic car owners can register online now at: https://gentlemansdrive. com/ for the September 27 event or in person on the day before 9am at Classic Flyers, Mount Maunganui. Georgia Minkhorst
The Weekend Sun
7
Friday 25 September 2026
New op shop fuels a cycle of aroha A new op shop selling pre-loved children’s clothes has opened in Tauranga to spread aroha (love) out into the community in more ways than one.
The doors to the unique Kai Aroha Kids Op Shop at The Historic Village opened August 1. The voluntary-based, non-profit organisation has helped the city’s food impoverished and homeless community for the last 10 years by providing regular, free community meals. The children’s op shop is the charity’s new chapter, Kai Aroha founder Tania Lewis-Rickard said. “There was a time where I thought Kai Aroha needs to turn a corner,” said Lewis-Rickard. “I thought, ‘Let’s do something different. How is another way we can help people?’” With a space becoming available to the charity at the Historic Village, the Kai Aroha team got to work “zhuzhing up” the space. “The shop is little but it’s really cute and we spent days painting it,” LewisRickard said. “I wanted it to have that ‘ah’ factor you know and to be physically full of light.”
Share a taonga
Lewis-Rickard said Kai Aroha volunteers were making it look all nice and boujee “because I didn’t want the op shop to just be another shop”. “We had Jan Tinetti, Labour MP in our region open it…she’s just been a
lifelong friend, so we had a beautiful Kai Aroha founder Tania Lewis-Rickard has branched opening with out the voluntary organisation’s operations with a community and Kai children’s op shop. Photo / Kelly O’Hara Aroha volunteers.” Full of quality children’s clothes, all pre-loved and in good nick, the shop caters to newborns up to age 8. “I want people to feel good about when they buy the clothes and they’re actually taking [home] a taonga/ treasure – someone who’s loved their clothing. That love has then been passed onto that next person.” All clothes are She said funds generated by the op washed, ironed shop would be pooled to help those before being put on the racks. Lewisin need in the community in different Rickard reckons she’s hit a niche ways. “The money generated then helps market. “There are no specific kids’ op shops in someone else again – so it’s a cycle of giving.” Tauranga Moana. There are a lot of op For example, in February Kai Aroha shops that sell a lot of kids’ clothes but supported the Te Araroa, East Coast, this was specifically designed for kids.” community, by sending food, water and ‘Cycle of giving’ supplies after it was cut off by slips from Lewis-Rickard said she was inspired by weeks of heavy rainfall. the St Paul’s Op Shop and volunteers “We sent four tonnes of food down that operate that store. “It planted a there. That was during the time of when seed, a thought, an idea of how we those poor souls were killed at Mauao and at Welcome Bay. could raise money for the purpose of “In the meantime, Te Araroa was helping our community.”
cut off and that was quite devastating what was happening over there. We’ll definitely keep helping the East Coast if disaster strikes again.” Lewis-Rickard said the Kai Aroha Kids Op Shop was much larger than selling second-hand children’s clothes. “The op shop really is a little engine that funds aroha [love] – not so much kai aroha, but aroha…the clothing really is the vehicle, but the purpose is what happens because of it.” Kai Aroha Kids Op Shop, located at The Historic Village, 159 17th Avenue West, is open 10am-3pm Tuesdays to Georgia Minkhorst Saturdays.
Friday 25 September 2026
The Weekend Sun
8
A hub helping those in need in Te Puke This month, five Tauranga-Western Bay community centres are running an awareness and fundraising campaign to future-proof their existence. It is shining a light on centres at Merivale, Welcome Bay, Gate Pā, Katikati and Te Puke. This week, Merle Cave visits The Hub in Te Puke.
The Hub Te Puke is operating from temporary premises at 130 Jellicoe St until next year, when renovations on its former home will be complete. But the change in location hasn’t slowed the demand for services. When chief executive Scott Nicholson began in his role eight years ago, The Hub’s annual operating budget was about $120,000. Since then, it has endured a catch-22 of sorts. “I did a lot of work in terms of raising our profile, making sure people knew what we did in the community, and with that more people began walking through the door and feeling comfortable to reach out for help. “So, there’s the combination of more people struggling – that’s just the reality with fuel and food prices the way they are – and the more people know about us and the work that we do, well that also brings more people as well,” he said. “We’re servicing in a day what we used to in a week, and we’re servicing in a week what we used to in a month.”
The one door
The Hub is open to the public from 9am to 2pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. “It’s the one door that anyone can walk through [in Te Puke], whenever they’re
facing circumstances they might want help with. We will either provide the support if we offer it, or we can refer to other agencies.” As such, The Hub is more of a social service than a community centre, Nicholson said. “We operate in five main areas.” The first is food and household resources. “Food support is the number one reason that people walk through the door,” he said. The Hub operates its own food rescue service with local supermarkets and food stores and relies on donations from the community. The Hub will also find household items for people who need them. “Linen, beds, furniture, kitchen items … we try not to have it on hand so instead we put a call out to the community and get a good response.” Another area is housing support. “We can’t provide people with houses, but we do provide navigation of the housing system. Last year we successfully rehoused 21 households, which is no small feat.” Advocacy across government agencies and businesses is a key area. “There’s advocacy available for our clients with government agencies such as the Ministry of Social Development [MSD] and ACC. We also have a retired insurance agent who helps people with making claims with their insurance companies.”
The Hub Te Puke chief executive officer Scott Nicholson outside the doors of its temporary location at 130 Jellicoe St. Photo / Merle Cave car bill or power bill, they have to pay it Nicholson, who is on the regional but they can put the brakes on food. Mayors Taskforce for Homelessness, said “What we tell most clients is never stop advocacy also happened on regional, paying your rent, never stop paying your political and national levels. mortgage. Whatever you do, keep that roof Drop-in services and a community cafe; over your head because that’s the hardest and The Hub’s education and mentoring thing to get back if you lose it.” and social work round out the five areas. Asked why The Hub is a special place, Food support Nicholson said there was nowhere else in Nicholson said the biggest need The Hub Te Puke that offered the walk-in support meets is in food support. it does. “On an average month support requests Even if people don’t need food or services, were at the 60% mark. Since the beginning they may crave social interaction. “Our of 2026 that’s been over 80%. Last month rough sleepers are in every day we’re open. it was 93%.” We know that community well.” Nicholson said cost of living pressure was Nicholson’s last report counted 122 driving need. “Food is also the easiest part rough sleepers of no fixed abode in Te of people’s budget to flex. If they’ve got big Puke. Their needs changed from one
One month on the ladders
When the scaffold went up around Johnnie and his wife’s 110-year-old villa, he knew he had one month. The tradies were doing the roof. The fascia boards, the woodwork, and the painting were his, up and down the ladders all day long. “Quite a scary prospect,” he said. Born in Yorkshire and raised on a sheep farm, he has always been a hard worker, and he has always liked to know why a thing works. His 20s were shoulder-heavy years, kayaking, tennis, and golf, and one of those shoulders caught up with him. The pulled muscle mended, but the joint kept making itself known. He had started picking his jobs carefully. On a long day he would notice himself slowing down by mid-afternoon, and begin thinking about stopping early. Nor did the job stay the size he had costed, with “more to do and things that I hadn’t thought about”. He had mentioned the shoulder to his son, who turned up with a bottle of Koru Joint. He did not expect much of it. “All my life, I have taken very few supplements or tablets, and I’m very sceptical about that sort of thing.” Koru Joint is a 3-in-1 formula from Christchurch-based Koru Nutrition. Curcumin and boswellia soothe the joint and support flexibility, vitamin C and glucosamine nourish the cartilage, and chondroitin and hyaluronic acid support the fluid that keeps a joint moving smoothly. Three kinds of support: soothing, nourishing, and the natural lubrication of healthy joints. After a few days he felt a difference and
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could not say what had caused it. He was having physiotherapy at the time, and either might have been the reason. “With my scientific background, I’m always testing things out,” he says. So he stopped taking the capsules and watched. “When I stopped taking it, things went downhill, and then when I started again, everything came back normal again, and I was able to carry out all those activities that I love.” The first time, he put it down to chance. “Now it’s happened a couple of times.” That settled it. “To me that was scientifically conclusive.” The bottle sits behind the coffee pot now, so the morning coffee is the cue. “I do it every day without fail.”
Then came the roof. “Running up and down the ladders this week has brought it home to me,” he said. “I’m fitter than I thought I was.” So did the numbers. “I must have got the step count up beyond anything I’ve ever done before.” He kept going all day, and so far he has hit every date the builders set. “It gives me the confidence to be able to just get up there and get into it,” he says. “I’m a convert,” he says now, “to the power of nutritional supplements.” “I’ve always got another project on the go.” The scaffold came down, and a 1960 Beetle now waits its turn.
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The Weekend Sun
Friday 25 September 2026
9 The Hub’s foodbank manager Clare Cooper and receptionist Heather Chaplin packing food parcels. Photo / Luke Edwards
Daylight Saving to begin! This weekend Aotearoa springs into Daylight Saving. According to the online Govt.nz guide, Aotearoa changes to New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT) at 2am on the last Sunday in September. This means Kiwis need to ensure they have switched their clocks forward one hour to NZDT before they go to bed this Saturday, September 26. Some clocks and devices will adjust
individual to the next, he said. “It can be anything … I think mental health is one of the biggest contributors and issues there.” The Hub’s support for homeless people is tailored to their specific needs. For example, food packages for the homeless are different from those for the general population. l “It’s got to be stuff that can be stored without a refrigerator, it needs to be precooked. If they’re on our koha system, they write a list. Many pick up food 2-3 times a week.”
A snapshot
To give a snapshot of The Hub’s work, in August it supported 134 households with food. This included 22 whānau who were first-timers. Also, 3466kg of food was distributed – which included 2711kg of rescued food – 131volunteer hours were worked and 240 client interactions were made beyond food. The Hub has six part-time staff and 34 volunteers who keep the facility ticking. “We couldn’t do it without our volunteers,” Nicholson said. “They’re absolutely amazing and most have been here long term.” Staff from Bay Financial Mentors, Baywide Community Law and MSD also work in The Hub but were employed by their respective organisations. Nicholson said it takes about $600,000 to operate The Hub annually. His job is focused on ensuring funding came in. “TECT, the Acorn Foundation, BayTrust and the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board provide about one-third of that between them. “Local businesses provide about onethird, about 5% is from government contracts and private individuals fund the remainder. They could give as little as $10 a month.” The Hub struggled to secure the
$600,000 each year. “We nearly closed two years ago because of that,” Nicholson said. For those who don’t know much about The Hub, he wanted readers to know it wass needed. “It is a community meeting the community needs – and, as a community, I think we’re best positioned to understand what’s needed locally in terms of a local response to things. “At an individual level, we all hit speed bumps at times in life, and if we’re privileged enough to have family that can help us through that, that’s great. But not all of us have family in that position. “One of the things my mother always said is you’re only as happy as your unhappiest child. I think as a community we’re only doing as well as the most struggling person.” Nicholson said The Hub’s offerings don’t alter much day-to-day because it does not run programmes. “It’s probably better to think of The Hub as a social service as opposed to a community centre.
Intentional
“Whenever we’re open, we aim to provide social services to the community. The majority of people who walk through the door would engage with a social worker. “We’re intentional about that because they’re people who are listening with a professional ear.” People usually present with one issue, but it’s related to or stemmed from other concerns. The Hub aims to provide wraparound support for their wider situation, Nicholson said. “We ask them what else is going on? What else can we help with? About 85% of people who connect with us, are connected with another service within 30 days.” To support the five community centres’ campaign, visit www.bopcomcentres.nz
the time automatically, others will need to be manually changed. Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) advises everyone to check their smoke alarms are working at the start of NZDT. “When you look after your smoke alarms, they look after you. Checking is easy and should actually be done once a month,” said FENZ national manager community readiness and recovery Steve Turek. “Just push the button on each of your smoke alarms. If you hear the beep, you know they are ready to protect you and your household." Smoke alarms can’t detect smoke through closed doors, so it’s important there are enough smoke alarms installed to cover the whole house, said Turek. “We recommend you have an alarm in every bedroom, living area and hallway.” Tips to look after smoke alarms are at: https://escapemyhouse.co.nz/sorted Make a three-step escape plan at: ww www ww.escapemyhouse.co.nz w
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Friday 25 September 2026
10 Gav Foster said Ultimate Athlete is for anyone willing to take on a challenge and try something new. Photo / Kelly O’Hara
The Weekend Sun
U Ultimate athletes ttake to the beach
Sweatt trickles down your forehead as your mates cheer your name louder and louder. It’s now or never. With onee final surge of adrenaline, you gu un it up the warped wall and claim victory!
Afterr setbacks from Cyclone Vaianu in April, Ultimate Athlete returns to Mount Maungganui Beach on October 10, which will seee fitness junkies and give-it-a-goers alike th hrowing themselves into the action. A unique beach fitness challenge created by husband-and-wife duo Gav and Jocelyn Foster, Ultimate Athlete includes everything from sand bag runs, weighted sled pulling, the iconic Red Bull Warped Wall and other tests sure to make you huff and puff. “It’s been a bit of a year for us, but we’re super happy we’re able to bring the event back and help pump some money into the local economy, restaurants and overnight stays,” director of operations Gav Foster said.
Find your strength
For those who’ve competed in the event before, Foster said this year’s challenge would run differently due to the closure of Mauao’s base track, which was previously part of the course. “We’ve moved towards a full hybrid event. A lot of things are still the same, we’re just running it in a slightly different format and adding a few more unique challenges …” So, what’s the toughest challenge in store? “I think it probably depends on the individual and where your strengths lie. Some people are stronger and might plough through the challenges but then find the running hard. “The soft sand sled pull has been one that has really hurt people over the years. That’s probably one of the hardest – the slog of pulling this thing through the soft
sand.” And of course there’s the warped wall, where Foster always gets a team photo from atop. “It’s hard. I’m just relying on the team to drag me up!” It’s no problem if you don’t want to take on the wall however, Foster said, with alternative lunges an option too.
Challenge and progress
Although titled Ultimate Athlete, Foster said the event is all about inclusivity and is open to anyone willing to challenge themselves or try something new. “I feel like [the event] is something a lot of people are probably capable of achieving. It’s just taking that step and committing to giving yourself a new challenge – whether that’s by yourself, with a mate or a group of friends. “We’ve changed the format to make it easier to train for and easier to replicate the movements in your gym, or to practise them at home.” Participants are timed on the course and individual obstacles, making personal progress measurable. “Your times are comparable to previous years so then you can see how far you’ve come and how much you’ve improved,” he said. For those not keen to participate, Foster encouraged them to grab a coffee and kai (food) from Mount Maunganui’s cafes and restaurants, and watch the action unfold. “We really try to bring that beach festival vibe and have a DJ, so there’s lots of hype.” Ultimate Athlete will take place on Mount Maunganui Main Beach on October 10, from 9am-4pm. Prizes will be awarded to participants with the fastest times in their division. Registrations are open until October 9 unless sold out prior. Visit: https://www.ultimateathlete. Georgia Minkhorst co.nz/
Artful Mind celebrates lives through creativity
Dementia Tauranga’s third annual Artful Mind exhibition opens tomorrow, September 26, at The People’s Gallery at the Historic Village. Seven artists have worked with people connected to Dementia Tauranga, listening to their
stories and transforming memories, experiences and moments from their lives into art. The exhibition celebrates creativity, connection and self-expression for people living with dementia, while inviting visitors to discover the stories behind each
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work. Dementia Tauranga/ WBOP chief executive Glenn Bradley said the exhibition was about much more than art, by bringing people and their life stories to the forefront. Artful Mind runs until October 17.
9 DAYS
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Friday 25 September 2026
The Weekend Sun
12
Tauranga’s Rongoā Māori A Tauranga-based, prominent Rongoā Māori practitioner has revised his book on traditional Māori medicine and released it – this time double its original size. Rob “Pā” McGowan said it had been more than 15 years since he published Rongoā Māori: An introduction to Traditional Māori Medicine in 2010. It had sold more than 10,000 copies and shared the general principles surrounding traditional Māori medicine. “Rongoā Māori is about keeping people healthy instead of waiting until they get very sick and then trying to find a cure for it,” said McGowan. Now he has given the book a new lease of life, sharing deeper learnings of Rongoā Māori in his revised edition launched in Tauranga on September 1. “The basis of Rongoā Māori isn’t rākau – isn’t plants, it’s actually wairua.” The best way to describe wairua in English was spirituality, said McGowan. “Traditional Māori medicine is not just about your sicknesses, your injuries, or
diseases, but it’s about what you need so that you can be at peace within yourself, happy within yourself and well connected to the people and the things that actually really sustain you. “Health is how we live really, and if we live in a healthy way we’re not going to have as nearly as much sickness, and sick people will recover better, so that really is the starting point.”
The ‘how’ of health
Understanding the natural world around us has always been a part of who McGowan is. “Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always been fascinated in living things and growing things. It’s just been my whole life really.” McGowan said he started learning specifically about Rongoa Māori 54 years ago on the Whanganui River, guided by Whanganui rangatira and senior chief Rangi Metekingi. His first book was written quickly while he was completing a Rongoā Māori course. “[The first edition] summed up the main things that people need to know [about Rongoā Māori] and what resources were around at the time to help them with
Rob McGowan has released a revised version of his book, sharing teachings of Rongoā Māori - traditional Māori medicine. Photo / Kelly O’Hara
their learning.” The revised edition would give readers more understanding of the “how” of traditional Māori medicine. “People are expecting us to write a whole lot of recipes but it’s more
about how you learn traditional medicine, because the actual medicinal properties of the same plant can change from place to place, and that depends on the climate and the soils,” McGowan said. “What we’re talking about
in the book is really – what’s the environment? Get to know the place where you live and then you’ll know when to harvest your medicine and how to make use of them.” Now in his late seventies,
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The Weekend Sun
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Friday 25 September 2026
practitioner revises his book McGowan said: “In the years since [the first edition], I’ve given lots of presentations and conferences, written lots and we’ve also developed Tīwaiwaka”.
Tīwaiwaka
The Tīwaiwaka 16% Collective is a group of leaders, practitioners and changemakers dedicated to placing Papatūānuku (the land) at the centre of decision-making in the Western Bay of Plenty. “Basically, the foundation of Tīwaiwaka is ‘When the land is well, the people are well’,” McGowan said. “Tīwaiwaka is really a pathway to actually make the land well again so that it will help our health, so I’ve incorporated that right through the book itself,” he said. “Rongoa Māori is something that comes out of living with the land, so if we actually live here, it’s something that we actually need to have knowledge of – not so much to make medicine but to understand that way of connecting makes us who we are.”
Tapping into it
McGowan said his hope was that Aotearoa’s health system utilised Rongoa Māori more in future. “I’ve been working with others to try and get the whole health sector to be much more open to traditional Māori medicine because we have got a health crisis in New Zealand. Lots of people can’t afford to get the medical help they need,” he said. “The way I was taught is that you never charge for medicine. The old way was
Father Ivor McGowan and son Rob McGowan. Photo / Supplied
koha/donation.” He advocates that incorporating Rongoa Māori in the health system would help alleviate health costs. “We keep saying to the people who control the health sector, A historic photograph of a crossing to a kāinga on the Whanganui River, captured by the prominent New Zealand photographer Frank James Denton. Photo / Frank James Denton ‘Open up your doors and welcome traditional Māori going to become more and more a part of about Rongoa Māori 54 years ago? medicine because there is so the New Zealand way of living.” To enter, visit: www.sunlive.co.nz much there to help a lot of people and Thanks to and click on the it will help our health budget to save McGowan’s generosity, Competitions tab. money’. “If we learn to live with what The Weekend Sun has Entries must be in by the world presents us to keep us well, one copy of Revised: Tuesday, September we’re actually going to make for a much Rongoā Māori: 29. The revised book happier country because you don’t need can be purchased lots of things to be happy. It’s about being An introduction to Traditional Māori Medicine to give away from The Tīwaiwaka 16% Collective able to find the balance in between all to a lucky reader who can tell us where website store at: https://tiwaiwaka.nz/ that,” McGowan said. McGowan started learning specifically store. RRP $40. Georgia Minkhorst “I’m hoping that [Rongoa Māori] is
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Meet your new best friend! Say hello to adorable, bouncy, little bundle of joy, Coco. This clever and playful female pup is full of personality, curiosity and puppy zoomies. She loves exp ploringg, learningg new thinggs,, playing with toys and cuddles. Coco is looking for a loving forever home where she can continue to learn, grow, play and become a cherished member of the family. Having a furry big brother or sister would be even better to help her learn doggie manners
and keep everybody entertained. If you’re looking for a loyal little companion with a big personality and lots of love to give, Coco could be the perfect match. Get in touch to learn more about adoption. Phone Tauranga SPCA on 07 578 0245.
Film Bay of Plenty CEO Jade Kent. Photo / Supplied
Ref: 675015.
Film Bay of Plenty has received a $44,000 grant to help local people turn their lived experiences and cultural stories into screen narratives. The funding from the ScreenRights Cultural Fund will support He Kōrero Tuku Iho – Stories Carried Forward, a new programme designed to give Bay of Plenty people the skills and confidence to develop their stories for screen. Film Bay of Plenty CEO Jade Kent said the programme is about creating opportunities for people who have stories to tell but may not have the skills, confidence or industry connections to take the first steps. “There is no shortage of powerful stories within our communities,” she said. “What is often missing is the opportunity for people to learn how to shape those stories for the screen and understand what the next steps might be.” The programme will be delivered via workshops and supported story labs, with proposed regional hubs in Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatāne. Participants will learn about key elements of screen storytelling, including narrative structure, character, voice and how to translate an idea into a story for the screen. They will then have an opportunity to apply those skills to their own stories with guidance from
The Weekend Sun
Stories from the Bay heading for the screen experienced screen practitioners. Filmmaker Kim Webby will lead the programme’s design and delivery, working with screen practitioners Briar Grace-Smith, Mike Jonathan and Tim Worrall. Their combined experience covers writing, directing, documentary, drama and culturally grounded storytelling. Kent said having a regional focus was important. “People should not have to leave their community or already be connected to the screen industry to begin developing their stories,” she said. “By taking the programme into different parts of the Bay, we can create more welcoming entry points and support stories that are grounded in the people and places they come from.” Support will be available to help reduce travel barriers for participants. The programme is focused on learning rather than production, giving participants a supported environment to explore their story, voice and perspective. Some learning will be captured and developed into a digital resource, allowing the programme to reach beyond those taking part. telling capability,” Kent said. Information about programme dates, locations and applications would be announced in due course. Rosalie Liddle Crawford
The Weekend Sun
15
Centenarian dons gown to Very few people could claim at 102 years old that their 80-year-old wedding dress still fits like a glove. Althorp Village resident Veronica Miles can.
The centenarian this week popped back on her wedding gown for a good cause. Her home, Althorp Village at Pyes Pā, is again hosting its annual fundraiser to support the Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga Trust on October 3 from 1pm to 4pm. Blossom & Silk High Tea promises to be an afternoon filled with elegance, glamour, fashion, friendship and fun. Miles’ wedding dress will be among others on display at the event.
March 1947
She said that at 23 she married husband, the late Noel Miles, at St Stephens Anglican Church in Marton on March 29, 1947. “It was made in Marton by Mrs Taylor, who specialised in making wedding dresses,” she said. The silky feel material, purchased in Whanganui on a late Friday shopping night, is embossed with lots of delicate small flowers, has lace sleeves and still fits Miles perfectly. She no longer has her veil and floral head piece, which she thinks probably perished years ago. The dress was complemented by a set of
pearls and pearl earrings on her special day. “My bouquet was huge and heavyy, as they were in those days, and coontained dahlias, fresias, carnations an nd fern. I had two bridesmaids – my siister-in-law-to-be Elva Miles and my cousin Dorothy White – they wore sky blue dresses with large bouquets containing lots of red nerine flowers,” Miles said, reminiscing. “The bridesmaids’ hats were heart shaped, made of cardboard and then covered in faabric.”
Glittering show
Event organiser Claire Keen said Blossom & Silk High Tea guests will en njoy a glamorous, glittering fashion Left ft: t A radiant Veronica Miles, on her wedding day to late husband Noel Miles back in March 1947.
Friday 25 September 2026
showcasse fundraiser show of formal motherr of the Bride and Evenin ng wear from After Hours Booutique, Te Puna. “Beautiful wedding dresses dating back many yeaars will be on show alongside today’s modern styles from Tauranga’s Madison Rose Bridal, and there will be a viewing of Status Clotthing’s latest summer range.” Raffles, prizes, surprisses and a silent auction wiill also entertain.
people – not only those who receive a diagnosis, but also their partners, families, friends and wider support networks. BCSST plays an important role in supporting people through what can be an enormously challenging time,” Keen said. “For Althorp Village, this annual fundraiser is an opportunity to stand behind that work while creating an occasion the whole community can enjoy.”
Reason matters
Get tickets!
Behind the silk, sparkle and celebration, however, is the reason this event mattters so much, Keen said. “It’s all in support of BCSST – an organissation that provides invaluaable assistance to people in our local communiity. Breast cancer touch hes the lives of so man ny Althorp Village resident Veronica Miles, ageed 102, in her 80-yeear-old weddingg dress. Photo / Keelly O’Hara
This year’s event also offers another reason to visit Althorp – guests will have the opportunity to see its recently refurbished lodge. “It’s the perfect chance to step inside, take in the refreshed surroundings and experience the warmth and welcoming spirit that are at the heart of Althorp Village,” Keen said. “So gather your friends, choose something fabulous to wear and make an afternoon of it!” Blossom & Silk is on October 3 at 1pm-4pm at Althorp Village, 9 Grantston Drive, Pyes Pa. Tickets cost $60 per person, and numbers were limited. Purchase tickets at https://events.humanitix. com/blossomandsilk, or at Althorp Village reception.
Blossom & Silk
HIGH TEA Visual Extravaganza Saturday 3 October | 1:00pm - 4:00pm Althorp Village | 9 Grantston Drive, Pyes Pa Tickets $60 / person | Includes a glass of bubbles Enjoy a fabulous display of: Wedding dresses Formal evening wear | Raffles, prizes and surprises!! | Silent Auction Fashion from: After Hours Boutique & Madison Rose
Book Now - tickets are limited Cash only tickets available from Althorp Village reception Online tickets available: events.humanitix.com/blossomandsilk Fundraising for:
Is Heel Pain Stopping You From Doing the Things You Love?
Don’t Just Manage Plantar Fasciitis—Find Out What May Be Causing It
Th hat fi first-step pain in th he morning. Th he sh harp ach he after sitting. The discomfort that buillds during a wallk, workout or long day on your feet. Pllantar fasciitis can affect more than your feet—it can limit your exercise, impact your work and stop you enjoying everyday activities. You may have allready tried new shoes, stretches, inserts or pain rellief, but the pain keeps returning. Whille these approaches may hellp some peoplle, lasting improvement often starts with understanding how your feet and joints are moving. Coulld You Be Experiencing Pllantar Fasciitis? • Sharp or stabbing pain under the heell • Pain with your first steps in the morning • Heell pain after sitting or resting • Tenderness through the arch or solle of the foot • Pain after wallking, standing or exercising • Tight callves or restricted anklle movement • Symptoms that keep coming back Your Feet Are Designed to Move Your feet, anklles and legs work together as a connected system. Restrictions or changes in movement may contribute to ongoing strain around the pllantar fascia. At Corrective Foot Sollutions, we assess how your feet and joints move—not just where the pain is. Using hands-on assessment and Foot Mobillisation Therapy, we aim to identify contributing factors and devellop a treatment ap pproach taillored to you.
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The Weekend Sun
Friday 25 September 2026
17 Tridents Under-10s in action versus North Harbour Pride in 2025’s L&P Bowl. Photo / Supplied
American football open day to kick off Tridents’ season The Tauranga City Tridents American Football Club will kick off its 2026-27 season with an open day at Waipuna Park on Sunday, inviting newcomers and returning members to try the sport. Flag football is open to boys and girls from age 8 through to adult men and women, with teams across Peewee, Youth, Senior and Masters grades. The club also offers contact American football for men aged 16-plus. A focus this season will be the fees-free Peewee programme for children aged 8-13, allowing young players to learn the sport and play a season without paying a registration fee. Club president James Loughlin said there was plenty of excitement about the new season. “We’re really looking forward to getting everyone back on the field. The club has built a lot of momentum over the last few years, but the open day is really about welcoming people in, whether they have played before or are seeing American football up close for the first time.” The Tridents head into a new season after one of their strongest years yet. The Open Men successfully defended their national title, the Under-15 team were crowned national champions, and the Open Women finished runners-up. Club captain Scott Witney said the challenge now was to build on those results. “Last season gave us a lot to be proud of. The goal now is to keep lifting the standard while continuing to grow the club. We want to build on
Te Puke Sikh Parade celebrates community The Te Puke Sikh community willl celleb brate Nagar Kirtan with h a colourful procession through the Western Bay town tomorrow, September 26. The Sikh tradition features the processional singing of devotional hymns, with the parade led by the Panj Piare (the Five Beloved), followed by the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism’s holy scripture on a float. The event is open to everyone and offers an
those successes, but also create more opportunities for new players to come in, learn the game and become part of what we’re building.” Flag football had continued to grow domestically and internationally, he said, with a non-contact version of the sp port to make its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028. For younger players, the Tridents were keen to make that growth as accessible as possible. Peewee coach Ben Reyngoud said he was looking forward to seeing more new faces at Waipuna Park this season. “It has been awesome to see more kids becoming interested in flag football as the sport grows. At Peewee level, the main thing is getting them out there, learning the basics, having fun and building confidence. “Having the programme fees-free makes it even easier for families to give it a go, and we can’t wait to welcome some new faces this season.” The open day has become an annual tradition. This year’s event will again give newcomers a chance to meet Tridents players and coaches, learn the fundamentals, take part in fun skills activities and casual games, and get a feel for where they might fit within the sport. Loughlin said American football had roles for a wide range of body types and sporting backgrounds, with skills from rugby, league, touch, basketball, netball, athletics and other codes transferable to the game. The open day is at Waipuna Park on September 27 from 2pm. For more information, visit Tauranga City Tridents on Facebook or Instagram.
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opportunity to experience Sikh culture and celebrate values including love, compassion, equality, selfless service and community. The procession leaves the Sikh h Temple, 26 No. 3 Rd, at 11am, travelling through Te Puke before returning to the Gurudwara. Celebrations will conclude with Ardas (prayer) and langar, with free community food shared with everyone. Alll are welcome to join the parade and celebrations and enjoy the warmth and hospitality of the local Sikh h community.
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The Weekend Sun
Top gymnastics take centre stagge in Taurangga Tauranga will become the flexible capital of New Zealand next week, when the country’s top gymnasts compete at Mercury Baypark in the 2026 XP Gymnastics Nationals.
The five-day event from September 29 to October 3 will feature men’s and women’s artistic, rhythmic and trampoline gymnastics, including a double mini discipline, plus aerobics and tumbling. “Nationals is always a special event for the gymnastics community, and we are excited to be back in Tauranga,” Gymnastics New Zealand interim CEO David Phillips said. “With all five competitive codes under
one roof, Nationals is the pinnacle event of the year for some athletes while being a launching pad to international opportunities for others.” For Tauranga residents it’s a chance to see top athletes in action, including Bay of Plenty gymnasts. One Tauranga athlete to watch is 13-yearold Abel Standen, who is preparing for his first Nationals as a senior. The Argos Gymnastics member began the sport after spending his toddler years climbing – and occasionally falling off – furniture at home. Now, 11 years later, he’s competed at four Nationals and is preparing for a new challenge.
James Dougal at the Arosa Trampoline World Cup in Switzerland 2026. Photo / Supplied
After a difficult 2025 season, including two ankle injuries and several bouts of illness, Standen decided during last summer to approach this season differently. His hard work had paid off. He grabbed a personal-best all-around score at his first competition this year. “The mates and memories I’ve made are what’s kept me in the sport,” he said. At this year’s Nationals, Standen will compete in the senior format, with an opportunity to qualify for apparatus finals. His goal? To have a good time and enjoy the experience. The Nationals will open with a ceremony at 2pm on September 29, in the AER/RG Arena. Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale will officially open the event, with athletes participating in a provincial march-on. The Gymnast of the Year and Life Membership Awards will also be presented.
“A number of Commonwealth Games and World Championship representatives will be competing at this year’s XP Nationals and we know they will impress,” Phillips said. “With our ‘Hero Sessions’ showcasing the best athletes in NZ across all gymnastics codes there is plenty for locals to see.” Among competitors is defending senior men’s trampoline champion James Dougal, who is working towards a more difficult individual routine while developing a new synchronised trampoline partnership. He said success is about more than another trophy. “I’d love to be able to compete my harder routine and put down a good score with it,” he said. Tickets and schedules for the 2026 XP Gymnastics Nationals from September 29-October 3 at Mercury Baypark are available via iTICKET. Rosalie Liddle Crawford
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A lifetime of giving, a gift ftt for the future fu u
Rodney Calver pictured with ‘Barry, the Relaxed Typical Kiwi Bloke’ sculpture in Katikati. Photo / Supplied Rodney Calver has spent years giving That care for others also shaped his his time and energy to the Katikati decision to give through Acorn. “We give the money to Acorn because I can see the community. positive benefits that it does give in the community. It’s good for my soul and Through Acorn Foundation, he has good for theirs, too,” he said. also chosen a way for his generosity to Acorn Foundation CEO Lori Luke continue beyond his lifetime. said her organisation invests gifts, with Inspired by the principle of tithing a portion of the returns supporting – where people give one-tenth of their charitable causes every year. income to a religious establishment “This allows a donor’s generosity to – Rod and his wife Maryanne have chosen to leave a percentage of their share continue helping others well into the future. After providing for loved ones, a portfolio to the Acorn Foundation. gift in a will can reflect a person’s care for For Rod, the decision reflected his their community. connection to the community he calls “It is a way to keep supporting the home and his belief in supporting others. people and causes closest to their heart,” His involvement in Katikati includes she said. Rotary and helping coordinate the “This Wills Month, Rod’s story is a great Katikati Men with Cancer Exercise Class. example of how the values we live by can The exercise group brings together men shape what we leave behind.” who understand the challenges of cancer. Learn more about leaving a gift through Alongside movement and exercise comes Acorn at: acornfoundation.org.nz friendship, conversations, and coffee.
Having conversations that matter When it comes to funerals, there are more choices than you might realise, says Hope Family Funerals’ general manager Oliver Marriner.
“Talking with a funeral home can help you understand your options, from burial and cremation to the many ways a farewell can be personalised,” Marriner said. “Knowing what’s possible means you can make these important decisions yourself, rather than leaving them for someone else.
Friday 25 September 2026
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“Then, talk to the people you love. Let them know what you would like, so they’re not left wondering or making difficult decisions while grieving.” Even though it might seem like an awkward topic, Marriner said once it’s out in the open, it can give such a sense of relief and peace-of-mind. “At Hope Family Funerals, we’re happy to have a relaxed, no-obligation chat about your wishes. You’re welcome to visit us, or we can come to you.”
How to plan a funeral or tangi A life is something to be celebrated and treasured, even in a time of sadness. Things can be eased for loved ones when they understand more about what’s happening following a death, and what someone’s wishes are. Planning for a funeral or tangi ahead of time is become a rising trend in New Zealand. Many Kiwis pre-p plan their own arrangements for their farewell, including how their body will be handled, where the ceremony will take place, and even videos, songs or hymns they want played. The idea behind it is that you can help shape your memory while taking the planning away from loved ones who are grieving. It also gives loved ones a chance to say goodbye without distraction. Te Hokinga ā Wairua End of Life Service is a government website with helpful information on all people need to know about funerals. There’s a tab where people can create a personalised plan of what they want to
happen when they die. There’s a tab where people can find information about what to do, and services that might be available, following the death of a loved one. This includes a comprehensive catalogue of everything from what to do in the first days after the death to bereavement leave, wills, grief support, to organising a farewell, the costs involved, funeral grants to workingg througgh the deceased’s affairs afterwards. It also has resources in different languages for different cultures. Find out more at: endoflife.services.govt.nz
Friday 25 September 2026
The Weekend Sun
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| TRUSTEE ELECTION 2026 TECT election begins! Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty voters can meet the nine candidates standing for three positions on the TECT Community Trust online at: www.tect.org.nz/trusteeelection-2026 The 2026 TECT Trustee candidates are Hori Ahomiro, Ray Anderson, Mark Arundel, Kate Barry-Piceno, Debbie Ireland, Mark Irving, Murray Lapworth, Fraser Lellman and Jon Murie. Voting is online only and uses the First Past the Post system. Voting opens September 26 and closes midday October 23. Voting letters with online instructions will be posted to eligible electors from September 25. Election enquiries can be made by phoning 0800 666 937 or emailing vote@electionz.com.
Committed to enhancing lives of all I am seeking your vote for re-election. I was privileged to have been part of the TECT team who restructured to form a community charitable trust in 2022.
Mark Arundel
Re-elect
Mark Arundel
2026 TECT Elections
While chair this term we have reached 80% diversification of TECT’s investments and a ‘best yet’ $39 million grants budget this year. From my community pharmacy and health services governance background, I am very aware of the needs and opportunities for TECT to enhance lives
for all in our region. I remain absolutely committed to helping ensure TECT maximises those opportunities for both present and future generations. TECT support is vital to the 300plus organisations backed by thousands of amazing volunteers in health and wellbeing, environment, arts and culture, education, sport and recreation and community events. As is improving housing, investing in community facilities and amenities, and targeting support to reduce inequity and deprivation. Thank you for your support.
Why your TECT vote matters TECT funding touches everyday life across our region, often in ways people may not notice. It supports community facilities, sports programmes, events, environmental projects and essential services, investing millions each year to help our communities thrive. Trustees oversee a fund of more than $1 billion and must ensure it is managed carefully for the long term. That is why
I am standing to be a TECT trustee: to help protect this important community asset for our children and grandchildren. If you live between Waihī Beach and Ōtamarākau and vote in Local Body Elections, you can vote in the TECT election too.
Debbie Ireland and her dog Layla
Vow to review agenda and restore rights I moved to the Mount in 1981 after purchasing a retail furniture business.
Ray Anderson
VOTE
Ray Anddersso for TECT Trusteee rayanndpauline23@gmail.com
I became a real estate agent in Pāpāmoa in 1993 and later ventured into residential subdivision development. In 2010, I purchased the Atrium holiday accommodation business in the Mount and currently own a motel business in Tokaanu. I have closely monitored the trustee performance since the controversial
Tilt Share sale in 2018 and the radical “restructure” in 2021 which saw TECT consumers “stripped” of their ownership of the Trustpower shares and lose their beneficial entitlements. My pledge, if elected, is to review the agenda of the trustees and restore the rights of the original TECT consumers. I believe the “marketing power” of the existing TECT entity could be used to force Mercury Energy to lower the cost of electricity supply in the region.
The Weekend Sun
Friday 25 September 2026
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| TRUSTEE ELECTION 2026
Sound judgement & financial expertise TECT is one of our region’s most important assets, supporting charities, arts, sport, social Jon Murie services and community groups that make this region such a great place to live. With more than $1 billion in assets and $20m in distributions given to local causes each year, TECT’s role has never mattered more. I am committed to continuing TECT’s grants and protecting the rebate, while safeguarding and growing the fund so it can keep making a difference for generations to come. As a former trustee of the Waipuna Hospice Foundation and Tauranga Arts Festival, I have seen first-hand both the impact these organisations make and the growing pressures they face. They are not alone – right across our region, community organisations are being asked to do more with less. That is exactly why TECT matters more than ever, and why careful, forward-looking stewardship of the fund is so important. As a Tauranga resident raising two teenagers here, I care deeply about our community and about ensuring strong stewardship of TECT’s assets and strategic direction. Without any political or local government influence, TECT is uniquely
positioned to think in generations for our region. With further collaboration with other significant community funds we can think bigger about the projects that could make a substantial difference to our community. Professionally, I’m an investment adviser at Craigs Investment Partners with 20 years of investment management experience. Looking after and growing funds is what I do every day, and it is exactly the discipline this role demands. My governance background includes Priority One, our region’s economic development agency, alongside broader commercial board experience. I would bring sound judgement, financial expertise and a genuine understanding of our community to the TECT board. I will listen, ask the right questions, and always keep the long-term interests of the Western Bay at heart. I would be grateful for your vote. TECT former chair Bill Holland endorses me, saying “TECT needs trustees with strong financial skills, proven governance experience and deep community connections. Jon Murie brings all three, and I am very pleased to endorse him” Long-serving TECT trustee Peter Blackwell also supports me standing in the election, saying, “Jon’s a top man – hard-working, community-minded, and he’s across the numbers. He’ll listen, ask the right questions and make a very good TECT Trustee. He’s got my vote”.
A trusted pair of hands My connection to the Bay goes back to childhood holidays, and deepened when we bought our home on Tay St, Mount Maunganui, in 2020. I’m a chartered accountant and chartered governance professional who spent a decade as chief financial officer and chief investment officer at Rātā Foundation, New Zealand’s second-largest community trust – a $650 million portfolio that granted more than $600 million to community groups. TECT’s grants can only keep growing if its capital does too: that’s the goose that lays the golden eggs, and my job is protecting and growing it – not sitting on it. I’ve done this before. See: www.murray.lapworth.nz
EXPERIENCE THAT COUNTS. COUNT ON JON. VOTE JON MURIE FOR TECT
WWW.JONMURIE.CO.NZ
Murray Lapworth
TECT TRUSTEE ELECTION 2026
Friday 25 September 2026
The Weekend Sun
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Women’s DIY group build skills and confidence Best teams bring out the The Freeman Roofing Tauranga branch team. Photo / Supplied
best in customer serviice
Tauranga’s Freeman Roofing has been named a finalist for the second in a row at New Zealand’s annual Best Places to Work Awards.
Freeman Roofing’s Tauranga branch manager Patariki Wilson said being named a finalist reflected not only his team’s workplace culture, but the service their customers experience every day. “The Tauranga branch is part of Freeman Roofing’s network of 11 manufacturing branches across New Zealand, manufacturing and supplying roofing, cladding and rainwater products throughout the Bay of Plenty,” Wilson said. He said having a strong local team behind the business made a real difference for customers. “Good customer service starts with good people working together. When our
team communicates well, supports each other and pitches in when needed, that flows through to how we look after our customers,” he said. Freeman Roofing’s Best Places to Work recognition reflected themes including teamwork, leadership, communication and people supporting one another – qualities that also help its branches provide reliable, knowledgeable local service, Wilson said. With nearly 70 years in the roofing industry, Freeman Roofing combined national manufacturing capability with local teams who know their customers and their regions. Pop into Freeman Roofing Tauranga to meet Wilson and his team and talk to them about your next roofing, cladding or rainwater project. The 2026 Best Places to Work Awards winners will be announced on October 22.
For industry expertise that’s solid as steel...
Waihī Beach Women’s DIY is putting new funding towards tools and materials needed to help local women build practical skills – and confidence – through woodworking.
The group recently received $5000 through Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s 2026 Community Matching Fund and $1400 from the Acorn Foundation’s Waihī Beach Local Impact Fund. Founder and tutor Helen Sanford said the funding would make a real difference to what the group could achieve. “Woodworking is an expensive exercise and if we can purchase a wide range of tools, we can learn and achieve so much more,” she said. The council funding will help the group purchase power tools and machinery, along with materials and consumables such as glue, screws and sandpaper. Funding will also contribute to practical costs such as printing. The Communityy Matching Fund supports projects where local people contribute their own time,
skills, materials or fundraising. For Waihī Beach Women’s DIY, volunteer hours contributed by Sanford and committee members form part of the group’s contribution. The group began holding workshops earlier this year after about six months of planning and preparation. About 44 women had become part of its growing network, with sessions initially held fortnightly. The group had recently been offered use of a community facility in Beach Rd for two days a week, providing more opportunities for women to learn and work on projects. For Sanford, however, the idea of “building” goes beyond what can be made from timber. “When I think of construction, I immediately think of helping women to construct a change within themselves,” she said. “That’s about building selfconfidence and improving self-esteem.” The group aims to give women the o p p o r t u n i t y t o l e a r n by d o i n g – from using tools and machinery to completing practical woodworking projects.
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Theeresa Rosborough powering up new skills at Waihī Beach Women’ss DIY. Photo / Supplliedd Th
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Friday 25 September 2026
23
Builder confidence grows as work pipeline improves New Zealand builders are feeling more confident about work pipelines, with one Tauranga builder noticing a sharp increase during the past three months. Master Builders’ 2026 State of the Sector Survey found 68% of members reported a strong or steady pipeline, up from 64% last year. The number describing their pipeline as diminished had nearly halved, from 11% to 6%. Master Builders chief executive Ankit Sharma said the sector had adapted to tougher conditions rather than waiting for the market to rescue it.
Manage risk
“Conditions are still difficult, but our members are holding their ground.” She said many Master Builders members had been through challenging economic cycles. “They understand how to manage risk, respond early and keep their businesses focused through a challenging period.” Sharma said work had not disappeared. “Pipelines are holding up, and builders remain more confident
about their own businesses than they are about the wider economy and construction market. “No one is pretending everything is easy. Cost pressures remain challenging, customers are more cautious, and finance and consenting can still make projects harder to get across the line.”
Western Bay of Plenty houses. Photo / Kelly O’Hara
Transition
This was not a sector in collapse, Sharma said. “It is a sector in transition – resilient, experienced and adapting to a changing market.” Rising construction costs were the most widely reported pressure by 93% of survey respondents. 87% identified weaker consumer demand as an issue. Sharma said a work pipeline was not automatically a viable project. “Customers still need certainty around finance, cost and timing before they can commit.” The survey also found more than 600 people recently built a new home or completed a major residential project with a Master Builder. Of those, 91% would recommend building to others – up from 88% last year. Seventy-five % experienced no significant delays, and 57% completed their project within
or under budget. “There never is the ‘perfect’ time to build. But these results show that home owners are having good experiences and that capable builders are ready to work with customers to turn their plans into reality,” Sharma said.
Consent system woes
The survey found builders were still facing consenting delays. Sharma said a clearer consenting system would help builders deliver more efficiently and give homeowners greater certainty. “The sector has weathered a difficult period, and its forward workload has held up. We now
need to make it easier for viable projects to move from intention to delivery.” Todd Grey – owner and director of Todd Grey Builders and Master Builders executive committee member – said his work pipeline had increased during the last three months. Grey said there was no specific reason. “I would have thought the upcoming election would have slowed people down.” He said home owners could have more confidence with the economy settling. However, “sometimes there’s no rhyme nor reason for when we get busy”.
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Todd Grey Builders specialised in high-end architectural residential builds across Mount Maunganui. He said construction costs were “ever-changing”. “A lot of that is driven by petrol prices and everybody, the whole way through the system, is having to use petrol somewhere, whether or not it’s manufacturing right through to the milling of timber or using diesel. “The way I see it is we’ve got to get smarter with how we’re building and trying to be as economical as we can and try to make it work for clients.” Bijou Johnson
Friday 25 September 2026
Earthquake-prone building reforms on the way The Government this month unanimously passed legislation to ensure New Zealand’s earthquake-prone building system is focused on risk to life, saving billions in remediation costs, Building and Construction Minister Simon Watts says.
The new legislation will see about half of all buildings designated as earthquake-prone removed from the system, he said. High-risk unreinforced masonry buildings and vulnerable multistorey concrete buildings in high and medium seismic zones will continue to be subject to earthquake-prone building (EPB) requirements, and
The Weekend Sun
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councils will retain the ability to identify serious seismic risks that may have been missed. Updated seismic zones, based on the latest seismic scientific knowledge, will take effect the day after Royal Assent, with buildings in Auckland, the Chatham Islands and the upper North Island’s low seismic zone to be removed from the EPB system entirely. Under the new system, low risk concrete and wooden buildings will no longer have EPB status, while remaining EPBs will have more costeffective remediation requirements. The remainder of the reforms will take effect July 1, 2027. Guidance materials to support implementation will be shared for public consultation later this year.
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The solution to beat summer heat
QB Electrical and Air Conditioning provides heat pump installlation and d servicing sollutions in th he Bay off Plenty.
As spring settles, staying comfortable at home means preparing for cooler mornings and warm afternoons.
installs and services all major brands, ensuring customers receive the right solution for their home, lifestyle and budget. “As energy efficiency becomes an increasing priority in modern builds and Whakamārama-based renov vations, heat pumps are emerging electrician Mike Brennan, as a leading l choice. owner of QB Electrical and Air “U Unlike traditional wood burners, Conditioning, offers compleete whicch can lose heat and require heat pump and air ongoing maintenance, heat conditioning solutions pumps use advanced across Tauranga and technology to transfer surrounding areas. thermal energy rather With more than 20 than generate it. “This years as a qualified delivers consistent indoor electrician and 15 temperatures with greater years specialising in efficiency and ease heat pumps and air of use.” conditioning, Brennan For homeowners looking offers end-to-end service. to balance comfort, cost and “From assessing sustainability, a professionally a property and installed heat pump system recommending the most offers a practical long-term suitable system through solution, Brennan said. to installation and “We help ensure each system ongoing maintenance, I is matched to the property and provide tailored solutions performs at to deliver year-round its best. comfort.” “Don’t wait until the first QB Electrical and Air heatwave. Beat the summer Conditioning specialises installation rush by upgrading QB Electrical and Air in Mitsubishi heat your home’s climate control Conditioning’s Mike pumps, a brand known Brennan brings more system now!” for reliability and energy than 20 years’ electricall See QB Electrical and Air experience to BOP homess. Conditioning’s advert on efficiency. Photo / Supplied this page. However, Brennan also
The Weekend Sun
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Friday 25 September 2026
Bay painting company wins NZ’s highest industry honour A Bay of Plenty painting company has claimed some of the painting industry’s highest accolades, including New Zealand’s top individual honour, at the 2026 Master Painters New Zealand Awards of Excellence.
Barton Painting Ltd, a Tauranga-based business with more than 30 years of industry experience, was one of the standout winners at the awards night this month, with owner and managing director Randy Barton named 2026 Supreme Master Painter of the Year. The award recognises excellence in craftsmanship, leadership, and commitment to the industry, placing Barton Painting Ltd among the country’s most respected painting professionals. The company also secured an impressive collection of category awards, winning Commercial Master Painter of the Year, Commercial New Exterior Large, and Commercial New Interior Large, and gold awards in the Porter Paints Decorative Effects and Dryden Woodcare Award categories. For a business that has quietly built its reputation across
more than three decades, the recognition marked a significant milestone. Based in the Bay of Plenty, Barton Painting has become known for its commercial painting expertise while also delivering residential projects across Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa, and surrounding communities. Operating with a small but highly experienced team, the company has built its success on quality workmanship, attention to detail, and longterm client relationships. Randy Barton said the awards reflected the dedication and professionalism of the entire team. “These awards are a reflection of the people who turn up every day and take pride in what they do,” he said. “I’ve spent more than 30 years building this business, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that commitment recognised on a national stage.” Barton said the success also highlighted the strength of skilled trades within the Bay of Plenty and demonstrated that locallyowned businesses could compete with the best in the country. “For Barton Painting, the recognition is not only a celebration of past achievements
Barton Painting Ltd Randy Barton and Ward Butler at the 2026 Master Painters New Zealland d Award ds off Excelllence eveniing th his month h. Photo / Supplied but also a testament to the for their support, dedication Barton Painting continued values that have shaped the and commitment to achieving to provide commercial and company from the beginning: the best possible outcomes for residential painting services hard work, craftsmanship, and their clients. throughout the Bay of Plenty. a commitment to delivering “The teamwork and support Anyone considering their next exceptional results for every provided by these organisations painting project is encouraged client,” Barton said. played a significant role in to contact the team for a free, Barton Painting acknowledged delivering projects of the highest no-obligation quote. Dulux, C3 Construction and industry standard.” More information can be found Foster Construction (BOP) Following its national success, at: www.bartonpainting.co.nz.
Pa ainting g that wo orks as hard as s your space. Since 1989, Barton Painting has been dellivering high--quallity commerciall, industrial, and residentiall painting througho out the Bay of Pllenty. With careful preparation, durablle finishes, an nd award--recognised workmansh hip, we take pride in achieving ressullts that stand the test of time.
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Friday 25 September 2026
The Weekend Sun
26
Have a blast in your ur childhood past! Forget Squishmallows – a world of vintage toys and collectables will burst open in the Bay of Plenty when Toytopia debuts October 10 at Tauranga Racecourse.
Toytopia will offer old and young alike more than 100 vendor tables packed with hard-to-find retro toys and collectables that defined the 1980s, 1990s and early2000s for a full day. “People will see wall-to-wall vintage toys, action figures, dolls, trading cards, retro gaming, comics and pop culture memorabilia spanning 40 years,” Toytopia organiser Melody Wehipeihana said. Think Star Wars, Sega Master Systems, Power Rangers, Barbies, Glo Bugs, Care Bears and much, much more! “It will offer true, vintage retro toys that will make collectors lose their minds, instantly transport adults back to their childhoods, and capture the spirits of kids today,” said Wehipeihana. The Minden entrepreneur – who founded vintage toy and collectibles business Melody Likes in May 2024 – brought Toytopia to life because Tauranga hasn’t seen anything like it. “There’s been a huge boom in the last five years – more so the last two – worldwide and in New Zealand of people reconnecting with their childhoods and the toys that brought them joy,” she said. “We haven’t had a large-scale vintage toy
or collectibles event here. Until now!” Tauranga has an incredible collecting community, she said. “They’ve been travelling to Auckland for events like this for years. It was time to give them their own.” Vendors included first-timers through to roving regulars. “One vendor had storage units packed with decades of toys that have never seen the light of day and is bringing the lot to Toytopia.” Wehipeihana said Melody Likes will have a 10-table stall stocked with rare vintage toys sourced internationally.
Families, couples, friends
The event’s timing was not accidental, she said. “The Toy Association named Throwback Toys as one of five defining global trends for 2026, as adults and young people alike turn to toys from past decades for comfort, identity and connection. “Globally, adult toy buyers represent a $43 billion market growing at nearly 12% annually. The appetite is there!” Wehipeihana designed Toytopia to be a place for families, couples and friends of all ages to enjoy a day out, inside the world of retro toys. “It’s a place where parents can return to their childhoods and share the magic with their own children and families.” Beyond the shopping floor, the event will feature a Chill Zone where visitors can eat and drink – food vendors will
Organiser Melody Wehipeihana says Toytopia on October 10 at Tauranga Racecourse will appeal to all ages and types of people. Photo / Kelly O’Hara
be on-site – but also sit down and look at their hauls. A Colour Hub will boast a KID-ult colouring competition for all ages, and a massive, blank Wonder Wall – with prompts – for people to doodle. “I want Toytopia to be interactive so not only can people purchase retro items, but it takes them back to that time in their lives with the joy of colouring.” Every 30 minutes at the event ticketholders will win giveaways donated by sponsors Foxton Fizz and Melody Likes. For the hard-core, a VIP Cherry Picker ticket for $30 will give a person exclusive access a full hour early before
general admission at 10am. “VIP Cherry Picker ticketholders receive a loot bag of exclusive merchandise valued at more than $65. Only 50 of these tickets will be sold.”
Win tickets!
General admission at 10am is $15 per adult, $5 per teen aged 13-18, and under-12s gain free entry. See: toytopia. co.nz for tickets. The Weekend Sun has two VIP Cherry Picker tickets to give away to two readers who tell us the name of Wehipeihana’s business? Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the Competitions tab. Entries must be in by September 29. Merle Cave
Twists and Turns and a world of fun! 3D Mega Maze Neon Cave Wall Maze’s Colour Maze Puzzles Little Wonderer’s Playground OPENING HOURS: Thursday-Friday 10-4pm Saturday-Sunday 10-5pm Last admission 45 minutes prior to closing
1135 Te Ngae Road Tikitere Rotorua | Ph:07 262 7146 email:info@wonderworld.co.nz Buy Tickets Online www.wonderworld.co.nz
STEP INTO THE WORLD OF ILLUSION!
Explore the Extraordinary at our 3D Trick Art Gallery Bring this receive advert to
Saturday, 10 October | 9am to 4pm | Tauranga Racecourse A Action igurrees - D Dolls olls - CComics omics - G Gaming aming - CCards arrdds - LLego eegggoo - Diecast D ieccast asstt ++MORE! MORE! Acccttion FFigures Diec
1100+ 00+ TABLES! TABLES! Adults (19+) : $15 | Teens (13 -18): $5 Kids 12 & under: FREE! | Door Sales $15 VIP - Early Entry from 9am: $30
Free parking Family friendly Food & drink trucks Colouring Competition Giveaways every 30min
For more event information or to buy tickets tickeets visit: http://toytopia.co.nz
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A perfect place to get memorable photos for your family and friends.
* Valid until 30 October 2026. discount applies when showing this advert on visit and one 20% discount applies on total sales only. Not redeemable online.
171 Fairy Springs Rd, Rotorua E info@3dtrickart.co.nz P 07 349 0920 www.3dtrickart.co.nz
The Weekend Sun
Friday 25 September 2026
27
Enter the exciting world rld of dog grooming! New Zealand’s only dog grooming festival for 2026 will be hosted in Tauranga next month, and invites Bay of Plenty residents to get a glimpse of the world of preening and caring for their precious pets! GroomFestNZ will be held on October 3-4 at Classic Flyers in Mount Maunganui, offering a weekend of education, competition and connection for professional groomers, pet owners and the wider BOP community. “It’s one-of-a-kind event because we don’t have any grooming competitions in New Zealand this year,” Katikati-based The Groomers Shop owner Rachael BellFleming said. She’s organised the event with Tauranga dog groomer Helen McCauley, who owns Love That Dog Grooming and Clip Sharp. “We decided to create our own festival to get Kiwi groomers together and have that networking and community feeling because many of us work alone,” BellFleming said.
Create awareness
However, the ladies had opened the event to the wider public to create awareness of the industry and how to care for canines. “So many people have dogs now, especially since Covid-19, and grooming is an unregulated industry. I think
creating this awareness and opening it to the public to see is positive – it will show the effort that goes in behind the scenes.” The two-day festival will have a range of dog-related demonstrations, competitions and products and services to watch and learn about, with 27 vendors on-site. Think behaviour and handling techniques, plus a daily judge-run live demonstration on how to maintain dogs at home with the correct tools and techniques. A daily dog trick and agility show and kids’ activities will entertain. A chill zone with seating will allow festival-goers to relax, an on-site café will fill hungry tummies, plus a wellness zone of local vendors will offer seated massages, a sound healer and much more! Upstairs, groomers will enjoy seminars and demonstrations to upskill and build confidence in their profession.
Quiz night
Plus, a Canine Runway contest will open a public quiz night on Saturday, October 3, at the event. “Canine Runway is a fun event with the theme ‘Take flight’ – people will dress themselves and their dogs in matching costumes, pick music and walk the runway with their best friend! It’s going to be so cute!” The public can purchase quiz tickets. The competition ring will run the dog grooming competition with seven classes – Terrier, Gun Dog, Doubles (two groomers working on one dog), Salon Freestyle, All Other Pure Bred, Poodle,
GroomFestNZ organisers Helen McCauley with ‘Phoebe’ and Rachael Bell-Fleming with ‘Russy’ at Classic Flyers, where their event will be held October 3-4. Photo / Kelly O’Hara
and Model Dog (mannequin grooming). Each class will have a beginner, intermediate and master level and strict rules to keep judging fair. Prizes will be awarded to each class level winner and a Best in Group. “Best in Group winners will be judged to find the Best in Show – the event’s major award –announced Sunday evening, with a cash prize of $1000.” Judges are Blake Hernandez from America, and Kiwis Wendy Drummond and Cathy Wallace. More than 30 groomers from across New Zealand and Australia had entered – many in more than one class – so there will be plenty of action to watch. Bell-Fleming said
the competition will be an incredible achievement for those involved. “Some competitors will be fresh home from the Worlds in Belgium – so if you’re in the competition ring or on-stage with them that’s pretty cool!”
No pets please!
She said all ages are welcome at the festival but need to be respectful of competitors and dogs in the competition ring. “No dogs will be allowed at this event – please leave your own doggies at home” Festival entry and quiz tickets are for sale online at: https://events.humanitix. Merle Cave com/groomfest-nz-2026
SCAN FOR TICKETS & EVENT INFO
Friday 25 September 2026
The Weekend Sun
28
Rock up to gem and crystal show! Gemstones, crystals and fossils will be in the spotlight and under the microscope next month as a national show melds with a local event.
Across No. 2002 6. Movie director (3,8)6. Rent (5) 7. Sacred (Maori) (4) 11. Unexpected gain (8) 8. Contribution (8) 13. Screech (6) 9. Muscle (6) 14 Metal (6) 10. Town (NI) (6) 15. Latitude (6) 12. Evaluate (6) 16. Infuriated (5) 15. Friendless (6) 18. Blood vessel (4) C H N C E E T C I A A S H 17. Island (SI) (8) C A N O O D L I N G K T M 19. Number (4) S G U N E I L R M A V I D 20. Spider (5,6) A G E D E T A C I T K R M Down 1. Confuse (8) 2. Forgiveness (6) 3. Boat (6) 4. Tunic (4) 5. Liveliness (6)
E L D E D O G L X E X A M N E WM A R K E T J K U M Y E L N OW E T O T A T O A A C DWH A R A R I K I A G E S I E G E T A I U K A L C P L A Z A I P I M P H O K I E R I L I E O A K AWC C A T H T I Z A R D F E T Y E Y E Y O E T A R
Solution 2001
Tauranga Gem & Mineral Club’s biennial show is hosting the 2026 NZ National Gemstone, Crystal & Fossil Show from October 2-4 at Tauranga Racecourse in Greerton. “Anyone who’s never been to a show before will be surprised and amazed by the treasures hidden beneath our feet,” Tauranga Gem & Mineral Club member Graeme Dewhurst said. “People think, ‘Oh, it’s just a bunch of rocks’ but they come along for the first time and end up staying for hours!” Dewhurst said the show is equally for the general public and rockhounds, fossil enthusiasts and gem lovers. “People will be able to explore outstanding displays of gemstones, fossils and crystals from throughout New Zealand and around the world, with visiting collectors joining us from near and far!” Dewhurst, on his club’s organising committee, said the show would run 9am-5pm October 2-3 an nd 9am-4pm on October 4. The racecourse buildings woould become a utopia for anyone with
a fascination foor rocks, fossils, crystals, gemstoones, minerals or who want to leaarn more. “One large haall will be full of stalls with all sorts of bits of everything foor sale – rocks, fossils, gemston nes, minerals, crystaals, jewellery, carvin ngs, metaphysical supplies...You name it, it will be there!” Dealers from across the nation will sell their wares, he said. “On Saturday, Octob ber 3, a huge showcase of roccks, fossils and minerals will bee auctioned off from 5pm onwards.” The second haall would boast daily live demoonstrations and activities. “Items under microscopes, rockk-namiing competitions, a big ice block where kids melt stones from, a scratch patch, wand-making, a sphere making machine etc. “These are for big kids and small kids. You’d be surprised what parents get involved in too!” This hall will also showcase competitions in the National Show, for pollish hing, carving and d cutting of items, jewellery and metalsmithing, and judging of minerals, fossils and lapidary club
Graeme Dewhurst, holding an amethyst geode, says young and old alike will enjoy the 2026 NZ National Gemstone, Crystal & Fossil Show from October 2-4 at Tauranga Racecourse. Photo / Kelly O’ Hara
displays. Dewhurst said while the national show drew people from afar, his club wanted local residents to enjoy th he event too. With no pre-sales, door tickets will cost adults $5, child $3 and families $10.
The Weekend Sun
Friday 25 September 2026
29
The musical drought is over... The drought – if there even was a drought – seems to be over.
Interesting new local music is being released, and interesting music is coming to town. Let me share what’s on my radar. First, though, I wanted to take a minute to mention much-loved Tauranga musician Craig Teki, who died last week after a battle with cancer. Craig had played keyboards on The late Craig Teki. Photo / Jo Jones Photography
the scene with countless cover bands over the years and was known and liked by simply everybody. Most recently he’d been performing in the duo Hot Mess with singer and photographer Jo Jones; they were a regular fixture at the Bowentown Boat Club and elsewhere. We’ll all miss him. Now, before I get on to local things, I’d like to offer an early heads-up for next February when the brilliant Gilli Gillian W Welch and Dave Rawlings will return n to New Zealand for the first time in more than a decade. Even better is they’re t coming to Hamilton, on Februaary 18 to be precise, and will undoubteedly sell out quickly.
Spellbiindingly good
If you know them you’ll be increedibly excited by this. If you don n’t then I suggest listening to theeir music immediately. They are probably the world’s premier folkk duo, leaders of the “new trad ditionalists” movement a few yearss back, and spellbindingly good live. I cannot recommend them highly enough. Wh hile I’m on shows that will quiickly sell out, I’m astonished to see a few tickets left for Toorch Songs’ big farewell concert at The Jam Factory on October 18. This will
be a humdinger of an afternoon: jazz of many sorts with Latin influences, virtuoso musicianship all round, Carol Storey’s ethereal singing, and a band who know how to have fun on-stage. I reckon it’ll pretty much be the show of the year there. It’s always good to highlight new local releases and there are a few good ones out this week on digital platforms. Retro-punk outfit Cat Face, formed from the ashes of about a dozen previous retro-punk outfits, have launched their recording career with Drama, an entertainingly catchy guitar thrash.
A new balm
The other is the first official release from Kokomo since the band’s 2024 album Futura. With a New Orleans groove and horn section is Pain-Killing Mystery Balm, which comes with a video shot at the Historic Village during the last Fringe Festival. No word yet on the balm’s efficaciousness. Both are on this week’s playlist and it’s been suggested I ask people to ‘follow’ the playlists. It would be nice to have some idea if anyone’s listening. Lastly, two cracker gigs at Totara Street: up-and-coming folk-rock band Mountain Boy are there on October 1 celebrating a very worthwhile new album, The Nights;
Opus Orchestra plays for families in Tauranga Next month, Opus Orchestra invites tamariki (children) and their whānau (families) into a world where orchestral music becomes a playground.
with moments of silliness and surprise, and children are encouraged to listen, laugh and lean in.” The second part of the programme will see Hantler guide orchestra and audience through a series of shorter The concert, titled The Caretaker’s Guide works from around the globe, including music by Grieg, Strauss II, Debussy, to the Orchestra, will be held at Baycourt Sararsate and Copland. Addison Theatre in Tauranga City on “Kids – and kids at heart – will be October 10 at 3pm. invited to sing along, move their bodies The family concert tour is named and marvel at after a piece the virtuosity composed of Opus by Jeremy Orchestra Hollandconcertmaster Smith with a Lara Hall witty, warm stepping into script by the spotlight celebrated as violin English soloist,” said illustrator Beetz. and children’s True author James to Opus Mayhew. Orchestra “Taking on Opus Orchestra musicians Anita Austin, Hiro the role of the Kobayashi and Natania Ngawhau. Photo / Richard Lummus tradition, the adventure caretaker is Tauranga man Jeremy Hantler, a primary doesn’t end with the final note. “Children will be invited to ‘storm the school music teacher, educator and stage’, meet the musicians and explore the frontman of The Harmonic Resonators,” instruments up close. What better way to Opus Orchestra general manager entertain the kids these school holidays?” Rebecka Beetz said. Tickets are $10 child/student, $30 “The imaginative work, never before senior, $35 adult, $75 families (2 adults performed in New Zealand, introduces the instruments of the orchestra through and up to 4 kids) available from: storytelling, humour and gentle mischief, www.opusorchestra.co.nz and Eventfinda.
and Reb Fountain’s Water For Gasoline album tour arrives on October 2. Given the excellence of her previous live shows this should be a treat.
Hear Winston’s Latest Playlist Scan the QR code, or visit:
www.tinyurl.com/3tb5r9uu
MEDIUM
5
SUDOKU 9
8 2
9 5 6 2 7 9 8 7 1 2 How to solve Sudoku! Fill the grid so that every row and every 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9
Family Concert
The Caretaker’s Guide to the Orchestra Sat 10 OCT, 3pm Baycourt, Tauranga
BOOK: eventf inda.co.nz
No.2357
1 3 4 7 8 6 5 9 8 5 2 9 3 6 Solution No.2356
1 6 9 2 5 4 8 7 3 7 8 6 9 1 5 3 4 2 6 2 8 5 3 7 4 9 1
7 2 5 1 8 3 4 9 6 5 1 2 8 3 4 6 7 9 3 4 7 9 6 1 2 5 8
8 3 4 7 6 9 5 1 2 4 9 3 6 2 7 1 8 5 9 5 1 2 4 8 3 7 6
Friday 25 September 2026
The Weekend Sun
30
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The Weekend Sun
Friday 25 September 2026
31
a life remembered
wanted
funeral services
MAYNARD, James Michael (Mike)
WANTED
In loving memory 21.7.32 - 25.9.25 Always in my Heart "Weep not for me for I've not gone that far from you that you will long to hear the laughter of my voice upon the wind". Your loving wife Elly (Lady Elaine) and loved friend Sharon.
TO BUY
computers Computer Services Business or Residential Windows or Apple Mac New Computers / Laptops Repairs & Upgrades Phones & Mobile devices Wi-Fi and Printers
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Please note some event dates may change due to weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances. For a list of up-to-date events, visit www.bayparkspeedway.co.nz For any noise complaints, please call 027 2820 564 For any queries, please email events@bayvenues.co.nz SPEEDWAY RACING LIMITED & BAY VENUES LTD
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021 768 043
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