At a staggering $16.99
“ Unbelievable for a 2011 vintage to be available at such a budget price. Extremely happy with this purchase” – John
“ Stunning toffee colour with a silky, complex flavour. Delicious as an aperitif or a dessert wine ” – Beth
“ The colour says it all. This is a well-aged wine that has only got better ” – Lindsay
Anew library has opened in the heart of the Ormiston Town Centre.
The ceremony for the opening of the Flat Bush Library took place on Saturday, April 4. The new library is located at 5 William Ralph Road at the Ormiston Town Centre, just outside the food court.
There was a ribbon cutting and speeches, as well as entertainment and community activities related to the opening of the library. Following the opening ceremony the atmosphere in the library was buzzing, filled with families exploring the new facilities, friendly library staff, children looking through the book collections, admiring the 3D printer and taking out books.
Ormiston Town Centre is additionally celebrating its fifth birthday with a centre-wide celebration, including an Easter petting zoo, magicians, entertainers, a variety of family-friendly activities, stalls, and sales at many stores.
It was a day filled with fun, community engagement, and the long-anticipated opening of the new library. Chairperson Bruce Kendall officiated the opening ceremony on behalf of the Howick Local Board.
In his message, he stated he’s “lived in the Howick Local Board area since 1970, when the entire area was farmland”, and he contin-
ues to be astounded at the changes to this vibrant community. He says the mana whenua, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, have brought design elements and artwork to the Flat Bush Library, helping to weave the history and stories of the land, place, and people and its significance for Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.
This includes the carving pattern around the existing column in the library. The carving pattern is inspired by the Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki logo, which itself is based on a footprint of their ancestors that was preserved in ash following the eruption of Rangitoto.
After the opening ceremony I interviewed Mr Kendall. I first asked him how he thought the opening of the library would impact the community. He says he thinks it’s going to have “a massive positive impact because students will have
a good place to study, there’s good wi-fi, so they’ll have access to all the computers, and they can order all the books available”.
“There are also separate bookable spaces in the library to access for meetings. Also, the library staff are trained to be able to help the community with topics related to advice or paying rates.
“A library is a community hub where people can come and use it. All well-evolved civilizations in history have a library. Nowadays, we have the internet so we can access a library at home, but if you don’t have good internet or signal, you can come to the library.
“You can also get printing done at the library if you need it, and we have a 3D printer as well. This library is quite special.”
I then interviewed Howick Local Board member
Damian Light on his thoughts about the new library. He explained: “It’s important for the community to come together. Flat Bush is a large community, and the library has given a place for us to learn more about each other and grow as a community.
“The library has been promised for over 20 years so it’s exciting for that promise to come true. Thanks to the staff who made it happen so quickly since the approval of the library was only given nine months ago.”
I asked Michelle Appleton, the Flat Bush Library manager, what the opening of the library meant for the community. She says it will impact the community through providing a welcoming space for people to connect, learn, and grow together as a community.
Plans are under way to build a permanent library in Flat Bush, with a community space and aquatic centre. Funding of $83 million has been designated for these facilities, and their plans are to be completed over the next nine years.
• Josh Arnold is in year 10 at Elim Christian College
Editor Chris Harrowell 027 404 1512 chrish@times.co.nz
PJ (Phil) Taylor 021 644 923 phil@times.co.nz
ADVERTISING
Display 09 271 8000 sales@times.co.nz
NZ FIRST PLEDGES TO RETURN HALF OF MINING ROYALTIES TO REGIONS (Times), March 30:
Lance Young – Given they don’t pay much in royalties to begin with, not sure that’s such a great deal as opposed to just raising the royalties they have pay.
Luis Alonso – That could be great for Auckland if we do the same with tax paid from our city. I know I will. I would love to see my tax go back into my city. Instead of a few years ago where Auckland had to pay a higher petrol/diesel rate then the rest of the country when we paid the most taxation.
Ralf Heese – It’s called [a] bribe. Given that this Government will have a hard time to be re-elected, it might not actually happen at all.
Raymond Treanor – Vote
buying, so they will get SFK all is what you are saying, so nothing will change for them.
HUNDREDS OF HANDBAGS DONATED IN MEMORY OF GRACE MILLANE (Times), March 30:
Sue Clearwater – Thank you to everyone who has donated a bag to the Love Grace Handbag Appeal this year. The total number of handbags delivered to Women’s Refuges throughout NZ is a whopping 8,072. THANK YOU.
Kaz Farquhar – So glad I donated four bags filled with essential and gone to people in need. Will volunteer next year to help this great cause. Maree Wendy Peary –Soooooooo good, thank you ladies. What an incredible result.
FINANICAL BOOST FOR SUPERANNUITANTS, FAMILIES AND OTHER KIWIS (Times), March 30:
Arthur Hippolite – BandAid on a severed limb.
Johnny Mugginsv – Sounds like 20 bucks more a fortnight, before it’s taxed.
Iris Rae – Nothing to do with support. It comes every year on 1 April no matter which party is in govt. Stop trying to take credit for something you had nothing to do with.
Joanne Swaine – I wish they would be honest about their help. Last year I lost 15 dollars a week no increase and I’m expecting more of the same this year.
Claudia Love – [It] makes no difference because any increase to the benefit means other support decreases $1 for $1. So not actually helpful.
The local community is invited to attend a Picnic in the Park suicide awareness event being staged in east Auckland.
It’s on from 10am-2pm on May 9 at Howick Domain and is being run by Mark and Charlene Anderson’s charity Living Jesus. The event’s theme is ‘You are not alone’ and it will emphasise messages of hope, resilience and endurance.
“Our focus and aim is connecting our community with professional service providers for mental health and well-being,” the couple say.
“It’s a soft anti-suicide campaign. Our family has been personally affected by suicide and we believe there are compassionate and kind service providers that can assist our community when overwhelmed, creating awareness of the vast resources available.
“Help is available. Messages of kindness and compassion, however it takes courage to ask for help, and then consistently strengthen yourself to be able to help others as well. Pay the kindness forward.
“We’re partnering with schools, police, hospitals, Hato Hone St John, banks, debt management, counselling services, gambling, Youthline, domestic abuse, and will have entertainment
from the Māori, Pasifika, Asian and African communities, as well as gyms and nutritionists to promote a healthy lifestyle.
“We will have a kiddies’ section with a jumping castle, face-painting, and bubbles. This project is for all communities, irrespective of ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, ability or disability, religion or non-religion.
“Suicide affects us all, and if we encourage empowerment with the resources of our kind and compassionate community providers, we could confidently change an individual’s life. We believe this event will be impactful and will be the first of many.”
Mark and Charlene say their Living Jesus charity is a community initiative dedicated to empowering individuals through spiritual growth and community support.
“Operating primarily in New Zealand, the group focuses on equipping believers with the teachings of Jesus, encouraging them to walk in spiritual authority and make a positive impact in their communities. The organisation is committed to fostering a sense of empowerment and revival among its members.
“The mission of this organisation is to teach and empower individuals and believers to live out their
faith actively, demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives. The vision is to equip and release believers to walk in freedom and demonstrate spiritual power, thereby initiating personal and community revival.
“The organisation aims to increase community awareness and engagement, particularly focusing on anti-suicide initiatives in New Zealand, beginning with Auckland. Strategic partnerships with local ministries and community organisations are our key focus, as is the support of local and international missions.”
Living Jesus actively
engages with the community through various initiatives including donations to needy families, children’s education costs, food programmes, supporting Uganda missions which aid 53 orphans, and sponsoring local charities Open Doors NZ, NZ Family First, Fred Hollows Foundation. To donate to the event, go to www.givealittle.co.nz/ cause/suicide-preventionevent-you-are-not-alone Mental health and well-being providers that want to be involved, and companies that can donate sausages for a sausage sizzle, can email peopleofhopenz@ outlook.com.
People are invited to take part in this year’s East Auckland WalkFest at locations including Duder Regional Park.
Imagine an entire month dedicated to getting outdoors, fun activities, and looking after yourself physically!
That’s exactly what East Auckland WalkFest is all about. WalkFest is a monthlong celebration of the local spots within east Auckland that have the most scenic and botanic walking trails and parks, and there’s a wide range of activities for people to take part in.
The inaugural event, East Auckland Tourism’s WalkFest Spring Showcase, was held in September of last year and due to it being a huge hit it’s back in 2026!
This year it runs from April 1-30, during autumn, which is perfect walking weather, and will allow participants to enjoy the season’s beautiful landscapes in a mild and pleasant temperature.
WalkFest is designed for all abilities, ages and interests, with options that
include coastal tracks, beach strolls, bush walks, rock-pool adventures, wetland wanderings, botanical tours, art sculptural trails, and historical countryside rambles.
The event is designed for all abilities and interests, offering a mix of free self-guided walks, ticketed guided experiences, and special themed events, making it perfect for everyone!
Whether you’re looking for a nice, calm place to just relax while on the move, or if you’re looking for a challenging walk that requires loads of persistence; it’s bound to fulfil more than those needs.
The objective of the event is not just the walking and fitness part – it’s about getting to know the area we live in, finding those hidden gems, and offering experiences to people who otherwise won’t know about the incredible region in which we live.
For information on each walk, a full WalkFest schedule and WalkFest hospitality specials from local business, head to the website at https:// eastaucklandtourism.co.nz/ walkfest/
I hope to see some of you there!
• Pia Grover is in year 9
Graham moved to the coast for the beach lifestyle. At 68, the retired builder had traded his suburban home for a beachfront property, dreaming of daily walks along the sand.
“I’d moved here for this,” Graham says. “But I was barely managing one short walk a week.”
His wife faced similar challenges. Their dream retirement was looking very different from what they’d imagined.
“We never talked about it,” he recalls. “Just accepted that this was becoming our life. Watching other people enjoy what we couldn’t.”
The turning point came when Graham stumbled across an article about Koru FX, a natural cream made in New Zealand.
“I was sceptical that a cream could take the edge
off a knee,” Graham admits. “I kept thinking about all the life I was missing while I debated trying it.”
What convinced him was learning it was made locally with natural ingredients.
Within a few weeks, Graham’s beach walks had become reality. His wife joined him on the
same routine, and now they’re exploring stretches of coastline they’d only admired from afar.
“It was just enough to take the edge off. And once that happened, you start moving again.”
“I kick myself for waiting so long.”
By PJ TAYLOR
Acherished early childhood education centre that’s taught thousands of young Kiwis is chalking up its half-century milestone.
Nestled in a quiet corner of Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga, Cascades Kindergarten turns 50 this year and is holding a special event to mark the anniversary at the end of the month.
Jill Grimsey, 88, was a local Pakuranga Heights resident in the 1970s and led the kindy’s foundation committee and “lots of events” for the building project’s fundraising.
“I’m amazed that it’s going to be 50 years this year,” she says.
Her daughter, Cathy Bell, one of the first children to attend the kindy at age three to five, recalls: “I remember Mum talking about the bake sales when I was a young girl and she would bake a cake to contribute to the fundraising.”
They say the Cascades Kindergarten building was originally constructed by brothers Neil and Mike Hirtzel. “Neil more or less put me in charge of planning,” says Jill.
Members of the early committees that guided the kindy’s governance were local residents and parents of attending children.
Cathy remembers being at another building project fundraiser, a trike-athon with
her father Don Grimsey, 80, and managed to collect $21, which in 1975 was a lot of money.
Jill says she was “very excited… it had started” when the kindy opened. “I feel really proud that we started it.”
Cathy remembers “graduating from kindergarten and getting the number five birthday cake made out of play dough”.
“I saw an old newspaper
Plan ahead with Respite Care at HBH Howick Views & Gulf Views Take a well-deserved break while we provide trusted care for your loved one.
• Pre-booked stays available
• Safe, professional care in a homelike setting
• Warm, welcoming community with 24/7 support
Faith-based and not-for-profit, supporting seniors to age well and live fully.
article about some fundraising. I think it was the dunka-thing that Dad was part of, where he got dressed up in a dress and wig.”
When the Times visited Cascades Kindergarten recently, teacher Navaz Mistry said that it’s a member of the Auckland Kindergarten Association with a license to have a roll of 40 children and there are five qualified teachers.
It’s open Monday and Fri-
day during school terms and is an enthusiastic member of the Enviroschools programme.
“We’re fortunate to be in this beautiful park and we feed into the local primary schools that we have very good relationships with,” says Navaz.
As part of the Enviroschools programme, the kindy holds a Green Gold status, teaches its preschoolers about growing seasonal vegetables, for which there are grow boxes in its grounds, and it collects water and stores it in large tanks to be used for children’s play activities.
“We also celebrate our diversity,” says Navaz, explaining that the ethnic make-up of the children is reflective of the local community.
“At Cascades Kindergarten, we hold the vision for our children to become emotionally resilient, curious, kind and caring contributors who are ready, willing and able to engage in the process of being active learners.
“Our learning environment continues to inspire individuals and the wider community towards making positive choices for a sustainable future which is fostered by a respect for people, places and things.”
Cascades Kindergarten’s 50th anniversary celebration is on April 29 and will be attended by present whanau, and past committee members and teachers.
By PJ TAYLOR
A woman violently attacked and abducted in broad daylight in an east Auckland car park has spoken to the Times about her frightening ordeal last week.
On Good Friday, April 3, Counties Manukau Police confirmed in a release to news media that arrests had been made following an alleged kidnapping and aggravated robbery in Botany.
Detective senior sergeant Dean Batey, the officer in charge of Counties Manukau East Police criminal investigation branch (CIB), said: “Police have arrested and charged two people following a kidnapping and aggravated robbery in Botany earlier this week.”
Talking to the Times through a Mandarin language-speaking Times’ staff member, the woman who
was targeted for the attack and kidnapping asked a sibling to relay a message to the community regarding public safety.
“On March 31, around 1pm, my sister was attacked in a parking lot, where both she and her car were targeted by two women. She was seriously injured.
“I just want to share this to raise public safety awareness and warn people in the eastern Auckland area to stay safe. Don’t become the next victim,” said the female vic-
tim’s sibling on her behalf.
They’ve told the Times how the experience has seriously impacted her.
“Her body and head are in a lot of pain, and she hasn’t been able to sleep at night.
“She was discharged from the hospital [on April 2] and one side of her face is still very swollen. She’s suffering both physically and emotionally. She’s too scared to even get into a car. It’s not just the physical injuries.
“The psychological impact has been severe, and we’re
worried this may leave her with lasting trauma,” said the sibling on the victim’s behalf.
On April 3, Batey confirmed that on Tuesday, March 31, a woman was allegedly kidnapped in her own vehicle from outside a shopping centre on Chapel Road in Botany.
“Following police enquiries, officers have arrested and charged two women in relation to the incident.”
The 20- and 32-year-old females were due to appear in the Manukau District Court last Saturday, April 4, facing charges of kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and injuring with intent to injure.
“From our enquiries into the circumstances, police believe that this is an isolated incident,” Batey told the Times on April 7.
“We cannot comment further given matters are now before the court.”
You may have heard that Vincent Street Family Doctors run by Dr Fung and Dr Williams has recently been sold to Ormiston Medical Centre. It means the current practice will close and your medical records transferred to the new centre.
We would like to sincerely thank you for your support over the years, and we wish both doctors all the very best in their next chapter.
While their practice is relocating, Unichem John Savory Pharmacy remains open right here in Howick, continuing to provide the same trusted, friendly service you know.
Our team already understands your medication needs and is here to make your experience as easy and seamless as possible.
You are very welcome to continue using our pharmacy for all your prescriptions and healthcare needs. Staying with us means:
• A familiar and convenient location in Howick
• A team that already knows you and your medication history
Let your new doctor know your preferred pharmacy is Unichem John Savory Pharmacy. Our email address is disp@pharmacyjsl.co.nz
– we’ll take care of the rest. We are committed to supporting your health every step of the way and would truly value the opportunity to continue caring for you.
We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Paerata Rise is one of Franklin’s fastest growing master-planned communities, and the momentum is real.
This is a neighbourhood where you know your neighbours. Where it’s safe to put down roots, whether you’re raising a family or looking for a connected, independent lifestyle.
Built for people who want more from where they live. New stages are well underway, so there’s never been a better time to come and explore.
www.paeratarise.co.nz
We cannot control global oil prices, and we cannot control conflict in the Middle East.
What we can control is how we respond – and it’s our responsibility as a Government to do so in a careful, deliberate, and measured way.
That’s why every decision we’re making is guided by a clear principle – support must be targeted, temporary, and timely.
It would be easy to turn on the firehose and splash cash around, but doing so would only drive inflation higher and leave the very households we’re trying to help worse off for years to come.
Responsible Government means helping now without creating bigger problems later.
To ease the pressure of rising fuel costs, 143,000 families are receiving targeted fuel support for low- to middle-income working parents with a further $50 boost per week for up to a year.
From April 1, further increased payments kick in for 1.5 million New Zealanders.
That includes Superannuitants, veterans, students, main beneficiaries, and people who receive additional assistance despite not being on a benefit.
This is practical help aimed squarely at the costof-living challenges many are experiencing.
Home and community support workers will also receive a temporary mile-
age-rates increase by 30 per cent, from 63.5 cents to 82.5 cents per kilometre, to help ease the pressure of rising fuel costs.
This increase will remain in place for up to 12 months, or until the price of 91 octane petrol falls below $3 per litre for four consecutive weeks.
Our focus is on dealing with the impacts of the conflict on New Zealanders and ensuring we minimise that as much as possible.
That means ensuring we
maintain the fuel we need to keep the economy moving through our National Fuel Plan, and providing targeted, timely and temporary support for people most under pressure from rising fuel costs.
The months ahead may be unpredictable, but New Zealanders can be reassured this Government has a plan and is acting – carefully and decisively – to support people through and protect New Zealand’s future.
Just before the Easter break, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced a Cabinet reshuffle to refresh our team ahead of the election following the impending retirements of two senior Ministers.
I first want to thank both Judith Collins and Shane Reti for their service to our country over many years. Their presence in Cabinet and in Parliament will be missed, and I wish them both the best in the next stages of their lives and careers.
With this reshuffle, I’m pleased to be taking on the role of Energy Minister and to have been appointed campaign chair for the National Party. Energy is critical to New Zealand’s economic
recovery and future growth. Recent events have underlined just how important fuel supply and energy security are, and I look forward to getting stuck into this work to ensure Kiwis have secure, affordable energy.
I’ll also be handing over the Auckland portfolio to
Simon Watts, MP for North Shore.
It’s been a privilege to serve as Minister for Auckland and to advocate for our biggest city. Auckland is the engine room of New Zealand’s economy, and I know Simon will do an excellent job in the role.
We have a big campaign ahead of us, and a clear story to tell. Kiwis remember what life was like under Labour –inflation peaking, crime soaring, and public services like health and education going backwards.
And they remember Chris Hipkins, the architect of Labour’s Covid-19 response, whose decisions left Auckland locked down against public health advice, busi-
nesses shut, and children’s education sidelined.
Labour has never properly reckoned with that record, and voters won’t forget it. Times are still challenging, but National has a credible plan to navigate them, providing timely, targeted, and temporary relief to those who need it, while ensuring we’re respecting our economy.
I’m focused on delivering for New Zealanders, fixing the basics, and building the future, and I am committed to representing the people of Pakuranga.
Thank you for your support and encouragement. I look forward to helping lead a strong campaign for National in 2026.
The Howick Local Board continues to be busy across a wide range of work.
A major milestone is the opening of the temporary Flat Bush Library on Saturday, April 4, at the Ormiston Town Centre, coinciding with the centre’s fifth anniversary.
Auckland Council has discussed a Flat Bush library for around 20 years, and it’s been a key advocacy priority for the Howick Local Board over multiple terms.
Delivering a temporary library represents a significant commitment from the local board budget, unanimously supported by our members.
The library will offer services similar to those at Pakuranga, Highland Park,
Howick, and Botany, including books, wi-fi, computers, and printing.
It’s expected to operate around 55 hours per week, generally aligning with centre hours.
Funding has also been secured for a permanent Flat Bush Library at Ormiston Town Centre. It’s currently the only fully-funded major capital project not yet under construction, and there’s strong anticipation about its delivery.
The Barry Curtis Park destination playground opened earlier this summer. During the design phase, I advocated for free, gas-fired public barbecues so families could gather while children play.
Now installed, they’re
working well. Unlike the barbecues at Eastern Beach, which rely on gas bottles, the Barry Curtis Park units are connected to a mains gas supply.
Construction continues on the Highbrook Regional Watersports Centre at Lady Fisher Place in Highbrook.
This facility will support rowing, waka ama, dragon boating, and paddle sports, and includes a clubhouse, boat storage, ramp, and pontoon on the Tāmaki River.
Last year, Howick Local Board chairperson Bruce Kendall and I, along with the East Tamaki Dragon Boat Club, ran a large and successful Dragon Boat event from this excellent location.
While largely funded
Howick Local Board Member Peter Young
through regional council support, additional funding is still needed to complete stage one for operation in 2026. Please get in touch with me if you want to help.
Illegal rubbish dumping remains an issue in Flat Bush, but increased use of security cameras and stronger community and council collaboration are helping to address the problem.
I look forward to working with the board, our partners, and the community over the remainder of the term.
This week has delivered a mix of very positive progress and some firm decisions where I’ve stood my ground on behalf of our community.
The Government has confirmed changes to PC120 under the Resource Management Act, reducing the required housing capacity from around two million dwellings down to 1.4 million. This is a significant shift and reflects what many in our community have been asking for – growth that’s better planned and more aligned with infrastructure.
I’ll keep you updated on my social media as new information comes in on this at www.facebook.com/boburns nz. I’ve also taken action at a national level, formally writing to the Prime Minister and Ministers to oppose the 2020 parking policy (NPS-UD).
These rules have stripped councils of the ability to require parking in new developments, and the conse-
quences are now clear across our suburbs, congested streets, safety concerns, and infrastructure not keeping up. Our community has spoken on this and I’ll continue advocating for local decision-making to be restored.
Please also email your local MPs. Find my letter online or email me at bo.burns@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz and I’ll send you a copy. At Auckland Council on March 31, I voted against two new allowances, for childcare of up to $7,500 and security up to $4,500.
I want to be very clear: stepping into public office is a choice, and these roles are already well remunerated. Like many of you, I’ve made personal and financial sacrifices, including funding my own childcare and security.
I do not believe ratepayers should carry these additional costs. We must remain responsible with every dollar we spend. I also want to address the Western Springs
Speedway decision. This was not easy. After reviewing all the data, financials, and longterm impacts, I supported Option Two. This was not about personal preference, but about ensuring a financially sustainable future for Auckland.
With losses in recent years at Western Springs, compared to a positive return under the new alternative, I had to make a decision grounded in responsibility and long-term benefit, being on the council’s Value for Money Committee,
we’re always looking how to optimise our assets and I’m looking for passive income for our future generations, not just selling everything for a “quick cheque”.
One day soon with that mentality, we’ll have nothing to sell and future generations that will be left with a financial burden and run down or dysfunctional community assets. I look forward to supporting the Speedway codes and families to ensure council gets the facilities operating to its needs, and get the crowds back to a 6,000 capacity so they can start loving what they do and creating new memories at Waikaraka Park.
I understand not everyone will agree with the tough decisions I have to make. That’s part of leadership. But I’ll always base my decisions on facts, fairness, and what’s best for our wider community and all Aucklanders. As always, I welcome your feedback. Have a great April.
SIR BARRY CURTIS, FEBRUARY 27, 1939, TO MARCH 30, 2026.
By PJ TAYLOR
In the end, he didn’t want to go, but knew it was time, finishing 24 consecutive years as Mayor of Manukau City in 2007.
At the time, it was the record-holding run as New Zealand’s longest-serving local government mayor, only to eventually be overtaken by his old mate Sir Tim Shadbolt in Invercargill.
With the news just settling in of Sir Tim’s passing, word came last week that Sir Barry Curtis, who lived most of his life on the Bucklands Beach Peninsula, had died. He’d turned 87 in late February.
From 1983 to 2007, Sir Barry was Manukau in every way, its friendly face and charming character, leading the city through its greatest transformation period of growth and development.
“It’s very hard to let go,” Sir Barry, then 68, told this writer and the Times when announcing his retirement as mayor in mid-August 2007.
“It’s something I’ve been committed to since the last election [2004].”
Sir Barry finished in local government with an impressive record having been successful in all 13 elections he stood in from 1968.
Five terms as a councillor, eight as mayor, and there were terms on the old Auckland Regional Authority (the ARA) representing Manukau in the 1970s.
When he won the mayoral chains in 1983, the highly qualified town planner was ready after serving a lengthy apprenticeship as a councillor under one his east Auckland mentors, former Manukau Mayor the late Sir Lloyd Elsmore.
“At that time [1983], people were disrespectful,” Sir Barry said in 2007.
“They wanted to heap their noxious industries on Manukau.
“They wanted to dump their waste in the Manukau
Sir Barry Curtis
Harbour. They referred to us as those people out there in south Auckland.
“All it did was harden my attitude, making me determined to change the image that was attached to us.”
By the time he left office, Sir Barry said: “I see Manukau today as New Zealand’s most progressive unit of local government. It’s a title it can wear proudly.
“When you look at the socioeconomic, environmental and cultural outcomes we have achieved, and that
For many shoppers, card surcharges are frustrating. Nobody likes getting to the counter and finding the final price is a little higher than expected.
That’s why the proposed surcharge ban sounded attractive at first glance. But from the start, ACT was sceptical.
We listened to the retailers, cafés, dairies, restaurants, and other small businesses who would have had to live with the policy, and they could see what many politicians missed. The ban would not have saved consumers money. It would only have changed how and where they paid.
If businesses were no longer allowed to show those costs separately, they would have only two options: absorb the cost themselves or spread it across all their prices.
Either way, customers who currently avoid those charges by paying cash or Eftpos would end up subsidising those who do not. That is not fairer. It is just less transparent.
For small businesses, this was never an abstract policy debate. It was about whether another cost would be quietly dumped onto businesses already dealing with tight margins, rising wages, rent, insurance, and compliance
embraces the whole spectrum, I think we can be very proud.”
Sir Barry is remembered as a formidable public speaker and descriptive storyteller, often painting a picture in the mind of the setting and time he was talking of, and his speeches always contained greetings in all the languages of the Pacific representing the people of Manukau.
There was an air of regalia about Sir Barry, and he enjoyed being addressed as that, and he was a proud, dignified and knowledgeable leader, but there was the down-to-earth man who could mix with anyone and knew the history and connections of countless Manukau people and their families, making people feel at ease and of interest in his company.
• A service of remembrance for Sir Barry Curtis is at the Pacific Events Centre, the Due Drop Events Centre, a central Manukau venue Sir Barry had a leading role in creating in the early 2000s, on Friday, April 10, at 11am.
costs. That matters especially in Auckland, where many families in the Indian community are involved in small business.
The deeper issue is what drives surcharges in the first place. When a customer taps their Visa or Mastercard, the merchant pays a fee made up of three parts: an interchange fee, a scheme fee, and a merchant service fee. The Commerce Commission has capped interchange fees, but interchange is only one slice of the total cost. Scheme fees and merchant service fees still sit on top. A surcharge reflects all three.
Banning surcharges would have removed the
clearest signal of what card payments actually cost while leaving most of the underlying structure untouched. It would have given politicians the appearance of helping consumers, while the real result would likely have been higher prices and more pressure on small businesses.
Good policy should be judged by outcomes, not intentions. On the surcharge ban, stopping a bad idea was the right call.
The Eastern Times is partnering with University of Auckland Media, Screen Studies and Communications student Kaitlyn Norton to publish a series of news stories examining New Zealand’s mental health sector. This is part one.
By KAITLYN NORTON
There’s a range of opinions among the people working within New Zealand’s mental health sector about what exactly mental health is and how it’s defined.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says it’s the “ability or inability to manage stress in our life”.
“Everyone is different, some people can manage stress, others less so, but everyone can learn the tools for better mental health. Mental health is not just the elimination of mental distress but also the promotion of mental well-being.”
Shaun Robinson, the chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation of New
Zealand, says mental health is something we all have.
“Just like we have physical health, we also have mental health. Sometimes our health is strong and sometimes it’s challenged. It’s not just about illness, it’s about our overall well-being and how we cope with everyday life.
“I don’t think it means being happy all the time. Life throws challenges at all of us. It’s more about having the tools and support to get through those tougher moments, to stay connected to people, and to keep functioning in a way that feels meaningful.”
Robinson says he often thinks about mental health in terms of the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’.
“Implementing simple
things like connecting with others, being active, taking notice of little things that give me joy, giving, and continuing to learn. Those aren’t big, dramatic changes – they’re small, everyday actions that help ‘top up’ your mental health over time.
“I have my own mental health challenges, and I use the Five Ways to Wellbeing every day to help me stay healthy. That’s also what campaigns like ‘Top Up Together’ are about. It’s the idea we need to look after our well-being regularly, not just when things go wrong, and that we’re better when we support each other along the way.”
East Auckland local Richie Barnett, the partnerships manager for the mental
health charity I Am Hope Foundation, says mental health is our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
“It influences how we think, how we feel, how we cope with life’s challenges, and how we connect with others. Just like physical health, everyone has mental health, and it can move along a spectrum depending on life experiences, stress, support systems, and resilience.
“Having challenges with mental health is not about weakness – it’s about being human. “Feeling broken at times doesn’t mean something is wrong with you, it means you’re carrying something that needs support, connection, and understanding.”
> Full story at www.times.co.nz
Acacia Cove, a country-style village situated on the beautiful Wattle Downs Peninsula has 31 weekly activities.
For those who appreciate the tranquility of an estuary setting Acacia Cove has it all, as well as its own restaurant, heated indoor pool, library, bowling green and gym.
Whether you choose to live in a villa or one of our luxurious apartments, you’ll have the security of a 24 hour, fully monitored emergency call system built in.
Contact: admin@acaciacove.co.nz or phone 09 268 8522 Price is for an Occupation Rights Agreement secured by a first-ranking mortgage and in favour of the statutory supervisor on behalf of the residents.
If you’re aged 60 or over, value your independence but want greater security, come and have a look at the superb properties we have to offer.
Sleep Space have specialised in adjustable beds for many years, helping our customers find the perfect balance of comfort and support.
To complement these, we’ve recently introduced a unique selection of John Young lift chairs to our catalogue. John Young is one of New Zealand’s most trusted brands, and we’re proud to be an official stockist.
A lift chair is more than just a recliner – it’s designed with a built-in mechanism that gently assists you to stand when needed. This added support makes it an excellent choice for anyone who could benefit from a little extra help with mobility. All of our models feature:
• Soft, padded armrests for added comfort
• Strong hardwood frames for durability
• Firm foam seating for proper support
• A convenient wired remote, neatly stored in an easyaccess side pocket
Select models also include an adjustable headrest and lumbar support, allowing you to fine-tune your seating position for ultimate comfort. As with most of our products, we understand that one size doesn’t suit everyone, which is why we offer three different models for you to choose from. We welcome you to pop in and try them out for size.
We offer free delivery and installation across metropolitan Auckland, along with a special seniors’ discount for added value. If you need assistance getting to our showroom, we’re happy to arrange transport at no charge, at a time that suits you.
US deb@sleepspace.co.nz kian@sleepspace.co.nz 021 082 35696
By PJ TAYLOR
Howick Returned and Services Association (RSA) says preparations are well-advanced for the upcoming annual Anzac Day commemorations at Stockade Hill cenotaph.
“As usual we will be having a Dawn Service and a Civic Service on Anzac Day, April 25, which falls on a Saturday this year,” says Howick RSA president Barry Dreyer.
Monday, April 27, is the public holiday Anzac Day observed. The April 25 Dawn Service will commence at 6am, with the parade for returned and services personnel marching at 5.45am from Mellons Bay Road.
Dreyer says The Apothecary Café, in Picton Street, will again host Howick RSA members and returned and services people for fortified coffee from 5am.
“Following the Dawn Service, The Apothecary will be hosting us for refreshments and will have various breakfast items available at $15. Drinks and food are at individual’s cost.”
The Civic Service starts at 11am, with the parade of marchers forming at
10.30am, with the march off at 10.45am. After the late-morning service, the parade reforms for the march through Howick Village.
Dreyer says after that, there is a ticketed private function at The Apothecary, for a buffet lunch, with a limit of about 80 people.
The lunch is $20 for returned and services RSA members and their partners, subsidised by the RSA, and $37 for associate members.
Dreyer says Howick RSA is setting up a system where lunch tickets can be purchased at its website, www.howickrsa.co.nz, with sales initially only open to returned and services personnel and their partners, and then opening up to associate members if there is space available.
Meanwhile, Howick RSA is still inviting volunteers to sell poppies for it on Poppy Day at various public locations in east Auckland on Friday, April 17.
If people would like to be involved in Poppy Day collections, they can contact Carol Taylor at Howick RSA on phone 0272 243 539 or email admin@howickrsa. co.nz
International Women’s Day is a special day on the Zonta calendar.
It’s a time to celebrate and acknowledge wonderful women in the local community with a Zonta Rose Day Award. Zonta East Auckland’s Rose Day Awardee this year is Judy Solomon.
Her service to the community scans many decades, assisting Māori and Pasifika students struggling in the traditional learning environment and providing second chance education for adults to gain skills and qualifications to secure employment.
For their services to the community and to education, Judy and her husband Frank Solomon were awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours. When Frank was
diagnosed with dementia in 2018, the couple pioneered a new programme to help families living with dementia access support. Staff from Middlemore Hospital, Dementia Auckland and Auckland University’s Brain Research Centre promoted the programme and provided on-site support.
At the beginning of 2024 Judy saw an opportunity at
the Fairway Gardens Retirement Village in Golflands and initiated the ‘Forget Me Nots’ programme. It’s a researchbased support programme for people with memory loss, referred to as ‘elders’ and their carers.
The group meets on a Monday morning for two hours for discussion, singing, upper body mobility and breathing exercises. After
one hour they split into two groups. The carers meet with Judy to share experiences, gain information and for general support.
Buddies and helpers work with the elders on brain training activities. The programme is having a positive impact on participants, fostering a sense of belonging in a safe, and caring environment where trust is built and helpful information shared.
Thanks to Judy’s advocacy, the Forget Me Nots programme is being considered by other retirement villages. Judy and Frank have been described as dementia education warriors, with a knack for spotting a gap and creating a solution that fits. This has certainly been seen in action at Fairway Gardens Retirement Village.
The Precious Pukeko Red Hat Ladies Group recently held its Recycling Extravaganza at the Howick Club. All their impressive and colourful outfits were made of recycled items.
A long-standing East Tāmaki favourite, The Gateau House has been recognised with a major accolade, taking out the Hospitality and Retail category at the 2026 East Auckland Business Awards.
With nearly three decades of experience, this achievement further cements its reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading premium cake makers.
For 29 years, The Gateau House has remained true to a simple yet powerful philosophy: exceptional cakes begin with exceptional ingredients.
Every creation is made in-house at its Harris Road headquarters, where skilled bakers and decorators craft each gateau with precision, care, and pride.
From delicate finishes to perfectly balanced textures, the attention to detail is evident in every slice, reflecting the consistency and craftsmanship that have defined the business for decades.
Judges described the business as an “outstanding contender”, commending its strong capability, consistency, and ability to operate at a significant level within its category.
Its submission stood out for being exceptionally well documented, supported by measurable results that clearly demonstrated both performance and execution, setting it apart from its peers.
CEO John Kim expressed pride in the achievement, noting the award as a reflection of the team’s resilience and dedication.
“In an industry that has faced immense challenges lately, from rising
costs to changing consumer habits, this recognition truly means the world to us,” he says.
“It feels like a validation of every early morning, every late night, and every ounce of passion our team pours into this business.”
The Gateau House proudly uses 100 per cent New Zealand dairy cream, locally-sourced eggs and butter, and premium Finetex Hi Ratio Flour, ensuring consistency and quality in every product. Wherever possible, ingredients are sourced locally, reinforcing its belief that supporting local strengthens the wider community.
Beyond its products, The Gateau House continues to give back, partnering with institutions such as MIT and NZMA to create opportunities for students and donating thousands of cakes to schools and charities.
At its core, The Gateau House is more than a cakery – it’s a business built on community, craftsmanship, and care, continuing to play a meaningful role in celebrations.
By CHARLES MILLER
Everyone appreciates the sound of a perfect golf drive. The crack is clean, sharp and decisive, and is the epitome of perfect timing. It puts you well on your way to the pin and ahead of the competition.
In business, timing works much the same way. Get it wrong and it takes significant effort to recover. Get it right and you start closer to the goal and better placed to convert the opportunity into results. The research is clear on this.
Idealab analysed more than 200 companies and found timing accounted for 42 per cent of start-up success, ahead of team strength and composition at 32 per cent, with idea, business model and funding trailing.
Timing and team drive
75 per cent of successful outcomes. I’ve referenced this before, but two current stories make it worth revisiting. In the Scottish Highlands, a 19-metre rocket called Prime sits silent on its deserted launch pad.
Owner Orbex was founded in 2015 with genuine technical edge and £26 million in British taxpayer backing. In 2026 it filed for administration after funding dried up and a rescue deal collapsed. Chief executive Phil Chambers said they were “on the cusp” of first test flights.
Cusps can never be banked – only a track record of successful satellite launches can. The commercial small-launch market Orbex targeted is significant and growing, but Rocket Lab, founded by Invercargill engi-
neer Sir Peter Beck in 2006, had already spent a decade climbing the learning curve, refining materials and production, building infrastructure and securing customers.
Their timing was decisive – explosive growth in data, telecommunications, GIS applications and the demand for low Earth orbit networks created exactly the market Sir Peter had positioned for. Their execution had been disciplined and delivery consistent. By the time Orbex came to the party, the market was mature and their timing late. No amount of execution could recover the position.
Now look to Wellington. Startup Wellumio is developing Axana, a portable neuroimaging device designed to detect strokes within the golden hour, when every minute matters.
They’ve recently raised NZ$7.3 million in preliminary funding. Their timing aligns with ageing popula-
tions, overwhelmed emergency rooms, and the global shift towards delivering distributed acute care beyond hospital walls.
The underlying technology has reached the point where scale and affordability can take Axana to market. The tailwinds are strong, but converting that opportunity will still require a team capable of disciplined execution.
A Scottish rocket that never reached orbit. A Wellington brain scanner that may change emergency medicine. Both had great ideas. Both had process and funding. It comes down to the combination of timing and team – the insight and instinct to get right down the fairway, and the grit and discipline to get to the green and sink the putt.
Timing gets you to the tee with a perfect drive. The ability, commitment and executional skill of the team delivers ultimate success.
With demand for businesses now outstripping supply, New Zealand’s largest business brokerage is sharing what 40 years in the market has taught it about timing, risk and opportunity.
New Zealand business owners have always had to make big decisions in changing conditions.
From the economic reforms of the 1980s to the GFC, Covid-19 and today’s uncertain economy, resilience and flexibility have simply become part of being in business.
But at some point, many owners face the same question: When is the right time to sell?
According to ABC Business Sales, marking 40 years in the industry this year, the decision is rarely driven by the
market alone. More often, it comes down to a mix of logic and emotion.
ABC Business Sales completed more than 500 business sales across New Zealand in 2025, up 28 per cent on the previous year and the highest number on record.
Over the same period, the company recorded more than 27,800 potential buyers entering the market enquir-
ing about ABC listings, while fewer businesses came up for sale, a clear sign that demand is now outstripping supply.
ABC managing director Chris Small says the current imbalance between buyers and sellers is creating strong competition for well-prepared businesses, but timing the market perfectly is difficult.
“Right now, good busi-
nesses that are well prepared are getting strong interest because there are more buyers than sellers.
“But we also see owners wait for one more strong year of profit before they sell, and sometimes the market changes in that time.
“Interest rates move, banks tighten lending, or buyer confidence drops, and the value they were hoping to achieve isn’t there anymore.”
Over the past four decades, ABC has facilitated the sale of more than 10,000 businesses worth more than $4 billion.
That history has given it a long-term view of how business ownership, buyer behaviour and the sale process have changed.
ABC founder Steve Smith says the biggest shift has been the increasing complexity of selling a business.
ABC Business Sales managing director Chris Small and east Auckland-based Senior Business Broker Daren Leng at the company’s recent 40th anniversary celebrations. Photos supplied
“Due diligence became the norm. Everyone became more thorough. Lawyers and accountants really get involved now, so it’s become way more complex.”
While the process has become more structured and professional, the human side of selling a business has not changed.
“It’s a very emotive business we deal with.”
Small says one of the biggest lessons from 40 years in the industry is that selling a business is rarely just a financial decision.
“Behind every one of those numbers is a business owner and a new purchaser whose lives changed because a deal got done.
“That’s something we’re particularly proud of, because when a business sells successfully, it usually means someone is moving into the next stage of their life, and someone else is stepping into an opportunity.”
ABC general manager James Sheppard says one of the biggest misconceptions owners have is that selling a business is just about finding a buyer.
“Anyone can advertise
a business for sale. The hard part is holding a deal together through due diligence, finance, landlord approvals and negotiations, and getting it to settlement.
“That’s where a lot of deals fall over, and that’s where experience really matters.”
Increasing complexity of modern business sales means many transactions now require careful structuring to ensure continuity for staff, suppliers and customers.
“These days it’s rarely just about finding a buyer and agreeing on a price. It’s about structuring a deal properly, so the business continues to perform, staff are looked after and both parties can move forward with confidence,” says Sheppard.
After 40 years in the industry, Smith says he hopes ABC continues to lead the way and maintains its reputation built over decades.
“I’d say innovation and specialisation, and that word trust comes in fairly heavily with everything we do.
“ABC has always been a trailblazer in the business market.”
Discover medical-grade shoes made in Korea, featuring a patented vibration chip that stimulates 30 times per second to help:
Relieve muscle pain
Support joint health
Boost blood circulation
Improve balance & postu
Reduce fatigue
Activate your body rhyth
Visit us at Botany Town Centre, 22 Crescent Lane Behind New World and next to Ray White 09 558 5396
Come try them today! “These shoes changed my life!” – Mary 67
info@shoealls co nz Shop online: shoealls.co.nz
Made in Korea
Experienced with all the complex elements of conveyancing so that you can rest assured that you will be guided in the right direction and have a stress free transaction.
Conveyancing: dmanic@kellyflavell.co.nz Asset Protection: kate@kellyflavell.co.nz
By PJ TAYLOR
East Auckland-based Sparkling Minds Education recently marked its fifth anniversary with a special charity carnival.
Held at an upmarket Chinese restaurant, 100 guests from the political, community, education, and charity sectors, together with parents, children and friends of the organisation, gathered to celebrate “five years of growth and to look ahead to Sparkling Minds Education’s continued commitment to youth development and community service”, says its founder, Deanna Cao.
With the theme of “Our Journey, Gratitude, Moving Forward”, the charity carnival reflected on Sparkling Minds Education’s journey since its establishment, she says.
“With the trust, encouragement and support of the wider community, the
organisation has grown into a distinctive youth education provider in Auckland, recognised for its strong social values and community impact.
“A portion of the proceeds from the carnival is being donated to I Am Hope, the charity supporting youth mental health and emotional well-being.
“The donation highlights Sparkling Minds Education’s
belief that education and well-being must go hand in hand and reaffirms the longterm commitment to social responsibility.”
Attending was National MP for Mt Roskill, Carlos Cheung, who spoke of Sparkling Minds’ contribution to youth education, community engagement and charitable initiatives, says Cao.
“He noted the organisation’s work reflects the social
responsibility of education and plays a positive role in supporting young people growing up in New Zealand’s diverse, multicultural society.”
Other organisations and supporters represented at the event included Pakuranga Rotary Club, Scouts, NZ Warbirds, Airline Flying Club, Healthy n Fresh, and Onehunga Community Recycling Centre.
“These partners have worked closely with Sparkling Minds Education across areas such as youth leadership, aviation and science engagement, environmental education and community service, collectively supporting the holistic development of young people,” says Cao.
“Guests presented commemorative medals to the children of Sparkling Minds in recognition of their learning achievements and active community participation.”
Shortall Lawyers Limited is pleased to announce that, effective 3 October 2025, it has acquired the practice of Churton Hart & Divers. The Highland Park office will continue to operate from 26 Aviemore Drive, now as part of the Shortall Lawyers group, under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer and managing director Andrew Shortall and co-directors Nick Lee and Julie Lim.
This transition brings together longstanding local relationships with a broader platform, enhancing the delivery of legal services across property, commercial, and estates.
Clients can be assured that all deeds and files remain secure and are being carefully maintained. We are in the process of contacting all clients directly and look forward to continuing to support you. We warmly welcome both existing and new clients and invite you to visit us at our Highland Park office.
Shortall Lawyers Limited Suburban law — redefined
At Bruce McLaren Village we offer the freedom to choose your ideal retirement lifestyle. Enjoy the perfect balance of convenience and leisure – with Botany Town Centre nearby for shopping, and scenic walking tracks and Shelley Park Beach only a short drive away. Closer to home enjoy the friendly community at Bruce McLaren Village and amenities like a swimming pool, gym and cinema at your doorstep.
Call Harleen on 535 0225 for more details or visit rymanhealthcare.co.nz
$1,399,000 $899,000
Be in quick to secure this rare and spacious three bedroom corner apartment, beautifully positioned to capture afternoon sun and peaceful views across the village gardens.
Soak up the morning sun with a hot drink on your private balcony. This apartment would be a great size for either a couple or single person looking to downsize while still having space.
By CHRIS HARROWELL
Stallholders at east Auckland’s newest community market are selling affordable goodies ranging from homemade baking and art to fresh fruit and veggies and chutneys and jams.
The Beachlands Market is organised by Jenny Foster and is located at the Beachlands Chartered Club on the corner of Wakelin Road and Third View Avenue. About 20 stallholders were operating when the Times visited on April 4.
“The club has been here for a long time and they graciously rent us the space in here,” Foster says. “We get a bit of support from them. The idea is to fill this one [room], fill outside, and then fill the car park out the other side.
“There’s art, fresh fruit
and veggies, sweet treats like doughnuts, breads, pastries, puddings, deserts, baking. We’ve got artisan producers, which is the jams, jellies and chutneys, raw New Zealand honey through Beebro, and chef Peter Chaplin, who’s one of our stars.
“His business is called ‘Musical Knives’ and he does lunchtime meals and patties and spreads. We’ve got homemade baking that comes from a bakery in Hamilton and peanut butters, nuts and muesli from a chef in Mount Maunganui.
“We’ve also got Sconelicious, who’s a local lady who does scones. We’re trying to encourage the local people and hopefully shortly we’ll have the chocolate lady from out here come along. We want to get them to come and be part of their own com-
munity market rather than taking their goods out of the area.”
Among the musicians chef Peter Chaplin has cooked for are Madonna, Iggy Pop, the Thompson Twins, and Chrissie Hynde, and he’s also known for having operated the successful vegetarian restaurant Musical Knives in Ponsonby.
“If anything you could say my stall represents a bit of a Mediterranean … there’s lots of dips, lots of olives, lots of hummuses, and chicken liver pate,” he says.
“I’ve always been involved in the healthy side of food all the way through my career. Food has to look beautiful to me. I have to win your eyes first before anything else. I’m a bit of a specialist. I’ve got a hugely famous background from working in the rock and
roll industry for a long time.”
Foster wants to attract people to the market from far and wide. “They can make a day of it. Come out, visit the market, then go and visit Maraetai Beach and have lunch at one of the cafés. Go for a swim, go for a walk. There’s coastal walks around the area. It’s a great way to spend a day and bring friends and family.”
The Beachlands Market is open 8.30am to 1pm Saturdays. Free entry and plenty of free carparking nearby.
at
Plan ahead for temporary road closures and lane changes.
Marriott Road closed: 1 April – mid 2026
William Roberts Road closed: 2 – 27 April
Edgewater Drive near the shops closed: 3 – 19 April
Temporary lane changes at Gossamer Drive: 2 – 9 April, and Palm Avenue late April.
Allow extra time for your journey.
To find out more, scan the QR code. Visit AT.govt.nz/journeyplanner to plan your journey.
As the colder months roll in, it’s a good time to make sure your car is ready for winter conditions.
Shorter days, wet roads and cooler temperatures can all take a toll on your vehicle, but a few simple checks can make a big difference. Start with your tyres. Good tread is essential for grip on slippery roads, especially during heavy rain.
If your tyres are worn or underinflated, stopping distances can increase significantly. While you’re there, check your tyre pressure, as it can drop in colder weather.
Your battery is another key area to look at. Cold temperatures can reduce battery performance, so if your car has been slow to start lately, it may be worth getting it tested or replaced before it fails.
Make sure your lights are working properly. With darker mornings and evenings, visibility is crucial, not just for you, but for other drivers.
Replace any blown bulbs and clean your headlights if they’re cloudy or dirty. Windscreen wipers and washer fluid are often
overlooked but are vital in winter. Replace worn wiper blades and top up your washer fluid to ensure a clear view in wet conditions.
Finally, check your brakes and fluid levels, and consider a general service if it’s been a while.
A well-maintained car is not only safer but can also save you money in the long run. A little preparation now can help you stay safe and stress-free on the roads this winter.
By SHIV NARAYAN, founder of ClearEdge
Two breaches, less than three months apart. Thousands of New Zealanders wonder who has their most sensitive data and what was done with it.
Earlier this year I wrote about the Manage My Health hack and what it meant for local businesses. Then in late February, MediMap, used across aged care, hospices and disability services, was breached. This time data was not just stolen. Records were altered. Some patients were listed as deceased. Care staff doubled their numbers to complete medication rounds safely.
Two incidents in quick succession is not bad luck. It is a pattern. Three more lessons for East Auckland businesses:
1. Your vendor’s problem is your problem
In both breaches, the government’s position was identical: the platform is solely responsible for its own security. That sounds reassuring until you realise your vendors would say the same if breached tomorrow. Your accounting software. Your payroll tool. Your customer database. Every software tool is a door into your business. Start with three questions to your key vendors: do you use two-factor authentication? Is data encrypted at rest? When was your last independent security audit? If they cannot answer all three, that tells you something.
2. When the system goes down, what is your plan B?
When MediMap went offline, facilities reverted to paper. Rounds that took minutes stretched to hours. Errors multiplied. Most businesses are not running medication rounds, but the question is the same: what if your core system goes dark for 48 hours? If you cannot answer quickly, you have an assumption, not a plan.
3. The rules are changing
The new Cyber Security Strategy proposes mandatory obligations and director-level personal liability for serious breaches. Consultation closes 19 April 2026.
Not aimed at SMEs today, but the direction is clear. Businesses that get ahead will find it becomes a point of trust. Those that wait will pay more, in more ways than one. The question is no longer whether Kiwi businesses are targets. It is whether yours is ready.
By Chris Dykes and Alistair van Schalkwyk, directors of ASCO Legal in Howick
New Zealand’s privacy law is changing again, and this time it affects almost every business that buys, sells, or shares personal information.
The Privacy Amendment Act 2025 introduces a new rule called Information Privacy Principle 3A (IPP 3A), which came into force on April 1.
In plain English: if your business collects personal information about someone from a third party, rather than directly from that person, you now have an obligation to notify the individual.
That means telling them what information was collected, why, who holds it, and their rights around accessing or correcting it.
This is particularly relevant in business sales and acquisitions. When a purchaser receives customer lists, employee records, or supplier details during due diligence, IPP 3A is likely triggered.
The notification obligation falls on the purchaser, so if you’re buying a business after April 1, this needs to be on your checklist from day one.
The good news? Information collected before April 1 isn’t captured by these new rules.
Acting now gives you a real head start. There’s also a housekeeping note: the Office of the Privacy Commissioner is retiring its current contact email from April 1.
If your terms of trade or privacy policy reference it, it needs updating. With recent high-profile cyberattacks, including a breach affecting 120,000 New Zealanders’ health records, regulators are paying close attention.
Tighter enforcement and increased penalties are likely on the horizon. At Asco Legal, we help businesses stay ahead of legal change, not scramble to catch up. Whether you need your privacy policy reviewed, your terms updated, or advice on an upcoming transaction, our team is ready to help. Get in touch before April 1 – don’t let compliance be an afterthought.
ASCO Legal - A fresh perspective on law, at www.ascolegal.co.nz, phone 09 308 8070
NEW PRIVACY RULES ARE COMING
van
My fellow east Auckland business owners, it’s hard to believe, but The Marketing Baker is officially 10 years old.
When I launched this business in 2016, my mission was simple: help talented local owners stop being their industry’s best-kept secret. That first website was built on a laptop at my kitchen table right here in Howick, fuelled by passion and a stubborn belief our local businesses deserve marketing that feels premium, strategic, and genuinely ours, never generic, never guesswork.
Howick has always been our home base, and our roots here run deep. From our village storefronts to the community champions across east Auckland and beyond, the local connections we’ve built are as much a part of our story as the strategies we create.
A decade later, the “kitchen”
is much bigger. Our team now spans countries and our tools have evolved significantly. We’ve embraced every major shift, from social media algorithms to AI-powered marketing, without ever losing sight of what matters most to a business: intentional strategy over noise.
We’ve stayed boutique on purpose. Real marketing craft takes time, care, and genuine connection. We prioritise strategy that moves the needle for you and fosters relationships where every local client feels like the only one in the room.
To every business owner in our community who has trusted us as your secret ingredient, thank you. Here’s to another decade of making our local businesses irresistible. Ready to stop being east Auckland’s best-kept secret? Let’s chat: marketingbaker.com, candice@marketingbaker.com.
There’s something we see time and time again – community groups, charities, events and schools ask local companies for sponsorship, prizes and vouchers.
We’re always happy to help. We love supporting our community. But then, when it comes time to place an order, they go online or choose a company miles away. You can’t have it both ways. When you support a long-standing local, family-run business, you’re not just placing an order.
You’re building a relationship. You’re working with people who know your brand, understand your needs, and genuinely care about your success. You get the right advice, great service, and quality branded merchandise and uniforms that represent you properly.
Over the past 24 years, we’ve supported thousands of sports teams, schools and businesses with donations, time and expertise. We show up for our commu-
nity. That’s what locals do. But loyalty matters. If we want strong, thriving communities, we need to back the businesses that back us. Because when you choose local, you’re not just buying a product. You’re gaining a trusted partner and a business friend who’s there for the long haul.
We’re 24 years in, and we still love what we do. Branded merchandise and uniforms, online at www.promofactory.nz
DAREN LENG, Senior Business Broker at ABC Business Sales, explains why just posting an ad is no longer the answer
Selling a business today is very different from the old days of placing an advert and waiting for the phone to ring.
With more buyers, more channels, and more competition for attention, how you go to market is now just as important as the decision to sell. One option is a true offmarket approach to a single, carefully chosen buyer. The vendor asks me to approach a specific party they believe is the ideal suitor – often a key customer, supplier, competitor, or investor – before we consider a wider campaign.
Done well, this can create strong engagement and a straightforward negotiation. A second option is a selective offmarket campaign, where we confidentially approach a short list of approved buyers. These are groups we already know have the appetite and capacity to transact. It’s quiet, controlled, and can build healthy urgency – no one wants to miss out on a quality business to someone else in the trade.
The third is a full openmarket campaign, tapping into our wider database and broader enquiry, often using nonamed advertising, to protect confidentiality until buyers are qualified. This is the most common and successful when it comes to business sales.
Across all three, the constant is relationships and momentum. A good broker doesn’t just post an ad; they connect your business with the right buyers, manage urgency, and use competitive tension to help maximise value for the vendor.
Daren Leng, Senior Business Broker at ABC Business Sales – Your Business Broker of Choice. Ph 021 0278 6045 or email darenl@abcbusiness.co.nz
As I write this on this April Fools’ Day, I can’t help but think of some of the foolish decisions made by certain world leaders recently.
But instead of getting too down in the dumps about something that’s largely outside our control (at least in the short-term), let’s try to focus on some of the positives. While higher oil prices present significant economic challenges, they incentivise reduced fossil fuel use, boost renewable energy investment and use, promote energy efficiency, and help lower emissions and ecological disruption.
Despite the excruciating short-term pain, higher oil prices can nudge us all towards environmental sustainability. Who doesn’t want that for their kids and grandkids? And did you know most major banks offer “Green” home loan top-ups that can be used for the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrids, electric bikes, solar panels and batteries, water tanks, heat pumps, ventilation, insulation, and improved glazing?
TONI DAWSON, a fully qualified Mortgage Adviser, with more than 15 years’ industry experience, shares her expertise. Toni
Loan amounts, interest rates, and terms vary from bank to bank, so please reach out if you’d like to know more. I can help you navigate the eligibility criteria, and weigh up the pros and cons. It may be April Fools’, but making smarter, greener choices in response to higher oil prices is no joke – it’s an opportunity we can all seize.
By Howick Youth Council secretary CHARLOTTE HUTTON
The past few weeks have been very productive for the Howick Youth Council as we continue to make progress in planning our events for the year.
The teams are moving out of the early ideation stages and making key decisions that will continue to adapt and shape our final product. We’ve been learning key skills and internal processes that help shape the foundations of our events all the way through to execution.
For team one, they’ve been focusing on an upcoming event aimed at providing youth with an opportunity to give back to the community, whilst slowly working on two other events focusing on sharing the musical and artistic talents of youth.
Team two have been dedicating their time to an event that empowers junior students as well as others focusing on preparation for adulthood and a stress reliever for when the academic year hits its peak. Team three have been preparing for Youth Week and chipping away at a
social detox event and literacy-centred workshops.
Team four have been planning an environmentally-friendly cooking skills event while also focusing on the Youth Council’s biggest annual event and a cultural-themed event. Finally, the communications team have been focusing on content creation for the Youth Council’s promotion and working with teams on preparing content for the upcoming events.
This past weekend was the long-awaited opening of the Flat Bush Library, a temporary set up whilst the final
space awaits completion. The Howick Youth Council is incredibly grateful to the Howick Local Board for inviting the leadership team to this event and sharing the value this space will bring to local rangatahi.
The Youth Council’s events kick off in May so stay up to date and keep in touch through our website (www. howickyouthcouncil.org.nz) and social media pages (@ howickyouthcouncil).
Aroha nui, the Howick Youth Council
As Macleans College welcomes 2026, the new year – as always –brings in yet another bunch of lively year 9s.
In just the third week of settling into their new, busy schedules, they were sent off to a four-day long camp in their corresponding whanau groups.
On February 17, all year 9 students arrived at their campsites. Excitement and uncertainty buzzed through the air on that first day; the unfamiliar environment was undoubtedly daunting but something they would have to accustom themselves to.
To ensure everyone makes the most of their time and has the absolute best experience possible, the camp outline was separated into three main parts. One of these three areas was for the purpose of building a team spirit and offering familiarity to one another.
Because of this, many of the exercises focused largely on collaboration and developing trust between each other. Though the activities definitely stretched some people’s patience, the connections formed because of them were ones that would unquestionably last the rest of their time spent at Macleans.
For part of the second component, the students had the opportunity to venture into the beautiful nature that laid in the area surrounding their campsite.
Besides the factor of benefiting them physically, the rigorous hikes would prove to
strengthen their bond even more. For example, pupils of Batten House all undertook the arduous challenge of scaling the 1349 stairs up a mountain at Camp Ngaruawahia, a shared experience they definitely won’t forget.
The last element of the three involved all the outdoor activities available in or around every house’s camps. It introduced the students to new experiences and left the students some of the best memories they’ll remember long after camp.
Though weeks prior to actually arriving at camp, the students were introduced to the peer supporters who accompanied them to the house’s respective venues.
They would support the year 9s through all the activities they did throughout their short stay, along with giving helpful advice as experienced year 12 students.
One major task they aided
the year 9 students with was organising a skit for an evening of laughter and festivity. Skit night encouraged the students to think imaginatively, leading to unforgettable memories as well as countless inside jokes.
As the four days at the campsites, which had begun to feel like home to some, came to an end, a strong sense of belonging and friendship was formed. Though students may have arrived with a feeling of unease, they undeniably left with strengthened bonds and new skills they won’t forget.
Two students who enjoyed the camp are Megan Chow, who says: “I enjoyed the environment and the ocean views with lots of nature”, and Nina Zhang, who adds: “The new experiences and new people made camp way more fun.”
• Tinkle Ding is in year 9 at Macleans College
From 13th April to 26th April 2026, enjoy two full weeks of great
On Wednesday, March 4, year 11 geography students from Macleans College visited Eastern Beach for our first experience of geographic fieldwork. Our task was to collect data that would help us propose the most suitable location for a second boat ramp at Eastern Beach.
We were introduced to four sites, chosen by the teachers, where we would collect crucial data which would help us justify which site is the most suitable.
As part of the data, we measured wind speeds and direction, side profiles of the beach, and took photographic evidence. We got to use anemometers, clinometers, and measuring tapes which allowed us to have hands-on experience with real geographic equipment. It was an amazing day out as we got to apply the skills we learnt in the classroom to the
real world.
We also got to create stronger bonds with our classmates as we had to rely on each other to collect all the data and connect with each other as we walked down to the beach, the different sites, and during our lunch break.
Along with getting to know our own classmates better, we also connected with the other year 11s taking geography. Because everyone had a different role, it felt rewarding and satisfying to see how all of the data each of us collected fit together. We used the data to draft detailed proposals in class for
• 17 Lifestyle Lots ranging from 3200m2 to 3ha
• Town supply water and wastewater connections
• Fully post and rail fencing
• Extensively landscaped with native planting
• Flat land with specified building areas
• Works have commenced with Titles due early 2027
the best site for the new boat ramp. It required us to analyse the data, compare the strengths and weaknesses of each site, and think critically about human activity, such as parking, how busy it could get, accessibility and safety, as well as the influence of coastal structures like the groyne.
It was a really fun day, filled with learning and laughter, where many precious memories were created and will last a lifetime. The teachers gave us minimal guidance, allowing us to work more independently and make our own decisions,
which made the experience feel more mature. Spending the day outside the classroom made learning more enjoyable, and helped us better understand how geography connects to everyday life.
Overall, I’m grateful we got to experience this amazing field trip as we got to learn more about geography, apply the skills we learnt in class to the real world, and we connected more with each other. It was a valuable opportunity where we grew both academically and socially together.
• Katherine Zuo is in year 10 at Macleans College
How long have you been an educator, and where did you train?
I’ve been working in education for 27 years in Aotearoa New Zealand, having trained at New Zealand Tertiary College. I also completed a postgraduate diploma and a master’s in education degree at the University of Auckland. My journey has included early childhood teaching, working as an educator, atelierista, assistant supervisor, and head teacher, which has given me a strong foundation for supporting children, whānau, and educators in their learning, growth, and development.
When did you become head teacher at St Andrew’s Chilton Kindergarten?
I became head teacher in 2022 at St Andrew’s Chilton Kindergarten – ‘Where Learning and Laughter Grow Together’. Since then, I’ve led the curriculum and learning programmes and feel privileged to work alongside our staff and board of trustees to foster a nurturing, inclusive, and dynamic environment where children, whānau, and staff feel valued and supported. Together, we provide consistent care and guidance so every child can explore, learn, and grow with confidence.
being an educator and head teacher?
It’s witnessing the absolute curiosity, creativity, and sense of wonder in children as they explore and learn each day. These moments of discovery, such as when a child asks a thoughtful question, solves a problem, or proudly shares their ideas, continually inspire and remind me why I chose this profession. As a leader, I find it deeply rewarding to shape learning programmes and curriculum that support children to explore, inquire, and develop their independence and resilience. Guiding the direction of the centre and seeing how thoughtfully planned experiences spark children’s imagination and confidence bring together my passion for teaching with the privilege of leadership. I
value working alongside my team to create a nurturing and supportive environment. Building strong, trusting relationships with whānau is especially meaningful, as together we support children to feel valued, capable, and empowered in their learning journey. Every day brings new opportunities to make a significant difference in children’s lives, making this role deeply fulfilling.
What’s special about St Andrew’s Chilton Kindergarten?
It’s a place where children feel deeply loved, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. Our philosophy blends Christian values with New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki, creating a nurturing, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment. We celebrate diversity, honour Aotearoa’s bicultural heritage, and foster strong, respectful partnerships with whānau. The centre is well-resourced, offering a rich variety of materials and thoughtfully designed learning spaces that encourage exploration, creativity, and problem solving. Children are actively engaged in inquiry-based projects, investigating topics that interest them, collaborating with peers, and developing critical thinking skills. Our mixed-age envi-
ronment supports children to learn from and care for one another, strengthening social skills, empathy, and confidence. Equally important is the warm and joyful atmosphere we cultivate. We value playfulness and a sense of humour, recognising that laughter, joy, and positive relationships are essential to children’s well-being and learning. Children and their families enjoy creating a scrapbook together where they share special moments, photographs, and even holidays. Children are citizens now, actively exploring, collaborating, and contributing from a young age. By listening to their ideas, supporting their curiosity, and encouraging them to experiment and dream, we help them grow into confident, capable, and connected individuals.
Is there anything you’d like improved in the ECE sector?
I’d like to see stronger support for educators and leaders across the early childhood sector, particularly in the areas of professional development, mentoring, and well-being. Investing in educators is essential to ensuring they can continue to provide high-quality learning experiences while maintaining their own motivation and resilience.
Where were you born and grew up?
I was born in Elmira in central New York State, about five hours northwest from New York City. It’s just south of the Finger Lakes region where I spent summers at our family’s cottage on Keuka Lake. Both are located on the traditional lands of the six-nations Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
I explained to my mom that a New Zealand bach is like the cottage my Grandpa Simmonds built in the 1920s – wellconstructed, functional, and making most of the water view and access! Elmira, and the area around it, is bucolic. When my husband Nigel and I travel to visit his family in the Horowhenua, I love the trip because it reminds of where I grew up: more cows than people. That’s part of why I love east Auckland – a great mix of nature and pasture, but with access to the CBD.
Where did you go to school, and did you go on to tertiary studies?
For undergrad, I attended Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, majoring in art history, with a focus in architectural history. I went in thinking I’d be a history
East Auckland is fortunate to have such a highly qualified and enthusiastic person, originally from the United States, leading one of its treasured institutions. She tells PJ TAYLOR about some of her journey.
major, but during my first semester I took an Intro to Art History class. The lights went down, the first slide went up, and I was hooked. In 1996, we used lantern slides, and Wellesley had an extensive slide library – hauntingly beautiful images. I studied everything I could from American ecclesiastical architecture to Islamic art to critical theory. After graduating and thinking I might want to go to law school, I worked in New York City as a legal assistant at two different corporate law firms in mergers and acquisitions. In 2002, I worked on the sale of the Boston Red Sox to the John Henry-led consortium. As a Wellesley grad I was so excited to support Boston – it overcame my New York State Yankees upbringing! In 2005, I decided I really missed art history, applying to the Courtauld Institute in London, one of the leading art history programmes in the UK. Thankfully, I received a Peter Jay Sharp scholarship for full tuition and went on to gain an MA in Early Modern Dutch Art, with distinction on my dissertation on Rembrandt and his printmaking. The Courtauld changed my life – it shaped how I think about art history, critical theory, and the world. I’m forever grateful for this
experience and my tutor, now Professor Emerita Joanna Woodall. After graduating, I wasn’t quite ready to leave London, so I attended Christie’s Education, receiving my MLitt in Modern and Contemporary Art. There’s a surprising overlap between 17th century Dutch art and modern and contemporary art, I found!
Why did you choose a career as an art historian and archivist, and what was involved in your training?
The thing I love most about art history is how deeply connected to and reflective it is of social and economic history but always seen through the lens of embodied effort. Think of a piece of embroidery and then flip it over. Art history helps us understand the underside of that piece of needlework – the part making the image possible, demonstrating the enormous amount of work and talent that goes unseen but without which, the pretty image would fall apart. It’s a good lesson in asking tough questions, being willing to do deep – and sometimes uncomfortable – research, and not taking no for an answer. During graduate school, I worked at the Prints and
Drawings Room at the Courtauld, and for what’s now the much loved, artist-driven gallery ARCADE – where I first learned about Kiwi legend Len Lye! Both allowed me hands-on experience with collections management, curation, writing, and editing – one from a non-profit perspective and the other from the commercial side. I knew museums and collections were where I wanted to be.
What did you do upon returning to the United States?
After graduate school ended, I went back to New York City, working for a real estate company and started a curatorial collective with two other Christie’s Education grads. Fortunately, within in the year, I joined the Whitney’s grant funded cataloguing and documentation project, helping digitise their prints collection. After that, I went to Sotheby’s Prints Department. I loved the fast-paced auction world, discussions with collectors and sellers around art, and getting to evaluate the art up close and out of frame. From there, I went back to central New York State, joining the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University, about 45 minutes from my hometown where the majority of my family members attended, as its provenance researcher. I tracked ownership histories of certain objects in the collection, looking at them from three lenses: Nazi-era looted art; 1970 UNESCO convention; and the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. I also assessed works for CITES and US Endangered Species Act. This was an eye-opening role. I started with the mindset that museums should be encyclopaedic and collect and display all material cultures of the world. I ended it knowing the history of collecting is not simple or straightforward. I know now some objects need to be returned to their original owners and creators and should never have been separated in the first place.
Where did you meet your husband Nigel, who is a Kiwi?
We were both working at Cornell University. I was at the Johnson Museum, and he was doing post-doc work in fruit ripening and post-harvest research at Boyce Thompson Institute. Even though we were only about 1km apart, we were in two separate campuses, basically worlds apart. Thank goodness for Ok Cupid! After finishing his post-doc work, we moved cross country to Wenatchee, Washington, where Nigel joined the post-harvest industry working with apples and other tree fruit. I was fortunate to be hired as the director for the Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village in Cashmere, Washington, a fascinating and fantastic museum focused on the stories
and material culture of the P’Squosa, Entiat, Chelan, and other Interior Salish peoples, and pioneers of the late 1800s who travelled west in search of new opportunities and gold. It’s a similar time frame to Howick Historical Village, albeit slightly later and also a living history museum, like HHV.
When did you decide to come to New Zealand, and when did you take up the role of Howick Historical Village general manager?
Nigel had the opportunity to work at what was then Plant and Food Research (previously DSIR) in Mt Albert, with people he had done graduate work at Massey University. Recently, all the Crown Research Institutes merged and PFR is now known as New Zealand Institute of Bioeconomy Science. He asked if I was up for an adventure, and I said yes! We arrived in April 2021, and I started at Howick Historical Village in September 2021 as the general manager. The posting came up on Seek and I had just left a similar role at the Cashmere Museum. I thought – that would be a good fit. Fortunately, the board agreed!
What does the Howick Historical Village mean to you? What’s your focus as its general manager?
I absolutely love the village, the history it represents, and where we are going with it. It has been a steep learning curve: starting during Covid lockdown and knowing very little about the incredible history of New Zealand other than what I learned from my friend, the late Aroha Awarau, an exchange student at my high school more than 30 years ago. But with a great staff, supportive
board and society members, amazing volunteers, and welcoming community, I’ve been able to enjoy the challenges. Our focus is on telling a more complete and accurate story of this whenua, which we’re doing through storytelling, engaging programming, and hands-on activities. We’ve also opened a new market, The Village Farmers’ Market at Bell House, to run on the first Sunday of each month. And most excitingly, we recently completed Te Tiriti o Waitangi training with Empowering Change Kia Tupu Te Toi, thanks to a grant from Howick Local Board. What do you get for a staff that loves history? More history!
We also recently developed demographics reports for our events guests and our education programmes. Through these, we can confirm we welcome visitors from every local board area in Auckland. And with thanks to Viva La Dirt League, tons of overseas visitors, to boot! Howick Local Board, of course is our biggest supporter, but we also see you Franklin, Manurewa, Ōrākei, Hibiscus and Bays, Upper Harbour, and Devonport Local Boards. We have a strong regional impact and are so proud of that! Despite our successes, our finances still haven’t quite recovered from Covid.
To be honest, we couldn’t have survived this year without the continued financial support of Howick Local Board and Auckland Council, and significant CapEx and OpEx funding provided by The Robert Allan Bell Trust, as well as critical OpEx funding from a new supporter this year, The North & South Trust Limited. Simeon Brown, the Pakuranga MP, has been extraordinarily supportive as we worked together to ensure we kept our doors open. I’m so grateful for his leadership and vision.
As winter approaches, health professionals across east Auckland are encouraging the community to take steps early to protect themselves and their whānau from what could be a challenging flu season. Recent reports have highlighted concerns about a potentially severe influenza strain, sometimes referred to as the “K variant,” which may contribute to higher rates of illness this winter.
While influenza strains vary each year, experts warn seasonal flu can still lead to serious complications, particularly for young children, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions. For many families, the impact of influenza is already well understood. A local mother of two recalls her experience after her children contracted influenza A last year.
“Our children contracted influenza A last year and it was a really rough time,” she says. “Our local GP had an amazing drop-in service that reviewed the girls every couple of days, given their breathing was affected. We were so lucky to be able to keep the kids out of hospital. I qualify for the funded vaccine, and while my children don’t, the extra protection that vaccine can offer isn’t something we’re willing to forgo this winter even with the cost of fuel and other household pressures. We’re really hoping to avoid the extra pressure on time away from work this flu season.”
Healthcare providers say vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of severe illness and limit the spread within the community. Erin Meads, Nursing Director, says clinics are already preparing for increased demand.
“We’re expecting continued pressure from Covid-19 alongside the seasonal flu, which places a real burden on families, general practice teams, and the wider health system. The flu vaccine is a simple step people can take to protect themselves and those around them.”
Clinics are expanding access, with some offering extended hours and convenient drop-in services to make vaccination easier. Residents are encouraged to book early or take advantage of walk-in options to stay protected this winter. Contact your local GP and use the QR coded to check if you are eligible for a free flu vaccine.
By MIKE KING, executive director, I Am Hope Foundation
Have you noticed we’re not talking to each other anymore? It feels like the moment I have a different opinion from you, it’s no longer just that. It’s taken as me saying you’re wrong. And if you disagree with me, I hear it the same way. Somewhere along the line, disagreement stopped being healthy and started feeling personal.
So what do we do? We retreat. We stick with people who think like us, vote like us, see the world the same way we do. We build our own tribes and stay there, where it feels safe. And to be fair, we all do it.
But now it feels like we’ve developed an allergy to anyone outside our group. The moment someone says something we don’t agree with, we don’t get curious, we get defensive. We label. We judge. We assume the worst. We’ve forgotten how to sit in discomfort long enough to understand where someone else is coming from.
And here’s the thing. We can’t all think the same. We never will. That’s not a flaw. That’s the point. Difference is where learning happens. It’s where empathy lives. But instead of leaning into that, we’ve turned it into something to fight over.
Social media hasn’t helped. The loudest voices, usually the angriest, get the most attention. So we end up talking past each other instead of to each other. And most people? They’ve gone quiet. Not because they don’t care, but because they’re over it.
But underneath it all, we’re not that different. We all want to feel heard. We all want to feel respected. We all want a better life for our kids. We don’t need to agree on everything.
But we do need to start listening again. Not to win. Just to understand. Because if we can do that, we might just find our way back.
• Under 25 and need someone to talk to? Book a free counsellor at gumbootfriday.org. nz, no GP referral needed.
When you walk through the door at LifeCycles, you’re not booking an appointment with a single-specialty clinic. You’re sitting down with Melissa Dorr – midwife, naturopath, acupuncturist, and yoga instructor – a practitioner whose 20-plus years of experience across women’s health means she treats the whole person, not just the presenting symptom.
“No two women are the same, and no two sessions are the same,” says Melissa. “What I bring to every consultation is the ability to draw on everything I know, from Traditional Chinese Medicine to naturopathy to my years of midwifery, to figure out what will actually help you.”
That breadth of expertise is what sets LifeCycles apart. Whether you’re navigating the early weeks of pregnancy, recovering postpartum, managing perimenopausal shifts, or dealing with a sports injury eligible for ACC cover, Melissa approaches each one-on-one session through a genuinely holistic lens.
Rather than arriving at a fixed treatment,
she listens first – then draws on whichever combination of tools and disciplines serves you best. It’s a model of care that’s increasingly rare. In a healthcare landscape where women often find themselves referred between specialists, Melissa offers something more integrated: a single trusted practitioner with the qualifications and clinical range to support you across the full arc of your life.
Her clinic, based in Howick, is a calm, considered space designed for exactly this kind of unhurried, personalised attention. Melissa’s qualifications span a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and Certificate of Midwifery from Bastyr University in the US, a Bachelor of Health Science in Acupuncture from the New Zealand School of Acupuncture and TCM, and yoga teaching certifications with specialist prenatal and postnatal training.
She’s a registered midwife with the Midwifery Council of New Zealand and an ACC-registered practitioner – a depth of credentialling that underpins every session she delivers.
For women who have felt reduced to a single
complaint in a brief appointment, LifeCycles offers a genuinely different experience. Here, your health history matters. Your instincts are respected. And your care is shaped by a practitioner who’s spent two decades learning how to help women thrive – at every cycle of life.
• Book a one-on-one session with Melissa at lifecycles.nz – Crawford Medical, 4 Picton St, Howick, melissa@lifecycles.nz. 022 451 6726
MICHELLE KEENAN empowers people and organisations to achieve optimal wellbeing by providing customised wellness coaching programmes tailored to their unique goals.
When your body has been through injury or illness, the impact is not just physical. Healing often takes time, and there can be a sense of uncertainty or fear as you begin, and move through, that process.
Movements that once felt automatic may now feel unfamiliar or risky, and there can be hesitation where there was once confidence – what you took for granted has been taken away, even if only temporarily.
This loss of trust is a natural response. Your body has, in some way, felt unreliable, and your mind adapts by becoming more cautious. This becomes a problem if that caution lingers long after it’s needed, holding you back from returning to movement in a meaningful way.
Rebuilding trust is not something that can be rushed. It develops gradually, through repeated experiences of safe, steady movement. This often means starting more gently than you might expect and progressing more slowly than you’d like!
Professional guidance, whether that’s from your physio, or a qualified personal trainer or Pilates instructor with experience in rehabilitation, can be invaluable through this journey.
It requires patience, and a willingness to meet your body where it is now, rather than where it used to be. Importantly, trust is not rebuilt through pushing or proving something to yourself.
It comes from consistency and reliability – from showing yourself that your body can move without pain, can respond without setback, and can support you again in everyday life.
There may still be limitations, and there may still be days that feel unpredictable. But over time, as positive experiences accumulate, confidence will quietly and steadily begin to return.
Remember that your body hasn’t failed you, you just need to approach things a little differently than before. Work with what you’ve got, and you can move forward from there.
www.michellekeenan.com
Ormiston Medical Centre is delighted to welcome Dr Yeuk-Mo Fung (Franklin), who joins us following the sale of Vincent Street Family Doctors, a practice he co-owned and led alongside Dr Charles Williams for many years.
After decades of service to their community, Dr Williams and Dr Fung have sold their practice, and the Vincent Street clinic closed its doors for the last time on Thursday, March 26.
As of that date, all enrolled patients from Vincent Street Family Doctors have been warmly welcomed into the Ormiston Medical Centre GP clinic at 211 Ormiston Road, Flat Bush.
The great news for Dr Fung’s loyal patients is there’s no need to find a new doctor.
Dr Fung began seeing patients at Ormiston Medical Centre on April 1, ensuring a seamless continuation of care for those who have trusted him with their health over the years.
For all former Vincent Street patients, the transition has been made as straightforward as possible.
There’s nothing you need to do – your enrolment and medical records will transfer securely and automatically to Ormiston Medical Centre.
Our experienced team of doctors and nurses will be on hand to support your ongoing healthcare needs and those of your family.
Patients can choose whether they wish to see Dr Fung or any of our other experienced GPs in both Ormiston Medical and their sister clinic, Botany Junction Medical.
We look forward to continuing the high standard of care that Vincent Street patients have come to know, and we’re proud to have Dr Fung as part of our growing team.
To book an appointment or for any questions, please call us on 09 265 1325 or email info@ormistonmedical. co.nz.
Be sure to look out for your next local health update in the next issue of the Eastern Times
By DAVID MALLOWES
East Auckland Tourism has been busy creating a calendar of enjoyable guided walks, mostly free, for the month of April.
Book now and see the East Auckland Walkfest webpage for more information. Junior rangers, ecosystems, tramping, a sculpture trail, Pilates, finding fungi, beautiful gardens, exploring rock pools, wetlands, bird walk, walking club outing, parkrun, photography, native plants and trees, and dog walks.
The website also features self-guided walks to follow at your leisure. All great fun for the school holidays, and for exploring your east Auckland backyard.
• Thursdays, 9, 16, 23 April, 1.30pm, easy, Botanical walk, Howick Historical Village, $16.
• Friday, 10 April, 9.30am and 1.30pm, easy 5km, Paddock to Pastry, Clevedon Farm House Cafe.
• Saturdays, 11, 18 April, 8am, 5km own speed, Barry Curtis parkrun (or walk).
• Saturday, 11 April, 9.30am, easy/medium 8km, Duder Regional Park, Howick Tramping Club.
• Sundays, 12, 19 April, 10am to 4pm, easy 5km, Riverhaven Artland Sculpture Trail, Clevedon, $20.
• Sunday, 12 April, 10am and 3pm, easy 2km, native plants and photography, Mellons Bay.
• Monday, 13 April, 10am, easy 2km, native plants and photography, Mellons Bay, WalksOutEast.
• Tuesday, 14 April, 9.30am, moderate 5km, native bush regeneration, Mangemangeroa, John Spiller.
• Saturday, 18 April, 9am, easy 4km, walkPilates-coffee, Whitford, $5.
• Saturday, 18 April, 9am, easy 2km, finding fungi, Murphy’s Bush, Nigel Zhang.
• Saturday, 18 April, 12.30 to 2.30pm, easy 1km walk with free fun activities, Barry Curtis Park.
• Saturday, 18 April, 2pm, easy 5km, Clevedon’s history then afternoon tea, Hololio House, $15.
• Sunday, 19 April, 1.30pm, steady on feet 1km, rock pools, Shelly Park Beach, Nigel Zhang.
• Tuesday, 21 April, 9am, moderate 6km, Pigeon Mountain/wetlands, Pakuranga Walkers.
• Saturday, 25 April, 1.30pm, easy 3km, Ayrlies wetlands, Whitford, Mandarin, Nigel Zhang.
• Saturday, 25 April, 3pm, easy 2km, dog walk, Eastern Beach, “East Auckland Dog Walk and Connect”.
• Thursday, 30 April, 10am, 1km or more, morning tea, Ayrlies Garden Autumn Walk, $25.
By SARAI ELORA, Bonita Artistry
There’s a quiet frustration I see almost daily: women standing in front of their make-up bags filled with products they’ve invested in, yet still feeling like they have “nothing that works”.
Half-used foundations. Lipsticks that looked perfect in-store but never get worn. Skincare that promised glow but didn’t quite deliver.
The truth is, it’s not that you’re choosing the wrong products. It’s that you’ve never been shown how to choose for yourself.
In today’s beauty world, we’re constantly influenced by trends and viral products. But what works for someone else, on their skin, their lifestyle, their features, won’t automatically translate to you. The shift begins with asking better questions before you buy.
Not “Is this product popular?”, but “Does this reflect my personal expression, what lights me up when I see myself, enhances my features in a way I love, and complements the occasion and what I’m wearing?”
If your mornings are fast-paced, you don’t need a 10-step routine. You need products that are effortless and reliable. A breathable base like ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 ($94, MECCA) evens out the complexion while still letting your skin feel like skin. A cream blush such as Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick (from $51, MECCA) blends seamlessly with your fingers for a soft, natural flush.
If your skin leans dry, your focus should be hydration and luminosity. Prep with a nourishing moisturiser like Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream (from $45, MECCA), then layer complexion products that melt into the skin.
For oilier skin types, longevity is key. Look for lightweight formulas that balance shine without masking your natural texture, such as NARS Light Reflecting Foundation ($107, MECCA), known for its skin-like finish with staying power.
Even something as simple as mascara can change your entire look when chosen well. A defining, lift-focused formula like Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara (from $23, MECCA) enhances the eyes with clean volume and separation, without flaking throughout the day.
Another common mistake is buying products in isolation, rather than as part of a routine. A beautiful foundation won’t perform if your skincare underneath isn’t supporting it.
A lipstick won’t feel right if the rest of your make-up doesn’t align with its tone and finish.
The goal isn’t to have more, it’s to have alignment. When your products suit your skin, your features, and your lifestyle, everything becomes easier. Your routine feels intuitive. Your make-up enhances rather than overwhelms. Most importantly, you still feel like yourself, just elevated.
This is the foundation of how we approach beauty at Bonita Artistry. It’s not about following trends, but about refining what already works for you. Because the right products don’t just sit in your make-up bag, they become part of how you move through your day, with confidence and ease.
For more pro beauty guidance and curated product recommendations, follow @ bonitartistry or explore our personalised routines at bonitartistry.co.nz, including our upcoming Ultimate Make-up Shopping List designed to help you shop with clarity and confidence.
This is a shared arts column space put together by Howick Historical Village, Te Tuhi, and Uxbridge Arts and Culture.
Thursdays, 16, and 23 April, 2026, 1.302.30pm: Join a guided ramble through the autumnal gardens at Howick Historical Village with East Auckland Tourism’s WalkFest. See: eastaucklandtourism.co.nz/ howick-historical-village-botanical-walk-talk9-16-23-april/. Bells Road, Pakuranga. Free with general admission.
Saturdays, 11 and 18 April, 1.30pm-3.30pm: Learn the delicate art of flower pressing at Howick Historical Village. Bookings essential: historicalvillage.org.nz/workshops/ flowerpressing. $28-$42, includes admission.
Saturday, 11 April, 10am-12pm or 1.303.30pm: Join artist Abigail Aroha Jensen for a fly (Musca domestica) making workshop at Te Tuhi, as part of her current exhibition Frog World. The mixed-media flies will become part of the exhibit. 21 William Roberts Road, Pakuranga. Free. At 12.30-1.15pm, join the artist for a coffee and chat. Open to all. Free.
Wednesday, 15 April, 10.30am-12pm and 1-2.30pm: Tiger worm workshop at Uxbridge! Ali from the Compost Collective helps kids and whānau discover how tiger worms turn food scraps into fertiliser. More info: uxbridge.org.nz. 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick. Free.
Wednesday, 15 April, 10.30-11.45am and 2.15-3.30pm: Arts Out East presents Talia Pua’s puppet show, The Girl Whose Twin Was a Bird, at Zabr’one Restaurant. A comingof-age story about twinhood told through puppetry and cooking. 47 The Parade, Bucklands Beach. Booking required. Free.
Thursday, 16 April, 10am-noon: The Polish Museum’s Recognising Our Heroes with Medals craft workshop honours Anzac soldiers of WW1 and Polish children of WW2. Adults must accompany children. Email: phtmuseum@outlook.com. 125 Elliot Street, Howick. $10/pp, includes materials.
Abigail
Aroha Jensenm. Frog World, 2026 (installation view, Te Tuhi, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland).
Photo supplied Sam Hartnett
Friday, 17 April, 11am: Jump in and experience the epic fun of A Minecraft Movie at Uxbridge Theatre. Rating PG. Book via uxbridge.org.nz. $6 with free popcorn.
Saturday, 18 April, 10.30am-12pm: Join artist Frances Libeau at Te Tuhi for an artist talk about her current exhibition, Lake of Wandering Spirits. Free.
Monday, 20 April, 9.30-10.15am: Zumba Gold Toning session at Uxbridge. A lowimpact, dancebased workout especially for active older adults. Limited spaces, bookings essential: uxbridge.org.nz. Free.
Saturday, 2 May: Uxbridge creative and lifestyle workshops feature Stained Glass Light Catchers, 9am-3pm, and The Power of Feng Shui, 12.30pm-3.30pm. Limited spaces, bookings essential: uxbridge.org.nz.
Saturdays, 2 and 9 May, 9am-12pm: Arts Out East presents Maraky Vowells’ Clay and Coffee workshop at Botpots East Studio. Inspired by the artist’s Ethiopian heritage and traditional coffee ceremony. Ages 16+, all skill levels. Shop 17, 2 Bishop Dunn Place, Botany. Booking required, fees may apply.
Sunday, 3 May, 9am-2pm: Visit The Village Farmers’ Market at Bell House, next to Howick Historical Village, for local produce and handmade crafts. Free.
Sundays, 3, 24, and 31 May, 2-4pm: Arts Out East presents Craft a Puppet Creature, a puppet-making workshop with Sarah Cowie. Ages eight+. East Auckland Libraries: Botany, Pakuranga and Highland Park. Booking
required, fees may apply.
Sunday, 10 May, 10am-4pm: Celebrate mums and mothering figures at Howick Historical Village’s Live Day | Palettes and Perfume. Book in advance for our perfume workshop, visit Howick Art Group’s plein air exhibition at Bell House. Live Day prices.
Saturday, 23 May, 4-6pm: Join us for Te Tuhi’s new exhibition season opening event. Celebrate with kai and refreshments. Free.
Until 19 April, times vary: Join in the school holiday fun at Howick Historical Village! Get crafty with hands-on activities inspired by the natural world. For full schedule: historicalvillage.org.nz/workshops/ schoolholidayfun. Free with admission. Candle making $6/pp.
Until 9 May: The Malcolm Smith Gallery at Uxbridge presents Olivia Asher’s new exhibition upon a fragile plane. An ode to what exists in the aftermath of grief, how matter carries memory, and the balancing act of the in-between. Free entry.
Until May: Te Tuhi’s current exhibitions feature Abigail Aroha Jensen, Conor Clarke, Frances Libeau, Iulia Boșcu and Will Gresson, Mariam Tawfik, and Ngaroma Riley. Free.
Until May: on the Howick Frames, Arts Out East presents Through our Lens, photographs by the Howick Photographic Society reflecting the society’s ongoing engagement with the community. 6 Wellington Street, Howick. Free.
The Times is recognising the many wonderful people in our local east Auckland community who go out of their way to help others with our regular Community Hero Award. If you know someone who’s doing amazing things in our community, please email 50 to 100 words describing why they deserve this recognition, highlighting specific actions they’ve taken to benefit our community, with your and their contact details and a high-resolution photo of them if possible to chrish@times.co.nz.
Be sure to include details about what they’ve been doing, the impact they’ve made, and how long they’ve been involved in these efforts.
The award is sponsored by New World Howick. Recipients receive a $50 New World gift card and are featured in print and online.
The latest recipient is Rod Sadgrove. He’s nominated by Howick Bowling Club club manager Kashmira Umrigar, who writes: “Rod Sadgrove is the true ‘engine room’ of the Howick Bowling Club.
“While most members come to enjoy the greens, Rod is the one ensuring the lights stay on, the drinks stay cold, and the club’s future is secure. Juggling three massive roles, Rod serves as our bar manager, maintenance manager, and project manager for the transformative new green cover.
“Whether he’s behind the bar fostering a welcoming social atmosphere or on his tools fixing a structural issue, Rod treats the club like his own home. His leadership on the green cover project is a legacy-inthe-making, providing a year-round space that will keep our seniors active and our community connected regardless of the weather.
“Rod doesn’t seek the limelight. He simply rolls up his sleeves and gets the job done. He’s the heart of our club and a true Howick hero.”
Nominate a Community Hero online at www.times.co.nz/nominate/
Looking for an easy, affordable way to keep the kids entertained these April school holidays?
Meadowlands Shopping Centre is transforming into a hub of colour, creativity and excitement with a full week of free, familyfriendly entertainment designed to delight children of all ages.
From Monday, April 13, to Friday, April 17, families can enjoy a different activity each day between 11am and 12-12.30pm, making it the perfect excuse to pop in, grab a coffee, and let the kids immerse themselves in fun.
The week kicks off on Monday with a magical meet-and-greet featuring everyone’s favourite ice queen Elisa and a web-slinging superhero Spider-Man. It’s a chance for little ones to step into a world of imagination, snap a photo, and start the holidays with a smile. On Tuesday, things get delightfully messy with a hands-on slime workshop. Kids can stretch, mix and
create their own gooey masterpieces – an interactive experience that’s always a crowd favourite.
Wednesday brings the wonder of balloon artistry, where simple shapes transform into animals, swords and whimsical creations before your eyes. It’s colourful, fast-paced fun that never fails to amaze. Thursday invites young creatives to dive into arts and crafts, designing superhero accessories and sparkling tiaras. This session is perfect for encouraging imagination and giving kids something special to take home.
The week wraps up on Friday with vibrant face painting, turning little faces into butterflies, superheroes, and fantasy characters – ideal for finishing the holidays on a high note.
Best of all, these activities are completely free, making Meadowlands Shopping Centre a go-to destination for local families during the break.
With plenty of parking, a relaxed atmosphere, and a great mix of shops and eateries, it’s easy to turn a morning of entertainment into a full family outing. Make Meadowlands your school holiday destination this April – where every day brings something new, and every visit is filled with fun.
MONDAY 13TH 11am-12pm Elsa and Spiderman Show
TUESDAY 14TH 11am-12:30pm Slime Workshop
WEDNESDAY 15TH 11am-12pm Balloon Twisting
THURSDAY 16TH 11am-12:30pm Super Heroes & Tiaras Arts & Crafts
FRIDAY 17TH 11am-12pm Face Painting
Activities 13-17 April
There’s something undeniably nostalgic about the gleam of polished chrome under the Sunday sun. Whether it’s the aggressive stance of a custom hot rod or the elegant lines of a restored vintage classic, these vehicles are more than just transport – they’re pieces of rolling history.
On April 19, the Howick Club invites the local community to experience this nostalgia firsthand as they host their Third Annual Classic Car Show.
Running alongside the club’s official Open Day, the event promises a vibrant atmosphere that extends well beyond the engine bay.
The festivities kick off in the morning with the aroma of fresh coffee and ‘breakfast rolls’ to fuel your stroll through the car displays. As you admire the craftsmanship on wheels, the
patio will come alive with the sounds of local band Back Trax, providing live music from 1pm that perfectly complements the “summer’s day” vibe.
For those looking to make a full afternoon of it, the club’s kitchen will be serving bar snacks and a full lunch menu starting from 12pm.
While the cars may be the headline act, the Open Day is a golden opportunity for residents who have never stepped inside the Howick Club to see what makes it a cornerstone of local social life. Visitors are encouraged to explore the full range of facilities, including:
• The Sports Bar and Family Lounge: Perfect spots to relax and unwind.
• Function Rooms: Where the Club hosts entertainment and functions throughout the year
Date: Sunday, April 19
Location: Howick Club
Admission: Free for all ages
Whether you’re a lifelong “petrolhead”, a fan of live music, or simply looking for a great day out with the family, the Howick Club is the place to be. It’s a day for the community to come together, enjoy some world-class machinery, and perhaps discover a new favourite local hangout.
• Dining and entertainment: From the restaurant to the expansive outdoor entertaining areas.
• Family fun: A dedicated kids’ playground featuring the ever-popular flying fox.
The Howick Club is at 107 Botany Road.
MONDAY:
COMPLIMENTARY STARTER (Pizza Bread, Salad or Cheesy Fries)
TUESDAY: HALF PRICE PIZZA
WEDNESDAY: $20 PASTA
THURSDAY: $6 HOUSE DRINKS
Get your hands messy and make your tastebuds happy! Grab your mates, bring the fam or treat yourself. It’s messy, it’s delicious and it’s pure weekend magic. Every Saturday and Sunday from 11am-5pm. Book your table now so you don’t miss out
Serves 8
• 6 traditional fruit hot cross buns
• 1 cup milk
• 1 3/4 cups cream
• 5 large eggs
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Finely grated zest of 1 orange
• A pinch of salt
• 6 tbsp Scyavuru Italian Pistachio Sauce
• 1 tbsp raw sugar
Preheat oven to 175°C (155°C fan-forced). Slice top quarter off each hot cross bun, then break remaining portions into chunky pieces and spread them, along with the tops, over a baking tray. Bake for about 8 minutes until lightly dried and just crisping, then transfer bottom pieces to a 1.5-litre ovenproof dish – set aside bun tops. In a bowl, whisk together milk, cream, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, orange zest and a pinch of salt until smooth. Pour half custard over bun pieces, then drizzle Scyavuru Italian Pistachio Sauce evenly across. Arrange bun tops over mixture to form a layer, then pour over remaining custard, pressing gently so everything is well soaked. Leave to stand for 10-15 minutes, pressing again halfway through to help custard absorb evenly. Sprinkle with raw sugar, cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for a further 20-25 minutes until golden and just set. Rest for 10 minutes before serving warm with extra pistachio sauce, chopped pistachios and, if desired, a scoop of Simon Gault Apple Crumble gelato.
SIMON SAYS... Toasting the buns first makes all the difference. Pouring custard in two stages helps create a proper pistachio layer through the middle.
TASTE WITH GAULT gaultsdeli.co.nz Watch recipe video here!
As the colder months settle in and daylight saving ends in New Zealand, shorter days and chilly evenings make home-cooked meals more appealing, but also harder to fit into busy schedules. This is where slow cooker, or crockpot, meals become a practical and comforting solution.
Slow cookers allow you to prepare meals with minimal effort. Ingredients can be added in the morning before work, and by the time you return home, a warm, hearty dish is ready to serve.
This “set and forget” method is especially useful during winter, when energy levels can dip and motivation to cook from scratch is lower. Classic slow-cooked dishes such as beef stew, soups, and casseroles are ideal for colder weather.
These meals not only provide warmth but also allow flavors to develop over time, resulting in rich, satisfying dishes. Cheaper cuts of meat and seasonal vegetables can also be used effectively, making slow cooking a budget-friendly option.
For those with packed schedules, slow cookers support better meal planning and healthier eating habits. Instead of relying on takeaway meals, you can control ingredients, portion sizes, and nutritional value.
Many recipes can also be prepared in bulk, providing leftovers for the next day. As winter approaches, incorporating slow cooker meals into your routine can save time, reduce stress, and ensure you always have something warm and nourishing to come home to.
WATSON
DIRECTOR: Daniel Chong
STARRING: The voices of Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan, Jon Hamm, Kathy Najimy, and Dave Franco
GENRE: Animated science fictioncomedy
RATING: Four stars
Hoppers is the latest release from Pixar and it proves they still have the same magic they had 20-plus years ago.
Although the film on the surface can be viewed as not much more than just an Avatar clone, Hoppers is able to craft its formulaic plot and see how much twine they can extend without it breaking. Once the second half of the film hits, it’s a completely different movie and it’s all for the best.
Whether it’s car chases or political rallies, Hoppers is able to thrive in its own chaos. Pixar’s signature style is able to shine through with Hoppers being a lovable family-orientated movie paired with hard-hitting conversations directed towards your kids.
A film about taking the world into the younger generation’s hands is something that’s bound to resonate with all children regardless of age.
But something that didn’t resonate with me is the humour. It’s a style of writing that doesn’t appeal to my adultorientated brain, but isn’t enough to sour my experience. Overall, Hoppers is some of the best stuff Pixar and parent company Disney has put out in half a decade and it deserves your attention.
> Jack Watson saw Hoppers at Monterey Howick.
BEST NEW BOOKS
New Zealand financial expert Susan Edmunds answers listeners’ questions on a range of subjects in this ongoing podcast series. Recent episodes feature discussion on KiwiSaver, rising fuel prices, writing a will, the banking industry, inheriting money, renting versus buying property, student loans and more. People can email a question to her at questions@rnz.co.nz.
United States broadcaster Nicole Wallace dissects the daily drama emanating from the Trump Administration in this popular podcast. The most recent episode focuses on the threats made against Iran by President Donald Trump on social media and who may replace the recently fired Attorney General Pam Bondi. Wallace has also recently looked at the latest headlines from the current war in the Middle East and the rescue of an American pilot after their fighter jet was shot down.
Amelia Mary Earhart was a pioneering American aviator and the first woman pilot to make a nonstop solo transatlantic flight. She vanished over the Pacific Ocean during a flight in July, 1937. This podcast series has more than 100 episodes with the most recent being a conversation with an author whose new book explores the ‘deaths’ Earhart experienced since she disappeared –culturally, narratively, and symbolically. The book asks how Earhart become a canvas onto which generations project their anxieties, hopes, and suspicions, and what it means to reclaim the woman from the noise.
RRP $38.
Acclaimed New Zealand author Charlotte Grimshaw’s latest work of fiction centres on a woman haunted by family denial, secrets and a shadowy figure. While Alice Lidell’s brother Cedric spirals into addiction, she finds herself confronted by his decline and memories of past experiences. From their chaotic Auckland childhood to her present-day life, Lidell is haunted by a mysterious figure she calls “the Black Monk”. As Lidell tries to hold her family together, the Black Monk appears in various guises such as a stranger met in a cemetery, a face on television, and a character surfacing in her own writing.
RRP $7.
Much has been written about explorer Ernest Shackleton’s three expeditions to the Antarctic. What’s not so well-known is the crucial role captain Frank Worsley played in saving the lives of the crew of Endurance after it got stuck in ice floes and broke apart during the attempt to traverse the continent in 1914. After abandoning their ship, in the Weddell Sea, Worsley led marches across the ice in the hope of reaching land, this book by Maria Gill reveals. Without his precise navigation skills and incredible determination, the rescue party would never have made it.
Patience is an art; persistence is a form of hope
Patience and persistence lead to success in handling affairs
Patience and persistence help one to be proficient in conducting oneself
Howick Anzac Dawn Parade and Service
Parade Assembly: 5.30am on Mellons Bay Rd.
Parade Commences: 5.45am from Mellons Bay Rd, left into Ridge Rd then up through the main entrance to Stockade Hill
Service: 6am on Stockade Hill, Howick
Beachlands Anzac Dawn Parade and Service
Parade Assembly: 5.45am Outside the Chartered Club, Wakelin Rd.
Parade Commences: 5.55am to the Memorial site Service: 6am, end of Wakelin Rd, near memorial and flags
Road Closures: Ridge Rd from Bleakhouse Rd to Picton St; Picton St between Ridge Rd and Mellons Bay Rd; Mellons Bay Rd from Ridge Rd to Cheriton Rd from 5am to 7am
Howick Anzac Civic Parade and Service
Parade Assembly: 10.30am on Mellons Bay Rd.
Parade Commences: 10.45am, depart Mellons Bay Rd, around the back of Stockade Hill, along Ridge Rd, up through main entrance to Stockade Hill. After the service the parade reforms on Ridge Rd and marches through Howick Village via Ridge Rd then to Picton St to Moore St and into the civic carpark behind Hancock’s Cafe.
Service: 11am on Stockade Hill, Howick
Road Closures: Ridge Rd from Bleakhouse Rd to Picton St; Picton St between Ridge Rd and Mellons Bay Rd; Mellons Bay Rd from Ridge Rd to Paisley St; Picton Street to Moore St; Moore St between Picton St and Fencible Dr from 9.30am to 1pm
Whitford Anzac Service and Breakfast
Service: 6.30am at Whitford Memorial Pavilion, Whitford Domain
Other Details: Light breakfast served after the service.
Road Closures: Entry to Wakelin Rd Shopping Centre from 5.45am until 7.15am
Other Details: Seating will be available for veterans and those people who have standing difficulties. Breakfast is available from 7.15am at the Beachlands Club, Wakelin Rd. Please book in advance for a reservation.
Beachlands-Maraetai Anzac Civic Service
Parade Assembly: 8.30am at carpark of the Chartered Club, Wakelin Rd. Parade Commences: 8.50am. Parade marches up Wakelin Rd to Beachlands School Hall
Service: 9am Beachlands School Hall via Wakelin Rd gate.
Road Closures: Wakelin Rd closed from Third View Ave to Beachlands Rd, 8.40am to 9am.
Other Details: Morning tea in the Hall after the service
Parade Assembly: 7am at Church of the Nazarene, East Tāmaki Rd.
Parade Commences: 7:30am at Church of the Nazarene, East Tāmaki Rd Service: 7.45am at the Cenotaph, East Tāmaki Rd
Road Closures: 6am until 12pm, East Tāmaki Rd – Church of the Nazarene up to East Tāmaki First World War Memorial Lights.
Fisheries New Zealand Officers have carried out thousands of recreational catch inspections throughout summer, with an overall compliance rate of 94 per cent.
Around the country its officers did almost 13,000 recreational catch inspections over summer and found most people followed the rules, with overall compliance high.
Locally, Fishery Officers did 5806 inspections between December last year and the end of February this year. They found 361 instances of non-compliance with the rules. Many fishers received warnings and more than 85 infringements were issued.
Fishery Officers are still
making enquiries into more than 25 cases. Fisheries NZ director of fisheries compliance Steve Ham says with most problems people ran into with the rules, such as undersize or excess fish, when minor breaches were found, education was provided.
“In saying that we will prosecute when required. For example, we recently prosecuted an Auckland man for selling recreational fish. This man was banned by the court from all fishing for three years.”
Ham says set nets remain a focus for fishery officers.
“We are confiscating illegal set nets regularly. Recently we found three set nets tied together, covering 160 metres in length.
“Some fishers are just blatantly breaking the rules and while most people will face a $250 fine, in more serious situations, the courts can issue more severe fines.”
Fishery Officers also find nets without markings or buoys displaying contact details, which are also a hazard to other water users.
Some of the seizures by Fishery Officers included finding a car battery used as an anchor for a set net, which is environmentally irresponsible, a decoy duck used to hide a set net, and staked set nets leaving fish dead and out of the water.
In another region, 2435 recreational inspections were done, with 192 instances of non-compliance. Most problems occurred with people taking too much or undersize pāua and crayfish. While a number of cases are still under enquiry, Fishery Officers also issued about 100 infringement notices.
“While compliance was generally good, our Fishery Officers are still catching people breaking particularly
> Turn to page 52
With the Dry Stack at Tamaki Marine Park, simply text ahead and your boat will be in the water and ready
the pāua rules,” Ham says. “While our officers do a lot of education work with people on the rules, in some cases, where people are deliberately taking too much pāua, they can expect a fine. Or, if it’s more serious, such as selling it, we will put the matter before the court.”
In a third region, Fishery Officers did 4488 recreational inspections during summer, recording 261 instances of non-compliance. Many of these resulted in warnings and 93 infringements were issued. Fishery Officers are still making enquiries into about 25 cases, Ham says.
“Fishery Officers worked extremely hard throughout summer and while they provided education to a lot of people on rules, they still found too many people with too much pāua, crayfish and undersize blue cod or blue cod being landed in an illegal state.
“Blue cod should always be landed whole or gutted, or in some areas headed and gutted, and it should never
be used as bait, which we have found is still the case in both Southland and Otago from time to time.
“This behaviour threatens the sustainability of the blue cod fisheries. There is plenty of information available so that everyone can easily familiarise themselves with the rules.
“One of the best things you can do before going fishing is to download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app because it will provide you with the latest rules for the area you intend to fish –including closures and gear restrictions. This should be as essential to your fishing kit as your physical gear.”
People can report any suspected illegal activity through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ 0800 4 POACHER line (0800 476 224).
Meanwhile, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones recently announced the Hauraki Gulf collections closure has come into force. He says Fishery Officers are ramping up patrols as a ban comes into force on gather-
ing marine life from rockpools and coastal waters on the Hauraki Gulf coast north of Auckland.
The closure has been put in place to help preserve these important ecological areas and ensure the sustainability of the fishery.
“This means it is illegal for anyone to take any seaweeds, shellfish or other rockpool sea life from these areas including sponges, starfish, sea anemones, and sea cucumbers,” Jones says.
“Fishery Officers will be
at key locations to provide information to members of the public about the closure. Anyone breaking the rules could face fines ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 and have items used in the offending seized, including vehicles for more serious offences.”
Fisheries NZ worked with the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust on its request for a two-year temporary fisheries closure. Ngāti Manuhiri will place a traditional rāhui over the closed areas and the same species.
FRIDAY 10 APRIL
Sun: Rise 6.40am Set 6.01pm High Tide: 12.31am 12.43pm SATURDAY 11 APRIL
Sun: Rise 6.41am Set 5.59pm High Tide: 1.24am 1.34pm SUNDAY 12 APRIL Sun: Rise 6.42am Set 5.58pm High Tide: 2.21am 2.31pm MONDAY 13 APRIL Sun: Rise 6.43am Set 5.57pm High Tide: 3.17am 3.31pm
TUESDAY 14 APRIL
Sun: Rise 6.44am Set 5.55pm High Tide: 4.11am 4.31pm
WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL
Sun: Rise 6.44am Set 5.54pm High Tide: 5.01am 5.26pm
THURSDAY 16 APRIL
Sun: Rise 6.45am Set 5.53pm High Tide: 5.50am 6.18pm
FRIDAY 17 APRIL
Sun: Rise 6.46am Set 5.51pm High Tide: 6.38am 7.07pm
SATURDAY 18 APRIL
Rise 6.47am Set 5.50pm
Tide: 7.27am 7.56pm SUNDAY 19 APRIL
Rise 6.48am Set 5.49pm
Tide: 8.17am 8.44pm MONDAY 20 APRIL Sun: Rise 6.49am
•
•
•
•
The Pakuranga United Rugby Club (PURC) Premier 1 team has made a strong start to the new season with a victory over visiting Waitemata by 67-7 at Bell Park. The PURC Premier 2 team also won their first game, beating Suburbs 37-22.
If there was any doubt about the resurgence of Howick College cricket, year 13 student Mathew Scragg has just cleared it up. Only three weeks after transitioning into an off-spin bowler, he delivered a masterclass in the First XI team’s recent clash against Rangitoto College.
Head coach Sam Paterson describes the game as “simply unplayable”, as Mathew ripped through the opposition to claim a staggering five wickets for just five runs off 10 overs.
The performance comes as the school’s Junior Cricket Academy hits full stride under Paterson’s leadership.
A 2024 Otago University graduate with Premier experience in Kapiti and Dunedin, he’s brought high intensity to the school’s year 9 and 10 talent pool.
“We’re providing a high-performance environment where boys train as if they’re in a professional
environment,” Paterson says. “But that environment is only possible because of our wider ‘cricket family’.”
Central to that family are Dave and Claire Scragg, parent volunteers who manage and administer the cricket team. Dave Scragg, who’s now in his fifth year of coaching, ensures the players are expertly mentored on the field, while Claire is described as the “glue” that holds the program together through her co-ordination and administration.
The school’s Junior Cricket Academy students are mak-
ing great inroads into the Colts 2 division, having recorded four consecutive victories. Co-captains Leo Taka and Ruhaan Kapania and leading the way with the bat. Leo scored consecutive unbeaten 50s against Takapuna and Mount Albert. Ruhaan has been destructive at the top order with 212 runs at an average of 42. Sitting in second on the table, they’re eyeing up a promotion to Colts 1. The school’s First XI team is currently on a hot streak following consecutive victories against Glendowie and Rangitoto.
They have important matches coming up against Avondale and Selwyn to ensure a top-four spot in the 1A competition. Howick College principal Dale Burden credits the program’s sustainability for these results. The academy integrates two periods of cricket a week for year 9 students and three periods a week for year 10 students into the academic schedule.
“We’re fostering a culture of excellence and school pride,” Burden says. “Howick is proving it can compete with the very best in Auckland.”
Are you approaching retirement or already navigating this exciting new chapter? Join us for a complimentary, informative and relaxed evening designed to help you feel confident and well-prepared for what’s ahead.
At this event, you’ll hear from industry experts from Forsyth Barr, BDO, Wynyard Wood and Bayleys. They’ll cover valuable topics including investment options to help you navigate retirement financially, business exit strategies, and key legal considerations you shouldn’t overlook.
Whether you’re just beginning to think about retirement, already making plans, or enjoying retirement, this is a perfect opportunity to gain insights and have your questions answered.
Date: Wednesday, 29 April 2026
Time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Venue: Forsyth Barr Auckland East, Wynyard Wood House, 60 Highbrook Drive
RSVP: By Friday 24 April to jim.thorogood@forsythbarr.co.nz or call Jim on 09 919 9273.
Please advise any dietary requirements upon RSVP. For any questions, please email jim.thorogood@forsythbarr.co.nz or call Jim on 09 919 9273.
ACROSS
6. Astonished it’s all in mime? (10).
8. Fellow shown in the advertisement for hand cream (4).
9. Come to grief in the passage (4).
10. At six ring the French girl (5).
11. Climbed the bush (4).
12.Does it show there’s hope for the artist? (5,4).
16. A good hand from a big audience (4,5).
20. Blast the d--- renegade! (4).
22. Why should it be that the show has flopped, love? (3,2).
23. Necessity for a visit (4).
24. At half past he starts packing (4).
25. Be sorry – for having tied the knot? (4,6).
1. Drink to get courage (6).
2. Joke the little boy up the tree didn’t like? (3-4).
3. The implement by the snowhut (6).
4. Excused for having fired (3,3).
5. A very presentable gentleman from Hollywood (5).
7. Also muffed in it a second catch (5).
13. The cockney mount is off colour (3).
14. Takes a month to get back into shape, you admit (7).
15. Publication in which the doctor might be interested (5).
17. Not sage – that would inadvisable (6).
18. Raise your eyes to refer to (4,2).
19. Listen out, saying nothing (6).
21. Anyhow, what with the sun, it does melt (5).
ACROSS 6. Plant (10)
8. Meat (4) 9. Eager (4)
10. Untied (5)
11. Midday (4)
12. Reserve supply (9)
16. Doctor (9)
20. Ruffian (4)
22. Shaver (5)
23. Revel (4)
24. Region (4)
25. Nationality (10)
Puzzle answers on page 62
View (6)
Boat (7)
Boost (6)
Amble (6)
Refuge (5)
Chicken (5)
• Use only the numbers 1-7, with each number appearing exactly seven times.
• Fill each outlined rectangle with a palindrome (the same number forwards and backwards i.e. 52425 or 1441).
• The numbers in each rectangle must add up to the total shown on the edge of the grid.
• No palindrome may be used more than once.
• Each main diagonal must contain all seven numbers (1-7) once. The centre square is shared by both diagonals and must be the same number.
• Solution on page 62
The puzzles (a webapp) are available online by scanning the QR code and the books are available at Poppies in Howick. PUZUP is suitable for all ages, comes in three sizes, and three difficulty levels. Scan me
4 LETTERS Omit Swan Teal Unco
5 LETTERS Burro Cocoa Costs Green Henna Image Radio Sheer
6 LETTERS Flavour Impact Invite Redraw
7 LETTERS Catwalk Comfort Crevice Instant Obvious Snorkel Sweater Vivaldi
Support for BUSY Business Owne
Admin Rescue can assist with all your bookkeeping needs:
• Accounts payable/receiv
• GST
ling
• Invoicing
• Payroll management 021 616 909 michelle@adminrescue co.nz
Clinic name Opening hours
Extended hours Same day walk in service
Beachlands Medical Centre Mon, Wed - Fri 8.15am - 5pm Tues 8.15am-7.30pm No, bookings only
Botany Terrace Medical Centre Mon - Fri 8.30am-5.45pm No No, bookings only
Clevedon Village Medical Centre Mon-Fri 8am-5pm No No, bookings only
Crawford Medical Mon - Fri 7.30am- 7pm Sat 9am-noon Yes. Walk-ins Mon-Fri 9am4pm
Eastern Family Doctors Mon - Fri 9am-5.30pm No No, bookings only
Botany Junction Medical Centre Mon & Wed 7am-5pm Tue, Thu & Fri 8am-5pm Sat 8am-noon Yes. Walk-ins via Highbrook Medical Ormiston Medical Mon - Fri 7.30am-5pm No
Highbrook Medical Mon - Fri 8am-5pm No Yes. Walks in Mon-Fri 8am4pm
Howick House Medical Centre Mon - Thu 8.30am-6pm Fri 8.30am-5pm No No, bookings only
Juliet Ave Surgery Mon - Fri 8.30am-5pm No No, bookings only
Kawakawa Bay (K)/ Orere Health Clinic (O) Mon, Wed - Fri 9am-noon Tue O:9-10:30am K:11am-noon No No, bookings only
Highland Park Medical Centre Mon - Wed & Fri 8.30am-5pm Thu 8.30am-8pm No, bookings only
Marina Medical Mon - Fri 8.30am-5pm No No, bookings only
Millhouse Integrative Medical Centre Mon - Fri 8.30am-6.30pm Sat 9am-noon No, bookings only
Picton Surgery Mon - Fri 8.30am-5.30pm No No, bookings only
Pukekohe Family Health Care Mon - Fri 8am-5pm No No, bookings only
Vincent Street Family Doctors Closed - See Ormiston above No No, closed
www.easthealth.co.nz
Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga invites you to a free information session on ‘Rights and Responsibilities on Tenants’. Topics covered include Tenancy Tribunal, Tenancy Agreements, bonds, disputes etc. It’s facilitated by Auckland Community Law Centre. Howick Local Board Room, Pakuranga Library building, Friday, April 10, 10.30am to 12pm. To register, email settlement. pakuranga@cab.org.nz, or text 021 084 42148.
The next meeting of the Howick Branch of the NZSG will be held on Saturday, April 11, at St Andrews Church Centre, Vincent Street, Howick at 1.30pm. The talk will give suggestions on what to do if you have hit a genealogical brick wall. Door charge $5. Visitors welcome. Further information phone 09 576 4715 or 09 576 5400.
Join us for a free interactive session with Ayurvedic doctor Adithya Padinharayil to understand how ancient Ayurvedic wisdom can transform your digestion, and enhance your overall wellbeing naturally. Botany Library, Level 1, Sunset Terrace, Botany Town Centre. Saturday, April 11, 2.30pm-4.30pm. Book at www.eventbrite.com.
The New Zealand Iraqi Women Cultural Society is staging an Iraqi Bazar at Bucklands and Eastern Beach Memorial Hall, 48
The Parade, Bucklands Beach, from 10am to 2pm on April 18. Discover and taste amazing flavours and enjoy homemade food and handmade treasures. Explore, and enjoy a warm community atmosphere and a beautiful cultural experience, plus a great view. Free entry and free Arabian coffee.
Thursday, April 30, at 7.30pm, Haseler Hall (under All Saints Church), Selwyn Road, Howick. The Friends of Mangemangeroa Society invite you to their annual general meeting. The evening will feature guest speaker Charles Miller, who will share highlights from his memorable adventure to South America’s Atacama Desert. Charles’s talk will take place at the beginning of the AGM, followed by the formal meeting. Attendees are welcome to stay on for a light supper and refreshments afterwards. A great opportunity to connect with the community, hear an inspiring talk, and be part of the society’s ongoing work. For more information, email thefriendsofmangemangeroa @gmail.com.
Saturday, April 11, 10am, Barry Curtis Park, Flat Bush. Supporting local and international causes including Blind Low Vision NZ and Humanity First. Lunch provided. More info: www.walkforhumanity.nz or 0800 9 47526.
Send your free community events to info@times.co.nz. Due to limited space, we can’t guarantee every listing will run. This section is reserved for not-for-profit community groups.
MARINA BERTH FOR RENT
D10, HALF MOON BAY
30 Ft / 9 14m Dinghy Rack
$750/month (includes GST)
Good car parking secure gated entr y 24/7 monitoring floating pontoons for safe boarding, easy access to fuel, waste disposal and marine ser vices Dedicated 16A power supply fresh water supply for washing boats topping up tanks & flushing engines Contact Rochelle Ph: 027-555-9018 for more information or to view the marina berth
H O W I C K P H O T O G R A P H I C S O C I E T Y 70th Birthday Celebration - 1956 to 2026
DATE: 23rd May 2026 TIME 6pm to 10pm
VENUE: Buckland’s Beach Yacht Club, Half Moon Bay
COST: $60 per person please pay to bank account: Howick Photographic Society 12-3040-0410083-002
INCLUDES: 2 Course dinner, coffee, tea and water Fruit juice, soft drinks, alcoholic & low-alcoholic drinks & cocktails can be purchased at the Yacht Club bar
LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE - FIRST PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO CURRENT SOCIETY MEMBERS ALL FORMER MEMBERS & THEIR PARTNERS ARE WELCOME TO PURCHASE TICKETS RSVP by 7th May 2026 to secure your ti k t t h 70th@h i k h t
HOWICK LOCAL BOARD:
• Bruce Kendall, MBE –Chairperson 021 198 1380
• Kai Zeng – Deputuy Chairperson 027 340 1848
• Damian Light 027 276 3822
• Mike Turnisky 021 804 742
• Peter Young, JP 027 587 4888
• Krish Naidu 027 705 5572
• John Spiller 021 286 7666
• Adele White 021 284 384
• Luke Collings 021 0302132
• Karina Bungard 0800 528 286
• Jack Collins 021 111 3563
Parmjeet Parmar MP Parmjeet.Parmar@parliament.govt.nz Simeon Brown Pakuranga MP Simeon.Brown@parliament.govt.nz Christopher Luxon Botany MP Christopher.Luxon@parliament.govt.nz
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE SERVICE DESKS
Monday Botany Library 12-1.30pm
Tuesday Pakuranga Library 10-11am Howick Library 12-1pm Ormiston Mall 6-7.30pm
Looking for support after a divorce?
DivorceCare starts 13 April | Monday nights | 7pm | 13 weeks eastgatecc.org.nz/divorcecare
948 5 3217 6 3 7 6918 2 45 125 4763 8 9
69238 5 714
5 37 6 4 1 9 28 48 12 97 563 769 8 234 5 1 2 53164897 81 4 7 596 3 2
QUICK NO. 8201
Across - 6, Aspidistra. 8, Veal. 9, Keen. 10, Loose. 11, Noon. 12, Stockpile. 16, Physician. 20, Thug. 22, Razor. 23, Orgy. 24, Area. 25, Portuguese. Down - 1, Aspect. 2, Pinnace. 3, Fillip. 4, Stroll. 5, Haven. 7, Capon. 13, Ivy. 14, Octopus. 15, Chart. 17, Hazard. 18, Sprout. 19, August. 21, Grape.
CRYPTIC NO. 8201
Across - 6, Speech-less. 8, Chap. 9, Trip. 10, VI-O-la. 11, Rose. 12, Still life. 16, Full house. 20, D-rat. 22, How-s-O. 23, Call. 24, Pa(st)-pa(cking). 25, Wish undone. Down - 1, Spirit. 2, Leg-pull. 3, S-hovel. 4, Let off. 5, Oscar. 7, La-s-so. 13, ‘Ill. 14, Con-ceD-e. 15, Organ. 17, Un-wise 18, Look up. 19, Silent (anag.). 21, Thaw-s. PUZUP 7X7 FILL IN THE BLANKS
• Habitat for Humanity – 8 Ormiston Rd, Ōtara
• Twice Loved Op Shop – 102 Maraetai Drive Maraetai
• Coastal Treasures – 41 Third View Ave, Beachlands
• SPCA Op Shop Beachlands – 42 Kouka Rd, Beachlands
EMERGENCY SERVICES
•
Wednesday Botany Library 12-1.30pm Beachlands Library 5-6.30pm
Thursday Howick Library 4.30-5.30pm Botany Library 6-7.30pm Ormiston Mall 6-7.30pm
Friday
Howick Library 12-1pm Pakuranga Library 1-2pm
Saturday Botany Library 10-11.30am
Highland Park Library 10-11.30am Howick Library 10-11.30am Pakuranga Library 10-11.30am
CHARITY SHOPS
The Charity Boutique
– 65 Picton St, Howick
• Hospice Shop Howick – 61 Picton St, Howick
• SPCA Op Shop Howick – 6/15 Cook St, Howick
• Hato St John – 7/219 Moore St, Howick
• Howick Presbyterian Church Op Shop – 11 Vincent St, Howick
• The Barn – 474 Pakuranga Rd, Half Moon Bay
• Hospice Op Shop – 42A Ben Lomond Cres, Pakuranga
• Eastgate Centre – 9 Ben Lomond Cres, Pakuranga
• Garage Op Shop – 96 Udys Rd, Pakuranga
• St Columba Op Shop – 480 Ti Rakau Dr, Botany
• The Hope Shop – 219 Burswood Dr, Burswood
• Salvation Army Family Store –287 Botany Rd, Golflands
• SPCA Op Shop Botany – Unit 43/277 Te Irirangi Dr, Flat Bush
• SPCA East Tāmaki Clearance –Cnr Springs Rd & Kerwyn Ave, East Tāmaki
• Salvation Army Ti Rakau –298 Ti Rakau Dr, East Tāmaki
• Luckys Book Shop – 27 Lady Ruby Dr, East Tāmaki
•
•
•
