This light-filled home offers open-plan living that flows seamlessly to a sunny outdoor area, centred around a designer kitchen with quality finishes. Upstairs features three spacious bedrooms, including a master with ensuite. Complete with two car pads and positioned close to beaches, parks, and local amenities, this home delivers easy, coastal living in a wellconnected neighbourhood.
2 Toro Puke Lane
Standalone Home
Space to Live, Entertain & Grow
This stunning five-bedroom standalone home blends elegance with effortless family living. A spacious kitchen with quality appliances and pantry flows seamlessly to dining, lounge, and outdoor patio, perfect for entertaining. Upstairs, five generous bedrooms include a master with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, plus a second living area and study nook.
24 Pito-Wai Lane Terrace Home
$1,109,000
Effortless Living with Room to Grow
This thoughtfully designed threebedroom mid-terrace home offers exceptional flexibility, perfect for downsizers, growing families, or multi-generational living. The ground-floor bedroom and bathroom offer flexibility, while upstairs features two additional bedrooms, open-plan living flowing to a north-facing deck. Complete with a master suite and double internal garage.
119 Beachlands Road
Standalone Home
$1,589,000
Flexible, Family-Friendly Living
Designed for comfort and flexibility, this home features a designer kitchen with walk-in pantry, seamless indooroutdoor flow, and two living areas across both levels. A ground-floor bedroom with ensuite and walk-in wardrobe offers versatility, while upstairs includes a master suite, additional bedrooms, and family bathroom.
More aged care capacity
By PJ TAYLOR
The next modern-era block in the quickly developing Fairway Gardens residential village in Botany has been officially opened by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Metlifecare’s $63 million Fairway Gardens Care Home is “an important milestone for the village and for aged residential care in the east Auckland region”, the company says.
Before local Botany MP Luxon spoke to a large crowd of residents and Metlifecare staff in opening the top-ofthe-range building that’s primarily round-the-clock care-focused, a “special” iwi dawn blessing ceremony was led by Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki representatives.
Luxon told the audience he visits many different retirement villages and aged-care facilities across the country and described Fairway Gardens as “sensational” and Metlifecare an “outstanding company”.
Metlifecare chief executive Earl Gasparich says the opening was “a proud moment for the organisation and a meaningful milestone for Fairway Gardens residents and their families”.
“This care home has been designed to support residents with dignity and the highest quality clinical care.
“It will give families the
exceptional environment.”
Metlifecare says the care home represents an investment of around $63m and is “designed to offer a full continuum of care, including rest home, hospital-level and specialised dementia care”.
The new building includes 48 “premium care suites offering rest home and hospital-level care” across three floors.
That includes five care suites specifically designed for couples who need care at the same time.
“An additional 14-suite dementia community features secure landscaped outdoor areas,” says Gasparich.
“New Zealand’s population is ageing rapidly. The number of Kiwis aged 75 and over is expected to more than double over the next two decades.
“That shift will fundamen
retirement village living and aged care support required in Aotearoa.”
Fairway Gardens retirement village is on 3.7 hectares on the edge of Pakuranga Golf Club and presently home to 239 residents, with future capacity for more.
“The new on-site care home offers residents more choice to stay within their village should their care needs change in the future,” says Gasparich.
“Most people don’t move into a retirement village because they need care right now.
“They move because they want to live well and independently. But they also want confidence that if their care needs change, they won’t have to leave their familiar surroundings, friendships or sense of belonging behind.
“That peace of mind mat
and to their families.”
Metlifecare says the building has been awarded a 6-Star Green Star design rating by the New Zealand Green Building Council.
“It reflects its use of sustainable construction methods and inclusion of features that enhance resident well-being, like enhanced air quality and natural light, and superior soundproofing.
“The opening of Fairway Gardens Care Home is part of Metlifecare’s successful premium aged care strategy which has seen a significant expansion of care homes across its portfolio over the past five years.”
As the opening was held, work continued adjacent to the new care home on the next phase of site construction at Fairway Gardens, the building of 19 single-level villas on the Cascades Road side
From left, Metlifecare chief executive Earl Gasparich, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Fairway Gardens village manager Dean Jackson, and nurse manager Sheena Benitez. Times photo PJ Taylor
Editor Chris Harrowell
027 404 1512 chrish@times.co.nz
PJ (Phil) Taylor 021 644 923 phil@times.co.nz
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Community Comments
POLICE DIG OUT CANNABIS OPERATION (Times), June 19
Jon Simmonds – How about concentrating on the meth problem in our country and especially with the youth doing it.
James Saunders – Really the only reason they bust and arrest him is because they didn’t pay the Government for protection by way of a license and that is the only reason no other reason.
Shane Wilson – Good work police to get rid of self-entitlement and disrespect to our communities.
Jack Peg – Meanwhile methamphetamine use is out the gate.
Matty Kinder – You can’t solve the drug issue and never will. No point fighting an uphill battle. People pull out those glass grenades and celebrate freedom.
Ian Holmes – Complete waste of taxpayer money and police recourse. Meanwhile someone is being robbed, assaulted.
TEENS BUSTED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO FLEE POLICE IN EAST AUCKLAND (Times), June 19.
Caroline Mackereth –Please start charging them as adults, not just a slap on the hand.
Linda Nickalls – So that was helicopter out last night good on you police.
Julie Anne – Crush the cars, charge the parents, also and treat them as adults for sentencing. Could have killed innocent people.
Angela Potae – Harsher penalties! If that was my child I would want them to learn the hard way. Something along with no chance
of getting a licence until they are 21! How on Earth does a 14-year-old get themselves into that situation. Where on Earth were their parents?!
LABOUR PARTY TO SCRAP PRESCRIPTION CHARGES IF ELECTED (Times), June 18.
James Bremner – After his performance during C[ovid]-19, how could anyone believe anything [Chris] Hipkins says?
Smit Zach – Most people get scrips in one way or another for free. Most others can afford it. All this policy does is give million[s] to Chemist Warehouse and Countdown who give free scrips but can now claim money from the Government for those free scrips. People hate that the supermarket makes big profits yet Labour will help make their profits bigger.
Dame Val’s captivating qualities
By PJ TAYLOR
When champions speak, people listen, and when one of the greatest of all champions talks, you could hear a pin drop.
Dame Valerie Adams had such engaged attention in a large class of principals assembled recently that the school leaders’ students would have been impressed by the quiet concentrated example they set.
Without a doubt, Dame Val is one of New Zealand’s finest and most successful sportspeople, dominating the shot put world for two decades with many of her distance records still standing, such as for the World Athletics Championships, World Indoor Athletics Championships, New Zealand, and Commonwealth Games.
She was held in such high esteem by this country that in 2017 while still competing she was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Since her retirement from competition in 2022, she’s been appointed to many important athletics governance roles here and over-
seas, where she can put her extensive experience to great benefit including mentoring.
But it’s in the telling of her story that she could have just as significant impact and influence on New Zealanders and people around the world because of its power and inspiration.
At a recent meeting of the Howick Pakuranga Principals’ Association at Pakuranga United Rugby Club, guest speaker Dame Val, a longtime east Auckland resident, told of her life’s journey.
It’s inspirational because she had to overcome greater hurdles and adversity than most endure in life’s early years, such as sitting in a bus stop at the age of 16 after being kicked out of home.
“I understand what it’s like to live in a house that’s cold, wet, damp and mouldy,” she said.
Yet with a God-given gift to throw a shot put and the help of others who recognised her exceptional talent, she pushed herself hard, learned mental strength, focus and discipline, as well as technique, to be one of the world’s best for 20 years.
“I wanted to do something different. I wanted to
take a different path.”
Dame Val’s presentation began at the bedside of her dying mother when she was a teenager and her Mum 39.
They were watching the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and she vowed to her Mum: “I’m going to be there one day.”
She subsequently achieved that abundantly, competing at the Games four years later in Athens, and the following four in Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, with a combined medal tally of two golds, a silver and bronze, to accompany the scores of top three placings in international class contests.
She spoke of needing “allies” in life to help along the way, and one for her was Kirsten Hellier, who along with her husband Pat, took Dame Val into their home when she was a teen and
coached her until 2010.
Both Helliers were athletics champions who also coached winners.
She and Kirsten worked together at Macleans College’s physical education department in the mid-tolate 2000s, with Dame Val acknowledging present principal Steve Hargreaves who was a deputy at the time.
The other strong ally in Dame Val’s life was second coach, Jean-Pierre Egger, “a father figure”.
He was with her in his native Switzerland when she got the phone call in 2012 to say she’d been elevated to the gold-medal winner after the person – “I can’t even say her name” – who won at London was proven to be a drug cheat.
“I just burst into tears and fell into Jean-Pierre’s arms and we shared the moment.”
Community youth group seeks new members
By CHRIS HARROWELL
Young people living in east Auckland have a great opportunity to get involved with a local community-minded organisation.
The busy Pōhutukawa Coast Youth Council (PCYC) is recruiting for new members and wants to hear from anyone keen to get involved.
“We’re looking for young people aged 13-24 who live in the Pōhutukawa Coast community, including areas such as Beachlands, Maraetai, Clevedon, and Whitford,” member Charlotte Smith says. “We’re after individuals who are passionate about their community and genuinely want to make it the best it can be.
“The kind of people we’re
looking for are good team players who can work well in a group, are keen to help organise and run events, and are interested in contributing to things like social media, planning, and health and safety. Overall, we’re looking for motivated young people who want to be involved in all aspects of what a youth council does.”
Charlotte says being part of the PCYC gives members the opportunity to “build strong connections within the community, develop people and communication skills, gain leadership experience, and be part of a supportive team”. “It’s also a great way to have a real impact locally and be involved in creating events and opportunities for other young people.”
The group’s organised numerous successful events recently in their local community, such as public movie screenings staged at Te Puru Community Centre as part of the Movie in Parks initiative. About 200 people turned out to enjoy the screening of the family-friendly film Wonka and enjoy fairy lights, blankets and shared laughter.
The PCYC members worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the event ran smoothly.
“From planning and logistics to sound and lighting, the night showcased the leadership, creativity, and dedication of the region’s youth. We’re proud of what our team accomplished.”
Another successful PCYC event was the community
Beach Day staged at Maraetai Beach earlier this year. It was supported by Auckland Council and gave people the chance to take part in fun events for people of all ages.
And most recently the group said it wanted to give young locals the chance to turn innovative dreams into reality at a free entrepreneurship and leadership workshop. It was intended to connect participants with experienced mentors to develop business concepts, community projects, and creative ideas while building practical skills in problem-solving, leadership, and personal growth.
People keen to get involved with the PCYC can email team@pcyc.nz.
> Full story at www.times.co.nz
“It feels like getting your life back”
Sarita’s grandson wanted to kick a ball. He’s two. That’s what two-year-olds do. It’s not meant to be hard.
But for Sarita, it had become a real mission.
“I thought I was just going to that stage,” the 68-yearold Southland woman says. “Getting old and sliding to the sideline now, you know?”
She had always been active. Walking, gardening, keeping the section tidy. But over time, everything slowed down. Her ankle, her knees, her back. It all joined in.
Her son visited. They looked at the garden she could no longer keep up with and made it easy-care.
“It was like ripping my heart out, but I couldn’t keep up.”
One afternoon, she walked into her local chemist. The woman behind the counter handed her Koru FX.
She took the bottle home.
Rubbed it in morning and night.
By the second week, she was moving more freely. By the third, the improvement was real.
Then the weather changed. For Sarita, that was the real test. The rebellion that she braced for, however, didn’t come.
She was able to think about the garden again and then
there was her grandson.
“I chase him around now that I have the support. I wasn’t even able to think about that before.”
She had the kind of afternoon that two-yearolds think are normal but grandmothers know are a gift.
“That is all I could ask for.”
Pōhutukawa Coast Youth Council members, from left, Annalee Killip, Chloe Ronberg, and Charlotte Smith. Photo supplied
Five decades of kindy care
By PJ TAYLOR
It was a significant moment in its history as Bucklands Beach Kindergarten (BBK) marked being open for 50 years last month.
The half-century anniversary was celebrated with an event filled with song, speeches and shared food attended by its preschool children and their families, Auckland Kindergarten Association (AKA) representatives, and east Auckland community leaders.
BBK head teacher Elayne Biggam said it’s always had a strong sense of community “with families and whanau choosing to send their children here”.
“It’s very special to have families returning with new generations to be part of our BBK family. This link between generations continues the unique kindergarten experience and solidifies Bucklands Beach Kindergarten as a valued member of the wider community.
“BBK has played an important role in this community for 50 years and even though there have been many changes during this time, the heart of what kindergarten is all about remains the same.”
Biggam said she’s worked at BBK for 23 years, describing it as “a rewarding experience”.
“It’s a privilege to be able to lead a team of dedicated and passionate teachers who strive every day to provide
quality and meaningful experiences for your children.
“Relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We’re very lucky to be able to work together with our families to provide the best possible start for our children in their learning journey.
“The relationships made here at kindergarten last long beyond the time the children turn five. It’s always so heartwarming when past children and families return to visit, often over many years.
“Visitors have always commented that our kindergarten has such a calm and welcoming feeling to it, which is wonderful to hear,” Biggam said. “When trying to pinpoint what creates this, I believe that as well as the beautiful physical environment, it’s the people.
“I’m so lucky, and have always been so lucky, to have worked with incredible teachers and staff who give their all to create a special
place for all of us to enjoy.
“We know the absolute trust you place in us to provide a safe and nurturing space for your children, and we do not take this lightly.
“The partnership we have with each of you is so valuable and we look forward to continuing to work alongside you in the years to come.”
AKA life member Robin Houlker explained the history of BBK.
“In the 1970s, in response to the baby boom, the Ministry of Education provided a site for Bucklands Beach Kindergarten to be built.
“From some establishment monies raised by the local community, along with $40,000 of government support the kindergarten was opened in 1976.
“The architects modelled the building on Te Atatū Kindergarten, with high roof and open plan for learning, and it has continued to be extended and upgraded since then.
“Much has changed in 50 years, including our neighbourhoods and teaching pedagogies, as you can see from the displays of the journey of Bucklands Beach Kindergarten,” said Houlker.
“Yet, our core commitment remains: Affordable, high-quality teacher-led early childhood education grounded in strong relationships with whānau and community. Our practice continues to champion empowerment, family and community, holistic development and sustainability.
“We know the single greatest indicator of quality education is fully trained, qualified teachers. Thank you to our kaiako – for your skill, commitment and care that are at the heart of everything we do,” Houlker said.
“We remain committed to advocating for policies that retain qualified teachers, so every child receives the best start in life.”
HOWICK & REMUERA
Bucklands Beach Kindergarten head teacher Elayne Biggam, centre in red, said it’s a privilege to lead such a “valued member of the wider community”.
Photo supplied Lindy Fish
Young dancers are going global
Three talented east Auckland dancers are hoping to receive financial support from the community to help them get to the United States to compete in this year’s World Hip Hop Dance Championship.
Staged by Hip Hop International in Phoenix, Arizona, from July 25 to August 1, it brings together more than 3000 dancers from over 55 countries and is regarded as one of the most prestigious competitions in the hip-hop dance world.
Among those taking part are east Auckland dancers Layla Williams, 20, Emily Cooper, 16, and Hayley Stirling, 17. The trio have danced together for many years, but this will be the first time they’ve united to form a mini-crew, named ‘Regal’.
Williams is a dancer, choreographer and dance teacher who’s developing
dance art/media with a focus on local experiences. She recently qualified first in New Zealand with Regal and is the daughter of Howick dance teacher Stacey Williams, director of JD Studios.
Regal won the New Zealand Hip Hop International championship in April, qualifying them to compete in Phoenix. The trio began training in dance at a young age and have represented New Zealand internationally, including in Portugal, Australia, and the US.
“Their success reflects many years of classes, rehearsals, performances, competitions and creative work behind the scenes,” Stacey Williams says. “They’re now also giving back to the next generation of dancers through teaching, training, choreography, crew development, creative performances
and short films.
“For the dancers, the opportunity is about much more than the competition itself. New Zealand crews have built a strong reputation internationally, and Regal will compete alongside other qualifying crews as part of a wider ‘Team New Zealand’ presence at the event.”
The lead-up has involved intensive practices, refining choreography, finalising travel logistics and fundraising. Regal’s three members say the support they’ve received from family, friends, JD Studios and the local dance community has been “amazing”.
They’re grateful to sup-
porters, including Howick ward councillor and Times Media director Bo Burns, for helping to recognise the significance of local artists having opportunities to represent their community and country internationally.
With the countdown to Phoenix on, they hope the community will get in behind them, not only to help them make the trip, but to celebrate what’s possible when young local performers are supported to work hard, dream big and take their talent to the world. Those who can assist with fundraising to help Regal can email stacey@ flowacademy.co.nz.
Travelling overseas to compete in a major hip-hop dance competition are, from left, Layla Williams, Emily Cooper and Hayley Stirling. Photo supplied
Even superheroes need great community spaces –and it all starts with you!
What if the places you love in your neighbourhood were shaped by you?
• Lloyd Elsmore Park Pool and Leisure, Sir Lloyd Drive, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, 09 535 5502. Check out the splash pad over the summer.
From playgrounds and parks to local events, environmental work and community facilities, what happens in Howick is shaped by community priorities and Local Board decisions.
The three-year Howick Local Board Plan 2026 is coming together, and this is your chance to help shape what we do next. Have your say by 23 July.
• Pakuranga Leisure Centre, 13 Reeves Rd, Pakuranga (entrance through William Roberts Rd), 09 261 8391
Deputy Chair Kai Zeng and the youngest member of the Howick Local Board says, “We’ve heard loud and clear that people want a greater say in the decisions that affect their neighbourhoods. Now’s your chance. The board wants to hear from people across our four subdivisions about what matters most to them as we shape our Plan for the next three years.”
Auckland Council services
Rubbish and recycling
0 9 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 to find out when your collection day is.
Here are five ways community feedback has already made a difference.
Water
Te Taiwhanga Taiohi / East Auckland Youth space, Botany
For water supply information, inquires, and issues, go to w
Public transport
When young people have a voice, great things happen. Te Taiwhanga Taiohi / East Auckland Youth Space gives rangatahi (youth) a place to connect, learn, lead and thrive. This space exists because young people told us it mattered and we are proud to work with Te Tuhi and Howick Youth Council on this.
space where the community can learn, connect and grow, we supported its delivery, with $489,000 allocated for the first six months of operation and ongoing annual costs of approximately $870,000. This temporary library at Ormiston Town Centre supports a fast-growing community, offering a place to connect, learn and access services while a permanent one is secured in the coming years.
or phone
The council collects recycling (yellow top bin) every two weeks and rubbish (red top bin) every week. Visit a u c k l a n
Transport with support from this local board and community feedback. Together, these changes are helping improve access, safety and connections between ferries, buses, walking and cycling routes, giving people more reliable ways to get around as the area continues to grow.
or contact Watercare on 0 9 4 4 2 2 2 2 2
Barry Curtis Park, Flat Bush
Winner of Play Space of the Year 2026!
Celebrating diversity, supporting community
The area is served by a bus service. There is a ferry service between city and Half Moon Bay. Timetable and service information at a t g
Where to walk your dog
Some of today’s young leaders will go on to shape their schools, communities, businesses and perhaps even local government – but it all starts with having a space where their voices matter.
Barry Curtis Park, delivered through an investment of a little over $2 million, has become one of East Auckland’s favourite destinations for families. It features an award-winning playground, wide open spaces, activities for both children and teens, and beautiful wetlands to explore.
Many of our parks and beaches allow you to walk your dog without a leash but there are some exceptions so check out the handy search function at a u c k l a n d c o u n c
Flat Bush Library
Reporting a problem
When a community grows, its shared spaces matter more than ever. Since opening, Flat Bush Library has quickly become a well-used and much-loved community space – we’re hearing it’s always full!
It’s the kind of place people travel for, but locals get to enjoy every day.
Best of all, it reflects years of community feedback calling for high-quality parks, family-friendly spaces and environmental protection all in one place.
Through our funding and event partnerships, we support communityled festivals, cultural celebrations, neighbourhood gatherings and grassroots activities that bring people together. From music and food events (like Howick Culture Food Festival, Pakuranga Community Carnival and River Festival, the Auckland Classic Brit and Euro Car Show, Howick Christmas Parade, and Neighbours Day) to local workshops and family-friendly activities.
or when in doubt, phone
We also care for your libraries, community centres, parks and facilities, and work with community partners across arts, environment and beyond.
Half Moon Bay ferry and transport hub improvements
If you see a maintenance issue, something is broken or the rubbish bin is overflowing, at one of our local parks, beaches, maunga (volcanic cones) or community facilities go to
Recognising the need for a dedicated
Have your say
For general inquiries, including dog and noise control, call Auckland Council on 09 301 0101.
Contact us
Getting around east Auckland isn’t always simple – which is why better connections matter. Half Moon Bay is a key transport hub, with improvements led by Auckland
Visit: aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Follow: Facebook.com/HowickLB
Phone: 09 572 0148
Enquire: howicklocalboard@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Write: Howick Local Board, 1 Aylesbury Street, Pakuranga 2010
Whether you come to a Have Your Say event, go online, or visit your local library, we want to hear from you on what comes next for Howick. Have your say at akhaveyoursay.nz by 23 July.
Winter refresh at Sleep Space
We’re refreshing our showroom this winter, creating an exciting opportunity for customers to secure premium floor stock items at extraordinary prices.
These include some of our most popular, high-end display models, available at huge reductions to make way for some new arrivals. Better still, you can visit our showroom, experience the comfort for yourself, and purchase with complete confidence knowing exactly what you’re getting.
With immediate delivery available on these items, there’s no need to wait weeks for your new sleep setup. Our standout offer is a truly exceptional one-only opportunity:
Dreamwool Super King Paradise Mattress Originally $18,699, now only $5999
This luxurious New Zealand-made bed is made of premium all-natural materials (plush latex with generous layers of breathable Merino wool, supported by superior Danish pocket springs) delivering outstanding comfort, support and craftsmanship, all at a fraction of its original retail price. Alongside this offer, you’ll find significant savings across selected mattresses, adjustable bases and accessories throughout the showroom.
Floor stock is strictly limited, and once an item is sold, it’s gone. There are no returns on floor stock items. Visit Sleep Space today, try our floor stock range for yourself, and discover premium sleep solutions at prices rarely seen.
Sleep Space is at 198 Moore Street, Howick.
Cartoonist Roger Smith provides his take on local, national and global issues.
Webstar Auckland wins gold at awards
Times Media’s outstanding printers have captured the judges’ attention at this year’s Pride in Print Awards.
The competition was established in 1993 to “promote excellence in print in New Zealand”.
It’s been a “pinnacle of recognition year after year for the best in visual print communication products” produced in this country, the organisers say.
Webstar Auckland, which prints the Eastern Times and our sister publication the Franklin Times, is among the winners in this year’s competition.
Webstar was awarded Highly Commended for its work on the Eastern Times and also won a Gold Award for the October 10, 2025 edition of the Franklin Times.
In their notes, the competition’s judges lauded Webstar, stating: “Exceptional colour reproduction with vibrant, punchy tones, sharp detail as well as perfect stitching and square alignment in the finishing saw this fantastic paper achieve a level of consistency well above standard production.”
Times Media is thrilled
with this result and extends its congratulations to Webstar Auckland.
The competition’s website states the awards cover each sector of the print industry, “with expert panels of judges analysing every entry”.
“Judging is based on technical excellence in all facets of the production process, typography and good design, allowing specialists to make judgements based on the potential and the limits of processes, and the materials and equipment used.”
AI time-traveller lands on Howick Beach
By JIM BIRCHALL
Filmmaker and digital storyteller Alex Davila is taking New Zealanders on a journey through time, using artificial intelligence to recreate historical moments and locations from around the country.
One of his latest projects has a particularly strong connection to east Auckland. Davila, creator of the popular ‘Time Travel New Zealand’ social media channels, recently turned his attention to Howick, producing a short cinematic video that imagines the arrival of the Royal New Zealand Fencible Corps at Howick Beach in the late 1840s.
The video has resonated with viewers, combining history, humor and AI-generated imagery to transport audiences back to a pivotal period in the area’s development. For Davila, the project was especially meaningful because of his personal ties to the suburb.
“My wife is originally from Howick, and that made me want to honour the community in some way,” he says. Davila moved to New Zealand from Panama in Central America as a teenager after being inspired by Sir Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films, and has spent the past two decades building a career across filmmaking, animation, virtual reality
Time Traveller, aka Alex Divila, encountering Fencibles on Howick Beach.
and emerging technologies.
He’s also the founder of Auckland-based creative technology studio CONICAL. His ‘time traveller’ persona emerged after the birth of his first child, when he began thinking more deeply about the places and stories that make up New Zealand’s history.
“I started thinking more about the country he’s going to grow up in, and the stories sitting all around us,” Davila says. The result is a series of short-form social media videos featuring a fictional magical umbrella that allows him to transcend history and take audiences on historical adventures via their phones.
Davila believes the appeal lies in helping people see familiar places differently. “When someone sees a beach, a street, a hill, a harbour or a little corner of their hometown, and then suddenly sees it imagined as it may have looked in the past, there’s a real emotional spark,” he says.
For the Howick video, Davila focused on the story of the Fencibles, retired British soldiers who were brought to New Zealand in the 1840s to help defend Auckland and establish settlements including Howick.
The story caught his attention after years of seeing the word ‘Fencible’ throughout the community.
Like many residents, he
was familiar with the references but had never explored their origins in depth. “When you see the word ‘Fencible’ everywhere – Fencible Drive, Fencible Walk, Fencibles United – it makes you wonder what is the story behind that word,” he says.
“Once I started looking into it, I realised Howick has all these little pieces of history sitting around everyday life.”
Research for the project included visits to Howick Beach, the village area and Auckland Libraries, where historical resources helped shape the digital narrative. Davila stresses the videos aren’t intended to be perfect historical restorations. “I think of them more as cinematic recreations,” he says. “The goal is to give people a feeling of the past and hope-
fully make them curious enough to learn more.”
That approach has sparked engagement from viewers, with many sharing family connections, local memories and stories passed down through generations. The reaction to the Howick video has reinforced Davila’s belief local history can be both educational and entertaining when presented in a fresh way.
“You can go to Howick Beach for a normal family day out, then later imagine ships arriving, families landing, people trying to build a life, and suddenly that same beach has a completely different feeling.”
• View Alex’s videos online at:
Our KiwiSaver changes will help Kiwis get ahead
The National Party will back New Zealanders to get ahead, build a bigger nest egg, and retire with greater financial security to give them a better quality of life.
In the 2025 Budget we lifted the default KiwiSaver contribution rate for both employers and employees and extended the Government’s contribution to 16and 17-year-olds.
And late last year we announced that if re-elected, National will gradually lift KiwiSaver contributions to match the 12 per cent Australians enjoy by 2032.
But we want to go further. That’s why I announced recently that if re-elected, National will introduce ambitious changes to make KiwiSaver compulsory for all New Zealanders, set our kids up for a more secure
future, support parents on paid parental leave, and ensure older workers don’t lose out.
Under National’s changes, everyone in work will be required to contribute to KiwiSaver from April 1, 2028.
Contributions will be set at the default rate, meaning by 2032 employers and employees must each contribute six per cent.
To give every child the best possible start, National will automatically enrol every baby born in New Zealand into KiwiSaver at birth and contribute a $1500 Baby Boost payment to kick-start their savings.
We’re also supporting mums and dads to continue building their KiwiSaver while on paid parental leave.
Welcoming a new baby
From the Prime Minister Christopher
Luxon
can put financial pressure on many families as they adjust to life on a single income and more expenses, so many parents – most often, mums – choose not to contribute to KiwiSaver during this time.
That’s understandable, but it means under the current rules they miss out on the Government’s matching contribution.
National will address this by providing a Government contribution to a parent’s KiwiSaver while they’re on paid parental leave, even if the parent isn’t contributing themselves.
And to ensure older workers don’t miss out, we’ll require employers to maintain KiwiSaver contributions for employees over 65 on the same basis as for all other employees.
New Zealanders who do the right thing by working hard, saving up and investing deserve a Government that backs them – not to be punished with more taxes that hit their investments and make them worse off.
With National, they’ll get that backing as part of our wider plan to fix the basics and build the future for all New Zealanders.
Celebrating our volunteers
National Volunteer Week was celebrated recently (June 14-20), honouring the collective efforts of thousands of volunteers who participate in a huge range of diverse activities across the country.
My focus is on conservation volunteering, and I want to applaud our local groups who actively work to enhance, protect and preserve our important pockets of remnant coastal bush, local parks and reserves, and walkways and cycleways so residents and the wider Auckland public can safely enjoy them at large.
Several of Howick’s conservation and preservation groups have entered into partnership agreements with the council, some on a formal basis, and some on a more casual basis.
This can involve working together on future plans
for specific places, providing input into the direction that restoration plans could take, or just working closely with park rangers who provide support, materials and advice.
At local board level, we provide annual funding support for Pest Free Howick, an organisation that works closely with schools on conservation initiatives like the annual schools’ moth plant competition (a major plant pest across the Auckland region), provides talks on identifying plant and animal pests and how to deal with them, and special events like guided nature walks.
To find out more about their activities, go to www. pfhw.org.nz.
There are several groups of keen volunteers working in specific areas of interest within the greater Howick ward area. Some of the activ-
ities they are involved in are weed eradication and monitoring, minor track maintenance, removal of undesirable exotic tree and plant species, and replanting programmes using appropriate species of native trees.
Some of these groups also carry out trapping for rodents, mustelids (weasels, stoats and ferrets) and feral cats, to protect our birdlife, invertebrates and amphibian species from predation. I manage a trapline on the Pohutukawa Coast and check it about every 2-3 weeks under the auspices of our local park ranger, who provides support in the form of bait, equipment and up-to-date advice. For me, the benefits are from helping protect our native species, enjoying some quality time on our beautiful coastline, and getting some muchneeded exercise.
Consider joining one of our local groups: The Friends of Mangemangeroa Wednesday Weeders, the Cockle Bay Beach Restoration Team, the Mellons Bay Walkway group, the Friends of Macleans Park, and the Otara Waterways and Lake Trust.
Many can be contacted through social media, or by searching online, but please get in touch with me if you need further assistance. My council contact details are john.spiller@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or 021 286 7666.
Howick Local Board Member
John Spiller
Illegal dumping in east Auckland: We cannot keep going around in circles
Illegal dumping continues to be one of the most frustrating and visible issues facing many of our east Auckland communities, particularly around Flat Bush, Ormiston, Whitford and Clevedon.
Recently, I met with the dedicated team at the Beautification Trust, who provided me with a comprehensive overview of the illegal dumping challenges they deal with across South Auckland, along with some of the proactive solutions they have successfully implemented.
One option discussed was the possibility of the Howick Local Board funding the Beautification Trust services for two full days per week in our area, at an estimated cost of around $120,000 per year. This would provide a far more proactive approach to education, engagement, reporting, and clean-up support.
However, after also meet-
Howick Ward Councillor Bo Burns
ing with Auckland Council’s compliance team, it became very clear to me that part of the challenge lies within the system itself.
Currently, compliance teams deal with commercial illegal dumping, while the waste solutions team deal with residential dumping.
The reality on the ground is very different. In Flat Bush, Ormiston, and surrounding areas, we are seeing a mix of residential and commercial dumping. The lines are
often blurred, yet the system remains split between multiple departments and agencies.
Personally, I believe these functions should sit under one coordinated operational team. At present there appears to be duplication and overlap in administration and processing.
I also know many Howick Local Board members have advocated for years to have our own Community Recycling Centre. Despite being Auckland’s largest and fastest-growing areas, with significant population growth and council assets, we still do not have a dedicated recycling centre, while one is now planned for Drury not far from the current Manurewa facility.
Over the years, many groups have worked hard to tackle this issue, yet despite years of discussion, meetings, and reports, the problem has
Progress continuing across health targets
More New Zealanders are being seen and treated sooner across the health system, with the latest results showing continued improvement across all five government health targets year-on-year.
The government’s focus is on shorter wait times for Kiwis, and these results show more people are being seen sooner, more treatments are being delivered, and the elective waitlist is reducing.
Key improvements for the January to March quarter compared to the same quarter in the previous year include:
• Shorter waits for elective treatment: 64.9 per cent treated within four months, up from 57.3 per cent.
• Shorter waits for first spe-
cialist assessment: 61.2 per cent seen within four months, up from 58.2 per cent.
• Improved childhood immunisation: 83.5 per cent of children fully immunised at 24 months, up from 79.3 per cent.
• Shorter stays in emergency departments: 74.4 per cent of patients admitted, discharged, or transferred within six hours, up from 74.2 per cent.
• Faster cancer treatment: 86.2 per cent of patients receiving cancer treatment within 31 days of decision to treat, up from 84.6 per cent.
These results reflect steady progress across planned care, cancer services, and prevention, and show what happens
when the system is focused on delivery with patients at the centre.
Every percentage point represents real people who waited less and got care sooner.
The results also show continued growth in the volume of care delivered across the system:
• 178,349 first specialist assessments were completed, up 7 per cent on the same quarter last year (167,069).
• 51,089 people were treated from the elective waitlist, up 5.5 per cent on the same quarter last year (48,389).
• 4,793 people received their first cancer treatment, up from 4,364 in the same quarter last year.
not significantly improved. In many locations, it has become worse.
So what is the solution? The reality is there is no single silver bullet.
Illegal dumping is not simply a rubbish problem. It is also an education issue, an enforcement issue, a social issue, and, in some cases, a cultural issue.
There is a way forward, but it will require Auckland Council, stakeholder agencies, community organisations and residents working together rather than operating in silos.
East Auckland deserves cleaner streets, safer public spaces, and a system that actually works.
I will continue pushing for practical solutions, stronger collaboration, better education, improved enforcement, and real action on this issue.
Read the full column at www.times.co.nz
• 11,947 children were fully immunised at 24 months, up from 11,359 in the same quarter last year.
While there’s more work to do, this progress shows the system is heading in the right direction.
The government’s five health targets are designed to drive accountability and keep the system focused on what matters most: patients. These results show that our plan to fix the basics and build the future of our health system is working, delivering better, faster care for all New Zealanders.
MP for Pakuranga Simeon Brown
No place for language that targets faith communities
There are some things New Zealanders should be able to agree on. Calling for communities to be “purged” or for places of worship to be burned is not acceptable, and it has no place in our country.
That is why Brian Tamaki’s recent comments about Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims should be condemned.
In a video posted on social media, Tamaki called for New Zealand to be “purged” of these communities. He also talked about burning mosques and temples.
Those comments were wrong.
New Zealanders are free to have strong views. People can criticise political leaders, religious institutions and international events. That
List MP
Parmjeet Parmar
freedom matters.
But there is a clear difference between criticising a government and targeting ordinary people in New Zealand because of their religion or ethnicity.
The people singled out by those comments are not political symbols. They are New Zealanders: our
neighbours, workmates, customers, classmates, students, business owners and friends.
In east Auckland, people of many different faiths and backgrounds live, work, study and worship alongside each other. That is part of what makes our communities strong.
When a bishop talks about “purging” whole religious communities, it is not harmless. Some may dismiss it as another extreme comment from someone who likes attention. But for the people targeted, it can feel very real.
It can make parents worry about their children, make people who wear visible signs of faith feel more exposed in public, and leave
communities feeling judged for who they are rather than how they live.
Police can assess whether any legal threshold has been met. But the public standard should be clear regardless.
It is not acceptable to call for religious communities to be removed from New Zealand, to talk about burning places of worship, or to import overseas tensions and blame innocent people living peacefully here.
We can disagree openly. But we should not target whole communities because of their religion or ethnicity.
To those who felt targeted by these comments, the message should be simple: you are part of New Zealand. Your contribution is valued. You belong here.
ACT
Macleans College actors shine at National Shakespeare Festival
Over the recent King’s Birthday weekend, Macleans College proudly represented the Auckland South and East Region at the SGCNZ Victoria University of Wellington National Shakespeare Finals, held at the renowned St James Theatre in Wellington.
Following their success at the Regional Shakespeare Festival last term, Kaesar Wu, Katherine Zuo, Ella Hayter, Sheridan Griffiths, Olivia Pan, Mila Sutch, Kenneth Gong, Katie Kendall, and Eva McNulty were selected to compete at the national event.
The group, directed by Mila Sutch, delivered an intense five-minute montage of Hamlet packed with action, which received the Outstanding Student-Directed Ensemble Work Award. The group performed alongside
47 other top groups from around the country. Memorable performances included
a French scene from the Shakespeare play Henry V and a Pasifika interpretation on King Lear
In addition to performing, students took part in professional workshops, such as stage combat led by industry experts, attended a provocative one-man show at Circa Theatre, and explored the popular ANZAC Gallipoli exhibit at Te Papa Tongarewa, which had massive statues and 3D screens visualising the advancement of the ANZACs in Gallipoli.
There were over 300 student performers over the weekend, and only 24 were selected to attend the National Shakespeare Schools Production (NSSP). It is an intensive, weeklong residential programme working with some of New Zealand’s leading Shake-
spearean directors.
We’re thrilled to announce Sheridan has been chosen, impressing the judges with her incredible ability to capture Ophelia’s descent into madness.
This is an amazing achievement, and we wish her the best of luck as she steps into this exciting new chapter. A huge thank you to SGCNZ for organising this event and for providing young performers across the country with such a valuable and inspiring experience.
• Katherine Zuo is in year 11 at Macleans College
Macleans College pupil Sheridan Griffiths on stage during the SGCNZ Victoria University of Wellington National Shakespeare Finals. Photos supplied Memory of Light
KATHERINE ZUO Highland Park
Kiwi Portuguese families gather for celebrations
About 150 members of New Zealand’s Portuguese community have come together at an event on the Pohutukawa Coast to celebrate their shared heritage.
Portuguese Kiwis from across the country gathered at Beachlands Memorial Hall on June 13 for Portugal Day, Camões Day and the Day of the Portuguese Communities.
The event marked the first time a celebration of this kind had been held at Beachlands Memorial Hall, bringing together Portuguese families and friends from across New Zealand for a day of culture, food, music and community connection.
Guests enjoyed a range of traditional Portuguese dishes, live music, dancing and entertainment, while reconnecting with friends and celebrating the heritage Portuguese New Zealanders continue to preserve and pass on to future generations.
The event’s co-ordination was led by the Honorary Consul of Portugal, Davide Teixeira, who addressed those gathered and reflected on the importance of com-
munity, culture and identity.
“Today we celebrate much more than a country,” he said. “We celebrate our language, our culture, our traditions and our roots.”
Speaking about the contribution Portuguese people have made to New Zealand, Teixeira added: “We have a hardworking and respected community that contributes to this country every day. We should be proud of what
we’ve achieved and continue to support one another.”
He also spoke about the significance of his recent appointment as Honorary Consul and the opportunity it provides to strengthen ties between Portugal and New Zealand, while supporting the growing Portuguese community across the upper North Island.
The celebration recognised not only Portugal
itself, but also the many Portuguese families who have left their homeland in search of new opportunities while maintaining a strong connection to their culture and traditions.
For many attendees, the event provided a rare opportunity to gather with fellow Portuguese from around New Zealand, share traditional food and music, and celebrate a common heri-
There was entertainment and great food on offer at the recent Portugal Day celebration in Beachlands. Photo supplied
tage. Organisers described the day as a great success and were delighted by the strong turnout and enthusiastic support from the community.
The event included a traditional toast to Portugal, Portuguese communities around the world, friendship, family and the future, followed by a heartfelt “Viva
Portugal!” from those gathered. Following the success of this inaugural celebration, organisers hope Portugal Day in Beachlands will become an annual tradition, bringing together Portuguese families from across New Zealand and sharing Portuguese culture and heritage with future generations.
Estuary Art Awards finalists announced
Uxbridge Arts and Culture in Howick has revealed the finalists for the 20th edition of the annual Estuary Art and Ecology Awards. The associated public exhibition is being staged at Uxbridge’s Malcolm Smith Gallery and opens on Saturday, July 4.
It’ll include artwork by finalists Amber Adams, Anna Agoston, Tony Clarke, Charli De Koning, Amanda Densham, Matt Dowman, Wendy Hannah, Rowan Holt, Yolanda Huang, Tim Larkin, Rose Lee, Penny Lin, Thomas Lord, Minke Lupa, Paul
McLachlan, Fiona Newton, Greg Nunes, Isla Osbourne, Kurt Payne, Rubes Prattley-Jones, Jessie Randles and Damian Stones.
They were selected by Uxbridge director Paul Brobbel and visual arts co-ordinator Zoë May. Winners will be announced at an evening ceremony on July 4 by guest awards judge, Auckland University of Technology professor Charles Walker.
The awards are generously supported by Auckland Council through the Howick Local Board, the Rice Family
Partnership, Gordon Harris Art Supplies and the Tāmaki Estuary Preservation Society (TEPS).
“Like the many tributaries of Te Wai o Taiki, the finalists come together to speak with one voice, highlighting the urgency of action needed to heal the estuary,” May says. “The exhibition is carefully curated to ensure audiences connect deeply with the realities of what’s happening in their own backyards.”
Brobbel adds: “The strength of the Estuary Art and Ecology Awards lies in
their ability to bring together artists from various career standpoints. We see firsttime exhibitors alongside established practitioners and artists who have returned to practice after years away.
“What unites them is not their career status or profile, but their engagement with the theme of ecology – a common denominator that creates an inclusive platform.”
The exhibition is at Uxbridge Arts and Culture, 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick. Entry is free.
> Full story at www.times.co.nz
Lucy Boermans, First Place winner for the 19th Estuary Art and Ecology Awards 2025.
Photo supplied Tatiana Harper
LAURIE RIDES IN MCLAREN FOR 103RD
Well-known Howickian, Laurie Hamlet, turned 103 recently, and 36 of his friends assembled at the Homestead Cafe in Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, which “generously supplied the birthday cake”, says Dave McRae. “Each year we try to get Laurie out in a special car, as a lot of his friends are involved with and attend the Auckland Brit and Euro Classic Car Show. This year he had a ride in a McLaren 750.”
DOUBLE BARRELL
SUPREMO
Photos supplied Dave McRae
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 Diana on 09 535 0225 for more details.
795 Chapel Road, Howick ryman.co.nz
Enjoy easy access out to the garden from your private patio, providing fantastic indoor outdoor flow for walks or relaxing outside. This apartment is located away from the road and is surrounded by nature.
This top floor serviced apartment offers north-east facing aspect and has an excellent vantage point, with elevated views of the bowling green – great for people watching.
Soak up the morning sun with a hot drink on your private balcony, accessible from both the lounge and main bedroom. The spacious open plan living area is ideal for entertaining.
Creative projects thriving out east
Te Tuhi is one of New Zealand’s leading contemporary art spaces and has become an important cultural hub in east Auckland.
Originally founded in 1969 as the Pakuranga Arts Society, the organisation has grown from a small community art group into a nationally recognised gallery and creative centre. Located in Pakuranga, Te Tuhi is known for supporting innovative artists, hosting exhibitions, and creating programmes that connect people through art and culture.
It focuses on making art accessible to everyone, not just professional artists or gallery visitors. Through workshops, exhibitions, artist talks, and community projects, the organisation encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to become involved in creativity.
Arts Out East broker Ash Grogan says: “It’s pure and simply a space for people to come together.”
Highland Park
SHILOH SINGH
Many of its exhibitions explore important social, cultural, and environmental issues, helping audiences engage with ideas that affect modern society. One of Te Tuhi’s most important community programmes is Arts Out East, which is supported by the Howick Local Board.
The initiative supports arts and culture throughout east Auckland, including areas such as Howick, Botany, Flat Bush, Pakuranga, and Bucklands Beach. Arts Out East works with local artists, performers, schools, and community groups to organise festivals, workshops, performances, and public art events.
The programme plays a major role in celebrating the diversity of east Auckland. Many events showcase Māori, Pacific, Asian, and other cultural traditions, reflecting the multicultural communities that live in the area.
By supporting local talent and encouraging public participation, Arts Out East helps strengthen commu-
nity connections and gives emerging artists opportunities to share their work. Together, Te Tuhi and Arts Out East continue to make creativity an important part of everyday life in east Auckland, helping build a stronger and more connected community through the arts. • Shiloh Singh is in year 12 at Botany Downs Secondary College
The Arts Out East initiative supports a wide range of artistic and cultural projects across east Auckland. File photo supplied
PROTECT YOURSELVES ON THE ROADS
Citizens Advice Bureau Pakūranga (CAB) has received several queries recently from clients who have had difficulties following car accidents.
Here’s some useful information on what to do if you find yourself in this situation.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER AN ACCIDENT:
• Pull over safely and switch on your hazard lights.
• Call 111 if anyone is hurt.
• Exchange details with all drivers involved; if the other driver is uninsured, try to get their name, license number, and any witness contact details.
• Take photos of the damage and the scene.
• Write down the time, location, weather and road conditions, and approximate speeds.
• Do not admit fault, as it’s up to the insurance companies to determine this
• If the other car is unoccupied or the driver leaves without providing details, notify police within 60 hours.
• If your car cannot be driven, arrange
towing, check whether your insurance covers this, and remove any valuables beforehand.
IF NEITHER PARTY IS INSURED:
This is the most difficult situation CAB sees, particularly when the client is not at fault. The other driver may simply not be in a position to pay for repairs. Where at least one party is insured, the relevant insurance company will generally step in to determine fault and arrange compensation.
If you have difficulty dealing with your insurer, you can first make a formal complaint to the company. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can escalate to the company’s financial dispute resolution scheme.
IF FAULT IS DISPUTED OR OTHER DRIVER IS UNCOOPERATIVE:
Even if you’re uninsured, you have the right to seek compensation for damage to your vehicle.
This can be resolved by agreement with the other driver, or through the Disputes Tri-
its
bunal, which can hear claims up to $60,000.
If the other driver’s insurer declines their claim, or the other driver refuses to claim on their insurance, you can apply to the Disputes Tribunal to claim compensation directly from them.If compensation is awarded but not paid, you can apply to the District Court to enforce payment.
For more detailed information, visit the CAB website at www.cab.org.nz or call or visit us – we are happy to help with specific queries.
• This Solutions Column has been compiled by Mary and is a regular editorial from Citizens Advice Bureau Pakūranga. Email enquiries.pakuranga@ cab.org.nz, visit us at the Pakuranga Library building, (phone 576 8331), or at Botany Citizens Advice Bureau, rear food court entrance, Botany Town Centre (phone 271 5382). Text/call WhatsApp 028 438 2188 or call 0800 367 222 for free, confidential, and informative help.
Line dancing club named finalists
By CHRIS HARROWELL
Members of east Auckland’s line dance club, Boots Out East, are kicking up their heels with joy at being recognised as one of the country’s best.
It’s been named a finalist for Club of the Year at this year’s Line Dance NZ Awards, and its director and instructor, Catherine Turner, is in the running for Instructor of the Year. Winners will be announced in Christchurch in August.
Among Turner’s achievements is growing Boots Out East from a handful of dancers to having more than 300 members across a dozen classes a week. Her nominators for the award highlighted her “clear, fun, inclusive teaching, themed stomp-downs and outings”, and organising international guest workshops and charity fundraisers, all for just $5 per class.
“I’m absolutely stunned by this achievement as I had no knowledge prior to my members nominating the club and me,” Turner says.
Boots Out East is based in the Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre hall at Lloyd Elsmore Park.
“The club currently has 346 registered members and quite a few more casual
attendees,” she says. “A few of our club members put forward the club and myself to be nominated for both awards. We already feel like winners just by being finalists.
“Line dancing is one of the best exercise forms today for body, mind and soul. You don’t need a partner and anyone is welcome including seasoned steppers and newbies.
“Classes are designed for all levels – absolute beginner, high beginner, improver, and intermediate. Our club has amazing members who are friendly, inclusive, helpful and committed and of course we have a passion for dancing and helping others.”
The club also does charity collections throughout the year for causes including Daffodil Day among others. After teaching for about eight years, Turner decided to establish Boots Out East as a proper club. It’s been operat-
ing for almost two years, she says.
“We do a lot of outside events, which of course always include line dancing, such as Waiheke Island trips, Stomp Downs, Friday Fun Nights, High Teas to Formosa [in Beachlands] and Turanga Creek Winery. We take part in international line dance Flashmob Day and do a lot of demonstrations at various venues.
“It’s all about line dancing, being supportive, and bridging that gap between loneliness and meeting wonderful new friends. I couldn’t do this without an ever-hardworking team of incredible ladies and our very supportive men and partners and, of course, all the members who make this club possible.”
• People can vote online in the Line Dance NZ Awards at https://awards.linedance.nz.
• Contact the Boots Out East club via its Facebook page at facebook.com/bootsouteast.
Experience a taste of The Helier
The Helier Open Day Saturday 18 July, 11am-1pm
Join us for a special Open Day at The Helier and discover thoughtfully designed retirement living in the heart of St Heliers.
Enjoy delicious finger food and barista-made coffee as you explore a beautifully appointed apartment and exceptional resident amenities designed for connection, wellbeing and ease.
From the pool and gym to the private cinema, shared studio space and stunning harbourview terrace, every detail has been thoughtfully considered to support a refined and connected lifestyle.
And with our Warm Welcome Offer available for a limited time, there’s never been a better opportunity to make The Helier your new home.
Enjoy one year of free weekly fees, one year of free hospitality fees, up to $10,000 towards moving costs, and $2,000 towards legal fees*.
Plus, attend our Open Day on Saturday 18 July and, if you subsequently purchase an apartment, you’ll receive an additional $10,000 cashback.*
28 Waimarie Street, St Heliers, Auckland thehelier.co.nz
09 356 1800
*For residents 70 years and older. Terms, conditions & eligibility criteria apply. Visit oceaniahealthcare.co.nz/current-offers for full details.
Life just keeps getting better at The Hill
Earlier this year, the first residents were welcomed into their new retirement villas at The Hill Pukekohe.
Village manager Michelle Garland says there’s something very meaningful about the moment when residents first moved in.
“After months of planning and progress, it’s no longer just a vision but a place where neighbours meet, friendships begin, and new routines take shape. Seeing these homes come to life as people begin to move in is incredibly rewarding, and marks the beginning of a vibrant, connected community.”
Lynn and her husband were among the first to move into The Hill.
“Here we have a wonderful view; my husband can still go fishing every week like he normally does, and a friend and I still enjoy our walks. We’re looking forward to the cafe opening, and the clubhouse plans look amazing.”
For Robyn, moving into her
villa in March was the first time she felt settled since her husband died five years ago.
“I saw the Tamahere Country Club on TV and thought I’d love to move there, but I didn’t want to leave Pukekohe. I later saw Sanderson Group was opening up a village here and I jumped at the chance.”
Robyn has since become good friends with next-door neighbour Jenny, who moved up from Rangiora to be closer to family.
“We’re close, but not in each other’s pockets; it’s just lovely,” Jenny says.
As more people move in, the village itself continues to take shape.
On June 25 The Hill celebrated the opening of its main gates at 66 Tuakau Road. This occasion marked an important moment in the progress of the village.
To bring this entrance to life, more than 50,000 cobbles have been carefully laid, forming a beautifully detailed approach that reflects the quality and
character of The Hill. At the heart of the entrance sits a magnificent feature stone that completes a water fountain, a focal point for the main arrival area into the village.
Work is also continuing on the village clubhouse, which is set to become the social heart of the community. Plans include spaces for bowls, croquet and pétanque, along with an indoor heated pool, spa, sauna, gym, boutique cinema, café and areas for residents to gather, relax and spend time together.
This summer the onsite café opens to residents and the public. Not only a great place to catch up with family and friends for a morning coffee, lunch, or to pick up a few essentials from the deli, the café is set to become a mainstay for the wider Franklin community.
The Hill offers a range of stand-alone two, three and four-bedroom villas, each thoughtfully designed to make everyday living comfortable.
Most house plans include a media room, walk-in scullery, double garaging, and all villas feature raking ceilings that flood the living area with light and create a genuine sense of space. There’s a home to suit everyone with 17 designs ranging from 163m² to 260m² and the option to customise to fit your lifestyle.
Sales manager Elisha Masemann says the response from locals has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The Sanderson name carries with it a long-standing reputation for quality and a genuine commitment to exceptional retirement living - and that gives buyers real confidence. What often surprises people is just how attainable it is, with villas starting under $1.2m. Those who visit the showhome consistently leave impressed by the quality and the outstanding value on offer.
“For the people who already call The Hill their home, it’s the simple things that seem to matter most - familiar surroundings, friendly neighbours and the chance to enjoy life at their own pace without the bother of maintaining a home. Maximum lifestyle - minimum responsibility - what could be better than that?”
Life just keeps getting better at The Hill – contact Elisha today to learn more.
For many small businesses, Facebook is more than a social media platform.
It’s their shop window, marketing channel, customer service desk and, increasingly, their primary connection to customers. That is why a growing wave of account hacks on Facebook’s parent company Meta Platforms are causing concern among business owners across Auckland.
Reports of businesses losing control of their Facebook pages have become increasingly common. Hackers have gained access to accounts, post inappropriate or explicit content, and trigger automated action from Meta that results in pages being suspended or permanently disabled.
For small organisations that rely heavily on social
media, the consequences can be severe.
One local business recently experienced the impact first-hand after its Facebook account was compromised. Within hours, its Facebook and Instagram accounts were shut down, cutting off access to more than 10,000 followers and wiping out a significant source of website traffic and customer goodwill.
Experts warn many Facebook compromises begin with phishing attempts
designed to trick users into handing over login details. One method under investigation involves malicious actors sending Business Manager partnership invitations that appear legitimate. The requests may arrive via Meta email notifications from facebookmail.com, making them difficult to identify as scams.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ACCOUNT
Meta recommends several steps to improve account security:
• Use a unique, strong password that’s not used on any other website or service
• Enable two-factor authentication so a login code is required when accessing an account from a new device
• Consider setting up passkeys, which are designed
to be more resistant to phishing attacks
• Enable alerts for unrecognised logins
• Never share passwords or login credentials
• Be wary of emails, messages or websites requesting Facebook login details
• Avoid accepting friend requests from people you do not know
• Keep browsers, devices and security software up to date
Meta stresses it’ll never ask users to provide their password via email. Online safety organisationNetsafe recommends users regularly review their Facebook privacy settings. The organisation advises limiting public access to personal information such as email addresses, phone numbers and birthdays.
Have your say on local priorities
Auckland’s 21 local boards are asking people what matters most in their neighbourhoods as they plan for the next three years.
Playgrounds, libraries, and events that bring people together are some of the things local boards are responsible for, and residents have the chance to say what they think should come next.
From June 23 to July 23, people can give feedback on draft Local Board Plans that will help set local priorities through to 2029.
Auckland Council chief executive Phil Wilson says local boards play an important role in making sure local voices are reflected in local decisions.
“Auckland’s governance model combines regional decision-making with local leadership through our 21 local boards. Every community is different. Local boards understand the issues,
opportunities and aspirations that make their areas unique, and these plans help set the direction for the next three years.”
Council general manager governance and engagement Lou-Ann Ballantyne says feedback from local communities helps boards make better decisions.
“Local boards have to make choices about where
Churton Hart & Divers joins Shortall Lawyers
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
to focus their time, energy and investment, and those choices are better when they’re informed by the people who live there. We know councils are operating in a challenging financial environment, which makes understanding local priorities even more important.
“Whether it’s improving a local park, supporting community programmes or pro-
tecting the environment, this is a chance to tell your local board what matters most to you. I encourage everyone to read their local board’s draft plan and share their views. Local boards want to know if they’ve got the priorities right.”
Feedback can be provided online at www.akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz until July 23.
Residents can influence the priorities of the city’s local boards.
File photo supplied
Fast fashion – walking through history
Have you strolled through a store and wondered why such great clothing designs were at an impossibly low price?
That might be due to something known as ‘fast fashion’, which is the rapid production of cheap and low-quality clothes, following trends and popular styles. Clothes in fast fashion are made from synthetic materials like
Highland Park
It prioritises mass production at low cost, encouraging people to treat clothing as disposable rather than wearing it for a longer time. If we rewind to the early 1900s, most people still sewed or repaired their own clothing. Ready-made clothing in stores was considered expensive.
Over time, if clothes got torn or didn’t fit anymore, they’d be stitched back together or repurposed. Leaping to the 1950s, fashion began to take its place with cinched waists and large, volu-
And experience any of these symptoms?
• Loud, persistent snoring
• Daytime sleepiness
• Early morning headaches
• Poor concentration
minous dresses. Though buying materials such as buttons, zippers, and fabric was cheaper than buying readymade clothing.
Also, during this stage, the demand for fun designs for teenagers started to rise. In the 1990s, major clothing companies had figured out the secret to mass-producing clothes, and they could make so much profit from it.
Instead of releasing seasonal designs, they started producing huge piles of clothing. Though all the clothing is man-made, the working conditions for fast fashion workers can be severe.
Many companies manufacture clothes in developing countries with low wages and weaker labour laws to do mass production. In the 2000s to 2010s, online shopping had made its mark. Now the world of fashion was revealed in front of kids and teens.
Every day there’s a new
trend, and the fast fashion industry provides just that. Fast fashion contributes to pollution, waste, and climate change. So, what do we do? To help protect the environment, everyday acts can be enough.
If you’re focusing on the fast fashion side, try to repair, reuse, or repurpose worn-out clothes instead of throwing them away. Many donated clothes are reused or sold, but a significant amount cannot be resold because of poor quality or oversupply.
Op shops and donation centres receive so many clothes, but many of them are damaged or can’t be used again. Whenever you go shopping or buy new clothes, try to choose good quality fabrics or support sustainable brands to do your part and help the environment.
• Jianna Kapoor is in year 8 at Somerville Intermediate School
> Full story at www.times.co.nz
“After a couple of false starts, I was put in touch with Unichem Pharmacy in Pakuranga where I was placed in the care of Claire, one of the pharmacists. I can honestly say I was completely bowled over by the incredible service and care I received from Claire. Not only did she have a deep understanding of this complicated area, her patience and kindness ensured I was equipped with the correct machine and the perfect mask for my needs. As a result, I no longer have sleep apnoea, my sleep has improved vastly, and the tiredness I felt during the day has gone. I cannot recommend Unichem Pakuranga and, in particular, Claire highly enough. I am deeply grateful.”
Find out if you’re at risk of sleep apnoea and scan the QR code to take the online Sleep Quiz
Outside it was cold, but inside there was a warmth of community togetherness as a wellknown east Auckland journalist discussed serendipity.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines serendipity as ‘the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way’.
The pleasant gathering of 30 people of various ethnic heritages was held at the Golflands home of Eric Neal and Amy Tong on a recent Friday night, with guest speaker Farida Master.
She’s a longtime east Auckland-based journalist originally from India and for 10 years worked for Times Media, notably as editor of the former EastLife magazine.
“What is serendipity? A beautiful word,” she said. “Is it a happy coincidence? A happy accident. Unexpected outcomes that are good?
“Serendipity often arrives in the form of chance encounters, unexpected conversations, missed flights, and wrong turns.
“I would even describe it as divine grace, when moments became meaningful because we were willing to take the leap of faith or were ready to engage with them. It’s about being aware of the serendipitous moments in your life and plotting them.”
Master told of professional and personal moments in
Members of the community gathered to hear the thought-provoking talk by Farida
top.
her career “that worked their magic”, including how she met with this writer 12 years ago about another issue and ended up being offered a journalism job.
“Is there a connection between manifestation and serendipity?” she asked the group. “A lot of times, we say we want this or that, and we try to script the outcomes.
“Some would say that manifestation is the intention, and serendipity is the delivery.
“It’s a ‘meaningful coincidence’ that often gives you way better results than you had imagined.
“It also requires faith and positivity that God, the universe, a higher power or spirit will provide you with what you need for the next phase, just when you’re thinking, ‘what now?!’”
Master said the scientific explanation for serendipity is
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$3099pp share from AKL/WLG/CHC $3199pp share twin from Tauranga Single room supplement only $299 (limited availability)
Join us for the short flight to one of New Zealands most picturesque winter regions We stay 3 nights right on the lakeside All breakfast and dinners and one lunch Enjoy a day trip with magnificent mountain views on our way to Wanaka Visit “That Wanaka Tree” growing directly out of Lake Wanaka, Lunch at iconic Cardrona Pub Free morning to explore Queenstown itself before heading to historic Arrowtown and then its Ayrburn and its Winter wonderland of Christmas lights where we enjoy dinner before returning to hotel Including airfares, sightseeing, meals mentioned, Supreme Tour Manager throughout
“it trains your Reticular Activating System – a cluster of nerves in your brain”.
“It doesn’t mean the job you want will fall into your lap or that thousands of dollars will be in your bank account.
“But it ensures when the perfect opportunity, person or piece of information crosses your path, your brain will notice it and activate a relationship between your environment and awareness to connect the dots.”
Neal says the talk “was embellished with stories of how she had been blessed with many instances of unexpected good fortune throughout her life”.
“Other guests also gave examples of how so many ‘coincidences’ had occurred in their own lives, leading them to believe that maybe they’re not coincidences, and there’s more to this than we
think.
“Others likened it to ‘karma’ – what goes around comes around – and another thought was that for believers, it is the ‘will of God’.
“It seemed clear from the discussion that good things happen to good people, but that we should be aware that the reverse can also be true.
“The conclusion was, yes, serendipity is definitely fact, but how and why may always remain a mystery.”
The friendly, thought-provoking community get-togethers at Neal and Tong’s are called Unity Feasts, and the most recent was attended by New Zealanders with heritage of India, China, Germany, Austria, Iran, Thailand and England.
Neal says the Unity Feasts usually cover topics related to the principal teaching of the Baha’i Faith, the “Oneness of Mankind”.
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Fly from Auckland for 3 nights at the fabulous Novotel hotel All breakfasts and dinners (including SPECIAL WOW THEMED DINNER), Platinum seats to the show with a souvenir programme Approx two hours of non-stop entertainment which will take your breath away!! A free day in Wellington for our own sightseeing choices (perhaps a visit to Te Papa or Zealandia), Day trip to the scenic Wairarapa with time for some retail therapy in Greytown and a light lunch at Martinborough Fly back home or return to Auckland onboard the Northern Explorer Train ($60 surcharge applies to train)
Master, in front in white
Times photo PJ Taylor
Exceptional aged care, thoughtfully delivered at The Helier
Personalised
care you can trust, in a calm and beautifully designed setting.
When the time comes to consider care, what matters most is knowing you or your loved one will be well looked after.
At The Helier Care Residences, residents receive exceptional, personalised aged care, delivered by an experienced clinical team focused on comfort, dignity and wellbeing. Care is available around the clock, providing reassurance to both residents and their families.
Support at The Helier is designed to adapt as needs change, offering rest home, hospital or respite-level care within the same familiar environment*.
For those who wish, additional companion and hospitality services can be accessed to support everyday living. These services are optional and designed to complement, not replace, the high standard of care provided to every resident.
By focusing on what matters most, The Helier offers a place where residents and families can feel confident, supported and at ease.
To learn more about The Helier Care Residences, call Debbie on 09 356 1800 or visit thehelier.co.nz
28 Waimarie St, St Heliers, Auckland
*Psychogeriatric and dementia care are not offered at The Helier.
Coming home to Paerata Rise:
Paerata Rise is one of Franklin’s fastest growing master-planned communities, and the momentum is real.
SUPERMARKET
Meet Dianne, Paul & George
For Dianne and Paul, it wasn’t just the house that made them move to Paerata Rise, it was the feeling they got driving into the neighbourhood.
“As soon as you come off the motorway at Drury, there’s this sense of relaxation,” says Paul. “By the time I pull into the roundabout, I’m thinking, ‘oh, I’m home’.”
After years in east Auckland raising their families, the couple was ready for a home that better suited this stage of life, somewhere lower maintenance, more connected and a little slower paced.
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.
“We came from a big two-level, you know, four bedrooms. The kids had all gone their own ways and overseas and now it was time for us, and single-level living is so much easier.”
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.
Their home at Paerata Rise gave them exactly that. Easy-care living, indoor-outdoor flow, a view of the oak trees and enough room for George, their golden retriever an unofficial local celebrity.
Feels like home
www.paeratarise.co.nz
“When we moved out here, we got a lot more bang for buck.” But it’s the community they talk about most. “The people are lovely and we’ve made some very good friends.” Over time, their laneway has become its own little community. Friday night drinks happen regularly, neighbours bring a plate and everyone looks out for each other.
Three years on, it’s the little things they love most about life at Paerata Rise, neighbours stopping for chats, impromptu drinks in the lane and the feeling that life has become just that little bit easier.
Gold in anonymity
By CHARLES MILLER
What do the California gold rush of 1849, Levi Strauss jeans and a growing Auckland technology company have in common? More than you’d think.
When gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in California in 1848, hundreds of thousands of hopeful prospectors rushed west seeking their fortune. Some of the greatest fortunes came from people who never mined an ounce of gold.
Levi Strauss arrived in San Francisco in 1853, not to search for gold but to sell supplies to miners, and John Studebaker made his fortune from wheelbarrows before cars. While the prospectors made headlines, the infrastructure suppliers built businesses. The old saying goes: During a gold rush, sell shovels.
The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution has the same fever pitch as the gold rush, but what do shovels look like today? Organisations are rushing to deploy AI tools, automate processes and unlock insights from their data.
One Auckland company has found opportunity not in building the next AI model, but in solving one of the biggest industry growth pains. DataMasque was founded by Auckland entrepreneurs Grant de Leeuw and Greg Daniel in 2020.
Their software automatically masks and anonymises sensitive information, letting organisations safely test models, algorithms and AI applications. It isn’t the most glamorous corner of the technology sector, but it’s one of the most critical as governance scrutiny and regulation loom.
Protecting customer information and anonymity
has become the industry’s obsession. They put it perfectly: “Most conversations about data forget the key detail: Data is people.”
The company recently raised US$4 million to fund growth. Revenue has expanded rapidly, most of it now offshore. Customers include insurers, Government agencies and large enterprises. DataMasque provides high-end tools that enable their customers to operate safely, eliminating the compromise between data quality and security.
There are several lessons here for New Zealand entrepreneurs. Carve out a defensible niche in a sector that’s growing and dynamic. Where there’s breathless chaotic progress there are risky pain points. If you can see the solution in the noise, you’re halfway there.
Make the pain disappear and you’re on your way. As always, timing matters. The problem DataMasque solves existed for years, if not decades, but the explosion of AI has made it far more urgent.
Entrepreneurs often focus on having the best idea, but usually success comes from having the right idea at the right time. The story also highlights the importance of stakeholders and industry networks.
They drew encouragement and guidance from investors, mentors and technology partners, and won several awards for start-up and technology innovation, which benchmarked progress and signalled who they were. New Zealand has a thriving start-up ecosystem –find your place in it, and help build it. Great businesses don’t emerge by accident. They find a painful problem, solve it, and lean on the community around them.
Sutcliffe Matson Law is pleased to announce Breanna Fuller has moved into partnership with Braden Matson. From 1 July 2026, Breanna formally stepped into her new role as Director alongside Braden, marking an exciting and significant milestone in her legal career. This month also marks 11 years since Breanna joined Sutcliffe Matson Law (formerly Frost & Sutcliffe), having joined as a Law Clerk in 2015.
A key area of Breanna’s practice involves advising on trusts. Trusts can be a useful succession planning tool and play an important role for those seeking asset protection. However, the benefits a trust can provide are only achieved when properly established and actively managed. Poor administration, outdated documentation, and lack of trustee engagement can undermine the intended purpose of a trust.
Breanna works closely with clients to ensure their trust structures are robust, compliant with evolving legal requirements, and aligned with their personal objectives. This includes regular trust reviews and practical guidance to support trustees. If you have an existing trust or are considering whether a trust is appropriate for your circumstances, please contact Breanna for assistance.
Hi, I’m Theresa, Director of Kip McGrath Howick. As term three begins, many families naturally start reflecting on how the school year is going and what support might help their child finish strongly. My journey in education has always centred around helping students realise their potential.
Before owning Kip McGrath Howick, I worked in senior leadership roles at Baradene College and Saint Kentigern College, where I saw first-hand how the right support can completely change a student’s trajectory. At Kip McGrath Howick, we begin with a comprehensive assessment to identify any learning gaps early.
From there, we create a personalised programme in maths, science and/or English to give each student a clear and achievable pathway forward. Term three is a powerful reset point. With the right structure, guidance, and encouragement, students can rebuild confidence and gain real momentum. If you’re wondering how your child is really tracking this year, a simple free assessment can provide valuable clarity and direction.
For Lulu Li, travel is about more than reaching a destination, it’s about discovery, connection, and finding meaning along the way.
A Half Moon Bay local for nearly 20 years, Lulu brings a global perspective shaped by a lifetime of travel and a career spanning STA Travel, American Express in London, China Travel Services, Flight Centre Travel Group, and now Travel Culture. Having travelled to more than 30 countries, she combines first-hand experience with expert knowledge to create meaningful journeys for her clients.
Born in China and fluent in Mandarin, Lulu regularly returns to China and specialises in small-group experiences that uncover authentic culture beyond the usual tourist trail. She’s also passionate about creating women-only journeys for travellers aged 40-60, focused on wellness, connection, and personal renewal. As a Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) member and certified Cruise Ambassador, Lulu specialises in cruise travel, particularly Antarctic expeditions and South Pacific travel.
Her philosophy is simple: “To see the water, to see the mountains, to see within.” Lulu takes the time to listen, advise, and create journeys that feel truly personal.
When Graham and I moved from South Africa to Auckland in 2014, I never imagined how naturally our love of building would grow into Stonewood Homes Auckland East and South.
After more than 20 years in sales and interior design, I’ve learned that being a woman in construction is a real strength, not a hurdle. For me, a home is never just a project – it’s a journey I get to walk alongside each family. My eye for detail and passion for design help bring the finishing touches to life, but what truly drives me is connecting with people and building lasting relationships. To me, you’re never just a client; you’re part of the family. That, honestly, is the work I’m most proud of. Running a business alongside my husband has taught me our differences are our
Graham brings decades of construction expertise, while I bring the heart, the design eye, and the relationships. There are still rooms I walk into where people expect to talk to him first, and I’ve made peace with quietly proving them wrong through the work. Every home we complete is a reminder that women belong here, leading and shaping it.
There’s always a reason not to invest
In recent times, it has felt as though almost every year has brought a crisis – Covid-19, soaring inflation, sharp interest-rate rises, the war in Ukraine, trade tensions, fears of AI disruption, conflict in Iran, and surging energy prices, to name just a few. On each occasion, uncertainty felt acute, and caution seemed sensible. Our instincts tell us to “play it safe”.
That instinct is understandable. Watching markets fall is unsettling, and when bad news dominates the headlines, it can feel much safer to sit in cash and wait for things to settle. Part of the reason is something psychologists call negativity bias – people’s tendency to give more weight to threats than to opportunities.
Thousands of years ago, that bias was useful. If our ancestors heard a noise in the bushes, it paid to assume danger first and ask questions later. The cost of overreacting was small; the cost of underreacting could be fatal. We are wired to pay close attention to what might go wrong. But while that instinct helped humans survive when we were living on the savannah, it can work against us when investing. The danger is that an investor becomes so focused on avoiding short-term pain that they lose sight of the potential cost of staying on the sidelines
For long-term investors, the better approach is usually not to wait for the perfect moment, but to remember what they are investing for: not the next few weeks or months, but the years ahead.
Unfortunately, volatility is part of investing. We never know exactly when it will arrive, but we do know it will come, and it will always feel uncomfortable when it does. That discomfort is the price paid for earning higher longterm returns compared with more stable options such as cash or bank deposits.
This does not mean ignoring risk. It means managing risk properly. A sound portfolio should be built around a time horizon that suits your goals, a level of risk you are comfortable with, adequate access to funds if required, and diversification across asset classes, countries, and sectors.
This article and others in our ‘Focus’ series can be found in the Insights section of our website at forsythbarr.co.nz
For expert guidance on all your investment needs, speak to one of our local advisers. Contact your Auckland East Investment Advisers for a no-obligation review of your existing investment arrangements.
Caring well for seniors takes us all
Aged care plays an essential role in New Zealand’s health system and in the lives of thousands of families. It supports older people who need rest home, hospital-level, dementia, or respite care, helps whānau make important decisions, and eases pressure on public hospitals.
Across New Zealand, providers are caring for people with increasingly complex health needs. At the same time, costs continue to rise across staffing, food, utilities, insurance, maintenance, compliance, and the upkeep of safe, welcoming buildings.
The government’s recent 4 per cent funding uplift for aged residential care is welcome. However, New Zealand still needs a sustainable funding model that reflects the level of care older people now require, and the standard of care families rightly expect.
Behind every funding discussion are real people and families. When Shirley shared her story about her stepfather Cyril, she described HBH as warm, positive, and lively, with staff who genuinely cared for him as a person. She added, “It’s wonderful that HBH continues to make standard rooms available, as not everyone can afford a premium room.”
Her words speak to something that matters deeply to HBH: care must remain centred on people.
HBH Group is a long-standing
charitable, faith-based organisation in east Auckland. We exist to help seniors age well through aged residential care, social and affordable housing, community programmes such as Virtual Village and Dementia Day Services, pastoral care, and advocacy.
As a charitable provider, our resources are reinvested into our services, staff, homes, and the everyday experiences that help older people live with dignity, connection, and purpose.
Like other providers, HBH receives government funding for eligible residential care services. This funding makes an important contribution, but it is only one part of what it takes to operate high-quality, well-maintained, people-centred services over the long term.
Good aged care is about more than a bed or a building. It means skilled staff, nutritious meals, quality clinical care, safe surroundings, meaningful activity, spiritual and emotional support, and a place that feels like home.
Most of us will need aged care services one day or help someone we love to access them. So, the question is not only what aged care costs. It is what kind of care we want for older New Zealanders, and how we make that possible for future generations.
HBH will continue to play its part, as we have for many years, with our focus where it has always been: on people. www.hbh.org.nz
Practical Kiwis rally for Ukrainians
By PJ TAYLOR
Aheatwave has struck the northern hemisphere, but it won’t be long before winter blows in there again and Kiwis have been making sure Ukrainians are warm when it arrives.
An east Auckland woman, who only wants to be known as Emma, and her volunteer friends have been co-ordinating a collection of handmade blankets and clothing now shipping its way to wartorn Ukraine, in its 13th year of serious military conflict with Russia.
Emma says it’s the third time she’s organised a large New Zealand welfare parcel to be sent to Ukraine.
“I got help and support from my friend Janet from Whangaparaoa to pull it together.
“It has been a privilege to be able to do something so tangible and bring them some joy and comfort. All
done with love.”
In total, 1100 items –clothing and blankets – were provided and collected from contributors across the country.
“We sorted and labelled 1000 items,” Emma says.
The shipment departed New Zealand recently and is very much appreciated by the Ukraine, says Valeriy, a Ukrainian who collected the donations and also doesn’t want his full name published.
Emma says contributions came from people in “Beachlands and Maraetai, the Clevedon community, plus knitters from Dunedin, Paihiatua, Whitianga, Takanini, and Whangaparaoa including retirement village residents”.
“An 86-year-old in Rotorua crocheted 46 blankets she wanted sent to Ukraine.
“Thirty-six blankets were knitted in a retirement village at Whangaparaoa.
“There were in total several hundred blankets and wraps sewn,” Emma says.
“One hundred hand-knitted wool jerseys, while many
Pakuranga Plaza open as usual
slippers and hats for babies and children, and winter clothes and jackets for adults and children were donated.
“The Highland Park sewing group also made hundreds of items, acknowledging Juliette and Kate of Project Uplift.
“Letters were sent with the knitted garments saying the people who made them were grateful and loved the opportunity to contribute something to send to Ukraine.
“To let them know they are not forgotten,” says Emma.
“A thousand of the items had a wee heart-shaped label attached which said, ‘with love from New Zealand’.”
Valeriy says: “The goods will be distributed throughout our volunteer networks in Ukraine and delivered to children’s hospitals and boarding schools, maternity units at hospitals, and centres of social support for children and families.”
Janet with some of the clothing items now shipping their way to Europe. Photo supplied
The value of conveyancing
By Chris Dykes and Alistair van Schalkwyk, directors of ASCO Legal in Howick
If you’ve ever bought or sold a property in New Zealand, you’ve heard the word conveyancing. But what does it mean and why does it matter? Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of property from one person to another.
It sounds straightforward, but there’s quite a lot happening behind the scenes to make sure that transfer is clean, legal, and properly protected.
WHAT HAPPENS AT EACH STAGE
It starts the moment a Sale and Purchase Agreement is signed. Your lawyer reviews the agreement, checks the title, investigates any easements, covenants, or encumbrances registered against the property, and makes sure there are no surprises hiding in the fine print.
During the due diligence period, your lawyer will also liaise with your bank if you’re financing the purchase, ensure LIM and building reports are reviewed, and raise any issues that could affect your decision to proceed.
Once conditions are satisfied, the focus shifts to settlement, coordinating with the other party’s lawyer, preparing settlement figures, and ensuring funds and title transfer on the right day.
WHERE PEOPLE COME UNSTUCK
The most common issues we see are buyers who don’t read the agreement carefully before signing, or who treat conveyancing as a tick-box exercise rather than proper legal protection.
A poorly worded condition, an issue with the title, or a missed clause around chattels can cause significant problems, and by the time most people notice, options are limited.
In the current property market, where buyers are under pressure and deals move quickly, having a lawyer involved from the start, not just at settlement, makes a real difference.
Conveyancing isn’t just paperwork. It’s protection. At Asco Legal, our team handles property transactions across Auckland every day, from first homes to commercial purchases. We’re here to make sure your next move is the right one. 09 308 8070 | ascolegal.co.nz | info@ascolegal.com
The day your business looked like a business
SHIVANI NARAYAN, from Alpine Print, explains how consistent branding creates recognition long before customers ever pick up the phone.
Most business owners remember the moment. The vehicle comes back freshly wrapped and it’s perfect. The uniforms arrive and the team wants to wear them.
The new flyers go out and a customer says, unprompted, “Your branding looks really great”.
That moment is not an accident. It’s the result of getting everything to work together. Brand consistency is one of those things that’s easy to overlook when you’re building a business.
You get a logo done, print some cards, throw together a flyer when you need one. Each piece exists in isolation, made at different times by different people, and slowly your brand starts to feel a little scattered.
The colours are almost right. The fonts are close but not quite. The vehicles don’t quite match the uniform, which doesn’t quite match the website.
Customers and prospects notice. Not always consciously, but they feel it. When everything aligns, something shifts. And people start to say things.
“I saw one of your vehicles on the motorway.”
“I noticed your team at the site down the road.”
“Your signage caught my eye.” These are not small compliments. They’re proof your brand is working, moving through the world and registering with the right people without you having to say a word.
Getting there, though, can feel overwhelming. Marketing, design, web, print – suddenly there are four conversations happening with different people and nothing quite lines up. Projects stall. Decisions get deferred. The rebrand that was supposed to take a month is still unfinished six months later.
That’s not how it works at Alpine Print. We bring design and print together under one roof, keeping things simple and moving. No information overload. No dropped balls between suppliers. Just a clear process that gets your brand looking the way it should, across everything it touches.
Because when it all comes together, everyone notices.
BEANIES, GLORIOUS BEANIES!
There’s a reason beanies have stood the test of time. Originally worn by sailors, fishermen and outdoor workers to keep warm in harsh conditions, the humble beanie has evolved into one of the most practical and popular promotional products in the world. In fact, versions of the beanie date back hundreds of years and have been keeping heads warm ever since.
For sports clubs, schools, community groups and businesses, a branded beanie is more than just winter wear; it’s a walking billboard. Every time someone wears your beanie to the sports field, school dropoff, weekend market or morning walk, your brand is being seen by hundreds of people.
At Promo Factory, we offer a huge range of colours and styles
to suit every organisation, team, and budget. With prices starting from just $5.95 + GST, branded beanies are one of the most cost-effective ways to promote your business while giving people something they’ll actually use.
Unlike flyers that get thrown away, beanies keep working season after season. They keep your community warm, create team spirit, and put your logo front and centre wherever people go.
This winter, turn your supporters, customers and families into walking billboards with a custom beanie from Promo Factory. Warm heads. Strong brands. Great value.
Scroll through your feed for 30 seconds and you’ll spot them.
The slightly-off stock images. The captions that sound like they were written by a robot having a confident day. The ads that say a lot but somehow mean nothing. Welcome to the AI-generated ad era. And while we’re all for embracing technology, we have some thoughts.
At The Marketing Baker, we use AI tools every day, for research, efficiency, and ideation.
Technology isn’t the enemy. But there’s a growing trend of businesses using AI to churn out content at volume, skipping the strategy, skipping the humanity, and wondering why it isn’t converting. Here’s the thing:
your audience is smart. They can feel the difference between marketing that was crafted with intention and content that was generated in 30 seconds and scheduled without a second thought. One builds trust. The other quietly erodes it.
Great marketing has always been about connection, saying the right thing to the right person at the right moment. No algorithm does that on autopilot. It takes strategy, understanding your audience, and a genuine point of view. AI can support great marketing. It cannot replace it. If your marketing has lost its human touch, let’s fix that.
www.marketingbaker.com or candice@marketingbaker.com
Your success is our recipe We craft bespoke, tailored strategies that deliver results, uniquely for you
Why is a preapproval so important?
TONI DAWSON, a fully qualified Mortgage Adviser, with more than 15 years’ industry experience, shares her expertise.
There’s nothing wrong with a bit of property window shopping, but spending your weekends touring open homes without knowing your actual budget gets old quickly.
Getting a pre-approval changes the entire dynamic. It shifts you from a casual observer to a serious buyer. It gives you the confidence to talk real numbers and make quick offers. A pre-approval can mean your offer is much cleaner and much more likely to be accepted by a vendor. It also means that your purchase is less likely to fall through, as it lessens the need to beg for a finance extension through your solicitors.
In New Zealand, a pre-approval typically lasts for three months, giving you a solid, stress-free window to find the right property and act quickly when it pops up. A preapproval shouldn’t cost you anything. A pre-approval gives you a road map. There are no downsides ... only upsides.
DOES YOUR MORTGAGE NEED A WORKOUT?
Setting up your mortgage and never reviewing it is a lot like paying for a gym membership you haven’t used since 2023. It’s incredibly easy to set-and-forget your home loan. But the market moves quickly, and a structure, loan type or interest rate that made sense a few years ago might be costing you today.
Running a quick health check on your current loan isn’t about starting over. It’s simply checking if another structure can give you better flexibility, optimise your repayments, or let you use your equity to your advantage. Let’s brush the dust off your current setup. Get in touch to run an obligation-free review of your numbers.
Transferability
DAREN LENG, Senior Business Broker at ABC Business Sales, says the most desirable businesses are easily transferable.
As a Business Broker, a common concern I hear from buyers is: “What happens when the owner leaves?” It’s a simple question, but one that can have a significant impact on value.
The most desirable businesses can be transferred smoothly to a new owner. Buyers want confidence that customers will stay, suppliers will continue supporting the business, key staff will remain engaged, and earnings can be maintained after settlement.
Where a business relies heavily on the owner for sales, relationships, technical expertise or day-to-day decision-making, buyers perceive greater risk. That risk is often reflected in the price they are prepared to pay.
Conversely, businesses with established systems, strong staff, diversified customer relationships and reliable supplier arrangements are typically easier to transition. Buyers can see a clear path to maintaining performance after acquisition, creating confidence during the sale process.
Owners considering an exit should start preparing early. Reducing dependence on the vendor and building a business that can operate successfully without them is often one of the most effective ways to enhance value.
While financial performance will always be important, buyers are ultimately purchasing the future. The businesses that achieve the strongest outcomes are often those where the transition to new ownership is clear, structured and low risk.
Daren Leng, Senior Business Broker at ABC Business Sales – Your Business Broker of Choice. Ph 021 0278 6045 or email darenl@abcbusiness.co.nz
Why choose Edgewater College?
Class sizes capped at 24 in Years 9 and 10 means we effectively support a wide range of diverse learners.
A U W Specialist literacy and numeracy coaches ensure all students have the reading, writing and mathematics they need for academic success.
A U W A AI Digital & Financial Literacy classes provide all students with these essential skills for their future.
Scholarships valued at over $100,000 were awarded to Edgewater College students in 2025.
R AN Leadership, Cultural, Music, Sport and Service opportunities inspire learning across the curriculum.
State of the art facilities, including a Makerspace and newly developed science hub.
N Digital devices provided free for all senior students.
YEAR 9 ENROLMENT 2027
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED
Please enrol online at www.edgewater.school.nz/enrolment or contact the College office for an enrolment pack.
OUT OF ZONE APPLICATIONS
Application closing date: Wednesday 2 September Ballot Date: Wednesday 9 September
6.00 - 7.30 PM | THURSDAY 6 AUGUST 2026
We warmly invite prospective students and families to meet our outstanding staff and students and experience “EC Cares” in action.
Come and discover the exciting learning opportunities, personalised support and fantastic facilities we offer all our learners as they begin their high school learning adventure. Light refreshments will be provided.
SEE PERFORMANCES BY OUR AWARD-WINNING JAZZ BAND AND FROM OUR RECENT PRODUCTION OF ‘FOOTLOOSE’
SCHOOL ENROLMENT
Mellons Bay School
Term 4, 2026: Out-of-Zone Enrolments
Applications are now invited for out-of-zone students wishing to enrol for Term 4, 2026.
Available Places:
New Entrants: 4 places
Year 2: 2 places
Year 3: 5 places
Year 4: 4 places
Important Dates:
Applications Close: Thursday, 6th August 2026 at 3:00 PM
Ballot Date (if required): Wednesday, 12th August 2026
Online Applications via the school website: Please contact the school office to find out more. Phone: (09) 534 4363 Email: admin@mellonsbay school nz
At Shelly Park School, we are a warm, community-focused school dedicated to growing great young humans. We pride ourselves on fostering strong, supportive relationships with both our students and their families, ensuring every child feels valued and connected. Our learning programmes develop:
• Creative & Critical Thinking
• Character & Citizenship
• Collaboration & Communication
With the addition of our specialist Art and Science teachers, our students receive a truly well-rounded, hands-on education that sparks curiosity and innovation.
Out-of-Zone Enrolment Details
Applications for out-of-zone places are now open.
Closing Date: All out-of-zone enrolments must be received by September 2, 2026.
Ballot Results: To be announced September 9, 2026
How to Apply: You can easily complete your enrolment application online via our website or come in and pick up an application pack from the office.
Join Us for Our Open Morning
Come and experience the Shelly Park difference for yourself. Meet our team, tour our wonderful facilities, and see our school in action.
Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
To Register: Please email Brooke Taylor at brooket@shellypark.school.nz to secure your spot.
Owairoa Primary School Howick
Out-of-Zone Enrolment Applications
Our 2027 Out-of-Zone enrolment ballot is now open. The Owairoa Primary School Board has determined that 62 places are likely to be available across all year levels for out-of-zone students. Out-of-Zone enrolment applications must be received by the school office by Monday 7 December 2026. If the number of out-of-zone applications exceeds the number of places available, students will be selected by ballot on Thursday 10 December 2026. Parents will be informed if a ballot is to take place. Additional ballots may be held throughout the year if spaces are available:
Term Four 2026 Ballot – Closing: 7 Dec 2026 Ballot: 10 Dec 2026
Term One 2027 Ballot (1) – Closing: 29 Jan 2027 Ballot: 1 Feb 2027
Term One 2027 Ballot (2) – Closing: 29 Mar 2027 Ballot: 1 Apr 2027
Term Two 2027 Ballot – Closing: 21 Jun 2027 Ballot: 24 Jun 2027
Term Three 2027 Ballot – Closing 13 Sep 2027 Ballot: 16 Sep 2027
Further information is available at www.owairoa.school.nz/enrolment
YOUTH ZONE
CODEBREAKER
What is the ?
Answer: To prism - it’s a light sentence but it gives them time to reflect. What is the question?
Youth Council hosts Junior Summit
By HOWICK YOUTH Council secretary Charlotte Hutton
Just a few weeks ago the Howick Youth Council hosted the Howick Junior Summit, an event targeted at building leadership skills in junior students.
The day was centered around the theme, ‘You don’t need a title to be a leader’, and focused on building confidence and practical skills in the students. Over 30 year 9 and 10 students from a range of east Auckland schools came together at Ormiston Senior College for a day filled with workshops and skill building sessions.
They completed a range of activities to build their public speaking, collaboration and problem-solving skills, as well as hearing an insightful presentation led by Howick Local Board deputy chair Kai Zeng and member Jack Collins and Kai Zeng from the Howick Local Board –thank you Kai and Jack. The students also gave their own presentations to the group and awards were handed out at the end of the day.
Overall, students left the event equipped with valuable skills and experience to help them lead in their daily life, regardless of whether or not they hold a leadership title. Looking forward, the youth council has some excit-
ing events around the corner including one these upcoming school holidays, Painting In The Park.
This event, to be held at the Old Flat Bush School Hall on July 15, is an amazing opportunity for rangatahi to take a break from social media and enjoy a creative activity. Registrations are now open, through the link on the HYC Instagram page (@howickyouthcouncil) and participants can choose between a blank canvas or a painting by numbers.
Additionally, East After Dark, a performance opportunity for local youth bands, has just opened registrations for young musicians, which can also be found on the youth council’s Instagram page. Remember to stay updated with the council by following us on social media, and you can also check out our recently refreshed website at howickyouthcouncil. org.nz.
Aroha nui, the Howick Youth Council
CONGRATULATIONS PAVAN VEMULA
Competing against 225 bakers, Pavan achieved 1st Place in the North Island and was named Baker of the Year. We are incredibly proud to have his talent, dedication and passion at PAK’nSAVE Highland Park.
Charlotte Hutton
Standing against bullying
Every year, on May 15, there’s a special day in New Zealand.
It helps benefit many and encourages all ages to take part. If you guessed Pink Shirt Day, you’re right! Pink Shirt Day is an event that occurs annually to raise awareness about bullying and help keep the community safe.
On the day, many wear a pink shirt to show their involvement and help those being bullied feel safe and valued in their environment. It promotes kindness, has helped many since 2009 when it was first commemorated in New Zealand, and plays an important part in keeping Aōtearoa a safe place.
The idea for Pink Shirt Day was first brought up in 2007, when two high school students in Canada, David Shepherd and Travis Price, stood up against homophobic bullying after a year 10 student was threatened and harassed after wearing a pink shirt.
They bought 50 pink shirts and emailed many classmates, encouraging them to wear a pink shirt. Within hours, it grew pop-
ular online, and was very effective, with many students wearing pink shirts showing up the next day at the ‘Pink Protest’.
Over time, it rose in popularity, even becoming of global importance. In 2009, the movement went overseas into New Zealand, where the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand took charge of the first Pink Shirt Day celebrated here to address high rates of bullying, and finally in 2012, the United Nations declared May 4 as their ‘UN Anti-Bullying Day’, which was inspired by the Pink Shirt Day movement.
Now this movement is recognised globally in nearly 180 countries and millions of people all over the world are estimated to be taking part each year, through schools, fundraisers, social media campaigns and more. It’s widely affected many with many supporting it today.
On Pink Shirt Day, many
schools are educated about these two different words, though similar the way they affect many lives across the world daily. Bystander and upstander. How are they different? For starters, a bystander is someone who witnesses a harmful situation.
Bystanders witness the situation and allow the incident to continue and they don’t take action.
Upstanders are the complete opposite of bystanders. They recognise something is wrong and intervene, to help stop the victim or inappropriate behaviour.
Being an upstander doesn’t always mean fighting. It can be as simple as saying “That’s not cool”, reporting an improper comment online, or simply asking the person targeted if they’re alright. It doesn’t always have to be the biggest or greatest thing, even little things like these can help
people feel better and more confident in themselves.
At my school, Bucklands Beach Intermediate School, we hosted a Pink Shirt Mufti Day in May. I remember being in awe as I watched students dressed in all-pink walk into the school, with sunglasses, shirts, and some even with dresses. The school was full of pink everywhere you went, and we were educated on the importance of Pink Shirt Day, and how bullying could happen. It was stunning and I loved being able to participate.
Now that I’ve summed up the main points of this event, think to yourself about the answer to my question: How will you take action for yourself in 2027? To find more information about Pink Shirt Day, go online to https://pinkshirtday.org.nz/.
• Alina Jiang is in year 8 at Bucklands Beach Intermediate School
Hundreds of pupils at Bucklands Beach Intermediate School got into the spirit to mark the 2026 Pink Shirt Day.
Photo supplied
ALINA JIANG
Highland Park
Students excel in physics and maths
For the first time in its history, a talented group of Howick College students stepped up to test their problem-solving skills on a national stage.
Participating in the prestigious and recent New Zealand Physics and Math Competition (NZPMC), the students tackled a rigorous, fast-paced one-hour online examination.
“Navigating a wide range of advanced NCEA curriculum topics, year 12 seniors Haylee Huang, Nikita Keeling, and Lana Hattingh competed fiercely in the senior division,” says Howick College.
“Year 11 student Armin Kaur showcased her exceptional skill in the junior division.
“In the senior division, Catrina Lin led the school’s results by placing in the top 68 per cent of all participating students across New Zealand,” says Howick College.
“She was closely followed
by fellow peers Haylee, in the top 77 per cent; Lana, in the top 85 per cent; and Nikita Keeling in the top 93 per cent.”
In the junior division, Armin “stood tall as the college’s lone junior competitor, demonstrating exceptional mathematical grit”.
“Their hard work paid off, with the team securing official national certificates and badges to be awarded later this year,” says the college.
“Taking on a nationwide competition without a prior school blueprint wasn’t easy, but the students’ determination carried them through.”
Nikita and Catrina say: “Although it was a bit daunting to be one of the very few to do it out of the school, it was worth it in the end.
“Overall, we’re happy with what we all accomplished.”
Lana says: “Being the very first group from our college
to enter this competition was a bit daunting, but we wanted to give it a go.
“We hope this inspires more students to sign up next year and keep building on the school’s success.”
Howick College says: “This pioneering cohort has officially broken the ice for the school, setting an inspiring benchmark for future STEM students and paving the way for even greater participation next year.”
Trust us with the love of your life
At Kindercare, we understand that entrusting your child to the care of someone else is a big decision.
That’s why we promise care and education that is warm, attentive and respectful, and that we will work in close partnership with you, because you know your child best.
Here, you’ll discover that your child is safe, loved, and nurtured through small daily moments and reassuring rituals. Because when your little one is given time to settle into the day at their own pace, learning and joy follow naturally.
Get in touch today. We’d love to hear from you.
With calculating heads for physics and maths, from left, Leandre Kruger, Lana Hattingh, Haylee Huang, Nikita Keeling, Catrina Lin, and Armin Kaur, of Howick College.
Photo supplied
EDUCATOR IN ACTION
With Renuka Lal, of Mission Heights Primary School
How long have you been an educator, and where did you train?
I’ve been an educator for the past 23 years. I trained at Auckland Teachers College.
When did you start teaching at Mission Heights Primary School?
I joined in 2010, so Mission Heights Primary has been my home for the past 16 years.
What’s the best thing about being an educator and deputy principal?
The best part of being a leader in teaching and learning is having the privilege of making a positive difference in the lives of students every day. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch students grow in confidence, develop new skills, and discover their strengths. As a deputy principal, I have the opportunity to work alongside dedicated staff, supportive whānau, and amazing tamariki to create an environment where every child feels valued, heard, challenged, and inspired to succeed.
What’s special about Mission Heights Primary School?
It’s a vibrant, diverse, and future-focused learning community. We celebrate the
rich cultural backgrounds of our students and whānau, creating a strong sense of belonging for everyone. Our school is committed to developing confident, connected, and capable learners through innovative teaching practices, meaningful learning experiences, and strong partnerships with whānau. What truly makes our school special is the collective commitment of our staff, students, and community towards growing excellence. As a school, we endeavour to find and foster the grain of greatness in every individual student that walks through our school gate. MHP is a place where staff and students are always excited to learn and grow.
Is there anything you’d like improved in the education/ school management sector?
One area I’d like to see strengthened is greater recognition and support for learning experiences and opportunities that develop the whole child. Programmes such as Environment and Sustainability Education and Garden to Table provide authentic opportunities for tamariki to learn essential life skills alongside the curriculum. Developing practical skills,
“Programmes such as Garden to Table provide authentic opportunities for
essential life
teamwork, resilience, responsibility, and independence while gaining a deep appreciation for caring for the environment and understanding the importance of sustainability. These hands-on experiences foster creativity, problem-solving, healthy lifestyle habits, and a strong sense of kaitiakitanga and guardianship of our environment. These programmes help shape confident, capable, and compassionate young tamariki who are equipped not only for academic success but also for life beyond the classroom. I’d also welcome continued investment in schools enabling these rich learning opportunities to flourish while reducing administrative demands on educators. When teachers and school leaders have the time and resources to focus on meaningful teaching and learning, students benefit most. Education is about nurturing well-rounded tamariki
who have the knowledge and skills in making informed choices that positively impact their communities and future generations.
How is the relationship between Mission Heights Primary and its local community?
The school enjoys a strong and positive relationship with its local community. We value the partnerships we have with our whānau, local organisations, and community groups, recognising learning is most successful when schools and families work together. Our community is highly engaged and supportive, contributing to school events, learning opportunities, and cultural celebrations. These connections enrich our students’ experiences and help foster a strong sense of belonging, pride, and shared purpose within our school community.
tamariki to learn
skills alongside the curriculum.” Photo supplied
with
SIMON Q&A
GAULT
HIGH-FLYING CHEF
He’s known for his fervour for food, but as PJ TAYLOR discovers, there’s more to the master of the kitchen.
Where were you born and grew up?
I was born and raised in Auckland, and my earliest memories are of growing up
today. My dad worked at Ardmore Airfield, and back then there was farmland all around us and not even footpaths on the street where we lived. It felt a bit more rural than suburban. We later moved closer into Auckland city, but those early years in Papakura gave me a real appreciation for the outdoors and a pretty simple Kiwi upbringing. When I drive through the area now, it’s amazing to see how much it has grown and changed since those days.
“Looking back, Mum probably had a bigger influence on me becoming a chef than anyone. Dad, meanwhile, was the king of the barbecue.”
Where did you go to school?
I started school at Sir Edmund Hillary School in Papakura before moving to Orakei Primary. After that I attended King’s School and then King’s College, where I stayed through to completing School Certificate. I was never the sort of student who was top of the class. To be honest, I probably did just enough to get by. What I’m grateful for are the teachers who took an interest in me and encouraged me along the way. When it came time to decide what I wanted to do, there was quite a bit of pressure to go to university. I wanted to become a chef. Thankfully, my housemaster and my parents were very supportive and encouraged me to follow that path.
How did you decide on a career in cooking? Were you always interested in food preparation and creation?
I’ve wanted to be a chef for as long as I can remember. Both my mum and dad loved cooking and were very good at it, but Mum was definitely in charge of the kitchen. She was an exceptional cook who was always trying new recipes and experimenting with
different flavours and ideas. Looking back, Mum probably had a bigger influence on me becoming a chef than anyone. Dad, meanwhile, was the king of the barbecue. It was always charcoal until one day a very flash gas barbecue arrived, which was a pretty big deal at the time. They also had friends in the hospitality industry, so from a young age I was lucky enough to spend time around restaurants and commercial kitchens. Every chance I got, I’d wander into the kitchen to see what was going on. What fascinated me wasn’t just the food. It was the energy, the teamwork and the way one person could bring everything together. To me, the chef was like the conductor of an orchestra, coordinating all these moving parts that ultimately ended up as plates of food in front of happy customers. I was convinced from a very early age that was what I wanted to do, and I never really changed my mind.
Where and when did your connection with east Auckland begin?
My connection with east Auckland began when I was 23 and had just returned from an OE in Europe, where I’d been cooking and learning as much as I could. On the way home, I also spent some time in Los Angeles, working in restaurants in Beverly Hills before eventually returning to New Zealand. When I got back, I was determined to get my hands on a restaurant of my own. As luck would have it, there was an old house built in 1851 sitting empty at the Howick Historic Village. It had been a restaurant called Bell’s Farmhouse, but it had gone bust and was being sold cheaply enough that I could actually afford it. I took a deep breath, jumped in and reopened it as Bell House. Back then the road outside was still gravel,
Times photos PJ Taylor
there was a rugby club next door, and east Auckland was very different to what it is today. That little restaurant at the Howick Historic Village became the starting point of my restaurant career.
What makes a good cook?
People often think being a good cook is about talent, but I don’t think that’s true. The best cooks are curious, pay attention to detail, and genuinely care about the people they’re cooking for. Cooking is a skill you develop over time. The more you cook, the better you get. Most importantly, a good cook gets satisfaction from seeing other people enjoy what they’ve made.
You’ve enjoyed media spotlight because of your cooking prowess and enthusiastic passion for cuisine. What are the things you like about being a high-profile cook?
To be honest, it’s never really been the profile that interested me. What I’ve enjoyed is the opportunity it has given me to share my passion for food with a much wider audience. The funny thing is that my television career almost started with a disaster. My first appearance was a live cooking segment on the Good Morning show. I’d never been on television before and was happily cooking away when the casserole dish I was using started making some very strange noises. I remember thinking something wasn’t right, so I quickly transferred the chicken into another pot. A few seconds later the original dish exploded live on air and sent bits everywhere. I thought my television career had lasted all of five minutes, so I just carried on cooking and pretended it was all part of the plan. Afterwards, the producer came down and said: “That was gold television. Can you come back next week?” Somehow that disaster turned into the start
of my television career. What I’ve enjoyed most since then is helping people become more confident in the kitchen. The profile is really just a by-product of doing something I genuinely love.
When did you get a taste for aviation? Do you fly?
My love of aviation came from my dad. He flew aeroplanes and taught people to fly, and as a kid I thought he had the coolest job in the world. He also had the best office, with a constantly changing view thousands of feet above the ground. When I decided I wanted to learn to fly myself, I was 16 years old. I started at the Auckland Gliding Club in Drury and on my days off I’d hitch a ride, catch a train, do whatever I could to get out there and spend time around the gliders. That’s where I learned the fundamentals of flying and developed a lifelong passion for aviation.
One thing I’ve always loved about the club is that it’s a real club in the old-fashioned sense of the word. The instructors are incredibly skilled pilots, but they volunteer their time because they genuinely love flying and want others to experience it as well. Everyone mucks in. If a glider needs pushing, you push it. If someone needs a hand launching, you help. There’s also a fantastic social side to it, with the clubhouse being a place where lifelong friendships are made. A lot of people think gliders just go up and float back down again, but they’re actually remarkable machines. They can fly long distances, stay airborne for hours and teach you more about flying than just about any other aircraft. What I particularly love is seeing young people get involved. My daughter Hazel is now learning to fly at the club, which has been pretty special to watch. The best part is that it was her idea, not mine. She wanted to do it herself.
“My daughter Hazel is now learning to fly at the Auckland Gliding Club, which has been pretty special to watch.”
What can be learned from aviation?
I’ve seen firsthand how flying teaches confidence, discipline and responsibility. Most parents don’t even realise it’s an option. They think flying must be out of reach, but joining a gliding club is often much more achievable than people expect. It’s not just for young people either. Plenty of people take it up later in life because they’ve always wanted to learn to fly and finally have the time. My fascination with aircraft started long before I learned to fly. As a kid in Papakura, I watched a Pitts Special being built and decided one day I’d love to own one. Years later I eventually bought a share in a Pitts Special with a group of other owners. Of course, having a plane meant I needed to learn to fly powered aircraft as well as gliders, so I asked my dad if he’d teach me. Thankfully he said yes. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to fly everything from gliders to classic warbirds and have even flown in air shows around New Zealand, something the young boy who used to stare at aeroplanes at Ardmore could never have imagined. Aviation has been a lifelong passion, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
If there was one thing you’d like to see change in New Zealand society, what would it be?
Getting more people back into the kitchen and cooking at home. We’ve become increasingly reliant on convenience foods and highly processed products. Yet some of the best meals come from simple ingredients that don’t need a label. More importantly, cooking brings people together. Some of the best conversations happen around a dinner table with phones put away. If we cooked a little more and shared a few more meals together, I think we’d be healthier and more connected as a society.
Life with young children is busy, unpredictable, and sometimes overwhelming.
If your child’s immunisations have slipped, or you’re feeling uncertain about them, you’re not alone, and there’s no need to worry about being judged. For one Pukekohe mum of two children aged under two years old, it wasn’t reluctance that saw her daughter fall behind. It was life.
“There were lots of reasons my daughter wasn’t immunised,” she says. “I felt rushed. I was between doctors after moving.” When outreach calls started coming in, she wasn’t sure what to make of them.
“I was getting calls from other organisations, some felt pushy, too strong, and I wasn’t sure if they were legit.” That changed when Angela Chan, Primary Care Nurse with East Health Trust, reached out through the Pukekohe Family Health team.
“When Angela said she was calling from my practice, I was open. It just felt safe.” Angela visited the family at home, in a relaxed environment, where mum could ask questions, take her time, and make informed decisions without pressure.
GP clinics across east Auckland and Pukekohe can offer immunisation support through East Health Trust, meaning families are connected to help link to their own practice, not a stranger on the phone. Whether you’re behind on immunisations, feeling unsure, or simply haven’t had the chance to book, your local clinic team can connect you with support on your terms, at a pace that feels right. No judgement. No pressure. Just good care, close to home.
Talk to your local clinics listed alongside this article about outreach support. We’d love to help. Stay tuned for health and well-being advice in the next edition of the Eastern Times and at www.times.co.nz.
A quiet but remarkable change is taking place across the Pacific, bringing hope to thousands of people at risk of losing their sight. Among those leading this work is Dr Andrew Riley of Eye Doctors, who serves as a director of VOSO and has been instrumental in identifying unmet eye-care needs throughout the Pacific.
Volunteer Ophthalmic Services Overseas (VOSO), a New Zealand-based charitable organisation, has helped deliver advanced eye-care equipment and training to the Pacific Islands, giving local health professionals access to technology that has never before been available in the country.
Thanks to the generosity of Zeiss New Zealand, specialised equipment used to diagnose serious eye conditions has now arrived in Tonga. For the first time, patients can access visual field testing and corneal mapping services without needing to travel overseas.
For many Pacific families, specialist eye care
is difficult to access. Early diagnosis and treatment can mean the difference between maintaining independence and facing avoidable vision loss.
Over the past decade, Dr Riley has worked alongside local clinicians in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, supporting more than 5,400 cataract surgeries and providing essential equipment, medical supplies and volunteer expertise.
The latest initiative focuses on keratoconus, a progressive eye condition that often affects young adults. By introducing new diagnostic technology and training local teams in sightpreserving treatments, helping create a future where Pacific communities can access worldclass eye care closer to home.
Eye Doctors specialist Dr Penny McAllum also contributes regularly as a volunteer with a team in Niue working in conjunction with the Niuean Government, providing muchneeded ophthalmology services and helping
strengthen local eye-care capability.
It is a powerful example of how generosity, expertise and collaboration can change lives – one person, one family and one community at a time.
Closer to home, the team at Eye Doctors is committed to helping local people protect and preserve their vision. If you are experiencing changes in your eyesight, have concerns about cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration or any other eye condition, don’t delay seeking advice. Our experienced specialists provide comprehensive assessments, treatment and surgery using local hospitals and facilities. We are proud to be local specialists, caring for local patients and supporting our local community.
If you have concerns about your vision, contact Eye Doctors today on 09 277 6787 to arrange an assessment and take the first step towards protecting your sight.
Dr Andrew Riley is sitting in the front row in the blue shirt, second from the right. Photo supplied
Our experienced team of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, and wellbeing professionals are here to support your health close to home.
ENROL TODAY
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Enrol online: quick and easy – takes less than 5 minutes howickcommunitymedical.co.nz/enrol
80 Vincent St, Howick 09 538 0130 info@communitymedical.co.nz
Simeon Brown, right, says the Government wants sick Kiwis to access medical treatment faster.
Photo supplied
PROGRESS CONTINUES ACROSS ALL FIVE HEALTH TARGETS
More New Zealanders are being seen and treated sooner across the health system, with the latest results showing continued improvement across all five Government health targets year-on-year, Health Minister and Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown says.
“The Government’s focus is on shorter wait times for Kiwis, and these results show the system is continuing to move in the right direction. More people are being seen sooner, more treatments are being delivered, and the elective waitlist is reducing. That’s real progress, with a clear, meaningful impact for patients and their families.”
Key improvements for the January to March quarter compared to the same quarter in the previous year include:
• Shorter waits for elective treatment: 64.9 per cent treated within four months, up from 57.3 per cent in the same quarter last year.
• Shorter waits for first specialist assessment: 61.2 per cent seen within four months, up from 58.2 per cent in the same quarter last year.
• Improved childhood immunisation: 83.5 per cent of children fully immunised at 24 months, up from 79.3 per cent in the same quarter last year.
• Shorter stays in emergency departments: 74.4 per cent of patients admitted, discharged, or transferred within six hours, up from 74.2 per cent in the same quarter last year.
• Faster cancer treatment: 86.2 per cent of patients receiving cancer treatment within 31 days of decision to treat, up from 84.6 per cent in the same quarter last year.
“These results reflect steady progress across planned care, cancer services, and prevention, and show what happens when the system is focused on delivery with patients at the centre,” Brown says. “Every percentage point represents real people who waited less and got care sooner.”
The results also show continued growth in the volume of care delivered across the system:
• 178,349 first specialist assessments were completed, up seven per cent on the same quarter last year (167,069).
• 51,089 people were treated from the elective waitlist, up 5.5 per cent on the same quarter last year (48,389).
• 4,793 people received their first cancer treatment, up from 4,364 in the same quarter last year.
• 11,947 children were fully immunised at 24 months, up from 11,359 in the same quarter last year.
“While there’s more work to do, this progress shows the system is heading in the right direction,” Brown says. “The Government’s five health targets are designed to drive accountability and keep the system focused on what matters most: patients. These results show that our plan to fix the basics and build the future of our health system is working, delivering better, faster care for all New Zealanders.”
By MIKE KING, founding ambassador, I Am Hope Foundation
For years we’ve been telling men to open up. We’ve run campaigns encouraging them to talk. We’ve told them it’s okay not to be okay. We’ve urged them to reach out when they’re struggling. We’ve asked them to be honest about what’s going on beneath the surface. On the face of it, it sounds like we’ve made real progress.
Then something strange happens. When a man actually does open up, many of us don’t know what to do with it. We say we want vulnerability, but often we’re only comfortable with it in theory. We’re happy for men to talk about struggles they’ve already overcome. We applaud the comeback story because it feels safe. The crisis has passed. The ending is already written.
What makes people uncomfortable is vulnerability in real time. A man standing in front of us admitting he’s not coping. A father confessing he’s overwhelmed. A husband acknowledging he’s scared. A young bloke
saying he feels lost.
So many men become experts at hiding what’s really going on. They learn how to smile when they’re struggling. How to joke when they’re hurting. How to tell everyone they’re fine when they’re anything but. The trouble is that hiding pain doesn’t make it disappear. It just makes it harder to see.
Over the years I’ve spoken to thousands of men through my work. Farmers. Builders. CEOs. Teachers. Tradesmen. Athletes. Fathers. Grandfathers. Underneath, the conversations were remarkably similar.
Many carried a deep belief that their value was tied to what they could provide for others. They felt responsible for everyone around them while believing they had nowhere to take their own struggles. Many worried that if they showed weakness they would somehow become less of a man. What struck me wasn’t how different these men were. It was how lonely they were.
The good news is that things are changing.
I meet young men today who are having conversations their fathers and grandfathers never had. I see mates checking in on each other. I see fathers talking openly with their sons. I see more men willing to say, “I’m struggling,” without feeling ashamed.
But we still have a long way to go. Because if we genuinely want men to be vulnerable, we have to do more than encourage them to speak. We have to change the way we respond when they do. We have to listen without judgement instead of rushing to fix the problem. Most importantly, we have to stop treating vulnerability as the opposite of strength. The strongest men I’ve ever met weren’t the ones who never struggled. They were the ones who found the courage to admit when they did.
Under 25 and need someone to talk to? Book a FREE counsellor at gumbootfriday.org. nz — no GP referral needed.
Mike King
Keeping it local – without going it alone
East and south Auckland have seen a lot of change in primary care lately. When a local GP practice changes hands, especially to a large national group, patients wonder: Will my doctor still know me?
And for clinicians, the question is just as real: Is this still the kind of medicine I came here to practice?
At Botany Junction Medical, Ormiston Medical and Highbrook Medical, we think there’s a better way. Three clinics. One community. One shared purpose. These three practices sit across Tāmaki Makaurau, each with deep local roots. Together, they form a connected group that shares resources, knowledge and values, without any one of them losing what makes it theirs.
That distinction matters. When consolidation prioritises scale over relationships, something fragile gets lost – the GP who remembers what you mentioned six months ago, the nurse who knows your whānau, the team that pronounces your name correctly. Continuity of care isn’t just clinical. It’s personal. Local, but not isolated. Connected, but not corporate.
Rather than standardising everything in the name of efficiency, we’ve preserved what makes each clinic distinct – its people, its relationships, its place in the neighbourhood – while building the connected infrastructure that makes great care more consistent and sustainable. That connectivity also means enrolled patients across all three sites can access a genuinely diverse range of services.
Immigration medicals at Ormiston Medical, Travel Medicine at Highbrook Medical, and Long-acting reversible contraception at Botany Junction Medical – specialist services that reflect the real, varied needs of our community, available because three connected clinics can offer more than one can alone.
Our diverse, multilingual teams mean whānau feel genuinely welcomed. Clinicians share knowledge across sites and work within aligned systems, with the peer support and professional development of a group, without the bureaucracy of a large organisation.
Your judgment still shapes how your practice runs.
We’re not the biggest. We’re not trying to be. We’re focused on being the best version of local.
TIME FOR A ‘ME NIGHT’?
By ISABELLA ROOT
When was the last time you had a me-night? No, seriously, when was the last time you intentionally spared time to indulge in a moreish bath with all the salts and herbs, or maybe your thing is an unhurried round of golf, when was the last time you did that?
For a lot of people, the honest answer is that they can’t remember, followed by something like: “I’m just so busy I have no time for things like that!” Does that sound familiar?
Most of us spend time being somebody for someone else, a committed employee or attentive partner, a reliable parent or supportive mate. These roles are real and mostly rewarding, but they do require a version of ourselves that is constantly switched on, patient and responsive (even subconsciously) to other people’s needs.
It’s easy to forget the relationship you have with yourself and like any relationship it needs attention too.
Research in rest and psychological recovery has found spending time alone can reduce stress and help people connect with their sense of self. It helps us step out of our roles for a bit and gives our nervous systems the chance to settle.
The busier life becomes, the easier it is to drop yourself from the schedule entirely. So, maybe the issue isn’t whether we have the time, but whether we’ve made ourselves enough of a priority to take it.
Time alone isn’t selfish nor should it be seen as unnecessary or undeserved – it gives us space to show up as the person we want to be for others.
While scrolling on phones for hours might feel like downtime, it doesn’t count as quality alone time. What such quality time looks like is different for everyone – a bath, a solo walk, a round of golf or an hour tinkering in the shed, perhaps.
It isn’t so much about the activity chosen but the intent to make time for ourselves. We don’t need a whole weekend or an extensive self-care routine, sometimes just an evening, an hour or a moment is enough.
So, sometimes it’s not about ‘you,’ it really should be about ‘me’.
FINDING A WALKING GROUP FOR YOU
By DAVID MALLOWES
Have you ever thought about joining a hiking group only to decide it might be too challenging?
Some weekend walking clubs are highly adventurous, some take no prisoners and focus on reaching the destination, and then there are the groups that we enjoy the most that walk, talk, laugh, and take time to enjoy the outing.
An excellent starting point for finding walking and tramping groups throughout Auckland and beyond is the website www.meetup.com. Most groups registered with the website ask participants to contribute $2 to help cover operating costs, no membership fees.
“Walk and Talk”, led by the very welcoming Dmitry, is a great introduction for anyone new to walking. Venues are carefully chosen for their proximity to Auckland’s public transport network, making them easy to access. The walks are gentle rather than challenging, and every 20 minutes the group pauses for
a social chat giving everyone a chance to relax and get to know their fellow walkers.
“Auckland Outdoors” is led by the wonderful team of Helen and Mike, sometimes accompanied by their energetic 8-year-old, so don’t expect military-style marches. A moderate level of fitness and agility is helpful, but no special experience is required. Walks are described in excellent detail on Meetup, rated from one to five, easy to challenging. The group stops regularly for rests, photos, and to chat.
walks, along with regulars, couples, retirees, students and travellers. The shared enjoyment of the outdoors quickly breaks down barriers and turns strangers into friends.
Mike also leads occasional weekend adventures for those wanting to stretch themselves a little further. Recent and very popular trips have included Raglan and National Park. The organisation is first-class: Mike carries an impressively comprehensive first aid kit, and a designated “tail-endCharlie” ensures that nobody is left behind.
Participants span all age groups, nationalities, and levels of experience. There are always newcomers joining the
There will be a one-way Pakuranga to Musick Point coastal path walk on July 4, returning by the 712 bus. With a maximum of usually 40 walkers, the walks are quickly fully booked, do join the waitlist, if need be, there are always some cancellations.
I could write much more about other Meetup groups and the Howick Tramping Club. Maybe you have the time right now to take the first step, have a look online.
For more information including other groups and photos of walks, visit Facebook page WalksOutEast.
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PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
By SARAI ELORA, Bonita Artistry
One of the most common questions makeup artists hear is: “What order should I apply my makeup in?” While there is no single right way, following a professional application order helps products blend seamlessly, wear longer, and create a polished finish.
Step 1: Face primer
Primer creates a smooth base for makeup and can help improve longevity, hydration, or oil control. Apply primer after skincare and before foundation.
Step 2: Colour correction (optional)
Colour correction helps neutralise concerns before applying coverage products.
• Peach or orange tones help counteract under-eye darkness.
• Green tones help reduce redness around the nose, cheeks, or blemishes.
• Yellow tones can brighten dull or purple areas.
Not everyone needs colour correction, but it can create a more even complexion with less foundation.
Step 3: Coverage – foundation and/or concealer
Apply foundation first to create an even base. Follow with concealer only where additional coverage is needed, such as under the eyes, around the nose, or over blemishes.
Step 4: Powder or cream complexion products
Choose your preferred formula family.
• If using powder bronzer and blush: apply a light layer of setting or finishing powder first.
Our Compliance Packaging makes managing your medication easy, safe, and stress-free.
• If using cream bronzer and blush: apply cream products directly onto foundation and concealer before any powder.
Step 5: Bronzer and blush
If using powder products, apply bronzer first to add warmth and shape, followed by blush for colour and freshness.
If using cream products, apply bronzer and blush before lightly setting the face with powder where needed.
Step 6: Eyeshadow primer
Eyeshadow primer helps shadow grip to the eyelid, improves colour payoff, and reduces creasing throughout the day.
Step 7: Eye makeup
This includes:
• Eyeshadow
• Eyeliner
• Mascara
• Brows
Completing the complexion first allows you to balance the intensity of eye makeup with the rest of the face.
Step 8: Lips
The final colour step brings the entire look together. Choose the finish that best suits your style and occasion:
• Lip liner
• Lip stain
• Lip gloss
• Tinted lip balm
• Lipstick
Step 9: Setting spray (optional but recommended)
Setting spray helps meld all makeup layers together and can improve wear time
throughout the day.
• For humid conditions or long wear, choose a mattifying or waterproof setting spray.
• For dry or mature skin, choose a hydrating or radiant finishing spray.
Learning the correct order of makeup application can make a bigger difference than buying the latest trending product. Understanding how products work together helps create a smoother finish, improves longevity, and makes your routine feel less overwhelming.
Makeup doesn’t need to be complicated. When applied in the right order, even a simple routine can create a beautiful, long-lasting result.
Want to learn more professional beauty tips? Follow @bonitartistry on Instagram and Facebook for expert advice, makeup education, and inspiration designed to help you feel confident in your own unique beauty.
EAST AUCKLAND ART KETE
JULY-AUGUST 2026
This is a shared arts column space put together by Howick Historical Village, Te Tuhi, and Uxbridge Arts and Culture.
EVENTS:
Sunday 5 July, 9am-2pm: Browse the fresh veggies and beautiful gifts at The Village Farmers’ Market at Bell House. 75 Bells Road, Pakuranga. Free.
Tuesday 7 July, Thursday 16 July, 10am-12pm: Join the Polish Museum for a Polish comics craft workshop during school holidays! Ages five+. 125 Elliot Street, Howick. Book via: phtmuseum@outlook.com. $10pp, includes materials.
Thursday 9 July, 11am: Uxbridge Arts and Culture Theatre. School holiday film The Super Mario Bros Movie. Rating PG. 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick. Book via uxbridge.org.nz. $6 with free popcorn.
Join carver and cultural facilitator Calvin Devine (Ngāpuhi) at Howick Historical Village for two hands-on whakairo (carving) workshops:
• Thursday 9 July, 11am-1pm: Waka hourua (double hulled canoe). Ages five+ (parent supervision required for under 10s).
• Thursday 16 July, 11am-1pm: Traditional taonga puoro (musical instruments). Create your own porotiti or pūrerehua. Ages 10+. Bells Road, Pakuranga. Limited spaces. Book via Eventfinda. Each workshop $12pp (Village admission not included).
Friday 10 July, 10am-3pm: Howick Historical Village’s special Live Day | Matariki reflects on the tenets of the New Year. Join master carver Christopher Mitch (Ngāi Tahu) and wife Emma for a pounamu workshop ($10pp). Book via Eventfinda. Live day prices.
Saturday 11 July, 5-7pm: Te Tuhi presents a Matariki activation of a large sound sculpture by artist collective Sonic Hapori. 21 William Roberts Road, Pakuranga. Free.
Monday 13 – Friday 17 July, times vary: Uxbridge School Holiday Programme. A fun selection of workshops designed especially for children aged six+. From painting to
printmaking, there’s something inspiring for every young creator! Book via uxbridge.org.nz. Prices vary.
Friday 17 July, 11am-12.30pm: Howick Historical Village welcomes Trinity Hereora (Tainui), Aratohu tangihanga and natural funeral guide, for Reclaiming Indigenous Death Practices. General audiences 16+. Book via Eventfinda. Adults $22, Student/senior $20.
Saturday 18 July, 9am-3.30pm: Join O Wairoa Marae for their vibrant Matariki celebration! Honour Te Tau Hou Māori (Māori New Year) and welcome new beginnings with kai, performances, kēmu Māori (Māori games), crafts, and more. 37 Uxbridge Road, Howick. Free.
Saturday 25 July: Uxbridge Arts and Culture Workshops. Book via uxbridge.org.nz.
Tuesday 4 August, 5.45pm-6.45pm: Uxbridge Arts and Culture. Join us for a free trial session of Move to Know, a welcoming contemporary and somatic movement class for adults.
Sonic Hapori, ‘Rona’, 2026 (installation view), hue copper, muka, speaker. Commissioned by Te Tuhi, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Photo supplied Sam Hartnett
No dance experience is needed. Book via uxbridge.org.nz. Free.
Saturday 8 August (from 2pm): Te Tuhi’s August exhibition season opening event. All are welcome to join the artists Pallavi Paul, Axel Iva, Ma’alo Lafo, Lolani Dalosa and Kāhu Kaan in celebrating with shared kai and refreshments. Free.
Sunday, 9 August, 10am-4pm: Howick Historical Village invites you to come along to their visitor favourite Live Day | Folklore and Fairytales. Live Day prices.
ONGOING:
Until Sunday 19 July: Te Tuhi’s current exhibitions remain on view, featuring works by Allan McDonald, Bahar Noorizadeh, Brendan Kitto, Ilish Thomas, Pao Houa Her and Sonic Hapori. The installations navigate discrete emotions lingering around longing and revisit the past to radically reimagine the present. Free.
4 July – 3 October: Uxbridge Arts and Culture. Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Estuary Art and Ecology Awards and explore the finalists’ and winning artworks on display in the Malcolm Smith Gallery. The exhibition showcases innovative contemporary art responses to ecology and the environment. Free.
Community Hero
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.
Jonson
The latest recipient is Lorraine Jonson. She’s nominated by Pip Burns, who writes: “Lorraine has volunteered on the Howick Santa Parade for the past nine years, and has been instrumental in ensuring all facets of the parade run smoothly.
“She works tirelessly, going over and
above her assigned duties, and always with a reassuring smile. Lorraine is thoroughly deserving of the Community Hero Award, and is an extremely valuable member of the Santa Parade committee.”
Nominate a Community Hero online at www.times.co.nz/nominate/
STAR POWER HEATS UP POPULAR FOOD SHOW
Tickets are on sale for this year’s Auckland Food Show, which features four delicious days of celebrity chefs, exclusive tastings, artisan producers, cooking demonstrations and culinary inspiration waiting to be discovered.
Returning to Auckland Showgrounds this July, the show is the ultimate winter day out for anyone who loves great food, drink and discovering new flavours. Whether you’re a passionate home cook, a dedicated foodie or simply someone who enjoys eating and drinking well, there’s something for every tastebud.
Headlining this year’s Cooking Theatre are My Kitchen Rules favourites Colin Fassnidge and Manu Feildel, bringing their trademark humour, stories and culinary expertise to Auckland audiences. People who go along can expect lively demonstrations, insider tips and plenty of entertainment from one of television’s most-loved food duos.
Beyond the star attraction, visitors can enjoy
exclusive show specials and discounts unavailable anywhere else; tastings from artisan producers and household favourites; live cooking demonstrations from some of New Zealand’s most talented chefs; masterclasses designed to inspire and elevate home cooking; the ever-popular Artisan Village featuring small-batch and handcrafted products; street food and ready-to-eat offerings from some of Auckland’s favourite vendors; and the chance to discover exciting new products before they hit supermarket shelves.
For many visitors, the show has become an annual tradition – a chance to stock the pantry, fill the cellar, meet the makers and enjoy a day immersed in New Zealand’s vibrant food and beverage scene.
The event’s general manager, Helen Kay, says: “It’s a show that continues to evolve each year while staying true to what people love most. To discover, taste, and be inspired. Whether it’s meeting celebrity chefs, finding a new
and excitement that makes this event unlike anything else.”
With tickets expected to be popular, particularly for sessions featuring Fassnidge and Feildel, organisers encourage visitors to secure their tickets early. The Auckland Food Show is at Auckland Showgrounds in Epsom from July 23-26. To book, go online to www. foodshow.co.nz
WIN TICKETS!
The Times has tickets to The Food Show to
Celebrity chefs Colin Fassnidge and Manu Feildel will be at this year’s The Food Show.
Photo supplied
HOWICK HISTORICAL VILLAGE’S WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL
People of all ages turned out for a festive night filled with community spirit as Howick Historical Village in Lloyd Elsmore Park staged its popular Winter Lights Festival on June 20.
Photos supplied Margaret Jones of Howick Photographic Society
Authentic Vietnamese nights by the beach
As the sun sets, there’s a new reason to head to the beach after dark.
Your beloved local café Books and Bricks Café is now serving traditional Vietnamese cuisine each evening, bringing the vibrant flavours and warm hospitality of Vietnam to one of east Auckland’s most picturesque coastal settings.
The evening menu showcases the fresh, balanced flavours that Vietnamese cuisine is celebrated for.
Diners can enjoy fragrant bowls of pho, crisp handmade
spring rolls, grilled lemongrass meats, vibrant vermicelli salads and comforting rice dishes, all prepared with fresh herbs, aromatic spices and quality ingredients.
Pair your meal with a traditional Vietnamese iced coffee hot or cold, a refreshing fruit drink or a pot of tea while taking in the coastal surroundings.
It’s an experience that combines authentic flavours with a welcoming beachside atmosphere.
The team behind this new diner is passionate about bringing traditional flavours of Vietnam to our Bucklands Beach locals, adding a much-needed variety and additional warmth to the area at night.
“We wanted to create a cosy place
where people could enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a relaxed setting,” they explain. “For us, food is about bringing communities together.”
With generous portions, friendly service and an inviting atmosphere, Books and Bricks is quickly becoming a favourite destination for evening dining.
Whether you’re discovering Vietnamese cuisine for the first time or returning for familiar favourites, this local gem offers a memorable way to end the day.
Books and Bricks Nights – Traditional Vietnamese Cuisine, now open for dinner. Experience the hospitality and flavours of Vietnam right here in east Auckland.
FREE SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN
MEADOWLANDS SHOPPING CENTRE
Families looking for affordable ways to keep children entertained these school holidays won’t want to miss The Magic Starts Here at Meadowlands Shopping Centre – a week of free family-friendly events packed with wonder, creativity, and discovery.
Running The second week of the school holidays from July 13-17, the programme offers a magical mix of live performances and hands-on activities designed to spark imagination.
A highlight of the week is the return of popular entertainer Alan Watson, whose captivating magic shows have delighted audiences of all ages. With incredible illusions, audience participation, and plenty of laughter, these performances are sure to leave children amazed and adults equally entertained. Alan Watson will perform on July 13, 15, and 17 from 11.30am to 12pm.
Young fairies, wizards, and creative minds can
THE MAGIC STARTS HERE
also get involved in a special Fairy and Wizard Wand Workshop on July 14 from 11am to 12pm. Children will have the opportunity to design and decorate their own magical wand to take home, encouraging creativity and imaginative play.
Adding a touch of scientific wonder to the programme is the Magic of Science Show on July 16 from 11am to 12pm. This exciting and interactive presentation combines education with entertainment, bringing science concepts to life through fascinating demonstrations, surprising experiments, and plenty of audience engagement. It’s the perfect opportunity for curious young minds to discover that science can be just as magical as any illusion.
Located in the heart of east Auckland, Meadowlands Shopping Centre is inviting local families to come together and enjoy a week of free entertainment in a welcoming community environment. Whether you’re
stopping by for a show, taking part in a workshop, or making a day of it with shopping and dining, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Event schedule:
• July 13 – Alan Watson Magic Show, 11.30am to 12pm
• July 14 – Fairy and Wizard Wand Workshop, 11am to 12pm
• July 15 – Alan Watson Magic Show, 11.30am to 12pm
• July 16 – Magic of Science Show, 11am to 12pm
• July 17 – Alan Watson Magic Show, 11.30am to 12pm
All events are free to attend. Bring the family along to Meadowlands Shopping Centre these school holidays and discover a week filled with wonder, creativity, learning, and fun –because this is where the magic starts.
At Minos, every detail is
First 10 bookings from this advert receive exclusive extras - complimentary Prosecco, garlic bread to share, DJ and more
DISCOVER What's On
July 26
FOSSI Preloved Flea Market
Saturday, July 4, 9am–1pm, The Picton Centre, 120 Picton Street, Howick
Discover a range of preloved treasures at the FOSSI Preloved Flea Market, featuring men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, vintage finds, toys, jewellery, home décor, accessories, baked treats and more. Shop sustainable, save money, and support your local community. The market is held indoors, so it’s on rain or shine. Vendor spaces are available.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie | July School Holiday Film
Thursday, July 9, 11am–12.30pm, Uxbridge Arts & Culture Centre
Enjoy a fun school holiday screening of The Super Mario Bros. Movie at Uxbridge Theatre. Join Mario and Luigi in a colorful animated adventure as they journey through a magical world to rescue Luigi from Bowser. A great PG-rated outing for families and children. Cost: $6 per child (includes popcorn) | Runtime: 92 minutes Bookings: uxbridge.org.nz/ theatre or 09 535 6467
The Village Farmers’ Market at Bell
Sunday, July 5, 9am–2pm, Howick Historical Village, 75 Bells Road
Fresh, local, and full of charm, The Village Farmers’ Market at Bell House brings together growers, makers, and food producers in a relaxed heritage setting. Browse seasonal produce, artisan goods, and handmade treats while enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of the historic village. It’s the perfect spot for a Sunday wander, a bite to eat, and supporting local businesses.
Waitawa Regional Park – Planting Day
Saturday, July 11 & Sunday, August 2, 10am–12pm, Waitawa Regional Park
Join Auckland Parks rangers and volunteers for a hands-on tree planting day helping restore native habitat. Bring family and friends to enjoy the outdoors while contributing to Greener Auckland. Light refreshments are provided after planting. Please wear sturdy, closed-in shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Bring a water bottle, and gloves/spade if you have them (equipment also available). Dogs not permitted. Free.
★ Plan your next great day out!
PLEASE NOTE: information regarding times & dates of these events was correct at the time this issue went to print. However, readers are advised to check events online for updates.
Rat Pack and Marilyn: Vegas Legends
Tuesday, July 14, 11am–12.45pm, St Columba Presbyterian Church, 480 Ti Rakau Drive, Botany Downs
Step back into the golden age of glamour with a stylish daytime concert celebrating the Rat Pack era. Enjoy classic swing, jazz, and ballads inspired by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Marilyn Monroe, performed by a live band and vocalists. Tickets $42, door $45 | Group from $40. Bookings 0508 266 237 or bookings@operatunity.co.nz
Pubble at The Earl – Escape Room Meets Pub Quiz
Wednesday, July 22, 7pm, The Earl, 127 Picton Street, Howick
Enjoy a fun twist on the classic pub quiz with Pubble, where escape room-style puzzles replace traditional trivia. Work together with friends to solve clues, crack challenges, and progress through an interactive adventure story. Perfect for teams looking for a fun and unique night out. Bookings are essential: www.theearl.co.nz
Women’s Ice Hockey – Auckland Steel vs Canterbury Inferno Saturday, July 18 & Sunday, July 19, 4.30pm–6.15pm, Paradice Botany
Watch Auckland Steel take on Canterbury Inferno in a fast-paced NZ Women’s Ice Hockey League clash. Expect high-speed action, familyfriendly entertainment and top female athletes. Tickets: Adults $10, Children 5–14 $5. Hosted by Auckland Ice Hockey Association. Cheer on local talent in this thrilling competition suitable for all ages. Don’t miss!
Beats by Bingo Fun Night
Saturday, July 25, 2026, 7.30pm, Te Puru Park, 95R Whitford-Maraetai Road, Maraetai
Enjoy a high-energy evening of music, bingo, trivia, quiz games, and karaoke at Beats by Bingo Fun Night. This interactive community event combines classic bingo with party-style entertainment for a fun and social night out. Gather your friends, test your knowledge, sing along, and compete for prizes in a lively atmosphere hosted at Te Puru Park. Hosted by Beachlands Maraetai Rugby Club.
CORNED BEEF RECIPE MOROCCAN STYLE SLOW COOKED
A simple, affordable meal that’s packed with flavour. Slow cooked with Moroccan seasoning, orange and apricots, then served with creamy mashed potato and Moroccan wilted lettuce and peas.
INGREDIENTS
Moroccan Corned Beef
• 1.2 to 1.5kg corned beef
• 2½ tbsp Gault’s Moroccan Seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 onions, roughly sliced
• 2 carrots, cut into chunks
• 2 sticks celery, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 3 tbsp Gault’s Beef Stock Concentrate
• 400ml hot water
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 handful dried apricots, roughly chopped
Moroccan Wilted Lettuce and Peas
• 1 1/2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp Gault’s Moroccan Seasoning
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 cups frozen peas
• ½ iceberg lettuce, roughly shredded
METHOD
Moroccon Corned Beef
Pat the corned beef dry and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a heavy casserole dish and brown the beef on all sides. Remove and cook the onions, carrots, celery and garlic for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
Mix the Gault’s Beef Stock Concentrate with the hot water. Add the chopped tomatoes, stock, orange zest and 2 tablespoons of
Gault’s Moroccan Seasoning. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Return the corned beef to the pot. The liquid should come halfway up the meat. Add the chopped apricots. If any of the corned beef sits above the liquid, sprinkle with a little extra Gault’s Moroccan Seasoning. Cover tightly and cook at 160°C for 3-3½ hours.
The corned beef is ready when a fork slides easily into the thickest part and twists without resistance. Remove from the pot, rest for 10 minutes, then slice.
Moroccan Wilted Lettuce and Peas
Cook the peas in well-salted boiling water until tender. Drain well. Melt the butter in a large frying pan and add the Moroccan Seasoning and black pepper. Add the lettuce and toss for 1 to 2 minutes until just wilted. Add the peas and toss everything together until well coated.
Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. You may want a little more salt, cracked black pepper or even an extra pinch of Moroccan Seasoning. Serve immediately. Serves 6
SIMON SAYS:
• Pat the corned beef dry before browning and don’t rush the colour.
• Corned beef can vary in thickness, so start checking after 3 hours rather than relying on the clock. A fork should slide in easily and twist without resistance when ready.
• If the liquid reduces too much during cooking, top up with a little hot water.
Use the code SIMONSPECIAL and get $35 OFF the Moroccan Corned Beef Bundle. You’ll receive Gault’s Beef Stock Concentrate, Gault’s Moroccan Seasoning and my Multi-Use Grater. The grater is one of my absolute favourite kitchen tools. Brilliant for zesting citrus, grating garlic, parmesan and much more – it’ll become one of your kitchen essentials too. Gault’s Moroccan Seasoning and Beef Stock Concentrate are available online and in-store at Gault’s Deli.
www.gaultsdeli.co.nz/ moroccan-corned-beef-bundle
Watch recipe video here!
• Always slice across the grain for the most tender result. TASTE WITH GAULT gaultsdeli.co.nz
WATCH
WHAT WE ARE WATCHING
UNDER SALT MARSH
TVNZ+
This gripping crime thriller is set in a fictional Welsh community nestled between towering mountains and a fast-encroaching sea that threatens its existence. As a storm begins to gather, former detective turned teacher, Jackie Ellis (Kelly Reilly), discovers the body of her eight-year-old pupil, Cefin, seemingly drowned. Jackie must reconcile with her estranged policing partner as the case raises the ghost of the cold case that tore them apart.
MATERNAL INSTINCT
Netflix
This doco explores the murder of Reagan Simmons Hancock, a pregnant woman found dead in Texas with her unborn child stolen in 2020. Investigators connected the murder to Taylor Parker, who claimed to be pregnant. Parttrue crime investigation and partpsychological portrait, Maternal Instinct traces how Parker’s efforts to maintain a false pregnancy ended in her violently killing Hancock, exploring questions about trust, manipulation, and the extent to which a constructed identity can be sustained before breaking.
NOT SUITABLE FOR WORK
Disney+
Hailed as a 2026 version of hit sitcom Friends, Not Suitable for Work explores the next stage in young people’s lives after high school. Five work-obsessed 20-something professionals living in Manhattan’s Murray Hill neighbourhood are focused on achieving career success and finding time for personal happiness.
NOTEWORTHY PODCASTS
THE HAPPY SAVER PODCAST
In the episode Renting, Investing, and Building Financial Freedom, after following the traditional advice to buy a home, Anna and her partner, Thom, began to question whether home ownership really suited the life they wanted. Once they ran the numbers, they made the bold decision to sell their house, rent a home that better fits their lifestyle, and redirect their surplus income into sharemarket investments instead. Anna’s story is about much more than money. It’s about questioning lifestyle creep, rethinking housing as the automatic path to wealth, biking instead of driving, budgeting with intention, and creating enough financial margin to have real choices.
SEARCH & RESCUE NZ
Head to the hills, scour the bush, and dive deep into the caves with a series that takes you behind the scenes of the rescues in New Zealand’s unforgiving outdoors. Go out with the volunteers who put themselves on the line to rescue complete strangers. Host Paul Roy looks at the evolution of rescues from the do-it-yourself operations of the 1960s to today’s highly managed efforts. They all have one thing in common – something went wrong, and someone needed help.
KIWI TALES
Episode 21 features Frank Wright, who is known for his high-quality aircraft rebuilds, however he has had a lifetime of adventures (both in and out of aviation), including barefoot waterskiing, Pacific ferry flying, jet boating, venison recovery with Supercub and helicopters, movie stars, and many others.
RIDING THROUGH LIFE, RRP $50
Some men build careers. Some build legacies. Neville Wooderson did both. This new book follows the incredible life story of well-known Papakura resident, craftsman plumber, and now author, Neville Wooderson. From the grit of the 1930s Depression to building hospitals and schools in Nepal alongside Sir Edmund Hillary, and from the highoctane roar of the Isle of Man TT to supporting racing legends Dobsy & Chris Swallow — Neville’s life has been an extraordinary journey fueled by passion and service.
THE SECRET GARDEN CLUB, RRP $38
Can a broken heart learn to bloom again? When Hilary finds her husband of 30 years dead on his way to the compost heap, it is the end of the world as she knows it. In a fit of grief, she lays waste to every inch of the beautiful garden to which George devoted his life. But nearly as shocking as George’s death are the group of strangers who appear at Hilary’s door. Announcing themselves as The Secret Garden Club, they tell Hilary that George was a member and one of their dearest friends. So why has Hilary never heard of them? And have they got something to do with the mysterious mourner at George’s funeral, with his favourite orchid pinned to her chest?
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World champs for BMX Raiders
By PJ TAYLOR
BMX cycle racing’s accessibility to people of all ages perhaps explains why 27 standout riders of Mountain Raiders BMX Club are heading to the sport’s world championships.
The thrill-seeking twowheel cycling class stages its world champs in Brisbane, Australia, on July 17-19.
It’s also a reason why the contingent from the east Auckland club is strong, as it’s not too far for the competitors and their supporting families to travel to such an elite event.
The Times visited Mountain Raiders BMX Club’s topclass community track at Lloyd Elsmore Park on Sunday, June 28, a special day of fine-tuning riders’ preparations and to receive their New Zealand representative uniforms.
Lance Joyce, of the club and one of the New Zealand team’s managers, said the riders came from across the BMX northern region – Pukekohe to Whangarei – with the focus of the session “keeping it relaxed”, a chance for the competitors to get to know each other before racing as New Zealand teammates.
“It’s about fine-tuning those things that you’ve been working on for years. You’re not going to increase your skills two weeks out from the world championships.
“It’s really about the connection. This group of kids,
who associate with different clubs and week to week compete against each other, will be able to support each other as members of the New Zealand team at the world champs.”
Joyce said BMX is a healthy sport the whole family can be involved and participate in and that creates a strong club and lasting friendships.
“It’s the sort of sport where the parents need to be invested. You get good parent and family interaction, and the kids just want to be here hanging out with their mates.”
The UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) BMX Racing World Championships are run at the Brisbane SX International BMX Centre.
It’s the venue where many Mountain Raiders and other New Zealand riders contested the 2026 BMX Oceania Continental Championships
in hotter conditions in February.
The UCI BMX Racing World Championships for the Challenge and Masters’ classes are at the same place on July 22-25.
Of its world champs, the UCI says: “More than 3000 elite riders from across the planet will battle it out on every jump, turn, and finish-line sprint on the 400metre Brisbane BMX Racing Track at Sleeman Sports Complex.
“For the first time, the championship racing will be held before the Challenge and Masters competitions: men and women elite, under23, and junior riders will take to the track on July 18-19, before four days of racing brings together amateur riders vying for glory in their respective age categories.
“Brisbane, hometown of reigning Olympic champion
Saya Sakikibara, hosted the third and fourth rounds of the 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Cup, marking the city’s first appearance on the series’ calendar.
“Brisbane’s role as host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games reinforces its reputation as a global centre for elite sport,” says the UCI.
• Mountain Raiders BMX Club riders in the New Zealand team of 324 for the world champs are: Jake Anderson, Haru Shimada, Sota Shimada, Liam Wang, Jayden Verryt, Beauden Lam, Kaiden McDonald, Delan Johns, Luke Horrowfield, Josh Braithewaite, Jai Matene, Coulter Joyce, Reef Henricks, Lucas Matene, Regan Smith, William Herbert, Orla Lloyd, Evelyn Zhu, Georgia Pou-Edwards, Aislinn Lloyd, Olivia Foss, Olivia Anderson, Addison Harrowfield, Niamh Lloyd, Courtney Smith, Ellie Biddick, and Selina Pfister.
Some of the Mountain Raiders BMX Club’s youngers riders going the sport’s world championships, with clubman Lance Joyce, one of the NZ team’s managers. Times photo PJ Taylor
Botany Downs Secondary College’s (BDSC) First XV rugby team, pictured in blue, hosted Dilworth School in an Auckland Secondary School 1A encounter on Saturday, June 20. Dilworth ran in six tries to one to take the win 38-7. In the most recent action, last weekend, BDSC’s First XV lost away to Mount Albert Grammer School 5-38. Saint Kentigern College’s First XV defeated St Paul’s College 33-6. In the 1B rugby competition, Howick College’s First XV earned a 46-15 away win over Avondale College. Macleans College’s First XV lost to Southern Cross 21-36 while Pakuranga College’s First XV went down away to Mount Roskill Grammar School by a score of 14-19.
Photos supplied Margaret Jones of Howick
Photographic Society
Junior league players building confidence and friendships
East Auckland’s Pakuranga Aura Jags Under 7s team are proving rugby league is about much more than what happens on game day.
With a squad of 16 enthusiastic young players, they’ve built a strong culture of teamwork, inclusion, commitment and fun. One of the standout features of this year’s squad is the growing number of girls getting involved in rugby league.
The Aura Jags proudly have seven girls in their U7 team, all of whom display confidence, determination and skill on the field.
Their participation reflects a positive trend across the sport, with more girls choosing to give rugby league a go each year, the club says.
“The team’s commitment has been evident since pre-season. Training twice a week, the players have shown impressive dedication, with only two training sessions cancelled throughout the entire pre-season period. This consistency has helped the young athletes develop their skills while strengthening friendships within the team.
“The Aura Jags are also proud to foster an inclusive environment where every
child feels welcome. Two of the team’s players are neurodivergent, but these differences have never been seen as barriers.”
Instead, the club says, the team embraces each child’s unique strengths, and all players work together respectfully and support one another both on and off the field.
The bond between the players continues to grow stronger each week.
Whether they’re training, playing games or celebrating achievements together, they enjoy plenty of laughs and creating lasting memories along the way.
This season has also marked an exciting milestone for the team, securing its first sponsor, Precision Boat Painters Ltd (precisionboatpainters.com).
The sponsorship provided training tees for all players, giving the young Jags an extra sense of pride and belonging as they represent their club. Adding to the positive team culture, every player receives a small snack pack after each game, recognising their effort and giving them something to look forward to after they’ve given their all on the field.
The Pakuranga Aura Jags
U7s are proving success isn’t just measured by scores and results.
Through inclusion, dedication, friendship and grow-
ing participation from girls in rugby league, they’re building a team culture both players and families can be proud of.
Members of the Pakuranga Aura Jags U7s team.
Photo supplied
PUZZLE TIME
PUZUP PUZZLE NO. 12
HOW TO PLAY PUZUP® 7X7
• 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 69
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
FILL IN THE BLANKS NO. 8205
4 LETTERS Gobi Leaf Okra Pair
5 LETTERS Aline Bagel Bench Event Nanny Nobel Notes Oyama
11. Indication that you find the contract acceptable (4).
12. Is said to have composed a duet in answer to it (9).
16. Is he a native of a country where people all drink? (9).
20. An advantage and more (4).
22. Practise on, which is something you really enjoy (5).
23. Top man, now (4).
24. She returned when I left (4).
DOWN
1. Pose, say, with fish (6).
2. Like the fight you have when you don’t take things lying down? (5-2).
3. Ready, stand by the seat (6).
4. If worried at all, I get worried for the child (6).
5. Sells whips (5).
7. She was brought up, for instance, by mother (5).
13. The day before, I had a quiet swim (3).
14. Briefly, where your electrical trouble lies (2,5).
15. Intend to shield one: that’s clear (5).
17. Straightening out even a bend in the road (6).
18. The most recent man to stand trial (6).
19. Allow the girl to start bleating (6).
21. Doesn’t go to get the struts (5).
25. How George Washington signed himself? (5,5). DOWN
182
9213 41793 5 6 1 6 5 29 3 5 42 697543 3 4 1 6
QUICK PUZZLE NO. 8207
Commit (10)
Wood (4)
Insect (4)
Decorate (5)
Tale (4)
Translate (9)
Boatman (9) 20. Ooze (4) 22. Out of condition (5)
Style (4)
Cleanser (4)
Convincing (10)
1. Streamer (6)
2. Description (7)
3. Increase (4,2)
4. Easy (6)
5. Pier (5)
7. Hirsute (5)
13. Hasten (3)
14. Imperfection (7)
15. Singer (5)
17. University (England) (6)
18. Bypass (6)
19. Vegetable (6)
21. Animal (5)
Puzzle answers on page 69
Admin
•
U3A Pakuranga
U3A Pakuranga is for people 55+ years looking to meet new people and to continue to learn in interest groups of your choice. Our monthly meeting is on Monday, July 6, at 1.45pm at St Andrews Church, top of Vincent Street, Howick. Our guest speaker will be Peter Wharton, his subject being ‘Chasing storms and cyclones’. Guests welcome.
Polish comics craft workshop
An educational presentation and activity for the school holidays. Learn about the creators, stories and history of Polish comics. Make comic character craft work to take home. For ages five upwards. Held on July 7 and 16 from 10am-12pm at Polish Museum, 125 Elliot Street, Howick. $10 per person, including craft materials. Ph 533 3530 or email phtmuseum@outlook.com to book.
Genealogists
The next meeting of the Howick Branch of the NZSG will be held on Saturday, July 11, at St Andrews Church Centre, Vincent Street, Howick at 1.30pm. Tessa Duder will tell the story of early Auckland through the eyes of Sarah Mathew and Harriet Sparrow. Door charge is $5. Visitors welcome. Further information phone 09 576 4715 or 09 576 5400.
U3A Howick
The U3A Howick meeting will be held at St Andrews Presbyterian Church, 11 Vincent Street, on July 13. Parking is available at the rear. The meeting will start at 9.30am. Guests welcome. U3A focuses
on ongoing learning for age 55 plus retirees and semi retirees. Check out u3ahowicknz.co.nz for further information.
Stroke Club
Life after a stroke can be a lot to navigate. Come talk with people who understand the journey. We focus on fun and friendship. Join us in Howick on Mondays or Highland Park on Thursdays. A typical morning includes bingo, morning tea, bowling and card games. For more information and details contact Avril at hpstrokeclub@gmail.com.
Crochet and craft supplies
Glenise, who’s based in Botany, is offering a large collection of crochet and craft supplies for sale as she prepares to move into a rest home. Items include crochet kits, wool, patterns, and a variety of craft accessories such as eyes, noses, and materials for soft toy making, perfect for crafters, hobbyists, or groups looking to stock up. If you’re interested, give her a call on 021 137 8489.
Free Glow Worm
Walk – Tōtara Park
Tuesday, July 7, 2026, arrive 6.15pm (walk 6.30pm7.30pm approx). Join a free guided evening walk through Tōtara Park in Manurewa, Auckland, to see glow worms in their natural habitat. Please arrive early for checkin. Wear sturdy footwear and warm clothing, and bring a torch per family. Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Event may be cancelled in severe weather. Bookings via Eventbrite registration platform.
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.
SITUATION VACANT
Support workers required to join our awesome team caring for 4 mildly disabled young people. Some sleepovers will be required.
thebrowns@colbar.co.nz
MEDICAL CLINICS
CLINIC HOURS
www.easthealth.co.nz
Auckland Family Medical Mon - Fri 8am - 6pm
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 M-F 9am4pm & Sat 9am-noon
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. Same day acute clinic bookings at Highbrook Medical Ormiston Medical Mon - Fri 7.30am-5pm No
Highbrook Medical Mon - Fri 8am-5pm No Yes. Same day acute clinic bookings M-F 8am-4pm
Howick House Medical Centre Mon - Thu 8.30am-6pm Fri 8.30am-5pm No No, bookings only
Howick Community Medical Mon - Fri 8.00am-5pm No No, bookings only
Juliet Ave Surgery Mon - Fri 8.30am-5pm No No, bookings only
Kawakawa Bay(K)/ Orere (O) Health Clinic Mon, Wed - Fri K: 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
