Articles in ‘Community’

If you are looking for something to do as the weather gets warmer that gets you and the family out and about then you can’t go past the new Five Summits Walk and Bike Trail and accompanying map that has recently been developed in Pukekohe. A gift to the community from the Pukekohe Tramping Club for its 50th anniversary year, the Five Summit’s trail is an amazing near half marathon loop (21km) covering a plethora of landscapes, that can be…

The Christmas season is a time to celebrate being with family and friends. It can however sometimes isolate members of our community, especially our senior members, who are without a strong network around them or who’s usual network of friends return to their own families outside of the area. For a number of years now, locals, Amanda Mitchell and Carole Inight in conjunction with Philip Coarse -Scott, from Southern Spit Roast BBQ .Catering Co.…

Cosplay. To some people it’s a foreign word and they have no clue what it is. To others, they might have heard of it, but know little else, and Cosplayers themselves? Well, to them it can be a pretty big deal. Cosplay is short for costume play, an anglicised version of the Japanese word, “Kospure” and it is exactly that. Adults dressing up as, but not limited to, characters from their favourite TV shows, movies, comics, anime (Japanese hand…

Go in the draw to win one of three $100 Papakura shopping Vouchers which can be spent in Papakura Town Centre! 12 shops or places in Papakura town centre have a Christmas bauble with a special number on it located in their shop window. Follow the clues to find them. Fill in your answers & put your entry form in the box instore at the last shop on the hunt or at Santa’s grotto (188 Great Sth Rd by Selwyn Centre) by 3pm Saturday 21st Dec. · See…

It’s that time of year again when, for all things, Jolly, Joyful and generally Christmassy, Papakura is your one stop Christmas stop! Having always had always had a strong community spirit, a varied retail base with 36 new shops opened this year alone, and with numerous eatery options, your local town centre has pulled out all the stops to make this festive season the best ever! If you look around town, you will see the wonderful flags and bows…

For anyone who has dabbled in the vintage or pinup community and culture there is one event that is set into their calendars each year and that is the Very Vintage Day Out. This year, the home of the Jack Daniel’s Miss Pinup New Zealand pageant. · The aim of the Miss Pinup New Zealand pageant is to encourage women of all shapes and sizes to feel confident, step out of their comfort zones and to show their inner and outer beauty through the art…

It’s hard to imagine that behind the wide smile, bright eyes and amazing mop of dark brown curls sitting across from me, is a young man who in recent years has struggled with his own mental health. For Caleb Ihaia though it is a reality. Despite chatting confidently and articulately today about his recent experiences walking the Inca Trail, to raise awareness and funds for the Mental Health Foundation. It is a far cry from the way he felt, five…

Years of erosion have taken their toll on Sunset Beach, Port Waikato and the problem is now more serious than ever. Over half the car park has been lost, the community hall has been condemned, and is due for demoltion, homeowners have been forced to leave their homes, the surf lifesaving tower has been moved twice and while the Waikato District Council has been consistent in keeping locals abreast of the problems, the locals feel somewhat…

From serving their communities to preventing crime while developing leadership skills, being part of the Police force can be one of the most rewarding careers a person can have, and now, thanks to a growing course initiative between Police, schools and the Papakura Local Board, students at Papakura High School now have the chance to be a part of the course creating their own career pathways. The Introduction to Police Studies NCEA course was…

For the ninth year running ex pat Yorkshire people have gathered at the Pukekohe Cosmopolitan club during July for a series of traditional Yorkshire Day events. The event, which attracted 120 people this year, was attended by Bill Cashmore the Deputy Mayor of Auckland along with Andy Baker a member of the Franklin local Board. It commenced with the ceremonial arrival of the Yorkshire Flag which is mounted on a parade pole. The flag bears the…