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November 26th 1961 – The Drug Thalidomide is withdrawn from the market after affecting over 10,000 babies worldwide Thalidomide changed our relationship with new medicines for ever. It took five years for the connection between thalidomide taken by pregnant women and the impact on their children to be made. Not only did thalidomide change people’s lives, but it resulted in…

If it’s not beginning to look a lot like Christmas yet, it will soon enough. This year, we’re looking forward to a host of events to help lift those – Christmas Spirit. CAROLS IN THE PARK – Dec 2, from 6pm, Central Park: Pack a picnic for a fun filled, family-focused, free evening, featuring carols as well as other Christmas songs. PAPAKURA ROTARY SANTA PARADE – Dec 4,…

The Reserve Bank of NZ delivered another 0.5% increase in the official cash rate (OCR), taking it to 3.5% – the highest level since June 2015 when they lowered it from 3.5% to 3.25%. In terms of mortgage rate implications floating loans may see increases but there might not necessarily be much change in fixed rates as a direct result of this increase. From a borrower’s…

If you are anything like me, then the death last month and subsequently funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II has been very much a pointed reminder into the history behind both the Monarchy and its impact on us as a member of the Commonwealth. She was a remarkable woman of service and the funeral if you haven’t already watched at least part of it, is well worth it. It is indeed…

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has passed away, and the overwhelming majority of people in New Zealand mourn her passing. Not, of course, because her death was unexpected, or a tragedy in the ordinary sense of that word: at the age of 96 and increasingly suffering “mobility issues”, she had outlived the great majority of her subjects by at least a decade and was able to perform…

Mike Wilson from Stroud Homes in Pukekohe is a man on a mission. Stroud Homes has experienced tremendous growth in recent times and is building a brand-new show home to showcase the latest styles and features that Stroud can offer. He has been building homes for over 17 years, ensuring every customer is given the very best level of service which is reflected in the growing number…

elocal returned to Roulston Street, Pukekohe to find out a bit more about the Cutting Edge Plastic Surgery team. e After last month’s profile in elocal people are asking what’s different now? It’s just that now, 11 years after coming to Pukekohe, we can give a better service and add more depth to what we do – like skin cancer screening, all in our own purposely renovated…

Gut cancers include oesophageal, stomach, liver, gallbladder, bile duct, pancreatic, and bowel cancers. Collectively, gut cancers are the most common type of cancer in New Zealand, with 15 New Zealanders diagnosed each day. Sadly, more than half of those diagnosed will not survive beyond 5 years. Local teacher Kim Sutton knows all too well how widespread and devastating the…

The season has ended on a high for a group of dedicated Franklin United footballers who have taken out the Northern Region Football Under 15’s Conference Championship with a 3-3 draw against Ellerslie in front of a packed Drury Hill. The team is coached by Former Solomon Islands International Captain Henry Fa’arodo and Franklin United Premier Team member Chris Brett and the…

Baker’s Shoes in Waiuku has been a family run business for almost three decades and this month celebrates 30 years in business. The shop was opened by Grace Sullings in 1967 then subsequently bought by Harry and Pam Latta in 1980 and has always been a shoe shop. Fiona and Clark Baker bought the business in 1992 and changed the name to Baker’s Shoes and More. Whilst the store and…

We were delighted to host National Deputy Leader Nicola Willis in the electorate on Monday 29 August. We took advantage of Nicola’s business acumen by inviting her to join the panel for our Women Who Are Leaders / He Wāhine Rangatira event in the afternoon. A free community event open to all businesswomen from commercial and not-for-profit organisations, the afternoon was…

The New Zealand Hot Rod Association (NZHRA) recently celebrated a Covid delayed 60th anniversary. For two weeks during September the "Diamond Cruise" traveled from one end of New Zealand to the other stopping at hot rod clubs and shops all over the country. Those who attended said it was an unreal journey as the cruise zig zagged its way across the country starting in Bluff and…

Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, died last month at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years. She died peacefully at her Scottish estate, where she had spent much of the summer, with family by her side. Her last duty, just two days before her death to appoint the new British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, which she did with her usual grace and smile. Her…

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! It may seem like a way off, but Christmas is just around the corner and local festivities include these unmissable events and shopping opportunities: Carols in the Park, December 2, from 6pm, Central Park Papakura Rotary Santa Parade, December 4, from 3pm, leaving from Central Park Chilling in the Park, follows the Santa Parade, from 4-6pm, Central Park …

Strong Competition amongst the mainstream banks has been a key factor in the limiting of interest rates rises until recently. The likelihood that we have reached the peak of the rising interest rate cycle is uncertain but with one last week and another signalled before the end year – we are not out of the woods yet. Interest rates and their influence on the borrowing power and…

I had an email last month from a reader in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia who wanted to check on the whereabouts of his elocal from his home address in Pukekohe as his sister mentioned she hadn’t received one for a few months and he was disappointed as she would send them to him in Jakarta and he would pass them to the expat kiwis to read and there were thoroughly enjoyed. We…

Local elections decide who represents us on our city, district, and regional councils. In some parts of New Zealand, local elections are also held for local and community boards, licensing trusts, and some other organisations. The people elected to local councils get to make decisions about our daily lives and the future of our towns and cities. They set and collect rates,…

Every good relationship is built on knowing the people you deal with well and being able to communicate with them with a high degree of honesty. When you meet Ryan and Raphaëlle it is immediately apparent that they run their business in exactly that way. But who are Ryan and Raphaëlle and why should you reach out to them? Raphaëlle hails from a picturesque village (pop. 800)…

When Bayleys Branch Manager Sharleen Buchanan jumped into the driving seat of the local Pukekohe office just over 4 years ago, she set a goal to successfully lead and grow a dynamic sales team and to compliment them with a new modern office and customer focused space in which to work in. As the team grew and their market share increased, it quickly became evident that their…

Croquet is a sport that involves hitting ½kg plastic balls with a mallet through a series of hoops that are embedded in a grass playing court 32m x 25.6m. Pukekohe boasts its own local club with superb modern facilities that is looking to share its love of the game with new members. Officially formed in 1913, on land behind what is now the Town Hall, Pukekohe Croquet Club moved…