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Ministry of Health Statistics on the obesity epidemic in NZ make for sobering reading. One third of adult New Zealanders are obese with a further third being overweight, three times what it was in the 1970’s, and the 3rd highest in the OECD. With studies showing a direct correlation between obesity and debilitating diseases, mental health issues and increasingly, shortened life…

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS IN PAPAKURA We are getting ready for Christmas here as it looms up in just a few months CAROLS IN THE PARK Friday 6th of December in Central Park from 6 pm ROTARY SANTA PARADE Sunday 8th of December in Central Park at 3 pm in town CHILLING IN THE PARK Sunday 8th of December in Central Park straight after the Santa Parade – come down to…

Having a baby is one of the most beautiful things in life. The fertility journey should be full of joys but unfortunately it can be stressful and frustrating when things don’t turn up the way you expected. Some are doing it for the first time, some are suffering from secondary infertility, some have been trying for a while and would simply like some help. There are also others…

Cars these days are built to go fast and most modern cars are well equipped with any number of safety features designed to keep those inside them safe in case of an accident. But it is often something that gets overlooked in the importance stakes, something that only has the same surface area as the palm of your hand that keeps you on the road. Your Tyres! Archie’s Tyremart has…

Real estate has become a way of life for Alison Kemp and it is evident from the moment you meet her that she wouldn’t change it. “My focus is on delivering service to my clients beyond their expectations and hopefully a very positive experience in what can be a very stressful time. My clients are my absolute number one priority.” says Alison. “I just love property and seeing…

New Zealand has its noble history – the glossy version which is safe for our children to learn about in school, the version of peace, pasture and parchment. But then there’s the other history of New Zealand, a history in which men like Hongi Hika orchestrated endless warfare, drenching entire generations in blood, just to quell their appetite. Welcome to Part 1 of New Zealand’s…

On his return to England in July 1775, Cook accepted a position with the Royal Hospital at Greenwich, claiming his sailing days were over, probably to the relief of his wife. Before long, the lure of the ocean had Cook agreeing to lead a two-ship expedition to the North Pacific. He would again command Resolution, with the assistance of John Gore and William Bligh (of Bounty…

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…

As one of New Zealand’s larger than life and undoubtedly most rock n roll poets, Sam Hunt is a rare commodity that has always remained somewhat unconventional, an essentialist and unashamedly honest in his plethora of work that spans more than forty decades. Born Samuel Percival Maitland Hunt, July 4th 1946 in Castor Bay, Auckland, he has one other sibling, an older brother,…

Summer 2019 is all about colour – mustards, oranges/reds, pinks, blues and a mixture in florals – vibrant and pretty for the sunny days ahead. “Athleisure” is still on trend – leather sneakers and slip-ons which are great for this time of the year. And the leathers are soft and styles more comfortable than ever! “This year’s range is one of our best – and don’t forget we…

It’s obvious the moment you set foot in a Platinum home, that the attention to detail, finishing and features are what sets them apart. Murray Taylor from Platinum Homes Manukau and Counties expresses it best. “We know what works, simply because we have designed and built so many homes over the years. Platinum Homes have such a vast range of home plans which are designed to offer…

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…

eHaus has been designing and building high performing homes across New Zealand for the last 10 years and winners of multiple industry awards. We specialise in the design and build of warm, dry, healthy homes. Building a home is the biggest investment most people make in their lifetime but unlike most other purchases, performance isn’t typically something people think about when…

It’s a case of out with the old and in with the new for the Takanini Urgent Pharmacy. Established in November 1976, the pharmacy has been serving the community ever since, sharing the same site in Takanini as Counties Medical. However, with the Medical centre requiring more room to expand services, the Pharmacy and Dentist have recently re-located directly behind the Medical…

Several months ago, it was abundantly clear that KiwiBuild was a complete failure. In the 2017 election campaign, the Labour Party’s biggest promise was to “deliver 100,000 quality, affordable houses for first home buyers over the next decade”. It was recognised that it would take some time to crank up the programme to achieve this, but the initial aim was to build 16,000…

Reviewed by Josie Laird. A mystery within a family saga which stretches across a century, involving an aristocratic family in England and the escape of various family members and retainers to New Zealand. Pamela, Lady Scawton, discovers a body on her estate. Police find a half-complete letter addressed to her son, the new Lord Charles, and an unusual stone. Yet the dead man is…

Reviewed by Josie Laird. The flood stories of different indigenous people all over the world bear striking similarities. There was a flood, nearly 11,000 years ago. Only a few select people survived and then a group of ‘gods’, fair-skinned, tall and blonde or red-haired, appeared to help resurrect civilization. These myths occur in Egypt, Japan, the Andes and Easter Island, with…

The Counties Cycle Classic returns this year on October 13th at, Pukekohe Park raceway again using the world-famous VS track to start and finish the races. Fast become a fixture on the cycling calendar, the event organised by the Rotary Club of Pukekohe Inc. is shaping up to be even bigger and better this year. Organiser Graham Russell says the classic has again been well…

Another season has passed, my 19th season of winter football in Franklin. Another year of progression – slowly but steady improvements that continue to drive the football talent space forward in our community. I was MC at last week’s prize giving and whilst writing a speech, it gives the chance to reflect. Firstly, thank you to the member clubs whom are doing a fantastic job in…

At the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California back in January it was an honour for us to meet Jim "Jake" Jacobs who was the other half of Pete & Jakes Hot Rod Parts which GMS Hot Rods are dealers for. Pete & Jakes were founded in 1973 shortly after the late Pete Chapouris and Jim “Jake” Jacobs met and had their iconic coupes featured in Rod & Custom Magazine – these…