November 2019

There is plenty of choice locally in Pukekohe when it comes to finding a building company who are willing and able to build a house for you, complete with all the bells and whistles. But it takes a special builder with whom you can create a relationship worthy of a friendship that results in a stress free, exact build that you and family can call home and create a mountain of memories. Lance Hutton is one such builder, and along with his…

One of the main headlines this morning on the New Zealand news sites that I frequent each day reads “Why you won’t see Judith Collins nude this summer.” Another screams “'Sick' life-sized doll suggests scary future for office workers.” I suppose it makes a change from the 20 or so stories about the Rugby World cup, however it makes me somewhat embarrassed for my own profession that it is seemingly having to prostitute itself with click bait to…

Parenting doesn’t come with a handbook and anyone who has ever been a parent or acted as a caregiver to a child, knows that it is not easy negotiating the many needs of a child from the moment they are born. Connecting Together is a relatively new Occupational therapy community service/private practice providing care, intervention, therapy and guidance to children and families in the Franklin area. It is the brainchild of Melissa Walker-Tate, a…

With Christmas just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about long Summer evenings spent dining with friends, relaxed brunches with extended families and the obligatory workplace Christmas party. What better venue is there than Bracu Restaurant to celebrate these occasions all festive season long. Nestled on the sunlit slopes of the Bombay Hills, just out of central Pukekohe the well renowned fine dining Bracu restaurant forms part…

The heated exchanges that occurred at a recent Ministry for the Environment meeting in Pukekohe are symptomatic of the pressures building on our growers and farmers. They are becoming increasingly worried about the future and Government policies are the key reason. They turned out in force to meet Ministry for the Environment officials and Freshwater Leaders Advisory Committee chair John Penno when they hosted a “roadshow” to get feedback on…

Our ears' main function is to transmit and transduce sound to the brain through the parts of the ear and as we age like much about our bodies, changes occur, and this can result in hearing loss. Because this can happen over a period of time, it can have a significant effect on your quality of life if left untreated or treated poorly with an ill-fitting hearing aid. The team at family owned Total Hearing Care are very aware of the impact poor…

Politicians around the world have been calling for faster and faster action to reduce emissions. Our own Prime Minister has joined the political hype-train by announcing climate change is "my"/her generation’s nuclear free moment (who made everyone under 40 "her" generation? and why are we now pitting different generations against each other?) Politicians around the world have clamoured over each other to announce they will do more than the…

After his death, James Cook’s memory was revered and his mana grew, while ‘his reputation spread across the Pacific’.[^2] However, it was in only those places, such as Hawaii and Tahiti, where ‘Cook had forged a ceremonial friendship with a paramount chief that he later became a focus of ancestral veneration’.[^3] For Maori, it was his Tahitian companions who were remembered in oral traditions, while Tongan memories focussed on the plot to kill…

Ensom Funeral Services recognises that each family’s needs are different and, with that in mind, they take the time to prepare a unique and fitting tribute and farewell. It is the emphasis on providing personal advice and assistance to grieving families that sets Ensom Funeral Services apart. · The friendly and professional team at Ensom Funeral Services has been part of the Auckland community for many years. John Ensom started in the…

A few weeks ago, the Government announced that as from 2022 teaching New Zealand history would be a mandatory part of the school curriculum, at both primary and secondary level. As somebody who was an historian before he was an economist, I was delighted. It is important that all New Zealanders, whether born here or born overseas, have an understanding of where we have come from as a nation – including the things we can be proud of and the…

Pukekohe motor racing star Liam Lawson has returned home from another successful season in Europe, where he finished runnerup in the Euroformula Open (EFO) championship and won the Rookie of the year title. Lawson was signed by the Red Bull Junior programme at the start of this year and has endured an intensive year of racing in two championships across Europe. Red Bull management wanted him to concentrate on the EFO series but they also…

Seven hundred-odd kilometres south of Papakura, as the crow flies, the Department of Conservation is waging war on introduced pests. Great stuff, many people might think, giving the matter a quick nod of approval before carrying on with their busy lives. This is what DOC does, after all. It conserves. That’s what conservation means, doesn’t it? They work tirelessly to preserve and protect, to resurrect and regenerate, to keep everything that’s…

The wide smiles, happy laughs and cheerful chatter of children and adults is always an uplifting sound and the atmosphere is never more saturated with excitement than at a birthday party or special occasion, so it’s important to get the best entertainment you can to make it a day to remember! At Imagine Face Painting and Entertainment, it is their job to do just that and they take pride in ensuring whatever the occasion from the booking through…

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…

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…

Widely regarded as an originator of horror and detective genres as well as a pioneer of the modern short story with reoccurring images of murder, madmen, vivisepulture and mysterious women who rise from the dead came an American writer, poet, editor and literary critic who led a fascinating life full of financial hardships and mystery, but remains one of America’s important figures in world literature. Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston,…

_Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do._ · — Pele The words of a true legend, recognised by some as the best player of the beautiful game EVER and words that rang true for a group of Franklin United Academy members who were lucky enough to spend part of their recent school holidays training in Porirua, Wellington at the highly regarded…

The Weir Rose Bowl began in the 1950s as a competition for U-12 boys, with the WRB trophy donated by Tom Weir, a member of the Junior Management Committee of Auckland Football. The event is viewed as an important step in the development of aspiring young footballers, giving them their first taste of regional football. · After the formation of the Federations in 2000, the WRB evolved into a format where Northern Football, Auckland Football and…

Last issue, we heard of the terrible conquest of Hongi Hika, a warlord whose bloodlust began by avenging Ngāpuhi. But there have been other killers in New Zealand’s past, who didn’t need war to justify their slaughter. Meet young Maketu, son of a Ngāpuhi Chief, who embarked on a murderous rampage because he was having a bad day… In 1837, Captain John Roberton purchased Motuarohia Island (Russell, Northland), began converting the island for…

Every year we celebrate the attempt by a group of English dissidents to blow up the English parliament over 400 years ago. Every November the letting off of fireworks results in a flood of claims to ACC, sends horses through fences and terrorises cats and dogs, keeps fire brigades busy battling blazes and has insurance companies running for cover. · Why do we do it? Well, fireworks are fun, as the Chinese discovered about 2000 years ago. Many…

The late 1960s saw the best pre-Formula One racing this country has ever experienced. Racing took place over January, during the European winter, giving the Formula One teams a chance to test new chassis and suspension systems prior to the upcoming European season. The only difference was that the engine capacity was limited to 2.5 litres, as opposed to the Formula One limit of 3 litres. As a young motor sport enthusiast, I was teamed up to…

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 expectancy, you’d think these figures would be on the way down. But…

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 Central Park and listen to a few good bands, grab a coffee, Mr…

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 have been on this road a long time and been through the emotion…