After using a range of tactics in an attempt to control and defuse the situation in Beachlands in November 2023, police say officers arrested five young men. Photo supplied
Counties Manukau Police say they accept the findings of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) following a disorder by a group of young men in Beachlands.
On November 11, 2023, police say they were called following a complaint of a group of intoxicated men behaving in a disruptive manner.
The incident led to officers failing to follow the correct process for issuing formal warnings.
Three officers responded, with nine others arriving to assist during the hour-long incident.
Police say the group was described as being extremely intoxicated, fighting with each other, and being belligerent towards officers.
After using a range of tactics in an attempt to control and defuse the situation, police say officers arrested five young men.
One was charged with fighting in a public place and assaulting police, and the other four were given formal warnings.
One of the officers allegedly kicked one of the young men involved, however, there was insufficient evidence to substantiate this allegation, police say.
That officer has since resigned from the police.
“We note that the IPCA found police largely acted within their powers when dealing with group,” police say.
Counties Manukau Police District Commander, Superintendent Shanan Gray, says police agree the officers failed to follow the correct process when issuing the formal warnings.
“Work has been done since this incident to communicate with officers the importance of following our formal warning process requirements.”
The grotesque human poo graffiti on the wall outside the entrance to Trinity Methodist Church. It was also defecated onto the ground near the front door, with accompanying used toilet tissues. Photo supplied
Unholy vandals have wiped human poo on a sacred house of worship, while burglars have attempted to break into the church that usually welcomes all.
What makes the attempted burglary sacrilegious is that a wooden cross was used in the violent act of smashing a window in the honourable house of a peace-loving congregation.
There’s more – a fire was lit late at night next to a building on the property of Trinity Methodist Church that could have burnt down its charity shop.
The latest deplorable attacks happened at the Christian church in Pakuranga Road less than 24 hours before the arson of McDonald’s Pakuranga, next door, on Monday, May 5.
Responding to Times questions, a Counties Manukau Police spokesperson confirms Trinity Methodist Church has been targeted by hoodlums for three months.
“Police have received three reports of burglary at the church since early February.
“Police will assess any report made to us for lines of enquiry, and unfortunately, we were unable to progress the investigation into the two earlier burglaries.
“We understand it’s frustrating for the church,” says the police spokesperson.
“Enquires are ongoing into the latest incident on May 5.”
The Times visited Trinity Methodist Church and Trinity Kindergarten twice last week, after the incineration of McDonald’s Pakuranga, because they are neighbours, and later because of the attacks on the distinctive A-frame designed church.
It’s also next door to Columbus Café and across the busy six-lane highway from Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre and Lloyd Elsmore Park.
“A wooden cross was used to smash the window,” says Reverend Amos Muzondiwa, pointing to the broken pane in the set of street-fronting glass panels.
“On that day [May 5], we arrived to find the wall of the entrance way to the church covered in human poo.
“It was so bad. You could smell it from the car park.”
Reverend Amos Muzondiwa points to the flame singe marks on the building that holds The Barn garage and charity sales. Times photo PJ Taylor
Rev Muzondiwa says he and the many people arriving at the church and kindergarten at the beginning of the working week, including “kids”, were “shocked” at the site and foul odour of human faeces artistically smeared on the wall.
Poo was also defecated on the ground outside the door, with accompanying toilet paper.
“This graffiti was something. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve dealt with graffiti, but this was deplorable.”
The church leader, originally from Zimbabwe, then showed the Times the hall building at the property’s front.
It’s used as its The Barn charity shop that holds much-needed revenue-generating garage sales.
Rev Muzondiwa says a homeless man had been sleeping under its non-walled outdoor shelter.
“He made a fire. I told him before not to do it,” he says, pointing to the flame singe marks evident on May 5.
The reverend says the “very rude” homeless man had been sleeping rough on the church grounds recently, telling the vagrant he could stay there under cover at night if he resisted lighting fires.
The homeless man has not been back since May 5.
“We feel bad. One of the things we do as a church is play our part in the community,” Rev Muzondiwa says.
“We try to be welcoming and include everybody.”
He says the stinky business was “uncivilised” behaviour and the lighting of the fire “dangerous”.
“How do churches deal with this? Life has changed – the health and safety of people who feel intimidated.
“How do we continue in an environment like this?”
The view of the smashed windowpane from inside the church. Times photo PJ Taylor
Rev Muzondiwa says The Barn charity shop has been broken into four times this year.
“Nothing was stolen. They just broke and smashed the items for sale.
“Some people can be threatened by this. This is our dilemma.
“This is one of the popular kindergartens in the area, but teachers are leaving,” Rev Muzondiwa says, explaining educators and carers of the preschool children are moving on because of the vandals’ disturbing attacks on the Trinity community and property.
“Lots of old people come here [the church] for activities on different days. When such things happen, people feel unsafe.
“We have tried to be a welcoming, open community space for everyone.”
Previously, Rev Muzondiwa says the church never had to contemplate having an alarm system, but it has installed one recently, and security cameras.
“We have to take some measures to protect innocent people.”
Police say people with any information about the attacks on Trinity Methodist Church, at 474 Pakuranga Road, can go online to 105.police.govt.nz, click Make a Report, or by calling 105.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on free phone 0800 555 111.
For earlier Times stories about the arson of McDonald’s Pakuranga, read:
Quick-thinking St Mark’s Catholic School pupil Harper Davis was the first person to alert staff at McDonald’s Pakuranga that their building was on fire. Times photo
Harper Davis’s family has two cats, named Marley and Ali, and her favourite school subjects are art, writing and spelling.
She’s involved in dance, kapa haka, the choir, plays hockey and netball, and when she grows up she wants to be a police officer or firefighter.
Which is fitting, given the nine-year-old, who’s in year 5 at St Mark’s Catholic School in Pakuranga, is being hailed as a hero for being the first person to alert staff at the nearby McDonald’s fast-food restaurant on May 5 that their building was on fire.
The blaze broke out at the busy restaurant on Pakuranga Road just before 3pm.
A teacher had walked Harper to the area so she could be collected by her mother.
Harper had just entered the playground inside the restaurant when she saw smoke “everywhere”.
“I couldn’t really see clearly because it was like fog,” the brave schoolgirl says.
“It was really hard for me to breathe and to see.
“I put my bags down and went to check if the rubbish bin was on fire so I could tell a staff member.
“Then, when I carefully climbed over one of the slides to check, I didn’t see the rubbish bin on fire.
“I saw part of the playground on fire, so I got down and crawled in this small toddler bit, then turned right, and there’s a little hut, and in the middle of these two walls there was the fire.”
Harper didn’t hesitate to inform the restaurant’s staff of the emergency.
“They alerted other managers to quickly call the fire department,” she says.
“My mum arrived and by the time she got there the whole playground was on fire, so it spread very quickly.
“Then she told me to get in the car because there’s a gas station right next to the fire.
“Luckily the fire department is one minute away. Then they were putting out the fire and they stayed the night just to make sure nothing else started.”
She and her mum returned to the scene the next morning before school.
“I went over to tell a detective what happened,” Harper says.
“When I got there he started asking me questions like what colour the smoke was.
“I told him it was a light grey, like fog, and he let me put on a fire department hat.”
Harper got to try on a firefighter’s helmet at the scene of the blaze the following morning. Photo supplied
Since the incident she’s received praise for her maturity in a stressful situation and her quick-thinking response.
“They’ve been like, ‘you’ve been such a great hero, you’re so heroic!” she says.
“One of my close friends, she said, ‘you’re a celebrity!’.
“It was very interesting. My dad was like, ‘did you know that you’d be famous like this?’ and I was like ‘no!’.
Harper’s teacher, Jenny McKenzie, says she spotted smoke billowing from the McDonald’s.
“I went to the corner, saw what was on fire, came back and said to the teacher who’d taken Harper down there, ‘you took Harper down, was she going to McDonald’s today?’.
“She said ‘yes’. I said, ‘Sarah, it’s on fire!’.
“She was absolutely astounded because five minutes before, when she walked Harper down, there was no sign of any smoke or anything.
“Then Sarah and I straight away took off, but by that time the police were at the corner and we couldn’t go any closer.
“I raced back to school to get somebody to ring her mum to see if she’s out of there.
“We were so relieved, because as staff we were incredibly worried knowing she’d gone there.”
McKenzie says several teachers have asked if Harper can talk to their class about the experience.
“Our own class, the one Harper is in, probably for the first 40 minutes of the day they fired questions at her.
“Then one of the other year 5-6 classes decided they’d write a news-style report, so they asked could she go over and they interview her.
“And then the other teacher who’d walked her down there asked could she go to her class, and other classes have asked her to go and talk to them as well.”
St Mark’s Catholic School principal Tracey Kopua sums up how the school feels about the way Harper handled the incident when she says: “We are very proud of Harper.
“She showed great maturity by acting so decisively when she spotted danger.
“Goodness knows what could have happened if she hadn’t been there at that moment in time.”
Police say investigations into the cause of the fire at McDonald’s Pakuranga are ongoing and it’s being treated as a suspected arson.
Team New Zealand won the Youth All Girl Median and Junior Co-Ed Advanced Cheerleading Teams divisions at the 2025 International Cheer Union (ICU) World Cheerleading Championships. Photo supplied Kimberley Ramsay Reid
Dynamic youngsters from east Auckland have helped their teams win gold at a major international cheerleading competition.
Team New Zealand has made history with both the Youth All Girl Median and Junior Co-Ed Advanced Cheerleading Teams securing first-place victories at the recent 2025 International Cheer Union (ICU) World Cheerleading Championships staged in Florida in the United States.
Sixteen athletes from the Youth team train at All Star Cheerleaders Fame in Pakuranga, as do eight members of the Junior team.
The competition in the US is the premier global event for cheerleading and united over 11,000 athletes from 21 countries.
Team New Zealand’s dual victories mark a triumphant milestone, showcasing the squad’s athletic excellence, teamwork, and dedication on the world stage.
“This double world championship win is a dream come true and a reflection of our athletes’ relentless commitment,” says Kimberley Ramsay Reid, Team NZ head coach and the founder of cheerleading in New Zealand alongside coaches Daniel O’Neil-Clemens and Colin Case.
“Their guidance, creativity and commitment have been essential in leading these teams to the top. We’re beyond proud to bring these titles home to New Zealand.”
The Youth All Girl Median Team’s winning routine featured a dazzling array of intricate choreography, high-flying stunts and flawless execution.
It earned a “HIT” score, indicating a deduction-free performance across both days and left the competition judges in awe.
Their triumph follows their strong second place finish at the 2024 championships in a related division.
Representing New Zealand All Star Cheerleaders, the team of 22 athletes aged 11-15 exemplified extraordinary teamwork.
The Junior Co-Ed Advanced Team also claimed gold with a dynamic, high-energy performance that showcased powerful stunts, seamless transitions, and infectious spirit.
Their deduction-free routine earned a “HIT” score and solidified their place as world champions in a fiercely competitive division.
“Winning our first world championship was a surreal experience, and we feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to represent our country and showcase what New Zealand is capable of,” the team captains say.
“This victory validates the hard work and dedication we poured into preparing for this competition, making this journey truly unforgettable.”
Cheerleading New Zealand extends its deep gratitude to coaches Kimberley Ramsay Reid, Daniel O’Neil-Clemens, and Colin Case, as well as sponsors, families, and supporters.
Talented music students of east Auckland secondary schools are playing in the popular annual Fridays@Twelve concert series at Uxbridge Arts and Culture in Howick. Photo supplied
What’s On – in east Auckland, May 16 to May 29
Fridays@Twelve
Join us each week at 12pm to June 27 to see our young local talents perform at Uxbridge Arts and Culture in Howick. School bands, orchestras, jazz ensembles, choirs deliver an hour of captivating music that spans classical, jazz and beyond. Schools include Sancta Maria College, Pakuranga College, Elim Christian College, Howick College, Saint Kentigern College, Botany Downs Secondary College and Edgewater College. For more information visit www.uxbridge.org.nz. $6 per ticket.
Celebrate Scottish culture
James of Clan Donald invites the public to a luncheon celebrating Scottish culture. It’s on at Goode Brothers at Botany Town Centre at 11.15am on Saturday, May 17. RSVP by text message to 027 279 9176. Each guest will handle their own payment for the luncheon. It will be a sight to see kilts and associated dress.
Make May creative
Discover the range of exciting workshops happening at Uxbridge Arts and Culture this month. They’re perfect for trying something new, taking time out, or gifting a unique experience for someone special. Brushes and Bubbles, Paint Carving, Make a Leather Journal, Soap Making, Make Resin Jewellery, DIY Cleaning Products, Cheese-making, Make Eco-Friendly Paints, and more. Go online to www.uxbridge.org.nz.
Free wellness session
Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga is hosting a free session on ‘Autumn Wellness’ from 10am-11.30am on Friday, May 23 at the Howick Local Board room, Pakuranga Library building, Pakuranga. It’s being facilitated by Anju Desai, Wellness Coach, and will be an interactive session about the healing power of spices. Registration required. To register email settlement.pakuranga@cab.org.nz or text 022 308 9337.
Teach English to adult former refugees and migrants
Learn how to teach English to a new adult migrant, helping them to settle successfully in the community. English Language Partners Auckland South offers a course which covers six Fridays. Starts June 6 at 9.30am-2pm and is open to volunteers who have a good understanding of everyday English and an interest in helping adults develop their English skills. We welcome migrants as well as New Zealand-born adults who are happy to visit learners in their homes once a week, for an hour or two. Training course at Eastview Baptist Church, Botany. Ph 278 9099 or email aucklandsouth@englishlanguage.org.nz.
Meet new people
U3A Pakuranga is for people 55 yrs+ looking to meet new people. Plus, provides an opportunity to participate in a number of interest groups. Our monthly meeting is on Monday, June 9, at 1.45pm at St Andrews Church, Vincent Street, Howick. Guest speaker is Joost de Bruin from the Hundertwasser Art Centre Whangarei.
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden, pictured during question time in Parliament today. Photo supplied
ACT Party deputy leader and the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Brooke van Velden, has sparked controversy by swearing during question time in Parliament today, May 14.
Van Velden was responding to a question from Labour Party MP Jan Tinetti, who asked her how “unilaterally stopping 33 pay equity claims was not a historic act of economic backhanding other women?”
The question follows a scathing recent opinion column written by Stuff senior journalist Andrea Vance about the Government’s reforms this week of the Equal Pay Act.
In her column, Vance referred to a group of female Government Ministers in derogatory terms such as “girl bosses”.
“Turns out you can have it all,” Vance wrote.
“So long as you’re prepared to be a c*** to the women who birth your kids, school your offspring and wipe the a*** of your elderly parents while you stand on their shoulders to earn your six-figure, taxpayer-funded pay packet.”
In response to Tinetti’s question, van Velden said: “I disagree with the comments made, and particularly the note of the use of the term ‘backhanded’, which refers to Andrea Vance’s article, which was quoted from this weekend.
“I do not agree with the clearly gendered and patronising language that Andrea Vance used to reduce senior Cabinet Ministers to ‘girl bosses’, ‘hype-squads’, references to ‘girl math’, and ‘c****’.
“The women of this Government are hard-working, dedicated, and strong.
“No woman in this Parliament nor in this country should be subjected to sex-based discrimination.”
During the general debate in Parliament this afternoon, National Party Takanini MP Rima Nakhle further criticised Vance’s column and referred to Vance as “disgusting”.
She asked: “Where are our standards, and what are we saying to our young girls when the Opposition members across the House, not one of them has stood up and condemned the disgusting use of the ‘c’ word from a disgusting journalist last week.
“They’re silent on the ‘c’ word, but they’re not silent when it comes to manipulating a situation to harvest votes.
“It’s disappointing, and I encourage them to not manipulate the broken hearts.
“If they’re going to say there are broken hearts of people, to harvest votes, but to call out disgusting behaviour, just like we often do on other matters.”
The picture book ‘The Only Dinosaur in School’ is written by Leonie Agnew and illustrated by Julia Hegetusch. Image supplied
Leonie Agnew’s latest work of fiction was inspired by an imaginative young relative who enjoyed roaring like a dinosaur.
The picture book, entitled The Only Dinosaur in School, is illustrated by Julia Hegetusch and published by Scholastic.
Agnew recently publicly launched it at an event at Howick Library.
She’s won numerous accolades for her previous children’s books, including her manuscript for The Impossible Story of Hannah Kemp, which won the 2022 Storylines Tessa Duder Award and saw her awarded a contract with Walker Books.
Her 2024 book Take Me to Your Leader was named a finalist in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults in the Esther Glen Junior Fiction Award category.
Agnew says her latest work was inspired by her young nephew Theo.
“He was about three years old at the time and, like many kids his age, he was a huge fan of dinosaurs.
“My husband and I were babysitting him and Theo kept pretending he was a dinosaur.
“Whenever we asked a question, Theo would roar instead of speaking.
“That gave me the idea – what if a boy really was a dinosaur and no one believed him?
“How would he manage certain things, like attending school or make friends?
“Theo in the story wears a human costume in order to fit in and, of course, lots of things go wrong!”
Well-known local storyteller Leonie Agnew is excited to release her new picture book, ‘The Only Dinosaur in School’. Photo supplied
Agnew says she normally writes chapter books for children, and she enjoyed writing something shorter with pictures.
“The illustrator, Julia Hegetusch, has done a fantastic job.
“I believe it’s only her second picture book and she’s brought a wonderful, fairytale-like quality to the school and Theo’s house.
“My story was picked up in Valentine’s Day submissions with Scholastic.
“Once a year on February 14 they open for submissions and mine was the only manuscript they picked in 2024.
“I feel very lucky and excited, especially as I don’t usually write picture books.
“The shorter story format is more challenging for me. Every single word counts and I spend a lot of time rewriting.”
Agnew says the editing of the book was “a little tough” as she was battling a medical issue at the time, “but the publishers were very understanding and most of the work was already done”.
As part of the book’s launch a colouring competition is available at Howick Library and Poppies Bookshop in Picton Street, Howick.
Health Minister Simeon Brown, right, says the Government is investing more than ever into our health system – a record $30 billion each year. Photo supplied
By Simeon Brown, Member of Parliament for Pakuranga
New data highlights that while the Government’s commitment to health targets continues to stabilise the health system, increased service delivery is required to get on top of waitlists.
Ensuring all Kiwis have access to timely, quality healthcare is a priority for the Government.
I’m encouraged by Health New Zealand’s release of second quarter 2024/25 results, which show improvements in three of the five health targets.
Wait times in emergency departments continue to reduce, with 72.1 per cent of patients being admitted or discharged within six hours, an improvement from 67.5 per cent in the previous quarter.
Access to faster cancer care continues to improve, with 85.9 per cent of patients receiving treatment within 31 days, just 0.1 per cent away from the yearly milestone.
And more children are now fully immunised, with 77 per cent of two-year-olds being immunised in the second quarter of this year, up from 75.7 per cent in the previous quarter.
The data also confirms more work is needed to get on top of waitlists for those waiting over four months for elective treatment and first specialist assessments, which grew by 2,500 per cent and 6,400 per cent respectively under the previous Government.
While performance declined for the elective treatment and first specialist assessment targets, more was delivered in 2024, with more Kiwis having their elective surgeries and first specialist assessments than previous years.
However, more people are being added to waitlists than who are receiving treatment or assessments.
There’s still significant work required to improve the pace at which elective treatment and first specialist assessments are being delivered, which is key to reducing waitlists and wait times.
That’s why I recently announced the elective boost, partnering with private hospitals to maximise operating capacity and expand procedures.
This initiative will deliver 10,579 additional procedures by mid-year, with 2,000 already completed, including cataracts, hip, and knee replacements.
We are reducing specialist assessment delays by improving waitlist management, expanding service models, and implementing initiatives like A.I. diabetes retinal screening and Kaitaia’s complete cataract care pathway to free up waitlists.
To further ease pressure on hospitals and emergency departments, our Government is taking action to ensure New Zealanders have increased access to more doctors and nurses and expanding primary healthcare options.
The Government is investing more than ever into our health system – a record $30 billion each year – and we expect it to deliver more for patients as a result.
By measuring what matters and holding the system accountable, we’re putting patients first and supporting our frontline healthcare workers to deliver the healthcare New Zealanders need in a timely and quality manner.
Jennian Homes Franklin will help you work out if you and your family have completed a wish list of what you want because each family member invariably has their own vision or goals. Photo supplied
Jennian Homes Franklin is proud to be an official Build Partner for the highly desirable new Paerata Rise subdivision in Auckland.
The community’s 4500 new homes are being developed by reputable award-winning builders and are designed to be sustainable and inclusive.
The experienced team at Jennian Homes Franklin are the experts when it comes to helping make your property dream a reality.
Their focus is delivering homes that exceed expectations, building trust and supporting clients every step of the way.
They’re available to walk you through all the questions you need to ask to ensure the outcome is exactly what you want.
For example, do you know where you want to live and the lifestyle you want to lead?
You may already have purchased land there, or are you wishing to seek advice on land availability?
Try to identify the pain points in your present home that push you towards building something new and what you want to achieve and overcome.
Are your finances prepared? Have you consulted with your bank or financial advisor to understand your budgetary boundaries?
Knowing what you can afford before you start talking and dreaming of what you can do leads to a much more enjoyable and satisfying build journey.
Do you want the predictability and backing of a large-scale builder with a personalised approach yet the flexibility of a boutique builder who designs your home around you?
If that’s what you’re looking for, talk to Jennian Homes Franklin.
They’ll help you work out if you and your family have completed a wish list of what you want because each family member invariably has their own vision or goals.
It’s also important to think about the ‘non-negotiables’ for your future home.
Have you created a wish list of design features for your new home?
When do you want to move in? What is your ideal but also realistic timeframe?
It’s important to set an achievable, target ‘move-in’ date.
And consider whether there might be any significant changes in your family size or lifestyle over the next five-15 years because adapting plans now will save on future renovations.
Numerous school pupils from across New Zealand have enjoyed their camps on Motutapu Island over the years. Photo supplied Motutapu Outdoor Education Camp
By Times’ Junior Journalist Alina Jiang
Motutapu Island is a great place to go for any adventure.
It’s full of lush nature, is pest-free, and also holds a causeway (a small bridge) connecting the two islands (Rangitoto and Motutapu) which gives you a great view of Rangitoto!
Another fun fact, did you know Motutapu is one of the oldest islands in the Hauraki Gulf?
But we need to be more detailed, so let me take you on a ride for a brief description of the history of Motutapu Island!
And, in addition, tell you about the Bucklands Beach Intermediate School (BBI) camp on the island!
Around 700-800 years ago, when Rangitoto wasn’t in the Hauraki Gulf, Māori lived on Motutapu.
They thought of it as a sacred place and the island was found to have more than 300 villages!
Then in 1840 when the Europeans came and claimed the island for themselves, a lot of things happened to the island.
Trees were planted, animals were introduced, homesteads were built and soon Motutapu became a very popular tourist attraction.
Believe it or not the island hosted picnic parties with over 10,000 people!
Then later in the 1900’s (1936 to be exact), during World War II, bombardment battery work began, construction of roads was carried out and observation posts were completed a year after.
The camp was constructed, additional buildings were built, and deepwater wharfing facilities were created for the US Navy.
Then, when war ended in 1945, the whole site was abandoned five years later. Wow!
For me I really can’t believe how much the island changed during the war!
The sites used in war are now considered historical landmarks on Motutapu and can be visited by tourists.
Te Motu tapu a Taikehu is a place full of history so I recommend you visit!
Now that we’ve talked about the history, let’s tell you the story of our Nikau camp!
During three weeks of March, BBI hosts three camps for each whanau (a group with four classes) Miro, Nikau and Kowhai-blue, orange and yellow took turns going on camp.
The Miro whanau went first, their activities being posted on Facebook on the BBI account, then my whanau – Nikau – got ready to go on their adventure.
On the Monday we departed for the island. We hopped on the red Sealink ferry for a 45-minute ride to the island, then took a 1.5-hour walk to the camp.
It may not seem like anything that tiring but trust me at the end of the walk when we got to the camp everyone was exhausted.
There were more uphills than downhills and for me my legs were like wiggly pieces of macaroni and cheese.
The next four days consisted of many activities, raft building, confidence course, high ropes, climbing and a lot more!
My personal favourite was snorkeling. Swimming away from the shore I saw a lot of life, from coral to tiny fish and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing!
It was as if there was an underwater rainbow consisting of many fish and coral!
But the best part was when the instructor cracked open a sea urchin (they are bad for the environment) for the fish to eat.
We were instantly surrounded by snapper, up, down, left, right, everywhere!
So much snapper all fighting for a piece of the urchin!
Also, another best part was the food! In the morning we’d have a nutritious meal of cereal, toast and milo (if we wanted it) and during the other meals we would have food such as butter chicken, steak, hot dogs, nachos and a lot more!
Then on Thursday night the whole whanau got together to watch Inside Out in the gym (not really a gym, more of a hall).
And on the final day, we gathered all the lost property and gave it to the owners, and then did a BIG cleanup of the camp.
Brooms, brushes, water buckets and more were brought out and soon the camp was sparkling clean!
Then we set out for the long walk. My legs yet again were suffering and after a long 1.5-hour walk we arrived at the dock, hopping on the ferry and heading back to our homes.
Personally, for me camp was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.
The excitement I had in the past few days exceeded the bar and I want to give a BIG thank you to everyone on the island or in Auckland who helped organise the camp or even just helped.
But now, to everyone out there, or whoever is reading this article, I totally recommend you visit Motutapu!
You’ll have the best time there and enjoy every single moment!
Alina Jiang is in year 7 at Bucklands Beach Intermediate School
The Howick/Botany Neighbourhood Support volunteers pictured with Howick Police sergeant Brett Meale, second from left, are Raj Rughunanan, Shelley Smithies, Heather Plummer, Rochelle Williams-White and Gay Sykes. Absent were Amy Chieng and Bev Moxon. Photo supplied
Have you got time to help ensure security in your east Auckland neighborhood?
Howick/Botany Neighbourhood Support is publicly appealing for more street co-ordinators.
“By becoming a street co-ordinator, you can foster connections with your neighbours,” the group’s secretary Shelley Smithies says.
“Help us build safe, resilient and connected communities.
“Neighbourhood Support is backed by police, Fire and Emergency NZ, and local government, and is largely driven by passionate volunteers.
“Let’s work together to strengthen our community. We’d love to see one of our Neighbourhood Support Street signs in every street.
“If we all look after each other, our street, block, suburb and neighbourhood can be a better and safer place.”
Street co-ordinators create and maintain a list of their neighbours’ contact details, are invited to quarterly gatherings with informative guest speakers and forge connections with fellow residents whether renters or homeowners.
They also encourage a strong community spirit which helps reduce crime risks, and play a vital role in creating a safer and more welcoming environment for all.
Hannah Buckley will judge the 2025 Estuary Art and Ecology Awards. Photo supplied
The 19th edition of the prestigious Estuary Art and Ecology Awards will be judged by Hannah Buckley, professor of ecology and head of the school of science at Auckland University of Technology.
The awards will be staged at Uxbridge Arts and Culture in Howick from July 5 to August 31.
Recognised nationally as New Zealand’s only art award dedicated to ecological themes, they invite contemporary artists to produce new works that research and respond to environmental concerns around the Tāmaki Estuary and its extensive tributaries.
Artists are invited to research and respond to the estuary in their own unique ways, to underscore the ecological value of this vital waterway and encourage action against its pollution.
Uxbridge director Paul Brobbel says he’s looking forward to strong interest from artists in 2025 as the awards approach their 20th anniversary.
“We receive close to 100 submissions each year and select around 20 finalists.
“What’s exciting is seeing the reach of the awards, with submissions from artists down the road and as far away as Stewart Island.”
Buckley specialises in biological variation in community ecology and understanding the processes that structure biological communities.
Her current focus is on how a better understanding of biological diversity can be used to enhance the functioning of human-modified ecosystems, such as sand dunes, tussock grasslands and agricultural landscapes.
The awards are generously supported by the Howick Local Board, the Rice Family Partnership, Gordon Harris Art Supplies and the Tāmaki Estuary Environmental Forum (TEEF).
Carrying a prize pool of over $9000, the 19th edition of the awards follows the same format as in previous years.
Finalists will be selected by Brobbel and Uxbridge visual arts co-ordinator Zoë May before Buckley decides the three prize winners and two merit awards.
A People’s Choice Award will be announced at the conclusion of the exhibition with visitors having eight weeks to cast their vote.
Artists can submit entries for the awards between April 4 and May 23 with entry forms and terms and conditions available through the Uxbridge website.
Finalists will be notified by June 13 and their work will be displayed in the Malcolm Smith Gallery at Uxbridge from July 5 to August 31.
Winners will be announced at the opening event on July 5 with the People’s Choice Award announced September 5.
Many people in the community attended Point View School’s recent Twilight Market. Photos supplied Point View School
By Times’ Junior Journalist Manayah Peiris
Point View School in east Auckland recently held their Twilight Market once again.
The annual Twilight Market is highly anticipated by the community, and many people – even those who are not Point View students and their families – attended.
The money that was raised this year will be put directly towards assisting student learning.
The event took place from 5pm-8pm in the school grounds.
Thankfully, the weather was warm and sunny, suitable for many of the outdoor games and stalls that took place.
Some of these stalls included the Lucky Ducks, Lucky Dip, Sponge Toss, and a number of food stalls, offering many diverse cuisines to eventgoers.
There were also a few indoor stalls such as the Cake Stall, a bouncy castle, and some performances took place indoors as well.
Some groups that performed included the Botany Downs Secondary College Lion Dance, a Howick Taekwondo demonstration, and some dance performances.
The school’s Senior Choir and year 6 Bucket Drummers also performed, with the choir singing Cover Me in Sunshine and Kazoo Concerto, and the Bucket Drummers playing Bones and Party Rock Anthem.
This year’s Twilight Market was very special, as the school reached out to a number of ex-Point View School students, who volunteered to help out at various stalls.
“It was heart-warming to see so many people from the community willing to help,” Point View School deputy principal of the senior syndicate Tina Joshua-Bargh says.
“It shows what a far-flung reach Point View has and what a lasting impact it’s made on people’s lives as there were many past students who visited or volunteered, as well as former school families visiting and catching up with each other.”
In the weeks before the market, items were donated by the school community.
“We asked our school community to donate items as prizes and everyone was SO generous,” Tina says.
“We had a week-by-week collections of cans of drink, bottles, chocolate, lucky dip prizes and baked goods.”
The students also played a big part in the success of the event.
“Students helped by reminding their families of the donations we were asking for, making signs and posters advertising stalls,” Tina says.
“Some students helped set up stalls on the day of the event and of course students helped by bringing their families along on the night and participating and creating a wonderful community event!”
This event invited the wider community to come and support the school, she says.
“I think it was a wonderful event, with a lovely community feel to it.
“I loved seeing previous Point View students wandering around, volunteering their time and enjoying the evening.”
Everyone who volunteered felt a sense of belonging – even though they might not attend the school, they were welcomed to help out, and they made the event a wonderful opportunity for the community to eat, watch, play, and have fun!
Manayah Peiris is in year 8 at Somerville Intermediate School
“In virtually every sector, AI has proven remarkably adept at handling repetitive, data-driven tasks.” Photo supplied Unsplash.com Gerard Siderius
By Business East Tamaki general manager Ruth White
Just a couple of years ago, artificial intelligence (AI) was largely an unknown quantity to most mere mortals.
Fast forward to today, and AI is no longer a future concept. It’s here, it’s real, and it’s quietly reshaping how we work.
Where early predictions sparked fear for our jobs, we now have more clarity about where this technology works, and where human skills remain irreplaceable.
In virtually every sector, AI has proven remarkably adept at handling repetitive, data-driven tasks.
Customer service has been transformed through chatbots and virtual assistants that can resolve queries around the clock, whilst online shopping platforms use smart algorithms to suggest products we didn’t known we needed.
Behind the scenes, it’s making operations more efficient too. In logistics, AI helps map out delivery routes in real time.
In manufacturing, AI systems predict when machines need maintenance before something breaks down. It’s fast, efficient, and cost-effective.
In healthcare, AI has been described as “a game changer”.
Medical professionals describe the ability of AI tools to record and transcribe consultations, generating expert clinical notes and time consuming administrative tasks, freeing up time to fully focus on patients.
In short, AI serves best as a tool to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.
So, as AI grows in capability, so too does our understanding of its limits.
Logic may be its forte, but it still struggles with emotion, empathy and real world complexity. These are the areas where human strengths shine and I don’t see that changing any time soon.
So what’s the takeaway? The future of work isn’t about humans versus machines.
It’s about partnership – helping us to work smarter and combining the strengths of both.
