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Tough day at the office for HPCC

Staff
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Tough day at the office for HPCC
HPCC’s premier men face their toughest challenge of the season, trailing East Coast Bays by 131 with three wickets remaining.

Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club’s premier men have left themselves a mountain to climb to achieve a first-innings result against East Coast Bays.

Sunshine and a fixture at home was a perfect start to the day for the HPCC premiers, but shortly turned sour after losing the toss and being asked to bowl against the top-of-the-table East Coast Bays.

Things started rocky with East Coast openers Ryan Schierhout and Luke Watson forming a partnership of 41 runs before the loss of their first wicket.

HPCC pulled it back with the help of constant performing legspinners Harmeet Singh (4-83) and Kimesh Chetty (2-34) taking six wickets between them.

East Coast Bays were dismissed for 205 with the top scorer being Louis Delport with 62 runs off 69 balls.

Things looked promising at the beginning of the innings with openers Liam Winn and Daniel Young posting 19 on the scoreboard before the loss of the first wicket.

A middle-order collapse saw HP lose four wickets for 14 runs and finish the day with 74 runs on the board for the loss of seven.

HPCC’s openers Liam Winn (11 off 34 balls) and the in-form Daniel Young (41 off 112 balls) were the only two to score double figures.

The men need a big effort this Saturday, requiring 132 runs for a first-innings win with only three wickets remaining.

Rutvik Botadra and Kimesh Chetty will begin the day, both undefeated on zero runs.

HPCC juniors hosted a round of JT Sparling games against Cornwall at Lloyd Elsmore Park on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the club’s premier women had a tough day at the office on the weekend, coming up against a strong Auckland University side.

HPCC batted first and lasted the 50 overs to post a total of 158 for the loss of seven wickets.

Opener Radhika Patel was HP’s standout batter, scoring an impressive 65 runs off 80 balls.

It proved to be a difficult day for HPCC bowlers, with Auckland University chasing down the total without losing a wicket.

University’s opening batters and domestic players, Elizabeth Buchanan (68* off 63 balls) and Naomi Matthews (69* off 75 balls) showed their professional strength and gave Howick Pakuranga a few headaches.

The women currently sit in third place for the premier Prichard Cup limited over competition. They now have a weekend off cricket before facing local rivals, Papatoetoe, on March 4.

Premier Cricket Results 

Premier Men Hedley Howarth Two-Day Competition | Round 5 

Parnell 148 (D Presland 61; M Gibson 5-32) & 29/0 (J Plummer 15 not out) won first innings against Cornwall 79 (U Patel 19; D Van Deventer 4-18, N Perera 2-3) after day one of two.

Eden Roskill 240 (P Ram 69, H Johal 63; D Bhatti 5-60) against Papatoetoe 54/3 (B Rowland 27 not out; H Johal 2-18) after day one of two.

Auckland University 111 (Private 32; W Clarke 5-32) & 130/6 (S Sharma 64; T Chitongo 5-30) lost first innings against North Shore 112 (S Hinds 53; A Olliver 4-7) after day one of two.

Takapuna 262 (R O’Donnell 146; A Patel 4-50, A Ashok 4-81) against Suburbs-New Lynn 34/4 (T Tailor 18; M Jones 2-1) after day one of two.

Premier Men Tom Hellaby Two-Day Competition | Round 5 

East Coast Bays 205 (L Delport 62, R Schierhout 49; H Singh 4-83) against Howick Pakuranga 74/7 (D Young 41; L Delport 5-25) after day one of two.

Hibiscus Coast 258/8 (J Ramachandran 81, R Lakmal 67; P Narsimhan 4-63) against Ellerslie after day one of two.

Grafton 313/9 declared (N Bhana 46, S Gunawardane 46; M Masand 3-68) against Birkenhead City 36/7 (S Verma 12; T Bayly 3-1) after day one of two.

Kumeu 137 (S Jaan 39; S Variath 6-51) & 19/0 (S Jaan 10 not out) won first innings against Waitakere 72 (N Lombard 21; K Ahir 5-27) after day one of two.

Barfoot and Thompson Royal Oak Premier Women Prichard Cup Limited Over Competition | Round 7 

Howick Pakuranga 158/7 (R Patel 65, A Lambat 20; N Matthews 2-28) lost to Auckland University 159/0 (N Matthews 69 not out, E Buchanan 68 not out) by ten wickets.

Papatoetoe 83 (J Veale 37 not out; A Todd 3-12) lost to Cornwall 84/2 (Fill-in 27 not out; M Pearson 1-20) by eight wickets.

Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club Upcoming Fixtures 

Round 5, Day 2 Tom Hellaby Two-Day Competition- Howick Pakuranga Premier Men VS East Coast Bays CC Premier Men at Lloyd Elsmore Park- Saturday February 25, 11am.

Labour must scrap blanket speed limit reductions

Times Team
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Labour must scrap blanket speed limit reductions
National opposes blanket speed limit reductions and the party is encouraging New Zealanders to speak up against the proposal and signa petition to dump it. Photo Wayne Martin

Pressure from National and communities up and down the country might soon force Minister of Transport Michael Wood to slam the brakes on his highly unpopular blanket speed limit reductions across our state highways, National’s Transport spokesperson Simeon Brown says.

“Last year, maps provided to the National Party revealed that the Government had marked almost the entire state highway network as not having a ‘safe and appropriate speed’.

“As a result, the Interim State Highway Speed Management plan proposed to lower the speed limits on 500km of our state highways.

“Unless this is stopped, NZTA will keep slashing speed limits on our highways to meet its target of speed reductions on at least 500km of state highways every year.

“Kiwis are sick and tired of Labour’s focus on reducing speeds rather than fixing potholes and the other major damage to our roads.

“Minister Wood may wash his hands of the blanket reductions and point to NZTA, but the buck stops with him as he signed off on the rule change which gave NZTA the increased speed limit powers in the first place.

“If Labour fails to stop their speed limit reduction crusade, National will:

* End Labour’s attempt to reduce all suburban streets to 30km/h and all State Highway to 80km/h by repealing The Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speeding Limits 2022.
* Ensure that variable speed limits during peak hours around schools are implemented.
* Increase consultation requirements for speed limit changes.
* Review areas of the State Highway Network, which has been reduced to 80km/h like the Napier to Taupo road.

“National opposes blanket speed limit reductions and we are encouraging New Zealanders to speak up against this radical proposal, and sign our petition urging the Government to dump it.”

National has a petition at www.national.org.nz/speedlimits.

Ageing Mini Moke still creating smiles

Chris Harrowell
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Ageing Mini Moke still creating smiles
Bucklands Beach resident Janine Robinson will display her unique 1966 Morris Mini Moke at this year’s Auckland Brit and Euro Classic Car Show. Times photo Wayne Martin

All Janine Robinson wants from her 1966 Morris Mini Moke is to zip down to the beach or marina in it and have a coffee with her friends.

That’s good as her eye-catching black British convertible, which is powered by a small 850cc engine, isn’t built for travelling at motorway speeds.

The Bucklands Beach resident’s Morris will be among the more than 1200 vehicles on display at this year’s Auckland Brit and Euro Classic Car Show at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga on Sunday, March 5.

Robinson says Mini Mokes can be found around the world and they’re popular on resort islands such as Australia’s Magnetic Island.

“There used to be a fleet of them on Waiheke Island, but in New Zealand I think there’s only about three of this year left.

“They came out in 1966 so this is one of the first ones.”

What makes Robinson’s car even more special is that despite its advanced age, it still has the original engine.

She says she was inspired to buy it by enjoyable childhood memories.

“We used to do a lot of yacht racing over in Australia when we were younger.

“Someone had a fleet of hire cars so we always used to hire these to run around in and get all our yachting gear off the boats and back to the hotel rooms or into storage.

“They were just an incredible amount of fun and I’ve always wanted one.”

While looking for a Mini Moke to buy she saw others advertised for sale but none of them were right for her.

The one she’s driving was previously owned by two different people for a combined 40 years, she says.

“I didn’t care so much about aesthetics. I bought it sight unseen during the [Covid-19] lockdown.

“I said I want it to start, run, have a warrant of fitness, and registration.

“I want to know I can get in and go and that it has no rust.

“When it turned up on back of the car transporter I wasn’t disappointed.

“It was exactly as described to me, with no rust and just a horrendously bad paint job, but you pull all the floors up and they’re absolutely mint.”

The car’s last owner before Robinson spent an “awful lot of money” on it, she says.

“The book of receipts that came with the car was thick so no expense was spared on the mechanicals.

“That’s what I was more interested in because all I want to do is drive it down to meet my friends at the beach or marina and have a coffee.”

The Auckland Brit and Euro Classic Car Show is from 10am-3pm on Sunday, March 5, at Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga.

The car show is set to feature a flyover of vintage NZ Warbirds aircraft just after midday and a special display of ‘micro cars’. Entry is free.

The show is sponsored by Times Newspapers, the Howick Local Board, Protecta Insurance and NZ Classic Driver.

Bird-spotting volunteers needed for feathered headcount

Times Team
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Bird-spotting volunteers needed for feathered headcount
Pest Free Howick Ward needs volunteers to take part in its annual bird count weekend in March. Times photo Wayne Martin
  • By Josie Lu, Journalism Student Intern

Eagle-eyed locals are needed to help gather vital data on New Zealand’s feathered wildlife.

Pest Free Howick Ward’s annual bird count weekend is scheduled to take place on March 4-5 across various public reserves in east Auckland.

Residents keen to help will be asked to head to their local reserve and record the number of birds they observe, which will help inform Pest Free Howick Ward about the effects of its bio-security work.

Pest Free Howick Ward conservation assistant Daria Erastova is organising the event.

She’ll be taking a trainee group of 15 people to a any participants who’d like guidance throughout the process.

Others can conduct the activity independently after registering with Erastova, who will send details about local areas of interest.

Although the event is scheduled for 7-10am each day, she says residents can start as early as they want. However, it will be harder and less productive to count birds after 11am.

The event is suitable for anyone interested in taking part, aside from very young children who may be noisy or find it difficult to stay focused, and pets should also be left at home.

“Anyone who’s interested in birds and who can use a pair of binoculars can participate”, Erastova says.

“This event is important because it collects data that later can be used by scientists and environmental advisors to develop and implement conservation actions in the Howick area.

“It also helps us secure funds for all the important things that we do like pest control, weeding and habitat restoration.”

People who take part should wear comfortable footwear, clothing suitable for the outdoors and bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat in case of sunny weather.

Binoculars will be provided for the trainee group but individual participants need to bring their own.

For anyone unsure about their bird counting abilities, Erastova still encourages participation.

“First, you’ll never learn until you try, and second, every bit of information counts, so be brave, go out.

“It’s easier than you think and we appreciate any information.”

For more information or to register for the event, contact Daria Erastova at daria.pestfreehowick@gmail.com.

Updates will also be posted on Pest Free Howick Ward’s Facebook page.

Kiwi social media platform to keep kids safer online  

Times Team
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Kiwi social media platform to keep kids safer online  
Mobile Guardians founder and chief parent officer Sarah Kavanagh.

How do you know your child will be safe when using social media?

Howick-based digital experts Sense Data have the solution for parents who don’t know where to start.

They have launched Mobile Guardians, a social media education platform for parents to empower them with the knowledge and tools they need.

It includes everything from social media health checks through to password and device security.

The idea is to educate parents in such a way that their children can be confident of asking for help if they come across inappropriate content or find themselves in unwanted situations online.

With almost 90 per cent of Kiwis being active social media users, Mobile Guardians founder Sarah Kavanagh says it will provide a much-needed, one-of-a-kind service for parents, and young people alike, in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“We want to help young people understand these platforms better so they are using them safely and are able to enjoy the human connections social media brings, without the unwanted negative side effects,” says Kavanagh.

“We don’t think banning social platforms is the answer, as young people always find a way.

“Our education platform is a positive step towards helping parents support young people on their devices and on social media.

“We know we have a lot of work to do to help the next generation find better balance between devices and their mental health, and Mobile Guardians has big plans to be this catalyst for change.”

Mobile Guardians’ first parent course, Social 101, includes social media health checks for TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and WhatsApp.

It helps parents understand how kids are using these platforms, the pitfalls and how to use the safety features.

Parents can find out the meanings of emojis, understand acronyms that teens and tweens are using and get help with the practical side of setting up kids’ devices.

Luxon praises cyclone response

Chris Harrowell
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Luxon praises cyclone response
Botany MP and National Party leader Christopher Luxon, centre, and Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown, right, talk to a New Zealand Defence Force solider at the Howick Civil Defence Centre. Times photo Wayne Martin

Christopher Luxon says the community-led response to Cyclone Gabrielle shows Kiwis “at their best”.

The Botany MP and National Party leader visited the Civil Defence Centre set up at the Fencible Lounge, beside Howick Library, on February 15.

He was joined by Pakuranga MP and the party’s Auckland issues spokesperson, Simeon Brown.

The centre in Uxbridge Road was established as a safe space for east Auckland residents who needed to evacuate their homes as a result of the damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

They would have been provided with stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, access to welfare support agencies, and psychosocial support.

It was the only Civil Defence Centre in the Howick ward.

Luckily, no one needed to evacuate to the centre as the area avoided the extensive damage Cyclone Gabrielle caused to other parts of the North Island.

Luxon spoke with to the centre’s staff and volunteers to learn about their roles and the help they were ready to provide.

Among them was a New Zealand Defence Force soldier and Karen Inns, manager of client service delivery at the Ministry of Social Development’s Highland Park branch.

Luxon told the Times during his visit it’s important for him, as a local MP, to see what’s happening across the electorate and support his constituents.

“As I did last week [during the previous storm] getting out and about to the front line.

“Seeing the suffering people are going through is really important.

“Simeon is leading as our Auckland issues spokesperson as well so he’s got responsibilities here in east Auckland.”

Luxon says he and Brown want to make sure they can get a good grip on what’s happening across the city and what people’s needs are.

They’ve seen people doing it “incredibly tough” in some areas, he says.

“We’ve been in houses where we’ve been ripping carpet out and moving furniture out and it’s been amazing to see the great community spirit across New Zealanders and see Kiwis at their best.

“We’ve seen local board members stepping up, school principals stepping up, and churches stepping up across Auckland to organise a bunch of strangers to go off and help people who are really suffering and doing it tough.

“It’s important for us to see what’s going on and how we can help and have our MPs out there … representing and supporting our people.”

Luxon was full of praise for the people making sure Howick’s Civil Defence Centre was running smoothly.

“It’s incredible, [with] the volunteers here,” he says of the effort.

He’d also recently visited the national crisis management centre at Parliament, “which is interfacing with all the regional Civil Defence groups as well”.

“What you’ve seen here in Howick is people stepping up [with] the volunteer network,” Luxon says.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with people and businesses offering help and assistance.

“Whether it’s been supplies or food parcels, it’s been an incredible community response.

“It’s also important we keep learning from these emergency management situations and keep improving.

“That’s something we have to take on board and get better and better at it.”

Brown says he wants to see the communication co-ordination in such emergencies improve.

“I think whilst everyone’s been doing their bit, there’s a lot that can be improved in that space.

“By and large everyone has been doing everything they can but there are always things that can be learned.”

Tanner leads New Zealand World Cross assault

Times Team
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Tanner leads New Zealand World Cross assault
Middle-distance star Sam Tanner is set to compete at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia on Saturday. Photo Alisha Lovrich

A 26-strong New Zealand team spearheaded by in-form middle-distance star Sam Tanner is set to compete at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia on Saturday (February 18).

It features four athletes from Pakuranga Athletic Club who will compete in the U20 men’s event.

In a race commonly regarded as “the toughest endurance race in the world” the Silver Singlet team will seek to be competitive across all five events – senior men and women, U20 men and women and the mixed team relay – as they take on against some of the planet’s finest athletes.

New Zealand has a rich tradition in the event, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Rod Dixon has claimed two individual medals in the senior men’s race while New Zealand snared men’s team bronze at the inaugural edition in 1973 before two years later memorably claiming team gold in Rabat, Morocco.

The New Zealand women’s team also boasts a proud history and have snared four World Cross Country team medals, most recently in 1986.

John Bowden, the New Zealand team manager in Bathurst, is excited by the event which he believes will serve as a rich experience for all team members.

“The World Cross is a big step up for some of our athletes, but it also represents a great opportunity to grow and learn on that pathway to the next level,” said John.

“It remains one of the toughest events in world athletics because it includes everyone from some of the best middle-distance athletes to the top marathon runners, so we expect it to be fast and furious.

“We emphasise the team element, and in each grade we are looking for a top ten team position and for as many of our athletes as possible to individually finish in the top half of the field.”

The six-strong senior men’s team includes Matt Baxter, a former NCAA Cross country medallist who claimed a top 50 position at the last edition of the World Cross Country Championships staged in Aarhus, Denmark. The team also comprises reigning national 3000m and 10,000m champion Julian Oakley and former New Zealand Cross Country champion Oli Chignell – a sub-28-minute 10,000m performer.

Completing the team are reigning New Zealand cross country champion Matt Taylor and the minor medallists behind Taylor in Taupo last winter, Cameron Avery and Tim Robertson, the current world orienteering champion.

New Zealand also boast a six-strong team to compete in the U20 men’s event led by national U20 cross country champion Christian de Vaal who is one of four athletes competing from Pakuranga AC. De Vaal’s club-mates Ronan Codyre, Angus Monro and Jamie Mora will also take to the course in Bathurst alongside Matt Hill and Elliott Pugh.

Matt Baxter, the New Zealand men’s team captain in Bathurst, said: “We knew before the 2019 World Cross in Denmark this event would be coming to Australia, but after a couple of Covid cancellations I am finally looking forward to wearing my spikes for what will be huge competition so close to home.

“New Zealand has a strong history in the event and we hope to produce a performance of which we can be proud. I know from my time at college (in the US) the importance of being part of a team, it helped push and motivate me and I hope that to be the case on Saturday.

“I’m looking forward to my role as team captain and offering any advice to the other guys. We just hope to show that sending strong teams to a World Cross is something of real merit and we look forward to the challenge.”

Partner to Baxter, Emily Roughan, is team captain of the women’s team having also competed at the 2019 World Cross Country Championships. Roughan leads a six-strong senior women’s team, which also includes New Zealand cross country champion Lisa Cross and Hannah Miller, the national 10,000m, 10km (road), half marathon and marathon gold medallist.

Sarah Drought, the national 10,000m silver medallist also competes and the team is rounded out by New Zealand Cross Country Championships silver medallist Kerry White and three-time national 800m champion Katherine Camp.

National U20 cross country and U20 mile champion Boh Ritchie leads a four-strong junior women’s team which also includes New Zealand senior girls’ secondary schools 3000m gold medallist Bella Earl, Mackenzie Morgan and Catherine Lund.

Emily said: “We are very excited to finally compete here in Bathurst after the Covid delays. Unlike in Denmark, this time we will have a full (senior women’s) team to count, and we just hope to do as well as we can individually which will allow us to do as well as possible in the team competition.

“Having raced in Denmark, I know the depth and quality of a field at World Cross. The calibre is so high, but the girls are all up for the challenge and I’m sure we will all find it a memorable experience.”

New Zealand will also compete in the 4x2km Mixed Team relay which features Eric Speakman, Anneke Grogan and the recently minted New Zealand mile champions Rebekah

Greene and Sam Tanner of Athletics Tauranga. Tanner is in outstanding form and last Sunday moved to number two on the all-time New Zealand Indoor mile lists in New York, running a blistering 3:51.70 to place fourth in the Wanamaker Mile.

The 2km course is hilly and features a mudpit and sandy sections which will severely test the endurance of all competing athletes. Temperatures are also expected to be around 30C as the world’s finest endurance runners descend on the spiritual home of Australian motorsport at Mount Panorama.

The senior men and women compete over 10km, the U20 men over 8km and the U20 women over a 6km distance. The first four finishing athletes in each team will contribute to the overall team score.

Full entry lists here

Timetable and results here

All the action will be screened live on Sky Sport 9 on Saturday, February 18 from 5.20pm (NZ time).

Athletics NZ team for the 2023 World Cross Country Championships

Senior Women

Lisa Cross (TTT Runners) Coach – James Kuegler/John Bowden

Kerry White (Hamilton City Hawks) Coach – Maria Hassan

Hannah Miller (Wellington Scottish) Coach – Laura Bowerman

Sarah Drought (Wellington Harriers) Coach – John Bowden

Katherine Camp (University of Canterbury) Coach – Maria Hassan

Emily Roughan (Egmont Athletics) – Self-coached

Senior men

Matthew Taylor (North Harbour Bays) Coach – Chris Pilone

Cameron Avery (Christchurch Avon) Coach – Chris Pilone

Tim Robertson (Hutt Valley Harriers) Coach – John Robertson

Oli Chignell (Hill City University) Coach – Chris Pilone

Matt Baxter (Egmont Athletics) Coach – Alan Culpepper

Julian Oakley (Athletics Tauranga) Coach – Craig Kirkwood

Junior women

Boh Ritchie (Hamilton City Hawks) Coach – Angela Russek

Catherine Lund (Ariki AA) Coach – Rebekah Greene/Alan Moir

Bella Earl (Owairaka) Coach – Adrian Earl

Mackenzie Morgan (North Harbour Bays) – Coach – Paul Hamblyn

Junior men

Christian de Vaal (Pakuranga AC) Coach – Nike Codyre

Ronan Codyre (Pakuranga AC) Coach – Nick Codyre

Matt Hill (Athletics Tauranga) Coach – Andrew Lloyd

Angus Monro (Pakuranga AC) Coach – Phil Clode

Jamie Mora (Pakuranga AC) Coach – Nick Codyre

Elliott Pugh (Athletics Tauranga ) Coach – Craig Kirkwood

Mixed Team Relay

Anneke Grogan (North Harbour Bays) Coach – Paul Hamblyn

Rebekah Greene (Hill City University) Coach – Craig Kirkwood

Sam Tanner (Athletics Tauranga) Coach – Craig Kirkwood

Eric Speakman (Napier Harriers) Coach – Steve Willis

 

 

Focus on region’s recovery, safety continues to be a priority

Times Team
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Focus on region’s recovery, safety continues to be a priority
120 teams of assessors along with 20 members of the welfare team have been working in the region this morning, conducting rapid building and welfare assessments. Times photo Wayne Martin

As the region shifts its focus to recovery today, Auckland Emergency Management is working hard to support communities impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.

“Safety remains a key concern, both from the risk of further land slips and also for anyone cleaning up any flood damage. Please follow advice and make sure your safety is a priority,” says deputy controller Rachel Kelleher.

Access to parts of the West Coast including Muriwai, Piha and Karekare remains restricted due to landslips. About 20 homes were evacuated in Piha last night due to land instability, and an exclusion zone is in place in a large part of Muriwai.

“If you have been evacuated, please do not go back to your property until you are advised it is safe to do so. Please remember that the ground is saturated and there is a very real risk of further slips,” Rachel says.

“Anyone who lives in an area that is prone to slips, or who feels unsafe, please don’t wait for direction. Please self-evacuate to friends or family, or to a nearby Civil Defence Centre.”

Auckland Council building assessment teams are out across the region today conducting rapid impact assessments on the safety of properties. 120 teams of assessors along with 20 members of the welfare team have been working in the region this morning, conducting rapid building and welfare assessments.

“We know that people are anxious to get back in their homes but we ask that they do not return until they have been told it is safe to do so,” Rachel says.

“Rapid Building Assessments are in full swing today where it is safe for us to do them, so we can get people answers about the safety of their homes and properties as soon as we can.”

Transport

·       Auckland Transport says the scale of damage to Auckland’s roads from ex-Cyclone Gabrielle is unprecedented, with 75 roads fully closed and 60 roads partially closed.

·       AT’s main priority in coming days is to restore some form of road access for those Auckland communities which are currently cut off, such as Piha, Muriwai and Karekare.

·       AT advises that due to the scale of damage across the region’s roads it will take a significant period of time to rebuild and recover.

·       Train services are running today to schedule on the Eastern and Southern Lines today, while trains on the Western Line are operating every twenty minutes between Britomart and Henderson, with hourly rail replacement buses between Henderson and Swanson.

·       Most scheduled bus services are running as usual and most ferry services have returned to their regular timetables. Gulf Harbour services remain replaced by shuttles today and damage to the structure of Birkenhead wharf was identified last night which means Birkenhead ferry services will be replaced by alternative transport services for the rest of the week.

Accommodation

·       There were about 200 people in Civil Defence Centres and Shelters overnight. This included about 50 domestic and international travellers who took shelter at our Civil Defence Centre set up at The Trusts Arena after flights out of Auckland Airport were cancelled late yesterday due to high winds.

·       We are continuing to review the community requirements for each of our Civil Defence Centres and Shelters so we can divert resources to where they’re most needed. Please continue to keep an eye on the AEM website for the most up to date information – aem.org.nz

·       Anyone who may need medium or long-term accommodation as a result of damage to their home from this event, should get in touch with the Temporary Accommodation Service, who may be able to help. Details are available on the MBIE website.

Water

·       Auckland’s tap water remains safe to drink and there are no widespread water outages.

·       Three small water treatment plants are offline in Helensville, Muriwai and Wellsford. The reservoirs in Helensville and Wellsford will be topped up using tankers as needed. Residents and businesses in these areas are encouraged to use water wisely today.

·       The treatment plant in Muriwai has been damaged by the cyclone and the area is out of water. A water tanker has been sent to the area to provide emergency water. Residents will need to bring containers to transport the water home.

Cleaning up

·       Kerbside rubbish, recycling and food scraps collections have resumed today on your normal cycle. If your normal collection day is Monday or Tuesday, your next collection will be next week.

·       Council will also resume its kerbside collections of flood-damaged items. You can call us to log a request if you haven’t done so. Please remember, we can’t pick up construction material or large items of green waste.

·       An important reminder that flood-damaged items can pose a health risk to you and your family. If you’re cleaning up your home and property, please do wear gloves, a long sleeved top and trousers, and a face mask if you can, and take extra care around any mould or possible asbestos. Information about cleaning up safely is on our website.

Muriwai information hub opened

·       Auckland Emergency Management has opened an information hub for residents at Muriwai Rangers Station on Motutara Road, with members of our welfare and building inspection team on hand to answer questions and provide advice.

·       We know many Aucklanders continue to be without power and internet coverage, so if you are in contact with affected residents, please them know they can head to the Rangers Station for help and advice.

Summer Spend & Win in Howick Village

Staff
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Summer Spend & Win in Howick Village
This summer, the Times is giving you a chance to Spend & Win in Howick Village.

Shop with one of the participating retailers, drop your till receipt, with your name and phone number on the back into one of the entry boxes when you spend $50.00 or more, and you will be in the draw to win this epic prize pack.

The winner takes all!

  • The Good Home Gastropub Howick – $150 food & beverage voucher
  • Howick Monterey Cinema – two complimentary adult theatre passes & a $20 food and drink voucher
  • iFurniture – Hanging Egg Chair RRP $300
  • Cinnamon Brown Homestore – Gift Basket Value RRP $100
  • Botany Hunting & Fishing New Zealand – Traverse Folding Table and Chairs, RRP $250
  • 101 – $200 voucher
  • Basalt – $150 food & beverage voucher
  • David Fels Jeweller – $100 voucher
  • Rydges Formosa – Golf for four with two carts RRP $450

So head into Howick Village between the 15th of February – the 15th of March and get your chance to Spend & Win!

Check out this week’s edition of the Times for more details.

Participating Retailers:

101 Design Store: 60 Picton Street, Howick
101 Home Store: 1 Cook Street, Howick
Amazing Interiors: 3/78 Picton Street, Howick
APT Collections: Shop 21, 5 Cook Street, Howick
Baby HQ: Unit 20, 5 Cook Street, Howick
Basalt: 127 Picton Street, Howick, Auckland 2014
Belle Fashions: 21 Picton Street, Howick
Benjarong: 87-C Picton Street, Howick
Brave & Be: 37 Picton Street, Howick
Cinnamon Brown: 69 Picton Street, Howick
David Fells Jeweller: 53 Picton Street, Howick
Ferrachi: 77 Picton Street, Howick
Honey Bun Jewellers: 5 Moore Street, Howick
Howick Village Jewellers: 59 Picton Street, Howick
Howick Village Optometrists: 94 Picton Street, Howick
John Russell Schoolwear: 9 Moore St, Howick
La Padella Italian Restaurant: 3 Moore Street, Howick
Lily Whyte: 113 Picton Street, Howick
Mainstreet Pharmacy: 45 – 47 Picton Street Howick
Majestic Tea Bar: 60 Picton Street Howick
Marbled: 111 Picton St, Howick
Michaels Emporium: 7 Rices Mall
Natural Health Co: 9/10 Wellington St, Howick
Paper Plus Howick: 71 Picton Street, Howick
Picton Street Pharmacy: 75 Picton Street, Howick
Poppies Books: 83 Picton Street, Howick
Prospect of Howick: 78 Picton St, Howick
Shoes on Picton: 79 Picton Street
Stihl Shop: 102 Picton Street, Howick
The Art Lounge: 39 Picton Street, Howick
The Roast Kitchen: 13 Moore Street, Howick
Tremor Audio: 60 Picton Street, Howick
Urban in East Cafe: 121 Picton Street, Howick

T & C’s: The ‘Spend & Win’ promotion is to commence 9am, 15th February 2023. Promotion concludes end of business on 15th March 2023. To enter, a minimum spend of $50 is required per entry/till receipt. It is the responsibility of the customer to place their till receipt(s) in the entry boxes in the Village. Businesses participating will clearly display a ‘Spend & Win’ poster in their shop window. All receipts must have the customer’s name and phone contact clearly written on the reverse of the receipt. Winners will be selected under Police supervision and in the presence of Reay Neben, managing director of Times Media. Winners will be notified by phone on 17 March 2023 – should telephone contact be unsuccessful for any reason, the prize will be awarded to the next selected entry. No voicemail messages will be left – this process will continue until the prize is awarded. The winners will be expected to make themselves available for public photographs and for the Times website. Business owners, Times Media staff and their immediate families are not eligible to enter. There will be no correspondence entered into following the draw.

NZ Polo Open canned amid Cyclone Gabrielle

Staff
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NZ Polo Open canned amid Cyclone Gabrielle
The Auckland Polo Club clubhouse and Fisher Field in Clevedon has flooded due to the adverse weather conditions of Cyclone Gabrielle. Times photo / Wayne Martin.

The 2023 New Zealand Polo Open, scheduled for this week in Clevedon, has been cancelled due to severe damage suffered to the Auckland Polo Club by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Event director of the NZ Polo Open, Lucy Ainsley, said in a statement on Tuesday night, “The extent of the damage to both the grounds and the clubhouse has meant that it would be impossible for us to be able to carry out the event safely and successfully on Sunday”.

The tournament was due to start on Tuesday, February 14 and 24 teams would compete throughout the week, with the NZ Polo Open final to be held on Sunday, February 19 at Auckland Polo Club’s Fisher Field.

Ainsley says the entire polo grounds were completely engulfed in excess water as the Wairoa River burst its banks, reaching levels higher than ever previously recorded.

Flood water levels reached over one metre deep internally within the polo clubhouse and covered the entire polo field.

The annual NZ Polo Open has now not gone ahead since 2020, due to the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and several lockdowns.

This is the third consecutive year that the NZ Polo Open has been cancelled- the previous two due to Covid-19 restrictions. Times photo / Wayne Martin.

Finals day was due to see more than 100 thoroughbred horses who have found their second careers with polo, showcasing the unique ability and flexibility of this athletic breed.

In a special animal welfare and rehoming collaboration with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, the 2023 open planned to see the introduction of prize money for the best-playing rehomed thoroughbreds with $9000 up for grabs.

On the style front, the highly anticipated ‘Remix Fashion at the Polo’ was gearing up to be one of the best, with prizes for best dressed lady, best dressed gentleman, best accessory and, new for this year, a people’s choice award.

Wilhelmina Shrimpton, Amber Baker, and NZ Polo Open event ambassador Holly Estelle were set to be the fashion judges this year.

“We would like to thank and extend our appreciation to our partners, suppliers and polo teams who have worked alongside us tirelessly over the last 12 months and through previous years,” Ainsley says.

Crime, truancy, cost of living are top of National Party’s list

Times Team
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Crime, truancy, cost of living are top of National Party’s list
Botany MP and National Party leader Christopher Luxon, right, says criminals feel emboldened by a “soft-on-crime” Labour Government. He’s pictured with Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown. Times file photo Wayne Martin
  • By Christopher Luxon, Opposition Leader and MP for Botany

You might have seen news reports last week that showed retail crime has spiked to more than 10,000 incidents in a single month – the highest in recorded history.

On average, 8745 retail crime incidents were recorded per month to the end of November last year. In October 2022 alone, there were a staggering 10,020 incidents. That’s both alarming and incredibly concerning.

Criminals feel emboldened because they know they will not be held accountable by this soft-on-crime Labour Government.

That is why violent crime is up by 21 per cent and why New Zealanders have seen a 56 per cent increase in gang members.

A National Government I lead will crack down on crime. New Zealanders should feel safe in their homes and communities.

We know a lot of the crime is being committed by youths and people who are associated with gangs.

National will introduce a Young Serious Offender category to increase consequences for repeat offenders, and the worst repeat offenders could be sent to Young Offender Military Academies for up to 12 months for intensive rehabilitation.

National will also ban gang patches in public and give police non-association powers to prevent gang members from communicating and planning criminal activity.

We will allow police to issue dispersal notices where gang members come together in public to intimidate, threaten and sometimes assault members of the public, and give police the warrantless search powers they need to take the guns out of the hands of violent armed gang members.

Under Chris Hipkins as Police Minister, Labour has been nothing but soft on crime.

So far, Labour’s record in law and order has been to remove the Three Strikes legislation for serious repeat offenders, reduce the prison population despite the clear increase in crime and not back our police to give them the powers to take firearms off violent criminals.

Another issue is our truancy rate. Our kids are disengaged from education and not going to school. More than 100,000 Kiwi kids are still chronically absent from school.

National would hold ourselves, schools, and parents accountable for ensuring that kids are regularly in school, including setting clear expectations for schools and parents that kids not going to school is no longer an option.

We will shift resources from back-office bureaucrats in Wellington to the frontline, so schools have the support they need to give every child the opportunity to benefit from a world-class education.

Finally, you will have seen Chris Hipkins parked up a number of Labour’s unpopular pet projects until after the election.

Hipkins wants Kiwis to think Labour is listening to voters’ concerns about their priorities but the reality is the Jobs Tax is just being delayed, hate speech legislation is out for more consultation, and Three Waters is still happening.

You can’t trust Labour. The leader may have changed, but Labour hasn’t.

They’re still obsessed with ideological pet projects, they still have no plan to reduce the cost of living and they are still addicted to wasteful spending.

New Zealand needs more than a Labour Government who have changed leader and woken up to the fact the country is going backwards.

They need a National Government that knows what it stands for, won’t abandon its programme in an election year and will deliver results so that all New Zealanders get ahead.

National will address the cost of living, lift incomes, restore law and order, build infrastructure and deliver better health and education.

National will repeal Labour’s Three Waters, stop Labour’s hate speech legislation and axe Labour’s Jobs Tax once and for all.

Retail crime reaches record levels

Chris Harrowell
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Retail crime reaches record levels
The Noel Leeming store at Botany Town Centre is one of numerous local businesses to have been ram-raided by thieves in the past year. Times file photo Wayne Martin

Data obtained by the National Party shows the number of reported retail crime incidents in New Zealand has skyrocketed to more than 10,000 in a single month.

That’s the highest in recorded history, according to the party’s police spokesperson, Mark Mitchell.

“In the 12 months to November 30 last year, an average of 8541 retail crime incidents were recorded monthly,” he says.

“In October 2022 alone, there were a staggering 10,020 incidents.

“During the same 12-month period to November 30, 2018, an average of 4336 retail crime incidents were recorded – just half the number we are seeing today.”

The data shows a staggering 96,195 retail crime incidents reported across the country in the 11 months from January to November last year.

Numerous east Auckland businesses were targeted in ram-raids or smash-and-grab burglaries and robberies in the past year.

LiquorLand Howick was ram-raided twice in 2022.

The Michael Hill and TJ Handcrafted jewellery stores at the Botany Town Centre were both robbed multiple times.

Ormiston Town Centre was ram-raided on several occasions.

Other local businesses impacted by the ongoing crime wave include a petrol station, a book store, a health food shop, a vape store, an appliance store, dairies, and more.

Mitchell says criminals in New Zealand feel “emboldened because they know they will not be held accountable by this soft-on-crime Labour Government”.

He says that’s why violent crime has risen 21 per cent and gang membership is up 56 per cent.

“The new Prime Minister [Chris Hipkins] was in charge of the police portfolio when this data was recorded.

“Any suggestion his Government is not soft on crime, or that crime is decreasing, is utterly misleading and total spin.”

Mitchell says the Labour Government removed the Three Strikes legislation for serious repeat offenders, reduced the prison population, and not given police the powers to take firearms off violent criminals.

The new Police Minister, Stuart Nash, says he has a “very clear understanding” of the portfolio and he’s completely focused on the issues that matter for police and the public.

“These include ensuring police are supported with the people, resources, and legislative tools it needs to keep communities safe and prevent harm.

“Whether it’s continuing the rollout of frontline constables, supporting communities and businesses to respond to youth crime, reducing road deaths, making inroads to gang offending and organised crime, responding to natural disasters and emergencies like the Auckland floods, and preventing family harm, police is in a very strong position.”

As the Times recently reported, Hipkins has said he has a plan to help retail workers impacted by crimes such as ram-raid burglaries.

He said a Government fund established to support businesses that were the victims of ram-raids has been extended to those targeted in aggravated robberies.

The Government is also putting funding into partnering with councils on initiatives that will help to keep such businesses safe, he said.

“We’re making sure we’re doing everything we can to identify who the young offenders are, hold them accountable for their actions, and stop that offending from continuing.”

Can you help identify these graffiti vandals?

Chris Harrowell
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Can you help identify these graffiti vandals?
Police are working to identify the people seen tagging a wall in Howick in this CCTV image. Photo supplied

Police want to hear from anyone who can help identity several people captured on security camera defacing multiple locations in Howick village with green spray paint.

In an effort to track down the culprits, Howick Police sergeant Brett Meale has provided the Times with a photo that depicts the two offenders in action while tagging a wall beside Howick Village Optometrists in Picton Street.

The incident happened at about 3.45pm on December 18 and Meale wants to hear from anyone with information on who the vandals are.

Numerous locations in Howick village were tagged at the same time including an area near Rices Mall, on the side of the Monterey apartments, and near the block of shops that includes Subway and Pizza Hut, he says.

“It looks like they [the taggers] did their thing in the town centre and then we have some footage of them walking along Cook Street.

“Then there’s more [tagging] by Paparoa Park at the Litten Road shops.

“It’s the same paint and it all happened that night heading from Picton Street toward Cockle Bay.”

As the Times recently reported, the Howick ward last year experienced a 39 per cent increase in graffiti vandalism compared to 2021, with 1328 tags removed from within the Howick Local Board area.

Meale says the security camera photos show one of the taggers filming the other one as they deface a wall, “so it’s highly likely they put it up on social media”.

He says there’s a major impact for the business’s workers when they turn up and find their shop has been tagged.

“What value is there in doing that? It’s not like people are getting any money out of it. It’s a pointless crime.

“It causes a lot of cost, time, and resources for the people who have to paint over it and get it repaired.

“It’s one of those crimes that’s very anti-social and just a nuisance for the community.”
Howick Village Association manager Jane Newbury says the recent incidents of graffiti in the village are not only disappointing and unsightly, but also project an unsafe and unwelcoming image to the community and visitors.

“These incidents are needless acts of vandalism.

“Thankfully the Howick Village Association has a great relationship with the Beautification Trust, which is contracted to Auckland Council to remove graffiti from east and south Auckland’s public spaces.

“The trust provides a rapid response and in most cases graffiti can be removed within 24 hours.”

Newbury encourages local businesses and residents to report graffiti to the Beautification Trust on 0800 363 824.

According to the Summary Offences Act, a person is liable to a community-based sentence or a fine not exceeding $2000, or both, if he or she damages or defaces any property without lawful authority and the consent of its occupier or owner.

People with information on the culprits who tagged several locations in Howick village on December 18 can phone 105 and ask for the Howick Police station.

Use of rates money

Staff
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Use of rates money

Being involved in a project funded by Auckland Council through the Howick Local Board grants scheme, I think Mr Moore needs to look at the recipients of this funding before making his comments.

In our project we have saved Auckland Council a considerable amount of money in providing free labour in making our community a better place to live. The results we are achieving will not only benefit the environment but the community as a whole.

Barry Wood
Cockle Bay

Our children need a miracle

Staff
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Our children need a miracle

Re: Speaking for the dead, Ryan Price, Feb 8.

Nobel physicist Wolfgang Pauli once described a student’s work as “not even wrong” and Ryan Price deserves the same accolade.

Earth is not -18°C as expected by its distance from the Sun, but +15°C. Ryan Price believes this is due to the weight of the atmosphere (99 per cent oxygen and nitrogen) in “Maxwell’s gravito-thermal 1872 theory”.

In those days, scientists like Lord Kelvin were trying to explain the Sun’s heat by “gravitational contraction” having realised if it was burning coal it wouldn’t last long. Then Becquerel discovered radioactivity and science moved on.

Facts –
1. Thousands of thermometers show the surface and oceans are heating up – but there is no more oxygen or nitrogen, so why?
2. Satellites show the warming is due to less heat being radiated to space by CO2 – because we have added CO2.
3. The level of oxygen in the air is actually decreasing as more fossil-fuel carbon is burned to CO2.

As Ryan Price said, Richard Feynman once explained your favourite theory is wrong if contradicted by just one fact – and I’ve given three.

Then of course Mr Price must explain why adding more CO2 to the atmosphere would not cause warming. Eunice Foote showed in 1856 that CO2 “traps” heat, and

John Tyndall demonstrated increasing CO2 in the atmosphere would warm Earth – in 1861. How many centuries do deniers need to adjust to facts?

Mr Price doesn’t understand the nature of science. Scientists make a name for themselves by showing other scientists wrong, not by agreeing with them. That is precisely why the scientific consensus on global warming is so powerful. The American Physical Society describes the evidence as “incontrovertible”; the IPCC “unequivocal”.

Everyone is free to refute the science – win a Nobel prize and the everlasting gratitude of every politician and oil billionaire on the planet.

Ryan Price believes textbook science explaining why Earth is warming and why we need to reduce emissions is of no practical use to mankind. It would seem so.

Faced with bonkers beliefs and timid politicians what our children need now is a miracle.

Dennis Horne
Howick

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