The Howick RSA is proud to present, Landslide – The Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show
For one night only you can enjoy this professional live band delivering a top quality musical experience celebrating the music of Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks.
This is a the full Fleetwood Mac Tribute show with lighting and sound system.
When: Saturday, July 15 at 8.00 Where: The Howick R.S.A – 25 Wellington Street, HOWICK Tickets: Available from the Howick R.S.A, $20 each – Get your tickets early, don’t miss out.
Police are seeking witnesses to a fatal crash that killed two people on Monday 22nd May in Clover Park.
The crash occurred on Te Irirangi Drive just past the intersection with Dawson Rd around 9.45pm.
Police are interested in hearing from anyone who saw a Silver Holden Astra travelling along Te Irirangi Drive from Botany towards Manukau.
Police would also like to speak to the driver of a white vehicle (pictured) that was identified from CCTV footage as being at the scene around the time of the crash.
The vehicle, which has a sticker that goes across the windscreen, turned right onto Dawson Rd moments before the crash.
If you witnessed this crash or have any information which may help our enquiries, please contact Chris Peet from Counties Manukau Police Serious Crash Unit on 09 261 1328.
You can also provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Pakuranga College student Camron Smith took over principal’s Michael Williams’ hot seat for the day. Photo supplied
Smile at the students when they come in; ask them how their weekend was and be more engaging and develop a deeper appreciation for performing arts.
These are some of the guidelines Year 13 student Camron Smith put to staff when she was principal for the day at Pakuranga College.
Camron traded seats with school principal Michael Williams who attended classes.
Monday morning for the feisty 17-year-old student was packed with a line-up of meetings, conducting the school assembly and even fitting in an interview the Times.
“I was in school by 7.40am, an hour before everyone,” says the youngster.
“I had meetings with the deputy principals and other staff on what lessons to take.
“I had a staff briefing at 8:15am where I told staff that I’d like for them, for one day, to focus on producing a more engaging classroom environment working on the positive student-teacher relationships as I said, ‘After four and a half years of extensive research having a teacher that you feel genuinely cares about you and your progress boosts one’s self esteem and motivation to work harder.’
Year 13 student Camron Smith (centre back row) enjoyed playing principal for the day at Pakuranga College. Pictured here with Year 10 students in mufti and Year 13 students in uniform. Photo supplied.
Camron suggested more activities so that the students were more awake in the morning.
“We are half way through the year and it’s cold and gloomy, making it difficult for students to focus.”
She says planning the school assembly involved three meetings with head students and Mr Williams.
“At the assembly, the Year 10 leaders spoke as head students. However, we finished earlier than usual and had some time on our hands but we managed,” she laughs.
She noticed that Mr Williams, as a student, didn’t quite start his day on the right foot.
“He did a bit of skipping as warm-up for the drama class and hurt a muscle.”
Michael Williams attended drama class and was student for the day at Pakuranga College. Photo supplied.
She says she enjoyed handing out certificates to students during the day and sitting in at the back of the classroom to do some observation.
“I will be sitting in a Year 12 Maths class to give feedback on how new teachers interact with students.”
One-on-one with deputy principals and the appraiser from the Board of Trustees who reminds the principal of the school goals, makes an inquiry and writes a report at the end of the year was all a part of the day’s job.
Being principal for the day is a yearly event run by the Academic Council with an application process. The exchange involved Year 13 head students attending the Year 10 classes while the leaders of Year 10 attended the Year 13 physics class, which they found tough to follow.
“I also had these Year 10 art students come up to me saying ‘Hi miss, do you know what a ‘dab’ is?’ And I thought gosh do I really look that old!
“So after telling them I was a student, and I was the acting principal for the day, they photographed me doing a ‘dab’… that was probably the funniest part of the day, junior students not recognising that I was actually a student at the school and calling me ‘Miss’ “ she laughs.
However, the biggest eye-opener for Camron was the amount of work that goes on behind-the-scenes.“The principal does so much more work than meets the eye,” she says.
“I have a deeper appreciation for the principal and his job because it is not an easy one. Students only get to see a fraction of what really goes on in the school.”
Camron quickly learnt that a principal’s day is action-packed and time management is key!
“Being on time for a meeting with the principal is also vital as he has a lot of other things to achieve in his day,” she says.
“Speeches, speeches and more speeches also constitute a principal’s life, so always being aware of your goals, progress, and audience is key to delivering an impactful message.
“Every few minutes there is someone popping in his room to talk to him. I had at least 15 people come in wanting to discuss something with him.
“I’d say to them, ‘he’s not here but you can talk to me’.”
Locals, some with the kids in tow, made their way down to Bucklands Beach Yacht Club to watch Emirates Team New Zealand take on Oracle USA to attempt to win the America’s Cup, which of course they did. Photos Wayne Martin.
Cancer Society Pre-loved Boutique volunteers Pam (left) and Louise. Photo supplied
It seems like only yesterday the “coolest little charity shop” opened its doors in Rices Mall, so it’s hard to believe the Cancer Society Pre-loved Boutique is now celebrating its second birthday.
Since opening its doors in July 2015, the boutique has served thousands of customers with the help of dozens of volunteers from the local area, and has become an integral and much-loved part of the Howick community.
In just two years, the store has sold 16,000 items, 3,106 womens tops, 800 pairs of shoes and 3,600 pieces of homeware. Thanks to the hard work and generosity of the people of Howick, Cancer Society has been able to provide support for thousands of people with cancer, including home visits by Cancer Society nurses, psychology services, meals, accommodation and transport to treatment.
John Loof, Cancer Society Auckland Northland Chief Executive explains, “The Pre-loved Boutique has really helped people become more aware of the services Cancer Society provides, as well as offering people the chance to give back to their local community through donations and volunteering.”
The Pre-loved Boutique offers Howick shoppers a range of affordable, high-quality pre-loved fashion, homewares, jewellery and more. Every time you donate your pre-loved items or shop in store, you are helping provide support for people with cancer and their families.
Store manager Kim Sinfield, who has been in the role since day one, is immensely proud of the store’s success and generosity of the community. She says: “The locals have really got behind this cause. It’s incredible the types of donations we receive, not to mention the hard work of all the Howick volunteers. This week is all about celebrating, so come in store – the cake is on us!“
For more information on how to shop, donate or volunteer, visit
www.cancersocietyprelovedboutique.co.nz
Byron Hogan (left) and Vicki Mosheim enjoy their lunch, pictured in character as Edna and Tracy Turnblad. Times photo Wayne Martin
It was a sell-out when it was made into a movie.
It’s been all over the world in theatre productions, and now, Hairsprayis coming to the east Auckland community, courtesy of Howick College’s drama department.
Hairspray tells the story of exuberant teenager Tracy Turnblad living in 1960’s America, where racial segregation has permeated every aspect of society.
With the help of her newfound friends, and a desire to see all people integrated for the sake of dance, Tracy sets out to permanently integrate her favourite after-school
show.
Howick College head of drama and expressive arts, Jillian Dryden, said the show is a wonderful way to expose students to the community, and empower students to make the world a better place by standing up for what’s right.
“Hairspray is so relevant to the world we live in right now – the uncertain world
we live in right now.
“It’s another reminder of the sacrifices other people have made before us for equality… equality in every sense of the word.”
It’s a massive commitment for the school, from organising a cast to costumes and
production, and rehearsals that started all the way back in term one.
They couldn’t have done it without the work of Debbie Szopa, who is one of two production managers for the show, said Mrs Dryden.
Year 13 student Vicki Mosheim, who plays lead character Tracy, said she’s excited to focus on a role that encompasses singing, acting and dancing.
She’s been involved in various productions in the past and has extensive experience in the area of dance, having studied ballet, jazz, contemporary and musical
theatre.
The best part of production is meeting people she would “never have otherwise met”, said the 17-year-old.
Byron Hogan, who plays Edna Turnblad in the show, agreed meeting new people and bonding over the shared experience was a highlight.
The show opens June 28 and runs till July 1 and starts at 7pm each night.
Ruth Dyson and Tofik Mamedov. Times photo Wayne Martin
“Election time is akin to a job interview for us,” laughs seasoned politician Ruth Dyson. “We get a bit insecure.”
A Member of Parliament since 1993, including nine years as a Minister, Mrs Dyson visited east Auckland on Monday, at the invitation of Labour candidate for Botany, Tofik Mamedov.
Dropping in at the Times office for a chat, the Labour Party MP for Port Hills reflects about being at the centre of an electorate ravaged by earthquakes in 2011.
“When there is an aftershock we often find ourselves guessing ‘is this a magnitude 3.8 or a 4.3 quake’? We are so used to it that now it is like a game, and who gets the closest guess,” she says.
There is more light-hearted banter about a problem that commuters have to deal with on a daily basis. “Driving in the city is like adventure tourism. You don’t know which road will be closed,” she says.
“The positive is that a lot of Christchurch is beautifully rebuilt and it will be the newest city in the world.”
In east Auckland, after having visited the Pakuranga Park Village, Baptist Retirement Village, Grey Power committee meeting and Bruce McLaren Retirement Village in the first half of the day, Labour’s Senior Citizens spokesperson says that seniors in the area have broken away from stereotypes.
“There was a lot of excitement and they were having so much fun at the Bruce McLaren Village playing table- tennis, scrabble and on the greens,” she smiles.
Mrs Dyson says most seniors had a common generational vent — they were concerned about the future of their grandchildren.
“They were all worried that a generation of New Zealanders are being locked out of home ownership and this leaves them very vulnerable in the rental housing market, paying very large portions of their income in rent,” she says.
“Locals told me that they were frustrated that the Budget gave people on high incomes a tax cut but there was nothing being done to address the housing crisis.”
In terms of finding a solution, she suggests that Government should work towards stopping property speculation. “Also stop non-New Zealand residents from buying houses,” she says.
“I do believe it is the responsibility of the government to build more houses and make it easier in terms of zoning and resource consent. It’s sad that the current government is offering future generations less than previous generations had during their life.”
Having met seniors at local retirement homes with Mr Mamedov, the former president of the Labour Party rushes back to a packed schedule of visiting schools, early childhood centres, residents’ associations and meeting people in her electorate. All in a 15-hour day.
The Howick and Pakuranga Times took third place as best all-round newspaper in the annual New Zealand Community Newspapers Association awards at the weekend.
It finished behind runner-up The Scene and winner The Star. Judges said of the Times’ entry: “A newspaper that covers all its patch well and has a lively letters column demonstrating excellent engagement with its community. A notch above other, similar community papers in the field.”
Eastlife magazine (which belongs to the Times’ sister company Times House Publishing) won best front page in the feature/lifestyle category as an associate member. Its sister publication Rural Living was runner-up.
Judges said of Eastlife: “A striking photograph … up close and personal with a gannet. A most eye-catching cover.”
Of Rural Living they said: “This cover tells a rural story. Great teasers covering a range of ‘down-on-the-farm’ activities along with a back-up pic of te aged bus which could have seen school service after years on the road carrying passengers for NZ Road Services…and two lucky country kids enjoying a rare ice cream treat in the foreground.”
Rural Living was also runner-up in the best all-round lifestyle magazine (associate) category.
Jon Rawlinson, a journalist with Eastlife was runner-up in the best senior sports journalist category. Jon’s portfolio was also commended in best senior feature/lifestyle journalist category.
The judge said: “He had a strong portfolio of local sporting personalities and the pieces on Black Cap Colin Munro, former Olympic weightlifter Precious McKenzie and pro golfer Ryan Fox an enjoyable read.”
Long-time Times photographer Wayne Martin was highly commended in the best news photographer category and again in the best feature/lifestyle photographer category for photos for Eastlife.
Clare McGillivray, art director for the Times group, won the best individual advertising portfolio category (class 1) for an entry from the Botany and Ormiston Times. Judges said: “This entry has a great variety of styles with great use of fonts and colours suited to the advertiser.”
The Howick and Pakuranga Times was highly commended in the community involvement category (class 2).
The judge said: “The Times never shy of the good fight, sets out to save the locally-prized viewshafts to the Hauraki Gulf from the cenotaph on Stockade Hill where high-rise development is threatening an important local sense of place.
“More than $31,000 in fundraising later and the embattled ratepayers’ group’s legal costs are covered; the fight for recognition of the viewshafts goes on – even if the development itself could not be stopped.”
She’s one of two local authors nominated in the 2017 Children and Young Adults Book Awards, and Jennifer Beck is taking it all in her stride.
It’s an honour just to be shortlisted as a finalist in the Elsie Locke Award for Non Fiction, said the long-time Botany resident – clearly downplaying the fact that she’s won (and been a finalist in) many competitions prior to this.
She’s written somewhere between 50 and 60 books altogether, estimated Jennifer, as well as newspaper articles and educational readers.
In 2010, Jennifer represented New Zealand at the International Children’s Book Festival.
Five years later, she was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Children’s Literature, and took up the position of Children’s Writer in Residence at Otago University.
She’s an outstanding author with a knack for taking a story and turning it into something greater, but writing wasn’t always her first choice career plan.
In her younger years, Jennifer completed a university degree in psychology, and worked in educational psychology for a number of years.
“I was a late starter when it comes to writing,” Jennifer admits.
“It wasn’t a definite plan – I just loved creating pictures and stories, especially when I had my own children and could make books for them. It is the combination of art and words that are special to me. That is why I love writing picture books.”
Now, she’s been doing it for almost 30 years, and can’t imagine the day she’ll give up her precious creative outlet.
Most of her books are inspired by everyday happenings, people she looks up to and topics that interest her – particularly those with a New Zealand background.
That’s what makes her newest book so fascinating.
It’s a true story about New Zealand’s oldest survivor of World War I – a tortoise.
Illustrated by Fifi Colston and with special mention to Barbara of Howick’s Readaway Books, Torty and the Soldier tells the story of Kiwi soldier Stewart Little, who worked as a medical orderly in World War I.
Near a bombed hospital in Greece, Mr Little happened across an injured tortoise, carried it to safety, nursed it back to full health and affectionately named it Torty.
Three generations after Mr Little died, Torty lives on in Palmerston North at an estimated age of 200 and is being looked after by Mr Little’s grandsons.
In fact, Torty even made it to the Morrinsville book launch of Torty and the Soldier – and no doubt when the Wellington awards ceremony rocks around this August, Jennifer will be waiting on the judges to call her name.
The Times has a copy of Torty and the Soldier to give away. Enter here
Pakuranga United Rugby Club’s premier team will be playing in pink for their home game against Grammar TEC on July 1.
The design of the playing jersey. Photo supplied
It’s all for a good cause – for the first time in the club’s history, the team will dedicate the day to fundraise for Breast Cancer research.
The team will play in a specially-designed pink playing strip which will also be available for purchase for $500 each. The game kicks off at 2:45pm and tickets are $40 to attend the special pre-game events where there will be two or three guest speakers.
Winston Peters worked the crowd at the Grey Power AGM. Times photo Kelly Teed.
Winston Peters gave an impassioned speech at the Grey Power Annual General Meeting held at Pakuranga Bowling Club on Friday morning.
A large crowd gathered to hear the NZ First leader speak on issues such as housing, water ownership, climate change, immigration and the overall state of politics in New Zealand.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Winston Peters speech without a few sly digs slipped in throughout, and of that there was plenty. From calling the present parliamentary group “a bunch of morons”, to a dig at Maggie Barry and David Seymour and more.
“I have never seen politics in a state as bad as it is today,’ he said. That’s a bold statement from someone who’s spent 42 years in the business.
“I have never seen such lowering standards of deceit and organised spin passing for substance and policy as I’ve seen today.”
He began with the current topic dominating New Zealand politics – the Todd Barclay tapes scandal.
The Clutha-Southland MP said he would stand down at the general election after allegations surfaced of him having illegally recorded a conversation of one of his staffers criticising him. As we all learnt from the Bradley Ambrose and John Banks Teapot Tapes saga of 2011, recording a conversation you are not a party to is a crime – although apparently more of a crime then than the National Party would say it is six years later when the shoe is on the other foot.
Mr Peters said the latest scandal was “at best naive; at worst, plain illegal” and made even worse by lies told by Mr Barclay, Prime Minister Bill English and others in the National Party.
He said there used to be a certain standard of behaviour required by people in positions of authority – and those standards weren’t always being met anymore.
“Say what you like about [Sir Robert] Muldoon, [Sir Keith] Holyoake and the rest but they were nothing compared to how politicians are today” he said.
Winston Peters fielded questions from the crowd. Times photo Kelly Teed
As he moved onto senior’s issues, Mr Peters told of how behind closed doors, “you will never hear National defend [NZ] Super,” and accused both National and Labour of flip-flopping on the issue.
“Only [NZ First] has stood firmly behind NZ Super and has been unbending in its stand.”
He drew applause from the crowd on the topic of the SuperGold Card and how “we could be doing so much better if [National] got behind the card.”
Mr Peters accused Minister for Seniors, Maggie Barry of “pretending to be a friend” to the seniors and said she “expounded the virtues of the SuperGold Card which her own party has tried to undermine from the day it was first proposed”.
These claims were “blatantly false” and another “great example of arrogance,” he said.
Not one to shy away from the hard issues, Mr Peters drew yet more loud applause as he made his case against immigration and raised the concern of substandard construction and political oversight of low quality materials being used.
The floor was opened up for a question and answer session – and it was quickly off to a rusty start.
“Do you have someone to groom as successor to the ACT Party?” someone asked as confused looks were exchanged around the room.
The NZ First leader didn’t miss a blink.
“If I did, it would be a rabbit,” he said.
As the microphone was passed around all corners of the room, Mr Peters easily fielded questions on climate change, homelessness and foreign investors before being riled by someone asking if he would consider abolishing Māori electorates.
“Who did you vote for?” the wily politician demanded.
“Well last time I voted for the Conservatives but this time I was going to vote for you.”
“You didn’t even give me your vote and you want me to do things for you? You voted for some lunatic [Colin] Craig?” said the politician, choosing to ignore the last part of the sentence.
The NZ First leader left the meeting with a grin. Times photo Kelly Teed
Luckily, it did pick up from there. There was laughter and lots of approving nods and quiet words of agreement and a whole lot of passion being flung around the room as the Grey Power community got to raise the issues that matter most to them.
And then suddenly time was up. Mr Peters was ushered out of the room to one final round of applause and even a partial standing ovation by some of the captive audience.
And by looking at the ear-to-ear grin on the fiesty politician’s face, you get the feeling the affection was mutual.
ACTION STATIONS: Sliding through the last stage of Rally of the Far North last weekend, Stephen Barker, left, and Flat Bush co-driver Kieran Anstis. Photo Jason Byrne
Following a six year break from competition, Stephen Barker finished last weekend’s Rally of the Far North in third overall.
With new navigator Flat Bush’s Kieran Anstis and a borrowed Mitsubishi Evo 9 for the event, the only expectation was to complete every stage, rather than focus on chasing a result.
“This is the first time Kieran and I had teamed up for an event and I expected we would be off the pace in the first stage while we gelled and I got comfortable using pace notes again, but I was surprised to see weren’t too far off the pace during the morning’s opening stage,” said Barker.
Stage two saw the pair take their first stage win on gravel and move up to third overall.
“Stage two was the longest and most technical in the rally so to take a stage win in a full group N Mitsubishi Evo 9 after only one stage back in the seat was a very cool feeling and a great confidence boost going into the remaining stages,” said Barker.
“The longest stage of the rally, stage 3 at 52 kilometres, was to be another test which would suit the Evo 9 but was unfortunately cancelled.”
The pair completed a very high speed stage 4 in fifth place, only dropping 3 seconds from the leader and remained in third position overall at the lunch time service break in the Kaitaia township.
A lack of seat time and confidence from Barker to commit to many fast corners and blind crests throughout the afternoon’s stages saw the pairing complete the remaining three stages respectably but would ultimately cost the team second place.
“The car is under-powered in the faster stages and I really needed to commit 100 per cent to the pace notes Kieran was calling to me to stay at the pace of some of the other competitors. In a borrowed car we decided to limit the risk and consolidate a fantastic third position .“
“ It was like being back in the Fiesta days for me with Ben Hunt and Phil Campbell driving well and winning stages,” he said.
But Lee Robson would take top honours followed by Campbell. “It seems my speed is still there which is reassuring!”
Last week, Anstis was also selected to attend the Rally New Zealand Co-Drivers Academy.
The academy was set up to help guide upcoming Kiwi talent to becoming professional co-drivers. Run over three days, the academy brought in professional international co-drivers Alex and Rhianon Gelsomino to teach the six co-drivers. The academy will go over all aspects of the sport from understanding regulations, pace note writing, health and fitness and self-marketing.
“My goal is to ultimately be competing internationally as a professional co-driver,” said Anstis.
“To be selected for the Rally New Zealand Co Drivers Academy is going to help me get closer to that goal.
“I have always looked up to Alex and Rhianon so having the opportunity to learn from them is very cool and I will be making the most of the opportunity.”
