A 29-year-old Burswood man appeared in Auckland District Court this afternoon on a charge of obtaining by deception.
It is alleged the man impersonated an immigration officer and demanded cash from a couple who believed he was assisting with their immigration application.
Police said in a statement this afternoon that over the course of several months, it is alleged the man received nearly $100,000 from the couple.
The man has been remanded in custody and will appear in court again on June 26.
Read full event coverage HERE: Winston a winner with Grey Power
Z Energy is installing new forecourt recycling facilities at 117 of its retail sites with a grant of $218,000 from the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund.
Associate Environment Minister Scott Simpson announced the new initiative at a pilot forecourt on Highbrook Drive in East Tamaki last Friday.
“Z Energy has developed a modular forecourt bin comprised of separate compartments for waste, glass, plastic and cans, and Z compostable coffee cups,” Mr Simpson said.
“The aim is to reduce the amount of waste Z Energy send to landfill by 40 per cent. This project gives both Z Energy staff and customers the opportunity to embrace recycling.”
Trial bins are being piloted at three Z Energy Sites in Auckland with more to be rolled out around the country later this year.
“Z Energy has made a commitment to promote sustainability by using less and wasting less within their business,” he said.
“This project provides a great example of how businesses and New Zealanders can make changes every day to divert large amounts of waste from ending up in landfill.”
The Waste Minimisation Fund was established in 2009 and is funded by a levy of $10 per tonne charged on waste disposed of at landfills.
The fund’s purpose is to boost New Zealand’s performance in waste minimisation, by reducing waste and increasing the recovery of useful resources from waste. More than $80 million has been awarded to more than 130 projects to date.
Three months after the Uxbridge Arts and Culture Centre made a desperate plea for help to stay afloat, the Howick Local Board has agreed to one-off $35,000 funding.
It also agreed to an operational review costing $30,000.
The Times reported on March 30 that the newly-renovated Uxbridge centre faced the prospect of closing for good if it didn’t receive additional funding from the Local Board.
In a March 20 presentation to the board, Uxbridge director Vickie Bowers and chairman of the Uxbridge Community Projects Incorporated board Cliff Halsey outlined the necessity of an extra $100,000 per year in funding to continue operations.
They also requested an extra $35,000 if Uxbridge is required to pay water and electricity charges – a cost the centre was not responsible for prior to the $6.5 million renovations of the facility in 2016, mostly funded by Auckland Council.
Ms Bowers estimated that without extra funding, Uxbridge would only be able to operate for another year before it would be forced to close the doors.
Uxbridge has been an entertainment hub for the Howick Village for 35 years.
The Howick Local Board on Monday agreed to a proposal to fund a strategic review (to the tune of $30,000 taken from various budgets) of Uxbridge Arts and Culture to assist with forward planning and to “ensure its ongoing success in delivering council’s arts and culture programmes in the Howick area”.
It also agreed to make a one-off $35,000 grant to Uxbridge Community Projects Incorporated to cover its utility costs for the 2017/2018 financial year.
“Uxbridge has done a fantastic job fostering arts and culture in Howick for more than 30 years and we want to see them to continue to succeed,” said Howick Local Board member and its arts, culture and community portfolio lead, Katrina Bungard via a media release.
“The strategic review, which will include engagement with the community and the Howick Local Board, will be done by an independent person and take a look at the whole operation from what programmes are on offer, what’s working well and opportunities for development.”
The review will then provide Uxbridge with some recommendations so it can meet the expectations of the community, and its contract with Auckland Council, in delivering a range of arts and cultural opportunities.
Under Auckland Council’s new community leasing policy the organisation is responsible for maintenance and utility costs, such as water and power. In the past these were paid by council.
“That policy change was unexpected and significantly increased our operating costs,” says centre director Ms Bowers.
“Our funding from council for 2016/17 is $306,612 enables us to deliver 250 courses, 52 events and 20 programmes in the Malcolm Smith Gallery. We work on a very tight budget.”
They welcomed the local board’s proposal. An independent person would be able to stand back and take a fresh look at the organisation to determine where improvements and/or savings could be made.
“They will determine whether our programmes are meeting the expectations of the community and the extent to which we are fulfilling our contract with council,” Ms Bowers says.
“Certainly, knowing that the utility costs are covered for this first year gives everyone a bit of breathing space.”
Auckland Council arts and culture manager Richard McWha says council will also look to address some of Uxbridge’s other concerns around heating, air conditioning and acoustics in the recently refurbished building.
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club members have been watching the Americas Cup 2017 finals very closely with many supporters coming down to the club watching replays and enjoying
the commentary amongst fellow supporters.
The club has links with the cup with our very own Joey Allen in the winning crew back in 1995, the year Team NZ won the cup.
TNZ also ran a very successful Louis Vuitton Regatta back in 2002-2003 and many other members or close relatives have been involved in shore crews, even with Oracle.
“Our Club Arm Chair Admirals are in awe of the team which is oozing with talent, 28 world titles, and Olympic gold and silver medals with a skipper Peter Burling who has the X-factor,” says Lyle Tresadern, the yacht club’s club manager.
“Burling, Tuke and Ashby all specialise in fast, foiling yachts and have all sailed the foiling A class catamarans.
“We have confidence in their abilities and note the small errors have been addressed over the last few races.”
As to the start of the America’s Cup against defenders Oracle Team USA, Tresadern says it is a fantastic start with 3 points from four races (TNZ started the final minus 1 point). “(TNZ have) domination in the lighter airs.
Still, anything can happen if the wind gets fluky or stronger winds, although unlikely, may arrive and cause damage. This could play a part in the outcome.
On July 26 the club will be hosting Joey Allen along with mountaineer and philanthropist (and the son of adventurer Sir Edmund Hillary) Peter Hillary for a charity dinner.
“Joey, who is currently over in Bermuda (for the America’s Cup), will give us an insight into the secrets, scandals and inside information. We all look forward to that talk,” said Tresadern.
“Tickets are available everybody welcome, please phone the Club. For anyone who doesn’t have Sky tv and wants to watch the replay, the club will – on request – re-run during the day so if any member of the public would like to come down to the club and join our members,
you are more than welcome.
“Please check with the club for timing.”
By Bridget Kelly
Veisinia Maka has a few things she would change about the world, but for now, she’s
starting in Howick.
Maka, 20, has been named as the 2017 Howick representative for the Youth Advisory Panel.
It’s not her first time working with the council either – she’s been on the youth council since she was 15 in an “open-seat” capacity.
“I have this passion for young people, and their voices,” said Maka. “When you’re passionate it resonates with people, for some reason people believe in me.”
Her most urgent concern is the transparency lacking between the generations, and between council and youth.
The council is consulting with young people through surveys, and without face to face meetings Maka believes they’re losing the real connection and not finding out what the youth
really need. She is prepared to make a difference though. “I love influencing people,
I like a challenge.” This will not be the first challenge for Maka either, she recently volunteered for the UN, helping plan their national Aotearoa Youth Declaration conference.
She wants to see Howick have a youth centre where young people can come and connect with each other, instead of going into the city.
“I’d like for there to be a place for young people to come together- a place where people can connect.”
Maka also hopes to increase the youth turn out when it comes to voting for elections.
“I hope to really try to connect with groups, find some sort of way where I’m able to connect with young people in innovative ways.”
The council received 223 applications for the 21 positions, which represent the 21 local board areas.
The role of the youth advisory panel is to offer advice on Auckland Council’s regional policies, plans and strategies reflecting the interest of young people in Auckland.
Maka, who resides in Botany Junction, is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Auckland, majoring in economics with a minor in politics.
She will be taking over 2016 Howick rep Mackenzie Valgre, who helped inspire her to apply for the role.
“She was a huge inspiration for me. We’re still friends to this day,” said Maka.
Maka aspires to work for the United Nations one day.
“Helen Clark is my inspiration. For a really long time I have been incredibly interested in international relations,” said Maka. She feels privileged to have been accepted to this position, and have the chance to inspire and be the voice for Howick youth. “I’d love to find my place in terms of what I can improve for young people.
Howick Local Board is considering the possibility of introducing a local targeted rate so that Howick ward residents of all ages have free entry to the area’s only public swimming pools at Lloyd Elsmore Park.
The next step would be to consult further on the specific cost should the feedback be supportive of the investigation.
“We particularly want your feedback on whether to investigate the option of a local targeted rate to enable all our ratepayers to have free access to our pools,” says David Collings, Howick Local Board chairperson in the Help Shape Howick’s future, summary of the draft Howick Local Board Plan 2017.
However Howick Local Board member Peter Young feels strongly about increasing rates.
“People are absolutely against the idea. They feel this is an excuse for more rates,” he says, slamming the proposal.
“The feedback I have got from people I have met in the electorate is that we would rather have better roads instead of stone chips surfacing that cause accidents; and better transportation, than the use of free swimming pool facilities.
“We need to prioritise and find out what the community really needs.
“People are happy to pay a nominal amount for the times they use the swimming pool,” he says.
Currently, there is free access to the pools at Lloyd Elsmore for those 16-year-olds and under.
For those 17 years and older, the rate at Lloyd Elsmore Park Pool and Leisure Centre is $4.50 per entry.
For SuperGold Card holders and those with a student ID, Green Prescription or a Community Services Card, the charge is $3.70 a visit.
There is also a 10-visit special rate of $37.
Mr Young, who has been personally distributing the draft, which has an allocated space for feedback on the back page, urges locals to read the fine print which says: `a local targeted rate would involve all ratepayers in the Howick ward having an additional charge included on their rates bill with this money used specifically to fund the cost of free access’.
He is encouraging residents to give their feedback and have their say on Howick’s draft Local Board Plan 2017 which has been published in English, Korean, Mandarin and Hindi, and delivered to people’s letterboxes.
“If you really want to shape Howick ward’s future, make sure you give your feedback by 4pm on Friday, June 30,” he says.
Read the full draft available online at www.shapeauckland.co.nz and at public libraries, council service centres and local board offices.
The All Blacks can expect a brutal aerial bombardment and bone-crunching tackles to combat their superior running game against the British and Irish Lions in Saturday’s eagerly awaited first test at Eden Park.
It was the near perfect execution of these tactics that negated the threat of Damian McKenzie, Nehe Milner-Skudder and James Lowe when the Lions mauled NZ Maori 32-10 at Rotorua last weekend.
It all started with the domination exerted by forwards Tadhg Furlong, Mario Itoje, Sean O’Brien and Taulupe Faletau against a well-beaten Maori pack that gave Irish halves Conor Murray and Jonny Sexton a perfect ride.
Murray’s towering bombs were deadly and pose a major threat to the All Blacks’ back three who won’t be allowed the freedom to attack with the impunity they enjoyed in the 78-0 thrashing of Samoa.
With Murray seen as the major challenger to Aaron Smith’s status as the world’s best halfback, their contrasting styles should make interesting viewing.
More interesting could be that between the Irish champion and PJ Perenara when the latter comes off the bench to provide the thrust and aggression which made him such a star against Samoa.
Much as I admire Smith’s silky skills, Perenara may have more to recommend him against Murray in matching like-for-like.
Caging the brilliance of Beauden Barrett will be the first priority of defence coach Andy Farrell whose son, Owen, is almost as good a tackler as he is a goal-kicker.
Intimidation is as much the Lions’ game as running and slick passing is the All Blacks’.
With Ben Te’o and Jonathan Davies impressing against the Maori with their bone-crunching tackles, it will be interesting to see how they fare against Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty should they be chosen to start.
Having just recovered from damaged ribs, Crotty’s selection at centre is a surprise after Anton Lienert-Brown’s magical offloading in partnership with Williams against Samoa. But the test pair cannot expect the same leeway against the Lions who will also be eager to test SBW’s defence.
The admirable Crotty’s best position is second-five, not centre.
However with Ben Smith and Israel Dagg also shining against Samoa, the All Blacks should carry the day if their forwards combat the threat posed by the Lions pack with the power and accuracy Brodie Retallick exerted against the Samoans. But expect a hard-fought battle.
I’m not surprised Julian Savea has lost his test left wing berth to 20-year-old Rieko Ioana, but it must have been a difficult job choosing between the Blues star and dynamic Highlander Waisake Naholo.
Meanwhile plaudits to Emirates Team NZ for what has been a thrilling America’s Cup challenge that has them 3-0 in front of defending champion Oracle who will have had five days to speed up their boat before the competition resumes on Sunday.
With skipper Glen Ashby the only sailor involved in the dramatic collapse against Oracle four years ago, there is no baggage to carry for other members of the crew.
Certainly not champion helmsman Peter Burling who, having owned up to past mistakes as a rookie match racer, has proved a quick learner.
Having recovered from their early capsize to overcome Britain’s Ben Ainslie and the Swedes, the Kiwis have Oracle Aussie skipper Jimmy Spithill worried, if not lost for words.
Preserving the character that is Howick Village’s point of difference and improving links to local attractions are among key actions outlined in the new Howick Village Centre Plan.
Adopted by Howick Local Board this week, the plan establishes a 30 year vision for the area to be “an attractive, lively and walkable village that celebrates its history and provides a strong sense of identity and community”.
The final plan has been informed by several months of engagement and consultation with the local community, attracting more than 180 pieces of feedback on the draft plan.
“We’ve been at schools, the local market, local events and what is obvious is people are very passionate about what they love about Howick and the village, what they want it to look like in the future and what they don’t want to change,” says Howick Local Board’s planning, regulatory and heritage portfolio lead Adele White.
“Probably the strongest sentiment was to ensure that the character, the village feel of the area not be lost.”
Among the other ideas put forward through the consultation phase was a desire for a playground in Crawford Reserve, interpretative signs showcasing the heritage and stories of the area, making the area easier to get around, how to make the best use of the village square, developing a community garden and more green spaces.
The plan incorporates the following themes:
As well as setting out a vision for the village for the future – the plan highlights a series of actions and projects that could be implemented over the next decade either by the local board, other parts of council, the community or community organisations.
Howick Local Board sponsored the plan’s development and chair David Collings says it provides a great foundation to help realise a vision for the village and surrounding area.
“It capitalises on the rich history, character and cultural values highly valued by the community and we are looking forward to working with the council and community to implement the plan.”
Among some of the first projects to be looked at will be interpretative signage – something already under way as part of implementation of the Howick Heritage Plan.
Fresh produce at your local market
There’s nothing quite like tasty fresh produce from local farmers and luckily for us, there’s an abundance of it at the Howick market every Saturday from 8am-12:30pm.
If you fancy a bit of seafood, head on down and grab a taste of the Black Shag oyster from Mahurangi. If you prefer something with a bit more of a bite, citrus is in full swing too with mandarins and limes available direct from local growers.
The cold nights aren’t leaving us any time soon and so Ready to Heat and Eat meals make the perfect new addition to the market’s offerings.
Try one of the delicious Italian lasagnes in beef, chicken and vegetarian fl avours.
These mouth-watering meals are also available gluten-free. Prefer to make your own lasagne?
There’s a range of gluten-free pasta and pasta sauces.
If warm meals just aren’t enough to get you happy in winter, grab a pair of merino and possum socks, gloves or moccasin slippers to stay stylish and comfortable as the temperature
continues to drop.
While you’re there, try out some of the natural creams and moisturisers, or the natural beeswax wrap which makes the perfect environmentally friendly alternative to glad wrap.
Each year, the Howick market attracts local students participating in the Young Enterprise Scheme where they design and market a product.
The market is an ideal place! Check out their amazing innovative ideas and support some local budding entrepreneurs.
Keep an eye out for the cooking demonstrations coming soon over the next few weeks – there’ll be chefs creating yummy ideas using some of that fresh market produce.
There’s nothing quite like tasty fresh produce from local farmers and luckily for us, there’s an abundance of it at the Howick market every Saturday from 8am-12:30pm.
If you fancy a bit of seafood, head on down and grab a taste of the Black Shag oyster from Mahurangi. If you prefer something with a bit more of a bite, citrus is in full swing too with mandarins and limes available direct from local growers.
The cold nights aren’t leaving us any time soon and so Ready to Heat and Eat meals make the perfect new addition to the market’s offerings.
Try one of the delicious Italian lasagnes in beef, chicken and vegetarian flavours. These mouth-watering meals are also available gluten-free. Prefer to make your own lasagne?There’s a range of gluten-free pasta and pasta sauces.
If warm meals just aren’t enough to get you happy in winter, grab a pair of merino and possum socks, gloves or moccasin slippers to stay stylish and comfortable as the temperature continues to drop.
While you’re there, try out some of the natural creams and moisturisers, or the natural beeswax wrap which makes the perfect environmentally friendly alternative to glad wrap.
Each year, the Howick market attracts local students participating in the Young Enterprise Scheme where they design and market a product.
The market is an ideal place! Check out their amazing innovative ideas and support some local budding entrepreneurs.
Keep an eye out for the cooking demonstrations coming soon over the next few weeks – there’ll be chefs creating yummy ideas using some of that fresh market produce.
The best medicine there is
Back in ye olde times’ The Apothecary was your one stop shop for your medicinal purposes.
Now, they’ve teamed up with Foolhardy Comedy Productions to bring Howickians the best medicine there ever was – laughter!
Get along to The Apothecary on Wednesday, June 28 for a comedy show like no other.
Live at the Apothecary sold out a string of successful shows last year, and now they’re back with a brand spanking new night of comedy!
The night will be hosted by 7 Days host and award-winning comedian Brendhan Lovegrove, featuring Pax Assadi (Fred Award Nominee, 7 Days regular panellist and seen on the Flick Electric Comedy Gala), plus a surprise special guest who is yet to be named.
Tickets are only available from The Apothecary, so make sure you pop in sometime this week to grab your ticket before they sell out… again!
They smashed out the moves with precision and went on to win the Battleground New Zealand Hip Hop competition in Hamilton recently.
The two hip hop dance crews Velocity and V-Kinz from Carter-Chan Dance Centre are thrilled to have gone through the tough national selections rounds to make it to World Supremacy Battlegrounds finals in Sydney in October.
Both crews are trained by choreographers Brandon and Cameron Carter-Chan. Brandon is a national tap champion and Cameron is the current national hip hop champion.
Brandon says they couldn’t believe it when their names were announced as national winners.
“We were blown away when Velocity, our junior crew, won the New Zealand title for the Young Guns division for 12-15-years-olds.
“They also won their division at the Project Hip Hop competition in Tauranga the weekend prior to the event. That put a lot of pressure on the senior crew V-Kingz since we are the teachers,” he laughs.
V-Kingz scored second place in the open division for adults.
“This is a very prestigious dance competition and we were up against some very experienced crews with large fan following.
“We were quite nervous since there was huge cheering for the more established crew Prestige who have been around forever. They are really good and like the grandfather of hip hop.”
Brandon admits it is an honour to be only second to Prestige dance crew. We will now compete with top crews from different countries on the world stage,” he says.
“It is toughest when there is lack of cheer in the beginning and then you gradually gain respect of the audience as you prove yourself.
“The panel of judges later mentioned we had got something different to the choreography, which is always a risk you take,” say Brandon who is studying architecture at the University of Auckland.
Brigid Carter-Chan, principal of the teaching faculty at the dance centre says that Kiwis have raised the bar very high on the world stage more so with crews like Palace, Identity and Prestige.
“The level of dancing we are asking our young people to do at an international level is very, very high,” she says.
“They have to step up and understand the musicality of every accent and beat as they hit every move with precision.
“There has to be a huge amount of commitment from both students and parents to last the long distance. This is the first for us and now they are going to focus all their energies on fundraising for our crews to participate on the world stage.”
With the days getting shorter, colder, and darker, it is no wonder we lose our motivation to exercise during the winter months, however, it is this season that it becomes even more important to get moving.
Winter has been associated with increased symptoms of depression. This could be due to a decrease in the amount of vitamin D we receive from the sun but a sure-fire way to start
feeling better is by exercising.
It is no secret, exercise stimulates the release of a chemical called endorphins which bind to receptors in the brain and help us feel good as well as reducing the perception of pain.
Exercise reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduces stress, improves sleep and self-esteem and has a vast number of physiological benefits such as reducing the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.
So, what exercise should you be doing? Well, primarily, that which you enjoy!
You are more likely to continue exercising if you are doing something you like such as taking the dog for a walk, playing squash with some mates, attending classes at a gym, or even dancing.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise a day at a moderate intensity. Try to include a variation of both cardio (walking, running, cycling, swimming) with some resistance exercises. This doesn’t need to involve attending a gym and can be completed at home. An example of a home circuit without the use of weights could be 10x chair dips, 10x lunges, 10x squats and a 1 minute plank that you repeat three times.
As we age, it becomes more important for us to do resistance exercises as we lose lean mass (muscle) and gain fat mass often without changing our weight so it can be hard to tell.
Decrease in muscle in older adults can lead to frailty, increased risk of falls and fractures, dependence on others and a reduced quality of life.
Just remember, some physical activity every day is better than none so get out there and get moving!
By Kim Jones, Nutritionist, Total Nutrition and Health
For more health tips…
Images from Times photography week ending June 25, 2017. Photos Wayne Martin.
Ex-Pakuranga College Head Girl Rebecca Knott (nee Nicholson) has recently become the first female chair of the New Zealand Society on Large Dams (NZSOLD).
Knott, General Manager of Dam Safety Intelligence, a subsidiary of Meridian Energy, is a civil engineer who trained at Auckland University and has been working on dam safety for 20 years. She’s lived predominantly in Wellington since 1997.
“It is a privilege for me to be elected as the Chair of NZSOLD,” says Knott, who has been the Vice Chair for the past three years and on the committee for six, and was the first woman representative on the committee.
“The diversity of our committee is increasing with time, which is a positive reflection on our membership and profession. We now have two women and three young professionals, all of which adds to the experience our older committee members bring,” says Knott.
NZSOLD is an industry body that promotes best practice for the development, operation, maintenance and refurbishments of dams in New Zealand. It is a technical society of the Institute of Professional Engineers (IPENZ).
In 2015 NZSOLD released the latest update of the New Zealand Dam Safety Guidelines, which draw on internationally recognised references and practices and facilitate the transfer of information among professional engineers and others involved in maintaining and administering dam safety in the New Zealand context.
It represents New Zealand at the International Commission on Large Dams.
Women in engineering
Comprising of seven people, three of which are women, DSI punches above its weight when it comes to Meridian’s diversity stats.
“Meridian has a goal of having 40 per cent women in senior leadership positions and technical roles by 2020 and it’s great that we can contribute in a meaningful way to that ambitious target.”
Women currently make up 33% of these roles at Meridian.
Newly formed, DSI is in growth mode and is hopeful that suitably qualified applicants for the positions will continue to represent the diverse range of people working in the sector.
Being a role model for young women considering their future is important to Knott.
“Engineering is a great career to get into and can take you anywhere,” added Knott. “The problem solving and analytical skills you learn open many doors, with a great mix of site work and desk jobs, and ongoing learning and development throughout your career to stay on top of the latest techniques. It’s never dull!”
Friday 23 June 2017 is International Women in Engineering Day.
Dam Safety Intelligence (DSI) is a subsidiary of Meridian Energy Ltd. It provides independent dam management
expertise to dam owners in New Zealand and internationally.
A lot of perseverance is needed to solve some of the toughest problems.
Macleans College student William Han equates perseverance to resolutely spending hours on end solving mathematical problem, without giving up.
It’s his strong ability to keep going relentlessly, trying different methods to find the right solutions to a problem that paid off.
The 15-year-old has made it to the national team representing New Zealand at the International Maths Olympiad (IMO) at Rio de Janerio, Brazil, in July.
“It’s not unusual for me to spend 3-4 hours on a problem and not find a solution,” says the Year 11 student.
“I try a whole lot of different methods. And I find that failure to solve a problem helps me to learn more about what I should try the next time.
“The best way to improve is to go through the struggle to solve problems.”
It was only because of his childhood friend Andrew Chen, who studies at St Kentigern College, that he first got to know about it last year and started putting in the hard yards to prepare for it.
After 24 students qualified from schools all over New Zealand, they sat some more tests where the number of students first filtered down to 12 and then to the final six.
William is pleased that his friend Andrew is also part of the team.
“This is the second time Andrew is representing New Zealand. He was selected last year as well,” he explains.
On July 14, the team will head to Brazil for the IMO where students representing 100 countries will compete for the top spot.
William, who has had a good understanding of maths from a very young age, says the competition at the international level is going to be very tough. But he doesn’t let it bother him too much.
“If I wanted it easy I wouldn’t be here representing New Zealand. I would have given up a long time ago.”
The Times is published by Times Media, an independently-owned publishing company based in East Auckland, founded in 1972.
