People are invited look behind the scenes of Howick’s Harlequin Musical Theatre. Photo supplied
Performing arts theatres across New Zealand are opening their doors to the public and Howick’s Harlequin Musical Theatre is excited to be part of the action.
The Big Theatre Open Weekend is run by Music Theatre NZ from March 4-5.
Harlequin committee member Sonya Mills says the theatre on Pakuranga Road is the “hub of musical theatre excellence in our community”.
It’s proud to be part of the event and along with theatres nationwide is opening its doors to share what it’s all about.
“Theatre is an outlet for many people in the local community,” Mills says.
“It allows actors, singers, dancers, builders, set designers, directors and people from all walks of life to come together for a common goal and provide a service to the community.
“Behind every person on stage there is usually another two or three backstage working in the areas of wardrobe, properties, set building, stage crew, hospitality, marketing, make-up, hair design, lighting and sound.
“The weekend will provide an opportunity to see what these areas are all about.”
Mills says the theatre’s doors will be open to the public for tours from 11am-12pm on March 4.
Local residents are also invited to watch a rehearsal of its next production, 摇滚校园, from 2-3pm on March 5.
“If you’ve ever thought — ‘I enjoy theatre but could never do that’, or ‘I could be good at publicity and marketing’, or you’d like to find out more about making costumes or love singing or wonder how they made that scenery, this is your chance to have a look at what makes your local community theatre company tick and meet an awesome team of volunteers.”
Harlequin Musical Theatre is behind the Howick Leisure Centre at 563 Pakuranga Rd, Howick.
Under National, councils will be required to demonstrate a clear plan to deliver ongoing investment in water infrastructure. Those plans will need to be approved by the Minister of Local Government. Photo Auckland Council
A National Government will scrap Labour’s undemocratic and unworkable Three Waters model and replace it with a sustainable system that ensures drinking water, stormwater and wastewater remain in local control, National Leader Christopher Luxon says.
“The sub-standard status quo where pipes are too often allowed to fail, creating pollution, wastage and massive bills for ratepayers, will not be allowed to continue under a National Government,” says Luxon, the MP for Botany.
“But the answer is not Labour’s unpopular Three Waters scheme that the Government has pushed through Parliament. It will take assets off local communities, transferring them to four mega-entities that no-one asked for, no-one wants and that have mandatory co-governance.
“Instead, a National Government will set and enforce strict water quality standards and require councils to invest in the ongoing maintenance and replacement of their vital water infrastructure, while keeping control of the assets that their ratepayers have paid for.
Luxon says National will:
Repeal Three Waters and scrap the four co-governed mega-entities
Restore council ownership and control
Set strict rules for water quality and investment in infrastructure
Ensure water services are financially sustainable
“Under National, councils will be required to demonstrate a clear plan to deliver ongoing investment in water infrastructure. Those plans will need to be approved by the Minister of Local Government.
“While water quality regulator Taumata Arowai will set strict standards for water quality, National will establish a Water Infrastructure Regulator within the Commerce Commission to set and enforce standards for long-term water infrastructure investment.
“Councils will be required to ringfence money for water infrastructure and not spend it on other services instead.
“National’s plan supports greater access for councils to long-term borrowing, which is an appropriate way to fund long-life water infrastructure. One way to improve access to borrowing would be for neighbouring councils to form Regional Council Controlled Organisations. Ultimately, it is up to the councils but we would envisage it is likely a number of regional groups will emerge to deliver better water services.
“Financial sustainability will enable the long-term investment in infrastructure that will deliver the quality drinking water, cleaner rivers and swimmable beaches that New Zealanders want and expect.
“Resilient, well-maintained, future-proofed modern infrastructure will also mean communities can better cope with mounting pressures due to climate change and accommodate housing growth that is currently being stymied by a lack of infrastructure like wastewater and stormwater services.
“Under National, water stays in local hands and investment in water infrastructure is secured so that New Zealanders can be sure their water is safe and affordable.”
Six-year-old Joshua Chuah at the Howick & Pakuranga Toy Library.
By Charlotte Gray
Toy Library Awareness Week is approaching (March 5-11) and Howick & Pakuranga Toy Library is getting ready to celebrate.
Alongside a colouring competition, there will also be a “where is the toy?” photo competition on their Facebook page, with a free membership prize that proved very popular last year.
The Howick & Pakuranga Toy Library has been going for more than 25 years and in that time has seen hundreds of kids grow up borrowing their many toys. Unlike the regular book library, which is publicly funded, toy libraries are charities driven by a group of volunteers who love what they do.
The Howick & Pakuranga Toy Library has been going for more than 25 years and in that time has seen hundreds of kids grow up borrowing their many toys.
Howick & Pakuranga Toy Library co-chairperson Gemma Chuah says she has loved coming since her boys were 2 and 4. “They always love coming in and choosing from so many different toys.”
With membership options ranging from $30 to $100, and most of the library’s toys (more than 1000 at last count) hiring out for between $1 and $4, it is a highly affordable option for many families.
“Joining a toy library is like having Christmas every two weeks,” says Chuah.
The delight of kids coming to pick new toys or toys they have borrowed 100 times is what motivates the volunteers to keep going, and being able to return and exchange them helps cut down on clutter, she says.
The Howick & Pakuranga Toy Library committee, from left, Sammy Mukayeva, Sarah McNeil, Marisa McKay (holding 4mo Boyd McKay), Caroline Hubber, Shelley Clews, Charlotte Gray and Gemma Chuah.
“The sustainability and environmental aspect is fantastic too. Each toy is enjoyed again and again by many different families. We’re avoiding adding cheap plastic toys and packaging to landfill.”
Toys range from board games to pretend play, dress-up, and outdoor equipment like playhouses or rollercoasters.
Families are invited to drop by for a visit on Saturday (9:30am-12pm) or Monday (9:30am-11:30am) to see what is on offer. The toy library is at Howick Presbyterian Church, 11 Vincent Street, Howick; downstairs in the cafe area.
Howick Village Association has received a huge response from the local community for its call for a collection for flood relief in Hawkes Bay.
Donations have been flowing steadily into the offices [behind the Howick War Memorial Hall (Howick Information Service Centre)]. “More donations are being received each day,” 豪维克村协会 经理 Jane Newbury said.
“We have received a huge response to our food drive for the families impacted by the floods/Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawkes Bay.
“Yesterday, we delivered four trailers of goods to the container at Clayton Truck Services/PTS Logistics in East Tamaki for dispatch to Hawkes Bay tomorrow [February 24].
All donations received from the community from today until Sunday, February 26 will be dispatched to Northland and Port Waikato families, through the Kindness Collective.
“The generosity from our community for this project has been overwhelming,” Newbury said.
From left; Ethan Stilwell (Y13), Coen Anderson (Y12) and Maddie Ballard (Y12) cross the finish line on day one of the 2023 Coast to Coast. Photo Supplied
The Saint Kentigern college trio of Ethan Stilwell (Y13), Maddie Ballard (Y12) and Coen Anderson (Y12) have smashed their opposition, finishing first in the mixed (male/female) college division of the Coast to Coast.
The Coast to Coast is a difficult 243km race over a two-day period, consisting of seven transitions.
Ethan kicked things off with a 2.2km run, which he completed in nine minutes and put Maddie in a strong position for the first 55km cycle.
Maddie smashed the cycle, completing it in just over an hour and a half and left all other competing school teams in the dust.
Maddie Ballard tackled 140km of cycling over the two days. Photo Supplied
Coen then attacked the 31km mountain run and never stopped attacking it until he had crossed the finish line and shook NZ multisport and triathlon athlete Steve Gurney’s hand to finish day one.
Coen’s time of 3:42:03 for the mountain run, which included an elevation gain of about 800m over very rocky and steep terrain, was exceptional, being nine minutes faster than the next fastest college runner.
It set the team up for what they were going to produce on day two.
The team’s combined results from day one seeded them in 1st place in the college division at the midway point and placed Maddie in the first group of cyclists to leave Klondyke Corner the morning of day two.
Maddie had another very fast ride to Mt White and after a quick sprint down the gravel of Mt White Road by Coen, Ethan was on the river by 7.30 am for the 70km kayak leg.
Ethan put his head down and attacked the 70 km kayak leg down a very low and slow flowing Waimakariri River, completing it (which included a compulsory portage) in 4:51:10, 18 minutes faster than the next fastest college kayaker.
Ethan Stilwell tackling the 67km kayak leg of the competition. Photo Supplied
Maddie had the pressure of bringing it all home with the last 70km cycle to the finish line, which she handled perfectly.
Her time for this leg of 1:50:51 won her fastest female overall for the 70km leg to New Brighton Beach, and she was recognised for this at the prize giving.
In the end the team completed the entire 243 km course in 12:38:02, placing them first in the mixed (male/female) college division and first overall in the school divisions.
Their time was 43 minutes faster than the next college team (Mackenzie College).
The result also placed them 1st out of 55 mixed (male/female) teams in the two-day 3-person category and 2nd out of the 102 two-day 3 person teams.
Ann Wheat, a Howick-Pakuranga local, is set to receive the first ever respiratory lifetime service award at the respiratory achievers’ awards.
Asthma New Zealand nurse and Sunnyhills resident, Ann Wheat, has been recognised as the first recipient of the respiratory lifetime service award in the respiratory achievers’ awards.
The respiratory achievers’ awards are run by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ.
Ann has worked as an asthma nurse educator with Asthma New Zealand for 20 years, and over that time has promoted best practice asthma management to patients, GP’s, practice nurses, school nurses, teachers
Asthma New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation committed to providing free education, training and support to patients with asthma and/or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and helping them live a full life.
Ann works directly with other nurses and patients to educate them on asthma and COPD, and make sure that people know what they’re doing with their medications.
“A lot of people don’t understand the condition [asthma] and don’t understand how the medications work… If you don’t use the medication devices correctly, you’re not going to get the best out of it” she says.
Ann is now set to receive the first ever respiratory lifetime service award to reflect the extraordinary lengths she goes to in order to facilitate the best care for her patients.
The NZ respiratory achievers’ awards celebrate the achievements of outstanding New Zealanders living with respiratory conditions, made possible by platinum sponsor G.J. Gardner Homes.
“It was the biggest shock… It means an awful lot when your peers recognize you and I really enjoy what I do,” says Ann.
She received the award at a ceremony in Wellington on Thursday, February 23.
“I am so grateful for the foundation for recognising my work over the last 20 years and for asthma New Zealand for giving me the opportunities during my career,” says Ann.
Ann, originally from the UK, trained as a nurse and midwife in the 1970’s at Auckland Hospital, eventually becoming a Practice Nurse before joining asthma Auckland in 2002.
She has lived in the Howick-Pakuranga area for almost 30 years.
Ann was taught to educate at the Junior Chamber International (JCI), which prepared her to educate nurses and occasionally lecture at the University of Auckland.
Her name was also put forward for the asthma educator of the year at the awards.
“I have done a lot in the background over the past 20 years, but I have really enjoyed doing it,” Ann says.
Brown’s journey started nearly 40 years ago at his local triathlon club at Pakuranga College. In 1990, when he was just 18, Brown made the move to become a professional triathlete and began racing in Japan trying to make a living in the sport.
“We would head out to the Hunuas or Kawakawa Bay and watch and then come back to the waterfront and finish line to see the professionals and then watch the age groupers right up to the end. We would always have Japanese triathletes stay with us so I would look after them every year and show them the course and then cheer them on over race day.”
Cameron Brown on the Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand run course along Lake Taupō on his way to the 2015 title – Photo Delly Car
The 2023 Ironman New Zealand will be the 25th time Brown has lined up for this race. He claimed his first win in 2001 following back-to-back second place finishes and would go on to win the event an incredible 12 times – his most recent title coming as a 43-year-old in 2016.
“It’s a race that has been part of my life for so many years so it’s very special to me and my family. My family and friends have always been there to support me, usually when I race overseas it’s just me so having them watching me makes it that more special,” said Brown.
“I think it’s racing at home that brings out the best in me, training through a New Zealand summer would get me in peak shape that I was able to race at my best during those times. I only wish I could have done the same training for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii over the Kiwi summer as it was always the fittest I got.”
From local legend to global sensation, Brown achieved a podium finish at the Ironman World Championship four times across a five-year period between 2001 and 2005. Though he never quite made it to the top step of the dais, Brown claimed two silver and two bronze medals in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in what is considered to be one of toughest Ironman races in the world.
“I’ve suffered numerous calf injuries with the last one in September, but the running is starting to come along nicely now, just a first bout of Covid a few weeks ago.
“I’m excited and nervous as I know how much an Ironman hurts but I’ve had an incredible run over the last 25 years,” said Brown.
“Winning is not realistic anymore, although I can say I would love to, but being 50 years of age brings so many challenges to the day. Trying to stay injury-free has been tough over the last five years. I just want to put in a solid performance and have the race go as smoothly as possible if I can. If I can do that, I know I can still produce a solid time over the day,” said Brown.
“I’m pretty sure there will be plenty of emotions the whole day, I’ll try and channel as much of it as I can into going hard but I’m sure the finish line will bring a few tears out. I’ll be racing for my dad (Dave) who passed away in September last year and was one of my greatest supports seeing me race all over the world.”
No matter what happens during his last race, Cameron Brown will be a name that remains synonymous with Ironman New Zealand for years to come, with the Kiwi great leaving a legacy on the event that may never be surpassed.
Perspectives: Te Tai Ao, Notions of The Universal exhibition by The Flowers Art Collective runs in the Malcolm Smith Gallery at Uxbridge Arts and Culture in Howick until March 11.
It features the sacred significance of whānau bonds, rewriting of stories told through photographs, uprising of artists through challenges of Covid and the horror of the Ukraine War.
It provides a taste of the diversity with the theme of the universal brought into the art arena.
The exhibition features the work of the Flowers Art Collective, 11 artists of diverse ethnicity and viewpoints, brought together by a common interest in the challenge of bringing the illusive into tangibility.
Each has a unique perspective of what the universal might mean and at the same time commonalities are there to be discovered and interpreted by the viewing audience.
Artists are Marion Gordon-Flower, Taylen Heremaia, Jasmine Hope, Anne Shirley, Mary Shirley, Ruth Bioletti, Lynette Fisher, Max Grey, Penny Otto and Justin Sobion Agnes Desombiaux-Sigley
Meanwhile, Dairy Pages by Katie Blundell is on the Gallery and Theatre Walls until Saturday.
Inspired by her own painting ‘Navel-gazing’ (a finalist in The Adam Portraiture Exhibition 2022 and currently travelling around Aotearoa and features as the first release of advertising for the Pride Festival).
Blundell continues to explore the ‘self’. A collector once explained that owning her work was like having a page of her diary.
Here she shares a medley of pages. Blundell exhibits a retrospective salon on the gallery wall and some new, small, mono prints based on self-portraiture on the opposite of the concourse.
Howick Village Association has received a huge response from the local community for its call for a collection for flood relief in Hawkes Bay.
