Split decision
Rachael from Rotherham Law knows about divorce, from the legalities to the emotional impact it can have. Here she tells you what you need to do if you’re thinking about saying ‘I don’t’.
Rachael from Rotherham Law knows about divorce, from the legalities to the emotional impact it can have. Here she tells you what you need to do if you’re thinking about saying ‘I don’t’.
For some, separation comes as a shock, and for others it’s a slow burn. It can often be comparable to a partner passing away. You can go through similar stages of grief, fluctuating between shock, denial, anger, depression, bargaining, testing and acceptance.
Family lawyers can assist with legalities, as well as personal matters, that range from contracting out (prenups), separation, childcare, spousal maintenance, child support, family violence, adoption and surrogacy. At the other end of life, they help with enduring Powers of Attorney, Wills and capacity matters like helping family members get orders to make decisions for elderly relatives when they have lost capacity.
Here's a rundown of what to expect in divorce proceedings and advice on how to make it easier for everyone.
Pick your battles
It is possible to separate with dignity, compassion and understanding. It doesn’t have to be The War of the Roses. Most people who hire a lawyer do not go near a courtroom and many choose a collaborative approach. Court is there when you need it, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The starting point is dividing property after all the debts are repaid 50/50. But not always, as sometimes there are circumstances that lead one party to be entitled to more based on their situation. When you come to an agreement without the Court’s intervention it is called a Separation Agreement. It needs to be in writing to be legally binding, and the parties must have had independent legal advice from a lawyer who explained the effects and implications of it.
Know your audience
Make sure when you get legal advice that you are comfortable with the lawyer you are instructing. You need to be able to talk to them and feel listened to. But you also need to feel comfortable and trust them when they tell you something you don’t necessarily want to hear. They are always acting for your interests but what you are entitled to may not necessarily marry up to your expectation (pun intended). You know when you walk into a room and start talking to someone in that first minute if they are the right fit. Go with your gut instinct. We all have the same qualifications but different lawyers have different approaches, so it needs to feel right to you.
Get organised
Go to your meetings prepared so that you make the most of your time. Make a list of what you want to talk about. If you are instructing on a separation, have a list ready of what assets and debts you have so when you get asked this question you have that information. As difficult as it might be, try to remove the emotion so you’re making the most of your time with your lawyer, and they can gather all the necessary details needed the first time.
Don’t sweat the small stuff
As with any breakup, emotions are high and it can be hard to separate yourself from those feelings. But try to think about what is most important, like having somewhere to live and paying the bills, or the children’s care arrangements and what is best for them. I have been that lawyer who wrote a letter about returning the Cirque du Soleil umbrella that held emotional attachment, but was it worth the cost of my time to do it? That’s an individual decision, but my advice is to focus on the big picture. Your emotional wellbeing and moving forward are more important.
A qualified mediator and collaborative family lawyer, Rachael Rotherham spent the majority of her working life in Auckland at a large commercial firm before deciding to move her family out of the city and here to the Bay. Now, Rachael has created a boutique law firm specialising in family law and separations.
Made in the Mount
Meet the women paving the way for a new tech scene in Mount Maunganui.
Meet the women paving the way for a new tech scene in Mount Maunganui.
Words Lucy Bleakley | Photos Katie Charlotte
What do a chemical engineer, graphic designer and teacher have in common? Apart from above-average smarts and creativity, they are part of a burgeoning, female-founded tech scene coming to life from kitchen tables across Mount Maunganui.
Bonnet, Kept and euulo are three locally made apps developed by women who’ve created beautifully designed, “Why didn’t I think of that?” tech. All from home and with small children in tow.
Each app is impressively thoughtful, and perhaps unsurprisingly, they all have one more thing in common – easing the mental load for their users.
Deftly solving specific consumer problems to make everyday life, and in euulo’s case, life’s harder moments easier.
Bonnet, founded by Steph Kennard, houses vehicle admin in one place when over 50 percent of Kiwis are driving on our roads without a WOF or rego. Kept, created by Nic Winslade and Katie Hunter, is a new marketplace for cleaners, allowing users to book a trusted, peer reviewed cleaner and giving cleaners greater independence in an industry rife with unfair wages and hours.
And Kerriden Edmondson, Renaya Lloyd and Sheree van den Broek have developed euulo, a SaaS product for the funeral industry. euulo is image-gathering technology designed to replace the clunky process of curating funeral photo tributes.
“With backgrounds in fashion, design and engineering, the looks on people’s faces when we explain our technology is not lost on us,” muses Renaya Lloyd, co-founder of euulo.
“But, if you’ve been in the difficult position of organising a photo tribute, you will understand the arduous process and we know we can make a real difference. We’ve spent a lot of time speaking to funeral directors and validating our solution to ensure our technology is easing the burden from all sides,” explains Renaya.
Nic Winslade’s career has been all about bringing ideas to life for clients and Kept was an opportunity to explore an idea sparked from managing the mental load of family life.
“The Mount was the perfect place to launch Kept, with so many busy, self-employed households wanting flexibility. And the focus on quality of life here is also the breeding ground for our innovation. Making life easier, better, and more rewarding for independent cleaning professionals as well as busy local homes,” says Nic.
Like euulo and Kept founders, Steph saw an obvious gap in the market and a way to ease life’s admin overload.
“I’ve worked in the car industry and seen time and time again the barriers to keeping up with car admin for families, heavy vehicle operators and fleet managers – many are still using spreadsheets to manage hundreds of car regos and WOFs. There had to be a better way, and after years of development, Bonnet was launched earlier this year,” says Steph.
Steph says it’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it from the Mount.
“Research, development and design have all been done from our home office. With remote working taking off, a Zoom with a web developer or writing pitch decks from home with a walk up the Mount in between is completely doable,” says Steph.
The gumption to do something different has paid off for these tech founders. Bonnet launched as the number one app on Google and in just a few months, over 50,000 cars are being monitored by the app. Kept has launched here in Tauranga, and in new markets across Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and Christchurch, with thousands of cleans booked and several independent cleaning businesses thriving thanks to Kept’s marketplace model.
euulo, the baby of the three start-ups, has recently launched to a waiting list of funeral directors representing almost a third of New Zealand funeral homes, and already have plans to launch in Australia and the UK.
Mount Maunganui has always been a creative haven, but these founders are driving a new type of tech scene forward. One built on empathy, flexibility and bloody hard work.
Steph Kennard, Bonnet
Steph is a digital native through and through, developing Bonnet after working in the car industry with the likes of Jeep and Volkswagen.
Bonnet houses all vehicle management in one place and gives reminders for regos, warrant of fitness, and diesel RUC, using Waka Kotahi data to create seamless reminders. Less than half of New Zealanders remember to do their WOF and registration in time, creating potentially unsafe cars on our roads, and Bonnet aims to change this with a brilliantly simple solution.
Nic Winslade and Katie Hunter, Kept
A housekeeping app that helps local customers find cleaners they trust with an instant booking system.
Cleaners can create their own free online booking platform through Kept, setting their own hourly rates and availability, in a safe, supportive space.
It also changes the game when finding a cleaner for your home. The app enables you to book for your specific needs and offers exit cleans, one-off cleans or regular cleaning. You can also specify which rooms you want cleaned. The booking and payment are completed through the app, so cleaners are guaranteed payment, and peer reviews help regulate the marketplace, encouraging a high-quality service.
Renaya Lloyd, Sheree van den Broek and Kerriden Edmondson, euulo
euulo is a SaaS solution developed to alleviate some of the pressure associated with creating a photo tribute for grieving families and funeral directors. The app features in-built scanning, social media integration, and image editing, giving families the opportunity to gather their photos in their own time and space. For funeral directors, the software gives visibility over the process and specific tools to create beautiful photo tributes with ease.
Technology for the funeral industry is not something any of the euulo team could have foreseen in their future, but here they are, passionately designing a thoughtful way to ease the load for grieving families.
Golden touch
This multi-purpose complex has created an amazing community packed full of dining, entertainment, health and retail options for Pāpāmoa East.
This multi-purpose complex has created an amazing community packed full of dining, entertainment, health and retail options for Pāpāmoa East
The ever-growing area that is Golden Sands, in Pāpāmoa East, has fast become a destination for visitors and locals looking for quality stores and services. This is thanks mainly to the Excelsa Centre, the community hub offering a wide range of dining, entertainment, health and retail options.
Situated on the corner of Golden Sands Drive and Pāpāmoa Beach Road, the main area houses everything from a luxury cinema, to a reformer pilates studio and the now-famous contemporary restaurant and bar,
Papa Mo’s. Across the road sits the famous Henry and Ted Café, catering to all ages but especially to families and their extended furry friends.
Read on to discover just what eachone has to offer.
Reform Pilates
Recognised throughout New Zealand as synonymous with high-quality studios, incredible trainers and killer reformer pilates classes, the Reform brand’s mission is to turn traditional pilates on its head. Creating a more upbeat, dynamic and results-driven experience, this studio strives to provide an exciting, unique exercise programme that delivers fast results in a safe and carefully controlled environment. Classes are challenging with options offered to suit all fitness levels and abilities.
Papa Mo’s
Serving up quality food and drink with a focus on local produce, Papa Mo’s has become the place to be in Golden Sands. With live music every Friday and Sunday, along with the Tuesday pub quiz and Happy Hour from 4pm to 6pm seven days a week, it’s the perfect locale to meet up with friends and family. Special meal and drinks deals happen on the daily and the menu covers something for everyone.
Henry and Ted Cafe
The suburban eatery that prides itself on catering for everyone just keeps getting better. With a brand new menu, brunch is tastier than ever. Dishes like Sourdough Crumpets with honey-roasted pear, thyme, and housemade lemon ricotta, are impressing foodie diners, while others, such as the Philly Cheese Steak Sammy, are providing comfort food year round. For caffeine addicts, the Nitro Cold Brew is back on tap and events are always being planned. Keep an eye on their social pages for tickets.
Luxe Cinemas
This luxurious, upmarket cinema is not your average picture theatre. Housing three cinemas showcasing a wide selection of films, the family-run business caters to a range of people, from families to seniors. It's the perfect place for a quiet catch up, and you don’t even have to watch a movie. They offer coffee, wine and snacks and the space is also available to rent for functions, fundraisers and birthday parties. Luxe Cinemas Pāpāmoa is open seven days a week.
Surfing for the soul
Bay farmers are learning to take the beach back to the paddock
Bay farmers are learning to take the beach back to the paddock.
Words Hayley Barnett
It’s fair to say the past few years haven’t been kind to our farming and horticulture community. Economic conditions and labour shortages have really taken their toll on a once-thriving industry. But a small group of people have been working hard to bring a little bit of sunshine back into the lives of the people holding together our country’s backbone, with an initiative called Surfing for Farmers.
The idea is self-explanatory – getting more farmers and orchard workers out onto the beach and into the waves. The free programme runs over the whole of summer and offers surf lessons and an evening out for the whole family to enjoy.
“The theme this year is to take the beach back to the paddock,” says BOP board member Sarah Hickey. “We want to encourage anyone working on a farm or in the horticulture industry to get out there into the surf then take that experience back to work, talk about it with their colleagues, or just feel better in their day-to-day life. We want that ripple effect to happen once you’re off the beach, to spread that good feeling.”
This will be the fourth season that Surfing for Farmers has run in Mount Maunganui, but the programme itself has been running since 2018. The founder, Stephen Thomson, who worked in the farming industry himself, started the project after watching a documentary on returned soldiers using surfing as PTSD therapy.
“Something just clicked and he was like, ‘I could do that here for farmers’,” explains Sarah.
A year later, Sarah was sitting with a friend, who had been teaching her how to surf, when they came across a newspaper article about Stephen.
“That’s when I realised that, hey, we could do something here in the Mount,” she says. “It kind of snowballed from there and now we’re running in 28 locations around New Zealand.”
Each region operates slightly differently, but the main aim is the same. In the Bay, friends and family of the team, who surf themselves, volunteer their time to coach, and the boards and wetsuits are borrowed from local surf schools.
“It’s about sharing knowledge and getting everyone out here,” says Sarah. “It’s really fun. We always have a barbecue afterwards, so it turns into quite a community event.”
The feedback, says Sarah, has been overwhelmingly positive. “We’ve definitely had some amazing stories. We've had one guy who was a farmer his whole life but had stopped working. He came along for one session and got hooked on surfing. And that became his way to still be connected to the industry. Now, he's retired and this has become a hobby that himself and his son do together.
“It’s about connections and people. They come along, and then suddenly, three weeks in, they've got this new surfboard and wetsuit and they're grabbing their neighbours and inviting them to come down. Or they're discussing things on the farm and giving each other tips and tricks because it's a real mixture of young and old. We like to get the children involved too.”
And that ripple effect Sarah was talking about earlier comes into play throughout not just the farming community, but the wider community as well.
“Farmers’ families often tell us that their dads have come home much happier,” says Sarah. “We had a daycare sponsor give us some money and we were like, ‘What's a daycare doing sponsoring Surfing for Farmers?’ And they said it was because they notice that the kids are happier. When the dads have been out for a surf, the kids are happier at the daycare. So it's a win-win for everyone.”
But it’s not just the men getting amongst the waves. “It is mainly men but we do get quite a few women. One night we had females outnumber the males, which was a really cool night.”
So far, around 4000 to 5000 farmers are taking part every year, and Sarah says they’d like to increase that number substantially. “Our goal for 2026 is that by the end of summer 2026, we will have moved the needle for 25,000 people.”
To participate, all you need to do is turn up at any session and register. Session times are posted on the website for each region. “Just show up. That's all you need to do. We cover the rest.”
Blended family
Together Mackenzie Elvin and Tompkins Wake signify people, places and professionalism.
Together Mackenzie Elvin and Tompkins Wake signify people, places and professionalism.
Words Nicky Adams | Photos Salina Galvan
If it feels as though Tauranga already has access to some of the best legal representation in the country, then the recent merging of Mackenzie Elvin law firm, a family founded Tauranga-based practice, and Tompkins Wake, one of the largest national New Zealand law firms, has certainly upped the ante.
For Fiona Mackenzie, one of the founding partners of Mackenzie Elvin, the merger was part of a progression plan. Growth was inevitably on the cards, and Tompkins Wake presented at the perfect time. “We are a multi-generational firm and, in considering our future strategy, there were a number of options including continuing to grow as a mid-tier firm with all the pressures and complexities of modern legal practice, or we could look at developing alignments with practices that we respected and who operated according to values that mirrored ours. Tompkins Wake stood out,” says Fiona.
“It’s been an interesting year, an exciting year – we remain in our lovely iconic villa, which is part of our brand, but we are now Tompkins Wake. I view it a little bit like a marriage where you may change your name, but you don’t lose your identity; instead, you become something more than you were before.”
Jon Calder, Tompkins Wake chief executive, agrees that the synergy between the two companies is serendipitous. “We’ve had a presence in Tauranga since 2018 and have always been looking for opportunities to grow – the right, rather than any, opportunity – it became clear very quickly that the two firms had a strong alignment in terms of values,” Jon says.
There was more to the attraction than just culture – within Mackenzie Elvin, Jon identified “Ambition. The company was definitely ambitious to grow and offer a broader range of services to their clients. With the size and scale of Tompkins Wake, that’s something that we’re able to do.”
Indeed, the capacity of the united law firm is now enormous. Together Tompkins Wake is one of the top 10 law firms within New Zealand in terms of size and reputation. Across the board there are 35 partners, 125 lawyers and over 200 staff, with offices in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and Tauranga.
The Family Law team is one close to the hearts of both firms. Fiona considers the practice intrinsic to the identity of the firm, and with the merger Fiona is confident at the breadth offered by the partners that include herself, Stephanie Ambler, Zandra Wackenier and Kate Sullivan. Each of them has not just extensive knowledge and experience, but also offers particular areas of expertise. As Fiona reflects, “Law is always developing and the practitioners I’m now working with are at the cutting edge.”
Fiona Mackenzie
The merger allows Fiona to move into her own space of mediation. “I take difficult relationship property situations, difficult blended family estate situations, and work with them in a mediation setting to explore resolution in a less adversarial but perhaps more enduring way.” With the addition of the other Family Law partners, “that now frees me up to develop mediation as a brand offering for the firm,” Fiona explains.
Stephanie Ambler
Stephanie, who operates from the Hamilton office, is head of Tompkins Wake’s family practice and was part of the inception of Family Law within Tompkins Wake. When Stephanie joined Tompkins Wake it was a different landscape. “I was the first family lawyer at Tompkins Wake. Ten years ago they didn’t have a family law practice when I joined, so it’s pretty phenomenal to see the growth of the family law team and it being embraced by a commercial firm.”
The opportunity to work alongside Fiona and her team is an exciting one, says Stephanie. “I first had dealings with Fiona Mackenzie about 20 years ago when she was on the other side of a file of mine when I was working in Auckland, and she was an impressive woman, so I was quite in awe and intimidated!”
Relationship property, Stephanie says, has been a huge growth area, so from her perspective the opportunity to expand Tompkins Wake’s presence in the Bay of Plenty with the acquisition of Mackenzie Elvin was golden. “It’s been a great fit for us – there was an existing team headed by Fiona, who has a fabulous reputation, and our values and cultures align very closely.”
Zandra Wackenier
Zandra, who is based in the Auckland office, acknowledges the footprint in Tauranga is advantageous. “To have people on the ground with a longstanding history and connection to the area is incredible,” she says. “From a family law perspective, it has grown our team and given us more highly experienced lawyers. It’s great having those different skills and personalities in the team.”
All striving to be experts in the field, the two firms are absolutely on the same page. With an additional unique area of expertise in reproductive law, Zandra gives access to a particularly niche and specialised aspect of family law. Indeed Fiona, Steph and Zandra are all recommended lawyers by the Doyle’s Guide, so referrals come through this way as well as word-of-mouth. However, Zandra explains that there is always careful consideration as to where a client is best suited, dependent on availability, complexity of the case, and capacity – because of the breadth of skill available, from junior solicitors to partners, there’s the ability to allocate clients appropriately.
Kate Sullivan
Kate, who works from Rotorua, echoes both Zandra and Stephanie when she notes that the local, client and market insight that comes from Mackenzie Elvin is essential, and the depth of this and strength of relationships with the community is invaluable. “The clients we have in Tauranga we now have a greater ability to look after because we’ve got the expertise and the local knowledge of Mackenzie Elvin people,” she says. “The partners really know their clients, they have a broad client base, and they know the market so well.”
Under the “family” umbrella there is a separate sub team, which is the estate and litigation team (rather than relationship property and family law), which Kate heads up and is expanding, particularly in the Bay of Plenty region. Kate sees this as a huge growth area across New Zealand: “There are lots of exciting changes happening in that space in the higher courts, lots of interesting decisions coming out, so it’s a great arena to work in and it’s changing, so it’s quite exciting.”
The scale of what is offered by the acquisition is impressive. As Jon Calder reflects, “We’ve got a deep expertise across all areas of practice, meaning we step up to another level. With the size of the firm, and the specialisations our people have, we rarely encounter a situation or a complex problem for a client that we haven’t seen before.” Crucially, “there’s an opportunity to bridge the gap for clients who are seeking expertise they perceive is not provided in the city, so rather than having to leave town it can be dealt with here in Tauranga.”
Moreover, the mechanics in place in terms of systems and technology are also reflective of a business of size – benefits that have not gone unnoticed by Fiona Mackenzie. “The ‘backroom heft’, as I call it, is extraordinary and offers huge benefits to our local community in terms of the quality and capacity of the legal services now available locally.”
Community and commerce collide
Tauranga Crossing has become known as a real retail oasis. But Catherine Sylvester discovers it’s more than just a mall.
Tauranga Crossing has become known as a real retail oasis.
But Catherine Sylvester discovers it’s more than just a mall.
It would be fair to assume that most Bay of Plenty residents would, if asked, say that Tauriko is a traditional te reo Māori placename. The truth, however, is not so straight forward and there’s a little bit more to the story. Long before this suburb was identified predominantly with the region’s newest shopping centre, Tauranga Crossing, it was well-known for the family-owned sawmill that prospered in the area. Not sporting the catchiest of monikers, the Tauranga Rimu Timber Company was shortened to the more euphonic sounding Taurico. And with one small tweak, the word became compatible with the local language, and the rest, as they say, is history.
History holds great significance for the owners of The Crossing, as it’s affectionately known. Throughout the centre you’ll find more than a perfunctory nod to the past. Woven throughout the fibre of its ethos is the pioneering spirit of its predecessors, as the centre’s mission to be “the heart of the community” informs everything they do. From the architecture and design of the centre to the special moments and initiatives offered, Tauranga Crossing aims to stand out from the average mall. In all they do, they aspire to be the place where every part of a guests’ life intersects.
The Millyard dining precinct and the Millwalk opened in late 2016. Strolling through this outdoor area amongst shops and eateries, you’ll discover numerous timber bollards with the history of the suburb etched onto them. Throughout the indoor centre, opened in 2019, the salute to the past continues in the artwork depicted on the walls.
“The owners constantly ensure we’re reminded of our history and why we’re here,” says centre manager, Janet Vincent. “Everything has been curated with such care.”
A deeper offering
Driving past the centre heading towards the Kaimai Ranges, you cannot fail to notice the bright coral kinetic tree sculptures. Nestled amongst a cosy play area for children, the artwork named 'The Fernery' is designed by artist Phil Price. An indoor play park for those rainy days means littlies are entertained while caregivers can take a pause amid exploring the offerings of over 100 stores. A beautiful parent’s room with private feeding areas, TV, toddlers play area and bottle warmers provides a small oasis from the hustle and bustle of the day.
“We always think about how people feel when they shop with us,” explains marketing manager, Lana Stretton. “We want everyone to have an enjoyable experience, and we actively find ways to surprise and delight them throughout the year.”
During Matariki, management arranged to drop small star cutouts from the top level of the centre. Attached to each star was a gift card.
The centre ensures a Justice of the Peace is available, free of charge to offer advice and services for customers once a week, and the generous Local Legends initiative, that was born out of covid when people were struggling continues with the gifting of $5000 four times yearly to a worthy cause that is voted on by the public.
Even the centre security guards receive positive feedback on their welcoming presence, and in addition to keeping the site safe, function almost as ambassadors for the centre.
Both Janet and Lana feel lucky to work for New Zealand owners who care deeply for their staff, their centre, and their customers. “It’s so important to them that we are connecting with the community and they’re incredibly good to our retailers, too,” says Janet.
With Christmas on our doorstep, thoughts turn to Santa and presents and fun. Tauranga Crossing curates a beautiful space for photos and chats with the man in red himself.
“During the Christmas season, we like to lurk in the stores then pop up when a customer is about to pay for their goods,” smiles Janet. “It’s always amazing to see their reactions when we offer to cover the costs for them.”
With activities for the kids, like cookie decorating classes, kaleidoscope making and scavenger hunts, and everything you’d ever need for the festive season in one place, Tauranga Crossing may just well be at the top of your “nice” list this December and for the entire summer holidays.
Coach Cory
Former world surf lifesaving Ironman champion Cory Hutchings is back in the Bay mentoring youngsters at Omanu Surf Club
Former world surf lifesaving Ironman champion Cory Hutchings is back in the Bay mentoring youngsters at Omanu Surf Club.
Words Karl Puschmann
When UNO arrives at the Omanu Surf Club to interview Cory Hutchings, the former world surf lifesaving Ironman champion is out on the water. It’s a glorious day, with the sun shining brightly on the gentle surf. Out paddling alongside Cory is a handful of kids, all learning the lifesaving ropes from one of New Zealand’s very best.
I wander down to the beach with the club’s general manager Scott Bartlett, to wait for Cory to come ashore at the end of his class. He’s going to sneak in a quick chat before he takes the next class of kids out into the water.
“He's looking after our Ocean Athletes programme, which is for kids under 14. Then he runs our seniors and helps with our masters,” Scott tells me. “As lead sports coordinator, Cory’s job is to coordinate the athletes and the lifeguards going forward. He makes sure they're fit and healthy and keeps them tracking towards any goals they wish to achieve. Whether it be becoming fitter lifeguards, or going down the pathway of competition.”
Having started surf lifesaving at age five and now with a long list of championships under his belt, including multiple wins in the World Surf Lifesaving Ironman Competition and the New Zealand Ironman Competition, you couldn’t hope for a better trainer than Cory. He joined the club in September and has quickly settled in.
“We were really excited because we knew how beneficial his skill set would be for the community,” Scott says. “He's going great. The kids love him. He's a big kid himself. From a technical point of view, he's doing a lot with our lifeguard space as well. So they're going to be fitter and faster on the beach this year. I would say Cory is probably one of the best in New Zealand at doing it.”
Just then there’s a rush of motion as the kids run past us and head towards the clubrooms, all carrying their surf or paddle boards. The lesson’s over and Cory walks over with a big grin. The lesson went well and he’s loving spending the morning in the water.
“The ocean’s my glue. I get anxious if I'm not on the water for an hour a day,” he explains. “It's a big part of my life and has been since I was born. As long as I can remember, I've been at the beach. It’s not even to do with racing. It’s just in my DNA.”
While the club were able to lure him up from his hometown of Gisborne, it’s more of a return for Cory than an initiation.
“I lived in the Mount back in the early 2000s for about three or four years so I know the place,” he says. “I raced here a lot over my career. So I have a lot of friends here and it's familiar to me.”
As the club’s core business is lifeguarding, that’s the main part of his focus. He’s been coaching for 15 years and is passionate about teaching kids ocean skills and giving them the right training to become better lifeguards. He describes himself as “a hands-on coach”, getting down on the beach and into the water with the kids during his sessions.
Of course, being a former world champion he’s also keeping an eye out for any competitive promise he spots amongst his students.
“If there's a kid that really wants to go on and succeed, train hard and reach some pretty big goals, then our club has a pathway for that child. I think that's important because we do get caught up sometimes on pure participation. It's nice that we can provide both, and that there is an elite pathway as well. It's the balance between the two.”
He encourages parents to bring their kids down to the club to try out a class, saying learning lifeguarding builds confidence and gets them fit and healthy.
“Once they start to get the hang of it you see their confidence grow. They change in front of your eyes,” he smiles. “They start making new friends, connect with different groups, and make those connections around the ocean.”
Which is the other big thing for him. He wants kids to get that same buzz from the ocean that he does.
“You can escape into the ocean. It’s like a spiritual place. There are moments that you have in the ocean that are pretty special. Nothing to do with sport, but just sitting out there. It's a pretty awesome place to be.”
He gestures out to the blue sea that’s lapping up at the sand and says, “Especially in this environment. It's no secret how beautiful this place is. The vibe of this place stimulates me. That's what was exciting about coming here.”
Happily ever after
Wedded bliss starts well before the walk down the aisle. Get ready for your big day with these stress-saving wedding planning tips.
Wedded bliss starts well before the walk down the aisle. Get ready for your big day with these stress-saving wedding planning tips
The best day of your life shouldn’t also be the most stressful. But that’s often the case when couples find themselves out of their depth and out of pocket before the event has even taken place.
Here are some top tips for putting together a memorable wedding that everyone can enjoy, especially the bride and groom.
Start planning early
While some couples can plan a wedding in just a few weeks, it’s highly recommended you allow yourself plenty of time. There can be a lot more to do than first anticipated. Research your ceremony and reception locations early, as these can get booked out months, even years, in advance. Also look at booking a photographer, florist, cake, band, and hair and makeup artists. Invites can be sent just a few months prior to the wedding, but sending “save the date” cards will help guests get themselves sorted with accommodation and travel arrangements. There are also websites like withjoy.com which you can use to send “save the date” emails – a great way to save money on printing.
Set a budget and stick to it
In New Zealand, the average cost of a wedding is said to be around $35,000 these days, but can often cost far more. It’s important to decide what your budget is before doing your research, to avoid any disappointment or overspending.
While you’re researching, work out what you’d prefer to splurge on and what you’re okay cutting back. Remember, a wedding doesn’t need to be expensive to be perfect for you.
A backyard bash can save tonnes of money on venue hireage, or consider a cocktails-and-cake ceremony and reception rather than a sit-down meal.
Renting anything over purchasing can also be a good way to save dollars. Wedding rentals are big business, with couples renting everything from bridal gowns to signage.
A destination wedding can be a good economical option, too, with many island resorts offering cheap packages – and it doubles as the honeymoon!
Don’t be afraid to delegate
The bridal party might end up doing most of the extra work, but that doesn’t mean you only have a small group to rely on.
If you’re sticking to a set budget, enlist the help of friends and family who might have specific talents. For example, take note of an ace cake maker, a creative type to do the flowers or design invitations, or a keen sewer to help make the bridesmaid dresses.
In cases where the budget allows, consider a wedding planner, who will help coordinate everything and everyone in the lead-up, and who can also stay for the wedding day to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Stay organised
Create a timetable for the day, as well as a spreadsheet that includes all the vendors and their contact details. Give these to everyone involved in the running of the day. It can be handy for each vendor to know who they’re working alongside and they can contact each other if need be, in your absence. It’s also a good way for the bridal party to pick up anything that needs doing in the lead-up or on the day.
Get to know some of the best in the business that Tauranga has to offer.
Classic charm
These retro and rustic caravans will take your event to a whole new level.
It was in the midst of planning their own wedding that Nadia and Marcel Stannard came across a cute little caravan named Miss Tea. With their combined creative flair and passion for service, transforming Miss Tea into a mobile bar has been a dream come true for the pair. Since then they’ve gone on to refurbish their second caravan, the 1959 Gipsy.
Fast-forward to today and Mount Vintage Bar is a full-time gig, with the aim to provide everything you need in a wedding bar, without worrying about the set-up or pack-down.
Offering bespoke packages to suit any size, budget and event, they offer a fully-equipped caravan bar with industry-standard beer fridges inclusive of bar staff and glassware.
The BYO service is set up to save you money by buying your choice of drinks direct, then Mount Vintage Bar does the rest.
There are two options to choose from. Miss Tea is a rustic caravan bar catering to 80-120 people, while Gipsy is a 1959 retro caravan catering for larger events.
They supply all power connections to plug into the household supply
or, should you need to host remotely, can plug into a generator.
Each package is designed to suit different occasions and they only require a 10 percent deposit upon booking.
Desiree Osterman Makeup
Having trained under the guidance of makeup artist Bobbi Brown and Mr Uemura (Shu Uemura Cosmetics) in London, Desiree provides
professional makeup, producing beauty that's your own, only skilfully enhanced using current up-to-the-minute makeup products and techniques. Also a freelance hair stylist, Desiree offers a complete
package for both hair and makeup for the entire bridal party, including a team for larger wedding parties.
In New Zealand, Desiree’s freelance work has included fashion shows for Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester, Trelise Cooper and magazine editorial work
for Oyster, Next, UNO Magazine, Women's Weekly and Woman’s Day, Glassons, Coke and Levis.
Desiree travels throughout New Zealand and afar.
White Silk Bridal
White Silk Bridal Couture specialises in creating luxurious custom bridal gowns from design through to the final fitting, ensuring a beautiful journey that brides will have to treasure for a lifetime.
Using the finest fabrics and techniques, each gown is carefully handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, to bring visions to life. With more than 15 years of experience creating for local and international brides, White Silk Bridal commits to turning dream gowns into realities.
White Silk Bridal will alter gowns purchased elsewhere to ensure every bride is confident and aisle ready.
Hand-Picked Flowers
Florist Kelly Scawin believes that her business is about the beauty of nature, a sense of home and the sharing of her love of flowers with others. She works closely with couples to advise and guide you while you navigate your way through your wedding journey.
From bouquets and buttonholes to ceremony and reception displays, her goal is to create floral designs and installations to enhance your space and create an atmosphere that represents couples and impacts guests.
Kelly works closely with an amazing selection of local growers and wholesalers throughout New Zealand and prides herself on sourcing unique flowers and foliage. She’s experienced, passionate and focused on making your wedding day your best day.
Meredith Lord Photography
Recently featured in British Vogue, Meredith Lord creates images that are stunningly editorial, with an aesthetic that is modern, fresh and fun.
Her friendly and relaxed approach to photography (clients can expect to have plenty of laughs when she is around) has an uncanny ability to make her couples feel at ease. This enables her to capture the magic in the little moments – the ones where no one is watching, but that evoke the emotion of the experience – and weave together the story of her couple's day in an incredibly beautiful and elevated way. Meredith loves to work closely with couples who like to have a bit of fun, creating captivating and unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.
She works throughout New Zealand, as well as in Europe and the United Kingdom, capturing timeless love stories for modern romantics.
Your true north
If you could work out what really drives you as a person, what change could you make in the world? We meet Catie Noble from Upward, who does exactly that for her clients
If you could work out what really drives you as a person,
what change could you make in the world? We meet Catie Noble
from Upward, who does exactly that for her clients.
Words Jenny Rudd | Photos Jeremy Bright – Grabb
Imagine you’re giving a speech to announce the closing down of your business because you’ve achieved everything you set out to do. Catie Noble, owner of Upward, would sound something like this.
“Thanks to our mahi, everyone now knows what impact they’d like to have on the world, and they have a plan to make it happen. Our world is getting better, because every person is doing what they care about, and they are doing it well.”
Based in Taupō but with clients in Tauranga and further afield, this is one of the many tools Catie uses in her workshops, regular coaching and activity sessions to help businesses and ambitious individuals do better.
There’s some noise in the background during our interview, so I ask where she is. Wellington airport, en route to Climate Action Marlborough. Over this week, Catie has: Problem-solved a global go-to-market strategy for a New Zealand beauty startup, brought together teams in a large corporate to help them uncover the “stinky fish” that was creating a business-limiting culture (and gave them tools to resolve it), and met with one of her regular clients, a high-end interior designer. And that’s all before immersing herself into climate solutions in the South Island.
“I’ve spent the last 20 years listening to people and extracting the core issues holding them back. I take their stories and experiences, distil what’s happening for them, and help them get clear and take action. And like any business owner, I’ve made a bunch of mistakes, faced tough challenges and had to come up with novel ways to solve them, and brought my team along for the ride.” Clearly she’s good at it.
It’s a modest description of the last two decades. Catie has built and sold successful health businesses, and was awarded the Supreme Business of the Year and Excellence in Business Leadership at the BNZ Taupō Business Awards. As president and chairperson of Taupō’s Business Chamber she led them through a huge transformation, then sat on the board of the region’s economic development agency. Recently Catie was an advisor on Electrify, an accelerator for female-founded startups, and the business she mentored, Vince, completed a successful capital raise during that time.
Not one to sit still, she’s a voracious learner. COVID-19 lockdowns provided the opportunity to do a post-grad certificate in leading Change
for Good, designed by education visionary Francis Valentine, CEO of Mind Lab.
Catie says that the business owners, senior executive teams or high performers that she works with often come to her knowing there’s a problem, but can’t articulate what it is. It’s when the task ahead seems messy and woolly that Catie really adds value.
“People who want to push themselves are well-suited to working with me. They know they can do more but in our overloaded world they might struggle with decisions or get overwhelmed with what needs to be done. I straighten out their thinking and get them cranking. I've worked with tech startups, founders, heavy industry, tradies, national utilities in New Zealand (Catie’s a geothermal enthusiast), and everything in between. I want to work with interesting people on interesting problems. If you want to make the effort, then I'm ready to jump in.”
Superpowered seaweed
Humble and ubiquitous, seaweed has been around since before the dinosaurs, and an enterprising Paeroa family has harnessed its natural benefits for the agricultural industry and beyond.
Humble and ubiquitous, seaweed has been around since before the dinosaurs, and an enterprising Paeroa family has harnessed its natural benefits for the agricultural industry and beyond.
Words Catherine Sylvester
Paeroa, nestled at the base of the Coromandel Peninsula towards the northeast of the Waikato; unofficial antiques capital of the country, geographical originator of the quintessentially Kiwi soft drink L&P, and home to the whānau-founded, owned and operated Agrisea, which specialises in the manufacture and innovation of high-nutrition seaweed products.
If you’ve found yourself traversing north on State Highway 2, emerging from the Karangahake Gorge, you may have spied their factory to the left and wondered exactly what one does with seaweed aside from wrapping sushi rolls with it. The answer, it turns out, is quite a lot.
Tane and Clare Bradley are second generation kaitiaki, or caretakers, of the family business. It was Tane’s parents, Jill and Keith, who saw the potential the marine algae has to make a positive impact on the nutritional and environmental aspects of the food we grow and eat. Almost 30 years ago, a summer spent working on organic farms saw the couple witness firsthand the benefits seaweed nutrients could have on land and crops. Having complete confidence in their discovery, they packed up their family and moved from Tāmaki Makaurau to the more affordable Paeroa to realise their dream of creating organic products to support the home gardener.
“All us kids thought it was just a hobby till they called a family meeting, sold the house, and off we went,” laughs Tane. “We thought they were nuts!”
From humble beginnings selling Ocean Organics seaweed products from the store they rented and lived behind, the business flourished and in 2004 rebranded to become Agrisea, with an expanded focus to include the horticultural and farming climate of the industries the company found itself on the doorstep of.
Clare explains that the Agrisea products are biostimulants, rather than fertilisers.
“Fertilisers work by supplying nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which in overuse have a negative effect on the farm system and environment,” says the company’s CEO. “Biostimulants stimulate natural processes within the plant and soil to enhance growth, efficiency and health. It’s the plant equivalent of the difference between running a well-serviced car, rather than just putting more oil and gas in it.”
The couple met 18 years ago when Clare was forced to return to New Zealand due to a flesh-eating disease she’d picked up while living and volunteering in the Amazon rainforest. They laugh when retelling this story, which is typical of the pair’s positive view on life.
“Tane makes friends wherever he goes,” Clare explains. “That’s how we’ve started some of our latest collaborations.”
Innovation and forward-thinking are keys to the company’s success. As well as three core agricultural products, they’ve found exciting and interesting ways to incorporate seaweed into new offerings as diverse as alcoholic beverages, kombucha and bee nutrition.
“We’ve partnered with Dominion Salt to make New Zealand seaweed and salt blocks for animals, and Roa Kombucha to make a delicious new drink,” elaborates Tane. “We’ve partnered with others to make a seaweed stout, vodka and gin!”
Apiarists and bees alike have fallen in love with the company’s Bee Nutrition that provides the essential amino acids, trace elements and minerals bees need to grow and reproduce, and the company has gone global with the product.
The apple hasn’t fallen far from the proverbial tree with the Bradleys, as they’ve inherited Jill and Keith’s original care and concern for others and the environment.
“Mum always used to say, ‘We’re not here to buy baches, boats and BMWs’,” Tane says. “'We’re here to make a difference.'”
This care comes in the form of research into the potential seaweed has to remove toxins from our coastal waters. Their pilot programme has seen great success with the next step being to figure out how to replicate this on a larger scale.
They’ve also partnered with Our Land and Water to research ways the mana and mauri of soil can be respected, and how a combination of matauranga Māori farming practices and science can create positive change.
So next time you find yourself in Paeroa and spot the Agrisea hub, take a moment to marvel at the wonder and potential of this humble gift from the sea, and all the superpowers seaweed has to offer.
Share to care
Do you really need a car? The answer may surprise you. GoTo Car Share’s founder Steven Vincent explains the environmental and financial benefits of only using a car when you need to
Do you really need a car? The answer may surprise you. GoTo Car Share’s founder Steven Vincent explains the environmental and financial benefits of only using a car when you need to.
Words Karl Puschmann
Car sharing is a concept that’s popular in many major metropolitan cities across the globe, but one that has been slow to arrive in Tauranga.
Until now.
GoTo Car Share is the first such service to zoom across the starting line here in the Bay. And because the company was started by locals it’s been created with a mission to be as environmentally friendly as possible to help not only ease traffic congestion in and around the CBD but also sustain the natural beauty of our renowned beaches and environment.
“Having electric vehicles (EVs) only was part of the plan all along,” Steven Vincent, GoTo’s founder, explains. “It’s about sharing resources and having an environmentally conscious solution for business and people.”
Starting GoTo Car Share happened organically. Steven and some business partners had already formed the office-sharing company Basestation in Durham Street where freelancers and small business owners could rent a desk, meeting room or office for anywhere between an hour to a more lengthy commitment. His team had a fleet of four cars and he began to see the waste in having to park, insure and pay for cars that spent most of their time idle.
“We started thinking about whether we needed the cars at all as they only got used 10 percent of the time,” Steven says. “So we talked about how we could share those cars with other people and get more use out of them. It wasn’t just the car, it was also the fact of them taking up valuable car park space as well.”
As they were already sharing meeting rooms and office spaces the concept of sharing was at the forefront of his mind. Looking around he realised that Basestation had a great central location with a potential customer base of around 50 businesses already in the building. And so Steven started GoTo Car Share from the same space. He got rid of the petrol cars and began building a small fleet of EVs, believing the environmental benefits and user accessibility were key.
“We wanted to make a public service where anyone can use it,” Steven says.
Of course, Kiwis love their cars. A byproduct of decades worth of woefully underfunded public transport. Steven too loves cars, just
not owning them.
“If you look at the service of car sharing it comes down to the concept of flexibility. It’s about usership, not ownership.”
With a current fleet of five EVs available 24/7 and plans coming along to expand to other locations, including Mount Maunganui, customers will never be caught short without access to a vehicle when they need one. The convenience and financial freedom of not running a car could even make ownership a thing of the past.
The concept is initially a bit different but Steven says change is in the air, as evidenced by the variety of people using the service. Including those you’d least expect.
“The person who took a car just before I talked to you, even he admits it would be very difficult to get out of his petrol car,” Steven says. “However, this week, he made a commitment and he hasn't used his car all week. He's used the bus service for the first time in his life, and electric scooters. And now he's trying the car sharing. So if that's an indication of what people are doing there's a sea change underway.”
“People are definitely embracing it. And they're definitely wanting to change,” he continues.
“People are wanting to get out of their cars and use other forms of transport. Where we fit into that puzzle is, if you need a car just for an hour, come and use one. You don't necessarily need to own one.”
Live in the now
Lauren Mabbett ponders whether it’s a midlife crisis that drove her to getting a tattoo for the first time at 38, or is it her insatiable zest for life? Perhaps just a questionable obsession with Wayne’s World
Lauren Mabbett ponders whether it’s a midlife crisis that drove her to getting a tattoo for the first time at 38, or is it her insatiable zest for life? Perhaps just a questionable obsession with Wayne’s World.
According to Google, 40 through 60 are the years we are likely to suffer a midlife crisis, but I've never been one to follow the crowd, so I think I'm gonna have one at 38.
As I watch my fellow 38ers meet their partner, buy a house, get married or have kids, I go and book myself in for my first ever tattoo.
Tossing around ideas with a friend after three too many glasses of wine (the way only the best ideas are created, right?) I message my tattoo artist buddy and lock in an appointment for the following Friday.
“What did you want to get?” she asks.
Of course most people get something incredibly significant or heartfelt; a date of birth, a symbol that means a lot, the name of a family member...
“Wayne from Wayne's World,” I reply.
Oh great, is this a midlife crisis? Probably, although the fact I still drive around with my CD wallet on the floor of my car suggests maybe I never grew up in the first place.
Look, in my defence, I’ve loved this movie since its release in ‘92. I've dressed up as Wayne for many a dress-up party, I have the cups and the t-shirts, I’ve visited every possible filming location as well as detouring my two last American roadies to include Aurora, Illinois where it’s set, and Delaware – the butt of a joke during the movie. When it comes to getting something on my body that’s gonna be there forever, it was only right. If anything I should be happy I didn't cave during the tramp stamp era.
I think subconsciously the changes began earlier this year, when I thought back to how 20-year-old me would spend the weekend drumming in a rock band at bars, with dyed black hair, feeling so cool, and here I was spending the weekend pushing back my cuticles and having a slice at the garden centre café.
So far this year I’ve dyed my hair black again and bought an electric drum kit. Not sure I'm feeling cool enough yet though, hence the tattoo.
I've noticed myself increasingly referencing “the good old days” of the Strand in Tauranga.
Remember when you’d don your “jeans and a nice top” then head out to Krazy Jacks, Grumpy Mole, and Bahama Hut? You wanted to go to Beach Street but it was such a long walk all the way up Devonport Road so you ended up at Harringtons instead. Sigh.
It was a fun, carefree time where, instead of cutting out dairy and nightshades because your nearly 40-year-old tummy doesn't like them anymore, you ate that dirty 3am pie from Snackarama and bloody loved it. (Still can't figure out why we all have gut issues now.)
The amount of tasks we need to accomplish to feel like we aren't disgusting as we get older is ridiculous. Creams and serums, beauty appointments, tweezing and shaving areas that didn't previously have hair encroaching on them.
In our 20s we could bang on some cargo pants and an army singlet, wipe your face with some Dream Matte Mousse and leave the house looking gorgeous for the day. During my 30s, every year I’ve had to add another ingredient to my face to make it look somewhat acceptable. I’ve given laser companies hundreds of dollars to make me look like a hairless cat, and I’ve had more cameras inside me than the Love Island villa.
Growing old is a part of life, of course, but as cliché as it sounds, you're only as old as you feel. As I drive around cranking my Killing Heidi CD, I think to myself: Physically I’m 38, but mentally I’m 23 (despite increasingly discovering a new line on my face that I swear wasn’t there yesterday).
So get that tattoo, wear those jeans and a nice top, and party on.
Listen to Lauren weekdays 9am to 3pm on The Hits 95.0FM.
Nurture in nature
Karen Clarkson spoke to the Principal of Matahui School to learn why for the last 30 years the school has turned traditional education systems on its head and the critical role nature plays in creating positive learning outcomes
Karen Clarkson spoke to the Principal of Matahui School to learn why for the last 30 years the school has turned traditional education systems on its head and the critical role nature plays in creating positive learning outcomes.
While politicians and education researchers are divided over the state of our education system in the lead up to this year's election, a special character primary school on the outskirts of Katikati, is providing a beacon of hope for parents whose children have struggled in traditional school environments.
Principal, Mary Woods, says that the mainstream education system is not suited to every child. Matahui School provides an alternative approach to education so that young people can achieve success with the increased pace and technology the modern world demands.
“Matahui School challenges traditional education methods and provides a unique sanctuary for children to learn. All children have a diverse range of strengths and learning styles. Unlike the mainstream system, we don’t believe one size fits all. Our smaller class sizes allows individual one-on-one time with the teacher and creates a quieter, calmer environment that is more conducive to learning,” she explains.
At Matahui, the school embraces a balance of the fundamentals of core learning wrapped in enquiry that encourages the child to flourish in a way that best suits them.
“Recent reports and findings from the ERO (Education Review Office) and Education Hub describe children having better outcomes when they develop their own learning goals. Enquiry-based education is at the centre of our ethos and the children actively influence their own pathways to learning daily.
“Recently the Year 1 and 2 students wanted to learn about space. Through discussion their teacher came to understand that they were more interested in learning about moon buggies and space transport, so she used this as the springboard for their enquiry,” says Mary.
While more and more schools reach for technology to deliver the curriculum, Matahui School nestled among towering pines and surrounding orchards, uses a progressive curriculum that values outdoor education and delivers core subjects across a variety of disciplines.
“Connection with and within nature has been proven around the world to be critical to supporting healthy development in children. All of our teachers will agree that the real magic happens beyond our classroom walls, where hands-on experiences and challenges empower the children to develop independence, confidence, learn technical skills, and manage risk,” says Mary.
Every week, rain or shine, students spend a full day immersed in nature, building makeshift shelters, exploring meandering streams, and overcoming challenges as part of the forest school programme. The Year 7 and 8 students attend four camps throughout the year, clocking up to 30 days a year in the great outdoors. Recently a class visited and worked on a local farm to better understand the milk production process from farm to fridge.
Ruth, mother of Polly, a former student of Matahui, says she appreciates the positive impact the school’s values and unique learning approach has provided her daughter.
“Polly’s college teachers have noted how engaged she is with her personal learning, the confidence she has to challenge herself and her perseverance when things are hard.”
Mary agrees that the environment and experiences Matahui School students are provided supports them to learn in the way that not only suits them best, but empowers them to develop key skills to handle the inevitable challenges they will meet in their future education, and life beyond the classroom.
Creature comforts
Animal expert and veterinarian David McDonnell of Tauranga Vets answers your im-paw-tant questions about pet health and wellbeing
Animal expert and veterinarian David McDonnell of Tauranga Vets answers your im-paw-tant questions about pet health and wellbeing.
Photo Salina Galvan
Got fleas? Should you shear your dog like a sheep in springtime? And what about wet pet food? Here’s vet David’s best advice for keeping your furry friends happy, healthy and well as the weather warms up.
Q: How often should I de-flea and worm my pet?
A: Fleas can be a problem for our pets all year round in the Bay of Plenty, as we have a relatively warm climate here and many of our pets live indoors as well, staying warm all the time. Because of this, we recommend keeping up with regular flea treatments all year round to ensure you don’t get a flea infestation in your house. Ninety-five percent of the flea population live off the animal; that is, in our environment which can include our house. Ensuring good flea control in our homes by using regular vacuuming and a flea bomb, for example, can also help prevent your pet becoming reinfected following flea treatment. There are many different flea products available these days. The most commonly used products are given orally, and some are still applied to the skin on the back of the pet’s neck. The length of time each product lasts can also vary from one to six months usually. Talk to your vet for advice on which product would be best for your pets.
Q: Should I shave my pet to keep them cool in summer?
A: In the heat of summer, it can be hard for some dogs to keep themselves cool. This is especially so for some bigger dogs with heavy coats, as well as brachycephalic breeds of dogs such as bulldogs. Unlike humans, dogs cannot sweat through their skin. They rely on panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and nose to regulate their body temperature. If they can’t cool down, they will quickly develop heatstroke. For pets with thick and long coats, shaving them can certainly help to keep them cooler in the hot summer months as well as prevent unwanted knots or mats in the fur. There is a small risk which is higher in some breeds of dog that the hair doesn’t grow back properly. Breeds at increased risk include those with long, plush coats, such as the Alaskan malamute, American Eskimo, Chow Chow, Keeshond, Pomeranian, Samoyed, and Siberian Husky, but it can occur in any breed. No one knows exactly why this occurs sometimes for some dogs.
Q: Why does my pet only want wet food?
A: Most pets should be able to eat a completely dry or mixed wet and dry diet. If you have noticed a change in your pet’s preference to only wanting wet food, there could be some underlying health reasons for that. The most common medical reason for this would potentially be pain in the mouth from dental disease. Pets will often keep eating even with teeth that have serious disease present. The best way to check for this is to get a dental and health check done by a vet. Good dental health is pivotal to good overall health and welfare for our pets. Dental disease can cause significant pain to animals that is very hard for owners to detect until it is really severe. Your vet should complete an oral exam during your pet’s annual health check as well.
Q: My neighbour's dog barks all day. Is this a sign of stress?
A: Barking is how dogs communicate. They can bark for many reasons including fear, territorial barking, anxiety and boredom. In these situations, it’s best to alert the owner, as they may be unaware of what their dog is doing while they’re not home. Once they’re aware, it’s something that would require a significant amount of work and training to help alleviate the dog’s underlying reason for barking. We often recommend contacting a qualified dog behaviourist or trainer to help with these kinds of situations. They are able to come to the dog’s home and help assess what it is that’s causing the dog to bark. They would then be able to work with the owner to implement some environmental adjustments or enrichment, alongside training the owner on how to train the dog to prevent the barking from occurring.
Consistent returns through uncertain times
In an era of economic volatility and market uncertainty, investment opportunities that provide consistent returns can be hard to come by.
SPONSORED
In an era of economic volatility and market uncertainty, investment opportunities that provide consistent returns can be hard to come by. Local company First Mortgage Trust (FMT) shares strategies that have managed to achieve this for more than 27 years.
With their conservative investment strategy and stringent lending requirements, FMT has not only weathered the storms but has also managed to consecutively increase its investment return rate over the past five quarters and is anticipating further increases.
“In our 27 years no FMT investor has ever lost a cent of capital, even during the GFC and, more recently, the Covid-19 pandemic,” says CEO Paul Bendall.
This accomplishment is a testament to FMT’s disciplined approach, their risk management strategy, the expertise of their team, their local property market knowledge and their commitment to the preservation of investor capital.
“We know these are uncertain times and people are cautious, especially when it comes to investing and deciding what to do with their nest egg and savings,” says Paul. “Living costs and inflation are high and this can be hard for savers. We understand this and that’s why we are pleased to have been able to deliver increased investment returns for the last five quarters, and because of our consistent investment returns and the peace of mind we provide we’ve seen many of our investors invest more with us and recommend us to their friends and family.”
How FMT works
Investors invest in either the First Mortgage Trust Group Investment
Fund or the First Mortgage PIE Trust, then FMT lends the money out to Kiwis seeking property finance. FMT differs from some other investments as both funds are trusts. The trust structure means each fund is supervised by an independent supervisor. The supervisor plays an integral role in the governance of FMT and they have oversight of lending decisions.
“This gives our investors confidence that their money is being managed
well,“ says Paul. “The money our clients invest with us helps New Zealanders achieve their property related goals. It builds homes, businesses and it helps shape communities. In return we are able to provide a stable return to our investors to help them achieve their investment goals.”
Increased investment return rate
FMT has showcased its expertise in wealth protection and generation by progressively increasing its investment return rate. Their March 2023 quarterly rate was a pre-tax return rate of 6.61 percent (annualised), which was well received by investors.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
First Mortgage Managers Limited, the manager of the First Mortgage Trust Group Investment Fund and the First Mortgage PIE Trust, is licensed under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 as a manager of registered schemes and is not a registered bank under the Banking (Prudential Supervision) Act 1989. Professional investment advice should be taken before making an investment.
Product Disclosure Statements are available at fmt.co.nz
Cloud Nine on Welcome Bay
You’ll never be so thrilled to get to the end of the road as when you’re viewing this magnificent outlook.
You’ll never be so thrilled to get to the end of the road as
when you’re viewing this magnificent outlook.
Words Jo Ferris
When it comes to views, Tauranga boasts among the most spectacular scenery. It’s all about perspective - whether you prefer being up close and personal, or above it all on cloud nine.
Welcome Bay is blessed with an extraordinary panorama, thanks to its north-facing outlook over Tauranga city, harbour and ocean vistas. The higher into the hinterland you go, the more exquisite the view becomes – and more peaceful.
Nestled into the hillside, just below the Waitaha Road ridge line, this home commands a magnificent outlook that stretches from Motiti Island to Coromandel. To enjoy Pāpāmoa sunrises and sunsets over the Kaimais, you need simply stroll to the top of the hill behind and stand in awe. The panorama not only catapults to another level, it pans right around to the hills behind Oropi and beyond.
The serenity is bliss – more so, learning the dedication to this property’s creation. What began as a significant block of farmland, was carefully carved by these vendors into a boutique enclave of 12 lifestyle properties. Their home sits above it all – removed from close proximity to neighbours below; and cherishing idyllic privacy.
Sheltered from prevailing winds, thanks to the way this home cuts into the hillside, it stands alone. With the hill plateau behind and gardens sloping down into grazing below, nature underpins the serenity here. This address is literally the end of the road.
The home is testament to sustainability and longevity. Constructed from imported aerated concrete blocks, the exterior walls are 250mm thick, interior walls are 175mm. A hushed, insulated ambience is in tune with the tranquillity outside.
Innovation flows throughout the home, in ways that ensure the view is always centre of attention. Apart from one bedroom and the intimate TV snug with its wood burner, every room embraces the postcard scenery. Polished concrete flooring is aesthetically beautiful and functional. While harnessing the sun’s warmth, there’s also a gas fire for mood. Double-sided, it serves the living area on one side and instils romance to the master bedroom next door.
Bathroom indulgence also embraces the astonishing scenery. No need for frosted windows here. Picture windows ensure bath relaxation savours the stars and Tauranga’s twinkling lights at night – both in the master ensuite and guest ensuite.
Outdoor intimacy is integral to this home’s subtle ambience. Decking extends its full length to connect with every room. The master bedroom
might boast its own fire. But few bedrooms can claim a lap pool outside their door; as the ensuite guest room enjoys. When it comes to alfresco entertaining however, this aspect takes a more secluded approach.
Stepping out from the living area, this outdoor zone combines sheltered alfresco dining around an open fire with a spacious setting that curves into the hillside. Rockeries and gardens embrace this corner within nature, before stepping up to the hill behind. The forethought here points to an understanding of nature, the elements and how to connect with the environment; not dominate it.
Careful to ensure this enclave preserved nature, the vendors created something special in this hillside retreat. Their decision to now put their own home on the market hasn’t been taken lightly. It’s time to step back and create a smaller haven. They have made sure nothing else can split up what they developed in this hillside enclave. That assurance is something to appreciate well into the future. Standing on the hilltop here - gazing down and out to all that sits below - that’s something to cherish. Cloud nine is hard to find.
332 Waitaha Road, Welcome Bay
Culture shock
Will Johnston has a solution for one of the Tauranga CBD’s problems, and he’s practically giving it away.
Will Johnston has a solution for one of the Tauranga CBD’s problems, and he’s practically giving it away.
It’s fair to say that I was excited to go to Hamilton. That’s not usually a sentence that comes out of my mouth. Cold and foggy isn’t my cuppa. However, this time, Hamilton was going to be different.
It was at Spark Arena in Auckland, and it’s the musical about Alexander Hamilton that’s taken over the theatre world since its first performance in 2015. My wife is a huge musical theatre fan, so this was a must for her and, by association, me. Don’t get me wrong, I like a musical as much as the next 39-year-old musically untalented guy. But mid-show when I noticed my forearm was wet from the tears of joy and sorrow emanating from my wife’s face, I realised I was not at her level of enthusiasm/hysteria. Bless.
But the thing that really struck me while we had our baby-free weekend in Auckland was that we are lacking a vibe in Tauranga.
There’s a buzz in Auckland (if you tell an Aucklander I said that, I’ll deny it). Maybe it’s more people, maybe it’s bigger buildings, maybe it’s just traffic (though we have that in spades here – amiright)? Or maybe it’s the fact that businesses are actually open and operating at night – not just food and booze businesses, either.
I hear the same old argument about Tauranga not being big enough to support opening at night, or even support half of the businesses during the regular shopping hours. But rather than just complaining – as I’m prone to do as I sink into my late-30s role of dad jokes and loathing of bad parking – I have a solution!
All I ask for this fix is a humble working week’s worth of fees that the Tauranga commissioners charge per day of work each. $1,500 each x 5 work days = $7,500. I know, generous of me, right? I’m not even charging the chair’s fee of $1,800 per day. Which I would be totally justified to do as I am quite clearly the chairman of my own board.
So here it is: Whack it on the rates, mate!
Every residential ratepayer gets an allowance built into their rates that must be spent on tickets to shows/events every year. If you don’t spend it, it gets divided up as an annual cash payment among all businesses/organisations in the CBD that would benefit from an entire theatre of people coming to town before/after a show.
Worst-case scenario for the ratepayer: You get to go to a bunch of shows a year, expand your horizons, and fill the CBD with reasons for businesses to operate there. Worst-case scenario for a business/organisation: They get a sweet cash payment at the end of every year to keep the doors open/pay their staff and reinvest into their business to make the CBD a more attractive place to socialise for the ratepayer.
Now, who do I invoice for this idea?
All this aside… It worries me that I’ve mentioned rates AND went to Auckland and enjoyed myself. Who have I become? Middle-aged?!
In the ‘hood
Kids can have big emotions. Simple self-care for parents helps find and lend kids our calm.
Kids can have big emotions. Simple self-care for parents
helps find and lend kids our calm.
Words Holly Brooker, Parenting Place
Parenthood is an incredibly fulfilling, beautiful journey, but it can also be one of the most challenging experiences. During times of high stress, it’s important we care for ourselves and build our own reserves so we can manage the stressors we face, and be present to support our tamariki. It’s like the safety message we hear on planes: Put your own oxygen mask on first.
Fitting in self-care
Life as a parent is incredibly busy. But self-care doesn’t have to be the luxe pampering you see on Instagram. It can be the small things, little and often, to achieve balance, like refraining from starting that gripping Netflix series at 10pm. Getting a good balance of fruit and veg (and no, the “grape juice” that goes quite well with Netflix doesn’t count as fruit). Moving your body, even if a daily five-minute walk around the block is all you can manage. Or snatching two minutes of silence during times of high stress to process the triggers you might be feeling.
Creating space for ourselves is an important tool to help ensure we are able to keep calm during periods of stress, so we can provide our kids with the emotional stability and support that they need.
Our kids need self-care too, with a gentle balance of sleep, good food, movement, and play. Consistent routines, exceptions and boundaries increase our child's feelings of safety and security, especially during times of extra stress and uncertainty.
Expect the unexpected
If there is one given in parenting, it’s that our children will have big emotions and big behaviours – often when we least expect it (like when we’re running out the door, already late). Big emotions can make children feel out of control. Children generally express themselves through behaviour rather than words, and sometimes that behaviour can be pretty confronting and loud.
Hence the need to look after ourselves first, so we’re well-resourced to be a cushion for our kids when their big feelings erupt. This is when our kids really need us to help them find their calm – we can lend them some of ours, but only if we can prevent ourselves from having our own emotions triggered by their big feelings.
Pause, reflect, engage
“Pause, reflect, engage” is a simple strategy to help reduce the brain’s threat level, enabling our prefrontal cortex to do the work it was designed to do. It’s particularly helpful if you’re struggling with additional stressors as well.
“Pause” is about stopping and taking a slow, deep breath (or 10!) in a stressful situation. It really is just about breathing. Oxygen is a gift to the brain and nervous system, and a very quick and effective way to calm things down a bit.
When we “reflect”, we gather information about and from ourselves, as well as from our surroundings. We use “reflect” with empathy to notice our thoughts and feelings based on the situation we’re in.
We do this by asking the following questions:
Name the feeling you are experiencing. It might be, “I feel frustrated.” No judgement, just acknowledgement.
Now consider, what might my child be feeling? “They seem to be feeling sad.” Accept where they are at, without judgement. “Those are their feelings, and that's okay.”
Consider the why? “I’m wondering whether I’m feeling so frustrated because they are making me late to work by mucking around?” or “I’m wondering if he could feel sad because I’m getting snappy and grumpy?”
Now we “engage”. Once we have that information, we can use it to better understand ourselves, our kids and the situation, and we can plan of how to move forward together. A simple, sharing conversation could be enough.
“When you and I were arguing before, I noticed that things were getting out of hand. So I just needed to stop and take a breath. When I did, I realised that I was feeling really angry and frustrated. Then I thought, well, maybe you felt angry too, maybe even sad because we were arguing? I don’t like feeling that way and I’m sure you don’t either. I’m sorry that it happened. There must be some way we can work this out. Let’s give it a go.”
This simple process of understanding our triggers and emotions, as well as our kids, and sharing these through conversation can provide a healthy process of connection.
Our children’s behaviours can be so big and intense that it is difficult to see the emotions underneath. When this happens, we are easily drawn into their emotional turmoil. But if we approach them with an attitude of empathy, compassion and understanding, we show them that their relationship with us is more important than their challenging behaviour. It might be a work in progress, but it’s always progress when you're moving toward connection at the forefront.
The little store making a big difference
Katoa is a place where local youth can learn career skills to help them thrive.
Katoa is a place where local youth can learn career skills to help them thrive.
Words Catherine Sylvester
Photos Jahl Marshall
Stepping through the doors of Katoa in beautiful Mount Maunganui, you’re met with all the hallmarks of a humming café. Happy chat and laughter bubble up from the young staff behind the counter, where a delicious array of smoothies are on offer.
Look a little closer, and you’ll soon discover Katoa is a smoothie bar with a twist – and a greater purpose. Opened last November by The Get Group, it exists to provide a space in which young people are trained with the skills needed to work in customer service, and to also house the Group’s not-for-profit Little Heroes Project.
The Get Group was launched in 2015 by friends Angela Spice-Ridley and Noeline (Noels) Cook, who met while working in adult education. The organisation seeks to provide training in basic career skills to those for whom school is not a natural or easy fit.
“We started by going into schools to run workshops,” explains Angela. “Practical things like barista skills, horticulture, food safety, customer service and interview techniques.”
The pair’s experience working in adult education meant they were able to identify certain gaps that young people were encountering. They realised that filling those gaps would be their mission.
“Noels and I have a passion for young people and love their energy. They have so much to offer,” says Angela, smiling. “We hear a lot that young people don’t know how to work, but have they been taught to? We felt they were getting a bit of a raw deal and wanted to change that.”
The Get Group employs young people to work in all areas of the business. They teach workshops, run school holiday programmes, operate the Katoa Food Truck, and work in the café. They’re also encouraged to give back to the community and are given time off yearly to do so.
It was through one of these altruistic initiatives that the Little Heroes Project came to be. Encouraged to find ways that were meaningful to them and would benefit others, one young wahine chose to help teen mothers by creating and gifting care packages. From the beauty of those small beginnings, something even bigger was born.
A call to the community for donations for these packages resulted in an overwhelming response. The collection and distribution of goods on a larger scale was enough to warrant the Project registering as a charitable trust that now supports individuals and organisations throughout Aotearoa.
Angela explains the Katoa store allows The Get Group to train and employ young people, and to raise funds for the Little Heroes Project.
“We partner with young entrepreneurs across New Zealand, providing them with a space to showcase and sell their creations,” says Angela. “We also have a range of Katoa merchandise and upcycled clothing for sale, which profit the Little Heroes Project.”
Jorgia Neill first encountered The Get Group when she took their Gateway course while still in high school.
“We were learning interview skills, and afterwards Noels invited me to do some work experience with them,” the 21-year-old says. “I was able to try a bit of everything to see what I would enjoy the most and where I would thrive.”
Fast-forward four years, and Jorgia now manages the head office in Palmerston North.
“It was a shock to be asked to join as I didn’t have much confidence in my abilities,” she explains. “This has built my confidence and helped me grow. It’s also helped me to know my worth in the workforce.”
Noels is keen to point out the beautifully collaborative effort that has gone into ensuring Katoa thrives.
“The biggest thing Angela and I do for each other is to be calm when the other is freaking out,” she says, laughing. “I don’t think I would have survived without her. This venture wouldn’t have got to where it is without it involving the two of us.”
Both women’s husbands are fully committed to the vision, contributing their building and business skills to projects.
Noels sums it all up with a smile: “When all is said and done, it is our incredible team of young people that makes it worth getting up every day and keeping it all going.”
katoa.org.nz
Thriving together
Tauranga Business Chamber’s chief executive Matt Cowley says owners of local businesses big and small benefit from support, collaboration and networking opportunities.
Tauranga Business Chamber’s chief executive Matt Cowley says owners of local businesses big and small benefit from support, collaboration and networking opportunities.
Leading an organisation can be a lonely position. It’s easy to feel the weight of the entire business on your shoulders as you carry ultimate responsibility for the finances, marketing, human resources, administration and operations.
It can be a massive relief to meet people in similar roles; to share problems and help each other discover new solutions.
Our lives feel like they’re only getting busier, so it can be challenging to find time to connect with other business owners and leaders. However, times are extra tough for businesses right now – and that connection has never been more vital.
I encourage you, if you’re feeling the strain, to prioritise connection.
Tauranga Business Chamber connects with hundreds of business leaders across all industry sectors on any given month. As the region’s business hub and champion, it’s a great place to start.
We hold several events a month, covering a range of networking opportunities and leadership conversations with industry and political decision-makers. We also provide targeted forums like our Business Women’s Network and LINKT – Young People in Business.
We also help keep you up to date with the latest trends, legislation changes, and new business support offerings, as well as what’s happening across the Western Bay business community.
An incredibly effective way to build rapport with people quickly is by offering help without strings attached, sharing experiences, and welcoming them into your network.
You can do this by meeting like-minded people at our events, or by sharing your expertise through our trusted communication channels.
We have recently made membership more affordable and accessible to business owners and leaders, allowing you to choose the level you want to engage with us. Our entry-level membership is less than $270 per year and comes with a host of benefits – perfect for small and new businesses.
As a larger business, membership showcases your corporate citizenship and helps the next generation of businesses. You’re also supporting the Chamber to be a strong, independent voice of business as we advocate for better outcomes for local businesses.
It’s time to come together, support one another, and ensure the Western Bay’s dynamic business ecosystem continues to thrive through the economic turbulence heading our way.