Mahurangi Matters, Summer Feeature, 16 December, 2015

SUMMERWHAT TO DO THIS

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2 Mahurangimatters December 16, 2015 summerfeature

summerlife FEATURE

The Matakana Vintage Market has a great line-up of entertainment planned for summer, starting with a Christmas market on December 20.Special guests will be Esther Stephens & The Means, as well as White Chapel Jak. Children will be able to visit Santa in the square from 10am. Esther Stephens & The Means is an Auckland band that has been described as “a refreshingly seamless fusion of soul, funk, pop, jazz and psychedelia”, while White Chapel Jak is an acoustic trio that delivers a fresh approach to familiar songs. Organiser of the vintage/retro themed market, Fiona McGeough, says there will be children’s activities, local wine, beer and cider, classic cars and loads of gift ideas.Coco Davis will play on January 3 and Hot Diggity will take the stage on January 10.The market runs every Sunday, from November to March, from 10am to 2pm.

About 150 children have been getting gritty at Omaha Beach every Sunday morning for the Omaha Surf Lifesaving Club’s Junior Surf programme.Club president Julian Ostling says the children learn about surf safety and lifesaving skills through games and competitions“It’s fun, and it’s building the skills that will help them in the water,” Julian says. “If you educate them when they are children hopefully they won’t get into trouble when they are adults. We are trying to make sure the community is safe, even when we aren’t on patrol.“We hope a lot of these children will then go on to train and become surf lifesavers at the club.”The surf club is also launching two holiday programmes in January which will include lessons in surf lifesaving, surfing, body-surfing, body boarding, surf safety and snorkeling (see ad below).

The City Nippers programme is aimed at getting children aged 5 to 11 confident in the sea, teaching them fundamental water safety skills and runs from January 4 to 8, 9-11am.“We are offering this as a gift to the community for their support – it costs just $10 per child to cover the whole week.”The more intensive Big Fun Weeks programme runs five days a week, 9am to 5pm, starting on January 11, 18 and 25. The courses are run by lifeguards at the club, including senior lifeguards and high school students.“This is also about supporting our lifeguards. They work for free, so we are trying to raise funds and give them a job over summer running the courses.”The Junior Surf programme is held every Sunday at 10am.Info: omahasurf.co.nz

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3MahurangimattersDecember 16, 2015summerfeature

PUHOI ANNUAL WOOD CHOPPING CARNIVAL 2016

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Some trans-Tasman rivalry will add competitive fun to the annual Puhoi Woodchopping Carnival on Saturday January 9.The free all-day event hosted by the Puhoi Axemen’s Club, is held in the grounds of the Puhoi Hotel.Club secretary John Sanderson says a team of six Aussies will compete at the invitation of the president Mike Paddison.It is understood the axemen hail from Queensland, and will compete in divisions and open events.“It’s a bit unusual to have overseas axemen at Puhoi so it’ll add a bit of fun,” John says.The rest of the competitors will be mostly from around Northland.Among the guests will be three generations of the Semenoff family from Whangarei – Selwyn, 65, Jason, 38, and Tytan, 14.The Puhoi event is so popular that the limited places for competitors fill-up two months out from the day.“We’re even having to turn away NZ champions and NZ record-holders,” John says.“But our policy is ‘first in, first-served’ so there’s nothing we can do about it.“There’s only so many axemen you can put together in the space we have available. For the last couple of years we’ve put on an extra underhand division at the start of the day to cater for the large number of underhand axemen.”Although there’s a good purse for

Australian woodchoppers bring axe to grind in Puhoi

the winners – more than $4000 in prizemoney – John believes it’s the atmosphere and the location in Puhoi that draws the competitors. “The site is like an amphitheatre so its great for spectators too.”As the main sponsor, the Puhoi Hotel arranges all the sponsorships.“They do a fantastic job.”The day will wind up with the teams race where Puhoi will take on a well-matched visitors side.The events:Underhand division A, B, C & D – 275mm; single hand sawing – 350mm; standing division A, B, C & D – 250mm; double hand sawing, teams race, axe throw, novice underhand, jiggerboard, and Jack & Jill sawing.

And the chips will fly … Bevan Gubb in full swing at last year’s event.

Bev Smith puts her shoulder to the saw in a Jack & Jill event. Photos, The Camera Shop Warkworth.

The concentration on the faces of father and daughter team, Emma and John Sanderson says it all.

www.mikepero.comMike Pero Real Estate Ltd. Licensed REAA (2008)

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Ian - 027 599 9077 Sally - 021 068 3721 0800 PUHOI 1 (0800 784 641) 0800 PUHOI 2 (0800 784 642) [email protected] [email protected]

Mike Pero Puhoi is proud to be supporting the Puhoi Woodchopping Competition.We can’t chop wood but we can sell houses so if you are thinking of selling, call Ian and Sally for a no obligation FREE appraisal.


Does anyone recognise this photo?

Putting on a good wood chopping show starts long before the first axe swings.The Puhoi Axemen’s Club prides itself on presenting competitors with the best wood available.Over several weekends prior to January 9, club members will be felling trees, cutting them into blocks and peeling them to the correct sizes and grades.Their wood of choice is poplar because it’s readily available and there is lots of good wood in one tree.The other advantage of poplar is that it’s a relatively soft but crisp wood.Club secretary John Sanderson says if the wood was too hard, the events would take too long which wouldn’t be much fun for spectators.Between the Puhoi event and the Warkworth A&P Show, the club will need to have on hand nearly 500 blocks.“We’ve been lucky this year as we’ve been offered some trees that are on the route for the new motorway so there’s no shortage of wood.”

Poplar is the wood of choice for the axemen of Puhoi.

Chipping away behind the scenes

The Warkworth & District Museum is keen to learn more about this photo, which was taken at a Puhoi Axemen event, possibly around the 1960s. Although it was taken by Tudor Collins, the museum doesn’t know when or where it was taken. Anyone who can help is asked to contact Judy at the museum on 425 7093 or email [email protected]

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Wood-chopping is a summer sport in NZ, with a season that normally runs from November to March.The Puhoi Axemen’s Club is affiliated to the Northland Axemen Association, which runs a series of competitions at Northland venues.Puhoi is normally represented at most of these events, which include Pawarenga on New Year’s Eve, Opononi on January 1, the Warkworth A&P Show on January 23, Paparoa, Broadwood and Helensville in February, and the Northern Grading Competition Day at the Kaipara Flats sports ground on March 5.

A team from Puhoi recently competed in Stratford coming away with a number of trophies.The results were:Restricted Underhand: C Julian 1, E Jordan 2, C Cherry 3, J Sanderson 4. 300mm Standing: J Underwood 1, D McDonald 2, K Steers 3, B Turner 4. 275mm Underhand: J Underwood 1, T Buchanan 2, B Turner 3, J Whitehead 4. ‘C’ Grade Standing Championship: T Buchanan 1, G McDonnell 2, O Petersen 3, W Riddle 4. ‘D’ Grade Standing Championship: C Julian 1, R Morton 2, R Petersen 3, S Betteridge 4.

Chopping outside the square

Puhoi did well in the ‘D’ grade standing championship in Stratford, with Chris Julian coming first and Richard Morton placing second.

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The 65th annual Warkworth Rodeo will be held on January 1.Secretary Krista Fletcher says the rodeo is shaping up to be as popular as ever, in spite of the efforts of a dedicated group of protesters who would like to see rodeos banned in New Zealand, and especially from the Auckland region.“There appears to be no shortage of willing participants or spectators who, year after year, come to the Warkworth Showgrounds for a day of entertainment,” she says. Around 178 competitors from all over New Zealand will participate in

245 rides on the day, which promises to be one of continuous action and plenty of thrills and spills.“With the line-up of second division bulls looking almost as impressive as the open bulls, it can be assumed already that the bulls are to be the likely winners on the day.”All of the bulls on show at Warkworth have been locally bred by Tom and Marie Whiteford and are owned by the club. The club also owns the horses in the saddle and bareback events. “The bulls and horses have for the last few months had hefty doses of love and

The bull ride is one of the most popular events on the programme.

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attention and all are in top condition for their one day outing for the year.“Following the rodeo they will all be back to a life of rest and recreation until next year, or the next event.”Warkworth Rodeo falls in the middle of the Christmas circuit where there are 15 rodeos in 14 days over the whole of New Zealand. The North Island circuit has nine rodeos in 14 days, so by the time everyone gets to Warkworth, there are already a few tired and sore cowboys and girls. The highlights of the day are usually

the girl’s barrel racing, the bull ride, the local steer ride and the lolly scramble.The rodeo is held at the Warkworth Showgrounds, starting at 10am. Parking is free. Adults $20, children $5, under 5’s free, and a family ticket (two adults and up to six children) is $50. Krista says although food is sold on the grounds, everyone is welcome to bring a picnic. “Don’t forget your hat and sun screen, and please leave your pooch at home as it can be a hot day.”

Warkworth Rodeo attracts big crowd

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Under the setting sun, Ascension Wine Estate will transform into the feuding streets of Verona, for a performance of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.Ascension is holding Shakespeare in the Vines on January 2 and 3, for the fifth year running.Melbourne company Essential Theatre is revisiting the classic heart-breaking tale which is one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, and one of the world’s greatest love stories.The team is being led by director Mark Wilson and

designer Chloe Greaves, who promise to deliver a fresh take on this much loved classic.“It will be a truthful, fast paced and energetic production,” Mr Wilson says. “You will be laughing out loud at the antics of the ever amusing nurse, dazzled by the charm of Mercutio, and left with your heart throbbing as the final scenes unfold.”Ascension is also hosting a New Year’s Eve party with a rustic Italian feast and live music and fireworks.

“But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”

Romeo and Juliet in the vines

If you’ve ever been foiled by tangled Christmas tree lights, spare a thought for Brian Oakes, who has just arranged more than 30,000 lights outside his house in Warkworth. Brian, a retired electronics engineer, decorates his house and garden at 31 Ashmore Crescent every Christmas and invites the public to come and enjoy the spectacle. Visitors can show their appreciation by putting some money in the box provided, and Brian will give all donations to Warkworth Wellsford Hospice.This is the fifth year that Brian has used the light display to support hospice. He has raised more than $3500 in that time and hopes people will continue to be generous this year. Brian has taken the show to a dazzling new level, adding computer-controlled musical sequences that have the lights dancing to a techno-beat. He worked every day for a month to set up the lights, making repeated trips to Mitre 10 for yet another extension lead. All wires meet at a central power box which contains a lighting unit imported from the US. Each of its 16 channels has a lead plugged into it, and more leads branch off in various directions to lights in the garden, under the eaves and along the roof ridge. A central ‘mega’ tree is adorned with 4000 lights. Sue Oakes is supportive of her husband’s Christmas passion, but can’t resist a tiny eye-roll when she notes that the power consumption is about the same as a winter power bill.

Christmas goes techno

Brian Oakes imported a 16-channel unit from the US to support his new, computer-controlled light show.

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Samoan/Australian artist Bobby Alu is playing at Leigh Sawmill on January 8.Bobby is touring with five-piece band, the Palm Royale, which is playing five shows in New Zealand.Bobby has become a festival favourite for his signature ‘hammock music’ and has become renowned for his drumming for Australian musician Xavier Rudd.Influenced by his Polynesian heritage and Australian upbringing, his music has a fresh, simple sound powered by ukulele, Pacific beats, catchy songs, four-part harmony and powerful log drumming, with hints of soul and reggae.

Since supporting Katchafire on their 2012 Oz tour, Bobby has firmly had his sights set on touring in NZ. “I’ve been waiting a long time to perform my music in NZ. It’s home to so many of my musical heroes. Finally, we are on our way!” Bobby says.Following the successful launch of his new six-track EP in March, Bobby won the Most Popular Male Artist at the Queensland Music Awards. The band’s title track from 2013, Take it Slow, was also chosen by Samoa Tourism as theme song for their Beautiful Samoa roadshow campaign, launched in June.

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New Zealand kiteboarding champion Marc Jacobs is coming to Mahurangi in January to run a kiteboarding clinic.Marc became NZ junior champion a decade ago and has been competing internationally since 2006. He won first place in world tour events in 2011 and 2013 and came first in the Big Air event at the Venezuela Kitesurf World Championships this year.Blue Adventures co-owner Tony Carr says Marc will be running clinics on January 2, 3 and 10.“He will spend the day teaching people how to jump and do freestyle tricks,”

Tony says. “It will be quite spectacular.”Tony says the Whangateau Harbour is one of the best spots to learn to kiteboard.“The water is only waist-deep at high tide and it’s not crowded, which is perfect for learning.”Three Blue Adventures kiteboarding instructors recently competed at the NZ Kiteboard Nationals at Foxton Beach. Tim Berlioz came fifth in the men’s open and Pauro Arnold came eighth, while Malin Horting came seventh in the women’s open.Info: blueadventures.co.nz

Auckland-based professional kiteboarder Marc Jacobs came first and second at Kitesurf World Championship big air events in Venezuela and Morocco this year.

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Skateboarding will take centre stage at Snells Beach next month when Onboard Skate presents a Go Skateboard Day on January 16.Organiser Steve Hodges says the day is open to all ages, “including Mums and Dads”.All skateboards and safety equipment will be supplied, and a skate competition will be run in the afternoon for skaters aged 13 and over.Entry is free and the day will wrap up with a barbecue.Steve says there are plans to form a skateboard club at Snells Beach.

“We are also running a school holiday Skate and Surf programme on January 12, at Matakana School and Omaha Beach, respectively,” he says.“This event is being run in collaboration with The Bach in Matakana. The programme will start at Matakana School at 9am with two-and-a-half hours of skateboard instruction followed by lunch and then two hours of surf instruction at Omaha.”Skateboards, portable ramps, helmets and safety equipment will be provided for the skateboard session.

Snells Beach hosts skate dayRiders of all ages and abilities will be welcome at the Snells Beach event.

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It’s time to start grooming your goat and sharpening your axe as the Warkworth A&P Lifestyle Show is just around the corner.Thousands of spectators and competitors are expected at the 149th A&P Show on January 23 and 24.Show secretary Marjorie Blythen says tradition is at the heart of the event, but the A&P Society is planning a number of changes as the show evolves.Te Radar will again compere the event and A&P staples, the Puhoi Axemen, will be in full swing following the Puhoi Wood Chopping Carnival (see story lift-out p3). But, for the first time, there will be a mule and donkey competition and new sideshows, including mini jeeps and an obstacle course, and new music acts.It is also the first time in decades that the show hasn’t been held on Auckland Anniversary Weekend, which is on February 1 next year.“I think it will be a good thing,” Marjorie says. “Usually we are competing with so many other events during that weekend, like the Mahurangi Regatta.”The A&P Society is starting to plan for the 150th show in 2017, with a retrospective exhibition in the works.“We are hunting for lost relics and memorabilia from past shows.”Relics from the show have turned up in

The Warkworth A&P Society is looking for memorabilia and photos from past shows to display in an exhibition at the 150th Warkworth A&P Lifestyle Show in 2017.

A&P Lifestyle Show looking forward to looking back

some usual places – a bulldozer driver at a rubbish dump in Napier once found a Warkworth A&P Show trophy.“He grew up at the Sandspit campground and knew all about the show and he drove up and dropped the trophy off to us,” Marjorie says.The A&P Society is also working with Warkworth & Districts Museum to put together exhibits and A&P patron Ian Ferguson is planning a book for the anniversary.Schedules available at Mahurangi Matters and warkworthaandpshow.com

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The work of more than 50 artists was unveiled when the Kaipara Coast Sculpture Garden celebrated the opening of its 2016 exhibition Under Kaipara Skies on December 5.A number of local artists, including John Mulholland, Blair Fraser, Karen Hart, Katherine Batchelor and Boud van den Bemd, are featured in the exhibition, which is spaced over a one-kilometre trail, through gardens and native bush.The exhibition is in its eighth year and has again been curated by Sally Lush.Director Geraldine Bayly says one of the changes visitors will see this year is the fact that the gardens are becoming all-weather.“We’re very excited to open a new undercover dining area, featuring

artworks that have been specially commissioned,” Geraldine says.“We also have five new bus stop-like shelters, each individually decorated, which visitors can shelter in should the weather turn bad.”Geraldine says a feature of this year’s exhibition is the amount of recycled material used in the sculptures.“One artist, Michael Kennedy, made his piece entirely out of bits and pieces found on site. If he can’t personally carry something by hand, then he won’t use it.”One of the largest pieces in the exhibition is Taraxacum Garden, by Jane and Mario Downes. “It’s an intriguing piece that features dandelions in various stages of their life cycle.”

Annual exhibition unveiledAnchorage, by Audrey Boyle.

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Waipu residents are preparing to paint the town tartan for the 145th Scottish Highland Games on New Year’s Day.The games have become renowned as the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting competitors from across Australasia and Scotland, and thousands of spectators.The event starts with the Street March of Band and Clans at 9am with the popular Highland Heavyweight events starting in the main arena from 9.30am.Event promotions officer Pat Hadlee says the games are one of the world’s most interesting and daunting sports competitions. “Scottish Highland heavyweight events are the original extreme sports,” she says.The morning events include the Highland Stone Throw, Highland Hammer 16lb, Weight for distance 42lb and the Caber Toss.“These events hark back to the times when kings and clan chiefs assessed the agility, cunning and physical strength of their followers. They require excellent timing, balance and technique, and look so much more impressive wearing a kilt!”The Ballistic Blondes skydive team will perform an aerial display at noon.The Highland Heavyweights competition will continue from 1pm. The events culminate with the Farmers Walk where competitors carry a 160lb weight in each hand for as far as they can.The Mini Highland Games will be back again, giving children a chance to toss a mini caber and take part in other downsized highland events.Other highland highlights include a fiddling competition at 10am and the Tartan in the Park fashion parade at 2pm in the Great Barn.The national Piping and Highland Dancing championships will also be held on the day.

Musicians at last year’s competition piped until they were red in the face.

The caber is traditionally six-metres long and weighs over 70kg.

Start the year with kilts and cabers

Bag piping hotMusicians from around the country are expected to push the melodic boundaries of bagpiping at the Helen McGregor Memorial Night Piping Competition in Waipu on New Year’s Eve.The event is held in honour of the late Helen McGregor, who passed away in 2003.Highland Games promotions officer Pat Hadlee says Helen wanted a special event where pipers the world over could be free of the constraints of normal piping. “The pipers get eight minutes to play anything they like – whether it be a tune by The Beatles or their own composition,” Pat says. “It gives them a chance to show their skills playing something other than traditional music and be creative and innovative. “It is a wonderful opportunity for piping fans to hear what can be done with the Highland bagpipes and to listen to a top level of musical prowess.”The national Piping and Highland Dancing championships will be held at the Highland Games the following day and the influx of pipers is expected to make the competition one of the best yet. Helen’s husband, Bain McGregor, will oversee the evening, while Stewart Easton and Craig Mainsmith will be the judges. There is $600 in cash prizes up for grabs, which will be presented by Helen and Bain’s oldest daughter, Briar McGregor.The competition will be held at the new Celtic Barn at 7pm. Tickets $10.

The festivities will end with the Ceilidh Dance in the newly built Celtic Barn.“Every year, after the games have wrapped up and everyone is stuffed, they have the Scottish barn dance with The Twisty Willow band playing traditional Scottish music through the night,” Pat says.

*For a limited time Honda is o�ering a 5+2 = 7 years domestic and 1+ 2 = 3 years, or 1000 hours commercial warranty. The additional 2 years are based on the following conditions: The Outboard must be sold and set up by an authorised Honda Marine dealer, The Outboard must be serviced for the entire warranty period by an authorised Honda Marine dealer, in line with the recommended service schedule, The Outboard must be serviced for the entire warranty period using genuine Honda parts and lubricants. O�er ends 31st December 2016.

SEVEN REASONS TO TRUST YOUR HONDA

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Ox Extension Ladders

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HORSE RIDING WARKWORTH

42 Kaipara Flats Road Phone 09 425 8517 Email: [email protected] Google: horse riding warkworth

42 Kaipara Flats RoadEmail: [email protected]

• Quiet horses and ponies• Farm & Forest treks• Birthday rides• Lessons available• Social or family groups• English study tour groups• Holiday and weekend horse riding camps• People with disabilities welcome• On the doorstep of Sheepworld, Matakana and Goat Island

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

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Gift vouchers available


The vibrant and colourful paintings of Waipu artist Susan Edge will be exhibited at The Blackshed, in Waipu, from December 16 to January 30.Susan is perhaps better known for her appliqued cushions and wall-hangings, which have sold nationally and internationally. She has exhibited at the Academy of Fine Arts, Textile and Fibre Awards, National Gallery, North Shore City Art Awards and the Marina Gallery. In 1999, she was Artist in Residence at the John F Kennedy International School in Saanen, Switzerland, where she worked with children of all ages to create their own wall-hangings.But about a decade ago she picked up a paint brush and canvas, and painted a simple farm scene. She entered her third and fourth paintings in the Telecom Art Awards and won first

prize for Waipu Cove – Lagoon End.“Suddenly I saw I had a new, viable way of earning a living,”she says. “I backed a trailer up to the shed, filled it up with my fabrics, took them all to the dump and set up the shed as a painting studio.”In April 2011 and 2012, she was awarded first prize and a merit award at the Royal Easter Show in the mixed media category, and she now supplies galleries throughout New Zealand, participates in group exhibitions and has held several successful solo exhibitions.Her exhibition at The Blackshed is entitled Kites Over the Cove.The Blackshed art gallery and cafe is a converted engineering shed, owned by two Waipu families – Patsy Montgomery and her daughter Lucy Bowey; and Susan Williams and her son Luke and his partner Kelly Gibney.

Colourful show at BlackshedSusan Edge draws her inspiration from simple, but recognisable scenes in the Waipu area.

18 Queen Street • Phone 425 8408

W A R K W O R T H

Don’t leave townuntil you’ve visited the

Best Little Menswear Shop around

Merry Christmas

from Ken & Kathy

NOW OPEN FOR DINNERFriday & Saturday Nights.

BOOK NOW! Breakfast & Lunch - Monday to Sunday 10 Elizabeth Street, Warkworth

quincecafe.co.nz • 422 2555

GREAT SUMMER AR

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Cafe open DailyII IISnells Beach Community CentreHamatana Road, Snells BeachI II IIPreview Evening

Wed 30th Dec, 7pm – Admission $10

Exhibition Opening hours:Thurs 31st Dec to Sun 3rd Jan, 9.30am - 4.30pm


The 22nd Great Summer Art Exhibition will be held at the Mahurangi East Community Centre, Snells Beach, from December 30 to January 3.More than 150 artists are expected to take part, vying for in excess of $3000 in prize money.As in previous years, the artworks will be judged in three categories – professional, intermediate and novice – with a percentage of the proceeds going to the Mahurangi East Tennis Club.Supporting the exhibition again this year will be Sandspit potter Maggie Matheson.Maggie took up pottery about five years ago after injury forced her to give up tennis.“A friend and I joined Kowhai Arts

& Craft at the same time … I’d never done anything arty before,” she says. “We picked up a slab of clay and a rolling pin, and it started from there.”Maggie says she began by making garden art including simply fashioned fish and lilies. Since then, her work has expanded to include more intricately sculptured pieces of varying sizes.“Although it’s just a hobby, it’s nice when other people find pleasure and enjoyment in what I’ve produced.“I still belong to Kowhai Arts and appreciate the advice that the more experienced members are able to provide.” The garden remains a strong influence in Maggie’s work which is noted for its bright, colourful glazes.

Potter Maggie Matheson at work in her kitchen in Sandspit.

Summer art show shapes up

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a�a�l�b�e a� t�e C�d�r S�e� - c�l�a� d�o� c�m�n� s�o� • A�l c�d�r� m�t�h�d t� o�r n�w m�n� • F�e� t�s�i�g� o� o�r f�l�

r�n�e o� c�d�r� a�a�l�b�e


The Matakana Market

Est 1981

Open Every Saturday9am-2pm

At the Old Dairy Factory

Looking for unique and locally madeChristmas presents this year?

Come along to the Matakana Market forart, crafts, clothing, collectables, sweet

treats and much more!!With every purchase from one of our stall

holders you will go into a draw to win aChristmas hamper drawn at our Boxing

Day market!

Bookings welcomePh: 094227577 or

[email protected]

The Tawharanui coastline will challenge runners, waders and rock-hoppers on April 2, when the Coastal Challenge returns for the second year.The event is run by Total Sport, with Warkworth Wellsford Hospice as the charity partner. Hospice is encouraging runners and walkers to enter teams of four and accept the challenge to fundraise $250 each for the charity. Teams can start their own fundraising page on givealittle.co.nz and share the page via social media, and post updates, photos and videos of their progress.

The Tawharanui Coastal Challenge features a range of distances for all fitness levels – 7km, 10km, 14km, 23km and the ‘full monty’ 30km, which can also be run as a relay. The ‘full monty’ starts from Snells Beach and all distances finish at Omaha’s Fraser Reserve, where entrants can celebrate their achievements with music, entertainment, food and drinks.See coastalchallengeseries.co.nz for details and talk to hospice fundraising coordinator Lesley Ingham on 425 9535 about being a fundraiser.

Katie Mitchell, right, completed the 14km ‘mini monty’ this year with friend Ann Milne, and has accepted the challenge to enter a team next year and raise funds for hospice.

Challenge warm-up begins


Celebrate Christmas this year at

Family Service - 20 December 10am Mahurangi College

Christmas Eve - A Christmas Story 6pm & 10pm Warkworth

Christmas Eve Carols - 6pm & 8pm St Andrew’s Matakana Country Park

Christmas Day - 9.30am Warkworth

5 Pulham Road, Warkworth

Phone 425 8861

www.mahu.org.nz

Bookings have opened for the annual Mangawhai Walking Weekend, which will be held from April 1 to 3.Now in its 17th year, a number of new walks have been added to the 2016 programme.“The Mangawhai Walking Weekend is not just for those comfortable with boots and a day pack,” an organiser Dorothy Freeman says. “There are events for those who want to ramble and stroll whilst exploring the local culture and history, or maybe enjoy some music and entertainment along the way. One event not to be missed is the Food and Wine Festival – an afternoon of socialising and dancing to cool music in a local olive grove.”Running alongside the walking weekend will be the Art Trail and Troubadours Trail events.There are 25 walks in total, with some of the new walks including:Tanekaha Falls/Puriri TrackGet up close and personal with two large puriri trees, one of which is bigger than the largest formally recorded in Burstall and Sale’s Great Trees of New Zealand. Beautiful forest, outstanding views, big trees and photo opportunities.Blokes Sheds (Grade 2)Visit some outstanding Mangawhai sheds where locals indulge their passions, from classic car restoration to wood turning and home brewing. Sheilas are welcome but no talk of cooking, babies or dressmaking allowed. Mangawhai Garden Spectacular (Grade 2)Visit stunning local gardens and meet their enthusiastic owners.Event Cache (Grade 3)A geocaching event held in the 37-hectare Mangawhai Community Park. Lots of tracks, or bush bash, with plenty of up and down. Ideal for the young and energetic or the old and cunning.

Volunteers have spent the winter preparing new tracks for the Walking Weekend.

Mangawhai walkers spoilt for choice

Mangawhai Highlights and Hidden Pathways (Grade 2)Stroll through some of Mangawhai’s hidden pathways and hear about its history. A must walk for anyone thinking of relocating to Mangawhai. Morning tea at the new museum is included.Bike Mangawhai Grindfest Fun-filled bike riding for all ages and abilities. Experience the Mangawhai Activity Zone bike trails and skills area, under the supervision of capable riders led by Mangawhai’s own Commonwealth Games representative Sadie Parker. Don’t forget your helmet! The full Walking Weekend programme can be viewed at mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz.

The Mangawhai Artists group is launching an exhibition to celebrate the opening of its new gallery space on Moir Street in Mangawhai Village.The association has over 100 members, but hasn’t had headquarters or exhibition space until now. They have moved into the old Mangawhai Museum, after the Mangawhai Historical Society donated the building to the community when the new Mangawhai Museum opened at the end of last year. Mangawhai Artists president Jan Grover says it’s a big step forward for the group.“It’s great to finally have our own space,” Jan says. “Mangawhai is well known for its artists, but if you came to town there was no gallery where we could all show our work.”The exhibition, entitled From Small Beginnings, will run from December 18 to January 10 and feature over 100 works from 50 Mangawhai artists. All works are 25cm x 25cm with a price cap of $150.“We want to make it affordable for everyone.”The gallery is already booked out until March, with a mixture of solo and group exhibitions. Each exhibition will run for two weeks.The group has spent the past three months working on the building to get it up to scratch.“It’s been a great team effort. It was fairly run down.”The arts group is leasing the building, which is now managed by the Mangawhai Halls Committee.

Artists open gallery

Mangawhai Artists have been working for about two months to prepare the building.

www.lionsclubs.org.nz

Calling all past members.

Join us as we celebrate 50 years serving this community.

June 25th 2016

For more info phone: David Little 425 8143Peter Henderson 425 0005

Warkworth Lions Club

http://mangawhaiwalking.co.nz/bike-mangawhai-grindfest-new/

231 Rodney Street Wellsford Phone 425 9030Mon - Fri 10am-2pm

& Dome Valley, 5 minutes past Warkworth on SH1Tues - Sun 10am-5pm

Vintage Leather Sofas, Chairs & Decor Items. Bedroom, bathroom,

kitchen & lounge


AUT SUNITED

Warkworth Storage & United Autos announce the opening of their

brand new purpose built premises at37 Morrison Drive

6 months dealer warranty New WOF

Fully ServicedProfessionally groomed

Top quality used cars Great Christmas specials

Drive through self-storageSecured premises

24/7 accessFlexible rental time

Phone: 09 425 7474 or call Martin: 021 425 488

CoresteelBUILDINGS

BETTER STEEL BUILDINGS | 09 425 7088 | 09 392 102935 WOODCOCKS ROAD, WARKWORTH | CORESTEEL.CO.NZ

Proud to be the main contractors in the design and build of United Autos & Warkworth Storage Facility at 37 Morrison Drive.

We wish Martin & Nicole continued success.

Some of the biggest names in New Zealand music are heading to the Mangawhai Tavern this summer.Kiwi rock band The Feelers is playing at on December 30 as part of a nationwide tour for the re-release of their hit debut album Supersystem.Supersystem, released in August 1998, made it to number one in the NZ charts and remained in the Top 10 for 28 weeks on the back of hit songs like Venus and Pressure Man. It went on to win album of the year at the 1999 NZ Music Awards and sold over 83,000 copies, going five-times platinum.The album was produced by Leigh resident and Sawmill Cafe sound engineer Malcolm Welsford.Fat Freddy’s Drop is playing at the tavern on December 27, as part of a tour that includes a gig at Ascension Wine Estate on January 30.

Kiwi legends The Warratahs will then take the stage on January 2, with support from multi-award winning country singer Tami Neilson and moody country-blues artist Delaney Davidson.The Warratahs have been entertaining crowds with their mix of country and rock ’n’ roll for 25 years with hits like Hands Of My Heart and Maureen.Tami Neilson has won the Tui Award for each of her past four albums and her latest album, Don’t Be Afraid, debuted at number one on the NZ charts. Davidson has had a year of extensive international touring and has been reaching new audiences with his collaborations with fellow Lyttelton country artist Marlon Williams.Reggae and dub icons Katchafire, Kora and Son’s of Zion are playing on January 9 as part of a nationwide summer tour.

Kiwi classics in Mangawhai

Katchafire

ticketgiveawayMahurangi Matters has a double pass to giveaway. Write your name and number on the back of an envelope, post to Katchafire Competition, Mahurangi Matters PO Box 701 Warkworth or email [email protected] with the subject line: Katchafire. Competition closes December 18 2015.

WarkworthWalks W A L K S W O R T H D O I N G

THANK YOU to everyone involved in our 2015 walks

www.warkworthwalks.co.nz

The 2015 walks weekend was a huge success and we are very grateful to all our guides, hosts, suppliers and walkers. We look forward to bringing you another great selection of walks worth doing in 2016.

Mangawhai Small Engines194 Molesworth Drive • Mangawhai

Ph Kevin on 09 4315270 or 021655481

Models from 41” to 72” cutSide or rear dischargePetrol or diesel power

zeroturnmowers.co.nzFINANCEAVAILABLE

Warkworth – Snells Beach – Matakana – Omaha – Leigh

Pool / Spa ValetsOnsite Chemical TestingWater Chemical Supplier

Pool Equipment ReplacementRepairs & Maintenance

Pool Refurbishmentsimplesilver agent

(09) 422 9524021 952 338

Michelle Woolley


The organisers of the annual Warkworth Walks, which were held from November 5 to 8, are celebrating another successful event.Now in its seventh year, the original programme of 360 walk places sold out in the first 48 hours.“After a mad rush to suppliers and hosts, we managed to scale up the number of places to 440 – which were also completely filled 48 hours later,” an organiser Luke Williamson says.“Our systems were stretched to the limit and we really appreciated everyone’s patience and forgiveness as we struggled to keep up with the initial surge of bookings. Our intention is to revamp our booking system next year so that it is more efficient for everyone involved.”Luke says the event was also fortunate in its choice of weekend, getting the best four-day run of weather that last month had to offer. “Our walkers were impressed by our luck and made the most of the spring sun and beautiful views on offer.”

Luke says the walks weekend directly added around $20,000 to the local economy and there was plenty of evidence of walkers purchasing additional accommodation, food, drinks and equipment throughout the four days. “We feel that we admirably fulfilled the twin aims of Warkworth Walks which are to bring business to the local area and to show off our beautiful surroundings.“We couldn’t do any of that without the very generous assistance of our hosts, guides, suppliers and the walkers themselves.”A special thanks was extended to the volunteers who make up the dedicated committee.“We would also like to acknowledge the amazing contribution of Alan Spicer who has retired from our committee this year. Alan has been an extraordinary webmaster, treasurer and admin guru, and we are so grateful for his contribution over the last seven years.”

Walks windfall for WarkworthWarkworth walkers were lucky to strike a four-day fine spell for the event last month.

5 Queen Street , WarkworthPhone/Fax: (09) 425 8342

Email: [email protected]

Jewellery & Watch RepairsGold & Silver Jewellery

Documents

Mahurangi Matters, Summer Feeature, 16 December, 2015