kumeuCourier FREE monthly community magazine for Kumeu & districts NEW HOUSING AND NEW SHOPS Local property statistics Mini savoury quiche Trade tips & advice Upcoming events Muriwai opens up to lifestyle options Circulation is 8000 print copies and 3371 opened and read email copies. Editorial contributions are free from cost. Advertising starts at $75 plus gst for a business card size. Contact Sarah Cartwright on 0212507324 or [email protected] kumeuCOURIER/April 2014 Intro kumeuCourier Welcome to Autumn folks! I suggest everyone start getting ready for those cooler months by enjoying the last of what summer has to offer. George FM Feature Stories presents Sundowners every Sunday in April from 4-7pm at the Tasting Shed so grab a group of friends and family and head down to taste the delcious 3 Muriwai developments offerings and chilled out sounds while 4 Community notices you still have those last precious rays of sunshine! The Riverhead is still run- 5 Alpaca open day April 13 ning Blues in the Boathouse which 6 NZ Police and NZFS proves to be a popular weekend out- ing for both young and old alike,con- 7 Property statistics tact them to see the next upcoming 8 In brief - updates act. Why not join in the bi-annual Kumeu Scarecrow Festival coming up 10 Blues Brothers on Monday 5th to Sat 31st May, an exhibition will be at the Kumeu Art 20 Area columnists gallery. They are welcoming ‘pop-up’ 23 The Best of the Med scarecrows around the communi- ty and look forward to seeing your 24 Woodhill Sands efforts so get the kids involved and 26 Berba Harvest Celebration send in your pictures to thetinshed.@ cleaar.net.nz. With cyclone Lusi giving 27 Mini Quiche us all a timely reminder that Moth- 28 Trade tips & advice er Nature has always got the upper hand it may be timely to prepare 29 Ecomove boxes yourselves for unexpected events 30 Fencing tips and the not so unexpected chang- es in weather; stock up those wood piles and check your sensor lights to keep yourselves safe and warm As always, keep you and Questions and feedback: yours safe, Sarah Cartwright Sarah, P 021 250 7324 Editor. E [email protected] W kumeucourier.co.nz Print run is 8000 copies through North Point Print Email database is managed by Sublime NZ Cover photo is supplied by Focus NZ photo library kumeuCourier over the last 6 months upgraded Nobi- new housing & new lo, Station, Koraha, Riverhead & Dysart Muriwai opens up to Roads without letting anyone know shops what is happening, means there is a lifestyle options plan, it’s just that they don’t want the The biggest change in commercial de- community to know about it. The wid- As the bulldozers roll in and the earth is velopment since the 1970’s in Kumeu, ening of the Main Road from Taupaki to scared, there are few areas that are not has occurred with the opening of a Kumeu is proposed. Likewise the wid- under the development microscope. A new Supermarket on the 1st April. That ening of the Main Road in Kumeu-Hua- recent review of the plans and concepts change will bring the pressures on the pai is proposed to cope with the extra put forward under the SHA “special existing retail area, in that they are now traffic. We all know traffic in Kumeu is housing areas” and under the unitary forced to compete with a big supplier. at a high level where it is diffiuclt to ac- plan submissions indicates a willing- The older style shops despite good ser- cess local shops. I am continually told ness by the communities to embrace vice in the past, will be having to com- that commuters and locals are already change however a caution to protect plete on price and volume of goods. The finding their own alternative access village identity. The numbers are quite second set of lights for the Supermarket to avoid the Main Road in Kumeu. The simply overwhelming with a great de- hopefully will not add to the traffic con- Association has taken a strong stand in sire by land owners to change mixed ru- gestion, time will tell! In Huapai, local the Unitary Plan on, alternative access, ral in village areas to reflect the village owners, Ben Vallings & Adrian Spraggs schools, reserves and all the other in- status. Likewise an extension in coun- are proposing new shops on the south frastructure issues that should be out tryside living boundaries will allow the side of the Main Road between the Hua- for public inspection and debate. No growth in larger-lot lifestyle areas like pai Tavern and Ambiance. These shops planning has been completed by the Constable, Oaia and Muriwai Roads to will have all their parking in the front Auckland Council, its predecessor Rod- accommodate one hectare “good-life” making it easy to see carparking spaces ney District Council or the previous and living. Whether you seek some land for available. These shops will have a mod- current Rodney Local Board. The Com- your Hamster or a section with a view ern design and will add to the existing munity is entitled to ‘planning certainty’ of the inner harbour, the one thing that shops in Huapai. The District will need before development takes place. We is guaranteed, in the next few years you them with the projected growth in Hua- don’t have that at present. What we do will have significant choice, land prices pai North and around the triangle land have, is speculative raw land purchases should reduce, and mortgage rates and on Station Road. Solving the alternative with no timing of development density building prices will be more. We sug- access road to service the growth areas or planned infrastructures. gest a patient and prudent approach to is still an unknown. Auckland Transport Pete Sinton, Chairman, Kumeu-Huapai securing your future. are being difficult and haven’t disclosed Residents & Ratepayers Association. yet their roading options for the District. Phone 09 412-2016 Given that Auckland Transport have E.mail [email protected] 4 community Waimauku. Tanya is the expert to con- sult for family holidays, cruises, coach tours, Eurolease, motorhome and car notice board hire, rail passes, extended world jour- neys and hosted fully inclusive holidays. Whether you are circling the globe or just hopping down to Hamilton, Tanya is ECODAY APRIL 13, 2014 acrylics), Access to Art (abstract art and the person you need to talk to. So come printing), Individuals with special needs along to St Chad’s Church Hall, Huapai art classes, Children’s term art classes, Ecoday Sunday 13 April 11am to 4pm. at 10am on the 2nd; bring a friend as all Salsa Dance Classes, Wisdom Evenings Come and celebrate eco activity at are welcome and you don’t have to be (Personal Empowerment), Pottery and the Ecomatters Environment Centre & a SeniorNet member. $3 towards hire Mindfulness classes. Many school Holi- Olympic Park. Includes Wash Against of the hall, morning tea and great raffle. day classes will also be on offer at the Waste Food Court, Repair and Share, Support your local SeniorNet next term break. We also have many un- Sustainable Business Marketplace, tutored groups including: Kumeu Knitty Green Community Hub – all this and Group (knitting and crochet), Kumeu body/soul wellness space, plus live mu- Photography Group and our Life Draw- sic and performance. Check out ecow- Children’s art club ing Group. Please phone on 09 412- est.org.nz South Island yellow-eyed 9480 for more info or visit our website penguins, already some of the most The Kumeu Children’s Art Club provides www.kumeuartscentre.co.nz. Or email endangered in the world, are having a children who love art, from 6 years and us at [email protected] Watch disastrous breed- onward, with three hour after school this space also for our bi-annual Kumeu ing season spare art tutoring and experience. Term 2 Scarecrow Festival coming up, Monday them a thought topic will concentrate on drawing and 5th to Sat 31st May, an exhibition will be and check out painting animals with an Australian Ab- in place in our gallery. We welcome ‘pop- www.yellow-eyed- original theme. We will produce a large up’ scarecrows around the community penguin.org.nz group mural on canvas and we’ll look and look forward to seeing your efforts. at different types of Aboriginal Art. Our theme this term is Abstract Sculpture made from found materials. Children house sitter available are half way through the Term mak- ing amazing constructions from wood, Lifestyle block sitter/House sitter. Re- wire, card, corflute, fabric, aluminium spectful, capable, mature female relo- and you name it We have been running cating to Auckland for post grad study. 5 as an Inc. Soc. for 15 years years experience. Semi-rural a specialty. We have two separate venues. The Quality care. Police Checked with glow- Wednesday session, 3.30pm to 6.30pm ing references. Long term welcomed. is held at the Waimauku Hall where we Available mid-May. Ph 021 145 3027 have our own den round the back of the hall and beneath the stage. The Thurs- day session (same hours) is held at the It’s secret scarecrow time nor-west senior net Kumeu Art Centre. Children socialise with other art lovers from a variety of Kumeu Arts Centre has a wide range of schools. We have two qualified tutors On Wednesday, 2 April Nor-West Se- art classes for the wider community, for each session.