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'IN FOCUS'
PAIHIA'S COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
March 2014
Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.
HENRY FORD
TRUST NEWS
 Another busy month in Paihia as the sun continues to shine into the first days of autumn.
The ‘Royal Federation of NZ Justices of the Peace’ Conference was held in Paihia on 28 Feb – 3 March. Over 300 guests were in town which included JP's, their families and a number of dignitaries such as Dame Sian Elias (Chief Justice), Hon Chester Borrows and Ann Tolley. Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan said that whilst talking to the group it became clear that they were all impressed by Paihia and the Bay of Islands. "Many commented on not only how beautiful Paihia is but also the fact of how clean and tidy our town was." This sentiment continues to be echoed by both national and international visitors. PHOTO: Delegates welcome at Waitangi Marae.
There are many people who voluntarily contribute to our community, here are but a few jobs they do...
Community Patrol volunteers; go out on patrols in the Community Patrol vehicle, man the pedestrian crossing on cruise ship days and keep an eye out for graffiti. Also manning the desk and admin work at the police station.There are on going jobs with Focus Projects such as watering grass and park maintenance. Several groups do beach cleans, volunteers staff the Opportunity Shop and Community Net give info out on cruise ship days and organise to feed volunteers on any place making projects. Friends of the Williams House staff the book garage and manage the garden, with the help of Paihia School. Meals on Wheels are mainly delivered by Rotary and are gratefully received. Bay Bush Action scours the surrounding areas running traplines, making a real difference to protecting the amazing biodiversity of the forest, shoreline and Islands out from Paihia.
And also to ALL those who help in the clean up efforts. From the paid workers, to the voluntary workers, to the locals that can't walk past trash on the ground. It is showing that we are all working together. It is our community and our efforts that make Paihia an exceptional place to live, work and visit. Thank you.
IMPORTANT! Focus Paihia Public Town Meeting: Wednesday 9 April 2014 at 7pm. Scenic Hotel, Paihia. Refreshments provided.
Focus Paihia Community Trust was formally established in 2010. Four years on, it is time to evaluate where we are at. If you were to attend only one meeting, this is it. Please put it in your diary now. Please tell your friends. Under discussion will be Focus Paihia - Trust structure, the Master Plan, the projects and the future. If you want to have a say in the direction of your community, or you just want to know what is going on… don't miss this opportunity.
- The Master Plan - Are we heading in the right direction? Are we happy with the Master Plan? Is it time for a review? Is is time to make changes?
- Future Projects - What's next?
- Focus Paihia Community Trust Format - looking at Trust structure.
Projects also to be presented
- Williams Road Lighting - Upgrade. What do you think?
- Paihia Village Green Front Edge Design - A design is to be put forward to remove the rocks and enhance the roadside edge of the Green.
- Waitangi Endowment Forest Mountain Bike Park (NB. official park name yet to be decided) - A project is underway to establish a non-commercial community mountain bike park in the Waitangi Endowment Forest. The aim is to provide a world class mountain bike facility, which embraces and celebrates the cultural heritage of the area and provides a land based healthy activity for people of all ages.
PROJECTS & ACTIVITIES
PICS PEANUT BUTTER CARVAN TOUR Paihia Peanut Butter fans were treated to free peanut butter toast on the Paihia Village Green on 25 Feb. Nelson peanut butter maker Pic Picot was touring with his iconic giant toaster. The trip was a homecoming of sorts given that the idea of making his own peanut butter was first planted during a sailing trip in the Bay of Islands more than 20 years ago and has led to Pic’s Peanut Butter becoming New Zealand’s most popular peanut butter. Donations from the tour went to the Blind Foundation.
FOCUS PAIHIA SUBSCRIBER MAIL DRIVE Some of you may have seen our new Focus Paihia Co-ordinator Tiffany Holland at various locations around the town, approaching any local that passes, to sign up for the Focus Paihia Mailing List. It is part of a larger plan to increase Focus Paihia Community Trust communications. Welcome to all new subscribers. We want you to be informed. So that you may be part of the decisions that are made for the direction of this town. This newsletter is the best source of information regarding Focus Paihia and its projects. If this newsletter has been forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe to it yourself, please click HERE to sign up using the link on the Focus Paihia website Homepage.
THE PIANO PHANTOMS have been hard at work. Kevin Langdon has given the piano a fine tune and musical delights continue to float across Horotutu. A special thank you goes to Bill Kidman from Kitchens and Cabinets in Haruru Falls for giving his time for some well needed maintenance and improvements. It is fantastic to get it all done by an expert. Thank you also to June Jacobson for overseeing the above and for continually ensuring that the music keeps flowing.
 SUBMISSION TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION RE: DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR REORGANISATION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NORTHLAND.The Local Government Commission is seeking public feedback on a draft proposal to replace the four Councils in Northland with one unitary authority and seven community boards. Focus Paihia Community Trust sponsored a public meeting on January 21 to discuss the Local Government Commission’s proposals. A submission, which contents were predominantly taken from the outcome of that meeting, was sent on February 19 with submissions closing on 21 February. Thank you to Focus Paihia Trust Board member Andrew Thomson for his diligent work in compiling this submission.
- To view the submission that was put forward on behalf of Focus Paihia Community Trust, click here.
- To view the 'Draft Proposal for reorganisation in Northland' at the Local Government Commission website, or click here to go directly to the proposal.
NOW WHAT? So, what is happening on the Local Government Reorganisation front following the closing of submissions on February 21? There were 1850 submissions, 1100 from the Whangarei District. Up here Kaitaia contributed 102, Kerikeri 90, Russell 77, Kaikohe 64, Paihia 44. Of the 1850, 165 were in favour of the proposals in whole or in part, or neutral, while the remaining 1685 were opposed. Thus there has been a very high proportion of submissions against the unitary authority in whole or part.
About 320 organisations or people asked to speak to their submissions. The hearings before the Commissioners are now under way in various places, the Paihia Hearing will be held at the Paihia Memorial Hall on April 9. Each submitter is given ten minutes for their case to be discussed, including questions from the Commission. Other members of the public are allowed to attend as observers subject to available space.
Once the submissions have been heard, the Commission has four options:
- to issue the draft proposal as a final proposal
- to modify the draft proposal and issue that as a final proposal
- to issue a new draft proposal based on a different preferred option
- or not to issue a final proposal at all
Assuming there is a final proposal, there will then be an opportunity for Northland voters to seek a poll, probably in about six months time.
 The FOCUS PAIHIA OP SHOP is going well. The staff here too say they get lots of great reports in the shop as to how wonderful the town looks. The Op shop is still in great need of towels. Towels, towels and more towels! They go as quick as they come in, so if any of the Motels have old stock they need to get rid of, please can the Op Shop have them. Also once again costume jewellery is proving popular and the real stuff if you like as well, will be accepted. Almanac's on sale here . Kath and her team wish to thank the Paihia Public for their ongoing support, both in donation and in buying.
THE PAIHIA ALMANAC. ON SALE NOW!
The Paihia Almanac is a snapshot of our town in the year 2013. Including amongst much more, are write ups on special events throughout the year and reports from many of the various clubs and groups that make up our dynamic community. Excellent information. A must have for any home, business or waiting room.
Now available from the following stockists:
The Focus Paihia Op Shop
The Bookstore
Boots Off
The Friends of the Williams House Garage bookstore
The I-Site
Paihia Ex-Servicemen's Club
The Paihia Almanac is a work in progress and will be published annually. You are invited to suggest additions, or changes to the content. The Almanac is to be up to date source of information for the Paihia community.
Handbook of Community Services and Organisations online
The Focus Paihia website offers easy-access information about our community services and organisations. Go to www.focuspaihia.org.nz and click on the tab "Handbook". From there you can either look up information, download the handbook to your computer or submit info for your service or organisation using the tab "list your organisation".
The Art and Craft Market This season's lineup offers a wide variety of hand crafted products and art. The next cruise ship market dates: March 11,13,14,21,23, 27, 29. To find out about joining the market please contact: info@focuspaihia.or.nz.
Master Plan For questions regarding the masterplan email masterplan@focuspaihia.org.nz. The 'Master Plan' is the long term goal toward making Paihia an exceptional place to work, live and visit.
BAY BUSH ACTION Endangered NZ dotterel living right here in Paihia...
Using its natural capital is something Paihia has always done well. People come for miles to see our wonderful wildlife and stunning scenery. Keeping it beautiful and plentiful is extremely important economically for our town. Bay Bush Action is a charitable trust that does pest control in the Opua State Forest behind Paihia and other conservation work in and around the bay. Their goal is to look after and enhance the amazing native wildlife wherever they can. For two years now their volunteers have kayaked to the two islands in front of Paihia doing pest control and fencing off the nesting sights of endangered birds. On those two small islands they have trapped over 90 rats and 1 huge possum from the islands and successfully helped many birds "nest in peace". They believe Paihia has something really special.
Photo 1. Paihia’s local pair of dotterels that live, breed and feed on our beaches. Photo 2. Dotterel and chick. Photo 3: The chicks are very small and look like fluffy bumblebees with long legs. They are well camouflaged and they can run from the day they hatch. Their parents bring them sand hoppers and little crabs to eat. The chicks can’t fly until they are at least six old.
Between January and April every year Paihia is one of the largest flocking sites in New Zealand for endangered NZ dotterel, a rare and native species. Up to fifty make Paihia their home - there are only 1700 left. It makes them nearly as endangered as the giant panda and far more at risk than kiwi. Bird-watching is considered a fast-growing segment of nature-based tourism. For example, Tiritiri Matangi, a pest free island native bird sanctuary in Auckland gets 30,000 visitors a year. Paihia is one of the few towns in New Zealand with forest on its back door step, ocean on its front, and pest free islands just a stone's throw away. Bay Bush Action would love Paihia to become the winter kiwi listening capital of the world and a bird watching Mecca.
How you can help:
- Doing pest control on your own property; every little bit helps.
- Keeping your cat and dog inside at night.
- Not letting your dog chase birds on the beach.
- Staying away from fenced off nesting sites
PAIHIA WAITANGI KINDERGARTEN Keep an eye out for some of our littlest citizens performing Kakpahaka on Horututu Park. 21 March and 14 April. The kids are learning about being involved in the community and developing their performance skills and confidence. This is a wonderful sight. A fun and friendly way to raise the profile of the Paihia Waitangi Kindergarten whilst providing a wonderful performance opportunity.
 
 FAREWELL TO DAVE AND BEV MULLAN who are leaving our Paihia district after being active in our community for 23 years. The Paihia Community Patrol put on a BBQ at Brita & Heinz Marti’s residence to say farewell. Dave was one of the instigators of the Paihia & Districts Residents & Ratepayers Assn.(PDRRA), he was Secretary of the now defunct Paihia Planning Group which may well have helped sow the seed for the current enthusiasm that Focus Paihia Community Trust has generated. He was also very active with the Paihia Players. Whilst he has worked tirelessly for the community Bev is as always constantly by his side sharing and supporting. Thank you both for all of your efforts for Paihia over the years. PHOTO: Dave & Bev on Patrol Duty at the Paihia Christmas Parade Dec. 2013
THUNDER IN THE BAY: The 2014 JB Marine Offshore Power Boat event hosted by the Bay of Islands Yacht Club on Saturday 1 March provided excellent entertainment to all the spectators on the Te Ti Beach, on the water and at the BOI Yacht Club itself, which provided a great venue to watch the races with the club facilities open to the general public. The Club also put on an amazing night for the participants of the race from the Power Boat Association, with dinner and prize giving followed by a DJ to dance the night away. (text: Karin Azevedo)
 
Thunder in the Bay Photo Credit - Taunaha Smith
 SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS. Our local Volunteer Fire Brigade are preparing for the Fire Fighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge the 17th of May, raising money for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. The Paihia Brigade has a team of 8 Volunteer Fire Fighters that will be racing up the stairs of the Sky Tower. To collect as much as they can they will be doing some of their training and fundraising in Horututu Park on cruise ship days, during the week 1pm-3pm and in the weekends 11.30am-3.30pm. They will be in their full fire fighting gear on a stepping machine. Hard work in this hot weather! People can donate to the fire fighters with the red buckets. Please come and show your support.
 BAY OF ISLANDS YACHT CLUB BURGER NIGHT: Friday 21 March from 6pm.
The BOI yacht club is fundraising for their junior sailing programme. Come and enjoy one of the most beautiful views in the Bay and delicious hearty burgers for only $6. The Bar will be open with those great club prices. A fun family evening in a great venue.
Russell Birdman 2014: 19, 20 and 21 July 2013. Wild and Wacky fun! Starting off on Friday with “The Drag Race!” – for men and women it is a wee obstacle course from the Russell Wharf to the Duke of Marlborough Tavern – only requirement is you dress in drag! Saturday has fun going on all day! – beach dig, dingy races, plane flying, cook off’s, spaghetti eating, the bicycle challenge – and of course the “Birdman Jump”! Awesome prizes to be won! Sunday caps it off with cake decorating, musical chairs and the Birdman Ironman. Click HERE for full details on how to enter and what is on!
 Paihia Half Marathon: Sunday 1 June 8am -11am. Starting and finishing at the Copthorne Hotel in Waitangi the course will take you back past Paihia town centre along the stunning Haruru Falls bush track and around the back road past the Waitangi golf course with its magical views of the Bay of Islands. On the start line you will be treated to an unforgettable spine tingling Haka by the Waitangi Maori Cultural Group and every competitor will receive a keepsake pendant necklace as a memento of our inaugural event. Click HERE for more details.
The Harcourts Waitangi Pro-Am: Friday 4 April. Exciting news on the NZ PGA Golfing Scene as the Waitangi Golf Club in the Bay of Islands will host The Harcourts Waitangi Pro-Am as part of the NZ PGA Mondiale Order of Merit for the 2014 season. Waitangi last hosted a series of Pro-Ams from 1982 – 1988, when well known professional golfer Frank Nobilo, won the trophy twice. The event will commence 3rd April with a sports panel evening sponsored by Carpet Court Kerikeri. See below for details. Friday 4th April will see 32 teams teeing off with one professional and three amateurs playing in a best 3 of 4 stableford format. Please call 4027713 for team entry fees and handicaps. Sports Panel Evening and Dinner. Thursday 3 April. Hosted by Murray Deaker at Waitangi Golf Club - limited tickets. Only $59 per person and includes a buffet dinner. Panel includes Buck Shelford (NZ All Black), Melodie Robinson (NZ Black Fern) and John Lister (NZ golf professional). For further enquiries please call 4027713.
Barefoot Yoga. Monday Evenings. 7pm - 8:15. Haruru Falls. Please contact Lara for more details 021658576. All levels welcome, including beginners.
Sing Ong Tai Chi. Singong Tai Chi classes with Catrina Sutter happen Mondays from 5.15 to 6.15 pm in Paihia at the Memorial Hall next to the old fire station, Tuesdays 5 to 6 pm in Russell at Christchurch Hall next to old church. Newcomers are welcome anytime. Private tuition by appointment. For more info www.singongtaichi.co.nz, sutter@catrina.co.nz or 09 403 7247
Toastmasters. Would your business or community group benefit from improved communication and leadership skills? How about your staff? Toastmasters can help. Contact Debbie 402 5639.
The Paihia Farmers' Market is on from 2 - 5:30 pm every Thursday afternoon on the Paihia Village Green.
Bay of Island Recreation and Play Gym classes. For more information contact Ali Edwards, aliandkidz@gmail.com.
Did you know why Henry and Marianne Williams were assigned to the new Paihia Mission in 1823? Te Koki of the Uriongoongo tribe and his wife Hamu had a son who had been sent to study in Australia, but sadly had died there. Hamu was a woman of high rank who was the owner of Paihia in her own right, and to assuage her grief at the death of her son, Samuel Marsden promised to send her a missionary, and this was Henry Williams. In his turn Te Koki accepted general responsibility for the safety of the mission and as he was a powerful chief of great mana this gave the mission a relatively safe base.
YOUR TRUSTEES
Grant Harnish, Chair
(Director of Salt Air)
Geoff Williams, Secretary
(Chair, Paihia R&R)
Sarah Greener, Treasurer
(Owner-Operator of The Rock Overnight Cruise)
Andrew Thomson, Trustee
(Haven of History)
Scott Sutherland, Trustee
(Representative, Paihia Business Association)
(Jane Lindsay), Trustee
(Paihia School)
Emma Gibbs-Smith
(Iwi representative)
Tiffany Holland - Trust Coordinator
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