Mangere Bridge Community News
July 2005
:: Mangere Citizens Advice Bureau seeking volunteers (20 July 2005)
The Mangere Citizens Advice Bureau is looking for new enthusiastic volunteers to help the community. If you are interested in becoming a Bureau Volunteer, please come and visit them at the Mangere Town Centre and pick up an application form. Alternatively you can phone the Bureau for further information on 275-6885.
:: Mangere Pony Club Chevalier Winter Dressage Series (12 July 2005)
Fascinated by horses and want to know more about Pony Club? Come see a Pony Club event in action! See horses and riders competing in dressage in the Mangere Pony Club–s Chevalier Winter Dressage Series on Sunday 31 July from 8.30am, and in the final event on Sunday 28 August from 8.30am.
Hot food available on site. Contact Club President Diane Cooney on 279-8459 for more details.
:: Swanson park renamed in memory of local sporting identity (7 July 2005)
Manukau City Council is pleased to announce the Swanson Park Pavilion in Mangere Bridge will be officially renamed the Gerry Preston Pavilion on Saturday 9 July in a formal ceremony.
Councilor for Mangere Alf Filipaina says, "The Pavilion was originally built as a boxing gym in Mangere Bridge in the mid 1960′s. The instigator and driver of the facility and promoter of the sport of boxing was Gerry Preston. Mr Preston passed away in 2004 and in April this year the Mangere Community Board, after consultation with his family, resolved to rename the facility after him.
The facility is now a gym and we consulted with trainers and gym members who were in agreement the name change would be appropriate. It is considered that renaming the facility is a very fitting way in which to pay tribute to a man who dedicated so much of his life to his community."
The ceremony will take place at 10am on Saturday 9 July and residents are very welcome to attend. For more information please phone Maureen Sheldon 263 7100 ext 8827 or mobile 027 292 4120 (Media release - Manukau City Council 4 July 2005).
:: Bridge Men July Breakfast (29 June 2005)
If you haven't been to one of these breakfasts why not check it out? Meet some other guys, have a bit of fun, it is mostly lighthearted.
Next Meeting:
- When: Saturday 16 July, 8am
- Where: St James Hall, Church Road, Mangere Bridge
- Theme: “Relationships”
Please contact Kevin (820-0246), Les (636-7441) or Peter (634-0675) by Tuesday 12 July for catering purposes (cost $5). Open to (young) men from about age 12 up. Fathers are especially welcome to bring sons. See also Bridge Men.
Extreme outdoor adventures for teens looking for holiday fun (29 June 2005)
Manukau City Council′s ‘Manukau On The Move’ team have organised another fun packed school holiday break for teens, with plenty of outdoor action laced with thrills and spills. Their one week Teen Extreme programme offers a range of outdoor adventure pursuits for 12 to 16 year olds, running from Monday 11 July to Friday 15 July. Participants can select which days they want to attend or, for the really energetic, take part in the whole week.
Programme co-ordinator, Ian McLeod says, "This programme will suit enthusiastic teenagers who are keen to take up the challenge of a range of activities throughout the week. These include mountain biking, caving, tree adventures, an amazing race and an x-treme day! Monday sees teens embarking on an Amazing Race around Auckland, solving the clues and racing the clock in our biggest race ever; participants can explore the Nikau Caves on Tuesday in their old warm clothes and shoes, and they′ll need a change of clothes as they will get dirty; mountain biking with lots of thrills and spills will be the activity for Wednesday, bring your own bike or hire one for $10.
On Thursday experience an X-Treme Day with indoor climbing, extreme indoor soccer, baseball like you′ve never seen it before and a new spin on some old games - see if you are extreme enough. Participants will round the week off at Woodhill Forest by testing their skills with ‘Tree Adventures’, Auckland's newest high ropes course –the only one of its type in New Zealand. The course includes eight massive flying foxes which will test your tree surfing skills!"
All specialist equipment, apart from bikes, is provided and qualified instructors are on hand. Pick up and drop off points are Howick Recreation Centre and Alan Brewster Recreation Centre at Papatoetoe. Cost is $42 per day or $195 for the whole week. Interested teens should phone 274 6904 for more information and registration details.
(Edited; Media release Manukau City Council, 24 June 2005
June 2005
:: News from St James Church (19 June 2005)
Contemporary Worship@James Place - Les Dixon mentions that the first event went off very well with about 40 people of all ages coming along to join in a lively one hour of Praise and worship. Leaders and young people from local church centres attended. Most of those attending were teenagers, and some indicated an interest be part of a singing group.
Wanted: If you have a guitar, a keyboard or drum set suitable for practice that you no longer use, St James Church have several youngsters who would like to learn. If you are interested in donating these to the Cafe Church to help young people realise their interest in music, please phone Les on 09 6343009.
:: Mangere Bridge Libary News (19 June 2005)
Purple pyjama story time – Thursday 30 June 6.30pm. Wear your favourite pyjamas. Bring (or wear) something purple, and your favourite grown up. There will be stories, sing songs and great fun – all before bedtime.
The Odyssey (for ages 13 to 17 years) – It's simple. Reading books leads to winning prizes. Read just one book and go into the draw to win an iPod shuffle. Read more books and be in to win one of 80 prize packs up for grabs including DVD players, prepay Vodafone cell phone, tv, movie money and gift vouchers for Harvey Norman, Sounds, Life Pharmacy, Rebel Sport and Dick Smith stores.
The Odyssey Challenge is open to all Manukau Library members aged 13 to 17 years. It runs from 20 June until 14 August. To register for the Odyssey challenge go online at www.manukau-libraries.govt.nz or visit your local Manukau library. For more about The Odyssey challenge visit www.theodyssey.co.nz.
PLEASE NOTE: There will be no Tea & topics in July as library staff are getting into swing with the new computer programmes for all library use.
:: Mangere Bridge Business Association moving forwards (14 June 2005)
The Mangere Bridge Business Association is taking some bold new steps to help the township area of Mangere Bridge get back on its feet. With a little help and guidance from the Manukau City Council the Association has become an Incorporated Society.
With the surety of good governance that this provides, the Manukau City Council has granted the newly formed Mangere Bridge Progressive Business Association Inc. $10,000 to help establish initiatives set out in a business plan provided to the council earlier this year.
These initiatives include hiring a town centre manager to help co-ordinate security and graffiti removal, to lobby council for extra public works in the area, and continue pressure to obtain a permanent community constable.
The Associations plans to introduce a targeted rates system to help ongoing funding, as well as a host of other activities to attract local residents and new shoppers to the town centre. These activities are new or ongoing, building on previous successes by the Association such as the Santa Parade and the hanging baskets.
The Mangere Bridge Progressive Business Association Inc. is run by a committee, with a chairperson, treasurer and secretary. It has a constitution, will be audited once a year, and recently produced its first newsletter for its members in the shopping precinct. Committee meetings are planned every second month.
Once underway the Manukau City Council has indicated that they will top up funding efforts by the Business Association to about $50,000 per year to help the shopping area become an even more vibrant, attractive area for residents, young and old alike, to mix, mingle, and most importantly shop!
:: Sunday is Open House Day in Manukau (14 June 2005)
Starting this month, Manukau (and other cities) will open the doors of significant buildings and sites to the public. This look behind the scenes takes place this Sunday, 19 June at te tuhi - the mark, Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant, Streetsmart recycling plant and the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple.
‘Open House’ – a Year of the Built Environment 2005 event - is a chance for the public to learn about the stories behind places they have passed a hundred times, wondering what goes on inside. Open House sites provide a snapshot of where New Zealand has come from and where it is going in terms of its built environment. Collectively, they tell the stories of how we have lived and contributed to the development of our country and how we might live in the future.
Entry to ‘Open House’ is free and expert hosts are on hand to tell their special story. Venue details are as follows:
te tuhi - the mark, 13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga, Manukau City. A successful coming together of the Fisher Gallery and Pakuranga Community Centre. Open: 10am - 4pm (hear architect Ivan Mercep speak at 11am.)
The Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant, 500 Island Road, Mangere This $450m scheme has given Manukau Harbour back to the people of Auckland. Enjoy a film and bus tour around the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Come to: The visitor centre. Tours: Every half hour from 10am to 4pm
Streetsmart, 192 James Fletcher Drive, Otahuhu. That recycling bin we all fill weekly - where does it all go? Come to: Main Entrance. Proper shoes please. Parents need to supervise children. Open: 10am - 5pm, last admission 4pm.
Fo Guang Shan Temple (Buddhist Temple), 2 Stancombe Road, East Tamaki. You′ve driven past often enough, now come inside and see it! It's a sneak preview as parts are still under construction. The courtyard, the buildings and atmosphere transport you to a different world. Come to: Main temple entrance. Buddhist Service: 10am to Noon. Tours: Hourly from 1pm - 4pm.
For more information on Open House and the Year of the Built Environment 2005 visit www.ybe.org.nz (Source: Manukau City Council Press release 13/06/05).
:: Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy seeks volunteers (7 June 2005)
Volunteers are needed to assist young riders with special needs at the Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy. Choose a time Monday to Friday 9.30-12 noon, or 1.30-3.30pm. Please phone Trish on 634-0763 for more details
:: Low impact exercise (7 June 2005)
Low impact exercise classes are held at the Manukau Yacht Club, Kiwi Esplanade, every Wednesday evening at 6.30pm. Cost is $50 for 10 weeks, or $6 casual. Numbers are limited. For more information, contact Kaye, AUT qualified instructor on 636-6993.
:: Yoga and Movement classes (7 June 2005)
Beginner classes have started for all ages and fitness levels. Wear loose comfortable clothing and bring a mat and blanket. For more details, contact Ruth on 256-0305.
- Monday 9.30-11am at the Senior Citizens Hall, Bridge Court (off Coronation Rd into Bridge Court, turn first right. $10 per class, seniors $8.
- Tuesday 10-11.30am at Onehunga Community Parish, Grey Street. Cost $7 per class.
- Wednesday 6.30-8pm at Mangere Mountain Education Centre, 100 Coronation Road. $10 per class
:: Bridge Men June Breakfast (7 June 2005)
At their May meeting Andrew ran a discussion about the sorts of influences that affect men every day, and the power of words spoken over their lives. Conclusion from the meeting was that every man needs to hear the words that he is OK and that he can achieve the things he needs to. If he does not hear those words he may find life harder to handle than otherwise might be the case.
- When: Saturday 18 June, 8am
- Where: St James Hall, Church Road, Mangere Bridge
- Theme: “Roles: Is there something we really should be doing?” While as men we all put our pants on one leg at a time, we are definitely unique as individuals and DEFINITELY different from the fairer sex! As a man, what are your roles in life?
:: Liz Wyllie (Ray White Real Estate) extended listing, welcome to the Mangere Bridge Community web site! (3 July 2005)
Some people are so well known that mentioning their name causes people to make associations. Mention Liz Wyllie's name around Mangere Bridge and most people immediately say ‘real estate’.
Liz started her career in real estate in 1985, and currently works for Ray White in Royal Oak. She covers real estate sales from Mangere Bridge through to Royal Oak, and is passionate about her job. "The aspect about real estate I most enjoy is working not only with a cross section of people, but also the wide variety of real estate in the area". Liz mentions that she has proven herself by selling both in boom and recession markets, and that she is the number one agent in the area.
According to Liz, her dedication and drive have produced consistent results which have been achieved by understanding her client's expectations when marketing one of their most valuable assets. "Some of the important keys to providing clients with superlative service and performance are honesty, empathy, being a good listener and of course keeping clients informed at every stage of the marketing."
Her specialisation is Exclusive and Auction Marketing and she has been consistently number one in that field with her company. And being a Mangere Bridge local for more than 20 years, she is in a good position to assist you with selling and buying in the area.
:: St James Players SOUPer Luncheon coming up (3 May 2005)
The St James' Players SOUPer Luncheon with entertainment caters for local residents over 65 years, and will be held this year on Saturday 11 June. Please note, this Luncheon is by invite only. For more details contact Diane Clark (634-2003; mob: 027 299-3692; [].
"South Pacific" - Together with members of Mangere Rotary and staff from Mangere College, St James' Players are at present working with pupils on the presentation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "South Pacific", to be performed in the school hall during the July school holidays. This is a joint community effort and a production not to be missed. Watch this space!
St James' Players is an Outreach and Entertainment Group from St James' Church that offers affordable family entertainment to the community. Their annual calendar of events usually includes a free SOUPer Luncheon for those aged 65 and over; a musical show or pantomime; a two night season of Theatre Restaurant, and a Garden Concert during the summer months. For further information please contact the Convenor Diane Clark.
May 2005
:: Mangere Floral Studio extended listing, welcome to the Mangere Bridge Community web site! (26 May 2005)
Valentines Day, mother's day, birthdays, weddings and even funerals. They all have something in common: flowers. We use flowers to celebrate, commemorate, or just as a thank you. And Mangere Floral Studio has been taking care of all these flower needs for more than 30 years.
Current owner Sepali Naus bought the Mangere Floral Studio about 4 yours ago. "I saw the For Sale sign on the shop, walked in and thought this is something I would like to do."
Sepali, supported by 2 local staff, says "We do anything to do with flowers, fresh or silk. Weddings, funerals, weekly grave flowers, corporate, delivery to hospitals. We stock a wide range of silk flowers, and we hire silk arrangements to businesses on an ongoing basis, and do casual hire for weddings."
And where does she get all her ideas from? "We are a Member of the New Zealand Professional Florist Association, and keep up to date with trends by going to floral workshops held by leading designers."
Wanting more than just flowers, Mangere Floral Studio has a wide variety of gift lines. They are stockist of exclusive Urban Rituelle body products including baby products, and La Maison du Chocolat hand-made chocolates. They also make beautiful gift packs and gift boxes. And for that special message to go with the gift, choose from their range of Image Gallery cards.
:: News from St James Church (24 May 2005)
Contemporary Worship@james place - A multi-denominational worship and music team. If you enjoy Praise and Worship songs with up beat music WoW, Newsboys, Maranatha, Oxford Falls, Vineyard, Hillsong. Can you sing? Play a musical instrument? Would you like to join a worship music band? Then this is the place for you. Or just come and enjoy a cup of coffee and a muffin, with good company. Every first and third Friday evening at 7.30 pm each month.
Traditional Service - at 9.00 a.m. each Sunday with Holy Communion.
1662 Evening Prayer - Each month when there is a fifth Sunday. The much loved old 1662 Vespers service. At 6.00 pm in the church.
Sunday School - Sundays Cool. In the hall each Sunday at 9.00 am. All junior age groups. Fun-based Christian curriculum.
Christianity Explored - So you know all about the Christian Faith? Or, just what someone else has told you. Come and find out for yourself with Christianity Explored. A 10 week programme that looks at the basics of the Christian faith. Suitable for the Christian who wants to brush up on the fundamentals, and for those just wanting to find out what it is all about for themselves.
Introductory meeting on Sunday evening 25 July (St James Patronal Festival) at 6.30 pm with a shared meal in the hall (please bring a plate). Programme entails a weekly Sunday evening shared (bring a plate) meal with video and discussion coupled with some simple weekly home study. Registration will be required to obtain the study materials which will cost $15.00 for the 10 week course.
For further information on these programmes, or Pastoral Services, Marriage, Baptism, Funerals, contact the Ministry Team on 09 634-3009, or []; [website].
:: Community web site Newsletter (19 May 2005)
What is a Virtual Community without an email newsletter? To keep you up to date with what's happening on the Mangere Bridge Community website, and of course in the Village, we will be emailing a Mangere Bridge Community website Newsletter from time to time.
We plan to provide 3-4 informative newsletters per year in which you can read about changes on the Community website, upcoming events, happenings, news updates, listings and interviews. The first newsletter was launched on 18 May 2005, and sent by email to everyone who has approached us in the past by email, and all organisations, clubs, churches, schools, and businesses for whom we have an email address.
If you did not receive a newsletter, but would like to receive one, please visit the newsletter page for more details.
:: Waterlea School 50th Jubilee (19 May 2005)
Waterlea School is holding its 50th Jubilee on the weekend of 29 October 2005. The programme has now been finalised and the Commitee predicts that is going to be a wonderful occasion. The current pupils are in the midst of rehearsing a fantastic show and the Jubilee Committee are working really hard to pull everything together, so that past and present students, staff members and families can enjoy a delightful walk down memory lane.
If you are interested or know of anyone else who would be interested in attending, please contact Waterlea School on 09 636-4233 or [] the Committee. They look forward to seeing you there.
:: The Gardening Lady extended listing, welcome to the Mangere Bridge Community web site! (17 May 2005)
Mangere Bridge gardening efforts featured prominently recently in the Manukau Beautification Trust "Stevenson Best Street and Garden Award" (click [here]). And now we have Mangere Bridge's own Gardening Lady to help those that did not make the finals.
After several years as a teacher aid at a local school, Linda Halton set up her The Gardening Lady business more than a year ago, changing a hobby into a satisfying job. Linda loves gardening and can be seen around the area re-potting plants, planting shrubs, pruning roses, and doing mulching, weeding, and fertilising. Linda takes care of both outdoor gardening, and indoor plant maintenance, and is happy to organise your mulch or bark supply.
"I love seeing the end result of my gardening," she says. When asked what other maintenance she does she replies "I do trim lady-sized hedges but leave the big stuff to those with the grunty machines".
Linda has clients in Mangere Bridge, but also gardens in Mt Albert, Remuera, Epsom, One Tree Hill, Onehunga, and Hillsborough. She can look after your gardening chores on a regular basis, or help you with one-off jobs that could take anything from a few hours to several days. And if you plan to go on an overseas trip, Linda's skills will make sure that you arrive back to a well maintained garden.
:: Relocating Living Earth causing a stink? (13 May 2005)
The possible relocation of Living Earth's composting business from Pikes Point to Puketutu Island is stirring emotions amongst Mangere Bridge residents. Living Earth is seeking Auckland Regional Council consent for the process of "...collection, preparation, windrow composting, maturation, screening, packaging and distribution of green waste on the location of Puketutu Island...". Locals are concerned about possible environmental effects like odour, nuisance insects, and dust. And they also expect more truck movement in the area. Others refer to what they consider an untidy and plastic littered Living Earth facility at Pikes Point which they do not want repeated at Living Earth's possible new location on Puketutu Island.
With decades of nuisance from the old Mangere Sewage Treatment plant still fresh on their mind, Mangere Bridge residents seem ready to tackle Living Earth head on. This application is open for public comment, and any person may make a submission to the Auckland Regional Council. Submissions must be in writing and received by the Council no later than 4.30pm on the closing date (27 May 2005) for submissions. Submission forms are available from the local library, or can be downloaded [here].
:: Become part of Mangere Bridge Virtual Village! (11 May 2005)
Improve your business' or organisation's visibility and join the Mangere Bridge Virtual Village. Paid extended listings or web pages hosted off the Community website provide you with the opportunity to promote your company or share information about your organisation on the world wide web, expanding your reach far beyond that of a newspaper ad or flyer.
Our Virtual Village is growing with extended listings for Adecron Food Tech Consulting, Harcourts, SDS Design, Wizard Home Loans, Barfoot & Thompson, Bridge Men and Manukau Yacht & Motor Boat Club. And Playcentre Mangere Bridge now has 2 sponsored web pages to share their fun and enthusiasm about pre-school education. Click [here] to read what they have to say about their extended listing.
Be an early adopter, and at the same time support the (volunteer!) efforts of the website development team with your advertising. Paid extended listings and web pages for [businesses] and [clubs or organisation] make it possible to keep the Community website running, up to date, and a valuable community resource. Please send us an [] with your details and any questions you may have.
:: Creating Effective Relationships Workshop (3 May 2005)
Feeling frustrated with a family member, someone you work with, or a customer or client? This workshop may help you explore what is happening in this relationship in order to better understand it, and to try out different ways of relating.
Workshop tutors Jane Goessi and Philippa van Kuilenburg use action methods in a small group setting to investigate ways of exploring, creating and sustaining more effective relationships. Their methods are designed to generate an atmosphere of safety and support as well as to stimulate creative energy. The number of participants in the workshop is restricted to allow for attention to individual issues.
When: Saturday 21 May: 9.30 am - 4.30 pm; Tuesdays 24, 31 May, 7 June: 7.00-9.30pm
Where: Boardroom, Onehunga Community Centre, 83 Church Street, Onehunga
Cost: $100, to be paid in cash or cheque at the start of the workshop
For further details please contact Jane on 021 0346202; or by [].
:: Bridge Men May Breakfast (3 May 2005)
At their previous meeting, Bridge Men looked at leadership attributes, and identified several key factors, including leading by example and listening. They also discussed that they would be much better off concentrating on building up areas of Strengths in their lives than by trying to concentrate on lessening Weaknesses.
- When: Saturday 21 May, 8am (till 9.30am; get away earlier if you have sports/work commitments etc)
- Where: St James Hall, Church Road, Mangere Bridge
- Theme: “Men and Lostness - Where have we lost the plot?”
:: Manukau City Council News (9 May 2005)
New citywide publication for Manukau - Manukau City residents will soon be receiving a fortnightly publication of council news and local events. The eight page publication proposed by the Vibrant and Strong Committee of Tomorrow's Manukau – Manukau Apopo, will be called ‘Manukau – the experience’ and is a similar concept to Auckland City Council's ‘City Scene’. It will be delivered to every residential letterbox in the city.
Manukau Photographic Competition Awards - An awards evening was held on May 6 at the Manurewa Community Arts Centre, Nathan Homestead, to announce the winners in the Manukau City Council photographic competition currently on show there. Manukau Mayor, Sir Barry Curtis, presented the awards chosen from the 80 exhibits. The judges, professional photographers Abby Stone and Serena Stevenson, named a winner and runner up in the 6 categories along with an overall winner. The overall winner was Mary Anne Aukino of Manurewa. The exhibition will run at the Manurewa Community Arts Centre, Nathan Homestead until the end of May and reopen at the Mangere Arts Outreach Gallery from 30 May
(Source: Manukau City Council Press releases of 22/4/05 and 9/5/05).
:: Down on the Farm... (news from Janine at Ambury Farm Park - ARC) (9 May 2005)
Milking has started at Ambury Park, and we will be milking 6 cows until November. Milking happens everyday at 10.00am (some days we milk early if we have other commitments, but not often), and people are welcome to come along and watch milking.
The rest of our calves will be born late July, along with all the lambs who are due around the same time. In the past couple of years we have closed the paddocks to the public in the early stages of lambing. By doing this we have had fewer orphaned lambs because they are not disturbed or lost from their mothers. But guaranteed each year we still have a few lost lambs, who need to be fed with bottles. Once these lambs are a little older we invite the community to come along and help feed the lambs, which will be around the middle of August.
Remember that there are no dogs allowed at Ambury Park or the new Watercare Coastal Walkway.
:: Mangere Bridge Playcentre News (3 May 2005)
Mangere Bridge Playcentre has just finished a wonderful first term, with lots of play, learning, mess, discoveries, laughter and fun! Their new playground is completed and the children are enjoying the swing bridge and "pathways into the wilderness".
With a full roll this term, Playcentre kids have enjoyed a great deal of enthusiasm, commitment and caring from parents and caregivers involved. Both adults and children have enjoyed quality Playcentre sessions with lots of new activities being tried, and new skills learned.
They are also enjoying some much needed new equipment, which was purchased with a grant from the Mangere Bridge Cultural Society Inc. New items include cots, baby toys, bouncinette, water station, morning tea tables, and kitchen play area.
Visitors are welcome by appointment – please phone 634-9141 Monday/Wednesday/Friday mornings. For more information, visit the [Playcentre website]. This new website has been made possible by the generous support of Anny and Peter Dentener (Adecron Ltd), who also run the Mangere Bridge Community website. Both Anny and Peter have valued the Playcentre experience for their 2 children and as parents, and look back with fond memories on their 9 year involvement with Playcentre in the 1990s.
April
:: Playgroup open again (22 April 2005)
Playgroup sessions at the Mangere Bridge Plunket Rooms are running again now that the building alterations have been completed. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring pre-schoolers along to join in the fun.
Playgroup provides a safe environment for children to enjoy both indoor and outdoor play. Activities include craft, painting, dress-up, music, reading and playdough. In addition to a wide range of toys for children aged 0-5 there is a wonderful playground and sandpit.
A morning tea of fresh fruit/vegetables is provided for the childern while grown-ups can help themselves to tea, coffee or Milo. Pre-schoolers and their grown-ups are invited to visit and see for themselves just what a fun place this is. Playgroup sessions are held every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11.30am at the Plunket Rooms, 5 Taylor Road, Mangere Bridge. There is a $1 donation per family.
:: Waterlea Jubilee: 50 years on! (22 April 2005)
Plans are well underway for Waterlea's 50th Jubilee which will be held from 28-29 October 2005. The Committee are looking forward to receive your registration from as soon as possible. Don't put it off for later, ENROLL NOW. Please contact the School on 636-4217 for a regisatration form or [] them. For further information, please visit their [website] and use the menu to locate jubilee information.
The Committee are also looking for photos of classes or activities. Please contact them if you have any.
:: Mangere Bridge Guides inviting new members (19 April 2005)
The Mangere Bridge Guides are looking for new members. There are still places available for Pippins, Brownies and Guides. Girls start at the age of 5 in Pippins, move on to Brownies at the age of 7, and to Guides at about 9-10. Rangers is the next step up, from age 14.
The Guides New Zealand [website] provides further background information, stating:
"We are all about girls and young women [aged from 5 to 18 years] - offering them opportunities to develop their own special personalities and be themselves through a range of comprehensive programmes. We believe that confidence, self-esteem and an awareness and appreciation of the outdoors can be gained through a combination of choice, co-operation and personal challenge. It's a great way for girls to make new friends and enjoy a range of diverse activities in an environment of positive encouragement and fun."
Pippins and Brownies meet at the Den, in House Ave, Mangere Bridge. So if you are interested, please contact Annette on 636-9520.
:: What you think about the Community website (5 April 2005)
The Mangere Bridge Community website has grown from strength to strength if the number of news and event items is anything to go by. The design team is adding articles and news items on a regular basis, and would like to know if they are on the right track.
So we have added a [feedback page] where we may list your comments. We enjoy hearing your views so please take a few moments of your time and provide us with some feedback by [].
And if you are just curious what others have to say, go have a [look].
:: Bridge Men April Breakfast (2 April 2005)
Last month 23 men enjoyed their Bridge Big breakkie! Peter Judd says: "There is a theme becoming apparent that over the past, say 50 years in particular, the way men see themselves has changed hugely.
Les talked about the need to continue making right choices. Henry on coming to grips with the fact that most jobs don't require our male muscle power anymore so how do we come to grips with the hi tech and mind set changes that have hit us. Peter talked about the fact that every man has a story to tell and that we all have a desire for our story to have a good ending!".
- When: Saturday 16 April, 8am
- Where: St James Hall, Church Road, Mangere Bridge
- Theme: “Men As Leaders Are Finding Their Way Again - Or Not??”
:: Down on the Farm... (news from Ambury Farm Park - ARC) (2 April 2005)
9 April is the date for the yearly Ambury Farm Park Cleanup! Ambury Park staff need a hand and are inviting everyone to come along and help clean up the foreshore and park boundary areas. Each year a lot of rubbish is collected that gets blown here from all different sources (or "kindly" dumped) This year they also include a weed theme, and will have an information stand about weeds that are typical in Mangere Bridge. This information will tell people how to recognize the weeds and how to deal with it. The clean-up starts at 9am and people will be divided into teams, starting straight away collecting rubbish until lunchtime when they will stop for the day. There will be a sausage sizzle, cold drink, and an easter egg hunt for the children. Rubber gloves and rubbish bags provided.
What else is new at Ambury Farm Park
New additions to the park are a special breed of sheep from the Pitt Islands as well as Omahaki and Mohaka's. These sheep are a bit wild, but the rams are very impressive with huge horns.
New fences being are being built around the Park, to provide more paddocks for these new editions and to help with dairy cow rotation when milking starts again in May.
The new Watercare Coastal walkway is now open, and there is an entrance to the walkway through Ambury Park. When you drive into the Park, go to the end of the road, park your car and walk through the farm gate. Keep walking straight ahead, past the chickens and horse paddock, where you will see a gate which gives you access to the new walkway.
If you would like to find out any information about Ambury Park, call ARC information on 366-2000 and press 2 for information about regional parks, or pop down and see one of the rangers.
:: ANZAC Day Commemoration in Mangere Bridge (2 March 2005)
The Mangere Bridge Anzac Day commemorations on 25 April will begin with a service at St James Church, Church Road, at 9.00 am. A parade (amble) of The Colours will go up Woodward Ave, to continue with the Flag Break, Wreath Laying and Ode at the War Memorial Hall in Domain Road at approx 10.00 am, concluding at approx 10:30.am.
This year the RSA, Youth Organisations from Mangere Bridge, and Civic Dignitaries are joined by a representative from the NZ Red Cross Society to give an address, with a video clip on Red Cross activities in war torn Countries.
If your organisation would like to be part of this rapidly growing event please ring 09 634-3009, or [
] them. If you are, or know of a bagpiper who would like to pipe The Colours, and head up the parade, please ring them.
March
:: Barfoot & Thompson (Onehunga) extended listing, welcome to the Mangere Bridge Community web site! (22 March 2005)
Mangere Bridge's popularity is reflected in the number of real estate agents operating in, or servicing the area. Barfoot & Thompson's Onehunga office is only a stone throw away from the Bridge, and three of their sales consultants live locally.
Meet Julie Yates, and Carol and Ken Fraser. Julie, a Mangere Bridge resident for close to 40 years, began her real estate career 10 years ago, and joined Barfoot & Thompson in 2001. Coming from a teaching environment, she matches her people skills with a desire to tackle stimulating new challenges. She strongly believes that "...Barfoot & Thompson's extended branch network delivers positive benefits for clients, and I enjoy working for a company that values honesty and integrity".
For husband and wife Ken and Carol Fraser, heading into real estate together was a natural progression. Based at Barfoot's Onehunga office, they are top income earners in the branch, including some impressive statistics like selling the highest priced house in Mangere Bridge. "We know the area exceptionally well due to having lived here all our married life," says Carol.
Situated at 224 Onehunga Mall, the recently expanded Barfoot office houses a residential team of 14 staff, and a rental team of 2. They welcome your enquiries and look forward to meeting you, so why not pop in for a visit and a chat.
:: Quest for history behind street names (14 March 2005)
Street names can tell a lot about the history of an area and the Mangere Historical Society is on a mission to discover the reasons behind street names in Mangere. So far they have resolved names for 270 streets but another 90 street names are a mystery. So if you know the history behind street names such as Abiru Cres, Alderman Place, Ashgrove Road and Vine Street, please contact Val Payne (secretary of the Society). Val says "I would like to hear from anyone who has worked for anybody who had anything to do with the subdivision of land in Mangere". Val can be contacted on 636-9261, or write to the Mangere Historical Society, 58 Church Road, Mangere Bridge.
:: Stevenson Best Street and Garden Award (13 March 2005)
Mangere Bridge gardening efforts feature prominently in the latest Manukau Beautification Trust "Stevenson Best Street and Garden Award". Mountain View Primary School won the Most Beautiful Primary School Award, and the Mangere Beautification Community received an award for their outstanding contribution to beautify Mangere Bridge with some 180 hanging baskets.
Kiwi Esplanade and Ridgemount Rise were acknowledged as Best Street Zone winners in Mangere Bridge, and individual Mangere Bridge winners include 50A and 75 Kiwi Esplanade, 84A Muir Ave, 17 Ridgemount Rise and unit 2/36 and 41a McIntyre Road.
:: Wizard Home Loans extended listing, welcome to the Mangere Bridge Community web site! (9 March 2005)
Wizard Home Loans moved into the Mangere Bridge shopping centre late 2004, adding further colour to the Village shopping area. It is one of over 200 branches in Australia and New Zealand, supported by mobile lenders, a national call centre, on-line banking, and the financial backing of Australian Financial Investment Group.
Branch manager Wayne Dale, a home owner and property investor himself, understand the pitfalls and hazards of home ownership and mortgages: “I want to make the experience easy and stress free for anyone that walks into my branch. I am passionate about helping people move into their new homes or assisting them in purchasing investment properties.”
Wayne says: “Wizard has three times been voted the best non-bank of the year by the Australian Banking and Finance news magazine, and won numerous awards for their range of competitive financial products, including car and personal finance and insurance.”
Before joining Wizard in 2004 Wayne worked as a chef in the hospitality industry. He is especially proud that during his 2-year ownership Café Monet in Whangarei won many awards.
Interested in personalised service, no fees, competitive interest rates, split loans and no penalties on loans, Wizard may just be the lender for you!
:: Small-business Resources page launched (4 March 2005)
Whether you are running a small business or a home-based business, you are unlikely to have access to the same resources available to your bigger counterparts. Don't despair, because there is a wealth of information available on the web or in email form, and a lot of it is free.
Go visit the Business Resource Page where we have summarised some of the resources and tips we have found useful running our business. Over time we will be adding bits that come across our desk and may be of use to others. We are also interested in anything you would like to share, so send us an [] with any useful web links (and a short description) and we may add it to the site.
:: Bridge Park Tennis Club open for business again! (4 March 2005)
After several years of inactivity at Bridge Park, there will again be a wonderful tennis facility for the local community at Taylor Road,
Mangere Bridge. The courts have been completely resurfaced in Astro grass, thanks to the generosity of the Manukau City Council, the ASB Charitable Trust and Mangere Bridge Sports & Cultural Society Inc.
The Club will take a purely social approach from now until this September, when a ‘normal season’ commences.
They invite anyone to brush off their old racquets and come down to the club for a hit on the new courts on 20 March, commencing at 1pm with a casual but official opening of the club. It should be lots of fun, so bring a friend and make it an occasion.
While the club is very thankful of the donations to get the club up and running, they will need a small amount of money to keep things going until next season and beyond, so they will be offering “...what surely is the cheapest rates in Auckland on courts that will be the equal of any!”: $50 per adult - 18 years and over; $20 per child; $100 per family. Keys will be required for access at an additional $10.
Should you have any questions about the club please contact Paul Garnham (636-3966) or Marie Gerard (634-3310)
:: St James 150th Anniversary (2 March 2005)
While still a few years away, the St James Church will be celibrating its 150th Anniversary on 25 July 2008 (St James Day). Les Dixon is already in organising mode and seeking any and all information, photos, memorabillia, etc of St James that anyone may have to add to the celebrations. Please contact Les by [] or ring 634-3009.
:: Manukau Easter Festival 2005 (27 February 2005)
Mangere Bridge will be hosting the first ever Manukau Easter festival, from Friday 25 until Monday 28 March 2005. Ethnic and cultural groups are expected to showcase their groups in song and dance and there will be food, handcraft and other stalls.
Event organiser Noel Robinson expects the event to be “a colourful and vibrant festival for the citizens of Manukau and visitors that will focus on enjoyment, music and the ethnic, cultural and spiritual diversity of our community”.
The festival caters for a wide range of interests. There will be church-based events on Mangere Mountain on Good Friday and Easter Day. Those interested in music and dance will find a wide range of activities on the concert stage, Waterfront Road Reserve, on Saturday and Monday. Ethnic food stalls and handcraft will be present on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Noel expects a large crowd of about 40,000, covering areas such as Mangere Mountain; Waterfront Road Reserve (events and parking); part of Esplanade Reserve near Old Bridge; and the Old Mangere Bridge.
Tentative programme (all activities finish 5pm):
» Friday 25 March
9 am: Mangere Mountain Stations of the Cross and Walk to Summit
2 pm: Inter-denominational Service in Mangere Mountain Crater with emphasis on music.
» Saturday 26 March
10 am: Musical and dance activity at Reserve. Handcraft and food stalls in area of Reserve and Old Mangere Bridge
11 am: Official Opening.
» Sunday 27 March
10 am: Music and dance activity at Reserve
1 pm: Inter-denominational church service at Waterfront Reserve
All day: Handcraft and food stalls in area of Reserve and Old Mangere Bridge.
» Monday 28 March
10 am: Celebration of ethnic music, dance and song at Reserve. Handcraft and food stalls in area of Reserve and Old Mangere
Bridge
Please address any queries to Noel Robinson, POBox 23-642, Papatoetoe
(09) 277-7061; [].
:: St James Church Lent and Easter events (26 January 2005)
For more information, see [below].
:: Passion of The Christ follow-up (25 February 2005)
The movie, screened at St James Church on the 13 and 16 February, was well attended. Les Dixon mentions that no one was left unaffected by the portrayal of Christ's last 12 hours of earthly life. Emotions ranged from sadness, a few tears, to bewilderment, anger and deep hope.
Twenty people have registered for the free follow-up 4 session study (one per week).
- Session 1: Understanding the story
- Session 2: A closer look at Jesus’ death
- Session 3: The resurrection. The rest of the Story
- Session 4: Wrap up! What now? The story continues.
:: James’ Place (25 February 2005)
Fancy a muffin with Maranatha, Latte with Lift, Honeycrunch with Hillsong, Biscuit with Brooke Fraser, Coffee with CCC.
Know the names of the above groups and enjoy their music? Play a musical instrment, or just love to sing? Then polish up your God given talents at Cafe Church, Contemporary Christian Worship. Get the ball rolling!
For more information contact Les on 09 634-3009; Diane on 09 6342009; [].
:: Bridge Men March Breakfast (25 February 2005)
The February Bridge Men’s ‘Fish N Chip’ Forum was a real success in terms of some of the issues identified as being real to men. Their next meeting will be a breakfast ($5) which was well-received last time. It's hard to beat the good ol’ bacon and eggs on a Saturday morning!
- When: Saturday 19 March, 8am
- Where: St James Hall, Church Road, Mangere Bridge
- Theme: “What is a man? Starting from scratch”
:: Onehunga Community Festival (24 February 2005)
The annual Onehunga Community Festival will be held at Onehunga Bay on Saturday 5 March from 10am-4pm. For more details, please contact Brian (636-8281) or George (267-8757).
February
:: Volunteer Patrol looking for new members (21 February 2005)
A dedicated number of residents volunteer on a monthly basis to patrol the streets of Mangere Bridge. Shifts cover either morning, afternoon or night and last only a few hours.
The Volunteer Patrol is looking for new members to add to their caring community group. If you are able to give a couple of hours once or twice a month, please contact any of the following people:
- Neil Way (Patrol Co-ordinator): 636-8922
- Di Smith (Community Constable's Office Volunteer): 634-6807
- Robin Bovey (Community Constable's Office Volunteer): 634-5715
:: Web site new look (17 February 2005)
The Mangere Bridge Community web site has grown a lot in content and listings since its inception in April 2004. When sites are small, it is easy for the reader to have an overview of information on offer on the different pages, but this changes quickly when sites grow.
The Community web site Design Team has had a good look at the overall lay-out of the site, and made changes that we hope will make it easier to read. We have looked at the colours we used (and changed some of them), provided more colourful headers for different sections, and put certain topics in coloured blocks.
We are always looking for (positive) feedback and welcome any suggestions for either content or lay-out. Please [] us with any comments or suggestions you may have.
:: Auckland Anniversary Regatta Results, Manukau Harbour (14 February 2005)
Unofficial results for the NZ Herald Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, hosted by the Manukau Yacht & Motor Boat Club on the Manukau Harbour on 31 January 2005, are as follows (please accept our apologies if we have misspelled names):
| Class | Results (First; Second; Third) |
| Optimist | Mark Bradley; James Marlo; Braianna Morris |
| Starling | Shane Langley |
| Open Mono | Jeoff Berrisford; Western Bays Sea Scouts |
| Scout Cutter | 73 New Lynn; 133 Weson Bays; 131 Bucklands Beach |
| Sunburst | James Corbett; Simon Tiddbury; Hartley Atkinson |
| Multihull | Paul Browne |
| 3.7 | Neil Waterhouse; Hohn Elliott; Bruce McCallum |
| Jolly Boat | Roger Hall; second equal: Steve Tennant and Grant Archer |
| Zephir | Bob Allen; Dennis Craig; Don Waterer |
| Hartley16 | Craig Canute; Keith Vazey; Tony Flannagan |
For further information about the NZ Herald Auckland Anniversary Regatta, please visit www.regatta.org.nz/.
:: New initiative in Mangere Bridge: Bridge Men (28 January 2005)
Bridge Men is a new group set up by Peter Judd and Les Dixon to address topics relevant to men. Peter says: We had our first meeting in December 2004 and had 38 men attending. We are "ordinary men doing extraordinary things in extraordinary times."
They are extending an open invitation to men in the Mangere Bridge and surrounding districts.
Their next meeting is Friday 18 February from 6.30pm onwards, at St James Hall, Church Road, Mangere Bridge. Event name: "What men REALLY want." Fish &Chips night $3 per man.
For more information contact Peter (634-0675) or Les (636-7441).
:: Onehunga Mangere Soccer club enrolments (28 January 2005)
Onehunga Mangere United Association Football Club will be enrolling juniors again this February. Junior soccer registration will take place at the Mangere Mountain Clubrooms on the following days:
- Sunday 13 and 20 February: 10.00am - 12.00
- Monday 14 and Thursday 17 February: 5.30 - 7.30pm.
Fees must be paid at time of registration (and you go into a prize draw as well!). Cost for 6th to 9th Grade: $30; 10th to 17th Grade: $50. For further information, please ring Barbara (ph 636-8626).
The Onehunga Mangere United Association Football Club has been based at the Domain Road, Mangere Bridge clubrooms for many years.
It is a strong, family-orientated local club which has seen many youngsters progress through the grades, and grow in physical confidence as they improve in the game. There are currently about 300 junior members and 200 senior members. The parent organisation is Onehunga Mangere Sports Club which is also the covering body for the Onehunga Mangere Softball Club. The Soccer Club offers 6th Grade through to 17th Grade teams and a variety of Senior men's and women's senior grades. Their men's first team is currently ranked in the Northern League Second Division.
Club Contact Details
Postal: P.O.Box 59122, Mangere Bridge; Address: Domain Road, Mangere Bridge.
Secretary: Peter Judd, ph 634-0675; Email: peter.judd@xtra.co.nz
Junior Enquiries: Barbara Lindsay, ph 636-8626; Senior Enquiries: Ross Berry, ph 636-0553.
:: St James Church Lent and Easter events (26 January 2005)
The St James Church Lent and Easter events begins with the Ash Wednesday Service at 7.30pm on 9 February. There will be a Lenten Study on Mel Gibson's ‘Passion of The Christ’, with 2 free showings of the film at the Church on Sunday 13 February and Wednesday 16 February at 7.00pm (Note: Parental guidance a must for 15 years or younger people due to graphic crucifixion scenes in the movie, which is approximately 2 hours long).
This will be followed by 4 study evenings: 23 February, and 2, 9, and 16 March at 7.30pm at the Church, with daily readings at home.
The programme concludes with the Maundy Thursday foot washing service at 7.30pm on 24 March; a ‘Good Friday’ Service on 25 March at 9am; an ‘Easter Eve’ Service on 26 March at 11.30pm; and an ‘Easter Day’ Service on 27 March at 9.00am. For any enquiries, please contact [St James Church]
:: Hartley16 trailer sailer championships (26 January 2005)
The Hartley16 Nationals and the Auckland Hartley Owners Association Champs will be hosted by the Manukau Yacht & Motor Boat Club, from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 February 2005. The Club recently had major improvements made to one of its boat ramps, in time for the Champs. Having hosted both championships before, the 2005 Champs will be added to a proud history of sailing, dating back to 1891. Anyone interested in the Club's history, please click [here].
January 2005
:: Auckland Anniversary Regatta (25 January 2005)The NZ Herald Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta will be held on 31 January on both Manukau and Waitemata Harbours. The Regatta this year celebrates Auckland's 165th Birthday. The Waitemata will be buzzing with steam powered vessels, classic motor launches, heritage vessels, trailer sailers and keelers. While slightly limited by tides, the Manukau Harbour will put on a big spectacle, with racing from Optimists to trailer yachts, and hosted by the Manukau Yacht & Motor Boat Club.
For further information about land- and water-based Regatta Day activities, please visit www.regatta.org.nz/.
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