School holidays April 20, 2016 | Hibiscusmatters | 17

Two more attractions have been added at Silverdale Adventure Park, with the launch of the 250m Zipline last weekend, and a regular market beginning on Anzac Day.The Zipline opened just in time for the school holidays.The markets, operated by Annamaria Berek of My Markets, begin on Anzac Day and will be held regularly at the Adventure Park in future, with further dates yet to be confirmed.More than 70 stalls, including crafts, clothing and plenty of food, will be on offer at the Anzac Day market. There’s a strong international flavour to the food stalls, which include Japanese-style barbecue and noodles, Indian samosas, Turkish cuisine,

Coast knitters will share their skills at a free weaving, knitting and wool session at Estuary Arts Centre in Orewa, which is part of its school holiday programme.Centre manager Kim Boyd says volunteers from Kensington Park’s knitting group and other local craft groups will show children aged four and older what knitting is all about.The squares will be put together as part of a giant tea cosy that is under construction for Estuary Arts’ Anyone 4 T exhibition in August. The exhibition will cover all aspects of the cuppa – from ceramics and high teas to tea festivals and ceremonies.Kim says that the knitting session is also about keeping those crafts alive. “It would be tragic for those skills that our grandmothers had to be lost. Making things by weaving or knitting is a practical skill, but also creative and a very relaxing pastime. It also aids the development of manual dexterity in young children.”All the materials needed will be provided, but Kim says donations of wool are welcome and can be left at Estuary Arts Centre. Any leftovers will go to the Kensington Park knitters, who make blankets for charitable organisations.The free weaving and knitting session is on April 29, 10am–3pm at the Centre in Western Reserve, Orewa.

Cool wool crafts for kids

The Adventure Park Zipline is open for fast and furious

fun. Below, Adventure Park co-owner Barry Larman

flies down the Zipline.

Zipping down to Adventure Park

WIN Adventure Park passesHibiscus Matters and Silverdale Adventure Park have one Family Pass to give away to readers. Valued at $165, the pass is for two adults and two children. To go in the draw, write your name, email address, postal address and daytime phone number on the back of an envelope and post to Adventure Park tickets, Unit G, Tamariki Plaza, 18 Tamariki Ave, Orewa 0931. Or message Hibiscus Matters on Facebook. Entries close April 27.

Spanish paella, American brownies, Dutch pancakes, Mexican tacos and Hungarian puff bread.Live music will add to the market ambience.There is no entry charge to the market, which will take over the Adventure Park car park (a new area has been set aside for parking). The market is open on April 25, from 1pm–5pm and will be held rain or shine. In case of very

severe weather, the rain day is May 8. Silverdale Adventure Park, located at 2105 East Coast Road, Stillwater, is open daily from 10am.

School holidays| Hibiscusmatters | April 20, 201618

Party suppliesDress up costumes

Baking products • ToysStationery • Pet products

Electricals • Household productsHardware • Gifts & NoveltiesArt & craft • Helium balloons

Dress up costumes Baking products • Toys

Stationery • Pet products

Biggest Variety Store on the Coast More than 25,000 Products in store

3 Silverdale Shopping Centre, Silverdale Road, (next to Mozaik Café)Ph 426 8138 • www.stopnshop.co.nz

Hardware • Gifts & NoveltiesArt & craft • Helium balloons

7 days: 8.30am–8pm

16 Karepiro Drive, Stanmore Bay | Ph 09 424 2866info@bubbabears.co.nz | www.bubbabears.co.nz

Ph 09 424 2866Ph 09 424 2866

CURIOSITY STARTS HEREWe nuture the curiosity of each child so they will grow in knowledge and in the confi dence of their capabilities. We are a small boutique centre for children from 6 month to 5 years with a maximum of 20 over 2 year olds and 10 under 2’s. 20 Free ECE Hours for 3-5 year olds. 100% qualifi ed teachers with excellent child to teacher ration.

Fun for all the family: Train rides • Animals • Pedal cars (10 years and under) • Native bush walks • Playground & Picnic Areas • Steam loco first Sat of month. Birthday parties & mid week charters welcome.

Open Sat, Sun & holidays: 10am–4pm | 400 Whangaparaoa Road, Stanmore Bay | Ph 09 424 5018 | www.rail.co.nz

Open Daily

through the

April School

holidays

Everyone has a childhood dream, and Mike Lindsay is seeing his come to fruition – thanks to a little magic. Mike always hoped to one day have his own magic show. At the age of 12 he performed magic for his friends and family; he says it’s a phase a lot of children go through but, for him, it stuck. At 16 he started working as a magician, performing all over the country and entertaining people of all ages. He says he fell in love with the lifestyle and worked hard to make a career from it until, two years ago, at the age of 18, he became a full time magician.He says he couldn’t ask for a more enjoyable way to make a living, “spreading joy and amazement”. After multiple national tours performing in variety shows, collaborating with other magicians in stage shows and countless performances at corporate events and birthday parties, Mike’s dream of a one-man show (which includes his assistant Samantha, doves and a chicken) is coming true – this month sees him debut his own 90 minute show at Orewa Arts and Events Centre.

School holiday magic! No, not making the kids disappear: instead, be entertained by Mike Lindsay who is bringing his solo magic show to Orewa. Photo, Pauline Stockhausen.

Magic Mike appears liveMike says he chose to debut his show in Orewa because last time he performed here, with Mark Robinson in 2013, he found the audience supportive and responsive.His Magic and Illusion show, called It’s Showtime, is on April 29, with two performances – at 2pm and 7pm.He says the show is packed with plenty of audience participation, “mind blowing magic”, hilarious comedy and a heap of fun.According to Mike, there’s a common misconception that magic is for kids and while his show is family friendly and more than suitable for children, he says it is also entertaining for adults too. Info and tickets: www.ItsShowtime.co.nz and cash sales at the door.Watch a video about Mike and his magic at localmatters.co.nz

Win magic ticketsHibiscus Matters has one double pass to Mike Lindsay’s 7pm It’s Showtime performance on April 29 in Orewa to give away. To enter the draw message Hibiscus Matters’ on Facebook. Entries close April 27.

School holidays April 20, 2016 | Hibiscusmatters | 19

time slot, always with one that’s family friendly. In addition to a succinct description, each option includes a photo, address, GPS coordinates, a link to Google Maps, and easy-to-follow directions that have been tried and tested. It is easy to follow via smartphone, tablet or laptop.Although it’s designed for people new to the city, it would be just as much fun for locals and could be the basis for a day in town with children these school holidays.Choose a Way Auckland was published on April 11 and can be downloaded for around US$6.99 from outlets such as Amazon, Gum and iTunes.

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www.the-plaza.co.nz

09 424 4100 6 Main Street, Whangaparaoa 0932

ONBOARD

SKATE

SKATEBOARD

THE PLAZA, WHANGAPARAOA THURSDAY APRIL 21ST

9AM - 12PM

ATTENDANCE LIMITED TO A MAX OF 20 PARTICIPANTS

School Holiday

LEVEL 1 UNDERGROUND CARPARK BULDING

$15Save $15

The Plaza WhangaParaoa

Wed 27 april9am-12pm

level 1 underground Carpark BuildingMaximum 20 people - bookings essential.

Visit The Plaza Management Office or call 09 424 4100.

ONBOARD

SKATE

SKATEBOARD

THE PLAZA, WHANGAPARAOA THURSDAY APRIL 21ST

9AM - 12PM

ATTENDANCE LIMITED TO A MAX OF 20 PARTICIPANTS

School Holiday

LEVEL 1 UNDERGROUND CARPARK BULDING

ONBOARD

SKATE

SKATEBOARD

THE PLAZA, WHANGAPARAOA THURSDAY APRIL 21ST

9AM - 12PM

ATTENDANCE LIMITED TO A MAX OF 20 PARTICIPANTS

School Holiday

LEVEL 1 UNDERGROUND CARPARK BULDING

Writing an interactive guide to Auckland gave Rhonda Albom an opportunity to spend months exploring a city that she thought she knew well – discovering a lot along the way.She has lived in the city since 2003 and from her Gulf Harbour home, works as a travel photographer, freelance writer and travel blogger.“Before I worked on Choose a Way Auckland, I wasn’t aware that Queen Street used to be a dirty canal, that there’s a haunted hotel in Vulcan Lane, or that a former theatre is now a bar, which is why the floor slopes downhill (towards the former screen),” she says. “It made me fall in love with my city again.”Choose a Way Auckland is the latest in a series of ebooks published by Chris Backe and made available through online book outlets.It is built around places, activities and sights that can be accessed by public transport – Rhonda says that this meant she couldn’t include anything on the Hibiscus Coast other than Snowplanet and also excluded one of her favourite places, Muriwai.Unlike traditional guidebooks, you can build your day’s activities as you go – there is a range of options in each

Interactive look at Auckland

Win this bookHibiscus Matters and Rhonda Albom have five copies of interactive book, Choose A Way Auckland to give away. To go in the draw, write your name, email address, postal address and daytime phone number on the back of an envelope and post to Choose A Way Auckland, Unit G, Tamariki Plaza, 18 Tamariki Ave, Orewa 0931. Or message Hibiscus Matters on Facebook. Note: As the book is supplied in pdf form, it is essential to supply an email address so that we can send the book to winners. Entries close May 6.

Rhonda Albom

Anzac Day photo competitionAnzac Day parades provide opportunities for moving photos, and this year those images could win you prizes that include NZ Post’s Silver Proof Commemorative Coin, First World War books, and Ngā Tapuwae NZ First World War Trails merchandise pack. A photo competition is being held to mark 100 years since the first Anzac Day service was held. To enter, take an Anzac Day photo and upload with a caption to Facebook or Twitter (before May 2) with the hashtag #MyAnzacDay. Winners will be announced on May 12. Info: ww100.govt.nz/myanzacday-photo-competition

TA L E N T S

School holidays| Hibiscusmatters | April 20, 201620

214B Hibiscus Coast HighwayOrewa, 09 426 5570 manager@estuaryarts.org www.estuaryarts.org

School Holiday Art Programme18 - 29 April, 2016• Painting & Drawing• Mixed Media• Clay sculpture• Glamour make-up• Craft and textiles• Special effects make-up

Booking essential - Don’t miss out

The Ministry of Education have released a number of ‘Aspire’ scholarships for 2017 to enable students from lower-income families to attend private schools such as Wentworth College in Gulf Harbour - Rodney’s only private school.

Recipients receive free tuition at Wentworth - not just next year, but for the remainder of their schooling with us.

FANTASTIC SUCCESS RATE - In previous years, 1 in 3 applicants havewon a scholarship.

Applications close on 13 May 2016.

For more information please phone Gail Clews.

For students enteringYear 9 next year

09 424 3273enquiries@wentworth.school.nz www.wentworth.school.nz

100 % Scholarships

Ph 428 5495 or 027 390 8578

Wednesday 9.30am–2.30pmTerm 2: May 4 – June 22

8 weeks – $360The Art Lab, Whangaparaoa Hall

Tutor Heather Matthews BFA, MBE

Ph 428 5495 or 027 390 8578

Wednesday 9.30am–2.30pm

The Art Lab, Whangaparaoa HallTutor Heather Matthews

Give a little – gain a lot

with Terry Mooreterry@localmatters.co.nz

Gardening

Excitement is not the normal reaction to receiving a Visa bill, but last month one entry on my account was a great source of pride and pleasure.Along with 39,248 others, I donated money through Give a Little towards the successful purchase of a beautiful piece of land at Awaroa in the Abel Tasman – and there was the proof, on my Visa bill. There were many reasons why I decided to contribute, not least because this is my favourite part of the country. However, the main one was the potential that this crowd funding initiative opens up for future purchases of land that the community values and chooses to hold onto.As a gardener, I had an alternative vision for the Peninsula Golf Club land in Red Beach, which was sold to developers and is in the process of being carved up for 500-odd homes. The potential for the site as botanical gardens seemed like a no-brainer (in my mind, at least), but the millions needed – $12 million plus a replacement golf course – were not readily to hand!Crowd funding could have been a major part of the answer – admittedly the Abel Tasman land was bought for $2 million so $12 million would have been a big ask, but if a few big benefactors who shared the dream were on board, or only part of the 44ha golf course was purchased, it could have worked (Auckland Botanical Gardens is 64ha). A partnership between a Trust and Auckland Council could have seen the process move forward.The land already had more than 500 trees on it, parking, and a clubroom building that could be converted into tearooms, a shop, somewhere to hold functions and an information centre. The facility at the Auckland Botanical Gardens is a standout example of this.Low lying areas on the Red Beach site would have made wonderful wetlands, attracting wildlife and providing picnic spots with tranquil views. Planting the gardens themselves would have provided biodiversity, beautiful places to walk and areas for children to play and explore. As space for our homes and gardens gets smaller, so the chance to wander in a public garden becomes increasingly more desirable and valuable for our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.Local jobs are another spin off from botanical gardens, as well as training opportunities for those with an interest in horticulture. Add some outdoor artworks, with maybe an annual exhibition for local artists, or light up one of the natural amphitheatres at night for musical and other performances: turn it into an outstanding amenity and people will come from far and wide to see it, bringing money to spend.This was nothing more than a dream, but one I still think of every now and then as I drive past the land and see diggers at work. Around us now, in areas such as Dairy Flat and Wainui, there is a lot of land banking going on. In future, this is going to be as urban an area as Silverdale, Orewa or Whangaparaoa.Maybe this community should consider putting its hand in its pocket if a suitable piece of land comes up? Before it’s all gone.

This area of the Auckland Botanical gardens combines roses with natives.