Articles in ‘Columns’

BUY VOUCHERS TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES IN PAPAKURA Now we have a fabulous offer for you all! How about buying a $20.00 or more voucher from a local business in Papakura and we will give you an extra $5.00 voucher to spend. Now that’s a good deal for sure. Head to www.livepapakura.co.nz to see which stores are accepting these vouchers and support and love local businesses…

Many years ago, more than I care to admit, I managed to convince my seniors in the military to allow me to do a non-trade relevant course, as a Unit Physical Training Instructor. I think in hindsight it was probably not that hard a “sell”, after all it was likely to result in me being way too tired and beaten down to be of any bother to them for the duration. One of the first…

Let’s not put too fine a point on it: for the past five weeks we’ve been living in the middle of a crisis of unknown magnitude. It’s been a time of unprecedented change and for many it will have been an intense period of worry and anxiety. But however much lockdown might have separated us, it has also brought us together as families and communities united in fighting a common…

The Papakura Business Association is committed to helping businesses in Papakura open under Levels 3 and Level 2 of the COVID-19 lockdown. Most businesses in Papakura are open in some way or other, and you can support your local favourite retailer, café, trade, professional service or health or Beauty service by going to www.papakura.co.nz and searching for them. \#EatLocal in…

Day 28 Update: Managing your hair! examples of people helping their communities; new SOS Cafe Facebook page initiative; and planning for the ‘Stand at Dawn’ commemoration on ANZAC Day.

Day 23 Update: Recent business tax changes; New electorate boundaries announced; and congratulations to Sam at Port Waikato for reopening his dairy.

Day 19: Need to keep exercising; distribution of free face masks to the local community and special issue to a retirement home in Tuakau; good news for golf and bowling clubs; and please email me at andrew@baylymp.co.nz if you would like my assistance

Day 14 Update: Delivery of face masks & face shields, online sales from butcheries & fresh produce stores, thanks to Blooming Hill Flowers for gifting flowers to hospitals, and update from IRD Commissioner on what do with changes to child support/family assistance payments and paying PAYE and other taxes.

Day 10 and we are making great progress - together. Supplying face masks for our health workers and horticultural growers across the electorate and our 17 community response teams working really well now. New food arrangements for the vulnerable taking shape now.

If you have been suffering from migraines on a regular basis, then you should know how bad this can affect your life quality because the pain is usually bad enough to stop you from doing anything although the pain killer able to reduce the intensity of the pain but you probably still feel some heaviness in your head, blurry mind and feeling very tired all the time. Traditional…

I am not a Prepper; although I have, unfortunately, seen firsthand the devastation an epidemic can cause, I have never resorted to prepare for what seemed inconceivable. Duly ignoring the advice from friends and colleagues on the front-line. And it’s this advice I have been thinking about, because to be honest, it seems to me that the most basic and effective thing we can do to…

Day 7 Update: Good progress with local community response teams contacting the most vulnerable, distributing full face shields to pharmacists, doctors, dentists and trying to use fresh produce grown in Franklin to help feed our most vulnerable.

Menopause is a normal part of life; you are said to have reached menopause after 12 months in a row of no further periods. The usual age is between 45 to 55 years old. The average in NZ is 52 years old. About 70% of women have significant symptoms with menopause and 40% will see a doctor because of their symptoms. Symptoms vary hugely in severity with some women having very…

The season is approaching fast and we have achieved a huge amount as a club over the last few months. The Franklin United Youth Academy is merging its 13 and 14 grade teams (boys and girls) together with the South Auckland Elite Academy to build quality in preparation for competing in the new premier competitions at youth level – the NRFL Y divisions. As mentioned previously in…

As the obesity epidemic in New Zealand surges ahead, more people are looking for real solutions. But interestingly, obesity figures are rising despite the fact that overall, the population’s energy intake has dropped. The explanation for this seemingly bizarre coincidence is actually quite obvious. New Zealanders are simply less active. Most experts agree that people will lose…

NEW BUSINESSES IN TOWN Welcome to: Sammie Nicole Nails – who has come back to Papakura Little Flock of Horrors – fabulous Merino who have moved in the Great South Road Transparent Accounting who have joined as an Associate Member Eight Limb Yoga in Broadway Scott Plumbing have an office in town in the Great South Road Southern Traders in East Street Campbell Tyson have moved…

With all the latest statistics on violence and the impact it has on all those involved, including the rising numbers of offenders in prison you’d be forgiven for thinking that someone somewhere must have a grand plan. Turns out not really. Well, there is the usual political posturing around solutions, from “getting tougher on crime” to the other end of the scale where the focus…

Did you know that in Papakura we have: Sushi places Cafes Bakeries Barber Shops Gyms and the Rec Centre Health places including Physio, Doctors, foot clinic, Massage places, Lab tests, Family Planning, Medicine clinics, Chiropractic, Hand clinic and more. Dental Clinics Accountancy Firms Banks Finance Companies Valuers Design and Architecture Firms Optometrists …

Welcome to 2020! We hope you all had an amazing Christmas and New Year and an enjoyable and safe break. WELCOME TO OUR NEW BUSINESSES IN PAPAKURA! All Done Up in Broadway Unique Fusion in O’Shannesssey Street Cozy Life Kitchens in Broadway Century 21 in Broadway Zarine Hair and Beauty in O’Shannessey Street INSTAGRAM - #LIVEPAPAKURA: We are now on Instagram … so check us out…

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, It’s all about understanding There are very good reasons to see the New Year’s fitness and wellness resolution through. I’m fairly confident that when Julius Caesar introduced the modern calendar in 45 BC it caused a stir among the Romans to find new ways to outdo each other with promises on how they would make their transition into the…