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The nation’s most prestigious and competitive polo event, the BMW NZ Polo Open will be held at the Auckland Polo Club, Clevedon on Sunday 21st February. 2021 will mark the 44th year for the renowned NZ Polo Open that is cemented as a summer highlight on New Zealand’s sporting and social calendar. Despite this year with Covid-19 and the current border restrictions Lucy Ainsley,…

When Whitecliffe art graduate Rachel Allen choose her theme for her end of year exhibition, little did she know that real life would indeed imitate art with the events of 2020 as a real-life virus swept the world. What was going to be a full-on year of creativity in the Whitecliffe studios, surrounded by an abundance of supplies and resources became a year of adaptation and…

A series of photos from the Papakura Rotary Santa Parade on 6 Dec 2020. Photos by Poppa G's Pictures.

A series of photos from Last Night Festive Fun in Papakura on 10 Dec 2020. Photos by Poppa G's Pictures.

‘[This] has been the busiest, gloomiest and most exciting fortnight I have ever passed. The war has suddenly left Taranaki and broken out here.’[^1] So wrote Rev Vicesimus Lush, Anglican minister, in his journal on July 19th 1863. Only a month before, he had speculated that the fighting was not expected to ‘extend beyond the Taranaki.’ With war breaking out within his parish…

New Zealand has been applauded globally for its apparent success in limiting COVID-19 infections and death. It is true that New Zealanders enjoy liberties in their day-to-day lives that are not available to others around the globe. But a question remains that is relevant to both this pandemic and the next. At what cost was the success achieved? Available evidence suggests that…

We reached Egypt after navigating our way north through Ethiopia and Sudan. Both countries were experiencing political unrest and civil uprising, so it was a difficult journey to say the least! During our drive, we looked at Egypt as our safe haven destination. However, the day we crossed the border at Wadi Halfa, there was a terrorism attack targeting a tourism bus. Our safe…

It has been 13 years since we have seen sales hit over 10,000 in a month but that’s what happened last month – against a backdrop of low level of listings. There are a good number coming to the market but the high turnover rate means that there are not enough for the demand that exists. A persistent lack of stock is contributing to the rising house values – this is particularly…

The Business Association hopes you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and an enjoyable and safe break. New Businesses in Papakura We welcome: Totally Chicken in O’Shannessey Street Xuemei Hair Dressing and Beauty in the Selwyn Centre, 182 Great South Road Where to Eat Guide Our up to date Where to Eat Guide is now out and if you didn’t receive a copy in the post, please…

That’s a very real experience for many who are dealing with addiction. Now I’m not talking about taking your phone to the bathroom, but food addiction. An issue that stems from chemicals that routinely screw with the functions in the brain. And we can break that down a bit further, because what happens in the case of food addiction, actually only happens in the “animal” or…

Choosing a gift this Christmas for a loved one is even more important after such a turbulent year and choosing the perfect gift that really means something is easy if you do it with a gift from Wrights Jewellers. The inviting brightly lit showroom on King St in Pukekohe is the perfect place to find gifting inspiration from exquisite Diamonds to awe-inspiring jewellery designs,…

It’s that time of year again when, for all things, Jolly, Joyful and generally Christmassy - Papakura is your one stop Christmas stop! Having always had always had a strong community spirit, a varied retail base with 24 new shops opened this year alone, and with numerous eatery options, your local town centre has pulled out all the stops to make this festive season the best ever!

What a year, it’s certainly been a ride! I am sure everyone is looking forward to seeing the back of 2020. What started with a hiss and a roar and usual promise of positivity and things ‘better than’, has actually become for many more than usual, a year fraught with illness, financial pressure and uncertainly. In April, for the first time since elocal started, we were unable to…

The North Island in the centuries prior to pastoral farming and introduced pests were cloaked in a fringe of red from coast to coast as the New Zealand Pohutukawa tree was in full bloom during the months of November to January, from the latitude of 38º south (New Plymouth/Gisbourne) upwards towards Cape Reinga in the north. The species formal botanical name is Metrosideros…

When locals Karen and Stuart approached Smith and Sons with what they thought was a radical idea to completely transform their Orere Pt home, they were overwhelmed with the approach and ease that the team at Smith and Sons embraced their ideas and presented them with a plan that was going to work. The multi award winning team at Smith and Sons Pukekohe headed by Lane and Melissa…

Local foodie Suzanne Braks knows a thing or two about great food and great coffee. She has been providing locals and visitors to the area just that in both the Autobahn café in Bombay and Papakura for many years. This year has seen the restaurants evolve significantly as Suzanne and her team had to adapt to the interruptions of nationwide and regional lockdowns. As the Holiday…

Traditions at Christmas time have a long and varied history. Many are steeped in custom and religious significance and while some vary between families, their beliefs and even between countries, others are universally celebrated in a manner recognised by all. Many a house around the world is decorated for the season with a Christmas tree laden with lights, ornaments and atop with…

Christmas Parades or Santa Parades as they’re more commonly referred to are parades held worldwide to celebrate the official opening of Christmas season with the arrival of Santa Claus. Typically, these parades include themed floats, dancing, marching groups and bands with accompanying Christmas songs. As moving floats there is usually a starting point as the parade moves…

Published by Penguin Books (NZ). Paperback, 304 pages. When journalist Martin van Beynen started writing Black Hands, a book about the fatal Bain family shootings in 1994, he wondered if he could finally nail who did it. The veteran reporter, who covered David Bain’s second trial in 2009 and started his journalism career in Dunedin in 1989, said starting on the book was delayed…

Published by Viking. Hardback, 768 pages. “Looking back, I sometimes ponder the age-old question of how much difference the particular characteristics of individual leaders make in the sweep of history—whether those of us who rise to power are mere conduits for the deep, relentless currents of the times or whether we’re at least partly the authors of what’s to come… “The…