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The U-196 arrived off the Northland coast sometime in May 1945, with a small team of German nuclear scientists and their equipment. They had been ordered there by the commander of the German submarine forces, Admiral Dönitz, as part of a secret agreement between Germany and Britain, after the United States had determined to exclude Britain from the Manhattan Project, immediately…

With a mercurial mind, at times untameable but unashamedly honest, one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed literary icons lived a brief but tumultuous life. Born as Kathleen Mansfield Beauchamp, October 14th, 1888 in a small wooden house in Thorndon, Wellington, she was the third daughter of five siblings in a commercially and socially expansive family. Her father, Harold Beauchamp,…

“New Zealand requires a Ministry of Water.” So stated Ron Howard, a retired engineer who recently addressed the Veterans Division of the Pukekohe returned Services Association. Mr Howard provided a précis of his extensive research of the country’s water issues that have covered a 30 year span and, ironically, he has pre-empted the government, which had intended to bring out a…

The music industry has always been an evolving machine. A constant cog that changes how music is heard transitioning through different types of media, new inventions and other advances that force it to adapt and change long established business models. By the end of 2018, Global recorded music revenue had grown by 9.7% with streaming services making up half of revenue, driven by…

The creative side of the Business Association was put to action with the outstanding mannequin display in Averill Street, in an empty store window. Driven by Paula Schultz, Chair of the PBA, mannequins were dressed and backdrops put in place to create an eye catching and interesting window display, which is a lot prettier than an empty window. Our thanks to the Landlord who…

When the Du Toit family embarked on their journey to buy their first home, they knew that they wanted to find a home that would cater for their young family with design features, tick off all the items on their wish lists and be located in an area that was designed with community living in mind. The choice to build in Paerata Rise was an easy one, from the moment they met up with…

Temperatures may be dropping as we head for our two coldest months of the year, but things at elocal are hotting up! It always a pleasure to work every month with our local businesses and community groups and highlight all the great things about them and this month is no exception. From graphic designers, building companies, and barn door crafters, July elocal showcases some of…

Driving around Auckland the other day, I saw that one of the candidates for the Auckland mayoralty is promising to sack the board of Auckland Transport. He’s got my vote was my immediate reaction! Of course, I know that the performance of Auckland Transport is not the only important issue in this local body election, but for me it is arguably the most important single issue. …

James Cook’s quest to ‘range’ further than any other man began incrementally. Having declined the offer by his employer, John Walker, to take command of one of his ships Cook volunteered for service with the British Royal Navy. Walker was unsurprised at Cook’s change in direction, observing that the twenty-seven year old ‘had always an ambition to go into the Navy’.[^2] Cook…

The history of gold stretches as far back as the beginning of civilization. Humans have long since realized the value of gold for both decoration and currency due to its rarity, lustre and ease of exchange, and while it remains a global business with no shortage of big and small scale mining operations and reality TV shows, especially in America. In New Zealand the discovering…

With a flair for developing visual solutions that reflect your company and culture that engages you with your target audience, look no further than L’ora Creations to deliver an effective brand experience. We believe in building honest and open relationships via communication with our clients and adding value to your business. We align your goals to the needs of you that builds…

When long-time Patumahoe locals Brooke and Callan Nash took over the running of Patumahoe Cabinetmakers and renamed it KitchenTech, nearly four years ago they set about establishing a true customer centric business model that would enable them to provide a top service to anyone in the area wanting something crafted that was just a little bit special. A well-renowned and qualified…

The development of Music Education has been a part of New Zealand’s Primary and Intermediate school curriculum since the nineteenth century and has always been viewed as a valued subject inextricably linked with New Zealand’s evolving education system. In 1877, The Education Act established the Department of Education, although it didn’t officially begin to function until 1878.…

If you spend your days dreaming about the perfect home, are full of ideas about how it will look and would love a personalised design process that reflects your individual needs, then you need to make sure you contact Brant Design and Build to make that dream a reality. Well established in the local Franklin area for over 30 years and headed by Greg Penfold, Brant Design and…

Initiated by Drury Rotary in 1987, this award has been presented every year, with the exception of a couple to an outstanding local candidate. As the name implies it was started with the aim of promoting young people in vocational training and the recipients have covered a range of occupations. Applicants need to be in the 18-30 age group and either live or work in the South…

Tim Ashby-Peckham is a 26 year old photographer based in South Auckland. He specialises in two types of photography, nature and astrophotography, which is photographing stars and other astronomical subjects. His passion for space and New Zealand wildlife is reflected in the themes and subject matter of his photographs. After buying a DSLR camera back in 2015, one of Tim’s first…

The annual CRC Speedshow has become New Zealand’s premiere automotive event which caters for all things automotive related and everything in between. This year’s event is sure to be a very memorable one with the guest appearance of renowned USA automotive designer Chip Foose. If that name sounds familiar you would have seen him on the highly popular Overhaulin’ TV series. Chip is…

As a terrible storm raged over the North Island coast in December 1769 the ships of Captain Cook and the French explorer Jean-François-Marie de Surville unknowingly passed within a relatively short distance of each other. Both the British and the French governments on behalf of their respective monarchies were engaged in a progressive programme of expansion of their foreign…

I believe with the unconditional surrender of Germany on May 8, 1945, the then commander of Germany’s submarine fleet, Admiral Karl Dönitz, used the only bargaining chip he had left, German nuclear research, spirited away from the advancing Russians, often with only hours to spare. Germany had begun a joint nuclear research programme with Japan some time in 1942, establishing a…

It is claimed that we can trace the liquid food of the simple soup back 20,000 years and that is not surprising as the humble dish has been part of our global culinary history since forever. In previous eras the idea of a modern kitchen stocked with all manner of pots, pans and gadgets was a pipe dream for some future time and the grassroots cooks of antiquity generally combined…