Mangere community news - 275 Times
EDITION #29
APRIL 2017
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Our stories, our people, our Māngere
Kōrero paki ō tatou, Tāngata ō tatou, Ngā Hau Māngere ō tatou
HELP US FIND TIGI’S GUITAR
This distinctive guitar was stolen from the Māngere East Community Centre car park on 20 March (Photo: Pat Shepherd)
Have you seen or been
offered this Ovation guitar
‘missing’ from the Māngere
East Community Centre?
Legendary reggae performer
Tigilau Ness has used the guitar
for many community services and
causes for more than 15 years.
In the past seven years he’s used it
in his work with fathers and children
at the Māngere East Community
Centre’s parenting programmes, where
his melodies have been especially
effective in soothing autistic children.
Tigi and his guitar have also been
crowd favourites at the Māngere East
community Festivals for many years.
Tigi says that the guitar has “great
sentimental and creative value”
with composing and performing
his heart-felt songs. His son Che Fu
played the same guitar during his
time with the band ‘Supergroove’.
Tigi and his band ‘Unity Pacific’ won
the Best Roots Album (‘Blackbirder
Dread’) at the Vodafone NZ Music
Awards last year – songs created
with his beloved Ovation guitar.
The guitar is dark brown with a
distinctive curved back panel.
Its case is adorned with stickers
including a Palestinian flag
and a picture of Santana.
Tigi says that although our “community
is under threat from those who
would prey on the vulnerable” he
believes that “together we can stop”
anti-social behaviour like thieving.
He is concerned for the wellbeing
of whoever has the guitar, because
“many in the community know it
is missing” and want it returned.
If you‘ve seen the guitar, or know
where it is, please contact the
police or call Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The guitar can also be returned to
the Māngere East Community
Centre, 372 Massey Rd (behind the
Library) – or ring 09 275 6161 to have
it picked up – no questions asked.
“I just want it back,” says Tigi.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
P3: Speaking up for Libraries P4: Caring for our moana P5: Maramataka
WORLD MASTERS GAMES 2017
The 9th World Masters Games
kick off in Auckland this month.
Sports massage therapist and
Māngere resident, Toni Helleur
(who is the owner and director
of ReleaseWorks), and Māngere
physiotherapist Heiner Otumuli
(manager of the Physio Rehab clinic),
have been chosen to support the
‘mature’ athletes during the games.
Toni told 275Times that: “We
were approached directly by the
sport representative organiser we
will be helping – which for me is
basketball. Heiner will assist the rugby
players. It was our professionalism
and the experience we have
that gave us the opportunity.”
275Times: The World Masters
Games encourages “participation
in sport throughout life.”
What advice would you give to
‘mature’ would-be athletes who are
thinking about taking up a sport for
the first time, or returning to a sport
after a few years – even or decades?
Toni: Sport is something for anyone
young or old, physically abled or
not – there is no discrimination.
For our ‘mature’ athletes, due to
normal body wear and tear, I fully
encourage you to sort any ‘niggly’
injuries you may have before you
get active again. This is where both
Supporting mature athletes: Māngere's Toni Helleur (above) and
Heiner Otumuli (inset) will be providing on-site health services to
competitors at the World Masters Games 2017.
physio and massage work well.
Physio will help with strengthening
areas that are weak, where massage
can help realign muscles and
release tension, which helps with
improved movement and reduces
chances of further injuries.
Stretching would be my second
piece of advice. Before and after your
activity is a must. It’s like an older
car – you have to warm it up a bit
before you use it! These two steps
will prepare you well for any sport.
The World Masters Games 2017
run from April 21 to 30 at venues
throughout Auckland. Learn more at:
www.worldmastersgames2017.co.nz
Members of Māngere College's Cook Island
group celebrate their win at ASB Polyfest 2017
Māngere College Shines at Polyfest
By Ernestina Maro
At the ASB Polyfest last
month, Māngere College
was the overall winner
of both the Samoan and
Cook Island stages – a
great accomplishment
for the high school
and the community.
The school’s Samoan
group became back-toback
winners – taking
out the competition
for the second year in
a row, while the Cook
Island group returned
to first place with their
incredible Kaparima
(action song), drum dance
and Imene Tuki (singing).
Polyfest gives our
high school students
an opportunity to
embrace and share their
homegrown talent. It’s
a way to help build our
young people into noble
leaders who carry their
roots in everything they
do and believe in – which
will inspire them to
achieve their aspirations.
We are very grateful
to see our awesome
community connect
with the youth that
participate in this event,
as well as the parents
and families of these
talented young people.
We look forward to seeing
what Māngere College has
in store for Polyfest 2018!
2
Naomi Lange (left) with other members
of Māngere East Library’s knitting group
Speaking up for our libraries
Since the recent announcement
of plans to ‘restructure’ Auckland’s
libraries without any community
consultation, long-time Māngere
East community advocates Naomi
Lange and Roger Fowler have
expressed their concerns to the
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board.
Although library staff have been
instructed not to talk about it,
the cost-cutting plan has already
seen over 70 staff take voluntary
redundancy. The remaining
staff will be forced to ‘reapply’
for 1009 positions across the
Auckland region – 142 fewer staff
than the current level of 1151.
Following these cuts, it is understood
that staff are likely to be shunted
around the regional libraries. It is
feared that these moves will have
a negative impact on the quality
and continuity of services and
open up the possibility of further
cuts and even library closures.
At the Local Board meeting, Roger
said that libraries are “an integral part
of our community” and predicted
that Māngere people will “strongly
resist any detrimental changes.” He
called for the Board, councillors,
library staff and the community
to work together to safeguard
and enhance library services.
Naomi talked about the knitting
group at the Māngere East Library
that has been encouraged by
library staff who have a strong
rapport with users. She explained
that although Māngere East is a
vibrant community, there are “some
vulnerable people,” and that the
library provides a vital “safe haven.”
“I would not like to see our
permanent library staff, several of
whom are local, being moved from
library to library with no continuity
for the library users,” she said,
adding; “I fear these changes are like
operating a bank, not a community
service, and are detrimental to
our Māngere East people.”
Meanwhile, a growing city-wide
campaign has emerged. The ’Love
our Libraries’ Facebook group
encourages library users to show
their “aroha and appreciation”
for Auckland’s libraries and
librarians, and “demand input”
into the planned changes.
Find out more at ‘Love Our
Libraries’ on www.facebook.com.
UPSOUTH INSPIRES
CREATIVE THINKING
A new crowd empowerment
platform that gives people a place
to respond to local challenges
by sharing original ideas – and
earn money – is gathering
momentum in South Auckland.
Developed by The Southern
Inititative (TSI), UPsouth aims
to tap into users’ creativity and
develop “a network of young
people who lead together, support
one another’s development
and is both entrepreneurial and
altruistic,” explains TSI Social
Intrapreneur Fiona Cunningham.
Different organisations and groups
use UPsouth to make a request or
‘callUP’ for ideas – all of which earn
micro-payments from the funding
attached to each callUP, with some
receiving more significant amounts.
UPsouth’s first callUP – asking
people to design a logo for the
platform – inspired a vast range
of imaginative creations from
young South Auckland designers.
Three of the creators who receive
$500 for their efforts are from
Māngere: Ken Vaega, a 23-yearold
dancer, choreographer and
mentor with Affirming Works,
and secondary school students
J’me Li Tuhega and Petra Jelitto.
“TSI was absolutely delighted by
the awesome response to our
logo call-up, and choosing six
to receive a $500 payment was
difficult to say the least,” says
Fiona.“The quality was so high we
paid another 20 artists $50 each
and we will use all 26 fantastic
logos in a variety of ways.”
Anyone can join UPsouth, but
to earn money you need a New
Zealand bank account and an
IRD number. Check out upsouth.
nz to contribute your ideas to the
existing callUPs and keep your eye
on the platform for new ones.
Above: Māngere student Petra
Jelitto’s winning design for the
UPsouth logo competition.
3
CARING
FOR OUR
MOANA
It was no accident that the
first migrants to Aotearoa
made their home around the
Manukau Harbour. Teeming
with bird and sea life, fed
by freshwater springs and
surrounded by land with
rich volcanic soils, the
harbour was an ideal place
for whānau, hapū and iwi
to sustain themselves.
4
By Justine Skilling
Talking Rubbish
ME Family Services
Māngere Mountain Education Centre’s
Waimarie McFarland describes
the area around the harbour as a
“thriving food bowl for those who
made it home.” She tells the story of a
possible origin of the harbour’s name,
when the Tainui waka was carried
from the Tāmaki River via Ōtāhuhu.
The captain asked one of his men,
Taikehu, to see whether there were
any people on the harbour, as they
could hear loud chattering. “E hara i te
tangata he manu kau,” came his reply
(“There aren’t any people, only birds”).
Kaimoana for all
As recently as Waimarie’s
grandfather’s time, kina, mussels,
flounder, mullet, scallop and
oysters could be harvested near
Puketutu Island. Tuna (eels)
and īnanga (whitebait) could be
gathered from the Oruarangi
River and from a freshwater well
in his backyard at Ihumātao.
This was all to come to an abrupt and
devastating end in the mid 1900s,
with the relocation of Auckland’s
sewage treatment plant from Ōrākei
to Māngere. In the early days, raw
sewage was dumped directly into the
harbour, putting an end to the ability
of local iwi and other residents to
collect kaimoana from the harbour.
Development & degradation
The growth of industry, agriculture
and residential development around
the harbour over the past couple of
Above: Students from
Māngere East Primary
help clean up the Māngere
Bridge foreshore.
Right: Some of the
14,000 litres of rubbish
collected around the
Manukau Harbour
during the Sustainable
Coastlines Love Your
Coast Clean up in March.
hundred years have also taken their
toll on the health of our moana.
Although there have been vast
improvements in sewage treatment
processes, and restrictions on
dumping industry waste into
the harbour, the picture is still
far from rosy for New Zealand’s
second largest harbour.
“THE MANUKAU IS AN
AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL
HARBOUR WITH
INCREDIBLE BIRDLIFE.”
Auckland Council deems the harbour
safe for swimming in but Waimarie
still wouldn’t recommend gathering
shellfish from the Māngere area.
Auckland Regional Public Health
Service advises against eating
shellfish gathered in any urban areas
because of the risk from “illegallydumped
contaminants, animal waste,
road runoff, industrial discharges,
leachate from buried materials
and sewage overflows.” Litter and
illegal dumping has also become
a big issue around the harbour.
Helpers get hands-on
This year, the international
environmental organisation
Sustainable Coastlines has selected
the Manukau Harbour as the focus of
its Love Your Coast campaign for a
second year running. “The Waitematā
Harbour gets lots of attention,
but the Manukau is an amazingly
beautiful harbour with incredible
birdlife,” says Sustainable Coastline’s
Programme Manager, Fletcher
Sunde. “It’s become really degraded
compared to the other harbour.
People have turned their backs on it.”
Sustainable Coastlines has been
giving educational presentations
to schools on the effects of marine
litter on wildlife throughout the
past month, and has worked with
Māngere East Primary, Auckland
Seventh Day Adventist College, De
La Salle College, Te Kura Māori o
Ngā Tapuwae and Viscount School
to do beach clean-ups at Māngere
Bridge, Favona and Ihumātao.
During the Māngere East Primary
School clean-up on the Māngere
Bridge foreshore, teacher Malo
said “We’re teaching good habits
here. This is everyday learning
for the kids. Hopefully it’s
transferred to home as well.”
The children were excited to be
outside, hoping to find treasure.
“You shouldn’t litter because it
might get into the sea and kill the
sea creatures,” said one student.
“Then, there’d be no more kaimoana
to eat. The sea is important to life.”
Making an impact
The clean-ups ran throughout
March, but the tally of rubbish
collected at the time of writing was
already an astounding 14,000 litres!
Sustainable Coastlines will audit
and analyse the rubbish and report
back to participating schools to let
them know what was picked up.
During the 2016 clean-up,
over 78,000 pieces of rubbish
(from takeaway food and drink,
households, construction and
fishing) were picked up by
nearly 1,500 volunteers.
Waimarie’s grandfather’s vision was
to one day see his descendants able
to sustain themselves through food
sourced from the harbour again.
That vision is what drives Waimarie
and others of her generation, who
are fighting to hold on to what’s
left. “We need to all be mindful that
we are just as dependent on the
harbour as it is on us. We (humans)
are only one part of the picture –
and the rest of nature also has a
role to play. We need to value our
moana for the life it gives us.”
HOW CAN YOU HELP
CARE FOR OUR MOANA?
ÍÍAlways put your rubbish in
the bin and pick up any litter you
see around the streets. (Street
litter goes down our storm water
drains and out into the harbour.)
ÍÍJoin future clean ups at http://
sustainablecoastlines.org/
ÍÍVisit the Māngere Mountain
Education Centre to find out
more about the Manukau
Harbour and its history.
ÍÍJoin the SOUL campaign
to protect Ihumātao http://
www.soulstopsha.org/
DE LA SALLE COLLEGE CLEANS UP
In March, all two hundred Year
7 & 8 students from De La Salle
College took part in a Love
Your Coast Beach Clean-up.
Following a presentation from
marine biologist Fletcher Sunde,
the boys took a bus to Māngere
Bridge for the practical part: a
treasure hunt for rubbish.
Armed with bags and gloves, the
enthusiastic students found an
amazing collection of dumped
waste, including a laptop computer,
a flat screen TV, a muffler, and
a vacuum cleaner, as well as
religious icons, tyres and car seats.
Providing service to the community
is a compulsory part of education
at De La Salle. The Beach Cleanup
gave the boys an opportunity
to contribute their time and
energy to the community while
also learning a great deal.
Above: Students from De La Salle College
collect rubbish under Māngere Bridge.
MARAMATAKA:
April 2017
by Ayla Hoeta
Kia ora tātou,
we’re now in Matiti
Rauangina – the last
phase of summer.
The identifying star
for this period is
Whānui (Vega).
We notice the temperature
cooling and ‘te
angina’ – the rhythmic
dance of the leaves
as they swing and
fall from the trees.
Berries and fruit start
to fill the ngahere
(forest) and we prepare
our jars for preserving
jams, pickles, relishes
and sauces.
For all their hard work the
200 students were awarded
three service-hours each – a
total of 600 service hours
in the local community.
The most important lesson was
developing an understanding of
how to look after our harbour
and how precious it is.
When we leave litter lying around,
it travels out to sea through drains,
streams, estuaries and rivers. Once
in our oceans, rubbish harms
and kills sea creatures, who get
caught in it or mistake it for food.
Toxins from plastics poison our
seafood, and rubbish on land makes
a perfect home for mosquitos
to breed and spread disease.
The students and teachers of De
La Salle College would like to thank
Fletcher Sunde, the volunteers from
Sustainable Coastlines and the
Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board, who
assisted the school in this valuable
community service programme.
Key days and activities
include: Te Rākaunui
– the highest energy
day (10 April); Te
ra Oike – a day for
weeding the garden (13
April); and Tangaroa
a mua, Tangaroa a
rotoa and Tangaroa
kiokio – the best
fishing and planting
days for the west
coast (17 – 19 April).
Now I want introduce
you to another day
from the maramataka:
Te ra Whiro (24 April).
The best activity for
Whiro is rest and
reflection. It’s a day
for getting rid of the
old and preparing
to bring in the new
energy promised by
the strengthening
moon phases. It’s
pitch black at night
so take care and carry
a light if you have to
be out in the dark.
If you’d like a maramataka
dial, please
message 275 Times
on Facebook or email
me: ayla.hoeta@
aucklandcouncil.
govt.nz
5
TWR000874
6
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“I’m just a young Pacific
Islander fulfilling a lifelong
dream of writing,
creating and producing
music and travelling the
world ‘cos of it.” – Swiss
by Shirl’e Fruean
Lately I’ve been hearing
a lot of positive feedback
about this influential
musician, so it’s only right
that we shed a bit of light
on the 2013 Pacific Music
Awards’ Best Male Artist:
Swiss (Pepa Manu).
Swiss first gifted us with
his enchanting reggae/R&B
melodies while signed to
Dawn Raid Entertainment,
releasing songs such as
‘She’s Mine’, ‘Slow Wind’
and a cover of ‘Blue
Bayou’ – to name a few.
You may have caught
him live at One Love,
Raggamuffin, Island Reggae
(San José, USA) or Riddim
Fest in Hawai’i. And you
might just find yourself
subconsciously singing
along to his songs on the
radio, too. That’s because
his music captivates us
and makes us feel good.
I first met Swiss at a music
event a couple of years
ago. He came across as
respectful and down-toearth
– and of course
when he sang he definitely
knew how to get the
ladies on the dance floor.
Growing up with a sporty
and religious background
didn’t stop Swiss from
pursuing his dreams to
make it big in the music
industry, and because of
his determination, he’s
had many opportunities.
Even so, he’s stayed
grounded. Humbly residing
in Māngere, Swiss says
the greatest blessings
in his life right now are
his four-month old son
Asher, and his wife of two
years, Tree Vaifale Mau.
His favourite hangout is at
home with his son; Niue is
his favourite destination;
and his favourite food is
my fav’ too. (Although I
haven’t tried his mum’s
ota (raw fish), which
he says is “the best”).
He’s also working hard.
Tree says: “As CEO of our
company he oversees all
the artists – making sure
projects are planned out in
the best way from promo to
release, studio sessions are
run smoothly and everyone
is accounted for – as well
as running the label, and
preparing for a world tour.”
As he balances his music,
career, marriage, and
church life with being a
first-time dad, Swiss feels
blessed to have great family
support from both sides, as
well as an understanding
and supportive wife.
Without her he doesn’t
know where he’d be.
His five-year goal is to
build his Big ‘Lil Kids record
label. Then he hopes to
“hang the mic up and
build on his family.”
Recently returned from
performing in Darwin,
Swiss is now prepping
for a show at Rainbows
End’s Summer Nights. He’ll
be releasing brand new
music this month too.
Add Swiss’ social media sites
to keep in the loop about
his upcoming events!
FONUA: TURNING THE TIDE ON CLIMATE CHANGE
by To’asavili Tuputala
Edited by Gabriel Faatau’uu
I laughed when my friends Gabe
Faatau’uu and Carmel-Maria
Savaiinaea asked my friend Viola
Johansson and me to join the
Whanui: Fonua theatre show choir.
Viola and I are writers, and
it’s a known fact among our
friends that neither of us can
sing to save our lives.
A few weeks later, Gabe asked if I
was interested in writing poetry
for Fonua. This time, I jumped at
the opportunity. I’d been a fan
of co-director Troy Tu’ua’s work
and felt honoured to work with
him. We discussed the poetry I’d
be writing for the production,
and I started researching and
presenting to the cast.
The Fonua cast was made up of
both first time performers and
professionals. Rehearsals were
more than just learning moves
and lines – we broke surface,
immersed in the history of our
ancestors. We discussed the poetry.
We were in deep – we were the
sand bags, the king-tide waves,
the poetry – we were a cast.
After one rehearsal, Gabe told
me he had a vision of me centre
stage, performing my poetry.
I quickly changed the subject,
telling him that I would be writing
for the show and that was it.
Then, two weeks before the live
production, Troy asked me to
perform. I panicked and tried to
find a way out. I’ve done open mics
and poetry slams; never theatre. But
support poured in from everywhere
– especially from Siosaia Folau, the
musical director. So I stepped from
behind the scenes and onto my own
little island, cast as the older spirit
of Meleseini Tuai, watching her
mother (played by Doreen Huni),
waking to rebuild the seawall.
I can’t begin to tell you how many
doubts I had about taking the role,
but I listened to the calling and
responded with the poetry I wrote
and collaborated on with Viola.
To’asavili Tuputala (top left), on stage
with other members of Fonua’s cast
(Photo: Mishelle Muagututi’a)
The experience was both scary and
exhilarating, but completely worth
it. When you have your loved ones
telling you after the show that
they’ve always heard about climate
change, but never really understood
it until seeing Fonua, you can’t
help but feel like you did your job.
We, as the cast, gave our hearts to
the performance. We even gave
up nights with family to serve this
message. Knowing that people
walked away aware of climate
change and the rising sea levels
doesn’t only let me know we did
our job, it gives me hope that as a
nation, we are capable of change.
Get going
by bike
FREE CYCLE SKILLS TRAINING FOR ADULTS
Come along to our beginner bike and
maintenance drop-in session. You can
learn to ride, improve your skills and
confidence plus learn a few tips to keep
your bike in good condition.
Thursday 13 April,
6pm - 8pm
Mangere Community House
141 Robertson Road, Mangere East
Bikes are available for you to use
AT.govt.nz/cyclingevents
7
Community Notices
BOGGUST PARK CULTURAL & EASTER FESTIVAL
The Boggust Park community is hosting its first Cultural
& Easter Festival. Come along and meet your neighbours,
experience the richness of Māngere’s cultural diversity,
enjoy some delicious ethnic food and plenty of colourful
entertainment. Saturday, 8 April, 2pm – 5pm, at Boggust Park,
4 Grangewood Close, Favona, Māngere. For more info contact:
Terisa – ph. 021 022 69307 or talavouandt@gmail.com; or Jois –
ph. 022 340 8913 or josinalvanobre85@gmail.com
MOVIES IN PARKS – THREE WISE COUSINS
See ‘Three Wise Cousins’ for FREE on Saturday, 8 April at David
Lange Park, Bader Drive, Māngere. Family activities start at
5pm and the movie starts at sunset (approximately 6pm). BYO
blankets, cushions and bug spray!
WASTE-FREE PARENTING WORKSHOP
A fun, inspirational workshop about reducing waste. Learn
about modern cloth nappies, as well as waste-free parenting
ideas and tips. Monday, 10 April, 7pm – 9:30pm at the Farm
Education Building, Ambury Regional Farm, 43 Ambury Road
(right at the end of Māngere Bridge). Cost: $10 (+ booking fee)
individual or couple. Attendees get a waste-free parenting pack
that includes cloth nappies valued at $90. Bookings essential!
Ph or text Kate on 027 2211 242 or visit thenappylady.co.nz
EASTER EGG HUNT & PICNIC
Easter Sunday is a day of celebration! Come and join the fun at
Massey Homestead and bring a picnic (hopefully the weather
will be good). Sunday, 16 April, 11:30am –12:30pm, Massey
Homestead, 351 Massey Road, Māngere. This FREE event is
hosted by Church in Progress MCC.
FREE CLASSES IN MANGERE EAST
The Māngere East Community Centre runs FREE and lowcost
community education classes in te reo Māori, Samoan,
English, sewing, literacy and numeracy, korowai and tukutuku,
drivers licence theory, tai chi, zumba – and more! Visit www.
mangereeast.org, email: fiona@mangereeast.org, ph. 09 275
6161 or drop in to the Centre at 372 Massey Road, Māngere
East to find out more.
INCREDIBLE YEARS PARENTING PROGRAMME
Friday mornings 10am – 12:30pm at Māngere East Community
Centre, 372 Massey Road, Māngere East. Starts 20 April. FREE.
Taking referrals now. Email admin@ohomairangi.co.nz, or ph.
09 263 0798.
COOKING SOUL FOOD WITH JOSEPH FINAU
Low carb cooking for families. Tuesdays from 10:30am to
12:00pm at ME Family Service Centre, 7 Hain Ave, Māngere
East. FREE – all welcome. Runs until 18 April.
MANGERE EAST HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
Tuesday 18 April – Friday 28 April, 7:30am – 6pm. Cost: $35 a
day. WINZ subsidies available. Awesome excursions including:
movies, wheels day, MOTAT, party day and mystery trips!
Suitable for 5- to 13-year-olds. Enquire today! ph. 09 275 6161,
mob. 029 773 0146 or email oscar@mangereeast.org
MANGERE BRIDGE LIBRARY
The theme these holidays is ‘Construction Wizards’. Activities
include: Wizardry and magic: Are you a fan of Harry Potter?
Make your own special wand to test your skills. (Thu 20/4, 11am
– 12pm). Minecraft Club: Bring your device (or use one of ours)
and join in with other like-minded gamers and swap tips and
tricks. (Fri 21/4, 3:30 – 4:30pm).
All things paper: Drop in during the day and enjoy constructing
with paper. (Sat 22/4, 10:30am – 3pm).
Fun with coding: Do you know how to write your name in
coding language? Join us and turn your name into something
special. (Mon 24/4, 10:30am – 12pm) future
Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a
caregiver. To book, or find out more, ask at the library, print call 09
636 6797, search @MangereBridgeLibrary on Facebook or email
mangerebridge.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Maliu and Sabrina Aiturau love cycling, and
remind drivers to “Look Twice for Bikes.”
MANGERE CYCLING ACTION IN APRIL:
Learn to Ride: The next learn to ride and bike maintenance
drop-in cycle training day for adults is from 6pm – 8pm on
Thursday 13 April at the Māngere Community House, 141
Robertson Rd. If you don’t have a bike – one can be provided!
Easter Hunt on Bikes Day: Meet at Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Pools,
Māngere Town Centre on Good Friday, 14 April at 6pm for a
fun circuit around Māngere’s Future Streets, looking for Easter
eggs along the trail. FREE for all ages. Bikes and helmets can be
provided if needed.
School Holiday ‘Breakaway’ programme: For 11- to 17-yearolds
at the Māngere Community House, Robertson Rd from
11am to 3pm, 18 – 28 April. Bike rides and cycle maintenance.
Complete the nine-day programme and receive a bike! Call the
Māngere Community House on 09 275 4920 to register.
Sunday Morning Bike Rides: Meet 7:30am each Sunday at the
bus stop opposite Fresh Choice store in Māngere Bridge – open
for all ages.
CONTRIBUTORS WANTED
We’d love to hear from local writers, photographers and anyone
else interested in contributing to the 275 Times. Get in touch at
www.facebook.com/275times or email 275Times@gmail.com
Community notices are FREE for non-profit organisations.
Send us details of your group or event for the next issue!
275 times
275
Māngere’s
times
Design: Belinda Fowler Editor: Roger Fowler
Publisher: Māngere East Community Centre
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www.275times.com 09 275 6161
Contact: Tuhin Choudhury
Unit 7/17 Airpark Drive
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