KOOKABURRA Magazine of Kawau Island New Zealand
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WINTER 2019 KOOKABURRA Magazine of Kawau Island New Zealand
Kawau Island Kookaburra
“To publish the Kawau Island Kookaburra as a means of communication
and as an outlet for news and articles written by interested persons”
Kawau Island Residents & Ratepayers Association Rule 3(g)
Correspondence and contributions to:
Michael Marris: editor@kirra.org.nz 021 739 973
Advertising managed by:
Jude Wood: advertising@kirra.org.nz 021 529 633
KIRRA membership is invited:
Contact Nikki Porteous: secretary@kirra.org.nz 021 0270 8953
Membership includes four issues of Kookaburra each year
Check out our Kawau Island website: www.kawauisland.org
KIRRA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
2019 - 2020
Chairman: Andrew Fyfe 021 622 231
Secretary: Nikki Porteous 021 027 08953
Treasurer: Sally Ostick 021 223 4268
Gael Archer 021 052 9002
Colin Bright 09 524 6189
Peter Buckton 422 3520
Pam Dallow 09 444 3378
Shelley Futcher 021 231 1372
Lin Pardey 422 8997
Sally Ostick 021 223 4268
Carl Weaver 0274 572 640
Mandy Weaver 021 273 9479
Jude Wood 021 529 633
KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 1
Contents Comment
Cover Photos: Sarah Fyfe & Stephen Robinson Michael Marris
It is perhaps rather perplexing that, whilst we make big gains in ensuring our coastal strips
Comment 3 Kawau Homecoming 36 are keen to talk about what good custodians we are managed in a similar manner to how main-
Michael Marris Caroline Boot &Tim Duffett are of our beautiful island and it’s magnificent landers (mostly) here for their own frontages.
Letters To The Editor 4 Beware the Palms 38 environment, a tourist trip on the Kawau Kat Mangroves can be as vexing an issue as wal-
David Kingston John Pettit will uncover a different narrative. This bubble labies – some people loathe them, some peo-
Vivian Bay News 6 Gulf Marine Park Goals 44 burst into the open recently when the Godwin’s ple love them! Auckland Council recently en-
discovered, with dismay that their property dorsed the clearing of 25 ha of mangroves from
Fay Richardson Katina Conomos
towards the end of Bon Accord Harbour had an estuary in Waiuku.
Pembles Bay News 8 Argentine Ant Programme 49 been systematically used first as a squatter’s
Billie Sturgiss Lyn Hume hovel and when the squatters were deported Also of concern for Kawau are infestations of
North Cove News 10 Pohutukawa Trust 50 there was a rubbish tip left behind. This was noxious weeds, such as ginger plant and wild-
Ross West Carl Weaver, Chairman reported in the last issue of Kookaburra. ing pines along with risks of both myrtle rust
and kauri dieback. These are issues that can the
South Cove Notes 12 Park Notes 52 Since then tales have come in of other places all easily carried out by individual land owners.
Andrew Stone Sue Stoddart around the Island and states of either disrepair,
ANZAC Address 14 Island Defibrillators 55 weed-infested or simply dumping grounds for It is however dilapidated wrecks of boats, bach-
Staniland West Chris Carding people’s junk. North Cove is a good example: es left to rot away and half-completed building
Stories from Stockyard 18 Bookworms 57 the beach at Beaumont Point is littered with projects, that can be most problematic. Allied
decrepit old boats, and sundry other discarded to this are the inherent Island difficulties in
Charlotte & Catherine Warman Karen Carding
rubbish; then a new but chronically unfinished disposing of domestic hardware that has run
Camp Bentzon Report 20 Poem: The Old Boatshed 58 house on the water’s edge is at risk of being out of useful time – fridges, ovens, broken beds
Peter & Erin Hyde Peter Newson overtaken by an infestation of ginger plant and and couches, and the ordinary collection of
Fire Team 22 Burning Boat 60 other noxious flora. Further on an empty sec- old television sets, rusted-out corrugated iron
Gavin Brunton Chris Carding tion regularly spills silt and mud into the Cove, sheds to list but some. These can mostly only
Afloat Around Kawau 24 The Beach House 61 in the absence of wave protection. All within be barged away and that is expensive. Even
50m of tourist viewing from the ferry. The then, once on the mainland they have to be
Lin Pardey Karina & Luke
North Cove situation is not unique. transported to a landfill – more cost!
Power Outage 26 Twenty Years Ago 63
Kawau Girl Kookaburra 1999 At its last two meetings the KIRRA executive KIRRA members are all well aware of these op-
Easter Eggs and Kiwi Care 29 LegaSea 65 has been addressing ways in which Islanders erational difficulties. The committee is inves-
Grant Whitehouse Scott Macindoe might be both encouraged and helped to live tigating ways in which it might underwrite a
up to our boast of being “committed environ- regular rubbish barge collection. There would
Wintering Over 30 Bon Accord Bar and Bistro 66
mental custodians”. Around the Island there then be a contractor employed to truck the
The Two Jens Davo & Robyn Lee are a variety of neighbourly initiatives which load to the Snells Beach landfill.
Winter Water Risks 32 Poem: Just Beyond The Jetty 68 make great inroads into this chronic and dis-
Chris Carding Heidi Butler tasteful situaton. For example, there is the reg- It behoves all of us as Islanders to be diligent
Poem: Shape Changers 33 KIRRA Exectutive Minutes 72 ular Starboard Arm onslaught, the most recent in the preservation of our beautiful Kawau en-
one being report by Grant Whitehouse in this vironment. Hopefully this proactive response
Lois E. Hunter Nikki Porteous (ed)
issue. from KIRRA will result in a mechanism that
greatly helps relieve the accumulation of un-
Other groups spend time together clearing up sightfull and distasteful debris around our
their own little Island settlements and these coastline.
2 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 3
Letters To The Editor the very young fourth generation of Kingstons
are nurturing little nikau and kowhai that they
have been introduced to. This is all done in the
David Kingston, Vivian Bay hope that one day Kawau will be restored to its
Dear Editor well publicised wallaby incursions around Ro- former glory.
torua and Waimate in the South Island and the
Not an issue of Kookaburra, an annual meet- escape of an animal by fair means or foul to say I think finally we may now have a chance.
ing, in fact, any gathering of Kawau Islanders the Takatu Peninsular would be devastating. Thank you, Auckland Council.
goes by without some brick bat being thrown
towards Auckland Council. For once, how- I am sorry Mr. Editor, I hate to disagree with
ever, we all should put aside our thoughts on you, but in your second to last editorial you
moorings, wharves, Sandspit rubbish collec- spoke of perhaps the scope for containment of
tion, car parking and other mundane matters
and rejoice in the production of the Auckland
wallaby. This is not a sound option. The Plan
does not allow room for that - the risks are too
Tackle and Outdoor Boating Fishing Outdoor
Regional Pest Management Plan 2019-2029. great. Anchors Fishing Lines Beach trolleys
Credit to Auckland Council where credit is Chandlery Lures & jigs Boots
due. An independent body, such as Auckland 12/14 Elizabeth St, Warkworth Life jackets Nets & ga s Chilly bags
Council and not Kawau Islanders, was needed Rod holders Reels Clothing
In the plan, Kawau Island has been singled to make this decision. Kawau Islanders come Ph: 09 425 7994 Ropes Rods Home smokers
out and over the duration of the plan Auck- and go, the views of a property owner today Tackle bags Kitchen items
www.tackleandoutdoor.co Terminal tackle Waders
land Council will eradicate the specified pest could well differ from the property owner of
animals from the Island. The specified pests the future. This is a decision compatible with
include possum, wallaby, mustelids and rats. Predator Free 2050 and a decision which will
have a hugely positive impact on Kawau for
This is a game changer. Due to the effects of the generations to come.
above pests Kawau Island is presently an eco-
logical desert. Essentially, a forest comprising Eradication means to reduce the infestation
manuka and kanuka only. Small remnants of level of the subject pest to zero levels in an area
the once abundant native bush exist in some of in the short to medium term. The delivery of
the steep, remote valleys and pockets of regen- this outcome allows for any property to be en-
eration are occurring where some serious pest tered and control work carried out.
eradication work is being attempted.
Coincidentally, an article in the NZ Herald of
The Plan recognises that due to Kawau’s close 28th March 2019 spoke of a major global study
proximity to Tawharanui and Shakespear that has identified five NZ offshore havens
Sanctuary and other pest free islands it has which could play a role in helping save some
the potential to become home to many more of the world’s most threatened species. Great
native birds if invasive mammals are removed Barrier and Kawau were two of the five. Once
from the Island and habitat regenerates. The again, it is stunning to think that Kawau has
key here being the regeneration of habitat. again been singled out in this way.
The Plan specifically addresses wallaby and I first walked along the beach at Vivian Bay 60
correctly notes a very real risk to the mainland years ago. From that day, I watched my father
with their having severe impacts on native for- plant and fence native trees. I have followed
est as well as pastoral farming. There have been on, watched my sons do the same, and now
4 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 5
Vivian Bay News 6DQGVSLW
Pembles Bay News vided the catering and wonderful neighbours
who lent us their houses, we welcomed 75
Billie Sturgiss guests to Pembles Bay. The weather was fabu-
lous, the barge arrived and was offloaded in
In 1970 the Bull and Woodyear-Smith families perfect conditions (with the help of the Fyfe’s
purchased land in Pembles Bay. At the time four-wheel buggy) and portaloos and chillers
a pioneering move considering there was no were set in place; the marquee set up and the
access unless you walked over the hill from ferry delivered several groups of guests from a
North Cove which both families did, with variety of accommodations.
young families, water, food and family cats.
The Fyfe family also arrived around this time, It was a special weekend all round. The guests
and so the population of Pembles began. Over appreciated how special Kawau is, most having
the years houses and wharves were built, long never been there before. The wedding ceremo-
drop toilets became redundant and power was ny on the beach was beautiful and reception
finally established after many years of kerosene was wonderful. There is nothing like the sun-
lamps, outdoor kitchens and wood stoves. set behind Pembles Island on a still night, with beach, which had been festooned in flowers for
a glass of bubbles, good food, great speeches, the event. When the guests emerged the next
The logistics of having a wedding on Kawau fun and dancing. Hannah and Alastair spent day, they enjoyed a BBQ in the sun and a swim
seemed huge as everyone on the Island would their wedding night in the tent overlooking the before departing back to the other side.
know. After meticulous planning by Hannah
and Alastair, with the help of Maree who pro-
Mooring For Sale
North Cove mooring in good position in mooring zone
Chain and mooring blocks recently overhauled.
Fabulous Fergie buoy
Contact: Michael 021 73 99 73
8 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 9
North Cove News old friends and family. The evening also cel-
ebrated a new ping pong table that’s replaced
the pool table, so long a basement feature. It’s
Ross West
fair to say David’s regular sparring with Lin
Like all the Island, and a good deal of the gave him an unfair advantage in brisk rallies!
country, North Cove enjoyed a magnificent It was a great success and much more acces-
autumn with fine still weather. The summer sible and entertaining for a number of people
long weekends and Easter saw a healthy num- than pool.
ber of baches occupied. Easter had big tides
and those of us up tidal inlets made good use A friend of Herb Fava’s is sorting out his prop-
of them. The very amiable Grant Whitehouse erty which is great to see as it’s so close to com-
organised a Starboard Arm working bee on pletion and all it needs is people. Anyone who’s
the Sunday afternoon and hundreds of juve- come into the Cove will be familiar with the
nile mangroves were yanked out. I then collect starkly modernist dwelling right on the wa-
them, chop them up with a machete and add ter, port side, as you enter the bay. It’s drawn
them to my compost. Grant writes about the a lot of comments over the years but I like it.
clean-up and an application he and others have Of course, it’s not board and batten and has
made for rat eradication support elsewhere in lots of glass but it’s shape and simplicity is very
the magazine. much like a fibro bach someone may have built
fifty years ago. The Whitehouse brothers place ter years afloat Jill managed to run her boat
tralia’s east coast to Cairns where they intend aground while looking for a suitable anchor-
Since I last wrote another North Cove property to return this August and carry on up through opposite me is a good example of that form. I
hope Herb’s place is swarming with happy peo- age down the south eastern end of Waiheke
has changed hands and it’s fair to say everyone Indonesia. However, when I interviewed An-
ple this summer. this summer. It’s fair to say she wasn’t paying
in Starboard Arm is delighted. The land and drew for this column, he said they may well
house overlooking Starboard Wharf has been attention at the time but fortunately Tuna is,
sail back to New Zealand and get all the major
unoccupied for several years and partially Last year I reported on the number of birds like her skipper, indestructible.
work on the property sorted out before set-
completed earthworks means heavy rain takes Frank and Trish Walton have identified on
ting out once more on their odyssey. It’s their As I write this, summer is well and truly be-
soil off the site to the beach below with a seri- their kauri-covered slope opposite me. The
intention to spend winters on their yacht and hind us but I know there will be magnificent
ous landslide always a possibility. Fortunately, number was 26 with two being only heard
summers back here until they’ve had their fill winter days to enjoy and cosy nights with a fire
the new owners, Andrew and Karen Duncan, and not seen. Moana Cove’s Jill Hetherington,
of world cruising and make North Cove their going and a decent storm giving the Island a
have been coming to the Island for a good however, has capped that with a stupendous
main home.
number of years helping Sunny Bay friends 42 different species both “seen and heard”. Af- thorough seeing to.
landscape and develop their properties. So Andrew and Karen have three children and two
as no strangers to the Island they had a good grandchildren. When I visited, their daughter
idea of what they wanted from a Kawau Island Eden and partner Cameron were busy with • Marine construction
property, knew exactly what they were taking chainsaw and chipper working their way
on when making the purchase. through an impossibly large pile of branches
• Wharfs/Jettys/Pontoons/Gangways
from two very large trees dropped the day be- • New builds/Repairs/Refurbishment
Andrew and Karen farm 800 milking ewes on fore. A perfect introduction to Kawau. • Seawalls
their Waikato goat farm and for the last six • Boat Ramps/Boatlifters/Boat Sheds
years have sailed a fifty-foot steel sloop with Early in May Lin Pardey and David Haig laid • Consents/Engineering & Design
the wonderful name Cooee Two! In 2017 they on a very pleasant meal as they won’t be here
left New Zealand on a world cruise but after for the Solstice or Thanksgiving blowouts that
available
exploring the Pacific islands a farming oppor- Lin’s house is famous for. They are now back
tunity brought them back here and they left the in Australia on David’s yacht and initially will
yacht in Australia. Last year they cruised Aus- spend time in Sydney catching up with David’s
10 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 11
South Cove Notes
Andrew Stone
As the four-wheel drive made its way slowly
uphill from the South Cove wharf, the pre-
nailed trusses tied to the roof rack flexed and
rocked. The driver proceeded carefully, wary of
the weight above his head and conscious that
his load was worth a bob or two.
He took a wide sweep round the curves where
the track cuts into the side of the hill.
The trusses wobbled and bent but never broke.
Their tips, poking out way past both ends of
the vehicle brushed branches on the way up The transfer was significant because it marked
but the load safely made the trip to the build- the end of a long chapter on Kawau for Joan
ing site along Woods Ridge. Tunnicliffe. A formidable woman, Joan had
two properties which had sweeping views
And so, a carefully laid plan to get the materi- down the Cove and west towards the mainland.
als from the wharf to the hilltop section suc-
For a few years she let the places to places and
ceeded. A little ingenuity, a dash of bravado
BARGE TO KAWAU
groups of fishers. When her visitors departed,
and a bit of neighbourly help all combined to
Joan came over to clean up and prepare the
push the house project a bit further along.
place for the next group, sweeping through
with great energy. Her connections to the Kawau Wharf & Moorings 2015 Ltd
As anyone who tackles a big task on Kawau
Cove went back years. Her late husband Jock,
knows, you need to sort your transport before
a twinkly eyed Scot, created a path through the
even starting to think about the work ahead.
bush and down to the water. The track opened Freight
We often reflect that in our little corner of the
Island it’s possible to sing out to a neighbour
up flat rock benches along the south of Kawau Building materials
for fishers, who otherwise would be denied a
for a helping hand. Getting big items to their bounty from the rocky beach. They might not Rubbish removal with bins
destination can involve handling the stuff four be aware of the history, but they can be grateful Septic tank cleaning
or five times. for the Tunnicliffe legacy.
Surveyed vessel
NE
The family doing the new build is blessed with The other kind of departure from South Cove [No Moorings]
lots of boys. On this occasion, they were well- was Chris Carding’s retirement from his emer-
roped for the truss transport. All they needed gency roles. Chris has never stopped giving
was a sturdy vehicle and one was provided. Job 110 per cent in the many hats he wore in mak-
done.
Mark Phillips
ing the place as safe as possible, responding
to accidents and incidents and training vol- P:021 424 151
As this house starts to take shape - the piles are unteers for vital tasks. The Island - and South E: bargetokawau@gmail.com
in, the subfloor down, materials assembled on Cove especially- has much to be grateful for P O Box 13 Warkworth
site - an older one has changed hands. the hours Chris devoted to his work.
12 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 13
ANZAC Address a result of the selfless sacrifice of our soldiers
serving in overseas campaigns.
Staniland West I had a funny and, truth be told, deeply em-
Good afternoon everyone. barrassing experience when working in Bris-
bane a decade or so ago. A Queenslander I was
My brief address today is about the essence of working with asked me why do I, as a New
ANZAC; not about the history of war, of the Zealander, celebrate ANZAC Day. I looked at
New Zealand SAS Regiment or, indeed, the her, very surprised, and replied, ‘Well, what
ANZACs’, as there are many more qualified do the letters NZ in ANZAC mean?’ This in-
than I to speak about these topics. Instead, I telligent lady, a lawyer, was initially lost for
will talk about what I believe the spirit of AN- words, blushing scarlet and, obviously as em-
ZAC Day means to us, the New Zealand com- barrassed as I was, and then she apologised to
munity, and how this spirit manifests in our me profusely. She had only thought about what
daily lives, the comradery, togetherness and Australians had done and forgotten the bigger
being ‘good mates’ with everyone. picture.
Fighting a war isn’t an honour nor is it to be
In truth, the ANZACs themselves were only
glorified. It’s a duty that evolves through de-
one part of a much larger campaign. They were
mocracy and like most duties there is both
stronger for being part of something larger
pain and fulfilment. The pain of war is death,
than themselves, as are we, here, today. This morning’s gathering recognises and cel-
the loss of individuals to families and the re-
ebrates the sacrifice of New Zealanders, Aus-
sultant injuries from war. The ANZAC fulfil-
To me, the ANZAC spirit is about many im- tralians and other nationalities; friend and foe.
ment was that whilst there may have been no
military victory there was a victory of the spir- portant things and just to mention a few:
Such sacrifices are still being made right
it, as ANZAC soldiers showed courage in the around the world, as we stand here. What
face of adversity and sacrifice. • It is about recognising the Australasian
happened recently in Christchurch following
connection.
the appalling massacre was a wonderful ex-
ANZAC Day is a sacred day!
ample of what and how New Zealanders react
“Irreverent in the face of authority”......does • It is about recognising the commitment of
I would like to quote from the Wikipedia web in crisis. All races and creeds combined their
that sound familiar? members of our wider community to de-
site a perceptive description of the ANZAC resources to help the survivors and show com-
fend our Sovereign shores and the validity
spirit: passion to all those individuals, families and
I like to think that New Zealanders and our of other recognised Nations of the World. congregations who had victims who had died.
friends across the ditch share a knack for only
‘The Anzac spirit … suggests that Austral- taking seriously, serious matters; but I also • It is about camaraderie, communication, This gathering here has been a wonderful ex-
ian and New Zealand soldiers possess think we have become a bit selfish that is too and a sense of belonging and ownership. ample of how camaraderie/matesmanship can
shared characteristics [which] cluster much of the ‘I’ and not quite enough of the ‘we’.
around several ideas, including endurance, be expressed. Here we are, friends and stran-
Common sense tells us all that we are stronger • It is about the freedom to express our- gers united, each with our own stories and
courage, ingenuity, good humour, lar-
rikinism, and mateship. According to this for being community minded and for partici- selves without fear of discrimination. perspectives, but connected today by a very
concept, the soldiers are perceived to have pating within our communities, but it is very tangible ANZAC spirit.
been innocent and fit, stoical and laconic, easy to become caught up in one’s own view of • And it is, indeed, about ‘courage, ingenu-
ity, good humour, larrikinism, and mate- And while ANZAC Day is now much greater
irreverent in the face of authority, natu- the world and to forget all that has gone into
ship’. than the ANZAC experience at Gallipoli, we
rally egalitarian and disdainful of British creating the lifestyle we are so fortunate to en-
class differences.” joy. Especially as many of these benefits are as Continued on next page
14 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 15
ANZAC Address The ability to make time, to catch-up with Johnnies and the Mehmets, to us where
Continued from previous page others and show interest in what they’ve been they lay side by side here in this country
doing rather than pushing our own schedules, of ours … you, the mothers who sent
are all connected back to that place, and those
bias and desires; this would make us in society, their sons from faraway countries, wipe
connections can sometimes be astonishingly
much more friendly and agreeable to be with. away your tears; your sons are now lying
tangible.
in our bosom and are in peace. After
Life’s already too short so each of us should
This small fragment of pausa shell that I have having lost their lives on this land they
make the commitment to make someone else’s
in my hand is not from the shore here on have become our sons as well”
day happier. To do this we need to talk to each
Kawau, New Zealand, it is from Quinn’s Post other and become involved with our commu- For the youngsters out there today – I urge you
at Gallipoli, Turkey. nity. If we each share our skills, knowledge and to invest some time to patiently talk to the vet-
understanding to make a positive difference in erans in your extended family and community
I found it when visiting ANZAC Cove in 2008, our communities, I believe we exemplify and – it will be a great experience for you as well
in the dirt. Did it once hang around someone’s grow the ANZAC spirit. as for them.
neck? Was it rubbed nervously by a soldier? Or
did it belong to one of us – folk who have gone ANZAC day is a ready-made opportunity for
us to demonstrate and do this together, as we I wish you all a very happy day. I thank you
out of their way to honour the endeavours of
are, right here, right now. for your courtesy, and I look forward to seeing
those who have fought for us all? you here again next year.
I don’t know the answer, but I certainly feel the Friendship is worth treasuring, as families and
as communities we are the stronger for it. God Bless you all.
connection, and I feel stronger and more reso-
lute for being part of a ‘we’ and not just ‘me’. I quote from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s state-
ment to the families of soldiers killed at Gal-
We should make every endeavour to talk to lipoli Peninsular :
and interact with our individual family mem-
bers, our neighbours, children and teachers at “Those heroes that shed their blood and
our schools, with colleagues and competitors lost their lives… you are now lying in the
in our everyday business, sporting and social soil of a friendly country. Therefore, rest
exchanges. in peace. There is no difference between
16 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 17Stories from Stockyard to have a ‘tank exploration mission’ up the hill
and have a look. Dad climbed up the ladder
On further inspection and with much gagging
we found more bodies lurking in the water. We
Charlotte & Catherine Warman and shone the torch around. Sure enough, he decided that it was probably necessary to get
spotted something with a tail. a new tank, as the roof was broken, and there
Since taking the plunge and buying our place was no way to seal it from further invasion.
in October we have had a whirlwind of ad- The mission began…..we attached a net to a
Around two weeks later, we flew in a new tank
vertures, have grown to love the Island even boathook and lowered it into the cloudy wa-
by helicopter. We decided to help plumb up the
more than we did, and are finding it harder ter. Dad scooped up the rat and began to pull
system ourselves.
and harder to return to Auckland at the end of it out, when he started gagging madly and
each weekend. A couple of stories we thought passed the net full of drowned rat to Mum. As
Dad claimed that plumbing was ‘like Lego’ but
might entertain through the eyes of Charlotte she pulled it up, yellow liquid oozed out of the
none of us remembered that Dad found Lego
(11) and Catherine (10) spongy carcass, and she hauled it out through
one of the trickiest things in life.
the hole in the polythene.
Hidden treasure (by Charlotte) Eventually, after six trips to Mico in Wark-
Mum lowered herself down the ladder and
An old house in 2013, an old boat in 2014. Yes, laid the net on the ground. She found herself worth, and lots of scampering and slipping on
we are the ‘newbies’ in Poplar Bay with anoth- a large leaf and scooped the rat out of the net the hill, we had a fully functioning system with
er high-maintenance project for the Warman and threw it into the bushes. Then she came two filters and a UV bulb. Even though it was
family. When a building inspector says; ‘do back with a muffled, “Oooops. I dropped a an experience that I wouldn’t want to repeat,
not buy this house’ how can you resist? Well, leg… where is it?” she found the leg and tossed without it I wouldn’t known of croxnuts, flange
we had already fallen for Poplar Bay and roll- it into the trees. We all applauded! fittings or MDPE pipe.
ercoaster ride and the tales get more and more
entertaining by the weekend…
On the day that we took ownership, a pecu- While repairing a pipe in a wall, what a ‘sur-
liar, musty odor wrapped its way through the prise’ to discover an avalanche of ash and 400
house. At first, we took no notice, but the smell packets of cigarette butts wrapped in foil pour-
stayed in our nostrils. The first approach was ing out of the wall onto us. We started remov-
to air the place out. This did not work. We then ing packets and foil balls. Then we used the
tracked it down to the couches that produced vacuum cleaner to suck the ash. That soon
the most smell (or so we thought). So…. we didn’t work anymore, so we had to use a dust-
threw the couches and anything else not to our pan and brush to clear the rest up. By the end
taste off the deck and plunging down the hill- of that day we had working sewerage system,
side into the pungas! (these were later barged four rubbish bags of “ciggie surprise” and mi-
to the mainland). Sadly, that didn’t help either. raculously our bach smelt fresh and clean. .........Environmentally friendly sewage treatment
We slept on it and decided to venture under the
.........Aerated sewage treatment
A mysterious smell (by Catherine)
house. Oh, this explains it, 61 packets of ciga- .........Installed in New Zealand for over 25 years
rettes buried amongst old ash. After collecting We had only recently moved into our bach in .........Low power whisper blower
them we retreated in disgust back to the bach, Stockyard Bay, and had already dealt with our
but the smell was still wafting from yet another wastewater issues and were enjoying the sum- .........Available with breglass tan for dif lt sites
source…we had other jobs to do, so decided to mer, when, having a shower one Friday even-
leave it alone until we needed to have an ad- ing, the water started to reek with a mysterious
venture. One of these jobs was to sort out our foul stench. We knew something must have
plumbing (with the help of a friend). gone wrong. The next morning, we decided
18 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 19Camp Bentzon Report
Peter & Erin Hyde
A seal in North Cove
We were sitting outside enjoying lunch today
and heard a yelp from our group then noticed
the kayaks paddling towards the boat shed. “A
seal”, they called out, sure enough there was
one between our house and the pontoon in
very shallow water having a great time fishing.
It is certainly early to see one. Generally, if you
are lucky, late June or July time is when they
are spotted. Maybe the word is out fishing has
been very productive with quite a few 35-40cm
snapper caught off the wharf by students.
Injury and the nice part of living in a small
community
I have decided over the last three to four weeks
that there are some hidden advantages to living
in a 56sqm house. You can easily crawl from Peter holding a little weka who seemed to be
couch to toilet, shuffle over to shower and then “just in need of a cuddle”
Wounded students on the way home (many of these to play a joke on their parents -thankfully)
grab a glass of water on the return route to bed
at night without even raising your pulse rate!
picked up all the extra work at the Camp and a bucket of water on your head, a balloon tied noses! They almost fooled me! Fortunately,
A special thanks to everyone who has helped has been running around after me: hopefully to your ankle, and an egg and a rope that you only a couple were real injuries. Their sense of
and is continuing to help me through this pro- not for too much longer – I have been very ap- were not allowed to let go of! humour extended to going home in this state
cess of a calf tear recovery whilst living in a bit preciative of everyone…. Erin and greeting Mum and Dad.
of a challenging environment if you cannot When we joined the school for a meal the fol-
Gulf Harbour School lowing evening these group challenges created I said “What will they think?” Their answer
easily walk around. Francis in the early stages
dropping me off on the pontoon and so many a lot of excited discussion over dinner. Our “Oh our teacher will probably just get the
This was such a fun school to have at the Camp
meal was very special, with a performance by sack!” Not that they would want this - they all
offers of help from locals with carrying gear or last week. With fun loving children, a teacher
the students of a Maori welcome as we arrived. have such a high opinion of her.
a ride if I needed one. The trolley staff at New with so many ideas to create challenges, and Then we were escorted to our table which had
World ready to help without being asked and memorable experiences for the students. One a menu, a flax weaving decoration and drinks Have a nice winter everyone- If we get one??
such an understanding community. Gavin and of the ones that appealed to me was getting (Camp Bentzon distilled water). A group of Still very dry/warm over here at Kawau, if you
Paul have been good sports, available whenev- the students in a group of nine, glad wrapping the students provided interesting dinner con- are planning on using your holiday bach.
er asked to work at the Camp, including rear- them together and tasking them with collect- versation and they also waited on us. Friday
ranging things in their working weeks, which ing various items whilst attached. The peacocks arrived and sadly they all had to go. I shuffled For all emergencies on
has meant we have not had to let any of our at Mansion House found this quite interesting, down the wharf to say goodbye and there were Kawau Island
groups down so far. Most of the groups have which added to the excitement when they got around eight students (see photo above) all in- and surrounding areas
pitched in and been helping a bit too. Most of too close. Another challenge was a trip down jured in one form or another. Bandaged heads,
call 111
all, thanks to my husband who has tirelessly to Ladies Bay by the students, which included arms in slings, legs taped, bruises, bleeding
20 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 21Fire Team within touching distance need to be cleared
immediately, and that the clearing of all
11kV lines on the Island (that have not been
of property owners who are either unaware,
unmotivated or nancially not capable of
clearing these power lines of trees. The re-
Gavin Brunton cleared for 14+ years) needs to be sched- sult is that a lot of this clearing around the
uled to be cleared this year. 240V lines is not being completed.
I was quite sure that I had already written quite
enough about clearing trees underneath power I am well aware of this being a major un- Is there any hope that Vector might have a
lines here on the Island. But with the latest dertaking but it should also be part of their duty-of-care or ability to notify landowners to
powerline fire on 16th February (the same day scheduled work. have this work completed or something (per-
as “Music in the Gardens”) I realised that there haps, if not done within a time-frame, even
was still more for me to do. 240V power lines be able to complete the work at landowner
cost)?
Below I have included an email that I have On a closely related matter, a large number
of the 240V power-lines on the Island are You only need to take a walk around any part
written and passed up my food chain within
also terribly overgrown.To my understand- of the Island to see how the combination of
Fire Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) so that ing, these 240V lines are the property own- all these overgrown power-lines with steep
they can tackle the problem of getting Vector ers’ responsibility to keep clear. terrain and copious amounts of tinder-dry
to fulfil their obligations to clear under and tea-tree forest is a major re waiting to hap-
around the high-voltage transmission lines - As you may be aware, the guideline from Even though I have publicised, through our pen.
before they find themselves liable for burning Vector states that trees should be no closer local magazine, numerous times the impor-
down half the Island. than 4m to 11kV lines. tance of keeping these low voltage lines Gavin Brunton,
cleared (and a number of locals have under-
- As observed from the recent re, in some taken to do so), there are still a huge number Chief Fire O cer, Kawau Island
One arborist who is extremely skilled and pro-
areas of the Island, where the trees have
fessional and, importantly, very familiar with
grown a little faster, the tops of the trees are
Kawau Island, is Linus Wood of TreeCon- already well amongst the high-voltage lines.
tracts, based in Warkworth (P: 021 849 040 or
E: office@treecontracts.co.nz.) - It would be a fairly safe assumption that,
within another year, a good percentage of
…………………………………………. the lines on the Island will have trees grow-
ing up and touching them.
Hi Scott,
Observing the latest power-line re, where
11kV transmission lines the tops of the trees burst into ames (ac-
celerated by their oil-rich leaves), shows
Some more information/background regard- that, when the tops of the trees are on level
ing the overgrown high-voltage (11kV) trans- with the power lines, ignition and re is a real
mission power lines on the Island: possibility and therefore a clear threat to the
Island.
- Complete clearing underneath the power-
lines was last completed around 2005. (The I should mention that there was no wind in
date may be di erent for various parts of the the actual area of this recent re. Which is
Island but this is approximately the time that of course a blessing as it did not help the re
they were cleared in my area.) to spread but also tells me that it was no spe-
cial set of conditions that enabled the re to
Since then the kanuka (“tea-tree”) have start - other than a dry hot day and the close
grown up and are now close to the power proximity of the trees.
lines again, with a good number of the new
trees within a metre or so of touching these I would recommend that all the high-voltage
lines. transmission power lines which have trees
22 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 23A oat Around Kawau before a fresh zephyr or drifts slowly home-
ward on a dying breeze. Jay Dee, as utilitarian
carried me away from Kawau more than a year
ago. In the not too distant future she’ll carry
Lin Pardey as she is, provides the exhilaration of wind- me back here to join the little fleet I’m putting
blown hair, speed, a sense of control. And on away today. If all goes to plan, well before the
“Push her a bit more to starboard” I call to Da- days when the wind blows up as we cross to the America’s Cup turns this quiet Island into a
vid. “I’ll hold her while you start up the wind- mainland, she tests the skill of her driver as one hub of waterborne activity, I’ll once again en-
lass” Marcus calls to me. or the other of us tries to keep up her speed yet joy being afloat around Kawau.
not nose dive into the chop that will drench us
I run the length of the boatyard then begin in heavy spray if we time things wrong.
taking the strain on the hauling line. The big
windlass grinds and whirrs and slowly my lit-
tle Herreshoff keeler Felicity comes clear of
Now the manuscript is written and edited.
Steve Horsley, whose family is so closely asso- MOORINGS
the water. Her specially fitted trailer keeping ciated with North Cove, has turned the script
her keel centered, her hull well supported as
she rolls up the stone ramp and onto the flat
into a well-designed book. The book has now • Installed • Serviced
been sent off for an index, a final proof check.
ground. I enjoy the camaraderie as the three of So now I am free to leave. • Lifted
us work together to ensure she is settled per-
fectly, trailer sitting level, wheels jacked up and
• Inspected • Repaired
Winter is showing its first truly cold breath
tires clear of the ground. But at the same time I as we carry the kayaks into the shed. As the
feel a little sad. She is just the first of five boats three of us work together, I plan how I’ll gather
Based at Sandspit
we are storing away for what could be more firewood before I go into the house to boil up RDC registered
than a year. some tea and cut some homemade fruit cake
to send home with Marcus as a small bit of
When Felicity is settled in place, her mast re-
moved and hung under the eaves of the boat- compensation for the afternoon he has spent RODNEY MOORING
shed, covers secured to ensure she doesn’t fill helping us. Then I’ll finish packing for a trip,
of sailing on Felicity or a practice session on the two-thirds pleasure, one third work. It is a trip
with rain water, we’ll turn our attention to the kayaks. Or a friend would sail in and drop an- Phone Tony
others. Two sea kayaks, Cheeky, the eight-foot- that will take us right around the world before
chor and I’d decide to row Cheeky out to invite 027 459 0006
long Fatty Knees Class rowing dinghy and fi- returning us to yet another of the boats that
them in for dinner or drinks. On other days, if
nally Jay Dee, the 4.5-metre fizz boat. They will help me get out where I really belong, out on Email: info@rodneymooring.co.nz
the weather wasn’t perfect for sailing or pad-
all come out of the water and be prepared for the water. Sahula, David’s 12-metre sloop sits
dling, the two of us sometimes hopped into Jay
what, at this moment, feels like their abandon- winterised and waiting for us in Tasmania. She
Day to buzz across the bay to walk on a new
ment. track so I could show David new secret places
on the far side of the Island. And every week
I’ve spent the past two months using them in there was the rush to pack Jay Dee with shop-
rotation as, during the majority of each day I ping bags, rubbish and what ever else needed
worked on finishing what was supposed to be to be taken to the mainland. Then that little
an update of one of my older books, “The Self speed boat really paid her way as we buzzed
Sufficient Sailor”. As has happened in the past, across five miles of open water.
an update turned into a serious re-write, and
then an expansion of the original book. But as It is interesting how each boat seems to fill a
I worked in my little studio overlooking the special space in my life. The kayak provides the
tranquil Cove it didn’t really feel like work as balance training and exercise I definitely need
I knew that at some point most days, David after sitting at a computer for too long. Felicity
would suggest the weather was perfect for a bit provides fresh air and tranquility as she skims A typical and unsightly, unsanitary, uncollected pile of rubbish at Sandspit (see p.3)
24 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 25Power Outage PUT CANDLES ON SHOPPING LIST!!!!!
I made a green salad, cooked some potatoes on
Kawau Girl the gas cooker and M.O.T.H. was sent out to
Kawau for Easter has happened, and not just Kawau, the Ma- cook some fresh fish on the BBQ (he had to
hurangi East Peninsula and Snells as well. By shelter under an umbrella.) So we were lucky
As usual when a holiday is approaching, we now it’s dark and it’s also now raining heavily; - hot food, and glad there was only the two of
like to add some extra days, so by 10.30am the we prepared for a night of no electricity. us to feed!
Thursday before Easter we had all settled in to
enjoy the weather and ambience of Kawau - We are luckier than most people: we have a By 9.00pm we gave up on power returning and
the plan to stay till April 27th. wood burner in our lounge, and plenty of dry went to bed. Did a fridge booster first as we Also, we were very grateful for what we have
wood. We have a one-element gas cooker. We didn’t fancy the thought of losing the fridge and looked with only a little envy at the solar
On Good Friday some family came to visit for have a BBQ and recently No.3 son had ac- full of food. house across the water which was a blaze of
the day and some stayed for a few days. quired a very small generator. M.O.T.H. set up lights. Tuesday morning, I phoned one of the
We guessed the power might have been re- family to find out who was eliminated from
the generator, and in the heavy rain M.O.T.H.
We were back to the two of us by Easter Mon- stored by 2.00am.
is running leads into house! Dancing With The Stars.
day enjoying a lovely peaceful day, both of us
reading, when at 4.30pm, I realised it was get- It’s ages since we have been at Kawau during
First M.O.T.H., who loves a fire, had a rag- PS I managed to watch D.W.T.S. later that
ting too dark to read and I went to switch on a power outage. We felt sorry for those men
ing blaze warming the house. Then I said TV day….I didn’t even know that the show was al-
the light ……and nothing worked. out in the rain and dark trying to restore the
would be nice, as l like watching “Dancing ways repeated the following day!
power.
NO POWER! With The Stars”, and tonight I was keener than
usual as one of the contestants would be elimi-
Not long after that I received a text to advise us nated. That proved too difficult to organise, so
of power outage (it’s good they tell you). After we settled for at least a decent light, so good we
an hour I phoned the special number for infor- could read by it. Searched the cupboards for
mation, and was not surprised with the mes- candles which ended up in the too-hard basket
sage that they didn’t know how long, or what - only two little stubs of candles.
We have experience working on Kawau Island and specialise in all
aspects of building and construction, including:
• NEW BUILDS • KITCHENS & BATHROOMS
• RENOVATIONS • DECKS & FENCES
• ALTERATIONS • RETAINING WALLS
• FOUNDATIONS • LANDSCAPING
We take pride in our quality of work and the satisfaction of our clients
Contact James - P: 021 257 6326 - E: jdownsconstruction@gmail.com
26 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 27Easter Eggs and Kiwi Care
Grant Whitehouse
The 2019 Easter Coastal Clean-up Day was an-
other fun and successful occasion for the prop-
erty owners up Starboard Arm. Our fourth
event, we changed things a little this time in-
cluding some maintenance work on the wharf
along with a flotilla attack on the upper reaches
of the Arm during the high tide on Easter Sun-
day morning. That event included an Easter
egg hunt with the chocky treats to be found
hanging from mangroves and tucked into the
various wharves and docks up the arm. We are
pleased to report very little rubbish collected.
Previous events have included an induction
and some training but now as everyone gets
familiar with the process it was just a case of
‘get involved’. It was also great to see our new
property owners, the Duncan’s and Boyd’s get-
ting their hands dirty and then enjoying a cold
beer after. Thanks to all that helped out. Over the coming months we hope to bring
more properties into the program, should we
In other environment news we submitted an be successful with the aim of having all of Star-
Boutique Lodge | Licenced Restaurant and Bar | Wedding application to the Department of Conserva- board Arm covered.
and Function Venue | Conference Centre tions for a Community Fund pest control grant
and are waiting for feedback with an answer If you are in the Arm but have not heard from
likely in early spring. The grant submission me, email: grant.whitehouse@gmail.com and I
A private island escape, The Beach House, Kawau Island, is a boutique lodge included 20 property owners covering over 34 will share our plans. Seeing kiwi on our land
nestled on the edge of the crystal clear waters of Vivian Bay with a backdrop hectares giving approval for the use of Good- and recording them with trail cameras, we are
of native bush. We o er deluxe beachfront suites, plus courtyard and bush
nature A24 traps on their places to control rats. keen to do all we can to protect our local popu-
accommodation in a quintessential natural New Zealand setting. Kick o your
A survey undertaken before the submission lation, as well as all the other native birds that
shoes and feel the sand between your toes – time to relax and unwind!
showed rats were the number one problem. make our Island their home.
Exclusive weddings, functions and conferences are our specialty and we are
dedicated to personalising your event to ensure a truly memorable experience.
Our fully licenced restaurant and bar is the heart of The Beach House. We
take great pride in providing the best of New Zealand cuisine. Outside visitors
are welcome subject to availability – bookings essential.
Phone 09 422 8850 | info@kawaubeachhouse.co.nz | www.kawaubeachhouse.co.nz
Phone 09 422 8850 | info@kawaubeachhouse.co.nz | www.kawaubeachhouse.co.nz
28 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 29Wintering Over
The Two Jens
The hen that lays the golden eggs
“Wintering Over” (a campervan term appar-
ently) on the hill will be a new experience for
the hens – mud and rain, plus wind and cold.
Thank God for my new Red Band gumboots.
The girls have a new winter perching roost, we
call it the annex – Jen built it over a weekend.
So clever. Now we are all sorted for winter?
Well we hope so.
Laying eggs? No pressure girls! It’s usually two
eggs every three days. We think it is Rita who
is the layer. She looks to be a highly intelligent
independent thinker. But we could be wrong.
Not their fault that the laying is a bit slow. Their
first 18 months on this earth must have been
frightening – confined to a standing room only ing one’s hen house I made a mercy dash to the
cage night and day, pumped full of antibiotics Farm Centre in Warkworth to purchase all the
and the like (as mentioned in the Kookaburra equipment needed to rectify the situation. Jen
summer issue, page 38). and I cleaned the hen house until it shone and
so did the girls. Suffice to say we found no lice,
The thing is that they can’t perch, so they sleep
mites or fleas.
in their nests. Poor things. This is very unfor-
tunate as they also crap in their own nests. Gayly I left the hen house in my Red Band
Hard to believe I know. We had lots of kind gumboots. As I passed Rita, I quietly whis-
neighbourly advice on how to get a hen to pered to her that she was fabulous and that she
perch. Hilariously funny. We tried it all: didn’t always need to be the super chick that
laid the golden egg. She could take tomorrow
By popping the hens up on their perch just
off and just chill.
as the sun goes down – they get sleepy we are
told. But “no” they didn’t nod off, just became Rita looked up at me and I could swear I could
quite elated and seemed to want to party! hear the faint sound of a piano playing a Nat
King Cole number “Maybe I will. Maybe I
We tried boarding up their nests at night, but
wont?”
that didn’t work either.
For all emergencies on
Horrors of hen horrors we did get a fright the
Kawau Island
other week as we thought the girls may have
and surrounding areas
been suffering from mites or lice, so after a
call 111
chat with our caring neighbours about clean-
30 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 31Winter Water Risks
Chris Carding
Let’s talk about boring stuff like your house
guttering, downpipes and water tanks and Shape Changers
overflow pipes. All the things you will most
likely have if you live on Kawau Island but My poems aren’t mine anymore.
They’ve up and left home, gone
give the least thought to cause once you have
o on their own
these in place quite often you are too busy to
bother with them, or do they never even come to become another’s poem
to mind? as a reader lifts words from
the page, rolls them
What the heck is this all about you ask: around their tongue and
own devastation and even more so after a very replaces them
Summer, endless hot days, the danger is you prolonged dry spell such as we have just had. in not quite
have not collected enough water, one of the the same shape – the words
reasons could be that downpipe that is not as Do something about making sure your over- now variously coloured and
effective as it should be, maybe cracked, bro- flow water is not creating a problem, continual fattened with the reader’s
ken and missing the water tank. To have a concentrated water in one direction can be added associations.
chance of putting out a fire we must have water, dangerous. It needs to be diverted and slowed
so get your water storage on track and check and spread over larger areas which take away Can you believe – read
your pipes and tanks. its power. dinghy or clown, garden, cup,
We need good clean water to survive and we and they’re on the move –
Regularly check your gutterings. Is there grass
need good levels of water for emergency fire even as I try to nail to the page
growing in them ? Make sure they are clean so the pure, unalterable, truth to
situations. Let’s be proactive and manage our
you can collect water easily when it does rain. keep it unchanged and write:
water systems effectively. Take a good look at
your own water collection system and see if
That same regular guttering check is valuable I’m exalting in
there’s anything you can improve.
also to make sure gutterings are not full of the clarity of the air
debris which in a fire situation is the perfect at dawn
recipe for sparks and embers to light and start on this winter morning
a good fire in your roof.
the image is already running free.
Now at the other end of the system, in the Grown into the reader’s poem
rainy season when there’s plenty of water com- of some other morning, some other dawn.
ing down and you have it feeding nicely into
the water tank, where’s your overflow going? Is
Lois E. Hunter
the water piped away to a road drain, or evenly
dispersed via a holding tank or is the water free
to make its own track to the neighbour’s house
or create a mudslide somewhere?
Water is one of the most powerful natural dan-
gers if not managed correctly, we can make our
32 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 33KAWAU ISLAND
CONTRACTORS Ltd
:HGRDOODVSHFWVRI
ODQGVFDSLQJDQGJDUGHQLQJ
ZDWHUEODVWLQJ
HDUWKPRYLQJ
UHWDLQLQJZDOOV
EDFKPDLQWHQDQFH
JHQHUDOFOHDQLQJ
IHQFLQJ
ERDWPDLQWHQDQFH
:HDUHDIDPLO\EXVLQHVV
EDVHGLQ6FKRROKRXVH%D\
Call: Kelby Moore 021 502 719
Olivia Moore 0212 604 576
09 422 8967
Email: kelbybulk@hotmail.com
34 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 35Kawau Homecoming our workaholic Fake World of building busi-
nesses; raising our boys; renovating, design-
ing and maintaining dozens of properties; and
&DUROLQH%RRWDQG7LP'X௺HWW
complex city life.
From dream to reality?
Fast forward - and it’s time to move forward
Of course, I have no proof, but I’d bet my bot- on our dream of a home on Kawau. Which is
tom dollar that on my first visit to Kawau I was where we’re hatching a plan that - who knows
a twinkle in my father’s piercing blue eyes as he - could be good for your family as well as ours.
excitedly planned building our yacht at ‘Uncle’
Tim Lees’ boathouse in North Cove. So, bear with me while I spell out our dream,
and let’s see if this might be worth talking
Growing up in Warkworth with our sleek about with you.
black trimaran Triton at Sandspit, Kawau was
our best-ever adventure playground. We kids In a perfect world, our dream home on Kawau
camped on the foreshore; stalked wallabies at is on a north- or west-facing sandy beach, with
easy access for our Sealegs, which ferries us
twilight; feasted on oysters, scallops and snap-
door-to-door from our North Shore home.
per; swam and snorkelled and picked sunburnt
Deep water and great swimming would be a
skin off our noses umpteen times each sum-
bonus. It’s maybe land only - but if there’s a
mer. Tom (23) and Chester (18) are keen to follow
house it’s modest. Not a flashy place, but prob-
ably could be enhanced someday with the right his footsteps; and we’re all used to being put
In Sunday best, a pre-schooler with a blue satin to work on gardening and landscaping, clean-
combination of imagination, commitment and
bow on my dress, I marvelled at a glamorous ing gutters, basic carpentry, and any number
elbow-grease.
afternoon wedding in Mansion House’s for- of other general maintenance tasks. For me,
mal reception room. As intrepid teenagers, I’m being presumptuous, but I’m imagin- it makes a welcome change from intense desk
together with girlfriends Michelle and Luisa, ing that in your perfect world, you could do work that consumes me in my consulting busi-
we tramped and camped at Bostaquet Bay, free with a hand on your magical place on Kawau. nesses. We’re (pathologically!) tidy, careful,
from our mothers’ stern curfews, streaking on sweetheart?” …and Helen Clark’s somewhat Someone who could take over some of your and I hope, good communicators.
the deserted beach and searching - in vain - for bemused reply. Star-spangled skinny-dipping maintenance burden, who’d respect and care
the shiny camp cutlery stolen by wekas and on New Year’s eve, clearing my wine-washed for your place as you do; and who could, over Good ideas take time to mature. For Tim and
hidden in the bracken. head in surreal, explosive phosphorescence in time, share equity and ultimately ease into full me, this is a long game - ultimately, investing
Smeltinghouse Bay. ownership. in Kawau will be a decision that will benefit
In my 20s and 30s, running school camps at our family for the next generation and hope-
Camp Bentzon - setting Burma Trails, teach- And the very best memories of all came 17 Passing it on to a next generation who will fully, beyond. So we want to get this right and
ing kayakkng and sailing, introducing city kids years ago today, when Tim and I formally preserve the legacy of the years of fun you’ve there’s no hurry.
and immigrants to the wonders of this special tied the knot in a magical sundown setting had there, will ease the burden of care for your
Island. at the Beach House. Sailing into Sandy Bay, property in the meantime; and avoid the grim If any Kookaburra readers think that it’s worth
for a driftwood fire by the rocks. The warm, prospect of ‘cold turkey’ abandonment by having a conversation, we’d absolutely love to
Legendary parties spring to mind - 4.30am uniquely musky aroma of kanuka and pine, the maintaining access for you and your family for talk! You can reach me on caroline.boot@clev-
and JR’s trumpet plays the Good Night Kiwi orange-red rocks, and the special atmosphere the next few years. erbuying.com, or 021 722 005.
theme to the remaining sozzled yachties at the that can only be summertime at Kawau - Tim
tail end of the Night Race to Kawau. Watching loves this enchanting Island as much as I do. Tim’s practical property maintenance skills In the meantime, hunker down through the
a boozy American sidle up to the lady on the have been honed through 30 years of renova- winter storms, and enjoy the special fellowship
next table at the Millennium Cup dinner, with To be fair, we’ve been distracted over the past tions on our own properties and our rentals in the KIRRA community. We’d love to join
the opening line “What do you do for work, few years, returning only intermittently from in Auckland, Rotorua and America. Our boys you one day!
36 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 KOOKABURRA Winter 2019 37You can also read
