From Paynter Cider winning NZ champion, to Little Redwoods’ 50th, to Kaweka’s free surgeries for kids, to HDC featuring Sir Ian Taylor, to film auditions and EIT climate change lecture, to rehab progress with Havelock North streams, here are some announcements you might find interesting.
Paynter Cider, NZ Champion
HB’s Paynter’s Cider has claimed the prestigious Champion Cider Trophy at the NZ Cider Awards 2024 for their exceptional Mon Cherry cider.
When Cyclone Gabrielle devastated the region in early 2023, Paynter’s lost most of their plum trees. This meant they couldn’t produce their fan favourite cider with plum. “We were in a bit of a bind, to say the least,” recalls Paul Paynter, the driving force behind Paynter’s Cider. “Down in the dumps, with no plums, we had to think on our feet.”
In a stroke of resourcefulness, Paynter’s managed to source some leftover cherry puree. “We knocked together what is now Mon Cherry,” Paynter explains. “Out of disaster came an award-winning cider, allowing us to bounce back from Cyclone Gabrielle with the best cider of 2024.”
What’s it taste like? A robust blend of dark, bitter cherries alongside structured apple tannins that balance the residual sweetness … aromatic hints of glazed cherry fruitcake and crisp apple backbone!
Paynter’s Cider is part of the largest family-owned fruit company in New Zealand, with deep roots in Hawke’s Bay stretching back over 180 years.
Little Redwoods
Friends of Te Mata Park’ Little Redwoods gathered 1 November to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the planting of the grove.
The provenance of the grove is intertwined with the Rotary network, both locally and in California. The trees were propagated by the late Don Wilson, a local Rotarian, using seeds sent from the Redwood Rotary Club of California. The seedlings were planted in the Park in 1974 by members of the Hastings club.
Today, the grove of approximately 135 trees stands at about 45 metres tall.
Rotary Club of Hastings veteran David Davidson was present at the 50th anniversary celebration and at the original planting. He said, “We are proud to mark the 50-year anniversary of the planting of the Little Redwoods and reflect on the longevity of the club’s association with Te Mata Park.”
Te Mata Park Trust Chair Mike Devonshire said, “Te Mata Park has enjoyed a long relationship with the Rotary Club of Hastings, and we are incredibly grateful for their support over the decades. Beyond the planting of the Little Redwoods, they have supported, and continue to support, many of our projects and volunteering activities.”
To read more about the Little Redwoods, go to the Te Mata Park website. The Little Redwoods can be accessed from either Tauroa Rd car park, or the Main Gates car park.
Children receive volunteered surgeries at Kaweka Hospital
Nine children from Hastings, Flaxmere, and Wairoa have received life-changing surgeries at no cost, thanks to Kaweka Hospital and a dedicated team of specialists who volunteered their time and skills to help these children off the public waitlist.
Kaweka Hospital manager Nick Pullan shared that ENT surgeon Paul Mason initially proposed the idea of providing free ENT surgeries to support the public healthcare system and fast-track treatment for children in need.
“Paul enquired about an opportunity to do an extra list potentially on a weekend to allow children to get the crucial surgeries they’d been waiting for,” Nick said.
“We jumped at the opportunity and are incredibly proud of our team, from those who prepared for the day to those who volunteered on a Saturday to make it happen.”
As a result, nine children now have brighter futures, with improved health, happiness, and better learning and development outcomes.
HDC Breakfast Series – Sir Ian Taylor
Features Sir Ian Taylor, founder of Animation Research, a pioneer in sports graphics and animation and New Zealander of the Year (2019), on Wednesday 13 November.
In the 2021 New Year Honours, Taylor was promoted to Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to broadcasting, business and the community.
He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Commerce by his alma mater, the University of Otago, in May 2022. He is serves as the Chair of the advisory board for New Zealand Product Accelerator(NZPA).
Tickets available through Eventfinda and start from $45 plus fees.
Film auditions
Filmmakers Andrew Costello (‘50k’, ‘World Undone’), Shane Cameron (‘31 Under’) and actor turned producer Christian Emery (‘31 Under’) are conducting auditions for upcoming projects on Sunday, 17 November in Napier.
Their first production is going to be “Ascendency of Steel”, which is a 98 minute anthology of short stories, based around the same storyline of life set 10 years after an AI revolution.
Actors interested are asked to email their headshots and brief bio:
[email protected]
You can check them out here.
EIT Business & Climate Change lecture
Havelock North Dams & Streams
Here’s the latest monthly report from HDC on maintenance and enhancement work being done along various HN waterways. HBRC’s Works Group is now the maintenance contractor.
Work detailed includes arborist assessments along streams, design work begins on 2C area construction, future placement of stream monitoring equipment, hydraulic modeling, wastewater pipe upgrades, drone survey of dams and bank repair solutions … as well as work on relevant policies and property owner engagement.
All this activity, including the functioning of a Community Advisory Group, is reported here on the HDC website.
