Seats have started to arrive in Tamahere Park, including some with the distinctive sculptural style of renowned local artist Marti Wong.

So far, in and around the playground on Wiremu Tamehana Dr and adjacent piazza, are five of Wong’s unique seats, three benches and two oversize wooden seats, reports a delighted Tamahere councillor Aksel Bech.

Also in construction are three water fountains, including one with a dog bowl, which are supported by Newstead Vets.

“Get out there and head for the mall – it’s your economic duty” was the headline in a comment piece by editor, Liam Dann, in the business section of The New Zealand Herald.

Stewart tries to get his economic questions answered[/caption]
It noted that after cutting interest rates to an all-time low, Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr was calling for consumers to spend more and businesses to invest more. So Dann urged us on. “Get out there this weekend and have some fun, buy those new shoes,” he exhorted. “You’ll be doing your bit for the economy.”

Being averse to shopping, I dropped him a note instead.

Speeding drivers ignoring 50km/hour speed signs have prompted a Birchwood Lane resident to plead for them to slow down.

“I am so fed up with cars speeding down our road despite the 50 speed limit sign,” said Elisabetta Premoli.

“I am concerned for the many children walking/biking to school as well as the rest of the community.”

Anyone up for cricket?

Tamahere Lions Club members are keen to see if there is interest from locals in the occasional game of cricket at the new Tamahere Park.

“We envisage it being sociable rather than serious and possibly mixed gender,” said proposer Peter Simcock.

A concerned local makes a plea for people walking on our roads to follow the road code’s recommendation to walk on the side facing oncoming vehicles.

“At least then evasive action can be taken if needed,” says a concerned Raeburne Bourke.

“I am amazed at the number of folk who walk with their backs to traffic and some people are well out into the carriage way.”

A range of electric vehicles (EVs) will be showcased in Tamahere on Saturday, February 15, 8am to 1pm.

Nearly 19,000 EVs are now registered in NZ and some of the many models available, including Tesla, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona and electric vans, will feature at the event in the Tamahere Community Centre car park.

It will be a chance to talk to EV owners, get information about the current EV situation in New Zealand and what steps are being taken to increase uptake.

The Best Artisan Market is on this Saturday, February 1, in the Tamahere Community Centre.

More than 50 stalls will showcase gifts, crafts, food, coffee, clothes, produce, jewellery, candles, art and photography.

Admission is free to the event running from 9am to 1pm at the Devine Rd centre.

More than $10,000 raised at the Tamahere Christmas Festival has been distributed to charities.

The annual festival at St Stephen’s Church Tamahere has continued its more than three decades worth of charitable giving with donations to True Colours Children’s Health Trust and Kids First Whanau Centre.

Both received $4400 raised from the sale of gifts and decorations at the Festival shop while $1300 raised by the associated tea rooms was donated to the Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank.

Tamahere Lions have tested the new Tamahere Park public barbecue and given it their seal of approval.

Lions members along with representatives of supporters of the project gave the twin barbecue plates a test run yesterday at a social event.

“Lots of hard work has gone into fundraising to bring this wonderful amenity to the Tamahere Community,” said Tamahere Lions member Susan McHugh.

Sustainability. I rattle on about it regularly. It’s a big topic, broad and deep. When I read on the subject, I’m in search of new ideas. Always on the lookout for real answers to the challenges we face.

Two writers I have long admired are Bill McKibben and Naomi Klein. Both are authors and activists. Both are eloquent and inspiring.