A sub-tropical tea garden
Marilyn Cox writes in the latest Bream Bay News (read it on line) :
Have you noticed the sign along Waipu Cove Rd. advertising a subtropical garden and Devonshire teas? Its called Rootsnshoots
This is a new venture by Sally and Steve Browning who came to New Zealand from England four years ago. Read more
Fairy tern chicks learning to fish in the estuary
Article from the Latest Bream Bay News – Read it on line here
The first fairy tern chicks to be successfully reared at the Waipu sandspit in four years are now in the process of learning to fish with their parents down at the Waipu estuary.
Department of Conservation ranger Ali McDonald said the chicks, in separate nests at different ends of the sandspit, coped well with the heavy downpours in the last week of December and now have most of their juvenile feathers.
Just before Christmas they were banded with metal rings on their legs, which will identify them for the fairy tern volunteers and DOC staff who are working on the recovery of this very endangered bird species. Ali said the chicks are exercising their wing muscles and have been making short flights.
They are starting to practise fishing for themselves though they will be reliant on their parents for some time to feed them enough to meet their energy demands.
“The good news is they are now at an age where they have the option of flying away from some of the numerous threats which made them so vulnerable as chicks, however this is only if they can react in time and predators such as cats and harrier hawks certainly remain a very real.”
Accommodation Options in Bream Bay
Are you wondering where to stay in Waipu and Bream Bay – for you or your friends? This Bream Bay Community website has a google map link off the home page to all the available optionsa to stay in the area.
From camping grounds to amazing luxury lodges and everything in between, Waipu and Bream Bay has some great options for people wanting to stay around here.
If you have a holiday let not on this map, please let me know and I will add it.
I have just opened my own place The Red Door on Riverview which is going great – have been full up for 3 weeks! I have a 2 bedroom self contained apartment and a room available for women travellers. I have met some great people – and so far on AA Been There have had 10/10 reviews which is so cool.
Waipu gets behind the RWC
The Judges
It might have been a nail biting final – but we got there, the All Blacks won!
What a relief…
On Saturday the shops in the main street who donned a teams colours and decorated their shops were judged by Huw Turner and Sue Matthews. The winner got a $100 Pizza Barn Voucher – it too was a close call! Scroll to the bottom to see all the photos Read more
Refinery visitors raise $18,000 for cancer unit
More than 4,500 people attended Refining NZ’s 50th anniversary open day at its Marsden Point refinery near Whangarei on Sunday 9 October, raising $18,000 for the Project Promise drive to fund a dedicated oncology facility at Whangarei Hospital. Read more
Walk the Waipu Coastal Trail
Waipu Coastal Trail Marker
Even many locals have not walked this trail, but those that have describe it as ‘magnificent’, ‘Awesome rocks’, ‘one of the best walks I’ve done’. The Waipu Coastal Trail has for many years been a well kept secret in Waipu, although you can talk to older folk in the area who regularly walked the coastal route from Langs Beach to Waipu Cove in their youth.
Magnificent coastal views, a small rocky beach, interesting limestone rocks, native coastal bush, great fishing and picnic spots. Allow 1.5 hours one way. for a quick transit but it warrants a more leisurely approach for rests, views, and photos and the return trip.
Refinery Celebrates 50 years with an Open Day
Marsden Point Oil Refinery turns 5o!
To help celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary this year, and to show its appreciation to its neighbours and the wider community for the support they’ve given over this time, the New Zealand Refining Company is opening its gates to the public on 9 October 2011. Read more
Join Critical Mass Cycling in Whangarei
After a winter break Critical Mass is coming back to Whangarei:
Critical Mass is a celebration of cycling. It is a collective and a colourful cycling festival that takes place in over 300 cities around the world on the last Friday of each month. An infectious, international social movement that articulates issues around transport, cycling, safety and sustainability.
CRITICAL MASS IS NOT AN ORGANISATION; Critical Mass is a spontaneous, leaderless bicycle ride that occurs on the last Friday of every month in almost every major city in the world. It is regarded by many participants as celebrations of self-powered transportation as opposed to a protest or organised demonstration.
There is going to be music, fancy dress (circus theme) and loads of fun. Together we’ll make our way through the streets of Whangarei.
Join us on Friday the 30th of September at 5.30pm in front of the old Library.
You will never bike alone!!!
http://www.criticalmass.org.nz/
Business and Ratepayer Groups in Bream Bay
There are lots of ways to get involved in the communities of Bream Bay, one of them is to get involved in local business and community groups.
I belong to the Waipu Business and Promotions Group and the Waipu Residents and Ratepayers, and have just become a part of a new group – Bream Bay Business Network which meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the Month at 7am at Waterline Cafe in Marsden Cove. Great breakfast and networking. Come along some time!
We have a page with contact details for these groups on the Bream Bay website HERE
Please let me know details of other similar groups operating in Bream Bay to add to it contact Rosemary
Waipu and Rugby World Cup – join the fun!
1. Check out the main street in Waipu during the World Cup.
Shops have chosen a team to follow and will be dressing the shops to match – should be fun.
They will be speaking french and wearing Berets in the Hammer Hardware, the bakery are backing the USA, the Four Square are anxious they might lose business if their team wins and Pat’s Healing Centre has picked Namibia – well, because no one else did!!
2. Wednesday September 14th 2011
Canada vs Tonga in Whangarei
Come and help us welcome rugby supporters to Waipu and the North
All welcome to come on and join the fun and get into the spirit of the RWC
- 11.30-12.30 Happy hour at Waipu Rugby Club
- 12.30-2.30 Continuous Lunch $20pp at Coronation Hall – organised by the Waipu Rugby Club
- 3pm Bus to Whangarei to watch the game
To book bus and/or meal – phone Waipu Museum 09 4320746
3. Waipu Museum is hosting a Men in Kilts Rugby Exhibition September through to November
