War has never been so much fun!

Disguised behind the benign palms, elegant landscapes and authentic Devonshire teas on Waipu Cove Rd there is a real life war zone:

You’ve blasted your way through virtual battlefields from Halo to Gears of War to the gritty realism of Black Ops. You’ve been splattered with paintball pellets and crawled through the bush in full camo. But somewhere in between you know there must be a middle ground – a game which gives you the visceral thrills and the tactical rush of simulated combat without the expense and the big bruises…

This is it – Northland Airsoft

You strap into a full-face mask and helmet, load up your totally accurate replica AK-47 and flip off the safety. Out there among a third-world shantytown with gravel streets and camo-netted shacks your friends are waiting, armed to the teeth. In the next hour you’ll experience all the action of virtual reality games like Counterstike and Modern Warfare in real life, as you plant bombs, steal intel, snipe, outflank and duck into cover.

This is the hot new sport of Airsoft – essentially a game of soldiers amped up to adult levels and played out on a custom made indoor battlefield.

Will Browning is the tactical mastermind behind this new and exciting Waipu destination – right next to his parents’ brand new garden centre and cafe on Waipu Cove Road.  He’s created a safe and controlled environment for friends to meet and shoot at each other, based on his experiences with Airsoft both here in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom.

And despite the menacing guns and military armor, this really is as safe as a game of tag. Kids as young as 10 can enjoy playing airsoft with parental supervision, and with the protection of a helmet, mask and goggles the ‘tag’ from a 6mm plastic pellet is far less painful than the solid whack of a paintball. Rules are strictly enforced to make sure that every game is fair and risk-free.

Players (as many as five per side right now) compete in multiple game types, with an emphasis on teamwork and tactics as they navigate alleys, shacks, oildrums and tyres in the battle zone. The fast-paced games last about an hour, with twists and special rules to keep the action fresh.

If you’ve played paintball, if you’re a keen gamer, or if you want to try an exciting new sport with your mates (one where you get to shoot them!), then Airsoft is for you. Gather your ‘special forces’ and get out of virtual reality and into real adrenaline-pumping action these holidays!

Rosemary adds her postsript: Pacifist that I am – I am on for a game – have had a lot of fun at the lazer strike with a group of friends in Whangarei.

Contact Details: Will     northlandairsoft@aol.co.uk                 09 4321 579               02102885616     533 Cove road, Waipu

Northland Airsoft

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

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

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

Walk the Waipu Coastal Trail

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.

Read more

New Charter Boat business in Marsden Cove

Jacqui Taylor – Lynds and Robert Lynds started Bay Fishing Charters Ltd in Tauranga over 5 years ago.  Over the years they grew the business to include 4 charter boats all of various sizes and employed Skippers and Deck Hands and took thousands of people out onto the water.  Now they are based at Marsden Cove. Here is a bit more about them…. Read more

Lets get a safe cycle and pedestrian access Waipu to Waipu Cove

“We need to move beyond talking to starting to take some action” That was the sentiment at the January meeting of the Waipu Residents and Ratepayers meeting. Chairperson Rosemary Neave said:

“At almost every meeting the issue is raised regarding safe passage for cyclists and pedestrians between Waipu and Waipu Cove and between Waipu and the Boat Club on Nova Scotia Drive”.

Mayor Morris Cutforth and Deputy Mayor and local councillor Phil Halse have both indicated support in principle, but the WRRA feels that we need to get beyond talking about it, and start making some progress, and allocating some money towards a formal feasability study. Read more

Kayaking the Ruakaka Estuary

October Long Weekend – a big high was predicted, and a morning high tide – perfect conditions for a paddle in the Ruakaka Estuary and wildlife reserve.  Simon Ellison lives in a small cottage on the estuary in Princes St.  From this location he hires kayaks, we rang him and made sure he had a double kayak waiting for us. Read more

What next after a prize winning Garden Centre

Story by Hannah Spyksma

After selling Mangawhai’s award winning Naja Garden Centre barely 18 months ago, local business veterans, Natalie and Jac Spyksma have just announced the opening of their latest venture.

The couple have opened a business in Langs Beach, providing two or three day fully catered walking adventures for small groups. Read more

Langs Beach Lodge – walking adventures

Bream Bay has a new tourist accommodation which focuses on walkers …

Langs Beach Lodge has been developed by the former owners of the successful Naja Garden Centre in Mangawhai Natalie and Jac Spyksmas.  They are offering their lovely home as an accommodation base for 2-3 day short break walking adventures. Natalie and Jac are both keen walkers themselves, they appreciate and enjoy the sense of camaraderie and wellbeing that having an adventure like this creates. Over the last 18 months, they have enjoyed walks in Europe, Japan and New Zealand. Read more