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
The Red Door on Riverview
Self contained apartment style accommodation in Waipu
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OPEN NOW!
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Two Room ApartmentSLEEP: Your apartment has one queen room, and a separate sitting room with two divans which can sleep another two if needed. There is a combined shower/toilet room. The sitting room has a flat screen TV and Freeview and DVD player. There is a Ipod dock phone and radio for your use. Free wifi and a small computer is available for your use if needed. COOK: The kitchenette is well equipped with a two burner stove top, a convection/microwave oven and a dishwasher. A small dining alcove looks out on the view, and is also a great place to curl up with a book. The Apartment has its own deck overlooking the view and a BBQ so you can enjoy outside living. ACCESS and DOG FRIENDLY: For those with access issues, there is parking outside, and an easy flat entrance into the apartment and out onto the deck. Our section is fully fenced and dog friendly – we welcome dogs to stay. Our own dog Sassi is a hairy mclairy look alike and loves to play with other dogs. Sleeps 2-4 priced from $100/night (two persons)Homestay for WomenBefore The Red Door on Riverview, I built and ran a lodge for women travellers – Waihoihoi Lodge. Although I have downsized, I continue to offer a special welcome women travellers. We have a king/twin room in the main house with a shared bathroom, with a special price for women travelling on their own. Enjoy our expansive views, comfortable lounge and Sky TV, sit on the deck and enjoy the changing colours of the sea, walk across the road to swim Sleeps 1-2 priced from $55 for one woman (SPECIAL PRICE)
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Photos of The Red Door Apartment Activities in the area |
Local Events and activitiesExplore our community website for more information about Waipu and what is available.
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About usThe Red Door on Riverview is owned by Rosemary Neave who has lived in Waipu for over 10 years. She and her partner Ngaire Brader built and ran Waihoihoi Lodge for women travellers. After Ngaire died, Rosemary had to downsize, and this beautiful house overlooking the sea is the result. Rosemary is very involved in the local community, running the community website www.breambay.co.nz and local events such as Tartan Week. She is also the webmaster of several Women Travel websites, and through her company Web2Blog she designs WordPress Websites for people and businesses. She shares the house with friends, visitors and her dog Sassi, a very cute and friendly Hairy Mclairy terrier. |
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
Spring – Flower Show and Garden Visits in Ruakaka
Spring has sprung and its time for the annual Marsden Bay Garden Club Spring Flower Show
Flower Show
Friday 28 October 2011 12 noon – 4pm
Saturday 29 October 2011 9am – 3.30pm
Admission $2pp at the Ruakaka Memorial Hall
Flowers, plants, produce, craft stalls, patchwork quilting display, and home baked refreshments
Garden Visits
Saturday 29 October 2011 ONLY $5pp get your maps and passes at the Flower Show
Information: Lorraine Sumich 09 432 1188 or Noeline Willis 09 432 8303
Bream Bay Fun Run
The Bream Bay Tides Out Fun Run has graduated to college…
Tides Out Bream Bay Fun Run 6 November 2011 9.30-12pm
It started out in 2002 as a fundraiser for Bream Bay Kindergarten, which ran the event for five years. After a year in abeyance, it was taken up by the Waipu Primary PTA. Many of the parents who had helped to organise the fun run for its five years with the kindergarten now had children at the school. Read more
Winter Programme 2010
Detailed Programme of Events 2010
The programme for 2010 will be developed in the next few months. This programme is not yet finalised, but it will give you and idea of what is on offer and where the gaps are. Last years programme is here
For more events in Bream Bay
- see the Bream Bay Calendar of Events
For blog posts and photos of Winter@waipu – Click here
Introduction to Winter@waipu Winter@Waipu Previous Years
Winter@Waipu is a community festival – creating a spark in the winter months of energy and creativity
The Heart of Winter@Waipu from 2010 on will be Tartan Week - the irrepressible Celtic spirit flys free this week with a celebration of all things gaelic, scottish and tartan. More about TARTAN WEEK – including the history of the event and the programmeIn 2010 Winter@waipu begins with the Long Weekend in June and finishes at the end of September
Every Sunday Night – May – September$15 Roasts at The BeachHouse Restaurant, Waipu Cove09 432 0877 info@thebeachhouserestaurant.co.nz |
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Saturday 5 June : 9-1pmWaipu Street MarketThis is great country market in this small Northland village with its unique scottish history – Waipu’s own pipe band will parade at about 11am. If you are interested in having a stall contact Ronnie 09 432 0046 9-1pm Waipu Hall MarketIn Coronation Hall: A real country market – Fruit and veges, plants, produce, handcrafts – always a great selection. Every first Saturday of the month |
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Sunday 6 June 9am – 4pm
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Sunday 6 June 3pm Giving Thanks:A Matariki Celebration at Waipu CemeteryTo remember and give thanks for those from our community who are buried in the Waipu Cemetery. We will remember especially those who have died in the past year, as well as honouring others buried there. Bring some flowers/herbs to put on the graves as a symbol of thanks and remembrance: Meet at the Hammon Rd Gate ‚ This event is part of Matariki Northland Celebrations |
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June 11/12 Mid Winter Festival of FlowersFantastic flowers and exhibits, spot prizes, all welcome to attend or to enter…. There will be plant, produce and craft stalls, a patchwork quilt display and a refreshment area with real home-baked goodies. “Country Life at its best!” |
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Sunday 13 June 5pm Traditional Choral EvensongSt Peters Anglican Church, WaipuLauchie Mclean will once again be conducting the choir for this winter event, with Opera North and Ian Render as Cantor. |
Join the choir practice at 2pmAll welcome |
11 and 18 June 6.30
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11 and 18 June 6.30The Beachhouse Restaurant
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The 53rd Victim – Bogwood Productions
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 Sarah Boon will star in 53rd Victim |
Wed 23 June Ruakaka Races Where the Surf meets the TurfRuakaka racecourse is home to Whangarei Racing Club and boasts expansive ocean views and hosts nine meetings per season. The racing surface has a well-earned reputation as New Zealand’s finest ‘all weather’ track. The reliability of the racing surface makes Ruakaka popular with trainers outside the area who base themselves here during the winter months. Access to the beautiful beach to train on makes the racecourse unique, hence its logo:”Where the turf meets the surf!” Information from Karen Houlihan Mobile: 0274 334 498. Online Here |
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Free Drought Busting Dinner at Ruakaka
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Saturday 26 June 6pmLight up Northland this Matariki
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Sunday 27 June 9-1 pm
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 Bob and Sylvia - local growers |
Tartan Week in Waipu 1-11 July
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Saturday July 3 9-1pm Waipu Hall MarketIn Coronation Hall: A real country market – Fruit and veges, plants, produce, handcrafts – always a great selection. Every first Saturday of the month |
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Friday 16 July 6am – 10am
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Saturday 17 July Ruakaka Races
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Saturday 24 July Ruakaka Races
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 Where the Surf meets the Turf |
The Bream Bay News Poetry CompetitionIts on again we decided this was too good a thing to let die. Email your poems to:breambaynews@xtra.co.nz or post them to The Bream Bay News, RD2, Waipu 0582 before Friday 17 July 2009. |
A $50 book voucher prize
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7pm 30 July National Poetry Day in WaipuAnnouncement of the winners of the Bream Bay News Poetry Competition. Food 45 by the Four Square in Waipu |
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31 July and 1 August
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Sunday 31 July 10-2pm
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Fri. 6 August Ruakaka Races
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Sat. 7 August 9-1pm
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Wednesday 25 August Ruakaka Races
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Where the Surf meets the Turf |
Sunday 29 August 9-1 pm
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Bob and Sylvia - local growers |
Classics at the Cove – Summer Concert
Tara Lodge in Mangawhai has been having some excellent summer concerts (this years info) and last year at the Kaipara Music Festival at Tara Lodge, I ran into Waipu local Dave Brown. We talked about how great it would be to have a venue like that in Waipu. “My place would work well” he said, and this year it’s happening - Classics at the Cove at Tahamoana – Dave’s land on 566 Cove Road on 29 January 2011 from midday to 6pm. Read more
New Flax Weaving Studio opens in Ruakaka
Nga Taonga Maori is a new raranga (flax weaving) co-operative workshop and studio, which opened on Saturday 4th December at 3pm with a powhiri and kapahaka in what was formally the garden and hardware shop at 458 Marsden Point Rd., Ruakaka.
“Our aim is to get something in place to pass on this matauranga (knowledge) for tamariki (children) so that these taonga (treasures) will never be lost”, said Hannah Carrington. Read more
Waipu – Go west for the day
Its a beautiful spring day in Waipu. The beach is always seductive, but we decided on a day road trip and see what else was on offer. We headed back over the Brynderwyns and turned west – towards the Kauri Coast, but not quite – we are off to explore Sunshine Organics at Maungaturoto, Sahara Restaurant and Community Gardens at Paparoa, the Kaipara Harbour at Pahi Read more
