This year they are going to plant over 100 new trees adding to the 52 trees they planted last year.
The native trees were being delivered June 14 – 17, courtesy of the nation wide Paper4Trees initiative that rewards school’s recycling efforts with gift’s of plants, thirteen schools in the Stratford area participate in the program.
The schools involved with the program are Avon, Huiakama, Makahu, Marco, Midhirst, Ngaere, Pembroke, St Joseph’s Stratford, St Mary’s Diocesan School Stratford, Stratford Primary School and Toko School.
The schools may plant the trees on their own property or gift them to local community projects.
The 13 schools that participate in the program have together kept about 40 tons of paper and cardboard out of landfills since they joined the program in 2008.

Taranaki based company Shell Todd Oil Services are sponsoring the program.
Shell Todd fund the trees also help pay for recycling bins and the costs associated with teaching schools how to recycle.

Papert4Trees was developed by Tauranga, based charitable trust, EERST ( Environmental Education for Resource Sustainability Trust), nine years ago.
Almost 1700 early childhood centers, primary and secondary schools are participating in the program this year.

The program educates communities about recycling and the environment and keeps paper and cardboard out of landfills.
By promoting tree planting it also actively helps the environment by aiding carbon dioxide absorption.

Waitara in the northern part of the Taranaki region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located just off State Highway 3, 15 km northeast of New Plymouth.

Yesterday 24 Feb 2010 was Waitara’s day, yes Americarna day.
More than 700 vehicles turn out for a beautiful day weather wise, carnival atmosphere. The bars and cafes did extremely well, Red White and Blues everywhere. Many dressed up for the occasion, street stores,music, a great time was had by everyone.

Pak N Save: 53 Leach Street, New Plymouth. PHONE: (06)758 1594
Pak N Save: Hawera: 54 Priness Street, Hawera. PHONE: (06) 278 5551

New World Supermarket Hawera: 307 High Street, Hawera.(06) 278 8528
New World Supermarket Merrilands: 6/200 Mangorei Road, New Plymouth.
PHONE:(06) 758 5527
New World New Plymouth City: Courtenay Street, New Plymouth.
PHONE: (06) 759 9052
New World Stratford: Regan Street, Stratford. PHONE: (06)765 6422
New World Waitara: cnr Queen & Whittaker Street, Waitara.
PHONE: (06) 754 8838

Moshims Discount House: Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Bulk Foods
562 Devon Street East Fitzroy, New Plymouth.  PHONE:(06) 758 5738
297 Broadway, Stratford. PHONE: (06) 765 7279
109 High Street, Hawera. PHONE: (06) 278 3622

Super Value Super market:
Parklands Shopping Centre, 188 Parklands Ave, Bellblock NP.PHONE:(06)755 1963

Count Down Foodmarkets: Leach Street, New Plymouth. PHONE: (06) 757 8233
Count Down Foodmarkets: Cnr  Union & Nelson Street, Hawera. PHONE:(06) 278 0026

Shoprite Supermarket: Matai Street, Inglewood. PHONE: (06)756 7404

Best Discounters: Victoria Street, Kaponga. (06) 764 6837

WoolWorths Supermarkets:  cnr Cameron & Leach Street, New Plymouth. PHONE: (06) 759 7481
WoolWorths Supermarkets: cnr Wallath Road & Tukapo Street, NP. PHONE (06) 753 9448

Changes over the years in Groceries Stores!

In the early days of grocery stores, products were generally served to you by an assistant from shelves behind the counters, while customers waited in front and indicated the items they wanted.
These Days I remember well, living in the country, we would only visit the store, once a month 20th, that was pay day, when we would get paid,and we paid for the supplies we had ordered, which we would order over the phone, and be delivered weekly, which you can do in 2009 at some supermarkets.

Supermarkets offer products at low prices by reducing their economic margins, to maintain a profit, supermarkets attempt to make up for the lower margins by a higher overall volume of sales.
Customers usually shop by placing their selected merchandise into shopping trollies or baskets (self-service) and pay for the merchandise at the check-out.
Which help to keep labour costs down, also some have self-checkout devices.

New World is the main Supermarket I use especially as they do have Fly Buys, which is another discount for me, as I get my bed linen for free with my Fly Buy Points.
New World has been a member of the Fly Buys program since that program started in September 1996.
It is a New Zealand supermarket chain and is part of the Foodstuffs cooperative. Now the only New Zealand privately own supermarket.
They tend to be smaller and more upscale than larger warehouse-type supermarkets, and are also more numerous throughout New Zealand, with many small towns having a New World.

New World is also one of New Zealand’s longest running supermarkets, being founded in the 1950

Report on the front page of the Taranaki Daily News December 9 2009, relating to The Mountain House on Mount Egmont/Taranaki, which was built in 1899, own by Berta Anderson and her late husband Keith, for 22 years, which was sold last year to Businessman Karl Rripen who is now planning to give it away.

He wants to hear from individuals, artists, charities and trusts who would have good use for the historic lodge on the west slopes or mount Egmont/Taranaki. It is a ten bedroom hotel which he brought for $1 million and is uderstood to have spend another $1 million on refurbishing it.

Karl recently had quadruple heart bypass operation has made him reconsider his life’s priorities.

Mr Reipen arrived in Taranaki from Germany some eight years ago.

He is also the owner of Awakino Estate – It has 3,300 acres overlooking the Tasman sea allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the natural wonder of the central north island of New Zealand. It has the ability to accommodate up to 26 guests. It’s about 1 hours drive north of New Plymouth on State Highway 3. Awakino Estate – 248 Fraser Smith Road, Awakino – Mokau RD 1, New Zealand Phone: (06) 752 9142 Email – khreipen@awakino-estate.co.nz

Mr Reipen has enlisted New Plymouth Mayor Peter Tennent to help consider proposals before making a decision who to donate the lodge to.

The Business, yesterday, was still listed for sale by Robert Angus on the Bayley’s website, for $1.8 million along with the Dawson Falls Romantic hotel which has the asking price of $1.4 million.

Proposals for the Stratford Mountain House can be submitted in writing to – The Mountain House PO Box 303 Stratford Taranaki.

21st June 2010
Update On Deal for Mountain House.
The Stratford Mountain House changed hands,ending a bizarre saga that began when its previous owner said he wanted to give it away.

South Taranaki iwi Ngati Ruanui is the new owner of the Mountain House after after officially settling the deal.
The iwi plans to redesign and update parts of the lodge and say’s it will continue to run as a hotel.

The offer attracted national attention, was flooded with more than 300 responses from individuals, artist, charities and trusts all over New Zealand.
But in the end it was not given away at all, it was never explained why it was not given away.
It is planned that the iwi will work closely with the Department of Conservation to highlight the
mountain’s beauty and walking tracks.

27 August 2010

Further Update On Deal for Mountain House!

German Businessman Karl Reipen granted the wishes of 19 organisation and charities at New Plymouth District Council chambers yesterday  by handing out  $230,000 in contributions, ranging between $10.000 to $20.000.

The Groups that received $20.000 were Barnardos, Canteen Taranaki, Taranaki Kiwi Trust

and Waves Youth Health Services.

These received $10.000

Weatern Football Club Inc, Hawera Riding for Disabled Association Ltd, Hospice Taranaki Inc, Mellowpuff Trust, Napier Riding for the Disabled Association Ltd, Percy Thomson Trust, Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust, St Joseph’s Church, Tainui District Fire Party, Tainui Historical Society Museum, Taranaki Community Rugby Trust, Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust, Taranaki Tree Trust, Inglewood Development Trust, South Taranaki District Museum Trust.

These were the first grants of Karl Heinz Reipen Trust from the sale of the Stratford Mountain House Sale to Ngati Ruanui Holdings Trust Ltd. The sale figure has not been disclosed but it is believe to be about $800.000.

Their is a further $500.000 in the trust for future groups to apply for.Mr Reipen said that he was pleased with the outcome and that Ngati Ruanui got the mountain house because they belong to the mountain and to the area.

A Big Thanks to German Businessman Karl Reipen for his generosity, so many organisation and charities groups will bennifit from a very Generous Person.

Four Square is a chain of Supermarkets in New Zealand.

Logo Four Square Supermarkets

During the 1950s the Foodstuffs advertising department designed the famous “Mr 4 Square” who initially appeared only in newspaper advertising and posters, but was developed to become part of the Four Square identity, appearing in every Four Square store and eventually becoming a nationally recognised symbol in New Zealand, remaining famous to this day.

Four Square Supermarkets are found all the way around Mount Egmont/Taranaki in Taranaki NZ.

Everyone can Tell a 4-square Supermarket with it’s bright yellow walls.

It is a household name that emerged back in the 1920’s. 1 April 1925, a buying group registered a company, Foodstuffs Ltd (later Foodstuffs (Auckland) Ltd), the first of three regional co-operatives based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, which now form the Foodstuffs group of co-operatives. Early versions of the Four Square signs were produced in the form of red and gold hand painted glass panels for display in members’ stores.

Marketing Four Square Supermarkets around the mountain in Taranaki.

Challenge Four Square BJ’S Waitara: Mcleans Street, Waitara. PHONE: (06)754 3125

Eltham 4 Square: 156 High Street, Eltham. PHONE: (06)764 5310

Four Square 45: 77-79 Tasman Street, Opunake. PHONE: (06) 761 8668

Les’s Place 4 square: 87 Egmont Street, Patea. PHONE: (06) 273 8202

Manaia 4 Square: 53 South Road, Manaia. PHONE (06) 274 8406

Moturoa Four Square & Bulk Store; 3 Lowry Street, New Plymouth. PHONE: (06) 751 1372

Oakura Four Square: 1129 Main Road, Oakura. PHONE: (06) 752 7862

Okato Four Square Discount: 66 Carthew Street, Okato. PHONE: (06)7524014

Urenui 4 Square: Nikorima Street, Urenui. PHONE: (06) 752 3895

Vogeltown Four Square Discount: 333 Carrington Street, New Plymouth. PHONE: (06) 753 5014

It is the best way, to keep breakdowns from happening, also it will
prevent some of those nasty Christmas holiday accidents and death’s.

A good proforming vehicle is a happy driver, makes passengers more relaxed, and less likely to get so tired, while driving on those long trips with busy roads in the holidays.

Your first concern should be the welfare of your family or passengers,
and the occupants of other vehicles, or the public, on the road.

For those of us that do not know what is done when your vehicle is serviced.
Here is a rough idea:
Drain oil, remove and change oil filter, check oil in gearbox and diff, grease nipples (must modern cars do not have grease nibbles),check underneath vehicle for damage, rust or failure of brake lines, fuel lines, exhaust, chassis and suspension etc.
Check battery, clean or replace air cleaner, check spark plugs,clutch adjustment, brakes and power steering fluid, radiator, windscreen washers.
Check condition of auxiliary belts, wiper blades, door locks and hinges, lights, tyres.
So all of these will help prevent breakdowns and expensive repairs, accidents and deaths on our roads.

Another Vechicle Service, you should check out:

Is your insurance up to date?

During a lifetime of motoring the average New Zealand motorist can expect
to be involved in two accidents resulting in damage to their car.
Lucky drivers (if that is what you can call it), will not have any, some
will have quite a number, but most will not have had any experience of
insurance claims.
Maybe you should check it out, what you should do if you do have a accident.
Like for instant: what time frame you have to report a accident involving
injury, timeframe if you damage a absent owners vechicle.

In the event of a minor collision, an exchange of names, address,
registration numbers and name of insurance companies with the other driver is usually enough.
A good place to check out any of these questions is the
A A – Automobile Association
49-55 Powderham Street, New plymouth PHONE: (06) 968 7840
121-123 Princess Street, Hawera  PHONE: (06) 278 5095

http://www.aa.co.nz/motoring/owning/servicing/aa-auto-service-repair/Pages/default.aspx

A few Automotive in Taranaki for servicing your vehicle before the christmas holiday’s.

Ansford Smith Motors: 369 Broadway South, Stratford. PHONE: (06) 765 6119

Vogeltown Automotive: 344 Carrington Street, New Plymouth. PHONE: (06)753 9399

RoTech Services: 133 Molesworth Street, New Plymouth. PHONE: (06) 759 4370

Spotwood Automotive 2000: 136 South Road, New Plymouth. PHONE: (06) 751 2811

Auto Professionals Ltd: Behind BP Hawera 9 Tawhiti Road Hawera. PHONE: (06) 278 4114

Automotive Service Centre Limited: 1 Nugent Street, Bell Block. PHONE: (06) 755 0551

Dobson Auto Centre: 2 West Quay, Waitara. PHONE: (06) 754 8336

Advance Vehicle Services: 12 Corbett Road, RD 3, Bell Block. PHONE: (06) 755 1458

McFarlane Motors: West Quay, Waitara. PHONE: (06) 754 8631

Combined Motors 1991: 100- 102 Rata Street, Inglewood. PHONE: (06) 756 8693

Hope you can make time to get your vehicle serviced before the christmas holiday’s, as most of these services close down over the christmas – New year break, it would pay to start getting your vehicle, caravan, boat or whatever you are taking on the road for the holiday’s, booked in and serviced, in the next three weeks.
Happy Motoring – Elsie Hagley.

Haley Graduate Exhibition

Here is a photo of one of the young fashion student exhibition, Haley Hagley of Midhirst, a future small business owner and hopefully employing other students interested in fashion, teaching them, what is now not going to be available for Taranaki fashion students, next year, at the Witt’s Campus New Plymouth.

These are the future designers of fashion, and sad to say the final students to come from the Witt Campus in Taranaki, it will not be available next year.

Haley’s trade name is Halyz.
This is her explaination of the above fashion exhibition.
My collection was influenced by the seventies, because it was an era of soft and feminine fashion featuring items such as puff sleeves and patterned bell-bottoms.
This collection is classic yet practical, suitable for everyday wear while being easily adapted for business.
I describe it as a mix’n match collection because everything can be worn with another item from the same collection.
I have not targeted any particular age group, but perhaps had an eye throughout the process for young professional women aged mid-twenties to mid thirties.
Here is her email if you would like to get in touch with her.

Email: haley-uka-lay-lee@hotmail.com

I have added photo’s and explanation of other Students Graduate Exhibition to  http://sewing.taranaki.cagora.com Just click on the links below.

Check out designer Vicky Thomson,
http://sewing.taranaki.cagora.com/node/1313834
Taranaki Fashion Students, Graduate Exhibition.

Check out designer: Maree Puketapu,
http://sewing.taranaki.cagora.com/node/1313835
Taranaki Fashion Students, Graduate Exhibition.

Check out designer: Tina Wickenden,
http://sewing.taranaki.cagora.com/node/1313836
Taranaki Fashion Students, Graduate Exhibition.

Check out designer Elle Dunlop ,
http://sewing.taranaki.cagora.com/node/1313837
Taranaki Fashion Students, Graduate Exhibition.

Check out designer Ian Hitch,
http://sewing.taranaki.cagora.com/node/1313838
Taranaki Fashion Students, Graduate Exhibition.

Check out designer Rachel Marston,
http://sewing.taranaki.cagora.com/node/1313839
Taranaki Fashion Students, Graduate Exhibition.

For: Courses, Equipment Hire, Tours and a great range of Kayaks and accessories.

Canoe & Kayak – Unit 6, 631 Devon Road, New Plymouth
PHONE: (06)769 5506, Email: canoekayak@maxnet.co.nz
Special Thanks to Canoe & Kayak for the above photo

TARANAKI ATTRACTIONS for Holiday Fun – Fishing!
Feel like a little fishing, well Taranaki is surrounded by the ocean,
so you do not need to go very far as the coastline offers anglers
varied and easy accessible opportunities whether you are a rock, beach, or
ledge fisher, snapper, gurnard and kahawai are present all the year round.
Boat fishermen are also catered for with ramps, Urenui, Waitara, New Plymouth, Cape Egmont,  Ohawe (Hawera) and Patea.

For a special treat like trout fishing, Taranaki provides hundreds of kilometres of brown trout fishing from the streams and rivers that run from the mountain.
There are lakes which the province allows all methods of fishing with the eception of Lake Mangamohoe on the outskirts of New Plymouth , which is restricted to fly fishing only.

TARANAKI ATTRACTIONS for Holiday Fun – FISHING TRIPS!
Team Tasman Charters – *No FisH – No Fee* Bottom Fishing, Game fishing, Diving.
All Tackle & Bait Provided. Half day or full day Rates.Individuals & Groups.
Contact for a booking, Mobile: 027 4712012 or A/Hours PHONE: (06) 758 6348

SOUTH TARANAKI Fishing Charters - PHONE (06) 278 9126, Mobile: 027 289 9929

FISHEY Business Charters - *No FisH – No Fee* Bottom Fishing Specialists,
Fishing Gear,Bait & Ice Supplied, Half Day and Full Day Rates.
PHONE: (06) 758 8095, MOBILE: 027 627 4199

HY-JINKS CHARTERS - Fishing and diving Trips!
North and South Taranaki, PHONE:(06) 764 8856, MOBILE: 0274 744 501

DAY TRIPPER CHARTERS LIMITED - 68 Wallath Road, New Plymouth,
PHONE: (06) 753 3224  MOBILE: 027 451 0949

TARANAKI ATTRACTIONS for Holiday Fun – HUNTING AND TRAMPING!
Taranaki has large areas of bush covered hills, with a large proportion
of these are under the care of the Department of Conservation, who will
give access to hunters and people wishing to tramp in these areas, by permit only.
These can be obtained from the local Department of Conservation Office at no cost.

Department of Conservation – Taranaki Area, 55A Rimu Street, New Plymouth.
PHONE: (06) 759 0350, FAX:  (06) 759 0351

These areas contain a good number of wild goat, pigs, rabbits, possums and the occasinal deer.
There are enough of these animals to give the keen hunter a great day’s hunting.
If going on private land get permission for access from the land owner.

Check out this site Taranaki Hunting & Fishing!
178 Gill Street, New Plymouth. PHONE: (06) 757 2255
EMAIL: huntfishtaranaki@xtra.co.nz
http://www.huntingandfishing.co.nz

TARANAKI ATTRACTIONS for Holiday Fun at MOKAU – The Gateway to Taranaki!
MOKAU RIVER CRUISES – can provide up to 62 passengers on their Two boats
Scenic Tours, Bush Walks, River Kayaking, also Accommodation Provided.
For Bookings PHONE: (06)752 9775
http://www.rivercruises.co.nz

With Christmas holiday’s coming up, only another five weeks or less before school holiday’s, I hope that the above information may give you some idea’s for something diffrent to do.
Will be adding more in the coming weeks for TARANAKI ATTRACTIONS for Holiday Fun.

World famous Glockenspiel, where Romeo and Juliet play out their roles
three times a daily, on Stratfords main street.

Even the streets have Shakespeares names.  Check out this Video.
Drive-by Shakespeare  only 4.11 mins

Dining out
“Casa Pequena” 280 Broadway, Stratford Phone: (06)765 6680
A Coffee House & Licensed Restaurant.

“Indian Zaika” 262 Broadway Stratford, Phone: (06) 765 7269
Plus there are many more eating and entertaining places

Stratford has a relaxed way of life, friendly, and a community that really cares, that gives you a sense of belonging, (My Hometown).
Things you can do, while enjoying your visit to Stratford, the gateway to two National Parks.

You can take a drive to the east of Stratford and experience the
Forgotten World Highway which links the town of Stratford and Taumarunui – a journey of many historic sites, tunnels, natural bush with spectacular views, it is one of New Zealand’s Tourism gems, but make sure your car has a full tank of gas, as there are no fuel outlets over the 3 hour drive, 155 kilometre journey.

2.5km on the way out of Stratford, you can stop and stroll through Lavender Lane, fields of lavender,it has a cafe “Espresso Cafe” with home baking. PHONE: (06) 765 5133 just in case you want to check
them out before you take off on your days trip. Also check out the “Woodturning” while you are there.

It will be worth the drive, a picnic lunch would be very nice, plenty off nice scenic places to stop, a journey back in time, remember to take your camera.

To the west of  Stratford is the mountain house, which offer beautiful scenery, snow skiing bush walks, stop and have a meal while you are there, you can even stay for the night.
There are many thing in Stratford you can do, like art gallery,library open Monday – Friday 9.30-5.30pm, saturday 9.30am-12noon.
King Edward park, twenty hectares of native bush, walkways beside mountain streams,gardens and sports fields, just two mins walk from the main street.
Stratford War Memorial Centre, Miranda Street contains an indoor sports stadium with showers, changing facilities, a function room with attached kitchen, meeting room with ample parking.
Stratford also have a swiming pool temperatures of 29o in the water and 27o out.

Wanting a day out, I can fully recommend Stratford, you will not be lost with nothing to do.
To the south, is Pioneer Village, on SH3 which has a great collection of buildings and machinery from days gone by,including a railway project- Tariki Station and Replica Steam Engines, seven vintage tractors plus a whole lot more.. Heritage buildings dating back to 1850’s, also a cafe,
plenty of room to park off the road.

To the north, 30 mins drive to New plymouth and the Airport,
Stratford has a large, strong dairying and drystock farming industry, a thriving retail sector and a growing manufacturing and tourism industry, all in the heart of Taranaki.

I could go on forever writing about Stratford, but last, lets not forget Berta Anderson our famous Swiss lady from the mountain house.
Anderson’s Alpine Lodge Bed and Breakfast.
922 Pembroke Road, Stratford Phone: (06) 765 6620

Check out her website: http://www.andersonsalpinelodge.co.nz