South Auckland Orchid Society show coming to Pukekohe
The South Auckland Orchid Society is back in business after a Covid-19 induced hiatus, bringing its orchid show to Pukekohe on Saturday September 03.
The colourful and dynamic orchid has been one of Ernie and Margaret Harvey’s great loves for most of their lives.
Their bright colours and hardiness mean they are blooming in the Harvey’s Mangatāwhiri home year round. And now you can see them too, at the Pukekohe Town Hall, alongside dozens of other blooms with their proud growers.'
Margaret Harvey grows her orchids in pots, so she can move them around as she likes. At one stage when the couple lived in Pukekohe, her shade house held around 200 orchids.
The Harvey’s have been members of the South Auckland Orchid Society for just about as long as the society has been running. Founded in the early 1970s, many of the society’s members are either longstanding like the Harveys or sadly passed away.
The couple are eager to see younger people join in and get as excited about orchids as them, and enjoy just how much joy they can bring to their home.
“The biggest thing with being a member is you learn from other people’s mistakes, or problems. You can learn what results people get, and what’s the best thing to grow them in.”
They said while the internet can offer a lot of information, other Kiwi growers are the best source of knowledge because of our unique climate, with a lot of information out there based on the United States’ weather.
Ernie and Margaret said the society has been a family to them over the years, providing much more than advice on orchids alone.
Margaret said members also offer each other garden tours to visit their own growing practices.
“Because we’re a small number, we’re all friendly, we all go have a coffee and chat and things like that,” Ernie said.
“And not only in our club, you make friends in other clubs – Howick, Waitākere, Waikato and even North Shore clubs - we all get together and have a natter.”
The South Auckland Orchid Show will be on Saturday, September 03 from 10am until 3.30pm at the Pukekohe Memorial Town Hall.
Poll: Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?
Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?
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76.5% Inside!
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23.5% On top!
Poll: How important is the ability to book a doctor’s appointment online?
Hi Neighbours
Here at The Doctors we would love to hear how you prefer to book your doctor’s appointments. With busy schedules, different people find different methods easier.
For some, online booking is very convenient, you can make an appointment anytime without needing to wait on the phone. Others still prefer calling the clinic and speaking to a real person, especially if they have specific questions about their visit.
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37.2% I prefer booking online whenever possible
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36% I prefer calling the clinic
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3.7% I didn’t know online booking was available
A reminder this hunting season
As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.
Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.
Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”
Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.
The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”
Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?
“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.
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