It’s wonderful being Westies, with the Waitakere Ranges on our doorstep and its beaches half an hour’s drive away. We’ve just had a three day break  at North Piha, in a comfortable old-fashioned holiday home, Tai Haruru, run by the Forest and Bird Society.  We were totally surrounded by flowering pohutukawa,  with tui hurtling through branches, kereru swooping around the house, birdsong […]

We hear a lot about the problems of low-decile schools – and not nearly enough about their strengths and successes. Ranui Primary School held its once-a-term community day in early December, featuring student work around the theme Safety- at home, at school, in the community. Their work was inspiring – thoughtful, well-informed and beautifully presented […]