News in Brief

Funds boost netball
Mangawhai Netball Club turned winter into a Winter Wonderland Fundraiser on June 24.

“The Domain hall was decorated with a winter theme and it looked amazing with white Christmas trees and decorations,” said co-organiser Andie Gore. “Everyone had a great time.”

Everyone received a free glass of mulled wine on entry and the music and dancing went on well into the night. There were a large number of silent auction items up for grabs kindly donated by local businesses, raising around $1300.

Funds will go towards the running cost of the ever growing club, uniforms, sweatshirts and equipment.

Cooking cash for kids
The school holiday challenge anyone aged 10-18 can do at home is back for its seventh year with epic prizes up for grabs.

The Just Cook Challenge is simple to do – make a meal, take a photo of it and enter it online at justcook.co.nz/challenge. With $2,000 in cash prizes, $500 Prezzy cards as well as a Fitbit up for grabs, there’s never been a better time to get cooking.

The Just Cook Challenge aims to inspire all young people to learn to cook and help develop the skills to eat healthy for life.

The six categories are: Beef & Lamb NZ Everyday Easy (2 x $250 Cash); Tegel Affordable Family Favourites (2 x $250 Cash); I Love Eggs – Feed The Family With Eggs (2 x $250 Cash); Sanitarium Plant Based Family Meals (2 x $250 Cash); Wattie’s Colour Your Plate with Veg Draw (5 x $100 Prezzy Cards); Life Education Trust - Long Lasting Energy Draw (1 x Fit Bit).

Kids aged between 10 and 18 can enter as an individual, with a friend or as a school class. The competition is open until July 30.

Kids learn enviro message
Students at Mangawhai Beach School are embracing Plastic Free July, and Plastic Free Mangawhai, with a number of initiatives happening next term.

One of those is encouraging waste reduction in lunchboxes, especially single-use plastic.

Top tips include: Have separate compartments or reusable containers to avoid wrapping; Buy less individually wrapped items; Use reusable bottles; Use stainless cutlery, not plastic.

Check out wastefreelunches.org. Well done kids!