When the MV Westport/Fjordvik departed for the final time from the Manukau, we expected that the cement ship visits were over forever.

Robert Bright, Supply & Operations Manager at Holcim commented, “The majority of messages about last ship visits to Onehunga were around the MV Westport rather than the MV Milburn Carrier II. There were also messages regarding both ships’ last visit to Westport, and the last time they were in Onehunga together.

“On this trip (14-15 Nov) the MV Milburn Carrier II loaded bulk cement from the Timaru terminal and dropped off part of its load at Lyttelton and then travelled to Onehunga to fill up the Onehunga silos. Our cement bagging operation at Onehunga will be using the majority of this cement.

“The port will no longer be able to receive the MV Milburn Carrier II into Onehunga from 30 November so there is little opportunity for another port call after this one.

“The MV Milburn Carrier II will continue to operate around our cement depots in NZ until our new ship the MV Buffalo is commissioned and operational. This means the MV Milburn Carrier II may be in service right through until February/March 2017. After this she will be put up for sale.”

Shipping expert Jeremy Ruane gave BEACON this update on these vessels:
MV Milburn Carrier II

MV Milburn Carrier II made her last-ever call at Onehunga, visit #946, on Monday 14 Nov at 1100, departing Tuesday 15 Nov at 1115. Captain Gareth Partington was at the helm. I was wharfside for the arrival.

Ports of Auckland have requested that Holcim finish operating out of Onehunga by the end of November, so with trips to Dunedin, Lyttelton, Timaru and Napier in the pipeline for MC2 later in November, this visit was likely the very last shipping movement at our port. The only prospect of something different coming to pass, and a potential call to Onehunga, is if the Wellington leg of a Lyttelton-Wellington run is cancelled because of the problems Centreport (Wellington) are presently experiencing due to the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. Highly unlikely, though.

MV Westport/Fjordvik Update

As I type, MV Westport/Fjordvik is powering through the Baltic Sea at a steady 12.5 knots, and should be alongside in Gdynia, Poland inside the next 24 hours, where she'll undergo dry-docking and a repaint before commencing work for her new owners in the new year.

To make the trip with so few stops - she's only berthed at New Plymouth (for twelve hours) and Papeete (for seven hours) since leaving Onehunga - they filled two of her double bottom tanks with HFO (heavy fuel oil), and gave her a refill via bunker barge at the Balboa anchorage, before going through the Panama Canal. Methinks the new owners will be well pleased with the fuel economy figures of their new acquisition.

Tug Tika

Ports of Auckland have the tug Tika up for sale at present, and she's available for delivery to new owners from 1 December, which really does make it a fait accompli - no more shipping at Onehunga after 30 November.  Once the tug goes, that's definitely it.

Prateek Malhotra
Everest Financial Services
With the recent announcement of the OCR being cut to 1.75%, there has been lot of speculation as to what the home loan interest rates would do. Previously, when there has been an OCR cut, the interest rates have fallen and the floating rate has been dropped to match the OCR cut.

Not this time though. On the contrary, we have seen some upward movement in the interest rates with some banks increasing their rates for terms of 3 years and more. This is mainly due to rising borrowing costs for the banks, which is being passed on to the consumers. Chances are that these borrowing costs could rise if the overseas markets - especially the US market - starts to go into inflationary mode. This will make it more expensive for our banks to borrow offshore and hence more expensive for home loan borrowers here.

The other reason is that we do not have enough deposits being made into our banks, as the rate of return is comparatively low. To counter that banks will push for higher deposit rates, and to offset this increase will have to increase our home loan rates as well. So, while all of us have gotten used to the rates that were around the 4s or mid 4s, it could be that this is the lowest they will go.

In terms of borrowing strategy, a lot depends on what you intend to do with the property. This will be different for a first home borrower as opposed to an investor. It might not be a bad idea to look at the 3 years and above rates as they are still historically low and could give some comfort if the rates were to start rising.

If you would like to discuss more about the home loan rates or discuss your personal risk insurance, please give us a call on 09 215 6912 or visit www.everesthomeloans.co.nz

At Glenavon Early Childhood Centre, it was a special event day for children and families on 27th October as they joined together to celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights and Indian New Year. Diwali signifies the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness. 
 
The interior of the preschool was adorned beautifully with sarees and ethnic Indian artefacts, and children made diyas (clay lamps), which decorated the banquet table. Tamariki and whanau were engaged in several ethnic experiences including henna, rangoli, block printing, singing, cooking and learning about the story of Diwali, and its significance. Parents and teachers provided a sumptuous feast for everyone to partake in traditional Indian food.
 
It was a truly memorable day that brought our diverse families from different continents together! A happy event for all that marks the beginning of more upcoming festivities at the pre-school, as we head into the spirit of Christmas.

There’s always a ton of stuff happening at the Centre, and here is just a sample:
 
Friday 2 December            Age Concern technology problem solving
Sunday 11 December        Kaleidoscope Christmas Gems Concert
Sunday 11 December        Sargam School of Indian Music Concert
Sunday 18 December        Highland Dance School End of Year Concert
16 – 27 January 2017        OSCAR School Holiday Programme 
 
NEW CLASS:                    Children’s Art on Saturdays
 
NEW IN DECEMBER:       Pop-Up School Holiday Programme
 
Monday 19th                      Christmas Craft Day
Tuesday 20th                     Team Challenge Day
Wednesday 21st                BHB X Factor
Thursday 22nd                   Superhero vs Villain
Friday 23rd                        Trash2Fashion 
 
(See website for full programme and enrolment form)
 
Make sure you visit our website www.blockhousebaycentre.co.nz where you will find all the information you need for our classes, room hire, holiday programmes and much more.
 
The Centre office will close for the holidays on Wednesday 22 December at 1pm and re-open on Monday 9 January at 9am.  Our thanks to all Centre hirers and users, and we look forward to welcoming you again for more interesting stuff in 2017.

If you are a senior and living in Blockhouse Bay, then help is at hand when you need it! Lesley Robbins is funded by the Selwyn Foundation to be an advocate for seniors facing challenges. Perhaps you have an issue with housing, health or benefits, or some other issue?  Whatever it is, Lesley offers a free service, coming alongside you to listen, and then to help you through, every step of the way.
 
Lesley has a background in social work and counselling, and has been running services in four of the rest homes around the Bay, so she is well known around the place. She is based at Church of the Saviour in Blockhouse Bay, and can be contacted on 627 7889 or seniors@cots.org.nz.