Spotlight On...

What is it about Mount Maunganui that’s luring Brazilians – to open new eateries and stores? We don’t really qualify as a sun-drenched Brazil of the South Pacific. But at least one new immigrant calls it paradise here, which goes some way to explaining a South American influx estimated at more than 3,500 people.

The new settlers are full of praise for the friendliness and ‘accepting’ nature of the locals, but we reap the benefits. We get an invigorating blast of South American diversity and colour - in tasty foods like Churrascaria – traditional Brazilian barbecue. And the tropical style and panache of Brazilian designers behind products like Havaianas – otherwise known as ‘the world’s best flip flops.’    

The Mount has become the heart of this South American sub-culture that already includes  restaurants, takeaways, clothing and footwear, and tattoos...with more on the way. Here’s our quick take on who’s who, and where to find them.

Armazem

Brazilian partners Alex Aragao and Lucas Fleury opened this wood-clad tapas restaurant on Maunganui Road (near Mt Mellick pub) just before Christmas. Alex speaks of the Mount as paradise and says its word of mouth attracting so many South Americans. Lucas agrees, adding ‘it’s not Disneyland,’ you have to work hard but you reap the rewards.  He’s at pains to emphasise the support they’ve received from the locals, and thank them for being so ‘accepting.’

Armazem is the Portugese word for an old fashioned grocery store of the kind usually owned by one family. The large restaurant and bar with plenty of outside courtyard seating, has 12 appetisers (tira gusto) priced from $6 to $14.  Freshly baked Brazilian cheese bread is popular, but the choices run to Brazilian sausages, fried polenta fingers and marinated chicken hearts.

Mains are priced from only $15 to $23, and include the popular Brazilian staple dish ‘PF’ – seasoned rice, Brazilian beans, farofa (toasted and seasoned cassava flour), salad and beef, chicken or fish. For diehard Kiwi diners, the restaurant serves dishes labelled ‘the New Zealand side of Brazil,’ lamb shanks and fish and chips.

Happy Hour (s) runs from 2pm to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, with tapas and other finger food promoted with the drinks. Brazilian beers Skol and Bhrama will soon be available. A Brazilian duo plays their music on Thursday nights. Tel  574 -  7773 .

Brazilian BBQ

Along Maunganui Road in downtown the Mount, opposite Latitude, the focus is on the traditional Brazilian barbecued meats known as churrascaria, and dine in or takeaway meals priced from a mere  $5. Owner Shaun Robb is a Kiwi builder turned restaurateur, who’s lived in L.A. and spent time in South America with his Argentinean former partner. He imported the specialised griller and hired a Brazilian barbecue chef, along with other Brazilian staff. 

They are cheap, healthy meals with a selection of pork, chicken, picanha (rump) or homemade sausages, and a range of salads. The meals are priced Brazilian-style with the diner choosing the quantity; the food is weighed on electronic scales and priced accordingly. It means you can have a healthy meal for as little as $5 or $6 and diners have largely taken happily to the unusual ‘sold by the kilo’ payment method. Brazilian BBQ sells certified organic Icoco coffee. Tel 574 3501.   

B Original  

Also in downtown Mount Maunganui, in the former Line 7 shop, the colourful store is run by Fernanda Braga (the wife of Amarzem’s Alex Aragao), Debora Paz and Claudine Paiva.  The idea for the store came about because there were no Brazilian shops or anything similar to cater for the growing number of South Americans living locally.   

All the merchandise B stocks is imported from Brazil, including clothing and swimwear from big name designers like Morena Rosa, Totem and Bossa Nova.  The footwear ranges from popular Haviaiana jandals in a mind blowing choice of different styles and colours, to handmade leather sandals and handbags.

Uno magazine reports that B original expect to sell a whopping 250,000 pairs of Havaianas this summer, in the store which ‘lets locals experience a bit of Brazil.’ A spacious, cool and friendly place, the store features a huge mural of Corcovado, the mountain that towers over Rio Di Janeiro, with a remarkable resemblance to Mauao (the Mount).  Tel 572 5973.

Tattoo You, Too! 

Parked next to the Armazem restaurant is the spectacularly sign-written Hammerhead Tatu Bus.  You guessed it...run by Brazilian Rodrigo ‘Nasa’, who’s studied tattooing in countries including Brazil, Samoa and Tahiti. 

Rodrigo moved to Tauranga in 2005 and launched his 11 metre mobile tattooing studio last year. He’s planning to open a tattoo parlour where his bus is now parked.  His favourite style is ‘a fusion of Maori and Pacific Islands designs and the beautiful colourful Japanese body suits.’

On the other side of Amarzem another South American outlet will open soon, a sushi bar called Satori Lounge run by a Chilean. More on that later, and of course, Mundo Mexicano, a Mexican restaurant which opened last winter.

The way things are heading, the Mount will soon be the country’s most notable South American melting pot – a hub of Brazilian food and culture. Lindo maravilhoso (marvellous)!

Paddle Boarding Pleasures...Try a Portable Pump-Up

The sport of stand up paddle boarding is winning more followers in the Bay, as either a flat water harbour activity - a new, fun way to surf – or both.   

Also known as ‘SUP’, short for stand up paddle boarding, the sport which originated in Hawaii has swept round the world, becoming ever wider in its appeal along the way. There are now boards for the surf, flat water cruising, racing, ocean trekking, river running, etc.

The barrier for most newbies has been cost (upwards of $2000), closely followed by the sheer bulk of the boards. Most beginner SUP boards start at ten feet plus, however the game has now changed with the arrival of Red Air inflatable boards – designed by a British SUP champ and manufactured in Taiwan. The actual production process is ‘top secret’ but it’s based on a sandwich composite of the rugged synthetic rubber used in inflatables (IRB’s).   

New Zealand distributor of the Red Airs is NZ Paddle Company based in the Bay of Islands. Chief company enthusiast Bill Dawe describes them as way better than kayaking – and without the back strain. For a start, you’ve eliminated the need to manhandle a large board on and off your roof rack. The only modest effort comes in pumping up your Red to a ‘rock solid’ 15 psi. (Every board comes in its own kit bag with a repair kit, Scoprega (Italian-made) hand pump.) 

Bill Dawes points to the pleasures of cruising coastal areas from a standing position, with great views down into the water. It’s a delightful way to get up close and personal with nature, he says.

All sorts of people have bought Reds, from families who want a robust board ‘for beach or bach,’  to boaties keen to replace their weighty plastic sit-on kayak strapped to the deck, with something more user friendly. They can even be towed behind a boat as a ‘scurfer.’

They make a great learner’s surf board (Reds weigh 12kg and harmlessly bounce off you in a wipe out), or a perfect play platform for the kids in the sea, or lake.

Your editor test drove an 11 foot Red and found a surprisingly satisfying experience: the boards paddle well and feel light and lively but with plenty of stability. Don’t for a moment think this is something like trying to stand on a lilo - the stiffness, construction and design provide a stable platform. Bill rightly points out they don’t demand the same ‘sweet spot’ (perfect point of balance) approach as a solid stand-up board. Reds are much more forgiving on where you place your feet.

If ever there was craft that could lay claim to being an affordable all-rounder for the sport, this is coming close.  The Reds come in two basic sizes. The Red Air Eleven (3.35 metres), the most stable, retails for $1199 – far cheaper than most stand-ups even selling second hand.  The Red Air Ten, also costing 1149 is more wave-orientated but still stable at 29 inches across. 

Bill’s NZ Paddle Company offers a range of well-priced paddles that start from $89 for a fixed length aluminium model to $164 for a high quality three piece adjustable fibreglass paddle. He claims an adjustable aluminium paddle at $129 is the ‘best budget option’ on the market, if your board is likely to be used by people of different heights.

Price aside, the bottom-line value of these boards lies with their roll-up portability. Sling a Red in the car – off you go.

If you want to take my board for a spin, phone Grant Dyson on 027-668 6242, or email editor@bestoftauranga.com. Further information: www.thepaddlecompany.co.nz

Free and Budget Things to Do 

Walk the white sand beaches that stretch for kilometres down the coast from Mount Maunganui, down through Papamoa. People in some countries don’t have free access to beaches this fine! They certainly don’t get ‘em this uncrowded.  

Climb to Mt Maunganui’s (Mauao’s) summit and walk the circular base track.
The base track walk takes around 45 minutes. The sweeping harbour views from the summit are stunning and the hot saltwater pools at the base of the peak make a pleasant finale.

Stroll along The Strand on the colourful waterfront... Soak up a lively atmosphere of Tauranga’s bar, restaurant and cafe precinct. Check the information boards for a quick history lesson. 

Take the historic Tauranga city walk...Visit the old Bond Store, Hotel St Amand, and Monmouth Redoubt. Take in more history at the Battle of Gate Pa site on Cameron Road, and at other sites.

Boat spotting...Tauranga’s two big marinas at Sulphur Point near the city and near the harbour bridge on the Mount side, are full of yachts, motor launches and a few craft that defy description. Charter boats can whisk nature lovers out to swim with dolphins, and encounter seals and bird life.

Visit the glorious Georgian gardens of the Elms Colonial Mission House. These carefully tended grounds have fine kauri, rimu and orange trees and kiwifruit orchards. It’s one of New Zealand’s most historic buildings, dating back to the 1800’s. Tour inside for a small fee to step back in time.  

Step back in time at the Tauranga Historic Village in 17th Avenue West.  The Village is a collection of original and replica buildings taken from early Tauranga and placed in a unique setting of gardens and bush surrounds. Look for the historic chapel and Faulkner House, built in 1844.     

Visit the stylish art deco winery - Mills Reef at Bethlehem – to taste the current releases. Usually some wines on special in the tasting room. Beautiful gardens, local musicians play on Sundays. 

Take in some of the best views in the Bay of Plenty from the Minden Lookout. The lookout is 286 metres high with commanding views out to sea over orchards, farmland and suburbs. Just 20 minutes from downtown Tauranga – turn right at Te Puna.

Drive out to McLaren Falls Park on State Highway 29 in the Lower Kaimais. See one of the best botanical collections of trees in New Zealand, and visit Marshall’s Animal Park. The kayak trip through the glow-worm grotto on Lake McLaren is highly rated.

Shops by the beach...Visit Bayfair Shopping Centre at Mt Maunganui, the Palm Beach Plaza, Papamoa, and Fashion Island also at Papamoa. These retail centres are a shopper’s delight with top fashion stores and excellent food courts.

Visit Te Puke, the ‘Kiwifruit Capital of the World’. Drop in to Kiwi 360 and take the KiwiKart orchard tour, visit the gift shop for skin care and other products made from kiwifruit.

Visit Katikati, New Zealand's ‘Mural Town.’ This planned Irish Ulster settlement has colourful murals painted on buildings, and Barry the Kiwi Bloke statue, along with the unique haiku walkway that runs beside a clear flowing stream. 

Explore the Kaimai Forest Park. This bush clad backdrop to Tauranga and Katikati is easily accessible and offers superb native bush walks. The Park is 37,000 hectares of parkland filled with native forest and rare bird life. See the Department of Conservation for details.

The Papamoa Hills Cultural Heritage Park combines Maori pa sites, stands of native forest and farmland, and spectacular views over the Bay of Plenty coastline. The highest point is 224 metres.  Head from Tauranga to Te Puke on State Highway 2 for about 20 kms, and turn right into Poplar Lane.  

Soak in one of the Tauranga’s district’s heavenly hot pools...it’s a cheap way to get outdoors and have some fun – and save on your shower bills. See Best of Tauranga’s Hot Pools section in Things to Do. You’ll also find lots more information relating to our other tips. 

Hideaway Lodge’s Plans for New Villas – Keeping ‘Country Ambience ’   

Fantail Lodge – a boutique lodge nestled in the foothills of the Kaimai Ranges, has forged a name for romantic getaways combined with fine dining – based on locally grown fresh produce and game.

And the owners intend to hold on to their hard-won reputation, as work begins on a $12 million development to construct 10 new villas.  

The Tudor-style lodge has real hideaway appeal, set amid 40 acres of secluded gardens, rocky creeks and subtropical plantations.  Add to that the award-winning culinary skills of chef / owner Harrie Geraerts, well known for his pork, duck and other game dishes.

‘I think game is one of the most honest meats – with no additives, not tampered with – it’s pure and I like working with that.’

The Dutch immigrant and his family started the lodge 20 years ago with ‘one humble guest room,’ but are now taking a big jump, Harrie explains, to build the luxury villas as a separate village, but within walking distance of the main lodge.

That doesn’t mean, he is at pains to point out, abandoning the rural lodge ambience for a ‘glossy, sterile, city-like facility, which wouldn’t fit here.’

The decor of the villas now under construction, will be modern but not trendy, with the aim of preserving the ‘country feel.’  The new accommodation will provide 30 rooms – and enable them to cater for groups of up to 60 people attending a conference or other corporate gathering.  But the complex will also provide for a ‘romantic small-scale happening’ or wedding-type celebration.  And a couple can still rent a villa on their own to escape the city for the weekend. 

Villas will be fitted out with the latest in fibre optics to provide for video, sound and broadband Internet. Each one - built in a two hectare park-like setting, looking towards the Kaimais - will have two bedrooms and two bathrooms (125 metres of floor space). There are plenty of native trees and a running stream; ‘rural New Zealand but 25 minutes from Tauranga,’ says Harrie.  

A ‘well known New Zealander’ has already booked a wedding for the New Year, because it’s a secluded, luxury venue screened off from the public. ‘It’s easy to secure and they can be themselves and relaxed. ’ No names of course.

A number of villas will be privately owned as holiday homes, to be used around two months a year, and rented out by the Gaerarts the rest of the time. They are priced at $450,000 – but this pays for a villa ready to walk into, complete with linen, and fresh flowers on the table. It is believed they will rise 5% to 10% in value once the village is complete.

Part of the appeal is not having to cook for yourself. Villa guests can of course, but it rarely happens, not surprisingly, when Harrie offers to ‘create whatever’s desired ’ for them. 

The chef likes to use produce in season picked from their own gardens. For example the plums are ready now, perfect for a pork dish with an organic fresh plum sauce. Quite often Harrie takes guests into the garden to show them ‘that’s where the fennel grows, that’s where the spinach grows...they like that.’

The villas are expected to be completed by about June, with a few weeks needed to finalise the interior fit outs, before they’re ready to occupy in July.

The development is a ‘dream scenario’ for the family, coming at the end of the financial crisis. They were able to get excellent building quotes and now hope to reap the benefits of an improving economy. ‘It’s a big jump for us but you’re only young once...’