I want to kick off this issue by saluting all the mums. Sunday 12 May is Mother’s Day, an important day to reflect on the big part mothers play in our lives. My mum turns 91 in May – she inspires me every day. This year we will be thousands of miles apart on Mother’s Day, but it will not prevent me from reflecting on how lucky I have been to have been one of Lillian Bennett’s two sons.

In this issue, we have a focus on sustainability as well as sport and fitness – these two subjects feature throughout the magazine.
Given the focus, it is fitting that local Shore identity William Pike is our cover feature. William continues to be inspirational in everything he does: from surviving the eruption on Mt Ruapehu back in 2007 to using that event to inspire thousands of others, including many youngsters via his presentations and the William Pike Challenge; having his own family; and now enjoying business success. I hope you enjoy my chat with William. He is the keynote speaker at the North Harbour Club’s Business Excellence Network (BEN) Breakfast in Takapuna on Tuesday 28 May. At the time of going to print, there were still a small number of tickets available (northharbourclub.co.nz).
Also in this issue, Christine Young has done a feature on businesses working towards sustainability and we profile the wonderful work that the Kaipatiki Project is doing to grow a sustainable future for people and nature.
Thirty-four years ago, my wife Michelle and I had the first of our two daughters, both of whom we are extremely proud of. Our tiny wee Courtney was born at 29 weeks (dropping to 800 grams) leading to a traumatic three-to-four-month period in our lives. Thirty-four-year-old Courtney is now a mother of two, a contributor to Channel Mag, and the founder of a charity she calls the 'Premmie Knitting Club'. We sent her along to visit well-known Devonport business owner Laura Foote who gave birth to twins she affectionately calls her ‘TnT’ twins. Tavita and Tama were also born at 29 weeks, meaning that Laura and her husband Dave now have three sons under 16 months, their first-born Vaea being just 16 months old! You’ll enjoy Courtney’s chat with Laura about her (and Dave’s) tough journey in recent months.
You’ll also enjoy the Q&As we’ve done in this issue with some of our local sporting stars hoping to be part of the Olympic Games coming up in Paris in late July and August.
Enjoy another great (FREE!) issue full of positive reading about the North Shore – we reckon the best place in the world to call home.
Have a great May and make sure you support our local economy. It’s very important in these soft economic times.

Aidan Bennett, QSM
Publisher – Channel Magazine
Managing Director – Benefitz
aidan@benefitz.co.nz