Newsletter November 2026

Bonjour à tous et à toutes ! 

Vos rendez-vous pour le mois de novembre

Films, wine, tunnelling and a kids’ playdate are on the activities’ agenda this month. French culture and connecting for Francophones and Francophiles alike. It is also a bit of a history/remembrance month. Click on these links for more info or scroll down for the rest.

NZ  WW1 Tunnellers Beneath Arras in France 

On Monday 16th November, historian Sue Baker Wilson will be here to present a Post-Armistice Day Talk on the connection between NZ and the French town of Arras.

A 20 km network of tunnels was dug by 500 NZ tunnellers under Arras during World War 1. The tunnel system could accommodate 20,000 men and was outfitted with running water, electric lights, kitchens, latrines, a light rail system and a fully equipped hospital. These tunnels created a tactical advantage for Allied troops, who were able to get close to enemy trenches unseen. The site, La Carrière Wellington, is a World War I memorial in Arras – and the reason Arras became the name of our capital’s most recent tunnel.

The guest speaker is the NZ Tunnellers historian Sue Baker Wilson. In April this year, France paid tribute to Sue’s work and dedication to the preservation and protection of this shared history and bestowed on her their award of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters). Sue is a passionate believer in the duty of memory and a strong advocate for the enduring friendships that help forge a better future for all.  Her rigorous research has re-found the forgotten, reconnected the de-connected, and ensured that the links and friendships forged do not become mere footnotes buried in the past. Come along and hear her journey, their story.

The talk is in English and there will be extracts from soldiers’ letters home.
The talk is free.  All are welcome to attend but, please register for catering purposes

What : Post-Armistice Day Talk : NZ Tunnellers in Arras, France

When :  Monday 16th November 7pm-9pm
Where : The new Tauranga City Library,  Waihīrere Room, 95 Willow Street, Tauranga
NB: No parking fees in the city after 5pm !
Cost :  Free but koha welcome.
Register:  Please register for catering purposes.
A light supper :- Tea, coffee and Anzac biscuits will be served.
Any questions :  Contact Shelley shelley@lovefrench.nz  Ph 07 578 9416

French with Shelley and the Association Française Tauranga have collaborated to organise this event.

Dégustation Beaujolais Nouveau   

It hasn’t arrived yet exactly, but it will be here, in Tauranga. on November 19 !

Every year, on the third Thursday of November, France celebrates the release of Beaujolais Nouveau. This much-loved French tradition brings people together to celebrate the arrival of the new vintage with wine, food and conviviality. The Gamay grapes used are capable of short fermentation which means that the wine can be sold in the same year the grapes are harvested – but, by law, never before that 3rd Thursday.  Beaujolais Nouveau 2026 is said to be a light, fresh, and highly fruity wine. The high level of grape ripeness gives it a bit more substance and roundness than previous vintages.

Grab a ticket.  Be one of the first people in the world to try the 2026 vintage.
The Association Française Tauranga has organised a degustation of the 2026 PIRON Beaujolais Nouveau at HIDE Thirst & Hunger from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on November 19th.

Tickets are limited so BOOK YOURS NOW !

A l’écran – French Movies

Luxe Cinemas in Tauranga and at Papamoa continue to bring back the French Festival favourites, as does the Katikati Arts Junction, the TV channels frequently show sub-titled movies that remain available on demand, and the paid channels have a feast of films and series.  But for your regular French film fix, top of the list is the Association Française Tauranga’s Ciné Club. There is a monthly screening – 30th November is Joyeux Noël – and the cost is only $12.50 if you are a member of the association, BUT you must book.

On Screen This Week attempts to group as much movie info as possible into one spot. Currently on the list you’ll find : A Dash of Love, Anatomy of a Fall, Joyeux Noël, Colours of Time, The Taste of Things and Summer 36.

However, if you have seen any good ones you’d like to share, particularly from streaming channels, then let me know.

Funky Fly Games

Joyeux Noël is the name of the film, but Funky Fly Games is the name of a game that’s a great idea for Christmas.
Oui, seulement 43 dodos avant Noël. The countdown is on.

Everyone knows what flies are. Pesky things that drive you mad, land on your food, give you the creepy crawlies, and always seem to move just out of swatting range !
Be ready for summer, start practicing now, hone your skills, play the Fly Funky Fly Game !
It is fast, frantic, and great fun for all the family.

The game was invented by ‘les Dubois’, a local French family.  One young son conceived the idea, and his slightly older brother drew all the cards. Find out how it all happened then grab a game on their Website : www.fffcardgame.com

Anniversaries

Apart from “les Sagittaires et quelques Scorpions et Capricornes” everyone will have already had their annual “anniversaire”.  But there have been some big anniversaries in 2016.

Zarafa Arrives in France – 200 Years

200 years ago on 14th November 1826, a very special guest arrived in Marseille on board a boat that had been especially adapted to her needs.  A special hole had been cut in the deck of the boat to allow her head to pass through.  Although very young, she was also very Tall.  She was in fact a giraffe a gift that had been given to the King of France, Charles X, by the Viceroy of Egypt.  She was the first ever giraffe to set foot in France. After spending the winter in the south, in May 1827 she and her handlers set off for Paris on foot.  She walked the 900 km in 6 weeks.  The convoy included 3 cows to provide fresh milk for Zarafa on the way. Thousands of people gathered to see this strange, exotic creature pass by – more probably than for a Tour de France. She spent her years at the Jardin des Plantes Zoo in Paris and died aged about 19.

Automobiles Peugeot – 130 Years 

130 years ago, in 1896, Automobiles Peugeot was officially created as a dedicated car manufacturer. The Peugeot family business began well prior, in 1810, when a grain mill was converted into steel works that produced cold-rolled steel, saw blades and tools. The lion trademark represents the strength and sharpness of the steel products. The company was at the forefront of innovation and evolved and diversified into coffee, salt and pepper grinders, then bicycles and internal combustion engines which led to the automobile. The separate company, Automobiles Peugeot, was born.   Check out the clip :  Peugeot Automobile Evolution (1889-2022).  Maybe you owned one of them.

If you didn’t and might like to, Tauranga Motor Group is the local Peugeot dealer. The 2008 GT Premium that I saw with the big red bow on top has Lion’s Claw headlights (a nod to what ?) and Alcantara upholstery which is plush leather and cloth with green highlighter stitching – new with all the 2026 models, including the on-site slightly larger 3008 GT Premium. PLUS, the seats have electric operated heating, cooling and MASSAGE functions. The Driven Car Guide for the 3008 model states that “The massage stuff is full-on. You have the choice of the brand’s signature Cat Paw pattern (you can see what it’s done there), Wave, Stretch, Lumbar, Shoulder, Snake, Side to Side or Butterfly. All with varying levels of intensity. Enjoy !”  As you have no doubt realised, I am into appearance (big tick) and comfort (very big tick) rather than car reviewing, but I am told this car is a mild hybrid, which means the battery recharges as you drive.  You can see and test drive the car at 387 Cameron Road in Tauranga.  Ask for Daniel.

One question (quiz alert) : What small gift do Peugeot dealerships occasionally offer as promotional or closing gifts for buyers ?  It is not 2 cars for the price of one. Sorry.

Alliance Française Auckland  – 130 Years

130 years ago, on October 22nd 1896, while Armand Peugeot was busy branching out into the car business, an adequate number of the 31424 residents of Auckland at the time were responding to University lecturer Professor de Montalk’s invitation to create a branch of the Alliance Française in their home town. The Alliance Française Auckland was thus founded and has spent 130 years bringing people together through the French language, Francophone cultures and unforgettable shared experiences. Toutes nos félicitations,

On Saturday 21 November 2026, there will be a landmark anniversary celebration in the magnificent Grand Foyer of Auckland Museum. More than an anniversary, this is a celebration of our community and the enduring cultural connection between Aotearoa New Zealand and the Francophone world. There may still be tickets available

The new Association Française Tauranga is in Year 1, so can never catch them up, but it has something to aspire to.

Equation of the day :  Diamants + émeraudes = 130. Are any other options possible ?

What about Adela Stewart ? – 135 Years

A small footnote re longevity in French Club circles :
According to her own memoirs, recorded in her pioneer journal *My Simple Life in New Zealand*, Adela Stewart officially opened the Athenree French Club in 1891.  Having been partially educated in Paris during her youth, she had an excellent command of the language and used the club to enliven the cultural and social life of the Katikati settlement.  That was 135 years ago.  Unfortunately, her unofficial group appears to have disbanded when she returned to Europe.

But those in the Katikati area, need not despair. The Katikati U3A has a current French group.
Contact Christine on 027 480 9261 or camellia.donehue@gmail.com

The Death of Mother Aubert – 100 Years

French-born Suzanne Aubert arrived in New Zealand in the 1860s and set up the Sisters of Compassion at Jerusalem on the Whanganui River in 1892. She broke in a hill farm, cared for children and the sick, by skilfully combining rongoā and Pākehā science, supported families through the Depression and wrote books in te reo Māori, English and French adding significantly to a higher cultural understanding and literary heritage.  She died aged 91 on1st October 1926, 100 years ago. The process for her beatification was commenced in 2010. Go to the ReachED site for more about this incredible woman who may become Aotearoa NZ’s first saint. She is at the second of four stages in the Catholic canonisation process (Servant of God → Venerable → Blessed → Saint).
There is also Jessie Monroe’s biography, The Story of Suzanne Aubert, which was named book of the year in the 1997 Montana Book Awards.

Short Footnotes to finish

Arras – 110 Years

The tunnelling began 110 years ago, on November 1916,  with deployment and preparatory work continuing over the following five months leading up to the April 1917 offensive.

Moi-même  – 30 Years

I have just realised that I Ieft NZ when I was 18. At the end of this year, I’ll have spent more years in a row living here than in any other country.  I feel old.

Une Française cherche du travail

“Hi everyone! 
My name is Laurie. I’m 31, from France, and I’ve been living in the Mount for a little over a year. I’m currently looking for work opportunities with children (around 30 hours per week). I am available Monday to Friday (daytime and afternoons), and I’m also happy to help out on some weekends! I am open to babysitting, after-school care, or mother’s help roles, as well as caregiver roles within ECE centres across the region. 

About me:

* Full NZ driver’s licence.

* Holding an Open Work Visa with full working rights (no restrictions).

* Native French speaker, conversational and confident in English and Italian.

* Experienced with children aged 3 and older. I’m also eager to learn and help with younger ones.

* Positive, organised, and happy to help with both the kids and light household tasks.

* Great references available upon request.

* Clean police check.

* Willing to complete a First Aid certificate if required.

I absolutely love animals, so I’d be more than happy to give your furry friends some love and care too!

Please feel free to contact me if you know anyone working in ECE who might be able to help, if you know a family in need of support, or if you hear of any other opportunities. I’d love to have a chat and answer any questions you may have.

Thank you so much, and I look forward to hearing from you!

 Celebrate à la française – Les jours fériés

There are two public holidays in November in France-  and they have already gone.

Le 1er novembre is La Toussaint or All Saints’ Day, a catholic festival when those who don’t have a saint’s day on the official calendar can celebrate.  In practice, it is the day when people go to the cemeteries to honour their loved ones. Traditionally, the tombs are decorated with chrysanthemums. These flowers are in season, frost resistant, and are symbol of peace and of the resurrection.

Le 11 novembre is l’Armistice.  This day marked the end of the First World War and is celebrated with ceremonies akin to our Anzac Day.

Celebrate à la française -– Les journées internationales

  • Le 25 novembre: Journée internationale des professeurs de français :
    International French Teachers’ Day
    Super bonne idée !   What else can I say ?

More International days : https://www.frenchwithshelley.co.nz/quelques-journees-novembre/