Celebrating Whanganui - Spring/Summer Oct 2022

New weekly event ‘Succulent Sun Daze’ in Whanganui seaside suburb

“Succulent Sun Daze” is a new weekly event that aims to further liven up Castlecliff.

The event is the brainchild of The Citadel cafe owners Malcolm Whitlock and Roxi Douglas and consists of food trucks, live music and the Whanganui District Council’s Play Trailer on Rangiora St.

“We’ve got such a neat street and it’s a way of engaging with other local businesses that have had it tough over the last few years,” Whitlock said.

Coinciding with daylight saving, the event launched Sunday 25 September, and is planned for every Sunday from 4pm to 7pm until the end of daylight saving on April 2.

Plantish, Vostinar Gallery and the Castlecliff Community Hub & Library will be open during the weekly event.

Whitlock said people could bring food truck kai into The Citadel’s courtyard where the live music would be held and people would also be able to purchase food from The Citadel.

He said they would start small.

“We have to go through a few hoops to get the food trucks onto the street. But for now, Clifflife church has a neat green space, so for the moment we can park them there.”

He said if they could get it compliant with

local authorities, they would look to have the event on the street, with the potential of temporary street closures before summer.

“To get it to that stage would include things like a traffic plan.”

Whitlock said on the opening day, Ivan Vostinar would be giving out free succulent cuttings outside his ceramics gallery and Dave Muso would be the music act.

“Let’s get the calendar full and the street humming by summer.”

He said he was keen to hear from food truck operators and musicians for future Succulent Sun Daze events.

“Come to the beach, get some kai, watch the sunset on the beach or come hang at The Citadel and watch some live music.”

By Emma Bernard

The Citadel owners Roxi Douglas and Malcolm Whitlock have started the initiative with the long-term goal of street closures during the event. Photo / Supplied

A Taste of the Old Days — Whanganui Vintage Weekend

Whanganui’s status as one of New Zealand’s oldest and most historic cities shines at our annual Whanganui Vintage Weekend.

The event is a highlight on the Whanganui calendar each summer, as thousands pour into the city from across the country. Held on Wellington Anniversary weekend, the three-day weekend sees an eclectic range of vintage themed events, from markets to music, a kiwiana themed riverside shindig and vintage river cruises. The event has been running in the city since 2012 and is growing

every year. Last year, almost every available room in the city was booked up, with buses full of partygoers traveling from all corners of the country. The premise of the event is in the name; a celebration of past eras the character and style that makes Whanganui one of New Zealand’s coolest little cities. Included in the lineup is the Caboodle which takes over the town centre for over 12 hours - one big party encompassing live music food, fashion, and vintage and historic cars. And of course, shopping. Three stages feature live music, alongside street performers who make their

way up the length of the main street, Victoria Avenue.

Other highlights of the weekend include the Sunday Riverside Shindig where this year’s theme is Kiwiana. The downtown riverbank comes alive with live music, and street food in a picnic atmosphere and there is lots more. Riverboat cruises, Oceanview speedway, steam traction engine rides, Plumber Dan’s Soapbox Derby, Vintage Car Club events and a special concert from Kiwi favourite, Tami Neilson at the Royal Whanganui Opera House to celebrate our ten-year anniversary!

Photo / Bevan Conley

With a beginning of a “small level spot amongst the sand dunes” on land owned by the harbour Board and having to do all the improvements to make it suitable, since 1929 the Aero Club has been a constant presence, that has at time provided significant contributions to New Zealand’s aviation industry. Just over 90 years on, the club operates a Cessna C150, Piper Tomahawk and a Cessna C172 to provide flight instruction to all comers. Current active pilots are of all ages, from school age to over 90.

Today the Aero Club’s aircraft are a regular and constant presence over the city, as are aircraft owned by members of the Aero Club. The Aero Club offers an affordable alternative for flight training all the way through to commercial and instructor ratings, while also offering a social component for members to participate in a variety of activities undertaken by the club, including competitions and fly-away weekends. And New Zealand becomes a lot smaller when you’re flying an aircraft with Blenheim, at the top of the South island slightly over an hour away for example.

Learning to fly lifts people beyond just leaving the ground. It teaches confidence in their abilities as people progress through the stages of learning to fly, and master their fears and come to realise just how easy it can be to learn the skills required and fly safely.

Alongside the Club’s aircraft, a number of members operate their own aircraft to provide some variety of aircraft operating out of the airport. The Aero Club welcomes all visitors and offers trial flights for those who are contemplating learning to fly or who just want to get a feel for what it is like to fly an aircraft. Another club member has a high profile in the city with the club’s cat Hangar adorning the side of the Farmer’s building on St Hill St.

Come and join us.

Give

The 20th anniversary of the Handspan Peace Sculpture and the International Day of Peace celebration gathered community momentum ahead of the event on September 21.

In rededicating the original idea of having tiles with hand casts from local and broader communities on Handspan, it symbolises collective efforts in creating a culture of peace.

The Whanganui Potters Studio and Peace through Unity jointly arranged hand-casting workshops over the next two Saturdays at the Whanganui River Market and at the Handspan straight after the midday vigil.

The free-for-all event provided people with the opportunity to experience getting hand casts, as well as receiving the hand tile of their own design about two weeks later.

The organisers explained that over the past 20 years, many people have moved to Whanganui. This was their chance to participate.

The 20th-anniversary celebration of Handspan provided an excellent opportunity to tell the story behind the peace sculpture and to rejuvenate the community spirit.

The celebration event on September 21 was officiated by the High Commissioner of Malaysia to New Zealand, Her Excellency Ms Nur Izzah Wong Mee Choo, the mayor of Whanganui City, Hamish McDouall, and kaumatua John Maihi, MNZM.

All were welcome to join.

By Paul Brooks

The Handspan sculpture turned 20 in September. Photo / Paul Brooks

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New Zealand’s Rainbow Capital

Who knew Whanganui was New Zealand’s Rainbow capital! We did! Come celebrate all things Pride from March 4th-March 11th 2023. We’ll kick off the week by celebrating our Rangatahi at our annual Youth Fest then come Sunday we’ll be hosting a Whanganui exclusive event; our Long Lunch on the Dublin Street Bridge.

During the week you’ll be able to participate in art workshops, a cruise up the Whanganui River, a pride quiz, DIY comedy workshops, a pride walk and our infamous – Pride Party! Of course, if

of the year, the local and visiting LGBTTQIA+ community is supported, celebrated, included and most of all – visible!

Whether you’re after an education provider, employer, healthcare support, social meet-up, religious safe space or just someone to hang out

Pride Whanganui operates a daily dropin centre, hosts weekly Pride Youth Groups, a monthly social group for all, a monthly social group for 60’s+, offers professional development training for businesses and organisations, works alongside InsideOUT in

Community patrols: the eyes and ears of police

You must have seen them about. Men and women in high-visibility gear, strolling through the inner city, or driving marked vehicles further afield. They are doing a job, and it’s a job we should be thanking them for.

Wanganui Community Patrol is a group of volunteers, all police checked and trained, there to help the police make their community a safer environment.

Phil Mulcahy recently became the group’s new chairman, taking over from Graeme Veale.

“The chairman is accountable for the day-today running of the Community Patrol,” says Phil. He says there is a national body — Community Patrols of New Zealand (CPNZ) — overseeing Community Patrols New Zealand wide, and they have a Memorandum of Understanding with the police on what the patrols do and how they do it. CPNZ’s offices are in Police Headquarters in Wellington.

“It’s fairly strict; the emphasis is on safety, because, obviously, we don’t want to put our volunteers in an unsafe position,” he says. There are currently 32 volunteers in Wanganui Community Patrol, but they could always do with some more.

“We do day patrol, night patrol and we view the (CCTV) cameras from 9.30pm until about 2.30am.”

Part of the job is just being visible and letting people know they are there and in direct contact with the police via radio. That visibility often acts as a deterrent, whether they are walking two-by-two up the street or cruising around in

the two sign-written cars.

They also go into shops, including supermarkets, just as an identifiable presence.

“We look the part,” says Phil. Even when the car is parked and empty, it gives people the idea they are not far away and could witness any wrongdoing. “The police have indicated that it does help, just being visible.”

To become a member, there is a process. Applicants must be aged 18 or over, must sign a declaration of confidentiality and agree to abide by a code of conduct. They go through an interview stage, are vetted by police and complete a period of training (usually three months) where they work with senior patrollers.

New members are issued training manuals of 10 modules each with a set of questions after each module. They are expected to pass all 10 modules during their training period. A full pass (100 per cent) is needed before the new member can go on patrol.

Graeme now does the rosters for Community Patrols, but he would like to see more names on them.

“Some people use Community Patrols as a stepping stone to get into the Police Force,” he says. And the police encourage it. “The support we get from Whanganui Police is unbelievable.”

They also help with smoke alarms.

“We’ve got three teams of three that help the Fire Service with the installation of smoke alarms,” says Phil. With Fire and Emergency now doing medical call-outs, they are stretched and Community Patrols take some of the load — like smoke alarms.

There is a link on the Whanganui District Council website so anyone can apply on-line for a smoke alarm. Fire and Emergency pick up the application and that’s handed on to the Community Patrol. The service is free and often requires more than one smoke alarm per residence.

With smoke alarms, foot and car patrols, and CCTV monitoring, Whanganui Community Patrol is an essential service and a worthwhile one. They can be contacted through their Facebook page or through the CPNZ website.

By Paul Brooks.

Phil Mulcahy is the recently elected president of Wanganui Community Patrol. Photo / Paul Brooks

Fourteen-year-old Whanganui magazine founder wants more youth voices in the media

AWhanganui 14-year-old has won the GirlBoss 2022 Innovation Award. GirlBoss is an initiative focused on closing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, maths, leadership and entrepreneurship through empowering young people.

Lola Fisher won the award for her involvement in Create Happy Magazine - a digital magazine with 15 core contributors, all under 17 years old.

As the editor, she said the idea was to provide a voice for youth. “Initially, we wanted the magazine to focus on photography, but as we moved into the second edition, we realised it’s really important just to have our voices heard.”

Lola said the first edition’s theme was innovation, and the second edition’s theme was Aroha. The idea for the magazine emerged when Fisher and the other contributors took part in a visual storytelling photography programme for youth called Click Happy, Fisher said.

There were 450 applicants for 10 awards.

GirlBoss’ NZ chief executive Alexia Hilbertidou said Create Happy magazine used the power of storytelling to empower others. “She [Fisher] believes young people should not be just passive consumers of content, but powerful creators of it.”

Lola said the other contributors to the magazine came from across the country, most being based in the North Island, with a few from Whanganui. “They’re all from very different backgrounds, including our rainbow community and neuro-diverse people.

“It’s amazing to have a wāhine-powered magazine, and I think that’s really important.”

She said the group were currently applying for grants to print their fourth edition and pay the writers. “It’s turned into a surprisingly professional environment.”

By Emma Bernard

Lola Fisher won the GirlBoss 2022 Innovation award in Auckland. Photo / Supplied

Kathy’s connection with the Duncan furnishings

In Anzac Parade, behind the Acacia Park Motel, stands an imposing 19th century residence of historic importance.

It was the home of the Duncan family. Built of local pit-sawn heart totara, with front doors and window joinery of oak brought out from England, it comprised 24 rooms and large stables, as well as gardener’s and coachman’s cottages. Fire destroyed one wing of the house in 1925.

The youngest and last Duncan resident of Totarapuka, as the house and property were named, was Josephine Duncan. She lived there until the house was sold in 1972.

It was she who bequeathed her personal effects to the Whanganui Regional Museum, much of which comprised furniture and furnishings, which are now arranged as an exhibit, a snapshot of another time.

Nearby is a dollhouse modelled after Totarapuka. In the display is a small, Japanese table with a tilting, octagonal top.

This table was chosen by museum collection assistant Kathy Greensides for a weekly WRM Showcase. There is a connection there, as Kathy was hired by the museum to catalogue Josephine’s belongings in a one-year contract some years ago. Kathy is still there, even though the Duncan cataloguing is done.

“There were more than 700 objects,” says Kathy. The items covered a range of years as much of it was collected by Josephine’s father and grandfather who had travelled widely. The Japanese table was one of those collectables.

“She found it in the attic of her house. “It is inlaid with some kind of stone as well as ivory, and then painted.” The top is a work of art and the table is well made. Kathy has an interest in things Japanese and also catalogued the contents of the Japanese Tea House when it was moved from Duncan St to Bason Botanical Gardens.

Whanganui Red Cross bookshop has a bright new store situated at 73 Liverpool Street, Whanganui. Opposite New World side entrance. We have a vast array of good quality secondhand books, jigsaws, DVDs, and CD'S at very good prices. We have new donated stock arriving all the time, so it is worth visiting regularly. Our shop is run totally by our volunteers who are happy to help you find what you are looking for. All money raised at our bookshop goes towards our Red Cross programs. We welcome donations of what we stock. Come and see us.

The table is Japanese, definitely, but its age and origins are unknown. The fact it was brought back from someone’s travels, used in the Duncan homestead and later stored in the attic is a story in itself and the imagination can fill in the gaps. What we don’t know is just as interesting as what we do know.

By Paul Brooks

Photo / Paul Brooks

Kathy Greensides with the side table and the Duncan furniture exhibit at the Whanganui Regional Museum.

The Key Planner is a brand that creates tools & online training for ambitious people seeking to become the better version of themselves, so they can design a life they love.

The Key Planner was founded by the brand strategist, keynote speaker and entrepreneur Jessica Anne.

Over the years, Jessica has built and sold four successful businesses in Sydney and London before heading back home to Whanganui to develop her online brand in 2018.

The Key Planner, a high-performance productivity brand, creates physical products such as a 2023 planner, to-do list notepads, an APP, and online training programs on high-performance development for the ambitious professional.

Jessica has inspired many ambitious professionals to build a business and life they love by turning their passion into a paycheck; she created a system that she used to achieve this and turned it into a planner.

The Key Planner, your success coach in a vegan leather-look diary. With the features of a scheduling calendar, habit tracker, expense tracker, goal-setting tools, diary, sketchbook and bullet journal, you can keep your goals, thoughts and ideas ALL in one place.

"After selling tens of thousands of these planners within New Zealand and worldwide, many customers started asking me to create a digital version. I've put together a tech team working on The Key Planner Appa lite version is currently available on the Apple App store and Google Playstore store" - Jessica Anne.

An upgraded version of The Key Planner App with the ability to sync your events from iCal, outlook and google calendar, so your events and meetings are all in one place on your smartphone, will be available by the end of October 2022.

If you'd like to pre-order the Key Planner 2023 diary, head to thekeyplanner.com and use the code "celebrating" to get 10% OFF

To access the Key Planner APP, scan the barcode below with your camera on your smartphone. Then, get a 7-day free trial to test out before buying a subscription.

Jigsaw Whanganui

We run several parenting programs and non-violence programs alongside individual support to whānau/families to enable them to be at their absolute best for their tamariki and children.

Whanganui, Rangitikei and South Ruapehu communities.

The agency is highly respected locally and nationally for its professional excellence and effectiveness in its work alongside families. Here at Jigsaw Whanganui, we embrace Te Tiriti O Waitangi and Te Ao Māori and appreciate the richness it provides to our work environment, underpinning our values within kaupapa whānau.

Many whānau/families who journey through our services present with an array of complex needs that affect all areas of their lives, such as: inadequate housing, poverty, poor education, learning impairments, disability, deteriorating health, relationship breakdowns, historical trauma, family harm and violence. In many of these families, children are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing adversity. The work we do provides a safe space for people to openly explore their experiences

and aspirations for their families. With summer approaching, it is that time of the year again where we get our ducks in a row, the big yellow duck makes an appearance on the awa, and we prepare for the Plumber Dan Duck Race 2022. Running into our 7th year of co-hosting this fabulous event, it will all go down on Saturday 5th November 2022 at 11:00am. Don’t be a sitting duck and grab yourself a duck race ticket when they go on sale in selected businesses on the 24th September 2022 or check out the Jigsaw Whanganui website to purchase tickets online now. If required, the postponement date will be the 3rd December 2022 at 10:00am.

Jigsaw

families throughout

Unsung heroes’ grand effort to care for mokopuna

They are called Grandparenting Together. When Midweek called in to their meeting place in Alma Rd, around the table were Bob, the facilitator, aided by Rene (pronounced Reen) and Les, with Jill, Iriaka and Hera. It was Hera’s first day with the group. Lynette Archer, Woven Whanau co-ordinator, was also there. She says Woven Whanau is alongside parents and grandparents raising their mokopuna in Whanganui.

Grandparents Week is between September 26 to October 2, with a Grandparents Day celebrating happening on Sunday, October 2. The week and celebration are being hosted by Woven Whanau.

“The main thing we are here for is to get advice and support others,” says Rene. “Over time we’ve become quite good mates. And our children know each other and mix together.” By children, she means grandchildren. The whole point of the group. For one reason or another,

everyone at the table is raising their children’s children. They do it because they have to if they want to see those grandchildren have a good home and their fair share of love.

With this group, they are not doing it alone.

“This morning we had a big discussion on writing wills, and so on,” says Bob. “We talked about Public Trust and that kind of thing. Issues come up and we give each other advice on where to go. It’s a drop-in centre. There is no formal taking of minutes, agenda or anything. Come in, grab a cup of coffee or tea and chat.”

They meet every Thursday from 10am to midday.

“Woven Whanau is our support group,” says Bob.

“We call Woven Whanau the umbrella,” says Lynette. “When Woven Whanau started in 2020, it had come out of a co-design in the community around what would be helpful for parents. We were meeting with a lot of organisations to let them know who we were, and they kept asking, who is alongside those grandparents raising their moko? So we began to question it. We talked to a few people and

Grandparenting Together are Hera, Bob, Rene, Lynette Archer (from Woven Whānau), Les and Iriaka. Photo / Paul Brooks

Bob’s name popped up as someone who was looking to support this group in some way.” When asked, Bob said he would just like to meet them over a cup of coffee. “We put the flag out, put a notice up and said let’s see who turns up,” says Lynette. The first few meetings were in the Plunket rooms and they were well attended. “So we knew there was a need for this informal, alongside support.”

Rachel Puru is the Woven Whanau facilitator alongside Grandparenting Together. She was unable to make the meeting.

Iriaka says the group is a lot about networking, but there is also respite provided.

“You pay someone to look after your child for a night so you can have a break,” says Jill. Her child is deaf, autistic and has ADHD, so he’s a “handful” and finding someone to provide a night’s respite is difficult. Respite care is provided through Accessibility. They’re also eligible for YMCA Oscar (Out of School Care) funding.

All in the group say the informal style of meeting suits them and their support of each other is invaluable.

“We’ve had couples turn up here traumatised,” says Bob. “They’ve had grandchildren just land on them.” He says it’s all very well for parents to take up recreational drugs and heavy drinking but they’re not thinking of the consequences and what it means for their children and the extended family.

“In my case, we ended up with three,” he says. “At that stage, we had to decide one of us had to retire.” He had been at City College for 42 years, thought that was long enough so he chose to retire. His wife continues to work because they have added stress on the budget with three grandchildren.

“In most cases, someone has to give up something to take on the responsibility.”

“Your life,” says Iriaka, “Because the kids come and live with you.”

“You give up everything,” says Rene, “Like holidays overseas that we had planned — everything.” Instead, they spent that money making their grandchild safe. Lawyers got most of it.

“You really do give up your life,” says Jill. “Your friends don’t have little ones.”

Rene says the kids aren’t the problem, it’s their parents, the in-between generation causing the trouble and forcing grandparents to take charge.

Jill says that by the time grandparents have gone through the courts to get custody of their grandchildren, any savings and Kiwisaver have been swallowed up by the legal system. Showing love for your grandchildren can be financially crippling.

“Last year there was an opportunity to apply for funding specifically around this group of parents,” says Lynette. She says she, Bob, Rene and Rachel explored it and talked about what informal support would look like if they

focused on it. “We won that funding and we got to employ a co-ordinator. So Rachel ... who can’t be here today ... works with me, and her eye is on this group. She is getting at least one new family a week since this began.”

Not everyone in a similar situation wants to be part of the group. For many there is an element of shame that their own children can’t look after their children. They would rather people don’t know about it.

“It’s not just taking on a child, or adolescent, whatever, it’s taking on a child who is traumatised and is also displaying adolescent, teenage behaviour. You get the two mixed together and it becomes pretty volatile,” says Bob. “In my case, I can say, after five years, things have settled down and we’ve got a workable regime, but you’re always on edge. You can never relax.” He says he will fix the holes in the wall in the boy’s bedroom when he leaves.

“There is some fantastic support in the city. Once you get to know the agencies, it’s a very supportive city.”

Bob says they get everyone together, including the kids, for a community meal once a month at the Baptist Church.

“Grandparents Week came out of the Grandparenting Together group,” says Lynette. It is a way to tell the community about the group and it fits nicely around Grandparents Day. There is a calendar filled with events for the week.

By Paul Brooks

Getting the job done

Specialising in residential and lifestyle, Sharen’s strong, client-focused approach delivers a service like no other. Formerly a successful business manager, Sharen has 23 years of marketing experience within the finance and insurance industry, helping her become a top achiever in Whanganui real estate.

Whanganui is big enough to draw crowds and small enough to be intimate, an area popular with residents and tourists. Strong rental yields and plenty of land for sale in the region present further opportunities for property investors and developers. Being well-located with a mild climate, it is certainly a great place to bring up a growing family.

With an abundance of reserves, cycle paths and walkways, Whanganui is a green and dynamic city famous for its culture and history. Often referred to as a “ten-minute town” because of its easily accessible facilities and services, there are many vibrant community cafes and restaurants, with quality shopping available.

Bayleys Whanganui is a locally owned and operated, full-service real estate business with a strong community focus. In real estate, relationships are important, that’s why Sharen Tunnell always places good communication at the forefront. Her comprehensive knowledge of the industry will keep her clients up to date with where the market is going, how it’s changing and what is needed to promote your property to buyers. Sharen knows how to plan, achieve, and execute the right solution for your property. Sharen understands the worth of your family home or investment and what a big deal real estate can be. Selling a house can be stressful at the best of times and in situations where there are extra factors at play, you need a sensitive professional by your side. There is no better recommendation than a satisfied client, and a significant proportion of Sharen’s business comes from referrals - property owners who have been recommended to her and keep returning for their real estate needs.

Whether it’s selling at the upper end of the market, or finding innovative options for first home buyers, Sharen is ready to put her passion and dedication to work for you. If you’re looking for an industry leading agent to help you get the best possible result from your property journey, then call Sharen to see how she can get the job done for you.

Specialising in residential and lifestyle Sharen with “Her strong client focused approach delivers a service like no other.”

The practice was one of the very first in New Zealand to gain Best Practice accreditation and we are always looking to further improve our services.

Having originated as The Wanganui Veterinary Club in 1945, whereby clubs were formed to bring veterinarians to the provinces and rural areas, the practice has developed into a multi-faceted clinic. Nowadays operating as Wanganui Veterinary Services from 35 Somme Parade, in conjunction with Vets on Carlton at 60 Carlton Avenue, Wanganui Veterinary Services has 10 veterinarians employed to meet the demands of both the Wanganui urban and rural markets. In addition, the two vet clinics combine together to provide the only 24/7, Wanganui based, after hours service.

Large animal work is provided to the greater Whanganui region and is mostly based around sheep, beef, dairy and equine work, but the large animal team of four vets, two technicians and a sales manager, have wide and varied experience which is of great benefit when dealing with the types of animals that are encountered on these farms, and also the growing number of lifestyle blocks. Contracting and consultancy are available to farmers, including the sheep conveyor and calf debudding services.

A full range of companion animal services are provided including vaccinations, x-ray diagnoses, orthopaedics, pregnancy scanning, dental work, flea and worm control, weight management programmes, pet export certification and much more. All routine surgery is performed as well as full surgical management for conditions such as twisted stomachs, bladder

stones, fractures, ligament damage, lump removal and caesareans. With over 50 cages and a separate isolation ward the clinic has the capacity to cater for the fluctuations of companion animal veterinary demands.

Adjoined to the clinic is Pet Essentials, a pet accessory and food shop that stocks everything your pet could desire. There is a wide range of cat and dog food, including the preservative free meat selection and locally made dog rolls, tropical and freshwater fish, leads, beds, doggy coats, kennels, giftware and so much more.

The practice also operates Vetcare Grazing which has over 10,000 heifers under management. With over 25 years of experience, the Vetcare brand offers consistently top weight gain results, veterinary monitoring, regular reporting, animal health insurance, long-term clients and top graziers on very good land.

To add to the offering Wanganui Farm Supplies is also part of the business, fitting in alongside the veterinary practices to provide for the needs of either farmers, weekend farmers or townies who are looking for the ultimate stock and station retail experience. Boasting a wide range of products, the largest under cover drive through in town, equine products galore, apiarist supplies including bulk sugar syrup, and a friendly team of staff, Wanganui Farm Supplies is the place to go.

With a total staff of over 70, a commitment to Wanganui through numerous sponsorships and the different businesses it operates Wanganui Veterinary Services is truly a homegrown business dedicated to the Wanganui area and its local community.

New Zealand Glassworks

Zealand Glassworks

of old

Te

The town has a long history with art glass and is home to many practitioners working within this extraordinary heritage craft. NZG is located in the old printing press building for the local newspaper The Chronicle. This unique environment provides a vibrant centre for artists to create, exhibit, and to be inspired. NZG is dedicated to the ongoing development of all glass artists and provides them with the best possible opportunities and education through the facility.

The open access studio hosts many of the country’s leading glass artists and you can see first-hand glass artists indulging in their craft all year round. The interactive glass centre entertains the greater community with hot glass demonstrations, exhibitions, education opportunities, and short course workshops.

Each month throughout the year NZG runs paperweight and beginner glass blowing workshops. These workshops are extremely popular and the year books out fast, so if you’re interested make sure you sign up quickly.

The NZG gallery is Whanganui’s premier glass art gallery featuring some of New Zealand’s most respected and collected artists. The art glass is thoughtfully curated in a unique gallery space, with a focus on collector’s pieces and limited-edition sculptures. The contemporary gallery and exhibition mezzanine floor provide a great opportunity to see works by over 30 artists including David Murray, Te Rongo Kirkwood, Emma Camden, Kathryn Wightman, Wendy Fairclough, Evelyn Dunstan, Philip Stokes, Sue Hawker and many more.

Make sure you keep up to date through the website for all the exciting events. NZG is open seven days a week from 10am to 4:30pm and closed on public holidays. Please check the online calendar to see who is working on the day of your visit, or when the next scheduled workshop will be running: www.nzglassworks.com.

Soaring growth

Aredesign for one of Air Whanganui’s planes, as well as plans for a new hangar and plane for its fleet, marked a five-year period of growth for the company with even more to come, according to the company’s chief executive.

Air Whanganui chief executive Dean Martin said the rebranding was needed as the business had used the same brand for the past 37 years, when it was originally known as Air Whanganui Commuter Ltd. Since then, Martin said the business had changed to become more of an air ambulance service for Whanganui and the surrounding regions.

“We’ve grown dramatically over the last 5 1/2 years, even during Covid, so the business is looking to expand further,” Martin said. As part of that growth, Air Whanganui is currently in the consent process for a new hangar. Along with the construction of the hangar, Martin said the company was looking into adding a new plane to its fleet. “We are looking into future investments and an aircraft is on the agenda,” he said.

The new hangar, plane and staff uniforms would be adorned with the rebranding already painted on one of their planes. Martin said Air Whanganui had been working on the rebrand for the past 12 months, and community feedback had been positive. The new colours

reflect the new aspects of the service and of Whanganui, according to Martin.

Martin said the dark colour on the wings and tail acknowledged the service’s history and their past design, the dark blue represented the Whanganui river while the light blue the sky, whereas the bright red stood for the air ambulance service they provide. Martin hoped the rebranding would reflect the values of both the company and the wider Whanganui region. “Our care in the air is what we’re about and, as we rebrand the planes, I think that’ll reflect as we go around the regions, and it’s good for the city of

Whanganui as well,” he said.

Martin gave thanks to Wellington’s Homegrown Creative for helping with the design and Hamilton Aero Maintenance for painting the plane. He also thanked the wider Air Whanganui team, which had the final say on the design and continued to provide services during what he described as a busy time. “Once we got that concept from Homegrown, the team had their input as well to make sure it reflects what they do on a dayto-day basis. It was not just one person that came up with it, it was the whole team, really.”

By Finn Williams.

Whanganui band Come On Up wins big at Waiata Māori Music Awards

Whanganui band Come On Up has scooped a major national award, barely a year after forming to record a tribute.

Brothers Marcel Martin, Benjy Paki, Joel Paki, James Paki and Gerrard Paki got together in 2021 to record the song as a tribute to their late father Johnny Paki but didn’t stop there.

They adopted the song’s name as the band’s official title and recorded a self-titled five-song EP.

That release won Best Roots Reggae Album by a Māori Artist at the Waiata Māori Music Awards on September 9.

Come On Up beat fellow Whanganui band NLC and Tomorrow People for the prize.

Martin, saxophonist and backing vocalist, said it was a bit of a surprise to get the nod over more established acts.

“They are both great bands. NLC won it a few years ago and Tomorrow People has been pretty well known around New Zealand for the best part of a decade.

“I think the biggest thing about winning was we were one of the only bands there that wasn’t (NZ on Air) funded.

“We did everything ourselves.”

The seven-piece band had only played a handful of gigs so far, but the money from each one was enough to record the EP, Martin said.

“The last two singles came out of Swamp Shack Studios in New Plymouth but we also used NLC’s studio here in Whanganui.

“Each song was completed in a six-week pattern. We had to play a gig to get the money for that studio time.

“We just did that over and over again - five gigs equals five songs.”

Martin said he hoped funding from NZ on Air or other entities might be more forthcoming now Come On Up had the award under its belt.

“Hopefully this gives us a better chance.

“Studio time is pretty expensive and we have been self funding our own music videos as well.

“That’s been really good fun but at the same time it costs the money.”

Next up will be the completion of the next release - a full length album.

“Hopefully, that will be finished in the next

few months, Martin said.

“I think people might be surprised with some of the music we pull into that.

“We’ll stick to that main genre (reggae) but some surprises will be in there as well.”

Guitarist James Paki said the band would be playing at least twice in Whanganui before the end of the year.

“Summer time is coming around again so we will be back out on the road.”

Johnny Paki originally recorded the song ‘Come On Up’ for a Whanganui compilation called Muster, which was spearheaded by Carl Perkins (Herbs and House of Shem) and released in 1998.

By Mike Tweed

Come On Up is (from left) James Paki, Mihingarangi Martin, Joel Paki, Herepete Robertson, Mikey Takao, Marcel Martin and Gerrard Paki. Photo / Supplied

The

Mechanical and Engineering Services cuts a fine figure in Wanganui trade circles

is based in the heart of the city’s

has developed

beginnings

It is made up of a small team of tradesmen who are not only proficient in the maintenance

repair of trade machinery, but are also equipped with the technical expertise to design, develop and install machinery to meet specific requirements.

Mike Mooney and the team take pride in their ability to get a job done quickly and efficiently, with special attention given to detail and workmanship.

No Job is Too Big or Too Small

From mild steel and stainless steel to aluminium, the fully equipped workshop in Heads Road enables tradesmen to fabricate a wide variety of sheet metal products. Precision waterjet cutting means almost any shape can be cut from a wide variety of materials to specific specifications. With over 2500sqm of workshop, no job is too big or too small for Mike and the team.

Mike and group of experienced tradesmen can do the job to a standard that’s second to none. Also offering, in-house, their own designer with AutoDesk Inventor.

Council scavenger hunt a hit

Whanganui District Council Chambers was the venue for an unusual meeting, when about 30 cubs and keas from the Whanganui Scout Group converged for a lesson in local government, some games and a talk by the mayor.

Under the leadership of Natasha McKee, who goes under the Jungle Book name of Rahn, and organised by mayoral support officer Kristy Palleson, the group would enjoy a programme of fun and education, followed by photos.

“We’re working on a Better World Community badge and Peace Education,” says Natasha. Cubs and scouts traditionally work

towards what used to be called proficiency badges, gained through experience and knowledge of various aspects of scouting and general education.

Scouting has experienced a resurgence in Whanganui after years of groups folding or merging until there is now one group in the city. With new growth, Natasha says there is a need for adults to step up and volunteer as leaders to help cope with the increased numbers of keas, cubs and scouts.

After a short talk by Kristy about the importance of the council and what it does for the community, the group embarked on a

scavenger hunt within the council chamber.

They had to use the mayoral photographs, the stained glass windows of the Whanganui Story and other clues to answer a number of questions, such as: what year did Mayor Hamish become mayor? Who is the deputy mayor? Who was Whanganui’s mayor in 1874? What is the name of the song that features in one of the windows? What are the names of the only two women whose photographs are in colour?

The final question was: If you were mayor for a day, what is the first thing you would do?

The visit would conclude with one child being chosen as honorary mayor, with replica robes and a mayoral chain made for the occasion.

The children took to the scavenger hunt with boisterous enthusiasm, often working together to solve each question.

Mayor Hamish McDouall arrived during the scavenger hunt. He was in full rabbit fur and chain, this being a ceremonial occasion.

When everyone had resumed their seats, one of the cubs welcomed him with a short, prepared speech and Hamish, a former cub, kept the crowd amused with his recollections of the organisation, before moving on to the stained glass windows, the work of the council and mayor, the scavenger hunt and the answers to the questions.

Hamish chose a young man called Hunter to wear the replica mayoral robes and be honorary mayor.

By Paul Brooks.

Cubs, Keas and leaders from the Whanganui Scout Group with Mayor Hamish McDouall. Photo / Paul Brooks

Floral creations bloom

Jade Bedel operates Willow and Sage Dried Botanicals from her home, creating natural dried arrangements for all occasions.

“I am a dried floral artist,” says Jade. “I work mainly with dried flowers, so I do floral arrangements from wreaths to larger scale installations ... a whole bunch of different things.”

She crafts her work for “anyone who has a love for flowers”.

“A lot of the time it’s bought as gifts for people — mums buying for daughters, sons buying for mums — I do weddings, to help the bride and groom celebrate, to adorn the space.”

And it’s all created through completely natural, chemical-free processes.

“I got into it over lockdown in 2020.” Jade was living with her parents in Auckland, having just finished high school, trying to find her feet. She had seen dried floral wreaths in markets and she wanted to give it a go.

“I picked a couple of bunnytails and put this tiny wreath together ... and I kept on going. It was my dad who suggested I sell them.”

She began selling her work on Etsy, an international online marketplace for makers and creators.

“Then I migrated to my own website.”

Jade is originally from the south-west of France, near Bordeaux, but has been in New Zealand for 16 years. Now 21, she lives in Whanganui where her partner trains at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy.

“I’ve always had a connection to the outdoors and nature. When I was living in France ... we lived in the countryside and were outdoors a lot. I’ve always been an outdoorsy kid. I loved gardens and flowers ... it kind of stems from there.”

Jade is studying homeopathy, so taking things naturally is normal and there is a kind of nature-based, organic relationship between her studies and her craft. She has been studying online since 2020 with the College of Natural Health and Homeopathy.

The dried floristry is going well.

“I’ve got lots planned for the year, coming up: I’ve got workshops, markets and things.” Jade has been teaching wreath-making for a year. “I started doing [workshops] at the Yellow House Cafe, I did a couple in Wellington at various locations and I did one in Palmerston North recently at the Herb

Farm. A bit quirky, a bit different.” The antique shop is next to Haywards Auctions in Guyton St.

There are a lot of florists who deal in dried arrangements, but Jade’s work has a difference.

“Fast floristry has become really big now, and in terms of the flowers that they use, they’re using a lot of dyed and preserved ... they’re harmful. They can’t be just chucked in the compost and decomposed without spreading chemicals through the earth. So I focus a lot on the sustainable side, from the packaging to not using floral foam, which is terrible for our health and everything else.

“Obviously, I’m not saying all florists use chemicals but all of my flowers are naturally dried, so I don’t spray them with paints or glitter or bleach them, they’re completely naturally dried. Eventually, they will fade in colour a bit and do their natural thing. I don’t use any chemicals, they’re all air-dried.” She says her wreaths are handmade with foraged materials such as wisteria, ivy and other vines. She has friends who also supply her with flowers and raw materials. With larger wreaths she uses chicken wire. For wrapping and arrangement protection she uses Midweek newspapers, after reading them, of course.

Jade’s home decor is classic, with muted shades and ornaments from the past — Beatrix Potter books and pictures, for example.

“Coming from France and liking all of these old things, I think I have a classic, kind of old style in the way I work and the way I create things. I don’t like really big bold colours ... everything is neutral and down-to-earth. I’m drawn to that colour palette and a very rustic style.

By Paul Brooks.

Chic

Florist Jade Bedel in her workroom filled with dried flowers and wreath vines. Photo / Paul Brooks

Tonga Project — major milestone achieved

The Rotary Club of Wanganui North has been working on the Tonga Project for the past three years with the goal to upgrade the orthopaedic surgical services at Vaiola Hospital in Nuku’alofa.

This has long been the vision of a member of the club, John Van Dalen, a well known Whanganui orthopaedic surgeon.

The club is about to deliver to Vaiola Hospital orthopaedic surgical equipment to the value of NZ$30,000 from an overseas supplier (market value four to five times greater) and will be providing to the medical team at Vaiola ongoing training in orthopaedic surgery and later at Whanganui Hospital.

The total value of their Tonga Project is $120,000 which is fully funded by a Rotary International Global Grant and a New Zealand Aid Grant, along with support from Wanganui North, Whanganui Rotary Club and other Rotary Clubs in New Zealand and overseas.

The project will take another two to three years to complete.

Content Supplied.

An orthopaedic surgical procedure of an ankle fracture at Vaiola hospital, Nuku’alofa, Tonga, with John van Dalen (centre) and a local supporting surgical team. Photo / Supplied

Matthews Nurseries Ltd have been growing premium quality rose plants for kiwi gardeners to enjoy since 1947. You can create your own gorgeous garden with Matthews Roses available locally from Wanganui Garden Centre, selected garden centers nationwide and our online store.

As agents for internationally renowned rose breeders our nursery has the unique opportunity to introduce new varieties from around the globe to New Zealand. We also create brand new roses, with the awardwinning, spray free Bob Matthews hybridizing programme. Our family business is excited to celebrate our 75th anniversary in 2022, and as we look toward the future, we can’t wait to inspire the next generation of gardeners with the timeless beauty, charm and romance of the rose.

If you’d like to experience some of our beautiful roses in bloom visit ‘The Rose Garden’ located 10 minutes south of Whanganui, roadside on State Highway 3 during summer. Happy Gardening!

My Grandad (Mattcello) My Rose Collection

Bob and Cath Matthews with Cascading Pillars

Bridge to Nowhere Lodge and Tours

Jet Boat Tours

Departing from Pipiriki, our tours to the Bridge to Nowhere run daily. Travel 30km upriver into the wilderness region.

Enjoy a 40-minute walk through the native bush and onto the Bridge itself. Bookings essential.

Jet Boat & Canoe Combo Tours

If you only have a day or two up your sleeve and want to experience canoeing the Whanganui River we have some great options available.

We’ll ensure your adventure will take you into the most scenic parts of the Whanganui River where you can explore the sights and sounds of the River at your own pace. Take a picnic, relax, and enjoy the peace and tranquillity as you float down this majestic river. From 2 hours to 2 days!

The Bridge to Nowhere Lodge

Located deep in the Whanganui National Park wilderness region, we are the only Whanganui River accommodation of this kind in the area.

Perched high above the river and surrounded by native bush the only access is by the lodge’s jet boat service, canoe, by foot or helicopter.

The Lodge offers comfortable double/twin share accommodation along with family bunk rooms.

Rooms have magnificent bush and river views with French doors opening onto the balcony.

Cater for yourself in our kitchen or sit back and relax and enjoy a generous buffet dinner and breakfast in the morning.

Our licensed bar offers a selection of New Zealand wines and beers to complement your meal. Enjoy your meals in the dining room or on the balcony overlooking the river.

The campground is being continually upgraded

It would be great to see you up here. It is an amazing area and to think it is all on our back doorstep. I had lived in Whanganui all my life and first went up river when I was 35. So different from the river we see in town.

Facilities include: 4 cabins tent sites, hot showers, cook house, gas BBQs, picnic tables. It is a 5-minute walk to the Lodge where you are welcome to enjoy our fully licensed bar.

Mountain Biking

We specialise in the Mangapurua/Bridge to Nowhere Track section of the Mountains to Sea cycle trail. We can arrange all your mountain bike hire, shuttle buses, jet boat pick up, canoeing and accommodation before, during and after your ride.

To find out more: Call us on 0800 480 308 or visit our website www.bridgetonowhere.co.nz

Cullinane College

Cullinane College is a positive high performing faith-based community, which encourages students to become the best possible version of the person God created them to be.

Students at Cullinane College enjoy excellent modern facilities on a dynamic campus. Cullinane can boast brand new performing arts facilities, music room, recording studios, Technology and ICT suites, and ablution facilities. These complement the established classrooms and learning spaces.

Cullinane College’s academic results have consistently been excellent. The success of the students is based upon diligence within the classroom and the dedication of a professional, experienced staff. Cullinane College’s roll is capped and as such our students enjoy a tight family environment. Each student is known not just by their peers but by all the students and staff. Genuine mentoring and quality pastoral practices help to create Cullinane’s positive atmosphere.

Our students enjoy a wide range of sporting and cultural extracurricular activities. Our Kapa Haka team, Te Ngakau o te Awa, have consistently ranked amongst the highest in the lower North Island. Our College’s pacifika culture is strongly recognised and our Pasifika team have been requested to perform at many high-ranking events.

We have also had a large number of students representing New Zealand on the national stage in their individual sporting fields. This is a great source of pride for not just the College, but our wider community. Students are encouraged to make their time at school more than lessons in class.

For those considering Cullinane College for their secondary education, we encourage you to make an appointment and come and experience our culture of respect and care.

Mrs Lida Penn-Reina, Acting Principal

Air Chathams

Air Chathams began life flying crayfish between Chatham and Pitt Islands and then the Chatham Islands and mainland New Zealand. This was a far better and more economic option than had been previously available and now a substantial part of Air Chathams operations continues to be in freight.

Owned by Craig and Marion Emeny, Air Chathams was established in 1984 and worked with the local Chatham Island people to create a safe and reliable airline that would support the transportation of both people and freight to and from New Zealand.

Craig Emeny first moved to the Chatham Islands when he was offered a job as a pilot operating services between Chatham and Pitt Islands on behalf of a New Zealand based airline. At that time there was no regular service between the Chatham Islands and New Zealand and this prompted Craig to start his own airline beginning operations to mainland New Zealand airports.

Our spiritual home and head office is still on the Chatham Islands –Tuuta/Chatham Islands Airport but operationally, we’d consider Auckland Airport to be our base. From our hangar at the Eastern end of the airport, we have a full Part 145 maintenance facility, parking for our fleet, customer service team, airline operations and our leadership team.

Our contemporary aircraft fleet consists of 10 aircraft providing scenic flights, charters, passenger services and freight.

We currently fly from Auckland to Whakatāne, Whanganui and Kāpiti Coast (Paraparaumu), as well as our Chatham Islands service that flies from the Chathams to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. We also operate NZ’s only service to Norfolk Island.

Culturally we are a customer-focused and solution-orientated airline who thrive on being innovative problem solvers that deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable outcomes for our customers… and live by a simple motto: “At Air Chathams it’s all about family! Your family is our family across the friendly skies.”

From the ancient,

Zealand’s

red cliffs, white sand beaches,

clear waters, there’s a

every corner.

Explore the unique ancestral cultures, environment, and way of life on the Chatham Islands with its own proud airline.

You will take a step

in time, to how

and how

should

Whanganui Airport wins small airport of the year title

Cactus Creme Cafe on Victoria Avenue, is known as Whanganui’s oldest existing cafe at 62 years!

Cactus Creme Cafe was the first and only shop in CJ’s new building complex in front of Farmers, after remaining empty for many years.

The cafe reopened on the 2 December 2017 under new management by Richard Keat and Sonita Sey, for over four years now.

Each morning, you can smell the tempting aroma of freshly baked food, be greeted by friendly staff and be delighted by a large selection of healthy food and delicious coffee.

Richard Keat and Sonita Sey are from Cambodia and are parents to two girls, Hannah and Joanna.

Sonita has recently completed her Level 5 Hospitality at UCOL and Level 4 Food and Beverage Management certification.

Richard has a Bachelor of Business, an Associate Degree in English Literature and a Diploma in Baking.

They’re a hardworking couple, you’ll find Richard up before dawn in the cafe baking alongside his chefs, while Sonita manages the front of the house of Whanganui’s most popular cafe.

When you are in town or visiting, be sure to pop in for breakfast and try their signature shortbread that’s baked fresh in the 1000s each day. Cactus Creme is more than just a cafe.

“Thank you for supporting us over the years.”Cactus Creme

Airport has been named New Zealand’s “Small Airport of the Year”.

The award was made by the New Zealand Airports Association for a regional airport that has fewer than 200,000 passengers a year.

It recognises the recent work to introduce an Aeronautical Information Service (UNICOM) which assists pilots of aircraft flying in the Whanganui airspace, while also providing the airport operator with greatly improved oversight of airport activities.

The judges described the provision of the UNICOM service as a project that went beyond the traditional individual award categories through its excellent safety improvements and enhanced airport user collaboration.

They said reusing the existing heritage control tower building meant the airport had strongly underpinned the future potential of its aviation community.

Airport manager Phil McBride said the negative impacts of Covid-19 had been significant for the aviation industry.

“Air Chathams has now resumed their Whanganui-Auckland flight schedule and passenger demand is steadily increasing as New Zealanders return to travelling regionally and overseas.”

The reopening of New Zealand’s borders means the number of international student pilots at the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy (NZICPA), located at Whanganui Airport, has returned to preCovid levels. This has resulted in a significant increase in light aircraft activity which places Whanganui Airport in the Top 10 airports based on the total number of aircraft take-offs and landings.

Whanganui Airport chief executive Sarah O’Hagan said the recognition was reward for the significant amount of work that had gone into getting the UNICOM service up and running.

“UNICOM will continue to reward us in the future from a safety perspective, now more than ever with the NZICPA gearing back up and Air Chathams returning to a full flight schedule.”

Whanganui Airport UNICOM manager Rachel Keay (left) and airport manager Phil McBride (right) with NZ Airports Association chief executive Kevin Ward.

Photo / Supplied

Tea store Kaputī sets up shop in historic Whanganui building

Around 2013, she moved to Whanganui for eight months and set up a chai stall next to her uncle’s pizza stall at the river markets. She relocated to Auckland to move closer to her Pāpa, reconnect with her Māoritanga and study te reo Māori, Nicholls-Potts said.

While in Auckland in 2019, she set up a chai stall at the Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market with a friend.

This later expanded into Kaputī.

She has now set up shop in the former Whanganui Chronicle building on Drews Ave and sells eight teas, with more coming before Christmas.

A former journalism student and current freelance writer, Nicholls-Potts said she said also planned to incorporate writing into the business.

“I’m really big on storytelling and pūrākau, which is why I sell books, too. I want to honour those stories and bring them out.

Whitney Nicholls-Potts is the founder of Kaputī, a small business selling locally blended teas and infusions with a focus on te reo Māori, and which is now based in the former Whanganui Chronicle building on Drews Ave.

“Once you get a cup of tea in front of someone, the kōrero just flows and people start sharing stories,” Nicholls-Potts said.

Tea was a “beautiful vessel for connection”.

“I’m a real people person but I also need to be connected to myself, and tea supports both of those things.”

Nicholls-Potts moved from Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland in March in time for her son to start kura/school.

“It’s always been the plan to come back.”

“So, I also see tea as being the vessel to hold space for whatever can happen in that realm.”

All of her packaging incorporated te reo Māori and English, she said.

“Everything in my life revolves around te reo at the moment. I want my two boys to grow up with te reo.”

Nicholls-Potts said she harvested the native plants in her blends, such as kawakawa, mānuka and kūmarahou, and the other plants were organically sourced across New Zealand.

“I’ve gone out harvesting with my dad my whole life but, finally, when I started making tea, [I was] connecting with how awesome that is and learning more about our Rākau.

“I’m still learning, and there’s so much to learn.”

She said a goal was to grow as many of the herbs as she could for her teas, such as peppermint and ginger.

“I’d also love to grow the tea plant myself, but that’s a lofty goal. They’re very ancient plants and that’s why their quality is so amazing.”

Nicholls-Potts said in Auckland she did tea services and blending workshops, something she was keen to bring to Whanganui.

“I want to mihi to the community of Whanganui, me ngā iwi o Whanganui, for embracing this kaupapa.

“One of the strongest things about Whanganui is its manaakitanga [hospitality]. It just wraps around you and you can feel it when you walk down the street. People want you to thrive.”

By Emma Bernard

whanganuichronicle.co.nz

Kaputī owner Whitney Nicholls-Potts has moved her tea shop into the former Whanganui Chronicle building. Photo / Bevan Conley

Whanganui netballer selected for Samoa squad in Australian international series

Whanganui netballer Kara Adrole has been selected to play for Samoa in an international series in Australia.

Adrole, 19, and the Samoa team will play in the PacificAus Sports Netball Series at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) Stadium in Queensland, Australia, in October, 2022.

The series is a tournament to showcase the skills, talent and athleticism of Pacific netballers, with teams from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Samoa taking part, as well as USC and Australia pathway teams.

In 2020, Adrole was among 50 players invited to attend Netball New Zealand’s National Development Camp, where the athletes were

coached by former Silver Ferns Irene van Dyk, Jo Morrison, Temepara Bailey, Sandra Edge and Anna Galvan.

Adrole said she was excited and happy about the opportunity to take part in the tournament, but she was surprised to have been selected for the team.

“I just wasn’t expecting it.”

Adrole has been playing netball since she was in year four in primary school, as a goalkeeper, in goal defence and as a goal shoot.

Initially she played rugby, like the rest of her family members, before getting into netball.

“In year four I just decided to play netball because my best friend was playing netball.”

Currently, as well as playing, Adrole works at Whanganui Collegiate School as the residential master of Godwin House.

She said she would treat the tournament as a learning experience.

“I’m just really excited to be playing alongside some amazing players so I’m just hoping to get some more knowledge of the game, and just to create more opportunities for myself in netball,” she said.

The tournament is scheduled to take place on October 16-21.

By Finn Williams

Whanganui Collegiate School residential master Kara Adrole has been selected in the Samoa netball team for an international tournament in Australia. Photo / Supplied

Good Design Matters taking Whanganui work out into the world of retail

Michael Eden is a shopaholic - but he’s not always looking at what’s for sale when he goes into a shop.

The managing director of Good Design Matters (GDM) is often on the lookout for ways he can design shops to look better and so customers will spend more money in them.

His company - started some 40 years ago - designs and then manufactures retail store fitouts.

The names of his customers are well known in retail: Rodd & Gunn, Hannahs, The Warehouse, Mitre 10, Whitcoulls, Noel Leeming and more.

Those companies will consult with GDM as to what they want a shop to look like before the store fitout products are made and delivered from the Gilberd St factory.

The company has a series of large warehouses and offices on Gilberd St where workers and machines bend, cut and force metal and wood into the many parts needed to display retail products in a store.

To help, the company has recently acquired a new $400,000 Gabbiani beam saw that is helping to increase productivity.

With sales offices in Auckland and Brisbane, the majority of GDM’s workforce - some 60 people - are in Whanganui, where Eden says what his company does often goes unnoticed.

“We’ve been here 40 years and they

[Whanganui public] have no clue. We bring in bus loads of school kids through and they all go ‘wow’, the teachers go ‘I didn’t know this was here’.” Eden hopes by raising his company’s local profile it will open doors to more suppliers and a recently more pressing need, staff.

Finding staff

If 10 people walked through the door at GDM today, with the right attitude, Eden said he’d give them all jobs.

He’s focused on kids coming out of high school for his future workers.

“That’s where the bulk of people are.

“We went for 20 years without [enough] tradesmen being created - so we’re suffering that now. It’s about building our own.”

Eden’s company has been heavily involved with getting more people into trades - they were part of the founding group of INTRANZ, which worked to get people work-ready.

His back-of-the-envelope calculations have about 600 people leaving high schools in the city each year and a quarter of those go off to university.

“Kids are just getting picked up out of school, straight out into work ... if you’re leaving school now you’ve got a job. But is it the job that you want?”

Eden said he expects some of those people going straight into positions after school will jump to other professions without too much thought.

“We’ve had a few leave here half way through their apprenticeship. I don’t think they value it the same.”

In the past people stayed until they completed their qualifications before they could move about in a certain industry, he said.

“Now I think young people think ‘well I can go anywhere and do anything anyway, because I’m smart, I’m clever, I’ve got crossover skills’.”

GDM managing director Michael Eden stands in front of the company’s new beam saw Photo / Bevan Conley

People often start at GDM in an apprenticeship or cadetship role before choosing a specialty to go into.

They take graduates from university because they often have computer-aided drawing (CAD) skills, Eden said.

“We’re getting more and more of those people, but of course you don’t actually have to go [to university].”

GDM has a catchphrase: ‘save them from university’. Eden said the three or four years someone spends at university they could be training and working at a place like GDM, while contributing to the company’s output.

“There’s nothing quite like training on the job and learning how the job is by being in the job.”

The long route

GDM was not always the operation it is today, Eden said.

“I started [as] a one-man band.

“I worked for myself for probably five years before I employed somebody then I figured out I was actually better at finding the work than I was at doing it.”

His work started with a Whanganui menswear company called Warnock’s.

“You have to be pretty old to remember them.”

Warnock’s went on a “rampage around the whole country”, opening 63 stores in the 1980s, Eden said.

“We built and designed all these ... kitset fitouts for them so you could do it really, really quickly.”

Before this when a store was fitted out, all that was done were simple clothing and wall racks to hold a paucity of items.

“Nothing moved, everything was sort of cabinetry and built-in,” Eden said.

But Warnock’s, with Eden’s expertise, wanted simple kitsets they could expand into multiple new stores with ease.

“There were no examples of it - not in New Zealand. We created it ourselves and as we did that, we picked up other customers along the way and then the customers got bigger and bigger - that’s all we did - we grew.

“For many years we led the way in kitset stores.”

It’s changed a lot since those days and the demand to refresh a store has been ramped up, Eden said, with malls now demanding retailers refresh every five years.

“It’s like a fashion industry now,” Eden said.

With those refreshes comes wastage and a big focus for Eden is avoiding things his company makes going to a landfill.

The product usually wears itself out - and the metal parts are recyclable.

“Generally with our fixtures they just get handed down. Thirty years later the stuff we made for Warnock’s in the 80s is not in second-hand stores and markets and all because it’s good stuff.”

The Farmers store in Whanganui had a recent new fitout and some of the original fixtures Eden’s company made for them 30 years are still there and being used.

What the customer wants

Eden says GDM is driven by his customers’ needs.

“They’re clever, they travel the world, they want to look different, they want to see who’s doing what.

“Plus the products they’re selling are constantly evolving.”

For Eden the way a product is displayed translates to its sales success.

“It’s quite interesting you go into an Apple store ... everything is over the top flash because their product is.

“So everything’s expensive but they don’t build very many of them - they’re not having to do massive rollouts. They’re making their fixtures match the product.”

He contrasts that with selling something like car mats.

“Then you’ll probably have a more basic system, but it still has to be clever.

“You can’t just stack car mats on the flooryou’ve got to be able to leaf through them.”

Eden said he expected some big changes in the near future in the way fresh food was displayed and delivered.

“In Europe it’s all live and behind.

“You can’t get it, you’ve got to actually choose your bun ... you’ve got to fire it out the side, it falls down a chute and then you pick up your stuff.

“So you can’t open a door and cough and sneeze all over everybody’s stuff. So ours is all packaged so there’s huge inroads still to be made.”

Eden says his company will focus on getting more technology involved in his company’s manufacturing but also on growing business in Australia.

“We haven’t done as much as we could in Australia.

“In a lot of ways we’re exporting our cleverness as much as anything ... Australia’s going to be a big future for us.”

By Jacob McSweeny

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Whanganui Opera

We are delighted to welcome back our full programme of events for Whanganui Opera Week in January 2023 and we look forward to celebrating with you all.

Whanganui is home to the New Zealand Opera School and from 8th January 2023 we will host 21 aspiring, young Aotearoa NZ opera singers in the historic buildings of Whanganui Collegiate School for an intensive two weeks of study and performance culminating with our final gala concert ‘Great Opera Moments’, in the Royal Whanganui Opera House.

Our world class programme is now in its 29th year and provides intensive vocal, language, movement and acting training from the very best tutors in the opera world. Students receive individual voice lessons, masterclasses, tutoring in foreign language and pronunciation skills, exercise and movement classes, mentoring and professional development and stage direction.

Supported by the Freemasons Foundation, Creative New Zealand and a number of private citizens and Trusts, Whanganui Opera Week is the community-based organisation partnered with the School.

The January School is increasingly being recognised as an international event with many of its singers going on to successful national and international recognition. Pene Pati, Simon O’Neill, Amina Edris, Bianca Andrew, Eliza Boom, Philip Rhodes, Amitai Pati, Stephen Diaz, Natasha Te Rupe Wilson and Hadleigh Adams are just a few examples of our alumni enjoying flourishing careers in the opera houses of the United Kingdom, North America and Europe.

Join us for an uplifting celebration of New Zealand’s rising opera stars in January as they perform at recitals in Whanganui including:

▸ A recital by the Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists of New Zealand Opera at the Prince Edward Auditorium (Wednesday 11th January)

▸ ‘In Praise of Music’ at Whanganui Collegiate Chapel (Sunday 15th January)

▸ Public Masterclass at the Prince Edward Auditorium (Monday 16th January 2023)

▸ Our hugely popular evening café performances (Wednesday 18th January)

▸ ‘Conversations about Opera’ at Prince Edward Auditorium (Friday 20th January)

▸ Gala Concert ‘Great Opera Moments’ at the Royal Whanganui Opera House (Saturday 21st January)

For more information visit www.operaschool.org.nz/opera-week-inwhanganui or email us at nzoperaschool@outlook.com

Launch of the He Waka Eke Noa research project

Rata Marae Committee members joined other supporters on August 24 for the launch of He Waka Eke Noa.

The research is a partnership between Whakauae Research and Gonville Health. Held at the Gonville Café Library next to the Gonville Health primary care service, the launch also brought together staff of Gonville Health, the Whanganui Regional Health Network, Massey University and Te Aho o te Kahu Cancer Control Agency.

Supporters were formally welcomed to the launch by the research project’s clinical lead, Dr John McMenamin. John shared some of the reasons why the research is important to him and to the team at Gonville Health.

Gonville Health is in a high health needs area of Whanganui and provides care for many whānau impacted by cancers. While there are success stories, it is not unusual for these cancers to have been detected later than is the ideal, often leading to poorer outcomes.

Dr Heather Gifford (Ngati Hauiti, Te Atihaunui-a-Paparangi), the project academic lead, talked about the unique opportunity the research presents for Whakauae to partner with both whānau and a mainstream primary health service provider.

She observed that a world where Māori feel confident about primary health care services is important to all of us – whānau, the staff of Gonville Health and the research team. We all want to see Māori diagnosed early in their

cancer journeys, increasing chances of survival.

The research team will work with both patients and their whānau members, as well as the team at Gonville Health, to look at how best to reshape primary care services to better support earlier diagnosis of cancer.

The aim is two things: a service that positively influences Māori cancer outcomes and a chance for whanau to share their korero about what worked for them in their own journey with cancer.

The evening launch event presented many opportunities for participant networking as well as the sharing of kai and casual korero amongst the 35-40 people present.

The research team thanks all of those who took the time to come along to the launch to tautoko the mahi scheduled to begin later in the year.

Content supplied.

Gonville Health clinical director John McMenamin speaks at last Wednesday’s launch of He Waka Eke Noa.

Photo / Supplied

Whanganui short film Daddy Daddy wins top prize at 48Hour awards

AWhanganui movie crew has won this year’s Taranaki City 48Hours film competition.

Led by director Freddie Müller, “Filmanui” beat around 30 other teams to take the title.

Müller said the whole thing was “a bit last minute”, with the group only being finalised on the morning of the event.

The idea to enter was raised at a Whanganui film-makers group the week before.

“Mike Weatherall, who is a local videographer, was the first person to put his hand up,” Müller said.

“I put out the call to Amdram to see if there were any actors around. They put a post out about it and one person responded.”

That person was Russell Penton, who became the star of the film Daddy Daddy

The last crew member was Aaron Torkin, who came on board after his team in Marton pulled out.

Teams were given an individual genre to tackle.

Filmanui landed “Multiverse” and was also required to include either a bird’s eye or worm’s eye shot.

The film needed a whisper, a gatekeeper and a sign, with the last two “open to interpretation”, Müller said.

It had to be made between 7pm on August 12 and 7pm on August 14, with a minimum length of one minute and a maximum of five minutes.

After brainstorming for half an hour, Müller spent the next two writing a script.

“We met at Russell’s flat in downtown Whanganui the next morning and got straight into it,” Müller said.

“He has a cat and unfortunately a couple of us were allergic. The film was made to look like it was night time so we had to board up the windows and black everything out.

“Breathing was a bit of an issue. By the end of the day, it looked like people were going to keel over.”

Penton was “on fire” throughout filming, Müller said.

The project was a family affair, with Müller’s identical twin daughters making an appearance in the film and his wife organising props.

“The story is basically about what would happen if a protective father met another version of himself,” Muller said.

“People can probably guess that there is going

to be some drama in that.”

Taranaki-based Mad Media covered the team’s entry fee.

“We were a very late entry and weren’t taking it too seriously, so we are very thankful to them for helping us out,” Müller said.

He wasn’t expecting much in the way of awards.

“I just thought we were going to enter and that would be it. I was under no illusions at all.

“Suddenly, we got a few nominations. I was like, ‘Well, I guess I should turn up at the event then’.”

The Filmanui crew took home the best director, best script, best use of genre and best film prizes at the awards ceremony in New Plymouth last week.

Müller said the Whanganui community had been “astonishing” throughout the whole process.

“People were just really keen to assist, from Amdram to our film-maker group.

“The idea to enter came from involving the community and local talent flexing our creative muscles.

“Here’s hoping we can attract more local talent and inspire more local teams to enter next year.”

Daddy Daddy is now in the running to be selected for the national final at Auckland’s Civic theatre in November.

There were seven other regional winners.

By Mike Tweed

Freddie Müller (left) and Russell Penton at the 48Hours awards ceremony. Photo / Supplied

Rescue success! After more than two weeks stuck in a poisonous tree, Rio the cat returns to safety

Rio the cat is safely on ground level after 17 days stuck in a 9m-tall poisonous palm tree in Whanganui.

Charm Animal Rescue owner Trieste Neilson said the cat was happy and well. “She’s in really good condition considering she’s been up there for over two weeks.” The group used a cherry picker on Friday morning to retrieve a cage which had been used to trap the cat and bring it down from the tree. Neighbour Edward Kumar had been operating the cherry picker from Hire It Limited over the past three days, which was hired to the group for free to help rescue the cat. A visit to the vet confirmed she was in good health and Rio the cat has now been picked up by her owners.

Neilson said it had been a long process and a team effort.

“Then the battery of the first cherry picker we hired went flat. Then on Thursday afternoon the cat went into the trap but it was faulty and didn’t shut, so she ate the food and walked back out again.”

Neighbour Aroha Williams said on Thursday night she cooked a seafood boil for dinner.

“So [my partner] got some crab legs and some prawns from the boil and put it in the trap,” Williams said.

Later that night, ARAN Animal Rescue NZ volunteer Jodi Hawira said she heard meowing in the tree.

“And as I walked up the drive around 8pm, I shone the torch and sure enough, the cat was in the cage.”

She said the group were feeling relieved.

“All the effort has finally paid off.”

Whanganui Fire and Emergency group manager Aaron Summerhays said their crews were originally unsuccessful due to the tree’s height, and the nature of the tree having fronds as opposed to branches.

“As an emergency organisation, our resources are frequently required

elsewhere, so it is normal that our crews haven’t remained at the scene,” Summerhays said.

“Fire and Emergency has been liaising with the SPCA and have maintained regular contact with residents in the street throughout this process.”

Hawira thanked everyone who was involved, including donations from Whare Whanau, Kerri Thomas and Spinning Planet.

By Emma Bernard

educational, Anglican day school for students in Years 0 to 8. St George’s opened in 1927. We grow compassionate citizens who are determined to build positive communities.

We believe that nurturing happiness, hope, wellbeing, and engagement in each student are essential dispositions required for learning to ignite, and for citizenship to develop.

At St George’s we encourage and challenge our students to be faithful and daring in all that they do.

Families choose St George’s because we encourage Discovery and nurture every child. Our facilities are state of the art and support the delivery of our Discovery curricula. We offer small class sizes and personalised learning for each student, and as an Anglican School we are strong and proud of our values and traditions. The relationship we build between home and School is essential to our success, so together we can provide an ‘arms wide round’ approach for our students.

Our offer to students from Years 1-8 is responsive and respectful to the individual, by supporting each child to learn in a wide range of values based, academic, sporting, community, and cultural areas. We embrace competition and promote fair play, whether it is on our many Sports exchanges or weekly interschool sports games, inter-house competitions like chess, music, performing arts and other inter-school and regional events.

The key to the success of our personalised learning vision is the arms wide round approach for each student. This involves building the vital partnership between home and school, with our teachers, parents and caregivers working together and building relationships, with the best interests of the child at the heart of all that we do.

Our teachers ignite and support student voice, choice, and agency to build character, citizenship, and community. Our teachers are highly skilled professionals who love working with and for our students. We are passionate about ‘Discovery’ teaching and learning. Discovery is a way of teaching and learning at St George’s in all curriculum areas. It springboards from essential foundations of daily, core curriculum subjects such as Mathematics and English. A Discovery curriculum requires inquiry, collaboration, problem solving, sustainability, awe and wonder in learning, and promotes community. This is our commitment to best practice teaching and learning for each student.

We encourage higher order thinking with all students, and because of this our students are more caring, critical, and creative thinkers. Our students are supported to be creators of digital solutions, to think generously to explore and to innovate, and to be agile thinkers. Discovery enables us to grow great citizens who can contribute to building caring and sustainable communities. Our students know it only takes one person to make a positive difference in our community.

You are warmly welcomed to make an appointment to visit our School and discuss your child’s ‘Discovery’ at St George’s School.

Edward Kumar had been operating the cherry picker, and said the last three days had been all about planning. Photo / Bevan Conley

Outsourced

Outsourced Personnel is Whanganui’s only boutique recruitment agency specialising in skilled administration placements. FAQs include:

Which sectors do you work in?

We work across all sectors; both private and public and specialise in the skilled administration space. That means predominantly office-based roles - temporary, casual, contract and permanent.

What roles do you recruit?

Our most common role is Office Administrator and other roles include Accountant (CA), Accounts Assistant, Account Manager, Administration Manager, Business Development Manager, Customer Service Representative, Executive Assistant, Finance Manager, General Manager, Graphic Designer, Legal Executive, Marketing Manager, Office Manager, Personal Assistant, Receptionist, and Sales Consultant. Oh, and Santa in December!

Is flexible work becoming more common?

Yes, since Covid-19, the hybrid work model has become a mainstay of many businesses. This is a combination of office and at-home work. The ideal combination in our books – allowing team collaboration and uninterrupted time to focus on deep work.

Where is your office?

We have a home office and regularly work at the wonderful Davis library and various cafes (with wifi) around town. If you are a client, we come to your premises and if you are a candidate registering with us, we will arrange to meet in a central spot.

Is there any charge to register with you?

No! There may not be such a thing as a free lunch, but it is 100% free to join our database.

How quickly can I have someone working for me?

This depends on your needs and the requirements of the role. For temporary roles, we have an extensive database of skill-assessed

candidates who have been interviewed and reference checked, ready to work at short notice. For permanent roles, we tailor our rigorous processes to suit your requirements.

What do your candidates and clients say?

What can I say! Outsourced Personnel literally found me the job of my dreams. Thank you so much Louise for putting us, my employer and I, together. We are a perfect fit.

Fiona, Administration Manager, Whanganui Regional Museum

We had heard of Louise through the grapevine and being in a busy time for our business it was perfect to have someone to do the interview process and narrow the candidates down. We couldn’t be any happier with our new team member and Louise’s recruiting process and have recommended her to others. Thanks a million, Outsourced!

Daniel, Co-owner and Manager, Stonewood Homes

Fundraising fun with murder mystery

The Davis Library fundraising programme got off to a good start with the murder mystery dinner at Bushy Park Homestead on August 20.

Almost $2000 was raised. As well, the guests had a great time. Almost everyone present had gone to considerable trouble to dress in 1920s style, and “they looked fabulous”, says one of the participating guests. Stab in the Dark’s Mark Frampton played the Inspector, and the cast of actors who played the staff of the stately Mounton Abbey were so convincing it was not easy to guess whodunit. Poor Lady Latterly’s husband was missing and Sally, the maid, played by veteran actor Polly Pyefinch, was the one who found him. Dead.

What a fuss she kicked up, but then, as the suspect interviews were carried out, with party guests interrogating them, she suddenly appeared in a different light. But, then so did everyone else. Was it the butler, Lady Louisa Latterly, Sally or the gardener?

Margaret Campion won the prize for guessing the culprit correctly, but nobody was disappointed. They’d had an evening of fun and helped furnish the library extension.

By Paul Brooks

Guests gather at Mounton Abbey.

Lady Louisa Latterly with butler Peeves.

New festival brings top NZ acts to Whanganui

T his Labour Weekend new festival Lost Art Summer in the Square brings incredible Aotearoa music talent to Whanganui. The line up includes trailblazing electronic artists Alix Perez, Chiccoreli and Tali, and iconic aotearoa artists Tiki Taane and Kora, alongside an impressive lineup of local and national artists.

The Lost Art Summer in the Square minifestival will be hosted in Majestic Square, Whanganui. Lost Art Events Director Gioia Damosso shares “The Lost Art Summer in the Square series is a brand new Summer season of mini music festivals held in Majestic Square in Whanganui. The series is about reaching out to a diverse community and providing entertainment for everyone. Whether you are into drum and bass, rap, rock, soulful singer songwriters or reggae we have something for you.”

Labour weekend is the first of three Lost Art Summer in the Square series minifestivals coming to Whanganui. Each event has been curated with audiences in mind.

Saturday October 22 Lost Art features an extraordinary line up of drum and bass DJs on the main stage and a wicked selection of DJs from Whanganui and around NZ on the Lost Stage including sets from Alix Perez, The Upbeats ft MC Tiki, Chiccoreli & Tali, Dylan C, Coco, Sanoi, Heylady, Ludus, Cooper Khan, Jake Rattler, Mia Gober and Drifty.

Chiccoreli and Tali share “we are super excited to be bringing Lost Art our unique blend of deep and sexy, soulful liquid DnB vibes laced with Tali’s soaring uplifting vocals and spitfire freestyle lyrics.”

Sunday October 23 , Kori Kōanga is a family-friendly event consisting music from artists around New Zealand supported by talented locals with a roots reggae feel, including Kora, Tiki Taane, Modern Maori Quartet, Lost Tribe Aotearoa, Roots Providers, Ihaka.

“We can’t wait to get down to Kori Kōanga!” Kora share. “This will be our first gig back into it, and we can’t wait to jam out some new vibes alongside some old classics.”

“Held in the heart of Whanganui, we are activating the community space of Majestic Square with vibrancy with the help of world class musicians from around Aotearoa” says Damosso. “Whanganui is on the up and up and the perfect holiday destination for a long weekend for those interested in the arts. Whether it’s glass, street art, music or simply to enjoy our beautiful awa, there is plenty to see and do in Whanganui.”

In the spirit of making music accessible for everyone, there are a limited number of free under 16 tickets available, as an add-on for each adult ticket purchased.

Tickets on sale through Ticket Fairy www.ticketfairy.com

Whanganui Regional Museum

Located in the cultural heart of Whanganui, the Whanganui Regional Museum is an essential stop in your exploration of a region renowned for its rich cultural heritage. Discover taonga Māori, the ancestral treasures of the river people. Explore the remarkable natural environment of the region and discover generations of people whose stories bring the history to life.

You will see an illuminating collection of natural and human history, and scientifically significant specimens across a range of birds and reptiles.

The stunning Gottfried Lindauer Gallery is a must-see, featuring paintings of Māori tūpuna (ancestors) through one of the leading Lindauer collections in the world. The Outfit of the Month showcases a unique garment from the fabric and textile collection.

The major exhibition He Awa Ora marks the fifth anniversary of the Whanganui river becoming the first waterway in the world to be given legal personhood, recognising the river as it’s own person. This unique exhibition of ancient and new taonga (treasures) tells the story of Te Awa Tupua, the Whanganui River and its people.

In Dressed to Thrill, you can see how fashion has evolved between the 1890s and the 1990s, and view a stunning and varied range of garments from a delicately crafted 1895 corset, a sumptuous crimson 1890s tea gown, to a pair of classic pair of Levi’s jeans from the 90s, and a striking patchwork coat made from raw silk. Each piece has a backstory which relates to the beautiful city of Whanganui.

Complete your visit in the Museum shop featuring local and Māori jewellery, books, cards and other New Zealand-made items.

Watt

A Red Hot Season for Whanganui Athletic

Agolden lion is the centrepiece of the Whanganui Athletic badge and their players showed trademark characteristics of bravery and courage this year, as they broke an eightyear drought to become Federation League Champions of the Central North Island region. Wembley Park was deemed a fortress this year as the reds won every single game at home throughout the 2022 season, and only managed to lose to 2021 Central league champions and arguably the best football club in New Zealand, Wellington Olympic, in the Chatham Cup. Whanganui Athletic appointed Matthew Calvert as the player coach this season after building an immense reputation throughout the club and the town when he was imported in 2016. Captain Ryan Holden and Vice-Captain Quinn Mailman also joined that same year,

as Holden moved over to family and Mailman turned 15, the minimum age for Men’s football. Now six years on, there are 287 first team caps between these players, and a lot more joyous moments than the singular win they obtained in the 2016 season.

Peter Czerwonka was recently appointed President of the Club and along with Vice President Scott Burney, they put in strenuous time and effort pushing this club into a positive position. Over the last couple of decades, the club has tried to emulate the golden era of the 90’s where Athletic was a formidable force nationwide, however, there were too many waves of quality that were followed by lackluster seasons. The club is now moving in a consistently positive direction that is sustainable and will continue to grow.

With new clubrooms bound for the near future, everything is coming together for a club who has worked so hard and had a lot of things go against them. This season was no different, losing two key players and having an abundance of injuries at crucial moments.

The club boasts an extremely loyal fan base, often outnumbering the opposing teams’ fans at away games. A significant number of these fans are young children and their families who have been coached by the Athletic players. The club is moving in a great direction, making compelling changes off the pitch and playing high quality football on the field. They are ensuring a bright future and that Whanganui Football is highlighted not just now, but for many years to come.

Making Tracks with Scroggin: Thriving club marking 70th birthday

At a time when some clubs are struggling, the Wanganui Tramping Club approaches its 70th birthday full of confidence with a

membership

The club began in September 1952, triggered by a teenager, Margaret Murch. After she took a bible class trip up Mt Ruapehu she wanted to do more tramping but found there wasn’t anything she could join.

250 and an increasingly busy programme of activities.

Her advertisement in the newspaper personal column got a good response, a public meeting followed and the WTC was on its way.

Flash forward 70 years and membership has shot up. The club runs trips on Wednesdays,

Thursdays and weekends, has three vans, a popular cycle adjunct and a new headquarters at the race course after sharing the Deerstalkers’ Hall for 50 years.

The big birthday will be celebrated with a gala potluck dinner followed by a tramp in the Kauarapaua Valley, one of the first tramping areas and where the club had its first hut.

Make all inquiries about trips to Pam phone 022 457 2097 or Dorothy phone 345 7039 or email membership@whanganuitramping. org.nz.

The Wednesday contact is Trish, phone 021 127 3862, and the Thursday contact is Anne, phone 345 4776. Call both by 6pm the night before for day trips.

To join weekend trips call the leader by the previous Tuesday at the latest. Call by the night before for day trips. As some trips have limited numbers, leaders have the final say about who to take as they are responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone on their trips.

For further information visit our website www.whanganuitramping.org.nz.

Wanganui Tramping Club members enjoying a day walk in the western Tararua Ranges, near Levin.

Photo / Supplied

Whanganui boxer back in town

Whanganui boxer coaching up-and-comers until next his crack at the top

Boxer Egelani Taito is one of the most decorated amateurs to come out of Whanganui, and he is giving back to the community while plotting his next move.

Taito was a three-time national New Zealand Golden Gloves champion at heavyweight and light heavyweight before making his professional debut last year.

It didn’t get off to the ideal start, with a controversial loss to John Parker, brother of former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, in his debut at light heavyweight.

An elbow injury during the rematch six months later forced him to retire hurt at the end of round five.

As a result, he hasn’t fought for over a year but he has used the time to coach up-andcomers at the Rivercity Boxing Gym, where his own career began.

“It’s a way of giving back to the community, really,” Taito said.

“I go straight to the gym after work and then the training starts.

“I had been at quite a high level before I got injured so I know what it takes to get there.”

He said he was putting in as many coaching hours as he could because he hoped to resume his boxing career in 2023.

The elbow injury should be repaired by the end of 2022.

“I’m trying to bring a lot of people together

at the moment, like the Awa King [Muay Thai gym] boys.

“It’s good for Whanganui to be working together, even if it’s with slightly different sports. We have to help each other.

“I’m not sure the last time a professional boxer came out of here but I’m glad we can do it now. I’m here to stay.”

Taito said he began boxing in the country of his birth - Samoa.

“My grandfather was a boxer and all the kids in our village used to come and spar.

“I moved to Whanganui in 2011 and found Eddie Tofa and his [Rivercity Boxing] gym. I just fell in love with the sport.”

He said it took a while to convince Tofa to give him a fight, but when the opportunity came he took it with both hands.

“My first two fights were in Whanganui and I won both - one by TKO [technical knockout] and the next on points.

“From there, I think Eddie really took notice.”

Taito said he would welcome a third fight with Parker down the line.

“Everyone knows I won that first fight.

“People like Shane Cameron and David Tua said that as well, but he [Parker] had the name so I guess he was the favourite.”

A lot of people didn’t understand what went into the sport of boxing until they tried it, he said.

“You have to be 100 per cent fit. You won’t be able to do what you want in the ring if you’re not.”

He is coaching fighters of all ages at Rivercity, from super heavyweight Sale Oldehaver to primary school children.

“With kids, you have to be a bit patient,” Taito said.

“Sometimes they give you a bit of a headache but I know they are going to go a long way.”

By Mike Tweed

Egelani Taito weighs in before his professional debut against John Parker.

Centennial Celebration

Members of the Whanganui Justices of the Peace Association gathered in the Whanganui District Council chamber on Monday to celebrate the association’s 100th anniversary.

The association was formed on September 19, 1922, as one of the five founding associations of the Federal Council of Honorary Justices’ Associations in New Zealand, now known as the Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices Inc.

When the association was formed it had 57 members, whereas membership in 2021/2022 was 126.

Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall said it was appropriate the celebration was held in the council chamber, as JPs originally had a large part in the role councils now play.

“JPs actually essentially ran municipalities up until the 14th century, so they’re the ancestors of councils in some ways,” he said.

Whanganui MP Steph Lewis said the celebration highlighted how much the role of JPs had changed.

“I think it’s pretty impressive to hear how the role of a JP has evolved over the last 100 years - I had no idea how much they were involved in right back at the inception of the role, so it was really interesting to see how much it’s evolved and where they are now,” she said.

Association president Judith Browne said today, JPs were upstanding members of the community who engaged in a range of legal work.

“Signing verified copies of documents,

we have JPs who are trained to sit on the bench when there are no judges so we can do remand, custodies, that sort of stuff; we also have some who can issue search warrants,” she said.

Browne, who is in her second term as president - having previously been elected in 2003 - said her goals were to change the perception of the association as an “old boys’ network” and to promote better communications to members.

She said today, the association comprised a diverse range of JPs, both in terms of background and placement in the region.

“Our area covers from Taihape to Marton and Whanganui, so we’ve got reps from all those areas today.”

She said being part of the 100-year celebration as president was significant, as the association had gone through significant changes in recent years, such as recognising the spelling of Whanganui and recognising iwi.

“I’ve been a JP for 26 years this month and this is the first time iwi have had a presence, so it is about those relationships that we have to build.”

Mayor Hamish McDouall hosted an afternoon tea for the centennial of the Whanganui Justices of the Peace Association.

Photo / Bevan Conley

Lewis said it was special to be able to attend the celebration and recognise JPs’ length of service and the crucial role they played in the community.

As Whanganui’s MP, Lewis has a role in selecting JPs for the region, including interviewing applicants, and working with the association and Browne to assess where there are unmet needs in the community.

“Because that’s one of my roles, to advise the minister whether or not there is an unmet need, and also to advise him that the applicants are a fit and proper person to be appointed as a JP,” Lewis said.

McDouall, who is an honorary JP, said the celebration was important to recognise JPs’ crucial role in the community.

“These are people who are available to operate as the glue in society in a lot of ways, and some of these people have put in incredible tenures, over three decades, so it’s just awesome,” he said.

By Finn Williams

Ladies’ Night powers up for Hospice Whanganui

It’s all perfume and powertools when Whanganui’s Mitre 10 Mega holds its Ladies’ Night to raise funds for Hospice Whanganui. As well as all the fun of the evening, there was also a trailer load of Mitre 10 goodies being raffled off, with proceeds going to Hospice Whanganui.

Mitre 10 owners Hayden and Sarah Gibson are proud to be associated with Hospice Whanganui. “It’s a pretty important place,” says Hayden. “No matter who you are, in some way you will be touched by Hospice. Our view is, some people don’t understand what Hospice is: they see it as a building on a hill and don’t realise what happens out in the community and the work that these people and their volunteers do to support people in a pretty tough time, especially families.”

The last Ladies’ Night was in 2019. “We wanted to get back on as quickly as possible and we took a punt earlier in the year that September would be all right. It seems we’re the first Mitre 10 in the country to get back on with Ladies’ Nights and things like that. Let’s get back to normal as quickly as we can,” says Hayden.

He says he would hate to think how much local charities have lost during these uncertain times. “So, how can we do our little bit and get things back on track?”

Paula Fore is in charge of marketing and events such as this at Mitre 10 Mega.

“We had local and national suppliers,

new products, activities, a new range of power tools from Black and Decker that ladies can have a go with, a couple of building activities, timed races, and there was a huge amount of fun and creativity on the night. There was also food and refreshments, our great staff, and the ladies are in for a treat.”

“And we’ve never said no men are allowed,” says Paula.

Then, there was the raffle.

“We had sponsored a prize package to the value of $5000,” says Paula. “It’s a trailer full of goodies. All the products in the trailer were from Mitre 10 Mega.

The teams from Mitre 10 Mega and Hospice Whanganui geared up for Ladies’ Night. Photo / Paul Brooks

Conservation Comment: Backcountry workers making a difference

Aotearoa’s rich inheritance of remote huts and tracks. Their work helps maintain access to our country’s remote places for future generations of backcountry explorers.

The trust’s latest performance report says work done by volunteers and Jobs for Nature contractors in 2021-22 included 47 huts renovated, rebuilt and maintained, around 300km of tracks, one new bridge, around 22,000 hours of work and part funding for two new huts.

There has been a lot of recent activity in the Ruahine and Tararua ranges and upgrading tracks in the Waitotaras — all close to us and therefore familiar to Whanganui trampers and hunters.

groups on specific projects, according to Geoff Spearpoint writing in Backcountry, the quarterly bulletin of the Federated Mountain Clubs.

He said that was the beauty of the system.

“We have intentionally tried to keep it unfettered to enable people to run projects, within reason, their way. It all comes down to our volunteers, and although we have many, we are always looking for more. Ideally they are self-motivated people who can find a few mates with skills and together manage a project in their local area.”

With the Conservation Department watching every cent, volunteers are stepping forward to bring new life back to bush and mountain facilities.

Leading the charge is the Backcountry Trust (BCT) which funds and supports volunteers to maintain huts and shared-use tracks.

DoC works in partnership with the BCT to fund volunteer work, acknowledging that this meets its aim to benefit New Zealanders’ recreation.

The trust, which began in 2014, is an independent entity established by the Federated Mountain Clubs, Deerstalkers Association and Trail Fund NZ. Trust volunteers are passionate about outdoor recreation and preserving

The Defence Force has also come to the party. Maropea Forks Hut in the Ruahine was replaced in 2014 in a partnership between the Defence Force and DoC. Army engineers and builders constructed the hut with materials supplied by DoC. And in 2019 the Defence Force and DoC rebuilt Iron Gate Hut, also in the Ruahine, in partnership.

Groups also active in working on huts and tracks include Ruahine Remote Huts, Percolate Southland, Ex-NZFS in the Tararua Ranges, the Kaimai Ridgeway project and many clubs which have taken on DoC huts in need of attention, as well as maintaining their own.

Others operate as independent spontaneous

For those who want to do volunteer work but don’t feel they are capable of hut renovations, there are plenty of tracks in less visited places that could do with maintenance — keeping vegetation trimmed back and the track or route marked where tape or markers and hand tools such as loppers and folding saws can be effective.

Mr Spearpoint notes that volunteers and the BCT do not wish to replace the vital role that DoC also plays in looking after the backcountry network. They see themselves as working with the department, supporting them and helping out, not replacing their efforts.

Meanwhile, the trust is keen to recruit more volunteers for its projects.

Dave Scoullar is a tramper, conservationist and member of the Te Araroa Whanganui Trust. By Dave Scoullar.

Wanganui Tramping Club member Brigitte Hund at Iron Gate Hut in Ruahine Forest Park. In 2019 the hut was expanded from six to 10 bunks and a large deck added in a partnership between DoC and the Defence Force. Photo / Supplied

Friends combine their wellbeing skills

Suite 9, Wicksteed Terrace, is a haven, a calm space in the CBD where Carla Langmead and Julie Dean have combined their unique personalities to create Evolv Wellbeing Centre. It’s a large room, complete with kitchen, perfumed, lit with a soft glow and furnished with colour and taste.

“We figured Evolv covers everything that we do, really,” says Julie. She goes by the moniker The Local Dispensary, but her talents cover a range of life-enhancing skills.

“I’m a herbalist,” she says. “I’ve been a naturopath for more than 20 years, then I studied herbal medicine after that, because I’ve got a fascination with plants.”

She says she also has a fascination with feet — in a good way — which has led her to practise reflexology.

“It’s a really good form of healing.

“So I combine all of that together. On top of that, I also love yoga, and I have noticed around here there is no lunchtime yoga.” She says local office workers might appreciate a half-hour of bliss in the middle of the week.

“What I’m really excited about is ‘Wild Weeds’: just showing people that these wild weeds have so many health benefits and they live [and grow] all around us.”

Julie held a Wild Weeds Spring Workshop on Saturday, October 8, where people learned how to forage and identify plants, discover how to recognise medicinal plants and how to make a spring tonic.

“We went across to the Whanganui Learning Centre — they’ve got a garden filled with amazing weeds.

“Any time is a great time to be spring cleaning the body. There were a few weeds that I focussed on, but the main one was dandelion, which is a great spring cleaning herb, and they took home the remedy they made.”

Julie and Carla got to know each other when working together at Redi-Mix Concrete in Hamilton when they were in their late teens. Even though they went to different parts of the world — Julie to Argentina, Carla to London — they stayed in touch and kept a strong connection.

In March of 2022, Julie and Carla did a workshop called Backyard Reflections.

“We all offered very different things but had a really good turnout ... it inspired us to do more together.”

Carla is a health coach.

“It’ll be in the workshops where we combine,” she says. “Or future events like movie nights, we’ll work together.” By movies, they mean things like inspirational and educational documentaries. While Wild Weeds is Julie’s workshop, Carla sees them working together on things like a sleep clinic or weight loss workshops.

“I can bring in a belief change segment so that will be the point of difference ... trying to meet that market.

“I can see the trends and patterns in my job so I know what people are looking for, what’s not working for them.” Carla is hoping to fill a need with her belief change work in combination with Julie’s herbal medicine, nutrition knowledge and her work through the natural lens.

“Between us I am hoping we can plug a gap,” says Carla. “And HeartMath is going to be part of my korero here.”

Carla has studied under the HeartMath Institute in the US, learning techniques based on the fact that our feelings and emotions affect not only us, but those around us. It’s about connecting with your heart — and a lot more besides.

“That’s stress management, how to reset the nervous system and shift baselines, so it gives you sustainable internal shift so you’re not affected by stress anymore. I’ll keep it simple and stick to the stress management role.”

By Paul Brooks

Friends Carla Langmead (left) and Julie Dean have formed Evolv Wellbeing Centre. Photo / Paul Brooks

Sixth time champions

Property Brokers Whanganui has won the largest volume of sales for any New Zealand real estate brand for a medium residential office, for the sixth time in a row.

Branch manager Ritesh Verma said the award was massive, this award is nationwide and against every other real estate brand.

“It’s all because of our clients. We can’t do anything without them,” Verma said.

“When you’re selling volume, it means you’re dealing with a lot of people and we’ve got absolutely loyal supporters from Whanganui folk, they’ve been absolutely great to us.”

He said the award Property Brokers Whanganui won was for an office with up to 20 agents.

“In a tough market, still being able to sell real estate is exciting for us, and means we’re doing the right thing and we have the right processes.

“It also means our staff are doing their job. That’s from the guy putting up the sign, to me, the boss, and everyone in between. Our sales team are second to none and its been proven over and over again, you simply have to look at the recent Property Guides”

He said the Whanganui branch had won the award six years in a row, and seven of the last eight years.

“So, we have a special team and a special branch, and one day we’ll reflect on that because we won’t always win the award.

“But also, as a company and a branch we give back to the community a lot, and that’s what it’s all about. The community have done things for us and we do things for them.”

He said this included the branch’s Pack the Bus initiative - an annual event which collects food and toys for City Mission and Birthright Whanganui and distributes it to families in need.

In the 2021 event received donations from nine schools and 18 businesses around Whanganui and estimated more than $10,000 worth of toys and $5000 worth of food donated.

The award was by The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) Awards for Excellence, announced on September 7, 2022.

Ritesh Verma pictured with the award. Photo / Supplied

“It’s all because of our clients. We can’t do anything without them.”