9 minute read
Whanganui boxer returns home
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.
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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
Egelani Taito weighs in before his professional debut against John Parker.
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
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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,
Mayor Hamish McDouall hosted an afternoon tea for the centennial of the Whanganui Justices of the Peace Association. Photo / Bevan Conley
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.”
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
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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,
The teams from Mitre 10 Mega and Hospice Whanganui geared up for Ladies’ Night. Photo / Paul Brooks
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.
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