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Guardian

Ashburton

www.guardianONLINE.co.nz

Thursday, January 3, 2013

FIRST PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 27, 1879

Power outage a mystery

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Photo Tetsuro Mitomo 020113-TM-089

By Myles Hume Mystery surrounds the cause of a power outage that left twothirds of urban Ashburton in the dark on Tuesday night.

Local electricity company EA Networks said the outage that left most of the town in darkness occurred at 10.17pm with homes in Tinwald, Allenton, the town centre and parts of Fairton reported to have had no power.

Streets throughout town were pitch black, mainly along West Street, however pockets across town managed to stay alight.

The power was restored about 35 minutes after the outage at 10.50pm, however EA Networks operations manager Ken Stirling said it was unknown what caused the “unusual” widespread outage.

“The guys carried out a number of inspections but couldn’t find anything and at this stage we really don’t know any more

details,” Mr Stirling said.

Ashburton residents had experienced power cuts in June, July and November last year, and it was the first power cut of 2013.

Although EA Networks could not “pinpoint” the fault, Mr Stirling suspected it was linked to the strong winds on Tuesday night that may have pushed something into the power lines.

The company’s employees worked frantically at the Ashburton Sub Station following the outage, restoring power to half of the affected homes and later restoring the remainder.

“At the end of the day we put it back on and it stayed on but it does remain a bit of a mystery,” he said.

An investigation into the cause of the outage will be conducted today.

Ashburton Hospital was not affected by the outage despite homes surrounding the facility having no power.

A spokesperson said their generator system kicked in whenever there was a power cut and it was business as usual.

With power outages bringing businesses to a standstill in the past, having to close as they lost power and internet, many businesses were already closed thanks to it being a statutory holiday and also due to the outage occurring at night.

However, McDonald’s Ashburton was one of the few businesses operating and had to close its doors to customers following the cut; their fryers, tills and stoves were all out of action.

Shift manager Sam Banks said the food outlet reopened its doors just before 11pm, however the six workers rostered on had to recook all the food as part of health and safety regulations.

“It’s a bit of a hassle but never mind, these things happen and we can’t help these things,” he said.

The driver of a Toyota Hilux Surf escaped uninjured while the woman driving a Mitsubishi car was taken to Ashburton Hospital after a head-on car smash at the intersection of Maronan and Thews Roads yesterday.

Driver shaken after head-on crash

By Myles Hume The driver of a 4WD that ploughed into a car that allegedly turned in front of her at a rural intersection says she didn’t even have time to put her foot on the brake.

The 20-year-old, who did not want to be named, was travelling about 95km/h along Maronan Road towards Tinwald in her 4WD Toyota Hilux Surf about noon yesterday, when she says a middle-aged woman, coming in the opposite direction, attempted to turn right off Maronan Road into Thews Road, effectively cut-

ting her off. The young woman’s 4WD reportedly smashed into the passenger’s side of the Mitsubishi car, sending the 4WD into a roadside ditch where it lay on the driver’s side door. The other car sat in the middle of the road, facing in the opposite direction after spinning 180 degrees.

St John Ambulance took the middle-aged woman driving the Mitsubishi car to Ashburton Hospital with a sore hip and she was later discharged, while the driver of the Hilux Surf escaped unhurt but “shaken”.

“It was pretty much enough time to take my foot off the accelerator just before the vehicles

hit each other, I had no time to put my foot on the brake,” the 20-year-old said.

The young woman said her first instinct “was to get out as fast as I could”, climbing out the passenger side door, in shock with what had happened.

The officer in charge, Constable Griffin Burbidge, of Ashburton, confirmed the suspected scenario.

“It’s pretty much as she mentioned, the woman (in the Mitsubishi) was heading west and turned in front of the other car coming east and there was high speed impact,” Mr Burbidge said.

He said alcohol was not a factor, but insisted it was a textbook example of how important it was to wear a seatbelt.

The young woman echoed a similar view, wanting to hammer home how fortunate it was both drivers had their seatbelts fastened.

Traffic heading both ways was diverted away from the scene, police using Hendersons and Thews roads as detours.

Mr Burbidge said it was too early to say if charges would be laid against the woman driving the Mitsubishi vehicle, and police would continue inquiries into the incident.

Close call for hutholders after river rages

ONLINE.co.nz

High floodwaters in the Rakaia River almost forced an evacuation of holidaymakers at the North Rakaia Huts last night.

Flooding was also reported at the Rakaia Gorge, on State Highway 72, where water was on the road.

The Rakaia River has blown out, flowing from bank to bank over the past few days. It peaked yesterday afternoon at 5246 cubic metres at Fighting Hill, well above the average flow of 1500 cumecs.

R a k a i a police said there were no issues on State Highway Check out our video 1 at the river

The Rakaia River is flowing bank to bank at the gorge.

photo supplied

and Methven police said they were not aware of any local flooding. Authorities had earlier advised people only to cross the gorge bridge if necessary.

In a flood warning, Environment Canterbury said about 250mm of rain fell in the Alpine Divide yesterday and they expected the rain to move further north.

The headwaters of the Rakaia, Waimakariri, Hurinui and Waiau Rivers were all in flood as well as the Rangitata River which saw 400mm of rain fall in 48 hours.

“As predicted, those rivers will be raging torrents . . . the outlook after that is for clearing weather,” ECan said on its website.

Canterbury has also been hammered by strong winds as part of a package of wild weather. Mt Hutt summit experienced wind gusts reaching a staggering

200km/h, while Ashburton was buffeted by 85km/h gusts on Tuesday night.

Mid Canterbury has avoided the full brunt of the rain though, with severe flooding reported on the West Coast causing slips in Buller.

Communications in and out of South Westland were completely cut off yesterday when a chunk of the Wanganui Bridge, just north of Harihari, was ripped away.

The only fibre optic cable to the area, which ran along the bridge and which about 1000 South Westlanders rely on for phone and internet use, was also cut when part of the bridge disappeared into the river.

Technicians hoped to be able to reconnect the cable overnight.

MetService forecaster Andy Downs said the rain was easing in Westland, but the concern now was around north-

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A heavy rain warning was in place for the region, and a band of thunderstorms had also been triggered, he said.

“They could actually increase the rain rates up towards the torrential levels, 40mm plus per hour. If that happens you can start getting flash flooding on top of everything else.”

Strong winds have also been lashing Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa. A handful of flights scheduled to land at Wellington Airport had to be cancelled or diverted yesterday because of gusts up to 140km/h.

The high winds were expected to move up the lower North Island overnight.

But as the front, which has been bringing winter-like weather to the south, moved up the country it would ease, Mr Downs said.

- APNZ

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ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Thursday, January 3, 2013

NEWS

ANNOUNCEMENTS DEATHS

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Retailers cash in on hungry travellers

McCOSKER, Patrick Joseph (Joe) – On 31 December 2012 peacefully at Ashburton Hospital, surrounded by his family. Dearly loved husband of Mary. Cherished father and father in law of Patricia and Ross, Kevin and Lyndsay, Marg and Bill, and the late Brian. Adored grandfather of Rose, Tessa, Lydia, Aimee, and Emma. Messages to McCosker Family, C/- PO Box 472, Ashburton, 7740.

In lieu of flowers donations to Ashburton branch of St. John would be appreciated and maybe left at the service.

The funeral service for Joe will be held at the Church of the Holy Name, Sealy Street, Ashburton on Friday 4 January commencing at 11am. Thereafter interment at the Ashburton New Lawn Cemetery. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at the Church Thursday evening at 7pm.

Paterson’s Funeral Services, FDANZ, Ashburton

By Myles Hume

Please note all late death notices or notices sent outside ordinary office hours must be emailed to: deathnotices@theguardian.co.nz

to ensure publication.

During office hours notices may also be sent to: classifieds@theguardian.co.nz

Any queries please contact 0800 ASHBURTON (0800-274-287).

IN MEMORIAM HENEY, Eric – Died thirty years ago today.

(03/01/1983).

Sandra, Kay, Yvonne, David, Robin, Donald, Peter, Paul and families.

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Businesses along Ashburton’s West Street are experiencing one their busiest times of year as holidaymakers stop off in the town refuel and grab a bite to eat.

Ashburton businesses are thriving on thousands of road trippers who are using the town as a one-stop-shop on the way to their holiday destinations.

West Street businesses have seen sales swell over the past week and have put extra staff on the floor to cope with the influx of holidaymakers who are stopping in Ashburton to fill their vehicles and stomachs.

Local businesses say their location has been the foundation of their success over the summer break. Situated on State Highway 1, most travellers are not going to miss the all-familiar signs of McDonalds, Subway, BP and Mitre 10 Mega; all who claim they have been “flat out” over the break.

Subway Ashburton has had queues

outside the door most days, making up to 700 sandwiches a day and peaking with 110 sandwiches in a one-hour lunch break, many who were made for hungry travellers or Mid Canterbury holidaymakers.

“We have had lots of families come in from the pass-through traffic, and these people are not the normal regulars,” Subway Ashburton manager Amanda Hall said.

With any road trip, fuel is essential and BP Ashburton is having its busiest time of the year, with many southbound drivers lining up at the pumps to kick on to their holiday destination.

BP Ashburton staff member Margaret Ganda said they had two extra staff on during the day over the Christmas break and one more on at night.

“We have had a mixture, lots of passers-through heading on holiday but

also locals who have been filling up to go away,” Ms Ganda said.

Comparing sales to last year, Mitre 10 Mega general manger Simon Lye said they have exceeded last year’s figures when it came to selling camping and gardening equipment over the break.

“There has been a constant stream of traffic just coming through town from Christchurch and most of those cars either have caravans of boats on the back,” Mr Lye said.

He said many locals had been popping in store to grab tents and cooking gear for their summer holiday, however he said it was difficult to gauge the number of travellers passing by as many of them used cash.

Most businesses predicted the booming business period would end in a week’s time.

Stabbing, death head violent start to 2013 It’s been a brutal start to 2013, with a homicide investigation launched in Auckland just hours into the new year, and another man fighting for his life after being stabbed at Waihi Beach.

Another three people have been left seriously injured following beatings in Mount Maunganui, Nelson and Kawerau.

Auckland police on Tuesday launched a homicide investigation after Papatoetoe resident Nathan Albert, 27, was found dead in Panmure’s Pilkington Road shortly after 4am.

A post mortem examination concluded he died a violent death, Detective Inspector Mark Benefield said.

Police last night said that a man known to Mr Albert had contacted police, and he was now assisting them with the investigation.

“It is too early to say what the outcome of

Teen chased A 17-year-old was in police custody last night after a car sought since a mid-afternoon chase stretching more than 15km crashed in a narrow suburban Napier street as it was again being pursued by police.

The silver-coloured Nissan, believed stolen, was first involved in a chase pursued by five police vehicles about 4.20pm before police lost sight of the vehicle in the streets of Pirimai and Onekawa.

Fire sparks huge effort by campers Freedom campers at Ocean Beach fought tirelessly to keep a fast-moving grass fire contained with sacks, shovels and fire extinguishers, as they waited for help to arrive.

Six rural and urban fire appliances from Maraetotara, Havelock North, Waimarama and Hastings as well as three water tankers were sent to fight the blaze, which started sometime before 5am yesterday.

Flames spread quickly through the long, dry grass covering about 1.5ha before being extinguished.

“As we came down the hill it was burning on two fronts but campers had managed to contain the edge which was creeping toward their campground. They did a really good job at keeping it at bay,” Hastings District Council principal rural fire officer Trevor Mitchell said.

While the cause of the blaze was still under inves-

tigation, it was not being treated as suspicious.

“It wasn’t malicious and it’s not related to the total fire ban in place across Hawke’s Bay.” Havelock North station officer Warren Dochary, who was the first firefighters on the scene, estimated one fire front would have been 100m by 20m, while the other spanned 150m by 30m.

“Once we got down there and started hosing it off, the flames were contained fairly quickly,” he said.

“Fortunately it was only vegetation damage, which will grow back with a bit of rain, nothing too destructive.”

Urban fire crews were on the scene for about two hours, while rural firefighters remained behind to dampen down.

“We have been pretty spoilt the last few summers, but this is the Hawke’s Bay as we know it. It’s about people being responsible with the fire ban.”

- APNZ

the discussions with this man will be,” Mr Benefield said.

A 64-year-old man is in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital’s intensive care unit, supported by his wife and family who have come over from their homes in Queensland, after he was stabbed outside his caravan in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The New Zealander, who lives in Australia, was stabbed twice - in the head and neck after he went to check a noise outside the caravan he and his partner were staying in at Waihi Beach.

The offender fled the scene when neighbours heard a disturbance.

Waihi police are asking for New Year’s Eve revellers to supply their festive photographs, in the hope police can identify the assailant.

Police set up checkpoints at the exits of

Waihi yesterday to talk to holidaymakers as they left the area.

“But this proved to cause too much congestion and we apologise for any inconvenience caused,” Inspector Dana McDonald said.

Instead, police were now appealing to people who might have taken photographs in the area after midnight.

Police believed dozens of photos might have been taken.

“People often take snaps of New Year’s Eve revellers and then think nothing more of them. What we’re after is images of people in and around Beach, Hinemoa and Ocean View Roads, the surf club, camping ground and Esplanade between 12.30am and 1.30am,” Mr McDonald said.

The weapon used in the attack, which is believed to be a knife, has not been found.

Waihi Beach’s normal population is about

After being stuck in flooded conditions for an extra night, 120 Milford Track trampers arrived in Milford Sound yesterday exhausted, unshowered, but upbeat.

More than 400mm of rain in Fiordland on Monday and Tuesday forced the trampers to bundle up for an extra night between the three Department of Conservation huts at Clinton, Mintaro and Dumpling.

Doc programme manager of visitor assets Annie Wallace said “an extreme storm” had seen rivers alongside the track burst their banks and make it too risky for

area of Nelson to take safety precautions until he was in custody.

The woman was working alone in a shade house at the Victory community gardens about 2.30pm when the “vicious” attack took place by a man believed to be aged in his 20s. She remained in hospital with substantial head and facial injuries, along with other lacerations and bruising to her body. Her injuries were not life-threatening.

On Saturday, a 71-year-old woman was brutally bashed in her Kawerau home.

She suffered a broken left cheek and a suspected broken nose after being bashed by an intruder about 1am.

However, it was instead a man who demanded cash. He attacked the woman, leaving her covered in blood on the floor of her home, before stealing her car.

Police were yet to make any arrests in the case.

- APNZ

Developing more from cattle

By Linda Clarke Mid Canterbury cattle valued for their meat will be part of an $87 million research programme to develop new uses and higher returns from lower value parts of the carcase.

The Foodplus project is a collaboration between ANZCO Foods, better known for its Five Star Beef feedlot at Wakanui and CMP processing plants, and the Government.

Head of ANZCO’s food and solutions division Rennie Davidson said there were already eight different projects identified within the Foodplus programme but the first part in all the projects involved research and understanding potential end users and what they wanted.

Research will concentrate on identifying new products, from parts of the beef carcase that that currently generate less value and markets have already been tagged in the food, ingredients and healthcare sectors.

Mr Davidson said bone gel was an example of an alternative use for a lower value product which is already commercialised. Bone gel is derived from beef bones, which would have traditionally been rendered into meat and bone meal, but was already being converted into the higher value edible gelatine shells of pharmaceutical capsules.

The goal of the programme was to identify and commercialise more higher value product opportunities like bone gel, he said.

“New Zealand beef animals are considered the cleanest and most disease free in the world and therefore it is critical that we capitalise on this.”

Up until now ANZCO and other meat companies have been focussed on finding the best market for prime cuts, but the same competitive

Photo Tetsuro Mitomo 111212-tm-304

ANZCO’s Rennie Davidson sees an even bigger future for cattle grown for the company. advantage around New Zealand origin exists for lower value parts of the carcase too.

“There is really an opportunity to take things other people find valuable if we are prepared to spend quite a bit on research and science.”

The programme will run over seven years.

Ministry of Primary Industries director general Wayne McNee said adding further value to the carcase was essential for the future success of the meat industry.

Trampers make soggy exit

By Olivia Caldwell

3000 but swelled to about 16,000 over the festive period.

At another popular holiday spot on New Year’s Eve, a man was assaulted in Mount Maunganui just before the midnight countdown began.

Police have not been able to find the victim, who was last seen staggering through crowds on Marine Parade about 11.30pm.

He was heavily bleeding and might have lost a couple of teeth after another man stomped in his head numerous times, Detective Kevin Shields said.

The alleged offender ran across the road as police approached, but was soon found and arrested.

In Nelson, a 62-year old woman was bashed and sexually assaulted on tuesday as she worked alone in a community garden. Police are hunting the “cowardly” attacker and urged locals in the Victory

walkers to continue on New Year’s Day. No-one was in any danger throughout the ordeal and all were either helicoptered out, or walked from the track before being taken by boat to the Milford Sound terminal.

However, one French woman had to be airlifted out from the Kepler Track near Te Anau with hypothermia.

Mrs Wallace said water on some parts of the Milford Track would have gone well above the trampers’ heads, so the decision to keep them inside overnight was an easy one.

“This was by far the biggest flood we have seen.”

While food in one of the huts was

down to a minimum by the third day of the walk, rangers supplied 40 trampers with canned food from emergency kits.

“Everyone had high spirits and were enjoying each others’ company.”

Canberra couple, Michael and Margaret Thompson, said they had never experienced rain like it, witnessing about 550mls in just 24 hours.

“It came down pretty hard,” Mr Thompson said.

When the rain intensified on New Year’s Eve the trampers was still an hour from Dumpling Hut and had no choice but to walk through the downpour.

“It was hard, but it was OK. As long as you had your wet weather gear you were fine.

“Most of us didn’t see the New Year through; we were too tired.”

Dinner included a can of tomatoes followed by a dessert of porridge and honey.

Doc’s only concern now was the “unknown damage” to Milford Track, Mrs Wallace said.

Further up the country, gales of more than 100kmh sent campers packing and blew in windows, loosened roofs and tore branches from trees in South Wairarapa.

Volunteer firefighter crews were called to nine wind-related calls around the town on New Year’s Day.

Mr Davidson said ANZCO was pleased to partner with the Crown.

“It is a large-scale project that wouldn’t be achievable without collaboration. We’re excited about the potential that this will bring to the sector.”

CRUMB

The meat industry is a vital contributor to the New Zealand economy. For the year ending June, total red meat exports were worth $6.1 billion, 13 per cent of all exports and 22 per cent of primary sector exports.

by David Fletcher

ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Thursday, January 3, 2013

NEWS

www.guardianONLINE.co.nz

2012 road toll rises by one The road toll for last year has increased by one, after a crash victim died in hospital.

On Tuesday the provisional road toll stood at 306 for the year, but that was increased to 307 yesterday after an 81-year-old woman died in hospital.

The woman was a passenger in

a car which collided with another vehicle on State Highway 1 near Whangaparoa, north of Whangerei on New Year’s Eve. The 2012 road toll was the second lowest in 50 years – slightly higher then the previous year’s record low of 284 deaths.

National manager of Road Policing

Superintendent Carey Griffiths on Tuesday said overall figures showed a downward trend.

“Of particular note is the reduced fatalities in the 15 to 24-year-old age group last year, which at 65 was significantly lower than 82 in 2011,” Mr Griffiths said.

“This is the lowest since records

were kept on age groups. The death of the 81-year-old takes the holiday period road toll to six. The first death was on Christmas Day. Chinese national Rongmei Wang was killed in a two-car collision in Hamilton. On Boxing Day, Shane Curtis Tosh, 24, died when his Honda left the Dacre-Lorneville

road north of Invercargill. Hours later a 58-year old Taumaranui man died when his car careered down a bank.

On Friday, a 22-year-old man was killed at Ngapara, near Oamaru when he lost control of his car, which slammed into a tree.

And early on New Year’s Day a

29-year-old man was killed when he was hit by a taxi while walking in Levin.

The holiday road toll period started at 4pm on Christmas Eve and finished at 6am today.

In 2011, 19 people died on the roads over the holiday period.

- APNZ

Passionate about ratepayer issues NEWSMAKERS OF 2012

By Sue Newman This time last year, mention Russell Ellis’ name and chances are you’d probably think bowls or kitchen design.

But an awful lot can happen in a year and for Russell, 2012 will go down on record as the year that took him from relative obscurity to public property, but it was circumstance, rather than any desire to become a newsmaker that saw him step out and step up.

People he talked to through his business, friends, strangers, the one thing that he constantly heard were complaints about the Ashburton District Council not listening to its ratepayers, he said.

“I guess I got sick of saying ‘I wish someone would do something about our council’. In the end, I thought, why not me.”

And that decision saw Russell spearhead the biggest public rally held in Ashburton since threats were made to close Ashburton Hospital about 14 years ago.

He floated the idea of a public show of opposition to the council’s drive to press ahead with building a new art gallery and museum in spite of huge public opposition.

A small rally in Baring Square west might be the best way to show the strength of public feeling he thought. If a couple of hundred people turned up, then the rally would be counted a success.

Around 2000 turned up and a very nervous Russell found himself on his feet doing the thing he was least accustomed to, public speaking.

“I was really nervous, nervous that no one would come and then nervous because of the number of people I had to speak to.”

That rally saw him nominated as the Ashburton Citizens’ Association spokesperson and with that job he became the person to whom the community turned to right what it saw as the council’s wrongs.

“I believe now, with the association, the council wishes it had never awakened the sleeping dog. I used to look at people and think, how do they do this, but I’m passionate about this, passionate about getting a good deal for the ratepayers.”

Russell said he’s still amazed how a couple of issues can galvanise a community into action. The art gallery and museum might have been Russell’s catalyst for involvement with the residents’ association, but he’s become just as passionate about the drawn out debate over a route for the second bridge across the Ashburton River.

It seems people are relishing having an organisation they know is fighting from their corner, he said.

“It’s been amazing. I have people sticking their heads in the door here, the support for the association is really heartening. I think we’re starting to have an impact on council because they are doing some of the things we’re suggesting, like discussing meeting times.”

What the council is not doing, however, is anything that will improve the openness of its meetings and its communication with ratepayers, he said.

“The last meeting I went to I was only there half an hour before they

3

went into committee. That’s not an open council. I think the excuse of commercial sensitivity is just an excuse sometimes. More openness with council is one thing I’d really like to work on.”

He’s also hot on having more public debate and more public voting on big issues take place around the council table. The community had a right to know how its elected members voted, Russell said.

“If you don’t want people to know how you voted, you’re not confident in what you’re doing and how you’re voting.”

For anyone considering standing for council, attending a council meeting wouldn’t provide much information on either issues or procedures, he said.

“You don’t gain anything when you just hear the end result.”

Being in the public eye and involved in public issues was a huge learning curve and one he’s still riding.

He anticipates the coming year will be a big one for the citizens’ association, the community and the council. He believes the current crop of Ashburton District Councillors won’t be guaranteed an easy ride when it comes to retaining their seats around the council table. Too much that has been too contentious has been going on over the past couple of years for that to happen, he said.

But for election year to be meaningful there needed to be a good crop of candidates for all local body positions and Russell said the citizens’ association will be making sure there are plenty of good, community minded names on ballot papers next year.

• Violent death The 27-year-old man who died a “violent death” in Auckland early on New Year’s Day has been identified as Papatoetoe resident Nathan Albert. A homicide investigation was launched after a woman found Mr Albert’s body on the street in Panmure’s Pilkington Road shortly after 4am and phoned police. A post mortem examination concluded he had died a violent death, Detective Inspector Mark Benefield told Radio New Zealand. Police last night said a man known to Mr Albert had contacted police, and he was assisting them with the investigation.

- APNZ

• Victim sought Bay of Plenty police are following tips from the public on the identity of a man who was viciously assaulted in Mount Maunganui on New Year’s Eve. The victim was last seen staggering through crowds on Marine Parade about 11.30pm. He was heavily bleeding and might have lost a couple of teeth after another man stomped in his head numerous times, Detective Kevin Shields said. The alleged offender ran across the road as police approached, but was soon found and arrested.

However, the victim has not been found. Senior Sergeant Carl Purcell of Tauranga police said they had received calls from members of the public who believed they knew who the victim was.

- APNZ

PHOTO gallery

020113-tm-012

Go to www.

ONLINE.co.nz

to check out these new photo galleries:

Photo Kirsty Graham 041212-KG-040

Russell Ellis addresses the protest crowd in Baring Square on Thursday, May 3, 2012.

photo johnny Houston 030512-jh-039

Russell Ellis, looking back on a year where he became a reluctant community leader.

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ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Thursday, January 3, 2013

OPINION

www.guardianONLINE.co.nz

OUR VIEW

Far reaching effects from jockey’s death

Vandals slash tyres on buses Vandals caused $20,000 damage in a tyre-slashing attack on the GO bus fleet involved in the Rhythm and Vines event.

Fourteen of the 70 buses were targeted between 5 and 6.30am on Monday morning in the Gisborne GO Bus yard.

Gisborne manager Bill Hallgarth said staff were shocked to see the damage when fuellers and cleaners arrived at 6.30 that morning.

Twenty-eight tyres had been

damaged.

“The tyres had been stabbed with a sharp object of some kind and the people who did it risked serious injury, even death,” he says.

Mr Hallgarth said tyres are under considerable pressure and can explode if punctured.

The buses were parked close together to fit them all in the yard, and that increased the risk to the offenders, he said.

“We were gutted. It was quite

depressing actually, when we worked so hard to provide an excellent service for festivalgoers.”

Mr Hallgarth is full of praise for the work done by the “fleeties” from Eastland Tyres and Bridgestone, who worked through the day on Monday in hot temperatures to replace all the tyres.

“They did a great job and we got all of the fleet on the road for the final night of the festival.”

Police are investigating the attack and say they are following several lines of inquiry.

A range of other damage was inflicted on the bus fleet during the festival operation - nearly a dozen broken windows, damage to bus skylights and some seat damage.

Mr Hallgarth said repair costs were still being assessed and he thanked Kevin Hollis Glass for the work the team did on window repairs.

I lost the love of my life: survivor

By Coen Lammers

editor

T

he death of jockey Ashlee Mundy this week has reminded us all of the dangers of horse racing.

The young jockey suffered a fatal fall in the seventh race at Kurow on Sunday before passing away in Dunedin hospital a day later.

The fatality has affected everyone in the racing industry including the Mid Canterbury horse racing fraternity. The loss was especially hard on local trainer Jan Hay who witnessed the incident after Ms Mundy had ridden two horses from the Hay stable earlier in the meeting.

Racing people will tell you that falls are part of the industry and luckily most jockeys walk away from these incidents unscathed. In fact, the race meeting at Kurow continued as per normal after Ms Mundy was taken to hospital.

Ashburton has had its fair share of racing tragedies with Ray Hewinson not surviving a fall during a local jumps race in 2002, and local jockeys Judy Jamison and Christine Lawn suffering major injuries in other incidents.

The number of falls and deaths in the racing industry has been significantly reduced after racing officials strengthened their focus on the safety of jockeys and tracks over a decade ago.

Certain tracks, like Rangiora which was notorious for horses slipping or falling, were taken off the galloping calendars and no doubt the safety officials will have a close look at the Kurow course to see if the track played any role in the incident.

Horse racing is not for the faint-hearted and only a few of us are brave enough to

stay on a horse at full speed with several others bumping around in close vicinity.

The margin of error is so small that it is almost a miracle that there are not more accidents. That speaks for the skills of the jockeys, but whatever the skill level, horses are animals and will always keep a certain level of unpredictability.

Studies in the United States show that jockeys have a higher risk of getting injured than people sky diving or boxing, or anyone working in the metal industry and forestry.

Australian research from 2010 showed that on average a jockey in Australia falls every 240 flat races.

Naturally those numbers are significantly lower in races over steeples.

Interestingly in nearly 75 per cent of falls the jockey walked away without injury.

The flipside of that is that on average one in 620 falls had a fatal outcome.

The Australian research also showed that injuries were more likely to occur in maiden races with inexperienced horses and that female jockeys had a higher risk when riding young fractious horses in major races.

The numbers in New Zealand might be slightly different but it still provides some indication of the risks.

Thankfully, the athletic ability and physical strength of jockeys has increased significantly over the years along with the stringent safety rules within the industry so the recent fatality is thankfully a rare episode.

But it doesn’t take away the pain of those close to Ashlee Mundy and her colleagues getting back into the saddle today.

Farmer burned in escape from fire A Central Otago farmer had to run through flaming grass while helping to fight a large fire on his Galloway property on Tuesday.

Olrig Station owner Richard Stephens received superficial burns and blisters to the side of his face in the incident but said that was his fault - “I shouldn’t have been where I was”.

Mr Stephens told the Otago Daily Times he got caught in a gully with long grass when the wind changed - “and the only way to go was forward, so I had to run through it [the fire]”.

His wife Linda, a nurse, was able to give first aid, although an ambulance was called, she said.

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“It also helped us keep running.”

Contrary to other reports, Mr Hallgarth said this had been the worst year for damage on the buses in the history of the company’s involvement with R and V. “It has also been the worst year for overall behaviour on the buses.”

“Operationally though, we feel it has been the best it has ever been in terms of the service we were able to provide.”

- APNZ

Conservancy acting deputy principal rural fire officer Bill Johnsen said 12 tankers and appliances from “all over” the district fought the fire and the last to leave did so about 4.30am. Doc staff stayed behind to keep an eye on things.

Mr Stephens, paid tribute to the firefighters.

“The turnout by the fire brigades was absolutely tremendous. It didn’t take that long to put out but it could have been much worse.

“Everything in the area was absolutely tinder dry; it was pretty scary in that wind.”

The northwest winds reached estimated speeds of more than 50kmh.

While the official cause of the fire was yet to be established, Mr Stephens said there

were two scenarios.

“We have got a lot of campers down here ... quite a few people said they saw what they thought was a flare, like a marine flare, going up in the air, so that could have started it, but there were also reports of two people with torches running down the hill just prior to the fire starting.”

Mr Johnsen said that given Central Otago’s fire status, if a flare had been set off, it was “totally irresponsible” .

“The whole thing didn’t need to happen.

People were being totally stupid and irresponsible.”

Doc staff were involved because the fire was within 1km of Doc land, in this case, the Otago Central Rail Trail.

- APNZ

Gardeners vote on worst weeds

Wandering Jew

New Zealand’s most hated weed has been named and shamed.

The tradescantia fluminensis - commonly known as Wandering Jew - has been dubbed “the cockroach of the garden” by gardeners around the country.

They say the weed is impossible to eliminate.It was voted the worst in the 2012 favourite native plant and worst weed survey run by the NZ Plant Conservation Network.

People who took part in the survey nominated their favourite native plant and their least-favourite weed.

Wandering Jew was ranked worst, followed by veldt grass, convolvulus and the moth plant or vine.

Hundreds of voters posted comments on the website, one person saying of the Wandering Jew: “Impossible to get rid of ... the cockroach of the garden!”

Another said: “Bane of my existence!”

A member of the network’s council, Jesse Bythell, said the survey had been running for 10 years and was always popular.

“It really shows that people really are keen and passionate gardeners here in New Zealand.

“And we have people of all ages voting. We had one kid who posted a comment on one of the weeds saying, ‘I have to weed this from our garden for my dad and I really hate it’.”

The survey also asks people to nominate their favourite native plant and this time, the kauri was the winner.

The traditional New Zealand Christmas tree - the pohutukawa came second and the puriri was third.

Top 5 worst NZ weeds: 1. Wandering Jew. 2. Veldt grass.

3. Convolvulus.

4. Moth plant.

5. Climbing asparagus.

Top 5 NZ native plants: 1. Kauri.

2. Pohutukawa.

3. Puriri.

4. Koru.

5. Fierce lancewood.

Waitomo crash survivor Kirsten Steinke has been able to welcome in the new year at her parents’ home in Colorado, three months after a collision claimed the life of her newlywed husband and left her fighting for her life.

The pair were on their honeymoon in New Zealand in September when their vehicle collided with a cement truck at a Waitomo intersection.

Kallan Stithem died at the scene, and Ms Steinke spent a month at Waikato Hospital recovering enough from her severe head injuries to go home to Colorado to continue her recovery.

Just before the new year Ms Steinke wrote on her blog that she was now officially an outpatient and could live at her parents’ home.

“I might be the first 28-year-old this excited about living with my parents,” she wrote.

She was now walking everywhere, and had been “inching” her way back to being able to do yoga and pilates.

“As far as how I’m doing emotionally, I continue to feel immensely indebted to my family members and friends who have given so much to me and my parents during the past few months.”

“I lost the love of my life. But I’m lucky to still have this much love in my life. And that gratitude helps me get closer and closer to normal.”

She credited that love as the reason she was able to be sitting in her parents’ home, sipping a cup of coffee.

Earlier in the month she wrote that she was having the hardest time processing the loss of her husband.

“I keep having dreams that he is here with me, reminding me to follow up on my exercises to get better and chatting with me about what’s going on in his world.

“It could just be the impact that he made in my life coming through, but I like to imagine that he’s doing just what he would have done in life - keeping me company and making sure I follow up on all the things I need to do to get better.”

Police said Mr Stithem failed to give way at the intersection, and for more than a month after the crash Ms Steinke was unaware that her husband had died in the collision.

The State Highway 3 intersection at Waitomo Caves was last year identified as one of New Zealand’s riskiest roads to drive on.

Earlier last year a Canadian woman died in the same spot, when her husband pulled out into traffic.

- APNZ

Message from beyond the waves

By Vaimoana Tapaleao A message in a bottle discovered floating on a beach 76 years after it was thrown into the ocean has led to more discoveries.

The family of Australian man Herbert Ernest Hillbrick were in disbelief but “very excited” when a New Zealand family came across the bottle on Ninety Mile Beach in November.

Houhora man Geoff Flood made the find and was shocked to discover how old the bottle and enclosed note were.

On special stamped stationery marked “P&O”, complete with a picture of a ship - the SS Strathnaver - the hand-written note, dated March 17, 1936, read: “At sea. Would the finder

of this bottle kindly forward this note, where found, date, to undermentioned address.”

It was signed H.E. Hillbrick, 72 Richmond Street, Leederville (in Perth), Western Australia.

The Strathnaver ocean liner, operated by P&O, was launched in 1931.

It was the sister ship of the RMS Strathaird and the pair were known as the “White Sisters”. They both served the Australian mail route and travelled on the Sydney run in the mid-1930s.

Bob Mason - a great-grandson of Mr Hillbrick - said the family were thrilled about the discovery.

“My mother and uncle are very excited,” he told the Herald. “Mum remembers the day her grandparents left on the Strathnaver, even though she was

only 5 years of age - she is now in her 80s.”

The family still treasures a black and white photograph of Mr Hillbrick and his wife, Ethel, taken on board the Strathnaver. Mr Mason also has a pocket knife, one of two his greatgrandfather purchased on board the ship. He never met his great-grandfather, who died in 1941.

Mr Hillbrick’s old home in Richmond Street has been renovated over the years but still stands, although it is no longer in the family’s keeping.

“I do remember my great-grandmother, Ethel Hillbrick, as she lived until around the end of the 1970s, close to almost 90 years of age.”

Mr Mason said the discovery had led to a reignited interest in the family tree,

which has since led to more fascinating discoveries.

“One of the more surprising things I have found is ... there is a connection to New Zealand ... and that is Herbert’s mother is a New Zealander.

“Her name was Jessie Sarah Neame, born 1852, in Nelson. She died in 1927 in Perth, Western Australia, and Herbert was one of 11 children - he was number six.”

Meanwhile, the note is still getting a lot of public attention, although Mr Flood has been keeping it safe inside acid-free paper.

Mr Flood said they were still trying to figure out what will happen to the note.

“It’s still very exciting for us all and something that we will all remember for a long time,” he said.

- APNZ

NEWS

ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Thursday, January 3, 2013

www.guardianONLINE.co.nz

More Kiwi mums returning to work

By Alanah Eriksen More than 40 per cent of Kiwi mums are back at work or looking for a job before their child turns one.

Figures provided to the Herald for the past 15 years show the proportion of mothers with babies who stay at home dropped from 65 per cent in 1997 to 58.42 per cent this year.

Mothers say that as the cost of food, electricity and other items continues to rise, they are often left with no choice but to return to work.

There were 62,300 women with a child under 12 months in July, according to Statistics New Zealand’s Household Labour Force Survey. Of those, 23,900 were employed and 2000 were looking for a job – representing 41.57 per cent of the group.

The figure had jumped 2 per cent since 2007, 5 per cent since 2002 and 8 per cent on 1997.

The co-owner of social networking site Mums on Top, Kylie Power, said the cost of living had pushed many women back into the workforce.

“It’s quite expensive to have a child.

Women are putting children in childcare earlier than ... in the past.

“It’s also good for the mental state.

Work can be a very nice place to be, a good break to talk to other adults.”

Mrs Power returned to work as a primary school teacher in Palmerston North nine weeks after her son was born in 1999, and 11 months after her daughter was born in 2003.

Women then did not always accept working mothers, she said.

“In coffee groups, you’d get a lot of finger pointing. A lot of ‘Why are you going back to work?’ I’d like to think it’s relaxed a little bit now.”

In February, Mrs Power and business partner Emma Bettle took over Mums on Top, a private online community where women, and sometimes men, can vent.

“We get everything from ‘I’m thinking of having an affair’ to ‘What sort of cake can I make for my 13-year-old?”‘ There have been several conflicting studies over the past two decades of the effects on children whose mothers go back to work in the first year of their lives.

The Institute for Social and Economic Research at Essex University found that children of mothers who went back to work within the first three years were slower learners.

But a University College London study last year found children whose mothers returned within the first year were less likely to fight with their classmates or become anxious than if their mothers stayed at home, partly because mothers with jobs were less likely to be depressed.

In a New Zealand survey this year, 52 per cent of mothers said they felt guilty about their work and life balance and the amount of time they spent with their children.

But more than half of those surveyed said they took time away from their kids to “maintain their sanity”.

Claims in a 2010 opinion piece by Jenny Dillon published in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph that working mothers

photo greg Bowker/nz herald

Nurse Emma Buckingham with her daughter Molly, 13 months, at their Kumeu Home.

Emma returned to the workforce when Molly was five months old. should quit complaining because they “have never had it so good” caused outrage from Australian and Kiwi mothers who said juggling parenting and work was no easy task.

The Labour Force Survey showed the percentage of women not employed but looking for work was the highest in 1997 at 4.13 per cent, suggesting workplaces were less flexible then for working mothers.

Dr Ann Weatherall, editor of the Women’s Studies Journal and an associate professor in psychology at Victoria University, said the intro-

duction of 20 hours of free childcare helped more New Zealand women get back into work.

“Also mothers are getting older so are more likely to have jobs to return to. There was in that period good government support to have young children in quality childcare, so the availability of that might also be a cause.”

She said “it’ll be interesting” to see if the trend reverses under National, which in 2010 changed the scheme so it applied only to teacher-led early childhood education.

- APNZ

Child abuse ‘fueled by poverty, lack of support’

By Anne-Marie Emerson Poverty and lack of support are two factors that must dealt with if New Zealand is to successfully tackle the problem of child abuse, according to Wanganui paediatrician David Montgomery.

Dr Montgomery is the clinical head of the paediatric ward at Wanganui Hospital and is also the clinical leader of the children’s emergency department at Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital, so he is no stranger to dealing with cases of child abuse.

He said while child abuse and neglect can happen in any sector of society, it’s more likely to happen when a family’s resources are stretched.

“There are clear linkages between the socio-economic situation that families find themselves in and child abuse,” Dr Montgomery said.

“When we’re talking about child abuse and neglect, what’s better than the cure is prevention. A lot of effort needs to go into supporting families and helping them cope.”

Dr Montgomery said strategies to prevent abuse are needed to help families who are struggling, whether that’s economically, with relationships, or mental health and addiction issues.

“It’s very stressful being a parent, and even a parent who’s well-resourced gets stressed, so a parent who is underresourced really struggles and suffers a great deal.

“If they could be supported by their community, and their children be prevented from suffering abuse and

neglect, that would be the best thing, rather than coming to [the hospital].

We’re just the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff,” he said.

Although there are no statistics kept on the number of children suffering abuse and neglect who come through Wanganui Hospital’s doors, Dr Montgomery said it was likely of the 5000 children who come into the emergency department every year, around 10 per cent of them have some abuse or neglect issues.

Dr Montgomery said every member of staff at the Whanganui District Health Board receives mandatory training to recognise family violence, from the clerical staff to managers to doctors and nurses. There’s also clear guidelines for dealing with a child that staff suspect may have been abused.

“We have a child and parents and an injury, and obviously our first priority is treating the injury and looking after the health care needs of the child.

“If there’s some doubt as to how the injury happened, one of the first things we’ll do is tell the parents we’re concerned about how the injury could have happened.

“Just because there’s an injury, and it doesn’t seem to be consistent with the history we’ve been given, that doesn’t mean the parent is a child abuser - it just means it’s important that we ask some questions and look into thing a little bit further, and we explain that to parents.

Dr Montgomery said ensuring that the child is safe when they return home is another major concern, and that’s when agencies such as Child, Youth

and Family and possibly the police can get involved.

“We’re not in the business of pointing fingers, but we are in the business of making sure a child is in a safe environment.

“The worst thing that can happen is that we treat a child for a minor injury, only to have them come back at a later date with a much more severe injury.

“But we are very open with parents, we don’t sneak around making referrals behind their backs. We involve them as much as possible in the problemsolving,” he said.

The child abuse cases that stick most in Dr Montgomery’s mind are those in which a child has been murdered.

“I’ve had to treat children, answer police questions and give evidence in court for a number of serious cases where a child has been murdered.

Those things are quite prominent in my mind.”

Dr Montgomery said he can remember every child protection case he’s been involved with in his more than two decades’ experience in paediatrics.

“They always bring a huge emotional burden with them, for families and for all of us involved. It’s a very difficult time for everybody.”

But while they’re traumatic to deal with, Dr Montgomery said, such cases help build his knowledge to assist other children in the future.

“It helps me with my judgment in making decisions, and it means that I’m more likely to recognise child abuse issues when I come across them,” he said.

- APNZ

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ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Thursday, January 3, 2013

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1 – Daniel Hickey and Chanaide Fulton make their grand entrance at the Mt Hutt College ball.

3 – Snow, glorious snow. Mt Hutt ski area manager James McKenzie celebrates the arrival of the fluffy white stuff in Methven.

2 – Gypsy day: These dairy cows were on their way to a new home yesterday, wandering along Maronan Road, during their 10km trip from Lismore to Swamp Road.

4 – Good blood: About 90 Mid Cantabrians, including Ashburton man Rod Green ( put their arm in the path of the needle yesterday, as the New Zealand Blood Service took their blood. Statistics show a single blood donation can save the lives of up to three people and is used for a variety of cases in hospitals and ambulances around the country.

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kanui Scho 5 – Changing face: Wa at the opening of the n Beek’s wire balls va hn Jo and ist art . re ss wi cla turned out to browse over Tekapo hundred people who sting a critical eye ca ral , ve an se gg of Du wd y cro lod a Me 6 – Mark and n. They were among Arts annual exhibitio y.

Ashburton Society of plus items on displa 50 buy some of the 0

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7 – Ashburton dentist Justin Wall is having to work extended hours due to increased patient numbers and demand for his services.

8 – Laura Fergus, Cameron Howden and Kim Wills. The Hotel Ashburton was a scene of glitz, glamour and good times when the stars came out to play for Ashburton College ’s Hollywood themed senior ball.

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9 – “Help!” says actor Pixie Churchin as she is attacked by the Methven Theatre Company’s latest prop for its upcoming show. She is being saved by director Alister Body (front) and production manager Wayne Pannett.

11 – Hampstead School pupils play on their new playground equipment at their school where traditional games like bullrush and rugby have become a thing of the past.

10 – Closing down – The Ashburton Red Cross opportunity shop has been part of the lives of volunteers (from left) Jill Bennett, Margaret Blair, and Madge Sherriff for many years.

12 – Packing their bags and heading to South Africa, Ashburton College students Tom Kitchen and Olivia Pike, members of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir.

Let us entertain you!

211a Wills Street, Ashburton - Phone 307 2010 www.ateventcentre.co.nz Summer Singing School

Show tunes from Gershwin to Phantom of the Opera, sung in 2 and 4-part harmonies.

Fri, Sat 19 & 20 Jan 2013, 7.30pm All tickets $20 (incl fees)

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Why Are My Parents So Boring?

Kids these school holidays will finally get an answer to the age-old question in the Court Theatre’s new show. Writer and director Dan Bain, has filled his latest show with mime and physical comedy in a play that unfolds in the style of a silent movie.

It follows the hilarious consequences when a mischievous youngster (Laura Daniel) sets out to teach her parents (David Ladderman and Kathleen Burns) to have fun while she is at home during the school holidays.

Tue, Wed, Thur 8 - 10th Jan 2013, 6pm Tickets: Adults $15, Child up to 13years $12, Family $50

Upcoming Events in 2013 The Eastern Floral Notes - A Micro Musical starring Geraldine Brophy Made to Move - Royal NZ Ballet Nutcracker (Moscow Ballet La Classique) Roger Hall’s Taking Off

Wishing you a Happy New Year from the team at the Event Centre.

Looking forward to seeing you in 2013.

We will be closed until January 7th

Tickets are available from our Ticket Direct office at the Event Centre or online www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Tickets are still available on www.ticketdirect.co.nz

ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Thursday, January 3, 2013

NEWS

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www.guardianONLINE.co.nz

Schools roll with punches

By Myles Hume For a typically conservative bunch, teachers and principals came out swinging against a Ministry of Education overhaul of the education landscape this year.

Principals, teachers and parents have been fighting a losing (but sometimes winning) battle against a Hekia Parata-led ministry which has thrown haymakers at schools, prompting a backlash throughout New Zealand and Mid Canterbury.

Class sizes, charter schools, national standards, bus axings, Novopay and school closures have all been part of the ministry’s plan to streamline the internationally regarded New Zealand education system – recently rated eighth in the world.

The ministry also has plans to hold schools more accountable for their pupils’ performance, with what teachers say will create damaging competition between schools.

Teachers despise change and are precious about their status, however some have cristised the sector for being over-absorbed in their own bubble.

Mid Canterbury schools were no exception and voiced their concerns against class sizes and national standards, while the shambolic Novopay teacher payroll system angered schools who have spent hundreds of hours correcting payroll faults, detracting from their core job - teaching.

The axing of the Rakaia bus to Mount Hutt College created angst, where upset parents launched personal attacks against the college who transferred the blame to the Government for giving them little time to find a solution.

Mid Canterbury schools stood up for their children, with emotive pleas against the education reforms.

A politician touted with a bucket load of potential, Hekia Parata found out the hard way that receiving the baton from former Education Minister Anne Tolly was no easy feat.

All in all, it has been a tumultuous year for schools, parents and the ministry, where the paramount concern of a child’s education seemed to have been stuck on the backburner while the ministry flexed its political muscle to wrestle dominance over schools.

Let’s have a closer look at the problems encountered by schools,

and see who ultimately came out on top of each battle.

Where that will be, who knows?

Winner – Schools.

Class sizes

School closures

When schools and parents took on the Ministry of Education over class sizes, they would never have expected the embarrassing back down that left Hekia Parata licking her wounds.

Weeks of tension and anger followed the April announcement that the ministry was looking to create larger class sizes, therefore cutting teachers and saving up to $45 million a year to be reinvesting into teacher training.

Education Minister Hekia Parata took a staunch stance on the cunning plan, but a public backlash by school principals and parents forced an embarrassing ministry U-turn.

It left the ministry red-faced, who forced a reluctant apology mixed with a dignified message that they had listened to parents and schools.

A survey by the Guardian and APNZ revealed 81 per cent of people were against bigger class sizes and wanted the ministry to stop its ruthless path.

“The quality will be nowhere near the standard it is at now.

Every school will be vastly stretching their resources, handling bigger class sizes and for what – more training?” Hampstead School principal Peter Melrose said at the time.

Technology teachers’ jobs were also under the axe, no more so than Mid Canterbury Technology teachers Richard McElrea and Linda McClea who were already hunting for new jobs, certain the ministry’s plan was going to go ahead.

However, when the news came on the ministry backdown, schools throughout the country, and Mid Canterbury, released a huge sigh of relief combined with a sense of surprise that the Government listened to their calls.

It even brought a touch of praise for the ministry who schools have scathed for a memorable year in education.

“Good on the National Party for being brave enough to back down,” Mid Canterbury Principals’ Association president Neil Simons said.

For now, class sizes will remain the same and the ministry will have to look to other areas to save money.

When the class sizes debacle ended, most would have thought Hekia Parata would have done all she could to avoid further embarrassment.

But what happened was the complete opposite. An idea to close two residential schools for pupils with extreme behavioural issues left the ministry downtroued once again.

The proposal also came on the back of the ministry’s desire to close or merge 39 schools in Christchurch which stirred families and schools throughout the city, prompting a strike that will take place in February.

In November Ms Parata looked to close Salisbury and McKenzie residential schools in the hope to plant the pupils into mainstream education, something which teachers feared they would not be able to cope with.

The pupils would be assisted by a wrap-around system with specialist visiting schools to help the special pupils in mainstream education.

Alternatively, the parents of the disturbed pupils could send their children to the last two residential schools standing in Halswell and Auckland.

However, the proposal, which had some Mid Canterbury schools worried about the effect it could have on other pupils, was another one of the ministry’s backtracks.

It was a hard pill to swallow for Ms Parata, the High Court ruling the decision to close the femaleonly Salisbury School “unlawful” as the young girls would be put in direct danger of sexual abuse if they were to be transferred to Halswell Residential School which would then become co-educational.

Ms Parata faced a wealth of scrutiny from the decision, her competence as a minister put under the microscope. However, it brought a wave a satisfaction to the Nelson-based school which will remain fully-functional next year.

McKenzie has closed, its final day on Tuesday December 11, a sad occasion for the 30-year-old school that Ashburton Borough principal Sam Winterborne once worked at.

Schools will wait anxiously to see how the wrap around system will work, while concerned about the welfare of their classrooms.

Winner – Stalemate.

Novopay

Mid Canterbury Principals’ Association president Neil Simons.

Frustration, tears and stress are words that now go hand in hand with the shambolic teacher payroll system.

Novopay – the $29 million teacher payroll system rolled out

by Australian company Talent2 that was introduced in August to replace an “outdated” system - has left schools furious at the additional work it has created along with the cold reception they have received from Novopay staff.

Since it was integrated in August, more than 8000 pay errors have been counted with teachers being overpaid, under paid or not paid at all.

The debacle has left tempers at boiling point and livelihoods on the line.

Mid Canterbury schools have been poleaxed by the shoddy system, with Hampstead, Tinwald and Ashburton College office staff, along with most schools,

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still spending hours on the neverending backlog of pay errors.

It has brought the college’s accountant Andrea Matthews to tears, her and the principal’s assistant spending about 250 additional hours trawling through the errors – and still counting.

“It’s a disaster on wheels, it’s like Monty Python does the payroll,” was one of the colourful quotes from Ashburton College principal Grant McMillan.

Most schools spoken to by the Guardian in the district had faced problems with the system, with one teacher at Hampstead School being over paid by $700.

Schools remain sceptical about the system, which they believe will take several months to weed out the bugs.

Novopay have also been accused of dishonesty and cheap tactics by some schools, where they used quick fixes to sort out their end of the deal, but in doing so they have dropped teachers out of employment and off the payroll.

“Novopay is not all we do, it’s a minor part, but it detracts enormously on the time we spend on kids . . . and they (Novopay) then have the arrogance to say ‘when are you going to get that work done?,” Tinwald School principal Peter Livingstone aid.

Schools are hoping to be reimbursed for the hours they have poured into fixing the multiple botch up, but who knows when, or if, they will get paid for that?

Winner: Still undecided

National standards Schools ended up their own worst enemy as fear built around the potential spinoffs from the controversial publication of national standards.

In a move to hold schools and their teachers accountable for their pupils’ learning, the Ministry of Education decided it was time to publically show how schools measured up against standards that were introduced in 2010.

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When it comes to messing with children and education, parents are quick to make noise.

That was certainly the case with the Rakaia school bus saga that saw ministry funding axed for a bus that carried 42 pupils to Mount Hutt College each day, and back.

Charter schools Charter schools was yet another hotly debated point schools and the Ministry of Education could not see eye-to-eye on.

A proposal to allow charter schools to be established in New Zealand baffled mainstream schools, who struggle to see how schools that create their own curriculum, employ untrained teachers and work within their own chosen hours, could work.

To add to the astonishment, Mid Canterbury principals questioned the research behind the idea, John Key saying he would pull the plug on charter schools if it was not successful.

“This is an experiment and it makes me wonder if it’s a political experiment the Government is buying in to just to link coser with the Act Part. There is no logic in their thinking,” Hampstead School principal Peter Melrose said earlier this year.

However, the Government said having experienced people, who may be untrained, would be valuable and would help pick up the one in five that leave school without a qualification.

Traditionalists questioned how loose the concept could get, however Act Party leader John Banks, who has been instrumental in the idea, said the Crown would work closely with charter schools to hold them accountable to New Zealand educational standards.

Mr Banks hopes to have the first charter schools in the country up and running in 2014.

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would not run and then eventually finding a resolution meant families were put through a rollercoaster ride for more than two months.

With a year up their sleeve to find a sustainable system, here’s to hoping parents are not put through the same wringer this time next year.

Winner: Mount Hutt College – for now.

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Rakaia bus saga

The ministry realising they were funding a bus that was travelling outside the Transport Entitlement Zone so they cut the bus, leaving the college and parents in the cold with one term to find a solution.

Vicious attacks against principal John Schreurs, a blame game and wild accusations were all part of the story, which put parents, bus officials and most importantly children, under pressure.

When the news broke to about seven parents who showed at a meeting in Methven early October, what followed blindsided the college and the Methven Area Bus Group, who run the buses for the college.

Some parents came out fuming, firing shots at the college, saying they folded to the ministry and did not put up fight to save their children’s education.

It also sparked a blame game where the ministry and college pointed the finger at one another, deflecting accountability.

When the shocking news weaved its way through the grapevine, a second meeting was held in Rakaia where about 40 parents turned up to discuss options as to how they could maintain a bus, with talks of a $75,000 bill being shared among the parents.

That caused a divide, where parents with two or more children on the bus found it unviable and out the budget to pay for the bus.

That left tensions high with the school year only a month away from ending.

However, late night meetings and talks with the ministry brought a resolution to the saga, leaving parents relieved but with a sour taste in their mouths.

Parents and the bus group would fund the bus in a costsharing arrangement.

Each child will cost their parents about $800 a year to travel to school, as part of the compromise - a one year measure.

Thankful of the outcome, parents did question the way the saga was handled, being told the bus

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The standards provide schools with a “basis: to judge whether individuals were below, at or above the national standard in reading, writing and mathematics.

Schools throughout New Zealand and Mid Canterbury called for the ministry to backtrack on their decision to publish the standards they said could be damaging and were not a real indication of a schools performance.

Mid Canterbury Principals’ Association president Neil Simons and fellow principals said national standards were interpreted differently at each school and, if schools rated poorly, it could prompt parents to uproot their children from particular schools.

However, much of the fear was heightened by their own panic, as surveys and interviews with parents showed they were not overly concerned about national standards, and most went to the closest school to their home.

To settle the nerves, the Guardian allowed schools the unique opportunity to justify their results in reading, writing and maths, which all 23 primary schools took part in.

Mr Simons was presented the chance to write an extensive standpoint against national standards, the move preventing damning assumptions from local media and parents.

When it was all out in the public domain, the waves calmed and it was all over and done with.

Schools reputations were not in taters and normality was restored.

Winner: The Ministry of Education got its way

RE

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Photo Kirsty graham191012-KG-017

Mount Hutt College pupils from Rakaia hop on the bus after hearing news their bus may not be able to take them to school from 2013.

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ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Thursday, January 3, 2013

WORLD

www.guardianONLINE.co.nz

US bill to stave off fiscal cliff A weary Congress sent President Barack Obama legislation to avoid the economy-threatening “fiscal cliff” of middle-class tax increases and across-the-board spending cuts late Tuesday night, hours before financial markets reopen after the New Year’s holiday.

The bill’s passage on a 257-167 vote in the House of Representatives sealed a hardwon political triumph for the president less than two months after he secured re-election while calling for higher taxes on the wealthy.

Moments later, Obama strode into the White House briefing room and declared, “Thanks to the votes of Republicans and Democrats in Congress I will sign a law that raises taxes on the

Ivory Coast mourns stampede victims The Ivory Coast has begun three days of national mourning after a stampede among crowds gathered for celebratory New Year’s Eve fireworks in Abidjan left at least 60 dead and dozens injured.

An AFP journalist saw many injured children, while images broadcast by RTI television showed bodies stretched lifeless on the ground outside the city’s main stadium.

Piles of abandoned shoes and clothing could also be seen at the stadium, where soldiers and police were deployed, along with UN peacekeepers.

“This is a real tragedy on this New Year’s Day,” President Alassane Ouattara said at the scene.

“We are all in shock,” he added, announcing that three days of national mourning would be held starting on Wednesday.

The government said 60 people had died, with an average age of 18.

Earlier, the head of military rescue workers, Lieutenant Colonel Issa Sako, told journalists that 61 had died.

“Forty-nine wounded were evacuated” by rescue workers, Sako said, adding that other injured victims had gone to hospital on their own.

Another rescue official said at least 200 people had been wounded in all.

Sako said the flow of people at the stadium had caused a “very large crush” and that “in the crush, people were walked over and suffocated by the crowd”.

Officials said around 50,000 people had gathered for the fireworks.

Witnesses said the stampede had broken out after the fireworks ended, though the cause remains unclear.

It erupted near the stadium’s main entrance, where security had set up tree trunks as crowd control barriers.

According to a police source, the crush occurred when two streams of spectators going in opposite directions crossed paths. A security source added that rescue services “took some time to arrive”.

Government authoriries said the “exact circumstances” of the tragedy are “under investigation. - AP

wealthiest 2 per cent of Americans while preventing tax hikes that could have sent the economy back into recession.”

He spoke with Vice President Joe Biden at his side, a recognition of the former senator’s role as the lead Democratic negotiator in final compromise talks with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

The economic as well as political stakes were considerable.

Economists have warned that without action by Congress, the tax increases and spending cuts that technically took effect with the turn of the new year at midnight could cause unemployment to spike and send the economy into recession.

In addition to neutralising mid-

dle class tax increases and spending cuts taking effect with the new year, the legislation will raise tax rates on incomes over $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for couples. That was higher than the thresholds of $200,000 and $250,000 that Obama campaigned for. But remarkably, in a party that swore off tax increases two decades ago, dozens of Republicans supported the bill in both houses of Congress.

The Senate approved the measure on a vote of 89-8 less than 24 hours earlier, and in the interim, rebellious House conservatives demanded a vote to add significant spending cuts to the measure. But in the end they retreated.

The measure split the upper ranks of the Republican leader-

ship in the House.

Speaker John Boehner of Ohio voted in favour, while Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia and California Representative Kevin McCarthy, the party’s whip, opposed the bill. Representative Paul Ryan, the party’s 2012 vice presidential candidate, supported the measure.

Supporters of the bill in both parties expressed regret that the bill was narrowly drawn, and fell far short of a sweeping plan that combined tax changes and spending cuts to reduce federal deficits.

That proved to be a step too far in the two months since Obama called congressional leaders to the White House for a post-election stab at compromise.

Obama said he is prepared to

take steps to control spending this year, and noted pointedly that savings must be found in Medicare, the government program that provides health care coverage to the elderly.

“I believe that there’s further unnecessary spending in government that we can eliminate,” he said.

Before the vote, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said the legislation included “permanent tax relief for the middle class,” and urged lawmakers to provide bipartisan support as the Senate did.

The bill would prevent an expiration of extended unemployment benefits for an estimated two million jobless, renew tax breaks for businesses and renewable energy

purposes, block a 27 per cent cut in fees for doctors who treat elderly Medicare patients, stop a $900 pay increase for lawmakers from taking effect in March and head off a threatened spike in milk prices.

The bill would also raise the top tax rate on large estates to 40 per cent, from 35 per cent, and taxes on capital gains and dividends over $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for couples would be taxed at 20 per cent, up from 15 percent.

It would stop $24 billion in spending cuts set to take effect over the next two months, although only about half of that total would be offset with spending reductions elsewhere in the budget.

- AP

Gang rape suspect may be juvenile A bone test is being conducted to confirm the age of a young suspect in custody in the fatal assault and gang rape of a woman on a bus in India’s capital, while prosecutors will seek the death penalty for five other men arrested with him, police said.

The six will be formally charged in court today on accusations that they kidnapped, gang raped and murdered the 23-year-old woman in New Delhi on December 16, police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said.

Media reports say some 30 witnesses have been gathered, and the charges have been detailed in a document running more than 1000 pages.

Outraged Indians have been demanding the death penalty for the six men, holding demonstrations almost every day since the rape. Murder is punishable by death and rape by life imprisonment. But juveniles — those below 18 years of age — cannot be prosecuted for murder.

Another police officer said a bone test is being conducted to determine if the youngest suspect is indeed a juvenile.

If the test determines he is 18 years or older he will be treated as an adult, said the officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to disclose sensitive information.

Doctors can confirm a person’s age by evaluating X-rays and determining the maturity of the person’s bones.

The brutality of the case has made Indians confront the reality that sexual violence is deeply entrenched in the society. Women face daily harassment, from catcalls on streets and groping in buses to rapes. Often police refuse to accept complaints by female victims and even accuse them of inviting unwanted male attention by dressing provocatively. Families also dissuade victims from coming forward in the belief that it will ruin their reputations.

Activists hope the savage assault on the woman, a physiotherapy student, will shake off the taboo and make authorities take such cases more seriously.

The woman and a male companion were attacked when they boarded an off-duty bus in southern New Delhi to go home.

A shy New York woman whom no one took to be wealthy has left a shockingly happy surprise when she died: $US20 million in donations to the city’s libraries and main park. Mary McConnell Bailey lived modestly and volunteered at a hospital and schools, before dying at 88 last year, the New York Post newspaper reported on Tuesday. Now, the Post says, it emerges that the New York Public Library and Central Park Conservancy recently received cheques from her estate worth $US10 million a piece. “You would have never known” she was rich, the Post quoted her former best friend and neighbour, Lizanne Stoll, as saying. “When we went to lunch, it was usually Dutch,” she said, meaning everyone paid for themselves.

- AFP

• Vigil kills 10 Ten people, including four children, have died and 120 were hurt in a stampede at an evangelical vigil in the Angolan capital Luanda on New Year’s Eve, Angolan news agency Angop reports. It quoted civil protection spokesman Faustino Sebastiao as saying the victims were crushed by the crowd and asphyxiated at the entrance to the Cidadela Desportiva stadium after only two of the four gates had been opened. Twelve of the injured were still in hospital on Tuesday. “We were expecting 70,000 people, but far more turned up,” Ferner Batalha, a bishop of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, was quoted as saying.

- AFP

• Icy swim

Photo AP

An Indian man makes a banner during a protest to mourn the death of a gang rape victim in New Delhi.

The six men, including the bus driver, allegedly took turns raping her and beat her with an iron bar which they also inserted in her body, causing severe injuries to her organs.

The woman, who has not been identified, was airlifted to Singapore for emergency treatment but died Saturday. She was cremated in New Delhi on Sunday, and the ashes were to be submerged in the holy river Ganges near her hometown

in the northern Uttar Pradesh state in accordance with Hindu customs.

Protesters and politicians from across the spectrum called for a special session of Parliament to pass new laws to increase punishments for rapists — including possible chemical castration — and to set up fast-track courts to deal with rape cases within 90 days.

Thousands of Indians have lit candles

and held prayer meetings and marches to express their grief and demand stronger protection for women and the death penalty for rape. The protests continued Tuesday.

On Monday, the Indian army and navy canceled their New Year’s Eve celebrations, as did Sonia Gandhi, head of the ruling Congress party. Several hotels and clubs across the capital also did not hold their usual parties.

- AP

Adelaide bracing for hot blast, heat stress Adelaide is bracing for a blast of extremely hot weather with forecast temperatures set to soar into the low 40s.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a top temperature of 41 degrees today and 42 on Friday.

A milder change will bring some relief over the weekend before the mercury tops 40 degrees again on Monday and Tuesday.

The hot conditions have prompted warnings from both SA Health and SafeWork SA, urging people to avoid heat stress.

Director of public health Kevin Buckett said it was important for people to stay

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well hydrated during prolonged periods of hot weather.

“If you do need to go into the sun, do so for limited periods and wear a longsleeved, light coloured shirt, a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen,” he said.

“Try to make the most of fans and airconditioners, or if that is not an option, you can cool down by placing wet towels on your neck and underarms or by having a cold shower or bath.”

Dr Buckett said the elderly, babies and young children were most at risk from heat-related conditions.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea, faintness and dizziness, loss of appetite, weakness, headaches, vomiting, lack of sweating and reduced urine output.

SafeWork SA said workplaces should ensure they had measures in place to cope with the heat.

“Hot weather is a hazard that needs to be considered when planning work activities,” acting executive director Robin Scott said.

“Heat stress can afflict workers at outdoor locations such as construction sites,

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• Deep coral found Scientists have discovered corals living at extreme depths on the Great Barrier Reef. The Catlin Seaview Survey team, which is mapping reefs threatened by climate change around the world, found corals living 125 metres below the surface of the ocean in late December.

They were the deepest ever found on the reef. The extreme depth is more than four times that of the shallow reef corals, which are usually about 30m down. Dr Pim Bongaert, who led the expedition to the outer Ribbon Reefs, says the discovery of coral where sunlight is so scarce is mind-blowing. “It’s intriguing. When we began our survey, we were amazed to see significant coral communities at depths of around 60 metres,” he said. “It is truly mind-blowing to see reef coral there.”

- AP

NY plan for world’s largest Ferris wheel

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storage yards, roads and farms.

“It is also important to recognise that heat poses a risk in confined spaces.

Temperatures in industrial sheds can exceed 50 degrees, placing workers at risk.”

At home people are being told to drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or caffeine drinks that cause dehydration. They should also keep cool by wearing light clothing, and keep out of the sun in the hottest part of the day, between 11am and 4pm, and avoid outdoor exercise or activity.

- AAP

Organisers say 40,000 people have braved icy temperatures on the Netherlands’ North Sea coast to take a cold plunge, setting a new record for the traditional New Year’s Day dip. “There were around 10,000 swimmers in Scheveningen and a record number of 40,000 across the Netherlands,” spokeswoman Jiske Barten said. In the resort of Scheveningen, a district of The Hague and the main spot among the 102 nationwide for the growing annual event, many of the bathers wore Christmas hats and sported swimwear in the national orange colour as they ran into the sea, screaming and laughing despite the water temperature of 8C. - AP

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New York City is pressing on with plans for the world’s largest Ferris wheel on its shoreline, despite the challenges from the deadly Superstorm Sandy two months ago.

Flooding led to some changes to the nearly $500 million project on Staten Island, which includes a mall and hotel, but developers haven’t slowed it or scaled it back, even though parts of it are in a flood zone.

Some residents, a city watchdog and a planning group have asked whether it makes sense to push ahead with the attraction, which will reach 190 metres tall.

“It was in poor taste to be discussing a Ferris wheel and all this glamour — it was very hard to embrace this when you knew that your colleagues and their family members were devastated, and there were people who don’t have heat or electricity or homes,” said Nancy Rooney, a nurse who lives and works on the island.

The storm gave wheel developer Richard Marin “momentary pause,” he said. But he quickly decided to

keep going. Private money will pay for the project.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg envisions the attraction becoming one of the city’s premier draws, offering vistas of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty to as many as 30,000 riders a day. Developers aim to get it going by the end of 2015.

Since the storm, the developers have been making sure the buildings can withstand flooding, Mr Marin said, and electrical and mechanical equipment will be 9m above sea level. The wheel itself will be designed to withstand sustained winds up to 207 kph, far stronger than Sandy’s.

The city Independent Budget Office, a watchdog agency, and the Municipal Arts Society, a nonprofit urban planning group, both spotlighted the Ferris wheel plan in separate blog posts wondering what development lessons the city will learn from Sandy.

But to Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro, Sandy’s blow is no reason to step back from what he sees as a transformative project.

- AP

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ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Thursday, January 3, 2013

www.guardianONLINE.co.nz

SPORT

NZ women to take on Aussie states The White Sox programme takes another baby step towards the next world series, when coach Naomi Shaw and her New Zealand selection side cross the Tasman this week for another crack at the Australians.

The visit to Blacktown, New South Wales, will see the Kiwi women play eight times in five days starting today, including participating in the third round of the Gilley’s Shield interstate play and three ‘tests’ against an Australia Selection.

This side isn’t labelled as a White Sox team as only two players – Rebecca Bromhead and Melanie Gettins – have been included from the full national side that contested the world event last year.

And at the other end of the spectrum, four newcomers – Freya Bullock, Kayla Clark, Madison Lovatt and Victoria Reyland – are set to play at international level for the first time. “It’s not a full national team, so there is more of an expectation around developing for the future,� Shaw said. “Some are in contention for the Junior White Sox and their World Series next year, while others may be in contention for the White Sox and their 2014 World Series. “But this trip is not just about experience – it’s an opportunity for us to see who can step up to that level of play. Australia

‘As long as people don’t get taken up with results, I’m excited by what we’ve achieved with our wider squad’ - coach Naomi Shaw were third at the world series and we were 12th and to narrow that gap, we need to widen our base of players. “But we love winning as well and we’ll be doing everything we can to come up with wins. We’ll win some and lose some.�

Since New Zealand began its participation in the Australian domestic competition, Shaw estimates 50-60 players have been exposed to a higher standard of play.

Because the turnover of players is so high, it’s hard to get consistency of performance, but Shaw has seen some noticeable improvement this summer.

In their first jaunt across the ditch to Perth in October, the Kiwis won three straight games, including a 7-6 victory over defending champions New South Wales Firestars, with a handful of rookies on board.

That’s the first time that hat-trick has been achieved in the three seasons New Zealand has entered a team. Their record

over the opening two rounds stands at 4-7.

This week, they’ll face the Firestars again, as well as the Victoria Titans, who they’ve already beaten twice this season.

But this round also promises to be the toughest yet, with many of the Australian sides benefiting from the return of their American college players during the Christmas/New Year break. “As long as people don’t get taken up with results, I’m excited by what we’ve achieved with our wider squad,� Shaw said. “When we come to select our next White Sox team, we’ll have more information on our players and will make fewer mistakes.�

New Zealand: Rebecca Bromhead, Freya Bullock, Kayla Clark, Jennifer Feret, Alex Forsyth, Melanie Gettins, Shannon Hearne, Tyneesha Houkamau, Anita Leeuw, Madison Lovatt, Brooke McManus (tests only), Kayla Rangiawha, Victoria Reyland, Beth Stavert, Gillian Wills.

- APNZ

Wood scores twice All Whites’ striker Chris Wood has made the perfect start at new club Leicester City after scoring twice in the side’s 6-1 victory over Huddersfield yesterday morning (NZ time).

Wood didn’t take long to make an early impression for the Championship side, scoring in the sixth minute before netting a second 18 minutes later to put Leicester 2-0 up.

Four more goals saw Leicester pick up their 13th win of the season to remain in fifth place and in contention to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2004.

The 21-year-old signed with Leicester from Premier League side West Bromich

Albion last week for around ÂŁ1m (NZ$1.96m), according to reports.

Wood has 13 goals in the championship this season after scoring 11 during a loan spell at Millwall.

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson had plenty of praise for his new signing after the match. “Chris Wood played a very positive part in what a was a very good team performance. His attributes fit the bill for a what we’re looking for,� Pearson told the BBC. “He’s a team player and works very hard and shows a lot of football intelligence as well. It’s pleasing that he’s got off to such a good start, but it’s about the group.�

- APNZ

Chris Wood

Summer

Photo Competition

Everyone takes holiday photos so why not enter them in our photography competition and be in to win some great prizes.

Over the next six weeks the Ashburton Guardian wants to see how fellow Mid Cantabrians can illustrate their summer holidays.

Because life is all about people, you must have a person in your photograph to qualify.

Each week our photographers will select weekly winners throughout the competition and entries will be published in the Guardian. Overall winners will be decided by a public vote using the official voting forms published in the Guardian - once the weekly prize winners have been chosen.

Entries are now open and close on Friday,

Wharenu ia beautiful nd Wiremu ponde sea in Ne ring the lson

by Erin Ke

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Robbie Humm, 3yrs, fishing with his first fishing rod on Christm as holiday at Pelorou s Sound.

by Rebekah Humm

Eve sunset

New Years

14 month o Aucklan ld Elias Scott from d playin g in playgrou nd at Cly the de in Ce Otago. ntral

by Caro

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by Cory Bla

Tramping Mount Somers

by Megan Fitzgerald

To enter • Email us your photo to photographers@theguardian.co.nz along with: • Your name • Contact phone number • Your age (junior section under 16 years) and a • Caption to illustrate your photograph • Or deliver your entry to the Ashburton Guardian, 161 Burnett Street, Somerset House, Ashburton, 7700.

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ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Thursday, January 3, 2013

SPORT

www.guardianONLINE.co.nz

Manchester United win keeps City at bay

Central Press Features Ltd

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No 12,092

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No 12,093

By Tom Williams Manchester United have kept a firm grip on the Premier League title race by sweeping to a 4-0 win at Wigan Athletic on the first day of 2013 to maintain their seven-point lead.

Champions Manchester City remain United’s nearest rivals after a 3-0 success at home to Stoke City, while Tottenham Hotspur climbed to third by coming from behind to defeat second-bottom Reading 3-1 at White Hart Lane.

Javier Hernandez had already had a goal ruled out for offside at the DW Stadium when he put United 1-0 up against Wigan by tapping in after Ali Al Habsi saved from Patrice Evra in the 35th minute.

Robin van Persie got off the mark for the new year eight minutes later, collecting a pass from Hernandez and sending Ivan Ramis to the turf with a dummy before curling the ball inside the right-hand post.

Hernandez added a third in the 63rd minute, swivelling to dispatch a half-volley when a van Persie freekick arrived at his feet, before the Dutchman completed a brace of his own in the 88th minute with his 16th league goal.

“Javier Hernandez is a goal-scorer, a real penalty-box player,” said United manager Alex Ferguson.

“Van Persie’s first goal was magnificent. We expected him to be a major player and add something to us, and that’s exactly what he’s done.”

City dominated the early stages at home to Stoke, who had gone into the game looking to protect a 10-match unbeaten run.

Pablo Zabeleta broke the deadlock two minutes before half-time, rolling the ball into an empty net after Asmir Begovic touched away James Milner’s low cross with his foot.

Sergio Aguero was the creator of City’s second in the 56th minute, with a low drive that was parried by Begovic, only for Edin Dzeko to turn the loose ball home.

tV2

6.00 60 Minute Makeover.

6.00 Creflo Dollar. 6.30 Hi-5. (G, R, T) 7.00 Grizzly Tales. (G, R, T) 7.25 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated. (G, T) 7.50 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien. (G, R, T) 8.15 Tiki Tour. (G, R, T) 8.40 Fireman Sam. (G, T) 8.50 Pajanimals. (G, T) 9.00 Infomercials. 10.30 Sonny With A Chance. (G, R, T) 11.00 Good Luck Charlie. (G, R, T) 12.00 The Celebrity Apprentice. (PGR) 2.00 Make It Or Break It. (G,

7.00 Going Going Gone. (G,

R)

MORNING

7.30 The Rich List. (G, R, T) 8.30 Infomercial.

9.00 Dancing On Ice. (G, R,

T)

Homefront Extra. (G, R) Infomercial.

Mucking In. (G, R, T) Emmerdale. (PGR, T) Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals. (G, R, T) 2.00 World’s Strictest Parents Us. (PGR, T) 2.55 60 Minute Makeover.

11.20 11.30 12.00 12.30 1.30

(G, R)

3.55 Te Karere. (T) 4.25 Ellen. (G) 5.25 Millionaire Hot Seat.

(G, T) Who will survive the hot seat? Hosted by Eddie McGuire.

Albion and record12 only their half-time.

Across: 7 Parity; 8Bromwich Fickle; 10 Contain; 11 Talon; Loll; second win22inRebus; 13 matches.

The point was nonetheless enough 13 Genus; 17 Manly; 18 Hole; 23 Disgust; 24 Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov to take Nigel Adkins’ side out25 ofBazaar. the Breeze; the honour scoring the first bottom three at Wigan’s expense.

Down: 1 Speckle; 2had Wrangle; 3 Stray; of 4 Wistful; 5 Skulk; Aston Villa put an end to a run of goal of 2013 at the Hawthorns, with 6 Being; 9 Interlude; 14 Capsize; 15 Jocular; 16 Venture; three straight defeats, in which they Alex Kacaniklic netting a 58th-minute 19 Bribe; 20 Ebbed;winner 21 Oscar. after Romelu Lukaku equalised had conceded 15 goals, by drawing - AFP 2-2 at Swansea City, who equalised early in the second half.

tV3 6.00 Infomercials. (G) 6.30 Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition. (G,

R)

7.30 Chelsea New Zealand’s Hottest Home Baker.

(G, R)

8.30 Infomercials. (G) 10.30 The Dr Oz Show. (PGR,

R)

11.30 Everybody Loves Raymond. (G, R, T) 12.00 Terra Nova. (PGR, R, T) 1.00 Royal Pains. (PGR) 2.00 White Collar. (PGR) 3.00 The Real Housewives Of New York City. (PGR) 4.00 Queer Eye For The Straight Guy. (G) 5.00 Entertainment Tonight.

R)

3.00 Pocoyo. (G, R, T) 3.10 Disney Special Agent Oso. (G, R, T) 3.35 Spongebob. (G, R, T) 4.05 Zeke And Luther. (R, T) 4.30 Pair Of Kings. (G, T) 5.00 Horace In Slow Motion.

(G, R)

(G, R)

5.01 America’s Funniest Home Videos. (G, R, T) 5.30 My Wife And Kids. (G,

5.30 Last Man Standing. (G, R, T) Mike’s younger brother Jim and father Bud visit.

6.00 ONE News. (T) 7.00 Border Security. (G, R,

6.00 America’s Funniest Home Videos.

7.30 Coronation Street.

6.30 Spin City. (G, R, T) 7.00 2 Broke Girls. (PGR, R,

6.00 3 News.

7.00 Road Cops. (PGR, R, T) The law interrupts a late night booty call.

7.30 The Block Australia.

(PGR, T) Each couple prepares for no sleep with tomorrow’s deadline.

8.30 Hamish & Andy Caravan Of Courage: Australia vs. New Zealand (Part One). (AO) The boys travel through New Zealand.

9.55 Rove LA. (AO) Joining Rove on the couch this week are legendary stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

T)

(PGR, T)

eVeNING

Spurs were dominant from then on, Emmanuel Adebayor putting them in front with a powerful 51st-minute header before Clint Dempsey’s fortuitous deflected strike made it 3-1.

Victory took Spurs a point clear of Chelsea, who have two games in hand and host bottom club Queens Park

tV1 (G, R)

8.30 Bullied To Death: The Tragedy Of Phoebe Prince. (AO, T) 9.30 Threesome. (AO, T) Mitch still hasn’t got a job, and it’s starting to cause problems.

10.00 A Night At The Classic.

(AO, T)

10.30 Kath And Kim. (PGR, R,

T)

11.05 Tagata Pasifika.

11.35 Beauty And The Beast.

(PGR, T)

12.35 Te Karere. (R, T)

late

ACROSS DOWN 1. Faint-heartedness 2. Japanese sash (3) (9) 3. Rustic (5) ap photo Epoch (3) 4. Ali CutAl-Habsi (6) Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez (centre) heads a ball at 8.

Wigan Athletic’s goalkeeper but fails to 9. Shameful (11) 5. Oblige (7) score during their English Premier League soccer match at Wigan yesterday.

11.

Extra (7) 6. Delight (11) through Danny Graham in injury time.

Aguero scored a 74th-minute pen- Rangers today.

12.

Runner (5) Wrong (9)had put Villa alty after Steven Nzonzi was adjudged Arsenal were prevented from makChristian7. Benteke 13. Monarch (6) ahead with 10.anPuritanical (6-5)penalty, to have tripped David Silva, but ing ground on the top four after their 84th-minute the Argentine had to leave the fray four-game winning run came to an end(6) after Wayne ninth-minute 15. Feminine 11.Routledge’s Oversee (9) moments later after appearing to in a 1-1 draw at Southampton that(5) opener for14. the 17. Governor In hosts potteryhad (7) been cansustain a hamstring injury. left Arsene Wenger’s side points

by Renounce Andreas Weimann.

18.four Engrave (7) celled out16.

(6) Tottenham fell behind in the fourth below Chelsea in fifth place.

West Ham United were also on the 20.

Nous (6,5) 19.

Outmoded Gaston Ramirez exploited some up, beating Norwich City(5) 2-1 through minute against Reading when Pavel Prosecute 21. Mark Observe (3) and Joey defending to (3)goals from Noble Pogrebnyak headed the visitors in calamitous Arsenal 22.

23.inAnxious (9) O’Brien to climb to 11th. the 34th front, but Michael Dawson’s header put Southampton ahead Earlier, Fulham shook off their meant the hosts were level within minute, but a Guly do Prado own goal SOLUTIONS TO PUZZLE Noto12,091 meant the visitors were level before slumbers from 2012 win 2-1 at West five minutes.

1.00 BBC World News. 1.30 Our World. 2.00 BBC World News. 2.30 My Country – Hong Kong: China.

3.00 BBC World News. 3.30 World Business Report. 3.45 Sport Today.

4.00 BBC News. 4.30 HARDtalk.

5.00 BBC News. 5.05 Believer’s Voice. (R) 5.35 Te Karere. (R, T)

R, T)

(G, R, T)

T)

7.30 RBT. (G, T) 8.00 Air Ways. (PGR, T) 8.30 Embarrassing Bodies.

(AO, T) The mobile truck reaches Great Yarmouth where Dr Dawn and Dr Pixie both put their own bodies on the line as they undergo different types of mammograms to test for breast cancer.

9.30 Kitchen Nightmares.

(T)

10.30 Chuck. (Final, AO, T) 11.30 Motorway Patrol. (PGR, R, T) 12.00 Memphis Beat. (AO, T) 12.55 Lost Tapes. (AO, R, T) 1.25 Infomercials. 2.25 Ugly Betty. (G, R, T) 3.15 Army Wives. (Final, AO, R, T) 4.15 Emmerdale. (PGR, R, T) 5.05 Erin Simpson. (G, R) 5.30 Infomercial.

10.55 Defying Gravity. (AO) Halloween aboard the Antares coincides with a series of hallucinations by the crew.

11.50 Infomercials. (G) 5.00 Joyce Meyer. 5.30 Infomercials. (G)

PRIMe 6.00 Home Shopping. (G) 6.30 Bondi Vet. (G, R) 7.00 Millionaire: Hot Seat.

R) The Schroeders from Indiana, a family of ballet dancing Goths that picnics in cemeteries swap with the Wardles of New York, a fanatical hockey family that hates losers.

5.30 Prime News.

(G)

12.00 Home Shopping. (G) 1.30 Best Of The Crowd Goes Wild. (G, R) 2.00 Home Shopping. (G)

(G) 2.00 Sesame Street. (G, R) 2.55 Peppa Pig. (G, R) 3.00 Dora The Explorer. (G, R) 3.25 Bob The Builder. (G, R) 3.35 Raa Raa The Noisy Lion. (G) 3.45 What’s Up Warthogs. (G, R) 4.10 Drake And Josh. (G, R) 4.35 Kenan & Kel. (G, R) 5.05 Sabrina The Teenage Witch. (G) 5.35 Clueless. (G, R) 6.00 That ‘70s Show. (G, R) 6.30 Futurama. (G, R) 7.00 The Simpsons. (G, R) 7.30 Family Guy. (PGR, R)

8.00 The Cleveland Show. (PGR, R) 8.30 American Dad. (PGR, R) When Stan finally has enough money to afford a membership at the golf club he has worked at for the past 30 summers, his work proves to be futile when the club gives membership to Steve first.

9.00 Family Guy. (AO, R) 9.30 South Park. (AO, R) 10.00 Cops. (AO, R) 10.30 Friday Night Lights. (PGR) 11.25 Entertainment Tonight. (G) 11.50 Infomercials. (G)

Across: 1 Cowardice; 8 Eon; 9 Disgraceful; 11 Surplus; 12 Racer; 13 Prince; 15 Female; 17 Ruler; 18 Imprint; 20 Common sense; 22 Sue; 23 Concerned.

Down: 2 Obi; 3 Rural; 4 Incise; 5 Enforce; 6 Delectation; 7 Incorrect; 10 Strait-laced; 11 Supervise; 14 Ceramic; 16 Disown; 19 Passé; 21 See.

the bOx 6.00 6.50 7.15 7.40 8.05 8.30 9.20 10.15 11.05 12.55 1.05 1.55 2.45 3.10 3.35 4.00 4.30 5.00 6.00

NYPD Blue. (M) Malcolm In The Middle. (PG) Cash Cab USA. (PG) Pawn Stars. (PG) Whose Line Is It Anyway? (PG) Monk. (PG) Law & Order. (M) CSI: Miami. (M) Replicant. (18) SoHo On Set. (M) NYPD Blue. (M) Monk. (PG) Malcolm In The Middle. (PG) Pawn Stars. (PG) Cash Cab USA. (PG) The Simpsons. (PG) Whose Line Is It Anyway? (PG) Law & Order. (M) America’s Funniest Home Videos.

(PG)

6.30 The Simpsons. (PG) 7.00 Pawn Stars. (PG) 7.30 Most Shocking. (M) 8.30 Criminal Intent. (M) 9.30 Criminal Intent. (M) 10.30 Law & Order. (M) 11.30 NYPD Blue. (M) 12.30 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (PG) 1.00 Malcolm In The Middle. (PG) 1.25 America’s Funniest Home Videos. (PG) 1.50 Cash Cab USA. (PG) 2.15 Monk. (PG) 3.05 Most Shocking. (M) 3.55 Criminal Intent. (M) 4.45 Criminal Intent. (M) 5.35 The Simpsons. (PG)

6.00 Deal Or No Deal. (G, R) 6.30 Millionaire: Hot Seat.

FOUR 6.00 Sesame Street. (G, R) 6.55 Pingu. (G, R) 7.00 The Angry Beavers. (G, R) 7.30 Hey Arnold! (G, R) 7.55 The Wild Thornberrys.

(G, R) 8.20 Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Bitty Advent. (G, R) 8.45 Bananas In Pyjamas. (G, R) 9.00 Thomas & Friends.

(G, R) 9.10 Bob The Builder. (G, R) 9.20 Peppa Pig. (G, R) 9.25 Peppa Pig. (G, R) 9.30 The Wiggles Show. (G, R) 9.40 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom. (G, R) 9.50 Action Central. (G, R) 10.00 Infomercials.

Home Alone

DOWN 1. Opponent (10) 2. Odour (5) 3. Border (4) 4. Badinage (6) 5. Motion (8) 6. Obstruction (7) 11. Writings (10) 13. Chimera (8) 14. Nightfall (7) 16. Away (6) 17. Uneven (5) 20. Design (4)

SOLUTIONS TO PUZZLE No 12,092

movie

Movies Greats, 12.15am When a young boy (Macaulay Culkin) (G, R) wishes his family would go away he 7.30 Tennis. (G) ASB finds himself left at home by mistake Classic. Day Three. when the folks leave for a holiday. Cue Highlights.

8.30 Home Shopping. the bad guys with Joe Pesci and Daniel (G) Stern incompetently evil as two crooks 12.00 Live To Dance. planning to break into the house.

(G) The antics of Culkin in defending his 1.00 Best Of The Crowd Goes Wild. (G, R) territory have lost none of their charm, 1.30 America’s Got Talent. spawning two more than adequate ©(PGR, Central Press Features R) sequels.

2.30 Wife Swap USA. (PGR,

7.00 Best Of QI. (PGR, R) 7.30 Top Gear Australia.

(PGR) In the toughest Top Gear Australia test, Steve, Ewen and Shane take Chinese-built Chery.

8.30 Conviction Kitchen.

(New, G) Chef Ian Curley and restaurant manager Lisa Parker have just two weeks to train a dozen ex-criminals as cooks.

9.30 Wife Swap USA. (PGR) 10.30 Secret Diary Of A Call Girl. (AO, R) 11.00 David Letterman. (G)

ACROSS 7. Wanderer (5) 8. By now (7) 9. Complaint (7) 10. Danger (5) 12. Impoliteness (10) 15. Priceless (10) 18. Vats (5) 19. Prop (7) 21. Weakened (3-4) 22. Wrath (5)

sky sPORt 2 sky sPORt 1 6.00 Dumbest Stuff On Wheels.

7.00 Cricket. NZ Tour Of South Africa. 1st Test Day One. Highlights.

8.00 A-League Highlights Show.

8.38 Soccer. English Premier League.

Chelsea v Queens Park Rangers. Live.

11.00 Cricket. NZ Tour Of South Africa. 1st Test Day One. From Newlands, Cape Town. Highlights.

12.00 Cricket. Australia v Sri Lanka. 3rd Test Day One Morning Session. Live.

2.35 Cricket. NZ Tour Of South Africa. 1st Test Day One. From Newlands, Cape Town. Highlights.

3.05 Cricket. Australia v Sri Lanka. 3rd Test Day One Afternoon Session. Live.

8.00 The Cricket Show.

8.30 Cricket. NZ Tour Of South Africa. 1st Test Day One. From Newlands, Cape Town. Highlights.

9.00 Cricket. NZ Tour Of South Africa. 1st Test Day Two Morning Session. From Newlands, Cape Town. Live.

11.35 Export Gold Match Fishing League.

12.05 Cricket. NZ Tour Of South Africa. 1st Test Day Two Afternoon Session. Live.

5.00 Cricket. Australia v Sri Lanka. 3rd Test Day One. Highlights.

5.30 Inside The PGA Tour.

6.00 Tennis. ASB Classic Womens International. Day Three. From ASB Tennis Arena, Auckland.

Highlights.

7.00 Tennis. ASB Classic Womens International. Day Three. Match Of The Day. From ASB Tennis Arena, Auckland.

8.38 Soccer. English Premier League.

Liverpool v Sunderland. Live.

11.00 Dumbest Stuff On Wheels.

11.30 Dumbest Stuff On Wheels.

12.00 Cricket. KFC T20 Big Bash League.

Melbourne Renegades v Adelaide Strikers. From Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Replay.

3.30 Soccer. English Premier League.

Chelsea v Queens Park Rangers.

Replay.

5.30 Inside The PGA Tour.

6.00 Ironman. 70.3 Australasian Championships.

7.00 Motorsport. World 50 Lap Midget Car Championship. Live.

10.30 Cricket. KFC T20 Big Bash League. Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars. From the GABBA, Brisbane.

Replay.

2.00 Soccer. English Premier League.

Liverpool v Sunderland. Replay.

4.00 Soccer. English Premier League.

Newcastle United v Everton.

Replay.

sky MOVIes 1

MOVIe GReats

6.25 Tooth Fairy 2. (2012, G) 7.55 Love, Wedding, Marriage. (2011, PG) Mandy Moore, Kellan Lutz.

9.25 Warrior. (2011, M) Tom Hardy.

11.45 The Darkest Hour. (2011, M) Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby.

1.15 Spy Kids 4. (2011, PG) Jessica Alba, Joel McHale.

2.45 Goodnight For Justice 3: Queen Of Hearts. (2012, PG) Luke Perry.

4.15 Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1. (2010, M) Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint.

6.40 Casino Jack. (2010, M) Kevin Spacey, Kelly Preston.

8.30 The Descendants. (2011, M) George Clooney, Shailene Woodley. In Hawaii, a man attempts to repair his relationship with his two daughters after his wife is in a boating accident.

10.30 Texas Killing Fields. (2011, 16) Sam Worthington, Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

12.15 Daydream Nation. (2010, 16) Kat Dennings, Reece Thompson.

1.55 Devil’s Den. (2006, 16) Kelly Hu, Devon Sawa.

3.20 Sky Special: The Hobbit World Premiere With Dominic Bowden.

7.20 Doom. (2005, 16) Karl Urban, The Rock.

9.05 Rain Man. (1988, M) Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise.

11.15 Hostel. (2006, 18) Jay Hernandez, Derek Richardson.

12.50 A Knight’s Tale. (2001, M) Heath Ledger.

3.05 Home Alone. (1990, PG) Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci.

4.50 Home Alone 2: Lost In New York.

(1992, PG) Macaulay Culkin.

6.50 The Wedding Singer. (1998, M) Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore. A charming 1980s’ wedding singer and a waitress try to avoid a love match that is just meant to be.

8.30 The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor. (2008, M) Brendan Fraser, Jet Li. Explorer Rick O’Connell returns to combat the resurrected Han Emperor.

10.25 Talladega Nights. (2006, M) Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly.

12.15 Home Alone. (1990, PG) Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci.

1.55 Home Alone 2: Lost In New York.

(1992, PG) Macaulay Culkin.

3.55 The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor. (2008, M) Brendan Fraser, Jet Li. 5.45 Talladega Nights. (2006, M) Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly.

(2012, PG).

3.50 Goodnight For Justice 3: Queen Of Hearts. (2012, PG) Luke Perry.

5.20 Casino Jack. (2010, M) Kevin Spacey, Kelly Preston.

DIsCOVeRy 6.30 7.30 8.30 9.30 10.30 11.30 12.30 1.30 2.30 3.30 4.30 5.30 6.30 7.30 8.00

8.30

9.30 10.30 11.30 12.30 1.30 2.30 3.30 4.30 5.30

Dirty Jobs. (PG) Swamp Loggers. (PG) Revealed: DNA The Next Wave. (PG) Mythbusters. (PG) Ragin’ Cajuns. (PG) Inside The Catch: Near Death. (PG) Most Evil. (M) I (Almost) Got Away With It. (M) After The Catch. (PG) Swamp Loggers. (PG) Man Vs: Wild. (PG) Mythbusters. (PG) The Sun. (PG) Auction Kings. (PG) Auction Hunters. (PG) Diesel Digs.

The guys head to the industrial hub of LA to score some heavy machinery.

Sons Of Guns. (M) Nine Guns and a Shootout. When two clients order 3-gun competition sets for their dads, Kris decides to secretly make a third set to honour Will. But late nights lead to rookie mistakes.

American Guns. (M) Blood Relatives. (M) Disappeared. (M) I Shouldn’t Be Alive. (PG) Swamp Loggers. (PG) Abalone Wars. (PG) Sons Of Guns. (M) American Guns. (M) Blood Relatives. (M)

KEY: T Teletext R Repeat S Stereo P Premiere F Final RATINGS: G General exhibition PG Parental guidance recommended M Suitable for mature audiences AO Adults only 16 Approved for persons 16 and over 18 Approved for persons 18 and over c Content may offend l Language may offend s Sexual content may offend v contains violence

shINe 6.00 Unlocking the Bible 6.30 Derek Prince 7.00 Bedbug Bible Gang 7.30 From Aardvark to Zucchini 8.00 Buzz and Poppy 8.30 Running With Fire 9.00 Conversations in the HolyLand 9.30 Precious Word of Truth 10.00 Give Me An Answer 10.30 Your Best Life: Phil Pringle 11.00 Joni and Friends 11.30 Missions Dilemma 12.00 Running With Fire 12.30 Enjoying Everyday Life 1.00 The 700 Club 1.30 Give Me An Answer 2.00 Serve the City 2.30 Facing the Canon 3.00 Bedbug Bible Gang 3.30 From Aardvark to Zucchini 4.00 Buzz & Poppy 4.30 TheDRIVEtv 5.00 UKCMC 5.30 Joni and Friends 6.00 Your Best Life: Phil Pringle 6.30 Destined to Reign 7.00 700 Club 7.30 The Verdict of Science 8.00 Give Me An Answer 8.30 Nzone Focus 9.00 The Journey 9.30 The One to One Show 10.00 Running With Fire 10.30 The 700 Club 11.00 Hearts Wide Open 11.30 Give Me An Answer 12.00 Joni and Friends 12.30 Derek Prince 1.00 Unlocking the Bible 1.30 From Heartache to Hope 2.00 Life with Paul de Jong 2.30 Your Best Life: Phil Pringle 3.00 Give Me An Answer 3.30 Nzone Focus 4.00 The Journey 4.30 From Heartache to Hope 5.00 Running With Fire 5.30 Hearts Wide Open

LOCAL RADIO: AM Newstalk ZB 873; FM Classic Hits ZEFM 92.5; FOX FM 94.9, 98.9 AND 95.7

0301

2012 replay June

ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Thursday, January 3, 2013

SPORTS

11

HOWZAT!! 2012 was a big year of sport in Mid Canterbury and this week we rewind to see what the Guardian photographers captured throughout the year.

Left, top: The Ashburton College cycling team (from left) Isabella Smith, Josh Connor, Brendan Whalley and Frances Smith.

Ashburton College’s Karl Clement is almost on the floor as he tries to regather a ball during a basketball match against Burnside High School.

Hampstead’s Semisi Fakateli misses the tackle on Southern’s Logan Bonnington in the Watters Cup round one clash.

Bottom left: A quick change for Brent Tingay as he built a race-winning lead in the long course section of the Ashburton Duathlon series.

010112-jh-020

210112-TM-007

240112-TM-018

Above: Tama Meager had the honour of delivering the ball on to the field ahead of the second test match between the All Blacks and Ireland in Christchurch.

Above right: An estimated 1400 people flocked to Mt Hutt on Saturday for the opening day of the 2012 ski season.

A real fight for the ball - Wakanui’s Robbie Bennett and Collegians’ Brendan Taylor battle for the ball as temperatures reached boiling point in the division one men’s clash.

Margaret Pawsey celebrates after landing her ball in the hole with a shot from the rough, during women’s golf at the Tinwald Golf Club.

Right: Black Stick Sophie Devine (centre) has an eye on Charlotte Sloper, 9, and Thornton Birchler, 11, at the hockey turf.

280112-kg-098

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RACING

www.guardianONLINE.co.nz

Waikato GRC fields and form Fields for Waikato And Districts Greyhound Racing Club meeting at Cambridge Raceway today.

NZ Meeting number: 10 Doubles: 2 and 3; 4 and 5; 6 and 7; 8 and 9; 10 and 11; 12 and 13 Trebles: 1, 2 and 3; 4, 5 and 6; 7, 8 and 9; 11, 12 and 13 RACE 1, 5.03pm (NZT) THE CLUBHOUSE SPORTS BAR SERIES FINAL C1f, 457m 1 16111 Come A Cropper (c2) 26.04 C &..D Roberts 2 35244 Very Chilly nwtd..........................M Mathews 3 54153 Star Bound (c2) nwtd.................. G Pomeroy 4 33231 Alpinador nwtd.................................. S Clark 5 36243 Borasco 26.45.................................. L Martin 6 21222 Matrix nwtd........................................J Black 7 42653 Cullen’s Impact nwtd..........................J Black 8 83452 Lincoln Flyer nwtd............................. S Clark 9 15766 Jetsun Dream nwtd.........................G Wilson 10 23686 Jetsun Coal nwtd............................G Wilson RACE 2, 5.23pm KIRSTIE MCGRAIL @ HARCOURTS STAKES C2, 457m 1 24761 Ciri Rioli (c3) nwtd J &.....................D Fahey 2 33575 Exciting Girl nwtd............................. M Mann 3 21248 Beau Rivage 25.83 W &..................T Steele 4 13767 Zagato 25.95.............................. A Lawrence 5 42545 Diva Rhode 25.83 W &....................T Steele 6 37754 Opawa Johnny nwtd........................S Payne 7 34F45 Twin Rivers (c1) 26.26................ G Pomeroy 8 53113 Magico 26.06................................... L Martin 9 55484 Barnaby Bale nwtd C &................D Roberts 10 88648 Naughty Courty nwtd....................... M Mann RACE 3, 5.53pm PALAMOUNTAINS NUTRITION SERIES FINAL C3f, 375m 1 58751 My Girl Cookie (c4) 21.46........... R O’Regan 2 75332 Enough Is Enough 21.20............D Schofield 3 55112 Mr. Majestic (c4) 21.41......................J Black 4 28613 Predator Drone (c4) 21.35 W &.......T Steele 5 8x884 Pride of South (c2) 21.09................. M Mann 6 56283 Proverbial 21.15.................................S Ross 7 11634 Space Race nwtd.............................. S Clark 8 75542 Lachlan Valley nwtd.................... R O’Regan 9 48535 Thrilling Halo 21.30........................M Gowan 10 67675 Jackson Town 21.19.......................... S Clark RACE 4, 6.10pm ARCH LAWRENCE NZRS DISTANCE FINAL NZRSdf, 747m 1 x1211 Thrilling Brat (c2) 42.89................... K Walsh

2 26664 Buddy Broke (c2) 42.57.............. B Hodgson 3 Box Vacant3.................................. Scratched 4 13322 Mr. Chino (c2) nwtd.................... A Lawrence 5 Box Vacant5.................................. Scratched 6 3534P Fun Time Girl (c0) nwtd W &...........T Steele 7 Box Vacant7.................................. Scratched 8 41163 Know Peace (c2) nwtd J &..............D Fahey RACE 5, 6.36pm CAMBRIDGE MITRE 10 MEGA SPRINT C5, 375m 1 17642 Ladakh 21.37.................................. G Farrell 2 11316 Ate Power 21.30 F &.......................Turnwald 3 26451 Blue Tramp 21.38.............................T Green 4 71463 Exciting Dream nwtd................... R O’Regan 5 14366 Roqette nwtd C &.........................D Roberts 6 4x611 One Tough Cookie 20.94...................C Hore 7 42511 Bellswill 21.17....................................C Hore 8 24472 Ripped Jeans 21.17.......................... S Clark 9 64141 Winsome Buster 21.22...............D Schofield 10 66418 Corby 21.21................................ R O’Regan RACE 6, 7.06pm AFFORDABLE PET ACCESSORIES STAKES C4, 457m 1 24434 Jetsun Flame 25.95........................G Wilson 2 22816 Hustler 25.55..............................D Schofield 3 84177 Munchin’ Krunch 26.09............... R O’Regan

3 62612 Know Thought (c4) nwtd................ G Cleeve 4 17111 Bornato (c5) 25.53..................... A Lawrence 5 72382 We’re So Lucky (c5) 25.62................ B Craik 6 61351 Toi Shan (c5) 25.64....................D Schofield 7 87131 Kiki Rhode (c5) 25.79 W &..............T Steele 8 31112 Opawa Swede (c2) nwtd J &...........D Fahey 9 22133 Valain’s Flyer (c5) 25.61............. R O’Regan 10 71583 Flying Jojo (c5) nwtd C &.............D Roberts RACE 11, 8.47pm ALL SEW EMBROIDERY SPRINT C4, 375m 1 67673 Picnic Time nwtd W &......................T Steele 2 35125 Karma Rhode 21.33 W &.................T Steele 3 352x6 Ascending Force 21.06..................P Cleaver 4 32514 Holland Badger 21.35....................... B Craik 5 57463 Thrilling Issues 21.21........................ S Clark 6 856x5 Kilara’s Fancy 21.45....................D Schofield 7 15362 Mahonie 21.34............................ G Pomeroy 8 45345 Harvey Nichols 21.24........................ B Craik 9 63688 Samson Dash 21.36......................... B Craik RACE 12, 9.05pm WAIKATO CUP FINAL C5f, 457m 1 12311 Pretty Good 25.38 J &.....................D Fahey 2 36413 Fancy Tip nwtd............................D Schofield 3 51562 Come On Rodge nwtd F &.............Turnwald 4 28713 Riley’s Mate 26.15............................ S Clark 5 42212 Koko Whiz 25.49.........................D Schofield 6 12152 Cool Izmir 25.74 F &.......................Turnwald 7 11211 Lektra Fantasy 25.57........................ S Clark 8 11141 Thrilling Quest 25.30........................ K Walsh 9 44343 Mint Power 25.38........................D Schofield 10 52544 Thrilling Charge 25.97.....................S Payne RACE 13, 9.24pm SUPERIOR CHUNKY DOG ROLLS STAKES C5, 457m 1 32115 Darlyne Ottey nwtd...........................L Ahern 2 33134 Thrilling Vegas 25.63....................... K Walsh 3 31815 Jinjarango 25.49 J &........................D Fahey 4 71583 Flying Jojo nwtd C &.....................D Roberts 5 22133 Valain’s Flyer 25.61..................... R O’Regan 6 62124 Thrilling Boss 25.49......................... K Walsh 7 44343 Mint Power 25.38........................D Schofield 8 43327 Benny Rox 25.52........................D Schofield 9 32144 Drysdale nwtd......................................A Lee 10 81574 Lochinvar Elle 25.57...................D Schofield LEGEND: fsdt - First Start Here nwd - No Win this Distance fstd - First Start This Distance 31 13 - Best Winning Time This Track

4 26365 Dyna Diego nwtd C &...................D Roberts 5 11111 Pegeon Appeal 25.65...................... K Walsh 6 367F5 On Trey 25.72.............................D Schofield 7 64746 Mahalo Rhode nwtd W &.................T Steele 8 32315 Thrilling Ella 25.74........................... K Walsh RACE 7, 7.26pm TE AWAMUTU SELF STORAGE MAIDEN SERIES FINAL C0f, 457m 1 535 Bublin Gold nwtd............................... S Clark 2 26454 Sam Boy nwtd................................A Cleaver 3 23x31 El Jetta (c1) 26.29............................L Ahern 4 32 Tekau nwtd................................... C Ramsey 5 23111 Bugsy Bangles (c1) 25.79 J &.........D Fahey 6 3 Coal Sack nwtd.......................... A Lawrence 7 2 Little Teegan nwtd...................... A Lawrence 8 41 Agent Van Alden (c1) nwtd............... B Craik 9 72561 Wolf Marine (c1) nwtd....................P Cleaver 10 3474 Our Bernie nwtd.........................H V Mullane RACE 8, 7.46pm $20,000 PICK6 GRADUATION DISTANCE C1d, 650m 1 74114 Bigtime Karen nwtd...........................L Ahern 2 84555 Lochinvar Onyx (c0) nwtd...........D Schofield 3 31543 Par nwtd F &...................................Turnwald 4 33537 Moriarty nwtd....................................B Shaw 5 83116 Retaliate First nwtd F &..................Turnwald 6 63414 Winsome Flash (c0) nwtd...........D Schofield 7 68174 Future Proof 38.89......................D Schofield 8 54322 Lil’ Miss Krunch nwtd.................. R O’Regan 9 52133 Indi Rhode (c0) nwtd W &................T Steele 10 42545 Diva Rhode (c0) nwtd W &..............T Steele RACE 9, 8.10pm DENIS COLE MEMORIAL WAIKATO SPRINT FINAL C5f, 375m 1 77123 Ruby Tron 21.18..........................H Laagland 2 12111 Guru Goose 21.25 F &...................Turnwald 3 51311 Tiz Now 21.12 F &..........................Turnwald 4 64424 Thrilling Havoc 21.10....................... K Walsh 5 31183 My Jack Attack 20.87....................M J Lozell 6 71654 Rosemore Osti nwtd.........................L Ahern 7 11542 Zebidiah nwtd J &............................D Fahey 8 21312 Captain Coutts 21.03..................H Laagland 9 66125 Bigtime Kinvara nwtd........................L Ahern 10 22736 Daddy Lowe nwtd.............................L Ahern RACE 10, 8.30pm PALAMOUNTAINS NUTRITION WAIKATO CLASSIC FINAL R/Af, 457m 1 13112 Rodriguez (c4) nwtd.............................A Lee 2 23111 Cosmic Mack (c5) 25.71.............D Schofield

Christchurch GRC fields and form Fields for Christchurch Greyhound Racing Club meeting at Addington Raceway today.

NZ Meeting number: 9 Doubles: 1 and 2; 3 and 4; 5 and 6; 7 and 8; 9 and 10; 11 and 12 Trebles: 1, 2 and 3; 4, 5 and 6; 7, 8 and 9; 10, 11 and 12 RACE 1, 12.02pm (NZT) SUPER PETS SPRINT C3, 295m 1 77116 Life With Dexter 17.27 J &......................May 2 36546 Cawbourne Flippa 17.35................... M Flipp 3 25833 Homebush Domino 17.56..........J McInerney 4 64685 Gone Awol nwtd.........................J McInerney 5 42756 Knox 17.44........................................ B Dann 6 37642 Radiator Springs 17.39 W &.............. Nissen 7 16x46 Elusive Deejay 17.65 A &...................Seque 8 157x8 Socrates 17.66 S &...........................Bonnett 9 25652 Elki 17.31..................................... M Roberts 10 63448 Wandy Devil nwtd............................ M Grant RACE 2, 12.19pm (NZT) HAPPY NEW YEAR DASH C4, 295m 1 74332 Decado 17.52 C &........................D Roberts 2 62355 Vitalize 17.65 J &....................................May 3 12316 Starburst Hannah 17.56................... M Grant 4 45655 Blickling Bridge 17.54 J &.......................May 5 86541 Jed Norton 17.36........................... G Cleeve 6 73776 Wandy Boiler 17.33........................ G Cleeve 7 65314 Mini’s Fantasy nwtd A &......................Seque 8 11151 Matti Oah (c5) 17.08..................J McInerney 9 36278 Homebush Craig 17.29..............J McInerney 10 34347 Pure And Special 17.25................... M Grant RACE 3, 12.38pm (NZT) THURSDAY PLACE PICK DASH C3, 295m 1 67547 Phaedra’s First 17.52.................R Blackburn 2 48835 Visual Illusion 17.38....................... G Cleeve 3 53148 Out By Five 17.64 M &......................Jopson 4 58313 Banbit 17.47......................................B Shaw 5 32311 Butterbean 17.35 M &....................PT Binnie 6 22372 But It’s Great 17.88....................J McInerney

7 16222 Sea Spray Tich 17.50..................... R Casey 8 32641 Finger Pop (c4) 17.35........................J Dunn 9 25652 Elki 17.31..................................... M Roberts 10 76376 Cawbourne Kim nwtd.................J McInerney RACE 4, 12.58pm (NZT) FLATPACK HOUSES PH.033715005 STAKES C3, 520m 1 24364 Big Token 31.09.........................J McInerney 2 68621 Bigtime Kelina nwtd..........................B Shaw 3 25515 Opawa Midnight 30.66 L &................. Wales 4 11323 Parole To Excel 30.70 W &................ Nissen 5 76421 Opawa Style 30.71 L &....................... Wales 6 11884 Dittman 31.01....................................J Dunn 7 21437 Flying Moe 30.82..............................B Shaw 8 74336 Botany Comet 30.73..................J McInerney 9 83786 Opawa Bomb 30.67 L &..................... Wales 10 17777 Baby James 30.98.....................J McInerney RACE 5, 1.15pm (NZT) SKY HIGH SCAFFOLDING SPRINT C3, 295m 1 14465 Jack’s First 17.63..............................B Shaw 2 16272 Jazzy Jet 17.40.............................A Williams 3 52323 Tom Finn 17.42................................. B Dann 4 56751 Anytime Will Do (c4) 17.48........J McInerney 5 11747 Homebush Cruz 17.51........................ I Kaye 6 31154 Runway Queen 17.41.................... G Cleeve 7 31153 Opawa Blaze nwtd L &....................... Wales 8 54535 Smash Amego nwtd......................... M Grant 9 25652 Elki 17.31..................................... M Roberts 10 33872 Jimmy Jurante 17.54..................J McInerney RACE 6, 1.33pm (NZT) HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNNY MCINERNEY DASH C5, 295m 1 51142 Attire 17.14 A &..................................Seque 2 42726 Know Mistake 16.95...................... G Cleeve 3 21221 Mr. Whippy 17.23 W &....................... Nissen 4 44178 Wandy Geno 17.27........................ G Cleeve 5 16115 Zo La Doe 17.38 W &........................ Nissen 6 14484 Princely Dollar (c4) 17.46..........J McInerney 7 12862 Cawbourne Dusty 17.51.................. M Grant 8 42124 Etched In Stone 17.31...............R Blackburn 9 18381 Homebush Edith 17.40..............J McInerney

10 x6375 Maximum Jewel nwtd C &............D Roberts RACE 7, 1.58pm BUY SELL & EXCHANGE STAKES C4, 520m 1 21246 Know Attempt 30.75...................... G Cleeve 2 33346 Bob’s Eye 30.73.........................J McInerney 3 42218 Brooklyn Hope 30.57 J &.................D Fahey 4 23477 Magic You 30.65 C &....................D Roberts 5 32111 Opawa Rapid 30.54 L &..................... Wales 6 61167 Take No Prisoner 30.52................. G Cleeve 7 53134 Wonnie Wonder 30.55 C &...........D Roberts 8 15458 Opawa Collar 29.99 S &..................B Evans 9 26642 Not A Know 30.82.........................A Waretini 10 57725 Magic Maggie 30.50 C &..............D Roberts RACE 8, 2.14pm KOLORFUL KANVAS SPRINT C5, 295m 1 35737 Tricky Harry nwtd.......................... L Waretini 2 34213 Persian Oil 17.53............................. M Grant 3 41711 Ocotillo 17.03 J &............................D Fahey 4 58212 Pearl’s Boy 17.28........................... G Cleeve 5 F1334 Oscar Tuivasa 17.36..................R Blackburn 6 54115 Homebush Sarge 17.41.............J McInerney 7 58272 Know Attention 17.10..................... G Cleeve 8 17737 Vampires Shadow 17.23 J &..................May 9 26428 Ultimate Dream nwtd................... M Roberts 10 24582 Another Gon 17.17....................J McInerney RACE 9, 2.35pm DAVID EMERSON CONSULTANCY SPRINT C5, 295m 1 31137 Cawbourne Reeah 17.44...........J McInerney 2 43736 Jennings nwtd S &............................Bonnett 3 38388 Theokoles 17.51........................R Blackburn 4 21222 Fireman’s Salute 17.14.................. G Cleeve 5 77681 Wandy Hallee 17.29....................... G Cleeve 6 41845 Smash Dora 17.53........................... M Grant 7 12636 Callahan 17.26............................. M Roberts 8 15221 Kyann 17.01 A &.................................Seque 9 11477 Know Escape 17.05....................... G Cleeve 10 11777 Wise Wonder 17.34 C &..................... Fagan RACE 10, 3.00pm BILL’S BAR & BISTRO STAKES C4/5, 520m

1 63761 Mamaja 30.14................................. R Casey 2 26113 No Undies Sundy 30.39.............J McInerney 3 66728 Jonny Jet 30.64.................................J Dunn 4 77637 Magic Lass 30.43 C &..................D Roberts 5 83576 Another Breeze 30.50................J McInerney 6 71185 Alisaray 30.59............................... L Waretini 7 42516 Homebush Iris 30.66..................J McInerney 8 51224 Know Class 30.12.......................... G Cleeve 9 26642 Not A Know (c4) 30.82.................A Waretini 10 57725 Magic Maggie (c4) 30.50 C &.......D Roberts RACE 11, 3.18pm DAVE ROBBIE PHOTOGRAPHER DASH C5, 295m 1 x8471 Cawbourne Moff 17.00..............J McInerney 2 66175 Memphis Hotcakes 17.38................. M Flipp 3 16843 Okuku Ollie 17.29........................... R Casey 4 x7661 Fireman’s Escort 17.28.................. G Cleeve 5 11565 Adini 17.16.................................... L Waretini 6 13114 Finn McMissile 17.28.......................L Philips 7 73356 Sorry Vanderford 17.11 J &....................May 8 22213 Know Advantage 17.25.................. G Cleeve 9 66147 Sosan 17.43 C &..........................D Roberts 10 31578 Crixus 17.45...............................R Blackburn RACE 12, 3.48pm SPEIGHT’S SPRINT C4, 295m 1 886F4 Jackson Cat 17.21............................ B Dann 2 22474 Rule Judge Judy 17.59 J &.....................May 3 11348 Wandy Luck 17.51......................... G Cleeve 4 38628 Cool Jordie 17.27..............................S Whall 5 15373 Nova’s Fortune 17.27.................J McInerney 6 88376 Iceberg Rapper 17.48...................... M Grant 7 22623 Hard Habits 17.34.......................... G Cleeve 8 x756x Chipewyan 17.54 M &.......................... Smith 9 36278 Homebush Craig 17.29..............J McInerney 10 41762 Excessive Speed 17.79.............J McInerney LEGEND: fsdt - First Start Here nwd - No Win this Distance fstd - First Start This Distance 31 13 - Best Winning Time This Track

Northland HRC fields, form and drivers Fields for Northland HRC meeting at Ruakaka Raceway (Grass) today.

NZ Meeting number: 11 Doubles: 2 and 3; 4 and 5; 6 and 7 Trebles: 1, 2 and 3; 5, 6 and 7 RACE 1 11.30am (NZT) WHANGAREI LOVE IT HERE GRADUATION SERIES MBL PCE $5500, 3yo+ non winners mob. pace, mobile, 2100m 1 404 Brett James (1) fr...................T Cameron (J) 2 Comfort Zone (2) fr.................. S Lawson (J) 3 D7747 Hilltop Hustler (3) fr...........R Fensom 4 45x8x Jason X (4) fr................................ D Butcher 5 03572 Violet Bromac (5) fr.....................P Ferguson 6 77x0x Gotta Go Deuce (6) fr......................S Hayes 7 64005 River Light (7) fr....................... Z Butcher (J) 8 95735 Shipshape Steppa (8) fr............ M McKendry 9 x9662 Elsuccess (21) fr.......................D Branch (J) 10 08x36 Binky The Wondahorse (22) fr... J Abernethy 11 Better’s Blastof (23) fr...................B Mangos RACE 2 11.55am BRYANT TRACTORS/BALLANCE AGRI-NUTRIENTS HCP TROT $5581, up to 1 win spechcp trot, stand, 2650m 1 66067 Navaho (1) fr...............................P Ferguson 2 80x89 Viking Girl (2) fr....................... R Downey (J) 3 5x07x Kip Keino (3) fr............................. R Brosnan 4 Sundonna (4) fr...............................T Herlihy 5 97355 Wild Turkey fr................................ Scratched 6 58023 Lucky Earl (5) fr.................. J MacKinnon (J) 7 94566 First Outing (U1) fr..................... J Abernethy 8 088x6 John Joseph (1) 30...................... W Fleming 9 1x Sunbird Bella (2) 30...........................D Balle 10 9667x Letz Hope (3) 30...........................B Mangos

YOUR

stars

ARIES (Mar 21st Apr 20th) Power comes through your words today so be sure to know what to say in advance put it out there and then see where this leads. Some unusual opportunities may come up when you least expect them to. Don’t turn something down because it appears boring as there may be a hidden side to this which could prove to be perfect for you.

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

11 0x1x0 Freddie Mack (4) 30.................. M McKendry RACE 3 12.25pm WHANGAREI BUS SERVICE GRADUATION SERIES MBL PACE $5500, 3yo+ non winners mob. pace, mobile, 2100m 1 x878x Jaccka Herbs (1) fr.................. S Lawson (J) 2 Sunhaven Princess (2) fr.......... M McKendry 3 59884 Tina Brydon (3) fr..........................T Grayling 4 46074 Classic Vance (4) fr................T Cameron (J) 5 07 Bonnie Wee Grin (5) fr............. Z Butcher (J) 6 x0x45 Runninoutadreams (6) fr............... D Butcher 7 Parisian Playboy (7) fr............. R Downey (J) 8 Ravna Gora (8) fr..........................B Mangos 9 Beta B Quick (21) fr................... J Abernethy 10 Ideal Pocket (22) fr..........................T Herlihy RACE 4 12.50pm PEGASUS SPUR STANDING AT WOODLANDS STUD HCP TROT $6081, 1 or more wins +claimer discrhcp trot, stand, 2650m 1 0x956 Action Kosmos (1) fr.................... R Brosnan 2 10302 Derek Clarke (U1) fr.......................T Herlihy 3 8220P Bill Mac (1) 10...................... S Abernethy (J) 4 76673 Castletons Boy (1) 30..................J Stormont 5 16356 Moment Of Truth (U1) 30......... S Lawson (J) 6 64461 KD Commando (1) 40................... D Butcher RACE 5 1.25pm NEVILLE BROS LTD 2013 NORTHLAND CUP HCP PACE $8000, 3 to 5 wins +claimer discrhcp pace, stand, 2650m 1 57376 Brydon Delight (1) fr.....................T Grayling 2 78891 All About Speed (1) 10................ S Gibbons 3 6149x Manotick Express (2) 10...............P Fensom 4 81131 Mach Cruiser (3) 10...................... D Butcher 5 9354x Dead Calm (4) 10.......................P Ferguson 6 64464 Speedstar (U1) 10.............. J MacKinnon (J)

RACE 6 2.05pm CORESTEEL CONSTRUCTION MOBILE PACE $6000, 4yo+ 1 to 3 wins mob. pace jun.d, mobile, 2100m 1 x7064 American Grace (1) fr......... J MacKinnon (J) 2 105x2 Bully’s Rocket (2) fr.................. S Lawson (J) 3 21753 Distant Drum (3) fr.................... J I Dickie (J) 4 07997 Dashing Dane fr............................ Scratched 5 8x747 Rain Forest (4) fr.......................D Branch (J) 6 P1940 Rykaard (5) fr....................... S Abernethy (J) 7 33636 Painted Black (6) fr................. R Downey (J) 8 68x09 Caballe (7) fr.................................A Veint (J) 9 11437 Easy For Cullen (21) fr............ Z Butcher (J) RACE 7 2.45pm 10 PIN BOWLING/LAZER MAZE CENTRE WHANG MBL PACE $6000, 3yo+ 1 win +claimer mob. pace, mobile, 2100m 1 5x365 Lady Willpower (1) fr................. M McKendry 2 56839 J J’s Flash (2) fr......................... J Abernethy 3 74x41 Ideal Prize (3) fr............................A Veint (J) 4 8086x Waingaro Emperor (4) fr...............R Fensom 5 14401 Splendid Bet (5) fr...........................T Herlihy 6 85803 Macs Creation (6) fr................. Z Butcher (J) 7 90999 Pureora Paree (7) fr.....................J Stormont 8 56766 Burnaby Kan (8) fr............... S Abernethy (J) LEGEND: X - Spell from racing of at least 3 months P - Retired (or pulled up) from race L - Driver unseated U1 - Unruly beginner {C} - Concession driver {C.cl} - Claiming concession driver which allows horse to start one class down

HAPPY NEW YEAR

TAURUS (Apr 21st May 21st) There may be some frustrating duties that you need to attend to but you could get a golden star for your hard work. Lovely planetary influences are operating, making this a great day for career and finances, although you might expect some disruption from a co-worker or colleague who is usually very co-operative. If so, don’t take it too personally.

GEMINI (May 22nd Jun 21st) The Moon in your home zone suggests this may be a good day to check out property prices. You never know what you might find if you’re looking for a bargain or valuing your own abode.

You may also be keen to discover the hidden meaning to a puzzle or mystery, and you’ll probe deeply for answers. The answer may surprise and intrigue you.

Tony Herlihy

Cox Plate winner Ocean Park to resume next month

By Mike Hedge Cox Plate winner Ocean Park is this week due to step up the pace of a preparation that could make him one of New Zealand’s best ever international performers.

Trainer and part-owner Gary Hennessy has had Ocean Park back in his stable for the past month and plans to give him his first serious gallop today ahead of a return to racing next month.

“At this stage we’re looking at a run at Otaki on February 23, then to Dubai and then Ireland,” Hennessy said.

The Otaki race is the Group One Haunui Farm WFA Classic over 1600m.

LEO (Jul 24th - Aug 23rd) It may be the perfect day to find just the right gift for your sweetheart. With the sales now in full swing something may grab your attention, so take the chance while you can. There may be positive financial news just ahead too. The Virgo Moon encourages you to create a financial strategy which could help make your money work harder for you.

VIRGO (Aug 24th Sep 23rd) You may have a lot to say but today it might help to keep your private thoughts to yourself. With a challenging aspect between Mercury and Uranus it can be all too easy to rock the boat. Besides which, someone may be feeling very sensitive. However, a little elbow grease may get you back on track work or career-wise.

Do be persistent.

programme.

“He put on about 25 kilograms while he was out ... he’s thickened out, he looks even stronger,” he said.

Ocean Park is likely to be ridden in his European races by Irish jockey Johnny Murtagh who also handled Haradasun in his Royal Ascot win.

Murtagh also rode Australian Starspangledbanner when he won the 2011 July Cup at Newmarket and was aboard Choisir for his famous Royal Ascot sprint double in 2003.

Murtagh broke a collarbone in a skiing accident in Austria this week, but is expected to be fit to begin his association with Ocean Park in Dubai.

- AAP

Whangarei RC fields, form, riders Fields for Whangarei RC meeting at Ruakaka today.

NZ Meeting number: 2 Doubles: 1 and 2; 3 and 4; 5 and 6; 7 and 8 Trebles: 2, 3 and 4; 6, 7 and 8 RACE 1 1.48pm (NZT) FELL ENGINEERING MAIDEN 1600 $7000, MDN, 1600m 1 0x433 Lion Red (10) 58.5..................... M D Plessis 2 90 Don Gallardo (11) 58.5.......... M McNab (a1) 3 70x00 Smart Odds (2) 58.5........... J Whiteside (a3) 4 26 Celtic Chief (15) 57........................J Waddell 5 88x Pendyce (1) 57.................................. L Innes 6 50840 Timely Magic (6) 56.5..................C Dell (a2) 7 0x5 Smuckers (9) 56.5........................C Lammas 8 7x586 Eris (7) 56.5................................... V Colgan 9 0L7x0 Abundantia (3) 56.5.............. S Spratt 10 70. Defiant Rose (8) 56.5........................ M Hills 11 St Mia (4) 56.5.................................S Collett 12 0 Jagersfontein (12) 55...................T Thornton 13 068 Permesso (14) 55........................... A Calder 14 0 Raffaella (5) 55.................... R Hutchings (a) 15 077 Secret’s Only (13) 55................. M Cameron RACE 2 2.28pm ROCKGAS NORTH RATING 65 1600 $8000, Rating 65 Benchmark*, 1600m 1 04503 Perfect Warrior d (7) 59.............J Oliver (a4) 2 33282 The Prophecy (4) 58....................C Dell (a2) 3 2x752 Lovetohaveit d (3) 56.5.............. M D Plessis 4 9104x Lady Pompallier (5) 55.5................ V Colgan 5 069x0 Sacred Knight td (6) 55.5.................. L Innes 6 66187 Society Ruler (2) 54.................. K Joyce (a4) 7 0x435 Charli Jay t (1) 54............................ M Wenn 8 x5609 Centara dh (8) 54........................T Thornton RACE 3 3.07pm ADAMS TRIMMER INSURANCE AND NZI 2YO MAIDEN 1000 $7000, MDN 2YO, 1000m 1 36. Mai Volks (1) 57.5............................ S Spratt 2 6x Rejoice (11) 57.5....................... M D Plessis 3 Secret power (3) 57.5................ M Cameron 4 Wandalight (5) 57.5.......................... M Wenn 5 458 Frances (8) 55.5...........................T Thornton 6 35 Save The Melody (6) 55.5... R Hutchings (a) 7 5 Fairy Cake (10) 55.5 8 Garland (12) 55.5.............................. L Innes 9 Her Choice (2) 55.5............ J Whiteside (a3)

10 Repulse Bay (7) 55.5.....................J Waddell 11 Girl Of My Dreams (9) 55.5.........C Lammas 12 Harper Rose (4) 55.5...................... A Calder RACE 4 3.40pm 91.6 MORE FM MAIDEN 2100 $7000, MDN, 2100m 1 x60x7 Bally Duff h (3) 58.5................... M Cameron 2 2x488 Ryan John (5) 58.5.................... M D Plessis 3 6x369 Give ‘Em The Bash (8) 58.5........... V Colgan 4 643x7 Keep The Courage (1) 58.5............ A Calder 5 000 Granada (7) 58.5............................. S Spratt 6 0 Gamer Royale (2) 57...................C Dell (a2) 7 0x Rapporteur (6) 56.5............. R Hutchings (a) 8 000 Silver Minx (4) 56.5................ M McNab (a1) RACE 5 4.18pm TRIGG CONSTRUCTION 3YO MAIDEN 1400 $7000, MDN 3YO, 1400m 1 337 Travel Wise (5) 57.5................... M D Plessis 2 6x95 Hennessy Black (7) 57.5................... L Innes 3 Bitethebullet (2) 57.5.......................... M Hills 4 Sir Jack Remington (3) 57.5..........J Waddell 5 Kendoka h (4) 55.5........................ V Colgan 6 Lady Hawk (6) 55.5.....................M Sweeney 7 0x990 Saveadance (8) 55.5............ R Hutchings (a) 8 79 Shouldawudacoulda (1) 55.5...........S Collett RACE 6 4.55pm NATURAL TREE PRODUCTS F&M MAIDEN 1200 $7000, MDN F&M, 1200m 1 28x Oh My Gosh (10) 57.5..................... S Spratt 2 8x538 Rose Tattoo h (12) 57.5..................... M Hills 3 8x50x Staretto (13) 57.5 4 8045x Zest Princess h (2) 57.5.................. M Wenn 5 9x Sydney Girl (8) 57.5.......................... L Innes 6 9779x Bo On The Go (6) 57.5..................M Tanaka 7 0x880 Savannah Al Jamal h (3) 57.5.........R Aukett 8 Zenarosa 57.5............................... Scratched 9 Dance (1) 56.............................. M D Plessis 10 Soltina (7) 56............................. M Cameron 11 Atemgirl (5) 56................................ A Calder 12 Candle In The Wind h (9) 56......... V Colgan 13 6x7. Intercity Girl (4) 56.......................T Thornton 14 Zah Tart (11) 56 RACE 7 5.30pm KAMO CLUB MAIDEN 1200 $8000, MDN, 1200m 1 4348x Pegasus Mouton b (9) 58.5.............. L Innes

2 766 Red Ripper 58.5............................ Scratched 3 65570 Sighlent Spur h (2) 58.5..............M Sweeney 4 5232 Righteo h (10) 57....................... M Cameron 5 Bitethebullet 57............................. Scratched 6 Chase The Ace (7) 57.................... V Colgan 7 8 Edition (6) 57............................. M D Plessis 8 70x Faustino 57................................... Scratched 9 7. Red Lamar (4) 57..........................J Waddell 10 Snip In Time 57............................. Scratched 11 86x60 Vatican City (5) 57............................. M Hills 12 8x538 Rose Tattoo 56.5........................... Scratched 13 Atemgirl 55.................................... Scratched 14 Candle In The Wind h (8) 55 15 Zah Tart (1) 55................................. S Spratt 16 Zenarosa h (3) 56.5.........................R Aukett 17 0x880 Savannah Al Jamal 56.5............... Scratched Emergencies: Zah Tart, Zenarosa, Savannah Al Jamal RACE 8 6.00pm COWLEY’S HIRE CENTRE MAIDEN 1400 $8000, MDN, 1400m 1 x5390 Take Charge (9) 58.5................ K Joyce (a4) 2 3 Best Game (7) 58.5............................ S Dye 3 x6075 Hidden Knight (12) 58.5 4 766. Red Ripper h (6) 58.5......................R Aukett 5 Don’t Stop Me Now h (13) 58.5...T Thornton 6 6690x El Fuego h (5) 58.5.....................M Sweeney 7 0x High Expectations h (1) 58.5.........J Waddell 8 5232 Righteo h (8) 57......................... M Cameron 9 50x Tuscania (14) 57.................. R Hutchings (a) 10 0x Royalty (4) 57.................................... L Innes 11 Sir Jack Remington (3) 57 12 4 Call Me Blondie (2) 56.5................ V Colgan 13 8045x Zest Princess h (11) 56.5................ S Spratt 14 Rulaline h (10) 56.5................... M D Plessis 15 0x880 Savannah Al Jamal 56.5............... Scratched Blinkers on : Don Gallardo, Pendyce, Timely Magic, Eris, Defiant Rose (R1), Rejoice (R3), Give ‘Em The Bash, Rapporteur, Silver Minx (R4), Hennessy Black, Saveadance (R5), Staretto (R6), Vatican City (R7), Take Charge, Tuscania (R8) Blinkers off : Celtic Chief (R1), Frances (R3), Edition (R7) Winkers on : Smart Odds (R1), Sighlent Spur, Edition (R7) Winkers off : Ryan John (R4) Pacifiers on : Savannah Al Jamal (R6)

Central Otago RC fields, form, riders Fields for Central Otago RC meeting at Omakau today.

NZ Meeting number: 6 Doubles: 2 and 3; 4 and 5; 6 and 7; 8 and 9 Trebles: 1, 2 and 3; 4, 5 and 6; 7, 8 and 9 RACE 1 1.05pm (NZT) DUNCAN AGRICULTURAL SERVICES/SPEIGHT’S/BREEN CON $7000, MDN 2YO&UP, 1100m 1 77056 Party Brat h (5) 58.5.........................P Taylor 2 6 Red Bull (12) 57.............................. J Bullard 3 89 Croydon (7) 57...................... R Doherty (a2) 4 x5343 Star Royale (6) 56.5......................T Moseley 5 20369 Jacksanfives (13) 56.5.................C Johnson 6 0308x Apparent (3) 56.5....................... S Muniandy 7 36307 Carbonista (2) 56.5.................... C Lunn (a3) 8 5 The Gallant Girl (4) 56.5.. A Tempelman (a3) 9 69 Nancho Lass h (10) 56.5.......... R Black (a3) 10 73064 Whare Creek (11) 55..............C Barnes (a3) 11 El Doute (9) 55 12 Sister Lucy (8) 55....................T Direen (a2) 13 90 Miss Meerkat 56.5........................ Scratched 14 06x76 Mr Flexible h (1) 57 Emergencies: Miss Meerkat, Mr Flexible RACE 2 1.40pm WS HICKEY & SON LTD/LEMPRIERE WOOL NZ LTD R85 $12,000, Rating 85 Benchmark, 1100m 1 x3150 Street Light tdm (5) 60.5....... R Doherty (a2) 2 5x267 The Jester td (9) 59........................ J Bullard 3 47366 All Spice tdm (8) 58................C Barnes (a3) 4 3320x Conscious Mistake m (1) 58 5 x5330 Straitothepoolroom d (3) 58.....T Direen (a2) 6 x5166 Natuzzi (4) 57.5...........................C Johnson 7 47531 Moirai 54....................................... Scratched 8 57x27 Party Cat h (2) 54.............................P Taylor 9 6x046 Spoilt Princess d (6) 54............ R Black (a3) 10 3060x Mind Reader m (7) 54................ S Muniandy RACE 3 2.20pm ALEXANDRA NEW WORLD/HENRYS/ FULTON HOGAN MAIDEN $7000, MDN, 2000m 1 57422 Lord Yarborough (5) 58.5.......... R Black (a3) 2 9x327 Fiatt (2) 58.5................................. D Skerrett 3 74829 Perfectly Court 58.5...................... Scratched 4 549x8 Seeking Redemption (12) 58.5....... J Bullard 5 x8565 Robert Brook (4) 58.5..................C Johnson 6 08x5 The Groomsman (6) 58.5.................P Taylor 7 05858 Giocchino h (9) 58.5 8 00x59 Loose Goose (16) 58.5 -

Phone us today to see how you can apply but hurry as it ends 31 January!

Due to the success of our pre Xmas commission discount promotion we have extended it!

CANCER (Jun 22nd - Jul 23rd) It may feel like change is in the air - positive change which you would welcome. If you’re ready to move forward with your plans, the cosmos is encouraging you to take that first bold step. Be practical and methodical and create a strategy, and you could do very well. You also have an opportunity to do something special for a loved one.

Ocean Park’s connections will then take up an invitation to run in the Group One Dubai Duty Free (1700m) at the World Cup meeting on March 30.

Hennessy says the plan is to continue what is likely to be the horse’s final campaign in the Queen Anne Stakes (1600m), a race won by the Australian galloper Haradasun in 2008, at Royal Ascot in June.

Ocean Park would then remain in Europe and run in the Group One Irish Champion Stakes (2000m), won by So You Think in 2011, at Leopardstown in September.

For Hennessy the immediate task is to work off much of the weight Ocean Park put on during his spell and still have him in the right shape to undertake his international

HAPPY NEW YEAR

LIBRA (Sep 24th Oct 23rd) Focus on the love that is deeper in your heart rather than any disagreements which may be ongoing.

You seem to be the ambassador of peace today and can find the right solution to any problem. However, you may need to compromise on one issue. It’s a good time to strengthen social ties, entertain or throw a lively dinner party for friends.

SCORPIO (Oct 24th - Nov 22nd) It may be inevitable that you encounter restrictions, yet many of these may be within your own psyche. A lot of what you see as outer difficulties may actually be caused by inflexible thought patterns operating within. The more adaptable you can be, the easier it will be to keep your options open. Review long-range plans for possible defects.

9 7 Ubetcha (3) 58.5.....................C Barnes (a3) 10 7254 Rugby Street (10) 56.5...................R Bishop 11 x0733 Winning Girl (15) 56.5...................T Moseley 12 930 Lidiaco (13) 56.5 13 00506 Voodoo Beach (7) 56.5......... R Doherty (a2) 14 95947 Structure (14) 55........................ S Muniandy 15 0 Quite Right (1) 58.5 16 0x98x Oor Wullie (11) 58.5 17 90700 Ready To Rule (8) 57 Emergencies: Quite Right, Oor Wullie, Ready To Rule RACE 4 2.54pm DUNSTAN HOTEL/MCINTYRE & ASSOC/ RANFURLY HOTEL $7000, MDN, 1400m 1 040 Gold Coat (3) 58.5........................T Moseley 2 My Reason (2) 58.5........................ J Bullard 3 4x3 Bigglesworth (8) 57.................... S Muniandy 4 22263 Dressed ‘N’ Ready 56.5................ Scratched 5 6x703 Quest For Luck h (9) 56.5........ J Chong (a3) 6 6x065 Voodoo Star (5) 56.5............. R Doherty (a2) 7 x566x Considerate (1) 56.5................T Direen (a2) 8 360x0 Zahavah (6) 56.5.............................R Bishop 9 90272 Keynote (7) 55.............................C Johnson 10 790 Tullibardine (4) 55.............................P Taylor RACE 5 3.30pm BECKERS TRANSPORT/MCLARENS TRANSPORT LTD MAIDEN $7000, MDN, 1400m 1 x3542 The Bodyguard (3) 58.5...... D Prastiyou (a4) 2 78x22 Mediador (6) 58.5........................... J Bullard 3 863 Vindication h (1) 58.5................ R Black (a3) 4 79547 Drumreims (5) 58.5......................C Johnson 5 0756x Roctagonal (2) 58.5................. J Chong (a3) 6 908 Geoff’s Back h (11) 58.5............... D Skerrett 7 444 She’z A Virtuoso (8) 56.5..................P Taylor 8 70458 Zandria (7) 56.5.................... R Doherty (a2) 9 20098 Nimbus Flight (9) 56.5..................T Moseley 10 900x0 The Wee One (4) 56.5.............T Direen (a2) 11 8 Gallant Satin (10) 55.................. S Muniandy RACE 6 4.05pm PETER LYON SHEARING/OMAKAU AUTO CENTRE R75 $10,000, Rating 75 Benchmark, 1400m 1 46x11 Sucre d (1) 59.5...............A Tempelman (a3) 2 28071 Semper Plus d (6) 59...................... J Bullard 3 09x41 Briga dm (2) 56.5.....................T Direen (a2) 4 22196 Ishigold dh (4) 55..............................P Taylor 5 047x8 St Bernard d (5) 55......................C Johnson 6 35x43 Irish Bay d (7) 54.................. R Doherty (a2) 7 710x0 High Jinks (3) 54.............................R Bishop

RACE 7 4.40pm BODKINS AWS LEGAL/PGG WRIGHTSON AON INSURANCE $8000, Rating 65 Benchmark*, 1400m 1 x6749 Theruler m (8) 59...................... R Black (a3) 2 4128 Beehive Bomber (7) 58.5.........T Direen (a2) 3 40188 Lets Talk Gold 57.5....................... Scratched 4 030x6 Peter Richard tdm (3) 57.5............. J Bullard 5 1x067 Tug O’ War 57............................... Scratched 6 x4153 Ima Geegee m (2) 56...................T Moseley 7 22891 Tilly (4) 56.........................................P Taylor 8 0x630 Blue ‘N’ Gold d (1) 55..............C Barnes (a3) 9 72438 Ustibecasual dmbh (6) 55..... R Doherty (a2) 10 17087 Zolatoi mh (5) 54.........................C Johnson RACE 8 5.15pm COPPER CAFE&BAR/WHITE ROBE LODGE CLARE MEMORIAL $15,000, OPN HCP, 2000m 1 34841 Inferno 59...................................... Scratched 2 54522 Alpine Heights db (4) 54 3 85421 Pazejan d (8) 54...............................P Taylor 4 0x288 Monachee d (2) 54......................C Johnson 5 0x470 The Boys td (1) 54...................T Direen (a2) 6 70601 Ima Dude m (3) 54........................T Moseley 7 78x10 Honora Flynn (5) 54.........A Tempelman (a3) 8 09564 Deceptive mh (6) 54............. R Doherty (a2) 9 00048 Kemdale h (7) 54....................... S Muniandy RACE 9 5.45pm GLASS EARTH/MYERS MARKETING CO LTD RATING 65 $8000, Rating 65 Benchmark*, 2000m 1 x8877 Dino td (7) 59................................ D Skerrett 2 230x2 Irish Wit t (5) 58.5 3 04011 News Flash d (8) 60.5............... S Muniandy 4 x1648 Rowdy d (9) 58.5.................. R Doherty (a2) 5 02337 Elite Street m (12) 58......................R Bishop 6 x9623 Prince Flight t (2) 58.....................T Moseley 7 79354 Just Frank (4) 57............................. J Bullard 8 0x204 Seasprite (11) 56.5......... A Comignaghi (a3) 9 69473 She’z A Prima Donna d (10) 55........P Taylor 10 30008 I’m Vital (1) 55 11 x3449 Kasbah Keeper td (13) 54.......... C Lunn (a3) 12 0x005 Personal Justice d (14) 54......C Barnes (a3) 13 00603 Ashley (3) 54............................. R Black (a3) 14 49856 Lezani (6) 54................................C Johnson 15 00048 Kemdale h (15) 56 Emergency: Kemdale Blinkers on : Spoilt Princess (R2), Ready To Rule (R3), Gold Coat (R4) Winkers off : The Gallant Girl (R1)

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23rd - Dec 21st) Your impulsiveness could empower you to do or say something that lands you in hot water. It helps to think before you speak today and to take things slowly.

However, a surprising solution could be just a phone call away so it may certainly help to reach out to others. An invitation to travel could also be part of today’s planetary offerings.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22nd - Jan 20th) You may be keen to set a plan in motion but could encounter resistance from family members. Trying to reach a compromise could also turn out to be difficult. However, if you broach the subject in a few days’ time you may find everyone more agreeable. If you’re bored with routine, give yourself permission to cut loose and do your own thing.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21st - Feb 19th) A lot of your success may be down to attitude. By keeping cheerful, resolutely upbeat and optimistic you can attract good things and people. Whether buying or selling, you may benefit from spells of good luck today. A powerful focus suggests that the past may have a strong pull on you. If so, it may be time to forgive and let go - if you can.

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD W

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PISCES (Feb 20th Mar 20th) Your prestige and standing could be heightened through support of a cause or matter of principle. Heed hunches, dreams and insights relating to your career or direction in life.

Your intuition may be guiding you to be in the right place at the right time. It also helps to give full rein to your imagination but you must take action to benefit.

SPORT

ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Thursday, January 3, 2013

www.guardianONLINE.co.nz

Erakovic ousted from ASB Classic

By Steve Deane A sluggish, nervy start and a faltering first serve consigned Marina Erakovic’s 2013 ASB Classic campaign to a rapidly filling whatmight-have-been file, with the Kiwi No1 going down in straight sets in the second round yesterday to American Jamie Hampton.

Erakovic struggled to get her feet going in the opening set and was blown out 6-1 in just 27 minutes.

If the opening exchanges were a case of what could go wrong doing so in emphatic fashion, the second set was more a case of opportunities spurned.

“Jamie was teeing off at the start and connecting well and I just wasn’t able to get my ground and get things together,” Erakovic said.

“I felt like I did that better in the second set. I definitely had my chances but was just a little short.”

For the second day running Erakovic referenced early match nerves.

The burden of being this country’s only creditable tennis professional doesn’t seem to be getting any lighter to carry, particularly in the ASB Classic.

“It’s tough to play here for sure. Is it the toughest? I don’t know. It’s tough wherever you go. I really like to do well here because I have a lot of support. A lot of friends come out. It is nice to well and I try my best but you can’t always be super duper every day.”

The first signs of life from the Kiwi came in the second game of the second set, when she recovered from 15-40 down to hold serve.

Having failed to dent Hampton’s sharpish but not exactly overpowering serve in the opening set, Erakovic finally broke through to love in the fifth game, and then peeled off a solid service game of her own to lead 4-2.

But no sooner had it appeared, the burst of form that had propelled her back into the

contest absconded, with her first serve leading the disappearing act.

Erakovic never gave give up. At 4-5 down and serving to stay in the match, she somehow muscled through the game without landing a single first serve.

That was gutsy, for sure, but it also highlighted what might have been.

With the number of miscued shots from the American’s racket soaring, a little consistency from the Kiwi would have gone a long way.

She broke to give herself a chance to serve for set and even started the service game with an ace. But after that the yips returned, with Hampton breaking back to force a tiebreak that was only ever going to go one way.

At 6-2 down Erakovic appeared to be going out without a whimper, but she rallied to save three match points before Hampton ripped a forehand winner to close out the contest. That shot ended a mixed, all too brief campaign from the Kiwi.

Her crushing first round victory was impressive and showcased significant improvement, while the defeat that followed exposed familiar failings.

She didn’t move well, and her backhand failed her almost as often as a serve she insisted wasn’t all that bad.

While she did snap a three-year run of first round exits, the fact remains Erakovic struggles to bring her best form to her hometown event.

“It was to do with the feet more than anything else,” she said.

“I was slow and just not getting around as many balls as I would have liked to. I really tried to get it going but I had no rhythm and the first set just flew by.

“I had a lot of chances through that second set so, yeah, it definitely hurts. But Jamie played some great points and she deserved to win.”

- APNZ

Last Aussie woman out of Brisbane tennis

By Laine Clark

photo brett phibbs/nz herald

Marina Erakovic shows her frustration during her singles match against Jamie Hampton from the USA, during the ASB Classic tennis tournament in Auckland yesterday.

No extras for Wellington Phoenix despite injuries

By Daniel Richardson Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert won’t summon any extra bodies for Saturday night’s game with the Melbourne Victory following a rugged clash with Brisbane on Tuesday night.

Leo Bertos and Alex Smith both suffered facial injuries in the 2-1 loss to the Roar at Suncorp Stadium, which extended the Phoenix’s winless streak at the venue to eight games.

A

But a Phoenix spokesman confirmed yesterday that Bertos was fine within minutes of leaving the field, and Smith was examined at hospital after the game and was later cleared of any major ailment.

There will be one enforced change for Saturday night’s showdown with the Victory, who are riding high on the back of the form of young All White Marco Rojas, and that will see Cameron Lindsay come into the squad for Tyler Boyd.

Boyd, who celebrated his 18th birthday on December 30, was

given a belated birthday card of a different variety when he was shown red for his second bookable offence last night and will be banned for one match.

Lindsay has waited a long time to make his Phoenix debut and, after a couple of false starts, could get a run off the bench against the Victory.

The match review panel may create a headache for Herbert, though, after Manny Muscat raised his elbows twice late in the game during a tussle with Nick Fitzgerald

but escaped sanction at the time.

It will be interesting to see who Herbert calls upon to replace Boyd in the starting XI. Herbert could give Solomon Islands’ international Benjamin Totori the opportunity to begin the game after a few useful cameos from the bench in recent weeks, or he could offer a reprieve to Stein Huysegems who has fallen out of favour lately.

Given Boyd has been playing out wide, Totori would be a more likefor-like switch as Huysegems is a

A hard act to follow

nother new year, what are we to expect on the sporting front?

I do love to see New Zealand sides winning stuff, but its certainly not going to be a repeat of the glories of 2012.

The Halbergs this year become an impossible contest, the judges are charged with comparing a bag of apples with a carton of pomegranates and a box of new spuds, and expected to come up with the best performers of the year.

They have as much chance of pleasing the majority of sports followers with their final decisions as do the eventual arbiters of David Bain’s compo claims.

Just a quick backward glance.

You have our netballers claiming the inaugural Fast5 title (and obviously having so much fun in doing so that it must be nearly declared illegal), that’s to go with their Constellation Cup victory over the old foe from across the Tasman, and Laura Langman once again confirmed that she’s the Richie McCaw of netball.

80-something consecutive tests, not even Richie can claim that stat.

But none of that will get them anywhere near the Halbergs.

There’s Gordon Tietjens’ sevens side.

Epitomised by Tim Mikkelson in a semi-final game against South Africa, when he kicked a loose ball ahead, chased it hard and kicked it again (contested all this time by a couple of hot-shot South African speedsters), then a third time connected with the ball while running full-speed, the ball went centre-field where Kurt Baker was flying up the middle, scooped it up and scored a vital try.

The South African commentators were waxing eloquently about the lucky bounce of a rugby ball, until they viewed the replay and found that Mikkelson, supposedly just the

By Steve Devereux

MY SHOUT

strong-man/solid centre of the side, knew exactly where he was kicking the ball, especially the incredible final nudge that would have done Carlos proud, and grudgingly had to concede the outstanding skill levels all the All Blacks Sevens possessed.

Despite cataloguing yet another world sevens title (with the spectre of Rio starting to loom large), these fellas won’t be on the Halberg stage either.

Their big brothers once again proved to be the best rugby team in the world, but a couple of glitches also proved that they’re not in the top two or three best All Blacks teams ever.

Even Richie, regardless of yet another stellar year, won’t knock the Olympians of the Halberg perch.

The All Whites marked last year with a somewhat less than impressive loss to New Caledonia, meaning they missed a regular appointment at the Confederations Cup (and a big pile of money that would probably have been handy for their masters back at headquarters).

And while Ryan Nelsen, such a colossus for the All Whites at the last World Cup, appears on recent form to be on the downward spiral (maybe there’s an injury issue?), the likes of Marco Rojas (currently hot property on the transfer market) means there’s hope for the future - how long with the current coach be figuring in that future?

The drums appear to be beating louder and louder, at least with the Phoenix, for something better than

13

constant mid-table results, and maybe even some football that’s good to watch, instead of the ‘at least we didn’t lose’ mentality.

No, the Halbergs this year will be dominated by Olympic athletes, with a special mention for Lydia Ko. There were some disappointments; Nick Willis, the hockey men, Ben Fouhy . . . but there were medals.

Gold ones.

There was always an air of expectancy about Mahe Drysdale, Bond and Murray, Cohen and Sullivan, and of course Valerie, but who outside of their respective sporting circles had heard of Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie, and Lisa Carrington?

Carrington’s effort must be sport at its most thrillingly basic.

No carefully thought-out tactics, no cat-and-mouse watching what the opposition might be up to, no looking up to the coach’s box for inspiration - just get in your boat and go, all guns blazing, desperately sprinting just as fast as you possibly can and beyond, until the finish line sizzles by, and then you can look up to see if indeed the messages flashing in from your peripheral vision were correct, and all those years of gut-wrenching practices have finally paid off, in solid gold no less.

There’s no rugby or football world cups, no Commonwealths or Olympics this year, maybe for couch potatoes everywhere needing to take a breath, maybe that’s a good thing.

(Although you might have noticed small groups of people, generally male, often in public houses, milling about uncertainly on Friday and Saturday nights for the past couple of months; these poor individuals don’t have long before their fix will be returned, its only a month and a bit until Super 15 once again takes its rightful place dominating our screens).

genuine centre forward, although Herbert could insert Huysegems and push the red-hot Jeremy Brockie out wide.

Brockie has been in irresistible goal-scoring form of late and, given the quality of his long-range strike against the Roar last night, the All White wouldn’t look out of place in a number of positions on the paddock.

In 12 starts this season, Brockie has scored 10 goals. It took Shane Smeltz 20 appearances to register 10 goals for the Phoenix and Paul

Ifill needed 26 games to reach double digits.

Brockie isn’t a centre forward in a traditional sense but it’s hard to deny his production in front of goal, and he is one of the form players of the A-League alongside his All Whites’ teammate Rojas.

The little maestro from Waikato has been dubbed ‘Kiwi Messi’ in Australia and, while such praise is probably an over-reaction, his two goals against Newcastle last Friday night were of the highest quality.

- APNZ

Proudly sponsored by The Ashburton Guardian

She might have dodged a bullet thanks to world No.2 Maria Sharapova’s withdrawal, but Australia’s Jarmila Gajdosova was still shot down yesterday in the second round of the Brisbane International.

Gajdosova, 25, had done her best to overcome a difficult 2012 by snapping up a wildcard and ousting world No.16 Roberta Vinci in the first round of the season-opening event.

And her luck appeared to have turned around when she avoided Sharapova in the second round after the reigning French Open champion pulled out with a collarbone complaint.

But Sharapova’s replacement – lucky loser Lesia Tsurenko of the Ukraine – crashed the party at Pat Rafter Arena by ousting the Slovakraised Aussie 1-6 6-1 6-4 in just over an hour and a half.

Gajdosova had been the last of the four-strong Australian women’s contingent left standing in the Brisbane International.

Former world No.25 Gajdosova endured a horror 2012 in which injury ensured her ranking slipped 150 places to relegate her to No.183 – but it paled in comparison to her off-court fortunes.

Her nightmare year culminated in the death of her mother Jarmila due to throat cancer in September.

The power-hitting Gajdosova looked to be in control in the second-round clash with the world No.116 Tsurenko after cruising through the first set in just half an hour.

But the tables were quickly turned by the Ukrainian as she fed off the Australian’s string of unforced errors to book a quarter-final showdown with Slovakian surprise packet Daniela Hantuchova.

Earlier, fourth-seeded German Angelique Kerber narrowly avoided becoming the latest big name to bow out in Brisbane by overcoming Puerto Rican qualifier Monica Puig 3-6 6-4 7-6 (9-7) in the second round.

World No. 5 Kerber came back from 4-1 down in the third set and trailed 5-2 in the deciding tiebreaker before finally overcoming the plucky world No. 124-ranked 19-year-old.

It abruptly ended a giant-killing trend in Brisbane which had already claimed five of the top eight women’s seeds.

“It seemed like I was down 4-1 after five minutes (in the third set),” Kerber said.

“It was difficult. I had not seen her play before.

It was a big surprise.

“It was tough physically. She (Puig) will be in the top 50 very soon.”

And the United States’ next big thing – world No. 38 Sloane Stephens – overcame the woman who dumped Australia’s Sam Stosur out of the Brisbane International, Sweden’s Sofia Arvidsson, 6-3 6-4, in just over an hour yesterday to book a quarter-final showdown with third seed and idol Serena Williams.

The 19-year-old Stephens has befriended Williams in the US Fed Cup team and did not seem overawed by the prospect of taking on someone who has won 33 of her past 34 matches since a shock first-round French Open exit in June.

“I always was like, ‘Oh, my God. I love her to death. She’s amazing’,” said Stephens about taking on the 15-time grand slam winner.

“Now she’s like an actual person and I’m like, ‘Oh, hi. How is it going?’ She’s not like a hero anymore – she’s just a friend.”

- AAP

www.

ONLINE.co.nz

Ride the Rakaia is only 8 weeks away on Saturday and to support cyclists that want to do the ride, we will have a training programme for riders looking to build up to the ride.

This is based on kilometres each day not minutes.

Gordon McCauley of GMC Coaching has put this programme together.

If any cyclist is looking for a more personalised programme they can contact Gordon at www.gmccoaching.com and he will arrange this for you.

Base Phase, Weeks 1-3

Keep the gearing easy on these rides, for this 3 weeks it’s all about building some consistency in your riding, if you’re new to cycling then this is the time to brush up on some skills like drinking whilst you’re riding and riding in a group.

Most towns have a local Sunday bunch, call in at your local bike shop and find out what time the bunch leaves and where from, they should be able to point you in the right direction. If you can’t keep up with the bunch at 1st then don’t be disheartened, most of us couldn’t when we started, you’ll be surprised how fast you improve if you stick to the program.

For those that have a cadence meter you should be aiming at 85-100rpm on your rides, if it’s too hard to keep the cadence (RPM) that high then select a lower gear.

This is also a good time to try out any sports foods/ drinks you’re thinking of using on race day, there’s no point in getting to race day and finding out the drink mix you’re using for the first time makes you feel sick.

Gordon McCauley, GMC Coaching

ASHBURTON

14

SPORT

ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Thursday, January 3, 2013

Guardian

Erakovic ousted from ASB Classic P13 | Manchester united win keeps city at bay P10

Sandra Keith bounces back Ashburton bowler Sandra Keith might not be able to defend her women’s singles title but she joined forces with former New Zealand representative Serena Matthews to ease into the quarterfinals of the women’s pairs at the national bowls championships yesterday.

The World Champion of Champions singles winner and Matthews ousted Denise Cooper’s team (Lepperton) 18-16 in the first round yesterday morning, then followed it up with a 20-12 win over Eileen Anderson (Wanganui East) and a 21-14 victory over Catherine Bien (St Heliers) to clinch a spot in today’s quarter-final at the

Paritutu Bowling Club.

Keith had struggled to find her form earlier in the week during section play of the women’s singles, losing all three of her matches in the qualifying rounds.

She lost 21-11 to Leigh Griffin (Victoria), 21-12 to Tania Wrigley (Carlton Cornwall) and 21-16 to Reen Stratford.

Top bowling sisters Mandy and Angela Boyd (Composite) rolled out their competition with ease, defeating Linda Ralph’s (Pakuranga) side 23-11 in round two and then trumping women’s singles finalist Val McEldowney’s pairs team (New Plymouth) 23-10.

The Boyds will face local bowl-

ers Gale Fache and Betty Eustace (Vogeltown) when play gets under way today at 8.30am.

Multiple national title holders Ann Muir and Anne Bateman will skip their own formidable pairs teams after a great day on the greens yesterday.

Muir and partner Sue Wightman will meet mother-and-daughter combination Leigh and Kirsten Griffin (Victoria) and Bateman and Feona Sayles (Composite) will face Mary Campbell and Anna Davis (Tauranga South).

Meanwhile, Peter Belliss and Rowan Brassey were mounting the podium to accept national titles more than 30 years ago and

the two veteran bowlers are back with a vengeance at this year’s championships.

Belliss (Aramoho) has won the men’s singles title three times (1981, 1986 and 1992), the men’s pairs in 1992 and 1995 and skipped the winning fours team in 2009.

After something of a hiatus from the country’s pre-eminent bowls event, Belliss fired into form and beat all-comers in the first four rounds of post-section play yesterday, including highly-rated Stokes Valley bowler Blake Signal, 21-14.

Belliss will join another master of the greens, Brassey (Cabramatta), in the men’s singles round of 16

being played today on greens around the city. Despite Brassey never having won a singles title, he rolled out visitors and locals alike to make the grade.

Formerly of the Okahu Bay Bowling Club in Auckland, Brassey was part of winning fours teams in 1981, ‘82, ‘90, ‘95, 2002 and 2003, and also earned the top spot in the pairs in 1982.

Another veteran of New Zealand greens, Petar Sain (Carlton Cornwall) fought some challenging battles on the Paritutu rinks to earn a spot in the final 16, but it was a rough day at the office for the Black Jacks squad members.

Matthew Gallop (Blenheim) was

From the sideline Test yourself with the Guardian’s weekday quiz

picked off by 2011 men’s singles champion Shaun Scott (North East Valley), 21-12, in the first round, Ali Forsyth (Havelock) made it to the second round of post-section before being pushed out by Scott Evans (Onehunga), 21-17 and Richard Girvan (Onehunga) came up short against Kevin Robinson (Maungaturoto), 21-19, in the last match of the day.

Former Black Jack Danny Delany (Onehunga) will join the other 15 bowlers fighting for a shot at the title, as the round of 16 kicks off today.

The final for the men’s singles and pairs will be played tomorrow.

- APNZ

What is this person famous for?

Hussey hoping for a memorable farewell A cavalcade of Australian greats has farewelled test cricket at the SCG, and Michael Hussey will be looking to follow in their footsteps and produce a match-winning performance.

Australian skipper Michael Clarke said farewelling “Mr Cricket” would be emotional for the team’s young stars – and sending him out the right way was something the team had discussed.

“I think a lot of guys will be emotional that Mr Cricket’s finishing up in test match cricket after this game,” Clarke said.

“He’s played nearly 80 test matches so he’s been around for such a long time. He’ll definitely be missed.”

Clarke said there were no scars from the last mission to send a teammate out a winner – when Ricky Ponting’s last test turned into a 309-run defeat to South Africa.

“I don’t think it had an impact on the team,” Clarke said.

“It probably gave us more ammunition ... it’s just unfortunate we got beaten by a better team. “... Our goal is the same as it was for Punter (Ponting). We want to make sure we send them out on a high. Hopefully, the result’s a little bit different to what it was in Perth.

“But we’d love to see Michael Hussey go out with a win, and hopefully another test match hundred for him.”

Should Hussey be led off the SCG with a bagful of runs and

Guardian Weather

another victory, he’ll join an impressive list of Australian champions who said goodbye to Test cricket in Sydney.

In 2006, Australia’s two leading wicket-takers, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, joined respected opening batsman Justin Langer in ending their careers with a 10-wicket win over England which secured a 5-0 Ashes sweep.

Twenty-two years before that, arguably Australia’s most-fearsome quick Dennis Lillee, brilliant batsman Greg Chappell and one of the finest wicketkeepers of all time, Rod Marsh, bowed out with starring roles in a 10-wicket win over India.

Australia’s most successful captain Steve Waugh was unable to notch his 33rd test century in his final innings, against India at the SCG in 2004, but notched a typically gutsy 80.

McGrath, test cricket’s fourthhighest wicket-taker with 583 scalps, said Hussey was due to follow in their footsteps by playing a leading role.

“Your last test match is always incredible and – to go out on your own terms and to be playing well like Huss is – I’m looking forward to him getting another hundred,” McGrath said.

“So hopefully, I don’t put the mocker on him but he’s been incredible for the game and probably one of the last old boys to hang the boots up.”

McGrath, who took six wickets in his final test, said he had fond memories for life from that match.

“It was something I will always remember,” he said.

- AAP

Thursday, 3 January 2013

RANGIORA

19

15

ASHBURTON

20

burto

n

gitata

TIMARU

20

Compiled by

© Meteorological Service of NZ Limited 2013

For the very latest weather information, including Weather Warnings, visit metservice.com

Canterbury Plains

Canterbury High Country

TODAY: Early showers clearing, returning afternoon. Northeast.

TODAY

TODAY

Remaining heavy showers clearing in the morning. Isolated heavy showers returning during the afternoon and evening, and squally thunderstorms with hail possible south of Christchurch. Southwesterlies turning northeast in the afternoon, dying away later.

Remaining showers clearing early morning and becoming fine.

Wind at 1000m: W 30 km/h.

Wind at 2000m: W 50 km/h gradually easing.

NZ Today

20 OVERNIGHT MIN 8

MAX

18 OVERNIGHT MIN 9

MAX

28 OVERNIGHT MIN 15

SUNDAY: Becoming cloudy, with a few showers developing. Southwest.

MAX

25 OVERNIGHT MIN 12

Midnight Tonight

ia

Wind less than km/h 30

MAX

SATURDAY: Fine. Northeasterlies.

18

ka

Ashburton Forecast TOMORROW: Morning cloud with isolated showers, then fine. Light winds.

AKAROA

Ra

30 to 59

Auckland Hamilton Napier Palmerston North Wellington Nelson Blenheim Greymouth Christchurch Timaru Queenstown Dunedin Invercargill

60 plus

morning min max

rain rain showers showers clearing fine fine showers showers showers fine showers showers

14 9 13 11 12 9 8 7 8 6 4 9 6

Today’s answers:

Competitors at the Tinwald Golf Club’s New Year stableford golf tournament did not let a few squally showers get in the way of play yesterday.

Riki Shearer (pictured) teed off with 88 other keen golfers who took part in the friendly tournament, the first at the club this year. Chris Hart was the overall winner of the men’s zero to 15 handicap competition, while Tania Wilson took out the women’s grade and Dave Horrell won the men’s 16 to 36 handicap play.

19

Rakaia

Waimate

Showers fail to deter keen golfers

LYTTELTON

LINCOLN

Send your caption to steve.d@theguardian.co.nz Best of the week will be published in Saturday’s Guardian

Photo Tetsuro Mitomo 020113-TM-021

CHRISTCHURCH

19

METHVEN

Ran

Give us your caption ...

20

DARFIELD

Geraldine

Who was the Formula One chief who cancelled his trip to New Zealand in 2008 after an alleged sex orgy with prostites?

Wa i m a k a r i r i

LAKE COLERIDGE

Ash

Today’s sports trivia question

19

17

Map for today

“I think you enjoy the game more if you don’t know the rules.

Anyway, you’re on the same wavelength as the referees.”

Mystery person: This little boy is now a professional tennis player, who had quite a good year in 2012, picking up his first grand slam (US Open) and a gold medal at the Olympics. Andy Murray is also British number one.

Quote: Jonathan Davies Trivia question: Max Mosley

By Joe Barton and Ben Horne

Who said it?

22 21 24 20 18 21 23 15 20 20 14 16 13

Morning cloud and the odd shower, then becoming fine. Northeasterlies developing in SATURDAY the afternoon.

Fine, with light winds at low levels, and southerlies about the tops.

Fine weather. Northeasterlies.

SUNDAY

SUNDAY

NZ Situation

S E AS ON S GR EE T I NG S

Call us on our After Hours number 307 8317 or contact our agents on their cellphones.

Jill Quaid

Manager Mob: 027 437 6755

FZL: Rising above 3000m

Fine weather.

Wind at 1000m: Light winds.

Wind at 2000m: SW 45 km/h.

TOMORROW

SATURDAY

A high near New South Wales extends a weak ridge onto the west of both islands this evening, spreading across central New Zealand tomorrow and is expected to remain slow-moving there through to Sunday.

TOMORROW

FZL: Rising to 1700m

Becoming cloudy and a few showers developing. Winds turning southwesterly for a time.

MONDAY

Property Manager Mob: 027 697 6948

Sue Houston Administration Manager 03 307 8317

MONDAY A few showers. Southerlies, strong about the tops.

A few showers. Southwesterlies.

Veronica Monaghan

Becoming cloudy with a few showers developing. Winds turning westerly, strong about the tops.

Narelle Usmar Administrator 03 307 8317

Jarrod Ross

Rural Consultant/ Auctioneer Mob: 021 249 4644

Margaret Wilson Urban Consultant Mob: 021 221 2544

World Today Adelaide Amsterdam Bangkok Berlin Brisbane Cairns Cairo Calcutta Canberra Colombo Darwin Dubai Dublin Edinburgh Frankfurt Geneva Hobart Hong Kong Honolulu Islamabad Jakarta Johannesburg Kuala Lumpur London Los Angeles Madrid Melbourne Moscow Nadi New Delhi New York Paris Perth Rarotonga Rome San Francisco Seoul Singapore Stockholm Sydney Taipei Tel Aviv Tokyo Washington Zurich

fine 21 rain 6 fine 21 rain 5 fine 22 fine 24 fine 11 rain 16 fine 11 rain 24 thunder 26 fine 19 showers 8 rain 5 rain 2 showers -1 showers 12 fine 16 showers 21 fine 4 rain 25 rain 16 rain 24 cloudy 4 showers 7 fine 1 fine 15 snow -6 rain 23 fine 4 snow -4 rain 3 showers 17 showers 23 showers 7 fine 5 fine -19 rain 25 rain -1 fine 18 rain 14 fine 9 cloudy 4 cloudy -4 rain -2

41 11 33 11 30 34 22 23 30 30 34 27 12 11 10 8 30 18 24 17 34 25 34 12 18 11 36 1 31 17 1 12 26 29 15 13 -9 31 2 22 16 21 7 4 7

Annette McCully Richard Quaid Urban Consultant Mob: 027 438 2328

Urban Consultant Mob: 027 454 4745

River Levels

cumecs

Rakaia Fighting Hill (NIWA) at 2:00 pm, yesterday Nth Ashburton at 2:00 pm, yesterday Sth Ashburton at 1:00 pm, yesterday Rangitata Klondyke at 2:15 pm, yesterday

4740.3 51.0 40.1 1792.0

Source: Environment Canterbury

Canterbury Readings

to 4pm yesterday

max

Ashburton Airport

22.4 15.0 11.9

12.4

Christchurch Airport 28.0 17.4 14.1

1.2

Temperatures °C

Average Average

Timaru Airport

min grass 16 hour Jan 2013 min to date to date

23.5

11.1

9.4

22.6

11.9

9.6

21.1

10.2

24.6 14.9

Average

Rainfall mm

–

13.8

6

Thursday 9 noon 3

6

9 pm am 3

6

Friday

9 noon 3

6

max gust

12.4 12.4

N 59

1.2

NW 70

13.8 13.8

N 48

6

1.2 4

9 pm am 3

6 4

4

Tides, Sun, Moon and Fishing m am 3 3

Wind km/h

6

4

Saturday 9 noon 3

6

9 pm

2 1 0

2:37

8:50 3:07 9:16 3:26 9:40 3:58 10:08 4:20 10:35 4:52 11:03 The times shown are for the Ashburton River mouth. For the Rangitata river mouth subtract 16 minutes and for the Rakaia river mouth subtract 6 minutes.

Rise 5:56 am Set 9:19 pm

Good fishing

Good

Rise 5:57 am Set 9:18 pm

Good

Last quarter

5 Jan

Mike Grant

Urban Consultant Mob: 021 272 0202

New moon

4:59 pm

©Copyright OceanFun Publishing Ltd.

Kim Miller

Good fishing

Rise 12:00 am Set 12:41 pm

Set 11:35 am

12 Jan www.ofu.co.nz

Urban Consultant Mob: 027 236 8627

8:45 am

Rise 5:58 am Set 9:18 pm

Good

Good fishing

Rise 12:29 am Set 1:49 pm

First quarter

19 Jan 12:46 pm

Maori Fishing Guide by Bill Hohepa

Cindy Hayward Urban Consultant Mob: 027 389 7955

Mandy Marsh

Urban Consultant Mob: 021 239 4418

Mid Canterbury Real Estate Ltd (A member of the First National Group) Licensed Agent (REAA 2008)