19 February 2025 The Blenheim Sun

‘New heart’ for Ward

By Chris Valli

Fair to say, the community in Ward are ‘very excited’ for Friday, April 11, 2025. The day marks a significant milestone in the town’s history and future with the official opening of the $3 million Flaxbourne Heritage Centre.

Continued on page 2.

Sally Peters, Flaxbourne Heritage Centre Trustee along with Patron and ‘renowned’ story teller Jack Taylor. Sally says it has been a long time planning the build with the amazing support of Lotteries, fundraising and the generous donations given by locals, businesses and past residents.

Photo: Jim Tannock.

Marlborough Sounds - Picton - Koromiko - Tuamarina - Rarangi - Spring Creek - Rapaura - Grovetown - Woodbourne - Renwick - Havelock - Wairau

How to reach us

Simon Byrne

simon@blenheimsun.co.nz Sales Manager

Katrina Whiteside

Sales Consultant

katrina@blenheimsun.co.nz

Rebecca Sampson

Sales Consultant

rebecca@blenheimsun.co.nz

Chris Valli

news@blenheimsun.co.nz Journalist

Want to earn money and get fit, become a Sun deliverer!

Ph: (03) 5777-868

72 High St, Blenheim Mon-Thu 9am-4.30pm www.blenheimsun.co.nz

No.1 for readership in Marlborough.

Ward’s day of celebration

Continued from page 1.

The heart of the Ward community was devastated by the Kaikōura earthquake in 2016 with many generational families losing their pub – East Coast Inn - and the museum. The area was originally Flaxbourne Station, the first sheep station in the South Island before the town was settled and called Ward.

Sally Peters, a Heritage Centre Trustee, says it has been a long time planning the build with the amazing support of Lotteries, fundraising and the generous donations given by locals, businesses and past residents.

“We are very excited about the opening beside our Ward Town Hall,” says Sally. “We are busy with our fit out stage which Sally Papps (designer) is working with us on…. Sally is bringing the exhibits alive.”

Previous to the 2016 quake Jack Taylor, their patron had the fortitude to collect objects and stories that formed the Flaxbourne area and began a small museum. Jack is a story teller of renown and he is the reason that they have such an amazing collection today, Sally believes.

Flaxbourne Station was founded in 1846 by Sir Charles Clifford and Sir Frederick Weld and became a household name. The station was a pastoral empire, until 1905 when it was cut up for closer settlement.

“This gave way to our village and support system and the Flaxbourne community is very strong to this very day,” says Sally.

The Centre will go beyond the original Flaxbourne Boundary down to the Clarence River, as the story of the settlement of the

coastline is also ‘a masterpiece of courage and fortitude’.

“The very early iwi coastal settlements along this bountiful coast are to be remembered in our Centre and their fishing history linked through to the modern lobster industry will be told. We will keep some surprises for the opening but there are wonderful stories of struggle, triumph and succession to be told,” says Sally.

Last weekend saw the E-bike To The Light - a 42km bike ride from Ward to the Cape Campbell lighthouse and back. The event was

a fundraiser for the Heritage Centre.

Meanwhile, last week, a three metre, 1.2 tonne 1905 glass prism from the Cape Campbell lighthouse was removed to take pride and place in the Heritage Centre. Maritime New Zealand took the Optic apart with the help of volunteers and carefully transferred the 28 glass pieces via flying fox to flat deck utes and transported to the Heritage Centre. It was then slowly reconstructed with many hours of careful planning and bolting together.

“This Optic is standing proud in the centre of our display and will

attract much discussion and wonder as it is truly a piece of artwork with its cut glass and reflective qualities,” says Sally. “Surrounded by the stories of lighthouse keepers, shipwrecks and a life of isolation.”

The Flaxbourne Heritage Centre build was undertaken by Lawson Homes and Construction while the architect was Tim Barton.

“We are combining with the Whale Trail completion as far as Ward and this is going to offer opportunities to the district going forward and the day of celebration will be two fold,” says Sally.

Installing a piece of history, from left: Dave Pearson, Jim Foye bending down at front, Tu Manihera, and Ashton McGill from Maritime NZ helping out with the installation of the glass prism. The three metre, 1.2 tonne 1905 prism from the Cape Campbell lighthouse proudly sits in the soon to be opened Flaxbourne Heritage Centre.

Harmonious composition

By Chris Valli

A mural adorning the back of Kaiaka Catering & Café at Westwood Business Park has captured the intrigue of locals, depicting images of culture and Marlborough’s fauna and flora.

The 34 metre mural has been painted by Blenheim artist Sean Duffell and Dutch born Thijs de Koning, and took them just over five days to complete.

Sean says the concept behind the mural, which was all free hand, was about keeping it natural, local and simple.

“We’ve got our native Katipō, our native spider. I like how it all just flows together, the way that we designed it with a banner which flows throughout. The negative space gives the eye some resting space because of all the detail that is going on. Compositionally, it’s harmonious,” he says.

“It’s all accessible. If locals don’t know about some of the art work, hopefully there’s some education involved too about the mural.”

Katipō are still found in high densities on the coast of Marlborough. The uplift from the 2016 earthquake provided new habitat for the iconic spider, which they are beginning to use.

Kaiaka Catering owner Sander De Wildt says they wanted to do something fun with the wall, rather than just the standard name or brand. He says the mural is uplifting and allows for potential discussion around

the art work and what has been depicted.

“The gecko is cool and quite special and the praying mantis is really well done and the colours are great. It’s kid friendly. Everyone has been really positive,” says Sander. “We wanted to give something back to the Westwood Estate.”

“Sean came up with a plan… there’s local fauna and flora with a Dutch windmill and a huia bird around the corner,” he says.

Sean has previously composed a huia bird on the wall at the former Karaka Catering Cafe site at Park Terrace, a gesture to Sander’s partner, Huia Crosby. Sean and Thijs ‘go way back’ says Sean and have painted and cycled in Thailand, sharing a studio space with their respective art endeavours. Originally from Gore, Sean has been travelling New Zealand and the world for the best part of 12 years. “Every winter I go overseas to South East Asia, Brazil - I

painted the Berlin Wall; this is just what I do.”

The Kaiaka Café opened in November 2024 in Westwood Business Park.

Kaiaka translates to mastery in Te Reo. The Kaiaka logo is the colour ‘Oranje’ which traces back to the very heart of the Netherlands.

Kai means food and aka translates to vine, intertwining Marlborough as a gourmet province and ‘food from the vines’.

Sun The

Renwick MENZ Shed

The Renwick Menz Shed is having an Open Day and Garage Sale alongside the Anglican Church Market Day. There will be a wide range of general goods including clothes, books, toys, glassware. Also included is power tools, hand tools and kindling wood. It is to be held on Saturday, March 1, 54 High Street, Renwick from 9am – 1pm. There are boot sale spaces, $5 on the day.

Volunteers needed

Love a good chat over a cuppa?

Enjoy playing cards or helping out with activities?

Presbyterian Support Upper South Island requires volunteers for their Tōtara Day Programme in Blenheim, where older people come together for friendship, fun, and connection. A few hours of your time each week can make all the difference in reducing loneliness and creating meaningful moments. Get in touch with their Blenheim team for more information. Phone: 03 265 4243. Email: emilyr@psusi.org.nz

Triple Crown for Dr Dave

Spring Creek’s Dave Edgar has claimed the Triple Crown of New Zealand longdistance swimming, crossing Foveaux Strait on Saturday, February 8 in nine hours 52 minutes.

Dave started at 8am from his foothold on Stewart Island, touching down on the Mainland around 5.50pm. The swim distance was 28km, point-to-point. Prevailing tides and sea conditions meant Dave covering 32.6km. To achieve the Triple Crown, swimmers must cover the length of Lake Taupo, cross Cook Strait, and complete the Foveaux Strait journey.

Kaiaka Catering & Café owner Sander De Wildt and artists Sean Duffell and Thijs de Koning in front of the mural last week. Photo: Chris Valli

inbrief

Sun The

Kenepuru Road recovery drop-in session

The Kenepuru community is invited to attend the Marlborough Roads Recovery drop-in session tomorrow at Portage Resort from 2pm to 4pm.

The drop-in session will give members of the community the opportunity to speak to the Marlborough Roads Recovery team about the next phase of the Kenepuru road recovery works as a result of the significant weather events in 2021 and 2022.

The damage caused to Marlborough roads by weather events in 2021 and 2022 was substantial. The Marlborough Roads Recovery team was established to repair and restore the network and it continues to be one of the largest recovery projects for local New Zealand roads.

Fluoridation Referendum Bill

New Zealand First last week introduced a Member’s Bill which would restore decision-making power to local communities regarding the fluoridation of drinking water.

The ‘Fluoridation (Referendum) Legislation Bill’ seeks to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 that granted centralised authority to the Direct General of Health and mandated the fluoridation of local water supplies.

It will also amend the Local Government Act 2002 and Health Act 1956 mandating local authorities to hold a binding referendum on water fluoridation.

Blenheim Sun journalist Chris Valli will be writing a weekly column and a behind the scenes snapshot on Blenheim Musical Theatre’s production of Footloose which is on at the ASB Theatre from Wednesday, May 14 - Saturday, May 24.

This week Chris talks to Brett McPhail who is playing the part of Ren

‘I’ve

been acting my whole life’

Fair to say Brett McPhail is a wee bit buzzed. Buzzed about expressing himself through acting, dancing and all that musical theatre brings.

He’s also pretty darn buzzed about being cast as the lead role, Ren McCormack in Blenheim Musical Theatre’s production of Footloose which hits the ASB stage in May.

Footloose depicts the narrative of Ren McCormack, a teenage boy from Chicago. He and his mother Ethel move to the small town of Bomont. Upon arriving, Ren finds himself at odds with most of the town, including the Reverend Shaw Moore. The Reverend convinces the town to outlaw dancing, which Ren finds unbelievable.

There’s no irony lost when Brett talks about the past few years, finding himself, notwithstanding the struggles he has had socially, where theatre and expression has allowed him to be exactly that, expressive.

Last year, Brett was diagnosed with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s been a diagnosis he says, where it somehow now makes

sense with consistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

“I’ve been acting my whole life because I am autistic and have ADHD,” he chuckles.

“It’s taken me so long to get my autism diagnosis and I only just got my ADHD diagnosis with the meds, it’s been life changing.”

Speaking of life changing, the 33-year-old will be depicting Ren as a 17 year-old high school student. Brett considers there are striking parallels between himself and the character he will be playing.

He then proceeds to pull out his musical score to find the lyrics to the song ‘Somebody’s Eyes’, the plot driven song about the strict rules and morality which pervades the town of Bomont.

“There’s always somebody watching you, no matter where you go,” he says both on and off stage. “The more I look at it and the deeper I go, I am Ren. I moved from a city to a small town, didn’t know anyone, and initially hated the place. Ren gets targeted because he is dif-

ferent and the way he is treated. That’s me, my life.”

Workshops for the cast began before Christmas with rehearsals beginning Jan 18 and 19.

“The toughest thing at this stage of rehearsals is getting my fitness up. It’s high intensity and full on,” he smiles. “I’ve been watching the movie on repeat,” he says.

Brett has been in Blenheim for about six years and came up from Christchurch where he now lives with his Mum. He attended Riccarton High School and did various shows with the University of Canterbury musical theatre club including Chicago and independent show, Rock of Ages.

The opportunity to join the fold with Blenheim Musical Theatre came through his casting as Lucas Beineke, the 18-year-old love interest/fiancé of Wednesday in the sold out theatre restaurant show The Addams Family in 2024.

“Any way I can express myself or get some message across and be part of something, that’s the buzz,” he says. “I’ve been learning and absorbing so much

PLAYING SO COOL, OBEYING EVERY RULE: Brett McPhail has been cast as Ren McCormack in Blenheim Musical Theatre’s production of Footloose. “The more I look at it and the deeper I go, I am Ren,” he says.

from all the wonderful people - there are so many reasons to see this show, it’s going to be incredible.”

The production of Footloose runs for 11 shows with opening night, Wednesday May 14 –Saturday, May 24.

McCormack.

Marlborough Quilters Exhibition a stunner

By Chris Valli

A new venue, a new month and a plethora of creativity greeted those who walked through the Stadium 2000 doors at the weekend for the Marlborough Quilters Exhibition.

This year’s judged exhibition showcased 87 members’ quilts with local judge Melissa Burdon the sole judge, who gave prizes to exhibitors ranging from their use of colour, to the piecing of the quilt.

The exhibition’s reputation for excellence and innovation attracts national interest where quilting clubs and guilds from across the country make a special trip to Marlborough to visit.

The exhibition occurs every second year and is normally held in November. It was last held at the former Clubs of Marlborough.

Marlborough Quilters Secretary Liz Johnson says the space at the Stadium allowed for enthusiasts to walk around the exhibition at their own leisure and to ‘really look at the quilts on show’, just like a piece of art. “We love touching the fabric,” says Liz.

“It’s about what inspires the quilter to make a pattern or a design they like the look of, there’s various facets. When one gets

Committee member Gail Stewart with her quilt.

inspiration it allows the quilter to use their own flair or technique,” says Exhibition Convener Jenny Fagan. “The high quality and standard of quilts allowed those who attended to absorb the artwork and created emotive conversations and response.”

A highlight of the exhibition was 45 quilts on display from the Aotearoa Quilters, the National Association of New Zealand Quilters. The theme for the challenge was ‘Spring’. These quilts

are currently travelling around New Zealand and displayed at various Quilt Exhibitions.

The guest exhibitor was Christchurch based Catherine MacDonald. Catherine is a multiple award-wining artist of 30 plus years and works with textiles as her main medium.

She has been heavily involved in the administration of Quilting in New Zealand being a past president of Aotearoa Quilters and is a life member of the former and

Christchurch Quilters. Catherine uses surface design (the process of decorating fabric with techniques like painting, printing, dyeing or stitching) in creating original fabrics for her works and for sale.

Liz says the social side of what the quilters do allows the sharing of ideas and techniques across a range of fabrics.

“The weekend was about showcasing what our members do and to let the public get a taste of what we are about,” says Jenny.

Alzheimers Golf Tournament

Friday February 28th at Marlborough Golf Club, 74 Paynters Road, Fairhall, with tee off at 12.30pm. Golfers wishing to enter the tournament will need to register directly with the club by emailing entries@marlboroughgolf. co.nz, or you can register on the day.

New bridge to future proof access

A temporary bridge that was rattling more by the day has been retired, after a new $4m bridge was opened in the Waihopai Valley in Marlborough last week. The single lane bridge over the Waihopai River is 100 metres upstream from the former bridge site which was swept away following flooding in July 2021.

Members of the local community celebrated its opening with Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor, councillors, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi representatives, Marlborough Roads staff and contractors.

Seed workshop

Sunday 2nd March, 9.30am-12.30pm at Wairau Rowing Club, 115 Steam Wharf Road, Grovetown.

Join ecologist Dan Moore to learn how to collect and process seeds from native plants, potting up and growing on. Bring your lunch and take a wander around the beautiful Grovetown Lagoons, a long-running community driven restoration project.

Marlborough Quilters held their exhibition at the weekend.

We asked quilters what their inspiration was behind their quilt?

Johnson

My inspiration came out of a book originally with three dimensional shapes. The quilt was shown nationally.

Barbara Paton Blenheim

My idea came from a magazine called Fons and Porter. My granddaughter choose all the colours.

Trish Smith Blenheim

I’m finally getting the courage to cut into decent fabric. I’ve been watching and learning. It’s amazing the amount of knowledge and skill among these ladies, it’s so good.

Letters

Letters on issues of community interest are welcomed. A maximum of 150 words please.

They must be signed and a street address provided to show good faith, even when a nom de plume is provided for publication.

The editor reserves the right to

Bowel Cancer

Dear Ed

Being aware that our country has one of the world’s highest rates of bowel cancer and knowing that the family line of one of us is prone to that affliction, a couple of decades ago we began treating ourselves daily with a low dose aspirin tablet, coated so as to pass through the gut undigested. The coating only

abridge letters or withhold letters from publication. Email them to news@blenheimsun. co.nz or present to our office at 72 High St. Please note that your name and street address MUST be provided with emails.

dissolves in the bowel, so that aspirin content works only in that organ! Technological magic eh!

Medical practitioners’ eyes glaze over if I even mention this self-medication, and of course our rulers are not at all interested. No surprises to be frank but we will never fail to swallow a “CARTIA” tablet with our

Colour is a big thing for me and my inspiration. I look at the design and try to marry them together. I used blues, pinks and purples.

Eleanor Cole

I use Hoffman Fabrics and start researching any ideas I might have. I had blue fabric and I was thinking of lizards and blue flowers.

Mine was a Sue Spargo pattern and it’s wool applicate which is all hand stitched with different colours and different threads and materials. It took me 18 months to complete.

Dear Ed

A new U.S. Government review of fluoride and IQ studies published Monday 6 January 2025 found that fluoride even at levels experienced in N.Z. was consistently associated with lower IQ levels in children and that this damage is permanent. This review is hugely significant as it was carried out by the U.S. Government’s top scientific body, the National Toxicology Program and published in the world’s top paediatric journal. There is no way it can be dismissed as this is science at its best.

morning cuppa because in our late 80’s Mary and I are free from any sign of cancer down there. Touch wood, of course.

Her dad died of bowel cancer, so we have the greatest sympathy for Grant Coles and wish him safely through the treatment regime.

Re injecting the poisonous chlorine and

The world is turning around on the fluoride issue. Most developed western countries including Italy, France, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Switzerland, U.K. (90%), Japan (99%) no longer fluoridate their drinking water. Florida has banned it for the above reasons with other states likely to follow. Where does our Government and MOH get their information and advice?

June Auret Blenheim

fluoride into our drinking and food-producing water supplies: ultraviolet light for water sterilisation, and tooth brushing religiously with sodium fluoride followed by a good rinsing are the prophylactics which AI - actual intelligence - would recommend.

Bill Holvey Witherlea

MILA FLYING HIGH: Rapaura School student Mila Scott has had very impressive wins and placings at recent athletics events. Mila, a member of the Marlborough Athletics Club, set a new record for Tasman when she jumped a record 4.57 metres in the long jump at the Tasman Cup event. The event includes Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough competitors. The previous record of 4.2m was set in 1990. This was a personal goal and Mila was very excited to have achieved it. Mila also won the 100m and 60m races. Last month, she had outstanding results at the Colgate Games where she won the 200m, 100m, 60m and long jump.

Gayle Sisson Blenheim

Clare Vallance Blenheim

Liz

Blenheim

Blenheim

All in a flap

If you work in Blenheim’s CBD, you may have noticed a lively colony of seagulls has taken up residence on top of the buildings around High Street.

They’ve been causing a bit of a flap, leaving a mess and being very vocal about it while they’re at it.

Marlborough Roads’ CBD cleaning team has been working to mitigate the effects of the gulls’ presence.

Cleaning efforts are being intensified, with a sweeper unit, water cart and water blaster used from 2am from Monday to Wednesday to remove the mess from the pavement. The success of the new cleaning initiative will be monitored and adjustments made if required.

Council’s Catchment Care Advisor Amy-Grace Mcllraith said while it’s understandable that many people view seagulls as a nuisance, they are a protected species.

“These red-billed gulls, or Kākāhu, are native to New

Zealand and are considered a taonga (treasure),” she said.

“Unfortunately, their numbers are declining and they are classified with the same threat status as the little blue penguin.”

“So, while their nesting in town can be inconvenient for us, from an ecological point of view it’s positive to see them breeding successfully.”

The breeding season runs from November to February. As this season concludes, they will be winging it elsewhere in search of food.

This means their stay in town is temporary, and patience should reward us with a return to normal and quieter times.

Café patrons should not leave food unattendedplease remember to put your rubbish into one of the street rubbish bins.

DOC is responsible for native bird protection. If you want to find out more, please go to: www.doc.govt.nz/ nature/conservation-status/ threatened-birds/

New citizens welcomed

Twenty-six people from 12 countries have been officially welcomed to Marlborough.

The province’s newest citizens, from Scotland, England, Canada, Philippines, India, Germany, Japan, South Africa, USA, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Czech Republic, were welcomed at a ceremony at Council chambers.

Mayor Nadine Taylor told the group the day was an important milestone in their new lives as citizens of this province and country.

In future they would all enjoy the rights and freedoms of native-born New Zealanders.

Following the Mayor’s opening address and the presentation of certificates, Council’s waiata group performed for the new citizens and their friends and families.

Riders asked to respect road closures

Council’s Multi Modal Advisor

Transport Services Charlotte Campbell-Lamerton says it’s important cyclists respect closed routes around Marlborough this summer.

“Closures are there to keep you safe as well as the contractors involved in any works. If there’s signage detailing a closed route, it is with good reason,” she said.

Taylor Pass Road near Blenheim is closed to all vehicles – including cyclists – from Monday to Friday between 7am and 5pm until the middle of 2026. “There is ongoing logging extraction taking place during the working week, which means that Taylor Pass is closed for safety reasons,” Ms CampbellLamerton said.

The Wairau River access track running between State Highways 6 and 63 also has some full access closures in place for riverbank repairs.

“Cyclists should not enter works sites where heavy machinery is being used. If it says it is closed – it is,” she said.

“While it’s great to see so many people out on bikes getting to and from work, school and sport, remember to follow the road code and use appropriate cycling etiquette, especially in locations with shared users. Even in summer it’s still important that you wear high viz garments to enhance your visibility to pedestrians as well as vehicle drivers.”

To keep up to date with road closures and updates please download Council’s Antenno app. For more information go to: www.marlborough.govt.nz/ services/apps/antenno If a road says it is closed, it’s for good reason and for your safety this summer

Taylor River weed reduced

Good progress has been made removing exotic river weed and dredging the Taylor River in central Blenheim.

Andy White, Rivers and Drainage Engineering Manager, said the summer control programme was progressing well.

“The river level has dropped as a direct result of our efforts. Boat skipper Dave Fowler has been cutting and removing up to 20 tonnes of weed daily.”

Under the rules in the Marlborough Environment Plan, river works are not permitted in the Taylor and

Ōpaoa rivers from 1 February to 30 April to avoid the whitebait spawning season.

“Construction of Council’s new weed cutter boat is now complete with trials underway in Christchurch ahead of her delivery next month. Cutting of the Ōpaoa Loop will commence upon her arrival, ensuring the team can be focussed from 1 May on removing weed from the Taylor and Ōpaoa rivers”.

“We will also be planting the reshaped river banks with native plants in April, improving both bank stability and shading out the invasive pest weeds.”

Mr White noted that sediment

in the river had built up by about a metre over the last 10 years, due to a mixture of seismic activity and more frequent heavy rain. Additional capital and operational budget was approved in the Long Term Plan last year to improve the hydraulics of the two rivers through targeted dredging and replacement of Council’s weedcutter boat.

“We’re also developing a comprehensive Taylor and Ōpaoa rivers management plan, working with Council’s Environmental Science and Parks’ teams,” Mr White said. The budget for sediment removal is $150,000 this year and $650,000 for 2025/26.

Mayor Nadine Taylor with Marlborough’s newest citizens

Sarah – connecting with Marlborough’s children

Sarah McAlister is a big believer in supporting and nurturing children. As a child she says she was one of those kids that wasn’t seen, and often marginalised. Sarah talks candidly with Chris Valli about mentoring Marlborough’s children.

At two years old, Sarah McAlister went into social welfare care and was ‘moved around a bit’. At nine years old, she lived in one house for just on eight months with a young couple in Picton, who had their own business with one three-year-old child.

“They were kind to each other,” she says. “It was the first time I had seen a healthy male/female relationship and the first time I had slept in a bed that I could guarantee was mine all the time and that nobody was coming into that room to hurt me.”

What is and what should be ‘really basic stuff’ according to Sarah included having food and a shower daily. “For me as a little girl, this was an amazing new world which gave me a glimpse of possibilities. Kids don’t need to be burdened with mine or our stuff. They need us to turn up and be the best version of ourselves we can be.”

Survivors of abuse in care received a formal apology from the Government in November last year. The national apology was streamed to three concurrent events in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, as well as a survivor-led event at Pipitea Marae in Wellington.

Sarah is one of those survivors. Leading into the survivor-led event in Wellington, Sarah felt she was ‘prepared’ with having done ‘loads of work’ including seeing psychologists although she concedes, being aware of what she can and can’t give is imperative.

Presbyterian Support Upper South Island provides Family Works services in Marlborough, including the Mentoring programme. Sarah says when she is matching potential

mentors with kids that ‘glimpse of possibility’ - their ‘possible future’ - is the motivation.

When it comes to empathy, compassion and understanding, the 49-year-old is well equipped in her role as a Youth Mentor Coordinator with Presbyterian Support Upper South Island. Mentors are trained and screened volunteers who provide positive, one-to-one attention for children and young people aged 5-15. The mentors receive regular supervision.

“I will not match kids unless I know it will be a good match”

Mentors and mentees are matched according to their interests and to the needs of the child or young person. They meet weekly to engage in activities that they both enjoy, going to the park, playing games, cooking, crafts, fishing and other outdoor activities.

Eligibility criteria differ depending on where the child lives.

“Having the ability to do a job where I can connect Marlborough’s children with safe, trusted people who can give them that impetus and resilience was everything,” she says.

“I went in, told them I wanted the job and what my background was.”

The social service background Sarah refers to incudes roles with Maata Waka, and Women’s Refuge.

“Kids need more than the school environment. They need love, un-

derstanding and support that is role modelled. They need to see what that looks like.

Dr Chris Bowden is a Victoria University lecturer and teacher in education psychology, child and adolescent development, and suicide bereavement.

Bowden says the lack of mental health workers and support services for youth was affecting people in all parts of the country, but particularly so in rural areas.

“Marlborough, like many other rural communities, has had this issue for some time,” he says. “It’s difficult to find counsellors, therapists and trauma specialists, psychiatrists and psychologists who will work with children and young people, and those are even more difficult to access in rural communities.”

When Sarah started in her role one year ago, there were five mentors. 12 months on there is currently 12 with nine in the process. The age of the children who are mentored ranges from seven – 14 with all of them from Marlborough.

As for equity for Marlborough’s children – the same opportunities without discrimination and the human right which aims to remove barriers to success by factors like race, income or disability – Sarah believes there is a ‘distinct have and have not, financially’.

“Everyone is struggling in similar industries and we are all facing the challenges through funding cuts. The kids coming through with trauma or neurodiversity, means we have to upskill our mentors and train them which is not part of the job description. We’re trying to do things for

our kids but the whole system is making it so much harder.”

“Our wait list is constantly growing,” she says. “But I will not match kids unless I know it will be a good match.”

When asked how a child or adult can gain that trust, Sarah concedes everyone comes with a story, notwithstanding Marlborough’s children who might come with trauma, adversity, or not capable of listening through avoidance.

Sarah believes as a community, our own expectations don’t need

to be lowered but we need to ‘meet children where they are’ and not judge.

As for making a difference in the lives of Marlborough children?

“I tell mentors you won’t always know but just trust 100 percent in the process, it is that kind word or action which makes a difference,” she says. “More kindness and positivity has a knock on effect.” Blenheim Sun readers who might know of someone who fits the mentoring role, contact Marlborough.mentoring@psusi. org.nz or 027 231 6518.

Presbyterian Support Youth Mentor Sarah McAlister. Sarah says everyone is struggling in similar industries and we are all facing the challenges through funding cuts. “The kids coming through with trauma or neurodiversity means we have to upskill our mentors and train them which is not part of the job description,” she says.

Dear diary, looks like the lawn mowed itself again today

Love not lifting a finger.

At Summerset Blenheim, there’s no need to worry about the maintenance of your home or garden. That’s our job. Your job is to focus purely on doing the things you love. That’s what retirement is all about.

There are two-bedroom homes available now with flexible pricing starting from $656,700.* And we’ll help you every step of the way. Simply sign a sales application for a selected home between 1 January 2025 and 31 March 2025, and we’ll add a window furnishings package from our CurtainStudio range. Plus, if you can settle by 30 June 2025, we’ll take care of the heavy lifting with a moving service package, and give you $2,000 towards legal fees.#

Love the life you choose.

Morning Tea & Tour

Tuesday 25 February, 10.30am

Summerset Blenheim 183 Old Renwick Road, Springlands 03 520 6042 | summerset.co.nz/blenheim

Prioritising Your Health seminar

Prioritising Your Health, a seminar brought to you by Grey Power Marlborough and the Marlborough District Council is being held tomorrow, Thursday 20 February at the Nativity Centre at 10.15am.

Topics being covered are:

Managing pain, gaining comfort

Hear from a local GP about how pain medications work, and some general guidance on how you can monitor and support your own health.

Natural Health Remedies and Supplements

Health2000 will provide some information on vitamins, supplements and herbal treatments available to support health, in particular of older adults.

Well & Good

Amelia will be introducing the wide-ranging services that are able to support you at Well & Good Health as well as some general advice for keeping active and healthy as we age.

Traditional healing practice

Rongoā Māori treats ailments holistically, taking into account the spiritual dimension of health. Hear about how this approach aims to improve wellbeing, not just relieve symptoms. Rongoā Māori aims to create awareness of health and encourage a lifestyle that supports wellbeing.

This seminar is free and suitable for anyone. There will be time for general questions, but specific questions for a person will not be able to be answered in this public forum. Please bring a friend or family member, light refreshments will also be provided.

For more information contact the Grey Power office on ph 5784950 or email jodie.griffiths@ marlborough.govt.nz

Radical Dog

Entering the United States market is the cherry on top for a North Otago farming family who diversified their traditional farming operation to include dog treats.

Radical Dog has been a success story of diversification and entrepreneurism which began back in 1992 when the family decided they needed to use their irrigation water more efficiently and find a crop that would not take as much water as they had been using. After years of research and trials, they settled on tart cherries.

Cherry trees were planted on Springbank Farm more than 20 years ago and John and Maureen Newlands travelled to the US 15 years ago to extend their research on tart cherries, exploring their benefits and their impact on health and wellbeing.

While in the States, Mr and Mrs Newlands met orchardists who helped them with advice and who - after watching what the family had been doing for the past few years - were now taking Radical Dog to sell alongside their own cherry and cherry-related products.

“It has gone full circle; it is such an honour that they are now importing our Radical Dog biscuits because they understand the benefits of this superfruit,” John says.

Tart cherries health benefits include being packed with antioxidants, improved sleep quality, reduced inflammation, enhanced immune function, and muscle recovery. Radical Dog is a real superfood treat for dogs, not only tastes delicious but so beneficial for dogs.

While harvesting the cherries, Mr Newlands noticed how the family’s dogs scoffed the fallen fruit and the penny finally dropped how good the dogs looked after the harvest.

So an animal nutritionist was employed and they started making batches of biscuits in the oven of the homestead kitchen, blowing up two old Kenwood mixers in the process as they continually tweaked the recipe.

Extensive testing was done by Massey University’s Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health, and the biscuits were formulated to meet AAFCO (the American Association of Feed Controls) adult dog maintenance requirements, made of all-natural ingredients. The enterprise had moved out of the kitchen and into a small factory in the yard of the farm where two staff were employed four days a week, running alongside a farming operation which includes dairy grazing, wintering lambs, cropping and service bulls on the 490ha

Snow (John) Newlands and Cookie the dog outside the Radical Dog factory on the Newlands family’s farm at Incholme, in North Otago.

Photo: Sally Rae

property.

John and Maureen are in partnership with their son, Snow and his wife, Nicola, and Radical Dog is a true family business involving Snow’s three sisters: Kathryn, Natalie and Janey. Each running different departments. Everybody pitches in at harvest time, usually in mid-January.

For Snow, the diversification

has been “a different side of farming”. Used to often seeing produce leave the farm and never seeing it again, it was a thrill to see Radical Dog on the shelves and to also see dogs thriving on it. He also enjoyed the feedback from dog owners.

Radical Dog is stocked at selected supermarkets, pet stores and vet clinics around New Zealand.

Summer Dining Directory

Dine in these great local restaurants this summer!

harveSt

aWarD-WinninG GaStronomy

Join us for lunch, aperitivo or dinner

Relax in our beautiful garden setting

Indoor and outdoor dining

Come and our experience our award winning food & beverage and enjoy our genuine hospitality

See you soon !

11.30am - 3.00pm lunch (Sat & Sun)

4.00pm - 5.30pm aperitivo (7 days)

5.30pm - 9.00pm Dinner (7 days)

776 rapaura rd, rapaura | Ph 03 570 5700 reservations@harvestrestaurant.co.nz

Quench

looKinG for the Perfect Place to enJoy thiS Summer?

Look no further!

Quench - Marlborough’s top bar and bistro.

Join us to relax by our fabulous outdoor pool for drinks and a bite to eat at your leisure.

We accommodate groups (large and small) including music every Friday night. Our menu is crafted from the finest local ingredients, making for a memorable visit.

call us on 0800 752 275 or email quench@chateaumarlborough.co.nz quenchrestaurant.co.nz carnmore chateau marlborough, 95-117 high St, Blenheim

corK & KeG

enGliSh PuB, reStaurant & motelS

Hearty Drinks - Tasty Eats

- Great Hosts

Everything YOU want in an Old English Pub....and then some!

Fantastic food & atmosphere... dine indoors or out in own private beer garden!

Pop in for a quick pint, or a leisurely meal!

Craft beer - local wine - fresh pizzaawesome pub grub!

mon-fri 3pm-late | Sat-Sun 12pm-late

See you at the cork!

33 inkerman St, renwick | ph: 03 572 9328 follow us on facebook

Grove tavern

your local family-frienDly tavern

Best pub meals in town and live music every second weekend in summer with grumpy monkey.

Facilities include:

• TAB • Pokies • Pool table

• Meat raffles: Wed/Fri/Sat

• Happy hour: 4.30-6pm Wed and Fri 1.3pm Sunday

We pride ourselves on providing quality meals and efficient and friendly service.

open 7 days 11am till late 03 578 5502 77 Grove rd, Blenheim

catalySt eatery

moDern contemPorary cafe

Pull up a seat in the sun or dine indoors, the choice is yours at the Catalyst Eatery.

The new summer menu features simple, delicious kiwi classics served up in a fresh modern space.

Whether you’re after a quick coffee or a leisurely dining experience, the Catalyst Eatery is open 7 days for breakfast and lunch, and dinner on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

BreaKfaSt from 7.30am - 7 days

lunch from 11am - 7 days

Dinner from 5pm - thu, fri, Sat Westwood avenue, Blenheim ph 03 972 2722

Blue Brothers - a growing movement

Blue Brothers, a support group for men living with cancer, was established by a man named Dave Cattermole, a tireless and dedicated individual with a strong sporting history and a successful business career.

As part of his own cancer journey Dave channelled his unwavering positivity and fighting spirit to established a small group in 2019 called the “Blue Brothers Movement” - a community and space where men living with cancer could come together to connect, exercise and share in their journey.

In 2015 Dave was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour on his kidney. The doctors moved swiftly to remove the entire kidney, and subsequent scans revealed a small tumour on his remaining kidney, as well as two inflamed (and inoperable) lymph nodes in his chest. While he endured radiation therapy and further procedures to address the cancer that had formed on his remaining kidney, Dave committed to a strict health and fitness regime and adopted a steadfast, positive mentality. His goal was not only to recover well from his operations, but to continue to live life well, despite

his remaining cancer diagnosis.

This he did, so that only six months after his initial diagnosis, he and his wife Gill completed the 120km Australian Sunshine Coast Coastal Pathway - a testament to Dave’s strength and tenacity to not let cancer get in the way of living.

In fact, he’d often tell people:

“I prefer to say that I am living with cancer, rather than dying of it, or suffering from it,” he’d explain.

“Cancer doesn’t stop me - in fact, I’m determined to face it head on.”

Shortly after his cancer diagnosis, Dave was inspired by a news story about an exercise group dedicated to women living with breast cancer. It struck him that this might be a great idea for men to do as well, and so in February 2019, the Blue Brothers Movement was born.

As his idea gathered momentum, Dave reached out to contacts in the Canterbury fitness industry.

Founder of MVP Training Michelle Vann helped him create a tailored exercise programme to keep his body moving regularly, and assisted Dave with getting the word out there, networking across the region.

Christchurch’s Affinity Fitness owner Zane Hagaman blocked out a space in his gym to allow group

members to train every Tuesday mornings for free. Michelle was also happy to stay on and donate her time, adapting the classes each week to suit the physical abilities of those who could attend.

And slowly - but surely - the Blue Brothers Movement grew.

“It was not only about exercise and movement,” explained Dave. “Camaraderie was equally as important as exercise for our members.”

“It’s about mixing it up with people who understand what you’re going through - we often catch up outside of the gym for a coffee,” he said. “It’s about being around so that people can talk to one another.”

Following on from the success of the Christchurch group, Dave worked to establish additional Blue Brothers groups including in Ashburton and Blenheim. Dave’s vision of a safe and non-judgemental space where anyone living with cancer can feel comfortable to just come and be themselves, whatever their situation or stage of their cancer journey, was slowly becoming a reality.

Despite the battle he faced and the range of treatments he endured, Dave remained strong and positive right until the end. Sadly on 23 June

2024 - exactly nine years to the day of his initial Kidney surgery - Dave Cattermole, commander, chief, and fighting warrior left this world.

He is sorely missed.

If there was one goal Dave had, it was to use his own personal experience to help others.

He felt it was crucial to ‘live with cancer’ in a way that allowed him to still fully experience all that life had to offer.

Dave’s wife, Gill, has taken on the mantle to spread the word of this amazing brotherhood. They have vowed to continue Dave’s work and give men living with cancer the

Brace for a chilly winter - climate experts

With climate experts predicting a colder-than-usual winter, The Firewood Company is urging Marlborough residents to secure their firewood supplies early to avoid shortages, higher prices, and damp, inefficient wood.

Recent weather data from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and NZ Herald climate reports indicate that January and February 2025 recorded below-normal temperatures across Marlborough, hinting at an extended cold season.

“We’ve noticed that when summers are cooler than expected, it often leads to a colder winter,” says Tiri Johnsen, owner of The

Firewood Company. “With temperatures already dropping, now is the best time to make sure you have properly seasoned firewood ready to go.”

Climate experts have also pointed to fluctuating ocean temperatures, stronger westerly winds, and increased rainfall - signs that Marlborough could experience longer cold spells, more frost, and heavier winter conditions.

As firewood demand increases in colder months, residents who wait until the last minute may face limited supply and price increases.

“Every year, we see a rush of people scrambling for firewood once winter truly sets in. The

problem is, by then, a lot of the best, seasoned firewood is already gone,” explains Tiri. “The smartest move is to buy early, when there’s still plenty of dry firewood available at better prices.”

Tiri also highlights the risks of burning unseasoned wood, which contains up to 50 percent moisture, leading to inefficient burning, excess smoke and air pollution, creosote build-up in chimneys raising the risk of chimney fires.

“Burning wet wood isn’t just bad for your fireplace - it’s bad for your wallet, your home, and the environment,” says Tiri.

The Firewood Company also stresses the importance of proper

firewood storage to ensure maximum efficiency and safety.

“Storing your firewood correctly is just as important as buying it early,” says Tiri. “You want it to be dry, well-ventilated, and off the ground so it’s ready to burn when you need it.”

To help homeowners prepare,

The Firewood Company provides expert storage guides on their website https://www.thefirewoodcompany.co.nz/

These include tips for storing and handling firewood safely, how to build the perfect woodshed, and stocking the woodshed before winter.

Tiri says the top three firewood storage tips are: Stack firewood

opportunity to connect, move, chat and share in their collective journey. If there was one goal Dave had, it was to use his own personal experience to help others. If you, or anyone you know, is currently living with cancer and seeking to be part of a community which supports recovery and wellbeing, contact the Blue Brothers team for more information: hello@ bluebrothers.org.nz or telephone 027 202 7525 for a confidential, no obligation chat. They’d love to hear from you. www.bluebrothers.org.nz hello@bluebrothers.org.nz

off the ground using a pallet or firewood rack, cover the top but leave the sides open for proper airflow, and rotate your firewood supply - always use the oldest, driest wood first. With winter fast approaching, The Firewood Company is encouraging Marlborough residents to place their orders now to secure seasoned, dry firewood at the best prices.

“We’ve already seen a big increase in early orders this year, which tells us people are paying attention to the colder weather ahead,” Tiri says. “Don’t wait until the last minute - order your firewood now and be winter-ready before the real cold sets in.”

Husband and wife team Gill and Dave Cattermole, founders of Blue Brothers, a support group for men living with cancer and now established in Blenheim. Dave Cattermole sadly passed away last June but his legacy lives on with Gill at the helm.

Women in business

Meet…

DebbIe WebSter the

Franchise Owner, Raine & Horne Real Estate

Raine & Horne New Zealand PTY Ltd Licensed REAA (2008)

Meet…

Caro GatleY

Financial Advisor, ICIB Brokerweb Insurance & Risk Advisory

Meet…

KellY

DaVIS

Owner, team leader, ALBA Day Spa

Meet…

te aKau Moanaroa

Cultural Advisor / Admin Support

ACE & MOE, REAP Marlborough

Meet…

Debbie's love of property combined with her people skills and a no frills down-to-earth approach, means she is renowned for her energy, integrity and honesty.

Debbie loves the challenge of working hard to achieve the absolute best result and thrives on the personal satisfaction from a job well done, knowing that she has had a positive influence on her client’s lives.

Trust means a great deal to Debbie and she learnt early in her real

I am here to help you through the ‘What Ifs’ in your life: what if you have an accident; what if you or your partner are too ill to work; what if your Business partner gets cancer or dies, what if your child gets seriously ill?

Over 25yrs, I have learned Mother Nature decides when your world is going to turn upside down.

I get things right for you before they go wrong.

ALBA Day Spa warmly welcomes you to experience a sanctuary where connection, relaxation, and the beauty of nature intertwine.

Kelly and her team’s mission is to provide top-of-the-range treatments that not only rejuvenate the body but also foster a deep sense of belonging and peace.

They are committed to offering the highest quality services in an earthy, serene environment, allowing their clients to reconnect with themselves and the world around them.

Ko tutumapou toku Maunga - (Tutumapou is my Mountain)

Ko te Hoiere toku awa - (Hoiere is my River)

Ko te Hoiere toku waka - (Hoiere is my Boat)

Ko kaikaiawaro toku taniwha (Kaikaiawaro is my Guardian

Ko matua Hautere toku tangata (The descendants of Matua Hautere are my people)

Ko Ngāti Kuia toku Iwi (Ngati kuia is my Iwi)

I tipu ake au ki waiharakeke ( I was

Selena is an experienced educator with a background in primary teaching and leadership. Much of her teaching career has been in small and rural schools. Selena joined REAP Marlborough as Adviser to Schools in 2019, coming from her position as principal at Grovetown School. Prior to 2019, she was seconded to the part time position of ‘Visiting Fellow’ for REAP Marlborough for 2 years.

Selena is an active member of the Marlborough Principals Association and part of their executive team. In a

estate career the importance of trust when it comes to real estate.

“Do what you say you will do, and always do the right thing by your client.”

With 27 years of success Debbie’s achievements and results speak louder than any words. She really is Marlborough’s Selling Specialist who actually cares about the process for you!

Contact Debbie today! 578 3760 or 021 797 454 debbie.webster@blenheim.rh.co.nz

As an Insurance Adviser It’s my job and my wish to Guarantee your financial security. At claim time, I care for your personal and business wellbeing and financial security.

Caro & Co. merged with ICIB Brokerweb caring for clients Life/Health/ income/mortgage insurances and their Company’s Employee Health/Life & Income.

Kelly and her team of therapists are highly trained to deliver exceptional treatments, and offer a wide range of options including Massage Therapy, Facials, Spa Relaxation Packages, Hand and Feet Treatments, Eye Enhancements, Ladies Hair Removal, Spray Tans, and a range of Spa Experiences.

Relax, recharge, and reset by contacting Kelly and the ALBA Day Spa team today.

Online bookings welcome.

raised in Blenheim), I’m currently 20 years old and I have been working since I was 13 years old. I have been working in a administrative position for two and a half years with my prior work being in Hospitality and Retail. Te Akau Moanaroa joined REAP Marlborough in August 2024 as our Te Ao Maori Cultural Advisor and is also Administration support for the ECE / Schools team and the Adult Community Education Team. Phone 578 7848 ace@reapmarlborough.co.nz

voluntary capacity, Selena is a trustee for Life Education in Marlborough and the Education Support Mentor for their educator. She is also a volunteer for Red Cross, assisting with the resettlement of former refugees in Blenheim. Selena’s new role from December 2024 is the combined ECE / Primary Schools Facilitator for our MOE contract. We are thrilled to have Selena leading the activities and initiatives on this space.

Phone 578 7848

selena@reapmarlborough.co.nz

A symphony of flavours

While your ears pick up sound, your brain gives meaning to what you hear. So, when you prioritize your hearing health, you're also supporting your brain health. Did you know that your ears and brain are 'equal partners' when it comes to hearing well?

Diabetic-friendly:

With less than 10% sugar levels, our products support a healthy lifestyle for those with diabetes.

Gluten-Free:

Allergy-friendly, all the way.

Vegan:

Made with love, without any animal products.

Lite on Calories: Enjoy the fullness of flavour without the calorie load.

Source of Fibre: Our delicious products are not just about taste, they’re also a good source of fibre, promoting digestive health and well-being.

“My kids love Jok’n’Al. It feels great knowing I’m giving them something that’s both tasty and beneficial for their health”

~ Rebecca ~

“I love all the Jok’n’Al products. Just the right sweetness”

~ Diane ~

“I’ve been a diabetic for 23 years and have used Jok’n’Al products for the duration. Great products with a consistency that is remarkable. Keep up the good work” ~ John ~

“Never thought healthy could taste this good!”

~ Sam ~

NZ free to air

Doggie doo

To the walker of the two collie dogs on Friday 14th Feb on the corner of Parker St... maybe your dog’s poos in the plastic bag would have been better going home with you.

Reply to Blenheim CDB

Why is it that NZ free to air TV can show American sports events, but cannot show the present Black Caps games that are being played oversees?

Apparently Sky owns the rights and they are not showing it at all either?

Parking meter trouble

How can you possibly have trouble using a parking meter due to poor eyesight and yet with the said poor eyesight drive into town on the road.

And they blame speed for accidents.....really!

Savings

A family member died recently, proud of having saved enough to cover the expenses.

Very costly

I see there is kerb and channeling and soakpits to cater for sumps in said kerbing down Waters Avenue, an area not known for flooding! Also a 3 metre wide footpath, hardly a bottleneck area for pedestrian movements. Very costly exercise. Be nice if some funding could be found to install sewerage disposal along New Renwick Road from Burleigh Bridge to Battys Road to get rid of ground polluting septic tanks!

I hold my breath in anticipation.

Clean up?

Who will clean up Queen Charlotte Drive?

Not the roadworks but the rubbish?

It’s a pigsty all the way from Picton to Havelock. Bring in more tourists to NZ? 100% Pure?

False advertising.

Bypasses do not close a town down. Years ago Richmond got a bypass and everybody had the same complaint. What happened, free parking and it’s booming. Most people that use a bypass have no intention in stopping in town anyway.

No fluoride

In reply to Fluoride in water txt talk. Marlborough does not fluoridate our drinking water yet.

So something else is the cause of your water cylinder to fail.

Hey Stick Man

Stop wasting your time on TV in trying to insult other companies of your sort.

Your prices are no different to at least 3/4 of theirs on every day items. Pensioner.

Chemicals

Great to see from Blenheim Sun Feb 12th issue there are people in town questioning the councils actual need to be dosing the local town water supply with chemicals. Kapai to them. Makes possibly sense to disinfect if needs arise from time to time but seriously this 2021 Water Services Bill is disgraceful.

There are safe ways to treat the town water which are currently in place. This is enough and should remain so. The people of this nation should be actively speaking out about the decision being made out of the Beehive during the previous party, and now the current ones. Come on people stop allowing things like this carry on.

Thanks for listening. Come on whanau we are all kaitiaki of these lands. A kaitiaki signing off.

Little Cafe on Charles Street

We are absolutely gutted that Sharon and Toni have sold the Little Cafe, which was our favorite eating place.

But they deserve a rest after 7 years owning and running it.

We will miss the friendly banter, and Toni’s fantastic cooking.

Sharon and Toni we wish you all the best for the future.

Marketing strategy

Shame on Briscoes for trying to entice buyers to purchase rubbish like pegs and chips when buying other goods. In this day and age of economic hardship, not to mention obesity, it is a despicable marketing strategy! And Chips of all things!

Not democracy

Not surprising if some councils comply with the MOH’s directive to fluoridate.

Failing to do so carries a heavy fine of $200,000 plus $10,000 per day for continuing offences. This is not democracy, rather a heavy handed authoritarian approach dished out by bureaucrats.

Surely the public have a right to decide on such an important issue.

Re: Roundabouts (Feb 12)

Suggest person not giving way to people coming around the roundabout urgently needs to re-read the Road Code - before they have a serious accident.

The Road Code rules state very clearly: YOU must give way to vehicles already on the roundabout or entering the roundabout from a road to your right.

Water Chlorination

This is very concerning especially for our tamariki. I’d like to know what the doctors of Blenheim think. Personally, I believe vineyard sprays are much more of a health concern. Is there a national health body monitoring this?

Talk of the week

Quiet champion

There is one sporting achiever, renowned in this country, Australia and internationally, who to date has never received long overdue accolades. Andy Peters, of the Wairau Clay Target Club has achievements some would only dream about in any sport. Why has this quiet man not been recognised in years gone by, local annual awards? We seek role models, here’s one.

An actual great.

Flowering tree

So lovely to see the huge red gum tree on Thomson’s Ford/Old Renwick Road corner out in flower again this year. Splendid.

Marlborough

4 Paws shop

Lovely new shop, nice friendly staff. Wishing you great success. Your organisation does amazing work .

We welcome your texts on 027 242 5266.

Limit to 70 words please. We reserve the right to publish at our discretion. Please note the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Sun management.

DECODER

Flexible (9)

Triumph (7)

Foretell (7)

Long for (5)

Muscular contraction (5)

Gives permission or approval (5)

Across: 1. Cranium, 5. Seasons, 9. Tubes, 10. Spectator, 11. Agreement, 12. Evoke, 13. Edict, 15. Arbitrary, 18. Spearhead, 19. Champ, 21. Coypu, 23. Supporter, 25. Eradicate, 26. Amble, 27. Sunbeam, 28. Descend. Down: 1. Cottage, 2. Aubergine, 3. Issue, 4. Misbehave, 5. Spent, 6. Authentic, 7. Outdo, 8. Sorcery, 14. Turquoise, 16. Bedspread, 17. Adaptable, 18. Success, 20. Portend, 22. Yearn, 23. Spasm, 24. Okays. elf, few, flew, floe, flow, FLOWER, foe, for, fore, fowl, FOWLER, fro, lore, low, lower, ore, owe, owl, ref, roe, role, row, rowel, woe, wolf, wore.

Marlborough Boys’ College

Athletics Day

t he 2025 Marlborough boys’ College Athletics Day was held on Wednesday, February 12 with a day of fierce competition.

Photos: Fiona Mark

House spirit was alive and well at the

WineWorks Marlborough Wine Race

Last Friday saw the 2025 running of the WineWorks Marlborough Wine Race. the

the

Results: Line honours - Catalina Sounds pinot noir, Astruso (Matt Michel) Handicap results; 1st - Grove Mill, Coup d’Etat (Clive ballett); 2nd - Catalina Sounds pinot noir, Astruso (Matt Michel); 3rd - Catalina Sounds sauvignon blanc, Satu (tom & Maree van der burgh).

Photos: Michael Williams.

Officer Teresa Zandvliet, Chris McCallum and Billy

the

Marlborough Quilters Exhibition

the Marlborough Quilters Exhibition saw 87 member’s quilts showcasing a wonderful array of talent, colour and inspiration.

Locals admire the handy work and attention to detail.

MBC teachers taking a much-deserved break. From left: Nicki Attridge, Alli Jones and Nicola Dow.

ABOVE: Intense finish to the Boys 100m race.

RIGHT: Students representing the 4 houses at MBC. From left: Justin Prescott, Malakai Riwaka-Clark, Hayze Neilson, Vilikesa Nawaqavonovono and Kymani Tikotikoca-Lal.

MBC Athletics Day. Pictured is Tylen Bassett showing his true colours.

race is organised by Waikawa boating Club with

inaugural race first run in 2001.

Photos: Chris Valli

Race

Crossen indulging in

fine conditions.

Coup d’Etat crew. From left: Clive Ballett (skipper), Andrew Marshall (WineWorks), AJ Munde, Brent Charnley, and Jill Bethell.

Jono Bristed, who organised the race with Juliet Abbott, hosted the sponsors on board Freedom. Jess and Brent, owners of Seabreeze Cafe in Picton, did the catering onboard.

BEST IN SHOW: Eleanor Cole with her winning quilt and inspiration for the exhibition.

Let’s chat with…

AngelA WentWorth

 Are you a dog or cat person?

A cat person but don’t tell my retired greyhound that.

 Favourite global cuisine?

Love the fresh flavours of Thai cuisine.

 What would you buy if money was no object?

Renovate and add on to our small family batch built by my Dad 40 years ago in Turangi. Our now extended family has outgrown it, camping out the back is great but an inside bed and another bathroom would be awesome.

 Celebrity-wise who would be at your dream dinner party?

I’m a bit of a foodie so Nici Wickes and Jamie Oliver would be on the list, I’d invite Gino D’Acampo for the laughs.

 Veggies or fruit?

Definitely veggies, though they need to be fresh, I still have nightmares about the 1970’s frozen combination of peas, carrot and corn.

 The shop you can’t walk past is?

Any shoe or cheese shop.

 If you didn’t live in Marlborough where would you choose? Hawkes Bay always calls to me because of the amazing caravan holidays our family spent there every summer until our Turangi batch was built.

 Favourite programme or series currently watching?

Just finished watching Shrinking on Netflix. Writer/actor Brett Goldstein from Ted Lasso is also one of the writers and actors in it.

 What do you do for your own mental health?

I always feel better after pottering in my garden or cooking something delicious in the kitchen.

 What’s your favourite colour?

Spring colours are usually the ones that catch my eye.

 If you had to choose another job what would it be?

I’d love to have a boutique gourmet deli or open a cooking school with my brother who is a chef.

 What truly matters to you?

Family. Spending time with them, providing a home that is a sanctuary from the rat race and supporting what is important to them. Oh and clean kitchen surfaces.

 The best advice I ever received was?

My Dad was big on having a positive attitude and affirmations. His advice was always to give it a go. Step out of your comfort zone, if it is truly not your thing, that’s okay, try something else.

 My friends would say I am?

Always up for a bit of fun, maybe a little loud, can be relied on to help out when the going gets tough.

gardening this week

Gardening tips galore: By Wally Richards

Over the years I have suggested many different ways of improving or making your gardening efforts more successful and so now is a good time to repeat some of these as a refresher and introduce a few new ideas as well.

My family in recent times have opted to buy Tongariro Natural Spring Water in 15L bottles.

Myself I prefer to distill the horrible tasting tap water to remove the chlorine, fluoride and any other chemicals likely to be in the tap water, such as nitrates which I have heard are a suspected cause of bowel cancers.

I then remineralize the 4 litres of distilled pure H2O with 10 mils of Wallys Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL) which makes the water a health supplement as well as being totally free of harmful chemicals.

The down side is the water is not crystal clear and so the rest of the family buy the 15L of Tongariro Natural Spring Water and as they go through one or two of these containers every week, there is a pile of empty big plastic jars hanging around.

The manufacture of the Tongariro water says crush the container and recycle.

I have a better idea - you cut the bottom off, 9cm from the base where the first ring is from the bottom.

A sharp knife or box cutter makes easy work to do this.

So we now have the top of the container which when we remove the cap we have a perfect little plastic house to put over a brassica such as a mini cabbage, cauliflower or broccoli.

I prefer the mini types as they are quicker to mature and a nice size for a small family.

Because of the size of the 15L container they are a good size to have a row of them sitting side by side, pushed into the soil with one brassica inside each one. They will not only create a micro climate for your brassicas to grow inside of, but also protect the plants from butterflies, wooly aphids, army worm, birds and cats.

So here is the plan; make a planting hole about 10cm deep and at the base of the hole sprinkle some animal manure such as Tui sheep manure pellets or even better, Tui chicken and sheep manure pellets.

I like the chicken and sheep manure pellets as you are getting chicken manure which has the best NPK rating of any animal manures. On top of that you have the sheep manure from sheep dags which contain not only the manure but also the wool of sheep which has a nice nitrogen component, slowly breaking down.

Also in to the planting hole for brassicas a quarter teaspoon of Wallys Calcium and Health which is fast acting serpentine lime with added benefits such as seleni-

um, boron and sulphur.

Also place a few grains of Wallys Ocean Solids to obtain the 114 minerals collected from the blue waters of the ocean.

Lightly cover these with a little layer of soil then plant your brassica seedling into the hole.

Prior to planting check the leaves for the little yellow eggs of white butterfly and any other insects pests such as aphids. Any thing found should be squashed or wiped off.

Then soak the roots into a solution of Wallys Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL) made up in a suitable container. This will promote rapid root establishment.

If you prefer to grow directly from seed then sieve some soil or compost to fill the planting hole and then place two seeds in the middle and spray them with Wallys Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL) before covering which gets the seed starting to germinate very quickly.

If both seeds germinate then later you will cut the lessor plant off with a pair of scissors at ground level.

Now place your 15L container centrally over the planting hole and push the bottom cut rim into the soil so it is stable.

For watering the brassias we are going to use the old way of trench watering which is used in the most successful vegetable gardens.

To Recap: So we now have a row of 5L containers, touching each other with one seedling or two seeds in the middle of the containers.

Alongside we will make a trench about 10 to 15cm deep and about 10cm wide with a garden trowel or garden hoe. This can be done on one side or both sides of the row.

If we are going to have another row of planted brassicas running parallel to the first row then the trench between them will be 20 to 25cm wide which will also be used as a walk way.

To water we simply water into the trench to soak the soil.

The feeder roots of the brassicas will collect water from the trench as needed.

Seed growing may need some overhead watering while establishing; turn your hand watering hose to a fine mist and put that into the open mouth of each bottle.

When seedlings are about 10cm tall then they will have their roots out to collect moisture from the trench.

Trampling the base of the trench is also an advantage as it allows a reservoir of water for the plants to draw from.

To weed or to spray the foliage of the brassicas with Wallys Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL) you simply lift each container up and then place back from where it came from.

If using a wand sprayer to apply the MBL then no need to remove the bottle just put the nozzle of the sprayer inside the mouth of the bottle and spray.

If you want to further speed the growth of the plants then add Wallys Mycorrcin to the MBL spray.

Ensure you remove the cap off the 5L container so the plant can breath and allow condensation to escape.

The beauty of the 5L drinking water containers is they can stay over the mini type brassicas till maturity. These could also be used for lettuce plants such as ‘Drunken Woman’ (my favorite), silver beet, a few spring onions or onion seedlings/seeds in each, sweet basil and other small growing herbs and other suitable vegetables. Or used to start other plants off till established then removed.

The bottom of the bottle that was cut off the bottle, is ideal as a saucer under pots of plants.

Powdery Mildew is rife on foliage of many plants this time of the season, it will shorten the production life of pumpkins and other plants, so simply take Wallys Super Neem Tree Oil at 10mil per 1L of warm water into a trigger sprayer and spray as a bit of a jet on the foliage with the white powder on it and it will turn back to green instantly. Only do this late in the day when the sun is off the plants.

Problems or Questions phone me at 0800 466464

Providing quality care and education for children aged 3 months - 5 years, Omaka is a space for children to grow, explore and flourish as unique individuals, through a child-led, nature play based environment, where children are given the wings to fly.

Environmental Educator for MDC

Thursday 20 February

Cancer Society Marlborough Support Group:

- Ladies Support Group. Coffee and connecting. Peer support for women partners of men living with cancer. Every third Thursday of the Month - 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm. Cancer Society Rooms, 76 A Maxwell Road. February meeting – TODAY.

Marlborough Museum:

11am-3pm. Adults $10, children free. The Museum celebrates an inspiring collection of items which tell the story of Marlborough and its people.

Picton Poets: 4th Thursday of the month, 10.30-11.30am, Picton Library, all welcome. Phone Lyn 021 129 4342.

Keep U Moving: Gentle indoor walking exercise for seniors. 11.30am12.30pm $3.00. St Christopher’s Church Hall, 92 Weld St. Ph 0273852333 or donna@stchristophers.co.nz Older Persons Seminar.

Every 4th Thursday of each month. $6.00. Contact Donna 027 385 2333 or donna@stchristophers.co.nz: (Next seminar 27th February).

Table Tennis Summer Season:

Blenheim Indoor Sports Centre run a table tennis session every Thursday, 6.30pm - 8.30pm, $6 per person to be paid at front desk.

Social Badminton Club: 9am-11.30: Thursday mornings. Simcox Stadium, Battys Road.  $6. All adults welcome.  For more details phone Cathy 021 503 348. Ulysses Retreads Group: 11am: Meet Brayshaw Park Thursdays. Ride to various destinations for lunch. Bring your laughing gear, a thermal to wear and a story to share.

Library Book Club:

6.30pm-8pm: Marlborough District Library. We meet on the last Thursday of the month. Simply bring a book to recommend to other members, and enjoy listening to other member’s (including librarians) book picks.

Picton Library Book Club:

6.30pm-8pm: Picton Library and Service Centre. Join us in meeting new people and chatting about books. We meet on the first Thursday of each month. To register please email pictonlibrary@marlborough.govt.nz.

Knit and Natter:

At the Marlborough Library from 10am. Come along and join the friendly group of social knitters upstairs in the library each Thursday morning. Bring along your knitting project and/or get inspiration from other knitters. No need to register, just turn up on the day.

Marlborough Camera Club:

Meetings on 2nd Thursday of the month at St Mary’s Community Centre, Maxwell Rd at 7pm. Workshops are held on the 4th Thursday of the month.  Everybody with an interest in photography welcome. www.marlboroughcameraclub. org.nz   email tmcclub.nz@gmail.com

PENCIL PALS:

Meets at the Senior Citizens Hall, High Street every Thursday 1.00 to 3.00pm. Come and join Sydney and Issie to practice your drawing skills and enjoy the company of like-minded people. Sydney 0211568398; Issie 0204668008.

Friday 21 February

Marlborough Art Society: Exhibition – Wood sculpture and other Arts – opening and preview today 21 Feb 6pm then open every day 10.30am – 4.30pm 22 Mar – 9 March. 204 High Street, Blenheim Blenheim Family History Group: In PICTON, 1.30-3.30pm. Need help with your family history research, come to the Picton Library and meet members of the Blenheim Family History Group. Contact Helen 0210390106. Held fortnight. Next meeting 28 Feb. Vintage Farm Machinery: Open daily, 10am to 3pm, Brayshaw Vintage Farm. Phone John 577 7442.

Saturday

22 February

Havelock Lions Club’s monthly market: Will be held on Saturday 22nd February , outside the Havelock Town Hall 9am -1pm. There will be a good variety of stalls, including preserves, clothing, woollen items, crafts, soaps, books, art works, vegetables and fruit plus much more. Plenty of bargains to browse through. Enjoy a sausage sizzle and invest in a raffle ticket for a leg of Hogget. There are still sites available. $5. Ring Ian 574 2558

what’s on in marlborough

Redwoodtown Market: 8am-12 noon, Cleghorn St. supporting Marlborough Food Bank. Variety of stalls. Something for everyone. For more details contact Alison 0274434062.

Marlborough Quilters meeting:

Every 2nd Saturday of the month at Marlborough Vintage and Farm Machinery, Brayshaw Park. 10am - 4pm. Join us to learn quilting or bring your own projects. Sewing Machines available. Newcomers welcome. Liz 0212067382

Blenheim Chess Club:

Meets at Table Top Café, Scott Street, every Saturday 10am – 1pm. All welcome.

Ulysses Club:

Every Saturday, Coffee at The Runway Café, 10am. Depart The Runway at 10.30am. The Blenheim Rotary Club Boot Sale Market: Every Saturday Morning from 8am till 12 Midday, held in the Blenheim Railway Station Car Park.

Marlborough Artesian Craft Market:

Cnr Market Street & High Street, 9:00am - 2:00pm. Stallholders include local artisans both casual and regular attendees as well as visitors from around the country. Entertainment area for kids.

Havelock Lions Club’s Monthly Market: 9am-1pm, outside the Havelock Town Hall. Variety of stalls, including preserves, clothing, woollen items, crafts, soaps, books, art works, produce and much more, including Okiwi Market Gardens bringing micro greens and fresh vegetables . Plenty of bargains to browse through. Enjoy a sausage sizzle and invest in a raffle ticket for a leg of Hogget. Still sites available. $5. Ring Ian 574 2558

Sunday 23 February

Marlborough Museum: 1am-3pm. Adults $10, children free. The Museum celebrates an inspiring collection of items which tell the story of Marlborough and its people.

Marlborough Farmers’ Market: 9am-noon. Marlborough A&P Showgrounds. Fresh produce from your local farmers. Tasty line up of fresh and seasonal, gourmet and artisan produce and products that this region has to offer.

Picton Rail and Sail:

On the Foreshore - mini train rides and mini yacht hire to sail on our pond every Sunday 11am-3pm. Only 20 cents per ride/yacht hire!

Blenheim Bonsai Group:

Islington Gardens, Rowberry Road on the 2nd Sunday of the month 1pm-3.30pm.

Marlborough Tennis Club: 3pm to 5pm, Parker Street.  Every Sunday - Social Tennis.  Non Members $2.  All welcome. Contact number is 027 578 6436.

Ulysses Social Ride: Sunday rides are now by WhatsApp under Marlborough Ulysses lets ride. All rides are weather dependent.

Lego Club:

Picton Library@ 1-4pm. Marlborough Library @10am-4pm, Come along each Sunday afternoon to build a Lego kit in the Library. Each week there is an assortment of kits to choose from to build in a designated area. Everyone is welcome to have a go. This free activity is great fun for the whole family!

Monday 24 February

Target Rifle Shooting: Summer shooting at Athletic Park range, visitors welcome, all gear provided. Riverside Club 1st and 3rd Mondays of month, 7:30pm, cost $10, contact 021667746. Blenheim Club 2nd and 4th Mondays of month, 7:30pm, cost $10, contact 02102464417.

Table Tennis Summer Season: Tua Marina Table Tennis, every Monday at the Tua Marina Hall, Tua Marina 6.00pm - 8.00pm $5 per person.  Contact Janice 027 422 9095

Marlborough Stamp Collectors Club: 34 Arthur Baker Pace. Phone 021 157 3496 for more information.

Rotary Clubs in Blenheim: Monday & Tuesday evenings at 5.30pm. Rotary is a worldwide service club for men and women – doing great things in your community. For further details phone Kevin on 0211 738 784.

Blenheim Scottish Country Dance Club: Every Monday at 7.00pm at St Andrews Church Hall,

Alzheimers Golf TournAmenT: friday february 28th at marlborough Golf Club, 74 Paynters road, fairhall, with tee off at 12.30pm. Golfers wishing to enter the tournament will need to register directly with the club by emailing entries@marlboroughgolf.co.nz, or you can register on the day.

Corner Alfred and Henry Street, Blenheim. Come and try it! You don’t need a partner. For information ring Heather 02102587325.

Blenheim Badminton Club:

Every Monday: Juniors 5.30-7pm, seniors 7-9pm, St Mary’s Hall, corner Francis and Hudson Streets. Anna or Mike, email blenheimshuttlers@gmail.com.

Whitehead Park Bowling Club, Redwoodtown: Every Monday afternoon from 12.30pm to 3pm. All welcome. Contact Mike 572 4013 or John 577 5295.

Beginners Line Dancing: Senior Citizen Hall, 172 High Street, 2:00-3:00pm & 6.007.00pm.

Come along and enjoy the music, making new friends, having fun and learning to dance. You don’t need a partner. All welcome men, women and children over 12. The first lesson is free for new beginner’s then $7 per class after that. For more information Phone Judith 03-5787554 or 0212341095

Tuesday 25 February

Cancer Society Marlborough Support Groups:

-Blue Brothers Exercise and Comraderie - FREE exercise and peer support. Every Tuesday, 10 am at Stadium 2000 Kinross Street.

-Breast Cancer Support Group - Every second Tuesday of the Month 7pm - 8pm, at the Cancer Society Rooms - 76 A Maxwell Road. Blenheim. Peer support and connection in a safe welcoming space.

Marlborough Museum: 11am-3pm. Adults $10, children free. The Museum celebrates an inspiring collection of items which tell the story of Marlborough and its people.

Steady As You Go (SAYGO):

Gentle Exercise/Balance Class for Seniors. 11.30am12.30pm, $3.00. St Christopher’s Church Hall, 92 Weld St. Ph 0273852333 donna@stchristophers.co.nz.

Toastmasters Club:

In Blenheim meets 6.30pm every second Tuesday. Friendly group encourage shy people how to give a speech, how to tell stories, how to make business presentations etc. Ideal for young people entering the workforce. Older adults are welcome to share their experiences. No charge for guests. Contact: Vivienne 021 0544003.

Marlborough Tennis Club:  Parker Street. Every Tuesday 8.30am to 12 Noon, Social Tennis. Morning Tea at 10am.  Non Members $5.  All Welcome. Contact number is 0275786436.

Lions Club of Havelock: Providing community service in the Pelorus area. Meeting every 3rd Tuesday, at Havelock Hotel. Inquiries to Ian Cameron phone 574 2558

Knitters and Spinners:

Picton Library and Service Centre from 10.30. Bring your morning tea along and current project to work on. Share your ideas, skills or simply enjoy time with fellow creators. There’s no need to book a spot, simply turn up on the day.

Cheeky Monkeys:

Marlborough Library. Join one of our sessions of fun and creativity for children under five years old. Session 1 - 10am to 10.45am or Session 2 - 11am to 11.45am

Each session includes stories, songs and a simple fun craft. No need to register, just come along and join in. Picton Line Dancing 10 - 11.30am. Anglican Church Hall $7 per class. Beginners welcome. Phone Carol 0212125252 or Raewyn 021715484.

Wednesday 26 February

Cancer Society Marlborough Support Group -Live Stronger - Women’s Exercise, peer support and wellbeing - Exercise classes for women living with cancer. Wednesdays 6pm - 6:45 pm - Well & Good - 1 Grove Road. Cost $5 members - $10 casual.

Stretch & Breathe: Gentle strength/balance class for seniors. 10-11am, $3.00. St Christopher’s Church Hall, 92 Weld St, Ph 0273852333 donna@stchristophers.co.nz.

Lions’ Club of Blenheim: Like to know more about the Lion’s Club? Meet on the1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. For more details Contact Delphine Lee 029 942 5004.

Picton Mahjong: Marina Cove Club Room, 53 Waikawa Road, Picton at 1pm. Phone Adrianne 02102591639 or Kaye 0211312331 for more information. Whitehead Park Bowling Club, Redwoodtown: 9.30am to 12noon. Mixed roll – ups, all welcome, contact Bob 577 9436. Summer timetable starts October. Blenheim Rock N Roll Club Nights: 7.30-9.30pm: Top of the South Rock n Roll Club, club nights at the Blenheim Bowling Club, bring comfy shoes and water. Great music, have fun and exercise at the same time. Phone Erin 0272341709.

Death Cafe:

Lifting the taboo: share what is on your mind and heart about death and dying in a safe and open environment. Meet every first Wednesday of the month at 7.00 - 8.15pm, at Speights Ale House (separate alcove). For all ages. More info on deathcafe.com or call Joss 035794771. Next meeting 5 March .

Picton Scottish Country dance group: Commences on Wednesday 5 March, 7.30pm at Picton Little Theatre.  Beginners welcome.  First night free.  No partner needed just a pair of soft soled shoes.  Phone Lynda on 0212600860 if you need further information.

Cancer Society Marlborough Support Group: Art For Wellbeing - Expressions of interest open for 2025 classes. FREE therapeutic art sessions. For all enquires or to book contact Dallace - Supportive Care Phone - 03 5794379 email -dallacel@cancersoc.org.nz

Anti-fluoride group fronts Marlborough meeting

By Maia Hart

Local Democracy Reporter

A group of Marlburians have fronted the council with concerns about water chlorination and the potential fluoridation of the region’s water supply.

The group, Marlborough Community Matters, wants the council to lobby with them against adding any fluoride to Marlborough’s water supply.

But at a public forum on Tuesday, one councillor argued the “science prevails” before being met with heckling from the group which had packed out the council’s public gallery.

To date, the Director-General of Health had not made any directive to add fluoride to Marlborough’s water, although it was being “actively considered” according to the Ministry of Health.

Two members of Marlborough Community Matters presented to the public forum.

Marlborough Community Matters member Cindy Haider told the council she recently moved back to Blenheim after living overseas for many years.

“One of the things I really loved coming back to here, was drinking the water ... here it's just so pure and clean and pristine and I just think it's a real privilege these days to be able to drink clean water,” Haider said.

“I know that our water in Marlborough is very unique and it's supplied by the large aquifer and natural springs, so it came as a shock and a disappointment to learn ... that the water was going to have chlorine added and now possibly fluoride as well.”

She said Marlborough Community Matters felt the mandatory fluoridation by the government “without consent is both unethical and totalitarian” making claims such as fluoride did not work by swallowing, any dose could not be guaranteed as safe and that fluoridation did not reduce dental decay. She thought money would be better spent on dental education.

Minister of Health Simeon Brown last week confirmed the Government's stance - that fluoridation was a "safe, effective and affordable measure for improving oral health".

Chief oral health adviser Dr Riana Clark also spoke about fluoride earlier this week. She said most studies showing negative outcomes were from countries where fluoride naturally occurred in very high levels. There was no high-quality evidence of significant harm to health from fluoridation

at the levels set in New Zealand, she said.

"All of the evidence we've been collecting for about 70 years on water fluoridation hasn't been usurped by these new papers," Clarke told a Rotorua Lakes Council workshop.

"We've been watching very carefully."

The second presenter from Marlborough Community Matters, Dr Fre Timmermans said councils were being forced to start “adding the additives” when it “makes no sense”.

Timmermans, a former Marlborough dentist, said he was a co-founder of New Zealand Doctors Speaking out with Science (NZDSOS).

NZDSOS was a small group of doctors that opposed the Covid-19 response and challenged the vaccine roll-out.

“NZDSOS has made water fluoridation and now fluorination into new examples of introducing chemicals that are neither safe and are far from effective,” he claimed at the public forum.

Wairau-Awatere ward councillor Gerald Hope, who spent 12 years on the Nelson-Marlborough District Health Board said the council would be “remiss” to not clarify its position on things such as chlorination.

“We're the meat in the sandwich, as much as you on the outside,” Hope said.

“So we need to clarify that and give the group here today some certainty.”

He said fluoridation was “simply a health matter”.

“I spent 12 years on the Top of the South District Health board, and this matter was discussed many times, and the science prevails,” he said.

The council was in the process of getting chlorine added to Blenheim’s water supply following a directive from Taumata Arowai, the regulator of water services for New Zealand.

A council spokesperson said the design to chlorinate the town’s supply had been completed.

Construction of that plant design was now out for tender.

Chlorination was the council’s preferred way to disinfect the supply, which was budgeted at $5.7m to implement.

The Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 gave authority to the Director-General of Health to mandate water fluoridation of local water supplies.

Although earlier this week NZ First introduced a Member’s bill which sought to repeal the act, and mandate local authorities to hold a binding referendum on water fluoridation, although Brown said that existing legislation would not change.

2019 Grape Harvest Tractor & Harvester Drivers

2025 Grape Harvest Tractor & Harvester Drivers

Vintage Harvesters operates a modern fleet of harvesters and tractors throughout the Marlborough District. We are looking for experienced harvester and tractor drivers. You will need a minimum of a class 1 driver’s licence for tractor driving and a wheels endorsement for harvester driving. We anticipate work will commence approximately midMarch and finishing mid-April. Drivers must be available for 12 hour shifts and weekends.

Please phone the office on 578 5300 and leave a message or email admin@jtcvit.co.nz

Check out our website www.vintageharvesters.co.nz or to see what we get up to during harvesters click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u97NGyMJcyU

We are looking for experienced Gondola Drivers for a fixed term period of 4-5 weeks for Harvest 2025. You will:

• Have experience in Vineyard Tractor Operations

• Want to work in a small friendly close knit team

• Have a “can do” attitude.

• Have a full class 1 driver’s licence

• Be physically fit, healthy, prepared and available to work 12 hour shifts and weekends

• Great pay rates If this sounds like you, we look forward to hearing from you.

Please contact Jeremy Walsh on 021 556 722 or email - office@jwvm.co.nz

• Central Blenheim location

• Ground floor with kitchen and toilet facilities

• Close to cafes and car parking

• Two offices, side by side • Office 1 2900 x 2900 • Office 2 3600 x 2900 • Short or long term leases Contact 03 577-7868

1: • 17 Feb - Fishing expedition at the Diversion • 24 Feb - Wakeboarding & Biscuiting on the River • 3 March - Guns; Bows & Arrows

• 10 March - Kayaking (Older Boys) & Bike Ride

• 17 March - Kayaking (Younger Boys) & Athletics

• 24 March – Disc Golf

• 31 March – Cooking up a storm • 7 April – Bonfire on the beach – weather permitting

Chris Lane Company Captain Ph 578 6140 or 0274 579 004 e-mail: chris@firstlane.nz Proudly supported by

Minister of Health Simeon Brown says fluoridation is a safe, effective and affordable measure for improving oral health. Photo: SUPPLIED, THE POST.

URGENt services

Urgent Care Centre: Wairau Hospital Grounds. Entry off Hospital Rd, Blenheim, 8am-8pm daily. Phone (03) 520 6377. Ambulance: Urgent 111. Non urgent 578 0797.

After Hours Chemists: Springlands Pharmacy: Monday - Friday 8.30am6pm. Saturday 9m - 5pm. Sunday 10am - 4pm.

Community Care Pharmacy: Within the Blenheim Warehouse, open 7 days 9am6pm. Not open on public holidays. Lifeline Marlborough: 0800 543354, 24hr helpline.

Women’s Refuge and Sexual Violence Support Centre Marlborough: Crisis line number phone 0800 refuge or 03 5779939.

Victim Support: 0800 VICTIM (0800 842 846)

Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 AA WORKS - 0800 229 6757.

Citizens Advice Bureau: Free, friendly, confidential advice. Mon - Fri 9.30am4pm. Phone 578 4272.

Wairau Hospital: Hospital Visiting Hours: Daily 2.30pm - 8pm, children under 12 may visit parents only.

Maternity Ward: 10am-noon, 4pm-7pm.

Children's Ward: Daily 10am-8pm. Visiting at all times is subject to the discretion of the nurse in charge of the ward.

Emergency Dentist: Contact Wairau Hospital 5209999.

Picton:

Ambulance: Urgent 111. Non-urgent 579 4870.

Chemist: Picton Healthcare Pharmacy. Ph 573 6420 Mon -Fri 8.30-5.30pm, Sat 9-2pm. Medical Centre Pharmacy, Ph 928 4265, Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm

Golf Results

Blenheim Golf Club

Fri 7th Feb: 9 Hole Twilight - Jenny Evans 23, Brian Burgess 21, Omar Kahaki 21, Ezra Kahaki 20, Harry McKendry 20, Bernice Arnold 20, Shirley Godsiff 20, Hans Fischer 19, Don Lamond 19, Margaret Hamilton 19, Dawn Walker 19. Sat 8th Feb: Gross Stableford plus handicap: Bernice Arnold 41, Don Lamond 41, Graeme Barsanti 41, Annelize Erasmus 40, Eva Gabkova 39, Sam Rainbird 38, Karan Singh 38, Bob Tapp 38, Clive Drummond 38. Mon 10th Feb: 9 Hole Stableford - Women: Sal Flanagan 26, Trees Rewi 21, Shirley Godsiff 20, Dawn Walker 19, Marion Flynn 19, Jane McFarlane 19, Bernice Arnold 18, Margaret Hamilton 18, Wendy Avery 18, Elaine Brown 18. Men: Stuart Parker 20, Ian Clark 20, Bob Tapp 20, Dave Dyer 20, Dan Crawford 19, Hay Montgomery 19, Graeme Barsanti 18, Dave Menzies 18, Allen Knight 18, Don Lamond 18, Ross Agnew 18, Ian Hatcher 18.

Wed 12th Feb: Women 9 Hole Net: Marion Flynn 34, Dawn Walker 35. 18 Hole Net Elaine Bronwn 70, Leanne Stowell 70, Ida Beets-Hutchshorn 71. Thur 13th Feb: Men 9 Hole Stableford: Leo McKendry 21, Mike McConnell 20, Dave Dyer 20, Dean Ormsby 20, David Horrell 20, Brian Brown 17, Allen Knight 15, Ian Clark 15. 18 Holes: Don March 41, Clive Drummond 39, Andrew Stowell 39, Colin Pitkethley 38, Alan Gibbons 38, Duncan Cassidy 38, Jim Findlay 38, Graeme Daines 37, Buck Asplet 36, Barry Mosley 36, Karan Singh 36, Clive Aitchison 36, David Waters 35.

Fri 14th Feb: 9 Hole Twilight: Margaret Hamilton 22, Jenny Adams 21, Jesse Miller 20, Eva Gabkova 19, Clarry Neame 19, Brian Burgess 19, Don Lamond 19, Dawn Walker 19, Bob Tapp 18, Ezra Kahaki 18, Brian Yarrall 18, Shirley Godsiff 18, Omar Kahaki 18, Dan Craw 18. Sat 15th Feb: Russian Roulette - Clive Drummond & Chris Hill 74, Jim Findlay and Grant Flynn 72, Doug Shaw and Desz Campbell 71, Kobe Hart and Mike McDonald 70, Ezra Kahaki & Ray Herd 70. Mon 17th Feb: 9 Hole Twilight - Women: Trees Rewi 21, Wendy Avery 21, Dawn Walker 20, Margaret Hamilton 20, Jacqui Hurcomb 20, Jenny Adams 20. Men: Graeme Barsanti 23, David Horrell 21, David Waters 21, Hay Montgomery 20, Stuart Parker 20, Clarry Neame 19, Bob Tapp 19, Mike McConnell 19, Leo McKendry 18, Don Lamond 18, Andrew Stowell 18, Brian Brown 17, Dan Crawford 17, Ian Hatcher 17.

Death notices

BLICK, Janice Vera (née Woolley):

Passed away on Saturday February 1, 2025, at Hospice Marlborough, with family at her side. Aged 83 years. Loved wife of Peter. Loved mother and mother-in-law of Susan; Gary and Sheryl; and Jeffrey and Colleen. Loved Nana of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Special thanks to Hospice Marlborough staff. Messages may be sent to the Blick Family, 141 Alabama Road, Redwoodtown, Blenheim 7201. In lieu of flowers a donation to Hospice Marlborough would be appreciated and may be made to a/c 03-1369-0365207-00 Ref. BLICK. A private family service for Janice has been held. Janice has been interred at Upper Wairau Cemetery.

T: 03 578 4719

ENNIS, Rossmore Leslie (Ross):

Unexpectedly passed away, peacefully, on Wednesday February 12, 2025. Aged 92 years. Dearly loved husband of Sally. A much-loved father, father-in-law, grandad and great-grandad of Karen, Andrew; Sue, Dick; Mike; Deb; and Geoff and all their respective families. A loved uncle of Murray and John Davison. Always a smile, well loved and respected by all his family and friends. Messages may be sent to Karen Loughnan, 90 Kurahaupo Street, Orakei, Auckland 1071 kloughnan@icloud.com. No flowers please. A private service was held on Tuesday February 18.

T: 03 578 4719

E: sowmans@funerals.co.nz W: www.sowmans.co.nz

ENRIGHT: Paul James

Passed away peacefully aged 71, surrounded by family on Sunday 16 February after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease. Loved partner of Rose, a cherished Dad of the late Imojean; Kate, Rachel, Jess and Emma. Father-in-law to Paul and Ryan. Special loved Poppy to Ardie, Kaiden, Evie, Jayde and a Granddaughter on the way. A loved brother of Trish and Marty and Uncle of Phil and Marie. Messages to 170 Muller Road, Blenheim 7201 or www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz A heartfelt thanks to all his Wairau Hospital medical team, Hospice Marlborough, Redwood Retirement Village and MND NZ. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the incredible team at Hospice Marlborough, via their website would be appreciated or can be made at the service. Always a smile with a wink, Paul was loved and respected by all his family and friends. All who knew and loved Paul are invited to celebrate his life at the Springlands Chapel, Cloudy Bay Funeral Services, 15 Boyce Street, Blenheim on Thursday 20 February at 1.00pm followed by interment at the Fairhall Cemetery.

Golf Results

Sat 8 Feb Par-Jock Mannington +8;Jeff Pascoe +4,Ron Peters +4;Harry Schat +3,Linda Stone +3,Ellie Gillies +3;Paul Howden +2,Vicki Eastgate+2,Phil Hawke +1; Thurs 13 Feb S/F-Barry Slater 42,Brian Caver

42;Hiram Taylor 40,Leigh McGlynn40;Jeff Pascoe

39;Jerome January 38;Mike Ashworth 37,Tim McCaffery 37,Jelle Keizer37.

PARK: Annette

Passed away peacefully on February 16, 2025, aged 88 years. Much loved wife of the late Alister, and a loved mother and mother-in-law of Cheryl and Michael Wadworth (Renwick), Dale and Murray Gilbert (Paihia), and Bronwyn (Brisbane). Dearly loved Gran of Rebecca and William; and Alex, Samantha and Claudia; and loved Great Gran of Archie, Beau; and Isabella. Messages to The Park family c/- PO Box 9 Blenheim 7240 or www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz A huge thank you is extended to the staff of both The Oaks Wing and The Kowhai Wing of Ashwood Park for their wonderful support and care of Annette over the past 21 months. Annette is now at peace and was strong and feisty to the end. At Annette’s request a private cremation has taken place.

lo UNGE display cabinet mahogany $320. Lounge suite 3pc $220. Both excellent condition ph 027-486-3785 evenings.

RICHARDS, Valmai Anne (Val): Passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday February 12, 2025. Aged 84 years. Treasured friend of Murray, loved mother and mother-in-law of Michael and Ursula, Barry and Julie, Darryl, Jenny and Kevin. Loved Nana of her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Cancer Society would be appreciated and may be made to a/c 060601-0044826-00 Ref. RICHARDS. In accordance with Val’s wishes, a private cremation has been held.

T: 03 578 4719

E: sowmans@funerals.co.nz W: www.sowmans.co.nz

WATSON: Cedric Gary (Garry)

Passed away peacefully on 13 February 2025 at Hospice Marlborough, aged 80, with his much-loved wife Yvonne (Vonnie) of 40 years by his side. Garry was father to Nicola, Justin & Aaron & Grandad to five Grandchildren. He was also a loved father and friend to Anne & Darren Morgan (Wellington) and Brendan & Vicki Shah (Christchurch) as well as an adored & much-loved Grandad to Mackenzie Morgan & Kaitlyn Shah. Yvonne & the Family would like to say a huge thanks to Dr Jo Muir, St John Ambulance and all medical staff. A special heartfelt thanks to Hospice for their care of Garry in his final days. Messages to the Watson Family c/- PO Box 9 Blenheim 7240 or www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz. In lieu of flowers a donation to the Marlborough Hospice Trust would be appreciated and may be made at the service or online to Account No. 03 1369 0365207 00 Ref: Watson. A private cremation has taken place as per Garry’s wishes. A Memorial Service for Garry will be held at the Springlands Chapel, Cloudy Bay Funeral Services, 15 Boyce Street Blenheim on Tuesday 18 March at 2pm.

by local bands 60s to 2000s. I will pay Serenity Piece of Mind $2000, Mantis Turn into Music $2000, Butler Ip $700, also wanted Ticket, Lutha, Space Farm, Farmyard, Little John, Bari and the Breakaways, Taylor, Pleazers, Dr Tree, Underdogs, posters, tapes, photos, acetates etc. Dave 021 222 6144 Pennylane Records, Sydenham, Chch. 7 days

WANTED TO BUY 3 BEDROOM HOUSE

I am a cash buyer looking for a home in Blenheim. Please phone me if you are considering selling in the near future.

Phone Murray on 021

‘The game was a doozy’

Blenheim’s Ryan Webb has spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, which he says doesn’t define him. What does define Ryan is his passion for rugby. He has written a report after the opening round of the Super Rugby competition and a win for his beloved Crusaders which included six Mako players in the starting fifteen.

CRUSADERS 33 v HURRICANES 25

This game was a real doozy. The three tries scored by the Hurricanes were immense, my favourite being the one scored by Kini Naholo. Although the Crusaders were great on defence in the first half, the Canes were somehow able to break through. I was also impressed by how the Canes were able to gel, particularly the backs, who looked like they had been playing together all season.

The forward pack for the Crusaders took it to the Hurricanes well, combined with the performance of Will Jordon, Sevu Reece and Kyle Preston in the backs, they have turned around the Crusaders fortunes

of 2024. I was impressed with James O’Connor. His impact off the bench was brilliant. His leadership was noticeable from when he came on and he made some very entertaining plays.

Well done to the Crusaders on the win. My Man of the Match was Kyle Preston.

BLUES 14 v CHIEFS 25

Damian McKenzie, take a bow. He was a huge playmaker in the game, his experience and leadership definitely shining through. I was also impressed with Luke Jacobson as he made great tactical decisions, which helped the Chiefs to the win.

The Blues put on a valiant performance. They had their opportunities but they may have rested on their laurels a

bit of 2024. It was unfortunate with the disallowed try by Mark Talea, but it was an incredible try saving tackle by Cortez Ratima. I was really impressed by the young guys that came off the bench for the Blues, they had some great game time. Well done to the Chiefs, my Man of the Match for this game was Damian McKenzie.

RIGHT: Blenheim’s Ryan Webb says the Crusaders v Hurricanes game at the weekend was a ‘real doozy’. “The forward pack took it to the Hurricanes combined with the performance of Will Jordon, Sevu Reece and Kyle Preston in the backs,” says Ryan.

Photo: supplied

Alzheimers Golf Tournament all tee-ed up

Planning is well underway for the 2025 Alzheimers Marlborough Golf Tournament.

This popular biennial fixture is being held on February 28th at Marlborough Golf Club, 74 Paynters Road, Fairhall with tee-off at 12.30pm.

Organisers Helen Knapp and Viv Broughton say that once again, local businesses have very generously supported the cause.

Golfers wishing to enter the tournament will need to register directly with the club by emailing entries@marlboroughgolf.co.nz, or on the day at Marlborough Golf Club, 74 Paynters Road, Fairhall.

“We have been very well looked after by businesses and the community again this year,” Helen

Managing Dietary Carbohydrates

By George Elder

The rice you eat (carbohydrate) with almost every meal (Glycemic Index, GI = 78) can contribute to your diabetes by spiking your glucose (blood sugar) and often requires drugs like metformin or artificial insulin to keep it under control. How can you change this? The whole family like rice, your mother would not understand if it was missing and your children are used to having it all the time. A meal is not complete without rice.

The first thing you can easily

do is to ensure that all rice that reaches the table was first precooked, then cooled overnight in the refrigerator before being reheated the following day. This changes the chemistry increasing the resistant starch and reducing the glucose response, (GI = 54) but does not change the taste or texture so no-one will suspect. Another step is to add a low carb green salad prior to the main dish with the rice. If the dish that spikes glucose is delayed until the stomach has some food in it, then the glucose spike is reduced. This also adds additional nutrients, and may reduce the size of the rice

portion, thereby reducing the rice’s impact on glucose. You could introduce a pre-dinner drink consisting of apple cider vinegar (ACV) in water as this has an impact on digestive juices which blunts the glucose spike from the food following. This can also boost stomach acid which for many older people, declines, leading to reflux issues and reducing their ability to absorb protein. You could start the family on just a teaspoonful in a glass of water each and over time progress up to 1 tablespoon in a tall glass. You could add ingredients to the rice to boost overall nutrients

says.

“There are a plenty of great prizes for golfers, and we have had some businesses sponsor holes but we are hoping for more hole sponsors to come forward.”

Hole sponsorship costs just $500 and businesses get to have their flags and publicity material at the holes on the day, as well as on posters up around the golf club and in media announcements.

“We would also like plenty of players,” says Helen.

“The entry fee is just $40 and we have lots of great prizes for the winners of various categories.

There will also be quick fire raffles before the prize giving, and a major raffle on the day, drawn at the end of the tournament.”

and reduce the amount of rice used. For example, some egg, ghee, some finely chopped bacon or other meat pieces. These can add much needed protein while displacing rice. If you are vegetarian, you could add some low GI vegetables such as lentils (GI = 29) or split peas (GI = 32). This will reduce the glucose spike and the required insulin. Another option is to replace some rice with cauliflower rice (GI = 5-15), perhaps about 20 percent for starters and then slowly raise the percentage over time. Keep it well salted or it may taste strange. Each of these steps can help reduce glucose

The special fundraising event, organised and hosted by Marlborough Alzheimers Foundation, assists the Alzheimers Marlborough Society in meeting the increasing demand for the range of services they offer to support local people living with dementia mate wareware, and their families and carers. The services include daytime activities for people living with dementia in a safe and friendly environment, support groups and education sessions for people living with dementia mate wareware and their care partners, and education and resources for health professionals and the wider community. All funds raised from the Golf Tournament remain in Marlborough.

in the blood, flattening spikes and therefore improve health. You could gradually combine some of these steps together for even better results, gradually changing the family taste buds and their health. Finally how about a family walk for about 20 minutes following dinner. Get free nutrition guidance or my book at www.takebackyrhealth.com. Seek professional medical advice before dietary changes, particularly if on medication. George Elder, Health Coach, Diploma in Nutrition. “The best thing you can do for your health is eat better”.

A hat-trick of trys on debut for Kyle Preston got the Crusaders off to the best possible start for their campaign. Photo: Photosupport

CALLAHAN & MARTELLA is one local business who supports many Marlborough community events including the Alzheimers Golf Tournament.

From left: Luke Martella, Ian Martella, Adrian Dirkx, and James Schofield brush up on their swings and on-course banter ahead of the tournament on February 28th