2 November Blenheim Sun

to hit

By Chris Valli

Yealands signs Sustainability linked loan

Continued from page 1.

Essentially a sustainability-linked loan is an incentive for the Seddon based winery to hit environmental targets.

Yealands Group Manager for Sustainability and Strategic Projects Mike Wentworth says that ASB hold very similar values to themselves and had been working closely over the last six months to confirm the targets for the loan.

“The loan will provide us with a discounted interest rate on achieve ment of five sustainability targets, reviewed annually.”

The target areas over the next five years are; driving down CO2 emissions, reducing carbon intensity, increasing renewable energy use, reducing diesel consumption and executing Yealands’ long term biodiversity plan.

The loan itself has strict criteria with regards to the ‘Sustainability Performance Targets’ (SPT’s). The SPT’s are of an international standard to ensure targets are robust through achievable, attainable measures.

As the first wine producer in the world to be Toitū carboNZero certified from day one, Yealands has always measured, reduced and offset all emissions, targeting a 50 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030.

Yealands ultimate goal as a found ing member of International Winer ies for Climate Action is to become carbon positive by 2050, moving beyond net zero to make positive

contributions to the environment.

“We have been sustainability focused from the outset even before recognition and significance of the impact of climate change,”

Mike suggests. “The Sustainability Linked Loan is a relatively new practice.”

“It’s one way that financial institu tions can reward and reinforce pos itive behaviour across the business sector. We are aware of one other winery throughout Australasia that has a similar practice in place.”

The company’s sustainability journey includes installing vine pruning boilers in 2010 to convert vine pruning’s into energy, adding New Zealand’s largest solar panel

array in 2013 and a purpose-built composting facility five years later. Solar, wind and vine pruning’s create approximately 20 percent of its annual energy requirements and Yealands has committed to increas ing this to 60 per cent by 2024.

“Si nce 2013 we have achieved a 25% reduction in our carbon footprint, so we are making good progress. Getting to carbon positive is going to be challenging but we have annual targets and a solid plan in place.”

Meanwhile, the Yealands Wines Marlborough Sustainability Ini tiative, in partnership with Marl borough District Council and the Blenheim Sun, offers $50,000 of

funding each year to local notfor-profits to improve freshwater quality, preserve sensitive natural areas and protect biodiversity in the Marlborough district.

“This is our fourth cycle with the initiative and we have invested $200, 000 into it. The benefits have been quite widespread across the Marlborough community through trapping pests, preserving sensitive natural areas, planting of wetlands and protecting endangered wildlife”

Mike says.

Applications for funding closed on Monday, October 31.The recipients of the funding will be announced in the Sun Newspaper in mid-No vember.

Katrina

Yealands staff working with Picton Dawn Chorus, one of the recipients of the Yealands Marlborough Sus tainability Initiative. Dawn Chorus are a community led non-profit Incorporated Society, set up by a group of passionate Picton residents with the aim of restoring native birdsong.

Something for Marlburians to Savour

By Chris Valli

Pure Events Marlborough’s Sa vour in the Park is an opportunity to celebrate all that is brilliant about Marlborough according to a local event organiser.

The event at Pollard Park’s Churchill Glade on Saturday No vember 26 is set to wet the appetite of Marlburians with headline act Stellar along with Automatic 80s, DJ collective Vinyl in the Vines and local band, a Minor Thing.

Pure Events Marlborough Direc tor Katrina Lange says the event promises a delicious, concoction of Marlborough wine and food and live music.

“What’s not to love?” A smorgas bord of tasty food offerings, paired with our delicious wines, beers, cider or gin or vodka cocktails?

And I can promise you will love the music – we know from past experience these bands will have you on that dance floor.”

Katrina says the event is timely given the impact the pandemic had on the industry.

“Helping local businesses get back on their feet again post Covid and actually being able to have events again is wonderful.

“Being able to celebrate Marl borough and all the amazing food and beverages that we have on offer alongside some top talent – both local and national while seeing people have fun together again is exciting.”

Katrina says one of the draw

cards is bringing bands to the region that people would other wise have to travel to and seeing the town full of visitors again – spending with retailers, café’s, wineries and tourist destinations.

“Seeing this beautiful venue utilised for events again – it creates such a lovely atmosphere for events being in a park-like setting and all the services have been put in from the council such as electrics, water.”

Headline act Stellar had four top 10 singles and two No. 1 albums. The band’s signature song ‘Violent’ won the Single of the Year award at the 2000 New Zealand Music Awards (now Aotearoa Music Awards) as well as winning lead vocalist

Boh Runga and an award for best Songwriter.

The band officially disbanded in 2010 after releasing their greatest hits compilation and reformed in 2017.

So why the break?

“We’ve had a few over the years. Breaks are good. Keeps the music and the friendships fresh. It’s a chance to mentally change gear and do other things musically with solo albums and projects,” says bass player Kurt Shanks.

The band will be playing for just over an hour and Kurt says they look forward to belting out all the hits and a ‘few fun surprises too’.

“We’ll keep it mostly to our late 90s early 2000s material. It will

be an awesome gig. Blenheim is a fantastic place to spend time, especially when you’re partial to a glass of wine.”

Katrina says with the support of the Regional Events Fund it enabled Pure Events to take a risk with the aim of bringing visitors into the region and ‘sharing the love’ around our local tourism and hospitality groups.

Ticket sales are going well from outside the region but Katrina says ‘last minute Marlburians’ need to get out supporting the event. She says they are looking at 1500 people at this stage attending.

Tickets are available at www.sa vourmarlborough.co.nz or https:// www.eventfinda.co.nz/2022/ savour-in-the-park/marlborough

inbrief TheSun

Mayor welcomes flights between Blenheim and Nelson

Mayor Nadine Taylor has welcomed the news that Originair is to fly morning and evening return air services between Nelson and Blenheim to help people affected by the seven-week closure of SH6 for repairs, following the August storm event.

The route will operate as a trial for the first two weeks of the closure from November 1 and will be extended to seven weeks if there is sufficient demand.

“This is great news for people who need to travel between Blenheim and Nelson, particularly health professionals who work from both the Wairau and Nelson hospital sites.”

Taylor River Writer’s Walk

Two new poems from Ward and Tua Marina Schools will be added to the

The poems are on spreading the message on ‘how precious our water ways are’. The project was started by Springlands School students in 2010

Participants are asked to meet at the Beaver Road Bridge (Nelson Street side)

The Beavertown Lions Craft Fair is on at the Forum this weekend on Friday from 9am – 4pm and Saturday 9am –

A variety of stalls will be on offer from jewellery to plants for locals to peruse.

HOME GROWN: Blenheim's 'A Minor Thing'; Philip Waters, Neil Sullivan, Sam Merrall and Pure Events Marlborough Director Katrina Lange. A Minor Thing will be playing at Savour in the Park, Churchill Glade, Pollard Park on Saturday, November 26. Photo: Chris Valli.

Eva’s winemaking dream and inspiration

By Chris Valli

A Croatian born winemaker has been nomi nated as a finalist in the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.

Eva Pemper from Eva Pemper Wines has been recognised for her continuous learning and development as an inspiring female winemaker in Marlborough.

Eva founded the EP Wines with a desire to continue her family legacy in the wine industry from the 80’s in Croatia. Her brand’s portfolio consists of Sauvignon Blanc, Single Vineyard Chardonnay, Single Vineyard Pinot Noir and Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Rose.

“Mum and dad used to make wine in Cro atia and had a little winery - so pretty much involved since forever.”

She was encouraged by Zoe Gray (from the chamber of commerce) that she should apply in the New and Emerging category.

“I’m over the moon for being one of the final ists, it’s an incredible feeling. I’ve had so much support from everyone, congratulating me.”

The sunny climes of Blenheim brought Eva to the region in 2012 to do harvest as a cellar hand in one of the wineries.

Eva holds a master’s degree in winemaking from Agriculture University in Zagreb, Croatia and a Graduate Diploma in Oenology from EIT, Hawke’s Bay.

She confesses this has given her a deeper understanding of winemaking practices from very different parts of the world that she draws on.

Eva attended Winetopia in Auckland at

the weekend. The event is a celebration of New Zealand wine with all the major regions represented. The weekend was an opportunity to realise her dream and finally showcase her own brand.

“I’ve been going as a visitor for many years with a friend and have been to all of them, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. It was always a dream to exhibit my wines at one of them.

“The Winetopia organisers heard about my brand and gave me a call earlier this year offer ing me the opportunity and I decided to take it, invest and go present my wines. A wonderful friend of mine was helping me there and it was a big success. It was incredible feedback on my wines and I made some great connections.”

She has plans to one day own vineyards and have an Eva Pemper Wines home block while introducing more wines such as sparkling.

“I’d like to showcase some other wine regions as well, like Central Otago Pinot Noir or Waipara Riesling, Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay.”

Eva says one of the greatest things about living in Marlborough is the people she has met through networking, her new family and ‘forever friends’.

“I met the love of my life I met here as well. Then the amazing land, scenery, nature and the wines. I feel like I have found another place on earth that is my home and that I belong to be sides Croatia and I feel lucky that life brought me to Marlborough, it was meant to be…

The business excellence awards are on Friday, November 18 at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre from 6pm - midnight.

Ex Rugby Player Finding Support

KORU NUTRITION

Keith would describe his younger self as definitely a ‘man’s man’. Work hard, play harder and ‘shake it off’ if need be. Looking back Keith realised that those early hay days were great.

“I loved being out on the footy field. Big tackles, sprinting from ruck to ruck and then back again, pushing hard on the side of the scrum; nothing like a bit of healthy competition to get the blood pumping.”

A lifetime of exercise, a good diet and making sure that he wore knee supports, Keith lived fairly well. However for Keith, although health is key, he has still gone through the normal day to day of a physically demanding job.

An old footy mate asked one day if he had tried Koru FX from Koru Nutrition. They said they’d been using the cream to support their

joints and muscles.

“I said I would give it a go, so he threw me a bottle.”

Koru FX cream by Koru Nutrition has become NZ’s #1 joint and muscle support cream. With over two and a half thousand 5 star reviews, Koru FX is showing itself to be a favourite in many New

Zealand households

“It smelt good, and felt great. It is just nice to go about my day, be it carrying every bag of shopping in for my wife in one go, off to aqua aerobics and swimming or just larking about; Koru FX gives me the confidence I need, to continue to live an active life.”

Containing high quality oils like calendula, arnica, manuka and peppermint, along with twelve others, Koru FX provides the perfect formulation for fast acting joint and muscle support.

Ask for Koru FX cream next time you’re in the pharmacy and try it for yourself.

Eva Pemper has been nominated as a finalist in the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce awards.

STILL, looking for his forever family

By Chris Valli

Remember Joey the Hunta way Whippet Cross at the SPCA in Renwick?

Well, unfortunately Joey is still looking for some kind Marlburian to be his domes ticated mate.

Referred to as a ‘sweet na tured goofball,’ SPCA Centre Manager Susanne Owen says Joey, who featured in the Sun’s front page edition September 28, is still waiting for his forever home. She says they have only had one application for him.

Susanne says for someone out there who might be think ing about a potential ‘foster fit’ with someone like Joey the SPCA ask that you fill in an application online via their website.

“Once our foster coordinator has this she will contact you with the next steps which are police vetting, a check with animal control and on our systems, getting photos of the property to make sure it is suitable, then we send through our Foster induction quiz along with our health and safety induction and quiz. Once we have the paperwork

all together, we then try to match you with a suitable dog.”

In terms of personality, a Huntaway Whippet Cross dog is incredibly intelligent, loyal, and affectionate. They’re good family dogs, comfortable with meeting new people, and sociable with other canines.

The Huntie tends to form a very close relationship with their handler and will fiercely protect them if they’re ever in danger.

Susanne says they currently have seven dogs and 11 pup pies under their care.

“Only five of the dogs are available for adoption; one is currently in our only dog foster home. Of the 11 puppies we only have two available, the nine are all out on foster to adopt which means they are in their forever homes but because they are too young to spay or neuter, we can’t do an official adoption so SPCA still supplies all the food and vet care until they are old enough to have this done.”

For those interested – you know you want to – contact foster the SPCA Renwick co ordinator, angela.jacobson@ spca.nz

Blenheim Toyota

SH6 closure

Nelson/Marlborough residents and regular users of State Highway 6 are reminded that the highway has closed between Hira and Rai Valley for emergency repairs from Tuesday, 1 November.

The State Highway will be closed between Hira and Ronga Road near Rai Valley for seven weeks from 1 November to 18 December. The closure began at 6am yesterday.

Quality & Comfort!

Joey is looking for his ‘forever’ home.

I planted two rows of veg seeds only to find

somebody’s darling

and deposited the remains of Chef

Whiskas or something expensive, amongst the seeds.

Puss accountability Halloween delight

Roll on the day when all cats have to be

chipped and a large fine if caught outside the owner’s property. This is happening elsewhere.

J Z Vile Blenheim

Whilst I don’t agree with the importation of American fads into New Zealand culture, I had a pleasant experience this Halloween, not so much with Halloween, but more the local children participating.

The children who came knocking on my door were all well dressed-up - some had quite detailed costumes and make-up - and

were pleasant, courteous and appreciative of what we gave them.

A credit to the youngsters of Blenheim and their parents who obviously helped dress and make-up the younger ones.

C del C Hanson Omaka Landing

Dusty Miller Blenheim

Kate Cawood Blenheim

cheese

Jessie Sawers Blenheim

Jeremy Elrick Blenheim

Bay of

Coves count?

Eva Pemper Blenheim

Redwood town,

Kobe Miller Blenheim

Hands down Ritual Café.

Your local news from the Marlborough District Council

Mayor Taylor announces new Council line up

New Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor has appointed Blenheim Councillor David Croad as Deputy Mayor.

“Councillor Croad excelled as a councillor over the last three years. We work well together and I’m confident he has the skills required to be outstanding in the role,” she said.

Councillor Croad (pictured front, third left) will also chair the Assets and Services Committee, overseeing the management of the Council’s big-budget assets and amenities infrastructure.

“David is a strategic thinker, an ideal skill when considering the Council’s 30-year infrastructure plan, the Three Waters reforms and our extensive capital expenditure programme,” Mayor Taylor said.

New Councillor Jonathan Rosene will be deputy chair of the Assets and Services Committee.

Mayor Taylor has decided to retain most of the previous term’s committee structure but the planning component of the former Planning, Finance and Community Committee will move across to the Environment Committee.

“This committee - Environment and Planning - is a natural fit given the environmental issues facing our region and their direct links to our planning work,” Mayor Taylor said.

Environment and Planning will be chaired by Councillor Gerald Hope, who brings a wealth of experience to

the role.

“Councillor Hope will also chair a new Climate Change sub-committee which will bring a greater focus to the work Council is already doing in this space.”

Councillor Barbara Faulls will be deputy chair of the Environment and Planning Committee.

The new Economic, Finance and Community Committee will be chaired by Councillor Jamie Arbuckle.

“Councillor Arbuckle is one of our most experienced councillors with a breadth of both Council and community knowledge,” Mayor Taylor said. He will also chair the Long Term Plan Working Group.

Councillor Brian Dawson will be the committee’s deputy chair and will also chair the Regional Transport Committee.

A new Blenheim CBD sub-committee will also be established, chaired by Mayor Taylor. She said the new subcommittee will focus on the long term needs of Blenheim’s CBD.

“We want to work with the local business community to see what we can do to address some of the challenges here,” she said.

“The people of Marlborough have elected a great mix of returning and new councillors and I want to ensure we make the most of the skills on offer, whilst also providing pathways for councillors’ future leadership opportunities.”

It could be a case of out with the bags and in with the bins if Council’s proposal to introduce wheelie bins and expand its kerbside collection service is approved. Changes to rural waste services are also on the cards and could see the removal of the old coin skips to make way for rural transfer stations.

Public consultation on waste services opens today and Council wants to hear what residents think about these options.

Solid Waste Manager Dr Alec McNeil says this is an exciting time when people get to have their say on the future of the region’s rubbish and recycling services.

“Council is proposing to introduce a new 140-litre wheelie bin for rubbish serviced fortnightly and a 140-litre bin for recycling (excluding glass) serviced fortnightly,” he said.

“The current recycling crate will be used for glass only. Refuse and recycling are proposed to be serviced on alternate weeks.”

The proposal also sees the expansion of the kerbside collection area to include Grovetown, Havelock, Rarangi, Rai Valley, Renwick, Seddon, Spring Creek, Tuamarina, Wairau Valley and Ward.

Dr McNeil said people can find out more, including whether their property is included in the proposed expanded kerbside collection service by looking at the maps on Council’s website.

“Display wheelie bins can be seen at the Council offices in Blenheim, the Marlborough District Library in Blenheim and the Picton Library and Service Centre for those who are interested in taking a closer look,” he said.

The current coin skips located in rural areas throughout Marlborough are proposed to be replaced with remote transfer stations which will

Community information sessions

Blenheim Springlands School Hall

Marlborough Pavilion

- Rangit

include ten 1100-litre wheelie bins for recycling excluding glass, ten 1100-litre wheelie bins for refuse and a skip for colour-sorted glass.

Dr McNeil said the locations for the remote transfer stations are still being worked through but provisionally will be Awatere Valley Road (where the current recycling bin is), Duncan Bay, Okiwi Bay, Ohingaroa Quarry, Portage, Port Underwood, Rapaura, The Grove, Titirangi, Waihopai, Waitaria Bay and Ward, where the current transfer station is.

“Anyone who is keen to discuss the proposed changes is encouraged to attend one of the community information sessions during November,” he said. Further details are below.

“The first community information session will be held at Springlands School this Thursday 3 November from 6.30 pm until 8.30 pm,” Dr McNeil said. “Those who come along will be provided with a summary of the proposed changes and will also have a chance to ask questions and find out more.”

To have your say on the waste services proposal visit the consultation page of Council’s website and fill in a submission form.

The consultation period is open now and closes at 4.00 pm on Wednesday 30 November.

More information, including a list of frequently asked questions is available on Council’s website www.marlborough.govt.nz/your-council/haveyour-say-consultations

3 November 6.30 pm

8 November6.30 pm

8.30 pm

8.30 pm

Cultural Centre

Valley

10 November 6.30 pm

Renwick Community HallTuesday 15 November 6.30 pm

Havelock School Hall

Valley School Hall

17 November 6.30 pm

22 November 6.30 pm

Seddon Community HallFriday 25 November 6.30 pm

Hall

November6.30 pm

8.30 pm

8.30 pm

8.30 pm

8.30 pm

8.30 pm

8.30 pm

The Blenheim Christmas Parade is back for 2022 on Saturday 3 December. Here’s your chance to get your business or community group together and celebrate the Christmas spirit. Be part of this

wonderful community event and enter a walking group or float by Friday 11 November.

Email Pure Events Marlborough for more details or to request a registration form - events@ pureeventsmarlborough.nz

Venture into Marlborough’s Brilliant Backyard and ‘Get your fix along SH6’ to support Havelock, Pelorus, Rai Valley and surrounding areas. Here are a few suggestions to help you discover some of the local foodie gems along State Highway 6.

Havelock

An easy 40 minute drive down SH6 from Blenheim is one of the best places in the Sounds to enjoy some local kai. Mills Bay Mussels prides itself on the beautiful food they produce and deliver to their customers.

If you’re curious about some other local favourites then try the Mussel Pot or Captain’s Daughter and rub elbows with the locals.

For info Ph: 03 574 2575.

Pelorus

Once you’re in Havelock continue on through towards Pelorus Bridge. Just another 15 minutes down SH6 towards Rai Valley you come to one of the region’s best kept secrets. The Pelorus Cafe serves a great berry strudle. Order a slice with some whipped cream paired with a fresh barista coffee, nestled amongst some beautiful flora and bird song. Ph: 03 571 6019.

Rai Valley Crossing over the Pelorus Bridge for just another 10 minutes brings you to Rai Valley. The locals rave about the hot chips and chicken fried steakthe Brick Oven cafe has some truly delicious kai. Ph: 03 571 6005. The Mussel Pot in Havelock

He kōrero nā te Kaunihera o Wairau

certainty, peace and purpose

Two years after joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force, in 1985, Blenheim’s Elim Christian Centre

Tom Hatch had a ‘spiritual epiphany’.

Tom acknowledges it wasn’t the audible voice of a greater being but it was ‘loud’ in his soul.

“It was like something had landed in my spirit that this is what I was called to do. This is why I was here. It was so profound.”

Tom refers to himself as a ‘TCK - a ‘third culture kid. The definition of a TCK, he says, is someone who was born in one country, grew up in another and because he came from two respective countries this creates a third culture.

Tom, 57, was born in St Paul, Alberta, Canada and immigrated to New Zealand as a seven year old in 1972. Tom is one of four siblings with one older brother and a younger sister and brother.

“My Mum is from England and my Dad is from Perth, Western Australia and we now live in New Zealand. I am a walking United Nations.”

After finishing sixth form in 1982 in Waiuku, an ‘open conversation’ with a friend of the family suggested Tom join the military.

“It ticked all the boxes and I left home in 1983 as a 17-year-old doing an engineering trade based at Woodbourne.”

He initially did his recruit course and subsequently was posted to Hobsonville’s helicopter base com pleting his ‘aeronautical metal worker’ course in what he says is the equivalent of an apprenticeship but in military style.

A ‘senior master’s course’ resulted

in Tom being relocated to Wood bourne.

It was during this time where he met ‘the love of his life’. However, professional obligations took over and he was promptly posted back to Hobsonville which he confessed ‘he hated’.

“I suffered nine months of Auck land. I managed to swap my posting with a guy who I did the same train ing with and I came back. I caught the last ferry out of Wellington on Dec 31, 1987 and landed in Picton and drove promptly to my then girlfriend’s place and on the strike of new year’s ‘I put a ring on it’ and we were married at Labour Weekend, October 22, 1988. 34 years later, Tom and Suzanne Hatch’s love is stronger than ever.

“You’ll be handling weapons,” he said to me. “I said Sir, if you want to read any of the epic war stories the world has ever known, just read the Old Testament, there’s no better scripture. He was like um, okay.”

He confesses there were often times when he looked at resigning from the military but every time it came back to God - is or was the timing right?

“I learnt a thing about dreams and visions. If you’re absolutely convinced that the dream and vision is right but it’s not happening in your time frame then don’t throw the dream or vision out, throw the timeframe.”

And that is exactly what happened.

At the time, his military senior peer group of approximately 45 were offered extensions. Tom was the only one who didn’t get offered an extension.

“That was the green light. That was my time.”

Tom says his own definition of faith is the earnest expectation of some thing good but it’s also the substance of something he is yet to see.

Tom says he has learnt a thing about dreams and visions. "If you're absolutely convinced that the dream and vision is right but it’s not happening in your time frame then don't throw the dream or vision out, throw the timeframe.”

your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why. I had and have found out why.”

Tom worked at Woodbourne from 1988 - 2002 starting to teach his trade through various training roles such as dean of a department and promotion as a unit coordinator administrator. 20 years’ service to ‘queen and country’ allowed Tom with the unfortunate phrase of ‘Terminal A benefits’ including long service leave and a government financial recognition.

A conversation with his recruit ment officer transpired, who had concerns that as Tom was ‘a Chris tian’ that perhaps Tom should be a ‘conscientious objector’.

“If I know in my spirit that this is right then I can lock my hope to that….even though I have not yet seen it. There is hope, certainty, peace and purpose. The four pillars of faith.”

Tom’s initial role at the Burleigh Road church was as the worship director for 16 years. However, a conversation with the pastor at the time opened the door to take on the position as pastor.

A quote from American writer Mark Twain best sums up the opportunity.

“The two most important days in

The true definition of ‘the spirit’ or ‘having someone on his side’ was never better illustrated when Tom and Suzanne were renting in Blenheim, after 19 years of service in the Air Force.

The landlord gave notice eight weeks before Christmas and the thoughts at the time, Tom says, was why would they look at buy ing with one year left of service? There were no openings, housing wise yet they looked, scoured the market to no avail.

“We put various offers on houses and got turned down. We sat down as a family on a Wednesday night. I said to the boys, “we’ll put it in the hands of God and say a short prayer.”

Seven o’clock that night, they

received an answer.

“Suzanne’s Mum rings up and says did you see that ad in the front page of the paper? The ad was tiny. We signed up and bought our first house, two weeks before Christmas.”

Call it divine intervention. The Redwoodtown house was se cured and so was their increasing belief and faith.

Three days before Christmas in 2001, Tom received a phone call from a representative of the national leadership team of the Elim Church calling asking him to take over the leadership of the church in Blenheim.

“I was like, you what? You do realise you are talking about being the senior pastor of a mul ti-staffed church with a school? I guess 20 years on, it was the right call.”

A calling personified.

Elim Church Senior Pastor Tom Hatch sat down with Chris Valli to reflect on his ‘own calling’ and why and how life has led him to fulfil a vocation that inspires him daily.

“I suffered nine months of Auckland”

Pet Day needs to be sustained

By Chris Valli

The 79th Marlborough Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Group day event was held at Wairau Valley School yesterday after a Covid hiatus.

The group day is an inter-school com petition for students from local primary schools and is a “stepping stone” between school pet days and the A&P Show.

The school with the most points wins the overall trophy, but there are also individual cups and trophies for the pet classes. Stu dents who placed at their school’s pet day could enter their animals into the group day event.

Former secretary and spokesperson Sarah White says the club is relevant to all children of Marlborough.

“These children are our future and it teaches them so many lifelong lessons. It also gives them some insight into another world that many have only seen in books. When we were growing up, pet’s day was the best day of the year and I know kids today still really enjoy it.

“It allows them to be creative and if they have an animal it allows them to develop a special friendship and lets them get a taste of competitiveness which has almost become a dirty word.”

Sarah believes there is so little land left around Blenheim for children to get farming opportunities, so it is getting pretty hard to carry on the interest.

“I guess this may be getting picked up by grapes. I don’t feel the primary indus try ‘call-up’ is being promoted enough th r ough the colleges and schools and unfortunately there is still the perception that it’s for those less academic students which is simply not true. Children that

want to be part of this industry can have access to so many well-paying career op portunities and there is a definite shortage of workers in the primary industries.”

Sarah says unfortunately, the agricultur al club lost its funding in the late 80’s and support from the Wellington Education Board, where Marlborough came under their jurisdiction. Back then, children could compete in not only animal diaries and projects but also garden diaries and projects.

“We still ask for diaries to be kept for project chickens and rabbits; however children no longer do projects on lambs,

calves, and goats. The indoor creations are always changing and have over the years included pressed leaf collections, kites, photography, pet rocks, decorated bottles, soap carving, propagation pro jects, and papier mache animals.”

“C h ildren were expected to know the answers to some pretty technical requirements and this tied in with ‘sci ence’. There is still a diary kept with the chickens but it is much more ‘relaxed’.

Sarah says the calves and lambs in particular need to be fed and groomed for weeks before but also taught to lead and lead to a set pattern which takes patience

and perseverance.

“One of our fund raisers is to have day old chicks that parents can purchase and the children need to raise these to show at pets day and group day and then onto the Marlborough A&P if they like. Again this means children need to know how to care for them. Sometimes the odd one will die, that can be a reality check for some children but all part of life.”

Various contributing schools in years gone past have been Rai Valley, Can vastown, Tua Marina, Wairau Valley, Li n kwater, Havelock, Renwick and Fairhall.

LAMBTASTIC: The 79th Marlborough Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Group day event was held at Wairau Valley School yesterday after a Covid hiatus. This picture from 2019 is of Azaria Noble, 5, from Renwick School with her lamb Pom Pom which likes his ears being tickled. Former secretary and spokesperson Sarah White says the club is relevant to all children of Marlborough. “These children are our future and it teaches them so many lifelong lessons. It also gives them some insight into another world that many have only seen in books."

MARLBOROUGH

Advocating for people

the President’s Desk

The local body elections are over and I hope you all took the opportunity to vote for your preferred candidates. With many of the outgoing councillors deciding not to stand again, we now have a good mix of wisdom of those re-elected and new, keen, first-timers.

Nadine Taylor has been elected as may or by a huge margin and our first Grey Power meeting with her will be in 2023.

I would also like to acknowledge all those seniors who put their lives on hold to look after grandchildren in the school holidays, which can sometimes be a daunting task. You do an amazing job entertaining and keeping them safe, while also enabling your children to continue in their workplace.

I started planting out my plot at the community garden this week and with the sun on my back I thought ‘Isn’t life great’.

Gayle Chambers President

Abbeyfield

Abbeyfield is a housing concept already in place throughout New Zealand. A dozen or so individual en suite studio units with common living areas and supplied meals daily enable older renters to live wholesomely in a community not needing the extent of help such as rest homes provide. It is affordable basically on superannuation with accommodation supplements. https://www.abbeyfield.co.nz/

Grey Power Marlborough initiated and supports the local Abbeyfield Trust committee. We are keen to see such Abbeyfield homes built in Marlbor ough. They work well as a not for profit charity option providing less expensive and suitable living to senior renters.

If we get some land, (2000 square metres would do it), we can build an Abbeyfield home, finding the neces sary funding from charitable sources

and by borrowing. But we need the land close enough to facilities like shops and services.

It would be wonderful to be able to find a philanthropic donor or donors to help find the land to begin the building of an Abbeyfield Home in Marlborough. Can you help?

Brian McNamara

Chairperson, Abbeyfield Marlbor ough. Phone 928 4479

Office Snippets – November 2022

If you have an overdue Grey Power Marlborough membership, it is not too late to renew your subscription, but outstanding accounts will be archived shortly.

‘Why Keep It Secret’ booklets to record matters pertaining to your estate are available for $6 from the office.

Work has started on the Discount Book for 2023. Contracts and advertise ments for the 2023 Discount Book are due by 9 November. Please get in touch

with the office office@greypowermarl borough.co.nz or phone 03 578 4950 if your business would like to advertise, or if you need a short extension.

Hearing aid batteries, sizes A10, A13 and A312, are available for $6 for a card of six batteries from the office.

PersolKelly are recruiting for Census Collectors. The advertisement is on our Facebook page. https://m.facebook. com/greypowermarlborough/ We have some members looking for

Blenheim Riverside Railway

With longer days and holidays coming, it’s time to again highlight the Blenheim Railway, a great way to spend time with family, friends, and children especially, on the Taylor River and surrounds.

This river winding its way through town is a popular local attraction for walkers and cyclists with open spaces and plantings to enjoy, views of hills and mountains, and the sound of running water.

The railway is also a way to see it. On Sunday November 6 the steam loco motive, “Donald”, hauls its sight-see ing passengers and on Sunday 20 November and Sunday 4 December a vintage diesel engine locomotive performs that happy task.

At 1.45 pm travel on the Beaver line from Brayshaw Park Station to Beaver Station at Riverside Park in central Blenheim and then return on its 10.2 km journey of an hour’s duration.

accommodation. We know the rental market is very tough at present, so if you have a spare house or self-con tained space, please consider getting in touch with one of our friendly real estate firms. If you would like a boarder, Citizens Advice Bureau have a formal agreement that can be used, and will talk you through all the pros and cons. <Rent and board in Marlborough NZ > on Facebook is a popular page for finding and offering accommodation.

At 1.15 and 3.15 pm, the Omaka line takes passengers from Brayshaw Park Station close to the car and aviation museums and returns from Omaka on an all-up 2.8 km 25 minute journey. Fares range between $5 to $10 for children and $8 to $18 for adults, Special combination fares can suit families and individuals. Eftpos available.

Visit www.riversiderailway.nz and Facebook for more details.

& Parker Sts, Blenheim

My wife and I were fortunate to drive with friends to the Cobb River in the Takaka region and stay in a $80 per night hostel with bunks and bed for 10 people- at that rate, $8 a night per person is a great deal. The hostel had electricity, a stove and a fireplace, shower and flush toilet so is much more than a mountain hut.

Huts could be visited from there on day walks into beautiful beech forest or out onto the tops in glacially-formed mountains to lunch by rivers and lakes.

Our group of seven, aged in our sixties and seventies, had a most enjoyable time in a little known part of the beautiful and botanically special Kahurangi National Park. Information is easily obtained on line.

Of course, you don’t have to travel a couple of hundred kilometres to have a very good

Advocating for people

holidays and breaks

holiday break. Within Marlbor ough itself there are numerous camping grounds, motels, huts, hotels and hostels in the Sounds, inland in our very scenic prov ince or on the coast down to Kaikoura and beyond.

Not so far to go, with plenty of exercise and outdoor opportuni ties- why not stay local and yet take a spell away from home?

And more….

Don’t forget the opportunities in the towns, too, with drama theatre productions in Havelock and Blenheim. with wineries, breweries, hotels, cafés and restaurants, cinema, museum and parks. Some have discounts for seniors. All are enjoyable. Try the library, the art galleries, take a bus ride around town.

There are walks in town and in the country, on the Wither Hills, in the parks, lagoons and river sides, with walking groups or

Grey Power Newsletter:

monthly newsletter is published in The Sun on the first Wednesday of every month except January. This newspaper format makes it affordable and easier to publish our newsletter and distribute to our large membership here in Marl borough. It is also available to a wider readership than members only, which is good for potential new members to learn about our organisation.

Being published monthly makes our

with a friend; there’s cycling and many many clubs and societies to join and enjoy. Try U3A for intellectual stimulation.

Grow vegetables, flowers and fruit at home. You can use cheap ly made plant boxes and pots for growing at home. In late October, I harvested new potatoes grown at the community plot and also at home in half-barrels. Plant a hop for home-brewing, plant trees for shade and harvesting, plant an idea that others can use.

Marlborough has much to offer. It’s why we live here, after all. So, go on, get out there and live a (hopefully) post-Covid and rewarding life. Ask your friends what they might do, for there is far more than has been mentioned that can be done, all at reasonable cost and in an environmentally friendly way.

Brian McNamara Publicity officer

Get Paid as a Deliverer!

news more timely and up to date than a three monthly magazine type format which you get anyway as a Grey Power member from the national Federation. Both are valuable in their own way.

You can always get copies of The Sun at your local supermarket if it has not been delivered.

You can also get it online from our website. https://www.greypowermarl borough.co.nz/

The Sun would like to employ delivery people who can spend a couple of hours on a Wednesday to earn some money by walking the local neighbourhood and posting The Sun Newspaper into letter boxes. Riversdale and Dillons Point Road areas are currently in need of delivery people.

Grey Power wants to ensure that its newsletter is delivered to every home. You can help by being a deliverer. If you can’t make a commitment to

deliver every Wednesday, then The Sun is happy for one deliverer as their main contact to then enlist the help of back-up people to ensure weekly delivery.

Les Whiteside of The Sun advises payment is fortnightly, papers are de livered to the deliverer’s home address for delivery on Wednesdays, unless extreme weather prevents. Contact The Sun for more information. Phone 03 577 7868.

On average it takes 7 years for someone with a hearing loss to seek help with their hearing. Don’t wait and miss out on hearing the things and people you love.

find out how you can

with the world.

Heading up the Cobb River on a day walk to Chaffey Hut.

Chaffey Hut, clad in split wood and perched on rock for piles.

Sold out - film celebrating Marlborough diversity

By Chris Valli

Marlborough’s rich cultural diversity is proving popular with local cinema fans with new film ‘Making Marlborough’ sold out at Event Cinemas.

The film is the latest from award-winning documentary maker Paul Davidson, and tells illuminating and entertaining stories of the people, past and present, which have made this place their home.

It encompasses the very first migrants who arrived from Polynesia a thousand years ago, through to the most recent arrivals from every corner of the earth.

“It’s such a fascinating - and timely - pro duction” says Sarah Wheldale, manager of the Marlborough Multicultural Centre. “The thing this film highlights most is how we all share similar hopes, fears and dreams –wherever we come from.”

The film is presented by Steve Austin from the Marlborough Heritage Trust, supported by other historical experts and of course the migrants themselves.

Well-known author Dame Fiona Kidman and legendary blues singer Midge Marsden also contribute.

Steve says that a big majority of Marlburians

have been here ten years or less, and the community is now surprisingly diverse.

“People come to Marlborough because here they find a perfect climate, many opportuni ties – and the space to be brilliant,” Steve says.

One local Marlburian is Dutch born Rose Platenkamp, founder and creative energy behind Stage Lab – drama, singing and dancing classes for locals.

Rose, 34, is a qualified actress and singer and a graduate from the prestigious School of Arts in The Netherlands.

She arrived in Blenheim in 2015 after her partner was working here. Rose says she had no plans to stay; she was searching for new experiences for fun and new friends.

Now the exuberant Dutchwoman says she has found so much more – a new home and a place in Marlborough’s performing arts scene.

Four years in the making, “Making Marl borough” is a full feature-length documentary which was funded by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the Marlborough District Council and various other sponsors.

Its premiere screening will be held at Event Cinemas, Kinross Street tomorrow night at 6pm with a celebratory bubbles.

A second screening will take place Tuesday, November 8 @ 6:30pm

Marlborough’s cultural diversity will feature in the film ‘Making Marlborough’.

The power of community

By Chris Valli

What were you doing 20 years ago in 2002?

This writer was embarking on an OE and experiencing summer camp USA style in Boston while trying to decipher the east coast of America vernacular.

The Bali bombings took place in October with a total of 202 people killed including three New Zea landers.

The Marlborough mayor of 2002 was one Tom Harrison (2001 – 2004) while the countries prime minister was Helen Clark.

How times have changed?

Or have they?

2002 also heralded the dawn of a local community paper in Blenheim, aptly named the Blenheim Sun Newspaper.

Local businesses have benefitted having their logo, brand, content in the local rag highlighting various points of difference, reasons why locals should buy from their business and ultimately ‘local people readings about local people.’

It’s worked and continues to work effectively.

Just ask Blenheim Toyota CEO Scott McDermid.

Scott says they’ve had regular enquiries from their adverts in the Sun from when they began with the newspaper back in 2002.

“Even in today’s space dominated by digital and social media, the paper reaches a wide range of people and remains relevant today.

We receive enquiry regularly from new and existing customers who may have seen a vehicle featured or a promotion we’ve placed in the Sun.”

Scott says Marlborough people are on the whole very proud of their region and take a genuine interest in what is happening in and around it – so a locally owned and operated newspaper that takes this pulse each week really resonates with a huge part of our community.

So what has made Scott and the team at Blenheim Toyota stick with the Sun for so long?

“The great team of people including Les and Katrina, who treat us as friends as well as customers.”

Scott says he encourages the Sun to keep the same great team and the same local relevant community based content.

“It’s a classic case of why change a favourite recipe?”

Meanwhile, on November 15, 2002 Cresswell’s Shoes in Market Street became the Blenheim Sun’s first front page advertiser in the first issue of the midweek local paper.

Owner Keith Sandford says placing his business and ads in the Sun is a credit to the design team especially Jess (Buckingham) who he says is ‘always really efficient, helpful, crea

tive and happy to change anything to create our ads the way we want them.’

Keith says he continues to remain ‘more than pleased’ to stay adver tising with the paper as ‘two locals working together’.

“The news team and (sales man ager) Simon, took a huge load off our shoulders at very short notice organising our 75th Anniversary marketing.

“Both these people do a brilliant job.”

Furthermore, Lynfords Furniture, a Blenheim owned family business that has been offering quality furniture and incredible customer service for 25 years.

General Manager Hamish Green wood says Lynfords 20 year’s asso ciation and relationship with the Sun Newspaper is a reflection on the paper focusing on local people and content.

Hamish says direct feedback from customers in store whilst running a marketing campaign is evidence that advertising in the Sun was having a positive impact.

“It’s about Les and Katrina’s laid back approach to business.

“They are a family business, just like us at Lynfords.

“They listen and adapt advertising to suit each businesses needs and they both genuinely care for the Blenheim community.”

“We have a great ‘business and personal’ relationship with Les and Katrina.”

Milestone for The Sun newspaper

Right from our first issue on November 5, 2002 the Blenheim Sun has been the community’s favourite read. Out there telling your stories and filling the pages with photos of our locals.

It has been our pleasure to publish The Sun for the last 20 years and we remain a real ‘people paper’.

Our thanks must go to our incredible team who along with us work on each and every paper with pride.

Over the years we have em ployed some truly outstanding staff.

Our sales manager, Simon Byrne, who has been with us nearly 10 years and is an integral part of the running of the Sun newspaper.

Our production person, Jess Buckingham, who puts our paper together every week in a profes sional and efficient manner.

Jacob Page who writes our weekly sports column, which has a great following.

A few past employees who deserve acknowledgement are Jill Kennard, Celeste Alexander, Glenise Dreaver and the late Jill (Woody) Wood. All of these la dies were exceptional and remain part of “The Sun family”.

A special mention to our deliverers, particularly the long standing ones who have been with us for many years.

Huge thanks to our loyal advertisers, some who have been onboard for all of our 20 years. That really does atest to our product, our service.

Lastly to you, our readers - thank you. We appreciate you supporting and reading The Sun.

We couldn’t do what we do without any of you!

Thanks for being such a great community.

Les and Katrina Whiteside Publishers

Blenheim Marlborough

to our readers and advertisers - couldn’t have done it without you!

20 years of

I joined the Blenheim Sun sales team almost 10 years ago and have never looked back.

Simon Byrne Advertising Sales Manager

My role is to get out there and talk to clients and I have met some great people that I’ve grown to admire and respect, clients and colleagues alike.

Over the years, publishers Les and Katrina Whiteside have been inspirational to work for, always quick with support and advice, and I have learnt a lot from them. They make a for midable team and have built this organisation on core values of fairness and empathy.

I’ve always felt the role of the Sun is to keep the community connected through stories we can all relate to whilst providing our clients with advertising solutions that work. This is something I believe we do very well.

As I sat down to write this I had just had a conversation with one of our readers. He came in especially to tell us how much he loves our newspaper. This happens a lot, every day in fact. So for me it’s a been real privilege and a joy to be part of this organisation that means so much to so many people in our community. Long may it continue.

What our readers say…

It is always good to read interesting bits of news, sports, events, people and business achievements that Marlburians would otherwise not get to know about.

The Sun is certainly not a ‘cut and paste’ that national newspapers tend to use. The Sun is a great community newspaper. Keep up the good work!

Jamie Arbuckle

Amazing achievement, 20 years of covering the news that really matters to our community. Well done Les, Katrina and the team at the Blenheim Sun. From local sport, txt talk to informative local stories the Sun has it all.

All the best for the future.

Jenny Andrews

Maureen Jones-Drummond

Congratulations to Les & Katrina and the entire staff (both past and present) on achieving the Sun Paper’s 20th anniversary - every staff member has their own special place to help produce this lovely, interesting paper, of which I have enjoyed over the years! Keep up the good work.

Carol Taylor

Congratulations “The Sun” newspaper!!

Have thoroughly enjoyed reading this paper for the last 20 years and hopefully the next 20 years. Always look forward to Wednesday’s when Marlborough’s best paper gets delivered.

Full of local news, photos of local events, baby arrivals, text talk and many other articles.

Keep up the excellent work Les and Katrina.

I wish to con gratulate you, Les & Katrina, on twenty years in business. You have not only supported me as a client but as a com munity group supporter. Your paper is full of local news and in formation, and I love the text talk page! Now I know I will never miss a copy

well.

Congratulations to Les & Katrina for 20 years of reading the Blen heim Sun.

Always look forward to the weekly issue with local news & in formation.

Hope it continues for another 20 years!!

Having previously worked as a journalist at the Blenheim Sun Newspaper, I saw first hand how hard the team worked for their clients and readers. I always look forward to reading the Sun every week and love having the ability to read online. “Congratulations Les, Katrina and the whole team on 20 years.”

Sharon Blount

A great start to the day when the only email in your inbox is the Blen heim Sun. My new reality post nine years on MDC. Thank you Les, Katrina and team!

Well done on your 20 years in the tough old world of newspaper pro duction!

I love reading the Blenheim Sun - it’s full of local content relating to our communities. While I lived in the North Island it was great to be able to catch up on local happenings online, now I’m back in Blenheim I look forward to getting the paper from my letterbox as well each week and spending time reading all the local news and about local events. Congratulations on 20 years of connecting our Blenheim communities.

Grant Baxter

Cynthia Brooks

Sue Lawrence

Nikki Dowling

Celeste Alexander

to our readers and advertisers

Proud to be advertising with The Sun

Congratulations Katrina, Les, Simon and the Sun team – 20 years! We enjoy working with a fun local team of people who are passionate about the region and our community. Our advertising with them is made easy with great people, and The Sun is firmly part of the Marlborough media fabric providing relevant local content each week. All the best for your next milestones, from the team at Blenheim Toyota.

Yealands

“Congratulations to Les, Katrina and the team at the Blenheim Sun. 20 Years is a significant milestone, and to be continuing to promote positive community stories in these turbulent times, is a wonderful achievement. Thanks for your positive ap proach to keeping Marlbor ough informed, and for all the community support you put in behind the scenes. Here’s to another 20!”

Michael Wentworth

We find the local team at The Sun great to deal with. They understand our adver tising needs and nothing is ever a problem. We get excellent feedback about our ads.

“We love being a part of a very community focused news paper.”

A great team.

Brendon Price

“Straight away we knew the relationship with Katrina & Les would be a great one as they have very similar values as our own family business. They are always there for ad vice on advertising that works.

Congratulations on 20 years of outstanding work, and here’s to many more.”

The team at Mint Air.

The Sun is a great commu nity paper. We are proud to have been supporting The Sun in one way or another, from delivering The Sun to letterboxes to encourage work ethics with our chil dren, to advertising with The Sun regularly.

Congratulations on 20 years.

My electorate office in Blen heim has enjoyed working with the Blenheim Sun for many years and it gives me great pleas ure to offer my congratulations to Les and Katrina on reaching their 20th Anniversary.

The Blenheim Sun is an im portant part of the fabric of our local community and is widely read and enjoyed throughout Marlborough.

I look forward to continuing the great relationship we have with the team and wish them every success in the future.

20th Anniversary

“Congratulations to the Whiteside’s on the Blenheim Sun reaching 20 years of publication in our community.

I have chosen to advertise with them for the majority of those years and I cannot thank them enough for all that they have done for me, including the growth of my business.

Les and Katrina are always available to chat 24/7 with an honest and open approach.

The Sun team consistently continue to go out of their way to accommodate my business, help me meet my deadlines, nothing is ever a problem, they really do go above and beyond.

Their publication continues to be full of great local content and articles that keep the communi ty up to speed with events and happenings.

It’s a privilege to be associated with ‘The Sun’.”

Blenheim Sun is a great ad vertisement platform and it has been working for us from day one. It is amazing to see when the customers walk into the store and have the Sun newspaper in their hand and they want the advertised Whisky/Vodka etc.

Best wishes to the whole team at Blenheim Sun and look for ward to working with them in the coming years. Cheers to that.

The Derry Family wishes the Blenheim Sun a hearty congratulations as you celebrate your 20th anniversary. We have had the pleasure to work alongside Katrina, Les and the team over the last 20 years as they have provided us a platform to reach our many customers across our varied businesses - Freshchoice Springlands, The Speight’s Alehouse Blen heim and The Goodhome Marlborough. Whether it is promoting an event or the launch of a new menu, recruiting for staff or a general business update we have always been able to rely on the Blenheim Sun to deliver us a cost effective and efficient way to reach our many and varied customers. We have shared values in supporting local and looking after loyal customers which is what has made our partnership with the Blenheim Sun a successful one. Cheers to the Blenheim Sun!

Hayley Derry

Working with the Sun over the past decade has been tremen dous for our business growth and brand awareness. The team at The Sun are awe some and are able to feature our business and its offering so well.

Congratulations on 20 Years! Stacey Goodwin

couldn’t have done

without

Super Liquor

Woodbourne Tavern & Motels

Peter Ray HomesMint Air

Stuart Smith MP

Derry Family

Blenheim Toyota

Debbie ‘the’ Webster

Congratulations!

20 years working together

Inkwise is proud to have worked with The Blenheim Sun Newspaper since 2002 – a valued business partnership.

With our scale, capability and history of innovation, Inkwise continues to grow. From our inception in 1993, we have evolved from Coldset print providers, to the only print company in New Zealand offering Coldset, Heatset and sheetfed offset printing as well as digital print and finishing, under one roof.

become

member of

HWEN outcry disappointing

from his view that the government’s response was largely consistent with the sector’s original HWEN report to the government.

He described criticism from sector leaders as “slightly misleading for farmers looking for guidance”.

O’Connor acknowledged that it had been difficult for sector leaders to achieve consensus on a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emission, and he urged those who had issues with the government’s response to the HWEN plant to read its document.

He said that would reveal that the two documents are more closely aligned than has been acknowledged by some sector leaders. They will form the basis for a sector-wide agreement, he said.

O’Connor said he doubts the sheep and beef sector will shrink as the government’s own modelling forecast in its response to HWEN.

“I don’t see that reduction happening at all,” he said.

He said farmers have continually confront ed challenges by innovating and making changes, and he cannot see why sheep and beef farmers will not do that again to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

He acknowledged that the recent growth of forestry and carbon farming is not ideal and said the government is addressing that. But land use is always changing and new uses, other than forestry, will evolve, he said.

O’Connor urged farmers to read the government’s report and either make a personal submission or contribute to those being prepared by the sector.

New export record

The value of New Zealand wine in international markets is stronger than ever, with exports for 12 months to September at an all-time high of $2.03 billion, up 6% from the previous year. USA ($727 million) and Canada ($157 million) are at new record levels.

The total value increase of 6% is due to a rise in value per litre, with volume for the 12 months to September decreasing 4% from a year ago.

The month of September 2022 has set a new export record of $287 million, this being the first time the export value has exceeded over $¼ billion in any month.

Public backs carbon farming

The majority of New Zea landers don’t agree with the government’s approach of planting our way out of the problem of climate change and want limits on fossil fuel emitters planting exotic trees on productive farmland.

research commis sioned by Federated Farm ers and Beef + Lamb New

Zealand (b+lnz) has found 54 percent of New Zea landers support a limit on the amount of fossil fuel emissions that can be offset with new pine forests.

almost two thirds of kiwis oppose for eign companies buying New Zealand farms to offset their emissions.

The findings by curia co incide with the release of a new independent report by Orme & Associates, com missioned by b+lnz, which shows more than 52,000ha of land was purchased by forestry interests in 2021, a 36 percent increase on the previous two years, and up from 7,000ha in 2017.

Wine businesses looking forward to boost

Cellar doors have been hit hard by the collapse in international tourist numbers over the past two years.

Expectantly, with the reopening of New Zealand’s borders, we will see the return of overseas visitors, who will once more

be able to enjoy all the experiences our wine regions have to offer. Alongside domestic holidaymakers, international tourists will give wine businesses the boost they need to see them through the busy summer period, and beyond.

Stuart Smith MP for Kaikōura Electorate

IRT NZ Trotting Cup

The IRT NZ Trotting Cup next Tuesday has attracted a talented field, with probably six really good chances of taking out this years two mile race.

The standing start will be crucial for all runners. No horse can afford to give the other runners a head start.

This year we will see two Australian visitors including second favourite Rock N Roll Doo and Majestic Cruiser.

Rock N Roll Doo could be the giant killer for the Kiwis.

He showed at the Ashburton Flying Stakes he can sit in the parked position and still be very competitive and his con nections won’t die wondering, they will put him in the race,

rather than sitting back.

It’s a feat achieved just once in the last 34 years, but Aus tralian trainer and driver M ick Stanley is looking to accomplish the rare act of winning the New Zealand Trotting Cup with his fouryear-old gelding Rock N Roll Doo.

For the Kiwi’s Copy That, the defending NZ Cup cham pion finds himself in the sca rcely believable position of being favourite to win the great race at Addington on November 8, and he is hitting his straps at the right time, with two impressive last starts of big handicaps .

Self Assured the 2020 win ner was less than average in

the Ashburton Flying Mile, but you can bet Mark Purdon and his team will be turning every stone to make sure he is right come next Tuesday.

One of the big movers after the Flying Mile was Old Town Road who finished strongly from well back to take second behind winner B D Joe who lead all the way from gate one. Should B D Joe draw handy he has shown he could be hard to beat again.

Spankem was another to impress, finishing fourth.

I would like to see Copy That win from Rock N Roll Doo, Self Assured and Spankem. But don’t be surprised if B D Joe, Old Town Road, Akuta and Alta Wiseguy surprise.

Copy That in the hands of Blair Orange wins last years IRT NZ Trotting Cup. Will he do it again in 2022?

Road User Tax

Quitter

TheSuntxt talk

Will Jacinda remain for her full term or quit beforehand? Maybe she can see the writing on the wall.. hopefully voters can too.

Open Labour Day please

Seniors watch out

New to Blenheim. Gorgeous place to walk about! Just curious why senior citizens don’t stop at zebra crossings (a lovely elderly man gave me the bird as I waited to cross) and disregard roundabout rules (a woman was nearly hit on her bike yesterday). Are they exempt from road rules or need their driver’s licence revoked?

Why are we still paying road user tax when diesel is the same if not dearer than petrol?

Not open?

Countdown Redwoodtown. I call into on Tuesday to get my books nothing there. Lotto was closed. Going to New World, much nicer lotto always open.

Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy screams. I leave my country estate in Sheffield, twice jump on a C130 carbon burn ing military cargo ‘uber’ to attend a party, with my fisherman friend, and TV crew, entourage; where gas is used to feed me, warm me, and petrol/diesel used to carry us all around the ice. But wait, I was snapped giving cash to a Wellington beggar-tax deductable. So, share the ‘e’ rides comrade darling!

Clean footpaths

Is anyone else disgusted with the state of footpaths around our CBD? Vomit, urine & food stains, chicken bones thrown to the seagulls who in turn defecate on the street.

Emailed new mayoress recently, no response. With influxes of tourists on way this spring/ summer, wouldn’t you think a clean up might be the way to go?

Apparently ‘not’ a priority.

Fighting crime

They’re talking about more tools for fighting youth crime. One offender facing 81 charges including violent assault. I’ve got just the thing! It weighs about 1.5kgs and fits over my right foot.

Sun... good reading

Thanks to the Sun, good reading and bits for everyone, my favourite is the txt talk page and the sport column.

Restaurants obviously making too much money. I accept there is a staffing problem at moment but had out of town visitors here on Labour day and only a couple of places open. Lots of people walking around looking for somewhere to eat.

Use a catcher

To the complainant re green waste charges. You have a choice of either composting your clippings or do as I do and that is to trim your lawn without a catcher...never had such a nice lawn.

Library name

I hearby name it.....”Booked Solid” You can’t get it any more English than that!!

Wrong country

In reply to Wrong Country re origin of Tun nocks wafers. USA is renowned for junk food, and as these wafers contain palm oil, shea butter, glucose syrup, canola oil, sweetened condensed milk, modified wheat flower etc, Countdown probably assumed they were American junk food. Instead they are Scottish junk food.

Thank you

A huge thank you to the best chemist in Blenheim. Thank you Kath and Staff at Market St Life Pharmacy. Going beyond to help.

Clubs cancels Melbourne Cup

The Blenheim Club Melbourne Cup Day affair has been cancelled through lack of interest

traditional fun afternoon with prizes for the best hat, best dressed man and women plus the sweepstake and salmon blinis, asparagus rolls and even strawberries and cream is off. Sad.

Kia Kaha. Stay safe Aotearoa!

Accident waiting to happen

Apologies for the length of the previous text re another near serious motor vehicle accident on Weld St. But, unfortunately, an injury or worse, fatal accident is very much on the cards with the appallingly slack driving attitudes prevalent today.

Enjoy 5 mins with

Enjoyed the write up about 5 Minutes With Stacey Grainger.... Interesting that she doesn’t walk past shops that are stationary or should it be stationery??? Just saying

Young should be at home

What’s wrong with parents these days? Hearing of kids as young as 10 involved in mall hangouts, punching, in cars opening doors on cyclists. Shocking. They should be home playing tiddlywinks!

Saddened

Re: Saddened by Remarks. Couldn’t agree more...I too am white middle classed, but have moved here from an ethnically diverse city for a better lifestyle. Blenheim is in a time warp when it comes to race and colour. Very disappointing.

Paid off

Stuff - I can’t be bothered reading you any longer or referring to your site for latest news. It’s all back to front with what’s important news, breaking news, national news, world news, sport etc. Not to mention it’s bent towards a certain language now.

Clubs ok ?

Clubs of Marlb what’s up? Slow service, can celled events, change of hierarchy. Is all ok? I have to wonder.

Talk of the week

Still Books

Best wishes to Still Books and its owners. Closing down after such a long time on Scott st. Hope you have a happy retirement ahead.

Love it!

Thanks to the Sun for the read each week. Love it. I’m an oldie but have even mastered the online. Proud of myself. Like anything we have to adapt. Good reading

Kids having fun

Good to see kids having good old fashioned fun on Halloween. Some of the old traditions are still goodies.

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film maker

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all its glorious forms.

weekend involves....?

programme or series

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Film Festival.

By Wally Richards

Psyllidae, called the jumping plant lice or psyllids. (Note much of the following is from

research)

They are a family of small plant-feeding insects that tend to be very host-specific, each plant-louse species only feeds on one plant species or feeds on a few closely related plants.

Of current concern to tomato, potato, tamarillo, capsicum and chili gardeners is the new psyllid commonly known as the tomato/ potato psyllid.

This psyllid comes from Central and North America where it breeds primarily on potatoes, tomatoes and other plants in the potato family, Solanaceace.

It also breeds on kumara, which is in the bindweed family, Convolvulaceae.

It was first found in New Zealand in 2006 and has spread throughout New Zealand.

This psyllid may transmit a bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum that causes a disease in its host plants.

The tomato potato psyllid occurs on its host plants in gardens, and crops in greenhouses and on farms.

The tomato potato psyllid breeds all year, though the time from egg to adult (generation time) is longer in the winter when it is cold, than in the summer or in a heated greenhouse.

Adult tomato potato psyllids are small insects similar in size to aphids. They have wings and look like small cicadas with a distinctive white band on the abdomen. The two pairs of transparent wings are held over their abdomen.

Tomato potato psyllid eggs are yellow and attached to leaves by a thin short stalk. The eggs may be laid on all parts of the leaf and plant stem, but are often found on the leaf edge where they are most easily seen.

Nymphs hatch from the eggs. They are flat and scale like, and have three pairs of legs and sucking mouthparts.

They settle on young leaves, mainly on the underside. Although they can walk, they spend much of their time motionless with their stylets inserted into the plant feeding on the plant sap.

There are five nymphal stages, each is called an instar. buds. Adults emerge from fifth instar nymphs.

The length of time needed for nymphal development depends on the temperature and is shorter when it is hotter.

The tomato potato psyllid inserts its maxillary stylets into the phloem, (the plant vessels for transmitting sap from the leaves to other parts of the plant.)

The sap has a high volume of water and sugars, more than the insect needs.

It excretes the excess water and sugar, which is called honeydew. The tomato potato psyllid coats the droplet of honeydew with white wax before ejecting it.

Leaves can become covered with these white wax coated droplets that are called psyllid sugars.

Like some other Hemiptera (sucking bugs), the tomato potato psyllid can transmit plant pathogens to plants.

this week

Tomato potato psyllid is the primary vector (transmitter) of a bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, which causes a disease that may weaken plants and reduce yields and quality of crops.

Plants infested with the psyllid may exhibit symptoms of a disease, psyllid yellows.

The disease symptoms initially appear in response to psyllid feeding and is presumably a physiological reaction to feeding and saliva secretions by the tomato potato psyllid.

On tomatoes, the disease symptoms are the yellowing and stunting of the growing tip and a cupping or curling of the leaves.

Many flowers may fall off the trusses of infected plants and fruit that develop may be small and misshapen.

On potatoes, the foliar symptoms are a stunting and yellowing of the growing tip and the edges of the curled leaves often have a pink blush or purple colour.

After a while infected potatoes develop a scorched appearance and plants may collapse prematurely.

Potato plants that are infected at an ear ly stage, develop numerous small tubers. Tuber quality is also affected when the plants are infected at a later stage.

The disease is referred to as zebra chip because when the affected potatoes are fried they exhibit dark stripes where the areas high in sugar burn.

In New Zealand, the bacterial disease is usually less of a problem on outdoor capsicums, chilli and egg-plant.

Tomato potato psyllid breeds all year, especially in the warmer parts of the country and in greenhouses. In these situations, all life stages may be found all year round. In other areas, non-breeding adults may be found on plants.

Adults feed on leaves and can mate more than once. A female can lay up to 500 eggs over a 21-day period, but in the field it is more likely to be around 200 eggs.

The number of eggs laid also depends upon the host plant. The rate of devel opment of nymphs is dependent on temperature.

The psyllid develops between 15°C and 32°C with optimum development

at 27°C.

In a greenhouse with an average temperature of 18°C psyllids takes 33 days to complete their life cycle.

In New Zealand there are to 7-8 gener ations per year in the Auckland region.

In New Zealand’s winter, the numbers of psyllids are low and development is very slow.

Adults and nymphs can survive short periods of sub-zero temperatures. In New Zealand’s spring numbers on infested plants will begin to build up and reach a peak in late summer/early autumn.

Adult psyllids have wings and in North America can spread long distance by air. In New Zealand, dispersal tends to be more limited, 100 m or more in three days. They will invade new areas and plants, especially in summer.

From my experience its a temperature to numbers game, when given the ideal temperatures.

One adult laying 500 eggs can mean in about a month you have a population of 250,000 adults

Initially sprays will help control but as numbers rapidly increase you would need to spray every day and still lose the battle.

That was the point I reached about 3 years ago and watched my tomato plants and tamarillos die in front of my eyes.

The following season I treated my tomatoes and other host plants with silicon drench and sprays and in one season completely wiped out the psyllids from my glasshouse and gardens.

The silicon treatment which I call the ‘Cell Strengthening Kit’ makes the plant’s cells too tough for the psyllid nymphs to piece and feed and they soon starve to death after hatching.

This breaks the life cycle and there are no new adults to replace the old ones when they die.

Information on the kit is available on our mail order web site at www.0800466464. co.nz

More info on the pest at http://www. gardenews.co.nz

With our silicon products you can once again grow tomatoes, potatoes and other affected plants.

Or phone me for more information.

Actors Donna Botha and Anna

Director Geoff Anderson, Donna Botha, Roger Wadham, Anna Stephens (seated), Rachael Meiklejohn, Naomi Strain, Tracy Bartlett and Brendan Mclauchlan.

Nelson based actor Anna Stephens in her charactrer role for ‘Control’.

FRIGHT NIGHT: Sage Johnson, Amelia Kingi, Maddison Jones, Alice Kingi and MacKenzie Wyngaard.

Louise Kingi, Elly Molly and Holly Gleeson.

Children and families pastor Amber Waston addressing a section of the

strong crowd.

ElIM CHUrCH lIGHt

Monday, October 31. the ‘light party’ is a positive and safe alternative to the darkness of Halloween.

SUPERCHARGE: Rory Tempest in full flight.

THUMBS UP: Hamish Pigou with ‘Ginge’ (Elliot Ham).

Natalie Joubert, Laura McLean and Stew Wiggins.

the

HAlloWEEn

STAR OF THE SEA ANNUAL MASS

Our Annual Mass for the bereaved and their loved ones will be held at Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Maxwell Road. Anyone who has ever suffered a bereavement is welcome to attend. Please bring a flower and photo which will be placed in front of the altar whilst Mass is taking place. There will be a light supper at the conclusion of the Mass. This advertisement is kindly sponsored by Cloudy Bay Funeral Services.

Kia ora, welcome to Cancer Society Marlborough

We’re lucky enough to have a passionate medical oncologist, Dr. Kate Gregory, who specialises in Breast, Gynaecological and Melanoma cancers working across the Nelson Marlborough region. Kate is coming to Marlborough on the Monday 7th November to speak about Breast Cancer, 6pm, at the Cancer Society rooms.

All are welcome, please RSVP by 4th November, any enquiries to Cancer Society Marlborough. A zoom link will be available for those that aren’t able to attend in person.

Live Stronger & Prost-FIT

Do you want to get back exercising after your cancer treatment but unsure how to begin?

Harvester and Tractor drivers 2023 Grape Harvest in Marlborough

Start date: Mid to late March 2023

End date: Late April 2023

Tractor drivers need full licence. Harvester drivers need wheels licence. Drug and alcohol tests prior to employment. Competitive rates dependant on experience.

Applicants to reply to Mack Pouwhare 021 775 981 or email to admin@grapeworx.co.nz

Live Stronger and Prost-FIT are local exercise classes that help participants into exercise in a controlled and safe environment. Sessions are held weekly and led by experienced trainers at Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000. All fitness levels are catered for, but if you have any questions or concerns, get in touch with our local team for more information.

‘SOCK IT’ to cancer

Recovery Navigator

Ko wai mātou | About us

Te Kaunihera ā-rohe o Wairau (Marlborough District Council) is a dynamic, progressive organisation which prides itself on the professionalism it brings to managing a wide range of functions. Our vision is that over the next decade, Marlborough will become a globally connected district of progressive, high-value enterprise, known for its quality lifestyle, desirable location and natural environment.

Marlborough is unique for many reasons. The region offers an array of outdoor pursuits in a distinctive and picturesque landscape. With one fifth of the New Zealand coastline in the Marlborough Sounds, the land and sea offer unlimited accessibility for sport and leisure.

Ko ngā kōrero mā tēnei tūrangi | About the role

Due to the ongoing impacts of the July 21 and August 22 weather event Marlborough Emergency Management are looking for a Recovery Navigator to support the affected communities.

You will be part of the team contributing to the wellbeing of affected individuals, family/ whanau by supporting their timely and coordinated access to the services they need.

This includes assisting people to find ways to ease the physical, psychological and social difficulties being experienced, facilitating access to information and services, and connecting people with, and co-ordinating access to, all support and resources.

Having an understanding of the Marlborough Region and its community organisations would be advantageous.

This role is a fixed term role for 6 months.

Ko ngā pūmanawa ōu | About you

This role requires someone with:

• Excellent ability to relate to all levels and personalities.

• Strong community engagement and an approachable nature.

• A think outside the box approach.

• An ability to operate in a complex and changing environment

If you are a person that inspires confidence and are well organised, with good initiative and a strong ability to relate effectively with people whilst communicating with them, then this may be the role for you.

Ko ngā āhuatanga pai | What we offer

• A workplace that supports flexibility, health and wellbeing.

• An environment where input, initiative and innovation are encouraged.

• A fantastic learning environment and support for continuing education.

• A competitive remuneration

If you’re ready to progress your career with Te Kaunihera ā-rohe o Wairau - tono mai | apply now!

Applications close 5.00 pm on 7 November 2022.

Applications should be made online via the careers page www.marlborough.govt.nz/ your-council/careers/current-vacancies. Here you will find full information on the vacancy and how to apply.

For further information you are welcome to contact Brian Paton on 03 520 7556 / brian.paton@marlborough.govt.nz

Did you know that we have a set of sunsmart marquee to support community events? Our shade loan programme allows local community non-profit groups to hire marquees and umbrellas for local community events free of charge. If you are selling tickets to an event, you can still use our shade loan equipment but there may be a small cost. You can book online https:// www.cancer.org.nz/marlborough/sunsmartshade-loans or call our office.

As summer temperatures approach, it’s important to check the expiry dates on sunscreen, dust off

hat and put these in handy places – in your day bag, in the car or by your door. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand, so remember to SLIP, SLOP, SLAP and WRAP.

Upcoming Events

Cancer Contacts

Cancer Society Marlborough, 76a Maxwell Rd, PO Box 233, Blenheim. Phone 03 579 4379

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am-4:00pm

Email address: marlborough@cancersoc.org.nz Cancer helpline: 0800 CANCER (226 237) Cancer Society website: www.cancer.org.nz for reliable and up to date information, links and chat forums.

The Cancer Society is funded entirely by charitable donations and thanks the Marlborough community for its continued support.

Sunsmart Shade Loan

Breast Cancer Kōrero

Urgent

Ambulance: Urgent 111. Non urgent 578 0797.

After Hours Chemists: Springlands Pharmacy: Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm. Saturday 9.30am - 4pm. Sunday 10am2pm. Public Holidays 10am - 2pm. Closed Christmas Day. ph 578 2271

Community Care Pharmacy: Within the Blenheim Warehouse, open 7 days 9am8pm. Only closed Christmas Day.

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.

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

Death

NEAME, Graemy Maurice 15-08-195126-10-2022 Passed away suddenly in Inver cargill. Youngest son of Victor and Anituhia (Dolly) Neame (nee MacDonald). Father of Christopher and Nicholas. Brother of Jan, Chippy, Jack (all deceased) and Mackie, Clarry, Sam, Vickie, Vivvy. Uncle to all his nieces and nephews. Graemy will lay at Tu amātene Marae, Grovetown, from Friday, 4th until his service on Sunday, 6th Novem ber at 10.00am followed by burial at Ota mawaho urupā (Māori Island).

Keith

Saturday, September 10,

Hospice Marlborough after a long

with family at his side. In his 90th

Dearly loved

and best friend of Liz. Loved father of Margaret and Steve, James and Kirsty (UK), Alex and Hannah, and Duncan. Loved and adored “Papa” of

thanks to Hospice Marlbor

may be sent to 30A Lakings Road, Springlands, Blenheim 7201. In lieu

donation to Hospice Marlbor ough

be appreciated and may made at the service or to a/c 03-1369-0365207-00

(DAVIDSON) A memorial service for Keith will be held at the Church of the Na tivity, Alfred Street, Blenheim at 10.00 am on Wednesday 2 November 2022.

MELLON-SORENSEN, Jonathan: Passed away suddenly, at his home in Wel lington on Thursday, October, 27, 2022. Aged 29 years, a musician just getting into his dream job. Much loved son of Lone and the late Tony, much loved brother of Freder ik. Special thanks to Ian from St Mary’s church in Karori. Also to the band members from Villians Never Die, and Without The Beatles. All messages of support have been greatly appreciated. Messages may be sent to the Sorensen Family, 141 Long Valley Road, Okaramia, Havelock 7178 In lieu of flowers a donation to Christian Blind Mis sion (NZ) would be appreciated and may be made at the service or to ANZ a/c 01 0154 0234 678 00 (Ref. SORENSEN) A funeral service for Jonathan will be held at the Ren wick Anglican Church, High Street, Ren wick at 2.00pm on Friday November 4 fol lowed by interment at the Fairhall Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://bit.ly/mellon-sorensen

EDEN: Frances On 30 October 2022, peacefully at Springlands Lifestyle Village. A private cremation has been held with a Memorial Service to be held at a date to be advised. To view the full notice please visit our website www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz

WILKINSON; Farquhar Davis (QSM) On October 25, at Redwood Retirement Village, Blenheim. There will be two celebrations of Farquhar’s life: one in Blenheim on Friday 4 November at Brooklyn Croquet Club at 2pm and the second in Wellington on Tuesday 6 December at the Lyall Bay Surf Lifesaving Club at 2pm. To view the full notice please visit our website www.cloudybayfunerals. co.nz

Community notices

Alastair & Emma Hebberd

talk

Brave Blossoms outgun lethargic ABs

One has to wonder when the folks at New Zealand Rugby will come to the realisation that the All Blacks under Ian Foster are trending in the wrong direction.

Their 38-31 win over Japan on Saturday night was another frus tratingly poor performance in many areas, symptomatic of the season we have all sat through.

Japan, to their credit, played with the bravery, dedication, physicality and heart which was completely

missing from the men in black.

The All Blacks suffered a dis rupted lead-up but they played like they had come to Tokyo for a training run.

I had seen more intensity during an episode of The Chase.

The result does nothing to ease the pressure on coach Foster or captain Sam Cane.

Most of the rugby public has made up their minds that both men are out of their depth in their current roles.

Brian holds the world record

By Chris Valli

Blenheim’s Brian Hutchison is officially a world record holder.

The 90-year-old now holds the world record in the indoor row ing 100 metres for the 90 - 99 age category. His time was 20.5 seconds. The time for the New Zealand record is 28 seconds.

“It was a big surprise as far as I’m concerned. I am elated.”

He says in his training he had ‘always been around that time’; having no idea such times were in the world record contention. Confirmation on the record

has been in the pipeline for a few weeks. He has just returned from Australia where he has been for a week but found out before he left.

His son Ross had been con ducting diligent research check ing up on various times in New Zealand and worldwide.

Brian won four gold medals at the South Island Masters’ Games in Timaru on October 8 and featured in the Sun edition on Wednesday, October 12.

His first placings were in the 100, 200, 500 and 1000 metre disciplines.

They weren’t the only ones out of their depth on Saturday night; Roger Tuivasa Sheck continued to look lost in the midfield and Stephen Perofeta did not make the most of his opportunity at fullback.

The team missed Ardie Savea and all three Barrett brothers.

Long gone are the days of the 1995 World Cup when the All Blacks ran in a 145-17.

The Japanese now have access to excellent Kiwi coaches like Jamie

Joseph, Tony Brown and Robbie Deans and they are showing the benefit of that.

Meanwhile, the All Blacks game plan continues to show a lack of imagination or innovation.

For the most part, the team is boring to watch.

It seems as much as the public demand change, NZR has com mitted everyone to what seems like a trip doomed to failure for the World Cup.

The current lethargic play does not represent the All Blacks’ brand of rugby.

There is clearly a lack of leader ship on the field and most alarm ingly, no real change in approach.

Japan deserve a lot of credit but the All Black aura, once so powerful, it beat teams who merely faced-up to the pregame haka, is now in tatters and no one within the All Blacks environment seems overly bothered.

Underwater Hockey Club victorious

The Marlborough Underwater Hock ey Club recently won Gold at the New Zealand Interclub Nationals held in Wellington.

The 10 person team, which included three players from Marlborough Boys’ College and two from Marl borough Girls’ College, went through the tournament unbeaten winning the C-grade final against Embers from Wellington club Phoenix.

Underwater Hockey has a proud his tory here in Marlborough with regular success in national tournaments and regular Tuesday and Thursday night sessions at the Stadium 2000 pool.

The game is played with a mask, fins, a short stick and a 1.5kg lead puck. It’s a fast and dynamic sport with its own unique set of skills and strategies. UWH is played internationally and New Zealand is current Men’s and Women’s World Champions.

The team played a total of seven 20 minute games over the two day tourna

Blenheim’s Brian Hutchison is officially a world record holder. The 90-year-old now holds the world record in the indoor rowing 100 metres for the 90 - 99 age category. His time stands at 20.5 seconds. The time for the New Zealand record is 28 seconds.

By Chris Valli

The Marlborough Boys’ College 1st X1 cricket team lost their opening game of the Gillette Cup semi-final to Napier Boys’ yesterday.

The semi-finals saw first XIs repre senting the Central Districts Region including MBC, Napier Boys' High School, Palmerston North Boys' High School and New Plymouth Boys' High School.

Due to Omicron last season (2021/22), CDCA, in conjunction with New Zealand Cricket made the decision to postpone the Gillette Cup CD regional finals (playoffs) which were to have been played on 28 and 29 March 2022.

MBC batted first and got 65 in their first innings. However, Napier Boys’ reached the target in the 18th over after losing five wickets.

Rain impacted the start of semi-fi nals on Tuesday and MBC coach Chris McMurtrie says in hindsight, the team probably didn’t assess the

and the team as a whole having a lot of fun.

The cost of travelling to this tournament was supported by a grant from Pelorus Trust.

If you are interested in giving the sport a try contact us at Marlbor oughUWH@gmail.com .

Back row; Marcus Wright, Harry Musgrove, Richard Price, Casey Evans, Zach Mitchell, Shaun Musgrove. Front; Chloe Vervaart, Liam Williamson, Jasmine Boreham-Wright, and Aston Underwood. ment. The final was a close game with Marlborough having two players sin binned in the dying minutes allowing the Embers to score setting up a tense finish. Marlborough managed to hold out for a 2-1 victory. The younger players showed good development

MBC First X1 miss out on regional final

pitch correctly.

“It was holding up a bit so aerial down the ground was a difficult option. We needed to change our approach, which we didn’t do.”

With rain on Tuesday the tour nament was changed to a 20 overs format.

The second game for MBC was yesterday afternoon against New Plymouth Boys’ High School.

The winner of the tournament goes

on to represent Central Districts at the Gillette Cup tournament in Lincoln, Canterbury during the week of 13-18 December 2022 against New Zealand's five other regional winners.

The prestigious Gillette Cup for secondary schoolboy First XIs is for years 9 to 13.

Created in 1990, it's one of the long est-running competitions in New Zealand secondary school sport.

MBC First XI back in March after a strong win over Nelson College. The win saw then progress to the Central Districts Gillette Cup finals in Palmerston North.