Marlborough Weekly - 19 May 2020 by TSM Marlborough

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Anxious wait for Smiths Citypays staff Coronavirus patient tribute to medics’ care Paula Hulburt Editor

paula@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

Staff at one of Blenheim’s biggest stores face an anxious wait to find out if they still have jobs.

Paula Hulburt

Smiths City bosses yesterday revealed they had negotiated a conditional $60 million sale. But seven of the 29 stores nationwide will shut after being ditched from the sale agreement, with around 165 of the 465-strong

workforce set to lose their jobs. The fate of the Blenheim store is expected to be made public on Friday, with no official word on whether it was included in the buyout. The store was open for business

as usual over the weekend. Founder of refrigerated logistics company Big Chill, Colin Neal, has agreed to the conditional sale under the banner of Polar Capital. Smiths City Chair Alastair Kerr

says the shock move will hopefully help the nationwide store stay afloat in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. “As we signalled at the end of

SEE PAGE 2

Taming the mane

Editor

paula@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

Struggling to breathe as the virus attacked her lungs, Tamara Gillan tried not to panic. Having arrived in Blenheim three days before lockdown she had fled the UK to be with her family in what she hoped would be a safer environment. But in a cruel twist of fate, she became one of 49 people across Nelson Marlborough District Health board to be diagnosed with COVID-19. Now mainly recovered, the grateful business owner is paying tribute to the team of healthcare workers who cared for her and her mother - well known Marlburian Toni Gillan, who doctors believe also had the virus. “They were amazing. We were called every day and they went through our symptoms with us. “It was quite psychologically draining and to hear their friendly voices was very reassuring,” Tamara says. When her symptoms worsened and she laboured to breathe, the knowledge that help was just a call away was calming, she says. “I was so breathless; like someone wasBlenheim standing on myMatt chest.Croad gets a post-lockdown trim by barber Aaron ‘Noddy’ Nott. Matt was one of the first customers through the door as Marlborough moved to man “I knew that if I needed to, I could alert level 2. Photo: Matt Brown.

CONTINUED PAGE 3

Tamara Gillan is grateful for the care she received after she was diagnosed with COVID-19. Photo: Supplied.

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TUESDAY 19 May 2020

Decision Friday for stricken store FROM PAGE 1

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March and earlier this month, the Covid-19 pandemic has delivered a material and significant shock to the business,” he says. The final number of stores to be sold is dependent on the lease transfers and new lease terms being agreed for those transferring stores, a spokesman says. In addition to acquiring the stores Polar Capital has also committed to taking on some of the company’s debt and liabilities. The final amount expected to be received is $8 million. Alastair says the move will help save some jobs. “This shock has substantially shortened the time available for the turnaround programme that was the cornerstone of the company’s strategic plan.

Smiths City in Blenheim may not be included in the sale agreement. Photo: Chloe Ranford/LDR. “Faced with this shorter timeframe, it became clear that

Smiths City needed to bring new capital into the business to drive

the turnaround. “However, it has now become clear that the transaction we have announced offers the greatest opportunity for Smiths City to endure for the long term. “It also offers the greatest opportunity to protect the jobs of as many of our staff as we can in this uncertain time,” he says. Polar Capital’s Colin Neal says the firm is a trusted brand and all commitments to customers will be honoured. “If a customer has paid Smiths City for a product, they will get the product. “I am looking forward to working with the Smiths City team to build on this proud legacy. “I am also grateful for the resilience and continuing loyalty they and the broader community of partners, have shown as we worked through this period of

News

TUESDAY 19 May 2020

Bringing the bloom Animal fan’s big heart back to the boom Paula Hulburt Gardeners have been hard at work bringing two top parks back to their former glory. Marlborough District Council gardeners returned to work at alert level 3. After four weeks away, staff had plenty to do to bring Seymour Square and Pollard Park back to pre-lockdown condition. Qualified gardener Rachel Hutchinson says the team, who had been working in two bubbles, were excited to be out and about again. Staff had been keen to return, she says. “If it had been when we first planted. I’d have been worried. It was hard being at home and wondering what was happening. “I really missed the place.” Work initially began at Seymour Square where four weeks’ worth of leaves were swept up, the lawns mowed, and the fountain cleaned. Swathes of leaves were also swept up at Pollard Park where whole flower beds have now been prepped ready for

Experienced gardener Rachel Hutchinson is helping prep the gardens at Pollard Park for new bulbs. Photo: Paula Hulburt. new plants and bulbs. Almost 35,000 locally sourced bulbs will be planted as they become available. With 30 years looking after the almost 7-hectare site, Rachel says it’s been hard being away from her outdoor office. “At first, it was all leaves, leaves and more leaves and mowing but it’s looking a lot better.

“It’s certainly good to be back,” she says. The team of eight staff have cleaned out the fountain in Seymour Square prior to it being switched on again. The iconic clock tower is running again now the team can wind it up by hand every six days. Head gardener Brad Molony, who was trained by Rachel,

says in the days prior to alert level 4, he had been busy closing the region’s play areas. After that, the crew prepared as much as possible. “It didn’t make a lot of sense to start planting knowing it was just going to be left so we focused on what we could do. “In three months, we should be back to where we need to be,” he says.

Generous Claudia Harris has spent three years raising money for the Renwick SPCA by doing chores around the house. From folding laundry to washing dishes, ten-year-old Claudia kept busy and saved $200 which she donated to help the centre’s animals. “I love animals and I felt bad for the ones that don’t get treated well, and the ones that don’t have a home,” she says. The proud pet-owner has four fish, one cat and one dog. Photo: Supplied.

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News

Help agency swamped News with lockdown worries Paula Hulburt Staff at Blenheim’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau have been busy helping people deal with a raft of work-related worries amid lockdown. The service has been helping people via telephone calls, virtual chat and email as lockdown sparked major concerns about money and job security Co-chair Tiffany Cross says lockdown has had a huge impact on the community, with many people struggling. “The Citizens Advice Bureau has been helping people in New Zealand for 50 years and during COVID-19 we’ve been busy helping clients with the impact of the lockdown.” From helping people with questions about their employment rights, redundancy and being told to take leave,

it’s been a stressful time for people in the community Tiffany says. Although face to face help hasn’t been available, volunteers have turned to other means to ensure people are getting help, especially over understanding their rights as an employee. “We’ve still been busy on the phones and by email. We’ve been helping people with a wide range of situations, including helping people understand their employment rights,” Tiffany says. Help is available for a wide range of issues. Citizens Advice is an independent community organisation offering free, confidential, and independent information and help. Last year across New Zealand, volunteers received about 500,000 enquiries on

Citizen Advice Bureau cochair Tiffany Cross has been one of many staff helping people deal with lockdown queries. Photo: Supplied. issues ranging from electricity, immigration, housing and employment to consumer rights, health and family. “It’s been a time of real stress for so many people in our community and that the CAB is here to help everyone regardless of their issue. “Some of the issues that people are coming to us about in-

clude support for the elderly, working obligations for those with immunity issues, being made redundant and being asked to take annual leave. “It doesn’t matter what your question is. We’ll help, and if we can’t help you directly, we’ll find someone who can”, says Tiffany. “We have great information on our website www.cab.org. nz, including up-to-date information about Covid-19 related issues. “If you can’t find the answer on our website, give us a call on 03 578 4272 or 0800 367 222 or send us an email marlborough@cab.org.nz,” says Tiffany. “You can also send a message via virtual chat on our website – cab.org.nz.” The Citizens Advice Bureau hopes to be able to open its doors for face to face help in a couple of weeks.

Restaurant closes: After almost nine years of business Rockferry are closing their restaurant. Staff will now focus efforts on their new cellar door, private events, meetings and other events. Staff would like to thank everybody who helped make the restaurant a success and a great local dining destination. Council service: Council’s reception reopened its office doors in Blenheim yesterday morning with reduced hours of 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Staff can only accept cheques, Eftpos and online payments but online services are operating as usual. Many enquiries, applications, payments, submissions and other business can be carried out on the council’s website.The Picton Library and Service Centre will reopen on Monday 25 May from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Track off limits: The Kōtuku Track at the Wairau Lagoons Walkways is closed until 12 June to fix a failing culvert and install a replacement bridge. The culvert was damaged in the Kaikōura earthquake. The Department of Conservation’s Lagoons Track will remain open as an alternative until the Kōtuku Track reopens. Open for business: Burger King in Blenheim will continue operating while a buyer is found for the chain. Franchise owners Antares Restaurant Group revealed five or six stores will close across the country, but Blenheim is not one of them. Burger King’s New Zealand owners, Tango New Zealand Ltd, went into receivership on April 14

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House fire: A “well involved” house fire on Friday briefly blocked State Highway 6 and drew fire crews from across the region. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) spokesman says multiple calls about a plume of black smoke in Springlands were made to emergency services at about 3.30pm. A house and garage on a back section of Murphys Road was well ablaze with local crews fighting the fire. Fire crews had the fire under control by 4.20pm and there were no reports of injuries.

News

TUESDAY 19 May 2020

Keen karter goes digital Matt Brown

A young man’s need for speed couldn’t be stopped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Swapping the smell of petrol and burning rubber of the racetrack for a rural shed, top junior karter Arthur Broughan took his racing online. And the virtual club days, the Chocolate Fish series, proved so popular the online club now boasts the largest membership of any karting club in the country. Eleven-year-old Arthur says one of the highlights of the online series is racing against professional drivers, like Formula 2 driver Marcus Armstrong and former Formula One racer Brendon Hartley. “It’s not as realistic, but it’s fun. I love it,” says Arthur. With a gaming computer in the family shed wired up to a steel chassis, steering wheel and pedals, Arthur takes a Ford Mustang through it’s paces on the racing simulator, iRacing. “It’s not a flash setup, but it’s good enough,” he says. “Some people have flash VR ones.” There are no age groups in the KartSport New Zealand’s weekly iKartSport Racing online se-

ries, so the Arthur is competing against adults. But racing for three years, the Tua Marina School student has been successful on the track himself, winning two national titles. He says his highest placing in the Choccy Fish series so far is 7th out of about 60. Developed in partnership with Giltrap Group and Carter’s Tyre Service the series was initially set up by the national karting body to give members something to do during the COVID-19 lockdown. But record entries and easing lockdown restrictions saw the Dunedin-based sim-racer hand the reins over to the southern hemisphere’s largest simulator production company Simspeed Esports Network. KartSport New Zealand President Graeme Moore says the partnership was “meant to be”. Graeme says Simspeed managing director Scott Fountain offered assistance just as Smith signalled he wanted to wind up. “I think he saw better than any of us new to the whole SIM realm the effect the sheer popularity of our platform was having on Travis and the various volunteers he had roped in to help him,” Graeme says.

Eleven-year-old Arthur Broughan racing in the garage of his rural home. Photo: Matt Brown. “The kicker, obviously, was that the company Scott now works for was set up to handle just such issues so it didn’t take long for the two of us to hammer out a deal, which I took to our executive over the weekend and which I am very pleased to say they approved.” Simspeed is an official iRacing esports network partner. They broadcast Supercars, as well as TCR circuit racing cars, both the Australian and World of Outlaws (US) Sprint Car speedway cham-

pionships. Now KartSport New Zealand’s weekly iKartSport Racing ‘Virtual Club Days’ has joined Simspeed’s lineup too. The series secured sponsorship from Marlborough-based irrigation company Liquid Action after the owner, Matt Broughan, saw first-hand the positive effect the iKartSport Sim series had on his son, Arthur. And with close to 400 registered members, iKartSport group, set up in April, now ranks as KartSport New Zealand’s largest

member club. Scott says it’s easy to get a bite of the action if you have a “half-decent” computer. “A Logitech steering wheel on a desk is how a lot of people start,” he says. “There are certainly people out there with the $400 steering wheel beating people with a $20,000 simulator.” But due to the difficulty of simulating the small and lightweight go-karts, Scott says the events would be raced in either the Mazda MX5 or Formula First vehicles. “We’re using the closest thing to a go-kart that iRacing has to offer,” he says. Drivers in the largest top-level iRacing events are regularly competing for hundreds of thousands of dollars. But Graeme says the only reward in the Choccy Fish series was the satisfaction of a race well run and perhaps a chocolate fish if you end up on the podium. “Racing is typically hard and fast with no quarter asked or given, but plenty of good-natured banter before, during and after each race,” he says. View the racing action on the iKartSport Facebook page.

News

TUESDAY 19 May 2020

The high cost of vandalism Chloe Ranford Local Democracy Reporter

Boat security Russ Smith Senior Community Constable Police are encouraging boat-owners to be cautious with their pride-and-joy. A boat-owner with a property just south of Blenheim, situated within view of State Highway 1, had his boat parked on a trailer for a couple of weeks prior to last weekend. When he lifted the soft cover and checked the boat on Sunday, preparing for a day of fishing, he noticed that the cover had been undone and several thousands of dollars worth of fishing equipment, including a ‘Diawa’ brand electric reel and rod, and a black Shimano back-pack and tackle, rigs, line, swivels, jigs, scales and other fishing gear had been stolen. Police suggest that you always store your trailer boat out of sight from the public if possible, with a good quality wheel or tow-ball lock on the trailer. NEVER leave portable items in the boat, even if they are under a soft cover. Only load the gear into the boat when you are getting ready to use it. Boats on trailers and their contents are an easy target for thieves. Don’t make it easy for them.

Graffiti has appeared on the side of Blenheim's courthouse. The vandalism of the 83-yearold building is the latest in an ongoing saga that has come at a cost to ratepayers. Marlborough ratepayers dished out $33,000 to clean up after taggers and vandals last year, including a dozen cases of parking meter damage. Figures provided under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) show the Marlborough District Council spent $5400 to scrub off graffiti tags and $27,400 to put right vandalism in 2019. Marlborough senior community constable Russ Smith says last year police responded to several acts of vandalism, including parking meter damage and graffiti. The courthouse, a category-one historic building, was tagged six times near its entrance, on Seymour Street, overnight on Wednesday. It was reported to police on Thursday morning, and they were making inquiries on the incident. No arrests had been

Vandalism cost ratepayers $33,000 last year. Photo: Matt Brown. made as of Friday afternoon. Widespread damage of Blenheim's old lollipop parking meters last year forced the council to bring forward its 'pay-byplate' parking meter rollout by several months. Russ says a small group of young people damaged a spate of meters early this year after discovering how to force their way into the almost 40-yearold meters. "It was a source of cash for some of our young criminals," he says. Police tracked down those involved in the offences and laid charges or sent them to Youth Justice, but the council was left

with the hefty repair bill. Russ says police found graffiti from time to time in Blenheim's town centre, which the council was often required to clean up. Tags were often spray-painted on, which took time and money to remove. In January, a man used a screwdriver to pry open a parking meter, collecting $14 in coins, before being caught working on another meter by police. A further nine charges were laid over parking meter damage last year. One charge was made for intentionally damaging a council footpath and road.

A dozen trees were also cut down on council land next to the Wairau River. Data provided by police showed 231 people were charged with damaging property between January 2019 and last December, including 24 counts of graffiti, 16 counts of fire damage and 191 miscellaneous charges. Council district secretary Tony Quirk says the cost of repairing council-owned property fell to ratepayers, but it was offset if offenders paid back reparation. He estimated the council received up to $2500 in reparation last year. "We are not in a position to be definitive since they come in small amounts and are spread across the activities where damage has occurred," he says. Tony says the council did not keep a record of the people that were prosecuted for damaging council property, as this was up to the police. Russ urged people witnessing vandalism to call the police on the non-urgent line 105.

Happy to be back after lockdown, the walking bus from Witherlea School arrives at Little Red Fox Hub’s after school club. Photo: Paula Hulburt.

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Real estate market recovering well Real-time data from realestate. co.nz shows new property listings slumped during lockdown, but as restrictions were lifted during the first week of alert level 3, so too did the number of new listings being brought to the market. Despite a slowdown in listings during lockdown, the transition to alert level 3 brought with it the murmurs of a gradual recovery as new listings begin to increase. And level 2 figures are looking promising. Before lockdown, the average number of new daily listings (across all listing types) was 717, but this dropped to an average of 188 during the level 4 lockdown period. While not yet at pre-lockdown levels, in the first week of alert level 3 the average number of daily new listings increased to 508. Chief Executive at REINZ Bindi Norwell says there’s plenty to be hopeful about. “There is a lot of speculation around the property market right now, but I’m not convinced that it’s all doom and gloom. “We have seen sharp drops followed by gradual recoveries in several overseas markets and there is no reason to believe that New Zealand will be any different. “It may be too early to predict

what will happen to prices in the coming months, but we will be watching to see if any regional trends emerge. “The number of government jobs in Wellington might mean more job security, so it will be interesting to see how this impacts buying and selling in the region compared to other parts of the country.” Realestate.co.nz spokesperson Vanessa Taylor says the pandemic doesn’t appear to have dampened the Kiwi love affair with property. “Data from realestate.co.nz shows that users to the site were more engaged during lockdown with average pages per session up by 28 percent to 8.5 pages and average minutes spent on site up 36 per cent to 8 minutes and 38 seconds*. Spending more time at home might have been a catalyst increasing activity from property seekers. “We have been spending more time at home, so we’ve had time to reassess our needs and talk with loved ones about our plans and the implications for where we live,” she says. This may also be true for those outside of New Zealand. In the first week of May, 23 per cent of all realestate.co.nz’s traffic was from offshore with Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom proving popular.

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Rural

TUESDAY 19 May 2020

HARVESTING CONTRACTORS HAPPY TO BE BACK AT WORK The forest industry returned to work under COVID-19 Alert Level 3. The industry has been feeling the effects longer than most after log markets in China plummeted in February. This caused a reduction in harvest volumes and then finally all harvesting operations were forced to stop under Alert Level 4. This left many workers with an uncertain future. Operations have been allowed to start up again with strict protocols around physical distancing and hygiene. This came as a welcome relief to all in the industry. International and domestic markets for New Zealand logs are improving and there is renewed interest from private forest owners wanting to take advantage of the current opportunity.

processing facilities. This domestic processing capacity provides price stability that benefits the forest owner and workers right along the supply chain by reducing exposure to volatile export prices.

Market update and a new log exporter Domestic demand for clearwood and structural grade sawntimber prior to the COVID-19 lockdown was very strong, driven mainly by construction in the upper North Island. There was also a surge in DIY sales. Sawmills are currently assessing demand post-lockdown as they recommence production. The New Zealand government has also signalled an intent to undertake infrastructure projects to kick start the economy.

Andy Gale of Gale Contracting is only too happy to be back at work. “It’s great to have some cash flow through the business again. But it is not just that; it’s good to have the guys back at work and really good for their state of mind.”

The export market is currently performing very well. Log prices in China have increased by 30% since New Zealand entered the COVID-19 lockdown. The log sales are in USD and with the NZD weakening against the USD over this period, this has further increased the prices New Zealand Gale Contracting have been operating in forest owners receive for their logs. Ocean freight Marlborough for 22 years and currently run 2 fully is also very cheap currently with reduced demand mechanized harvest crews. It has been a tough and low oil prices. year for harvesting crews around the country. Many contractors were still hurting from the June Before the New Zealand COVID-19 lockdown log 2019 price drop when the first effects of stocks in China had reached 8 million m3. COVID-19 hit the industry in February this year. They remained stubbornly high as New Zealand The logs being loaded by Gale Contracting in the image on the right will be sold through PF Olsen into domestic and export markets to generate the best returns for the forest owner. The Nelson/Marlborough region is fortunate to have solid and well-established domestic log

The current strong pricing is underpinned by uncertainty in global log supply as COVID–19 continues to impact on markets around the world. How other log-supplying nations respond and recover over the next 6 – 12 months will have a big impact and is creating uncertainty in the market. Amongst the disruption caused by COVID-19 PF Olsen introduced a new exporter into Picton. Aowhanui Wood Limited are now active in four ports across NZ and received their first logs at Picton in March 2020. They bring a progressive approach to log marketing through more direct market access, low cost supply chain, and innovative pricing strategies that aim to reduce forest owner exposure to log price volatility. Increased competition and creative marketing spells good news for forest owners in the region.

logs continued to arrive in China on vessels that set sail just prior to lockdown. Log stocks have started to reduce and are now below 4 million m3. This trend will continue as it will be several weeks before the first of New Zealand’s post-lockdown logs reach China.

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Rural

Silver Linings during a tough Phillip Neal Marlborough Federated Farmers President ‘Every dark cloud has a silver lining’ is an old saying but a truism as we navigate from Covid 19 lockdown to our new normal. This last year farming has had four dark clouds hanging over head. M Bovis along with T. B. keep rearing their ugly heads. The governments persistence in pushing the one standard rule to fit all farms in the freshwater, environmental and greenhouse gases reforms. To add insult to injury, many farmers continue to be badly affected by the country-wide drought. Now for the positives of a country-wide shut down. New Zealanders have an incredible spirit and I’m proud to be a New Zealander with 99 per cent of us doing the right thing.

We did it not because of a government edict but because we knew this was right and proper for our fellow New Zealanders, especially the elderly and vulnerable. The Anzac spirit of past generations is alive on both sides of the Tasman as we all humbly go about our business. We are fortunate like Australia to be island nations and have been able to easily close our borders. My second positive is that farmers have been in the privileged position of carrying on farming business during lockdown. Now however it is time for farmers to help other New Zealanders who haven’t fared so well. One of the ways to do this is for farmers to donate stock (cows, sheep or deer) through a site set up by a group of innovative farmers in conjunction with Silver Fern Farms. You will find information on the website meattheneed.org. or phone 0800 632 884 (meatthe-

Marlborough Federated Farmers president Phillip Neal. Photo: Supplied. need). You will be asked for details e.g. how many stock and type donated.

Silver Fern Farms will arrange collection and processing. The board, ‘Meat the Need’ are in communication with volunteer

community groups who will then distribute the meat to vulnerable New Zealanders. Remember this is just the start

Rural

TUESDAY 19 May 2020

farm season of an economic downturn where many New Zealanders will suffer economic and mental stress. The third positive is that while tourism is in disarray and will be in the foreseeable future, farming will be the anchor of our economy. Farmers who have been taking a bit of a beating from the media and some members of the public, have now their profile lifted, which has boosted farming morale. We have the opportunity to take up the slack and for primary industries including farming to become bigger and better industries in the future. This will require support from local and central government. We need financial support but more importantly, I hope there will be a releasing of the handbrake on all the laws, rules and regulations that are stifling growth in our country. We have so much potential! A classic example of this is the serious drought in the Hawkes Bay. The Ruataniwha Dam on the Tukituki river would not only have

paved the way for huge economic potential in Central Hawkes Bay but more importantly enhanced the health of the river. (The Ruataniwha Dam was stopped by a minority group of zealous protesters and lawyers). We need to put into practise ‘outside the box’ ideas. Let’s look at attracting wealthy tourists cashed up and ready to spend in New Zealand. Covid-19 symptom-free overseas tourists could be isolated for 14 days on New Zealand farms before venturing out to the rest of New Zealand. Imagine the attractiveness of being able to move freely in an island country with no restrictions. They would not want to go home and farming families could employ others, while earning extra income. This is a plea to all ‘number 8 wire’ New Zealanders who can fix most things, use your imagination and make things happen, remember out of adversary comes opportunity.

Terie Pawhau and Cobbler McManaway enjoying their first Farmers’ Market with their fresh fish stall. Photo: Supplied.

Farmers’ Market returns Marlborough Farmers’ Market returned on Sunday after COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed to level 2. Market manager Neville White says he market went really well. "Unfortunately we have to do contact tracing,” he says. “It is confusing people a little, but it means that social distanc-

ing of 1 to 2m can be observed.” Neville says they were very pleased with how well the customers handled the changes. “It was quick and swift to move through the gate thanks to our volunteers,” he says. The first market since lockdown began, Neville says it was very successful with 30 stalls present.

And next week the popular market will welcome another new stall, a French bakery that takes the space of Lola's French Bakery. “Thank you to the public for supporting the local growers at the market, and we can’t wait to welcome you back next week,” Neville says.

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It is often said that giving gifts is more of a joy than getting them and no one know this more than the Gift Sisters. This specialised service, based in Blenheim, offers a wide range of top-quality gift baskets for all occasions. Sisters Ngaia and Natasha provide the very best in gifts in a caring and thoughtful way. This personalised service will ensure you find the right present, no matter who you are buying for or what the occasion is. Each gift basket is made with love here in Blenheim. Ngaia and Natasha take great pride in all their work, adding a personal touch to their creations that ensures each basket is unique. A beautiful array of colourful ribbons and flowers add the perfect finishing touch to each carefully curated gift. Make finding and sending the perfect present as enjoyable and as simple as possible with the Gift Sisters. All gift orders placed before 11am can usually be delivered on the same day. Whether it’s a gift for a friend or family or to recognise and reward staff and suppliers, the Gift Sisters have done all the hard work for you – offering a selection of handpicked, quality gifts that will make a lasting impression.

For 29 years, professionals at Noel Templeton Optometrists have been caring for the region’s eye health. Offering a wide range of services, including eye examinations, contact lens fitting and vision care, experienced and knowledgeable staff use the very latest in technology to provide the very best in comfort and eye health. Be assured you are in the care of experts who can help you choose the from the very best eyewear and eyecare products including prescriptions, safety and driving lenses, eyedrops and from a diverse range of eyewear accessories. Staff offer a diverse range of spectacle frames from designer label brands to budget-friendly options with an option to try at home before buying. The exciting new generation of transition lenses equipped with the newest Transitions® Signature® GEN 8™ is now available in store. These super light, intelligent photochromic lenses quickly adapt and react to the environment. The technology offers optimum vision, comfort and protection all day long, these lenses are the result of years of research and in-depth scientific studies. With the convenience of an on-site optical laboratory, all orders and most repairs are done in-house. Turn to a name you know you can trust for all your eyecare needs - Noel Templeton Optometrists.

Sport

TUESDAY 19 May 2020

Waterlea meetings missing from draft racing calendar Peter Jones The absence of the traditional January harness meeting at Waterlea was the major talking point for Marlborough’s racing fraternity when RITA (the Racing Industry Transition Agency) announced its proposed draft calendar for the 2020-2021 season, which begins on August 1. Although it had been indicated earlier in the year that thoroughbred racing in Marlborough was under threat, it was expected that the January carnival, the only harness racing date for the year, would go ahead. However, while Nelson [January 8 and 10] and Kaikoura [November 1] both have race days confirmed on the draft schedule, Marlborough has drawn a blank. Petrina Shutkowski, former chairperson of the Marlborough Harness Racing Club, who remains on the club’s committee and is an active trainer at Waterlea, said the local racing community was “very surprised” that the harness club had not been allocated any dates in the draft calendar. “The summer meeting has been very successful in terms of horse numbers, betting turnover, returns to owners and community support,” she explained. “In 2019 the club was even held up as the star performer of the week for the harness code after a stand-out summer meeting and

the 2020 centenary meeting was also very well received. “For harness I understand that the proposal affects 15 tracks and 10 clubs, which is a major change. “The process from here is for the clubs to make a submission in regards to the draft calendar with a case for the meeting to be retained. Closing date for submissions is June 15. “Hopefully this decision can be overturned and the community can enjoy a day or two at the races at Waterlea in January. “Regardless of the outcome the property is utilised all year round with a training centre, equine transiting facility, darts club, jazz dancing, NZ Motor Home stop over and other community activities such as the Hospice Car Show,” Petrina added. Also missing from the draft calendar were races at Avondale, one of 10 thoroughbred venues that face uncertain futures under a proposal that, if adopted, will dramatically shake up the New Zealand industry. Apart from Avondale, the other nine thoroughbred venues are Te Teko, Waipa (Te Awamutu), Gisborne, Wairoa, Waipukurau, Blenheim (Waterlea), Motukarara, Waikouaiti and Omakau. In the harness code, Waterlea, Dunedin’s Forbury Park, Manawatu Raceway and Timaru’s Phar Lap Raceway have not been allocated any dates under the draft for next season.

Harness racing at Waterlea may be over if the latest recommendations from the Racing Industry Transition Agency are adopted. Photo: Peter Jones. Harness racing will race at just 16 venues in the 2020-21 season, down from 31 in the current season. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington will host 77 meetings in the new season, compared with 36 for 201920. The release of the draft calendar follows hot on the heels of Minister for Racing Winston Peters’ announcement of a $72.5 million emergency support package for the industry, including a $50m relief fund for RITA whose chair, Dean McKenzie, said there was need for significant change across all levels of the industry. “The leaders of New Zealand racing have repeatedly talked over decades about change but not been courageous enough to ad-

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dress the critical need for venue intensification. Repeated reports on the industry, including most recently by John Messara, as well as the industry-led future venue plan have identified that there were too many racing venues and this was a commercial drain on limited industry resources. Covid-19 leaves us with no other choice but to act. “The draft calendar means that some venues will miss out on racing licenses, and that is regrettable, but Covid-19 makes servicing almost 60 venues simply unsustainable and unappealing to the owners and participants who travel the length and breadth of NZ for meetings. Maximising the total returns to all of racing is the goal of the racing calendar and with revenue likely to be further

challenged next year we have to cut costs and deliver the most efficient programme of racing possible.” Bernard Saundry, CEO, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing said, “Every thoroughbred racing club in New Zealand has a history and a part to play. NZTR has done significant work over the past 18 months on a venue plan which will future proof the racing industry. We recognise that the calendar for 2020-21 looks very different to previous seasons with fewer meetings at fewer venues. The industry cannot survive, let alone move ahead, if we try to fit 2020s racing into a mould which was created last century.” His views were echoed by Peter Jensen, CEO, Harness Racing New Zealand, who said, “The Government and industry participants have for some time been calling for meaningful change to the way racing is run. HRNZ and the wider industry needs to change and reposition itself to make its offer attractive and relevant to a wider audience. “The Covid-19 pandemic has been the catalyst to accelerate the pace of change, however the reality is that proposed changes to our venue footprint are required to help harness racing become more sustainable, through increasing turnover, improving club’s stakes to funding ratio, and decreasing costs to RITA, clubs, licensees and owners.”

Sport

TUESDAY 19 May 2020

Sporting bodies must wait for return to competition Peter Jones Reporter

peter@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

Marlborough sport’s return-toplay button remains stuck on “pause”, despite more relaxed Government guidelines for the resumption of team sport during alert level two. Under level two players can begin training as a group, so long as the total number of participants (players, coaches and/or officials) does not exceed 10 and a raft of stringent requirements around tracing, hygiene and distancing are adhered to. Several of the local administrators and coaches spoken to this week have expressed frustration with the fluctuating rules surrounding sporting contact, hoping for more positive and decisive guidance as soon as possible. The powers-that-be have suggested an update on the sporting situation will be forthcoming on Monday, May 25, with most sports content to wait until then rather than swinging into action under the current rules. Marlborough Netball Centre administrator Raramai Nicklin has sent a message to stakeholders stating that the MNC did not intend to return to play until level one had been reached. “Although competitions and dates are not finalised we are looking at a start date around the middle of June if we are in level one,” she said. “We will not be playing or training in level two. We are following Netball NZ guidelines of level two phase one, which is ‘get ready to play’. “There are many tracing, cleaning and hygiene, gatherings, physical distancing and workplace requirements that we have to understand, plan for and be confident to be able to implement when participation begins – both for training and competition environments. “We have a responsibility for the wellbeing, and health and safety of our participants to get this right and we need to ensure that our Centre is confident and prepared to do this. We should have more details soon regarding competition info and dates (for all age groups), health and safety expectations and more.” New rugby date Tasman rugby had planned a restart on June 6, with a series of “trial” games at Lansdowne Park

and Nelson’s Trafalgar Park to test the new protocols, and a competition kick-off on June 13. Now, chief executive Tony Lewis says the season is “on hold”, and they are looking at a possible June 20 start date. They are hoping for a firm directive from NZ Rugby, who are working in conjunction with the Government, on Thursday, May 21, or Monday, May 25 at the latest, so they can begin making firm plans. At this stage club trainings are not permitted. The Tasman Rugby Union have met with clubs, who Tony says “are all on song”. “We had a very positive meeting with the clubs, so now we are just waiting on a bit more guidance and we will be away,” he added. Football nearer Competitive play is still some way off for the province’s footballers. The Marlborough Football Association are envisaging a June 13 start for competitions, again depending on what the Government dictate on May 25. They are hoping some teams will return to training this week, once all contact tracing requirements per team are met and submitted to Marlborough Football. Stadium reopens One of the region’s main sporting hubs returned to business last week. Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000 opened its doors on Thursday when the nation moved to alert level two. The Stadium gym was back in business from 5am Thursday,

Marlborough’s netball courts remain a no-play zone. May 14, with all classes running as usual. The Stadium pool opened on Saturday morning, May 16, for lane swimming only. There will be no leisure swimming, which involves young children and families in the wider complex, until later in the piece. The Stadium’s interim CEO, Paul Tredinnick, said the reason for that was because [the Stadium] had to operate as a “controlled environment”. “We will stage it in … we definitely want the kids here, we just want to get things underway first. We have to walk before we run.” At this stage there is no organised sporting competition at the Stadium, but Paul expected training and skills sessions to resume in the main arena for some sports this week. Basketball set to bounce back Marlborough Basketball administrator Stacey Hopkins said her sport’s return is positive, with measures in place for this to go ahead safely and practically. “There are ever-changing guidelines and capacity restrictions that we need to take into consideration. “We are looking at starting skills sessions when we are given the green light to return to the Stadium, before progressing into the winter league at an appropriate time (hopefully around midJune) which may start with a 3x3 tournament, before resuming basketball to its full 5x5 capacity.”

Squash club members returned to action on Thursday.

Squash courts busy Squash was one of the first sports to return to action at the Stadium.

Marlborough Squash Rackets Club members were able to book court time from Thursday, May 14, with all four courts busy every afternoon and early evening since then. The MSRC committee put in place measures such as sanitising stations on each court, plus modifications to the court booking system to provide for improved tracking. Other measures designed to minimise contact included no restart of group training sessions, no club social nights, and no interclub or tournaments until such time as the alert level restrictions provided for those types of group gatherings. Dean Watson, the club’s acting president, said they hoped to reopen the courts to casual members as soon as possible. “Unfortunately the restrictions that the committee felt were appropriate meant that access to the courts by casual members has been curtailed until such time that contact tracing requirements are not as stringent as the current requirements are,” Dean added. Golfers play on Meanwhile, Marlborough’s golfers continue to make the most of the relaxed rules. Golf at level two can be played outside your bubble. There is still contact tracing, no gatherings more than 10 and staggering tee times at most golf courses, which are all open at level two. The Blenheim Golf Club is only allowing club members to play on their course at the moment, all other courses are accepting green fee players.

More information can be found on the Golf Club website or Facebook pages for visitors’ procedures for level 2. The eight golf courses in the Marlborough region are: Awatere, Blenheim, Kaikoura, Marlborough, Nopera, Picton, Rarangi and Wairau Valley. Sailing away The shift to level two has allowed the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club’s sailors to get back on the water, an opportunity many have taken up, however the preceding lockdown brought an untimely end to their competitive season. The club’s members missed all their planned end-of-season sailing programme while the country was locked in levels four and three, some being denied hardearned opportunities to represent their country. The youth nationals and the secondary schools team sailing nationals were both scuttled, however it is proposed that the Optimist and Starling nationals are re-scheduled in October/November. Club activities have concluded for the truncated 2019-20 season so, besides the occasional independent efforts of some keen sailors, there will be no QCYC activity until next season’s opening. Under level two sailing is permitted but any sailor taking their boat out will have to log the craft out each time they go, the club stressing that they are taking the Government’s COVID-19 guidelines very seriously. The interior of the new yacht club is still under construction with QCYC hoping for an official

TUESDAY 19 May 2020

Sport

Otway tops tennis awards Peter Jones

Jade Otway enjoyed another top season at provincial, national and international level. Photo: Peter Jones.

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National age group champion Jade Otway was named Sportsperson of the Year when the 2019-20 Marlborough Tennis Association awards were announced on-line last week. Jade enjoyed another top season, claiming the national 18s doubles crown with Ines Steffani and finishing runner-up in the singles. Previously she had won the singles and mixed titles at the national 16s tournament. She also scored an ITF doubles success, teaming with Elys Ventura to win in Thailand. Selected at No 1 for the NZ junior Federation Cup team which played in Thailand during April, 2019, she won four of her five singles as NZ came 9th overall. Jade also won the junior player of the year award, plus the senior women’s player title. Hamish McRae took out the senior men’s crown. Inspire Tennis Primary School grade Primary Kiwi winner Renwick Best; 2nd place Springlands Finches. Primary School 4 winner Redwoodtown Raphaels; 2nd place Renwick Volleys. Primary School 3b winner Springlands Moas; 2nd place

Renwick Smashers. Primary School 3a winners Springlands Pukekos and Ward Whackers; 2nd place Springlands Eagles. Primary School 2 winner Rapaura Slices; 2nd place Springlands Falcons. Primary School 1 winner Rapaura Slices; 2nd place Bohally Black. Secondary schools grade Division 2 winner Momoko Inukai; runner up Aston Underwood. Division 1 winner William Poff; runner up Ella Sowman. Pita Pit junior residentials Singles U-10s Boys winner Joshua Harris; runner up Oliver Clarke. U-12s Boys winner Sid Yank; Runner up Dan Clarke. U-14s Boys winner William Poff; runner up Luke Maresaki. U-10s girls winner Isobel O’Brien; runner up Harriet Cornelius. U-12s Girls winner Lilly Walkenhorst; Runner up Jemimah O’Donnell. U-14 Girls winner Ella Sowman; runner up Rosie Bowers. Doubles U-10s Boys Winners Josh Harris & Alex Herd; runner up Oliver Clarke & Max Sowman. U12s Boys Winners Dan Clarke & Sid Yank; Runner up Mason Herd & Elijah O’Donnell. U10s Girls winners Sadie Eradus & Mia Harris; runner up Har-

Hamish McRae was the male player of the year. Photo: Peter Jones.

riet Cornelius & Maisie Cornelius. U-12s Girls Winners Jemimah O’Donnell & Lilly Walkenhorst; Runner up Ana Eradus & Poppy Parkinson. Jun. Res. U-14s Girls Winners Rosie Bowers & Ella Sowman; Runner up Nelly Hartland & Georgia Winkler. Prizes Most Improved juniors - Joseph Sandford-Jury and Ruby Glackin Fair Play- Josh Harris and Rosie Bowers Junior player of the year – Jade Otway Senior awards WK Presidents Grade Division one - Rapaura Wairau River. Division 2 - Renwick Netsetters. Division 3 - Rapaura Matadors. Division 4 - Renwick ‘Serve us a Double’. Top Pairs – male: Jason Anderson & Malcolm Walshe; female: Sarah Dillon & Vic Struthers Premier Interclub Minor premiers - Renwick CPR; premier interclub winners - Renwick CPR. Wine Brokers NZ super series Division one: 1 The Fed (Hamish McRae and Hamish Morrow), 2 Serve Sancerre, 3 Grass Masters, 3 Team Jay & Joseph, 5 Grass Futures, 6 Renwick Old Dogs, 7 Love All, 8 Renwick CPR Division two: 1 Sherman (Peter Stubbs and Hamish Milne), 2 JAG, 3 Everlynn, 3 Roger Djokodal, 5 Jack & Fedo, 6 Yank & Poff, 7 Simply Red, 8 L’Mon. Fairweathers Senior Residentials Mixed doubles: Hugh Robinson & Donna Clark; runners up Glen Cameron & Eveline Apthorp van der Linden. Men’s doubles: Hamish McRae & Hamish Morrow; runners up Glen Cameron & Hugh Robinson. Ladies doubles: Donna Clark & Pauline Fudge; runners up Eveline Apthorp van der Linden & Lynn Murray. Ladies singles: Eveline Apthorp van der Linden; runner up Ella Sowman. Men’s singles: Hamish McRae; runner up Oscar Parkinson Awards Fair Play awards. Male: Pete Stubbs; female Jenny Stark. Most improved awards. Male: Stephen Dempster; female Caroline Cornelius. Volunteer of The Year: Bill Taylor Senior awards Players of the year - Female: Jade Otway; male: Hamish McRae. Sportsperson of the Year: Jade Otway

Sport

TUESDAY 19 May 2020

Shield era coverage a highlight for well-known journalist Peter Jones Noted journalist Phil Campbell, whose insightful writing forged a superb record of Marlborough’s famous 1973-74 Ranfurly Shield rugby era, died of a heart condition in Hamilton in late March. Phil, who was 72, worked for The Marlborough Express from 19661972, becoming a popular and respected member of the local sporting fraternity. Following a transfer to Wellington’s Dominion newspaper in 1972, Phil was sent south to cover the Marlborough side’s 1973 challenge for the Log o’ Wood. After Canterbury were defeated and shield fever began to build in the top of the south, he remained to cover the little province’s biggest sporting success story. As a local player, he had close and unique access to members of the team, plus the writing skills to describe a remarkable period in

New Zealand rugby. Although he eventually forged a distinguished journalism career in the North Island, his affection for Marlborough was undiminished, along with his remarkable memory of days long gone. In recent times Phil penned some wonderful pieces for the Facebook page ‘Old Marlborough - the way we were’, his command of the English language as wide-ranging and entertaining as ever. He made many life-long friends during his time in Marlborough, often through sporting contacts as a rower for the Blenheim club, a capable cricketer and a lock for the Central senior side. One man who became friendly with Phil, through both rugby and rowing was the skipper of the Ranfurly Shield side, Ramon Sutherland. “He did an excellent job with both the rugby and rowing … he used

Phil Campbell receives the Queens Service Medal from GovernorGeneral Sir Jerry Mateparae in 2013. Photo: SunLive – Rotorua. to travel with the [shield team] on the bus and occasionally got a bit of a hard time, but he took it all in good fun. “He was basically learning the trade when he started at the Express but got better as he went

along.” Ramon recalled that Phil was nicknamed ‘Sculler’, a name he used when covering rowing in the paper and a moniker that seemed to stick. “He was a real character of the

time and, although he shifted to Rotorua, his writings for Old Marlborough showed how he had maintained his interest in the area.” Phil was born in Island Bay, Wellington, the eldest of five children. He left school at age 14 and worked on a farm in Kaikoura for the Beattie family before starting his newspaper career at the Express. He went on to become an awardwinning sportswriter for The Dominion Post in Wellington, edited a national rugby magazine and worked at the Rotorua Daily Post for 15 years. From 1997 to 2013 he was editor of the Rotorua Review and for the past year or so Phil reported for Rotorua Now. Phil was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for services to sport and journalism in 2013. He leaves behind his wife Lesley and daughter Rebekah.

Maister expects Japan to host ‘superb games’ Peter Jones The International Olympic Committee’s decision to postpone the Tokyo Games for 12 months was “inevitable”, according to one of New Zealand’s most respected Olympians. Barry Maister, who owns a house in Waikawa, was a member of the IOC from 2010-2018, plus an Olympic hockey gold medallist in 1976. His experience as an Olympic official is unmatched in this country, the 71-year-old having personally attended 17 Olympics - either summer, winter or youth. Although not a current member of the IOC executive, he has followed the progress of the 2020 Games closely, and been regularly briefed. “It was an inevitable decision that [the Games] would be put off, at least in light of the pandemic. But we all know that whenever it happens Tokyo is going to be a superb Games. They were prepared in the extreme, probably further ahead in preparation than any other city that has bid … this is an incredibly hard blow for them but [the Games] will happen and that’s why they have postponed and not cancelled, because the IOC know that Tokyo will do a good job. “The IOC tried as long as they could to delay making a decision and I can understand that be-

Barry Maister, former IOC member. cause they are the only ones that really know the true implications of stopping and starting the most complex event imaginable. “They wanted to hold off [making a decision] until May but then it

“...I firmly believe it will be a stunning Games, as it would have been in 2020.” became clear that planes weren’t flying, countries were closing down and athletes couldn’t train and the virus was getting stronger … so the decision to postpone was pretty obvious in the end.” Although the IOC was criticized

in the media for delaying their decision Maister backed his former colleagues. “It was just the magnitude of the decision … it was easy to be critical but the IOC is a very consultative body.” He said conference calls were made between all the IOC members, the various international federations and sponsors while the athletes were also consulted. “It takes time to work through all that, so I wasn’t surprised that they were hanging on, because no-one knew a month ago how things would be now.” He pointed to several factors which the IOC had to consider before making their call – namely the qualification process, the venues and their contractual obligations, the Olympic Village whose 10,000 units were pre-sold for habitation post-Games, the spon-

sors, the broadcasters plus the 30,000 hotel rooms pre-booked and paid for. Maister felt cancellation of the Tokyo showpiece entirely was never a feasible option for the IOC, but didn’t rule that bold move out entirely. “Who knows, if the virus is still around in a year? We are assuming it is going to quietly disappear in six months, or sooner, but there will be a lot of countries in the world where it is going to linger, because they don’t have the sort of controls other countries have got. “But regardless of whether [the virus] is still lingering next year I don’t think they will cancel, there’s too much gone into it … they are more likely to postpone it until it can happen. “The IOC is always at pains to point out that the Games are for everyone and if there was a group of countries that could not be there the IOC would look at postponing on that basis alone. “The Games are about unity and bringing the world together and if you can’t bring the world together you can’t have the Olympic Games, at least not as we know them now.” Maister said this unique situation could well spark a long, hard look at the shape of the current Olympics. “This could change things, they have never had to deal with this

before. They might look and say, are we too big if we have to stop and start … are we too costly? I’m just speculating, but it might cause a change in thinking.” However, with regard to the rescheduled Games in 2021, Maister had no doubt that it would be a wonderful event. “Regardless of when the Games happen in Tokyo it will be a superb Games, the organisers will cope. “Likewise the athletes. Athletes in the professional world have to expect that there are risks, they will have contingency plans. They will adjust their schedules and this gives them time to do it. “There will be no excuses from them next year, or from Tokyo either. It will cost them and the IOC a lot of money but from a spectator’s point of view and for the athletes, I firmly believe it will be a stunning Games, as it would have been in 2020. “There may also be a bounce-back effect. The Games will probably be the biggest thing planned after this pandemic to bring the world together … and the Olympics can do that, being truly global.” He also added that Japan was “probably the best country in the world to have this [postponement] happen to them”. “They will cope. They don’t like losing face … it will hurt them but they will do it and incredibly well.

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THE HEAT PUMP, AIR CONDITIONING & VENTILATION SPECIALISTS

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FOR ALL SERVICES Facials/Microdermabrasion Eyelash & Brow Services Massage/Hot Stone Massage Pedicure

MARLBOROUGH’S AUTHORISED DEALER

1 Freswick St, Blenheim Ph 578 0030 www.martella.co.nz

CARPET

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ELECTRICAL

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For domestic, commercial & industrial work requiring a qualified & experienced electrician…

Call Geoff 0212 734 298 PAINTER/DECORATOR

PH 928 4121

hello@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

BUILDER

Heavenly Beauty

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Burney Builders

021 748 927 burneybuilders1@gmail.com

ELECTRICAL

For all your electrical needs We service all commercial kitchen & laundry equipment Local agent for Starline Dishwashers

CARPET

Need newAND flooring LOCALLY OWNED OPERATED

in Blenheim Marlborough? right here or in Marlborough Need New Flooring? Call Nathan Birtles. Call Nathan Birtles to come to you

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BOOK AN IN-HOME CONSULTATION *see website for details

0508 227 738

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FLOORING

GATES

Tasman Flooring Carpet & Vinyl Installation Free Measure & Quote Restretching Repairs Floor Preparation 36 years experience

Ph: 579 4445 www.cmelectrical.co.nz

PAINT & PANEL

Phone Andy

022 369 3150 PEST CONTROL

Merv Scott Decorating Ltd PAINT G ING & DECORATIN

Creating a Pest Free Environment

Residential & Commercial Exterior, Interior Finishing Airless Spraying • Repainting • Wallpapering • Renovations • Decorating Brush Application • Maintenance • Finishing

Residential & Commercial Pest Control

Roger Abernethy Qualified Technician Urban Pest Management (3) PMANZ Ant Specialist

Ph: 021 669 666 Office: 573 7944

(03) 572 7268

abernethypestcontrol.co.nz

www.greenacres.co.nz www.greenacres.co.nz

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SOLAR

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TREE SERVICES

WASH

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• House Washing • Commercial Building Washing • Roof Washing • Gutter & Driveway Cleaning • Moss & Mould Treatments

0221 326 947 brad@washrite.co.nz

TUESDAY 19 May 2020

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