Marlborough Weekly - 8 March 2022

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Over the past three months, 17 current and former staff members from six different departments of Nelson Marlborough Health have spoken to Marlborough Weekly alleging a culture of bullying and poor working conditions. Jonty Dine reports.

She was good at her job, she’d been doing it for ten years and enjoyed the satisfaction it gave her – she was helping people. But she says a sustained bullying campaign by her manager at Nelson Marlborough Health left her broken, she lost confidence and was constantly on the verge of tears.

Her story is not unique.

Marlborough Weekly has conducted interviews with 17 current and former staff members of the DHB as well as one former board member. They say management do not deal with chronic under-staffing or complaints of bullying. Of the 17 people, all have asked that their names are not printed as they fear being tar-

geted by senior management, and all but two spoke to us individually.

All interviews were conducted face-to-face and recorded for accuracy. Some of the people we spoke are based in Blenheim and some in Nelson. They are are nurses, administration staff, doctors and support workers.

The PSA Union which represents health workers say NMH has one of the worst procedures in dealing with bullying complaints its seen.

Marlborough Weekly reached out to Nelson Marlborough Health for an interview with its CEO Lexie O’Shea, that request was declined. She did send a written

statement: “Bullies are not welcome at Nelson Marlborough Health. Complaints meeting the definition of bullying are investigated by a registered investigator and a panel reviews the report.

The panel always includes union representation and can include external parties.”

Continued on page 10.

Awatere hub opens PAULA HULBURT

Some of the dedicated Awatere locals who where essential in making the vison of the Awatere ECE Hub become a reality.Neville White, Caroline Dick, Rachel March, Olivia Doonan and Sarah Bates.

Photo: Summa Donald.

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

There was plenty to smile about for the Awatere Early Childhood Education Hub committee on Friday as four years of hard work and hopes came to fruition.

Around 60 people gathered in Seddon to mark the official opening of the purpose-built hub which houses three separate child welfare groups.

Awatere Flaxbourne Plunket, the Awatere Early Childhood Centre and the Awatere Playcentre are now all together in the new build set in the grounds of Seddon School.

The opening marked a huge milestone for the community who have worked tirelessly to make the dream of a one-stop-shop a reality.

Read our special feature inside today’s Marlborough Weekly about how this rural community pulled together to achieve the seemingly impossible.

marlboroughapp.co.nz

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News

TUESDAY 8 March 2022 YOUR WEEKLY

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A baby with Covid has been admitted to Wairau Hospital.

The young patient, who has not been named, is the first to be admitted to the Blenheim hospital with Omicron after becoming unwell with croup.

A routine Covid test revealed the baby, who was admitted on Friday, was also positive for the disease.

Nelson Marlborough Health Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Baker says he expects others not showing symptoms of the illness to also test positive as numbers continue to rise.

He is also emphasising that while people need to be cautious and follow protocols around Covid, no one should panic.

“A lot of people will have had Covid and not even been aware.

“A few cases are coming through the emergency department that have been picked up by CBACs [Community Based Assessment Centres] and GPs, which shows the system is working.

“Anyone who has been admitted has incidental Covid and that’s telling us that Covid’s in the community now.

“It’s now so common that most people have been in contact with someone who has had Covid, even if that’s not showing in the numbers yet.”

Alongside the current single admission to Wairau Hospital, five people have been admitted to Nelson Hospital. All were admitted with other conditions.

Assistant Chief Medical Officer Dr Andrew Morgan, who is based at Wairau Hospital, says there is “good capacity” should more Covid positive cases need

care.

Special portacabins outside the Accident and Emergency department to use for isolation have not been needed yet, he says.

Plans are also Dr Andrew in place to Morgan cope with any staff shortages as employees are forced to isolate.

Latest figures from Nelson Marlborough Health show three staff have been absent on leave related to Covid-19 in Wairau since the beginning of Phase Three on 24 February.

The leave does not necessarily mean staff have contracted Covid-19, but also covers caring for

sick dependents, self-isolation or awaiting test results.

“We’re minimising the risk,” explains Dr Morgan.

“We now have two streams of patients that we are essentially dividing in half.

“There are those who could have Covid and other respiratory symptoms who are kept separate until a negative result comes back.”

Only patients who may need more support than can be provided at Wairau would be transferred to another hospital, which was already happening before Covid struck, he says.

“There are standard isolation rooms in Inpatients and if the numbers go up we would open up, it could impact our services but at the moment we are still doing elective surgeries and seeing out-patients.”

News

Protestors pack up from Picton PAULA HULBURT Peace has been restored to Picton’s Nelson Square after protestors camped there for three weeks packed up.

Around 100 anti-mandate protestors left the square on Thursday, leaving just patches of discoloured grass and rubbish behind.

Campsites were cleared as tents were taken down and chairs and tables packed away.

For Marlborough Mayor John Leggett, who says local residents were “over” the occupation, the move was a welcome relief.

He revealed last week that the illegal occupation was especially difficult for older people living around the normally picturesque square.

“Picton residents have had to put up with the noise and disturbance for three weeks. It’s especially difficult for the older residents who live in and around Nelson Square. They are fearful of some of the elements within the group and also worried that the site will become a ‘superspreader event’, harbouring many cases of Omicron.”

“The Tasman Police District force does a good job but they need greater national support,” he says.

Te Tauihu iwi Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-

The three-week long occupation of Nelson Square in Picton is now over. Photo: Matt Brown. a-Māui also welcomed the peaceful end of the Freedom Convoy protest at Waitohi. It is now time for the community to heal, they say.

Chairperson of the iwi rūnanga, Rachael Hāte, says no-one in the community had escaped the impact of the almost month-long occupation of Nelson Square.

“It’s been a tough time for our whānau, our marae, our iwi and the larger community. It’s now time to focus on the positives, to look around and remem-

ber that we are a tight-knit community with a lot of heart. We have been through a lot together over the years, and we will get through this, too.”

Rachael says there were indications some protesters intended to set up camp elsewhere in the district. But she says any move elsewhere would not be appropriate.

“To those people, our message is the same – you were not invited here, your voice has been heard and it is now time to go home to your whānau.”

TUESDAY 8 March 2022

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Ferry precinct gets loan go ahead PAULA HULBURT Councillors have voted to lend up to $110 million to Port Marlborough to cover its share of the Waitohi Picton Ferry Precinct Redevelopment.

At a meeting behind closed doors on Friday, Marlborough District Councillors agreed to raise the loan and onlend it to the port.

The move will save money, says Mayor John Leggett who emphasised it was a “very good deal for Marlborough residents and ratepayers.”

Revealing the outcome yesterday, John says after considering public opinion, choosing a private loan through the Council’s existing arrangement with the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency would be the best option.

“If Port Marlborough had sought financing through private lending, the interest rate would have been quite a lot higher.

“That means it would

have taken longer to service the loan and also lowered the dividends the Council receives from the Port each year,” he says.

“The loan will not increase rates or costs for ratepayers. In fact, it will do the opposite and progressively increase the Port dividend paid to Council by up to $3 million a year for the next 10 years, and see the loan repaid within 30 years.”

The decision to go ahead with the loan comes with strict conditions that must be met first including legal agreements between kiwiRail, Port Marlborough and Council.

John says the new ferries and the redeveloped ferry precinct will bring significant benefits to Waitohi Picton and the wider Marlborough community.

Each year, Cook Strait ferries operate more than 6,000 services, transport over one million passengers, 400,000 cars and up to three million lane metres of freight.

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News

TUESDAY 8 March 2022

Housing developers encouraged but need ‘strong case’ MAIA HART LDR Reporter Marlborough landowners are being encouraged to put forward housing developments, but still need a “strong case,” the Marlborough District Council chief executive says.

The council last month released its latest Housing and Business Capacity report, which revealed a potential shortfall of 900 homes in the next 30 years.

It prompted Marlborough District councillors to last week approve $150,000 in funding, to enable the engagement of “professional services” to assess and process any land rezoning requests. This funding was subject to approval following annual plan hearings.

Chief executive Mark Wheeler says this week the council had recognised from the assessment that there was enough land in the short to medium term, but landowners were not developing that land fast enough.

He said there were challenges with any new land development.

“There is big money involved in this infrastructure, so that’s why it actually takes longer than we would like, it’s not a five-minute exercise,” he said. “We try and

help as best we can. But it actually sits on them to do the design work. It’s high risk, and they have to invest a lot of money, but it can be very profitable.”

A report prepared for councillors on the proposed $150,000 funding said the longer-term supply would be assessed through a review of the Growing Marlborough Strategy. A budget for this would be developed for 2023-24.

It said the council had been approached informally by multiple landowners of land currently zoned “Rural Environment” to discuss the potential to rezone their property for residential purposes. The $150,000 budgeted would enable the council to process formal requests faster. Mark Wheeler says council resources, and staff, were already stretched thin, so it was likely they would pay a consultant to take on the work. “The professional services would involve liaison with the landowner/agent, assessment of the request and any further information required, provision of a recommendation to council on adoption, preparation of a variation, public notification, processing of submissions and further submissions,” the report says.

Under the National Policy Statement for Urban Development

TUES 1 mar ch t o 18 a pril

Marlborough District Council chief executive Mark Wheeler. Photo: Chloe Ranford/LDR. (NPS-UD) released in 2020, councils were required to provide enough land for urban development. “There are several developers who are very confident they can prepare a very strong case for

us, for a plan variation to rezone more residential land,” Wheeler says. “It’s really funding for future, if you like. You have to invest in these things, if you don’t, you just have an even worse situa-

tion with the supply of residential land.”

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TUESDAY 8 March 2022

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Travel agents rearing to go MAX FRETHEY The pandemic has put the travel industry through the wringer, but with opening boarders on the horizon many local agencies are beginning to plan your next holiday.

“It’s been a very difficult two years for travel agents,” says Flight Centre’s marketing and product nation leader, Victoria Courtney.

Many travel agents initially had a very hectic few months at the beginning of the pandemic, cancelling and rebooking trips and trying to get Kiwis stuck aboard back home.

“With no revenue at all coming in, business owners were forced to unfortunately let some of their staff go,” Victoria says.

She adds that many travel agencies, despite having a small amount of domestic travel business, weren’t getting enough customers to keep an office open.

“Not enough to sustain a full retail store environment.”

So many agencies were forced to close offices and high street stores to keep costs down.

The nationwide problems haven’t been escaped by local travel agencies.

Several industry professionals gathered at the Scenic Hotel Marlborough on Wednesday night as part of a national roadshow. Seen here with David Coombes, Managing Director of the Flight Centre NZ group (back) and the Flight Centre management team are local Blenheim Travel Agents Raya Jules, Hannah Williams (middle row) and Jacinta Johl (front row) of Flight Centre and Robyn Thornley of Travel Associates (Back Row). Photo: Supplied.

Trudy Geddes, owner of House of Travel Blenheim, says the past two years have been a struggle for their business.

With revenue down about 95 per cent during the pandemic,

Perfect timing.

they’ve had to make some difficult decisions.

“We’ve lost well over half of our staff,” she says.

But while some businesses have cut their hours, Trudy decid-

ed they would remain open five days a week.

“After 35 years in Blenheim I wanted to show Marlborough that we were still open.”

However, despite the struggle of

the past two years, it looks like things are finally beginning to look up for travel agencies as a timeline for the border opening has been announced and managed isolation has been scrapped for Kiwis.

“It’s a relief, to be honest,” Trudy says. “The phones are definitely ringing, more so than the past couple of years.”

She adds that the work they’re doing now is very rewarding.

“It’s humbling to reunite families.”

Trudy says that it’s never been a better time to talk travel with a travel agent.

“It’s just a minefield of rules and regulations and forms, and they can change in 24-hours.”

She says that travelling with the help of an agent can make negotiating all the Covid-19 requirements much easier.

Trudy acknowledges that some travellers will still be a bit hesitant go overseas, but she says a number are ready to get out and travel once again.

Victoria from Flight Centre is sure the industry will soon rebound.

“Travelling is in Kiwis’ DNA,” she says. “We are really optimistic for the future.”

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News

TUESDAY 8 March 2022

Help needed in hunt for missing man Police are again appealing for help in the hunt for missing man Wayne Taylor who disappeared more than two weeks ago.

Wayne was reported missing on 22 February after last being seen in Blenheim on Sunday 20 February.

His Mercedes SUV (registration number HSG531) was last seen at the Te Ana Pouri Carpark off SH1 Rakautara, north of Kaikōura, about 7pm on the same evening he was last seen.

But huge aerial and ground searches have so far failed to find the missing driver.

His family are deeply concerned, say police, who are calling on people who may have any information to step up and help.

Wayne’s disappearance is out of character, a police spokesman says.

“An extensive ground and

Council’s Solid Waste Manager Alec McNeil says the new waste disposal system will be tested until the end of April. Photo: Matt Brown/File.

Wayne Taylor was reported missing on 22 February.

Photo: Supplied.

Waste-sorting speeds up

aerial search has failed to locate Wayne, and his family are deeply concerned by his disappearance, which is out of character,” Anyone who has information about Wayne and his movements in the days surrounding his disappearance, or who knows where he may be, is asked to call 105 and quote file number 220222/5993

New measures geared to speed up wait times for waste disposal have begun in Blenheim as testing gets underway for a system overhaul.

From yesterday, people dropping off rubbish at the Waste Sorting Centre in Blenheim saw new procedures in place.

This includes the installation of a new camera system that allows the weighbridge system to record vehicle registration plates.

Council’s Solid Waste Manager

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Alec McNeil says this new system will eventually replace the need for a printed ticket at the weighbridge on the way in.

Customers will also see a fastfood type display which will let them know exactly what they have dropped off.

“When you arrive at the out weighbridge the new system will already have updated and will show you a display of what you brought to site – a bit like the display that you see

at a fast-food drive through.

“This should make transactions at the out weighbridge slightly quicker,” he said.

The new system will be tested throughout March and April and the public is advised to use the greenwaste facility as normal, Alec says.

“We will update you in the future about how the greenwaste site will be incorporated into the new system.”

News

TUESDAY 8 March 2022

7

What does everyone want for Marlborough in the future?

MAIA HART LDR Reporter

Whisper the words ... post-pandemic.

Because, while we’re not there yet, some among us are planning for that special day.

And with the borders to New Zealand slowly opening up, maybe we’re closer than we think.

It’s no secret, for the tourism industry, the Covid-19 pandemic has been almost catastrophic, but has it also provided an opportunity? An opportunity to “reset”.

That was the question Destination Marlborough – and other tourism bodies – were asking, as they pulled together their Destination Management Plan, or DMP. Destination Marlborough general manager Jacqui Lloyd said every region had been asked to pull together a DMP in order to understand the future of its region’s tourism.

“We’re not saying as Destination Marlborough that we are going to go out and build a hotel, or start a new product,” Lloyd said.

“It’s like being a conductor in an orchestra. All of these amazing things are happening in isolation, so how can we be the one to make it come together and be a destination for the community.”

The plan looked at all corners of Marlborough, from the south to Blenheim, to Havelock and the Marlborough Sounds, Lloyd said.

“We’ve got an opportunity now, for when visitation comes back, to help manage how people come through our communities and be a benefit to the community rather than a hindrance.”

As part of the DMP, Lloyd said they would like to hear from the community directly about what

Destination Marlborough general manager Jacqui Lloyd. Photo: Brya Ingram. they wanted for Marlborough’s success of the environment.” tourism.

The final DMP was something “It’s an all-age request,” Lloyd they were adamant would not sit said. “What does everyone want on a shelf, but would be looked for Marlborough in the future, we back on regularly. know there are gaps in our offer- “We’ve identified a number of ings, so how can we help facilitate strategies and activations that we these things to be betwant to make sure we ter in the future?” achieve; what does the Destination Marlcruise market look borough destination like when it returns, management project what does wine tourmanager, Anton Wilism look like, how are ke, said New Zealand we dealing with widexperienced huge er cycling and visitagrowth in tourism betion, what’s happenfore Covid-19, so now ing with the likes of there was an opporthe Whale Trail, how Mayor tunity to understand can we work closJohn Leggett. what that looked like er with iwi to develop Photo: Scott post-pandemic. their signage and fairer Hammond.

“From a Destination representation around Marlborough pertheir history?” spective, what’s the best plan for- Marlborough Mayor John Legward?” Wilke said. gett said the DMP was a “real “We’re also working closely with opportunity” to step back and hit DOC (the Department of Con- the “reset button”. servation), and we’re trying to “We [council] were really supbuild connections with the local portive of the initial approach [to iwi. the DMP] and the idea of going “Essentially, where we’ve come out with a survey,” Leggett said. to is that the environment sits at “It focuses people on the question the heart of this plan, and that around what can Marlborough not just visitation and tourism, look like. What do you think we but all the other industry pillars can do to improve the visitor exlike wine and forestry and marine perience?” farming are all based around the Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau

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general manager Corey Hebberd said tourism provided an opportunity for visitors, both Kiwis and those from overseas, to experience “our manaakitanga (hospitality), our beautiful country and our unique tourism offering”.

“The focus needs to be on value over volume, with a focus on high-value visitors that endure through both our off-peak and shoulder seasons,” Hebberd said.

He said an opportunity existed to strengthen and grow relationships with Māori, to embed tikanga Māori in our tourism strategy, and to improve tourism outcomes for our visitors and our economy alike.

Part of that, Hebberd said, was enhancing the Wairau Bar; the birthplace of the nation.

“It was the tūrangawaewae for the first people of Aotearoa, as part of organised migration. There is a rich history to be told, and much to be learnt,” Hebberd said.

Guardians of the Sounds chairman Tim Healey “welcomed” the idea of a conversation with Destination Marlborough.

“Let’s talk about it [tourism], and bring any issues out into the open,” he said.

He thought it would be worth having “proper” assessments on the impacts of tourism on Picton.

“Risk assessments that have never been done, and then we can go forward,” Healey said.

“Picton is a beautiful place, and people would like to keep their lifestyle as well. I think it’s about 40 per cent of people who make their money out of tourism, or used to, but that leaves 60 per cent who don’t.

“So that 60 per cent really should have a say about the future.”

Slip Inn Store owner Cieran Thomas says most people thought

of wine and the Sounds when they thought of Marlborough.

“And why would they think anything else? ... That has brought tourism in here, but it’s very focused on that ...

“If people come to the Airshow, you need to get them to enjoy Marlborough for what it’s got, and encourage them to visit the restaurants and other businesses,” Thomas said.

Despite having a business in Havelock, Thomas thought it would be hard to draw people to Havelock for long stints of time, as there was not the infrastructure to properly support it.

“It’s all well and good saying Havelock is amazing, come and visit, but if we don’t have the ability to accommodate people once they get here ...”

Havelock Gallery volunteer, Trish Hope, who lived in Blenheim, said being known as the wine region was a great thing – but not everybody was into wine.

“Some people bypass Blenheim to go straight down to Christchurch, or to [the] ferry, so I think we need to find a way to show the region. We need to encourage people to stay for longer, so they can see more of the region.

“I’ve lived here all my life, and I love it all. Here you have everything, people should know that.”

Want to have your say? Provide feedback directly to Destination Marlborough here: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6544292/ DM2021. Those who complete both stages of the survey go into a draw to win one of two $250 vouchers.

8

TUESDAY 8 March 2022

News

Scootering to save lives MAX FRETHEY The Seals to Eels on Scooter Wheels charity event is returning this month.

On Saturday, March 26, participants will ride a 50cc motor scooter for about 250km from Tāhunanui, in Nelson, to Lake Rotoiti and back to raise money for the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust.

General manager of the trust and past participant, Paula Muddle, is thrilled that this event is going forward.

She says much of the trust’s equipment is reaching the end of its life, so funds are needed to replace the ageing gear.

“Not being able to fundraise and do events has been quite crippling,” Paula says. “We’ve got amazing sponsors that have continued to support us, but it’s those dribs and drabs.

People think they’re not giving a lot, but it adds up to quite a significant amount.”

Paula is hoping for 50 participants, but the event has room for up to 100, given the current Covid-19 restrictions.

The ride takes about seven and a half hours, but Paula says it’s a great experience.

“It was actually so refreshing to slow down and just potter

Fight closes Figaro’s MAX FRETHEY

Mike Gane (left) and Paula Muddle (right) will ride to Lake Rotoiti and back to raise money, while Sam Fitzgerald (centre) prepares for thirsty mouths at the finish line. Photo: Max Frethey. along.”

So far, she says they’ve raised more than $4000 but are hoping for more.

“It’s three and a half thousand dollars to save a life, so if we can have a bit of fun and save a couple lives, we’re winners.”

The Tāhuna Sprig and Fern Tavern and MTF Finance are supporting the event, offering spot prizes for the best-dressed rider and bestdressed scooter.

The Sprig and Fern is the course’s finish line and participants are encouraged to grab

a drink and unwind after the long drive.

Mike Gane will be participating in the drive this year.

When he learned of the event, he says the thought of heading down to Lake Rotoiti and back on a motor scooter was a ridiculous thing to do, so he had to sign up.

“I’ve had several mates that have used the chopper in the horizontal position,” he says about the trust. “It was a good outcome for both of them, so it’s excellent.”

Mike used to race motorbikes

but doesn’t think his skills on the motorbike will come in handy with the charity drive.

“There’s pretty much no comparison whatsoever.”

Paula says that anyone who is thinking about getting involved should sign up.

“Beg, borrow, find a scooter, and just come and have some fun.”

For more information, you can visit sealstoeels.nz and to donate you can visit https:// g i v e a l i t t l e . c o. n z / e v e n t / seals-to-eels-on-scooterwheels-2022.

Figaro’s Café on Scott Street has had to close until further notice.

“I went to go to work on Saturday with the chef and all my windows were boarded up,” says Megan Bennet, the owner of the cafe.

She also says that there was blood and broken glass all over the floor.

Megan says the police told her a man was thrown through the cafe’s front window during a fight.

Figaro’s Cafe was forced to closed on Saturday and Monday while things got sorted out but is set to reopen Tuesday, though Megan says the windows won’t be replaced until Wednesday or Thursday.

Megan says that she was concerned about the health of the man involved because there was quite a bit of blood on the floor and the glass was quite thick, but she says the police said no one suffered any life-threatening injuries.

Cafe owner Megan arrived to find her front windows broken.

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Taking on the challenge It’s been a challenging time for events across New Zealand, but a new challenge is heading Marlborough’s way in February 2023.

Ten Events Ltd have announced that The Summer Challenge Women’s Adventure Race 2023 will be held in Picton from 24 to 26 February.

This will see approximately 1,200 people descend on the seaside town, bringing an estimated economic benefit of more than $500,000 to Marlborough.

Owner operator of Ten Events Ltd Nathan Fa’avae, himself a six-time adventure racing world champion and past winner of Eco Challenge – the World’s Toughest Race, says he is thrilled to announce Picton as the host location for the 2023 Summer Challenge Women’s Adventure Race.

“The iconic event moves to a new location each year and after Lake Tekapo in 2022, I believe Picton is the ultimate location to follow. It’s another adventure mecca and contrasts nicely,” Mayor John Leggett welcomed the news, saying it was “brilliant” for Marlborough.

“Our tourism sector, including many businesses in Picton, has had its fair share of its own challenges these past two years due to Covid. I am thrilled for the town and for the region,” he says.

Police Report: Call us at the time RUSS SMITH Community Constable

It is concerning that Police are still receiving ‘morning-after’ phone calls, or calls about sometimes serious incidents, that are not reported until hours afterwards (ie; a caller had a prowler trying doors on the house, they didn’t get in so the caller didn’t think they needed to call police except to advise them of the matter much later).

Even worse, Police often hear about unreported incidents that have occurred many hours or sometimes days before, where the victims have sometimes gone through a distressing time but have not thought to report the matter to Police.

We really want to hear from you at the time of the incident, or as soon as possible afterwards if it is impractical to call at the time.

Police have more chance of catching those responsible and holding them to account if people promptly call 111.

If you don’t feel that you have been incon-

venienced enough to justify calling Police, consider this: • You may not know what the offender was up to before they victimised you, and your call may help apprehend a criminal who has committed trail of offences.

• Even if that is not the case, if you do nothing, that offender may go on to vic-

timise others in the belief that they will get away with it.

• Police may already be dealing with some evidence of offending and have an investigation in progress. Your prompt call may be the piece of the puzzle that results in bringing the matter to a conclusion.

Stolen Vehicles Just a reminder that Police are still receiving regular reports of vehicles being stolen in Marlborough. In a number of cases these are vehicles that are left unlocked when unattended and, in some cases, with the keys still left in the vehicle. They are often damaged or sometimes written-off when recovered.

While you may consider the risk is low as your perception is that we live in a safe province, you may regret this thinking if you don’t take some basic precautions.

Police strongly recommend that if you leave your vehicle parked unattended for any reason: • Remove or place any valuables out of sight • Secure all windows and lock all doors • If parking overnight, if possible, park off the road. A secure garage is best, but under sensor lighting is good • If your vehicle is older or the locks are ‘tired,’ consider fitting an alarm

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TUESDAY 8 March 2022

News

DHB culture blasted Continued from page 1.

An experienced staff member in Nelson says the toll on nurses is affecting the quality of care patients are receiving. “I see the nurses overworked, I see them crying, I see that they are unhappy. They have got nothing more to give. They have been run dry.”

They say nurses are having to also be cleaners because many cleaners left when the vaccine mandate was brought in and they haven’t been replaced.

The worker says nurses are bearing the biggest brunt of poor management.

They say the hospital has gotten away with such poor treatment of its staff because it relies on the fact that they got into healthcare to look after people and, until recently, had a strong supply of workers.

The worker says there is a horrible shortage of staff, and the current culture is to “keep flogging the staff you’ve got.”

A high number of doctors are also taking stress leave.

“It’s depressing because you feel like you’re giving a substandard level of care. It’s not why we went into healthcare.”

They say they don’t feel able to approach senior management to raise issues.

“I don’t feel confident that I’d be listened to or that they can illicit any meaningful change, and feel I would be marked as someone who is a troublemaker.”

Board member speaks out A former DHB board member, who resigned in 2021, says they were bullied off the board and felt targeted by a fellow board member for making a complaint about a family member’s health care in the Emergency Department.

They also allege the board was dismissive of any issues not related to finance, and discussions of staff being bullied never took place, despite being raised.

“I don’t think they are looking at how the staff are treated, it’s about bums on seats and a focus on financial accountability.”

With numerous allegations of bullying across the DHB, the former board member says they “absolutely need” to be discussing it at board level.

“We have got a responsibility to keep the nurses safe, and we are there to represent and advocate.”

Following the alleged suicide of a worker, the former board member asked if it could be discussed by the board.

“I was told, ‘this is an operations matter’ and it was not to be discussed at a board meeting nor was it to be brought up by me.”

They say they were never allowed

to raise the death again, despite serious concerns about its impact on staff. The board member says during their time as an elected official, they felt silenced and micromanaged.

Our society’s most vulnerable The bullying culture has not escaped the disability support services sector.

Support workers allege that when they have raised complaints with management about acts of negligence, abuse of clients, bullying, and disparity in treatment, the DHB have not taken the complaints seriously or actioned the complaints.

They say some team leaders responsible for the residential houses yell at staff, make medication errors, and do not give vulnerable patients the care they deserve.

Many workers are now hesitant to raise concerns as they are afraid that instead of support they will be punished.

The workers say the stressful work environment manifested physically as they endured nausea, sleepless nights, skin conditions, stress leave, and eventually were put on medication.

Many support workers have made separate complaints and all say they were met with resistance.

As a result of one worker’s complaint, they were called to a twohour meeting with no support person.

Despite previous complaints against the team leader, the worker was called a gossip and a liar.

“I was in tears, I was made to feel worthless. To walk out of there feeling like I was the problem was not cool.”

Another support worker with more than ten years’ experience, says they have also been the victim of bullying and harassment, not just by the current team leader but also the previous.

“I felt unsafe and threatened and I repeatedly informed my manager about the impact this behaviour was having on service users and other staff.”

They say there was a deep seeded fear that their team leader would accuse them of misconduct.

After first being brought to the DHB’s attention in February, it wasn’t until December that the findings of the investigation showed that bullying and harassment had occurred.

Bullying across cultures The prevailing issue of bullying has even extended into the Māori health care system.

Intimidating, inept and negligent, is how one worker describes management.

ance, and that makes them unsafe workplaces. The policy and practice is doing the opposite of what it is supposed to do.”

They say, for an organisation that specialises in health and well being, the health of their workers doesn’t even come on the radar.

Union organisers say bullying policies should be updated at least every two years.

“This isn’t good process, this is putting people at harm. There is an HR team employed to address these issues and the problems with the process predate Covid, so that is not a good excuse.”

They portray a manipulative, hierarchical environment, where those who speak out against the manager become targets.

When management has initiated investigations into staff members, the investigations have lacked “impartiality, fairness, or independence” the PSA union says.

“The ways in which the investigations were conducted ignore the values of the DHB’s disciplinary policy and the DHB itself.”

The union pointed out that serious bullying investigations require an independent, impartial investigator.

The union says about a dozen members have left in the five years since the manager has been in charge.

The union says what’s happening in Māori Health is emblematic of what’s going on elsewhere at Nelson Marlborough Health: “The reports we’re getting are distressing. We’re concerned.”

A repeat offender Nurses at Nelson Hospital allege bullying is continuing at the hospital despite investigations taking place.

In 2021, an investigation into one nurse’s behaviour was carried out and she was stood down with pay for four and a half months following 40 complaints.

The nurse, who we have decided not to name, has since returned to work though her behaviour has not changed.

The “constant, petty, and bullying behaviour” left one of the nurses so distressed that they became suicidal.

Nurses also allege that an ‘inner circle’ receives preferential treatment while there is a high staff turnover for those who challenge them.

Notices issued In 2020, WorkSafe also issued two ‘Improvement Notices’ to the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board’s (NMDHB) alcohol and drug addiction services department over staff workload pressures, bullying and mental distress.

The notices come four months after a staff member died in a suspected suicide in what a former colleague alleges was partially the result of extreme job stress.

The colleague previously told the Marlborough Weekly the job took place in a “powerless and humiliating” work environment.

The nurses say they all fear for their jobs if they complain about the culture.

They say many good nurses have left due to management.

“So many careers, so many lives have been f***** up.”

Ongoing union battles The DHB policy, which was approved in 2014 and updated in 2017, states that if an employee feels they are being bullied or harassed, they are required to report this directly to the general manager or human resources.

If a formal investigation is required, a team will be assembled by the general manager and human resources to carry it out.

Any potential conflicts of interest will again be determined by the general manager and human resources.

When approached for comment, the PSA union said that the system for reporting bullying and abuse is set up against employees and is geared towards punishment for speaking out.

“This is resulting in a scared workforce which has lost all confidence to raise any kind of griev-

MP’s response Kaikōura MP Stuart Smith is accusing district health bosses of consistently concealing bullying behaviour.

Stuart says he believes management are not taking the situation seriously enough.

“The DHB has a culture [of bullying] and I believe management are playing games in terms of having their own agenda.

“I’m well aware of the situation and I’ve had constituents come to me with concerns about it and I’m encouraging them to speak up, with both the DHB and the media.

“I have concerns about the management of DHB. I’ve written to the DHB but they just trot out soothing words.

“A delegation of four people came to see me officially and I’ve heard from others in a social setting.

Many of them I know personally, and they are people I trust.

“There are always two sides to every story but the people who have come forward to me, I’m confident they’re not making it up.”

What next?

Asked what needs to be fixed, a senior doctor said: “Better staffing is crucial. We need communication and transparency. We don’t know what the managers do and we need to see actionable change.”

The doctor says that management is capable of productive policy as shown with the initial Covid response team.

“It was really refreshing that there was a group of senior staff and managers who were able to institute some actual physical clinical change that was productive. It worked really well.”

However, this proved to be an anomaly.

“They can do it, it’s just whether or not they want to.”

One nurse told the Weekly to keep exposing what is happening for the benefit of staff and patients.

“Keep going, you will save lives.”

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Cricketers enjoy mixed fortunes in Nelson fixtures youngsters Roberts, Carter and all rounder Tim Petrie who looked comfortable at rep level.

“Losing sucks … but there are a lot of positives to take out of this match.

“Having come into the season with such an inexperienced team our expectations were not too high, but this group have been very competitive in all forms of the game.

“The result didn’t go our way today but there is good stuff happening,” he added.

PETER JONES The Marlborough men’s senior cricket side ended their 2021-22 representative season on a losing note in Nelson on Sunday, being comprehensively outplayed by the home side, who retain the prestigious Newman Shield with an eight-wicket victory.

Marlborough won the toss and elected to bat on what their coach Jarrod Englefield described as “a belter” of a wicket.

Despite losing a couple of quick wickets, the visitors recovered to set up a solid platform, opener Cooper Roberts scoring 80 from 107 balls and combining with Andrew McCaa, 56 from 97, in a 117-run third wicket partnership. However, Marlborough’s innings lost momentum in the later stages, leaving them with a middling score of 233-8 after the 50 overs were completed.Off spinner Matthew O’Sullivan, with 2-32 from his 10 overs, plus medium pacer Thomas Zohrab, 0-34 from 10, were instrumental in keeping Marlborough’s scoring rate well under control.

Nelson started aggressively with the bat, taking full advantage of some loose bowling and were always ahead of the asking rate. Opener Zohrab, who scored an unbeaten 93 from 124 balls, plus number three Jonty Raxworthy, with 57 from 54, and his brother Finn Raxworthy, 40 not out from 48 balls, continued the momentum which saw the shield-holders cruise to victory in the 41st over.

Nick Weaver and youngster Griffin Carter were Marlborough’s wicket-takers, and also the most economical, as the visiting attack battled hard for a breakthrough.

Coach Englefield admitted his side were second best on the day.

“It was a really good cricket wicket. That’s why we batted when we won the toss … we were in a really good position thanks to an amazing innings from Cooper. It was a really calculated innings from such a young player.

“After about 30 overs we were in a great position to get to 270-280, which was where we needed to be, but between the 30 and 40th overs we only scored 30 runs and that’s where we slipped up. They squeezed us and we struggled to rotate the strike which put pressure on the guys coming in.

“In the end we had to fight hard to get to 233, which I felt was 30-40 short.

“In that scenario we had to bowl and field particularly well, but we didn’t start well and they were up to five and a half runs per over from the start.

“We had a few missed opportunities but, in the end, although we were on track for [a winning score] at one stage, we just didn’t execute.”

Englefield was pleased with the efforts of

Cooper Roberts scored a superb 80 at the top of the Marlborough innings. Photo Shuttersport.

Women win well Although Marlborough’s men couldn’t find a way past the home side, their female counterparts had no such trouble.

The Marlborough women’s senior rep side took on the Nelson Nyxons at the Botanics and came away with a 91-run victory in their 40over encounter. Their effort was set up by a solid batting effort, spearheaded by 52 from 74 balls from opener Anna Booker. Carly Englefield and Eden Pettigrew, who both contributed 18, added support in the middle order, while Jody Klempel added 16 later in the piece as Marlborough amassed 181 before being bowled

out in the 32nd over.

Early wickets to Pettigrew, who ended with 3-13 from 5.2 overs, and Stella Cornelius, 2-41 from seven, had Nelson in immediate trouble. When Courtney Bowen, who finished with 3-10 from four, removed the home side’s top scorer, Claudia Green, for 22 the writing was on the wall.

Effecting two run outs underlined Marlborough’s effort in the field as they dismissed the Nyxons for just 90 in the 26th over.

Marlborough used six bowlers, with Englefield, Madalyn Winstanley and Booker all proving very economical.

Captain Pettigrew said her side always planned to bat first and set a score Nelson could not run down, and so it proved.

“Anna nailed it with her batting, hitting fours despite the long boundaries. It was a great experience for the girls to face Claudia (Green, a Central Hinds medium pacer) and also the new ball, which some had not faced before. In the field our bowlers were hitting their spots and the fielders were not afraid of putting on pressure, which they maintained throughout.”

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Change aplenty on local netball scene PETER JONES

There are fresh faces aplenty at the top of Marlborough Netball in 2022.

A new-look board is in place, along with two part-time staff, both relative newcomers to the region.

Bridget Nicholls and Emma Ryan will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the sport, forming a “trans-Tasman team” based at the newly-opened Lansdowne Park Hub. Bridget, who is employed for 30 hours each week, is Marlborough Netball’s competition co-ordinator, responsible for organising competitions, facilitating draws, plus coach development and school visits designed to increase participation numbers.

Born-and-raised in the Waikato area, Bridget has played and coached netball most of her adult life. She came to Marlborough during lockdown to join her partner, who works here. After initially finding work in the vineyards she saw Marlborough Netball’s ad and thought “this sounds like me”.

“The flexibility of hours, plus the coach development side of things appealed most,” recalled Bridget.

Despite being immediately greeted by floods when she first arrived in “the sunniest place in New Zealand”, Bridget has relished getting to know the local scene and sampling the attractions of the province.

“I love it down here. Everyone has been nice and welcoming.”

She has entered the local netball scene with a completely open mind and a fresh perspective, a situation that she feels has both positive and negative effects.

“I can bring in new ideas and won’t be influenced by what has happened in the past,” she explained, “but on the other hand I don’t have the history of the players, so it is going to take me a season to fully understand what is working and what is not working.

“Hopefully, I can bring some fresh thinking, plus some structure and support to coaches, umpires and schools. They are my main focus.”

Emma, born in Adelaide, South Australia, has also played netball most of her life.

She spent the past five years in Clare Valley, a renowned winemaking region in

TUESDAY 8 March 2022

MGC rowers shine

Marlborough Girls’ College crews, under the Wairau banner, bagged six medals at the recent South Island junior regatta, at Lake Ruataniwha. Gold medalists: Girls under-15 coxed four: Grace Straker, Mila van Reusberg, Jessica Brown-Shi, Sophie Saggers and Molly Wilkes. Girls under-17 pair: Lexi Timpson and Emma Flanagan.

Silver medalists: Girls under-16 coxed four: Jess Benet, Ella Barnes, Lilah Stallard, Hazel Glover and Olive Paterson.

Girls under-17 pair: Molly Glover and Daisy Vavasour. Bronze medalists: Under-17 coxed four: Daisy Vavasour, Lexi Timpson, Emma Flanagan, Molly Glover and Elizabeth Bowron. Girls under-15 eight: Grace Straker, Mila van Reusberg, Jessica Brown-Shi, Sophie Saggers, Izzy Brick, Stella Cornelius, Eliza Glover, Bella Rayner and Molly Wilkes.

Mixed day for Saints

Emma Ryan, left and Bridget Nicholls are based at the new Lansdowne Hub. Photo Peter Jones.

South Australia, winning three premierships as a midcourter. She has been immersed in the health and fitness scene for many years and brings a wealth of experience and energy to the Marlborough Netball administrator’s role.

Emma, employed for 20 hours a week, is married to a Kiwi originally from Tauranga. The pair have a two-year-old daughter named Poppie, with another on the way.

Her partner, who works in the wine industry, wanted to return to his homeland so they crossed the ditch on holiday and scouted for a possible location, Blenheim getting the nod over Cromwell.

“There was just a good vibe when we came here to have a look around,” explained Emma, who shifted here 12 months ago immediately after coming out of MIQ. Now both have work in Marlborough, with Emma excited by the opportunity to help facilitate a vibrant netball scene.

Since she and Bridget began their jobs in October, their workplace has moved, shifting from the former administration building on the edge of the Lansdowne Park car park to the new Lansdowne Hub building, which overlooks both the netball courts and the main rugby ground.

Both are enjoying their new surroundings, and rubbing shoulders with their rugby counterparts, plus Sport Tasman staff.

“I think it is already a big change for the community,” said Bridget. “We have all gelled really well [in the new combined office space] … it helps that we have similar senses of humour.

“We were originally meant to be moving in [to the Hub] soon after we started in October, but we are here now and it has definitely been worth the wait.”

While Bridget and Emma are the most visible new faces at Marlborough Netball, there are several newcomers on the 2022 board, which was finalised on Friday.

Rachel Tau’alupe will continue as chair, after stepping in last year for the departing Beth Tester. Mikayla Avant has taken the role of deputy chair and Shana Pinker is the new treasurer. The other board members are Helen McLauchlan, Sally King, Brenda Chilvers and Paige Lovell.

“It is onward and upwards now,” added Bridget. “[The board] are all positive and excited for the season. We have fresh faces, the fresh Hub and fresh staff … we are doing all we can to make netball successful and accessible.”

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The Marlborough-based Saints senior softball side came away from a trip to Nelson on Saturday with a win and a loss.

Playing in the post-Xmas Spring League competition, they were beaten first-up 8-4 by favourites Stoke Eagles, then accounted for Cardinals 12-1. In the first match they were left rueing one poor inning in the field after holding Eagles to 1-1 heading into the fifth. Drew Roberts, Campbell Gill and young catcher Jaimee Blake led the batting effort while shortstop Tyler Bird excelled in the field.

Against Cardinals Blake Wisdom replaced Willem Hayton on the mound, while the Saints batters found their range.

Again, Gill and Roberts impressed with the bat while Bird slammed a lengthy home run over centre field. Saints have a bye next weekend then another Nelson double-header before the finals weekend on March 26.

Saints Softballer, Drew Roberts.

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TUESDAY 8 March 2022

Jeremy’s back for more PETER JONES Jeremy Mckenzie loves a challenge - and they don’t get much bigger than the Godzone adventure race.

The Marlborough winemaker knows exactly how tough the Godzone challenge is, having competed in three of the nine chapters of what is becoming an iconic New Zealand event.

In 2014, as part of the Absolute Wilderness team which raced in the Kaikoura-based event, he finished third. A year later he was back at it again, competing in the Wanaka-based Chapter Four.

After being sidelined for several years with a horrific leg injury that threatened to end his adventure racing career, Jeremy returned in 2021 as Godzone travelled to the North Island for the first time. He teamed up with fellow Marlborough locals Kieran Hickman, Glenn Blackmore and Mandy Macfarlane in the Go Fence combination as they combined superbly for a very creditable 13th in Rotorua.

Now he tackles Chapter 10, labelled “A Southern Traverse”, based in the Wanaka area.

He is reunited in the Goldpine Go Fence team with Kieran, plus new members James McCone and his sister-in-law Sarah O’Neill, both North Canterbury dairy farm-

The Goldpine Go Fence team, from left Sarah, O’Neill, Jeremy Mckenzie, Kieran Hickman and James McCone. Photo supplied.

ers. James and Sarah are both Godzone veterans, Sarah also a top Coast to Coast athlete, having finished sixth in the Longest Day last year.

The event format is similar. The exact course remained unknown until maps were handed out on

Thursday night, with the race beginning at Jackson Bay, south of Haast, on Friday. It covers around 710km in total and teams will endure navigation, trekking, mountainbiking, kayaking, canoeing, fixed ropes and pack rafting.

For some teams, it takes eight

days, but for others it can be as fast as four to five days.

Jeremy is hoping Go Fence can finish in “five to six days”, allowing him time to get back home and begin working on the harvest.

“I’m meant to be picking grapes

next week so that puts a bit of pressure on,” he adds with a chuckle.

As for what motivates him to keep coming back to an event that takes both mind and body to some very dark places, Jeremy says it is a variety of things.

“The fact it is Chapter 10, that’s worth celebrating. The course is a Southern Traverse as well so should be a bit of an epic journey.

Just looking forward to getting on the start line and racing … lots of stuff has been canned over the past year so it will be nice to be out there.”

James will be navigator, with Jeremy suggesting he views his role in the team as “more of a mule and motivator”.

Adding to Jeremy’s personal challenge will be a dodgy knee, sustained after a serious injury while out hunting in 2016. “[The doctors] said I would struggle to run again when I smashed my knee so I think it is pretty amazing to be still out there, racing at a high level. I guess I am pretty lucky, really. While stressing that the primary aim is to finish the event, he feels the team are capable of “hitting the top 12”.

“I think that is a pretty good aspiration for where we are at.”

At the time of printing Jeremy and the Go Fence team were among the top 20 teams.

Change afoot for Marlborough Football PETER JONES PTS

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Marlborough’s district executive group met with representatives from Marlborough football clubs last week and recommended that the local executive board be dissolved, with parent body Mainland Football set to oversee the sport in this region.

A lack of support to fill places on the local executive prompted the move.

In an email to the football clubs the previous week, Marlborough Football chairman Peter Mortimer pointed out that, despite there being eight places available on the board, only four were filled and three of those on the board were soon to leave.

In the email he stated, “Football throughout New Zealand has changed significantly, and federations are governing most of the football regions across the country. This does not mean that Marlborough must follow suit, but the interest in board representation is becoming harder as we all live busier

lives.”

Andrea Smith-Scott, general manager of Marlborough Football for the past eight years, said the vote at Tuesday’s meeting was unanimous and the notice of motion to dissolve the board and use Mainland Football for governance will be put forward at the Annual General Meeting on April 5.

She was quick to point out that there would be very little change on the local scene. Andrea also noted that Marlborough was already under the umbrella of Mainland Football after merging as a federation over 10 years ago.

“Nothing changes as far as staffing goes. We will still have the same positions on the ground here in Marlborough overseeing the day-to-day running of football in the province.

“We still have our own identity and will be responsible for raising our own finances, including sponsorship packages.

“Mainland Football will provide support, if required, and overall govern-

ance, including managing future staff appointments.”

Another motion will go forward to the AGM seeking to appoint guardians for the Marlborough Football Investment Fund, thus ensuring the region’s financial assets will be kept in Marlborough for use locally.

The change to regional governance being carried out by a federation is not unusual. Along with many other NZ regions, Nelson Football did the same thing, aligning with Mainland Football two years ago.

Mainland Football is an incorporated society and the regional governing body for football in Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and the West Coast.

It has approximately 20,000 individual members through associated football clubs and schools of which there are 51 throughout the region, plus memberships through recreational programmes of which Futsal is the biggest.

Mainland Football is governed by an elected Board headed by a chairman.

Sport

TUESDAY 8 March 2022

PTS

14 14 13 13 Young Marlborough smallbore shooters Issy Adams, Dom Henry and Stella Henry were on target at Trentham. Photo supplied.

Hot shots hit the mark

13

PETER JONES

13

A small group of Marlborough smallbore shooters flew the province’s flag high at the recent outdoor nationals, winning several titles then representing both the South Island and New Zealand with distinction.

Leading the way was MBC student Dom Henry, who finished fourth in the open men’s championship over 50m and took out the C grade aggregate title.

He also added the biathlon (runshoot-run-shoot-run) event to his haul.

His efforts earned him selection in the New Zealand Open Slazenger team, which competed against Australia, plus the 2022 NZ junior men’s side, who also took on their

13 13

trans-Tasman rivals.

Joining Dom in the NZ Open combination were his father, Jason Henry, plus fellow local Chris Burgess.

Dom’s sister, Stella Henry, was also on target at the Trentham range.

She claimed the D grade title in her first outdoor nationals and, along with another local junior, Issy Adams, who produced some outstanding scores at both 50 and 100m, shot for NZ in the international women’s Randle match, competing in a postal shoot against the United States, Great Britain and South Africa. Issy also made the NZ junior women’s team.

Six Marlborough shooters represented the South Island team - namely Dom, Stella, Issy, Chris, Jason and Bill Stevenson.

13 13 13 12 12 12 12 12 Toni Robinson

11 10 10 10 9 8

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NSW WARATAHS vs WESTERN FORCE

30

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