Marlborough Weekly 21 March 2023

A Picton teenager who suffered a severe brain injury in a freak forestry accident is lucky to be alive.

Brayden Allen, 17, was struck on the head by a falling rock while working on a forestry block on March 1. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, a bleed on his brain, a fractured skull, fractured orbital lobe and had 17 stitches above his eye and four on his cheek.

The brave teenager now faces possible plastic surgery as he begins his battle back to health.

Mum Erin Ellis says her son is dealing with daily pain but determined to get well as soon as possible.

“He’s pretty amazing this kid and taking it all in his stride.”

Brayden had been at work at a logging operation site near Seddon when he was hurt.

Recovering at home after being discharged from Wairau Hospital earlier this month, Brayden says he remembers the moment the rock struck.

“My boss reckoned it was the size of his fist. There was blood pouring from my head and when I was laying on the hillside, I did wonder if I’d make it.

PAULA HULBURT paula@topsouthmedia.co.nz

Brayden Allen was seriously hurt at work and was rushed to Wellington Hospital by rescue helicopter.

Photo: Supplied.

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Sue Carnahan Free parking. We park further out and walk in, but you’ve got to pay everywhere you go. I think the one hour free parking has been really good.

Janeen Wiffen

I think the BBA are on the right track. Having dining on the street, subjective sculptures to talk about. There’s enough parking and enough events, like little markets.

Troy Adams

I think the infrastructure is more important than putting up art. The pavers are out of date, slippery and dangerous. The pavers at the crossing aren’t designed for traffic, so are breaking. The whole town needs a do-over.

Faith Tewhiu

I think where we’re at is quite good. The town is a welcoming, open and happy place. I’ve been here so long this is just the way it is. Compared to other places, we’re really lucky with where we are.

Matt Brown.

Reward plea to bring justice for Jess

PAULA HULBURT

The family of homicide victim Jessica Boyce are appealing for police to offer a reward to help bring those responsible for her death to justice.

Four years after the kind-hearted blonde disappeared, her family are still searching for answers. Jess’s family hope a reward will help spark new leads.

Her cousin and close friend Aaron O’Neill says the move could make all the difference in the case and stop Jess’s case “fading into obscurity.”

“I’m not going to lie, while I’m happy police are stepping up for other missing people, it’s hard to see rewards up to $100,000 being offered for information in those cases but not for Jess,” says her cousin and close friend Aaron O’Neill.

“Jess’s case is comparatively recent, so the information is there waiting to come out.

“A reward of that magnitude could be the difference between obtaining justice for Jess or having her case fade into obscurity and leaving a killer/s to walk free and strike against someone else in the future.”

Jessica Boyce was 27 when she was last seen in Renwick on 19

March 2019 driving her mum’s red Holden Rodeo ute.

The vehicle was discovered at the Lake Chalice car park in the Richmond Ranges on Friday, March 22, which police later believed was a ploy to thwart the investigation.

Her disappearance officially became a homicide investigation in October 2020.

Her family say they will never stop seeking answers.

Aaron says while he understands the police’s initial reluctance not to offer a reward, it is time for a push for information.

“I could understand the hesitancy to withhold a reward at the beginning, when investigators were already being inundated with false leads, but by their own admission, nothing new is getting them across the line in terms of evidence - so why not make another major push for information in the form of a reward?

“Why is it seemingly good enough for everyone except for Jess?

“$100,000 is a lot of money to anyone, but especially to the circle I suspect is involved in her disappearance - a circle full of people financially indebted to dangerous individuals and would do anything to have purchasing power.

“It’s been four years of hell and we want answers. It’s not an unreasonable expectation when there are still strategies that haven’t been tried yet.”

Posting on social media, Jess’s mum, Kay Johnston, paid tribute to her daughter.

“There are no more tomorrows with you my beautiful daughter.

“Our souls will meet again. Four years is a long time for no an-

swers and the pain we carry every day of knowing you are out there alone and the people that took you are free living their pitiful lives.”

A police spokesperson says while the homicide investigation is not as active as it was, enquiries are still being made.

“Enquiries into the disappearance of Jessica Boyce are ongoing. A number of investigative tools and

techniques have been employed across the inquiry however for operational reasons we will not be disclosing these.

“We are always interested to hear from anyone who might have information about Jessica and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

“You can call Marlborough Police on 03 578 5279, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

It has been four years since Jessica Boyce disappeared. Photo: Supplied.

Port Marlborough and team of specialist staff rehome all EcoWorld animals

HART

Other than one salmon found to be in “extremely poor health”, all animals from EcoWorld Aquarium have been released or rehomed – even a stingray.

Port Marlborough took possession of the building and its animals in December, after Justice David Gendall gave aquarium owner John Reuhman 20 working days to vacate the land. It came after a week-long High Court case in September, after Reuhman claimed he had a right to renew his lease.

Among the specialist staff that helped relocate the remaining animals was aquarium consultant Craig Thorburn – specifically tasked with helping relocate the stingray.

A marine biologist by trade, a “big part” of Craig’s 35-year career was spent handling large animals, like sharks and rays, across Asia and the Pacific.

“Some of those have been flown around the world, or moved between aquariums. We’ve done a lot of work in Australia between

Sydney and Melbourne, moving large animals,” he says.

Speaking from Seoul in South Korea where Thorburn was working on a large aquarium project, he said moving the EcoWorld stingray was fairly simple.

In fact, it was released just beside the aquarium, into Picton harbour.

“Initially we were going to give them advice on how best to handle the stingray, because they clearly have a barb on their tails, and they can be dangerous,” he says.

“They’re a really good-natured animal ... but it’s a pretty new experience for any animal when you move it and introduce it to a new environment.”

Craig said the stingray was assessed by Dr James Chatterton, manager of Veterinary Services at Auckland Zoo.

“I had a chat with James on his take on the animal, and he felt the stingray was in really good condition, and he was pretty happy for its release,”.

He said the stingray was guided into a plastic tub, with a small

amount of anaesthetic provided by Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium, to help reduce its stress.

“We moved him through to a stretcher and carried him out to a temporary tank outside, so we could pause and let him come out of the anaesthetic.”

He said they made sure he was breathing and alert, before the tank was “craned into the water”.

“He just swam straight out, did a couple little circles and then just started to explore ... it went amazingly well, we were super happy.”

Reuhman had said that closing the aquarium when the lease ended in 2021 would be a “death sentence” for a lot of the animals.

Reuhman said some animals would have to be euthanised as they would not survive in the wild.

But the High Court decision from Justice Gendall said Reuhman’s claims of slaughter were “unfortunate to say the least”.

The port complained Reuhman deliberately made inflammatory and misleading comments to the wider Picton community and the media.

A Port Marlborough spokesperson said following the High Court judgment, former aquarium staff were employed to

help care for the remaining fish and tuatara, in line with advice from MPI, DOC and the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA). That included changing enclosures for the tuatara and check the marine species’ suitability for release.

Meanwhile, DOC managed the welfare and removal of freshwater species and tuatara. Three Cook Strait tuatara and one Brothers Island tuatara were moved to Lochmara Lodge in February ahead of their permanent release into the Marlborough Sounds at a later date. Another Brothers Island tuatara kept at EcoWorld died in November, later found to be in “poor body condition”, in large part due to scar tissue in both kidneys. The Port Marlborough spokesperson said following advice and checks, the saltwater fish were moved into oxygenated tanks and then released into the Marlborough Sounds.

“We were pleased to see them all

swim away quite enthusiastically, and the advice from the experts was that they all have a really good chance of surviving in the wild and living out their days in their natural environment.”

The spokesperson said rehoming the stingray was the biggest challenge.

“Expert advice we were given signalled that due to the high population of stingray already in this area, and around Picton Marina, that the stingray had a good chance at surviving and possibly even going on to breed.”

The spokesperson said while it was “disappointing” some animals remained when they took over, they were pleased they could work with the right experts to find “good outcomes”. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ on Air.

MAIA

Port Marlborough and a team of specialist staff rehomed all EcoWorld animals. Photo: Supplied.

Logging accident victim lucky to be alive

“I remember the paramedic arriving and being put in the helicopter but that’s all I remember until I woke up in Wellington Hospital with all my family there.”

Brayden was first flown to Nelson Hospital but due to the severity of his injuries was transferred to Wellington Hospital.

The former Queen Charlotte College student started his career in logging 18 months ago and says he can’t wait to get back to it. But with a piece of his skull still twisted behind his eye socket, it will be a while before Brayden gets the all clear.

“The mornings are harder for me with pain in my eye but it gets better as the day goes on.

“I’m counting down the days till I can go back to work to be honest, I can walk but I can’t drive yet because of my eye.”

Brayden was working on the same site as two colleagues when the accident happened.

That they got to him so quickly, probably helped save his life, he says.

“He didn’t see me get hit as he was looking up the hill but did see me tumble down.

“He asked if I was okay and I was

like, not really.

“I’d like to also say a big thank you to the paramedics and the people who helped me. They saved my butt.”

Erin says it was her husband who broke the news of Brayden’s accident.

“I missed a couple of calls from Brayden’s boss as I was at work. They got my husband who rang me, which was a nicer way to hear the news.

“We rang Wairau Hospital as we thought it was just a cut in his head at this point but then they told us he was being flown to Nelson.

“We got there [Nelson] just in time and I was able to go in the helicopter with him.

“My husband drove straight back to Picton and flew over.

News In Brief

HELICOPTER RESCUE

A woman passenger onboard the Pelorus Mail Boat was taken off the boat by the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter team last week. About 70 remaining passengers headed to the Lodge at Te Rawa where they waited to resume the journey. Passngers and lodge owners have praised rescue staff for their actions.

DOG DAY

Picton Vet Clinic is holding a special Traffic Light Bandana Day for dogs. Enjoy a dog walk, games and socialising with a pet portrait photographer, raffle, coffee and food carts on site at Memorial Park in Picton from 9.30am, to 2pm on March 25. The aim is to raise awareness of better dog and owner etiquette with coloured Traffic Light Bandanas. Pre-register for the event by March 23 and get a free bandana and entry to games. No gate sales.

“We’ll know more once Brayden has his follow up appointments in Wellington but he is almost his bright, bubbly self. There are hard days for us all, but he’s just getting on with it.

“We would also like to thank the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter and paramedics, the Nelson Emergency department and the Wellington Emergency department, the surgical team in the ophthalmology department and the team at 7 south ward in Wellington hospital.”

Worksafe NZ have launched an investigation into the incident. A Givealittle page has been set up by a friend of the family to help Brayden and his family while he recovers. To donate visit Brayden’s recovery journey on Givealittle.

ENVIRONMENT AWARDS

Tickets are now on sale for the 2023 Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards Event on April 20.  Discover what each of the 26 entrants are working on and achieving for the environment. From recycling grape posts into farm fencing, to trapping pests and planting natives across the province, there’s a great mix of business and community projects competing for awards. Held at the Marlborough Event Centre, tickets cost $45 and include drinks and canapés. For more information and to buy tickets, go to www.cmea.org.nz

CONTRACTS AWARDED

Contracts to deliver some of the region’s popular, long-standing events including the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival, Blenheim Christmas Parade, New Year’s Eve celebrations in Picton and the Blenheim Summer Market have been awarded to local provider Pure Events Marlborough. Council has also approved contract funding for the Marlborough Multicultural Centre, recognising its importance in celebrating our region’s cultural diversity.

Brayden with his brother Ajani with their butterfish they caught after a day’s diving with their stepdad Zane. Photo: Supplied.

Poacher who packed almost 250 illegal pāua in suitcases jailed for seven months

ed to dump the pāua he had poached back into the water, despite calls by fisheries officers to stop.

A diver who packed 249 illegal pāua into suitcases, then fled back into the sea to try escape from fisheries officers, has been jailed for seven months.

Robert Jason Guild was sentenced today in the Blenheim District Court on three Fisheries Act charges, after he was caught dumping his illegal catch, with a retail value of more than $8000. He was caught after trying to flee from officials at a checkpoint on the south Marlborough coastline in December 2021.

The 40-year-old admitted taking the pāua and fleeing because he “freaked out”, Fisheries New Zealand said outside court.

The fishery was closed in 2016 following the severe, fatal, Kaikōura earthquake which devastated the coastline and destroyed about 20 per cent of the pāua fishery.

It reopened for a limited threemonth season on December 1, 2021, and is currently closed.

On December 11 2021, Guild fled from a Fisheries New Zealand checkpoint and attempt-

A Fisheries New Zealand regional compliance manager, Howard Reid, said Guild had gathered 249 pāua and concealed them inside suitcases after diving very early in the morning near the Cape Campbell Lighthouse, in south Marlborough.

The daily limit for recreational pāua gathers, at the time, was five pāua per person.

Guild’s actions were seen by a trainee honorary fishery officer.

“He went to the trouble of leaving the pāua in the water, packed in suitcases and using binoculars to check whether he was under surveillance before returning to collect it.

“He also removed the number plates from his vehicle to evade possible identification.

“Clearly, he knew what he was doing was illegal,” Reid said.

He said Guild was then seen reversing his vehicle into the water to retrieve the suitcases, before driving towards Marfells Beach and a fisheries checkpoint.

When he realised it was a checkpoint, he quickly did a U-turn,

and drove at speed back to the sea, entering the water in his clothes while trying to empty the suitcases of pāua into the chestdeep water.

“Despite being directed to stop what he was doing by Fishery Officers, he ignored them and continued to dump the pāua.

“He then fled the scene but with the assistance of the police, we caught up with him along the beach,” Reid said.

Two recreational fishers then helped Fishery Officers to recover the cases from the water.

One case was zipped and full of pāua, with the rest recovered from the seafloor.

“Our Fishery Officers work hard to protect the fishing resources from poachers.

“People should know there are consequences to breaking the rules,” Reid said.

Fishery Officers counted about 250 pāua, of which almost half were undersize.

The pāua would have fetched about $2000 on the illegal market while the commercial retail value of the shellfish was about $8300.

“When we find evidence of people taking seafood illegally

Suitcases full of illegally caught paua.

and deliberately, we will take action.

“The rules are there for a reason –to ensure fisheries are sustainable into the future,” Reid said.

Guild was granted leave to apply for home detention. The vehicle, suitcases, and dive gear used in the offending have been forfeited to the Crown.

Track stars

Rival cadet ROK drivers Taylor Costello, from host club Marlborough, and Theo Toynbee, from Nelson, enjoy a quick snack before their final race in the Kartstars series which was staged at the Blenheim kart track on Saturday and Sunday.

Peter Jones

TRACY NEAL

Open Justice multimedia journalist, Nelson-Marlborough

Photo: Supplied.

Photo:

Teachers strike

MATT BROWN

Marlborough’s teachers went on strike last week in a bid to get better pay and working conditions.

As inflation and the cost of living outpace wages, and amidst a worsening teacher shortage, teachers from schools across Marlborough took up their pickets and descended on Seymour Square on Thursday for industrial action.

PPTA regional branch chair Dr Michael Harvey says teachers believe in the future of the New Zealand education system, but for the job to be done right, and attract new

Council to investigate easier maintenance of ‘notable’ trees

people, they need better pay and working conditions.

“We want to make teaching a desirable profession,” Michael says.

PPTA’s 20,000 members want salaries increased to match inflation, more guidance staff to work with increasing numbers of rangatahi struggling with mental health and societal issues, greater recognition of kaiako Māori, and effective controls on workload.

PPTA Te Wehengarua acting president Chris Abercrombie says they have been in negotiations for a new collective agreement since May last year. “…there has been plenty of

time for the Government to make us an acceptable offer. Sadly, that hasn’t happened,” he says.

Chris says the shortage of secondary teachers is worsening. “Improvements to both teacher salaries and working conditions are essential to keep experienced and skilled teachers in the job, attract top graduates to become secondary teachers and encourage thousands of ex-teachers to return to the profession they left.”

Michael says at present, this is the only strike planned.

“But if we don’t get what we want at the negotiation table, further industrial action is planned.”

Red, White and Brass raising dosh for blue and gold

STAFF REPORTER

An advanced screening of a new, hotly anticipated movie will come to Blenheim next week in a bid to raise money for a high school overseas experience.

The Marlborough District Council is looking for greater flexibility for when notable trees need a haircut.

Council staffers had raised concerns that the process for taking care of the trees was “too restrictive”, and some maintenance work even needed a resource consent, which the staffers said “shouldn’t be necessary”.

The Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan (PMEP) set out what maintenance was allowed on notable trees. About 450 trees across the region were listed as notable, some of which were on private land.

Trees could be listed as “notable” for their botanical rarity, size, scientific interest, age, functional value or how they sat in the landscape.

Under the plan, other than in an emergency, only minor trimming or pruning of notable trees was allowed.

That trimming or pruning was restricted to the “crown clearing” of dead or dying branches, canopy lifting or “balanced removal” of lower branches, and minor clearing of light branches from power lines.

At an environment committee meeting on March 9, council strategic planner Louise Walker sought approval from councillors to consult on whether that policy

was achieving its purpose, which was ultimately to “ensure tree health and proactively manage risk to people and property”. Notable trees often needed maintenance work.

A 100-year-old oak tree planted by Prince Edward VIII was removed after a large branch fell overnight, in October 2020. Due to safety concerns, the council did not have time to wait for a resource consent.

A 91-year-old heritage Quercus palustris, or Pin Oak tree was saved from the chop in 2021, despite a petition from residents to have it removed, and in November last year a notable 112-yearold eucalyptus tree with “sudden limb drop” was signed off for removal through the consent process.

Deputy mayor David Croad asked if the council was seeking to “create better flexibility” around notable trees.

“Obviously, the notable tree thing has come up on many occasions,” Croad said.

“Are we trying to get away from the resource consent of $1000 every time we want to trim a tree, and so on and so forth, and how that will mechanically work moving forward?”

Walker said the council’s reserves team found issues with needing resource consent and said often this “really shouldn’t be necessary”.

Walker said a confirmed resource

consent would still be needed to entirely cut down a notable tree. A report prepared for the meeting said adding a variation to the PMEP would provide an opportunity to “appropriately canvas the concerns”.

This move was part of a wider proposal to make changes to the notable tree register. This included consultation to add five new trees on the register. Meanwhile, two trees on Percy St needed to be removed from the register because they had been assessed by an arborist as “dead, dying, diseased or declining”. Resource consent had already been granted for this. Meanwhile, several notable trees at Hillersden Farm may have been incorrectly mapped and needed to be amended on the notable tree register. The environment committee approved consultation on the changes. This would include consultation with relevant parties, including landowners, tangata whenua, and ministers of the Crown who may be affected. The PMEP fused together three of the region’s major management plans, setting out what activities are appropriate in Marlborough’s urban, rural and coastal environments.

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ on Air.

Wednesday’s special premiere showing of Red, White and Brass, will help send 72 Marlborough Boys’ and Marlborough Girls’ college students on a once-in-alifetime trip to the United States of America.

Trip spokespeople Jenny Pullin and Matt Clark say both schools are excited to have the opportunity to take students on the overseas learning experience; especially after three years of border closures.

They hope to raise $5000 from the movie screening, with money to go towards an emergency fund in case of unexpected costs while overseas.

“Previous trips have highlighted how much students gain from these experiences.

“It’s not just the educational learning before, during and after the trip, it’s also at a personal level.

“Things like getting a job to pay for the trip, saving for a goal, budgeting for spending money, calculating currency exchange rates. There’s a lot of personal growth for our students as part of this experience.

“The $5000 being fundraised is essentially an emergency fund, covering any unexpected costs that might arise due to bad weather or illness, for example,” they say.

The 20-day trip, during the term three school holidays, will begin in New York City and finish

in the southern US city of New Orleans with students visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the UN Headquarters and the birthplace of Martin Luther King, as well as tours of Capitol Hill, the Coca Cola headquarters and the Hurricane Katrina Tour. Red, White and Brass follows Maka, a Tongan superfan, who is willing to do whatever it takes to get tickets to the Tonga vs France Rugby World Cup game – even if it means creating a brass band, from scratch, in a month.

The debut feature film for co-writer and director Damon Fepulea’i, the film is inspired by a true story and filmed in Wellington.

It is funded in-part by Angel Investors Marlborough.

Tickets for the Blenheim premiere on March 22 are available through Marlborough Boys or Marlborough Girls school offices, or email ticketsredwhitebrass@gmail.com

Tickets are $30 for adults, including a glass of wine, and $25 for under 18s, which includes a soft drink. Constellation Wines has generously donated the wine for the event.

MAIA HART Local Democracy Reporter

A large oak tree had to be felled at Seymour Square in 2020 after a branch dropped off overnight. Photo: Stuff.

Marlborough teachers gathered outside of council to protest working conditions. Photos: Matt Brown.

Changes afoot for Tasman rugby

The evolution of the Tasman Rugby Union continues, with a planned venue swap the latest initiative as the country’s newest union looks to the future.

Tasman have gained Nelson City Council support for a proposed interchange of facilities with the historic City Club. The plan is that the union - which currently has operations at both their Trafalgar Lane offices and in the City Club’s premises at Kinzett Terrace - will move their entire operation to the Kinzett Tce site. Concurrently, the Club will move their business to the Trafalgar Lane premises. The land at both venues is council-owned.

Tasman Rugby Union CEO Lyndon Bray sees it as a win-win situation.

“We see this as an exciting initiative for Tasman Rugby and the Mako, giving us a facility that will evolve our union and keep us in good stead for the next 10 years,” he said.

“Our objective is to have our en-

tire Tasman Rugby staff (community, Mako and commercial) under one roof. Plus, to have our Mako and FPC Mako team rooms and gymnasium under that same roof.

“Kinzett Terrace provides us with the opportunity to create our spiritual home and allows us to expand our office space given that we have invested in new roles across our community team. It enables us to utilise the gymnasium and team rooms (both male and female), plus potentially create an outdoor space for community rugby teams and participants.”

Lyndon said the union envisaged developing an astro turf training centre, potentially covered by a canvas roof, at the Kinzett Terrace facility.

“Such a centre would allow us to provide an all-weather training environment for the Mako, for development programmes, junior rugby training and also for Rippa Rugby competitions and tournaments, plus coach-the-coaches programmes,” said Lyndon.

“We would also look at the poten-

tial to create a share model with other sports, who could utilise this facility.”

Lyndon said Tasman Rugby had come out of the “challenging few years of Covid” in good financial shape.

“We have been able to consolidate our financial assets, to cover our requirements regarding cash reserves and to have working capital for future plans.

“We have also been able to boldly expand our investment into the community game, with a new Community Women’s Rugby Manager, a Game Development

Manager in Marlborough and a Coach and Player Educator in Nelson, all of whom have started in their roles.

“This proposed relocation … will provide the facility for Tasman rugby to grow and evolve our strategic objectives and enhance our community connection.”

The Nelson City Council have agreed to the plan in principle and will now ask for public submissions.

Nelson City Council Mayor Nick Smith saw the proposal as a “winwin”.

“This is an exciting proposal that

will help strengthen the legendary Mako,” he said.

“Having a centre of excellence for rugby right adjacent to Trafalgar Park is a great opportunity.

“Also, the Trafalgar Lane site is better positioned for the City Club so it is a genuine win-win without expense for the ratepayer.

“I love it when community organisations and clubs are able to work together to find pragmatic solutions like this proposal and welcome the public comments through the submission process,” he added.

Education is key at Animal Control Marlborough

ADRIENNE MATTHEWS

For the past nineteen years the Maataa Waka Ki Te Tau Ihu Trust has been responsible for managing Animal Control in the Marlborough region for the Marlborough District Council from premises at 56-58 Main Street in Blenheim. With the increase of services the Trust provides and the thirtyfive kaimahi (staff) now involved, Pouārahi (General Manager) of Maataa Waka, Emma-Jaye King, is thrilled that their premises has been expanded to include the property next door at number 58 Main St, which is where the Animal Control operation now operates from. “We are so pleased to be able to provide more space for our kaimahi, whānau whaiora (customers) as well

as having more parking available,” she says.

Marlborough currently has over ten thousand dogs to be registered annually.

Animal Control covers the vast Marlborough region including Rai Valley, the Marlborough Sounds and Kekerengu. The organisation operates in accordance with the Animal Control Act 1956 which is set by Government legislation.

“Our Animal Control Officers are never quite sure as to what they are likely to face each time they are called out but they adapt accordingly,” says Emma-Jaye. “It can be a tough job in many aspects but also rewarding.”

As well as managing the local dog population, the Animal Control team are on call 24/7 to respond to

Best practise.

other concerns such as stock that have escaped onto roads, which can be extremely hazardous to road users.

“A major part of our focus is around education,” says Emma-Jaye. “Jackie Jenkins, our Dog Safety Education Advisor, offers a Dog Safety Programme that can be adapted for people of all ages. These include preschool, primary school, community groups, people at work or those working in the com-

munity.”

“We facilitate the programme in classrooms, local venues and workplaces. As well as teaching people how to be safe around dogs it is also an opportunity for dog owners to learn how to parent their four-leggedfriends well and be responsible dog owners, preventing problems that could occur later,” she says.

“We are more than happy to work with people who want

some help, such as with barking dogs, or anything else that they are unsure of around dogs,” says Emma-Jaye. “We work closely with the SPCA, Marlborough Four Paws and local vets when that is needed and are here to help anyone who has a dog problem.”

If you would like to contact Animal Control for further information or queries, they will welcome your call.

Phone 03 520 9033

Tasman rugby CEO Lyndon Bray in front of the City Club. Photo Jack Malcolm.

With the expansion of the Animal Control Facility, the teams can now offer even better services and support Photo: Summa Donald

home,

Turning ideas into reality is our passion

The name of Alun Carter’s business Creating Homes Ltd sums up the essence of his vision and passion.

“I love working with homeowners to turn their ideas into reality and make their house feel like the home they have always wanted,” he says.

Alun has a long history of working in science, customer service and the building industry and established Creating Homes as a way of bringing all those interests together.

The company specialises in home renovation, repairs and maintenance and Alun brings his years of working in four countries and wide experience of construction methods to the fore in often innovative ways while keeping up-to-date with all the latest research.”

“There is nothing better than the smile on people’s faces when they see the finished project,” he says. “We always aim to exceed their expectations.”

“Having renovated a number of properties myself I am very aware of the importance of listening to the homeowner and understanding exactly what they want then finding the very best and cost-effective way to achieve that,” he says.

Renovations the firm undertakes can include kitchen and bathrooms, decks and outdoor areas, carports and garage conversions.

They also do repairs and maintenance including fixing leaks and weather damage, dry wall repair and are experienced in preventative maintenance. Their nine-member team also

includes painters and decorators who do both interior and exterior work including roofs.

“I have a personal passion for the science and environmental considerations around home performance including energy and water use, ventilation, lighting and insulation,” says Alun. “Simple changes can often be made to make a house much more comfortable to live in while saving costs on energy and water.”

“Homes are people’s biggest assets and when they function well they are a joy to live in,” he says “Making improve-

ments to people’s living conditions gives me great satisfaction.”

“Maintenance is so important to keep a home’s value and, when done in a timely fashion, reduces the cost to homeowners of things going wrong that result in much higher costs further down the track.”

“As well as our own excellent staff we have developed great relationships over the last eight years with local sub-contractors over the last in a range of fields,” he says. “That really helps us to carry out jobs in a timely and efficient fashion. Everyone on the team enjoys what they do and we all work together to create the very best outcome for our clients.”

ADRIENNE MATTHEWS

“Simple changes can often be made to make a house much more comfortable to live in while saving costs on energy and water.”

The Creating Homes team undertake renovations from bathrooms to kitchens to garages. They also do repairs and maintenance. Photos: Supplied.

Clean, dry timber with no hidden nasties

Keeping Marlburian’s warm and toasty through the cooler nights, the team at The Firewood Company encourage people to get in touch soon to sort their firewood needs.

In the industry for ten years, owner Tiri Johnsen, says he is full steam ahead into the season, cutting, splitting and delivering a range of quality cut firewood to their customers in the Blenheim and wider Marlborough region.

The locally owned and operated family-run business pride themselves on only sourcing firewood from local renewable and reputable logging companies. “You should only burn good, seasoned wood sourced from a sustainable local provider. At The Firewood Company, we ensure that no log is too small, or too big, to be put to good use. It’s also imperative to remember that firewood needs to correctly season, or dry-out, for optimal burning and heat. For hardwoods, it can take up to one to three years to correctly season, while softwoods can take anywhere up to six months or more depending on the level of airflow, sunlight, and weather protection.”

Choosing to burn wet, unseasoned wood can block your chimney, putting your home at a higher risk of a chimney fire, and leave you with a struggling fire that will not be economical for heating your home. It is this type of problem-solving aspect of the field that drives Tiri’s love for the sector. “Sourcing appropriate wood

three years ahead of time and ensuring we have enough to get through the seasons, is one of the things that I love about the job. We have recently built a kiln on the property to ensure we have a constant good supply of wood to provide to our customers.”

Advice that Tiri has for locals is to get in now and secure their supply for the upcoming winter months. “If you buy from a company, you are more likely to get exactly what you are needing, which is the right wood. It may cost a little more initially, but the quality is far better and will be much more cost-efficient, actually saving you money in the long run and giving you more bang for your buck.”

Proud of providing good business practices and great customer service, Tiri and the team say customer satisfaction and personal relationships are pivotal in their business. “Ensuring our customers are kept warm with the best firewood available in the Blenheim area is our main focus. Cutting, spitting, and delivering high-quality services and top-quality wood, we offer free delivery in the Blenheim area, offer pensioner discounts and are WINZ approved.” Contact 027 930 5447 or email info@thefirewoodcompany. co.nz for more information.

“Choosing to burn wet, unseasoned wood can block your chimney, putting your home at a higher risk of a chimney fire.”

AMY

RUSS

The Firewood Company provides sustainably sourced, seasoned wood and ensure that no log is too big or small.

Photo: Supplied.

Business confidence – how is it?

most positive of people. We thought that was likely to affect business confidence at the moment.

With extremely low unemployment, good GDP per capita, sunshine hours, the sea, skifields, mountain bike tracks and national parks on the doorstep, Marlborough is increasingly being seen as one of the very best regions to live and work in, across New Zealand.

Teaming up with MDC the Chamber recently helped to put together the We Love It Here campaign #weloveithere aimed at attracting skilled people to move to the region for work. Afterall that’s why so many of us have chosen to move to and to live in the region, because “We love it here.”

We’ve also been involved in putting together the Marlborough Business Insights Survey with Council, to look at how confidence is within the regional business community at the moment. The focus is on seeing how well businesses are going and what their level of confidence in the coming year is.

The messages we get in the media and from Economists about con fidence in NZ are almost entirely negative at the moment. Record levels of inflation, rising interest rates, a looming global recession, natural disasters and a cost of living crisis. It’s enough to concern even the

So, we asked our members and well over 200 businesses completed the survey, with the vast majority of the largest businesses completing the survey, we think it’s likely captured businesses generating over 70% of the GDP from right across the region and across all sectors, so it’s statistically valid.

But it’s the results that are the really interesting thing.

Over 50% of the businesses had a better year in 2022 than in 2021, then about 30% were about the same, with only 20% doing worse than the previous year.

When you then look at their forecast and how they think 2023 will be, you might expect a majority would think it would be worse than 2022, but it’s not.

Again over half the businesses think it will be better and only a fifth that it will be worse.

The wine industry and visitor economy sectors being the most positive not surprisingly, with a bumper harvest in 2022 and

thought their business would get worse. So it looks like the constant barrage of bad news in the media has everyone worried for everyone else.

But when you ask them about their business only a small proportion see it going backwards. So the outlook is definitely tough NZ, but it looks better in the region and although we have some businesses who are definitely going through tough times, most are feeling positive about the coming year.

The biggest challenges they all faced weren’t surprising, with inflation and recruitment challenges being the major ones.

On the plus side there are rising revenues, international demand and increased productivity (in part due to cutting costs during covid).

In terms of employment 73% of businesses thought they would remain the same or increase their staff levels, so it doesn’t look like our low unemployment rate is going to rise any time soon.

Then looking at investment in their businesses 51% intended to invest further in their business, with most investing in plant & machinery, their staff (including training) and buildings.

So overall the pressures remain and are of concern, but the plus sides seem to outweigh those and give many businesses across the region reasons to be positive. Let’s hope they are right.

A strong partnership to provide the very best water solutions

Owners Greg Somerville from Think Water Marlborough and Glen Marfell of Marfell Engineering Field Services Ltd have teamed up to combine many years of specialised experience in their respective fields to offer locals the very best in water and irrigation solutions.

Both locally owned and operated businesses, Think Water Marlborough provide expertise in all aspects of the water management industry, while Marfell Engineering Filed Services specialises in all areas of water engineering and filtration in agricultural, viticultural and residential applications.

“Our vision or desire is to build on what capability we already offer by pooling our resources and experience,” says Greg.

“One of our goals is to bring better service and knowledge to local businesses and domestic systems while being one that builds strong relationships with its cus-

tomers, access to our people for advice, and a high standard of workmanship and reliability.”

Think Water Marlborough has extensive hands-on experience in system design, installation and servicing of irrigation, pumping, filtration and water treatment systems and brings to the relationship resources in trained staff and a range of well-known quality products, and Glen is born and bred in Marlborough with nearly 30 years of experience in engineering and irrigation in Marlborough and overseas.

Marfell Engineering have been designing, installing and maintaining existing systems around Marlborough for the past 12 years.

This means customers have peace of mind with back up, sales and service moving forward.

“We both felt that Marlborough people have a good choice in who they can go to for the services

that we offer so instead of spreading it wider why not utilise what we have already and work closely together, offering more as one.

“Irrigation, water supply and systems that provide quality play a huge part in people’s day-to-day lives here, and is growing in de-

mand, which provides an opportunity in many ways but requires resources.”

After working independently for himself Glen wants to be able to give back to the industry and help with the development of younger people in the industry by work-

ing alongside Think Water staff. “This, along with the learning opportunities provided by Think Water, can together help grow staff whether they are retail or field based.

“This ultimately increases the number of informed people to service industries and day to day people which are integral to the success of our region.”

Marfell Engineering Field Services clients are welcome to call into the Think Water Marlborough store and see Glen for advice on their systems and pick up the most common irrigation products they have in stock.

“If you’re looking for an option when it comes to water, we are only a phone call or short drive away to assist you with your needs.”

Think

Greg Somerville from Think Water Marlborough and Glen Marfell of Marfell Engineering Field Services Ltd.

Photo: Summa Donald.

Sun 26 Mar 2023, 8am to 6pm

Rural show comes to Ward

ing and knitting, handcrafts and photography.

The much-loved annual Flaxbourne A & P Show gets underway at the Ward Domain on Sunday 26 March for the 97th time, a fabulous day out for Marlborough families and competitors who come from all over the top of the south to enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere. A committee of volunteers run the annual event and President Martin Pattie enjoys the camaraderie that the show brings. It is a great opportunity for the local rural population and town folk to enjoy the animals and country pursuits on display. “There’s lots of green grass this year and it’s a good autumn so we’re expecting a great show,” he says. The show’s programme is full of events that the whole family can enjoy and includes a pipe band, horse and pony events, competitions for sheep, cooking, home produce, vegetables, flowers, sew-

There is the fun of the sideshows along with a Spouse Carrying Race, Terrier Race, Harcourt Junior Farmer Competition, McKendry Mazda Flaxbourne Flyer Competition, Shearing and a Sheep Counting competition. Alongside the coffee carts there are plenty of traditional fairground treats to be had including ice-cream, candyfloss, chips, hotdogs while the local school and the Seddon Lion’s Club are doing barbecues. The well-known Sturgeon family who have been operating fairground equipment since 1945 bring an array of carnival rides and amusements to add to the fun.

Sixth generation local sheep and beef farmer, Kevin Loe, can remember attending all but two shows in his lifetime. “My family have always been a part of it,” he says. “There are elderly people from other early farming families

ADRIENNE MATTHEWS

The Harcourts Junior Farmer Competition is always great entertainment. Photos: Supplied.

at Ward Domain

Adults $10, under 17 free

munity. Most people in the area have a connection with something at the show. When I was first asked to do the job, I just didn’t know how to say no,” she laughs. “Although it is still a huge task to organise all these years later, technology has made it so much easier.”

A huge number of volunteers act as stewards on the day. “We can always do with more,” says Bernadette.

Being in the heart of sheep country, there are classes for farmers to show off their best stock while shearers come from many other places to compete in their classes, points earned going toward their national competition.

ley. It is great fun and highly entertaining.”

Also entertaining is the ‘Terrier Race’ at 1.00pm. “It is actually a mix of small dog breeds and hilarious with dogs going off in all directions,” she says.

that haven’t missed a single show. The A & P Show really brings local people together which is very healthy for the community. The Kaikoura Earthquake actually made our community bigger as we got to know people who weren’t able to get to Blenheim for a long time.”

Since the earthquake Kevin has been in charge of the layout of the show. “We’re very well supported by so many businesses, craftspeople and food producers which adds to the atmosphere,” he says. Working bees are held in the

weeks beforehand with locals pitching in to get the grounds and building ready. “I’m so proud of the way the community comes together and the hard work pays off,” he says. “I see the purpose of the day to share what we have here and want people to go away and tell others who didn’t make it what a great experience they’ve missed out on.”

Bernadette Gilmore grew up on the family farm in Ward and has been the show secretary for thirty- eight years. “It’s one thing a year that involves the whole com-

The show’s programme is full of events that the whole family can enjoy. The many horse and pony events take place all day with five rings and 130 classes in action. Judging takes place for a range of activities from turnout to manners, riding ability, show jumping and even tricks. The miniature ponies competing are always especially popular with children and adults alike.

At 1.30pm a Grand Parade takes place to show off horses and their riders looking their best. Points from a number of the horse and pony events go towards the national Horse of the Year competition.

In the spirit of traditional A & P shows there is even a ‘Sheep Counting’ event where sheep go through pens and the winner is the one who counts them correctly, an important skill for every sheep farmer to have.

“The Ironman team competition is always popular,” says Bernadette. “One person has to power a bicycle so another one can shear a sheep and then a large bale of wool has to be rolled along an al-

One of the favourite crowd spectacles is the ‘Speights Alehouse/ Omega Seafoods Spouse Carrying Race’ which can be entered on the day. Spouses have to carry their other half through an obstacle course and the winner receives as a prize their weight in product.

Another spectacle is the Mckendry Mazda sponsored ‘Flaxbourne Flyer’ Event which involves teams of three including a rider who has

The many horse and pony events take place all day with five rings and 130 classes in action.

Blenheim District Pipe Band will be leading the Grand Parade at 1.30pm

posts

to put their horse over jumps, followed by a motorcyclist weaving their way through an obstacle course and followed by the third team member who has to sprint through an obstacle course to the finish. The show is supported by a wide

range of sponsors, many of whom contribute to the array of trade stands on site. The Harcourts

Flaxbourne Future Farmer competition for children is a way for youngsters to show off their farming skills. Those entering never know beforehand what they will

be expected to do as each year they are surprised with different tasks to show off their practical skills. “One year they had to erect a non-electrified electric fence and another, tail an artificial lamb,” explains Bernadette. Entries for this competition have to

dren to enter. “We have received a large number of entries this year

petitions in cooking, handcraft, vegetables, art and flowers which “The numbers entering the open

Points from a number of events go towards the national Horse of the Year competition.

The wife carrying competition always keeps the crowd entertained.

Show at Ward Domain

Adults $10, under 17 free

SHOW PROGRAMME

Horse events

All other entries to be penned or in the buildings.

Sheep Counting

Harcourts Flaxbourne Future Farmer (Registrations from 9.30a.m. at Harcourts Gazebo)

Bring Your Pet to the Show Competition

Shearing Competition

matically grown each year as more and more people get into establishing vegetable gardens and producing their own food,” she says.

Traditional handcrafts such as knitting, sewing and needlework continue to draw in the entries and this year there is a ‘Baby’s Vest’ knitting class from which all the vests will go to

the Wairau Hospital Maternity Ward.

There will be classic cars on show and the over sixty trade displays will include a range of business from motorbikes and tractors to the likes of honey, handmade soap and olive oils. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to have a fun day out in the country,” says Bernadette. “Keeping

PUMP RITE

the tradition of the A & P show alive is very important to us and we know that those who attend will thoroughly enjoy themselves.”

There is plenty of car parking available but no Eftpos facilities onsite. Entry is $10 per adult and children under 17 get in for free. The show starts at 8.15am.

PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE Flaxbourne A & P Show

Speight’s Spouse Carrying Competition

McKendry Mazda Flaxbourne Flyer

Terrier Race

Grand Parade

Horse and Pony Show Jumping and Hunter Round the Ring

Hazletts Cookies Classic Shearing Competition

Ironman Competition

*Times may be subject to change

Admission:

$10 adults, under 17 years free (Sorry no EFTPOS)

Other Attractions:

Trade and Craft sites, Classic Cars, refreshments, food, BBQ, Coffee Carts, Competitions for sheep, wool fleeces, cooking, home produce, sewing, knitting, flowers, vegetables, photography, children’s handcraft, school art work, fodder.

Proudly supporting the Flaxbourne A&P Show

A committee of volunteers run the annual event and President Martin Pattie enjoys the camaraderie that the show brings.

Andy Poswillo Director I Agribusiness I Marlborough

WORDS BY MIKE INSLEY

It’s finally here…Vintage 2023

After a stuttering start Vintage 2023 is well and truly under way, as evidenced by the increasing number of trucks, harvesters and other machinery on Marlborough roads. Please take care and show some patience when you come across these in your own vehicle. The operators will pull over for you, when they deem it safe to do so. And while grape trucks are required to be covered, they are carrying a largely semi-liquid load that requires “gentle” driving. Sudden stops and starts will invariably lead to spillages and more delays for all road users while the clean-up takes place.

It’s been a bit touch and go getting to this point with the weather being decidedly average. The third consecutive La Nina year has brought easterly cloud and rain for a large part of the growing season. When I looked back at the two prior “triple header” La Nina periods, both had the third summer as being dry. While the period December – February rainfall has not far off our long term average, the lack of sunshine has meant longer periods of leaf and bunch wetness. This in turn raises disease risks and some vineyards are seeing the unenviable trifecta of Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew and Botrytis in their blocks.

Powdery mildew can be found nearly every season these days, and Botrytis is always a risk especially as the grapes size and ripen however Downy Mildew is less commonly seen. The spores require reasonable periods of warm, wet conditions to be able to germinate (10:10:24 is a good rule of thumb – 10mm of rain at temperatures above 10 °C and

Marlborough RURAL & LIFESTYLE

For Sale $925,000

View By Appointment marlborough.harcourts.co.nz/BL10191

Excellent property for a self-sufficient lifestyle, set within its own micro-climate on fertile land. This offers several opportunities for new owners. Action required, call William or Rhonda for an exclusive viewing. https://vimeo.com/765892123

• 2.0166ha grazing land in 5 paddocks

24 hours of leaf wetness – note that the hours of leaf wetness for an infection to develop decreases as temperatures rise above 10 ° C) and we’ve had plenty of those. The one saving grace in regards to Downy Mildew in Marlborough is that there has been little carry over infection from prior years. This may have helped to keep infections low and below the threshold of becoming a major problem in the vast majority of vineyards. That changes with this year’s infections and growers will need to plan accordingly for next season.

Market-wise, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc continues it’s strong growth, with our number one export market, the US, growing by 29% in volume terms since June 2021. This puts the NZ wine industry on track to achieve export sales of $2.5 Billion by June year end. Given all that’s happened within New Zealand of late, we need strong export growth like this. Long may it continue.

2023 Grape pricing appears to be very similar to last year, where Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc achieved a district average price of $2273 / T although yields are likely to be back on last year’s exceptional tonnages. Slightly lower yields, static pricing and increased costs might make for an interesting year for some growers, especially if they are looking at a vineyard redevelopment programme as well.

So, as always, it’s exciting times for the Marlborough wine industry. Good luck and best wishes to all those folk working over the next few weeks to bring in our number one wine export.

Seniors Road Lifestyle

For Sale By Negotiation (GST inclusive)

View By Appointment marlborough.harcourts.co.nz/BL10297

A great lifestyle property offering an attractive fourbedroom home with new kitchen and numerous features plus views to Mt Fishtail. Sheltered from the prevailing winds and located within the Wairau Valley community, this is a rural property with means to generate income. Has to be seen to appreciate all of the improvements made by the vendors.

• 3.1761ha, six fully fenced paddocks with water

• Enormous implement shed / workshop with power and water califont

• Three bay pole shed, small stockyard and loading and dog run, bore and private water scheme

• https://vimeo.com/797121837

people

William Harris Rural & Lifestyle Manager

M 027 756 7798 P 03 578 0888 william.harris@harcourts.co.nz

Paul Jackson Sales & Marketing Consultant

M 027 277 6686 P 03 578 0888 paul.jackson@harcourts.co.nz

Hannah Burns Sales & Marketing Consultant

M 027 332 5050 P 03 578 0888 hannah.burns@harcourts.co.nz

Mike Insley Sales & Marketing Consultant

M 021 229 8157 P 03 578 0888 mike.insley@harcourts.co.nz

Rhonda Stewart Sales & Marketing Consultant

M 021 736 922 P 03 578 0888 rhonda.stewart@harcourts.co.nz

David Searle Sales & Marketing Consultant

M 021 565 950 P 03 578 0888 david.searle@harcourts.co.nz

• Double garage, attached single garaport plus over-height carport

• Small shearing shed, two-bay shed and holding pen, hen-house and run

• Cosy home with rural views

For Sale By Negotiation

View By Appointment marlborough.harcourts.co.nz/BL10237

Substantial 20.62ha (approx.) south of the Picton township at The Elevation with an elevated, excavated site with views over Picton to the Marlborough Sounds. A 3 bay pole shed has 24 solar panels and a battery bank to power a 4 bedroom house. To arrange an on-site viewing call William today.

• Good cellphone coverage and RD3 rural mail delivery

• Water scheme with easements

• Flat and sloping grazing land in three fully fenced paddocks at base of hill

188 Mt Riley Road

For Sale By Negotiation

View By Appointment marlborough.harcourts.co.nz/BL10278/BL10281

This property lies just 20-minutes commute from the Blenheim CBD. The quirky tilt slab bungalow is set amongst designer gardens and established trees but make no mistake this is a property that offers a lifestyle income. There are ample sheds for implements, workshops and farm machinery plus a stockyard with loading ramp. Need more information, make a call to the listing agents. https://vimeo.com/791746635

• 5.7470ha flat grazing land in 11 paddocks with K-line

• Bore and rooftop water collection to holding tank

• Established shelter belts and orchard with pip and stonefruit

William Harris

Lorraine

Max Morris Sales & Marketing Consultant

M 027 959 1812 P 03 578 0888 max.morris@harcourts.co.nz

Vicki Harrison Jones Rural Team Administration vicki.harrisonjones@harcourts.co.nz

One very happy shearer

Angus Moore from Ward has once again won the PGG Wrightson Vet-Med competition also coming second at the Golden Shears Open Event held the first Saturday in March. Alongside him and caring for their six children his wife, business partner Ratapu came fifth in the wool handling.

Angus says, “I’m a very happy chap at the moment and very proud of my wife too.”

Winning the PGG Wrightson Vet-Med event twice before, Angus explains, “it’s a multi sheep shearing event covering the twelve top disciplines.”

The event kicked off in Alexandra in October with fine wool section each shearer competing for five points over five rounds.

Angus then moved to full wool hoggets at Waimate, round three was hosted by the NZ Agricultural Show in Christchurch in November shearing Corriedales, with the final rounds held at Marton with lambs at Waitangi weekend and Pahiatua where it

was second shears later in February. Competitors were judged on speed, quality and pace. Based on points earned through those five rounds. The circuit finals was fought out in Masterton by the top twelve shearers on the eve of the Golden Shears; a world premier shearing and wool handling event. “Winners of the circuit event get $2000 in prizes and a Hyundai Santa Fe for one year which is very worthwhile,” says Angus.

Angus has shorn sheep from Southland to Northland in his shearing career. He was raised near Ward, attended Primary school at Kekerengu and Marlborough Boys College. You don’t get more local. The couple is now based in Marlborough having purchased a shearing run off retiring local shearer Joe Douglas. Angus and his team shear from the Clarence to the Howard Valley, Awatere Valley and into the Sounds.

Angus Moore won the Canterbury Shears’ New Zealand Corriedale Open Championship in 2021. Photo: Supplied.

Men get involved in one of the many competitions at the Rai Valley A&P Show at the weekend. Photo: Supplied.

Ready to support you through the harvest

With harvest season almost upon us, the team at Power Farming Marlborough are on hand and ready to help. We service, repair and supply parts for most leading brands to make sure your equipment is in peak condition and ready for the season.

Plus,

New Zealand’s most famous dyslexic writer

CHRIS LIPPIATT Comedy Chris

I have been writing professionally for a while now and for the first time in my life I have a dream, a life goal and that is to become New Zealands most famous dyslexic writer.

Because I know that if you want to be famous, then the most efficient way is to find something so niche that there will be little to no competition.

Sort of like Oscar Pistorious when he went out to be the world’s most famous legless runner or, Jacinda Ardern who went out to be the New Zealand’s most famous prime minister to get pregnant while in office, or Oscar Pistorious who went out to be the world’s most famous white disabled OJ Simpson I think the hardest aspect of Dyslexia is the fact that they called it Dyslexia.

Could you imagine the guy who discovered it Adlof Kussmaul, was his name. ‘Hey I just discovered a new disorder. I dub it word blindness.’ Because that’s what it is.

And his contemporary, Rudolf Berlin, who was subsequently the winner of the worlds most German name, says ‘Yeah nah let’s call it Dyslexia just to mess with them. What are they gonna do if they don’t like it? Write a letter?’

Congratulations Rudolf, you are the second biggest jerk Germany has to offer. So in my quest I needed to see who my competition is, I googled famous New Zealand dyslexic writers and nothing showed up, but we did find the Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand. The first thing I realised was that the Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand has no idea what dyslexia is. The website describes Dyslexia as ‘an alternative way of thinking’. Come again?

Did they think that we weren’t going to read it because we are dyslexic? A boomer texting a local paper and saying that the younger generation is doing the best they can and face real struggles, is an alternative way of thinking. No, Dyslexia is a neurological disorder where reading and writing is bloody hard because the letters and numbers keep moving and for the life of me I no idea which way the number 3 faces. Even their interviews with Notable Kiwis like the Mad Butcher start with ‘when did you discover that you thought differently to other people?’ What sort of question was that?! I kind of expect him to say ‘Well it was when I realized my prices are so low I must be a communist.’

No, it’s a disability. I have it and I’m OK with it.

Just a thought

1. Susan Powell, Louise Towers and Dermot O’Connor

2. Barry Holmwood, Jeanette Rudd and Bob Barnes

3. Anna Kimeswenger and Rainna Pretty

4. Steve Trigg and Lewis Jone.

5. Tricia Horrey and Joy Petrie.

6. Kingsley Woodham, Ellie Wilson, Nico Woodham, Ezra Wilson, Daryl Woodham and Jasmine Woodham

7. Irene Anderson and Allie Moores.

8. Nelson Whippy and Kevin Wilkey

9. Oliver Hutchison and Robyn van de Water.

10. Allan Beaman and Greg Healey.

Celtic Green complete clean sweep

PETER JONES peter@topsouthmedia.co.nz

Celtic Green confirmed their status as the undisputed champions of Marlborough second grade cricket with a comfortable victory in the post-Xmas 40-over competition.

The Celts downed Renwick by six wickets at Horton Park on Saturday, a hard-hitting unbeaten 68 from Ben Holdaway allowing them to cruise to victory with 12.5 overs to spare.

Renwick batted first and were poised for a decent total at 72-2 before losing four wickets for just 17 runs, placing their lower order batters under pressure and pushing the momentum firmly in Celtic’s direction.

Daniel Karena scored 44 from 42 balls to lead the Renwick scoring, with No 7 Max Armstrong’s 29 from 39 the best of the rest as their side slumped to 161-9 at the conclusion of their 40 overs. Leading the way with the ball was Luca Turnbull who snared 3-32 from eight overs and did the early damage, while Logan Robin-

son picked up 3-16 and Jaden Adams 2-16.

Holdaway, batting at three came in early and set up victory with two solid partnerships, 69 alongside Tom Sloan, who scored 51 from 38, and 48 with Adams, who compiled 17 from 34. Luke Holdaway was unbeaten at the end alongside his brother, with 15 from 18.

Mike Anstiss, 2-37 from seven, was the pick of the Renwick attack.

Celtic Green pocketed the postXmas title along with the T20 second grade crown and their preXmas 40-over victory.

Meanwhile, on Horton Park three, Wairau sewed up the third grade 40-over title with a 59-run win over Celtic.

Wairau batted first and amassed 178-6, Teagen Birkett’s 67 showing the way, along with 37 from James Crowe and 20 by Max Ruffell. Oliver Kennedy claimed 3-20 to lead the Celtic attack.

Celtic were dismissed for 119 in reply, Couper Robinson’s 32 from 37 the top score. Birkett claimed 3-39 to complete a fine double, while Niko Russell, 2-25, and Ruffell, 2-6, also picked up wickets.

Wairau women wrap up softball title

PETER JONES

The Wairau women’s softball side swept all before them at Lansdowne Park on Saturday to take out the women’s competition title for 2022-23.

First up they swept past an inexperienced Saints side, then took on Central, who had scored a comprehensive win over Waitohi in the other semifinal.

The experienced Wairau combination were too good in the final, prevailing 20-4, although the Central girls fought hard all the way.

Meanwhile, the Marlborough Saints men’s team scored two contrasting wins over their Cardinals opponents from Nelson at Lansdowne Park on Saturday.

In their first clash the home side prevailed 9-0, but things were considerably tighter in the second match, which Saints took out 9-8.

Willem Hayton pitched well in both games, especially the first where he faced 16 batters, claimed nine strike outs, giving up no walks and allowing only one hit.

Jason Bird took some great catches in the outfield while Saints

batted well throughout the order, Dane Gill swatting two home runs, Tyler Bird and Joe Timms hitting one apiece.

Seddon shield tournament

Marlborough came agonisingly close to victory when the annual Seddon Shield tournament was revived at Saxton Ballpark in Nelson recently.

Four Marlborough rep sides travelled over the hill to do battle with their Nelson counterparts. The men’s and women’s teams played once, the 15-and-under girls and boys sides twice each.

The Marlborough women’s side won 19-4, the men lost 3-11, while the junior boys combination won one game and lost the other, but prevailed overall. The opposite scenario occurred for the junior women’s team, leaving the tie to be decided on countback, which favoured Nelson.

The Marlborough Seddon Shield teams were:

Senior men: Tyler Bird (captain), Campbell Gill, Dane Gill, Callum Hayton, Willem Hayton, Braden Healy, Sam Kenny, Drew Roberts, Blake Wisdom. Coach Denham Wisdom. Senior wom-

en: Morgan Walker, Pera Wills, Lisa Allen, Sharae Sinclair (captain), Harley Huntley, Wiri Bristowe, Kara Retcho, Paige Lovell, Emily Harvey, Ramona Waikato. Coaches: Lawrence Allen, Lisa Stove. 15-and-under boys: Zephyr Dollimore, Tyson Moon, Chey Wirepa, Taine Hunter, Jayden Lucas, Harry Robertson, Kahn MacDonald, Baxter Elsmore, Clayton Campbell, Manu Mataele, Franky Taiapa, Issac Hebberd, Lee Taia-

pa. Coaches: Pauly Kahui, Nathan Gill. 15-and-under girls: Bobbi Lloyd, Charley-Lee Taoho, Abbie Boyd, Georgia Winkler, Aliana Hoani-Tau’alupe, Jazmine Moon, Lilly Gapper, Kyla Thorstensen, Lexi Newman, Cartier Barrett. Coaches: Marshall Rawiri, Fred Hoani.

Marlborough also sent a provincial team to the U17 Nationals in Wellington in January, a trip designed to expose the region’s

youth to national level play. Among many positives to come out of the trip was the fact Marlborough scored 32 runs in their first four games against North Harbour, Auckland, Auckland A, and Manawatu.

Marlborough Softball have gone from eight registered teams to 19 teams this season, making for a “very exciting time” for the sport in this region, according to co-president Lawrence Allen.

The Celtic Green side celebrate another wicket. Photo: Peter Jones.

Central player Charley-Lee Taoho is chased between bases by Waitohi opponent Ramona Waikato during the women’s semifinal. Photo: Peter Jones.

MOUTERE RUGBY

Magpies fly back into premier play

PETER JONES

The Moutere Magpies are back in premier rugby ranks for 2023. Founded in 1906, Moutere has built a wonderful heritage over the past 116 years, having won more Marlborough championship titles than any other club. The Magpies, in their traditional black and white-hooped garb, have produced a steady stream of representative players, plus engendered a tremendous spirit and culture at their Spring Creek base. However, despite possessing the region’s largest junior section, the club has battled to field teams in the senior ranks over the past few seasons.

Since winning the Marlborough division one final in 2015, the Magpies have had an on-going struggle to maintain a large core of senior players.

In 2021, a further drop in numbers saw them join forces with Awatere to field a combined side in the Tasman Trophy competi-

tion, the first time in the club’s history they were unable to field a team at the top level, then last year they dropped out of the premier competition altogether. But this season the boys from Awarua Park are back, contesting both the Marlborough sub-union competition and the Tasman Trophy.

Coaching the premier side will be Jeremy Clark, a former player in the Wellington Rugby Academy, and he has no illusions about the magnitude of the job ahead as the club tries to resurrect its flagship side.

“We have to deal with trying to grow a new culture,” said Jeremy. “At the end of last season there was not much left of our senior club, so in some ways this is a rebirth.”

He is not expecting any miracles from what will be a predominantly-youthful side, suggesting “we are treading water a bit at the moment”, as numbers continue to roll in for practice night.

“We have a super young squad,

The Moutere Magpies are looking for a 2023 resurgence. Photo: Shuttersport.

almost an under-21 team, and a lot of the boys are going to be tested mentally and physically over the season.”

Jeremy coached an under-13 side last season, but has put up his hand to help, alongside Paul Kahui, Steve Black and Willie Tupoutoa. One of the more experienced operators the coaching team will call on is Ben Finau, the former Mako halfback returning after a couple of seasons at Renwick. His leadership, motivation and guidance will be invaluable.

A group of talented MBC players will also front up, including loosie Charles Tupoutoa, midfielder Jake Pacey, a surname synonymous with Moutere rugby, winger Senetenari Ponesi, plus former college standouts Max Morris and Clyde Paewai. Others to watch for are halfback

Angus Phillips, Josh Reece, Ethan Kahui, lock Sam Irvine and former MBC Old Boys loosie Archie Schluter.

Jeremy admits they are light in some areas but hopes to make up for that with enthusiasm and commitment.

“There is a really good buzz, good energy around the place at the moment. The guys are enjoying themselves, which is the main thing,” he added.

“We are not going out there saying we will be the best team around … we are a young team that is going to be growing and hopefully will be around for a long time.

“We are looking predominantly at survival this season, that’s our goal accomplished, but that will provide a good foundation for growth and a pathway for young guys coming to the club.”

Popular golf event back on course

JONES

The annual Allan Scott Family Wines women’s golf tournament is back in full swing after a covid-enforced hiatus in 2022.

For three days around 170 female golfers from across New Zealand took part in what organisers described as “a very successful tournament with great weather and a full field”. On Monday, a stableford competition was played. Winner of division one, (players from 0-20 handicaps) was Marlborough local Lizzie Turnbull, with 43 points. Second was Liz Fox from Royal Auckland and Grange (40) with Greenacres’ golfer Angela Beard (40) third. Division two (21-27) was taken out by Rangiora’s Ann

Perkins with 42 points, from Royal Wellington player Cis McGechan (41) and Rakaia’s Sandra Quinn (41). In division three (28-54) Marlborough player Mary Skilton prevailed with 46 points, followed by Juliet McLeod from Mayfield (44) and Marion Elliott from Miramar (42).

Tuesday saw a four-ball, bestball teams competition contested by 86 teams. Competition was close with some good scoring. Winners were Joy Harding and Judy Jones from Tai Tapu and Picton with 52 points, followed by Wendy Hancock and Niki Marshall from Golden Downs on 50, then Angela Beard and Di Lofthouse from Nelson who scored 49.

The final event, on Wednes-

day, was a gross competition played across three divisions. The senior gross title was won by Titirangi’s Linda Nightingale, with 78, followed by Fleur Reynolds, from Murawai, with 82 who claimed second place on countback from Rarangi’s Andrea Thomas.

The intermediate title was decided by a chip and putt contest after eventual winner Diana Clark, from Greenacres, and Rarangi’s Anne Newman were tied on 89. Third was Bronwyn Fletcher from Royal Auckland Grange on 90.

June Paterson from Royal Wellington claimed the junior gross title, scoring 98, with Pauline McLafferty (Omaha Beach) second on 101 followed by Mary Skilton from Marlborough on 102.

Clyde Paewai on the burst.

Photo: Peter Jones.

This group is all smiles before teeing off on the fifth hole at Fairhall on Monday. From left: Erin Mulholland, Diana Clark, who won the intermediate gross title on Wednesday, Janne Moyle and Lesley Patton. Photos: Peter Jones

NBL teams set to put on a show at Stadium

Two of the nation’s premier basketball sides will do battle at Stadium 2000 on April 1 – and you would be foolish not to get down there and catch the action.

Marlborough basketball are once again hosting a pre-season match between National Basketball League rivals the Nelson Giants and the Wellington Saints. At last year’s corresponding game between the Giants and the Canterbury Rams numbers were restricted due to the Covid crisis. However, organisers are excited that this year they can welcome an even bigger crowd and include a few more fun aspects that were shelved in previous seasons.

Vicki Gifford, from the Marlborough Basketball Association, says, “with basketball being such a growth sport – and increased numbers of participants in the Marlborough region across all

age grades - we are thrilled to get the support of the Nelson Giants for what is generally an annual fixture.

“The game is a premier fundraising event for Marlborough basketball and helps us to provide competitions and development programmes for our players.”

Both the Giants and Saints reached the playoffs in the Sals NBL competition last year “so this pre-season game will be a great chance to check out the form of both teams as they move into the regular season that starts the following week”, added Vicki.

In addition to the main event, there will be a curtain-raiser between the Marlborough Magic men’s team and the Athletic club from Nelson.

A thrilling and challenging half time show is also planned. The Liquid Action Halftime Half Court Shoot-out will be a chance for some budding stars to show

their shooting prowess and potentially outdo Liquid Action’s Matt Broughan.

The main game tips off at 2.30pm with the curtain raiser starting at 12pm. Doors open at 11.45am. Tickets are just $10 per person for both games and are available from Eventbite.co.nz https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/ e/2023-nbl-pre-season-basketballtickets-560016824397

3x3 tournament

Prior to the big boys coming to town, there is an opportunity for the younger basketballing brigade to show their skills.

The 2023 Primary Schools 3x3 tournament will take place at the Stadium on March 25- 26.

It is the first Primary Schools 3x3 tournament to be hosted in Marlborough and will also involve teams from Nelson.

“The tournament is a development and participation-focused event aimed at year 5&6 basket-

ballers in the region,” said Vicki. “3x3 is a fast-paced, fun, “street ball”-style format of the game. It has recently become an Olympic sport and is a huge growth area in basketball.

“We are lucky to have a great 3x3 facility at the Stadium and weather permitting we will be making the most of the outdoor space for the tournament, however we have the indoor courts as back

up should mother nature not play ball.”

There is still space for some last-minute entries, so any year 5 &6 players that want to join in should contact development@ marlboroughbasketball.org.nz ASAP.

Games will be on from 9am3pm on both Saturday and Sunday with a fund-raiser BBQ on hand.

Tasman titles galore

PETER JONES

Marlborough’s track and field stocks continue to rise, with the province’s young athletes returning from the recent Tasman junior athletic championships at Saxton Field in Nelson with a string of top placings.

Staged on February 25-26, the champs brought together the top young athletes from throughout the region.

Ten Marlborough athletes won their age groups while, in the 15year girls division, Brooke Harper excelled by breaking a 40-year-old long jump record.

Marlborough overall placegetters at the Tasman champs:

6 girls Eva MacDonald 3;

6 boys Leo Morley 2.

7 girls Reeva MacDonald 1, Taylor Rayner 2, Ellie Morley 3;

7 boys Ollie Gaudin 1, Denver Hart

2, Rueben Short 3.

8 boys Kane Haronga 1.

9 girls Kobe Smidt-Robinson 1, Emily Ker 3.

10 girls Brooklyn Smidt-Robinson 1.

11 girls Alyssa Haronga 2;

11 boys Harry MacNeill 3.

12 girls Mckenzie Haronga 2, Brooke Goodsir 3.

13 girls Hannah Harper 1;

13 boys Cullum Rayner 2.

14 girls Isla Tilbury 1;

14 boys Elijah O’Donnell 1.

15 girls Brooke Harper 1;

15 boys Alex Craig 1.

PETER JONES

Alex McNaught in action from last year’s Giants v Rams pre-season encounter. Photo: Peter Jones.

Tasman championship place-getters, from left, back row, Elijah O’Donnell, Alex Craig, Brooklyn Smidt-Robinson, Brooke Harper, Isla Tilbury, Hannah Harper. Front row, from left, Louie Gaudin, Noah Taufa, Ollie Gaudin, Lottie Norton, Reeva MacDonald, Kane Haronga, Kobe Smidt-Robinson. Photo: Supplied.

Sport In Brief

TABLE TENNIS FOR ALL

Marlborough Table Tennis will be holding its opening night for the 2023 season tonight, March 28, at 6.30pm at the Blenheim Sports Centre in Battys Road. Past, present and new members are welcome. Entry is a gold coin donation. A raffle will be run on the night and the gold coin will give you a ticket in the draw.  Light supper provided and bats supplied.

JAVELIN STAR ON MOVE

Former Marlborough athlete Abbey Moody has been awarded an athletics scholarship with Stanford University in San Francisco. Abbey is the current NZ under-20 women’s javelin champion and is ranked second in the senior women’s age group.

BACK ON TOP

International dressage duo Melissa Galloway and her mount Windermere J’Obei W, pictured below, are back in business. A serious leg injury had sidelined Melissa for several months, but she and ‘Joey’ returned to action at the Taupo CDI 3*, their first competition back on NZ soil after a stint in Europe. They came away with two new personal best scores in both the Grand Prix (72.19%) and the Grand Prix Special (73.19%), ending up with three wins and champion Grand Prix title.

Rod Thompson

Antony Clark

Paul O’Donnell

Peter Jones

Richie Marsden

Greg Somerville

Jayden MacDonald

Brad Taylor

Matt Ryan

Terry Duff

Glenn Kirby

Simon Muir

HOCKEY HONOURS

Marlborough hockey players Jo Jones and Natasha Veltman were recently named in the New Zealand over-45 women’s team to take on their Australian counterparts in a three-test trans-Tasman Masters series in May. Fellow Marlborough player Andrew Nation was included in the men’s over-40 squad after the national Masters tournament in Tauranga.

RALLY VICTORY FOR KENNARD

Marlborough-based rally stalwart John Kennard continues to enjoy success at the top level. The vastly-experienced co-driver and driver Hayden Paddon won the recent FIA European Rally Championship round at Rally Serras de Fafe in Portugal. He beat Mikko Heikkilä to the title in his Hyundai, a first for the car manufacturer.

JUNIOR TENNIS CHAMPIONS

The Pita Pit Junior Residential Tennis Tournament was played at the Forrest Winery Marlborough Tennis Club on March 11-12. Winners were: Singles - Boys 8 Monty Muir; B 10 Alex Watmough-Smith; B 12 Max Sowman; B 14 Josh Harris; B 18 Dan Clarke. Girls 10 Amy Watmough-Smith; G12 Mia Harris; G14 Issy O’Brien. Mixed doubles – Dan Clarke/ Jemima O’Donnell. Doubles –B10 Ned Bell/Finnbar Duncan; B12 Zihan Hong/Rob Keown; B14 Josh Harris/Max Sowman. G10 Amy Watmough-Smith/Joy Xu; G12 Sadie Eradus/Mia Harris; G14 Emily Preece/Josephine Walkenhorst.

David Sutherland

Michael Winkler

Jamie Norton

Warren Cairns

Rob Hellstrom

Terry Renner

Susan Barron

Chris Goodyer

Mike Newman

TO WIN

MARLBOROUGH’S COMMUNITY NOTICES

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MONDAY

WITHERLEA INDOOR BOWLING CLUB Mon 7pm, Redwoodtown Community Hall. All welcome, no age limits. Only gear needed is soft sole shoes. Ph Moira 027 4808272 or Heather 0273106675.

RUMMY-0 CLUB Mon 12.30-4pm Bowls club rooms, Weld St. Ph Joy 577 6191/Mary 5788747

BLENHEIM BEGINNER LINE DANCE CLASSES Mon

2-3pm and Mon 6-7pm. First lesson free, then $6 per lesson after that. Senior Citizen’s Hall, 172 High St. Ph Judith 5787554 or 0212341095

BLENHEIM SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING Mon

7.30pm Whitney St School Hall. No partners needed. Beginners welcome. Ph Heather 02102587325.

MARLBOROUGH GUILD OF WOODWORKERS Mon

9am-12pm, 7-9pm. Wed 9am-12pm. Sat 9am-12pm.

Wooden toys & projects. 1st Sun monthly 1-4pm. Brayshaw Park. Ph Philip 5705188.

CARE & SHARE A place for creatives to meet, encourage & share their skills. Mon 9.30am fortnightly. Barnies, Nativity (76 Alfred St). Ph 5783909 for more info.

ROTARY CLUBS in Blenheim, meet Mon & Tues

5.30pm. World-wide service club for men & women, doing great things in your community. For info on meeting venues. Ph Blenheim Club Secretary Andy Rowe 021842928. Blenheim South Club Secretary Dean Heiford 0212462642.

TUESDAY

SAYGO (Steady As You Go) Balance/Exercise class Tues

11.30am-12.30pm. St Christophers Church Hall, 92 Weld St, followed by a cuppa & chat. Cost $2. Ph: Tineke 5780139 weekdays 9am-12 for more information.

MARLBOROUGH HERB SOCIETY Meets 4th Tues of month. 7pm, various locations. Promote use, educate & identification of herbs. Text only Meredith 0272122773.

SUNBELT TOASTMASTERS Learn public speaking & improve your confidence. Tues 6.20pm Fortnightly. St Mary’s Community Centre. Ph 0276001788 or email sunbeltblenheim@gmail.com

RED HAT SOCIETY The Kiwi Damsels in De-Stress are part of a worldwide organization for women to enjoy fun, laughter & friendship. A specific dress code is part of the fun. This daytime group meets twice a month on the 1st & 3rd Tues mornings. Ph Tina 0211045945.

MARLBOROUGH TENNIS CLUB Parker St. Tues 8.3012pm. Social tennis. Morning tea 10am. Non-members $5. All welcome. Ph Joanna 0275786436 SIT AND BE FIT Tues & Thurs 1.15pm Cost $2. Contact Riversdale Community House 5780469 or 0223007342.

BLENHEIM CHORAL (Marlborough Singers) Tues, 7pm, Wesley Centre, Henry St. New members welcome, no auditions necessary. www.marlboroughsingers.org.

BLENHEIM AIR TRAINING CORP Tues 6.30-9pm

RNZAF Base Woodbourne. Recruiting new cadets aged between 13 & 15 for 2023. For more info email: 27sqn@cadetforces.org.nz

PICTON NEWCOMERS NETWORK 1st Tues of month

‘COFFEE & CHAT’ 10-11am, Seabreeze Café, London Quay. New to town? Need help to settle in? Interested in local activities? We can help! Ph Cathy (Coordinator) 0210451799 picton@newcomers.co.nz

KNITTERS & SPINNERS Meet up Tues 10am, Picton library. Bring your knitting to the library for this social catch-up.

PICTON TABLE TENNIS for adults Tues 10am-12noon. Little Theatre, Picton. $4 per session. Meet people & get some exercise. Morning tea provided. New members welcome. Ph Ernest 0275888453.

RENWICK MENZ SHED 54 High St Renwick. Left side of church. Morning tea provided. Tues 9am-12pm. Ph Dave 021 0228 2592.

PICTON LINE DANCING Tue 9.30-11.30am, Anglican Church hall. $6 per class. Beginners welcome. Enquires to Carol 0212125252 or Raewyn 021715484.

WEDNESDAY

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL Every Wed 7.30pm. Blenheim Bowling Club, 65 Weld St. Come along & enjoy yourself! Ph Erin

027 234 1709.

GROVETOWN INDOOR BOWLS Wed 7pm at Wesley Foundry. All bowlers welcome. Ph Morris 5786699.

RAPAURA INDOOR BOWLS CLUB Wed 7.30pm. Rapaura Hall. New members welcome. Ph Sue 021661717

BLENHEIM PROBUS CLUB Retired/semi-retired? Enjoy good fellowship? We’d love to see you at our meetings. 1st Wed of the month. 10am. Wesley Centre. Coffee mornings & outings as well. Ph. Raewyn 5784576 or Robert 5788938.

PICTON - SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING Wed

7.30pm. Picton Little Theatre. No partner needed. Beginner’s welcome. Ph Lynda 0212600860.

STRETCH & BREATHE Gentle stretching & Balance class for Seniors. Every Wed 10-11am. Followed by a cuppa & chat. Cost $2. St Christophers Church Hall, 92 Weld St. Ph: Tineke 5780139 weekdays 9am-12 for more information.

MARLBOROUGH MULTICULTURAL CENTRE hosts a newcomers morning tea, Wed 10.30am-12noon, 21 Henry St. Opportunities for Newcomers & Marlburians to make friends, practice English & support each other. Everyone welcome. Tea, coffee & biscuits provided. Ven y practica tu inglés. Te esperamos.

HEART HELP SUPPORT Community group dedicated to the well-being of those who live with a heart condition or experienced a heart attack. Offering support to whanau. Meet 3rd Wed of the month, 10am, Quench Chateau Marlborough, 95 High St. Ph Jenny Goss 0211629102.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS casual parents/caregivers catch up, Wed 10.30-12pm, town Plunket Clinic, 16 Henry St. No charge.

MARLBOROUGH CHINESE FELLOWSHIP Chinese Christian group, whether interested in the Bible or Christianity, desiring to grow in the faith, or would like to meet new friends, we welcome you. Wed 6-7.30pm, St Christopher’s Church. 92 Weld St. Ph Guan 0221 642 782, Mandy 0224 326 886.

DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP Meets every Wed 1011.30am to support each other, have regular speakers, outings, share in a safe environment. Ph Alistair Crawford for details 0272 883 032.

MARLBOROUGH VINTAGE CAR CLUB MUSEUM Sun & Wed, 1.30 – 3.30pm, Brayshaw Park, Arthur Baker Pl, Blenheim. Donation appreciated. Other times by arrangement. Ph Bill 0275 784 322.

BLENHEIM PETANQUE CLUB Games held at courts, 65A Weld St, Wed 1-3pm & Sun 10am-12pm. Ph or text John 021979323.

LIONS’ CLUB OF BLENHEIM Serving the community for over fifty years. Would you like to know more about the Lion’s club or are interested in becoming a Lion. Tea meetings held 2nd & 4th Wed. Ph Delphine Lee 0299425004 or Helen Williams 0211458572.

WAITOHI SOCIAL CLUB. We meet at 10am at the Picton Library, every third Wed of the month for fun & friendship. Gold coin donation for morning tea. After meeting we go for lunch at one of the venues in Picton, should you wish to join us.

THURSDAY

OLDER PERSONS SEMINAR Thurs 23rd March. St

Christopher’s Church Hall, 10am-1pm. Speakers, Wynnie Cosgrove from Foodbank. Entertainment by Marlb Sounds Chorus. Morning tea & a light lunch provided. Cost $5. Contact Tineke, Parish Office 03 578 0139.

INVITING YOU TO COMPANIONS for ages 65+, 1st Thurs of Month. 1pm. Harvest Life Church, 22 Nelson St. It’s free, so no strings attached & there’s YUMMY afternoon tea. We have an interesting programme throughout the year. For more info ph Avon 035792440/ Lorraine 035781240/Shirley 035783728.

COPD SUPPORT & EXERCISE GROUP Free. Every 2nd & 4th Thurs 1.15pm. Redwoodtown Community Hall, Cnr Weld & Cleghorn St. For more info ph: Asthma Marlb 0272057244.

SOCIAL BADMINTON Thurs morning 9-12noon Simcox Stadium Batty’s Rd. $5. All adults welcome. Ph Cathy 021 503 348

PICTON TABLE TENNIS Thurs 10am-12pm, Port Marlborough Pavilion, Waikawa Rd. All adults welcome. $4 incl. morning tea. Equipment supplied. Ph Ernest 0275 888 453.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Thurs 7-8pm Riversdale Community House, 131 Budge St.

MARLBOROUGH AMATEUR RADIO CLUB 2nd Thur of month, 7.30pm, Emergency Management Operating Centre. For all interested in Amateur Radio, Electronics & Emergency Communications.

KNIT & NATTER Marlb District Library. Every 2nd & 4th Thurs of the month, 10am-12noon, tea & coffee provided. All welcome. Bring your yarn & have a yarn. For info ph: Sue 5785317.

FRIDAY

NATIVITY TUNES FOR TOTS Music, food & fun for pre-schoolers & caregivers. Fri 9.30am. Wesley Centre, 3 Henry St. During term time. Ph 5783909 for more info.

PICTON NEWCOMERS NETWORK ‘SUNDOWNERS’

5-6pm at Café Cortado on the waterfront. New to town? Need help to settle in? Interested in local activities? We can help! Ph Cathy (Coordinator) 021 045 1799 picton@newcomers.co.nz

LINK Fun & board games & afternoon tea for all in the lounge at Nativity Centre, 76 Alfred St every Fri 1pm. Gold coin donation appreciated. Ph 5783909 for info.

UPBEAT ORCHESTRA community orchestra for all ages, instruments, from beginner-grade 5. St Ninians Church Hall, Alabama Rd every Fri 5-6.30pm For more info email upbeatorchestra@gmail.com

RENWICK SOCIAL TENNIS every Fri 4.30-6.30pm weather permitting. Members $2. Visitors $5. 10 Uxbridge St (behind the Bowling Club). Ph Leigh Andrews 0211913034 or visit our Facebook Page for more details & other upcoming events.

SATURDAY / SUNDAY

WORKING BEE Te Whanau Hou Grovetown Lagoon followed by BBQ. Every 2nd Sunday of the Month, Feb to Nov. Planting & tending trees, weeding, mulching & continued conservation. Meet at Wairau Rowing Club, Steam Wharf Rd, Grovetown. 9.30am-12pm. For more information, email Justine Johnsonmarlborough@ gmail.com

BAHÁ’Í DEVOTIONS 1st & 3rd Sun, 10.30-11.15am, Marlborough Community Centre, 25 Alfred St, 12th Lane, Blenheim cnr Farmers carpark. “In the garden of thy Heart plant naught but the rose of love”. www.bahai.org.

THE ROADHOUSE BREAKFAST for car enthusiasts of all genres. 1st Sun of month, Riverlands Roadhouse, coffee cart on site, cafe has great food. 100+ cars at each of first two events.

BLENHEIM ROTARY BOOTSALE MARKET Railway Station carpark, Sat 8am-12pm. Blenheim Rotary Bootsale operating over 25 years, funds to local/international projects. New or used items, plants, food, coffee carts welcome. See bootsalemarket on Facebook.

MARLBOROUGH STROKE CLUB a voluntary organisation dedicated to the wellbeing of those who have experienced a stroke, and to the support of their caregivers. We offer support, friendship & education with various meetings held each month. Ph Vyvienne Dunlop 5783837 or 021929955.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Sat 7-8pm Riversdale Community House, 131 Budge St.

MARLBOROUGH MUSEUM at Brayshaw Park, open 10am-4pm. Maori treasures, Wairau Bar 1250 AD, The Wine Exhibition, Early settlers, Asian Dolls, 1870 to 1970 Fashion, local pottery plus more! FREE entry on Saturdays.

MARLBOROUGH MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB committed to seeing mountain biking flourish in Marlborough. We hold regular rides suitable for all levels of fitness & ability. Including back country expeditions, easy local rides, more serious mountain bike races. Marlboroughmountainbike@gmail.com.

BLENHEIM FAMILY HISTORY GROUP Interested in Family History Research & building your Family Tree? Contact us for advice & assistance. Informal gatherings held 3rd Sun of month, 1.30–3pm, Family History Rooms, Brayshaw Park. Ph Lauri 578 8385.

MARLBOROUGH ARTISAN CRAFT MARKET Sat, Market Place. Come down & meet your local craft people. Children’s area with games for young & old. A free Community Site to promote or fund-raise your organisation. Renwick Tennis Club 8 Uxbridge St.

MARLBOROUGH FARMERS MARKET A&P showgrounds, 9am-12pm Sun, local fresh & seasonal pro -

duce & products.

REDWOOD MARKET Redwood Tavern car park, Cleghorn St. 8am-noon every Sat. Plants, garden products, flowers, crafts including handmade soaps, cards & jewellery. Raising money for your community.

PICTON RAIL & SAIL on the Foreshore. Mini train rides & yachts from 20 cents. Every Sunday & the school holiday’s, subject to weather.

BLENHEIM RIVERSIDE RAILWAY Runs 1st & 3rd Sun of the month. We have Eftpos. Facebook / Riverside Railway.

MARLBOROUGH TENNIS CLUB Parker St. Every Sun 3-5pm. Social Tennis Non-Members $2 All welcome. Ph Joanna 0275786436

BARNABAS CHURCH BLENHEIM 4pm Sun service. St Ninians Church, corner Riley Cres & Alabama Rd. More info: barnabas.org.nz.

MARLBOROUGH ASSOCIATED MODELLERS SOCIETY

miniature train rides, $2, 1st & 3rd Sun of month, model yacht & boat sailing Sun, 1pm-4pm, Brayshaw Park.

CRUISEY CHURCH for kids of all ages & their families. Includes bible stories, games, songs, crafts & dinner. 3rd Sat each month 5-6.30pm. St Andrew’s Church, 5 Henry St, Blenheim. Koha appreciated.

KETO SUPPORT GROUP meets Sat fortnightly (approx. beginning & mid-month), 10am, Revival Cafe, Springlands. Informal gathering of folk interested in this dietary practice. No charge, no obligation - but the coffee’s great! Ph 027 505 7774 for more info.

REPAIR CAFÉ We’ll fix your small repair on site. On the day, while you wait & have a cuppa. Sewing, darning, bikes, small furniture, wooden items, toys, electronics & mobile phones. 9am-12noon, every 4th Sat of the month. John’s Kitchen, 2 Redwood St. Donations accepted.

GENERAL GROUPS

BLENHEIM ROWING CLUB Rowing on the Wairau River from the boatshed at 259 Jones Rd, Grovetown. Every Sun from 8.45am. Tues & Thurs from 4.45pm. Novice & experienced rowers welcome, any age. Learn to Row programme. Full details at blenheimrowing. co.nz or contact 027487622.

WEEKLY STEADY AS YOU GO CLASSES Mon 10.3011.30am The Foundry, John St. Tues 1.30– 2.30pm, Union Parish, 40 Broadway, Picton. (2 doors down from Police Station). Tues 11.30am-12.30 St Christophers Hall, Redwoodtown. Wed 1.30-2.30pm, Marlborough Community Centre, 25 Alfred St, Blenheim. For more information call the Age Concern office 5793457. Cost Blenheim $2 per class. Picton $3 per class.

MARLBOROUGH COMMUNITY VEHICLE TRUST

Have difficulty getting to medical appointments in NELSON? This trust was created to carry people to Nelson for medical appointments. Ph 574 1311 or email soundsvehicle@gmail.com.

AA MEETINGS Marlborough area. Ring alcoholics anonymous for help to stop drinking. Ph 0800229 6757. www.aa.org.nz. Meetings: 7.30pm Mon, Plunket Rooms, 21 Bythell St / 7.30pm Wed Picton Model Railway, 1 Picton Wharf / 7.30pm Fri St Luke’s Church Hall, 20 Ferry Creek Rd, Spring Creek / 7.55am Sat Salvation Army Rm, 35 George St / 7.30pm Sun at Church, 54 High St, Renwick.

PICTON MEN’S COMMUNITY SHED 2 Market St. Wed 8.30am-2.30pm. Sat 8.30am-12noon. Ph Bill Rogers 5735507 or Rex 021469191. A place of welcome for Picton’s menfolk.

BLENHEIM MENZ SHED 4 Dillons Point Rd, Bright Centre Complex. Where men of all ages meet to just chill out or do projects for themselves or the community. We provide equipment, tools & workspace for most woodwork & metalwork projects.

Open Sat 9am-12noon. Mon & Thurs 1-4pm. Ph Dave 0212340057.

SENIORNET MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS Linkwater Hall, Queen Charlotte Drive. Our tutors are available for people 50+ who need assistance with their computer or smart phone. Contact Secretary Ian Cameron (03) 574 2558 to arrange.

BROOKLYN CROQUET CLUB Tues, Thurs, Sat, 1pm Golf Croquet, Whitehead Park grounds, Brooklyn Dr. Mallets supplied.

MARLBOROUGH TRAMPING CLUB A very active club. Mid-week & Sunday trips, plus overnight & extended trips. Find info at http://www.marlboroughtrampingclub.co.nz or marlboroughtrampingclub@gmail.com

REACHING THE MARLBOROUGH COMMUNITY

Front of house supervisor

Start date April 21st

As a Front of the house weekend supervisor, you will be responsible for ensuring our customers have a standout experience. We are a family, pet friendly Café situated at The Vines Village in Rapaura Road, Blenheim.

The successful applicant will have hospitality experience, staff leadership attributes and:

• Be able to thrive in a busy environment

• Be reliable and honest

• Must have good communication skills and a friendly personality

• Be focused on giving excellent customer service

• Be physically fit

• Be a fantastic team player

• Most importantly, have FUN!

The successful applicant will be 20 years or older, have previous hospitality experience, preferably be a trained Barista and if over the age of 21 be prepared to complete a LCQ Controller Licence.

We are looking for a staff member who will add value to our already existing strong team. This role is four days per week – Friday to Monday (30 hours per week) Renumeration is relevant to suitability and between $25 and $27 per hour with attractive additions to package.

You should have your own transport.

All applicants must hold a valid working visa or be a NZ resident/Citizen.

Please send your CV and Letter of Interest to info@vinescafe.co.nz

Yard Person - Havelock

Havelock ITM is a privately owned building supplies store that operates in Havelock, Marlborough. We are seeking a positive and energetic person for the role of Yard Person. The focus of this role is to give excellent customer service and build a strong relationship with our trade customers.

Key functions include:

• Greeting and helping customers load up their vehicles

Loading and unloading trucks with a forklift

• Picking and packing customer orders

• Stock counting

Monitoring stock levels

• Processing of inwards goods orders

Housekeeping and tidiness of the yard

Undertaking a range of other customer related duties

The applicant will need to have a passion for the industry and work in an accurate and tidy manner. You will need to be mature, punctual and experience operating a forklift would be beneficial. You will need to be physically fit and proactive and must be able to work as a team with other people.

*A full and clean Drivers Licence is essential F endorsement and OSH accredited forklift certificate is helpful*

Hours: 7.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

The successful applicant for this key role will join a business that is rich in experience and has a strong focus on customer service. A competitive rate of remuneration is offered, together with good work conditions. Havelock ITM is focused on providing high levels of customer service while recognizing the importance of providing a workplace environment that is well supported and satisfying to the employee.

If you want a new challenging and stimulating work environment, with people who own the business working in the business, then please submit your application and CV to manager@itmhavelock.co.nz