Waimea Weekly - 14 December 2022

Santa takes to streets

JO KENT

The sun shone for Sunday’s Santa Parade with The Dance Club Zumba Kids taking first place in the Judge’s Choice for Community category with their Christmas in the Islands-themed float, scooping them a $500 Pak ‘n’ Save voucher.

Mum-of-two Laura Paynter was behind the winning float and says she couldn’t have done it without the help of her devoted husband Michael, friend and co-worker Asami White and the 90 plus volunteers involved in the entry.

“My creative heart is so full with 1st place, there’s so much love, determination and time... lots of time involved.”

With a tiki bar, waka, sand snowman, ukulele-playing kids in hammocks, real foliage, coconut trees and lots of shells, birds and dancers, it was the most intricately-decorated entry in the entire parade.

Laura first participated in the Santa Parade in 2018 for Nelson Catchball as a walking group. The

next year, she entered a float for them and won.

“Then in 2020, I made a winning float for Zumba Richmond as I really wanted to up the level and have choreographed dancers, and here we are in 2022 representing my shared business The Dance Club (Zumba Kids) which also featured Zumba Richmond danc-

ers.”

She says all three winning floats have been because of one “amazing, patient and very talented” float teammate, her husband Michael.

“I create the vision and then put him to work. He makes most of the main props and I put all the details and decorations on. I’m

lucky he believes in ‘happy wife, happy life’. He’s also the one in the Daffy Duck mascot causing mischief and entertaining the crowds.”

The truck itself doesn’t arrive to be decorated until Saturday morning, the day before the parade.

“After that it’s constant go, go, go.

My visions must be getting more complicated because every year decorating the float takes longer. This year’s took us 15.5 hours.

“The tiki bar was so heavy we had to get five men to carry it through our garden, over the fence and up on to the truck!”

Laura Paynter says it took over 15 hours to decorate the winning Island-themed float. Photo: Supplied.

Weekly Locally Owned and Operated

Distributed to 12,232 homes in Richmond, Hope, Brightwater, Wakefield and Murchison. 5000 rural properties including all farms and lifestyle blocks and small towns.

Contact

News

Sara Hollyman sara@topsouthmedia.co.nz

Jo Kent jo@waimeaweekly.co.nz

Advertising Sales

Jeremy Focas-Turk jeremy@waimeaweekly.co.nz

Shelley Illingworth shelley@waimeaweekly.co.nz

STREET TALK

What is your favourite childhood memory?

I went to Movie World in Australia and went on one of the roller coasters. I screamed like a girl.

100% locally owned and operated

Playing in the streets with all the local kids. Every house had something cool to give.

Lying in the grass watching the clouds at the Petone Tennis Club while my parents played tennis.

As a teen I was keen on surfing. A chap in Christchurch made commercial boards, but money meant we had to make our own. I made one out of fibreglass.

Santa takes to the streets of Richmond

FROM PAGE 1

Despite the epic effort Laura puts into the decorations, she says that’s the quickest part.

“I’ve spent so many hours over the year building, painting, op shopping for props, collecting greenery, making flax flowers, collecting shells, driftwood and all sorts of treasures.,” she says.

“A few of us spent most of the day in the rain collecting greenery on Friday. That was a float first, having to do it in the rain.”

Lots of people joined in, dropping off buckets of foliage and flowers to Laura’s home on Saturday.

“It’s like a jungle at our house when the decorating happens. I don’t think anyone could truly understand the time that goes into it unless they have done it, but it’s worth it.

“The float was a metre and half longer than previous trucks we’ve used, and

even then my original vision was too big for the truck so not everything actually made it on the float, but I was super happy with how it turned out.”

Laura and her friend Asami own The Dance Club where they teach Zumba Kids for primary school aged children on Thursdays at New Life Church.

“We started this a year and half ago as we wanted to provide a dance space for kids that was relaxed, fun and gave opportunities for leadership and confidence building.

“Our focus is on helping kids find their inner sparkle and letting it shine on the dance floor! It’s amazing and special watching their confidence grow throughout their time with us.

“We also teach preschool Zumba as one-off sessions to centres, which is always lots of fun. Asami and I are also Zumba instructors at Zumba Richmond during the evenings.

“So I guess we Zumba with every age group.”

Māpua School pupil Bentley Hall, 7, won a competition to sit on the sleigh with Santa during Sunday’s parade. Photo: Sarah Board.

Akmal Meor

Jess van Arendonk

Annette Scott

Stewart Brown

Taking one for the team

When a pothole on Ellis Street in Brightwater remained unfilled for over a month, local builder Rhys Horncastle decided to step up and fix it himself.

“It had been there for ages, and you get sick of it not getting fixed. If you drive over it in a car with a low-profile tyre you are going to burn out a $400 tyre. It’s way cheaper to buy a couple of bags of tar and fix it.”

Rhys came up with the idea on the spur of the moment while he was picking up supplies from a builder’s merchant.

“I saw they had some tar there, so I just grabbed a couple of bags. I had the tools to do it and the job took me under four minutes to pour it out of the bag, spread it round and bash it in flat. It’s not rocket science.”

The pothole was also a danger to cyclists, forcing them out into the middle of the road to avoid it because the Ellis Street renovations have left the road a lot narrower.

Rhys says that while the job might not be fixed to the council’s exact standards, his repair will at least prevent others from damaging their own vehicles.

“We compliance ourselves out of practicality to get anything done. We just need to get back

to some common sense.”

Communications officer for Tasman District Council, Tim O’Connell, says once they have been notified of a pothole their contractor will fill it within one to three days, sometimes faster.

“We appreciate there is some frustration when potholes are apparent on our roads, and we try to address any issues proactively or as they are identified by members of the public.

“Receiving information from the public also saves the cost of having a larger team of roving inspectors on our very large road network.”

Acknowledging Rhys has stepped up for the community on this occasion, he says it’s not recommended that people

take it upon themselves to fill potholes.

“We have a specific process that we, and our road maintenance contractor, need to follow to ensure work meets appropriate standards.

“Any inconsistency with materials used and the method of the repairs could create a bigger issue which compromises the road and the safety of road users – as well as increasing the likelihood of further remedial work.”

The first step when finding a pothole is to let TDC know directly by calling 03 543 8400 or via the Report It! function on the Antenno app.

“I didn’t really think that much of it,” Rhys says. “I just did it to stop it being a pain in the a**.”

Unique glass art for everyday use at affordable prices.

It’s what we have been making as a family, for the past four decades.

HÖGLUND GLASSBLOWING STUDIO

WELCOME - SHOWROOM OPEN DAILY 10-4

www.hoglundartglass.com

Local builder Rhys Horncastle decided to fill a pothole on Ellis Street himself after it had been causing issues with traffic for over a month. Photo: Nigel Kelly.

Crash driver had drugs in system but had not been drinking

TRACY NEAL Open Justice Reporter

A driver who caused a headon crash on the Appleby Highway in February this year hadn’t been drinking, but she did have methamphetamine and cannabis in her system.

Alisha Downing, now pregnant with her second child, appeared for sentence in the Nelson District Court last Tuesday and was handed six months’ community detention, nine months’ supervision and was disqualified from driving for two years.

The 31-year-old beneficiary had earlier admitted being in charge of a vehicle while her blood contained evidence of the drugs, but the court heard at sentencing that what was striking was her lack of apology to the people injured in the crash.

Downing was driving west on the highway at about 8.25pm on February 28 when, just past Swamp Road, she crossed the centreline and hit an oncoming car head on. Judge Jo Rielly said in sen-

tencing that the driver of the other vehicle noticed the headlights on Downing’s car and was about to take evasive action when Downing appeared to look up, and tried to correct, but there was no time and the vehicles collided. Police prosecution said she was taken to Nelson Hospital where blood samples were taken. They showed there was no alcohol in her system, but she tested positive for methamphetamine and cannabis.

One of the occupants in the vehicle she collided with received a deep cut to the knee which required surgery and resulted in him being off work for two weeks.

His partner suffered facial injuries, severe bruising and broken ribs. Each struggled emotionally after the crash, with nightmares and anxiety about being on the road. Police said Downing made no attempt to say why the accident happened.

Judge Rielly said that since Downing had pleaded guilty, she had not in any way proffered an apology, when all the

evidence suggested it was her driving which had caused the crash, including that she had driven for a “not insignificant time” along the wrong side of the road in an area with an 80kph speed limit.

“The circumstances of driving behaviour were a concern, whether it was because you were distracted, or because of the level of drugs in your system.”

Judge Rielly said she was sure the occupants of the other car were grateful to have not lost their lives.

“I am grateful all three of you didn’t, because that could have been the outcome.”

Judge Rielly noted Downing’s intention to abstain from drugs, particularly as she was now pregnant, and that she had engaged with rehabilitation programmes. She had also intended to do a driving course, but that would now have to wait until she was able to drive again.

KATE RUSSELL

Tasman residents are dreaming of the great outdoors this Christmas, according to Trade Me’s top 10 searches for the region.

The internet trading site has revealed that the most searched-for items for the Nelson Bays area, including Tasman, in the last month have been caravans, outdoor furniture, Hilux, and kayaks.

This was followed by fridge/freezers, campervans, trailers, tractors, couches, and tents.

Trade Me spokesperson, Millie Silvester, says with 650,000 New Zealanders visiting their site every day, their search data is full of great insights for Christmas shopping.

“For 20 to 30-year-olds, it’s all about technology. Gaming laptops, iPhone, Nintendo Switch, and PS5 were the biggest trending items last month,” she says of the nationwide data. Those aged 30 - 40 were looking at outdoor furniture and tents the most last month. “Apple watches were a popular search among 40 - 50-year-olds,” says Millie. “Interestingly, kauri was a hit in this group too.”For those in the 60+ age group Birkenstocks and linen were hot items. “If you’re still in doubt, Crocs remain an incredibly hot item, with more than 10,000 searches in the past four weeks. Now that summer is here, we reckon they’re a great gift,” she adds. Toys also make up a good chunk of Trade Me’s search data in the lead-up to Christmas.

Nelson’s top Trade Me searches revealed TOP 5 SEARCHES NELSON IN

Open Justice — Te Pātiti, a Public Interest Journalism initiat ve funded through NZ on Air

O PE N

Gary’s last school run after 50 years at the wheel

JENNY NICHOLSON

After 51 years working for Wadsworth Motors, Tapawera Area School bus driver Gary Hillerby dropped his last passenger off on Friday.

His first years with the company, which holds the contract to run the Tapawera Area School bus, were just filling in driving when needed, so there was a trip every week or two while he worked his day-to-day job in the forestry.

When the forestry closed, he then moved to Wadsworth Motors working on the St Arnaud postal run.

They were 12-hour days taking passengers, freight, mail, milk, and bread to the Lake, and then delivering mail. When that aspect of the business was sold, he remained with the company, moving to full-time school bus driving which he has kept up for the past 21 years.

Over the years he has seen many changes.

“There are a lot of rules and regulations now,” Gary says. “When I first started getting a licence was quite simple. I had my heavy trade already, so it

was just five questions and a drive around the block.”

He says the buses he started driving were wooden-bodied buses.

While he is happy with his record of no accidents, he had several flat tyres, particularly on the gravel road sections.

“You had to get a message back to the depot so they could send someone to change the tyre,” Gary says. “You would get an older child to go to the nearest home to ring, and then we waited until someone came to change the wheel. Now we always carry a phone.”

Gary says the pupils over the years have been pretty good with no major behaviour problems. His days riding the bus as a boy were a bit different. He remembers being kicked off the Tapawera Area School bus and having to walk a mile home.

Born in England, Gary shifted with his family to the Tapawera area when he was nine years old. He attended Tapawera Area School, as did his two boys.

In retirement he is looking forward to spending more

time with his grandchildren, gardening, and spending time reading.

Wadsworth Motors owner operator Sue Wadsworth says

nothing ever fazes Gary, and he is a very good person. “We are going to miss him a lot,” Sue says. “I’m very sad he’s leaving. Everyone loves him.”

$3.4 million bonus coming to electricity users

With rising costs all around, there’s a Christmas bonus on its way. Customers connected to the Network Tasman Ltd electricity distribution network are set to receive their share of a $3.38 million payout thanks to Network Tasman Trust.

Approximately 42,300 custom-

ers across Tasman and parts of Nelson will each receive $80, which will be a credit on their next power bill.

Most eligible customers should receive this before Christmas, although some may arrive in January.

As the dividend comes from Network Tasman Trust, all el-

igible customers receive the credit regardless of who their retail power supplier is. The $3.4 million represents the surplus accumulated in the Trust’s funds, from NTL dividends along with interest from investments.

“Over the years, the Trust has paid nearly $70 million back

into the community,” says Trust chairperson Gwenny Davis.

“In addition to the $80 dividend, we also recently allocated $160,000 in grants through the Network Tasman Charitable Trust to individuals and groups doing amazing work to support the community.”

What weather will Santa bring?

JO KENT

It’s still a couple of weeks away but, according to Niwa’s latest seasonal climate outlook, Christmas Day is earmarked to be the start of a dry spell in the Top of the South with higher temperatures than average this summer.

Meteorologist Chris Brandolino says more sub-tropical northeast winds may cause more frequent hot and humid days, where the temperature is above 25C.

“From around 19 December, we can expect slightly cooler temperatures from the week prior, but we’ll see a return to more warmth as Christmas Day approaches,” Chris says.

“The week between Christmas and New Year currently looks to be settled and warm.”

A prolonged dry spell is possible between mid-December and early January thanks to a period of high pressure but could be followed by big rain events.

“Instead of frequent rainfall throughout the summer months of December to February, we can expect rain to be ‘lumpier’ in that much of the summer rainfall happens in just one or two big rain events while the rest of the time it’s dry.”

He says people with water tanks or those who work in viticulture or farming should be mindful of storage over this period.

“We need to prepare for extended dry periods interspersed with big rainfall events.

“It’s not to say the overall rainfall we receive will be any more than average for the time of year, but it may happen in ‘lumps’ rather than frequent showers. We call those big rain events and are expecting to see them this summer.”

Chris says the ongoing marine heatwave that developed in the waters around the country is also set to influence the summer climate as sea surface temperatures sat between 1.1-1.7C above average in November.

Gary Hillerby took his last trip driving the Tapawera Area School bus on Friday. Photo: Supplied.

NBS partner with Brook Waimārama Sanctuary

NBS and the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary Trust have entered into a new sponsorship agreement that will see NBS become a key strategic sponsor of the sanctuary for the next three years.

This year the sanctuary has been working on a major upgrade to its visitor centre and the significant investment from NBS is helping to finance these works.

Located at the entrance to the sanctuary, the NBS Visitor Centre is the gateway to the

immersive experience that the sanctuary offers. The upgraded building will feature new displays about the history of the sanctuary and the conservation work that the trust carries out. Visitors will also be shown a display celebrating its recent successful sculpter symposium, see Gordon the gecko and study native koura (freshwater crayfish) in a tank.

NBS chief executive Tony Cadigan says the sanctuary is one of the most important ecological environments in

the country and we are lucky to have it in our backyard.

“The sanctuary is vast and already has some important programmes for endangered species that are national success stories. NBS are proud to be associated with this environmental treasure and look forward to seeing the NBS Visitor Centre completed.”

Brook Waimārama Sanctuary chief executive, Ru Collin, says the increased level of sponsorship will make a huge difference to work that can be done.

a

has only been open for six months, Tanya says they are always on the lookout for something positive to support, having previously raised funds

Gumboot Friday, and the refuge’s mission of giving pets from abusive households a place to feel comfortable had fitted right into their values. Alongside gathering donations, the store will be donating 50c from every donut sold and is holding a raffle for a one-of-a-kind Christmas wreath made entirely from donuts.

NBS chief executive Tony Cadigan with Brook Waimārama Sanctuary chief executive Ru Collin. Photo: Tim Cuff.

Donut King employee Tanya Miller, was confident when she asked her boss Kelly Winter if they could do

charity drive for the Pet Refuge. While the store

for

Photo: Jack Malcolm.

Golfing for MATES in Construction

EMILY BEAUMONT

With construction workers six times more likely to die from suicide than a work accident, the organisation ‘MATES in Construction New Zealand’ was deemed a deserving charity for the Master Builders Nelson and the NZ Certified Builders Nelson Charity Golf Day.

About 80 builders partook in the November event at Greenacres Golf Club on Best Island with $6000 raised for the charity.

“It was a great day, heaps of fun with lots of good camaraderie. It was a good chance for builders to get together and unwind,” says Ruben Fry, president of Master Builders Nelson. “Holding it for charity also makes it feel good.”

With the construction industry losing nearly one person a week to suicide, the MATES programme builds and strengthens communities in the workplace and across the industry – helping their people to be supportive and provide an environment that encourages positive

wellbeing.

MATES engage with workers through on-site training and providing those identified as at risk with case management support that connects them to suitable professional support.

President of NZ Certified Builders Nelson, Dave Gunt-

er, says the many stresses of the industry contribute to the horrifying statistics.

“With increasing material costs, compliance issues and sourcing of materials becoming difficult it can all become a bit much for some, so it was important to us to support this charity,” Dave says.

Each year the two organisations host a joint golf day and this is the second year they’ve held it as a fundraising event, last year’s proceeds went to Gumboot Friday. Ruben and Dave say they’re grateful to the sponsors, without whom a lot of it wouldn’t be possible.

Cyber Security incident affecting health data

JENNY NICHOLSON

Information accessed by health professionals in Nelson has been affected by a cyber security incident. The Cardiac and Inherited Disease Registry data is accessed by clinicians in Nelson, Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga and Waikato.

“While the above records are currently inaccessible, there is no evidence at this stage that they have been subject to unauthorised access or download,” Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand media lead Tracie Simpson says.

Te Whatu Ora is working with government agencies and the affected IT service provided to determine the nature, scope, and impact of this incident. Tracie says these investigations are at a very early stage and will take some time to complete.

The incident did not target Te Whatu Ora systems directly, instead it affected an information technology service provider used by Te Whatu Ora.

“We would like to reassure the public that there has been no disruption to health service delivery and all Te Whatu Ora health services are continuing to run normally.” Tracie says they understand this situation may be distressing for people and they want to reassure the public. This IT service provider’s incident also affects six health regulatory authorities; Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board of New Zealand, The Chiropractic Board, The Podiatrists Board, The New Zealand Psychologists Board, the Dietitians Board, and the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand.

President of NZ Certified Builders Nelson Dave Gunter and Ruben Fry, president of Master Builders Nelson. Photo: Emily Beaumont.

Being SunSmart in our sun-shiny region

With the title of second sunniest spot in Aotearoa (top spot goes to Taranaki) comes the great responsibility of being SunSmart.

Along with Australia, New Zealand has the highest malignant melanoma rates in the world. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in New Zealand and more New Zealanders die from melanoma than die on our roads.

The good news is that prevention is as easy as slip, slap, slop. Slip on clothing and into shade, slop on sunscreen (broad-spectrum and at least SPF 30), slap on a hat, and wrap on sunglasses.

More good news: most melanomas can be successfully treated and early detection can lead to more effective treatment. Check your skin and if you notice any unusual skin changes or see/ feel a spot or mole that is different to others, see your GP for a skin examination.

Skin check vouchers

The Nelson Tasman Cancer Society just wrapped up their third year of allocating $75 skin check vouchers, with more vouchers available from October 2023. In the meantime, a number of vouchers have been reserved for GPs to allocate to the patients they know would especially benefit. If you believe you are high risk, please contact your GP to ask about your eligibility.

SunSmart Shade Loan

If your non-profit community group is having an outdoors event this summer, protect your team with a SunSmart Shade from your local Cancer Society. Book online, or call:

The Cancer Society Marlborough (03) 579 4379

The Nelson Tasman Cancer Society (03) 539 1137

BEFORE YOU GO ON HOLIDAY THIS SUMMER

Candlelight carols are back

cellations.

Family band The Harmony Hunters are just one of the acts performing at this Saturday’s Carols by Candlelight event at Washbourn Gardens starting at 6pm.

Dad Luke Connor, who plays drums, says the group is excited to be up on stage.

“There are five of us in the band, my kids and I and two others. We’ll be belting out some upbeat Christmas songs on the night. Our slot is around 8.15pm which is when Santa is coming out just before the carols start.”

Luke’s children, William, 13, who plays bass guitar, and Maddison, 16, who plays keyboard, say they are looking forward to singing all the festive songs in their 25-minute slot.

“I can’t wait to see everyone sitting in the audience when we play and spot all my friends from Waimea Intermediate,” William says.

William has been playing drums since he was five, moving on to bass guitar when he was 11. “I’m just really into music. I love being in the band.”

His sister is fresh from her recent win in the Smokefreerockquest competition and says she’s happy concerts this like are able to take place again after the previous can-

“I think a lot of young people are struggling with their mental health after the last few years so it will be great to be up on stage and part of such a big event.”

In 2021, due to Covid restrictions on public gatherings, the carols had to be combined with the Santa Parade that toured Richmond neighbourhoods instead of taking the usual Queen Street route.

Community partnerships coordinator for Tasman District Council, Yulia Panfylova, says the event falls on the same day as International Migrants Day so it’s a good opportunity to merge the two.

“We want our diverse communities to come together and share their traditions around celebrating Christmas or the beginning of the New Year. This event belongs to everyone.”

The Nelson Youth Theatre will be performing several items from their Disney Frozen Musical and there will be three food trucks and a coffee cart on site.

“New for this year will be henna and facepainting with outdoor games for families, too.”

The event is free with carol sheets and candles provided, but a gold coin donation is suggested with all profits going to Multicultural Nelson Tasman.

Luke Connor and his kids Maddison and William who will be performing on the night with Laura Lowe and Zac Griffith in their band, The Harmony Hunters. Photo: Jo Kent.

Carey and Saige Cambridge

Jason Broker, Jessica and Bella Stratford

Kerry Walker and Wayne Russ Natalie Gilberd, Darren and Ric Stratford Scotty, Santiago and Antonella Donaldson

Andrew and James McGuire

Baby Harriet, Sophie Armstrong, Tania Armstrong, Megan Armstrong and Nola Nilsen

Karen Whiti and Trudy Weller Lara and Heather Fenemor Lance, Pam and Gio Vinluan

made warmer and dryer This is just one of the ways we’re ensuring all New Zealanders have a warm, dry place to call home

I was proud to bring the Thomas Cawthron Trust Amendment Bill to Parliament to modernise the governance arrangements of Nelson’s Cawthron Institute Trust Board The Cawthron Institute is New Zealand’s largest independent science and research institute operating for over 100 years This Bill ensures that it can continue to operate effectively for years to come

It was fantastic to see so many happy, smiling faces at the Nelson and Richmond Santa Parades My congratulations to those who worked so hard to bring the Santa Parades to our region

p. 03 542 2328

e. admin@rdelectrical.co.nz w. rowandronelectrical.co.nz

C h r

s t m a s H o u r s

Saturday 17 December 9am  –  5pm

Sunday 18 December 10am  –  4pm

Monday 19 December 9am  – 6pm

Tuesday 20 December 9am  –  6pm

Wednesday 21 December 9am  –  8pm

Thursday 22 December 9am  –  8pm

Friday 23 December 9am  –  8pm

Saturday 24 December 9am – 5pm Sunday 25 December Closed

Monday 26 December Boxing Day 9am  –  6pm

Tuesday 27 December 10am –  4pm

Wednesday 28 – Friday 30 December 9am  –  6pm

Saturday 31 December 9am  –  5pm

Sunday 1 January 10am  –  4pm

Monday 2 January 10am  –  4pm

Tuesday 3 January 10am  –  4pm

Wednesday 4 January: Normal hours resume

Have your say: sara@topsouthmedia.co.nz facebook.com/waimeaweekly

Student jumps from moving bus

If people think they can do better than drivers do now, show up to your local bus depot with your license and P endorsement, get a job on a run, and show the rest of us how YOU think it should be done.

Dion Hermon

This seems like a design errorwhen a bay is open there should be a sensor light on driver’s dash

that shows the door is open. We have that basic safety feature in our cars - seems like a bus should have it too.

Tracy Saunders

Oh dang! Caught the buses for years from that Waimea School bus area. Never seen something like this! Poor kid.

Danni Bett

The final line on the letter, that we as bus parents received from the bus company, is that if the kids

don’t store their scooters safely then they won’t be allowed them on the bus. One would think that storing them safely would have been in the compartments under the bus, if the bus driver could just give the kids 30 seconds to safely get them off.

Vicki Scott

Not good enough, no excuses.

Janie Wi Repa

I used to let them bring the scooter on board. I rationed it out each week so no more than 3 scooters in the designated spot on the bus. Each week 3 other students had a choice to bring theirs. I always looked and made sure children were away from the bus before moving on. In this story the scooter should not be allowed in the outside locker. You’ll find a lot of bus drivers are 70-80 years old and not quite alert compared to younger, which to me is a no no. Yes they’ve passed their medical but the medical is very basic.

Sheryl Locke

These school bus drivers have a pretty tough job in my opinion. Thanks for turning up day after day and providing this service. I’m grateful for the service you provide.

Darryl Clarke

Maybe have a switch on the luggage door, connected to a flashing light on the driver’s dashboard that only goes out when the door is shut!! not rocket science!

Paul Buisson

Waka Kotahi ‘sorry’ for chaotic SH6 closure

First world problem thankfully. Annoying and frustrating, but no-one was injured and no fatalities.

Linda Hong

Find your favourite radio station and just enjoy the ride.

Rio Barrett

Why couldn’t they just close north-bound traffic one day/ weekend and south-bound traffic the next day/weekend, rather than both in one go?

Tracy Gibbs

Faster by bike. Peter Blasdale

So, what exactly is Waka Kotahi going to do to ensure there’s never a repeat of such chaos? Not just in Nelson. Anywhere in NZ. Dennis Goodman

Mum’s last gift

Sounds like a very deserving winner. Lovely story.

Shaz Nicholls

Young teen makes career from fishing

Well done, Flyn. Nice work! Jennifer Duff

Sports Awards winners announced

So proud of our NBS Nelson Giants and their wonderful coach, Mike Fitchett. Nice job lads. Lee Punt

Well done, Nelson Giants! Tony McNaught

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Treasure Hunt

Friday 16 December, 10am-12pm Bill Wilkes Reserve, Richmond

Meet by main entrance of Hunter Ave for a fun family challenge. Grab the first clue from the parks team, then search the reserve for the rest. Free event.

Carols by Candlelight

Sunday 18 December, 6pm Washbourn Gardens, Richmond Celebrate Christmas with guest performers Harmony Hunters, Louis Lucas Perry and Jessica DeArth. Santa will be there and as it’s International Migrants Day, there will also be a multicultural picnic. Cancelled if wet.

Cinderella

Wednesday 14 December

Theatre Royal Nelson

Join Ballet Nelson to witness the rags to royalty journey of Cinderella as she dances and transforms with the help of her Fairy Godmother, alongside her mouse friends and seasonal fairies.

The start of Spring Grove School

PARKES

In 1845, when Brightwater was still part of Spring Grove, a growing number of families were settling in the area with about 100 children who were totally without any means of education. Many settlers had a desire that their children should receive a good education - but there was no school. The answer to this problem came from Matthew Campbell. He had been presented with a wooden building in Bridge Street, Nelson, that was formerly the property of the British and Foreign Bible Society and was no longer needed. Arrangements were made for the building to be dismantled and transferred out to Spring Grove. Once there the building was rebuilt by volunteers with donated materials.

On Sunday the 18th of May, 1845, Spring Grove School officially

opened with 60 to 70 pupils, but initially only as a Sunday School with subjects taught including scripture, arithmetic, and history. The opening day records show that a large number of children attended and were formed into classes to which teachers were appointed, most of whom had formerly employed themselves in the school at Nelson. Mr C. White was appointed as superintendent of the school. A letter to Major Richmond indicates that the date of the opening as a day school was October 1847, however, this has not been verified.

The school committee of those early days were keen men who often walked two or three miles to attend the meetings at Spring Grove. Some of them could not read or write themselves but the education of their children of the greatest importance to them.

The school building became a

place for the community to meet and was used for many purposes, as old newspaper advertisements show. In December 1853 a meeting was held at the school to discuss the proposed constitution of the Colony. In June 1868 a “Volunteer Ball” was held. April 1872 a course of lectures and entertainments were held during the winter months. In the late 1870s parades of the Volunteers took place each Monday evening. The “Sparrow Club” held fortnightly meetings in 1892.

Mr. Edmonds became the Master in the mid 1860s. The 1866 report showed that his appointment had produced some great results. The daily attendance had increased and the improvement of the boys, notably in writing and arithmetic, was very gratifying, with the whole of the first class showing creditable knowledge in fractions.

Other Masters were Major Franklyn, F. V. Knapp and J. W. Humphreys. In 1931 a new school at Spring Grove was opened by the then Minister of Education, the Hon. H. Atmore. A gala afternoon was held as part of the celebration. One hundred years later, in 1945, six hundred people gathered at the school to take part in

the Centennial celebrations with a bonfire, a ball and a thanksgiving service. Little did they know that the school that was such an integral part of the community would shut its doors thirty years later, in 1974.

Pupils then had the choice of going to either Brightwater or Wakefield schools.

ROBYN

Spring Grove School, date unknown. Photo: Waimea South Collection, Tasman Heritage.

Hoppy life acknowledged in exhibition

KATE RUSSELL

When you look at 88-year-old Joan Ewers today, you wouldn’t imagine the mum of eight spent 60 years as a hop harvester and farmer in Tasman.

For the now Richmond resident, hops were her life from 1952 until 2012 - even though she was allergic to them.

Joan’s fascinating life story is one of six featured in ‘Beyond the Face’, the Age Concern Nelson Tasman exhibition which begins this Thursday at Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre.

Funding and communications officer Miriam Clark says the exhibition, which is now in its second year, aims to challenge viewers to look beyond a person’s current appearance.

“It challenges people to see them as a whole person with fascinating lives, colourful experiences, and wonderful achievements.”

Joan grew up on a farm in Taranaki and in 1952, at age 17, came to Nelson with a friend for the apple harvest in Upper Moutere.

However, as they only wanted to come for four weeks, they were put onto the hop harvest which fitted their timeframe.

Joan recalls the hop harvest being very hard work.

“It was all done by hand and a string cutter would cut down the hop vine, bring it to the pickers who then plucked the hops off the vine.”

Work started at 7am and they worked all day under the hot sun. The hops were measured in bushels and put in hemp sacks and taken to the kiln to be dried.

However, when it was time to go home to Taranaki, Chris, the hop farmer, who was 10 years older,

asked Joan to marry him as he had “instantly fallen in love” with her.

They were married in October 1952 when Joan was 18.

“I was allergic to the hops, then I married the hop farmer - crazy,” she says. “And it was 14 years before I became immune. Every year at harvesting time I got a rash and it nearly drove you silly. It was very, very itchy. I didn’t take anything for it, I just became accustomed to it.”

Joan says life was incredibly busy, particularly in the period leading up to harvest time.

They had a mixed farm of 46 acres, milking a few cows, raising weaner pigs, growing potatoes, and, of course, hops.

“Our large farmhouse had no insulation, but it did have running water,” says Joan.

“The washing facilities for the

dishes were in an open back porch, and the laundry was a couple of tubs with a lean-to from the house running out to a couple of posts and a copper sitting in the corner.”

Over the years Joan had nine children - seven sons and two daughters, although sadly their second son died from leukemia. She witnessed many changes in the hop industry, with it becoming increasingly mechanised in the 1960s.

In 1975 they moved to 300 acres of land Chris had inherited on Neurdorf Hill, where they focused on sheep farming with half a dozen cows and eventually poultry, focusing on heritage purebreds. Chris passed away in 2001 and Joan stayed on the farm for a further two years, and eventually moved to Richmond.

Joan continued working on the hop harvest after they moved to Neudorf Hill and into town, eventually having her last season in 2012.

‘Beyond the Face’ runs from 15 December until 27 January.

Joan Ewers’ (right) life as a hop harvester and farmer is being celebrated in Age Concern Nelson Tasman’s exhibition, ‘Beyond the Face’, which is being organised by Miriam Clark (left). Photo: Kate Russell.

WHEN SPECTACULAR VIEWS AND CLEVER DESIGN CONVERGE

…. the result is something truly remarkable.

Boasting sparkling ocean views directly over The Cut, awardwinning architects Kerr Ritchie left nothing to chance.

From the moment you step inside the ocean view is overwhelming, mesmerising, and magical.

This continuously epic view is enjoyed from almost every window. Slide the wide glass doors open to extend the living space with the breathtaking central deck and experience the ultimate indoor- outdoor living, in sheltered, private bliss.

With a fabulous master wing, office, and internal access

Address: 5 Albert Road

Viewing: By Appointment

Website: nelsonrealestate.co.nz

garaging all on the main level, living is easy.

Downstairs, the spectacular views continue with direct access to the vast downstairs deck. There are a further two bedrooms, laundry, a beautifully appointed bathroom, and a large room that could be a separate lounge/home theatre, a fourth bedroom or spacious home gym.

Complete with a private solar heated pool and spa pool, there is nothing to do here except move in and enjoy.

For further information or to arrange a private viewing, contact Simone Henbrey

Agent: Simone Henbrey Mob 021 135 7339 | simone@nelsonrealestate.co.nz

For further information about 5 Albert Road, contact: Simone Henbrey (Licensed under the REA 2008). Phone 021 135 7339

Prepare to be surprised... ...by the spaciousness on offer here. Positioned discreetly at end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this home has been cleverly designed to maximise space, privacy, and all-day sun. Overlooking the beautiful waterfront and iconic boulder bank, this sprawling two-level home boasts a prime position enjoying a glorious ever-changing vista of water views and sensational sunsets.

Nothing Compares

317 Hardy Street – an exclusive enclave of brand-new boutique townhouses offering city walk convenience and lock-and-leave security. Constructed by award winning builder J Lewis Ltd your own three-storey freehold townhouse comes complete with lift. Entertain on your sun-drenched roof top terrace or simply enjoy the convenience of walking to restaurants, theatre, shops, and parks. Don’t delay. A unique on-sell opportunity has become available to secure the last one; if you are quick, you can even choose your own finishes before moving in mid-2023.

Sky above, Waterfront below, Paradise within

3/309 Wakefield Quay, Nelson

You too can have front row seats for hypnotic sunsets & gorgeous ocean views. This stylishly decorated apartment features a black & white colour scheme that befits a residence of such quality. Here, you’ll enjoy some of the most spectacular panoramic views in the region, BBQ’s, picnics, cycling, or morning strolls to the nearby white sands of Tahunanui Beach. The open plan living flows seamlessly out to the balcony. While the master is a retreat unto itself , the light & bright office could be converted to a 3rd bedroom. Understated elegance, superior quality, & better still, a lifestyle that’s hard to be matched. Go ahead, spoil yourself!

3 2 2 1

PRICE: O/O $1,100,000 VIEW: By Appointment www.havenrealty.co.nz RX3527324

Glenda Buschl 021 544 738 glenda@havenrealty.co.nz

Private & Tranquil

2A Clairmont Heights, Stoke, Nelson

Privately hidden away, up the drive you will find this fantastic property. From the entrance way to the entertaining courtyard & delightful gardens, this property will impress! The kitchen is the hub of the home offering thoughtfully designed & spacious open plan living, seamless indoor/outdoor flow creating an extension of the living to the sun soaked covered entertainment area. With the bonus of being able to park your caravan or boat in the spacious off street parking area to the side of the double internal access garage.

4 2 2 2

PRICE: O/O $995,000

VIEW: By Appointment www.havenrealty.co.nz RX3536321

Mandy Springer 027 544 1109 mandy@havenrealty.co.nz

www.havenrealty.co.nz

Sunsets, Serenity & Sea Views

241 The Ridgeway, Stoke, Nelson

This superbly proportioned 242m² split level modern home enjoys fabulous everchanging sea and mountain views! Spacious open plan living, a modern kitchen and a separate lounge all open to the outdoor patio and deck. The master bedroom, with WIR and luxurious ensuite, features a large spa bath and its own private balcony. The bedrooms are all doubles with built in wardrobes. Three car garaging with good offstreet parking. The landscaped garden is easy care with raised planter boxes and no lawns to maintain. Be captivated by the views to the Western Ranges across Tasman Bay along with the peace and tranquillity this special property offers while still in walking distance to the Stoke shops.

NEW LISTING

Apartment Style — City Living

19/39 Trafalgar Street, Nelson

The perfect blend of city convenience. Incredible value and beautifully presented! Living is easy with double glazing, a heat pump and significant insulation throughout. On the ground floor, well designed open plan living with multiple glassed doors provides flawless indoor/ outdoor flow to a spacious, fully fenced and sunny courtyard unique to this apartment. A separate laundry + WC and internal access to single garage. Off street parking next to apartment. Upstairs features three bedrooms, a master ensuite with access to a balcony to enjoy views of the surrounding hills. A 2nd bathroom caters for guests. A communal swimming pool (heated), gym and BBQ area are included. This feature packed apartment is a smart move for discerning buyers seeking convenience, comfort and security.

4 2 3 2

PRICE: O/O $1,250,000 VIEW: By Appointment www.havenrealty.co.nz RX3408373

Tanea Collier

027 431 5680 tanea@havenrealty.co.nz

3 2 1 1

PRICE: O/O $995,000

Tanea Collier 027 431 5680 tanea@havenrealty.co.nz

www.havenrealty.co.nz

If you’re reading this, congratulations you’re reading the first edition of Property Hub, a twice-monthly supplement featuring some of the latest and greatest homes on the market in Nelson and Tasman.

Property Hub will be delivered inside the Nelson Weekly and Waimea Weekly newspapers, reaching more than 33,000 homes and businesses, across the Nelson and Tasman region.

The properties offered for sale inside Property Hub are those being sold by some of the region’s most professional and respected agents.

It’s an interesting time for the property market, which is exactly why it’s perfect timing to begin publishing this supplement. Ensuring accurate, dependable information is critical to making good decisions and the professionals advertising homes for sale inside are among the very best.

If you’re selling your home, you want to make sure as many people as possible see it advertised for sale. That’s where reach becomes so important and having your home advertised inside Property Hub means you’re getting it in front of as many

eyeballs as possible. No other medium gets to as many locals as the Nelson Weekly and Waimea Weekly combined. So, if your home is advertised here, your agent is doing a good job for you.

For those looking for property, this supplement is a great place to start. It is, however, not published every week.

For the absolute latest in new properties on the market you can head to the Nelson App which

is updated every 30 minutes, making sure you’re seeing the latest property listings as they go live.

We hope you like our first edition of Property Hub. Like everything else in the Nelson Weekly and Waimea Weekly, we hope you find it informative and useful.

REINZ stats show 120 properties sold in November

One hundred and twenty properties were sold in Nelson and Tasman in November, according to information released by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.

The data shows 70 of those were sold in Nelson and 50 in Tasman, with the median sale price $700,000 in Nelson and $869,500 in Tasman.

REINZ CEO Jen Baird says the House Price Index for Nelson/ Tasman/Marlborough/West Coast had the second strongest performance over the past month, the third strongest performance over the past three months and the fourth strongest performance over the past

12 months.

“In Nelson, while interest from most buyer segments has eased off, those looking to downsize are a strong presence in the market. Consumer confidence is low due to fear of a recession, rising interest rates and lending criteria restrictions impacting many buyers. Sales counts declined in all three regions in November for these very reasons.

“However, Nelson continues to attract people far and wide over summer who want to enjoy the lifestyle the region offers. Local salespeople are hopeful this may increase market activity over summer.”

Property market holds well in Nelson

Nelson’s residential property prices are holding better than most, according to information released from QV.

The average house price dropped just 1.1% in the last three months which is much better than Auckland (-3%), Hamilton (-4,4%), Wellington (-5.2%) and Christchurch (-1.4%).

In fact, only New Plymouth (-0.4%), Marlborough (-0.9%) and Queenstown Lakes (-1.0%) fared better than Nelson over the three month period ending on November 30.

This positive news caps off a

tough year for the housing market nationally with prices falling further in the January to November period than at any other time in the previous 15 years. However, house prices across the country increased nearly 30% in 2021, according to QV, so the national average drop this year of 10.2% still means that for those who have owned their property from the start of 2021 will have seen the value of their home rise around 20% over the past 23 months.

Nelson’s average home value was

$807,497 at the end of November 2022, according to QV, which is 8.9% lower than at the start of the year. QV Nelson/Marlborough manager Craig Russell says 2022 had seen the residential property market transform into a much more “traditional market”, whereby buyers now have the “luxury of more choice and time to do their due diligence”.

“Realistically priced properties that are well presented or renovated continue to achieve good numbers at open homes. Properties that are overpriced are receiving little

PROPERTY HUB CONTRIBUTORS

To find out more about the properties featured in this publication visit the companies listed below:

interest, with potential purchasers clearly discounting dated homes that are in need of renovation, due to rising costs. This is a contrast to last year, when the difference between renovated and unrenovated was much smaller in the scramble to purchase property.

“There is now more widespread acceptance that home values will continue to slip back for a while yet, and that we may have yet to see the full extent of pressure coming on households due to rising mortgage rates,” he added.

nelsonrealestate.co.nz havenrealty.co.nz remaxelite.co.nz tallpoppy.co.nz 027 533 1759 kcandco.nz

Publisher Andrew Board

Immaculate, Renovated, Ready for a Family

187 HILL STREET, RICHMOND

Offers Over $779,000 Considered

Extensively renovated and superbly located, this immaculately presented, home is offered to the market by vendors who are committed to their impending move. Built in the 1960s, this lovingly maintained home is west facing and features three double bedrooms, a well-appointed kitchen, a separate dining area and a formal lounge looking out to the ranges. There's plenty of storage and the added convenience of a separate laundry, while a heat pump, double glazing and an HRV system create a warm and inviting atmosphere. This robustly constructed home sits upon a 726m2 section with a fully fenced back yard safe for children and pets to play. The property plays host to a large single garage and workshop, two hobby rooms (potential as a sleepout), a double carport and plenty of parking for the boat or camper. Excellent location close to quality schooling and walking distance to the Richmond shops and Mall.

Architectural Masterpiece with Views

4 TARN CLOSE, RICHMOND

Offers Over $1,149,000 Considered

Sitting in an elevated position, this stunning architecturally designed 2020 home captures all day sun and views over Richmond to the Western ranges. The "funky" contemporary style creates an atmosphere of restful elegance where peace and privacy combine with class and sophistication. Spacious open plan living areas cascade seamlessly onto a superb deck and covered entertaining area creating a holiday like ambience that you'll never want to leave! With three bedrooms and two superbly appointed bathrooms there's plenty of space in this thoughtfully configured home. Entertainers will love the designer kitchen, where quality appliances and a butler's pantry ensure the ability to cater to any occasion. There is an internal access double garage and wonderful offstreet parking for a boat or camper. This quiet cul-de-sac is a safe haven for kids and pets, with quality schools and a vast array of amenities nearby.

Immaculate, Stylish, Easy-care Living

84 ALDINGA AVENUE, STOKE

Offers Over $779,000 Considered

Set back from the road and handy to every amenity you could ever wish for, this sun-drenched brick home really does represent the ultimate in practical, easycare living. Renovated throughout to the highest standard with neutral colours, new carpets and quality drapes this immaculate home offers stylish living with a fresh modern vibe. The lovely home boasts three double bedrooms, a modern kitchen with quality appliances, a brand new bathroom and separate toilet. The sunny openplan living area offers fabulous indoor/outdoor flow ensuring you'll spend plenty of time outdoors. You'll love all the conveniences that come with this great location. Quality primary schools, Nayland College and the Intermediate are only a short walk away, and the shopping centre, sports complex, parks, airport, and medical centre are within easy reach too. Our vendor has purchased and immediate action is recommended.

Stunning Water Views And Superb Location

17 WARWICK STREET, RICHMOND

Offers Over $899,000 Considered

If you are dreaming of a home with stunning views, all day sun, space for a large family and a perfect location close to amenities and some of the regions most sought after schools, then this is the property you must see. The spacious four bedroom home has been tastefully renovated and features a modern kitchen and two separate living areas. Entertainers will love the fantastic flow onto a large elevated deck perfect for summer gatherings and bbq's with the gorgeous water and mountain views stretching before you. Downstairs the second lounge, a double bedroom and toilet offers excellent scope to develop into self contained accommodation. The home is cosy and warm through all seasons with a compliant wood burner and heat pump. Outside, flourishing gardens frame the vast 835m2 section with a fully fenced back yard perfect for kids and pets. An internal access garage is complemented by an abundance of off street parking for a camper, a boat and more.

Enner Glynn -

Leach Place

Minimalist Style, Optimum Living

Showcasing

•

•

•

•

•

Wakefield - 146 Edward Street

Bring The Family Home

The perfect country home with room for everyone and everything! This 1970’s treasure sits proudly on a sweeping, established section, taking in beautiful rural vistas across rolling pastures to the mountains beyond.

• Four double bedrooms, three up with one down

• Generous lounge with woodburner

• Bright, sunny kitchen extends to lovely dining area

• Large rumpus/games room downstairs with excellent storage throughout

• Internal access double garaging and excellent off-street parking

Viewing Times Online Helen Ruston 027 561 5973 helen@kandco.nz www.kcandco.nz/1123897

Wakefield - 142 Edward Street

New Beginnings

This

• RV $295,000 (2020)

• Freehold Title 809 sqm (approx)

• TDC Rates approx $1,187.32 pa

•

•

For

Viewing Times Online Helen Ruston 027 561 5973 helen@kandco.nz www.kcandco.nz/1123903

Toi Toi - 35 Thompson Terrace

Multi Level Home For Multi Options

A home of interest and quirkiness built across three levels, this home will suit an array of buyers looking for something a little different. Private and peaceful, the established section offers an abundance of native plantings or edible produces.

• Four double bedrooms plus office

• Open plan kitchen and dining

• Spacious living area with compliant wood burner and fab views from the deck

• Second living space accommodates the downstairs bedroom

• Two bathrooms, separate laundry and plenty of storage options

Stoke - 17 Willow Avenue

Truly Gracious - A Place To Call Home

Beautifully presented with much to admire this grand size home has been renovated and revitalised over the years while maintaining the features of the original 1950’s build. The park like grounds of 1391 sqm (approx) offer a peaceful escape beyond the gates

• Four bedrooms on the upper level, a generous sized master with its own balcony

• Entertainers kitchen providing uninterrupted workspaces and great storage

• Dining and family living is combined on the ground floor with access to the study

• Light and bright front sitting room leading though to the spacious living room

• Standalone double garage, workshop and plenty of off-street parking

4 2

Negotiation Over $669,000

View

4 2 2

Negotiation

$1,200,000

View

Over

Viewing Times Online Kat Campbell 027 528 2746 kat@kandco.nz www.kcandco.nz/1089555

Stoke - 32 Sanctuary Drive

Perfect Solution

A location that plays a winning hand amongst home buyers this well-presented home is within easy reach of several great schooling options, popular sports fields, parks and reserves and shopping amenities.

• Four bedrooms, master with ensuite, walk-in robe and patio access

• Central kitchen with large breakfast bar, good storage and lots of bench prep space

• Open plan dining leading to the BBQ patio area and fully fenced private garden

• Spacious living room with the ability to be separated from the family living

• Internal access double garaging combined with laundry facilities

Stoke - 16 Huntaway Close

When The Living Is Easy

Stylishly cool, this home has been built to capture maximum natural light and creates a sense of space with vaulted ceilings through the living areas. Seamless indoor/outdoor living has been designed to enjoy summer evenings outdoors and maximising the views.

• Four double bedrooms; master with walk-in robe, ensuite and access to the patio

• Spacious open plan living and dining with sliders to outdoor spaces

• Central hub kitchen offering two large pantries and a breakfast bar

• Low maintenance easy care landscaping

• Double garaging with plenty of off-street parking

4 2 2

Negotiation Over $985,000

View

Viewing times online Kat Campbell 027 528 2746 kat@kandco.nz www.kcandco.nz/1109997

4 2 2

Negotiation Over $1,170,000

View

Viewing times online

Kat Campbell 027 528 2746 kat@kandco.nz www.kcandco.nz/1109369

tallpoppy.co.nz

Amazing Value For 2 Acres, House and Sheds

108 Fairfax Street, Murchison

The price has changed to represent incredible value, as the Owner is keen to start her next plans. It is so hard to find a couple of acres, enough pasture for a pony or two, grow a large vege garden, make use of the great sheds, or just room to roam! Comprised of 2 titles, this special property is close to the village centre but feels rural, especially when you wander down to the lower terrace and stand in the shade of the huge established totara trees and look at the long view through to the mountains. There is also an impressive walnut tree! The house has a new roof, 2 large bedrooms and a sunroom.

The lounge is heated by a logburner plus a heatpump, and a spacious utility area leads out to a huge covered deck. The sheds include a double garage, a 16m x 5m barn, and a shed/pony stable. If you want to have sheep there is a small set of yards and ramp, and a small round pen for minis or ponies. There are so many things you can do with a property this size, so rural in feel with stunning views up the valleys to the mountains, but a short walk to the shops and amenities of the Murchison village. Please ring or email me to set up a viewing time.

Beautifully Different From The Rest

Beautiful Quality, Private Home In Quiet Location

20 Travers Avenue, Richmond 8 Hari Way, Mapua Enquiries over $1,500,000

Enjoy the conveniences of a nearly new home without the hassle of setting up the garden and landscaping! The current owner came from a country environment and noticing that you can see to the ranges from a couple of vantage points on this elevated section, bought Number 20 in the popular Hart Rise area, and set about to create an absolutely gorgeous garden and landscape. It is a mixture of vege growing spaces, flowers and shrubs, and is fully fenced for the safety of your children, your pets, or both!

8 Hari Way is a beautifully designed and built property that you will be proud to call home, situated close to the amenities of the ever popular Mapua village, but enjoying the privacy of having green space on 2 sides. The thoughtfully designed home is impressive at first view, with it’s appealing vertical cedar timber cladding, presenting it’s back to the world, and then offering that wow factor when you step inside. Built by the builder/then owner in 2018, the home floods with light from the capture of all day sun, and is designed for easy care living both inside and out, with a view to being a “lock up and leave” if required.

Focus on Wakefield

Village burglar’s prison record grows an extra three months

TRACY NEAL Open Justice Reporter

A burglar who left children in Wakefield and Brightwater so frightened they hid their pocket money under their pillows, afraid “the bad man would come back”, has just had more prison time added to his sentence.

In May this year, Nicholas John Gear was sentenced to prison for

three years and one month on 12 burglary charges plus charges of theft, receiving stolen goods, and unlawfully getting into a vehicle.

In the Nelson District Court on Thursday, he was sentenced to an extra three months on each of four charges he recently admitted of obtaining by deception, but that won’t mean he has to stay in prison for longer.

Judge Tony Zohrab said they were matters that should have been dealt with at the time Gear was sentenced in May, but because of an oversight they had not been placed before him.

As Gear listened in via an audio-visual link from prison, Judge Zohrab explained the additional sentence would not extend his time in prison, as it was to be served concurrently.

Gear had already been found guilty of a burglary in Westport in July 2020 and was on home detention when he targeted a string of properties in Wakefield and Brightwater

over a concentrated few days in October that year.

He stole an estimated $43,000 worth of mainly outdoor equipment and tools from garages, vehicles and outbuildings, plus wallets and drivers’ licences so accounts could be set up through which to sell goods online.

The offending was premeditated but “not the most sophisticated”, the court heard.

During sentencing in May this year, the court heard how his life was “controlled by the scourge of Class A drugs”, his lawyer John Sandston said.

Crown prosecutor Abigail Goodison said: “All he’s ever known is that when you need something, you steal it.”

Judge Zohrab said then that it was clear from the victim impact statements that not only had the adults suffered emotional harm, but their main concern had been over what they had seen happen to their children.

Parents observed many nights of tears and lack of sleep.

One parent talked about how their children had been “affected massively”, so far as hiding their pocket money under their pillow, and asking “if the bad man would be coming back again”.

“To this day they still have to make sure that the doors are locked when they put the children to bed,” Judge Zohrab said in May.

The parent described it as “absolutely heart-breaking” to see children fretting over whether or not the doors had been locked.

Gear did not break into any houses, so there was a “reasonably low chance of confrontation” with the occupants, but given the sheer number of offences, he was lucky not to have encountered anyone.

Judge Zohrab said a seriously aggravating factor of his offending was that it occurred when he was on home detention, yet somehow, he was able to remove his tracker undetected and commit a burglary.

“It is incredibly serious because it is a privilege to be granted electronically-monitored bail, and it is a concern that a person such as yourself is able to offend while subject to an electronically-monitored sentence without setting

off a warning.”

Judge Zohrab said Gear’s offending has undermined the trust and integrity of the home detention sentence, and also electronically-monitored bail.

He said, in an ideal world he would have liked to order reparation to all of the victims, but that was not possible.

“I think that if I were to make an order it would effectively be re-victimising the victims, because they would get a letter from the court telling them that reparation has been ordered when realistically it is not able to be paid,” Judge Zohrab said.

Instead, an order was made for $700 emotional harm reparation to each of the three victims who compiled the statements.

At the time, Gear was also encouraged to spend his energy making the changes to his life he had indicated, as opposed to lodging an appeal which he had earlier raised was a possibility.

Redstone

Focus on Wakefield

Keeping it in the family

JO KENT

The Watson family from Wakefield have been delivering the Waimea Weekly for over a decade and are the latest winners of our Deliverer of the Month award.

Mum Jacqui says all of her nine children have done the three paper runs over the last 10 years and it’s instilled a great work ethic in them from the get-go.

“With a family this size, there is no way we can afford pocket money, so the kids do the paper run for the whole of Wakefield and save up that way.”

With ages ranging from 8 to 22, once the kids come of age, they pass their run down to the next in line.

“Our 22-year-old son Tyler has special needs so he still gets involved with folding the 700 Waimea Weeklies each week ready for the others to deliver them after they finish their school work at 2pm.”

All of the kids have gone on to save up for their own car, including 16-yearold Izayah who has just bought a small car ready for when he gets his licence.

“Doing the paper run teaches them diligence. Even when it’s raining and they don’t want to go, I’ll remind them that they won’t earn any money sat on the sofa, so up they get and off they go.”

Jacqui’s kids start the paper runs aged 9, so by the time they go for their first job, they’ve already proved they are reliable and have a strong work ethic. “I’ve heard it so many times with the older kids. The feedback given from their employers is that they know how to work hard. And the boys who went on to work at Caltex or Four Square were told one of the main reasons they got the job was because of their dedication to the paper run.”

Delivering newspapers is all some of the younger kids have known, so it’s just part of their lives.

Wakefield farewells principal

JO KENT

Wakefield School principal Peter Verstappen is leaving this week after 30 years as a teacher and principal and close to 60 years in and around education.

“This is my last week at Wakefield School. I’m resisting calling it retirement, but my hope is that next year I will work a bit less and play a bit more,” he says.”

During his time at Wakefield, Peter has been involved in the process of transitioning the

school to a full primary, which will happen in 2024.

This means the school will retain its Year 7 and 8 students, returning to a model last seen at the school in the late 1950s, before the opening of Waimea Intermediate. The transition will begin with a Year 7 programme in 2024 and grow to year 8 in 2025.

“Like all good educators, I’ve tried to make the school programme as interesting and engaging for children as their lives outside the classroom.”

Freya Hogarth, currently prin-

cipal of Hope School, is taking over Peter’s role from Term 1.

“The opportunity to lead Wakefield School is really exciting for me. I feel it’s a school that truly values the things that are most important to me.

“I can’t wait to get to know the people of Wakefield School and I am looking forward to building those connections and relationships and working together to bring the community and board’s vision and hopes for the school to life.”

Freya has been principal at Hope School for seven years

and leaving will be bittersweet. “I’ve loved working with such enthusiastic and diverse children who have a real zest for learning and fun.”

Wakefield School board chairperson Ryan Edwards says Freya’s vision and values align closely with the direction of the school. “Her experience of managing complex change will be invaluable as we take on the challenges of becoming a full primary school and introducing the refreshed NZ Curriculum over the next few years.”

Principal Peter Verstappen leaves Wakefield School this week. Photo: Jo Kent.

Meika, 10, Ariana, 12, Sienna 14 and Zay, 15, take a seat on the 700 Waimea Weeklies they deliver each week. Photo: Jo Kent.

Local churches united but different

JENNY NICHOLSON

As Richmond churches joined together for an

evening last month, leaders took the opportunity to again state that each is committed to unity in the church as a whole, while meeting in different venues and expressing their faith in different ways.

“We believe we are called to be one church, made up of many church families, to serve the One God, Father, Son and Spirit,” their Statement of Commitment says.

“It’s the same Jesus, different styles,” Brightwater Vicar Paul Milson says. Richmond church leaders meet once a month to encourage and support each other.

They recognize that those looking for a local church want various styles and flavours. While the churches all have the same core belief in God, the leaders and the style in each congregation is different. This allows those looking for a church to more easily find a place that suits them.

“Our church is recognisably Angli-

can in format and holds traditional and contemporary elements,” Vicar of Richmond Holy Trinity, Zane Elliot, says.

Zane himself enjoys geocaching, family board games and processing firewood.

Richmond New Life is a modern, contemporary, friendly church family where there are new people every week exploring their spiritual journey.

Pastor Jono Martin and his wife Vanessa, along with many of the church family, enjoy family and friends, and the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, camping, and tramping.

“Our name ‘Hope’ shows our heart,” Hope Community Church Lead Pastor, Daryl Bay, says.

“We love our Hope community and the wider Tasman district and love to help families and individuals. We are big on faith in Jesus and the bible.”

Second time lucky for touch up-and-comer

JACK MALCOLM

Touch player Jonty Pickworth has been named in New Zealand’s secondary school mixed U18 touch team for the Pacific Youth World Cup in Brisbane next year.

Jonty had been named as a co-captain in the New Zealand U16 mixed team scheduled to play in a Trans-Tasman competition that was cancelled earlier this year.

He says it’s exciting to have an-

other crack at playing for his country.

With the national competition this year, where he was playing for Nelson, also cancelled due to Covid-19, the selectors had looked at older squads for invitees to trial.

Jonty says he backed himself to earn a selection, believing he had put his best foot forward.

“I think I had a good chance because I played pretty well out there.

“When I found out I was pretty

happy.

“I told my girlfriend first because I was with her at the time,” he says.

Jonty says his strength is his fitness and defensive ability, using his high workrate to stand out on the park.

“I’m trying to be the best defender out there.”

Having left school to start a building apprenticeship, he plays touch multiple times a week and in the winter plays social rugby with his friends.

Conditions clear, wind holds for sailing champs

Despite a horrendous forecast earlier in the week, the weather played its part for two fantastic days of sailing in Tasman Bay for the Regional Champs regatta.

Saturday saw overcast but great sailing conditions, with a gentle to moderate breeze and the visiting sailors getting used to the Tasman Bay chop.

Sunday was forecast to blow. With sunny skies, the wind was expected to top 20kts, and with a strong outgoing tide the race committee elected to keep the smaller boats inside the harbour.

It proved to be a good decision,

with the more experienced sailors ‘on the limit’ and enjoying strong wind and some big waves out in the bay.

Coming back through the Cut was described as anything from “terrifying” to “bloody awesome fun”. There were a few swims, and lots of grins! It was the biggest regatta at the club for some time, with a fleet of over 80 boats in attendance including a strong fleet of about 30 Zephyr sailors turning up from Christchurch, Wellington and even Auckland for their class South Island Championships.

Jonty Pickworth (left) pictured with teammates Oli Mathis and Hugh Robinson after he was selected. Photo: Supplied.

Over 100 swimmers from across the Tasman region came together last weekend to compete in the Swimming Nelson Marlborough Long Distance Champs at Nayland Pool. Nelson South Swim Club walked away with the JR Buchanan Club Points Trophy along with the Laurie Crabb Cup for winning the 12x50m medley. Samantha Wilson, swimming in the 15-and-over category for Tasman Swim Club, won the Marie Saul Cup for best overall swimmer. In the Adam and Eve relay, where the best 16 swimmers are seeded and paired together, Tasman Swim Club’s William Seymour and Waimea Swim Club’s Amy Oliver took the top honours. Full results will be posted on the Swimming Nelson Marlborough website, snm.org.nz. Photo: Evan Barnes/Shuttersport.

Stephen Taylor prevails at the Sunshine Classic

SCOTT

successful night for the returning Stephen Taylor at the Collision Centre Sunshine Classic at Milestone Homes Top of the South Speedway.

The two-day meeting was rainedoff on the Friday, but Saturday night went as scheduled after early rain dried out in the afternoon. Stephen Taylor was dramatically undone at the last Classic when a back marker spun and took him out in the final lap while leading, this season he planned to get the job done. Two heat wins saw him top on points for the feature, $3000 up for grabs plus an option of dropping back a row for $1000 per row. Stephen opted to start off the front given the calibre of drivers on show. He opened a gap from the chasing bunch, a yellow light from a car spinning in front almost caught him out, managing to stop just in time to avoid serious damage. He got a good jump on the restart and led again. A second yellow bought on for the flipped 56n of Cambell McManaway closed the field once again. this time he had 16-yearold American Joel Myers hot on his heels, and a couple of back-

markers kept things interesting. Stephen took the feature win by a car-length from Joel with Connor Rangi making up places after a broken car in heat one to claim 3rd in the feature and the fastest lap of the night.

The Street Stocks ran their Lift n Shift Triples event, pairing local drivers with their Canterbury visitors. Two wins out of three for the team of Paul “E” Leslie, Jordan Gillespie and late recruit Tom McSherry saw them comfortably take out the title. Cody McCarrison, Ryan Morrison and Kahu Epiha were 2nd with Ryan

Musgrove’s heat 2 win helping partners Cody Pedley and Corey Schumacher into 3rd overall.

The open Stock Car club champs went to local driver Riley Eathorne, the Waimea College 1stXV openside flanker putting a deft move on in heat 2, spinning the lead two cars to take the vital points to win by a solitary point after heat 3. Wade Sweeting finishing 2nd with the consistent Morgan Dumelow in 3rd. The Mike Greer Homes Quarter Midget series transferred to Saturday, a couple of leading drivers unable to make it, but Darcy Ras-

mussen stole the show with the first heat win; the first race win of his career. Jack Brownlees took out the second heat and feature to lead the series. Local driver Locky Martin was 3rd. It was a tough day at the office for Meneka Rawson, rolling twice in the night at the start of the first two races, she retired after being a bit sore after the second one. The Youth Ministocks ran their “secret” best pairs format, only finding out who their partner was at prize-giving. It was a turbulent night, a few cars getting airborne on a drying track. Luke Higgins

won the first 2 heats before copping it in an incident in the final heat. He was feeling a bit sore after the safety belts did their job. Jack Burson and Elisabeth Brunt took the title from Deegan Broker and Jayden Vibert. Cooper Whalon-Frans and Charlie Booth finishing 3rd.

it was a busy night for track staff with a few crashes but many of the tracks around the country succumbed to rain. Racing resumes in the holiday period with the Burson Logging Demolition Derby on Thursday the 29th of December.

JODY

From left: Conley Webley, Luke Higgins, and Jack Burson who narrowly avoided the crash. Photo: Rebecca Connor-Maling.

No sherpa needed for local riders

Mountain bikers Seamus O’Donnell and Cameron Jones started their ride at 3am on Saturday morning.

They had set themselves the task of completing 10,000 metres of elevation gain called an Everest Challenge, by climbing more than the equivalent elevation (8848m) of the tallest mountain in the world, with the added difficulty of also riding the downhill portion through the Codgers trail system.

While Seamus had to pull out on lap 34 of 44 after a crash that saw him go to hospital for stitches and an x-ray, Cameron ‘knocked the ‘bastard off’ himself by riding his final lap on a unicycle at approximately 11pm after he got a flat tyre. “He’s built different,” says Seamus, reflecting on the achievement.

While Seamus wasn’t able to complete the challenge himself, he was happy it had been a medical injury that took him out of the ride instead of quitting.

“It was just as I was starting to feel confident I was going to finish, because there were stages in the morning when I felt like I wasn’t going to.

“We had quite a few mates show up and I was over excited, hitting the corner a little bit too fast.”

The pair say they had purposely made it all come together at the last minute so they didn’t have a chance to back out.

“You want to catch yourself by surprise before you talk yourself out of it,” laughs Cameron.

Choosing IV line and Tu Meke as their track of choice because of its suitability to the challenge, the pair were raising funds for the Nelson

Marlborough Rescue Helicopter. They both have experience riding long distances, with the idea for this most recent Everest Challenge coming on kilometre 160 of a 170km gravel trail ride.

Cameron, who’s the New Zealand U23 MTB and gravel champ, had also done the same challenge on a jump track at Kaiteriteri Bike Park two years ago.

Seamus is also an experienced downhill racer and endurance rider, saying they regularly do some sort of challenging ride.

“Most weekends we do a five hour, or so, mission. We do a lot of racing too.”

The pair had sponsorship from MyRide Richmond, Talleys, Craigs Investment Partners and PF Olsen, who also donated $1 for every lap that anyone completed of IV Line and Tu Meke on the day.

Expecting to burn around 1000 calories an hour, Seamus and Cameron had a strong support group that included their parents at the base of their ride, which also had a whiteboard crossing on their lap count.

Catching up just over halfway through their challenge, Seamus and Cameron were still in high spirits despite being covered in mud from head to toe.

They had struggled in the early morning out with the fog reflecting their headlamps, but say with the sun coming out, and their friends getting on track to help support them, their spirits were still high despite their bodies starting to feel the grind.

Donations will be kept open for the next several weeks and can be found at givealittle.co.nz/cause/ xliv-mtb-everest.

As pet lovers ourselves, we believe our dogs and cats should be eating the same quality food as the rest of our family. So we go to great lengths (and heights) to source Aotearoa New Zealand’s finest wild game and freshest produce. Then we create protein-packed recipes and treats that are nothing but natural.

WILSON

NATURAL NUTRITION PETS GO WILD FOR SETTING A NEW STANDARD OF PREMIUM

JACK MALCOLM

Cameron Jones (left) had to complete the Everest challenge alone after Seamus O’Donnell was sidelined following a crash that required a hospital visit three quarters of the way through their 44 laps of Codgers MTB park. Photo: Jack Malcolm.

Community Notices

MONDAYS

PHILOSOPHY CLUB meets 2nd & 4th Monday each month. 10am at Melrose House. Continuing with :“How do you know if you’re really real?”Ph: Zoe 027 974 1758.

INTRODUCTION TO ZEN BUDDHISM. Beginners instruction available on Monday evenings at our Nelson Centre, Learn how to meditate the Zen way. Ph: Gwitha 021 1218 133 for information. Mountains & Rivers affliliate Nelson.

TUESDAYS

WELLBYTALKING CAFÉ: 10am – 11.30pm,Tuesday 20th Dec. ‘22, McCashins, Stoke. Wellby Talking Cafés are about social connection and finding out about groups, activities and services. www.wellby. org.nz 03 5467681.

WEDNESDAYS

WAIMEA HARRIERS SHARLAND CYCLES 5K fun run and walk from ClubWaimea everyWednesday until December 21st. Registration from 5.30 pm. Everyone and all abilities welcome. See website for details. Queries 0223729432.

TASMAN TRACKIES CYCLING SAXTON VELODROME - Champion Rd, Richmond. Track racing Wednesdays 10am -11.30am through Summer. Track bikes free of charge, road or mountain bikes can be used. Riders at all levels & ages, Social coffee & chat after at local café – ZINK, Contact: Murray Cameron 0276450033. murray.r.cameron@xtra.co.nz

NELSON NEWBIES, COFFEE MORNING every Wednesday 10:30 - 11.30 a.m. at Deville’s Cafe, 22

New St. Want to get out and meet people? Join us for coffee and chat. New people are always welcome. Phone Clive 021 205 4731.

WELLBY TALKING CAFÉ: 10am – 11.30pm, Wednesday 21 Dec. ‘22, Motueka Library Wellby Talking Cafés are about social connection and finding out about groups, activities and services. www. wellby.org.nz 03 5467681.

THURSDAYS

WAKEFIELD ART GROUP All levels of interest welcome. Meet Thursdays at Wakefield Community Hall, Supper Rm. 10 Whitby Way, Wakefield. 9.30 – 12.00, $4 session tea/coffee provided. Alison 5418822

NELSON BAYS HARMONY CHORUS, our friendly group of women barbershop singers meets every Thursday evening at Club Waimea. Check out our website www.nelsonharmony.org. nz and/or phone Carole, 027 436 0910. Annual fundraiser giant garage sale Saturday 26th November Waimea College bus bay 8.30am.

RICHMOND LADIES FRIENDSHIP CLUB: meet monthly 9.45am 1stThurs. of month Church of Christ, Croucher St. Welcome all ladies looking for friendship, fun & fellowship with other women. Cafe lunch optional Interesting guest speakers & outings Ph Marion 544 4833 or Joan 544 1854.

TAICHI IN RICHMOND: Thursdays 10am12.00. Stillness, breath, movement. Quiet Heart Tai Chi, Holy Trinity Church, Dorset Street. Donation. Contact Merrick. Email; quiet.heart.tai.chi@ gmail.com Ph 0210636620. All welcome

DEADLINE: MIDDAY FRIDAY - 30 WORDS OR LESS BY EMAIL ONLYPLEASE SEND TO: events@waimeaweekly.co.nz

WAIMEA COMBINED FRIENDSHIP CLUB: 3rd Thursday each month, Hope Community Church Hall, Ranzau Road, 9.45am providing interesting speakers and social opportunities for friendship through its special interest groups. Contact Margaret 022 010 6850.

RICHMOND WELCOME GROUP Our next meeting of our group will be on the 5th January 2023 10 am at Paragon Cafe, Langdale Drive Richmond join us for a coffee and a chat. Ansley/ Phillip 5410350 .

FRIDAYS

DROP IN & OP SHOP Fridays 9-1pm St Stephens Community Church 61 Tahunanui Drive. Come join us for some delicious food & browse our preloved clothing collection and stay for a chat.

SATURDAYS

CAR BOOT MARKET Richmond Baptist Church, 123 Salisbury Road Saturday 17th December 8am-Noon stall holders from 6.30am. Heaps of bargains, yummy food and free coffee. Facebook –“RBC Bootmarket” Contact: Mark 0224695367.

STOKE METHODIST MARKET, church grounds, 17 December 9.00 am to noon, in hall if wet. Phone 927 6130 to book, Supporting Nr,son Hospital Chaplaincy and LifeLinc.

RICHMOND TENNIS CLUB - Gladstone Road Social hit for members and non-members Saturday afternoons All levels of ability welcome. 1.30pm onwards. Contact 0274872480

IN GENERAL

NELSON RAILWAY RAILCAR will be running Sat 17th & Sun 18th on demand from 11am, weather permitting. Check our fb and website for school holiday timetable.

BIRDLIFE CENTRE OF NEW ZEALAND need volunteer pest trappers in the Centre of NZ reserve in Nelson City. No experience needed, full training given. If you are reasonably fit, and can spare 2 hours per fortnight , call Gretchen 021 266 3867.

SUTER ART SOCIETY SUMMER EXHIBITION “Pay & Collect” until 22 Januray ‘23. Selection of small painting ideal for giving or posting to friends. BEYOND THE FACE EXHIBITION by Age Concern Nelson Tasman at Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows from 15 December to 27 January from 9am to 5pm. Come along and find out the interesting story behind the face.

NELSON TASMAN HOSPICE TREES OF REMEMBRANCE. Trees located Nelson & Richmond Farmers until 24 Dec, Nelson & Stoke New World, Richmond Mall, Motueka House of Travel & Mapua Wharf 2nd – 9th Dec

FREE RICHMOND LIBRARY EVENTS at 280 Queen St, Richmond · Contact 03-543 8500.

Table Top Gaming Group. 9-13 year olds are invited to come play board games with Sophus. Every Friday, 3.30pm-4.30pm,. Wriggle & Rhyme for 0-2 year olds - Come & explore music & songs, movement & rhythm, instruments & stories with your child. 10.00am-10.30am, everyTuesday during term time.

Storytime for 2-5 year olds - Join us for fun & exciting stories & songs.10am-10.30am, Wednesdays during term time.

Good Craft afternoon! Bring your craft project & work on it in the company of other crafters. Wednesdays, 12.30pm-2pm.

A JP (Justice of the Peace) is available to witness & sign your important documents at, every Wednesday, 11.30am-12.30pm.

English Conversation for ESOL speakers with an experienced & qualified ESOL teacher. 11.am12pm, Fridays via Zoom. Email Karyn.mclintock@tasman.govt.nz for Zoom access info

NELSON CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL until 15 January 2023. Open daily 8.30 - 7pm. Weekday lunchtime concerts 1pm. Late night Fridays 9,16,23 & 31 December.

ARE YOU GAME? Want to play games without technology? Real games and real people. Contact Genie text only 0212141270 or email magicdancer54@ gmail.com

NEED A BIKE? Bike Hub Nelson fixes up donated bikes & gives them away for a small koha. Mondays 5.30-7pm. Location & other opening times on www.facebook.com/BikeHubNelson, email BikeHubNelson@gmail.com

ASTHMA? COPD? NELSON ASTHMA Phone your medical centre for a “Pulmonary Rehab course referral” or contact asthma. nelson@xtra.co.nz.

IS FOOD A PROBLEM FOR YOU? Are you suffering from anorexia, bulimia, obesity and/ or compulsive eating? Overeaters Anonymous works, Ph: 022 673 0237 .

9037.

Community Notices are free to community groups, schools, churches, gold coin donation events and fundraising. Due to the popularity of this column,while every effort will be made, inclusion cannot

guaranteed for free ads. If

want to place a business advert or want to advertise a course you are running, please call classified ads and public notices on 544

NEWSLINE UPDATES

Holiday hours and services 2022/2023

Floating flamingos should stay in the pool!

Enjoy your day at the beach but leave the inflatable toys at home – that's the message from our Harbourmaster as he prepares for a busy holiday season on the water.

Wednesday 4 January.

Library hours

Richmond, Motueka and Tākaka libraries will close at 5.00 pm Friday 23 December and reopen on Wednesday 28 December. They will close again from Sunday 1 to Tuesday 3 January. They will be open again as usual from Wednesday 4 January.

Murchison Library will be closed during the same time/dates as the Murchison Service Centre.

Rubbish and recycling

This year, rubbish and recycling collections over the holiday period remain the same across the District due to Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on a Sunday.

Our resource recovery centres will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Opening hours will otherwise stay the same. Opening hours vary for each centre and you can find details on our website. Please place your recycling bins and bags on the roadside in a location where our drivers can see them clearly. If you leave the area before collection day or have extra, you can drop your official rubbish bags and recycling at any resource recovery centre free of charge.

public recycling bin in the car park opposite the beach.

Do you have more glass recycling than usual?

Please don't overfill your glass recycling crate, if you do, it won’t be emptied. The contents can’t sit above the top lip of the crate, and it shouldn’t weigh more than 12kg. When the crates are overfilled the bottles can fall and break, risking injuries to our collection team and others.

You are welcome to put out more than one crate and you can buy additional crates from any of our service centres or resource recovery centres for $26.

Consents and other requests

The statutory clock for LIMs, Building Consents, Resource Consents and LGOIMA requests stops on 20 December and restarts on 11 January. This means that processing times for these applications will be extended and any working days during this period are not counted towards the statutory timeframes.

Be in the know with Antenno

We’re using a free mobile app called Antenno to send you alerts and notifications about places and topics you care about, like reminders about recycling or road closures.

There are two ways you can use Antenno: receive notifications from us about the places you have marked as important to you or report back to us on issues or feedback.

Antenno lets you choose the places you want to be alerted about, so you're not being alerted about things that don't affect you. You can have multiple "places" which could be the area you live in, work or where your holiday home is for example. You can expect to see updates from Council on a wide range of things.

For reporting issues, the app conveniently adds the location to a photo so we can log the problem, including a description of it and your contact details.

It's an easy way to get in touch with us.

Small blow-up boats, large plastic swans, super-sized floating flamingos and colourful donut rings are great fun in the pool but can pose a real danger at the beach.

Harbourmaster Dan Cairney says they may look like fun, but when you’re on them the wind can easily blow you out to sea.

Before buying inflatable toys as Christmas presents, people should stop and think about where they will be used.

Dan says they are not ideal for the beach, it only takes a little bit of a breeze and things can quickly turn sour. He says a couple of summers ago during a regular patrol he came across a pair of foreign tourists who had picked up a couple of cheap small blow-up boats and set off out to sea from Kaiteriteri on a fishing expedition.

“They were having fun, but neither had a lifejacket –they were extremely fortunate the weather was good, or it would have been a vastly different story.”

Dan says they were more than half a kilometre offshore and had just caught a big spiky barracouta, so he lent them lifejackets and escorted them back to safety.

Another popular but dangerous spot is when the tide is flooding out of the Kaiteriteri lagoon.

In 2019, two girls close to drowning were dragged to shore by other swimmers in a dramatic rescue.

Dan says these currents are especially bad during king and spring flood tides and younger inexperienced swimmers or those using inflatable devices can end up being swept out into Kaiteriteri Bay.

COUNCIL HUI

Meetings will take place in person and via Zoom. Visit tasman.govt.nz/meetings-calendar for details and the Zoom link. Unless otherwise stated, all meetings will be held at Council Chambers, 189 Queen Street, Richmond.

Tasman District Council

Thursday 15 December, 9.30 am

Motueka Community Board

Tuesday 20 December, 4.00 pm. Motueka Library, 32 Wallace Street

Summer Events Guide

The Nelson Tasman Summer Events Guide 2022/2023 is out now! Keep an eye out for a copy in your letterbox, pick one up from one of our service centres or download a copy from our website, tasman.govt.nz/summer-events-guide.

Antenno is simple and easy to use and no personal information or log on details are required. Download it for free from your relevant app store today.

Tasman District Council

Thursday 22 December, 9.30 am

Kaiteriteri and Mārahau rubbish and

ALLIANCE

SEASONAL

MEMBERS

good too, we can train you up! We’re recruiting Butchers, Boners, Halal Slaughterers, and Labourers.

Ngā painga - what’s in it for you?

• Butchers: potential to earn an average of $1,365 based on a 40-hour working week, exclusive of overtime

• Boners: potential to earn an average of $1,374 based on a 40-hour working week, exclusive of overtime

• Halal Slaughterers: potential to earn an average of $1,353 based on a 40- hour working week, exclusive of overtime

• Labourers: earn a minimum of $26.50 per hour across a day, inclusive of allowances

• Minimum of 30 hours a week, usually 45 hours a week

• Up to 7 months of full-time seasonal employment

• Upskill yourself with an opportunity to gain NZQA qualifications

• Receive ongoing training and support

• Access to free onsite health services including a nurse, physiotherapist, counsellor

• Access to our free employee assistance programme

Ō pūkenga - about you

• You are eligible to work in New Zealand

• You will pass a pre-employment drug test and medical assessment

• You are willing and able to follow and respect workplace health and safety

• You enjoy working within a team environment

• You are physically fit, committed, and reliable

Apply online at www.alliancejobs.co.nz, by emailing nelson.botas@alliance.co.nz, or visit us at the Nelson Plant, 910 Main Rd Stoke, 7011. Find out more at www.alliance.co.nz

WANTED TO

JONES

Ian Kenneth

Passed away suddenly at Nelson Hospital on Friday December 9, 2022 aged 68 years.

Dearly loved husband of Sue for 45 years, loved Dad of Rachel and Greg McMurtry, Kim and Matt Hobbs, and Clara Jones and Sam Jeffrey. Adored Grandad of Amelia; Tristan; Hunter and Ryder. Loved son of the late Roy and Val, loved brother and brother-in-law of Pauline and Pete, Diane and George, Rosalie and Robert, David and Paula, and the late Christine. Loved brotherin-law of the Crawford family. A loved uncle and great uncle of all his nephews and nieces.

A service to celebrate Ian’s life will be held at Hope Community Church, Ranzau Road, Hope. On Thursday 15th of December at 1:30pm.

Messages can be sent to the Jones family c/- 164 Tahunanui Drive, Tahunanui, Nelson 7011 or online at www.shoneandshirley.com/tributes where you can also view the service.

WANTED TO

/

Reels, Petrol Tins,

Bottles, NZ

Tobacco Tins, Brass / Copper, Coloured Glass, Coins, Banknotes, General household bits, Plus much more Large or Small

Maori

or Estates & Downsizing Ph 027 5380020

03 538 0020

WANTED TO BUY

watches. Scrap gold & Silver. Old coins & Jewellery. Vintage / quality tools. Military & Firearms items. General antiques. Also buying estate & shed items. Collection & downsizing. Ph Tim Gladstone. T&B Vintage 0800 653 935 or 548 5235.