The Guardian - 17 April 2024

Support needed for pool project

ELISE VOLLWEILER

It’s time to make a splash if you want your community pool. That’s the message from Motueka Pool Committee president Fred Hickling, who is urging Motueka residents to once again pen their support for the project, to ensure that it stays in the Tasman District Council’s 10-year plan.

He says that although members of the public may already have voiced their support for the construction of a covered pool, it was time to do so again, as the original proposal has been upgraded and therefore overridden with the council’s recent purchase of land which has flagged as a potential fu-

ture-proofed site.

Fred says that the pool has always drawn a lot of submissions, showing a clear endorsement for the project.

“The general public in the district need to support what they’re doing, because there’s probably not going to be another [chance].”

The council document description is a plan that “sets out the services and projects the council intends to provide, the costs of doing so, how we’ll pay for it and what it all means for rates and debt”.

Fundraising for Motueka’s swimming pool began in the 1990s, and although the project

Motueka’s Lucas Harris soars above the jumps at the invitational Crab Jam BMX dirt jump exhibition, held at the Motueka skatepark late last month.

Photo: Brodie Knox.

Teens named as victims of off-roading crash

Two teenagers have been named as the victims of a crash in Nelson last Monday. They were Joanna Lois Beach and Bondi Reihana Richmond, both 18 of Waikawa, Marlborough. They died following a crash on an off-roading track in Mount Richmond Forest Park. Police said they extended their condolences to the family and friends of the pair “at this difficult time”. “An investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.” Earlier, police said a helicopter was used in the initial search to find the teens after they received a crash alert.

Community support needed for Motueka’s pool complex project

was always well supported, the feasibility of different sites proved to be roadblocks for the project.

However, late last year, the TDC purchased a large block of land on King Edward Street, which is earmarked for a potential pool complex for the town.

The complex is to include a sixlane main pool, a combined leisure and learn-to-swim pool, a hydrotherapy pool, a toddler’s splash pad and a spa pool, as well as amenities like changing rooms and a reception area.

Construction is to begin in 2026, with the pool scheduled to open in 2028.

Contact us

News

Sara Hollyman sara@topsouthmedia.co.nz

Advertising Sales

Gary Haymes

guardian.motueka@xtra.co.nz

Jo Randell guardian.motueka@xtra.co.nz

Ian Bolton sales@guardianmotueka.co.nz

Editorial Features

Jennifer Ayers reporter@guardianmotueka.co.nz

Accounts Queries accounts@topsouthmedia.co.nz

19 Wallace St, Motueka (03) 528 2088 guardianmotueka.co.nz Keeping

100%

According to council documents, the pool will cost $20m, with about a fifth of this coming from rates-funded loans, a little over half from reserves and community services financial contributions, and the remaining $4.4m to be fundraised from within the community.

This funding structure means that the pool complex will have no immediate impact on rates, with the impact forecast to rise to $29 per Tasman-rated household and business per year from 2028 onwards.

More than $250,000 has been raised from within the community so far, and Fred says that “every cent donated is and has been gaining interest in the bank since its inception”.

Motueka Rotary president Paul Heywood says that there is

strong support from the town’s Rotary and Lions clubs for the project, with thousands of dollars already allocated for the pool complex.

Paul, who recently joined Fred on the pool committee, says that public submissions are a necessary part of the process.

He believes that the council has demonstrated “a very strong intent” by purchasing the King Edward Street land, and now the community needs to show the same intent.

“We have to reaffirm that there is very strong support, and I hope that people will take the oppor-

tunity.” Submissions to the 10-year Long-Term Plan can be made online at shape.tasman. govt.nz/10YP, or by emailing LTP@tasman.govt.nz. Alternatively, people can complete the paper submission form attached to the consultation document at Tasman District Council offices or libraries. Submissions close on Sunday, 28 April at 4pm.

Nelson at your fingertips

Fred Hickling is reminding Motueka’s residents to make submissions to the council’s 10 Year Plan to ensure that the long-awaited pool complex becomes a reality. Photo: Elise Vollweiler.

Fundraising signs for the Motueka community pool, a campaign which has been running for more than 20 years. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee.

Rain eases water deliveries

ANNE HARDIE

The drought has finally broken, and it ends months of water deliveries to households that have run out of tank water, adding up to nearly 6.5 million litres for one tanker business.

Since the beginning of November, Nigel McMorran and Michelle Payne have delivered the equivalent of three Olympic swimming pools of water to households in the Waimea and Moutere that depend on rainwater to fill their tanks. Michelle says two other water delivery businesses would have each delivered similar quantities to the same area.

Their own deliveries averaged 1.5 million litres a month this year, which is about double the amount they typically deliver through the dry summer months to households that are not connected to a water supply scheme.

“People don’t realise how much you need water until they don’t have it and that’s when they turn the tap on and there’s nothing there.”

It takes just nine seconds to fill a 13,000-litre tanker at the McShane Road filling station, though when strict water restrictions were placed on the area, the tanker had to head to Motueka to fill up. The water itself costs about $425 for households and Michelle says that when people ask her how many tanks to put on their property, she tells them to get four, five or “as many as you can put on”.

She says, it is a learning curve for many people on tank water for the first time and it takes a dry year to learn how to really conserve water.

“The people we deliver to one year, we generally don’t deliver so much the next year because they learn they need to conserve water in summer.

“Once you run out, it’s hard to get ahead of the game.

“We find we are going back to our regulars at least once a month and sometimes more.”

Michelle says their business, Hard Yards, works alongside the other two tanker businesses to deliver water when there is high demand, and this summer was one of those years. At one point they had 37 households waiting for water with some waiting up to four days just before Christmas due to demand.

It meant long days, day after day, to deliver crucial water to homes in the region. Water was also delivered for stock

and Michelle says one farmer bought water for the first time in 10 years, while another had to buy water after a bore ran dry for the first time in 40 years.

Michelle and Nigel started their business in 2019 – the year of the Pigeon Valley fire – and say they

have delivered far more water through this season than that dry year.

In the past, water deliveries have usually petered out in March, whereas this year they were still delivering well into April, when the rain finally came.

Some household use their fire-fighting tank of water when the other tanks run out, but Michelle warns that can affect their insurance and it is better to have sufficient tanks and conserve water.

Orders began to dry up as rain was finally forecast last week.

Greenwood’s Challengea-thon triumph

The children at Greenwood Kindergarten competed in a fundraiser Challenge-a-thon last week, doing laps of a challenge course to raise money for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. They were supporting the efforts of their teacher Bec Bryan, who will be travelling to Auckland to compete in her second Fire Fighter Sky Tower Challenge on 18 May. The children even got to have a turn at squirting a make-shift fire hose, which teacher Shayne Hall created from the centre’s multi-faceted water blaster. They raised more than $300 for their efforts, all of which goes directly to the charity, which supports the 21,000 Kiwis living with blood cancer.

Nigel McMorran has filled the tanker with close to 6.5 million litres of water through the dry months.

Photo: Anne Hardie.

Photo: Elise Vollweiler.

Empowering frontliners faced with family violence disclosures

ELISE VOLLWEILER

You would expect nurses or social workers to be among the first people to hear about family violence, but disclosures come to a much wider section of the workforce.

Hairdressers, for example, with their long-standing relationships with clients and the almost therapeutic role they have with the people in the salon chair, are common recipients of disclosures – whether they know what to do with that information or not.

An upcoming workshop by Women’s Support Motueka aims to offer education and tools for anyone in a social service or customer-facing role who would like to know how to handle a disclosure of violence.

Course facilitator Mikayla Cahill says that kaimahi/ employees from a range of organisations have already completed the course, including Golden Bay Workcentre Trust, Te Kotahi Te Tau Ihu Charitable Trust, Te Piki Oranga, Motueka Community House, and Kāinga Ora, as well as “individuals who were just interested in learning how to make our community a safe place to

disclose”.

“We would love more people from different sectors to get involved,” she says.

“This would be perfect for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, case managers, teachers, lawyers, social workers, bank staff, bartenders, hairdressers, barbers, or anyone else in a customer-facing role.”

The course was drafted by the organisation’s previous community engagement coordinator, Rachael Fabish.

Mikayla, who now holds this role, says that the content has evolved with feedback from the attendees, and what was a two-page workbook has bloomed into a 65-page resource. The course takes nine hours, spread across three halfdays.

“It would be easier to have a whole day course, but talking about abuse all day is difficult to handle and is exhausting, so we decided to spread it out over three weeks. We also offer a lovely spread of healthy kai to make sure everyone’s bodies and minds are nourished after discussing heavy content,” Mikayla says.

“The programme is based around helping people understand trau-

ma. A lot of people know about ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ reactions but there is also ‘freeze’ and ‘fawn’. We also cover the different types of abuse that perhaps a lot of people don’t know about, such as verbal, emotional, psychological, and financial, as well as abuse tactics like narcissistic abuse, gaslighting, coercion, and power and control.”

She explains that the content is user-friendly and does not include any graphic details or “shock factor” content, to keep the space a safe one for attendees “without ruining their entire week”.

Feedback from previous attendees is overwhelmingly positive, with one saying that it made a triggering subject easy to work through and retain, and another saying that they have already used the workbook twice while receiving a disclosure of violence. The next Understanding Trauma and Dealing with Family Violence Disclosures workshop is being held at Motueka Community House in Decks Reserve, running for three weeks beginning Wednesday, 8 May, from 9am12pm. The course costs $100 per person and can be booked at https://events.humanitix.com/ disclosures. For further informa-

tion, contact community@wsm. org.nz

Course facilitator Mikayla Cahill Photo: Elise Vollweiler.

UN expert visit shines spotlight on Nelson Tenths

the case within the regional, national, and global landscape.

Spectators welcome at Waimea Dog Trials

ELOISE MARTYN

The Waimea Dog Trial Club is getting geared up to host its annual trial this week and they are welcoming spectators.

“Saturday is likely the better day for spectators,” club secretary Sally Powell explains.

“As people can watch four separate events if they chose.

“The noise and vigour of big huntaways barking the sheep uphill, or the silent, careful skill of the heading dogs steering the sheep on their courses. Either way, it’s great family en-

tertainment, and it’s free to attend, although we hope people will support our fundraising efforts.”

The club, which is in its 103rd year, will be fundraising with sales of woollen dishcloths, ‘Farmalade’ - which is marmalade made on the farm from home-grown citrus - as well as a gold coin sausage sizzle at the clubrooms.

“Friday is a half day only, from midday, with heading dogs competing in the long head and the short head and yard.

“On Saturday, both heading

events will run alongside the straight and zig zag events for huntaways,” Sally says.

Being the last trial for the district, competitors are expected to travel from as far away as North Canterbury to attend. It’s also the last chance to gain points towards qualifying a dog for the South Island Championship, which will be held in Blenheim in May.

The trials are being held on Friday 19 April from midday, and Saturday 20 April, 9am - 2pm, at 320 Higgins Rd, Wakefield.

A United Nations indigenous rights expert has visited the Top of the South to learn about the Nelson Tenths case and the Crown’s breach of its legal obligations to Māori.

Francisco Calí Tzay, The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, met with representatives of the customary Māori owners of the Nelson Tenths Reserves last week at Te Āwhina Marae in Motueka, and visited several sites of significance in the region.

The Nelson Tenths is the longest-running property claim in the country.

In the 1840s, Māori landowners around Nelson sold 151,000 acres of land to the New Zealand Company on the condition that 10 per cent of their land would be reserved for Māori in perpetuity. That agreement was never upheld. Rather than setting aside 15,100 acres, the Crown reserved less than 3000 acres.

Mr Calí Tzay was briefed on the case and its relevance to breaches of international law as it relates to indigenous peoples by Wakatū Incorporation, which is supporting the ongoing litigation against the Crown. He learnt about the significance of

Wakatū Incorporation chief executive Kerensa Johnston says that Mr Calí Tzay’s visit was an opportunity to “shine a light on the Government’s ongoing breaches of human rights in respect of the Nelson Tenths Reserves”.

“Seven years have now passed since the Supreme Court’s landmark decision that the Crown owes a fiduciary duty to the customary Māori owners of the Nelson Tenths. Despite this, no land has been returned and no compensation has been paid,” she says.

“By failing to work with us on a solution to resolve our case, the Government continues to deny the customary Māori owners of the Nelson Tenths the right to their land, territories and resources, the right to redress, the right to take part in cultural life, and the right to self-determination.

“These are breaches of human rights under the United Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“We hope the attention of the UN Special Rapporteur will help to both realise the human rights of the Māori customary owners of the Nelson Tenths and remind the Government of the significance of the Nelson Tenths kaupapa as we continue our fight for justice.”

Emma Eggers and dog Star competing in Tākaka. Photo: Supplied.

STAFF REPORTER

Francisco Calí Tzay and Kerensa Johnston. Photo: Supplied.

After quarter of a century, this group is well hooked

The Motueka RSA Fishing Club is celebrating a significant milestone this weekend, almost 25 years to the day after the group’s first meeting was held. The club’s silver birthday party is to be held this Saturday, 20 April, at the Motueka Bowling Club. The fishing group is an adjunct of the Motueka Returned and Services Association, and people need to be RSA members to join. Several of the group’s 16 original members are still casting their rods into the water, although the

club has swelled to a membership of about 50 people. These members include Viv Krammer and Tony Bisley, as well as Pat Hall who joined shortly after its inception, and together they credit the group’s longevity to the fact that it provides a sense of community and a supportive network for its members.

“It’s a social club,” Pat explains. “We’re not just out there to do fishing – we look out for each other.” Officially, the group meets each month, and members have inhouse fishing competitions or head off on planned fishing trips

that are sometimes local and sometimes as far away as Kaikoura, the Cook Strait, Fiordland or Gisborne. Unofficially, there are various other social gatherings, including a proprietary table at Motueka’s RSA.

The fishing club’s first meeting was held in April 1999, in the living room of Viv and her late husband Neil, who was the club’s first president.

“They all had the same interest at heart, and that was fishing,” Viv remembers fondly. She says that Neil’s life revolved around the club and that the members

offered her huge support after he passed away five years ago.

The group’s Christmas parties started off in the same location as their inaugural meeting, and as membership steadily increased, the venues needed to expand to keep up.

The oldest fishing club member is Ken ‘Doc’ Nicholls at 91, while others have their pre-schoolers tag along to meetings and events. Even members who no longer have the mobility to go fishing are forever welcome in the club, and in a show of solidarity, they still get a share of the fish to take

home after the weigh-ins. “We’ve got one member who just looks at a boat and gets seasick,” Pat laughs. “He does fishing off the beach.”

The club is welcoming new members with open arms, particularly younger people and children, as the RSA and the fishing club are not just for older people, Pat notes. “They’re the ones who are going to be coming through, aren’t they, so we have to encourage them.” The monthly meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month at the RSA, and new members are always welcome.

One of the Motueka RSA Fishing Club’s first outings was a trip to the Cook Strait in 2000. The Motueka RSA Fishing Club celebrated its 20th anniversary – five years ago now – with a trip up to Awaroa in the Abel Tasman National Park. Photos: Supplied.

Back from the brink and gliding into the future

It seemed as if the Riwaka Scout den doors would be shut for good last year, but six months later, the troop is flourishing and making plans for the future.

Last Thursday marked a special milestone, with 18 local children becoming official Scout members through the investiture ceremony, where they took the scouting pledge and received their grey shirts and first badges. Several years ago the troop was struggling because of a lack of leaders, and when Covid struck in 2020, the group folded. The troop was under threat of losing its scout hall through lack of use, but late last year Richmond troop leader and lifelong scouting enthusiast KJ Kohe stepped in to rescue and reignite the local scouting scene.

The revitalisation began slowly, with a handful of children showing interest, but this year the troop has hit its stride with more than 20 children regularly attending the Thursday evening sessions, in their three age group brackets of keas, cubs and scouts. There they learn skills such as putting up tents, building campfires, and cycle safety, as well as wider messages about responsibility, teamwork and respect. Last Thursday’s ceremony began with a rollerskating session at the Motueka Recreation Centre, before the children headed upstairs for their investiture. KJ said he was extremely proud of everyone who had stepped up to get to this point, including the children and their parents.

“And there’s more to come,” he said, with his customary enthusiasm.

Nelson zone leader Allan Lockyer, who has been involved in the scouting world for 38 years, agreed that it was a significant milestone, and commended KJ’s passion for getting the troop back up and running.

The Riwaka scouting troop is back in force, with 18 children invested into the group last week. Photo: Elise Vollweiler.

Local History

Government’s venture in tobacco products

ROBYN PARKES

In July 1938, at a time when tobacco growing was one of the growing industries of the dominion, the Government, with their involvement in the tobacco industry, opened the new ‘Government Tobacco Factory’ in Motueka.

Around 500 residents from all parts of the district attended the official opening of the factory, performed by the Hon. P. C. Webb. The event was reported as being a milestone in the history of the tobacco industry in the Motueka district and one of significance to a district whose destiny was almost inseparably wrapped up with the progress of the tobacco industry.

Mr Charles Lowe, the Government Instructor, was instrumental in the development of the factory and had spent months in planning the layout to give max-

imum efficiency and minimum confusion.

The layout for efficiency started where the tobacco was received by lorry from the growers. A 20 foot veranda was provided to ensure the crops were unloaded safely in all weather. Inside the shed, the tobacco was placed in 60lb lots, weighed on scales and put in position ready for the 41 female graders. Their stands were against the wall on the south, and part of the east section of the shed and glass windows installed behind them gave good light.

The grader was surrounded by a collapsible platform on which the sorting of the leaves into the nine separate Government grades took place. These different grades were placed in wired off sections of the platform and were collected, one grade at a time. The graded leaves were then tied on to special “horses” and wheeled to the dark end of the shed, to prevent sun-

light fading. The most vital process came through the use of the Proctor-Schwass re-drying machine, at the time being the best on the market. It was fed by a series of wooden rails in which the tobacco was tied and fitted into a teethed chain to carry the tobacco onto the mattress bed of the

machine.

The first process was a series of alternative up-and-down draft-producing fans to keep the tobacco at a constant temperature and to thoroughly dry it. The temperature could be regulated through an observation porthole.

In the next process, the tobac-

co was moistened by the use of steam jets and was then passed through dry air at a thermostatic temperature, which was regulated to combat the varying conditions. It then passed out of the machine, the whole process taking from 20 minutes to three quarters of an hour, according to the grade of the tobacco.

Finally the tobacco was pressed in a hydraulic press which was conveniently placed at the other end of the Proctor-Schwass machine. There was adequate room provided at this end of the shed for the stacking of more than 200 pieces.

The current season was anticipated to be approximately 200,0001b. of leaf and Government assistance on export leaf guaranteed growers a return of 1/6 per lb with 6d being advanced at the time the leaf was received into the grading shed and the balance at the time of shipment.

Tobacco growing. Photo: Tasman Heritage.

Journey towards masculine strength and vulnerability

SUPPLIED CONTENT

Today, Tamanui Uerata is a proactive father, partner, community sports coach, school board member, Zumba-certified instructor/ dancer, tattoo artist, elite barber, and the founder of Motueka’s ‘Why Not’ men’s group. Yet, he knows intimately of despair and pain.

In 2016 he lost his mother to cancer, and attempted to end his life. While he struggled day-to-day, rebuilding himself for his two young daughters, it wasn’t until he met his partner in 2019 that his life really turned around. She helped Tama notice and question the beliefs behind his behaviours and thought patterns. She also introduced him to the healing mahi of Matt Brown, the Christchurch barber who was speaking out about the need for men to talk, to “transform not transmit” their pain and begin to heal.

Tamanui grew up with a family and environmental background of alcoholism, abuse, gangs, and poverty as his ‘normal.’ It was once Tamanui heard Matt Brown speak in-person at Victory Boxing in Nelson that he found the

resonance, the mirror, he was needing. Matt Brown speaks through his own lived experience of family violence, shame, and the effects on mental health and well-being.

“I had mass depression and nowhere to go - that I knew of… I was putting on a smile, a facade, when I was deeply broken inside. It is so taboo, especially as a male, to show signs of weakness and to ask for help,” Tamanui says.

He admits it was a slow process to do the inner work. He is now in a space where he wants to give back and is motivated to support others on their journey. He has founded the Why Not sanctuary, an open floor men’s group that meets at Motueka’s Village Cafe most Tuesday evenings.

“Why Not is a sanctuary, a safe haven, a place for men to talk, we just have conversation,” Tama says. “When I share with the group what prompted me to create this space, it means me becoming vulnerable, yet that shows that they can be [vulnerable] too. It fills me up, helping men to help themselves – especially because males can find it so hard to ask for help when they need it most.”

His partner of five years found Matt when she was looking for

healthy, male role-models for her two young sons.

“I had come from a bad relationship and was raising two boys, I wanted to show them positive ways to treat women. I looked more into Matt’s work, as here was someone - not in a suit speaking from theory - but someone with tattoos, with lived experience. Someone relatable.”

Tama acknowledges and recognises the women behind the men who are often “the backbone”, sharing wisdom and insight from doing their own mahi, and he is reminded to reel himself back in, to rest, to replenish himself so he can give again. The gym is now his go-to for frustrations and helps to re-organise his mindset. As a recent presenter at the national Changemakers conference for upcoming leaders, he is passionate about the kaupapa of well-being for males and modelling change.

Together with his family as his support and inspiration, Tama is creating a “new normal” for their blended family, carving new patterns of self-esteem, love and belonging, leading by example. “I need to give my kids a map, otherwise they’re heading out into uncharted territory.”

Motueka’s Big Latch On was celebrated by about 35 people last Friday, with mothers, babies and toddlers, as well as midwives, doulas and health professionals all gathering at Motueka Community House to share their breastfeeding knowledge and experiences. The Big Latch On is an annual nationwide event which offers support to parents on their breastfeeding journey. About 700 people are registered so far as having attended last week’s event across the country.

Tamanui Uerata has worked hard to rebuild his life, his behaviour and thought patterns and is enabling other men to do the same.

Photo: Supplied.

Photo: Elise Vollweiler.

Jillian Goodall and Kath Harris

Merv Dickson, Shimeah and Jeanette Dickson

Peter and Adrianne Rumens

Thyra Pizzey and Lyn Feil

Trevena and Garry Sefton

Aimee and Ryan MacDonald

Darren Bryce and Matthew Crawford

Jude and Alanna Yeoman

Marty Tunlea and Steve Collins

Shelley and Jarrod Illingworth

Forestry is a significant part of our region, providing a range of opportunities to our people.

The Top of the South (TOTS) celebrates the Forestry Awards and look forward to recognising their top performers, the heroes of the industry in a range of sectors across the industry and the TOTS Skilled Professional of the Year.

Nominations close: May 2024

Awards Dinner: 19 July 2024

‘Underutilised’ council policy informational event

GORDON PREECE

A Lower Moutere resident is taking it upon herself to host an event for the community to have better information about an “underutilised” Tasman District Council (TDC) policy. Zola Rose says she is a community development and community engagement practitioner, and her event this Saturday at Riverside Community Hall - Cooperative Living Opportunities, Top of the South - sets out to explore the opportunity for the public to develop cooperative rural living in the district.

The Cooperative Living planning rule was written into the Tasman Resource Management Plan, and it came about through public submissions and Tasman District Council’s Plan

Change 60 in 2016, which proposed better policy support for co-operative living. The policy permits multiple dwellings on rural land without needing to rezone or subdivide, if the land and buildings are owned cooperatively.

Zola says, since the policy’s inception only one entity has made use of it.

She believes shortcoming public information about the policy from the council is the cause of the district’s rural areas making slow progress in more cooperative living.

“My question to the council was ‘why, after spending so much energy with your planners on the submission process and writing [the policy] up, has there been no dissemination?’,” she says. “I said to them ‘I’ll host an event, because I’m

a community-led development practitioner, and I like to let people know about policies that are useful to them’.”

However, Tasman District communication and change manager, Chris Choat, says Council did make specific effort to publicise the new PC60 provisions, including those related to co-operative living. He says they held a set of information dissemination meetings at rural venues around the district after decisions on the PC60 were made. “Also, at the time, a guide to the PC60 changes was developed and circulated. This guide is still on the Council website.”

Zola says iwi, community-based organisations, developers, builders, engagement professionals, council staff, elected members, stu-

dents, and general members of the public were invited to Saturday’s event.

“I’m hoping that people pick up the policy and that those people who have either been under the radar doing this informally or have tiny homes on their property, actually use this policy,” she says. “I’m promoting regenerative development and opportunities for people to live in housing that best suits their needs, aspirations and their culture. So that we see more of these kind of developments springing up that are affordable and resilient.”

Cooperative Living Opportunities, Top of the South, 20 April, 4pm to 6:30pm, Riverside Community Hall, Lower Moutere. Register at.commonground.net.nz/ events.

Wāhine walk to raise funds for cancer

ELOISE MARTYN

Women from the Wāhine Outdoors Tapawera group are feeling a little tired but inspired after walking nonstop all night to raise funds for the Cancer Society last month.

Members Hannah Newport and Jada Jelinek organised the group of six to participate in the Relay for Life challenge, naming the group ‘Wāhine against Cancer’. The group raised just over one $1000, which went into the fundraising pool, with the Nelson Tasman event raising a total of $205,471.79

Relay For Life - Te Ara Toiora is an inspiring community event that gives everyone a chance to whakanui (celebrate) people who have or have had cancer and the people who care for them; maumaharatia (remember) loved ones lost to cancer; and tū atu (fight back) by raising awareness and funds for the Cancer Society. For more information see relayforlife.org. nz/o/nelson-tasman-relay

Zola Rose will host a cooperative living event this weekend. Photo: Supplied.

Women from the Wāhine Outdoors Tapawera group from left, Tarsh Newport, Mela Jelinek, Josie Orr, Nara Lee Jelinek, Jada Jelinek and Hannah Newport recently raised over $1000 for the Cancer Society at Relay for Life. Photo: Supplied.

What’s On

Motueka Repair Café

Saturday, 20 April, 10am – 1pm

Te Noninga Kumu-Motueka District Library.

Bring your items for repair, mending and sharpening. Free service.

Motueka Foraging Workshop

Saturday, 20 April, 10am-12pm

Motueka Steiner School

Build a relationship with a natural world that is overflowing with abundant, wild, edible, nutritious, medicinal plants. Learn their names & get to know them, along with folklore & stories from the past. Queries email: felicity@homegrownbotanica.co.nz. All bookings are strictly via website, www. homegrownbotanica.co.nz.

Beloved support worker retires after 25 years

Wonderful. I hope people read this and consider caring for disabled as a rewarding career choice. Those of us who are parents of disabled children really struggle to find support workers, and we can’t do it alone!!

Sarah Whittle

Defibrillator stolen from Motueka Valley

That so sad. Im’ first aid qualified and have had to fetch one in two medical emergencies. Just hope karma gets them when they may also need one and one’s not available.

Jason Beattie

Getting to the point where community AED’S need to be situated in close observation of cameras. Too many of these life saving devices are being either stolen or wilfully damaged.

Carleen Robbie Eves

Tapawera bus service gets underway

Isn’t the need/desire for this one of the questions in the calling for submissions in the TDC long term plan?

Tania Jones

That will be useful. Mary Saxon Faulkner

Waka fleet draws crowd of hundreds

Lucky enough to go aboard the Tawhiti Waka

Jill Barr

Great tourist attraction. Jamarl Thomson

Poetry Circle – Thursday 18 April, 10.30am-12pm Paper Artsy – Thursday 18 April, 1.30pm3.30pm

Stitch Bloom Embroidery group – Monday 22 April, 1.30pm-3pm

Kerry Sunderland’s “Belonging in the Baton Valley Book talk

Tuesday 30 April, 6pm-7pm for TUKU 24 Bookings required through www. kerrysunderlandwriter.com/tuku-24-batonvalley-talk

Introduction to Ancestry workshop

Thursday 2 May, 10am-12pm, Bookings ph. (03) 528 1047

A home that suits your needs at a price that fits your budget

Pay less up front for a serviced apartment with flexible pricing from $334,100*

For a limited time, we’re offering a reduced entry price on two of our serviced apartments at Summerset in the Sun, with different pricing options available to suit your budget.

Feel right at home in a serviced apartment with the freedom of independent living and different levels of support available. Living in a serviced apartment allows you to spend less time worrying about chores which means more time for the things you love. Love the life you choose.

Open Day

Friday 26 April, 10am - 2pm

Summerset in the Sun

16 Sargeson Street, Stoke 03 923 2102 | summerset.co.nz/nelson

nelson.sales@summerset.co.nz

pricing

Now that winter is here, planting season is in full swing. Tucked away in Horton Road, Tasman, The Nursery at Tasman Bay is a hidden gem which, over the last three years, has produced over one hundred thousand plants, mostly grown from local ecosourced seed.

Now that winter is here, planting season is in full swing. Tucked away in Horton Road, Tasman, The Nursery at Tasman Bay is a hidden gem which, over the last three years, has produced over one hundred thousand plants, mostly grown from local ecosourced seed.

Established to provide plants for landscaping, it opened its doors to the public less than a year ago. “Local support has been great,” says staff member Jo Crawford.

Established to provide plants for landscaping, it opened its doors to the public less than a year ago. “Local support has been great,” says staff member Jo Crawford.

“From small beginnings it has organically bloomed,” she laughs. The Nursery’s online plant catalogue offers up a who’s who of the native plant world. The extensive collection includes Totara, Matai, Rimu, red and white Kaka Beaks, Kowhai (including the dwarf variety) and Metrosideros excelsa ‘Maungapiko’, a cross between a Rata and Pohutakawa.

“From small beginnings it has organically bloomed,” she laughs. The Nursery’s online plant catalogue offers up a who’s who of the native plant world. The extensive collection includes Totara, Matai, Rimu, red and white Kaka Beaks, Kowhai (including the dwarf variety) and Metrosideros excelsa ‘Maungapiko’, a cross between a Rata and Pohutakawa.

There are a substantial array of grasses including the popu-

There are a substantial array of grasses including the popu-

lar red and silver tussock along with sedges, toe toe and numeous others. There are hedging plants, flax, ferns, pungas and exotic trees and currently a great special on olive trees. The plants keep the staff very busy. “We love the variety,” says Jo. Due to The Nursery’s strong commitment to sustainability, many plants are grown in recycled plastic root trainers. “This makes them very affordable and we give great discounts for big-

lar red and silver tussock along with sedges, toe toe and numeous others. There are hedging plants, flax, ferns, pungas and exotic trees and currently a great special on olive trees. The plants keep the staff very busy. “We love the variety,” says Jo. Due to The Nursery’s strong commitment to sustainability, many plants are grown in recycled plastic root trainers. “This makes them very affordable and we give great discounts for big-

Prices

In search of a transcendent ring

ELISE VOLLWEILER

ger quantities too,” Jo explains.

What do barbershop quartets, hobbits and fiancés have in common?

a female group, but the four parts still take on the names of their male counterparts – bass, baritone, lead and tenor.

ger quantities too,” Jo explains. “Team member Lou Peat’s specialty, landscaping, is a bonus”, she adds. “We are very happy to give advice on planting projects anyone has in mind.”

“Team member Lou Peat’s specialty, landscaping, is a bonus”, she adds. “We are very happy to give advice on planting projects anyone has in mind.”

They are all seeking a certain perfect ring.

Proud of its involvement with the Moutere Catchment Restoration project, The Nursery has provided thousands of native plants.

Proud of its involvement with the Moutere Catchment Restoration project, The Nursery has provided thousands of native plants.

If you are planting out a garden sanctuary and want to attract native birds or after a beautiful

If you are planting out a garden sanctuary and want to attract native birds or after a beautiful

While the latter two are more sidetracked with the sort of ring that can be worn on one’s finger, the quartet is striving to capture that perfect chord that rises in resonance above each of their four parts in perfect melodic harmony. “We’re aiming for a total blend of sound when the chord hits,” explains Māpua’s Hilary Clifton.

Hilary is part of the Nelson Bays Harmony Chorus, a 44-member barbershop chorus that is working hard to prepare for the upcoming Sweet Adelines New Zealand regional contest, held in Dunedin on Friday, 24 May.

The group has been training hard to get themselves competition-ready, and Hilary reckons that they are a competitive chorus who is feeling pretty good about their sound.

Barbershop music hails from America in the late 19th century, and describes a four-part acapella – or unaccompanied - harmony.

Nelson Bays Harmony Chorus is

Right: Jo Crawford tending to trees at The Nursery.

specimen tree that will bring joy for many generations to come, a visit to this nursery hideaway is a must. It is also the place to go if you are planning a native restoration or riparian project.”

“I love it because it’s precise. It’s either right or wrong,” says Hilary, who sings bass.

“We would love to see you,” says Jo. “You will be assured of a warm and friendly welcome.”

specimen tree that will bring joy for many generations to come, a visit to this nursery hideaway is a must. It is also the place to go if you are planning a native restoration or riparian project.” “We would love to see you,” says Jo. “You will be assured of a warm and friendly welcome.”

“I love the sound we make when we get it right. We sound absolutely outstanding.”

The Nursery at Tasman Bay is open Tuesday to Saturday. Opening hours can be found on their new website www.thenurs ery.nz.

The Nursery at Tasman Bay is open Tuesday to Saturday. Opening hours can be found on their new website www.thenurs ery.nz.

Alex Charlton, who co-directs the group with Eileen Smith, has found her own resounding success by snagging two American-based scholarships to attend educational and professional development seminars in July. She will be bringing this knowledge and enthusiasm back with her and intends to share it, not just with her chorus but with others throughout the country, she says.

Nelson Bays Harmony Chorus would love to encourage new members to come along and join, especially younger women, to lower the bell curve a little. As long as you can hit a note, the group will guide you through the rest, Hilary says.

Not quite yet though – they would happily see new members after the Sweet Adelines competition in May. Right now, they are too busy perfecting their ring.

Above: Jenna Schlingmann at the potting up bench. Above right: Landscape specialist Lou Peat trimming plants at The Nursery.

Above: Jenna Schlingmann at the potting up bench. Above right: Landscape specialist Lou Peat trimming plants at The Nursery.

Local members of the Nelson Bays Harmony Chorus: Ruth Townsend, Philippa Beckman, Julie Page, Hilary Clifton, Emily McCall, Kay Woolf and Charmaine Boocock. Photo: Supplied.

The Nelson Bays Harmony Chorus are tightening their sound for the upcoming Sweet Adelines competition in Dunedin. Photo: Supplied.

Investing in our future

IT’S TIME TO CHOOSE YOUR FUTURE, TASMAN

Tasman’s future is everyone’s business – our 10-Year Plan guides how we invest. We have choices to make, not all of them are easy ones.

We need to invest in the things Tasman needs now and in the future, without breaking the bank.

Given Covid recovery, interest rates and the cost of living, we need to proceed with care and discipline – keeping rates balanced with our needs as you see them.

So, help your Council make the most informed choices.

Make a submission on Tasman’s 10-Year Plan now – it’s really important we know what the whole community is thinking.

YOUR CHOICES, YOUR FUTURE

There are four key areas we would like your feedback on:

• Financial sustainability

• Transport

• Climate change and resilience

• Investing in community facilities

Tell us what you think of our plans by 4.00 pm on 28 April 2024. Visit shape.tasman.govt.nz/10YP to find out more and have your say.

GAMING MACHINE DISTRIBUTORS LTD

are proud to support The MOTUEKA MEMORIAL RSA with their Anzac Day Remembrance

GAMING MACHINE DISTRIBUTORS (GMD) are locally owned and operated and provide a total gaming service for all of the South and the Central North Island. We are committed to providing the best gaming solutions and unbeatable service for all gaming venues in the South and North Island.

www.gmd.co.nz

Services and Parades

Thursday 25 April 2024

Richmond

Parade – 10.45 am from Sundial Square. Service – 11.00 am at War Memorial Gardens, Cambridge Street.

Brightwater Service – 9.00 am at Brightwater Domain, Lord Rutherford Road.

Wakefield Service – 10.00 am at the Wakefield Cenotaph, Whitby Way (Wakefield Village Hall if wet).

Motueka

Parade – 6.15 am from the Motueka Bowling Club car park, Pah Street, followed by breakfast at Motueka RSA.

Murchison

Laying of poppies – 6.30 am at the Murchison Cemetery. Service – 11.00 am at the Memorial in Waller Street (Murchison Sport, Recreation and Cultural Centre if wet).

Māpua

Parade – 10.45 am, by the tennis courts. Service – 11.00 am at Māpua RSA Memorial Library. Upper Moutere Service – 10.30 am at the Memorial.

Riwaka Service – 9.00 am at the Memorial Gates, intersection of School Road and SH60.

Tākaka

Dawn Service – 6.30 am at the Tākaka Memorial Reserve, Commercial Street. Parade – 8.45 am, leaves from outside Golden Bay Pharmacy. Civic Service – 9.00 am service at the Tākaka Memorial Reserve, Commercial Street.

Ngātīmoti

Laying of Wreath and Service – 10.30 am at St James Church, Waiwhero Road.

Tapawera Service – 9.00 am at the Tapawera Memorial Hall, Main Road.

Tasman Service – 10.30 am at the Memorial.

Collingwood

Dawn Service – 6.30 am at the Cenotaph. Civic Service – 11.30 am at the Collingwood Memorial Hall.

Lake Rotoiti

Flag Ceremony – 10.30 am at the Lake Rotoiti Community Hall.

Kahurangi get first win on the board

JACK MALCOLM

Kahurangi has bounced back from a first-up loss with a strong 36-18 win over Waimea Old Boys. At Sports Park Motueka, Kahurangi didn’t take long to get on the board as they scored two tries in quick succession to take the early lead after a Waimea penalty.

While Waimea fought back to be within one point with a try to Flynn Bainbridge and another penalty, a costly mistake at the back saw Kahurangi score on the stroke of halftime to take an eight-point lead into oranges.

With Waimea letting a seemingly nothing sort of kick bounce and bobble inside their 22, a hospital pass and a slip saw Brodie Robinson glide through to score. A halftime message of keeping the momentum in their corner for Kahurangi saw them extend their lead in the second half with some pieces of individual brilliance.

Brodie Robinson scored his second as he was floated a great pass out onto the wing off the back of a chip and chase that put Waimea on the back foot.

Waimea were able to respond by capitalizing on a mistake by Kahurangi at the back, but it came after a penalty had extended the deficit and without enough time on the board to mount a comeback.

Kahurangi then scored again with another chip and chase which put Stewart Cruden in space to sprint away for their fifth try of the game.

Kahurangi captain Josh Te Hira

says the message at the break was as much about momentum as it was about making the little moments count.

“All it takes is one play.

“It was a big step up from last week, but the boys really pulled through.”

Josh was proud of how his forward pack stood up to the challenge today, with their early scrum under all sorts of pressure.

“Being from a small local town, the crowd really does get behind us.

“It’s such a good fan base who come week in and week out to support us.”

Waimea Old Boys captain Codey Grimes says he felt like they were in it through the first 40 minutes.

“Mistakes cost us pretty badly. We just couldn’t score when we had the opportunity and left those moments out there.”

But he was also proud of his team, saying it was one of those games where the scoreboard didn’t show

the full picture. From a team that struggled to get numbers at training last year, he says the coaches are now struggling to pick a team with a wealth

of talent.

“Last year we were sort of battling to field a backline consistently. . . now there’s competition [for spots] at training.”

NBS Motueka Golf Club Results

Mens Veterans Wednesday, 10 April Stroke

1st Rob Vincent 67

2nd Wayne Lloyd 70

3rd Bob Valle 71

4th Alan Tate 71

Pah St Cafe Closest to the pin - Brian Chandler

Kahurangi captain Josh Te Hira says he was exhausted after a bruising encounter with Waimea. Photo: Chris Symes/Shuttersport.

Community Notices

MONDAY

MOTUEKA ELYSIUM Mon, 9.30am, Muses Café. For Widows and Widowers. Join us for coffee and chat, friendship, and support. Ph: Carol 035285027.

WOULD YOU LIKE A BIKE? Bike Hub Nelson accepts donations of good used bikes, fixes them up and gives them away for a small koha. 142 Saxton Rd. Mon, 5.30-7pm. For other opening times and a map e: bikehubnelson@gmail.com.

MOTUEKA BETTER BREATHERS, Mon, 11.30am, Motueka Recreation Gym ‘Functional Fitness Room’, Old Wharf Rd. A 60-minute series of guided exercises done seated or standing, specifically designed to help those with breathing difficulties. Ph: Jess 0275467675.

MOTUEKA HIGHLAND PIPE BAND, Mon, 7pm. Band is located beside Motueka Recreation Centre. Promoting Scottish tradition and culture. We look forward to your participation. More info: Ph: 027284 8361.

MAPUA FRIENDSHIP CLUB. Indoor bowls, 1st & 3rd Mon. Mapua Bowling Club rooms. 2pm, Bring a plate of afternoon tea. Lots of laughs. Ph: Val 035403685.

TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY

MOCKINGBIRDS MUSIC GROUP, Tues, 2-3.30pm, Senior Net, Pah St. If you enjoy some fun singing/playing music, come along with your instrument, we’d love you to join us. Beginners very welcome. Ph: Sue 02102416155.

HOPE TENNIS CLUB SOCIAL TENNIS, Every Tues, 9.30am, Hope Tennis Courts, Hope Domain. All abilities most welcome. Queries Ph: 0211729257.

MOTUEKA BRASS, Tues Evenings. Discover your musical talent with us! Join our lively brass band for an unforgettable experience To join Ph: 021728168 or come along.

MOTUEKA ARTS COUNCIL office at Community House, Decks reserve. Wed, 11-3pm. Inquiries about art activities; funding for Art; Art ideas for Motueka. Ph: 0210589388.

AGE CONCERN TEA & TALK, Every Wed, 10.30am, The Shed, 24a Tudor St. More info Ph: 0279214074.

KNIT & NATTER Wed, 10-12pm, Motueka Over 50s Social Hub, 10 Pah St. Friendly group for all ages. Includes refreshments. Ph: Roz 027415636. All welcome.

WALK 4 HEALTH, Wed, 8.30m, Motueka Community Garden. 30-50 min walk at your own pace, for any age, any fitness and size. Ph:0273015598 or wellontrack@gmail.com

MOTUEKA ARTS COUNCIL invites all folk interested in community arts in Motueka, to their monthly meetings. 2nd Wed of month, 7pm, community house.

TOASTMASTERS MOTUEKA meet 1st & 3rd Wed of month, 6.45pm start, St John’s rooms, Jack Inglis Hosp, Courtney St. Gain speaking confidently, friendly environment. More Info Ph: Peter 0277468311.

THURSDAY / FRIDAY

MOTUEKA REBUS CLUB, next meet, Fri, 19 Apr, 10am, The Bandrooms. Great speakers, great fellowship, all welcome. Ph: John Croxford 0274082206.

RUM MORRIS DANCERS. Musicians and dancers but mostly friends. Slightly random - mostly Tues evenings, sometimes Wed. Get yourself a second favourite form of aerobic exercise.

Ph: Dorris 02040618088

MEDITATION, Weekly meditation sessions open to all. Thurs, 12.15-12.45pm, Te Noninga Kumu - Motueka Library. During term time. No registration needed. Just come along. More info: Ph: Louise Petzold 0278789240.

NELSON BAYS HARMONY CHORUS, (women’s choir), is seeking new members to join our happy group. Thurs evenings, Club Waimea, Richmond. Ph: Carole 0274360910.

MOTUEKA 50+ WALKING GROUP every Thurs. More info Ph: 0212640403 e: secretary50pluswalkers@gmail.com, or www. motueka50pluswalkers.org.nz.

MOTUEKA LIGHTHOUSE Spiritual Group. Meet, last Thurs of month, 7-9pm, Motueka Community House, Opposite the ISite. Everyone welcome. Donation Appreciated. e: angel3000.h@ gmail.com or www.facebook.com/lighthousemotueka.

RUMMIKUB Thurs, 1-4pm, Motueka Over 50s Social Club, 10 Pah St. Friendly group, includes refreshments. All welcome. Ph:

DEADLINE: 10AM FRIDAY

Keith 0274516422.

THE DOCTORS MOTUEKA – Walking Group, Thurs, 9am, by the Janie Seddon Shipwreck carpark. Walking for 30 mins, suitable for all fitness levels. Make your daily walk more fun and meet new people. Ph: 035288358.

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meet 1st Thurs of the month, 1.30-3.30pm, Broadgreen House, 276 Nayland Rd. Ph: Bill 035448635 or 035391137.

MOTUEKA G.R.G 2nd & 4th Thurs, 1-3pm, St Andrews lounge, 64 High St. Support group welcomes grandparents/kin raising/ supporting grandchildren. Join us for a confidential relaxed and supportive time with others. Ph: 0211337299.

SENIORNET MOTUEKA, The Genealogy Interest Group meets 2nd Fri, 2pm. Ph: Allan 0279711100 or visit www.seniornetmotueka.org.nz

SATURDAY / SUNDAY

SOCIAL DANCE, Sat, 20 Apr, 7.30-11pm, Mapua Hall. Live music, good fun, raffles. $8 plus plate. All Welcome. Motueka Social Dance Group. Info Ph: Lloyd 035289415.

WAIMEA HARRIERS, Sat, 20 Apr, 1.45 Reg, Rabbit Island. We welcome all abilities for running & walking to join us for the 2nd Wallace Shield event. See web for more info. waimeaharriers.nz or Ph: 0276731145

HIGGINS HERITAGE PARK & COMMUNITY Rural Resilience Expo. Sun, 21 Apr, 10-4pm, Pigeon Valley Rd, Wakefield. Traction engine steam up, jigger & honey barrell rides, model trains, sheds open AND Expo presentations, food & soft drinks with the 'village green' of exhibitors. Something for everyone young & older. Ph: 0276316786.

AMPUTEE SOCIETY TOP OF THE SOUTH, Morning Tea, Sat, 4 May, 10am onwards, Toad Hall. For amputees and carers. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE Sat, 10-12pm, Motueka Library. Free services, including copy certification and witnessing signatures are available.

GENERAL GROUPS

SALTWATER BATHS Good swimming. Next clean out, Tues, 30

Apr. Refilled mid pm.

GREYPOWER MOTUEKA welcomes visitors at the Community House office, Decks Reserve on Wallace St. for ongoing service requests. Discount provider list available. Ph: 035289076 or e: greypowermot@gmail.com.

INDOOR BOWLS, Mon & Wed, 1.15-3pm, Motueka Over 50s Hub, 10 Pah St. All abilities welcome. Ph: Jude 0273244226

RIWAKA CROQUET CLUB, do you and a group of friends/ family/workmates want to spend a fun few hours learning to play croquet? You need a minimum of 8 players, $10 each, all equipment provided and someone from our club to help you learn the game. Full access to the clubhouse kitchen. For info Ph: 0276308910.

MOTUEKA SENIORNET Take advantage of the many interest groups offered. Join SeniorNet Motueka. To join, visit www. seniornetmotueka.org.nz, or Ph: Allan 0279711100.

MOTUEKA MENZSHED Come and have a yarn, a cuppa or do a project. e: secretarymotmenzShed@gmail.com or just turn up at MenzShed, Marchwood Park, College Rd, Wed or Thurs 9-12pm.

MOTUEKA TRAMPING CLUB, would you like to go walking on the weekends but are not sure where to start? Start with your local club: www.motuekattrampingclub.org.

RED CROSS MOTUEKA BRANCH Fundraising shop, open Mon – Fri, 10-2pm. Community House, Decks Reserve. We sell clothing, household linen and books. Donations of sellable goods are appreciated.

SURVIVORS AND THRIVERS, if you have or have had cancer, supporting someone with cancer, come and meet others in this friendly atmosphere. Ph: 035391137 or info@cancernelson.co.nz for info or to reg.

MULTICULTURAL MOTUEKA welcomes migrants and refugees every Tues & Fri, 8.30 -1pm, Community House, Decks Reserve. We provide connection and practical assistance for newcomers to our region as well as support for all cultural activities happening in our community. Ph 027 5286744 or sez@ multiculturalnt.co.nz.

MOTUEKA TENNIS CLUB. INC. Social Tennis, Tues & Thurs,

9.30am, Sun, 2pm. Courts behind the Memorial Hall Pah St. Racquets available to borrow for new Members. All welcome.

GATEWAY TO YOUR WELLBEING, Wellbeing is important for all of us to thrive. The shed is a safe place to meet new people in a supportive and caring environment. We can connect you with other agencies for the right support needed. More info Ph: 0279214074, E: admin@ght.co.nz or pop in 24a Tudor St, Motueka.

MOTUEKA DISTRICT BRASS Do you want to be part of a fun, social and competitive band, who make players welcome? e: motueka.brass@gmail.com or Ph: 021728168

MOTUEKA NEWCOMERS New to Motueka? We’re a social group, mostly retired (50+) who meet regularly and welcome newcomers. More info Ph: Jana 035284355.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS. Is alcohol causing problems for your life? Want to stop drinking but can’t? Maybe we can help. Support meetings every day. Ph: 0800aaworks, 08002296757.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP, If you have or have had breast cancer, come along to this friendly atmosphere. 102 Hardy St, Nelson. Reg: 035391137 or E: info@cancernelson. org.nz.

SUSTAINING TENANCIES Having trouble with your Tenancy? Need help working things through with your landlord or tenant? Gateway Housing Trust. Info E: housing@ght.co.nz or Ph: 035457100.

NEED A LIFT? Mapua Willing Wheels Volunteer Drivers Service, affordable transport around Mapua, Motueka, Richmond, Nelson (no airport runs). To book Ph: 0226822373 or mapuawheels@gmail.com. 24 hrs’ notice required.

NELSON HOSPICE The Motueka shop needs volunteers! If you would like to volunteer for us, please enquire at the shop or Ph: 035281178.

RADIO CONTROL SAILING Wed and Sun, 1pm onwards, Best Island. Weather permitting. IOMs and Dragon Force etc. New members welcome. More info Ph: Peter 0275443923.

MOTUEKA DISTRICT TOY LIBRARY, Tues, and Thurs, 9-11am, and Sat, 10-12pm, 44 Pah St. Annual membership $30. Hundreds of toys for all ages.

Community notices are free to community groups, schools, churches, gold coin donation events and fundraising only. For classified ads and public notices please call 528 2088. Due to the popularity of this column, while every effort will be made, inclusion cannot be guaranteed for free ads.

Mouteka 50+ walkers head to Baton Valley

SUPPLIED CONTENT

On a rare, drizzly day in April a large group of Motueka 50+ Walkers drove up the Baton Valley for a variety of walks.

After carpooling at the Recreation Centre, they enjoyed the gorgeous autumn colours driving up the Motueka Valley to the Woodstock bridge.

Then, with glimpses of the Baton River, they headed to the long-settled Baton Run Farm. Gathering at Lublow’s Leap shop on the Great Taste Trail, they enjoyed coffee and home-made muffins, while reading the storyboards which gave early settler and mining history - brought to life with the old Lanz Bulldog tractor standing in the venue. Richard Lublow, a 3rd generation farmer born on the Baton Run, entertained the group with his iconic poetry, before they set off in three groups.

The fitter walkers headed steadily up a ridge following a 4WD track, to take in the views of Tasman Bay, from an approx. elevation of 750m.

The second group completed a farm circuit through undulating terrain, with great outlooks down the valleys. They admired the creativity shown in the accommodation huts, where the remote, off-grid quirkiness had tempted some to book for a romantic weekend away.

The third group completed a shorter, flatter route through Baton Run grassy paddocks, before crossing a historic wooden bridge to the Baton House Trust property. A circuit of mixed terrain led them to visit the Baton House, a replica of the hotel which was built there in the 1860s ‘gold rush’.

The group sends their heartfelt thanks to Fiona and Richard Lublow and Ange Palmer, for sharing their special places.

All of these walks are on private property so permission must be

Manager Ange Palmer offered an interesting tour and a sheltered deck, where packed lunches were consumed out of the rain.

obtained in advance. Alternatively, Lublow’s Leap shop is well worth a visit when cycling The Great Taste Trail.

Anyone interested in joining the Motueka 50+ Walking Group can contact secretary50pluswalkers@ gmail.com

The Motueka 50+ Walkers group before they split into three separate groups for walks of different levels of difficulties in the Baton Valley. Photo: Supplied.