Around 20 members of the local Crafty Tarts group kept themselves busy during lockdown by putting their sewing skills to use creating masks for local workers.
The group’s coordinator, Val Armstrong sourced a pattern from the pinterest website sending it to fellow tarts.
“We managed to do it all over the internet, which for us oldies is not a bad effort,” says Val.
Using double layers of cotton from various materials, including a pre-loved cotton duvet, Val says the group was very wary of hygiene, keeping completed masks in the freezer.
With mixed messages about the benefits of masks, at one stage their efforts came to a “bit of a standstill” while it was debated whether or not they should even be worn.
But continue they did, their teamwork and efficiency resulting in the production of around 500 masks.
Making contact with the manager of RSE workers, a vast majority ended up in local
packhouses.
While some that were accidentally made too small, have been appreciated by children.
Having members keen on cycling ensured a courier
service that would rival NZ Post.
The tarts on bikes would deliver material for cutting before collecting again and delivering into another tart’s letterbox for sewing.
“We definitely had a bit of fun doing it, it kept us going for a while and it was all done at a distance,” says Val. “It also kept us all in touch too which is always nice.”
Passionate about the environment in which they operate, the team at Abel Tasman Canyons have become a certified Zero Carbon business.
Taking canyoning participants into the unspoiled environment of the Abel Tasman National Park, it is their respect for this beauty that sees them determined to safeguard it for generations to come.
“We are so grateful and appreciate just how lucky we are that New Zealand still has these places to explore,” says managing director, Toine Houtenbos.
During their trips Toine says they were able to spread the awareness of sustainability to customers, enabling them to find out just what part they themselves could play.
It was for that reason Abel Tasman Canyons decided to become a certified Zero Carbon business.
“By running a commercial canyoning business we realise
that we are impacting the environment we hold so dear,” says Toine.
Their most popular canyoning adventure includes a water taxi trip for access and they have always been aware of the carbon footprint this creates.
Partnering with abletasman.com for their transportation, Toine says they’re proud of the partnership after abletasman.com’s proactive approach saw them gaining their Zero Carbon status last year. “They inspired us to look at our remaining carbon footprint in a bid to minimise our environmental impact.”
Turning to EKOS, a social enterprise that develops carbon projects to grow and protect indigenous forests in New Zealand, as well as in the Pacific Islands, Toine and his team were helped to identify what their carbon footprint currently is and received advice on what they can do to reduce their footprint going forward.
“Where we currently
can’t further reduce our footprint we want to show our commitment to sustainability by offsetting our emissions.”
Feeling closely connected to the Uruwhenua Project in Golden Bay, Toine says they purchased certified EKOS carbon credits on this land, known as Kanuka
Hill, 76.4 ha of naturally regenerating indigenous forest that was registered under the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme in 2012.
“The Kanuka Hill vision is to recreate an untouched landscape that fosters biodiversity as a permanent forest. A place, here in our own backyard
that we can access, explore and enjoy so easily.”
While admitting that by themselves they can’t change the world, Toine says they’re pleased to be taking a jump in the right direction.
“By committing ourselves to sustainability we have become all the more aware that
we can and must do our bit to minimise our negative impact on the environment in both our professional and personal lives. We have the ability and responsibility to set an example for our family, friends, staff, business partners, our participants, and our community.”
Closing the busi-
ness on March 23 due to COVID-19, the company is looking forward to reopening on October 1.
“Being a Zero Carbon certified business makes us incredibly proud. But it doesn’t end here. We’ll keep improving and we’ll keep inspiring others to do the same.”
Reflecting on lockdown, what were some of the best aspects of the experience for you?
For more than two decades the Motueka Riding for Disabled (RDA) has bagged and sold manure from their front gate on College Street, reliant on an honesty box system. But this summer, they were burgled twice within one week, thieves stealing money
that was destined for the ponies hard feed, leaving the charity out of pocket and heart broken. “Unfortunately at the time our once operating security system was down and we were unable to secure any footage of the scoundrels who did it,” says Horse Care man-
ager Sally Curtis. The support from the public that followed was “incredible” says Sally and they were overwhelmed by the response. Their plight was also noticed by newly-formed local security company R&M Security, who made contact with the
RDA offering to set up new cameras and wiring throughout the RDA’s premises free of charge.
“We were and are absolutely humbled and grateful to this team of guys for what they have given us,” says Sally.
“Knowing we have
cameras set up all around the property keeping our horses and ponies safe as well as all our gear is wonderful and we cannot thank R&M Security enough. Thank-you guys from all the staff and volunteers and riders at the Motueka RDA.”
“Getting to be with my kids and not rushing and I also got really good at cooking.”Brian Clark Motueka
“Having more contact with the family as they weren’t working.”Yani O’BrienAnderson Motueka “Relaxing
and not having to be so controlled by the time.”Steve Davis Motueka “There
really weren’t any.”
When heading to the supermarket most shoppers ensure they have their wallet and bags in tow but for ex-Riwaka teacher, Paul Bond, one of his essential items during lockdown was his beloved ukulele, enabling him to serenade supermarket staff on three occasions, to “show appreciation for the work they are doing for us”.
“It was a jolly response and really heart-warming. They really liked it when I did it and reacted positively,” says Paul. “It felt really wonderful to be able to lift spirits during that time when life as we knew it was so different.”
Arriving in Motueka in 1981 the keen musician taught at Riwaka School for a quarter of a century, sharing his talents of the ukulele, xylophone and recorder.
“I got into folk music in the mid-60’s. I was a country boy and the style of music was more suitable for a country boy!”
Branching out into British traditional music, over the years Paul has amassed a number of recordings and utilised the lockdown period to upload items onto YouTube.
“YouTube’s a whole new world to me so my son helped me.”
Currently involved with three local musical groups, Jiggery Folk, Rural Mail and Ukelele Krazeeeee, pre-lockdown Paul would perform a few times each week.
Now though with limited opportunities to hear live music he hopes his music can still be enjoyed via YouTube.
His recording “Just Play Daily” is his most popular with nearly five hundred views in just two weeks and he hopes his “Stupid Covid” song raises a smile.
Retiring to the Motueka Valley on a lifestyle block Paul’s latest upload is a love song to his tractor, appropriately titled, “I love you Elle McFerguson”.
“I just really enjoy sharing my love of music.”
Building bug hotels, making wakas, learning knots and polishing up bike skills were just some of the challenges set by Whenua Iti Outdoors (WIO) for children during lockdown.
With children unable to attend their holiday programme, WIO created a series of videos for their ‘Go Wild’ Holiday programme that could be done at home. Aimed at primary school children aged from 7-10 years, the programme was completely free to access and children who completed all of the challenges received certificates.
Initially WIO’s intention was to run the programme for one week but it proved so popular they were compelled to run another, with around 100 children taking part.
“This was picked up all over New Zealand as well as locally, all the challenges were put online for schools and whanau to connect with. We had a great response and it was fantastic to be able to still provide fun outdoors-based activities for children while they were stuck at home,” says WIO marketing coordinator Bree Arnott.
The challenges aimed to take 30-60 minutes and could be done in the partici-
pant’s own backyard with minimal resources, the most popular being the bike skills, waka building and shelter building.
“We still have the challenges up so that parents can access them from home, or teachers could integrate them as part of their LEOTC (Learning Education Outside The Classroom) activi-
ties, as we understand how beneficial time outdoors is for kids learning and wellbeing,” says Bree.
A photography challenge with prizes up for grabs was won by Kaisami Beatson and Lachlan Butler. Tutor Joni Tomsett judged the photos and sent back emails with comments providing the children with feedback
just as they would had they been onsite for the holiday programme.
WIO has received impressive feedback on the programme not just from parents and teachers but also the wider community who shared it, including Sport New Zealand, Sport Tasman and the Rata Foundation.
“I’ve just been checking out the vid-
eos and learning that have come through from Whenua Iti and I just wanted to say a huge thank-you as they are awesome! It’s great to have the energy from your instructors coming through the videos and I’m definitely going to be adding them to distance learning activities for my class next week (as well as for my own
children!). Thanks for your support and help with offering different opportunities for the kids at this time. I really appreciate it and love having simple, scaffolded tasks to set them off on,” says a grateful mum/teacher.
Bree says the quality of bike skills courses created were “amazing” and there were many impressive sub-
missions for all of the challenges.
“It was just fantastic to have so many kids interacting with these in their backyards and seeing how creative they could be with what they had at home,” says Bree.
To access the challenges please visithttps://www.whenuaiti. org.nz/news/go-wildat-home/
Despite school numbers being a fraction of usual, the staff and students in attendance at Parklands School got into the spirit of Book Week on Friday. This year marked the 100th anniversary of Children’s Book Week, an annual celebration of reading for pleasure for children of primary school age.
Congratulations Moeka.
Moeka was elected as the Student Representative on the Board of Trustees, for 2020 by her peers in the school elections.
The Nelson Provincial Museum and Nelson Public Libraries are encouraging people from the Nelson Tasman region to record their experiences as they move through the COVID19 Alert Levels, and may select some of these records for inclusion in the Museum’s Regional Heritage Collection.
The Museum has already identified and contacted a crosssection of people in the region for records, while the Library, in partnership with the Museum, has introduced a ‘Life in the Bubble’ campaign to connect with members of the general public.
Sectors of the community approached by the Museum include front line workers such as medical personnel, supermarket workers, first responders and rest home carers, along with small business owners, iwi representatives, diarists, historians, photographers, artists and others. Physical or digital forms of poetry, art, journals, oral histories, video, photographs, objects and crafts are just some of the ways in which people are being invited to capture their personal experiences of the country’s united efforts against the virus.
“We are all in the middle of a global phenomenon which may turn out to be one of the defin-
ing historic moments of the 21st century”, says Nelson Provincial Museum CEO Lucinda Blackley-Jimson. “We know that some people are already recording their thoughts and feelings during this time. This can be helpful in processing what is happening to them personally, with their whanau and with the wider world. But these personal stories may also become fascinating insights for people to look back on, and can, in a museum context, be simply invaluable for future generations.”
Collections reflecting an individual’s experience of a shared moment are in keeping with the Nelson Tasman Regional Heritage Collection, of which the Museum is the kaitiaki. The Collection contains a great depth of resources such as diaries, photographs and artworks that reveal what it was like to live through other epochal events.
Records of the 1918 influenza pandemic, the world wars, and natural disasters such as the Murchison earthquake and the more recent Pigeon Valley fires are all held in safekeeping at the Museum for the community to appreciate and from which they can learn. Personal records from local historical figures and early settlers, such as Frederick Gibbs
and Alfred Fell, have gone on to inform critical displays at the Museum, and collection items have helped hundreds of students, researchers and family historians to gain deeper insights into critical times for the region. Records related to COVID-19 that are selected for inclusion in the Museum’s collection will help the local community deepen its understanding of this extraordinary moment in the region, and the Museum’s collaboration with Nelson’s Public Libraries presents an opportunity to compile a dynamic range of materials. “One of the Libraries’ hidden strengths is in how we incite the telling of oral histories”, says
Rosamund Feeney.
“Our team at the front desk are always being told stories by our visitors – we get a lot of talkers here! We’re looking to capture these conversations more formally once we are open again.”
Any submissions of records to the Museum will be assessed against collecting criteria, including, how they represent certain aspects of the region during lockdown and in the aftermath. If you would like to discuss the submission of physical COVID19-related material please contact the Museum on enquiries@museum.org.nz. Digital material can be submitted immediately via the Libraries website: http://www. nelsonpubliclibraries. co.nz/library/life-inthe-bubble
Stephens Bay resident Ian Duxbury had this Australian visitor land on his balcony rail over the weekend. The butterfly, a female Hypolimnas bolina, likely came from southeast Queensland, and Ian says it was his first sighting of one for around 20 years.
99% of real safety is in your hands. If not 100% sure, DON’T.
I am 100% for safety not just in driving but in life in general. We should not be relying on being told what is safe but thinking for ourselves. Am I being safe in what I am doing? It is better to be safe than to be dead or better to say NO than be dead. Work safe should become life safe when you think for yourself.
There are too many frustrated drivers on our roads in a hurry to get from A to B. We blame roads and the lack of signage in place. Do we need the signs to advise us there is a sharp bend to slow down or that there are roadworks ahead and to slow down or do we use the brain that we were given and start thinking for ourselves and look ahead and see what hazards are around us.
Yes, a lot of the roads we drive on are not in the best condition but as a driver we need to be aware and be observant. 99% of the time stop blaming something else or someone else. Think for yourself. Look ahead, look behind, look around. Read the road just not the signs and you will become a better and more observant road user.
I believe I learnt most of my safety from the ages of 5 to 15 on the farm, climbing trees, being in trucks and tractors.
Neil Jackson MotuekaAs much as I respect Elizabeth Cummings passion about the crabs at the Janie Seddon (18/03/20), realistically we are wandering from the point.
She sarcastically argues that there should be no sea creatures in the sea from all the shipwrecks, but everyone knows that’s exactly the case - sea animal populations have been severely reducing for decades.
As a community, should we not be doing what we can for the sea animals, by removing this shipwreck? If someone dumped a huge load of metal on the side of the road (instead of on the seashore), wouldn’t that be considered trash?
Sincerely,
John MiddletonThe Te Waikoropupu Water Conservation Order is under threat.
The Tasman District Council is asking the Environment Court to remove the 0.44 mg/l nitrate limit set by the tribunal. The TDC wants a higher limit. At present nitrate levels at Te Waikoropupu are dangerously high, averaging 0.52 mg/l. This is an 18% increase since the tribunal met. In effect, the TDC wants to make this higher level the new normal. Save Our Springs strenuously opposes this attempt by the Tasman District Council to gut the Water Conservation Order. We believe the Te Waikoropupu Water Conservation Order is by and large a good Water Conservation Order. However, it does have a loophole. The loophole gives farmers the right to go to the TDC and ask for a 70% increase in water extraction. Further extraction can be granted if there has been no increase in nitrate readings at Te Waikoropupu for three consecutive years. Save Our Springs is going to the Environment Court to ask the Court to close the loophole. We believe any further increase in water extraction will inevitably lead to more pollution. The answer to the growing pollution problem at Te Waikoropupu is for farmers to change the way they farm and reduce the pollution leaching from their farms.
Kevin Moran Coordinator, Save Our Springs CampaignYour local librarians have been up to all sorts of interesting things during Lockdown. In this unprecedented time of Covid-19 our Libraries closed to protect the safety of our customers and staff.
As an inherently, creative and committed bunch we found ourselves creating temporary office spaces in our homes, remotely accessing our work computers and finding a new rhythm to our workday. Suddenly we were downloading Apps like Zoom and Microsoft Teams to keep in touch.
The Library staff have filled in many hours with online learning through Lynda. com, Webjunction, Youtube and Ted Talks.
A focus has been on gaining more knowledge on our range of databases found on our website, tasmanlibraries.govt.nz
Some new ones caught our attention,
Kanopy films, Artfilms, Story box and Haynes manuals.
The Motueka team has provided ‘social connections’ through the Tasman District Libraries Facebook page.
Posts include storytimes and crafts for children, book reviews for adults, photos of reading pets, a post for Garden Gurus and
a Lego challenge.
Innovative virtual offerings have provided opportunities and lighter moments. Rapping for storytimes and dressing up for Zoom meetings.
We are planning a “Pick and Collect” service for all ages and a “Click and Deliver” service for those who are vulnerable in our Community.
We will have a special time for 65+ folk to visit the library so they can feel safe.
Our Library facility will look a bit different as we make the building as safe as we possibly can, acknowledging physical distancing and hygiene guidelines.
When we reopen, we will be so happy to welcome you back.
Community consultation is scheduled to begin in July on the Tasman District Council’s proposal to introduce chlorination permanently to the water supplies of Upper Takaka, Hamama, Motueka, Riwaka/Kaiteriteri and Richmond.
They are the five of Tasman District Council’s 15 water supplies which do not have permanent residual disinfection through the use of chlorine.
There are two main reasons why Council has chosen to consult on this proposal at this time. Firstly, providing safe drinking
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They have a duty to do so and an obligation to residents to ensure the water supply is as safe as they can make it.
Secondly, there is central government legislation that obliges them, and all Councils, to prove they are meeting that responsibility.
Having permanent residual disinfection using chlorine, as part of a multi-barrier treatment approach, was one of the recommendations from the Government’s inquiry following the Havelock North Contamination Event in 2016.
The Director General of Health also indi-
cated in a letter to Councils without chlorination in all water supplies, that they will need to demonstrate the other preventative measures they have in place are effective and can maintain the quality of the drinking water throughout the system, i.e. from source to tap.
Under the current systems in place on some water supplies, it will be difficult for the Tasman District Council to meet the standard required. For instance, while Council carries out testing of non-chlorinated supplies, especially those with reservoirs, it can take at least 24 hours to get a sampling result. If contamination is found, given that timeframe,
it’s likely that some, if not all, of the users on that supply could potentially have been exposed to contaminated water for at least 24 hours.
“Above all else, we need to settle upon a solution that is as effective as possible and makes long-term financial sense. We understand that there may be a high level of interest in this proposal. We think it’s crucial that we put out clear information about what’s proposed and the feedback we get will help us to make a well informed decision later in the year,” says Mayor Tim King.
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Nelson Tasmanbased airline Originair will resume its flight schedule on the Nelson–Palmerston North and Nelson–Wellington routes from 29 May 2020. An updated schedule is available at www. originair.co.nz and all flights are now available for purchase.
“The schedule is almost identical to what was on offer prior to lockdown,” says Originair CEO Robert Inglis. “We are offering four flights per day, on four days each week. We have ‘winterised’ the schedule slightly so that the last flights on each day arrive a little earlier as we know people like to get home earlier during the colder months.”
Robert says that the company is very grateful to its passen-
gers for their support and understanding throughout the lockdown and to those who used Originair for charter flights to transport essential services personnel and goods.
To acknowledge the communities in which the company operates and the difficulty many people are currently facing due to unemployment and food insecurity, Originair will donate passenger fare revenues generated from the first week of resumed flights commencing 29 May, to the Salvation Army, which will use the money to support its food banks in Nelson Tasman, Palmerston North and Wellington.
Major Ken Smith, Pastor and Corps Officer for the Salvation Army in Nelson says that the
Originair donation will provide much-needed support at this time.
“We’re grateful for the many people and organisations like Originair who help us to help others in a time of need,” says Ken. “Salvation Army food banks have been running hot with high demand for the last few weeks so support such as this is greatly appreciated and will help immensely.”
“These are incredibly difficult times for many New Zealanders,” says Robert. “Every business needs to do its bit in whatever way it can.”
Robert says that the Originair team is looking forward to providing scheduled services again and to welcoming travellers onboard its aircraft from 29 May.
Westpac NZ is donating an extra $1 million to support New Zealand’s rescue helicopters, which are facing a serious fundraising shortfall due to the impacts of COVID19.
Westpac NZ
Chief Executive David McLean says the pandemic has highlighted the immense importance of New Zealand’s frontline health services and the need to support them.
“Even while we’re at home under
Level-4 lockdown, our rescue choppers are out doing lifesaving work, whether it’s attending a farm accident or a childbirth emergency,” says David.
“They’re also performing urgent hospital transfers, and are ready to help as part of the country’s COVID-19 response.
David says the cancellation of fundraising events nationwide, plus financial uncertainty caused by COVID-19, have left the rescue helicopter trusts desperately short of critical funds.
Westpac has been sponsoring rescue helicopters in New Zealand for nearly 40 years. With Westpac NZ’s annual Chopper Appeal month in May, David urged Kiwis who have given in the past to continue to support their local rescue helicopter trust if they’re in a position to do so.
Those wishing to make a donation to their local rescue helicopter can do so at www.chopperappeal.co.nz.
Sir Wallace Rowling, known fondly as Bill was Leader of the Labour Party and the 30th Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Born in Mariri near Motueka, 15 November 1927, Bill was part of a long established farming family. The history of the Rowling’s in our community dates back almost 180 years when Thomas (“Hop Ashore”) Rowling landed at Kaiteriteri from Captain Arthur Wakefield’s ship to obtain water.
Bill attended Lower Moutere School and Nelson College. He went on to gain a degree in economics before qualifying as a teacher. Bill taught at several schools around New Zealand including Motueka. In 1962 Bill became a Member of Parliament after
Local identity Jack Inglis is a humble individual and the driving force behind the Jack Inglis Friendship Hospital right here in Motueka.
Jack operated a tobacco farm for many years and was a keen sportsman. He was a rugby rep and part of the Riwaka Rugby Club.
Jack was also a dab hand at golf and won the Rothmans golf tournament a number of times. Interestingly young Jack also looked after the sheep at the Motueka Golf Course, 250 ewes in total. He was President of the club for five years and is a life time member.
Contributing and improving our local community has always been important to Jack, who was on the Kaiteriteri Domain Board for 18 years.
Jonelle Price grew up in Motueka in a nonhorsey family, she had always had a bit of a “weird obsession” with horses. Jonelle is another Motueka Legend and a New Zealand equestrian champion.
In Motueka she was friends with a girl named Rebecca Verity, who had horses, and that is where Jonelle’s love of horses originated.
After finishing school, she went off to study law at Canterbury University, only briefly as it turned out. In 2012 at the Summer Olympics in London she won the bronze medal in Team eventing. In 2018, she won the Badminton Horse Trials in England on the black mare, Classic Moet. She also won the Luhmuhlen Horse Trials on Maggie in 2018.
In 1843, the greatgrandparents of Sir Keith Holyoake settled at Umukuru near Riwaka, and it was there that Keith spent much of his youth and began his farming career.
Keith Holyoake was born at Scarborough near Mangamutu. After the death of Keith’s grandfather in December 1913 Keith’s parents moved the family to Umukuru where they settled on the family’s hop, tobacco and fruit farm.
Keith left school at the young age of 12 to help work on the farm, his mother who had been a teacher taught him his lessons at night. At the age of 23 Holyoake was one of the foundation members of the Motueka Fruitgrowers Association.
winning the Buller by-election. Bill held the Buller seat until it was dissolved and the Tasman Electorate was formed. When the Labour Party won power under Norman Kirk in the 1972 election, Rowling was appointed Minister of Finance. When Norman Kirk passed away, Bill became Prime Minister.
After leaving politics, Bill was appointed Ambassador to the United States, serving from 1985 to 1988. He held that position when the issue of nuclear weapons and ANZUS flared up between the United States and New Zealand, and he travelled extensively explaining the policy.
When he returned to New Zealand, Bill became highly involved in a number of community organisations and trusts. He played a prominent role at the Museum of New Zealand, and is considered to have been the “driving force” behind the eventual establishment of Te Papa.
Sir Wallace Rowling passed away on 31 October 1995. Since 1997 the Network Tasman Awards have been made in memory of Sir Wallace Rowling.
In which time he helped to make numerous improvements to this fantastic destination enabling future generations to enjoy it for years to come. Jack was awarded a QSM for his efforts.
Jack also served on the Tasman District Council for 12 years. But he is most well-known for creating our local hospital. 30 years ago Jack could see that 12 beds would not be enough to accommodate Motueka locals in ill health. So he went about making a difference, it took some time but his efforts were well rewarded. Jack rallied around the community enlisting the help of everyone he could muster, his fund raising endeavours are legendary. It wasn’t long before they not only had the land but also the people and the resources to make a new hospital a possibility.
In July 2009, Jack realised a dream when the Jack Inglis Friendship Hospital finally opened in Motueka. Jack has won numerous accolades and awards during his life time, including being appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for establishing the Jack Inglis Friendship Hospital.
This talented woman also runs a farm business with husband, Tim Price, who is another equestrian champion. Jonelle had took a year out to have a baby, but a week after having her child, got back to riding.
Tim Price, her husband, also got placed at 2018’s Badminton Horse Trials, on their gelding, Ringwood Sky Boy.
When asked to describe each other, Jonelle said that Tim was a more talented rider and Tim said that she was more competitive.
Classic Moet was predicted to have one of the fastest cross country rounds as she is known to be an incredibly speedy little horse, she certainly proved this at Badminton.
Jonelle and Tim were both looking forward to competing in the Tokyo Olympics this year which was unfortunately cancelled due to the global pandemic.
We look forward to watching them both compete when the Tokyo Olympics finally do take place.
Young Holyoake was a keen sportsman and represented our district in both tennis and rugby, including a stint as president of the Golden Bay – Motueka Rugby Union. He was also president of the local tennis club, where he met his future wife, Norma Ingram (sister of Laura Ingram).
In 1932 under the Reform Party Keith won the Motueka electorate in a by-election to become Parliament’s youngest member. In 1936 the Reform Party combined with the United Party to form what we now know as the National Party.
Sir Keith Holyoake went on to become the 26th Prime Minister of New Zealand. He also became the 13th Governor-General of New Zealand, serving from 1977 to 1980. Keith is the only New Zealand politician to date to have held both positions.
In 1980, the year he retired, he was appointed a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter – the first New Zealander so honoured for New Zealand services.
Sir Keith Holyoake passed away in December 1983.
This year we celebrate 13 years of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme. RSE workers are part of the life blood of our horticulture industry.
The RSE scheme allows both the horticulture and viticulture industries to recruit workers from overseas for seasonal work when there are not enough New Zealand workers.
Primary industries such as horticulture have been essential providers of food during the lockdown and will be key industries in the post-pandemic recovery.
The latest Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) survey of employers in the RSE scheme found that 96% agreed that the benefits of participating in the scheme outweighed the costs.
Employers also continued to rate RSE workers highly in terms of dependability, productively and enthusiasm.
Mike Chapman, Horticulture New Zealand Chief Executive, explains about the value of the RSE scheme.
“It’s hard to understand without seeing it first-hand the huge difference money earned through the scheme makes.”
“It is used in the Pacific to build cyclone resistant housing, pay for education, and set up businesses such as coconut pressing and furniture construction as well as more the common, tourist accommodation and tour businesses.”
“In addition, while in our country, RSE workers get the opportunity to learn new skills such as house building, outboard motor repair and welding, which they put to good use back home.”
“For the horticulture industry in New Zealand, the scheme helps growers find enough people to harvest their fruit and vegetables, particularly at the peak of the season.
Without the scheme, the labour shortages our industry face would be a lot worse.”
A stand out apple season for 2020
2020 has been a bumper apple season and a season like no other due to a global pandemic. As New Zealand orchards began harvesting around two billion apples, our country went into lockdown.
Orchardist’s worked tirelessly to make sure new measures were put in place to ensure the safety of all their employees. While we were secure in our homes, listening to daily updates from Ashley Bloomfield, RSE workers helped to keep our economy going and continue to do so.
Donovan Wood operates a family orchard in the Moutere and has been employing RSE workers for over a decade.
“The first year that they join us, we spend time training them. Once the workers are trained they are such valuable members of our work force,” explains Donovan.
“The workers that come here on the RSE scheme want to improve their lives. They are motivated, keen to work, and easy to get along with.”
Donovan had to quickly adapt to the new rules under lockdown to ensure the orchard was compliant and the workers were kept safe.
“During lockdown simple things became a bit more difficult, so we adapted and just got on with it.”
Donovan’s RSE workers live in groups of 12. Over lock down those groups became separate bubbles. They were taught about the importance of hand washing, physical distancing and the use of hand sanitiser.
Visesio has been working for Donovan through the RSE scheme since 2009, he’s from Tonga and not only works on the orchard but he also helps to vet Tongan workers. It’s obvious that Visesio is one of Donovan’s most valued RSE workers. We asked Visesio about the importance of the RSE scheme for workers coming from Tonga.
“It’s hard to find work in Tonga. Coming to New Zealand to join the RSE scheme allows us to help our families. For some workers it helps them to buy their first car a home or even set up a business,”
“In 2009 when I started at AB Wood there were only eight RSE workers. Now we have 37 RSE workers from Tonga, they trust us and we work hard for them.”
“We have such a good family here looking after us, I just can’t explain how happy we are.”
House leader Kiti along with workers Nunu, Solo and William all smile and nod in agreement.
The emergence of COVID-19 across the globe has created a new work health and safety risk that businesses need to manage.
“Primary industries are stepping up to ensure the safety of the food production chain during the coronavirus pandemic,” explains Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.
“Changes are needed through every part of our society and economy,” says our local MP. “People are being very responsible, ensuring the systems of the production chains are adjusted to be safe.”
Stefan, owner of Tyrella Orchards has been employing RSE workers for 13 years, ever since the RSE scheme first started. The majority of his workers come from Samoa and some also come from Vanuatu.
We asked Stefan what the RSE scheme meant to his operation.
“We love our RSE workers and without them we simply wouldn’t exist. They are the reason we have been able to grow our business. The certainty of having RSE workers gives us the confidence to do what we do and continue to grow.”
In the pack house at Tyrella Orchard workers are supplied with face masks and gloves, there are strict measures to enable contact tracing and hand sanitiser is positioned at various locations on site. Protective screens have been erected wherever possible and tape placed on the floor to ensure workers are spaced out correctly.
Juicy crisp apples roll down the line waiting to be packed by the hard working staff. It’s been a stand out harvest this year.
pacific neighbours.
The RSE scheme has been described by the World Bank as the “one of the most effective development interventions for which rigorous evaluations are available”.
The World Bank estimates that Pacific RSE workers remit $40m to the Pacific each year, an important source of foreign exchange. In Samoa and Tonga, for example, total remittances account for approximately 20% of GDP.
Per capita income of households in Tonga and Vanuatu that participated in the RSE scheme were found to have risen by 30 per cent in comparison to other households.
This increase in income was associated with increased saving and home improvement, indicating that the RSE scheme was having a long-term positive impact on participating countries.
The RSE scheme also provides an opportunity for Pacific workers to access training while in New Zealand, through industry training organisations and bespoke training programmes funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme. Developing Pacific workers’ skills, for example in horticulture, basic trades, small business and leadership, provide an important contribution to economic development in the Pacific.
A big thank you to all of the RSE workers across our region and all over New Zealand for helping to harvest our fruit and add value to our economy during a global pandemic.
The Nelson Provincial Museum has launched its first online exhibition, Rugby 150 Years On, in response to access restrictions to the Museum during COVID-19 Alert Levels. The exhibition celebrates 150 years since New Zealand’s first rugby game was played in Nelson on 14 May 1870 and is presented in association with Nelson College Old Boys’ Association and Nelson Rugby Football Club.
Originally designed for display in the upstairs foyer of the Museum, the project was blindsided momentarily by the need to close the facility for New Zealand’s nationwide lockdown.
“We quickly identified this exhibition as a great candidate for online presentation and got cracking to transfer it over”, says Nelson Provincial Museum CEO Lucinda Blackley-Jimson, who credits the Museum team for their fast take-up of the new format. “In just over a month they were able to transform the exhibition into a widely accessible digital experience, which we think is in keeping
with the agile nature of rugby”. A strong thread in ‘Rugby 150 Years On’ is in the game’s ability to adapt and diversify –not only its rules, but its cultural sentiments too. The exhibition highlights the growing support of women’s rugby, the early introduction of a Maori team, more recent developments for people with varied abilities, and New Zealand Rugby’s Rainbow Tick accreditation – the first amongst National Sporting Organisations.
From an international perspective ‘Rugby 150 Years On’ reflects on the notorious Springbok Tour of 1981 and the associated challenges for Maori players in South Africa leading up to this time. Closer to home it celebrates Tasman Mako – the top of the South’s regional rugby team – being named 2019 Mitre 10 Cup Premiership winners. But perhaps most critically to Nelson Tasman locals, the exhibition’s key message lies in Nelson’s role in bringing rugby to New Zealand.
“It was here, in 1870, when the first game of rugby was
played between Nelson College and the Nelson Rugby Football Club at the Botanical Gardens”, says Lucinda. “So it’s important for the Nelson Provincial Museum to be celebrating this Nelson first, and acknowledging the mark our region has made on New
Well it’s great to be back playing golf. And that’s certainly what our members thought with over 80 players turning up for our “First Up Stableford”.
At Level 2 there were a few concessions but nothing too onerous, and social distancing is not a problem on a golf course!
Plus the weather turned on another outstanding Autumnal day!
In the men’s division three tied in first place with 38 Stablefords. Peter Cederman won the honours on countback from Ken Melind and Rex Edwards.
4th Rob Bruinsma 35
5th Glenn Fitzpatrick 35 Ladies
Two tied on 35 points with Jenny Van Heerden winning on countback from Grace Latimer.
3rd Jocelyn Thomson
Zealand’s sporting landscape.” With 2018 records listing 157,000 New Zealanders as registered rugby players, the inaugural game would appear to have initiated quite a legacy. Perhaps it is only fitting, then, that the anniversary should be celebrated so wholeheartedly by
Nelson Tasman’s historical record keepers.
“The online exhibition format is an exciting first for us as it opens up a world of opportunity with regards to access”, says Lucinda. “People who might not have been able to make it into the Museum – COVID-19 restric-
tions or not – can enjoy this exhibition so easily from home. Essentially, we took up the challenge and we feel like we’ve scored on a penalty kick!”
‘Rugby 150 Years
On’ is presented with thanks to the support of Nelson College Old Boys’ Association, Nelson Rugby Football
Club, Blind Sport New Zealand Inc., Kevin Pivac (Founder NZ Deaf Rugby Union and International Deaf Rugby), Rawa Karetai (Christchurch Heroes Co-Chair), Shuttersport.co.nz and Tasman Mako. You can find Rugby 150 Years On at nelsonmuseum.co.nz/rugby150
Community Notices are free to charitable trusts, gold coin entry where any monies gained go back into a community project. Notices for businesses and organisations who charge for courses or events cost $12.50+gst. No AGMs, sports notices or church notices.
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CANCER SOCIETY All local support groups and programmes are postponed due to Covid-19. Please contact us for more information phone (03) 539 1137 info@cancernelson.org.nz
GRANDPARENTSRAISING & SUPPORTING
GRANDCHILDREN are warmly welcome to join our open day. Tuesday 25th Feb. 10.30 - 1.00pm. Lunch provided. St Andrew’s Church Lounge, 64 High St. 0211337299 for info.
NELSON RAILWAY At Founders Park. Email nelsonrailway@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook.
antiques
$$$ for your antique furniture, paintings, china, clocks and jewellery. Plus quality restoration & reproduction service. Call at Mariri Gallery, Coastal Highway, Mariri, or telephone 027 448 4430 (weekdays 9am - 4pm).
6 1 97 13 54
carpet cleaning
TASMAN Carpet Cleaning - Great service, eco-friendly, great value, for a free quote ring Greg 0274 300 626.
579 6 3 156 94 35
sudoku results
chimney sweep
CHIMNEYSWEE P Marahau-MotuekaTasman-Moutere and surrounding areas. Free quote or query. Phone Steve 021-081-01146.
firewood QUALITY D RY FIREWOOD AVAILABLE Delivered per trailer load (3m3). Free delivery in Motueka. PHONE 021 228 5025
funerals
Garage sales are free for up to 16 words and must be either emailed or brought into the office. Phone calls not accepted. Businesses will incur normal charges.
garage sale
TREWAVAS STREET, SATURDAY 23 MAY
Downsizing - skiwear, garage, electrical, sports, furniture, household miscellaneous. Signs out 09.00.
happy birthday
E 395
After the Summer Running Programme came to an abrupt halt with COVID-19 restrictions, a Waimea Harrier Strava Group was set up to promote virtual running and walking.
This provided motivation for athletes to keep up their training, encourage each other and keep
connected, since meeting up to run was not an option and races were certainly off the agenda. Since we were in Covid level 2 on Saturday, Waimea Harriers organised a semi-virtual race at Rabbit Island (photographed above). Runners and walkers had the opportunity to participate
throughout the day, individually, or in small groups and see fellow athletes in ‘real life’ rather than in the ‘virtual’ world. Two courses were set up, with course instructions, photos and a map of each course online for competitors to familiarise themselves with prior to the event.
Registration was done online for contract tracing and to ensure the event was non-contact. Competitors uploaded their times and these could be later viewed on line. While enjoying the event was the major focus for the 47 participants, some very good times
were recorded. In the 7.5km race, Caleb Scott started at 8.50am, nabbing the fastest time of 28.12 mins and holding onto it all day. Similarly in the 10km race, Klaartjie van Schie was the earliest to start and her time of 41.51mins was also unbeaten.
