The Guardian - 23 October 2024 by Top South Media

Distancing racing rivals

Motueka High School’s adventure racing team has made up for last year’s frustration by racing away with the Hillary Challenge over five days in Tongariro, in the central North Island. The eight-strong team, four girls and four boys, dominated the first two days which involved 12, one-hour challenges. The next two days of expeditions were a test of navigation and equipment and they were comfortably mastered by Motueka. Nika Rayward and Tide Fa’avae, fresh from competing with distinction at the Australian Junior Orienteering championships, were awarded the top navigators award as their mapping skills gave them a huge lead over the 11 other schools taking part.

A 55 km multisport race with canoeing, riding and running completed the series of events with the Motueka team winning by 17 minutes. That took two minutes off the course record.

It was the third time in six years that See page 2.

Tasman 161 Eden Road

STEPHEN STUART

The adventure racing team from Motueka High School which conquered Tongariro. Beck Weber, left, Grace Werner, Nika Rayward, Tide Fa’avae, Isabella Schwarzenbach, Leo Easton, Sam Maley and Louie Burger. Photo: Supplied.

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Motueka High School distances adventure racing rivals

FROM PAGE 1

Motueka had claimed the Hillary Challenge Trophy, seen as the pinnacle of secondary school adventure racing, and it would have been four but for one of the team having to withdraw with illness part way through the event last year.

That meant the team was penalised by 15 per cent when it was reduced to seven competitors

and it wound up in fifth place.

Grace Werne was later diagnosed with long-Covid but she returned with six of her Year 13 teammates to make victory even sweeter this time round.

“It was tough terrain. The conditions were really testing with a lot of rain and snow to negotiate. But the tougher the better for this team. Their strength is they are all really strong. They have been really good friends. They hang

out together at school and have had lots of adventures together over the past two years. They put team first. They are very smooth and know what help each other needs,” says co-coach Wendy van den Berg.

Wendy and co-coach Barry Burger couldn’t have been prouder of their team’s commanding performance.

It is a hard act to follow but the team, including its two reserves

Hanna Roborgh and Luka Johnson, is now planning to stage its own Tasman Adventure Race at Kaiteriteri next month.

It will be a one-day event open to all ages with teams of up to four competitors. That means some of the champion eight-strong Motueka High School will now be racing each other.

The events will be held over four, eight and 12 hours on 30 November.

Fishing you well

GORDON PREECE

Motueka RSA Fishing Club reeled in schools of small fry at its Take A Kid Fishing Day at Talley’s Fishing Platform on Sunday.

President Daniel Hovenden hoped the fishing mission got young fishers potentially hooked for life.

“It’s good to see so many young kids out here enjoying it, and for some of them it’s their first time ever catching a fish,” he says.

“All they had to do was bring their own rod and reel, Talley’s supply all the bait, and a lot of our fishing club members help with baiting hooks and untangling lines.

“We’re hoping that a lot more younger people have got into the sport of fishing.”

Daniel says herring, spotties, garfish and the odd kahawai flopped up on the wharf throughout the day, and he took his fishing hat off to Coppins Outdoors for sponsoring the prizes.

Matt Mulcahy, centre, with daughters Quinn, 2, and Thea, 4, whose prize haul made amends for the fishing bad luck. Photo: Gordon Preece.

Trust awards over 100 grants to local initiatives

KATE RUSSELL

More than 100 local organisations, groups and individuals have received a grant from the Network Tasman Charitable Trust this year, totalling $130,300. For over 20 years the trust has awarded grants and scholarships to those within Network Tasman’s distribution area. In this round, approximately 101 grants were given out, which were selected from 130 applicants. The main categories of groups are art and culture, education, social support services, sport and recreation, and environment and energy-saving.

“Network Tasman Trust is delighted to be able to support such a wide range of community organisations who undertake so much exceptional work through-

The former Motueka Wharf. Photo: Schwede66/Commons. wikimedia.org

out the region,” trustee Judene Edgar says.

“We’re always delighted to make a difference with so many projects. The breadth and depth of work going, and the level of volunteer commitment never ceases to amaze us.”

One group to get a $1,500 boost was Keep Motueka Beautiful for

the restoration of the old stone wharf on Motueka Quay.

Built in 1887, the wharf served as the local portal for goods, communication and passenger conveyance until the port moved to a new location in 1916.

“The Network Tasman Trust grant will be used to support the restoration,” Isobel Mosley from

the group says.

A heritage wharf restoration group has been formed, with representatives from Keep Motueka Beautiful, the Motueka and Districts Historical Association, Tasman District Council (the owner) and the Motueka Community Board.

“The project is expected to cost around $300,000 and every contribution helps us towards that goal, so we appreciate Network Tasman Trust’s support.”

The Motueka Recreation centre has also received a grant of $2,000 to buy equipment to run a boxing fitness class for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Facility Manager Rohan Haskell says they money will go towards buying boxing bags, gloves, pads, stands and speed balls and he hopes to have the class up and

running before the end of the year.

“Network Tasman Trust has always been a big supporter of the recreation centre and Sport Tasman.

“What’s great about these grants is that it’s not just one grant for one big operator, there are lots smaller grants, and for some organisations, that makes all the difference.”

Other local organisations to receive a funding boost from the trust include the Golden Bay Football Club who was granted $3,000 to purchase uniforms, and the Moutere Hills Community Centre, who plan to buy a commercial grade heat pump with their $1,000 grant.

Funding of $1,000 was also given towards two murals for the Motueka Street Art Festival.

AURORA CONTIN-

UES TO DANCE: The shimmering splendor of the southern lights have continued to dance their way across our skies, with eagle-eyed locals hunting down some stunning shots of the lingering Aurora Australis. With high solar activity predicted until the end of 2025, there should be plenty of chances yet to view this phenomenon.

Photo: Shelley Grell snapped this photo at the Waitapu Wharf in Golden Bay earlier this month.

Driving a car-share idea for Māpua

ANNE HARDIE

Car-share schemes work around the world and Goedele Van Cauteren says why not Māpua?

Like 20.8 per cent of Tasman she works from home, and the family decided they could manage with one car, ditching the expense of a owning a second.

Sometimes though, a car would be handy, if only for an hour or two, and she says the eBus timetable does not yet have enough runs through the day to get to Richmond at a time that suits.

It means she has to seek transport with other people on the occasions she needs to be somewhere.

“Quite often I have to take my son to afternoon sport and have to try and find a ride for him.”

That got her thinking about car-sharing schemes which are frequently used by family members in Europe.

They use an app to reserve a car and a code is sent to unlock the car. Car share schemes also operate in major cities around New Zealand, though she says they are usually commercial operations, whereas she thinks a community-driven scheme might work better for Mapua.

“You could have a community

Sooner rather than later for cat snip ‘n’ chip

On 28 November, TDC will decide whether to adopt its draft cat management bylaw. The bylaw would require all cats to be microchipped, registered on the National Companion Animal Registration, and desexed by the time they reach 6 months old. During deliberations last week,

car which means anyone who is a member could drive it and they would have to have their driver’s licences checked to use it.”

In the village, she sees cars sitting in driveways with very little use, whereas a share-car scheme might give more people the option of quitting the expense of a car that spends most of its time parked.

In Europe, she says, it is often cheaper for people living in a city to hire a car occasionally than own a car and pay all the costs.

At this stage, she just wants to see if other people are interested in the idea and if so, how a scheme in Mapua could work – if at all.

In Nelson, Bowater Toyota launched the Toyota Mobility Project a couple of years ago, which enabled people to hire one of 15 different vehicles for as little or as long as they needed.

Bowater Toyota’s media and brand manager, David Eagle, says it was an opportunity for Toyota to assess the viability of such a scheme on a nationwide basis, giving people access to their demonstrator fleet so that they could use the right car, for exactly the right purpose, for 30 minutes, an hour, or even a weekend.

The result of the 18-month pilot

councillors agreed to shorten the timeframe for cat owners to comply. Existing cats would need to comply by 1 June 2026, rather than 2027 as originally suggested, and new cats would need to comply immediately after the bylaw’s adoption.

Plan Change 81

Tasman is poised for significant growth and development so a landowner and

project was “really successful”, he says.

“Every month it grew substantially. In terms of a business model, it stacked up and exceeded the expectations of all involved. Some of our users were very sad to see the end of the project.”

David says a car-share, subscrip-

homeowners’ information campaign has been launched in Richmond, Wakefield, Brightwater, Motueka, Moutere, Tapawera, St Arnaud, Tophouse, Murchison, Tākaka and Golden Bay.

Before formal engagement in February 2025, TDC are working to ensure landowners and residents in these areas, have both the time and information to think about the options proposed by Plan Change 81 to the Tasman Resource Management Plan and the accompanying Regional Policy Statement Change. Informed by the Future Development Strategy 2022 – 2052, the chang-

tion or mixed ownership model is potentially part of long-term mix of rethinking how people move around a geographically vast and diverse region, where families are scattered over large distances, as well as clustered in communities.

“There is a lot to unpack as to how this works into the future.

es aim to provide for residential and business growth, while creating high-quality living environments, and offering a diverse range of housing options. The changes focus on rezoning land to provide for housing intensification, papakāinga, greenfield housing, mixed business, commercial and light industrial uses, and providing for infrastructure development and sustainability.

More permissive public places

An updated bylaw for regulating

The need for personal mobility will always be there, as well as mobility on demand, and specialised mobility for businesses in the region.

“There are exciting sustainable technologies on the near horizon which will change everything,” he says.

public places is slated for adoption by Tasman District Council on 28 November. While the updated bylaw contains many of the same requirements as the old one, residents could do more without a permit. You would now be able to mobile trade, busk, or fundraise without a permit provided several rules are obeyed –such as not trading within 200m of fixed premises selling similar products, not busking for more than 2 hours in a single place, or fundraising on behalf of a non-profit organisation (among other rules).

Goedele Van Cauteren is part of a one-car family in Māpua and thinks a car-share scheme might work in the village. Photo: Anne Hardie.

Brigade make Eileen honorary life member

ANNE HARDIE

Eileen Thawley has given 30 years of service and dedication to the Māpua Volunteer Fire Brigade and wider community, prompting the call to make her an honorary life member at its recent honours’ night.

In the past 30 years, Eileen Thawley has missed few training or meeting nights, and in her mid-80s she still cleans the station each week. At the honours’ night, she also won the attendance award which is given to the brigade member who achieves the highest attendance to trainings in the past year.

Eileen admits the life membership took both herself and her husband Graeme by surprise. A life membership is decided by the brigade and is not a given, which made it particularly special, she says.

“I had never dreamt I would be eligible for this. Graeme and I were really overwhelmed, but so proud to be part of our special team at Mapua.”

Last year she was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for Services to Fire and Emergency and the community, while this year, the brigade paid tribute to her dedication which began back in the 1990s. Back then, the former orchardists got involved to support two young employees who joined the brigade.

That led to Graeme fundraising for the brigade by selling firewood to buy new gear, which was not always funded at the time.

The first job Eileen was given as a volunteer was sorting photos from the brigade’s history and organising the member’s service board that hangs on the station wall.

She went on to take the photos at callouts and for years carried out road-control duties. For the past 30 years, she has also been making sure the station is clean and tidy and still enjoys getting out in the community on the home fire-safety visits. Though she says she “can’t do much now, but do what I can do”, her great-nephew Aaron Thawley, who is chief

fire officer, says otherwise.

“Eileen does more than she lets on – it just isn’t seen on the front line. She still comes down every week and cleans the station and turns out to every callout to shut the doors, take the keys out of the cars if we’re away for extended periods. She also writes up the training and attendance log.

“That’s why she got the life membership, because we thought it was about time we recognised her service and showed our appreciation.”

Eileen says her commitment has been about community and the importance of the volunteer fire brigade.

“It’s terribly important. We couldn’t be without them. They do a grand job – all the brigades do, and this one is special to us.

“There’s so much camaraderie – it’s just like a big extended family. It’s great companionship.”

She says the life membership is a “real honour” and thanks present and former chief fire officers for the part they played.

Graeme and Eileen Thawley at the brigade’s honours’ night with former chief fire officers, Ian Reade, left, and Avan Perry, and chief fire officer Aaron Thawley. Photo: Supplied.

Gushing over gardens

GORDON PREECE

Hundreds followed the Motueka Garden Trail on Saturday and Sunday to admire the 19 ornate oases from Redwood Valley to Riwaka. The event was the annual fundraiser for the Motueka Toy Library and close to all 650 tickets available from local outlets were picked up. Trail committee member Becky Vowles said good feedback had stemmed from visitors to the traditional and country gardens.

“Some people are really invested in

the gardens themselves and they’re wanting to know how to better their own gardens,” she says.

“It’s nice for people that are going around to look at the gardens to have that opportunity to speak to the owners and get hints and tips and find out how they’ve grown a certain plant.

“Part of [the raised funds] goes towards buying new toys, the day-today running costs of the toy library and maintaining the bigger toys to make sure that they’re safe for the children to use.”

Māpua’s Connor Williams, right, took out the final for the second year running. Photo: Sara Hollyman.

Full speed ahead for Pinewood Derby

It was full speed ahead for almost 150 Cub Scouts from across the region for the annual Pinewood Derby on the weekend.

The event sees young people across the world provided with the same block of wood and set of wheels to turn into their own unpowered, miniature cars.

With the first derby held in California in 1953, the event took off in the region this year growing to 131 entries compared to last years 70.

Run by the Stoke Cubs group, the race outgrew their hall, so

Nayland College offered the use of theirs, and boy, was the space needed. The first heats were hotly contended with just mms between the top cars.

Cubs from Stoke, Enner Glynn, Richmond, Tamaha, Iron Duke, Riwaka and Brightwater groups packed the sidelines to watch their cars zoom down the track in sets of four – the top two through to the next round, the bottom two in with one more chance for glory.

Defending champs Tamaha had two cars make it through to the final against hosts Stoke who, despite running the event, have never claimed a

title. A judge’s decision wasn’t needed to determine the winner, with Tamaha Cub and Māpua resident Connor Williams claiming the glory, for the second year in a row. While his design was different from his 2023 win, he was tight-lipped on what his secret to first place is.

Each Cub group saw their winner given a medal, there was also a prize for the best-design which went to Brightwater’s Ruby Stout. With Murray Leaning MCing the event, at times you could’ve been mistaken for being at the Indy 500, with photo-finishes required for a number of races.

Motueka Garden Trail participant Jennie Green has bloomed her Motueka yard into a Garden of Eden over five years. Photo: Gordon Preece.

SARA HOLLYMAN

Mārahau business floats Yamaha’s boat

ELISE VOLLWEILER

A sea change for Marahau Marine has paid off, with the company taking out a national sales performance award.

The store, which fits out boats and sells and services outboard motors, has been awarded Yamaha’s Repower Dealer of the Year award for 2024, despite working with the brand for less than a year.

In a national first, Yamaha approached them and asked if they could align with their brand alongside Honda, which has been Marahau Marine’s main supplier since the business began in 2016.

Owners Ross and Christine Dixon agreed, and Ross says their business increased by a third overnight.

Christine says they were in a unique position, dealing with two well-respected Japanese brands.

“It’s pretty cool for a little old business basically at the end of the road.”

Although they sell new and second-hand outboard motors, Ross says that service and backup is their core business.

The couple know that people’s boats are their pride and joy, “whether it’s worth five grand or $500,000,” Ross says, and they work hard to ensure that their customers become repeat ones.

Yamaha’s national marine manager Scott Henderson says that the company punches far above its weight.

The award is not just about sales quantity, but also after-sales service and customer care.

He says that Ross is an expert, with excellent technicians on his team.

“They have far exceeded our expectations,” he says.

“We always knew that they were capable, but we didn’t expect this support out of the business in such a short amount of time.

“This is a pretty special part of the country, and we’re just grateful to have representation here,”he says.

A national award has put the wind in the sales of a local marine company. Pictured are Marahau Marine technicians Mike Stevens and Piripi Higgott, Marahau Marine owners Ross and Christine Dixon, and Yamaha’s national marine manager Scott Henderson. Photo: Elise Vollweiler.

Farm dogs and registration

ANN THOMPSON Federated Farmers Golden Bay

Recently, Pax Leetch spoke at Tasman District Council’s hearing on the draft dog control policy and bylaw. Pax is Golden Bay’s Federated Farmers’ chairperson for Meat and Wool and was giving the farmer voice to the federation’s submission.

It’s this hands-on experience that adds weight to all their submissions.

Pax and his wife Ellie have eight working dogs.

They, like all rural farm dog owners, know that all their dogs must be registered with the council and $45 paid for each, per year.

That’s $360 for them.

The council, in its draft policy, stated that it uses this money to manage the regulations around where dogs can be taken and enforce the rules on dog and owner behaviour.

At the hearing, Pax

backed up our submission by emphasising that farm dogs rarely, if ever, require any of these services. They work on the farm, are exercised on the farm and go to town mainly on the back of a ute, where they stay until back at their kennels.

Therefore, he argued, farm dogs don’t cost the council anything and farmers are subsidising urban dog owners.

A fairer way, we suggest in the submission, would be for the council to establish a farm working dog category.

A working dog is already defined in the Dog Control Act 1996 (S2) as, amongst other purposes, those being kept solely or principally for the purposes of herding or driving stock.

Having established this category, we further suggest that the registration fee be decreased to 50 per cent of the set registration fee and a further reduction for dogs in excess of five.

This recognises that

multiple dogs in rural areas, while they may bark, are unlikely to annoy neighbours and require the services of the dog control officer.

On a sheep farm, both types of working dogs are required: huntaways and heading dogs. Most places have young dogs being trained, plus a surplus dog to ensure there is still a good working team in case of illness or injury.

This explains why the number of farm dogs registered is high and why Federated Farmers is requesting a more reasonable fee to register these vital members of the farming team.

Paying the full registration fee for all their dogs adds a cost to farmers that is unnecessary and not required, given they do not use any of the services council provides with this money. Belonging to Federated Farmers makes you part of this team that adds value to farming businesses.

Golden Bay Federated Farmers Meat and Wool chair, Pax Leetch, recently spoke at the Tasman District Council’s hearing on the draft dog control policy and bylaw. Photo: Ellie Leetch.

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TAKAKA I MOTUEKA I NELSON

Cass Palmer and Shayna Treanor with Ava Limmer, 1

Emma Graham and Dorian, 8

Peter Ingram, 5, Andrea Noble, and Louie Noble, 3

Barbara Wilson, Clive Thomas and Heidi Smit

Barry Simpson, Vivienne Fox, Ron Tippett and Tom Fox

Janette Edwards and Janet Howell

Glenys Gillon and Gearaldine Taylor

Muriel Moran and Bill Heritage

Julie Marshall, Bet Glengarry, Barbara Nicholas and Ron Argue

Peter Whiddett and Kath O’Regan

Authors Lauren Keenan and Cristina Sanders will be speaking at a Pukapuka talks session in Te Noninga Kumu – Motueka Library during the Nelson Arts Festival. Photos: Supplied.

Nelson Arts Festival reaches the regions

ELISE VOLLWEILER

It may be Nelson’s arts festival, but Motueka and Golden Bay have not been overlooked by the event’s organisers.

The 30th Nelson Arts Festival officially opens on Thursday, 24 October, but Golden Bay will be treated to a pre-festival event in the ethereal form of Scottish harpist Esther Swift, who will be making her New Zealand premiere at the Mussel Inn tonight, Wednesday, 23 October, at 8pm.

Esther is described as an outstanding musician, composer and singer and says she is “so excited to be debuting my solo album in New Zealand”.

“The music celebrates Scottish nature and culture and reflects my own relationships and values,” she explains. “Having played in New Zealand before, it holds a very special place in my heart, and I am amazed at the connections the culture and nature have with Scotland. I feel very at home and welcome there and can’t wait to share my new music with the Nelson Arts Festival for the first time in this stunning part of the world.”

The official opening day of the festival brings a little magic to Te Noninga Kumu-Motueka Library, with a sold-out school session by three young-adult authors. Lauren Keenan has written two books that use

time-travel as the backbone to the story, and she will teach a workshop on this technique to the 10-14 year old participants.

Rachel King, who created ‘The Grimmelings,’ will work with the children to create their own mythical creatures, and Claire Mabey, author of ‘The Raven’s Eye Runaways,’ will lead a world-building workshop for tamariki to co-create their own parallel universe.

Kerry Sunderland, who manages the Pukapuka Talks section of the arts’ festival, says that these authors’ books have all been well received, and she expects some of them to become standing classics in New Zealand children’s literature. Some Motueka faces will also be part of the line-up at Nelson’s Tune Up event, which transforms the open-air community space of Kirby Lane into an outdoor music hub.

Motueka High School-based bands, KC Penelomay and Imperfect Circles, which both have songs released on Spotify, are among the line-up. The free event kicks off at 5pm.

Back in Motueka, a second Pukapuka Talks session, entitled Unsettled, is offered at the library on Tuesday, 29 October, at 6pm.

Lauren Keenan will be returning to the space, together with fellow historical author Cristina Sanders, for a chaired discussion about their laud-

ed back catalogue and newly released titles. The pair are described as “two of Aotearoa New Zealand’s pre-eminent historical fiction writers”, with their work telling the stories from the perspectives of people who have been largely forgotten by history.

The session, like many others in the festival, is priced using last year’s popular “pay what you can” trial, with five tiers of pricing options. The aim of this, Kerry explains, is to make the arts more accessible, while also allowing those who can afford it a way to support attendance from those who otherwise could not.

The 2024 festival’s final Motueka-based event will be a performance by comedian Rhys Mathewson, will be performing at the library on Wednesday, 30 October at 7.30pm.

He quips that libraries are a beacon of civilisation, an unimpeachable public and social good, “and I am deeply honoured to have the chance to undermine that with my jokes”.

“I can only assume that if people aren’t laughing then they are merely respecting the usual rules of the library. But yes, I am absolutely thrilled to be at the Motueka library - it is not often an audience can heckle you by reaching to a nearby bookshelf and starting to read War and Peace.”

free Cultural Connections WorkshopS – REGISTER

pm (call for details)

For more details and to book your space, email birte.becker-steel@tasman.govt.nz or phone 027 700 3139.

NOW!

Opinion

Road safety concerns lead to petition

I have no problem with reducing the speed limit past the school at drop off and pick up, you know, flashing signs for 30km/hr. The rest, I say, use common sense and if you can’t go around a corner at 100km/h then drive how you feel safe. The problem I see all over the place is that if you drop the speed to 80 then people feel it’s ok to do 60. Do we really need to be told how slow or fast to drive???

Mark Perry

People just need to drive to the conditions and to their ability, keeping in their lane and not crossing the centre line. I will not be signing the petition.

Barb Grant

125 years of supporting local farmers

Through the years good and bad... consistent with support.

Rai Valley Progress

Thinking globally, acting locally

waste wood, always wondered why it got left for waste.

Libby Liz

No surprise really, other countries have been onto it for decades. Glad that finally NZ is seeing the benefits.

Essi Pölhö

Brilliant, when you pass hillsides full of

“Get all of the world leaders together somehow and come to a peaceful arrangement.”

“I’d unite more with other countries, especially New Zealand. New Zealand has got some good values and if we bring those to the US, that would be great.”

Fantastic idea. About time.

Anni Stratford

Hallelujah. That’s the best news ever. The important point is that slash doesn’t just stay on the hillsides after harvesting - it ends up in rivers and blocks waterways causing the appalling flooding and destruction seen in the last few years. The cost of this exercise must surely be offset by the reduction in disaster emergency cleanup costs. Well done, let’s see more.

Prue Anderton-Sweet

So glad to hear this.

Sue Jepson

Demystifying the fragmented health system

Is this mental health also?

Zahra-rose Wilson

No patterns to Motueka’s spate of structure fires

Five undetermined they trying to not scare people but it does look suss doesn’t it?

Keri Williams

What would you do if you were the President of the United States for a day?

“Arrest Donald

way the world reacts.”

“Try and make peace with the countries at war, instead of making the whole world suffer with all these different wars.”

It’s Wellness Month at Motueka Library

Free activities, materials provided.

Mini Health & Wellness Expo –Wednesday 23 October, 1pm-4pm

Meet local health professionals, enjoy a cuppa and chat, all welcome.

Brain Seminar with Renee Hamilton – Thursday 24 October, 1pm-2pm

Getting the most out of your brain health now.

Wellness Journals – Friday 25 October, 1.30pm-3pm

Create a Wellness Journal to look after your self care.

“Nature” Paper Craft workshop –Tuesday 29 October, 1.30pm-3pm Decorate notebooks, collages, bookmarks and cards.

Geometric Drawing with Marian Painter – Wednesday 30 October, 10.30am-12pm

Create beautiful geometric patterns using simple lines.

Unsettled – Pukapuka Talk –Tuesday 29 October, 6pm Cristina Sanders and Lauren Keenan, Book at NelsonArtsFestival.nz

Poetry Circle – Thursday 31 October, 10.30am-12pm

Richard Pomeroy

Dan Cooper

Tyeisha Waho

Lianne Williams

Trump, because he has made accusations that could change the

Final proposal for representation arrangements – 2025 local elections

Submissions

On 02 October 2024, Tasman District Council reviewed the written and heard oral submissions on its initial proposal regarding representation arrangements. These arrangements are intended for the Council and its community boards and will apply to the local elections to be held on 11 October 2025.

The Council received 93 submissions on its proposal. Of these, 77 submitters expressed support for elements of the proposal; 54 did not support some elements of the proposal; 66 supported a community board in their ward; and 40 suggested alternatives to elements of the proposal.

Key themes of submissions opposing elements of the proposal, and the reasons these were not accepted by Council, included the following:

Opposition to the establishment of a Māori Ward

Opposition to retaining two councillors for Golden Bay

Request for changes to the Motueka Ward boundary

Support for community boards to be established in Moutere-Waimea and Richmond

The establishment of the Te Tai o Aorere Māori Ward was affirmed by Council on 5 September 2024 and is outside the scope of this review.

Council considers two councillors are necessary to provide for effective representation of the ward’s geographically dispersed communities.

Council considers the proposed boundary of the Motueka ward reflects the communities of interest in the ward and provides for effective representation.

The existing ward structure is well established and accepted by residents and provides for effective representation of these communities.

The Council also received feedback on alternative proposals in relation to the makeup of wards and their boundaries. The following is a summary of the alternative proposals received and the reasons these were not accepted by Council:

Motueka Ward boundary should reflect the Motueka High School zone, and that Tasman Village and Kina Beach are moved to the Motueka Ward.

Disestablishing the Moutere-Waimea Ward and moving parts of that ward to either the Motueka or Richmond Ward; and increasing number of general ward members to 14.

That the Lakes-Murchison Ward be split with the Lakes area remaining part of the Tasman District Council and Murchison area being transferred to the West Coast District.

Increasing the size of the Richmond Ward to decrease the size of the MoutereWaimea Ward in order to comply with Section 19V(2) of the Local Electoral Act.

The current boundaries best reflect the communities of interest and are broadly supported by the community.

Disestablishing the ward would divide existing communities of interest. The ward’s settlements are predominantly rural and coastal in nature, and do not naturally share common interests with the more urban centres of Richmond or Motueka.

Reorganisation of territorial local government boundaries is outside the scope of this review.

As noted above, decreasing the size of the Moutere-Waimea ward would result in splitting existing communities of interest.

Having considered all the submissions, Tasman District Council resolved to adopt its initial proposal without amendment as the final proposal.

Council Representation

It is proposed that The Council will comprise a Mayor, who is elected at large, and 14 Councillors elected from six wards.

The six wards represent the following communities of interest, with Councillors being elected as follows:

Richmond General Ward 4 Comprising the area of the existing Richmond Ward

Motueka General Ward 3 Comprising the area of the existing Motueka Ward

Moutere-Waimea General Ward 3 Comprising the area of the existing Moutere-Waimea Ward

Golden Bay General Ward 2 Comprising the area of the existing Golden Bay Ward

Lakes-Murchison General Ward 1 Comprising the area of the existing Lakes-Murchison Ward

Te Tai o Aorere Māori Ward 1 Comprising the whole of the Tasman District (Māori electoral population)

The population (based on Statistics NZ estimates as at 30 June 2023) that each member will represent is as follows:

Total (General Wards) 56,780134,368 Te Tai o Aorere Māori Ward 2,540 1

Total 59,320

In accordance with section 19V(2), Local Electoral Act 2001, the population that each general ward member represents must be within the range of 4,368 +/- 10% (3,931 to 4,805), unless community of interest considerations justify otherwise.

The representation of the Golden Bay, Moutere-Waimea and Richmond general wards falls outside the stipulated range.

• The Council considers that the Golden Bay General Ward should be treated as an isolated community and be exempt from complying with S19V(2) of the Local Electoral Act 2001 on the grounds provided under S19V(3)(a) that non-compliance with S19V(2) is required for effective representation of isolated communities of interest within this ward.

• The Council considers that the Moutere-Waimea and Richmond general wards should be exempt from complying with s19V(2) of the Local Electoral Act 2001 on the grounds provided under S19V(3)(a) that compliance with S19V(2) would limit effective representation by dividing communities of interest between wards.

Community Board Representation

It is proposed that two communities will be represented by a community board as follows:

Golden Bay Community BoardComprising the area covered by the present Golden Bay Ward boundaries.

Motueka Community BoardComprising the area covered by the present Motueka Ward boundaries.

Golden Bay and Motueka communities will each elect four members. They will not be subdivided for electoral purposes. Following the elections, elected ward members will be appointed to the Boards by the Council, as follows:

Golden Bay Community BoardTwo members to be appointed from the Golden Bay Ward and/or the Te Tai o Aorere Māori Ward. Motueka Community BoardThree members to be appointed from the Motueka Ward and/or the Te Tai o Aorere Māori Ward.

Appeals and objections

Any person who made a submission on the Council’s initial proposal may lodge an appeal against the Council’s decision. An appeal must relate to the matters raised in that person’s submission.

Appeals must be made in writing and must be received no later than Friday 29 November 2024 and forwarded to 189 Queen Street, Private Bag 4, Richmond, 7050 or email haveyoursay@tasman.govt.nz.

Further information

Copies of the Council’s resolution and maps setting out the areas of the proposed wards and communities are available at Tasman District Council Service Centres and Libraries and on the council website www.tasman.govt.nz and the Shape Tasman website shape.tasman.govt.nz/representation-review

Leonie Rae Chief Executive Officer

22 October 2024

WHITWELLS MENSWEAR

SPORTSWEAR MENSWEAR FOOTWEAR

The pace was on in season opener

JODY SCOTT

Milestone Homes Top of the South Speedway got the new season underway with a couple of drivers setting the pace as the club builds towards the NZ Super Stock and GP T.Q. titles in the New Year. The warm Nelson night brought the race fans back as the new track lights shone brightly towards the latter part of the meeting, all grades running for their Trackman Trophies. Brett Nicholls had his Super Stock back on the pace, a clean sweep with three wins, he left the field fighting for the crumbs as he his focus is clearly aimed at the title in January, Shane Harwood, dialling in his new engine, ended in 3rd, while the ever-present Alex Hill finishing runner-up, the rest of the field having their mo-

ments on pace but struggling for consistency.

The Youth Ministocks are bursting at the seams, the cars grouped for their races, a mixture of new and older drivers making it a challenge. Andre Musgrove won the trophy, a 3-way tie for 2nd coming down to lap times, Leilah Jefcoate pipping Locky Martin by .2 sec with Easton Salter fourth.

The Quarter Midgets were closely run, Auckland’s Lukas Smith taking out heat 2 and then the feature race, with Greymouth’s Lakyn Thompson 2nd and local Taylor Martin 3rd in the firstpast-the-post final.

The Production Saloons enjoyed some close racing in an even field. Cromwell’s Steve Nichollas made a successful journey north to claim the top trophy, Motueka’s Eddy Frans in second and

Vaughan Cornelius in third.

The Stock cars fronted with a couple of new drivers, a few non-finishers in the second heat opening the competition. Newbie Harlon Brunt sneaking into third place with Max Baker second and Jack Rarity taking the overall points. A couple of visiting drivers helped get four Sidecars on track, racing with just inches between them. Canterbury’s Graham Partridge and Ben Morris took the points with locals Rob and Harly Martin second and visitors Stefan Burrows and Bruce Savage in third.

The Streetstocks drivers had a mixed night, a few DNF’s meant being able to complete races counted. Cody McCarrison with a DNF still did enough for third place, Harry Moffat-Schwass finished all three to claim second

overall while Perry Soper had strong pace and consistency to claim the top trophy. Cody was named stirrer of the night.

The T.Q.’s have their big titles start late January, 1nz Jeremy Webb too good once again, the SNZ Competitor of the Year in his new car getting the job done in the feature race. Alicia Hill took out the heat 2 win and was the best local home in the feature in second after a good battle with Morgan Frost who finished third.

The opening meeting saw little damage over the huge 25 race programme. Big fields and close racing setting the pace as the biggest season in the club’s history got underway with eight new Trackman trophy champions and a very shy Kody Hogarth picking up the John Pomeroy trophy as the driver of the night.

Hope resident Brett Nicholls had a clean sweep with three wins at opening night of Milestone Homes Top of the South Speedway. Photo: Rebecca Connor Maling.

McCarthy Goodman Cup winners Glen Fitzpatrick and Debbie Smith.

The Beast set to be unleashed on hill climb

STEPHEN STUART

Māpua apprentice engineer Brad Gale wanted a challenge, so he decided to build himself a big Moto-X dirt bike.

“I looked at YouTube vision of the type of bikes racing in the USA and France and winged the rest with plenty of help from guys at work,” says Brad, who is employed at Infield Engineers in Motueka.

“I fix anything broken, from orchard and farm equipment, boats, bikes and even tea pots. Working with structural steel is our speciality.”

So sourcing parts wasn’t a problem as he commenced his project.

Four months later his 2.7 metre long bike, dubbed “The Beast”, will try and knock off the notoriously steep stretch of farm land off Heslington Rd near Brightwater this Saturday.

He reckons he spent between 500 and a thousand hours working on his challenge.

“Before work, at smokos, lunchtime and the weekends,” reveals Brad.

He bought a 1000cc engine from Landon Dawson at Collision Centre Richmond which had been intended as a spare for his speedway car.

That required lengthening the chassis of his bike to fit it in.

Landon also helped him with all the wiring and the fuel system for his custom-built machine.

The 20-year-old has entered the

annual King of the Hill event twice before, but this time is different.

“I am definitely not the best rider but I think this bike with its 180 horsepower gives me an edge,” declares Brad.

It will certainly provide the 1.93 rider with a more comfortable time on the annual hill ride.

“It is the first bike I feel I can fit on for my size. Most of them feel a bit short.”

Brad has snapped a couple of

chains in practise runs but otherwise reckons “The Beast” has performed pretty well.

Although he didn’t risk taking it out the week before his return to the hill.

He admits to feeling the pressure to perform as a lot of people have seen and heard his new bike around Motueka.

Brad is racing in the open class hill climb and just hopes his conveyance holds together.

At least his engineering mates will be on hand if he needs a hand.

The $1500 first prize money would be welcome too as Brad estimates he has spent up to $10,000 putting his labour of love together.

He still found time to help work on the steep section of track that will be used this Saturday.

Safely through Saturday’s event, he is thinking of heading to Southland for the famous Burt Munro Challenge.

In the history of the Heslington hill climb, no rider has ever made it all the way to the top of the course, with reaching the halfway point seen as an achievement in itself.

And with rain forecast for the weekend, that threatens to make the task even tougher.

Brad Gale and his custom-built dirt bike which he hopes will conquer King of the Hill. Photo: Stephen Stuart.

Community Notices

MONDAY

MOTUEKA SPINNERS AND KNITTERS Mon 28 Oct (Labour Day) 9.30am -12pm. Community rooms side entrance, Decks reserve, all welcome. Ph. Davina 0226702281.

COMMUNITY HEALTH LECTURE: Advances in Cancer: Research to Improve Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment. Mon, 4 Nov, 7-9pm, Motueka Library. Reg-https://cancernelson.org. nz/community-health-talk/.

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, Brass Band Hall, 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. Look forward to your participation. 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

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 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.

YOGA. If you have or have had cancer, we offer restorative yoga classes. Tues, 12.30pm. To Reg, Ph: 5287669.

WEDNESDAY

NEW TAI CHI CLASS, Wednesdays, 1-2:30pm, Mapua Hall. Experienced and beginners welcome. Info 021 1441 791

AGE CONCERN TEA & TALK, 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. All welcome.

WALK 4 HEALTH Wed, 9am, Motueka Community Garden. 3050 min walk at your own pace, for any age, any fitness and size. Ph:0273015598.

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.

MOTUEKA SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB, Wed, 7.30pm, Lower Moutere Hall. Keep fit while having fun. All ages, no partner needed. First time free. Enq Ph: Fay 0210393559.

DEATH CAFÉ, 2nd Wed of month, 10-11.30am. Revite Café, 256 High St. An open space for people to talk about death and dying. e:margaret@margaretmccallum.com

THURSDAY

MOTUEKA LIGHTHOUSE, Mini expo. Thu 31 Oct, 6-9pm, Motueka Library. $15 entry.

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. Info: Ph: Louise 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.

DEADLINE: 10AM FRIDAY

50 WORDS OR LESS BY EMAIL ONLY SEND TO: office@topsouthmedia.co.nz

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

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

NVC PRACTICE GROUP (NONVIOLENT / COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATION), Every 2nd Thurs, 7-8.30pm, Motueka. In school term. For info e: margaret@margaretmccallum.com.

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meet 1st Thurs of 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. 2nd Thurs of month, 2pm. Hear all about a different country in our Countries & Cultures Interest Group. Join SeniorNet. Ph: Maureen 02102600432

FRIDAY

SENIORNET MOTUEKA, The Genealogy Interest Group meets 2nd Fri, 2pm. Ph: Maureen 02102600432

SENIORNET MOTUEKA, The Smartphone, iPad, iPhone and Tablet Interest Group meets 3rd Fri, 2pm. Ph Maureen 02102600432

SATURDAY / SUNDAY

WAIMEA HARRIERS Sat, 26 Oct, Meet 2.15 at Sprig + Fern The Meadows, Richmond. Welcome all runners and walkers and all abilities. See website for more information waimeaharriers.nz waimeaharriers.nz for more info.

TREWAVAS ST ART WALK. Sat, 30 Nov, 10- 3pm. Artists selling their creations direct to you! On rain or shine.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE Sat, 10-12pm, Motueka Library. Free services, including copy certification and witnessing signatures are available.

NELSON BRANCH OF ROYAL NZ AIRFORCE ASSOCIATION

Meet 2nd Sat each month, 12pm, Club Waimea, Richmond, Phil’s Restaurant. Interesting speakers, raffles and members interested in Aviation Ph: Trever Squires 039706644 or John Bethwaite 035476634. Cost of meal $25

HOUSIE: 1st and 4th Sat of month, 10 Pah St. Over 50s Social Hub. Ph: Jude 0273244226. All Welcome. Afternoon tea included. Cards $4. Raffles available.

GENERAL GROUPS

CREATIVE COMMUNITIES SCHEME Funding for arts activities,events, & training for groups or individuals. Close 10 Nov. Application forms online at TDC funding/Tasman Creative Communities Help from:- motuekaartscouncil@gmail.com

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

RIWAKA CROQUET CLUB do you and a group of friends/family/workmates want to spend a fun few hours learning to play croquet? Min. 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.

SALT WATER BATHS Lots of people swimming through the winter. You should give it a go.

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.

SURVIVORS AND THRIVERS GROUP, if you have or have had cancer, or supported someone else, come and connect. Ph: Maureen 5287669.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Is alcohol causing problems for your life? Want to stop drinking but can’t? 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 Har-

dy St, Nelson. Reg: 035391137 or E: info@cancernelson.org.nz.

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.

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. 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

ENCOURAGEMENT GRANTS of up to $500 for groups & Individuals with an art project involving our local community. Contact: motuekaartscouncil@gmail.com

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

MOTUEKA MENZSHED, Tues, Wed or Thurs 9-12pm, MenzShed, Marchwood Park, College Rd. Give the missus some space, come to the menzshed. Just turn up or e: secretarymotmenzShed@gmail.com.

MOTUEKA RED CROSS. Open Mon – Sat, 10-2pm, Community House. Donations of clothing, books, shoes, linen welcome.

MOTUEKA TRAMPING CLUB A diversity of weekend day walks and multi-day trips suitable for a range of fitness levels. Visit www.motuekatrampingclub.org to learn more about your local Club, or e: membership.motuekatc@gmail.com for info on joining.

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.

MOTUEKA RIDING FOR THE DISABLED We need more volunteers to help with therapeutic riding sessions. Tues, Wed, Thurs, 8.30-1pm. Ph: 0211151720 or e: info@motuekarda.nz.

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.