Four helicopters fight scrub fire near Maruia

from Nelson Weekly - 25 January 2023

WE'RE HIRING STOKE

Four helicopters were needed to fight a vegetation fire between Springs Junction and Murchison which started at 11am on Monday.

The fire, which initially covered four hectares, had spread to between 15 and 20 hectares by Tuesday morning.

Helicopters were called in for a second day on Tuesday to try and bring the blaze under control.

Fire and Emergency shift manager Daryl Ball said on Tuesday morning that three ground crews were on scene as well as the helicopters. The fire was still classed as not contained on Tuesday morning.

The fire, on the edge of SH65 near Neilson Flat, had steep hills on both sides of the road but was alight on the western side of the higway.

Initially crews put a helicopter on standby, but it became clear as soon as they arrived at the scene that more than one would need to respond.

Daryl said the the fire had community. It gave me that feelgood feeling. That was the biggest thing.”

“more or less kicked off in the same spot” on Tuesday morning.

The highway was inititally closed on Monday but was opened to one lane later in the day.

It remained at one lane on Tuesday as the highway is “relatively narrow” at the area and fire appliances needed to park on the side of the road.

Daryl said a fire investigator, air support and an executive for general control of the site had been flown in on Tuesday.

Julia graduated at the end of 2018 with a Paetahi Tumu Korero Bachelor of Counselling and today she has her own business, Julia Grigg Counselling. “My passion is working with women who have experienced domestic violence and sexual assault.”

She says the Soroptimist award helped her reach her goal.

Soroptimist International Nelson member Barbara Dicker says the awards provides funding for financial hardship to applicants from a variety of backgrounds. Many of the applicants are solo parents, but it is also aimed at school leavers who miss out on other scholarships and will struggle financially through their studies.

She says applicants often find it hard to write about their financial hardship on the application form and why they need the money, but anyone applying has similar challenges.

“They can find it embarrassing, but we have to work out their hardship. That’s why a good referee is important.”

Applications for the awards close on January 31.

Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement working to transform the lives of women and girls.

In Nelson, it gathers much of its funding from hiring out the gowns, hoods and regalia for graduation ceremonies throughout the region. Last year it also raised $20,000 for Ukraine from the sale of peony tubers.

Just a friendly reminder that the Free Sachet Roll Promotion comes to an end from the 31st January 2023. Starting from February 1st, the advertised cost of $10 a month will start.

This great price is all inclusive - it covers all $5 prescription charges for the year plus the monthly sachet packing. It also allows you to spread your costs over the year by for you and for your husband/wife/partner who is included even if they do not have their medicines sachet packed.

Another option is a one-off annual discounted rate of $100 if you would prefer to pay in advance as a single payment.

Confusion over name ‘New Zealand’

Forty years ago, I took the first of several trips to the United States, and although attitudes and perceptions have changed over the period, I am frequently embarrassed when listening to New Zealanders with the belief that everyone should know where in the world New Zealand is. On my first trip, when talking casually with people, (particularly on the East Coast of the US), I was often asked by the ever-generous Yanks, who were always ready to communicate, - “Where’re you from”? Because of my ignorance at the time, I would often reply with the usual Kiwi quip “ I come from New Zealand, do you know where that is?” It was surprising to find that a few knew the answer but frequently they would say something like “ Yeah, it’s up north somewhere”. This response often had the effect (I’m ashamed to say) of me thinking there’s something wrong with their education that they don’t know where I’ve come from or perhaps I’m missing something. Missing something alright! On returning home some months later. I decided to do a bit of study to try and find out why I had encountered this puzzling issue. My first thought was to look in the index of my trusty Readers Digest World Atlas for anything starting with Z . This was a good move, as I immediately discovered not just New Zealand but four others either spelt the same way or with a double ee (Zeeland). On further investigation, it soon became clear as to why I had been puzzled by the responses in the States. In Michigan there is a Zeeland and in New Brunswick, Canada, there is a Zealand. What a great lesson this was for me and hopefully anyone else reading this story will find it helpful to avoid looking silly when visiting other places. Of course, as most New Zealanders know, the story doesn’t stop here . Abel Tasman was responsible for naming our country New Zealand after his home land, Zeeland, which according to Google was anglicised to Zealand, but although my research told me of a Zealand in Denmark, I wasn’t aware until after very recently watching a documentary on Denmark that the city of Copenhagen is situated on the island of ZEALAND. The origin of the name is of considerable importance. According to Google again, the meaning of Zealand is ‘sea land’ which comes from the Danish word ‘sjaelland’. A similar word can also be found in the German language where ‘see’ means lake and ‘land ‘means ‘country’. This research and historic meaning of our county’s name gives convincing reasons why it is appropriate. ‘Land by the sea’ has a pleasant ring about it ‘ land of the long white cloud’ gives the impression that we are shrouded in myth, mystery and ignorance. Come to think of it, perhaps we are. More the point – I will be better prepared next time I go to the States.

Kerry Neal

100 hours spent tidying Tāhunanui cycleway

You know, in slightly bigger cities in NZ I see people paid to do this type of work.

Nelson City Council you need to setup an entirely new subdivision of Nelmac to do this stuff and the roundabouts.

Danny Oliver

Did anyone take him a coffee or lunch? That’s real appreciation.

Rene

Good on you Alastair! Your tireless work around Nelson and Nelson College is remarkable. About time you got some recognition for it.

Nicola Padilla

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

Great work Alastair, that sand was VERY tricky to cycle through before you kept the track clean.

Gordon

Curnow

Thank you so very much. Wonderful man who I met working on the cycle way when on my mobility scooter.

Dorothy Brewer

I saw him there the other day and had a great chat. What an awesome person.

Kate Westrupp

Well done Al. Top effort giving up all that time for the communityyet again!

Philip Barnes

181-year spelling mistake causing a stir

What’s the big deal...just do it! Emano Street to Te Manu Street.

Glenys Stratford

Also, should be an information board directed in the Victory Square area of all the history. Brilliant work Moetu, Matt and Harvey.

Karen Simeon

I like Te Manu and the story that goes with it.

Mark French

This is a good thing for our community, because it provides an opportunity to look at our past and rectify the ‘administrative errors” of the past. It principally allows us to recognise the past and acknowledge those who were pillars of our region. Emano means nothing to nobodies....read that again before you reply. Te Manu has meaning and mana. If you don’t know what that means, look it up. Kua oti!