The Guardian - 30 August 2023

No liquor store for Māpua

TRACY NEAL

Open Justice Reporter

A flood of community opposition has poured cold water on a liquor store that was planned for a site opposite Māpua Primary School.

The Tasman District Licensing Committee has turned down an application by Nelson Holdings Limited (NHL) for a planned Super Liquor Māpua for a list of reasons, including that Māpua was “very child and family-centric”, and residents wanted it to stay that way.

NHL had already signed a lease on the premises, after searching other sites in Māpua.

The company’s operations director and shareholder, David Hall, said at last month’s four-day hearing that they had looked at various sites in Māpua including another on Aranui Road, and one near Māpua Wharf. They decided against the alternative Aranui Rd site because of its proximity to other licensed

premises, healthcare services, a childcare facility, and the main Māpua playground, pump track, skate park and playing field.

The application attracted 88 objections from the public, plus opposition from the police, the Medical Officer of Health, and the district licensing inspector. A representative for the applicant suggested that the theme of the submissions is that “Māpua shouldn’t have a bottle store”.

Community Action Youth and Drugs (CAYAD), operated in Nelson-Tasman by the Health Action Trust, supported the Māpua community in opposing the application.

Spokesperson Marcelo Ribas said they were delighted with the outcome, which was the result of community action at its best.

“It shows just how much influence a community can have when they are united and determined for the wellbeing of their community.”

SEE PAGE 2

Head librarian at Motueka Library, Janine Gillions, with the most checked-out book across Tasman District Libraries for the last year. Photo: Sara Hollyman. Full story page 2.

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Books breaking records in Tasman

FROM PAGE 1

KATE RUSSELL

Tasman residents have been loving their libraries this past year, with 2022/23 seeing the most books checked out in the district in a decade.

There have been 657,789 items issued, with physical book issues up 12.7 per cent at 597,654. ELibrary item issues, such as eBooks and eAudio, are up 15 per cent at 60,155. This is the most items issued since 2012/13 and includes items at all libraries in the district - Richmond, Motueka, Murchison, and Takakain the last year

The most popular books in the year to July 2023 were

The Seven Sisters: Maia’s Story, by Lucinda Riley, with 99 issues and 39 holds, along with Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot by Dav Pilkey with 116 issues. There has been a total of 2,635 new members across all Tasman District Libraries.

A spokesperson from Tasman District Council says Motueka’s new library, Te Noninga Kumu, has enabled the community to increase their engagement with books.

“The larger size of Te Noninga Kumu has allowed for an additional 5000 items to go on the shelves and 135,798 visitors have walked through the doors since we opened in March last year.”

From March 2022 to May 2023, 204,000 library items were issued - a 30 per cent increase on the previous year, and 1169 new members signed up - a 35 per cent increase on 2021/22 memberships.

“Te Noninga Kumu has been a thriving lively community hub over the last 14 months. People of all ages have enjoyed the library collections, performances, art exhibitions, workshops, author talks, children’s activities, music, kapa haka, and a variety of passive programmes making this library a hive of activity.

“We endeavoured to engage wholeheartedly with our community, to reflect our diverse community, provide social connections for all

ages, and provide literacy and lifelong learning.”

Library-goers are enjoying the light, spacious new building with frequent use of the community rooms, quiet reading zones, art walls, and eye-catching displays.

Regular groups such as Gardening Gurus, Scrabble, Bookcafe, Poetry Circle, Storytimes, Wriggle & Rhyme, WHAM, Conversation Circle, Appreciating Afrikaans, Babbling Books, Building Bricks, Dungeons and Dragons, Paper Artsy and History Buffs were attended by 1731 people.

A number of schools visited with 1500 children attending, exchanging books and being introduced to Robyn Belton’s Greedy Cat wall illustrations.

Māpua liquor store application declined

FROM PAGE 1

Sergeant Olivia Gibson, who worked in Alcohol Harm Prevention for Nelson Bays Police, said that agencies and many objectors were strongly unified in opposing the application.

Community stalwarts David and Judy Mitchell’s opposition drew upon the law around the sale and supply of alcohol. They were represented by their daughter Kate Mitchell who worked as a lawyer for the Ministry for the Environment. The Mitchells submitted that amenity values in the area would be reduced by “more than a minor extent”, and that the application showed a lack of understanding of the area’s special environment, including a nearby

scenic reserve created with help by school pupils since it was gifted to the public in 1977.

Chair of the Māpua Primary School Board of Trustees, Rachel Stanton, said the board was “strongly opposed” to a licence being issued on the site opposite the school. The board was worried it would result in increased costs of vandalism for both the school and the community, and about the impact on young people exposed to alcohol as they arrived at school and when they went home. Stanton said Māpua was a safe place, and the goal of the Local Alcohol Policy supported that.

Doctor Andre Bonny, who worked at the Māpua Health Centre said around one per cent of the centre’s 5000 pa-

tients, have had a “serious problem with alcohol”, and making it more readily available would only lead to more problems.

Retired medical practitioner, Dr Jim Vause, felt the applicant had little awareness of alcohol-related harm.

He said research from Waikato University around the density of off-licences showed that the addition of just one licence increased incidences of anti-social behaviour and other offending.

Māpua resident and district nurse Phillipa Hiles was concerned about public safety and the fact that help from the nearest police was at least 20 minutes away.

The applicant believed in such a small place as Māpua it was difficult, if not impossible, to find a tenancy that

was not near a site considered sensitive, and that given the history of the site, having previously been a tavern, being near the school would not be a significant issue. The company aimed to address concerns by making the store’s opening time 10am, closing in the afternoon as students finished school, and having no exterior advertising except for the company logo. Neither did it plan to sell vapes or cigarettes.

The committee declined the application for several reasons including proximity to sensitive sites, reduction in amenity value and good order of the location and because of the likely increase in alcohol-related harm as a result of increased accessibility to alcohol.

First of its kind partnership reaffirmed

In 2000, the Tākaka Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to a car crash that claimed two lives of whānau from Onetahua Marae.

No one could have anticipated that the crash would lead to an enduring 23-year relationship, built on trust and mutual respect, between the volunteer fire brigades of Mohua Golden Bay and Onetahua Marae, but that’s precisely what unfolded.

A teenager had lost control of his vehicle, after driving at high speed. As a result, he collided with a second car, which was carrying the whānau of the occupants of another vehicle just behind. Whānau in the third car witnessed the collision and rushed to be with their loved ones.

A few weeks following the tragedy, firefighters and Kaitiaki (Carers/Guardians) of Onetahua Marae began talking about tikanga (protocol) when Māori life is lost.

Laurelee Duff is one of the Kaitiaki of Onetahua Marae and says her roots are planted deep into the soil of Tākaka – she can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Laurelee remembers the first day they welcomed the firefighters onto the marae.

“We spoke to them about our tikanga when life is lost and, importantly, why we do it,” she says. The discussion focused on the importance of making sure that, where possible, someone can be with the tūpāpaku (deceased person) because their wairua (spirit) is still with them.

Chief of Tākaka Brigade, Philip Woolf, was a senior station officer when he attended the car crash 23 years ago.

“Our lack of understanding wasn’t a criticism of our crew at the time – we simply didn’t know any different,” he acknowledges of the past. “The point was we

wanted to learn and do better.”

Philip recalls that the first wānanga involved a lot of listening.

“They were very honest with us and let us know how they were feeling and what we could do in future. When we left the marae that day, we knew we weren’t going to repeat what happened.”

In 2006, representatives of the fire brigades of Mohua and Onetahua Marae signed a formal agreement - the first of its kind.

The agreement outlined a commitment to respecting each other’s values and working better together. Seventeen years on, the two parties have supported each other through many events.

EXCEPTIONALE

“We’ve had members of the brigade over after they’ve attended some nasty incidents,” Laurelee says. “These have been opportunities for them to open up so we can support them through whatever they’re going through.”

When the Matariki star cluster appeared in the sky this year, it marked a new year for many Māori. It also presented an opportunity for firefighters to return to Onetahua Marae to reaffirm their commitment to working together.

Waiata and karakia filled the wharenui as representatives of both parties signed ‘He Whakakotahitanga’, a document recog-

nising the past and affirming the partnership for the future.

The signing was an emotional time, as many in the room were impacted by the car crash in 2000. Laurelee says she was blown away by the manaakitanga (hospitality) and respect that Fire and Emergency had shown the marae.

It “all feels a bit surreal,” Phillip says, reflecting on what has happened over the past 23 years to build up to the signing of ‘He Whakakotahitanga’.

As a result of He Whakakotahitanga, there will now be a focus on protecting the crystal-clear springs of Te Waikoropupū in Tākaka.

In collaboration with the Department of Conservation, FENZ will work to ensure low-flammability plants are planted to safeguard Te Waikoropūpū Springs from the risk of future fires.

FENZ deputy chief executive for Kaupapa Māori and Cultural Communities, Piki Thomas, was at both the 2006 and 2023 signings. “We emphasise the value of working with Māori as tangata whenua, and the achievements in Mohua exemplify this in action. He Whakakotahitanga is the first of its kind for FENZ. It is my hope that this success will inspire other regions to undertake something similar.”

Fire and Emergency NZ joined whānau from Onetahua Marae in Golden Bay last month to reaffirm their partnership with the signing of He Whakakotahitanga. Photo: Supplied.

Cycleways herald ‘globalist agenda’ – perceived consultation failure root of community’s fears

MAX FRETHEY Local Democracy Reporter

Hundreds of Tasman residents have voiced their fears of how a perceived lack of council consultation is symptomatic of a blatant disregard for residents at best, or of a globalist agenda of oppression at worst.

At least 350 people from all over the district crammed into the Moutere Hills Community Centre on Wednesday night for almost three hours to listen to more than a dozen speakers from the community denounce the

Tasman District Council.

When the crowd was asked who felt like they’ve been “lied to” or felt like they weren’t “truly represented” by the council, almost every hand was raised.

The core issue that speakers kept returning to was a feeling that council was not consulting with its community, with a particular focus on council’s Walking and Cycling Strategy.

“They’re doing it to eliminate cars and get people off the road,” one speaker said. “They haven’t bothered to consult with the community at all.”

NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!

Tasman District Council consulted on its Walking and Cycling Strategy from 7 February to 7 March 2022 and received 238 responses from people across the district.

The strategy aims to increase the number of people who commute to work or school by walking and cycling to improve road capacity, reduce carbon emissions, improve residents’ health, and create vibrant communities by encouraging people to use alternative modes of transport other than cars.

To achieve these goals, the council is prioritising walking and cycling facilities to make journeys safer while linking and expanding existing active travel networks to cater to present and future needs.

About 80 per cent of submissions on the Walking and Cycling Strategy were supportive of its general principles, targets, and outcomes.

But despite the feedback, many in the community were taken surprise when council began to act on plans to install separated cycleways along a section of Motueka’s High Street, between Old Wharf Road and Whakarewa Street, leading many to decry a failure of consultation.

The project was part of the Transport Choices programme and was intended to make cycling a safer and more viable option for cyclists, but a loss of roadside parking and safety concerns resulted in the council receiving almost 500 pieces of feedback from residents.

The pushback resulted in the project being deferred, but a distrust of council’s consultative procedures had already taken root.

“What are they trying to fix?

Because I don’t see a problem there,” another speaker

claimed. “We must be pursuing an ideology.”

Other speakers went further, alleging that the focus on cycleways would result in a clamp-down on car use, restrictions on freedom and movement, and then herald mass surveillance and control at the behest of figures like London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros, multinational corporations like FedEx and IKEA, and the United Nations.

Each accusation drew rounds of applause from the crowd.

“This is not just a local issue, this is coming from central government, and it’s coming from the globalist agenda,” claimed Sue Grey, co-leader of the anti-government Outdoors and Freedom Party, when she spoke.

Council officers did not attend the meeting due to safety concerns, leaving the three Motueka Ward councillors as the only council representatives at the meeting.

“[Residents] have got genuine concerns,” councillor Trindi Walker said afterwards. “We’ve talked about how we can consult better, because [the Walk-

ing and Cycling Strategy] has been poorly consulted on.”

But councillor Brent Maru has previously highlighted the difficulty of getting people engaged in council’s work.

“Councils could spend a lot of ratepayers’ money on consultation but it’s still the will of the person and the public to engage,” he said.

“But if you’re not terribly interested, and… some rules change and then they impact you, then you become interested.”

This sentiment was echoed by councillor Barry Dowler after the meeting.

He added that they’re “going to be in everyone’s faces”, urging everyone to have their say, on the upcoming consultation on the district’s Speed Management Plan.

“If people don’t get involved, sorry, it’ll be the same thing. A decision will be made, and they’ll have to live with it.”

Tasman District Council is also beginning work on its Long-Term Plan, which will provide another opportunity for residents to highlight their priorities for the district and guide council’s work over the next decade.

Episode 14 of The Nelson Pod features host Matt Lawrey speaking with strategy and communications consultant Johny O’Donnell. They discuss forces holding our city back, the need to attract more young people to Nelson city as well as misinformation in Motueka.

Watch on YouTube, Facebook or Spotify by searching 'The Nelson Pod' or head to thenelsonpod.co.nz

“There’s definitely a group of people who are opposed to progress here…”

Almost every hand in the room was raised when the crowd was asked who felt “lied to” by Tasman District Council.

Photo: Max Frethey.

Horti Boys dare to bare for calendar

ANNE HARDIE

Holding a frame of very busy bees in front of your naked body would make most men wince, but it was all for a good cause as local growers stripped off and posed for their ‘Horti Boys’ calendar. Twelve growers semi-stripped or went the full monty – albeit behind a frame of bees, bunch of flowers or pruning bag - to raise awareness about mental health issues.

Ben Conning and Hamish Rush were two of the 12 that dared to bare and though Ben admits he just cannot help himself when people ask him to do anythinghe has to say yes - Hamish was one of the instigators and also the one that braved the bees.

“It turns out that bees are quite calm if you treat them the right way. And the local apiarist was on standby.”

While Hamish is posing in an apple orchard in full flower, Ben is chopping celery in Conning’s market garden and the other 10 growers in the calendar all represent a different horticulture sector.

Growers feature in their own crops - from blueberries, pears, kiwifruit, grapes, hops, cherries, and boysenberries to peony flowers - all well placed for a touch of modesty.

The idea of a calendar was sown a couple of years ago over a few beers when Hamish and fellow grower Evan Heywood got talking about the prevalence of mental health issues and wondering how they could raise awareness within the local community in a light-hearted way.

“One of my friends had gone down a deep, dark hole and we were wondering how he was going and how we could get more discussions out there.”

They talked about the firemen calendars and kicked the idea around for another year before deciding they had to do something rather than just talk.

“Within a week of making a commitment, I’d ripped my shirt off and had a photo taken,” Hamish says.

Then they had to find others to obligingly take their clothes off and pose in their horticulture domain, which was not as hard as

they thought.

“There were guys lining up wanting to be part of it for the fun and the cause. They knew it would be something that would create a conversation.

“I’ve had a mate commit suicide, so it does happen. Already, since starting the calendar, it has prompted someone to ring up about someone they were concerned about and asking where they could go to get help for them.

“We’re not here to print thousands of calendars, but for something good to come out of it.

We’re not all the same and some people on the exterior look like they’re in control and you get them in a corner and they say they’re sweating bricks.”

Both Hamish and Ben say the horticulture industry has been through tough times in recent years including hail, Covid challenges, labour shortages and poor

returns for some crops.

“Rural people tend to suck it up and get on with it,” Ben says. “But it is a stressful game and you are at the mercy of lot of things.” Hamish says posing naked or semi-naked is showing their own vulnerability, which is part of mental health.

“I saw it as a great metaphortaking your shirt off to show emotional strength.

“It’s showing you are prepared to make yourself vulnerable and that’s what mental health is all about.”

Growers of all ages put their hand up to pose for the calendar and Hamish says it reflects the nature of mental health issues which affects everyone.

“It turns out no age is exempt from mental health and the middle-age group is at the most risk financially.”

Profits from the Horti Boys calendar are going to The Care Foundation and Farmstrong. Connings Food Market stocks the calendars near Richmond and Toad Hall has them in Motueka. They can also be purchased online at www.hortiboys.com

Ben Conning (left) and Hamish Rush are the August and September calendar boys. Photo: Anne Hardie.

‘Exhibition magician’ joins Motueka Museum

ELOISE MARTYN

Motueka’s district museum, Pupuri Taonga, has a newly-appointed exhibitions manager and he has some exciting plans for upcoming exhibitions.

Kenny Willis joins the museum after 18 years of working in the cultural heritage sector around the country and overseas.

A self-proclaimed ‘exhibition magician’, he has some exciting plans for the museum’s programme of exhibitions.

“I moved to Motueka from Auckland around a year ago for a lifestyle change and have never looked back,” Kenny says.

“I’m a visual storyteller and I am looking forward to telling stories of Motueka.”

The museum is currently closed to allow for upgrades to the exhibition hall and Canton Room. Climate control, security upgrades, and relining the walls to make sure condensation isn’t coming in are all on the list.

“The upgrades will really help with bringing bigger

and better cultural experiences to Motueka,” Kenny says.

“Once it’s completed we will have a completely new space, which I am really excited about as then the museum will be in a position to bring in loan items and exhibitions from all over the country as we will be able to properly care for them,” Kenny says.

Doors will open in September and the first exhibition is ‘Painted Histories: Historical Portraits and Landscapes of Motueka’. These oil paintings and watercolours show a glimpse of life spanning a century from 1880 - 1980.

“These works literally paint a picture of what life was like in the region,” Kenny says.

“These can differ from photographic records due to the artist’s impression, which makes them a unique point of view. It shows revered personalities and local landscapes that artists thought to be significant.”

The collection includes a classical oil portrait of early

settler Charles Parker, who was active in the community and rose to become a Member of Parliament who pushed for social reforms such as liberalising land purchase and use of the secret ballot, and opposed all forms of class privilege.

“Researching Charles Parker was fascinating, so was learning about another early settler, Thomasin Jacka, whose portrait will also be brought out of storage for display along with watercolour landscapes by Margaret Murray from around the district in the 1960s.”

Local art helps cultivate a sense of cultural identity and provides an intersection between past, present and future.

“Local art gives a community a place to stand.

“It reflects back to us how we see the world around us in our community and what we deem important enough to capture,” says Kenny.

“We have lots of treasures here and I can’t wait to share them with everyone when the doors open in September.”

DIFFERENCE A CAREER THAT MAKES A

Body found at crash scene

A deceased person was located at the weekend after a single vehicle crash in Abel Tasman National Park. Police say it responded to reports on Saturday, 26 August of a vehicle sighted down a bank off Totaranui Rd. “The Serious Crash Unit have been advised, and the vehicle is expected to be retrieved today,” police said on Sunday morning. The Guardian understands a woman who was last seen on Tuesday, 22 August, in the Golden Bay area had been reported missing along with her vehicle.

Māpua street improvements begin

Māpua’s Streets for People project started last week and will take eight weeks to complete. Tasman District Council says the improvement work on Aranui Rd will be done in three stages and there will be some diversions and traffic disruptions between 6am - 6pm on weekdays. The first stage consists of a one-lane closure on Aranui Rd from Stafford Dr to the hall. Traffic will enter Māpua from Stafford Dr and exit via Higgs Rd in a one-way system.

Newly-appointed exhibitions manager, Kenny Willis, with a portrait of early Motueka settler Thomasin Jacka that will be displayed in the upcoming painting exhibition.

Photo: Supplied.

Speeding, driving drunk with child in car

TRACY NEAL

Open Justice Reporter

It was mid-afternoon on a school day when Steven Jens Hall was caught speeding and driving drunk with his 11-year-old in the car. The single father had just collected his child from school in Motueka when he was caught on July 26 driving at 71 kilometres an hour in a 50 kmh area.

After he was stopped by police, who also suspected he’d been drinking, a subsequent breath alcohol test gave a reading of 965 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath - almost four times the legal limit for drivers aged over 20.

The 51-year-old now has seven convictions for driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, the Nelson District Court heard on Monday. Hall told the police he’d just picked up his daughter from school and was driving home. Defence lawyer Mark Dollimore said Hall had been the sole caregiver to his child since 2020, and the night before had “gone on a bender” after receiving distressing news from family in the North Island.

His request to the court for Hall to be allowed to continue driving until sentencing in November was likely to be a “big ask”, Judge Tony Zohrab said in convicting him.

He noted Hall’s history of driving while impaired dated from 1997 to the last conviction before now being in 2021.

“I know you have been punished for what’s happened in the past but I need to assess the risk you pose to people driving around with their children in the car and others around the school.”

Judge Zohrab convicted Hall and remanded him on bail until sentencing on November 21, with a warning that prison would be a starting

design print deliver.

point for sentence.

Hall was granted permission to drive until then on zero alcohol, and to submit to testing as required.

He was warned that any failure to meet that obligation meant Hall could end up in custody until sentencing. Meanwhile, another repeat drink driver who appeared in the Nelson District Court on Monday has been remanded in custody for sentencing on November 7. Judge Zohrab said the man would remain in custody because he had no confidence

in the defendant’s ability to not offend while on bail.

Damon James Pratt, who has been disqualified from driving multiple times, pleaded guilty to two charges of driving with excess breath alcohol and again, driving while disqualified in February this year. He also admitted further similar charges in April, which also involved young children in his car. On each occasion, he was found by police to have “very high” alcohol readings; including being almost four times the le-

gal breath alcohol limit on the February matter and just over five times the blood alcohol limit during the April offending, committed while he was on bail. The legal breath alcohol limit is 250mcg per litre of breath and the blood alcohol limit is 50 mg per 100ml of blood.

Judge Zohrab said in remanding him in custody that what stood out was the risk he posed to other members of the public. He said prison or a residential treatment centre were the only appropriate responses for sentencing.

Stay safe around downed power lines

It doesn’t happen very often, but sometimes power lines can end up on the ground. If a car crashes into a pole, or if a tree falls onto power lines, the lines can break and fall down.

By knowing what to do in emergencies such as this, you can keep yourself and others safe.

‘Complex’ advice requests increase for Motueka CAB

ELOISE MARTYN

A service offering free advice to Motueka locals has seen more requests about conditions of work than anything else and staff are noticing requests becoming more complex.

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) made their free in-person services available to the Motueka community in April.

Since then, information and support around conditions of work has been the number one request that they have received, alongside questions and advice on rental agreements and relationship separations, including assets and childcare.

If you come across power lines that have fallen to the ground you should:

z Stay well away from them and warn others to stay away too because the ground around the downed lines might be electrified

z Call our fault line on 0800 508 100 to tell us where the downed lines are located

We will get someone there as quickly as possible to make the lines safe and repair them.

The only people who should ever come near downed power lines are our experienced and trained line mechanics. They know the danger and they will only approach downed lines if they are sure it’s safe to do so.

What do you do if a power line comes down on a car you’re in?

If you are in a car and the lines come down on top of your car you should:

z Stay in the car

z Tell anyone who comes near to keep away too because the ground around the car might be electrified by the lines

z Stay in the car until one of our line mechanics tells you it’s safe to get out

There are certain circumstances when staying in the car might not be safe e.g. if a fire starts in the car.

If it is not safe to stay in the car and you have to get out you should:

z Jump from the open door of the car so that you are not touching the car and the ground at the same time (touching the ground and the car at the same time could give you a potentially fatal electric shock)

z Stay on your feet and either shuffle or hop away from the car, keeping your feet close together until you are at least 10 metres or more away from the car. This might look a bit strange when you are doing it, but it could save your life because electricity can flow up one leg and down the other if you take a normal-sized step on electrified ground.

“We are really pleased to be able to bring our services to Motueka,” says Nelson Tasman CAB manager Lenka Caslavska. “It’s only possible thanks to our amazing volunteers who give up their time to help.”

CAB is a public service that provides free, confidential, and independent information or advice on rights and how to access different legal services. They can assist with an extensive range of problems.

“We have noticed lately that queries are getting more complex, so our face-to-face Motueka service is really helpful instead of people trying to explain things over the phone,” Lenka says.

The organisation is run by 50 highly-trained volunteers from across the region and services can be accessed online, over the phone or at one of their physical locations like Motueka.

The team is operating from

On the evening of 31 August’s blue moon, a new art show will open on Motueka’s High St. Blue Hoon showing works by Geoff Ross will open at Revite Cafe Gallery Motueka on Thursday at 6pm.

Geoff, pictured preparing for his latest exhibition, will be showing some of his latest works as well as a few historical pieces that you may have seen elsewhere.

His art now hangs on walls all over the world, so the exhibition is a chance to experience his wacky, whimsical, sometimes frightening, sentimental, and atmospheric art.

The exhibition opens at Revite Café at 6pm on Thursday, 31 August. All are welcome to attend. Artworks will be on display throughout September.

Motueka Community House each Monday between 9am and 12pm.

“My wife currently works in Motueka, and I have become aware that there are residents who need Citizen’s Advice help, says volunteer Nigel Jones.

“Some of these people prefer to meet face-to-face rather than ring us, so I’m happy to travel to Motueka to man the bureau on Monday mornings.”

Bill Johnson, also a volunteer, adds that it’s a great service for the local community.

“We have volunteers here and ready to provide the advice people need for the problems they face,” Lenka says. “People have all kinds of questions; ‘what are my rights’, ‘what are my options’, ‘who can help me’.

If you are not sure, ask us, that’s why we are here.”

No appointment is needed, you can just drop in.

Lenka also says that there is no subject or problem that they can’t help with and the problems they have been helping people with recently are: housing and tenancy, employment, consumer rights, immigration, families and relationships, health, education, benefits, money, debt and, although it’s call ‘Citizens’ advice, the organisation is there for anyone and everyone, you don’t have to be a citizen to get help from them. “We’ll listen to you and ask questions to make sure we understand your situation. From there we’ll get relevant information for you and can support you through the next steps. Our aim is to help you know your rights and feel in a position to act on them,” says Lenka.

Citizens Advice Bureau volunteer Carla Janssen at the Motueka office, in Community House, ready to help people with a range of problems for free. Photo: Supplied.

Photo: Supplied.

No Plan B for veteran MP

GORDON PREECE

A veteran politician is throwing his hat in the West Coast-Tasman ring for the tenth time this election with hopes to scoop his fifthstraight win.

Damien O’Connor, who reclaimed the seat in 2020, 6208 votes ahead of second place

Maureen Pugh of the National Party, says he has always had a passion for representing the electorate and has been privileged to be part of a government that had done “great things” in recent “challenging” times.

The Labour MP promises to cultivate further improvements to Tasman if re-elected.

“I don’t have Plan B, it’s always Plan A, and that’s to win,” he says.

“What we have seen previously in and around Tasman is weather events that can impact our lives dramatically and we have to build more resilience into our systems,” he says.

“The government has set aside $6 billion for resilience planning and infrastructure investment and some of that will need to come into our region to ensure that we can withstand the ever-increasing pressures from those weather events.

West Coast-Tasman MP Damien, who also holds four ministerial portfolios; agriculture, biosecurity, land information and trade and export growth, and is the associate transport minister, says he would also continue supporting the local primary and healthcare sectors.

“The trade agreements negotiated between the UK and the EU offer huge opportunities, not just for our horticulture and primary sectors but also for a growing number of service businesses that flourish in the region,” he says.

“Growing the value from everything that we produce into high returning markets and continuing to open the doors through trade, better trade access, and assist exporters through government agencies is another core part of my focus.

“As a government we’ve committed to rebuild Nelson Hospital, my job is to ensure those services reach out into the rural areas and communities and to ensure confidence in our communities that everyone can get access to healthcare when they need it.”

Damien, who lives at Mahana with his partner and daughter, says his achievements for Tasman since 2020 included securing funds to better repair the Tākaka Hill road after it was damaged in Cyclone Gita.

“Improving the traffic flow through Motueka and supporting communities like Tapawera to be connected into government agencies have been some of the highlights,” he says.

“Along with the huge investment into Golden Bay and Tākaka schools to bring our education facilities up to the standards we deserve.”

Damien was first elected to Parliament in 1993 after winning the West Coast seat and won the inaugural West Coast-Tasman seat in 1996.

He remained its MP until 2008 when he lost the seat to National’s Chris Auchinvole but was re-elected three years later and reclaimed the seat in the past four elections.

Damien will look to reclaim the seat in October’s general election for the fifth time, making 15 consecutive years representing the region.

Damien O’Connor will seek his fifthstraight win for the West CoastTasman seat this election. Photo: Sara Hollyman.

FOR SALE

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Ruben

Ruben

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This well-appointed, beautifully presented residence offers both convenience and peace. It has been extensively refurbished to cater for a modern family. Call us to view!

POOL A

POOL C

We have been providing transport, construction and earthmoving services since 1928. Our modern fleet of trucks comprise of everything from Bulk Tippers, Curtainsiders, Flat Decks, Livestock units and more. We have a complete range of contracting machinery that can tackle anything from subdivisions to quarry work. We supply all types of gravel, aggregates, agricultural lime, fertilisers and dolomite.

Contactors

POOL B

POOL D

The 15 Minute City

I’m writing to correct a mistaken view circulating in Motueka about the concept of the 15-minute city. The 15-minute city or town is one where people live in walk able neighbourhoods, and all-important amenities are available to them within a 15 minute walk or cycle. People can get to work, shops, green space, leisure, health care, without car dependency. Children can walk or cycle to school. This improves air quality, health, and street conviviality, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Many cities have adopted these principles into their planning – Paris, Melbourne, Madrid, Milan, Seattle, Tel Aviv, and oth ers. Material published on the subject em phasises strong community participation in planning, including participatory bud geting. Inclusion of people often left out of planning is seen as necessary- women, children, elderly, disabled. There is much attention to access to green spaces. Quite recently, there has been confusion of this concept with congestion control measures some cities have used. A few people have attached some very odd ideas to the 15-minute city as an instrument of government oppression to keep people confined in ghettoes. These ideas appear to be spreading through US and UK conspiracy-associated social media and are seriously mistaken.

The 15-minute city is an excellent planning concept. However, many of us in Motueka already live 15 minutes’ walk or cycle from the amenities we use. We do need safe cycleways to get there, especial-

Community board forum consumed by conspiracy theories

Brent’s last sentence says it all. The wider community is a bigger voice than just different interest groups. Over many years in many places, I’ve noticed tunnel-visioned interest groups think theirs is the only valid point of view and all other views should be excluded from consideration.

Dennis Goodman

THE ROCK FELLA

THE ROCK FELLA

10 KING EDWARD STREET PORT MOTUEKA

High Court awards more than $900k to Tākaka woman robbed of life savings

THE ROCK FELLA

How long will this woman have to wait for repayment though?

Lisa Hill

10 KING EDWARD STREET PORT MOTUEKA

Justice has been served right and proper. Happy for you.

The Guardian Rock (with apologies to the Rolling Stone Magazine)

I’ve climbed all kind of hills

And taken all kinds of spills

And been stricken with poetic muse

But the thrill that really hits yer Is when you gits your pitcher

‘tween the covers of the Guardian news! Gunna send, a copy to my brother Gunna send, another to the other Gunna see, my smiling face ‘tween the covers of the Guardian News! Rock and Roll!!

Anonymous

Community at the heart of development

If they change too much in the CBD then they will destroy what people love about Nelson and it will be just another town. We do need more affordable housing and planned development but ripping up villas isn’t it. The problem is not that people can’t see examples of the wonderful new houses. People have seen them in other places - we have imaginations. Aren’t there enough new homes in Richmond or is that the problem that Nelson feels overshadowed now? Why this sudden urge to build?

Janet Ellison

Phone: 022 137 4574

Mabel Green

The Rock Fella

The Rock Fella@facebook www.rockfella.nz

Phone: 022 137 4574

Phone: 022 137 4574

The Rock Fella@facebook www.rockfella.nz

Stacey Helliwell

“A weekend away to Christchurch to look at the swap meet. It was nice to do a trip together and spend the weekend together.”

Patrick Stowe

“Helping him around the house with building, plumbing and electrical when he was building our house, so learning the skills he had.”

Jessica Bouchut

“He was really funny, a real jokester and he was so French that he’d start a joke in English and finish it in French.”

“Buying hot bread rolls on a Saturday morning and munching them in the car on the way home.”

Charisse Papworth

Joanna Santa Barbara

Congratulations to Logan Wassell for Winning the South Island title and the overall National Junior Title in The New Zealand Enduro Motocross Championships. He also came second in the North Island Championships.

Supporting wāhine to feel more connected

FIONA NELSON

Each week at Motueka’s Community House, there is a gathering of women who meet to share, learn and connect at Mana Wahine Motueka.

Debi Jones, who has a background in social work, leads the group which has been running since 2017.

At that time, Debi saw a need for a space where women could bring their children along to socialise and connect.

“Initially, what prompted me to start the group was because a client wanted to buy new pants for her son because he had ripped them. I asked her why she didn’t sew them up and she looked at me blankly. I asked her if she could sew and she said she had never held a needle,” Debi says. “So, I started the group to make sure that the home skills of sewing, knitting and cooking etc were passed on and that our wāhine were well equipped to sustain themselves and their whānau and these skills are not lost.”

The group meets every Tuesday from 9.30am - 2pm and start the day with three ‘check-in’ questions: How was your week? What are you grateful for? What is your intention for the day? The women share their answers and gauge how they are each doing.

They share their life and home skills, community connections and personal growth in a safe and supportive space. Changing a tyre, seasonal gardening, living and cooking nutritious meals on a budget, or learning ‘old school’ skills like sewing and knitting, are some of the skills they learn.

“Building home and life skills enhances self-esteem which has a flow-on effect to whānau,” says Debi.

Reneé Pāhutu has just started with the group, and she is able to bring her granddaughter with her.

While changing career paths, Reneé has found the group beneficial for getting involved in the community, and for being able to connect with other women.

“It is a new environment, a different space, and has opened up a lot of opportunities for me. I’ve been following the group for years, being envious of it. It is an amazing resource for any women who need support,” Renee says. Sarah Rako has been coming to the group since it began.

“I can bring the kids and as a sole parent that’s important. It’s something to look forward to each week. Everyone helps each other out and I feel supported.”

Mana Wahine Motueka is funded by E Tū Whānau for up to 10 women, aged between 18 and 40 years and there is a waiting list.

Debi receives many referrals from local support agencies which she struggles to prioritise. “The group is about enhancing the mana in our wāhine and in turn, our whānau, so I find it difficult to say ‘no’ to any woman who needs support.”

For further information, check out the Mana Wahine Motueka Facebook page.

Women connecting at Mana Wahine Motueka with organiser Debi Jones (standing).

Photo: Fiona Nelson.

Motueka Regional Ambulance Debbie and Danny - Motueka Good Sorts!!

Fostering accessibility: Total Mobility

The Fowlers' dedication to accessibility is further evident in their role as Motueka's Total Mobility passenger transport provider. This scheme enhances the mobility of individuals with disabilities, ensuring equitable access to transportation services. Their involvement underscores their commitment to inclusivity within the community.

Education for empowerment

Education is a cornerstone of the Fowlers' mission. They offer First Aid training courses in Motueka and Nelson, recently equipping a local 50+ walking group with life-saving skills. Their commitment extends to teaching individuals how to use defibrillators, empowering the community to respond effectively during critical heartrelated events. Debbie explains, "We receive calls seeking advice, especially when people are unsure if they need an ambulance." Their availability for guidance, reassurance, or emergency support offers immeasurable peace of mind.

Personal passions and future visions

Amid their relentless dedication, Danny and Debbie cherish the prospect of a well-deserved weekend off—a rarity after

six months of non-stop commitment. As their family gathers, Danny's inner creative spirit will shine as he entertains his grandchildren with his handcrafted train. When not on duty, Danny's artistic talents come to life. He's not only constructed an impressive launch in just over two years but has also crafted a charming train capable of carrying 10 to 12 youngsters. His stress relief is found in the act of building, creating tangible expressions of care and dedication.

Debbie basks in the joy of Danny's creations, from the laughter of grandchildren enjoying train rides to shared moments boating on the launch he built. "He truly is a jack of all trades," she says with evident pride.

A lasting impact on young hearts

As we prepare to leave Saxton Field, a young soccer player and his mother approach the ambulance. The boy's asthma prompts his mother to check his blood oxygen levels before their journey home. The caring mother reveals that she belongs to FENZ (Fire and Emergency New Zealand) and emphasises their reliance on the ambulance service.

Danny and Debbie's rapport with young people is both heart-warming and immediate. Their natural ability to connect reassures the young patient, allowing him

and his mother to continue their journey with confidence.

A community's lifeline: Extending a hand

For anyone seeking their services for events or sports, desiring first aid training, or requiring a health shuttle, Debbie and Danny Fowler are a phone call away. Reach them at (03) 528 7645 or 0800 111 025. And if you spot them at an event, don't hesitate

to say hello. They're more than a remarkable couple; they're beacons of community spirit, and Danny may just share a tip or two about boat and train building. In the hearts of Motueka residents, Danny and Debbie Fowler embody the essence of community support and care. Their journey is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and the impact of two dedicated individuals on an entire region.

Rugby is a physically demanding sport, and injuries can occur at any level of play. Debbie and Danny’s presence at local matches is invaluable for our local players.

Harry takes his tennis to new heights

JACK MALCOLM

Harry Pugh has broken into the top 250 U18 tennis players in the world, having also strengthened his spot as the best junior player in the country.

The 17-year-old Garin College student has been busy in recent weeks, having just returned from Australia after winning the doubles title in Sydney at the ITF (International Tennis Federation)

New South Wales Junior International.

That win saw him springboard on the ITF U18 rankings from in the 300s to being #224 in the world, his best ever ranking.

Having finished 2021 ranked #1667 and 2000 ranked #2957, it’s been a meteoric rise for the young tennis star.

And with another year in the junior circuit, before he ages out, there’s big ambitions as he eyes up cracking the top 100 so he earns his place into the junior Grand Slams in 2024.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing, as he changed playing partners with less than three hours before the tournament started.

While he did have to find another teammate for his previous partner, it was the right call as his new partner, Charlie Camus, sits inside the top 50 U18 players in the world.

The pair came into the tournament as the top seed and lived up to the expectations with a 6-1, 6-2 win in the semi-final before a 6-3, 6-2 win in the final to dominate the competition.

In the singles, it was more of

a bumpy track as Harry found himself up against the eventual winner in the quarter-finals and on the wrong end of a straight sets loss.

Having won seven ITF titles, including five this year, Harry says his recent success has seen him quickly climb the rankings. With an additional two secondplace finishes, one in doubles and one in singles, he says it’s been a good reward for the hard work he’s put in.

Harry spends at least 10 hours a week on court, while also doing gym work four hours a week on top of his school work and travel. That dedication sees him break at

least two strings a week, jokingly saying he hits the ball too hard. While his recent success has come more in doubles, he says singles is his primary focus and he’s been working hard to get on top. Although he doesn’t get much of a chance to play on clay, with only two courts in the country, he says it’s his favourite surface and he dreams to one day win the French Open.

Having started playing tennis when he was just three-years-old, he quickly progressed and by the time he was 10 people were telling him he had a promising future in the sport.

Since then he has started spend-

ing weekends in Wellington, training and playing up there because of the better facilities and level of competition.

Alongside those trips he’s travelling overseas often, including an upcoming trip to Korea and Japan for a trio of tournaments with good points on offer.

“I need to defend some points. It’s a high grade, so there’s bigger points on offer.”

And it’s not cheap, with Harry saying it’s hard to find sponsorship for individual sports and having to rely on his job at PAK’nSAVE and his parents to help cover the costs.

While his success has seen him

enter talks for a scholarship to America to train and play for university, he still has over a year on the junior circuit and is always on the hunt for new sponsors, having already teamed up with Technifibre as a racket sponsor. At international level competitions, Harry boasts an impressive 73 per cent win rate and still says he has room to improve.

“My competitiveness is my strength.

“Just competing, I’m always up for it.

“If I could improve anything, it’s my serve.

“It’s what I’m always working on,” he says.

Harry Pugh has strengthened his spot as the top junior player in the country.

Photo: Supplied.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE MĀPUA MASTERPLAN?

The development of the Mapua Masterplan is underway.

This is an important document for the future of Māpua. We need your feedback to ensure this reflects the aspirations of this growing coastal community.

Early public engagement is taking place until 30 September.

Come along to our Māpua Community Hall drop in sessions, where

Footy player loses hair for a cure

A Motueka AFC youth player is sporting a new look after shaving her hair off tin support of leukaemia and blood cancer.

On Thursday 17 August, Jenny Willers shaved off her beautiful locks to support the yearly ‘Shave for a cure’.

Every day eight New Zealanders are diagnosed with a blood cancer.

Most lose their hair due to chemotherapy, which can be scary and make them feel isolated.

Shave for a Cure fundraises towards finding a cure, and the shaved hair can be donated or sold to be made into wigs for cancer patients, as long as it is longer than 35cm.

Earlier in the year, Jenny made

a pact that if she was voted onto the Motueka High School student council, she would ‘go bald’.

“Bam! I was voted in and here I am shaving my hair,” Jenny says.

“My goal was to raise $1000 for this cause, because let’s face it, cancer sucks!”

Jenny plays for the 13/14th grade Motueka Wasps, and you may have noticed her with her amazingly long curly locks of hair.

These beautiful locks will now be donated to make a wig and whomever receives this wig will be in awe of its donator, passing on some of Jenny’s strength.

Fundraising has been more successful than Jenny expect-

ed, with her current balance at more than $1500 contributing to a total Motueka High School balance of $5,352. Donations are still coming in and can be made on the Shave for a Cure website by typing in Jenny Willers.

Football friends and supporters got to meet the “new Jenny’ last Saturday, donning a beanie on her head to keep warm in the inclement weather. Her teammates expressed how cool she was and got to feel her soft buzz cut, creating awareness of the course through her actions.

Her commitment to this cause shows dedication and even without her hair, shows her strong stature as a person, on and off the football pitch.

SUNDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER 2023

In just their second year of existence, the Motueka Buckets Juniors have swept the Nelson intermediate competition to go unbeaten this season. Coached by Rohan Haskell and assistant coach Tim Hikuroa, the team was made to address the inequity of local Motueka basketball within the region, with students going straight from primary to high school and previously missing out on the intermediate grade. Made up of representative players from the primary schools across Motueka, their dominant 50-25 win over Broadgreen Intermediate in the final was a just reward for the team, with Rohan saying the intention was to get kids together and seen by the eyes of Nelson selectors. Photo: Supplied.

© Oliver Weber

Jenny Willers shaved her hair off in support of Shave for a Cure. Photos: Supplied.

Driving forces take chequered flags

GORDON PREECE

About 70 drivers from the upper and mid-South Island put the pedal to the medal at the Jason Richards Grand Prix at Kartsport Nelson over the weekend.

Organiser Pete Fitzgibbon says the two-day annual event, which celebrates the life of former club member Jason Richards, was this year regarded as “exceptional” by the late drivers’ parents, Dave and Pauline.

He says the eight winning drivers were “stoked” and “honoured” to take the chequered flag in Jason’s memory.

“Because Jason Richards is very fond to every racing per-

son, they’re very honoured to have the Jason Richards trophy or to win an event in memory of Jason. The celebration of his life means a lot,” he says.

“Everyone of them commented that it’s a trophy that everyone wants to win and they’re very proud to have their name on it.”

Pete says the tournament was split into eight categories and the grand prix’s format is the same as the V8 Supercars and the Bathurst 1000 to honour Jason’s love for both events.

“We have a top ten shootout to get a time for where you’re going to be placed on the grid, to try and liken it to the type of racing that Jason was doing,” he says.

“On the Saturday we have four heats where we have a reverse grid race and then a qualifying first.

“Then we have three heat races and then for the last heat on Saturday we reverse the grid and that gives you where you’ll start for the top ten shootout on Sunday.”

Club president Dana Weir says the eight winners were Noah Leslie, Riley Greig and Derryn French from Nelson, Josh McConway, William Ruffell, Riley Price and Andrew Goodsir from Marlborough, and Myles Findlay from Canterbury.

She says the club will make grand plans for next year’s grand prix to celebrate its tenth circuit.

Dave Richards, left, Derryn French, Pauline Richards, Andrew Goodsir, Riley Price, Noah Leslie, Miles Findlay, Josh McConway, William Ruffell and Riley Greig. Photo: Supplied.

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