Nelson Weekly - 30 November 2022

Locally Owned and Operated

All aboard as new park opens for summer

Yusuf named as local hero

HOLLYMAN

Yusuf Corten knows what it’s like to go to sleep hungry and never wants anyone else to feel that.

From his central Nelson kebab store he offers free meals to any one who needs them, and it is this generosity that has seen him named as a local hero medalist for the 2023 Kiwibank New Zea land Local Hero of the Year.

Yusuf lost his wife in January last

year after a battle with cancer and faced losing his business as he came to terms with his new life as a single father of three.

He continued to offer free meals despite his plight, and the com munity rallied around him.

After injuring his hand a little over a month ago, he was forced to temporarily close his store.

Popping in to check on things on 5 November, his birthday, a courier happened to arrive at the

same time.

“I thought ‘what’s this, a birthday present?’ and opened it up, Yusuf says.

It was a medal and award ac knowledging him a local hero.

“This present is much better than a million dollars, it’s a feeling present, it’s awesome,” Yusuf says.

The New Zealander of the Year Awards Office says it is with great pride they present the 100 Kiwibank Local Hero Medallists

around the country to a group of exceptional and diverse Kiwis, each taking extraordinary action to better our communities and our nation.

Individually, they are everyday people having meaningful impact in their respective communities.

Collectively, these outstanding individuals remind us of the true spirit of New Zealand and re flect the mana of this prestigious award.

“If there has ever been a time to celebrate those who’ve made outstanding contributions to the well-being of our country, it’s now,” says Steve Jurkovich, Ki wibank chief executive.

“It is a real privilege to honour the creative, selfless and visionary people that help make us proud to call Aotearoa home.”

Yusuf says he will keep the award

SARA

Representatives from the Nelson City Council, led by Mayor Nick Smith, get a first hand taste of the upgraded model rail system at the opening of Te Pā Harakeke on the former site of Moddlers Pond. Photo: Tim Cuff. Story page 5.

“In the middle of Saxton. It’s pretty quiet, and close to Saxton Field.”

“The Wood. It’s quiet, close to town, close to Founders and there is always something happening in Neal Park.”

“I’ve only just moved to Ma rybank. My neighbours are lovely. I left my ranch door open by mistake and not only did they track me down, but they kept watch over it and made sure no one broke in.”

Which neighbourhood do you live in and what do you love about it?

“Up Princess Drive. It’s beautiful.”

Yusuf named as local hero

FROM PAGE 1

and medal but won’t hang it in the shop as he doesn’t like to show off. It is not the first award he has been given.

“I’ll keep it for my kids, my daughter, when she’s older and I’m passed away she will know she had a good dad.”

Yusuf says he helps others because he comes from a poor family and is lucky enough to have also experienced a good life.

“I’ll never forget my old life, when I have money and a job, I share. This one comes from my family.”

Yusuf has a new partner Colleen who he pays tribute to for making life better.

“I am very lucky she is in my life. She is for me, my best friend, she’s like my mum, dad, brother, sister, she’s my ev erything, she’s always thinking of me.”

Yusuf will continue to help those in need and welcomes anyone having a hard time into the Kebab Kitchen.

Jason Ichon

Anna Monopoli

Elijah Scowcroft

Cathy Dickson

Yusuf Corten with his local hero medal. Photo: Sara Hollyman.

Community looking forward to library re-opening

MAX FRETHEY Local Democracy Reporter

The Elma Turner Library looks set to re-open in July 2023 fol lowing Nelson City Council’s approval of $1.4 million for strengthening work and the news is being welcomed by the city’s community groups.

“I’m really pleased to have the li brary back up and running again soon,” says Amy Rouse-Groome, a children’s and young adults li brarian. “It makes a big difference for children’s programming.”

Only the children’s section of the library is open to the public,

currently acting as the pop-up li brary, with many of the children’s books being removed to make more space in the small area.

Hundreds of children have missed out on the library’s nor mal after-school programmes be cause of a lack of space.

“It’s really significant,” Amy says. “Having the activity room back and having our full collection available for families is going to be really good.”

The children at Auckland Point School used to make regular trips to the library and teacher Sy Bak er says the kids were “very disap pointed” when the library closed.

Though the trips have now re started at the pop-up library, the space is a bit small, especially for the larger senior classes.

“It’s still quite hard to fit them,” Sy says. “At the moment being able to go to the pop-up is better than nothing, and the people down at the library are so accommodat ing trying to fit us in and make it work for us.”

But he says the kids are looking forward to the full re-opening and being able to spread out and have access to the entire selection of books, which is wider than what’s currently available at the school.

Age Concern Nelson Tasman used the library for its Tea and Talk morning tea sessions and manager Caroline Budge says it’s “great news” the library is on the path to re-opening.

“We know a lot of older people use the libraries as a place to so cially connect,” Caroline says. “I think it’s been quite tough for a lot of people not having the Elma Turner open.”

Though Tea and Talk is now be ing held in a room at Age Con cern’s Nelson office, she says the attendees say they want to “get home” to the library where the morning tea was held for many

years.

“Stop gap stuff is fine, but they really want to get back to that space.”

STEM Writers Nelson used to meet in the library’s activity room twice a month and not be ing able to use that area has been “really tricky.” While the group has found a new place to have its meetings, it’s cost them $350 over the past six months, drawing on the writers’ publishing funds.

Librarian Amy Rouse-Groome says many children’s books are being stored on the floor in the meantime to make room in the pop-up library. Photo: Max Frethey.

‘We need action’

Dairies close doors in solidarity

TRACY ALLAN and SARA HOLLYMAN

The message is clear from local dairy owners - they want ac tion, following the death of dairy worker Janak Patel in Auckland last Wednesday.

Dairies across Nelson closed their doors on Monday for two hours as a mark of respect and protest at government inaction, following the alleged murder of Janak. “We wanted to pass on to the Government they need to do something,” says Pritesh Man daliya, who owns On the Spot at Victory with his wife Palak. It appears that message has al ready been heard, with the Gov ernment on Monday announcing new measures to combat retail crime. This includes a fog can non subsidy scheme open to all small shops and dairies in New Zealand.

“We need action. It’s scary and frustrating at the same time,” Pritesh says. “The criminals need to be caught and appropriate le gal action taken rather than just a slap on the hand.”

Janak was fatally stabbed while working in an Auckland dairy while the owners were overseas. Police have arrested three people in connection to the robbery, one has been charged with murder.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet press conference, Prime Minister Ja cinda Ardern announced new measures including a $4000 sub sidy to assist small retailers with the installation of fog canons.

“We don’t want to wait for small businesses who feel vulnerable to have a crime committed before they can install what is one of the best preventative measures we have,” she said.

However, supply of fog canons may be an issue with global de mand for the security measure increasing. Ardern said police have ordered 455 fog canons which are expected to arrive be fore Christmas.

Owners of Haven Road Dairy, Dharm and Dipti Patel have no ticed a change in crime during the past 16 years.

“Running a small business is in secure and it’s getting worse,” Dharm says. “Shoplifting in

creased the moment cigarette prices went up and you can’t pre dict what will happen.”

Dharm, who already has secu rity cameras and a fog cannon, thinks it helps to make criminals think twice. However, he feels the self-defense laws also need to be updated. .

Owner of Roto Street Dairy in Tāhunanui, Chanty Pich thinks there is a need for harsher penal ties for criminals.

She says she feels somewhat safer with a Covid-19 screen as a barri er after her business was targeted by an attempted robbery in 2017, she says. “It’s sad we are not al lowed to use self-protection.”

But Ardern says advice from po lice is that arming shop owners does not make people safer.

Minister of Police, Chris Hipkins, says there is very clear evidence that fog canons are a good option to deter offenders.

“Where shop owners are put in a position where they have to de fend themselves, where they are more actively engaged with po tential offenders, they’re actually putting themselves and poten

tially other customers at greater risk.”

In Victory Square, Pritesh says he checks his cameras regularly. He has security measures in place to protect their staff including alarms and panic buttons, but these are not a bulletproof plan if

someone has a gun.

“This is a community store; we can’t have bodyguards outside and we don’t want to put bars up around the counter. It is stressful running a business, and it is more stressful having to check on safe ty and security all of the time.”

Nelson

at the end of each week. Uniquely Nelson manager Simon Duffy

in the draw, if you’re simply buying

Pictured is Living Light Candles manager Jude Biggs, Evelyn Lesser, and

Nelson manager Simon Duffy. Photo: Sara Hollyman.

Pritesh and Palak Mandaliya want the Government to do more to support dairy owners. Photo: Tracy Allan.

Men charged with dishonesty offences fight to keep identities suppressed

TRACY NEAL Open Justice Reporter

Two men facing trial on dis honesty offences will keep their names secret for now, even after suppression was lifted by a court.

Each has denied a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, while one of the men is also charged with intentionally misleading WorkSafe investigators.

At a hearing last week in the Nelson District Court for continued name suppression, Judge Jo Rielly declined the application, then applied an interim order when counsel for the defendants indicated an appeal was possible.

The Crown opposed suppres sion, which was supported by NZME, publisher of the New Zealand Herald and Open Justice reporting, as an inter ested party.

Counsel for the defendants argued name suppression should remain for several reasons, including that the case was still in its early stages and possibly a year from trial.

The charges are related to a workplace incident, which preceded one similar.

It’s alleged that WorkSafe only became aware of the initial incident when investigations were underway into the sec ond incident and that despite requests for all documenta tion WorkSafe was told the company could find no refer ence to a similar incident.

Suppression was also sought on the grounds that publish ing the defendants’ names

would cause reputational damage and extreme hard ship to them, their families and the entities associated with the company.

Michael Vesty, the lawyer act ing for one of the defendants, said the consequences of publicity would go “well be yond ordinary consequenc es” for a matter that was yet to reach the case review stage, and for the defendant who faced charges around alleged dishonesty on an individual level.

“The court would struggle to find a case where one’s repu tation was more important,” Vesty said.

Suppression was opposed be cause the grounds advanced did not reach the “very high threshold” of extreme hard ship.

The Crown argued that the application for suppression would fail at the first discre tionary stage.

Prosecutor Jackson Webber said that because the com pany was not a defendant, it could not be said that hard ship would exist for anyone connected with it.

He said there were no logi cal explanations given as to how publication of the defen dants’ names would impact the functions of the business, its clients or staff, other than nebulous claims around bad outcomes if their names were published.

“These kinds of claims are very easy to make.

“The defendant’s assertion that the stated consequenc es are likely to follow is not

enough.

“The argument advanced of ‘extreme hardship’ is very much lacking in detail and evidence beyond assertions,” Webber said.

NZME submitted the nature of the charges, including al leged dishonesty and alleged circumvention of the Health and Safety at Work Act, war ranted lifting of suppression.

Counsel for NZME Ashleigh Harding said Parliament de signed the Act to create a high level of responsibility among employers.

She argued that heightened media interest in the case - a point raised by the defencewas linked to the heightened public interest in such mat ters, and the media’s role in this should not be underesti mated.

Judge Rielly said in respect of the defendant facing two charges, the first threshold test for suppression had by a “very fine margin” not been met. Secondly, the principles of open justice prevailed and therefore suppression was not granted.

With regard to the other de fendant, the threshold for suppression had not been met by a “significant margin” and the application was de clined.

Vesty then indicated an ap peal was likely to be lodged within the statutory 14 days.

All aboard as new park opens in time for summer

FROM PAGE 1

JACK MALCOLM

After vigorous initial debate on its suitability, Te Pā Harakeke has opened in Tāhunanui.

The site of the former Modellers’ Pond generated a lot of public discussion after the council decided to make a family-friendly park that saw pleas for a water play area instead.

The development was however deemed not suitable for a ‘splash park’ and has instead been transformed from an algae-infested pond into a reserve featuring seating, picnic areas, trees, natural play areas, boardwalks and a sheltered lookout for birdwatch ing.

It was officially opened by Nelson Mayor Nick Smith on Saturday.

For almost three decades, council has grappled with various solutions to the algae issue that had firmly taken the place of sail boats in the iconic Tāhu nanui Modellers’ Pond, rendering it unusable.

Utilising the moving tides in its de sign, Te Pā Harakeke also incorporates moats that ebb and flow around the

park to create an ever-changing land scape.

Initially meant to be finished in the winter, delays brought on by rising costs and Covid-19 saw the project’s initial finish date of last winter pushed back.

Mayor Nick Smith says that while it had been a “long and contentious pro cess,” the new park is already a fantas tic addition to the region.

“On the eve of summer, the timing couldn’t be better.

“Tahuna is a jewel in the crown for Nelson and this park is about mak ing Nelson the best little place to raise children.

“We can’t not mention the massive volunteer effort that goes in by Nel son’s Society of Modellers. For more than 60 years this has been a fun place for children.”

Model trains on the day came from as far afield as the West Coast and Blen heim. The Modeller’s Society are plan ning their own open day in the near future when they will fully open their new train station.

The budget for Te Pā Harakeke was $2.27m and council say they have achieved the construction on budget.

Santa Parade hits streets this Sunday

Nelson’s Santa Parade will hit the streets of Nelson this weekend for what could be the biggest parade the city has seen.

The NBS Nelson City Santa Parade will begin at Montgomery Square at 1pm this Sunday.

The parade will weave its way along Hardy St, down Trafalgar St to finish at Trafalgar Park.

Afterwards, parents can take their children to meet Santa at the nearby Tides Hotel.

Parade director Alex Bradley says the Nelson City Santa Parade Trust (NCSPT) has constructed 20 new

floats which will get their first outing this year.

“We’re really looking forward to a great parade. Anyone can join in, businesses, community groups, schools, scouts, or church groups can enter a float. We want as many people as possible.”

NCSPT board member Trevor Marshall says this year’s focus is on achieving real inclusion for the Nel son Tasman Community.

“I hope the parade will be a true re flection of groups coming together to celebrate in the spirit of Christ mas,” he says.

Open Justice — Te Pātiti, a Public Interest Journalism initiative funded through NZ on Air

O PE N

Remembering our loved ones

SARA HOLLYMAN

Gay Molineaux hasn’t figured out who will cook the Christmas ham this year. It had been her husband Chris’ job for the more than four decades they had been married.

But, in January, Chris passed away in the care of Nelson Tas man Hospice.

Gay will this year write her first message on a decoration in mem ory of Chris as part of the Trees of Remembrance campaign.

Trees of Remembrance is an annual tradition for hospic es around the world and a vital fundraiser for Nelson Tasman

Hospice which needs to raise 45 per cent of its annual operating costs each year to remain free for patients and families.

Gay says the support she and her family received from hospice was extraordinary.

“Not only do hospice look after the patient, they look after the wider network, the family, the whānau.”

Chris had a cardiac arrest in 2018. Luckily, Gay was home at the time, and he went on to en joy some relatively good health in spurts, she says.

But over time, his health deteri orated.

“We first became involved with hospice through a community nurse who came to visit. As his health declined the contact with the hospice was more frequent.”

She says Chris was eventually ad mitted to hospice on three differ ent occasions, but they provided support and advice through the entire journey.

“His initial thoughts about hos pice, like a number of people, are that it’s not a place where you go to get better. But, in actual fact, on two occasions they real ly helped him positively and he enjoyed some more time, which really was the key.”

Gay says even when Chris needed medication in the middle of the night, Don na the community nurse came around to do it.

“It was so comforting for

me because there were just the two of us at home, to know there was help on hand 24/7.

“And I did ring the hospice to ask for advice.”

She says Chris went from some one who was potentially unsure about what the hospice pathway led to, to somebody who couldn’t have been a greater advocate be cause of the care and help that the whole family received.

“Until you’re actually here and in volved and have one-on-one ex perience with it, you don’t know all the myriad of ways that they work.”

Gay says this Christmas her fam ily will do some things similarly, but the gap Chris leaves will be hard to fill.

“He won’t be here to do the ham which he always did every year, so that will be a bit of a gap, not

quite sure who will wear the ham hat. But this year we will have our daughter, son-in-law, and new granddaughter here from Doha so that will help to fill a big gap.” She encourages people to consid er making a donation to hospice and consider writing their own message to hang on one of the trees around the region.

“It’s such a fabulous thing for people to be made aware that this facility isn’t completely funded, and it needs a lot of community effort to keep it going.

Gay says, as she places her dec oration on the tree she will not only acknowledge, reflect and think, but also celebrate moving forward.

“Because we all must and do. We can look at this as a time to re member, express gratitude and to have hope moving forward.”

...End of Story

Final facts on some of our stories

Students embark on ‘trip of a lifetime’, 5 October:

Twelve Nelson students who travelled to South east Asia last month on a travel scholarship had a “life changing” experience, organisers of the trip say. John Ziegler and Doug Easton from The Celestielle Charitable Trust organised the 12day trip for the Year 13 students. “The trip went perfectly from a planning perspective. The stu dents enjoyed an impressive array of new experi ences which, through student feedback, we have been told opened their eyes as they prepare to leave school for higher education or work.” The 12 winners for the 2023 trip have been selected, they will also travel to Southeast Asia in term 3 next year.

Magic serves up the right medicine, 26 October: Nelson’s Medical and Injury Centre’s live-in cat,

Magic, has become quite the celebrity after she appeared in the Nelson Weekly last month. Re ceptionist Shelly Black says the fame seems to have gone straight to her head. “She seems to know she’s famous, strutting around like she owns place even more than usual,” she says. Magic is 11 years old and has been living at the centre for two years. Shelley says a few people have come in and asked, ‘where is the famous Magic today?’ and some have even dropped off food packages for her.

NZ Cider Festival back for 7th year, 9 November:

Around 1700 people made it through the gates for the NZ Cider Festival at Founders Park on Saturday, 12 November. Event director Shelley Haring said it was a “fantastic” day. “The weath er came out amazingly, it was so cool to have the support from people not only from Nelson but from all around New Zealand. There was a re ally good vibe, people are excited about things happening again.” Shelley says Marchfest 2023 is also shaping up to be just as big, with the early bird tickets selling well.

Gay Molineaux places a decoration on a tree of remembrance in memory of her husband Chris. Photo: Sara Hollyman.

SH6 repairs pass halfway mark

Repairs to SH6 have now passed the halfway mark with a huge amount of work happening on the main route between Hira and Rai Valley, according to Waka Kotahi.

Regional manager Wellington/ Top of the South Island, Mark Owen, says additional crews are working on Sites One and Four as well as at the river and road realignment works at the Whan gamoa River.

He says the road is expected to reopen in the later part of the evening on the 18 December.

“The emergency repairs are chal lenging. Unlike programmed road maintenance works, at this stage in the repair programme we are not able to advise the exact re opening time,” he says.

Mark says contractors are work ing very hard to reopen the road

on Sunday 18 December but will need every hour to complete the repairs.

He says the key focus at Site One has now been getting the first concrete pour, with the first one being the largest and most com plex.

The wall is being constructed in a series of blocks, each building on the previous block created by pouring concrete into form work (temporary mould). Each of the five vertical concrete lifts are approximately one metre in height and in total contain over 15 tonnes of reinforcing steel and 200 cubic metres of concrete.

At Site Two, additional excava tion and drainage has been com pleted.

The crew have placed three of nine required layers of reinforced fill. Substantial drainage im

provements are also going in for this site, of which two of the four double catchpits and some rocklined channel has been complet ed.

A catchpit is an empty chamber that is installed into a drainage system to prevent silt and debris from building up and causing blockages.

The rock-lined channel helps to carry surface runoff in a non-ero sive way downstream.

Mark says progress at Site Three is tracking well and is a similar block form to Site One. The crew have poured the first and second blocks and are now starting the backfilling and getting ready to start construction of the third and final block.

Once the final block is complete, construction of the road pave ment and asphalt seal can occur,

alongside replacement of the guardrail.

Mark says the focus for Site Four was getting the drilling complet ed so the site concrete and form work for the ground beam can begin.

“This is our largest and most complex site. Site Four had a larg er crew flown in to work over the weekend to get the work done,” he says.

With the ground anchors and micro piles complete on the low er beam, site concrete was able to be placed last week. With site concrete in place, the crew is now able to start the steel and formwork construction, with the steel columns and timber lagging planned to be done at night.

The drainage crew have nearly completed the installation of the concrete culvert near Site Four,

which is 1350mm in diameter, and have started on the inlet structure which consists of a large concrete wingwall and railway iron driven into the stream bed to stop debris blocking the inlet. Several other culverts are also be ing replaced throughout the clo sure zone to make the route more resilient to heavy rain events.

The scour site in the Whangamoa River now consists of two work areas, being the river scour rock work and a 200-metre road re alignment.

The river works consists of river diversion, 2,500 tonnes of rip-rap installation and granular backfill ing.

The road realignment consists of a newly-designed road curve to shift it away from the river, cul vert changes and 200 metres of new guardrail.

Expanding horizons of wealth at Clifton Terrace with new endowment fund

TRACY ALLAN

‘The school with the best view’ at Clifton Terrace is establishing an endowment fund, being one of the first public primary schools in New Zealand to do so.

“It’s not about the now, but about the future,” principal Rob Wemyss says.

“Our school vision is ‘expanding eo rizons’. What we need to do is think outside the box. We can do the things we want to do but this fund is about ‘what we want to do’.”

Rob says the CTS Endowment Fund will enable the school to encourage early-age financial literacy, and will form effective fundraising to create ongoing wealth.

“It will become part of the school curriculum as students will learn how the fund works and help to en courage a wealth mindset.”

The high decile school is hopeful this form of fundraising will help make up for an almost $45,000 shortfall in funding from the gov

ernment.

School camps, equipment, main tenance, classroom supplies, and otherwise unaffordable school trips are some of the expenses the funds raised by the endowment fund will support.

The fund will be managed by the Top of the South Community Foun dation who each year, in conjunc tion with the board, will set aside funds to be spent and funds to be invested.

The school is grateful for a generous donation made by a current Clifton Terrace family.

“We have a lot of work to do to match the generous donation by this parent and are looking forward to May next year when we will host a large fundraising event,” says school board member, Angela Hunter.

“We are very excited to be one of the first schools to do this.”

Rob says an endowment fund is something other schools may want to consider in the future with in creased pressure on funding.

Neighbours Day brings Tāhunanui together

TRACY ALLAN

The Tāhunanui Community Hub thinks everyone deserves good neighbours – so they are leading by example on Friday 2 December for Neighbours Day.

“It will be really nice to get the community together after the isolation of recent years,” says operations manager Mark French.

This year has been successful for the NMIT Te Pūkenga stu dent counsellors who provide support at the centre and have both recently qualified.

Meanwhile, the great mahi of the hub has extended into the community.

“Through our regular Kai Kart service, we have watched a couple of our community members move from transi tional motel accommodation into homes and it is great to see their whole personality change,” says Mark.

“One local recently had his bi cycle stolen from on the street and we were able to support him and find him a new bike with the help of the BikeHub Nelson.”

This year the demand for food support remains high, with a good number of families signing up for the hub’s Kete Huawhenua Fruit and Veggie Box in collaboration with The

Veggie Guy in Stoke. The ongo ing relationship with Kai With Love means they distributed 103 food parcels last week.

“After being inspired by see ing all of the fruit trees over laden with fruit, we have also implemented a fruit collection service teaming up with IDEA services and supported by Mi tre 10. Fruit collected comes back to our kai kart which gets fed back into the community. The feedback has been great,” Mark says.

The Re-Think Waste Wall will be a collection point for items such as can tabs which will be passed on to groups like Kid sCan for fundraising.

Phone: (03) 547 7995 Email: alison@sbcnelson.co.nz www.smartbusinesscentre.co.nz

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 2022 AWARD WINNERS

Every year we love to celebrate business success and acknowledge our client of the month winners. Although we were unable to host our awards night this year, we still celebrated by awarding our special awards and our client of the year winner.

Our special award winners are:

INNOVATIVE IDEAS AWARD

- Southern Mushrooms Limited

Ciprian is the face behind Southern Mushrooms, a new company looking to bring the best out of wild mushroom flavours in NZ. A gourmet alternative to cultivated mushrooms that has been handpicked all over the top of the South Island. They give a flavour boost to risottos, pasta, soups, and sauces. Hmm, hungry now! These don’t last long on the shelves, so grab a bag when you see them. Awesome work Ciprian.

MARKETING AND ADVERTISING AWARD

- Leva Mini Cranes Nelson Limited

Kurt Malham and his wife Anne have utilised Facebook to promote their business and to inform clients of what they are capable of achieving. Kurt has an extensive and experienced background. He is NZQA qualified and has 25+ years in heavy machinery operation. Nothing looks too difficult when you have Leva Mini Cranes Nelson Limited to do the job whether it’s navigating a spa pool into a tight section with limited access, or moving heavy industrial equipment, they will get the job done for you.

Check out their Facebook page.

CLIENT SERVICE

- Lily’s Café Limited

Lily’s Cafe is a business that is known for its great service and fantastic food. For those

who are unsure where this is, you will find them in Buxton Square in the city centre. They’re open weekdays and offer gluten free, vegan, low FODMAP, keto, and cater for picky eaters, so there is something for everyone!

All their food is fresh, delicious, and made with love. Great venue to catch up with friends and get your coffee fix. Congratulations to the team at Lily’s Café.

$1000 CASH REFERRAL WINNER

We love referrals and every referral goes into our yearly draw to win $1000 cash. This year our wonderful client Chris Sharland has won our referral draw. Thank you Chris for referring clients to us, we really appreciate it.

CLIENT OF THE YEAR 2022

- Flightcell International Limited We are pleased to announce our client of the

year is Flightcell International Limited.

Flightcell is a global leader in the aviation communications systems and hardware industry. They provide solutions to helicopter and fixed wing operators predominantly based in North America, Europe, and Australia, who specialise in aerial fighting, air medical, search and rescue, law enforcement and military.

Flightcell is a proud and long-standing supporter and sponsor of the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust.

Flightcell recently donated a new state-ofthe-art portable and wireless defibrillator to the trust – this new device provides several additional benefits to aircrew and patients when compared to the existing defibrillator.

Congratulations!

•

•

•

•

• Year-end

•

A previous Neighbours Day event was a success for the Tāhunanui community. Photo: Supplied.

A local Richmond market that has become an incubator for locals to grow their businesses is celebrating its first birthday.

The Free Market, now known as the Richmond Park Market, is looking forward to the next year and is growing to be a hub of children’s activities, local arts and crafts and good food.

Market founder Penny Cam eron says she wants it to be a place of joy for the community where they can come and have a good time.

She says the first year was hard, with division and misinforma tion rife in the community.

“It’s been hard to shake the stigma that we are ‘anti-vaxx ers’, in fact, we are just a bunch of people who are respectful of everyone’s choices,” she says. “Let’s just get back to the

old-fashioned, come in on a Sunday afternoon, relax with the family, bring a ball, bring the dog, let’s get back to enjoying life again.

She says, over the next year she expects the market to continue to grow and solidify.

Penny also wants to acknowl edge the A & P management for enabling the growth of the market.

“It almost brings me to tears, there’s such a warmth, the people who I’ve met there, the friendships and relationships have grown, it’s just a really nice place to be.”

She says something she is very proud of is the well-being ar ea.“There’s such a strength of inter-connectedness here, the stallholders are the tribe, peo ple you are meant to have in

your life. They just bring joy and energy into your life.”

She says one of the stallholders, Tim Gladstone, who sells tools, was her neighbour for three years at the Motueka Market but she never got to know him. “He would do anything for an yone, and it wasn’t till we came here that those friendships grew.”

Penny says there is room for all the markets in the region as they all offer something differ ent.

She says the market was born as a place where anyone is free to sell what they want. Rather than looking at similar stalls as competitors, Penny often pairs them together in the same area which she has found to create

friendships and diversity. The market has found it diffi cult over the winter, with many rainy days, so are looking for

ward to a summer full of cre ativity, fun and the occasional delicious ice-cream.

Hannah, with the market’s resident pet goat Feta who was rescued after her mother died, and market founder Penny Cameron.

Anna Stephens, Alexei D’Ath and Hayden Jefcoate

Betsy and Peter Blasdale

Blair Jones, Neil Benson

Gary Sawyer, Tegan Jessop and Sam Martin Keelan Walker and Isis Bradley-Kiwi

Logan and Kerrie Morris Bodie Hobbs Samantha Christensen Matthew Butterworth

Cloe, Corne and Dylan du Randt

Bruce and Lisa Irvine Kim Wedgwood and Sally Branch with Jack

I’m delighted the Labour Government is delivering on another election commitment with this week's announcement that we’re regulating residential property managers I’ve been raising concerns about the behaviour of some property managers since before I became an MP, after examples of terrible behaviour by a property manager in Nelson This included unprofessional behaviour directed towards both tenants and landlords I’ve advocated for property managers to be regulated, including a registration and disciplinary process

The new law will ensure residential property managers are registered, trained and licensed, and complaints will be dealt with through a new complaints system By having safeguards to ensure property managers meet minimum conduct and competency standards, we're looking out for the interests of both property owners and tenants With so many people in our community now renting, it is essential that property managers have a professional registration process

Thank you to everyone who braved the weather and came to say hi during the A&P Show My congratulations to the organisers and everyone who participated in the show Phoebe the Labrador loved seeing you all too!

ding Richmond and Hope

Outstanding award for satellite essay writer

TRACY ALLAN

Diksha Mahajan might be a stu dent at Nelson Intermediate but already she is thinking of the stars.

Her essay detailing a ‘Vapour De tecting Mission (VTD)’ to see the amount of water in the Earth’s at mosphere won high praise from judges of this year’s NZ Space Agency’s Design a Satellite Mission competition.

Year 7-10 students throughout New Zealand were invited to com pete in an essay writing compe tition hosted by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employ ment, Diksha was one of only six to be given honours. She says her teachers really encouraged her. “The teachers here are amazing

and have been very supportive.”

Teacher and STEAM leader Sarah Johns submitted the essay on Dik sha’s behalf.

“I love keeping these amazing kids’ company. It was so cool to talk through ideas with Diksha, the way she is thinking about dou bling down on her fight against climate change and building out of recycled materials to measure the amount of water, gas, and methane in the atmosphere.”

Sarah says the competition allows students to engage and access global views and have outside in teractions. “I so admire Diksha’s willingness to think outside the box.” Diksha will receive a VR-en hanced mini earth model as her prize.

Diksha Mahajan has received an outstanding essay award from MBIE for her take on how to fight climate change using satellites. Photo: Tracy Allan.

DELIVERER OF THE MONTH: Nelson Weekly’s deliverer of the month for November is 15-year-old Riley Stoddart. The Nayland College student delivers 300 papers every week around the Nayland Rd area in Stoke and has been doing it for about one year with the help from his family and a buggy. Riley says the run used to take him about three hours when he first started but he now has it down to about one-hour. He says the best thing about doing it is meeting new people, and he enjoys talking to people who wait at the letterbox for their paper each week. He is also enjoying the extra pocket money and has just saved to buy a PlayStation. Riley has been nominated by delivery contractor Karl Hadfield for his consistency and for his efforts receives a double pass to Nelson’s State Cinemas. Email kate@ nelsonweekly.co.nz if you would like to nominate your local deliverer.

Photo: Kate Russell.

Nelson’s expensive rubbish

Recently I made one of my very rare visits to the rubbish transfer station in Pascoe St. As I was dropping off my less than three-monthly blue bag, I found I was alongside a Nel mac truck from which a fairly large household type sofa was being dumped down the hole along with other objects. I strongly suspect that this sofa was an example of fly-tipping and I also suspect that the col lection of fly-tipping is an on going activity for Nelmac. In your article on Nelson’s expen sive rubbish, it is stated that the council has not seen an increase in fly-tipping due to the rising dumping costs. I’m not convinced about that, and I will be making a Local Gov ernment Official Information Act (LGOIMA) request for de tails of the budgeted and actu al cost to ratepayers of having Nelmac deal with fly-tipped rubbish in the city and on our reserves over the last six years. The horrendous increase in costs to $204/tonne that you

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

highlighted is only the latest of many cost increases imposed by Councils on commercial operators, and apart from na tionally-imposed emissions trading and waste disposal lev ies, the Joint Nelson City and Tasman District Committee also imposes a major cost com ponent of the above landfill gate cost. What has not been explained is the full cost of the whole operation. I believe a significant reason for increases over the last decade has been the need to pay for the cost of recycling that is not being met by the sale of the recycled ma terials. It would be pleasing if the joint committee would re veal how much ratepayers are subsidising the recycling by way of the blue bags. Without this cost imposition, together with the central Government levy and emissions trading costs, and the cost of dealing with fly-tipping, the net waste disposal cost would, I believe, mean much more affordable and fair blue bag prices. Please councils, enlighten us by re vealing the whole picture of the cost recovery shortfalls in our recycling which contrib

ute to the $5.50/blue bag cost, which not surprisingly, I be lieve, results in fly-tipping.

Ian Barker

Missing water dragon found

Wish the water dragon could talk.

Sue Dahlberg

Shouldn’t have been taken in the first place. Glad one has been returned.

Danielle Angel

That’s great because it was a long, long time to be out of the enclosure, and hope Marge is found soon. Keep Paddy G on the case and hopefully she will come home. Am glad the guy turned himself in who took him.

Marie Scherer

Fab, let’s hope the female is found soon too … poor wee things must have been so frightened out of their normal environment.

Lesley Ormsby-Dodd

This Weekend!

Who is new Nelson councillor Matthew Benge?

MAX FRETHEY Local Democracy Reporter

Matthew Benge was elected to Nelson City Council with 1,582 votes to represent the Stoke-Tāhunanui Ward and so will help govern the city over the next three years, but who is he?

His favourite colour is blue, his favourite meal is roast mutton, and he has a rescued bearded col lie named Mindy.

“I’ve taken rescue dogs all my life, trained them to be working dogs.”

His hobbies include fishing, gar dening, stamp collecting, though there are “no stamps anymore,” and animal training.

He especially has a passion for the unusual, growing rare plants and collecting strange animals.

“I’ve trained a lot of animals,” Matthew says.

“It’s something that really inter ests me, and I’ve always collected animals. I’ve still got yaks; I’ve still got llamas.”

He added that his herd of yaks, which are on the CITES endan gered species list, is the only one in the Southern Hemisphere.

Matthew was born and raised in Mahana, attending Mahana School, where his family had a farm.

He eventually bought his own farms, first in Rai Valley and then later in Golden Bay.

“I bought a couple of the mus sel farms [in Golden Bay], and I planted kiwifruit.”

He also did a bit of contract ing and then had a stint of time overseas before returning to New Zealand, buying some land in the

Anatoki Valley and helping to es tablish Bencarri Farm and Café, which was eventually acquired by Anatoki Salmon.

Matthew then started making hand-knitting yarn from the wool of his sheep, llamas, and al pacas.

“We sold knitting yarn all over New Zealand, Australia, England

and Germany.”

However, after the domestic wool scouring industry all but disap peared, Matthew was forced to end his 35 years of yarn produc tion and eventually bought Nel son Merino with his wife Ruth, a local company that made merino clothing.

“That’s the first business I’ve ever

bought,” he says. “To a large de gree, it’s her business. It wouldn’t work without her. It would prob ably work without me.”

Matthew’s decision to run for council was a last-minute one.

“I was approached and asked if I would stand, and I sort of says ‘don’t be stupid.’”

But after talking with former may or Paul Matheson and then-may oral hopeful Nick Smith – who both thought running would be a good idea – and some encour agement from his wife, Matthew submitted his nomination form two days before the cut-off.

“My wife kept telling me, if you’re not going to do anything about what’s wrong with the council then I want you to shut up.”

Now that he’s on council, Mat thew wants to ensure council does things right, especially re garding resilience to climate change and seismic events, and adopts a genuine approach to re planting native bush according to what used to be there.

“You have to do it justice,” he says. “It’s so important.”

Matthew Benge has been sworn in as a Nelson City councillor, but who have voters elected? Photo: Max Frethey.

Local History

The early cemeteries of Nelson

MARG FARRELLY

The first European to be buried in Nelson was Thomas Cresswell in November 1841.

He contracted typhoid while on board the Whitby. On arrival in the harbour he was transferred to the Will Watch, but later died.

He was buried at Aglionby Point on Haulashore Island.

The first cemetery was the Hav en Cemetery, also known as the Pioneers Cemetery, situated off Malcolm Place, the Cliffs.

The first person buried there was Henry Angelo Bell who died in March 1842.

There is little remaining there. Earthworks carried out for a new subdivision destroyed the grave of William Curling Young and a plaque for him was installed at Wakapuaka Cemetery.

Hallowell Cemetery, situated off Shelbourne Street, was known as the ‘Collingwood Street Cem etery’, the ‘Old Burying Ground,’ and ‘Shelbourne Street Cemetery’.

There is little evidence of graves now but there is a display board listing the names of people orig inally buried there.

The cemetery was divided into three sections: Roman Catholic, Lutheran and General. It was in use until 1851. The graves of the Maungatapu Murderers lie just outside the fence of the cemetery.

Trafalgar Street Cemetery (Fair field Park) was in use from 1851 to 1861.

The area was also known as Co penhagen Square in the early years of settlement in Nelson. In the mid 1850s there was much concern about the location of the cemetery.

It presented an unsanitary situ ation for the townspeople as the area was on an elevated site above the town and drainage from the area flowed down and intermixed with the water used by those liv ing below.

Much correspondence appeared in the newspapers of the day which eventually provoked ac tion to locate ground for a new

cemetery.

Correspondence during 1857 and 1858 lamented how the graves were being neglected, with cattle and goats frequently grazing the burial places because of no prop er fencing

Quaker’s Acre, Rutherford Street, was the site of New Zealand’s first Quaker Meeting House.

There are four known burials there, two of them being Mar

tha

Two infant children of Isaac Hill are also buried here.

The hunt for a new cemetery was on. Several sites were proposed. One site was on the hill between Russell Street and Britannia Heights near the port.

The site eventually chosen, after

several years of debate and inde cision, was at Wakapuaka.

John Blackett, the Provincial Engineer, was engaged to ex amine two proposed locations at Wakapuaka and furnish a re port in May 1860. His report recommended that one site was preferred for ease of access, suit ability of terrain, and the fact that much of the land had been al ready cleared.

He remarked, “I have seldom seen a piece of ground which, from its situation and natural features, offers greater facility for embellishment by planting trees and shrubs and laying out walks”. It wasn’t until November 1861 that the new cemetery at Wakapuaka was open for interments and the first burial took place.

Grace Annie Everett, 16-monthsold, was buried on 9 December 1861.

Source: Historic Stories from Nel son’s Wakapuaka Cemetery Team. Every effort has been made to guarantee the accuracy of the re searched content.

Stylish simplicity with an old school twist

Bringing things back a notch, Beggs Music works on Hardy Street are excited to finally announce the arrival of their latest Tivoli product, the iconic tabletop radio. The Tivoli Audio Model One AM/FM Bluetooth radio uses a discrete-component AM/FM tuner with technology originally developed for cellular phones, resulting in improved AM/FM recep tion. Acoustically speaking, Tivoli Au dio’s equalisation and voicing give the Model One a sound much richer and larger than its footprint. Behind its innocent exterior and superb design lies a multitude of technology enabling high-quality sound, and better reception over anything similar. Owner of Beggs Musicworks, Tim Babbage says Tivoli is just of those brands that people are always wanting. “It is a goodlooking, old-fashioned radio that is simple to use, sounds great and just looks really nice.”

Plugging into mains power, the Model One ta ble radio features a large analog tuning dial and has the ability to receive FM stations in even the most congested locations. With just three dials, volume and band selection is easy to set, and boasts a speaker specially designed to pro

vide a true High-Fidelity sound. Available in black, white, walnut or cherry, the Tivoli Audio Model One retails at just $499 and makes the perfect tabletop music device for your home. Tivoli have received critical acclaim glob ally for producing the best table radios on the market, and the Tivoli PAL BT is no different. Inspired by the Model One AM/FM table ra dio but in a portable package, the weath er-resistant cabinet and long-lasting bat tery mean the stylish Tivoli PAL BT can bring hours of enjoy ment wherever life takes you. Extremely compact, Tivoli Au dio’s take on quality and style harks back to simpler times but the addition of Bluetooth streaming means you can enjoy music from any source from its finely tuned speaker. Per fectly proportioned, the PAL BT oozes func tionality and balanced visual appeal. Available in black or white, the Tivoli Pal BT also retails at $499 and is practicality at its finest. Contact one of the team at Beggs Musicworks on 0800 923 447 or pop in to 264-268 Hardy Street and see the Tivoli range for yourself. “We’re happy to answer questions or help in any way we can.” Business Update. Adv.

and Samuel Strong who ar rived in Nelson December 1842.

Martha died 1854 and Samuel in 1875.

Garin Chapel at Wakapuaka Cemetery. Photo: Supplied.

Nelson

Iron Duke Sea Scouts, sea kayaks - $4,900

Wakatu Riding for the disabled, fencing - $2,500

Victory Community Centre, Matariki celebrations - $1,500

FC Nelson, football travel tournament - $1,800

Speak it up, Mental health talk with Nigel Latta - $3,000

The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary Trust, hi viz vests for volunteers - $3,151

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Tasman

Wakefield Fire Brigade, five year service recognition - $1,410

Wanderers Community Sports Club - $3,300

Tapawera School, firewood for school fundraising - $1,658

Moutere Rugby Football Club, junior shorts - $5,000

Tasman Bay Guardians, school marine reserve programme - $5,000

Silvan Forest, trail signage - $5,000

Moutere Birdsong, traps and predator control - $2,000

Nelson Axeman’s Club, wood for competition - $1,227

Richmond Riding for Disabled Group, resurfacing pen area - $1,558

Moutere Hills RSA Memorial Library (Mapua Community Library), books for community library - $2,000

Moutere Community Centre, community basketball hoop - $2,600

Marlborough

Marlborough Boys College, timber to build Leatham Hut - $5,000

Queen Charlotte College, timber for community project – $1,500

Drop for Youth, fundraiser for Graeme Dingle Foundation - $2,000

Renwick Menz Shed, timber for new shed – $4,995

Lions Club Marlborough, firewood for families in need - $2,026

Rai Area School, commercial ovens for welfare centre - $7,231

Marlborough Girls College, First XV Rugby team - $4,700

Nav Pasifika Marlborough, Youth Wellbeing project - $1,800

Biotech firm to expand its Nelson antiviral drug research

A Nelson biotech company has expanded its operations, meaning more of its antiviral research will now be done here rather than outsourcing it, and they’re looking to hire.

Kimer Med is expanding into a new laboratory and looking to hire additional staff after signing an agreement with Cawthron Institute last week.

The move means Kimer Med will now be doing more of its antiviral research in Nelson, after initially outsourcing as pects of its drug research and development programme to New Zealand universities and overseas biotechnology com panies.

Kimer Med chief executive, Rick Kiessig, says setting up the new premises was an im portant milestone that would provide the company with some real benefits.

“This is such an awesome lab –its clean, modern and well-de signed. Working in such a great lab in Nelson will allow us to significantly increase the pace of our research.”

Kimer Med’s research is cen tred on the development of

a broad-spectrum antiviral medication using large mol ecule recombinant protein technology. They say this is a different ap proach from other available antivirals, which are based on small molecules and usually virus-specific. If successful, the resulting drug will be indispensable in the fight against both current viral disease and emerging pandemic threats due to its

ability to treat a broad range of viral infections.

Rick says he is thrilled to be able to work alongside scien tists from Cawthron Institute in their state-of-the-art facil ity, and grateful for their help in making it possible.

“Setting up the new lab also creates the need to hire more staff, so we are now looking to fill two positions, namely Lab Manager and Biomedical Re searcher,” he says.

Kimer Med business development manager Dr Mike Schmidt and communication and funding specialist Andy Clover with chief executive and chief science officer Rick Kiessig in Kimer Med’s new laboratory space at Cawthron’s Te Wero Aroaramata facility. Photo: Tim Cuff.

OUR NELSON TŌ TĀTOU WHAKATŪ

Council approves urgent $1.4m library strengthening

On Thursday 24 November, Nelson City Council approved a recommendation from the Library Reopening Taskforce for urgent strengthening work on Elma Turner Library.

• Phase 1 will expand the area of the Pop-up Library into the Maitai River side of the building. Completion of Phase 1 is currently predicted to be mid-January 2023.

• Phase 2a will cover the central public area, the entrance foyer and the returns room, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of summer 2023. Phase 2a may not open to the public until after Phase 2b is completed, as space will be required for storage of library collections during other construction.

• Phases 2b and 2c include the structural work in the library’s southern section and staff areas. At this stage we do not have a set timeframe for completion, as the building consent and scope of construction required will depend on the detailed engineering design. Construction of Phases 2b and 2c will take approximately 10 weeks from the date a building consent is granted.

Couldn’t the library have stayed open?

While there was no legal obligation to close, Council was not prepared to accept the level of risk when it came to a high-traffic public facility with a number of vulnerable users.

What does the strengthening work consist of?

• The ceiling tiles need to be clipped securely to the ceiling grid.

• The ceiling grid needs lateral bracing to the roofing structure to prevent movement during an earthquake.

The ceiling tile system needs to be properly secured at the edges with floating edge

pieces to enable some movement during an earthquake, but without failing.

The structural connections between the exterior walls and the roof bracing system in the southern end of the building (next to Halifax Street) need to be redesigned and strengthened.

Can I still use the library while work is ongoing?

Yes! Staff and contractors will do everything they can to minimise disturbance to the public while work in different areas of the library is underway. There may be some noise and additional dust, and we will communicate about these in advance as much as possible.

Approximately 9,000 ceiling tile clips (pictured), 400 ceiling Gridloc braces, 900 “floating” perimeter braces and 650 metres of wallangle Gridloc braces will be needed to affix the ceiling tiles securely to the ceiling grid. “The seismic strengthening work to the tiles and structure of the library is consistent with the recommendations by engineering experts. It upgrades the building from high risk to medium risk and means the library will not be deemed an earthquake-prone building,” Mayor Nick says.

Thank you

“We were only able to progress this strengthening work so quickly due to the commitment of Council staff to keep this complex project moving at pace,” says Mayor Nick.

“I want to acknowledge that library staff in particular have had their day to day work disrupted for months and have risen to the challenge by creatively adapting all library services for cramped quarters, from the Library Kiosk in the Customer Service Centre to getting the Pop-up Library set up and functional.

“I know the next six months is going to be challenging for our library team, but they are committed to providing the best possible service for library users.”

Nelson City Council project manager Lucy Clarke and Library Reopening Taskforce lead and Nelson Mayor Nick Smith examine the roof bracing at Elma Turner Library. The structural connections between the exterior walls and the roof bracing system in the southern end of the building (next to Halifax Street) need to be redesigned and strengthened.

Do you have a story about Whakatū Nelson to tell?

If you have a story to tell about Whakatū Nelson’s diverse history, Tuku 23 could be the ideal platform. Applications are now open for community-hosted events to be included in next year's festival.

Tuku 23 Whakatū delivers a range of events from 19 March to 30 April 2023 designed to share the unique cultural heritage of Whakatū Nelson. Every year, organisations and community groups are invited to run their own events around the city with support from Nelson City Council.

Council’s Group Manager Community Services Andrew White says the festival has become an important event for celebrating and supporting Whakatū Nelson’s community.

“Tuku 23 Whakatū events will feature diverse stories from Nelson’s past and offer a deeper understanding of our city and the community. In 2022, we enjoyed events like a guided walk hosted by Ngāti Kuia kaitiaki Lewis Smith on the importance of pakohe stone, a batik cloth dyeing workshop hosted by the Indonesian community, and a virtual reality experience of Sir Edmund Hillary’s Antarctic hut

hosted by the Antarctic Heritage Trust.

“Last year’s Tuku 22 included 83 events and was attended by about 14,000 people, bringing economic benefit to Whakatū Nelson.

“We’re excited to see what our community comes up with for events that celebrate our people, stories and places.”

The word “Tuku” was gifted to Council in 2021 and means “to share” or “exchange” in Te Reo Māori. It is an expression of our unique stories, histories and heritage, and reflects the value of biculturalism.

The deadline to submit ideas and lodge a grant application for the 2023 programme is 8 January 2023.

Grants of up to $2,000 are available to support individuals and organisations with ideas to host events or activities.

Visit our website to learn more about hosting a Tuku 23 event: shape.nelson.govt.nz

Nelson’s newest park, Te Pā Harakeke at Tāhunanui Reserve, was packed with happy children at its opening day last Saturday. Here, Taiki Luke, 7, walks across a beam. Opened with a blessing from Nelson City Council kaumātua Luke Katu and a speech by Mayor Nick, the

park was full of climbers, imaginative play, sand-enthusiasts and model train-travellers throughout the afternoon. A big thank you to all involved, especially the Nelson Society of Modellers for running the popular model trains on the new extended track.

Keep dogs on a lead in livestock grazing areas

We've unfortunately found evidence of dogs attacking sheep at the Grampians and Sir Stanley Whitehead reserves this spring.

Four lambs have been killed and two ewes have been badly injured.

These reserves have signs alerting you when you are entering a grazing area (dogs should be leashed) and when you are exiting one (leash is optional).

Please keep dogs on leash when entering these livestock grazing areas.

There are many lambs in these areas at the moment, and lambs are especially vulnerable to dogs.

These rules are also in place to protect dogs. Uncontrolled dogs found attacking livestock can be put down, and no one wants that either.

Let's all please look after our animals and each other on our trails.

As part of the Tuku 22 programme last year, Cultural Conversations showed a series of filmed interviews featuring migrants exploring their struggles, joys and feelings about Aotearoa New Zealand. Groups with ideas for the upcoming Tuku 23 programme are invited to apply now.

Stalwarts in the building and construction industry, IMB Construction – formerly Ian McCully Builders – are celebrating 50 years in business this year. What began as building company creating homes for lo cals has grown into one of the region's old est and most trusted building providers. Born in Oamaru, Ian McCully moved with his parents to Nelson during his college years. Upon leaving school, Ian began a five-year carpenter/joiner apprenticeship with H. Baigent & Sons Ltd before work ing for South Pine, building its Quarantine Rd sawmill. Later, after marrying Carole and moving to Australia to live, the couple moved back to the region permanently in 1972 when Ian established his business. “I had worked in the trade for 12 years, and I think business must have been in my DNA. My father was self-employed all of his life, and my brother Ross McCully had his ve hicle business. When I left school, I had al ways wanted to be a carpenter, so I started work at Baigent's as a carpenter/joiner.”

Stalwarts in the building and construction industry, IMB Construction – formerly Ian McCully Builders – are celebrating 50 years in business this year. What began as building company creating homes for lo cals has grown into one of the region's old est and most trusted building providers. Born in Oamaru, Ian McCully moved with his parents to Nelson during his college years. Upon leaving school, Ian began a five-year carpenter/joiner apprenticeship with H. Baigent & Sons Ltd before work ing for South Pine, building its Quarantine Rd sawmill. Later, after marrying Carole and moving to Australia to live, the couple moved back to the region permanently in 1972 when Ian established his business. “I had worked in the trade for 12 years, and I think business must have been in my DNA. My father was self-employed all of his life, and my brother Ross McCully had his ve hicle business. When I left school, I had al ways wanted to be a carpenter, so I started work at Baigent's as a carpenter/joiner.”

Ian McCully Builders constructed a lot of beautiful homes around the region, but Ian says things really took off when co-owners Brian Mazure and Richard Cole came on

Ian McCully Builders constructed a lot of beautiful homes around the region, but Ian says things really took off when co-owners Brian Mazure and Richard Cole came on

board. “In the early years we mainly did houses. Brian has helped to make the com pany bigger, and we needed that, the big ger jobs. Our first one was an educational project at Nayland Primary, building the

board. “In the early years we mainly did houses. Brian has helped to make the com pany bigger, and we needed that, the big ger jobs. Our first one was an educational project at Nayland Primary, building the

passenger lift from Rocks Road, the garage is also a house. There were a lot of steel piles driven deep into the ground making the building process easier. That would be the feather in the cap of the company and David Wallace was the architect on that.” With a footprint of 560m2 on a 2007m2 section, the Bisley Avenue house project won the Registered Master Builders House of the Year Supreme New Build for 2000. IMB put major effort into this project, and it certainly paid off with a remarkable home, with judges saying, ‘the beautifully constructed home features timber win dows and joinery with specially-designed stained glass. The delightful result suited the site and the region.’

passenger lift from Rocks Road, the garage is also a house. There were a lot of steel piles driven deep into the ground making the building process easier. That would be the feather in the cap of the company and David Wallace was the architect on that.”

With a footprint of 560m2 on a 2007m2 section, the Bisley Avenue house project won the Registered Master Builders House of the Year Supreme New Build for 2000.

IMB put major effort into this project, and it certainly paid off with a remarkable home, with judges saying, ‘the beautifully constructed home features timber win dows and joinery with specially-designed stained glass. The delightful result suited the site and the region.’

dental

dental clinic. We have done a lot of work throughout the years, but the Bisley Ave nue House project was probably the defin ing moment for the business. Built in un der a year, it is essentially two houses and a

Built in un der a year, it is essentially two houses and a

Ian has done a lot of work on schools around the region as well as spec homes, with their very own home on Hill St win ning the first-ever House of the Year award in September of 1991 with architect David Jerram. Becoming a regional finalist for their home came as a lovely surprise for the couple but going on to win the national title was a great feeling, with judges saying the house stood out in both character and style enhanced by the quality of materials

Ian has done a lot of work on schools around the region as well as spec homes, with their very own home on Hill St win ning the first-ever House of the Year award in September of 1991 with architect David Jerram. Becoming a regional finalist for their home came as a lovely surprise for the couple but going on to win the national title was a great feeling, with judges saying the house stood out in both character and style enhanced by the quality of materials

Carole and Ian McCully in their award-winning home in 1991.

Congratulations to Brian, Richard and the IMB Construction team on your achievement

clinic. We have done a lot of work throughout the years, but the Bisley Ave nue House project was probably the defin ing moment for the business.

Carole and Ian McCully in their award-winning home in 1991.

and level of workmanship. David Jerram was quoted as saying, ‘These aspects com bined have made this house an award-win ner.” And going on to say the awards also prove that Nelson builders and architects were also as good as their counterparts.

Quantity surveyor Brian Mazure recalls a similar occurrence with the building of

Bisley Avenue house. “That project turned a new leaf for IMB. The recognition we received from that was fantastic and I feel that we represented Master Builders well. It was great reward and opened the door for Nelson builders after that with many going to win more awards for the region.” Ian, Brian, and Richard are all in agreement

when it comes to what lies behind the suc cess of the business. “People are the key to the success of the company,” says Richard. “Just great people, who I am still personal friends with. A lot of faces have come and gone from the business, and then some have come back again. It is just that kind of place.” Currently employing around 30

staff, the team say some have been there for over 25 years, including Richard him self who started with IMB on the tools, and Brian joining the team in 1994.

Brian says, “We have always felt a respon sibility to our staff and to keep the jobs coming. It was a team effort, and we are a big family.

The IMB Construction team upon completion of the Bisley Avenue project in 2000.

The Hill Street home won the Registered Master Builders National House of the Year award in 1991.

"John Delany would be the longest serv ing staff member, starting with us in 1975. People communicating with people, that is the magic behind the success of the com pany.”

“We have a great team, with good clients and contractors. We have had a good rela tionship with all of the architects in town, they have supported us, and it works both ways. There would be a serious number of dots on the map if you were to lay them out, with a lot of repeat customers over the years.”

Being adaptable has also helped to keep the company going through the tough times, with their size and adaptability al lowing the company to tackle any size con tract with ease and precision. “I think we made a conscious decision not to just focus on one type of construction,” says Richard. “There have been many peaks and troughs over the years, but the fact that we remain to be diverse in our projects, including housing, industrial, insurance work, hous ing modifications, schools and are the pre ferred provider for the DHB, we have had to remain adaptable, and I think that has really worked for us as a company.”

Some of the biggest changes Ian has seen over his time in business would be technol ogy and Health and Safety. “The evolution of building, the use of different construc tion methods, concrete floors, prenailed frames, truss roofs, there have been big changes in that regard. Learning the health and safety aspect is a lot more challeng ing than it's ever been for people entering the industry now due to there being a lot more boxes to tick. It's been a good time, but it certainly doesn't feel like 50 years has passed! The enjoyment came from the fact we had a great bunch of people working for us. Support our people, that is the at titude we have always taken. It wasn't like it was job back in those days, it was fun.”

The team look back fondly on projects they have completed in the past including Beachcombers Motel and The Sands apart ments in Tahunanui, the Kaiteriteri Motel complex, Garin College, Nelson Court house, Suter Art Gallery, Alison McAlpine Sports and Fitness Centre at Nelson Col lege for Girls, Wakatu House and Stoke Medical Centre, to name a few. “We have done some reasonably chunky school block projects, and bits around the region,”

Ian and Carole's current residence. The apartment building was constructed by IMB Construction.

“We have the ups and downs over the years and had to tackle it with a sense of humour,” says Brian. “It was enjoyable in dustry to be a part of, and still is. You al

ways feel like you're not alone and we try to maintain that environment. Working together to finish the job and get it done right, get the right result for the client.”

Wakatu House is one of IMB Construction's many award-winning projects across the region.

Ian McCully Builders (IMB Construction) have been members of the Registered Master Builders Association since June 1975.

says Richard. “We have worked on just about every school in the district,” adds Brian. “More recently we completed work at the Cawthron In stitute's Aquaculture Farm and the dialysis unit at the hospital.”

Looking to the future for IMB Construction, Richard says the industry has changed since the early days. “We will carry on, keep improving, and keep helping out. It is certainly not as sim

ple as things once were, but I guess the nuts and bolts of it have essentially stayed the same. It's a wonderful industry to be in. It's not easy, you have to put the hard work in.” Brian agrees, “It comes down to attitude – you've got to get out of bed every morning and hit the job running to succeed.” Ian still holds an active interest in the company, popping in for a beer and a catch up with the team every now and then and says, “I

wouldn't have done anything else, I like the job.”

Wanting to thank their clients, em ployees and suppliers for their sup port over the last five decades, Rich

ard says, “A lot of projects have been a lot of fun over the years, there have been a bunch of really cool jobs and we have met some great people, long may it continue.”

Still looking for Christmas presents? Sick of average, mass-produced products and want to give something special to your loved ones? Looking for that perfect Se cret Santa gift? Give our Hospice Shops a try! Not only is op shopping the sustain able way to do Christmas, it’s also a great way to find unique gifts that don’t blow the budget. There are currently four hos pice shops operating throughout the Nel son Tasman region in Nelson, Richmond, Motueka & Takaka. Those that work with Hospice Shops thoroughly enjoy the chal lenge of raising funds for Nelson Tasman Hospice, and successfully raise almost half

of the $3.5M funding shortfall each year. The shops are always grateful to receive quality donated items and are keen for new volunteers! All shops are open Monday to Saturday. Free large item collection, phone 03 543 7017.

Did you know that all proceeds from Habi tat for Humanity’s ReStore go towards building decent, affordable homes in our community? By shopping, donating or vol unteering at your local ReStore this Christ mas, you are directly supporting us in our mission - to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Habitat for Humanity Nelson have been helping local whanau with a ‘hand up, not a hand-out’ into home ownership for 25 years, with 14 homes being built this year in Stoke and more planned for 2023. The ‘Cabins for Community’ pro ject is another current build, aimed at helping people living in emer gency accommodation transition

into stable housing. ReStore accepts and re sells new and pre-loved goods of all shapes and sizes. “Besides your usual secondhand finds, we also sell building materials, DIY and house parts such as bathtubs, windows or whole kitchens,” says ReStore manager Rebekah Wyatt. "In fact, we are currently building a large, covered area to house an even wider selection of DIY and building materials, so watch this space!"

If you have quality goods to donate, drop them in during shop hours or call to ar range a pickup of larger items.

Nelson has a great range of second-hand and charity shops brimming with preloved clothing and homeware. Habitat for Humanity op shops are a treasure-trove of vintage and interesting items that can make fabulous gifts. Buying second-hand helps you save money and reduces waste going to landfill. Don’t forget that op shops depend on your donations of clean and undamaged used clothing and goods to continue to be fabulous shopping destinations. Whether you’re in the mar ket for something new to you or maybe thinking of a Christmas clear-out,

Council’s handy Op Shop Map and Guide is a great place to start. Pick up a copy from Nelson City Council’s Customer Service Centre, download a copy from nelson.govt. nz/op-shops or email rethinkwaste@ncc. govt.nz if you would like a copy mailed to you.

Our St John Nelson Store is the whole Christmas Package! A great place to donate your unwanted treasures if you are declut tering or downsizing, with proceeds sup porting our local community. We have a fantastic easy pickup service for donations available - call our team today to book in your collection 035488598. Our store is the perfect place to get an amazingly unique gift, essential items for extra house guests or fabulous outfits and decorations for the holiday season. All with the added bonus of being environmentally and socially-con scientious at bargain-friendly prices. We would love more hands to help us spread Christmas and New Year cheer. Volunteers are essential to the running of our store so pop instore to join our team for social in teraction, fun, a sense of purpose, and con tribute to your personal well-being and the well-being of our communities.

Grease is the word for young actor

KATE RUSSELL

Young actors from a hit Net flix show have inspired a local 15-year-old to pursue theatre, and his first-ever venture is a lead role in Grease.

Chey Habib decided to audition for the Nelson Musical Theatre production, which opens tonight, after watching Stranger Things. “Seeing all the young actors made me want to give it a try. When I saw the poster for the audition it said 14 and over and I have just turned 15,” the Nelson College student says.

“It said they were needing people who can sing, dance and act, and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity as I love all three. I started singing when I was sixyears-old.”

Although he has only been acting for six months, he has scored a lead role as Putzie (Roger) who is a member of the T-Birds.

“And, of course, Putzie is the king of mooners,” says Chey. “I was su per happy when I heard I had a lead role and even happier when

tional vibe of the original version but added in a few more modern elements.”

After being hit with continuous Covid-19 cancellations, Lynley says the team is excited to be back on stage.

“The cast is just so positive. It has blown me away how many new faces we’ve had, including some like Chey who have never done something like this before.”

Chey says the best thing about being in the show is “meeting new friends and being able to perform”.

“I have lots of family and friends coming to watch me on one of the eight nights the show runs, even a few of my schoolteachers are go ing to come and watch.”

He says the experience has in spired him to keep pursuing act ing.

“I plan on doing musicals for Nel son Youth Theatre and my goal is to perform at the Theatre Royal.”

Grease is on at Red Door Theatre from 30 November - 10 December. Tickets available from www.itick et.co.nz/events/2022/nov/grease

I heard I have a solo song.”

The director of the show, Lynley Rutherford, says the show is a lot

of fun for the cast of 17, with the youngest being 14 and the oldest at 62.

“We decided to put on Grease as it is a show that everyone loves to watch. We’ve stuck with the tradi

From left are T-Birds Hayden Jefcoate (Kenickie), Joel Sangster (Danny) and Chey Habib (Roger ‘Putzie’) in Grease. Photo: Sara Hollyman.

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

At Vega mortgages we help you to arrange finance. We work with people at all stages of their property life cycle, from getting first home buyers on the property ladder, to reviewing mortgage rates and refinancing loans, through to helping property investors build their nest eggs. Our local team has extensive lending experience inside banks and know just what each of the 26+ lenders that we deal with is looking for in a mortgage application. We will work closely with you to create a ‘Yes’ application, which we’ll submit to the lender(s) we believe will be most receptive. With so many mortgage options, it’s essential that we understand what you’re trying to achieve and over what timeframe.

Choose commercial finance with Vega and let our expert team tackle your financial needs for both development and investment. Whether it’s residential development, commercial projects or land subdivisions, whatever your commercial finance needs our local advisers will help finance it. Get us in your corner and let us help you get your finances sorted. Contact Residential & Commercial Mortgage Adviser, Toby Hoebergen, on 027 928 0391 or Gavin Frampton 021994639. Or email Toby.Hoebergen@vegalend.co.nz for more information. vegalend.co.nz

Proud locally-owned automotive business, Dollarsave Auto (DS Auto), has been trading and fixing vehicles at its Haven Rd site for almost 30 years. Owner-operators Derryl and Tanja Henman say the team at DS Auto ‘cover it all’, providing customers with top-quality auto services to all makes and models, from Fiats to Ferraris, and a great range of car sales and rentals, caravans and trailers. DS Auto have a fully-equipped workshop housing the latest machinery and the team also specialise in selling unique automobiles such as classic cars, Range Rovers and even Corvettes. “Additionally, we are still very active in importing caravans and vehicles from UK and USA.” “Being family-operated we tend to share the family sense with our customers and staff members,” says Derryl. “We strive to give the best service possible, and we hope to see our business grow for a further 30 years!” Tanja is the customers main point of contact keeping people on the ball with their warrants, and in recent years their son Tom joined the business as a qualified auto technician working on a wide range of vehicles. “We are a family-owned and operated business,” says Tanja. “And we believe wholeheartedly in supporting local.”

Family-oriented Chiropractic and Natural Health Centre, Loveday Clinic on Collingwood Street, are committed to working with people on their personal journey to wholeness and wellness. The oldest running chiropractic practice in Nelson was first established in 1971. In 1992, Dr John Loveday took the clinic to new heights. Dr Loveday then handed the practice to Dr Adam Mokhtar in 2016. Adam will stay on as a director and now leaves the practice in the very capable hands of his colleague Dr Abdullah Jaber (AJ), saying, “We are constantly evolving and expanding to become further immersed in the Nelson community.”

Canadian-born, AJ has a wealth of knowledge in the chiropractic and science fields and looks forward to bringing his skillset to the practice. With the handover already underway, AJ says the feedback from the community has been wonderful. “The people of Nelson have been so warm and welcomed me with open arms. I’m excited to play my role and serve the community. I just love to see people get better. There’s nothing more rewarding than that.”

Contact on (03) 548 0998 to book an appointment.

For more than 35 years, Star Moving and Distribution has provided a professional home and furniture removal service founded on reliability, security, and friendliness. Located at 178 Tahunanui Dr, with branches nationwide, Star Moving take the stress out of moving by going that extra mile every time. The long-standing, locally owned company provide trained packers that carefully wrap precious belongings in the most secure way possible. Their team specialise in Safe and Heavy Item moving, ensuring all furniture and stored belongings are carefully itemised and containerised for protection and security. If relocating, Star Moving will blanket-wrap all home furniture and effects which will be securely stowed for travelling in the most safe and secure manner possible. Star Moving also offer an unpacking service and the company provide export-approved, fire and burglar-protected storage warehouses across the country. With a fleet of modern trucks and regular service-runs throughout NZ, Star Moving and Distribution fully cater to daily and weekly freight services throughout the country. Contact Star Moving on 03 548 6667 to discuss your requirements or book a home visit and written quote. Email nelson@starmoving.co.nz for more information.

Nayland comes out trumps at volleyball tournament

JACK MALCOLM

Nayland College’s junior girls have won the South Island Sec ondary Schools volleyball tour nament played at Saxton Stadium last week.

After a slow start with a 16-25 loss in the first set of the final against Christchurch Girls’ High School, who were the only team they had lost to throughout the competition, Nayland was able to bounce back with back-to-back set wins to snatch victory.

A 15 point win in the second set, 25-10, set up a tense third and fi nal set, with the game going right down to the wire in front of a bumper crowd.

The 25-20 final set solidified Nayland’s dominance, with the final point coming from a failed block by CGHS as they struggled to return the serve which gave Nayland the platform to build an attack.

Nayland’s journey to the final saw them sneak past Nelson Girls College in a semi-final that went down to the wire, with just four points separating the two teams

across the three sets.

The 25-21, 20-25, 25-22 scoreline took the wind out of the Nelson Girls College sails as they went on to lose in straight sets to Cash

mere High School Girls A in the third and fourth playoff, despite pushing them to a tight scoreline.

Nelson Girls College’s B team found themselves in the final of

the second division, having beat en Motueka High School A in straight sets in their semi-final, but could not find the winning formula again to finish second

behind Craighead Diocesan School.

In the boy’s A division, Nayland College finished third after being bundled out of their semi-final by Burnside High School in straight sets.

Their third and fourth playoff saw them beat King’s High School Boys A in convincing fashion, with a 25-20 and 25-23 straight sets victory.

Nelson College’s A team finished eighth and their B team finished 12th in the first division, finish ing just ahead of Waimea College Gold, 13th, and Waimea College Green who finished 15th, having been split by Motueka Boys High School A in 14th.

Friday saw players move to Tahu na for the 76 team-strong, oneday South Island Junior Beach championship.

In the girls grade, Waimea fin ished second and Nayland fin ished third, while Burnside High School regained some bragging rights with the top two spots in the boys grade after coming up short in their indoor final against Riccarton.

Maya Ricciardi and her coach Brendan Crichton (background) celebrate after scoring a winning point on the way to taking out the South Island Secondary Schools volleyball tournament in the third and final set for Nayland. Photo: Barry Whitnall / Shuttersport.

The Nayland girls team Back row: Dayna Kerr, Craig Shepard, Abby Rangi, Briana Barber, Nevaeha Neho, Ayla Dewson, Brooklyn Leary, Brendan Crichton Front row: Maya Ricciardi, Mia Shepard, Jayden Leary, Lucia Wood.

Nevaeha Neho elevates to hit the ball. Photos: Barry Whitnall / Shuttersport.

NBS and Nelson Nyxons team up for the next two years

Nelson Cricket and NBS have announced a new sponsorship agreement that will see the finan cial services provider become the new naming rights sponsor of the women’s Nelson Nyxons team. The agreement covers the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons and will also include contribution to some of the organisation’s key programmes.

The women’s game is growing in the Nelson-Tasman region with the launch of several new pro grammes focussing on girl’s and women’s cricket.

‘Yeah! Girls’ is a national pro gramme targeting school aged female cricketers and Nelson Cricket has set up 11 hubs in schools across the region as part of this programme.

The organisation also offers a new women’s 6’s competition played on Monday evenings at the Sax ton complex.

Brady Barnett, coach of the NBS Nelson Nyxons, says he’s very ex cited about this year’s season.

Mortgages Made Easy

“The NBS Nyxons team is very strong this year, and we believe we have a good chance to win the Mike Shrimpton Shield. Our Nyxons women will also serve to inspire our younger play ers and act as great role models.”

“Our hard

work has been supported by this investment from NBS and will enable us to really grow the wom en’s game. If we can develop and promote players to the Central Districts team and hopefully the White Ferns, then we know we are doing a good job.”

NBS community engagement manager, Nic Foster is pleased with the investment in Nelson

Cricket and says Nelson Cricket has shown great resilience over the last two years with Covid and other challenges.

“They have a great plan in place and have secured excellent coaches. To invest locally in an iconic sport like cricket is won derful alignment for NBS. We look forward to seeing what the NBS Nelson Nyxons can do this

season”

NBS’ sponsorship programme sees the organisation invest a per centage of its profits back into the communities in which it operates each year. Last year, NBS invested a record $1 million back into the community, making an impact in the areas of sport, education, health and wellbeing, arts and culture and the environment.

Nelson’s SMA Kickboxers Niyah Takao, Sarah Randall and Lily Sinclair walked away from the Oceania Championships in Canberra with four golds, two silvers and three bronze medals. Fighting in her second ever competitive bout, 13 year old Niyah impressed in the kick light discipline novice U13 to earn her first silver, before winning the Oceania title and golden medal in the points and light contact divisions. Lily would start her competition in the open advanced division with a bronze after losing to the eventual winner, but would follow it up with two Oceania Titles and gold medals in the novice points section and light contact division. Sarah had to enter the novice and open senior divisions after no opponents fronted in the point fighting discipline for the veterans division, settling for bronze in the novice and silver in the senior novice division. Her second day saw her reject a gold by default after her opponent pulled out, fighting in the senior novice division and taking home bronze. Photo: Jack Malcolm.

From left is Nyxon player Ella Ranson, Nic Foster from NBS, and Nelson Cricket head coach Brady Barnett. Photo: Sara Hollyman.

Remembering Roger and his many hats

JACK MALCOLM

Roger Ledingham had a calm but commanding presence over almost everything he did throughout his 76 years of life. After moving to Nelson in 1975 with the “slightly false logic” to live halfway between his parents in Timaru and his wife Susan’s parents in Hawke’s Bay, Roger made a substantial impact on the local communi ty.

Whether when he was teach ing at Waimea College or be ing known as the man in the office on a Saturday or as Nel son Netball’s president, Rog er’s no-nonsense attitude saw him leave a profound impres sion on those who knew him.

When Roger found something he was passionate about, there was no stopping him, remem bers his wife of nearly five de cades, Susan.

“He used to say ‘don’t die won dering’. That was one of his fa vourite sayings.”

One of Roger’s greatest pas sions was sport.

He would spend hours of his free time with a cat on his lap, watching whatever was on the sports channels.

“Anything competitive, he’d watch on TV,” says Susan. “I can’t think of a sport he wouldn’t watch.

“When the Olympics or Com monwealth Games were on, he was in heaven, with all of those extra pop-up channels full of sport.”

She says he was always looking for ways to give back to sport as well, with rugby, cricket and netball playing equal favour ites.

Roger took on Waimea Col lege’s netball programme and ran it for decades, becoming a regular feature on a Saturday down at the courts.

“He’s an incredible man and human being,” remembers Nelson Netball life member and former committee mem ber, Marilyn Milne.

“He quietly and without fan fare made a huge contribution to Nelson netball.”

Marilyn, and Susan, say Rog er’s handling of meetings was infamous.

His goal was that they never lasted longer than an hour.

“He knew how to run a meet ing and not be there all night. He didn’t muck around.”

Alongside his regular com mitments, Roger always found time to work to improve the

- 14.1.1946 - 2.11.2022 -

situation of his friends, men tors and colleagues.

As a history teacher, Roger was known for welcoming his students into his classroom with classical music, which he believed set the mood for learning.

Music played a big role in his life as a long-term member of the Nelson Cathedral choir, having a “lovely” bass voice af ter starting choir singing as a treble at primary school.

His involvement with the ca thedral saw him act as the Dean’s Warden as well as sit ting on the church’s vestry.

From being the head of the fundraising society for the Saxton Stadium build to his presence as executive chair of the PPTA teachers union, Roger was committed to en riching the things he was pas sionate about.

His involvement in the union saw him travel all over the Top of the South to visit schools, and, having never held a driv er’s licence, would regularly take a taxi to the West Coast.

He got around town on his trusty moped, which he be came known for because he’d drive around in shorts through the winter, says Susan.

“Always in shorts. Shorts and sandals, or crocs. He loved his crocs,” she says.

Robert Taylor, who held the same position in the union af ter Roger’s tenure, remembers him as a mentor who wasn’t afraid of taking on anything. During their time in the union, Roger was influential in opposing bulk funding for schools that would have seen wages provided as a lump sum and administered by a school’s board of trustees, instead of by the Ministry of Education.

A PPTA document, ‘Bulk Funding - A Retrospective’, highlights Roger’s role in fighting back the proposal that they saw as a way to cut costs over time.

“The report headed ‘Bulk Funding – Progress??’ (written by Roger). . . didn’t contain the usual recommendation - ‘That the report be received’. In stead, it asked ‘That the report be wept over’.”

Susan says, seeing the Sax ton Stadium building come to fruition was one of Roger’s proudest achievements, hav ing been “involved up to his neck for years”.

“There were a group of people who saw an opportunity and went for it.

“He did really enable people to do things.

“He was someone who got great satisfaction out of peo ple’s enjoyment.”

YOUR GOALS

ALLIANCE – SEASONAL TEAM MEMBERS

Are you looking to earn some good money while you learn new skills? Right now, our Nelson plant is gearing up for a big 2022- 2023 season with a number of opportunities available. If you’ve got experience doing the mahi - awesome, give us a shout, but if you’ll be coming in fresh and just keen to learn and earn - that’s good too, we can train you up! We’re recruiting Butchers, Boners, Halal Slaughterers, and Labourers.

Ngā painga - what’s in it for you?

• Butchers: potential to earn an average of $1,365 based on a 40-hour working week, exclusive of overtime

• Boners: potential to earn an average of $1,374 based on a 40-hour working week, exclusive of overtime

• Halal Slaughterers: potential to earn an average of $1,353 based on a 40- hour working week, exclusive of overtime

• Labourers: earn a minimum of $26.50 per hour across a day, inclusive of allowances

• Minimum of 30 hours a week, usually 45 hours a week

• Up to 7 months of full-time seasonal employment

• Upskill yourself with an opportunity to gain NZQA qualifications

• Receive ongoing training and support

• Access to free onsite health services including a nurse, physiotherapist, counsellor

• Access to our free employee assistance programme

Ō pūkenga - about you

• You are eligible to work in New Zealand

• You will pass a pre-employment drug test and medical assessment

• You are willing and able to follow and respect workplace health and safety

• You enjoy working within a team environment

• You are physically fit, committed, and reliable

Apply online at www.alliancejobs.co.nz, by emailing nelson.botas@alliance.co.nz, or visit us at the Nelson Plant, 910 Main Rd Stoke, 7011.

Find out more at www.alliance.co.nz

Roger Ledingham after he had just received the ASB Sports Award for his “Lifetime Contribution to Sport” at the netball awards presentation in December 2021. Photo Supplied.

Swimmers take on the Waitemata Harbour

PETER GIBBS

It was a busy few days for Nelson Sea Swimmers recently as more than 100 took on the regular Thursday race in Nelson Harbour on Thursday and then 20 headed to Auckland for the 4.6km race from Rangitoto Island to St He liers on Saturday.

Harrison Dean led the way over a short course in Nelson on Thurs day, breaking clear from the start of the 700m event and leading all the way from Hamish Neill and Lucas Bell.

Lilly Claridge made a solid state ment, leading the women’s field for the second consecutive week.

She may face a challenge in the future, as second-placed Keshia Linyard is rapidly improving, beating her father Jon for the first time.

Ollie Rooney and Nia Linyard distanced the field in the short course of about 300m to take top male and female spots.

Nearly 500 swimmers crammed the wharf at Rangitoto on an unusually fine, calm day on Sat urday. Buoys dotted 400m apart showed the way to the distant beach of St Heliers.

Abbey Smale and Hayden Squance joined a lead group of about ten as the field headed off. The group splintered at about

the kilometre mark, with both Nelson swimmers in the second bunch.

At the finish, it was a clean sweep of male and female victories for brother and sister pair Larn and Lena Hamblyn-Ough, with Lena crossing the line in fourth place. Abbey finished sixth overall to take second place in the wom en’s section, with Hayden 15 sec onds behind, the Tasman School teacher winning gold in M20-24. Other Nelson medal winners were Hamish Neill, who took sec ond in M55-59, and Jude Vincent who was second in F60-64. More swim news and information at nel sonseaswims.co.nz.

Unable to find results despite best efforts

JACK MALCOLM

After rain saw the first day of cricket abandoned, premier teams took varying approaches to the second day of action in search of vital competition points.

In the last round of two-day games before the Christmas break, Waimea Toi Toi United Ti gers and Wakatu New World Nel son City declared after just one ball in their first innings to play for a result, with the game ending in a draw.

Wakatu made 224/5 before de claring on the back of a 157-run first wicket stand between Na than Dufeu (90) and Brad Smith (80), while WTTU were unable to chase down the total in the allotted overs. They struggled to make headway against a strong bowling attack to finish 152/8. Ryan Flowers (46) top scored for his team as the WTTU batsmen

found themselves unable to es tablish themselves at the crease, with eight players making dou ble-digit scores before being dis missed.

The result saw neither team earn competition points as they de clared in the first innings, which is where they can earn extra points for their batting and bowl ing performances.

In Athletic College Old Boy’s game against Nelson College at the Botanics, ACOB looked to play for the points in the first innings, making 211/10 from 38 overs, before trying to bowl them out twice in a row to get the re sult.

The game was called off early as Nelson College were able to re sist the ACOB bowling attack in the first innings, making 141/10 from 49.1 overs to finish without enough time for a second innings. In the top of the table clash be

GENERATIONS OF NELSON

Brought to you by Marsden House

tween Stoke-Nayland and the Wanderers/Motueka Wolves at Memorial Park, the rain came in early and disrupted play. Ryan du Plessis made his pres

ence felt for Stoke-Nayland, scor ing 118 runs from 159 balls as his team batted first to bring up 224/6 in the 65th over before they declared.

The Wolves got off to a mixed start, losing opening batsman Jack Morris early for 10 runs, be fore Cameron McLean, batting in third, was ducked. With the rain coming in, the game was called with Sean Neal and Joseph O’Connor steadying the ship to see their team finish 49/2 before play was abandoned. Next week sees teams shift back into the one-day format, with ACOB travelling to the home of the Wolves at Memorial Park, Nelson College playing WTTU at Ngawhatu Park and Wakatu playing Stoke-Nayland at Victo ry Square. Stoke-Nayland holds a convincing lead on the com petition’s leaderboard, with 20 points from their four games, sit ting ahead of the second-placed Wolves on 14 points. Wakatu sit on nine points, while Nelson Col lege and ACOB have five and six points, respectively.

Lured

In

he settled as a storekeeper at Ōkārito

Generations

His

of Nelson presents Snippets of History

The latest Snippets of History, Volume Four, is now available!

Volumes 1–3 are $15 per book Volume 4 is $20

Or get the full set for just $60

Purchase from Marsden House or NZME. 41 Selwyn Place, Nelson.

here by the 1861 gold rush, Scotsman Robert McNee had spent four years at Ballarat, Victoria, as a storekeeper. After chasing gold in Otago, Wakamarina and the West Coast,

then Hokitika.

1877 he came to Hampden to manage the Moonlight store, which he later bought.

chaired and established the first Murchison School, and was the main force in opening a local library.

Robert McNee

The return of Thomas Zohrab to the ACOB ranks made an immediate impact on the team, making 77 runs with the bat from 70 balls and taking three catches in the field. Photo: Evan Barnes/ Shuttersport.

Abbey Smale started in the lead group which splintered around the kilometre mark, where she found herself in the trailing group and battling to catch up, finishing second in the women’s division.

Photo: Chris Chase Photography.

Community Notices

MONDAY

JUST COOKING, Free course for elderly. Mon 5 Dec, 10 - 1.30pm. Headingly Centre, Richmond. Learn to plan and cook simple healthy meals for 1 or 2 people. Shopping tips, label reading and time saving strate gies. Ideal for those lacking practical cooking skills or needing a boost of confidence to cook for themselves. Held over four weeks. Includes morning tea and lunch.

ACTIVE STRENGTH/BALANCE CLASS: Also seated op tions presented. Tāhunanui Community Hub, Muritai St, Mon @1pm. ACC accredited provider. Get fitter to great music. Ph: Shirley 5471 433 / 021 121 8023.

STOKE SENIOR CITIZENS is a Friendship Club accept ing all INDOOR BOWLING beginners and players, Mon and Fri 1:30-3:30pm. An annual $5 subscription and a $2 mat fee covers costs levied for the afternoon. Mats and bowls are provided by the club. Ph: 547 9814 or 547 3052.

MONDAY FOOTBALL Come and join our friendly social football (Soccer) group in Tāhunanui. Anyone welcome. Weekly from 6pm opposite Sprig & Fern. Just turn up.

NELLIE KNITTERS GROUP. Meet every Mon, 1-3pm. Nightingale Library in Tāhunanui. Come along and join our super friendly group of knitters and create gar ments for donation to community groups. All materials provided. Donations of wool gratefully accepted. Ph: Jillian 539 5546.

TUESDAY

WELLBY TALKING CAFÉ Tues 6 Dec, 10 - 11.30am. McCashins, Stoke. Wellby Talking Cafés are about social connection and finding out about groups, activities, and services. www.wellby.org.nz. Ph: 03 546 7681.

NZ CHRISTIAN WRITERS NELSON GROUP Tues 6 Dec, 1-4pm.Richmond Baptist Church Lounge. Open to writ

ers at all stages from wanna-be writers to published authors of all ages and whatever genre you use. Con tact Kay Ph: 027 547 6777 or kaypeterson4@xtra.co.nz.

LAUGHTER YOGA at Victory Community Centre. Tues 6 Dec, 9.30am. Bring something to lie on. Laugh your socks off. Laugh for no reason. Laugh yourself to well ness. $3 koha. Ph: Cath 545 1207.

NELSON 50+ WALKING GROUP Tues 6 Dec, Meet 10am at Victory Square. Victory Square to the beach. Do bring your own lunch as we stop for lunch part way through the walk. Ph: Noeline 021 059 1667.

NOHO PAKARI (SIT & BE FIT) Tues 10.30 - 1.30pm. Tāhunanui Community Hub. Run by Wayne from Te Piki Oranga, he is providing exercises that are fun while you’re sitting. Any questions Ph: Wayne: 027 3063 123. wayne.simons@tpo.org.nz.

VICTORY SIXTY PLUS Tues 1.30-3.30pm. 238 Upper Vanguard St. Join us for cards, games, and a cuppa. For more info Ph: Jan on 546 9057 or 027 4577 955.

WEDNESDAY

WAIMEA HARRIERS Sharland Cycles 5k fun run and walk. Weekly until Wed 21 Dec. Start time 6pm. Club Waimea, Richmond. Everyone and all abilities wel come. See website. Queries Ph: 022 3729 432.

COMMUNITY SING A LONG Wed 7 Dec, 1.30pm. Stoke Methodist Church lounge, 94 Neale Avenue. Gold coin donation for Nelson Hospital Chaplaincy. Afternoon tea. All Welcome.

WOMEN’S MULTICULTURAL MEAL Meet second Wed of month, 12- 1pm. Victory Community Centre. A “pot-luck” group lunch for women from all cultures to share kai (food) and meet new people. Bring some food from your own culture to share with the group but please don’t worry if you’re unable to bring food,

DEADLINE: 10AM FRIDAY

50 WORDS OR LESS BY EMAIL ONLY

SEND TO: myevent@nelsonweekly.co.nz

just join us! Cost: Free!

NELSON RSA members and visitors please feel wel come to join our weekly social every Wed 4-6pm in the Greenmeadows Centre at the corner of Songer St and Main Rd Stoke.

THURSDAY

WELLBY TALKING CAFÉ Thurs 8 Dec, 10- 11.30. Night ingale Library, Tāhunanui. Wellby Talking Cafés are about social connection and finding out about groups, activities and services. www.wellby.org.nz. Ph: 03 546 7681.

NELSON BAYS HARMONY CHORUS - our friendly group of women barbershop singers meets every Thurs evening at Club Waimea. www.nelsonharmony.org.nz and/or Ph: Carole 027 436 0910.

START-UP TAI CHI every Thurs 9-10am. Victory Com munity Centre. Tai chi is often described as "meditation in motion," but it might well be called "medication in motion". Join Jingjing from the Healing Hut for this gentle form of exercise that can help maintain strength, flexibility, and balance. It could be the perfect activity for the rest of your life. COST: $50 for 8 weeks

FRIDAY

TAHUNANUI COMMUNITY HUB Neighbours Day and fundraiser. Fri 2 Dec, 4.30 – 7pm. Tāhunanui Commu nity Hub. Sausage Sizzle, Ice cream, Car boot market. Trashion Fashion Show, Face Painting.

WAITAKI OLD GIRLS' SOCIAL GROUP Pop In for coffee and a chat. Fri 2 Dec, 10am. Lambretta's Cafe Bar, 204 Hardy Street, Nelson. All Oamaruians welcome. Ph: 027 673 1145.

CAKE DECORATORS are having a Christmas stall. 9 Dec, Stoke New World. Come and see what the ladies

have made for Christmas. Ph: Desiree 027 630 2359.

CULTURAL SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Fri 10-11am - Come along and share morning tea & a cuppa with Victory’s friendly multicultural roopu. Volunteer opportunities for all people to participate.

SATURDAY / SUNDAY

SOUTH ISLAND MARCHING CHAMPS Sat 3 Dec, 11am. Trafalgar Park.U12 grade followed by U16 grade. Sun 4 Dec, 10am. Trafalgar Centre. Masters Grade fol lowed by the Senior Grade. Public Parking available.

FESTIVE FUN Sat Dec 3, 2-3.30pm. Putangitangi Greenmeadows Centre, Stoke. Christmas Themed Flo ral Designs & Demonstration by Janthia Holt & Sue Gardiner. $15 includes afternoon tea. Public welcome at 1pm to view other Floral Art Designs. Ph: 545 0542.

HIGGINS HERITAGE PARK Sun 4 Dec, 10-3pm. 222 Pigeon Valley Rd, Wakefield. Steam Up Traction engine rides, museum sheds and park activities open day. Model trains, & jigger rides - a great place for a picnic www.higginsheritagepark.co.nz.

NELSON RAILWAY Founders Park. Sat 3 & Sun 4 Dec, railcar will run on demand. 11am start. Weather per mitting. Follow us on Facebook and Website.

PLAY PETANQUE at Nelson Pétanque Club. Sun and Wed 1.15-3pm. A game for all ages. Come along and try us out. Ph: Roger or Shirley, 546 6562.

GENERAL GROUPS

NELSON CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS TREE Until-15 Jan. Daily 8.30 – 7pm. Weekday lunchtime concerts 1pm. Night Fridays 9, 16, 23 and 31 Dec.

THE SUTER ART SOCIETY Summer Exhibition. “Pay and Collect” until - 22 Jan. A selection of small paint ings ideal for giving or posting to friends.

NELSON TASMAN

around

& Richmond Farmers, Nelson & Stoke New World, Richmond Mall. 2–9 December, Motueka House of Travel & Mapua Wharf. Remember loved ones and raise much needed funds. All money raised locally stays locally.

FREE FITNESS FRIDAYS – PT in the Park. Bringing communities together for fun and fitness. Free fitness with your neighbours, family, and friends in a local park near you. Become active in our local parks. Email Nicola@bfit4ever.nz for dates and park locations or look on Facebook Bfit4everNZ

DOWNSIZING OR DECLUTTERING? Vinnies in Van guard St can collect your good quality household dona tions. Please just call us on 03 548 9372.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - Is alcohol causing prob lems for you in your life? Want to stop drinking but can't? Maybe we can help. Support meetings every day. Call 0800aaworks 0800 229 6757.

SURVIVORS AND THRIVERS If you have or have had cancer, supporting someone with cancer come and meet others in this friendly atmosphere. Register info@ cancernelson.org.nz or P: 539 1137 for details.

BIRDLIFE CENTRE OF NEW ZEALAND needs volun teer pest trappers in the Centre of NZ Reserve in Nelson city. No experience needed; full training given. If you are interested, reasonably fit and can spare two hours a fortnight Ph: Gretchen 021 266 3867.

FEELING SAD, STRESSED, DEPRESSED, OR STUCK? Identify and explore new ways to move forward with a Life Linc Counsellor. Up to 10 face to face counselling sessions available now for individuals and couples. 548 2400 lifelinc.co.nz

LUNG CANCER CONNECT for those who are going through or who have gone through lung cancer Reg ister 539 1137.

Community notices are free to community groups, schools, churches, gold coin donation events and fundraising only. For classified ads and public notices please call 548 5900 Due to the popularity of this column, while every effort will be made, inclusion cannot be guaranteed for free ads.

HOSPICE Trees of Remembrance

the region. Until 24 Dec, Nelson

GARAGE SALE

Saturday 3rd December

1 Fell Place, Stoke.

From 8.30am NOT BEFORE.

Cancelled if wet.

Independent Chairperson Waimea Combined 1st XV Steering Committee

We seek a person for the Independent Chairperson role of the Waimea Combined 1st XV Rugby team Steering Committee.

The Chairperson ensures that the Steering Committee functions properly, that there is full participation during meetings, that all relevant matters are discussed and that effective decisions are made and implemented.

The Chairperson has external representation of the organisation and works with various outside groups.

The Chairperson will provide leadership, be an excellent networker and be confident in building and leading the team.

Applications should be received at Waimea College by 4.00pm on Wednesday 7 December 2022 and addressed to: Karla Thurlow, Waimea College, 60 Salisbury Road, Richmond. For further information contact Karla Thurlow on 5446099 ext 878 or by email: karla.thurlow@waimea.school.nz

Scott Haines | Principal

MIRIMIRI

Contemporary Māori massage

SITUATIONS VACANT

Waimea College

Waimea College

Itinerant Music Teachers

Itinerant Music Teachers

For 2023

For 2023

We are seeking expressions of interest from Itinerant Music Teachers to work with our students in our Performing Arts Department during the 2023 school year. Please state which instruments you can offer tuition.

We are seeking expressions of interest from Itinerant Music Teachers to work with our students in our Performing Arts Department during the 2023 school year. Please state which instruments you can offer tuition.

Hours will be dependent on the requirements of our students and their subject selection and aligned with our confirmed staffing numbers from the Ministry of Education.

Hours will be dependent on the requirements of our students and their subject selection and aligned with our confirmed staffing numbers from the Ministry of Education.

If you are interested in working with our students at Waimea College, please send your expression of interest, including a CV and details of relevant experience to Nicola Cruise, Executive Assistant at; nicola.cruise@waimea.school.nz

If you are interested in working with our students at Waimea College, please send your expression of interest, including a CV and details of relevant experience to Nicola Cruise, Executive Assistant at; nicola.cruise@waimea.school.nz

Applications close at 4pm on Friday 9 December 2022.

Applications close at 4pm on Friday 9 December 2022.

Scott Haines | Principal

Scott Haines | Principal

Your Place to Excel

Your Place to Excel