‘Deeply disturbing’ vandalism of pou whenua along
Abel Tasman Coast Track
The senseless vandalism of multiple pou whenua along the Abel Tasman Coast Track has sparked dismay among locals and is being investigated by DOC and NZ Police.
Pou whenua are carved posts used to mark out boundaries or places of significance to Māori.
The sites, located at Medlands Beach close to Bark Bay and further along at Marahau, have been closed off by DOC staff.
DOC and mana whenua are extremely disappointed by the vandalism and are working with NZ Police to track down those responsible. Phil Crawford, DOC acting operations director, says it’s hard to believe someone would vandalise cultural pieces like this along a Great Walk.
“The first pou whenua looks as though someone took a hammer to it,” says Phil, “and paint was thrown over the second. These are mindless acts of destruction. Honestly, we’re not sure which is stranger - that someone would do something like this, or that they planned enough to bring a hammer and paint along to do it.”
“We hope that, given the amount of people on the track currently, someone must have seen something and will be able to pass the information along.
“If anyone has any information about this, please contact the DOC HOT line on 0800 362 468 or NZ Police on 105.”
One pou whenua is of Hohāia Rangiāuru, an important Te Ātiawa chief of Motueka. An online hui was held with mana whenua and DOC, where Hohāia’s descendants expressed sadness at the vandalism.
“Ka tangi te ngākau i tēnei mahi tūkino,” says Melanie McGregor, great-granddaughter of Hohāia.
“I lament this act of violence.”
Replacement and future protection measures for all the pou in the National Park were discussed.
A police spokesperson said on Tuesday that at this stage there are no further lines of enquiry to pursue.
“However anyone with new information that might help is still asked to get in touch through our 105 service, quoting the file number case number 241223/3689.”
The pou whenua of Hohāia Rangiāuru and a second pou in the Abel Tasman were vandalised before Christmas. Photos: Supplied.
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The Twisted Frequency Festival celebrated it’s 10th anniversary this year. The event in the Cobb Valley draws in roughly 3000 people for the five-day outdoor party. Organisers took to social media to thank eveyone after another successful year ringing in the new year. “We are so deeply proud of the way that the vibes have been curated and allowed to flourish and this was without a doubt the most phenomenal display of exactly what we want to see,” they shared. Photo: Henry Jaine.
Information requests of council up 44 per cent
MAX FRETHEY
Local Democracy Reporter
Tasman residents made significantly more requests for information from their council in 2024 than they did the year before.
During 2024, 738 requests were made under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) for Tasman District Council last year – an increase of about 44 per cent from the 512 requests made in 2023.
Leith Townshend, the council’s general counsel, says the requests cover “a real range” of areas and often relate to active areas of council work. For 2024, areas of particular interest included cycleways, dogs, and the Waimea Community Dam but the “bulk” of requests were made to the environmental assurance team which handles the council’s resource and building consents.
It’s not possible to say how many staff hours are used to respond to the LGOIMA requests because staff time isn’t currently tracked in that way.
“But if I was to ballpark it, I would say that a really simple LGOIMA [request] – of which probably about 70 per cent are relatively simple –probably takes about three or four hours of staff time,”
Leith says.
That time involves staff receiving, acknowledging, and cataloguing the response, as well as subject matter experts who compile the information needed to answer the request.
“It’s a significant amount of council time across the board.”
Leith adds that it is important residents are aware that “each LGOIMA request costs the ratepayer some money” due to the staff time taken responding to them.
“If we get 1000 requests
about roading, that pulls our roading team away from being able to do their other work.”
If a request was going to take a “considerable amount” of time and couldn’t be narrowed, the council could charge a fee for the request which equates $50 per half hour of work after the first hour.
Before submitting a LGOIMA request, Leith urges that people check the council webpage titled ‘LGOIMAs and information of public interest’.
That page contains links to major council documents such as the Long-Term Plan, annual reports, and meeting agendas and minutes, as well as to policy documents, plans, environmental data, and other sources of information.
On that same page, the council has also begun to upload responses to other LGOIMA requests on various topics of
public interest like water fluoridation and chlorination, the eBuses, CCTV cameras, and the dam.
The LGOIMA re quests are being published primar ily to increase the council’s transpar ency, something Leith says councillors are “very interested” in.
However, “at this stage” the published LGOIMA requests don’t seem to be reducing the number of requests received.
“What we’d like to do going forward is do more in that proactive release space,” Leith says.
“There’s a couple of other councils who do it quite well that we’ve been liaising with, so we’re looking at publishing more. Whether that actually reduces the number of requests, I’m not amazingly confident about, but what it does do is increase our transparency.”
If an area of council work appears to be getting a lot of interest from requesters, the council will often proactively publish some more information for people to access. Of last year’s 738 requests, 276 were made by just 10 requesters, one of which is an organisation.
Leith says that people should “absolutely” seek the information they need and that the council was open to suggestions on how it could improve its transparency.
Thorp Bush enhanced by beautiful bins: Rubbish bins are usually beautifying the surrounding area through their function, not their form, but these trash receptacles in Thorp Bush/ Te Maatu have taken their purpose to the next level. The four bins have been “wrapped” with artwork created by Motueka youth, as part of the Motueka Youth Council’s ongoing mission to reclaim and beautify Thorp Bush. They hope it will encourage people to respect this local taonga and dispose of their litter properly. Pictured is Zoe Nuttall and Ava Kubo of the Motueka Youth Council. Photo: Supplied.
Hundreds of staff hours were used responding to more than 700 requests for information over 2024. Photo: Max Frethey.
GORDON PREECE
Solly hauls a New Year Honour Professor honoured for stable work
If you’ve been a road user within the past 97 years, you’ve probably caught sight of an emerald freight truck labelled ‘Sollys’. The family company’s third generation driving force Merv Solly has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 New Year Honours for services to the transport industry and business.
It’s been a long journey for the working-class bloke who’s lived in Collingwood for 76 of his 77 years, and who was already driving Bedford 5 ton trucks at age 12 at Sollys recently defunct transport yard in Rockville. He contemplated “quite hard” whether to accept the royal honour but says Sollys service and his other ventures which have steered the course for a prosperous rural sector was the clincher.
the Dolomite Quarry in Golden Bay in 2007, commencing soil testing and creating calcium and magnesium and other biological mixes for New Zealand and overseas farms, vineyards and orchards.
“We saw it as a great opportunity… [the fertiliser] is a very good animal health product, and the magnesium in the soil is really important for photosynthesis and it makes phosphate available as well to plants,” he says. “When we bought it, we were doing 4000 tonnes [of fertiliser] a year, and now we’re probably somewhere way over 25,000 tonnes.”
Merv’s grandfather Ken started up Sollys in 1928 and it grew to have more than a dozen operational vehicles carrying out traditional rural carriers’ work for the farming community and local dairy co-op.
With Merv at the helm since 1978 after delivering freight in Golden Bay with the company, he has revolutionised the small rural transport operation to a national heavyweight.
Sollys today comprises 130 trucks and 180 staff, with its head office in Tākaka and depots in Richmond, Blenheim, Christchurch, and Greymouth. It has acquired marine shipping, farming and coal distribution companies, and provides nationwide freight services, construction and earthmoving services, road maintenance, coastal protection, and supplies raw materials from its quarries to support New Zealand’s agriculture and infrastructure industries.
Merv was inducted into the New Zealand Road Transport Hall of Fame in 2016 for his outstanding contribution to the road transport industry.
His plaudits also include the purchase of
Merv is also a staunch advocate for natural nitrogen mixes as an alternative to chemical fertilisers.
“More sustainability into farming is what we’re driving for, we’ve got two farms operating here in Golden Bay which have not had nitrogen on them for like 17 years, and production from those farms just gets better for the animal health.
“It’s going to be interesting because next it will be towards biochar or something like that as well, which will hold those nutrients in the soil for a much longer period and reduce costs.”
His other business interests include DX50, a Tākaka-based nationwide provider of water treatment chemicals, and Fernbrae Farm at Collingwood which is a sheep and beef farm set on biological farming systems.
Merv has also supported the Historic Transport Museum at Higgins Heritage Park, and Collingwood Volunteer Fire Brigade, and offers truck driving gateway programmes to Golden Bay High School students through Sollys.
“I would like to thank all the people that have supported us to get this far because without good customers, you wouldn’t have a business at all,” he says.
“I’m looking forward to February 2028, when Sollys will be 100 years old, there aren’t too many private family companies that get that far and stay together, so that makes you proud.”
GORDON PREECE
Kaiteriteri and Colorado-based Professor Wayne McIlwraith is globally respected in veterinary medicine and the equine industry.
He has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 New Year Honours for his tenacity in the specialities predominantly in the USA, but has still retained good stead within the field in his country of birth.
“It was a surprise of course, but I’m appreciative, particularly because veterinary medicine doesn’t get as much profile, it’s good to see work in that area recognised,” he says.
Oamaru-raised Wayne hit his stride in equine veterinary surgery when he trotted overseas after a stint practising in Darfield after gaining a veterinary degree from Massey University in 1970.
He obtained higher qualifications from Purdue University in Indiana and became a member of Colorado State University’s (CSU) veterinary medicine faculty in 1979 and went on to hold multiple roles conducting equine and human joint disease research. He recently retired from the university but remains present.
One of his many plaudits was pioneering the use of arthroscopic surgery in horses in his early years at CSU after reading about diagnostic arthroscopy on
human knees as a resident and graduate student of Purdue.
It’s now used worldwide as a minimally invasive surgical technique to accurately explore and treat issues in any joints in horses.
“Arthroscopy started as a diagnostic technique where, before that, oftentimes the joint was cut open and a meniscus was removed when you didn’t know the state of damage or whether it needed to be removed,” he says. “Arthroscopy enables putting the scope in the joint, the first one I had was only two millimetres in diameter… and through a stab incision in the joint and blowing it up, then you could make sure that you did indeed have a meniscal tear or cartilage flap or piece of bone.
“By the time I went to Colorado in 1979 I was starting to do surgery under arthroscopic visualisation and the rest is history.”
Wayne says the technique initially drew scepticism
from the equine industry, but it became admired after a horse had a bone chip removed in 1984 at Miami and won the Kentucky Derby by six lengths five months post-surgery. He says many examples of the surgery’s success have since ensued. In his CSU tenure, he founded the Gail Holmes Orthopaedic Research Center in 1994 which investigates the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of neuro-musculoskeletal disease and injury for the advancement of animals and humans. He also opened the C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Medicine Institute in 2019, a hightech hub bringing together scholars, creators, and entrepreneurs to discover and deliver solutions that utilise the body’s healing capacity and improve the lives of animals and their careers. He has authored seven textbooks, more than 500 scientific publications and textbook chapters, and delivered more than 700 presentations, seminars and workshops internationally. He has received numerous gongs, including induction into the International Equine Research Hall of Fame, and five honorary doctorates from international universities. Since retiring from surgical practice in Southern California in 2023, Wayne plans to visit NZ more often, including to the Kaiteriteri property he’s divided his time between for the past 15 years.
Merv Solly
Professor Wayne McIlwraith
Conservational song leader honoured
GORDON PREECE
It was as pleasantly surprising as his native flora discoveries.
Pōhara-based former Department of Conservation (DOC) botanist, now contractor, Shannel Courtney was awarded a King’s Service Medal in the 2025 New Year Honours for his four-decade contribution to the conservation of Aotearoa’s indigenous plants.
His honour also recognised his service to choral music with the Nelson a cappella group, World Mosaic Choir.
Shannel’s conservation work in Nelson Tasman germinated in 1986 after working on conservation projects across the motu for DOC’s predecessors like the Department of Lands and Survey.
He had obtained a plant ecology degree from the University of Canterbury three years earlier.
Shannel’s fertile career with DOC includes collaborating with taxonomists on published papers to formally name 11 species and five subspecies.
These included forget-me-not, native daphne, native geranium, daisies, māhoe and the world’s smallest lobelia which is confined to a handful of northeast Nelson locations.
“Most of these newly named spe-
cies are very rare, some species don’t have a common name at all, people just won’t know what they are, but mostly we call them herbs, and a lot of them are alpine,” he says.
“A lot of them have turned out to be quite threatened, so we’re actively managing them.”
Shannel has also discovered several new native flora species and rediscovered a presumed extinct plant in Molesworth in 2015.
“Over the years getting around the northern South Island with my work, I got to know the flora pretty well, so it was clear when I saw things that I’d never seen before,”
he says.
“One of the big pieces of work was to record the natural values of Molesworth station, and one the upshots was the discovery of pygmy goosefoot, which I think was last seen in the 1940s.
“It meant we could take one of our species off the extinct list.”
He has also played a role in the DOC-administered New Zealand Threat Classification System for over 20 years, producing publications for councils, ports and the Environment Court which detail the threat statuses of flora.
He has also worked over the past eight years to create a catalogue for local iwi containing the indig-
enous plants for their rohe.
“It was quite a good way for them to have active involvement in protecting what they consider their taonga,” he says.
In 1989, Shannel co-founded the Nelson Botanical Society and remains an active committee member, leading several day trips and camps for the society annually.
“The biggest thrill for me is to get people to discover just the amount of amazing diversity that we have around us and how special it is, if you can put a few stories behind the plants, it really helps people connect with them,” he says. “That follows through to my mentorship role over the
years with bio rangers in DOC, I found that really rewarding as well.”
Shannel also helped establish a herbarium at Nelson’s DOC office in the mid-2000s and it currently keeps 6000 samples of the Top of the South’s native plants.
He has also worked with Wakatū Incorporation to establish a library of plants indigenous to the rohe of its iwi.
In 2008, Shannel was awarded the Loder Cup, New Zealand’s most prestigious conservation award, for his professional and personal commitment to protecting threatened indigenous plant life.
He was also bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network in 2024. Shannel has also substituted the bird song for choir notes as a World Mosaic Choir member since the early 2000s, and the current song leader of the group has organised community events, workshops and regional performances.
“It’s a really great contrast… it’s the magic of creating something so every person you know is contributing to a song,” he says. “The proudest moment is when we actually perform to an audience, we can give them that pleasure.”
Newly minted King’s Service Medal recipient Shannel Courtney has cultivated four decades in conservation.
Photo: Laura Parks.
Country music festival will set toes a-tapping
ELISE VOLLWEILER
The ballads and toe-tapping dancing beats of the country music genre will again ring out from Motueka’s Marchwood Park this weekend, with the advent of the town’s 15th annual Country Music Festival.
The free event kicks off on Saturday morning at 10am, with the opportunity for walk-ups to demonstrate their talent to what will no doubt be another audience of several hundred country music fans.
Saturday night will showcase the event’s guest artists, Allan Barron and Sharon Russell of Christchurch and Ashburton’s Molly Harrison. Sunday will give a further opportunity for walk-up performers, supported by the showcase band of Allan Barron, Andrew Fairhall, John Hall and Ross Fenemore.
Organiser Di Fairhall says that anyone is welcome to join in, and performers should bring along their chord sheets for the band.
She says the open-air event was free to enter and attend, with a hat passed around to help cover costs. Food, coffee and raffle tickets would all be available for purchase. Unpowered camper-
van parking was available for booking via the Marchwood Park office.
She advised people to bring their own chair or rug to pop on the ground under the shade of the park’s trees. In the instance of wet weather, the event will move to the Upper Moutere Community Centre, with camping also avail-
able there.
Di founded the festival with her late husband John, as the pair were eager to give back to the community that had supported country music for many years.
The festival will be held this Saturday, 11 January, and Sunday, 12 January.
Boxing Day spending increases
Nelsonians spent $1.2 million on Boxing Day according to Worldline NZ. Their payment network recorded $67.7 million of spending for the day, excluding hospitality and food and liquor outlets. Nelson Tasman’s $1.2m spend was up 16.5 per cent on Boxing Day 2023. “This year spending was up across most Core Retail merchant groups, especially bookshops, clothing stores, hardware stores and sports equipment shops,” Worldline NZ’s chief sales officer, Bruce Proffit, says of the national spend. Between Dec 1 and 24, Nelson Tasman recorded a spend of $68.4 million, a 2.3 per cent increase on the previous year.
Tākaka shopper wins $27k
A Tākaka shopper was one of 12 lucky Lotto players to win $27,198 with Lotto Second Division in Christmas Day’s Lotto draw. The winning ticket was sold at Fresh Choice Tākaka.
Originair connect Nelson with Taupō
Originair has announced the launch of a new air service for the airline connecting Taupō and Wellington, commencing on 17 February 2025. This new route follows the recent withdrawal of Sounds Air’s Wellington-Taupō service at the end of the year. The new service will mean flights from Nelson to Taupō will be available via a Wellington connection. Originair will utilise its 18-seat British Aerospace Jetstream aircraft on the new route. The service will operate initially on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This service will operate on a six-month trial basis, with the potential to increase to six days a week depending on passenger demand.
This year’s country music festival will again showcase both local and guest artists to the stage. Pictured are Southland’s Nick Bourke and Dunedin’s Melissa Partridge, two of last year’s guest artists. Photo: Lani Richards.
Abel Tasman visitors urged to spot and report bush robins
Visitors to Abel Tasman National Park are being asked to report sightings of the toutouwai or bush robin this month.
Conservation organisation Project Janszoon would record sightings of the robin from 631 January,
Robins had been largely absent for about 30 years but seemed to be making a comeback thanks to habitat restoration and predator control, programme director Bruce Vander Lee says.
“We’ve started to see an increase in anecdotal reports of robins sighted along the coastal track, so we are asking people using the track to let us know when and where they see the birds.”
Robins are very sensitive to rat predation - if there were rats around, the robins disappeared, Bruce says.
“For the last 12 years, Project Janszoon and its partners have been controlling pests like rats and stoats, and restoring habitat through weeding and native planting.
“It’s great to see these improvements supporting the return of taonga species like the robin, and we know that other forest birds like the miromiro/tomtit and riroriro/grey warbler will also benefit.”
The information collected by citizen scientists would be used alongside data collected by monitoring bird calls.
“We’re asking visitors to look out for robins and report sightings from 6- 31 January. Anyone can take part, and we are hoping that people of all ages and park visitors from all over the world will enjoy being a citizen scientist and help make a difference to our knowledge of the park’s robin population,” Bruce says. Robins are the same size as a sparrow, and grey with a white chest and long legs.
“The key thing is that they are very friendly and will stay close to visitors along the trackor walk right up to their boots.”
Bruce says that people can report sightings while they were out and about in the park using the Abel Tasman App or when they got home at the Project Janszoon website.
Robins are making a comeback to the Abel Tasman after a long absence, and citizens are being asked to help gather data about their sightings.
Photo: Robyn Janes.
A dredging company’s Golden Bay venture
ROBYN
PARKES
Golden Bay Gold Dredging Company, with its head office in Whanganui, was formed in early 1901 to work dredging areas in the Aorere River at Bainham. The properties included two miles of the river, Bain’s Island and Cedermans freehold.
The capital of the company was £21,000 in shares of £1 each, of which 11,500 were offered to the public.
There was some excitement about the venture with the river considered to be of a ‘highly payable nature’ even by the crudest form of mining.
By May 1902, the pontoons were constructed and launched and were ready for the machinery. Some 45 tons of machinery had arrived at Collingwood with the remainder still to come.
It was anticipated that the dredge would be at work within a month, and they could then expect substantial returns.
Unfortunately, there were some difficulties in the initial stages, and it was not until October that
the venture got underway.
The opening ceremony in connection with the company’s dredge was held at Bainham with almost every resident attending, along with visitors from Collingwood and surrounding areas, reaching a number of about 200 people.
The company was congratulated on having reached an actual starting point.
The dredge was designed by Messrs Baldwin and Rayward, engineers of Wellington, and cost around £835O.
The company secured the services of Mr Kitto, an experienced dredge master to oversee operations.
The pontoon dimensions were 90 feet long, 28 feet wide and 6 feet deep and built of kauri and Australian hardwood, the work of
construction having been carried out by Messrs Sutherland and Sons, of Dunedin.
The boiler, main engine and winch engines were imported from England, but all other machinery was turned out at Cable and Co.’s foundry at Wellington.
The dredge was nicknamed “Alison” in honour of the wife of John Bain and was christened by Mrs G. Allan by releasing the ribbon from which was hung a bottle of champagne. Despite showing such promise the fledgling company was soon in trouble.
In December 1902, only a few months after beginning the work, Mr A Willis, chairman of the company, visited the site. All the gold obtained to this point
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came to 2.5 ounces.
The dredge was still making its way through big bank tailings so it was thought that it would still be around six weeks before they would start seeing results. By June 1903, they were advertising the sale of the properties of Bains Island and Winstone’s freehold.
A meeting was held in April 1903 to consider the option of voluntary liquidation. The gold that had been obtained was low and an ascertained loss for the company amounted to £13.618.
In September 1904, it was advertised that the operations had been a failure and that any rent owed to the Department of Mines was now unrecoverable.
Cable & Coy’s Employees, erecting machinery on Golden Bay dredge. Photo: Nelson Provincial Museum, Tyree collection 1902.
Opinion
Kaiteriteri rubbish collection
Easy solution - property owners involved in holiday rentals can simply pay for a private rubbish service, also any rubbish put out by the property occupier/owner remains the responsibility of that person until the bagged rubbish is picked up by the council - just because you’ve put your rubbish out at the end of the street doesn’t mean you can walk away and forget about it. Too hard - well don’t do holiday rentals!
Dave
Take your rubbish home with you.
Marloes Aynsley
Opportunity for a local with a trailer to go around and pick up the rubbish for a small fee.
Mark Windleborn
Just imagine the mess, more money saving ideas
Peter Peterson
I go kayaking there and Little Kaiteriteri a lot and there’s so much broken glass in the areas now. I won’t wear bare feet there anymore.
Jacob Hodgkinson
Six decades side-by-side
Awesome story!! Great couple. Congratulations.
Heather Kelling Congratulations.
Robyn Bradley
Serving up a generous slice of hope
are, Seasons greetings with love.
Hillary Tupe
Our go to. We can take our wee dog too.
Jude Gray
Tapawera’s top of the
class
I was lucky enough to have met this young lady at Area Schools Tournament and it’s well deserved. What a lovely young lady Cheyenne is. Best of luck and enjoy uni.
Theresa Shepherd
So proud of you Cheyenne, hope you’re doing well.
Zara Bryan
Well done on achieving this milestone. Best luck for your future studies.
Rosemary Lee-Oldfield
Fantastic, Cheyenne. You are amazing, carry on being you.
Anna Weeks
Have your say:
sara@topsouthmedia.co.nz
know how it feels to be “bullied”. The cycleways imposed on the residents in Richmond is the perfect example, “Such a load of s---” especially Queen St where the lack of cyclists becomes more and more apparent everyday.
Lyn McKeown
Lowering limits outside schools is great idea but the rest of these stupid placesnow that’s a load of sh#%.
John Jenkins
A year of connection, community and celebration
Loved this -was president of Waimea young farmers for a time, travelled all across the South Island to young farmers comps, met great ppl and learnt a lot!
Wendy Leaning
Speed limits test Mayor’s
patience
THE ROCK FELLA
Just a thought, maybe applying for a Lotto grant to give you a helping hand... just a thought. What a wonderful person you
Phone:
The story on the reaction of our Mayor and Councillors to the Govt speed limit rules is a perfect example of how decisions made by those above can affect those below them. Now the Mayor and Councillors
Book Art – 6 January - 8 February Decorate and create art with an old book in an “Enchanted Forest” theme. Pick up entry forms and old books at Motueka library. For all ages.
Out & About in Kiyosato Japanese gardens – for children Mondays 13,20 January, 11am-12pm
Get Crafty for children – 8, 15,22 January, 10am-12pm Lego Fun – Thursdays 9, 16,23 January, 10am-12pm
New Year Calendars – 14,21 January, 1.30pm-3pm, all ages
Enchanted Forest Picnic – Wednesday 29 January, 10am-12pm Bring rugs, hats, sunscreen and a picnic lunch.
Enjoy activities and The Mockingbird Ukuele band. Dress up if you wish to; For all ages. Children accompanied by an adult please.
Summer Reading Adventure for Children – 6 January - 28 February
Our First Line Display for adults and Young Adults – 6 – 31 January Pick mystery books with our favourite First Line. Add your “First Line” to the display.
Reading Spot – Share your favourite Reading Spot #tasmanreadingspot or #tasmandistrict libraries
Kenyon
Libby Ferguson
A medical tool from Motueka’s past
SUPPLIED CONTENT
Nestled in the heart of the Motueka District Museum’s collection is a delicate yet essential medical tool from the mid-19th century: a travelling apothecary scales and weights set.
Housed in a compact wooden box, this ingenious set unfolds into a delicate balance-beam scale with two glass pans suspended by chains. Made of brass, the scales can be neatly dismantled and stored within the box for easy transport—ideal for a 19th-century medical practitioner on the move. Accompanying the scales are original brass weights designed to measure in grains, a unit rooted in the humble barley grain.
In the apothecary system, 20 grains made a scruple, and three scruples equalled a dram—units once essential for dispensing precise doses of medicine. Today, we would call such a professional a chemist.
This set once belonged to Dr
John Danforth Greenwood, a pioneering figure in Motueka’s history. A surgeon by trade, Dr Greenwood emigrated from England to New Zealand with his wife Sarah and their large family in 1843. They settled in Motueka, where he served as not only as the local doctor, but also as a farmer, magistrate, and community leader.
This apothecary set is a tangible link to Dr Greenwood’s legacy of providing medical care to the people of Motueka during the mid-1800s. Come and view this remarkable object and imagine the hands that once used it to heal our growing community.
The Guardian will be regularly showcasing the treasures that are protected and displayed at the Motueka District Museum.
Visit the museum today to learn more about the lives and tools that shaped Motueka’s past.
The Motueka District Museum is open Tuesday-Friday 10am-3pm, and Sunday 10am-2pm.
This apothecary scales and weights travelling set dates back to the mid-19th century and once belonged to Dr John Greenwood, one of Motueka’s pioneering figures. Photo: Intrinsic Images.
Forest bathing for contemplation and rejuvenation
ELISE VOLLWEILER
Terpenes, phytoncides and volatile organic compounds all sound like things you would find on the shelves of a chemistry lab, but the students at Motueka High School have been quite literally breathing them in.
The students have been engaging in Shinrin-yoku, or Japanese forest bathing, as part of a series of environmental action camps which are hosted by Whenua Iti Outdoors.
The camps are an ongoing initiative, run in collaboration with NZ Landcare Trust and the Bupa Foundation.
The aim is to deepen students’ connection to the natural world, equipping them with the tools and inspiration needed to tackle environmental challenges and embrace sustainable living practices.
The events are part of the nationwide “Junior Landcare” initiative, led by The Bupa Foundation and NZ Landcare Trust, which engages youth in hands-on environmental action.
A highlight is the practice of Japanese forest bathing, which is a key aspect of preventative
healthcare in Japan. It is the contemplative practice of immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest.
NZ Landcare Trust catchment coordinator Annette Litherland says that she spent countless hours in the forest as a child, forging a deep connection with the land and experiencing the rejuvenation that comes with it.
“Breathing in these natural compounds can lead to remarkable benefits for our bodies,” she says. “Studies show that a two-hour walk in the forest can significantly enhance natural killer (NK) cell activity for several days, boosting our immune response.”
NZ Landcare Trust’s communications coordinator Shaila Workman says that it is known that forest-derived terpenes possess anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate inflammation and reduce oxidative stress. The fresh air in forests promotes relaxation, calms the nervous system, and improves mood by lowering cortisol levels.
Additionally, phytoncides enhance sleep quality, while inhaling volatile organic com-
pounds (VOCs) may help lower blood glucose levels.
“Ultimately, immersing ourselves in nature provides a wealth of physical and mental health benefits essential for our well-being.”
During the camps, students will engage in interactive workshops and outdoor activities focused on ecological restoration, waste reduction, and sustainable living.
Shaila says they will learn from local educators about pressing environmental issues and how they can make a positive impact in their communities.
“Students will leave with actionable ideas and resources to implement changes at school or home, she says. “Empowering our youth to take action for the environment is essential in nurturing a generation that feels hopeful and confident about their surroundings.”
She hopes that by participating in Junior Landcare events, students not only gain these health benefits but also become equipped to lead environmental initiatives in their communities, fostering a generation of environmentally-conscious and proactive individuals.
Motueka High School student, Daniel McDowell, experiences forest bathing in Kaiteretere while learning to play taonga puoro (traditional Māori instruments). Photo: Supplied.
Rough seas cause travel chaos across Cook Strait
ANNE HARDIE
Rough seas caused travel chaos for many travellers heading home at the end of their Christmas break, with both the Interislander and Bluebridge ferries cancelling sailings that left passengers and vehicles stranded.
Interislander told passengers that large swells delaying sailings would continue to disrupt schedules for a few days, while Bluebridge acknowledged the significant disruption caused by strong winds and large swells.
On Facebook, locals were trying to get people and vehicles home to Nelson, with some unable to get another booking on a ferry for a week. While flying home was an option to get back to work, it left the dilemma of getting a vehicle home.
In a statement on Monday, a
KiwiRail spokesperson for the Interislander said two sailings that day were also being cancelled due to the rough conditions in the Cook Strait and all of those passengers had been moved to alternative sailings, almost all within 24 hours of their original booking.
“A series of unseasonal southerly gales has caused significant swells in Cook Strait since Christmas, causing disruption for some ferry sailings.”
On Sunday night, the sea conditions were worse than forecast and the spokesperson said the masters of Kaitaki and Kaiārahi delayed their departures to wait for the swells to ease.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is paramount and we do not sail unless it is safe to do so. In the event of weather disruptions such as this, we do all we can to re-book people as quickly as possible on alter-
native sailings and appreciate the patience of our passengers during this busy holiday period.”
Between the two ferry companies, multiple sailings have been cancelled along with numerous delays, which have affected thousands of passengers.
The Cook Strait is one of the most unpredictable waters in the world and during the weekend 4m-high swells combined with 75kmh winds put a halt on many ferry crossings. On sailings that did go ahead, the Interislander recommended passengers who were worried about seasickness to sit towards the rear of the ship rather than the bow which experiences the most movement. It said they should be prepared for sea sickness by avoiding travelling on an empty stomach and having remedies on hand.
Snapchat founder’s superyacht visits Nelson
Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel’s luxury superyacht has been spotted in Tasman
Two hundred-million-dollar US superyacht Bliss was seen anchored near the Boulder Bank over the weekend.
The American billionaire’s private plane was seen on the tarmac at Wellington Airport on 28 December with his 95-metre-long yacht being spotted in the Marlborough Sounds the following day. It was anchored off of Resolution Bay where it remained for several hours.
And while there was no sign of
the social messaging app mogul or his wife, Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr, staff were seen on board.
Built in 2021, Bliss, which costs an estimated $20 million a year to run, can comfortably accommodate 14 passengers and 20 crew.
Spiegel co-founded Snapchat with Bobby Murphy in 2011 while he was studying at Stanford University. He met the renowned Victoria’s Secret model at a gala dinner at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the pair married in 2017. The couple have three children together.
Cook Strait ferry sailings have been disrupted by unseasonal weather. Photo: Mark Mitchell.
Bay.
Superyacht Bliss was seen anchored in Tasman Bay over the weekend. Photo: Supplied.
Several hundred sizzling sausages scoffed by perusing auto supporters. Another $850 went into the coffers of the Motueka pool fundraising committee on Sunday, with the brisk weather bringing a steady trade on sausages at the Golden Bay Rodders vehicle display at Marchwood park. Committee members Doug, Sandie, Sue, Linda and Maree were kept busy on the barbeque during the well-attended event, and the team will be back for their next sausage sizzle outside Motueka Mitre 10 on Saturday, 25 January. Photo: Supplied.
Sub-union defends push for clubs before college
STEPHEN STUART
After three years of rigorous debate, the Nelson Bays Rugby SubUnion (NBRSU) insists it had to play hard ball with Nelson College over the make-up of its teenage club competition.
The college has effectively been banned from entering its own sides in the U14, U15 and U16 club competition this year with NBRSU chair Jimmy van der Colk maintaining their participation would continue to have a detrimental effect on club numbers, especially in rural areas.
Jimmy wants college students turning out for clubs, which he claims otherwise run the real risk of losing their age grade sides after players head to Nelson College for their education and the chance to make rugby academies.
Wearing his Wanderers Sports Club general manager’s hat, he says remaining club players often feel displaced, which leads to a big drop-out rate making it hard to keep teams together
“If you lose seven or eight players from just the one country club team, it is really tough.”
Jimmy and Nelson College principal Richard Washington agree on one thing, the split competition trialled last year was “a bit
messy”. It involved college players turning out for clubs for the first half, eight games, and Nelson College then fielding its own U14 and U15 sides in the second half. Richard insists that rather than field its top players in one side, they were mixed across the teams to make for a more level playing field.
A survey of parents and players was completed following the sea-
son and a Nelson Bays age grade council was formed, consisting of representatives from clubs and Nelson and Waimea Colleges.
The council voted 9-2 in favour to trial club-only competitions for U14, U15 and U16 this year. Its decision was ratified by the Tasman Rugby Union.
The two opposing votes came from Nelson College and the Nelson Rugby Football Club.
“So, this decision was not made lightly and follows three years of robust discussion, trials, surveys and reviews,” Jimmy says. It sounds an exhausting process, but it isn’t a done deal according to Richard Washington. He confirms Nelson College has approached New Zealand Rugby asking it to intervene, with the ball now in the court of NZR Community Rugby general man-
ager Steve Lancaster.
A Zoom meeting has been set for later this month to discuss the issue.
“We would like the NZR to establish a new and fairer independent club status application process for age grade competitions after being the only boy’s college in the country to be excluded from Saturday play.”
“I understand clubs’ concerns about player recruitment and retention and that is why I wrote to the TRU last year to say that students are free to play for clubs if they want to. The vast majority chose to play for their school,” says Richard, who is proud of Nelson College’s history of producing top flight rugby players. But the NBRSU has released the findings from its survey, suggesting the gap is not that big. Nelson College U14 and U15 players were asked if they had a choice would they play for school, club or both. Of those who responded, 37 per cent said they would turn out for their school, 32 per cent for club and 31 per cent for both. There’s still a chance Nelson College will have one team playing in the club age grade competition this year with an invitation for the school’s 2nd XV to contest the U18 grade.
U14 rugby players playing for their clubs, Marist and Rangers, last year. A decision from Tasman Rugby means this will continue for players in the U14, U15 and U16 grades in 2025, unless an appeal from Nelson College to New Zealand Rugby is successful. Photo: Barry Whitnall/Shuttersport.
WHITWELLS MENSWEAR
SPORTSWEAR MENSWEAR FOOTWEAR
PROUD SUPPORTERS OF LOCAL SPORT
Big turnout for Tata Beach swim
STEPHEN STUART
Eleven-time Paralympic swimming gold medallist Dame Sophie Pascoe has been holidaying in Golden Bay since she was four years old and loves when it coincides with the annual Tata Beach swim.
“I first did it when I was about 13 or 14 but wasn’t planning to this year. I didn’t bring any of my swim stuff up from Christchurch because I thought I was just going to have a relaxing holiday in Pōhara,” Dame Sophie said immediately after being the seventh woman home in the 1200 metre swim.
“When I decided to do the swim again, some friends bought and brought over fresh kit from the Warehouse in Motueka. The wet suit, togs and cap and all colour co-ordinated in peach.”
The heavy rain last Sunday morning didn’t deter Dame Sophie. “It’s not the first time I have done this swim in the rain. It was quite pleasant. When you have a beautiful place like this in Golden Bay, it is a great event to bring the community together. I am glad I could be a part of such an
amazing event,” Dame Sophie enthused.
“I am not an ocean swimmer. I like to follow a black line so this will be the one-off for the year!”
Nelson Triathlon and Multisport
Club president, Brendon Crequer, said it was “pretty cool” to have the inspirational swimmer support the local event. He was rapt with the turnout, 115 swimmers, and the spectators
lining the beach who braved the cold and wet conditions.
“It was awesome. The conditions were perfect for swimming and it was good to have so many kids competing,” Brendon
NBS Motueka Golf Club Results
commented.
And a lot of familiar faces as well.
Last year’s runners-up Hayden Squance and Nia Linyard both went one better this time.
Hayden, who won the Nelson Half (marathon) and the Spectacle 21-kilometre race last year, blew his rivals out of the water in a time of just under 16 and a half minutes.
“I reckon I have done this swim about 10 times. It is one of the events that makes up the summer. It is always really good coming over here as it is really well supported by the local community,” the 26-year-old Tasman School teacher declared.
“It was the rainiest Tata swim I have done but you don’t notice once you are in it. They were pretty calm conditions.”
Third overall, just under a minute behind Hayden, was the first female Nia Linyard who had chased home her older sister Keshia last year.
“I kind of expected to do that this time,” the 14-year-old Waimea College student revealed. The shorter 600 metre races went to Emma Vaile and Tenger Batkhuu.
Dame Sophie Pascoe and Nelson Triathlon and Multisport Club President Brendon Crequer immediately after Sunday’s Tata Beach ocean swim. Photo: Stephen Stuart.
Community Notices
MONDAY
WOULD YOU LIKE A BIKE? Bike Hub Nelson accepts donations of good used bikes, fixes them up and gives them away for a small koha. 142 Saxton Rd. Mon, 5.30-7pm. For other opening times and a map e: bikehubnelson@gmail.com.
MOTUEKA BETTER BREATHERS, Mon, 11.30am, Brass Band Hall, Old Wharf Rd. A 60-minute series of guided exercises done seated or standing, specifically designed to help those with breathing difficulties. Ph: Jess 0275467675.
MOTUEKA HIGHLAND PIPE BAND Mon, 7pm. Band is located beside Motueka Recreation Centre. Promoting Scottish tradition and culture. Look forward to your participation. Info: Ph: 027284 8361.
MAPUA FRIENDSHIP CLUB. Indoor bowls, 1st & 3rd Mon. Mapua Bowling Club rooms. 2pm, Bring a plate of afternoon tea. Lots of laughs. Ph: Val 035403685.
MOTUEKA ELYSIUM Mon, 9.30am, Muses Café. For Widows and Widowers. Join us for coffee and chat, friendship, and support. Ph: Carol 035285027.
TUESDAY
MOCKINGBIRDS MUSIC GROUP, Tues, 2-3.30pm, Senior Net, Pah St. If you enjoy some fun singing/playing music, come along with your instrument, we’d love you to join us. Beginners welcome. Ph: Sue 02102416155.
HOPE TENNIS CLUB SOCIAL TENNIS Every Tues, 9.30am, Hope Tennis Courts, Hope Domain. All abilities most welcome. Queries Ph: 0211729257.
MOTUEKA BRASS, Tues Evenings. Discover your musical talent with us! Join our lively brass band for an unforgettable experience to join Ph: 021728168 or come along.
YOGA. If you have or have had cancer, we offer restorative yoga classes. Tues, 12.30pm. To Reg, Ph: 5287669.
WEDNESDAY
SHARLAND CYCLES 5K FUN RUN & WALK from Club Waimea. Wednesday evenings till 18th Dec. Registration 5.30pm. Race briefing 6pm. More info www.waimeaharriers.nz
DEATH CAFÉ, 2nd Wed of month, 10-11.30am. Revite Café, 256 High St. An open space for people to talk about death and dying. margaret@margaretmccallum.com
WALK 4 HEALTH, Wed, 9am, Motueka Community Garden. 3050 min walk at your own pace, for any age, any fitness and size. Ph:0273015598.
TOASTMASTERS MOTUEKA meet 1st & 3rd Wed of month, 6.45pm start, St John’s rooms, Jack Inglis Hosp, Courtney St. Gain speaking confidently, friendly environment. More Info Ph: Peter 0277468311.
KNIT & NATTER Wed, 10-12pm, Motueka Over 50s Social Hub, 10 Pah St. Friendly group for all ages. Includes refreshments. All welcome.
AGE CONCERN TEA & TALK, Tea and talk will start up again Wed 8 Jan. Merry Christmas everyone.
RIWAKA BOWLING CLUB Fun for all the family - bowls and friendly guidance provided. Please wear flat soled shoes. 6pm – 7.30pm Wednesdays till the end of daylight saving. $5.00 entry, School Rd Riwaka (next to Riwaka School).
MOTUEKA ARTS COUNCIL Office is open Wednesdays 11am to 3pm at Motueka Community House, Decks Reserve. Call in for arts info, funding assistance, and supporting art activities ideas for Motueka.
MOTUEKA SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB, Wed, 7.30pm, Lower Moutere Hall. Keep fit while having fun. All ages, no partner needed. First time free. Enq Ph: Fay 0210393559.
THURSDAY
NELSON BAYS HARMONY CHORUS, (women’s choir), is seeking new members to join our happy group. Thurs evenings, Club Waimea, Richmond. Ph: Carole 0274360910.
MOTUEKA 50+ WALKING GROUP Thurs. More info Ph: 0212640403 e: secretary50pluswalkers@gmail.com, or www.motueka50pluswalkers.org.nz.
RUMMIKUB Thurs, 1-4pm, Motueka Over 50s Social Club, 10 Pah St. Friendly group, includes refreshments. All welcome. Ph: Keith 0274516422.
THE DOCTORS MOTUEKA – Walking Group, Thurs, 9am, by the
DEADLINE: 10AM FRIDAY
50 WORDS OR LESS BY EMAIL ONLY SEND TO: office@topsouthmedia.co.nz
Janie Seddon Shipwreck carpark. Walking for 30 mins, suitable for all fitness levels. Make your daily walk more fun and meet new people. Ph: 035288358.
NVC PRACTICE GROUP (NONVIOLENT / COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATION), Every 2nd Thurs, 7-8.30pm, Motueka. In school term. For info e: margaret@margaretmccallum.com.
PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meet 1st Thurs of month, 1.30-3.30pm, Broadgreen House, 276 Nayland Rd. Ph: Bill 035448635 or 035391137.
MOTUEKA LIGHTHOUSE Meets last Thurs every month. Insightful presentations/workshops. 7pm-9pm. Motueka Community House, Decks Reserve. Donations appreciated. All welcome. angel3000.h@ gmail.com or facebook Motueka Lighthouse.
MOTUEKA G.R.G 2nd & 4th Thurs, 1-3pm, St Andrews lounge, 64 High St. Support group welcomes grandparents/kin raising/ supporting grandchildren. Join us for a confidential relaxed and supportive time with others. Ph: 0211337299.
MEDITATION, Weekly meditation sessions open to all. Thurs, 12.15-12.45pm, Te Noninga Kumu - Motueka Library. During term time. No registration needed. Just come along. Info: Ph: Louise 0278789240.
FRIDAY
MULTICULTURAL MOTUEKA welcomes migrants and refugees every Tues, 8.30-1pm, Fri, 8.30 -2pm, Community House, Decks Reserve. We provide connection and practical assistance for newcomers to our region as well as support for all cultural activities happening in our community. Ph 027 5286744 sez@multiculturalnt.co.nz.
nz. SATURDAY / SUNDAY
HOUSIE 1st and 4th Sat of month, 10 Pah St. Over 50s Social Hub. Ph: Jude 0273244226. All Welcome. Afternoon tea included. Cards $4. Raffles available.
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE Sat, 10-12pm, Motueka Library. Free services, including copy certification and witnessing signatures are available.
NELSON BRANCH OF ROYAL NZ AIRFORCE ASSOCIATION Meet 2nd Sat each month, 12pm, Club Waimea, Richmond, Phil’s Restau-
rant. Interesting speakers, raffles and members interested in Aviation Ph: Trever Squires 039706644 or John Bethwaite 035476634. Cost of meal $25
GENERAL GROUPS
INDOOR BOWLS, Mon & Wed, 1.15-3pm, Motueka Over 50s Hub, 10 Pah St. All abilities welcome. Ph: Jude 0273244226.
MOTUEKA DISTRICT BRASS Do you want to be part of a fun, social and competitive band, who make players welcome? e: motueka. brass@gmail.com or Ph: 021728168
ENCOURAGEMENT GRANTS of up to $500 for groups & Individuals with an art project involving our local community. Contact: motuekaartscouncil@gmail.com
MOTUEKA NEWCOMERS New to Motueka? We’re a social group, mostly retired (50+) who meet regularly and welcome newcomers. More info Ph: Jana 035284355.
MOTUEKA MENZSHED, Tues, Wed or Thurs 9-12pm, MenzShed, Marchwood Park, College Rd. Give the missus some space, come to the menzshed. Just turn up or e: secretarymotmenzShed@gmail. com.
MOTUEKA RED CROSS. Open Mon – Sat, 10-2pm, Community House. Donations of clothing, books, shoes, linen welcome.
MOTUEKA TRAMPING CLUB, A diversity of weekend day walks and multi-day trips suitable for a range of fitness levels. Visit www. motuekatrampingclub.org to learn more about your local Club, or e: membership.motuekatc@gmail.com for info on joining.
NEED AFFORDABLE COUNSELLING? Life Linc Nelson has been serving the region for 50 years and has rooms in Nelson, Richmond and Motueka. We provide low cost counselling up to 10 sessions and for anyone ages 12+. Couples counselling also avail. Contact us at www.lifelinc.co.nz or e: clinical@lifelinc.co.nz.
RUM MORRIS DANCERS. Musicians and dancers but mostly friends. Slightly random - mostly Tues evenings, sometimes Wed. Get yourself a second favourite form of aerobic exercise. Ph: Dorris 02040618088.
RADIO CONTROL SAILING Wed and Sun, 1pm onwards, Best Island. Weather permitting. IOMs and Dragon Force etc. New members welcome. Info Ph: Peter 0275443923.
RIWAKA CROQUET CLUB, do you and a group of friends/family/ workmates want to spend a fun few hours learning to play croquet? Min. of 8 players, $10 each, all equipment provided and someone from our club to help you learn the game. Full access to the clubhouse kitchen. For info Ph: 0276308910.
SUSTAINING TENANCIES Having trouble with your Tenancy? Need help working things through with your landlord or tenant? Gateway Housing Trust. Info E: housing@ght.co.nz or Ph: 035457100. SURVIVORS AND THRIVERS GROUP, if you have or have had cancer, or supported someone else, come and connect. Ph: Maureen 5287669.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS. Is alcohol causing problems for your life? Want to stop drinking but can’t? we can help. Support meetings every day. Ph: 0800aaworks, 08002296757. BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP, If you have or have had breast cancer, come along to this friendly atmosphere. 102 Hardy St, Nelson. Reg: 035391137 or E: info@cancernelson.org.nz.
GATEWAY TO YOUR WELLBEING, Wellbeing is important for all of us to thrive. The shed is a safe place to meet new people in a supportive and caring environment. We can connect you with other agencies for the right support needed. More info Ph: 0279214074, E: admin@ght.co.nz or pop in 24a Tudor St, Motueka.
GREYPOWER MOTUEKA welcomes visitors at the Community House office, Decks Reserve on Wallace St. for ongoing service requests. Discount provider list available. Ph: 035289076 or e: greypowermot@gmail.com.
MOTUEKA DISTRICT TOY LIBRARY, Tues, and Thurs, 9-11am, and Sat, 10-12pm, 44 Pah St. Annual membership $30. Hundreds of toys for all ages.
MOTUEKA RIDING FOR THE DISABLED We need more volunteers to help with therapeutic riding sessions. Tues, Wed, Thurs, 8.301pm. Ph: 0211151720 or e: info@motuekarda.nz.
MOTUEKA TENNIS CLUB. INC. Social Tennis, Tues & Thurs, 9.30am, Sun, 2pm. Courts behind the Memorial Hall Pah St. Racquets available to borrow for new Members. All welcome. NEED A LIFT? Mapua Willing Wheels Volunteer Drivers Service, affordable transport around Mapua, Motueka, Richmond, Nelson (no airport runs). 24 hrs’ notice req. To book Ph: 0226822373. mapuawheels@gmail.com.
Community notices are free to community groups, schools, churches, gold coin donation events and fundraising only. For classified ads and public notices please call
528
2088. Due to the popularity of this column, while every effort will be made, inclusion cannot be guaranteed for free ads.
Pick up your free community newspaper at
• Motueka Guardian office, Motueka
• Upper Moutere Store
• Mapua 4 Square
• Tasman Store
• Mrs. Smiths, Riwaka
• Tapawera 4 Square
• Fresh Choice, Takaka
• Takaka Library
• On The Spot, Collingwood
• Pohara Store
• Top South Media office Main Rd Stoke
• Richmond Mall admin counter
• Bayleys Real Estate, Queen St
• On the Spot, Berryfields
• Connings
• Club Waimea, Richmond
• Ewings Poultry Store, Hope
• Mapua 4 Square
• Upper Moutere store
• Tapawera 4 Square
• Brightwater 4 Square
• Wakefield 4 Square
• Hodgsons store, Murchison
• St Arnaud store
• Top South Media office Main Rd Stoke
Nelson Weekly
• Bayley’s Real Estate, Trafalgar St
• Woolworths, Paru Paru Road
• Fresh Choice, Nelson
• Nelson Library
• Milton St Dairy
• Atawhai Four Square
• Raglan Cafe, Tāhunanui
• Tāhunanui Library
• Tāhunanui Community Hub
• Stoke Bakery
• Top South Media office, Main Rd Stoke
• Richmond Library
• Richmond Mall admin counter
SERVICES
OPEN GARDEN
27 Umukuri Rd, Riwaka
FENCING
LEASE
115sqm. Corner site. High st frontage.
Large window area for display. Available 1st December. Long term tenant preferred.
Reasonable rates. Contact Rowan 03 5284640 rowan@tasman canvas.co.nz
WANTED
Looking for something rare, quirky or hard to find? Ph 528 2088
I am opening my garden again each weekend starting from 4-5 Jan 10am-4pm until March This year donations will be going to the Motueka Volunteer Fire Brigade SIGN AT GATE FOR SALE
Got something to sell? Ph 528 2088
Email us at guardian.motueka @xtra.co.nz with your address and when you didn’t receive it and we will follow up for you.
Rural Farm and Rural lifestyle specialists
Any farm fences and gates, to swimming pool fences in town. High quality, well-built and strong, no job too big or too small, immediate start. Quick tidy worker Call me now.
FENCING ANYTIME ON
High St Motueka Available immediately Recently refurbished offices, meeting room and reception. Kitchenette, bathroom and store room.
Reasonable rates Contact Rowan 03 5284640 rowan@tasman canvas.co.nz
available from $6.20pw Insurance approved. 24/7 access. Ph 528 0071
By Sue Merrick
Resident at Edith Cavell Lifecare, Sumner, Peggy Christchurch Hospital on Thursday, January 2, 2025, aged 89 years. Dearly loved mum and
Peter Niven, Sherryl and Geoff Allott, and Marie Gardyne. Loved nan to her 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Peggy was a kind, strong, independent woman full of love, travel and adventure. Peggy will be greatly missed by family and friends. A service to celebrate Peggy’s life has been held. Messages to the Niven family c/o PO Box 10345, Christchurch 8145.
JANSON
Harold William Peter (Peter) With sadness we announce the passing of Harold William Peter Janson, ‘Peter’. Peter passed peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, 2nd January 2025, at Jack Inglis Friendship Hospital. He joins his late wife, Barbara, and two sons: Roland, and Anthony ‘Grant’. The family would like to offer special thanks to Kate, for her continued patience and care at Jack Inglis. Please raise your next drink for Peter.
JONES
See web-site for details: www.tasmansoda blasting.co.nz or email office@tasman sodablasting.co.nz Ph. 022 528 8159
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Kaiteriteri 21 Kotare Place