The Guardian - 3 April 2024

Wednesday 3 April 2024

South Island’s only junior dragster off to a winning start

ELISE VOLLWEILER

With a name like Bentley, odds are that he was always going to enjoy being behind the wheel.

At the tender age of seven, Motueka’s Bentley Hovenden raced his junior dragster for the first time on Saturday, ticking off his licensing passes at the Motueka Drag Races which are held on the aerodrome’s runway. This means that he is now signed off and licensed to race. He won’t be up against the big guns for quite some time – juniors race against juniors. Even then he will likely spend a long time beating his own times, as he is the first ever junior car dragster to belong to the Nelson Drag Racing Association (one previous member raced in the junior bike division).

One thing that Bentley can compete in against every other driver is the accolade for the fastest reaction time on the day. On his very first

race, he logged a reaction time of 0.01 seconds – a phenomenal effort, says his mother Devon, and one that beat out every other competitor in every other race to earn him the top prize.

The junior division is for competitors aged seven to 18, and Bentley has had his dragster for a few months.

Bentley’s father Daniel has been involved in the drag club since he was 17, and has been the area steward for the last decade. Devon works on the time slip table, taking dial-ins and handing out time slips, so Bentley has been coming to the drags since he was tiny.

“The drags are one of Daniel’s passions and he was keen to follow in dad’s footsteps,” Devon says.

Daniel explains that the season runs from around late October to April, although last weekend’s meeting

Bentley Hovenden, 7, proved his calm and controlled demeanour, as well as his split-second reflexes, at his first drag event on Saturday. Photo: Elise Vollweiler.

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South Island’s only junior dragster off to a winning start

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was the last of the current season. He says that there are about 50 juniors who race in New Zealand, and until very recently, two of these were South Island-based. The other junior has now moved on, which

leaves Bentley holding the mantle as the only junior dragracer in the South Island.

If others join the division, Bentley will be able to race them no matter what their age, as the drivers “dial in” their own handicap and are racing for consistency. Slower cars leave

the line first, and the faster car has to try to beat it.

Devon describes her son as “quite a calm, controlled little person” and says that they knew these attributes would serve him well in drag racing. “He isn’t someone who we thought would just be out there

for speed and the adrenaline. He’s out there to get better every time, to be controlled, to be confident and brave.”

Bentley tells his mum that his favourite part is coming up to the line and waiting for the lights to count down, and being in control of his speed.

Dozens of keen recognised seasonal employer (RSE) workers took each other on in a volleyball tournament on Easter Monday. Held at Parklands School courts, the tournament was the fourth of its kind, with teams coming from orchards surrounding Motueka, as well as Richmond and Blenheim. Organisers say that the first competition was held as a way of linking together the homesick workers on Boxing Day, with volleyball being a popular sport in Samoa. Always popular, the competition was capped at 16 teams, who played off against each other with an eye on the finals. In the end, Birdhurst A took out top spot and the $1000 cash prize, with Unity pipped for the win to come second. Summit Property Management is long-standing sponsor of the tournament, which also received support from Drain Pro Plumbing, Summit Real Estate, Mitre 10 and McDonalds. Pictured is the Cederman Uso Riwaka team get ready to take on friendly rivals Birdhurst. Photos: Elise Vollweiler.

Building the village for maternal support

ELISE VOLLWEILER

“We’re constantly told, ‘it takes a village,’ but where is this village, and how do we find it?”

Motueka’s Bekki Young reckons that no woman should experience motherhood alone.

The mother-of-two is now on a mission to support maternal mental well-being in Nelson and Tasman. In 2022, she founded The Perinatal Directory - a grassroots, mother-led organisation which seeks to address the lack of support for maternal mental well-being in New Zealand.

“Perinatal” is a term that encompasses the time of pregnancy and the first year after giving birth.

The directory connects new and expecting mothers with local service, support groups and businesses. The site is comprehensive and has a simple layout, with 20 subcategories that include mental well-being, massage and bodywork, photography and father support.

The Perinatal Directory has had about 7500 hits in the last year –a great achievement which also highlights the huge need, Bekki reckons. The directory also facilitates face-to-face support and mothers’ circles, “building the village,” as Bekki puts it. She says that mothers’ group often heavily focus on the baby’s well-being and development, without making space for the

well-being of the mother.

“Our pop-up spaces offer mothers time and space to share openly and honestly, find connection and see their experiences mirrored by other mothers.”

The Motueka Morther’s circle has been operating at Te Nonin-

ga Kumu-Motueka Library from 10am-12.30pm on the last Friday of each month, with an average of about 10 women attending.

“We’ve had a lot of women say how healing it’s been to see their stories reflected in the group.”

Bekki is also hoping to grow the

groups to St Arnaud, Nelson and Richmond.

She cites the Helen Clark Foundation Report “It takes a Village”, which states that around one in seven Kiwi women will suffer from perinatal depression or anxiety, and that the leading cause of maternal death is suicide.

“I’m not the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff,” she says determinedly. “I’m putting up a fence at the top.”

She founded the directory after her own journey with postnatal depression and anxiety.

“I was isolated, I didn’t realise how much support there was available. No woman should go through the transition to motherhood alone.”

Bekki is now crowdfunding to grow The Perinatal Directory. With a funding target of $22,000, she will use the funds to support more mothers in Nelson Tasman with free workshops and circles, to register The Perinatal Directory as a charity and to improve the website. Visit pledgeme. co.nz/projects/7806-the-perina tal-directory-supporting-moth ers-wellbeing.

The Perinatal Directory provides support and direction for parents in the Nelson Tasman region, and its founder is hoping to broaden its services with a fundraising campaign.

Blazing milestone: 25 years as volunteer

GORDON PREECE

“We were always taught that if you can afford it and you’ve got the time, you give back to the community… that was one of our family philosophies growing up.”

Motueka fireman Sam Rubie was recently bestowed his 25-year Gold Star for a quarter-century with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), seven years after the milestone was reached since “records aren’t the best”.

The current probation officer in the Motueka and Golden Bay areas, says he was a livestock contractor in Waipara, North Canterbury, when he ignited his FENZ career at its local brigade in 1992, because he was able to respond to daytime calls.

“In Waipara, we had two state highways that went into an intersection on State Highway 7 and the [State Highway 1] intersection there, and everything is travelling on the road at 100 kilometres per hour,” he says.“So, when they had a mishap, the accidents were a lot more damage to cars and a lot more damage to people… there was quite a lot of motor vehicle fatalities as well.”

Sam says car collisions with trains in his eight-year term at Waipara were also “messy”, but one callout at a railway crossing turned out to be humourous.

“I can remember one morning I was woken up a bit after midnight or 1am to a car vs train, or a train no longer operational [callout], and I thought this is not good,”

he says. “When we got up there, this train was parked there on the crossing, and we were going ‘what’s the problem?’, and they said the car came down the hill, hit the fuel line, knocked it off the train, and [the car] bounced back onto the road and there was nobody injured.

“The whole way there to the scene you’re thinking ‘what are we going to be looking at’, and then it was just like, ‘oh, ok’, so someone just had to put the fuel line back onto the locomotive and the train was able to move on!”

Sam says he shifted to Blenheim in 2000 to take over his uncle’s property maintenance business, and served at the local rural fire force for 11 years.

“The biggest [emergency incident] was the Canvastown fire, that burned 140 hectares of pine trees… that was in around 2006.”

“They had 12 helicopters fighting it and I was working on the eastern boundary up on the ridge, because when you go over the ridge it drops straight down into Havelock township, and they didn’t want the fire going over the ridge.

Sam says he became a probation officer in 2007, and he relocated to Motueka in around 2011, where he’s served at its volunteer fire brigade since.

The 56-year-old says the brigade’s comradery and his firie family had kept the fire in his belly.

Tasman’s Lottie Kleff, 9, and Loui Kleff, 11, got stuck into some Easter cookie decoration during the free session at Te Noninga Kumu-Motueka Library last week. Icing, edible baubles and miniature chocolate eggs were on offer to make some early Easter treats.

Sam Rubie has had a flaming good volunteer firefighting career. Photo: Gordon Preece.

Photo: Elise Vollweiler.

Salvation for a straying sheep

ELISE VOLLWEILER

The symbolism is abundant, and wonderfully fitting. A black sheep, stumbling into - or perhaps abandoned within - the sanctuary of a church carpark. Sickly – not with leprosy, but with a nasty case of flystrike – and needing some serious healing. The sheep is a yearold Romney hogget, according to Ian Davey who attends St Thomas Church. It was found a couple of weeks ago, sheltering under a grapevine in the carpark near the minister’s house.

Ian is a retired farmer of 60 years, so “sheep are not all that foreign to me”, he says.

It is impossible to know whether the sheep was abandoned, or whether it escaped from a nearby property, but Ian says that either way, “it wasn’t a happy chappy” and was easy to catch. He contacted a friend who owns a farm in Riwaka, and that is where salvation lay. The sheep was transported to this good shepherd’s property, where it was nursed back to health. Despite having strayed far from home, the sheep is now living its best life, although the farmer would be equally happy to return it to its flock.

Network Tasman’s prices are changing

Network Tasman owns and operates the electricity distribution network, which connects local homes and businesses to the national transmission grid, in the wider Nelson and Tasman areas, excluding Nelson Electricity’s supply area in Nelson City.

As a consumer-owned network, we aim to deliver a costcharges will increase by an average of 5%. For an average residential consumer, our changes translate to an increase of about $3.50/month.

maintaining and operating our distribution network and the increased costs of using the national transmission network.

Once you have received our twice-yearly discounts, our residential distribution prices are one of the lowest charged by electricity distribution businesses nationwide.

Our prices are not charged directly to consumers; rather, they are charged to the electricity retailers trading on our network. These electricity retailers determine how to package our charges with the energy, metering and other retail costs when setting the retail prices that appear on consumer power accounts.

All consumers connected to our network will continue to receive discount payments twice a year. Next year we forecast these discount payments to exceed $12m (excluding GST). These discounts will show up on bills in Spring 2024 and Autumn 2025. For more information on discounts, please visit www.networktasman.co.nz/consumer-discounts Please visit www.networktasman.co.nz/network-pricing

The black sheep, which somehow ended up hunkered down in a church car park, has been nursed back to health by a local farmer. Photo: Supplied.

Mother feels ‘let down’ by health system

GORDON PREECE

“I feel let down, I feel neglected in the sense of support and funding… despite my cries for help.”

A Richmond mother has lambasted the public health system for declining her daughter swifter access to an assessment that would open doors to better treat her worsening ADHD, if the assessment is successful.

Samantha Downie’s 10-year-old daughter Olivia was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inattentive, late last year, which causes her to have concentration difficulties. She says, since moving to Richmond from Hamilton in December with her five children for a “fresh start”, Olivia’s ADHD has aggravated.

“Her emotional response to things is very extreme, and she would often have maybe one or two meltdowns a day,” she says. “Any kind of interaction with her just consisted of screaming, melting down, very hysterical… sometimes she can be a little bit violent, like hurting her siblings.

“That was only on a minor scale when we were in Hamilton, and since we’ve been here, especially

during the school holidays and when she wasn’t at school, from the moment she wakes up to the moment she went to sleep, it was just chaotic.”

Samantha, who is currently on a benefit, says with Olivia’s condition and the struggles it entails, it impacts her ability to parent her children equally.

She says that Olivia has expressed she doesn’t want to be the way she is.

“As a mother that’s so hard to hear and you want to do everything you can to help your child… it’s like being stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

Samantha says, she has desperately sought an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessment for her daughter through the Paediatric department at Health New Zealand Nelson Marlborough for the past three months following referrals from her GP and letters from social workers.

She says if an assessment confirms an ASD diagnosis, Olivia will have access to more specialised support.

“I’ve rung [Paediatrics], and I’ve been literally crying on the phone to them that since we had moved down here... [Olivia’s] behaviour

has deteriorated and things were quite bad, and I was told there was ‘nothing we can do’,” she says. “Unless Olivia becomes a harm to herself or is at a higher crisis point, our triage won’t change, and I pretty much have to keep hassling [Paediatrics] until hopefully they click and say, ‘we’ll see her sooner’.”

Samantha says an ASD assessment was booked while the family were still living in Hamilton, following recommendations by a child psychologist.

The family had moved to Nelson before the assessment could take

place because Samantha found a house sooner than expected.

“The impression that I was under was that [the assessment] would be transferred.

“But we got put back on the waiting list… because we were now under a different DHB, and it was [going to be] a year to a year and a half wait to be seen by the Paediatrics team.”

Samantha says she received information from Paediatrics on Wednesday last week that Olivia could not be assessed until she was seen by the Child Development Service (CDS), which

she says would still be a 12 to 15 month wait. Samantha says following her unsuccessful attempts to get an ASD assessment her last gasp is via a private service, which would cost close to $3000.

Nelson Marlborough group director operations hospital specialist services, Lexie O’Shea, says paediatric resources and wait times are a challenge across New Zealand and it acknowledges the pressures patients, whānau and staff face.

“Health workforce shortages are a global issue, and the Nelson Hospital paediatric department does feel the impact of a shortage in allied clinical staff who are integral to the assessment processes.

“Every case is reviewed, and our staff work to ensure that those with urgent requirements receive services first.

Lexie says current service specifications for the Child Development Service do not include ADHD where this is the only diagnosis.

Samantha has launched a Givealittle page to raise funds for a private ASD assessment. To donate visit - givealittle.co.nz/ cause/help-my-lulu-get-thehelp-she-deserves

Richmond mother Samantha Downie feels let down by the health system as she battles to get her daughter Olivia, left, an assessment that could lead to better treatment. Photo: Gordon Preece.

Did April Fools’ fool the region?

Tasman residents who have waited decades for their new swimming pool may have been slightly underwhelmed by Monday’s announcement that an Olympic-length (but only arms-length wide) option had opened in the algae-filled creek outside the recreation centre.

In happier news, on the same day, Hotel Motueka decided to trial a self-serve honesty system to their food and drink, with the simple request that patrons clean the grill after use.

Further down the road, the Riwaka Hotel was announced as the scene of a four-part investigative series, ‘The Shocker in Riwaka,’ by Radio Hauraki.

“What happened to those German tourists?” the radio station asks. “Were local authorities involved in a cover-up?”

No timeframes were named, but residents should not hold their breath for a release date any time before next April 1st – a day otherwise known as April Fools’ Day.

Although many theories have been proposed, the exact origin of April Fools’ Day isn’t exactly known.

Further afield, Nelson Aiport spent the morning making creative announcements over the intercom such as ‘to the owner of the elephant, your elephant has now arrived. Could you please collect this from cargo’, and ‘Your attention please. If you’re wearing pink flamingo underwear today, your parking is on us. Enjoy your free parking and your fabulous fashion choice’.

One that perhaps raised the most eyebrows was ‘attention customers, could the owner of the circus tiger please make your way to the baggage area, the cage seems to be unsecure.

ELISE

Mark Motueka on the calendar

Keep Motueka Beautiful has decided to produce a Motueka Calendar for 2025, the ninth in the series that now stretches back to 2017.

Of the 900 that are sold each year the majority go overseas, to friends and relatives of Motueka folk, and we like to think that the annual calendar is a way for people to stay in touch, and even an inducement to come back to Motueka for a visit!

KMB invites folk to offer images of Motueka scenes to include in the 2025 Calendar. Images need to be in landscape format (final printed

dimensions 185 by 280 mm), high definition (file size larger than 4 MB), and – of course –show the best of Motueka.

Images from past calendars have included the aurora australis, sunrises over Tasman Bay, several historic buildings, scenes of people engaged in various activities around Motueka (yachting, tramping, golfing) and many others.

We aim to show that Motueka is a great place to live, and to visit. Please email images to the KMB secretary pandi.mosley@gmail. com by the end of May.

One of the images included in the Motueka 2024 Calendar, showing Motueka at its best. Photo: Supplied.

The consolidation of country schools

ROBYN PARKES

The biggest school consolidation scheme in the Nelson Education Board’s area came in 1942 with the establishment of the Tapawera Consolidated District High School. The nine schools consolidating were Tapawera, Golden Downs, Korere, Motupiko, Matariki, Sherry River, Kiwi, Tadmor and Stanley Brook. Tui school joined at a later date. The scheme originated at a combined meeting of school committees in the district, held at Tapawera in June 1938. The following month the proposal came before a large meeting with representatives from each school and representations were then made to the Education Board for the proposed consolidation to be approved. A request followed to acquire a site for the establishment of the new school which would

include both a primary and secondary department.

A driving force for the consolidation was that all nine schools were scattered over a wide country area, each one being a sole charge school except for Tapawera which had two teachers. The area covered was from about 35 to 50 miles from Nelson and that distance and the lack of suitable train or bus services made it impossible for pupils in the district to receive secondary or manual training unless their parents could afford to board them at a college or were already in an area with a District High School. Parents, the Education Board and Department were keen to give their children access to secondary education, therefore enthusiastic support was given to the scheme.

A site of four acres was acquired from the McMahon estate. When

finished the school comprised of an infant’s department, with two open air classrooms each 26ft by 24ft, and the main block of four classrooms, three of which were used by the upper division of the primary department and the other being a combined science and classroom for the secondary department, measuring 28 feet by 24 feet. In addition, the cloakrooms, shelter sheds and lavatory

accommodation were all under one roof. The administration block included the headmaster’s office, teachers’ common room, women teachers’ room, and storeroom.

Mr P Osbourne from the Horahora Native School was appointed headmaster. Assistant teachers were Mr V. Moore. Miss L. Dodson and Mrs Osborne, who acted in this role pending the

appointment of a probationary assistant. The infant mistress was Miss F. Jordan, and the secondary department was overseen by Mr E. Bone. The consolidation of so many schools over such a wide area required careful organisation in transporting pupils to school. Buses ran daily over five different routes, from Stanley Brook with 21 children, from Matariki via Sherry, Kiwi and Tadmor with 38 children, from Golden Downs with 32 children, from Atapo, Korere, and Motupiko with 34 children, and one from Glenrae with 11 children.

The official opening took place on the 29 May with the Minister of Education performing the ceremony. In 1945 the school was recognised as exemplifying the best in community effort, and showing what a consolidated school could accomplish in a rural environment.

Tapawera Consolidated High School. Photo: Supplied.

Lee

Phil

Sean

Chappie

Emma Heke

Gina

Rebecca

Shane

Almost 100 cars were out on the road as the local chapter of the Vintage Car Club celebrated their 60th anniversary. After driving out to Motueka on Saturday and a public display on Sunday, several drivers and companions also completed an optional tour of Golden Bay on Tuesday that saw them visit Collingwood, Bainham and Farewell Spit. Pictured is John and Lesley Barker, with Lord Nelson (Gordon Taylor) and committee member Gordon Dacombe there to see them off on their Saturday journey.

Motueka’s Sophia Pine, 12, with Slade Pine, 12, and Samson Pine, 13, cycles through the new widened and asphalted path that connects Manoy and Talbot Streets. The path is 3m wide and runs besides Sports Park, connecting cyclists and walkers with Motueka High School, Parklands School, Motueka Playcentre and Motueka Kindergarten. The Tasman District Council’s Newsline says that this path will also provide connectivity to the path that is being constructed up to Te Āwhina Marae.

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WHAT’S YOUR PRIORITY, TASMAN?

As we grow as a District, so does the need for community facilities including a pool, a community hub or improvements to existing halls. What should our priority be? Do we invest fully, some, or none at all?

Make a submission on Tasman’s 10-Year Plan now – it’s really important we know what the whole community is thinking. Come along to one of the opportunities listed below, or visit shape.tasman.govt.nz/10YP to find out more and have your say.

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES:

• M onday 8 April, 7.00 pm, Māpua Community Hall, 72 Aranui Road

• Tuesday 9 April, 7.00 pm, Dovedale Hall, Dovedale Road, Upper Moutere

• Thursday 11 April, 7.00 pm, Ngātīmoti Fire Station Community Room, 1425 Motueka Valley Highway shape.tasman.govt.nz/10YP

Photo: Elise Vollweiler.

Photo: Jack Malcolm.

Aerodrome

90th anniversary for Motueka

Can remember in the 50s and 60s seeing a couple of Tiger Moth’s flying around.

Colin Harman

When grandparenting becomes parenting

Oh yay some are really loving it. One way of spending heaps of loving time getting to know them, and their dear friends. Give extra joy in their older years. Instead of twiddling their thumbs with nothing to do.

Gail Hassell

There’s studies that say it improves both grandchild and grandparents lives being together.

Gina Young

One day these kids will be able to show these grandparents how much they appreciate everything they done for them, I’m sure it makes a huge difference in their lives being able to stay within the family. As an ex foster kid, while my foster family is amazing it’s always better for a child to stay within the family if able to do so. You all are amazing and doing one of the toughest jobs even though you shouldn’t have to. I’d be happy to help for even just a day here and there! I’ve been a solo parent with no support from family for almost

13 years. I know the struggles even at my age my kids would love other kids to play with as they don’t have cousins/ aunties/grandparents heavily involved in their lives or even close by!

Gem Bennetts

I really feel for these parenting Grandparents, lots have worked all of their lives to deserve a retirement, but it’s not happening for various reasons.

Lee Corlett

Yes I’ve done this twice Debbie Gilroy

Maturity males us better parents, from the experience of raising our own.... the grandchildren are generally far better with this generation than strangers to the children eg. foster parents, yet I know many fostering situations work well.

Demelza Taylor

Little cart rides again

You’re a legend Emma.

Emma Paaka

Awesome Emma, you will be brilliant at this. Lucky Motueka!

Derryn Culverwell

Awesome to hear Emma, you will be great at this wahoo.

Laura Growden

Good girl Emma a very important job in the community.

Lynley Wilson

Biodiversity group up for national award

My grandfather cleared much of the forest on the top of the Tākaka Hill.

John Ryder

STREET TALK

Authentic, passionate, knowledgeable and professional – all words used to describe Marion by her happy clients.

Marion Cross (Licensed Sales Person REAA 2008) M 022 099 0390 E marion.cross@bayleys.co.nz

text goes here

Tasman

“Whale Rider, I thought Keisha Castle-Hughes was great, she was so young, and it was quite a sad movie, but it was really good.”

“Boy, it shows the real Kiwi culture, and a lot of my friends are Māori, so the film’s really in touch with people I’m friends with.”

Garden

Michelle Omlo Wakefield

“Footrot Flats The Dog’s Tale, because my kids grew up in the country, and all my grandkids are country kids, it’s an awesome movie.”

Alex Stevens Tākaka

Rosy Merriman

Debbie Williams Richmond

“The Piano, it goes to show how young actresses can get on, because Anna Paquin is a famous actress now.”

What is your favourite New Zealand film, and why?

Farewell Spit Tours

Farewell Spit Tours Spit Tours

10am-1pm

Friday 14 April, 4 - 6pm

Book Talk: Valetta Sówka . Valetta will be speaking about her new book ‘Family of Forest and Fungi - He Tukutuku Toiora’. The book has been illustrated by award-winning children’s book illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White, and includes te reo translations by local reo kaiako, Hana Park. This book is suitable for 8 - 12 year olds, whose whānau have an especial interest

Tuesday 18 April, 10.30 - 12noon

Explore Ngā Toi. Join Prashanti from the Tasman District Council Community Partnerships team to learn about our wonderful and most versatile native bre plant, harakeke, and the role it played in our local history. This is an all-ages session and together we will learn some raranga tikanga and the art of whiri/plaiting to make rope.

Wednesday 19 April, 11am - 12noon

Games of Yesteryear. Drop in for a spot of good old-fashioned fun and games. Ditch the screens and drop in for a selection of games from times gone by. We will have a range of games from di erent times and cultures. Fun for the whole family.

Thursday 20 April, 11am - 12noon

History & Heritage Themed Craft. Join us for a range of history & heritage-themed craft. Come and enjoy some family time while learning and creating crafts - fun for the whole family. Crafts suitable for school age children, pre-schoolers will need adult help.

Thursday 20 April, 11 - 12.00noon

ANZAC Wreath Workshop. Take part in creating an Anzac Wreath that will be gifted at the Motueka ANZAC Memorial Commemoration. Children, please bring an adult to lend a hand as the paper poppies require scissors and patience to put together.

Are you burning Good Wood?

Wet or green wood makes more smoke and less heat, so if we burn dry wood from a Good Wood supplier our homes will be warmer, the fire will be cheaper to run and the air quality will be healthier for everyone.

Council approved Good Wood suppliers will ensure you get dry wood and can give you good advice on storing wood for the following winter. Check out the full list of Good Wood suppliers at tasman.govt.nz/good-wood

MOTUEKA HIGH SCHOOL

GIRLS RUGBY

Diving into interschool swimming competition

About 230 students took the plunge at Motueka’s interschools swimming sports earlier this month. The event was open to all local primary schools, and children travelled from as far as Murchison to take part.

NBS

Organiser Tina Tonks says it was an absolutely fantastic day with some outstanding swimmers.

“This year we had a large number of under 10-year-olds swimming in both the breaststroke and butterfly, which

was awesome.”

She says that thanks are due to the Motueka Swimming Club, who supported the event and helped organise the gear, as well as the high school students who assisted on the day.

All the giggles in Māpua

SUPPLIED CONTENT

The tradition of holding a Ladies Friendship Day, or as it has come to be known, “Giggle Day”, was continued on Wednesday, 27 March at Māpua Bowling Club. A fancy-dress theme had been set for the teams with an Italian flavor and all the outfits sported the red, white and green of the Italian flag. The team that won the prize for the best dress design was from Māpua, Chris Green, Jean Daubney and Hilary Brown.

Almost 50 ladies took part but, without the help of the male members of Māpua Bowling Club, the day wouldn’t happen. Out on the green and in the kitchen, the men took charge and did their best to keep all the ladies in

order.

The day started with a glass of bubbly. Lunch was ham, or vegetarian option, salads and potatoes and concluded with an afternoon tea.

All eight rinks were in action with sixteen teams of triples. There was some conventional bowling along with plenty of crazy bowling challenges, spot prizes and penalties for any wrong bias. Despite the challenges, there was some seriously good bowling and a lot of fun and enjoyment.

At the end of the end scores were totted up to find the three winning teams. Prizes were sponsored by Nelson Building Society.

The ladies of Māpua Bowling Club are very grateful to all the outside teams who joined us for Giggle Day

Riwaka School’s Amelia Fry and Lily Nicholas dive into the pool during the 12-year-old girls’ freestyle race. Photo: Supplied.

Māpua’s, Chris Green, Jean Daubney and Hilary Brown won best dress design. Photo: Supplied.

Community Notices

MONDAY

MOTUEKA ELYSIUM Mon, 9.30am, Muses Café. For Widows and Widowers. Join us for coffee and chat, friendship, and support. Ph: Carol 035285027.

WOULD YOU LIKE A BIKE? Bike Hub Nelson accepts donations of good used bikes, fixes them up and gives them away for a small koha. 142 Saxton Rd. Mon, 5.307pm. For other opening times and a map e: bikehubnelson@gmail.com.

MOTUEKA BETTER BREATHERS, Mon, 11.30am, Motueka Recreation Gym ‘Functional Fitness Room’, 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. We look forward to your participation. More info: Ph: 027284 8361.

MAPUA FRIENDSHIP CLUB. Indoor bowls, 1st & 3rd Mon. Mapua Bowling Club rooms. 2pm, Bring a plate of afternoon tea. Lots of laughs. Ph: Val 035403685.

TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY

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 very welcome. Ph: Sue 02102416155.

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.

MOTUEKA ARTS COUNCIL office at Community House, Decks reserve. Wed, 11-3pm. Inquiries about art activities; funding for Art; Art ideas for Motueka. Ph: 0210589388.

AGE CONCERN TEA & TALK, Every Wed, 10.30am, The Shed, 24a Tudor St. More info Ph: 0279214074.

KNIT & NATTER Wed, 10-12pm, Motueka Over 50s So-

cial Hub, 10 Pah St. Friendly group for all ages. Includes refreshments. Ph: Roz 027415636. All welcome.

WALK 4 HEALTH, Wed, 8.30m, Motueka Community Garden. 30-50 min walk at your own pace, for any age, any fitness and size. Ph:0273015598 or wellontrack@ gmail.com

MOTUEKA ARTS COUNCIL invites all folk interested in community arts in Motueka, to their monthly meetings. 2nd Wed of month, 7pm, community house. Next meeting Wed, 20 Mar. Bring your inspiration & ideas for projects, activities, or events.

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.

WAIMEA HARRIERS welcome all abilities to join us for social running and walking on Wednesday evenings from Club Waimea Richmond at 5.45pm. See our website waimeaharriers.nz

THURSDAY / FRIDAY

WAITAKI OLD GIRL'S SOCIAL GROUP NELSON. Fri, 5 Apr, 10am, Lydia’s Café, 265 Queen Street. Pop in for a coffee and chat. Queries Ph: 027 673 1145.

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

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. More info: Ph: Louise Petzold 0278789240.

NELSON BAYS HARMONY CHORUS, (women’s choir), is seeking new members to join our happy group. Thurs evenings, Club Waimea, Richmond. Ph: Carole 0274360910.

MOTUEKA 50+ WALKING GROUP every Thurs. More info Ph: 0212640403 e: secretary50pluswalkers@gmail.

DEADLINE: 10AM FRIDAY

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

com, or www.motueka50pluswalkers.org.nz.

MOTUEKA LIGHTHOUSE Spiritual Group. Meet, last Thurs of month, 7-9pm, Motueka Community House, Opposite the ISite. Next Meeting, Thurs, 28 Mar, Animal Healing & Communication. Everyone welcome. Donation Appreciated. e: angel3000.h@gmail.com or www. facebook.com/lighthousemotueka.

RUMMIKUB Thurs, 1-4pm, Motueka Over 50s Social Club, 10 Pah St. Friendly group, includes refreshments. All welcome. Ph: Keith 0274516422.

THE DOCTORS MOTUEKA – Walking Group, Thurs, 9am, by the Janie Seddon Shipwreck carpark. Walking for 30 mins, suitable for all fitness levels. Make your daily walk more fun and meet new people. Ph: 035288358.

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meet 1st Thurs of the month, 1.30-3.30pm, Broadgreen House, 276 Nayland Rd. Ph: Bill 035448635 or 035391137.

MOTUEKA G.R.G 2nd & 4th Thurs, 1-3pm, St Andrews lounge, 64 High St. Support group welcomes grandparents/kin raising/ supporting grandchildren. Join us for a confidential relaxed and supportive time with others. Ph: 0211337299.

SENIORNET MOTUEKA, The Genealogy Interest Group meets 2nd Fri, 2pm. Ph: Allan 0279711100 or visit www. seniornetmotueka.org.nz

SATURDAY / SUNDAY

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

GENERAL GROUPS

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

MOTUEKA NEWCOMERS New to Motueka? We’re a social group, mostly retired (50+) who meet regularly and

welcome newcomers. More info Ph: Jana 035284355.

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

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.

NEED A LIFT? Mapua Willing Wheels Volunteer Drivers Service, affordable transport around Mapua, Motueka, Richmond, Nelson (no airport runs). To book Ph: 0226822373 or mapuawheels@gmail.com. 24 hrs’ notice required.

NELSON HOSPICE The Motueka shop needs volunteers! If you would like to volunteer for us, please enquire at the shop or Ph: 035281178.

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

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.

GREYPOWER MOTUEKA welcomes visitors at the Community House office, Decks Reserve on Wallace St. for ongoing service requests. Discount provider list available. Ph: 035289076 or e: greypowermot@gmail.com.

INDOOR BOWLS, Mon & Wed, 1.15-3pm, Motueka Over 50s Hub, 10 Pah St. All abilities welcome. Ph: Jude 0273244226

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

MOTUEKA SENIORNET Take advantage of the many interest groups offered. Join SeniorNet Motueka. To join, visit www.seniornetmotueka.org.nz, or Ph: Allan 0279711100.

MOTUEKA MENZSHED We have lots of fun, friendship and laughs at MenzShed e: secretarymotmenzShed@ gmail.com or just turn up at MenzShed, Marchwood Park, College Rd, Wed or Thurs 9-12pm.

MOTUEKA TRAMPING CLUB, would you like to go walking on the weekends but are not sure where to start? Start with your local club: www.motuekattrampingclub.org.

RED CROSS MOTUEKA BRANCH Fundraising shop, open Mon – Fri, 10-2pm. Community House, Decks Reserve. We sell clothing, household linen and books. Donations of sellable goods are appreciated.

SURVIVORS AND THRIVERS, if you have or have had cancer, supporting someone with cancer, come and meet others in this friendly atmosphere. Ph: 035391137 or info@cancernelson.co.nz for info or to reg.

MULTICULTURAL MOTUEKA welcomes migrants and refugees every Tues & Fri, 8.30 -1pm, 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 or sez@multiculturalnt.co.nz.

MOTUEKA TENNIS CLUB. INC. Every Tues & Thurs, 9.30-11.30am. Courts behind the Memorial Hall Pah St. Racquets available to borrow for new Members. All welcome.

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.

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.

Tasman District Rating Revaluation

On 1 September 2023, Quotable Value Ltd carried out a revaluation of properties across Tasman District on behalf of the Tasman District Council.

If you are a property owner in Tasman District, your new notice of valuation will be posted to you from 10 April 2024.

You have the right to object to your new valuation and the details of how to do so are included with your valuation

MEMORIUM

Ron Sharp

All are welcome to an unveiling of the memorial seat in honour of Ron Sharp on the one year anniversary of his passing.

Saturday 13th of

April, 11am at 412 Main Road Riwaka.

Bring a plate of shared kai for potluck lunch after.

Upper Moutere 1395 Moutere Highway

Quintessential countryside charm

This beautifully restored 1870's villa is a true gem, seamlessly blending historic charm with modern comforts. With its stunning rural views, expansive veranda, generous section and solar heated in-ground infinity pool, this property offers the quintessential countryside village living.

Step inside this charming villa and be captivated by its character and elegance. With two wood burners as well as a state-of-the-art gas boiler heating multiple radiators you’ll be cosy no matter the weather. The farmhouse kitchen is a true centrepiece, featuring modern appliances and Italian hardwood island.

bayleys.co.nz/4051980

4 1 2

For Sale offers invited over $1,400,000

View by appointment

Matt Galvin 027 768 6288 matt.galvin@bayleys.co.nz

VINING REALTY GROUP LTD, BAYLEYS,LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Motueka 9 Trewavas Street

Scandinavian beach retreat

Immaculately presented this home boasts three bedrooms and two bathrooms set on a generous 905sqm section that has been synergistically landscaped with its surroundings. Step inside to discover a sleek, Scandinavian inspired contemporary interior that has been recently renovated to the highest standards. The living, dining and kitchen seamlessly flow together leading you the outdoor areas. The fully-equipped kitchen features top-of-the-line appliances and ample storage space, perfect for those who love to entertain. Venture out to experience the beauty of the alfresco spaces – landscaped gardens lead to the waterfront reserve where you will enjoy the estuary, sand-spit and Tasman Bay. Don't miss out on the chance to own this piece of paradise!

bayleys.co.nz/4052017

bayleys.co.nz

905 sqm 3 2

Price by Negotiation

View by appointment

Matt Galvin 027 768 6288 matt.galvin@bayleys.co.nz

VINING REALTY GROUP LTD, BAYLEYS,LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008