Nelson Weekly - 19 October 2022

Residents feeling forgotten

SARA HOLLYMAN

The planned closure of SH6 has left some residents feeling forgotten, while those in business say it will hit consumers in the pocket.

Kokorua resident Jess Patterson, whose property sits in the middle of the closure area, says the first the residents heard of the highway closing between Hira and Rai Valley was in the news

and they have so far been given mixed-messaging from staff.

“We heard about it on Monday when the news articles came out, then there was a big uproar on Facebook and someone from Fulton Hogan came and saw us on Tuesday, but they came during the day so most people were at work.”

Jess says, that person told her that residents would have access at certain times of the day, much like the previous closure when

the roads were damaged.

“I thought ‘ok cool, we’ve got access, at least we can carry on, get the kids to school, get to work’. The timings weren’t great but at least we have access.”

Then on Thursday, Waka Kotahi and council representatives met with around 30 residents from Kokorua, Flowers and Hori Bay Rds.

“We met to say our concerns and ask if we can figure out the

timetable, but Waka Kotahi’s Andrew James said ‘no, there’s going to be no access for you, you’re either in or out’,” Jess says.

“The residents are saying ‘we can’t just pack up and shift to town, we all have animals’. One guy has 70 steers he lives in Rai Valley so he’s not going to be able to get in. All our grass is gone from the floods so we have to be here to feed them.”

Jess says Andrew told residents his job is to “fix the road” and

animal welfare issues were not their problem.

“We are basically on our own, they said three weeks but they don’t really know until they start cutting into the road. We feel like collateral damage at this point.” The road will close on November 1 and will reopen on December 18, assuming all goes to plan.

Local transport operators say the

Johnny wins in Kentucky

Johnny Carter says he and his team were definitely the underdogs when they travelled to Kentucky to compete in the International Mounted Games

The team of five were on borrowed po nies, competing against the best riders from America and Canada.

Despite this, they came away with first place.

“We shouldn’t have really won, but we were really consistent the whole way through,” Johnny says.

Mounted games see riders compete in a variety of challenges that test all of their different riding abilities.

There are over 100 different games that can be played, such as the mug shuffle which sees riders race around a course with mugs on poles that they must

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“Someone once randomly walked into my shop and gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers unexpectedly.”

SH6 closure left residents feeling forgotten

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extra costs incurred will need to be passed on to their customers, and the consumer, but say those in the Rai Valley area will be hit hardest.

Renwick Transport’s managing di rector Jax Smith says the closure will have a big effect on them.

“We have a lot of units who run through Nelson to Blenheim, they do double runs so we won’t be able to do double.

She says this affects contractual commitments which means they will be looking to hire more driv ers, something that is not easy to find with staff shortages affecting the industry.

Jax says they transport everything from timber to wine and machin ery ,and are looking forward to the road being fixed.

“We knew that it was going to come. We would rather them close it, get it right, so we can get operational and back to full capacity. It’s really challenging.

Ezra Selwyn, operations supervisor at Big Chill Blenheim who do daily runs between Blenheim and Nel son six days a week, says the timing couldn’t be worse.

“Its going to be mental but there’s not much we can do about it. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was in our quiet period but from now till Christmas is the busiest time for us.”

He says they would prefer that one lane be kept open this side of Christmas.

“It’s an extra two hours on top of your day that you don’t need, we have four-five units a day doing re turn trips to Nelson.”

Bill Huppler

“I finished a job about 5 years ago and I was gifted a pouna mu. I had it blessed and it is probably my most treasured possession ever.”

“My children have bought me perfume that I really wanted without me asking for it.”

“When I was 6 or 7 years old my dad was a fitter/ welder and he made me a lit tle house which I absolutely loved.”

Johnny wins in Kentucky

move around in a specific or der.

The New Zealand team had just two days to familiarise themselves with the ponies they had borrowed for the championship.

“It was quite a bit of a disad vantage.”

The trip was his first time go ing overseas to compete, say ing it was a “bloody awesome” experience.

Having been selected for the team after a trials process, he says they were eager to show what they can do against some of the world’s best.

The 16-year-old says he pre dominately trains by himself, riding the horses up the hills around his house near Wake field most days after school to

exercise them.

He also practices games at least twice a week but says he’s more focused on getting the horse fit because it knows how to do the games already.

“For my ones (horses), it’s get ting around the corners real

confidently and listening to my legs. The horse has to be good at speed, but confident to slow up.”

His favourite games are the ones where he must vault back onto his horse after dis mounting it to do a challenge.

“There’s a lot of trust between the horse and yourself.”

Johnny got into the sport three years ago, but says he’s grown up with horses being a part of his life.

“It’s just way more fun than all the dressage and show jump ing. You get to know people and its way more physical.

“I still train dressage, but I don’t compete anymore.”

Johnny already has plans for his next international com petition, eyeing up the trials for the upcoming Australian Champs.

Belinda Clark

Lynette Chambers

Have ever been given something that you treasured forever?

Chris Newth

Carmel Green

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Johnny Carter travelled to Kentucky as part of the International Mounted Games. Photo: Jack Malcolm.

Vacant Kāinga Ora home worries community

KATE RUSSELL

A Kāinga Ora home in Tāhu nanui that has been vacant for six months has the lo cal community worried that those in need of housing ar en’t getting a roof over their heads quickly enough.

The Roto St property is await ing “significant” repair and improvement work, which is set to start in November, ac cording to Julia Campbell, Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast regional director for Kāinga Ora.

“It is currently vacant because it is part of our retrofit pro gramme,” she says.

“Subject to the tender being let, we anticipate this work will begin next month.”

However, the chair of the Tāhunanui Community Hub, Jac Stevenson, says there are people in the community who are frustrated to see that repair work still hasn’t started on the house after half a year of it sit ting empty.

“There are concerned res idents and education pro viders, and those in the area who have wanted to remain in Tāhunanui after being in social housing, only to find nothing available, and people

who have been looking since the recent rain event.”

Kāinga Ora currently has 700 public housing homes and 43 supported housing homes in Nelson.

Of these, 38 homes are cur rently vacant.

Julia says that maintenance is currently being undertaken on 18 of these vacant homes and families will move into them within the next two to three weeks.

“We aim to get homes re-occu pied as quickly as possible when ever we carry out this work.”

She says some properties are also empty because they are in line for redevelopment, where they replace older homes with

more new, warm, dry homes on the same site.

“We carefully monitor the number of vacant Kāinga Ora properties to help provide as many homes as possible for people in need.

“We understand the need for more warm, dry homes for peo ple in need in Nelson.

“For health and safety reasons, and due to the scale of the work, homes cannot be occu pied while major upgrade and improvement work is under taken.”

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack says while it can be frustrating to see empty properties when there is a housing shortage, there will be moments when some must be vacant for up grades.

“We have to look at the work in totality,” she says.

“There is a large work pro gramme, and for over ten years we had no increase at all in public housing, and main tenance has been incredibly poor.

“Some of the homes have been in very poor condition.

“We’ve focused on lifting the stock and increasing compli ance with healthy homes legis lation so homes are warm and dry.”

A Kāinga Ora home on Roto St has been empty for around six months. Photo: Kate Russell.

$36M granted to Nelson for 1000 new homes

MAX FRETHEY

Nelson has been granted $36.4 million by central government to allow 1,025 new homes in the city centre.

Minister for Housing Megan Woods announced the funding on Thursday.

“We know the only way we are going to solve the housing crisis, and to bring costs down, is to build more houses,” she said.

The grant has been made as part of the second tranche of the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund which will see $192 million shared between Nelson, Motueka, Rangiora, Ngāruawāhia, Hastings, Lower Hutt, Whanganui, and Lake Hāwea.

“The investment… is expected to enable around 11,500 homes across multiple housing developments over the next 10 to 15 years, including public, affordable, market, and papakāinga housing,” Woods said.

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack said the infrastructure funding will enable Nelson City Council and developers to make sure the much-needed critical infrastructure – like pipes, roads, and wastewater connections –are in place, so that thousands more homes can be built and

communities thrive.

Nelson City Council expects this expansion could result in a tenfold increase in the number of central city residents, up from about 100 people.

“This is fantastic news for Nelson, and another great example of how local and central government can deliver for our community and all New Zealanders,” Boyack said.

Outgoing Nelson mayor Rachel Reese has welcomed the announcement.

“This grant funding is a massive financial saving to Nelson and it’s going to have a very positive impact on our city centre for generations to come,” she said.

Rachel said the securing of the grant is a reflection of the outstanding work done by council staff.

“It was a highly competitive fund and it reflects the quality of the application, but also the work they’ve done to build relationships in the private sector.”

The funding will help Nelson reach its goals of getting more people living in the central city, as outlined in Te Ara ō Whakatū, Nelson’s city centre spatial plan.

“It will bring life to our streets and is a very positive step for our smart little city. It’s a great place to live, to work, and to visit.

These infrastructure upgrades are going to be critical to… providing resilience to the city.”

Alongside transport infrastructure upgrades, the projects that will be supported include:

Construction of a water supply ring main from the trunk main on Bridge St, near Tasman St, along Bridge St, Rutherford St, Halifax St and Collingwood St, a new stormwater main along Bridge St and associated green infrastructure, and a new flood gate for the Halifax St stormwater outfall into Saltwater Creek, and a pump station upgrade

Flood claims top $48m

Insurance claims from the weather event in August have almost topped $48 million.

Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) have released figures that show 3165 gen eral claims have been made following extreme flooding that hit the Top of the South in August.

They have a provisional value of $47.98 million, the council says.

Claims in Nelson Tasman consisted of 1248 private claims with a provisional val ue of $21.64m, and the rest of Aotearoa,

including Marlborough, made up the oth er 1,917 claims valued at $26.35m

“This was a devastating event for com munities in Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds in particular that will take a long time to recover from,” says ICNZ chief ex ecutive Tim Grafton.

“It has been more difficult for some by the time taken to deal safely and methodically with the event.

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“In a hillside area of Nelson, this is ne cessitating extensive geotechnical work to

on Paru Paru Rd and renewal/ upgrade of Rutherford St, Achilles Avenue and Bridge St wastewater infrastructure.

The overall cost of the projects is $72 million. Part of Nelson City Council’s share of the costs is $32 million which is already budgeted for in the 2021 – 31 Long Term Plan and is debt-funded like all infrastructure investments.

$1.2 million has also been allocated for a new wastewater main, stormwater upgrades and a new roundabout in Motueka to enable a housing development on Māori-owned land.

ensure the land has stopped moving. This is now being followed up with site specific damage assessments.”

Nelson City and Tasman District Coun cils are working closely with residents, geotechnical experts, insurers and their partners Toka Tū Ake EQC, Waka Kotahi and an army of contractors, businesses and community groups to help put people back on their feet.

“Once all the assessments are safely com pleted, the final claims data for August’s event will likely be higher,” Tim says.

“This is a difficult time for all involved and yet another reminder of the urgency with

Tasman District Council expects this funding will accelerate the delivery of around 200 new homes, which could include affordable, public and papakāinga housing.

A green belt with a wetland and native vegetation are among the proposed plans for the development.

TDC’s chief executive Leonie Rae said the grant would boost housing opportunities in a growing part of the district and increase infrastructure within Motueka.

“Sufficient yet appropriate development outcomes that meet the needs of our community will be vital in the years ahead,” she said.

“Thanks to the combined effort of Tasman District Council, Kāinga Ora, and Wakatū Incorporation, we are able to plan with more certainty to ensure these outcomes are achieved.”

Wakatū Incorporation CEO Kerensa Johnston said she was “really pleased” to see the plan progress. “This is a critical project for Wakatū.”

which incoming councils must deal with building resilience to climate change.”

ICNZ also released final claims data for 9-14 June floods. Preliminary figures of 3,146 claims valued at $15.45 million have been finalised at 3,552 claims worth $20.34m.

All of the data released brings the run ning total for general insurance losses for extreme weather events in 2022 to $298 million.

The 2021 full year total was $324 million. ICNZ does not track related costs met by Toka Tū Ake EQC, councils and Waka Kotahi.

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Work has started on Nelson College’s front field upgrade, with the top layer of grass being removed from the field last week. The work, which aims to solve drainage and irrigation issues, is expected to be completed before the start of the 2023 school year at a cost of $200,000 which was raised by the Old Boys Association. Photo: Jack Malcolm.

The funding will go towards three water and transport infrastructure upgrades to enable an increase in houses in the city centre. Photo: Evan Barnes.

House prices cool for first time in a decade

New Zealand’s average home value has recorded its first annual reduction in more than a decade, according to the latest QV Price Index.

Homes in Nelson Tasman dropped by 7 per cent to an average value of $800,424 over the three months to September 30, looking increasingly likely to dip below $800,000 in the coming weeks.

The region’s annual rate of negative home value growth is now sitting at 3.2 per cent QV Nelson and Marlborough manager Craig Russell says the local property market was continuing to “soften”, particularly for properties under $1m.

“Well located and well presented,

modern or renovated homes are more in demand right now.

Vendors have become more realistic with price expectations, as new listings continue to outstrip demand,” he says.

“We’re seeing a much more traditional property market now with conditional contracts and extended selling periods. The length of time a property takes to sell is in part being influenced by ‘in chain’ sale situations whereby the purchase of one home is contingent upon the sale of another.

He says market confidence is being impacted by purchasers’ expectations that mortgage rates will need to rise further in order

to keep inflation under control.

The latest QV House Price Index shows that home values have slipped by an average of 2.1 per cent nationwide in the 12 months to the end of September - the first annual home value reduction since June 2011, which marks nine straight months of declining home values nationally. The average home decreased in value by 5.4 per cent nationally over the past three-month period to the end of September, just 0.1 per cent better than the rate of quarterly decline reported at the end of August, with the national average value now sitting at $956,592.

That figure is 9.2 per cent lower

than at the start of this calendar year.

QV general manager David Nagel commented says the Reserve Bank’s decision last week to raise the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by another 50 points all-but ensures that the path we’re on will continue for the foreseeable future.

“Interest rate rises, credit constraints, the increasing cost of living – it’s a sure-fire recipe for declining home values.

“Plus, there are still new houses coming onto the market up and down the country, putting further downward pressure on prices almost everywhere.”

He says it will be worrying news for people looking to sell their

homes, as well as those who purchased at the peak of the market now concerned about negative equity.

“The exceptional house price increases throughout 2020 and 2021 have impacted affordability and impeded access to the property market for most New Zealanders.

“This market correction, as painful as it is for some, will hopefully afford others an opportunity to get into the market in the future.

“Though it’s still very tough out there for prospective first-home buyers, they’re now gaining the upper hand when it comes to negotiations.”

New central city homes for Nelson

KATE RUSSELL

Up to 25 new public homes for families in need are set to be built in the city on the former Nelson Masonic Lodge site.

Kāinga Ora Homes and Commu nities has purchased the promi nent 3000m2 section at 107 Nile St and planning is now underway for the development.

Julia Campbell, Nelson, Marlbor ough, and West Coast regional director, says the development

will be a significant boost to housing in the city.

“We recognise the urgent need for more warm, dry homes in Nel son, and we’re pleased to have the opportunity to build new family homes in this central city loca tion, which is close to schools, shops, and other amenities.”

She says they are still in the “ear ly planning stages” of the devel opment so don’t yet know exact ly how many homes will be built or where they will be placed on

the site

“Our early estimates are that we could build between 15 to 25 family homes, but we will con firm this as our plans progress.”

The former Masonic Lodge build ing that is currently on the site was damaged by fire in Novem ber 2019 and will be removed. It is still to be confirmed when this will occur, and when con struction of the new homes will begin.

“We’ll have a much

clearer idea of timeframes as we progress our plans for the site,” says Julia.

“We’re committed to designing a development with good qual ity homes and open spaces that brings the best outcomes for peo ple living there, and the wider community.”

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack says the development is an excit

ing step forward for Nelson and comes as Kāinga Ora plans to in crease their properties by 200 in the region.

“Housing in the inner city, close to schools and the polytech is re ally needed. I’m really pleased to see this work happening.”

Kāinga Ora will keep neighbours and other stakeholders informed as plans for the site develop.

The site of the former Masonic Lodge which is set to be transformed into public housing. Photo: Tracy Allan.

Paradiso increase beds for homeless despite pushback from neighbours

TRACY ALLAN

A former central city backpackers is increasing its beds for Nelson’s homeless population despite con cerns from the The Wood neigh bourhood community.

When the Covid-19 pandem ic struck, and backpackers were locked out of the country, Para diso’s owner looked to Housing First to plug the gap in income.

Housing First, a collaborative partnership between Te Piki Oranga, the Male Room and The Salvation Army Nelson Tasman Bays Corps, provides accommo dation and support to people ex periencing long-term homeless ness in the region.

In response to the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, part of the Paradiso Motel was used to house people in the Nelson Tasman re gion who experienced challenges in finding stable accommodation.

“The ongoing housing crisis means that some people have not been able to move into lon ger-term housing, so there re mains a need for assistance through Housing First and the

ongoing use of Paradiso,” a Hous ing First spokesperson says.

Now the arrangement is set to in crease from 30 to 44 single occu pancy bedrooms, and locals, who were notified by a flyer through the mailbox, are not happy about the lack of consultation and sub sequent increase in police inci dents in the area.

The WekaWood Neighbour hood Support Group Nelson first raised concerns over the sudden change of use in 2020 by writ ing to Parliament, NMDHB and Worksafe.

The group argued that they sus pect many of the new residents to have acute, complex, mental health conditions, and that they pose a risk to the neighbouring residents and businesses.

Pre Covid-19, Paradiso’s two properties on Tasman and Weka Streets could accommodate up to 150 residents in rooms. It is now being converted into dedicated temporary accommodation for people in need.

A log kept by one resident shows there have been 28 police callouts to the properties on Weka and

Tasman Street in the past year alone.

A police spokesperson says they are unable to confirm callouts to specific locations due to privacy reasons.

The Housing First spokesperson says they have implemented strat egies to minimise distur bances.

This included creating a centralised entrance on Weka Street along with a security office.

“We have also intro duced a non-emergen cy phone number that residents can call if they would like to report any

concerning activity taking place in or around the residence.”

The spokesperson says wraparound support is provided for people in need to help them into long-term housing.

“Often this means tackling some of the issues at the root of their homelessness, such as drug and alcohol dependencies, and giving our people the basic skills to look after a household and be a good tenant.”

They say temporary accommoda tion is needed while more longterm solutions and a clearer strat egy to fill the housing stock gap is developed.

“Without the continued occu pancy of the Paradiso, we have 44

more people living on the street or in places not designed for hab itation, like cars and garages. As a region and community, we can’t stand by and let that happen.”

They say a community meeting will be held in the near future, likely early November, to further update the local community and answer any questions.

Owner of Paradiso Niels Kroger declined to comment.

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack says not every person who is homeless poses a risk to the community.

“Some do have complex needs but with the right support and the wraparound services that Housing First provide they can exist in the community.”

Paradiso is being transformed into accommodation for homeless. Photo: Tracy Allan.

Traditional Indian culture was celebrated over the weekend at the Diwali Festival. Founders Heritage Park was transformed with music and dancing on Sunday for the festival which is celebrated by more than 800 million people worldwide. Organiser Ajay Puri says the festival was a success and was delighted at seeing people come together to celebrate their culture. “We are so happy with the response and this inspires us to carry on and do it on an even bigger scale next year. Thank you so much to everyone.”

Pictured far right is Pratik Sheth leading the dancing.

Photo: Tracy Allan.

Bentley’s All Black dedication pays off

JACK MALCOLM

When 12-year-old Bentley Kemp woke up early on Thursday morn ing, he didn’t know how special a day it was going to be.

He and his father Michael were the first one’s queuing outside the gates for the All Blacks’ open training, arriving long before the organisers had even shown up.

Their dedication didn’t go unno ticed, with All Black captain Sam Cane awarding Bentley a signed jersey for his support after the training.

After being called down from the stands to be on the sideline as the team came off the field, the pair had been taking selfies of their great spot to get a look at their fa vourite players.

They were caught by surprise when Sam made a beeline for them after completing his me dia obligations. The All Blacks captain spent time talking to Broadgreen Intermediate stu dent Bentley about his injury from when he fell awkwardly on the trampoline that put him in a moon boot.

“We’re blown away,” says Michael. “Nothing comes close to this.”

Fright Night back

They had shown up at 7:30am wanting to get a good spot in the stands to see the team and were rewarded with seats front and centre, he says.

Even that had been a stroke of fortune, they thought, but to be able to rub shoulders with some of the country’s best rugby play ers was the cherry on top.

While Bentley doesn’t play him self, he says it’s hard to pick his favourite player when they all are.

Head coach Ian Foster says they were blown away with how much support they had received.

“I can’t believe it, to be fair.

“I warned the players, and I told them not to show off because there were (going to be) about 100 kids down here watching, and then we turned up and the place was packed.”

Ian says they had a sense of priv ilege with how many people had come out to show their support, which helps fuel their motivation.

“We spend a lot of time in, I guess, the bigger centres where we play test matches and to come into a community just reminds us of who we’re playing for.”

Ian says that the decision to come to Nelson was largely driven by

A team of 25 local rangatahi have been designing scares for this year’s Fright Night youth event at Founders Heritage Park this Friday. This event, which sees the park turned into a haunted village is for 13- 17-year-olds and funded by Nelson City Council. This year’s theme is Carn-Evil - so expect lots of clowns and other characters you might see at the carnival. Gates open at 7.30pm and the Scare Zone sessions begin at 7.45pm

Charity auction this week

The Walk with Us charity auction fundraiser takes place this Tuesday, 25 October, at 6.30pm. With special guest ex-All Black Wyatt Crockett and big-ticket items including a helicopter

the insistence of Tasman Rugby chief executive Lyndon Bray.

“He’s the boss of Tasman Rugby and he said we had to come. I al ways listened to Lyndon when he was a referee and I still listen to him now.”

The All Blacks spent almost two hours running through drills and light contact work when they were scheduled to train for just 90 minutes.

They then spent the better part of half an hour interacting with fans, signing autographs and tak ing selfies.

It’s the first time the All Blacks have been in Nelson since they played their first-ever test match in the city in 2018 when they beat Ar gentina 46-24 in front of a sold-out crowd.

The first test of their tour starts on Saturday, Oc tober 29, at 6:50pm, as they play Japan in a oneoff game for the Lipov itan-D Challenge Cup before they travel on to Europe to play Wales, Scotland and England in the Healthspan Elite Northern Tour.

ride, motorhome break, tugboat experience, and luxury accommodation in Auckland and Sydney, the night will be one to remember. Tickets cost $30, or tables $300 for 10. To buy tickets, email walkwithusnz@gmail.co.nz or call 027 561 5973.

Bird of the Year competition is back

Voting began for #BirdoftheYear 2022 on 17 October. You can log on to www.birdoftheyear. org.nz/ to rank up to five birds in the competition run by Forest & Bird, with the winner being announced on 31 October. Last year’s winner was the pekapeka tou roa long-tailed bat, while the kiwi made it to number one in 2009.

One taste is all it takes

All Black captain Sam Cane gifted a signed jersey to 12-year-old Bentley Kemp after he and his father Michael were spotted as some of the most dedicated fans who came to watch the team train last week at Trafalgar Park. Photo: Jack Malcolm.

Cannabis grow room found after police arrived to issue firearms notice

TRACY NEAL OPEN JUSTICE REPORTER

A man described as “just a coun try kid” did so well at growing cannabis in a secret room hidden behind a false wall that his lawyer suggested he might switch careers from forestry to horticulture.

Pax Brian Rasmussen’s sophis ticated growing operation was found by police after they arrived at his house to issue a temporary suspension of his firearms licence. It was not disclosed to the court what had prompted this, but the police turning up led to charges including possession and culti vation of cannabis and failing to comply with a direction to sur render a firearm.

Rasmussen, 21, admitted the charges in the Nelson District Court on Monday.

On October 20 last year, a senior sergeant from the police arms safety and control division issued a notice of temporary suspension while Rasmussen’s firearms licence was considered for revocation.

Two days later the police arrived at his home to issue the notice and seize Rasmussen’s firearms and licence.

The police summary of facts said he willingly surrendered his li cence and told police he had no

firearms in his possession.

Judge Jo Rielly said in sentencing that a police search of the address was triggered when they noticed a cabinet when they were stand ing talking to Rasmussen, which led them to believe firearms were

signed room under the house. Six large cannabis plants were found, along with hydroponic growing equipment including lights, complex drainage systems and power sources through to a separate room.

grow a bit of cannabis.

“He did it quite well – perhaps he should go into horticulture,” Spear said.

Rasmussen told police he failed to surrender the arms as he thought he could get away with it

the country inferred it was likely that Rasmussen was growing it for his own use.

However, the circumstances un der which the cannabis was being grown were concerning, Judge Rielly said.

She said it was a deliberate at tempt to grow what was still an illegal drug in New Zealand, and while there were not a lot of plants found, the larger ones hidden behind the false wall had reached maturity and indicated they might have yielded a high amount of cannabis head.

Judge Rielly said in sentencing Rasmussen that she hoped he would reflect on what he had done and carry on in a field in which he was described as a “very hard worker”.

on the property.

During the search, police found a Remington shotgun under his bed.

Ammunition was also found, including shotgun shells and .22 calibre rifle ammunition.

As the search continued police found six small cannabis seed lings in Rasmussen’s bedroom in a small hydroponic tent.

An additional grow operation described as “quite sophisticat ed” was found behind a false wall which led to a specifically de

His lawyer Tim Spear said Ras mussen worked in forestry and has been a keen hunter most of his teenage life.

He said the shotgun found un der Rasmussen’s bed was locked and hidden “This was not a situation where he had open firearms.”

Spear said Rasmussen had “decided to try his hand growing cannabis”.

“Basically, he’s just a country kid working in forestry and who likes hunting and who then decided to

and didn’t want to get into trou ble for incorrect storage.

Judge Rielly said the fact that the firearm found under the bed was locked did mitigate the risk, but Rasmussen’s failure to disclose he had it was “dishonest, reckless, en tirely inappropriate and unlawful”.

“There’s a real concern in our community about people being in possession of firearms.”

She said the argument presented that he has “decided to give can nabis a whirl” because he lived in

On the charge of cannabis culti vation, he was convicted and sen tenced to 100 hours’ community work. On the charge of failing to comply with the notice he was convicted and fined $800 and on the charge of cannabis possession he was convicted and discharged.

O PE N

WISP Internet and Electrical

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Owners Sonya and Tim McLay, saw a need for their services adding the electrical and security portion of the business when covid hit. “We worked on projects both big and small – Connecting internet in orchards staff housing, installing and upgrading security systems, and working on renovations and new builds. The business is still growing, and we are getting more and more projects in schools and business locations.” Never compromising on their integrity, for Sonya and Tim, their customers’ needs are at the forefront of what they do, saying family and community are what drives their passion for the business. “We want to make this business a success for our family. The increase

in family time and opportunities for our kids is so great that we keep pushing to do better and continue to grow. That will advance the opportunities for our community with job openings, apprenticeship, local sponsorships and so much more.”

As licensed installers for anything security including alarms, gate automation, cell phone automation, remote switching and telemetry, the team also have the ability to install full system CCTV to single standalone cameras.

“We have security cameras, and a lot of them! Anything to suit your needs; still, big, moving, zooming, audio, standalone, wifi, battery, full systems - scalable, recording, notifications, internet based, with good quality clear pictures!” All our systems, cameras or alarms are internet connected (if internet is available on site) to serve alerts direct to your location on your smart device, phones or tablets.”

Covering all areas in the region, contact WISP Internet and Electrical to help you find the perfect solution to your electrical and security needs on 0800 699477 or 03 9295115.

Business Update. Adv.

A forestry worker turned out to be so good at growing cannabis his lawyer said he should switch careers to horticulture. Photo: File.

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

Jinal, Ankit, Devarsh and Shaurya Patel

Aarti and Arayan Malik Manpreet Brar, Vibha Sood with Inayah, Amanpreet Kaur

Nick Fufeu and Sumit Rampal

Raniel Gomes, Shrutika Pol, Devyani Saraf, Punnet Ghai, Aarti Malik

Danial Prasad, Arishma Singh, Nitashni Singh, Baljit Singh

Aiyaz Shah, Sherin Shah, Marie Lindaya, Sarah Huppler and Bill Huppler

Neelam Nand, Nidhi Prasad (6), Shimranika Devi, Ashna Singh, Keshni Dutt, Priyanka Navayan, Lourisha Chand (6), Surya Chand and Ayesha Chand (11) Kunal Kumar and Nemo Sharma Shetal and Jatin Sandhir

Low pay has council staff feeling ‘used’

MAX FRETHEY Local Democracy Reporter

The Public Service Association union is in bargaining with the three Top of the South councils to achieve better pay for its local government workers across the region.

PSA organiser Ian Hoffmann said the union’s members in the Nelson City, and Tasman and Marlbor ough District Councils, are under paid and have inconsistent work ing conditions and requirements.

“The councils are really siloed, and you feel it here,” he said. “Tas man’s 15-20 minutes down the street and they do things total ly different [from Nelson]… but PSA members are doing, in many cases, identical work.”

The union wants a multi-employ er collective agreement (MECA) across the three Te Tauihu coun cils, the first of its kind in the local government sector. It says this is to ensure their members are paid fairly and uniformly across the re gion with consistent benefits and work conditions.

But given the enormity of that task, the PSA’s current focus for its initial MECA is adequate remu neration for the union’s more than 300 members across the three councils.

“We want to make sure our mem bers are getting paid,” Hoffmann said. “Cost of living is killing us, just like it’s killing everyone right now.”

Another PSA member, who asked not to be named, works in one of the libraries across the region and said the job was difficult.

“Staff are really tired, they’re burnt out, morale is low. We’re consis tently asked to stretch ourselves again and again.”

Despite the pressures that working in the library can bring, she said staff generally enjoy the work and want to be there, but poor wages are testing their limits.

“For me, it’s always been about helping people and helping the community,” she said. “We truly believe in and enjoy what we do, but goodwill doesn’t pay the bills.”

She said she’s turned down high er-paying jobs because of her ded ication to the library.

“Staff feel undervalued and under appreciated. They want to be rec ognised for what they provide to our community.”

Increasing their pay, she said, would go a long way to making the councils’ workers feel more appre ciated and help keep them doing the jobs they enjoy.

Mike Ogden, a PSA delegate and geospatial analyst for Nelson City Council, said the local govern ment sector has fallen behind in keeping wages up when compared to other industries.

“Things are going up and up and up [in price],” he said. “We can’t afford to continue to fall behind.

The further you are behind, the further it is to catch up in the fu ture.”

He acknowledged that councils had a responsibility to ratepayers to keep costs down but challenged the view that laying off staff or keeping wages low were appropri ate methods to save money.

“They’re a resource that you don’t want to lose.”

When approached for comment on Nelson City Council’s pay rates and its involvement in the bar gaining, acting manager people and capability Andrea King said the council was unable to com ment “as this would be outside the good faith conditions as part of the Employment Relations Act”.

However, King did confirm that the three councils have given the PSA union their relevant offer to the proposed MECA for the union’s members to consider.

She added that the council looks forward to a “successful agree ment” with the PSA in the coming weeks.

Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

PSA union members across the three councils in the Top of the South are bargaining for better pay across the entire region. Photo: Supplied.

Opinion

Pinktober

Once again, October is upon us, which brings out the colour pink— and all things pumpkin spice. All month is Breast Can cer Awareness Month, which by this point we should all be aware of. Together we can advocate and use our voices for something more than pink that encompasses many facets of living with breast cancer. October is a big month for those living in the breast cancer realm. In my opinion, there are a few share-worthy causes and notable happen ings. Breast cancer was a disease spoken about behind closed doors, not something one would acknowledge in public. Men & women had little support, and there was little understanding or acknowledgement of the emotional ramifications of suffering from the disease, or the emotional trauma of losing one or both breasts. Many wom en suffered in silence with a deadly disease they considered shameful. Men and Wom en today feel more empowered to take control of their health, and not ashamed to seek help. And, to this day, these organi zations dedicated to breast cancer aware ness give women with breast cancer (and their loved ones) a feeling of community and support. It’s about living to see anoth er October through research and new dis coveries. It’s about getting the message out that “Pink is not a Cure.” October to me is so much more than awareness. October is the time to promote these organizations trying to make a difference and give hope to those with breast cancer while remem bering those who have gone before us. But for now, let’s put the pink-washing aside, and focus on the goals of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Give generously with a cheerful heart to support a worthy cause. Eat healthy, exercise regularly and stay healthy.

Neelz Singh

Extinction Rebellion disap pointed

As members of Extinction Rebellion Whakatū, we were alarmed, sickened and disappointed that the Nelson Citizens Al

liance (NCA) advertisement was print ed in the Nelson Weekly, our community newspaper. We are saddened by the mis information written about candidates and our own group. It is this kind of disrespect and bullying that Extinction Rebellion Whakatū demands ceases in our commu nity and specifically in our decision-mak ing spaces. This kind of divisive behaviour is one of the reasons we are demanding that Te Tiriti Based People’s Assembly be established. We want a decision-making space where our differences are celebrat ed rather than used as fuel for community polarisation. We want a community where those directly affected get to participate in a process where all respectively listen to each other, learn from each other and make shared decisions that are binding. We ask that Nelson Weekly openly apol ogise to all candidates mentioned in the NCA advertisement and also Extinction Rebellion Whakatū for spreading false in formation about our group and by doing so putting our members in danger and risk of violence. (When one perceives another to be violent, they are more likely to be vi olent). Extinction Rebellion Whakatū has a core principle of nonviolence. We are a direct-action group, we make decisions by consensus, and we are demanding action for a liveable planet and a just, fair and democratic society for all.

Alison McLeish, Ami Kennedy, Anne Smith, Casey Chambers, Hannah Kremmer, JohnPaul Pouchin, Jynette Parker, Maria Rollin, Mel Clark, Tee Mahrla and Te Wehi Ratana.

The opinions stated in the advertisement were those of the Nelson Citizens Alliance, not the newspaper. However, Nelson Week ly did apologise in print last week for the inaccuracies in the advert relating to those candidates.

Editor.

Break-in releases rare birds at Natureland

Hope they catch the b***ards behind this, my child was one of the kids on the Keeper

Kids programme. This was extremely up setting for the people who work there, and the children spent the day with their fin gers crossed that all the animals were safe and uninjured. Really scary. Rebecca Wastney

Worst parking offenders re vealed

Almost enough revenue to cover the costs of parking wardens. Well done. Liam Ryan Don’t pay it... simple. There’s no crime. Frances Minogue

Need more free parking areas. If you want people to shop in the city, provide options. I was in town the other day, it was dead! Sarah-Hope Bailey

No CBD in any cities have free parking. If all the workers parked in all the car parks all day people would get upset as they can’t get a park. Simon Scowen

Richmond way better, cheaper parking. James Musso

So, a money-making scam. That’s why I prefer Richmond.

Tammie Bunt

Absolutely should be free. May help to bring life back to the city. Rochelle Geange Parking should be free, part of our rates. Bloody unreal.

Michael Cresswell

Much better than “Hone Heke” though who racked up more than $100,000, bet they never got that back. Francesca Sears The question is… did they pay?

Graeme O’Brien

Place a warden outside my residence at 8.30 - 9.00 and 2.30 - 3.00 through the school term and you’d get enough revenue in fines, from parking on yellow lines and blocking a driveway, to more than pay the wardens wages and do the city flower bas kets. I’d rather see those breaking the law

your

outside schools be fined than shoppers and supporters of enterprise paying for park ing in the business centre of Nelson. May be denting the pockets of those who teach their children to be inconsiderate and dan gerous would be a two-fold lesson, and be lieve me, it’s a constant and multi-vehicle daily occurrence so there’s plenty of reve nue to be made.

Donna-marie Quinn

From MP to Mayor

He better do a good job. We need a good mayor atm. Lanz Tk

Good on you Nick. Congrats and best wishes, always thought you would do well. Karl Braun

Well done Nick, right man for the job. Terry Beach

I didn’t vote for Nick but, in all fairness, the guy should be given a few months to settle in and then see what direction things are going. I hope he’s careful about choosing a deputy though.

No NCA candidate should be considered in my honest opinion. Rohan was the highest polling at large candidate so is an obvious choice from my perspective. Or, the other two highest polling candidates were Pete Rainey in Central Ward, and Mel Courtney in Stoke-Tāhunanui Ward. No problem for me if either of them was chosen as deputy mayor.

Dennis Goodman

Motoring memorabilia to go under the hammer

Too dangerous for me to go to auctions, I went to a govt one in the 80s with an open cheque from my boss to buy a ride-on lawn mower for him, and came home with a $5,500 Land Rover … the mower wasn’t worth having.

Dave Malone

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Who is new Nelson councillor Aaron Stallard?

MAX FRETHEY Local Democracy Reporter

Aaron Stallard was elected to Nelson City Council with 2,410 votes to represent the Central Ward and so will help govern the city over the next three years, but who is he?

The eighth-generation Nelsonian said his favourite colour was red and his favourite food was “something Szechuan”.

In his spare time, Stallard likes cycling and running up the Grampians, though he also enjoys reading and watching movies.

As a member of the Nelson Film Society, he said he has no preference for which kind of movie he sees because “within any genre there’s good and notso-good”.

The same goes for his books, though he did highlight Hilary Mantel’s historical drama Wolf Hall trilogy as a recent favourite.

After leaving Nayland College, Stallard went to Christchurch to study at university.

“I didn’t intend to go to university, I just financially wasn’t able to do it.”

However, after some motivation and assistance from the school’s headmaster, Stallard found himself studying a wide range

of subjects and soon found fascination in geology.

“It’s tangible, it’s reality, it’s the real world,” he said. “Everything was almost too amazing to be true when you think about the timescales, evolution, mass extinction events, or movement of continents.”

He eventually completed his master’s degree in Christchurch and earned his PhD in Australia where he studied the geology of the Appalachian Mountains in the United States.

After completing his studies, Stallard saw distant corners of the world, working for a while in England and researching Japan before returning to Christchurch and contract lecturing at the university.

“The students at that age, and all that they bring with their personalities and their characters and their backgrounds… it was really fantastic.”

Once his contract ended, Stallard came back to Nelson and set up his scientific editing business which fixes up scientific studies written in English by non-native speakers which gives the research a better chance of being published in a journal.

“It’s basically proof-reading, but

it’s a bit more specialised.”

Most of the recent movement in geology circles in recent decades has been about climate change, Stallard said, and so that scientific understanding of the changing world has underpinned his entry into local politics.

“For many scientists today, they’re having to consider what they do in that field. Whether they just do their research and hope the politicians take care of it, or if you have to get more active.”

Stallard said this his current perspective on life has been largely shaped by two experiences. The first was growing up with a single mother in a state house.

“We were certainly at times under conditions of material hardship,” he said. “It helps to be concerned for justice and equity and having empathy for people who might be in that situation today.”

The second was the emergency open-heart surgery he had twelve years ago to address his endocarditis – an infection of the heart valve that breaks down the muscle.

“I wasn’t meant to come back from that,” he said. “That was diagnosed and then you just have a few days to live.”

After getting through the difficult

Aaron Stallard will be sworn in as a Nelson City councillor later this month, but who have voters elected? Photo: Max Frethey.

recovery which involved lesions on his brain, Stallard says these events have changed his perspective on the world.

“It does add to your life,” he said.

“They are important to me, and they shape who I am.”

Local Democracy Reporting is

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.

‘Face’ of Rainbow moving on

JENNY NICHOLSON

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Thomas Harry has been de scribed as the soul and face of Rainbow Ski Field.

In announcing mountain manager Tom’s decision to move to a new opportuni ty in Otago, the Rainbow Ski Area Committee said they have been beyond grateful for his incredible work ethic and commitment to Rainbow.

“There is nothing Tom couldn’t or wouldn’t turn his hand to, his skills and ‘can do’ attitude have been outstand ing,” a spokesperson for the committee says.

Tom, in turn, says he is in credibly grateful for his time at Rainbow. He has always worked in the ski industry.

“I was lucky enough to be brought up skiing in Craigie burn. After leaving school I moved to ski patrolling.”

In 2018 and 2019 Tom was the operations manager at Rain bow, overseeing lifts, buildings and roads. In 2020 he moved to the mountain manager po sition, overseeing the entire operation.

“It was carparking to payroll.” His role has been year-round. “I’m the staff of one over sum mer, and over winter we have

a staff of 40,” he says. “It’s a fair humming operation when it’s kicking.”

He sees Rainbow as a special asset to the Top of the South, saying it is a mirror image of the people who support it.

“I am so thankful for the support from the commit tee and especially the staff,” he says. “It’s not just a job for them, they are truly invested in Rainbow and you don’t get that everywhere.”

Still an avid skier, Tom says he has had some brilliant and special days on the snow. Pre and post season have given opportunity for an extra turn

on the snow, but he says it’s never enough.

There were challenges to face, the biggest being Covid-19 and the climate over the past few years. However, Tom is happy to be leaving the club in a healthy place with things on the right side of the black line.

“Seeing school kids skiing, and having a happy staff group, and everyone ecstatic to be in the hills, that’s the biggest re ward.”

While no one has yet taken over his job, Tom says there is potential within the organ isation, and probably outside, too.

211a Queen Street, Richmond, Nelson

Head of Rainbow Ski Field Committee, Rachel Robinson, with mountain manager Thomas Harry enjoying a day at the ski field. Photo: Supplied.

Local jazz legend celebrates 90 years of marching to own drum

TRACY ALLAN

Rupert Winter has always felt like he had one job to do - “bring mu sic to life”.

Which is exactly what he has been doing for 90 years as a local jazz legend, which was celebrated last week with friends and family.

Rupert was the principal found er and life member of the Nelson Jazz Club and Nelson Jazz Festi val as well as being the band lead er and drummer for the muchloved Bourbon Street Beat.

It was more than 30 years ago that Rupert returned to Nelson from playing the jazz clubs of Syd ney and wanted to bring some of that same energy to the top of the South Island. So in 1990, he helped found the Nelson Jazz Club and, along with his wife Ga brielle, started the annual Nelson Jazz Festival.

Daughter Jane Baken grew up surrounded by the beautiful syn copation of a family in love with jazz.

“He poured his heart and soul into the jazz club,” she says.

“Christmas day was really his only day off. On Boxing day, it was full steam ahead for the festi val which in those days ran from Boxing Day through to New Year’s Day.”

Rupert seemed always destined for a life in entertainment. Grow ing up in Dunedin, his father Tom was believed to have started the first ever nightclub in New Zealand, while also owning a circus in the 1920s which toured New Zealand and Australia.

Regarded as one of the best drum mers around, Rupert learned to play in nightclubs during the day and recorded with a live studio orchestra for radio on Sundays.

His career highlight was play ing with jazz legend Louis Arm strong’s band.

“If you can’t feel it, you can’t play it,” Rupert says. “It’s one job to play the notes but it’s another to bring the music to life.”

After returning from Sydney, he aspired to create great music for Nelson audiences as well a thriv ing hub for local and national musicians. In the beginning, the jazz club would fly in musicians like Harry Harrison, the Nairo bi Trio and Fiona Pears from all over New Zealand on Air Nelson, which would sponsor the flights each week. Rupert’s own Bourbon Street Beat band became a house hold name around town, opening

WOW, playing countless concerts as well as weddings around the region. They were even invited to New Orleans by Harry Connick Senior but funding issues made it impossible to go. They did, how ever, make it to the Red wood Coast Jazz Festi val accompanying the then Nelson Mayor Paul Matheson on his trip to sign the sister city agree ment between Nelson and Eureka, California. Jane was eight when the Nelson Jazz Festival be gan and has been sing ing since she was seven teen. Since then, she has followed in her family footsteps and working as a talent booker for major cruise lines, set ting up SOUNDSTAGE

performing arts school in Nelson and now she works in music man agement for Studiobox. “I’d love to see the festival return to full flourish. It was such a highlight to the year for local businesses

and musicians alike,” Jane says the club and festival were always her dad’s dream and are now his legacy. “Dad is a very important player in the history and fabric of music in Nelson.”

Rupert Winter and Jane Baken (Winter) playing at Founders Park with Bourbon Street Beat in 2019. Photo: Supplied.

Rupert Winter playing with his band

The Skyliners in Dunedin, 1950’s. Photo: Supplied.

Tyre care a family affair at new business

A well-known stalwart in the tyre industry, John McNaught has branched out on his own, opening his new family business, Goodyear Autocare Nelson on St Vincent Street. With an extensive background in the industry spanning 38 years, John opened the doors on October 3, and says the support they have already received from the community has been amazing. When asked what he loves about the sector he says it is the people that keep him going.

A well-known stalwart in the tyre industry, John McNaught has branched out on his own, opening his new family business, Goodyear Autocare Nelson on St Vincent Street. With an extensive background in the industry spanning 38 years, John opened the doors on October 3, and says the support they have already received from the community has been amazing.

When asked what he loves about the sector he says it is the people that keep him going.

“I really enjoy dealing with people across all aspects of the business.

“I really enjoy dealing with people across all aspects of the business.

We have good relationships with others

We have good relationships with others

in the industry and work well with the motor vehicle dealerships in town. It is a reciprocal trade, and we love to work alongside local support.”

in the industry and work well with the motor vehicle dealerships in town. It is a reciprocal trade, and we love to work alongside local support.”

Well respected for his product knowledge and ability to be straight up, John says he and his team will only offer the right

Well respected for his product knowledge and ability to be straight up, John says he and his team will only offer the right

Goodyear Autocare Nelson is a family affair with John’s team consisting of daughter Libby, brother Selwyn, nephew Reid, and we can’t forget wheel alignment extraordinaire Ben.

Goodyear Autocare Nelson is a family affair with John’s team consisting of daughter Libby, brother Selwyn, nephew Reid, and we can’t forget wheel alignment extraordinaire Ben.

“Having the support from family feels ridiculously good. We are all really happy to be here and that flows through into our work. I have worked with Ben for over 12 years and he’s family in our eye’s, plus he’s a really top bloke and I reckon one of the best wheel alignment guys around.”

“Having the support from family feels ridiculously good. We are all really happy to be here and that flows through into our work. I have worked with Ben for over 12 years and he’s family in our eye’s, plus he’s a really top bloke and I reckon one of the best wheel alignment guys around.”

John is excited to service all your tyre and wheel needs. Goodyear Autocare Nelson are also able to help with Suspension, Wheel Alignment, Mag wheels and Battery requirements. They are dedicated to finding the perfect fit for your vehicle.

John is excited to service all your tyre and wheel needs. Goodyear Autocare Nelson are also able to help with Suspension, Wheel Alignment, Mag wheels and Battery requirements. They are dedicated to finding the perfect fit for your vehicle.

product for the right vehicle.

product for the right vehicle. “We thrive on being honest, people trust us and if I wouldn’t run it on my daughter’s car, then I won’t recommend it. We want people to be safer on the roads. There are over 100 different tyre brands currently on the market – but not all of them are safe.”

“We thrive on being honest, people trust us and if I wouldn’t run it on my daughter’s car, then I won’t recommend it. We want people to be safer on the roads. There are over 100 different tyre brands currently on the market – but not all of them are safe.”

“Yes, we are a Goodyear licensee, but we buy-sell and stock the brands that I have dealt with in the past- at the same price or better. Our daily prices are spot on, and we are offering competitive pricing from day one.” Walk-ins are always welcome, says John, as are enquiries from Tradies and local companies. “All of our business clients and fleet accounts will also garnish

“Yes, we are a Goodyear licensee, but we buy-sell and stock the brands that I have dealt with in the past- at the same price or better. Our daily prices are spot on, and we are offering competitive pricing from day one.” Walk-ins are always welcome, says John, as are enquiries from Tradies and local companies. “All of our business clients and fleet accounts will also garnish

The Goodyear Autocare Nelson team, Reid, Ben, John, Selwyn and Libby.

The Goodyear Autocare Nelson team, Reid, Ben, John, Selwyn and Libby.

guarantee.”

Keep an eye out on the Goodyear Autocare Nelson social media site @Goodyear Auto Care Nelson for special deals coming up in the future. For example - “The month of November and December we will be offering you the chance of winning the price of your purchase back each month.” Visit John and his friendly team at 133 St Vincent St, or contact John on sales@goodyearnelson.co.nz or call 03 922 9494.

Race to open Abel Tasman track

JENNY NICHOLSON

New Zealand’s busiest summer Great Walk will be open next month as the Department of Conservation (DOC) works hard to repair sections that were damaged in the August rains. The Abel Tasman Coast Track be tween between Medlands Beach and Bark Bay were due to be reopened last week, according to DOC acting Motueka operations manager Susan nah Peckham.

“DOC staff and contractors are working hard and as quickly as pos sible to repair damage to the track,” she says. “There were large slips and track slumping causing sections of the track to be closed.”

Currently, three sections of the track remain closed. It is hoped the section between Coquille Bay and Observa tion Beach will open this week, with the Marahau to Anchorage section fully open in the next two weeks.

In the meantime, people can use the alternative inland track from Co quille Bay to Anchorage.

“This is steep with an uneven surface so requires a higher level of fitness and ability,” Susannah says. “This walk from Marahau to Anchorage takes six hours.”

Tonga Quarry to Onetahuti, and the high tide track around the torrent Bay estuary, are still requiring work, with the Torrent Bay high tide track expected to take longer than the end of November to fix.

“This is due to a significant slip by

the Torrent River bridge and other smaller slips,” Susannah says. “Fur ther geotechnical analysis is needed on options.”

In the meantime, the estuary can be crossed within two hours either side of low tide.

Susannah says some repaired sec tions will require further work to bring the track up to Great Walk standard.

“In some parts, the coastal track has to be re-routed as it isn’t viable to re-establish the track where it was, and in places, geotechnical advice was it would be unsafe.”

While parts of the track have been

closed, the park has remained open, and people have continued to visit the park and say overnight in huts and campsites.

“Some are mixing walking where they can with going by water taxi, kayak and cruise.”

The Abel Tasman Coast Track has the most accommodation spaces of any New Zealand Great Walk, and from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 double the number of people stayed compared to any other Great Walk.

For the 2022/23 season, DOC says the track is shaping up to again be the busiest Great Walk with 35,000 bed nights booked.

Sport stars crash golf practice

SARA HOLLYMAN

A group practicing for the Special Olymics national games later this year had a welcome surprise while on the golf course on Thursday - three All Blacks crashing their coaching session.

“We normally practice at Greena

cres but they had a tournament on, so we were at Nelson Golf Club for a coaching session preparing for spe cial Olympic national games held in Hamilton in December,” says Vicki Spiers, whose son Karlin Spiers was one of those being coached. Vicki is on the special Olympics committee and had taken Karlin to

the All Blacks’ open training at Tra falgar Park earlier on Thursday so he could catch a glimpse of his favourite players.

“He didn’t cope too well with it as it was too crowded and he couldn’t see who he wanted to, so was a bit disap pointed, but he endured it,” she says. Later in the day they headed to golf practice. “I said to Karlin we should stop in at the airport on the way and see if there were any All Blacks there, there were so he got photos with a lot of players. which made him happy.” When they arrived for the coaching session Vicki was telling the golf pro store about the experience Karlin had just had at the airport.

“They told me there were four play ers out on the course playing a round of golf, so I went and hunted them down and asked if they would come over and meet the kids,” Vicki says.

“I said to the kids ‘I’ve got a bit of a surprise for you’, they looked up and their reaction was just so worth it, they screamed and yelled, it was so worth the effort.”

Amy Nicholson on the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Photo: Jenny Nicholson.

Front L to R: golf coach Heather Bryant and Stephanie Keeley. Back left: Hannah Ellis, Finlay Christie, David Havili, Gabby Green, Alice Robb, Lochie Hewson, Hamish Hurst, Karlin Spiers, Scott Barrett and Finbar Ruebsam. Photo: Supplied.

Useful tips for home buyers and sellers in a turbulent year

HOME SELLERS:

• Houses are not selling as quickly as they were last year. Allow a lit tle more time when making plans to relocate and don’t be surprised if your agent seeks a slightly longer agency period.

• Don’t expect to receive five or six offers. This may happen but is less likely than previously.

• Treat any offer seriously if the price is in the targeted range. Be prepared to negotiate and to allow a little time for any conditions to be satisfied, provided they seem realistic.

• Loan applications and local body Land Information Reports (LIM Reports) are taking longer to process so be prepared to take this into account. Your prospective buyer may need extra time to satis fy any due diligence requirements.

• Economists are predicting a fall in prices of up to 10%. This won’t apply to every property but be prepared to face this eventuality should you be faced with a lower offer than expected.

HOME BUYERS:

• You currently have a greater choice with more properties for sale than there were last year. Study the market, attend open homes, and form an opinion of your own as to what represents value for money.

Your agent will assist you with this exercise by providing details of previous sales of comparative properties.

• Make your offer as clean as pos sible to make it more attractive to the seller. This should not be through taking shortcuts or at the expense of not completing a thor ough due diligence programme, if necessary.

• Interest rates are rising. Look ahead and allow a buffer for pos sible increases in the next 2 – 3 years.

• Have your finance pre-approved to strengthen any offers you make. Well-intentioned friends are a common source of real estate ad vice which may not always be sup ported by what is actually happen ing in the day-to-day market, so buying or selling, align yourself with a reputable agent and seek their guidance.

We are in a changing market and further changes seem likely in the coming months.

Breast cancer is the most com mon female cancer in New Zealand, with nine women di agnosed every single day and 60% of breast cancers occurring in women aged 18 - 65. Octo ber is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and with this we believe that raising awareness of breast cancer issues and promoting breast health is vitally impor tant and could help save lives. The Breast Cancer Foundation say that finding cancer early, via mammogram, could sig

nificantly increase the survival rate and could mean the dif ference between despair and relief. And although numbers are high, so are survival rates, especially with early detection.

Established in 2010, Nelson Regional Breast Cancer and Gynaecological Trust (NRB CGT) works hard to raise funds to benefit patients and their families throughout the top of the South Island, including Marlborough and Golden Bay.

Founding member alongside

Kate Coote, oncologist Kate Gregory chairs the trust and says, “A cancer diagnosis brings with it financial, social and psychological challenges that the healthy system can’t always meet. I want to make things as easy as I can for women diag nosed with these cancers and my involvement with the trust is another way of letting me to do that.” From fundraising for specialised equipment, support ing patients’ post-treatment, and providing a hardship fund to help ease financial worry, the team gratefully work with spon sorship from local businesses, including NBS, Johnson Associ ates, and Victory Boxing, saying that as charitable trust, commu nity support is paramount. “We have run survivorship days for women after treatment, this is a day of talks by local experts to help women deal with the af termath of their diagnosis and treatment, we have run three of these and have had about 100 women attend each time. We also have a hardship fund as women often suffer financially due to having to be away from home or too unwell to work

One of the founding trust members and Oncologist, Kate Gregory with Trust member Kim Proctor-Western.

during treatment, we provide supermarket vouchers, have paid for childcare and counsel ling and specialist physiothera pist services.”

New to the Trust, Karen Scott has already made an impact with her very first fundraiser for the organisation raising a whop ping $6000 with a morning tea attended by the mayor. Person ally impacted by the disease, Karen felt compelled to offer her services to the team and was humbled by their offer of be coming a trust member. “Both my mother and my aunt were

diagnosed with breast cancer. It affected us as a family, and I wanted to reach out to the team and offer my support. The event was a great success, and I look forward to bringing NRBCT to the forefront of people’s minds with some exciting new ideas for 2023.” Always open to assis tance, the NRBGCT welcome the support of new sponsors. “If you are holding a fundrais ing event, please think of us. We are a local charity and have no admin costs so every dollar you raise or give goes to help local women in our community.”

Thanks to these people and businesses for supporting the Breast Cancer Foundation

Premier cricket action in full swing

JACK MALCOLM

Premier cricket had another interesting round of results over the weekend as the season starts to take shape. With two of the three scheduled rounds being played, Nelson College is the only team still seeking their first win while the Wanders/Motueka Wolves sit atop the table as the only unbeaten team.

With Stoke-Nayland, WTTU, ACOB and Wakatu all having one win and a loss on their record, there’s still much movement to be had on the leaderboards as more games are played.

Last Saturday’s results saw the Wolves scrape home against Stoke-Nayland with just one ball and a wicket to spare to chase down the 250 set in the first innings.

Despite Stoke-Nayland captain Dylan Eginton making an impressive 111, they were unable to contain the Wolves in the second innings as they got off

to a fast start through openers Andrew Beatson (36) and Josh Newport (55).

The Wolves’ 252/9 after 49.5 overs saw them maintain their unbeaten record by the skin of their teeth.

While out in Māpua, ACOB were able to right the wrongs of their first up game with a win over Nelson College.

ACOB were in the driver’s seat throughout, taking just 22.2 overs to chase down the total after bowling them out for 98 before the 30th over.

At Jubilee Park, WTTU could not chase down the 195/8 set by Wakatu and were bowled out in the 36th over for 142.

It was a tough performance for WTTU, who managed to take the wickets of all but three Wakatu batsmen for a combined 27, but could not find the breakthroughs against the players they needed to.

Opening batsmen Nathan Dufeu (41) and Brad Smith (47) set the stage, which Campbell McLean

then saw out with an unbeaten 68. Next weekend sees the start of

two-day games, with Nelson College playing Wakatu, WTTU

National derby champs roll into town

JACK MALCOLM

The best roller derby competitors from around the country will de scend on Nelson this weekend as they compete in the Regional Rumble. Now in its second year, the event was formed as a response to

Covid-19, which organisers say decimated the sport’s numbers.

Event organiser Michele Holah says local leagues around the country took a massive hit and the Regional Rumble was a way to bring people back together.

“There are skaters coming from all over. Last year, we had region

GENERATIONS

Marsden House

William Hunter

William Hunter arrived in Nelson aged seven in 1842. In his 20s he joined Julius von Haast on his western search for farming land; ran a coal mine at Mōkihinui; explored the inland route to the Grey and took up the remote

Matakitaki Run to farm sheep and open a store. In 1878 he started the district’s first sawmill at Fern Flat near Murchison. He died aged 64, a huge contributor to the successful settlement of the Buller.

Generations of Nelson presents Snippets of History

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

Volumes 1–3 are $15 per book Volume 4 is $20 Or get the full set for just $60 Purchase from Marsden House or NZME. 41 Selwyn Place, Nelson.

al teams in Taupo. It was the only roller derby tournament in the world.”

She says they plan to host the event in alternating years in Nel son, with this event the first time it’s held.

“It’s pitched as the next level for those who want to go back to a high level.”

With teams stacked with stars, it’ll be action throughout the weekend as they all look to get a leg up on the competi tion.

For the local Top of the South team, Sirens of Smash, it will be the first time representing the region for much of the team.

Local competitor and committee member Me lissa ‘Battering Ramsay’ Ramsay says there’s a lot of anticipation to host some of the best skaters in the country.

“It’s exciting, but I’m also a bit nervous. We haven’t had that many people use our venue.

“We have a few players working towards New Zealand reps.

“It’s a big opportunity for Nelson.”

She also says it’s exciting to have a Top of the South team for the first time and to be able to com pete against high-level teams, like reigning champions Bay of Plen ty.

Local players to look out for are Cherie ‘Ginger Crunch 99’ Drummond, a founding member of Nelson Bays Roller Derby and its longest serving member; Ru ‘Ruffin B. Puffin 94’ O’Sullivan.

One of the team’s coaches who recently attended a team New Zealand training will also be on show, along with Jessica ‘Psych 101’ Willis, who also coaches the

team and attended the team New Zealand training.

There’s also a lot of firepower in the out-of-town teams, with Mi chele saying the ‘jammers’ are the stars of the team.

They wear a star on their helmet and are the ones to watch for their flashy plays, she says.

Roller Derby is scored by how many times the jammer com pletes a lap. Their four team mates, called blockers, try to re strict the other team from scoring while also giving their jammer a leg up. It’s a full-contact sport, with rough-and-tumble a theme.

playing Wanders/Motueka and Stoke-Nayland playing ACOB.

Wakatu spinner and vice-captain Matthew O’Sullivan allowed just 20 runs from his eight overs during his team’s win over WTTU. Photo: Barry Whitnall/Shuttersport.

The Top of the South team for the Regional Rumble is largely made up of members of the local Sirens of Smash team, which competed in a triple-header against Dunedin and a Christchurch-combined team earlier this month. Photo: Supplied.

Speedway season kicks off in style

JODY SCOTT

Milestone Homes Top of the South Speedway kicked into ac tion this weekend with 100 plus cars fronting for the A.D. Bridge and Sons Trackman Trophy night. A bumper crowd were keen to see the drivers spin some laps after Covid had affected the past cou ple of seasons. An immaculate racing surface dished up plenty of action with new paint work and panels adorning many of the cars. The racing got under way with the T.Q. Midgets.

Alicia Hill did the job in the feature race, collecting her first trophy of the season. There was plenty of tight racing in a compet itive field will with few incidents, Cameron McKenzie and John Schoester picking up heat wins.

The Quarter Midgets were next grade on the track. It was Jack Brownlees who picked up the

heat one and feature wins. Locky Martin won heat 2 and was 2nd overall with Conley Webley pick ing up 3rd.

Then Street stocks had the larg est field of the night. Twenty-one cars started but action in the last heat saw a few parked up on the grass. Locals kept the visi tors at bay. Ryan Musgrove won the trophy with regular Visitor Dave McSherry 2nd and Richard Bateman 3rd.

The Youth Ministocks welcomed seven new drivers and the field divided by seasoned and begin ner racers. The front of the pack was dominated by Callum Russ with two wins and 2nd securing the trophy for the night. Luke Higgins grabbed 2nd overall on countback over Canterbury’s Ke lan Keith.

The script for the Stock cars went out the back door as Wade Sweet ing was the first to park up when

the engine let go. The South Is land Champion Braden Lennon suffered flat tyres, Greymouth’s Dave Houston lost his complete wheel, and Riley Eathorne had an engine gremlin. However, con sitency paid off for Dylan Clark, collecting the trophy from Mor gan Dumelow and Christchurch’s Alex Rondel. Plenty of fresh paint adorned many of the Pro duction Saloons, with most stay ing scratch-free in a competitive night. It was wins to team Frans. Eddie picked up the first two heat wins before Fee Frans won the fi nal heat. It was almost a 1-2 but Vaughan Cornelius did enough to claim second overall behind Eddie with Fee in 3rd. The final grade of the night was the Super Stocks. The brand-new Ben Smith car had the crowd looking to see what it could do, but it was the familiar duo of Alex Hill and Brett Nichols who were tied on points heading

into the final heat. Pressure from Hill produced an error from Nich ols. A refereeing penalty from an accidental hit while trying to re cover saw Nichols lose his final heat points. Alex joined wife Ali cia to take home a trophy each with Ben Smith claiming second and Christchurch’s Mitch Berry in 3rd. Ryan Musgrove was selected

by a panel of judges for the John Pomeroy trophy which is hand ed out to the best club driver of the night. Coca-Cola Fireworks, kids bike race and fundraising for Child Cancer foundation all part of the ‘Racing for the Kids” on November 5th, gates open at 5pm racing starts at 6pm, all courtesy of the 14n Martin racing team.

Gearing up for the King of the Hill

JACK MALCOLM

Jason Dunlea had never seen a farm bike with an extended swing arm, so he decided he’d make one for the annual hill climb race. He dusted off the first farm bike he ever raced and got to work up

grading it to speed up the steep est hill he could find.

This year he’s back in his garage again, putting even more im provements onto the bike to get as much power out of it as he can.

“I’m completely redoing most of the motor.”

The bike was still in pieces less than a week out from the event, with Jason laughing when he says he hadn’t finished it last time around until the night before. “It didn’t do too well last time, but that didn’t bother me. It’s all just a bit of fun. I did it just for a bit of a laugh, building some thing that everyone looks twice at.”

The bike has been built up from second-hand parts and the bits-andbobs he had lying around

from previous bikes.

“I don’t think anything I have on the bike is new. It’s parts I’ve had from racing farm bikes and what I’ve had lying around to make stuff work.”

His extended swing arm, which makes the bike longer and acts as the main part of the rear sus pension, is welded rebar that he made himself.

“I’m not too great at welding, but they hold,” he laughs.

Jason says his love for anything mechanical started with working

on lawnmowers in the garage, be fore graduating to bigger motors.

“I always had a passion for it. . . anything I could get my hands on.” He now works as a forklift me chanic, saying he’s been able to find a profession that was built on his passions.

The Moto X Events King of the Hill old school hillclimb runs this Sunday at Mount Hesling ton Road in Brightwater. Tickets cost $5 for a spectator or $20 for a family, with action from 10am through to 4pm.

Conley Webley on opening night. Photo: Rebecca Conor Maling.

Jason Dunlea says he wanted something people would look twice at when he decided to build a hillclimb farm bike with a home-welded extended swing arm for the annual Moto X Events King of the Hill. Photo: Jack Malcolm.

Boxing

Christine ‘Gatling Gun’ Gillespie has de fended her national bantamweight title again. Fighting in the U54kg division, Christine won all five of the judges’ score cards over her Wellington Hutt Valley Boxing Association opponent, Anna Col lie. It’s the third national title

the boxer, who has her first professional fight later this year.

Volleyball

a row for

Five teams from the two Nelson Volleyball Clubs, Pines and Saxton Storm, travelled to Tauranga last week for the National Championships. In the first time in two

years that the event can be held, Pines Nelson VC women finished eighth in the second division, with Saxton Storm A fin ished 21st and their B team finished 26th. In the men’s division, the Saxton Storm finished in 13th place in division 2, while Princes Nelson VC finished 17th.

Basketball

Nelson Giant Alex McNaught has made his first points as a New Zealand Breaker, making two steals and one basket in his 13 minutes of court time after being called into the team as injury replacement for Tom Abercrombie.

Hockey

Nelson Hockey association plays host to the 2022 New Zealand National Maori Tournament. Games start on Friday and will be played throughout the weekend with the finals to be played on Monday.

Cricket

The Central Stag’s 2022/23 campaign kicks off in Nelson with a 4-day game against Canterbury, from Tuesday until Friday this week at Saxton’s Oval. Entry is free for all spectators, with local allrounder Josh Clarkson in the mix for CD.

Golf

A full field of golfers took to the Green Acres course last week for the Richmond Unlimited 3-Day Tournament. Compet itors from across the country travelled to compete in the event, with organisers say ing the event is a highlight on a lot of golf ers’ calendars.

MTB

Nayland College students had a haul of medals from the recent New Zealand sec ondary school mountain biking champi onships. Xanthie Robb won both the U17 girls downhill and enduro races, while Erica Batchelor finished runner-up in the downhill and third in the enduro.

Community Notices

MONDAY

HAVEN QUILTERS Friendly group meets every Mon from 9.30am in Nelson. Bring hand or machine work. $5 per session. For informa tion Ph: Lesley 027 295 4986.

PHILOSOPHY GROUP meets 2nd and 4th Mon of month, at Mel rose House, 10am. Next meeting we'll explore "How can I tell if I am really real?" Text Zoe 027 974 1758.

TUESDAY

WELLBY SIGNPOSTER TRAINING Tues 25 Oct, 10–11.30am, The Nightingale Library, Tāhunanui. To register go to www.wellby.org. nz/signposters. Ph: 03 546 7681.

NELSON 50+ WALKING GROUP Tues 25 Oct, Motueka Estuary. Meet 10am at Saltwater baths. Ph: Diane/Linda 03 547 3511

LAUGHTER YOGA, Laughter is good for you. Next session Tues 1 Nov, 9.30am Victory Community Centre. Bring something to lie on for relaxation at the end. Ph: Cath 545 1207.

SIT & BE FIT Tues 11-11.45am - Victory Community Centre. Enjoy exercising sitting down. Keep your heart healthy and lose that “lockdown loaf” while listening to great music! A great way to make friends and meet new people. $4.

STOKE CENTRAL COMBINED PROBUS welcomes new members. Meeting every 4th Tues of the month, 10am, Stoke Method ist Church Hall, 94 Neale Ave. Interesting speakers, outings and lunches. Ph: Rosemary 03 970 6872.

NELSON NEWBIES WALKING GROUP welcomes new people. Every Tues & Fri, 10am in Nelson, Stoke, Richmond. Ph: Karin 022 152 9963.

WEDNESDAY

U3A next meeting Wed 26 Oct, 10am. Football Club Rooms, Saxton Field, Stoke. Speaker Dr Eric Buenz. He is an expert on the effect of

lead from bullets on the food chain. Everybody is welcome.

STEP INTO SPRING WELLBY WALKING & TALKING CAFE Wed 26 Oct, Halifax Café, Nelson. Talking Café 1.30pm-3pm. Meet earlier, 1pm for a short walk. www.wellby.org.nz.

SPIRITED CONVERSATIONS Wed 26 Oct, Yaza Cafe opens 6pm, speakers 7.30 pm.

'That's MYNT!' Don't miss Multicultural Youth Nelson Tasman on their projects, and mission to empower young people. Come early and try Yaza's new 'Spirited Conversations' menu! Koha. Ph: 548 6241.

ISEL LADIES PROBUS CLUB Welcome to our friendly club, 4th Wed monthly, Baptist Church, Stoke at 10am (also coffee, lunch & book groups). Ph: Nadia 547 8452 or Sue 548 6062.

WED LUNCHTIME MEALS are happening again at Loaves & Fishes at midday in the hall behind the church at 30 Vanguard St, $3 cash or use a prepay card, two meals for $5 or five meals for $10. All welcome. Any questions? Ph: 027 297 7383 or email loavesand fishes@allsaints.co.nz

BETTER BREATHERS CLASS is now on! At the Reformed Church, 15 Burrough Pl, Enner Glynn, Wed, 1-2pm. $5 per class. Ph: Sue at the Nelson Asthma Society 03 544 1562 or asthma.nelson@xtra. co.nz

RADIO CONTROL SAILING at Best Island on Wed and Sun, weather permitting, usually 1pm onwards. IOMs and Dragon Force etc. New Members welcome. Ph: Peter 027 544 3923 for information and times.

AIKIDO Want to learn self-defence and become more confident? Do AIKIDO a Japanese Martial Art. We have children’s classes from 8 -16yrs Wed & Fri 5pm – 6pm. Check out www.aikidonelson.nz or Ph: Callum 021 069 4211.

SCRABBLE CLUB meets Wed, 7pm, Nelson City Club 1 Kinzet Ter race. Ph: Tony 545 1159 or Genie: 021 214 1270. All ages welcome.

STOKE TAHUNANUI LADIES’ REBUS CLUB welcomes new ladies

DEADLINE: 10AM FRIDAY 50 WORDS OR LESS BY EMAIL ONLY SEND TO: myevent@nelsonweekly.co.nz

to come along and enjoy fun fellowship and friendship. Meet 9.45am 3rd Wed of month at Nelson Golf Club Bolt Rd. Ph: Diane 03 547 6331.

LA LECHE LEAGUE NELSON Last Wed of the month 9.30-11.30. Richmond Plunket, Oxford St. All welcome. Support and info also available by Ph:/txt: Ruth 027 243 3469.

NELSON NEWBIES coffee morning every Wed 10.30-11.30am at Deville's Cafe, 22 New St. Want to get out and meet people? Join us for coffee and chat. New people always welcome. Ph: Clive 021 2054 731.

RADIO CONTROL MODEL PLANES at the Wakapuaka flying site on Wed and Sun from 10am to midday, weather permitting. New members welcome. Contact Murray 021 457 663 for information.

VOLUNTEER GARDENING at Waimarama Community Gardens every week. Tantragee Rd, The Brook. Wed mornings 9.20 - 12. Tools provided. On the bus stop. Ph: 021 1709 443.

ALZHEIMERS NELSON TASMAN monthly Library sessions provide opportunities for information, advice and support around memory Loss. Nelson Library, every 4th Wed 9.30-10.30 / Stoke Library every 4th Thurs 9.30-10.30am.

THURSDAY

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL - a weekly personal growth group for women starting Thurs Oct 20, 10am–12.30pm, Nelson Women’s Centre. Led by Ali Watersong. Ph: 03 546 7986 for details. http:// aliwatersong.co.nz

NELSON LIONESS - Seeking new members to join our service club. We are very social and active in our community. We meet every 1st and 3rd Thurs of the month. Contact Jillian on 027 278 2743.

FRIDAY

COMMUNITY CHIROPRACTIC: Fri 9-11.30am, Victory Community Centre. Designed to make treatment affordable and accessible for

all. Dress comfortably in loose fitting clothing so you can roll up your pants and sleeves. Sliding Scale $5- $40.

SUPER SENIORS: Welcome seniors 65+. Fri 21 Oct, 10.3012.30pm. All Saints Church foyer, 30 Vanguard St, Nelson. Come for a friendly chat, morning tea and a light lunch provided. Suggested Koha $10.

SATURDAY / SUNDAY

HIGGINS HERITAGE PARK Sat 22 Oct, 10.30 –3pm. 222 Pigeon Valley Rd, Wakefield. MOPARS National Rally vehicles on displayChrysler, Dodge, Valient, Humber, Plymouth etc open day, food & refreshments available & bush rail jigger rides. www.higginsherit agepark.co.nz.

WAIMEA HARRIERS social pack run, Sat 22 Oct. Start 2.30pm. Meet at The Meadows Sprig + Fern, Berryfields. All runners and walkers of all abilities welcome. See website for details. Ph: 022 372 9432.

PLAY PETANQUE at Nelson Pétanque Club. Sun and Wed 1.153pm. A game for all ages. Come along and try us out. Ph: Roger or Shirley, 546 6562.

BRIGHTWATER SCHOOL’S SPRING CELEBRATION Sun 30 Oct, 11am-3pm. Come join our fabulous school community and cel ebrate Spring with us! A whole lot of delicious food, fabulous bar gains, creative performers and outdoor entertainment for young and old.

NELSON SPIRITUALIST CHURCH open day Sat 29 Oct, 10-2pm. Corner Tipahi and Motueka St. Healing and Clairvoyance available. Non-members $6 Members $5. Sales table.

GENERAL GROUPS

THE NELSON CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 25 Nov to 14 Jan. Enter your tree and be part of the Christmas celebra tion. Entries can be from individuals, families, community groups,

businesses and schools. E. christmas@nelsoncathedral.nz for an entry form and reserve your place by Oct 31.

ART EXHIBITION. During the month of Oct there is a vibrant, colourful display of works by local artist Mags Meechang in the Art Corner of the Nelson Golf Club Cafe, 38 Bolt Rd, Tāhunanui. Open to public daily.

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

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Cancer Society Nelson 102 Hardy St, if you have or have had breast cancer come along to this friendly atmosphere. Register 539 1137 or info@cancernelson. org.nz.

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

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

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

STOKE TAHUNANUI MEN’S CLUB welcomes new members. Meeting 3rd Tues monthly 10am. Reformed Church, Enner Glynn with guest speaker. Regular outings and activities. Ph: Ian 0211482580.

ASTHMA? COPD? Nelson Asthma Society offers a free eight week Pulmonary Rehab Course - Nelson course in August, and Motueka in November. This course can help you improve your res piratory self-management skills and shortness of breath. Phone your medical centre for a “Pulmonary Rehab course referral” or contact asthma.nelson@xtra.co.nz

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

PLEASE CHECK IN WITH

GROUPS REGARDING

MEETINGS

SITUATIONS VACANT

DEATH

SAXON

27.12.1960 - 12.10.2022

family warmly invite you to attend his Memorial Service, to be held at Richmond New Life Church, Wensley Road, Richmond on Thursday 20th October 2022 commencing at 10.00am.

NELSON Housekeeping Positions (Permanent and Casual)

Nelson Hospital

Permanent, full-time, part-time and casual positions available. Work the hours that fit around your family/school/studies.

Current vacancies:

• 6AM to 10AM Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 6:30AM to 12:30PM Saturday and Sunday (24 hours a week) 0.6FTE

• 7AM to 1PM Monday to Friday (30 hours a week) 0.75FTE

• Week one: Monday to Friday 6:30AM to 12:30PM. Week two: Monday to Friday 11AM to 7:30PM (70 hours a fortnight) 0.875FTE

• 3PM to 11:30PM Monday to Friday (40 hours a week) 1.0FTE (full-time)

• 8:30PM to 11:30PM Monday to Friday (15 hours a week) 0.375FTE

Send your CV to Marilyn.Bentley@nmdhb.govt.nz and indicate which position(s) you’re interested in. If the above shifts don’t suit, but you’d still like to work as a housekeeper, please contact Marilyn as we’d still like to hear from you and a suitable shift may arise.

Closing date: Open until filled. Ref. N22-HSE-Oct.

Online application, CV and cover letter are required before your application can be processed. Enquiries can be made to Human Resources Nelson telephone: (03) 546 1274 or email vacancies@nmdhb.govt.nz

Register

YOUR SKILLS

you looking to earn some good money while you learn new skills? Right now, our Nelson plant is gearing up for a big 20222023 season with a number of opportunities available.

If you’ve got experience doing the mahi – awesome, give us a shout or if you’ll be coming in fresh and just keen to learn and earn – that’s good too, we can train you up! We’re recruiting Butchers, Boners, Halal Slaughterers, and Labourers.

Ngā painga - what’s in it for you?

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

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

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

• Labourers: Earn up to $26.50 per hour

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

• Up to 7 months of full-time seasonal employment

• Upskill yourself with an opportunity to gain NZQA qualifications

• Receive ongoing training and support

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

• Access to our free employee assistance programme

Ō pūkenga - about you

• You are eligible to work in New Zealand

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

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

• You enjoy working within a team environment

• You are physically fit, committed, and reliable

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

DEATH

RURU Gloria (nee Ramanui Te Au Turoa)

Passed away Nelson Public Hospital sur rounded by her whanau pani, after a long battle with COPD on Thurs day 13th October, 2022, aged 71. Darling 50 years treasured wife of Archdeacon Emeritus Harvey Ruru. Loved Mum, Mother-in-Law and Nana to Toni-Fran cis Ruru & Paul Darry; Laura - Anne Ruru & Brian Thomas & Nana to Anahera (USA); Phil lipa-Lee Ruru & Brent Neal; to her many loved nephews & nieces espe cially Charles & Dave Priestly (Upper Hutt), Lisa Ramanui (Porirua), Wayne & the late Wyn Mansell & Judy (Wel lington); Faye & Lorna Savage (Wainuiomata). Last of the 2 Ramanui Te Au Turoa remaining sib lings out of 19. Fabulous care by Dr Claire Thur low & Toi Toi Medical Centre Nelson Team; Nurse Maude Team; Hardy Street Pharmacy Staff; Nelson Public Hospital Specialists and Nurses, Nelson Tas man Hospice. Private Whanau Cremation has been held; no flowers by request; Messages: 67 Emano Street, Nel son 7010. E moe nga roa Gloria ki tou Atua me tou Mangai – Pai Marire. A Happy Memorial Ser vice and Interment of ashes will be held at Nel son Anglican Cathedral on Sunday 23rd October at 12.30pm – all invited. Livestream link: https:// www.youtube.com/ channel/UCwg-Hxdb 7caA2MiHgPxThAw. live OR: youtube Nelson Cathedral.

SITUATIONS VACANT

DELIVERERS