Waimea Weekly - 6 September 2023

Locally Owned and Operated

Budding Einsteins

Wednesday 6 September 2023

Waimea Weekly

Skaters on a roll

Page 21

Silvan Steps Ampitheatre springs to life

SARA HOLLYMAN

A vision years in the making will this month celebrate the opening of the region’s hilltop with the official opening of Silvan Steps Amitheatre in Richmond’s hills. Bo Ade-Simpson, the visionary

behind the outdoor project, partnered with Matt Griffin, whose family owns a chunk of land in the Richmond Hills, to bring Nelson’s newest festival venue that has arguably the best view in town.

“Matt is this absolute golden guy

who said ‘pine’s old news, so he’s been planting their family property in native and has turned a chunk of the property into a mountainbike park for the community,” Bo says.

Some time ago, when Bo, who is well-known as one part of Kiwi

duo Genre Fluid, was playing at one of Matt’s partys when Matt came up with the suggestion of building an ampitheatre at the top of the hill.

Fast-forward to February, and the pair, armed with a team of like-minded, passionate locals,

were throwing a private party for 200 to test out the space, which looks out over Nelson, Richmond and the Tasman Bay, before surging forward with council consents to bring it into the public

SEE PAGE 2

Whitebaiters head to the water

ANNE HARDIE

Len Davenport has been a regular whitebaiter since he retired six years ago and in the opening days of the season he had already scooped a meal for two. The Richmond whitebaiter is one of many enthusiasts who have headed to the region’s streams and rivers since the season opened at the beginning of September, intent on catching the juvenile fish that make their way upstream from the sea through spring. “I said to a joker, when I retire I’m going to take up whitebaiting and he said I wouldn’t have the patience. But I really enjoy the peace and quiet and just being on your own. And you have the view with the reflection all around you of the snow on the mountains.” So far, he had not witnessed a ‘run’ of whitebait but says he “can’t complain”. “I got enough for a meal for two of us when one big shoal came down.”

The season runs until October 30 and whitebaiters need to comply with the Department of Conservation’s whitebaiting fishing guidelines.

The whitebaiting season is underway and Len Davenport has already enjoyed a catch.

Photo: Anne Hardie.

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Belinda Hart Richmond

“It’s Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy, particularly Zachary Quack.”

Ian MacGregor Stoke

“Sold for Silver, I picked it up when I was travelling between Hong Kong and New Zealand… It’s excellent.”

Raelene Did-Dell Richmond

“Teddy Bear Says I Love You, I bought that one for my grandkids and it was lovely.”

What is your favourite book?

Johannes Nieuwenhuize Stoke

“Motivation books, they help me along with my work and everything like that.”

Silvan Steps Ampitheatre springs to life

space. Just a couple of months on from the seed of an idea, the bare bones of the ampitheatre had been dug out of the hillside and in just a couple of weeks time the first public event will be held: Silvan Steps - Spring to Life.

Bo says it is the culmination of years of hard work and vision from a group of locals who love the place they call home, and want to see the arts and music scene thrive.

He says there was a small mental celebration when the green light came through from council to be able to host the first public festival, but then the foot went back on the accelerator.

The vision is to see interna-

tional acts play intimate style shows, recorded live at Silvan Steps.

“I see in three years time Red Hot Chilli Peppers playing on a Thursday night. Like a Red Rocks style for Nelson, a soldout intimate show,” Bo says. But the first show, timed with the Spring Equinox and the first day of daylight savings, signifies the birth of the venue to the Nelson public.

“We’re going to put 400 people up there,” Bo says. “We had almost 200 people up there for the private gig and it felt empty, so it was a good indicator.”

When you buy a ticket to the gig, you choose a pickup location of Nelson, Stoke or Richmond, and be taken by bus to the velodrome at Saxton Field before transferring to the shut-

tle service which climbs you high into the hills overlooking Richmond.

There will then be a shuttle on the hour, every hour, that will go from the velodrome up to the venue and back, to assist those who can’t make it on time, and enable partygoers to leave when they want to.

“The idea is this venue will be one of the more famous ones in the country and will be internationally known,” Bo says. Silvan Steps: Spring to Life will have a bar showcasing local beverages, local food carts and the stage will feature local musicians Spinoza, Genre Fluid, covers band Nice Try and DJ Aine. To find out more or buy tickets look up Silvan Steps Ampitheatre on Facebook or Google.

The first private gig at Silvan Steps Ampitheatre was a good test-run to bring the newest music venue to Nelson. Photo: Supplied.

Speculation on Waimea Dam issues ‘unfounded’

Speculation about issues with the Waimea Community Dam are “unfounded”, according to Waimea Water Ltd’s chief who says the dam is performing as expected.

Rumours have been circulating that the dam was not holding water above a certain level, however, Waimea Water Ltd chief executive Mike Scott says that through July and August the reservoir was managed to a very low water level to allow the isolating valve to be installed.

He says the dam is performing as expected and any teething issues are being addressed.

“It is early days, and we will assess and verify dam performance as we fill the reservoir in stages,” Mike says.

Testing at the Waimea Community Dam has been progressing through the winter, and Waimea Water Ltd expects to commence filling the reservoir imminently, now that the sealing concrete plug and isolating valve have been installed.

“Speculation about there being issues with the dam are unfounded. We are comfortable with how the dam is performing. It is doing what we expected and contemplated, and

we are executing our commissioning plans.”

The reservoir will be filled in stages by keeping the water level at hold points for extended periods to allow for testing and engineering measurements.

Mike says, when it rains there will be times when water will need to be released to return the reservoir to a set level, and then when ready, the reservoir level will be built up to the next hold point.

“What we most need now is average rainfalls in the dam’s catchment area. It has been very dry recently, but based on advice we are optimistic about the spring weather. With suffi-

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cient rainfall we expect to provide water to shareholders and the community this summer,” he says.

The dam, a public private partnership between the Tasman District Council and Waimea Irrigators, is the first large dam to be constructed in New Zealand in 25 years. The reservoir will eventually hold 13 million cubic metres of water to provide water security to the region.

“By having the reservoir full and dam commissioned by December, we can provide our shareholders and community with confidence ahead of the forecasted windy and dry El Nino summer.”

The Waimea Community Dam reservoir, pictured on 30 August, is being filled in stages. Photos: Supplied.

Whakatu Drive to close for works

Whakatu Drive will close for up to ten nights from the middle of September to allow for “essential” maintenance works.

The State Highway, from Richmond’s McGlashen Ave to the Quarantine Rd roundabout, will be closed from 8pm to 5am for up to 10 nights between Thursday 17 and Tuesday 29 September except for Saturday 23.

The closure will allow asphalting work on the Link Road roundabout - which connects the Richmond Deviation and Whakatu Drive - and the Link Road which joins two roundabouts.

Rob Service, Waka Kotahi’s system manager - Top of the South, says they will minimising the impact of the work as much as possible by completing it in the evening.

A daytime closure of the motorway was ruled out because of the significant traffic volume on that section of State Highway 6 - more than 20,000 vehicles a day, on average - which would create massive congestion on local roads.The last planned closure of Whakatu Drive for resurfacing on 5 and 6 November last year saw drivers delayed by several hours by congestion The road will be open during the day but, at times, subject to with stop/go controls and a 30kmh speed limit.

The detour for all traffic, including heavy vehicles, runs from Annesbrook Drive, along Main Road Stoke and Salisbury Road, before travelling down Talbot Street and McGlashen Avenue, and is expected to add up to eight minutes to travel time.

Favourite book characters come to life

Book characters came to life in Richmond last week as the entire Richmond School walked through the town dressed as princesses, wizards, Wally from Where’s Wally and even the evil queen in Snow White.

It was the first time since pre-Covid that the school has taken their book

characters to the street and it followed a week immersed in the world of books. Every day, librarian Jane Mitchell headed to school dressed as a different book character and children then guessed which character she portrayed. A book fair was held throughout the week at school and children could also enter the Get Snapped Competition where they digitally placed a photo

of themselves reading, into a picture from a book.

Jane, aka the evil queen in Snow White on the day of the street parade, says the children had a great week, from reading and competitions to dressing up for the parade through town.

“The kids have loved it,” Jane says. “They’ve really embraced it and done loads of reading.”

Social housing complex completed in Richmond

ANNE HARDIE

Kāinga Ora’s regional boss Julia Campbell grew up in a state house and says she would have cried with joy if she had been given the opportunity to live in a home like its new medium-density housing in Richmond.

The regional director for Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast was on site at the new development of 13 homes on the corner of Gladstone Rd and Waverley St last week, with neighbours invited to have a walk-through before its residents moved in.

Kāinga Ora bought the development from developers after entering an agreement last year to purchase the homes upon completion, and now the 12 two-bedroom and one three-bedroom homes have families and individuals moving in.

Julia says living in denser housing environments are not for everyone and a specialist Kāinga Ora placements team has been interviewing potential tenants from the housing register who are waiting for homes and those in transitional housing.

“For a lot of people, living in density like this won’t work for them, but for a lot of people who are living in a motel, it would.

“We have to have very open conversations about how they live

and we place people in here because we want it to succeed - we want it to work for them. If we get it wrong, we will know about it.”

Once residents move in, she says Kāinga Ora will organise a day for them to meet each other to encourage the complex to work together as a community.

She says neighbours of the complex had been largely positive about the addition to their neighbourhood, but she knows there will be different opinions.

“There are obviously some perceptions and concerns about our

customers, rightly or wrongly.”

But she says there is a desperate need for more social housing.

The housing register in Tasman –those waiting for public housing – has 141 applicants, while the number of people on the register throughout Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough and West Coast is close to 900.

The smaller homes that make up the new Richmond social housing complex are particularly needed, she says, as 66 per cent of those people on the housing register are looking for one or two-bed-

room homes. The two-bedroom Richmond homes are 80 square metres and the three-bedroom home is 98 square metres, and while the stairs are not suitable for elderly residents, Julia says they still suit many individuals and small families.

Kāinga Ora has 37 more homes in the pipeline for Tasman that it will deliver over the next three years, with some already being worked on and others yet to be started, she says. Right now, it has 177 homes in Tasman and 106 of those are in

Motueka.

She says some of those in existence are on Kāinga Ora’s own land which need to be redeveloped, but that is a challenge when residents have to be moved out while that work is carried out.

“The challenge for us doing our own developments is we have to move our customers and often people have lived a long time in their home and treat it as their home – which is what we want them to do. But we want to get newer, drier homes for them.

It’s a challenging proposition for them. That’s our aspiration, to develop on our own land.”

The other option is working with developers, which it did for the latest Richmond complex, and she says the softer housing market has prompted more developers to approach Kāinga Ora.

“We’ve got a few smaller developments coming online through developers in Tasman – two units and four units. We work very closely with developers.”

She says the homes in the new Richmond complex will be ideal for residents as it is walking distance to town, schools and parks, as well as being modern and warm.

“The quality of these homes is so good. I grew up in a state home, so if I’d got a home like this I’d have been crying for joy.”

Kāinga Ora regional director Julia Campbell says there is a desperate need for more social housing.

Photo: Anne Hardie.

ANNE HARDIE

Richmond Schools’ Room 13 teacher Jo Stevens and her class dressed in a selection of their favourite book characters.

Photo: Anne Hardie.

Climate change challenges for wastewater treatment

MAX FRETHEY

Local Democracy Reporter

The effects of climate change are now impacting on Nelson-Tasman’s wastewater treatment facility on Bell Island, with new land needing to be found for its longterm viability.

One of the immediate concerns for the facility – which serves Nelson City and Tasman communities as far as Wakefield and Māpua – is it being inundated with excess wastewater during major rainfall events.

Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

There were two periods during the 2022/23 financial year when inflows exceeded the treatment plant’s discharge capacity and extensions to its discharge duration were requested until the wastewater level was reduced to a manageable level.

“It’s front of mind, and something we have on our programmes,” says Alec Louverdis, Nelson City Council’s group manager infrastructure.

“We got hammered in August [2022], we had May again, three weeks ago we had another intensive rainfall event.

“This is just going to be the norm,

and until such time as we get on top of this, those flows will be what they are, unfortunately,” Alec says.

Nathan Clarke, the council’s general manager regional services, adds that the inundation would have infrastructural implications and could impact resource consents.

“There’s a bunch of work that we’ve got to do around that.”

The threat of sea-level rise is also

a concern for the wastewater treatment facility which operates on the low-lying Bell Island in the Waimea Inlet. While the facility is thought to be able to be used until at least 2080, the Nelson Regional Sewerage Business Unit (NRSBU) is proposing that money is allocated for the purchase and designation of land for a future wastewater treatment plant in the 2033/34 financial year.

“At some stage we have to bite that bullet,” says business unit chair and Tasman District councillor Kit Maling.

“The longer you leave it, the harder it is to find a suitable piece of land.”

Tasman council’s waters and waste manager Mike Schruer agrees that acquiring land sooner rather than later was “prudent”.

“We’ve already got two treatment plants that will no longer be up-

graded on their current sites,” he says. “We are finding it extremely difficult to find suitable land for that.”

A sea defence bund is being constructed in the meantime to help protect the treatment plant.

Several pump stations are also at risk from sea-level rise in the future.The matter of a land purchase will come before the Tasman District and Nelson City Councils when the NRSBU presents its draft activity management plan for 2024-2034 and both councils will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the plan.

The responsibility for wastewater management is slated to eventually be removed from councils, and so from the NRSBU, and given to a new water services entity as part of the Government’s Affordable Waters reform. But Kit says it’s still a good idea to document and plan for future challenges.

“You should signal it so that whoever takes over the responsibility of this going forward is aware that these are the issues that we’re facing.”

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The wastewater treatment plant on Bell Island is facing both immediate and long-term challenges exacerbated by climate change. Photo: Supplied/NRSBU. Insert: Kit Maling. Photo: Supplied.

Rachel Boyack for

Nelson

A lifetime of giving lives on in new Te Pūkenga scholarship

STAFF REPORTER

A woman who has been remembered for spending a “lifetime striving to expand her mind”, will live on in the form of a new scholarship helping the region’s women do the same.

Last week the Government announced a further package of support for Nelson following the August 2022 floods We have a small number of households who won’t be able to return to their homes, or who require further accommodation support while their homes are repaired.

The Government will enter a 50/50 buyout with Nelson City Council for a small number of properties and will provide accommodation assistance to those who can’t return home yet The Government will also provide financial support to Nelson City Council for remediation to landslips that impacted on private property

My thanks to Nelson City Council, Mayor Nick Smith and the affected households who worked with the Government to put this package together It’s another important step in Nelson’s recovery from last year’s devastating floods

On Saturday I attended Labour’s campaign launch in Auckland, where Labour Leader Chris Hipkins announced that a re-elected Labour Government will begin New Zealand’s journey to universal dental care by expanding free basic dental care to nearly 800,000 under 30-year-olds

Everyone should be able to access dental care when they need it, without worrying about the bill, but at the moment they can’t In 2022 alone, 1 5 million Kiwis didn’t visit a dentist because it was just too expensive Extending free basic dental care is a huge move and one which will ultimately benefit all New Zealanders

Annie Currie - a trained nurse, psychotherapist and creative - had a sense of adventure and an infectious joy for life described as rare. She passed away in 2021 from a long illness after a lifetime of striving to expand her mind and encouraging others to do the same. Her warm and generous spirit will live on in a new scholarship offering for women studying at Ara | Te Pūkenga.

Annie Currie Legacy Fund trustee Chris Turton said Annie’s wishes were to “help young women to educate themselves and to preserve and protect natural environments.”

“Annie had strong values around education, sustainability, creativity, spirituality, and helping others,” Chris added. “While deeply creative, her paintings and pottery were quirky and full of whimsy. Her joy was in the doing and the being and in seeing delight in others.”

Annie grew up in Dunedin, educated herself as a nurse in Christchurch and worked in Burwood hospital’s burns unit early in her career be-

fore going on to tutor in nursing.

Later, while living in Nelson, she discovered psychodrama and committed herself to personal development. She went on to qualify as a psychodramatist and become a registered psychotherapist.

“Over the years, Annie helped people from all walks of life with counselling and personal and professional development courses,” Chris says. “She especially saw the need to help young women improve themselves and to break through barriers and traumas that their upbringing may have put them through.”

The Ara | Te Pūkenga Annie Currie scholarship is open to women who have completed at least one year of a bachelor level qualification in applied sciences, medical imaging, musculoskeletal health, midwifery or nursing

“We are delighted to see this new scholarship offering for students in these areas of study from such an inspiring benefactor. I’m sure many women will seek this out as they navigate their degree or post graduate study,” says applied sciences and social practice head of department, Dr Michael Shone. Chris added it was an honour to distribute the funds. “Annie would simply say ‘use it well, keep on doing your good work and keep developing yourself’. This new

Ara scholarship for women underway, with degree level study in health, is a perfect fit.”

Eligible ākonga (students) must demonstrate financial hardship in their applica-

tion for the $10,000 offering. Applications are open for the month of September with full eligibility and application details found in the scholarship section of ara. ac.nz website.

0800 4 RACHEL rachel boyack@labour org nz www labour org nz/rachelboyack

Authorised

/RachelBoyackNelson /rachelboyack

Annie Currie’s legacy will live on, helping women complete tertiary education. Photo: Supplied.

Stargazers took the opportunity to photograph the rare super blue moon on 31 August. It was the second full moon in a single calendar month, pictured here from the Great Taste Trail near Rabbit Island looking towards Nelson.

Photo: Dwayne Lohmann Photography.

A week of welcoming newcomers to Tasman

ANNE HARDIE

One in five people living in Tasman were born overseas and the region has more than 100 ethnicities with newcomers arriving all the time, so Welcoming Week is a way for many to connect. The international event spreads over 10 days to encourage people – not just newcomers - to connect with other people.

Tasman District Council’s welcoming communities’ officer Birte Becker-Steel says Welcoming Week is about improving social connectiveness, with so many people in the region coming from different origins. The 2018 census recorded just over 20 percent of people living in Tasman were born in other countries and the region had 101 different ethnicities, with figures from the latest census yet to be released.

She says it is very important for newcomers to have community gatherings where the focus is on meeting other people, including people from their own culture. One of the events is an inter-

national book exchange of non-English language books as she says it is important for people to have books at home written in their mother language. The week began with the welcoming of nearly 90 international students at Waimea College before getting the first of the 15 organised events underway.

Crafts, walks, wave rave, or just connecting over a cuppa are a few of the events being held around the region. First on the list was a Checkmate workshop in Richmond which brought out the chess enthusiasts in the community. A second workshop is being held tomorrow (September 7) by Argentinian-born Ramiro Riachi who

began playing chess when he was eight years old and enjoyed it so much that he has turned it into a business where he runs chess workshops and bootcamps. Birte says a photo campaign is also planned for the week called Nau mai rā or welcome, which will put photos together in a collage to share on social media.

New battery bins hoped to prevent landfill fires

MAX FRETHEY Local Democracy Reporter

New bins are being developed locally in the hopes they will make battery recycling easier for residents but also safer by trying to keep the fire risks out of the landfill. The Nelson Tasman Regional Landfill Business Unit (NTRLBU), a joint committee of Nelson City and Tasman District Councils responsible for the region’s landfills, is constructing three custom-made battery bins.

“We want to make it easier for people to dispose of batteries in a responsible way and are looking at ways that battery recycling can be made easier and more convenient for the public,” says Nathan Clarke, Nelson council’s general manager regional services.

It is hoped these bins could then be placed at key locations around the region to be collection points for people recycling lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries, found in personal electronic devices like smartphones, contain hazardous materials and can cause

fires in rubbish and recycling trucks and landfills.

In the past year, there have been seven battery-related fires at the York Valley Landfill, down on more than 20 in the previous year – though none of the fires have been significant.

A battery fire at the Richmond Materials Recovery Facility in March 2022 also saw more than 10 tonnes of recycling get sent to the landfill while repairs were undertaken. Several measures have been undertaken to minimise the risk of battery fires at the landfill in recent years, including implementing a fire management plan, installing a thermal imaging camera, and buying water tanks and a water cart complete with fire cannon to combat future fires.

More than 3,300kg of e-waste, including batteries, has been diverted from the landfill over the last 12 months through council-led e-waste recycling initiatives.

It is hoped the battery bins will further encourage and enable safe recycling of batteries,

keeping them out of the landfill. But given the risk posed by the batteries, the bins will need to be extensively tested after the prototypes are built. The bins are being custom-built by the NTRLBU after a search for bins both nationally and internationally failed to find a product that believed to be safe for use in the community.

“We need to be sure that it won’t burn someone or damage surrounding property in the event that it does catch fire,” Nathan says.

It will also be important that the bin itself isn’t destroyed in a potential fire. The bins are expected to be tested in November and will be subjected to a range of conditions, including battery fires and vandalism which will include having accelerants added to the bins.

“If testing goes well, we will advertise the bins to other councils and facilities for use for battery collection.”

Palash Savla relishes the opportunity to play chess.

Photo: Anne Hardie.

Budding Einsteins experiment at fest

GORDON PREECE

Hundreds of primary and intermediate students from across the region delved into a world of science and technology at this year’s Cawthron INSPIRE festival.

The annual event, which was held at Garin College on August 31 and September 1, featured 45 workshops presented by a marvel of experts from the likes of the Cawthron, Te Pūkenga, universities and other institutes.

The matters of each workshop included electronics, body function, coding and artificial intelligence, special effects make-up, climate change, chaos theory, psychology, emergency medicine and robotics. Co-ordinator Annabel Boyes says the HeartOtago research group from the University of Otago pumped a series of workshops at the event for the first time, which included a heart dissection. She says Dr Angela ‘Bones’ Clark from The Science of Crime workshop based in Dunedin also presented forensic science workshops for students to unleash their inner detective by analysing forensic evidence and conducting fingerprint and blood spatter

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examinations. “INSPIRE workshops are fun and intriguing and go beyond the ordinary, and are suitable for all students who love to think dynamically

and creatively,” Annabel says. “I’m hoping the students all have fun, first and foremost, but also hopefully they’ll get to have some hands-on ex-

periences they wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed to and really to get have a play around that with an expert in the field.”

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Nelson Central School’s Alina Romanenko, left, Collingwood Area School’s Isla Jessep, Māpua School’s Archie Cameron, St Jospeh School’s Lily Williams and Collingwood Area School’s Niko Evans investigate a crime scene at the festival’s forensic workshops.

Electric vehicles clocking up in Top of the South

GORDON PREECE

Local drivers who have converted to electric vehicles say the minimal impact on their finances and the environment prompted them to press the start button.

Tasman resident Peter Hong, who shifted to the area from Canberra with his wife in 2017, has owned a Kia EV6 since August last year, having previously driven a Volkswagen Touareg with a diesel engine.

He says, while he misses the “throb” of a V8, his new EV is cost-effective to operate and it has a minimal environmental impact.

“We came here on the basis that the climate was kinder than Canberra… it’s a beautiful country, so our thinking was that we should minimise anything that harms the climate or the landscape that we’ve come to enjoy,” he says.

“Every drop of fuel that we would buy in New Zealand, whether it’s diesel or petrol, is imported, so what we have to learn as a nation is everything you import, adds to the national deficit.

“The second part was the numbers actually make sense… two weeks ago we had our first service on the Kia and I’m used to somewhere between $900 and $1500 service bills. It cost $72.90 to service the Kia.”

EVDB, which is a data-driven website combining insights from real-world experience in EV ownership, says the market share of electric vehicle registrations in the Nelson and Tasman region are above the national average.

“In 2022, market share of electric vehicle registrations was 11.4 per cent of all light vehicles, this has increased to 13.8 per cent in 2023 so far,” a spokesperson says.

“This is above the national average market share which is currently 11.6 per cent. However, when we drill down into new car registrations, the share is even higher, 29 per cent.

“This means, when buyers purchased a new car almost one in three were choosing either a battery electric vehicle, or plug-in hybrid. Again, this is well above the national average of 22 per cent.”

EVDB says the reasons for the gaining electric vehicle sales was “hard to tell”, but based on its figures of the more than 800 new passenger cars registered this year, there was a “willingness” from EV purchasers to embrace newer, lower-emission vehicle technology.

“In the Nelson and Tasman region, that’s ahead of other parts of the country,” it says.

Peter says he and his wife mostly use their Kia EV6 for short trips around their local area and the average cost to recharge it is only two dollars, which is made possible by their solar panels.

He says improved infrastructure could accelerate EV converter numbers.

“We hear a lot about infrastructure in the South Island, it takes forever to get a charger built and then they’re very unreliable… it seems to take one or two weeks before something that’s gone wrong is repaired… they need to get their act together, in my opinion,” he says.

“I think it’s also a transition period from people having that fear of buying an electric vehicle and not getting enough mileage.

“Not being able to travel to Blenheim, for example, and then get back home on a single charge because if they get to Blenheim and the public charger is down, what do they do to get home?”

Richmond resident Kevin Parkes has also discovered the economic benefits since purchasing a second-hand Tesla Model 3 about five months ago. He says his new electric vehicle is parked alongside his XF Jaguar.

“I think it cost me about six dollars a week to run [the Tesla Model 3] back and forwards to work and then a bit of running around the weekend.”

Tasman resident Peter Hong says owning an EV had become a “no-brainer”.

Photo: Gordon Preece.

Jasmine Melnick and Jayden Seddon Nita Henry and Phil Kemp Ross Birchfield and Dave McEwan Uli Heck and Kirstan Robinson Daniel Brasell and Bill Nicke

Harper James, Kensi McKay, Ava-Lee Dowes and Blair Gordon Jack Lindqvist, James Oleary-Diskin and Dominik Jakobszem Lily Brussee, Summer Hornell and Maddison Riordan

Suzie Halligan, Ang Harris and Mel Milson

Dianne Thomas, Jane Mitchell, Nicole Lams, Morgan Eggers and Cheryll Rusbatch

Thousands of people were treated to all the thrills and spills of a school fair as Appleby School hosted their annual country fair over the weekend. Between the classics of the bouncy castle and candy apples to the haunted house and laser tag, there was something for the kids, while there were also things the adults enjoy, like the second hand-sale and live music on offer. Photos: Jack Malcolm.

Georgia McEwan on the bouncy castle.

August (6) and Greta (4) Burwell.

Cawthron receive $42k bequest

Loved my visits to Madge. Mr and Mrs Levy had been my neighbours for some years. And Michael, your Aunty Madge loved your phone calls… my visits were never very long and not too often but I would never say no to a cuppa with her. Such a beautiful kind soul. Such an incredible gesture.

Heather Kelling

She was a great teacher. Pretty strict but always fair

Charlie Miller

Madge didn’t teach me but always had some words of wisdom to offer...should have listened I guess.

Wendy Davies

I had deep admiration for Madge. Didn’t get to know her well, but pleased that her brother Ken introduced us. Wherever Madge is she will be held in high regard.

Maggie Cooper

Yep, I remember Madge Johnston as a teacher at Richmond School and local lady.

Christine Brown

Final stir at Richmond’s Wooden Spoon Café

All the very best Nicky and Craig for the new season and journey and thank you for the immense support you gave to the community.

Natasha Van Der Kallen

Fantastic café - you’ll be missed. Best wishes to all involved for future endeavours.

Maree Dunlop

All the best for your next adventure. Enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Nicola Elwood

Hope the next adventure is just as amazing- what happened to the art on the wallsloved some of those….

Kerry Johnson

Sad news - thanks and all the best for your next chapter, I’m sure you will both be awesome at whatever the next chapter holds!

Nicki Aerakis

Sad - nice owners who supported the community. Hope they move on to good things!

Janet Ellison

All the very best for whatever the future holds for you all. Thank you for your amazing support of the Cancer Society over many years. You will be very much missed.

Wendy A Cornish

Maybe you can do us a cookbook so we can make our favourite items at home.

Megan Stephens

Triplet calves defy odds

Never heard of that. Twins yes but a trio!

Kevin Oregan

How amazing is this!! So gorgeous!! Congrats on such an awesome birth mumma moo, didn’t you do well.

Becky May

Must be a good farmer to make sure cow is well fed and in great condition to rear 3 healthy calves, well done. Lots of very good farmers, that don’t get much credit for the good work they do.

Eileen Leonard

Looking nice and healthy must be a great mother.

Pam Byrne

It is a miracle, to birth three live Calves.

Christine McNicol

Wow wonderful

Margaret Ruth Hamilton

It’s that blue moon.

Darrell Andrews

That is absolutely magic.

Teressa Obrien

Just a thought...

DAVID JENSEN

I have been pondering the Apostle Paul’s letter to Galatians over the last few weeks. Galatians is a great reminder to all followers of Jesus that the Christian journey, from start to finish, is meant to be a journey of grace.

Paul, in this wonderful letter, reminds us thatthere is Good News for all who have put their faith in Jesus as Lord and Saviour:

The Good News is that we have been rescued, and made right in God’s sight, through Jesus, the One who loves us, the One who gave His life to rescue us (See Galatians 1:4, 2:20-21, 3:1,13,4:46,6:14).

The Good News is that we (whatever social status, ethnicity, or gender) have been adopted, as beloved children, into God’s own family – which means we all share together a glorious future inheritance. (See Galatians 3:26-29, 6:15).

The Good News is that as we trust God, we can be assured that His Holy Spirit will radically transform our lives and relationships (See Galatians 3:2,5,14,5:5,16-25)

Friends, the message of the Good News is not ‘TRY HARDER’, but, by faith, ‘take hold of God’s amazing grace’!

Illuminate Light & Sound

Experience Nelson 2023

Friday 8 – Sunday 10 September | Friday 15

– Sunday 17 September

Founders Heritage Park

Take a stroll around the park. Enjoy the lights and sounds while grabbing a few photos along the way! Tickets $12 from Eventbrite

Helping Families Nelson – Book Fair

Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September, 9-4pm Richmond Primary School Hall

Nothing over $2, something for everyone. Gold coin entry. www.helpingfamilies.org.nz

1970’s Disco Party

Friday, 8 September, Dinner from 6pm, Music starts from 8pm.

The Playhouse Café and Theatre Restaurant

Stay alive and get down tonight daddy cool! Don’t let your heart of glass stop you from getting your grease lighting on the dance floor! Be the Dancing Queen! Bookings appreciated, call us on 035402985. Free Entry.

Time to eradicate the Taiwan cherry tree

ELOISE MARTYN

While it’s an attractive tree and pretty to see in a backyard, the reality is that the invasive nature of Taiwan cherry trees (Prunus campanulata) is changing the look and feel of our native forests. Taiwan cherry trees have been sold by nurseries for their amenity value since the 1960s and were often mistakenly marketed as sterile trees. However, the trees produce fertile fruit which has allowed them to spread.

“It’s gone rampant up north in areas such as the Bay of Islands, Bay of Plenty and Whangarei,” explains Tasman District Council (TDC) senior biosecurity officer, Lindsay Barber.

“The spread up there is truly worrying, which has really highlighted the opportunity we have in Tasman and Nelson to prevent that happening here.”

On a recent work trip to Paihia in the Bay of Islands, Lindsay says he was staggered to see how significant the Taiwan cherry invasion is.

“Driving through the native bush I was expecting to see natives along the roadside such as pongas, broadleaved native trees and

mixed podocarp forest, with a few kauri trees in the mix. The reality instead was seeing an ominous invasion of Taiwan cherry trees interspersed amongst the native trees and competing with

them. It just didn’t even look like natural New Zealand.”

In an effort to eradicate the species, the TDC are offering to remove Taiwan cherry trees at no cost, treat the stump, and approve

Local History

a replacement tree for each Taiwan cherry removed up to the value of $75 per tree, to all cooperative landowners.

“We have one chance of eradicating this pest tree and if we can’t

get onto it now then it’s out and we won’t be able to control it, we will have it forever,” Lindsay says. “And while these trees are attractive, they only provide nectar for tuis, bellbirds and bees for a couple of weeks of the year, but then for the rest of the year they don’t provide anything.”

Lindsay explains that while the eradication effort is currently a cost to Tasman ratepayers, the benefit will be in 30 or so years’ time when many parts of the North Island are covered in Taiwan cherry, and the forests of Tasman and those surrounding Nelson are free of it.

“The integrity of our native forests will have been maintained and I think people will realise that while it was an ambitious undertaking at the time, it was well worth the effort,” Lindsay adds.

“We are not too late to attempt eradication and keep our native forests native, but we need the support of the community. We are doing this for the generations to come.”

To report a Taiwan cherry tree, or for further information, contact the TDC biosecurity team on 03 543 8400 or biosecurity@ tasmangovt.nz

Richmond’s temporary influenza hospital

ROBYN PARKES

As the Influenza epidemic of 1918 hit Nelson and the outlying country districts, the main hospital fever ward was at capacity and could not take in any further patients.

A meeting was held at Richmond where it was decided to ask the Agricultural and Pastoral Association to allow the new grandstand at the park to be used as a temporary hospital for influenza cases.

Following an inspection by Mr T Neale, Chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, the buildings were deemed to be highly satisfactory for the purposes of an emergency hospital. The buildings and location provided the perfect location, being well isolated and yet still in close proximity to Richmond.

The larger building containing a refreshment room was handed over to the Epidemic Commit-

tee and the Nelson Jockey Club building was used as quarters for the nursing and cooking staff. Together these buildings provided a well-arranged kitchen with water laid on, with the main building being partitioned into two wards containing six to seven beds.

The grounds, kitchen, scullery and wards were fitted with electric lighting by the Waimea Electric Light Power Company in very quick time. In the space of a few short days the empty buildings were transformed into a well-equipped hospital presided over by Mrs E Thomas and a band of volunteers.

However, not all were happy, with the heading “Hospital Board’s Charges Resented’ appearing in the newspapers. The argument followed that the impression among the public was that the hospital was opened as an emergency measure to assist in stem-

ming the epidemic by isolating in the institution everyone suffering from influenza, and that no charges were to be made, as well as relatives of the patients and others sending in generous supplies of milk and general produce. Some were surprised and full of indignation to find that fees had been charged. Explanations given were that all temporary hospitals were under the direction of the various hospital boards, and before they could be established,

they had to be recommended by the board for the approval of the department, and once approved the board was responsible for their maintenance.

The question of fees to be charged at these hospitals naturally occurred. The fees in the general hospital were six shillings per day, including medical attention.

The Chairman of the Board made the argument that due to the valuable voluntary helpers and the generosity of Dr Washbourn

treating patients for free, the fees could be reduced to four shillings per day with special consideration for particular cases. As to the amount of the accounts rendered, the secretary of the board stated that the largest amount was £12 for the treatment of one family of two adults and two children for 20 days, at 4s per day for the adults and 2s per day for the children. After the initial wave of patients, influenza cases in the district quickly receded. The temporary hospital was closed, and Richmond Park returned to its usual function in time to host the delayed Annual Show on the 19 February, 1919. A large picnic was held at Baigent’s property in Wakefield as a thank you to the workers who helped at the hospital, and Mayor Wilkes delivered a speech crediting the workers and the ‘isolation method’ for the successful treatment of 32 patients, with no deaths.

Malcolm Shaw, a Nelmac arborist, chatting with TDC biosecurity officer, Mitch Seek, about removing wilding Taiwan cherry trees on a property at Ngatimoti. Photo: Supplied.

YOUR HOME AND GARDEN Guide

Jennian Homes Nelson Bays

YOUR HOME AND GARDEN Guide

Cutting-edge solar installations with Rowan Dron

Electrical

Rowan Dron Electrical stands as a beacon of innovation and commitment to customer satisfaction. Specialising in tailormade solar installations, the company has set itself apart by offering bespoke energy solutions that address the unique needs of each home.

Led by the dedicated owner, Rowan Dron, the team at Rowan Dron Electrical comprises of fully registered and certified electricians and qualified solar installers, united by their passion for energy efficiency and cutting-edge technology. With recent weather events putting a spotlight on the importance of backup electricity options, particularly in the context of solar power, Rowan and his team have become a soughtafter source of information and solutions.

“Now is a great time to install,” says Rowan.

“With the introduction of 1% or 0% renewable energy loans, homeowners can now embrace a range of sustainable upgrades to their property.

“We are happy to provide a no-obligation FREE onsite assessment and will put together a free quotation based on the correct system for your site and your power needs. Because we are electricians, we can advise on ways to maximise the savings from your system.”

What truly sets Rowan Dron Electrical apart is their dedication to crafting unique solar solutions for each client. “Our main focus is our ability to create bespoke solar systems for each client. No two systems are the same, as are no two homes, or their needs. The difference

between what we offer, and what others in the industry do, is that each system is specifically tailormade to each homes individual needs and purpose.”

The company’s dedication to solar, micro, hydro, and wind systems, makes them a significant player in the off-grid energy sector. However, it’s their commitment to quality that truly shines.

“We are not tied to any manufacturer, therefore we only use the highest quality gear for each and every install. We know we might not be the cheapest option, but we can guarantee that our systems will outperform and outshine others in the market. With us, and combined with the renewable energy loans, you can own what is installed within as little as four years.

There is a lot of predatory com-

panies that lure people in with long term rentals and zero deposits. But the client is beholden to that company for a very long time.”

The team’s commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction is a testament to their position as one of New Zealand’s most repu-

SOLAR PANELS, START SAVING WITH SUNSHINE

• Specialising in tailor-made solar installations

• Registered and certified electricians and qualified solar installers

• Providing a no-obligation FREE onsite assessment and quote

• Commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction

IT’S NEVER BEEN MORE AFFORDABLE TO INSTALL SOLAR PANELS AT YOUR HOME

Locally owned and operated, offering residential and commercial electrical work, solar installation, smart ventilation and KNX smart control.

P. 03 542 2328 | E. admin@rdelectrical.co.nz rdelectrical.co.nz

table and enduring energysolution providers. Offering residential and commercial electrical work, solar installation, smart ventilation and KNX smart control, get in touch with the trusted professionals on 03 542 2328 or email admin@rdelectrical.co.nz for more information.

Brent Kilpatrick and Rowan Dron

Family owned and operatedAndrew and Diane are your local Totalspan experts

New owners Andrew and Diane Crompton have brought in a fresh and modern approach to Totalspan Nelson in the past six months. Andrew is a fully qualified engineer, having spent the last 14 years in an operational role in the heavy fabrication industry, and Diane’s extensive fine art background gives an exceptional eye for all things colour and design. Their daughter Nicola has also joined them in the business leading all accounting and marketing roles for the franchise.

The family have found their niche in the industry, designing, and producing rural and lifestyle steel buildings for their clients. From farm buildings, to consented garage sleepouts,

they enjoy working with their clients to achieve their goals and meet their needs. There is no job too big, they work with their clients from concept to completion, offering options from the design process to the moment the keys and gift basket are handed over.

The advantage of Totalspan buildings is that everything is customisable, says Nicola.

“There are so many options with what we can do. Dad is incredibly resourceful and creative, and his skillset aligns perfectly with what we are wanting to achieve, and being an artist Mum is great with colours able to visualise the final product and assist with design choice.”

Whether customers are looking

to build a garage, shed, rural or and commercial steel building, Totalspan Nelson have the perfect combination of sizes, colours, and specifications.

“We do it all! We prepare the council consent application and will arrange the final Code of Compliance. Our services suit everyone.”

The product can be as simple or as complex as the customer needs. “People can simply order a kitset and build it them-

selves, or we can complete the entire process. We can provide a no obligation free visit to inspect your site and will design a building to suit your site and requirements. We will work with you to create a building which is personalised specifically to your needs, ensuring your needs and preferred design are effectively met.

Totalspan is New Zealand’s leading manufacturer of steel buildings and is part of Span-

bild New Zealand Ltd, which has been operating for more than 30 years. On completion of every project, we supply a 25-year structural warranty on all structural components, and if we construct the building, we will also provide a 5-year workmanship warranty.”

The Totalspan Team will go above and beyond to ensure that their clients’ satisfaction is exceeded during their building journey.

Nicola, Andrew and Diane Crompton

YOUR HOME AND GARDEN Guide

Safe, Innovative and affordable benchtops by Trends Kitchens

Walking into a Trends Kitchen showroom typically stirs a reaction in visitors. Awe quickly turns into excitement - it’s fortunate that their talented and experienced design team are on hand to steer the ship toward each visitor’s individual goals.

The Trends team have accomplished an impressive feat. Establishing a space that contains a range of ideas, serving different functions and styles, but seamlessly melding these together to create a room full of stunning kitchens and home joinery options. We spent some time with the design team to see their leading advice, and here’s what they had to share.

“Renovations have seen a surge in the past few months, with customers hoping to achieve the latest trends in their new kitchens. Visual elements such as textured panelling, height and depth variation, statement metals, and natural finishes with earthy or organic tones have made their way into many customers’ wish lists. Function-wise, multi-purpose kitchen spaces, socially-orientated layouts, integrated appliances, crea-

tive cabinetry solutions and userspecific storage spaces are key features that have cemented their place in thoughtful design and custom manufacturing. There is understandably a focus on ecofriendly, non-toxic surfaces in the industry at present, and our clients are becoming more considerate of the materials they are investing in.

TriStone benchtops are a popular choice, being BPA and silica-free, and providing customers with a range of design freedoms with clever design styles and a large range of colours. Open-plan living is a key feature of today’s homes, so it is vital to consider how your kitchen finishes will impact the surrounding spaces. When viewed as a whole, you want a cohesive flow with elements that form a connection throughout your home, avoiding a dominat-

ing feel from one space. Because of our leading manufacturing capabilities, we are able to create joinery for a multitude of spaces in a home, from laundry, shelving units and wardrobes to built-in office spaces. Incorporating the chosen design details throughout these areas in your home is a way to achieve this and to lift the quality of the finish.”

Whether you are building new or renovating, Trends welcome you to visit their five showrooms across New Zealand. With teams available in Auckland, Cromwell, Nelson, Blenheim, and Christchurch, they are well-resourced to help homeowners with the very important project of designing their new kitchen and home joinery spaces.

To book your consultation, see www.trendskitchens.co.nz or call 03 343 5242.

YOUR HOME AND GARDEN Guide

CarpetPlus - ‘We have you covered!’

Helping locals add the finishing touches to their dream homes, the dedicated team at CarpetPlus Richmond stock only the highest quality products and give only the very best of advice. Owner Jill Gale is hands-on with the business, having worked for the company for over a decade before purchasing it last year.

The team’s dedication for providing a quality service is apparent in all aspects, especially when it comes it window coverings!

CarpetPlus provide free measure and quotes for all window coverings including curtains, blinds, alterations, and tracks. Keeping it local, all of their curtain orders are handmade in Brightwater by an exceptional and talented team of curtain experts. The process is quite simple, says Jill, people just need to pop by CarpetPlus

for a chat and one of the team will help with the rest. Whether looking to update a complete house lot of curtains for a new or existing build, a home, rental, sleepout or camper, CarpetPlus have a huge range of samples, styles and products to choose from. “There is nothing we can’t do, no job too big or too small. And having the window coverings made locally ensures our turnaround time is reasonably quick.” Ensuring the complete package, CarpetPlus also boast an extensive range of the finest carpets and the best brands of hard flooring including vinyl, vinyl planks, vinyl tiles and laminate flooring, as well as engineered timber. Being one of the leading NZ market suppliers, ensures the CarpetPlus team can offer the very best prices on their top-quality products.

Step into Spring and an array of ideas for your homes, gardens and lifestyles at the iconic Nelson Home and Garden Show from 22 – 24 September at Saxton Stadium.

Enjoy a fantastic day out at the Show with super Show specials, giveaways, expert advice, and enjoy hundreds of ideas to improve your homes, gardens and lifestyles all in one easy location. Take a break from the shopping and enjoy a bite to eat at the Show with good food, great coffee, live music and family fun. The Show will feature a wonderful variety of new home builders, renovators and sub-trades all in the one easy location providing the perfect platform for anyone with a project on the go to get the ideas and answers they need and get those items on the to-do list ticked off. Home improvements are also made easy at the Show, whether it’s painting,

house cleaning, upgrading your insulation, double glazing, roof repair, it’s all covered!

Resident Builder Peter Wolfkamp will be at the Show again this year and Show visitors will get the chance to ‘speed date’ Peter, with the chance to have a 15 minute chat on their burning building and DIY questions! Keep an eye on Facebook to be in to win.

You don’t need a home improvement project on the go to enjoy the Nelson Home and Garden Show! There will be a wonderful range of artists, children’s products, crafts and artisan foods. Whether you are after a delicious treat of licorice, artisan foods, specialty spirits and more, there is bound to be something to tease the taste buds.

All this and much more at the Nelson Home and Garden Show – one to lock in your diaries today!

YOUR HOME AND GARDEN Guide

Stay cool this summer with the ultimate in shade solutions

Prepare for the upcoming summer by initiating your project now and ensuring your outdoor space is ready before temperatures start soaring. Nelson Shade Solutions are dedicated to transforming outdoor areas into havens of comfort and style.

Designing, manufacturing, and installing a wide range of outdoor products, their extensive range includes shade sails, retractable roofs, extendable arm awnings, Shade 7 Umbrellas and innovative retractable shade panels like the Wave Shade. As a locally owned business, Nelson Shade Solutions have built a solid reputation as the foremost authority in outdoor solutions within the Nelson Tasman region. Coowner Darryn Cunningham says, “Our commitment begins with a free consultation at your home, enabling us to identify the perfect shade solution that suits your needswhether you need shade from the hot sun, protection from rain or wind or you want to

A fresh perspective on truly liveable tiny homes

make your outdoor area into a usable space all year round, we have a solution for you.”

Catering to residential and commercial needs, including schools, playcentres, hospitals, lifestyle villages and cafes, Nelson Shade Solutions never shy away from a challenge, as the team thrive on custom work and will work with you every step of the way to provide a perfect result. Offering an honest service, with impeccable attention to detail, contact Nelson Shade Solutions for a free quote today.

Embrace the spirit of spring with Nelson Tiny House Factory, where the art of crafting personalised tiny homes flourishes. They focus on creating beautiful, liveable homes, on wheels or on foundations, large or small, to suit every budget. Led by Thomas Schattovits, who has been building houses for over 30 years, the business has been operating from Appleby since last spring. With another base in Wanaka, Thomas decided to expand into Tasman Bay when he saw how the demand for Tiny Homes has grown in the region.

“We sit down with you and our in-house designer to go over one of our standard plans to find out what is important to you, and to make changes that reflect your taste and functional requirements,” says Thomas. The business offers both their own designs and those from renowned Auckland designer, Shaye’s Tiny Homes. “We are the exclusive licenced builder of Shaye’s Tiny Homes servicing the whole South Island.”

“We build every home locally; our experienced teams of builders ensure

outstanding quality homes built to NZ Building Code standards.”

Whether customers seek a cosy retreat, a productive sanctuary, or a canvas for adaptable living, the team’s expertise and personalised approach ensure that their tiny homes deliver on both practicality and aesthetic appeal.

“We take pride in helping people create high-quality housing on a small footprint that is affordable and truly liveable.”

The Appleby workshop is open by appointment. Thomas and the team are looking forward to showing off their work and listening to your ideas.

Shade Sails

Shade Umbrellas

YOUR HOME AND GARDEN Guide

Save money on watering your garden during the summer months

Serving the region for nearly sixty years, the Allflow team supply and service pumps and associated equipment around Nelson Tasman. With decades of experience in the industry, general manager Amos Lewis says his staff know first-hand about the clean water and wastewater industries. They specialise in this area and know detailed information about the equipment you need to get the job done.

“Our team has a vast knowledge of the clean water and wastewater industry, including the specialised equipment we sell. We pride ourselves on quality products and decades of expertise. To better serve you, we continually look for every opportunity to expand our knowledge and product lines.”

A popular item of late that is proving its worth is the Water Mate Greywater Recycling Unit. This is the perfect unit

to help save money and recycle greywater for non-edible garden irrigation, says Amos.

“Or if you have a tiny home, this is the answer to your greywater problem! Greywater is the wastewater from your washing machine, shower, bath, and basins. Rather than letting the greywater run straight down the gully trap, this unit can filter the grey water during the dry months and keep your garden looking lush.” The unit can also be connected to the kitchen sink with the aid of a grease trap to remove fats, oils, grease, and food scraps.

The regular-sized unit is suitable for a small residential home or tiny home, with up to two showers and a washing machine. Retailing at $1,393, Amos says that with the quote of this advert they will sort a special price.

Bringing creative vision to life in landscape

Meet Ollie Sage, the creative force behind Sage Landscapes, where imagination flourishes and meticulous craftsmanship thrives. With a passion for breaking free from the ordinary, Ollie revels in projects that push the boundaries and take landscapes to new heights. Having honed his skills over many years, Ollie is no ordinary landscaper. His commitment to perfection is more than just words; it’s the very essence of his work. Meticulously detailed and creatively inclined, he’s the kind of craftsman who dares to make landscapes stand out. Ollie’s landscaping journey started in the bustling metropolis of Bristol, working on a diverse range of projects including intimate domestic gardens, grand multimillion dollar ventures, and award-winning designs at prestigious shows like Hampton Court, Gardeners World, and Chelsea Flower Show. Mov-

ing to New Zealand in 2012, Ollie lent his expertise to many local high-end projects, collaborating with renowned designers and unique gardens. In 2016 Sage Landscapes was born, unleashing Ollies creativity and craftmanship to the region. “I provide creative landscape solutions with meticulous attention to detail, delivering a very high standard of work,” says Ollie. “I try to be as creative as possible and shine in that kind of environment where I can be completely guided by imagination. I thrive on projects where people are wanting something outside of the norm.” With a touch of creativity, a dash of innovation, and a sprinkle of perfectionism, Ollie is all about delivering a landscape that resonates with his clients. Sage Landscapes is set to transform outdoor spaces into works of living art, guided by Ollie’s seasoned hands and imaginative spirit.

YOUR HOME AND GARDEN Guide

Do you want to customise site, budget and lifestyle?

Whether it’s through necessity or keeping family close, with the cost of living at all-time highs, utilising a large section to add a second dwelling is a great idea to save money and keep loved ones close. Versatile Nelson owner Shaun Young says, “Here in New Zealand we aren’t so used to having multiple generations on the one property, but overseas it is very common.” Additional space can be in the form of a sleepout or small house to give teenagers space and a start in life or it could be to house parents as they look to downsize. “The result is independence with the security of knowing there is support at hand when needed or simply sharing in the good times.” At Versatile they have an amazing range of affordable homes that are cleverly designed to utilise space for every need.

“We manage the entire pro-

a

Fisher & Paykel appliance package

cess on your behalf, from dealing with the council to liaising with consultants for your flooring and furnishings and, of course, the paint finish. Our project manager will communicate with you regularly throughout the process so you know exactly what stage the build is at and what is coming up next.” As an example, Shaun says an Auckland couple nearing retirement recently enlisted Versatile Nelson to build a two-bedroom home on the back of their daughter’s property in Richmond. This was to enable them to move out of Auckland while downsizing and being closer to their children and grandchildren. “Their daughter and her family couldn’t think of anything better than having an on-site babysitter! The first step was to remove the family’s old garage and then Versatile took over and built a new

two-bedroom 75m2 ‘Konini’ home complete with feature skylight, veranda and deck. With crisp, clean lines and boasting a highly-functional kitchen and plenty of storage, the ‘Konini’ design, from the Freedom range, was a perfect op-

tion to house extended family on the current section.”

Versatile Nelson is part of a large nationwide franchise that has been operating in the New Zealand market for over 40 years. They are a 100% family-owned com-

pany underpinned by family values, honesty, integrity and a good old- fashioned Kiwi way of doing business. If you would like to know more about the opportunities of having a second home to keep your loved ones close or to generate some extra income, then give the friendly Versatile Nelson team a call for a chat about your ideas.

“We customise every home for each customer’s requirements, ensuring the build quality will provide a secure investment for many years to come. We have a huge selection of house plans to choose from and can customise to fit every budget, site and lifestyle.”

Versatile Nelson 03 5445142 or 0800 Versatile

Golden Elm Rise

Golden

Elm Rise Subdivision: A new horizon in Nelson's housing landscape

Nestled against the backdrop of the Botanical and Kaka hillsides, a new chapter in Nelson's housing evolution is about to unfold with the eagerly anticipated Stage One launch of Golden Elm Rise Subdivision. Bolstered by the support of Ray White Real Estate Nelson, the visionary project is poised to reshape the local housing scene as the first eight sections are unveiled.

Robin Goetzke, the licensed salesperson who is spearheading the sales team behind the region's most exciting new subdivision, says that with the backing of Ray White, Golden Elm Rise Subdivision is set to become Nelson's freshest solution to housing needs. “The developers have worked tirelessly over the last

few years to make this dream of theirs come true and to supply the community with more housing. Boasting fantastic views, this development has a unique advantage – a sprawling green space reserve just across the road that forms an integral part of the project.”

The proposed public space at the heart of the subdivision reinforces the developer's commitment to creating a communal hub across the road from the Stage One lots, and the selection of section sizes, ranging from 475sqm to 900sqm, comes at affordable prices.

The elevated, northeast-facing sections offer optimal positioning and exceptional service access. Its strategic location places Nelson's CBD just a 20-minute walk away,

with local amenities, schools, places of worship, retail centres, sports grounds and the Nelson Hospital in close proximity. Transport links are also considered, with a new key Ebus route facilitating easy access to the city centre and nearby facilities. Spanning the area between upper Toi Toi Street, Princes Drive and Montreal Road, the project has been a collaborative effort. Garry

Adcock first acquired the land in the early 2000’s, paving the way for a mid-2000s planning phase.

The Global Financial Crisis of 2007/2008 halted progress until the project regained momentum in 2016, ultimately securing Special Housing Area consent endorsed by MP at the time, Nick Smith, now our current Mayor.

“A hallmark of Golden Elm Rise is its versatility in meeting diverse

needs,” says Development Manager Aaron Adcock. “Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a retiree, an investor, or a family looking to build, this development caters to everyone.” Originally christened Toi Toi Grove, the project now bears the name ‘Golden Elm Rise’, and the change encapsulates a new chapter of aspiration, opportunity, and community.

Aaron says a key driving force of the project’s mission is to empower first-time homebuyers and families to realise their dreams of homeownership. “And accordingly, we have built an excellent team that agree and align with our vision.”

As construction began over two years ago, the Adcock family’s involvement remains unwavering. Garry and his sons Aaron and Kane have been hands-on with the project, navigating every aspect, from earthmoving machinery to drainage installation and roading.

A family affair, Aaron and Kane work on site themselves and engage Nelson’s best subcontractors, operators and construction staff, to ensure a very efficient and effective team.

“I am proud to see this great development come to fruition, providing new opportunities for Nelsonian’s and first home buyers finding it tough to get on the property market, with the release of the first eight sections.”

What stands today as Golden Elm Rise was shaped by their

dedication, experience, and commitment to excellence.

Developing hillside land is very expensive and challenging, says Garry. “It requires a careful and measured approach. Three core principles for the project have been carried over in the design, construction and marketing – being sensitive to keeping the costs minimal to allow the most affordable section prices possible, providing a variety of section sizes not intended as one-size-fits-all, allowing for flexibility in house building and being community focused, providing facilities that will benefit all residents around the wider Toi Toi, Princes Drive and Tasman Heights area.”

As well as single freehold lots, looking ahead, Golden Elm Rise's future scope includes apartmentstyle living and duplex units.

“The project will soon have large, consented sites that will allow the development of apartment style living. These will be great homes and investment opportunities.

Duplex units will also be available within the development. Specific consented sites are being

constructed to allow for single or multiple purchasers to make the most of this affordable style of living. The availability of home and land packages further simplifies the journey to owning a slice of this promising development.

Celebrating their Open Day on Sunday, September 10, Robin says it will be quite the event!

“There will be a sausage sizzle, catering, and the presence of lo-

cal tradespeople and suppliers including new home consultants, builders, mortgage brokers and solicitors, who will provide an immersive experience into the future of housing in Nelson. A showcase of the subdivision sites will give attendees a sense of the vision that has been realised through tireless efforts. We look forward to seeing everyone there!”

Gary Stocker, Michael Stocker, Louise Walsh, and Bronwyn Lane are your legal specialists in subdivisions of

size.

Arts Theatre invites community behind the scenes

KATE RUSSELL

Nelson’s Theatre Royal is throwing open its doors this weekend to give the community a chance to step behind the scenes of the 145-year-old building.

Manager Eliane Polack says their annual open day allows people to find out about the ins and outs of how a theatre works, including the fly tower, and to understand what is involved to make a production come to life.

“For those who want to take their turn in the limelight, they can experience the view that actors have from the stage,” she says. “There will also be the chance to dress up and make use of a dressing room photo booth.”

You can even have a look at the ceiling space, where the ‘theatre ghost’ is said to reside.

Eliane says people can learn how their current operating systems work and compare them to some of the original equipment that was used at the theatre before its refurbishment, which was completed in 2009.

Art festival returns with bumper lineup

GORDON PREECE

“It is also the perfect opportunity to find out about our technical training programmes, as well as how to become a volunteer usher.”

People will also be able to try out the hearing assistance system, which enables people with hearing problems to hear everything that runs through the PA system.

Eliane says that it works by sound being transmitted via WiFi through an app, directly to hearing aids or to headphones.

“You can try it by downloading the free app on your smartphone. You will be able to hear what others can’t.”

Built in 1878, The Theatre Royal is believed to be the oldest, surviving and operating, wooden theatre in Australasia, and possibly in the southern hemisphere. It is also one of the busiest.

The theatre hosts a variety of national and international touring companies, but it is also a community theatre and is used by a great number of performing arts groups and schools.

The open day is on at the theatre this Sunday, 10 September, from 11am2pm.

Drawn up plans for this year’s Nelson Arts Festival have been unveiled.

The annual festival, which will adorn the city between October 19 and 29, will feature 53 different events including theatre, dance, comedy, music, poetry, visual art, literary talks, and cultural conversations.

Executive and artistic director Lydia Zanetti says the whole team are “really excited” to display the many artworks that have been created by the 200 local, national and international designers and build on last year’s success.

“It was so well received last year, it was really exciting and we’re looking forward to having that experience again this year,” Lydia says. “We’re keen to get audiences experiencing different kinds of works they wouldn’t get to experience in other times of the year and to meet different artists… and allow our communities to come together and connect, have conversation, and get to know their neighbours, that’s our main driver.”

The festival will see the return of the Mask Carnivale to the

CBD after a three-year hiatus on October 27.

Lydia says the festival will once again offer a pay what you can ticketing model, where audiences can choose between five price points per ticket.

They hope this year’s “accessible” model will draw in a larger audience. Lydia says some of the main attractions that will embellish this year’s festival include NZTrio and friends presenting chamber music and taonga pūoro to celebrate Forest & Bird’s centenary at Nelson Centre of Musical Arts on October 23.

This event soared to sell out

seasons at this year’s Auckland Arts Festival and Festival of Colour in Wānaka.

Lydia says the festival will also inflate Wellington-based artist Elisabeth Pointon’s seven metre inflatable monolith at Nelson Airport. This artwork promises to spearhead a fantastic visual arts programme which also features the work of neurodiverse Whanganui-based artist Bailee Lobb, whose giant textile bubbles and live sleeping performance installation, will soothe the senses. Visit www.nelsonarts festival.nz for the full festival picture.

“Beautifully captivating” choral music which explores peace themes without the doves and olive tree branches are staged to serenade Nelson Cathedral audiences. The Nelson Civic Choir and music director, Jason Balla, will present Choral Peace at the central city landmark on September 16 and 17. Event spokesperson Jill Seeney says the choir’s performance will include excerpts of “The Peacemakers” by Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins, which uses texts by peace activists like Martin Luther King Jr, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and Anne Frank. The programme will also include well-known pieces such as the moving theme from Schindler’s List and “Lord is My Shepherd” theme from The Vicar of Dibley. Tickets for Choral Peace can be secured from the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (NCMA) office on Nile St, the NCMA website and through choir members. Photo: Supplied.

Lydia Zanetti, centre, and festival trustees Sarah Yarrow, left, and Cynthia Greep at the festival’s programme launch at the Suter Art Gallery on August 31. Photo: Gordon Preece.

Little Bird Audiology – Making a positive impact on the community

Located in the heart of Nelson’s CBD, Little Bird Audiology is a client-focused hearing health clinic that is committed to helping people hear better. Now is as good a time as any to get your hearing sorted, says owner Jackie Clemmer, with a team of experienced audiologists who are motivated by providing the very best of service. "We take the time to listen and really get to know our clients, understand their needs and how best we can help.”

Working alongside Jackie is Anita Kraak, the most experienced audiologist in the region. Anita joined the Little Bird Audiology team in 2022, complementing her work at Nelson Hospital. Anita and Jackie both hold specialty certifications in paediatrics but have a primary interest in adult diagnostic testing and treatment.

Jackie says, “It is wonderful to see the positive impact that hearing aids make on people’s lives now that the technology has improved so much.”

Little Bird Audiology performs comprehensive diagnostic testing, including speech in noise and loudness discomfort testing where indicated. These measures are rarely performed elsewhere but can be essential in recommending appropriate treatment, says Jackie. “Many audiology clinics are structured such that they do not make money unless people purchase hearing aids. Little Bird Audiology believes that this puts unfair pressure both on clients and clinicians.” Little Bird Audiology charges for professional time, gives honest advice, and will not

pressure people into hearing aids if they are not ready. “We are scientists, not salespeople.”

Wholly locally owned and operated, Little Bird Audiology is the region's only clinic that is a member of Independent Audiologists New Zealand (IANZ). This means that they are not part of a chain or owned by a manufacturer. “Little Bird Audiology has no financial incentive to recommend a particular brand of hearing aids, meaning we can recommend solutions that best suit your needs from all of the available technology.”

Jackie and Anita are committed to this region and are grateful to have the opportunity to practice the way they believe is best. The formula seems to be working as, predominantly through word-ofmouth referrals, Little Bird Audiology is doing well. Since Jackie saw her first patient in January 2020, she has hired another audiologist and is soon to be opening another clinic room due to demand. “Since the start, Little Bird Audiology has been committed to donating at least 5% of profits to local initiatives. So far, this small and initially part time clinic has donated more than $10,000 to local native bird recovery programmes and other community organisations.”

If you are interested in an appointment, contact Jackie via email: jackie@littlebirdaudiology.co.nz or call/ text 021 61 2473. Visit www.littlebirdaudiology.co.nz for more information.

COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER:

• Monday 11th - Continence NZ (Richmond Office)

• Monday 18th - More Able More Stable (Nelson Office)

• Friday 15th - CarFit (Suburbs Football Carpark)

• Wednesday 20th - Be Inspired - Cawthron Institute (Nelson Office)

• Wednesday 27th - Movie: My Old Lady, (Nelson Office)

• Thursday 5th Oct - Hearing Nelson (Nelson Office)

For more information: 03 544 7624

Email: admin@ageconcernnt.org.nz

www.ageconcernnt.org.nz

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Cup finals wrap up football season

JACK MALCOLM

With that, the local football season is over as they celebrated their final weekend with a series of winnertake-all finals in Golden Bay.

Following the regular season deciders two weeks ago, there were still teams in the hunt for silverware as the Nelson Bays’ Football Cup finals wrapped up the season.

And while local Richmond teams were in action, it wasn’t their day as they found themselves on the wrong end of the results.

With the women’s team, the Richmond Foxes, already out of the hunt despite their local dominance in recent years, the club’s top men’s team had booked themselves a place in the premier final for the Price Charity Cup.

Coming into the games as underdogs against Rangers AFC, the Fresh Choice Richmond team weren’t able to find the in-roads as they fell just short in a 1-0 loss to the team from Blenheim.

Having fallen short in the regular season, it was a just reward for the Rangers who had travelled the furthest for the game.

The only other Richmond team in action were the Richmond Bogans, who found themselves on the wrong

With the teams still in the hunt for silverware travelling over the Tākaka Hill to round off their season with a cup final on Saturday, it was action all day as Golden Bay Football Club hosted the last six games of the season.

side of the result in the fourth division’s Greg Brown Memorial Cup against Tahuna FC 3rd XI.

The women’s knock-out cup was won by Nelson Suburbs Womens Reserves as they outclassed FC Nelson Wahine.

In the second division’s Gould and Tout Trophy, FC Nelson’s Chin Unit-

Tournament week wraps up school’s winter sports codes

JACK MALCOLM

It’s been a busy week for Waimea College’s sporting stars as they embarked to all corners of the country for Secondary School’s winter sports tournament week.

ship tournament, while the junior A boys came in at 11th in their tournament.

ed were too good for clubmates, the Loco Steamers, with a 5-2 win, while the club also picked up the Thorkild Hansen Memorial Cup through their Masters’ team. Nelson Suburbs’ rounded out the results in the the third Division AR Hurst Trophy, with the Seals overcoming FC Nelson NMIT 3-0.

Topping the accolades was the school’s basketball team, who continued their impressive run of recent results by winning the South Island Secondary Schools (SISS) Basketball AA Premiership tournament in Dunedin. The 74-67 finals’ win over Christ’s College culminated a fantastic season for the school’s team, having come back from a halftime deficit to tie it up by the third quarter before putting in an impressive final 10 minutes to come out as champions. In other basketball results from the week, the senior A girls team finished seventh at their SISS AA premier-

In rugby, the 10s girls team came home with gold around their necks from the Buller Rugby 10s festival, while the school’s senior A netball team finished their B grade SISS netball tournament with a fifth place finish.

The first XI hockey boys came back from their tournament having finished fourth in the India Shield, a strong result having been promoted into the division after winning the lower grade tournament last year. The SISS equestrian saw the team finish 14th overall, while the golfers were at Pleasant Point Golf Club near Timaru to finish 17th. The first XI football team had the benefit of home field advantage in the Jim Wishart Tournament, finishing 11th.

September streaming special

Just add speakers!

Making life easy, Beggs Musicworks on Hardy Street are running an awesome trade-in special for the month of September!

Helping you to stream all the music in the world, with hi-res amps from Bluesound and NAD Electronics, receive up to $1500 off the latest award-winning hi-res music streaming amplifiers when you trade in your old gear.

“Come in and choose your poison,” says owner Tim Babbage. “If you already have a pair of speakers, you are good to go! If your current amp has stuffed out, now is a great opportunity to upgrade your system.

There are no hidden terms and conditions, we’re just not like that – It’s really basic, literally just come in, purchase a new streaming amp and get the trade-in value.

Put a pair of speakers with it, then you are cooking with gas – it really is that simple!”

Tim says the trade-in item can be anything that plays or amplifies music, including amplifiers, micro-hi-fi systems, soundbars, CD players, Bluetooth speakers and active monitorswhether they are in working condition or not.

Trade-in discounts are available on either the

award-winning Bluesound Powernode or Powernode Edge amplifiers, or the NAD C700, M10 V2 and M33 products.

All built with BluOS technology, Powernode and NAD products help you dive into the wonderful world of streaming and the rich tapestry of all music ever recorded, all in stunning highfidelity. No matter where your music resides, BluOS technology makes it a breeze to stream it all. Groove to your favourite songs, podcasts, and radio stations, thanks to its seamless support for popular music streaming services, granting access to entire music libraries.

Plus, with Wi-Fi connectivity, you can effortlessly sync up to a whopping 200,000 tracks in lossless quality from your personal music stash.

So, for as little as $1099 you could walk out with an award-winning streaming amplifier. Find your sound with Beggs Musicworks on Hardy Street. Pop in and chat to one of the team for the best advice on upgrading your system. They have the solution to suit any space!

Stream all the music in the world with hi-res amps from BLUESOUND and NAD ELECTRONICS.

Photo: Abs Snaps.

Topping the podium on her first try

JACK MALCOLM

Josie Willcox doesn’t describe herself as a cyclo-cross rider by trade, but that didn’t stop her from winning nationals. Having started riding mountainbikes just six years ago, it’s been a whirlwind of success for the cyclist as she continues to reach new heights. After competing in European World Cup events for cross-country, her preferred discipline, she says it was a surprise to be on the top step of the podium at the Cyclo-cross (CX) nationals in the U23/Elite Female division.

Winning by over a minute, she says she likes CX because it keeps her busy over the colder and wetter winter months.

Cyclo-cross sees racers complete several laps of a short course which can have any manner of course conditions from mud and grass to pavement and puddles.

One of the sports defining features are the obstacles throughout the race course

which require the rider to dismount and carry their bike over.

Josie says her background in athletics has given her an upperhand, with some parallels to other mountainbiking disciplines.

Having run cross country and long distance track and field on scholarship in America, she says that fitness translated well onto the bike.

She picked up riding after returning to New Zealand, saying her move to Nelson was based as much on its location as a biking mecca as it was for work.

“I probably jumped on a mountainbike six years ago and learning the skills has been a bit of a process.

“It’s the skill aspect that’s hard, I can grind and do that hard work.

“But, by 18 months I was pretty quick and I won a couple of big races, just because I was really fit from running.”

That success has seen her noticed by sponsors, with

MyRide and Scott Bikes jumping on to support her mountainbiking journey.

But with a desire to compete in gravel racing, cyclo-cross and road biking, Josie says it hasn’t been easy to juggle it all. While mountainbiking is her “true love”, she says it’s hard to fit it all into her busy schedule while also affording all of the different bikes and their maintanence.

“There’s not much time, but I like being busy.

“I work a 40 hour week, with study on top of that, as well as 15-to-20 hours of training.”

Currently studying to be a sonographer, Josie says her work schedule got in the way of heading over to Europe this year for another World Cup season this time around.

“I’m not getting any younger, so it’s got to be relatively soon,” she says.

Former Nelson rider Caelab Drummond was also in the mix at the Cyclo-Cross nationals, picking up the top spot in the Sport Male division.

Josie Willcox only started riding mountainbikes six years ago, seeing almost instant success which has seen her travel the world to compete. That winning feeling was captured again as she won the Cyclo-cross nationals in her first crack at the event. Photo: Supplied.

Artistic skater glides to gold

JACK MALCOLM

Keiko Bamba has returned from the Pacific Cup with gold around her neck, having won the masters’ division figures section for the fifth time. She was one of two local athletes to travel to Brisbane for the event, with 14-year-old Waimea College student Mya Graham also competing in the cadet division, where she finished eighth.

At 66 years old, Keiko is the oldest competitor in the event by over a decade and says it takes a lot of work to stay ahead of the field.

“The next oldest one is 55, there’s no one over 60. There’s definitely a lot of 30s and 40s (year olds), and some 50s.

“I’m getting better and better since she (Tara Westwood) came last year. All of a sudden, my skating changed.”

Having represented New

Zealand, Tara recently returned to the scene after a six year hiatus.

“I felt like coming down to the rink one day and I was sucked back in.

“I’m skating for fun and coaching. I coach every Sunday, but before nationals and [Oceania], it was three-orfour times a week.”

Keiko says the work with Tara has revolutionised her skating, but it was still a nervous wait to see where she was going to finish as the scores started to come through.

“I wasn’t sure until the lady came out with the piece of paper with my name on top of it.”

Tara says she wasn’t surprised with Keiko’s performance, saying she wasn’t as concerned about her opposition.

For Mya, who is coached by Hayley Nam, the result

RUGBY TIPPING

wasn’t quite the early birthday present she was looking for as the rest of the competition skated very well. While she didn’t get the result she was chasing, she was proud of how she performed in her first overseas competition, having had to earn qualification to even compete.

“I was happy with my skate.” Coming up against a similar selection of girls who had been at previous events, sickness in the build up to the competition limited her chances of making the podium.

Having skated for the past six years after giving it a go at a birthday party, she is still improving rapidly.

Hayley says their current goals are to improve the flow and accuracy before Mya graduates to the youth grade next year.

“It’s a lot of skills and drills.”

Mako While the Mako men and women both faced off against Manawatu over the weekend, it was a tale of two games as the teams had vastly contrasting results. Saturday afternoon saw the women have the first crack as they fell in their semi-final match to the Cyclones 73-10, while the men earned redemption for their counterparts on Sunday with a 58-10 win over the Turbos.

Bowls Results Richmond Bowling Club’s Golden Edge Triples over the weekend: Section One; first, Paul Baken 18 game points/ 52 ends/ +42 differential; second Bruce Smith 18/50/+ 45; third Jean McKenzie 15/48/+12. Section Two; first Steve Ford 18/54/+52; second Russell Stevens 10/46/+22, third Peter Inwood 10/41/-4 .

Waimea College student Mya Graham (14) and Keiko Bamba both qualified and competed in the Pacific Cup, with Keiko picking up gold in the masters’ figures division. Photo: Jack Malcolm.

Community Notices

MONDAY

NELSON MALE VOICE CHOIR invites keen male singers to join us at rehearsals at the Reformed Church Nelson, Enner Glynn, Nelson Monday evenings at 6.45 pm. Contact John Foes-Lamb on 021 682776 for more details.

PHILOSOPHY GROUP meets in Trafalgar Hall, 67 Trafalgar St., Nelson on the 2nd and 4th Monday each month at 10am. All welcome. Text Zoe: 027-974-1758

LIGHTHOUSE SPIRITUAL AWARENESS CENTRE. Mondays 7.30pm, Trafalgar St Hall. Talks, readings, healing. Ph Carolyn 5474613

WELLBY SIGNPOSTER TRAINING: 1pm – 2.30pm Monday 25th September, Age Concern Hall. To find out about it and register go to www.wellby.org.nz/signposters or phone 03 546 7681

WAIMEA GARDEN GROUP St Paul’s Brightwater Meet 2nd Monday of each month at 6:45pm Speakers.Garden Visits etc. All Welcome. Ph. Ellen 5418955 or Donna 5423754.

ELYSIUM WIDOW AND WIDOWERS GROUP meet each Monday for coffee and friendship at Oxford St Cafe at 10am. New members welcome. Phone Margaret 027 2600 748

OSTEOACTIVE COMMUNITY FITNESS CLASS for participants with osteoarthritis. Exercise and education. Seated and standing options. Mondays 9.30am. Holy Trinity Hall, 27 Dorset Street, Richmond. Cost: koha. Nicola 021 0788609 or nicola@bfit4ever.nz

TUESDAY

NELSON/TASMAN ENDOMETRIOSIS GROUP invites you to meet with Tanya Cooke, CEO Endometriosis NZ Tuesday 12 Sept 7.30pm, 16 Venice Pl, Stoke. All welcome to join us. Further Info Ph Helen 035441724 or nelsonsupport@nzendo.org.nz

WELLBY TALKING CAFÉ: 10am-11.30am, Tuesday, 12th September 2023, Tapawera Community Centre. Wellby Talking Cafés are about social connection and finding out about groups, activities and services.

DEMENTIA FRIENDLY LIBRARY GROUP at Richmond Library, 10:30am – 11.30am, every Tuesday. If you are living with Dementia, this group is for you. Come along to this supportive, friendly group at your familiar local library. Free.

RICHMOND PIPE BAND, welcome past players and new to join us for social playing of pipes and drums. Meet Richmond Town Hall, Tuesday nights 7-9pm. Contact Margaret 0275440460

NELSON 50+ WALKING GROUP Tuesday Sept 12. Wither Hills Blenheim. Meet at 9.45am at the Forest Park Drive car park. BYO lunch. Contact Allan 021 306919.

JUDO IN RICHMOND 20A Gladstone Rd, access via stairs at rear of Waimeo Old Boys Rugby Building. Juniors Tuesday/Thursday

6-7pm. Seniors Tuesday/Thursday 7pm. Pee wees Thursday

5.15pm. Contact Michelle 0275422254

HOPE TENNIS CLUB. Tuesday morning Social Tennis from 9.30 am. Courts in Hope Domain, Main Road, Hope. All abilities most welcome. Queries 0211729257

RICHMOND TENNIS CLUB - Tuesday 10 - 11.30am POP Tennis. $3 non-members Contact pop@richmondtennisclub.co.nz. Come, enjoy and have a go. ALSO Tuesday from 6pm Social fun night.

Lights and balls provided. Contact Trish 0274 872 480 ‘500’ CARDS Players are invited to compete in our recently formed “No Trumps” Trophy competition. Venue: Waimea Lounge

A&P Showgrounds. Tues. & Thurs. 1.30 - 4pm. $2 entry fee covers organised games, prizes afternoon tea and spacious parking. Contact Kath ph 5445563

WEDNESDAY

NELSON NEWBIES, coffee morning every Wednesday 10:3011.30 a.m. at Deville’s Cafe, 22 New St. Want to get out and meet people? Join us for coffee and chat. New people are always welcome. Phone Clive 021 205 4731

GOOD CRAFTERNOON! Bring your craft project and work on it in the company of other crafters. Bring your own materials and lunch.

Free. Richmond Library. Wednesdays, 12.30pm-2.00pm.

DEADLINE: MIDDAY FRIDAY - 30 WORDS OR LESS BY EMAIL ONLYPLEASE

HOPE INDOOR BOWLING CLUB Tuesday Nights 7pm at Hope Hall Main Rd Hope.Starts 7 pm. Everyone welcome. Soft soled shoes.. All bowls supplied. Great for families. Info Bill ph 5449273

CENTRAL GARDEN CLUB meet 2nd Wedn each month 1.30pm

Stoke Methodist church hall, Neale Ave Stoke. Guest speakers & afternoon tea new members welcome .Lynn or bob 5418468

THURSDAY

WAKEFIELD ART GROUP sessions Thursdays 9.30-12.00 at Wakefield Village Hall. $4 donation includes Morning Tea. All levels of interest welcome.

JUDO IN RICHMOND, see Tuesday’s notice. Contact Michelle 0275422254

MOTUEKA LIGHTHOUSE meets the last Thursday of every month at Motueka Community House, Decks Reserve. 7pm-9pm. $3 Koha. 31st August - Starseeds with Claudia Teitjens Contact Angie angel3000.h@gmail.com

‘500’ CARDS Players are invited to compete in our recently formed “No Trumps” Trophy competition. At Waimea Lounge A&P Showgrounds. Tues. & Thurs. 1.30 - 4pm. $2 entry fee covers organised games, prizes afternoon tea & spacious parking. Kath ph 5445563

NELSON CITY PROBUS CLUB welcome both men & women. We meet 2nd Thursday each month (Feb-November) at 10 am, The Nelson Golf Club, 38 Bolt Rd, Tahunanui. Contact the Secretary on nelsoncitygroupgmail.com

WAIMEA COMBINED FRIENDSHIP GROUP meet monthly at 9.45am on 3rd Thursday of month in Hope Church, Ranzau Road for Friendship, Fellowship & Learning. Contact Denise on 027 765 000 or Rosalie on 027 249 1080.

TAICHI Thursdays, 10:30-12:30, Beginner & Regular tai chi & qigong. Stillness, breath, movement. Anglican Church community hall, Dorset Street. Donation. Contact Merrick, email quiet.heart. tai.chi@gmail.com Ph 021 063 6620

RICHMOND WELCOME GROUP: Do you want to make new friends join a friendly group for coffee & a chat.10am the 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month at Paragon Cafe Langdale Dr. Richmond

FRIDAY

ELYSIUM WIDOW & WIDOWERS GROUP meet for lunch at HQ, Brightwater, Friday 8th Sept at midday. Ph Margaret 027 2600748.

WAIMEA LADIES FRIENDSHIP CLUB welcomes new members

Interesting speakers, morning tea, dining out, outings. 3rd Friday each month 9.45am. Richmond Church of Christ, corner Croucher and D’arcy Sts. Phone Bev 5441469

RICHMOND TENNIS CLUB - Friday 9.30 - 11.30am. Pickle ball$.

$3 non-members. Contact pickleball@richmondtennisclub.co.nz

Come, enjoy and have some fun.

TAI CHI Qigong All welcome, lasses at Tahunanui Community Hub, 55 Muritai Street, Tahunanui. Every Friday until 2nd June 9.30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Koha. Contact Jodie 021 259 5876.

SATURDAY

NELSON SOCIAL DANCE CLUB, dance on 9th September at Club

Waimea 7.30 to 11pm. “Night Shift” Entry from $12, all welcome. Phone Bernard 0276478827

RICHMOND LIBRARY INTERNATIONAL BOOK EXCHANGE

10.00am - 12.00pm, Saturday 9 September Free Come along to share and swap your non-English language books, have a cup of tea and connect with others. All welcome.

VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT CLUB OF NELSON Concert Saturday 9 Sept. 2pm Whakatu Presbyterian Hall Songer Street Stoke Admission $5 All Welcome Phone Ken 5474301 Robyn 5473231

THE NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS /NELSON holding their 50th Anniversary Lunch at Tides Restaurant, Trafalgar St. 9th September 11.30am. Cost $35. Registration & payment by 28 August. RSVP nelson@genealogy.org.nz for info

SUNDAY

LOVE TENNIS AT RICHMOND TENNIS CLUB Sunday 10 Sept 10am - 4pm. Fun, pickleball, POP, bbq & bouncy castle. 18a Gladstone Road.

MOTUEKA STEINER SCHOOL SPRING FAIR Sunday, 17 Sept, 10am to 4pm, at 165 Robinson Rd, Lower Moutere. A magical day filled with fairies, great food, excellent entertainment, & fun for everyone! For updates, visit www.facebook.com/MotuekaSteinerSchoolSpringFair.

HOPE TENNIS CLUB. LOVE TENNIS. Sunday 10th September, 10am - 4pm. Come and give Tennis a go. All equipment provided. Everybody welcome. Queries 0276731145.

NELSON TASMAN METHODIST PARISH warmly invite you to their regular Sunday worship at 10 am followed by morning tea.. An inclusive, Christ focussed, community supporting church at 94 Neale Ave Stoke.

GENERAL GROUPS

NELSON AMATEUR WINEMAKERS AND BREWERS CLUB welcomes anyone currently making, or interested in making, their own wines, ciders and beers. Monthly meetings. Ph Will 5447650 or John 021 2167143.

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO HELP SUPPORT NELSON HOSPITAL. For info visit www.nmdhb.govt.nz and search ‘volunteering with us’. Social opportunity for people to donate their time to a 3-4 hour shift during the week in a variety of roles. Supporting our patients, visitors, whānau & staff while receiving sense of purpose. WAIMEA MENZSHED - catering for the interests, health and well-being of men since 2010. The shed is open Monday - Friday at Richmond Park, 384 Lower Queen St. Inquiries: mens.shed. waimea@gmail.com 027 282 0185.

STOKE INDOOR BOWLS CLUB 2023 season has started, Warnes Stadium, Songer Street, Stoke. New members welcome. Please wear flat soled shoes. Enquiries ph Lynn 547 7112.

SENIOR MOBILITY CLASSES Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays from 10.30am at the Wanderers Community Gym 12 Charlotte Lane, Brightwater. $2 donation. Improving balance, mobility & independence among our aging populations (55+).Contact James Cooper for info: 021 044 1526.

a course you are running, please call classified ads and public notices on 544 9037.

Special Education Teacher Aide

Special Education Teacher Aide

We are looking for a highly motivated person to join our Special Education Team as a Teacher Aide in a permanent position, commencing from the beginning of Term 4, 2023 (9 October 2023). These hours will be worked Monday to Friday during term time only, totalling 29 hours per week.

We are looking for a highly motivated person to join our Special Education Team as a Teacher Aide in a permanent position, commencing from the beginning of Term 4, 2023 (9 October 2023). These hours will be worked Monday to Friday during term time only, totalling 29 hours per week.

This role includes specific responsibility for supporting the health, wellbeing and learning of a range of students in small groups and whole classroom settings. The successful candidate will be an outstanding team player, a flexible thinker, hardworking, punctual and compassionate.

This role includes specific responsibility for supporting the health, wellbeing and learning of a range of students in small groups and whole classroom settings. The successful candidate will be an outstanding team player, a flexible thinker, hardworking, punctual and compassionate.

Please visit our website to download the Job Description and Support Staff Application Form; www.waimea.school.nz/about -us/vacancies

Please visit our website to download the Job Description and Support Staff Application Form; www.waimea.school.nz/about -us/vacancies

Applications should include a CV and Cover Letter and be emailed to Nicola Cruise at nicola.cruise@waimea.school.nz.

Applications should include a CV and Cover Letter and be emailed to Nicola Cruise at nicola.cruise@waimea.school.nz.

Applications close at 4pm on Friday 15 September 2023

Applications close at 4pm on Friday 15 September 2023

Fraser Hill | Principal

Fraser Hill | Principal

SITS

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE

Out-of-Zone Enrolment for 2024

The Brightwater School Board of Trustees invites applications for parents who wish to enrol their children for 2024 who live outside the enrolment zone. Enrolment at the school is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available at school.

WANTED

Henley School Out of Zone Enrolment Applications 2024 School Year

Families who wish to apply should do so in writing; addressed to Glenda Earle stating the child’s full name, date of birth and current address.

The deadline for receipt of applications for out-of-zone places is Friday 29 September. Parents of new students who live within the home zone should also apply by this date to assist the school to plan appropriately for next year. The board has determined that 13 places are likely to be available for out-ofzone students for the next year. Preference will be given to those children who will be, or are currently in the Year 1-3 age group. The exact number of places will depend on the number of applications received from students who live within the school’s home zone. Please note that other age groups will also be considered. If the number of out-ofzone applications exceeds the number of places available, students will be selected by ballot. If a ballot is required it will be held on Friday 27 October. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the ballot within 3 school days of the ballot being held. Further information is available from the Ministry via the website below.

Enrolment Schemes (school zones) – Parents.education.govt.nz – Practical information about education for parents and carers

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