Primrose Butson, 5, and her sister Florence Butson, 10, join mum and Santa at the Richmond Mall. . Photo: Anne Hardie.
“Getting Ritalin, it changed my life, before it I was absolutely exhausted after work.”
“Starting line dancing, it was something I didn’t know I would enjoy, but now I absolutely love it.”
“Having a newborn son [Luca] in January and bringing him up in quite a nice town.”
The Wanderers Senior Gym group of Brightwater recently held a festive Christmas celebration, bringing together members for a fun and social event. Among the attendees was John Llewellin, who had a simple wish for the occasion: a pie and a drink. True to the spirit of the season, and to his surprise, his wish was granted, and while others enjoyed fruit cake and ham sandwiches John savoured his pie as part of the celebration. The event was filled with laughter, good company, and festive cheer, making it a memorable day for everyone. For John, it was a perfect Christmas moment, proving that sometimes the simplest wishes are the most meaningful. Photo: Eloise Martyn.
refer
friend or family
$2,000
“Going to Vietnam, it was my first time travelling overseas so I really enjoyed the culture, the food, and the music.”
Produce, artworks, food, music and children’s activities are set to ring in the New Year at the annual Higgins Heritage Park Community Craft Fair on 2 January.
The popular event will be held from 9am until 3pm at 222 Pigeon Valley Rd in Wakefield.
Plenty of craft stalls will be on offer, including handicrafts, artworks, jewellery, pottery, plants, garden art, soaps, wooden toys, tools, quilts, sun hats, as well as fresh berries.
Fair-goers can also enjoy the nostalgia of yesteryears’ steam-up and vintage machinery and transport, as well as the bush rail jigger, school bus, and honey barrel rides.
A variety of food and beverages will be available, including vegan food, potato rostis, ice creams, cold drinks, tea, coffee, and a sausage sizzle.
Children’s activities will include Nayland Primary School’s art display, Wakefield Fire Brigade’s kids challenge, face painting and balloons, model trains, and pre-loved children’s books.
Bianca Neighbours Stoke
Kurtis Judd Brightwater
Hazel Marriott Richmond
Jack Curtis Richmond
Santa delivers tailwagging Christmas
ANNE HARDIE
Santa in his red suit gets tails wagging when he delivers gifts of roast chicken at Spring Grove Kennels and Cattery on Christmas Day.
For Charlotte Botha and her husband ‘Grandad’, Christmas Day begins early to feed, clean and run up to 50 dogs of all shapes and sizes, from Great Danes to chihuahua, that are holidaying over the festive season.
But the dogs are like family, and many are now used to the annual sight of Grandad in his Santa suit, complete with beard, delivering their Christmas treat.
“The night before, we put roast chickens in the oven and on Christmas Day, Grandad stands there in his Santa suit and gives the dogs bits of chicken.
“He’s only ever had two dogs in 10 years that have been unsure of him.”
Photos show small groups of dogs, obediently sitting around Santa and waiting for their portion of roast chicken to celebrate the festive occasion.
“He gets pretty hot in his suit, beard and hat. Then we post photos (on Facebook) for parents –we call them parents and these are their kids.
“The kids all know us; they’re all repeat customers.”
The couple have owned the Spring Grove business for nearly a decade and celebrate Christmas with their grown children and grandchildren earlier, because the holiday season is the busiest time of year at the kennels and cattery.
Alongside about 50 dogs, they look after 15 cats in the cattery and so most of the day is about tending the animals and giving the dogs a play around the shallow swimming pool.
Their day begins about seven in
the morning and apart from a break in the middle of the day, they’re still going until seven in the evening.
“They’ve got to be fed twice a day, watered and their poop picked up. It’s a lot of hard work but rewarding as well - it’s what makes us happy. If you don’t enjoy it, you wouldn’t last. I love it – I absolutely love it.
“I know every single dog and they’re just like our kids.
“When I let them out in the morning, I say: ‘let’s go kids, let’s go play’.
“They’re all special. Some are really old and some are really young. Some are diabetic or have seizures so need medication twice a day, but they lead normal, happy lives,” she adds.
As well as their boarding “kids”,
Charlotte and Grandad have seven of their own dogs which are mostly rescue cases that join in with the other dogs during the day, plus their own cats. “Just about everything is rescued, but that’s what we are all about.”
Charlotte Botha and two of her own dogs, Ruby, left, and rescue Rubble, celebrate Christmas with up to 50 other dogs. Photo. Anne Hardie.
Wakefield’s new community pantry
ELOISE MARTYN
A newly-constructed community pantry in Wakefield, offering free or low-cost produce and other items to share, is quickly gaining popularity.
Run by The Big Bake Up, a charitable trust that delivers care parcels of cooked meals by way of kindness, the pantry aims to foster sharing and further strengthen community resilience.
“The pantry makes use of donated vegetables that might otherwise go to waste, while giving back to the community,” co-founder and trustee, Melissa Woodhouse, explains.
“These vegetables may have an imperfection or simply be an oversupply for that week. Some we are able to use for our cook-ups and the balance we are fortunate to share.”
The pantry is open to everyone, with a donation box available.
“The Big Bake Up understands that not everyone can donate, but if you’re able to, all funds collected go directly back into our cook-up costs and allows us to support fur-
ther.
“Take what you need, give what you can.”
Locals are encouraged to contribute items they may have excess of, like fruit and vegetables, eggs, honey, or any pantry items that are still sealed.
“We welcome anyone to add to the pantry, it’s here for the community,” Melissa adds.
Thanks to donations received so far, the new pantry has raised an average of $300 per month, which funds around 60 nutritious meals for the community.
“This is amazing,” Melissa adds.
“It has all been teamwork.
Fence Worx Foxhill sponsored the build of the pantry, they also support us financially each month, which is immensely helpful.
“The materials were donated by Mitre10 Helping Hands and other local businesses were involved in getting the project completed. Lift n Shift Nelson, Wakefield Quarry, Eggers Limited, Sign Bizwe thank them all for their incredible support,” Melissa concludes.
Melissa Woodhouse, co-founder and trustee of The Big Bake Up, beside the newly-established community pantry in Wakefield, initiated by the organisation. Photo: Supplied.
Off like a skinny Hogget
DARREN CRAWFORD
FENZ Nelson/Marlborough
The Nelson-Marlborough summer season brings an increased risk of unwanted wildfires. All it takes is one spark and in the right conditions fire will be off like a skinny Hogget.
Spark generation and the potentially disastrous outcome of accidental ignition is of special concern to rural and farming communities, some of whom may have experienced first-hand the devastation caused by the monthlong Pigeon Valley wildfire four years ago. The Pigeon Valley fire destroyed 2,400 hectares of land and forest after farming equipment generated a spark. Events such as this are devastating to the communities that experience
them, which is why a community effort to reduce the risk of fires occurring is so important.
As the temperatures across the region are ramping up, BUIs (Build-up Index) are increasing - providing a timely reminder of the potential spark hazards that hot works and high fire risk activities pose during the dry season.
BUIs are the availability of dry vegetation and light fuels (such as grass, pine needles) which could supply a fire. Activities like welding, mowing, chain sawing, ploughing, or driving in dry, grassy or vegetated areas have the potential to generate sparks which could start a devastating wildfire.
Community members wanting to undertake heat or spark generating activities are encouraged
Jeff White, advisor risk reduction and specialist wildfire investigator
At this time of year, it is crucial for landowners who have conducted open-air burns to thoroughly recheck their ash piles and ensure they are completely extinguished. Hot ashes buried deep within an ash pile can remain dormant for several weeks, reigniting under favourable conditions such as high winds
and low humidity.
to first check NIWA’s fire weather information site at www.fireweather.niwa.co.nz and www. checkitsalright.nz before beginning, to help you make an informed decision about the suitability of the fire weather for their operation. Doing your research and determining the suitability of current fire conditions could be the difference between avoiding an incident or accidentally starting a wildfire.
Wildfires are unpredictable, so preparing your property for the potential is an important step.
A great way to do this is managing the volatility of vegetation planted around your property by creating a ‘defensible space’. This increases the probability of your house surviving a wildfire. Removing highly flammable natives
A recent incident in Golden Bay highlights the importance of this vigilance. A fire quickly spread through more than two hectares of vegetation and came dangerously close to a hay barn. This fire originated from a modest burn pile the landowner had operated several days earlier. Although the initial burn was conducted under controlled and favourable conditions, the remnants of
such as Kanuka and Manuka, in favour of low flammability species such as Papauma/Broadleaf or Karaka reduces the volatility of surrounding vegetation, providing little fuel for a wildfire. Planting low flammability plants away from the house can also cre-
the fire posed an ongoing risk. Three days later, weather conditions deteriorated. Strong south-westerly winds gusted over 50 kmh, temperatures rose above 30°C, and relative humidity dropped to 19%—perfect conditions for an extreme wildfire. Hot ashes from the old burn pile reignited, and embers were rapidly carried to the surrounding vegetation. Thankfully, the swift response of the local fire brigade,
ate a ‘green break’ to reduce fire hazard to the property. The first 10 metres around a house should be free from debris and potential fuels that could ignite. The following 10-30 metres should contain well-maintained with grass kept short and plants pruned.
supported by three helicopters and heavy machinery, helped contain and control the fire, minimizing losses. Unfortunately, such fire incidents are all too common yet entirely preventable. It is critical not to assume that a burn site is safe once flames and smoke are no longer visible. Thoroughly soaking the area with water and conducting regular checks in the days following a burn are essential steps in preventing flare-ups.
A big thank you to all who have joined us in celebrating 55 years of fuelling Nelson.
Sharing these special events with you over the past five weeks has been amazing! We wish you a happy, safe, and relaxing holiday season. Thank you for your continued support — here’s to many more years together!
Dancing into politics and history
ANNE HARDIE
From a year as an arts leader and helping organise the All that Glitters show, Garin College dux Ellen Theobald now has her focus on history and politics at Otago University.
It has been a busy 2024 for Ellen who has been dancing competitively in modern dance as well as teaching it as a part-time job. At the same time, she has been an arts leader at school and a high achiever academically.
She has been dancing since she was five and says: “I just love performing.”
“Dancing is definitely my passion and I’m lucky to have worked out my passion at an early age. There’s lots of choreography and different ways of expressing myself.
“Sometimes it can be really personal and other times you’re putting on a character.”
al Mahi Toi Festival which was named All that Glitters this year.
“Each year the arts leaders organise it and it’s like a big celebration of all the arts at Garin. This year, our theme was award shows like the Oscars and the Grammys.”
Her dancing experience made her well suited to help organise the school’s annu-
The Renwick student has been boarding at Garin College throughout her high school years and history was a favourite subject, hence the decision to include it in her university studies. At Otago, she plans to do a double degree in Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Arts, majoring in politics and history.
“Politics because I’m just curious about the systems and how things function and the way it impacts on us.”
On history, she says there’s a lot to learn from the past and she wants to know more.
Alongside politics and history, she says she will continue to dance, at least recreationally.
Dave Roberts still remembers his first time on a motorcycle, or perhaps it is the photograph proudly sitting in his home that serves as the reminder of the moment almost seven decades ago. It was the beginning of a life-long love that now sees him with a single garage stacked with eight of his own bikes, but he says it’s not a hard decision choosing which one to ride each week.
“I’ve been around them all my life, especially British stuff. I rode myself in the 70s and raced in motocross. Then basically, I’ve alternated between sailing and motorbikes for the rest of my life.
“I ride three or four of them every week, you have to keep them working.”
He says which one depends on how he feels on the day.
“Do I want to kick it, or do I just want to hop on and push a button?”
Dave will have a few of them on display at the Classic Bike show on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 January. His bikes will join between 50 and 70 others, along with what rolls in to the car park during the show at Jubilee Park.
“When you look at what’s in the car park when the show’s on, well, supposedly all the flashy stuff and the club bikes are inside, but what’s outside is another display altogether.”
The Nelson Classic and Vintage Motorcycle Club was founded 42 years ago, and Dave reckons the show has been running almost as long.
Although it’s his Triumph bikes that Dave wheeled out for the photograph, he hasn’t always been a fan of English bikes.
“When I was riding myself, I thought that people that owned them and ran them were mad because of the unreliability,” he says. “But as I got older, I hung around people who had them.
“Sometimes I think, what the heck am I doing this carry on for? You know, I’m 70 now, and how many more motorcross bikes do I need at 70? But I still try and ride them every six months or so.”
For now, there’s no chance Dave will get rid of his collection, the camaraderie of the club is what he loves most.
The Classic Bike show is on Saturday 4 January, 9am – 6pm, and Sunday 5 January, 9am – 4pm. Adults are $5 and children free.
SARA HOLLYMAN
Garin College’s dux, Ellen Theobald, is going to study politics and history. Photo: Supplied.
Nelson Classic and Vintage Motorcycle Club president Dave Roberts with some of the bikes he will have on display at the Classic Motorbike Show next month.
Photo: Sara Hollyman.
Sliding into summer
ANNE HARDIE
A new river slide is in place at Quinney’s Bush Camp and the BMX track has been redesigned for families to enjoy their summer holiday.
Andrew Quinney is the third generation of Quinneys to run the Motupiko site that began as a simple camping ground on the farm and has developed into a Kiwi adventure holiday park with a water slide, flying fox and go karts. This year, the new slide is set up at the swimming hole in the river, the BMX track has new jumps and there are more cooking barbeque areas near the river and places to wash up after dinner.
“We’ve given the BMX track with a whole bunch of new jumps and redesigned it to make it more interesting. There used to be teenagers riding through the playground, so now they will go to the jumps on the BMX track and keep the playground safe.
“The whole middle of the camp is one giant playground now.”
Andrew says the camp has always been very family-focused, catering for young families, with plenty for the youngsters to do while parents relax.
“Parents don’t see kids until they’re hungry.”
Adding more cooking facilities and sinks at the back of the camp, near the river, will enable families to get food prepared and clean up
kerbside collections
afterwards, he says.
“For the last 20 years we had only the one kitchen, so now we’ve built two barbeque areas down towards the river. In previous years, there was a line to wash the dishes and now we have about 12 sinks near the river.”
The popular turtle pond has also had some work done for the 11 turtles that now call it home.
Most are rescue turtles and the largest is nearly the size of a dinner plate.
“My oldest one is about 25 years old now – that’s Charlie that was a pet turtle I got when I was about 10. So, I’ve had her most of her life. I built the pond
for Charlie, and I made the pond far bigger than I needed and so I got rescue turtles from Christchurch.
“The oldest one is about 12 inches long and they live up to about 40 years.
“I don’t think I’ll take on any more – it’s a lot of mouths to feed.”
Andrew says the campground has been booked up through the Christmas-New Year period, with many tents lit up with festive lights.
Come in and have a browse!
Rubbish and recycling collections scheduled for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day will move to Thursday. All other collections in those weeks will also be one day later.
Resource Recovery Centre hours
Please place your recycling bins and rubbish bags on the roadside in a location where our drivers can see them clearly. If you leave the area prior to collection day or have extra, you can drop your official rubbish bags and recycling at any Resource Recovery Centre free of charge.
Make sure you do not overfill your recycling bin or glass crate, or it will not be collected. If you need a second crate for glass, you can buy one from a Council office or Resource Recovery Centre for $31.35.
PLEASE PUT ALL YOUR RUBBISH AND RECYCLING OUT BY 7.00 AM
Richmond Resource Recovery Centre
• Monday– Saturday 8.00 am – 5.00 pm
• Sunday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
• Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Murchison Resource Recovery Centre
• Monday, Wednesday, Saturday 1.00 pm – 5.00 pm
• Friday 9.00 am – 12.00 pm
• Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
• CLEAN PLASTIC CONTAINERS 1, 2 AND 5 ONLY
• CLEAN TINS / CANS
• CLEAN PAPER AND CARDBOARD
Andrew Quinney and Asher on Quinney’s much-loved waterslide.
Photo: Eloise Martyn.
Wakefield catholics build their church Local History
ROBYN PARKES
Previous to the Wakefield Catholic church being built parishioners either walked or travelled by cart to the church in Waimea West for services, near the home of the Redwood family so it was natural that a church closer to home was needed. A property for the purpose was already secured, that being a two-acre plot in Pitfure Road and owned by Capt. Richard England’s estate.
The first meeting of the Catholics of Wakefield to consider the matter of building a church was held in February 1869. The Rev. Father Chareyre submitted two plans prepared by Messrs Jacobson and Stewart respectively, the latter being accepted. Mr Good’s tender was accepted for the building of the church. A committee was formed to carry out the work and subsequent meetings were
held concerning the site, to arrange for the calling of tenders to build the church, to organise the provision of materials required and for the work to be done.
The laying of the foundation stone ceremony was held of the 10th of October 1869 with The Rev. Father Garin celebrating mass and the stone laid by Mr Joseph Hoult, Senr.
By the end of April of the following year the church building was completed, and the opening took place on the 7th of May with about 250 people attending. Following the ceremony, led by Father Garin and Chareyre the congregation sat down for a sumptuous meal before returning to their homes. The dedication took place the following day.
The total cost of the church was around £1082, the funding achieved through subscriptions from both within Wakefield and
the wider district. Some generous donations were made with Joseph Hoult Senr providing the heart of totara pit sawn timber for the church and J Hoult Junr providing shingles for the roof. Other donations consisted of Mr Fowler, carting of materials;
Edward Fowler, senr., the church seats; Joseph Tomlinson and Edward Fowler, Junr., the high altar designed by Father Chareyre in the Gothic style; W. Jones. the rail and fence around property; J. Hagen and C. Tomlinson, the stone and sand for church foundations.
Father Chareyre left the district in 1871 and at a farewell function he was presented with a purse of sovereigns. He immediately handed the purse over as a donation for the building committee in order to help clear the debt.
St Joseph’s Church was built with gables, an externally buttressed nave, porch, chancel and vestry all with lancet window and a gilded cross to top the spire.
The entrance into the church grounds is now flanked by two pillars made from stone carted from the Wai-iti River. Each pillar has a granite plaque which bears the names of the first committee and the William Hoult Memorial.
On the church grounds sits a pretty and peaceful cemetery where many of the Catholic settlers of the Wakefield area were laid to rest.
St Josephs Church, Wakefield,. Photo: Supplied.
Photos of the year 2024
More than 300 people unleashed their inner warrior at Nelson Obstacle Park back in May. Nelson’s Cody Scott, pictured, was the victorious female in both the 3km and 5km Elite categories. Organiser Julia Kelly says the event was “fantastic” with around 200 spectators and Nelson Tasman making up half of the competitors. Photo: Evan Barnes.
When nine-year-old Josh McKay was “made redundant” from his single-lawn mowing enterprise, he decided it was time to advertise and expand. He began mowing lawns to fulfil his dreams and support his hobbies. Photo: Anne Hardie.
in
in a 1927
five separate festivities, including
All Tasman District Libraries will close at 4pm on Wednesday 24 December and reopen with usual hours on Monday 6 January.
To find out what’s happening at the
Summerset Richmond Ranges resident Norman Macrae became a centenarian in August this year, and he credited his long life to smiling in good times and bad. He celebrated
style with
being chauffeured
Bruit to a red-carpeted entrance at the Grape Escape Café for a soiree.
Photo: Gordon Preece.
Richmond School literally stopped the traffic as 500 or so students and staff dressed as their favourite book characters swept through the town’s centre. Pictured are Jane Mitchell, Ang Harris and Mel Milson in book character. Photo: Anne Hardie.
Waimea College student Tasmyn Dyer, 14, thrilled as the shape-shifting clown Pennywise from the horror film, It, at Harcourts Richmond’s Ghosts and Goblins event at Sundial Square on Halloween. Photo: Gordon Preece.
Ashleigh Liddington, Debbie Swainston, and Aurora Harris, 15
Charlotte, Esme, and Thea Rodwell, 15, with Zade Box, 16
Mark Rounce and Daren Grover
Miranda Hewgill and Bex McLeod
Pearl Hutchinson and Mira Kienzle, 16
Bradley and Megan Hannigan
Iain, Christine and Taz Snelling with Kobie Scutt
Lucian Debruyn, Rehan Patrick Caeiro and Annu Jat
Mia Gardiner, Bronie Ford and Malia Ford
Rails Mackey and Sue Lea
TASMAN’S EXCLUSION PESTS
dirty dozen Help us keep the dirty dozen at bay
Meet our list of exclusion pests – twelve flora and fauna not known to be present in the Tasman-Nelson region but are capable of causing havoc to our economic well-being, the natural environment, human health, recreational or cultural values. Therefore, we are doing what we can to keep them out – but we need your help! To keep these characters from sneaking in and setting up a permanent home here, please report any suspected sightings to Tasman District Council straight away on 03 543 8400.
Cape Tulip Looks good, but a toxic character
A tough specimen to control. Plants grow to 90cm and all parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and livestock.
Senegal Tea
A strange brew
A semi-aquatic perennial herb that can reach 1.5m high when flowering. It can rapidly spread in freshwater and form dense floating mats, smothering other aquatic species and reducing oxygen availability.
“El Capitan” Koi Carp
Growing to 75cm in length and weighing up to 10kg. They destroy aquatic habitat and muddy waterways.
Chilean Needle Grass
No es bueno
An erect, tufted perennial tussock that can grow up to 1m in height. The needle-pointed seed attaches to sheep’s wool and can move through the pelt and muscle, downgrading wool and meat. It can also cause blindness in lambs.
An annual broadleaf weed that can grow 1m – 2.5m tall, competing for nutrients, space, and water with other arable crops.
An aggressive bird that feeds on insects, fruit and berries. Strongly territorial when nesting and reputed to destroy the eggs and nestlings of other birds in their feeding area.
Hornwort A growing danger from the depths
A vigorous, invasive, submerged aquatic perennial with stems up to 7m long. Considered to be one of the worst water weeds introduced into New Zealand.
Freddie and the Phragmites
A tall perennial grass producing annual cane-like stems up to 6m tall. It has thick underground roots (rhizomes) that form dense mats capable of blocking waterways.
Billy the Rook
A large black bird with a violet-blue glossy sheen. Large flocks cause serious damage to horticultural crops. An intermittent visitor from rookeries in the lower North Island and reported sightings in the past have generated a rapid response.
“The Almighty” Johnson Grass
Robust, aggressive, perennial, summer grass forming dense thickets that exclude most other plants. Mature plants vary in height from 50cm to 3m. One of the world’s 10 worst weeds and one of the five worst weeds in New Zealand.
Water Hyacinth
“The aquatic strangler”
One of the world’s most damaging aquatic weeds, this dark-rooted character can float on the water surface unattached forming dense mats that can completely smother large waterways and badly affect water quality.
Walter
This marsupial and his ilk browse on pasture and arable crops, reducing farm productivity. They also browse on a range of native species, depleting forest and scrub understory to affect regeneration.
For more information, scan the QR code or visit www.tasman.govt.nz/pests-and-weeds
Vinnie Velvetleaf
Mickey Mynah
Wallaby
MENZSHED and motorsport reconnect ahead of big race day
STEPHEN STUART
It was a no brainer for the Nelson Speedway Club, a steal if you like.
Bring in temporary scaffolding or reunite with MENZSHED Waimea to build steel frames for extra grandstands, needed for the New Zealand Superstocks Championships at Appleby next month.
“We did the same thing before the last Superstocks nationals were held here in 2013 so there is an existing relationship,” says MENZSHED Waimea chairman Mark Nimmo.
The MENZSHED has 140 members, many with engineering backgrounds, and a team of 10 to 12 was commissioned to con-
struct 10 bases to be erected at the “town bend” of the speedway track.
“It is a perfect fundraising venture for us. We are not for profit,” declares Mark, who oversees the biggest MENZSHED in the South Island from its Richmond Park base.
Once the steel works are delivered, speedway club members will fit the wooden seats.Several of the MENZSHED crew have family ties to the speedway and there will probably be enough of them on course to fill one of their own stands.
Mark will definitely be trackside for the 10-11 January event, the highlight of the local speedway racing season.
MENZSHED Waimea members Joel Norton, left, Mark Nimmo, Clive Workman and Warrick Taylor with the new steel frames which were constructed at its Richmond Park base. Photo: Eloise Martyn.
Busy start to the new year for cricket
STEPHEN STUART
It promises to be a cricketing bonanza in Nelson early next month with five matches in as many days
Before then, the fun starts with a multicultural festival at Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows in Stoke on New Year’s Day. There will be six-a-side 12 over matches for the public from midday to 5pm.
The pace will pick up the next day with the Blackcaps facing Sri Lanka in the third T20 in-
ternational at Saxton Oval.
The attention will then swing to domestic cricket with a meet the CD Stags and CD Hinds opportunity at Victory Square at 3.30pm on 3 January
The men’s and women’s sides will then feature in a double header against Wellington the next day with the Hinds first up and keen to avenge their narrow in the Dream 11 Super Smash final last season.
5 January is a chance for fans to catch their breath and then it is back to Saxton Oval the
following day for another double header, this time against Northern Districts.
Nelson Cricket Association general manager Jake Inwood confirms with so much to choose from, special pricing deals are being offered for the domestic games.
Rather than pay $20 for an adult ticket for one day, $30 will gain admission for two. There will also be reduced junior and family passes.
To buy tickets head to cdcricket.flicket.co.nz/events
Seth the Stag represented Central Districts in the team mascot race at The Spectacle festival of running as he prepared for a hectic T20 time in Nelson. Photo: Stephen Stuart.
Head to Westport for racing action
Westport is the place to be on Boxing Day and December 28 for its annual harness races. And two days later the fun moves to Reefton for its annual race day on December 30.
Over a century old, these races bring together families and friends, becoming a key part of the holiday season.
“Participants come from all over NZ, particularly from Canterbury, Nelson, and Marlborough,” says Westport Trotting Club President, Johnny Reedy. “Many have been coming for years to race horses and join in the atmosphere. It’s now more of a fami-
ly event with picnics, drinks, laughter, and a flutter on the ponies!”
Thanks to Hilton Haulage’s sponsorship, the event offers free entertainment for children, making it a fun, affordable outing for the whole family. The fashion events, Fashion in the Fields on Boxing Day in Westport and Glamour in the Goldfields on December 30 in Reefton, continue to draw significant crowds, says Johnny.
“These events have gone from humble beginnings and are now on par to the best race days in the country with significant prizes to be won. But the
Harness racing over a distance of two miles is still the pivotal event - along with the Westport and Reefton cup events - continuing to attract high class fields.”
A special addition to the racing calendar is the Seddon Shields Trotting Series, which began in 2023. The series is gaining popularity and showcases some of the best trotting talent in the country.
“Westport’s Durban Chief Handicap Trot, named after the legendary local trotter, is another standout event. Known for his impressive career in
both New Zealand and the USA, Durban Chief is the probable reason why trotting is so strong in the region, his feats were legendary. The club is proud to honour this local legend.”
For newcomers, the event offers a twoday pass, children’s entertainment, and fashion contests. Whether picnicking, watching from the grandstand, or joining the punters’ club, the races offer something for everyone. For longtime attendees, nothing beats the thrill of seeing local horses win. “It’s hard to match the excitement of a local victory,” says Johnny.
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