Times - 20 December 2022

New Howick Police station opens its doors

BOOZE BAN OPERATING

By CHRIS HARROWELL

An alcohol ban is now in place at a troubled east Auckland location where a man was fatally stabbed last month.

The Howick Local Board was asked at its monthly business meeting this month to implement the ban at the Highbrook boat ramp and car park in Lady Fisher Place, and on publicly accessible adjacent grass and coastal areas.

A report says Auckland Council received two requests in September for an alcohol ban at the location.

The area was the site of an altercation last month that left one man dead and several others injured.

Work by council staff found moderate to high levels of alcohol-related disorder at the location. They identified three potential alcohol ban options and recommended a ban on weekends and holidays only.

There were 17 incidents of disorder caused or made worse by alcohol in the area

over a period of 10 months.

Examples include four involving intimidation, aggression toward the public or assault with a weapon.

One saw 15 people fighting, two gunshots fired, one person suffering a gunshot wound and bottles thrown at a person on the ground.

In another, a group of eight to 10 people were drinking in the car park, disturbing bystanders by arguing and throwing glass bottles on the ground and in front of businesses. Another occasion saw 30 youths and 10 vehicles in the car park, drinking and throwing bottles, blocking an entrance to private property, dancing in the road and playing loud music.

An alcohol ban request form submitted by one local business states its gate has been blocked by people who were drinking.

“We have had our people shouted at and recently one staff member has had bottles thrown at him while he has been outside his car.”

Several people spoke to the board in support of the

alcohol ban including workers from businesses near the trouble hot spot and senior sergeant Anson Lin and Botany community constable Nicci Gibson, of Counties Manukau East Police. They urged the board to implement a 24/7 alcohol ban and the officers also asked for the ban to cover an extended area along the waterfront.

Board member Bruce Kendall expressed disappointment toward two council staff that the issue hadn’t been drawn to the board’s attention earlier.

“I’m a little bit surprised this request has come to us so late considering the evidence we’ve seen today. This has been going on for a long time and it is pretty high levels of bad behaviour and violence.

“We could have potentially knocked this on the head before somebody got killed.”

The board unanimously voted to implement a 24/7 alcohol ban in the extended area as requested and to allocate $2000 toward signs publicising the ban.

Helping to open the new Howick Police station were, from left, Inspector Scott Gemmell, Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light, Inspector Matt Srhoj, Assistant Commissioner Auckland Sam Hoyle, Sergeant Brett Meale, Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown and Police Kaumatua Je Tukua. Story page 2.

Times photo Wayne Martin

POLICE Cops back into Howick village

The new Howick Police station has officially opened its doors to the public after a 10-month wait. Police were forced to move from their previous base in Fencible Drive after Auckland Council decided to sell the land their station occupied.

Counties Manukau East Police previously planned to have the Howickbased community officers work from the Ormiston Road headquarters permanently, but eventually reversed course. In April police area commander Inspector Scott Gemmell announced police had signed a lease for the Cook Street building that would serve as the new Howick station.

An official opening was held at the building on December 19. It was attended by senior and community

CRIME

police officers as well as Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown, Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light and board members Adele White, John Spiller, Bruce Kendall and Peter Young, among others. Formalities included a blessing from local iwi Ngai Tai ki Tamaki, speeches, and a morning tea.

Gemmell talked about the importance of having the community police officers based in Howick again, especially heading into the busy Christmas holiday period. “To have our team here and a front counter here that people can come and visit is going to be really special and something we absolutely need at this particular time.”

The station is at 76 Cook Street. It’s open 8am-4pm Monday and Thursday and can be contacted by phoning 105.

Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year to you all from the Times team.

Thank you all for your support during this testing year. This is our final paper of the year and we will be back in print on January 11.

Our first issue next year will be our Year in Review in which we look at the top stories from each month in 2022. The paper will be available for pickup at all our drop boxes around the area listed here.

Be safe and have a wonderful break and please shop local and support the businesses that support us to bring you the news free each week.

See you in 2023.

Reay Neben, managing director, Times Media

DROP BOXES

• Apothecary Cafe, 27 Picton St, Howick

• Bin Inn, 219 Moore St, Howick

• Books N Brics Cafe, 83B Hattaway Ave, Bucklands Beach

• Chapel Road Dairy, cnr of Chapel Rd & Gracechurch Dr

• Cinnamon Café, 1 Ara-Tai Rd, Half Moon Bay

• Countdown, Pakuranga

• Countdown, Highland Park

• Countdown, Beachlands

• Farm Cove Shops, 190 Fisher Parade, Farm Cove

• Highland Park Library, 16 Highland Park Dr, Highland Park

• Howick Historical Village, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Bells Rd, Pakuranga

• Howick Library, 25 Uxbridge Rd, Howick

• Rices Mall, Picton St, Howick

• Meadowlands Shopping Centre, cnr Meadowlands Dr and Whitford Rd, Howick

• Mission Heights, cnr Murphys and Jeffs Rd

• New World, Howick

• New World, Botany Town Centre

• Texture Café, 1 Arranmore Dr, Flat Bush

• The Hub Mail Centre, 201 Te Koha Rd, East Tāmaki

• Times Media Office, 10 Central Tce, Howick

Youth pleads not guilty to murder

A teenager charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a man in east Auckland has pleaded not guilty.

The 17-year-old was arrested and charged by police after a 26-year-old man was killed during a physical altercation in the area of the wharf car park on Lady Fisher

Drive in Highbrook in the early hours of November 13.

The youth faces additional charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to two other victims from the same incident.

Police were alerted to the altercation when three people with seri-

ous stab wounds and one person with a serious gunshot wound selfpresented at Middlemore Hospital at about 4.30am on November 13.

The 26-year-old man who died was one of the three stabbing victims.

The teenager charged over his death, who has name suppression,

appeared in the Auckland High Court by audiovisual link from another facility on December 14.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges he’s facing through his lawyer. The judge set down a trial for the teenager to begin in April, 2024, which is expected to take up to five weeks.

WE WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

Parents fight to keep Kauri Kids centres in community hands

By CHRIS HARROWELL and LAURA KVIGSTAD, Auckland Council reporter Funded by New Zealand on Air

Local parents are nervous about a proposal to potentially shut or sell a chain of highly-valued early childhood centres.

Auckland Council has publicly released staff advice issued to mayor Wayne Brown for its 20232024 draft annual budget.

Brown wants to significantly cut council spending and has talked of selling assets if necessary.

Part of the advice refers to the council-owned chain of 10 Kauri Kids early childhood education centres (ECE), one of which is in Howick.

“For the financial year 2021/2022 the service operated at a loss of $200,000 before contribution to overhead and assumed rent costs, or an estimated total loss of around $1 million,” it says.

“It is proposed the council discontinues being a direct provider of this service and earns a commercial return from the premises.”

Options outlined in the document include the potential of selling the operations to another provider to take over on a commercial basis through to closure of

a centre.

The Times has spoken to local parents whose children attend Kauri Kids Howick.

Among them is Alric Wright, whose two-year-old son Bodhi attends the centre.

“It’s obviously a big impact on the family having to move their kids if it does shut down. We’ve only recently moved here six weeks ago. Bodhi’s just settled in and to move again would be really hard. Most daycares in the area

are short-staffed and they also have long wait times. With some of them it is six to nine months before you can get your child in, so if this shuts within a month or two we [the families] may not have anywhere to send the kids”, he says.

Wright says he doesn’t know what he’d do if Kauri Kids Howick was to close.

“Going into the Christmas period with uncertainty like that isn’t great. Cost is another factor. With

all the other daycares in the area you’re looking at $350 to put one kid in, so if you’ve got multiple kids there’s no discount.

“The price certainly adds up and this is definitely an affordable option.”

Fellow Kauri Kids Howick parent Gen Walden has two children aged four and two years old at Kauri Kids Howick.

She says it was “massive news pre-Christmas” to hear the centres may be sold or shut.

“It really threw us off. The teachers who we’ve been with for years, it’s really unfair for them as well as us. I think the savings don’t outweigh the impact on us as individuals as well as the whole of the whanau here.”

The council’s governing body approved public consultation on Brown’s proposed budget when it met on December 15 in spite of concerns about cuts to the Kauri Kids centres.

Councillor Angela Dalton asked about the impact the cuts would have on low-income families.

“The very families we’re trying to protect from a cost of living crisis … (there’s) no assessment on the impact on families involved in our Kauri Kids ECE,” she said.

Council Value for Money general manager Ross Chirnside said the impacts on low-income families would be worked out leading into the consultation process for the budget.

Councillor Josephine Bartley said members of her community felt the draft budget should never see the light of day because of the cuts to social spending.

She was the only councillor who voted against consultation for the budget. Consultation is expected to run in March next year.

Some of the parents who oppose the possibility of Auckland Council selling or shutting their beloved Kauri Kids Howick early childhood centre.

Photo Chris Harrowell

Controversial crossing plan canned

By CHRIS HARROWELL

Auckland Transport has scrapped a controversial plan to install a $450,000 raised pedestrian crossing on Pakuranga Road.

The agency announced earlier this year it was considering installing the crossing with traffic signals on Pakuranga Road immediately west of Grammar School Road and Johns Lane.

The work included moving the existing bus stop from east of the Johns Lane intersection to west of it, removing bus bays and moving bus stops into traffic lanes.

A new pedestrian refuge crossing would have been installed on Grammar School Road and the nearby kerb ramps on that road and Johns Lane would be upgraded.

The whole project would cost about $450,000.

It was met by outspoken opposition from the community and Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown, who labelled it “crazy”.

Brown launched a petition against the move that was signed by almost 2000 people.

AT officials attended a public meeting the MP hosted at Farm Cove Intermediate School on December 15 to reveal the agency was scrapping the proposal, for the time being.

“After

Guilty verdicts in SFO’s $8.7m mortgage fraud

Two Flat Bush couples looking to get into property investing in Auckland used fake employment agreements to defraud banks out of $8.7 million.

Bryan Martin and Joshua Grant were found guilty Wednesday on charges of obtaining by deception following a six-week Auckland District Court trial in August and September of this year.

Grant’s wife, Sian Grant, and Martin’s former partner, Viki Cotter, have both previously pleaded guilty to their part in the scheme.

Both couples sought to invest in the Auckland property market however did not have the income needed to secure loans.

Mr Martin used a nontrading entity, Momentum Transition Developments, and created fake employment agreements for Cotter and Mrs Grant.

By moving money between his own private bank account, Cotter’s and the Grants’, the group was able to give the impression that they received regular salaries.

Mortgage applications were initially submitted through a brokerage where Cotter was a licensed broker, and later in person.

Fourteen loan applications were made between August 2015 and October 2016 which falsely stated the applicant was employed by Momentum. In total, the four fraudulently obtained $8.7 million in loans.

“The defendants’ desire to enter the then-growing property market led them to create an elaborate scheme intended to deceive the banks into lending them millions of dollars,” says SFO director Karen Chang.

“This type of criminal offending is ultimately harmful to New Zealanders who seek mortgage finance in good faith but miss out because lending was taken up by others through fraud. It impacts on banks and damages the trust between banks, mortgage brokers and consumers.”

Martin and the Grant’s sentencing is scheduled for March 15, 2023 at Waitākere District Court. Cotter will be sentenced on January 12, 2023.

the

“AT will monitor this area of Pakuranga Road following the

limit reduction to 50kp/h in January 2023.

“If AT identifies changes are needed, we will share a proposal

COUNCIL

with

“Auckland

“Any proposed changes at its intersection with Johns Lane and Grammar School Road will consider the ongoing work in the wider area and the Pakuranga Road route.”

Following the announcement, Brown told the Times it was “welcome news for Pakuranga residents and proves the community has the power to influence change”.

“Earlier this year, when this proposal first came to the attention of the local community, there was rightly a great deal of outrage as to how such an idea could have even got this far.

“Pakuranga Road is one of the busiest local roads in the entire country and already suffers from congestion issues and now an impending speed limit reduction.

“A speed bump crossing was always going to be a bad idea and the people who use this road everyday knew it and spoke up.”

Brown, the National Party’s transport spokesperson, says improving road safety is something everyone wants to see more of, but speed bumps on busy highways and blanket speed limit reductions are nothing more than a “band-aid on a problem requiring major surgery”.

“The local community should feel incredibly proud of their efforts to oppose this speed bump crossing with credit where it is due to Auckland Transport for taking heed of our concerns.”

SHARP RISE IN GRAFFITI VANDALISM LOCALLY

By CHRIS HARROWELL

There’s been an explosion in the amount of graffiti vandalism needing to be removed from across east Auckland.

Beautification Trust staff Daniel Barthow and Dawn Crispe told the Howick Local Board’s members about the scale of the problem during their final business meeting for the year in December.

The pair talked about the work the trust delivered for the local community over the past 12 months.

Barthow said amongst its efforts was removing a large amount of graffiti vandalism across the city.

He said there was a 44 per cent increase in the amount of graffiti the trust has removed compared to last year.

The trust’s staff attended 23,392 incidents involving graffiti vandalism and removed 29,709 individual tags.

The Howick ward area saw a 39 per cent increase in graffiti this year with 374 more tags removed this year compared to 2021.

A total of 1328 tags were removed from within the Howick Local Board area this year.

Board member Bruce Kendall asked Barthow and Crispe if the trust is responsible for removing graffiti vandalism from private and residential property.

Barthow said the trust’s contract with Auckland Council covers removing tags from individual

properties.

“Whether that’s on someone’s front fence, that would be something within scope, and on smallscale shops like a corner dairy and also on council property parks and community facilities as well.”

Kendall asked how the trust receives complaints about instances of graffiti vandalism.

“There are three routes,” Barthow replied.

“A member of the public might contact the council and that would be referred back to us to remove that tag.

“Another option is a member of the public comes to us directly and we’d be able to remove that.

“The third option is we have our team out there proactively search-

ing for tags.

“It’s about removing that tag as quickly as possible to deter that ongoing behaviour.”

Board member John Spiller said he was surprised to learn there had been such a large increase in graffiti vandalism. “Is that across the region and are some areas growing more than others?” he asked.

Barthow said the increase has been “across the board”.

“But in terms of key hot spots, the Franklin Local Board has seen a massive increase of around 70 per cent while the Papakura Local Board had seen an increase of 60 per cent.

“The average is 40 per cent. For Howick it’s 39 so slightly below the average

“It’s still a massive amount of work and in terms of the cause of that, one of the contributing factors is, coming out of Covid, rangatahi [young people] less engaged in their education. We think that’s [had] a big impact.”

Howick village was the site of graffiti vandalism earlier this year.

Several tags appeared on a wall in the alleyway between Picton Street and the Central Terrace car park.

One of the tags said “FTP”, which is a common acronym used in graffiti and stands for “F*** the Police”, while other tags beside it appeared to say “YZ Gang” and “Young n Reckless”.

The tags were reported and removed.

Spokeswoman Natalie Polley says: “Auckland Transport appreciates the local interest in this proposed safety project and thanks the community for taking the time to submit on the proposal.

extensive public consultation, the decision has been made

proposed changes will not go ahead at this time.

speed

the community and request feedback.

Transport will investigate changes at the Pakuranga Road-Grammar School RoadJohns Lane intersection that would improve safety and access to the side roads.

Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown strongly opposed an Auckland Transport plan to construct a raised pedestrian crossing on Pakuranga Road.

Times file photo Wayne Martin

Graffiti vandalism such as this case in Howick was removed from across east Auckland during the year.

Times photo Wayne Martin

Maraetai man staring cancer in the face, and he’s winning

By BEN PLUMMER

Forty-seven-year-old Maraetai resident Brent Curreen has potentially had the hardest 10 year stretch of any parent yet continues to fight to spend more time with his son.

Curreen’s son Nevin knows far more about cancer than any nineyear-old kid should, but he too had a rough start to life.

Nevin was born with a large hole in his heart and a cranial condition called trigonocephaly where the forehead takes on a triangle shape and by the time he was five years old, he’d had two 12-hour surgeries on both his head and heart.

The Curreens had to be placed in home-based isolation for three years due to Nevin’s weakened immune system, preventing him from interacting with other children because of the germs they might transmit.

In 2016, the Curreens thought they were in the clear, with Nevin being given the green light to be a normal kid, until Brent heard the devastating news.

Curreen was first diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2017, which was picked up through an ulcer that wouldn’t go away.

“It was quite ironic really

because his [Nevin’s] journey had ended and mine was just beginning,” says Curreen.

Curreen’s stomach cancer was treated in August 2017 with chemotherapy and surgery, where they cut out most of his stomach.

“My stomach is only about the size of a tennis ball now which makes eating a little difficult sometimes,” says Curreen.

After surgery, Curreen’s stomach began to leak, which left him bedridden for a month with tubes coming out of him collecting the fluid.

While in remission, Curreen and

his ex-partner went through a relationship break-up and decided that they would co-parent their son Nevin.

“It was looking good for a while and we were about to go to court to finalise the custody documents, until it came back,” says Curreen. Curreen was told that his cancer had metastasized and had grown on his lungs and an aggressive tumour had formed on his adrenal gland, which is when he was told his cancer was terminal.

“When Nevin’s mother and I sat down to talk about what we wanted, we basically just agreed

that it wasn’t worth the fight and that Nevin would come and live with me until I couldn’t support him any longer,” Curreen says.

To add to Curreen’s hardships of being a sole caregiver for his son, he was made redundant from his job, forcing him to depend on a sickness benefit to cover treatments.

After suffering migraines and loss of vision just before Christmas in 2021, Curreen was rushed to A&E to get CT scans, which showed a tumor pressing on his optical nerve.

He received an operation on New Year’s Eve of 2021 to remove the tumour.

“I’ve lost all my vision in certain areas on both of my eyes because of the nerve damage,” says Curreen.

The tumor returned in June this year and Curreen was told he only had a matter of months to live, yet he has continued to fight.

“Some days just getting in and out of a chair or walking around the house seems like a gym workout but I plod along, one foot in front of the other, because that’s what I have to do, just keep going on,” says Curreen.

Every three weeks, Curreen attends a non-funded immunotherapy treatment session called Keytruda on Auckland’s

North Shore which costs roughly $100,000 annually.

Due to his loss of vision, Curreen is unable to drive anymore meaning he has to take public transport to go to cancer treatments.

“It can get quite costly because we live so far away from the treatment and there is sometimes more than one trip a week. Last week I spent around $300 on uber for one return trip to the city,” says Curreen.

Curreen’s family live in Northland and the Hawkes Bay areas, meaning they are very rarely around to help with transport.

Although grateful for all the donations Curreen has received on his Givealittle page, which is almost at $9000, he says that it unfortunately doesn’t even scratch the surface of covering transport and treatment costs.

Curreen says that Nevin is what gets him out of bed every day.

“As long as I have enough energy to get him to school in the mornings and sort him out in the afternoons and evenings, I know I’m doing all I can,” he says.

 To donate to Curren’s Givealittle page, visit https:// givealittle.co.nz/cause/helpbrent-have-more-time-with-hisson

BOXING DAY

Brent Curreen is the sole caregiver for his nine-year-old Nevin in their Maraetai apartment.

Photo supplied

MP’s new bill would penalise protesters

Amember’s bill in the name of Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown would create a new crime for damaging or obstructing State Highways and other major roads, tunnels, and bridges.

The bill will be lodged in the ballot in Parliament following recent significant disruption caused by rail protesters in the capital, he says.

Brown, the National Party’s transport spokesperson, says: “Over the past few months, there has been significant obstruction of Wellington’s State Highways and tunnels by a rail activist group causing disruption to thousands of commuters and businesses trying to get around Wellington.

“While Transport Minister Michael Wood is having a cup of tea with these radical activists, the National Party is standing on the side of law-abiding citizens seeking to get around our country.”

Brown says the proposed offence is narrow and would be if a person, without reasonable excuse, enters, remains on, climbs, jumps from, or otherwise trespasses on a major bridge, tunnel, or road, and in doing so causes damage to it or seriously disrupts or obstructs vehicles or pedestrians trying to use it.

“This means if the route is closed or traffic is diverted as a result of the conduct, and if there is no reasonable excuse like an accident or having a permit, there will be greater consequences than exist under current laws.

“The bill proposes up to two years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both.

“It doesn’t stop people from protesting, but it

makes it crystal clear if you blockade a motorway you will face consequences.

“Not only is such conduct annoying to commuters, it is downright reckless and dangerous.

“This bill will send the appropriate signal to deter such unacceptable behaviour.”

OPINION

Seizing opportunities to grow our economy

With countries around the world facing economic challenges, our plan to position New Zealand globally as a great place to visit, trade with and invest in is essential to the economic security of families here in Botany.

As part of this work, the Prime Minister recently led a business delegation to Asia to advance our ambitious trade agenda and seize new opportunities to grow New Zealand’s economy. While overseas, she announced a new free trade agreement upgrade with Association of South East Asian Nations and Australia.

This upgrade is really good news and builds on our strong record backing Kiwi businesses and exporters. We’ve already concluded four free trade agreements including major deals with the United Kingdom and European Union and made upgrades to existing agreements, including with China.

We’ve also seen Kiwi agricultural exports

Public given more time for further submissions on plan

By LAURA KVIGSTAD, Auckland Council reporter, Funded by New Zealand on Air

After two proposed amendments and a squabble between councillors, the public has been given a bonus week for further submissions on Auckland Council plan changes.

At Auckland Council’s Planning, Environment and Parks committee on December 8, Cr Mike Lee made a plea to extend the further submission time for the council’s plan changes under the National Policy Statement for Urban Development.

While no new submissions can be received, people who have already submitted will be able to support or oppose other submissions.

Cr Lee called for a four-week extension saying that he was making the request on behalf of the public.

“The community’s resources are more limited than the council and the council is finding it difficult to meet these government deadlines. I think there’s a question of fairness here,” Lee said.

He said having submission periods over Christmas was a “cultural no-no”.

Cr Christine Fletcher said members were “skilled practitioners” in going through documents but 70 hours of reading for a layperson could be daunting.

“We are trying to arrive at an

outcome that is going to be fundamentally changing to all of our communities across Auckland, why would we want to short-change ourselves,” Fletcher said.

Cr Chris Darby agreed that an extension may be in order but asked staff about the pressure that would be placed on them as a result.

Chief of Strategy Megan Tyler said with a four-week extension council would not be able to meet the hearing panels deadline.

“This timing is not ours, it is of the government’s making. I think it’s really important to understand that the further submission process only relates to those that made submissions, there is nothing new that can come out of this process,” Tyler

said.

Tyler said they had already extended the time frame from December 19 to January 13 and a further extension would cause the work programme to be “crunched” throughout the year.

After the first amendment was lost with 11 votes against and 10 votes in favour of the extension Cr Darby put forward another amendment for an extension of a week.

Cr Alf Filipaina said he was amazed that councillors were considering an extension at all.

“Yes, people are talking about our community and the impact but we have not spoken about the impact on the staff,” Filipaina said.

He called for a division and said he wanted to see which members would be supporting the staff.

Cr Daniel Newman appeared to take offence to Filipaina’s comments and said he would be supporting the extension

“It has got everything to do with the wellbeing of my community Cr Filipaina,” Newman said.

Filipaina warned Newman not to use his name like that again.

“Cr Newman I am just letting you know now, don’t ever say my name again in regards to something I have not done,” Filipaina said.

The deadline for further submissions is now January 20, 2023 and the second extension won with 13 votes in favour and eight votes against.

reach a record $53 billion, boosted by the return of tourists proving our goods and services remain in high demand. In fact, the latest figures show that there’s been a big uptick in the number of tourists returning to Aotearoa as we head into summer.

On top of being a positive indicator of the strength of our economy, the return of tourists is great news for New Zealand businesses. More money being spent boosts our regional economy and working holidaymakers will help to address some of the skills shortages that we’re facing.

New Zealand isn’t alone in facing skills shortages and I know the Prime Minister discussed this and other common challenges, like high fuel prices and inflation, with other world leaders while overseas.

While things are tough everywhere, we continue to be in a better position than most. The fundamentals of our economy are strong and we’re supporting households with

Labour List MP Naisi Chen

the cost of living while also investing in the things that matter most, like health and education.

The work that we’re doing to make sure the world knows New Zealand is open for businesses is just one part of our economic plan. Here at home, we’re focused on creating high wage jobs, upskilling more Kiwis through trades training and investing in a low emissions future.

We’re also delivering a new resource management system that will help to boost our economy too. By making the process quicker, cheaper and better, we’re helping to unlock the infrastructure that Botany needs.

So there’s lots to be optimistic about as we head into summer.

 Naisi Chen is a Labour List MP based in Botany

POLITICS SERIOUS FLAWS IN PUBLIC SERVICE PROCUREMENT

The Public Service Commission’s report into contracts linked to Cabinet Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s family has exposed serious flaws in how the public service deals with conflicts of interest, National’s Public Service spokesperson Simeon Brown says.

The report, ordered by Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes, suggests the public service has developed a culture of carelessness in how it procures contracts and manages perceived conflicts of interest, undermining public confidence.

“The findings of the report show the Ministry for the Environment had several opportunities to address issues with their procurement processes into awarding a contract to Ms Mahuta’s husband Gannin Ormsby. Instead of being driven by effective and robust procurement processes, the ministry was driven by its own deadlines,” says Brown.

“Even more concerning, Kāinga Ora did not even ask about any conflicts of interest during its procurement process with Mr Ormsby’s company, a basic requirement for Government agencies.

“It is deeply concerning that the report found agencies failing to comply with the procurement guidelines and rules

set out by the Public Service Commission. The report begs the question of how widespread these failings are in the public service.

“The PSC’s report has today recommended new guidance for government agencies dealing with conflicts of interests, but the question must be asked, if government agencies were failing to comply with the existing guidance, why will they follow the new guidance?

“Public Service Minister Chris Hipkins needs to step up and explain why agencies are failing to practice effective and robust procurement processes and how agencies deal with conflicts of interest.

“It is essential that taxpayers have confidence in how the Government awards contracts involving taxpayer money.”

Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown is proposing a law change to penalise people who damage or obstruct New Zealand’s State Highways during a protest. File photo supplied

Auckland Council’s Planning, Environment and Parks committee met on December 8. Photo Laura Kvigstad

Cabinet Minister Nanaia Mahuta. Photo supplied

Stay safe this summer

Howick Botany

Neighbourhood Support is providing advice to local residents to help prevent them from becoming the victims of crime during the summer holiday period.

The group says it’s all about neighbours supporting and looking out for each other.

“By neighbours knowing each other it helps reduce crime and supports communities in the case of emergencies and natural disasters.”

Now that days are getting warmer, it’s a good time to remind people to check their home’s smoke alarms, and also during the summer months people tend to spend more time in their garden, the group says.

“Remember if you’re in the backyard to lock your front door, lock up those garden sheds, make sure the kids do not leave bikes on the front lawn unattended and when you leave the house to go out make sure all your windows are completely locked and alarms are on.

“We all start to get busy now with Christmas on the way and it is so easy to dash out to the shops and leave a window open.

“Criminals will take any opportunity we give them, so let’s not give them those chances.”

Here are some helpful tips for people who are making plans to holiday away from home this summer: h Let your neighbours know when you’re going and for how long

h Give your neighbours your emergency contact details

h Ask someone to clear your letterbox while you’re away

h Stop regular newspaper deliveries during your absence

h Ask a neighbour who may have an extra vehicle to park in your driveway

Also, people should not close their curtains when they leave.

Nothing says a home’s occupants are away for a long time like having all the property’s curtains closed day and night, the group says.

“If someone does break in and your curtains are open, your

neighbours can observe what’s happening.

“If people have an incident unfolding in front of you in your street please phone police on 111, and if the incident is not urgent please phone 105.

“Report any crime to police, no matter how small.”

People interested in getting involved with Howick Botany Neighbourhood Support can phone or text its chairwoman Gay Sykes on 027 271 2494 or email howickbotanynhs@gmail.com.

The group wishes everyone in east Auckland a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

POLICE New cops ready to hit the beat

The Counties Manukau Police district is getting eight new officers from the group of 56 constables who graduated from their initial training course last week.

Among the people who joined them at a ceremony in Wellington are Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Police Minister Chris Hipkins, Commissioner Andrew Coster, and the Wing’s Patron Dr Hinemoa Elder.

The Wing’s top graduating officer is Steven Young, who also received the Driver Training and Road Policing Practice Awards.

He has a background in trade-related roles and administration and says he wanted a career that would challenge him as a person and allow him to grow and improve.

“Self-improvement is something we should always work on. I wanted to enter into a career and journey I could be proud of, and one where I could make a positive difference in our communities.”

Another recruit, Angus Brown, is the wing’s Leadership Award winner.

Before joining the police he spent 10 years working in the security industry and has

New cookbook aids mental health

A new, beautifully-designed cookbook, The Kitchen of Somewhere, launches first for friends and whānau in New Zealand this month, offering readers a deeply personal, distinctively Kiwi story of love, country and adventure, all fuelled by the freshest flavour.

Author, marketing director and former professional wilderness guide Anna Kelly McLeod from Whitford retraces the footsteps of her mother in the 1970s, by travelling, writing, and photographing a journey of more than 64,000km. Starting in New Zealand, the journey traverses a decade through Australia, the Pacific Islands, then California and a life on the road across the United States, to eventually find its way to somewhere.

“The Kitchen of Somewhere is dedicated to the outdoor table and delicious food that fuels adventure. But the best way to describe the food is that nature is always invited to the table,” says McLeod.

The recipes are partnered with more than 240 fresh food and epic landscape photographs, this hardcover cookbook would elegantly sit on either the kitchen bench, or the coffee table.

“I follow a very personal story of love and food,” says McLeod.

“With strong ties to the beautiful hills, coast and Pohutukawa

wrapped coves of east Auckland, this is a story that hopes to both remember the past, inspire the future and help the present. We have worked to create a beautiful book that inspires great food adventures and helps by giving meaningfully back to the community through the fundraising for mental health and wellbeing, from every book sold.”

McLeod has worked for the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Boston Consulting Group, the Michelin Guide, multiple Michelinstarred chefs, as well as roles internationally with many of the world’s biggest brands in food, hospitality, art, fashion, sport and travel, including Walt Disney Home Entertainment, Dr Martens Footwear.

She is also a qualified professional outdoor guide, leading, coaching and cooking for hundreds of people in some of the

world’s wildest places.

McLeod has travelled through more than 30 countries, including trekking to Everest Base Camp in the Himalaya, climbing in the French and Italian Alps, exploring Cambodia’s sacred site of Angkor Wat, and traveling overland from Nairobi, Kenya to Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania and then summiting the mountain of the same name.

She graduated in art history from University of Otago, New Zealand, received a master’s degree from the University of Melbourne, Australia and graduated in business management Columbia Business School, New York. She is currently 7 months pregnant with her first child.

Shaun Robinson, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, says, “At the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, we are committed to creating posi-

tive mental health outcomes for all New Zealanders by providing access to free and essential information and resources, and aiding those navigating mental health services, supporting whānau or managing their own mental health.

“With every purchase of the new cookbook The Kitchen of Somewhere, readers can be confident they are helping to create a brighter future for all New Zealanders and we are sincerely grateful.”

With 404 pages and a collection of 70 recipes, including classic family recipes that are almost 100-years-old as well as new recipes that add a twist on tradition. This collection includes:

h Hokey pokey and lavender mist ice cream h Ginger and pepperberry crunch h Avocado toast with desert lime dust

Sandstone Hills spiced popcorn

Grapefruit glazed roast chicken

Honey Hill roast potatoes

The Kitchen of Somewhere is available in hardcover (RRP $49.99) and e-book (RRP $27).

For more information and to where to buy The Kitchen of Somewhere, by Anna Kelly McLeod in New Zealand, visit www.somewherekitchen.co.nz.

worked as a skydiving instructor and coach in New Zealand and Denmark.

“Over the years I have discovered a passion for helping others and for teaching/developing others,” Brown says.

“I thrive in an engaging and challenging environment and I’m looking forward to the road ahead in my career with New Zealand Police.”

Officers in the Wing will disperse to the following police districts on December 26: Northland – 2, Waitemata – 5, Auckland City – 3, Counties Manukau – 8, Waikato – 5, Bay of Plenty – 6, Eastern –4, Central – 6, Wellington – 6, Tasman – 2, Canterbury – 5, Southern – 4.

h New cookbook called The Kitchen of Somewhere, written and photographed by Anna Kelly McLeod, premiers for friends and whanau in New Zealand only, this month.

h Dedicated to the outdoor table and origins in Whitford, The Kitchen of Somewhere offers inspiration to fuel adventure, discover ingredients that connect you to country and encourage eating outdoors with style.

h The book offers more than 70 recipes and over 240 photographs of stunning food and epic landscapes.

h The author travelled more than 64,000km to craft a cookbook inspired by a deeply personal story of a great love and heart-breaking loss.

h $5 donation from every book ($2 donation from e-books) purchased in New Zealand will go to the Mental Health Foundation, working towards reducing stigma and raising awareness for mental health and wellbeing www.mentalhealth.org.nz

Howick Botany Neighbourhood Support chairwoman Gay Sykes, left, with committee member Bev Moxon and Counties Manukau East Police sergeant Scott Baker. Times photo

More than 50 new police constables are graduating in Wellington. Photo supplied

Anna Kelly McLeod (left), and a dish from the book. Photos supplied

Year 8 students find their tribe

On Wednesday, December

7, Howick College welcomed around 450 year 8 students from Somerville and Howick Intermediates, Maraetai Beach School, Beachlands School and beyond, for a full day of transition activities.

“The theme of the day was Find Your Tribe, the goal being for our new 2023 year 9 students to meet like-minded people and feel relaxed and confident about transitioning to Howick College next year,” said deputy principal and 2023 year 9 manager, Luke Doubleday.

“Coming to high school is a big change and for some students it can make the Christmas holidays a nervous time. We really wanted them to spend a whole day here, make some important connec-

tions, experience what life is like and hopefully make the transition as stress-free as possible.”

Students were able to meet Howick College staff including their deans and heads of departments, student leaders and peer support members.

They also took part in an “Amazing Race”, competing in small groups within their houses to explore the school and meet key people. This was followed by various taster classes to sample what learning will feel like in 2023.

During lunchtime, they had the opportunity to discover some of the extracurricular activities on offer at the college and give one a go, with choices ranging from football and esports, to debating and dance.

The initiative was well-received by members of the Howick College

community who praised the college on social media.

“Well done Howick College! What a great way to welcome next year’s intake of students to your school.”

Another commenter added, “Fantastic idea, great way to help students fit in next year and make new friends.”

Doubleday said the day was incredibly beneficial and that seeing the smiles on students’ faces and the high levels of engagement and enthusiasm is a good indication that 2023 will be a wonderful year full of meaningful learning.

“We are confident that our new Year 9s will continue to be curious, kind, and courageous young people. We would like to thank our community for entrusting us with such lively and courteous young people,” he said.

ZUMBA HELPED ME BACK TO GOOD HEALTH

A community Zumba programme is bringing me back normal life. A life changing event happened to me in 2016 which nearly left me paralysed. Zumba was one of exercises that got my body moving and helped me recover fast.

I am now back to normal, all thanks to the Zumba programme organised by Vinson Chao Yu from Aotea Sport & Recreation Association.

They are instructed by Tana and Rudy who must be thanked for their fun attitudes and for always encouraging me to carry on and recover from stoke experience. In order to share my life story, I have also released a book called The Road Less Travelled. Anyone interested can email me Williams.evelina@yahoo.com.

For the Zumba programme email: aotea_sr@yahoo.com.

Evelina Aupito Luliano Williams, Pakuranga

A GOOD TIME TO REMEMBER THE PAST

‘Tis the season of good will, except for baby Will: deprived of the specific care his loving parents desperately begged to secure from the NZ Blood Service who, out of hubris, simply refused to provide what was within its power to offer.

As a people increasingly under the strain of institutions suffering the effects of this Government’s unrelenting enforcement of an antihuman ideology, we should notice a similarity today with the tensions two thousand years ago which set the stage for the advent this current festive season celebrates.

If we value blind conformity above truthfulness and place our hope in money, science, and politics, the answers to life’s intractable questions will continue to elude us because they can come only through the Babe born to us; not from Government.

When we see our politicians mirror Herod’s willingness to throw babes to the sword to protect their agenda, we should note, if we, like Herod, pass up the promise offered by this Babe who became the Man who gave his blood for our sins on

Rees Sutcliffe

HAS THE HVA GOT IT RIGHT?

I am writing with concern and mainly confusion with the re-branding of what was originally the HBA – Howick Business Association, then the HVBA (Howick Village Business Association) and now recently rebranded as the HVA – Howick Village Association.

Russ Rice was the original founder, with Jack Gandy being co-founder of the Howick Business Association, formed in 1946. The association was founded for the sole purpose of promoting Howick retailers. Both were retailers and commercial property owners which makes sense when you run an organisation like that to be either a business owner or commercial property owner.

All members worked on a voluntary basis and all were involved in business in Howick.

As most people will be aware, the regional business associations are funded by BID – the Business Improvement District programme under Auckland Council.

The BID programme [objective] is to collaborate with Auckland’s business sector to improve the local business environment and boost the regional economy.

As a former Howick business owner in the village of 25-plus years, I was also a member and ran the Howick Business Association with my previous husband for many years.

Our interests were to help local business in Howick by ensuring that they were kept well-informed of any activities, advocating and implementing new initiatives for the business owners, networking with all business owners and working closely with the likes of Morrin Cooper and the former Howick Borough Council, as well as running events that would benefit the retailers.

A BIG CHRISTMAS THANK YOU FROM BOOKARAMA

The Rotary Club of Howick would like to give a big Christmas thank you to the Community of Howick for supporting the most successful Bookarama that the club has ever run.

Project coordinator Geoff Thompson said, “With two years of collections, we knew we had the largest volume of books, puzzles, DVDs CDs and LPs to present to the public to buy and what is great is that they responded to make it the most financially successful project we have ever run.

“The funds raised this year will add significantly to the more than $500,000 that the project has made over the years and, in turn, will allow the club to continue to help families in need, improve the environment, support heritage, develop young people and assist local fun events.”

Thompson said it is not only the public and book dealers purchasing the books that make it successful.

“It is the support that we have had from Ray White Real Estate through Marie Raos and the RSA for storage, all of the depots at Placemakers, Grasslands, House of Travel, Howick Village Optometrists, David Fels Showcase Jewellers, Botany Mitre 10 Mega, Farm Cove Intermediate, Lawn Heat and Leisure and the Café Botany Downs, retailers and the HVA

in promotion, the venue at Somerville Intermediate and the assistance we got in moving the books from Coastguard,” said Thompson.

“Even individual members of the public came to help. The project’s huge success belongs to the whole community.”

Rotary President Madeleine East also commented. “This year’s Bookarama with two years of collections has been a herculean effort by the club and all of the community groups and individual members of the public involved and it is a testament to the way that the Howick community works together for charitable purposes,” East said.

“On behalf of the club, I would like to extend a huge thank you for all those people who helped make this the most successful Bookarama we have ever held and we look forward to making the funds raised available for the vast range of community projects that the club has in front of it.”

The purpose was not a community group or event-focused, the pure focus and purpose was to ensure that we could bring every last dollar that people could spend to our retailers.

I am at a loss to understand why the HVA is entitled to any funding from the BID, when it has deliberately dropped the word business from its name.

It seems a very odd thing to do as GETBA – Greater East Tamaki Business Association – recently rebranded and clearly know their purpose, rebranding to Business East Tamaki.

Maybe HVA should rebrand to be HVMEA – Howick Village Markets & Events Association.

Pip Burns Resident & past president of the Howick Business Association

ONE FOR THE AGED

I am tired of hearing professional broadcasters continually mispronouncing the word “aged”, when referring to senior citizens. They refer to us as “the Aj’d”(one syllable), instead of “the A-jed” (two syllables). Maybe they think that we have been left to mature, like cheese or whisky.

Dave Ronson Pakuranga Heights

NO NEED FOR PLAN CHANGE

In the NZ Herald public notices dated December 12, 2022 , following a complaint received over the holiday timeframe adopted for cross submissions over the Plan Change, Auckland Council has conceded this and extended the timeframe for submissions by a week until January 20.

In which case, surely the council should concede also that there is actually no need for Plan Change 78 at all, given its earlier advice that enough housing supply had already been enabled under the Unitary Plan for the next 30 years.

The Plan Change should actually be withdrawn, not just the timeframe for cross submissions extended. There is no need for the Plan Change or for its fast-track under urgency and therefore no justification for the removal of the people’s normal right of appeal to the Environment Court under a Plan Change.

This Plan Change and its process has to constitute an abuse of power by the Government and Local Authority.

Victoria Lowe Shamrock Park

Year 8 students sampled some of the subjects and activities available at Howick College on the Find Your Tribe theme day. Photo supplied

FeedbackYour opinion matters to us. Email us at editor@times.co.nz; comment on our Facebook page, facebook.com/ timesonlinenz; or write to us at The Editor, Times Newspapers, PO Box 38232, Howick, Auckland 2145. Letters should not exceed 200 words and should carry the name, residential address and contact telephone number of the author.

Calvary’s cross, soon afterward we will lose the child of truth also, then our way, and thereafter, more baby Wills will be in danger.

East Tamaki Heights

One of the Bookarama sales days at Somerville Intermediate. Photo supplied

email for your free assessment lesson. Beginners Welcome!

ENROL NOW FOR 2023! Email: howickguitarschool@gmail.com Phone 021 267 5702 DE284843

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c. That the advertisement is misleading or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive or breaches the Fair Trading Act 1986 that is defamatory or indecent or which otherwise offends against generally accepted community standards that infringes a copyright or trademark or otherwise infringes any intellectual or industrial property rights that breaches any provision of any statute, regulation, by law or other rule or law .

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7. The guarantees contained in the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 are excluded where the advertiser acquires, or holds himself out as acquiring, goods or services from us for the purpose of a business.

8. The advertiser must tell us as soon as possible if there is an error or omission in any advertisement the advertiser has placed. We will not be liable for any indirect or consequential loss from an error (which includes ommission, negligence, system or press failure, mistake, misclassification, early, late or non insertion of advertisement or loss or delay in the delivery of replies) and if we are found to have any direct liability for any circumstance that liability is limited to the cost of the space of the advertisement.

9. To cancel an advertisement a cancellation number must be obtained from us. Times Newspaper Limited, 10 Central Terrace, Howick (behind Rice’s Mall) www.times.co.nz

Howick Pakuranga Cricket out for 2022

By BEN PLUMMER

The final week of club cricket for 2022 is in the books and a rainy day has summed up the first part of the season for the Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club (HPCC).

In a common occurrence on the weekend, the HPCC premier men were able to get underway before rain took over shortly after.

HPCC were able to prove their dominance once again, managing 130 for the loss of only two wickets.

Once again, Liam Winn (42 not out off 64 balls) and Bill Walsh (32 off 57 balls) starred.

Mid-week rain also forced round four of the T20 premier men competition to be abandoned with not a single ball bowled.

A bye-week for the HPCC premier women due to domestic cricket couldn’t keep the usual suspects out of action.

The Manukau Districts U17 girls featured in a tournament last week which saw HPCC premier woman star Ayaan Lambat continue her string of impressive performances.

Lambat picked up a spectacular six wickets for only six runs off 3.4 overs against the Tuaraki/ Waitemata combined U17 girls’ team.

The Manukau side finished in fifth place, despite defeating the tournament champions in a round robin game.

Although rain has plagued the first half of the 2022/23 Auckland cricket season, Howick Pakuranga has proved to be a strong club across all sides and formats.

The HPCC premier women have had some impressive victories, notably their dominant 129-run obliteration against Auckland University.

Notable performances thus far have included an unbeaten Brooke Halliday 108 off 81 balls against Auckland University and youngster Neena Wollaston being named the top wicket-taker at the Under 19 girls’ representative tournament

Eight HPCC premier women were selected for domestic cricket sides – Holly Topp, Marama Downes and Brooke Halliday for Northern Districts and Saachi Shahri, Josie Penfold, Molly Penfold, Skye Bowden and Amberly Parr for Auckland.

The HPCC men’s premier team retained the Hellaby-Hunt Cup in their dominant victory against rivals Papatoetoe in round 1 of the T20 competition on December 7.

The cup recognises legends from each club, Tom Hellaby

(Papatoetoe) and Alan Hunt (HPCC), and celebrates the history between the two clubs.

Howick Pakuranga Cricket has seen a considerable growth in players, including 40 per cent more in the under 6-9 grades compared to 2021.

Not to mention that after two seasons of Covid interruptions, club membership numbers are now the highest they have been for many years. And now cricket will take a break until the new year.

The HPCC premier men will resume their T20 competition on January 7, when they play two matches against Eden Roskill and Parnell cricket club respectively and a third T20 against Auckland University on January 11.

Additionally, the premier men’s Jeff Crowe Cup limited overs competition resumes on January 14 when HPCC faces Suburbs New Lynn.

The HPCC premier women also resume their cricket on January 7 with the commencement of the Pearl Dawson Trophy T20 competition.

The Llamas come up against Auckland University and Papatoetoe to begin their stretch of four double header weeks. h See times.co.nz for results

h Story continued from page 16 Gabby has since taken on wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis. A year ago she found her ultimate passion in wheelchair racing for North Harbour Bay Athletics.

Aspiring to be a Silver Fern netballer, Gabby was heartbroken when she found out that she would never play again, which is when she decided to train as an umpire.

She is believed to be New Zealand’s first – and possibly, worldwide – wheelchair umpire. “When I first got in a wheelchair, I was very disappointed that I couldn’t play netball again but I turned that around into ways that I could still involve myself and that was through umpiring,” Gabby says.

Wright competed for Pakuranga College for the last time on December 12 weekend, where she set some blistering personal bests, knocking 14 seconds off her 800m time and 10 seconds off her 400m event.

She also took away three bronze medals and a silver.

“I’ve really enjoyed doing athletics and it has been a real honour competing for and representing Pakuranga College”

Gabby has a busy sporting schedule in 2023, travelling to Australia in January for the Wheelchair racing competition before competing again in Australia for the national competition.

“My overall goal is to ulti-

LIVE LOCAL, WORK LOCAL

Venluree is NZ’s leading blind manufacturer and in the past 6 years we have expanded into the curtain industry. Due to the success of this venture and the ongoing demand we are looking for an experienced sewing machinist.

Our manufacturing facility is located in the Highbrook Industrial area of East Tamaki Auckland. All machinery, tools, and material will be supplied.

Pakuranga Park, is an evolving and growing village. With the village undergoing an extensive regeneration and our new Ruru apartments selling fast, we are looking to expand our team. We are currently looking for the following positions, Gardener, Caregivers, Registered Nurse and Maintenance Hand.

If you are interested in joining our team please email ursula.glynos@realliving.co.nz with your CV

mately get to the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028,” Gabby says.

Gabby was a recipient of the ‘find your greatness’ scholarship at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), which recognises a student’s academic achievement and contribution to a school and community.

On top of her sporting commitments, Gabby will be studying architecture in 2023 with the hope of making the world more accommodating to those with disabilities.

“Part of the reason that I wanted to go into architecture is because I think that accessibility is a real issue so I want to bring a new concept and idea to the table which hasn’t been thought of before,” she says.

Despite setbacks and adversity, Gabby upholds a cheery outlook on life.

“I’ve always said that in every situation there’s always a positive and you just have to find them,” she says.

SITUATIONS VACANT

the Centre and to making a contribution to a thriving community would be valued, as well as financial experience in the corporate or not-for-profit sectors. For further information please contact: Vickie Bowers, Centre Director director@uxbridge.org.nz

To be considered for the role you must have the following attributes:

Able to work at speed while maintaining excellent quality and workmanship • Keen to learn as we will show you all duties within the department

Applicants for this position should be entitled to work in NZ.

If this sounds like you then please apply in the strictest of confidence by sending an up to date CV to: tarsis@venluree.co.nz

Text or WhatsApp to 021 222 8847

Homestay Coordinator / Groups Administrator

We are looking for a Homestay Coordinator / Groups Administrator to join our International Students Department. This important role will include: ensuring a safe physical and emotional environment is provided for all international students, coordinating all homestay placements, providing administration assistance for short term group students, being the 24 hour emergency contact during some weeks of the term.

This position would suit someone who is a team player with a positive approach and a can-do attitude and is willing to learn. The position will be 20 hours per week. Term time only. Starting 23 January 2023.

Please send a cover letter, your CV and completed staff application form (available on the Howick College website) to jennifer.roshan@howick.school.nz Applications close on Friday, 30 December 2022 at 3pm DE285674

FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR

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Applications close Wednesday 21 December 2022. PJ285736

Gabby competes strongly in the T54 category, which contains track and field events. Photo supplied

Wright wins honours at awards

By BEN PLUMMER

Adding to an already impressive sporting career, Pakuranga College student Gabby Wright has been named runner-up of the athlete with a disability category at the 2022 College Sports Awards.

Gabby competes strongly in the T54 category, which consists of track and field events, her favourite being 400m and 800m races.

The year 13 student was named winner of the category last year but says that she is just happy to be recognised.

“I wasn’t going into this year expecting to win, so when I was named runner-up I was really happy,” Gabby says.

Gabby was just 12-yearsold when she contracted a cold. When her immune system overreacted, it caused

an inflammation of her spinal cord leading to a disorder called Transverse Myelitis (TM). The condition led to her being paralysed from the waist down.



COLLEGE

BDSC ATHLETES FINISHING YEAR STRONGER THAN EVER

By BEN PLUMMER

Botany Downs Secondary College (BDSC) athletes had an outstanding weekend at the New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) national touch and athletics championships from December 9-11.

BDSC’s premier mixed touch team had their most successful result yet at the NZSS national touch championships in Rotorua.

The team won all eight of their round robin games which saw them progress into the top four playoffs.

BDSC faced Christchurch school St Andrew’s College in the semi-final where they prevailed 9-6 to make the final of the tournament.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be, falling short of first place after a loss to another Christchurch school in Rolleston College 8-6.

BDSC led for most of the match with some great tries by Jo-Andrew Taramai-Remo and Kiritea Te Reo after an amazing step by Dylan Reuben-Menzies.

Despite disappointment for falling short of the gold medal, BDSC can be proud of their silver medal achievement from a young team full of potential for the future.

Year 13 student Bailee McDowall

was named Mixed Female MVP of the tournament.

It was also a successful week for BDSC athletes at the NZSS athletics championships in Palmerston North, coming away with a haul of medals.

Douw Bates won the school’s only gold medal over the weekend, being crowned champion of the senior boy’s javelin event.

Ben Blundell and Noah Retford also had successful weekends, being awarded both a silver and bronze medal each.

Blundell was awarded Silver in the

junior boys’ long jump and a bronze in the junior boys’ high jump.

Retford took silver in the junior boys’ 100 metre hurdles and bronze in the junior boys’ 300 metre hurdles.

Great performances from Aidan Platts, Evie MacLennan, Savannah Atoaga and Blake Platts too, despite horrendous weather conditions.

Despite horrendous weather conditions, all other BDSC athletes who travelled to Palmerston North; Aidan Platts, Evie MacLennan, Savannah Atoaga and Blake Platts performed well.

Story continues page 15

& Alignments

Howick Tyres & Alignments

Botany Downs Secondary College’s premier mixed touch team had their most successful result to date at the NZSS national touch championship. Photo supplied

Pakuranga College leaver, Gabby Wright has been named runnerup of the athlete with a disability category at the 2022 College Sports Awards. Photo supplied