Wairarapa Midweek Wed 30th Nov

Erin Kavanagh-Hall erin.kavanagh-hall@age.co.nz

A Wairarapa stylist has beaten out some of her “hair heroes” to claim a top prize at one of Australia’s most prestigious hairdressing competitions.

Leah Tafa, manager at Vivo Hair Salon in Masterton, received the title of Transformation Stylist of the Year at the 2022 Australian Hair Fashion Awards [AHFA] – open to “the best of Australian and New Zealand talent” in the hairdressing industry.

entrants required to submit a video of “an effective hair transformation” – using their competencies to produce a metamorphic experience for their client.

Tafa’s video entry, in which her client received an edgy shag cut in vivid coral pink, clearly demonstrated her skill with a pair of scissors and a tinting brush – and earned her high praise from the international judging panel.

The awards, presented at a blacktie event in Melbourne last month, recognise achievement in a variety of hairdressing disciplines: Commercial, artistic, editorial, men’s styling, and hair and beauty education.

The Transformation Stylist category recognises innovation and creativity in hairdressing, with

Leah’s a cut above the rest

Though she has been a hairdresser for over a decade, the AHFA is the first competition Tafa has entered – deciding to “give it a go” after being encouraged by a former manager.

In fact, the flamehaired mum-of-two almost missed the deadline to submit her application, having caught covid the week before.

Continued on Page 4

Masterton’s Leah Tafa received the award for Transformation Stylist of the Year at the 2022 Australian Hair Fashion Awards.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Awards for uplifting Wairarapa

ERIN KAVANAGH-HALL erin.kavanagh-hall@age.co.nz

A colourful artwork at the site of a devastating fire and a rōpū [group] dedicated to regenerating Wairarapa’s waterways have received national recognition for helping uplift and revitalise their communities.

Carterton’s firesite mural and Featherston-based community organisation Pae tū Mōkai o Tauira [PtMoT] were honoured at this year’s Kūmara Awards – organised by Placemaking Aotearoa.

The Kūmara Awards, presented throughout Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury, recognise groups who have transformed public spaces within their hometowns, connecting communities in the process.

The Carterton mural team received the It Takes a Village Award –recognising the group’s banding together “to create something beautiful in the place of disaster”.

The mural, the handiwork of Lower Huttbased artists Pip&Zoë Paint and supported by Carterton District Council, Ka Pai Carterton, and local businesses, was painted on the side of the building damaged in last year’s

suspicious High St fire. PtMoT was honoured in the Looking Back To Move Forward category for its initiatives to nurture the Wairarapa Moana –including native plantings and establishing a nursery for native seedlings.

Each of the groups received their awards in their home communities, surprised by a member of the Placemaking Aotearoa team.

Cimone Grayson, Ka Pai Carterton community facilitator, joked the group was assembled by Placemaking Aotearoa “under false pretences”, originally told it was going to be interviewed about its Kūmara Award nomination.

She said the team was “so chuffed” with their win – and having Carterton’s mahi and community spirit recognised nationally was “really satisfying”.

“Our community knows that Carterton people will always jump in, put their shoulder to the wheel, and lend a hand,” Grayson said.

“People are still coming up to us, saying how fabulous the mural looks and that it’s gone a long way towards brightening up our town.

“It was so sad for Carterton when the fire took hold. So people are grateful to see something so colourful and vibrant –it’s been really uplifting.”

The project was coordinated by former

FLYNN NICHOLLS ° ynn.nicholls@age.co.nz

Eketāhuna School’s Eketāhuna Enquirer has won first place and a $1500 prize at the fifth annual Times-Age School Newspaper Competition.

Eight schools throughout the Wairarapa region entered this year’s competition, with Eketāhuna School emerging victorious for the second year in a row.

Times-Age publisher Andrew Denholm said the competition was designed to encourage literacy skills and promote news media

in schools.

“We’ve had high-quality submissions this year. It’s always great to see the next generation of young people engage with journalism and produce a unique newspaper.”

Times-Age news director Roger Parker was impressed by the papers produced by all entrants.

He said this year saw an improvement in quality from a design and layout standpoint – and the Enquirer stood out as “the whole package”.

“Eketāhuna School is setting the bar for design. We saw ideas we might like to use in our paper.”

Librarian and teacher Ali Mackisack facilitated the production of the two newspapers Eketāhuna School entered into the competition – the Enquirer and the

Vergunst engaged artists

Keel and Zoë Gillett,

warmly embraced by locals.

“Almost every day, people would come and bring us snacks, homebaked bread, and cups of coffee,” Gillett said.

“It was lovely – we felt right at home.”

She said the community’s reaction to the mural, inspired by the Carterton district’s iconic daffodils,

was “amazing”.

“The community notice boards online were going off – so many people sharing pictures and posting about how much they loved the mural. It was a real warm and fuzzy moment.”

PtMoT was founded by Featherston locals Riki Hiemer, Narida Hooper and Karen Mikaera, aiming to revitalise the Wairarapa Moana and empower future generations to step forward as kaitiaki [guardians] of the natural world.

Major projects have included establishing a native plant nursery in support of moana restoration, and planting a large area with toetoe, flax and other natives on a “hügelkultur” [no dig] garden bed at Featherston’s Lake Domain.

The bed was formed by burying old wood and compost, and plant growth on the site has been fundamental in just two years.

A spokesperson for the rōpū said it was “deeply committed to building kaitiakitanga of te taiao [the environment] in South Wairarapa, and to creating more ways for local people to help restore te taiao for the benefit of the whole community”.

Eketāhuna Ora.

“We got a group of kids interested in writing, brainstormed story ideas, chose an idea, broke it down into steps, and wrote it up,” she said.

“They needed to ask each other what information to include and how they wanted the paper to look. It was valuable learning.”

Carterton deputy mayor Rebecca Vergunst, after being approached by property owner Kevin Topham about having a mural painted on the side of his building.

Pip

who spent four weeks in Carterton working on their piece – where they were

The Piwakawaka Post

by Carterton School placed second while Masterton Voice by Masterton Primary School came in third, winning $1000 and $500 cash prizes.

The Carterton ÿ resite mural team – Lucy McKenzie [left], Becks Clarke, Cimone Grayson and Rebecca Vergunst – are surprised with their K°mara Award from Placemaking Aotearoa.

PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

The young journalists of Eket˜huna School – winners of the Times-Age School Newspaper Competition for their newspaper the Eket˜huna Enquirer PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Karen Mikaera [left], Riki Hiemer and Narida Hooper of Pae t° M˛kai o Tauira at their planting site at the Wairarapa Moana.

Entry beats social media heroes

Once she did apply, Tafa was thrilled to be among the Top 10 finalists in her category and to share the spotlight with some heavy hitters in the industry –including her “hair hero”, Sydney-based business owner and social media influencer Sarah Emilia.

Competing against veteran stylists from much larger establishments, Tafa confessed she “wasn’t expecting to win anything at all”.

“I was up against some huge names: People with their own salons, their own hair care brands, and 50,000 plus Instagram followers. There were stylists there who work for Vogue in Italy – it was hardcore.

“I was just there to enjoy myself and represent Vivo. So, when they called my name, I was like, ‘sorry, what?!’ I thought it was a joke.

“I didn’t have an acceptance speech prepared. They asked me

to say something, and the first words I managed were, ‘well, s***’.

“It was such a shock, but such a buzz. It goes to show what can happen when you put yourself out there — you gotta be in it

to win it.”

Tafa spent most of her youth in Masterton and boarded at St Matthew’s Collegiate — where she was better known for her creativity than her academic prowess.

Garden links mural with streets and sky

Masterton Trust Lands Trust has dedicated a green space to enhance its recently commissioned mural on Lincoln Rd.

Trust chair Christine Brewster said the new garden was part of the organisation’s goal “to beautify the pocket of Trust-owned land” in central Masterton – and complement the mural, painted by Auckland-based artist FLOX last month.

The trust engaged Masterton landscape designer Rachel Callaghan to create a concept for a green space for locals and visitors to retreat to and enjoy the mural.

Plantings in the garden are mainly natives, chosen for form and texture and to reflect Wairarapa flora.

“Lancewoods around the

outskirts of the garden add a vertical accent without blocking views into and out of the site,” Callaghan said.

Several large river boulders have been incorporated to represent Wairarapa’s waterways, with the green plantings reflecting hill country and forest. The lawn reflects the Wairarapa plains while the birds in FLOX’s mural link to the sky.

Colourfully painted bench seats will be dotted throughout to echo the mural colours.

On one of the boulders, visitors may notice a plaque acknowledging the bequest that helped make FLOX’s mural possible.

“We wanted to honour the legacy of school teacher Ethel Irene Stephens – a

patron of the arts who left a legacy to the trust to further arts and culture in Masterton,” Brewster said.

“It is the trust’s vision that locals and visitors will be able to delight in the mural for many years, and now, with the garden alongside, will be able to rest in the shade of a new garden that will flourish over time and remain a space for all to enjoy.”

The garden serves as a pedestrian link between Lincoln Rd and Chapel St, and the new design invites passersby to wander into the space via a wide meandering path.

Brewster said the trust recognises that providing green spaces in Masterton, such as Millennium Reserve, and the new mural garden can help

“I definitely didn’t excel at Maths and English!” she laughed.

“After school, I did a bit of travelling and spent some time in the UK. While I was there, I got the most amazing cut and colour – the way they blow-dried my hair was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.

“I thought, ‘I want to do that’.”

On returning to New Zealand, Tafa studied towards a hairdressing qualification at WelTec, followed by a four-year apprenticeship at Rodney Wayne – which she described as “blood, sweat and tears”.

“It’s not all glitz and glamour – you have to start right at the bottom.

“It’s hard work: You’re on your feet all day, your hands get cracked open from all the shampooing, you’re working right up in people’s personal space –so you need good people skills.

“There were 32 in my class at WelTec, and I

think there’s only two of us still hairdressing. You have to be passionate if you want to go the distance.”

Tafa has worked with the Vivo franchise for the last six years, starting out on Featherston St in Wellington, then moving to Lower Hutt.

She has been working at Vivo’s Queen St branch since April, after she and her husband, with their two small sons, moved back to Masterton to be close to family.

She said she enjoys the consistency the larger chains like Vivo — which has 90 salons throughout the country — can offer.

“There are lots of misconceptions about the big salons — but you get looked after really well, there are some great training opportunities, and you know you’re always going to be busy.”

Tafa said attending the AHFA gala was an “amazing” if slightly intimidating experience – especially as one of the sole provincial nominees

in an arena of big city stylists.

“When I said I was from Masterton, so many people were like, ‘oh, where’s that?’ It was a bit overwhelming, but it does show those of us from small towns can go up against all the fancy salons and make a big impression.

“It was awesome getting to meet some of the people I’ve admired on social media for a long time – the ones that have built their brands from scratch.”

Inspired by her AHFA experience, Tafa is working on building her social media presence, via her Instagram page hairbyleah_vivosalon.

In the meantime, her greatest passion is being able to create transformative experiences for her clients in Masterton.

“The job satisfaction in hairdressing is huge – each day I get to create a new piece of art, and see it through to the end.”

offset the environmental impacts of developing commercial buildings.

FLOX’s mural is one of several new murals commissioned by the trust

– the handiwork of artists from throughout the motu [country], including Sean Duffell, Lotte Hawley, and duo Pip&ZoePaint.

Her work is a homage to

Mt Bruce’s Pūkaha Wildlife Centre, with the images of the huia and North Island kōkako representing the taonga of the past and present.

Andrew Croskery, Masterton Trust Lands Trust general manager and Christine Brewster, trust chair, in the new mural garden on Lincoln Rd.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Leah Tafa works on her award-winning entry PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Big crowds kick o˜ festive season

MARY ARGUE mary.argue@age.co.nz

Thousands thronged the streets last weekend, marking the beginning of the silly season with two of the region’s major calendar events.

The weather gods delivered a stunning day for the annual Carterton Rotary Christmas Parade and the year’s second Martinborough Fair on Saturday.

The half-hour parade saw hundreds lining Carterton’s High St, and flooding Carrington Park in the early afternoon.

Parade coordinator Rodney O’Leary said it was “wonderful” to see the 21st Christmas Parade return after covid put paid to last year’s event.

“It was fabulous. Heck yes, the community really came out and enjoyed it.”

O’Leary said without the big sponsors, the parade would not be possible – but it was the small Carterton businesses that had made the difference this year.

“They all put their hands in their pockets and really supported it.

“Despite dealing with two difficult years, they really got behind us. I was so impressed with that.”

He said it was thanks

to parade organisers and community stalwarts Pam Robinson and Coral Aitchison that the parade went off without a hitch, and hoped to see it return next year.

Christmas was also in

the air in South Wairarapa at the Martinborough Fair.

Fair organisers Vivienne O’Reilly and Paul Mason estimated about 20,000 people descended on the Town Square and surrounding streets.

“The weather was

beautiful, and we have sold the most individual stalls ever, about 540.”

The fair, which has run for 37 years, traditionally takes place on the first Saturday in February and March.

However, this year saw

the event delayed multiple times due to covid.

Mason said running the first fair under covid restrictions at the end of April had delivered some silver linings.

“We changed the layout of the central stall area for

distancing, and ended up with heaps of gaps. But it worked really well, so we have done the same again.”

The day was not without drama, however, with the volunteer Martinborough Fire Brigade assisting South Wairarapa Rotary with multiple medical incidents.

Chief fire officer Jake Hawkins said despite responding to four medical events at the fair, it was still not as busy as April’s event.

“We got hit hard then.”

He said the events were relatively minor but confirmed Wellington Free Ambulance transported two people to hospital.

As Wairarapa continues to develop, it’s important to protect the things we value.

A District Plan has an impact on almost everything you do across our district, and how you do it. It sets out what activities you can do and what you will need a resource consent for. It controls any adverse effects your activity could have on neighbours and vice versa.

The District Plan also protects the uniqueness of our district, by looking after our cultural and historic heritage, our natural environment and indigenous biodiversity. And it gives effect to Government policies such as managing urban development, protecting productive land, providing affordable housing, safeguarding our freshwater sources and helping communities plan for natural hazards and climate change.

Under the Resource Management Act, Councils are required to review their District Plan every 10 years to ensure it is still fit for purpose. It’s time to revisit people’s needs and expectations and ensure they fit with the direction for our district’s development. The review will also incorporate any recent changes in legislation, national and regional policy statements, environmental standards and other regulations.

Topics of interest

Shoppers check out the stalls at the Martinborough Fair.

PHOTO/ROBERT MACDONNELL

The Fern and Thistle Pipe Band performs for the crowd –and Mrs Claus.

PHOTO/ROBERT MACDONNELL

South End School pupils and sta˜ in their Christmas ÿ nery.

PHOTO/MARY ARGUE

In Carterton, Santa drives an old-time tractor.

PHOTO/MARY ARGUE

Tranzit’s top prize for zero emissions bus plan

A commitment to decarbonising its bus fleet has earned Masterton’s Tranzit Group one of the top prizes at the Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards.

The family owned transport and tourism company received the Environmental Excellence Award at the Lower Hutt Events Centre – commended for its industry-leading initiatives and investment in electric buses and supporting infrastructure.

Accepting the award on behalf of Tranzit Group, project manager James Howard told the audience that the most pressing issue facing the transport industry was the decarbonisation of its fleet. This follows the government’s Emissions Reduction Plan: Which requires only zeroemission public transport buses to be purchased from 2025 and the decarbonisation of New Zealand’s entire public transport fleet by 2035.

“In the cities we operate in, we want to ensure people can travel on clean, quiet and zero emissions buses. So we are investing heavily in electric buses and electric bus charging infrastructure to support our journey,” Howard said.

“I want to thank EECA [Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority]

for co-funding some of our projects, our company directors for having such great foresight to begin this decarbonisation journey seven years ago, and our team for making it happen.”

Tranzit operates 32 electric buses: 30 double-deck e-buses [EVDD] in Wellington and one single-deck in both Auckland and Palmerston North. Tranzit will introduce more EVDDs into Wellington and another single-deck e-bus into regional New Zealand in 2023.

The EVDDs are built in Tauranga at Kiwi Bus Builders, using parts sourced from around the world.

To support its growing electric bus fleet, Tranzit has invested in and built significant charging

infrastructure. This currently stands at a total of 2,820kW –enough to power 3,400 homes – and is the largest privately owned charging network in New Zealand.

Last year, the company came up with an alternative solution to decarbonising bus fleets by successfully converting a diesel double-deck bus to 100 per cent electric – in a Southern Hemisphere first innovation. This conversion took place in Tranzit’s Masterton workshop and trials undertaken this year in Wellington and in Auckland proved its operational and financial viability.

Tranzit is proposing to convert more of its diesel buses to electric to help meet New Zealand’s public transport decarbonisation goals.

government’s

“No single organisation can work in isolation to achieve our collective commitment,” he said.

“Tranzit is actively working to bring together these organisations to plan the most effective way to transition our national fleet of diesel buses to zero emissions.”

Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards were organised by the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Keven Snelgrove, Tranzit’s director of transport and operations, said meeting the

commitments and priorities outlined will take “coordinated and considered action” across a range of government ministries, regional authorities and transport companies.

Members of Tranzit Group’s team represented the company at the Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards – where it received the Environmental Excellence Award. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A MILESTONE WORTHY OF CELEBRATING

One of the region’s most recognised organisations will mark 75-years this weekend with a celebration that the whole community can enjoy.

For all of Saturday and Sunday Trust House Limited will be picking up the tab on entry to the Trust House Recreation Centre, the miniature train and paddle boats in Queen Elizabeth Park in the centre of Masterton.

The free-for-all will make for a bumper weekend in Queen Elizabeth Park which also sees the Summer Hummer concert returning to Masterton from Saturday at 2pm.

“Seventy-five years in business is a long time, and we think that our community is richer for having this organisation,” says Charles Kaka, Trust House Chief Executive.

“We think that it is appropriate that we celebrate this achievement with our community and customers, and our staff, trustees and directors.”

Part of the weekend celebrations will include a gathering for all past and current trustees.

HISTORY

Trust House can trace its origins back to 1947 with the establishment of the Masterton Licensing Trust, now known as the Masterton Community Trust.

Masterton Community Trust (MCT) is the major shareholder of Trust House Limited and governs the wider Trust House group. Trust House Ltd was formed in 1998 as a management company to best coordinate and operate the MCT’s diverse business interests. This includes multi-segment bars, a large hotel (Copthorne Solway Park in Masterton) and a boutique hydro-electric scheme.

Trust House is also the largest community housing provider in Wairarapa and Tararua with 483 rental properties, plus an additional 19 papakāinga homes that it manages. The organisation employs 180 staff.

STILL EVOLVING

While the foundation of Licensing Trusts is in the sale of alcohol, Trust House has been at the forefront of change. Unlike other Licensing Trusts throughout the country, Trust House is the only one with rental housing accommodation, and the only one with a hydro dam.

The organisation continues to evolve, and is the sole provider in the Wairarapa of the Ministry of Education

Healthy Lunches in Schools Programme (Ka Ora, Ka Ako), preparing and delivering 3300 lunches per day to 17 schools.

PROGRESSIVE

Half of the six-member board of directors are women, including the chair Mena Antonio. Furthermore, Ms Antonio is Pasifika, and chief executive Charles Kaka is Māori, making this the most diverse board in its history.

When elected as chair earlier this year, Ms Antonio noted: “I think it represents a cultural shift within the organisation that has been underway for several years,” Ms Antonio says.

A notable development in 2021-22 was a refreshment of the company’s vision and purpose statements, values, and strategic imperatives. This included the adoption of Sir Mason Durie’s

GRANTS & SPONSORSHIPS

Through the Trust House Foundation the organisation plays an integral part in supporting hundreds of organisations across the company’s footprint through its grant process.

In the 2021/22 financial year, grants, charitable donations and sponsorship stood at $4.5 million. According to feedback received from many recipients, they would struggle to exist without the support that Trust House provides, particularly during difficult times.

Te Whare Tapa Whā model as a framework for promoting the re-worked strategy.

Sir Mason’s Te Whare Tapa Whā mod el refers to a wharenui (or meeting house) to illustrate the four dimensions of wellbeing: taha tinana (physical health), taha hinengaro (mind), taha whānau (family) and taha wairua (the spiritual dimension). With four walls, the wharenui is a symbol of these four dimensions.

Masterton Foodbank chair Steve Sale says ongoing funding support from Trust House is vital for the organisation to continue providing its much needed services.

In sport and recreation, Trust House’s significant backing of big ticket items such as the Colombo Road Netball Complex and artificial turf at Memorial Park have been huge windfalls for the community and the various codes that use these facilities.

MASTERTON COMMUNITY TRUST - FRONT ROW MENA ANTONIO, KARL TAUCHER, BEX JOHNSTON. BACK: LEANNE SOUTHY, DON BASKERVILLE, LUCY GRIFFITHS.

“The re-alignment of our strategic drivers will further advance the overall performance of our company by acknowledging that if we deeply care and look a er our “people”then they will look a er our businesses,” says Charles Kaka.

Sharing kai from crayfish to duck

A love of family recipes and sharing home-cooked kai has inspired a new fundraising project for Wainuioru School.

Six “farming mums” and Wainuioru School parents have teamed up to create Share – a coffee table-style cookbook of “tried and tested” recipes sourced from the wider Wainuioru community.

The parents, members of the Wainuioru School and Community Association [WSCA], spent nine months compiling the book: Featuring everything from chocolate pretzels, to “beautiful big salads”, to cocktails, to tips on cooking paua and locally caught venison.

WSCA chair Bec Trafford said the community came out in force to share its signature recipes and “culinary stories and secrets” – including families who had been in the area for generations, and local institutions Brancepeth House and Te Parae Homestead.

Proceeds from Share, printed by Greenlees Print and launched last week at Paper Plus in Masterton, will go towards the school – “to fund all the extras required to educate the local children”.

Trafford said covid-19 restrictions had shelved the school’s usual fundraiser events, such as garden tours and trail bike rides – so the WSCA needed to come up with a project that couldn’t be cancelled at the last minute “by forces out of [their] control”.

“We hadn’t been able to do what we normally do, and the money was dwindling,” she said.

“The concept of a local cookbook was an effort that did not rely on social gatherings, but that would still engineer authentic

family and community experiences through the sharing of food.

“The end result is not your average wee spiralbound country edition. It’s a beautiful book, with 230 pages of tried and tested treasures from the Wainuioru area, with a truly local flavour and feel.”

Trafford said Share comprises a wide variety of “family favourites”, with highlights including the Pudding, Bring a Plate, and Hunter Gatherer sections [featuring cray pops and instructions on

how to shuck paua], and a recipe for “the famous Motukai Martini”.

“It was really important to us that the book reflected the people of the area and their special stories and character.

“For example, we have husbands that are farmers and often have freezers full of venison and duck, so we wanted to cater to that.

“Between the six of us, we would get together and have a big lunch, and sample all the food –including these beautiful big salads using produce from people’s veggie

gardens.

“All the recipes use simple ingredients –everything you would find in your cupboard.”

Trafford said compiling the book was “a real journey” – including “a lot of late-night Google Doc sessions”.

“We’ve been going hard since February. A big shout-out to our husbands and families who supported us while we’ve been doing this.

“It’s been a mammoth job, but it’s now my go-to recipe book!”

The WSCA also thanked

school”.

• Share: Treasured Recipes from Wainuioru is available for $49.99 at Paper Plus and Hedley’s Booksellers in Masterton. To order a copy from the Wainuioru School and Community Association, email wscacookbook@gmail. com

editor and designer Marg Patete – who “really pushed us to achieve a high-quality result, and was able to make the book authentic to the

Mary

The Wainuioru School cookbook committee at the book launch at Paper Plus: Kate Tosswill [left], Bec Tra˜ ord, Caroline Wallace, Joan Kjestrup, and Mel Johns. PHOTO/ MARY ARGUE

If you get a bit sick of eating potatoes then why not swap a few meals for delicious kumara instead.

Kumara are a good source of Vitamin C, Niacin, Potassium and contain Vitamins A, E, B6, Calcium, Zinc & Folate, chocka with goodness!

Kumara can take around 5 months to get to harvest so don’t leave planting yours any longer.

Here’s a few growing tips:

Find a spot with lots of room that gets lots of sun 

Soil should be loose & free draining so boost boost with compost, ican Real Blood & Bone & ican Organic Vegetable Food 

Kumara need a hard pan to hit so bury something like a board or corrugated iron about a foot under the ground. This will stop them burrowing down endlessly, resulting in lots of tops but no sweet potatoes!

Bury the tubers about a finger deep, softly bending the roots into a ‘J’ shape to encourage growth in a sideways direction. Space plants approx. 30cm apart.  Regularly water after planting and in the dry season and feed regular with ican Organic Vegetable Food

Lift the foliage to increase tuber growth and to discourage foliage taking root

or you can come and get some potato pots or bags from us here and fill with Tui Vegetable Mix. As a guide if you were planting in a car tyre this would be enough space for 2-3 tubers.

stress free Christmas shopping come and see the friendly team here at GardenBarn. We have something for everyone, plenty of parking, loads of ideas and we’re open every day until 6pm.

ENDURING POWERS OF ATTORNEY

Personal Care and Welfare

An Enduring Power of Attorney for personal care and welfare can only come into effect if you become mentally incapable.

Mentally incapable means the inability to understand the effect of any decisions which may be made relating to a person’s personal care and welfare. An example of this is where a decision is required for a person with Alzheimer’s disease who needs to be placed in care.

Under an Enduring Power of Attorney for personal care and welfare only an individual person must be appointed. It is common for this person to be a member of the donor’s family.

Property

An Enduring Power of Attorney relating to property contains several features. The person giving the Power of Attorney can choose when the Enduring Power of Attorney comes into effect. The options are:

• immediately the document is signed (if a person wishes someone else to manage his or her affairs from the date of signing);

• at some speci ed time in the future;

• or if the person giving the Power of Attorney becomes mentally incapable (“mentally incapable” in relation to property means that the person giving the Power of Attorney cannot manage his or her property affairs).

In addition an Enduring Power of Attorney relating to property has the following further features:

• The person giving the Power of Attorney can decide whether it covers all of his or her property or just speci c assets,

• The person giving the Power of Attorney can decide whether there are particular conditions he or she would wish to impose upon the use of the Power of Attorney.

• The person giving the Power of Attorney can stipulate whether it is to take effect for a period of time or for the rest of his or her life.

An Enduring Power of Attorney relating to property can be cancelled or changed at any time provided the person giving the Power of Attorney understands what he or she is doing.

If a person becomes sick or is incapacitated as a result of an accident then unless an Enduring Power of Attorney is in place the family and other close relatives cannot make important decisions.

To obtain authority to make such decisions in the case of an accident or illness, it is necessary to make an application to the Court for a manager to be appointed to make decisions on nancial matters and a welfare guardian on personal matters. Such applications can be expensive, stressful and take time.

Any person over 18 or anyone who is married should give serious consideration to making Enduring Powers of Attorney.

An Enduring Power of Attorney operates while the person giving it is alive. This is to be contrasted with a Will which only takes effect upon death.

A Will does not come into effect if a person is mentally incapable. Indeed, in that situation the solicitors acting will not be able to divulge the terms of the Will to family members.

We close for the Christmas/New Year break at 4pm 23 December 2022, re-opening 9 January 2023 at 8.30am. If you have any queries during this time please contact me.

The rst appointment to discuss the above matters, wills & enduring powers of attorneys is free

Freephone: 0800 249 529 Email: simon@thepropertylawyer.co.nz 222 Chapel St, Kuripuni, Masterton | www.thepropertylawyer.co.nz

LETTERS

In defence of a gentle woman

In your editorial on cancel culture [Midweek, November 16], you accuse JK Rowling of using her platform to punch down on communities who have endured decades of systemic violence. This is a violent metaphor to use in reference to a gentle woman.

JK Rowling, one of the most successful writers ever, cannot honestly be described as transphobic, as she has repeatedly said she respects people’s choices to be identified as anything they like. What she has done, with clarity and courage, is state that having your genitals removed and taking a course of hormones does not change you from a man into a woman or vice versa. She says you can’t change

your sex. This is not the same as being transphobic.

This is important because increasing numbers of adolescents and even children have been subjected to treatments that have left them mutilated, on top of the identity confusion that troubled them in the first place. The Tavistock Clinic in London has been compelled to stop this treatment because of the damage it was causing.

This is a highly emotive issue, because people who have taken the step of having their bodies surgically altered have invested a lot of money and psychic energy into creating their transformed identity. And some professionals have done very nicely, financially, out of this practice. They can change people all right –but they can’t change their sex.

William Grant, Masterton

Harry Potter author JK Rowling is now a controversial figure, thanks to her comments about the transgender community.

PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Editor’s note: Kia ora. The trans community has never stated that you can “change your biological sex”. Scientists agree there are distinct differences between sex and gender – there is a wealth of information online, which I encourage you to read. Also, you can be a “gentle woman” and still be capable of punching down. To “punch down” is to attack someone in a less powerful position.

A “gentle” person can hold a position of power – and use that to attack vulnerable communities.

Ngā mihi.

It’s December tomorrow. How did that happen?

If you’ve set one toe inside a retail outlet in the last little while, you’ll know it’s already started: The Attack of the Christmas Playlists. Mariah Carey reminding us on a loop that she doesn’t want a lot for Christmas. Michael Bublé’s attempts to make Jingle Bells sound sexy. Alvin and the Chipmunks begging for a hula hoop.

There’s a reason I leave my Christmas shopping to the last minute – I prefer

commercialism.

Forgive me, Wairarapa. I used to work in retail.

I am, however, not a complete Scrooge. In celebration of the approaching silly season [and to give y’all a break from politics], have some fun facts about Christmas music.

The first Christmas songs in English appeared in a 1426 book called “Caroles of Christmas” – likely sung by groups travelling from house to house, offering a song and mulled exchange for gifts. The Victorian ushered in some best-known Silent Night,

of Bethlehem, and We Three Kings. Having grown up Anglican, I do have a soft spot for the classics: Nothing like some thundering organ music and boy sopranos hitting highs Ariana Grande can only dream of. I’m no longer religious – but there’s something about King’s College choir’s rendition of O Holy Night that brings a lump to the throat.

The Depression era brought in the secular hits – ironically, many of which [Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and White Christmas, for example] were penned by Jewish songwriters. “White Christmas”, made famous by Bing Crosby, remains the best-selling single of all time. It was covered by Elvis in 1957 – which writer Irving Berlin despised, launching a campaign to get the record taken off the airwaves.

Also courting controversy was I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, which was banned across several platforms – and 13-yearold singer Jimmy Boyd had to appeal to the Catholic Church to get the ban lifted. The church, of course, objected to “the link between sex and a religious holiday”.

The 1960s brought one of my least favourites [sorry, kids]: Snoopy’s Christmas by The Royal Guardsmen. Funnily enough, though the song is depressingly popular in New Zealand, it failed to chart anywhere else. Back in 1967, Snoopy’s Christmas was, the most successful single EMI Records New Zealand had produced. Executive Bruce Ward was baffled: “New Zealand has strange taste in music.”

Some of the more cringeinducing numbers arrived in the 1980s, including Do They Know It’s Christmas?, a charity single for famineravaged Ethiopia. Which music journalist Amanda Yeo called “the white saviour complex set to music”. Given Ethiopia is one of the oldest Christian

nations, I’d say they do know it’s Christmas.

There are some gems, however. My favourite has to be Fairytale of New York by The Pogues – which Stuff’s Kelly Bertrand declared to be “The greatest Christmas song of all time”. A drunken, bitter and oddly hopeful love story set to Irish folk – perfection.

Bertrand said it best: “It’s raw and real. Christmas is chaotic, emotions are frayed, and we have to face our true selves and reflect on the year that was. No wonder alcohol sales shoot through the roof.”

If you haven’t guessed, I’m not a Christmas fan. But, for me, the song that best sums up the season is Tim Minchin’s White Wine In The Sun. Like Minchin, I have “all of the usual objections” to consumerism and religious toxicity – but you can’t beat spending time with those who “make you feel safe in this world”. That’s how I plan to spend the holiday.

Happy almost Christmas, Wairarapa. To quote my favourite Christmas song: “I’ve got a feeling this year’s for me and you.”

PHOTO/STOCK.ABOBE.COM

Erin Kavanagh-Hall

The song I want played at my funeral is…

Janine Cardno

Stairway to Heaven [Led Zeppelin].

Dion Tia Haeata

My Way [Frank Sinatra].

Jan Abernethy Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

Karen Roberts

Bat Out of Hell – [Meatloaf.]

Cheryl Cavanagh Southern Cross [Crosby, Stills and Nash.]

CONTACT US

You may share your opinion in print and online. To comment online, message our Facebook page and feel free to comment on any of the stories. Please email letters to midweek@age.co.nz or post to Wairarapa Midweek letters, P.O. Box 445, Masterton. Include name, address, and phone number. Noms de plume are not accepted. Letter writers’ town of origin will be published with the letter. Letters should be no more than 250 words, and may be edited for space and clarity.

MIDWEEK PHOTOS

Have you got a photo you want to share with Wairarapa?

Whether it’s a reader photo, a cutie, or a snap of you with your Midweek, email it to midweek@age.co.nz with ‘Midweek Photo’ in the subject line, and it could be featured in this segment.

fReader Judy, from Clareville, sent in this stunning shot of a recent visitor to her garden. Judy says she has some “beautiful big ˜ ax” at the end of her deck – and tui and bees are “constant visitors” at this time of year when the ˜ ax is ˜ owering.

PHOTO/JUDY CAMERON

Business trophy added to

Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History is thrilled to have won the Harcourts Hamill Realty Innovation Award in this year’s Wairarapa Business Awards, held last week at the Business Wairarapa Awards Garden Party at Rose & Smith, Tauherenikau.

Over 50 businesses were whittled down to create the finalists in October, with Aratoi placed in the Innovation category.

New Aratoi director Sarah McClintock and Becky Bateman were there to receive the award last week.

McClintock has only been in the role two months, so she thanked previous director Susanna Shadbolt and Aratoi staff for all their work over the last six years getting the museum to this point.

“…We are thrilled to win this year’s Harcourts

Hamill Realty Innovation Award,” Sarah says. “The whole team has worked incredibly hard to create an innovative and sustainable museum over the last few years. We love trying out new ideas but understand that keeping in touch with our audience is crucial to our success and to ensure the museum stays accessible for all. We strive to be a positive role model in our community.

“The category finalists were a terrific bunch of businesses, so it must have been a difficult decision for the judges. We are delighted with the award because it shows us that we are on the right track and that people are keen to see the museum change and improve.”

Judges were particularly impressed with Aratoi’s sustainability ethos, its work with the community and with its innovative

programming.

McClintock is excited to keep pushing the boundaries as the 2023 exhibition schedule

Kia ora to brown baby kiwi with white spot

The Pūkaha team was excited to welcome a new manu [bird] into our ngahere [forest] on October 11.

Our first kiwi chick of the 2022 breeding season is MB116. The name of the chick contains the initials of Mount Bruce, where Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is, and a reference to the number of kiwi Pūkaha have hatched in the reserve.

It is too early to tell the sex of a new kiwi chick. Once that is known he or she will be given an appropriate name decided

on by Rangitāne iwi leaders – the name often relates to the kiwi and its personality.

But what we do know is MB116 hatched at a perfect weight of 285 grams and is a North Island Brown kiwi.

Tara Swan, a Pūkaha senior conservation ranger said: “MB116 hatched without any help and was already a little feisty number, very fitting also as the kiwi hatched in ‘Save the Kiwi Week’.”

MB116’s father is Mapuna, a white kiwi who was brother of our late kiwi Manukura. Its mother is the beautiful Manawa. Both parents live in an

outside aviary at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre.

The chick sports a white spot on its forehead. A real homage to the white feathers [a rare genetic trait, leucism] that its world-famous late Aunt Manukura sported.

For one week the new kiwi chick was fed ox heart by members of our conservation rangers team.

Lucky visitors during this time were able to witness this at the noon kiwi talk at Pūkaha.

However, now the chick is eating so well on its own, it no longer needs Pūkaha rangers’ support.

Once MB116 has

promises to be stimulating, varied and thoughtful.

An interactive family exhibition over winter around Matariki, many

new local artist showcases, and the touring Rita Angus exhibition are just a few highlights coming up over the next year.

matured, visitors may be able to see it next in the Pūkaha Nocturnal House.

All kiwi in the kiwi captive breeding programme at Pūkaha and wild in our reserve are

is one of the most common kiwi in Aotearoa. In 2021 their population was expected to be 28,000.

brown kiwi. The North Island Brown

A Pūkaha conservation ranger holds MB116. PHOTO/TARA SWAN

Sarah McClintock, Aratoi director, receives the award for Best Innovative Business at the Wairarapa Business Awards.

PHOTO/ ERIN KAVANAGH-HALL

George Hewitt

Don’t tease the poor phobics

PHOTO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Comment – Pick ‘n Mix

Burnard

Phobias are described as an extreme or irrational fear of something that’s unlikely to cause harm. The word phobia comes from the Greek word phobos which means fear or horror.

We are born with two innate fears. The fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds.

The most common phobia in the world is arachnophobia, which is a fear of spiders. We often laugh at people don’t we, when we hear of their phobias but to them, it is no laughing matter.

I once read of a woman who had been stuck alone in a lift for 14 hours. Being a severe claustrophobic myself, I was nearly sick just thinking about it. Even writing about it makes me feel quite anxious. I can’t sit in a restaurant facing a wall, I have to be facing out. I find it very hard sitting in the middle of a row.

I don’t think I would survive 15 minutes in a stuck lift.

I learnt the hard way some years ago not to make fun of people’s phobias. I was clearing out a room with a woman who had a terrible fear of rats and I casually said in jest, there goes one now. She dropped to the floor like a rock. I thought I had killed her. When she finally gathered herself together, I got a good telling off.

There are some very strange phobias in the world and despite just admitting that I wouldn’t make fun of them, I am struggling not to have a giggle.

Genuphobes have a fear of knees. Their own knees, other peoples knees and even the act of kneeling can cause severe anxiety.

Oikophobes have a fear of home surroundings. Their own and other people’s.

Omphalophobes have a

fear of belly buttons. They are repulsed by seeing them or even thinking about them. (I wonder if “outies” are more frightening than “innies”.) Now this one really intrigues me. Papaphobes have a fear of the Pope. This fear is triggered by a trauma associated with the Pope. I cannot imagine too many people having a traumatic experience with the Pope. Maybe it refers back to medieval times when Popes were known to be brutal and terrifying.

Aracibutyrophobes have a fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of their mouths.

Ergophobes have a fear of work. (Not a good idea to put it on your CV.)

Aibohphobia is the fear of palendromes, which are words that are spelt the same backwards. (Look at the spelling of that phobia. Very cruel!)

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia – is a fear of long words.

But please spare a thought for the poor phobophobes. They have a fear of having a phobia. Poor buggers!

Graeme

Use knowledge wisely, keep those promises

Midweek Musings

Wisdom

Wisdom is something many of us seek, but to be honest, most don’t have a clear definition of what it is. We may have a picture in our minds of what a wise person looks like; perhaps Morpheus or The Oracle in the original

important it is to keep promises [something that is pretty obvious], but it’s something we often fail to do. It’s easy to say we’ll do something well before we need to do it, but don’t follow through when the time comes. It could be as simple as a phone call to

promise was made some time back.

Resilience

I heard a comment today shared by a Japanese monk about resilience. He spoke about how when a predator was put into an environment of baby eels, then more eels would survive. He wasn’t sure if this was strictly true, but

idea and one that I agree with absolutely. Yes, there

paint comes to mind], but ‘threats’ that are also being

We need to face stress, threats and challenges to become stronger and more resilient.

Lifestyle Lifestyle

susceptible to actual risks and challenges. An example of this was shared at a presentation I attended last night when a fabulous ex-head teacher

from an early childhood centre spoke about the wonderful playground equipment that was once in place where she worked 30 years ago, but was

all removed for safety reasons, despite, I am guessing, no one having succumbed to a serious accident. The children who once used the equipment

Midweek newspaper column. The comment was a thank you and encouragement for the positive content of the column. As soon as I read

it I instantly felt good, knowing that people in the community are enjoying and benefitting from my writing.

Tim Nelson

PHOTO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

I don’t really expect feedback for my writing.

I’ve gone months on end submitting my weekly column without getting any feedback whatsoever.

This doesn’t stop me from writing it, as one of the main reasons I do is because having to create a positive post daily encourages me to always be on the lookout for positive ideas to share.

However, just because I don’t expect positive feedback doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it. I loved reading the message I got today, and promised that as long as people keep reading it, I’ll keep writing it. Thank you, Adele.

Make your bed

The idea of starting your day in a positive way by making your bed has become an idea that was popularised by Admiral William H McRaven, who has written a book based on the idea which has influenced so many to follow his advice.

Essentially, if we can start the day with a small win, then we are setting momentum for other wins to happen.

Another perspective is that making our bed is

more than a small win, it’s also a way of growing and strengthening our willpower. There will be numerous times in which we simply can’t be bothered doing it (making the bed), even though it’s a relatively easy thing to do.

However, every time we overcome that resistance we are building that willpower a little more, growing that quality which can then be applied in other areas.

From my own perspective, I am a person who exercises in the morning. To go to the class I attend at F45 Training, I need to be up at 5.15am. Whenever the alarm goes off there is nothing I feel more like doing than hitting the snooze button, but I have grown my morning willpower to the point in which I exercise pretty much every morning, which has such a positive impact on my physical and mental health.

How to develop your willpower

There are three things that we can all do to develop our willpower. With each of the three strategies, the thing about them is that they can be applied by anyone, regardless of their

starting point. The three strategies are:

• Finish what you begin;

• Finish beyond expectations; and

• Do a little bit more than you think you can. Look at each of these in relation to any type of task or job, from classroom teacher to a coffee barister.

From the perspective of the recipient of the three factors you would only be impressed and appreciative of what is provided for you. This will lead to loyalty and the desire to keep getting more of the same, increasing your own worth and value.

Additionally, as your willpower muscle grows, you’ll be able to apply and use it in other ways for more success and personal fulfilment.

Learning from anywhere for anyone I just saw a fabulous TED Talk by a young man from a town in Southern Texas. In the town where he lived there was no one to teach him how to play the viola, an instrument he was passionate about. However, something he did have access to was an Internet connection, which he was able to use to watch YouTube videos that set him on a path to playing

in famous concert venues that would have seemed like a million miles away from his small home town in Texas.

The inspiration of learning the viola taught the young man that anyone could learn from anywhere, provided there were people available who would be prepared to create the content. This has led to him and other masters of their craft creating online lessons in other areas, all of which are available for free for anyone to use.

We often hear about the dangers of the online world, but there’s a whole other side to it. One in which the most disadvantaged communities now have access to content that would once have seemed well beyond reach. Yes, there is still advantage in the world, but for those who really are prepared to make the most of the

resources that are available to them, the world really could open up to a life full of possibility and opportunity.

• Tim Nelson is principal of Lakeview School and author of the book

Small Steps for a happy and purposeful life. He endeavours to learn something new every day by reading books, listening to podcasts, and engaging with a wide range of other content.

There are three things that we can all do to develop our willpower.

PHOTO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Wairarapa farm sales dry as bone

Wairarapa’s farm sale dry spell has continued, with only one farm being sold in the last three months.

Real Estate Institute of New Zealand [REINZ] said one good-sized grazing unit east of Masterton was sold.

The Times-Age reported in September that the region had not recorded a single farm sale for six months.

REINZ said the farm real estate situation in Wairarapa was “anaesthesia-like”.

However, Wairarapa NZR Real Estate director Blair Stevens said there had definitely been farm sales in the six months to September.

“Some may have sold but are subject to due diligence, but we’ve had quite a few [sales].”

REINZ said there were 97 fewer farm sales across the nation for the three months ending in October 2022 than for the three

months ending in October 2021.

“Overall, there were 173 farm sales in the three months ended October 2022, the same number as in September 2022; in the three months ended October 2021 there were 270 farm sales.”

It said 1501 farms were sold in the year to October 2022, 284 fewer than were sold in the year to October 2021, with 7.2 per cent fewer dairy farms, 20.4 per cent fewer dairy support, 16.0 per cent fewer grazing farms, 13.2 per cent fewer finishing farms, and the same number of arable farms sold over the same period.

REINZ rural spokesman Brian Peacocke said the data confirmed a levelling out of farm sales after a massive 53 per cent drop last month.

“Of particular interest currently will be the uptake of rural property during the

month of November, given reports of the high number of farms currently on the market.

“Just what is triggering this large surge of properties for sale is yet to play out, but this fact — combined with the previously referred to 53 per cent reduction in sales last month compared to similar periods over the last two years — indicates some concerning trends in the rural sector.”

Peacocke said tension in the farming ranks was palpable.

“Discontent with central Government policies is intense; frustration regarding inexorable cost increases is a dark cloud, and given the recent profits recently announced by the banking sector followed by spiralling interest rates, accusations of pricegouging by the trading banks are now emerging.”

LAMBERTS ENGINEERING

100 Years of precision engineering by the professionals LAMBERTS ENGINEERING

The Lambert Engineering team in Lincoln Road, Masterton repair and build most things made in metal. The team’s diverse range of skills means they can o˜ er a wide range of engineering services across many areas including agriculture machinery and equipment; logging gear; new trailer builds; driveshaft repairs, remanufacturing and balancing; all types of welding; hydraulic cylinder re-builds, complete engine rebuilds and horse ° oat ÿ touts.

If you have dreamed it up, take the idea along to Lamberts and they will turn it into reality. The workshop is a treasure trove of machinery, from age-old vintage styles, which stand the test of time, to the state-of-the-art lathes and crankshaft grinders.

Solid service and reputation have never wavered at Lamberts. After 96 years it moved out of Lambert family ownership, to John Brogden. John and his team are proud to continue the Lamberts legacy now and into the future.

TOP IMAGE: Lamberts Engineers 1960. From left: Jack Lambert, Robert Allen, Ken Lambert, Arthur Kemp, Robert Lambert junior and Archie Parkes. ABOVE: Lamberts Engineering 2022. From left: John Brogden, Ethan Brogdon, Pete Knowles, and Tom Scott.

LAMBERTS ENGINEERING

The Engineers which make up Lamberts

Engineer and owner of Lamberts, John Brogden, had known and admired the Lambert family for years, utilising their skills and tapping into their engineering knowledge while he was working at several businesses around town.

One day, singing their praises and admiring the workshop full of machines, Robert Lambert quipped “do you want to buy the place?” Along with cousin, Richard, he wanted to retire. Mulling over the chance to own his own business, John returned to say “yes.”

It was perfect timing. John had been hopping between Western Australia and Masterton working as an engineer while wife, Kathy, kept their Masterton lifestyle property and family in shape. Based in Kalgoorlie, his engineering skills took him all over Western Australia and the mining community. He and Kathy have three grown children and once they began to have children, home and grandchildren

became harder for John to leave.

“I

TOM SCOTT

PETE KNOWLES

Pete Knowles (easily mistaken for singer, Willie Nelson) has worked at Lamberts since he left school at the end of 1983. Engineering and practical ability runs in the Knowles family and Pete has spent all his working life at Lamberts, seeing no reason to move on when every day is a new challenge with fresh projects keep coming into the workshop. He loves his work amongst machinery which stands the test of time. The oldest on the

workshop is an American Landis crankshaft grinder which was imported to New Zealand in 1920. It has been in constant use since Lambert’s began in 1922. Pete also enjoys the massive Mitchell Lathe, made in the UK, it was purchased by Lambert’s in 1962 and described by Pete as a “lovely quiet machine.” Pete is renowned for his perfectionist welding and knowledge of driveshaft repairs, as well as specialist tool making.

New to the team is John’s son, Ethan, keen to learn the engineering trade. In his ÿ rst year, he has based himself in the refurbished workshop at the rear of Lamberts and is building trailers to order, amongst other jobs within. “Learning to repair and make things in metal is great,” he enthuses.

ETHAN BROGDEN

FAR

magic

workshop. This Landis crankshaft centre grinder was purchased in the USA by Robert Lambert in 1920.

LEFT: Cowshed in feed system by the team at Lamberts Engineering.

repairs, from heavy duty farm machinery to engine reconditioning. His extensive engineering knowledge and experience was a welcome asset to Lamberts when he joined the Masterton ÿ rm in September 2020. Raised on an Alfredton farm, machinery was second nature and

There, he worked in goldmines out of Kalgoorlie and on cranes near Karratha. The call of home and family has had Tom returning to Wairarapa and he and his partner now have a young daughter.

KAREN VENNI

Karen looks after Lamberts Engineering admin and accounts, under her business Karen Venni Consulting Ltd. She is familiar with the company, also being the Business Manager of D.B. Osborne who have been involved in supporting John and his team. Karen is excited to be part of a company which has such an esteemed and long history in Wairarapa.

LAMBERTS ENGINEERING

Lamberts Engineers Ltd, Masterton – an engineering tradition spanning generations

Robert Lambert was born in the west Yorkshire city of Bradford in 1890. The second child in a family of four, he loved tinkering with machines and working in metal. He followed his father’s footsteps doing an apprenticeship as a Fitter and Turner, Tool Maker, and Mechanical Engineer. He also obtained Blacksmith and Foundry qualiÿ cations and sat his City and Guild Institute Exams in London in May 1912. At age 22, he married Agnes Hardy and two days later 23 August 1912, the newlyweds set sail for New Zealand. They chose Masterton to initially settle in and Robert obtained work on the railways. Their ÿ rst son, John Charles (Jack) was born 30 December 1912. The railways work had them on the move and the young family lived in Te Kuiti, Ohakune, Rongataua, and Dannevirke before returning to Masterton in 1917, which appealed to them from the start. Their house was on the site where Faulknors Service Station now sits beside the Waipoua River. They became an integral part of the community and especially loved involvement in theatrical productions with ‘Amateurs’ – the precursor to Masterton Amateur Theatrical Society (MATS).

After Jack, Robert and Agnes had four more children, Marjorie (1914), Kenneth (1917), Francis (1918), and Constance (1920). Marjorie passed away just two days after her fourth birthday when she caught ° u in the 1918 epidemic. In 1920, the Lambert family were joined from England by Robert’s widowed mother, Emma. His brother, Herbert had arrived in New Zealand in January 1917. Initially helping Robert make tools, he worked at the freezing works before becoming engineer of the Kourarau Dam, east of Carterton. When his wife, Clarissa, died during a return to England, his mother became his housekeeper.

After 10 years in New Zealand, hankering to own his own business, Robert opened ‘R. Lambert Engineer’ in two garages and a lean to behind their house, now at 3 Coradine Street in Masterton. That was Labour Weekend 1922 and a century on, the Lambert name is still emblazoned above the door of the business which moved in 1957 to Lincoln Road and was renamed ‘Lamberts Engineers Ltd.’ Robert’s toolmaking skills were legendary, and he travelled on his motorbike with a wooden toolbox to ÿ x machinery all over Wairarapa. In 1936, Lamberts was the only crankshaft grinder service between Auckland and Christchurch. The business specialised in engine re-conditioning,

During the second world war, the Trentham Military Camp used Lamberts Engineers to make crankshaft repairs to trucks being used in the South Paciÿ c. Ships were brought into Palliser Bay where items needing repair were o˛ oaded and trucked to Masterton. Sons, Jack and Ken were working

alongside their father at this stage.

Both had enlisted but were directed to remain in the workshop, their repair work considered vital to the war e˝ ort.

Jack was a man of many skills. He was a keen deerstalker, rabbiter, ÿ sherman and ÿ lm maker. A familiar sight with his 16mm ÿ lm camera, he ÿ lmed special moments in Wairarapa’s history like the last trains climbing the Rimutaka Incline, he was the o˙ cial recorder of the early Golden Shears Competitions, followed the Queen’s 1952 visit to Masterton and the town’s 1954 centennial celebrations. An active member of St John Ambulance Association in Masterton, he was made an o˙ cer of the order of St John in 1969. As a Masterton Lions Club member and District Governor he helped achieve the building of the Masterton skating rink. Playground equipment for Masterton parks were made in the Lamberts workshop. Motor Neurone disease slowed Jack down, but he simply wore a dustcoat when he couldn’t get his legs into his overalls for the workshop. His wife, Mavis nursed him until he passed away in January 1973.

Ken Lambert continued the business and Jack and Ken’s sons; cousins Robert and Richard joined him and took over when Ken died in 1988. He was also a talented engineer even building himself a three wheeled car in the 1930s. The Lambert family that worked together also played together and the families gathered regularly at a bach at Waikanae Beach, built, by them in the 1930s. Many ÿ shing stories were told. Robert used his foundry skills to fashion pressure cookers frying pans and toastie pie makers which he distributed amongst the family.

In August 2018, a new era began at Lamberts Engineering when Robert and Richard Lambert sold to engineer, John Brogden. Robert passed away in December 2020 while his cousin; Richard lives at Waikanae in the family house.

cylinder repairs, welding and machining, driveshaft repairs and metal spraying. They also created specialised parts not easily available in New Zealand. Robert travelled twice to Reno, USA to the Precision Engineering ÿ rm run by one of his former apprentices, Ernie Berry. He obtained the right to use that company’s logo and purchased specialist machinery which he had shipped to the Masterton workshop.

Many will remember this slide in Masterton’s Queen Elizabeth Park – made by Lamberts in 1960s.

FOOTNOTE: The story of the Lambert family has been compiled by Pat Ross, daughter of Jack and sister to Robert junior. The Wairarapa Archive has her notes and recently she wrote a book for the family. She lives in Masterton and worked at Lamberts for over 20 years running the o˜ ce 1955-1976

Agnes and Robert Lambert.

Jack Lambert (1912 - 1973)

Ken Lambert (1917-1988)

Robert Lambert (1946 -2020)

Richard Lambert (1952)

Where

began in the Coradine Street garages. Harley Loader (left) and Archie Parkes 1940s.

ACROSS:

Aspic,

Converge,

Spade,

Doubt,

Dictate,

Crocodile tears,

Abracadabra,

Aisle,

Gallantry,

Attribute,

Chores, 27

31 Audit, 32 Nauseate, 34 Ringleader, 38 Fritter, 39 Friend, 40 Either, 41 Lift, 42 Poverty, 45 Frustrated, 50 Ditched, 54 Ours, 55 Accrue, 56 Unisex, 57 Glimmer, 60 Gratuities, 61 Friction, 62 Clogs, 65 Column, 66 Grieve, 67 Closeness, 72 Orphanage, 73 Rummy, 74 Precise, 79 Disturbs, 80 Intractable, 81 Grout, 82 Lured, 83 Across the board, 84 Cover.

DOWN: 2 Profit, 3 Debut, 5 Ruby, 6 Chariot, 7 Deadly, 8 Leap, 9 Toreador, 10 Swoons, 11 Advertised, 12 Pure, 13 Creates, 17 Stare, 18 Alleviated, 22 U-boat, 23 Sandwich, 25 Thistle, 26 Cheddar, 28 Quarto, 29 Caress, 30 Agreed, 33 Surer, 35 Rated, 36 Bent, 37 Deft, 42 Prong, 43 Variable, 44 Yachts, 45 Forbearing, 46 Used, 47 Truffle, 48 Acidic, 49 Elect, 51 Idle, 52 Cumulus, 53 Energy, 58 Cummerbund, 59 Coast, 63 Leggings, 64 Angry, 65 Citadel, 68 Lumbago, 69 Phobia, 70 Quiche, 71 Assure, 75 Curio, 76 Tsar, 77 Fret, 78 Slur.

Last week’s crossword solution

Trapping pests and ‘rewilding’ the whole world

to traps used on farms and in back gardens, Goodnature had helped on larger projects across Wairarapa, including working with the Mt Holdsworth Restoration

Shoemack said climate change was beginning to exacerbate the pest problem globally and in our region.

“Our main focus right now is about controlling the rat and mouse population. It’s a huge problem, and it will only grow with climate change.

“Rats and mice are having extra breeding cycles every year, which means the populations are just exploding.”

He said the increased number of pests was an economic problem, a public health problem, and a huge biodiversity

“It’s become a problem that we need to solve.”

Shoemack said it had already been proven that it was possible to completely eradicate pest rodent populations in New Zealand, but even keeping them under control was a “big win environmentally”.

He said Goodnature had worked with the Department of Conservation on Great Island in Fiordland, creating a network of about 400 traps.

“When we started that work there were a lot of pests on the island and very few birds.”

He said it was eerily quiet, but now it’s bustling with birdlife.

In 2021, the TimesAge reported a rodent trapping project across the region, it aimed to improve farmers’ understanding of the link between pests, the environment, and leptospirosis – all while

reducing rodent numbers.

Animal health company

Zoetis teamed with Goodnature to set up a trapping network across three Wairarapa farms to try and curb rodent numbers.

Wairarapa farmers Mark and Susannah Guscott of Glen Eden Farm said they had about 50 kills of rats in the traps they’d installed, from notifications received by phone.

The Guscotts have a

dry-stock and cropping farm in Martinborough and had a network of 50 traps installed across their 800ha property, which also included 20ha of covenanted bush.

As part of the Ponatahi Eco Zone, they were aware of the impact rodents such as stoats and rats have on the environment.

Mark was unsure of the success of the traps as he hadn’t seen any dead rats in them but had come

across the odd hedgehog.

“We need to get rat numbers down for the ecology of the farm.”

Mark said if anything, he and Susannah had noticed an increase in native birds such as kererū on the farm.

Now, a live map of Wairarapa traps shows hundreds of kills each day.

Shoemack said the company wanted to make sure it was killing breeding pairs of rats

and mice to reduce the population as fast as possible.

“With our trap that is always on, you can kill breeding pairs quickly. It allows you to really control populations.”

After the trap’s success in Wairarapa and other parts of the nation, Shoemack said 80 per cent of sales were now abroad.

He said Goodnature’s work with Gallagher in the rural retail channel

had already opened up more touch-points as well as global supply chain efficiencies, and this investment will unlock further opportunities for Goodnature.

“This is a really exciting milestone in our mission to rewild the world.”

He said what had been trialled in Wairarapa, with prototypes tested in the Tararua Range, had spread to help the world reduce its pest burden.

Sheep Wethers 1@127, 2@130 Rams 1@60 Ewes 9@122, 6@75, 3@100, 6@139, 3@100, 5@130 Ewes with lambs at foot 3@81 Lambs 5@84, 4@52, 4@75, 2@116, 6@108, 4@82, 8@88, 3@120, 11@76, 5@102, 4@83, 1@85, 10@103

Cattle

Hereford X 18 mo heifer 1@900 Hereford X weaner steer 3@500, 3@410, 2@470 Hereford X weaner heifer 5@500, 2@420, 2@435 Friesian weaner steer 5@450, 2@320 Friesian weaner bull 2@400, 1@315 Angus X weaner heifer 4@450, 4@4403@410, 3@350 Angus X weaner bull 3@350 Speckle Park weaner heifer 1@450

This also helps keep pastures “leafy” and slow the shift to seedhead and reduced pasture quality.

2. Match grazing frequency to moisture over summer to match slowed leaf development due to moisture stress. Gradually reduce grazing area without lowering grazing residual.

3. Increase rotation length and if grazing residuals are too low, feed supplements. Alternatively, de-stock.

What reduces pasture persistence?

Grazing residuals too low, e.g lower residual than the previous grazing or the consistent level determined in the spring. This indicates underfeeding and exposes growing points of existing and developing tillers to grazing.

For more information on pasture persistence, visit www.dairynz. co.nz/feed/pasture/pasture-persistence/

www.dairynz.co.nz 0800 4 DairyNZ 0800 4 324 7969

Goodnature traps have killed tens of thousands of rats and mice in Wairarapa.

PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

Volunteers trapping at Mount Holdsworth.

PHOTO/FILE

Jim McBride Painting & Decorating Ltd

Jim McBride specialises in all interior and exterior domestic painting, as well as wallpapering. A registered Master Painter with MPNZ, Jim has over 40 years’ experience in the trade.

As a one-man business, Jim does all the painting and wallpapering himself, taking pride in every job he completes.

Jim is available for work in the near future, so now is the time to give him a call.

For all your spouting and gutter services, think of Joel Corney and his team.

As a franchise of Rainaway Manawatu, the team covers the spouting needs of the lower North Island.

Led by the philosophy of treating

every customer as they would want to be treated, Joel and his team deliver the best spouting and gutter services in the region.

They have a strong relationship with the building industry, built on trust. Joel is reliable and consistent, and his work has stood the test of time.

Whether you have a query about what’s on o˜ er or want to request a free quote, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Events

THURSDAY, DECEMBER

1

Alcoholics Anonymous: Featherston Community Centre, 7.30-8.30pm. Call 0800 229 6757.

Belly Dance for Beginners: Kiwi Hall, Featherston, 6.30-7.30pm. Call Antonia Blincoe [021] 105-7649.

Carrington Bowling Club: 57 High Street, Carterton,1pm for 1.30 pm start. Call Pauline Hodgson [027] 406-672.

Carterton Community Choir: 7.159pm, at Carterton School, Holloway St. Call [022] 373-4299.

Danzability Class: 11am-noon, at Studio 73, Greytown. Call physio. rachel.horwell@gmail.com or [022] 077-2654.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa: Call 0800 373 646 for an appointment.

Martinborough: St Andrew’s Church, 9.30-11am; Featherston: Featherston Community Centre, 1.30-3.30pm.

Fareham Creative Space: Open studio, 10am-3pm, 80 Underhill Rd, Featherston. Email: registrations@ farehamcreativespace.nz

Featherston Menz Shed: 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 6.30pm. Food Market: Food trucks, 4.307.30pm outside the Masterton Town Hall, rain or shine.

GirlGuidingNZ: Carterton Pippins, 5-7 years, 4.15-5.30pm. Carterton Brownies, 7-9½ years, 6-7.30pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB 9.30am-12.30pm.

KeepFit!: 10.30am, Senior Citizens Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Masterton Art Club: 10am-2pm, tutored classes available, also print on Fridays, at 12 Victoria St. Call Sue 377-7019 or Elissa [0274] 706-528.

Masterton Petanque Club: 2pm, in Queen Elizabeth Park. Call Myrna Lane 377-3064.

Masterton Toy Library: 10am-1pm, 365 Queen St.

Narcotics Anonymous: 7.30-8.30pm, at St Matthew’s Church, Church St, Masterton.

Parkinson’s Exercise Class: 1.30pm, at the Wairarapa Boxing Academy, Dixon St. Call Roslyn [027] 264-8623.

Patient Activity Programme: At Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton, 10am-1pm. Call Kirsten 399 1050.

Red Star Table Tennis Club 5-7pm at Red Star Sports Association 10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066.

Ruamahanga Club: Cards – 500, 1-4pm, at Wairarapa Services Club, Essex St, Masterton.

Social Learners Bridge: 1-3.30pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Barbara [06] 304-9208.

Steady As You Go: Falls Prevention and Balance Class, 9.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Thursday Morning Bikers: Meet at the fountain at the Queen Elizabeth Park entrance, 9.30am. Contact (06) 216-2187

Wairarapa Fern and Thistle Pipe Band Weekly practice, Masterton Brass Bandrooms, Park Ave, Masterton. Email fernandthistle21@ gmail.com

Wairarapa Genealogy Branch: Family History Research Rooms, 5 Church St, Masterton, open 1-4pm.

Wairarapa Model Aero Club: 9amnoon, at the Masterton Aerodrome. Whakaoriori Shufflers: Line dancing, Red Star clubrooms, Herbert St, Masterton, intermediate, 1-2.30pm. Call 377-5518 or 377-1135.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

Spontaneous Dance: Kiwi Hall, Featherston, 6.30-8pm. Call Pavla Miller [022] 075-3867.

Sunset Cinema: Carterton Events Centre, Rangatahi Hub. Doors open 7pm, movie starts 7.30pm. Info at sunsetcinemacarterton.com

Aratoi: Look Closely and Tell Me

What You See: Photographs from the Collection to February 19; Julia

Teale: Koha - Presenting Plenitude to February 19. In Conversation: Saturday, December 3, 11am; Masterton Museum: A Cabinet of Curiosities to July 2023.

Carterton Craft Market: Mon-Sat: 9am-4pm, Sun: 10am-3pm, 25 High St North, Carterton. Call Desley [027] 787-8558.

Carterton Senior Citizens: 1.304pm, play cards, Rummikub and Scrabble, Carterton Memorial Club, Broadway.

Cloth Collective Sewing Workshop: 10am-2pm, Kiwi Hall Supper Room. Call Sara Uruski [0274] 474-959.

Dance Fit: At Carrington Park, Carterton, at 6-7pm. Text dance groove to [022] 321-2643.

Greytown Music and Movement: For pre-schoolers, 10am, at St Luke’s

Hall, Main St. Contact email admin@ stlukesgreytown.co.nz

Fareham Creative Space: Open studio, 10am-3pm, 80 Underhill Rd, Featherston. Email: registrations@ farehamcreativespace.nz

Free Community Fit Club: 6am and 11am, Carrington Park, Carterton. All ages, all fitness levels. Call Di [027] 498-7261.

Justice of the Peace: Carterton library noon-2pm; Masterton District Court 11am-1pm; Eketahuna Library 1.30-4.30pm.

Kids Song & Story: 9.30-10.30am, for preschool children and their caregivers, Epiphany Church hall, High St, Masterton. Call Anne Owen 377-4505.

Needlework & Craft Drop-in: 10am-noon, Featherston Community Centre. Call May [06] 308-6912 or Virginia [06] 308-8392.

Masterton Croquet Club: Golf Croquet 9.15am behind the Hosking Garden in the park. Call Russell Ward 377-4401.

Masterton Masters Swimming Club: Club night 5.30-6.30pm, Trust House Recreation Centre back pool. Call Stu [027] 295-4189 or Lucy [021] 0204-4144.

Seniornet Wairarapa Computer/ cellphone help, 1-2.30pm, Departmental Buildings, 33 Chapel St, Masterton. Call John [027] 3835654.

Wairarapa Stop Smoking Service: Quit Clinic at Whaiora 9am-noon. Free support available across Wairarapa. Call Whaiora 0800 494 246.

Walk and Talk: Meet outside Dish Cafe, First St, Masterton, 9.30am.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

Featherston Fusiliers: Wargaming and boardgames club, meet at Featherston Assembly of God cafeteria, 22 Birdwood St, 10am4.30pm. Contact featherston. fusiliers@gmail.com

Carrington Bowling Club: 57 High Street, Carterton, 1pm for 1.30 pm start. Call Pauline Hodgson [027] 406-672.

Carterton District Historical Society 150 High St North, Carterton. Open by appointment. Call 379-5564.

Cobblestones Early Settlers Village: Open 10am-4pm seven days. History comes alive with six heritage buildings, carts and carriages, set in two acres of beautiful gardens, bring a picnic to enjoy.

Featherston Heritage Museum: Behind the Featherston Library and Information Centre. Sat and Sun 10am-2pm, other times by arrangement. Call Elsa [021] 2639403.

Featherston Weekly Market 8am2pm, 33 Fitzherbert St. Greytown Menz Shed: 9am-noon. Call Paul Dodge [021] 0262-6595.

Justice of the Peace: Service centre available at Masterton Library, 10am-noon.

Lions Book Sale: 9am-1pm, next to Wairarapa Farmers Market, Solway Showgrounds, Judds Rd, Masterton, under the grandstand.

Masterton Croquet Club: Association Croquet 9.15am and 12.45pm behind Hosking Garden in the park. Call Carl Redvers 378-7109.

Martinborough Museum: Open Sat and Sun at No 7 The Square, 10.30am-2.30pm. Donation/koha appreciated.

Parkrun: Weekly 5km run/walk. Measured, timed, free. 8am start, at the Woodside end of the Greytown rail trail. Info: parkrun.co.nz/ greytownwoodsidetrail Saturday in the Park: Food trucks by the Skate Park, QE Park 10am-2pm, rain or shine.

Tinui Craft Corner and Museum: Open Sat/Sun 10am-4pm. Call Lesley Hodgins [06] 372-6433.

Toy Library: Masterton: 10am-1pm, 365 Queen St. Featherston: 14 Wakefield St, 10am-noon.

Wairarapa Cancer Society Supportive Care Services: Free services for anyone needing support after a cancer diagnosis. Call (06) 378-8039.

Wairarapa Farmers’ Market 9am1pm, Solway Showgrounds, Judds Rd, Masterton, under the grandstand and nearby redwood tree.

Women’s Self Defence With Dion, 9am, band rotunda, Queen Elizabeth Park. Call [020] 4124-4098.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

Not for profit stall: Mauriceville Christmas Fair. Supporting Foodbank. Original art, pottery.

Wairarapa Word: Johanna Knox, foraging expert and author is interviewed by Caren Wilton, 3pm, Community Courthouse, 50 Holloway

St, Carterton. Books available for signing.

TK Markets: At Martinborough’s Te Kairanga Vineyard from 10am to 2pm.

Carterton Farmers Market: Memorial Square, 9am-12.30pm. Call [027] 663-9011.’

Featherston Menz Shed: 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 1pm.

Masterton Park Bowling Club: Queen Elizabeth Park, bowls roll up at 1pm, names in by 12.45pm. Call 377-5458.

Masterton Petanque Club: Club day 2pm, in Queen Elizabeth Park. Call Myrna Lane 377-3064.

Masterton Toy Library: 10am-1pm, 365 Queen St. Narcotics Anonymous: Featherston Community Centre, 7-9pm. Call 0800 628 632

Rotary Sunday Market: 6.3011.30am, Essex St car park. Contact thehodsons@xtra.co.nz

South Wairarapa Pipe Band: Practice at St John’s church hall, Featherston, 4-6pm. To confirm time please call Gordon [027] 414-7433 or [027] 628-5889.

Wairarapa Model Aero Club: 9amnoon, at the Masterton Aerodrome.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5

Creative Writing Workshop: With Johanna Knox, 10-11.30am, Greytown Library, 89 Main St, Greytown. Email dan@wls.org.nz

Masterton Branch of the Labour Party: Meet at 6.30pm in Carterton or Masterton. Txt Helen [027] 4974902 to check venue.

Art for Everyone: Featherston Community Centre, 7-9pm. Call Sandie [021] 157-4909.

Carterton Alcoholics Anonymous: 8pm, Salvation Army Community Rooms, 210 High St. Call Bob [021] 042-2947 or Martin [06] 372-7764.

Carterton Community Toy Library: Events Centre, Holloway St, Mon-Sat during CDC Library hours.

Carterton Scottish Dance Club: 7.30pm, at Car terton School Hall, Holloway St. No partner required. Call Elaine 377-0322.

Carterton Food Bank: 10-11am Mon-Fri at Haumanu House. Call 379-4092.

CCS Disability Action Wairarapa Office: 36 Bannister St, Masterton, 10am-1pm Mon-Fri. Call 378-2426 or 0800 227-2255.

Citizens Advice Bureau: Free and confidential advice, Mon-Fri 9am4pm, 43 Perry St, Masterton. Call 377-0078 or 0800 367-222.

Creative Hands Programme: At Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton, 10am-noon. Call Kirsten 399-1050.

East Indoor Bowling Club: 7pm. Call Julie 377-5497 or George 378-9266.

Epilepsy Support Group: 11am at the Salvation Army office, 210 High St South, Carterton. Call 0800 20 21 22.

Featherston Music Club: 7-9pm. Call Shaun O’Brien [027] 672-6249.

Free Community Fit Club: 6am and 11am, Carrington Park, Carterton. Call Di [027] 498-7261.

GirlGuidingNZ: Masterton Rangers, 12½-18 years, 6.30-8pm. South Wairarapa Guides [Greytown], 9-12½ years, 6-8pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Hospice Wairarapa Support Services: Free of charge for anyone dealing with a terminal illness. Call [06] 378-8888.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB 9.30am-12.30pm.

Keep Fit!: 9.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Line Dancing: 10.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Literacy Aotearoa: Free computing and digital device classes for adults. Call 377-4214.

Mah Jong 1-4pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Pat Hamilton [06] 308-9729.

Masterton District Brass Band: Rehearsals at 7pm, in the Band Room, Park Ave, Masterton. Call [022] 574-0742.

Play Gym: St James Church Hall 116 High St, Masterton, 9.30-11am, for 0-3-year-olds.

Red Star Table Tennis Club: 6-8pm at Red Star Sports Association 10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066.

Senior Citizens Club Cards 1-4pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Val [06] 308-9293.

Steady As You Go: Falls Prevention and Balance Class, Featherston: 9.30am, A/G Church. Masterton: 1.30pm, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

The Dance Shed: 450A Belvedere Rd, Carterton. Beginners Linedance Class: 6-7pm. Linedance Intermediate Class: 7.30-8.30pm. Call Wendy [027] 319-9814.

Troubadour Music Group: 6-8pm, Wairarapa Community Centre, 41 Perry St, Masterton. Contact Stefan [027] 226-6019.

Wairarapa Services Club: Cards –500, 1.30pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton.

Wairarapa Stop Smoking Service: Call a Quit Coach based at Whaiora 0800 494 246.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6

Featherston Toy Library: Featherston Community Centre, 9-11am.

Masterton Toastmasters: Meet in the Salvation Army Hall, 210 High St, Carterton, at 7.30pm. Call Ben [027] 892-0730.

Caregivers Programme: At Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton, noon-1.30pm. Call Kirsten 399 1050.

Clareville Badminton Club: Main Stadium at Clareville, 7.30pm -9pm. Call Steve [027] 333-3975.

Carrington Bowling Club: 57 High Street, Carterton,1pm for 1.30 pm start. Call Pauline Hodgson [027] 406-672.

Carterton District Historical Society: 142 High St North. Open 2-4pm or by appointment. Call Vivienne 379-5564 or email carterton. hist.soc@gmail.com

Central Indoor Bowls Club: 7.30pm, Hogg Crescent hall. Call Mathew or Graeme 378-7554.

Chair Exercise: Gentle chair exercises, 2-2.45pm, at St John’s Hall, Greytown.

Dance Fitness: 6.30-7.30pm, at Fareham House Hall Featherston. Call Justine [0204] 105-2830.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa: Call 0800 373 646 for an appointment.

Carterton: 3 Mile, 66 High St, 9.30-11.30am; Greytown: Greytown Library, 1.30-3.30pm.

Fareham Creative Space: Open studio, 10am-3pm, 80 Underhill Rd, Featherston. Email: registrations@ farehamcreativespace.nz

Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club: Beginners, 5-9 years, 5.306.15pm; 10 years+ [including adults] 6.15-7.30pm.

Featherston Menz Shed 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 10am.

Featherston Wahine Singers: 7-8.30pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Susan [021] 246-4884.

Free Community Fit Club: 11am, Carrington Park, Carterton. All ages, all fitness levels. Call Di [027] 498-7261.

Free Literacy and Numeracy Classes At Literacy Aotearoa Masterton. Call Carol [022] 524-5994 or visit us at 340 Queen Street, Masterton.

GirlGuiding: Masterton Pippins [5-7 years] 3.45-5pm. Call Chrissy Warnock 372-7646.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB 11am-1pm.

Paint/draw: From live model,10amnoon, at Masterton Art Club, Victoria St. Call Elissa Smith [027] 470-6528.

Masterton Alcoholics Anonymous: 7.30pm, St Matthew’s Church Hall, 35 Church St. Call Anne 378-2338 or David [021] 116-5505.

Masterton Croquet Club: Golf Croquet 9.15am behind the Hosking Garden in the park. Call Russell Ward 377-4401.

Masterton Senior Citizens and Beneficiaries Association: Meet for social indoor bowls, 500 cards, or a chat 1-3pm, Senior Citizens hall, Cole St. Call Ngaire 377-0342.

Masterton Toy Library: 10am-1pm, at rear of Masterton YMCA, 162 Dixon St, Masterton.

Red Star Table Tennis Club: 9amnoon at Red Star Sports Association 10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066.

Seniornet Wairarapa: Computer/ cellphone help 1.30-2.30pm, Departmental Buildings, 33 Chapel St, Masterton. Call John [027] 3835654.

Social Bridge: At South Wairarapa Workingmen’s Club, 1.30-3.30pm. Call Lesley [021] 299-6389.

South Wairarapa Workingmen’s Club: Games afternoon. Call Doff 304-9748.

Wairarapa Genealogy Branch: Family History Research Rooms, 5 Church St, Masterton, open 1-4pm.

Wairarapa Services Club: Cards –Euchre, 1pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton.

Woops A Daisies: Leisure Marching Team practice 4-5pm, at the Trust House Rec Centre Stadium. Call Cheryl [06] 370-1922 or [027] 6976974.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7

Men’s Group: Meet for support and friendship, at the Salvation Army Village, Ngaumutawa Rd, Masterton, 7-9pm.

Toi Wairarapa – Heart of Arts: 10 Minute Bites, 12.10pm, BYO sandwich.

Housie: 7pm, at the Martinborough Bowling Club, Regent St.

Maungaraki Probus: Masterton Club, Essex St, Masterton, at 10am. Call Megan Loar 377-2222 or [021] 070-4290.

AA Meeting: At 7.30pm, Epiphany church hall, High St, Solway, Masterton. Call [027] 557-7928.

Athletics Wairarapa: Club Night, 5.45-7pm, Colin Pugh Sports Bowl, Masterton, all ages and abilities welcome.

Cards: “500”, 1.15-4.15pm, at the Carterton Club. Call Barbara 379-6582 or Val 379-8329.

Carterton Cycle Group: An informal group of ‘leg power’ and e-power cyclists, from Belvedere Rd [weather permitting] for 20km or 40-60km rides. Call Irene [027] 634-9167 or Lesley [021] 299-6389.

Dance Fitness: 9.30-11am, preschoolers with parents or caregivers, music and movement and art, at Fareham House Hall Featherston. Call Justine [0204] 105-2830.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa: Call 0800 373 646 for an appointment.

Masterton: Citizens Advice, 10-noon.

Free Classes: Literacy, language and numeracy for adult learners. Call Literacy Aotearoa 377-4214.

Greytown Menz Shed: 9am-noon.

Call Paul Dodge [021] 0262-6595.

GirlGuidingNZ: Masterton Brownies, 7-9½ years, 5.30-7pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Healing Rooms: Confidential prayer for healing or any situation, 2-4pm, at St Matthews Church Hall, Church St, Masterton, no appointment necessary. Call [027] 245-2819.

Heart of Arts Wairarapa: A community gallery, 47 High St North, Carterton, Wed-Fri, 10am-4pm, weekends, 10am-2pm.

Juesday Art: 10am-12.30pm, AOG Church, Birdwood St, Featherston. Call Julia [06] 308-8109.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB noon-2pm.

Kiddie Gym: For 0-3-year-olds, 9.3011am, at St David’s Church, corner High and Victoria Sts, Carterton. Call Lorna or Abby 379-8325.

Masterton Art Club: 10am-2pm, also print on Fridays, at 12 Victoria St. Call Elissa [0274] 706-528.

Masterton Park Bowling Club: Queen Elizabeth Park, bowls roll up at 1pm, names in by 12.45pm. Call 377-5458.

Masterton Croquet Club: Association Croquet 9.15am and 12.45pm behind the Hosking Garden in the park. Call Carl Redvers 3787109.

Parkinson’s Singing Group: 10.30am, at the South Wairarapa Workingman’s Club, Main St, Greytown. Call Marguerite Chadwick 379-5376.

Rangatahi to Rangatira Youth Group Join us for sports, food, and leadership, Carterton Events Centre. Text “R2R” to [027] 742-2264.

Recreational Walking Group: 9.30am, Essex St car park. Call Ann Jackson, 372-5758, or Ann Duckett, 378-8285.

Scrabble Club: 1-4pm in Masterton. Phone Sue McRae [027] 449-0601 for venue details.

Silver Ukulele Club: 1-3pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Jan [06] 308-8556.

South Wairarapa Caregivers Programme: At a café in South Wairarapa, 10am. Call Kirsten 3991050.

Soulway Cooking and Crafts: 10amnoon, High St, Masterton. Call Nikki Smith 370-1604 [church office].

Te Runga Scouts: Cubs, 6-7.30pm, 45 Harley St, Masterton.

The Dance Shed: 450A Belvedere Rd, Carterton. Line Dance Class 6-7pm; Rock N Roll Dance Class: 7.308.30pm, Beginners/Couple Coaching, Social/Competitive. Call Wendy [027] 319-9814.

Wairarapa Rockers: Rock’n’roll. Couple inquiries to [027] 333-1793.

Wairarapa Services Club: Rummikub, 1pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton.

Wairarapa Singers: Choral singing, based in Masterton. Call Sean Mulcahy 379-9316.

Wairarapa Spinners & Weavers: 10am in The Wool Shed, Dixon St, Masterton. Call Trish 378-8775 or Josie 378-6531.

Whakaoriori Shufflers: Line dancing, Red Star clubrooms, Herbert St, Masterton, improvers 5-6.30pm. Call 377-5518 or 377-1135.

Wisdom and Well-being: Featherston Community Centre, 10.30am-12.30pm. Call Pauline [021] 102 8857.

* To have an event listed please email event@age.co.nz by noon Thursday prior

Public Notices

SOUTH WAIRARAPA DISTRICT COUNCIL

NOTICE TO CLOSE ROADS TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

Pursuant to the Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closure) Regulations 1965, notice is hereby given that the South Wairarapa District Council, for the purpose of the NZ Cycle Classic, will close the following roads to ordinary vehicular traffic for the period indicated hereunder, Thursday 12th January 2023

Roads to be closed:

STAGE 1 CLOSURE

• Cambridge Road full road closure between Strasbourge Street and Memorial Square, Martinborough from 10.00am and 2.30pm

• Texas Street from Strasbourge Street to Memorial Square

STAGE 2 CLOSURE

• Oxford Street from Cork Street to Memorial Square

• Memorial Square at Texas Street to Texas Street

Period of closure

• Installation of Signage: 07:00am to 10:00am

• Event Active: 10:00am to 13:25pm (Approximately)

• Stage 1 Road Closure: Approx. 10.00 am to 14:00pm

• Stage 2 road Closure: Approx. 12:30pm

• Removal of Closure: 14:30pm to 17:00pm

Employment

JUST US KIDS PRESCHOOL

Early Childhood Teacher

Just Us Kids Preschool is seeking a qualified and registered teacher to join our close knit, fun team This is a full time position starting 16th of January 2023 We are a mixed aged centre located in Carterton, licenced for up to 34 children. Our centre is an inclusive, homely environment where children are free to explore all on offer at their own pace. We have our very own bird aviary and fish that the children contribute to caring for. We have a wide range of resources and pride ourselves on our community involvement.

Applicant Requirements:

• Has a New Zealand ECE or Primary Teaching qualification

• Be Registered with the New Zealand Teachers Council

• Confidence in working collaboratively with our centre whānau and other Kaiako.

• A commitment to continuous Professional Development and keeping your ECE knowledge up to date

In return we can offer you:

• Discounted childcare

• Full support for Teacher Registration costs and First Aid certification

• Annual Flu immunisation

• Generous PLD budget

If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!

Please attach your CV and cover letter and register your interest by emailing: jukpreschool@gmail.com

To be considered for this role you need to be a NZ Citizen or Permanent Resident.

permitting Cruise Martinborough to hold a car show and lunch event.

Road Closure to Ordinary Vehicular Tra c MDC controlled section of the Farriers carpark, and access closed from Queen Street. The remaining half of the carpark accessed from Chapel Street (SH2) will remain open.

Period of Closure - Friday 27 January, 7am to 1pm

During the period of closure the following provisions will be made for ordinary vehicular tra c which would otherwise use the road (carpark):

(1) Signage shall be erected at each end of the closed section advising motorists that the event is underway, and access is not possible

It will be an o ence under the Act for any person otherwise than under authority of an authorised permit to use the road for ordinary vehicular tra c during the period of closure.

Dated 25 November 2022

Kaine Jaquiery - Roading Services Manager

Stefan Corbett Group Manager Partnerships & Operations

Classified

Employment PERMANENT CLEANER/LAUNDRY ASSISTANT

Ski show kicks a winning touch

WATER SKIING CHRIS COGDALE chris.cogdale@age.co.nz

Sarah Linton is crediting her combat sports training for improving her performance in barefoot water skiing.

Public Notices

GREYTOWN COMMUNITY BOARD BY-ELECTION NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

A by-election is required to fill an extraordinary vacancy on the Greytown Community Board due to insufficient nominations during the 2022 elections.

Nominations for this vacancy is now open.

If you have a passion for local democracy in action and wish to make a difference to this Ward, then consider standing for the Greytown Community Board.

You must be 18 or older, hold NZ citizenship, be registered to vote, and be nominated by two people who are on the Greytown Ward electoral roll.

Nominations close at 12 noon on the 22nd of December.

Copies of the nomination form and a by-election information sheet can be requested from the South Wairarapa District Council office, 19 Kitchener St, Martinborough, the Greytown Library, Main Street, Greytown or downloaded from www.swdc.govt.nz/ council/elections.

South Wairarapa District Council T 06 306 911 E enquiries@swdc.govt.nz

The 29-year-old recently returned from the 2022 Oceania Water ski championships in Mulwala, New South Wales, with a gold medal as the first women’s ultimate skiier champion, two silver medals, and three bronze medals.

Linton competed in her specialist barefoot division and came away with a silver medal in the jump and the team’s event and bronze medals in tricks, slalom and the overall championship before being selected to represent the New Zealand barefoot team in the Ultimate Skiier Championships.

The new event consisted of skiers competing in disciplines outside their comfort zone. They had to complete a five-minute ski show, complete a slalom course on a ski, perform tricks on a wakeboard, and ski two passes of barefoot slalom.

Linton was nominated by the New Zealand barefoot team and put together a humorous ski show combining her kickboxing skills, in which she “fought and knocked out” the biggest member of the barefoot team and then proceeded to barefoot ski backwards around a very small lake, for a second placing.

She finished a credible third in the water ski on a slalom ski – an apparatus she is unaccustomed

to – and was second in the wakeboard and first in barefoot. The accumulated points earned Linton first overall, and she was crowned women’s ultimate skier champion.

New Zealand assistant team manager and Linton’s father, Ross, said the Oceania championships produced some exceptional results for the New Zealand team, which included 10 skiers who had never competed in an international event, with most of them achieving personal bests, in an ideal build-up for the World Barefoot Championship to be held at Mulwala in February.

Linton believes much of her success is down to her training for Muay Thai kickboxing and boxing at Featherton’s Smac gym, under the guidance of Victoria and Quentin Parr.

“I hadn’t done a whole lot of training for water skiing, and I just sort of started again a few weeks ago. But I am so much stronger and fitter on the water and light now, and that makes it easier,” she said.

Before returning to Australia, Linton’s focus will switch to the boxing ring and her

first professional fight against the experienced Holly McMath next Friday.

The 52kg [flyweight] bout is the main professional event on the card at the Night of Mayhem at the Auckland Boxing Association Stadium, and the two boxers go in with contrasting records.

Linton said McMath has been fighting for a few years and won national titles, whereas she has had four Muay Thai kickboxing fights for four wins and four losses and one boxing bout for a win. She was happy to go in as the outsider.

“I’m definitely coming in as the underdog, but there’s a lot of pressure on her [McMath], so we’re just going to come in and have fun and do what we can.”

Linton, an early childhood teacher, hopes to continue to juggle her busy schedule with both combat sports and barefoot waterskiing.

The latter she took up as a six-year-old, and started competing at 14, culminating in her representing New Zealand at the barefoot world championships in Canada in 2018.

Sarah Linton won a silver medal in the barefoot jump at the Oceania Waterski Championships in Mulwala, NSW.

Sarah Linton in the barefoot competition at the Oceania Waterski Championships.

A top 10 world ranking and challenging for world championships are the long-term goals for recently turned professional Carterton triathlete, Scott Harpham.

The talented 30-year-old received his professional endorsement after finishing second in the 30-34 age group and 10th overall in the Cairns Ironman in Queensland in June. However, it took some convincing from Harpham before Triathlon NZ agreed to issue a professional license.

His time of eight hours, 51 minutes, 11 seconds was outside the 10 per cent time frame from the winner Australian Max

Neumann, who ran a course record of 7hr 52:53, with Kiwi Braden Currie second about two minutes behind, and Australian Sam Appleton third in 8:05:53.

“I sent a message to Triathlon NZ and said these two guys have just come off a world champs where Braden was third overall, and I’m outside that 10 per cent, but the third place getter is ranked in the top 20 in the world and I’m within the 10 per cent of him,” Harpham said “They accepted it and said it was a great time and were happy to support the professional endorsement.”

2021 to concentrate on his goal of being a top-line triathlete.

“I wanted to commit fulltime, and you don’t become the best in the world by doing anything half-assed, and I made the call then to quit work and commit fulltime to training, and I’ve done that since.”

Harpham, who is self-coached, works on a training regime of 25 to 30 hours a week swimming, cycling, and running as well as gym work, physiotherapy, saunas and the like.

Now that Harpham has done the groundwork, he just wants to get out and race and put in some good

performances.

Harpham’s first professional race will be the 70.3 Ironman in Taupo next month, followed in January by Tauranga half Ironman, featuring former world champion Javier Gomez from Spain. He will then contest the Challenge Wanaka half ironman in February before tackling Ironman NZ in March in Taupo.

Harpham’s short-term goals are to establish himself as a top New Zealand professional triathlete this summer.

Harpham’s aiming high Sport Harpham’s aiming high

“I would love to be ranked in the top 10 in the world and be right up there competing for a world championship.”

Turning professional has been the culmination of more than 18 months of training for Harpham, who gave up work in February

Scott Harpham [above and below] in the Cairns Ironman. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

Supported by: Carterton District Council Masterton District Council South Wairarapa District Council

New Zealand engineers taking their tech to the world

A group of talented software engineers is putting the Manawatu on the map by taking their technology to the world and transforming the global agricultural industry one sensor at a time.

It all began in 2007 with an idea and two Massey University graduates in a farmhouse in Colyton. Fifteen years later, seven Kiwi software engineers are now working for global irrigation and infrastructure company Lindsay Corporation from its new o˜ ces in Palmerston North.

The New Zealand-based team is a key contributor of innovation for Lindsay’s larger global operation, which spans ÿ ve continents worldwide. Lindsay produces the Zimmatic™ brand of centre pivot irrigators and the FieldNET™ remote irrigation management platform. The goal is to reshape the e˜ ciency and sustainability of irrigation worldwide.

They are led by Palmerston North-born Software

Engineering Team Lead Mike Debney. He says Lindsay’s investment into software development in New Zealand recognises the calibre of talent we grow here.

“I’m a ÿ rm believer that tech is a growth industry for New Zealand. And when leading international companies like Lindsay invest in our people and our ideas, it demonstrates the conÿ dence they have in our skills and expertise.

“We’re helping make one of our most valuable industries more proÿ table, productive, and sustainable. We should all be super proud of that.”

The design and open plan layout of Lindsay’s new Palmerston North o˜ ce is in-line with that used by the company globally. Mike says the working environment supports the company’s core values, behaviours and expectations around a culture of collaboration, openness and the ‘One Lindsay’ spirit.

“These things matter because we want our employees to feel like they are part of a team and one big family. It’s also about providing them with the best tech tools and encouraging innovative thinking so they can

continue to do great things for our global agricultural sector.”

The New Zealand engineering team brought to life the proof-of-concept for Lindsay’s Smart Pivot. The transformative irrigation solution looks to reduce risk and decrease downtime through innovative machine health capabilities such as continuously monitoring performance, detecting potential equipment issues and automatically contacting a technician for maintenance and repair.

“Centre-pivot irrigators can be 700 metres or even longer and it can be hard for farmers to ÿ nd where the issue is. With Smart Pivot we provide that

information through sensors placed on each tower,” says Mike.

“They will tell you which tower requires attention or if there is an issue with tyre pressure or the motor.”

The Smart Pivot is controlled through the FieldNET™ remote irrigation management platform, the industryleading technology beneÿ ts from the innovative ideas and experience of Lindsay’s global software team. The New Zealand team is heavily involved in the product maintenance and enhancement.

FieldNET uses state-of-the-art technology to allow farmers to

monitor and control irrigation operations as well as view and implement daily, automated irrigation scheduling recommendations from virtually anywhere.

The team has also been working on a next-generation user interface for FieldNET, which will improve overall performance and usability – as well as providing a solid base for future developments.

And it’s not just the agricultural sector beneÿ ting from their tech talent. For the roading industry the team has helped develop RoadConnect. The system uses sensors inside roadside crash barriers to alert maintenance teams when the barriers are impacted. The “Impact Alert” technology is now being rolled out by Lindsay in the United States.

The engineering team enjoy the challenge of creating technical solutions to make the users life simpler.

”The goal is to provide the best irrigation management experience in the world” says Mike. “Our uno˜ cial team motto is to build cool stu˛ that helps make people’s lives easier.”

MIKE DEBNEY WITH TEAM MEMBER KEVIN XU IN THE FOREGROUND

THE LINDSAY NZ TEAM