10 April Wainuiomata News

“We

Continued on page 2.

By Frank Neill

The K kiri Marae P taka Kai is currently really struggling to meet the escalating demand for food, co-ordinator Kelli-Teresa Ah-You says.

are in a pickle at the moment,” she says.

Kōkiri Marae Pātaka Kai staff member Corey Barclay with a box of kai he has just filled ready for delivery. Photo: Frank Neill.

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Less food to meet increased demand

Continued from page 1

“Demand is going up and so are prices.

“We are struggling to buy food in to meet the demand.

“About 90% of the food we distribute we have to buy in,”

Kelli-Teresa says.

Whereas a few months ago

P taka Kai was able to provide needy wh nau enough food for a week, it is currently struggling to provide food for two days.

“We had to scale right back just to provide parcels for wh nau.

“We have some really, really hard weeks.

“We get through them though. We find ways and we just keep pushing,” Kelli-Teresa says.

“What’s currently happening is a lot of our wh nau are fasting, because they can’t feed themselves and their kids as well.

“That’s becoming more common because of the increase in food prices and because of the cost of living.

“It’s a struggle each day for most wh nau.

“It’s really bad.

“It’s so sad,” Kelli-Teresa says. “Cutting school lunches will only make the situation worse,” she adds.

From its base at St Peter’s Church hall in Wise Street the P taka Kai delivers food parcels not only to Wainuiomata wh nau but also throughout the Hutt Valley.

It delivers around 60 food parcels a day five days a week, with about 30 of these being

delivered to needly families in Wainuiomata.

As well as the food it buys in and produces in its garden, P taka Kai receives food from the New Zealand Food Nework, including food for pets, which the P taka Kai itself cannot provide. Kaibosh also provides food as do some local church groups.

People in the community donate food and some also donate money so the P taka Kai can buy food.

People are welcome to drop off food to P taka Kai between 9am and 3pm from Monday to Friday.

They are also welcome to set up a direct debit or make a one-off payment into P taka Kai’s bank account.

To set up a direct debit or make a payment email patakakai@ kokiri-hauora.org.nz or contact P taka Kai’s head of financials on 939 4630.

“We are very thankful for all those who are able to help us,” Kelli-Teresa says.

“Whether that’s a small amount or a big amount we are very thankful.”

P taka Kai’s iniative in providing food for needy people was recognised last year with a national award.

P taka Kai is a member of the Te Awa Kairangi Kai Collective which was awarded Local Government New Zealand’s K inga Ora Home and Communities Excellence Award for social well-being.

P taka Kai was the initiator in setting up what would become the

Te Awa Kairangi Kai Collective, the largest kai collective in New Zealand.

During the 2020 Covid lockdown, P taka Kai’s co-ordinator at that time, Janis Awatere began the process by establishing a partnership with Epuni-based Common Unity.

During the 2021 lockdown, P taka Kai, Common Unity, Hutt City Salvation Army, Lower Hutt Foodbank, rongomai Marae, Stokes Valley Foodbank and Te Aroha Kai formed the Kai Collective.

Just some of the stockpile of food at the Kōkiri Marae Pātaka Kai headquarters. Photo: Frank Neill.

Part of the Pātaka Kai garden in Wise Street. Photo: Frank Neill.

New basketball court artwork celebrated

By Frank Neill

A karakia marked the opening of the basketball court next to the Wainuiomata Community Hall, following the painting of the pikitia pakitara (mural), at 4pm on 4 April. The pikitia pakitara (mural) was painted by artist Chevron Hassett (Ng ti Porou, Ng ti Rongomaiwahine and Ng ti Kahungunu), who was unable to attend the karakia.

Wainuiomata Ward Councillor Keri Brown attended the karakia, along with local kaumatua, a large group of rangatahi and Hutt City Council staff, including Cam Kapua-Morrell, the M ori advisor to the council.

Chevron’s design was chosen by a selection panel that included representatives from Wainuiomata Marae, Mana Whenua and Hutt City Council.

Members of the panel admired the striking mahi toi Chevron presented in his submission as well as the concept of whanaungatanga – connecting, working, and maintaining relationships within the community – that weaves through his work.

Born in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt in 1994 and raised in Naenae, Chevron has a Bachelor of Design with Honours from Massey University and has won both a Creative New Zealand Ng Manu PĪrere award and an Arts Foundation Springboard award. His work has been admired in public and private museums, galleries, and institutions across Aotearoa and Australia.

Chevron’s design reflects the cultural narrative, Te Whata Kai M ui, gifted by Kura Moeahu, which explores the realm of pŪr kau, the traditional origin stories of the whenua and the geographic landmarks that exist within Wainuiomata and the surrounding area.

Te K hui Mounga is reflected in the spirals coming from the raperape form and represents unity, growth and wellbeing. This speaks to the gathering of them atop Pukeatua and the consequent growth of the whenua as a result of the processes they conducted.

Te K hui Tupua is reflected and represented by the two manaia in this design, depicting Ngake and Wh taitai respectively.

The movement of the pattern is a representation of growth and transformation the whenua underwent after the emergence of Te K hui

Cam Kapua-Morrell, Māori

Tupua.

Te Whata Kai o M ui is reflected in this pattern which takes the Kaokao position; Taratara a Kae acts as both a protective mechanism for P taka Kai (Whata Kai) and as a reflection of the abundance of food and hospitality.

The protective aspect of the design has been expanded to convey the aspiration and intent to ensure safety in the community of Wainuiomata.

Mentors needed

Youth Inspire is looking for volunteer driving mentors to help youth gain their restricted driver licence.

Having a restricted licence increases job opportunities and provides independence for Wainuiomata’s rangatahi.

People who are over 25, have held a full New Zealand drivers’ licence for two years or more, and have 2 to 3 hours to spare each week are welcome to apply.

Training is provided.

Email driving@youthinspire.co.nz for more information.

Car seat clinic

A car seat clinic will be held at the Wainuiomata Community Hub from 10am to 11:30am tomorrow, 11 April.

Thos eattending will get their car seats checked for free to make sure that the seat is properly fitted.

Bait

Some of the rangatahi who attended the karakia at the town centre basketball court.

Photo: Frank Neill.

Wainuiomata Ward Councillor Keri Brown speaking at the karakia at the town centre basketball court. Photo: Frank Neill.

Advisor to Hutt City Council, speaking at the karakia to celebrate the new art work on the town centre basketball court. Photo: Frank Neill.

Caltex service station closing

By Frank Neill

Caltex Wainuiomata will close in June, leaving the town with just one service station.

“Business has been slow since Covid and we haven’t recovered from it,” Caltex Wainuiomata’s owner told the

Sales dropped dramatically in the wake of the Covid lockdowns with many people stopping driving and with people starting to work from home.

That was exacerbated by interest ratees going up.

“Unfortunately there was nothing I could have done,” Caltex’s owner says.

“It’s been a struggle for me and we are closing down in

June.

“I’m quite sad myself actually,” he says.

A new apartment development will be built by Friday Homes on the site where Caltex currently stands. Friday Homes will be building 28 apartments at 14 to 16 The Strand, and they are advertising the development on their website. As well as the apartments there will also be two commercial sites in the new complex.

The apartments are in varying one, two and three bedrooms layouts, all with off-street car parks. They range in size from 52 to 181 square metres.

New rules for cat owners

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata cat owners now have to have their cats microchipped, desexed and registered.

This follows Hutt City Council’s decision to add a section on keeping cats to the Control of Animals Bylaw.

The new rules on the keeping of cats came into force on 28 March.

The bylaw now requires owners of cats over 12 weeks of age to ensure the cat is:

ber of unwanted cats surrendered to animal welfare groups, Councillor Andy Mitchell says.

It will also make it easier to reunite lost cats with their owners.

"Having fewer feral and unwanted cats will also help protect our wildlife,” Cr Mitchell says.

Desexed animals tend to be less aggressive and less prone to urine and scent marking behaviour.

Cr Mitchell acknowledged there was a cost involved in microchipping and desexing cats, and said council staff would work with organisations such as SPCA to organise and promote low-cost chipping and snipping events.

ing purposes and registered with a nationally recognised cat breeders' veterinarian has determined it would negatively impact the cat’s health and welfare).

The changes will help reduce feral cat populations and the huge num-

The council invited the community to make submissions on the proposed changes in October and

The results demonstrated 92% overall support for the amendments.

Many respondents provided extra

comments calling for more stringent measures such as limiting the numbers of cats per household and keeping cats indoors.

Grant for tree crop projects

Home gardeners and community gardens are among those who can apply for an annual grant of $2,000 for productive tree projects. The grant project is provided by the Wellington-Horowland Tree Crops Association

Application for the grant are now open and will close on 30 April. Application forms can be ontained by emailing treecropswh@gmail. com.

Applications are invited from

home gardeners, small-block holders, community gardens, horticulturists, farmers, scientists and all who are interested in growing productive trees to promote projects for greater public benefit. The applicants need to be based in the Wellington and Horowhenua region. As part of the evaluation process of the submission for funding, the tee may wish to visit the site and meet members of the project team.

Wellington-Horowhenua Branch are:

· promoting interest in useful tree crops: fruit, nuts, timber, fuel, livestock fodder, bee forage and

· researching and sharing knowledge about the many and varied types of trees people might grow in crop, be it for people, animals or

· bringing the benefits of useful tree crops to the wider community of the district.

Friday Homes new development at The Strand. Photo: Friday Homes.

Treat your dogs for fleas and ticks

Biosecurity New Zealand is reminding dog owners to make sure their pets are up to date with their flea and tick treatment, after the parasite Babesia gibsoni was detected in a dog in the Canterbury region.

“The parasite is often transmitted by ticks, so we are encouraging dog owners to make sure their dogs are up to date with their flea and tick treatment,” says Biosecurity New Zealand’s chief veterinary officer Dr Mary van Andel.

Babesia gibsoni is widespread around the rest of the world, including Australia, but this is the first case in a New Zealand-bred dog.

It can cause the disease babesiosis, which is not present in New Zealand. Most dogs will only experience mild symptoms, if any, but the disease can be severe in some cases.

“In countries where Babesia gibsoni is widespread, the focus is on preventing infection by treating dogs with tick treatments or

combined with flea treatments, and limiting fighting behaviour.”

Dr van Andel says dog owners shouldn’t be alarmed.

“At this stage we are aware of just one case of Babesia gibsoni in New Zealand. We are working hard to determine whether this is an isolated case and where it came from.” Biosecurity New Zealand is working closely with the owners of the infected dog to identify other dogs she had been in contact with so they can be tested.

The affected dog was euthanised at its owners’ request due to it being extremely unwell.

“A second dog in the household has had blood taken for testing and early results are negative for the disease. Samples have also been taken from several dogs known to be close contacts of the infected dog and another playmate of the infected dog,” says Dr van Andel.

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Wainui rider wins extreme enduro

By Andy Mgechan

Wainuiomata’s Jake Whitaker (KTM 300EXC), was the outright winner of the 2024 No Way In Hell Extreme Enduro on 6 April.

The 32-year-old father-of-two took his 2024-model KTM 300EXC to finish the gruelling race just a fraction over four minutes ahead of runner-up rider Wil Yeoman (Yamaha), of Taupo, with New Plymouth 17-year-old Sam Parker (Husqvarna) claiming the third podium spot.

“The last time I raced here was 2014, actually the last time this race was run, so that’s 10 years ago,” Jake says.

“It was one of my first ever hard enduros and I actually entered it on a trials bike.

“I can’t remember where I finished in 2014 but I was up near the front somewhere.

“When I heard it was back on again this year, I knew I just had to come back and ride it on the KTM enduro bike.

“The first lap here at the NWIH was quite fast and I knew I was going to have my work cut out to keep up with the cross-country racers like Wil Yeoman and Brad Groombridge (from Taupo), but the terrain got a lot tougher after that and this played into my hands.

“I took the lead on the final hill. I knew if I didn’t rush things, but played it cool, an opportunity would arise and that’s how it worked out,”Jake says.

Only 34 of the 148 riders to start the 2024 edition of the No Way In Hell Extreme Enduro on Saturday made it to the final hurdle.

So tough was this year’s edition of the Husqvarna-sponsored No Way In Hell (NWIH) event that many of the competitors didn’t even make it over the first hurdle, unable to reach the 2.5-hour mark in the required time and, for failing to hit the cut-off, they were promptly withdrawn from the gruelling race.

Several more culls further reduced the field at different stages later in the day and, while just 23% of the entrants did reach that final treacherous hill climb by mid-afternoon, this was a huge increase over the number of “survivors” recorded in previous years.

It’s worth remembering that only two of the more than 60 starters in the inaugural NWIH event in 2010 did survive until the end of that race.

So, by comparison, it was a relatively high number of riders who did manage to reach to final hill-climb at the farmland venue at Oparau, near Kawhia.

The soul-destroying and body-breaking

aspects of the course were blindingly apparent to spectators, with perhaps 30 riders stranded halfway up the first major hill-climb, slumped next to their lifeless bikes, just an hour into Saturday’s 70-kilometre race.

And it got steadily tougher from there onward, some of the terrain something that even Hillary and Tenzing might have thought twice about.

The event was jointly sponsored by Husqvarna motorcycles, Forbes and Davies accessory distributors, O’Neal apparel, Maxima oils, Arai helmets, Ogio bags, Blur, Maxi Grip, Kiwi Rider magazine, Muck-Off, Metzeler tyres, USWE and SATCO logging attachments.

Huge win for Wainuiomata Lions

By Frank Neill

Wellington’s Rugby League champions, the Wainuiomata Lions, kicked off their 2024 season with a crushing 56-0 victory over the Porirua Vikings on 6 April.

In what was a repeat of last year’s final the Lions gave the Vikings no chance of gaining any revenge.

In fact the size of their victory would have

surprised all but the most ardent followers of the team, given the fact that the last time the two teams met the Lions won a close battle 22-18.

Last Saturday’s big win sees the Lions at the top the Wellington Rugby League table following round one.

John Wharepapa-Rawiri scired a hat trick among 11 tries the team chalked up. Lyric Samu and Ulai Oti-Lahood each

scored two tries and Paul Ioane-Mann, Bree Henderson, Isiah Tuari and Aethan Tuisila also dotted down.

Joshua Onekawa kicked six conversions.

Fa’asipa Itula shone on the field, and was rewarded with three most valuable player points.

Double try scorer Ulai Oti-Lahood was awarded two points and Simati Leala won one point.

Wainuiomata’s Jake Whitaker en route to winning the 2024 No Way In Hell Extreme Enduro on Saturday. Photo: Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com.

Premier Footballers beat Phoenix

By Ryan Imray

Wainuiomata’s premier Football team beat the Wellington Phoenix 2-1 at Fraser Park on 6 April thanks to a double from David Prendergast.

Last Saturday six Wainuiomata teams played their first games of the season while the men's first team were in their second week of the season.

The reserves were on the wrong end of a nine goal thriller as they lost 5-4 to Petone.

In the Wellington knockout cup competition, the newly formed side of Halfbaked Roundballs had an early exit in the competition as they lost 4-0 to North Wellington.

The 2023 Masters 3 champions Undertak-

ers started their title defence season with a narrow 1-0 loss to Eastbourne while the Masters 5 champions Pasifika Originals started life in Masters 4 with a strong 4-0 win over Petone.

The OC's lost their Masters 6 fixture 5-0 against Kapiti Coast United.

In the over 45 grade, Pasifika Old Boys, another new team to the club, walked away from their opening game with a point after a 2-2 draw with Island Bay.

Sunday 7 April saw the Fiddick's start their season with a thrilling win against Tawa in the Wellington Plate Knockout Competition.

After the game finished 4-4, it went to a penalty shoot out which the Wainuiomata side won 6-5 to advance to the next round.

Wins for top three Rugby teams

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata’s top three Rugby teams kicked off the 2024 season with victories over Avalon sides on 6 April. The premier team scored an overwhelming 43-17 win over Avalon at William Jones Park to claim the Anthony Waldrom Trophy.

Zane Humphrey played outstandingly and was rewarded for his fine efforts when he was named player of the day.

Wainuiomata scored seven tries in their big victory, with Renata Kotuhi crossing the line twice.

Raymond Va’a, Tyler Tane, Teru Time, Dion Lealofi and Josh Le’afa-Paki also dotted down. As well as scoring a try Tyler kicked four conversions.

It was a much closer affair for the premier reserves team, however. They managed to edge Avalon by just one point, winning 28-27.

Wainuiomata had to stage a huge comeback to secure the victory, however, after they found themselves trailing Avalon 0-21. Alesana Mene scored two of the team’s four ties, with Eli Mossop and Joseph Sluman also dotting down.

Josh Su’u had a good day with the boot, with four successful conversions from his four kicks.

Liam Fawcett played outstandingly and was named player of the day.

The premier women kicked off their season with a 20-12 victory over Avalon.

This result was something of

an upset, as Avalon went into the match as favourites to take the honours.

The 6 April performance was a very promising result for the new look team that contained a mix of youth and experience.

Rianna Le’afa-Paki, who scored one of the team’s four tries, was in great form and was named player of the day.

Zoe Clark, Amiria Ranapia and Serina TauTau each scored one try.

The Wainuiomata Colts played the curtain raiser for the premier match for the first time.

After a promising first half they fell away in the second spell and lost to Avalon 64-25.

The Wainuiomata Pressies also kicked off their campaign, going down 24-48 to Hutt Old Boys Marist.

Intermediate girls win sevens

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Intermediate School’s girls Rugby sevens team are the 2024 Wellington champions. They scored their victory in extra time in the final of the Wellington Region Intermediate School Sports Association (WRISSA) sevens tournament in Upper Hutt on 3 April. Wainuiomata Intermediate faced Maidstone Intermediate in the final, which saw the two teams locked at 20-20 at the final whistle.

The match then went into extra time and the team went up another level, with Captain Jacqui barging her way through a number of the opposition players to touch down and take her team to victory. The win saw them bring back the Rugby Sevens Girls Shield. The girls team finished top of

their table at the end of the round robin play.

They then met the formidable Avalon Intermediate team in the semi-final, gaining a comfortable 30-5 victory. The team was one of three from the school that competed in the WRISSA Sevens.

The boys open grade team had some hard fought matches, losing just one game against Tawa Intermediate during pool play.

In their final game against Levin Intermediate, the team notched up a comprehensive victory to finish the competition in third place.

The under 60kg team fought hard, played with great attitudes and awesome skill. Although they didn’t quite get the results, all the boys and their coach Nui had a great time. Wainuiomata Intermediate also scored top points for the Villiamu

Photo: Supplied.

Award which is given to the school who shows all values both on and off the field and is voted from the all schools who attend WRISSA competitions.

The school says a “massive

thank you” to the coaches: Uale Ma’i, Nui Ririnui and Matua Tawera; the support team of Aleki and Mrs McLeod and to all the wh nau who came to watch and cheer the tamariki.

How far can you go on an empty tank?

A gas-guzzling Ford Excursion can drive an average of 85 miles after the fuel light comes on. A hybrid Toyota Prius, however, can only squeeze an extra 55 miles out of its tank. A Honda Civic can get an extra 44 miles on empty while a Toyota Corolla gets an average of 47 miles on empty.

Beauyn Goochwood makes a tackle for the first team against the Wellington Phoenix.

Photo: Imrays Snaps.

Raymond Va’a scoring a try for Wainuiomata in the opening round of the Swindale Shield competition. Photo: Hugh Pretorius.

The victorious Wainuiomata Intermediate School’s girls sevens team.

WEDNESDAY FACT

GARDENING THIS WEEK MINERALS FROM THE OCEAN:

A reader recently asked me to write an article about the advantages of using pure salt from the ocean in the garden for its mineral and sodium component and also using look at the weed control aspect of salt that is just about straight sodium chloride having had all the other minerals stripped from it. Then there is pure ocean salt which has been sun and wind dried from ocean water that ideally has 114 minerals and elements in it.

As a weed control either will work but the better one to use is the from farm supply places branded as Dominion Salt, Agriculture salt, Grade 11. Salt comes into its own when there are weeds growing in cobbles, paving, paths, tracks, driveways, waste areas and where there are well established trees and shrubs.

For instance if you have a wooded area that has been taken over by wandering jew and you throw a lot of salt at it, the weed will die without any adverse effect on the trees. To make the job easier with wandering jew would be to cut it down low with a weed eater or slasher and then throw lots of salt at it. Later if any new growth is seen spot treat with more salt.

On cobbles etc cover weeds with salt and lightly water to start it breaking down and killing the weeds. Do not use in gardens where preferred annuals and perennials are growing as it is likely to harm them also. The other use is for the minerals

which is Wallys Ocean Solids (not all the minerals from the ocean into your gardens to improve the health of the plants. The deep blue water of the ocean is rich in minerals and elements, in fact all the 114 elements known to man. These elements are also in perfect balance for living organisms, health and well being. Back in the 60’s/70’s a Dr Maynard Murray did a incredible amount of research into ocean solids and wrote the book‘Sea Energy Agriculture’ Nature’s Ideal Trace Element Blend for Farm, Livestock and Humans.’ It is currently published by Acres USA. Maynard dissected hundreds of ocean creatures and never once found tumors or disorders in their organs.

Doing the same to fish from streams and lakes, many were found to have tumors etc. In one case he dissected a 100 year old whale and found its organs in pristine condition as good as a newly born whale. Maynard realised it was the ocean water, rich in minerals that allowed the creatures living in it to be so free of the ills that effected fresh water and land creatures. We know that at various times, all land masses were for periods, under the sea. When a land mass arises from the sea it is mineral rich and once plant life establishes on the land it too is rich in minerals. But over time through rain, erosion and leaching a lot of the minerals gained by the land are lost back into the sea. It is interesting to note that in isolated pockets on the planet, where because of the terrain, that leaching does not

take place. People living in these pockets more often than not live to over a 100 years of age, in excellent health. The reason, Maynard says, is because of the mineral rich diet they have, which allows the cells of the body to replicate perfectly, slowing right down the aging process and maintaining very healthy organs. Maynard believed that if you give a plant all the possible minerals and elements it may need to grow as it should, then that plant would not be susceptible to diseases common to it. Trials proved this point by supplying Ocean Solids to say nectarine trees in a row. Every second tree received the solids, the others being the controls. Then curly leaf disease was sprayed over all the trees.

After three years the controls had all died and the Ocean Solid trees never showed any signs of the disease. A number of similar trials were done on various plants with the same results! Maynard took this a stage further by growing various crops of grains with Ocean Solids

to always develop breast cancer which in turn causes their death. were fed conventional foods of whom all died within the normal 9 month period that their condition dictated, during which time they produced the normal two or three

nation revealed no cancerous tissue. This group also produced ten litters

By Wally Richards

and no sign of the cancer in the off spring! The Ocean Solids grown foods had removed the cancer. If we take this to the next stage then people that grow their own vegetables and fruit with Ocean Solids will be able to have in their food chain all the minerals that those vegetables are capable of taking up. Maynard found that vegetables etc were odd elements dependent on the type of plant.

On the other hand wheat and barley are capable of taking up all the 114 odd elements if available. This is why wheat grass juice become a very important plant in our health/ food chain. Two aspects of this have become very important in my concerns for plant health and people’s health.

If we use Ocean Solids in our gardens along with other natural plant foods, building up the soil life populations, including the worms, then we will have very healthy plants that will not suffer from diseases unless they become stressed for some reason, or reach the end of their days.

If we grow our own vegetables, fruit and wheat grass with Ocean Solids

our health can greatly improve, markedly reducing the possibility of many ills such as cancer. Think of it, healthy roses, plants and gardens along with better health for you and your family. Use rates are: New square metre on gardens, sprinkled on and watered in. Use at the above

For trays or container plants usetres of water spray over foliage to run off. The Purpose for the spray, is as a natural insecticide, fungicide and foliage feed. Use only Bi-Monthly and late in day when sun is off the plants.As plant food: Use at 1 gram per Litre of water. (Also same for

Bear in mind that the above use rates on to gardens will over time, with other natural products, bring up the health levels of the plants. Some plants will respond fairly quickly where others may take a season or two to see really good changes.