10 August Independent Herald

Major milestone

By Frank Neill

Khandallah’s iconic Cornerstone Community Centre will celebrate its 40th anniversary tomorrow, 11 August. The celebration will take place at the Khandallah Town Hall from 5pm to 7pm.

Cornerstone’s aim is to “connect, support and strengthen the Khandallah community by:

hospitality

individuals

groups through Cornerstone Centre caring, activities

programmes; giving hospitality

community groups

others through rental of Khandallah Town Hall facilities; and developing community networks, supporting community events and emergency preparedness.”

Continued on page 2.

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Cornerstone celebrating 40 years

Continued from page 1. More than 30 programmes take place at the centre every week.

They include programmes like Sit and Be Fit, Te Reo M ori, a book group, a walking group, bridge, 500 and scrabble, Pilates, Tai Chi, Yoga, dancing, the community singing group Sing For Your Life and monthly social lunches.

Cornerstone also offers a drop-in centre in the comfortable lounge, where people can chat, read the newspaper and have a cup of tea or coffee.

Ezee meals is another initiative. These are convenient frozen tasty low cost meals suitable for everyone – the elderly, disabled, students, busy people or those unable to cook for themselves.

Cornerstone had its genesis with a group of people from a number of churches in Khandallah, including the Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and Brethren, one of the group’s founders Dermot Byrne told the “Independent Herald”.

They all wanted to be active in the community in a way that helped people.

The question they were all asking was: “How could we reach out into the community and make a difference”.

The group focused on the Village Well Principle. In past times, the

village well was a place where people not only obtained water, but met and socialised.

“One of the big problems in suburbs is loneliness, especially for people who are retired, widowed, young or unemployed,” Dermot says. The idea that the group looked at was that “if we could run activities, people would come.

“As it turned out, it was very successful,” he says.

Dermot, his wife Keri, and Peter and Isobel Delaney looked at a building at 2 Ganges Road.

They decided to invest in it and set aside a space for a community centre – and Cornerstone was born.

To set up and run the centre, they established the Khandallah Cornerstone Resource Centre Trust in 1983.

The timing proved providential too.

“One of the things that happened in the late 80s, the government at the time decided to close mental institutions,” Dermot says.

“Nobody asked what kind of community are you releasing these people into. When you put people with mental health problems in the community they are isolated.

“Having a place where people didn’t have to spend money, could have a cup of tea or coffee and could socialise was important.”

Cornerstone provided that, being a centre for people with mental health

problems up to the 90s.

The Cornerstone Community Centre ran from the Ganges Road premises for nearly 30 years and then moved to the Khandallah Town Hall.

“We went to the [Wellington City] Council with a plan and it took us eight or nine years to do an upgrade of the town hall,” Dermot says.

Achieving that was significantly assisted by a fund-raising campaign, which raised $400,000 towards an adaptive restoration of the town hall.

Extensive modernisation and restoration was carried out on the town hall and this was completed in August 2011.

On completion of the upgrade

Cornerstone moved in to continue its work and to manage the Khandallah Town Hall under a memorandum of understanding

with the Wellington City Council.

“We are in a partnership with the council,” Dermot says. “In fact we could not exist without the partnership with the council.”

Over the 40 year history of Cornerstone “we have had some wonderful things happen,” Dermot says.

Currently, he adds, “we are looking for trustees.

“In order to keep the trust going we need to have trustees.

“It is not an onerous task but it is an important one. It is mainly an oversight role and we meet six times a year as a board.

“It is definitely worthwhile making sure Cornerstone continues to exist and it will continue to exist if people step forward.”

People interesting in becoming trustees can contact Dermot at 021 372 525, or Dermot.byrne25@gmail.com.

NORTH WELLINGTON VOLUNTARY SERVICE AWARDS

Nominations for the presentation of the 2023 North Wellington Voluntary Service Awards are now open.

Organisations/Individuals that have volunteers who meet the following criteria are invited to forward a nomination for consideration:

To qualify for an award the person nominated must have performed Voluntary service:

1. without any form of remuneration,

2. for a minimum period of three (3) years,

3. within the geographical area between Churton Park in the north to Crofton Downs in the south and Kaiwharawhara and Ohariu Valley in the east and west.

4. Nominations must be forwarded by the Organisation the nominee is associated with.

Personal nominations will be accepted in certain circumstances.

Nominations must be lodged on the formal Nomination Form and include all relevant information for consideration by Committee.

Forms are available from: The Awards Facebook Page ‘North Wellington Voluntary Service Awards’ OR Ray J Good, Secretary, on 021 2123136 Email: northernserviceawards@gmail.com Facebook: North Wellington Voluntary Service Awards

Enjoying a meal and time together at a Cornerstone dinner.

Photo: David Garratt.

Second meeting on Karori Connections plan

By Frank Neill

A second public meeting will be held in Karori on Wellington City Council’s Karori Connections plan – a meeting where people will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the plan.

The meeting has been organised by a Karori group called Shared Spaces Karori and will be held at 7pm on 17 August at St Ninian’s Church hall.

Shared Spaces Karori is encouraging the local community to attend “as we feel there has not been suitable consultation around proposed cycle lanes up to and through the heart of Karori”.

The upcoming meeting follows the public meeting at Karori RSA on 18 July. Attended by around 200 people, that meeting was organised by Wellington CityCouncil.

However there was no opportunity for people to ask questions or discuss the Karori Connections plan.

In fact when people tried to ask council officers questions “they were told to put their feedback on the table,” says Anne Evans of Shared Spaces Karori.

At the 18 July meeting people heard presentations on the plan,

which happened in a series of “shifts”, where people took turns to sit around four tables where the presentations were given.

Following that, people had the opportunity to write their comments and feedback on the proposals and place them on a table.

“The point of the [17 August] meeting is for people to listen to what they [the council] have got to say and then to be able to ask questions,” Anne says.

Shared Spaces Karori has invited councillors and officers from Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council to attend, along with local candidates in the General Election, the Mayor and representatives of Metlink.

“Residents have concerns about the proposed removal of a large number of car parks particularly for those on Karori Road with no off-street parking), no alternate parking plans, no revised bus priority plans, apparent lack of consideration around alternate routes, the implications associated with addition pressure on side streets and the potential for more congestion due to the location of revised bus stops,” Shared Spaces Karori says.

“There is also a general concern

that the proposed cycle lane solution is a permanent 24x7 build that is attempting to manage what is essentially a peak hour transport option meaning the community, businesses and sporting organisations in Karori will be impacted especially as many others travel into Karori in the weekends.

“Shared Spaces Karori supports the sensible development of a cycle network in conjunction with associated parking and bus priority plans on the same timeline.

Shared Spaces Karori would like to see a greener solution for Karori “moving more people with fewer vehicles”.

Wellington City Councillor Diane Calvert will chair the meeting.

At the meeting “we will look to have as much up-to-date information as possible from Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington,” Cr Calvert says.

“Shared Spaces Karori will also be sharing what they have been able to discover.

“There will be an opportunity for people to feed back comments and there will be a question and answer.”

If the council cannot provide answers to questions, they will

Khandallah hill tracks upgraded

Wellington City Council has carried out maintenance work on the tracks above Khandallah Park.

“These tracks are 4WD service roads as well as walking tracks that need to be accessible for WCC operations vehicles,” the council says.

“WCC contractors and other

service providers like Wellington Electricity, Chorus and Kordia who have services and equipment in the area.

“There had not been any significant maintenance on these tracks for at least 10 years and they were getting to the point where they were overgrown and a challenge to drive safely.

“We have had contractors up there last week scraping and upgrading the tracks and flail-mowing the track edges.

“It’s a little soft due to rain now but given a few weeks to set/harden off and some spring growth of grass along the track edges and it will be look better,” the council says.

take the question away so that an answer can be provided.

“Part of the reason for having the meeting next week is for the community to have chance to provide input before the council prepares its final plan in August to go out for a final consultation in September.

“My personal view is that the council should allow more time to engage with the community about routes and other potential improvements before they go out to final consultation in September.”

For example, Cr Calvert says “some members of the Karori community would like to see investigation of alternative routes for the bikes.”

The current Karori Connections plan provides for cycle lanes along Karori Road.

“It is important that people attend the meeting. Where they will have the opportunity to ask questions and see the detailed plans that have been made to date,” Cr Calvert says.

Council officers had told her that they had introduced a number of changes, including 10 to 12 significant changes since the 18 July meeting.

These changes will be outlined at the upcoming meeting.

Johnsonville Library is hosting the Tūmanako, a community event encouraging young people (under 18) to express their creativity and share their aspirations for a peaceful, inclusive, and nuclear-free world.

Tūmanako 2023 will be on display at the Waitohi Hub, Johnsonville Library from 11 to 31 August.

Ōtari Open Day

The Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush open day will be held from 10am to 2pm on Saturday 16 September.

This free event provides people a chance to discover and celebrate New Zealand’s only native botanic garden. People will be able to get to know Ōtari’s unique collections of native plants, learn more about what goes on behind the scenes at the nursery and get a peek into the Lions Ōtari Conservation Laboratory. There will be guided tours and informational talks in addition to hands-on activities.

Nations

Work in progress on the track above Khandallah Park. Photo: Wellington City Council.

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Newlands wins college debate

The thirteenth debate between Newlands and Onslow Colleges, organised by the Johnsonville Lions Club, was held on Thursday 3 August at Newlands College.

This annual Lions intercollege debate provides an opportunity for members of the two local colleges’ teams to debate in front of a public audience.

Kinajil-Moran of the Wellington Speaking Union, determined that Newlands won.

The adjudicators agreed that the debating standard was strong, with clear thinking and positive arguments from both teams.

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The moot asked that students act as large social media companies, and debate that they would ban controversial influencers from their platforms.

Newlands College took the affirmative side.

Their audience enjoyed wellreasoned arguments and heard differing reasons to support both side of the proposal.

Interestingly the debate also went some way to educating older audience members about who influencers are and how social media platforms generate profits.

Onslow College debaters brought forward interesting arguments setting out that social media companies would hold on to all influencers, regardless of their views, but would ban them only if the influencers openly posted illegal commentary.

However, Newlands winning approach was to clearly outline the benefit for social platforms to hold onto controversial influencers until their following began to reduce, and then they would be banned. Thus, financial benefits for the social media businesses would be maximised.

Student self-confidence, public speaking skills and ability to think clearly are improved through this local Lions Club project.

shown us that our community’s future will be in good hands when they progress through their careers.”

6pm at the Johnsonville Club in Norman Lane.

This private bus service has been operating for 17 years.

This private bus service has been operating for more than 17 years.

Sponsored by Harbour City, Guardian and The Wilson Funeral Homes.

DEPARTS FROM:

Island Bay (Medway Street)

(Outside New World)

12:45pm

Harbour City Funeral Home (56 Onepu Road, Kilbirnie) 1:00pm

Miramar Library 1:10pm

Newtown Library 1:20pm

Courtenay Place (Main Bus Stop) 1:30pm

Karori opposite The Wilson Funeral Home, (142 Karori Road, Karori) 1:40pm

Karori Library (Outside the Postshop) 1:45pm

Fare: A donation to Wellington Free Ambulance would

The debating students brought forward a wide and insightful series of arguments to support their cases.

After careful deliberation guest adjudicators ariu MP Greg O’Connor, together with Brook

“We value the support of both local colleges for this Lions Club initiative,” Lions Club President Jim Ng says.

“These young debaters have

Next year’s debate will be held at Onslow College with Onslow taking the affirmative side.

The Johnsonville Lions Club supports a range of youth activities and has 23 members.

The club meets on the first and third Monday of each month at

Lions Clubs are a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together with the community to fulfil those needs.

For more information or to get involved with the Johnsonville Lions Club, contact Stephen Cook at 027 647 1747 or email Johnsonville@lionsclubs.org.nz.

Managing volunteer member services

Western suburbs resident Tracy Ward has moved to the position of Volunteer Wellington’s Manager Member Services.

“I’m responsible for meeting our awesome community organisation members and providing support and advice on all things volunteering – from advertising for volunteers right through to supporting the delivery of

‘best practice’ in their volunteer teams,” Tracy says.

“Outside of work hours you will also find me co-ordinating a volunteer team at my local repair café where I blend my passions for good volunteer management [and] sustainability.

“If you’d like to reach out, you can find me on members@ volunteerwellington.nz.”

Tracy has been with Volunteer Wellington for five years.

For most of that time she has been working with Volunteer Wellington’s Work and Income contract which helps to engage people on a benefit into volunteering.

RIGHT: Tracy Ward. Photo: Supplied.

Northern volunteer service awards

Nominations for the 2023 North Wellington Voluntary Service Awards are about to close. These awards cover the northern suburbs between Churton Park in the north and Crofton Downs in the south, and between Kaiwharwhara in the east and ariu Valley in the west.

To qualify for an award, a person must have served without any form of remuneration for a minimum of three years. In most cases the length of service far exceeds this minimum period and nominees with 30 years of voluntary service are not uncommon.

They need to have performed the voluntary service in the geographical area covered by the awards.

Nominations need to be made by the organization the nominee is associated with. Individual residents need to liaise with an organisation

if they wish to nominate someone.

Nomination forms are available on the North Wellington Voluntary Service Awards Facebook page or from the secretary, Ray Wood on 021 212 3136, email northernserviceawards@gmail.com.

Nominations close on Friday 11 August.

The committee has decided that in 2023 there will only be 15 awards presented. This number may increase once nominations are received.

Each recipient receives a freestanding engraved plaque, a lapel badge and a framed citation setting out the details of their service to the community.

The North Wellington Voluntary Service Awards programme was established in 2001 to coincide with the United Nations declaration that 2001was to be the “Year

of the Volunteer”.

A committee was established, under the chair of MP Peter Dunne, with members drawn from voluntary and community based organisations, to set up and administer a programme in the Northern Suburbs of Wellington, The North Wellington Voluntary Service Awards programme was very successful in 2001, and it was decided to continue it as an annual event.

To date 207 people have received the awards. The limited number of people receiving the Awards over the 22 years highlights the importance these awards are held in the community.

Part funding for this annual event has since 2001 been provided by the Johnsonville Charitable Trust and The Trusts Community Foundation Ltd.

MP Greg O’Connor together with fellow adjudicator Brook Kinajil-Morgan presenting award to the Newlands debaters (from left) Thomas Ru, team captain Heena Sharma and Amy Piper. Photo: Supplied.

Sea features in local choir’s concert

Voix de femmes – a local choir for women who love to sing French and New Zealand works – is performing its second concert this year at St Teresa’s Church, Karori, on 20 August.

The concert is based on La mer (the sea).

The programme explores the depths of this watery expanse from a Mass for the Fishermen to the seductive calls of the Sirens, to the lullaby of a mother to her seal pup, to the shanties of the fishermen.

No programme about La mer would be complete without the much-loved song of this name sung unforgettably by Charles Trenet and more recently Robbie Williams. Interspersed with the songs will be the much-appreciated and trade-mark inclusion of French poetry.

The concert will feature guest soloist Barbara Graham.

As a soprano with the RNZAF Band, Barbara has performed in France and Belgium several times for the 1914-1918 World War I commemorations.

She is also the first person in New Zealand since the 1950sto sing “God save the King” on the steps of Parliament.

A former Emerging Artist and Resident Artist with New Zealand Opera, and winner of the 2013 Alliance Française Song Competition in Wellington, Barbara has worked extensively in concert, opera and musical theatre throughout New Zealand and internationally.

She holds a BMus in Vocal Performance from VUW, subsequently studying at the Schola Cantorum in Paris, during which time she won several competitions and prizes. She performs regularly as part of the NZO

Voix de femmes’ guest soloist Barbara Graham. Photo: Supplied.

Chorus, and is a sought-after soloist, with past roles including Peep Bo in NZO’s The Mikado, Christine in Amici Productions’ Phantom of the Opera, Rosa Bud in Circa Theatre’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Sophie in Days Bay Opera’s Der Rosenkavalier.

Barbara is a member of the close-harmony quartet The Sirens, and performs regularly with baroque group The Queen’s Closet. Tickets to the concert are $20 and are available from choir members or by telephoning Kerry on 021 537 881. There will also be door sales.

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LETTERS to the editor

Letters on issues of community interest are welcomed. Guidelines are that they should be no longer than 150 words. They must be signed and a street address provided to show good faith, even if a nom de plume is provided for publication. The editor reserves the right to abridge letters or withhold unsuitable letters from publication.

Send or fax them to the address on page two, or email them to news@wsn.co.nz. Please note that your name and street address must also be provided in e mails.

Johnsonville Mall

I was surprised to read in the latest Herald a proposed upgrade is imminent for the Johnsonville Mall.

The local MP has got on the band wagon also just months out from an election.

He says he has been chasing the owners Stride Properties for six years. That will be three times, ie two elections.

I would suggest that rather than keep

THE NEW TREND IN FENCING

their plans under wraps they [Stride] should announce them well before they seek planning permission or they may

run into serious opposition from the community if they are unacceptable.

Denis Smith

www.metalcraftgroup.co.nz

By Frank Neill

The Khandallah Library will celebrate its 70th anniversary on 24 August, starting at 6pm.

To mark the occasion, Wellington City Libraries’ Historian Gábor Tóth will present a talk about the history of this local institution and how it was established.

The talk will take a particular look at the role played by the Khandallah-based historian Fanny Irvine-Smith in the 1940s to have a purpose-built library constructed in the suburb and the importance she placed on libraries in society.

The Khandallah Library opened on 27 August 1953.

The opening came years after a library for the suburb was first mooted.

In 1928 the Wellington City Librarian suggested that further branch libraries be established in some of Wellington’s suburbs. This led to the establishment of the Miramar, Lyall Bay and Wadestown libraries (and a small branch in the Ngaio Town Hall) but then development stopped.

Khandallah, which had been included on the list, missed out, despite consistent lobbying by the Khandallah Progressive Association (KPA).

Wellington City Council voted money for a

library in 1936 and investigated suitable sites but a ratepayer loan poll rejected the proposal and it was shelved.

A petition signed by 1,292 Khandallah residents requesting a local library was presented to the council by the KPA in 1943.

In 1944 a poll of ratepayers voted to continue the general library construction work and a loan of £30,000 was raised to fund the building of more libraries, among them Khandallah.

It was some years before construction started, however.

In 1947, after some local agitation, a temporary library opened at 8 Ganges Road in one half of what had been a domestic dwelling. The local Plunket Society occupied the other half. Although the City Engineer designed the building in 1951, construction did not start for a further two years.

A significant feature of the library was that, although most of the stock came from the central library, a fund for book purchase was set up in the memory of historian and bibliophile, Fanny Irvine-Smith. She had worked hard to establish the library but died in 1949, before work on the building had even begun.

In 1989 when closure was mooted by the council as a cost-cutting exercise, Khandallah residents presented a large petition to the Mayor, Jim Belich, who promised to retain it.

Q: If you could have any super power which one would you choose and why?

Kuldap Manku

Uli Webster I could be superwoman because I am fast.

Emma Gosse

To bring people back from the dead – to bring people you have lost back.

Kaea Kaimoana

To fly. I think it would just be easier.

Aaron Leat Healing. It’s something that is universal that I could use for myself, my family and others.

Caleb Forrest Super speed. Then I could go anywhere any time I

The Khandallah Library, which is about to celebrate its 70th anniversary.

Photo: Frank Neill.

Skylight Specialists have been specialising in skylights for 25+ years. We have yet to come across a brand/make/type or configuration of skylight that we do not know everything about.

Skylight Specialists is LBP (Government approved licensed building and roofing practitioners) , with 30+ years in the building industry and employ a highly skilled team which consists of trade qualified glaziers, roofers and builders.

When we come and assess your skylight/s we will provide you with a free, no

obligation quotation. We will also provide you with a detailed report including photos that will include our findings and recommendations whether it be for general maintenance, repairs or replacement.

At this time of year everyone is concerned about insulation of their homes, trying to keep warm and retain heat. Unfortunately, skylights are often overlooked, even when they can be sometimes the main factor of heat loss. Older skylights are sometimes full-time venting without the homeowner even being aware of this, which is no

different from leaving a window open 24/7. Others are only single glazed or just plastic. By upgrading to double glazing you can retain up to 70% more of your heat. A lot of skylights we come across is simply a piece of glass glued to the roof structure of your home – This is by far inadequate for many reasons including thermal properties and condensation issues, as the moisture has no where to go but get absorbed by the structure of your home. We will assess the entire skylight including the flashings (roof flashings

are what connects the skylight to your roof and keeps all watertight). This will cover if you have adequate condensation channels, drainage, seals, condition of flashings, thermal properties and of course longevity of the skylight/s and the surrounding areas.

So if you’d like to add A LOT more light into your home and want the job done well, contact them on 0800 85 86 87, 04 938 0721 or 027 595 4448.

“We are tradespeople not sales people”

4 Tips for Selling Privately? YIP!

Hey Everyone! We are blessed to have helped over 1000 people with their property sale and we’ve seen it all. When you sell your home, you should do things properly and maximise your sale price. The biggest mistake we see are sellers cutting corners and underselling their biggest asset. We have sales evidence where we sold a house for $50k+ more than an identical one next data, or a much bigger and better property sold for the same as something smaller and not as nice. What a house sells for is not dictated by the property itself, but by the selling process / the journey the buyer goes through.

This doesn’t mean you need to use an agent; in fact, we have helped dozens of sellers sell privately successfully. If you have the time, effort, and energy to do it properly, then selling privately is a great option for you. We provide free Private Seller support, where we can coach you along your selling journey. Here are 4 tips that can help you!

Marketing: This is not just about getting buyers to your property, but also to remind them of it. The more your best buyer sees the property, the more it reinforces their desires. Just like when you see lots of ads online for things you want… that is by design. Have a broad range of marketing channels, and invest in some crafted, targeted online ads. Do short/ long form videos for the different platforms. We are also seeing a trend of new migrants, so placing your property ad on international platforms is a great idea.

Presentation: It is always a surprise how many people buy houses without physically seeing them. But the average buyer makes their decision to view a property, and their initial perception of value, solely by photos/ videos. Professional real estate photography is quite affordable and well worth it. Make sure you have decluttered and upstaged your property to look attractive. Kmart is a great place for some budget, colourful additions to

decorate with.

Open Home Support: If you have done the above two things well, be prepared for a lot of enquiries and viewings. For your weekend open home slot, make sure you have extra helpers to take names/chat with buyers. The open home is the best time to get to know your potential buyers and get them excited about the place. This is also an optimum time to handle any objections they may have.

Follow up: Call buyers that have come through that day or the next day and get their feedback. It may be hard to hear negative feedback, but it will allow you to adjust your strategy. If all the buyers are saying the lounge is too small, it may be a good idea to rearrange it. Contrary to popular opinion, buyers typically have no imagination and have no interest in putting ‘their own touch’ on things. Why do we help? As we sell the most houses in our community, it is very important that your sale goes well and gets a premium result. If you get a bad result, it harms other sellers’ sale potential. We regularly coach and mentor other agents in the area for the same reason. If you get a great result, it becomes a positive statistic and not a lower sale that gets compared. There is of course so much more to the process, and if you would like to know more or if you are thinking of selling privately, get in touch – love to hear from you!

Karori articulated bus trial

Metlink is preparing to trial an articulated bus on the number 2 bus route, which runs between Karori, Miramar and Seatoun.

Greater Wellington councillors were briefed by Metlink last week on this preferred option, one of five analysed to increase capacity on Wellington’s busiest bus route.

This route carries around 9,600 passengers on a typical workday.

The demand for public transport in Wellington continues to grow, and finding both effective and efficient ways to meet it is essential, Great Wellington Regional Council’s Transport Chair Thomas Nash says.

“In the last 12 months we’ve had 3,000,000 trips on the number 2 route and in 10 years, we’re forecast to have twice that number.

“We can’t keep adding buses to increase frequency as this will cause a logjam of buses queuing up behind each other.

“On a route where double deckers can’t fit through existing road tunnels, articulated buses would be a game-changer,” Cr Nash says.

Articulated buses can significantly increase capacity. They take 70% more passengers than a single decker bus while being only 41% longer (18 metres as opposed to 12.8 metres).

“Route 2 bus stops will need to be lengthened before articulated buses can be brought into permanent service,” Samantha says..

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The extra length only slightly impacts cornering, with its turning circle just 1m longer than that of standard bus (24 metres as opposed to 23 metres).

To further study its feasibility, an articulated bus normally used by Auckland Transport on school routes, will be trialled on route 2 in the September school holidays.

If the passenger-less trial is successful, Metlink Group Manager Samantha Gain says operators, unions, cycling networks and the accessibility community will be consulted before articulated buses are introduced.

“Reconfigurations on the route will also be necessary to create sufficient space for articulated buses to pick up passengers and safely share the road with pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

These necessary changes to the route’s bus stops are being proposed under Wellington City Council’s Transport Projects, with changes in Karori due for consultation in September.

Upcoming kerb realignments to improve boarding for route 2 passengers with accessibility needs will also be good for articulated buses.

Options discounted to increase route 2 capacity are modifying the Karori and Seatoun tunnels to fit double deckers, redirecting buses around the tunnels, increasing route 2 frequency, and introducing a fleet of modified double deckers to fit the tunnels.

Metlink worked closely with Wellington City Council on a business case and feasibility assessment for the buses and hopes to bring articulated buses into service on the route 2 by 2026.

Northland Mainly Music named as finalist

Northland Mainly Music group has been named as a local finalist in the Wellington Airport Community Awards.

“It was a wonderful surprise to receive the news we had been nominated for this award” says Cathy Edge who is involved in running the group.

“We love sharing music and other activities with local pre-schoolers. We have a very warm community of caregivers and volunteers. There’s always room for others to join in.”

Northland Mainly Music Group is for pre-schoolers (whether babies or toddlers) and their caregivers to enjoy music, stories and activities.

The first half hour is structured around songs and rhymes as well as movement. There are plenty of chances afterwards for unstructured play and chat over morning tea.

Mainly Music is a chance to learn, but also time to relax with other caregivers and children.

The Northland Mainly Music Group meets on a Wednesday during term time from 9:30am at the St Anne’s church hall on the corner of Northland and Randwick Roads.

Northland Mainly Music opened its doors around five years ago, led by Catherine McIntosh.

It is supported by a great team of volunteers from St Anne’s and the community. The award winners will be announced at a ceremony on Tuesday 29 August. Instituted in 2004 to recognise the work carried out by community groups across the Wellington region, the Wellington Air awards celebrate the valuable contribution volunteers make in their communities.

An articulated bus like the ones that Greater Wellington is looking to put on the Karori run. Photo: Supplied.

The interior of an articulated bus.

Photo: Supplied.

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Dahlias are easy to grow and multiple rapidly so Antoinette showed club clump. Antoinette has only been growing dahlias for three years but has become

Madsen and Green have over 30 years’ home improvement experience

a broad range of industries, Madsen and garage slabs, footpaths and many more.

Their experts can do all the ground electrical – or calling on any of their other expertise.

Warmth and security from Eco Doors & Windows

Eco Doors & Windows specialise in uPVC glazing. And as winter approaches after at their new showroom at 29 Hutt Road, Thorndon. Their windows are ideal winter and cooler in summer.

Combining uPVC’s natural insulating properties with double-glazing means their years’ experience in fabricating uPVC doors and windows. They use uPVC

Eco Doors and Windows are centrally located on Hutt Road, Thorndon, As the windows and doors, our company has of installers with plenty of experience Practitioners).

uPVC windows are perfect for heat and coolness insulation. uPVC is not a thermal conductor and by combining it with double

Ensure your build project is set to go!

With over 30 years’ Quantity Surveying experience and a wide range of construction knowledge, My QS Consultants offer a variety of services for preparing estimates and schedules for all types of building projects from residential builds and renovations to large commercial and industrial projects.

See us for:

for competition success. “fun” dahlia competition at their March a chance to see the success of Antoinette’s coaching.

- Insurance Rebuild Options

- Strengthening

- Tender Preparations

- Trade Schedules

MEET YOUR Principal

Jayne-Ann Young - Queen Margaret College

Queen Margaret College (QMC) offers contemporary learning in the heart of Wellington. We are the only girl’s school in Wellington that offers International Baccalaureate for Years 1 to 13. We also have a boarding facility and coeducational preschool. Principal Jayne-Ann Young joined QMC in 2017 as an innovator in educational delivery. She is passionate about creating opportunities for young women, and ensuring they have the confidence and resilience to pursue, and realise their potential. “We nurture growth within a culture of unity and

sisterhood, and we believe in the importance of girls’ education. With our learners at the heart of every decision, we cultivate a holistic environment to encourage questioning, collaboration, and participation. All students should be adventurous in how they learn and take their place in the world with curiosity and courage. Our college is small enough to ensure every student is valued as an individual, but large enough to offer an extensive range of subjects, alongside sporting and cultural activities”. Visit the QUEENDOM at Open Day, Sunday 20 August 10-1pm or at one of our

Tuesday Tours. To find out more visit qmc. school.nz, or contact us at enrolments@qmc. school.nz / 04 473 7160

Kent Favel - Principal, St Mark’s School

Kent believes that one of the main attractions of St Mark’s is its strong sense of community. “St Mark’s is a place with a real family feel,” he says. “We provide a warm, inclusive environment where tamariki feel a strong sense of belonging - from day one”.

Located at the Basin Reserve, St Mark’s is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School where tamariki receive a wellrounded education with a global outlook. St Mark’s has been a co-educational school for over 100 years, and this is something

which Kent proudly believes in. “Coeducational schools reflect the diversity of our society. This is tamariki, learning, playing and working together, just like the world we live in”.

St Mark’s offers a seamless education from Preschool through to Year 8 and we welcome your tamariki at any stage of their schooling journey. Limited spaces are still available for 2023 and now enrolling for 2024.

Explore St Mark’s Open Day on Friday 25th August 10-12 pm and Saturday 26th August

12-2 pm - please register through the school website.

Web: www.st-marks.school.nz

Email: enrol@st-marks.school.nz

Paula Wells - Samuel Marsden Collegiate School

Paula Wells joined Marsden in January 2022 following a seven-year tenure as Principal of Sacred Heart Girls’ College in New Plymouth. A passionate educational leader, strategic thinker and innovator, Paula continues to strengthen the exceptional offering that Marsden provides.

Set in 4.3 hectares of lush grounds, Marsden’s Karori campus is home to a coeducational preschool, primary school for girls in Years 1-6, middle school for girls in Years 7-10 and senior school for girls in Years 11-13.

Marsden encourages and supports every learner in achieving personal excellence. Students are known, genuinely cared for and respected, and receive the individual attention they need to do well both academically and in their co-curricular pursuits. With small classes, an innovative and rigorous curriculum, exceptional teaching and Visible WellbeingTM practices integrated at all year levels, children and young people thrive at Marsden. Phone 04 476 0707 info@marsden.school.nz

Tania Savage - St Benedict’s School

Tania Savage was recently appointed the Principal of St Benedict’s Khandallah for the start of the 2022 school year. Eighteen months on she is proud to be the leader of St Benedict’s primary school where tamariki thrive academically and socially through engaging and challenging educational experiences.

“When I joined St Benedict’s I was struck by the warm and welcoming school community that supports our school and each other, along with the strong connection to St Francis of Assisi Parish. St Benedict’s is the only full primary school catering for Year 1 to Year 8 tamariki in

the Khandallah, Ngaio and Broadmeadows area and has well established transition programmes to both Catholic and State Colleges.

We offer a unique environment looking out towards Mt Kaukau and across the Khandallah suburb, surrounded by nature. Our school on top of the hill has allowed us to build multilevel playgrounds which provide engaging outdoor play, and include Astro turf, basketball and netball courts, nature trails, two adventure playgrounds and the famous big green slide.”

To organise a visit to St Benedict’s email

www.marsden.school.nz

office@st-benedicts.school.nz.

St Benedict’s School

Stephen Eames - Raroa Normal Intermediate

I am extremely proud to be the Tumuaki of Raroa Normal Intermediate and I am fortunate to be part of an amazing learning community of students, staff and whanau.

Raroa kaiako are committed to meeting the diverse needs of akonga. We recognise that emerging adolescence is a time of significant personal, physiological and neurological change. We respond to these needs by providing an environment where they can thrive. The Intermediate/Middle School education model provides opportunities to specifically cater to akonga at their age and stage of development. Raroa has a

rich history of excellence and innovation.

It is a school culture that is defined by highquality teaching and a strong emphasis on whanaungatanga, or building relationships, to enhance the learning experience and strengthen student engagement.We believe in personalised approaches and ensure that everyone is valued, respected, and cared for in safe and stimulating learning environments. Our programmes incorporate the best of both traditional and modern teaching pedagogy to create a vibrant, engaging and student-focused curriculum. Learning takes many forms at Raroa and we provide

authentic learning experiences to help students reach their full potential intellectually, socially, creatively and physically. As we seek to uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, we motivate students to become contributing, participating members of our learning community.

A very special concert

The Wellington Male Voice Choir’s second concert of 2023 celebrates cultural diversity through song, and promises to be a very special event, with three guest choirs performing as well as the Wellington Male Voice Choir.

Entitled “Songs of the Nations – A Celebration of Cultures”, it will be held at the Tawa College Hall, 38A Duncan Street Tawa, starting at 5pm on Sunday 20 August.

Tickets can be purchased online through the choir’s website, www. wellingtonmvcnz.org, the ticketing agency Eventbrite, www.eventbrite. co.nz, or by cash door sales on the day of the concert.

Concert-goers are in for a special treat, as the Wellington Male Voice Choir is joined by the current NZ barbershop champions, Pacific Connection, and by two of New Zealand’s most accomplished secondary school choirs, Queen Margaret College’s Voces Luce and

Tawa College’s own Blue Notes.

Porirua-based Pacific Connection only formed in 2019 but they have made a huge impact since then. In their first appearance at the national barbershop championships in 2022, they claimed first place, achieving the highest score ever attained at that competition.

In June of this year they represented New Zealand at the world barbershop championship in Louisville Kentucky, achieving eighth place in the world in their first international competition.

As well as English, Pacific Connection sing in Samoan, Tonga, Fijian and Te Reo M ori, sharing not only their exquisite harmonies but also their culture.

Both Voces Luce and Blue Notes were selected this year from amongst more than 200 secondary school choirs to compete at the Grand Finale of Big Sing, New Zealand’s premier secondary

school choral festival.

Voces Luce have recently returned from an Asia-Pacific singing competition in Singapore, where they placed in the top five – the only secondary school choir to do so (the others were all university choirs).

Blue Notes, directed by Tawa College music teacher Isaac Stone, recently accompanied the RNZAF Band on the nationally-televised ANZAC Day Dawn Service.

Formed in 1961, the Wellington Male Voice Choir has rehearsed on Thursday evening in Tawa for many years.

It has toured to Australia on several occasions, and extensively within the lower North Island and upper South Island.

Most recently, it joined the Nelson Male Voice Choir as the guest choir at the Nelson choir’s celebration of its 90th birthday.

The choir is always keen to welcome new members, and invites

The Wellington Male Voice Choir. Photo: Supplied. interested prospective singers to come to one of its rehearsals or to contact the choir through the contact tab on its website.

Both the Wellington Male Voice Choir and Voces Luce are directed by South Carolina-born, Mark Stamper.

He has an extensive and glittering conducting and piano performance

career, stretching back more than 40 years, both in his native United States and in New Zealand. Mark is the current and former conductor of a number of choirs in Wellington, including founding and directing the professional choir, Inspirare.

He began conducting the Wellington Male Voice Choir in mid-2019.

Big Brushy Door Mats

ON... O WHAT’S

The Community Noticeboard is for non-profit organisations. For $15.00 you can publish up to 25 words.

No AGMS, sporting notices or special meetings. Community Notices must be pre-paid.

Call into our office, phone (04) 587 1660 or email classifieds@wsn.co.nz

Wellington Quilters

Monday 14th August – Wellington Quilters meet at Uniting Church, Dr Taylor Tce, Johnsonville. Doors open 6:30pm for refreshments. Meeting starts 7:30pm. Visitors welcome!

Don’t Chuck It. Fix It

Ngaio Repair Cafe is free, open Saturday 19 August,10am - 1pm, Ngaio Union Church, corner Crofton Road and Kenya Street.

Trades and Services

Graham’s Painters

Get your House Exterior and Interior painted!

Experienced tradesmen and large team

~ Pensioner Discounts ~

E: grahamspaintersnz @gmail.com

W: www.grahamspainters.nz Ph: (04) 564 9202 021 183 9492

BUILDING Consent

Approval and house plans. Free estimates provided. Call Doug on 934-1398.

Your Local News

For

OFFICE PREMISES FOR LEASE

31 GANGES RD

Khandallahlah, Wellington

Area: 109.81

Square Metres Car parks available

New Kitchen

2 Heat Pumps

Contact:

Alan Fraser Ph: 479 3105

Email: alan@kotukuparks.co.nz

Friendship Club of Johnsonville

Speaker: Fiona Gray Title of Talk: "Alexander Turnball Libray’s Family History Collections"

Date: 9.30 am Thursday 17 August Visitors Welcome

Enquiries to Kathy 938 4523

Free Event Supported by:

William YIP

Funeral Directors Puzzle

Rockfall night works in J’ville

Drivers heading southbound towards Wellington will have night-time detours through the Johnsonville CBD when state highway safety works begin on Sunday 13 August.

Contractors will be carrying out rock clearing works and extending concrete safety barriers on along the left side of State Highway 1 at the top of the Ngauranga Gorge.

The aim is to reduce the risk of rocks falling from the hillside onto the road.

The southbound lanes heading to Wellington will be closed while these nightworks are under way, meaning traffic will have to detour through Johnsonville. The work is scheduled to continue until 28 August and will take place from 9pm to

4:30am from Sundays to Thursdays.

Waka Kotahi appreciates these works create travel delays for road users.

However, they have been deliberately timed to be done at night when traffic volumes are lower to minimise disruption.

The work is essential to reducing the danger from potential rockfalls onto the State Highway. These are dangerous to drivers and work like this must be carried out regularly to help keep the public safe.

Road users should allow extra travel time when driving through the works areas and follow all instructions from contractors. Safety of road crews and road users is a priority.

Business Improvement District Manager

Are you an ambitious, driven individual with a passion for business development. We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated BID Manager to join our dynamic team.

Job Title:      BID Manager Permanent Part-time 3 days a week, flexible hours.

Job Overview:   As the Business Improvement District Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving positive chance, promoting local businesses, and developing a strong sense of community pride. Your primary responsibility will be to oversee and coordinate all aspects of the BID’s operations, working collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve our goals.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Develop and implement strategic plans and initiatives to promote economic growth and enhance the overall appearance and appeal of the district.

2. Collaborate with local businesses, residents, and public officials to identify community needs and priority.

3. Coordinate and manage BID projects, such as website, beautification efforts, events, marketing campaigns etc.

4. Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders, business owners, property owners, local authorities, and community organisations.

5. Advocate for the district’s interests and represent the BID at public meetings, community events and networking functions.

6. Monitor and measure the success of BID initiatives, regularly reporting on progress and outcomes to stakeholders.

Qualifications:

1. Proven experience in community development, economic revitalisation, and urban planning

2. Exceptional leadership and communication skills to inspire and engage stakeholders

3. Strong project management abilities

4. Knowledge of local regulations, and government processes related to business improvement districts.

5. Ability to think strategically and creatively to address challenges and seize opportunities

6. A passion for community engagement.

Application Process: if you are ready to make a significant different in our community and possess the right qualifications, we invite you to apply. Please submit your updated resume and a compelling cover letter detailing your relevant experience and dedication to community improvement to cumac@xtra.co.nz or Post to PO Box 13264, Johnsonville.

Application Deadline Thursday 31st August

www.wilsonfunerals.co.nz

person(sl) (6)

18. Mislead (7)

21. Inactive (4)

23. Tint (3)

25. Cosmetic; liner (3)

27. Vow (4)

28. Dais (7)

30. Pass(of time) (6)

32. Isle Of (Brit) (3)

33. Japanese sash (3)

34. Kidnap (6)

35. Personal belongings(sl) (7)

36. Monetary unit of Italy (4)

37. AUST/NZ intergovernment pact (intls) (3)

39. Fabled bird (3)

41. Musical instrument (4)

43. Witchcraft (7)

45. Magician (6)

48. Lacking (9)

49. Designer (9)

51. Real name,Archibald Leach; actor Cary (5)

52. Pacify (7)

53. Fool (5)

54. Irregularity (7)

55. Gothic church, Abbey (11)

DOWN

1. Happen again (5)

2. Myopic (4-7)

3. Small planet (8)

4. Smeared (6)

5. Dormant (5)

6. Typical example (7)

7. Sticky (8)

8. Reserved (6)

9. Curt (7)

10. Slope (5)

16. Floatable (7)

17. Revolves (7)

19. Glorify (5)

20. Facial feature (7)

22. Precious stone (7)

24. Era (3)

26. Samuel’s teacher(O.T.) (3)

29. Dark brown pigment (5)

31. Stamp collector (11)

32.English cricket club(intls) (3)

33. Over(poetic) (3)

38. Herb (8)

40. Non military person (8)

42. Bison (7)

44. Dupe (4-3)

46. Canadian province; Nova (6)

47. Yell (6)

48. Principle (5)

49. Accumulate (5)

50. Instruct (5)

Solution

Last Week 3 August 2023

Wharfies women a title contender

By Grant Stephen

Wellington United and Waterside Karori are the only title contenders in the Women’s Central League Football competition.

United maintained their onepoint buffer over Waterside with a 4-1 win over Taradale on 5 August.

Waterside pipped Petone 2-1 with a brace to Nikki Furukawa who got on the score sheet once again.

Nikki now has eight goals for the season and is fifth on the Golden Boot leaderboard.

Her teammate Kaley Ward, however, has 10 goals for the season and is joint runner up currently.

In other matches in the round, Seatoun prevailed 2-1 over Mana Coach Services North Wellington and Palmerston North Marist had a strong 4-0 result over Victoria University.

In round 15 of the Men’s Central Football League, the local teams did not do so well.

The much-anticipated match between Western Suburbs and Waterside Karori was a classic encounter.

Tomas Alvarado delivered once again for Wharfies with a 19th minute goal, but Wests returned service thanks to a brace to Captain, Malik Smith in the 23rd minute and one final strike with just 10 minutes to go until full

time.

The final score was 2-1 to Wests and fourth spot in the league for the time being at least.

Karori are in seventh place and the beach towel and sunscreen for the national summer league are not looking so positive at the moment.

With a Chatham Cup semi-final in Hamilton on 19 August the Wharfies could be forgiven for being distracted though.

TFS North Wellington had a miserable time at home and were dispatched 5-0 by a ruthless Wellington Olympic side.

Olympic had obviously taken their must improve mandate to heart after two recent losses and their task was made even easier with Norths being down to 10 men for the last hour of play.

The norths’ youngsters actually played some good football and will need to follow their own must improve philosophy if they want the wooden spoon to be delivered to Whanganui Athletic rather than Alex Moore Park.

To add insult to injury, Norths surrendered the O’Brien Shield in the process and its tenure at Wakefield Park may well be a long one.

Whanganui Athletic definitely earned a better report card this week as they stole the lead with an early goal over Napier City Rovers

in Napier.

It took a 54th minute penalty to Rovers to even the score and that’s where it ended at one a piece. Athletic will no doubt be ecstatic with the point as they are only three points behind North Wellington

Karori athlete in World Champs team

By Frank Neill

Karori athlete James Preston has been selected in the New Zealand team to compete in the World Athletics Championships in Budapest from 19 to 27 August.

One of 19 athletes named by Athletics New Zealand on 6 August, James will compete in the 800 metres.

His selection follows an impressive unbeaten campaign over the two-lap distance during the 202223 season.

As well as winning the New Zealand 800 metres championship, James was the victor in two international competitions.

He won the 800 metres at the Brisbane Track Classic on 25 March and at the Maurie Plant track and field meeting in Melbourne on 23 February.

James has a personal best of 1 minute 45.30 seconds for the 800 metres, and only two New Zealanders have run the distance faster, the famous Olympic gold medalists Peter Snell and John Walker.

James is one of two New Zealanders who will contest the 800 metres in Budapest.

The second is Brad Mathas who fought out a close battle with James in the New Zealand 800 metres championship on 3 March. There was just 0.08 seconds between

them when they finished in the top two places.

Brad is an eight-time New Zealand champion over 800 metres and has a best time of 1 minutes 45.75 seconds which he set in June.

“Expectation will be high in Budapest, and we are confident the team will make New Zealand proud and

with three games to play.

Miramar Rangers is uncharacteristically in eighth spot and the wheels have pretty much fallen off their own top four aspirations with a 3-2 home loss at the hands of Petone.

The playing roster at Miramar is still strong but the results have not followed form this season. In the other match in the round, Stop Out had a credible 3 all draw against the Wellington Phoenix Reserves.

perform to a high standard at the pinnacle event of the athletics year,” Athletics NZ High Performance Director Scott Newman says.

James and Brad will join a team that includes the high performers Tom Walsh, Jacko Gill, Eliza McCarthy, Olivia McTaggart, Hamish Kerr and Zoe Hobbs.

Crofton Downs Primary School Enrolment / Ballot Information. For Terms 1&2 2024

The Board of Trustees invites applications from ‘out of zone’ parents who wish to enrol their children at Crofton Downs Primary School for 2024. Enrolment at the school is governed by an enrolment zone, details of which are available from the school office or at www.cdps.school.nz

Applications for out of zone places are now being invited for those students who will be eligible for enrolment in Terms 1 & 2 in 2024. Applications are to be submitted on the official enrolment form, which is available at the school office or online enrolment on the school website.

There are:

6 Out of Zone places available in NE / Year 1

Where there are more applications for enrolment than there are places available the Board is required to fill any vacant out of zone places by ballot. The deadline for receipt of applications for out-of-zone places is Monday 18 September at 12 noon.

If the number of out of zone applications exceeds the number of places available, selection will be by ballot. The ballot, if required, will be held on Wednesday 20 September under external supervision. All applicants will be notified by Friday 22 September

If you live within the home zone and have not yet signaled your intention to enrol your child, please contact the school office to assist us to plan appropriately for 2024.

If you would like a tour of our amazing little school please contact Justin Potter, Principal. (principal@cdps.school.nz)

Please contact the school office on 04 479 2429 for details regarding the enrolment process, or email office@cdps.school.nz

Action from the match between TFS North Wellington and Wellington Olympic. Photo: @K0kophotos.

James Preston winning another 800 metres race.

Photo: Alisha Lovrich.