Wednesday December 11, 2024
By Frank Neill
Around 50 Hurricanes descended on Wainuiomata on 9 December to help with three community projects. Continued on page 2.
Hurricanes Flyn Yates and Zach Gallagher putting together a green house at the
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Continued from page 1
The Hurricanes contingent were given a welcome at the Wainuiomata Marae at 10am, and then divided into three groups.
One group painted fences at the Wainuiomata Marae, another helped with a series of activities at the Pataka Kai and the third group did their working bee at Barnardos Wainuiomata.
The team of Hurricanes included players, management and office staff, as well as six boys in the under 20 squad that is training with the Hurricanes.
The three working bees were initiated by the Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club, who asked if there were any community organisations needing support, and then organised for the Hurricanes to come and provide them the support they needed.
“On behalf of the Wainuiomata Marae, we thank the Rugby Club and the Hurricanes,” says Linda Olsen, the Chair of the Wainuiomata Marae.
As well as welcoming the Hurricanes, the marae also provided them morning tea and lunch.
The working bee came not long after the Hurricanes assembled on 28 November to begin their preparations for the next season.
Some very famous Hurricanes have come from Wainuiomata.
and Tyrel Lomax.
“So it’s a good chance to come back and give back,” one of the current players told the “Wainuiomata News”.
Wildfire safety measures have been activated in Greater Wellington’s Regional Parks to protect visitors and the environment during the summer fire season.
Fire restrictions had not been put in place when the “Wainuiomata News” went to print.
However the council is displaying signs that use a colour-coded system: green for low risk to red for extreme risk which triggers restrictionson park access and activities.
“With summer comes the risk of wildfires and I urge Wainuiomata residents to take extra care and responsibility when enjoying the great outdoors,” Wellington Regional Councillor Quentin Duthie says. “Down Coast Road at the very special ruapouanui (Baring Head) and Parangarahu Lakes the wildfire risk will become high.
“In these dry and windy areas, a grass fire cannot be outrun. The consequences can be fatal. “Plus, of course, a wildfire would set back restoration efforts and kill precious wildlife like native birds and lizards.
“Grazing has been retired in East Harbour Regional Park in order to restore natural values. Until native plantings establish, the long grass creates heightened fire risk.
“With lives, taonga, historic buildings and planting investment at risk, Greater Wellington is responsible for ensuring evidence-based risk assessment and appropriate precautions.
“Please respect the restrictions and exercise care and caution with potential ignition sources. ”Greater Wellington implemented a wildfire risk management plan for the first time last summer, which in the case of high risk triggers partial or full closures.
“Last summer was particularly dry, with extreme risk in some areas,” Cr Duthie says.
Fire and Emergency urges people to be particularly cautious with fire and spark causing activities this summer, and to check the fire risk in their area at www.checkitsalright.nz
Before visiting Regional Parks this summer, check for fire restrictions at www.gw.govt.nz/ parks/wildfires-in-regional-parks/
By Frank Neill
Hutt City Council was due to debate a motion opposing the Treaty Principles Bill at its 10 December meeting.
The motion was moved by Wainuiomata Ward Councillor Keri Brown, and has been seconded by another Councillor who lives in Wainuiomata, Cr Gabriel Tupou.
The motion states:
“That Te Kaunihera o Te Awa Kairangi –[Hutt City] Council:
(1) opposes the Principles of The Treaty of Waitangi Bill currently before Parliament; (2) affirms that Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi underpins the core work of Local Government; and (3) reaffirms its commitment to its partnership with mana whenua and M ori through the Takai Here.”
The discussion and the vote on the motion took place after the deadline for this week’s issue of the “Wainuiomata News”.
Introduced by the ACT Party’s leader David Seymour, the Treaty of Waitangi Principles Bill is available on the New Zealand Parliament website.
The bill passed its first reading in Parliament on 14 November and was referred to Parliament’s Justice Committee.
The Justice Committee has called for public submissions on the bill. The closing
date for submissions is Tuesday 7 January 2025.
The fire danger sign at Baring Head. Photo: Supplied.
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The Wainuiomata Food Drive, run by Kōkiri Marae Health and Social Services on 8 December, was a huge success, collecting more than 1,000 items. This will help replenish stock levels at Kōkiri Marae’s Pātaka Kai, which will distribute the items they collected to needy whānau in the community.
The food drive saw voluntary assistance from the Wainuiomata Volunteer Fire Brigade, the Wainuiomata Bush Fire Brigade, Tihei Rangatahi Wainuiomata, Tihei Rangatahi Naenae, Love Waiunuiomata, Ngā Hau e Whā ō Wainuiomata Marae, Kōkiri Marae whānau, Tu Kotahi whānau, Wainuiomata Marae whānau and many local whānau.
Christmas at the Dog Park will take place between 10am and noon on Sunday 15 December.
Hosted by Hutt City Council this event is held at Les Dalton Dog Park.
“Lance the Locksmith” is a family-owned business serving the Wellington regions of Wainuiomata, Eastbourne, Petone as well as Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt. Lance is a licensed, bonded, insured locksmith with over 40 years of experience. He provides experienced and dependable locksmith and security services for residential or business customers.
We offer a comprehensive range of mobile locksmith services at Lance the Locksmith. Our competitive pricing and outstanding service separate us from the pack.
cbm New Zealand (Christian Blind Mission) is transforming the lives of adults and children with disabilities living in remote communities in the world’s poorest places.
When you were a child, what did you dream of doing when you grew up?
7-year-old Kyle from the Philippines said, “I want to play basketball.”
But for Kyle, this dream was slipping away… because he was going needlessly blind from cataracts.
Early intervention is crucial for restoring Kyle’s sight, as children can permanently lose their ability to see perfectly if cataracts
Sunday 15 December, 10am - 12pm Les Dalton Dog Park, Wainuiomata
Share the Christmas spirit and come along to one of the greatest events on your dog’s calendar!
Be sure to dress up your dog as we will have a photographer to capture your dog’s very own Christmas portrait.
aren’t treated quickly.
Together, we can help ensure people with disabilities are not left behind. Please will you consider sending a gift of $35 today, transforming the lives of people with disabilities in the world’s poorest places.
But your generosity today can make a difference, turning blindness into sight.
Please consider helping to bring the miracle of sight-saving cataract surgery to adults and children like Kyle living in the world’s poorest places. To learn more about cbm, go to www. cbmnz.org.nz/kyle.
The Do Some Good programme, which began at Arakura School in 2017, is about to deliver 327 Christmas hampers to families in need throughout the Wellington region. The programme covers 23 schools in the region, including kindergartens and Kohanga Reo.
In the lead up to Christmas, Do Some Good works with teachers to identify which children would benefit from a hamper filled with Christmas dinner essentials.
“Some people just have nothing on Christmas day and this makes a huge difference,” says Leigh Keown, the Operations Manager for the Vulnerable Support Charitable Trust, which runs the Do Some Good Programme.
“We are making a difference for 327 families, which is exciting.
“One things that stands out to me when I make the deliveries is that the children just hug me.
“They are just so grateful,” Leigh says.
Do Some Good will start delivering the hampers to the needy families next week.
They will make sure that each hamper has a big chicken and that it contains food that will “spread out and go far,” Leigh says.
The Do Some Good programme started at Arakura School before the Lunch in Schools programme was launched.
It was launched when the school found out children were going to school without lunches or any food.
It began by providing a toasted sandwich maker, bread and cheese, so that the children who did not have food were given toasted sandwiches for lunch.
It then spread to providing children breakfasts, and this initiative continues.
Do Some Good continues to supply Arakura School, as well as the 22 other education providers, and delivers around 30 loaves of bread a week to the Wainuiomata school.
The Wainuiomata News requires deliverers in the following areas on a Wednesday each week:
AREA 1: Faulke Ave, Burden Ave, part of Wood St 270 papers
AREA 2: Hamstead, Enfield, part Wellington, Kendall 220 papers
AREA 3: Dover Rd, Westminster Rd, part of Wellington Rd 385 papers
The Carol Concert which the Pioneer Church hosted last Saturday was a great success.
The music at the concert was presented by the Hutt Valley Chorale.
Parking on Coast Road was at a premium,
AREA 4: Naseby Gr, Bexley Gr, part of Wellington Rd - 285 papers
AREA 5: Meremere St, Manurewa Gr, Mataura Gr - 300 papers
AREA 6: Frederick St, Derwent St, Mackay St- 260 papers
AREA 7: Parenga St, Ngaturi Gr, parts of Wood St and Coast Rd - 235 papers
AREA 8: Wright St, Hyde St, part of Moohan St - 300 papers
with many guests joking that it would have been quicker to have left their car at home.
The theme of the concert was "The Bells are Ringing" so it was most appropriate that the historic bell recently installed in the foyer of the church was tolled for the very first time, to signify the commencement of the carol concert.
In her thank you speech to the Hutt Valley Chorale group the President commented that it was one of the most enjoyable carol singing events she had ever attended.
A social group from the Wainuiomata Baptist Church took to the Wainuiomata Croquet greens in November and played a game of Gateball.None of them had played the game previously but within a few minutes they were quickly able to learn the basics and have a fun time. "Hitting the ball through a hoop two metres away requires some skill," was the comment made by several players. Gateball is a mallet team sport, similar to Croquet. It can be a fast paced team game that can be played either socially or competitively by anyone, of any age or gender. Twoteams of up to five players compete against each other with games
lasting no more than30 minutes. The team getting the most points by running the most hoops is the winner. Gateball was developed in Japan following World War 2 and is now played by more than 8,000,000 people worldwide, mainly in Asia but also in Australia and New Zealand.The world tournament was held in Taiwan in October this year. This included a team from New Zealand which had some moderate success. The Wainuiomata Croquet Club in Heath Street will be running Gateball during the summer and everyone is welcome to join in. For more information ring Neil 021 792 751.
The new primary school touch module run by Ulalei Wainuiomata Sport and Rhino Touch at Wise Park on Friday nights has been a hit with tamariki, kura and supporters alike. The competition has promoted a beautiful community spirit on Friday evenings where all wh nau enjoy the touch, the summer polynesian music and the fresh kai from the food trucks.
“The consistent comment we get is about the awesome whanau-friendly and relaxed wairua at the park,” Ulalei’s Scott McLeod says. At this competition Ulalei has promoted wh nau getting to the park by bike or foot. Bike enthusiasts Uso Bike Ride and Free Ride have attended every Friday to do basic bike repairs, give safe cycling advice and give away safe cycling gear.
“We have seen an increase in bikes at the park which is encouraging,” Scott says. “Our wh nau could not do this if the games were at Hutt Park or Fraser Park so it’s great that our families are taking advantage of having another local competition.” The high skill level
and game knowledge at the competition has been noticeable by touch purists.
“There has always been plenty of talent in Wainuiomata,” Rhino Touch’s Nui Ririnui says.“We are keen to work closely with our kura to develop the tamariki’s skills further.
“It’s very special that we can bring this competition to our Wainuiomata whanau and see all Wainuiomata kura playing on Wise Park.” While the competition ends for the term this week, plans are already in motion for Term 1 2025. “The feedback from parents and the schools has been really positive where some kura have been enquiring about registrations for Term 1 for a few weeks,” beams Ulalei’s Vatau Sagaga. “That feedback makes all of our mahi worthwhile. We are looking forward to running it back in 2025.” Ulalei and Rhino Touch acknowledge the generous support from Nuku Ora, Hutt City Council, McDonald’s Hutt Valley, Hutt Mana Charitable Trust and One Foundation to be able to run this competition at no cost to whanau.
By Frank Neill
The Wainuiomata premier women’s Cricket team remains top of the Wellington division 3 table, despite not playing on 7 December, as they had the bye.
Wainuiomata is tied with the Taita Queens in the T20 competition.
Both teams have won three of their four matches with the other match being abandoned. Wainuiomata’s next match sees them play Petone Riverside at Sladden Park on 14 December.
Half centuries by Callum Mackaness and Jordan Rangikauhata were not quite enough for the Wainuiomata men’s first XI, and they narrowly lost a close encounter with Naenae Old Boys on 7 December.
Batting first on their home ground of Bryan Heath Park, Wainuiomata completed their
50 overs with a very good total of 268 for the loss of six wickets.
However Naenae was able to overhaul that total in the second to last over of the match, ending with 270 runs for the loss of five wickets in the division two Hazlett Trophy competition.
Callum was outstanding with the bat, scoring 68 runs from only 53 deliveries. Jordan, the other half centurion, scored 51 and Yesh Prashanth also contributed well with 33.
Logan Stoupe took two wickets for 60 for Wainuiomata.
Three players took one wicket each – Gurpreet Singh with one for 31, Ryan Jackson with one for 39 and Callum with 1 for 61. Wainuiomata’s next match is against Johnsonville at Bryan Heath Park on 14 December.
“Family working for Families in Tasman”
The Homestead is in the heart of Wakefield Village.
Helping to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
