16 August Wainuiomata News

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‘A New Dawn’ named a finalist

Continued from page 1

And there is more.

One of the books she published, “A New Dawn”, was named as a finalist in the Ngaio Marsh Awards, announced on 10 August.

Written by Emeli Sione and illustrated by Darcy Solia, “A New Dawn” was named as one of the five finalists for the best non-fiction award. These awards will be presented later this year at a place and date yet to be announced.

That announcement came on the same day as “A New Dawn” featured as a finalist in the New Zealand Children and Young Adult Book Awards, which were presented during a ceremony at Pipitea Marae.

Mila’s Books is the first award winning all Pasifika publishing team in the world. They champion and produce Pasifika children’s books that help tamaiti to be seen, heard and valued.

“There is a Pasifika revolution happening where we are realising our own value and that our stories have the power to change the world for us and future Pasifika generations of tamaiti, creators and entrepreneurs,” Dahlia says.

“What is also important to note is that we are everywhere.

“I am only one of many and there is a whole village of creatives who are creating more brown spaces for us to shine in a world that has kept us in the dark for so long.

“But when we unite, connect and shine together we are capable of creating our own opportunities and succeeding as ourselves.

“Like Mila’s Books, together we can be unstoppable,” Dahlia says.

SALES

Les Whiteside

les@wsn.co.nz 021 360 008

Unsurprisingly, the Aotearoa Book Trade Industry Awards judges were full of praise for Mila’s Books.

“In four years Mila’s Books has solidified a reputation for producing culturally rich, accessible and quality stories and resources that reflect Pasifika values, languages, cultures and most importantly, our tamaiti,” the judges said.

Dahlia has a background in education and regularly visits schools and organisations across Aotearoa through different Mila’s Books initiatives and Te Pou Muramura Read NZ’s Writer’s in Schools Programme.

She and her Mila’s Books team have also been acknowledged at the Pacific Business Awards and Creative New Zealand’s (CNZ) Pacific Awards.

NATIONAL

SALES

Sam Barnes

sam@wsn.co.nz 021 109 4406

CLASSIFIED SALES classifieds@wsn.co.nz

“Through the various Mila’s Books projects, the stories of over 90 first-time Pasifika authors (children, students, educators, parents) across Aotearoa have been shared with the world advancing Pasifika storytelling, with Pasifika, by Pasifika, for all of us.”

The Aotearoa Book Trade Industry Awards are jointly sponsored by Booksellers Aotearoa NZ and the Publishers Association of New Zealand.

A lack of Pasifika literature available, particularly for children was a big factor in Dahlia’s move into publishing.

She wanted to ensure that Pasifika children, including her own, would have books that celebrate their culture, language and stories.

In October last year, Dahlia received the $7,500 Emerging Pacific Artist Award for her role as a writer, publisher and educator at CNZ’s Arts Pasifika Awards.

Three important projects Mila’s Books have recently published are“Pasifika Navigators”, “v sifika” and “A New Dawn”.

The world’s first Pasifika student poetry collection “Pasifika Navigators” shares the voices of 52 Pasifika students across Aotearoa.

“v sifika” shares the stories of Pasifika families who are living with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

The book has helped to spread awareness and acceptance of ASD and given voice to another part of the Pasifika community that thoroughly deserves to be heard.

Another Mila’s Books title,“A New Dawn”,

tells the story of the dawn raids, and was released on the first anniversary of the New Zealand Government’s apology for the raids.

Mila’s Books is celebrating this story with its new project – “A New Dawn Across Aotearoa”.

This project will see schools and Pasifika community groups across the country receiving free copies of “A New Dawn”, which usually sell for $30.

Mila’s Books has partnered with the Ministry of Pacific Peoples to create this project, which aims to:

of Pasifika stories, esnsuring increased access to these narratives; and and healing by encouraging talanoa and sharing experiences related to the dawn raids.

Schools and Pasifika community groups interested in participating in the project can register their interest at www.milasbooks.com.

Dahlia Malaeulu with her Emerging New Zealand Publisher of the Year award just after it was presented by Catriona Fergusson (right) the Publishers Association of New Zealand CEO. Photo: Supplied.

Q: After Barbie, what

movie

should be

made

next based on your childhood toy?

Social housing falls victim to council error

By Frank Neill

A Wainuiomata businessman’s plans to provide housing for needy M ori families has failed because he could not get resource consent for social housing.

Ian Lang is the owner of Pricebusters in Queen Street.

He developed four apartments above his shop and spoke to Te T papa Kura K inga, the M ori housing provider with the aim of making the apartments available to needy M ori families.

That could not happen when the time came to place people into the apartments however.

The reason for that was that Ian could not get a building compliance certificate from Hutt City Council due to issues with the backflow preventers.

Backflow is the unwanted reverse flow of water or potentially polluted or contaminated water back into a drinking water supply. It is prevented through the installation of backflow prevention devices.

The reason he was unable to obtain a building compliance certificate was because the backflow preventers had been placed underground in Queen Street.

In doing that, Ian says, Hutt City Council has “not following its own rules”.

It “beggars belief” that the Hutt City Council did that. “It’s just crazy.

“Why did they ignore the council’s own regulations and the government’s regulations not to put them [the backflow preventers] underground?

“As a ratepayer I’m just shocked.

“What’s the point of rules if the people who make the rules don’t follow them?” Ian asks.

“I started my business, the Pricebusters Store, here in Wainuiomata in 1983,” he says.

“The idea of building the flats was to give something back to Wainuiomata, but I couldn’t get a building compliance consent.

“For me it was heartbreaking that when we got to the end of the project I could not lease them to to people who needed them the most.”

In a bid to try and change that, he spoke to his insurance company.

However they would not insure the apartments for social housing, Ian says.

Ian has now leased the four apartments, but not to needy people as he had intended.

Non-compliant backflow preventers are not the only issue facing Queen Street businesses in the wake of the Queen Street upgrade.

Covers that protect tobies are also a problem.

“The toby covers are 80kg, which is really unweildy,” says Clive Cannons of Clive’s Chemists.

That weight makes them difficult to lift.

In fact it takes four people to lift the toby covers in Queen Street, one shop owner told the “Independent Herald”.

“Wellington Water and Hutt City Council are aware of, and working with customers in Queen Street, Wainuiomata regarding backflow prevention, devices which prevent water flowing back into the water supply and contaminating it,” Hutt City Council told the “Independent Herald”.

“We acknowledge and appreciate there are some customer concerns with the installation of backflow devices, following the recent footpath upgrade and advice that was provided at that time,” Hutt City Council says.

“We take these concerns seriously and are working together to understand the issue and ensure suitable backflow protection is in place that meets the new regulatory requirements.

“Our primary focus is providing businesses/customers with the necessary guidance and support to ensure the least disruption.

“Hutt City Council will cover the cost and installation of the

equipment.

“We will be working with businesses/customers individually over the coming weeks to find a solution tailored to fit their specific property requirements.

“We recognise the weight of the covers protecting the toby and backflow device is an issue and we are looking at a workable solution to address the problem,” the council says.

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Racheal Kenyon Cabbage Patch kids.

Michael Hagan

Alf from the TV series.

Georgy Walton

A movie about bouncy toys with pogo sticks and space hopper characters.

Cindy Thom My Little Pony.

Brad Taylor Thomas the Tank Engine.

Jonathan Rosene Thundercats for sure.

A view inside one of the apartments Ian Lang planned for needy families. Photo: Supplied.

Pricebusters Wainuiomata with the four apartments above it.

Photo: Supplied.

Clive’s Chemist, 20-21 Queen Street, Wainuiomata.

Our staff at Clive’s Chemist are always available to answer any questions you might have.

Te Awa Kairangi Hutt Valley is a giant playground packed full of outdoor adventures and unmissable experiences. It’s steeped in history and culture and

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Access member events for training, meet industry leaders and peers. Keep up to date with our regular communications.

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Receive a range of exclusive savings from our partners. Increase your business visibility in our member directory.

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Email Patrick to Sign Up! patrick@hvchamber.org.nz

DOES YOUR TV RECEPTION

GIVE YOU A HEADACHE?

Hutt city cameras

Husband and wife Major and Jenny are still at the helm of the company they started all those years ago.

Jenny’s dad Don started the family business in 1973. He had been a camera technician since he was a teenager, so a photographic retail business was the logical choice of career when he immigrated to New Zealand.

Don retired from the business after 44 years of servicing mechanical cameras and photographic equipment. The staff at Hutt Cameras have carried on the tradition for expertise and quality service that Don started.

Our huge frame selection was a successful part of the business, and with the addition of a custom picture framing service in the 1980s, the company gained a highly competitive edge in the framing

We Restore

industry. It also gave much more versatility, efficiency and choices for customers.

Meanwhile, Hutt Cameras was quickly gaining a reputation for manipulating and restoring old photos. To this day it is a big part of the business and the restoration department is kept very busy.

Jenny regards impeccable customer service as the most important aspect of the business, and takes a personal interest in all her customers’ needs. With 45 years of experience behind her, she provides helpful advice, suggestions for framing, and solutions to customers’ problems, no matter how big or small. She is also known to lend a sympathetic ear to her customer’s trials and tribulations, too!

Drop in to our shop in Lower Hutt and experience Jenny’s expertise for yourself.

Get your television problems fixed

Aerial Master, specialists in television reception, has been servicing the greater Wellington area for over 20 years.

Barry and the team at Aerial Master in Lower Hutt pride themselves on their hard work and dedication to the community.

“Customer satisfaction is our number one satisfaction,” Barry Bhagwandas said.

Aerial Master has a team of fully trained technicians who are able to deal with all aerial-related problems, from adding an outlet to your home, to installing a full Master Antenna Television system

for a motel. They are authorised SkyTV and Freeview accredited installers and have everything needed to help people go digital.

“We offer good service and quality. We stand by our work,” Barry said.

Aerial Master’s technicians are SkyTV approved, trained with appropriate field strength metres to ensure their customers receive the best possible TV reception. Call them today to find out how they can assist you with your television needs.

Contact Aerial Master on 04 499 5353.

The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce

The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic network that supports, connects, and empowers local businesses across the Hutt Valley to thrive and grow. We’re here to

help businesses succeed, providing opportunities for networking, advocacy, learning, and collaboration.

To find out more, visit our website: hvchamber.org.nz

Thank you Wainuiomata

Kokiri Marae Hauora and Social Services and Kokiri Marae Maori

Women’s Refuge have given a huge mihi/thankyou to the “amazing community of Wainuiomata”.

The mihi is for the community’s support during its recent collection outside Countdown Wainuiomata.

A grand total of $7,000 was collected

by the kaimahi. This money will go towards making women and children who are exposed to family violence safe and to help the Kokiri Marae create a space for this.

“Once more Wainuiomata has been outstanding in supporting this kaupapa and it is a struggle to thank you all enough,” Janice Aldriege said in a Fa-

Hymn night

cebook post thanking the community.

“Also a special thank you to Zalene Awatere Joe Taylor and her crew for withstanding some atrocious weather to ensure this was a successful collection.

“And finally a big thank you to Countdown for allowing us the space for this collection.”

An evening of old time hymns will be held at the Wainuiomata Pioneer Church this Saturday, 19 August.

The Rock of Ages Hymn Night will begin at 7pm.

Local singer and guitarist James Davis will host the hymn night.

James Davis. Photo: Supplied. Entry is free and everyone is welcome.

Strong Wainuiomata presence

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

Deliverers Wanted

Need some extra cash??

Why not get fit while earning

Be part of our team from the Wainuiomata News and deliver newspapers to local houses. We require honest and reliable people aged 11 and older.

Interested? Please contact:

Ph: 04 587 1660

Wainuiomata had a strong presence at the launch of Labour’s cost of living package at the Waiwhetu Fruit and Vege Co-op on 13 August.

Wainuiomata Kaum tua Mate Taitua opened the New Zealand unveiling of the policy with a karanga and karakia.

Hutt South MP Ginny Andersen then made the opening speech in Te Reo M ori and English.

“This announcement will make a real difference for communities in Wainuiomata,” Ginny says.

“Removing the GST from fruit and veggies will mean families can afford more healthy food each week in their groceries.

“The added boost to Working for Families will give families an additional $47 a week.”

“This combined with removing prescription charges, extending 20 hours free childcare to two-year-olds and free public transport for primary kids will all help families that are struggling with the cost of living.

“As the election heats up voters have a clear choice - helping those who need it or giving tax cuts to the wealthy,” Ginny says.

“It was a huge privilege to host the Prime Minister [Chris Hipkins] in the Hutt for the

52. In the middle of (5)

53. Augmentation(11)

announcement to take the GST off fruit and vegetables.

“It was very special to have Mate Taitua, Kaum tua from Wainuiomata, to open the hui in Waiwhetu.”

Labour announced a series of initiatives aimed at reducing the cost of living pressure at the hui.

The Prime Minister announced the following policies:

frozen fruit and vegetables from 1 April 2024;

approximately 160,000 families; and -

es to the In-Work Tax Credit and lifting the gaining $47 per week on average during the next term of Government,” Labour Social Development and Employment Spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni said. Labour Finance Spokesperson Grant Robertson said the GST announcement and Working for Families Tax Credit changes are the centrepiece of Labour’s tax policy for the election.

33. Throw (3)

to another(7)

5. Undergo religious conversion (3,3,5)

11. Worked at (5)

12. Not one or the other (7)

13. Braid (5)

14. Listen in (9)

15. Halt temporarily (9)

16. Fair(4)

17. Royal couple; & Camilla (7)

19. Write untidily (6)

23. Furore (6)

26. Leather pistol case (7)

29. Of the ear (4)

30. Slight blow (3)

32. Petrol(U.S) (3)

34. Flog (4)

35. Prompts (7)

36. Desire to drink (6)

39. Hebrew prophet(O.T.) (6)

40. Ate lavishly (7)

42. Care for (4)

46. Obstinate (3-6)

48. Unrehearsed (9)

50. Friend(Sp) (5)

51. Gratify (7)

54. Child-minders, baby (7)

DOWN

1. Commodious (5)

2. Steals (7)

3. Sun-worshipping cult member (6)

4. Kingdom (8)

5. Captain (7)

6. Distinctive character of a culture(5)

7. Badger (6)

8. English novelist, D.H. (8)

9. Outstanding chess player (5,6)

10. Rough-surfaced cloth (5)

16. Festival (7)

18. Slackened (5)

20. Found (7)

21. Average (3)

22. Stage of journey (3)

24. Tell apart (11)

25. Spoil (3)

27. Of sheep (5)

28. Small rodent (3)

31. Vigour (3)

37. Capital of Cape Province(S.A.) (4,4)

38. Dependent (8)

41. Small frying pan (7)

43. Beseech (7)

44. Suggest (6)

45. Tasmanian capital (6)

46. Calm (5)

47. Evade (5)

49. Strong desires (5) Solution

Last Week: 9 August 2023

For May 11, 2005

Hutt South MP Ginny Andersen and Wainuiomata Kaumātua

Mate Taitua at the launch of Labour’s cost of living package. Photo: Supplied.

The giant squid has the largest eyes in the world.

Ginny Andersen addresses the launch of Labour’s cost of living package. Photo: Supplied.

WIS lifts Piri Weepu Cup

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata Intermediate School’s Rugby team has brought the Piri Weepu Cup back to the valley.

The trophy is contested annually between Wainuomata Intermediate and Masterton Intermediate School.

Following an extremely close encounter Wainuiomata emerged the victors by 38-36 in this year’s challenge, played at Memorial Park, Masterton, on 10 August.

The scores were almost as close at half time, with Wainuiomata holding a slender 22-21 lead.

Masterton Intermediate was leading the encounter with around five minutes to play. However Kayden Willemse then scored what proved to be the winning try. Masteron then threw everything they could into the final few minutes, however the Wainuiomata defence held firm.

Wainuiomata’s half back Luka Sue was named player of the day.

The Piri Weepy Cup has been contested by the two schools since 2020. Wainuiomata won the first match but Masterton won the next two encounters in 2021 and 2022.

The trophy is usually contested over two matches, but this year there was just the one game.

In order to get to the match, the Wainuiomata team had to battle its way through falling snow, an event the players all enjoyed.

The team is now training hard for the next big competition, the Wellington Regional Intermediate School tournament on 30 August.

This year’s tournament will be hosted by Naenae Intermediate School and will see teams from throughout the greater Wellington region taking part.

Teams will travel from as far north as Levin and Masterton for the event. The victorious

Great Golden Oldies tournament

By Frank Neill

WAGS held a very successful Golden Oldies Rugby Tournament at William Jones Park on 6 August.

Players in the tournament came from as far north as Levin and Masterton and as far south as Wellington.

There were no winners or losers in the tournament. In fact the scores of each game were not recorded.

The tournament is all about fun, friendship and fraternity. The players and supporters come together to talk, play and focus on Rugby.

“Golden Oldies rugby shows us that there is life after retirement and there’s no hanging up your boots,” says Penney Roley of WAGS. WAGS stands for Wainuiomata Ale Guzzlers Society. It began when a group of former Wainuiomata rugby players decided to set up a fraternity and came up with the name.

This year’s Wainuiomata event was cohosted by WAGS and the Stokes Valley Gangsters. It was game number five in the Wellington Regional Golden Oldies Mini Tournament for 2023.

As well as the WAGS and Gangsters, the Evergreens and Crusaders from Levin, Millhillians from Masterton, the K piti, Upper Hutt’s Yellow Bellie Rams, Wellington’s Antiques, the Jugglers from ParemataPlimmerton and the Avonanothers from Avalon all provided players.

Players from these clubs made up three teams, who each played two 20 minute games.

They then went to the Wainuiomata Ruby Club’s clubrooms for a meal, tall tales, a few drinks which made the tales even taller before everyone made their way home.

“It was a great day had by one and all with the referee helping the teams out with the tackling,” Penney says.

“I would like to take this time to thank

the Wainuiomata RFC Club Patron, Life Member and Founding WAGS member Graham Bartlett (Bart), our Life Members and Founding Members (too many to name), Alan Sharman (Chairman WRFU GO Rugby) who were in attendance and can agree that the games were played in the spirit of GO Rugby and the laughs and banter were on point.

Local receives big rates bill

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata resident Roger Finlay has just received a huge rates bill with a “sudden increase” of 75%.

“The rates were $107.85 [a week] before the increase and [are] now $187.27,” he told the “Wainuiomata News”.

“Are there any other ratepayers in Wainuiomata facing this kind of increase?” Roger asks.

A “crucial point” is that the valuation on his property was done by Quotable Value.

“The fact that there have been no improvements to the property at all in five years points to it being an issue of location rather than anything else,” Roger says. “Rates should be based on improvements, not on location in my opinion.

“I have lived here for 40 years and back in 1983 no one wanted to live here,” he says.

The “Wainuiomata News” asked Hutt City Council about the issue

of Mr Finlay receiving a bill with a 75% increase in rates.

“Although Council cannot comment on individual properties, processes are in place to ensure rates are assessed correctly.” the council’s Chief Financial Officer, Jenny Livschitz said.

“The rates team has reached out to Mr Finlay this morning to explain the situation.

“Hutt City Council adopted the 2023-2024 budget as part of the Annual Plan process on 30 June 2023. This set the rates for the year ahead with an overall rates revenue increase for the city of 9.9% (after growth).

“This year’s rates are based on the 2022 property valuations as at 1 September 2022 and sent to property owners in December 2022.

“Rating valuations are usually carried out every three years in New Zealand.

“Last year, property values in Lower Hutt increased by an average

of 32.7%. An increase in rating values does not mean council collects more rates. Hutt City Council collects a fixed amount of rates each year, as specified in the Annual Plan.

“Property values are the tool used to determine how to allocate everyone’s share of the total rates each year. If the capital value of a property has gone up more than the average, then the rates are more likely to have increased by more than the average rates increase.

“Hutt City Council rates invoices also include Greater Wellington rates which have increased by an average of 18.2% for properties in Lower Hutt. Further information about these rates is available on their website here: https://www. gw.govt.nz/your-region/planspolicies-and-bylaws/plans-andreports/annual-plans/

“Further information is available on our website including an interactive map showing the property

“I would like to acknowledge Kapiti Gorilla’s whanau for the loss of one of their stalwarts of their club and communityTrevor Mason.

“Thank you Lance [from] Fine Touch Catering for our meal. [It is] always a pleasure eating your kai.”

Around 120 people, including players and supporters, attended the tournament.

valuation changes in Lower Hutt and a video to explain the Revaluation process and the impact on rates How we set rates and valuations | Hutt City Council

“We are aware that there have been recent changes in the property market in Lower Hutt however council is required by legislation to set and assess rates using the rating value as at 1 September 2022. T

“hese values are governed by the Rating Valuation Act 1998 and audited by the office of the ValuerGeneral. Rating values with the same effective date are used for all properties in the city and this means that all ratepayers are paying rates on the same basis.

“Although the period for objecting to the 2022 rating valuation has closed, all ratepayers can request an urgent rating valuation through Quotable Value and more detail around the rating valuation process is available on their website Rating Valuations (qv.co.nz).

“If an urgent rating valuation

review results in a change in the valuation, this change can only be considered for setting rates from the following rating year.

“We realise that an increase in rates may be significant for some of our ratepayers which is why we have a number of payment options available to help.

weekly, fortnightly and monthly frequency to help spread payments over the year. -

bates is available on the Department of Internal Affairs website and can help with up to $750 towards the annual rates for ratepayers on a low income: Rates Rebates be available from the Ministry of Social Development -visit Work and Income Housing costs for more information.

“Ratepayers are welcome to contact the rates team at rates@ huttcity.govt.nz with any questions or concerns,” Ms Livschitz said.

Wainuiomata Intermediate School Rugby team. Photo: Supplied.

Action from this year’s WAGS Golden Oldies tournament. Photo: Caroline Gore.

7 hectare park-like garden which includes and Angela Wilson extend a warm welcome browse their large selection of rhododendrons onsite in Kimbolton to ensure a healthy, nonroot bound plant. If you can’t make it to their plant centre you can view the plants online at www.crosshills.co.nz . They ship nationwide.

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Ask Palmy locals why they live where they do - in a place that doesn’t have a big neon go-to light shining on itand they might just speak in a whisper. They will probably keep their enthusiasm dialled down low but, look into their eyes and you’ll see a sparkle of about-to-tip-over enthusiasm.

To really get a sense of where you are, the bush-clad hills that you are walking in shape the gorge like a giant waka. This walk delivers with the views, is doable with kids onboard or in tow, and you will appreciate the lush bounty of this area. With that bounty in mind, take the descent in your stride knowing and boutique shops is waiting for you. The Esplanade is an extensive 26-hectare activities for the kids and Wildbase, a native wildlife rehabilitation centre. Basically, you can smell the roses, say “hi” to a native bird, chuck the kids on a mini train and wave at them while drinking your latte from the park’s café. Traversing the awa (river), the newly built bridge is unique and at night it illuminates as an art installation.

Mountain Biking

Over 30kms of trails through mixed terrain, with some jaw-dropping scenery. The trail names say it, here’s a few: Mr. Twister, Billy

why are the All Blacks so good?

The New Zealand Rugby Museum and Te Manawa

Heritage is the cultural heart of a city that thrives on discovery – entertaining and inspiring people from all walks of life for more than 40 years. It’s a place where concepts and communities come together.

country’s most comprehensive collection of rugby memorabilia and records. It’s not every day you can see the nation’s rugby oldest All Blacks jersey and the oldest rugby ball, to All Black star Dan Carter’s boots! And test out your rugby skills – kick, tackle,

Street Art tour

Visit our epic trail of street art and murals in

and discover life-like oversized cats, beautiful native birds, celebrations of our cultures, and whimsical art works clambering up buildings.

Nature Walks

untouched native bush echoing with birdsong, the choice is yours. If you would like a quick and central walk, why not head along to He Ara Kotahi where you a military camp, streams and a river in less than nine kilometres.

How did rugby become so important to New Zealand,

See