Thursday January 16, 2025
New Year honour
By Frank Neill
Karori resident Esther Fung was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 New Year’s Honours.
The honour was bestowed for her services to the Chinese community, and follows her being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2022 New Year’s Honours.
Continued on page 2.
Mrs Esther Fung. Photo: Supplied.
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Unexpected and pleasant surprise
Continued from page 1.
This second honour, she says “is like the icing on the cake.
“It was unexpected. It was a pleasant surprise.
“For me it is recognition for the community ... and particularly the history of the Chinese community and its part of the whole New Zealand story.”
The first Chinese settlers came to New Zealand in 1842 and her family has been in Aotearoa since the 1880s.
Mrs Fung was involved in government consultation for a reconciliation package following the poll tax apology in 2002, which led to formation of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust to support Chinese New Zealand heritage and culture.
She was an inaugural Trustee from 2004 to 2008 and served as Trustee again from 2011 to 2017.
She was key in guiding the trust’s early direction to ensure support for future generations of Chinese New Zealanders.
She notes with pride the growing contributions from younger Chinese New Zealanders in the fields of the arts and literature.
She supported the Trust’s commissioning of several histories of New Zealand’s Chinese community.
Parliament passed the Chinese Immigrants Act in 1881.
After this received the Royal
to value their identity as New Zealanders. Identity is important for everybody.”
As well as being a member of the New Zealand Chinese Association (NZCA) since the mid 1980s, Mrs Fung has also worked with other minority ethnic communities.
She was on what was then called the Ethnic Council, now the Multicultural Council, years ago.
Over the next few months, the bones began to wash ashore along the Hokianga coast.
Numerous local iwi respectfully and lovingly collected the bones and buried them alongside their own at traditional burial sites in the Hokianga, despite having no idea who the bones belonged to.
Assent, a ‘poll tax’ of £10 (equivalent toaround $2000 today) was imposed on Chinese migrants and the number allowed to land from each ship arriving in New Zealand was restricted.
In 1896 the tax was increased to £100 (equivalent to $20,000).
This legislation was repealed in 1944, long after other countries had abandoned such measures.
In 2002 the New Zealand government officially apologised to the Chinese community for the injustice of the tax.
The Poll Tax was provided in a “whole list of statutes that were enacted and for which [former Prime Minister] Helen Clark did apologise,” Mrs Fung says.
“The effect on the community was to deprive them of their identity.
“I think everybody is entitled
“The aim was to get ourselves established as New Zealanders in mainstream New Zealand and to retain our individualty, and using that to contribute to the fabric of New Zealand culture,” she says.
Mrs Fung was a guiding force on NZCA’s Ventnor memorial project, unveiled in Hokianga in 2021, and has contributed to the current development of a historical website Te Hekenga Taikoa telling Chinese New Zealanders’ stories.
The Ventnor memorial project was established to mark an important part of New Zealand history, the sinking of the SS Ventnor off the Hokianga coast in 1902.
The SS Ventnor was chartered to repatriate the remains of 499 Chinese gold miners on New Zealand back to their homelands in Southern China.
When the ship sank, 13 crew and passengers lost their lives and the remains of the miners were lost to the sea.
The Ventnor Project “has been very important to my husband and me,” Mrs Fung says. She has been Secretary of the Wellington Chinese Garden Society since its inception and was appointed a Patron in 2023.
“Mrs Fung has been pivotal to keeping this project on the Wellington City Council’s agenda for more than 20 years in the face of waterfront redevelopment challenges,” her award citation says.
“We have been trying to establish a Chinese garden for many years,” she says.
“I think it is significant for Wellington as the capital city of this country to have our multiculutralism celebrated.
“It is a public garden by the waterfront for the enjoyment of everybody in the city and for visitors.
“It’s in the [council’s] Long Term plan and I’m hoping that one day it will be a reality.
“There is a very strong team that have been working consistently on it, but it’s been hard work,” she says.
I recently hosted a meeting which included local property developers and representatives from the City and Regional Councils. The background for the meeting was the need to ensure all people involved in providing more housing in our electorate, whether it be those building them or those regulating and permitting that building, understand the issues which govern the ability to build the houses everyone agrees we need.
As the new year gets underway, and we get back into the regular lives most of us temporarily put on hold for a few weeks over Christmas and New Year, it’s a good time to consider the changes our city, country and we personally need to consider in order to make this year better than last.
I’ve been reading about Artificial Intelligence (AI) over the break, and one thing that is becoming apparent is that governments and countries are struggling to control and influence the advances in this area, such is the speed of development.
There are essentially two types of development; greenfields and brownfields. Greenfields means building on currently undeveloped land, typically ex farmland on the edges of current urban areas, where infrastructure like sewers, water supply and other essential services don’t exist are usually built by the developer.
dealing with money, because ultimately, what most abusers of any new technology are trying to do, is rip people off.
runoff and other material ending up in our harbours, especially the Porirua harbour in the case of development north of Johnsonville and Newlands. The Wellington City Council are concerned that the existing infrastructure cannot handle the pressure it comes under when new housing areas are developed. Existing infrastructure is aging and needs upgrading across our city, as evidenced by recent pipe failures. An advantage of intensification of existing areas means more people, therefore more ratepayers to pay for those upgrades.
It also requires us to understand that information we receive via social media is very easily able to be manipulated and designed to influence and deceive the end user, especially through AI- controlled algorithms. Facebook and Twitter (Meta and X) are no longer factchecking content, adding to the risk of acting on what we read online
Developers of course need to make a profit, and wish to keep their compliance costs as low as possible. Many believe the Resource Management Act is too cumbersome. We as government for our part have undertaken to rewrite that act.
Brownfields development means rebuilding on existing sites, and there has been considerable discussion in recent times around how much intensification should be allowed in existing suburbs, especially changing of height limits to allow for more apartments.
It’s all happening in international space which governments simply can’t control.
Much of the development is good and will benefit mankind, but it has the potential for so called ‘bad actors’ to use it for crime and disruption.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages; the Regional Council in particular see their role to prevent more
What it will require is extra vigilance and scepticism to be applied, especially when we are
The feedback was good, but the success will be when there are sufficient affordable houses to meetdemand. That is certainly my goal as your MP.
That, and of course having a vibrant and functioning Johnsonville Shopping Centre we can all be proud of.
There’s plenty to be getting on with.
The message is to be conscious of how we are being manipulated and to actively question material we receive, especially around politics. I will be out and about in the electorate as much as possible this year, so please feel free to approach me or make an appointment at the office if you’d like to discuss these or any other issues.
Happy New Year!
The Ventnor Memorial. Mrs Fung was a guiding force behind the memorial project. Photo: Supplied.
Former Army head recognised
By Frank Neill
The former head of the New Zealand Army has been recognised for his services to the country’s military over four decades.
Retired Major General John Boswell has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 New Year Honours.
“It was a great honour to have held the appointment of Chief of Army and to be recognised in this way is incredibly humbling,” he says.
“The service I undertook and the great people with whom I served is recognition enough of my time in the Army. Receiving an honour of this nature really is something both unexpected but greatly appreciated.
“It has never been about me or what I achieved but always the team and what we’ve got after together,” says Major General Boswell, from Khandallah.
Serving as the Chief of Army between 2018 and 2024, Major General Boswell was instrumental in shaping the strategic direction, enhancing operational readiness and ensuring the Army is equipped to meet evolving future challenges.
Under his leadership, the Army responded to numerous domestic and international crises such as natural disasters and human-
itarian emergencies, championed initiatives to modernise equipment and infrastructure, and strengthened partnerships and cooperations with allied nations and international organisations. Major General Boswell credits his success to those around him.
“No one who serves achieves what they do without the support of others,” he says.
“I will always be indebted to the soldiers with whom I served but, more than anything, I owe a debt of thanks I can never repay to my wife Vicky and children Joe and Kate.
“Without their love and support I would not have achieved half the things I have.”
Major General Boswell enlisted in 1984 as an infantry officer and served in Singapore, Angola, Timor-Leste, Afghanistan, the Middle East and the United Kingdom, as well as several senior roles in the New Zealand Defence Force.
“I have always considered it an absolute honour to be afforded the opportunity, be it as a young platoon commander in Singapore back in the mid-1980s or latterly as the Chief, to lead some quite outstanding New Zealanders,” he says.
“The officers and soldiers who make up the New Zealand Army are quite remarkable individuals who achieve great outcomes on behalf of the government and people of New Zealand.
“In many ways, their service has often not received the recognition it deserves – they are fine ambassadors of our nation and we should acknowledge that,” he says.
Police seeking info on Khandallah incident
By Frank Neill
Police are still seeking witnesses to a family harm incident at a bus stop in Cockayne Road, Khandallah, on 9 January.
A man was holding a “bladed object” and threatening a woman, who had a small child with her, Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch said.
People who saw the incident called the Police at around 12 noon.
As well as threatening a woman, the man was seen damaging a bus shelter.
Officers arrived shortly after and attempted to engage with the man.
A Taser was deployed at the 32-year-old
alleged offender, and he fell to the ground, hitting his head.
The man received immediate medical attention by officers and was transported by ambulance to hospital in a critical condition.
The victim was also treated for a minor injury, believed to have been caused by the bladed object.
“Thankfully, the child was uninjured and both the woman and child are being provided with support,” Senior Sergeant Leitch said.
“This was a volatile and unpredictable incident where there was an immediate threat to life, and we would like to thank the members of the public who called 111 without hesitation.
“Police are aware of others that assisted or witnessed the incident who have not yet spoken to Police and we are appealing for those people to make contact with us.
“If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online [at https://webforms.police.govt.nz/en/ update-report] or call 105.
“Please use the reference number 250109/0508.
“Due to the alleged offender’s injury, the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
“Charges will be considered when appropriate and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”
Trapping success
John Parfitt, who is trapping in Glenside Reserve, had a successful catch of a stoat at Halfway House on New Years Day.
A person living at the house reported seeing a stoat scampering across the lawn.
John lured it by laying dried rabbit bait outside the trap for a few days, then baiting the trap only.
John’s predator captures since he first began trapping in the reserve in September 2023 is 98 mice, 70 rats, 17 opossums, one rabbit, two weasels and one stoat.
Ngaio bike tours
Wellington City Council, Ngaio Going Carbon Neutral and Pedal Ready are teaming up to run social bike tours of the recent street changes in Ngaio and the surrounding area on Friday 24 January.
The ride starts at Switched on Bikes on the waterfront at 4:30pm and will finish at Ngaio Union Church at 6:30pm. People can register for this event at https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/ welly-on-wheels-ngaio-confidenceskills-for-biking/wellington.
Major General John Boswell. Photo: Supplied.
Kelburn surgeon honoured
By Frank Neill
Dr Catherine Ferguson was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 New Year’s Honours.
The Kelburn resident was honoured for her services to otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat medicine).
She has worked as an otolaryngology surgeon in Wellington for more than 30 years.
and 2022 to 2023.
“One of the biggest joys for me in my last 30 years of practice has been my amazing patients.”
She has grown “very fond” of some of her patients, and has had a long association with them,
“Some people you see once or twice, but some people you are involved with for years and years.
“They are wonderful people, and working for them is really what makes the job so good.
“I really, really enjoy my patient contact.”
and sexual harassment in surgery.
Some of the findings were “quite distressing, but actually being involved in the writing of the report and then suggesting that the way forward was to actually apologise, that was a highlight for me, as well as having ongoing involvement with the programme that was developed by the College in response to the findings.
“It was quite ground breaking in terms of medical specialities and it was very valuable,” she says.
Another “huge highlight” of her career has been examining.
Dr Catherine Ferguson. Photo: Supplied.
“My work for the College of Surgeons [RACS] and being on the College council, which is a nine-year appointment, I really enjoyed and was a highlight.
Dr Ferguson is New Zealand Deputy Chair of the Court of Examiners for RACS, and has been involved with examining for nine years.
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“I was extremely surprised [to receive the award],” Dr Ferguson says.
“I was quite overwhelmed and happy, but also very humbled that it would be something I would be put forward for.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” she says.
In fact when she first got the email she thought it was a hoax, until she checked and found it was genuine.
“Dr Ferguson was a pioneer female surgeon of otolaryngology in New Zealand and has contributed significantly to the development of otolaryngology training in New Zealand and Australia,” her award citation says.
She has held several roles with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) since 1997, including Vice President in 2018.
She was the first female Chair of the Aotearoa New Zealand National Committee of RACS in 2006 and chaired several committees of the RACS Council.
Dr Ferguson is a member of the New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and was President from 2009 to 2010
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“The great thing about these non-clinical roles was the friendships I made with people from other specialities and disciplines ... and the knowledge I gained in terms of governance – running boards and running committeees.
“Being President of the New Zealand Society was another highlight,” she says.
While on the College of Surgeons, Dr Ferguson was one of two surgical members appointed to the expert advisory group RACS convened to look at discrimination, bullying
It is a “real absolute joy when people pass their exams, which are high stake exams.
“Being able to given them a hug or shake their hand when they have passed their exams is an absolute highlight,” she says..
“Also, I’m incredibly lucky to be part of a really good department that functions very well and is very collegial.
“I’ve had some amazing support from my colleagues and even more amazing support from my wonderful husband Michiel,” Dr Ferguson says.
Take care of our ducks
By Frank Neill
A local woman has contacted the “Independent Herald” to make a plea that people take care when ducks are crossing the road.
This follows an incident on Broderick Road where she saw a car kill ducks that were crossing the carriageway.
The duck killing took place despite the fact that there are signs asking drivers to beware
of ducks crossing the road. The woman was in a line of cars that had stopped for the ducks.
Then a car came from the opposite direction, ran into the ducks and killed them. She had her daughter and grand daughter in the car and they were all very upset, the woman told the “Independent Herald”. She was also very disturbed, and asked the paper to publish a “be vigilant” message.
Free puppet show
A free puppet show for young children will feature at the Newlands Community Centre at 11am on 23 January.
Birdlife Productions will be bringing the show, entitled “Aya and the Butterfly”.
This is a heart-warming, joyful story about a little girl who finds happiness through her experience of the metamorphosis of the monarch butterfly.
The show features plenty of magical puppetry, live music and songs, and lots of giant caterpillar fun.
Based on a book by Dr Maysoon Salama, Aya’s story encourages compassion and empathy for different cultures, and confirms the healing power of nature.
The ideal age range is three to seven years.
Honoured for service to Te Reo Maori
Professor Rawinia Higgins (Ng i Tūhoe) was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 New Years Honours.
She was recognised for her services to M ori language, education and governance.
Professor Higgins has been Deputy Vice-Chancellor M ori of Victoria University of Wellington since 2016 and, as a leading language revitalisation expert, academic and author, and has contributed to transforming the environment for the revitalisation of te reo M ori.
Professor Higgins has held influential governance roles, including as a board member of Ng Pae o Te M ramatanga (M ori Centre of Research Excellence), a member of the Waitangi Tribunal since 2013, and the current Chair and Commissioner of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo M ori (the M ori Language Commission) from 2018.
She has held governance and advisory roles for iwi, Crown entities and government advisory boards, including as Chair of Te H pai- , M ori Advisory Group for Te Kawa Mataaho, and a board member of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
She was Co-Principal Investigator of Te
Kura Roa, the three-year Ng Pae o Te M ramatanga Pae Tawhiti initiative on the value of M ori language, examining state and community responsiveness to M ori language revitalisation efforts.
She chaired the review of the M ori Language Bill, helping shape the legislation enacted in 2016.
Professor Higgins is the Pacific Region representative to the Global Taskforce for the UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
Rates valuations now due February
Updated rating valuations for Wellington City are now planned to be sent to property owners in early February. Revaluations of all properties across the city were due to be finalised and released in December. However, the Office of the Valuer General (OVG), the government body that oversees all rating valuations, has given Quotable Value (QV) more time to work on the district’s updated rating valuations before they are set to be finalised and released to the city’s property owners. The delay stems from the complexities of verifying land values in some areas with limited market sales evidence. This will require additional time testing of these values
by the Valuer-General to ensure the valuations are robust and comply with statutory standards. QV operations manager James Wilson says this additional time will help to ensure greater accuracy of the city's rating valuations. “The OVG’s independent audit is a crucial function in the rating revaluation process. Rigorous quality standards need to be met before the new valuations will be confirmed,” he says. “We’re taking a small amount of extra time to thoroughly review a number of values within Wellington city before resubmitting it for audit. Due to OVG workloads, and with Christmas in the middle, that will not be until early next year now.”
NEVER PAINT YOUR WINDOWS AGAIN!
Professor Rawinia Higgins. Photo Supplied.
INTO 2025
Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day. - Michael Josephson
TARRANT DANCERS
Dancing into the New Year with Tarrant Dancers is starting with performances at two Wellington events that form a wonderful part of our city and its cultural identity. Tarrant Dancers will be part of Paint the Town Red Lunar New Year celebrations to welcome in the Year of the Snake on Sat Feb 1st. Also as a part of the Lunar New Year Celebrations they will be performing to celebrate Sylvie Guillem as a Year of the Snake ballerina at the TSB Stadium at 10.30 am on Sun Feb 16 This is part of the East Meets West showcase of performances.
The Newtown Festival follows two weeks later and Tarrant Dancers will be part of the performers lineup for the largest and most fabulous street festival in the country on Sun March 2nd.
Student classes at Te Auaha Creative Centre in Dixon Street start from Sat Feb 8. Children’s graded levels from Beginners to Grade 5 levels of the Royal Academy of dance are taught - grade 2 to 5. The senior students have a Scholars programme with the vocational syllabi of the Royal Academy of Dance but also a course that introduces
other dance styles, focuses on performance and gives opportunities for the students to make their own dance compositions. Our end of 2024 show was A Christmas Cavalcade held at the Boatshed and it was a wonderful and magical day for all the dancers. From the smallest Sugar Plum Fairy in The Night before Christmas to the Senior Scholars in Rossini’s Nocturne and including contemporary and jazz choreographies made by dancers Sylvie Smith and Sofia Holloway this was a great experience for every dancer.
Learning dance is excellent for memory, coordination, musicality and self esteem with a technique base and structured physical framework that stays with you for life. Love dancing!
Principal Deirdre Tarrant with Toni Fraser, Sofia Holloway, Sylvie Smith and guest tutors during contemporary and jazz modules teach the student classes. Kathiy Watson has her legendary Adult Ballet class on Wed 6.30
Classes are held at Te Auaha 62 Dixon Street. Start date is Sat Feb 8th. ENQUIRIES please ph Deirdre Tarrant 021 533 725
Ignite your creative spark in 2025 at Karori Arts & Crafts Centre!
Visit us on our Information & Enrollment Day, Saturday 25 January, to get the scoop on new classes, interest groups, and more. Information & Enrollment Day is an opportunity to talk with Interest Group Leaders, ask Tutors questions, and see the lovely facility Karori Arts & Crafts calls home. We offer programmes for the whole family, from creative and engaging afterschool classes to 30 different interest groups and classes. Karori Arts & Crafts offers a range of creative activities that meet throughout the week, both during the day and in the evenings. All levels of experience and skill are welcome. Term 1 Classes begin in early February.
Scottish country dance classes in Khandallah Town Hall from Monday 10 February
TARRANT DANCERS
All genders, all ages, from teenagers upwards, come and give it a go, make new friends and get some exercise – up to 5000 steps in a night of dancing! No partner needed, come alone or bring a friend. Tutor Rod Downey makes the classes fun with lively Celtic music, friendly
Warm Weather Footcare
As the temperatures climb, our feet have to adapt to summer shoes and activities. Sandals offer a chance for the feet to breathe and stay cool. The best sandals are ones that have a strap or closed heel to help provide support to the foot. It is important to clean sandals occasionally to prevent problems such as tinea or athlete’s foot.
Self- care in summer should also include using heel balm to keep the heels from
club members are on hand to help new dancers. Wear soft, flat shoes, dress ready for exercise, BYO water bottle & $5 cash. Doors open from 7:15. Contact: Robert 021 163 9649, Maureen 027 447 2312. More info athttp://www. johnsonvillescd.org.nz/aboutus/beginners/
drying out and cracking. Podiatrists help in maintaining summer feet by trimming off the build up and helping to prevent these heel cracks forming, known as fissures. At Active Feet Podiatry we are here to assist and advise you to have pain free and attractive feet. Call for an appointment and start the new year with a spring in your step. Active Feet Podiatry can be reached on (04) 473 8696. ActiveFeetPodiatry.com
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Marsden NCEA
A high proportion of Marsden students discover that stellar NCEA results have real currency. 47 tertiary scholarships were offered to our 2023 school leavers, including:
2
3 STUDENTS awarded $20,000–$25,000 towards study at University of Auckland
2 STUDENTS awarded $15,000–$20,000
3 STUDENTS awarded $10,000–$15,000 towards study at University of Melbourne and University of Otago
35 STUDENTS awarded $5,000–$10,000 towards study at University of Canterbury, University of Otago and Victoria University of Wellington
2 STUDENTS awarded $2,000–$4,000 towards study at University of Auckland and University of Otago
Providing a first home with a great location - 7B Jay Street could help you realise your dream. Located on a quiet, friendly street, you'll appreciate the ease of parking in your own off-street space. No more stress of searching for a spot after a long day. The classic and trusty weatherboard exterior appeals, while the interior is designed for your everyday comfort. Inside you’ll find three spacious bedrooms, a bathroom and separate laundry with second toilet.
Price By Negotiation
Duncan Traill 022 0756 759
YIP
This large four bedroom, two bathroom home offers a well designed layout that you will appreciate. Catering to both family living and flexibility, you are bound to find your solution here.
On the lower level you'll find a bedroom and bathroom, providing flexible living options. This is the perfect space for elderly relatives, guests or maybe just for your own quiet space. The section is even tiered where you can drive in to either the top or bottom level.
Price By Negotiation
This three bedroom, one bathroom home is perfect for first time buyers looking for space to call their own.
Inside the home is light and bright, creating a welcoming atmosphere from the moment you step through the door. The open plan kitchen and dining area flows effortlessly into the lounge. A great space to entertain in. The lounge also continues to broaden the space, opening onto a deck with beautiful views over Newlands.
Price By Negotiation
Richard Ho
Stella Grove, Newlands
Jay Street, Paparangi
Next Generation Real Estate.
Tucked away in a peaceful cul-de-sac, this four bedroom, two bathroom home is ideal for families. It is spacious, private and restful.
As you turn into Northwood Close, you can already imagine the kids riding bikes or playing in the quiet cul-de-sac. Then pulling in to number 10, you love the fully fenced, flat section. Stepping inside, you appreciate the generous space and thoughtful layout designed to suit family life. The open plan kitchen, dining and living areas are expansive and ideal for both day to day living and entertaining guests. Whether you're cooking up a family meal or hosting friends, the layout ensures there's plenty of room for everyone to gather comfortably.
Price By Negotiation
Linda
William
Discover the perfect blend of comfort and convenience at 9 Branscombe Street, a delightful three bedroom home that's move in ready and ideal for family living.
Basking in great sun, this home offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere year round. The open plan living area is complemented by a log fire and a heat pump, ensuring comfort regardless of the season. The family bathroom includes a shower and a bath, catering to all your household's needs.
Step outside to the decked area; the ultimate spot for summer BBQs and relaxing in the sun.
Price By Negotiation
36 Bracken Road will surprise you! With its tasteful pop of colour and endless space you'll feel like you've really found the treasure. When you enter the sun soaked conservatory, the downstairs level is like its own living space. You'll find a massive bedroom, lounge space and office room or a single bedroom. From the downstairs lounge, there is also a ranch slider out onto a covered courtyard area for you to put your feet up while soaking in some sun. And that's only the start of the home!
Upstairs you'll find a fully doubleglazed, three bedroom, open lounge and dining space.
Price By Negotiation
Linda Huynh 027 586 6046
William YIP 021 106 9997
What better way to settle into the newyear with a spacious, single storey home on the flat in Tawa? Drive on into your garage or keep the car in your offstreet parking space and step into your fully fenced new home. Welcomed by all day natural sun, sits the lounge space for all your festive gatherings.
Following from there is an office space or dining area that flows from the lounge into the kitchen keeping this homes flow flawless. The kitchen is modern and functional with a second space for a dining area or room for extra cupboards, or that massive double fridge you've always wanted.
33 Findlay Street offers not only functional living but options galore.
Price By Negotiation
Linda Huynh 027
William
Northwood Close, Woodridge
Findlay Street, Tawa
Gardens Magic returning
By Frank Neill
Wellington’s hugely popular Gardens Magic, where all the events are free, is now in full swing.
All the Garden Magic events are free.
Gardens Magic sees a series of concerts at the Botanic Gardens ki Paek k Soundshell until 26 January.
These concerts feature the sounds
of Wellington’s vivacious talent.
In its 45th year, the concert series has acts performing in a wide range of styles, including Reggae, Balkan Folk, R&B, Motown, Jazz, Indie and M ori Soul.
The concerts start with awarm-up solo act from 7pm, before the main act at 8pm.
Concerts are on Tuesday to Sunday each week, with Sunday afternoons from 1pm to 3.15pm kept as a rain
day. The concert programme is at wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/ events-and-festivals/gardens-magic. Along with the concerts there will be evening light displays at the Botanic Gardens, with a magical light display by MJF Lighting. The light displays will take place between 9pm and 10:30pm daily until 26 January.
During the day, families can
Diarrhoea and vomiting are not diseases themselves but are symptoms that can have many possible causes.
When either diarrhoea or vomiting occurs then the body can lose a lot of fluid and become dehydrated. It is very important to get fluid replacement and become rehydrated again.
There are a number of different reasons for diarrhoea and vomiting to occur.
One very common cause is a gut infection (‘gastro’) from either viruses (e.g.: noravirus), bacteria (e.g.: salmonella), or parasites (e.g.: giardia) from contaminated food or water.
Leaving food out of the fridge, possibly, is a common cause for food going ‘off’ due to contamination. In many cases, the ‘gastro’ is only a short-term inconvenience and the diarrhoea and vomiting tend to go away within a few days.
However if the symptoms go on for longer, then a visit to the doctor is advisable. Vomiting and diarrhoea causes the loss of body fluids and important electrolytes (salts), and if it goes on for a longer period of time can result in dehydration.
Babies under 12 months of age are particularly prone to diarrhoea and vomiting from contaminated food and drink and they can become dehydrated very quickly- for example the bottle of formula milk left out of the fridge.
“Look out”, caution Self Care pharmacists, “for the danger signs of dehydration - dry mouth, tongue and lips, reduced skin elasticity, sunken eyes and cheeks, weakness, little urination.
enjoy the Kids Garden Trail and Discovery Days.
They take place daily between 9am and 5pm to 26 January.
A Kids Explorer Day will take place from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday 22 January at the Discovery Garden and on the Quad Lawn near the Soundshell.
Free art classes will be held daily from 11am to 2pm at the Discovery Garden until 26 January.
3 hours (for vomiting) and 24 hours (for diarrhoea).”
The best treatment for ‘gastro’ symptoms is drinking plenty of fluids such as oral rehydration solutions. These contain the right amounts of electrolytes, glucose and water to replace lost nutrients.
“A range of replacement fluids products are available from our pharmacies” advise Self Care pharmacists “and we can provide you with a copy of the Diarrhoea and Vomiting fact card that has helpful advice.”
Begin fluid replacement as soon as diarrhoea starts and give small amounts of fluid often as large amounts may not be kept down.
Babies and children should be given a teaspoon of fluid every minute and adults should take a quarter of a cup every 15 minutes. It is best to avoid undiluted sugary drinks as their high sugar content can make diarrhoea worse.
Light foods such as dry biscuits, cooked mashed vegetables (e.g. plain potato) dry white toast, boiled rice and clear soup are suggested if hungry and then slowly get back to eating normal meals.
For a few days avoid raw vegetables and fruit, wholemeal bread, fried or spicy food and milk products such as cheese and yoghurt.
Here are some simple food handling and cooking tips, and general hygiene measures to help prevent getting a ‘gastro’ bug or passing it on to others.
Children this young need to see a doctor if the symptoms continue for longer than
Wash hands in hot soapy water and dry them well after going to the toilet, after changing babies’ nappies, and before touching food and preparing meals; have clean utensils and chopping boards; defrost
meats thoroughly in the fridge and not out on the bench; keep raw foods in the fridge separated from cooked and ready-to-eat foods; refrigerate all foods until ready to use; use chilly bins with frozen pads inside to keep food cool, and keep them out of the sun; cook meats, especially chicken and other poultry, until the juices run clear and the flesh is no longer pink; cover hot food while cooling, and leave it to cool no longer than 30 minutes before putting in the refrigerator; reheat leftovers until they are steaming hot and only reheat once.
For more information on preventing and treating ‘gastro’-related diarrhoea and vomiting, come and see your Self Care pharmacist. and ask for a copy of the “Diarrhoea and Vomiting” Self Care fact card,. Also visit www.foodsmart.govt.nz for additional food safety and handling advice.
Light displays at the Botanic Gardens during last year ’s Gardens Magic. Photo: Neil Price.
DIARRHOEA AND VOMITING
Steam in the Bay for the Art Deco Festival
For the first time in 10 years, Steam returns to Napier’s Art Deco Festival! Working alongside the festival organisers, as well as a special collaboration with the Central Hawke’s Bay Cancer Society - Steam Incorporated are pleased to be bringing you ‘Steam in the Bay’ between 14 - 16th February 2025. There are plenty of opportunities to jump onboard – tell all your friends and pick a trip or two… or three?
Arrive In Style –13th and 17th February
Arrive in style on Thursday afternoon, on Steam Incorporated’s heritage train hauled by a diesel electric locomotive and steam locomotive working together – the steam locomotive’s first appearance at the Festival in 10 years! Board the train at Paraparaumu, Levin, Palmerston North or Waipukurau and indulge in a weekend of festivities. Options are available for one-way or return travel and fares start at $129 per person.
Accommodation is at your own expense!
Keep an eye on the website www. steaminc.org.nz for the timetable as that is yet to be advised.
Larger group bookings are best dealt with directly through Steam Inc by emailing admin@steaminc.org.nz or contacting 0800 783 264.
Kapiti Women’s Triathlon – start training now for this February event
The Kapiti Women’s Triathlon, to be held on Sunday 23rd February 2025, is the longest-running women’s-only event in New Zealand.
This iconic contest began in 1983 with the aim of encouraging women and girls to get out and have a go, focusing on fun, fitness and health.
It remains an amazing ‘grass roots’ event for women, run by women with a low key fun and friendly approach where any woman can find a challenge to suit them.
One of the unique aspects of this event is
the great Group training options available to everyone.
From openwater swim practices to cycle and run technique sessions and regular Sunday morning group swim sessions at Coastlands Aquatic Centre. Details can be found on the ‘Training’ page of kwt. org.nz website.
Women can choose to take part in the full triathlon, a duathlon, a team event, a fun run or the sprint distance triathlon for those who wish to push themselves.
From a 5km or new 10km fun run/walk
Kapiti Island Nature Tours
Nau mai haere mai ki Kapiti Island! A visit to Kapiti Island feels like a step back in time to untouched Aotearoa where birds reign supreme.
The island is one of the oldest nature reserves in the world, and a fantastic example of an active conservation project. Kapiti
Island is totally free of pests and predators allowing the ngahere (bush) to regenerate, and native species like kākā, kererū, hihi, weka, and kākāriki to thrive. Check out www.kapitiisland.com or email bookings@kapitiisland.com for more information.
to a short/med/long-distance triathlon or duathlon, the Kāpiti Women’s Triathlon truly offers events for every ability – you choose your own level of challenge!
The bike (or E-bike) and run component offers mostly flat terrain while giving you the best of Kāpiti’s coastal scenery.
Enter with your daughters, mothers and friends, either as individuals or in a team,
and feel completely welcome by othe r like-minded wāhine.
If you’d like to get involved as a volunteer, KWT can find a role for you.
KAPITI ISLAND
NATURE TOURS
Come and enjoy a day at the races Fun for all the family both days
Racing starts on January 17 with our Friday Twilight Meeting, first race at 2pm. and Sunday first race at 12.25pm.
Service to abuse survivors
By Frank Neill
Khandallah resident Eugene Ryder (Ng ti Kahu, Ngti Awa, TŪwharetoa ki Kawerau) was awarded the King’s Service Medal in the 2025 New Years honours.
He was one of two residents in Wellington’s northern and western suburbs who were honoured for their services to survivors of abuse in care.
Associate Professor Tristram Ingham ONZM, who lives in Karori, was made a Companion of the King’s Service Order for his services to survivors of abuse in care.
He had “mixed views” on receiving the award, Associate Professor Ingham says, “because of the nature of the work with the survivors of abuse in care.
“A lot of people put a lot of work into it and a lot of pain and heartache went into it, and to be one of the relatively few who were selected to be honoured, it feels a bit unusual.
“Hopefully it draws attention to the work the Commission are doing.”
Associate Professor Ingham (Ng ti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Ng ti Porou) serves as Chair of Te Ao Marama Aotearoa Trust, a nationwide organisation representing T ngata Whaikaha M ori.
He has drawn on his and other survivors’ experiences of abuse in care and led the development of Whaia Te Ao Marama – M ori Disability Action Plan 2018-2022. He has supported other survivors of abuse in care to engage with the
Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions.
He served on the inquiry’s M ori Panel for the Disability, Deaf and Mental Health hearing and has worked with agencies to advocate for generational transformation of the system.
Associate Professor Ingham has advocated to ensure the response to the inquiry accounts for the concerns and interests of all survivors, including people with disabilities who are survivors of abuse.
The fact that the Commission has produced a report is good, he says.
The report “weighed over 2kg of
LOCAL TRADES
paper copy and contained something like a million words.
“It represents the story of over 250,000 people who were abused.
“The next thing will be the necessary policy response.
“If these honours are an indication of their intent to take this report seriously, this gives me heart for the future,” he says.
Associate Professor Ingham is with Otago University, specialising in chronic health conditions and disability.
This is the second successive year he has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours. He was made an Officer of the New
Professor Tristram Ing-
Zealand Order of Merit in the 2024 New Years Honours for services to the disability community.
When Eugene opened an email notifying him about the award, at first he thought it was spam.
But then he checked the email address “and it was legit,” he says.
“It was a big surprise.
“I’m not about getting awards for anything.
“I had to really reach out to my friends and family about whether I should accept this award or not.”
Finally he did decide to accept it “not for myself but for all those who didn’t survive in care and for all those for whom redress hasn’t happened.
“But it was a hard one,” he says.
Eugene has been a long-term advocate and prominent spokesperson for M ori survivors of abuse and has used his personal experience, including his experience as a former gang member, to support other survivors.
He has connected communities,
such as gang communities, in voicing their experiences and engaging with the system as survivors of abuse in state care, and to include their families in the process.
He has been a member of Te Taumata, which provided the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions with strategic guidance to ensure the inquiry had an effective Treaty of Waitangi-based approach.
The “biggest highlight” of his time providing services to the survivors of abuse in care “was having the Royal Commission of Enquiry put in place,” he says.
“There was a long time when successive governments had determined they knew everything about what had happened.
“After the Royal Commission of Enquiry it was clear the gravity of what had happened and the amount of people it had happened to.”
As well as providing guidance to the Royal Commission, Eugene cochairs the Survivor Experiences Service Board, which was established in response to a recommendation from the inquiry as a supportive and confidential place for survivors of abuse in state care and their families to share their experiences.
“We are still a voice for survivors of abuse in care and we are still a voice for those who didn’t survive.
“I feel blessed that I can give voice to those who don’t feel they have a voice,” he says.
Eugene Ryder. Photo: Supplied.
Associate
ham. Photo: Supplied.
Leading economist honoured
By Frank Neill
One of New Zealand’s leading economists, Thorndon resident Dr Bryce Wilkinson, was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year’s honours.
In his role in Treasury, Dr Wilkinson has contributed significantly to public policy formation.
“Economics has been my career, hobby and passion,” he says.
“Much of it has had a public policy focus but the 12 years in the finance industry were also a highlight.
“The issue that has given me the most nights of broken sleep was the battle over the Treasury’s 10% discount rate at the time the Think Big projects were evaluated.
“The lower the discount rate the easier to justify the projects in economic terms.
“In the event projects failed because the projections for future oil prices were far too high.
“The episode drove home to me why there should be a strong presumption against having politicians making commercial decisions.
“From 1982 to 1984, economic management was a shambles due to blanket controls and a burgeoning public debt spiral increasingly owed overseas in foreign currencies.
“The task of dealing with all the compounding issues had become increasingly desperate by the time of calling the snap general election in June 1984.
“Then we in Treasury had a bit more than four weeks to write the blueprint that was Treasury’s advice as to how to get rid of the worst of the controls, stop the public debt spiral, protect a devalued exchange despite severely depleted foreign exchange reserves and then limit the inflation likely to follow from the devaluation and the lifting of price and wage controls,” Dr Wilkinson says.
“Probably my career highlight has been
seeing the governments from 1984 1993 successfully taking the tough decisions necessary to extricate New Zealand from all those overlapping problems in June 1984.
“The pain for farmers, unemployed and many businesses was great, but lesser governments would not have been successful and could easily have imposed greater pain.
“Perhaps as an economist my biggest subsequent contributions to public policy debate are:
1. my proposed Taxpayer Bill of Rights that would give the public greater say in fiscal policy;
2) a proposed Regulatory Responsibility Act that aimed to mirror for laws and regulations the principle basis for fiscal decisions that were embodied in for the Fiscal Responsibility Act 1993; and
3) a property rights primer that aimed to explain to interested lay people why secure, well-defined and enforced property rights were basic to prosperity and human dignity. The poor are more vulnerable to their absence than the rich who can afford to pay for their own security.
“All these contributions reflected my post1984 appreciation that the deep causes of the commonly poor economic policies in New Zealand were largely constitutional.
“My deep and continuing involvement with the Law and Economics Association in New Zealand reflected this realisation of the need for greater mutual understanding between the two professions when assessing public policy responses to issues,” he says.
Dr Wilkinson was President of the New Zealand Law and Economics Association from 2003 to 2005, is a Fellow of that association, and is a member of the editorial board of the United Kingdom Journal “Economic Affairs”.
“No outsider has made a larger and more generous contribution to harmonising legal and economic considerations to New Zealand’s situation than the US giant in constitutional law, Richard Epstein,” he says.
“Tyler Cowan of George Mason University has been another important overseas contributor on economics side.
“Those in the team of outstanding economists in Treasury in 1984, has been important to me ever since – Roger Kerr, Graham Scott, Jas McKenzie, Rob Cameron, Sue Begg, Pat Duignan, Graeme Wheeler and many more.
“Henry Lang and Bernard Galvin were important in their day. In the business community Doug Myers and Ron Trotter were outstanding for their realisation that New Zealand governments were increasingly digging a big hole for New Zealanders after World War Two.
“There had to be a better way.
“The contribution of the Ministers of Finance from 1984-1993 were extraordinary. Their critics commonly trivialise the difficulties they faced.
“Perfection is not possible in politics, compromise is obligatory.
“Since 2010, Oliver Hartwich and Roger Partridge and Eric Crampton have been very important colleagues and contributors to my thinking,” he says.
Dr Wilkinson was a consultant on public policy issues for the Business Roundtable think tank from 1997 to 2010 and has consulted similarly for The New Zealand Initiative since 2012.
He contributed to three government taskforces, namely the Regulatory Responsibility Taskforce, the ACC Stocktake Steering Group, and the 2025 Taskforce.
He has published and presented on a wide range of public policy topics throughout his career, including proposals for improving fiscal discipline and regulatory quality.
Eva Rippon
Maz Mussell
Dr Bryce Wilkinson. Photo: Supplied.
Happy New Year! Here’s to achieving great things together. - Herald Team
Onslow cricketers top of the table
By Frank Neill
Onslow’s premier cricketers sit at the top of the table and will play the match to decide the 2025 winners of the Ewen Chatfield trophy next Saturday, 18 January.
They will meet Taita, who currently share the lead of the division one 50 over competition, at Nairnville Park.
Onslow retained their position sharing the lead of the competition when they defeated Victoria University at Kelburn Park on 11 January.
After bowling out Victoria University for 205, Onlsow surpassed the total for the loss of just three wickets, scoring 208 runs in 31 overs and three balls.
Daniel Rose and Oscar Jackson starred for Onslow, recording almost identical figures.
When bowling, Daniel took two wickets for 31 runs while Oscar took two wickets for 32 runs.
They then both scored half centuries and also ended the match not out, with Daniel notching up 64 and Oscar 63.
Matthew Scoble also peformed outstandingly with the ball, taking three wickets for 29 runs, while Elliott Seddon took two wickets for 45 runs.
Ethan Jefferson contributed well with the bat,.contributing 38 runs.
Onslow also won its last match of 2024 when they defeated Hutt District at the Hutt Recreation Ground on 21 December.
After rain stopped play before all the available overs had been bowled, Onslow took the win on the Duckworth Lewis system.
Batting first they scored 180 all out. Onslow then restricted Hutt District to 67 for five wickets after 21 and a half overs.
Matthew Scoble was the best of the Onslow batsmen, notching up 35 not out, while Sam Keegan scored
33, Ethan Jefferson 29 and George Holmes 26.
Tyan Tsourgas took two wickets for 18 runs, and Oscar Jackson, Elliott Weddon and George Holmes took one wicket each.
Karori narrowly missed out against Hutt District at the Hutt Recreation Ground on 11 January.
Batting first Karori was all out for 199, and Hutt District overhauled their total, scoring 204 for the loss of nine wickets.
Despite the loss, Karori currently sit in third spot on the Ewen Chatfield Trophy ladder.
Liam Roche came within striking distance of a half century whe he scored 44, while Liam Dudding notched up 36 and Oscar Wilson 28.
Yahya Zeb took three wickets for 32 and Yashraj Kalsi two wickets for 32.
Karori ended 2024 on a winning note when they defeated Eastern Suburbs on 21 December.
This match was decided on the Duckworth Lewis system when rain interrupted play.
Batting first Eastern Suburbs were all out for 220.
Karori reached 167 for the loss of four wickets in just 23 and a half overs when rain stopped play.
Mahammad Abbas starred with the bat for Karori, passing his half centry and going on the score 77 from only 41 deliveries.
Shivang Choudary added 35 runs.
Five Karori bowlers took two wickets each: Yashraj Kalsi, Liam Dudding, James Hartshorn, Louis Ayers and Kevin Weerasundara.
Karori’s next match is against Victoria University at Karori Park on 18 January.
A century by Matthew Nel was the highlight of Johnsonville’s victory over Naenae Old Boys at Alex Moore Park on 11 January.
Batting first in the division two
Hazlett Trophy competition Johnsonville reached 314 for the loss of six wickets.
Naenae reached 266 for the loss of seven wickets in their 50 overs.
Johnsonville’s Ben Stephen hit the nineties in his outstanding bat, before being out for 91.
Maximus Petrie took four wickets for 47 and Sean Wakelin one wicket for 58, with Johnsonville securing two run outs.
Johnsonville took out a narrow win on the Duckworth Lewis system in the final 2024 match at Alex Moore Park on 21 December.
Batting first, North City was all out for 294.
Johnsonville reached 129 for the loss of just two wickets in 22 overs.
Will Martin scored a half centry and was out for 54, while Gareth Severin ended the day on 33 not out.
Reece Edgecombe took three wickets for 49 and Asadbir Sing Dhaliwal two wickets for 62 runs.
Johnsonville’s next match is against Petone Riverside at the Petone Recreation Ground on 18 January.
The Johnsonville women cricketers are first equal on the Wellington premier table, despite their narrow loss on 11 January.
Johnsonville scored 112 for the loss of seven wickets, while North City reached 113 for seven.
Johnsonville vice captain Dhriti Girish top scored with 38, while Gemma Sims scored 29 and Estella Wallace 14 not out from just nine deliveries.
Gabriella Esternuizen took two wickets for 18 and Anvi Verma two wickets for 12.
Johnsonville ended 2024 with a tie in their match against Upper Hutt United on 21 December.
Batting first, Upper Hutt reached 135 for five wickets. Johnsonville then scored 135 for six wickets.
Gemma Sims came within one run of a half century when she was out for 49. Anvi Verma added 20 and Annissa Greenlees also scored 20. Anvi and Annissa performed
will with the ball, Annissa taking two wickets for 22 and Anvi one wicket for 32.
Johnsonville’s next match sees them play Upper Hutt United at Karori Park on 18 January.
Daniel Rose, who topped the batting and bowling for Onslow on 11 January. Photo: Cricket Wellington.
Matthew Nel celebrates scoring a century for Johnsonville on 11 January. Photo: Hamish Wareham.
