Wainuiomata-based band Adoneye soared to the top in New Zealand when they won the 2024 Battle of the Bands national competition.
Not only did the band win, but so did Dean Rossell, the band’s lead singer and guitarist.
Dean won the award for best singer and the award for best song writer.
Continued on page 2.
Battle of the Bands winner Adoneye (from left) Dean Rossell, Connor Grant, Oliver Dudjiak and Richard Wood. Photo: Frank Neill.
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Validation from winning ‘massive’
Continued from page 1
Winning the award as best song writer “was the one I was most chuffed about,” Dean says.
The four piece band includes Dean, who lives in Wainuiomata, Connor Grant on guitar, Richard Wood on bass and Oliver Dudjiak on drums.
Richard and Connor both used to live in Wainuiomata and the band’s “tech wizard” Callum Hogwood is a Wainuiomata resident.
The validation that came from winning the Battle of the Bands “is massive,” Dean says.
“It gives you confidence to keep doing what you are doing.”
When they found out they had won “we just lost it,” Oliver says.
“We were humbled and really thankful.
As a result of the win “a lot of doors have opened up to gigs around the country.
“It’s exciting,” Oliver says. Adoneye only decided to enter the Battle of the Bands on the day that the first of the four shows in the competition took place.
This first show was the heats. This was followed by the semi-finals, the regional competitions and then moved to the climax, the national final.
At each of these four events, the bands played sets of between
25 and 30 minutes.
Each song in Adoneye’s four sets were original compositions, selected from the band’s repertoire of 30 songs.
At the national final, held at Valhallah in Wellington on 6 July, Adoneye was one of 17 bands from around New Zealand that competed for the title.
Adoneye has only been together as a four-piece band since December 2023 when drummer Oliver joined them.
Before that they were a three piece band, having formed in 2022. Adoneye gets together to practice in Wainuiomata.
The Battle of the Bands has been an annual feature of the New Zealand music scene since
1993.
Many well-known New Zealand music artists have been previous winners and finalists of the event, including OpShop, Tadpole, Blindspott, Bakers Eddy, Skinny Hobos, Strangely Arousing, Brendon Thomas and the Vibes, The Rubics, Alien Weaponry and Valkyrie.
Unique albatross viewing
The Royal Albatross Centre is nestled at the tip of the Otago Peninsula, tepoti - Dunedin. Here visitors have the unique opportunity to view the only mainland nesting site of one of the greatest seabirds in the world.
The Northern Royal Albatross – with an impressive three meter wingspan –is definitely an extraordinary bird to watch.
The Albatross colony can be viewed from
the centre’s observatory, which is located a short walk uphill from the Albatross centre through a guided tour.
At the Albatross Centre visitors can also learn about the Albatross and the history of the headland.
The centre’s on site Toroa café provides freshly baked and cooked meals and our gift shop has a big range of New Zealand and locally made treasures.
Dean Rossell performing during the 2024 Battle of the Bands. Photo: Supplied.
New urban forest at Wainui’s Marae
By Frank Neill
The Wainuiomata Marae has launched a new project – to plant an urban forest next to the marae.
Named Ngahere Korowai (signifying a beautiful cloak of forest), it will be planted on the swamp area between the marae and the hill.
Site preparation is under way and the initial planting is scheduled to take place in late August.
The new forest will be protected by a deer fence.
As well as being an urban forest, Ngahere Korowai will also provide a place for tamariki to play and to experience the bush.
The idea for Ngahere Korowai came following a discussion between Wainuiomata Marae Chair, Star Olsen, and Canadian Molly Mellish.
“It was a dual initiative,” Molly says.
“Myself and Star together created the whole concept together in almost the twinkle of an eye.”
That happened when they both attended a Zoom hui on the climate action pathway held by Lower Hutt City Council in 2021.
“Star talked about his vision for a playground where the children could play in nature,” Molly says.
“His description of his childhood matched mine very closely.
“The recognition that we had very similar childhoods launched the whole project.
“Star talked about having a playground which included a forest and a slide.
“Everything he talked about in playing in the forest matched my childhood quite closely, so we started the project.”
Getting the project under way was not able to happen qucickly however, as Molly contracted cancer, fortunately a fully curable variety, from which she has now recovered.
“It is now, almost three years later, that I have been fit enough to be working full-time on the project, but I am and we will be launching it soon.”
She and Star have worked with Transition Town Lower Hutt on setting up the project, and they have found a professional gardener, Nature’s Villa, to work with them.
“We are now designing it and we are going to be raising money to launch this project.”
“It’s a learning thing that we are trying to create for the kids,” Star says.
“It will be exciting ... that’s for sure.”
It will introduce tamariki and rangatahi, and even young babies, to the trees and shrubs of their M ori ancestors.
It will also introduce them to all the insects and bugs and birds that will come to the natural environment which is right on their doorstep.
“A city forest is completely different from a forest grown in the outer town belt or on
pasture lands,” Molly says.
“A city forest uses what is called the Miyawaki method.”
This method was pioneered in Japan in the 1970s, but is still virtually unknown.
The biggest difference is that it enriches the soil. With a Miyawaki Forest the creators dig up the grass, mix it with wood chips and plant material and add forest fungi, and the soil is broken up.
“Nearly half the cost is preparing the soil,” Molly says.
Then trees and shrubs are planted close together, with three trees per square metre.
“You cram them together and as a result the whole thing grows three or four times as tall as normal.
“All the expense that goes into buying or growing the plants is offset by the fact that it needs no maintenance after two to three years.”
As well as the aim of providing a forest play area for tamariki and educating them and rangatahi, Wainuiomata’s Ngahere Korowai has another big aim.
“We hope that this will be a demonstration project for other maraes and other natural history groups to plant similar ones in the Hutt Valley.
“The Hutt Valley is in desperate need of matching its ambition to grow in terms of the numbers of houses with new natural areas which provides these ecosystem services,”
Have your say on community board’s future
By Frank Neill
It is important that Wainuiomata people make submissions to Hutt City Council on how the city will be presented from the 2025 local body election, Wainuiomata Ward Councillor Keri Brown says.
The council has released a series of recommendations on how people are represented for people to make submissions.
This follows a review conducted by an independent panel the council appointed to review representation.
One of the panel’s recommendations is that the council disestablish the Wainuiomata Community Board, as well as the Petone and Eastbourne Commu-
nity Boards.
Consultation on the representation proposals opened on 1 July and closes on 1 August.
Submissions can be made at https://haveyoursay.huttcity.govt. nz/representation-review. More information about the representation review is also on that web page.
As well as the plan to disestablish community boards, the council’s representation review is proposing:
large councillors from six to five; -
lors from five general wards, compared with the existing six councillors from five wards; ori Ward called Mana Kairangi ki Tai M ori
Ward with one councillor; and of councillors from 12 to 13.
“Potential benefits of community boards need to be weighed against their costs, including the remuneration of board members and administrative support by the council,” the council says on its website.
“In 2022/23 it cost $357,983 to run the three [community] boards, including remuneration, overheads, training, technology and miscellaneous costs.”
If community boards are disestablished, the decisions currently made at community board level, such as naming of streets, parks and reserves, would revert to various council committees as is currently the case for parts of the
city not represented by a community board, the council says.
“Residents would be able to engage with these council committees on decisions under consideration.”
Community boards are elected at the same time as the council.
“Their main role is to represent and speak on behalf of their community,” the council says.
Currently 39 out of 66 councils across Aotearoa New Zealand have one or more community boards in their area, including Hutt City Council.
All councils must conduct a review every six years as dictated by the Local Electoral Act.
Hutt City Council last did a representation review in 2018.
Molly
When asked how long the project will take “it will never finish,” Molly says.
“We will start this year with 80 square metres, maybe 100 square metres, behind a deer fence.”
Following that the Marae will look at more plantings, possibly on the hill next to the Marae.
Tamariki from Arakura School held a highly successful fund-raising effort during Jumping June. They raised $4,782 for the Heart Foundation of New Zealand. At the same time the tamariki had a lot of fun.
Putting stakes in the ground for the new forest (from left) Molly Mellish, the project’s gardener Shobita Jones of Nature’s Villa and two tamariki. Photo: Supplied.
says.
The inspirational Dahlia Malaeulu
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata resident Dahlia Malaeulu is a finalist in the 2024 Inspirational Women Awards New Zealand.
Dahlia is one of four finalists in the Woman of the Year section. The other three finalists are Dame Theresa Gattung, Ashleigh Hoeta and Krissy Mackintosh.
There are two award categories, the Woman of the Year and the Change-maker of the Year. Inspirational Women Awards also named a number of women as medalists.
Dahlia is an award-winning Pasifika author, publisher, and founder of Mila’s Books, her award citation says.
“She leads the world’s only
all-Pasifika publishing team of children’s books that produce stories that reflect Pasifika values, languages, and cultures, ensuring tamaiti feel seen and valued.
“Dahlia has published over 90 Pasifika voices and shares the power of Pasifika stories with 10,000 tamaiti annually.
“Her accolades include New Zealand’s Emerging Publisher of the Year 2023, Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Emerging Pacific Artist Award and Wellington Pasifika Business Woman of the Year Award.
“Dahlia also mentors Pasifika businesses and first-time authors while championing reading and sustainable pathways for Pasifika
storytellers across Aotearoa.”
The awards will be presented on 30 November at a ceremony at Rydges Lakeland Resort in Queenstown.
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.
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.
Dahlia Malaeulu. Photo: Supplied.
Hutt City Kindergartens
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Local wins volunteer award
Katrina Barclay, who toils unpaid for the Wainuiomata Association Football Club’s junior club, was one of the winners of New Zealand Football’s Volunteer Awards.
The junior club is “extremely lucky” to have Katrina as part of their committee, the club says.
“[We] were excited and proud that Katrina was one of the winners for The Volunteer ... competition which is run by New Zealand Football,” the club says.
“Katrina has been a huge factor in the growth of memberships for our club in the Capital Football Football for All programme this year.
“We have gone from having 14 junior players being part of the programme last year to just over 100 this year.
“Katrina has spent a lot of hours distributing gear, petrol vouchers and
contacting families over the last few months to make sure the kids can play the beautiful game of football for our club
“The Football For All programme is an initiative that removes barriers for participants to play football, such as registration fees, equipment costs, transportation difficulties and communication barriers.
“Over the last few years Katrina has also run the interschool football tournament at the High School, where again Katrina puts in a lot of hours to make this tournament a success.
“She also is the manager of her son’s football team and has been for over four years.
“Katrina absolutely deserves to be recognised for this award and we are very lucky to have her a part of our football community.
Congratulations Katrina,” the club says.
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Letters to the Editor
Sinclair track
Greater Wellington recently extended the existing Gums Loop track by 400 metres to make it more accessible for walkers.
Because the track is an extension, it will continue to be called Gums Loop.
gestion of the “Sinclair Track” name, and will keep it in mind for future projects in the regional park.
We appreciate any opportunity to reflect an area’s history. Watch this space.
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In 1964, Bill English joined ARC, where he helped Engelbart build the first mouse protot ype. They christened the device the mouse as early models had a cord attached to the rear part of the device which looked like a tail, and in turn resembled the common mouse.
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Photo: Imray’s Snaps.
Football Reserves notch up a win
By Ryan Imray
In the pouring rain on a gloomy Saturday afternoon, the Wainuiomata Football Club welcomed Wellington Marist to Richard Prouse Park for a double header between the Reserves in Capital 4 and the First team in Capital 1.
The Reserves kicked things off first, looking to extend the gap between them and the sides below them on the table.
A physical contest in the first half finished 0-0 and it only took five minutes into the second half for the deadlock to be broken.
Sam Gribben latched on to a through ball to go one-on-one
with the goalkeeper and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
As the heavens opened up and the rain got heavier, Wainui extended their lead through Lakvheen Ravin.
Adam Faulkner saw his shot saved but the deflection landed kindly to the feet of Lakvheen who put the ball away with no issues.
The game finished 2-0 to the home side and saw Wainui climb to sixth on the table and give themselves a healthy 10 point gap between them and the bottom three teams.
Game number two got under way and while the clouds at time disappeared and a rainbow formed over
the hills, it wasn’t as pretty on the pitch as a high flying Marist side showed their class.
Two first half goals saw the away side lead at the break but Wainui were still in the game and the chances they created gave them hope they could pinch something from the game.
Wainui were the better side in the second half and when Marist were reduced to 10 men, there was belief across Richard Prouse that the home side were going to pull the game back but the defence of Marist could not be broken down.
A third goal sealed the win for the away side but there were plenty of positives for Pedro and his side to take from the game.
Ulalei Aute train rolls on
ByVaegaau Isaac
Ulalei Wainuiomata Netball made a strong start in round 2 of the Netball Hutt Valley competition with 5 out of 7 victories on 13 July.
Ulalei Aute was in red-hot form with a dominant performance over St Orans Old Girls scoring an emphatic 73-43 victory, avenging their 4 goal loss in round one. “It was a total team performance and being able to get all 12 players on the court for significant minutes and not losing any momentum on the scoreboard shows the unity within this team and each player understanding their respective roles,” Coach Poni Smith says.
A positive from the game was the availability of a full squad after a few weeks of managing sickness, injuries
and wh nau commitments.
“To have all players and the management team in one place with a supportive and positive environment contributed to a resounding result,” Poni says. In the Senior 4 grade Ulalei Pu lulu had a close loss against Hutt Valley Marist Rugby Club 29-24.
“It was a close game most of the way, and although we didn’t come away with the win, that was the team’s best game of netball this season,” the team’s Manager Mailena Rawiri says. The mid-court was strengthened with the injection of newest team member Ryshia Leota in the second quarter at wingdefence and later moved to centre for the second half of the game.
Taliilagi Smith-Saleupolu and Ria Aberdein-Tapua’i combined to form
a strong defensive unit, utilising their skills, fast feet and hands to force errors and score turnover ball from the opposition. “Overall the team worked hard to control the ball and displayed a number of great plays,” Mailena says.
“We are excited to watch this team go from strength to strength for the rest of round two, as a fire has now been ignited in their bellies.”
In other games newcomers Ulalei M lili continue their break out season with another comprehensive victory, this time a blowout over the Upper Hutt Rams 41-23.
Ulalei M lili won the first round of their grade with only the one loss this season.
They will look to continue their good form in the second round of the competition.
Huge victory for Wainui
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata’s premier Rugby team qualified for the semi-final of the Hardham Cup with a resounding 62-5 victory over Northern United at William Jones Park on 13 July.
The home team completely dominated their opposition and led 26-0 at half time. Wainuiomata ran in 10 tries while restricting Norths to just one touch down.
The home team’s wing Peter UmagaJensen was once again in fine form, and was rewarded with two tries.
Peter was one of three Wainuiomata players who dotted down twice. The other two were lock Matt Jacobs and Dean Lealofi. Teru Time, Joshua Le’afa-Paki, Renata Kotuhi and Tyle Tane also scored tries. Tyler added two conversions to his points tally and Andrew Wells kicked four conversions.
Last Saturday’s victory was the second successive massive win the team has chalked up.
In the first round of the Hardham Cup competition on 6 July Wainuiomata crushed Avalon 64-12 at William Jones Park.
Wainuiomata will meet Marist St Pats in the 20 July semi-final of the second-tier premier competition.
This match will see Wainuiomata facing much sterner opposition, as Marist St Pats
Try time for Wainuiomata. Photo: Supplied. were the top qualifiers for the Hardham Cup, while Wainuiomata was seeded third. The match will be played at Evans Bay Park, Kilbirnie.
Waaka Poutu, who is the backs coach for the Wainuiomata colts team is currently in Nottingham, England.
This follows Waaka’s selection for the New Zealand Masters over 50 team to play in the 2024 Touch World Cup. This tournament opened on 15 July and runs to 21 July.
Ulalei Puālulu in good spirits after a close encounter with Hutt Valley Marist Rugby. Photo: Supplied.
Ulalei Puataunofo powered over Naenae Collegians 3 66-40. Young guns Ulalei Fuesina lost to Te Rito.
Ulalei Moso’oi mustered all their experience to push past Naenae Collegians 4 for a well deserved 26-24 win.
Ulalei Laga’alii extended their winning streak with an overwhelming 44-24 victory over Upper Hutt Maidstone United.
Ulalei Suni enjoyed a two-week break due to school holidays.
An artist’s impression of the new Avalon skatepark. Image Supplied.
New skatepark being built
The first sod will be turned on the construction of a new skatepark in Avalon tomorrow 18 July.
Hutt City’s Deputy Mayor Tui Lewis, Mana Whenua and other Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (formerly RiverLink) partners will conduct a site blessing and sod turning event for the new
skatepark at 7:30am. The new skatepark is being built to eventually replace the Melling Skatepark on Block Road.
This skatepark needs to be demolished to make room for the Melling Transport Improvements as part of Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (formerly RiverLink).
Beauyn Goochwood goes in for a tackle for the first team.
Photo: Imray’s Snaps.
New cameras to spot predators
Two new smart tools that detect and identify invading predators are now available for use in predator-free projects as part of the Department of Conservation’s ‘Tools to Market’ programme.
Three organisations are involved in pest eradication in the Wainuiomata area – Predator Free Wainuiomata, Predator Free Waiu Park and the Remutaka Forest Park Trust.
The Cacophony Project’s ‘DOC AI CAM’ and ASG Technologies Ltd’s ‘PredaCAM’ both use AI technology with portable ‘cameras’ to spot predators including rats, stoats and possums.
These cameras send information from remote sites to users to allow a rapid targeted response.
“We are excited about the positive impact this cutting-edge technology will have on conservation efforts across New Zealand,” says ASG Tech Operations Manager Matt Park.
“Predator Free Wellington has already jumped on board and is trialling the PredaCAM at Mount Victoria, an area where predators remain.”
In initial field trials, the PredaCAM achieved over 80% accuracy in detecting rats in the images.
Predator Free Wellington is now trialling the camera to see how well the AI works in a range of environments.
The camera is optimised for urban areas using the mobile network. A subsequent release, scheduled for early 2025, will incorporate satellite coverage to support areas without network access.
DOC Landscape Threats Science Manager Clayson Howell says ‘Tools to Market’ supports innovation to develop the tools and technology to help achieve Predator Free 2050.
“In this case we were looking for improved tools to detect predators in low numbers such as incursions on pest-free islands or in areas where only small numbers of predators remain,” Mr Howell says.
“These companies have both pushed the boundaries with AI seamlessly integrated into their devices to allow rapid identification of predators in the field.
“This will dramatically reduce the cost and speed of identifying predators, allowing for a targeted response.
“While similar, the devices use different technologies, which may have advantages in different areas.
Now they’re on the market, these tools can be used and further tested in a range of environments.”
Programme Manager at The Cacophony Project, Matthew Hellicar says support from DOC enabled them to redesign and
improve their existing thermal camera.
This automatically uploads recordings to Cacophony’s cloud servers where AI automatically identifies all invasive predators and then notifies users in real-time,
he said.
“We are really pleased to have reduced both the cost and the power needs of the new DOC AI CAM. People are already using it in the field and we’re getting great feedback,” Mr Hellicar says.
A new camera that will provide information so predators can be elminated. Photo: Supplied.
A new camera that will help predator free groups to take out pests. Photo: Supplied.
