19 January Independent Herald

Great honour for Dayle

By Frank Neill

The Manager of the Black Sticks women’s hockey team at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and long serving school Principal Dayle Jackson was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in this year’s New Year’s Honours.

She was awarded the accolade for services to education and sport.

“It is a great honour,” the Broadmeadows resident says.

“But I have to share it with thousands of people.

Continued on page 2.

Dayle Jackson, who was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year’s New Year’s Honours. Photo: Supplied.

Phone (04) 587 1660

Address 23 Broderick Rd, Johnsonville Wellington 6037

Honour needs sharing with thousands

Continued from page 1.

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“You can’t do what I did without everyone else – the parents, the teachers, the children, and the love of the job, and that has flowed over into sport as well.”

Ms Jackson’s first reaction when news of the accolade came by mail was to wonder if it really was her.

“I opened the envelope without really looking at it and I read the letter. Then I went back to the envelope to check that it was my name on it, because I don’t expect to get rewards for something that has been my life but has also been an absolute joy 99.5% of the time.

“That was the first big surprise and the next one was that I have to answer this.

“I took time to think about it for a few days and thought I’m accepting it – one for Kelson School that I had just left and for hockey and for lawn bowls.”

Ms Jackson was Principal of Kelson School for several years until retirement in 2013.

As Principal, she focused on support for students and staff, creating bespoke groups and classes to help students strug-

gling in particular subjects, fundraising and coaching sports.

She used her leadership of the school to intertwine education and sports, coaching many of the school’s sports teams including hockey, netball, swimming and community athletics, attending all the games on weekends.

She was heavily involved in her students’ learning, teaching two large groups of students for maths and would listen to students reading.

“Teaching was my career. It was absolutely wonderful every day,” she says.

“It started when I was five and never changed.

“I had a lovely teacher at five and thought ‘that’s what I’m going to do’ and I stuck with it. It was a wonderful career, it really was.

“Then when I left I was involved with Hockey coaching.”

Ms Jackson was involved with Hockey New Zealand for several decades as a player, coach and in various other roles. That included coaching the Wellington women’s representative team.

In 2009 Hockey New Zea-

land presented Ms Jackson with honorary life membership.

Ms Jackson was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 K pura Sports Awards for hockey.

She was awarded Bowls New Zealand Umpire of the Year in 2021 and has served four terms as President of Bowls Wellington.

“Enjoying my sport when I played was always a highlight,” she says.

She began playing hockey when she was six and as well as playing the sport, she was also involved in administration and in coaching.

Her hockey coaching career continued until she stopped at the end of 2021.

Hockey, she says, “was my greatest love.”

Another highlight has been “seeing the children at my school enjoying the sports and having success.

“One of my big highlights, of course, was managing the New Zealand women’s hockey team at Sydney 2000.

“My dream as a child was to walk into that stadium,” she says, and as manager of the Olympic team she achieved that.

“Waking up in the morning, doing what you are going to do and making the most of it is probably one of my greatest highlights.”

Some of the tamariki she has coached over the years have been selected in representative Rugby teams, the All Blacks and others in representative Netball teams.

“Seeing other people’s success from your efforts, I get a lot of satisfaction from that – seeing the joy on other people’s faces when you had a little to do with their success.”

Ms Jackson also outlines another honour she has achieved.

“I was very honoured when Kelson School named their library after me.

“I’m proud of my teaching career, I’m proud of my coaching career and I’m pleased that I have worked with so many wonderful people.

“Without them I couldn’t do it.

“I’m just an ordinary person. Other people are more important than me. I just guide them, but only if they want,” she says.

The Life Story of Anne Frank “Let Me Be Myself”

The Life Story of Anne Frank – “Let Me Be Myself” is an exhibition showing at the NZ Academy of Fine Arts Galleries from 12 January 2023.

There’s more to know about the story of Anne Frank!

The new Anne Frank exhibition is particularly moving. Photos, objects, and text and film are used to inform you about the life of Anne Frank and the Holocaust.

There are new and revealing stories in this exhibition!

You will come away with a much better understanding of this aspiring young woman. From the entries in the Anne Frank diary you will see Anne Frank as she saw herself. You will also see her in the context of the larger tragedy that was the Holocaust.

This international touring exhibition reaches out to young people especially, encouraging them to explore broader issues of prejudice and discrimination that still permeate societies today.

The Academy thanks the Embassy of France, the Delegation of the European Union to New Zealand, and the Federal German Republic for supporting this exhibition.

Tickets available through Eventbrite or at the door:

Entry per person: $7.50 (Children under 12 years $5) NZAFA members: $5

[The Academy is offering a 25% discount off the annual subscription to be a Friend of the Academy Galleries to all attendees of Let Me Be Myself: The Life Story of Anne Frank. Receive notices of upcoming events and exhibitions, and opportunities to join exclusive viewings and workshops]

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.

Compliments of the season to all Independent Herald readers. Those of you feeling guilty because you remained in Wellington and had the best weather in the country over the Christmas week, shouldn’t! It’s the luck of the weatherdraw, we all put ourselves in that ballot when deciding our holiday options.

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.

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.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages; the Regional Council in particular see their role to prevent more

But things are getting brighter on many fronts. Not least of all is the news that NZ was the only country of those we compare ourselves with, which had less deaths than expected over the last couple of COVID years. So, many of our older and more vulnerable folk are with us who wouldn’t be otherwise if they lived in other countries which had big percentage increases in extra deaths.

The no-swim and boil water notices abounding around the country remind us we really do have to take a national approach to water, to ensure we don’t become one of those countries where you continually have to ask “can you drink or swim in the water?”

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.

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.

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.

Anyway I’m looking forward to a year where we can get on with life without the threat of lockdowns and disruptions. Air travel is predicted to be back to pre-COVID levels by June, a good indicator that a crucial part of our economy is back. So happy New Year! I’m looking forward to working to make Ōhāriu and Wellington the place everyone wants to visit, work and live in. That’s where we get the vibrancy which will keep our young folk here.

Honoured for helping thousands become sober

By Frank Neill

Carlotta (Lotta) Dann, who created the “Living Sober” website that has seen more than 120,000 transition from alcohol addiction to sobriety, was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in this year’s New Year’s Honours.

The Karori resident was bestowed the honour for services to addiction recovery.

Lotta decided to launch the Living Sober community website in 2014 so that people could support each other on their journey to sobriety, and the website has proved extraordinary effective.

The idea for the website came from an anonymous blog called “Mrs D is Going Without” that she began in 2011 to document her transition from alcohol addiction to sobriety.

What she discovered with her blog is that “one of the most helpful things in the journey to sobriety is connecting with other people who are doing the same as you – getting alcohol out of their lives.”

So she took her idea of starting a community website for people seeking sobriety to the New Zealand Drug Foundation, who gave their support.

She then partnered with the Drug Foundation, Te Hiringa Hauora Health Promotion Agency and Matua Raki to launch Living Sober in August 2014.

During the eight and a half years it has operated, Living Sober has reached some 200,000 people.

An independent evaluation of Living Sober’s effectiveness was carried out in 2021 – a year where the website reached more than 25,000 people. The evalua-

tion found that 68% of members had become sober since using the website. Another 24% had periods of sobriety.

That equates to 92% of people it has assisted.

Living Sober provides a really “reliable, safe, ongoing platform that people use to help with their recovery.

“The strength of the site is the community. It is everyone together supporting each other,” Lotta says, noting that the support is non-judgmental and given with kindness, understanding and tolerance.

“That is really, really powerful.

“It’s a pretty amazing space and it really works to help people.

“It is a really, really powerful place and long may it last,” Lotta says. “I’m hugely proud of it.

“And we run on a shoestring budget,” she adds.

Another feature of the website is that it has a very low “bounce rate”, which measures people coming to a site and then leaving it and not returning.

In fact “our return rate is really high. People come and they join and they stay.”

When she first heard she was to be made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, “I got very emotional and cried a lot, because it has been a labour of love,” she says.

“It’s the kind of work that is really valuable.

“The feeling I had inside for being seen and valued was really powerful. It was amazing.”

And it is not, she says, just her. It is the whole Living Sober community.

Her biggest job on the Living Sober website that she moderates is writing the stories of others.

“I just love doing that. Talking to other sober people is great.”

As well as writing the stories of people walking the path to sobriety, Lotta has written three books and has a fourth under way.

In 2014 she published her best-selling memoir named after her blog, followed by two further books, including “The Wine O’Clock Myth” in 2020. This book explores the impacts of alcohol on women and New Zealand society.

“Writing books is really satisfying,” she says.

On Monday (16 January) Lotta began a new job as Project Lead for Blueprint for Learning. This organisation focuses on enhancing the wellbeing of people and communities through

inspirational learning.

One of the workshops it runs is Addiction 101, designed to increase awareness and reduce the stigma associated with addiction. It is particularly designed for people who have contact in their work with addicts, but who do not have training in addiction recovery.

Lotta has been facilitating the Addiction 101 workshop since 2019.

She also is regularly invited to speak to groups and in the media.

Her MNZM is not the only major recognition Lotta has received. In 2014 she was also honoured with a Kiwibank Local Hero Award.

National’s Deputy Leader, Nicola Willis has been selected as National’s candidate in Ōhāriu for the 2023 General Election.

“I’m a proud Wellingtonian, so it’s an honour to be selected as National’s candidate in Ōhāriu,” Ms Willis says.

Ms Willis inherited Steven Joyce’ seat as a list MP after Mr Joyce retired from politics in March 2018. She is the party’s finance spokesperson.

Newlands foodbank

Newlands Community House runs a foodbank.

People can donate items to the foodbank by dropping them off at the Newlands Community Centre, where the foodbank is based, during office hours.

People needing to receive a food parcel can contact Ray from the Newlands Community House on 021 212 3136.

Willis standing for Ōhāriu NEWS TIPS

Karori resident Lotta Dann was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in this year’s New Year’s Honours.

Rob Webb

Oral historian

QSM – to continue to fight injustice and value autism

By Chris Valli

Former Blenheim resident Matt Frost has been acknowledged with a QSM in the New Year’s Honours List for services to people with autism.

Matthew found out when he was contacted by the Honours Unit, a small team who organise the Honours List, in November. “They ask you to keep it in confidence.

The King then agrees to the Honour being proposed and you receive a letter from Her Excellency the Governor- General about the middle of December. In my case, I was allowed to tell my work that there might be media,” he says.

Matthew says the award means a tremendous amount and he is well aware that he has had opportunities other people with autism and other disabled people have not

had.

“I am keen to use my honour in a humble but strategic way to keep on improving the rights of autistic and other disabled people. I was really touched by those people who contacted me to tell me that the award meant something to them too. But the reaction of my family and friends meant the most to me as they have supported me in good times and challenging times to continue my work and enable me to live a good life.”

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental impairment which can mean that autistic people may have specific areas of focus and different ways of behaving to others. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.

The 42-year-old currently has lived in Wellington for 20 years and has been a Policy Analyst and advocate for the rights of disabled people for over 15 years. Matthew currently works for Whaikaha: the new Ministry of Disabled People.

The Ministry is the first in the world with a sole focus on issues relating to disabled people and was launched on July 1 2022.

“I had a senior role in setting up the Ministry. I have been working for three years as the Principal Advisor with a lived experience at the Ministry of Education’s National Office in Wellington. My job there was to assist senior leadership to understand the lived perspectives of disabled and other disadvantaged learners.”

Matthew had early intervention when he was three and had a more formal diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome (a form of autism) when he was in his teenage years.

“My experience for disabled and autistic people is that it still comes down too much to what I call “Love and Luck.” Love is a really key element – if someone is loved by family and friends it can be a strong assistance towards success. But often there is lots of luck – so if I get a job which takes the time to understand that my special fields of interest (mine are politics and history) can be really useful to them then I might be successful.”

Matthew believes he has been fortunate in having supportive employers who stuck with him through periods where his own mental health was pushed.

“I think there is still some way to go to enable us to understand and fully appreciate the talents that autistic people can bring to society.”

So how does he think he has increased understanding of autism?

“Just being myself. I have a strong interest in cricket and began using my skills when I was at primary school. One thing I’ve been really pleased to see is increased exposure in the media of the strengths of disabled and autistic people and what barriers people can face to flourishing in society.” Matt would like to thank those Marlburians – such as supporters of cricket and his teachers who supported him as this helps to increase understanding too.

Matt Frost hosting an event in Wellington as one of two MCs. The 42-year-old currently has lived in Wellington for 20 years and has been a Policy Analyst and advocate for the rights of disabled people for over 15 years.

Working for Enliven means being supported says registered nurse Ronelle

After growing tired of working in the hospitality industry, Ronelle Roach-Stevens turned to aged care, and she loves it.

Ronelle’s career change recently saw her become a registered nurse at Enliven’s Brightwater Home in Palmerston North, a sister site to Enliven’s Huntleigh Home in Kaori and Cashmere Home in Johnsonville.

Ronelle is now completing Enliven’s First Year of Practice Programme, after finishing a Master of Clinical Practice at Massey University.

She says the programme, which sees her mentored by trained preceptors, can be testing, but she has great support around her.

“It’s full on but good, it’s a very supportive environment. If anything presents itself that you are not 100 percent sure how to deal with, there will always be someone there to help and guide you while you find your confidence.”

Before becoming a registered nurse, Ronelle spent six years at Willard Home, Enliven’s other Palmerston North home, where she gained experience in various roles.

She started there as a service worker before changing to the recreation team and then moving into a health care assistant role while she completed her study to become a registered nurse.

One reason she chose to work in aged care, in particular for Enliven, was the variety of the job. She says Enliven takes a holistic approach to care, which means her job is not just about clinical care but also providing support that isn’t strictly medical.

“No day is the same, every single day there

is something different. Having to look at the bigger picture that is so much more than the medical stuff makes it a very varied environment to work in.”

Both Huntleigh Home and Cashmere Home are looking for more great people to join their teams. If you, or someone you know is looking for a fun and rewarding role, visit enlivencentral.org.nz/jobs or email: recruitment@psc.org.nz.

Ronelle says working for Enliven means every day is different.

Stationery drive to help struggling families

By Frank Neill

Families struggling with back-to-school costs will be able to benefit from a new initiative organised by Altrusa International of Ohariu.

From now until the end of January Altrusa Ohariu will be collecting stationery and will provide it to local schools, who can then distribute it to children from families who cannot afford to buy books, pads, pencils, pens, highlighters, glue sticks or any other items on their school stationery list.

Altrusa is looking for donations of school stationery, whether it is from families who finished the last school year with unused items, or people adding something extra to their shopping basked so they can help others.

“We’re keen to help recycle anything that’s unused from last year, as well as hoping that people might choose to specifically purchase and donate,” Alrusa Ohariu says.

Donations can be dropped off at the Churton Park Community Centre during its opening hours.

Altrusa International has

been serving communities for more than 100 years and the focus of each club is on working to make a positive difference in the world around them.

Altrusa Ohariu aims to make a real difference in Ohariu, an area of Wellington that covers Wadestown, Crofton Downs, Ngaio, Khandallah, Johnsonville, Newlands, Paparangi, Woodridge, Churton Park, Grenada North and Tawa.

The club undertakes a variety of service, literacy, fundraising and international projects each year.

New volunteers are always welcome to join and make a difference. The club’s members are from varying occupations and lifestyles, all sharing an interest in community service and enjoying the friendship, fun and satisfaction that comes from working together for the benefit of others.

For more information about the school stationery project, about Altrusa Ohariu or about joining the club email altrusaohariu@gmail. com or contact Emily on 021 424 353.

Stepping into an inspiring future

NCEA Levels 1-3 at Samuel Marsden Collegiate School

Despite the challenges of the past few years, the performance of Marsden students in NCEA has continued to impress. Girls have benefitted from a school culture where setting a personal goal to give of your best is the norm. Success is openly and warmly celebrated by everyone. The commitment that students brought to their learning and achievement in 2022, through a year that took many twists and turns, is a source of great pride in the school community. Students fronted up to learn when many elsewhere did not. They were supported and encouraged in small classes by committed teachers, with learning anchored in positive and deliberate wellbeing practice. This holistic approach helped individuals stay motivated and laid a foundation for NCEA success.

NCEA is setting Marsden students on the pathway to some exciting opportunities beyond school, from scholarshipfunded enrolments at local universities, to places in top-ranking universities overseas. Tertiary scholarships are earned off the back of NCEA success in Year 12 and Marsden punches well above its weight in this regard; the

number of Marsden students awarded scholarships is disproportionately high.

Academic Director Margaret Adeane commented that ‘lucrative tertiary scholarships are a wonderful boost in confidence to many of our school leavers, but are also a welcome financial bonus at an important time in their lives’. For students who wish to study abroad, strong NCEA results can take them anywhere. 2021 dux Ruby Barton headed off to Yale University with her cachet of stellar NCEA results, along

with some handy performances on the track. Other Marsden graduates have chosen to study in the UK, Australia, Asia and Europe. A positive, progressive and supportive learning environment brings out the best in learners at Marsden and is a great stepping stone to a future full of opportunity.

Enrolments for 2023 and beyond are open. For more information, visit www.marsden.school.nz, call 476 8707 or email enrol@marsden. school.nz

Stepping into an inspiring future

StephenGray

Seeing my grandfather. When I was 12 I went and mowed his lawns and worked in his garden.

TarienKinoetze

Hanging around with family.

Michelle-LouiseDionHaerewa Roberts

Collecting seashells on the beach with my grandmother and mother.

ScottMcFarlaneBernardKenny

The haymaking at my uncle’s farm in Okiawa.

Searching for bugs on my back property.

Swimming in the river – at the Taita Gorge.

Care is finding the perfect shade of pink.

When your loved one can no longer manage at home, you need a place with care you can trust.

At Summerset on the Landing in Kenepuru, we know the little things can make a big difference. Care isn’t just about scheduled doses, it’s knowing sometimes laughter is the best medicine. Care is having a dance to their favourite song and talking about the town where they grew up.

Wellington’s newest premium care centre, including specialist dementia care, is opening at Summerset on the Landing in early 2023.

Care Open Day

Wednesday 25 January

10am - 12pm & 4pm - 6pm Summerset on the Landing 1-3 Bluff Road, Kenepuru Jude Hunt, Sales Care Specialist | 021 546 508

& HOME Gardening LIVING

Saving New Zealand’s Roses

A group of heritage rose devotees meets regularly in the northern suburbs to share their love of this romantic bloom. The green thumbed group are members of the Wellington branch of Heritage Roses New Zealand Inc (HRNZI), founded in 1980 with the aim of preserving, growing and learning about these well-loved

the roadside, in fact anywhere they were planted decades ago.

Kwikill Environmental Services was established in 1982 and is one of the few pest management companies in Wellingtonowned and managed by New Zealanders.

(Approved Handler) according to the Hazardous Substances & New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996, licensed fumigators, and registered as professional technicians with the Pest Management Association of New Zealand (PMANZ).

They design and provide pest management programmes that follow the Code of Practice for Pest Management in Food Processing for Australia and New Zealand.

In addition they abide by PMANZ Code of Ethics which sets the framework for professional values and principles.

One of Kwikill’s oldest and most well known customers in Wellington, is the renowned New Zealand chocolate maker, J H Whittaker’s Chocolates.

as one that is more than 100 years old. The story of how these old roses have survived in New Zealand is as enchanting as the roses themselves. European settlers brought rose cuttings with them from the early 1800s to plant and nurture in their new home. Over a hundred years later descendants of these roses have been saved by eager eyed rose lovers from

Local branches of HRNZI host presentations, cutting days, workshops and garden visits while the national body holds regular conferences. Local garden historians Clare Gleeson and Claire Bibby are regular contributors to the glossy HRNZI journal which is published four times a year. For those who want to see heritage roses growing in Wellington, visit the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, Bolton Street Cemetery and the Pauhatanui Burial Ground. Anyone interested in joining NZHRI’s Wellington branch should contact Judith Soja at wellington@heritageroses.org.nz and for more information on the Society visit their website heritageroses.org.nz.

Local writer launches new book

Botanists

by Bee Dawson and with photographs by Chris Coad, the history was commissioned published by Cuba Press.

Bush is a fascinating story of botanical

heroes who have saved, collected and

farmer Job Wilton, who set aside 17 acres of untouched bush for a reserve. Sixty years later Wellington’s first Director of Parks and Reserves, John Gretton McKenzie, proposed the establishment

Cockayne, New Zealand’s most eminent botanist, worked with McKenzie to establish and plant the collection in the

that he asked to be buried there with his wife, Maude.

Once established how would the garden have survived without those who cared for it? Enter the second group of heroes, the curators.

Creating ambience and style for the indoors with The Foliage Studio

-

ity products and exceptional customer service to shoppers from the comfort of their own homes. They know the plants and products as they use them themselves.

Owners Trav Cook and Cam Castle see the value of creating green spaces

indoors, and the joy that people get from caring for their indoor collections.

on knowledge with a personal touch. Check out their store and enrich your houseplant experience from what they have in stock, as well as plant acces-

sories. They also have an online shop where you can see the extensive range available.

Their services include Plant installations for homes and businesses, expert indoor plant consultations, maintenance and advice, live plant home staging, and plant gifts for events and functions.

“O - tari: Two hundred years of O - tari-Wilton’s Bush”

and historians mingled and

‘Qi’ is your internal energy. It’s the ‘fizz’ we notice when feeling healthy and rearing to go – or notice the lack of when unwell or just feeling down. The ancient Chinese discovered they could work with this Qi using

movement and meditation to build up reserves of Qi while also flexing and strengthening the body. Movements that connect Qi to acupuncture points and meridians help to clear blockages and strengthen

the immune system. Classes include foundation exercises and longer forms such as the lovely Wild Goose 1st and 2nd 64. These movements can help with balance, memory, flexibility and stamina.

Sifu Cynthia Shaw has twenty years’ experience as an instructor affiliated to the Tse Qigong Centre . As well as teaching the Dayan Qigong system, Sifu Shaw teaches Chen style Taijiquan which she learns from Grandmaster

Michael Tse. His own Chen Sifu is the internationally renowned Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang, the current head of his family skill. Please inquire from Sifu Shaw –021613081 – if you are interested in learning Chen style Taijiquan.

Zealandia is staying open a little later this summer!

Every Thursday during January and February the Zealandia Te Mra a Tne sanctuary will be open until 7pm giving you more time to make the most of the sunshine hours.

Wander through the sanctuary and witness the flurry of activity as day shifts towards dusk. The magic of the ngahere/

forest at dusk is an unforgettable experience you won’t want to miss. Our volunteers will be roaming to tell stories of native wildlife and the summer yoga series is back with sessions beginning at 5.30pm. Check out visitzealandia.com/events for more information and to book yoga tickets.

4 Tips to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick

1. Start with small goals

You may be feeling motivated and excited about your goal, but don’t let your ambition lead you to unattainable levels. If you want to try a new activity, don’t commit yourself to 5 times a week – start slowly and consistently so that your body gets used to it, and build from there. Giving yourself the ability to meet your goal in small steps can help you avoid discouragement along the way.

2. Be realistic Set your goals according to your lifestyle and with what you will be able to achieve, otherwise you might lose your motivation. Be honest to yourself and be sure to consider the resources and time you have available to help you meet your goals.

3. Make a plan

So you know what you want to accomplish, but make sure you also determine the when, where, and why of your vision – that way you can establish an action plan and set yourself on the right path to achieve your goal.

4. Stay positive

It can be difficult to make changes in your life, but focusing on the negative side will only discourage you. Try not to think about how tired you will feel after a session at the gym, or how much stress it may cause you if you stop smoking – believe in your goal and try to constantly remind yourself of the benefits and the impact it will have on your life. Focusing on the positives will help you stick to your resolution and make it happen.

Anniverary weekend! Don’t miss the chance to visit nine museums and historic sites throughout Kapiti –planes, trains, trams, classic cars, US marines, and fascinating glimpses of Visit our website for details and more information about opening hours, and links to individual museum

Paekakariki Station Museum

The Paekakariki Station Precinct Trust was formed in 1993 by a group of people from the local community, who were concerned about the very fast decline of Paekakariki’s and remains to ensure that the 1909 built

To achieve this goal, the Paekakariki Station Precinct Trust was formed and work commenced on a complete rebuild of the of this major reconstruction work saw the Paekakariki Rail and Heritage Museum

So much to do in KAPITI

Waikanae Lions Garden Trail 28th, 29th January

After a one-year COVID hiatus, the Waikanae Lions are excited to announce that the Ray White Super Garden Trail is back for 2023!

Enjoy a relaxing summer’s day out exploring 12 beautiful gardens on the

Discover hidden gems and gain ideas and inspiration for your own gardens and outdoor

Featuring several popular gardens from previous years along with brand new gardens; including spacious lifestyle retreats, enchanting compact town gardens and exotic and native designs, the trail is sure to delight

For over 23 years the Ray White / Waikanae Lions Super Garden Trail has been an

Ray White Super Garden Trail 28th, 29th January 10am–5pm.

February’s Otaki Kite Festival – New Zealand’s largest!

This free, family friendly event is held on the beautiful and 19th February

kite festival where you can see world class kites of all

Festival of Pots and Garden Art

Since 2009, the annual Festival of Pots and Garden Art has been a celebrated opportunity where potters are able to exhibit

Set in an expansive garden setting at Anam Cara Gardens, Otaki 20-25 January, the festival features many forms of pottery and ceramics, from domestic wares to large sculptural pieces, alongside framed art works

In addition, a full programme of artist for a great day out!

Gifts for all your friends at Cream

that special gift and beautiful things for you and your home at Cream Design on the Come in and be intrigued by their exquisite range of homewares and accessories - treat yourself or that special someone to treasures for heart and home – now is a good time to start posting for

They are located on State Highway One in

The following guest artists for the 2023 festival are:

Her exhibition a couple of years ago in the Otaki

Relax in the sun and enjoy the live entertainment or purchase a treasure from one of our

Stay for lunch and sample the tasty treats from one of the food vendors or bring a picnic and watch the world

For the kids, there are slides, bouncy castles and the fabulous

Festival has something for everyone – join the fun to celebrate the

HISTORY Preserved

works in mixed media, producing large

Exhibitions of: Iwi, World Wars, Rail, Marine, Colonial, the Signal Box

Next to State Highway 59, Paekakariki Sat, Sun & Public Holidays 11am to 3pm www.stationmuseum.co.nz

in steam locomotives

Wings Over Wairarapa

Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival is renowned for an outstanding,

friendly atmosphere. The show rivals any other for display content and reputation, and is a

Escape and enjoy the relaxing accommodation at Glenburn Station

Glenburn is recognized as one of New Zealand’s truly iconic sheep and beef stations. It is a 14,000 acre property with

accommodation, making it the perfect retreat for friends, families and couples. Five holiday houses ranging from the large Station Homestead sleeping up to 16, Shepherd’s Rest sleeping up to bach on the beach (Russ’s Bach) both sleeping up to 10 and Cook House sleeping up to 16.

Its well-known Honeycomb Rock, a large, distinctive outcrop known for its

unusual pitted appearance can be seen, or climbed, on the coastal walk. This walk makes an iconic Wairarapa day out. The

the boundary of the farm is one of of the walk’s key features.

While walking the route, visitors can spot the seal colony and check out the remains of a 1960’s shipwreck.

With rolling farmland, pristine coastline and quiet walking tracks, Glenburn Station is the perfect place to relax, recharge and escape the daily grind. Visitors are welcome to stay in the range of accommodation options available in this rural slice of paradise.

The Rotar y Martinborough Fair

The Martinborough Fairs were the brainchild of members of the Greytown Rotary Club, and in 1977 the first fairs were staged in Martinborough with just 35 stalls. In order to attract stallholders the fairs were promoted in the Manawatu and Wellington Today such is the reputation of the fairs that demand for sta lls exceeds t he space available, and more than 25000 people flock to Martinborough from Wellington and the Wairarapa, and busloads arrive from New Ply mouth, Wanganui, Pa lmerston North and Hawkes Bay.

The basic philosophy behind the Fairs has changed little since 1977

The Fair objectives are still to: * give craftspeople a chance to display and sell their wares

Stonehenge Aotearoa

* give Wairarapa charities a chance to raise funds from a wider range of customers that they usually have

* provide the Rotary Club of South Wairarapa with funds to give to charities, especially those in South Wairarapa, and with special emphasis on the provision of opportunities for young people.

The Martinborough Fairs provide a focus to publicise Martinborough, the South Wairarapa, and the Rotary Club

T he Rotar y C lub of Sout h Wairarapa th roug h its Martinb oroug h Fair Trust holds the management and ownership of the Martinborough Fair. The club contracts numerous community groups to assist on fair days to handle parking, and other operational matters

Naked eye (without telescopes) viewing as the stars begin to appear will be accompanied by an astronomer who will be available to answer questions and lead the observing for the night

Legendary women inspire local musician

By Talia Carlisle

The beloved songs of Judy Garland will capture audiences once again in “End of the Rainbow”, the smash hit musical play being produced by Crofton Downs’ Tania Dreaver.

Tania’s newly-launched company Pinana Productions has undertaken a huge task in producing Peter Quilter’s West End and Broadway hit, holding its Wellington premiere at The Opera House from February 17-19.

The show pays tribute to the career, music and magic of Judy Garland, who singer Ali Harper brings to life to embody one of the world’s favourite stars.

“End of the Rainbow is such a witty and electrifying show,” Tania says.

“It’s both exuberant and vulnerable, tearing down themyth to reveal a thrilling tale of passion, and fame.”

The original show was adapted

into the Academy Award winning film JUDY and the Wellington show stars Ali Harper. There is also what Tania says is a “dazzling” ensemble, and a live band led by composer Tom McLeod

Tania is a well-known local musician who has taught hundreds of young singers in Wellington. She also trained and performed in London and with New Zealand Opera, as well as in Wellington musical theatre productions. That includes the recent Les Misérables, where she played the sinister Madame Thenardier.

Her experience as a performer, producer - and in her parallel nursing career – means she is someone who gives back to the community, where she enjoys teaching her private students, and volunteering with the Glee Club at Crofton Downs School.

“This feeling of connection is what’s crystalised my purpose for this company.” she says, adding that

Wellington deserves exceptional productions, “especially after the difficulties faced during the last two years because of Covid”.

Launching Pinana Productions came from Tania’s reflection on where her musical journey started. The company’s name was inspired by her tupuna (ancestor) Pinana Te Atua, a Ngai Tahu composer in the 1800s.

The day Tania started her studies at the Trinity College of Music in London was, she says, the day she heard that Pinana’s work, “Twenty One Songs from Waikouaiti”, were held in the Hocken Library “And her work is so full of heart, all these years later,” Tania says. “They are incredibly beautiful and touch the soul.”.

End of the Rainbow by Pinana Productions has a limited season at The Opera House from February 17-19.

Tickets are available from ticketmaster.co.nz.

Ali Harper as Judy Garland.

Dimples on a golf ball create a thin turbulent boundary layer of air that clings to the ball’s surface. This allows the smoothly flowing air to follow the ball’s surface a little farther around the back side of the ball, thereby decreasing the size of the wake.

Tawa icon and former test cricketer dies

By Frank Neill

Bruce Murray QSO – a former New Zealand test cricketer and one of New Zealand’s best secondary school principals – died on 10 January aged 82 years and 114 days.

BAG Murray, as he was known to many people (from the initials of his first three names: Bruce Alexander Grenfell), was born in Johnsonville.

He starred in New Zealand’s first ever Test series victory.

Playing Pakistan in Lahore in 1969, Mr Murray recorded his highest international score of 90 and also took four catches, helping New Zealand take a decisive first-innings lead of 127 in a low-scoring game.

New Zealand won that Test match by five wickets, and went on to claim the threematch series 1-0. It was New Zealand’s first ever Test-series win, home or away.

He also figured prominently in New Zealand’s first Test victory over India. In the second test in Christchurch in 1968, Mr Murray scored 74 in the first innings, and once again bagged four catches, to put New Zealand on the path to victory.

A right-handed batter, Mr Murray made his Test debut in February 1968 and played in 13 Test matches, scoring 598 runs at an average of 23.92. His test career included five fifties.

A leg break bowler, he bowled one over during his international career, claiming the wicket of Indian opener Syed Abid Ali in the third test in Wellington in 1968.

He did not concede a run, and is one of just

three international cricketers to take a wicket without giving away any runs.

Mr Murray played 102 first-class matches in total, most of them for Wellington, and scored 6,257 runs at 35.55, including six centuries.

During the 1969-70 season he was the leading run scorer in the Plunket Shield when he notched up 430 runs in four matches.

Along with Bryan YuileandVic Pollard, Mr Murray would not play cricket on Sundays for religious reasons. The later careers of the three were therefore curtailed by the widespread introduction of Sunday play in the early 1970s.

Once his playing days were complete he became involved in administration of the sport, serving as President of Wellington Cricket from 2004 to 2008.

Wellington Cricket awards the Bruce Murray Medal annually to the player demonstrating the highest level of sportsmanship in Wellington club cricket.

He is the patriarch of a notable cricketing family. His daughter Jo Murray and his son-in-law Robbie Kerr both played for Wellington, while current White Ferns Amelia Kerr and Jess Kerr are his granddaughters.

Mr Murray’s contribution to society goes well beyond cricket.

He was also known in education circles as a top secondary school principal, leading to him running training courses for other principals. He also wrote a number of geography textbooks.

And he was a major driving force behind the Tawa Historical Society.

Indeed Mr Murray’s achievements have seen him recognised as one of Tawa’s most prominent citizens.

A Wikipedia page on Tawa,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawa,_New_Zealand, includes him in its list of “Notable residents and former residents” of Tawa, due to the fact that he is a former New Zealand cricket representative and for his contribution as an historian.

He has authored a number of books published by the Tawa Historical Society, including “The Streets of Tawa”, “Best of Tawa”, “Lest Tawa Forgets” and “Rails Through the Valley”.

Mr Murray was born in a Johnsonville community maternity home in what was then known as Old Porirua Road, and is now named Fraser Crescent. He also lived

in Napier as a young child and then in Lower Hutt, before moving to Tawa in 1964.

After attending Hutt Valley High School, he studied geography at Victoria University and then gained a Master of Arts degree at Canterbury University. His masters thesis was on the geography of Tawa.

Following his retirement from cricket, Mr Murray continued his teaching career – first at Tawa College then at Naenae College. He became Naenae College’s principal in 1991 and moved back to Tawa College as principal in 1989 where he served until his retirement at the end of the first term in 2002.

Mr Murray was appointed a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for public services in the 2002 Queen’s Birthday and Golden Jubilee Honours.

Mr Murray is survived by his wife Shona, four children and 11 grandchildren known as Poppa’s “First XI”.

Are you a fun-loving nurse?

The elders of Enliven’s Huntleigh and Cashmere Homes are looking for fun-loving, caring, talented nurses to join their dedicated team.

With Enliven positive ageing services, you’ll enjoy a wide range of clinical work, a supportive work environment, plenty of professional development and career progression opportunities, a focus on wellbeing and lots of fun!

We’d love to hear from you.

“I love it here. The environment is friendly, and there are recreational activities all week

Bruce Murray

Bruce Murray (left) and some of his family.