1 May Wainuiomata News

Anzac Day 2024

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata community came together to see the parade march from Woolworths car park to the War Memorial in Queen Street followed by the ANZAC Day service on 25 April.

The ANZAC parade

“We remember the local heroes from Wainuiomata and Lower Hutt who have served in our armed forces,” Wainuiomata Ward Councillor Keri Brown said in her speech at the remembrance service.

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approaching the War Memorial. Photo: Frank Neill.

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Sam Barnes

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Honouring bravery and

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“Thank you. Thank you all for your bravery, and the sacrifices you have made for every single one of us standing here today,” Cr Brown said.

“I want to honour our local young men on our cenotaph here, and the ultimate sacrifices they made.

“On 19 August 2021 a War Memorial was unveiled in the village at Wainuiomata by Brigadier General Richardson in front of a large gathering.

“The ceremony was arranged by the local branch of the New Zealand Farmers Union and presided by Mr A Hunt.

“At the ceremony, it was said 20 men left the peaceful Wainuiomata valley, prompted by a sense of duty, to fight for those near and dear to them.

“Four lost their lives, and several returned wounded.

“Brigadier Richardson said that Wainuiomata, with a population of 200 at the time, had sent a greater percentage of their men than the average for New Zealand.

“He hoped the memorial would would remind children of the future of the scarifices made.

“And to the men who had returned he gave an assurance that New Zealand intended to stand by them.

“When the memorial was unveiled the Last Post was sounded and floral emblems were placed at the stone.

“We continue those important practices talked of by the Brigadier today, with our parade and laying of wreaths,” Cr Brown said.

She then read the names on the War Memorial: R Burrow, J Burrow, W Burrow, W Bullamn, W Prouse, F Scholes, W Scholes, F Wheeler, H Wheeler, A Williams, N Willoucghby, C Wood, J Anderson, L Apperley, C Buran, Barrat W Breen, T Clark, A Gustafson,

S Orr.

“These are our young men and as Mother’s Day approaches I honour the mums of these young men, some teenagers, and for some mums they would never see their young sons again and would have their letters as their last communication with their sons, and the pain would last for them and their families for the rest of their lives.

“I particulary remember the family of the three Burrows brothers on the memorial who all lost their lives – a tragedy that was felt very deeply across the community.

“So as a community we come and meet here every year ... to remember those young men and all others.

“We parade, we speak, we lays wreaths and we remember.

“When upgrading Queen Street a top priority was to honour the memorial and place it at the centre of the upgrade [so that it could] be and be seen from all around even [from] The Strand, so that we continue to honour it as the Brigadier and the families and community would want, and that the children now and in the futre know the deep stories and history for these young men and that our community always stood up when needed and did so in greater numbers.

“We remember all ANZAC servicemen and women and all serving past and present in all wars.”

Importantly “we honour these young men, their families and all service men and women for all our future generations.

“N reira, t n koutou, t n koutou, t n koutou katoa.

“We will remember them.”

Teresea Olsen, the 2021 Wellingtonian of the Year, was guest speaker at the service.

“Today I want to pay tribute to an extraordinary group of individuals, the M ori Battalion,” she said.

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DO ONE ROOM OR THE WHOLE HOUSE

Richard Prouse playing the Last Post. Photo: Frank Neill.

Teresea Olsen presenting the guest speech at the ANZAC Day service. Photo: Frank Neill.

“I honour their valour, their sacrifice and their unwavering commitment to defending their land, their people and the values they held dear.

“The story of M ori Battalion is one of courage, resilience, and a deep-rooted sense of duty.

“When the call to arms echoed across the land, the sons of Aotearoa answered without hesitation.

“They came from the rolling hills of North Island, the rugged coastlines of the South, and every corner in between.

“They were farmers, teachers, laborers and students bound together by a shared heritage and a fierce determination to defend their homeland.

“In the face of adversity the M ori Battalion stood tall.

“From the sands of North Africa to the hills of Italy, they fought with unmatched bravery and distinction.

“Their courage on the battlefield became legendary, earning them respect and admiration from allies and foes alike.

“But their contributions extended far beyond the front lines.

“The M ori Battalion was more than just a military unit. It was a symbol of unity and pride for the M ori people.

“In the midst of war, they car-

ried with them the spirit of their ancestors, drawing strength from the traditions and values that had sustained their people for generations.

“They forged bonds of brotherhood that transcended race and creed, exemplifying the true meaning of maanakitanga – hospitality, kindness and respect for others.

“But amid the heroism and camaraderie, we must also remember the sacrifices endured by the M ori Battalion.

“Many paid the ultimate price, laying down their lives in defence of freedom and justice.

“Their names are etched in history, their memory forever enshrined in the hearts of a grateful nation.

“As I stand here today, let us reaffirm our commitment to honoring the legacy of the M ori Battalion.

“Let us strive to uphold the values they fought and died for –integrity, courage and mana.

“And let us never forget the debt of gratitude we owe to these brave men, whose courage and sacrifice will inspire generations to come.

“To the M ori Battalion, we say thank you. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice and enduring legacy.

“Your spirit lives on in the hearts of all New Zealand, guiding us

Dance Fit

Free Wainui Dance Fit sessions are held every Monday and Tuesday at 6pm at the Wainuiomata Community Hall.

The aim of Dance Fit is to help get everyone in the community moving. Everyone is welcome no matter their fitness level, shape and size, gender or whether they are young or old. In fact it is tamariki friendly.

Dance Fit is, the organisers say, “lots of fun”.

Good cause

Wainuiomata High School benefited to the tune of $145 following the 27 April Wainuiomata Community Market. The money was raised by way of the koha from stallholders. The next community market will be held on 25 May.

as we continue to strive for a better tomorrow.

“Kia ora, Kia kaha kia manawanui.

“The M ori Battalion sailed for home on Boxing Day 1945.

“On arrival in Wellington their commander dismissed his men with these words: ‘Go back to our mountains, go back to our people, go back to our marae. But this is my last commmand to you: Stand as M ori. Stand as M ori. Stand as M ori’,” Ms Olsen said.?

Read the Wainuiomata News online at www.issuu.com/wsn11

Are you ready for Winter?

One of the safest and most inexpensive ways to ward off any possible winter ailment is by increasing your daily intake of Vitamin C. It can reduce the severity of colds and promote enhance health and well being for adults and children alike.

Reduce your stress in healthy ways. Relax. Make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep. Take regular Vitamin C. Supplement your diet with a multivitamin. Try to get 20-minutes of sunlight per day. Drink at least 2 l of water per day.

Colds and flu can have a significant impact on our entire community, so it’s important to boost your immune system to help prevent winter ills and chills.

There are many ways to build and strengthen your immune system, such as: Get a flu vaccine. Keep a healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables. Exercise for at least 30-minutes a day.

The Officer in Charge of the Wainuiomata Police, Sergeant Patrick Tangipo, walking towards the War Memorial to lay a wreath. Photo: Frank Neill.

Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry and his wife Laura laying a wreath on the War Memorial. Photo: Frank Neill.

Singing the waiata following the speech by Teresea Olsen. Photo: Frank Neill. forward

Ban sugary drinks in all schools

A ban on sugary drinks in intermediate and secondary schools is bebing promoted by the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA).

Sugary drinks are currently banned only in primary schools and made unavailable at some of our secondary schools.

NZDA says it would “like to see our new government complete what the previous one failed to do before leaving office last year.

“We’ve advocated to successive governments for this change, and we got close to seeing it through last year before the change of government placed it back in limbo,” says Dr Johnston.

“This easy and cost-effective health measure is one we urge the new government to consider and deliver with urgency for the health and wellbeing of our nation’s children.”

The consumption of sugary drinks is a leading cause for dental caries, weight gain and obesity in New Zealand, NZDA President Dr Amanda Johnston says.

“With over a third of our country’s children overweight or obese, and dental disease being the leading cause of preventable hospital admissions for children in New Zealand, some things need to change,” she says.

“Sugary drinks offer no nutritional value but contribute a huge amount of acid and empty calories to the diet, which for too

many, lead to unhealthy weight gain and damaged teeth.

“For example, one 600ml bottle of coke contains 16 teaspoons of sugar. This equates to more than double the total recommended daily intake of refined sugar in just one drink.

“One simple thing government can do to protect the health of our children, is ban these beverages from all intermediate and secondary schools and introduce a water-only policy.

“Water is the best option for our growing children - not only for their teeth, but their bodies too.

“A diet high in sugar has also been shown to negatively impact behaviour and learning ability,”

Dr Johnson says.

“Introducing a water-only policy will not only deliver longterm health benefits but will help to reduce pressure on an already stressed public health system, and the budget that funds it.

“Applying effective preventative measures is the best and most cost-effective way of reducing sickness, so cutting the availability of sugary drinks at schools would be a great move,” Dr Johnson says.

Firefighters taking on Sky Tower

By Frank Neill

A team of Wainuiomata firefighters is currently training hard for the Sky Tower Challenge that will take place on Saturday 18 May.

The Wainuiomata team is Tamati Kaa, Roger Whioke, Sean Bates and Ahron Eastall.

They will join fire fighters from throughout New Zealand and overseas in a competition that has the main aim of raising money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand’s mission to care and its vision to seek a cure.

People can organise making donations for the Wainuiomata team at a number of shops in the valley, including some of the shops in Queen Steet.

People can also make donations online at https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz. Click on “Check out the brigades” then type “Wainuiomata”.

This challenge will see the Wainuiomata team climb the 51 flights of stairs at Auckland’s Sky Tower, dressed in full firefighting kit, including breathing apparatus.

This is the same gear fire fighters wear when attending a structural fire.

This kit weighs in at more than 25kg, making the 1,103 steps they must climb up to the observation peak on level 51 of the Sky Tower a gruelling undertaking.

They will be, after all, climbing up the tallest building in the southern hemisphere, which is 328 metres high.

Each participant will be timed, allowing for individual and team results to be determined.

The Wainuiomata team that began training for this year’s Sky Tower Challenge (from left) Roger Whioke, Leah Lenihan, Tamati Kaa, Ahron Eastall and Sean Bates. Leah has since had to step down. Photo: Supplied.

Two members of the Wainuiomata team – Tamati and Darren – also took part in last year’s Sky Tower Challenge. Tamati will be taking part for the fifth time. He competed in the challenge in 2014, 2015 and 2016, but injured his knee during the 2016 event. He had largely recovered by the time this year’s event took place and entered it again.

Every day eight New Zealanders are diagnosed with blood cancer or a related blood condition. It can affect anyone, at any age and any time in life.

Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand supports thousands of New Zealanders affected by blood cancer, as well as their families.

In addition, the organisation supports and funds research into better treatments and into finding a cure for blood cancers.

Now in its 20th year, the Sky Tower Challenge has raised more than $12 million for blood cancer patients and their families.

It raised $17,500 in its first year –2005 – and now consistently raises more than $1 million a year.

Recognising the region’s volunteers

Nominations for the Mahi Aroha Awards 2024 are now open until 10 May.

The Mahi Aroha Awards are an opportunity to recognise and honour the contributions and achievements of volunteers in the community.

The awards are open to any community organisation or business in the Wellington region. Nominations are open across three categories:

Police, defence and ambulance training

ebrating employee volunteer teams working in the community; and of the Year.

This is a special way to say “thank you” for the mahi of those in organisations volunteering across the Wellington region.

"We encourage everyone in Wellington to take this opportunity to recognise the inspiring work of volunteers by nominating them for the Mahi Aroha Awards 2024,” says Julie Thomson, Regional

recognising great boards of community organisations; -

Manager Volunteer Wellington. For more information and online nomination forms see www.volunteerwellington.nz.

Sponsors for the awards include LEAD Centre for Not-for-Profit -

ance Award. This award is to celebrate excellence in governance in the not-for-profit sector.

Volunteer of the Year Award is being sponsored by Mitre10 Porirua.

Little Theatre audition for Evita

The Wainuiomata Little Theatre has announced that they will be producing Evita in 2024.

Evita is a musical created by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber that tells the story of Eva Peron, who went from rags to riches and became the first lady of Argentina.

This wonderful story has many themes that still resonate today.

Eva Peron was a polarizing figure, loved by some and hated by others, depending on who you were.

She was adored by the poor but despised by the rich upper class.

She was the driving force behind her husband's rise to the presidency,

demonstrating the age-old adage that behind every great man is a stronger woman.

The show features many great songs, including "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," "Oh What a Circus," and "Another Suitcase in Another Hall."

Auditions for Evita will take place on 11 and 12 May.

As this show may not be well known, an online information event will be held on 2 May at 7pm.

The online event will provide people with an opportunity to meet the team and ask any questions they may have about the show and auditioning for it.

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All the details about the auditions and information about the event can be found on the Wainuiomata Little Theatre's Facebook page.

Evitta began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976.

Its success led to productions in London's West End in 1978, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical, and on Broadway a year later, where it was the first British musical to receive the Tony Award for Best Musical.

This has been followed by a string of professional tours and worldwide productions and numerous cast albums, as well as a 1996 film adaptation.

The Police, the New Zealand Defence Force and Wellington Free Ambulance held a training exercise in Wainuiomata yesterday, 30 April.

The exercise took place on Moores Valley Road between 9am and 11pm.

Police in tactical uniforms carrying training firearms,

some military vehicles, and smoke was visible. There was also some noise.

These types of exercises could not happen without the support of local communities, and the Police say they thank the people of Wainuiomata for their co-operation and support.

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Pre-winter fire safety checks

By Frank Neill

With winter approaching there are a series of preparations people can make that will reduce the chance of a fire or the fire brigade being called for another problem, Wainuiomata’s Chief Fire Officer Ewen Heron advises.

Sweep chimneys

Getting the chimney swept is important. Unswept chimneys have led to house fires.

Every time a fire is lit creosote – a highly flammable and dangerous substance that results from burning wood – sticks to the chimney.

Over time the creosote builds up.

A creosote build-up can catch alight, leading to a chimney fire, and chimney fires can, and indeed have, caused significant damage to houses.

A chimney fire can even put the occupants’ lives in danger.

As well as the danger of fire, there is another danger with the build-up of creosote. It can block proper ventilation, leading to carbon monoxide build-up in the home’s living space, and this can also be fatal.

As the winter progresses it is also important to inspect your chimney for signs that it needs cleaning. These signs include:

chimney;

fireplace;

chimney.

Electric blankets

Every year fire fighters in New Zealand attend a large number of fires caused by electric blankets, leading to lost property and, in some cases, death.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) provides the following information about electric blankets.

“Check for hotspots in your blanket by turning it on high for 15 minutes, then switching it off and running your hand over the blanket. “

In addition FENZ recommends that: years old; storage, not folded; before going to sleep; the blanket lies flat on the bed; and bed while an electric blanket is in use.

The Te Omanga Hospice Shop in The Strand used to provide checks of electric blankets, but no longer provides this service.

People can contact an electrician about getting their blankets tested.

What the inside of an unswept chimney looks like, with the build-up of creosote that can lead to the house catching fire.

Photo: Supplied.

Fix loose items

CFO Heron advised people make sure their gutters and drains have been cleaned, as otherwise they can cause flooding. Loose items, such as loose roofing iron or fencing, can also cause problems. Now is a good time to check for loose items and make sure they are repaired.

New book offers timeless wisdom

dreams of a Pasifika parent.

Mila’s Books released its new work “Alofa tele atu” on 23 April in celebration of World Book Day and Autism Acceptance Month.

World Book Day, held annually every 23 April, is organised by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright, while Autism Acceptance Month is observed from 1 to 30 April.

Written by Wainuiomata resident Dahlia Malaelu, the award winning author and publisher of Mila’s Books, “Aolfa tele atu” is a universal letter on alofa.

If offers timeless parental wisdom alongside the hopes and dreams everyone has for growing tamaiti.

The book provides an insight to the Samoan concept of ‘alofa’ through the wishes and

It shares wisdom passed down through generations, offering valuable lessons and guidance from elders to younger generations.

It encourages tamaiti to embrace their cultural identity and heritage, celebrating their roots and traditions while also appreciating and respecting other cultures.

It explores key Pasifika values such as family, respect, community, and connection to nature and our environments.

Illustrations enhance the storytelling experience with vibrant pictures that capture the beauty and richness of Pasifika cultures and their connection to the moana.

“Alofa tele atu” is edited, illustrated, designed, translated and published by an all Pasifika team.

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The sea. (5)

Appease. (7)

Tall buildings. (11)

Loose thread. (5)

Adorned. (11) 3. Rough-haired Scotch terrier. (8)

Actor and comedian Tofiga Fepuleai with the recently released book, “Alofa tele atu” and “Vāsifika - Our Autism Journeys”. Photo: Supplied.

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Aromatic lozenge.

Animals with lungs & gills.

Bliss.

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female red deer. (4)

Reproached sarcastically. (7)

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4. U.S. inventor, Thomas (6)

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6. Deep red. (7)

7. Pertaining to farms. (8)

8. More tidy. (6)

9. Brisk(music) (7)

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16. Secrecy. (7)

17. Durable upholstery fabric. (7) 19. Agricultural. (5)

Accomplices(inf) (7)

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Hiatus. (3)

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29. Small enclosed field. (5)

31. Tending to incite. (11)

32. Agent(abbr) (3)

Indiana wins big League award

By Frank Neill

In just her first season playing Rugby League for Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Indiana Russell-Lia has won the Tarsha Gale Cup as the players’ player.

Indiana was presented the cup at the New South Wales-based club’s junior awards presentation at the Manly Pacific on 28 April.

“Indiana was another of our New Zealand cohort who made her presence known each and every time she stepped on the field,” Coach

Keith Hanley said.

“She would bring constant energy through her signature runs, often crossing the line for a try.

“A big, strong, powerful individual who possesses [the] skills of a half, Indiana is an important part of our culture and has the attributes to make NRLW,” Coach Hanley said.

NRLW is the Australian National Women’s Rugby League competition.

Indiana left Wainuiomata travel to Australia to join the Sea Eagles.

Before that, she played Rugby League for Ng Hau e Wh o Wainuiomata Marae.

Two more former Ng Hau e Wh o Wainuiomata Marae players also starred in Australia during the week.

Trinity Tauaneai and Paige Tauaneai were members of the victorious Bulldogs team that came away with the Lisa Fiaola Cup on 27 April.

This cup is the symbol of supremacy in the New South Wales under 17 girls’ Rugby League competition.

Women still top of Rugby table

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata’s premier women’s Rugby team sits at the top of Wellington Rugby’s table following their 41-29 victory over Poneke-Old Boys University on 27 April.

The win on their home ground of William Jones Park sees Wainuiomata undefeated in the Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy.

Billie Va’a led the way with two tries, just as she did during the previous two rounds of the competiton.

This sees Billie in second place with six tries on the list of top try scorers in the Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy to date. Billie is also in second place on the top points scorer table with 30 points.

Petone’s Tia Brown leads both tables after she scored seven tries.

Wainuiomata ran in six tries during their victory over Poneke-Old Boys University.

Fanua Rimoni, Ruby Clark, Cannon Hakaraia and Sunema Tupuola also dotted own.

As well as scoring a try, Fanua also kicked four conversions.

The Wainuiomata men’s premier team faced top of the table Marist St Pats on 27 April.

Despite a spirited performance, they lost the match 41-10.

This saw Marist St Pats retaining the Rona-Morrisey Cup.

Tyler Tane scored all 10 of Wainuiomata’s points with one try, one conversion and one penalty.

Wainuiomata’s next match sees them play Petone for the Darren Larsen Cup at William Jones Park on 4 May.

The premier 2 team was also on the losing end on 27 April.

Marist St Pats beat them 36-7.

The next match sees them play Petone at William Jones Park on 4 May.

Read the Wainuiomata News online at www.issuu.com/wsn11

Trinity and Paige were members of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs team that scored a convincing 36-0 victory over Wests Tigers in the inaugural Grand Final of the Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup.

After qualifying for the semi-final, the Bulldogs beat the Newcastle Knights 22-4 to move into the grand final.

Thie grand final win saw the Bulldogs complete their 10th successive victory and finish the season undefeated.

Fun games to finish Croquet season

The Wainuiomata Croquet Club finished the season with fun games and a slap up afternoon tea on 20 April.

The annual in house Golf Croquet Handicap doubles was won by Averil Fry and Dave Mayoss.

The club hosted two Wellington Croquet Association tournaments this season.

The Advantage Golf Croquet singles tournament was held in February and sponsored by Clives Chemist.

David Littlejohn from Khandallah won this tournament and the runner up was Garry Robertson also from Khandallah.

The Golf Croquet Doubles Handicap tournament held in March, sponsored by Linda Goss-Wallace and Ray Wallace, was won by Yvonne Stewart and Tepa Hendry from the Wellington Croquet Club and the runners up were Ron Rosenberg and Denise Ongley from Kelburn.

The season finished with a brief introduction to the game of Gateball which originated in Japan and is played by more than 10 million people in 40 countries, including Australia.

The club hopes to offer Gateball next season alongside Golf and Association Croquet.

Gateball is a mallet team sport, inspired by croquet, which is played on a rectangular court with three gates and a goal pole.

Teams score one point for each ball hit through a gate and two points for hitting the goal pole.

A game of Gateball lasts for 30 minutes and the winner is the team with the most

points at the end of the game.

The next season will start on 1 October. People are welcome to contact the club at croquetwainui@gmail.com.

In action for the top placed Wainuiomata women’s team. Photo: T-Paul Gale.

Indiana Russell-Lia, who has just won a big Rugby League award. Photo: Supplied.

Dave Mayoss and Averil Fry, who won this year’s Golf Croquet Handicap doubles. Photo: Supplied.

MP hosts morning tea

Hutt South MP Chris Bishop held a morning tea and discussion at his Wainuiomata office at 10.30am on Wednesday 24 April.

“I enjoyed hosting one of my regular morning teas in my Wainuiomata office last week,” Mr Bishop says.

“It’s a great chance to come

together over a cuppa and some sausage rolls and talk about current events.”

There was “lots of discussion around the upcoming Budget, the Cross Valley Link, Melling and a second access into Wainuiomata.

“[A] big thanks to everyone who came along,” Mr Bishop says.

Globetrotters to help young players

Members of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters, Wham and Hot Rod will be at the kau Tangi Sports Centre, Wellington, from 11am to 12.30pm on 12 May.

They will be hanging with younger league players, showcasing and sharing with them was what goes into mastering the dunks, the shots and the ball handling techniques.

Wham and Hot Rod are in New Zealand get kiwis excited for their July Tour.

Wham learned magic tricks from his great grandfather when he was seven years old, and the magic has stuck with him his entire life.

He is blessed with the sort of sleight of hand that shines through his insane dribbling and dazzling passing.

Like all great passers, Wham loves setting up his fellow Globetrotters with dimes for flashy plays. Known as a street baller who can play hoops at a world-class level, Wham owns eight Guinness World Records and earned Top Rookie Player during his debut season with the team.

Fame runs in the family, as Wham is cousins with actor/comedian Chris Tucker. With a deep love for the game and its fans, Joey "Hot Rod" De La Rosa was born to be a Harlem Globetrotter.

The 7'1” forward is a force on the court, throwing up sky-high hook shots with ease.

He has dreamed of being a Globetrotter since he was 9 years old, when the team stopped by his elementary school for an inspiring demo.

"Basketball means a lot to me, but so does building relationships and creating moments,” he says. “The

Wham on court for the Harlem Globetrotters. Photo: Supplied. Harlem Globetrotters have given me a platform on and off the court where I can share my love of basketball through moments with others."

The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters return to New Zealand in July. They will thrill crowds with full-court family fun including jaw-dropping dunks, strong fan engagement, entertaining characters, and sensational ball handling.

First formed in 1926, the Harlem Globetrotters are one of the most

popular entertainment brands in the world, performing hundreds of live shows every year.

Their unique basketball skills and wizardry have thrilled millions of fans and the team is synonymous with family entertainment and breaking down barriers and social divides. The Globetrotters currently hold 21 Guinness World Records, having set an amazing nine new records on Guinness World Records Day in 2018.

Hutt South MP Chris Bishops speaks during the meeting at his office. Photo: Supplied.