01 April Wainuiomata News

Ginny Andersen Labour List MP based in Hutt South

W W W. W S N . C O . N Z

YOUR LOCAL NEWS

Petone 04 568 2949 Wainuiomata 04 564 4988 ginnyandersenmp

Authorised by Ginny Andersen, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

Wednesday April 1, 2020

Today 12-19

Thursday 11-16

Enviro youth

Friday 10-16

Saturday 11-19

By Megan Connolly

Barnados Early Learning Centre marked their latest achievement with a ceremonial tree planting and a dress-up disco party.

The childcare centre has been

Phone: (04) 587 1660

working with Enviro Schools facilitator Michelle Ducat for the past year to make their space more environmentally friendly.

Last Friday, they received their Bronze Manuka certificate.

Continued on page 2.

Barnardos Early Learning Centre teachers and students received their Bronze Manuka certificate to reward their achievement in creating a better Enviro School last Friday morning.

Photo: Megan Connolly

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Love Wainuiomata sign around Queen Street.

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Share aroha safely, reminder signs around Queen Street. Photos: Supplied

Positive reminders amid crisis If you have been around Queen pharmacies and dairies.

Street and The Strand before “Our whole community’s efLockdown you may have no- fected by the COVID-19 crisis.” ticed some bright positive new Esther King, from Love Waisignage. nuiomata says.

In light of the Covid-19 “These signs are just one of the outbreak Love Wainuiomata ways that we can support strong, worked hard to get signage up positive community ownership before lockdown to support of these life-saving COVID-19 the community to able to con- messages and actions that we nect with important COVID-19 need everyone to undertake. safety messages from the Gov“Even though we have to keep ernment. our physical distance we are They’ve positioned 14 signs all in this together and these around town, focusing on sites signs help unite us, and unite us where people will be needing against COVID-19. to visit essential businesses like “It’s by staying home that we’ll Wednesday April 1, 2020

save lives and turn this around.

But for those who must visit an essential service, these signs promote safe behaviour and share the invaluable covid19. govt.nz website where up-todate information is accessible,” she says.

The signs reinforce messages about washing hands and selfisolation.

They also share a distinctly local expression of the importance of physical distancing with the phrase ‘waves, not shakes’ accompanied by a hand icon, and another sign reading ‘100

per cent smiles, 0 per cent hugs’.

Love Wainuiomata also acknowledged how hard John Woollett and his Hutt business, Nexus Display Solutions, had worked hard to get these signs up in time, including donating four signs.

“We all have a big role to play in stopping COVID-19 and it makes me proud to support this project and the Wainuiomata community,” John says.

“This is a great way for communities to be connected with COVID-19 safety messages where they need them.”

Youngsters embrace the natural environment Continued from page 1.

To celebrate the oldest, teacher Margaret Henry, and youngest, one-year-old Enepowei Amasuomo, planted a tangelo tree at the entrance to the centre.

Lead teacher Carol McMillan is thrilled to be acknowledged for their hard work on becoming an enviro school “What surprised me the most was the children’s knowledge and how much

they just absorb,” she says.

Michelle says it is great to work as a community and see how we can all make changes.

“We support teachers to help tamariki to learn about the environment through Te Reo,” she says.

“The underpinning philosophy is we have to get to know our environment and what we can do to that will help as

they go on through life.”

Each school, kindergarten and childcare centre implement environmental practices in different ways and in stages that work of them.

“We’re trying to add more fruit trees and swapped paper towels to flannels,” Carol says.

This year Wainuiomata Barnardos will be celebrating their 20 year anniversary.

Important Information Coronavirus These public health messages can help prevent us from contracting COVID-19

• Please don’t come into the Medical Centre if you have questions about the Corona Virus. Instead, please phone the Coronavirus Help Line 0800 358 5453 to get advice.

• Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds).

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your

Whai Oranga O Te Iwi Health & Dental Centre Let us help you maintain your health

7 The Strand, Wainuiomata Phone us today 564 6966

Mon Tues Thurs & Fri 8.30am-5pm Wed 8.30am-7pm Wed closed 1-2pm

• • • •

mouth and nose with tissues.

Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately.

Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.

Stay home if you feel unwell.

We’re taking extra care when you visit us. in. We will need to double check your contact details and ask the reason for your visit, all is confidential. If you are sneezing or coughing you will be given a mask to wear in the waiting room, you may prefer to wait in your car. High use surface areas are frequently cleaned. If you think you have the Coronavirus phone us, please stay home. We can get medical help to you at home.

For medical care outside our opening hours please ring the after-hours medical centre on 04 5675 345 or you can ring the Healthline 0800 611 116

Wednesday April 1, 2020

Covid-19 update Sadly, New Zealand had its first death linked to COVID-19 on the West Coast early Sunday morning.

The death was in a woman in her seventies who had initially been admitted four days prior with what was initially thought to be influenza complicated by an underlying chronic health condition.

As seen around the world, COVID-19 can be a deadly disease – particularly for elderly people, and those with underlying pre-existing health issues.

As a result of the initial diagnosis of influenza and then the subsequent confirmation of COVID-19 there was a period when staff treating the woman were using protective equipment suitable for influenza, but not COVID-19.

Once the diagnosis was confirmed staff took a range of measures to protect themselves and other patients, however as a precautionary approach, the District Health Board has placed 21 staff in self-isolation for the balance of 14 days from their last

involvement in the patient’s care.

Family members visiting the woman in the hospital, who do not have symptoms, will also be in monitored self-isolation for the next 14 days.

There is sufficient hospital capacity to manage current and projected cases and have plans in place to boost capacity if needed.

As of Sunday, March 29, there have been 63 new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand made up of 60 new confirmed cases and 3 probable cases. This is as at 9.00 am Sunday morning.

inbrief news

There are 56 individuals that can be confirmed that have recovered.

Maori cases are at four per cent of cases and Pasifika are at 2.9 per cent.

There are nine people in hospital with COVID-19. There are three in Wellington Regional Hospital, 1 in Wairau Hospital (Blenheim), one in Nelson Hospital, one in Whangarei Hospital and 1 each in Waikato, Taranaki and Dunedin hospitals.

The combined total of confirmed and probable cases in New Zealand is 514.

Look after your neighbourhood Keep an eye on your neighbors during lockdown.

To do this, many members of the community are coming together to spread aroha and support through creating a ‘Community Street Captains’ list.

Some are simply building and enhancing the community groups they already have while others

are starting a group contact list.

National MP Chris Bishop has initiated and set up a platform to allow groups to connect.

“The aim of the groups is to connect people together who can help deliver goods to those who can’t leave the house, and those who need help and assistance,” he says.

Many have been established all

around Lower Hutt and Wainuiomata. Community streets with captains include: • Coniston Street • Fraser Street • Konini Street • Kumeroa Grove • Meremere Street • Mitimiti Grove • Moohan Street • Parenga Street

• Totara Street • Trelawney Road • Willis Grove • Wise Street Follow the link to sign up your street or request assistance for yourself or someone else. https://tinyurl.com/qml49ft But remember, take percautions to wash your hands and follow proper sanitary steps.

Until next time Queen Street swings Rodney Hargraves from Local business Exciting Future Solutions, helped Love Wainuiomata to remove the swings from trees around Queen Street before the lockdown.

Although sad, this is stop use and the potential spread of germs during this crucial lockdown period.

Love Wainuiomata is following the government and Council advice to keep people safe by closing playgrounds to reduce contact transmissions.

“We are really looking forward to when Queen St can be a community heart for play and socialising,” Love Wainuiomata’s Esther King says.

“We’ll get these swings and play pop-ups back in action big time soon. But, for now, we need to keep home to save lives.

“Good news is there are lots of online ways to connect so check out local community FB pages including Love Wainuiomata and Rodney Hargraves temporarily removes the swings from Wainuiomata Community Hub.” Queen Street.

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Daylight Saving this Sunday Daylight saving ends this weekend.

It is best to turn the clock back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. With clocks being wound back this weekend, the New Zealand Fire Service is also reminding people to check their smoke alarms.

Send in your stories Are you finding interesting or fun ways to fill in your days while staying at home during the lockdown period?

Maybe your pet is enjoying spending more time with you, now that you’re always home?

Perhaps with the absence of theatre, you create your own play to entertain your family and loved ones?

If you have a fun experience, an interesting story or a DIY project that you would like to share with your community, contact the Wainuiomata News.

We will be continuing to publish our community newspaper online to continue to keep the community informed.

If you would like to express any thoughts on any situation or would like to speak to the wider community, consider sending in a Letter to the Editor.

Letters should be no longer than 150 words long and signed off with a name and contact, and permission to publish.

Send your selfies or family snaps into the Wainuiomata News. Contact Megan at wainui@wsn.co.nz

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Wednesday April 1, 2020

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Wednesday April 1, 2020

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sports talk With Jacob Page

Common sense reigns as sport dries up The stubbornness of the International Olympic Committee was admirably foolish at best.

The decision to postpone the Tokyo Games until next year amid Coronavirus was the only logical step.

I’ve spoken to several Olympic and Paralympic athletes both on and off the record over the past week and they were all in agreeance this was the best decision.

Part of me does feel for the athletes who have worked extremely hard over a four-year cycle to get themselves to peak at the right time but world events dictate we all have to give up something for the greater good.

Of course, some lose more than others from this outcome.

The likes of two-time medallist Nick Willis, who will be 38 next year

and now has to put more kilometres on his legs to prepare for a final tilt at 1500m glory.

Mahe Drysdale, a champion rower in his day, is in a similar position as is throwing phenom Valerie Adams, now a Mum faces similar challenges.

Rest assured Tokyo and Japan as a whole, will still put on a spectacular fortnight of competition.

It will be just as grandiose as China

in 2008 but more to scale for Japan’s smaller population.

This enforced lockdown and general uncertainty is daunting at times but when we get out of it, and we will, there will be plenty of sport to watch, that is for sure.

The NRL has clearly never planned for a rainy day and now players are being asked to take a whopping 87 percent paycut just to keep the

competition afloat.

American sports like the NBA, NHL, and Major League Baseball are all looking at ways to keep their 2020 seasons alive in the coming months while English football is the same.

The prospect of a buffet of sport after this pandemic is exciting.

As long as we all stay home and stay in our bubble.

Supporting the community In a community act of kindness, local workers from Dominos Pizza dropped off 30 pizzas to the hardworking Wainuiomata Countdown last Saturday afternoon.

Store manager Jesvin Joy says Dominos Pizza always helps the community.

“We just wanted to support the community,” he says.

“We’re all in this situation and they’re working so hard.”

The local team dropped 15 pizzas off to the night shift workers last Sunday night.

Wainuiomata Countdown manager store manager Mike Cundy says It was a very thoughtful gesture “It made all the team on the day feel really valued and appreciated after what has been an especially long week,” he says.

“Thanks to the team at Wainuiomata Dominos.

“It really lifted the team’s spirits on Saturday and also the public for their kind words and thoughts lately and their patience during this time.”

Bear hunting strategies Local Dominos Pizza workers Andrew Simi and Declan Reid showed an act of kindness by dropping off free pizzas to Countdown last Saturday.

Photo: Supplied

Are you going on a bear hunt?

New Zealand has seen a rise in watchful bears peering out of windows in recent weeks. Why could they have come out of hibernation so early?

You may spot these ferocious bears perched on window sills and cuddled behind curtains dur-

ing your one daily walk around your neighborhood.

There is no need to be spooked by them. They will only hurt you if you spook them so instead make sure you keep a safe distance away from the bears as to not freak them out.

It is also important to keep a

safe two-metre distance from other fellow bear hunters during this time. Smile and wave, but do not engage.

Remember to keep your distance and not touch anything.

And lastly, if you do see many bears watching you from their house, be respectful.

Kia ora to the Community of Wainuiomata & Hutt Valley Funeral package available for $3990+gst

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Wednesday April 1, 2020

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