15 December Wainuiomata News

Ginny Andersen MP for Hutt South

Wainuiomata office 04 564 4988 Queen Street Mall, Wainuiomata Open Monday to Friday, 9am – 4pm

See us online www.wsn.co.nz

YOUR LOCAL NEWS

Authorised by Ginny Andersen MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Wednesday December 22, 2021

Today 16-20

Thursday 15-21

Friday 14-20

Saturday 14-20

Phone: (04) 587 1660

Bureaucracy affects bus route

By: Gerald Rillstone

With a new contract for school bus services along Wainuiomata’s Coast Road came a review of the route and has resulted in chaos for families with school children living along the road.

Continued on page 2.

A new contract for school bus services along Wainuiomata’s Coast Road has resulted in chaos for families living along the road. Photo: Gerald Rillstone.

ST PE

Chris Bishop

AS

MANAGEMEN T

S O C IATION of N Z

List MP based in Hutt South

MICE & RATS WASPS 04 938 3848

You can always contact my Wainuiomata office for assistance.

Phone 04 564 8707 or email me at Chris.bishopMP@parliament.govt.nz

Des Smith 022 026 9540 des.smith@raywhite.com Authorised by Chris Bishop, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

From our family to yours.

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Wednesday December 22, 2021

How to reach us

Ministry doesn’t care

Phone (04) 587 1660 Address 23 Broderick Rd, Johnsonville P.O. Box 38-776, WMC 5045 Fax (04) 587 1661 ONLINE: www.wsn.co.nz

REPORTER

Gerald Rillstone wainui@wsn.co.nz

The new timetable will make catching the bus a lot harder for students on Coast Road. Photo: Supplied.

SALES

Les Whiteside les@wsn.co.nz 021 360 008

NATIONAL SALES

Sam Barnes sam@wsn.co.nz 021 109 4406

CLASSIFIED SALES

classifieds@wsn.co.nz YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER

Continued from page 1 For more than 20 years kids have been picked up from their front gates along the road, some of their parents also caught the bus on the same route to school, but new contractor Classic Coaches has deemed some of the stops on the route unsafe under Waka Kotahi guidelines.

Sarah Wilde, who’s children use the service, says the proposed changes will mean either she will have to leave her job so she can take them 1km up the road or require her children to walk 1km before and after school along a road that is not safe for walking.

Sarah has been told by the Ministry that none of the problems created by the new contract are

their concern.

Changes to bus routes this year have been causing concern all over the country, from Dunedin to the Coromandel and James Meffan, Group General Manager, School Transport for the Ministry of Education is unapologetic.

He says as part of their preparation for the new school year, the new provider is currently reviewing the school bus route, the location of the eligible students and the existing bus stops.

“Their review has so far identified two of the 16 existing bus stops along the route that are unsafe for a school bus to stop to pick up students. These two stops have been replaced by their next closest bus stop and the affected

caregivers and schools have been notified. Reasons that a bus stop location is unsafe include being situated on a blind corner and having no place for the bus to pull off the road.”

Sarah says this is not the case.

The information Wainuiomata Primary school has been supplied shows around nine stops are being changed affecting 10 families.

But the official uncaring line from the Ministry is safety is of paramount importance, so the Ministry will not operate a bus stop that cannot be shown to meet Waka Kotahi’s safe siting guidelines.

But when it comes to a child having to walk home on a dangerous road Meffan says it is not

his concern.

Despite it being perfectly safe for decades he says school bus providers are responsible for selecting suitable bus stop locations along each school bus route. In this case, the school bus provider expressed concern about these particular bus stops and asked that we review the locations to see whether the locations are consistent with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s safe siting guidelines. Our local Transport Contract Manager has visited the bus stops in question and agrees with the school bus provider that these stops are unsafe.

James Meffan was also part of the team who redesigned the Wellington bus service which was then plagued with problems.

Naenae Pool rebuild

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Draft design for the new Naenae Pool and Fitness Centre. Photo: Supplied Hutt City Council has engaged one of New Zealand’s leading pool builders for the rebuild of Naenae Pool.

Apollo Projects has been selected to work with Council to turn the concept designs into detailed plans. These plans will then form part of the tender process for the full construction work.

Apollo will provide expert advice to

make sure the facility is innovative, welldesigned, safe, and meets the needs of users of the new pool.

“Apollo Projects has significant experience in pool projects, and I’m pleased we have been able to engage them as part of the rebuild of Naenae Pool,” Andrea Blackshaw, Director of Neighbourhoods and Communities says.

Wednesday December 22, 2021

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inbrief news Airport bus Metlink is pleased to announce Mana Newlands by Transdev as their partner for the new airport express bus service launching in 2022.

The partnership means that Wellingtonians from across the region will soon have an easy and convenient way to get to the Airport, with a new 7-day bus service set to run from Wellington Railway Station to the Airport in 2022.

The service, funded by Metlink and delivered by Mana Newlands by Transdev as part of a six-year contract, will operate on the Metlink network, and will have Snapper ticketing, credit and debit payments by EFTPOS, real-time information and a dedicated fleet of ten new zero-emissions electric buses.

Warning for people mailing vouchers and gift cards

Wallaby scat to look out for. Photo: Supplied.

A Dama Wallaby. Photo: Supplied.

Public urged to look out for Wallabies Greater Wellington is urging people in and around Upper Hutt and Featherston to keep a sharp eye out for Wallabies following the recent recovery of several dama wallaby corpses in the Pakuratahi Forest and near Kaitoke Regional Park.

“We urge anyone who thinks they have spotted wallabies, or signs of their presence, to visit www.reportwallabies.nz or call the Pests and Diseases line (0800 80 99 66) and report the sighting,” says Greater Wellington Manager, Biosecurity, Davor Bejakovich.

“We will follow up all reported sighting as it is critical to ensure

wallabies do not establish themselves in our region.”

Wallabies are capable of causing significant adverse environmental effects, including preventing the regeneration of native bush and depleting forest understorey, with possible impacts on water quality.

They can damage and deplete tall tussock grassland vegetation to bare ground, increasing the risk of soil erosion.

The call for the public’s help follows extensive day and night inspections and the installation of trail cameras for surveillance and taking DNA and EDNA samples from water and faeces found

during searches in the areas.

“So far, we’ve not found further wallabies but we’re hoping local landowners, residents and park users will keep the area under surveillance so that we can be sure wallabies haven’t settled in the area. Not everyone is aware that wallaby populations exist in the wild in New Zealand so we’re distributing signs and other material throughout the area to build awareness and encourage people to report sightings.”

Dama wallabies are grey to reddish brown kangaroo-like marsupials standing around 0.5m tall with tails as long as half their

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height. Most are found in the wider Rotorua Lakes area, with the larger Bennett’s wallaby found in South Canterbury. Both species are spreading into neighbouring areas.

“We need to keep them out of this region and the community can be assured that we will do what’s necessary to protect our environment against their establishment,” says Davor Bejakovich.

“This is an opportunity for people to help protect our environment by reporting any signs or sightings of wallabies.”

Anyone who sees what they believe is a wallaby should report it to www.reportwallabies.nz

Police would like to remind people not to send gift-cards, vouchers and money through the mail, in the lead-up to Christmas.

“We’re starting to head into what is traditionally the busiest time of the year for items being posted, and unfortunately we do see more instances of mail theft,” Police Investigation Support Unit Constable Cheyenne Welsh says.

“These kinds of presents are usually sent in cards and letters – which aren’t tracked, unlike larger parcels.”

NZ Post encourages Kiwis to check its website before they send something to see if it is prohibited.

If a parcel is stolen after NZ Post completes delivery of the item, the theft becomes a Police matter and people will need to report the theft to the Police.

NEWS TIPS Send your tips to wainui@wsn.co.nz

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Wednesday December 22, 2021

readers have their say... Find out the WORD on the Street.

Question: What is your Christmas wish?

Becky Jenkins

Darren Stewart

Donna Shaw

Glen McCummings

Mike Wall

Petra Moore

I wish for a relaxing stress free time during the holidays.

I wish for all my friends to have a relaxing time.

That we all are safe and well considering what is going on.

I wish for a safe and happy holiday season.

That we have a better year than we have had.

I wish for next year to be a great improvement on this year.

Town centre upgrade due to start Hutt City Council is investing in the heart of Wainuiomata with work on the Town Centre Upgrade along Queen Street due to start mid-February 2022.

“The Queen Street upgrade will build on the momentum of some pretty significant developments from this year,” Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry says.

“Investments in the likes of the Les Dalton Dog Park, Masonic village, new Countdown and Mall re-development, means it makes absolute sense to upgrade the heart of Wainuiomata too.”

“This upgrade brings to life the

aspirations of the community”, says Councillor and Wainuiomata local Keri Brown. “We have worked alongside local businesses to help inform the work, our goal is to enhance the area and encourage people to shop and play local.”

McIndoe Urban Ltd was contracted to develop the initial plan based on the community’s vision.

The project is split into four stages to minimise disruption to retailers and the community.

Queen Street will remain open to traffic throughout the work.

Wainuiomata town centre colour plan stage one. Photo: Supplied.

Stage one begins in mid-February once a Lead Contractor has been appointed and the

No new pokie machines in Lower Hutt’s future In a unanimous decision Hutt City Council introduced a sinking lid approach to pokie machines in the city, which means the number of pokies currently in Lower Hutt is the highest it will ever be.

“Council has a responsibility to support the wellbeing of all our people. In 2019, $29 million in profit was collected from gaming machines in our city. Of that, only $4 million was returned to the Hutt-based community and sports groups in the form of grants,” Policy, Finance and Strategy Chair Simon Edwards says.

“Lower Hutt has well above the national average number of pokies per capita. We need to take an approach that minimises harm.”

During consultation, Council

heard from a range of people and community groups, including local sports clubs, that rely on funding from pokie machines.

These groups are worried about a drop in funding if pokie machine numbers are reduced in the city, but many are also uncomfortable that this funding source causes harm to families.

“Community groups are an important part of our city, and we have heard and understand their concerns,”Simon says.

“We’ve taken a balanced approach by introducing a sinking lid, and we will be strongly advocating to central government to consider providing alternative sources of funding that don’t rely on pokies.”

Following this decision council officers will gather and report on gambling data annually, and work with Local Government New Zealand around a central government review of the Gambling Act and online gambling.

“The highest concentration of pokies are in our most in-need neighbourhoods, and the community funding that results often ends up in our more well-off communities. For Lower Hutt to be a city where everyone thrives, we need to make fairness a priority.”

This policy came into effect yesterday, 16 December, and is in line with similar decisions by councils in Porirua (2013) and Wellington (2021).

community along Queen Street has been engaged on the planned construction work. You can keep

up to date on the project as it progresses at hutt.city/WainuiTownCentre

Wednesday December 22, 2021

5

inbrief news Catch up with friends and whānau this Christmas Police, Fire Emergency NZ, and St John Ambulance want everyone to have a great Christmas catching up with friends and whānau this summer, and not with them.

December alone is higher on average at 21 percent more fatalities.

Police has partnered with Fire Emergency NZ and St John Ambulance to implore drivers to be safe on the roads this summer to help keep road crashes down so that they don’t have to see them.

Alcohol or drugs and speed were a factor in over half of these crashes.

Fire Emergency NZ National Manager Response Capability, Paul Turner says between 20 December last year and 9 January this year they attended 642 motor vehicle crashes across the motu.

An impromptu Haka from the students. Photo: Gerald Rillstone.

Wahine and Tane graduate

By Gerald Rillstone

Eighteen students from the TRM Tane and Wahine courses graduated just in time for Christmas and have come away with their learner drivers licenses, first and certificates, CV’s, and an opportunity to find work.

Among the eighteen was 16-year-old Tequisha Puha who had recently moved back to the Hutt from Taranaki.

One of her friends suggested she do the course as she had fallen behind in year 11 at school.

“I wouldn’t have been able to catch up with my credits so I took the chance to come and do the course,” Tequisha says.

Tequisha completed NZQA level first aid, got her learners license and also was also assisted with finding a part-time job.

“I’m going to apply for TeKura which is school from home to do my NCEA and work as well because I want to find a full time job,” she says.

Getting experience in as many different fields of work is her aim and finding what she enjoys.

“I am just trying to get the

Research commercialisation success

Among the eighteen was 16-year-old Tequisha Puha who had recently moved back to the Hutt from Taranaki. Photo: Gerald Rillstone. experience to find what it is I like For the Tane who graduated to do and enjoy and if it is a trade they were part of a new ten week I will go to Welltech.” transitional engagement course She was surprised at how well connected with Wainuiomata she did in the course and says she Marae to help young males aged didn’t expect to get as far as she between 15 and 24 get ready for did within the ten weeks. work.

Safer and greener batteries, zerowaste building solutions, and antimicrobial surface coatings to prevent the growth of COVID-19. These are just some of the recent discoveries made by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington researchers and brought to the world through commercialisation of their research.

Directed by Wellington UniVentures, the University company responsible for creating new enterprises from University research, the commercialisation of research has led to the formation of 12 start-ups since 2015.

As well as companies developing battery technologies (TasmanIon), building solutions (XFrame™), and antimicrobial coatings (Inhibit Coatings), these start-ups include Liquium, which is revolutionising ammonia production through cleaner, greener processes.

Christmas at the HUB What’s Cooking... in Chewy Caramel Apple Cookies

Mama Mate leads a group in a Christmas Waiata at the Wainuiomata HUB during the Christmas celebrations.

The HUB has had Christmas workshops underway with Vera and Annie. making Christmas cards or knitting Christmas tree decorations and more.

Santa’s last visit was on Tuesday this week. Photo: Gerald Rillstone.

Ingredients:

Method:

s ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened s 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar s 1 large egg s 2 tablespoons milk s ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract s 6¾ ounces gluten-free flour (about 1 1/2 cups) s ¾ teaspoon baking soda s ¼ teaspoon salt s 1½ cups gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats s 2 chopped peeled apples s 20 caramel candies s 2 tablespoons water

1. Preheat oven to 325°.

2. Beat butter and brown sugar with a mixer at medium speed until creamy. Add egg, milk, and vanilla; beat 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.

3. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Stir in oats. Add oat mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Stir in apples.

4. Drop dough by 1 1/2 tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

5. Bake at 325° for 14 minutes or until golden. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool completely.

6. Place caramels and water in a small saucepan.

Cook over low heat 7 minutes, stirring until smooth.

Remove from heat. Drizzle warm glaze over cookies.

Let stand 15 minutes or until caramel is completely set. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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Wednesday December 22, 2021

OUT& & about

Photos: Gerald Rillstone

Year eight celebration By: Gerald Rillstone It was finally a chance to celebrate after a mixed year of learning for Wainuiomata Intermediate year eight students.

Just under 100 students attended a fully catered meal and dance.

Teacher and organiser of the event Nicole

Rodgers says it was a great way for the kids to celebrate their two years at the school especially after a year of challenges.

“These guys have been through a lot with online learning, and having to learn how to do it, they have had a few challenges thrown their way so it is nice to be able to celebrate,” Nicole says.

Anton Nicho with Nixon Awa, TJ, Kyla Pasene and Thalia Toa.

Jordan Molyneux with Nixon Awa and Anton Nicho.

Thalia Toa and Kyla Pasene.

Wainuiomata students celebrate their final year before heading to high school.

Deonte Williams and Maddie Butterfield.

Celebrating after a year of COVID cancellations.

Wednesday December 22, 2021

Anitanahopi Alexander, Ethan Morrison, Lachlan Hargraves, Zac Calcinai during the year eight leavers dance.

Gali Kepa and Shelby Puohotaua.

Rangiataahua Hemi-Tarei and Rangimarie Tautau at the end of year celebration with their Korowai cloak, symbolic of leadership, and includes the obligation to care for the people and environment.

Edyson Luelu gets into the spirit of the end of year celebration.

7

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Wednesday December 22, 2021

5

GARDENING THIS WEEK MINUTES WITH

Briteny Jordan Stay at home mum z What food do you crave most often?

Tea and scones. z When you have had a bad day, what do you do to feel better?

Go and visit friends. z What’s one thing on your bucket list?

To get to the Cook Islands. z Who has been the biggest inspiration in your life?

My grandmother. She is always positive.

z What is the best or worst purchase you’ve ever made?

A handy vac it was cheap and not that great to use. z Favourite programme currently watching?

Nothing at the moment. z If you had to flee the country, where would you choose to live?

In the tropics somewhere.

z What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been?

Snells Beach.

z What was the last photo you took?

Of our cat. z What thing do you really wish you could buy right now?

New heavy bottom pots.

December in the garden: By Wally Richards Spend a few hours making the garden, Xmas ready, so you can relax over the festive season.

Check for plants and shrubs that might need stakes and supply them with soft ties.

Ensure climbing beans and peas support frames are sturdy and reinforce if needed.

Staking and support is most important as heavy fruit will break branches with resulting losses.

Thin crops of apples and other fruit if the wind and the trees have not done this for you.

You may like to do summer pruning of your fruit trees which means VQLSSLQJ R൵ WKH QHZ JURZWK WKDW is happening just beyond a bunch of fruit. This puts growth into the fruit rather than new foliage growth.

The spring growth may have caused some shrubs or trees to over shadow their neighboring plants, cut back so all share the sunlight.

Hand pollinate pumpkins, squash and courgettes to ensure fruit set.

This means checking your plants ¿ UVW WKLQJ LQ WKH PRUQLQJ IRU QHZ IHPDOH À RZHUV WKH\ DUH WKH RQHV with the embryo fruit behind the petals.) :KHQ \RX ¿ QG DQ\ WKHQ ORRN IRU a male flower that has a stamen covered in pollen.

I like to pick the male and remove its petals so I can touch the centre RI WKH IHPDOH À RZHUV ZLWK WKH PDOH pollen.

That ensures fruit set and overcome the young fruit from rotting on the vine later on due to lack of pollination.

'HDG KHDG URVHV DQG RWKHU À RZ ering plants) to create another blooming on those that are capable of doing so.

Cut back the young stems to a point before a leaf to encourage new JURZWKV DQG PRUH À RZHUV Check for aphids and other pests at the same time and if found spray with Wallys Super Neem Tree Oil with Super Pyrethrum added just before dusk. ,I \RX ¿ QG VSLGHU PLWHV ZLWK WKHLU little cobwebs then treat them with Sulphur powder.

Place the yellow sulphur powder into a nylon stocking and form it into a ball shape inside the stocking. /LJKWO\ PLVW WKH H൵ HFWHG SODQW ZLWK ZDWHU DQG WKHQ ZLWK D À DW VWLFN KLW

the ball of sulphur to create a cloud of dust to settle on the plant and kill the mites.

If you have Liquid Sulphur spray with that instead.

Remove larger weeds and hoe up the small ones to let them die in the sun.

If you have Oxalis then with Wallys Super Compost Accelerator JUDP MDU SODFH FRQWHQW LQWR D watering can with 3 litres of water.

Stir to dissolve all the crystals and then water that over the foliage of the Oxalis and down into the soil to compost the bulbs in the soil.

This is best done in full sunlight when the soil is on the dry side but not bone dry as you want the mix to penetrate down to the bulbs. Repeat as need be till no more oxalis in that area.

Do not disturb the soil as there maybe a few bublets still dormant instead cover soil with weed free compost so you can plant into it.

Do not pour over preferred plants as it will damage them.

Water soils well and then apply a mulch to conserve the moisture and suppress new weeds.

Lawns that have not been dethatched should now be done using Thatch Busta.

This will reduce the early brown patches seen, as the soil drys.

Potatoes sown for Xmas dinner should be kept watered and maybe lift a plant to see how they are progressing.

3LFN SHDV DV WKH SRGV ¿ OO VR \RX have nice young peas and this will HQFRXUDJH PRUH À RZHUV A two weekly spray of Wallys Super Neem Tree oil with Raingard added will prevent powdery mildew taking hold.

Saucers can now be placed under container plants outdoors to provide the extra water they may need to get through each day.

Shade glasshouses if they are

Travel hacks SHOP s EAT s SPEND s ENJOY

LOCAL SAM - s SAM WSN CO NZ LES - LES WSN CO NZ

Hacks to make travel to your holiday destination safe and enjoyable As Wainuiomatians start to pack their bags for their summer holidays, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is encouraging everyone to plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable journey to their destination.

State Highway 1 heading north out of Wellington is expected be the busiest on Christmas Eve, for most of the day but particularly between 10am and 3pm. Monday 27 December is also expected to be particularly busy for most of the day, with heavy traffic starting from about 9am through to 6pm.

For people heading north on State Highway 2 over the Remutaka Hill, traffic is also expected

to be busy over the Christmas and New Year period, particularly between 10am and 3pm most days.

Tips for safe driving on your summer holiday: Drive to the conditions, allow plenty of time and take regular breaks to stay alert.

Be patient when driving this summer so everyone can relax and enjoy the holidays together.

Keep a safe following distance from vehicles in front so you can stop safely.

Drive to the conditions - whether it’s the weather, the road you’re on, the time of day or the volume of traffic on the roads.

Take regular breaks to stay alert.

Allow plenty of time. You’re on holiday, no need to rush.

becoming too hot during the day.

If the temperature in the glassKRXVH JHWV XS RYHU GHJUHHV WKDQ plants stop growing till it cools down.

Even when soil is moist there maybe situation where the plant can’t take up enough water to transpire through foliage and we see wilting of the top foliage occurring.

To cool down the glasshouse and increase the humidity sprinkle ZDWHU RQ WKH FRQFUHWH À RRU LI QRW concrete then on the gravel stone walkway).

The water evaporates and cools the house and reduces stress on the plants from the high humidity.

Inside your glasshouse and even RXW VLGH SHVWV VXFK DV ZKLWHÀ \ EUHHG very quickly so you need to take early control programs.

7KH VWLFN\ \HOORZ ZKLWHÀ \ VWULSV are ideal for catching hundreds of whitefly adults along with other pests.

Regular spray programs under and over the foliage just before dusk combining Wallys Super Neem Oil and Wallys Super Pyrethrum will help prevent population explosions.

If you have psyllid problems on tomatoes, capsicums, chili, okra and egg plants you may reduce the problem by using the cell strengthening spray already combined with the super apreader spraying the foliage every week.

The silicon toughens up the cells making it hard to impossible for the young nymphs to feed thus breaking the life cycle.

Place bird repellent ribbon over strawberry beds and around tomatoes to reduce the birds damage to the crops. )RU D ¿ QDO WUHDW WR WKH JDUGHQ PL[ XS 0%/ 0DJLF %RWDQLF /LTXLG

and Mycorrcin together and spray the foliage of plants this increases their health and stops many of the normal diseases from happening.

Wednesday December 22, 2021

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NZ Planning Institute partners with EQC The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has joined forces with Te Kokiringa Taumata | The New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI) in a new four year partnership to encourage smarter land use decisions by local planners.

“EQC works hard to better understand and minimise the risk our natural hazards pose and by sharing that knowledge we hope better planning will lead to a safer New Zealand,” says EQC’s Chief Resilience and Research Officer Dr Jo Horrocks.

Dr Horrocks says that her team regularly sees examples of land being developed that is surrounded by or susceptible to natural hazards, simply because the planners are not aware of the risks.

“We are developing a Smarter Land Use Action Plan, which we are hoping to publish in early 2022.

Trades

This partnership with NZPI, and many others is an exciting way to start supporting the delivery of this plan. We hope that together, we can raise the standard of land use planning in New Zealand by using research, data and influencing policy to improve planning outcomes.

NZPI Chief Executive David Curtis says he is excited about the opportunities the new partnership will create for his organisation.

“It will enable us to build on and expand the tools to support the empirical basis of practical planning through this partnership.

Our members will greatly benefit from having access to some of the resources, research, and data that EQC has to share.”

Dr Horrocks explains that EQC has an extensive library of EQC funded research, as well as good

links to the broader science and research community. EQC also has a wealth of data generated through decades of claims information and assessment; meaning the organisation has good knowledge about where and how natural hazards occur, and how much they cost when they do. This information can be used to influence public policy for better approaches to hazard risk management, as well as raising public awareness about hazards and risks.

“We hope that decision makers, planners and communities start using and acting on this information to make risk-based decisions, and adopt risk-reduction policies and behaviour that ultimately reduces the impacts on people and property if a natural hazard was to occur,” says Dr Horrocks.

EQC Champion for land use

planning, Wendy Saunders, says that EQC and the NZPI share a fundamental vision that more informed planning will lead to a safer, more resilient New Zealand.

“As part of our mission to create greater community resilience to hazards, we will also collaborate with NZPI to present a united voice on legislation and plan reviews, to advocate for more risk-based planning outcomes.”

The new partnership enables EQC and the Planning Institute to provide professional development and training to NZPI members, as well as courses for researchers.

“As well as working with the NZPI members, the partnership means that we can support an increased use of hazard and risk information by future planners in their university courses,” says Dr Horrocks.

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Mr Curtis says that the first step of the partnership will deliver a series of professional development courses for researchers, planners, and university students.

“One of these targeted courses will help scientists understand how their research and work informs and influences decision making at a policy level.”

Dr Horrocks says this course is designed to ensure researchers are confident in their work when it comes to presenting and speaking at forums like the Environment Court.

“This new partnership brings the research and planning worlds together, to contribute to planning outcomes that considers our natural hazard risks. It’s an exciting initiative which will help our communities become more resilient and sustainable in the future,” says Dr Horrocks.

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10

Wednesday December 22, 2021

CLASSIFIEDS Situation Vacant

Buying a puppy?

WANTED Watch out for scams Newspaper Deliverers

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The Community Noticeboard is for non-profit organisations. For $15.00 you can publish up to 25 words.

Call into our office, phone (04) 587 1660 or email classifieds@wsn.co.nz

Deliverers required in the following areas:

Trades

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"SFB )BJS 4U 3PXF 1BSBEF (JCCT $SFT QBSU PG .BJO 3E BOE .PPSFT 7BMMFZ 3E - 280 papers "SFB $PBTU 3E QBSUJBM 8PPE 4U QBSUJBM 1BSFOHB 4U "QPSPB (S - 235 papers Area .FSFNFSF 4U .BOVSFXB (SPWF .BUBVSB (SPWF .JNJIBV (SPWF - 300 papers Area )JOF 3E 1PPMF $SFT 4VOOZ (SPWF 8JMMT (SPWF QBQFST "SFB 1FUSJF 4U .D,JMMPQ 4U #VMM "WF QBSU PG .PPIBO 4U - 280 papers

Getting good deals through online traders and it’s not always the case.

Police have noticed an increase of people selling puppies which don’t exist.

Some online trading sites and fake websites have been set up to sell puppies to buyers, sight-unseen.

The public need to be careful not to fall into this trap.

Sellers claim these puppies are fully vaccinated and potty trained, and a fake seller is likely not to let you view the puppy

NEWS TIPS

Contact Sandra 1I t &NBJM TBOESB!XTO DP O[

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before purchase and claim they have their own delivery service.

These sellers are also making ‘change of ownership’ documents for each purchased puppy, which is not a thing in New Zealand.

Neither is a breeder registering the puppy before you get it… all these things are red flags.

People need to be doing some extensive research on puppy sellers before paying money to anyone.

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Puzzle ACROSS 1. Sir Ed Hillarys’ previous occupation (9) 6. Small dog breed (9) 11. Bog (5) 12. Convert into money (7) 13. Gazelle (5) 14. Behave cruelly towards (3-5) 17. Dogged (10) 18. Japanese outcast (3) 20. African plant (4) 22. Style of cooking (7) 24. Cuban cigar (6) 26. Unit of electric current (3) 28. Common (5) 29. Knee-cap (7) 32. Dwell on with smugness (5) 33. Pairs of performers (3) 34. Diocese (3) 35. High mountain pass (3) 36. Stunted person (5) 37. Come in again (2-5) 38. Tests (5) 39. Finish (3) 41. Vigorous (6) 42. Fortress commander (7) 44. Spanish dance (4) 47. Expert (3) 49. Gas mask (10) 51. Male singing voice (8)

55. U.S. novelist; Mark ... (5) 56. Italian town (7) 57. Evergreen shrub (5) 58. Dwelling (9) 59. Private conversation (9) DOWN 1. Baby (7) 2. Register (5) 3. Urge (6) 4. Eskimo jacket (5) 5. 20 quires of paper (4) 6. Out-door movie theatre (5-2) 7. Wrinkle (6) 8. U.S. NAtional Anthem ‘... … Banner’ (4-8) 9. Combine (5) 10. Triflers in art (11) 15. Hyson (3) 16. Apiece (4) 19. African bloodsucker; ... fly (6) 21. Garden plant (7) 23. Referee (6) 25. Pear-shaped fruit (7) 26. Outdated (3-9) 27. Holy (6) 28. Insurer (11) 30. Even(poetic) (3) 31. Deadly (6)

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Solution

Last SOLUTION week: 15 December 2021 For For September April 9, 2003 29, 2004

SPORT

Wednesday December 22, 2021

11

SPORTS TALK With Jacob Page

The folly of fantasy football For the past two years, I’ve found a new sporting addiction that is equal parts frustrating as it is exhilarating.

My partner, Liz has been part of a fantasy (American) football league with her friends.

I’ll explain what fantasy football is in a second, I promise but when they had a spot available two years ago, I snuck in as a big sports fan to give it a crack.

Now, I must confess, I knew of fantasy sports but not really how it worked prior to signing-up.

Fantasy Football is where you construct a team of NFL players across all the attacking positions and some

extra players on your bench for the inevitable injuries or Covid issues.

Your team, in my case the Cheese Leapers (a pun on my favourite Green Bay Packers and their fans called ‘cheese heads’ and the players’ touchdown celebration called the Lambeau Leap where they leap into the home crowd at Lambeau Field), play other teams for 15 weeks and then the top four play semifinals and then a final.

Points are awarded for a myriad of attacking outcomes such as yards gained on a run or catch, touchdowns, field goals and you can even lose points if your player fumbles or

throws an intercept.

Fantasy football is a double-edged sword for me, I love researching and finding out new information, so keeping up with player trends, injury news etc is always exciting but once I’ve set my team, I have no control over how well, or not, they play.

That never plays well with my mindset.

Watching the games can be maddening yet exhilarating as your players go hot, then cold, then hot again.

Now, my first year I made the final and lost.

I was happy enough given it was

my rookie year but the competitor in me wanted to win it all.

Oddly, Liz finished last (she’s still blaming the injuries).

This year, with one week of the regular season to go, I’ve wrapped up top spot ahead of the semifinals.

A seven game win streak thanks to a fortunate lack of injuries and constant information gathering has put me in a good spot.

The person I’m most likely to play in the semifinals is, you guessed it, Liz. I must confess, if the mighty Cheese Leapers were to lose to anyone, it may as well be my better

half right?

So fantasy football is a grind and it’s unforgiving at times.

Even my team can be felled by a bad week, injuries or illness in a heartbeat.

That level of uncomfortable confidence is the appeal of the whole thing.

Personally, I’d warn anyone off fantasy sports.

I’m not sure the time and effort I put into it is worth the potential $300 winning purse.

Beating Liz in the playoffs sure would be nice though.

Frost's son could be another chilled-out dude

By Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

It was probably a foregone conclusion that young Nixon Frost would one day follow in his dad’s footsteps, or should that be wheel tracks?

The 11-year-old from Wellington has a fine motorcycling pedigree, with his father none other than Sloan Frost, a multi-time champion on the road-racing scene in New Zealand.

And now, with the blessing and support of Motorcycling New Zealand, fledgling road-racer Nixon Frost is heading across the Tasman Sea to see how far he can go with the sport in Australia.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity,” said young Frost. “We head off on January 27th and again on February 23rd. I know it’s going to be quite hard.

“I have learned a lot from dad. I’ve been racing go-karts a long time, so I do already have some experience with motor-racing.”

His father, mentor and coach, former motocross racer Sloan Frost, was twice New Zealand Superbike

Champion, in 2016 and 2018, and Suzuki International Series champion in 2015 and so it’s his experiences with that which has been the foundation for Nixon’s growth and development within motorcycling.

“I never really encouraged this,” exclaimed Frost senior. “Usually you get into this through motocross or something like that ... another bike code ... but we’ve been chasing the go-karts. It’s a similar sport. You don’t have the same lean angles and all that, but the skills of late braking, early accelerating, picking lines and things like that are all the same.

“We got a little KTM electric bike and now, just one month later, he’s showing promise already.

He’s not going fast by any means, but what he’s doing on the bike is really impressive for a complete beginner.

“Some people, spend a lifetime trying to get their knee down, but he did that straight away, on his first ride. He’s carrying good corner speed and has a good style.

He’s on a 150cc bike now and we’ve modified the seat to suit him. We have to hold him up to push him

Former New Zealand superbike champion Sloan Frost with his 11-year-old son Nixon at Manfeild at the weekend. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

off at the start, but once he gets going and gets on the track, he’s no concern at all.

“Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) and Motorcycling Australia (MA) have been running the FIM Oceania Junior Cup between them in recent years and it has been really successful. Cormac Buchanan (from Invercargill) went through it and we all know how success he has become within the sport, going on to race in Europe, so there is a clear pathway for Nixon here.

“As it happened, in these difficult times with the COVID-19

pandemic, it has been difficult for some to feel comfortable committing and the opportunity was there and needed to be taken. It was probably a bit too early for us, but we have a lot of support in Australia and friends there. Nixon has been to Phillip Island with me when I raced there and so it all added up.

“A huge thanks to MNZ for making this happen. It’s days like this, even at a low-key track day here at Manfeild, that you appreciate how much MNZ does, taking a back seat but making things happen for the riders. I see how much effort the volunteers do. With MNZ’s backing

we are now going off to compete internationally.”

MNZ general manager Michael Kerrisk said he was thrilled to see it all come together for Nixon Frost.

“We’ve offered this opportunity to get young Nixon over to Australia and represent New Zealand and put his best foot forward,” he said.

“We are delighted to have this relationship with Motorcycling Australia and they absolutely want this too.

“Nixon met the requirements of the MNZ Board and we look forward to hearing about the progress with his riding.”

Apprenticeships for players Wellington Rugby Football Union have joined forces with ETCO [The Electrical Training Company], New Zealand’s leading provider of electrical apprenticeships and training.

The partnership aims to support players in securing electrical apprenticeships with host companies, electrical contractors and New Zealand businesses working

in the domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors.

Wellington Rugby Football Union CEO, Matt Evans, says it is crucial for young athletes to work towards being skilled both on and off the field.

“We are dedicated to the professional development of our young men and women coming through Wellington Rugby. It’s re-

ally important that they are creating opportunities for themselves outside of the game, and this partnership supports exactly that.”

This is a sentiment is shared

by ETCO’s CEO, Jeremy Sole.

“We are thrilled to cement this partnership with WRFU and work together to provide guidance and support for players wanting to plan for “life after rugby” through ap-

prenticeships. It’s an opportunity for them to develop and learn new skills and knowledge in a trade that has a bright future.”

“This partnership will further help to raise awareness of the many and varied opportunities that exist in the electrical industry, for both men and women,” said Sole.

Professional Development Man-

ager Ben Sigmund said he was thrilled that ETCO were coming onboard to support player development outside of the game.

“It’s fantastic the players have another option to work through as a career path. Not just our young players but all players coming through Wellington Rugby can look at this fantastic opportunity.”

12

Wednesday December 22, 2021