22 March Wainuiomata News

upgrade on 16 March.

Ruby and Ian were special guests at the grand opening as Bunnings Ambassadors. The cutting of the ribbon followed a powhiri and speeches. Continued on page 2.

By Frank Neill

Rugby greats Ruby Tui and Ian Jones cut the ribbon to formally open the Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club’s clubroom amenities

Rugby greats Ruby Tui and Ian Jones cutting the ribbon to open the renovated changing rooms at the Wainuiomata Rugby Club. Photo: Frank Neill.

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Phone (04) 587 1660

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P.O. Box 38-776, WMC 5045

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REPORTER

Frank Neill

wainui@wsn.co.nz

027 490 3916

A very special occasion

Continued from page 1

“This is a very special occasion for me being here at the Wainuiomata Rugby Club,” Tui said at the opening.

New Zealand has had international success with both the Black Ferns and the All Blacks.

“And it all starts here at club Rugby.

“The Wainuiomata Rugby Club is a really special place in that it is a really welcoming community.”

Noting that the upgrade had been designed and implemented to help cater for women’s rugby, Ruby noted that the growth in the women’s game had been “exponential” during recent years.

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She predicted that the growth would continue “in a way that we can’t understand. The feeling I have around that is an excitement.

“The next five or 10 years is going to be so exciting for me, and it all starts here at club rugby.”

Ruby also said a big “thank you” to the tamariki (and there were many) for being at the grand opening.

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“You are the future of our game,” she said.

“The influence of women coming into the Wainuiomata Rugby Club has been a godsend,” Ian Jones told the “Wainuiomata News”

”They bring a lot of joy to the club,” he said.

The Wainuiomata Rugby Club “making the changing room more comfortable for women has been wonderful.”

Ian has great memories of the Wainuiomata Rugby Club from his time as an All Black.

“We trained here with the All Blacks, and it’s nice to come back.

“I love club rugby. It’s the foundation of our sport. We need to invest a lot of our time and energy and money into this level of the game,” Ian said.

Wainuiomata was one of 10 rugby clubs to receive Bunnings Rugby Assist grants and all 10 had upgraded their changing rooms for the benefit of women players. The Wainuiomata club received

a $30,000 Bunnings Rugby Assist Grant, with the money going towards the changing area upgrade.

Before the upgrade there was no separation for men and women in either the showers or the toilets.

The changing room had originally been designed just for men, with open showers and just the one toilet area.

Following the upgrade, there is now a partition between the men’s and the women’s shower areas and shower curtains have been installed. There are also separate

toilets for men and women. Local businesses also helped complete the clubrooms renovations – Andrew Harrison, L A Building Ltd and Luke Shields of Proflow Plumbing and Gas.

Last year the club had one women’s team, and it is currently looking to put together a women’s team to play again this year. However it needs more women in order to field a team in 2023. For more information, or to join, contact Moana Kuma on 022 593 7703, or at moana.kuma@ gmail.com.

Water leaking for five weeks

By Frank Neill

Water has been leaking from a fire hydrant in Rakaia Grove for “at least five weeks” outside his home, Sambol Bhattacharjee says.

And it was still leaking when this issue of the “Wainuiomata News” went to print.

“I have contacted the Hutt City Council about it. I have called them four times but nothing has happened,” Mr Bhattacharjee says.

“It seems to me nobody is caring.

“It makes me really upset because of so much water we are losing.

“They tell us in summer not to use our hoses, but look at this,” he says, pointing to the water running from the fire hydrant.

The grass verge in front of his house was completely waterlogged when the “Wainuiomata News” visited on 16 March.

The verge was so sodden that Mr Bhattacharjee has not been able to mow it. In addition some of the grass around the fire hydrant appeared to be dying.

This leak was first reported to our team on 22 February, the Hutt City Council told the “Wainuiomata News”.

“We have since received two further enquiries regarding the leak at this address.

“A contractor visited the site of the leak on 27 February to assess the size and significance of the leak.

“The team at Wellington Water and their subcontractors are working at capacity. 181 leaks have been fixed in Lower Hutt over the last month, and 1,620 leaks have been fixed in our city since July 2022.

“Leaks must be prioritised based on which ones are experiencing the highest amounts of water loss, cause loss of supply

to customers, risk public safety or have a high risk of causing damage to property.

“This means that some leaks can take longer to repair and may stay visible for longer.

“If the water leak gets significantly worse, we encourage customers to get in touch and an emergency team can be dispatched to attend.

“We ask residents to please be patient. The Wellington Water crews are making steady progress and the Wellington Water team have confirmed that the leak at 17 Rakaia Grove Wainuiomata is in their system and programmed for repair,” the council said.

Ruby Tui hugs young Wainuiomata Rugby player Teina Te Iwimate at the Rugby club’s grand opening. Ruby spent time with the contingent of young players who attended the opening. Photo: Frank Neill.

Sambol Bhattacharjee scoops up water from the leaking fire hydrant outside his house.

Photo: Frank Neill.

Local poets feature in world first

By Frank Neill

Eight Wainuiomata students have their work featured in the world’s first Pasifika Student Poetry Collection which was released yesterday, 21 March, which was World Poetry Day.

Published by Mila’s Books, owned by Wainuiomata publisher Dahlia Malaeulu, the collection is named “Pasifika Navigators”.

It is the first book of its kind, capturing the voices of 52 Pasifika students across Aotearoa through poetry.

The eight Wainuiomata students whose work features in “Pasifika Navigaotrs” are Amira Va’a, Siobhan Sa’u, Rebecca Sa’u, Maia Fergusson, Brian Woolley, Logan Woolley, Maria Kauri Seulu and Joseph Koloa.

Contributing authors range from year 7-13 students and include a mix of reluctant and passionate writers, as well as first time and award winning student poets.

“’Pasifika Navigators’ is a culturally rich book and highly engaging resource which captures authentic Pasifika student voices – making it ideal for families, students, educators and school leaders,” Dahlia says.

“It was exciting to be involved in the project and was even more special when I held the book in my hands,” says Amira Va’a, author of ‘Grandpa’s Blue Eyed Taro Princess’.

“I felt very proud at being an actual published author especially when my Grandad read my poem and nearly cried.

“Projects like this are so important for us as they put our real thoughts and feelings out there so we can be heard in a positive way and help teach others about our beautiful Pacific cultures.

“I hope the readers of the book enjoy reading about the different perspectives and poems we shared because our cultures are important,” Amira syas.

“I enjoyed getting the chance to explain my middle name and my life as a young Pasifika girl,” says Siobhan Sa’u, author of ‘Laugutu’.

“This ‘Pasifika Navigators’ book taught me how to be proud of myself, my background and who I am.

“My message for those that are going to read this book is to be proud of who you are and where you come and I hope they are inspired by the different poems.

Big drop in local home prices

By Frank Neill

People wanting to buy homes in Wainuiomata are looking at purchase prices 21% lower than a year ago, the latest figures from CoreLogic NZ show. This places Wainuiomata among the suburbs with the great drop in house prices over the last year.

The current median value for Wainuiomata is $613,800, which is 23% lower than the $800,000 median price when the property market peaked in 2021.

CoreLogic NZ’s interactive Mapping the Market tool, updated quarterly, compares values across 923 suburbs from a year ago.

CoreLogic NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson says that the lower

selling price was probably only an issue if a homeowner was trying to sell now, after purchasing at the peak of the market.

“New Zealand saw double-digit declines over the last year, and Wellington made up the bulk of the suburbs that posted the biggest falls.”

Values fell by 20% or more in 31 suburbs, with 30 of them in the wider Wellington region.

“Overall, this confirms that this downturn has been pretty deep and broad-based across many parts of the country – to the detriment of existing property owners, but a sign of hope for aspiring buyers who have their finances approved,” Mr Davidson says.

CoreLogic released the latest property market figures on 12 March.

“We must remember to take pride in our cultural backgrounds and where our ancestors grew up and came from,” Siobhan says.

“What I really enjoy from ‘Pasifika Navigators’ is both the aesthetic value it holds, in terms of the art pieces within the book, as well as the content within the stories of Pasifika students of various ages and backgrounds across New Zealand.,” says Rebecca Sa’u, author of ‘What do you see?’

“I love how all the stories, experiences and accounts are unique to each person, but also have cultural experiences and elements that other young Pasifika people across Aotearoa may share and relate to.

“This collection of stories is so empowering and I believe is crucial to have, so that the positives and negatives, challenges and successes as Pasifika are shared and eventually understood, especially in the evolving society we live in today.

“I hope that those who read these stories, and are of Pasifika descent feel empowered and heard and that it encourages them to stand firm in their ancestral and cultural roots.

“To those who are not of Pasifika descent, I hope they learn from these stories, from a place of understanding and education. Fa’afetai Lava,” Rebecca says.

Q: Who is your favourite All Black or Black Fern and why do you like them?

Warren Bowles Doug Howlett. His finishing skills were fantastic.

Aaliyah Savalija

Ardie Savea. He’s a really great leader and is someone I look up to because he is a role model.

Colin Fawcett Bart Bartlett Sarah Hirini. She is one of the best players the Black Ferns have had all year.

Peter Griffith Terina Rimene Portia Woodman and Ruby Tui.

Beaden Barrett. I think he’s got that X factor.

There have been too many great All Blacks to choose just one.

Three of the Wainuiomata authors who feature in the new book “Pasifika Navigators’ (from left) Maia Fergusson, Amira Va’a and Siobhan Sa’u. Photo: Supplied.

Wainui identity retires

By Frank Neill

Well known Wainuiomata

identity Janice Everest retired from her job with Hammer Hardware on 17 March.

Aged 79 years, Janice began when the hardware store was Mitre 10. Her first period of time working at Mitre 10 and Hammer Hardware spanned almost 20 years.

Janice then went on an overseas yacht trip, sailing to South East Asia, before returning to Hammer Hardware for another five or six years.

Two years after the Wainuiomata Mall opened in 1971, Janice set up the gift shop Vanity Fair in the mall – a shop she ran for 22 years.

Vanity Fair sold everything from toys to Royal Albert tea sets.

It was a very popular shop too. In fact on Friday nights before Christmas people had to wait outside the shop to get in, as the shop was so full of people there was no more room for more.

“We were a busy little shop,” she says. “We were always busy.”

Before she opened Vanity Fair, Janice worked for Hutt City Council in the treasury department.

She was also a volunteer with Tourism Wainuiomata for a number of years.

After living in Wainuiomata for around 35 years, Janice shifted to Waterloo to live some 20 years ago.

As well as continuing to work in Wainuiomata, she continues to be a member of the Wainuiomata Garden Club.

New Police Minister

GARDENING THIS WEEK

Household items useful in gardening:

There are a number of items that can be used in your garden to the benefit of plants. For instance a year ago I wrote the article about using Apple Cider Vinegar on fruit trees to increase their performance and to reduce disease problems.

The formula is 250mil Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) mixed with 5 litres water in a 5 litre sprayer. Spray the mix in the evening when the sun has just gone off your trees or plants, so the sun isn’t heating/burning leaves through the liquid spray droplets on them, and there’s time for the spray to dry before nightfall.. Spray the whole tree, vine or plant.. under and over leaves, the trunk, branches, twigs, fruit everything.. This will also feed the tree through the leaves (when they are there for deciduous trees) as a foliage food. Baking Soda applied at a tablespoon per litre of water with Raingard added is good to prevent some fungus diseases such as black spot. (Dont use on calcium sensitive plants) Baking Soda can be sprayed over the foliage of oxalis to dehydrate the leaves. Oxalis to sensitive to calcium. It does not affect the bulbs below but regular spraying of baking soda will keep the garden free of the oxalis foliage without affecting other plants.

To deal to the bulbs in the soil, mix Wallys Super Compost Accelerator at 200 grams per litre of water and water liberally over the foliage down into the soil to compost the bulb and bulblets. Then there is table salt which can be sprinkled on weeds to kill them which is ideal on pavers and where you dont have other plants growing. Cooking oils and vinegar can also be sprayed onto weeds in full sun light to dehydrate the foliage and kill annual weeds. Condys Crystals, (potassium permanganate) a quarter tea spoon per litre of water with or without Raingard to control leaf diseases such as black spot, rust and curly leaf. Sunlight Bar Soap (big yellow bar) lathered up in water to spray over aphids and soft body insects to kill them. (The fatty acids breaks down their soft bodies)

By Wally Richards

By Frank Neill

Hutt South MP Ginny Andersen is the new Minister of Police.

The Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins, announced on 20 March that Ms Andersen would become the Police Minister following the resignation of Stuart Nash.

Ms Andersen worked for the Police for more than 10 years, including working as a ministerial adviser, before she entered Parliament as a list MP in 2017.

She then won the Hutt South seat at the last election in 2020.

Her appointment as Police Minister comes only a few weeks after she was brought into Cabinet, ranked at number 19.

Her Ministerial portfolios on entering Cabinet were Digital Economy and Communication, Seniors, and Small Business.

She is also Associate Minister of Immigration and Associate Minister of Treaty Negotiations.

She has also chaired Parliament’s Justice Select Committee.

Dish washing liquid lathered up in warm water to break surface tension to allow water to penetrate. Aspirin: in plants, just like in mammals, salicylic acid helps them cope with stress and disease. By adding Aspirin to the water, gardeners are hoping to help their plants cope with problems and grow faster and stronger. The acid is effective on plants because many plants produce it themselves in tiny amounts. Plants produce this acid when stressed or fighting disease. Feeding them a greater supply of the acid proves beneficial. Giving the plant too much aspirin can have a negative effect as it can burn its leaves. Dissolve 250mg to 500mg of aspirin in 4.5 liters of non chlorinated water and spray plants two to three times per month. Similarly soak the leaves of willow trees in water for a week or more and use that as a spray as you would the asprin. Willow water is ideal also for putting cuttings in to help them form roots quicker. All great uses and here is the most interesting one of all: Hydrogen peroxide 3%. I read about this some years ago and it was again brought to my attention recently. Hydrogen peroxide, well known as an ingredient in disinfectant products, is now also approved for controlling microbial pests on crops growing indoors and outdoors, and on certain crops after harvest.

Hutt rents skyrocket

New median rent data shows rents in the Hutt Valley have reached eyewatering heights under Labour, National’s List MP in Hutt South Chris Bishop and Remutaka candidate Emma Chatterton say.

The median weekly rent in Lower Hutt has increased by $225 since Labour came to office, with Upper Hutt increasing by almost $260, The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Tenancy Services Rental Bond Data release for January 2023 shows.

“Labour told New Zealanders its policies would ‘stabilise or reduce rents’ but in reality, those policies have driven the largest rent increases in recorded history,” Mr Bishop says.

“People in the Hutt are living with the consequences of Labour’s approach as they pay some of the highest rents in the country.

“National will reverse Labour’s interest deductibility and bright-line

changes, which have done nothing but pile costs onto renters.

“We’ll drive infrastructure investment to support more housing, unlock land for housing, share the benefits of housing growth with local communities, increase long-term rental options with Build-to-Rent housing, boost social and affordable housing by backing community housing providers and ensure everyday Kiwis can get mortgages by fixing the Consumer Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act which has cut access to bank lending,” Mr Bishop says.

According to MBIE’s data Lower Hutt’s median weekly rent has increased from $375 to $600 between October 2017 and January 2023. That represents an increase of $225 a week, or $11,700 a year.

Upper Hutt’s median rent has risen from $360 to $618 during that period, a rise of $258, or $13,416 per year.

This active ingredient prevents and controls bacteria and fungi that cause serious plant diseases. Adding hydrogen peroxide to water promotes better growth in plants and boosts roots ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. Diluted 3% peroxide adds needed aeration to the soil of plants and helps control fungus in the soil. It acts as an insect pest deterrent and kills their eggs. Ideal on brassica leaves for white butterfly eggs this time of the year. I used 3% Hydrogen peroxide with Magic Botanic Liquid added on tomato and chili plants in my glasshouse and there was reduced actively within a couple of days. A spray every 2-3 days is ideal for control or once a week or 2 weekly as a preventive. I see on the Internet that the 3% should be further reduced with water such as 1:1 so if using 3% strength it would pay to do a test spray on a small area of foliage on each type of plant and see if there was any adverse reactions before using at 3% over whole crop or plant. Ideal this time of the year to reduce pest number going into the winter. I see the best use is in glasshouses where the product does not get washed away with rain. Use out doors over and under foliage and you may need to reapply after rain. Happy Gardening.

“Renters in Upper Hutt have been hit by some of the biggest rent increases in New Zealand since Labour came to office,” Ms Chatterton says.

“How is a family renting in Upper Hutt supposed to save for their own home, or even get by, with the median yearly rent climbing by over $13,400.

“People in Upper Hutt are paying the price for Labour’s poorly thoughtout housing policies.

“The Government refused to listen when warned that removing interest deductibility on rental properties and extending the bright-line test would raise rents. This data shows that’s exactly what’s happened,” Ms Chatterton says.

“National will be laser-focused on fixing the cost-of-living crisis and backing people to get ahead, instead of saddling them with more costs.

“National is determined that New Zealand can once again be somewhere people can see a path to home ownership and we’ll actually deliver.”

Janice Everest. Photo: Supplied.

The new Police Minister Ginny Andersen with her husband Geoff Gwyn. Photo: Supplied.

More support for cancer patient needed

By Frank Neill

An initiative aimed to raise funds to pay for treatment for Wainuiomata’s Claire Candy, who has breast cancer, is in need of much more support.

Claire is a member of Way of Life Fitness and the gymn’s owner Troy Mahupuku has organised a raffle to help pay for her treatment, which is not funded in New Zealand.

The raffle is for a Carol smart bike, valued at $5,199, but so far the raffle has attracted little support, Troy says.

People can enter the online raffle by visiting https://www.wayoflife-

fitness.co.nz/.

Entrants will receive a number, which will then go into the draw.

Following the draw, Troy will contact the winner.

These bikes come with Carol’s scientifically proven training regime. The regime takes 8 minutes and 40 seconds three times a week, and is the equivalent of a 45 minute jog five times a week.

The benefits of the Carol regime is that it leads to a 62% decrease in the risk of developing a metabolic disease, a 78% increase in cardiovascular fitness, a 71% decrease in HDL cholesterol, a 78% decrease in triglycerides, a 196% improvement in blood pressure and a 48%

& Trades

improvement in blood sugar.

Claire has already raised the money for her first three treatments through a Give a Little page “which is amazing,” she says. But more money is needed for further treatments.

“I’m just over half way through my chemotherapy,” Claire says.

“After the chemo it’s going to be surgery. Then, if I am cancer-free, it’s radiation and then it’s more chemo,” she says.

There are days when she spends a lot of time in bed.

“I’m trying to take it day by day at the moment,” Claire says.

“Some days I’m okay but some days I’m not so good.”

Troy Mahupuku and Claire Candy. Photo: Supplied.

The Community Noticeboard is for non-profit organisations. For $15.00 you can publish up to 25 words. No AGMS, sporting notices or special meetings. Community Notices must be pre-paid.

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

Careers expo open to all whanau

The Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club’s Talanoa Ako Careers Expo provides the community an opportunity to meet with more than 30 local Pasifika professionals and business owners.

The expo will be held at the Rugby clubrooms on 2 April, starting at 3pm.

It will provide the perfect chance for tamaiti to sit down and ask specific questions about how they got to where they are now, and to seek clarification about what academic requirements would be needed to head onto those particular pathways.

“We are so very fortunate to have in Wainuiomata a wide range of professions for our wh nau to check out,” the Rugby club says.

Newspaper Deliverers WANTED

Area 1: Parenga St, Ngaturi Gr, part of Wood St and Coast Rd - 235 papers

Area 2: Karaka St, Kowhai St, Puriri St, part of Wainuiomata Rd - 295 papers

Area 3 : Hamstead St, Kendal Gr, Enfield St, part of Wellington Rd - 220 papers

Area 4 : Ruthven Rd, Antrim Cres, Pollard St - 300 papers

Area 5 : Petrie St, McKillop St, Bull Ave, part of Moohan - 280 papers

Contact Sandra

WEDNESDAY FACT

Why do lights flicker in the distance?

When you stand on the ground and look at the stars, about 100% of the Earth’s atmosphere is above your head, so the light from stars has to pass through the turbulent air of the troposphere, where it is refracted, giving it a twinkling appearance. From an aircraft, this same thing happens with city lights.

W R O O R C S D S

Working bees

The next A Rocha working bee at Waiu Park will take place on 15 April, weather permitting.

The future working bees this year will be held on 20 May, 17 June, 15 July, 19 August, 16 September, 14 October, 18 November and 9 December.

Tools are provided and a few spare gloves are available.

Puzzle

“If your child is interested in law enforcement, being a public servant, real estate, building, physiotherapy, IT, performing arts, teaching, being a professional sportsperson or becoming a lawyer then they can come and meet with any one of our Pasifika professionals.”

This year’s Careers Expo is open to all

wh nau.

“We want as many tamaiti/children primary aged upwards, because we believe it is never too early or too late to be exposed to what possibilities there are in this world,” the Rugby club says.

The expo is organised by the Rugby club in partnership with the Ministry of Education. Those attending will go into the draw to win a $100 voucher, and food and drink will be provided at the expo.

Teacher Aide

We are looking for a passionate and caring Teacher Aide who can provide classroom support for students.

Previous experience working with students is preferred but not essential.

This is a part-time position of 15 hours per week, term time only and fixed until 8 December 2023, commencing immediately. The hourly rate of pay will be in accordance with the Support Staff Collective Employment Contract scale.

Please apply by emailing your CV and a cover letter to Sandy McVey at sandym@wainuiomatahigh.school.nz, telling us why you’d love to work with us and our students.

Applications close 12pm, Friday 24 March 2023.

www.wainuiomatahigh.school.nz

ACROSS

1. Water nymph. (7)

5. Steep. (11)

11. Cattle breed. (5)

12. Erect. (7)

13. Bailiff. (5)

14. Table-napkin. (9)

15. Easy to mistake. (9)

16. Walk through water. (4)

17. Vienna is its capital. (7)

19. Court usher. (6)

23. Cask maker (6)

26. Poacher’s dog. (7)

29. Accused’s reply to charge. (4)

30. Small lump. (3)

32. Crowd. (3)

34. Formerly. (4)

35. Indicate. (7)

36. Judges’ chamber. (6)

39. Italian sausage. (6)

40. Soothsayer. (7)

42. Eye inflamation. (4)

46. Russian spaceman. (9)

48. Cruel. (9)

50. Prevent. (5)

51. Furnish with money. (7)

52. Craze. (5)

53. Grow worse. (11)

54. Clear. (7)

DOWN

1. “Golden” king. (5)

2. Venerated. (7)

3. Female relative. (6)

4. Suspicious. (8)

5. Flawless. (7)

6. Urged , on. (5)

7. Unbroken. (6)

8. Burst in. (8)

9. Be immoderate. (11)

10. Onslaught (5)

16. Small wire arches (croquet) (7)

18. Bring upon oneself. (5)

20. Derive(from). (7)

21. To understand. (3)

22. Garment border. (3)

24. Out-moded. (11)

25. Heavy wrap. (3)

27. Complete. (5)

28. Fabled bird. (3)

31. Turkish governor. (3)

33. Ship’s hospital, sick (3)

37. Charlatan. (8)

38. Grant respite to. (8)

41. Extensive Grass-land. (7)

43. Beat severly. (7)

44. Venemous spider

(N.Z.) (6)

45. Large prawns. (6)

46. Variety of beet. (5)

47. Shin-bone. (5)

49. Scarcely sufficient. (5)

Solution

SOLUTION

Last Week: 15 March 2023

For December 8, 2004

Photo: Supplied.

With Jacob Page Great day for women’s Rugby

Continued from page 2

By Frank Neill

The opening of the Wainuiomata Rugby club’s refurbished and upgraded changing rooms “was a wonderful day for Wainuiomata Rugby,” the club’s Chairman Gerard Eising says.

“Our women have their own showers and toilets. This is great for women’s rugby and Wainui is moving forward with the times.

“We were proud to have Ruby Tui and Ian Jones along with Bunnings come along and celebrate the opening.

“There was loads of fun to be had. We had Bunnings on the sausage sizzle, photos with Ruby and Ian, the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and lots of games out on the field.

“An awesome day was had celebrating and we are so thankful to Bunnings for making this all happen, along with the hard work from our maintenance team at the rugby club,” Mr Eising says.

Wainui Walkers and Runners

Exciting cycling in Wainui

By Frank Neill

Two exciting finishes were a feature of the Wellington Masters Cycling Club’s most recent event, held in Wainuiomata.

The Graded Road Race on 12 March began near the shops on Moores Valley Road, cycled to Brookfields Scout Camp and back down Moores Valley Road before riding to the coast and back to the finish line 2km from the start.

The most exciting finish of the day saw Jo Neeson and Murray Peebles put on a ferocious battle right to the line in the C grade race. Jo prevailed in the last couple of meters to win by

seven hundredths of a second. The most competitive finish was in the D grade when the four leading riders battled out a closely contested sprint, finishing within 2 seconds of each other.

Nathan Cook emerged as the rider of the day.

Nathan was the sole B grade registrant so he decided to compete in the A grade race, where he proceeded to pull out a great ride, finishing only 24 seconds behind Brent Backhouse’s winning ride.

The next Wellington Masters Cycling Club event will be a Mass Start Road Race in Featherston on 26 March.

Wainui Walkers and Runners will be getting together each Saturday over the winter months, to enjoy some social outings in the bush, on the roads, on the tracks and anywhere else we fancy.

The official season opens this Saturday, 25 March, at the clubrooms, Richard Prouse Park, Hine Road. The club will meet at 1.45pm, go for a walk/run/trot/jog and everyone is welcome (ages 7 and up).

The club’s meet ups are geared around whoever turns up. So people don’t need to worry if they haven’t run since school, or feel like they need to get fit first. That is what the club is here for.

The Wainui Walkers and Runners is a small bunch of like-minded individuals who enjoy getting out for a run or walk with company.

Other events coming up in the next month or two include a choco-

late run/walk (chocolate prizes to be had), a fun relay, some orienteering, maybe even camping if the weather is kind. People can keep up with the club on its Facebook page, facebook. com/wainuirunnersandwalkers, to keep up with events and activities. Anyone wanting to join the club can either pop along on Saturdays to Richard Prouse Park at 1.45pm, or ring Nikki on 021 0234 8292.

The Wainuiomata Rugby Club Captain Moana Kuma speaking at the grand opening:

Photo: Frank Neill.

Māmea Mate Taitua leading the Karanga that began the Rugby club’s grand opening.

Photo: Frank Neill.

Black Fern Ruby Tui speaks at the grand opening. Photo: Frank Neill.

Just some of the many people who attended the Rugby club’s grand opening on 16 March. Photo: Frank Neill.

Some of the Wainui Walkers and Runners. Photo: Supplied.