Fabulous celebration
By Frank Neill
Matariki in Wainuiomata was “a huge success,” says one of the events organisers, Angela Kururangi, Takari Mai te Ata Kai rahi at Kokiri Marae Keriana Olsen Trust.
“General feedback was consistently positive,” she says. continued on page 2.
Just some of the many people enjoying the entertainment during whānau day.
Photo: Jermaine Pasene.
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Phone (04) 587 1660
Beautiful from start to finish
Continued from page 1
Linda Olsen of the Wainuiomata Marae also underlined the success of the event.
“It was absolutely fabulous,” Linda says.
“From the Hautapu at the Wainuiomata Marae right through to the Saturday at the hub it was beautiful.”
REPORTER
Frank Neill
wainui@wsn.co.nz 027 490 3916
SALES
Les Whiteside les@wsn.co.nz 021 360 008
NATIONAL SALES
Sam Barnes
sam@wsn.co.nz 021 109 4406
The three-day Matariki celebration began with the Hautapu at the Wainuiomata Marae at 6am on 20 June and continued until 3pm on 22 June.
The celebration was organised by Kokiri Marae Keriana Olsen Trust, the Wainuiomata Marae Charitable Trust, Tihei Rangatahi Wainuiomata and Love Wainuiomata.
It was funded by Hutt City Council and Te Puni Kokiri.
As a result of the successful Matariki celebration “our kaum tua want another day dedicated to them, our tamariki want more of the workshops we held and a majority of stallholders would like a consistent weekly market for Wainuiomata on Queen Street,” Angela says.
“At Kokiri Marae, we are health and social services centered.
“With events like this it’s a chance to showcase our services, support small businesses and fundraisers, highlight the importance of Te Ao M ori, Matariki, Hautapu and provide our community with a positive and uplifting experience. “We organise these events on top of our full-time mahi and are quite resourceful in finding other organisations to support the kaupapa. “The next event we will be hosting is Christmas in the Nui on Saturday 30 November. It will be full of stallholders, local live performances, free services, free kids activities and whatever else we can get our hands on for free.
“Feedback forms for Matariki in Wainuiomata 2024 will be posted to our Facebook social media pages, Tihei Rangatahi Kokiri Marae Health and Social Services and Matariki in Wainuiomata 2024 for anyone who would like
to share their thoughts.
“Ng Mihi Nui to everyone involved in making these events happen,” Angela says.
The Hautapu that began the three-day celebration was the first one ever held at the Wainuiomata Marae.
“It was quite a nerve racking experience for myself, as I had never been a part of one before, let alone organise one,” Angela says.
“I was responsible for the logistics of the Hautapu and I’m really happy to report it was a beautiful morning with no problems arising.
“Linda Olsen from Wainuiomata Marae brought together a group of Kaikarakia to recite Matariki Karakia for the morning.
“We had an offering to our Atua of Eel, Chicken, Fish and Kumara and a set-up with over 100 people in attendance.
“The Hautapu started at 6am with the community taking their seats and finishing off with a shared breakfast prepared by Janis Awatere and over 40 kaimahi from Kokiri Marae.
“Our Kaikaranga was Ali Houpapa and Kaikarakia was Nathaniel Rowe, Jonas Malmanche, John Kingi, Cam Kapua-Morrell, Anaru Ryall, Aidan Crawford, Matthew Mason, Ripeka Hori (reciting a Pao), Willie Te Ratana, Gabriel Tupou and Mate Taitua.
“Reciting the names of our loved ones passed was Tina Renata and reciting the names of our p pĪ born was Nalita Thompson. “Thank you to Professor Rangi Matamua for providing the matauranga on Hautapu. “We have finally put this matauranga into practice and are really looking forward to carrying this tradition on for generations to come,” Angela says.
The kaum tua and tamariki-rangatahi days, held at the Wainuiomata Marae on 20 and 21 June, were organised and executed by Tihei Rangatahi Wainuiomata. “We had everything free for the community: karaoke, mirimiri, board games, matariki resources/prizes, kio-rahi, interactive drumming, taonga puoro, a feather art collage and free kai,” Angela says.
“Over 400 children registered and attended tamariki day (all children accompanied by their parents and teachers) and just under 200 kaum tua attended and stayed for the day.
“We also had our rangatahi from Tihei showcase their music programme – Te Kete Aronui – on Friday night. It was full of wh nau and rangatahi displaying their music videos and song writing skills they have been working on over the last school term.”
The celebration moved to Queen Street for wh nau day on Saturday 22 June.
“We had 42 stalls attend and sell goods and kai for Matariki in Wainuiomata,” Angela says.
“Our hall was full and the field had the perfect amount of vendors to cater to the community.
“Alongside the vendors, we had our free Kokiri Marae sausage sizzle with community volunteers, Love Wainuiomata, Jittabugs, the Lions Foundation and Keri Brown serving.
“It was a well attended event with what looked like around 2,000 attendees,” Angela says. The live entertainment on wh nau day was presented by Aroha Owens, Poropiti Rangitaawa, Lads of the Mist, Under the Sun, Brutha Rodz, Douglas Bayley and Whakaoho Wairua Drumming.
Nanny Mate singing during the Matariki in Wainuiomata celebration. Photo: Jermaine Pasene.
Huge rent increase may force seniors group to close
By Frank Neill
The Friday morning table tennis group for seniors may have to close following a massive increase in hiring the community centre supper room, Steve Lister – who is a member of the group – said in a presentation to the Wainuiomata Community Board on 19 June.
The group has been advised that the price will increase to $33 an hour, or $99 a day, from 1 July.
“This is an increase of around 240% from the 2023 costs,” Steve said.
“Up until March 2024 the hire for the supper room was $9.75 per hour – $29.25 per day.
“In March 2024 the cost increased around 31% to $12.75 per hour – $38.25 per day.”
The current players in the group “have all said that the proposed increase from first July will be unsustainable, given that most rely solely on their persions.
“Unless we can find another suitable venue to play and store the tables, we will be forced to close.
“In this event the seniors will miss out on a valuable activity and the council will miss out on revenue.
“This is not the outcome that we, and I expect the council, would want.”
Steve said that he had been playing Friday table tennis for the past 11 years.
“During that time, except for national elections and Matariki, neither the main hall nor the supper room have been used by any other activity group on Friday mornings.”
The players would like the council to review and reduce the charges for seniors “so we can continue to use the supper room.
“If the rent can’t be reduced then could the council possibly look to provide a grant of some kind to help subsidise the room hire.
“We would need a grant of around $2,160 per year to be able to continue,” Steve said.
“It would be a great opportunity for the council to provide a very affordable, worthwhile and needy facility for the aging population, but will also provide a small income which would be better than having no income at all.”
Currently the group had 16 casual players, all but two of whom were in their 70s and 80s.
Usually eight to 12 players participate on any one Friday.
Unlike Wellington City Council, Steve said,
Vaping is deadly
Vaping is just another deadly habit. I can walk the talk. I used to smoke from 1980 to 2011.
It was due to a sad part of my life losing a friend who passed away. Yeah, once you start you are hooked.
Well I had to go for an operation for a hernia. I was told if I quit smoking the chances of having a quick healing would be in my favour.
I also have my Sensei to thank for that – Scott Mckenzie. He said you will be able to do your training without getting puffed out.
I made up my mind and stopped – no patches, no vapes because they weren’t invented back then.
It was just plain simple mind over matter. I wasn’t going to let some cigarette factory rob me of my life.
Vaping is not a cure. It’s just another deadly habit that will take your lives before your time.
I feel a lot healthier and wake up smelling the fresh air.
You don’t need vapes, just determination and get back what smoking and vaping robbed you of.
The ones who started making cigarettes are rich on your suffering .
Hutt City Council “appears to have no seniors or aging population policy whatsoever, and no detailed information on its website about seniors’ activities.
“In comparison WCC have a Positive Aging Policy along with lists of activities for seniors on their website showing time and place as well as costs, including the following example: Table Tennis at Nairnville Rec Centre, Thursdays 1:30pm to 3pm, $2.60 casual. A table tennis session catered specifically for our senior members.”
Following Steve’s presentation Cr Keri Brown said that the community board would ask the council staff to provide the board more information with a view to the community board being able to ensure that the table tennis group can continue.
“I know who the people [in the table tennis group] are,” Cr Brown said.
“You are right. They are mostly people of an age.”
The Friday morning table tennis gave them an opportunity to “get some really worthwhile exercise but most importantly getting engagement with friends, which is such an important outcome,” she said.
Have you watched your friends die of lung or throat cancer? I have and it’s a very sad experience.
Think about it but don’t take too long about it.
Cancer is like rust, it doesn’t hibernate. It is your choice. Only you can will it to go from you.
There is a greater solution to stop smoking and vaping – prayer.
Peter Wells
The four Wainuiomata Community Board members who attended the 19 June meeting (from left) Tamsyn Harker, Lesa Bingley (who chaired the meeting), Daniel Chrisp and Cr Keri Brown. Photo: Frank Neill.
New track for Wainui walkers
By Frank Neill
developed the new track, which runs from the gap near the river bridge up the grass bank towards the top of the Wainuiomata Garden of along the river bank until it meets the Gumloop track as it climbs up from the bridge. This track is the latest in a series of numerous
Amazing community response to Long Term Plan
By Frank Neill
The community response to Hutt City Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP) had been “amazing,” Deputy Mayor Tui Lewis told the 19 June meeting of the Wainuiomata Community Board.
“I would like to acknowledge that this community has taken the time to make their voices heard,” she said. The council received 1,770 submission on the LTP.
The response was “much greater than the numbers received for previous Long Term Plans and the annual plan consultation.
“It shows that the people in the community actually care for their future.”
The final 10-year plan would be put to the council next week, the Deputy Mayor said.
This meeting to adopt the LTP will take place on 27 June.
“This feels like a considerable milestone and I would like to thank our officers, fellow councillors and the community board members we have here for their contribution
Trades&SERVICES
to the 10-year plan.” One of the major items the council will be investing in during the 10 years was water “and cracking down on leaks. “In the next 10 years council will be investing $1.6 billion into our water.
“We included additional funding in our 10-year plan so that Wellington Water can clear the current backlog of leaks throughout the Hutt City.
“Before this started we had 839 leaks. We are now down to 319 so it’s been effective.
“The next step is to get it down to around 100 leaks, which allows Wellington Water to respond to the lower level of leaks within the 20-day target.
“As of 10 June, Wainuiomata had had 28 leaks repaired, which is really good.”
Deputy Mayor Lewis also updated the community board on works to repair the landslide at the top of the Wainuiomata hill road.
The work, she said, was “progressing well.
“The abseiling access has commenced,
vegetation and loose materials have been removed from that slope and the sacrificial anchors have been installed.”
The anchors were due to be tested on 21 June. “Once the tests have been successfully completed production anchors will be installed, securing the whole site.
“The traffic flow ... is going well.
“There have been no issues .. which is fantastic,” Deputy Mayor Lewis said.
The community board approved four Community Engagement Fund grants at its 19 June meeting. It made grants to: aid training;ment;
of running a Hallowe’en community event; and
Club, $1,710 towards the cost of its prizegiving and providing barbecues at games.
A view of the new track in the Hine Road Recreation Area and the Wainuiomata Regional Park. Photo: Supplied.
Matariki writing workshop for rangatahi
A writing workshop for rangatahi will feature at the upcoming three-day Wainuiomata Matariki celebration.
The workshop will see the rangatahi exploring what dreams, aspirations, poetry and passions they have.
Poropiti Rangitaawa has organised a jazz composer, two song writers and a poet to aid their processes.
All Wainuiomata rangatahi are welcome at the writing workshop, which will run from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 29 June at the Wainuiomata Town Centre, Queen Street.
Following the workshop rangatahi who would like to will have the opportunity to share their creations from 1pm to 1:30pm on the deck outside the community hall.
While the rangatahi are on the writing workshop there will be a series of entertainers peforming on the deck.
It will begin with David Smith reading five poems at 10:30am and
then Wade Reeves with special guests will present five songs at 11:30am.
Richard Prowse, a name well known in Wainuiomata, will present five songs along with a special guest at 11:30am.
Raiyah Te Uawirri will present five songs at 12 noon and Cathy Elizabeth will sing five songs at 12:30pm.
Rangatahi have the opportunity to share their creations at 1pm and Poropiti, Rangitawa, Marino Karena, Chris Moses and Laura Chester-Murphy will present five songs at 1:30pm.
The climax of the entertainment will be presented by Brannigan Kaa, who will sing five songs between 2pm and 3pm.
The three-day Matariki celebration, Ko PŪanga r ua ko Matariki - Hiwa i te Rangi, will begin with a Hautapu Fire at Pito One beach at 6am on Thursday 27 June.
Following a karakia there will be fire and taonga pŪoro to see out the old year and herald in the new year.
“It will be a place to remember those who have passed from July last year to now,” says the event’s organiser Louana Fruean.
“It will provide those attending the opportunity to look at the moon in Tangaroa and hopefully see Matariki.”
At 7:40am people will walk or drive to Petone Beach Kindergarten for quick kai before the Matariki celebration continues in the Queen Street town centre.
Day one is Te R Tamariki r ua ko Ng Kaum tua (children and elderly day). The day will include a highly educational talk on Maramataka (the lunar time system).
Another big focus will be on the eco system, showing Ng PĪ (bees) are vitally important to this system.
As part of this Mitre 10 Mega Petone is donating flower and vegetable plants, potting mix and staff, enabling a hands-on lesson about plants and how to care for them.
After potting the plants people will be able to take them home.
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Newspaper Deliverers
The Wainuiomata News requires deliverers in the following areas on a Wednesday each week:
AREA 1: Meremere St, Manurewa GR, Mataura Gr 300 papers
AREA 2: Faulke Ave, Burden Ave, part of Wood St 270 papers
AREA 3: Parenga St, Ngaturi Gr, part of Wood St and Coast Rd 235 papers
Graham’s Painters
A Whakamaumahara remembrance table will be set up in the Library.
The day one performances will be brought by Fernlea and Wainuiomata Primary Schools.
Day two, Matariki Day, will be Te R Wh nau (family day), with a focus on Ng Hononga (relationships).
It will include a sit down hangi in Hall at 2pm. The entertainment for the day will begin with Arohanui Strings, who perform from 10:20 to 10:40am. Next up will be the Bryan James Quartet featuring Richard Percival, Upright Bass player; Paul Goodhead, Jazz guitarist; Bryan James, Saxophone and Flute; and Poropiti Rangitawa, Saxophone and Trumpet. They will play from 10:40 to 11:40am.
The final performance will be Uku - Troy Hunt from noon to 1pm.
Day three will include four performances in the Community Hall – jazz composer Richard Prowse at 10:30am, song writer Raiyah Te Uawiri at 11am, poet David Smith
at 11:30am and song writer Cathy Elizabeth at 12 noon.
One big eco friendly aspect of this Matariki celebration is that there will not be single use water bottles. It is “vitally important” that people bring their own drink bottles, Louana says. “Water filling stations will be available.”
Bus patronage hits new high
Experienced tradesmen and large team Get your House Exterior and Interior painted! ~ Pensioner Discounts ~
Wainuiomata buses “are humming,” Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Quentin Duthie says.
E: grahamspaintersnz @gmail.com W: www.grahamspainters.nz Ph: (04) 564 9202 021 183 9492
Reliability of the 160 and 170 bus routes hit 100% in April - meaning all 3146 scheduled trips ran, with no cancellations. Reliability of the 160 and 170 has averaged 99% for the 12 months to April 2024, compared to 96% for the previous 12 months.
AREA 4: Donnelley Dr, Roberts St, Norfolk St 290 papers
AREA 5: Hamstead, Enfield, part Wellington, Kendall 220 papers
AREA 6: Naseby Gr, Bexley Gr, part of Wellington Rd 285 papers
AREA 7: Petrie St, McKillop St, Bull Ave 280 papers
AREA 8: Hair St, Rowe Parade, Gibbs Cres, part of Main 280 papers
CATTERY Casa De Wootton, home away from home. Rural surroundings. 187 Moores Valley Road. Phone Jane 5644310
Patronage of the Wainuiomata buses was also “really, really strong,” Cr Duthie said.
Patronage in March reached new highs, breaking 31,000 trips on the route 160 and almost 25,000 on the route 170. Total patronage for year to end of April 2024 was 328,000 on the 160 and 267,000 on the 170, both up 18% on the previous year.
“It’s great to see Wainuiomata residents backing their bus services,” Cr Duthie says. “Catching the bus is very cost-effective compared to the household cost of owning a second or third car. “We at Greater
Wellington pulled out all the stops to resolve the bus driver shortage that caused frequent cancellations last year. Big thanks to Metlink staff and Tranzurban, especially the bus drivers. “It’s very pleasing to see almost perfect reliability on the Wainuiomata routes these days. “We’re steadily re-earning locals’ trust in the bus, with year-to-April boardings up 18% on the previous year. “I’m confident that council can keep the bus reliable, punctual and affordable, plus make some route improvements through our review this year, so the bus can become the mode of choice to more and more residents. “With a whopping 600,000 boardings in the past 12 months, I reckon it won’t be long until we hit 1 million trips a year. “Imagine the difference that can make to peak congestion on the hill, reducing household transport costs and the environment,” Cr Duthie says.
Faint (5)
Get rid of (7)
Extinguish light (5)
Provide(tower) with battlements (9)
Put aside (2,3,4,6)
Sailors (6)
Thug (7)
Dispatch (4)
23. Smear (3)
25. Statute (3)
27. Scold (4)
28. Provides (7)
30. Calm (6)
32. Unrefined mineral (3)
33. Expert (3)
34. Memorandum-book (6)
35. Blather (7)
36. Gemstone (4)
37. et cetera(Abbr) (3)
39. Limit (3)
41. Enfold (4)
43. Hearing distance (7)
45. Swapped (6)
48. Requiring great strength (9)
49. Plunged headlong (9)
51. Contempt (5) 52. Closest to (7) 53. Hidden riches; treasure (5) 54. Made certain (7) 55. Qualified drug dispensers
1. Fundamental (5) 2. Out of action (11) 3. Offered (8) 4. Charm (6)
Follow (5) 6. Flaunt (4,3) 7. Final (8) 8. More neat (6) 9. Rolled pork (with stuffing) (7) 10. Shiny (5)
16. Retainer (7)
Recount (7)
Beneath (5)
Just coming into existence (7)
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Busy insect (3)
Tiny (3)
Proportion (5)
Prompt (11)
Lyric poem (3)
Photo: Frank Neill.
Footballers extend unbeaten run
By Ryan Imray
Wainuiomata’s First Football team extended its unbeaten run to three games with a hard fought draw against the Wellington Phoenix Academy on 22 June.
The Phoenix came out in the second half the quickest and levelled the scores within the first minute of the half.
A tough battle was made tougher in the 74th minute when Elijah Tyson received his second yellow card of the game to be sent off.
The Phoenix pressed for
Tyron Curtis put Wainui in front in the 8th minute with a low shot from outside of the box before the Phoenix equalised just 10 minutes later. It only took seven minutes for Wainui to regain the lead through Flynn McCaul when he jumped the highest to head the ball home.
the winner but couldn’t get through the Wainui defence that was led by goalkeeper Jared Cunningham who made a number of crucial saves.
The 2-2 draw means Wainui remain unbeaten in June and gave themselves a four point buffer between them in 7th and bottom side Brooklyn.
In other games across the club the Reserves played out an entertaining game of football against second
Ulalei Laga’ali posts first win
By Vaegaau Isaac
Ulalei Laga’ali posted its first win of the season with a commendable 29-22 win over Naenae Collegians in Netball Hutt Valley’s 22 June round on matches.
It was an evenly fought opening quarter with both sides all tied up at 5 a piece at the end of the first stanza.
Ulalei Laga’ali took a two goal lead into halftime. It was the championship quarter that Ulalei Laga’ali switched gears with Quandala Tuala taking charge at centre controlling the pace of the game picking up intercepts at will. She combined well with Joanna MatthesTuisila to feed excellent ball to their goal shooters Armia Morris and Rahera Toko who finished off with accurate shooting.
Armia in particular was in excellent form shooting from long range allowing her team to pull away to take an unassailable 22-15 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Rae Moeahu and Charissa Garrett interchanged in the wing defence position, and both applied pressure on the mid courters and quickly transitioned into attack to bring the ball down for their team. The defensive unit of Monica Passi, Amy Jansen and Lila Lia worked well to repel any potential comeback from the opposition, forcing errors and skillfully picking up rebounds and intercepts.
Maria Gillies had an exceptional game playing in multiple positions goal shoot, wing attack, centre and defence, her versatility an
asset to this team.
The team is managed by Nella StowersBelford, Piri Gillies and Karina Sagaga who commented that “Ulalei Laga’ali is one of the club’s social teams made up of hardworking wahine toa Mum’s, Nana’s, with some youth sprinkled in there and wahine who just want to play netball on a Saturday.
“Some of the Mum’s have daughters playing in other Ulalei teams and it is pleasing for them to have a run too.”
Laga’ali are seldom short of supporters with wh nau, friends and Ulalei club members on the sideline looking after the tamariki and babies while their Mums and Nanas play the game that they love, a display of whanaungatanga which this club is built on.
In other results Ulalei Aute faced a physical encounter against the men’s team in a hard fought 57-46 loss. In the Ulalei derby Malili were too strong for the Fuesina youngsters winning by 34-16. Ulalei Moso’oi went back to back beating Te Rito 38-28. Ulalei Pualulu and Ulalei Puataunofo lost their respective games against Upper Hutt Rams and St Orans. Ulalei Suni (Intermediate team) bounced back from last week’s loss with an emphatic 44-18 win over St Josephs. There are no regular games this week as everyone takes time to celebrate Matariki with friends and whanau. Youngsters Ulalei Ifilele and mixed team Ulalei Maire will be playing in a Matariki tournament held at Akau Tangi, Wellington on Matariki day.
Come from behind victory
By Frank Neill
The Wainuiomata Lions came from behind to defeat Whiti Te Ra 30-16 at Frederick Wise Park on 22 June.
After the Lions lost to Whiti Te Ra 24-18 in round one of the Wellington premier Rugby League competition, they found themselves trailing the visitors 8-12 at half time. At that point things did not look too promising.
However the Lions began to click in the second spell, scoring four tries and cruising to a comfortable victory.
Two players – outside centre Dante Kakahi and wing Aethan Tuisila – scored a brace for the Lions.
Second row forward John-Tahana Wharepapa-Rawiri, who had an excellent game, also dotted down along with scrum half Xavier Seal. Xavier also kicked three goals.
The Lions win meant they remained in second place on the premier table, rather than allowing Whiti Te Ra to leapfrog them.
There is no play in the League competition during Matariki weekend and the Lions have the bye on 6 July.
place Petone that ended in a 3-3 draw. The Fiddick’s also shared the points as they drew 2-2 against Brooklyn.
The Undertakers narrowly lost 3-2 against Eastbourne while the OC’s trip up to Kapiti was a tough one as they suffered a 5-1 defeat.
Both Pasifika teams won their respective games 1-0, Pasifika Originals beating Petone and Pasifika Old Boys beating Island Bay. Elijah Tyson
Teru Time chalks up major milestone
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata blindside flanker Teru Time chalked up a major milestone in his team’s convincing 43-26 victory over the Johnsonville Rams at Helston Park on 22 June.
Teru played his 200th premier Rugby match for the green and blacks.
“For over 14 seasons, your dedication, passion, and loyalty has been an inspiration to us all,” the Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club says on its Facebook page.
“Your laugh, which can be heard from a mile away, brings so much joy to the team and supporters of our club.”
Teru played his 100th game against Tawa in 2017.
Coincidentlly that was the same club he played against during his debut in April 2011.
In his first 100 games, Teru helped Wainuiomata make the Jubilee Cup semi-finals in 2012, 2014 and 2016. In 2014 Teru played for Wainuiomata in the Jubilee Cup final.
He also played for Wainuiomata when they recorded the upset of the season to date, beating the Jubilee Cup holders OrientalRongatai 31-24 on 11 May.
This victory was one of the best during his time playing for Wainuiomata, Teru says.
Another Wainuiomata player also recorded a milestone in the 22 June Swindale Shield match.
Second five eight Tyler Tane scored a hat-trick.
He currently lies third on the list of top points scorers in the Swindale Shield with 109 points for the season to date.
Teru Time in action during Wainuiomata’s upset victory over Oriental-Rongotai in May. Photo: Dave Brownlie.
Tyler was one of four try scorers for the men in green and black, with Regan Gray, Keanu Kotuhi and Matt Jacobs also dotting down. Andrew Wells converted five of the six tries and also kicked a penalty.
Next Saturday sees the final round of the Swindale Shield competition, and Wainuiomata will play Paremata-Plimmerton, who currently sit one place ahead of them on the table.
The match, to be played at William Jones Park, will decide the holder of the Smith and Wilson Cup.
Wainuiomata will contest the Hardham Cup this season, having already missed finishing among the top eight teams who will contest the top tier Jubilee Cup.
Following the 22 June round Wainuiomata led the pack of teams bound for the Hardham Cup with 30 points.
Poneke were on 26 points and Johnsonville were on 24 points. The other three teams, Northern United, Wellington and Avalon are well below the top three.
goes in for a sliding tackle.
Photo: Imray’s Snaps.
Victorious wahine toa Ulalei Laga’ali with management Piri Gillies and Karina Sagaga.
Photo: Supplied.
Action from the Rugby League match between the Wainuiomata Lions and Whiti Te Ra.
High school students’ industry experience
By Frank Neill
Ten Wainuiomata High School students visited Meridian’s West Wind Farm in M kara for an industry experience day this month.
The visit was one of the Girls with Hi-Vis (GWHV) industry experience days, which saw female secondary school students from throughout New Zealand visiting the country’s major civil infrastructure companies to try out different career opportunities.
While at the wind farm, the Wainuiomata students received hands-on experience of the skills required by Meridian and heard from women already working in the sector.
GWHV is an annual event and a key initiative of infrastructure training provider, Connexis.
The events aim to connect female school students with employers keen to attract more women into key trade and technical jobs providing the vital services that keep New Zealand running.
This year’s GWHV was the biggest yet, with approximately 900 students from 97 schools attending 46 GWHV events around the country.
These events are specifically targeted to women as employers seek to increase diversity in their workforce to address critical skills shortages around the country, Connexis Executive Director
Kaarin Gaukrodger says.
“It is still far too rare that these types of roles are presented as really viable career options to young women.
“We find when they do learn more about the scale of infrastructure industries and the vast range of careers
available, there is a huge level of interest from students getting ready to leave school.
“There are a lot of different trades out there that recognise the potential in young women to help them address skills shortages, but also to address the need for greater diversity in different
industries that are typically male-dominated,” Kaarin says.
“Women can approach work differently, see things differently, and communicate differently which can add huge value when it comes to building effective and successful work crews
and innovative project teams.
“Beyond that, building a skilled workforce across all these sectors is vital to keeping New Zealand running, from keeping the power on and building new assets, to connecting the country via roads and telecommunications.”
Pest eradication coming to Wainuiomata
By Frank Neill
Pest control in the Wainuiomata water catchment will move from achieving low numbers of deer, goats and pigs to eradication, Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Quentin Duthie told the 19 June meeting of the Wainuiomata Community Board.
Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Long Term Plan provided for this enhanced pest control, and it is a year away in the budget, Cr Duthie said.
“Up in the headwaters of the Wainuiomata River and the Orongorongo River, which is where the water is extracted from this catchment, traditionally [the pests] have been controlled down to low numbers. “In a year’s time the approach will be to eradicate them.”
New technology existed “so that you can actually remove every last deer,” he said.
“It becomes a much cheaper way to maintain it over time, but it takes a bit more effort to start with.”
Eradication of the pests would provide “better protection of that catchment from erosion,” Cr Duthie said.
It was “great to hear” that pest control would focus on eradication rather than just lowering the numbers of pests, community board member Daniel Chrisp said.
This news was “relevant to Wainuiomata residents,” he said. “A lot of our rural residents are consistently complaining about the deer and the goats.”
Wainuiomata High School student Kayla Pickering at work at the West Wind Farm. Photo: Supplied.
Working on switches at West Wind Farm (from left) Wainuiomata College students Larrissa Brookman and Kayla Pickering, St Catherine's College students Raina Ram and Lupita Hsieh, and Meridian Wind Service Technician Grant Joyce. Photo: Supplied.