Wednesday March 26, 2025
100th birthday
By Frank Neill
Long time Wainuiomata resident Jean Collins celebrated her 100th birthday on 15 March.
During her 62 years living in Wainuiomata, Jean was a significant contributor to many community groups. Continued on page 2.
Jean Collins about to cut her 100th birthday cake with her daughter Gail Ratana. Photo: Supplied.
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Major Wainuiomata benefactors
Continued from page 1
She and her husband Ray opened a cycle, toy and sports goods shop in Queen Street in 1959, where they were foundation retailers.
During the 1970s they moved their shop to the Wainuiomata Mall, where they were anchor tenants.
They ran the business for exactly 25 years, selling it on 9 November 1984.
During their time as retailers Jean and Ray contributed significantly to various fundraising events in Wainuiomata and were major benefactors over many years.
Among those who benefitted were:
for the swimming pool complex, with the money all raised by community funding; Football Club; and skateboard park; Church restoration; and
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The Collins’s were the major benefactors of some of these projects.
Jean and Ray also offered the premises they owned in Queen Street initially as a drop in centre for youth.
After some time this was given rent free to the Anglican Church as a second hand shop, Welcome Inn, a charity shop that assisted families and one that Jean volunteered in
and managed in her retirement.
Jean made a substantial contribution to the Pioneer Church restoration.
It came when the restoration group had just taken over the responsibility of the restoration and ownership of this local treasure.
They faced a daunting task and the restoration committee originally felt quite overwhelmed with it.
intended plans and immediately asked how she could help.
She then wrote a cheque for a substantial sum which enabled the group to tackle thefirst of their intended restoration projects.
While the donation was extremely welcome, it was the faith she showed in the project which gave the group a real incentive to believe in themselves.
Jean was not even a close friend of any of the restoration committee members. She just had a great love of Wainuiomata.
Christianity has been a major part in Jean’s life for around 70 years.
During that time she held many positions within the church – on the Vestry, Treasurer, Secretary, Parishioner’s Warden and Vicar’s Warden.
years were recognised and awarded with the Anglican Church Bishops Medal.
Jean left Wainuiomata some 10 years ago and has lived at the since then.
Take extra care with
driveway safety
Police are asking people to pay extra attention to driveway safety after a number of incidents recently involving children being harmed.
“Driveways can be extremely dangerous,” Inspector Brett Callander says.
“People need to do everything they can to ensure they keep themselves and others safe, especially where children are present.
“Children move around quickly, and often won’t be seen as you are reversing down your driveway.
“Always check your driveway before driving in or out, and make sure you know the whereabouts of any children.
“Please use your reversing camera if your vehicle has one installed.
“Alternatively, ensure all children not in the vehicle with you are accounted for.
“If another adult is at the property, make them responsible for ensuring children are well clear of any moving vehicles.
“If there are no other adults present, have a
‘safe spot’ for children to stand and wait for the vehicle to stop moving.
“This should be somewhere in view of the driver,” Inspector Callander says.
“Check your blind spots often, and if you can no longer see a child, stop your vehicle and move them somewhere safe before you continue driving.
“If your driveway is close to the children’s play area, consider a fence or gates to separate the play area from the driveway.
“You should also take the time to speak to your children about the dangers of moving vehicles and remind them that just because they can see the driver, doesn’t mean the driver can always see them.
“Taking those extra few seconds to make sure our tamariki are in a safe space when you drive in and out of your driveway can help prevent so much heartache and trauma.
“Remember they don’t understand the potential consequences,” Inspector Callander says.
Jean Collins, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday.
Photo: Supplied.
The bus services Wainuiomata needs
By Frank Neill
A direct bus link between Wainuiomata and Wellington, a direct bus service to Hutt Hospital and a direct bus service to Petone were three often mentioned needs at last week’s public transport forum.
“What Wainuiomata truly needs is a direct bus service to Wellington,” one of the speakers said.
“As a customer I need to be aware of my time and my money.
“We need practical and reliable options,”she told the forum, held on 20 March.
She found it “frustrating” that Eastbourne, with its much smaller population, had a direct bus service to Wellington while Wainuiomata did not.
“Why has a high population and growing suburb like Wainuiomata been overlooked?” she asked.
In reply, Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Ken Laban said that there had been two attempts to establish a bus service between Wainuiomata and Wellington.
“However there is no dedicated bus lane.”
As a result it took the bus a lot longer than the one hour five minutes it took to take a bus to Waterloo Station and catch the train to Wellington.
“The reason that it failed the last two times is that there is no dedicated bus lane,” Cr
Laban said.
Another option suggested at the tansport forum was having a T3 lane, which meant only vehicles carrying three or more people could use it.
“We need a direct bus link to Hutt Hospital,” another speaker said.
This was particularly the case for older people and disabled people.
“I take public transport wherever I go,” another speaker said.
However he faced a problem when he wanted to travel to Petone.
“To get to Petone it takes one and a half hours.”
That, he said, was “absolutely ridiculous”.
Following presentations by Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Quentin Duthie, Cr Laban and Hutt City Councillor Keri Brown, the forum divided into small groups, who discussed Wainuiomata’s important public transport needs, and wrote them on paper.
The ideas put forward included the above three, along with other ideas, including rationalising bus routes in Wainuiomata, and providing better cover and lighting at bus stops.
Metlink’s Policy Manager Emmet McElhatton was at the meeting and photographed each of the pages prepared by the small groups.
He said he would be taking these as
submissions to Greater Wellington Regional Council on the public transport plan.
Cr Duthie, who introduced the forum, said after the event that he was “stoked” with the response.
“It was a rich conversation and the councillors are genuinely listening,” he said.
Cr Duthie began the forum saying “it is great to see a diversity of faces from the Kingdom of Wainuiomata.
“It is exciting to have this opportunity to talk about public transport.”
A recent analysis had shown that “Wainuiomata is one of our biggest need areas for improving public transport.
“Right now we [Greater Wellington Council] are consulting on the public transport plan.
“This sets out what we are going to do with buses, trains and ferries over the next 10 years.”
This plan was currently open for consultation at the ‘ Have your say’ section of the GWRC website
Submissions can be made until 28 March – in just two days’ time – and they will then be considered by a hearings committee on 6 and 7 May.
“You need to go home and write your submission. Let us know what you want,”
Cr Duthie said.
Continued on page 4.
ANZAC event
Preparations for this year’s ANZAC community event are under way. The event’s organisers are putting a call out to all whānau, groups and clubs who would like to be part of the ANZAC Parade March and lay a wreath or flowers in remembrance.
To take part, contact Chastity at lovewainuiomata@gmail.com or Keri Brown on 021 829 559.
Wainui connections
Love Wainuiomata’s “Wainui Connections” Breakfast takes place tomorrow morning, 27 March, at the Wainuiomata Community Hub.
The doors will open for the breakfast, which is being sponsored by Mitre 10 Mega Wellington, at 6:30am and the event will begin at 7am. Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry and Mitre 10 MEGA Petone, Upper Hutt and Porirua Chief Operating Officer Sandi Lockyer will be the guest speakers.
Shortlisted
Mila Books’ Pasifika student poetry collection “Pasifika Navigators” has been longlisted for the prestigious ASLA Diversity in Australia and New Zealand (DANZ) Children’s Book Award in the Poetry category for 2025. This award was established to recognise and celebrate diverse children’s literature that challenges stereotypes, pushes boundaries, and honours marginalised communities. “Pasifika Navigators” amplifies the voices of 52 Pasifika students from across Aotearoa.
At the public transport forum (from left) Hutt City Councillor Gabriel Tupou, Regional Councillor Quentin Duthie, Wainuiomata Community Board member Tamsin Harker, Hutt City Councillor Keri Brown, Keelan Renata, Wainuiomata Community Board Chair Te Awa Puketapu, Wellington Transport Committee member Karen Yung and Regional Councillor Ken Laban. Seated in front Wainuiomata Community Board Deputy Chair Lesa Bingley. Photo: Frank Neill.
TRADES
Photo: Frank Neill.
Witch Way Shakespeare
Young people from schools, homeschoolers, and community youth drama groups throughout the Wellington region are about to perform 5-minute student-directed and 15-minute adult- or student-directed scenes from any of Shakespeare’s plays, any which way. The SGCNZ Victoria University of Wellington K piti and Wellington Regional Shakespeare Festivals are imminent.
“It is exciting to see the enigmatic, poignant, hilarious, dramatic and thought-provoking re-imaginings of the Bard’s works,” remarked Dawn Sanders, SGCNZ CEO. Some 80% of the scenes are
Davy Heating Wellington
Summer has gone we are well into Autumn. Now is the time to call Davy Heating to get your fireplace swept and checked.
After nearly 50 years Peter Davy has passed the business to Karan based locally in Hutt Valley and covering All Wellington, Kapiti and Horowhenua.
Karan is regularly finding flues that are burnt out and releasing poisonous gases, into the home, putting at risk both family and home.
student-directed, developing the confidence of these rangatahi, their self-presentation and ability to manage their peers, invaluable in whatever career path they choose. See for yourself!
Local teenager starts new business
Wainuiomata teenager Riley Taylor is bucking the rising unemployment trend for 15 to 19-yearolds by starting her own business while studying and training to gain her Diploma in Beauty Therapy.
From an early age the young entrepreneur became fascinated by appearance medicine, which focuses on non-surgical treatments to enhance physical appearance and decided that this was where her future lay.
She has been studying fulltime at Elite School of Beauty
for 18 months and when Susan Cowpland from Hedz for Hair on Queen Street advertised a room to rent in her busy salon Riley saw an opportunity and Reluxe Beautè was born.
Riley says that while it was slightly nerve wracking taking such a big step at her age, she is loving being able to offer beauty therapy to the women of Wainuiomata and is looking forward to expanding the list of available services once she graduates from Elite.
Let Karan inspect, service and carry out any repairs to your fireplace including bricks, baffles. and other parts. Is your fire over 20 years old? Karan can install a new generation ultra low emission woodburner. When they are turned down they burn hottest and super clean and burn for extended period.
To contact: 0800 Chimney 244 663 / 020 494 0000 or email: kd2022limited@gmail.com
Queen Margaret College – Macbeth Witches: Photo: Memory of Light Photography, Brian Scurfield
Wellington College – Julius Caesar: Photo: Memory of Light Photography, Brian Scurfield
Riley Taylor at work in her new Queen Street business, Reluxe Beautè.
Photo: Supplied.
Firefighters taking on Sky Tower
A team of five Wainuiomata volunteer firefighters will take part in the gruelling Sky Tower Challenge on Saturday 24 May.
The Wainuiomata team captain is Ahron Eastall and he will be joined by Eva Parlakchief, Ngarue Ratapu and Sean Bates. Eva and Ngarue will be competing in the challenge for the first time, while Ahron will be in his second and Sean his third time in the event.
They will join fire fighters from throughout New Zealand and overseas in a competition that has the main aim of raising money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand’s mission to care and vision to seek a cure.
The Wainuiomata team will climb the 51 flights of stairs at Auckland’s Sky Tower, dressed in full firefighting kit, including breathing apparatus.
This is the same gear fire fighters wear when attending a structural fire.
This kit weighs in at 25kg, making the 1,103 steps they must climb up to the observation peak on level 51 of the Sky Tower a gruelling undertaking.
They will be, after all, climbing up the tallest building in the southern hemisphere, which is 328 metres high.
Each participant will be timed, allowing for individual and team results to be determined.
Every day eight New Zealanders are diagnosed with blood cancer or a related blood condition. It can affect anyone, at any age and any time in life.
Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand supports thousands of New Zealanders affected by blood cancer, as well as their families.
In addition, the organisation supports and funds research into better treatments and into finding a cure for blood cancers.
Now in its 21st year, the Sky Tower Challenge has raised more than $15 million for blood cancer patients and their families.
It raised $17,500 in its first year – 2005 – and now consistently raises more than $1 million a year.
People wishing to support the Wainuiomata team’s Sky Tower Challenge climb can make a donation at https://firefighterschallenge.org.
nz. Click on “Check out the brigades” then type “Wainuiomata” under the headings “Check out the Leaderboard” and “Check out the brigades”. g
Newspaper Deliverers WANTED
The Wainuiomata News requires deliverers in the following areas on a Wednesday each week:
AREA 1: Faulke Ave, Burden Ave, part of Wood St 270 papers
AREA 2: Hamstead, Enfield, part Wellington, Kendall 220 papers
Wednesday FACT
Who discovered Christmas Island on Christmas Eve in 1777?
The small, barren, inhospitable atoll was first discovered by Captain James Cook on Christmas Eve, 1777; since then the island has been the victim of a series of exploitations.
AREA 3: Dover Rd, Westminster Rd, part of Wellington Rd 385 papers
AREA 4: Hair St, Rowe Parade, Gibbs Cres, part of Main - 280 papers
AREA 5: Meremere St, Manurewa Gr, Mataura Gr - 300 papers
AREA 6: Frederick St, Derwent St, Mackay St- 260 papers
AREA 7: Wright St, Hyde St, part of Moohan St - 300 papers
Moulded from clay (7) 52. Provide food (5)
Gothic church, Abbey (11)
Having left a will (7)
Mohammeds’ birthplace (5)
Various (7)
In flower (6)
Slum areas (8) 5. Peaceful (7) 6. Light ale (5) 7. Of the blood (6) 8. Craftsmen (8) 9. Fertilizing land(by plane) (3,8) 10. Acts (5) 16. Brazilian palm tree (7)
18. Strip of pleated lace (5) 20. Unaffected (7) 21. Put on (3) 22. Gamble (3) 24. Stationers (11)
25. Variety of pigeon (3) 27. Assumed name (5) 28. High hill (3) 31. Fore end of ship (3) 33. Racket (3)
37. Bridge clearance (8)
38. Vividly expressive (8)
41. Cross-country runner (7)
43. Short aria (7)
44. Research scientist (sl) (6)
45. Zodiac sign (6)
46. Tropical parrot (5)
47. Inferred (5)
49. Weird (5)
Photo: Supplied.
Women Cricketers are the champions
By Frank Neill
The Wainuiomata premier women’s Cricket team are the 2025 Wellington division three champions.
They won the title when they overwhelmed the Taita Queens in the grand final, played at Fraser Park on 22 March.
Wainuiomata lost just one wicket in overhauling the Queens total, taking only 16 overs and one ball to score the victory.
The Queens batted first and reached 133 for the loss of eight wickets.
Wainuiomata then ended the match when they scored 134 for one wicket.
Matie Whitman and Marina McCarthy were outstanding with both the bat and the ball for Wainuiomata.
After taking one wicket for 12 runs, Marina retired just after reaching her half century, with her score at 51.
Matie also took one wicket while conceding only nine runs. She also retired after reaching her half century, scoring exactly 50.
Natasha Morgan also took a wicket for Wainuiomata at a cost of 29 runs.
The Wainuiomata premier men finished day one of their two day match against Victoria University in a strong position.
Batting first on Bryan Heath Park, Wainuiomata declared their first innings at 219 for nine wickets.
They then restricted Victoria University to 74 for four wickets at stumps in the Cricket Wellington division two match.
Ryan Jackson was outstanding with the bat, scoring 87 runs.
This came just one week after Ryan had notched up 500 runs for the season, ensuring his name would be engraved on Cricket Wellington’s honours board.
Daniel Hewitt also passed the half century, scoring 54.
Yes Prashanth followed his useful addition of 22 runs with a stumping.
Craig Foster took two wickets while conceding only 15 runs and Callum Mackaness took two wickets for 32.
Softballers win championship
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata are the Hutt Valley Premier Reserve Softball champions.
Wainuiomata won the title when they defeated Hutt City United 15-12 in the final on 22 March.
Given that this is the first year for some time that Wainuiomata has entered senior teams in the Hutt Valley and Inter-City competitions, this was a great result.
Earlier, Wainuiomata was the top Hutt Valley team in the Inter-City competition featuring teams from the Hutt and Wellington, coming away with third placing.
The finals victory means that the Wainuiomata Softball Club has now qualified to enter a team in the Hutt Valley Premier competition next season.
“We’ve come away with a very popular win,” the team’s coach Damian Wanoa says.
“We’ve come from rags to riches.
“We’re really happy that we have set it up for next year.
“The prospects for next year are really quite exciting,” Damian says.
Wainuiomata’s victory in the final came in a high scoring game that also saw a seesaw battle.
Ulalei wraps up successful summer
Ulalei Wainuiomata Sport’s summer programme wrapped up last week, bringing an end to another successful season of primary school sport.
For the second year in a row, Ulalei ran its Monday night soccer competitions at Wise Park, alongside the inaugural season of Friday night touch rugby.
This season’s sports competitions saw close to 100 teams from all seven primary schools in Wainuiomata, as well as Te Ara Wh nui Kura Kaupapa M ori in Alicetown.
The programme has fostered healthy competition, teamwork, and a special community wairua.
“The most common piece of feedback we get is that our competitions are awesome because they bring our community together and we love hearing that,” organiser Scott McLeod says.
children into organised sports teams.
Ulalei has removed these key barriers.
“The competitions continue to be very popular with all of our schools, organiser Katrina Barclay says.
“We knew there were some schools who did not enter teams in the touch competition at Hutt Park, so it’s great to see so many of our tamaiti playing in our competitions.” Looking forward, Ulalei is excited about future seasons and the continued growth of other local competitions in Wainuiomata.
“There are a few more sports where our schools do travel over the hill to play like netball, futsal and basketball,” organiser Vatau Sagaga says.
“Those are indoor sports which we would like to see played in Wainui. We shall see.”
Hutt City United gained an early upper hand to move into the lead, but then they were overtaken by Wainuiomata.
The game went the full seven innings, and the seventh saw high scoring from both teams.
Wainuiomata moved out to a five run lead at the bottom of the seventh, but then saw Hutt City claw back two runs in the top of the innings.
Usually Wainuiomata’s second string pitcher, Shane Toman played outstandingly and was well supported by catcher E J Albright.
“He got the win for the team, supported by the whole team,” Damian says.
Former Black Sox Joel Evans is in the team, as are Rhys Glover, Ryan Millar, Murphy Albright, Te Kirimaia Wanoa, Brayden Herewini and Lani Silbery.
The reserves are Caleb Little, Angus Little, Patrick Wright, Bernard Wright and Karipori Wanoa.
This year’s great result has come from some very hard mahi the club has put in, including hard work on fund-rising, team development and working on Wainuiomata’ s Softball diamond.
As a result of that hard work, the club has managed to attract younger players who were previously going over the hill to play.
The free programme has proven to be a hit with both tamariki and all wh nau.
A key issue for families is the convenience of not having to travel over the hill to participate in sporting activities. Cost was also an issue for families registering their
Ulalei acknowledges the continued support from Nuku Ora, Hutt City Council, McDonald’s Hutt Valley and Healthy Families. Their support is instrumental in ensuring the success of free local initiatives like the Ulalei programme, which provides valuable opportunities for tamariki while strengthening the bonds within the community.
The champion Wainuiomata premier women’s Cricket team with some of their supporters. Photo: Supplied.
Football action during Ulalei Wainuiomata Sport's summer programme.
Photo: Olive Nila Images.
The champion Wainuiomata Softball team. Photo: Damian Wanoa.
Important to have smoke alarms
Human beings are the only mammals that cannot smell smoke when they are asleep.
“Eighty percent of fatalities from house fires in NZ occur in properties with no working smoke alarms,” says Paul Carline, Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Community Readiness and Recovery Advisor.
“The majority of these victims were aged over 60.
“Over the last eight years in the Wellington Region alone, excluding Loafers Lodge in Newtown, the six fatalities which have occurred were all elderly European women living alone in their own homes.
“Five of these women were socially isolated and had limited social support.
“To be safe we need to install photo electric long life smoke alarms.
“The smoke alarms need to be installed correctly and vacuumed once a year.
“Ideally the alarms need to be tested monthly.
“Fire and Emergency recommends that an alarm should be installed in every bedroom, hallway, and lounge as well as on every level in the home.
“Fire and Emergency staff are available to visit homes and carry out a free home fire safety check.
“During this visit we will check smoke alarms, discuss escape plans, and give general fire safety advice.
“If someone living in their own property does not have an alarm, we can supply and fit a smoke alarm for free. If the occupant has bought alarms, we will also install those into the home at no cost.
“All smoke alarms only have a 10-year life from the date of manufacture. We do not recommend the 9-volt battery type of smoke alarm. The 10-year long life photo electric alarms are better.”
People with a hearing disability are particularly vulnerable, especially at night, Paul says.
A long-life photoelectric smoke alarm. Photo: Supplied.
Lions begin bid for third successive title
Have your say on
“The HAT system has wireless interconnected smoke alarms that in the event of fire sends a signal to the receiver in the bedroom.
“The receiver has a flashing light and a vibrating pad. The pad goes under the sheets or mattress. The receiver will activate the vibrating pad and the flashing light.
“This will alert the occupant that there is a fire, allowing time for the occupant to safely escape from the home.
“If you have hearing impairment and would like the free HAT Smoke Alarm System, please contact us and we will arrange for the assessment.
“Fire and Emergency staff are available to come and talk with any groups about the services we can offer and give fire safety talks. Please get in touch with me [Paul. Carline@fireandemergency.nz]or phone your local fire station.
“Alternatively, if you would like to book a free home fire safety visit www.fireandemergency.nz/mi_NZ/at-home-nz/home-firesafety-visits.”
“With their hearing aids not being worn they may not hear conventional alarms. Hearing Assistive Technology [HAT] is available at no cost.
By Frank Neill
The Wainuiomata Lions will kick off their bid to become the Wellington Rugby League champions for the third successive year on 4 April.
The Lions won the Appleton Shield, awarded to the champion team, when they defeated the St George Dragons 40-30 in last year’s final.
The victory came following a major comeback by the Lions after they trailed 18-0 with just nine minutes remaining in the first half.
They then came back to tie the scores at
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Providing safe drinking water, investing in our pipes, and effective wastewater and stormwater infrastructure are priorities for our communities.
To do this we need to invest more in these water services, but the cost is a huge challenge. A proposed new way of delivering water services is one way of tackling this problem.
Should we:
Move to a new way of delivering water services? Stick with the status quo? ? ?
A very close encounter followed and this saw the scores tied at 30-30 when the full time whistle blew.
It was all Wainuiomata in extra time, however, when they scored all the 10 points to take the title.
This gave the Lions their first back-to-back championships since 1991-92.
The senior reserve Rugby League competition is scheduled to start on 11 April.
Although the start date had been announced, the 2025 draw had not been published when the “Wainuiomata News” went to print.
18-18.
The Wainuiomata Lions celebrating being the 2024 Wellington Rugby League champions.
Photo: Six.ONE Creative.