Black Ferns visit
By Frank Neill
Nine Black Ferns visited Wainuiomata Marae on Friday 23 August, hosted by Nga Hau e Wha o Wainuiomata Marae. They were welcomed onto the marae with a P whiri in the wharenui before moving to the whare kai for afternoon team.
Continued on page 2.
The Black Ferns make their way towards the
wharenui at Wainuiomata Marae. Photo: Frank Neill.
How to reach us
Phone (04) 587 1660
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
Draw from where you come from
Continued from page 1
This was followed by a question and answer session, where Riana Le’ata-Paki and Luca-Bella Ngatuere-Ongley posed a series of questions.
The first question put to the New Zealand Rugby players was: “What was it like receiving your Black Fern jersey for the first time?”
It was disbelief, Ruahei Demant said, “as well as pride. I couldn’t believe it.
“I never ever thought I would ever wear the black jersey.
“I still have that feeling of pride and disbelief no matter how many times I’ve put on the black
jersey,” Ruahei said.
“I’ve always dreamed of this moment since I was little,” Kaipo Olsen Baker said.
The final, and probably most illumiating question was: “What is your advice to these rangatahi today?”
“Draw from where you come from,” Patricia Maliepo said.
“I’m M ori and proud of it.
“Draw from your culture. Your culture and where you come from is what makes you great.”
“Believe in yourself,” Mererangi Paul said.
“Set yourself a goal and work hard to achieve it.”
“Take every opportunity you can,” Marcel Parkes said.
“Have no regrets and put everything you can into it.”
“Chase your dreams and never give up,” Kennedy Simon said.
“If something gets in your way, find a way around it.
“Draw from where you are and work hard at it.”
“One thing to be the best I can be is to have fun,” Tanya Kalounivale said.
“If I wasn’t having fun I wouldn’t be here.”
“Surround yourself with likeminded people,” Ruahei Demant said.
“Find those people who want to push you and challenge you.”
The Black Ferns listening to a question they will then answer (from left) Patricia Maliepo, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Mererangi Paul, Marcel Parkes, Kennedy Simon, Kaipo Olsen Baker, Phillipa Love, Tanya Kalounivale and Ruahei Demant. Photo: Frank Neill.
Black Fern Ruahei Demont answering a question. Photo: Frank Neill.
Ryan Imray a sports award finalist
By Frank Neill Wainuiomata Football Club
stalwart Ryan Imray has been named as a finalist in the Wellington Regional Sport Awards.
He is a finalist in the Volunteer of the Year category.
"Ryan spends countless hours doing everything and anything that he can for Wainuiomata Football Club," his award nomination says.
"Mainly known around the Wellington Football scene as Imray’s Snaps, Ryan uses his platform to capture moments on the football field for people to cherish and help grow the image and presence of their club.
"He even captures moments off the pitch in his ‘around the grounds’ albums to capture memories amongst those who are not on the field as he believes a football club is not just defined by the people playing the game but the people behind the scenes as well as parents/partners/ supporters/volunteers.
"If he finishes a night shift on a Saturday morning at 6:30am, instead of going to bed to get some rest, he will be standing on the sideline on a cold winters morning at 8am capturing a 9th grade match to give parents moments and memories of their kids before travelling around Wellington to get to as many games as he can during the day."
Ryan spends his Sundays at women’s Football matches, particularly the lower leagues.
"A big advocate for the women’s game, he never shies away from promoting women’s Football and he never hesitates to head out to the lower league matches.
"Ryan sees the value of the lower league matches and believes that all members are what make
a club and not just the top teams or higher ranked teams.
"When he isn’t at work or isn’t on the sideline, he is at committee meetings giving his input and feedback on how to improve Football within the community and at Wainuiomata Football Club."
He assists at both junior and senior prizegivings and writes articles for the local newspaper.
"Ryan can also be found at Richard Prouse helping set up the grounds for game day.
"If you don’t find him there, you will find him at home in front of the computer creating communication posters for the club, weekly fixture lists, weekly results list and matchday posters for all Wainuiomata
sides, 17 junior teams and 8 senior teams.
"Wainuiomata never had this until Ryan took it upon himself to turn it into his little project which he improves every season."
Ryan "never says no when asked for a favour or for help," his nomination says.
"When he has an idea, he acts on it and does what he can to put the idea into reality.
"He gives his time, sacrifices sleep and drives all around Wellington going to games for free, rain or shine, without asking for anything in return and always with a smile because all he wants to do is give back to the football community and make every single member feel
included."
Nature talk
Wainuiomata Predator Free is hosting a nature talk at the Wainuiomata Library at 7:30pm on Friday 6 September. Anton Jones will speak on animal pest control with Greater Wellington Regional Council.
There will be an opportunity to buy traps, so people can start trapping in their own back yards.
Wainuiomata Predator Free will also be available to outline what they do and chat with people.
Try Scouting
Boys and girls aged from five years to 16 years can try out Scouting for free. They can attend any of four sessions at no cost.
The next Kea afternoon will take place at the Scout Den, 2 Peel Place, from 4pm to 5pm on Thursday 29 August.
The Cub nights, for those aged 7.5 to 10.5 years, is on Mondays from 6:30pm to 8pm.
The Scout nights are from 6:30pm to 8:15pm on Wednesdays.
Ryan has also volunteered his work with Capital Football and some of their projects.
"During the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Ryan was lucky enough to be at the Wellington games to photograph the matches as a freelancer so wasn’t there for an agency or an organisation, he was there as Imray’s Snaps.
"He used this opportunity to capture volunteers within the Wellington Football region to remember being part of the event – volunteers such as ball kids, player mascots and flag bearers, with clubs being able to use these images to share within their own community."
Ryan also provided images of
match officials for Capital Football to use at the Referee end of season Awards and images of matches throughout the year for them to use online and in their 2023 end of year annual report, a 100 page book that included several of Ryan’s images.
"Ryan had an operation in January 2024 but this didn’t stop him from volunteering his time, finding ways to overcome his own barriers to be able to contribute to football within Wellington.
"Nothing will stop Ryan from giving his time to help everyone he can in anyway possible and you will never hear him complain or ask for anything," his nomination said.
Ryan Imray walking out of the tunnel to take pictures at an A League match. Photo: Masanori Udagawa.
LETTERS to the editor
Letters on issues of community interest are welcomed. Guidelines are that they should be no longer than 150 words. They must be signed and a street address provided to show good faith, even if a nom de plume is provided for publication. The editor reserves the right to abridge letters or withhold unsuitable letters from publication.
Send or fax them to the address on page two, or email them to news@wsn.co.nz. Please note that your name and street address must also be provided in e mails.
Big thank you
Dear Editor,
A big thank you to Sarah Poole for championing a clean and green Wainuiomata and speaking up against the proposed industrial pollution of our environment with the proposed crematorium.
The consent which was granted by Wellington Regional Council noted that the Wainuiomata Airshed is not considered a polluted airshed and that
Crematorium concerning
Dear Editor,
I was very surprised to hear of a crematorium being built in Wainuiomata and who approved it as I do not recall much or, come to think of it, any consultation on such a project.
the river is an ecosystem and habitat with indigenous biodiversity values. The report also notes that given the proximity of the residences and other locations where people may be present (the receiving environment) has a high sensitivity to the cremator discharges! The stack from which all this pollution will be spewed into our precious clean environment will be 11 metres high and for 20 years. What kind of legacy is this
for our children given the high levels of asthma in NZ and our increasingly unfunded/strained health system? How can we walk our dogs, jog, cycle and enjoy a beautiful summer’s day outside with a bbq in our own backyards knowing that our food will be seasoned by dead body ash/contaminants and we will be ingesting all this filth into our lungs? Lorraine, Disgusted Wainui Ratepayer
The “Wainuiomata News” forwarded this letter to both Hutt City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Do the residents of Wainuiomata no longer have a say on how our valley should go forward or do we just have a handful of people saying what is good for us without any discussion? This includes the [Hutt City] Council.
It would be interesting to know how
the residents of Burden Avenue feel about it with the building being in a residential area and next to a waterway that flows through the valley. Look forward to hearing from those responsible.
C Morgan
Hutt City Council replied as follows:
“Hutt City Council manage[s] land use and development through the District Plan.
“The property at 42-50 Burden Avenue is located in the General Business Activity Area which provides for a range of industrial and commercial activities. Continued on page 6
Daffodil Day
Every day 74 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cancer. For over 34 years New Zealanders have supported the work of the Cancer Society on Daffodil Day and we need your help
again this year. People wanting to support the Cancer Society can do so by donating directly with a street collector, at any ANZ branch, or online at daffodilday.org.nz.
Continued from page 4
“Funeral parlours and all associated activities such as a crematorium are permitted activities within the General Business Area. Therefore, no resource consent is required from Hutt City Council to operate a crematorium on this site.
“Discharges to air such as odour and emissions are managed by the regional council.
“The Greater Wellington Regional Council has granted a resource consent for discharges to air associated with the operation of a crematorium on this site.
“This resource consent also states that the consent holder must obtain an acceptance of operations from the Ministry of Health prior to commencing operations.”
Greater Wellington Regional Council responded, providing a copy of the report on the granting of the resource consent for the crematorium.
The consent was granted with 26 conditions.
The conditions include the following:
“There shall be no noxious, dan-
gerous, objectionable, or offensive discharges to air from the cremator to the extent that it causes an adverse effect at or beyond the boundary of the site as determined by an enforcement officer of the Wellington Regional Council.
“These discharges of contaminants include, but are not limited to, discharges of odour, dust, smoke, ash and other particulate matter.”
The report also outlined consultation that had taken place.
It showed that Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust, Linda Olsen of the Wainuiomata Marae Trust and Ngati Tama, Jess Cooper of Te Whatu Ora National Public Health Services
Wellington Region, and Davon Eru on behalf of Te Haahi Ratana o Petone Pariha provided written approval of the crematorium.
Ng ti Toa Rangatira confirmed they did not have an interest in the application.
Pula Time of the Green Valley Samoan Assembly of God Church disagreed with the decision to provide the crematorium with resource consent and was opposed to the proposal.
Improve journalism
Dear Editor, When I grew up journalism was about balance and informing with accurate information and drawing attention to wrongs that need righting, not telling us to watch people fighting each other and asking us to join the argument. This morning [23 August] the Stuff browser had an argument over someone standing in the car park space to bag it.
Dirt bike riders
Dear Editor, If young people want to gamble with fate it will claim their lives for being rebellious. Dirt bike riders that are causing anger around Wainuiomata like the thrill of upsetting residents. They forget that if they have an accident they are not covered by ACC nor insurance. They will end up paying restitution to anyone’s car they may come into contact with, unless by some tragedy their lives come to an end at the scene. Too late then to teach them. Their parents should not let them go out on the roads. But as I said, once they get killed in an accident it’s too late.
Young ones may be too young to use wisdom. They have to be taught wisdom.
Newspaper Deliverers WANTED
The Wainuiomata News requires deliverers in the following areas on a Wednesday each week:
AREA 1: Frederick St, Derwent St, Mackay St 260 papers
AREA 2: Faulke Ave, Burden Ave, part of Wood St 270 papers
Graham’s Painters
Experienced tradesmen and large team Get your House Exterior and Interior painted! ~ Pensioner Discounts ~
E: grahamspaintersnz @gmail.com
Your Local News
Every day they put mean and nasty forward with a watch caption.
Is this the new face of journalism?
Perception is everything when it comes to determining behaviour of a society.
If the world sucks why bother. If hope is to the fore behaviour improves.
David Smith
When your child comes to you for advice give them sound advice with wisdom. Don’t ignore them and keep watching your Rugby game on TV.
Some of those riders going around on mini bikes are only 10 years to 13.
What happens when the Police come to your door and say your son has been hit by a bus while weaving in and out of traffic on a not street legal mini bike? Yeah a big shock of fear comes over you.
Reality sets in. That is all. Think about it seriously before it’s too late. Remember a funeral director never runs out of clients.
Peter Wells
Fernlea Primary School
W: www.grahamspainters.nz Ph: (04) 564 9202 021 183 9492
Enrolment at Fernlea School is governed by an enrolment scheme. The board has determined that there are likely to be some places available for out of zone enrolments during 2025 at new entrant level only. The exact number of places will depend on the number of enrolments received from students who live within the school’s home zone. The deadline for receipt of applications is 3pm, 11 September 2024. Out of zone enrolments received after the deadline will not be considered.
AREA 3: Parenga St, Ngaturi Gr, part of Wood St and Coast Rd 235 papers
AREA 4: Hamstead, Enfield, part Wellington, Kendall 220 papers
AREA 5: Hair St, Rowe Parade, Gibbs Cres, part of Main 280 papers
AREA 6: Dover Rd, Westminster Rd, part of Wellington Rd 385 papers
AREA 7: Naseby Gr, Bexley Gr, part of Wellington Rd - 285 papers
WEDNESDAY
Is there really a funny bone? But your funny bone isn’t actually a bone at all. Running down the inside part of your elbow is a nerve called the ulnar nerve. The ulnar nerve lets your brain know about feelings in your fourth and fifth fingers. It’s also one of the nerves that controls some movement of your hand.
Verbatim(4,3,4)
Mourns (7)
Quibble (3-4)
Majestic (5)
Lie(9)
Reduce in level of importance (9)
Scarcity(6)
Gun(7)
James Dean starred in ‘East of (4)
Dolt(3)
Son of(Scot)(3)
‘Roots’ author; Haley(4)
Circular building(7) 30. Steers(6) 32. Lyric poem(3) 33. Charge(3)
Dwell(6)
In the middle of(7) 36. Stimulus(4) 37. Telepathic power(abbr)(3) 39. Compass heading(abbr)(3)
Be gloomy(4)
Windpipe(7)
Of the air(6)
Tower of London warder(9)
49. Man’s tall silk hat(9)
Nimble(5) 52. Most vulgar(7) 53. Sheltered corners(5) 54. Of the side(7) 55. Doggedly(11)
DOWN
1. Harbour platform(5)
2. Instigators of illegal activities (11)
3. Artifically high voice(8)
4. Large sum of money; ‘king’s …’ (6)
Series of eight(5) 6. Decline(7) 7. Tepid(8)
Illusion(6)
Stingy person(7)
Healing ointment(5)
Plan(7)
At the right time, on (3)
Use divining rod(5)
32. Lyric poem(3)
Swamp(3)
Diplomatic etiquette(8)
Up to this place, point or time (8)
Foretell(7)
Lacking integrity(7)
Celestial body(6)
Ulalei the 2024 Netball champions
By Vaegaau Isaac
Featuring in five finals and winning three championships, it has been a stellar year for Ulalei Wainuiomata Netball celebrating its 20th anniversary.
To top off a successful outing for the club, Ulalei swept the Netball Hutt Valley Awards taking out the Volunteer of the Year, Lagi Moananu, and Coach of the Year Norah Smith. Ulalei Aute are the Premier 1 Champions for 2024 with an emphatic 53-40 victory over Upper Hutt Maidstone United on 24 August. Aute had to do it the hard way, after being down 15-10 at the end of the first quarter.
Bouyed by their ardent supporters it didn’t take long for Aute to kick into gear, stamping their authority on the game, winning the second quarter 15-8, and taking a 25-23 half time lead.
The introduction of Oakley Baldwin at centre opened up the attack with her speed and sharp feeding into the shooting circle for goal shooters Sina Tamaali’i and Emma Murray-Fifita.
The shooter to shooter combination between these two was unstoppable, setting screens, slight change of body angles and the acceleration deceived the Upper Hutt Maidstone defence.
The Ulalei defensive unit of Brittany Antipas and Cerie Milovale was solid and shut down the Upper Hutt Maidstone attack, forcing them to play five different goal shooters in the match and restricting the opposition to just six goals in the final quarter.
Emma Murray-Fifita was the stand out performer for Ulalei Aute using her skills and experience to counter the physicality from the opposition.
She controlled the pace of the game at Goal Shooter and at Goal Attack and seemed to have all the time in the world before she executed her next play. Her movements were deft and quick leading to a barrage of goals.
Ulalei Puataunofo dominated the Premier 3 final against High School Old Girls leading from start to finish for a well deserved 51-33 victory.
Puataunofo led 10-8 at the end of the first quarter.
With huge crowd support, Puataunofo moved up a gear, Doris Tagaloa and Janique Te-Wiki Mu taking intercepts at will, allowing their midcourters Darnaka Barry, Zarlya Collings, Kim Aurupa and Sonia Ravindran to take the ball down to their shooters Hannah Smith and Bree Itula who put the ball through the hoop at ease.
Hannah Smith shot from long range for
much of the game. Puataunofo took an unassailable 25-13 lead at half time.
Coach of the Year Norah Smith was able to clear her bench for the second half of the match as her team steam rolled their way to a Premier 3 championship
In what was the match of the day, M lili had to come from behind against Manaia Whanau after being down 29-25 at the end of the third quarter.
This saw the team become the Senior 4 champions.
Spurred on by a parochial crowd M lili were able to erase the deficit early in the fourth quarter with immense defensive pressure from Spirit Te Moana creating turnover ball for circle defenders Moriah Sopoaga and Jimmy Kydd which was capitalised on by shooters Jodee Tuisila and Nii Mills.
At full time the score was all tied up 35 all.
The Netball Hutt Valley rules state the game must continue until a team wins by two goals.
The teams then went goal for goal, before Moriah Sopoaga soared through to take a crucial intercept, which M lili took down the court and Nii Mills shot long to take a one point lead.
On a M lili centre pass, the mid courters Saveena Taituave and Uga Muaiava remained calm feeding clean ball to Nii Mills who sunk the winning goal.
The crowd erupted. The noise was deafening as a delirious Ulalei crowd rose to applaud a stunning championship win.
Ulalei Fuesina played in the Senior 5 final against a much more experienced side Te Rito Kaukau going down 48-17.
Ulalei Fuesina is made up of secondary school players from around the Hutt Valley and Wellington region who have made significant progress throughout the season and to play in the final is a great achievement. They will continue to grow from their finals day experience.
An under-strength Ulalei Laga’ali team fought hard against Avalon Mana Wolves in their Reserve 1 final, missing a number of key players through injury or unavailability going down 28-22.
Circle defenders Toli Sagaga, Monica Passi and Amy Jansen took a number of intercepts and rebounds which was finished off by sharp shooters Armia Morris and Rahera Toko.
Laga’ali were just not able to get enough ball to their shooters.
Laga’ali is a wh nau team with grandmothers, mothers, aunties and nieces playing together. The team plays at its own speed and has fun and to be a part of Finals Day is a great accomplishment for Laga’ali.
Ulalei supporters arrived en masse at the Walter Nash Stadium bringing the noise, the hype, the navy blue and gold, the supporter signs and banners.
They arrived in the morning for the first game and settled in to watch some scintillating netball right up until the main event later in the afternoon.
They would not be disappointed and were repaid by some outstanding performances by all the Ulalei teams that featured.
Ulalei had the most teams of all the clubs involved in finals day.
The Ulalei teams that were not involved came in their droves to support their fellow club teams Suni, Ifilele, Moso’oi and Pu lulu, a testament of what this club is about whanaungatanga, alofa, tautua and fa’aaloalo.
Ulalei Wainuiomata Netball are grateful to all wh nau, friends and the community for their overwhelming support, who at times felt like the eighth player on court.
Ulalei would like to acknowledge their sponsors this year for their generosity: TIME Insurance, HEDZ for Hair, TJ Plumbgas, Muzzy Shirts, Aerial Master Wellington, Glover Memorials, Chalet Caterers, STIHL
Petone, Wellington Rugby, Pak n Save Petone, Clive's Chemist, Creative Meats, Charlie's Sushi, Domino's Pizza Wainuiomata, Dawn Bakery, Hutt City New World, Speight's Ale House Petone, The Victoria Tavern, The Bottle O Wainuiomata, Boost Promotions, McDonald's Hutt Valley, Shoe Clinic Lower Hutt, Sweet Vanilla Cafe, Hutt City Council, Light House Cinema Petone and Muzzy Shirts.
High School pipped in final
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata High School’s under 15 Rugby team came within two points of winning the College Sport Wellington 2024 title. Tawa College pipped Wainuiomata 34-33 in the final, played at William Jones Park on 24 August. Wainuiomata High School was unbeaten going into the match, having established an impressive record during the 2024 season. Tawa was the first to score in the first 10 minutes of the first half, but Wainuiomata quickly replied scoring two tries and taking the lead for most of the game.
After half time Tawa scored again to take out the narrowest of victories.
“It was great to see so many students and wh nau at the CSW Rugby under 15 finals,” Wainuiomata High School’s Sports Director, Peter Cowan, says.
“Although the boys were disappointed, they were gracious in defeat and congratulated Tawa College.
“The school thanks coaching staff of Bo Chansamone , Dean Stewart, and Dylan Absalom .
“Although the coaching staff were disappointed, they were very proud of the boys this season.”
Ulalei Aute, the 2024 premier 1 Netball champions. Photo: Supplied.
Macy Tuisila cheering for Ulalie. Photo: Supplied.
Isaac Moananu supporting Ulalei. Photo: Supplied.
The Wainuiomata High School and Tawa College teams who contested the under 15 final on 24 August. Photo: Supplied.
