30 November Wainuiomata News

By: Frank Neill

Mr

Continued on page 2.

Some of the awards recipients (from left) Anita Neary, Clinton Packer, Cameron James on behalf of Gary James, Dawn Otter, Wayne Hunt, Nathalie Pettigrew, Peter Thompson and Wainuiomata’s Chief Fire O cer Ewen Heron.

Photo: Supplied.

Chris Bishop

Wainuiomata volunteer fire fighter Ivan Morrison was presented a Gold Star for 25 years’ service at a ceremony at the Wainuiomata Fire Station on 26 November.

Morrison was one of a series of fire fighters who received recognition at the brigade’s awards presentation.

Awards recognise fire fighters’ significant service

The awards recognise the significant service brigade members provide to the Wainuiomata community.

The brigade provides thousands of hours of community service every year, and none of the fire fighters or support staff get paid for it.

The awards evening is also an opportunity for the brigade to thank the families and the employers of the firefighters for the support that they provide.

Mr Morrison was presented with his Gold Star by John May, of the Wellington Provincial Gold Star Association. He was also presented a plaque marking the Gold Star award by Wainuiomata’s Chief Fire Officer Ewen Heron.

Mr Morrison has been a member of the Wainuiomata Volunteer Fire Brigade for the past three years.

However, his association fighting fires in the Wainuiomata area goes back much further, to when he was a fire fighter with the Department of Conservation (DoC) and was manager of the Rimutaka Forest Park.

In fact when he retired he was the Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer for DoC’s Wellington Conservancy.

He has been involved in jointly fighting fires with the Wainuiomata brigade since about 1978, he told the “Wainuiomata News”.

He was involved in leading the battle against three bush fires in one night – one in Wood Street, one on the Coast Road, and one in Eastbourne.

Mr Morrison recalls the time when it was very “busy on Guy Fawkes night when [people] were able to use sky rockets.

“Some Guy Fawkes were so busy it was a case of which fire do you want to go to first.”

More recently Guy Fawkes has not been as busy,” he says, putting that down to the fact that sky rockets “were the cause of a lot of the bush fires”.

During his time fighting fires, Mr Morrison has attended a number of large blazes.

“One of the biggest fires I was in charge of burnt into the Featherston township,” he said.

The fire began at a house on the base of the hill and swept towards the township. “It involved evacuating a lot of houses on the outskirts of Featherston.”

Although much of his service has been rural fire fighting, firstly with the New Zealand Forest Service and then with DoC when it took over the role from the Forest Service, he has also served with two volunteer fires brigades – the Naseby Fire Brigade and the Wainuiomata brigade.

As well as the Gold Star presentation to Mr Morrison, a series of other presentations were made,

covering a two-year period as a presentation evening was not held last year because of Covid.

Presentations were made of three year certificates, five year service medals and two year silver bars to the five year medal – made for each two years’ service subsequent to the five years.

Honorary member presentations were also made, along with service recognition to departing members.

Connor Gibson, Melissa Cooper and Anita Neary were presented three year certificates.

Dylan Krieg, Magnus Huber, Jacqui Warnes and Troy Simms were presented five year medals.

Donald Underdown, Paul McKinley and Nathan Tupe (7 Years), Riana Robinson, Andrew Robertson and Trent Holden (9 years), Dave Logan, Andrew Thomson, Richard Krieg, Clinton Packer and Mati Soi (11 years), Craig Nicholson and Tamati Kaa (13 years), Colin Hamilton and Gary James (15 years), Dawn

Otter and Nathalie Pettigrew (17 years), Ahron Eastall (19 years), Wayne Hunt (23 years), Cliff George (29 years), Peter Thompson (35 years) and Ewen Heron (47 years) were presented two year silver bars.

Reece Buck was presented a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and Ivan Morrison (36 years) the Transition to UFBA (United Fire Brigades Association) Medal.

Service recognition to departing members and honorary member presentations were made to Dylan Krieg (5 years), Rose Tupe, Cameron Bentley and Rob Kennedy (6 years), Nathan Tupe (7 years) Richard Krieg (11 years), Josh and Rod Weelleans (12 years), Reece Buck (14 years), Dawn Otter (17 years) and Andrew Stupples (18 years).

Rod Weelleans was presented honorary life membership and Reece Buck and Dawn Otter were presented honorary member awards.

More recognition for local writer

By Frank Neill

Dahlia Malaeulu was named a finalist in the 2022 Pacific Business Trust Awards.

The Wainuiomata resident was recognised in the Pasifica Women in Business category.

The finalists and winners were celebrated on 11 November at the Due Drops Centre in Manakau, Auckland. This year saw a record number of entries for the awards, with more than 400 entered.

Dahlia says she was very “humbled and honoured to be acknowledged alongside other Pasifika business giants and champions across Aotearoa.”

The owner of Mila’s Books Ltd, which publishes Pasifika children’s books, Dahlia says that “our Mila’s Books journey continues to prove the power of our stories and what is possible for us as Pasifika.”

This year has seen Dahlia and her husband Mani Malaeulu recognised nationally at a series of award presentations.

Dahlia and Mani won the 2022 Storylines Notable Book Award.

They won their award for the book “Tama Sāmoa”, which was the only Pasifica work among the winning titles.

The award was presented by Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki Aotearoa in Auckland on 6 November.

Dahlia was also one of the winners of this year’s Creative New Zealand (CNZ) Arts Pasifika Awards.

Dahlia won the $7,500 Emerging Pacific Artist Award for her role as a writer, publisher

and educator. The awards were presented at a ceremony at Te Papa Tongarewa on 13 October.

The Mila series are children’s books with a key aim of helping Samoan Kiwis further grow their cultural confidence to explore and share their own stories.

Dahlia says that the success of her publishing dream stems from the fact that it has, and will always be, “more than books for us”.

“Mila’s Books has proven what is possible for us as Pasifika writers and publishers of our own stories through independent publishing.

“We created the only all Pasifika publishing team of children’s books in the world.

“In the space of two and a half years, we have continuously published quality and accessible stories across all schooling levels and shown that there is a real hunger and need for stories by us and for all of us, through great book sales and the positive feedback we continue to receive across Aotearoa and abroad.”

Gold Star recipient Ivan Morrison and his wife Poko listen to a speech just before he was presented his award. Photo: Supplied.

Dahlia and Mani Malaeulu at the Paci c Business Trust Awards evening. Photo: Supplied.

Local to oversee CEO’s employment

Wainuiomata’s Wellington Regional Councillor Ken Laban has been elected to chair the council’s Chief Executive Employment Committee, the council announced at its meeting on 24 November.

This is part of the new committee structure the council has introduced following this year’s local body elections.

A new committee – the Te Tiriti o Waitangi Komiti – has been established under the new committee structure.

Cr Laban is a member of this new komiti.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi Komiti will help build genuine and enduring relationships focused on results for the region and mana whenua,” Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Daran Ponter says.

“In the last triennium we signed new partnership agreements with our iwi partners. That was the first step on the Poutama,” he says.

“Putting this komiti in place is about taking the next step and ensuring we get good outcomes for mana whenua as we prepare the region for the legislative, climate and economic change on our doorstep.

Hikitia Ropata, Chair of Te Tiriti o Waitangi Komiti, says that establishing the komiti was a bold and necessary step which would align Greater Wellington with conversations and issues across Central Government as well as those at grass-roots hapu and iwi level.

“Te Tiriti o Waitangi Komiti will elevate the way in which we honour our commitments, obligations and responsibilities to mana whenua and Māori and the various [pieces of] legislation that Greater Wellington operates

under.

“Much like our efforts on climate change, Te Tiriti o Waitangi Komiti aims to influence all of our thinking and decision making as a council so Te Ao Māori, Tikanga and Mātauranaga Māori are built in from the start rather than afterthoughts,” Cr Ropata says

The overall committee structure and advisory bodies built upon the success of the previous triennium and reflected the unique role Greater Wellington needs to play across the region going forward, Cr Ponter says.

"Greater Wellington is often seen as an eclectic organisation but this structure recognises the environment and climate at the heart of everything we do.

“As a regional council we are the environment protection authority, public transport agency, the river control authority, bulk water provider, the park ranger, pest controller, harbour master, major infrastructure provider, and the port owner.

“We’re charged with taking a regional focus: regional spatial planning, the priority of regional transport projects, advocating for the region and setting climate targets.

“Our success across these areas will only be possible through our partnership with iwi, stronger collaboration with territorial authorities and stakeholders and a deeper understanding of the make-up of our region.

“With nearly three quarters of our region being rural, Greater Wellington must double down on our understanding of the challenges facing the rural sector and how climate change and environmental outcomes can be achieved for all parts of the region,” Cr Ponter says.

Swimming pool open

The Wainuiomata swimming pool is now open for the summer.

Situated at 2 Moohan Street, the pool opened on 19 November and will remain open until 12 March 2023.

It will be closed on just one day, 25 December.

The complex features four heated outdoor pools situated among rose gardens and shrub beds and is surrounded by native bush.

A popular feature is the 80 metres open air waterslide, which runs through the native

bush.

The opening hours vary and are as follows:

From now until 23 December – weekdays 7am-10am and 2.30-7pm, with school swimming 10am-2.30pm, weekends 10am-6pm.

24 December – 7am-3pm.

26 December to 30 December – 10am-6pm.

31 December – 10am-5pm.

1 January – 11am-5pm.

2 January to 6 January – 10am-6pm.

7 January to 12 March – weekdays 7am8pm, weekends 10am-6pm.

To the Editor

Letters on issues of community interest are welcomed. A maximum of 150 words please.

They must be signed and a street address provided to show good faith, even when a nom de plume is provided for publication.

The editor reserves the right to abridge letters or withhold letters from publi-

Be at peace

Dear Editor, We all know World War 3 is on the future cards.

World leaders know they can’t win World War 3. No one wins.

If mankind was to put all the money into helping get rid of carbon instead of wasting it on wars and nuclear arms we wouldn’t be in this mess.

To get rid of any anxiety, don’t dwell on it. Lots of people as well as myself occupy our minds with other things like gardening

cation. Email them to news@wsn.co.nz or drop in to our office at 23 Broderick Road, Johnsonville.

Please note that your name and street address MUST be provided with emails. Letters/Opinions not necessarily those of the Wainuiomata News management.

or relaxing in a deck chair listening and watching birds and other creatures.

Let’s face the facts – man is his own worst enemy. He dwells on matters that send him around the bend.

In wars children are the main victims and wild and domestic creatures as well. Plus man gives animals anxiety every year with fireworks. Is man only thinking of himself and not wildlife?

Peter Wells

P J Povey

Chris Johnston

Dave Turner

Linda Codyne

Ann Reynor

Now is a great time to sell. What are you waiting for?

Curious to know what your property’s worth? Get in touch.

Linda Goss-Wallace 027 269 9605

linda.goss-wallace@raywhite.com Ray Wallace 027 226 4046 ray.wallace@raywhite.com

Now is a great time to

What are you waiting for?

Curious to know what your property’s worth? Get in touch.

Now is a great time to sell. What are you waiting for?

Linda Goss-Wallace 027 269 9605

linda.goss-wallace@raywhite.com Ray Wallace 027 226 4046 ray.wallace@raywhite.com

Curious to know what your property’s worth? Get in touch.

Linda Goss-Wallace 027 269 9605

linda.goss-wallace@raywhite.com Ray Wallace 027 226 4046 ray.wallace@raywhite.com

Wainui Police care about the community

By Frank Neill

Being involved in Neighbourhood Support led on to Claire Taylor’s role as the Wainuiomata Police Station’s Support Officer.

The first of her three periods working for the Police came in around 2011/2012 when she joined the Police Communications Centre.

Claire then left and had two children, becoming involved in both Woodhatton Playcentre and Neighbourhood Support.

When Neighbourhood Support stopped as a result of funding no longer being provided, Claire began working at the front desk at the Lower Hutt Police Station. During her five years in that role she also worked from time to time at the front desk of both the Upper Hutt and Wellington stations.

One reason she is attracted to working for the Police is her interest in criminology. Claire has a BA from Victoria University in criminology and sociology.

“My passion is crime,” she says, with a particular interest in “what

The Wainuiomata Police Station’s Support Officer Claire Taylor.

Photo: Supplied.

leads to people offending”.

Claire is following that passion currently, as she studies towards a Diploma in Psychology through the Open Polytechnic.

“It’s amazing what the brain does to the body and vice versa,” she says.

Born and raised in Wainuiomata, Claire attended Arakura School, Wainuiomata Intermediate School

and Wainuiomata College.

She has lived in the valley most of her life, but moved to Waiwhetu at the beginning of this year.

When the Police moved to reopen the Wainuiomata Police Station [it opened on 4 October], they needed a Station Support Officer, and Claire was appointed to the role.

“It’s exciting that it has reopened for the community,” Claire says. When there was no active Police station in the valley, even though the Police had a presence, people felt on their own.

The station reopening has made people feel connected.

Her role is varied.

“No two days are the same,” she says. “You never know what you are going to get.”

As well as dealing with Police matters, she is also able to help people who come into the station by linking them with other support services or providing them advice.

She has found the Police to be “very supportive,” Claire adds.

“They care about the community and they genuinely want to help people.”

Second top apprentice

Petros Vrahasotakis has been named as runner-up in the 2022 New Zealand top carpentry apprentice awards.

The Apprentice Challenge National Final, run by NZ Certified Builders, was held

in Hamilton on 18 and 19 November.

Petros is from Upper Hutt, and featured in the 20 April issue of the “Wainuiomata News” when he won the Wellington Apprentice Challenge.

Just 35 kilometres north of Napier City, you’ll find the remote but well-equipped Waipatiki Beach Holiday Park - just 150 metres from the beach, and close to great activities including bush walks through the Waipatiki Scenic Reserve, which is across the stream from the campground. Accommodation includes cabins and powered or non-powered camping

sites with facilities that cater for up to 150 people. That makes us a popular choice for as a beach wedding venue or for a school camp.

For an affordable, family-friendly and truly unforgettable holiday contact us today. Phone 06 836 6075 or visit: www.waipatikibeach.co.nz

Aotea Utanganui – Museum of South Taranaki

Where would you find the oldest dated wooden artefacts in New Zealand?

Aotea Utanganui – Museum of South Taranaki has taonga carbon-dated from the 14th century in the main gallery. These taonga were excavated from Waitore, near Whenuakura and help tell the tangata whenua story of the Ngā Rauru and Ngā ti Ruanui people. The Taranaki Wars are told using maps, photographs, weaponry, and artefacts. Warriors from both sides including TĪtokowaru, Tutange Waionui, Charles Broughton, and James Livingston, are honoured. In Poirokiroki, the Education Room, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the South Taranaki Wars are on display for people to learn about those unsettling times.

Farming and the joys of a rural lifestyle feature prominently. The creativity of South Taranaki people is celebrated in the stories and objects exhibited – wire strainers, souvenir teapots and the many uses of old cheese crates. A temporary exhibition gallery features regularly changing exhibitions. The museum has a large archive collection and a research facility is available on request.

Aotea Utanganui is located at 127 Egmont St, Pātea and is open Monday to Saturday from 10.00am to 4.00pm. The facility is closed Sundays, Christmas Day, Good Friday, ANZAC Day, and Taranaki Anniversary Day. Entry is free and koha is appreciated.

Taranaki, a region like no other

With world-class surf breaks, famous black-sand beaches, and the pictureperfect peak of Taranaki Maunga, Taranaki has so much on offer all year round. With a dynamic events calendar, a plenitude of gorgeous parks and gardens, adventure activities galore, a vivacious foodie scene, and a worldrenowned arts and cultural scene, Taranaki is a region truly like no other. There is something for everyone in Taranaki – families, adventurers, gourmet extraordinaires, and arts and cul-

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ture aficionados will be taken good care of. Not to mention the unique experiences on offer that are hard to come by anywhere else (the Goblin Forest, Forgotten World Highway, Wilkies Pools, just to name a few). Set apart by a rich and remarkable history and a past filled with pioneering innovation, you’ll pick up on the energy of this vibrant and contemporary region. Be immersed in the full mountain-tosea experience and discover for yourself why Taranaki is humming.

ing the kids meals (in puppy pirate ships!). You can bring your dog, and your own bottle of wine, or enjoy the fabulous cocktails, mocktails, wines, & beers we have on offer. And, we’re expanding! Bella’s Wine Bar, opening soon…

YOUR PERFECT TARANAKI ADVENTURE AWAITS

Explore all that Taranaki has to offer. Vibrant, contemporary and buzzing with copious things to do, see, eat, and experience, Taranaki is always humming! Holding the title of New Zealand’s sunniest region, summer is the perfect time to plan your visit to the region like no other.

WHAT’S ON

TSB Festival of Lights - 17 Dec-22 Jan

UB40 at the Bowl of Brooklands - 30 Dec

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard at Bowl of Brooklands – 6 Jan

Te Kupenga International Stone Symposium - 1-21 Jan

The Good Home Taranaki Off-road Half Marathon - 14 Jan Summer Feastival - 16-19 Feb

TSB Festival of Lights taranaki.co.nz/visit

It’s just around the corner

Belt Rd Holiday Park

Local swimmer representing Hutt Valley

By Frank Neill

Sheldon Valster has won selection for the Special Olympics National Summer Games, to be held in Hamilton from 8-12 December.

The 21-year-old Wainuiomata resident is one of just three Hutt Valley swimmers who have qualified for the event, one of New Zealand’s largest multi-sports competitions.

Sheldon, who has been diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum, only began swimming at Special Olympics events this year. He joined Special Olympics last year, but there was no competition due to Covid.

This year Sheldon has won a long list of events, as well as a long list of podium finishes.

He placed first in the 25 metres backstroke and 50 metres freestyle and second in the 25 metres freestyle at the regional competition held in Mana.

Sheldon followed that up with wins in the 25 metres and 50 metres freestyle, second in the 4x25 metres freestyle relay and third in the 25 metres backstroke at the Manawatu championships.

In the Hutt Valley championships, Sheldon not only won the 25 metres freestyle but also clocked a personal best time of 19.82 seconds. He also finished second in both the 50 metres freestyle and the 4x50 metres freestyle relay.

He gained two runner-up finishes in the Horowhenua championshps, in the 25 metres backstroke and the

4x50 metres freestyle relay.

Sheldon will represent the Hutt Valley in the 25 metres and 50 metres backstroke and the 25 metres freestyle at the Special Olympics National Summer Games.

He also put his name forward as a reserve for relays, as there are not enough Hutt Valley swimmers to form a relay team, and Mana has asked him to join their 4.25 metres freestyle team.

Although swimming is an important part of his life, it is not the most important.

The most important thing for him, Sheldon says, is “to promote well-being”, especially for people who have an issue such as he has to manage.

Initially Sheldon was diagnosed with ADHD. Following that he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome as well as having an extra Y chromosome.

This has led to Sheldon facing a series of issues throughout his life, particularly with social interaction and – while he was at school – being subject to bullying.

After attending Fernlea School,

Sheldon then spent a short time at Wainuiomata Intermediate School.

“Because of the horror time there, I went to Newlands College,” he says. At Newlands College, “they were a bit more understanding, and they had a proper care and support unit.”

One of the main reasons Sheldon is keen to promote well-being and greater awareness of the needs of people who are on the autism spectrum is the series of challenges he has faced throughout his life.

“It’s been a difficult journey, but now there is light at the end of the tunnel,” he says.

As well as being a swimmer, Sheldon is also a writer.

He has written mostly fan fiction stories, but he has also penned two novels, both of which have been published online, on Webnovel.

Both the novels are historical fiction.

One is called “War of the Roses” and is heavy on fantasy. The other is “867 Ireland” and is an historical fiction based on the time the Vikings occupied the country.

He is also currently working on a

third novel.

“I have stories I am working on to de-stress,” he says.

Sheldon’s achievements are not limited to swimming and writing. He also won a Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award for his service to beach clean ups, for first aid and for swimming and fitness training.

He also completed the challenge 100 event for the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Foundation. In that event, Sheldon climbed 100 steps a day for 100 days, raising $100 for the foundation.

As well as promoting well-being and awareness of the Autism spectrum, Sheldon is also keen to promote Special Olympics swimming in the Hutt alley.

“We need more people. We need new members in swimming. There are only three of us representing the Hutt Valley [in the Special Olympics National Summer Games].

“And we need more coaches.”

People interested in joining Special Olympics as swimmers or as coaches can make contact by emailing admin@specialolympicshuttvalley.org.nz.

Sheldon Valster wearing a collection of medals and ribbons he has won in swimming this year.

Helping job seekers into work

By Frank Neill

Job seekers living in Wainuiomata will soon be able to access a new hub that can connect them to thousands of new jobs.

The jobs will be working on local projects like Riverlink over the next decade.

The new Jobs and Skills Hub will be opened in central Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai (Lower Hutt), the Government announced on 17 November.

Scheduled to open in the first half of 2023, the Jobs and Skills Hub will partner with local employers to help them find skilled workers and support people to enter apprenticeships, training and employment opportunities in construction and infrastructure close to where they live.

An estimated $2.7 billion in local and central government projects across the Hutt Valley is coming online over the next decade.

This investment is expected to lead to the creation of around 4,500 to 6,750 jobs.

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) will run the hub in collaboration with local organisations, industry, and government agencies.

RiverLink project partners Taranaki Wh ā nui, Ng ā ti Toa, Waka Kotahi, Hutt City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council have all agreed to use the hub as a key recruitment source for their works programmes.

“We are very excited for this development and the significant benefits it will bring as we progress vital infrastructure projects across our city”, Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry says.

“It provides a service to connect our people with the many opportunities in the pipeline, to grow their skills, and help our local businesses find skilled, talented people to work on these projects.

“Overall, it will strengthen the local economy, building up the capability and experience of people and businesses working on transformational projects such as RiverLink,” the Mayor says.

“RiverLink will require thousands of skilled workers over the next five years,” says Emma Speight, Waka Kotahi Director of Regional Relationships.

“It’s not just about delivering transformational change for the community through physical works.

“We want to be able to transform the lives of Kiwis, particularly our rangatahi, with new skills and training opportunities that will set them up for long and successful careers in the infrastructure and construction industries,” she says.

Early works on Riverlink are scheduled to start early to mid2023, with main construction beginning in late 2023. The RiverLink programme is expected to be completed in 2027.

Information for school leavers

Wainuiomata school leavers have an opportunity to explore what they can do during the coming year.

Whitireia and WelTec are opening their doors to anyone interested in finding out more about programmes offered in the Wellington region.

A pop-in information event will be held today, 30 November, from 4-8pm at the WelTec/ Whitireia Petone Hub at 21 Kensington Avenue.

Representatives from pro-

grammes offered at Whitireia and WelTec will be available to talk to attendees about what they are interested in, or to answer any questions they may have.

During the evening, tutors and support team members from Whitireia and WelTec will share information on how learning can be tailored to be flexible around work or family commitments and what opportunities might be available across Te Pukenga network.

High levels of contaminated recycling

Hutt City Council is moving to try and slash the amount of contaminated recycling being placed in the yellow recycling bins. Council bin ambassadors have been leaving green stickers on yellow-lidded recycling bins to advise residents when they are doing a good job.

Contaminated bins will receive up to two red stickers and residents may find their recycling bins removed if they continue to be contaminated.

The scheme is backed by a local social media and advertising campaign aimed at dispelling the myths around what can and cannot be recycled.

"Unclean items, rubbish that should go in red-lidded bins and dirty nappies are just some of the items that our team is finding in yellow recycling bins,” says Alison Geddes, Interim Director of Environment and Sustainability. “We are now seeing contamination rates rise to unsustainable levels of almost 20%," she adds.

The more contaminated kerbside recycling that’s sent to landfill, the more council must pay in increased processing costs and penalty fines. These are currently exceeding $30,000 a month.

"That’s money that could be spent on initiatives to make our city cleaner, greener and more sustainable. We simply can’t afford not to take action," explains Alison.

"If everyone does their bit to recycle correctly, it will extend the current life of the Silverstream landfill."

Under the new recycling service introduced in July last year, more recycling is being collected from the kerbside: from 413 tonnes per month prior to the new service being introduced to an average 494 tonnes per month today. However, contamination has also increased from about 11% to almost 20% in recent months.

"Only recycling that has been rinsed, and plastics marked 1,2 and 5, can go in yellow-lidded bins.

“Household rubbish, such as soiled nappies, dirty food containers and other non-recyclable items must be relegated to the red-lidded bins," Alison says.

"We’ve kept the recycling rules simple to follow for maximum effect. We encourage anyone who is unsure about recycling to check out our campaign and find out what can and can’t go in recycling bins on HCC’s website: www.toogoodtowaste.co.nz."

By Russell McQuarters

The man who solved the elevator safety problem, making skyscrapers possible, was Elisha Otis, who is generally known as the inventor of the modern elevator. In 1852, Otis came up with a design that had a safety “brake.”

With Jacob Page

Football or farce? It’s hard to tell

I’m trying to get into the football World Cup but the stench of how Qatar earned the hosting rights and the human rights issues which are evident, has taken some of the gloss off it.

I wouldn’t consider myself more than a casual football fan, I follow Manchester United on a casual basis but I always enjoy the World Cup in a similar vein to the Olympics or

Commonwealth Games.

The standard of football is compelling and if you can handle the theatrics, flips, poor sportsmanship and referee intimidation, the games are mostly interesting.

My first World Cup was 1998 where I picked the Netherlands as my future team because I thought they were audacious to wear all orange in public.

I remain hopeful that one day they will win it all.

On the surface, this looks like one of the more open tournaments in recent memories.

Favoured teams like Argentina, Belgium and Germany have already had shock setbacks in the first week.

I look forward to seeing how England cock-up their campaign as they always do.

The French have a young, athletic and talented squad which seems unphased by being the defending champions.

Brazil remain wildcards and probably the casual fans pick because of their flamboyant play and rich history of success.

I wonder if any of us Kiwis are cheering on Australia. They will need a result in their

final pool game to go through to the second round but they play a fast-paced style and they are sure to not die wondering.

The hope should be that the tournament helps human rights in Qatar, I doubt that will be the case, and an alcohol free event is also a first but it has to beat paying the $22 it was going to cost for one in the stadium.

Go the Dutch!

Clean sweep for Jake Whitaker

Young bowlers victorious

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata High School students dominated the two girls’ competitions at the Wellington Secondary Schools Regional Junior Lawn Bowls Tournament, held at the Johnsonville Bowling Club on 22 November.

Charvana Williams added the junior singles title to the recent award she won as College Sport Wellington Girl Bowler of the Year for 2022.

Charvana took the title after winning all the matches she played against the other girls in the contest.

Because there were only three entrants, Charvana also played matches against the boys, and performed very well in those games also, despite the strong gusty northerly and fast greens.

Mikayla Gore and Shaelyn Kilburn made it a double for Wainuiomata High School when they won the girls pairs title.

They won three games, compared with Newlands College who won one game to secure second placing.

Wainuiomata High School was also represented in both the boys singles and pairs competition.

Ryder Sayring finished fourth in

the boys singles, while Eli Jellicoe and Connor Keale took out the fourth placing in the boys pairs.

The junior tournament is open to year 9 and 10 students.

The Wainuiomata High School players are now looking forward to contesting the Wellington Secondary Schools Regional Senior Lawn Bowls Tournament, to be played during the first school term of 2023.

The students train out of the Wainuiomata Bowling Club with bowls and coaching provided by the club and have been doing so for the past four years.

Volleyballers perform very well

Wainuiomata High School’s boys’ volleyball team has come a long way this year, thanks to the coaching team of Virginia Masuna and Trina Tonise and manager Carolyn Perry.

The team performed very well at College Sport Wellington’s junior regional competition this month.

Despite being unseeded, they finished fourth out of the 16 teams in the competition.

After qualifying for the semifinals, they lost to the eventual tournament winners, St Pats Silverstream.

They then competed in the lower North Island junior tournament, held in Porirua, and placed fourth, beating Paraparaumu, Waitara, Mana and St Pats Wellington.

Once again Wainuiomata High School qualified for the semi-finals and once again they lost to St Pats Silverstream.

Wainuiomata’s Lucas Orbell was named in the Lower North Island

Tournament team.

The WHS team was Lucas Orbell, Ilal Vagana, Javaize Garrett, Reihana Te Rauna, Kaelyn Campbell, Tema Va’amailalo and Tominiko Muavae.

By Andy McGechan

Wainuiomata’s Jake Whitaker made it a clean sweep when he won the fourth round of the New Zealand Extreme Off-Road Championship series in the Akatarawa Forest on 27 November.

With four wins from four starts in the elite Gold Grade this season, Jake was clearly the best individual in the competition. In fact he was so good that he had actually wrapped up the national title for 2022 with a round to spare.

Even with the main silverware already locked away in his bulging trophy cabinet after winning the first three rounds of this series, Jake (KTM 300 EXC) was still taking no prisoners at the fourth and final round.

He said he had "built a pretty big lead" by the time the chequered flag came out after more the five hours of unbearable graft and slog at the Moonshine Valley venue, quite an understatement when you consider he actually finished the race a massive 49 minutes ahead of the eventual runner-up, New Plymouth's Tony Parker (Husqvarna TE300).

In the end, only these two leading riders were able to complete three

laps of the demanding slippery, steep and treacherous circuit, with the third-placed Luke Corson (Beta RR300), from Whitecliffs, finishing a lap behind the leading pair.

"It was terrain I am familiar with and comfortable on," Jake said after the race.

"This was possibly the wettest race I've ever competed in. It was pretty tricky riding it and the event organisers cancelled one of the river sections after a few bikes got drowned.

"I think they took that out because it really could have ruined the day for quite a few people.

"Tony [Parker] caught me up at one stage, but I then managed to extend my lead again after that. We had big rock slabs to ride up and it was like riding on ice. My bike was set up perfectly and I had some great tyres.”

Jake won this series overall in 2019 and again last year and is also a record eight-time former New Zealand trial champion.

As a record winner of the New Zealand Extreme Off-Road Championships, which he has now won three times since it was first created in 2018, Jake will no doubt be tipped as title favourite at the start of next season.

Charvana Williams wearing the medal she won as the Wellington secondary schools junior bowls champion. Photo: Supplied.

Mikayla Gore and Shaelyn Kilburn with their medals as winners of the pairs competition. Photo: Supplied.

Wainuiomata's Jake Whitaker so dominated this year's New Zealand Extreme O -Road Championship series, that, even with the title already in the bag, that he wrapped it up with yet another convincing win at the nal round. Photo: Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com.

Wainuiomata High School’s volleyball team (back row from left): Tema Va’amailalo, Tominiko Muavae, Kaelyn Campbell, Ilal Vagana, Lucas Orbell and coach Virginia Masunu; (front row from left): coach Trina Tonise, Reihana Te Rauna and Javaize Garrett.