3 April Wainuiomata News

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Frank Neill wainui@wsn.co.nz 027 490 3916

Large turnout to Easter Market

Continued from page 1

“It was wonderful,” Love Wainuiomata’s Co-ordinator Chastity Card says.

There was a huge turnout, and Chastity estimates around 1,000 people attended the market throughout the four hours.

“We loved how the community came and supported it.”

Most of the food stalls sold out.

There were also craft stalls selling some beautiful items, as well as baking and make your own merchandise.

One of the highlights of the evening was local kaumatua and

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members of the Wainuiomata community performing karaoke, Chastity says.

As well as joining in the karaoke, the members of Tihei Rangatahi also performed a number of items.

“They were our number one supporters, clapping in a row while the kaumatua performed their items,” Chastity says.

Tihei Rangathi is a Wainuiomata youth initiative that provides quality programmes to enhance the wellbeing of the valley’s rangatahi.

Another highlight was provided by rangtahi from Ulalei Wainuiomata, who helped clean and tidy

up the hall and helped stall holders carry material to the vehicles after the event ended.

“They received a lot of praise on social media,” Chastity says.

Keelan Renata, who is 15 years old, also provided the market with valuable assistance, helping Love Wainuiomata set up the event.

When asked if there would be another Easter Market next year, Chastity said that the organisers were going to hold a debrief, where that would be discussed.

However, following the huge success of the Easter Market, markets will “just grow bigger from here.

“We hope to see you again at the next community market,” Chastity says.

The Easter Market came to be following a suggestion made by Lenry Levao from Bayley’s Lower Hutt.

He placed a post on Wainuiomata community Facebook pages asking about support for an Easter Market.

After the post received a huge amount of support, Henry reached out to Love Wainuiomata.

Love Wainuiomata then collaborated with Kōkiri Marae and Hutt City Council to make the event become a reality.

Recalled products can cause fires

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Volunteer Fire Brigade is warning people to stop using two products that have been recalled for safety reasons.

One product is Toshiba Laptop AC Adapters and the other is Serene Classic S2068 wall mounted bathroom heater.

The Serene S2068 heaters, manufactured in March 2021 have a defect.

This has led to the heaters causing several fires and overheating events.

The Toshiba laptop adapters may overheat and cause a fire.

This can happen as material within the plug deteriorates over time.

Dynabrook recommends turning off power to the adapter immediately at the wall socket, unplugging the adapter and to stop using it. Visit https://serviceportal.anz. dynabook.com/supportlists to determine if the adapter is affected and, if so, register to return it for a free replacement adapter.

With the Serene bathroom heaters “there is a significant risk of people being seriously harmed and property being damaged by fire if the heaters are turned on,” the brigade says.

“Check if your heater is a Serene model S2068 with a serial number in the range listed in the Product Identifiers section - you

will find this information on the top side of the unit when mounted on the wall.”

The prohibited S2068 heaters have a serial number in the following ranges: VH145173 – VH147003, VK154294 –VK160567 and WF167045 –WF168874.

“If you have this heater, stop using it right now,” the brigade says.

“Contact the retailer/supplier that you purchased it from to organise to return the heater for a remedy.

“If the heater is plugged into a wall socket, switch off the power at the socket, unplug it, and return the heater to the retailer/ supplier that you purchased it

from.

“If the heater is wired directly into your house rather than plugged into a wall socket, you should arrange for removal by an electrician. You can ask the supplier to organise this or cover the cost.

“If they do not agree you may be able to require them to under the Consumer Guarantees Act.

“If the retailer that sold you your heater hasn’t yet issued a voluntary recall, New Zealanders can ask for a replacement or a refund under the Consumer Guarantees Act.”

More information, including a list of supplier contact details, is on the brigade’s Facebook page.

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Thieves target retirement village

By Frank Neill

Villas at the Wainuiomata Masonic Village suffered not just one but two thefts in March.

On the first occasion a barbecue was stolen from one of the villas.

The second time an outdoor wicker sofa and chair were stolen from another villa.

One of the village residents saw what was happening during the second theft and captured the three people involved and the sofa and chair being stolen.

This video has been forwarded to the Police.

When residents checked the area later they discovered that the fence between the village and the walkway beside Hugh Sinclair Park had been marked at the two places opposite the villas where the thefts occurred.

The video of the theft taking place was posted on Facebook by an anonymous member on 24 March.

The posting attracted a seies of comments where people aired their disgust at the thefts.

“Fancy stealing from our retirement village residents,” one person posted: “Just shows how low you are.”

“That’s disgusting hope they are caught,” another person wrote.

“Lowlifes,” another said.

“2 males and a female?? How disrespectful, some people just got no respect these days,” was another post.

“Unbelievable in broad daylight ... and from our elderly folk ... surely someone knows something. Total lowlife,” yet another post said.

Police are investigating the thefts.

Move to restricted fire season

Wainuiomata moved from a prohibited to a restricted fire season on 27 March.

A restricted fire season means people need a fire permit approved by Fire and Emergency New Zealand to light an outdoor fire.

Announcing the fire season change,

Community Risk Manager Phil Soal says cooler weather with increasingly dewy mornings has reduced the fire risk.

“However, some warm and windy periods are forecast to continue, and we urge people to take care when lighting fires outdoors with a permit,” he says.

Fire brigade seeking volunteer

The Wainuiomata Volunteer Fire Brigade is seeking to recruit a volunteer for its Operational Support Crew.

“We have an important role within the service including managing traffic, attending floods, lighting and assisting our Operational Firefighters with hoses, food and keeping them hydrated during major incidences,” says Brenda Janes, the brigade’s Recruit Operational Support Fire Fighter.

“We pretty much do an -

ything except put the wet stuff on the hot stuff as we describe it.

“It is very rewarding giving back to the community as well as gaining lots of new skills along the way.

“We are all like whānau and have awesome social activities throughout the year,” Brenda says.

Applicants for the role need to be located in Wainuiomata. To apply or for more information email brenda.janes@ fireandemergency.nz.

Some fire types are allowed without a permit in a restricted fire season, but under conditions. These include gas or charcoal barbecues and hangi, umu or lovo.

Go to www.checkitsalright.nz for more information about lighting outdoor fires and to apply for a fire permit.

The flu. Don’t get it. Don’t give it!

There’s a nip in the air for sure lately. Which means now is the time to think about getting a flu shot.

Clive reckons that almost everyone can benefit from the protection of an annual flu shot.

Getting the flu is a major threat as it can spread quickly through the community.

Not matter how fit, healthy, or tough you are, you’re not immune to the flu. It can strike at any time and will leave you unable to do just about anything.

The flu can make you seriously ill and keep you in bed for at least a week. This is particularly true if you are elderly or have an ongoing medical condition.

However, even if you don’t feel sick, you could still have the virus and pass it on to others.

A common misunderstanding is that the flu vaccine can give you the flu. This is not true. The flu shot is made up of dead flu viruses, so you can’t catch the flu from them. What happens is

that after your shot, your body learns what the flu looks like, so if you are exposed to the virus your body can fight it off.

Ideally, you should be vaccinated before May. Clive’s Chemist has the flu shot available now.

Getting immunised is your best protection.

Over 65’s are FREE!

It’s quick and convenient, to get vaccinated at Clive’s. I’d much rather everyone came in now for a flu jab, than have to see everyone later for flu medication.

The process is easy. One of the pharmacists at Clive’s will take you through some information regarding your vaccination to make sure the flu shot is right for you.

Book on our website: www.clives.co.nz or give us a call 5648618. Come in and see us now!

The Wainuiomata Fire Station. Photo:

While one burglary at the Wainuiomata Masonic Village was taking place. The man on the left is about to lift up a sofa and the woman on the right will then move to take it as the man hands it over the fence. Photo: Supplied.

Fun day climaxes Ulalei’s golden summer

Ulalei Wainuiomata Sport’s busy summer came to a successful end at its second Māori and Pasifika Soccer Fun Day last weekend.

More than 150 tamariki enjoyed a day of soccer on a glorious autumn day at Wise Park where the 22 teams played five games followed by entertaining games against the parents.

The purpose of the fun day is to promote soccer in Wainuiomata’s Māori and Pasifika communities and grow the playing numbers which currently sits at a lowly 3% of the total playing population in Aotearoa.

Ulalei patron Fauono Ken Laban observed that it was the perfect end

to Ulalei’s first foray into soccer.

“When Capital Football came to me asking for ideas about increasing the number of Pasifika and Māori players, I immediately turned to those who know the game of soccer and organising events for our tamaiti in Wainuiomata,” he says.

“Scott (McLeod), Katrina (Barclay) and Vatau (Sagaga) have done a fantastic job in raising the profile of the game in Wainuiomata with Ulalei’s primary schools league and fun days.

“They have actually reached all of Wainuiomata’s tamaiti, not only the Māori and Pasifika community and that is impressive.”

The huge crowd that enjoyed Ulalei’s Soccer Fun Day last weekend. Photo: Supplied. Ulalei’s primary schools competition also concluded last week in balmy conditions also at Wise Park. Ulalei’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by those in the local halls of power.

“Ulalei Wainuiomata Sport has increased football and other sport significantly ... getting tamariki out to have fun and try new sports is stunning! Congratulations to the team who are working so hard to make amazing initiatives like this happen,” Hutt City Councillor Keri Brown says.

Ulalei now takes a break as the tamariki and their whānau prepare for winter sports.

“It’s been easily our busiest summer covering touch football, tag football and football,” Ulalei’s Vatau Sagaga says.

“We not only entered 12 teams into four competitions and two tournaments but we also ran two competitions and two fun days ourselves. So we are all going to enjoy this break.”

Ulalei acknowledges the great support from all of its sponsors this summer including Ministry for Pacific Peoples, One Foundation, Pacific Health Service Hutt Valley, Nuku Ora, Hapai te Hauora, Impact Legal Solicitors, Hutt City Council, Tipene Funeral Homes, Wainui Joinery, Reids Lawyers, Ben’s Movers, Barrel 2 Bottle, Raven Architects, Ziggy’s, Wright Electrical, Warm Breeze, The Hub Laundromat and Justice Paul Radich KC.

Rates rise of 16.9% proposed

A rates rise of 16.9% is proposed in Hutt City Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP) for 2024-34, released by the council on 27 March.

The proposed rates increase is for the year starting on 1 July 2024.

The increase means that a ratepayer with a residential property valued at $815,000 – the average residential valuation for Hutt City – will be paying $10.82 more per week.

Hutt City’s Councillors met on 27 March to approve the draft, clearing the way for the public to provide feedback for a month from 2 April to 3 May 2024.

The feedback will then be considered as part of the process to adopt the new LTP, which takes effect from 1 July 2024.

The plan prioritises investing $1.6 billion over 10 years to safeguard Hutt City’s water network and to provide effective stormwater and wastewater systems.

It also includes an extra $2.8 million to fund an immediate crackdown to eliminate the current backlog of water leaks in Lower Hutt.

For every $100 collected in rates, around $60 will be spent on water and transport infrastructure.

This, alongside the pressures of inflation, insurance increases and other unavoidable cost increases means Hutt City Council will be consulting on higher levels of rate increases and borrowing.

“We’ve had to make some difficult calls and after rigorous work have made $35

million in savings across the board,” the council said in a press release dated 27 March.

“We’ve also had to ensure we’re prioritising investment needed to bring critical roading and water infrastructure up to scratch.”

Mayor Campbell Barry says the LTP is about taking the next steps towards a thriving, resilient city.

"Putting together the draft LTP was a challenging process.

“We had to be mindful of the overall economic environment and cost of living pressures while balancing investment in key initiatives against financial responsibility and rates affordability.

"While our proposed rates increase is higher than anyone would want, we aren’t willing to kick the can down the road on crucial infrastructure. That would only cost us more in the long term.

"We look forward to hearing what the public has to say through the submission process," Mayor Barry says.

The LTP is available at www.huttcity. govt.nz/council/annual-plans-andpublications/10-year-plan-2024.

Key proposals the council says it wants to hear from the public about are:

• how much to invest in water services;

• whether to proceed with its food and green organics (FOGO) initiative;

• whether to provide extra financial assistance to help low-income families pay their rates; and

• how to prioritise investment in Petone.

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League champions’ season starting

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Lions will be looking to retain the Appleton Shield as Wellington’s rugby League champions when their 2024 season kicks off on 6 April.

The Lions will face the team they defeated 22-18 in last year’s final, the Porirua Vikings, at Ngati Toa Domain in the season opener.

If last year’s final is any indication, this match will see a tight tussle.

The Vikings led the 2023 final 12-10 at half time, but were outscored by the Lions by 12 points to 6 in the second half.

John Tahana Wharepapa-Tawiri was outstanding in the match and was named the final’s most valuable player.

The Lions co-captain, John scored a hat trick of tries. He also made a major break, beating defender after defender has he ran for

more than half the length of the field before passing to Regan Hauwaho, who went on to score a try.

The Lions second match this season will be a home game at Frederick Wise Park against St George Dragons on 13 April.

They then travel to Onepoto Park for a match against Toa on 20 April, followed by an even longer trip to Ōtaki Domain to play Whiti Te Ra ki Ōtaki on 27 April.

It will be back to Frederick Wise park for their match against Te Aroha Eels on 4 May, followed by an away game against Victoria Hunters on 11 May.

The Lions will complete their matches against the other seven teams in the competition when they meet Randwick at Frederick Wise Park on 18 May.

Each of the Lions matches will kick off at 2:30pm.

Softball Warriors come close

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Softball Club’s Under 13 Warriors came close to winning the 2023-24 Hutt Valley championship.

After qualifying for the final the team met Hutt City United at Fraser Park on 23 March.

Following a closely contested battle Hutt City United managed to edge ahead by one run. It took them until the final innings to gain the advantage, with Hutt City winning 5-4. Wainuiomata had the stand out player for the match, however, in pitcher Exodus Lia-Smith. Despite losing the final, the team – coached by Gary Sue and assisted by James Telwimate and Grant Gore – has performed outstandingly during the 2023-24 season.

Swindale Shield kicking off

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata’s premier Rugby team will kick off its bid for the Swindale Shield on Saturday 6 April.

The first match of the competition will be a home game for the team. They will play Avalon at William Jones Park.

The team will have another home game on 13 April when they play against Old Boys University on 13 April.

They then have two away matches, against Pōneke at Kilbirnie Park on 20 April and against Marist St Pat’s at Evans Bay Park on 27 April.

One of the big events during the Swindale Shield competition will be Old Timers Day on 4 May.

This will feature Wainuiomata playing Petone at their home ground of William Jones Park.

The next week will see them play Oriental-Rongotai at the Polo Ground and on 18 May they will be back at home playing Wellington.

Hutt Old Boys will be their next opponent on 25 May, with the match played at the Hutt Recreation Ground, and on 1 June they meet Northern United at Porirua Park.

The 8 June match against Tawa will be played at home, followed by two away games, against the Rams at Maidstone Park on 15 June and Johnsonville at Helston Park on 22 June.

The final Swindale Shield match of the season sees Wainuiomata play Paremata Plimmerton at home on 29 June.

All the Swindale Shield matches kick off at 2:45pm.

The following four weeks – 6, 13, 20 and 27 July – will see the finals played.

The Wainuiomata Lions just after they won the 2023 grand final. Photo: SixOne Creative.

Kitiona Leitufia scoring a try in Wainuiomata’s season opening victory over Hutt Old Boys last year. Photo: Supplied.

The Wainuiomata under 13 Warriors, who were runners-up in the Hutt Valley championships. Photo: Supplied.

Hui on solutions for Maori Unity

A Hui Taumata will be held in Ngāti Kahungunu on 31 May hosted by Omāhu Marae to identify solutions for Māori Unity - Kotahitanga.

Om ā hu Marae is the largest marae in Heretaunga Hastings.

“We saw thousands of people gather at TŪrangawaewae, Rātana and Waitangi,” Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Chair Bayden Barber says.

“One of the key themes spoken of at each of these hui was the need for Iwi Māori to unify.

“We must come together as an irresistible force that cannot be ignored, no matter who is sitting in government.

“We must not lose momentum on this important kaupapa.

“We need to take advantage of the energy and passion that is out there. The timing is right,” Bayden says.

Helmut Modlik, CEO of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, who facilitated a National Iwi Chairs Forum (NCIF) wānanga in Rotorua last month to start thinking about such issues, says: “We’ve done the talking.

“It’s now time to do the mahi and consider what Kotahitanga could look like in the 21st Century.

“If we are to truly achieve Rangatiratanga as a people, we need to come together, but it needs form and function.”

The Hui Taumata will be an action call to Māoridoms’ thought leaders from around the motu to put forward proposals and discussion documents on achieving Kotahitanga before the hui, so they can be considered and discussed by those

in attendance on May 31.

“If we can start forming the building blocks before the Hui Taumata, we won’t need to start from scratch as some of the thinking would have already been shared,” Bayden says.

“We have numerous existing collectives within Te Ao Māori such as the National Iwi Chairs Forum, NZ Māori Council, Māori Womens Welfare League etc. and they all play an important role.

“However, we are yet to achieve the Kotahitangi needed to truly influence.

“This government continues to ignore us. We need to change that.”

This is not the first time Ngāti Kahungunu has been involved in aims to unify Māori.

The Kotahitanga Movement started with a hui held at Waipatu Marae in Heretaunga in 1892.

Ngāti Kahungunu ancestors such as Te Whatahoro Jury, Henare Tomoana, Mohi Te Ātahūkoia and many others saw then what we are seeing now, that a unified iwi Māori is a powerful proposition.

“The TŪrangawaewae hui was a call from K Ī ngi T Ūheitia to unite on issues that were coming thick and fast from the Coalition Government, especially the attack on our founding document, Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” Rāhui Papa, spokesperson for Waikato Tainui says.

“We saw the power of a united iwi Māori.

“We now need to move to the next taumata or level where we can map out what constitutional

arrangments will collectively move Māori to the Mana Motuhake and Tino Rangatiratanga we aspire to.”

“K Īngi TŪheitia will be in attendance and is looking forward to supporting this important kaupapa,” the Ven Ngira Simmonds, the Office of the KĪngitanga spokesperson, says.

“The K Ī ngitanga was formed

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from the desire of iwi to unite under the common aspiration of Māori Mana Motuhake.

“We certainly are keen to bring our experience and aspirations to Omāhu in May. We will also report our findings from the Hui-ā-Motu held back in January.”

Bayden is encouraging iwi and Māori organisations to come pre-

pared to discuss and debate.

“Kaua e haere mai me tō rae anake. Haria mai ō whakaaro hei waihanga i tō tātou whare,” he says.

In association with the National Iwi Chairs Forum, the Hui Taumata will be hosted by Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc., Mana Ahuriri, Ngā ti Pā hauwera, Ngāti Hineuru and Omāhu Marae/ Te Piringa HapŪ

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The Omāhu Marae. Photo: Supplied.