4 October Wainuiomata News

By Frank Neill

How to reach us

Phone (04) 587 1660

Address 23 Broderick Rd, Johnsonville

P.O. Box 38-776, WMC 5045

Fax (04) 587 1661

ONLINE: www.wsn.co.nz

REPORTER

Frank Neill

wainui@wsn.co.nz

027 490 3916

Over eight years in the making

Continued from page 1

It is currently covered, awaiting Saturday’s unveiling.

The Wainuiomata Marae will conduct the karakia at the official opening of the sign, says Anaru Ryall, the Co-ordinator of Love Wainuiomata, which has managed the Welcome Sign project.

The sign’s designer Tamariki Ferguson will be present at the unveiling as will Tiaki Dahm who carved the Pou that holds the sign.

The Mayor, local Hutt City Councillors, members of the Wainuiomata Community Board and local Members of Parliament have been invited to the event.

A new Welcome to Wainuiomata sign was first mooted more than eight years ago.

SALES

Les Whiteside

les@wsn.co.nz

021 360 008

In 2015 Harcourts Wainuiomata launched a competition to find a design for the new sign and Tamariki won the contest. His design was selected by an online vote, which attracted more than 14,000 voters. Tamariki was one of four finalists chosen by the judging panel of Trevor Mallard,

Linda Olsen and Ruth O’Grady.

The inspiration for his winning design, Tamariki said “comes from our community itself.

“A diverse range of cultures that live in a vibrant and growing place that is unique to anywhere else in the Wellington region.

“The two carved posts on the sides [Pou] are like spiritual guardians welcoming people to and protecting our community.

“These will be adorned with carvings/symbols from each of the five continents (all cultures) represented in Wainuiomata as well.

“The three green curved lines represent the rivers/creeks that run through our valley,

“The hill shaped top represents the hills that surround us and the brushed steel plate represents the contemporary way forward.

“The three shades of green represent the colour with which our community is most identifiable with/for out on the sports/ recreational fields.

“Although modern in look, hav-

NATIONAL

SALES

Sam Barnes

sam@wsn.co.nz 021 109 4406

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Free items available

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata people looking for items like doors, fixtures, fittings, chattels and small furniture have an opportunity to collect the items at no cost.

Greater Wellington Regional Council and Ceres Environmental NZ have been demolishing houses on Pharazyn and Marsden Streets as part of the Riverlink project. They are making items they have salvaged available from

ing traditionally carved posts pays homage to our tangata whenua and early settlers to the valley.”

The time taken to bring the project near to completion has been caused by a number of issues.

An early delay arose when Love Wainuiomata had a major struggle to find the large scale Totara logs needed for the Pou, which have been carved by Tiaki.

The wood needed to be seasoned and wide enough to be carved and still hold the sign’s weight.

Love Wainuiomata finally sourced logs that could be used for the Pou in November 2018 and the Pou then needed to be carved.

Nearly five years later, following a number of other unforeseen delays, the sign is finally in place.

9 to 11am and noon to 2pm on Saturday 7 October at the old Styrobeck builing, 66 Pharazyn Street.

Parking will be available on site, and the organisers are more than happy to help load items people wish to

take.

T he organisers will not be able to arrange transport of items, place items on hold or schedule pickups later. Items must be taken on the day and are on a first come first served basis.

Tamariki Ferguson’s winning design for the Welcome to Wainuiomata sign. Photo: Supplied.

Art Show with a difference

By Frank Neill

An Art Show with a difference will be presented at the Pioneer Church from 1 to 5pm on Sunday 5 November.

The show will feature paintings created by members of the Wainuiomata Art Society, who used the the Coast Road Church as their club room.

Their Annual Art Show was one of the special events on the Wainuionata calendar.

In recognition of this the Pioneer Church committee has decided to again host an art show.

This event will take place as part of the Wellington Heritage Festival which runs from 23 October to 5 November and will feature a wide variety of events throughout the Wellington region.

“We will display paintings from local artists but will also display paintings done by the original artists, many of whom are sadly no longer with us,” says Joyce Lockyer, who launched the initiatve to restore Wainuiomta’s Pioneer Church.

“These paintings have been very kindly loaned by family and friends of the artists.”

Everyone is welcome to the art show and

entry is free.

Also the Church will have their famous Devonshire Afternoon Tea on sale.

During the afternoon a Rhododendron tribute will be unveiled for the late Ken Loan.

Mr Loan was the Church’s caretaker before it was closed to the public in the 1950s.

He also wrote the book “Wainuiomata Union Parish: 25th Anniversary”, which was published in 1978.

“We are sure that families of the artists will all attend [the art show] and it will be a mini reunion for them.

“Do come along and enjoy a lovely afternoon,” Joyce says.

The Church committee has managed to contact many of the families of the Wainuiomata Arts Society’s artists. However the committee does not have contact details for all the families of former Art Society members from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

“We would be delighted to hear from any of them if we have not already been in touch,” Joyce says.

People who have any information about former artists can ring Joyce on 022 2326 0235.

Buttimore

Brian Creedy

Dust off my golf clubs and play more.

Sue McKenzie

Go for more walks.

Amy Eyles

Hopefully start to get up the hill again.

Viv Broughton

The Pioneer Church, which is hosting an art show with a difference on 5 November. Photo: Frank Neill.

Arts fund closing soon

By Frank Neill

Applications for funding to support Wainuiomata participation in co mmunity arts and culture projects close soon.

Creative Communities

Fund applications close on Saturday 14 October.

The Creative Communities Scheme funding is provided by Creative Communities NZ and is aimed at supporting community groups and individuals to contribute to the creative life of Hutt City residents and visitors.

Funding is available for

Living Wage really important

By Frank Neill

projects that:

within 12 months of Hutt and mainly benefit people living in Lower Hutt and local communi-

started before fundingceived funding from Creative New Zealand for the same purpose. More information is at hutt.city/communityfunding

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Trades

(04) 564 8618

It is really important to preserve the Living Wage movement says Wainuiomata resident Ken Renata. This movement provides accreditation to employers who pay the current Living Wage, which is $26 an hour.

These employers can then use the Living Wage Employer logo and call themselves a “Living Wage Employer”.

Mr Renata made a presentation recently on the Living Wage during a seminar held at the Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt.

Other speakers at the presentation included Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry and Deputy Mayor Tui Lewis.

Mr Renata presented on how the Living Wage came about and its importance for workers.

Before the Living Wage movement started he was working as a security guard.

“I had to work 70 hours a week to afford to live,” he said.

With the living wage, however, “you are just hanging above the water.

“There are a lot of companies [and organisations] that are starting to pay it now,” he said.

One of his fears is that if National wins the election the Living Wage will come to a “dead stop” because the party will stop it altogether.

“That is just making it harder on the ones who are working,” Mr Renata said.

The Living Wage is an hourly rate.

Set apart from the minimum wage, it’s worker and wh nau focused.

Paying the Living Wage rate is voluntary. Employers who pay the Living Wage want to make sure their workers get enough money to live with dignity.

The Living Wage considers basic expenses, and gives breathing room for rest, activities, or saving for a rainy day.

“It’s good for collective wellbeing, and our economy,” the Living Wage website says.

Ken Renata with Wainuiomata Ward Councillor Keri Brown at the Living Wage seminar.

Photo: Supplied.

Make submissions on Streets for People

By Frank Neill

As Hutt City Council prepares to instal the semi-permanent designs for its Wainuiomata Maru – Streets for People project it is wanting to hear feedback from the community.

“I encourage people to have their say in the submission process to make sure their voice is heard,” says Wainuiomata Ward Councillor Keri Brown.

She had heard some “strong feedback” in reaction to the temporary Streets for People installations, but the people had not made submissions to the council and so it had not heard that feedback.

The council has set up two methods for people to provide feedback.

The council will hold two drop-in sessions at the Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub.

These will take place from 10am to 4pm on the next two Thursdays – 5 October and 12 October.

People can also send their feedback or questions to the council at wainuistreets@ huttcity.govt.nz by 5pm, Monday 16 October.

From the trials held in May this year, the council heard that there is shared vision to improve safety in the area – particularly for rangatahi and tamariki walking, scootering or biking around schools.

Based on feedback from the community and data from the trial the council has made updates to the previous trial design.

There are also some new additions including a time-limited clearway on Konini Street to help with congestion at school drop-off and pick-up, and chicanes on Totara Street to further reduce speeds and improve safety.

The semi-permanent design is expected to be in place over the next few years as the council progresses towards a permanent design.

Elements of the semi-permanent design can still be changed even after it’s put in place. Once the semi-permanent design is in place, the council will check in with the community again over the 2023-24 summer.

The Maru – Streets for People project aims to make it feel safer, more inviting and acces-

Chris Bishop

Successful candidates meeting

sible for residents of all ages to walk, skate, scooter or bike through the area and to spend time in public spaces.

Key features of the project are: a blue lines clearway along the south side of Konini Street, restricting parking during peak times of school drop-off and pick-up; some parking removed, to increase visibility of/for pedestrians and reduce congestion; tightening of intersections to reduce crossing distance for pedestrians and slow traffic down;

adding chicanes on Totara Street to reduce speeds;

adding raised courtesy crossings near laneways on Totara Street, Karamu Street and Hinau Grove to indicate safe points to cross the road; and seating and drop-off/pick-up point at the end of Rata Street.

Funding for this work comes from Waka Kotahi’s Innovating Streets for People fund.

Waka Kotahi provides 90% of the funding for the project and Hutt City Council provides the remaining 10% from existing budgets. More information about the project is on the council’s website, at www.huttcity.govt. nz/council/our-projects/streets-for-people/ semi-permanent-design

Hutt South Candidates met with members of Wainuiomata Grey Power on Wednesday 27 September.

Five candidates attended the meetingGinny Andersen, Labour; Chris Bishop, National; Neelu Jennings, Green Party; Ben Wylie, The Opportunities Party and Lee Donoghue, NZ First.

All five candidates were asked to cover five key questions from the Grey Power membership.

Concerns included possible changes to the existing New Zealand superannuation, support for those wanting to stay at home as opposed to going into residential care, retention of the winter energy payment, and a review of current accommodation allowances.

All candidates answered the concerns of those attending to varying degrees.

All but National will keep 65 years as the age for getting the pension. National will raise this to 67 years.

All candidates will retain the winter energy payment and the Greens will increase it by $16.

The candidates were respectful of each other and our members posed well-con-

sidered questions from the floor so it was a successful meeting for all concerned. However, most of the seniors present agreed that Grey Power is more important now more than ever to ensure that seniors are not forgotten or overlooked in future planning.

Many of those in government are young so working alongside them to remind them of our life-experience, our resilience over the years and our future needs can only be a win-win everyone.

New members to Grey Power Wainuiomata will be very welcome. Phone Helen Thomas 022 109 6722 for more information.

Grey Power

An artist’s impression of the intersection tightening that is in the Streets for People plan.An artist’s impression of the new chicane on Totara Street.

Local helps NZ to win

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata Footballer Brooke

Neary helped New Zealand to victory in the 2023 Oceania Under-16 Women’s Football Championship in Papeete, Tahiti.

New Zealand won the title thanks to a last minute goal to take out a 1-0 victory over Fiji in the tournament final on 26 September.

Just when it looked like the result may be decided on penalties Ela Jerez put in a perfect pass to Katie Pugh, who found the back of the net.

Victory in the Oceania Championship means that New Zealand has qualified for the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup, to be played in the Dominican Republic next year.

The victory also fulfilled one of Brooke’s aims.

“I’m hoping to make Wainuiomata proud by winning the qualifiers,” Brooke told the “Wainuiomata News” before leaving for the tournament.

That is exactly what has now happened.

New Zealand qualified for the final with three victories in their three pool matches.

They defeated the Cook Island 12-0, Fiji 4-1 and Vanuatu by the huge score of 27-0.

The semi-final also saw New Zealand win comfortably, beating Tonga 7-0.

Now aged 15, Brooke played as a goal keeper, a position she only took up this year.

She began playing with the Wainuiomata Football Club when she was five years old.

For the next nine years she played for Wainuiomata and this year she has been playing for the Phoenix Academy in the Capital Development League.

This year she is also in her third season playing for her school, Hutt Valley High School, and this year her team won the Wellington Secondary Schools Competition.

As well as Football, Brooke has

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Return to public ownership proposed

Bus infrastructure in greater Wellington may return to being publicly owned.

This follows a decision by Greater Wellington Regional Council to consult with the public on this as part of its upcoming 2024 Long Term Plan process.

The council made this decision at its meeting on 24 August.

Brooke Neary in action for Wainuiomata. Photo: Imray’s Snaps. also played cricket, including playing in Wellington representative teams, although she has now given that up so that she can focus on Football.

Currently, key public transport assets such as depots, buses and charging infrastructure are privately owned and operated as part of existing service contracts.

However, Greater Wellington has plans to increase control over these assets to enable faster and more integrated investment in bus services across the region.

Greater Wellington’s Chair Daran Ponter highlighted the importance of communities having their say on the future of the region’s bus network.

“As communities will know, public transport plays an incredibly important role in connecting people and places, as well as a pivotal role in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

“The more people we can move with the fewest vehicles, the better, and to be able to do that we need the right infrastructure in the right place.

“To enable rapid growth to both the size and frequency of our network we need cer-

tainty over critical transport infrastructure and their timely investment,” Cr Ponter says. When it comes to scaling up public transport and cutting transport emissions, communities need to be thinking 10, 15 and 20 years into the future and making investment decisions now to enable sustained growth into the future, Thomas, Nash, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Transport Committee says.

“When key bus assets, in particular bus depots, are owned across multiple private companies with fixed t erm contracts, developing an integrated and longerterm investment strategy for critical infrastructure can be challenging.

“We need to ensure that key assets remain available for public transport use, and we need to work with various partners so critical electricity infrastructure is in place as we continue to electrify our bus fleet and prepare the ground for mass transit in the future,” Cr Nash says.

Communities will be able to have their say on bus infrastructure ownership, and a range of other topics key to the work of Greater Wellington across the region, as part of the public consultation on its Long Term Plan.

This consultation is currently scheduled for the first quarter of 2024.

CATTERY Casa De Wootton, home away from home. Rural surroundings. 187 Moores Valley Road. Phone Jane 5644310

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National contest comes to Wainui

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata High School is hosting this year’s National Junior K o Rahi competition.

The championship will be held at Frederick Wise Park from 14 to 16 November.

Although registrations for the competition are still open, Wainuiomata High School teacher M t auranga Te Rauna says he expects around 32 teams will enter the event, meaning more than 600 players will be involved.

That already includes nine teams from the Wellington area – the most from this region who have entered the K o Rahi junior nationals.

The junior competition is for year 9 and 10 students, although areas schools can include year 7 and 8 students in their teams.

Although Wainuiomata High School is the major host of the competition, it is receiving assistance from other schools and teachers in the area.

Wainuiomata High School is entering a team in the competition

“and I’m expecting us to do pretty well,” Mr Te Rauna says.

“Last year we came fifth and this year we are aiming for a top four finish,” he says.

“We want to get heaps of people to come down to Wise Park and watch and to get behind the Wellington and Hutt Valley teams,” he says.

K o Rahi is steadily growing at Wainuiomata High School.

The school’s mixed team won this year’s College Sport Wellington championships. The school also hosted this event.

This year its senior team finished

seventh out of 40 teams in the competition.

Following the competition three Wainuiomata high School students were selected in the New Zealand secondary school team.

Reihana Te Rauna, Kahukura Te Rauna and Braddock Akuhata have been named in the team. They will play in a tournament over Labour Weekend in the Bay of Plenty. One of the matches the New Zealand Secondary Schools team will play will be against the New Zealand M ori Secondary School team and this encounter will see a Wainuiomata father on one side and his two sons on the other.

M tauranga Te Rauna, is the coach of the M ori team and his sons Reihana and Kahukura will be in the opposing team.

Representing New Zealand

Four Wainuiomata players have been selected to represent New Zealand in girls age group Rugby League.

Riana Le’afa-Paki and Ngaroahiahi Rimoni have been selected in the Under 16 Aotearoa Whaanui team.

Pasikalia Tuiatua and Jessica Patea have been selected in the New Zealand Under 18 Rugby League team.

As well as playing League for Wainuiomata, the four also play Rugby in the Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club’s NextGen girls team.

Riana and Ngaroahiahi were members of the Wellington Orcas team that qualified for the final of the under 16 New Zealand Rugby League Championship. However they were beaten 18-4 by the Counties Manukau

THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Stingrays in the final, played on 26 September.

Pasikalia and Jessica were in the under 18 Wellington Orcas team that qualified for the semi-finals of the New Zealand competition.

The Counties Manukau Stingrays once again got in the Orcas’ way, winning the match to decide third and fourth placings by 12-6 on 26 September.

Vote now in the General Election.

Pioneer Church needs gardeners

For a number of years now the Gardening Club has been maintaining the Gardens at the Coast Road Pioneer Church.

The lovely gardens have received lots of accolades from locals and visitors alike.

The Gardening Club is looking for volunteers to join the happy friendly group who meet once a month to work together to keep these beautiful gardens surrounding the Wainuiomata Pioneer Church looking good.

The work involves light weeding and trimming only and the group ranges in age from the early sixties to the eighties so age is no barrier. The group only meets for one afternoon a month and always finishes the day with a cup of tea and a chat so it is a great opportunity to make new friends.

To find out more about the Gardening Club ring Andrea on 027 682 8771.

Action like this comes to Wainuiomata next month with the New Zealand junior Kī o Rahi championships. Photo: Supplied.

Ginny Andersen

for Hutt South

YOU CAN VOTE FROM TODAY AT THE WAINUIOMATA WAR MEMORIAL HALL, 1 QUEEN STREET

Authorised by Rob Salmond, 187 Featherston Street, Wellington.