8 March Wainuiomata News

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Frank Neill

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Fire Brigade was ‘amazing’

Continued from page 1

The fire began while the partner of Liane-Ann’s daughter was working on a car parked just a metre away from the house.

He was under the car, drilling into one of the panels. Unknown to him, the car had been modified and he drilled into the petrol line. A stray spark then ignited the fuel and the car was quickly engulfed in flames.

That happened so rapidly that her daughter’s partner dislocated his shoulder trying to get out from under the car and a friend had to pull him out.

pital, and then discharged that night.

After extinguishing the car, which was written off in the blaze, firefighters went through the house because it was filled with smoke.

“They went through the whole house and opened every single door and every single window,” Liane-Anne says.

They also checked with instruments to see that the house was safe to enter.

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Les Whiteside les@wsn.co.nz

021 360 008

The Fire Brigade was called to the blaze at around 8:40pm, and in the meantime some of the eight or so neighbours who came to help had brought fire extinguishers.

Initially it looked like they may have got the fire under control, but it flared again, threatening the house.

“We had just had brand new carpet throughout the house. They were just so tidy inside the house you wouldn’t have noticed they had been there. There was not one footprint on the new carpet.

“That was just amazing.

“The Fire Brigade were just so supportive and so awesome. They went above and beyond. They were just so wonderful.”

The neighbours who came to help were also amazing, LianeAnne says.

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The brigade arrived on the scene quickly, however, and rapidly extinguished the blaze, but not before it had done about $200 worth of damage to the paintwork on the house.

As well as putting out the fire, the brigade also called an ambulance, both for Liane-Ann’s daughter’s partner and for her son, who had cracked a rib while trying to help.

“So we had an ambulance here within minutes as well.”

They were both taken to hos-

“We even had one of the neighbours bring us sausage rolls the next day and come to check that we were all right.”

Liane-Ann and her family had just returned to Wainuiomata to live around two weeks before the fire. They had moved from Wainuiomata to Stokes Valley, but decided to return mainly because of the community is so supportive.

“It is so lovely being back.

“To raise kids Wainuiomata is definitely the place to be. It is so

different to other places in New Zealand.

“I always knew that Wainuiomata was filled with such love and support for each other, but to have that after only being back for two weeks, I can’t even express what

it meant to us.”

To the Wainuiomata Volunteer Fire Brigade, Wellington Free Ambulance and the neighbours who came to assist, “thank you all so very much from the bottom of our hearts,” Liane-Ann says.

Building back better, safer and smarter

The regions devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle are special to so many people, both here in New Zealand and abroad. There’s a real appetite to support these communities to get back on their feet as soon as possible, and it’s been incredible to see so many people, including here in Wainuiomata, already making donations and offers of assistance.

To support this, our Government has established the new Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Fund. This will complement existing donation appeals, and help to ensure that local and international donations are channelled back to the communities and projects that need them the most. This includes medium to long term recovery projects that help to build resilience for the future, as well as fixing the facilities where people come together, like sports clubs, marae or community halls.

Just like with the earthquakes in Christchurch and then Kaik ura, the legacy of the recent extreme weather is going to be with us for many years to come. As a Government, we’re focused on supporting and empowering local communities to rebuild in the way that works best for those communities. We’re committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with every affected region as they recover – backing them to lead their local responses.

The new Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Fund is just one of the ways that we’re helping to do that. By chipping in, people across New Zealand and around the world, can help our cyclone damaged regions to build back better, safer, and smarter. If you want to learn more about it, or how you can help, you can head to the website: www.cycloneappeal.govt.nz

Our Government has also moved quickly

to put in place a range of measures to support affected New Zealanders. For example, our community support package has helped to provide immediate relief for individuals, families, and households. We’ve also put in place funding to help farmers, growers, whenua M ori owners and rural communities mobilise and co-ordinate recovery efforts.

On top of that, we’re providing $25 million in grants to help businesses in cyclone-affected regions clean up and get back on their feet. Our priority is to get this initial emergency support out as fast as possible. Those who are on the ground in communities know how to do this most effectively, so we’re working together.

Firefighter Dave Logan (left) and Alex Conde operating a hose during training. Photo: Frank Neill.

Huge help for cyclone sufferers

By Frank Neill

The generosity of Wainuiomata people and the outstanding leadership provided by the K kiri Marae and the Wainuiomata Marae resulted in massive assistance for people living on the East Coast who were affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Two truck and trailer loads containing mainly food, clothing and blankets travelled from K kiri Marae – one going to Ruatoria and the other to Gisborne.

One truck contained 60 pallets of food and clothing, while the other truck contained 52 pallets, and the two trucks and trailers were loaded on the weekend of 25 and 26 February.

“We estimated that the stuff that left K kiri Marae was a shade over quarter of a million dollars,” Star Olsen, the Wainuiomata Marae Chair, told the “Wainuiomata News”.

“That was amazing.

“That’s the beauty of a Marae – people respond when you put the call out,” Star said.

“The Wainuiomata Marae also put the call out and people have been dropping off their donations.

“Wh nau have been taking these goods to towns like Wairoa and Ruatoria in their vehicles.”

That work is continuing, as no end is in sight for the wh nau who have been badly affected by the cyclone.

Wainuiomata Marae continues to be open from 9am to 5pm daily to receive donated goods, ready for wh nau to transport to designated towns.

Every day volunteers at the Marae are sorting the donations and packing them into bags ready to be transported, particularly to families that have missed out to date.

When the “Wainuiomata News” went to print, the Marae also had a number of vans packed and ready to take much needed items to East Coast towns.

Wainuiomata Marae is not taking any monetary donations, however K kiri Mare has set up a fund to assist people affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and is receiving donations.

Both the Wainuiomata Marae and K kiri Marae are very appreciative of the support given by the Wainuiomata community, and thank people very much for their donations.

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Steak. It is full of the best proteins you can ever have.

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Phil Glen Roast pork dinner with apple sauce and roast veges. It takes me back to my childhood.

Fish and chips because I love seafood.

Chicken Katsu. It’s deep fried chicken on rice.

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Just some of the donations for people affected by Cyclone Gabrielle before they were loaded onto trucks and trailers at KōKiri Marae. Photo: Supplied.

Swimming hole upgraded

By Frank Neill

The popular Wainuiomata Regional Park swimming hole – known locally as “the ultimate” –is now open again.

Greater Wellington Regional Council closed the swimming hole on 7 February so a new retaining wall to stop erosion at the popular swimming destination could be built.

The riverbank had become unstable due to the river naturally eating away at the bank and the popularity of the spot with people getting in and out of the river.

In order to make this swimming hole safe and swim-

To the Editor

Letters on issues of community interest are welcomed. A maximum of 150 words please. Email them to news@wsn. co.nz or drop in to our office at 23 Broderick Road,

mable for years to come, the council has built a new natural retaining wall using a product called FlexMSE.

This is a retaining wall that can actually be planted. The idea is that over time these plants will grow and cover the retaining wall with natural foliage, while the bags themselves have a soft fabric surface suitable for swimmers' feet.

Located around half way along the Gums Loop track, “the ultimate” has been a local favourite for generations. Now that the new wall is in place, it will be planted so that over time the plants will grow and cover the wall.

GARDENING THIS WEEK

GARDENING

CURRENTLY:

By Wally Richards

Johnsonville.

Please note that your name and street address MUST be provided with emails.

Letters/Opinions not necessarily those of the Wainuiomata News management.

It is certainly interesting times we are living in and also some gardening problems to overcome.

Recently I went looking for some vegetable seedlings and seed packets of vegetable that I wish to add to my gardens at this time.

I was after cauliflower seedlings to grow and harvest in winter and some onion seeds to sow now.

I had to visit several gardening places before I found the items I required.

This means that a lot of people have woken up to the fact that fresh produce in the supermarkets are several times dearer currently than they would normally be in March.

In fact in March there should be a glut of cheap fruit and vegetables available from spring and summer crops. There isn’t.

The supermarkets are now starting to import vegetables that are normally available in abundance from NZ growers. There Isn’t.

Imported produce is much more expensive than local grown hence if you are paying $5 for a small cabbage now soon you will be paying $10 or more.

I was talking recently to a check out operator at local supermarket than was saying there are several customers that are not at all friendly, now times.

I can understand why, people with limited money for buying food cant afford all the groceries that they are used to buying; their budget just does not stretch that far. Hence they can be grumpy and even a bit nasty to the Supermarket staff.

The same people are in a Catch 22

Insights into Policing

By Frank Neill

Police Pathways, a programme giving senior secondary school students the opportunity to see what working in the Police or associated disciplines is like, began for the year in Wainuiomata last week.

Wainuiomata High School students went to the Wainuiomata Police Station for the first day of the programme on Tuesday 28 February.

Every week they will spend two 95-minutes spells on Tuesdays and Thursdays on the programme, which runs for the rest of the year.

While most of the Police Pathways programme will run at the Police Station, there will also be a series of trips.

These will include visits to the Police dogs, the Police launch, the Police College, Wellington Airport and Police stations in Wellington and the Hutt Valley.

“The Police Pathways programme is a great way to promote the Police in a positive light,” says Sheree Holmes, the Careers Adviser at Wainuiomata High School.

This year a class of 14 year 13 students have opted into the course, Ms Holmes says.

The Wainuiomata Police, and particularly the officer in charge, Sergeant Pat Tangipo, have been instrumental in ensuring the programme is a success.

“Pat [Tangipo] has been awesome,” Ms Holmes says.

As well as introducing the stu-

dents to possible careers as Police officers, it also introduces them to other roles both within the Police and in crime-related disciplines outside the Police.

That ranges from Police office staff to forensics, from criminology to lawyering and to related roles in the public service.

“The Police are trying to encourage M ori, Pasifika and females in particular to join the Police in a variety of roles,” Ms Holmes says.

A nationwide initiative, Police Pathways has been running for five years.

Students on the programme can receive up to 26 NCEA Level 3 credits which have been contextualised towardpolicing withinNew Zealand.

they don’t have the money to grow their own produce and/or don’t have land that can be used for gardening.

Readers of my columns are good gardeners, in the main, and even if on a budget they are able to grow a reasonable amount of their own food which is not only a big saving but also much more healthy for us gardeners.

There are problems that are currently happening and one of these is as I found; a shortage of seeds and seedlings in many gardening outlets.

Cabbage and cauliflower seedlings I have purchased recently have caterpillar eggs on the leaves and if you don’t rub them off they will be eaten alive not too long after planting.

So check leaves for the little lightly yellow eggs and rub them off before you plant.

I use Wally Neem Granules when I plant cabbages etc a little in the bottom of the planting hole and more on the soil surface by the seedlings.

This has a very good control of the caterpillars and even though I have caterpillar eggs on my plants and holes on the leaves there is not any caterpillars on the foliage.

The holes are made by hungry birds not caterpillars.

It is even worse on my silverbeet which young seedlings I planted have either disappeared or they have damaged foliage.

More mature silverbeet will likely have a lot of leaf damage from birds feeding.

The best way to keep birds off silverbeet and brassicas is to use what I call Crop Cover or what shops call,

Bug Mesh.

Either laid loose over crops or supported over crops with hoops made from ridged plastic irrigation pipe or number 8 wire.

The crop cover is good for many seasons and will keep birds and just about all pests off your crops include neighborhood cats.

Old curtain netting could be used instead of the more durable crop cover.

When you buy vegetable seedlings look for the smaller, fresher ones not the over grown ones which have likely been stressed and will go to seed prematurely.

Even if you take them home to grow on a bit to make handling easier, then do so.

First thing I do when I get punnets home is plunge them into a bucket of water than I have thrown some sheep manure pellets into some time ago. I hold them down into the liquid manure and watch them bubble away.

This not only gives them a good soaking of the mix but some nature liquid food as well.

Let them drain and place in full sun till you are ready to plant them. Water as need be in the meantime and prior to planting plunge them into the bucket again.

Seedlings will pull apart better when the mix is wet and they have ample wet mix on the roots when you plant. After planting give them a watering with the hose to bed them in.

Then you can put your crop cover over them if you are going to use this method.

Wainuiomata High School students with Sergeant Pat Tangipo at the Police Station on day one of this year’s Police Pathways programme.

Photo: Supplied.

The new wall at the popular Wainuiomata swimming hole known as “the ultimate”. Photo: Supplied.

Major roofing project at Marae

By Frank Neill

A major project to reroof the Whare Kai at Wainuiomata Marae is currently under way.

Good progress is being made on the project, which is costing just over $300,000.

Wainuiomata Marae was fortunate to be granted funding for the project from applications it had put in, the Wainuiomata Marae Chairman Star Olsen told the “Wainuiomata News”.

That was fortunate, because “funding to keep this place going is an issue.

“So far we have been fortunate to get the grants through to keep us going.”

The project began on 23 February, Mr Olsen said, and is due to be

finished by the end of March.

The reroofing project has meant that some of the Marae activities are currently closed while the work is in progress.

A number of the Marae activities were still happening however.

These included the Kohanga Reo, the Te Rito Youth Training Programme, the health and social services that run from both the Wainuiomata Marae and the K kiri Marae hub in Queen Street, and the Mirimiri Rongoa programme.

The reroofing project is one of a number of projects that need to happen at the Marae.

The kitchen floor needs an upgrade urgently, Mr Olsen said. So, also, does the heating and air conditioning and also the windows of the Whare Kai are in need of attention.

hire

The scaffolding in place at the Wainuiomata Marae, so work on the Whare Kai roof can take place.

Photo: Frank Neill.

TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE CONTACT

Tough challenge coming here

with hot food and coffee.

Wainuiomata will host this year’s Tough Guy and Girl Challenge.

M:

WANTED

Newspaper Deliverers

The event will take place at Camp Wainui, 203 Coast Road, from 24 to 27 May.

As its name suggests, this extreme off road challenge is tough.

It involves running through water trails, crawling under barbed wire obstacles, clambering through tunnels, wading through swamps and grinding up hill climbs. Following this dirty and sweat-inducing action, hot showers will be available, along

A series of prizes will be awarded following the competitions. As well as prizes for the top three in each category, there will be spot prizes, fancy dress prizes and MVP prizes. The junior challenge will run on 24 and 25 May, the secondary school challenge on 26 May and the senior challenge on 27 May.

Parking is free, but is also limited, so car pooling is recommended.

Numbers are limited to 750 competitors. The event is run by Event Promotions and more information is on their website: https:// eventpromotions.co.nz/.

Teacher Aide

We are looking for a passionate and caring Teacher Aide who can provide classroom support for students.

Previous experience working with students with is preferred but not essential.

WEDNESDAY FACT

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Your teeth are also considered part of your skeletal system but they are not counted as bones. Your teeth are made of enamel and dentin. Enamel is the strongest substance in your body.

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This is a part-time position of 15 hours per week, term time only and fixed for one year, commencing immediately. The hourly rate of pay will be in accordance with the Support Staff Collective Employment Contract scale.

Please apply by emailing your CV and a cover letter to Sandy McVey at sandym@wainuiomatahigh.school.nz, telling us why you’d love to work with us and our students.

Applications close 12pm, Tuesday 21 March 2023.

www.wainuiomatahigh.school.nz

ACROSS

1. Vision (9)

6. Insurance evaluators. (9)

11. Rate. (5)

12. Import illegally. (7)

13. Loosen. (5)

14. “Once were warriors” actor, Temuera ... (8)

17. Legitimate (5-5)

18. Lyric poem. (3)

20. River in Africa. (4)

22. Naval rank. (7)

24. Cattle-dealer. (6)

26. For. (3)

28. Of the British race, Saxon. (5)

29.Interviewer; Parkinson (7)

32. Minister to. (5)

33. Mineral spring. (3)

34. Give leave. (3)

35. Poet, Edgar Allan ... (3)

36. Lace loop. (5)

37. Stillness. (7)

38. Passes lightly over. (5)

39. Variety of lettuce. (3)

41. Beguile. (6)

42. Of the stars. (7)

44. Dispense. (4)

47. U.S Spy Agency(abbr) (3)

49. Referee. (10)

51. Most rare. (8)

55. Latin American dance. (5)

56. Add to. (7)

57. Burn slightly. (5)

58. Adjourned. (9)

59. Expedient. (9)

DOWN

1. Jury spokesman. (7)

2. Helicopter blade. (5)

3. Dull. (6)

4. Fervour. (5)

5. Not slack. (4)

6. Universal arithmetic. (7)

7. To bundle wheat. (6)

8. Inflexibility. (12)

9. River mouth(pl) (5)

10. Narrowness. (11)

15. Fish eggs. (3)

16. Wither up. (4)

19. Theatre seats, dress ... (6)

21. Reasonable. (7)

23. Territory. (6)

25. Fresh foliage. (7)

26. Ongoing varsity academic. (12)

27. Llama wool. (6)

28. Outward impressions (11)

30. Movie, ... Alibi. (3)

40. Killer whale. (4)

43. Gossiped. (7)

44. Son of(Scot) (3)

45. Beseech. (7)

46. Long tirade. (6)

48. Rainbows. (6)

50. Real name Thomas Woodward, singer, Tom (5)

52. Hinder the inspection(cryp) (5)

53. Lassitude. (5)

54. Sullen. (4) Solution

SOLUTION

Last Week: 1 March 2023

For November 24, 2004

Photo: Event Promotions.

Public Notices

SPORTS TALK With Jacob Page High School are Ki O Rahi champs

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata High School’s mixed K O Rahi team is the College Sport Wellington champions.

Wainuiomata emerged the champions after winning a closely contested final against Mana College 20-17 on 1 March.

In doing so they defeated a team that has been unbeaten for the last eight years in the College Sport Wellington regional competition.

Wainuiomata High School hosted the College Sport Wellington regional K O Rahi competitions on 1 March.

The school entered three teams.

The girls team placed fourth out of 12 teams, the boys team 1 placed fifth and the Boys team 2 finished in eighth place.

A game that is something of a mixture between handball, netball, football, flag and touch rugby, K O Rahi has experienced

a big revival over the last few years.

It was very popular with M ori people until about 40 years ago.

The M ori Batallion also exported the sport when they were in Europe during the second world war. Both the French and Italians introduced K O Rahi into their sporting worlds.

The sport then went into a 30year hibernation before being revived about 10 years ago.

Waka Wars comes to Wainui

Cricketers need something special

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata’s first cricket

XI has some significant work ahead in its match against the table-topping Onslow team following the first day of their two-day match.

Playing in the Wellington second division, Wanuiomata batted first in the match at Nairnville Park on 4 March.

Onslow bowled Wainuiomata out for 87 runs.

winner’s choice. Photo: Supplied.

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Waka Wars, featuring a series of contests, comes to Frederick Wise Park on Saturday 11 March, starting at 8:30am and running to 5pm.

A free event for people of all ages, the Waka Wars will give people an opportunity to win prizes which will be donated to a flood-affected marae of the winner’s choice.

There will be nine events on the programme, and the winner of each will get to donate $250 to their chosen marae.

A $5000 prize will also be presented to the marae chosen by the winning waka from all the contests.

The nine contests are: euchre, bake-off, preservative competition, karaoke, team tag, K O Rahi team event, Netball team event, tug of

Time to sink or swim

It’s “sink or swim” time for the Wainuiomata Primary School swimming pool.

After 66 years of faithful service to the community the future of the beloved pool is on the line.

Built by the community for the school in 1956, thousands of students have used the pool over the years.

From theunique teaching methods of Mrs Wright in the 70’s and 80’s, learning to float and creating fun whirlpools with their classmates, the pool has been central to teaching water safety skills for generations of Wainuiomatians, including three of Principal Allison Burdon’s wh nau.

“I learned to swim myself in that pool, and so did my own children and now my grandson Wolf enjoys it. It’s a great asset to the school and we don’t want to lose it,” Ms Burdon says.

“I like swimming with my class

when it’s hot,” says current student, five-year-old Taylor-Rae Haupapa. Despite ongoing repairs and maintenance efforts, the pool is showing its age and requires a full overhaul to ensure that students can continue to use it.

Unfortunately, the last two years has seen further deterioration and new inspections have revealed that the pool needs even more work to restore it to its glory.

Wainuiomata Primary School’s Board of Trustees has been advised to expect new costings to be between $250,000 to $300,000 and given the current pressures on the building supply markets this could rise further.

All schools are required to ensure students can learn water safety skills under the New Zealand Curriculum, but funding specifically for pool maintenance is not covered by the Ministry of Education. Instead, funds for bringing the

war team event and a relay race. Sponsored by K kiri Marae, the Waka Wars will be a fun filled day with laughs games and activities for all improving our connection to our Whakapapa. People will need to register for the competitions, and can do this by visiting the Woa Waka Wars Facebook page.

More information about the event is also on the Facebook page.

Two Wainuiomata batsmen had double figure scores, with Waqar ali Ahmed making 26 and Tanuj Ahuja 14. In reply Onslow reached 131 for the loss of five wickets at stumps on day one. Onslow

finished the day looking very likely to at least take first innings points from the match. Facing a deficit of 44 as they go into day two, which will be played on 11 March, Wainuiomata will need to do something special to emerge from the encounter with a draw. The team has done it before this season, however. In their match against PetoneRiverside on 21 and 22 January, Wainuiomata trailed by 57 runs after both teams had completed their first innings. However, they upped their performance with both the bat and the ball in the second innings and went on to win by 65 runs.

Arakura fun day

pool back up to standard would mean diverting critical funds away from other areas of the school budget which is completely unachievable.

Despite exhaustive searches for grants, Wainuiomata Primary School has not been able to secure the funding required to guarantee the pool’s future. Without funds, the pool will be closed, a sad end to the pool’s long and colourful history.

“This is not a decision we take lightly,” Ms Burdon says.

“We are looking at all options to try and help us bring the pool into modern times. One thing we are looking at is making our pool sustainable, with solar panels and other things. We’ve even thought about starting a Go Fund Me to help raise funds”.

Anyone with funding ideas is welcome to contact Allison Burdon atprincipal@wainuiomata.school.nzor 939 8677.

The second in a planned series of free community barbecue and fun days will be held at Arakura Park from noon to 2pm on Sunday 19 March. This follows the hugely successful day held by Love Wainuiomata at Ngaturi Park on Waitangi Day, 4 February.

That event was so successful that Love Wainuiomata is now planning to hold monthly wh nau days at parks around the valley. As well as the free sausage sizzle there will be fresh water, sack races, fun activity play and plenty of toys for young tamariki.

One of the flood affected marae. All the prize money from the Waka Wars will go to the flood-affected marae of the

Wainuiomata High School’s Kī O Rahi champion team. Photo: Supplied.

Fog cannons for local shops

Wainuiomata businesses are eligible for the Government’s Fog Cannon Subsidy to help keep them safe, Hutt South MP and Minister for Small Business Ginny Andersen says.

“The Fog Canon Subsidy Scheme is one tool in the Government’s toolbox of supports available for small businesses in response to retail crime.”

The scheme provides a subsidy of up to $4,000 for small retail businesses such as dairy’s, bottle stores and service stations to have a fog cannon installed. “I have been informed that five stores in Wainuiomata have received a voucher for the scheme,”

Ms Andersen says.

“I know that Wainuiomata is a tight knight community.

This scheme gives local shops owners the peace of mind that they have a tool to help.

“I recently visited a small business who had a fog canon installed and tested. I can tell you that alarm on the canon is bloody loud.

The fog was incredibly effective.

“The scheme went live on 1 February this year. To date, just over 500 applications have been approved across the country.

“It’s great to see the uptake and interest small businesses have had in this scheme so far.

“This really is a preventative

tool for businesses to have. People deserve to feel safe in their workplace, and we have made it as easy as possible for small businesses to take part in this scheme.

“While a business needs to fit the criteria for the scheme, a business does not need to have been a victim of a crime to apply.

“Once an application is approved, the business is emailed a voucher. The business will then need to contact one of the 18 approved providers for the scheme to organise an install.

“To date, 49 fog cannons have been installed, with a further 72 are expected to be installed this month,” Ms Andersen says.

Movie making competition

Wainuiomata rangatahi who have an idea for a movie have their opportunity to enter a competition currently open.

The Rangatahi Projection Competition will allow entrants to work with Streamliner Productions to develop their movie idea into a finished production.

The competition is open to anyone aged between 13 and 21 years

who lives in the Wellington region.

Entrants will have their creations featured as part of the 2023 HighLight: Carnival of Lights held in and around Brewtown in Upper Hutt over Easter weekend, running from Thursday 6 April to Sunday 9 April.

“We are so excited to offer this opportunity for our rangatahi,” the Festival Director Carla Steed says.

“We know there is a lot of talent out there and this is a wonderful chance for young people to be recognised and showcase their work in front of thousands of people.”

Entries must loosely fit with the festival’s theme of “Opposites” or with the objectives of its 2023 charity partner AutismNZ.

Rangatahi will receive prac-

WAINUIOMATA Football Club (soccer) TA

Registrations for Wainuiomata Junior/Youth Football (ages 4 to 17 years) are now open

Do you lik e k i ck i n g a ball around?

We have grades for children aged 4 to 17 years olds. If your child is keen to give football a go this year, please see the link below!

Please register online on the link below before the 17th of March. Season starts 29th April.

https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/220156

More information can be found on our website Wainuiomata AFC If you have any queries please email Leanne Smith Wainuiafcjuniors@outlook.com

WAINUI JUNIOR OPEN DAY - 6.00pm to 7.30pm Monday 13th March at Richard Prouse Park. If it is raining please refer to our FB page.

Capital Football also has a program called Football for All which is focused on removing barriers for your child to play. If you are interested please click on this link: https://footballforall.org.nz

tical support, equipment and the software required to turn their art creation into a digital projection masterpiece with accompanying soundscape.

The finished work will feature at the HighLight: Carnival of Lights 2023 which is known for delivering immersive experiences that include performers, artists, and light installations colliding to

create a fun carnival atmosphere. Entries close on Monday 13 March and the winners will be announced on 14 March 2023. For more information and to enter visit https://highlight.org.nz/ rangatahi-projection-competition/. The 2023 Rangatahi Projection Competition is presented by Late Night Lights Trust, in partnership with Streamliner Productions.

Stepping up a rank

By Frank Neill

Three Wainuiomata firefighters were presented their helmet stripe for successfully completing the Qualified Firefighter (QFF) course.

Wainuiomata’s Chief Fire Officer presented Leah Lenihan, Ngarue Ratapu and Alex Cade their helmet stripe on 2 March.

The QFF qualification is the next level of training following initial firefighter training.

It involved firefighters attending the fiveday course either at Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s national training centre in Rotorua, or at the training centre in Woolston, Christchurch.

The next step after gaining the QFF qualification is to qualify as a Senior Firefighter.

Minister for Small Business Ginny Andersen checks out a smoke alarm at a small business.

Photo: Supplied

Ngarue Ratapu with his helmet stripe as a Qualified Firefighter. Photo: Supplied.

Leah Lenihan just after she was presented her helmet stripe as a Qualified Firefighter.

Photo: Supplied.

Alex Cade who is now a Qualified Firefighter. Photo: Supplied.