Wednesday April 9, 2025
Top award
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata’s Vatau Sagaga received a major national award when he was named a Bunnings Home Ground Hero on 7 April. This award is presented to people who have made a significant community impact on Touch Rugby and it is presented by Bunnings and Touch NZ. Continued on page 2.
Vatau Sagaga wearing a lei he was presented, just after he was told that he had won the Home Ground Hero award. Photo: Frank Neill.
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Frank Neill
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Huge impact for Wainui tamariki
Continued from page 1
Vatau’s award recognises the incredible impact for Wainuiomata tamariki and their parents on the free touch competitions run by Ulalei Wainuiomata at Frederick Wise Park on Friday nights.
“I was surprised and really humbled” to receive the award, Vatau says.
“I was really proud as well.”
The award, though, “is not just about me.
“It’s for the whole team who run the competition, and also the people who fund it – Hutt City Council, Nuku Ora and One Foundation – so we can run it for free.”
The fact that there is no cost to enter the touch event “makes us a very special competition.
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“Nobody misses out. Everyone who wants to can join in,” Vatau says.
“The feedback we’ve got is that the atmosphere at the competition is very special.”
Vatau led the iniative to introduce the competition last year.
More than 50 teams made up of boys and girls now participate in a competition that includes all seven Wainuiomata primary schools.
The competing teams include Te Ara Whānui Kura Kaupapa Māori in Alicetown, which has a large number of pupils who live in Wainuiomata. There are also Ulalei teams made up of tamaiti that live in Wainuiomata but attend school over the hill.
“A humble but mighty advocate for Wainuiomata Touch, Vatau lives the values of his club, cham-
pioning accessibility and affordability of sport in his community,” the award organisers say.
“He has created opportunities for local tamariki to enjoy Touch without limitation, which has resulted in huge growth in participation and a thriving Touch module in the region.” Before Vatau led the introduction of the Wainuiomata Touch competition, many families had not entered their children into touch events due to cost and travel. Previously the Wainuiomata schools played
in the touch module at Hutt Park meaning tamariki needed a ride to and from the games. The module also had a fee of $20 to $25 per child which for many whānau of three or 4 tamaiti, was just unaffordable. This new competition ensures genuine accessibility for tamariki to play Touch. Friday night touch has intentionally been made a community night.
Vatau has organised for food trucks to attend creating a beautiful family-friendly atmosphere where families can walk or ride
to Touch, watch their tamaiti play, grab some dinner then walk home. Ulalei is a 100% volunteer-led club. Vatau has a full-time job but also runs the club with help from many in the community. In addition to the Touch competition Ulalei runs a weekly soccer competition for all of Wainuiomata’s primary schools on Monday nights. Ulalei also has 10 junior and senior teams playing in local tag football, ki o rahi and kirikiti (Samoan cricket) competitions which Vatau organises.
WAINUIOMATA COMMUNITY BOARD
The 2025 meetings of the Board will be held on: Wednesday 16 April Wednesday 11 June Wednesday 20 August
Meetings are held in the Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub, Queen St, Wainuiomata at 6.30pm.
Prior to the meetings at 6.00pm, the Board will host an Open Forum. This is an opportunity for questions and informal discussion with the Board before the meeting begins.
You are very welcome to attend.
Meeting agendas are available on Council’s website: huttcity.govt.nz/council/council-meetings/meeting-agendas-and-minutes Keep up with what’s happening in your community.
Ken Laban (left) and Vatau Sagaga just after Vatau was informed he had won the Home Ground Hero award. Photo: Supplied.
Top award for Mila’s Books
Mila’s Books has won the award as Oceania’s Top Children’s Publishers for 2025.
This award is part of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy, honouring publishers from around the world who make outstanding contributions to children’s literature.
“To be nominated by fellow publishers and selected from across Oceania is a huge honour – and we couldn’t have done it without all of you,” says the lead publisher of Mila’s Books, Dahlia Malaeulu, who lives in Wainuiomata.
“This moment truly belongs to our communities, our readers, our tamaiti and every one of you who has believed in the power of Pasifika stories.
“From the classrooms to the libraries and retailers, the living rooms to the book fairs and conferences – your support and alofa has helped us to show the world what is possible for our Pasifika stories and storytellers.
“As the only all-Pasifika publishing team in the history of the awards to achieve this recognition, we humbly accept this award as a celebration of our collective journey – of cultural pride, storytelling, and reclaiming our narratives as Pasifika.
“So let’s continue on our mission of ensuring our tamaiti know that they deserve to be seen, heard and valued through the stories they read,” Dahlia says.
Have your say on water services
Public consultation is now open on one of the biggest decisions Lower Hutt residents will face for many decades – how to fund and deliver water services.
In late 2023, the Government announced a new direction for water policy and legislation called Local Water Done Well.
It requires councils across the country to decide, alongside their communities, what approach they will take to delivering water services.
Hutt City Council has been working on a proposal with neighbouring councils Porirua City, Upper Hutt City, Wellington City and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
The councils have collectively agreed on a preferred option of a multi-council-owned
organisation that would own and operate public drinking water, wastewater and stormwater networks. Hutt City Council says this comes at significantly less cost than the alternative.
The new organisation would own all the pipes and infrastructure, could borrow more than councils currently can to fund infrastructure, and would bill for water services and communicate with customers directly.
As well as the preferred option, the consultation will also consider a second option – a modified version of the current Wellington Water model. Under this model, councils would retain ownership of the water networks, funded by rates and subject to the limited debt levels set for councils.
The current delivery of water servic -
es is broken and not serving ratepayers,
Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry says.
“Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy fix.
“It’s inevitable that the cost of water services will increase under either option, given the poor state of our infrastructure and the backlog of investment needed.
“However, our financial modelling shows that our preferred option would be about a third less costly than the status quo,” he says.
Mayor Barry encourages everyone with a stake in the future of Lower Hutt’s water services to have their say before consultation closes on 20 April. Councillors will consider the feedback and make a decision at a meeting on 27 June. For more information and to give feedback visit hutt.city/futurewater.
Motorcycle ride
A pre ANZAC day motorcycle ride is being held to raise funds for the care of military veterans.
The Patriots DFMC Ride of Respect 2025 will take place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April.
Everyone is welcome to join the ride.
The start point is noon on 12 April at the Ōtaki Māori Racing Club.
This is a staging point over night for those travelling.
The two main rides take place starting at 7:30am at Ōtaki Māori Racing Club. From there they will travel along State Highway 1 to the Pukeahu National War Memorial.
It then dovetails into the Ride of Respect 2025 in Wellington, which will run from Pukeahu to Upper Hutt.
Book group
The Wainuiomata Book Group will meet tomorrow, 10 April, at the Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub from 10:30am to noon. The Book Group’s theme for this month is “Purple Books”.
The meeting will feature an informative talk on the theme for April.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Easter at the Hub
The Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub in Queen Street will be closed for three of the four days over Easter weekend. It will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. However it will be open on the Saturday of Easter weekend, 19 April, from 9am to 5pm.
Mila’s Books being presented with the award as Oceania’s Top Children’s Publishers for 2025. Photo: Supplied.
Hugely successful concert
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata band STARGAZER performed its second hugely successful concert at the Pioneer Church on 4 April. “If you missed it... you missed a fabulous night,” says Joyce Lockyer, who is a member of the Pioneer Church’s restoration committee.
STARGAZER’s four musicians are Paki Maaka, Nigel Baxter, Chris Kirkland and Ian Gooch. They were joined at last Friday’s concert by Judy Vernau as a back up vocalist and Joyanne Stevens on the violin. The theme of the concert was “come together” and it featured STARGAZER, Judy and Joyanne playing sixties plus music. All money raised from the concert will be put towards maintaining the historic Pioneer Church building and grounds, which are located on Coast Road.
Homedale village shops for sale
By Frank Neill
A row of shops in Homedale Village has been placed on the market for sale via a mortgagee tender process.
Real estate firm Bayleys is advertising the shops, which are held in three titles, for sale.
One lot – 122 to 126 Main Road – comprises three shops: the Wainuiomata office of National MP Chris Bishop, TRC NZ and COCO Beauty Lounge.
There are three retail units at 130 Main Road and two shops at 134 to 136 Main Road.
Located in a commercial and residential area known as “The Village”, the retail buildings form part of Wainuiomata’s oldest shopping area which was established to support a growing community when land in the suburb was subdivided
for housing following World War II.
“This is a high-profile, high traffic location at the gateway to the farming/lifestyle area along Coast Road, and the last commercial centre before Wainuiomata Beach on the south coast,” Bayleys says.
“Given the location at a busy juncture and with residential development happening in the immediate and wider area, such as the recently built 16-home project at Pākura Place, off Moores Valley Road, the site is ripe for a revamp.
“The Suburban Mixed Use zoning allows for a wide range of uses including office, commercial services, retail, entertainment, healthcare services and education provision on the ground floor, with residential or commercial accommodation above.
“The high-density overlay has an
lington Commercial.
Homedale Village shops that are currently for sale. Photo: Supplied. allowable building height limit of 12 metres so a developer could see value in this sizeable landholding with good connectivity and growth potential.”
Add-value investors on the other hand will see opportunity to shore up existing leases, and backfill vacant space to bring returns back into line with market rates, says Oliver Hourigan of Bayleys Wel-
“The space is ideal for residentfocused retail and service providers such as a laundromat, hairdresser, convenience store or the like.”
The subject offering for sale comprises a parcel of eight partially leased retail shops and a residential dwelling, with a total 780sqm footprint on 2,746sqm Suburban Mixed Use-zoned land.
Hutt City Kindergartens
City Kindergartens
With 20 kindergartens throughout the Hutt Valley, including five in Wainuiomata, HCK knows that the journey of learning starts in the earliest years. Offering affordable, high-quality education for children aged two – five, HCK ensures your child is fully prepared for their future from the very first day. Let the adventure of a lifetime begin with Hutt City Kindergartens!
ENROL NOW
There are five kindergartens in Wainuiomata where your tamariki can engage in fun, creative and educational experiences Contact one of your local kindergartens for more information
Teen Parents!
We are a secondary school for young parents who want to finish their education
EDUCATION FOR YOU AND YOUR TAMARIKI – Spaces now available –
We are a secondary school for teenage parents/or hapū teen mamas located in Upper Hutt, who want to continue their education and be encouraged and supported in their parenting. We have qualified and experienced teachers on site to support our mamas and their learning.
We are a secondary school for teenagers who are pregnant or already parents and who are 18 years old or under. Call us on 04 528 8977
There is an Early Childhood Education Centre on site providing care and quality learning experiences for their pēpi/tamariki while our students are doing their mahi.
A full wrap around service is also available with a Social worker, VIBE Doctor/Nurse and Plunket offering clinics on site to support these young families. Transport is available if required.
Spaces are still available for 2025
Contact us at tpuoffice@ heretaunga.school.nz or ph 04 528 8977 between 8:30am-3:00pm in school terms.
Avalon Shine Montessori caters for children between 6 months up to 3 year-olds. Open weekdays between 7:30am and 5:30 pm, including school holidays (Terms 1–4). Our Avalon Centre is a feeder school to our
Our Avalon centre is perfect for your under 3’s. We are licensed for 20 childern. Our outdoor area provides opportunities to use up energy and learn through play. Plenty of shade in summer and shelter in the winter.
High Ratio to staff and lovely clean premises!
Te Pūtahi Kura Pūhou o Te Awakairangi
Premier footballers defeat Wharfies
By Ryan Imray
This weekend saw the start of a new football season.
While it was the second game for the men’s Capital Premier side, it was the opening weekend for the other eight sides.
The Capital Premier side travelled to Karori looking to bounce back from their opening weekend defeat to the Wellington Phoenix Thirds.
A double to Tyron Curtis and a goal for club veteran Adam Ross meant the side was able to win a five goal thriller against Waterside Karori Reserves 3-2 and walk away with their first three points of the season. With the club having good numbers
at pre-season, it was able to introduce a third team that would compete in the Wellington 2 division.
While the third team struggled in their opening game 5-1 against Miramar Rangers, the Reserves side, who got promoted to the Capital 3 division, started their season with three points as they beat Stop Out 4-2.
In the Masters grades, the Undertakers narrowly lost their game 3-2 against Lower Hutt but the other three sides managed to win their games.
Pasifika Originals kept a clean sheet as they beat Stokes Valley 3-0.
Goals to Kurt Butterfield and Brendan Whyman helped the OCs
to a 2-0 win also against Lower Hutt. Pasifika Old Boys were able to win a close contest as they beat Stop Out 2-1.
The weekend finished in the most perfect way possible.
After not having a womens team in 2024, the club were eager to bring it back and were successful in that quest as a new women’s team was formed for this year.
Opening their season against Upper Hutt, they won in spectacular fashion 7-4.
For a new team playing their first competitive game together with some players never playing football before, it was the perfect start to the brand new season.
Lions defeat St George again
By Frank Neill
The Wainuiomata Lions kicked off their 2025 Rugby League season with a 28-24 victory over the St George Dragons at Ngati Toa Domain on 5 April.
In what was a replay of last year’s final of the Appleton Shield, the Lions once again prevailed. However they had to make a concerted come back in the very
closely contested match.
St George went out to an early lead, scoring two tries in the first eight minutes of the match.
The Lions came back, however, and by half time they had narrowed to score to 12-18.
Another try to St George after 47 minutes saw them stretch their lead to 12 points, and they led the Lions 24-12.
Just when it looked like the
Lions may lose, they scored two converted tries to move ahead and then went on take out the win.
Five Lions scored tries – Eruwera Tu, Trei Mu, Bayley Findlay, Kahn Mason and John WharepapaTawiri. Xavier Seal kicked two goals and Joshua Le’afa Paki also kicked two goals.
The victory over St George is a promising sign for the Lions, who are looking to become the Wel-
Ulalei joins fight against cancer
Ulalei Wainuiomata Netball held its annual Mafutaga/Whanau Club day on Saturday 5 April at Wainuiomata High School for club members and their whānau to attend and meet other members, learn about the history of the club, and especially to welcome new members.
There has been a major influx into the club from the Wainuiomata community as well from over the hill, following a successful 2024 season of three championships.
This year Pacific Health Services came on board and offered free health checks including blood pressure; blood tests, vaccines for flu, covid and MMR.
One of the big take away messages from the day was the advice on nutrition and the importance of making healthy choices.
Many were astounded at the amount of sugar in the fizzy drinks and sports drinks.
The Club Patron Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban addressed the group on the importance of eating healthy and exercising, sending a strong message to players and whānau to look after their bodies and protect their bodies. We need to ensure we are healthy to enable us to look after our tamariki.
Dame Winnie acknowledged the support from Pacific Health Services which has allowed the club to reduce the fees markedly for which the club is very grateful.
The day continued onto Relay for
lington Rugby League champions for the third successive year.
The Lions won the Appleton Shield, awarded to the champion team, when they defeated the St George Dragons 40-30 in last year’s final.
Just as they did in this year’s opening match, the Lions staged a big comeback to win the final, after they trailed 18-0 in the first half.
players
Life at the Wellington Sky Stadium to raise funds for the fight against cancer.
Ulalei Wainuiomata Netball registered a team to enter the relay which started at 3pm on Saturday and continued right through to 7am on Sunday morning.
Ulalei was well represented with club members including children, mums, dads, brothers, sisters, aunties, babies to over 50s walking their laps in honour of those who passed from cancer, those currently undergoing treatment and survivors of this cruel disease.
Dame Winnie, who is a patron of the Cancer Society, addressed the thousands that attended from around the wider Wellington region.
A big thank you to Alofa Aberdein-Tapua’i for taking on this huge undertaking and organising the Ulalei Wainuiomata Netball
team for Relay for Life 2025. This is the third year in a row the club has entered a team. The club raised more than $2,500. New President Sina Tamaali’i, who was one of the key organisers of the Mafutaga day and then backed up at the Relay for Life with the overnight shift from 8pm Saturday until 7am Sunday morning, was very proud of the success of both events and how the club members have engaged with the community, learnt about making good healthy choices and giving back to the community. “That is what this club is all about,” Sina said. “It is more than the game of netball, it’s about instilling the values of tautua (service), fa’aaloalo (respect) and whanaungatanga that are life lessons that continue on well after the whistle has gone for full time.”
When the scores were tied at 30-30 at full time, the match went into extra time, when the Lions scored twice.
The victory gave the Lions their first back-to-back championships since 1991-92.
The Lions’ next match sees them play the Randwick Kingfishers Reserves 2 in a home game at Frederick Wise Park on 12 April. Kick off is at 2:30pm.
Women score convincing win
By Frank Neill
The Wainuiomata women’s premier Rugby team kicked off its 2025 season with a convincing 29-10 victory over Poneke on 5 April.
Playing on their home ground of William Jones Park Wainuiomata scored five tries on their way to the win.
Playing in her debut match, Hoana Hori-Hohepa was outstanding, scoring one try and also sharing the player of the day accolade with Althea Lealofi.
Playing at centre, Hoana made two important line breaks as well as scoring a try. Throughout the match she proved very skilful with the ball in hand.
Hoana was one of six players who made their debut for Wainuiomata.
She was also one of three debut 16-year-old players. The other two were Mariah Nicholls and Ryshia Leota.
Playing on the wing Althea, who is the wife of the Wainuiomata premier men’s captain Greg Lealofi, won her player of the day accolade following a series of powerful runs.
Canon Hakaraia scored two tries for Wainuiomata while
Monique Su’a and Zoe Clark scored one try each. Charlynn Tuia kicked two conversions.
Following the excellent start to the season the team, coached by Kelly Laumulili, will be looking forward to the upcoming matches, where the teams are playing for the Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy
The team is very grateful for its sponsor, Time Insurance. Wainuiomata’s next match will be against Oriental Rongotai at the Polo Ground in Miramar. Kick off is at 11:30am.
The premier men were locked in a close match with Hutt Old Boys Marist Eagles for much of their match on 5 April.
Two late Eagles tries saw them end up taking a comfortable 38-15 win.
A try by captian Greg Leolofi helped Wainuiomata stay in touch during the first half, with the Eagles leading 12-8 at half time.
Jason Matene scored Wainuiomata’s other try, while Andrew Wells kicked one conversion and one penalty.
Next week’s match sees Wainuiomata play Paremata-Plimmerton at Ngāti Toa Domain on 12 April.
Katie Hawley is all smiles as the Wainuiomata Women Footballers win their opening game. Photo: Imray’s Snaps.
Ulalei
Jimmy Kydd (on the left) and Spirit Te Moana with their babies walking in the Relay for Life to raise funds for the fight against cancer. Photo: Supplied.
