Focus on CHB - May 2026

Welcome toFocus onCentral Hawke’sBay

WelcometotheMay editionofFocuson CentralHawke’sBay presentedtoyoubyHawke’s BayToday,partofNewZealand MediaandEntertainment (NZME) Thisisamonthly publicationdistributingin Waipawa,Waipukurauand ŌtāneonthelastThursdayof themonth

Weaimtobringresidents ofCHBinformationabout communityactivitiesanda potpourriofarticlessuchas localsport,education events, clubs,councilnewsandsoon We’dbepleasedtoreceive suggestionsontopicsyou’d bekeentoreadornewsyou’d liketoshare Pleasenotethat ifyoudohavenewstoshare, wewillneeditwellinadvance –atleasttwofullweeksbefore publication Don’thesitateto contactusifyouhaveaquery orwishtoadvertise

Pleasedirectadvertising andeditorialqueriesto shirleyrandell@nzmeconz Coverphotocourtesy ofHawke’sBayTourism, creditKirstenSimcox

CHB College Workday shares skills and raises funds

CentralHawke’sBayDistrictCouncilembracedCHB CollegeWorkdayearlierthismonth,welcomingnine CHBCollegestudentsintotheworkplacetojoin variousCouncilteamsfortheday

Theworkdayexperienceseesstudentsgooutintothe communityaspaidemployeesfortheday,raisingfunds forthecollege’sParentTeachers’Association(PTA)and Students’Councilforresourcesthecollegewouldotherwise struggletofund

Recentlythefundshavebeenusedforshade/shelter areasforstudents,whicharealreadybeingmuch appreciated

CHBCollegeprincipalLanceChristiansensaid“Weare fortunatetohavesuchsupportivecommunitymembers whocontinuetoassistuswithourWorkdaybyproviding workforourstudents

Workdayisofmutualbenefit Inadditiontoraisingfunds thereareotherincidentalbenefitsforthestudents–new

skills,understandingthevalueofmoney,workethic,and meetingandworkingwithotherstonameafew

“Wegotgreatcommentsthisyearaboutthestudents’ workethic”

JonoCraig,Mayors TaskforceforJobs(MTFJ)Leadat CentralHawke’sBayDistrictCouncil,said“Itwasgreattosee anothersuccessfulCHBCollegeWorkday,withninestudents spendingtimeatCouncilandgettingarealinsightintothe varietyofrolesonoffer

“JobsinCentralHawke’sBayisproudtosupportinitiatives likethis,astheygiveyoungpeoplehands-onexposureto differentcareerpathwaysandhelpthemstartimagining howtheirfuturecouldlookrighthereinourdistrict”

Thestudentswerespreadfarandwideacrossthe districtforWorkday fromthreestudentsjoiningNewWorld Waipukuraufortheday,toothersstackingfirewoodand cleaningwindows,andmuchmore

Storiesraising awarenessduring RoadSafetyWeek

RoadsafetyadvocateHelen SmalltoldaCentralHawke’s BayCollegeaudiencehowher 93-year-oldgrandmotherdiedafter beinghitbyacarwhenthedriverwas checkingatext.

PhyllisPenman,wholivedinCentral Hawke’sBay,wasonapedestrian crossingoutsideHawke’sBayHospital whenshewashit.

Phyllisdiedinhospitalfiveandahalf hourslater.

HelentoldherGrandma’sstoryas partofRoadSafetyWeektoraise

awarenessthatpeople’slivescanbe lostduetoadriverusingtheirphone.

“Putyourphoneaway.

“IshareGrandma’sstorybecause Ididn’twantherdeathtobeinvain, she’snotjustastatistic.Sheusedto liveinWaipukurausoitwasgoodto bringherstoryhere.”

ThiswaspartofSaferCHB’sRoad SafetyNetworkRoadSafetyWeek–whichranfrom4Mayto10May.They kickstartedthedistrict’sawareness campaignafewdaysearlyholding theRoadSafeExpoatthecollegeon 29April.

Themessagethisyearis‘Road SafetyisEveryone’sResponsibility’.

TheexpowasledbyRoadSafeHB andsupportedbyCentralHawke’sBay DistrictCouncil,CONNECT,Police,and FireandEmergencyNZ.

SeniorConstableChrisLeppien, SchoolCommunityOfficer,has beeninvolvedwiththeHBRoadSafe Expossincetheirinception.Sheis apassionateadvocatefordriver licencing.

“Driverlicencingchangespeople’s lives.

“InareaslikeCentralHawke’sBay withremotecommunitiesandno publictransportnetworksweneed licencestodrivetowork,tofeedour family.Werelyondrivingtoaccess education,shopsandhealthservices.”

Basedonheryearsofexperience instructingandmentoringdrivers,and withsupportandfundingfromRoad SafeHB,Chrissyhascreatedaweb page,“Cruisin’withChrissie”tomakeit easierforpeopletopasstheirpractical drivingtest.Theresourceincludes videosandtipsheets,aswellas markingsheetsforcaregivershelping teensgaintheirlicences.

Youcancheckouttheresourceat https://cruisinwithchrissy.weebly.com/ Studentsattheexpoperformed taskswhilewearingalcoholand drugimpairmentgoggles,were breathalysedandlearntmoreabout

Wecan treatyour Varicose Veins andartery problems.

Minimallyinvasivetechniques. CallourfriendlyteamatUnityfor adviceregardingyourveintreatment options.

MESHFREE groinhernia repairperformedunderlocal anaestheticinourpurpose designedDaySurgeryUnit. Overallcostsareminimal makingtheproceduremuch moreaffordablethanyoumay think.

Ifyouhaveaherniathatis botheringyougiveusacallandask ourfriendlyteamfordetails,costings andavailability. ProcedureperformedbyMrBertrand Jauffret,GeneralSurgeonatUnitySpecialists, 102QueenStreetEast,Hastings4122.

driverlicencing,vehiclesafetyand roadsafety.

Forparentsoftheyoungerset,Road SafeHBandPoliceheldafreecarseat checkatLaunchEarlyChildhood Centre,withmattimeforthechildren andatalkaboutroadsafetyfroma memberofCentralHawke’sBayPolice. Throughouttheyear,childcarseats canbecheckedatThePregnancyand ParentingHub,TukitukiMedicalCentre, CookStWaipukurauonthesecond Tuesdayofeverymonthbetween10am and11.30am.CheckoutCHBPregnancy andParentinghubFacebookpagefor furtherinformation.

Engineeringtheland:insidetheDear family’sdiverseruralenterprise

AskGlennDear,themanaging directoroffamilyownedCLAAS HarvestCentreHawkesBay, exactlywhatitistheydo,andyou bestbepreparedtosettleinforalong chat.OntheirsprawlingOmahuRoad siteacrossfourbuildings,you’dbe surprisedbytherangeofequipment andcapabilitiesonshow.

AsNewZealand’sonlyindependent dealerintheLandpowernetwork,the businessencompassesmanyfacets whichdovetailtogethertoofferan all-in-oneservicetotheirdiverse customerbase.

Firstandforemost,thebusinessis aCLAASHarvestCentreproviding salesandaftersalessupportto theircustomersintheagricultural, horticulturalandviticulturalsectorsfor thefullrangeofCLAASandAMAZONE machines.

It’snotuncommontoseea20-ton CLAASLexioncombineharvester,or GRIMMEpotatoharvesterlinedup besidea3tonNexosorchardtractor oranimposingAMAZONEPantera boomsprayer.Withadedicatedsales teamandaworkshopteamofadozen mechanics,theCLAASHarvestCentre hasthecapabilitytokeepwellover athousandcustomermachineson thego,particularlycrucialoverthe busyharvestseasonwhichrunsfrom OctobertoMayduetothebreadthof sectorsandgrowersthattheysupport.

Theothersideofthebusiness–Deartech–iscenteredaroundtheir

agritechengineeringcapabilitywhich isacentreofexcellenceforproduct researchanddevelopment.The businesswasstartedbythecurrent owner’sfather,TomDear,over50 yearsago,andhasareputationfor deliveringrobust,welldesignedand bespokeengineeringsolutionsfortheir customer’svaryingneeds.

Examplesoftheproductsthey designandbuildincludesquash harvesters,applebinshifters,pruning sweeps,undervinemowersandtrailers amongstahostofotherproducts.In addition,thesevenpersonengineering teamprovidegeneralengineering servicestomanybusinessesacross Hawke’sBayandbeyond.

Thebusinessalsoparticipatesin jointventuresthatleverageDeartech’s capabilitiesandexperiencelikeEdge, asilagetreatmentproductand applicatorpackageforgrassand maizeforagepreservationandsuperior ensilingwithwetforageproducts toproducehigherME&digestibility forage.

Anotherlegofthebusiness,runby Glenn’sbrotherandco-ownerLance, istheBioVaporbrand.Originally developedasadiseaseandfrost fightingmachineforvineyards,over timetheproducthasmorphedinto becomingaworldfirstnon-chemical fumigationsystemforimportedgoods suchasusedmotorvehicles.Biovapor machinesplayanimportantrolein ourbiosecurityecosystemandborder

protection,particularlycombating BMSM(stinkbug)fromenteringNew Zealand,andaredeployedinJapan andNewZealand.

DeartechisalsotheexclusiveNew Zealandimporteranddistributorfor Netherlandsbasedsprayinnovator Munckhof.Munckhofproducearange ofproductsincludingsingleandtriplerowsprayersandpickingplatforms. Withtheseproducts,Deartechhas

foundapassionateandgrowing nicheintheorchardsofHawkesBay, Gisborne,NelsonandCanterbury. SoGlenn’ssomewhatlongwinded explanationisjustified.Forabusiness ofaround35people,theycoveralot ofbases;allofthemtightlyconnected totheirbroad-andhighlysatisfiedruralcustomerbasebuiltover55years offocusedandcommittedcustomer service.

HAWKESBAY 1320-1322OmahuRoad, Hastings

GlennDear0272263623 KenScholfield0212720606 GrantBlackberry0275396103

ManagingdirectorGlennDearwithhisbrother,aco-owner,anddirectorLanceDear.

Second chance, lasting bonds

AcrossCentralHawke’sBay,thereareanimals waitingforasecondchance.Somearrive frightened,abandoned,oruncertainof people.Otherssimplyneedsomeonewillingto seepasttheirroughstartandrecognisethe lovingcompanionunderneath.Withpatience, care,andkindness,theseanimalsflourish-and inreturntheyofferunconditionallove,loyalty,and companionship.

Formanypeople,adoptingarescueanimal bringsenormousemotionalbenefits.Dogs encourageexercise,routine,andsocialconnection, whilecatsprovidecomfort,calmness,and companionship.Studiescontinuetoshowthat petscanreducestress,loneliness,andanxiety. Rescueanimals,inparticular,oftenformincredibly strongbondswiththepeoplewhogivethemanew beginning.

AtRuahineAnimalRescue,ourgoalhasalways beentoprovidetheverybestcarepossiblewhile helpinganimalsfindsafe,lovingforeverhomes.We areincrediblygratefulfortheongoingsupportwe receivefromourcommunity,becausewithoutthat support,noneofthiswouldbepossible.

Wealsolovegivingbacktothecommunitythat standsbehindus.Whetheritishelpingfamiliesfind therightcompanionanimal,educatingowners,

supportingresponsiblepetcare,orsimplybeing therewhenananimalisinneed,webelievestrong communitiescareforbothpeopleandanimals alike.

Membersofthepublicarewelcometovisit RuahineAnimalRescueonSaturdaymornings between10amand12pmtomeetsomeofthe cats,kittens,anddogscurrentlyinourcare.Many ofouranimalsarealsohappilysettledintofoster homes,allowingthemtoreceiveindividualloveand attentionwhilewaitingforadoption.Viewingsfor fosteranimalscanbearrangedbyappointment. Ifyouwouldliketomeetsomeofourrescuedogs outinthecommunity,comealongtoPetstock HastingsonSaturdaythe23rdofMayaswehelp

celebratePetAdoptionMonth.Itisawonderful opportunitytomeetsomebeautifulrescuedogs andlearnmoreaboutadoption.

Wearealsoexcitedtoannouncethatourannual fundraisingQuizNightisreturningonthe20thof June.Lastyear’seventwasafantasticsuccess, filledwithlaughter,friendlycompetition,andsome trulyamazingprizes.Wewouldonceagainlove supportfromlocalbusinessesandcommunity membersthroughdonationsofgoods,vouchers,or servicestouseasprizesonthenight.

Everydonation,adoption,volunteerhour,and sharedsocialmediaposthelpsuscontinue thisimportantwork.Together,ourcommunityis changinglives-onerescueanimalatatime.

Forover40years,BayTours&ChartershasbeencreatingmemorabletoursforHawke’sBayseniors.Fromgreat-valuedaytrips,showsandmusicals,tomulti-dayadventuresaround NewZealand,ourTourClubdeliversfabulousexperiencesdesignedfortheseniortraveller.Joiningourtourstakesthestressoutoftravel—simplychooseyourtrip,sitback,andenjoy thebestofHawke’sBayandbeyond.Everytourincludesfreedoor-to-doorpick-upfromWaipawa,Waipukurau,andOtane*,onourtoursheadingsouth.Lifelongfriendshipsare oftenformedaslike-mindedseniorscometogethertoexplore,connect,andenjoylifetothefullest.

WED14TH-TUESDAY20THOCTOBER PRICEFROM:$5,845TWINSHARE $6,795SINGLEROOM

Explorethedramaticlandscapesofthe MacKenzieBasin and Maniototo onthisunforgettable7-dayjourney.Flyto Christchurchandvisit RangiateaStation beforetravellingvia Geraldine and Fairlie to LakeTekapo,theChurchoftheGood Shepherd,and TekapoSprings.Enjoybreathtakingviews from MtJohn,thenvisit LakePukaki and BraemarStation beforeatwo-nightstayat TheHermitage in Aoraki/MtCook NationalPark Experienceascenicskiplaneflightwitha TasmanGlacier landing.Continuevia Omarama’sClayCliffs,the Waitaki Valley,and Dansey’sPass toRanfurly.Discoverthe Maniototo,including HayesEngineering,StBathans,and Naseby,beforefinishingin Dunedin andflyinghome. JoinusasweexploreandcelebratethesemosticonicofNew Zealandenvironments,thewayonlyKiwiscan.

THURSDAY28TH–FRIDAY29THMAY

Everheardtheoldchef’sadage,“Wefirsteatwithoureyes”?This unforgettableexperiencebringsthatideatolife. 7Paintings–The ArtofDining isaworld-renownedmulti-sensoryjourneyblending iconicartworks,digitalprojections,storytelling,andfinecuisineinto oneimmersiveevening.

Across sevensmallcourses,legendaryartists—from MichelangelotoPicasso,Dali,andVanGogh—arereimagined throughbeautifullycrafteddishes,eachpairedwithmusicand interactivevisualsstagedrightonyourtable.Expectcreative highlightslikepan-searedsnapperwithlemonbeurreblanc,herbcrustedlambshoulder,andasurrealpistachiokunefetart. HostedatAuckland’s NaumiHotel,thisintimatetwo-and-a-halfhourdinnerisfollowedbyanovernightstayandrelaxedreturn homethenextday.With limitedspaces,thissmallgrouptour offersatrulyuniqueandmemorablefinediningescape.

TUESDAY28THJULY–THURS6THAUGUST

Escapewinterona10-daytropicalgetawaytothebeautiful Rarotonga inthe CookIslands.Afteranovernightstayat the NovotelAucklandAirport,flytoparadiseandsettleinto beachfrontsuitesat TheEdgewaterResort&Spa EnjoyanIslandDiscoveryTour,beachsidelunchat Charlie’s Rarotonga,anddinnerat TamarindHouseRestaurant&Ukelele Bar &somuchmore.Highlightsincludeacookingmasterclassat OntheBeachRestaurantRarotonga,browsing PunangaNui Market,andaculturalfeastattheresort.Amemorabledaytrip takesyoutostunning Aitutaki,cruisingitsturquoiselagoonand visiting OneFootIsland

Otherexperiencesinclude BlackRock,MaireNuiGardens, andrelaxedislanddining.Withfreetime,warmhospitality,and spectacularscenery,thiswinterescapeblendsrelaxation,culture, andunforgettableSouthPacificbeauty.

Localsbackinglocals:wherefarming, environmentandcommunityconnect

ByHollyOrmond,TukitukiLandCare

Overthepasteightyears,Tomand AnnaTennenthavereshaped partsoftheirAshleyClintonfarm, plantingaround20,000nativetrees andplantsandfencing9kilometres ofwaterways.Whatbeganasasingle wetlandprojecthasevolvedintoa practical,long-termapproachthat strengthensboththefarmandits surroundingenvironment.

“Westartedoutfencingandplanting awetlandwecreatedwithsomehelp fromtheGameBirdHabitatTrust,”says Tom.“Itlookedgreat,wecouldseethe benefits,sowedecidedtokeepgoing.”

Fromthere,plantingexpandedalong waterways,buildingmomentumyear byyear.Thatmomentumsteppedup againwhentheTukipoCatchmentCare Groupsecured$2.2millionthroughthe MinistryfortheEnvironment’sFreshwater ImprovementFund.

Throughthewidercatchment programme,theTennentsaccessed matchedfunding,extendingtheirwork byafurther5kilometresoffencing andestablishingaround13,000native plants.“Itmadeabigdifferenceto whatwecouldgetdone,”saysTom. “Theworrynowiswhathappensnext, becausethereareplentyoffarmers keentodomore,butit’shardtokeep thatmomentumgoingwithoutabitof support.”

With16hectaresofwaterwaysand wetlandsnowprotectedwith7-wire fencingand13hectaresestablishedin

natives,Tomsaystheworkhaschanged howpartsofthefarmfunctiondayto day.“Wehavefencedoffareasthat usedtobearealheadachewithboggy groundwherestockwouldgetstuck. Thosesameplacesarenowsomeof thebestpartsofthefarm.Theyprovide shelterandhabitat,andtheyjustwork betterforeverythingwe’retryingtodo.”

Astheprojectscaledup,sodidthe needforextrahands.Tomapproached Takapau-basedfamilybusinessKintail Honeytoseeiftheycouldhelpget plantsintheground.DamienWard ofKintailsaysthetimingworkedwell

duringaquieterperiod.“Itwasour downtime,andweweremorethan happytohelp.Wehadeighttoten workershelpingforacoupleofweeks overtwowinters.”Theteamplanted thousandsofnatives,laidweedmats, installedplantguardsandmatched speciescarefullytositeconditions. “Beesliketrees,andwewerehappyto getplantsinthegroundforthebees,” Damiensays.

Theconnectiontookanunexpected turnwhenTompaidKintailHoney’s $14,000invoicefortheworkandthe companychosetodonatethefull

amounttotheTakapauHealthCentre. “Thehealthcentrehadabigfundraising pushunderway,soitfeltlikeagoodway tocontribute,”Damiensays. Itisaclearexampleoflocalsbacking locals.Afarm-basedenvironmental projectsupportedbyalocalbusiness, withthateffortthenredirectedintoa communityfacility.Whatstartedas awetlandhasbecomesomething wider,areminderthatwhenfarmers, businessesandcommunitiespullinthe samedirection,theimpactreacheswell beyondthefarmgate.

TukipofarmersTomandAnnaTennent withDamienWardandMarshaFrancis fromKintailHoney.

WorkersfromKintailHoneyplantedthousandsofnativesontheTennent’sAshley Clintonproperty.

Napier’sbest-valueretirementvillas, nowavailableoff-planfrom$420,000.

There’sstilltimetosecureyourdreamhomeinNapier’smostaffordable,gatedretirement community–OnekawaLifestyleVillagebytheNapierDistrictMasonicTrust.Construction hasstarted,andwithonly34one-and-two-bedroomvillasavailableinthiscentrallocation, thesestylishhomesarewalkingoutthedoor.

Availabletobuynowoffplan,these contemporaryhousesareattainable andsustainable,withplentyofroom tomeetandgreetfamilyandfriends, includingthecommunitypavilion completewithBBQ.Allperfectly placedforexperiencingeverything Napierhastooffer.

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Servingthecommunitysince1961

Rugbybrothersturninjury setbacksintomomentumatEIT

TwoHawke’sBayrugbybrothers haveusedtimesidelinedbyinjury togainnewskillsthroughstudyat EIT.

NoahandRudyIoasa,well-known rugbyplayersfromCentralHawke’s Bay,bothcompletedtheNewZealand CertificateinExerciseatEITlastyear, afterinjuriesdisruptedtheirplaying seasons.

BrothersRudy(left)andNoahIoasa bothstudiedtheNZCertificatein Exerciseafterinjurysetbacksforced themtotakeabreakfromplaying rugbyatahighlevel.

ForNoah,19,thedecisiontostudy followedasignificantkneeinjurythat haltedanoverseasrugbyopportunity earlierintheyear.HeunderwentACL andmeniscussurgeryandspentmuch of2025focusedonrehabilitation.

“Iwasn’treallykeenonstudying becauseIdidn’tenjoyschoolthat much.Butmyrugbyopportunitydidn’t gotoplan,andIgotinjured,soIhadto dosomethingfortheyear.Thiscourse cameup,anditactuallyworkedreally wellalongsidemyrehab.”

TheprogrammegaveNoaha strongerunderstandingofhowthe bodyfunctions,particularlyinrelation torecoveryandperformance.

“Ithelpedmelearnmoreaboutmy body,especiallyaroundnutrition.That sideofitdefinitelyhelpedwhileIwas rehabbing.”

Noahhassincepassedhisreturn-toplaytestingandispreparingtoheadto AustraliaearlynextyeartojoinSydney clubsidetheHunterWildfires,where heplaysfirstfive-eighth.Hislong-term goalremainsprofessionalrugby.

“That’sthebiggoal.Thisyear,I’ll befocusedonworking,playing,and seeingwhereittakesme.”

Rudy,20,alsoarrivedatEITfollowing aninjurysetbackafterspendingtime playingrugbyandworkingoverseas. Afterreturninghome,heenrolledin theprogrammeasawaytoresetand refocus.

“Itwasreallyenjoyable.I’dbeenon anOEstraightoutofschool,soitwas goodtogetbackintotheclassroom.”

Hesaidtheteachingandpractical focusofthecoursestoodout.

“Wecoveredanatomy, humanmovement,nutritionand professionalism.Itmadesense studyingsomethingI’mgenuinely interestedin,becauseI’vealways enjoyedtrainingandthegym.”

Studyingtogetheraddedanother layertotheexperienceforthebrothers, whohavegrownupplayingrugby alongsideoneanother.

“Itwasgoodhavingsomeonethere, especiallywhilewewerebothinjured.”

Rudyisnowplanningtocontinuehis studiesatahigherlevelthisyear,while takingtimetofullyrebuildphysically beforereturningtocompetitiverugby.

“Imighttakeayearoffplayingtoget backtofullstrengthandspeed,”he said.“ThenI’lllookatgoingagain.”

Bothbrotherssaidtheprogramme providedknowledgethatwillbeuseful regardlessofwhererugbytakesthem.

“Youdon’thavetowanttobea personaltrainertodoit,”Noahsaid. “Youlearnalotaboutthebodyand howtolookafteryourself,whichis usefulforsportandlifeingeneral.”

ToddRogers,HeadofSchoolTrades andTechnology,said:“Itisgreatto seetheseyoungmenengageinstudy whilstrecoveringfrominjuries”.

“Professionalplayerscanbeonlyone injuryawayfromunemployment,so trainingthebrainisjustasimportant.”

Hawke’sBay’sonly dedicated

After-PartyClean-Ups Wetakecareofthemessso youdon’thaveto.Rubbish, dishes,andsurfacesrestored quicklyforafreshstartthe nextday.

Corporate&VenueResets Professional,reliableclean-up foroffices,halls,andvenues, keepingyourbrandandspace spotlessaftereveryevent.

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“Wakinguptoaspotlesshouseafterhosting90peoplefeltlike amiracle.Wehadcoffeeontheporch,jumpedinthepool, andactuallyenjoyedthe morningwithourout‐of‐townguests insteadofspendinghourscleaning. Dustyisagame‐changer.”

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BrothersRudy(left)andNoahIoasabothstudiedtheNZCertificateinExerciseafterinjury setbacksforcedthemtotakeabreakfromplayingrugbyatahighlevel.

Changinglivesonelicenceatatime

CONNECTDriverSafetyandLicensingProgrammeinCentralHawke’s Bayisanationallyrecognised,leadinginitiativefocusedonremoving oneofthebiggestbarriersfacingyoungpeopleinruralcommunities: accesstosafeandreliabletransport.InCentralHawke’sBay,wheredistances betweentowns,schools,workplaces,andservicescanbesignificant,holdinga driverlicenceisoftenessential.CONNECTrecognisesthisrealityandprovides targetedsupporttohelpalllocalyoungpeoplenavigatethelicensing journeyfromstarttofinishastheyturn16andbegintransitioningintogreater independence.

TheprogrammeisdesignedtoguidestudentsfromCHBCollegeandTe AuteCollegethrougheverystageofNewZealand’sGraduatedDriverLicensing System,beginningwiththelearnerlicence.CONNECTdeliversweeklylearner licenceclassesthathelpstudentsunderstandtheroadcode,preparefortheir theorytest,andbuildtheconfidenceneededtosucceed.

Oncestudentsgaintheirlearnerlicence,CONNECTcontinuestosupportthem throughthepracticaldrivingstage,oftenthegreatestchallengeforyoung peopleinruralcommunities.Manyparticipantsfacebarrierssuchaslimited accesstoavehicle,aqualifiedsupervisor,fuelcosts,orregularopportunities topracticedriving.CONNECTworkstobridgethesegapsbyconnectingyoung peoplewithvolunteermentors,organisingprofessionaldrivinglessons,and supportingthemtogainthesuperviseddrivinghoursrequiredtoprogress throughthelicensingsystem.Thishands-onapproachnotonlyimproves drivingskills,butalsobuildsconfidence,independence,andsaferdrivinghabits.

AsachosenCommunityDriverTestingAgent,CONNECTcancomplete practicaldrivertestinglocally, makingtheprogrammeaonestop-shopfordriversafetyand licensinginCentralHawke’s Bay.CONNECThassignificantly increasedCHB’slikelihoodthat youngpeoplewillcompletethe fulllicensingpathway.

Theimpactoftheprogramme extendsfarbeyondobtaining alicence.Holdingadriver licenceopensaccessto employmentopportunities orattendtertiaryeducation, sportingcommitments,and communityactivities,helping themparticipatemorefullyin

SomeoftheCHBCollegeStudentswhoobtainedtheirlicencewithCONNECTin2025.

communitylife.Forlocalemployers,alicensedworkforceincreasesreliability, employability,andtheavailablelocaltalentpool,contributingtoastronger regionaleconomy.

CONNECT’sDriverSafetyandLicensinginitiativealsodeliverslong-termroad safetybenefitsforthewidercommunity.Studentsreceivepropereducation, supervisedpractice,andongoingguidanceandsupport,todevelopsafer, moreresponsibledrivers.

Importantly,CONNECTisuniquelydesignedfortheneedsofCentralHawke’s Bayandbuiltonafoundationofencouragement,accessibility,andyouth development.Theprogrammerecogniseseveryyoungperson’sjourneyis differentandbarrierscanbefurtherthanfinancial,like,fearoffailure,low confidence,accesstolegalvehicles,peopletoteachthemtodrive,anxiety, orlimitedfamilysupport.Throughasupportiveandinclusiveenvironment, CONNECTempowersyoungpeopletoprogressattheirownpacetoachieve independencetoaccessfutureopportunities.

Overall,theCONNECTDriverSafetyandLicensingprogrammeisapractical, initiative,changinglivesonelicenceatatime,whilestrengtheningthe wellbeing,resilience,andfutureofCentralHawke’sBay.

ThedayCONNECTstartedasaCommunity TestingAgentinWaipukurau–24November 2022.

Events

SmedleyStationOpenDay Thinkingofacareerintheruralsector? ComecheckoutwhatSmedleyStation canofferatoneoftheirOpenDays. Saturday6orSunday7thJune2026 commencing2pmatTheHub,1143 SmedleyRoad,Tikokino.

Gainabehindthescenesinsightinto ourtrainingprogramme,day-to-daylife asaSmedleycadet,viewfacilitiesand meetcurrentcadets,staffandboard membersinpreparationforapplyingfor oneof13,two-yearcadetshipsstarting January2027.Allapplicantsarestrongly encouragedtoattendanopenday.For furtherinformationandtodownloadan applicationpackvisitwww.smedley.ac.nz

Hawke’sBayFabric-a-Brac

Saturday13June,9.30amto1.0pm CentralHawke’sBayMunicipalTheatre, Waipawa,CentralHawke’sBay.Come alongtodiscovervintageandmodern fabrictreasures,haberdashery,patterns, buttonsandsewingsuppliesforsale,all inaidofCranfordHospice.Thisfabricand sewingmarketisawonderfulmorning out!

Thisisanon-profitevent:proceedsfrom

donatedfabrics,stallholderfeesandthe pop-upcafegotoCranfordHospice. Freeentry,goldcoinkohaforHospice appreciatedandtherewillbearaffle. Bringcashasmoststallswillbecashonly. Findoutmoreatwww.fabricabrac.com

WaroftheWorlds WaipukurauLittleTheatre

July9-18

TheWaroftheWorldswasalandmark sciencefictionnovelbyH.G.Wellsthat exploredthemesofalieninvasion, technologicalsuperiority,andthe fragilityofhumancivilization.Wells’svivid descriptionsandrealisticportrayalof societalcollapsecreatedachillingand compellingnarrative. Thisproductionusestheoriginal1938 radioscriptwithnotesandchangesto thescriptmarkedbythebroadcast’s narratorOrsonWelles.Director,Helen Griffin,hasincorporatedlivestage characterstoenhancetheexperience andtohelpyouvisualisetheterrorand destructionwroughtbytheinvaders.

ŌtāneVillageArtisan Market

ŌtāneVillageHall,HigginsonStreet SundayJuly19,9am-1pm

Someofthechoir’s40membersatrehearsal. Wingsisamilestoneandatribute

CentralHawke’sBay’sConcertChoiriswellintorehearsalsfortheirmid-year concertwiththethemeofWings.ConductorJennyCrosssaystheprogramme includeswell-knownsongssuchasBobMarley’sThreeLittleBirds,YouaretheWind BeneathmyWingsassungbyBetteMiddler,SpaceOdditybyDavidBowieanda lovelyarrangementofPaulMcCartney’sMullofKintyre.“Wearealsoworkingon somebiggersongs,”saysJenny.“FlightbyCraigCarneliusisawonderfulchoral workandOntheWingsofSongbyGwynethWalkerisabeautifulandmovingpiece.” TheChoir’sfounderandlong-timeMusicDirectorKathFletcherpassedawayearlier intheyear,andJennysaysthattheConcertChoirwillcontinuetobuildontheir strengths.“Thisyearmarksourtwentyfifthanniversaryandthisconcertwillbeboth acelebrationofourmilestoneandatributetoKathandthelegacythatwearealla partof.”

WingswillbeperformedonSunday14thJuneat2pmandMonday15thJuneat 7.00pmatStMary’sChurchinWaipukurau.Ticketsare$10peradultwithschoolage childrenfree.

Ticketscanbepre-purchasedfromchoirmembersandtherewillbecashsalesat thedoor.

“Ourchoirhasastrongtraditionofvariedandenjoyableperformances,”saysJenny. “Wearelookingforwardtoanotherwonderfulconcert!”